As influencers continue to dominate worldwide, Robert Downey Jr. is making it clear he does not believe they are the “stars of the future.”

The “Iron Man” star, who rose to fame in the mid-1980s and later became one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, recently slammed the influencer culture, likening influencers to “evangelical hucksters.”

His remarks have since sparked backlash online, with many social media users accusing the actor of hypocrisy. 

In an appearance on the “Conversations for our Daughters” podcast, Downey Jr. cleared some things off his chest about social media fame and influencer culture. He noted how the entertainment industry has evolved, as becoming famous back in his younger years was way different from today. 

“In the late ’70s, early ’80s, dangerous though it was, there was this sense that the competition wasn’t so stiff that you shouldn’t even bother trying,” Downey Jr. explained to host Bran Ferren. “Whereas, nowadays, people can create a celebrity without ever doing much besides rolling a phone on themselves.”

Although the “Oppenheimer” actor admitted his comments might sound harsh, he said he does not completely see the change as a bad thing. However, he dismissed the idea that influencers would become the biggest stars in entertainment.

“When I hear people talk about, ‘Oh, the stars of the future are going to be influencers,’  I go, ‘I don’t know what world you’re living in, but I think that that is absolute horseshit,’” the Oscar winner declared. 

The 61-year-old went on to recall his 13-year-old son getting drawn into a gaming stream where viewers donate money to creators and taking to touring that path. He then compared influencers to “the evangelical hucksters of the Information Age.” 

Downey Jr.’s remarks quickly went mainstream, with many social media users criticizing him for attacking influencer culture while earning huge amounts from Hollywood movies himself.

One X user wrote, “You are as overpaid and overhyped as these influencers. The world evolves. Remember, before movie and TV performers, theater actors were the biggest entertainers.”

Another critic commented, “Rich coming from a guy getting paid $100 million for two films with limited screen time.”

A third user remarked that it was not a good look for someone as successful as Downey Jr. to cast shade on “those still trying.”

Others accused the actor of hypocrisy, with one commenter calling him a “greedy f—” who should not complain after making millions from Disney superhero films. Another user warned him to “stop acting as if celebrities should be idolized.”

Robert Downey Jr. Overtaken  As Highest-Grossing Lead Star Ever

As criticism continued online, Downey Jr. has also lost his spot as one of Hollywood’s biggest box office stars after Scarlett Johansson moved ahead thanks to the success of “Jurassic World: Rebirth” last year. 

According to The Blast, the movie pushed Johansson’s career earnings in leading roles to $14.61 billion worldwide, slightly ahead of both Samuel L. Jackson and Downey Jr., whose total stands at $14.3 billion.

Johansson’s achievement stands out even more because she reached the milestone with fewer movies. While Downey Jr. built his total across 45 films, Johansson did it in just 36.

Why Marvel Brought Robert Downey Jr. Back

Even though he lost the top spot, Downey Jr. could still make a major comeback with his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Avengers: Doomsday.”

Marvel boss Kevin Feige has since spoken about recasting Downey Jr., explaining that the studio never ruled out bringing him back after “Avengers: Endgame” ended Tony Stark’s story.

Instead of reviving “Iron Man,” the production chose an unexpected route by casting Downey Jr. as iconic villain Doctor Doom in upcoming films.

Per Entertainment Weekly, Feige explained that the idea came as Downey Jr. was receiving widespread acclaim for Oppenheimer, leading the studio to believe he could reinvent himself. 

Benedict Cumberbatch Says Doctor Strange Will Not Return

While fans are excited for the next installment set to premiere in December, they should not expect to see Doctor Strange in the movie.

As The Blast reported, Benedict Cumberbatch revealed b that the character was removed from the film after the production changed its plans following the fallout surrounding Jonathan Majors.

He added that the Time Stone Guardian was originally tied more closely to a larger storyline when Majors’ villain Kang was expected to lead the franchise’s next era.

However, after Majors was fired following his assault conviction, Marvel reportedly shifted direction creatively.

Margaret Josephs is spilling the tea about E!’s The Golden Life after confirming her cameo to Us!

“Maybe I did a little stint in Palm Beach,” Margaret, 59, exclusively told Us Weekly while attending the Vulture Reality Masterminds Celebration at The Lawn Club in New York City on Thursday, May 7.

While Margaret initially played coy about her participation in E!’s upcoming reunion show — which is focused on former Real Housewives of New York stars — she did eventually tease what fans can expect from the series.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum told Us that Florida was “warm” and “fun,” before confirming, “I was with iconic women that I always love.”

Margaret gushed about the cast, saying, “They’re my friends. I admire them.”

Although she didn’t reveal how many episodes she’ll be featured on, Margaret was adamant that viewers will love every minute.

“I think that’s going to be a very spectacular show. I think it’s going to be a really spectacular show,” she declared.

E! confirmed in February that the network had greenlit the new show, starring RHONY alums Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon and Sonja Morgan, all of whom now live in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Bound by decades of shared history, fallouts and friendship, this fan-favorite group of New Yorkers are starting fresh together in the Sunshine State,” E! announced in a press release at the time. “In this new ‘golden’ era of life, the longtime friends are thriving in and around Palm Beach with fabulous second homes and a bustling social scene. With their signature humor and nonstop hijinks, the series will follow the group as they navigate dating, family and career milestones. Though skies are bright in Florida, unresolved drama looms as they reconnect after years of highs and lows.”

Earlier this month, the network released the first look at the show, which will be 10 episodes.

After joking about not having the stamina to date younger men, and Ramona’s need for “turtle time” a.k.a. lying down daily, the women declared they are living their “best lives” in Florida and want fans to come along for the ride.

While Margaret will not be a full-time cast member on The Golden Life, she’s been staying busy shooting with the RHONY ladies after exiting RHONJ in March.

“Thank you and good night,” Margaret captioned an Instagram video on March 24, tagging Bravo, producer Andy Cohen and NBCUniversal. “Hi guys, it’s The Marge, I’m dialing in. I have to tell you something that might come as a little surprise to you, but not for me. I’ve been thinking about a lot of different things and I am moving on from The [Real] Housewives of New Jersey.”

Margaret, who made her RHONJ debut during season 8 in 2017, noted she’d been speaking with Bravo since December 2025 about her departure.

“I think the timing is right. A lot of things have changed in my life. I’ve been blessed to work on a different project, I’m on the set right now,” she teased. “I realized I have to spend more time with my family, work on my designing and just take a break and move on.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Us exclusively confirmed that same month that Margaret is one of the stars of Savannah Chrisley’s new Amazon series, which will also feature Real Housewives alums Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Kenya Moore and former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jenn Tran, among other reality stars.

“It’s like Eat, Pray, Love,” a source told Us in March of the untitled show, which has been described as “basically a spin on Bravo’s Girls Trip franchise.” (Bravo’s Ultimate Girls Trip follows several Real Housewives stars as they travel to a vacation destination.)

Margaret, for her part, told Us on Thursday, “I filmed another show already for Amazon Prime, which I’m very happy with. It was an amazing show.”

It’s unusual for a streamer other than Netflix or Prime Video to have more than one title on the Nielsen streaming charts, but when they do, it’s usually a doozy. According to the tracker’s latest data, updated in the first week of May, Netflix had three titles in the top 10, while Prime Video, Paramount+, Disney+, and Hulu had one each. Somewhat surprisingly, HBO Max claimed two spots on the top 10 list, with the evergreen sitcom The Big Bang Theory coming in at number seven. More impressively, HBO Max also took the number one spot on the Nielsen ratings with arguably its biggest breakout hit in quite some time. Not only has the show in question received near-unanimous praise from critics and audiences, but it has also proven that old-fashioned television isn’t entirely obsolete in the streaming era.

The show premiered in 2025 to critical acclaim and instant viewership success, which seems to have carried over into its sophomore season. Following a strict production cycle that sets it apart from series such as Stranger Things and The Boys, which took several years between seasons, the HBO Max series returned with a new batch of episodes like clockwork, exactly a year later. The series recently concluded its second season and has been renewed for a third. In line with its old-fashioned format, the series offers audiences higher episode counts than other streaming titles. Each season comprises 15 episodes.

The HBO Max Show That Has Been Embraced by Both Critics and Audiences

By now, you’ve probably guessed that we’re talking about The Pitt. The beloved medical drama, headlined by Noah Wyle and starring an eclectic ensemble cast, holds a 96% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The second season seems to have settled at a near-perfect 98% on the aggregator, where the consensus reads, “Clocking in for a second season of a near-perfect medical procedural, The Pitt goes all in on narrative excellence, brilliant humanity, and heart-wrenching drama to winning effect.” The positive reviews and fan enthusiasm resulted in incredible numbers this season. According to Nielsen’s latest report, The Pitt was the only show in the top 10 to surpass the 1 billion-minute mark. The number two title, The Boys, reported 899 million minutes watched.

You can watch The Pitt on HBO Max, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

January 9, 2025

Network

Max

Advertisement

Showrunner

R. Scott Gemmill

Directors

Advertisement

Amanda Marsalis

Writers

Joe Sachs, Cynthia Adarkwa

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 

  Noah Wyle

  Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch

  Advertisement
• 

  Tracy Ifeachor

  Dr. Heather Collins

Advertisement

Advertisement

Zack Wickham accidentally stirred the pot during the early days of Summer House stars West Wilson and Amanda Batula’s romance scandal — and he still has thoughts on what’s transpired.

“Let me say that I did not mean to [get involved],” Zack, 39, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, May 7, claiming it was “by accident” that he spilled some tea on the pair’s alleged timeline during a March interview.

Zack — who is currently promoting season 3 of The Valley — explained, “I thought everything was coming out. Well, and it was. I didn’t think that me saying what I said was gonna throw a wrench in a timeline.”

He noted that looking back, all he did was talk about “rumors,” which was nothing earth-shattering.

On the same day that Amanda, 34, and West, 31, confirmed their platonic relationship turned romantic, Zack hinted that there would be more eyebrow-raising details about their romance coming out soon.

“Well, I will say that one of our friends’ cousins was on a vacation and met [Summer House star] Jesse Solomon and he just told her everything and then she told me,” Zack claimed during the March 31 episode of SiriusXM’s Smith Sisters Live.

Zack teased at the time, “So, I’m like, if what he told her is real, then brace yourselves, America. Sorry Jesse, I didn’t mean to throw you under the bus. I’m not saying anything publicly, but oh, my God.”

“Luckily, I didn’t throw a wrench in anything,” Zack told Us on Thursday. “I was like, ‘Dear God,’ like, I just that taught me to keep my mouth shut sometimes, like, I don’t need to say everything I know.”

He admitted, “The last thing I want to do is insert myself into another show’s business,” before apologizing to Jesse, 32, for name-dropping him in his past interview.

“I apologize, Jesse, I’m so sorry,” Zack said, revealing that Jesse “still follows me. I guess we’re still good.”

Since Zack’s March statement, more details have emerged and the Summer House cast has distanced themselves from Amanda and West. (Amanda announced her split from husband Kyle Cooke in January, months before she confirmed she is dating West. West, meanwhile, dated Amanda’s longtime friend and costar Ciara Miller in 2023 and they were visibly flirtatious filming season 10 of the series in summer 2025.)

A source told Us in early April that West and Ciara, 30, had been hooking up as recently as “about three to four weeks ago” and that Ciara didn’t know anything about Amanda’s relationship with him.

Ciara broke her silence on the drama in an interview Glamour published on April 17, claiming that she and West had previously outlined “boundaries” to fix their friendship, but those were blown up with the Amanda romance.

“One of those [boundaries] was no more sleeping with people on Bravo. Obviously, now that’s out the window,” she said.

West, for his part, denied last month that there was any “overlap” between his relationship with Ciara and Amanda’s romance with estranged husband Kyle, 43, before they became an item.

Still, the Summer House cast appears to be siding with Ciara and Kyle amid the drama, which fans will see come to a head during the season 10 reunion, which airs on May 26.

Related: Summer House’s Jesse Says Kyle Was ‘Angry’ About Amanda and West’s Makeout

Advertisement

Summer House’s Jesse Solomon is spilling the tea on all things Amanda Batula and West Wilson. During a Tuesday, April 21, appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Jesse shed light on the controversial romance between Amanda, 34, and West, 31, including how Amanda’s estranged husband, Kyle Cooke, feels about the relationship. (Amanda […]

“From what I’ve seen on socials, Amanda and West are really not handling the gravity of what they really have — the damage that they’ve done in their group,” Zack told Us, noting that the reunion will be telling for and if the cast can move forward.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

He noted that since Summer House season 10 is currently airing, it’s been very telling for fans how close West and Amanda were as far back as last summer.

“Watching these episodes with the knowledge, it’s almost like we’re getting to watch it in [real time] with hindsight. And it’s the craziest feeling,” Zack confessed. “But it’s also, like, icky, because some of the stuff they say, I don’t know how you move forward.”

Summer House airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, while The Valley airs Wednesdays at the same time.

No one in the history of ever will suggest that Jean-Claude Van Damme and his films have wrongfully been denied recognition as Academy Award contenders, with 2008’s JCVD really the only film that one could make an argument for. Guilty pleasure, yes — Sudden Death is a personal favorite — but up there with Citizen Kane? Not so much. But Van Damme does what he does well, and one of his best sci-fi films, Timecop, married his martial arts skills with a time travel concept that works better than it arguably should. It’s also his most successful film, which is why, in 1996, ABC ordered a series based on the film. That’s right: Timecop became a TV show in 1997, and you probably didn’t even realize it.

‘Timecop’ TV Series Features a More Established Time Enforcement Commission

Timecop, the movie, features Van Damme as Max Walker, an agent for the Time Enforcement Commission, or TEC, in 2004. TEC is a federal unit designed to stop criminals from going back in time, which is a thing since 1994, and prevent “time ripples,” changes made in the past to alter future events. Timecop, the TV show, takes place in 2007, and replaces Max Walker with TEC agent Jack Logan (Ted King). The TEC that Logan works for has evolved since Walker’s day into a more established unit with more agents and frequent trips to the past. Why, you may ask? Well, surprisingly, time travel technology has leaked beyond the government’s walls, and, shall we say, independent business operators are making time sleds and sending criminals into the past, for a hefty fee.

So it falls on the agents of the TEC, including Logan and his partner (and eventual love interest), Officer Claire Hemmings (Cristi Conaway), to go back in time, and capture and arrest these criminals before they alter history. They’re aided by Dr. Dale Easter (Kurt Fuller), the TEC’s chief historian with the wacky ability to cite major historical events that happened in the year any movie was released, and Captain Eugene Matuzek (Don Stark), the head of the TEC and the only character (but not actor) to carry over from the film.

The series plays out like a conventional, “case-of-the-week” police procedural. In one, Logan goes back to Germany in 1944 to prevent advanced technology from being handed over to the Nazis, allowing them to turn the V-2 into a nuclear missile and effectively changing how World War II plays out. In another, Logan traipses to 1956 to prevent the death of a Hollywood actress who, in the future, gives birth to a U.S. president. And in the pilot episode, Logan heads to 1888 to confront Jack the Ripper, only to find that his nemesis, a mid-21st century time traveler by the name of Ian Pascoe (Tom O’Brien), has killed old Jack and taken his place, determined to “kill five times as many women” as the original.

‘Timecop,’ the TV Series, Is No ‘Timecop,’ the Movie

Say what you will about Timecop the movie, but it was filled with action, looked spectacular, and was dark and gritty, covering up flaws through sheer, enjoyable spectacle. The only thing Timecop, the TV series, shares with the film is flaws, but with nothing to hide them. Van Damme’s Walker was an agent with a vendetta and the determination and skills to see it through; Logan is a cop, like any other cop, except a time-traveling one. The martial arts and exquisite, original fight scenes, such as the famed “kitchen counter splits,” are jettisoned for banal shootouts and solving mysteries. The look of the film is the result of a high budget; the look of the series reflects its $15 million budget. And it’s early 8 p.m. time slot essentially neutered the show, forcing it to abandon the darker elements of the film.

Timecop was ravaged by the critics, with the Chicago Tribune saying, “There is only so much time in a day, and Timecop… fails to make a sufficient case for one-twenty-fourth of it,” USA Today suggesting that “Timecop doesn’t boggle the mind. It’s merely a bog,” while both the Detroit Free Press and the Newark Star-Ledger cited it as “dull and predictable.” So, despite winning a bidding war among the networks to land the show based solely on the premise, ABC pulled the plug after only 9 of the 13 filmed episodes made it to air.

So, all that said, you’re forgiven if you didn’t realize that Timecop the movie begat Timecop the TV show. The series was forgettable from the start, and unless you can travel back in time and stop it from ever having happened in the first place, Timecop is best left alone. What’s disappointing is that the premise had a lot of potential, but it wasn’t used effectively. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow has a similar concept, but uses it far more imaginatively. Van Damme it all anyway. But here’s an interesting fact: in 1996, the year that ABC ordered the series, Jean-Claude Van Damme was on television. Not as Max Walker, but as a fictionalized version of himself, filming Outbreak 2, in a cameo on NBC’s hit series Friends, which, funnily enough, he would have liked to have gone back in time and done a better job of.

Advertisement

Timecop

Advertisement

Release Date

September 16, 1994

Runtime

99 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Peter Hyams

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Latto had fans popping OFF with reactions after she dropped a message on social media telling folks that her upcoming project would be her “retirement album.” Now, some of her celebrity friends are weighing in on the shocking update. Lizzo jumped into the conversation as one of the latest to react, and she made it clear she is NOT here for the idea at all!

RELATED: No More Big Mama? Latto Sparks Mixed Reaction After She Announces Next Step In Her Rap Career (PHOTO)

Lizzo Enters The Chat After Latto Teases Stepping Away From Music

Lizzo wasted no time letting Latto know she doesn’t want her to step away from music. The singer dropped a video on social media showing herself vibing in the car while Latto’s ‘Big Mama’ track blasted in the background. In the clip, Lizzo kept saying “Big Mama” right along with the beat. She also added a caption telling Latto she “BETTA NOT RETIRE,” making it crystal clear that she’s not playing and definitely doesn’t want to see her go. As of right now, Big Mama hasn’t responded to Lizzo, but fans are still flooding social media with reactions to the bombshell update.

Social Media Continues To Share Mixed Reactions To Big Mama’s Next Chapter

After The Shade Room dropped the clip of Lizzo, the comment section was flooded with mixed reactions. Some fans said they think Latto is just trolling, while others said she’s way too talented to be stepping out of the game right now.

Instagram user @velvetvixen.vip wrote, “Latto too talented to be stepping back now 😩” 

Instagram user @iamcalisodope wrote, “Y’all just make sure you buy her last album lol.” 

While Instagram user @esme.libra_ wrote, “She said that so that the album can sell …. She is in fact not retiring 🫠” 

Then Instagram user @the_real_darren8 wrote, “Latto doing this to bait yall into buying her new album when it drops. Y’all fall for anything.” 

Another Instagram user @dayummgina wrote, “Taking a page out of Jay z book 😂” 

Then another Instagram user @iam_torigrae wrote, “Let her do her.” 

While another Instagram user @r3alest_n1sha wrote, “How is she retiring? How many albums? How long have she been out?” 

Finally, Instagram user @marleylovaaaa wrote, “She trolling and y’all falling for it 😭” 

Is Latto Really Done With Music?

Latto shook up timelines when she dropped a message on X (formerly Twitter) telling fans, “5/29 My retirement album. Thank you for everything.” The post sparked tons of reactions and had fans wondering if she was seriously leaving the booth and her bars behind. The raptress still hasn’t confirmed whether she was just trolling, but fans are hoping her upcoming project won’t be her last.

RELATED: Oop! Social Media Thinks 21 Savage Responded To GloRilla’s Sister After She Made Claims About Latto’s Pregnancy (PHOTO)

Britney Spears’ son Jayden James Federline has (somewhat) addressed how his mother is doing following her recent rehab stay and DUI plea deal. The 19-year-old was spotted out in West Hollywood on Wednesday night when photographers asked him about Britney Spears’ recent legal troubles and treatment program.

According to TMZ, Jayden responded with a brief “no comment” when asked directly about the situation, but appeared to nod affirmatively when questioned about whether his mother was “doing good.” Jayden’s rare public comments come just days after Britney Spears appeared in court and accepted a plea agreement tied to her March DUI arrest.

The singer pleaded guilty to reckless driving during an arraignment held Monday, May 4, after prosecutors reportedly reduced the original DUI-related charges to what’s commonly known as a “wet reckless” plea.

Prior to the agreement, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office had filed a misdemeanor count alleging Spears drove under the influence of alcohol and at least one drug. Under the plea deal, Spears will remain on probation for 12 months and continue undergoing both mental health and substance abuse treatment. She was also fined $721 and ordered to meet regularly with both a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

Additionally, the court reportedly ruled that police may search Spears’ vehicle without a warrant if she is pulled over again.

Spears Left Rehab Just Before Court Appearance

Before her court appearance, Spears had voluntarily checked herself into a Southern California treatment facility following the arrest. The pop star reportedly entered rehab in early April after sources claimed she had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings near her Thousand Oaks home and focusing on sobriety.

“Britney has been very open and honest in her AA meetings,” one insider previously claimed. “She has said she loves pouring her heart out as she knows that is the best way to heal and feel better.”

Another source later added that Spears was “doing very well” and remained optimistic about her future. “She will continue to work on herself with counseling to be the best person she can be and really thrive in life,” the insider said.

Britney Spears’ Sons Reportedly Encouraged Her To Seek Treatment

According to reports, Britney Spears’ two sons allegedly played a major role in encouraging her to enter rehab following her DUI arrest. Sources claimed the singer completed a three-week rehabilitation program and was “doing great” afterward, describing her as healthy and sober.

Insiders reportedly noted that some people in Spears’ inner circle had hoped she would remain in treatment longer, but she ultimately decided to leave the facility ahead of her court appearance.

Insiders Previously Raised Concerns About Spears’ Life After Divorce

In the weeks following Britney Spears’ DUI arrest, sources close to the singer reportedly painted a troubling picture of what had been happening behind the scenes.

As previously reported by The Blast, one insider claimed Spears’ friends and family had been hoping she would focus on becoming healthier and more stable again, though they acknowledged they couldn’t ultimately force her to seek help. Another source alleged those closest to Spears had feared something like this could happen and were mainly relieved the situation did not result in anyone being injured.

Several insiders also pointed to Spears’ highly publicized split from Sam Asghari as a major emotional setback for the pop star. According to one source, Spears had been spending increasing amounts of time isolated at home after the divorce, which allegedly contributed to unhealthy decisions and behavior. The insider further claimed Spears felt a newfound sense of freedom and untouchability after the end of her conservatorship, explaining that “for a while, she felt like there were no real consequences.”

Britney Spears Returned To Instagram Following Arraignment

On the same day as her court hearing, Spears returned to Instagram and posted one of her signature dancing videos filmed inside her sprawling $9.8 million Thousand Oaks mansion. The singer appeared upbeat in the clip despite the ongoing public attention surrounding her legal issues and rehab stay.

Spears also shares a son, Sean Preston Federline, with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Sources close to the singer claim she has been spending much of her recent time reconnecting with her sons while focusing on her recovery journey.

Editor’s Note: This article contains discussion of suicide and mental health that could be triggering.The Office became one of the funniest sitcoms ever made by delivering different varieties of comedy. Like a traditional sitcom, it found laughs in conflict and physical humor, but what set the series apart from most other sitcoms is the ability to find the most cringeworthy moment it could put a character in and then sit in that moment for as long as possible. With its faux-documentary style and the lack of a laugh track, that realism only made the purposely awkward scenes even more uncomfortable. There’s no character on The Office more cringe than Michael Scott (Steve Carell). The guy means well, but his lack of self-awareness lands him in trouble often. However, in one episode of The Office, Michael went so far over the top that a certain scene was cut from all future airings, partially because of the wife of then-NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker.

That scene’s absence is especially relevant now, with The Office: The Complete Series – Superfan Extended Episodes arriving on Digital and Blu-ray on July 14. The release includes 194 extended episodes and more than 25 hours of previously unaired footage, though it’s unclear whether this controversial cold open will be included, given the sensitive nature of why it was removed.

The Employees of Dunder Mifflin Created Their Own Haunted House

Michael Scott isn’t the brightest man, and there are a lot of insecurities wrapped up in just how little he knows. For example, look at The Office‘s second-ever episode, “Diversity Day”. When he gets in trouble for repeating a Chris Rock routine — not done out of malice, but simply because he likes comedy — the office is made to undergo diversity training. It all goes wrong due to Michael, again, not out of any malice or racism, but because he’s clueless. He’s a good person who loves everyone, so his actions are funny instead of offensive.

Michael’s lack of awareness also gets him in trouble in The Office‘s sixth season episode “Koi Pond.” Debuting on October 29, 2009, the episode is in part about Michael accompanying Jim on a meeting, only to embarrass himself as usual by falling into a koi pond. It’s not a Halloween-themed episode, but with it coming out two days before the holiday, “Koi Pond” featured a Halloween cold open. Down in the warehouse, a haunted house is created to scare the kids of Dunder Mifflin employees. That’s a fun idea, but Michael takes it too far. At the end of the haunted house, Michael, wearing a wrapped present box on his crotch (a nod to the Lonely Island’s viral “Dick in a Box” video that premiered on SNL that year), falls from the ceiling with a noose wrapped around his neck. He writhes around as if he’s actually dying, while the kids scream in horror. He shakes until he’s “dead,” before breaking character and saying, “Kids, just remember, suicide is never the answer.”

Michael Scott’s Pretend Death Made Light of a Sensitive Subject

It’s a hilariously upsetting scene that’s pure Michael Scott at his “best”. You have Michael dressed as one of the guys from “Dick in a Box” (in front of kids, mind you), contrasted with the seriousness of suicide, with him thinking it’s all okay to do because he has a serious message for the children at the end. If someone did this in real life, we’d be upset, but this is Michael Scott. He simply thinks he has a funny Halloween costume and is just scaring kids in a haunted house, while also being a caring adult.

Still, it is offensive to make a joke out of suicide, and it wasn’t the only time The Office did it either. In the Season 3 episode “Safety Training,” Michael wants to deliver a message about the seriousness of depression and self-harm, so he goes to the roof to fake his death in front of everyone. The joke, though, is that no one believes he’s really going to jump, and he chickens out of his plan to leap off and land on a trampoline. It’s then up to the Scranton workers to save him from accidentally hurting himself.

The Scene Was Removed Partially Because of the Wife of NBC Universal’s CEO

Image via NBC

Advertisement

You can still watch “Safety Training,” but if you watch “Koi Pond” now on Peacock, DVD, or syndication, you won’t find the haunted house cold open. It only aired one time before being removed forever. It’s a shame that it’s gone now, because it has other funny moments, like Creed (Creed Bratton) dressed up as a vampire who wants to sell the kids’ blood, and Jim (John Krasinski), whose costume is nothing more than writing “BOOK” on his face; he’s trying to be clever with Facebook, but Darryl (Craig Robinson) calls him Bookface.

NBC got complaints from viewers who were upset about The Office using suicide as comedy, so the network decided to take out the scene from any future airings. However, it wasn’t just fans who got the scene pulled. According to AV Club, they were told by an anonymous producer on The Office that the scene was pulled because of Caryn Zucker. She was the then-wife of Jeff Zucker, who was the CEO of NBC Universal. Caryn, who worked in suicide prevention, was offended by the scene and asked her husband to remove it. He then called NBC reps and producers from The Office, where they decided “the episode was re-cut and re-delivered, with the original HD-SR delivery masters collected back from NBC and thrown into deep storage.”

It makes sense why the scene was removed, but it’s still a funny example of just how clueless Michael Scott is. Viewers weren’t clueless, though. It’s good that the moment was taken out, but it’s also disappointing that we lost the debut of the iconic Bookface.

The Office is available to watch on Peacock in the U.S.

Jennifer Lopez‘s ex-dancer Mia Starr speaks out about what she calls the “worst experience” of her career after working with the singer ahead of the 2020 Super Bowl LIV halftime show.

The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum alleged she was repeatedly embarrassed during rehearsals and claimed the atmosphere became emotionally exhausting.

Mia Starr also recounted a dispute involving an appearance on Jennifer Lopez’s documentary, which resulted in an “insulting” $20 check.

Mia Starr is opening up about what she described as the “worst experience” of her professional career while working with Jennifer Lopez ahead of the 2020 Super Bowl LIV halftime show.

In a YouTube video with fellow “Drag Race” star, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, the dancer said she initially felt thrilled after being selected to dance alongside Lopez and Shakira for the high-profile performance.

According to Starr, she was hired without having to audition and even left her job with “The Voice” casting team to take the opportunity. However, she claimed the atmosphere quickly became uncomfortable once rehearsals began.

Starr alleged that during the second day of practice, Lopez singled her out in front of other dancers and asked her to remove her shirt.

She said the moment left her embarrassed and self-conscious, claiming that the “Let’s Get Loud” singer later addressed the dancers as a group, encouraging them to “elevate” themselves physically for her show.

Starr admitted she understood the pressure that comes with performing at such a high-profile event, but felt the expectations became excessive early on in rehearsals.

Mia Starr Describes Humiliating Rehearsal Conditions And Growing Tension With Jennifer Lopez

The situation reportedly escalated when male dancers were allegedly asked to rehearse shirtless for hours.

Starr further described the experience as humiliating and emotionally draining, saying it felt almost like a form of “hazing.”

She also told Entertainment Weekly that she never believed her appearance was extreme, but felt Lopez “made it very clear that she was not pleased with my image, the way she gave that look of disgust. I was like, oh, this is embarrassing.”

Although Starr said she eventually got into better shape during the rehearsal process, she explained that the atmosphere left her with an “icky feeling.”

Advertisement

She noted that while dancers are often expected to maintain a certain appearance, she had only recently transitioned from office casting work and was unexpectedly thrown into the demanding performance environment.

The Dancer Felt The Singer ‘Hated’ Her

Starr said she eventually became convinced Lopez disliked her personally due to the singer’s focus on her.

She even recalled an awkward moment the following day when an ice cream truck arrived outside the rehearsal space, and Lopez once again delivered a speech encouraging dancers to “elevate” themselves physically.

“Clearly, at this point, I was like, ‘she hates me,’” Starr said, admitting she later leaned into the tension once she sensed the relationship had soured.

As rehearsals continued, Starr claimed the atmosphere only became more stressful. According to her, dancers would rehearse for hours before Lopez allegedly arrived later in the day and criticized much of the work that had already been prepared.

Advertisement

Starr said the constant changes and criticism created an emotionally exhausting environment, adding that the entire lead-up to the performance “felt like hell.”

Mia Starr Alleges Compensation Dispute After Working With Jennifer Lopez

Starr, in her chat with EW, alleged there were later issues involving Lopez’s 2022 Netflix documentary “Halftime.”

The drag queen claimed that dancers were asked to sign release forms shortly before the documentary’s release, which would allow their appearance in the project without additional payment, shortly before the film’s debut.

“I was like, no, you didn’t put me through all of that to not pay me. I didn’t sign the paper. There were a few of us that didn’t sign. They somehow found a loophole to still put me in it,” Starr noted.

Although she refused to sign the paperwork, Starr alleged that footage of her still appeared in the documentary.

Advertisement

The Dancer Said Jennifer Lopez’s Team Sent Her An ‘Insulting’ $20 Check Over The Documentary Appearance

According to Mia Starr, Lopez’s team later attempted to compensate her with what she described as a “$20 check,” which she said she found insulting and returned.

“It was so insulting,” the reality star recalled. “I told my agent, ‘You know what, actually, you can just please send this back, they clearly need it more than I do.’ I sent it back because it’s super insulting. I just had to laugh at that point. I was like, this is unreal.”

Despite everything, Starr acknowledged that she still considers the “Atlas” actress “gorgeous,” but made it clear she would never work with Lopez again.

She later turned down another opportunity to dance for the singer at a separate event.

This isn’t the first time Lopez has been accused of looking down on employees, with a famous hairstylist once claiming that the pop star saw him as “trash.”

Advertisement