On 90 Day Fiance, Catie Norboe admits she can’t control her impulse to make out with the members of her friend group. Shea McGuire gets a good scrub down from Anabelle Chua. Debby Rolando waits for her Egyptian “movie star” Mohamed “Mido” Fayed who is dragging his feet. Ashia presses to appeal Maxwell’s k-1 denial. And Marissa Rubinetti prepares her kids for Edward Miguel Gomez‘s arrival. Let’s break it all down in this recap of Season 12, Episode 2 Trusting The Process.

90 Day Fiance: Catie Throws Josh a Party

Catie Norboe pops Cheetos on the drive to the hotel after picking up Josh Atkins on 90 Day Fiance. She leads him in a bungled attempt of the national anthem. Josh thinks the Cheetos stink. But she thinks he smells bad especially his breath. Josh admits Catie can be a menace. But he melts when she does things like decorating the hotel room with an American theme. Catie Norboe admits she wants Josh to want her and feels insecure.

The couple pass out from exhaustion. But Josh Atkins rallies in the morning and Catie Norboe wakes up happy. They spend the day exploring Portland and interact with a goat. Josh expresses his concern with Catie’s loose lips when she drinks. She promises she will try to curb her make-out mania. Josh is patient and understanding. But feels disrespected. Catie Norboe lightens the mood by admitting she planned a welcome party for him.

Catie Norboe admits to 90 Day Fiance producers that there will be more than a few people at the party who she’s swapped spit with. She’s made out with about 90 percent of the men in her running club. Nevertheless, Josh Atkins is excited to walk into the party but leery when Catie starts drinking. He mingles with a few guys who hint around they’ve experienced Catie’s craziness. Josh admits he feels awkward. But stands by his love for Catie Norboe in the end.

90 Day Fiance: Shea McGuire Gets Clean

Shea McGuire prepares his home for Anabelle Chua’s arrival on 90 Day Fiance. Anabelle is a neat freak. And doesn’t care for dog hair. So, Shea lint rolls the couches while making the dogs give up their sofa habit. The couple have an emotional reunion at the airport. Anabelle thinks Shea could benefit from some exercise. And can’t wait to scrub him down especially in his privates that she refers to as balls and eggs.

In a scene that everybody could do without Anabelle Chua makes good on her promise with zest. She even clips his toenails. Shea of course loves it and once she’s done scrubbing him down he pops some champagne. The couple are staying at a former church that has been remodeled into a hotel. Shea McGuire isn’t intimidated by the fact that they are getting busy in an old church. And Anabelle doesn’t seem to mind either.

Debby Fears Mido Has Cold Feet

Debby Rolando is new to this season of 90 Day Fiance. She lives in New Orleans with her daughter Devyn and adorable dog Lil’ Bit. She works in insurance. And describes her work as monotonous. But her personal life is anything but. Six years ago she took a trip with her daughter Devyn to see the pyramids in Egypt. The tour guide called her Cleopatra. And Devyn told her mom he was actually flirting with her.

Debby was doubtful until 30 something tour guide Mohamed “Mido” Fayed planted a kiss on her. She claims he’s an Egyptian movie star. But he won’t send her any of his movies. She cites the fact that he has hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers. So he must be a big star. But he doesn’t post anything about Debby on his Insta. Mido sends headshots and her daughter Devyn finds them comical.

But Debby Rolando is all in on 90 Day Fiance. She’s even willing to boot her loyal sidekick Lil’ Bit out of the bed where she has slept next to Debby her whole life. Harsh. She claims since Mido Fayed is Muslim, Lil’ Bit can’t share the bed. She meets with friends who are shocked as Debby reveals he’s also a 41-year-old virgin. But as Mido’s arrival gets closer he goes silent. Eventually postponing his trip to the United States due to his father being ill. So Lil’ Bit can keep her spot for now.

90 Day Fiance: Marissa Promises Her Kids a Dog

Marissa Rubinetti lives a fast-paced life on 90 Day Fiance. She treasures her time with her kids in the suburbs after the hustle and bustle of her job as COO of Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City. Her two young sons have adjusted to 50/50 custody after the divorce. But Marissa has concerns how things will be when her younger fiance Edward Miguel Gomez arrives in a few days from the Dominican Republic. The boys admit they are excited. Because Marissa sweetened the deal by throwing in the promise of a pet dog.

Marissa Rubinetti assures the kids that Edward Miguel Gomez isn’t there to replace their dad. But rather just another person living with them and interacting. The kids are polite and well spoken. But admit the dog is really the end goal. The older son wants to know if Edward has money. And what he will do for work. Marissa explains that Edward worked in a hotel. But there aren’t really many resort hotels in suburban Pennsylvania. So Marissa will be supporting him.

Ashia Won’t Take No for an Answer

Ashia is on a mission on 90 Day Fiance. She’s determined to appeal the decision of the embassy. After her fiance was denied a k-1 visa. Ashia admits she doesn’t take no for an answer. She gets support from her mom and her God brother Rod. He will accompany her to see an immigration lawyer. Rod has plenty of concerns about Ashia. He suggests she date in America. Pointing out there are Nigerians in America. Ashia admits that’s true but says they aren’t the ones for her.

Rod suggests Ashia may be getting scammed. And even finds the law office name “Love Immigration” a little sketchy. Ashia explains to the attorney what went down at Maxwell’s interview. Unfortunately for Ashia, an appeal isn’t possible. There are a few other options including getting married in Nigeria and applying for a different type of visa. But it could still take a year or more. Ashia is devastated by the news. But she’ll keep on fighting. Till next time!

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

Every so often, I stumble upon a forgotten sci-fi action film that makes absolutely no sense and has absolutely zero likable characters. I normally find these on Tubi, the only streaming platform brave enough to host cinematic punishers like 1989’s Future Force, a movie that doesn’t have a critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and only a 14 percent approval rating on the Popcornmeter across more than 100 ratings. Normally, I watch movies like this because most of them don’t deserve the hate, but Future Force absolutely does in every conceivable way.

You Have The Right To Die

Future Force boasts a sloppy narrative centered around a protagonist who’s a total jerk on his best day. It’s incredibly hard to root for David Carradine’s John Tucker, a bounty hunter working for an organization known as C.O.P.S. (Civilian Operated Police Systems), for a multitude of reasons. The most egregious is his signature catchphrase when he’s out on patrol: “You have committed a crime and are presumed guilty. You have a right to die. If you choose to relinquish that right, you will be placed under arrest and imprisoned.”

That’s how our protagonist operates. He gets a ping on his communications device from his wheelchair-bound sidekick Billy (D.C. Douglas), tracks down somebody accused of a crime, and assumes they’re guilty until proven innocent. He doesn’t ask questions. He just does his job. The problem is that his job involves being a fascist who takes the law literally and never thinks for himself. Deep down, he probably knows this, but he just goes through the motions, wearing a prosthetic laser-shooting arm and murdering people who either commit petty crimes or simply happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

When he’s not fighting crime, he spends his time at a strip club with other bounty hunters like Becker (Robert Tessier), or as I like to call him, “Bargain Bin Plissken,” sitting around with a scowl permanently plastered on his face. By the time John Tucker learns that the C.O.P.S. organization is run by a corrupt man named Adams (William Zipp), you have no reason to believe he’ll suddenly do the right thing. In this case, the right thing involves protecting a reporter named Marion (Anna Rapagna), who’s preparing to expose the advanced police force for being hopelessly corrupt and cooking the books so they can arrest anybody they want.

It’s worth noting, though, that Tucker doesn’t really care about any of this until a bounty is put on his own head and he has to figure out how to save his hide.

No Glove, No Love

The biggest problem with Future Force is that we have to root for a guy like John Tucker. He doesn’t feel morally conflicted at all, and we’re not getting a Dredd-style treatment here. Instead, we bear witness to a man who simply does his job and collects a paycheck. He’s not a tragic hero trapped in a system he disagrees with. He’s cynical about this fictionalized police-state version of 1993, but only enough to squeeze in some R&R at a nudie bar while shooting the breeze with other officers who operate exactly the same way he does.

What’s truly baffling, though, is John Tucker’s weaponized glove that he constantly uses to shoot first and ask questions later, assuming there are any survivors left to question. Normally, an officer doesn’t take their eyes off their weapon, or their sidearm (get it?), because they have to be extremely careful. If a criminal gets their hands on an officer’s weapon, that’s obviously a very bad thing, especially when you’re as trigger-happy as this guy.

Instead of wearing the prosthetic arm all the time, Tucker casually removes it and tosses it into the back of his often-unlocked Jeep Cherokee Chief. He schleps it around town like it’s an empty Gatorade bottle or a pile of fast food wrappers instead of some insane piece of future tech. The mental image of this thing sliding around in his trunk and accidentally popping off rounds while he’s hitting up a drive-thru is honestly the only thing that kept me watching Future Force. Our hero is practically begging for somebody to jack his gear and use it to commit crimes against humanity. Then again, that thought probably never crosses his mind because he’s already one of the primary people committing those kinds of crimes in the first place.

There Needs To Be A Likeable Protagonist

Listen, I have no problem with flawed antiheroes doing what they do, but there has to be some sort of arc or evolution that gives the character depth or an honest shot at redemption. Or even better, make him so kickass and cool that I end up rooting for him, even though I know I shouldn’t. What bothers me to no end here is how John Tucker does all these horrible things, and we’re somehow supposed to sit back and say, “Yeah, he’s on the right side of history.” He never convincingly has that “come to Jesus” moment where he realizes he’s actually the bad guy. Without that kind of self-awareness, the entire thing falls apart.

Future Force could have been satire, but it isn’t. It could have been a commentary on how people raised inside a broken system eventually realize everything they know is wrong, but our hero never gets there. He just scowls his way through every scene, causing an unthinkable amount of collateral damage while wondering why the tables suddenly turned against him. And instead of getting introspective and realizing he’s part of the problem, he just keeps doing what he’s always done.

As of this writing, Future Force is streaming free on Tubi. If I’m being honest, the movie does have a certain amount of charm in its action sequences, but nearly everything else about it is irredeemable. If you’re a fan of B-movie sci-fi action, it’s probably worth a viewing, but don’t say I didn’t warn you about how stupid this one is.

It looks like Claressa Shields has that “I’d do it again” energy after going viral for slapping Alycia Baumgardner. The boxers reportedly got into it on Saturday (May 16) following an industry event. Ultimately, Most Valuable Productions (MVP) opted to ban Shields from its future events, while Alycia announced she’s pursuing legal action. But, despite both updates, Claressa appears to be standing by the slap caught on camera!

RELATED: Papoose Hypes Claressa Shields UP As Internet Users Go IN On Her Latest Dance Video (WATCH)

Video Shows Claressa Shields Slapping Alycia Baumgardner Amid Argument At Boxing Event

The beef between Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner has been brewing for years. But on Saturday, things escalated beyond heated words at the MVP MMA 1 event. A viral video shows part of the confrontation. Claressa is seen pointing her finger at Alycia, warning her to stop speaking on her and her relationship with Papoose. “Worry about who the f*ck you’re with, not me,” Shields says. A few seconds later, Alycia tells Shields, “I’ll beat your a*s right now,” and Shields responds by mocking her, telling her she won’t “whoop no a*s.”

Then, near the end of the video, a group of men surrounded and stood between the boxers.  Still, Claressa Shields was able to reach across the body block and slap Alycia Baumgardner across the face. Papoose, who was standing nearby, immediately grabbed her and pulled her backward as the women continued to throw words at each other.

Claressa Shields has been banned from all MVP events after slapping Alycia Baumgardner at the Ronda Rousey fight 😳

Alycia says she’s also taking legal action pic.twitter.com/yC4kwCi0je

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— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 19, 2026

Alycia & Event Host Speak Out About Incident

On Monday (May 18), Alycia Baumgarden released an official statement about Claressa Shields’ slapping her. She called the incident “unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved.” Also, Alycia claimed that she was “physically assaulted without provocation.” She accused Claressa Shields of having a pattern, saying she’s clowned “other fighters’ brain injuries, initiated one-sided altercations” and displayed hostility toward other women.

“That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport. This behavior reflects a repeatd pattern of hostility, chaos, and attention-seeking conduct that continues to embarass women’s sports. This situation has been and will continue to be handled legally and professionally,” Alycia said in her statement.

Additionally, on Monday, MVP banned Claressa Shields from all future events, while praising Alycia Baumgardner’s reaction to being slapped in public, at their event.

“MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile, threatening, or aggressive behavior toward fighters, staff, media, or guests at any of our events. Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment. MVP does not condone, tolerate, or accept Claressa Shields’ behavior in that setting and it reflects poorly on MVP and women’s sports, which we have worked tirelessly to uplift. Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice. There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable. MVP would like to thank venue security for their swift response in addressing and de-escalating the situation and appreciate Alycia Baumgardner not retaliating and further amplifying the situation.”

Claressa Shields Doubles Down On Slapping Opponent

On Sunday (May 17), Claressa Shields appeared to double down on her energy for Alycia Baumgardner. She posted a photo of herself sticking up her middle finger on X. Then, in her caption, she promised to continue “giving b*tches hell respectfully.”

“Imma continue giving b**ches hell respectfully 😎😭 that lil a*s girl said “I’ll beat your a*s right now” after already disrespecting me. Now you classy and playing victim. Can’t go around threatening people, take that 👋🏾 & try and GET YOUR LICK BACK! #GWOAT”

In another tweeted reply, she alleged that Alycia threatened her, called her “all kind of b*tches too.” 

Imma continue giving bitches hell respectfully 😎😭 that lil ass girl said “I’ll beat your ass right now” after already disrespecting me. Now you classy and playing victim. Can’t go around threatening people, take that 👋🏾 & try and GET YOUR LICK BACK! #GWOAT pic.twitter.com/ivUmSpe97t

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 18, 2026

By Tuesday, though, her energy shifted slightly, showing that she had pulled in her own legal team to guide her words. Her new message came after MVP announced their ban and Alycia revealed she’s pursuing her legal options. In a tweet, Claressa Shields claimed internet clips aren’t telling the whole story and pointed to Alycia’s alleged “history of attacks and threats.”  She also seemingly positioned the moment as protection.

“I have dedicated my life to the sport of boxing. Through the grace of God I have been blessed. My talent has allowed me to undeniably take woman’s boxing to a new level. That doesn’t stop at the ring. What circulated online does not tell the full story. Until now. I do not condone violence. I never have. But I am also not someone who will stand in silence while continuously being verbally attacked, threatened, discriminated against or assasinate my character. Nor will I allow the reality of disrespect turn into a narrative or talking point about colorism or envy. There is a documented history of attacks and threats by this person that led to this moment, and that history will speak for itself. There is a difference between aggression and protection. I stand on integrity. I stand on what I’ve built. I’m a champion. I carry that everywhere I go not just in title, but in how I move, what I protect, and what I refuse to accept. I’ve fought too hard and come too far to let anyone rewrite my story or define my character. Any further false allegations, or defamation of character will be handled accordingly by my legal team.”

I have dedicated my life to the sport of boxing. Through the grace of God I have been blessed. My talent has allowed me to undeniably take woman’s boxing to a new level. That doesn’t stop at the ring.

What circulated online does not tell the full story. Until now. I do not… pic.twitter.com/hoiLX6dI9v

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 19, 2026

RELATED: Style Twins? Monica Responds After AI Photo Compares Her & Claressa Shields’ White Shoe Game

Aaron Rodgers has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers for his 22nd NFL season sporting his wedding band.

Days after signing a one-year contract worth an estimated $25 million, Rodgers, 42, was photographed on Monday, May 18, on the practice field with the Steelers. In the images, Rodgers donned a black wedding band on his left hand.

Nearly one year prior, Rodgers made headlines when he announced he was married. In June 2025, Rodgers told reporters it occurred “a couple of months ago.”

While Rodgers has not publicly revealed the identity of his wife, the quarterback did share during a December 2024 appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show that he was dating a woman named Brittani.

Related: Aaron Rodgers Wears Wedding Ring at Steelers Minicamp

Aaron Rodgers wore his wedding ring while throwing passes at the Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp before confirming he’d tied the knot. The Steelers’ new quarterback, 41, flashed the black wedding band for photographers on Monday, June 11, in between snaps at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh. He surprised the media later in the day […]

“I used to enjoy a little outing over to the Bay Park mall in Wisconsin every now and then, but I actually ordered all of [my Christmas gifts] online this year,” Rodgers said at the time. “I was a little worried because there was one package left for my girlfriend, Brittani, that hadn’t showed up yet. So I’ve been waiting on this to show up and it showed up today.”

When Rodgers’ former teammate and Pat McAfee Show cohost AJ Hawk asked whether Rodgers was dating Britney Spears, the NFL quarterback explained that his partner’s name has a different spelling.

“Not Britney Spears; this is Brittani with an I,” he said. “It’s a good feeling, boys.”

Since that appearance and the marriage news, Rodgers has gotten candid about his decision to keep his private life out of the public eye.

Related: Aaron Rodgers Reveals He Got Married ‘A Couple Months Ago’

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Aaron Rodgers made a major announcement on his first official day as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers: he’s married! Rodgers, 41, was asked about the mysterious black band on his left finger during a meeting with reporters at Steelers minicamp on Tuesday, June 10.  “It’s a wedding ring,” the quarterback said with a smile, […]

“The obsession is f***ing bizarre,” he said in a March appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “That’s the only way to put it. The obsession is really bizarre.”

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He continued, “She didn’t sign up for this bulls***. She signed up for this because she loves me and supports me and wants to spend the rest of our lives together and start a family together. She didn’t sign up to be an out front social media WAG. She doesn’t want any of that bulls***. And I don’t either.”

Rodgers also revealed to McAfee, 39, in March that he and Brittani met in 2017, before he was in high-profile relationships with actress Shailene Woodley and former race car driver Danica Patrick.

“When we met back in 2017, I knew that there was something crazy special about this and I wanted to be with her,” he said. “She would make funny comments like, ‘I would never live in Green Bay’ and ‘I don’t want to be a player’s wife.’ She’s not a public person. She moved back across the pond and I got myself into crazy town.”

Years before Brad Pitt became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, he reportedly found himself in an uncomfortable encounter with Mike Tyson.

The boxing legend recently revisited the strange moment during a podcast appearance, recalling how he unexpectedly crossed paths with Pitt while his marriage to actress Robin Givens was collapsing behind the scenes.

The memory still clearly fascinates Tyson today.

During an appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, Tyson was asked whether anyone had ever stolen a girlfriend from him.

The former heavyweight champion quickly brought up the chaotic final days of his marriage to Robin Givens.

“That’s an interesting story. He didn’t steal her from me, but me and my wife were going through a divorce,” Tyson explained per the Daily Mail.

The couple married in 1988 before separating just a year later. Tyson described the relationship as deeply troubled, saying they were still spending nights together while publicly battling through the media.

At the time, Tyson claimed, he and Givens were sleeping together by night while “fighting in the papers” by day.

Mike Tyson Says Brad Pitt Was Riding In Her BMW

Tyson then recalled visiting Givens at her house one day, only to realize she was not home.

“But, one day, I went over to the house… she wasn’t home. Nobody,” Tyson said.

Moments later, he spotted her arriving in the BMW he had purchased for her.

He revealed, “Then, [I saw her] driving up the road with the BMW that I bought her.”

At first, Tyson believed the passenger was one of Givens’ sitcom co-stars from “Head of the Class.”

“I thought it was one of her friends from ‘Head of the Class’ [the sitcom Givens appeared in as Darlene Merriman between 1986 and 1991],” he shared.

Instead, he said it was a young Pitt long before global fame arrived.

“But it wasn’t one of her friends. It was Brad Pitt,” Tyson recalled. “He wasn’t Brad Pitt yet. I didn’t know who the f-ck he was… he didn’t even have a car.”

Mike Tyson Previously Claimed Brad Pitt Looked Terrified

The boxing icon has shared versions of the story before. In earlier interviews, Tyson admitted he was furious after seeing Pitt with Givens.

He once claimed he was “mad as hell” after spotting Pitt, who back then “was like a beach bum, a little nerdy.”

Tyson later revisited the moment in his 2013 memoir “Undisputed Truth,” describing Pitt’s reaction when he realized who had arrived.

“You had to see the look on his face. He looked like he was ready to receive his last rites,” Tyson wrote.

Back then, Tyson was at the peak of his powers in boxing and widely viewed as one of the sport’s most intimidating figures.

By 1989, he was world heavyweight champion and considered “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”

Robin Givens Denied One Part Of The Story

Givens has also spoken publicly about the incident over the years.

She confirmed that Mike Tyson once saw her arriving home with Brad Pitt after the actor made a guest appearance on “Head of the Class.”

“We were coming from like a screening or something,” she explained.

Still, the actress strongly rejected Tyson’s earlier suggestion that he discovered the pair together in bed while they were still married.

“[That] never, ever, ever happened,” Givens later said during an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”

Mike Tyson officially stepped away from professional boxing years ago, though he briefly returned to the spotlight in late 2024 for a high-profile fight against influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

After the bout, Tyson made it clear he would not participate in another official match, bringing another close to a career that originally ended in 2005.

The aftermath of the fight created fresh controversy when Paul made remarks about Tyson’s health during a livestream with influencer Adin Ross. While discussing psychedelic substances, Paul referenced ayahuasca and toad venom before making a shocking claim about the former heavyweight champion.

“Ayahuasca is really good for your brain as well. And the same with toads. Toad cured Tyson’s Parkinson’s so that he could come back and fight,” Paul said per The Blast.

Paul also claimed that toad venom is smoked. The comments quickly spread online, leading Tyson’s representatives to deny the allegations.

Speaking to TMZ, they stated, “Mike is happy and perfectly healthy. He doesn’t have Parkinson’s or any other illness.”

Facing criticism online, Paul later addressed the situation on X, insisting he misspoke while discussing Tyson’s use of alternative healing methods.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

Among certain fans of the franchise, “Star Trek musical” is a relatively dirty phrase. After all, the first thing it makes you think of is the Strange New Worlds episode “Subspace Rhapsody,” which is the first and (so far) only official Trek musical. The story was weak, and the songs were weaker, which is why it is the lowest-rated episode of Season 2 and generally considered a harbinger of Season 3’s obsession with sillier stories. All of that is to say that if you hated “Subspace Rhapsody,” you’re in good company and would probably be happy to never see another Star Trek musical onscreen.

Offscreen, though? That’s a different antimatter altogether! Beginning in 2023, a group of superfans premiered Khan!!! The Musical! as an off-Broadway production. This Wrath of Khan parody got killer reviews and soon grew in popularity, making an increasing number of appearances at Star Trek conventions around the world. With this musical set to beam down to Star Trek: Las Vegas this year, now is the perfect time for you to learn about this wildly popular, wildly quirky musical take on the greatest sci-fi franchise ever created.

Yes, They Khan

What is Khan!!! The Musical! actually about? It surprisingly takes place in the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation, where Data is (in a truly meta twist) putting on a holodeck musical about the events of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, one in which, as the site says, “the bloodthirsty Khan vows revenge on a washed-up James T. Kirk.” As a side effect of this play-within-a-play concept, Data ends up playing multiple roles as he did in the episode “A Fistful of Datas.” Also, because Data is an AI, “his writing style accidentally borrows moments and tropes from shows like Rocky Horror, Chicago, and Les Misérables.”

As you might imagine, Khan!!! The Musical! is styled as a comedy, and it’s genuinely very funny. The major reason for this is that it was created by fans who have both immense knowledge and a major passion for all things Trek. In this way, it’s very much in the spirit of Lower Decks, a show that relentlessly mocked the franchise without ever seeming truly mean-spirited or cruel. Khan!!! takes aim at some familiar targets like William Shatner’s stilted delivery, but it was clearly made by fans who absolutely love The Wrath of Khan from beginning to end. 

Music is the beating heart of any musical, and I’m happy to report that Khan!!! The Musical! is full of certified bangers, many of which you can listen to via YouTube. Your mileage may very, but I found these songs to be much catchier and much, much more infectiously funny than “Subspace Rhapsody.” That Strange New Worlds episode pumped out mediocre music to tell a story that alternated between absurdity and seriousness. By comparison, Khan!!! leans fully into camp from the very beginning, mixing genuinely solid numbers with visuals and references sure to leave any Star Trek fan howling with laughter.

Care to experience this passionate love letter to The Wrath of Khan for yourself? Be sure to check out the official calendar to see if Khan!! The Musical! will be beaming down to a venue near you. As an added bonus, they’ll be making multiple Star Trek convention appearances this year, including one in Riverside, Iowa, which is the future birthplace of James T. Kirk. That way, you can enjoy the musical madness surrounded by fellow nerds in full Starfleet gear. Careful, though, because you might run into one of those pesky General Chang cosplayers who believes Khan!!!, like Hamlet, is best enjoyed in the original Klingon. 

By Robert Scucci
| Published 18 seconds ago

Adam West has always been best known for his legendary dry humor, and it’s one of the reasons the 1960s Batman series is so much fun to watch. It’s equal parts camp and deadpan, and Adam West was born to play this version of the Caped Crusader. Most of the Golden Era Simpsons writing staff celebrated the guy for being so easy to write bits for, which is why he voiced a fictionalized version of in the Season 4 episode, “Mr. Plow.” One of those Golden Era writers was Conan O’Brien, and his adoration of West’s on-screen persona manifested in a one-off TV pilot that never got picked up: 1991’s Lookwell.

The series was conceptualized and produced by O’Brien and Robert Smigel, with Lorne Michaels serving as executive producer. For a show with as much potential as Lookwell, we only ever got the one episode, which at the time ended up becoming the “second-lowest-rated television show of all time.” Thankfully, Lookwell’s legacy has long surpassed its initial reputation and rightfully secured cult status over the decades.

There are copies of Lookwell floating around online, lifted from broadcasts on the now-defunct Trio network, but it’s incredibly difficult to find clean versions of the original pilot. While the versions we have easy access to are pretty much the real deal, there are some alternate jokes and soundtrack changes that were likely made because of rights issues after the show was unceremoniously shelved.

He’s Not A Detective, But He Played One On TV

Lookwell centers on titular character Ty Lookwell, portrayed by Adam West, and he couldn’t be more perfect for the part. Ty is a washed-up actor best known for his work on Bannigan, not to be confused with Brannigan, another, more popular show that he has nothing to do with. He waxes poetic about Shakespeare and teaches an acting class to pass the time while showing up to auditions dressed like Fonzie, even though nobody is interested in casting him. He’s completely delusional and justifies his dry spell by suggesting that “these things take time.” Meanwhile, his nephew Matt, who’s merely visiting to try the whole Hollywood thing, is receiving countless voicemails from Kevin Costner, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg, begging for a callback. He’s an exceptionally gifted actor, and we never see him on screen.

What truly drives Lookwell’s personality is his inflated sense of self. He played a detective on TV and was even given an honorary badge by the local precinct in 1972. He carries the badge, which is encased in acrylic, everywhere he goes and uses it to try solving real crimes, much to the chagrin of every officer on duty. More often than not, his instincts lead him to the wrong places in silly disguises as he inadvertently ruins planned sting operations orchestrated by actual officers who know what they’re doing. When things somehow work out in his favor, he smugly pats himself on the back, making it known that the police would be helpless without his invaluable sleuthing skills.

Characters like Ty Lookwell, who lack any semblance of self-awareness, are difficult to portray because the actor has to fully commit to the bit without ever breaking the illusion. Adam West, a former superhero actor, understood the assignment and brought his signature deadpan delivery to the premise. He’s stone-faced and stoic even when he’s dressed like a homeless man at a fundraising event, loudly declaring that the sidewalk is his bed even though everybody in the room knows he’s actually failed actor Ty Lookwell wearing a silly costume. He never cracks a smile or looks inward for even a second. He simply lounges around his house watching reruns of Bannigan while eating “Firm Pops,” the frozen treats that “tighten your skin.”

What Could Have Been

Had Lookwell been pitched at a different time, it might have had a fighting chance. It was simply too ahead of its potential audience, one that would be molded by the Simpsons mania that was slowly consuming the world. It’s profoundly stupid, but also incredibly cerebral. Like Golden Era Simpsons, there are plenty of sight gags and visual jokes you’ll miss if you blink, and it boasts the kind of quick-witted exchanges Conan O’Brien has built an entire career around since the pilot was shelved after airing its only episode.

That lone episode is still incredibly difficult to find in its original form, and the versions circulating online have abysmal playback quality. Presently, there’s an HD upscaled version available on YouTube that looks surprisingly great, and it’s absolutely worth 23 minutes of your time if you’re a diehard fan of The Simpsons and everything Conan O’Brien has brought to the table since first showing up on the scene in the late 1980s as a writer for SNL. It’s a relic from another era, and it’s a shame we never got a full series out of Lookwell, but at least it still exists for us to enjoy decades later.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 12 seconds ago

When Lucasfilm began landing Star Wars projects on Disney+, we saw the return of a few familiar faces that it seemed like we’d never see again. One of them was Boba Fett, the fearsome bounty hunter who popped up on The Mandalorian before headlining his own show. Another was Obi-Wan Kenobi, whose solo show saw the return of Prequel Trilogy veterans Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. To everyone’s surprise, Christensen returned in Ahsoka to seemingly impart some last bit of Jedi wisdom upon his titular Padawan.

But this wasn’t Christensen’s last appearance in our favorite galaxy far, far away. He’s already confirmed to return for Ahsoka Season 2, and Star Wars scooper Daniel Richtman recently dropped a bombshell report that Christensen will be appearing in at least two more projects for the franchise. While he doesn’t yet know what these projects will be, one thing’s for sure: the return of everyone’s favorite Darth Vader actor may breathe new life into a franchise that has been going through the motions for way too long.  

Somehow, Anakin Returned

While Daniel Richtman has reported that Hayden Christensen would be appearing in at least two more Star Wars projects, he doesn’t have any info as to exactly what those projects could be. There is an entire galaxy of possibilities, some of which may be more exciting for fans than others. Even though the first season was pretty “meh” and stretched the boundaries of canon, plenty would be happy to see a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi, even if (or maybe especially if) it was just another excuse to get McGregor and Christensen onscreen together again.

If Disney is feeling a bit more ambitious, we might get the opposite: a Darth Vader solo show. While there was only so much for Kenobi to do between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope (he was supposed to be a hermit guarding Luke Skywalker, after all), Vader was doing plenty of interesting things: getting used to his new body, establishing the Imperial status quo, hunting Jedi, training Inquisitors, and so on. It would be tough to pull off, but a Vader-centric show with the pathos and gravitas of Andor could easily become the best Star Wars series ever made. 

The Man, The Myth, The Sith

However, it’s far likelier that Hayden Christensen will continue making minor, Ahsoka-style cameos in other shows rather than stepping fully into the spotlight. Personally, I’d love to see him play a supporting role in a Doctor Aphra series. In case you’re unfamiliar, Aphra is a canonical comics character who is like a fem-swapped cross between Indiana Jones and Han Solo. In the comics, she ends up working for Vader before faking her death to gain her freedom. Seeing her and her murderbot sidekicks onscreen is likelier than you might think. After all, her comic book frenemy, Krrsantan, already popped up in The Book of Boba Fett.

Without the clairvoyance of the Force, it’s impossible to know exactly where Hayden Christensen will pop up in this galaxy far, far away. But he’s a beloved actor playing a fan-favorite character, so it’s a sure bet that whatever Star Wars show he appears on is going to be a hit. Personally, I’m hoping Disney will finally accept my pitch: a workplace comedy where Admiral Motti and Darth Vader work aboard the Death Star and have a relationship akin to Jim and Dwight from The Office. My working title? Imperial Entanglements.

Come on, Dave Filoni, you can’t ignore my phone calls forever!