Quoteworthy
Howard Stern Responds to Donald Trump Jr. Bringing Up Old Blackface Sketch
Howard Stern and Donald Trump Jr. Howard Stern used to be close buds with Donald Trump, having him and members of his family as guests on his show numerous times over the years. His alliances have clearly changed, as he’s called Trump’s initial campaign for president a publicity stunt while also encouraging his supporters to drink bleach. That turn of opinion has raised the ire of Donald Trump Jr., who called Stern out over the weekend for an old bit he did in which he wore blackface and used the n-word repeatedly. Now, the shock jock has responded on his SiriusXM morning show. For context, the 1993 sketch in question aired during a New Year’s Eve pay-per-view special. Stern was lampooning Ted Danson, who had worn blackface to a Friar’s Club roast with his then-girlfrie...
Jon Stewart Discusses Police Brutality and FOX News in New Interview
With all that’s going on in the world, there’s no better time for the return of Jon Stewart. The former Daily Show host is back making the media rounds for his new movie, Irresistible, coming to PVOD on June 26th. Given the political nature of the film and the socio-political landscape it’s being released into, it’s no surprise Stewart has a lot to say about the current state of things. In a new interview with The New York Times, he touched on everything from Trump to police brutality to FOX News, all with his usual intelligence and nuance. Some might wish Stewart would return to the televised political comedy and commentary scene, but even if he were to return (he’s certainly not eager to) it wouldn’t be like The Daily Show. He praised the show’s current host, Trevor Noah, ...
John Cleese Mocks Fox News for False Reporting on a Monty Python Quote
“What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?” Not everyone knows the answer to that cult-favorite query, least of all news anchors. Fox News proved as much to be true when they fell for a similarly popular Monty Python and the Holy Grail joke while covering Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, going so far as to mistakenly cite a quote from the film as fact. Now, John Cleese is mocking them for it, reports UPROXX. It all began when Martha MacCallum, the host of Fox News’ segment The Story, was reporting on the CHAZ zone in Seattle, claiming that there were leadership problems within the group. As proof of such, MacCallum pointed to a screenshot of a Reddit post entitled “I didn’t vote for Raz”. (“Raz” refers to Raz Simone, the rapper and alleged unofficial leader of CHAZ.) “I ...
The Sopranos Creator David Chase Accidentally Reveals Tony’s Fate
The Sopranos has been off the air for over a decade. Yet ever since Steve Perry’s pipes cut off by that now-iconic fade to black, fans have wondered, “What the hell happened to Tony Soprano?” Now, exactly 13 years to the day, we have our answer. In a recent roundtable discussion promoting his new book, The Sopranos Sessions, creator David Chase slipped up and confirmed the fate of his legendary character, putting an end to the exhausting debate that has left fans twisting and turning forever. But first, some context: If you recall, the series finale, “Made In America”, culminates at the real-life New Jersey diner Holsten’s, where the entire Sopranos family gathers around for a basket of onion rings. It’s a charming portrait that suggests an alternative, almost Rockwellian existence for the...
Spike Lee Apologizes for Defending Woody Allen: “My Words Were Wrong”
Over the weekend, Spike Lee took a slight, problematic detour amidst his press run for Da 5 Bloods. During an interview with New York’s WOR 710 radio (via The Playlist), the legendary filmmaker came to the defense of Woody Allen. “I’d just like to say Woody Allen is a great, great filmmaker, and this cancel thing is not just Woody,” Lee explained. “And I think that when we look back on it, we are going to see that — short of killing somebody — I don’t know if you can just erase somebody like they never existed.” He continued, “Woody is a friend of mine, a fellow Knick fan, and I know he’s going through it right now.” Editors’ Picks As expected, those thoughts warranted some major backlash online, and Lee has since released a statement on Twitter clarifying his position: “I Deeply Apo...
John Cleese Calls Removal of Fawlty Towers Episode That Uses N-Word “Stupid”
As a wave of media companies are pulling content that could be deemed offensively racist, the BBC-owned UKTV has removed a classic episode of the sitcom Fawlty Towers for its use of racial slurs. The show’s star and writer John Cleese has spoken out against the removal, saying executives trying “to hang onto their jobs” are “too stupid to see that” the episode was mocking the derogatory language, not supporting it. In the episode, entitled “The Germans”, Cleese’s Basil Fawlty has a conversation with Ballard Berkeley’s Major Gowen. The Major recalls a time he took a woman to a cricket game played by an Indian team, during which he uses racial epithets when referring to Indians (“w*gs”) and West Indians (“n*ggers”). While the episode is remembered fondly for its repetition of the phrase “don...
J.K. Rowling Pens Essay Defending Her Stance on Transgender People
J.K. Rowling, photo via Facebook J.K. Rowling is making headlines again for her views on transgender individuals and issues. After some of her actions on Twitter sparked backlash in December, she again drew claims of transphobia over the weekend when she tweeted that “erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives.” Daniel Radcliff, star of the Harry Potter franchise based on the author’s best-selling book series, denounced the remarks in an essay published on The Trevor Project. Earlier today, Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne also distanced himself from Rowling’s views, stating, “As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s c...
Keanu Reeves Previews The Matrix 4: It’s a “Really Special Story”
Almost two decades later, Keanu Reeves is set to reprise his role as Neo in the upcoming film The Matrix 4. While franchise actors sometimes stick around due to nostalgia or a fat paycheck, these weren’t Reeves’ reasons to return for the upcoming sequel. In a new interview, he said it was the script’s “wonderful story” that convinced him to join the Warner Bros. reboot. “Lana Wachowski wrote a beautiful script and a wonderful story that resonated with me,” Reeves explained to Empire. “That’s the only reason to do it. To work with her again is just amazing.” The 55-year-old actor also suggested The Matrix 4 plot could provide “meaningful” modern-day lessons to fans. “It’s been really special, and the story has, I think, some meaningful things to say, and that we can take some nourishm...
Daniel Radcliffe Addresses J.K. Rowling’s Transphobic Comments in New Essay
Twice in recent months, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has decided to tarnish her legacy by spouting transphobic comments on social media. The latest instance came over the weekend, when Rowling seemingly dismissed the existence of non-binary people and gender-nonconforming people. “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased,” Rowling tweeted. “I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.” Now, Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, is speaking out in support of the trans community in a new essay published to The Trevor Project. Radcliffe, who portrayed the titular character in all eight Harr...
Tiger King’s Joe Exotic Says “I’ll Be Dead In 2-3 Months”
Hard times for Tiger King’s Joe Exotic. In a letter obtained by TMZ, dated June 1st, and addressed to “supporters, fans, and loved ones,” the imprisoned Netflix celebrity paints a pretty bleak portrait for himself. In fact, he predicts, “I’ll be dead in two to three months.” Before that, though, Exotic thanks everyone for their support, erroneously claiming the pandemic is over, and pleading for that sweet presidential pardon, writing: “I ask President Trump to keep his word and look into making this wrong a right and grant me a miracle.” It’s perhaps at this point that Exotic realizes everyone’s moved on from Tiger King mania because things take a dark turn. “My soul is dead,” he writes, “I struggle every day to hold on to what little hope I can find.” Reason being, he has no outside...
J.K. Rowling is Being Transphobic Again
J.K. Rowling, photo via Facebook Late last year, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling drew accusations of transphobia after expressing her support for Maya Forstater, a researcher who was fired from the Centre for Global Development after opposing changes to the Gender Recognition Act that would allow for individuals to self-identify themselves. In a message posted at the time, Rowling wrote, “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?” Rowling was seemingly unmoved by the criticism over her past remarks, as the literary giant has tweeted more problematic, transphobic commentary regarding transgender people, non-binary ...
Billie Eilish Talks Body Image, How She’s “Never Felt Desired” in New Interview
As a global, mainstream pop star, Billie Eilish is constantly in the public eye, with everything from her fashion to her politics heavily scrutinized. However, she’s consistently made it a point to reject any forms of objectification, especially when it comes to her body. She recently released a short film on the topic, Not My Responsibility, as well as issued a powerful statement on body-shaming during the kick-off date of her “Where Do We Go? Tour”. Now, in a new interview with GQ, Eilish goes into more personal detail regarding her self-image and why she presents her body to the world in the way that she does. She also talked about her status as mainstream media “clickbait”. In the feature, the 18-year-old megastar admitted that she’s “never felt desired” before. “My past boyfriend...
