Alan Ritchson is celebrating a major career milestone after Netflix moved forward with plans to expand the world of “War Machine.”

The actor, who leads the sci-fi action film, shared an emotional message with fans after news broke that a sequel is officially in development. 

The announcement comes as the movie continues to rack up massive viewership numbers, cementing itself as one of the streaming giant’s biggest hits and setting the stage for an even larger franchise.

Shortly after confirmation that a second “War Machine” film is on the way, Alan Ritchson took to social media to thank everyone who helped turn the project into a global success.

“What a monumental day. So many of you are a part of the War Machine world now. It’s incredible to build it with you in mind,” the actor wrote on Instagram.

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Ritchson also used the moment to recognize the people who backed the project from the beginning. He credited director Patrick Hughes for creating the vision, Lionsgate for believing in it, and Netflix for helping bring it to audiences around the world.

“A world that started with a dream @patrick_hughes_ had and fought for. A dream @lionsgate believed in and @netflix built a house and home for,” he added.

The actor admitted he remains grateful for the opportunity, noting that many people took a chance on him throughout the process.

Ritchson Says The ‘War Machine’ Journey Is Far From Over

As fans celebrated the sequel news, Ritchson reflected on what the role has meant to him personally.

“All of them took a huge gamble on me and I’m just so grateful,” he continued, adding, “I feel lucky I get to suffer as 81 for you. Bringing hard hitting roles like this to life gives me so much direction, I’m grateful to play a small part in it. Shout out to the gritty as hell cast and crew.”

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Ritchson ended his message with a promise that the franchise’s future is only beginning, telling fans they are “just getting started” as plans for the expanding universe continue.

The message arrived after “War Machine” achieved a remarkable milestone for Netflix. Since its release three months ago, the action-packed film has amassed 139 million views, pushing it into the platform’s top 10 most-watched movies of all time.

Alan Ritchson Gets More Good News As Director Teases Future Plans

Ritchson was not the only person excited by the sequel announcement. Director Patrick Hughes recently revealed that work was already underway on the next chapter.

Speaking with The Wrap, Hughes said the team was  already focused on moving forward as quickly as possible.

“Keep the good times rolling. I’m pinching myself every day. If you’d gone back to me and told me that when I was at film school, I’d be sitting in this opportunity where it’s like this universe you’ve set up and it’s off to the races, and had a mass appeal, and people are begging for a sequel,” Hughes said.

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While he declined to reveal specific plot details, the filmmaker hinted that the sequel has been carefully mapped out.

According to Hughes, the next installment will continue expanding the franchise’s world while avoiding the obvious path fans may expect.

Ritchson Cleared After Shocking Neighborhood Fight Caught On Camera

Besides his career, Alan Ritchson’s name has also frequented the news for other reasons in recent months. In March, the 43-year-old sparked reactions online after he was involved in a physical confrontation with neighbor Ronnie Taylor.

The dispute reportedly began after Taylor confronted the “Reacher” star over the speed and noise of his motorcycle in their neighborhood.

As The Blast reported, Taylor claimed he approached Ritchson on multiple occasions before the situation escalated into a physical confrontation. 

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Video footage showed the actor striking Taylor while his children were nearby, but additional footage later surfaced that appeared to show the neighbor stepping into Ritchson’s path and causing him to crash his motorcycle before shoving him. 

Following an investigation that included witness statements and video evidence, Brentwood police determined that Ritchson acted in self-defense and announced that no criminal charges would be filed. 

Authorities also revealed that the movie star declined to pursue potential charges against Taylor, and the District Attorney’s Office agreed to close the case.

Alan Ritchson’s Neighbor Speaks Out After Receiving Alleged Death Threats

Days after the altercation, Ronnie Taylor claimed the public reaction had been overwhelming. According to The Blast, he alleged that he received more than 100 threatening messages after footage of the incident spread online. 

Taylor also claimed that some callers used blocked numbers and made disturbing remarks, including one person who allegedly said they wanted to see him “breathe out of a tube.” 

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He also revealed another caller threatened to put him in a wheelchair. The messages were equally alarming, Taylor explained, with one text reading, “Die, die, die.”

Despite the threats, Taylor said he did not file a police report. He claimed an officer informally advised him to contact authorities if he felt genuinely concerned, but at the time he believed many of the messages came from online trolls reacting to the viral controversy. 

The mother of Soulja Boy‘s son, Jackilyn Martinez, recently joked about needing rent money from him! Blueface quickly jumped in, offering to cover the expense. In response, Jackilyn cleared the air about Soulja Boy stepping up and clapped back at Blue over the defamation lawsuit money he allegedly owes her. Meanwhile, Soulja hasn’t directly addressed any shade, but in new photos, he’s flexing his wealth!

RELATED: Soulja Boy Drops THIS Reaction After His Child’s Mother Secures 6-Figure Bag From Blueface Lawsuit

Blueface Offers To Pay Rent Of Soulja Boy’s Co-Parent

As mentioned, Jackilyn Martinez posted a video using the viral “saxophones getting louder” audio. The audio from the 1991 movie ‘Boyz n the Hood’ is dramatic music that foreshadows chaos, disaster or an unavoidable negative moment. In her version, Jackilyn is seen dialing and putting the phone up to her ear multiple times. The caption on the video says, “When your BD got you blocked and rent is due so the saxophone got louder.” For context, she and Soulja Boy share a three-year-old son named KeAndre. In response, Blueface hopped on X (formerly Twitter) to offer Jackilyn some financial relief.

“Tell Soulja boy BM I’ll pay the rent for her, I knew bro ain’t have it long time ago call in I gotchu Jackie,” Blueface tweeted, which got over 187,000 views.

Jackilyn Martinez Clears The Air & Shades Blueface 

After The Shade Room reposted Jackilyn Martinez’s video and Blueface’s tweet, Jackilyn Martinez slid into the comment section. She cleared the air about her video being a joke. Also, she revealed that Soulja Boy already took care of her rent while slamming Blue for allegedly owing her lawsuit money. As previously reported, in April 2025, a court granted Jackie a $123,243.10 default payout after she filed against Blueface for $10 million. He falsely claimed in 2022, on X, that he was the father of her son.

“Y’all need to calm down. I do work, I’m actually doing hair right now. Soulja took care of it and Blueface needs to pay me the lawsuit money ASAP,” Jackie commented.

After TSR reposted her clarification and clap back, Jackie also dropped by comment section with more to say. She wrote, “I can pay my own rent. Soulja definitely gonna help with taking care of my son. I pay all of my own bills it was a joke that gone viral.” A few hours later, Blueface also commented under the repost, claiming that he’s already paid the lawsuit money.

“She ain’t get the money yet ? I sent it Ina mail 2 years ago when they filed 😂,” the rapper claimed.

On X, Blueface continued to speak on Jackie and shade Soulja Boy. He tweeted, “I bet Soulja hit her up an paid soon as he seen step daddy step in 😂.”

I bet Soulja hit her up an paid soon as he seen step daddy step in 😂

— blueface (@bluefacebleedem) June 4, 2026

Soulja Boy Flexes Stacks Of Cash In New Photos

Hours after Blueface’s initial offer on X, Soulja Boy slid on the ‘gram with new pictures of himself. holding like six stacks of cash. He captioned the post, “DRIP.”

Then on Thursday morning, after the back-and-forth between Jackie and Blueface the day before, Soulja Boy shared another post. The second post showed Soulja Boy laughing, looking at his phone and holding a few stacks of cash. His caption said, “Lock in twin. 💛💕🤮🤢🤞🏾.”

RELATED: Social Media Sounds OFF After Blueface & Nevaeh Akira Reveal She’s The Only One Getting “Tested” For Both Of Them

Antoni Porowski spent years as the resident food and wine expert aboard Netflix’s Emmy-winning reality series Queer Eye, entering people’s kitchens and tailoring perfect recipes to their lifestyles. However, for his first solo-hosting gig since bidding farewell to the Fab Five, he’s about to put his body to the test. This Sunday, he’ll begin visiting the most interesting and idyllic locales for the new National Geographic series, Best of the World, inspired by the long-running franchise of the same name, curating the top travel locations for whatever you’re searching for. Collider is thrilled to exclusively share a new sneak peek at the premiere episode that is less about showcasing a destination and more about teaching Porowski something he’s never done before — wrestling.

The footage takes the renowned chef to Arena Mexico to get a crash course from Persephone, one of the greatest female wrestlers in her country. She welcomes him into the ring in Marvel superhero fashion to teach him a few signature moves before her big match. Porowski is thankful he has good health insurance for what’s about to unfold as he learns how to get a fellow fighter into a headlock and how to take his opponent down when he’s already on the mat. Some of the high-flying, daring moves from these skilled wrestlers are a bit too risky for him to take on, but he does get to experience what it’s like to get bodyslammed by a professional. It’s all in good fun, though, and all smiles as he thanks Persephone and her colleagues for putting him through the wringer.

As shown in the sneak peek, Best of the World isn’t just a guidebook, but an adventure to reach the beating heart of each location alongside Porowski. His travels will take him from Mexico City to Paris, London, and even his home, New York City, in a search for authentic experiences in both the most famous landmarks and diamonds in the rough that deserve to be recognized. From the best spots to eat to the greatest views, and one-of-a-kind activities, he’ll embrace his adventurous side to truly get a feel for the culture and people that define an area. The goal is to put human stories, like that of Persephone, first and foremost, and revel in the overlooked aspects of a place in a feel-good reality package.

‘Best of the World’ Is All About Discovery for Antoni Porowski

For Porowski, this new travel show isn’t his first rodeo with Nat Geo. He previously brought his culinary talents to No Taste Like Home, taking a slew of famous guests, like Florence Pugh, Justin Theroux, Issa Rae, and more, on elaborate food journeys through their cultural roots. He’s taking a similar, in-depth approach to Best of the World, though, going beyond the Nat Geo travel lists to craft a journey that reflects his perspective. In an interview with Collider’s Michael Zimmermann, he teased how the structure of the series is based around authenticity and discovery that’ll give viewers a new side to some otherwise very familiar cities across the world.

“I know they wanted to lean into my perspective and how I experience the city and things that make me light up. You want to do the classic staple things that everyone knows and loves. It’s tried, tested, and true. But the best discoveries I’ve ever made are when I get lost on some little street.”

Best of the World premieres June 7 on National Geographic. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.

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Release Date

2018 – 2026-00-00

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Netflix

Showrunner

David Collins

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David Collins

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Writers

David Collins

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  Jonathan Van Ness

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  Karamo Brown

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  Antoni Porowski

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Dorit Kemsley is looking back on one of the most dramatic fallouts from the latest season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” but it appears time has helped soften tensions.

Months after her explosive clash with Erika Jayne in Italy, the reality star revealed that their friendship is slowly finding its footing again. 

While the argument spilled into the reunion and left relationships fractured, Dorit now says there is still plenty of affection between the longtime friends despite everything that happened.

Dorit Kemsley shared a hopeful update on her relationship with Erika Jayne while appearing on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio during press for her new memoir, “Unburdened.”

According to Dorit, she was the first to reach out following Jayne’s legal troubles, and the response came quickly. 

Not long afterward, Jayne contacted her again, and the pair discussed meeting face-to-face.

Reflecting on where things stand today, the 49-year-old made it clear that their bond remains meaningful despite the fallout.

“There’s a lot of love there. There’s a lot of love, there’s a lot of history,” she said.

Dorit emphasized that their friendship had been remarkably smooth before their highly publicized argument. 

“You know, prior to that one moment in Italy, Erika and I — we never had a cross word. We’ve always been good,” she continued. 

Dorit Felt Blindsided By The Fallout In Italy

While discussing the infamous cast trip, Dorit Kemsley admitted there were many emotions involved at the time. 

She explained that the previous few years had already been difficult due to her public split from Paul Kemsley as well as ongoing issues with fellow castmate Kyle Richards.

The fashion designer believed she and Richards had finally begun to make progress. “I thought we really turned a corner,” she said about their friendship, hence why what happened during the Italy trip caught her off guard.

“So then to feel that, I felt blindsided and that’s exactly how I felt by Erika in Italy,” she added. According to Dorit, the situation was especially confusing because she had spent hours with Jayne the night before the confrontation.

She recalled being in Jayne’s room until 2 a.m. and said everything appeared perfectly normal between them before tensions suddenly exploded the next day.

Dorit Kemsley Recalls How The RHOBH Dinner Turned Explosive

Dorit detailed how quickly things unraveled during the cast dinner that ultimately became one of Season 15’s biggest storylines.

“And then the next day, just out of nowhere in this desolate town, I think her intention was to kind of get Kyle and I together, but it felt like [an ambush],” she said.

The confrontation began when Jayne criticized Dorit for arriving late to dinner and making the rest of the group wait.

In no time, the conversation that started as a disagreement over timing soon escalated into a deeply personal argument involving both Jayne and Richards.

The tension eventually reached a breaking point, with Dorit calling Jayne a “c—t” before storming away from the table.

Dorit’s Rift With Jayne And Richards Continued After Filming

Although Dorit Kemsley now says things are improving with Erika Jayne, the relationships remained strained long after cameras stopped rolling.

In December 2025, Kyle Richards revealed that neither she nor Jayne were speaking to Dorit following the cast trip.

“Erika and I are not speaking with Dorit and vice versa, because we had a very big blowout on our cast trip,” Richards told Us Weekly.

She also shared her frustrations over attempts to repair the friendship. “She’s not open-minded to listening to you, and when she has something in her head, that’s it,” Richards shared. 

She continued, revealing how difficult it was to have a conversation with Dorit. “Unfortunately, we tried to fix things, and it was like two steps forward, three steps back,” Richards added.

Dorit Kemsley Teases Next Chapter As ‘RHOBH’ Future Remains Unclear

A few days ago, Dorit sparked fresh speculation about her future on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” after admitting she could eventually walk away from the hit Bravo series. 

While promoting her memoir, “Unburdened,” the longtime cast member revealed she is keeping an open mind about what comes next. 

As The Blast reported, Dorit explained that the last few years had taught her that “anything can change from week to week, month to month.”

She said she was having “really wonderful conversations” and felt she was in a creative space, with much of her focus centered on her book and upcoming projects. 

The reality TV star also acknowledged that she would know when the time was right to either continue or “step back.” 

Dorit, who joined “RHOBH” in 2016, said she felt she was entering a period of “peace, acceptance, happiness, and adventure,” fueling ongoing questions about whether Season 15 could eventually mark the beginning of her exit plans.

Tony Hinchcliffe is returning to Netflix with a new stand-up special, weeks after he was heavily criticized for his controversial and racially charged jokes on “The Roast of Kevin Hart.”

The backlash also triggered a public clash between the conservative comedian and Chelsea Handler, who accused him and Shane Gillis of pushing comedy into “gross” territory. Hinchcliffe later hit back on his ‘Kill Tony” show, claiming Handler repeatedly targeted him during the roast and “had it coming.”

It has also emerged that the latest Netflix roast could have reportedly featured Paul McCartney in the hot seat, but the rock legend had no interest in participating.

Netflix is moving ahead with more Hinchcliffe despite the backlash that followed his appearance at “The Roast of Kevin Hart.” The streamer has announced a new stand-up special, “Tony Hinchcliffe: Man of the People,” set to premiere on June 9.

In a teaser for the special, the comedian highlights groups he has joked about over the years, declaring that he has mocked “Blacks, Latinos, the whites, the Indians, [and] Asians,” before teasing audiences with the suggestion that no topic is off limits.

Netflix has similarly promoted the project by boasting that Hinchcliffe “tears into every group imaginable.”

The announcement comes months after criticism over jokes made during Hart’s Netflix roast, including remarks about George Floyd. During an appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” Hart later acknowledged the material was not “tasteful” for many viewers but defended it as part of the long-established roast format, arguing that audiences understand racial humor is often part of the genre.

Tony Hinchcliffe Fires Back At Chelsea Handler Over Roast Backlash

Hinchcliffe is still under fire over his George Floyd joke, and the fallout has now spilled into a feud with fellow comedian Chelsea Handler.

Handler criticized Hinchcliffe and Shane Gillis on Deon Cole’s “Funny Knowing You” podcast, calling them “racists,” “bigots,” and “sexist,” while arguing that roast comedy can be edgy without becoming “gross.”

Hinchcliffe later fired back during a live recording of his “Kill Tony” podcast, claiming Handler repeatedly targeted him during the roast. He said the teleprompter failed only during his set, giving him room to respond to her jabs in real time.

The controversy began after Hinchcliffe joked that Floyd was “looking up” and laughing so hard he “can’t breathe.”

Paul McCartney Reportedly Refused Netflix Roast Request

Before settling on Hart as the main subject of its most recent roast, Netflix reportedly asked The Beatles legend Paul McCartney to take the hot seat.

At the age of 83, McCartney has built a legacy that has kept him in the minds of fans across generations. However, the octogenarian reportedly had no interest in taking center stage in the showpiece event.

“We did ask Paul McCartney at one point,” executive producer and “Roastmaster General” Jeff Ross told Variety in an interview.

“To me, that would be a fantasy roast. Paul McCartney doesn’t need anything, but a Paul McCartney roast would be good for the world. It would be so funny to me because he is so loved,” he added.

Jeff Ross Wants Drake Or Stevie Wonder In The Hot Seat

Aside from McCartney, Ross has also named other high-profile figures he would like to see take on the roast format.

Speaking with the outlet in an earlier interview after Hart’s roast, Ross said a pop star, rock star, or rapper would all make strong choices, before naming some of his strong personal favorites.

“I could see Drake getting roasted and being a great one,” he said.

Ross also singled out Stevie Wonder as one of his favorite ideas, joking, “The Roast of Stevie Wonder: You’ve got to hear it to believe it.”

Both suggestions drew strong reactions online, with the comedian’s Stevie Wonder pick attracting the most attention because of the legendary singer’s disability.

Ross Says Kevin Hart Roast Could Open Doors

A woman claiming to be the mother of a “Love Island” season 8 star has responded to a Pennsylvania politician who slammed her son, Sean Reifel, for quitting his job as a cop to join the popular reality series. In an Instagram post, the woman cleared the air about Reifel’s appearance on the show, adding that she fully supports the 29-year-old’s decision to join the cast.

@Beth.Bow819 posted a lengthy comment on Instagram, saying she was “disappointed” by Pennsylvania mayor J. William Reynolds’ comments about her son.

“They missed a huge opportunity to make a positive impact,” she wrote. “They did not spend taxpayer dollars to send him to a full academy.”

Her comments come after Reynolds told the media, “Our police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy. We are disappointed he left as we now have another vacancy in our department that is impossible to fill until next year.”

Reifel Reportedly Came To Pennsylvania Police Department With Years Of Experience

According to Reifel’s mother, the 29-year-old father of one reportedly arrived at the police department with “four years of experience” following his time in Northern California.

“Contra Costa County Sheriff Department paid for him to attend a full academy,” she wrote. “Yes, [the PA department] spent some, but they are making statements that do not tell the whole story.”

She shed a little more light on the situation when she claimed that her son had requested leave time but was denied it upon his arrival in Fiji.

“I think when the mayor or anyone is speaking on something, especially something about another person, it is important to share all the facts,” she continued. “I stand with my son. I support him fully, and I am so proud of him.”

Support Continues To Build For Reifel After The First Two Episodes Of ‘Love Island’ Season 8 Airs

According to The Blast, Reynolds faced significant backlash over his comments, and after @Beth.Bow819 chimed in on the matter, the support for Reifel has only increased.

“She’s actually a queen for this,” someone wrote, while another said, “That’s right, Momma. Come with the facts.”

“Period, cause who the mayor feeling like?” someone else posted. “You don’t have a whole fleet of officers?”

“Regardless, the mayor needed to STFU and mind his business. People can change life paths at any point. He’s just bitter and now looks even worse after coming out. Good luck getting reelected!”

Booted Contestant Offers Apology After Video Of Her Using A Racial Slur Resurfaces

Outside of the “Love Island” villa, Vasana Montgomery, a 25-year-old from Oregon, has broken her silence after being removed from the cast.

Days before the show was set to air on Peacock, shocking videos of Montgomery using a racial slur were shared and posted online.

“I want to address a couple videos from my teen years that have recently resurfaced,” she said in her public apology, according to Variety. “In those videos, I used a racial slur. There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry.”

Montgomery went on to say that she was taking “full responsibility” for her actions before claiming that she’s grown and learned.

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“That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it. I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, but I also believe in growth, learning, and becoming better. To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry,” she finished.

‘Love Island’ Alum Offers Advice To The New Cast

Before the start of the season, “Love Island” alum Leah Kateb spoke with The Blast and shared her biggest piece of advice for the new islanders entering the villa.

“Just have fun,” she said. “Be yourself, and don’t take things too seriously. Just enjoy your time.”

New episodes of “Love Island” air on Peacock on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9 PM ET.

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In just one day since its premiere, Hulu’s new show Not Suitable for Work has already surged through the streaming charts. According to FlixPatrol, the series is now at #4 worldwide, and it’ll likely only continue to rise through the ranks as the week goes on. The series, which has only released three episodes so far, follows “five work-obsessed 20-somethings” in a Friends-style living situation as they fight to maintain a perfect work-life balance in “Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill.”

Behind the series is Mindy Kaling, a TV powerhouse both on and off camera, who just recently released the long-awaited second season of Running Point on Netflix in April. Therefore, Kaling’s new show not only maintains her reign on streaming in 2026, but officially continues the TV trilogy she started back in 2020.

‘Not Suitable for Work’ Is Part of Mindy Kaling’s TV Trilogy

In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Kaling opened up about how Not Suitable for Work is connected to two of her previous projects, Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. “In my mind, this is the third show in a trilogy of shows that are about my life,” she stated. “Never Have I Ever is about me being in high school, Sex Lives of College Girls was about my time at Dartmouth, and this is this last pivotal time in my youth, which was moving to New York City, being super ambitious and being in your 20s.” As a reminder, Never Have I Ever was first released in 2020 and went on for four seasons until their characters graduated from high school, while The Sex Lives of College Girls premiered over a year later in 2021 and ran for three seasons until its cancellation in May 2025.

In each of the shows, while there isn’t any character named after Kaling specifically, there’s always at least one central Indian-American character who’s ambitious and quirky in their own way, and seen as Kaling’s most faithful portrayal of her experience. In Never Have I Ever, that’s Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), while in The Sex Lives of College Girls, the South Asian main character is Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur). In Not Suitable for Work, Avantika Vandanapu plays Abhinaya “Abby” Chilukuri, an assistant to a celebrity stylist who’s always terrified of losing her job.

‘Never Have I Ever’ Is Mindy Kaling’s Most Beloved Show

While Not Suitable for Work has just come out, Never Have I Ever set a high bar when it comes to Kaling’s productions. After all, the four-season series was not only a major streaming hit for Netflix, but it also received major critical acclaim at an average 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. From the critics, it’s clear the series nailed key elements of the show, not only showing a hilarious yet honest portrayal of teen years, but shining a light on a flawed yet charismatic lead with Ramakrishnan’s Devi. “It asserts itself with sassy confidence right away, not just in Devi’s voice but in the narrative’s framing,” one review wrote.

Unlike both The Sex Lives of College Girls and Not Suitable for Work, Never Have I Ever thrived because of its larger focus on the lead rather than being a full ensemble show. By doing so, the series honed in on Devi’s life, shining a light on Indian expectations and traditions, second-generation experiences, and the emotional journey with grief she went on after the loss of her father. With that, the series balanced comedy with heart in a way that made it TV gold.

In Collider’s very own review of the show following the Season 2 release, Carly Lane highlighted that Ramakrishnan was indeed the show’s not-so-secret weapon. “Ultimately, a show is only as strong as its lead, and once again, Ramakrishnan proves why she’s the one to build an entire series around, not only in Devi’s most ridiculous and chaotic moments (the show literally describes some of her wildest antics as “pulling a Devi”) but in the scenes that call on her to be quiet, vulnerable, and having to come to grips with the real emotions that drive her to make some confusing and (in true teen fashion) dramatic decisions,” Lane wrote.

With that said, while Kaling’s new show Not Suitable for Work is currently climbing the charts on Hulu and Disney+, perhaps the first series in her TV trilogy, Never Have I Ever, will always be her best. With a quirky yet complicated lead, the series did more than just talk about boy crushes and love triangles, and depicted a heartfelt quintessentially human story instead.

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Release Date

2020 – 2023-00-00

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Showrunner

Lang Fisher

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Lang Fisher

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The definition of a cult superhero film, Francis Lawrence and Keanu Reeves‘ 2005 DC adaptation, Constantine, has developed a second life among devotees of its star and ’90s-gothic style — and an upcoming sequel is among the most anticipated in recent superhero memory. Constantine did well at the box office, but seemed to drop off the cultural map after leaving theaters, despite its status as probably the single most visually striking comic book film ever made. Lawrence used it as his calling card for a variety of huge Hollywood projects (ranging from The Hunger Games to Stephen King‘s The Long Walk), but nothing ever approached his work with DC Comics’ John Constantine for sheer visual spectacle.

While many critics at the time dinged the film for its plotting and heavy reliance on visual effects, earning it a 46% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the story is quite different among cinephiles on Letterboxd, where an impressive 40% of viewers rated it at four stars or above. Reeves and Lawrence are on the same page as the film’s fans, and have talked for years about sequel ideas — including some in which they’d swing for the fences in terms of the R-rating. Fans of DC Comics or supernaturally-tinged noir who missed out on Constantine for the past 21 years owe it to themselves to check the film out on HBO Max today.

‘Constantine’ Is One of the Coolest Cinematic Depictions of Demons, Angels, and Hell

Constantine begins like a stylistic cross between an Indiana Jones film and The Exorcist … then proceeds into demonic film noir before ending up entirely its own thing: a confident, hyper-stylized superhero saga begging for sequels. Lawrence embraces a ’90s comic book-goth aesthetic without fear of goofiness, bathing exteriors and interiors alike in Se7en-esque greens, yellows, and browns while every angle that can be canted or birds-eyed tends to be so. Demons and angels alike walk the Earth: demons in the form of winged abominations that burst into embers when hit with holy light, and angels in the otherworldly Tilda Swinton, who gives her all in the role of Gabriel.

There’s a priest besieged by demonic forces until he drinks himself to death, and is then cradled by an enraged and grieving celestial liquor store owner. The film even features a demonic nightclub, reminiscent of the one in Blade, in which patrons literally cannibalize victims on tables and turn white wine into blood. And this is all before Constantine descends into hell itself, which is envisioned as Los Angeles frozen mid-atomic blast, while thousands of sinners and demons alike writhe just beneath the blown-out surface. It’s all bold and beautifully visualized, and should still be catnip to genre enthusiasts today.

And character actor Peter Stormare‘s single, five-minute scene as Satan himself, should be the stuff of legend. Barefoot, dripping tar, and dressed in a crisp, white suit, Stormare’s Satan makes an incredible first impression. Stormare lays on the tics, like inhuman gulping, licking various objects, and twitching with the sheer ecstasy of being evil. This sequence, as Satan tries to take Constantine’s soul, elevates an already terrific picture into something genuinely special.

Keanu Reeves’ Aura Also Does a Lot of Heavy Lifting for ‘Constantine’

Despite Francis Lawrence’s obvious dexterity with visual spectacle and design, Constantine wouldn’t work quite as beautifully without its star. Reeves was already an icon upon its 2005 release from The Matrix trilogy, but he’d yet to don the iconic suit and pistols of John Wick. Still, he brings an unmistakable Wick energy to Constantine, constantly issuing patented, angry Reeves “Yeahs” to demons and angels alike, furiously lighting up at every opportunity, and eventually flipping off the devil.

Reeves manages to bring real pathos with precious little facial work to scenes in which oily black tumors are pulled from his chest, and in which he slices his own wrists in a bid to save a single doomed woman’s life. Watching Constantine today, especially with the hindsight of the John Wick films, it’s clear as day that sequels are warranted. Although it’s been a long road, Reeves and Lawrence have thankfully confirmed that one is finally on its way.

The 2005 Constantine remains a visual masterpiece, and one of the coolest superhero movies ever made. It also stands as a striking reminder of what comic book films could have been over the last two decades, particularly given the run of CGI slop-laden, televisual-looking features we’ve gotten as of late. Anyone who missed out on its demonic charms the first time should catch it now on HBO Max.

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Release Date

February 18, 2005

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Runtime

121 minutes

Director

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Francis Lawrence

Writers

Frank A. Cappello

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CBS Evening News host Tony Dokoupil paid tribute on air to Scott Pelley following his former colleague’s controversial firing from 60 Minutes.

“When I started at CBS, Scott Pelley was in this very chair, and still doing a dozen stories a year for 60 Minutes. And amid all of that, still meeting every new correspondent to share his view of the mission here,” Dokoupil, 45, told viewers in the second of two CBS Evening News segments on Pelley’s firing on Wednesday, June 3. “[Pelley] believed freedom of the press, to quote [James Madison], was ‘the right that guaranteed all the others.’ And the stakes are always that high in that, if you’d made it to CBS News, you were among the best in the world. He worked every single day to live up to that standard.”

Dokoupil looked back on Pelley’s 37 years at CBS, reminiscing about the “presidential interviews” with every leader from George W. Bush to Donald Trump and “more than 50 Emmy awards along the way.”

“[Pelley] was, in some ways, a man from another era, and that’s not a knock. He didn’t watch the competition, he said, because he knew who he was,” Dokoupil went on. “A journalist who valued truth at all costs. And always kept alive the memory of colleagues killed in the field. A reminder that his chosen line of work could be a dangerous one. But Pelley also made one major break from the past. He changed the signs around here. Under the CBS Evening News logo, where Scott Pelley’s own name would have been, he instead wrote the CBS Evening News with All of Us.”

Dokoupil closed the segment by saying, “Well, Scott, from all of us, thank you.”

The glowing tribute to Pelley, 68 — who anchored the CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017 — was in sharp contrast to other statements from CBS News in the wake of Pelley’s firing earlier this week.

A tumultuous week at CBS News kicked off at a 60 Minutes staff meeting where new executive producer Nick Bilton introduced himself to his team on Monday, June 1. Per multiple reports, Pelley took issue with Bilton’s qualifications during the meeting and accused CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes by inserting political bias.

A leaked memo from Bilton, 49, announced that Pelley was fired the following day. In that memo, Bilton wrote to Pelley that his “antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear.”

“I therefore write on behalf of CBS News, Inc. to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated for cause effective immediately,” Bilton confirmed.

Following his firing, Pelley broke his silence by accusing the management of CBS of casting aside the news division’s legacy “to curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration.” (Skydance Media, led by Trump ally David Ellison, the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, purchased CBS parent company Paramount last year.)

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Related: CBS Staffers Say ‘Trust’ for Execs Is Gone After Scott Pelley’s Firing

Tensions have escalated at CBS in the wake of 60 Minutes reporter Scott Pelley’s firing. “Morale is terrible throughout the company,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “No one knows what to believe or who is working against them. It has never been like this before. The staff in the newsroom all feel like they […]

“For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story. I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified,” Pelley claimed. “To date, in every case, I have managed to ignore these instructions or refuse them. Recently, politicians have been invited to choose correspondents for interviews on the broadcast. Giving politicians control over 60 Minutes interviews is not how this is done. Finally, incompetence and unprofessionalism in the new management have wreaked havoc. In a case involving one of my stories, the entire program came within 19 minutes of not getting on the air at all.”

He went on, “At 60 Minutes, we have fought harder than anyone knows to save the program that became an American icon. We owed that to our millions of viewers. I am deeply moved by the thousands of wishes we have received to ‘keep up the good fight,’” Pelley wrote. “Most of the men and women of CBS News are still in that fight. But now the collapse of values at the top has become untenable. The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well.”

CBS News denied that journalists faced political pressure over critical stories of the Trump administration.