Category: News

If you’ve ever lost “most” of your money in a Ponzi scheme, you’ve automatically won Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

The actor has made millions throughout his long acting career, but he and wife Kyra Sedgwick were scammed by Bernie Madoff’s infamous Ponzi scheme that cost investors $50 billion. Madoff’s investment scheme, of course, impacted lots of investors, not to mention nearly bankrupted the New York Mets. And it also impacted Bacon, who said in a new interview that he lost “most” of his money when things went belly-up.

Bacon had disclosed the losses previously, saying in a 2017 interview with The Guardian that the losses were “a bad day” but he and his family “got through it together.” But appearing on the SmartLess podcast hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, Bacon went into greater detail, admitting the severity of the losses and the “life lessons” that come from believing something that’s simply too good to be true.

“There’s obvious life lessons there. You know, if something is too good to be true, it’s too good to be true,” Bacon said on the SmartLess podcast, according to The Wrap. “And when something like that happens, you know, you look at each other, then you go, ‘Well, that sucks. Let’s, roll up our sleeves and get to work,’ you know?”

Despite the setback, Bacon seems to have a good perspective on the losses and how it could have been much worse. Bacon and Sedgwick have continued to act and rebuild their life, and he said there are plenty of Madoff’s victims who were in much worse shape when the scheme came crashing down.

The actor went on to express gratitude for his family, wife and career. “We’ve made it this far. Our kids are healthy. We’re healthy. We can still both work and certainly, you get angry and stuff, but I have to say that there were a lot of people who were much worse off than we were,” Bacon continued.

“Old people, people whose retirement funds were completely decimated. So there’s always gonna be somebody that’s gonna have it a lot worse than you,” he added. “Whatever the cliches … Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Bacon said.

Bacon did say that he managed to get “a portion of some money back” from the ordeal, but it’s another reminder to be careful who to trust with your hard-earned dollars if you can manage to invest some of it.

[via The Wrap]

Kanye West’s “White Lives Matter” shirts are still drawing attention and reactions from fans and famous people alike — which, when you think about it, was probably the point all along. While many celebrities spoke out against the shirts’ messaging, others seemed baffled by the backlash against them, including Sharon Osbourne, who told TMZ, “I don’t understand why white lives don’t matter. I don’t understand it. It’s not my culture. Everybody matters, don’t they?… I don’t know what his point is.”

And while she didn’t totally seem to understand why the statement is so offensive — despite many, many easily accessible breakdowns such as this one (although to be fair, it doesn’t seem she even knew what the TMZ reporter was on about and that reporter did a piss-poor job of explaining it) — she did agree with Kanye that the Black Lives Matter organization that cropped up in the wake of highly publicized murders of Black Americans (especially by police) was “a scam.” “We gave $900,000 to that and I’d like my money back. Wish he could have said that before.” However, she did have a suggestion for anyone who doesn’t like Kanye’s antics: “Don’t go to his social media. Don’t listen to his music. Leave the guy alone… If you don’t like him, do that.”

Her advice is pretty funny, considering that’s effectively what the so-called “cancel culture” she decries during the interview is even about, but also apt. At this point, the only way to stop Kanye is to stop giving Kanye what he wants: attention. And before any smart alecks chime in; the day people stop clicking every single post about him to leave snarky comments is the day most outlets stop writing about him. In the meantime, he’ll remain a topic of discussion even as his new buddies at Fox Nex deplore his latest malapropism.

T.J. Miller has been persona non grata in Hollywood for several years now. The former Silicon Valley actor was accused of sexual assault back in 2017, which preceded a 2018 arrest for allegedly making a fake bomb threat on an Amtrak train. Not to mention, all of this went down amidst growing reports that Miller was not the best guy to be around in general. So it’s extremely rich that Miller has recently resurfaced with accusations that Ryan Reynolds was mean to him on the set of the first Deadpool movie.

While appearing on The Adam Carolla Show, Miller recounted filming a scene between his character, Weasel, and Reynolds where the two ad-libbed insults at each other. However, Miller claims Reynolds made it personal when he requested one last take that Miller felt was a little too pointed. Via Entertainment Weekly:

“As the character, he was, like, horrifically mean to me. But to me. As if I’m Weasel,” Miller explained on The Adam Carolla Show. “He was like, ‘You know what’s great about you, Weasel? You’re not the star, but you do just enough exposition that it’s funny, and then we can leave and get back to the real movie.’”

Miller said the jab took him by surprise. “I just kind of listened and thought it was weird, and then I got off stage because they were like, ‘Cut…?,’” he said, adding that the crew seemed uncomfortable after the scene, too.

Miller then declared that he’ll never work with Reynolds again. “I sorta wish him well because he’s so good at Deadpool, and I think it’s weird that he hates me,” Miller said.

Assuming any of this is true, we’re pretty sure Reynolds isn’t losing sleep about not working with the star of The Emoji Movie again. Reynolds recently set the Marvel world on fire by announcing that Hugh Jackman is coming back as Wolverine in Deadpool 3, so it seems like that movie will probably do just fine without T.J. Miller. Call it a hunch.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

For the decades during which Vladimir Putin has been in power, the unwritten rule has always been to never question the Russian president, lest you become the latest victim of what some have dubbed Falling Window Syndrome. While recent reports claim that Putin himself is hunkered down in a nuclear bunker after realizing he waged a losing war, publicly, that’s unlikely something he’d ever admit. But a few loyal Kremlin propagandists have begun speaking truth to power and admitting what is obvious to the rest of the world: Ukraine is winning the war.

Among those brave enough to come right out and say what everyone else can see is Sergey Mardan. According to The Daily Beast, the Russian state TV host opened his Saturday show “with heavy sighs” following Ukraine’s humiliating attack on the Crimean Bridge (an attack that Putin, of all people, has described as a terrorist act.) “All day long we’ll be talking about how this happened and what will come of it,” Mardan said. “I can tell you right now that nothing good will come of it, that’s for sure. They’ve achieved an enormous propagandistic effect.”

As a key part of Putin’s propaganda machine, Mardan certainly knows of what he speaks. But he took a huge step outside his role as one of Kremlin TV’s talking heads by repeatedly admitting that Russia had underestimated Ukraine’s strength and determination — though he sort of suspects the United States may have a lot to do with it.

“There was no shock that they would try to attack the Crimean bridge,” Mardan said, “but there was an initial shock that they managed to pull it off, especially in the early morning hours… Many competent people explain that this was a complicated task — not just journalists or commentators, but specialists. There is a high level of certainty that an operation of this magnitude could have been staged only by Western intelligence agencies.”

Mardan reminded viewers of the initial promises that Russia’s attack on Ukraine would be swift and relatively painless, and would result in near-immediate victory — a fantasy that clearly was either a lie or a huge miscalculation. Mardan encouraged his viewers to see Ukraine for what it truly is (at least in his mind) — and to realize that agreeing to peaceably conclude the fighting is the only way forward (an opinion that isn’t likely to win him any brownie points with Vlad).

“Ukraine is a cruel, motivated, well-prepared enemy,” Mardan said. “This is an enemy nation that has been waging a full-fledged war against us for at least seven and a half months. We keep calling it a special military operation, but they are waging war… Good Lord, I can’t keep listening to this thick and sticky rhetoric, it’s time to stop talking about the peace process and the collective West. This rhetoric doesn’t look good — in fact, it’s harmful. Since the mobilization has been announced, we’re talking about war, a people’s war.”

Mardan didn’t get much support from his guests, who did a better job of sticking to the pro-Russia script. One of them, Russian politician Alexander Kazakov, even commented that “If we win, we’ll take back what’s ours and whatever is [Ukraine’s] as well.”

Mardan might want to be careful when walking past any large windows.

(Via The Daily Beast)

Whether you’re sprinkling it into your simple morning coffee or layering it into a decadent dessert, Javamelts naturally flavored sugars bring your treats from ordinary to extraordinary. Because where there’s sugar there should be flavored sugar. But what flavors do they have? Gosh, we’d thought you’d never ask!

Javamelts are available in mocha, caramel, french vanilla, and hazelnut. They are kosher certified, 100% vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Oh, and did we mention they’re also women-owned and the packaging is recyclable? Their special sugar blends come in large pouch bags which are perfect for not only coffee and tea, but for baking and having on hand for artisan cocktails (Hello simple syrup!). They also have small individual flavored sugar packets, ideal for a little pizzazz on the go. And speaking of flavored sugar on the go, that’s how the idea of Javamelts was first formed!

It was Valentine’s Day and the husband of Carolyn, the company’s founder (who also happens to be her high school sweetheart), offered to go out to get her a “specialty cup of coffee.” Carolyn glanced at the individually-wrapped, candy-filled hearts that he had left on the counter for her and had her “Ah-Ha” moment. She looked her husband straight in the eye and said, “I have a crazy idea,” and she never settled for plain sugar again!

Javamelts are made with pure cane sugar and natural flavor, and are a no mess, no fuss, portable solution for those that love adding flavored creamers and syrups into their coffees and teas. Carefully crafted to add just the right amount of flavor and sweetness, Javamelts have no aftertaste and deliver simple, gourmet flavors in easily dissolvable sugars. They offer a dairy-free, natural alternative to those that love the taste of mocha, caramel, french vanilla and hazelnuts poured or pumped into their drink, but don’t want all the excess ingredients and calories that often come along with creamers and syrups.

Javamelts can be used anytime and anywhere you use sugar, but especially shine when mixed in with coffees or used in baked goods. Add them to oatmeal, yogurt, whipped creams, dessert recipes, sauces, marinades – or top your sugar cookies, cakes and muffins! And if you’re feeling especially fancy, might we recommend using these flavorful sugars on the rims of cocktail glasses? Because, espresso martinis with a mocha sugar rim? Yes please!

But it goes so much further than that! The Javamelts website offers loads of additional recipes to help boost creativity and see just how far these flavorful sugars can take you! Since Javamelts act the same way as plain old boring sugar, they can be easily subbed into all your favorite kitchen creations.

It’s PSL season after all, and caramel Javamelts are just the thing to take your pumpkin spice to the next level. Serve it with this Blackberry Vanilla French Toast casserole, made even more decadent with some Javamelts French Vanilla sugar, for the fall breakfast of your dreams. Or maybe it’s time to get out your beret and try these vanilla crepes – once you see the difference Javamelts make, you’ll never go back to plain sugar again!

But with holiday baking season on the horizon, don’t just take our word for it! Use the exclusive code “UPWORTHY10” to get 10% off any purchase of 2 or more 1.5lb sugar pouches (valid for the entire rest of 2022!), and start seeing how much better your sugar situation can be!

Upworthy has earned revenue through a partnership and/or may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through links on our site.

Brian Robinson has been one of the feel good stories early on in this NFL season. The rookie running back for the Washington Commanders was shot twice in the leg during an attempted robbery and yesterday — a mere six weeks after the shooting — took to the field for the first time ever in the Commanders’ game against the Tennessee Titans. But it’s the now viral moment of Robinson coming out of the tunnel at FedEx Field to 50 Cent’s “Many Men” that really drove home the emotion of Robinson’s road back to an NFL field and the perseverance he showed along the way.

50 Cent’s lyrics paint such a vivid picture of what Robinson has been through, as he raps in the song: “Many men, wish death upon me. Blood in my eye dawg and I can’t see, I’m trying to be what I’m destined to be. And n*****s trying to take my life away.”

Well, 50 Cent himself obviously caught wind of the viral clip of Robinson and shouted out the former Alabama running back. In an Instagram post, 50 wrote, “That sh*t ain’t stop nothing, when God has bigger plans it’s just a bump in the road. @b.robinson_4 right back in action.” He posted a photo collage of Robinson and himself, along with a second slide of the viral video of Robinson coming out to “Many Men.”

Robinson led the Commanders with nine carries, but the team lost a heartbreaker 21-17. Regardless, the Brian Robinson era has begun in Washington DC.

Fugees member Pras Michel is going to trial for money laundering, with a November 4 start date. According to Rolling Stone, the Justice Department has alleged that Michel assisted Malaysian businessman Jho Low and the wealth fund 1MDB to personally steal from what should’ve been for Malaysian economic development. Michel was apparently paid anywhere from $8 to $40 million for helping Low. In 2019, he pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and falsifying records charges.

Along with Michel, the case has several high-profile witnesses who were connected to Low. Leonardo DiCaprio used money from 1MDB to produce The Wolf Of Wall Street. The same year Michel plead not guilty to prior charges, DiCaprio gave a secret testimony to a grand jury in DC.

The publication lists Trump-affiliated officials on the witness list as well. A few include “White House chief of staff John Kelly, former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, former deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, RNC deputy finance chair Elliott Broidy and lobbyist.” Broidy had previously plead guilty “to acting as an unregistered foreign agent working for Chinese and Malaysian interests in 2020,” before Trump pardoned him a year later.

Given the news of Broidy’s 2021 pardon, Michel allegedly tried to convince Trump’s administration to drop the Low and 1MDB investigation — which has only landed him with additional charges ahead of this trial.

Michel was set to play a reunion tour with the Fugees last fall, but it has never occurred due to ongoing COVID concerns. Earlier this year, it was reportedly canceled because of Michel’s ongoing case.

The weekend team at Fox & Friends had to do some serious backtracking after rushing to Kanye West‘s defense when the rapper was censored on social media. Will Cain and Pete Hegseth did not see the Instagram post that got Kanye’s account restricted for claiming that Diddy is controlled by Jewish people. Oddly, Rachel Campos-Duffy did see the post, and yet still defended West on Saturday morning by suggesting that there’s a target on his back because he did an interview with Tucker Carlson.

“They had to cut him down,” Campos-Duffy said to the agreement of Cain and Hegseth. “We’re in this weird era where people can’t just say what they want to say. This idea you have to just shut down his account is just, it’s totally totalitarian, totally anti-American. It’s just wrong.”

However, the situation markedly changed on Sunday morning after Kanye had his Twitter account restricted following his threat to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” More importantly, Cain and Hegseth were now fully aware of Kanye’s antisemitic posts, and there were a lot of awkward faces as Hegseth tried to downplay their defense of the rapper from the previous day. Via Mediaite:

“Pretty ugly,” Cain agreed, as Hegseth added “It’s ugly.”

“We talked about it earlier without knowing about these tweets and saying of course they’re going to put a target, after what he said with Tucker, there’s going to be a target, no doubt,” Hegseth said. “But in this particular case, he brought the target.”

Despite Cain and Hegseth backtracking on their previous defense of Kanye, Campos-Duffy notably did not join her co-hosts in condemning the tweets. Instead, she seemingly doubled down on her earlier remarks by saying, “The question is should he be removed from Instagram and who gets to decide that?”

We’re guessing anyone who knows blatant antisemitism when they see it? Just off the top of our heads.

(Via Mediaite)

Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus declared himself “hopeful for the future” in an August interview with People, discussing his overcoming of stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and the reconnecting with former bandmates Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker in the process of fighting it.

It appears as if hope sparked action. Blink-182 did the traditional tell-tale sign: they wiped their Instagram feed clean and updated their bio across their platforms to read, “Crappy Punk Rock since 1992.” Internet sleuths simultaneously noticed Blink’s four most recently liked tweets are from 2012 and 2013, positioning them as foreshadowing for what’s to come:

If the curious social media activity caused you to check the iconic band’s official website, you were met by an animated bunny tapping its foot and surrounded by “UNDER CONSTRUCTION” banners. And if that weren’t enough to indicate that something is definitely coming from Blink, there are mysterious posters in New York City and a billboard in Peru.

The biggest question may not be what Blink has in store but rather which iteration of Blink is at work. Matt Skiba replaced DeLonge after his messy Blink-182 departure. But this July, Skiba responded to an Instagram comment asking if he was still a Blink member. “Your guess is as good as mine,” the Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist wrote. “Regardless, I am very proud of and thankful for my time w @blink182. We shall see…”

Skiba’s comment was sandwiched between DeLonge sharing with James Corden last November that he’s “always talking about some kind of reunion” and adding Blink-182 to his Instagram bio this August.

With People in August, Hoppus shared that he spent time with Barker and DeLonge at Barker’s Italian wedding to Kourtney Kardashian this spring. But it was their time together before Hoppus endured chemotherapy that seemed to forge a path toward a potential official reunion.

“It was the first time that all three of us were in the same room in like five years,” Hoppus told the publication. “It’s actually better than it used to be. There was no agenda. There were no lingering grudges. It felt very back to what it should be: three friends sitting in a room.”

Hoppus also said that he had been “writing music” and felt “open to whatever the next phase of Blink is.” There’s a strong possibility that the next phase is starting to unfold.

Blink-182 is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

America’s own Christopher Meloni is known for many things: starring in a hit crime show, flirting with Mariska Hargitay, and also being naked more often than not. But, and perhaps most importantly, Meloni is also known for calling people out on social media when they say something he doesn’t agree with, which happens to be a lot because nobody ever agrees on anything over here.

Over the weekend, Lauren Boebert tweeted an (unfunny) joke, and Meloni decided to channel his Law and Order sass to call her out. “There’s gotta be a Stupid Prize gop reps are competing for,” Meloni tweeted. Boebert was mocking Joe Biden and his impressive talent of miscounting words, while Meloni was clearly just mocking every GOP candidate.

Of course, Trump’s senior advisor Stephen Miller thought he would take this time to not only ask for an apology but also have the nerve to call Law & Order: Organized Crime “unwatchable.” A crime in itself!

Meloni quickly shot back: “When nosferatu attempts shade. Stevie, stick to writing fascist speeches.”

The Law and Order actor is known for being active on Twitter (for better or for worse) but he did not apologize to either Boebert or Miller, who still kept going long after Meloni had already moved on:

Law & Order: Organized Crime is a very watchable show that airs Thursdays on NBC! Meanwhile, Miller is still on his parent’s phone plan.

(Via Variety)