Nolen Kelly, Staff

“Euphoria” is the television equivalent of putting your hands on your head and saying “Oh my God” every five minutes and each time in a different tone. In June 2019 the first season of “Euphoria” was released onto the world and centers on Rue, played by Zendaya Coleman, a 17-year-old drug addict who attempts to return to her normal habits after a summer-long stint in rehab. The show is as funny as a hernia and features 11 hour-long episodes of pure adrenaline and anxiety. Through crazy editing techniques, gut wrenching performances and excellent writing, Euphoria finds several ways to break you and your spirit and it is only the first season.

For those that are like me and are hesitant to view former Disney Channel stars as serious actors, then I implore you to at least try. I don’t love Zac Efron, but “Neighbors” was a great departure for the former “High School Musical” star and put him on my radar as someone to look out for. Same for Zendaya. I was never really a fan of hers even on the Disney Channel but just after the first episode I immediately fell in love with her acting. She was lovably fun in “Spider-Man: Far from Home” but I shed actual tears for her watching “Euphoria.” It is not just Zendaya that I could gush over because I could gush over almost every character this show features. Each episode begins with a six-minute segment that focuses on a character and details why they are the way they are. Each character is so well-written and is given so much time to breathe, they all just break your heart in different ways. Rue’s story is just one constant punch in the stomach after another. When she experiences her highest highs, it is worth celebrating and when she hits her lowest lows you feel like this. Rue’s rollercoaster of a story is the rollercoaster no one should ever experience but it is so hard to not watch as it all unfolds. My personal favorite character is one of the most indescribably evil, manipulative and slimy characters who deserves to burn in hell, Nate Jacobs. The main antagonist of the show is just the absolute worst, man, I love to hate this guy every chance he is on screen. All the love I have for Rue is doubled in the amount of disdain I have for Nate. 

Not only is this show acted great, but it also looks absolutely insane. The gorgeous lighting and camera work of each scene is trance-inducing goodness. There is a frequent use of purples and blues giving a lush and calming feeling to the insanity happening all around. There are quite a few party scenes that feature a lot of flashing lights and it really helps to make the energy of the scene feel very manic. Lighting and coloring both have multiple uses besides making a room look pretty. They serve as flashes for camera transitions and indicate how a character is feeling based off of the colors. There are several moments where the conversations and happenings are crazy, but they are heightened by the frantic and quick camera work. There are frequent quick cuts that mesh the days certain characters spend together and it has potential to become confusing but with the seamless transitions and flow they make it very clear what order of things you are watching. It is all just so admirable how well-crafted the editing and visual storytelling is in just this first season alone. 

“Euphoria” season one is full of so much great detail and character development it would be a crime against television history to not renew it for a second season. It has been renewed for a second season, thankfully, but I cannot stress enough just how great this show is and how badly the world needs more “Euphoria.” There was a lot that I left out and did not talk about but hopefully this was enough of a nudge to give the show a watch for those who have not seen it. Watch “Euphoria.” Warning: this show is very dark and may be very intense for some people. There is a ton of drug consumption, extreme situations and some disturbing acts of violence. Without giving too much more away, “Euphoria” is a show that easily is one of the best on television right now and should be watched by anyone who is curious what emotional and painstaking TV looks like. On a scale of awful to perfection, I would describe season one of “Euphoria” as incredible. 

kellyf4@lasalle.edu

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment. The following news includes highlights of celebrities, television, movies and music this week. 

Kim Kardashian files for divorce from Kanye West 

Reality star and socialite Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from rapper Kanye West after seven years of marriage. Kardashian is asking for joint custody of the pair’s four children. According to TMZ, West and Kardashian have previously agreed to co-parent in the months leading up to the divorce. In addition, sources claim that the divorce was not “dramatic,” as both have accepted that the marriage was over. 

Fans think Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are engaged

Khloe Kardashian sent fans into a frenzy after posting an Instagram picture modeling SKIMS and a pair of heels from her new shoe line. It was not the clothes, nor the attractive pose, that made fans go crazy in the comments; but rather the fact that Kardashian proudly showed off her left hand that sported a very large diamond ring. Fans speculated that the 36-year-old was engaged to her on-again, off-again boyfriend Tristan Thompson. However, Kardashian has not confirmed nor denied the engagement rumors.   

Regé-Jean Page hosts SNL and makes audience swoon

Actor Regé-Jean Page has made his hosting debut on “Saturday Night Live,” and the audience was pleased with his performance and charm. The 31-year-old actor, who is best known for his starring role on the recently trending Netflix series, “Bridgerton,” joked about being a heartthrob in his opening monologue. The audience especially enjoyed when Page briefly sang the chorus of “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers and performed his famous line, “I burn for you,” from his character Duke of Hastings on “Bridgerton.” Next week, heartthrob Nick Jonas will take the stage as host. 

Disney releases the first “Cruella” trailer 

On Feb. 17, Walt Disney Studios released the official “Cruella” trailer. This live-action film, starring Emma Stone, takes place in London during the 1970s and focuses on the origins of Cruella de Vil, the villainous character from “101 Dalmatians.” The trailer’s vibe and music has reminded viewers of Todd Phillips’ “Joker,” as one YouTube comment stated, “Cruella De Vil is Disney’s Harley Quinn.” “Cruella” was supposed to be released last year, but was postponed due to COVID-19. It is now set to hit theaters on May 28. 

Daft Punk breaks up

On Feb. 22, electronic musical duo Daft Punk announced their breakup through a YouTube video titled “Epilogue.” The eight minute video shows the pair walking through a desert as one member blows up in a destruction and gets left behind. Formed in 1993, the French-based Grammy award-winning group was known for their unique robot masks that concealed their identity throughout their 28 years of fame. Their biggest hits and features include, “One More Time,” “All Around the World,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” “Starboy” and “Get Lucky.” 

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of Feb. 20, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the fifth week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the sixth week straight.

tripodij2@lasalle.edu

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: Film Daily

Nicki Minaj’s father killed after hit and run accident

On Feb. 12, rap singer Nicki Minaj’s father, Robert Maraj, passed away from his injuries at a New York hospital after being hit by a driver while attempting to cross a street. According to police, the driver sped off and witnesses were unable to get a clear description of the vehicle. Minaj has yet to speak publicly on the matter, but her representative did confirm the 64-year-old’s death.

Judge rules in case involving conservatorship over Britney Spears’s estate

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny ruled that Jamie Spears is to serve as co-conservator with Bessemer Trust over Britney Spears’s estate. The pop singer previously filed for her father’s removal as sole conservator, and has petitioned that a professional financial institution fully takes over her estate. At prior hearings, Spears’s attorney, Samuel D. Ingham III, has argued that his client was “afraid” of her father.

Paris Hilton testifies that she was abused at teen treatment facility

Media personality and heiress to the Hilton hotel company, Paris Hilton urged Utah lawmakers to pass a law that will protect teenagers in treatment facilities. At the committee hearing, Hilton spoke about the physical, emotional, mental and even sexual abuse she endured while staying at these facilities as a teenager. One of these facilities was Provo Canyon School, located in Utah, where the now 39-year-old stayed at when she was 16.

Ellen DeGeneres spotted looking sad after getting stood up by mystery person

Daytime talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres was seen by herself at a shopping center in Montecito. According to DailyMail, the 63-year-old looked depressed as she scanned the parking lot before taking out her phone. An onlooker then overheard DeGeneres speaking into her iPhone, “ah okay, okay, another time then, no, no problem,” before walking several blocks to her Porsche Panamera.

“iCarly” arrives to Netflix and immediately reaches top 10

Seasons one and two of the hit Nickelodeon series, “iCarly,” became available to Netflix on Feb. 8. Within a day of it’s release, “iCarly” reached the top 10 list on Netflix. By Wednesday, the teen sitcom landed at the number two spot. This release comes ahead of a revival of the show, which will be made available to ViacomCBS’ Paramount+. According to Newsweek, most of the main stars will return, such as Miranda Cosgrove, Nathan Kress and Jerry Trainor; however, Jennette McCurdy will not appear in the “iCarly” reboot.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” gets an official release date

Groundbreaking. Thought provoking. Extremely obvious. Presenting the official title of the #SonicMovie sequel: Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Catch #SonicMovie2 in theatres in 2022. pic.twitter.com/SlVk7fakp3

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@SonicMovie) February 10, 2021

In a teaser trailer, Paramount has announced that the “Sonic” movie sequel will officially be titled “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and will arrive to theaters on April 8, 2022. The official Twitter page for “Sonic the Hedgehog” also posted the trailer teaser and stated in the caption, “Groundbreaking. Thought provoking. Extremely obvious. Presenting the official title of the #SonicMovie sequel: Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Catch #SonicMovie2 in theatres in 2022.” According to the film’s logo, Sonic’s friend, Tails, will be in the sequel.

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of Feb. 17, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the fourth week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the fifth week straight.

Cianan Meagher, Staff

Header Image: Mo Wax

Introductions

Henry Rollins, punk icon and former Black Flag frontman, is probably best known for his provocative and inflammatory stage presence during the height of his career in the early 1980s. But, later years revealed a burgeoning maturity and softer side to his rough and tumble persona as well as a more varied and nuanced taste of music than the ferocity of his former punk mask would suggest. And, in his brief stint as a guest video jockey on MTV, the renegade renaissance man would make an impassioned plea with the Generation X youth of the day to listen to something other than the Billboard Top 40.

Much like Rollins pleaded with Gen X to expand their musical taste in the 90s, I also want to preach the benefits of a broader musical palette with this column by recommending lesser known and older selections of my own. You might love some of these albums and hate others, and that’s okay, we all have varying tastes; but, as Rollins advocates, limiting your playlist to only your comfort zone is robbing yourself of a wider world of music.

Background

UNKLE is headed by James Lavelle and DJ Shadow, pioneers in the development of electronic music and hip-hop respectively. Released in 1998, the group’s debut album “Psyence Fiction” is an experimental mixture of genres which lends to its unique sound and diverse features list, with guests ranging from alt-rock icons like Radiohead’s Thom Yorke to hip-hop staples like Mike D of Beastie Boys fame. At the time of its release, the album received a mixed reception from critics that were disappointed in the less accessible, avante-garde direction the group decided to take with their impressive list of high profile collaborators, prompting Shadow to disown the project entirely over the negative press, but over the years it’s developed a cult-status among electronic and trip-hop fans alike.

Why you should give it a listen

For better or worse this album sounds unlike anything else I’ve ever listened to. Its unique mix of electronic, hip-hop and alt-rock is truly something to behold. This eclectic hodgepodge of genres and artists is something that, by all reason, should be nowhere near as competent and coherent as it is. Lavelle and Shadow did a fantastic job at creating an atmosphere of a late 90s UFO-conspiracy-tinged fever dream, with one critic describing the album as the “soundtrack for a surreal, melancholy art film that exists in Shadow’s and Lavelle’s heads.” Truly, the fledgling group was able to put together a fully realized, if unconventional, vision. If an unorthodox marriage of some of the most popular underground genres from the turn of the century sounds like something you’d have a passing interest in, I suggest you check this album out.

Highlights For Your Playlist:

“U.N.K.L.E. Main Title Theme”

Like the theme song for a dark sci-fi Saturday morning cartoon that never existed, this instrumental track’s catchy sample and hypnotic beat make for an upbeat track that would be right at home on a workout playlist for when you need some motivation.

“Rabbit in Your Headlights”

Thom Yorke’s haunting vocals, combined with a moody piano and an unexpected beat drop at the half-way point make this track a melancholic but satisfying listen. It would make a great addition to a bag playlist for when you just need to be in your feelings.

meagherc1@lasalle.edu 

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: CNN

The Weeknd’s Super Bowl halftime performance becomes a meme

Pop singer The Weeknd was the sole vocal performer at the Pepsi 2021 Super Bowl Halftime Show this past Sunday. While performing his hit “Can’t Feel My Face,” the Grammy-winning artist made his viewers feel “dizzy” as he stared closely at the camera while spinning around with mirrors behind him. Soon afterwards, memes capturing this moment went viral. One viral meme stated, “My parents on Facetime.” Meanwhile, another viral post stated, “5-year-old me in the grocery store looking for my mom.” 

Christopher Plummer passes at age 91 (1929-2021)

On Feb. 5, actor Christopher Plummer passed away at the age of 91. Plummer was best known for his starring role in “The Sound of Music,” where he played Captain von Trapp. Younger audiences likely remember the Hollywood icon from his starring roles in the films “Knives Out” and “Up.” At age 82, Plummer became the oldest actor to win an Oscar. 

“Bachelor” for senior citizens is back on and now casting

During a commercial break for “The Bachelor,” it was announced that casting is open for seniors looking for love in a new “Bachelor” spin-off series. Plans for the reality series featuring contestants in their golden age was originally announced in early 2020 and was set to air that fall, according to Variety. However, COVID-19 led to the show’s postponement. 

Jennifer Lawrence gets injured on set of “Don’t Look Up”

While filming the ending scene for the upcoming Netflix film, “Don’t Look Up,” actress Jennifer Lawrence’s face got cut with glass after an explosion scene went wrong. Lawrence and co-star Timothee Chalamet were shooting inside a restaurant when the window shattered. The glass cut her eyelid to the point where it “would not stop bleeding,” according to TMZ. Production was suspended after the incident. 

Number one on the Billboard charts: Week of Feb. 6, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the third week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the fourth week straight. 

tripodij2@lasalle.edu

Sean Cornely, Staff

Header Image: PhillyVoice

The Flyers seemed to be off to a great start in the beginning of the year, especially after taking down the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 and then 5-2 in a back-to-back fashion. However, problems emerged after Selke Winner Sean Couturier went down with a harsh rib injury, causing head coach Alain Vigneault, also referred to as “AV,” to shift the lines around quite a bit. He recalled young gun Morgan Frost, who immediately got injured, alongside Phil Meyers, and was forced to play both Sam Morin and AHL journeyman Nate Prosser.

The Flyers went on to lose three of their next four games, once to the Buffalo Sabres, and twice to the Boston Bruins. Both games were borderline embarrassing. Headlined by an inability to get pucks on net and a lackluster defensive effort, the Flyers looked disinterested, lazy and just flat out bad.

They hit the road on Jan. 26 to take on the New Jersey Devils up in Newark, looking for an opportunity to bounce back. And bounce back they did. Philly went out and took down the Devils 5-3 in a win that finally felt good. James van Riemsdyk potted two deflections on the power play, a point of concern for the Flyers since the NHL Playoff Bubble in Toronto. Captain Claude Giroux slapped his haters in the face that night after racking up three assists in the game that made him the longest tenured captain in Philadelphia Flyers history. 20-year-old Joel Farabee netted a goal as well after not putting up a point since his four point outing in his season debut, a good rebound for the promising young player.

After a day off, the Flyers headed back into the Prudential Center to take on the Devils again in the second leg of their series, to which the Flyers prevailed. The 3-1 win launched the Flyers’ momentum and clearly helped the team gain confidence. Nate Prosser even netted his first goal as a Flyer in the first period. The struggling defenseman Eric Gustafsson slapped together two assists to get his confidence back up, and the young, talented goalie Carter Hart made 33 saves, allowing only one goal.

Gritty’s favorite team returned to Philadelphia to take on the New York Islanders in a quick two game series. After not being able to beat them in regulation the entire playoffs last summer, the Flyers decided to do the exact same thing and only beat them in overtime in two consecutive games. OT heroes Scott Laughton and Kevin “Hollywood” Hayes both netted game winning goals respectively. Joel Farabee turned it up a notch as he collected his first career hat-trick in the second game, to which Gritty promptly tossed an industrial sized Flyers hat onto the ice. This hat-trick was historical for Young Beezer as he became the second youngest Flyer to sore a hat-trick, next to Legend Eric Lindros. He also became the fourth member of the orange and black to net a hat-trick before turning 21 years old.

On Feb. 3, the Flyers took a 4-3 loss against the Boston Bruins, followed by a 2-1 loss to them on Feb. 5. On Feb. 7 the Flyers broke their losing streak with a 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. They will play the Capitals again on Feb. 9.

cornelys1@lasalle.edu

Three Oscars with zero chemistry

Nolen Kelly, Staff

Image Credit: HBO Max

“The Little Things” is the love child of “Drive” and “Se7en,” but none of the good parts of either of them. Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) and Joe “Deke” Deacon (Denzel Washington) are two Los Angeles detectives in the year 1990 who are tracking a serial killer that played a part in Deke’s secretive past. It is up to Baxter to help Deke get their prime suspect, a man named Albert Sparma (Jared Leto) and solve the case while also figuring out his veteran partner. I have quite a few issues with this movie, but I will go through all of the things I liked first just to show that even the messiest and limpest crime dramas can still have a silver lining.

This movie is visually stunning. There are so many shots of LA, the streets and various landscapes that just make this movie look so good. I say this film is like “Drive” because getting to know the city through unique cinematography is always a nice touch to a stylish film. Oh my God, “Drive” is such a great movie, but I have to move on. For many scenes, I was really pulled into the moment. In one scene, Baxter goes into a hotel and every ounce of green color on the walls inside and out was fantastic. I think many movies that focus on the city of Los Angeles really work when they put an emphasis on neon lighting, and while I do not particularly love this movie, it stuck the landing looks-wise and created a colorful and glowing city.

Alright, I’ve stretched it out as much as I could and beat around all the bushes. It is now time to talk about this masterclass of stupid. There are a few spoilers along the way, but I will try to keep it limited. I was actually pretty excited for this movie. I mean, it has Denzel, “Mr. Robot” and Jared “The Joker” Leto as the big names on the project. I figured at its worst the movie would just be okay but, unfortunately, it is a clunky, unfinished and messy product. The acting, story, writing and dialogue are all so awkward and bizarre. Having Malek, Leto and Washington in the same movie and having next-to-no chemistry amongst each other is not something I would think possible. 

I talked about how this movie is part “Drive,” but it is also part David Fincher’s “Se7en” with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. I say this because of the “veteran detective working a case with a younger detective as they track down a vicious serial killer” dynamic. Pitt and Freeman worked astoundingly; Denzel and Malek do not. The main suspect they follow is Leto’s character, Sparma, who simultaneously has a large beer gut and looks thin and sickly. Man, Leto was just weird in this movie. I refer to this as a “poop doo-doo” of a movie, which is a direct quote from Leto himself in this movie, which basically explains how most of his dialogue went. I probably would have laughed at that or enjoyed the line if it was not at the climax of the movie in one of the most crucial scenes for his character. Leto had a few moments where I thought he was going to save this movie and turn in a vile and creepy performance, but he was just so strange. In one scene a payphone rings and Baxter checks it out, picks it up and Leto appears behind him and says “boo” to scare him. It was pretty good; it spooked me a bit too, but then Baxter tells Sparma to get up against the fence, and as a response, Sparma starts singing “Jenny” by Tommy Tutone. It is so bizarre, but not in a creepy character moment; it is just weird. I blame the whacky performances on the script.

The trajectory of the story is pretty straightforward: two cops chase a bad guy and then the movie has an ending. My biggest gripe with the script is all the super obvious moments and opportunities the writers could’ve taken to explore the characters, but didn’t. By the end, I didn’t feel anything towards anyone because I had no reason to really care about any stakes or any character. Yes, Baxter has a family, but I never felt like he was actually in danger of not returning to them. The only stakes and motivation in this movie are that there are dead bodies and the detectives do not want that anymore. Even with Deke’s past connections to this case, he still just seems like he can easily walk away from this case and not feel anything. By the end, they try to do a clever twist and pull from the book of “Se7en” again. I won’t talk about it too much here, but they use the “villain gets in the hero’s mind and it doesn’t go so well” trope as the hook of the climax.

I finished this movie and had a few questions. The more I think about them, the more it makes me mad about this movie. There were so many loose ends and unanswered pieces that weaken the overall effect the movie has as a crime-thriller and as a psychological character piece. I wanted to like this movie, I really did, but man, it was so messy. Robot performances, cliché dialogue, zero chemistry, no direction and objectively wrong decision-making all drag this movie down. The funniest part is everything I just listed was everything that was wrong with just Rami Malek. I feel like I may be exploding on this movie way more than it warrants, but it just makes me mad how they fumbled this near surefire of a crime-drama. My official ranking of the HBO Max 2021 original film “The Little Things” on a scale of Awful to Perfection: Bad.

kellyf4@lasalle.edu

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: Giornale di Sicilia

Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment. The following news includes highlights of celebrities, television, movies and music this week.

Halsey announces pregnancy

On Jan. 27, pop singer Halsey took to her Instagram to announce her pregnancy. In her post, the 26-year-old showed off her bump in three pictures that appear to be from a recent photoshoot. Along with rainbow and baby emojis, the caption stated, “surprise.” In addition, Halsey tagged her boyfriend, Alev Aydin, who is the father of her child. Aydin commented, “Heart so full, I love you, sweetness.”

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are dating

“Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star Kourtney Kardashian and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker have recently started dating after years of friendship. According to ET, the two have been family friends for a long time, but have grown even closer since becoming neighbors in Calabasas. A source close to Kardashian and Barker claims that the Kardashian family approves of their relationship and enjoys having Barker around.

Pamela Anderson marries for the sixth time

Former “Baywatch” actress Pamela Anderson has recently announced that she secretly married her bodyguard, Dan Hayhurst, on Christmas Eve. According to DailyMail TV, after falling in love during the lockdown, the pair wed on her grandparents’ property in a private ceremony with no friends or family present. This is Anderson’s sixth marriage and fifth husband. One year ago, the actress married film producer Jon Peters, in a union which lasted for 12 days.

Cloris Leachman passes away at age 94 (1926-2021)

On Jan. 27, actress Cloris Leachman passed away at the age of 94. Leachman was an Academy and Emmy award-winning actress who was best known for playing the nosy neighbor Phyllis on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Younger fans will likely remember the eight-time Emmy award-winner for her role in “Malcolm in the Middle,” in which she played Malcolm’s conniving grandmother. Leachman also competed on “Dancing with the Stars” when she was 82 years old, making her the oldest competitor to ever dance on the show. In addition, Leachman starred in the 1974 comedy film “Young Frankenstein” with La Salle alum, Peter Boyle.

Cicely Tyson passes away at age 96 (1924-2021)

On Jan. 28, pioneering actress Cicely Tyson passed away at the age of 96. The Emmy and Tony award-winner was the first Black actress to land a recurring role in a drama series, according to Fox News. Tyson was best known for starring in the 70s films, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “Sounder.” However, younger fans will likely remember Tyson from her starring role in “The Help” and from her guest role in “How to Get Away with Murder.”

Dustin Diamond passes away at age 44 (1977-2021)

On Feb. 1, actor Dustin Diamond passed away at the age of 44 after a short battle with stage four lung cancer. Diamond, who was best known for playing Screech in the hit 1990s sitcom “Saved By the Bell,” made headlines several weeks ago when it was announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer after being hospitalized due to pain throughout his body. The actor’s “Saved by the Bell” castmates have paid tribute to their friend. One such tribute was from co-star Mario Lopez, who shared an emotional statement on Access Hollywood hours after Diamond’s passing. Lopez referred to Diamond as his “little brother” and how they have remained in contact over the years.

Fans are pleased with season two of “Selena + Chef”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcJMjw18-g

The second season of HBO Max’s “Selena + Chef” has premiered on Jan. 21, and its audience is just as pleased with this season as they were with the first one, according to Seventeen. Starring pop singer and actress Selena Gomez, this unscripted series shows Selena whipping up delicious recipes from her kitchen. Each episode is filmed socially distanced and features a different celebrity chef through video chat. Google users have shared overall high reviews for the season due to Gomez’s bubbly personality, as one user even gave the show an “11/10” recommendation.

Kevin Hart gets roasted by fans over role in “Borderlands”

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart has signed on to star in Lionsgate’s film adaptation of the popular video game, Borderlands. In this film, Hart will play one of the main characters, private military rogue Roland. Since the skilled soldier is rather tall and the Philly native is only 5’4, fans were confused about this casting choice and took their opinions to social media. One viral post stated, “So who’s playing the top half of Roland?” In addition, Hart’s followers asked him if he was sure he really wasn’t playing Claptrap, the small robot companion who follows the main characters around.

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of Feb. 2, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the second week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the third week straight.

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: Entertainment Tonight

Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment. The following news includes highlights of celebrities, television, movies and music this week.

Larry King passes away at age 87 (1933-2021)

On Jan. 23, Larry King passed away at the age of 87 after a recent battle with COVID-19. King, who was the longtime host of CNN’s “Larry King Live,” has conducted over 50,000 interviews with celebrities, presidents, notorious criminals and everyday people throughout his career. The award-winning television host had a career that spanned over sixty years and was considered one of the greatest broadcast journalists of all time.

Betty White celebrates 99th birthday

On Jan. 17, “Golden Girls” actress Betty White turned 99 years old. Although White could not celebrate with the huge bash she desired due to COVID-19 restrictions, she still managed to have a fun day. According to the Associated Press, the award-winning actress spent her birthday by feeding two ducks that visit her everyday and enjoyed eating hotdogs and french fries. White shared on social media that she can now stay up as late as she wants without asking permission. 

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are no longer attending marriage counseling 

The news broke earlier this month that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West might be getting a divorce. Although neither the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star nor the rapper have spoken publicly about the split, it has been reported that the pair have completely stopped attending therapy to repair their marriage. Meanwhile, Kanye is talking to top divorce attorneys. According to People, Kardashian and West are at two different places in life.

Demi Lovato spots a UFO 

Pop singer Demi Lovato posted a video to Instagram of unusual bright lights bouncing around in the sky during daytime. In the video that is captioned “They’re coming,” Lovato tells her followers: “Another day, another UFO sighting.” Prior to this sighting, Lovato, who has had an ongoing fascination with paranormal activity, told Kesha in a recent podcast episode about her experience with a blue orb that was floating “20 or 30” feet away from her. 

 “The Bachelor” returns for its 25th season

A new season of “The Bachelor” is currently airing and the ladies are fighting for the heart of Matt James, a 29-year-old real estate broker. James, who has made history as the show’s first Black Bachelor, was originally set to be a contestant on “The Bachelorette” when he was selected to be the next Bachelor. With high ratings, fans have taken to social media to share their happiness with the leading man and his drama-filled season. “The Bachelor” airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence spotted on set of “Don’t Look Up”

Production continues in Boston for “Don’t Look Up,” the upcoming Netflix film which has a cast of many favorite celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Timothee Chalamet, Tyler Perry, Meryl Streep and Ariana Grande. The film’s two main stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, were spotted on set rocking their new looks for their roles. Lawrence was seen wearing bright red hair with thick bangs and a nose ring, while DiCaprio was seen wearing glasses. According to Netflix, Lawrence and DiCaprio are playing two astronomers who must warn mankind about a comet that will destroy Earth.

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of Jan. 24, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the first week the pop song is on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the US is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the second week straight.

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