It was announced two days ago that SNL alumni and 30 Rock creator, Tina Fey, could take the reins of Saturday Night Live come Lorne Michaels’ departure.
Michaels, a Canadian born television writer and film producer, has been running the show since it’s birth in 1975. It is assumed that once the show hits its 50th season, Michaels will hang his coat up. I had heard that the show will probably end once he leaves, as the sketch show has become too expensive to produce. But I am all for more seasons of the show, as I have really enjoyed the recent featured players. Also, head writers and Weekend Update correspondents, Colin Jost and Michael Che, have such a great chemistry.
While I am 100% onboard with Tina Fey taking over, here are some other people that I think would be a strong fit.
Conan O’Brien
Steve Higgins
Amy Poehler
Dana Carvey
John Mulaney
Kristen Wig
Kenan Thompson
I didn’t mention named such as Jimmy Fallon or Seth Myers as they host talk shows and are preoccupied with that.
Yesterday, during a court hearing, it was admitted that aliens do exist. Read more about it here! Nobody is happier about this news than Blink-182 guitarist, Tom Delonge. The Californian just recently rejoined the band and is currently on a world tour with the trio and is back on their upcoming 9th album. The guitarist left the band in 2015 to focus on his side project, Angels & Airwaves, and also focus more on researching aliens. In 2017, DeLonge was actually awarded the Alien Researcher of the Year Award. Anyway, this article isn’t about Tom, I am just a huge fan.
I figured, since now we know that we are not alone, I would suggest my favorite alien movies to watch. I will add some more info on each one eventually.
These are in no specific order
10 Cloverfield Lane A Quiet Place Alien Alien VS. Predator Annihilation Arrival Attack the Block Avatar Close Encounters of the Third Kind Cloverfield Contact District 9 Edge of Tomorrow ET Galaxy Quest Independence Day Interstellar Mars Attacks Men in Black Nope Pacific Rim Prometheus Psycho Goreman Signs Starship Troopers Super 8 The Fourth Kind Under the Skin
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies
Premise: After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys’ adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
Cast: River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cusack
What it reminds me of:Stranger Things, Super 8; both of these have been compared to Stand By Me. Mostly, due to the adventure, as well as the ensemble of young actors.
Premise: The series chronicles the inner workings of a jury trial in the US through the eyes of juror Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego, who is unaware that his jury duty summons was not official, and that everyone in the courtroom aside from him is an actor. Everything that happens, inside and outside the courtroom, is planned.
Cast: James Marsden, Ronald Gladden, Alan Barinholtz, Kirk Fox, Susan Berg, David Brown, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Mekki Leeper, Edy Modica, Brandon Loeser, Ishmel Sahid, Ron Song, Maria Russell, Trisha LaFache, Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola.
What it reminds me of: Punk’d, Jackass, The Prank Panel, The Truman Show.
Why I like it: James Marsden. Kirk Fox. Ike Barinholtz’s dad. This show’s premise is so wild. There is no way it should have worked. I don’t know how they pulled it off, but they sure did. This show is so laugh-out-loud funny. The acting is crazy good, across the whole cast. I don’t know why it took so long to make a show like this. James Marsden plays a fictionalized version of himself. In each episode, he becomes more and more of a selfish, over-confident actor. Which seems to be the exact opposite of who he is in real life.
Since following this show, I have followed the cast on social media and read interviews with some of them, including Ronald Gladden. One thing that stuck out to me is that James Marsden kept in close contact with Ronald after the show ended and helped him readjust to real life.
I still don’t know how nobody recognized Kirk Fox. The San Diego native is known for shows such as Parks & Rec,Community, and FXX’s Reservation Dogs. Check these shows out along with his hilarious and deadpan stand-up comedy.
Premise: Hop on the road with Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes for an exclusive look behind the scenes of the sold-out “SmartLess” live podcast tour.
Cast: Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes.
What it reminds me of: When you are hanging out with your best friends and just giving each other shit Also, it reminded me of some comedian tour documentaries like Dane Cook’s Tourgasm and The Comedians of Comedy with Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford, Zach Galifianakis.
Why I like it: I am not really into podcasts. I like to watch television or listen to books on tape. It takes a certain type of podcast for me to get into it. Anyway, I haven’t gotten into this podcast yet, but I will probably now. My girlfriend is a big fan of the podcast and wanted to watch this miniseries documentary. I love the three actors and thought it would be fun to watch. I can’t tell you the last time I laughed this hard. The behind-the-scenes is so great. The three stars are lifelong friends who just roast each other constantly. Also, you get to watch a few of the actual interviews that include people like Will Ferrell and Bradley Cooper.
Premise: In a global cataclysm, “The Sudden Departure,” 140 million people disappeared without a trace. Three years later, residents of Mapleton, N.Y., try to maintain equilibrium when the notion of “normal” no longer applies. Intense grief has divided families and turned faith to cynicism, paranoia and madness, leading some of the traumatized to join the Guilty Remnant, a cultlike group. Kevin Garvey, a beleaguered police chief, must keep peace between townspeople and the cult, a task made tougher with concern about his kids. His daughter alternates between apathy and rebellion, and his wayward son befriends a charismatic prophet. “The Leftovers” is based on the best-seller by Tom Perrotta, who is one of the series’ executive producers.
Cast: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, Chris Zylka, Margaret Qualley, Carrie Coon, Emily Meade, Amanda Warren, Ann Dowd.
What it reminds me of: You know how every few years a television network releases a new show about a plane/group of people dissapearing? It’s like those shows, but much better. Really, this show is very original and just so interesting.
Why I like it: Damon Lindelof. I know, a lot of times on this website I just say a name and say, “That should tell you enough.” He is behind shows like Lost and The Watchmen. Justin Theroux is so damn good in this show. Ann Dowd is absolutely crazy, as always. The third and final season is so good. There is something in the finale that is one of the emotional things that I have ever seen on a television show.
Where to watch: Everywhere! It’s worth the rental money
Premise: The Bradys of the popular ’70s sitcom get thrust into the ’90s, with a whole new set of problems. The family’s house is in danger of being taken away by developer Larry Dittmeyer (Michael McKean) if the ever-positive brood can’t come up with $20,000. Parents Mike (Gary Cole) and Carol (Shelley Long) initially don’t fret, until Mike has difficulty getting any of his architectural designs sold. Fearing the worst, the six Brady kids decide to enter a talent contest and raise the money themselves.
Cast: Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Christine Taylor, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jennifer Elise Cox, Paul Sutera, Olivia Hack, Jesse Lee Soffer, Henriette Mantel
What it reminds me of: There was a television show from the 70s that it reminds me of, but I can’t put my finger on it.
Why I like it: A lot of people don’t understand that this movie is a parody. It pokes fun at the corniness of the family that so many people grew up with. It parodies how straight edge the family members are, how naive they are to any actual inconvenience or bad thing that could occur, and how the family can break out in synchronized song and dance at any given time. One of my favorite scenes is when Greg and Marcia are held up in a carjacking, but they accidentally get away by telling the criminal that it is a car, but their name is definitely not Jack.
The movie is chock-full of stars, some with some great cameos. Michael McKean and Jean Smart play the neighbors, with McKean being one of the main antagonists. The original Alice and Bobby pop up in the movie playing small, but great parts. Ru Paul plays Jan’s guidance counselor and helps her reinvent herself after she is driven mad from jealousy for Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.
It has been too long since I have seen this movie last year, but I will tell you I still know the songs by heart. I still occasionally break out singing when I am in a Macy’s or another department store.
If you are a fan of the original show, the Monkees, satire, this movie is for you.
In 1997, the world was introduced to Netflix. Back then, it was a monthly subscription service that mailed DVDs to your house. Fast forward 25 years later and the streaming giant has been nominated for countless Academy Awards, Emmys, and even some Grammys. The California company could win an EGOT in the near future if they get some Tony-nominated content on there.
Netflix is not only a global company that is worth billions, there were 230.7 million subscribers as of last year. Now more than ever, it would be a good time to open a Netflix Amusement Park.
The park could open in Vermont or New Hampshire, somewhere there is a lot of land, and easy access to have people from Canada come to visit.
The Rides:
The Haunting of Hill House – See if you can escape the house along with The Bent-Neck Lady and the other ghosts that well, haunt the hill house. This ride will be similar to the Forbidden Forrest ride at Universal Studios.
Stranger Things – In this ride, you start out entering a float tank. Lightning strikes above you and when you get out, you are in the Upside Down. Now, you and the Six have to fight Demobats, Demogorgons, and Vecna, to save Will.
Squid Game – Unfortunately, this attraction doesn’t let in all 456 people at a time, but you do get to compete against other guests at the amusement park. Each time you visit this attraction, you will play just one of the games from the popular show. So, make sure you go back a few times to try to get as many in as possible.
Round 1: Red Light, Green Light.
Round 2: Dalgona/Ppopgi.
Round 3: Tug Of War.
Round 4: Marbles.
Round 5: The Glass Tile Game.
Final Round: Squid Game
The Shops and Snacks
11 Waffles – A small waffle shack, designed as the living room from Stranger Things, that sells different flavored waffles. Hopefully, you don’t get a bloody nose while eating it! Hopefully, Eggo agrees to license their product at the park
Paul Hollywood’s Pie Extravaganza – This sit-down eatery is under a giant white tent and sits on top of astroturf. Just like in The Great British Baking Show, one of the more popular dishes here is Pie Without a Soggy Bottom.
Dalgona Delights – This Korean candy was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, but Squid Game really made it popular once again. Enjoy this melted sugar and baking soda treat and don’t worry, you can cut it and eat it any way you want to!
Crumpets and Crowns – Enjoy tea and crumpets in a replica of the dining room from the royal palace.
Gambits and Gumballs – Enjoy candy and other tasty delights while sitting at a chess table and playing a friendly game against friends you traveled with or make some new friends!
Tan- This store features clothes and accessories, cookbooks, and self-help books that are all approved by the fab five.
The Live Shows
Glow: Enjoy some popcorn and Cracker Jacks while you watch local Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling take down one another in the arena!
One of the biggest television hits of the year is The Last of Us. And for good reason. The show starts the loveable Pedro Pascal and the even more loveable Bella Ramsey. The relationship between the two of them, on-screen and off, could not be more wholesome. Watch interviews with them. It almost, but does not ruin their on-screen rough characters. Kind of like when you see that picture of the Fawn from Pan’s Labyrinth in between takes!
The television show streamed every Sunday on HBO Max and is being hailed as one of the greatest video game adaptations. But maybe the people who are saying this never saw the original, live-action Super Mario movie with Dennis Hopper. That thing was a fever dream. People wouldn’t complain about Christopher Pratt being cast as the titular character in the new Mario movie even if they saw the 1990s film or really any of the movies.
Back to The Last of Us. I played a little of The Last of Us and even started up again when I started watching the show. I am not good at that game. I think I am more of a Super Mario person. Back to Mario.
Anyway, here are the things that I didn’t like about the finale:
The finale should’ve been two parts – The action sequence in the hospital seemed too rushed.
What did Joel think was going to happen when he brought an immune person to a science center?
Marlene should have never let two guards take Joel out into the outskirts of town and give him a knife, knowing what he is capable of
Marlene should have never let two guards escort Joel out of the building on their own, knowing what Joel is capable of
I do understand how Joel had adrenaline when it came to get Ellie out of the hospital; the same as a mother lifting a car off of her child. However, how did Joel kill every single one of those Fireflies? I know, I know. It’s like watching John Wick and asking, “How exactly did he kill all of those guys with a pencil?” But this isn’t John Wick. How did Joel, a former revolutionary militia member take down all of those other revolutionary militia members? They didn’t split up? One didn’t sneak up behind him? They all were just shooting all willy-nilly. They weren’t taking cover correctly.
In the garage, Joel was about to take off with Ellie and Marlene stopped him and gave him a speech. Once again, she put her gun down and didn’t think Joel was up to any tricks. She put way too much trust into Joel. And her men.
Marlene should have locked up Joel until the surgery was over.
Would Ellie have survived the surgery? Did we know if she would or not?
What is going to happen next season?
Ellie will eventually find out that Joel was lying to her about the ambush at the hospital and how he had to pull her out of surgery.
Also, Joel killed Marlene who was pretty much like a mother to her.
Other people will find out about Ellie. Maybe a Firefly in the hospital radio-ed someone else and let them know about Ellie being immune.
Joel lied to Ellie saying that there were other immune people. Ellie will find out that this isn’t true, but not until she spends a lot of time looking for these people like her.
We will meet up with Joel’s brother, sister-in-law, and nephew or niece.
We will come across more protagonists and more antagonists, obviously, but we won’t be able to tell who is good and who is bad for some time.
Love interests for the characters? Maybe. It is very, very rare that any television show or movie doesn’t have a love story. And I think that’s because this shows the love story here is different. Joel is like the father that Ellie never had and Ellie is like the daughter that Joel has not had for a long, long time.
We will find out more about Joel and Ellie’s backgrounds in full flashback episodes.
On March 3rd, 2023, Macklemore released his third studio album, Ben. Depending on how much of his career you have been following, you might be thinking this is his second album. On September 22nd, 2017, the Seattle native released Gemini. However, on New Year’s Day in 2005, Macklemore released his first album, Language of My World.
Well, there’s a quick history lesson on the solo career of Ben Haggerty. If you haven’t listened to any, I highly recommend it. I have had the album on repeat in my car. It’s the perfect album for the weather getting nicer, the sun staying out longer, and the windows down. If you are a fan of his illustrious career, then you will really appreciate this album. It feels like a perfect blend of all of his music, including the two albums, and other releases, he put out with Ryan Lewis. The album has some fun, upbeat songs such as “No Bad Days (feat. Collet) and “1984.” Other songs like “Chant (feat. Tones And I)” and “Gods’ Will (feat. Vic Daggs II)” have Mackelmore reliving moments from his life.
The song “TEARS” is the most impressive song from the album. The lyrics start off as if the song is a ballad about his first love and it is. But not in the way you would think it is. The song is a love song to Ben’s first true love, alcohol. The song details the pains of addiction, arrests, deaths, and the things he has done for the drug.
“Lost / Sun Comes Up (feat. Jackson Lee Morgan” detail the bullshit of our current times, with the following lyrics that make you rethink your social media addiction:
“Scroll (scroll) Refresh (refresh) Turn it off (yep) Now do it again That’s the dance now Scroll (scroll) Refresh (refresh) Turn it off (yep) Now do it again That’s the dance now”
And this leads me to my favorite song on the album, “Sorry (feat. Livingston).” I can’t tell you how many times I have listened to this. Especially on repeat. As one of the most nostalgic people, this song hits hard. The first four lines especially:
“It’s too late to get the past back But I’m stuck in the sandtraps And I thought that I was past that My eyelids live in a flashback”
