By TeeJay Small
| Published 18 seconds ago

If you’ve spent any time hunched in front of a cable television in the last twenty years or so, you’ve probably seen a few odd episodes of The Big Bang Theory. The show, which centers on a quartet of insufferable nerds and their cute blonde neighbor, spent 12 seasons on the air before spawning a never-ending series of spinoff programs. While The Big Bang Theory was still on the air, we got Young Sheldon, which delivered some crucial backstory to the most unapologetically annoying character on the show. Then, as soon as Young Sheldon wrapped its final season, we received Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which features none of the original Big Bang Theory characters.

Now, after years of behind-the-scenes reports, we finally have a trailer for the latest spinoff series in the ever-expanding Big Bang Theory cinematic universe, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. From the first look, it seems that this series will take things completely off the rails, into overt science fiction territory, complete with interdimensional time and space-hopping. This is obviously a massive divergence from anything we’ve seen from the franchise thus far, which might actually be a good thing.

From Sitcom To Singularity

In the trailer, Stuart is thrown into a completely off-the-walls situation, after accidentally triggering a doomsday device rigged by the original Big Bang Theory crew. The singularity sends Stuart tripping through space, time, and alternate realities, with a quirky series of side characters to aid him in his journey. These characters include his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), an awkward geologist named Bert (Brian Posehn), and arrogant university physicist turned power-hungry warlord, Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Hardcore fans of The Big Bang Theory will recognize these characters from the final season of the show, though most casual fans will probably glance at this cast and wonder where any of these people came from.

It looks like the alternate realities Stuart finds in the inaugural season will include a zombie apocalypse, a futuristic no-man’s land complete with drone warfare, and any number of comic book-inspired locales. Think of the show as Marvel’s What If series, if you swap Spider-Man for a proto Stan Lee with poor people skills. Invigorating stuff.

Shark Jumper, Or Secretly Genius?

Where some might view Stuart Fails to Save the Universe as a shark-jumping moment, I think the show has the potential to eclipse The Big Bang Theory in quality and fan fare. I say this not as a Big Bang Theory hater, but as a huge fan of Georgie & Mandy, and, to a lesser extent, certain plot-lines in Young Sheldon. It seems like the further the franchise departs from the original Pasadena physicists, the better it gets. In fact, I’m willing to bet that there’s potential for another barely-related spinoff buried within the first season of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which could grow to become the best thing Chuck Lorre has ever made.

In case you’re out of the loop, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will center on Kevin Sussman’s Stuart Bloom. Stuart is the owner of the comic book store that Sheldon and company frequent throughout the original sitcom, and often the butt of jokes due to his anxiety, awkwardness, and lack of financial stability. In The Big Bang Theory, Stuart frequently struggles to get a date, can’t seem to connect with the guys on a deep level, and often finds himself mired in an amount of self loathing that is downright out of place for such an upbeat show.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will probably be a hard sell for many audiences, but I must admit I’m highly intrigued. Though the Big Bang Theory franchise has grown to include numerous projects at this point, the entire cinematic universe has remained relatively grounded. If this new show can stick the landing, it might be exactly what we need to shake things up and make them bold, interesting, and completely free of Sheldon Cooper.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres July 23 on HBO Max.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 17 seconds ago

Ever wonder who the most influential villain in Star Wars really is? To this day, that honor goes to Boba Fett. This coldhearted bounty hunter was only in the Original Trilogy for about six and a half minutes, but he left an insane impression on the fandom that spawned various standalone books and comics. He was so popular that he was brought back to life, twice. First in the Expanded Universe through the Dark Empire comic, and again in the Disney era in The Mandalorian. Fett is so cool and mysterious that fans have spent decades wondering what inspired his creation.

As it turns out, the answer to that question is far simpler and far more badass than you might think. Years before he popped up on the big screen in The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett made his first appearance in the universally hated Star Wars Holiday Special. That special included a cartoon segment that introduced Fett as a villain and was animated by John Celestri. Many years later, he confirmed that, from his clothing to his mannerisms, Fett was inspired by another legendary bounty hunter: Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name in the iconic western, A Fistful of Dollars!

The Man With No Shame

If you’ve never seen the Star Wars Holiday Special, consider yourself lucky. It’s genuinely one of the worst things ever put on film, which is why it has never been rebroadcast or released on home media. But it’s a notable part of franchise history for several reasons, including the fact that it introduces Boba Fett to this famous galaxy far, far away. He appears in a cartoon segment where Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and C-3PO crash on an ocean planet while hunting a talisman. Fett presents himself as an unlikely ally before the droid discovers the truth: the bounty hunter is secretly hunting the talisman on behalf of his employer, Darth Vader.

This segment was animated by John Celestri, who gave an interview to the Boba Fett Fan Club in 2019. There, he revealed that he “approached playing Boba Fett as a Clint Eastwood-style character in a spaghetti western, with mannerisms expressing a sense of extreme self-confidence. I used macho posing, tossed his rifle across his body from one hand to another, and—in one particular scene—adjusted the fingers of his glove before gesturing with his hand.” 

Logging Onto Fett Finder

Since the audience couldn’t see Fett’s face, Celestri tried to convey emotions in other ways. “I timed tilting Boba’s helmeted head to go up and down, side-to-side to change the arc of the helmet’s rigid eye-opening to reflect the tone of his dialog delivery … for example: quizzical, surprised, judgmental, etc.” Even Fett’s animated wardrobe was inspired by Eastwood’s character (the Man With No Name) in A Fistful of Dollars, and this Star Wars villain is similarly presented as a morally gray bounty hunter with his own sense of justice.

At any rate, Celestri wasn’t the only one to instantly make a connection between Boba Fett and Eastwood’s most famous character. Jeremy Bulloch, who played Fett in the Original Trilogy, has previously stated that the Man With No Name inspired his performance in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Additionally, in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Special, George Lucas directly stated, “The Boba Fett character … is also very much like the Man With No Name from the Sergio Leone Westerns.”

Unfortunately, this character arguably lost much of his mystique when he was brought back into canon by Disney. The Book of Boba Fett reduced the feared bounty hunter to just another rando with a blaster; one who bumbles from quest to quest like a man trapped in a video game. Maybe one day, he will regain his Clint Eastwood-like swagger in our favorite galaxy far, far away. Until he gets his own Fistful of Credits-style movie, though, we’ll just have to relive the glory days of when Boba Fett was the coolest and most mysterious villain in all of Star Wars.

Monaleo and Stunna 4 Vegas have been publicly loving on one another since their boo’ed up pop-out in 2021. From heartfelt paragraphs to couple photos, the rappers became a symbol of Black love across the internet. Their relationship continued to grow after welcoming their baby boy in 2023, before they tied the knot in 2025. Despite sharing moments publicly, the couple has also managed to keep private matters out of the public eye. However, Monaleo recently came to the internet to address cheating rumors that have gone viral! 

RELATED: Congrats! Rappers Monaleo & Stunna 4 Vegas Tie The Knot With Pink-Themed Fairytale Wedding (VIDEOS)

Monaleo Addresses Fans Questioning The Status Of Her Relationship

This week, rumors began circulating across social media about Monaleo and Stunna 4 Vegas’ relationship. Multiple people speculated that Stunna had cheated on Leo. One person on Facebook wrote, “Stunna did all that damn CRYING AT THE WEDDING & CHEATED.” While the circulating posts didn’t include any proof, people still began running with the claims and spreading them. Some even headed to Monaleo’s comment section on X to get answers directly from the source. One person wrote, “Did Stunna cheat yes or no? Btw I love you sista.” Wednesday morning, the rapper took to her account to clear the air. Monaleo reassured fans that she and Stunna are good, writing:

“Guys relax me and stunna are fine.. he literally between my a*** as we speak.”

One supporter reacted, “Can’t take these TikTok detectives seriously at all! First it was your pockets, now it’s your marriage.” The rapper responded, “I’m broke and divorced smh just pray for me atp.” Another user wrote, “legit saw TikTok make that sh*t up in the comments in real time,” where Monaleo replied, “Literally and once my family start asking me abt crazy st…. know it’s gone too far.”

One supporter even stepped into The Shade Room Teens’ comments, defending Monaleo and Stunna 4 Vegas from the rumors. The user wrote, “I seen somewhere on Facebook where a girl said ‘I’m glad Stunna cheated on Leo she was too happy.’ I said that to say ppl will lie and make sh*t up because they hate seeing the next mf happy.” Monaleo later replied, “wow … thats sad.”

Social Media Reacts 

Folks continued to gather under The Shade Room Teens to react to Monaleo’s tweets. Many of her supporters were ready to step for both her and Stunna 4 Vegas, making it clear that people need to stop being so quick to believe negative things online. While many defended the couple, others still questioned whether there was any truth to the circulating rumors.

Instagram user @daeja_vu_ wrote, “Yessss I knew that sh*t was a lie 🫶🏾❤️ so happy cause I’m rooting for them!! 

Instagram user @crissy_b wrote, “”He literally between my a*s as we speak” 😂😂 as he should be because why y’all starting these negative rumors”

While Instagram user @officiallyroyaltayy wrote, “Jus cuz he between yo ahh don’t mean he cheated boo?”

Instagram user @msprettyce wrote, “She ain’t deny she just said they’re fine. SMH.”

Instagram user @chantel_sierra added. “Rumors like this don’t get started and pushed without some sort of proof this is disappointing, but I’m praying for them”

While Instagram user @privatelifeofalaya__ wrote, “Yall gone piss him off yall know how he get bout her”

Instagram user @yesmadammonae wrote, “Lord PROTECT THEIR MARRIAGE! Weirdos never seen liven want them to break up or go through trials. NOPE! We cover them in love and strength from the enemy!”

Instagram user @itscece2u_ added, “He bet tf NOT cause baby we ride at dawn bout MONA pink 💞🗣️”

While Instagram user @_shantel wrote, “The way people so quick to believe something negative is crazy it’s like some of yall just be waiting, hoping… then believing something from Facebook is crazy asl”

The Caldwells Are Protecting Their Peace

Prior to the rumors circulating on Facebook, Monaleo was on Instagram showing love to her husband while celebrating her accomplishments. The rapper shared a collage post reflecting on the blessings surrounding her life and relationship. She captioned the post, “Rich in support rich in community rich in family rich in lineage rich in friendships rich monetarily rich in spirit rich in character rich spiritually rich in general they can’t take all this winning.”

In another post, Monaleo shared photos of herself and her husband standing in front of their plaques. Alongside the pictures, she wrote, “more plaques more awards no weapons formed against the caldwells shall prosper.”

RELATED: Monaleo Confirms Status Of Remaining Tour Dates Amid Recovery From Emergency Surgery (PHOTO)

Since its epic conclusion, a lot has been said about how Andor elevates Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and even Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, but with The Mandalorian and Grogu bringing Star Wars back to theaters this week, it’s also the perfect time to revisit how the Disney+ series has improved another beloved chapter in the franchise. That’s largely thanks to Karis Nemik’s (Alex Lawther) manifesto, which goes viral across the galaxy in the series finale and urges listeners to “Remember this: try.” The line creates a surprising dialogue with Yoda’s (Frank Oz) iconic quote from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back: “Do or do not, there is no try.” At first, the two ideas seem opposed, but Nemik’s manifesto actually recontextualizes Yoda’s lesson, revealing them as complementary rather than contradictory.

Nemik’s Manifesto Is About “Trying” as an Act of Rebellion

It may seem confusing when first thinking about what Nemik and Yoda mean. One is telling you to try, while the other says “there is no try,” so who is correct? As it turns out, both of them are; we just have to look at the context. Nemik and Yoda are living in completely different moments of history when they each say their lines, and that matters. Nemik’s manifesto is one of the most brilliant pieces of writing in all of Star Wars, and we first hear it in the Season 1 finale of Andor, set five years before the Original Trilogy, when Cassian (Diego Luna) decides to save his friends during Maarva’s (Fiona Shaw) funeral on Ferrix. The odds are overwhelmingly against him, and he knows he can’t save everyone, but it’s Nemik’s words that push him to try and eventually succeed.

It’s important to note that, at that time, the galaxy thought that the Empire was invincible and unstoppable, and that’s the purpose of Nemik’s manifesto — to show people that the Empire can be defeated, despite the overwhelming odds. At that moment in Star Wars history, the Empire is so strong, it doesn’t even conceive that anyone could try to challenge its authority, so even the smallest attempt is already an act of rebellion. “Even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward,” as Nemik says, because it shows everyone that the Empire isn’t invincible, and that’s all it takes for revolution to spread; once other people see that, they too will feel emboldened and try. That’s what the Aldhani heist was for (besides the money, of course), and that’s what the rebellion on Ferrix becomes, too.

When we next hear Nemik’s manifesto in the Andor series finale, it’s in a completely different context. It has gone viral, beyond the Empire’s ability to contain its spread, and people now see that there is a way to fight for freedom. It’s now an open call to rebellion beyond the Rebel Alliance, too, a promise that, if everyone takes action, they will succeed in taking down the oppressor, because “then there will be one too many,” he says. There’s no telling who has heard the manifesto, but a few weeks after it goes viral, a farm boy from a backwater planet decides to join the Rebellion after losing everything to the Empire, and manages to blow up their ultimate weapon. One single thing, an X-wing, broke the siege, like Nemik promised, because, before that farm boy, many other people tried.

Yoda’s Lesson in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ Is the Culmination of Nemik’s Manifesto in ‘Andor’

There’s no way of knowing whether Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Yoda have ever listened to Nemik’s manifesto, but the former’s actions and the latter’s lessons sure feel like the continuation of the ideas it preaches. There are only a few days between the manifesto going viral and the destruction of the Death Star, and then three years until Luke joins Yoda on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back, so the galaxy is already a completely different place. Thanks to all the trying, the Rebellion has grown into more than just a military movement, but into an idea, a promise of freedom. It’s now at a point at which it can actually do what it set out to do from the start, so the time has come to stop trying and do it.

When Yoda tells Luke to “try not; do or do not, there is no try,” Luke is trying and failing to pull his X-wing from the Dagobah swamp. He doesn’t believe that he has the power to do it, and most Force powers are about one’s ability to envision what they have to do and make it a reality. From a teaching and personal standpoint, Yoda is telling Luke to believe in his own abilities because he can do it. But, at that historical moment, there’s also a lot more hanging in the balance than just Luke’s X-wing. The Rebellion has just suffered a major defeat by the Empire on Hoth and must now find the strength to reassemble and continue fighting, because, if they falter again, they will be destroyed. The Empire has literally struck back and exposed how fragile everything is for the rebels, so if they don’t carry out their mission, all the attempts and sacrifices that came before will have been for nothing. Both Luke and the rebels are at a crossroads: now, either you do what you have to, or fail.

Of course, Yoda’s lesson to Luke doesn’t go viral like Nemik’s manifesto, but it does represent a change in the overall attitude of the rebels. Luke completely changes his attitude after losing to Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) on Bespin, and sets out with his friends to save Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from Jabba the Hutt and rejoin the Rebellion; he even has the confidence to call himself a Jedi Knight. The same thing is happening with the Rebellion. After their defeat at the battle of Hoth, only one year passes until the discovery of the second Death Star and the decision to go all-or-nothing against the Empire — to “do or do not.” So Yoda’s lesson isn’t about denying Nemik’s idea of trying, but rather about taking it one step further, because once something is proven to be possible, it’s not about trying anymore, but about doing it.

Nemik’s Manifesto and Yoda’s Lesson Are Actually Two Parts of the Same Advice

It’s easy to dismiss or forget how important a role the passing of time plays in Star Wars. Andor Season 2 takes place over four years, starting one year after Season 1, and ends mere weeks before the events of A New Hope. Then, there are three more years until The Empire Strikes Back, and finally one year until Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, when the Rebel Alliance finally topples the Empire. There are nine years between Nemik writing his manifesto and the battle of Endor, and that’s more than enough time for people to grow a political consciousness, as Nemik envisioned. That’s also enough time for political theory to evolve and either gain or lose relevance. In this case, Nemik’s manifesto evolves because it becomes a reality.

Again, there’s no way of knowing in canon whether Luke or Yoda ever listened to the manifesto, but it’s now brilliantly set up as a precursor to Yoda’s lesson to “do or do not, there is no try.” These two ideas aren’t opposed, and aren’t even two sides of a coin; they are, instead, two stages of developing consciousness. The Rebellion needed people to stand up against the Empire, and trying to do something showed them that it was possible. It’s what effectively set up the Rebellion as a galaxy-wide movement beyond the Alliance, so to speak. It’s important to start, and trying is a big part of it, but there comes a time when we grow beyond attempts, and it becomes about actually doing the things we have to, because we’ve already learned how and know why. When it comes to freedom against tyranny, this is even more important because either you do the right thing, or you don’t.

That’s where the galaxy is at when Yoda tells Luke to “do or do not.” Things have already grown beyond Nemik’s point of trying as an act of rebellion in itself. Everything has escalated by then: the Rebellion is now an organized military movement that has proven its ability to destroy the Empire, while the Empire has tightened its grip around the whole galaxy so as not to lose the war. At that moment, the Rebellion has already outgrown “attempts,” and needs to properly do what it set out to do and defeat the Empire. And it’s only able to because many people sacrificed everything while trying before.

Andor and Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back are available to stream on Disney+.

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Release Date

2022 – 2025-00-00

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Network

Disney+

Showrunner

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Tony Gilroy

Directors

Susanna White

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Writers

Dan Gilroy

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Franchise(s)

Star Wars

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The Off Campus cast has, similar to their fictional counterparts, have found success in their personal dating lives.

Based on the Off Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show, which premiered in May 2026, follows an elite ice hockey team — and the women in their lives — as they “grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging deep friendships and enduring bonds while navigating the complexities that come with transitioning into adulthood,” read the official synopsis.

Season 1 centered around the “sexy and fun ‘opposites attract’ romance between quiet songwriter, Hannah and Briar University’s all-star hockey athlete, Garrett.” Going off Kennedy’s book order, Logan’s (Antonio Cipriano) story was expected to be next, then Dean’s (Stephen Kalyn) before Tucker’s (Jalen Thomas Brooks) turn.

Off screen, some cast members — like Belmont Cameli, Stephen Kalyn and Mika Abdalla — have offered glimpses into their personal relationships. Others, however, have preferred to keep their love lives out of the spotlight.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Off Campus cast and their respective love lives:

Ella Bright

Bright, who was the season 1 lead on the show, has kept the details of her private life out of the spotlight.

Belmont Cameli

Off Campus star Cameli a.k.a Garrett Graham has been dating screenwriter Raina Morris since at least 2025.

Mika Abdalla

After meeting on set in 2021, Abdalla and Jake Short started dating. They have since gotten engaged.

Stephen Kalyn

Kalyn, who is Off Campus‘ Dean, has been in a relationship with Victoria Lovatsis for years. The couple has also sparked engagement rumors.

Related: Which ‘Off Campus‘ Couples End Up Together? Book Order Explained

Prime Video’s Off Campus follows different love stories at Briar U — but which couples end up together in the books? Based on the Off Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show follows an elite ice hockey team — and the women in their lives — as they “grapple with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery […]

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Jalen Thomas Brooks

Brooks has not publicly posted a partner so his relationship status has remained unclear.

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Antonio Cipriano

According to social media, Cipriano and Justine Verheul have been dating for at least four years.

Josh Heuston

The season 1 cast member is seemingly single based on his social media.

Steve Howey

Howey got married to Sarah Shahi in 2009. They welcomed two kids before filing for divorce in 2020.

Billy Joel is facing backlash from critics who claim he is attempting to dictate his own history following his harsh dismissal of an upcoming feature film. 

The iconic musician publicly rebuked the independent cinematic project about his youth, labeling the endeavor as an improper attempt to capture his early career. 

Notably, award-winning editor and director John Ottman is attached to helm the production, which is scheduled to begin filming this autumn across Winnipeg and New York. 

A new cinematic project tracking the early life of Joel is officially moving forward, though it faces heavy opposition from the legendary musician himself.

Titled “Billy & Me,” the upcoming feature film is set to focus entirely on the singer-pianist’s formative years, capturing his journey long before achieving mainstream fame and releasing his defining 1973 record, “Piano Man.” 

The movie arrives on the heels of a two-part 2025 HBO documentary centered on the artist, titled “And So It Goes.”

However, the production lacks Joel’s personal endorsement, music catalog access, or life rights. In an official statement to Variety, a representative for the artist emphasized, “Billy Joel has not authorized or supported this project in any capacity, and any attempt to move it forward would be both legally and professionally misguided.”

How Fans Reacted To The Upcoming Biopic

The singer’s legal disapproval has done little to deter the public, with many music fans actively turning against his attempts to block the project.

Following the representative’s sharp statement, online commentators quickly accused the superstar of trying to control his own history, noting that he had already successfully established his preferred version of events through his recently authorized HBO documentary. 

“This is what happens when an artist can’t control the narrative– which he accomplished with the recent HBO documentary,” one user wrote.

“Unfortunately, him not wanting it to happen makes me actually want it now,” another commented.   

Furthermore, while observers acknowledged that the singer can easily withhold his music catalog, they noted that public figures cannot easily control general life rights.

“Billy and all of his reps know controlling life rights are pretty hard for public figures… But he definitely will have a stronger hand controlling the music,” a user noted. 

The ‘Billy and Me’ Biopic Is Officially In The Works

The growing support from fans for an unapproved project has highlighted the deep history behind this newly revealed biopic. The upcoming movie, “Billy and Me,” is officially moving forward with Oscar-winning editor Ottman set to direct the features of the legendary 77-year-old musician’s younger days. 

Screenwriter Adam Ripp is collaborating with Ottman on the script, which is scheduled to begin filming this upcoming autumn. 

The cinematic narrative will heavily feature these early dynamics, potentially exploring the complicated real-life history where the musician fell in love with Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber. The tense situation initially fractured their friendship and preceded a period of severe personal struggle for the singer before they ultimately reconciled. 

Billy Joel Openly Discussed His Ongoing Battle with A Brain Disorder

The extensive media coverage of his musical history stands in sharp contrast to the very real physical challenges the musician has faced behind the scenes.

Last year, Joel opened up about a serious brain disorder that forced him to halt his touring schedule completely, wrapping up his final live performance at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut in February 2025.

The Blast confirmed that the legendary 77-year-old singer was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a neurological condition characterized by an abnormal buildup of spinal fluid inside the brain’s ventricles. 

Speaking candidly, Joel admitted that maintaining his equilibrium has become his single greatest everyday struggle, joking that his “balance sucks.” He went on to describe the constant physical sensation as feeling “like being on a boat,” though he reassured fans that he otherwise feels good.

Michael Jackson’s Recently Released Biopic Was Also Controversial 

The controversial handling of celebrity narratives is not unique to Joel, as major Hollywood biopics frequently alter real-life events due to financial and legal pressures behind the scenes. 

This reality is especially apparent in the production of the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biographical film.

The production of the movie, titled “Michael,” allegedly required a massive combined payout of $25 million for director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King to oversee significant changes to the script, as reported by The Blast.

These major financial adjustments were explicitly triggered by the unexpected need to cut out and completely reshoot various scenes that referenced the 1993 child sex abuse allegations made against the late pop icon. 

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 9 seconds ago

For the most part, I hate what YouTube has done to the modern state of film and TV criticism. For every diamond like Red Letter Media, there is plenty of rough like Cinema Sins (plot hole that’s not actually a plot hole? Ding!) and The Critical Drinker (the movie has a woman? Woke garbage!). The internet was designed to democratize information, but countless YouTube channels seemingly exist solely for dumb streamers to make dumber audiences even stupider until the modern state of film discourse has a collective IQ stuck at room temperature.

However, I’m still eternally grateful to YouTube for helping me discover films and TV shows from before my time. For example, I was only two years old when Miami Vice (1984) came out, so I never watched it growing up. I probably never would have watched it because, if I’m being honest, an ’80s cop drama didn’t sound like my cup of TV. But YouTube clips of the series convinced me how effortlessly cool this Michael Mann-produced show really was, and watching it kind of changed my life. It’s now streaming on Tubi for free, making this the perfect watch for anyone who likes police procedurals and wants something far, far better than another serving of NCIS slop.

The Ultimate Ridealong

The premise of Miami Vice is that two unconventional police detectives must team up as undercover detectives in sunny Miami Beach, Florida. The first detective is James “Sonny” Crockett, a gruff divorcee and former football star with more than a few quirks, including a pet alligator. The second detective is Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, a street-smart ladies’ man from New York who comes to Miami as part of a case. There, he teams up with Sonny, forming arguably the weirdest and most charming buddy cop duo in television history.

It helps that the lead actors were dripping with charisma. Don Johnson brought a laid-back swagger to the role of Crockett that basically exemplified the ‘80s: he was colorful and casually cool, but in his relations with his ex-wife and children, you could tell there was a roaring river of hidden vulnerability. Meanwhile, Philip Michael Thomas portrayed Tubbs as the emotional rock of the duo, one whose confidence was as clear as his appreciation for the ladies. Miami Vice wasn’t always consistent across its five-season run, but these two actors always gave 110 percent to their performances and ended up defining an entire decade.

Sleek, Sexy, And Stylish   

When Miami Vice came out, it was like no other police procedural before it. The origin of the show was a two-word note written by NBC Entertainment head honcho Brandon Tartikoff: “MTV cops.” Showrunner Michael Mann took this idea to heart, and he did something that now seems unthinkable: he aimed this cop show squarely at a younger, MTV-loving audience. As such, the show is all about vibes and the rule of cool rather than boring detective work. As occasional Miami Vice director Lee H. Katzin once put it, “The show is written for an MTV audience, which is more interested in images, emotions, and energy than plot and character and words.” 

A big part of aiming for the MTV generation was having the coolest needle drops in television history. Episodes frequently featured long excerpts of killer ‘70s and ‘80s tunes that played out during extended scenes of atmospheric, visual storytelling, effectively transforming major segments of the show into a stylish music video. It’s a technique that works shockingly well from the very beginning. The first episode has our heroes driving to almost certain death while Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” plays and the camera lingers on shots of their beautiful black Ferrari as the detectives load their guns. It’s just the greatest scene, and one that instantly made me a fan of the entire series.  

One Smoking Hot Show

Another reason to check out Miami Vice is that it’s one of the most visually striking shows ever made. Under the guidance of Michael Mann (who later became one of Hollywood’s most stylish directors), the show was filmed in Miami, which aesthetically dominates (or “frame mogs,” as the kids say) so many shots that it’s practically its own character. Speaking of characters, the ‘80s fashion on display is mind-bogglingly wild, with bright colors that contrast with dark and dirty cases. Don Johnson deserves particular credit for somehow making combinations like a white jacket and light purple pants look like the coolest, most masculine ‘fit on the planet.

Finally, it’s worth watching Miami Vice to experience the groundbreaking series that changed how other major shows were made. For example, Dick Wolf was a writer and producer on this show, and he took the lessons he learned from Michael Mann to create Law & Order, spawning the most successful procedural franchise in television. In terms of influence, Crockett and Tubbs’ looks were so iconic that many still consider them the faces of the ‘80s. This includes Rockstar Games, which took countless cues (in terms of music, fashion, and so much more) from Miami Vice and its heroes to create their best-selling game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Are you in the mood to watch a police procedural that could turn into a music video at any minute? Got a hankering for a show filled with the coolest tunes and the absolute hottest people? Or maybe you just want to experience Florida in the safest possible way: from hundreds of miles away, in the comfort of your living room. Whatever your motivation, it’s time to ring up your partner and grab the remote. Together, you can do a ride-along with the world’s wildest detectives on Miami Vice, currently streaming for free on Tubi.

Latto has shared more baby bump photos, and some social media users think she’s sexualizing pregnancy.

RELATED: New Mom Energy?! Social Media Thinks Latto Gave Birth After Mother’s Day Video Seemingly Featured Baby Sounds

Latto Shares More Baby Bump/Pregnancy Photos

On the evening of Tuesday, May 19, Latto took to Instagram to share a carousel of photos from an apparent maternity shoot. In the photos, Big Mama posed on a fluffly bed while wearing an all-white bra and underwear set adorned with chiffon ruffles. Furthermore, she captioned the post, “5/29🪽,” acknowledging the date of her forthcoming album.

Check out the pictures by swiping below.

Some Social Media Users Think She’s Sexualizing Pregnancy With Her Baby Bump Photos

Social media users slid into TSR’s comment section with reactions to the photos. Some appeared to think that Latto is sexualizing pregnancy.

 Social Media Users Continue To Wonder If The Rapper Gave Birth

As The Shade Room previously reported, social media users began speculating that Latto may have given birth earlier this month. Around Mother’s Day, a video was shared via her foundation, Win Some Give Some’s, Instagram page, and it showed her sitting in a rocking chair as apparent baby coos could be heard in the background.

On Wednesday, Latto returned to her social media to share a clip of her signing album inserts. Furthermore, the lullaby music that played in the background appeared to signal to fans that her little one must indeed be here.

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