Taylor Frankie Paul is explaining why she was seen in an embrace with Dakota Mortensen’s mom during the former couple’s custody and protective order hearing.

After a fan Instagram account shared video footage of Taylor hugging Cheyenne Cranford Mortensen inside Salt Lake City’s Third District Courthouse on Thursday, April 30, Taylor provided context via the comments section.

“That was my goodbye to a family my older kids and I loved deeply❤️‍🩹” Taylor, 31, explained. (Taylor and Dakota share 2-year-old son Ever. Taylor shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband Tate Paul.)

During the court hearing, a judge issued Taylor and Dakota, 33, protective orders against each other.

Related: Judge Rules on Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen Protective Orders

A judge has issued a big ruling regarding Taylor Frankie Paul and ex Dakota Mortensen’s ongoing legal battle. “This has been a very toxic relationship. It’s beyond the pale in a lot of ways, the toxicity,” a judge said during a protective order hearing on Thursday, April 30, regarding the pair’s custody arrangement. “What I’ve seen […]

Utah Commissioner Russell Minas ordered Taylor and Dakota to stay 100 feet away from each other for a period of three years.

Minas described their relationship as “dysfunctional” as he handed down the orders.

“This has been a very toxic relationship. It’s beyond the pale in a lot of ways, the toxicity,” Minas said on Thursday. “What I’ve seen from the evidence even post [the] last hearing, there seems to be a continuing attraction that they have for each other. … You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents.”

“I’m hoping that you’re not people who just thrive on the drama and the conflict,” the judge added. “You’ve got to put your child first and shield the child from this conflict. I’m going to leave the current order in place. I need to think a little bit more about this lifting of supervision. I have mixed feelings about it.”

Dakota was granted temporary custody of Ever in March amid allegations of domestic violence between him and Taylor. Taylor is currently allowed up to eight hours of supervised visitation with the toddler.  There were no changes made to the custody arrangement on Thursday.

Dakota filed for a temporary protective order against Taylor in March amid two police investigations into domestic violence allegations involving the exes. Taylor was granted her own temporary protective order against Dakota in April.

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Taylor’s attorney, Eric M. Swinyard, addressed the court hearing via a statement shared with Us Weekly on Thursday.

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Related: What to Know About Taylor Frankie Paul and Ex Dakota’s Custody Battle

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have tried to coparent son Ever since their fall 2024 split. Paul and Mortensen welcomed their first baby together, the MomTok content creator’s third, in March 2024, months before they called it quits. As Paul and Mortensen navigated jointly raising their son, […]

“Today’s hearing was a significant step forward as the Court entered protective orders requiring that Taylor’s ex-partner stays far away from her,” he told Us.

“Taylor was incredibly candid with the Court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise,” Swinyard continued. “Taylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories, and she remains grateful for the outpouring of support she continues to receive. She looks forward to continuing to cooperate with the Court to make progress in the custody case.”

There’s a film that has the kind of energy that never really goes out of style. Joe Cornish’s alien invasion thriller is funny, fast, rough around the edges in the best way, and packed with the kind of confidence that makes a cult movie stick around long after its initial release. It takes a familiar genre setup and throws it into a South London housing estate, then lets the characters, the setting, and the film’s chaotic attitude do the rest.

A huge part of what makes Attack the Block work is how naturally it balances tones. The movie is genuinely funny, but it never undercuts the danger. The creatures are properly menacing, the action is scrappy and intense, and the young cast gives the whole thing a lived-in feel that keeps it from ever seeming too polished. You can see why it became such a breakout title for John Boyega. Even before the bigger franchise work came along, he already had the screen presence to anchor something this lively.

Now that it’s streaming free on Pluto, Attack the Block is in a perfect position for rediscovery. It’s still one of the most inventive and entertaining sci-fi movies of its era, and it’s exactly the kind of film that benefits from viewers stumbling onto it and immediately wondering why it isn’t talked about even more.

The cast of the movie includes Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, They Cloned Tyrone) as Moses, Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Adult Life Skills) as Sam, Alex Esmail (Casualty) as Pest, Franz Drameh (Edge of Tomorrow, Gran Turismo) as Dennis, Leeon Jones (The Intent 2) as Jerome, Simon Howard (Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars) as Biggz, and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as Ron.

Is ‘Attack the Block’ Any Good?

Collider’s review stated that Attack the Block is a fast, funny, and genuinely great alien invasion movie that flips the genre on its head by making a group of South London teens its heroes. The film starts by asking viewers to follow characters who do something awful, but it wins you over quickly through sharp writing, strong performances, and a ton of energy. Boyega stands out right away as Moses, giving the gang’s leader real presence and making him far more interesting than he first appears.

Attack the Block is streaming now for free on Pluto.

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Release Date

May 12, 2011

Runtime

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88 minutes

Director

Joe Cornish

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Writers

Joe Cornish

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Many celebrities have strong opinions about the Met Gala — but some stick to their convictions more than others.

Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the first stars to publicly admit that she didn’t have a great time at the fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

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“Do you want me to be honest? … It sucked,” Paltrow told USA Today in 2013. “It seems like it’s the best thing in the world, you always think, ‘Oh, my God, it’s gonna be so glamorous and amazing and you’re going to see all these people,’ and then you get there and it’s so hot and it’s so crowded and everyone’s pushing you.”

The Oscar winner added that it’s “so un-fun,” “boiling,” “too crowded” and she “did not enjoy it at all.” Despite declaring, “I’m never going again,” Paltrow returned to the Met steps in 2017 and 2019.

Scroll through for stars who have admitted they don’t want to be invited back:

The Met Gala is the most fashion-focused red carpet event of the year, but the clothes aren’t the only reason the event is such a success — there’s also a huge potential for hilarious celeb interactions.

The glamorous party brings together stars from the worlds of movies, music, sports, fashion, politics and more, meaning that celebrities who don’t usually run into each other get the chance to chat over drinks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Though it’s a highlight of Hollywood’s social calendar, it’s tough to score an invite — and even tougher to document what goes on inside. In 2015, attendees reportedly received a notice banning the use of social media during the event. The policy seems to have been relaxed in recent years, but selfies are still generally frowned upon.

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That hasn’t stopped some celebrities from teaming up for some truly epic mirror shots in the bathroom. In 2017, Kylie Jenner snapped a photo that included her sisters Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner as well as Lily Aldridge, Diddy, ASAP Rocky, Brie Larson and more.

In 2014, Beyoncé and her husband, Jay-Z, staged one of the most memorable Met Gala moments of all time when they turned a mishap into something adorable. After the “Hold Up” songstress dropped a ring she was wearing, the “99 Problems” rapper dropped to his knee to pick it up — and pretended to propose again right there on the red carpet.

Keep scrolling for a look back at the funniest celeb interactions at the Met Gala.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 13 seconds ago

The Simpsons is undeniably one of the greatest and most well-known cartoon sitcoms of all time, but the series we celebrate today was almost entirely scrapped by its producers before it even got off the ground. These days, when an animated series launches, it’s fully developed. Character quirks are established right out of the gate, the animation style is locked in, and the entire creative process is a well-oiled machine before a premiere hits the airwaves. The Simpsons, on the other hand, got off to a very rough start when it transitioned from a series of crude shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show to a full-blown animated sitcom.

Rife with continuity errors and wildly inconsistent animation, Season 1 of The Simpsons is a rough showcase of raw potential. It was so raw that the series was nearly canned due to a failure to launch on time, thanks to a disproportionate amount of behind-the-scenes chaos. Character design was all over the place. Barney had blonde hair, Moe and Milhouse had black hair, Smithers was a Black man, Mr. Burns’ office at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant looked completely different, and, most insane to think about, the episode that was supposed to kick off the entire series, “Some Enchanted Evening,” ended up airing as the season finale because the animation studio they outsourced to botched the job so badly that 70 percent of the episode had to be overhauled.

While the show seemed doomed from the start, we’re fortunate that Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon stuck to their guns and stuck their necks out for the show that would eventually become the master template for adult animated series for decades to come.

Animation And Continuity Was Tragically Bad

Most long-running animated series go through some growing pains on the animation front, and that’s expected. As more efficient ways to produce a show materialize, animation becomes sharper, smoother, and more fluid.

The same can be said for live-action shows, as better shooting and lighting methods are implemented and budgets are opened up to allow for more sophisticated productions, making later seasons look far superior to earlier ones. 

South Park is an excellent example of animation evolving over time. The show was originally produced in a stop-motion style with construction paper sets and characters. Once Trey Parker and Matt Stone figured out how to produce episodes using computers and editing software, the show’s aesthetic gradually improved into the style we’re familiar with today. That’s just show business, and every animated series, no matter how well-developed before premiering, will evolve visually to some degree.

For The Simpsons, though, it’s comical how inconsistent the animation is in Season 1. The original Simpsons shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show were animated by Klasky Csupo, with the process handled in-house. When The Simpsons was picked up as a series, animation duties were split across multiple studios as a cost-cutting measure because the show was the first of its kind and a massive creative risk for Fox at the time. As a result, character and background layouts were produced in Los Angeles, while coloring and filming were handled by AKOM, a South Korean animation studio.

When “Some Enchanted Evening” came back for test screenings at Gracie Films, James L. Brooks reportedly said, “This is sh*t,” the room cleared out, and the show’s future was suddenly in question. The premiere was delayed by months while the animation was reworked, and had the next completed episode been just as bad, the entire project may have been scrapped. Fortunately, “Bart the Genius” came back looking more refined, with only minor tweaks needed to get it ready for air.

The Christmas special, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” which was originally intended to air later in the run, ended up becoming the series premiere, creating a major continuity issue with the family dynamic. In this episode, Homer, down on his luck after losing his Christmas bonus, takes a side gig as a mall Santa and loses his meager paycheck at the dog track. He then adopts the losing greyhound, Santa’s Little Helper, presenting the dog to his family as both a new pet and a Christmas gift.

With the episode order scrambled and most of the season already in the can, we’re asked to ignore the fact that The Simpsons technically begins with the family adopting a dog, only for that dog to barely appear again until Episode 11, “The Crepes of Wrath,” and even then mostly in the background. Had the episodes been completed properly from the start and aired in their intended order, there would have been a clear progression. The Simpson family would have no dog, we’d spend most of a season with them, and then they’d adopt one who would become a regular presence.

Homer Wasn’t Always A Total Idiot

These days, it’s easy to forget that “Jerkass Homer” wasn’t always the default. Back in The Tracey Ullman Show days, Dan Castellaneta’s performance had more of a Walter Matthau influence. Homer came across as a wholesome father figure. He was dimwitted at times, but he could also serve as the voice of reason when in his element.

He wasn’t outright stupid. He was a lower-middle-class guy trying to do right by his family, but with clear blind spots. He didn’t know what he didn’t know. He wasn’t willfully ignorant, but he could be selfish in the way a lot of working-class dads are when they try to carve out a little peace for themselves in a chaotic household.

By Season 2, Homer was fatter, louder, and far less self-aware. The version of Homer we recognize today was starting to take shape, but he was still in an active stage of development as Castellaneta refined his vocal delivery, and the writers worked to shape him into a more complex character. Most of Homer’s early characterization came from The Tracey Ullman Show, which made sense in short bursts, but needed to be expanded once The Simpsons became a full sitcom.

What Could Have Been

If you own The Simpsons DVDs, you can find original footage from “Some Enchanted Evening,” and it’s clear that delaying its release was the right call. Roughly 70 percent of the episode was rewritten and reanimated, and if you look closely, you can still spot traces of the original version in what ultimately aired to over 14 million viewers. It’s a rough demo and a final master, all in one episode, and it’s jarring.

The finished episode plays like a confident introduction to the Simpson family. After heavy revisions, each character feels distinct enough to carry forward into future seasons. The strange reality, though, is that we only got that version because the original was bad enough to force a complete overhaul.

But show business is still a business. To keep the show alive, episodes had to air, intended order or not. Because of that, Season 1 doesn’t make much sense from a continuity, and sometimes, even a characterization standpoint. When you consider the alternative, it had to happen this way, or we probably wouldn’t still be talking about The Simpsons in 2026.

The Simpsons had a chaotic start, and Season 1 still holds up as a diamond in the rough. What’s more frustrating to think about is how many creators today will never get the same level of leeway. There are likely countless shows that never made it past a rough first pass because studios decided they weren’t worth the trouble.

There’s no denying that The Simpsons helped pave the way for shows like South Park and Family Guy to become household names, but it’s wild to think about how many missteps happened behind the scenes before the show truly hit its stride.

Like the rest of the world, Netflix has lately found an interest in the fascinating world of cults. However, its newest venture isn’t a true-crime documentary fans may be used to, but a six-part drama series starring Christopher Eccleston. Unlike the optimistic preacher he plays in HBO’s The Leftovers, Eccleston’s role as Mr. Phillips, the leader of a religious cult, is something quite different.

Unchosen follows a strict religious sect in the UK that has all the makings of a dangerous cult. At the center of it all is Rosie (Molly Windsor), a devout wife and mother, who starts to get disillusioned by the only world she has ever known. Though the cult swears off any contact with the outside world or modern technology, Rosie is relieved when her brother-in-law, Isaac (Aston McAuley), possesses a contraband phone, which allows them to call an ambulance when her daughter Grace almost drowns. This one event causes a chain reaction that makes Rosie start to question the world that she has always accepted.

Cults are often a source of fascination, but Unchosen doesn’t exploit the pain of others for entertainment value. The series is inspired by the real stories of cult survivors who were affected by religious indoctrination.

‘Unchosen’ Delves Into the Real World of Religious Cults

The opening text of Unchosen Episode 1 establishes that there are over 2,000 active religious cults spread across the United Kingdom. The Netflix series is completely fictionalized, but the realities of these communities inspired the show’s creatives. Series creator Julie Gearey reached out to many real-life former cult members, as she told Tudum.

“What we found was that quite a lot of them were traumatized. It was important to reassure them as much as we could that, firstly, nobody watching the show would ever recognize them and, secondly, that whatever they had to say about the emotional experience of being involved, we would try to respect and reflect as truthfully as possible within the show.”

The story at the center of Unchosen is more romantic than a show like this may typically have. The catalyst for Rosie’s separation from the cult is represented by the man who saved her daughter’s life. Played by Hawkeye’s Fra Fee, an escaped convict by the name of Sam dives into the pond where Rosie’s daughter starts to drown. He saves her, and immediately, Rosie is drawn to him. The titular “unchosen” man is outside the community and a direct contrast to Rosie’s fanatical and controlling husband, Adam (Asa Butterfield). A spark starts to kindle between Rosie and Sam, an obvious violation of the cult’s rules.

Sam notes that Rosie’s world has a lot of these rules, as she starts to buckle beneath the weight of it. This setup is an exciting way to attract viewers to the story, but the reality of these characters is close to these cults in real life. Like Rosie’s day-to-day, many of these cults are hierarchical, placing women beneath their husbands. They are not allowed to question the men or have minds of their own in many cases. Unchosen has invented many of the more narratively dramatic aspects, but the core emotional resonance is what is truthful.

Grearey’s series protects the identities of the real-life cult survivors by doing this, but is still able to communicate the dangers of these types of communities. The creator also doesn’t punch down on these stories and offers empathy for those inside these places.

“I think there’s a real comfort and support in these groups. You don’t have to worry about where you’re going to live, what you eat, or whether you’ve got any friends. It’s a very, very secure social structure … When it works, it really works, but if you start to question their methods … that’s where the problems start.”

With that in mind, there is no question as to why Unchosen is doing so well on Netflix. Other series, such as Ryan Murphy’s world of serial killers, seem to take all the wrong lessons from true crime. The fictional sect in Unchosen isn’t admired in any way, but it also doesn’t judge the characters who find refuge inside it. The truthful telling of these people’s experiences has resulted in a series unlike anything else on the platform.

Noah Beck’s mom, Amy Beck, will be allowed back in her classroom after being placed on administrative leave, Us Weekly can confirm.

Amy will return from her leave of absence from Coyote Hills Elementary School on Monday, May 4, according to a Friday, May 1, statement from the Peoria Unified School District. The school and district “have addressed concerns regarding videos that were published in 2020, appropriate measures have been taken.”

Coyote Hills Elementary School principal Julie Abbott sent a letter to parents announcing Amy’s return.

“While we cannot discuss the specifics of her leave, please know that the district’s investigation concluded that Mrs. Beck’s actions outside of the workplace did not interfere with her ability to fulfill her teaching responsibilities,” the letter read. “Additionally, appropriate follow-up measures have been taken in accordance with Governing Board Policy.”

Related: Haley Beck Is Being Investigated by Police for 2nd Student Relationship

Police are investigating a new allegation made about Noah Beck‘s sister Haley Beck. The Peoria Police Department in Arizona confirmed to Us Weekly on Friday, May 1, that they are “looking into” accusations about a possible inappropriate relationship between Haley, 27, and a second student. Authorities also stated it’s based on a tip they received […]

The message also stated that “providing a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment for all students” is the school’s “highest priority.”

“We expect all staff members to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and character, both within and beyond the classroom, with an understanding of the impact their actions may have on the school community,” the letter continued. “I recognize there has been an increase in media coverage surrounding the district’s investigation. If you have any questions or concerns, I urge you to reach out to our administrative team.”

Amy made headlines earlier this week after she was placed on “paid administrative leave” from the school. While the school didn’t reveal the reason for Amy’s leave, several fans speculated it was due to a resurfaced TikTok video of her seemingly simulating oral sex with her son, Noah, back in 2020.

While the video has been removed from Noah’s TikTok page, it resurfaced via Reddit. The clip featured Noah, as he held his mom’s head and moved her up and down in front of the camera as the mother-son duo lip-synced to the song “Kings Dead” by Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake.

Us previously reached out to Noah’s spokesperson for comment, but did not hear back.

Related: Haley Beck Calls Students Her ‘Best Friends’ in Video Amid Grooming Claims

Noah Beck referenced sister Haley Beck’s alleged relationship with her students in a resurfaced video amid claims the former educator groomed a male teenager. In a resurfaced clip shared via TikTok on Monday, April 6, Noah, 24, and Haley, 27, can be seen participating in the so-called suspect running trend. (The viral trend mimics a […]

News of Amy’s administration leave came weeks after daughter Haley Beck — who is also a teacher — was accused of grooming one of her students last year. Haley was put on administrative leave from Centennial High School in 2025 amid an investigation into grooming allegations.

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The investigation was conducted while the student in question was 18 years old, but the alleged grooming took place when he was underage. According to the Peoria Police Department, Haley allegedly sent the student $630 via Apple Pay and confirmed that she communicated with the student via social media throughout the summer. She denied that they had a sexual relationship.

Haley was ultimately fired for having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

Britney Spears was charged in California on Thursday (April 30) with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, authorities said.

RELATED: Oops, She Did What? Britney Spears Released From Jail After Arrest In California For Alleged DUI 

What To Know About Britney Spears’ Charge

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office charged Britney Spears with a single misdemeanor count of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug. However, the criminal complaint does not specify what kind of alcohol or drugs, or what amount, Spears allegedly used.

Police arrested Britney Spears on March 4. She was pulled over for driving her black BMW fast and erratically on U.S. 101 near her home, per the California Highway Patrol. She appeared to be impaired and took a series of field sobriety tests. Following Britney Spears’ arrest, law enforcement took her to a Ventura County jail. 

Where Is Britney Now?

Britney Spears was released on bail the following day on March 5. Police completed their investigation and presented it to prosecutors on March 23. A representative at the time called Spears’ actions “completely inexcusable.” Also, the rep said it would ideally be “the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.”

Spears voluntarily checked into a substance abuse treatment facility just over a month after the arrest. However, a representative for the 44-year-old pop star had no immediate comment on the latest udpate, per the Associated Press.

What Happens Next In Spears’ Case?

Britney Spears’ arraignment is set for Monday (May 4). Because it is a misdemeanor charge, she will not be required to appear in court, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said the case will be handled according to their standard protocol for defendants with no DUI history, no crash or injury on the road and a low blood-alcohol level.

In court on Monday, prosecutors plan to offer Spears a “wet reckless,” which allows a defendant to plead guilty and get a year of probation, credit for any time served in jail, a required DUI class and state-mandated fines and fees. The offer is common, especially for defendants who have independently shown motivation to address their problems and seek treatment, the district attorney’s office said.

The singer has a home in Ventura County just outside the Los Angeles County line. Her arraignment will take place in the city of Ventura, a seaside community of about 110,000 people about 70 miles northwest of downtown LA.

Britney Spears After The Conservatorship

In 2008, a court placed Britney Spears under a conservatorship, run primarily by her father and his lawyers. That conservatorship would control her personal and financial decisions for well over a decade. Finally, in 2021, it was dissolved.

Since then, Spears has married and divorced. Also, she’s released a bestselling, tell-all memoir, ‘The Woman in Me.’ However, in music, she has essentially been retired in recent years. Her last full album dropped in 2016, but she released a few collaborative singles since then, including, ‘Hold Me Closer’ and ‘Matches.’

RELATED: Oop! Bobby Brown Says He “Couldn’t Take It” After Hearing Britney Spears’ Spin On His Hit ‘My Prerogative’ (WATCH)

AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

By Robert Scucci
| Updated 20 seconds ago

“I’m a bad man! I commit egregious acts of corporate espionage in my sleep. I extort my neighbors into helping me operate my highly illegal gambling and drug-running syndicate. I vape in public bathrooms that have ‘No Vaping’ signs. I loiter at the Pokémon card vending machine outside of my local Kroger so I can snag all the good ones and sell them on eBay despite the explicit instructions posted all over the place telling me not to do this. I document all of my crimes extensively, and have a massive paper trail.

But don’t worry, because when the FBI and a rogue beat cop collaborate to finally lock me up for good, I have the best solution: I’ll compile all of these incriminating paper documents, throw them into a comically large barrel, and drop a single match into it right before I walk off into the sunset without ever looking back. There’s no way they’ll ever catch me.”

Sounds pretty stupid, right?

This is standard practice in crime movies and TV series, and it’s all for dramatic effect. When you break it down, though, the old flaming barrel evidence destruction dodge leaves a lot to be desired.

On one hand, I get it. We need a visual representation of a very bad person, in a last-ditch effort, trying to destroy evidence that will later come back to bite them in the ass. It’s a great visual shorthand to show the audience that the criminal in question is taking the necessary steps to make sure there’s no record of their crimes against humanity. However, it’s clear that none of these guys have ever seen that Smokey Bear commercial that instructs you to let the fire burn down, hit it with a bucket of water, mix it with a shovel, and hit it with even more water. You have to be thorough.

Not only are these idiots not making sure the evidence is thoroughly destroyed, they’re also not making sure the surrounding structures don’t burn to the ground, adding yet another offense to their rap sheet.

The Smartest Criminals Do The Dumbest Things 

I’ve been thinking about the flaming barrel trope, and evidence destruction in pop culture in general, ever since I sat down and watched 2025’s Relay. In the film, a fixer named Ash (how fitting) uses a complex network of jerry-rigged communication systems involving jailbroken burner phones and a telecommunications device for the deaf that he uses in collaboration with a legitimate relay service for the hearing impaired. The man’s a genius, and he operates like a ghost. He knows where and when to show up when he’s fixing to get his whistleblowing clients out of a jam. He knows how to not blow his cover. He communicates by proxy to get the job done, and he’s always one step ahead of everybody.

But when it comes time to destroy the evidence, what does he do? He rips the document in half, tosses it in a trash can, and sets it on fire. The guy who’s so careful that most of his clients don’t even know what his voice sounds like just tosses the documents all willy-nilly in front of a train full of potential witnesses before getting back to work.

Are you a fan of Breaking Bad? If so, you already know how painstakingly careful Gustavo Fring is in running his meth empire. He has an overseas alliance with an obsessive-compulsive contact at the Madrigal Electromotive GmbH megacorporation named Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, an accounting expert who can cook the books with her eyes closed. He distributes Walter White’s meth across the Southwest United States through the distribution lines already in place from his sprawling fried chicken enterprise, which operates as a front for his more illicit activities.

Going even further into how careful Fring is, the meth he distributes comes from an elaborate, $8 million underground lab that took the entirety of Better Call Saul to construct. It’s hidden under an industrial laundromat with state-of-the-art air filtration systems that let him cook massive quantities without ever being detected by the authorities. Werner Ziegler, who built the facility brick by brick, was executed under Gus’ order when he inadvertently compromised the project’s secrecy.

Living his double life as a fast food franchisee turned drug lord, Gus Fring once forced his assistant manager, Lyle, to clean the fry baskets until his hands bled while he sat in his office for hours, waiting for one of his associates to complete a series of dead drops, establishing an alibi and keeping his hands clean.

It’s all a really smart way to operate, but this level of obsessive attention to detail goes completely out the window when Gus makes incriminating phone calls, barks orders into a flip phone, breaks it in half, and simply tosses the device into the trash can in front of his place of work, something he does often. If you want a prime example of dropping the ball at the one-yard line, this is it. After all, we see what finally happens to Gus when he stops being careful (ding, ding, ding!).

I could list examples of sloppy evidence disposal all day, every day, but it’s such a common occurrence in the media that all I ask of you, dear reader, is that you open your eyes and see for yourself.

Shred It, Bro!!!

It’s very rare that this kind of behavior gets called out in TV and movies, but a great example of the trope being dismantled can be seen in 1992’s Batman Returns. Corrupt businessman Max Shreck thinks he’s in the clear after flushing shredded documents down the toilet. What he didn’t anticipate was Oswald Cobblepot, more affectionately known as The Penguin, painstakingly piecing the documents back together to blackmail him, famously saying he accomplished this with “a lot of tape and a little patience.”

Listen, I’m not telling anybody out there to go out and commit crimes. I’m not encouraging more thorough concealment of heinous acts that should, by all rights, land you behind bars. But you have to think about the implications here.

I worked for years as a payroll auditor, and we had those giant Shred-It bins all over our office. When I first started that job, I asked the higher-ups what happened to those bins when they were swapped out every week. Without hesitation, they told me they were loaded onto trucks, shredded into confetti, rendered into pulp, de-inked, and manufactured into new, blank paper. After that, a Certificate of Destruction is issued, stating, for legal purposes, that these bins full of Personally Identifiable Information were securely disposed of. A chain of custody is documented, and that’s that.

I’m not a criminal, and I’d argue that I’m not even all that smart a civilian. But when I’m tossing out a paystub or an old tax document, you better believe it’s thoroughly destroyed after it’s served its purpose. Proper document destruction is an integral part of both criminal and civilian life. If there’s any lesson to be learned here, whether you’re a good guy or a bad guy, it’s that if insidious people want to access your deepest, darkest secrets, your old 1099-NECs, or even worse, your entire iPhone camera roll full of trash riffs, they’ll find a way if you’re not careful.