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Robin Williams was a notoriously good person, someone who not only performed numerous times for the troops and delighted strangers in donut shops, but also raised millions for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Comic Relief USA, among other charitable organizations. He enjoyed telling dirty jokes, too, which makes his daughter Zelda’s tribute to her father on his 69th birthday especially fitting. And “nice.”

“Today would’ve been Dad’s 69th birthday, so to honor him (& that glorious number), I will be donating $69.69 to as many local homeless shelters as I can. Join me if you like, but regardless, know I am wishing you all at least one hearty, immature belly laugh on Dad today,” Zelda tweeted. Williams reportedly included a provision in his rider that “the company hiring him also had to hire a certain number of homeless people and put them to work” and he “raised millions for the homeless,” according to the New York Times, so helping those who without a permanent residence was important to the comedian.

She shared the places she donated, too, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

In honor of his birthday, Twitter users are sharing their favorite Robin Williams story, including this delightful passage from a San Francisco Gate oral history.

Mrs. Doubtfire actor Scott Capurro: I remember Robin and Harvey [Fierstein] and I ended up going for an ice cream in North Beach. Because of the success of Aladdin, [Williams’] voice was incredibly recognizable to children. And we were walking on the street toward Washington Square and a kid with his parents just ran up to Robin and jumped into his arms. A little tiny kid. I think he was a tourist with his family, but he had heard Robin’s voice and just got so excited. Robin just grabbed him and hugged him and laughed.

Robin Williams was one of a kind.

(Via Zelda Williams/Twitter)

In what feels like ages ago, Mission: Impossible 7 was one of the first major films to shut down production all the way back in February. The seventh installment in the hit espionage series starring Tom Cruise had just started filming in Italy right as that country found itself on the forefront of COVID-19 infections, making it undeniably clear that the world was on the verge of a global pandemic. Five months later, Mission: Impossible 7 still hasn’t resumed production, but not without lack of trying.

Over the weekend, Cruise personally called Norway’s culture minister Abid Raja in hopes of resuming production in the scenic country that was also the backdrop for the climactic ending to Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Raja was reportedly receptive to Cruise’s call, and he hopes to bring the actor and his spy series back to Norway. However, the culture minister cautioned that even Tom Cruise will still have to contend with coronavirus restrictions, which could hamper efforts to resume filming quickly. Via Deadline:

“The coronavirus means that at the moment it is not possible to come to Norway in the same way as before,” [Raja] said. “We will have to discuss this in the government and make regulations for it before we give permission to film in Norway. We will abide by the rules and coronavirus restrictions. I will take my conversation with Cruise to the government.”

Of course, Cruise’s intense commitment to making the Mission: Impossible film happen shouldn’t come as a surprise. The actor has displayed an almost suicidal dedication to making every action scene memorable by scaling nauseatingly high buildings or hanging from the wing of a plane in the middle of a take-off. That intensity dates all the way back to Mission: Impossible 2, which recently made headlines after Thandie Newton revealed that Cruise puts himself under so much pressure that she watched him grow a stress pimple in a matter of minutes.

“I was so scared of Tom. He was a very dominant individual,” Newton told Vulture. “He tries super hard to be a nice person. But the pressure. He takes on a lot. And I think he has this sense that only he can do everything as best as it can be done.”

As the old saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself. Although, we’re not sure if that implies to international diplomacy, but Tom Cruise is sure as heck gonna try.

(Via Deadline)

J. Cole, who has spent the last several months promoting his new line of Puma sneakers with the help of players in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, just gave an update on the progress of his upcoming album, The Fall Off on Twitter, revealing the titles of the first two songs — and their imminent release date.

Cole logged into his rarely-used Twitter account to promote “The Climb Back” and “Lion King On Ice,” both dropping tomorrow, July 22 at 10pm (presumably EST). Both songs are produced by Cole himself, with “Lion King On Ice” featuring additional production work by “Middle Child” collaborator T-Minus and go-to DaBaby producer JetsonMade. Along with the titles, Cole revealed that he’s “taking my time, still finishing” The Fall Off and therefore, it has no release date yet.

Cole’s most recent excursion to Twitter-land resulted in some wounded feelings, prompting him to share the controversial song “Snow On Tha Bluff” and leading to an interesting debate between J. Cole supporters and fans who felt that Cole’s song was an attack on Noname. The contentious dialogue between the two fanbases led to Cole encouraging his own followers to follow Noname as he called her a “leader” — a categorization she roundly denied.

Meanwhile, speculation about The Fall Off has reached such a fever pitch, even Cole’s own artists are weighing in, while his manager and Dreamville co-founder was forced to jump in to lay the rumors to rest. It’s clear that interest in his latest project is at all-time highs — especially after he recently revealed that he may still harbor pro hoop ambitions afterward.

Check out J. Cole’s album progress update above.

A group of protesters in Seattle discovered the best way to get rid of an angry, manic street preacher at the Capitol Hill Organized Protest on Sunday. They formed a circle around him and shook a lil’ sumpin’.

The preacher kept trying to get away from the dancers but they wouldn’t allow him to break free from the dance party.

One wonders why he tried to get away from the protesters instead of joining them and busting out some holy-ghost-inspired moves? Jesus was all about peace and love between people, regardless of race, shouldn’t the preacher be on the side of the protesters instead of screaming at them?

Watch the video below:

The video of the protesters using the power of dance to silence someone they disagree with shows a positive way people can handle disagreements in public.

Unfortunately, that’s not the way things have always gone for the preacher during the recent protests. Video shows he was assaulted by protesters last month — which is completely unacceptable.

Protests of various sizes have been taking place in Capitol Hill area of Seattle almost every night since the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on March 25.

Gal Gadot just wanted to be a responsible citizen and promote mask use, but in the process, the Wonder Woman actress stirred up a few fan theories, thanks to her social media activism.

In a new tweet on Tuesday morning, Gadot posted a black and white photo of herself on a DC set, where she’s wearing a mask covering her face. The caption simply says “#wearamask” and doesn’t provide any context to the photo, which was enough of an opening for fans to go to town.

Even though there’s a desert scene in the Wonder Woman 1984 official trailer, speculation will still be had. People wondered whether Gadot will have her own post-apocalyptic scene similar to the Knightmare scene in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (where Batman is captured by an evil, totalitarian Superman who’s been turned by Darkseid’s Anti-Life equation following the death of Lois Lane). As for whether Wonder Woman would navigate a Knightmare sequence in Wonder Woman 1984 or the Snyder Cut, that also became a topic of speculation.

But one thing is for certain, if this photo does hint at Wonder Woman getting a Knightmare sequence of her own, the fans are definitely here for it. Put that post-apocalyptic Wonder Woman in their veins!

While there’s no definitive context for Gadot’s behind-the-scene photo as of the writing, people are wondering if Knightmare Diana is a possibility. However, the more likely explanation is that the photo was taken on the set of Wonder Woman 1984 while filming a desert battle sequence that’s featured prominently in the trailer. At the time, the use of masks would’ve been simply to protect the cast and crew from the wind kicking up sand everywhere. Of course, mask usage means so much more right now.

You can see the trailer’s desert scene at the 1:52 mark below:

Wonder Woman 1984 is still set to hit theaters October 2, 2020.

Jess Cornelius has been through many major changes in the past few years. Not only did the singer pick up and move from Melbourne to LA, but she began gearing up to promote her debut album after finding out she was expecting. Cornelius’ upcoming record Distance chronicles these changes and the singer now offers one last preview of the effort with the dreamy track “Here Goes Nothing.”

About the song as a whole, Cornelius said reflected on the fantasies she built to escape from reality’s hardships: “‘Here Goes Nothing’ is about fantasy, really – the way we unconsciously create dramatic situations as an escape from whatever in our lives isn’t working. But I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. We need fantasy – you could argue that we’ve built entire lives on it,” Cornelius says.

The song arrives alongside a lyric video in which Cornelius filmed herself pumping breast milk. Speaking about her creative decisions behind the visual, Cornelius said: “The lyric video is the final in the Distance ‘pregnancy trilogy.’ I saw the breast pump not only as a rhythmic device and a weird visual image, but also as a meeting of human and machine; as a literal mechanical representation of ‘women’s work’; and as a reflection of how context changes (or doesn’t change) the way women’s bodies are viewed. This last point was made apparent in the video’s initial removal by Youtube for violating content rules – thankfully, after lodging an appeal the video was reinstated.”

Listen to “Here Goes Nothing” above.

Distance is out 7/24 via Loantaka Records. Pre-order it here.

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels, but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week we got new solo music from both Arcade Fire’s Will Butler and The National’s Matt Berninger, a tongue-in-cheek new mixtape from Illuminati Hotties, and another raucous new single from IDLES. Check out the rest of the best new indie music below.

Yo La Tengo — We Have Amnesia Sometimes

Every day during the month of July, Yo La Tengo pumped out a brand new song from the confines of quarantine. We Have Amnesia Sometimes is the culmination of that burst of creativity, composed mostly of extended, ambient drones that evoke a palpable sense of anxiety. Leave it to such a venerable institution to create perfect listening material for scrolling the internet and witnessing everything terrible happening around you.

Illuminati Hotties — Free I.H.

After cultivating a buzz from their 2018 debut album Kiss Yr Frenemies, the band elected to fulfill their controversial record contract with a noisy mixtape instead of a proper full-length album. The album was previewed by the cleverly-titled track “Will I Get Cancelled If I Write A Song Called, ‘If You Were A Man You’d Be So Cancelled,” which Carolyn Droke called for Uproxx “jam-packed with cunning quips and thrashing guitars that initially drew fans to Illuminati Hotties’ sound.”

Dehd — Flower Of Devotion

The sophomore album from this Chicago trio finds the band fully dialed in, with production value that takes a step forward from the very lo-fi, tinny approach of their debut, though still is far from polished. Flower Of Devotion captures a band simultaneously raw and fully in command of their vision. The instrumental arrangements are sparse (very rarely will you hear a cymbal crash throughout) and doused in reverb, leaving room for fully cutting lyrics and infectious vocal melodies.

Protomartyr — Ultimate Success Today

On their fifth LP, Detroit post-punkers Protomartyr open themselves up to musical opportunity, even recruiting a woodwind section to build out the band’s sound. This is not to say that the band has lost their edge, with Ultimate Success Today featuring some of the band’s most intense and driving music to date. Frontman Joe Casey is still seething as ever, evoking Lou Reed on tracks like “Michigan Hammers,” and there is a darkness that bubbles beneath the surface throughout.

Angel Du$t — Lil House

Following their excellent 2019 major-label debut, Angel Du$t have returned with three brand-new songs that continue the band’s sonic evolution since their hardcore punk debut. On the Lil House EP, frontman Justice Tripp is focused on settling down and starting a family, understandably dialing back the aggression of the band’s previous releases and focusing on intricate percussion patterns and a more acoustic-driven approach.

Matt Berninger — “Distant Access”

Back in May, The National vocalist Matt Berninger announced his debut solo album Serpentine Prison and shared the effort’s title-track. Now, he has shared the follow-up single, a meditative song that builds upon a single acoustic guitar, and was inspired by his collaborations with The Walkmen’s Walter Martin. “‘Distant Axis’ started from a sketch Walt sent me named ‘Savannah,’” Berninger said in a statement. “I think it’s about falling out of touch with someone or something you once thought would be there forever.”

Thank You, I’m Sorry — “Manic Pixie Dream Hurl”

In late August, Thank You, I’m Sorry are set to release their second album in less than a year. I’m Glad We’re Friends features full-band reimagining of the band’s 2019 debut, and “Manic Pixie Dream Hurl” previews the new effort. It’s a short-lived power-pop number with intimate confessions from frontperson Colleen Dow.

Idles — “A Hymn”

The latest preview from Idles’ forthcoming LP is “A Hymn,” another borderline demonic post-punk track that “rejoices in the sinister flesh-eating virus of the pedestrian,” according to a statement from Joe Talbot. “It sings the tune of normal’s teeth sinking into your neck as you sleep stood up with your eyes open. Amen.” The track acts as a pressure cooker that feels like it is building to explosion, before slowly dismantling itself until the only instrument left is a bass guitar.

Will Butler — “Surrender”

Best known for his work in Arcade Fire, Will Butler is set to return with his sophomore solo effort Generations later this year. The album is previewed by “Surrender,” which Derrick Rossignol calls for Uproxx a “jaunty tune” that sounds like a love song, but is actually more about platonic friendship and the ways that people change while still remaining friends.

Beabadoobee — “Care”

After building a lot of buzz around the strength of a series of EPs, 20-year-old Beabadoobee is ready to unleash her debut full-length album, Fake It Flowers. “Care” is the first preview of the new album, a “nostalgically rocking track,” according to Derrick Rossignol for Uproxx that finds Beabadoobee reckoning with the end of a relationship.

Michelle — “Sunrise”

One of the more exciting tracks I’ve heard in a long time, “Sunrise” combines elements of indie pop, funk, and R&B to create something truly unique and modern. It’s the latest in a string of singles from New York City’s Michelle, a collective refreshingly comprised of predominantly queer and POC members in their early 20’s.

Narrow Head — “Stuttering Stanley”

With their sophomore LP 12th House Rock slated for release later this summer on Run For Cover Records, Narrow Head have revealed their latest single, inspired by the best of heavy ’90s emo, shoegaze, and Britpop — AKA all good things. There are times on “Stuttering Stanley” where Jacob Duarte’s drawl evokes Liam Gallagher’s nonchalant delivery, making the track an exciting trip in nostalgia.

Shamir — “I Wonder”

On his second album of 2020, Shamir is focused on fine-tuning his songwriting, delivering some of his most fleshed-out work to date. “I Wonder” is a love song that also dabbles in a discussion of climate change, and “flexes Shamir’s talent as a songwriter, combining striking instrumentals with his far-reaching vocals and intimate lyrics,” writes Carolyn Droke for Uproxx.

Neck Deep — “I Revolve (Around You)”

It feels like Neck Deep have been teasing their new album All Distortions Are Intentional forever, and the record is finally out this week. “I Revolve (Around You)” showcases everything the band learned about songwriting from touring with pop-punk icons like Blink-182 and New Found Glory, featuring a soaring chorus and sappy lyrics about falling in love. If pop punk has ever floated your boat, Neck Deep is a band you should have an eye on.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Recent Dead Oceans signee Fenne Lily announced her first album for the label, Breach, last month. Today, she offers another preview of the upcoming release with “Berlin.” It’s a mid-tempo, shoegaze-borrowing track that comes from a withdrawn place, as Fenne Lily repeats, “It’s not hard to be alone anymore.”

She also shared an animated lyric video, and she said of both the song and the visual:

“When I was 21 I spent a month alone in Berlin. While I was there, I recorded everything I did as a voice note or in a sketchbook, even if it was boring. On the plane ride home, my phone packed up and I lost all my song ideas from my trip. Initially, it felt as though I’d lost a part of my brain, but gradually pieces started to come back to me. To help the remembering process, I tried to picture all the things that surrounded me during my time alone in Berlin. The more I pictured these mundane objects, the more lost ideas I could remember. This song was one of these ideas. When it came to deciding on a video for it, I’d recently had a dream about an illustrated man eating his own brain for breakfast and, on the same day, was introduced to [Henry Dunbar’s] animated short film ‘Pollock’. His work and my dream were impossible to ignore in their similarities and so this video was born. It reflects both the comfort and claustrophobia of the everyday, and how company can be found in everything when you’re left with only yourself and an alien place. The umbrella made me cry – I kind of hope it helps you do the same.”

She also previously said of Breach, “That feels like what I was doing in this record; I was breaking through a wall that I built for myself, keeping myself safe, and dealing with the downside of feeling lonely and alone. I realized that I am comfortable in myself, and I don’t need to fixate on relationships to make myself feel like I have something to talk about. I felt like I broke through a mental barrier in that respect.”

Watch the “Berlin” video above.

Breach is out 9/18 via Dead Oceans. Pre-order it here.

The Memphis Grizzlies enter the NBA bubble restart in Orlando looking to hold onto their position as the final team in the Western Conference playoffs. The young Grizzlies were among the most pleasant surprises of this NBA season, with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and the rest of their young core coming together in a way few expected so quickly.

Their biggest midseason addition was Justise Winslow, acquired in the trade of Andre Iguodala after the veteran forward chose not to report to Memphis and wanted a deal to a contender. Winslow, who only appeared in 11 games this season with Miami and none with Memphis due to a lingering back injury, was expected to get his Memphis career underway in the bubble and provide a boost to the Grizzlies backcourt depth.

However, on Monday night, Winslow suffered a hip injury at practice after a fall and will miss the remainder of the season, as the team and Winslow announced on Tuesday afternoon.

It is yet another unfortunate injury setback for a player that has seen far too many of those in his young career. When healthy, he’s shown incredible promise on the court and the hope was in Memphis, with a young core, he could find a role and help bolster their hopes of growing into a contender. That on-court chemistry will have to wait until next year as Winslow’s season is now done, and the Grizzlies may face an interesting decision next summer when they have a $13 million team option on Winslow.

The NBA will start playing scrimmage games in the bubble on Wednesday, with all of those games being available to watch on League Pass and two each day broadcast nationally on NBA TV. When the games that count start on Thursday, July 30, TNT will have the honors of bringing live, meaningful NBA basketball back to our lives and on Tuesday they announced their broadcast teams for the bubble.

Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller will make up one team, as the duo has become a staple of TNT broadcasts in recent years. While Miller is polarizing among NBA fans, he and Harlan’s energy will be welcome (and needed) as they handle bubble basketball without fans in attendance. The other broadcast duo is not the typical lead pairing of Marv Albert and Chris Webber, as Albert will not be going to the bubble due to being at high-risk due to his age. Instead, Ian Eagle and Stan Van Gundy will join the bubble as a broadcast duo that figures to be highly entertaining. Eagle, like Harlan, brings great energy to broadcasts and is among the best in the business, and Stan Van Gundy is as good as there is in the analyst game of bringing knowledge to broadcasts and breaking down the action.

Those four will be joined by a rotation of Chris Haynes, Jared Greenberg, and Stephanie Ready on sideline reporting duty in the bubble. TNT’s full schedule, with broadcast teams, for the 8-game restart can be found below — as they will not be just on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but will take on some Monday, Friday, and Saturday action as well.