Entertainment
Colin Farrell’s R-Rated Thriller On Netflix Torments Him With Ghosts
By Robert Scucci
| Published

I’ve been running into a lot of unintended movie pairings lately, and 2025’s Ballad of a Small Player makes for the perfect companion piece to 2019’s Adam Sandler-starring Uncut Gems. In this film, Brendan Reilly’s (Colin Farrell) behavior mirrors the same kind of anxiety-inducing gambling spiral that Sandler’s Howard Ratner faces. Instead of sports betting, we’re in Macau throwing hands at baccarat, with equally disastrous results.
Ballad of a Small Player holds its own thanks to its supernatural undercurrent, implying that streaks of bad luck and the acts of desperation that follow are manifestations of hungry ghosts who insatiably feed on greed and opulence. These ghosts operate with no regard for the collateral damage left in the wake of the increasingly reckless decisions made by their human counterparts, making the whole thing feel like the kind of waking nightmare you’d expect after losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and still refusing to give up chasing the high of winning big.
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

Chronic gamblers often cling to their own set of superstitions to trigger a hot streak. Brendan Reilly, for example, won’t play baccarat without his lucky yellow gloves, even though he’s already lost nearly seven figures he either embezzled from his clients back in the UK or racked up from loan sharks in Macau while posing as Lord Doyle, a wealthy aristocrat who always has his sights set on the finer things in life.
Bouncing between penthouse suites, stuffing his face with five-star cuisine, and washing it down with expensive champagne, Brendan finds himself in a tight spot when his debtors, and the casinos they’re associated with, catch wise to his game. They refer to him as the white ghost, a supernatural entity fueled by greed and desire. His habits finally catch up with him when UK investigator Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) tracks him down, demanding he return the hundreds of thousands of dollars he has stolen, not knowing that his present financial standing is far worse than she could ever possibly imagine.

Brendan has a different idea for navigating his increasingly dire situation, one that involves his fledgling relationship with credit broker Dao Ming (Fala Chen) and the recent trauma she endured when one of her clients committed suicide after failing to repay his debts. Unable to function without the rush of his next big score, Brendan grows increasingly hedonistic, incapable of breaking the cycle that will either land him in jail or send him to an early grave.
An Exceedingly Stylish Downward Spiral

Colin Farrell’s portrayal of a desperate man who does not know when to stop mirrors Sandler’s performance in Uncut Gems while staying firmly in its own lane. It is the same personality type in a wildly different setting. Uncut Gems thrives on New York City grit, while Ballad of a Small Player luxuriates in penthouse suites, colorful casino floors, and elaborate Chinese architecture.
What truly separates the two films is how greed’s appetite is literalized through consumption in Ballad of a Small Player. Brendan is not just hungry for his next big win. He is trying to fill the bottomless pit that is his soul with rich food, the finest spirits, and whatever excess he can grab. When he is up, he cannot pump the brakes. When he crashes, his desperation becomes a force of nature because quitting is never an option in his mind. He believes the world is there for his taking, never fully grasping how far he’s fallen off the edge.


To bear witness to one man’s slow descent as his excessive habits drain the light from his eyes, you can stream Ballad of a Small Player on Netflix. If you want to keep the anxiety going, Uncut Gems is waiting on Max.
Entertainment
Social Thinks She Shaded NBA YoungBoy
Yaya Mayweather has been feeling nostalgic about her past, especially when it comes to the time she dated NBA YoungBoy. She recently shared videos of herself singing along to his songs and even reposted old photos from that era. With all the love in the air, it seemingly brought back old feelings. She previously wrote, “Man all these proposals… and here I am. I haven’t been in a relationship or talked to anybody since the only relationship I’ve been in and that was five years ago.”
However, it looks like Yaya may be in a different space now. After reminiscing on her past, she seemingly shifted gears with a message about how people change after being locked up, leaving fans to wonder if she’s ready to move on to something new.
RELATED: Yaya Mayweather Says She Had Her “First Tattoo Removal Session” Following Her Absent Dad Claims Against NBA YoungBoy
Yaya Mayweather Shares Cryptic Messages On X
On Thursday night, Yaya Mayweather took to X with a series of emotional tweets reflecting on how people change after incarceration. She suggested that some individuals act like completely different people once they regain their freedom and often forget those who held them down.
She wrote, “People act totally different when they’re incarcerated than when they have their freedom, you would think it’s 2 completely different people you’re dealing with… When they come around you’ll be forgotten and so will everything you did for them. Instead, they’ll choose the people who were nowhere to be found, ain’t never answered a call, or wrote a d**** letter.”
Her tweets led many to believe she was referring to her ex and the father of her son, NBA YoungBoy, who has been incarcerated on multiple occasions.
Yaya also offered advice, writing, “My advice is walk out on people, turn your back on them even at their lowest… f**** em.” She added, “My heart then turned so cold you can’t even reach me.”
However, despite the tone, love still seemed to be on her mind. She later tweeted, “I’ll probably end up marrying a boxer,” adding, “Love a man that can fight,” along with heart-eyes emojis.
Social Media Reacts
Social media users gathered under The Shade Room Teens to react to Yaya’s recent tweets. Many shared advice, saying they sympathize with her hurt and are praying for healing. Some feel it is time for her to move on from NBA YoungBoy. Others played matchmaker, suggesting boxers like Gervonta and others she could consider next.
Instagram user @minniexbby wrote, “I hate this for yaya 😢 everybody has something to say or jokes to crack but we all been in love before and love different! I don’t think nobody deserves to be put down or feelings and heart played with prayers for your healing journey 🙏🏾”
Instagram user @mirahmonae added, “she really loves the boy. i hope she finds her happy ever after”
While Instagram user @jaylindenay wrote, “She don’t know about “jail talk ” ?
Instagram user @hbic_nu wrote, “Girl what Kentrell do now ?”
Instagram user @september22ndd_ added, “Imagine constantly being in your bag over a married man”
While Instagram user @msxarface wrote, “she tryna make YB mad and he don’t gaf 😭😭😭😭😭”
Instagram user @sashasleigh wrote, “gervonta *cough cough*”
Instagram user @meechne added,”she already had a boxer thts why floyd hate tank now”
While Instagram user @itsthemisses_904 wrote, “I can see her and @kingryan together they would make a cute couple @moneyyaya call me matchmaker thank me later”
Yaya Also Sets The Record Straight Following NBA YoungBoy’s Tweets
While Yaya was tweeting, NBA YoungBoy was on the other side of X, posting about one of the mothers of his children. The rapper wrote, “Powder head b**** oh tell them what I found out during that time since you picking at me.”
As social media users began speculating about who he was referring to, some pointed fingers at Yaya. However, Yaya quickly entered the chat to shut down any assumptions.
She wrote, “Wrong bm. He ain’t talking about me did you forget I’m on probation and have to do weekly drops boo.” She added, “Y’all hate me so much y’all wanted it to be true so bad sorry try again.”
RELATED: Doubling Back? Yaya Mayweather Apologizes To NBA YoungBoy After Alleging He Doesn’t Show Up For Their Son (PHOTO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Viral AI video of Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt leaves Hollywood flabbergasted: 'It's likely over for us'
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SAG-AFTRA and the MPA have both accused Chinese company ByteDance of widespread infringement via its new generative AI service Seedance 2.0.
Entertainment
Jacket Worn by Nancy Guthrie’s Kidnapper Closely Matches Walmart Knit Top
Nancy Guthrie Kidnapper
Knit Jacket Closely Matches Suspect’s Top
Published
The jacket worn by Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapper might not be the windbreaker we originally reported … ’cause after digging deeper, we’ve found a piece that could be an even closer match.
Take another look at the surveillance footage from Nancy’s front door … then compare it to the Athletic Works Fusion Knit Jacket, currently sold at Walmart. The standout similarities are hard to ignore — especially the center zipper and the distinct horizontal seam across the chest, as well as the cuffs and the bottom hem of the outerwear.
It’s not a perfect slam dunk, though. Our earlier reporting pointed to the Aero Hex Windbreaker, which also features the horizontal black line across the chest, zipper, and pockets — all consistent with what’s seen in the footage.
The reality is, this isn’t some one-of-a-kind jacket. It’s a common athletic style, meaning multiple brands could have nearly identical designs.
Officials say the backpack seen in video taken outside Nancy’s house the night she was taken is the Ozark Trail Hiker backpack sold by Walmart — the front straps of the Ozark have the same reflective pieces as the one visible in the video.
Every new clue matters … and TMZ received a third email Friday from the man claiming he knows the kidnapper’s identity, and his asking price for the information just went up.
TMZ.com
As we reported, the man initially demanded 1 bitcoin — worth about $68,000 — in exchange for the kidnapper’s name and location. Now he’s shifting gears, asking for $50,000 in bitcoin upfront and another $50,000 after the arrest — promising he won’t touch the first payment until the suspect is in custody.
Entertainment
Zara Larsson vs. Adelaine Morin Who’d You Rather?! Y2K Fashion Edition
Zara Larsson vs. Adelaine Morin
Who’d You Rather?!
Y2K Fashion Edition
Published
Zara Larsson and Adelaine Morin busted out the Y2K fashion vibes … both serving legs for days — but which sexy star is grabbin’ your vote?!
The question here is: Who’d You Rather?!
Once you cast your fave Y2K lady, can you find the Y2K-fashion words below?
Entertainment
All 3 Emerald Fennell Movies, Ranked
If you were only allowed one word, and you had to summarize Emerald Fennell’s directorial work to date, it would probably be “controversial.” “Divisive” is the runner-up word, but “controversial” feels more appropriate because her films really get under the skin of certain viewers. When you dig through what she’s directed, and try to break down what she’s going for with each movie, the whole pushing buttons thing is usually done in a good or purposeful way, but sometimes done in a more haphazard manner. And then going back to the word “divisive,” some detractors will argue she’s actually being shocking for the sake of it more often than not, but this isn’t being written by a detractor. This is someone who thought she was two for two, for a while, then might be two-and-a-half for three after her third film, but that’s not the worst thing in the world, and things could indeed go in interesting directions from here. That’s also giving away that yep, of her first three movies, Wuthering Heights is quite comfortably the weakest. It might be poor form to ruin a ranking in the introduction usually, but for as divisive as Fennell’s films have been, there really is only one way to rank her first three movies.
You probably won’t be as surprised by the order of this ranking as you will be by the content of the films themselves.
You might not be positive on the other two, but you’re probably least negative on the one that most detractors are least negative on, and most conflicted about the one that most people are most conflicted about. But quality aside, Emerald Fennell is very much doing her own thing, as a filmmaker, and has established a recognizable style with just three movies (hell, after her first two, really), and to have that kind of voice be so fully formed so soon, even if you don’t particularly like that voice, is something that can be admired. She’d done some movie and TV work before becoming a director, like acting some supporting roles in films like Anna Karenina (2012) and The Danish Girl (2015), and writing the second season of Killing Eve, but it’s just her directorial work that’s focused on below. You won’t be as surprised by the order of such a ranking as you will probably be with the content of the films themselves (again, it wouldn’t be surprising if Fennell’s favorite Prince album was his fourth one), but such is the nature of a short ranking, and so too is the nature of this particular filmography to date.
3
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2026)
Wuthering Heights (2026) is very much a flawed adaptation of the novel of the same name, written almost 180 years ago by Emily Brontë, but it is a fairly good movie (there’s another Wuthering Heights from 2011 that’s probably better if you want something more directly in line with the book). And yes, that is positivity about a movie people were already up in arms about before it came out. You can kind of approach this with as open a mind as possible and find a good deal to like. Even as an adaptation, it really only lets itself down near the end, and more in terms of what it leaves out, rather than what it changes or adds. People have already been focusing more on what is there rather than what isn’t there, but the big issue here, which makes it less interesting than the novel, is that it ends so much earlier than the book does. Further, it doesn’t even attempt to get what’s almost the last half of the novel crammed into an epilogue or something. The ending is sudden and strange enough that it’s enough to make you turn on the whole movie. For so much of Wuthering Heights, it does feel like Fennell gets the text, and how miserable and intense it all is (timelessly so, which is why the book’s a classic), but then by choosing to end it where it does end, it’s like… wait, did she actually not get it?
If you feel blindsided, you probably went in with an open mind. If you went in wanting to hate this, you’ll feel it was unfaithful to the text all the way through. But there’s a discomfort to so much of Wuthering Heights and a real visceral feeling as a piece of cinema that does line up with the novel. There should be more credit given to the parts that are very much Wuthering Heights. What’s covered here doesn’t so much fail to go deep, but more fails to go the whole distance, and the stuff that feels subversive and particularly ahead of its time, in the novel, isn’t really covered, or it’s shaken up a bit in the chronology of the story to mixed effect. It is a fascinating attempt at an adaptation, and ultimately frustrating. But again… the good. There’s good. Margot Robbie feels miscast at first, because while Robbie can pass as someone maybe 10 or so years younger than she really is (impressive, considering she played someone older than herself in real life incredibly well back in 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street), but not someone who’s a teenager, and Cathy here does feel like a teenager in the earliest post-childhood scenes in the movie. But she does impress later on, and Jacob Elordi (the most controversial casting choice) is excellent. Most of the supporting performances are good, the film looks spectacular and stylized, and the use of music throughout is also interesting; takes a bit of time getting used to, but the Charli XCX songs kind of work. And no Kate Bush, which is honestly kind of surprising, because Fennell used some very on-the-nose needle drops in her other movies, and so the restraint at not having Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” show up (possibly ironically) at some point is almost surprising. Anyway, discourse about this will be inescapable for a while, so if you’re reading this around the time this article was published, buckle the f**kle up. Might lead to a good box office haul, if people want to see what the fuss was all about. And speaking of Emerald Fennell movies that were watched by many because people wanted to see what the fuss was all about…
2
‘Saltburn’ (2023)
…Here’s Saltburn, which had a lot of discourse around it back in 2023, but now it stands to be overtaken hysteria-wise with Wuthering Heights. I’m gonna break the whole objective reporting thing and just say it. I don’t get why people don’t like Saltburn. I think Saltburn’s great. It’s baby’s first transgressive film, which is to say that if Saltburn really freaked you out or made you too uncomfortable, then you need to watch more movies, preferably non-English-language ones that are trying to be boundary-pushing. Saltburn is a comfort movie compared to a lot of genuine exploitation films or, like, the New French Extremity (a real film movement, look it up). Saltburn is supposed to make you feel uneasy, and parts are indeed gross, but that people seemed to get so shocked was weird.
And it was a misunderstood movie. People either thought it was overly complicated or too simplistic, but I thought it hit the sweet spot. Again, a good entry-level transgressive movie. A bit challenging and out-there, but also incredibly well-paced and easy to get into. It’s also got a little more nuance, or at least a more interesting angle, than some of the other late 2010s or early 2020s movies that tackled class conflict, probably doing a better job at it than The Menu or Glass Onion (it’s no Parasite, if you want to highlight the best within that sub-genre, but that’s a high bar to clear). Saltburn probably benefited from dropping on a streaming service that lots of people had, because everyone checked it out, and some people were not ready for it. And then some people who have seen more shocking movies probably checked it out and found it all a bit mild. So you have two major groups of people disliking Saltburn for different reasons, and maybe that means it’s objectively messy, but it worked for me. I found it to be a blast, with a good mix of inevitability and shock found in the story that was told, and aesthetically, it scratched an itch so thoroughly, just the way it looked and sounded. Also, Barry Keoghan might well have given the performance of 2023. In the interest of offending people while talking about a movie like this, Keoghan deserved the Best Actor Oscar over Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer, and it wasn’t even close, even though he wasn’t nominated. If that makes you angry, GOOD. It is spiritually in line with Saltburn or whatever.
1
‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020)
Still controversial in some ways (mostly regarding the ending), but not to the same extent as Wuthering Heights or Saltburn, here’s Promising Young Woman. It was Fennell’s first film, it still stands as her most direct/straightforward, and it’s also probably – as of 2026, at least – her best film. It’s about a woman who has a unique approach toward being a vigilante of sorts, targeting men who target or try to take advantage of her sexually, and then there are some further reveals about what’s pushed her to do these things. Also, the whole endeavor becomes riskier the deeper she goes with what she’s ultimately trying to do, and Promising Young Woman really gets unnerving, as a result. That’s an understatement, but also, overstating things feels like it runs the risk of ruining what’s probably Fennell’s least-discussed film.
And Promising Young Woman does benefit immensely from going in without knowing too much, which is the case for a great many thrillers, of course. It might not be a perfect movie, and people have brought up valid criticisms of parts of it, but it is incredibly well-written and unique, all the while also having what might well be a career-best performance by Carey Mulligan in the central role. Of all the Emerald Fennell films, it does the most things right and the fewest things wrong, all the while still managing to provoke and unsettle in largely appropriate/justified ways. It feels weird to call something the right kind of boundary-pushing, since that’s subjective and hard to really explain one way or another, but that’s the feeling I guess I get from Promising Young Woman.
Promising Young Woman
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2020
- Runtime
-
113 minutes
- Director
-
Emerald Fennell
- Writers
-
Emerald Fennell
Entertainment
Melissa Joan Hart remembers James Van Der Beek as 'my first on screen kiss' in “Clarissa Explains It All”
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“Gone way too soon but it seems like he put up one hell of a fight,” Hart said in her tribute to the late actor.
Entertainment
Netflix Is Quietly Removing One of the Better 2-Part Cult Sci-fi Revivals of the Decade
When a science fiction series achieves cult status, fans typically prefer that it remain untouched for fear of hurting its legacy. But with Hollywood’s revival era in full swing, studios will keep mining beloved IP for another hit as long as they continue to generate even modest success. Battlestar Galactica, Lost in Space, and Quantum Leap count among some of the few revival successes in sci-fi. However, one such fan-favorite revival, despite strong support from its core audience, didn’t last nearly as long as viewers had hoped. And now, its future looks even more uncertain, as it has officially lost its streaming home.
In 2022, NBC revived Quantum Leap as a continuation of the beloved 1989 series, which starred Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett. The original ran for five seasons before concluding in 1993. The reboot arrived three decades later, generating significant excitement even without Bakula reprising his iconic role. Instead, the story jumped 30 years ahead, introducing Dr. Ben Song (Raymond Lee) as the new time-traveling physicist. While critics expressed some reservations about the updated formula, audiences loved it, awarding it a 73% score on the Popcornmeter. Despite solid fan support, the series proved short-lived, largely due to NBC’s shifting programming strategy, rather than a casualty of quality.
Quantum Leap was cancelled in 2024 after two seasons and 31 episodes. The series soon became available to stream on Peacock, but its broadcast woes seemed to follow it into streaming, as it was eventually removed from the platform. After a period without a streaming home, Netflix licensed the series in 2025, a move that helped propel it to the list of most-watched sci-fi shows in the U.S. by hours viewed in 2025, a list topped by Halo (which was also recently removed from Netflix). Fans were excited by the prospect that Netflix could continue the story, but those hopes have been dashed as the streamer will quietly remove the show in just a few days.
How Else Can You Watch ‘Quantum Leap’?
The Quantum Leap revival will be unavailable to stream on Netflix beginning February 15. As part of the streamer’s regular content rotation, the series is set to depart alongside several other fan favorites, including Steven Spielberg’s Extant starring Halle Berry, the time-twisting thriller The Lazarus Project, workplace comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the Bruce Lee–inspired crime drama Warrior. For viewers still hoping to revisit the time-travel saga, the only option will be via PVOD platforms such as Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango. It’s unclear at this time if Netflix plans to re-license the series. Stay tuned for updates.
- Release Date
-
2022 – 2024
- Showrunner
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Martin Gero
- Directors
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Chris Grismer, Pamela Romanowsky, Deborah Pratt, Jude Weng, Avi Youabian, Kristin Windell, David Grossman, David McWhirter, Helen Shaver, Joe Menendez, John Terlesky, Linda Mendoza, M.J. Bassett, Rachel Talalay, Silas Howard, Tessa Blake, Thor Freudenthal, Marcus Stokes, Tamika Miller
- Writers
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Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt
- Franchise(s)
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Quantum Leap
-
-
Caitlin Bassett
Addison Augustine
Entertainment
Most Perfect, Unrated Crime Thriller Is A Harrowing Tale Of Survival On The Streets
By Robert Scucci
| Published

Homelessness isn’t an easy topic to talk about because there are so many factors at play. Some people are orphaned and would rather live on the streets than get shoved through the foster system. Some people aren’t of the right mind and need to address mental health issues they can’t afford to treat before they can become stable, contributing members of society. Or, if you’re like Bug (Andrew Yackel) in 2019’s Gutterbug, you’ve simply made a series of misguided life choices, got kicked out by your parents at 18, and decided to just go with it.
Gutterbug is not an easy watch, largely because of how accurately it depicts life on the street through the eyes of a young crust punk. Seemingly living just for kicks and always chasing his next fix, Bug sleeps on the ground, causes scenes at music clubs, begs for money, abuses whatever substance he can get his hands on, and dumpster dives for food. Gutterbug really sinks its hooks in by making Bug a complex character who, at his most vulnerable, earns your sympathy, but at his most drug addled and chaotic makes you wish he would stop getting in his own way.

This dichotomy is fully explored throughout the film and may very well change your perspective on homelessness if you’re the type to think they’re all just a bunch of bums who should know better.
Aimlessness, Addiction, And Anarchy

Set in Allston, Massachusetts, Gutterbug establishes its tone by walking you through a day in Bug’s life. Approaching his 21st birthday, the timeline suggests he was kicked out of his parents’ house when he was 18 for drinking, drug use, and getting into misdemeanor-level trouble. Comfortable with the current state of things, Bug spends most of his time getting high on park benches, begging for booze money, and occasionally scoring a cheap dose of the good stuff from his affluent, drug dealing acquaintance Raleigh (Geoff van Wyck).
Along for the ride is Bug’s ride-or-die, Slim (Justin Pietropaolo), as well as his romantic interest, Jenny (Hannah Mosqueda). Together, they experience stratospheric highs when the supply is right, and soul-crushing lows when it runs dry and reality sets in. When the day is over, they will likely be sleeping under a bridge or squatting in an abandoned building. They are not necessarily happy about their living situation, but it is the best they can manage. With the help of friends in the right places, including bodega clerk Eddy (Billy Jenkins), they get by.
A Fearless Look At Homelessness

While it’s easy to roll your windows up when you’re stopped at a traffic light because you don’t want a stranger putting their face in your window, Gutterbug humanizes the homeless in a way few films even attempt that will stick with you. It would have been easy to populate the story with one dimensional background characters who exist only as loud, dangerous derelicts, but that is not what happens here.
Bug’s behavior is problematic to say the least, but the film consistently shows him trying and failing because he has no real support system. He attempts to find work and comes up empty. His parents, who regret kicking him out in the film’s B story, might as well be strangers who happen to live in the same town.

At one point, Bug is such a mess that it takes the “WE I.D.” placard at the bodega to remind him that it is his birthday. Every day bleeds into the next in his current state. While Bug’s predicament can sound self-inflicted, and in many ways it is, Gutterbug quietly points to a much larger systemic issue without ever having to spell it out.
Even if Bug wanted to straighten up, make amends with his family, find steady employment, and get mental health assistance, the path simply is not there. He has no insurance, no financial safety net, and no meaningful family support. His friends, who are living on the streets for their own reasons that the film never fully unpacks, are in similar positions. They are not homeless because they want to be, but since they are, they do what they can to survive.
Not Meant To Be An Easy Watch

What stuck with me most after watching Gutterbug is the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that comes from its realism. Bug and Slim are not likeable guys when they are deep into yet another bender. They can be cold, cruel, and self destructive. The film forces the audience to confront the uncomfortable truth that while their circumstances are tragic, their behavior often works against them, especially once the story moves into the third act.
Writer director Andrew Gibson wants you to sit with that discomfort, and he succeeds. Gutterbug offers no easy answers and no neat solutions to homelessness because that is not the point. The point is recognizing that once someone is pushed far enough to the margins, the barrier to reentry becomes so high that adaptation feels more realistic than escape.


As of this writing, Gutterbug is streaming for free on Tubi.
Entertainment
Whitney Thompson Exposes The ‘ANTM’ Reality That Cameras Never Showed
Whitney Thompson is pulling back the curtain on her time inside the “America’s Next Top Model” house, and the picture she paints isn’t glamorous. Ahead of Netflix’s upcoming documentary “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” the trailblazing winner is revisiting the emotional toll, body scrutiny, and behind-the-scenes moments that defined her historic win and nearly broke her along the way.
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Whitney Thompson Says Making ‘ANTM’ History Came With Behind-The-Scenes Struggles
As the first plus-size winner of “America’s Next Top Model,” Thompson made history when she won Cycle 10 in 2008. But behind the milestone moment, she says the experience often felt stacked against her.
Thompson, who was just 20 years old and a size 6 when she entered the competition, revealed that something as basic as wardrobe became a source of humiliation and frustration. She told PEOPLE that not having proper clothes for plus-size contestants “felt intentional,” leaving her feeling singled out rather than supported.
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Thompson Said She Cried In Secret While Cameras Rolled
With cameras rolling nearly nonstop, Thompson said privacy was almost nonexistent, except for one place. “I just pretended like it didn’t bother me, but, and I’m sure most of the girls would do this, I would cry in the shower every day,” she admitted. “Because the shower is the only place that the cameramen couldn’t come, so that was your safe place to release and be like, “Why are they doing this to me?”’
Despite the emotional toll, Thompson said she made a conscious choice not to give producers what they were pushing for, telling the outlet, “I knew that they were trying to poke me and get something out of me, so I just played it cool, like, ‘That’s fine. We’ll just duct tape my dress. No worries.”’
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Whitney Thompson Says Judging Left Her Emotionally Exhausted
While the challenges were tough, Thompson said the judging process itself was even harder to endure. She didn’t mince words when describing the experience, calling it a “nightmare” and revealing just how intense the pressure became. “I took Xanax before every judging,” she admitted. “You’re standing there for eight, nine hours under those hot lights waiting for people to tell you that something is wrong with how you look. It was emotionally exhausting.”
At the center of it all was the show’s creator and host, Tyra Banks, whose panel critiques became a defining and often painful part of the competition.
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Thompson Calls Fashion’s ‘Plus-Size’ Era Fake
Even as the modeling industry began embracing fuller figures, Thompson says the definition of “plus-size” remained rigid and unrealistic. She explained that acceptance often came with conditions that didn’t align with real bodies or real people.
“We would go with our pads to castings and photo shoots, and the padding would make our waist larger, our hips larger, but we’d still have the same jawline, arms and ankles,” Thompson revealed. “You could have a belly, but you still had to have a cut jawline.”
According to Thompson, inclusivity often felt performative, a trend rather than a transformation. as the industry clung to narrow beauty standards under the guise of progress.
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Whitney Thompson Says ‘ANTM’ Fame Cost Her Work
Despite winning “ANTM” and building a successful career afterward, Thompson says the label of “reality TV star” followed her, and not always in a good way.
She explained that in an industry obsessed with anonymity, being recognizable could cost her jobs. “You were buying who I was on ‘Top Model,’” Thompson said. “If a brand wants a girl to just show clothes and they don’t want someone [recognizable in a catalog] because that takes away from their product, then you’re not going to get that job.”
Now, with the Netflix documentary “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” set to revisit the franchise’s legacy, Thompson’s reflections feel like just the tip of the iceberg in a much larger conversation.
Entertainment
Days of our Lives: Jada Reunites with Shawn in Romance Twist – Theo Left Heartbroken!
Days of Our Lives spoilers have Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) heading out on a Valentine’s Day date with Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) this week. But it looks like Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer) is about to reunite with Jada. So, that means Theo is looking to be dumped pretty soon.
We’ll get into why Jada and Theo break up and how that’s part and parcel of her getting back together with Shawn in coming days and the big crisis that’s coming related to that.
Jada Hunter’s Messy Romantic History in Salem on Days of Our Lives
Since coming to Salem, we have seen Jada Hunter’s dating life get pretty messy. She had an unplanned pregnancy with Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan). And he wasn’t happy when Jada Hunter terminated the pregnancy. Even though he had gone back to Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) by then. Plus, we had the whole debacle with Bobby Everett (Blake Berris), who was Jada Hunter’s husband who cheated with Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and then turned out to have DID and then was killed by crazy Connie Viniski (Julie Dove).
And then Jada Hunter fell hard for Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering), who proposed. But then he got replaced by his doppelganger Arnold Feniger (Galen Gering), who dumped Jada Hunter at the altar. And then when Rafe Hernandez got loose, he came back to her. But Jada Hunter broke things off when she realized Rafe Hernandez had been warming the sheets with his ex Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) on Days of Our Lives.
This time last year in February 2025, Jada Hunter hooked up with Shawn-Douglas Brady when they were both in a rough spot and then it just abruptly fizzled. So, what we know is that it’s been a run of really bad luck in the romance department for Jada Hunter ever since she moved to Salem.
Theo Carver and Jada Hunter’s Potential Spark on DOOL
She had that one awkward date with Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) not that long ago. And then Stephanie Johnson sold her on the fact that he’s a stalker. And then we saw Jada Hunter starting to see Theo Carver. They had a great first date. But then Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier) henchmen kidnapped Theo Carver right before their second date.
And now, as Jada Hunter was doing maid of honor duties for Stephanie Johnson and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) on Valentine’s Day. Theo Carver finally texted her to get that second date. However, rarely seen hunky detective Shawn-Douglas Brady may prove problematic for Theo Carver getting anywhere too far with Jada Hunter.
Now, I will say Theo Carver and Jada Hunter definitely have a spark between them. She’s the first woman he dated since his split from Claire Brady (Isabel Durant). After she cheated on him and Theo Carver returned heartbroken to Salem late last year. So, after matching on the local dating app Salem Singles, we saw Jada Hunter and Theo Carver having a fun time. They got to know each other. They were playing chess. It was kind of nerdy, kind of sweet.
But then his kidnapping derailed things. And then of course Peter Blake almost killed Theo Carver and as a result he spent weeks in Salem University Hospital and he was just recently released. Now Theo Carver is ready to take Jada Hunter out on the town again. And she seemed really excited to get the text from Theo Carver for the date, especially since it’s Valentine’s Day.
The Gabi Hernandez and Philip Kiriakis Love Triangle
Problem is Jada Hunter is not the only woman on Theo Carver’s mind. He’s crushing on Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez). But she’s got a boyfriend, Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). But Theo Carver is still crushing. And Shawn-Douglas Brady, of course, is another problem coming soon for Jada Hunter and Theo Carver.
Now, fans haven’t seen a whole lot of Shawn-Douglas Brady on Days of Our Lives since he got back from visiting his and Belle Black (Martha Madison) daughter Claire Brady in South Africa. But Shawn-Douglas Brady might have come back with a plan to rekindle things with Jada Hunter. Maybe time away had him realize, “Oh, this is who I want to be with.”
And I also have a feeling that Theo Carver’s date with Jada Hunter might not go so well. It could be that while they’re out, they see Gabi Hernandez with Philip Kiriakis. Now, I know Gabi Hernandez was talking about going away with Philip Kiriakis to Miami. But they still might have a run-in in the square on the way to the airport or on the way back.
And if Theo Carver is looking like he’s smitten with Gabi Hernandez, I think that’s something Jada Hunter would notice and would not ignore. If you remember, Theo Carver was even obsessed with the tiny little cactus that Gabi Hernandez brought him up to the hospital. You would think it might be something with his traumatic brain injury or the drugs. But Theo Carver still seems smitten with Gabi even after he’s recovered. So Jada Hunter could ditch Theo Carver for flirting with another woman on their date.
Shawn-Douglas Brady and Jada Hunter’s Confirmed Recoupling on Days
Another possibility is that Jada Hunter and Theo Carver run into Shawn-Douglas Brady while they’re out and about on Valentine’s Day. And Jada Hunter may still feel that spark when she sees Shawn-Douglas Brady. And I’m sure he’s going to be alone on Heart’s Day. So it could be that Theo Carver tells Jada Hunter that he doesn’t want a third date. Because she was flirty with Shawn-Douglas Brady.
That could be another way that this works out. Because we do know that this is confirmed, this recoupling. But since Theo Carver’s got his eye on Gabi Hernandez and has the ammunition to break up her and Philip Kiriakis, that might be the route it goes. If Theo Carver tells Philip Kiriakis that Gabi Hernandez planted the bug in the Titan office, they might be done.
Whether Theo Carver does the dumping or is the dumpy, we know he wants to be with Gabi Hernandez. And some viewers were pretty disappointed that Days paired off Jada Hunter and Shawn-Douglas Brady a full year ago and then abruptly abandoned them as a couple. That might have been down to the shift in head writers. The new writer material kicked off not too long after Jada Hunter was with Shawn-Douglas Brady. So all of this is about to change.


Official Peacock Post Teases Shawn-Douglas Brady and Jada Hunter’s Romance on Days of Our Lives
So this week in an official Peacock social media post, we saw the actors who play Jada Hunter and Shawn-Douglas Brady, Elia Cantu and Brandon Beemer. And they were being interviewed as if they were their characters. There were a whole series of these videos. Alex Kiriakis and Stephanie Johnson did one.
So in this particular video, Shawn-Douglas Brady and Jada Hunter are asked whether they are a couple. And they say that they are. So not her and Theo Carver. But Shawn-Douglas Brady and Jada Hunter. And then Shawn-Douglas Brady is talking about them meeting on the job and they joke about Jada Hunter’s ex-fiancé and Shawn-Douglas Brady’s former stepdad Rafe Hernandez being the one who brought them together. Shawn-Douglas Brady and Jada Hunter are joking that handcuffs make their relationship work.
Life and Death Drama: Shawn-Douglas Brady Shot in the Snow
We also know from the long winter promo that Jack Junior (JJ) Deveraux (Casey Moss) is with Shawn-Douglas Brady in the park and Liam’s there too and Shawn-Douglas Brady winds up shot, bleeding out in the snow. So, that’s coming soon, possibly by the end of sweeps. We know Liam is helping the cops try and find the guy who paid him to stalk her at the crypt.
The money came from Peter Blake. But we know Liam was working with some other guy, the one with the scar. And then we saw, oh, okay, that’s Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) new henchman. So, Shawn-Douglas Brady may be shot as part of the SPD working on the DiMera kidnapping case, or it could be something where Stephanie Johnson’s stalker is the reason that Shawn-Douglas Brady is shot.
We know that Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey) is unhinged and he’s the stalker and he might have a co-conspirator. And once Shawn-Douglas Brady gets shot, no matter why he’s shot and he’s fighting for his life, that’s when Jada Hunter may realize that it’s Shawn-Douglas Brady that she wants. So maybe Jada Hunter sticks with Theo Carver until then and calls off their fledgling romance so she can be there at Shawn-Douglas Brady’s bedside when he wakes up.
Will Belle Black Ruin Shawn-Douglas Brady and Jada Hunter’s Future on DOOL?
And of course, some Days fans think that any relationship between Jada Hunter and Shawn-Douglas Brady will be short-lived. Because of his ex-wife Belle Black. She’s single and she and Shawn-Douglas Brady have been on again, off again for years. But you never know, maybe he wants off that merry-go-round and he is going to stick with Jada Hunter.
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