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Outlander has had a great, fan-thrilling run on Starz while adapting Diana Gabaldon’s same-named book series. Actually, that run is not over (far from it), although the wait between seasons has been so long that devotees refer to this phenomenon as “Droughtlander.” That’s both a good thing (because the audience is salivating for more, which the show deserves for having far more substance than being a mere “bodice ripper” story) but also, obviously, not optimal because frustrated viewers can get randy rowdy.

Starz does, after all, swiftly crank out new seasons of 50 Cent’s prolific Power universe, so the Outlander holdup does look curious, and dang it, people want their timey-wimey historical-romantic drama, too. Since Outlander‘s seventh season won’t even air until November (with an eighth season currently filming), there’s no time like the present to discuss the planned prequel, which is fortunately already rolling cameras.

Plot

Outlander will soon be focusing on the concept of not returning home despite physically traveling home, yet the prequel will take Jamie and Claire’s home lives back in time to a point where they didn’t yet exist. That is to say, don’t expect to see Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, but Blood Of My Blood will spend time in the Scottish Highlands, and the logline remains simple: “The series will center on these two parallel love stories set in two different time periods, with Jamie’s parents in the early 18th-century Scottish Highlands and Claire’s parents in WWI England.”

As well, the prequel will be written and executive produced by current Outlander co-showrunner Matthew B. Roberts, and naturally, Starz is keeping a great deal of information under wraps, but TV Line noticed that some casting news actually reveals an Easter Egg that isn’t exactly in the books but does source from the audiobooks in a way. What gives? Jamie’s paternal grandma is never named in the Outlander books but receives a shoutout in The Outlandish Companion, and although she isn’t given a name in the source material, the prequel will have a housekeeper character (portrayed by Sara Vickers) who will be named after Davina Porter, who voices the Outlander audiobooks.

“Davina Porter” will be retconned into the story as Jamie’s grandmother, and TV Line reminds the world another reason why this is a notable tidbit:

In a Season 2 episode of the TV adaptation, an ashamed Jamie confesses to Claire that his father was an acknowledged bastard of Lord Lovat; he apologizes for not having the courage to tell her the truth before their wedding.

Cast

Variety has been all over the casting news here. Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine will portray Claire’s parents, Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp; and Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy will portray Jamie’s parents, Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser. The supporting cast is vast and includes Sally Messham, Ailsa Davidson, Brian McCardie, Terence Rae, Sadhbh Malin Jocasta Cameron, Jhon Lumsden, Annabelle Dowler, Peter Mullan, and Harry Eaton.

Release Date

For the prequel? C’mon. As of now, Starz has only revealed that the seventh season of Outlander will return in November while the eighth season is already filming. No information has dropped on whether Blood Of My Blood will air between or after the unaired Outlander episodes, or if Starz is planning on concurrently running the series.

Trailer

Chances are that we’ll see a prequel teaser of some sort when Outlander premieres its seventh season in November.

On her new album, Charm, singer Clairo feels like she’s finally found the sound she’s “always wanted” (and it sounds good).

In an an interview with Crack magazine to discuss her third studio album, the “Sexy To Someone” singer credits producer/former Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings member Leon Michels for helping her “find the sound I’ve always wanted,” she said. “When I listen to the records he’s worked on, I don’t know how he does it – I can’t recognise anything, it all sounds so different.”

Clairo also looked back at 2019’s Immunity and 2021’s Sling, which she calls “someone trying to become an adult and doing it in front of a lot of people.”

College is where many people transition into adulthood, but Clairo dropped out of Syracuse University after one year to focus on her music career (this proved to be a good call). Does she feel like she missed out?

“I always wonder what would have happened if I finished college,” she confessed. “It kind of haunts me, but it kind of doesn’t. I guess I won’t ever know. I don’t think it was a bad thing. I think it was really cool, the way everything happened.”

Charm is out 7/12 via Clairo Records LLC. Find more information here.

With certain TV shows, it can be hard to win over the fans in between seasons. Sometimes, a hiatus becomes too long and the show is left in limbo. Other times, the follow-up seasons feel too rushed or disappointing. The folks behind The Bear are trying to keep the hype by finding that sweet spot: enough time in between seasons to digest the meal, but not so much time that we all forget about that savory cannoli we just ate.

In March, rumors surfaced that season three of The Bear would be shot simultaneously as season four, meaning that they could crank out some episodes to shelf for a later date in order to keep up with the cast’s demanding schedules and Bruce Springsteen cosplays. Then a report suggested that perhaps the additional filming didn’t happen after all, meaning that the cast would have to regroup for more. What really happened?

Even though season three consisted of 10 episodes, Ebon Moss-Bachrach told Mr Porter that they actually filmed more than that, meaning that season four could be on the way sooner than fans think. “We were going to make one season, but that season was getting bigger and bigger and at a certain point it seemed like maybe we should write more, not feel constrained and turn it into two seasons,” he added.

“We shot about 18 episodes,” he revealed. But he said that it’s not that simple. “But everything shifts. In the past, what was one episode on the page has been split into two. I just lose myself in the messiness and chaos of it. I like getting taken by a wave that’s bigger than you thought it was, tumbled around and spit out the other end.”

Earlier in the week, Moss-Bachrach also revealed that he thinks the story is winding down. “I feel like we’re getting near to the end of The Bear. It seems like that story is wrapping up to me,” he told The Telegraph.

As of right now, there is no official announcement regarding season four. Still, it seems like there are eight unaired episodes of The Bear floating around somewhere in the universe, so we might once again see Carmy’s frustrated expression sooner rather than later.

The Bear is currently streaming on Hulu.

(Via Mr Porter)

Every week, Billboard unveils the top 10 songs on the latest Hot 100 chart. The most recent rankings, for the chart dated July 13, are out now, so let’s run down who had this week’s biggest hits.

10. Chappell Roan — “Good Luck, Babe!”

Chappell Roan doesn’t need luck, babe. Her viral April single becomes her first-ever top-10 placement on the Hot 100. Also this week, Chappell Roan’s 2023 album The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess cracked the top five of the Billboard 200 for the first time.

9. Teddy Swims — “Lose Control”

Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” remains at No. 9 for the fourth consecutive week. The song peaked at No. 1 to end March, and it has charted for nearly 50 weeks total.

8. Benson Boone — “Beautiful Things”

Like Teddy Swims, Benson Boone remains at No. 8, and “Beautiful Things” previously peaked at No. 2 on the chart dated March 30.

7. Hozier — “Too Sweet”

Sorry, another week-to-week repeater.

6. Sabrina Carpenter — “Please Please Please”

Sabrina Carpenter landed his first-career No. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Please Please Please” on the chart dated June 29. Last week, “Please Please Please” slid to No. 5, and now, it’s at No. 6.

5. Tommy Richman — “Million Dollar Baby”

Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” swapped places with Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” from last week.

4. Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso”

How “Espresso” wasn’t Carpenter’s first-ever No. 1 is beyond me, but it’s steady at No. 4 week-over-week. Its peak was No. 3 on the chart dated June 22.

3. Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”

Thank you, Drake. Kendrick Lamar hasn’t been this visible between album cycles in ages. Lamar’s ruthless Drake diss track debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart dated May 18, and “Not Like Us” jumped from No. 6 to No. 3 last week. This week, it’s back at No. 3. The song isn’t going away anytime soon, as Lamar released the video on July 4.

2. Post Malone Feat. Morgan Wallen — “I Had Some Help”

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” enjoyed its sixth nonconsecutive week at No. 1 last week, but it’s back down to No. 2 this week.

1. Shaboozey — “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

At last! Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has steadily climbed the Hot 100 since its April arrival. The unbelievably catchy country-pop tune leapfrogged from No. 3 (chart dated June 29) to No. 2 (July 6) and now, finally, No. 1. This is Shaboozey’s first-career No. 1 on the Hot 100.

According to Billboard, Shaboozey is now the first-ever Black male artist “to top both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs” and second Black artist overall behind only Beyoncé. The publication also relayed “A Bar Song (Tipsy) is the first song ever to chart in the top 10 across Country Airplay, Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay. TLDR: It’s everywhere.

This year’s USA Basketball men’s squad features 12 of the absolute best players in the NBA, and they arrived in Las Vegas over the weekend to begin training camp ahead of the Paris Olympics that begin later this month.

While it is a star-studded roster, not all of them can do one of the more basic tricks with the basketball: spinning the ball on your finger. The NBA posted a very funny video asking all of the guys at their USA Basketball promo shoot to spin the ball on their finger, and got some of their teammates reactions when they learned who couldn’t do it. Among those that can’t are LeBron James, Tyrese Haliburton, Joel Embiid, and Steph Curry, the latter of whom called it was the “most embarrassing” thing about himself.

While LeBron, Hali, and Embiid seem at peace with their inability to do it, it just makes Curry incredibly frustrated as he slams the ball down after it falls off. Aside from learning a rare basketball insecurity of the greatest shooter to every play the game, the best part of the video is the reaction of guys learning who can’t. KD is disgusted by Embiid not being able to do it, noting he thought he was more coordinated than that, while Anthony Davis can’t believe Jrue Holiday would besmirch his good name by saying he didn’t think AD could do it. However, my personal favorite is the way Bam Adebayo just grumbles “Gen Z” in disgust when told Haliburton can’t do it. Bam wants those damn kids to put down the TikTok and pick up a basketball and learn some skills.

“Monday morning talking about me while I’m making money,” Rema says to open “HEHEHE,” his newest single. And it might be the most literal lyric he’ll ever write. On Monday morning, July 8, Rema dropped “HEHEHE” and announced HEIS, his forthcoming album, so, yes, people are talking about him on a Monday morning while he presumably is always making money.

The 113-second vibe of a song hinges upon Rema melodically cackling at his haters and promising he has zero intention to ease up. “The drum patterns and cadence distinctly showcase his heritage, continuing his mission to connect listeners with his origins,” a press release additionally relayed.

HEIS will be released on Thursday, July 11. Rema last full-length release was March 2022’s Rave & Roses. The Afrobeats sensation added six songs for Rave & Roses (Ultra) in April 2023, including the “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Radio Songs, Pop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay charts. It also enjoyed a No. 3 peak on the Billboard Hot 100.

Most recently, Rema teamed with Shallipopi for “Benin Boys,” an overwhelmingly positive single dripping in hometown pride.

Rema is scheduled to headline Afro Nation Detroit next month.

Listen to “HEHEHE” above, and check out Rema’s HEIS album cover art below.

Rema’s HEIS Album Cover Artwork

HEIS is out 7/11 via Mavin Records/Interscope Records. Find more information here.

Longlegs is the upcoming horror slasher starring Nic Cage and before you think “Hey, I’ve seen that before” think again, because it seems like Nic Cage has once again completely transformed himself into a shell of what he once was in order to ensure a chilling performance in the film. It seems to have worked.

The movie, directed by Osgood Perkins (real fans know him as “Dorky Dave” from Legally Blonde) hits theaters this weekend and early reviews are confirming that this is not the National Treasure Nic Cage we all know and love: Longlegs Nic Cage is a whole new breed.

The film follows FBI Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), who is tasked with tracking down the elusive serial killer. Through the course of the investigation, she learns that she might have her own personal connection with the killer, who is using the occult and some Zodiac Killer-style messages to lure his victims. When all else fails to scare an audience, throwing in some Satanic Panic is always a surefire way to haunt viewers.

While the story might have been done a few times before, critics agree that Cage gives a career defining performance in the film that will haunt your dreams. Here’s what they are saying:

Peter Debruge, Variety:

In the moment, it’s considerably less scary than the ecstatic early buzz — ginned up by Neon via whisper campaigns and strategic advance screenings — would have you believe. Less than 12 hours after seeing it, however, the demented Nicolas Cage character resurfaced in my nightmares, popping up out of nowhere to screech, “Hail Satan!” in that unnerving, high-pitched voice of his.

How many horror movies can claim to hijack your subconscious?

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter:

The film allows Nicolas Cage to add another Hall of Fame entry to his gallery of psychos, one that won’t soon be forgotten. If you cast Cage in genre material like this and then only hint at his presence in the trailers, it’s a given that he’s not going to be playing warm and cuddly. The fun in Longlegs is in discovering that Cage’s title character is just one part of the horrific reality behind a growing string of violent deaths.

Tim Grierson, Screen Daily:

Despite the fact that Longlegs dabbles in Satanism and psychic powers, Perkins brings a bracing realism which only makes the sometimes-graphic horror much more upsetting. In due course, Lee will unlock her past and deduce Longlegs’ plan, and the explanations are refreshingly airtight; an impressive achievement considering so many horror films struggle to explain their riddles. Perkins exerts an almost Fincher-ian level of tonal control over this material, and the supporting players — especially Blair Underwood as Lee’s weary boss and Alicia Witt playing her conservative religious mother — are expertly used. In Longlegs, Lee may solve the mystery, but she does not find any satisfaction along the way. Something wicked is still out there – and it is only getting closer.

David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel:

Longlegs is a masterclass in horror and storytelling. Prioritizing tension, characters, and atmosphere, it’s a masterful blend thought-provoking storytelling and “art house.” It’s unholy. It’s unnerving. It’s surreal. It’s Oz Perkins’ magnum opus.

Ian Sandwell of Digital Spy wrote:

It’s the bloody bow on proceedings that cements Longlegs as not just one of 2024’s best horror movies, but one of the year’s best movies overall. You are not ready for the unforgettable and chilling experience that is Longlegs.

Joey Magidson, AwardsRadar:

Longlegs is a horror masterpiece. It’s not just a crowning achievement for the genre, it’s the best film of 2024 so far. I loved it from start to finish, even if it left me with a pounding heart. They so rarely make movies like this anymore, so it’s more than an instant horror classic, it’s something that I’ll never forget.

Longlegs hits theaters on July 12.

Lady Gaga surprised a lot of people with her terrific performance in 2018’s A Star Is Born. The “Rain On Me” singer and Chappell Roan fan is still catching people off guard, even with an Academy Award nomination to her name.

While speaking at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Joker: Folie à Deux casting director Francine Maisler revealed that Gaga wasn’t her idea to play Harley “Lee” Quinn in the film, but she’s thrilled she got the part. “She’s so good in it, you guys. She’s going to blow your mind. I didn’t suggest Lady Gaga. It wasn’t my idea. That was Todd Phillips, before me. But I will tell you, she’s really surprising — and really good,” she said, according to IndieWire.

Maisler continued, “I saw it and I was really surprised. I mean, we all knew what she could do in A Star Is Born, but I thought, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of in her wheelhouse.’ Something she could do and just be real. But this… Man, she’s good. Joaquin [Phoenix, who plays Arthur Fleck] blows your mind, but that she could keep up with him, and be real — and not just wiped off the screen by what that role is and what the performance is — shows she’s good.”

Two different actors have won an Oscar for playing the Joker. Maybe Lady Gaga will be the first for Harley Quinn?

Joker: Folie à Deux comes out in theaters on October 4.

House of the Dragon’s fourth episode left us with plenty of questions about how the show is adapting its source material, if dragons will ever earn any real respect in Westeros, and exactly what Daemon’s getting up to at Harrenhal besides experimenting with psychadelics and threatening small children. Mostly though, “The Red Dragon and the Gold” left us crying, shaking, and throwing up over the ways hurt people, hurt people (and dragons).

We don’t have any satisfying answers or clinically-approved ways of coping with the trauma of watching these mythical creatures die (the dragons, not the bleached blondes riding them), but we do have an updated character ranking after HoTD’s latest episode that might put these power plays into perspective.

Aemond Targaryen

Aemond and Vhagar are two-for-two when it comes to mauling their relatives to death, which feels like a fact both would treat as a humble brag, to be honest. Not only did Aemond fail to cc Aegon on any of his battle-planning emails with Criston Cole, he shamed him in bilingual in front of his war council and torched him out of the sky as his entire army watched on. Yet, for all his “wins” this episode, his (understandable) grudge against his king proves that behind the eye-patch and the c*nty catwalk, Aemond’s still that sensitive, broken little boy trying to earn the respect of those around him. But would he be as big and bad without the world’s oldest, largest living war machine behind him? Probably not.

Rhaenys Targaryen

Look up “ride or die” in the dictionary and you’ll find a picture of Rhaenys Targaryen. The Queen That Never Was demonstrated just how much better she is at this whole ruling business over the course of the season, making the ultimate sacrifice for her chosen monarch when the time came. Her character was a fascinating study of power through a feminine lens – how women grapple for it within a patriarchal structure, how they’re denied it, and how they take back some for themselves in ways both big and small. Whether it was clawing Aegon and Sunfyre out of the clouds, facing down certain death to deal blows to Team Black’s greatest enemy, or reading her husband’s adulterous tea leaves, Rhaenys always held a quiet kind of strength and superiority compared to the men around her. She deserved more than what she got in life, but at least she’ll leave behind a legacy greater than that of the men who wronged her.

Corlys Velaryon

It’s not that Corlys does anything particularly noteworthy this episode. In fact, he’s a bit of a coward when faced with his wife’s side chick allegations, but he does position himself as a man of influence amongst the squabbling sh*tbrains that make up Rhaenyra’s council. It’s probably because he has great hair and a working penis, but the Black’s Queen needs all the help she can get right now. Hopefully her potential Hand won’t be too put off by the unfortunate dead-wife situation.

Jacaerys Velaryon

Jacaerys Velaryon is never beating those mama’s boy allegations, we fear. Rhaenyra’s eldest did his best to rebel this episode, calling on every hormone that blessed him with those luscious curls and buccal fat-free cheeks to launch some angst his queen’s way. He made some strategic moves, defending his cousin to the sad sacks his mother hired and volunteering to aid Rhaenys at Rook’s Rest before a stern look from mommy shut him up fairly quickly.

Criston Cole

A girl said no to Criston Cole just once and now, the flaccid trash waffle is in full-blown domestic terrorist mode, beheading Rhaenyra’s allies and tossing out the most unoriginal insults to her honor in the process. Despite being a hypocritical slimebucket, Cole has managed to amass an army in Aegon’s name, one that’s so large, it threatens Team Black’s access to the mainland, hence why Rhaenys needed to commit seppuku on dragon back. But think of how many lives might have been saved if this Dornish hick had simply been content to punch above his weight class as a Targaryen queen’s side piece instead of resenting her for turning down a life of oranges and cinnamon and abject poverty?

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Now that Rhaenyra can sleep soundly, knowing she’s down everything in her power to prevent war, we expect to see the Targaryen show a bit of fire and burn her enemies to the ground. The word “peace” shall never again escape her lips. The Ice & Fire prophecy goes back on the shelf to collect dust. The good of the realm be damned – it’s time to grow a pair of ovaries and commit fratricide.

Larys Strong

Larys has earned a seat at Aegon’s table, which sounds like a promotion until you realize it means he’s an easy scapegoat for all of the king’s poor leadership decisions. Luckily, Alicent doesn’t know how to tidy up after herself so the clubbed-foot busybody has a bit more dirt to bury his enemies with now.

Alys Rivers

Here’s what we know of Alys Rivers: She’s probably a witch, maybe hundreds of years old, gives the appearance of smelling like a swamp, loves to roofie silver-haired squatters, and would probably love Stevie Nicks’ discography.

Alicent Hightower

Oh really? Alicent didn’t “do anything” this episode? How about manipulating the royal master into brewing her a cup of abortion tea and sending her first-born into battle drunk and deflated by her complete lack of faith in him?

Baela Targaryen

We hate to say this, but she really should’ve burnt that forest down when she had the chance.

Daemon Targaryen

While his wife risked her neck to sue for peace in King’s Landing and Rhaenys gave her life to defeat the eyepatched-twink obsessed with him, Daemon is knee-deep in the renovation of Harrenhal. He’s arguing with Rivermen over facts and figures, trying to hire good help and being met with baby-faced boys too cowardly to pick up a pillow and do the work themselves. He’s having weird dreams and even more disturbing midnight chats with a castle witch whose been lacing his mead with the Westeros equivalent of LSD. And, with Cole’s victory at Rook’s Rest, his deadline for getting the crumbling heap in garrison shape has just been pushed up. Daemon could use a project manager, and fast.

Aegon Targaryen

Someone get Aegon access to a Duolingo subscription and the number of a good plastic surgeon, he’s going to need both to fend off the ruthless ambition of his younger brother from his (probable) death bed.

HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’ airs on Sunday nights.

It’s been a long road for the Dutton family. After premiering in 2018, Yellowstone has only gained more momentum over the years, thanks to dads all over the country trying to convince their young adult children to tune in. The first two seasons were popular enough, but after viewership skyrocketed during season three, Yellowstone became a sensation… but that wasn’t quite enough to keep Kevin Costner around.

Season five part one first premiered in November 2022, and since then, a lot has gone down. Costner left the series to finish his passion project, Horizon: An American Saga, and while at one point it seemed like he would be open to returning for the rest of season five, he keeps saying otherwise. Right now, it seems like that door is closed for Costner, and here’s what else is known about the show’s final run:

Plot

Without John Dutton, there are still some serious loose ends to tie up in the remaining episodes. Wes Bentley, who plays Jamie Dutton, hopes the series brings fans some answers regarding the future of the ranch and the Dutton family, which was up in the air in the beginning of season five as Beth and Jamie clash over his calling for John’s impeachment.

Last year, Bentley told The Hollywood Reporter, “Obviously, I’m not the writer. But as a viewer, there are so many potentials for Jamie. Does he go down with John? Does John go down because of Jamie? Does Jamie have a hand in it at all, or does it turn out Jamie tries to protect him? It’s hard to read Jamie,” he said. “There are so many potential ways he deals with John’s ending.”

Both Paramount and the cast are staying quiet about further details, although both Ian Bohen and Jen Landon have revealed peeks from behind the scenes.

Additionally, there are still plenty of Yellowstone spinoffs in the works, including another season of 1923 and the upcoming 6666 and 2024, in addition to whatever Matthew McConaughey is cooking up.

Cast

The cast includes Brandon Sklenar, Darren Mann, Cole Hauser, Ian Bohen, Jen Landon, Ryan Bingham, Michelle Randolph, James Badge Dale, Marley Shelton, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Jerome Flynn, Forrie J. Smith, and Julia Schlaepfer.

Release Date

Regardless of what Costner seems to think, season five part two of Yellowstone is set to premiere on CBS on November 10, almost exactly two years after the season began. The delivery is reportedly set to consist of six episodes, but Taylor Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter that it could be more. “If I think it takes 10 episodes to wrap it up, they’ll give me 10,” he said. “It’ll be as long as it needs to be.” Production on the final episodes began in May.

Trailer

Filming is ongoing, so chances are good that an official teaser clip should surface soon.