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The final day of the Premier League season promised plenty of drama, as there were still two Champions League spots on the line for three teams desperate to land a top-4 spot. Liverpool faced Crystal Palace, Chelsea played Aston Villa, and Leicester City hosted Chelsea in the three-team race for the final two top-4 spots in the league, and by the middle of the day’s games, it appeared Leicester and Liverpool would be heading off to the Champions League.

Liverpool had little trouble with Crystal Palace, winning 2-0 on a pair of Sadio Mane goals, and early in the second half, Leicester took the lead after a second make from the penalty spot from Jamie Vardy.

All the while, Chelsea, which entered the day in third, were trailing against Villa and seemed destined to fall to fifth. Still, Leicester needed a win to guarantee themselves a spot in the Champions League, as a draw wasn’t going to be enough as they were not going to match the goal differential of Chelsea or Liverpool should they find themselves in a tie for fourth. All they had to do was hold their water for the final 40 minutes of the second half, but a goalkeeping blunder from Kasper Schmeichel saw their Champions League dreams collapse, as their keeper mistimed a punch on a corner, having it graze off the outside of his hand and bound into his own net.

It is a brutal mistake, and as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, Leicester’s hopes of a Champions League appearance slipped further and further away. Gareth Bale put two final nails in their coffin with a pair of late goals to send Liverpool and Chelsea into the Champions League and knock Leicester out of the top 4.

The result is a fifth place finish for Leicester, once again off to the Europa League rather than the Champions League, and they’ll have plenty to ponder about how they closed their season over the next few months before the start of the new league year. Liverpool jumped to third with a win and Chelsea, despite a loss to Aston Villa, hangs on to take fourth and join Liverpool, Manchester United, and the league champs Manchester City in Europe’s biggest club competition.

The Saturday Night Live cast admitted it was a difficult season in a variety of ways in its final episode, starting with an earnest cold open that detailed what a very weird and tough year it was for everyone involved. But in another sketch that was, perhaps fittingly, cut for time the show did its best to take advantage of its host’s claim to fame while further showing the stress lines in the creative process.

The sketch, called “Backstage Pitch,” sees Taylor-Joy and Kate McKinnon pitching potential ideas for the show’s final episode of Season 46. McKinnon’s pitch is Queens Gambit, which is the two as heavily-accented women from the borough of Queens playing chess. The digital short jumps to the pair briefly playing that concept out before Taylor-Joy hesitatingly expresses some interest in actually doing it.

More pitches come, all of them puns related to the Queen’s Gambit. And eventually, Aidy Bryant pulls Taylor-Joy aside to explain what’s going on.

“I just wanted to explain,” Bryant said. “Sometimes when a host is really known for one popular thing everyone tries to write something about it.”

It’s a helpful note, and does seem to make Taylor-Joy feel better, but then Bryant pitches “Free Queene,” a sketch about Free Willy if it were also aout chess pieces. Bryant said they already bought a whale to make it happen, but again it’s not clear a sketch idea is actually there. And then McKinnon, out of nowhere, pokes fun at the show’s past host this season.

“You know what’s weird, I had this insane dream that Elon Musk hosted and my mother was there,” McKinnon said. Except, you know, that actually happened.

The sketch fraying a bit, Bryant explains that it’s been tough to come up with good ideas through all of this.

“The world ended and we kept doing out skits,” Bryant said.

“Ultimately, we are just so lucky to be alive,” McKinnon admitted before pitching “Queen’s Borat” to Taylor-Joy, almost reflexively.

Some other suggestions that didn’t make the cut: Mr. Bean’s Gambit, Dairy Queen’s Damn Bitch, My Octopus Chess Teacher. But while they all ended in pitch hell on SNL, the sketch ends with Taylor-Joy calling “Netflix” and declaring “I’ve got our season two.”

In her opening monologue, Taylor-Joy also joked that she could “take a handful of green pills” and read cue cards for the show if she got nervous, and also joked that the most important move in chess is the one she perfected on the show.

“No matter what your skill level is your very first chess move should be this,” she said, folding her hands and resting her chin on them while looking up, expectedly. In other words, Queen’s Gambit got plenty of play on the show, even if the sketch explicitly about it never actually made it to air.

It’s hard to believe that we’re already celebrating the 35th anniversary of one of the best coming-of-age films ever, Stand By Me, which premiered in theaters in 1986. It’s been an eventful and often tragic 35 years for the foursome at the center of the film. River Phoenix died of an overdose in 1993, and Corey Feldman has experienced a lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse. Jerry O’Connell, however, seems to have weathered the last three-and-a-half decades fairly well.

The other lead cast member was Wil Wheaton, who has had a fairly successful low-key career, both in out and out of the movie and television industry. He had a memorable role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and he does a lot of voice work, but he’s mostly known at this point as a writer and man about town in the nerd world. However, he’s probably still best known for his break-out role in Stand By Me, in which he starred as Gordie, a 12-year-old aspiring writer.

As he recently told Yahoo! Movies, however, being a child actor was not a choice he made. He was forced into it by his mother, Debra, who was an actress, and his father, a medical specialist.

“I didn’t want to be an actor when I was a kid,” Wheaton told Yahoo Movies. “My parents forced me to do it, my mother made me do it. My mother coached me to go into her agency and tell the children’s agent, ‘I want to do what mommy does.’ And through a combination of an incredible emotional abuse from my father and a lot of manipulation, using me, from my mother, it really put me in that place.”

It is obviously unfortunate that Wheaton — who is now estranged from his parents — had that reservoir of abuse to pull from, and it’s sad that Wheaton experienced so many parallels with his Stand By Me character. It did, however, provoke a remarkable performance:

“[It] put me in exactly the right place to play Gordie. Because Gordie’s experience very much reflected my experience. We’re both invisible in our homes. We both have a brother who is the golden child. We’re both the scapegoat in the family. So when I watch Stand by Me now, I cannot ignore the unbelievable sadness in my eyes. And I cannot ignore the reality that it was that sadness, that isolation that I think gave me what Gordie needed to come to life and I think Rob Reiner saw that.”

There is, however, one more parallel between the lives of Gordie and Wheaton that has proven to be a positive one. “I guess I want to be a writer so that makes me Gordie. I never realized until I was in my 40s that I was Gordie because I was Gordie.” Wheaton has written a number of books over the last 20 years and has even been able to perform the audiobook versions himself. He’s also been a truly inspirational figure for many.

(Via Yahoo! Movies)

When Showtime announced that it would be bringing back its all-time biggest hit, Dexter, back in 2020, the assumption at that time would be that the series would return to its former locale in Miami and simply pick up back there nearly a decade later. However, we have since learned that it will be set in upstate New York (but filmed in Western Massachusetts) and that Dexter himself has recently relocated from Canada.

The relocation made it seem less likely that many of the original series stars would be returning (and that might be a good thing). James Remar, who originally played Dexter’s father/his Dark Passenger, even said as much, saying that the revival “didn’t ask any of the original cast back,” even though there is some evidence that Jennifer Carpenter’s Debra Morgan has been seen on the set.

This week, Lovecraft Country’s Jamie Chung — who has been cast as a true-crime podcaster in the revival — made some news by suggesting that the new season will be “darker than the original” and “have a different vibe.” That’s not all Chung said, however. She also added that people have been “stalking the set” and “production is being very diligent about hiding and whatnot.”

That diligence may, in fact, extend to asking potential returning cast members, like James Remar, to keep mum on their returns, because Chung also added that the revival will “have a lot of fresh faces, but a lot of familiar ones,” too. “A lot” of familiar faces seems to suggests that there will be more returning characters besides Dexter himself, or even Debra Morgan. “A lot of familiar ones,” in fact, seems to imply more than a few returning characters. She added, “I think it will certainly satisfy everyone’s appetite, especially if you’re a big Dexter fan.”

A “big Dexter fan” would probably not be “satisfied” without the return of Dexter, Debra, and Masuka, at the very least, and if they were really going to be satisfied, appearances from Batista, Quinn, Hannah, and Dexter’s son, Harrison, would probably also be in order.

In other words, while Chung made some news by saying the revival would be “darker” than the original, the more interesting detail is the one that contradicted earlier accounts that there would be no original cast members returning. Given the level of secrecy on the set, it’s hard to say whether Chung misspoke or Remar was fibbing.

No return date has been set for Dexter, but Showtime has tentatively stated that it could return in the fall.

(Via People)

Over the years, Cecily Strong’s impressions have been a mainstay of Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update. Whether she emulates a random figure thrust into the spotlight in the news cycle, a politician, or a wine-drunk Fox News host, Strong is always a highlight of the show’s offerings. Which is why the final episode of Season 46 featured a Weekend Update segment where Strong essentially tries to shatter Colin Jost and get him soaking wet.

Following a sequence where Jost and Michael Che each tried to ruin each other’s lives by writing offensive jokes for the other, Strong came to the stage with a gigantic glass of “wine” and slurred her words as Judge Jeanine Pirro, the Fox News host who has gained a reputation for unhinged, potentially drunken broadcasts that Donald Trump loves.

The sketch is supposed to be about the US/Mexico border, or something like that. But the whole thing was basically a ruse to have Strong slosh the contents of her glass all over herself, Jost and the Weekend Update desk. Jost really struggles to keep it together from the start, and at one point Strong runs out of wine in her glass and asks for a second, which is a huge tub of boxed wine she then gets into as she breaks into song.

The final show of Season 46 certainly had an air of saying goodbye in many ways, as it’s possible several cast members won’t return for Season 47. Pete Davidson, for example, joined Weekend Update to talk about mental health, and at one point he says “it’s been an honor to grow up in front of you guys.”

As for Strong, well, if this is her final appearance on Saturday Night Live she certainly did end it her way as well.

The final new episode of Saturday Night Live aired this weekend, and the show used its cold open to close the loop on Season 46 with an appearance from the season’s first host to look back on the very, very weird year that was. Chris Rock was back among the cast on Saturday, making a few jokes about the election and insurrection-filled Season 46 in a sketch that featured nearly the full cast and some emotional moments.

“We went from doing very weird shows at home to terrifying shows in person,” Bowen Yang said as the cast made some jokes about returning to New York to film live during a pandemic. There are several COVID-era jokes, one of the many complications that came from a season done amid several crises.

“I remember hearing if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds you don’t have COVID,” Aidy Bryant said. “And I did that so much, because I believe in science.”

Despite airing a brief montage of highlights that was actually just Elon Musk dancing as Wario, the show did get a bit reflective on its place in the cultural landscape thanks to Rock, who said it “feels like six years ago” that he hosted the season’s first episode in the fall. He then delivered an anecdote to show just how far things had swung in just a few months.

“I wanted Kanye West to be the musical guest, and he couldn’t do it because he was running for president. And the sitting president, who said COVID wasn’t real, got COVID,” Rock said. “That was this season. That was this season!”

He also roasted the show for continuing to trudge through the late winter and spring, suggesting that the show should have gone out with Trump’s loss in November.

“Then the election was over, Heatmiser loses, right? Big moment for SNL. Clearly the right time to leave. To end the season,” Rock said. “But no. These idiots did twelve more shows. Even Jim Carrey knew it was time to go home.”

The sketch also had some emotional moments, including a tribute to people from the show and family members who died during the year. But the sketch mostly felt like one of relief, that the cast and crew made it to the finish line of a year that had major challenges, unprecedented circumstances and plenty to joke about.

The Memphis Grizzlies rolled through the Western Conference play-in tournament, knocking off the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors to secure the 8-seed. Of course, that doesn’t mean their work is anywhere near done, and as a result, they have a date with the best team in the league.

Despite the fact that Donovan Mitchell has not played since tweaking his ankle in mid-April, the Utah Jazz have been nothing short of magnificent, getting the job done on both ends of the floor en route to securing the 1-seed in the Western Conference. Utah’s been good before, but never quite this good, and now, they have a chance to go on the sort of run that Salt Lake City has not seen since the late-90s, when John Stockton, Karl Malone, and co. made it to the NBA Finals.

Game 1 TV Info

Tip Time: Sunday, May 23; 9:30 p.m. ET
TV Network: TNT

Game 1 Betting Lines (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Series Prices: Jazz (-1250), Grizzlies (+700)
Spread: Jazz -8.5 (-110), Grizzlies +8.5 (-110)
Total: Over 216 (-113), Under 216 (-108)
Money Line: Jazz (-375), Grizzlies (+295)

Game 1 Player Scoring Props (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Jonas Valanciunas O/U 17.5 points (Over -118/Under -108)
Kyle Anderson O/U 11.5 (-113/-113)
Ja Morant O/U 21.5 (-113/-113)
Rudy Gobert O/U 13.5 (-134/+105)
Donovan Mitchell O/U 27.5 (-113/-113)
Jaren Jackson Jr O/U 13.5 (-113/-113)
Bojan Bogdanović O/U 19.5 (-113/-113)
Mike Conley O/U 15.5 (-113/-113)
Royce O’Neale O/U 6.5 (-113/-113)
Dillon Brooks O/U 18.5 (-113/-113)

The 4-5 series in the Eastern Conference is among the most even matchups that we have in the 2021 NBA playoffs. The 4-seed went to the New York Knicks, which some prognosticators did not even believe had a shot to make the playoffs when this year began. What no one saw coming was that their defense would be among the best in the NBA, while Julius Randle would take a step forward to become a legitimate All-NBA player.

The 5-seed, meanwhile, went to the Atlanta Hawks, and interestingly enough, this was the expectation. The team’s ownership group made no secret of the fact that it expected a playoff berth after going all in during free agency last off-season. Despite a coaching change, Atlanta has managed to do that behind Trae Young and a high-powered offense.

It might be the hardest series in the first round to get a read on, but at the very least, it should be a blast.

Game 1 TV Info

Tip Time: Sunday, May 23; 7:00 p.m. ET
TV Network: TNT

Game 1 Betting Lines (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Series Prices: Hawks (-136), Knicks (+110)
Spread: Knicks -1.5 (-112), Hawks +1.5 (-110)
Total: Over 215 (-112), Under 215 (-109)
Money Line: Knicks (-121), Hawks (+102)

Game 1 Player Scoring Props (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Bogdan Bogdanović O/U 17.5 points (-125 Over/-103 Under)
Nerlens Noel O/U 5.5 (-106/-121)
Julius Randle O/U 26.5 (-120/-107)
RJ Barrett O/U 17.5 (-118/-108)
Trae Young O/U 24.5 (-115/-110)
Clint Capela O/U 14.5 (-106/-121)
John Collins O/U 14.5 (-150/+118)
Reggie Bullock O/U 13.5 (-105/-122)

The 2-7 series in the Western Conference very well might be the most highly-anticipated in all of the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs. The Phoenix Suns, perhaps the best story in the league this year, earned their spot by getting the job done on both ends of the floor, and even though they are led by Chris Paul, they have the makings of one of the league’s most exciting up-and-coming teams.

Their reward for all the success: the defending NBA champions. Injuries have caused this to be a down year for the Los Angeles Lakers, but they’re hungry to defend their title. If LeBron James, in particular, is able to stay healthy (he’s mentioned he does not believe he’ll get back to 100 percent from the ankle injury that cost him two months), it’s hard to bet against L.A. … if, of course, they can get past their division rivals.

Game 1 TV Info

Tip Time: Sunday, May 23; 3:30 p.m. ET
TV Network: ABC

Game 1 Betting Lines (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Series Prices: Lakers (-177), Suns (+140)
Spread: Suns -2.5 (-109), Lakers +2.5 (-112)
Total: Over 213.5 (-108), Under 213.5 (-113)
Money Line: Suns (-139), Lakers (+117)

Game 1 Player Scoring Props (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Chris Paul O/U 17.5 points (Over -113/Under -113)
Jae Crowder O/U 10.5 (-103/-125)
Mikal Bridges O/U 13.5 (+107/-136)
LeBron James O/U 24.5 (+100/-127)
Anthony Davis O/U 25.5 (-103/-125)
DeAndre Ayton O/U 12.5 (-108/-118)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope O/U 10.5 (+100/-127)
Dennis Schröder O/U 13.5 (-103/-125)
Devin Booker O/U 26.5 (-103/-125)

A pair of teams draped in red, white, and blue will square off in the 1-8 series in the Eastern Conference. After a sensational regular season in which the team seemed to finally reach the potential that prognosticators have believed was within them for years, the Philadelphia 76ers secured the top seed and the best record in the East. On the other side of the coin, there are the Washington Wizards, which struggled to get off the ground this year but have played better as the season has wound down, earning their spot after going through the play-in tournament.

There’s plenty of star power on both sides of this, even if one of the major members of the Wizards’ roster is hobbled, as Bradley Beal is dealing with a bad hamstring. Unsurprisingly, Philadelphia are overwhelming favorites to move onto the conference semis.

Game 1 TV Info

Tip Time: Sunday, May 23; 1:00 p.m. ET
TV Network: TNT

Game 1 Betting Lines (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Series Prices: Sixers (-1000), Wizards (+600)
Spread: Sixers -7.5 (-110), Wizards +7.5 (-110)
Total: Over 229 (-113), Under 229 (-109)
Money Line: Sixers (-305), Wizards (+245)

Game 1 Player Scoring Props (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Tobias Harris O/U 20.5 points (Over -106/Under -121)
Alex Len O/U 4.5 points (-113/-113)
Rui Hachimura O/U 12.5 (-114/-112)
Raul Neto O/U 8.5 (-113/-113)
Russell Westbrook O/U 22.5 (-113/-113)
Joel Embiid O/U 32.5 (-113/-113)
Bradley Beal O/U 28.5 (-113/-113)
Seth Curry O/U 12.5 (-113/-113)
Danny Green O/U 9.5 (-124/-103)
Ben Simmons O/U 13.5 (-113/-113)