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31 sloths allegedly died ahead of Orlando Sloth World attraction's grand opening: FWC report
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“Every visit to Sloth World plays a big role in supporting responsible sloth care,” the upcoming attraction’s website reads.
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Elizabeth Smart wins bodybuilding competition: 'I am so proud of my body and I want to celebrate it'
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The kidnapping survivor took first place in the Fit Model Novice category at the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City.
Jamie Lynn Sigler is reflecting on the last moment she shared with actor James Gandolfini, highlighting their close bond. The two worked together on “The Sopranos” for the show’s entire run, portraying father and daughter Tony and Meadow Soprano.
She also spoke about how her on-screen father supported her throughout her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), recalling his kindness, encouragement, and the lasting impact he had on her both during and after their time on the series.
In an interview for a cover story with Us Weekly, Jamie Lynn Sigler recalled the last time she saw her on-screen father, James Gandolfini, before he passed away in 2013. It was just months before his death, and they saw each other at a casino. “I was happy to see him in a beautiful marriage and in a beautiful space in his life,” the actress said.
“We were both like, ‘We’re good. Look at us’,” said Sigler, adding that Gandolfini asked her if she needed his help walking. At that time, Sigler had not revealed to the public that she had MS, an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system, and the actor was one of the only few people she shared her diagnosis with.
“I said ‘I’m OK,’ and he said, ‘Alright, you tell me if you need help.’ I remember him being proud. It was a beautiful moment,” Sigler said.
James Gandolfini Was The Only One On ‘The Sopranos’ Who Knew Of The Actress’ Diagnosis
Elsewhere in the interview, Sigler shared how Gandolfini helped lessen her burden as she battled her disease in secret. The actress was diagnosed with MS when she was 20 years old, around 2001 to 2002, but it wasn’t until 2016 that she shared it with the world, fearing that going public with her ailment would have limited her career opportunities.
Sigler told Us Weekly that Gandolfini would often pull her aside and ask how she was doing. “But never at work and never in front of anybody. It shifted a lot of the energy for me, just knowing that somebody knows my secret,” she said.
In a 2024 episode of the “Work in Progress” podcast, Sigler talked about the moment she told Gandolfini about her MS. “I remember him putting his big paw on my shoulder and he’s like, ‘Whatever you need, I’m not gonna tell anyone, but whatever you need, you let me know’,” Sigler recalled, adding that the actor was “the most loving, gentle presence.”
The Moment Jamie Lynn Sigler Found Out About Her On-Screen Father’s Death
In 2013, Gandolfini was on vacation in Italy with his family when he had a heart attack. He was discovered unconscious in his hotel bathroom in Rome, and paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the way to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. He was 51 years old.
In an episode of “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” Sigler recalled the moment she learned about Gandolfini’s death. She received a call from one of her “Sopranos” co-stars, Vince Curatola, who said, “All of us were confused as to who should call you because we know you’re pregnant… but Jim’s gone.”
Sigler said she was shocked and cried a lot. “It was surreal, because how many times had we done funeral scenes as a cast? And to lay to rest our leader — he was the sun and we were the planets all around him. So the whole ‘Sopranos’ life sort of came to an end at that moment,” the actress shared.
The Actress Learned Numerous Lessons From Gandolfini
A couple of years after Gandolfini’s death, Sigler shared that the actor taught her to be more assertive on set and to gain confidence, telling her that her opinion mattered and that part of acting was collaborating, not just being directed.
“He taught me how to improv a little bit, and he taught me to trust my instincts,” she said, adding that she learned a lot from the actor just by being around him on set. “You just felt like everything’s going to be okay… he was just your leader and your protector,” Sigler said of Gandolfini’s presence.
Jamie Lynn Sigler Shares James Gandolfini’s Touching Gesture
In a 2024 conversation with Justin Long on the podcast “Life is Short,” Sigler recalled how Gandolfini supported her indirectly, in addition to always checking in with her. The actress said that her “Sopranos” father had always been protective of her, especially after he found out she had MS. “I found out after his death that he donated to MS organizations constantly for me,” Sigler told Long.
Sigler shared her MS diagnosis in 2016 via an interview with PEOPLE, saying that she was finally ready to “live my truth.” “I don’t want to hold a secret where it feels like I have something to be ashamed of or something to hide,” she said.
Sigler has lived with MS for more than 20 years and hosts the podcast “MeSsy” with Christina Applegate, who is also living with the condition.
The fantasy genre can be broken down into various sub-genres, such as the magic-heavy high fantasy or the more gritty dark fantasy. One sub-genre is sword-and-sorcery, defined by its emphasis on action and adventure, as sword-wielding heroes battle all sorts of monsters on their quests, which often veer towards self-serving rather than altruistic. Magic is usually presented as a rare and powerful thing wielded by villains, so the heroes usually save the day through strength of arms and a cunning mind.
A good number of fantasy movies over the decades can be called sword-and-sorcery. Impressive effects, beautiful scenery, and compelling actors turn what could easily be silly or pulpy stories into daring quests full of monsters and mystery, making them a great and timeless watch. With the upcoming release of Masters of the Universe, now it’s a great time to look at the all-time best sword-and-sorcery movies, must-watches for any self-respecting fantasy fan.
‘Dragonheart’ (1996)
A dragon (Sir Sean Connery) gives up half of his heart to save the dying Prince Einon (Lee Oakes and David Thewlis), but the Prince soon reveals himself a tyrant, prompting his trainer, Sir Bowen (Dennis Quaid), to swear vengeance against all dragons, whom he blames for the change. Years later, Bowen has become a skilled dragon hunter and is followed by the Monk Brother Gilbert (Pete Postlethwaite), who wishes to record his exploits. Bowen eventually finds the last dragon in existence, not realizing it’s the one that saved Einon, and after fighting to a stalemate, they instead form a partnership to scam villagers out of gold.
Dragonheart is more light-hearted than other sword-and-sorcery stories, but it still hits a lot of the required tropes, especially through Bowen’s arc about becoming disillusioned with the chivalric code and rediscovering his faith. In between the lighthearted jokes are a lot of dark and melancholic moments as well, from the deaths of the dragons to the extent of Einon’s cruelty. While the CGI for the dragon, nicknamed Draco by Bowen, is showing its age, it’s still impressive for the time, and, combined with Connery’s performance, goes a long way in making him one of cinema’s most iconic dragons.
‘Willow’ (1988)
Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) is a Nelwyn farmer with a loving family who wishes to one day practice magic. One day, he discovers a baby named Elora Danan, who is prophesied to bring about the downfall of the tyrannical sorceress queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). Aided by two brownies named Rool and Franjean (Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton), a charismatic swordsman named Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), and a cursed sorceress named Fin Raziel (Patricia Hayes), Willow tries to protect Elora from Bavmorda’s forces.
Willow is one of those movies that doesn’t take itself too seriously or switch up the status quo, instead offering a fun, creative experience. That’s not to say it doesn’t play around with some classic tropes: Willow himself deviates from the usual farmboy to wizard archetype by being a father and relying just as much on his sleight-of-hand tricks as his budding sorcery. Speaking of sorcery, the movie uses impressive morphing technology to pull off some of the best transformation scenes in fantasy, especially when Willow tries to restore Fin Raziel to her human form.
‘Fire and Ice’ (1983)
The sorcerer king Nekron (Stephen Mendel) and his mother Juliana (Susan Tyrrell) use their powers over ice to spread glaciers south and weaken other human nations for conquest, until only the volcanic kingdom of Firekeep resists them. Under the guise of messengers, Juliana sends her minions to kidnap Princess Teegra (Maggie Roswell) to be Nekron’s bride. She escapes into the wilds and finds allies in Larn (William Ostrander), a warrior whose people were killed by Nekron, and Darkwolf (Steve Sandor), a mysterious warrior who is committed to killing the sorcerers.
Fire and Ice comes from the bizarre mind of legendary animator Ralph Bakshi and is a beautiful example of pulpy dark fantasy stories. It’s a standard sword-and-sorcery about daring heroes overthrowing an evil tyrant, but it carves an identity for itself thanks to its gritty and interesting worldbuilding, such as Nekron and Juliana’s powers over ice or the people of Firekeep using pterosaurs as mounts. The film is also gorgeous to look at, with stylistic backgrounds that look like heavy metal covers, and detailed rhotoscoping to give the characters realistic movements.
‘The Flight of Dragons’ (1982)
When the Green Wizard Carolinus (Harry Morgan) realizes that the world is turning away from belief in magic and towards logic and science, he summons his brothers, the Gold Wizard Lo Tae Zhao (Don Messick), Blue Wizard Solarius (Bob McFadden), and Red Wizard Ommadon (James Earl Jones), to create a hidden world where magic can continue to thrive. Ommadon refuses to help and instead vows to use his magic to enhance mankind’s vices so that they destroy themselves, prompting Carolinus to put together a quest to steal Ommadon’s crown and rob him of his powers. At the suggestion of the ancient force of Antiquity (Paul Frees), Carolinus also summons Peter Dickinson (John Ritter), a 20th-century man with a love of both science and magic.
The Flight of Dragons is an oft-overlooked animated film from the partnership of Topcraft—the predecessor to Studio Ghibli—and Rankin/Bass, known for their stop-motion holiday specials. The movie is a beautiful love letter to the fantasy genre, playing into classic tropes while also exploring certain topics in greater detail, such as offering scientific answers for why dragons can fly and breathe fire. What sticks out most about it are its themes, which explore the loss of wonder in the world, idealism vs cynicism, and heroism in the face of impossible odds.
‘Jason and the Argonauts’ (1963)
Jason (Todd Armstrong) is the rightful king of Thessaly and is watched over by the Goddess Hera (Honor Blackman) after his family is killed by the usurper Pelias (Douglas Wilmer). As a young man, Jason rescues Pelias, not knowing who he is, and explains that he plans to rally support to overthrow the tyrant. Pelias encourages him to sail forth and find the Golden Fleece, hoping that the various monsters and dangers on the way will kill Jason.
Jason and the Argonauts is a grand epic that does justice to its mythological origins, thanks in large part to the now-legendary stop-motion effects by Ray Harryhausen. The creatures look and move as if they come from a different world, which helps to make them feel all the more mythological compared to the flesh-and-blood heroes. The choreography is also something to praise, especially during the climax, where Jason and his men fend off a horde of skeleton warriors, and yet every blow looks like it’s actually connecting.
‘Clash of the Titans’ (1981)
Angered that Zeus (Laurence Olivier) cursed her wicked son, Calibos (Neil McCarthy), for killing his herd of winged horses, Thetis (Dame Maggie Smith) transports Zeus’ demigod son, Perseus (Harry Hamlin), from Seriphos to the city of Joppa. Perseus cuts off Calibos’ hand, and in doing so is able to break his curse over the city’s princess, Andromeda (Judi Bowker). However, Thetis demands that Andromeda be sacrificed lest Joppa be destroyed by the Kraken, so Perseus must go on a quest to find the means to kill the monster.
Clash of the Titans is the last film Harryhausen worked on before his retirement, and it shows because the creatures have never looked better. The best example happens during the climax when Perseus and his companions descend into the lair of the gorgon Medusa. Her model is textured in such a way that it looks like living stone, further accentuated by her stiff, methodical movements, which make her all the more terrifying and fill the scene with tension and mounting dread.
‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)
The kingdom of Urland is plagued by the dragon Vermithrax Pejorative, who demands a tithe of virgin maidens, lest it burn the kingdom in its wrath. An expedition travels to Cragganmore to recruit the last great sorcerer, Ulrich (Sir Ralph Richardson), but he dies when trying to demonstrate his powers to the captain of the king’s guard, Tyrian (John Hallam). However, his magic amulet chooses his young apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol), as its new master, and he offers his services against the dragon.
Dragonslayer is an underrated masterpiece of dark fantasy thanks to its grounded storytelling and fantastic effects. Vermithrax is a masterfully realized creature, brought to life through a combination of life-sized animatronics, stop-motion puppets, and World War II flamethrowers, all of which work together to make the dragon look and feel like a real creature from an ancient past. As for the human characters, they stand out thanks to their moral complexities: no character is truly good or evil, and each of them follows the path that they think will spare the most lives, even if it means ending some in the short-term.
‘The 7th Voyage of Sinbad’ (1958)
Image via Columbia Pictures
En route to Baghdad to marry Princess Parisa of Chandra (Kathryn Grant), Sinbad the Sailor (Kerwin Mathews) stops at the Isle of Colossa, where his crew rescues a magician named Sokurah (Torin Thatcher) from a cyclops. Sokurah wants the crew to go back so he can recover his magic lamp, but Sinbad refuses, so Sokurah uses his magic to shrink Parisa to the size of a chess piece, thus threatening war between Baghdad and Chandra. To restore her, Sokurah requires the shell of a Roc egg, but the giant bird only nests on Colossa, forcing Sinbad to lead an expedition back to the monster-infested island.
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is the first and greatest of the trilogy of Sinbad films featuring effects by Ray Harryhausen. Though not as technically impressive as the movies that would follow, it’s amazing how well they hold up, especially Sinbad’s iconic duel with an undead warrior. As for the characters, they perfectly embody their respective archetypes, especially Sokurah, who is given a fair bit of charisma from Thatcher.
‘The Thief of Bagdad’ (1940)
When King Ahmad (John Justin) of Baghdad disguises himself as a commoner to get to know his people, he is betrayed and imprisoned by his Grand Vizier, Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), who takes over the city. Ahmad escapes execution with the help of a young thief named Abu (Sabu), and the two make their way to Basra, ruled over by a toy-collecting Sultan (Miles Malleson). There, Ahmad falls in love with the Sultan’s daughter (June Duprez), but Jaffar also desires her, using his mastery over black magic to eliminate anyone in his way.
The Thief of Bagdad is a remake of the 1924 silent movie of the same name, and is perhaps the movie most responsible for our modern view of the One Thousand and One Nights. It was the first film to use blue-screen technology, which, combined with its elaborate sets and colorful outfits, makes the world feel lively and magical, especially when the characters encounter a towering wish-granting Djinn (Rex Ingram). Of the characters, Abu and Jaffar stand out the best, perfectly encapsulating the plucky thief and wicked sorcerer archetypes, and brought to life thanks to iconic performances from Sabu and Veidt.
‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982)
After his village is destroyed by raiders, Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sold into slavery, where he is turned into a deadly pit fighter. After earning his freedom, Conan meets a thief named Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and a warrior named Valeria (Sandahl Bergman), and the three join forces to get rich by robbing a snake cult. However, Conan soon learns that the leader of the cult, Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), is the same man who slaughtered his family, sending Conan and his friends on a path of revenge and a meeting with an eccentric wizard (Mako).
Conan the Barbarian is one of the most important fantasy movies of the 1980s, and the film that made Schwarzenegger a major celebrity. With its impressive sets, epic soundtrack, and gritty battles, the movie transports audiences into a world where danger lurks around every corner and forces far stronger than humans are at work, be they gods or powerful spirits. It’s the ultimate sword-and-sorcery film because it makes you feel like you’re watching a legend in the making, as Conan fights against insurmountable odds in the name of vengeance and spite.
Clavicular’s turbulent rise online has hit another major obstacle, as the controversial influencer faces renewed scrutiny and platform penalties that could reshape his digital future.
Just months after losing his primary YouTube account, the 20-year-old has now seen additional channels removed, tightening the pressure on his growing brand.
The latest crackdown comes amid a wave of controversy surrounding his content, personal behavior, and increasingly extreme methods tied to his viral “looksmaxxing” persona.
Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Peters, is once again dealing with consequences from YouTube after the platform confirmed it had taken down more accounts linked to him.
According to a statement to PEOPLE, the action was not due to a fresh violation but part of enforcing earlier rules.
“We terminated the creator’s original channel back in November 2025,” a YouTube spokesperson explained, noting that the newly removed pages violated policies that stop banned creators from returning under new accounts.
The platform said the original ban stemmed from content that directed users to sites tied to illegal or regulated goods and services.
Under its terms, anyone removed from YouTube is barred from creating or managing new channels.
Clavicular Tried To Stay Hidden But YouTube Still Found Him
Despite attempts to remain under the radar, Clavicular’s additional channels were eventually traced back to him.
A source familiar with the situation said he initially managed to keep his connection to those accounts unclear.
“He did a pretty good job of obscuring that he was associated with that channel,” the insider shared.
However, once YouTube identified the links, an internal investigation was launched. The accounts were ultimately taken down for “circumvention,” meaning they were created to bypass an earlier ban.
“As soon as YouTube found out the channels existed, they knew that they needed to take those down,” the source said, adding that the platform has been “tracking” him closely.
There are also indications that YouTube is watching for any future attempts to return, with efforts focused on stopping “any more copies popping up.”
Clavicular Speaks Out As His Content And Courses Disappear
Following the removals, Clavicular took to X to share his frustration, claiming the takedown came “with no warning or explanation” and calling the situation “very sad.”
He pointed out that the deleted channels held livestream archives and programs designed to “help empower young men to be the best versions of themselves.”
Clavicular concluded, “Me and my team worked hard to ensure we followed YouTube’s TOS very strictly, blurring out all inappropriate language and sensitive topics. Could you please help in recovering accounts?”
Over the past year, the YouTuber’s influence has grown rapidly, with more than 1 million followers across platforms such as TikTok, Kick, and Instagram.
Much of his content revolves around “looksmaxxing,” a controversial online movement focused on dramatically improving physical appearance.
Clavicular’s Extreme Methods Continue To Raise Concerns
What sets Clavicular apart and draws criticism is how far he claims to go in pursuit of transformation.
He has openly discussed using testosterone, anabolic steroids, and even methamphetamine, which he says helps control his appetite. In one conversation, he also claimed long-term steroid use left him infertile.
Some of his most alarming practices include “bone smashing,” where he reportedly struck his own face with a hammer in an attempt to reshape it.
Medical professionals have repeatedly warned against such methods, stressing that they carry serious health risks and are not reliable ways to change physical features.
Experts also note that even if any results occur, they may not last without repeated and dangerous actions.
Beyond content, Clavicular runs a private online group called “Clavicular’s Clan,” where he offers guides that he claims will “guarantee” physical transformation.
Critics argue that such promises can be misleading, especially when tied to extreme or unsafe techniques.
Clavicular’s Legal Issues And Health Scare Add To Mounting Pressure
The YouTube crackdown is just one part of a series of challenges surrounding the influencer.
Earlier this year, Clavicular was arrested twice, including an incident involving alleged battery after he reportedly provoked and shared a fight online.
In another case tied to alleged possession of a forged instrument and drugs, prosecutors chose not to move forward with charges.
His situation escalated further on April 14, when he was later hospitalized following a suspected overdose.
As The Blast reported, Clavicular abruptly ended his stream after appearing disoriented and slurring his words, with viewers noticing something was seriously wrong before the feed cut off.
According to the report, emergency services were called to the scene, after which he was rushed to the hospital.
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Our list includes both features and documentaries that approach the conflict from a variety of angles.
Matlock‘s Jason Ritter teased how the hit series will change after the season 2 finale ended on a surprising note, which included multiple arrests.
During the Thursday, April 23, episode of the hit CBS series, Matty (Kathy Bates) and Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) briefly thought all hope was lost when it came to their mission to take down Senior (Beau Bridges). The last part of the two-episode special turned things up a notch with Julian (Ritter) finding a way to get his father to admit to his wrongdoing, which led to the DOJ arriving at Jacobson Moore.
The government officials ultimately arrested Senior and the rest of the lawyers who contributed to the WellBrexa document being covered up. Julian ended up a casualty in the takedown and was handcuffed as well, while Matty and Olympia happily walked away from the building and made plans for their future of solving cases together.
“One of the things that has been driving Julian his whole life is this push and pull of wanting his father’s approval and thinking there’s some magic number of money he can have or some mount of power that will make his dad [like him],” Ritter, 46, exclusively told Us Weekly about Julian’s sacrifice. “That’s such a sad thing to be chasing.”
He continued: “On the other hand, he has a real loathing for some of the elements of his dad’s character. And from the beginning, we have known that Julian does not want to be the kind of dad to his kids that Senior was to him. One of the things he can’t stand about his father is that he gets away with everything. So is he just going to let him get away with everything just to avoid his consequences?”
Ritter was thrilled to see how far Julian had come as a person.
“Just the fact that he decides that accepting consequences is the right thing because he wants to teach his children to be able to take accountability and apologize,” he noted. “He makes a decision at the expense of his comfort for the next however long because it’s the right thing — and he wants to pass on those lessons to his kids.”
For the actor, it was exciting to be put “through the wringer” in the finale, adding, “Part 1 of the finale ends on with all being lost, But one of the things in the show that is so exciting to people and inspiring to people is Matty being underestimated but coming out on top and and winning against the big guy. I really was satisfied by the fact that Senior is actually getting arrested — and not only him — but all of the rot from the top is being removed. It’s super satisfying. I wish that would happen more in real life but now at least we can watch it happen on TV and be happy about it.”
The fall 2026 lineup is going to look a little different for CBS after some shows went through surprising changes. CBS announced its schedule on Wednesday, April 15, with viewers noticing some substantial changes. Ghosts, Matlock and NCIS: Sydney received a shakeup by having their premieres moved to 2027 for midseason. They will join the […]
Julian’s fate remained unclear after he was arrested, but the actor pointed out that the possibilities are endless.
“He has access to some wonderful lawyers but maybe some of [season 3] is in the law firm and the other half of the show is Julian and Senior on the prison block,” he quipped. “One of the things that I’ve learned in this period of time is that the writers on this show are so wonderful and will always find an exciting new way forward.”
When asked if Julian could make a pivot from law to being a private investigator, he joked, “I would just have my little office with my venetian blinds and my whiskey. … I don’t know if Julian’s going to be able to work as a lawyer anymore but maybe he can be the guy getting Hunter and Sarah their coffee and the roles have been reversed?”
Regardless, Ritter is on the edge of his seat for what comes next — especially now that the show will return midseason to have more time to introduce a new larger story line outside of the week-to-week cases.
“I know there will be another overarching mystery that they have to solve but [I am not sure] whether it’s tangentially connected,” he told Us. “I know the [WellBrexa] story line is basically complete.”
Matlock has been renewed for season 3 and is streaming on Paramount+.
Jaafar Jackson is hitting pause on his music ambitions, at least for now, as he pivots toward building a full-time acting career.
The rising star, who recently stepped into the role of his uncle Michael Jackson in the recently released biopic “Michael,” revealed he’s stepping away from singing just as fans were expecting a bigger push into music.
The decision has disappointed many supporters, who viewed him as the natural heir to the Jackson family’s pop legacy. In the meantime, his first-ever film continues to draw backlash from critics, with some describing the film’s portrayal as overly sanitized.
Following the release of “Michael,” Jaafar has been getting candid about his future, and it may not include music at all.
The nephew of Michael Jackson admitted he’s ready to wind down his singing career, despite fans eagerly awaiting a full debut project following his early singles “Got Me Singing” and “Confused.”
During a recent appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” he was pressed on whether more music was on the way after his breakout role in “Michael.”
Jaafar didn’t exactly leave room for hope. While he spoke warmly about his love for music, he admitted that portraying his legendary uncle on stage made him feel like he had already reached the highest level of artistic expression, and anything that followed might not measure up.
Fans Split Over Jaafar Jackson’s Career Pivot
The internet didn’t land on one side. Some fans saw the move as a smart pivot, while others couldn’t hide their disappointment at the idea of losing him as a performer.
One X user admitted the decision caught them off guard, suggesting Jaafar may be trying to avoid inevitable comparisons to Michael. “Maybe he thinks people will say he isn’t good enough and will always be compared to MJ instead of continuing the Jackson legacy,” they wrote, before adding that acting could still work out in his favor.
Others were more sentimental, pointing to his vocal ability and the untapped potential. “He has such a gorgeous voice, it would be great to hear him sing again, maybe even collab with artists like Tyla,” another fan shared.
Inside Jaafar Jackson’s Transformation Into Michael
Jaafar is also shedding light on what it really took to step into the shoes of one of music’s most iconic figures. During his appearance on “Jennifer Hudson,” the actor revealed that preparing to portray Michael went far beyond rehearsals and choreography.
The 29-year-old revealed that he was given access to some of the King of Pop’s personal diaries and journals, material that helped him understand a side of the global superstar many never saw. According to him, the writings revealed just how “deeply sensitive” Michael was, particularly when it came to world events, and how intentionally he used his music to unite people.
The role also became a family effort. Jaafar explained that stories from relatives, including his father, grandmother, and extended family, played a key part in shaping his performance.
‘Michael’ Biopic Hit With ‘Sanitized’ Claims
The conversation around “Michael” hasn’t been entirely positive, with critics questioning how the film handles the late pop icon’s most controversial chapters.
Some reviewers argue the project leans too heavily into celebration, stopping short of fully grappling with the allegations that shadowed Michael’s life and legacy. Legal constraints reportedly shaped that approach after production uncovered a non-disclosure agreement tied to past accusations, which limited how certain figures and events could be portrayed on screen.
A review of the film on The Guardian described it as “rammed with every music-movie cliché” and more like a drawn-out montage than a fully realized story.
Another Critic Slams ‘Michael’ As ‘Soulless’
The criticism didn’t stop there, with another reviewer taking an even harsher stance on “Michael.”
Writing for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey labeled the film a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab,” arguing it blurs the line between storytelling and commercial product. She pointed to a broader wave of music biopics in recent years, suggesting “Michael” leans too heavily on replication rather than depth.
According to Loughrey, the film largely recreates the most recognizable moments from Michael Jackson’s career without digging into the person behind them.
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“Let me live,” the reality star said, expressing frustration that she had gained weight from the steroids she takes as part of her treatment.
D4vd has now been accused of having a “significant” amount of child sex abuse images on his phone and iCloud account.
RELATED: UPDATE: Charging Documents Reportedly Reveal Disturbing Details About D4vd’s Relationship With Celeste Rivas Hernandez
D4vd Has Been Accused Of Having A “Significant” Amount Of Child Sex Abuse Images On His iPhone & iCloud
According to the New York Post, on Thursday, April 23, D4vd appeared in court for his preliminary hearing. This time, prosecutors reported that they discovered a “‘significant’ amount of child pornography on the singer’s iPhone after conducting a search of the device.”
Specifically, investigators reportedly “gathered 40 terabytes of data,” apparently from his device. Additionally, prosecutors also revealed they conducted a wiretap of his phone. Furthermore, prosecutors revealed they plan to hand over “bodycam video, DNA trace evidence, property reports, vehicle reports, photographs,” and forensic reports to D4vd’s legal team.
Per the outlet, D4vd will be back in court on April 29. Per Fox 11 Los Angeles, it remains unclear whether prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against the singer.
Social Media Reacts To Reports Of Child Sex Abuse Images On His iPhone & iCloud
Social media users reacted to the reports of child sex abuse images on D4vd’s phone in TSR’s comment section.
Instagram user @ashleyshymiller wrote, “Get him and the people in his circle because you can’t tell me that they didn’t know”
While Instagram user @that.dee.girl added, “Not surprising since Celeste was literally under age”
Instagram user @z06woodgrain wrote, “I haven’t seen a dude this cooked since Diddy”
While Instagram user @eveslim.xo added, “He look like he likes kids”
Instagram user @_damishakamira_ wrote, “A Toilet Was Found In The Bathroom…”
While Instagram user @isaiahh_.x added, “Cooked ain’t the word”
Instagram user @_natalierosales wrote, “Electric chair immediately.”
While Instagram user @miiss.sexc added, “it just keeps getting worse”
Instagram user @d.hines21 wrote, “Fork found in kitchen”
While Instagram user @burnyourlungs added, “I mean… are you surprised? Imagine how many more celebrities out there yall like do the same thing 😂”
More On D4vd’s Case & The Death Of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
As The Shade Room previously reported, D4vd was arrested earlier this month in connection with the September 2025 discovery of the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Additionally, he was held without bail, and his mugshot was released in the following days. Simultaneously, D4vd was also charged with first-degree murder of the 14-year-old, along with “lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years of age,” and “mutilating human remains.”
In the days that followed, charging documents revealed that D4vd engaged in continuous sexual abuse of Hernandez between September 2023 and September 2024, per The Shade Room. Then, on or about April 23, 2025, he allegedly killed the teen. Then, on or about May 5, he allegedly mutilated her body.
Earlier this week, the autopsy for Celeste Rivas Hernandez was released, revealing that her body was missing two fingers and that she died from multiple penetrating injuries. Additionally, the autopsy release prompted a statement from the Hernandez family.
RELATED: Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Autopsy Results Revealed As Family Shares First Public Statement & Unreleased Photo
What Do You Think Roomies?
Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Animal Control, Season 4, Episode 12
Summary
After 12 episodes, Animal Control Season 4 came to a close on Thursday night following the ACOOTY (aka “Animal Control Officer of the Year”) Awards, which, of course, turns into complete chaos the second Joel McHale’s Frank Shaw and Templeton Dudge (Gerry Dee) go head-to-head for the prestigious honor. Naturally, there’s sabotage, stolen speeches, relationship revelations, and somehow Frank ends up taking his shirt off and winning anyway. But the real story is never just the frantic energy felt by its Northwest Seattle Division crew. Instead, it’s that quiet hotel room moment between Frank and Victoria (Grace Palmer) that suddenly gets way more real than expected. Even McHale kind of dodges that near-kiss moment, joking with Collider, “Well… wait till season 5,” before admitting he totally sidestepped the question.
At the same time, the finale flips the entire power dynamic on its head. As it goes, Templeton becomes the new animal control director by episode’s end after Emily (Vella Lovell) and Shred (Michael Rowland)’s relationship comes to light at the worst possible time during the awards. The entire fiasco turns into instant nightmare fuel for Frank, who probably sums it up as, “You got to be f—ing kidding me,” per McHale.
And that’s the energy going into Season 5 for the Fox sitcom, where everything gets worse in the funniest way possible. With a finale that somehow balances emotional payoff with total disaster, McHale breaks down “Golden Moose and Wiener Dogs,” admitting just how close Frank and Victoria really came to crossing that line, how chaotic things could get now that Emily is suspended and under investigation for an HR violation, and what it all means for Season 5. On top of the shenanigans that will no doubt ensue in the milestone season, McHale admits to Collider he’s secretly trying to turn Animal Control into a full-on Community reunion tour before the movie finally happens.
Joel McHale Sidesteps Frank and Victoria’s Future After the ‘Animal Control’ Finale
The actor teases Season 5, praises Grace Palmer, and jokes about Hugh Jackman joining the Fox comedy.
Image via Bettina Strauss/FOX
COLLIDER: Congrats on the Season 4 finale of Animal Control! Getting right into it, Frank and Victoria — I love those two. I’m wondering for you, how careful does the show have to be with them so that you don’t lose what makes that dynamic work? Because I feel like what we saw was so close to something, and it was like a Ross and Rachel thing, but then we end up not having it, and now we’re going to wait for Season 5.
JOEL MCHALE: See? How can I sidestep this? Well, getting to work with Grace. I mean, she’s a freaking movie star, so that’s really easy. And she’s so fucking, oh, excuse me.
You can say that.
McHALE: No, she’s so fucking funny. So in those scenes, it’s one of those things where you know your lines, and then you see what the little crackle is of the scene. And then yeah, she’s one of those folks that always… She always brings it. I was like, dang. So I’m like, Grace, geez, you were so damn good. And so she’s going to hear this, you’re like, “Man, that’s so nice of you to say.” So what am I going to say? I’ll be like, “Well, wait till Season 5.” That was a terrible answer. I sidestepped, and then I didn’t even answer.
That’s classic Joel.
McHALE: It was really fun to ride around those horses. It was really fun.
Yeah. The horse scene was so cute, too. And then Parker had to come and ruin things, but I do love Josh Segarra. He’s really amazing! I was going to ask, though, after what we see in this finale, going forward into Season 5, how big a turning point can you tease that would be for the rest of what people can expect? Because again, this is a postmortem, so you could say some things.
McHALE: All the animals start talking.
That’s good. It’s like the Sheep Detectives. I watched it this week, and it’s really good, and the sheep are just talking. It’s very good.
McHALE: Wait, Sheep Detectives?!
Have you not seen trailers for The Sheep Detectives?
McHALE: No. [Laughs]
This Is What Happens When You Let Joel McHale Do Everything
Turns out ‘The 1% Club’ host Joel McHale didn’t choose a lane — he built the whole road.
It’s so good. Where have you been? It’s like a new movie with Hugh Jackman where he gets… It’s not a spoiler, but in the trailer, they show he gets murdered, and his sheep have to… His flock needs to figure out who murdered him. And then they pair up with Nicholas Braun, who’s a cop in a small British town. It’s a very good movie—
McHALE: Sounds great. It sounds as out there as Being John Malkovich in the best way. That’s awesome. Wow. Well, I will say Nicholas Braun will be a part of Season 5. No, he will not.
I know that’s not true…
McHALE: No, but Hugh Jackman’s coming in for a four-episode arc.
Okay.
McHALE: I mean, we’re pitching him. We’re pitching him now.
Sure, well, I would love to have him singing on the show.
McHALE: So you’re saying this Sheep Detective thing is pretty similar to Succession?
Yes. They all wear suits, and they basically… well, Logan Roy is like the big sheep.
McHALE: They ride around in private helicopters?
Yes, they do. I need to see sheep in helicopters now. [Laughs]
McHALE: Boy, I don’t have a very good answer, but I’m going to do the same thing that was like, I’m really excited we got a Season 5. And I think the thing is, I think with comedies, you never know how it’s going to gel, and it’s gelled just great. So I’m so lucky to be on it. And now, yes. And hopefully Ken will come back. Ken? We’ll get you a castle.
Joel McHale Says Templeton’s ‘Animal Control’ Takeover Will Drive Frank “Out of His Mind”
McHale teases a chaotic Season 5 shakeup, Gerry Dee’s return, and a few possible Capybaras.
So then, ending the season with Templeton potentially in charge now, I feel like that flips the dynamic. And obviously it sucks for Emily, and I think it sucks more for Frank, though. How big of a shakeup can you tease for Season 5?
McHALE: I wouldn’t be surprised if Templeton doesn’t accidentally burn the whole place down. Boy, yeah. I mean, Gerry Dee, man. He’s so freakishly funny. And from the great city of Toronto. But this is a good question because they’re writing Season 5 right now. So I’d like him to go on to be like he becomes mayor of the city, and it just drives Frank even more out of his mind. He’s so funny to work with, and he’s so good. And yeah, boy, heavyweights. Yeah. And then Kyla Pratt was in there, who was just unreal, and their dynamic together was so good. And yeah, it was so funny.
So, what do you think Frank’s mindset is now, especially in those final moments of the episode where he finds out Templeton is in that position?
McHALE: Probably, “You got to be fucking kidding me.” Like, “Oh, fuck, you’ve got to be kidding me.” I cannot … He’s always burdened because I think he kind of wants to be. He’s always like, “Can you believe this? These things that are all happening.” But at the same time, it’s going to drive him out of his mind. I hope there’s probably a scene where he gets driven out of his mind, but getting to play against Gerry, Kyla, I mean, having that dynamic set up is pretty darn fun. And you throw in a Capybara or a couple more lemurs, and we’re off to the races. And thank you for watching it. You’re very kind.
It’s a great season — you definitely take off your shirt a lot this season. But, like, good for you.
McHALE: Oh, yeah. [Laughs] I did starve a lot. There was a lot of starvation. I was cutting every day. A lot of plucking. A lot of plucking.
McHale jokes about Donald Glover joining the Fox comedy and gives a vague update on the long-awaited movie.
Image via Bettina Strauss/FOX
I will say after having Jim Rash on the show, who was so good, and then Ken—
McHALE: He was so good. … [addresses PR on the call: Oh, Hayley, can we have Jim back? Can you let all the powers that be know because his character was so fun? Thanks!] It’s funny for us to have somebody, like the entire city’s office supplies it being controlled because Jim is a real — I mean, he’s a savant and getting to see just a different side of him that he can play. It was so funny. And he runs this place that just has gigantic dudes in tank tops. Yeah, it makes me so happy.
I was laughing when the guy kept repeating everything he said, and he was like, “Just stop doing that.” It’s so good.
McHALE: So good.
But I was going to ask, though, will you try to sneak in more Community reunions on the show before the movie even comes out? Because I feel like that’s a possibility at this rate. [Laughs]
McHALE: Yeah. Donald is doing another theme song for Animal Control.
Right.
McHALE: He’s playing Yoshi [from Super Mario] next year, which technically is an animal. Yeah, that’s the goal. When every Community cast member has been on the show, that will be… It’s like The Lord of the Rings, where all the rings are together. Look, that’s a good question. I want to… Hey, Community cast members, if you can come on the show, that would be great. You hear that? [addresses PR: Hayley, can you tell them? That would be great, thanks!]
OK, well, now I have to ask: what is the update for the Community movie? Are we—
McHALE: We’ve shot three. We’ve shot all three.
Umm, ok…
McHALE: We just shot there. We just keep shooting. I think we’re going to shoot it this year. So that’s what, yeah, it’s going to happen. [Laughs] I know that’s extremely vague, but I think we’re doing it this year.
I just was like, how many years has it been since it was announced? And I was like, I don’t know.
McHALE: Five? Has it been four?
I think four, like 2022, it was announced.
McHALE: Yeah, this thing they take… It’s all animated in Claymation, and we’re doing stop-motion, so it takes a while.
Yes, it’s from the Wallace and Gromit people. I know it takes a very long time.
McHALE: Right.
Well, I just really want that movie before World War III breaks out, God forbid, because the way things are going…
McHALE: [Laughs] Actually, it’s a very good goal. Oh, my Lord.
This interview was abridged for length and clarity — and PR can confirm to Collider that there are no ‘Community’ reunions happening on Season 5 (yet).
Animal Control is now streaming on Hulu.
- Release Date
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February 16, 2023
- Network
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FOX
- Writers
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Dan Sterling, Tad Quill
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