By Robert Scucci
| Published 33 seconds ago

2016’s Dirty Grandpa might actually be the worst attempt at comedy I’ve ever seen, but not for the reasons you’d think. A decent amount of jokes here land in the typical raunchy comedy fashion. Most of the humor hinges on Robert De Niro acting completely out of pocket in a way that would make your boomer parents gasp and say, “I can’t believe the things that are coming out of his mouth!”

De Niro fully commits to Dirty Grandpa’s ridiculous premise. He goes above and beyond. So does Zac Efron. So does Zoey Deutch. So does Aubrey Plaza. So does Jason Mantzoukas. Are you seeing a pattern here? Because it’s the pattern that prevents Dirty Grandpa from being a successful comedy. Everybody is funny, or at the very least trying to be funny at all times. When everything is funny, nothing is.

There’s Not A Single Straight Player In Dirty Grandpa

While I can’t say I was ever truly offended by what happens in Dirty Grandpa, bearing witness to Robert De Niro’s bare dong brushing against Zac Efron’s face wasn’t exactly welcome. I’m sure it was a prosthetic, a stunt wiener if you will, but I digress. I could have done without it, but they’re clearly going for shock value, so I can’t really fault a film for doing what it sets out to do.

The problem with Dirty Grandpa is that there’s not a single person playing it straight. In order for comedy like this to land, you need that balance or it just doesn’t work.

Here’s the plot. Lieutenant Colonel Richard “Dick” Kelly (Robert De Niro) loses his wife, leaving him widowed. He promised her he’d live life to the fullest if she passed before him, and he sets out to do just that in the most extreme way possible. No sooner than her body is buried, Dick goes on an angry poon hunt, dragging his soon-to-be-married grandson Jason (Zac Efron) along as his wingman on a trip to Boca Raton, Florida.

Jason has his reservations because he has wedding obligations of his own. His fiancée, Meredith (Julianne Hough), pretty much has him whipped, and this last-minute trip with his grandfather doesn’t sit well with her. Not knowing the full extent of Dick’s depraved desires, she lets it happen but keeps constant tabs on Jason to make sure he doesn’t step out of line.

Spoiler alert: Jason, and Dick, step out of line.

They meet a group of college kids: Jason’s former classmate and crush Shadia (Zoey Deutch), along with her spring break friends, the oversexed Lenore (Aubrey Plaza) and token gay tagalong Bradley (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman). They plan to reconnect later when Dick learns about Lenore’s fantasy of sleeping with an older man. This works out perfectly for Dick, who, by his estimation, hasn’t gotten laid in nearly 20 years.

Sex, Drugs, And The Forbidden Karaoke 

No matter where they go in Dirty Grandpa, they’re always within arm’s reach of Pam (Jason Mantzoukas), a local drug dealer who shows up to get everybody wasted. Jason accidentally vapes crack. Lenore aggressively hits on Dick. Meredith FaceTimes Jason at the worst possible moments: naked, covered in drawn-on wieners, hungover, you name it. It’s all so insane that the police officer played by Henry Zebrowski, best known as the most over-the-top host of Last Podcast on the Left, ends up being the most subdued person in the entire movie. The one guy I’ve never seen play it straight is somehow the de facto straight man in Dirty Grandpa.

Robert De Niro asks his new Black friends “if he can say it” before dropping N-bombs during karaoke. Zac Efron gets arrested for exposing himself to a minor. Aubrey Plaza speaks almost entirely in sexually charged euphemisms. It just keeps going.

I’m not here to say that Dirty Grandpa is terrible because it’s in poor taste. That’s the whole point. That’s not the issue. The problem is there’s too much shtick and not enough character development. There’s no real emotional throughline to carry the story. Everybody is dialed up to 11, and there’s no room to breathe. It feels like they were aiming for Bad Santa but landed closer to Bio-Dome. There’s no depth if you’re only exploring one dimension.

There are some great stand-alone moments in Dirty Grandpa, and it thrives on offending your sensibilities. But without any substance, the humor wears thin fast, which is a shame because everybody clearly understood the assignment.

Dirty Grandpa is currently streaming on Hulu.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s leap from social media fame to reality TV star unraveled in dramatic fashion, sending ABC into crisis mode just days before a major premiere. 

What was meant to be a fresh season of “The Bachelorette” instead turned into a last-minute cancellation fueled by resurfaced legal issues, disturbing footage, and growing backlash. 

As new details emerged, the network was forced into a rapid response, leaving contestants, executives, and viewers scrambling to process the fallout.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Past Assault Case Resurfaces As Casting Backlash Grows

The controversy surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul intensified after details of her past legal trouble came back into focus.

In 2023, the reality TV star pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after throwing a chair during an argument, an act that resulted in her child being struck. That case alone raised concerns, especially as she remained on probation.

At the same time, she became the subject of a new police investigation in February 2026, involving allegations that she attacked her former partner, Dakota Mortensen. The combination of past conviction and fresh claims quickly fueled criticism.

Viewers questioned why ABC would move forward with her as the face of a dating franchise centered on love and stability. 

Calls for a boycott began gaining traction, with many arguing the decision reflected poor judgment from the network.

Paul Video Of Alleged Attack Triggers Sudden Cancellation

The situation escalated rapidly when footage tied to the 2023 assault case surfaced online.

The video reportedly showed Taylor Frankie Paul lunging at Mortensen during an argument, with a child heard crying after being caught in the middle. The clip quickly spread, sparking immediate outrage.

ABC responded within hours and stopped the show from airing. In a statement, the network announced, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”

Insiders confirmed how quickly the decision came together. “The decision to cancel the show literally just came in,” a source told the Daily Mail, adding, “The video is what pushed the decision over the edge because, as of yesterday, the show was still going on as planned.”

The sudden shift left many stunned, especially given how close the premiere date was.

Taylor Frankie Paul Fallout Leaves ABC Scrambling Behind The Scenes

As backlash intensified, Paul’s situation created chaos internally at ABC. Executives were reportedly locked in urgent meetings trying to figure out how to respond. 

“No one is happy,” one insider admitted. “It’s a crisis situation. The timing couldn’t be worse.”

Financial pressure quickly added to the urgency. “Advertisers were pulling out, and shareholders were pissed! They could lose millions,” another source revealed.

There were discussions about postponing the show, but scheduling issues made that option difficult. 

Meanwhile, contestants were left in limbo, with some reportedly feeling “very violated” as details unfolded publicly.

Legal teams also became involved as fears grew that the fallout could damage the entire “Bachelor” franchise, not just a single season.

Paul’s Relationship With Dakota Mortensen Raises Serious Concerns

Beyond the legal issues, Taylor Frankie Paul’s relationship with Mortensen raised additional red flags for producers.

Although the pair had announced their breakup, insiders claimed the situation was far from over. 

“Taylor and Dakota have the most toxic relationship,” one source said, describing an ongoing cycle that those close to them found difficult to ignore.

There were also claims that the 31-year-old remained emotionally tied to Mortensen, with one insider alleging she was “addicted” to the relationship. 

That dynamic reportedly created tension during production and raised doubts about her readiness to pursue a new romance on television.

Mortensen himself added another layer to the story, revealing that the two had hooked up the night before she left to film the show, something that further complicated the narrative the producers were trying to build.

Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out As Legal Tensions Continue To Escalate

As the controversy unfolded, Paul addressed the situation publicly, acknowledging the weight of the moment.

“Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during the time of the Bachelorette being released,” she said per PEOPLE, the day before the show was cancelled, adding, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth – that’s what I’m known for. So, when the time is right, I will be.”

On Thursday, following the show’s cancellation, her team released a statement to PEOPLE, noting that the star had decided to focus on family and prioritize safety after “years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation.”

Mortensen didn’t stay silent about the abuse allegations. He responded by pushing back on those claims, saying, “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation.” 

He added that he “categorically” denies the accusations against him and is focused on their child’s well-being.

Mortensen has since filed for a restraining order, with a hearing set, while Paul’s probation status means any new legal developments could carry significant consequences.

Nicole Young is parting ways with Selling Sunset after four seasons on the Netflix series.

Her representative confirmed to People on Friday, March 20, that the real estate agent, 40, is leaving the reality show over her “disheartening” portrayal.

“Nicole was consistently placed in situations which required her to remain on the defensive, often within what can only be described as unnecessarily toxic and overly contrived dramatic circumstances,” her rep said, claiming that Nicole was often defending “her character and her intentions.”

“She felt she was no longer being represented authentically,” the spokesperson added. “[It is] entirely Nicole’s own decision to step away from the show in season 9.”

Her rep also made sure to share that Nicole’s recent move to Nashville had nothing to do with her decision to leave the show but noted it “signaled the end of her time” on Selling Sunset.

In an additional statement to Us Weekly, Young shared of her exit, “I’m absolutely loving life in Nashville and couldn’t be happier with this new chapter. I’m grateful for my time on Selling Sunset and everything it brought into my life, but it was the right moment to close that door. I’m excited for what’s ahead, this is definitely not the last you’ll see from me.”

This past season, fans got an inside look at her feud with Chrishell Stause, which started when Nicole joined the show in season 6. Nicole accused Chrishell, 44, of only getting house listings because their boss Jason Oppenheim had feelings for her.

Chrishell, who briefly dated Jason in 2021, denied Nicole’s claims and then alleged that she was on drugs during a group dinner, which Nicole also denied. Chrishell later attempted to smooth things over, but Nicole refused to apologize for her past comments.

In season 7, Nicole brought up rumors that Emma Hernan was allegedly sleeping with a married man. Chrishell then no longer wanted to work with Nicole, resulting in her screen time being put on pause.

“I had a call with production two days ago during which they told me I have absolutely not been fired from the cast but they chose to pause my filming schedule until next week in order to protect me from situations on set that had become very contentious,” Nicole told Us Weekly in a January 2025 statement.

The duo reunited during the season 7 reunion, where Chrishell told Nicole that she “hates” her. Nicole later took to social media to claim that she “apologized” to Chrishell, but she claimed it wasn’t aired.

When season 8 premiered, Chrishell shared via Instagram that she would “never” work with Nicole again. The duo both starred on season 9 but continued to butt heads.

Chrishell, for her part, announced her exit from the show in November 2025.

Dorit Kemsley is one of the stars of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and has been since season seven. Sadly, much of her storyline over the past couple of seasons has revolved around her separation from Paul PK Kemsely and their rumored money woes. Now, their home is reportedly facing pre-foreclosure, and the “RHOBH” star is opening up about it in a new interview.

Dorit Kemsley Says She Didn’t Know PK Wasn’t Paying The Rent

Kemsley appeared on “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen on March 19. While on, not only did they discuss season 15 of “RHOBH,” but Cohen also mentioned the recent news that she and PK were severely behind on mortgage payments, something that has reportedly plagued the couple before.

She said, “Well, that is something that I learned a few weeks before everyone else learned, as we discussed at the reunion. It’s something that PK was in charge of. I didn’t know it was not being paid. We’ve since spoken, and he agreed to bring it up to date.”

After that, Kemsley shared that she and her estranged husband plan to put the home on the market. According to her, “And the kids and I will find a new home.”

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How Much Does The ‘RHOBH’ Star Allegedly Owe?

According to RadarOnline, the Kemsleys’ $6.4 million Encino home is in pre-foreclosure due to them being behind on repaying their “unconventional loans” for the property. The report states that two lenders, Tanka LLC and Private Money Solutions, filed default notices in January 2026.

Respectively, the companies are said to have loaned the couple $600,000 and $150k. They were granted the loan in February 2022 and, per the outlet, the court documents reveal that they haven’t paid the companies since September 2025.

Without payments, the home could enter into a non-judicial foreclosure. If this happens, the lender would not be required to go to court if they decide to foreclose on the California home.

That’s not all, Prime Recon LLC also filed a default notice in December 2025. The company is said to be owed $5,196,750 in addition to $294,321 in missed payments dating back to April of the same year.

‘RHOBH’ Fans Have Opinions On Dorit’s Home Situation

As mentioned, this isn’t the first time the Kemsleys have been rumored to be behind on various loans connected to their home. As a result, fans are reacting, with many wondering why the “RHOBH” star isn’t more aware of her own finances.

One person said on TikTok, “How is it possible that you don’t know if your mortgage is paid or not?” Someone else stated, “HOLD UP, she literally was on camera saying PK wrote a 7-page letter telling her that SHE will be responsible for the mortgage and a bunch of other financials going forward.”

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Another person wrote, “I’m confused…didn’t she say she got a 6-7 page email from PK saying what he wasn’t responsible for and she had to take over certain things.”

Lastly, a different “RHOBH” fan commended Kemsley, saying, “I think she was very transparent about her life, and she didn’t really have to give the details, but she did. I like Dorit.”

Dorit Also Addressed Being Tardy On ‘RHOBH’

While on “Watch What Happens Live,” Kemsley was also asked about her tidiness, which is an issue many of her co-stars, especially Kyle Richards, have called out. During the interview, Cohen noted that several fans had sent in questions on the matter.

In addressing it, she said, “I think it’s something that I now will consider and be more aware of because I really do feel bad. Like, I go through so much anxiety, and then I think if anything, it’s more of I’m so embarrassed, and I feel like how many sorries can you say. Then it almost feels like it’s insincere.”

She added, “I’m not great with time management.”

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The ‘Housewives’ Star Previously Gave An Update On PK

Kemsley officially filed for divorce in April 2025, after announcing their separation in May 2024. Then in January 2026, she gave Cohen an update during an episode of “Watch What Happens Live” after he asked if things had improved.

She said, “You don’t know how much I would love to be sitting here, you asking me that question … and say, ‘Yes, Andy, [things are] so much better.’” She then shook her head, indicating that things were not better between them.

“RHOBH” airs on Bravo on Thursday nights.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 13 seconds ago

Normally, I’m not too keen on movies about writers trying to tell their career-defining story because they usually come off as ham-fisted and self-important. 2022’s Vengeance, written and directed by The Office’s B.J. Novak, starts with that all-too-familiar setup, but quickly becomes something much more as it unpacks its mystery and escalates into a full-blown revenge plot with no clear antagonist. Through its storytelling, we get a look at the quiet, isolated pockets of America that modern life has largely forgotten. In a community like this, gossip spreads fast, conspiracy theories run rampant, and everybody is hiding something from everybody else, or simply hiding from themselves.

Twisting like a corkscrew into a bottle of the cheapest gas station swill you can find, Vengeance plays its cards close to its chest and plays you right along with it as it slowly reveals what’s truly at stake. Whether you find its conclusion satisfying will depend on what you take away from it, but at the very least, you’ll have a few introspective moments that make Vengeance worth your time if you’re in the mood for some soul searching.

Writers Are The Worst

Ben Manalowitz (B.J. Novak) is a womanizing, self-aggrandizing New York writer trying to hit it big with his new podcast. He speaks in sweeping generalizations about what it means to be American and how we all search for meaning in misguided ways. For Ben, that means hooking up with as many women as possible and never committing, which brings us to the primary source of conflict in Vengeance: Abilene Shaw (Lio Tipton).

Abilene was just another name in rotation on Ben’s phone, but she becomes much more significant when her brother Ty (Boyd Holbrook) calls to tell him she’s died of a drug overdose, despite never even taking something as mild as Tylenol (according to him). He asks Ben to fly out to rural Texas for the funeral, even though they barely knew each other. When we meet the rest of Abilene’s family, it becomes clear she exaggerated their relationship, making it seem far more serious than it actually was.

To her mother Sharon (J. Smith-Cameron), Granny Carol (Louanne Stephens), sisters Kansas City (Dove Cameron) and Paris (Isabella Amara), and younger brother Mason (Eli Abrams Bickel), Ben was basically already family based on Abilene’s version of events. Ty reveals the real reason he reached out is because he believes Abilene was murdered, and in this part of Texas, things like that aren’t exactly handled by the book. While suspicion falls on a local drug dealer named Sancholo (Zach Villa), Ben is convinced her death was, unfortunately, self-inflicted and that the conspiracy theories are just an elaborate way for the family to cope with their loss.

Along the way, Ben befriends local music producer Quentin Sellers (Ashton Kutcher), who once tried to help Abilene launch her music career. Like Ben, Quentin is an outsider who relocated to a rural community, and his perspective on life, legacy, and storytelling paints a much darker picture involving local politics, vigilante justice, and the drug problem affecting the area. The issue is that everybody is telling their own version of events, including Ben, who sends every recorded conversation to his podcast producer Eloise (Issa Rae), who is more interested in crafting a compelling narrative than actually uncovering the truth.

Serious Pockets Of Humanity In West Texas

Going into this fully intending to tell a story about the lies we tell ourselves, Ben experiences several come-to-Jesus moments along the way. Through one of the best product placements I’ve ever seen, he realizes that places like Whataburger are more than just somewhere to grab a greasy meal in hicktown; they represent community and family, something that he doesn’t have a firm grasp on. He also starts to suspect he might be the target of an assassination plot himself. Even more surprising, he begins to consider that Abilene may have actually been murdered by someone still unknown, which undermines the entire reason he came to Texas in the first place.

Vengeance is awkward, heartfelt, and genuinely funny, using the tragedy at its core as a springboard to explore these ideas. Ben walks around with a tape recorder looking for a story he wants to tell, completely unaware that his presence is shaping the story itself in ways he could have never anticipated. By treating Abilene’s family as a jumping point for his career, he slowly realizes he embodies the exact behavior he claims to critique, and he doesn’t come to terms with that easily.

A hidden gem you may have missed on its initial release, Vengeance has a way of stopping you in your tracks and making you think about your life, your relationships, how you present yourself, and how others see you. If that sounds like something you’re up for, you can stream it right now on Netflix.

Some genres, like crime and thriller, lead to many surefire TV hits, while others, like musicals, tend to be harder to crack. When it comes to musical television, for every Glee, there is a Viva Laughlin. While Smash did scratch the theater itch, it wasn’t a smash hit. Thankfully, Apple TV took a big swing with 2021’s Schmigadoon.

With a 93% overall Rotten Tomatoes score, Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio‘s series was a critical success. Starring sketch comedy icons Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key, and with a smart script and soundtrack, exceptional acting, and a unique premise, Schmigadoon is the perfect binge-watch.

What Is Apple TV’s Fantasy ‘Schmigadoon’ About?

Schmigadoon revolves around a couple of doctors, Josh Skinner (Key) and Melissa Gimble (Strong), who are struggling in their lives and marriage. During their hiking trip, they stumble upon a mysterious bridge that leads them to the titular town, where they become trapped in a magical 1940s-style musical. As they navigate the town’s cheerful, singing residents, surreal tropes, and musical theater references at every corner, Melissa and Josh must find true love before they can leave.

This wonderfully unique and innovative series borrowed from classic musical tropes and beloved characters and stories to pay homage to musical theater. Simply put: The brightly crafted and whimsical world in Schmigadoon captured the spirit of the Great White Way for the small screen.

Apple TV’s ‘Schmigadoon’ Has Many Strengths

Schmigadoon didn’t lampoon Broadway. Instead, it reverently poked fun at common themes and archetypes, drawing on their success and expanding upon them. With Season 1, Schmigadoon‘s ability to effortlessly showcase how so many Broadway shows borrow from each other made the character and musical mashups work.

A major factor in its success was Paul’s soundtrack. In Season 1, his songs paid homage to many Golden Age classics, like Carousel, The King and I, and Guys and Dolls, while Season 2, subtitled Schmicago moved into the gritty landscape of ’60s and ’70s hits, like Chicago, Sweeney Todd, and Pippin. Then, add in the larger-than-life production design, costumes, and choreography by Christopher Gattelli, and the musical theater world was represented to perfection.

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Rose Byrne’s 3-Season Dark Comedy Is One of Apple TV’s Biggest Hidden Gems

The Golden Globe winner also stars in Apple TV’s ‘Platonic’ with Seth Rogen.

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One of the most fun parts of Schmigadoon were the Easter eggs. In Season 1, the series began with an opening number that mashed up Brigadoon with the title track from Oklahoma. Perhaps you’re a Bob Fosse fan? In Season 2, then look no further than a number like “Talk to Daddy,” a send-up of “Rhythm of Life” from Sweet Charity. Hints of Fosse’s original choreography from “Rich Man’s Frug” from that musical are also dropped in to great effect.

‘Schmigadoon’ Benefits From Having a Number of Broadway Icons

Image via Apple TV

Along with top-notch writing and sensational design, Schmigadoon succeeded thanks to an outstanding ensemble of Broadway stars, including Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Aaron Tveit, Ariana DeBose, and Jane Krakowski. The core cast, in addition to Key and Strong, brought the spirit of summer stock to life. In Season 1, Chenoweth took on Mildred Layton, the conservative preacher’s wife, bringing a more villainous side of herself to the screen. By Season 2, she channeled Mrs. Lovett and Miss Hannigan to create a completely exuberant character mashup you’d never expect her to play.

Chenoweth was just one of many incredible guest stars to buoy the series that was brilliantly led by Key and Strong, two performers with an impressive career in sketch comedy. Their chemistry as a couple, through their ups and downs, became the heart of the show. Though Schmigadoon had its closing performance after 12 episodes, each episode was practically perfect. This spring, a stage production based on the Season 1 story will open on Broadway. Hit numbers from the series, like “Corn Puddin” and “He’s a Queer One, That Man o’ Mine,” are included. Even better, Ann Harada, who played Florence Menlove, is reprising her role. Schmigadoon is the perfect comfort watch. Like a Broadway show, you’ll want to applaud at every song and give a standing ovation when the proverbial curtain drops.

Mike White caught attention with his surprisingly ripped physique on “Survivor 50,” but whatever shape he arrived in didn’t last long.

“The White Lotus” creator revealed that he lost 15 pounds in just nine days on the show, as the harsh conditions in Fiji quickly took their toll.

White was preparing to start writing the fourth season of “The White Lotus” when he was invited to compete in the landmark season of the CBS reality show.

After being voted out, he had the option to recover at “Survivor’s” famed Ponderosa, where eliminated contestants typically recover, but chose to leave instead.

As a vegan, White says he struggled to eat the food being served at the hotel, especially after already losing significant weight during his time in the game.

Mike White Says He Was ‘Starving’ On ‘Survivor 50’

Following his exit from “Survivor,” White opened up about the physical toll that his time on the island took on his body.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the Emmy-winning creator explained: “I’m vegan. I lost 15 pounds in nine days.”

After being voted out, White opted not to stay at Ponderosa, explaining that he couldn’t find food that fit his vegan diet.

“We got to Ponderosa and there really… I mean, I sound bougie, but [I thought], ‘I can’t eat this. I need food that I can actually eat,’” White said. “So, I was like, ‘Can I just pay for myself to go somewhere where I can eat the food I can eat and, like, not starve?’”

The Filmmaker Paused ‘White Lotus’ Writing Plans To Compete On ‘Survivor 50’

The cast for “Survivor 50” was announced in May 2025, shortly after the third season of “The White Lotus” finished airing on HBO.

In an interview with Variety months later, “Survivor” host Jeff Probst revealed that White was willing to adjust his schedule to take part in the milestone season.

“I just want to be clear, we did not go ask Mike White, ‘Please change your ‘White Lotus’ schedule,’” Probst explained. “[Mike] said, ‘I will change my “White Lotus” schedule if you’ll have me.’”

Speaking to TVLine in Fiji ahead of filming, White suggested the timing really worked in his favor.

“If it had happened in any other time in the last five years, I just would not have been available,” he said.

Mike White Wrote ‘White Lotus’ Season 4 After ‘Survivor’ Exit

During his conversation with TVLine, White confirmed that he had not yet begun work on Season 4 of “The White Lotus,” but planned to dive in once his time on “Survivor 50” wrapped.

“After we play the game, I’m gonna start scouting for Season 4… I don’t even know where it’s shooting,” White explained.

His time in Fiji ultimately became more productive than expected.

In his interview with EW, the acclaimed showrunner revealed that the isolation following his exit gave him the space to map out the next chapter of the HBO hit.

“It was like a godsend, honestly,” White said. “Because I have all this time where people think I’m somewhere else, I’m unreachable, and I could just sit and contemplate and think about what’s next.”

White ‘Changed His Number’ To Dodge ‘Survivor’ Castmates Seeking ‘White Lotus’ Roles

White is known to occasionally feature members of his “Survivor” circle on “The White Lotus,” including his friends and fellow Season 50 contestants, Angelina Keeley and Christian Hubicki.

During a previous interview with EW, the director joked that he had even changed his number amid growing interest from fellow castaways about landing cameos on the hit HBO series.

“I mean, I really value the friendships that I made out of the show, but sometimes I do feel like there’s a lot of reality contestants in my life,” he said.

Mike White Builds Star-Studded Cast For ‘White Lotus’ Season 4

It remains to be seen whether any of the players on “Survivor 50” will join the cast of “The White Lotus,” but White has already added some notable names to the roster for Season 4.

Marvel star Kumail Nanjiani is among the recently announced additions, as are Max Greenfield and Chloe Bennett, among others.

Season 4 of “The White Lotus” is set in France, with reported locations including Paris and the French Riviera.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 30 seconds ago

As an aging Millennial, one of the things that continuously confuses me is the special phrasing that content creators have to use to avoid getting flagged on platforms like TikTok or YouTube. Ironically enough, part of me dies whenever I see someone use phrases like “sewer slide” or (even worse) “unalive” to refer to the act of suicide. In addition to sounding dumb and juvenile, it’s also completely pointless: after all, if everybody knows what the code means, then this weird self-censorship loses all meaning.

I used to think of this phenomenon as relatively recent, but it’s not. It turns out the streaming platforms of today are just echoing the restrictive practices of yesterday’s television networks. For example, the X-Files creator Chris Carter wanted to feature an episode (“Irresistible”) with a particularly creepy necrophiliac villain. But Fox told him that he couldn’t use that term, causing the showrunner to create a more acceptable nonsense term: “death fetishist.”

50 Shades Of Decay

First, some context: “Irresistible” was a Season 2 episode featuring Donnie Pfaster, an assistant funeral director who gives everyone the ick. He gets fired from his job for removing hair from a corpse, and he is eventually the focus of Mulder and Scully’s investigation into who has been disturbing local corpses. They believe that Pfaster is a “death fetishist” who is destined to escalate, eventually resorting to outright murder rather than desecrating local cemeteries. Those suspicions proved correct: Pfaster kills and mutilates a prostitute before kidnapping Scully; she is narrowly saved from becoming his latest victim, eventually breaking down in Mulder’s arms because of her recent trauma.

The original script for “Irresistible” straight-up called Donnie Pfaster a “necrophiliac.” Fox immediately rejected it on this basis, claiming that such a portrayal was unacceptable for broadcast standards. X-Files showrunner and episode writer Chris Carter later elaborated on this: according to The Complete X-Files, he said, “When I handed the script in, it was really for a necrophiliac episode, and that just didn’t fly. You cannot do the combination of sex and death on network television.”

Instead of throwing out the story altogether, though, Carter began to make tweaks to his script. The primary tweak is that the word “necrophiliac” is never used: both in the script and onscreen, Donnie Pfaster is referred to as a “death fetishist.” Accordingly, the showrunner trimmed down some of the character’s more obvious sexual obsession. Later, in a special feature in The X-Files: The Complete Second Season, Carter claimed that his viewers were smart enough to figure everything out and that the character’s clear necrophilia fetish is “implied and understood by audiences.”

The Threat You Never See Coming

Of course, he’s right: even as a very young man watching “Irresistible” when it first premiered, it’s abundantly clear what kind of sexual freak Donnie Pfaster is. However, that just goes to show how silly Fox’s concerns were. Why did they freak out over the use of the word “necrophiliac” when the rest of the episode clearly portrays him as one? Plus, Chris Carter’s term “death fetishist” is an absolutely hilarious substitute. Instead of calling the villain a word that means “he’s attracted to dead people,” the showrunner called him (checks notes) a word that means “he’s attracted to dead people.”

Some of the villains of The X-Files once warned Mulder that it was impossible to fight the future, and maybe they were right: the restrictions of ‘90s broadcast cable have become the restrictions of modern streaming platforms, forcing content creators to replace real words with nonsense. Honestly, it’s enough to make me “unalive” myself, but I won’t do that. After all, there’s no telling what you “death fetishists” in the comment section would do to my body afterward!

Latto’s pregnancy announcement has everybody talking, including some famous friends. Mariah The Scientist shared her reaction to the life update on social media, and now fans can’t stop dropping laughing emojis.

RELATED: Congrats! Latto Seemingly Confirms Pregnancy With Baby Bump Reveal In ‘Business & Personal’ Video (WATCH)

The Internet Is Eatin’ Up Mariah’s Response To Latto’s Pregnancy Reveal

Late on Friday, March 20, Latto came through with the answer everybody was waiting on — yes she’s expecting a baby! The internet speculated about her pregnancy ever since she started laying low on social media. She made announcement in the music video for her new single, ‘Business & Personal.’ As she shared clips of the visual on Instagram, her comments started going up. Fans peeped Mariah The Scientist reacting, and she hopped right in Latto’s comments seemingly acting surprised, writing, “U pregnant?????” She doubled back with another comment adding, “I’m going to be the best dad ever.” Her response gave fans a kiii, but they still she already knew the tea.

Mariah funny asl her ass been knew Latto pregnant 😭 pic.twitter.com/guU0R2b8qR

— BIG MAMA OUT MAY 29TH (@versacemeg) March 20, 2026

Mariah’s Reaction Has The Timeline In Shambles

After an account @versacemag, shared Mariah’s reaction on X, fans jumped in with their takes. Some said they think Mariah already knew about Latto’s pregnancy and was just trolling, while others said her response had them weak. Peep some of the reactions below.

X user @soodope wrote, “I can’t tell who knew about it I’m so happy I done cried for 2-3 hours.” 

X user @DearBriasia wrote, “Me when my best friend popped out pregnant “

Then X user @LerindoManei wrote, “Whole time she knew!! They so funny.” 

While X user @jaayybtw wrote, “Yeah u can tell she knew.”

Another X user @RoamingNumeral wrote,  “Mariah is probably next while she talking lol.” 

While another X user @IxmJayyy wrote, “I love her ” 

Finally, X user @lattopetite wrote, “Mariah is so funny omg ” 

Big Mama Takes Over Timelines With Her Baby Bump

Fans have been waiting on Latto to pop back out for a minute amid pregnancy speculation. After going MIA, the raptress returned to social media and dropped a teaser clip showing just her shoes and a shot of a baby cheetah. Then at midnight on Friday, March 20, she dropped a new music video and showed off her baby bump in her ‘Business & Personal’ music video. In the visual, Big Latto appears to prepare a nursery, but fans couldn’t take their eyes off the mystery man who holds her belly. Folks think its definitely 21 Savage because of the tatted arm and the baby photos that show up in the scrapbook. See the video below.

RELATED: Alleged Mom Of 21 Savage’s Two Oldest Children Seemingly Reacts To Latto’s Pregnancy Reveal (PHOTO)