The next time you’re in a heated argument over which makes a better pet between dogs and cats, instantly end the conversation and clinch the W for dogs by asking this question: Can cats smell and help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Because it’s looking like dogs can. The Helsinki Airport is currently running a state-funded pilot program created by Finnish researchers to see if COVID-19 sniffing dogs might be a cheap, fast, and effective method of testing travelers for active coronavirus. According to the Guardian, the pilot program is funded to last for four months and so far the four COVID-19 sniffing dogs are proving to be quite effective — able to sniff out the presence of the coronavirus in just 10 seconds in a process that altogether takes less than a minute to complete.
That’s about 14 minutes faster than United Airlines recently announced rapid COVID-19 test, which they’re testing with passengers flying between San Francisco and Hawaii.
For the pilot program, international passengers arriving in Helsinki are asked to dab their skin with a wipe which is then placed in a beaker in a separate room along with other control scents where the pups come in and do their work. When the virus is found, the dogs will indicate the tainted sample by yelping, pawing, or lying down, making this the most adorable of the COVID-19 tests and a massive improvement over snorting a cotton swab. The Helsinki Airport says that in the future four dogs will work at the airport during a shift, the duration of which depends on the dogs. Currently, ten dogs are being trained for the COVID sniffing role.
The Guardianreports that scientists aren’t sure what exactly the dogs are responding to, but because they don’t have the receptors necessary for the virus to attach to, the health of the dogs isn’t affected. Preliminary tests in the study show that the COVID-19 sniffing dogs were able to identify the presence of the virus with nearly 100% accuracy, and because the dogs are able to identify COVID-19 from a smaller sample than the average PCR test requires, the dogs are actually able to identify the virus before a person even develops symptoms.
Jharrel Jerome generated a hefty buzz around his performance in the Netflix drama When They See Us last year. Now, he’s looking to spin that buzz into enthusiasm for his other artistic pursuits — namely, rap. Today he shares his first video, “For Real,” which finds him ruminating on the cost of his newfound fame. While he laments the demands of being an in-demand actor, he also demands respect as a musician, firing off rhymes at a rapid-fire clip over a beat with a soulful sample composed by Take A Daytrip, best known for working with Sheck Wes, Lil Nas X, and The Scotts.
“Tell me which Range I should cop,” Jerome challenges on the song’s defiant chorus. “Tell me whose booze I should grab / Tell me whose name should I drop / I’ma just do what you ask.” However, he denies being “here to be the coolest,” focusing instead on being true to himself. Meanwhile, guest rapper Kemba points out the problem with modern celebrity culture on his verse, charging “n****s that get their ideas off IG / Whole personality’s Twitter / I just see copies of copies.”
As far as first singles go, it isn’t bad and warrants any future attention given to Jharrel Jerome, both as an actor and as a rapper. Fortunately for him, he can justify the career move as he joins the list of other professional entertainers moonlighting in hip-hop — a list that includes NBA players like Damian Lillard and fellow actor Riz Ahmed. “Long before I became an actor, hip hop was my first love,” he explained in a statement. “I was the one spitting off the top at the lunch table in the sixth grade. If there was a freestyle cypher happening at the park, I was there.”
Carbonadi isn’t your typical vodka brand. It doesn’t come in a plastic handle and you definitely don’t need to mix it with saccharine ingredients to mask its flavor. Born in the Piemonte region in northern Italy, this “ultra-premium vodka” is made from 100 percent organically grown winter wheat. It’s distilled five times before being filtered through black diamonds. Finally, it’s micro-oxygenated prior to bottling in an effort to give the spirit a velvety mouthfeel.
The brand was co-founded by Ricky Miller III, who saw a need to elevate the vodka category and, clearly, took that passion to the furthest degree. The name itself is a testament to the detailed production process. Carbonadi is the Italian plural for “carbonado” — the industrial-type black diamonds through which the vodka is filtered.
“It’s a spirit that’s very unique in a world of sameness,” Miller told Uproxx recently. “The texture is creamy, like that of a wine, the impurities are non-existent like the Alps water it’s married to, and the bottle has a very northern Italian luxury perfume aesthetic.”
A former professional athlete, Miller is also a cancer survivor and a Black man in an industry that has historically struggled with diversity. As the drinks business continues its a long-overdue reckoning with regards to racial justice and inclusion, the brand founder was gracious enough to answer a few questions about his struggles getting Carbonadi started, how the vodka world has embraced him, and the rewards of facing the unknown.
…
Why start a vodka brand?
Vodka makes up 1/3 of all spirits consumed. I wanted to elevate something that consumers were already drinking. I wasn’t interested in inventing a new category altogether.
Tell me about your phrase, “Being comfortable, being uncomfortable.”
This concept has propelled me through the toughest of times. I think playing football, to a point, had a lot to do with that because as an athlete in a collision sport like football you’re never 100% — there is always some type of ailment like a sprained ankle or knee, bruised elbow, massive headache, the list goes on and on and you’re expected to perform in the midst of all these issues. So you either perform or move out of the way so the next guy can get the job done.
When I was diagnosed with stage 3 small intestinal cancer in 2016, this concept is what got me through the storm. The chemo was brutal, my body took a real beating, but when you think about it simply the chemo is just the cost of survival. That made it easy for me. Suffer now, enjoy the win later. That is how I approach my business daily, the struggles and obstacles are just the cost to get Carbonadi where I believe it belongs — a globally respected luxury brand.
What are some of the struggles of being one of the only minority-owned vodka brands?
I think everything has to do with perspective. I don’t look at it as a struggle, I look at it as an opportunity to shine bright. I strongly believe in meritocracy, so to have the opportunity to shine and show the world that a Black man has the ability to create a luxury brand that has all the nuances of traditional luxury. A brand that carries the weight of a Dom Perignon, Chanel, or Fendi is a blessing, now I have to execute.
Carbonadi Vodka
How has the vodka world embraced you?
The vodka world has embraced Carbonadi nicely, actually. From a consumer standpoint, they love the idea of being able to drink a vodka by itself — free of any mixers — and actually enjoy the experience. From a trade personnel perspective, they have also shown us love, thanks to the great feedback they receive from their patrons.
What difficulties have you found being a Black man in the vodka world?
I believe the difficulties I face are very common among other spirit entrepreneurs, of all races. As for things I face specifically as a Black entrepreneur, there may be some prejudice that takes place but because I’m so focused and locked in on the finish line, it doesn’t bother me — I don’t have the time to convince someone to act differently.
I definitely sniff out racism sometimes, but I’m so anti-entitlement I just move on to the next situation rather than whine and complain about how some idiot should not be racist.
How do you hope to inspire other aspiring Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs?
The best way I can inspire other minority beverage owners is by winning and winning big in an unapologetic way. As minorities, we sometimes feel like we have to tiptoe around in a world where we aren’t highly represented. You cannot win big that way. So I wake up every day ready to execute in a way that will get Carbonadi that much closer to being a globally respected luxury brand, further reminding minorities we can do this too, at a very high level.
What advice do you have for BIPOC hoping to follow in your footsteps?
My advice would be to not follow my footsteps, but rather, learn from my experience — take little bit of this and a little bit of that and create your own path. You have to have a real passion for what you’re doing because you will be met with obstacles of all kinds and your passion, determination, and sheer will to win will be what gets you through.
Stay in student mode, constantly be learning by listening more than you talk. And finally, you have to be obsessed. You have to want to win more than you want to do anything else. For better or worse, your success will be commensurate with how much shit you’re willing to eat.
October is delivering a slew of specials, documentaries, and limited series to HBO and HBO Max.
Meek Mill’s biker drama, Charm City Kings, rolls up, and so does a revealing doc about Luis A. Miranda Jr. — yes, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s dad. Then there’s David Byrne’s buzzed about special that’s bringing his critically-acclaimed Broadway show to the masses and a Nicole Kidman-starring thriller that’s bringing major Big Little Lies vibes.
Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) HBO and HBO Max this month.
Charm City Kings (HBO Max original film streaming 10/8)
Meek Mill stars in this gripping coming-of-age drama that took home the Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Mill plays Blax, the leader of an infamous group of dirt bike riders in Baltimore called The Midnight Clique. When a young boy named Mouse (Di’Allo Winston) tries to join the crew, Blax takes him under his wing and teaches him the code of the streets.
Siempre, Luis (HBO doc streaming 10/16)
Sure, Lin-Manuel Miranda is talented, but his dad is a damn rockstar, as this doc from first-time filmmaker John James sets out to prove. The film takes a look at Luis A. Miranda Jr., a Puerto Rican migrant who’s been fighting for change and shaping New York’s political scene for the past 30 years.
David Byrne’s American Utopia (HBO special streaming 10/17)
Academy Award winning director Spike Lee helms this unique look that gives Broadway fans a chance to see David Byrne’s critically acclaimed show that broke records and sold out crowds earlier this year. The show is based off Byrne’s album of the same name, so if you liked watching Hamilton from home, you’ll probably enjoy this.
The Undoing (HBO limited series streaming 10/25)
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant star in this limited series that picks up in the aftermath of a tragic death and the terrible revelations it spawns. Kidman plays a wealthy woman reeling from grief who discovers her picture-perfect life isn’t what she thought it was, leading her down a rabbit hole that makes her question her own intentions and if she can break free from the mess her past has caused.
Coming To HBO And HBO Max In October:
Avail. 10/1 A World of Calm, Documentary Series Premiere Akeelah And The Bee, 2006 (HBO) All-Star Superman, 2011 American Dynasties: The Kennedys, 2018 American Reunion, 2012 (HBO) Analyze That, 2002 Analyze This, 1999 The Angriest Man In Brooklyn, 2014 (HBO) Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery, 1997 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, 1999 Ball of Fire, 1941 Beavis And Butt-Head Do America, 1996 (HBO) Beef (HBO) Beginners, 2011 (HBO) Best in Show, 2000 BLOW, 2001 Bombshell, 1933 Boogie Nights, 1997 Boomerang, 1992 The Bush Years: Family. Duty. Power., 2019 The Butterfly Effect, 2004 Cats & Dogs, 2001 Catwoman, 2004 Cellular, 2004 Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke, 1978 The Chronicles Of Riddick, 2004 (Director’s Cut) (HBO) City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, 1994 Clean and Sober, 1988 The Client, 1994 Collateral Beauty, 2016 (HBO) The Color Purple, 1985 Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, 2003 (HBO) Constantine, 2005 Cradle 2 the Grave, 2003 Critters 2, 1988 Critters 4, 1992 The Curse of Frankenstein, 1957 Day Of The Dead, 1985 (HBO) Death Sentence, 2007 (Extended Version) (HBO) Deerskin, 2020 (HBO) Dirty Dancing, 1987 (HBO) Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, 2004 (HBO) Deliverance, 1972 Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, 1969 Dreamcatcher, 2003 Edge of Darkness, 2010 Empire of the Sun, 1987 The End: Inside The Last Days of the Obama White House, 2017 Endings, Beginnings, 2020 (HBO) Enter The Dragon, 1973 Eraser, 1996 Firewall, 2006 Frantic, 1988 Frequency, 2000 (HBO) Friday, 1995 The Friday After Next, 2002 Galaxy Quest, 1999 The Golden Compass, 2007 Gothika, 2003 Grudge Match, 2013 (HBO) Hairspray, 1988 Hairspray (Musical Remake), 2007 Harina (Aka Flour) (HBO) The Haunting, 1999 The Hills Have Eyes, 2006 (Extended Version) (HBO) The Hills Have Eyes II, 2007 (Extended Version) (HBO) Horror of Dracula, 1958 The Hunting Ground, 2015 I Am Sam, 2002 Infamous, 2006 The Informer, 1935 The Invisible War, 2012 Jonah Hex, 2010 The Last Kiss, 2006 (HBO) The Last Mimzy, 2007 Laws of Attraction, 2004 Lethal Weapon, 1987 Lethal Weapon 2, 1989 Lethal Weapon 3, 1992 Lethal Weapon 4, 1998 Libeled Lady, 1936 Life as We Know It, 2010 Little Baby Bum, 2011 Little Big League, 1994 Madea’s Big Happy Family, 2011 Malcolm X, 1992 Man of Steel, 2013 Marie: A True Story, 1985 The Matrix Reloaded, 2003 The Matrix Revolutions, 2003 The Matrix, 1999 Million Dollar Baby, 2004 Miracle of Morgan’s Creek, 1944 Mister Roberts, 1955 Monsters Vs. Aliens, 2009 The Mummy, 1959 Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935 Next Friday, 2000 Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always, 2020 (HBO) Nothing Sacred, 1937 Open Water, 2004 (HBO) Open Water 2: Adrift, 2007 (HBO) Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, 2013 The Pelican Brief, 1993 A Perfect Murder, 1998 The Perfect Storm, 2000 The Phantom of the Opera, 2004 Presumed Innocent, 1990 Race for the White House, Season 1 Raised By Wolves, Season 1 Finale Revolutionary Road, 2008 (HBO) Roger & Me, 1989 Sands of Iwo Jima, 1950 Scanners, 1981 (HBO) Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays, 2012 Se7en, 1995 Semi-Pro, 2008 Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird, 1985 Shame, 2011 (HBO) Sherlock Holmes, 2009 Sleight, 2017 (HBO) Son of Batman, 2014 South Park: The Pandemic Special Steel, 1997 Superman vs. the Elite, 2012 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, 2010 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, 2009 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, 1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3, 1993 They Were Expendable, 1945 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, 1996 The Thin Man, 1934 The Thing, 2011 (HBO) A Time to Kill, 1996 Tin Cup, 1996 TMNT, 2007 Training Day, 2001 Tricky Dick, 2019 Turistas, 2006 (Extended Version) (HBO) U.S. Marshals, 1998 Us, 2019 (HBO) Vampire in Brooklyn, 1995 A Very Brady Sequel, 1996 We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World, 2016 What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?, 2018 When Harry Met Sally, 1989 Where the Wild Things Are, 2009 The Whole Ten Yards, 2004 (HBO) The Wings of Eagles, 1957 You’ve Got Mail, 1998
Avail. 10/2 Lina From Lima (HBO)
Avail. 10/3 The ABCs of Back to School: A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Families, 2020 Downhill, 2020 (HBO)
Avail. 10/22 Equal, HBO Max Original Docu Series Premiere
Avail. 10/23 How To With John Wilson, Season 1 Premiere (HBO Original)
Avail. 10/24 Emma., 2020 (HBO)
Avail. 10/25 The Undoing, Limited Series Premiere (HBO)
Avail. 10/27 Ghosts, Season 2 It: Chapter Two, 2017 (HBO) John Lewis: Good Trouble, 2020 The Soul Of America, Documentary Premiere (HBO)
Avail. 10/28 Burning Ojai: Our Fire Story (HBO)
Avail. 10/29 Vida Perfecta, Season 1
Avail. 10/30 Mano De Obra (Aka Workforce) (HBO)
Avail. 10/31 Black Christmas, 2019 (HBO)
Dates TBA: Chelsea Handler: Evolution, HBO Max Original Special Premiere Gomorrah, Seasons 1 & 2 the Monster at the end of this Story, HBO Max Original Premiere
Leaving HBO And HBO Max In October
Leaving 10/8 The Nice Guys, 2016 (HBO)
Leaving 10/11 Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald, 2018 (HBO)
Leaving 10/20 The Conjuring 2, 2016 (HBO)
Leaving 10/30 A Cinderella Story, 2004 A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, 2011 A Very Brady Sequel, 1996 Amelie, 2001 (HBO) American History X, 1998 Barefoot in the Park, 1967 Batman Beyond: The Return of the Joker, 2000 Batman vs. Robin, 2015 Batman: Gotham Knight, 2008 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1, 2012 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2, 2013 Beautiful Creatures, 2013 Blade Runner: The Final Cut, 2007 Blood Diamond, 2006 Cop Out, 2010 Crazy, Stupid, Love, 2011 (HBO) Dangerous Liaisons, 1988 DEVIL, 2010 (HBO) Driving Miss Daisy, 1989 El Norte, 1984 (HBO) Green Lantern (2011) Gremlins 2: The New Batch, 1990 Home Alone, 1990 (HBO) House Party, 1990 Kung Fu Panda 2, 2011 Kung Fu Panda, 2008 Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2003 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, 2002 Ocean’s Eleven, 2001 Paul (Extended Version), 2011 (HBO) Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, 1987 Raising Arizona, 1987 (HBO) Serendipity, 2001 Soldier, 1998 Spies Like Us, 1985 Star Trek, 2009 Swing Time, 1936 The Adventures of Pinocchio, 1996 The First Wives Club, 1996 The Others, 2001 (HBO) The Outsiders, 1983 The Replacements, 2000 This Means War (Extended Version), 2012 (HBO) Three Kings, 1999 Top Hat, 1935 V for Vendetta, 2006 Woodstock (Director’s Cut), 1994 Yesterday, 2019 (HBO)
Travis Scott’s cross-promotion with Chris Nolan’s Tenet won’t stop at his soundtrack contribution. While his song “The Plan” appears on the soundtrack and in the film’s trailer, viewers of the film who brave movie theaters in-person may get a chance to see Travis’ short film Franchise as well. While there isn’t much detail on the film other than it’s directed by Travis himself, the Houston rapper has been teasing the release of a song by the same name arriving tonight at 9pm PT/midnight ET for the past couple of days.
Meanwhile, his other major collaboration this month has seemingly reached its conclusion as the third and final drop of his McDonald’s merch has sold out, leaving his online store with a short, simple message for fans: “Soon.” The Travis Scott Meal at McDonald’s was also quite successful — so much so that the company had to revise its ordering procedure for the burger, even despite dire warnings from NLE Choppa and some employees not even knowing who Travis Scott is.
Franchise, the song and its accompanying short film (likely a music video), is set to debut at select screenings of Tenet tonight. Find more information here and stay tuned to the streaming platform of your choice.
Among Us is the surprise hit of 2020, mostly because it’s a game that originally came out in 2018. The murder mystery game is perfect for remote online play and full of drama, and its ascendence on Twitch has caused a belated explosion in popularity in recent days. That popularity was years in the making, though, and it’s created an interesting problem for developer Innersloth: what work goes into improving a viral hit and what goes into making a sequel, Among Us 2?
Developer Innersloth wrote an update for its many new fans on Wednesday that detailed some upcoming adds and fixes to the game, as well as what the future holds for what the company would work on moving forward. And despite some issues with what the original Among Us was built on, the team revealed that the game’s massive rise in popularity has made them decide to officially cancel Among Us 2 and focus on adding more content to the game currently taking over Twitch.
The post noted “several long discussions” about what Among Us 2 could be, and the difficulties of working on additional content for the original game. But popularity seems to have won out, and for good reason.
The main reason we are shooting for a sequel is because the codebase of Among Us 1 is so outdated and not built to support adding so much new content. However, seeing how many people are enjoying Among Us 1 really makes us want to be able to support the game and take it to the next level. We have decided to cancel Among Us 2 and instead put all our focus into improving Among Us 1. All of the content we had planned for Among Us 2 will instead go into Among Us 1. This is probably the more difficult choice because it means going deep into the core code of the game and reworking several parts of it. We have lots of things planned and we’re excited to bring new content to everyone as you continue to enjoy playing!
The Itch.io post noted more servers, a new stage and other improvements are on the horizon, including a friend system that they noted may take some time. They also hope to make the game playable for those who are colorblind and might struggle to identify killers by, well, color. It’s all good news for players who have fallen in love with the game, as more developer support is always a good sign for a title’s lifespan. It’s tough to stay alive in Among Us, but it looks like the game’s makers plan to keep it alive well into the future.
The Murders at the White House Farm (HBO Max series) — Get your next true crime fix in a dramatized, six-episode series about three generations of one family, all murdered 30 years ago at an isolated farm. One detective stood firm on pinning the whole crime spree on an initial suspect, and his dogged determination led to another, more likely suspect. The series is based upon many years of research, interviews, and published reports, all to uncover the truth.
Haute Dog (HBO Max series) — On a lighter note, this series about a dog-grooming, creative-competition series is sure to turn up some cuties who undergo transformations to become “haute” dogs on the runway. There’s money on the table for winners, so expect the competition to be fierce.
The Chef Show: Season 2 (Netflix series) — Jon Favreau’s back with award-winning Chef Roy Choi to continue their collaborative exploration of different flavors, cultures, and people. Keep your eyes open for more celebrity guests, all in the hopes of bringing people together to enjoy delicious food.
Star Trek: Discovery (CBS, 10:00pm EST) — Ahead of the show’s Season 3 arrival (at some undetermined point) the CBS All Access show makes its network debut with “The Vulcan Hello” episode.
Mysteries Decoded (CW, 8:00pm EST) — This week, it’s time to explore the so-called Montauk Experiments in the wake of new evidence surrounding stories that the U.S. government was conducting mind control tests on young children in the 1980s.
Jimmy Kimmel Live — Norman Reedus, Aminé
The Late Late Show With James Corden — Jason Schwartzman, Alicia Keys
Late Night With Seth Meyers — Alicia Vikander; Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle
In case you missed these offerings last week:
The Devil All The Time (Netflix film) — Robert Pattinson portrays an unholy preacher while Sebastian Stan steps into a crooked sheriff’s shoes, and Tom Holland’s simply trying to stay out of the line of fire while evil forces surround him. It’s a battle between the corrupt and the so-called just that should provide a nice midweek viewing break. This Antonio Campos-directed story spans the period between WWII and Vietnam and co-stars Jason Clarke, Riley Keough, Bill Skarsgård, Eliza Scanlen, and Mia Wasikowska.
Antebellum (VOD film from Lionsgate) — Amid the pandemic shuffle, this film’s hoping to clean up on VOD with Janelle Monáe in a mindbending horror-thriller. Our own Mike Ryan thinks it’s a terrific movie with a twist that you may not see coming.
Ratched (Netflix series) — This isn’t the Nurse Mildred Ratched origin story that One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest viewers might be expecting, but it’s an entertaining-if-messy watch. Sarah Paulson gives it her all, and Cynthia Nixon makes an extraordinary turn as a public servant (and lover of Ratched). Overall, it’s a stylish and twisted devotional, one that has been rolled around in true Ryan Murphy fashion.
PEN15: Season 2 (Hulu series) — Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle are doing it again — playing 13-year-old versions of themselves — in this exaggeratedly surreal show that’s found a cult audience. This season may not be as funny as last year, but it’s still as good as fans expect.
Becoming (Disney+ series) — LeBron James produced this docuseries that focuses upon celebrity upbringings and what it means to go home. Expect to see a variety of entertainers, musicians, and athletes in this first season, including Anthony Davis, Caleb McLaughlin, Candace Parker, and Nick Cannon.
Before De’Aaron Fox was drafted by the Kings in 2018, he was a top recruit out of the basketball haven of Chicago and a star at the University of Kentucky. In a new appearance on JJ Redick’s The Old Man And The Three podcast, Fox explained how it was “very different” to play for the Kings after having so much success throughout his amateur career.
Asked if he ever played with a chip on his shoulder after going fifth in the draft and starring for a franchise in the Kings that hasn’t made the playoffs in nearly two decades, Fox explained that it required a different mindset.
“I’ve never been an underdog before but, obviously getting drafted to the Sacramento Kings is very different from what I’ve had from being born to 19 years old. It’s very different.”
Despite admitting that it was a bit of a challenge, Fox later said he quickly changed his tune and looked at going fifth in 2018 to the Kings as a huge opportunity. After all, taking Sacramento to the promised land is a feat not many can claim.
“For me it’s like, imagine being one of those players on one of those teams that hasn’t made the playoffs in over a decade … and then being the first team that actually gets to the playoffs,” Fox said. “It’s obviously hard as hell, especially being in the West, but being able to be part of that would be something special.”
Fox discussed leading the Kings, his Chicago roots, and more with Redick on the podcast, which you can watch below.
Jimmy Fallon faced backlash over the summer after a resurfaced clip of him wearing blackface on SNL went viral. The sketch, from 2000, depicted the Tonight Show host as Chris Rock, who he also impersonated during his audition for the sketch show. Fallon apologized for his “unquestionably offensive decision” and Rock called him a “great guy” and said that he doesn’t think Fallon “intended to hurt me, and he didn’t,” but we hadn’t heard from SNL‘s head honcho, Lorne Michaels, until today, in an interview with the New York Times.
“I wish I remembered better. I’ve seen the photo, but it was 20 years ago, so Jimmy was in his 20s. He’d done Chris Rock in his audition, as he had done Adam Sandler, both of which were stunning. I think someone gave him bad advice,” Michaels said, adding that Fallon’s impression “was of the time. I know we’re in a granular period now where every decision you’ve made in your life is up for reassessment. But there was no malice in it, I can tell you that.” Michaels also listed old SNL sketches, some of which are among the show’s most popular, that would be considered problematic in 2020.
“I don’t think Gilda Radner could do Roseanne Roseannadanna and John [Belushi] could definitely not do the Samurai. Garrett Morris could not do News for the Hard of Hearing. I could go on and on. Steve [Martin] and Danny [Aykroyd] could not be Czech brothers because they’re not Czech. That criteria is not the greatest soil for comedy to thrive on. I’m not saying comedy should be the dominant thing in our lives. I’m just saying it’s important it exists because, in addition to everything, it’s a safety valve.”
My biggest takeaway here: Lorne calls Dan Aykroyd “Danny.” Going to think about that until October 3, when SNL returns with host Chris Rock and musical guest Megan Thee Stallion.
Stanford fifth-year senior defensive back Treyjohn Butler, like every athlete in the Pac-12, isn’t playing football right now. Still, he still found himself earning quite the honor when he was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, along with the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Chuba Hubbard, and Sam Ehlinger.
Butler is active in the community, working with kids through various organizations. This year, has partnered with his church to help provide food for low-income households, as well as pushing his church to allow local kids to use the wifi for remote learning. He’s also been among the leading voices in the Pac-12’s We Are United players coalition, which has brought athletes from all sports together in the conference to call for better health measures amid the pandemic, a seat at the table to negotiate for a revenue split, and much more.
On Wednesday, Butler spoke with Uproxx Sports over the phone about that work he does off the field, why he feels so strongly about working with kids and giving back to his community, the continued efforts of the We Are United coalition, and how conversations have changed within the Stanford locker room about real-world issues as players become more educated on problems facing the Black community.
First, how are you doing right now?
I’m doing good. Blessed, humbled by the opportunity. Like, a little bit frustrated by the recent announcement of the indictments in the [Breonna] Taylor case, but still grateful for everything going on.
What does it mean for you to be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team?
To me personally, it’s truly humbling because a lot of work has been put in behind the scenes. A lot of my peers can attest to the fact that, I personally am not for show, I’m all about the greater good and impacting lives as much as we can. I never put myself first and that’s something I keep trying to embody each and every day, using the virtues that my mom instilled in me as well as my grandma. Trying my best to resemble my mom each day and try to be there for everybody. And to be a part of this prestigious group, it takes the words out of my mouth.
At times I’m still trying to process this because not a lot of people have been part of this group, and it represents so much more than the work we’re doing and shows how much more work we need to do together. I think it’s also beautiful because other people select the people that make it, and it’s again a humbling process to be a part of.
You do a lot of work with kids, whether through San Bernadino County children’s services, Read Across America, your church, or Stanford’s work with kids with chronic illnesses. What made you want to give back in those ways to kids in your area and use the platform of being a player at Stanford to do that?
The biggest influence for myself – Pasadena, California we were blessed with the belated, one of our coaches, Coach Victor, an LAPD officer, had an organization in Pasadena called Brotherly Crusades. That organization was year-round. It had every sport. It kept every kid on the field and on the court, the same faces. We ran track together, played football together, basketball, everything together. And the impact he had on the community was so great, because a lot of kids could’ve went the other way, dealing with drugs or gang violence, but he kept so many kids safe. And recognizing how much impact he had on my life and the lives of other guys that were in that same group, cause when I was in high school, I got to witness the fact that a lot of the guys and girls that he coached became D-1 athletes, and that’s how much of a great impact he had and at that moment I knew I needed to give back. As well as the amount of mentors I’ve had in my life, growing up in the household I did, having a single mom, you appreciate the people who take the time out to invest in you. That’s something I knew I had to pay forward, whether that’s helping low-income households with food discrepancies or allowing their kids to have access to training, or anything.
You know, helping with school cause sometimes that’s a hard area for kids to deal with, and personally I knew I had to take a passion for. Because if you can reach one, at the end of the day, it’s going to have a greater impact than not doing anything, and that’s a motto of life I’ve been trying to live by. Along the way, meeting other people who have been pushing me to keep doing more work.
We’re in this moment where we’re in this fight for systemic change and recognizing how much the system is against so many people and I think it amplifies the importance of coming together as a community and working together as a community to help each other while fighting for something much broader. Is that something you’ve really felt in recent years, especially this year with everything going on?
Definitely, COVID alone showed me how different household situations are. I had a chance to talk with Stanford alumni Chris Draft and I asked him, “What more can we do? Because I feel like we’re not doing enough.” And he wasn’t sure where I was coming from, but I told him I felt off about just providing meals like that wasn’t enough. And he highlighted to me how important the meals that we were doing and we can get more food from the church to provide to the low income communities because how much of the low income areas are food deserts, aren’t able to get fresh produce, and everyone’s dealing with possible unemployment due to the pandemic and not being able to afford getting the proper stuff for their household. That having an effect on kids, not being fully nourished and not being focused in school.
That stuff became more evident, along with challenging our church to have wifi for kids to come, whether they’re just outside at the tables to be engaged with school is a big thing that was evident here in California alone during this pandemic for kids who weren’t able to stay focused in school.
Yeah, and I know on your profile you also work with the Ujamaa House at Stanford. How did you get involved with that and what has it been like being a part of working with other students to really explore Black history and culture, particularly given this moment in America?
The beginning part of that was a blessing, because a lot of times for student athletes you don’t get to stay fully engaged with your campus and school like other students. As a freshman student, I was blessed with the opportunity to reside there and I forced myself to stay engaged with my community at my school by attending programs. You know, OBMI, you got a chance to recognize it’s a lot greater than being “of color,” you know? There’s Black women, being in the Black LGBTQ community, there’s all these different spectrums of stuff you need to recognize and intersectionalities that all intertwine. And in my junior year I had the opportunity to come on staff and truly challenge those who were willing to stand up and present these different cases, and it’s beautiful.
You learn something new every day. You’ll be lying to yourself in thinking you know it all. But to be able to foster community where everybody’s welcome – there’s no one person allowed – to be able to come in that room to learn, to discuss, to share, and to grow. And that’s the biggest thing that I take from that is each and every time we stepped in that room, there was a growth among almost each and every member in there.
You mention fostering a community and I think it’s something we saw this summer in the college athletics community, with the Pac-12 United and then the We Want To Play coalition, calling for major changes in the collegiate athletics system. I know you’ve said that the work has to continue, even as the Pac-12’s not playing football now but there’s some discussion, like the Big Ten about possibly reinstating the season. What have the continued conversations been like among the players at Stanford and across the Pac-12 and across the country?
The conversations have ultimately still been pushing forward about social justice and racial issues. The big push for speaking up for Black women and the stuff that they deal with. Allowing them to have the space to speak up, we’ve been trying to have Zoom calls where they can share with us things we don’t see as men, as other athletes, so they can have a great platform.
In addition to that, the foundation is having a players’ coalition. Continue having that current connect to our athletics department at our schools and also in the Pac-12 office. Keep talking about stuff, because there’s no reason we can’t still communicate. Personally at Stanford, each athletics department here has made sure everyone is registered to vote. Speaking up and fostering the community to have conversations with the police department about different things. As well as, I have the opportunity to be part of this smaller group where we work with the Stanford athletics staff and how they can become better when dealing with social issues and different things that are going on in our country.
Getting back to the We Are United, it’s staying focused, not wavering, and keeping the stuff at hand. We will acknowledge the fact that a lot of things have happened, from guaranteeing eligibility to ensuring better health measures, a lot of stuff we’re really proud of happening, but stuff continues to happen that we’re still upset about. The fact that today is going to be a tough day for a lot of people because of what happened in Breonna Taylor’s case. Acknowledging what happened, only charging one officer with a charge that’s not even about the murder. So, stuff like that is still evident and more of a priority for us and where our hearts and minds are at.
Absolutely, it has been another example of this system working in a way that doesn’t work for the people as a whole. How have you seen in your time at Stanford conversations among players change about what’s going on in the country, and do you feel like there’s more conversation in the locker room about things that are going on that effect you guys as men and not just as athletes?
The conversation has definitely changed over the last four, five years. Like, I was on this campus when the two incidents happened in the summer of 2016 in Ohio and down in Louisiana, and it was weird because there was so much anger. There was no education on the matter. There was no proper knowledge on how to speak on things. I can admit when speeches were made it was made out of ignorance, not a lot of facts to follow it up. But over the course of these four years, the amount of education, the amount of time invested individually and collectively for the things that happened this year in 2020, the power in the voices was so much greater because there was knowledge behind what was being said. There was no room for someone to be upset with ignorance because there was none. There was passion and power in the words stated, and collectively as a group people can agree and challenge themselves to read more and learn more. And that’s what’s been the biggest difference over the past few years is watching how much power has been able to grow behind the words that have been stated from each individual player. Recognizing the power they have as a student athlete and they’re not just somebody that provides people with entertainment.
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