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Beyoncé’s Beyhive runs deep. As A-list celebrities like Selena Gomez turn out in droves to her Renaissance World Tour, others like musician Doechii pledged her allegiance from within the confines of a recording studio: The TDE signee has dropped a buzz-worthy freestyle over Beyoncé’s song “America Has A Problem.”

Doechii initially teased the track on TikTok back in March, leading fans to believe she would appear on the song’s official remix. However, the slot went to her former label mate Kendrick Lamar. Either way, after weeks of waiting for the complete version of the track, she surprised fans by uploading it onto her official YouTube channel. Tthe track contained witty bars and flairs of her hard-to-hide confidence. But one section in particular caught listeners’ attention.

Fans are speculating that the final few bars are a direct shot at Lola Brooke. In it, Doechii raps, “How you turn a 100 fans into a 100 bands? / How you turn a 100 bands into a 100 M’s.” That latter is a reference to the Brooklyn native’s breakout song “Don’t Play Wit It” featuring Billy B.

The stanza continues, “How you from the North and claimin’ you a croc b*tch,” as one of Lola Brooke’s nicknames is “Big Gator.” Doechii closed the verse by rapping, “How you bitin’ on the one and only swamp bitch? / I see a lotta b*tches, I don’t see a lotta stars / I hear a lot of rappers, I don’t hear a lot of bars / I see a lot of plastic, I don’t see a lot of barbz / I see a lot of digits, I don’t care about the charge.”

Listen to the whole track above.

Mad Men wasn’t a comedy, but it was one funny drama. Creator Matthew Weiner and his writing staff were whizzes at razor sharp dialogue and devastating bob mots. Few TV characters, then and now, are as consistently witty as John Slattery’s Roger Sterling. It also got surreal. Remember that time John Hamm’s Don Draper got so mad at Roger that he orchestrated an elaborate revenge that ended with him puking his guts out at the original Sterling Cooper office? That was awesome.

Still, it’s not as funny as I Think You Should Leave, Tim Robinson’s beloved Netflix sketch show, which frequently skewers modern office politics. Many sketches feature Robinson or one of his guest stars blowing up over next-to-nothing — which could happen in the stressful confines depicted on Mad Men.

Someone else noticed some unexpected connections between the shows, namely that if you put I Think You Should Leave’s soul song-heavy between-sketch bumpers in front of certain Mad Men scenes, they could almost seem legit.

It all began when writer Ben Crew noticed Don seemed an awful lot like Tim Robinson in the Season 5 episode in which he blows up on Jessica Paré’s Megan at a Howard Johnson’s. He posted about it on Twitter.

Crew then kept making videos in which Mad Men scenes played like I Think You Should Leave sketches. Like the one where the Season 3 one involving the runaway lawnmower.

Or the time Ben Feldman’s Michael Ginsberg — Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce’s first and nearly only Jewish employee — professed his love to Elisabeth Moss’ Peggy Olsen in a decidedly unromantic fashion.

Crew thought William Mapother’s Randall Walsh could be a character played by ITYSL repeat guest star Will Forte.

And Pete Campbell? In Season 6, Crew argued, his every appearance is an ITYSL sketch, especially the famous “Not great, Bob!” bit, which is so much more than just “Not great, Bob!”

And the time Bert Cooper’s longtime secretary Miss Blankenship died? Definitely could come from the mind of Tim Robinson.

Crew’s mash-ups resonated with many, some of whom thought they could be real.

Anyway, good job, Ben Crew! You’ve revealed out unusual aspects of both Mad Men and I Think You Should Leave, two shows that unexpectedly go great together.

Kelis doesn’t hold back when it comes to addressing rumors, always going toe-to-toe with super fandoms. However, when it comes to confronting the whispers surrounding her dating life, that’s where she draws the line.

Last week, the internet was set ablaze over a rumor that she was dating actor Bill Murray hit social media. Many found the alleged romance humorous. Now, despite telling one fan that’d she remain tightlipped, the musician is opening up.

One person asked Kelis, “Ma’am would you care to address these Bill Murray allegations?!? Cuz damn! What is he doing with all that?!?” With 171 likes on the fan’s post, Kelis replied, “LOL no, babe. I wouldn’t bother at all.”

However, the remarks didn’t stop there. Further down in the comment section, Kelis liked other users’ postings and even replied to a few. Her most interesting response was one implying that she and the actor were doing fine. “Everyone’s dumb and will believe anything, but the best part is we are both blessed, rich, and happy,” wrote Kelis.

Although Kelis did not flat-out deny the rumors, there is something about it that makes it incredibly insensitive: Kelis lost her husband, Mike Mora, with whom she shared a child, with just one year ago to stage 4 stomach cancer.

Wheel of Fortune has never had the same cred as Jeopardy!, the early evening game show with which it’s long shared an hour time slot. Nor does it make news quite as often. But it’s still an institution. (And it definitely makes the news every now and then.) Indeed, when it was announced that Pat Sajak, its longtime host, announced he was leaving after next season, many on social media felt like it was the end of an era.

“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak wrote on Twitter. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”

Sajak, 76, has been overseen the big wheel for over four decades. He joined the show, which launched in 1975, in 1981, replacing its original host, Chuck Woolery. He was joined by his oft-silent co-host Vanna White the following year, a position she’s held ever since.

To many it seemed like Pat Sajak leaving Wheel of Fortune was the end of an era.

Others bid him a fond farewell.

Sajak did not say who would replace him, but some had a strong suggestion.

Others threw their own hat into the ring.

There’s still another season with Sajak at the helm, so don’t say your goodbyes just yet. That means there’s plenty more chances for him to remain cucumber cool as contestants flub big time.

(Via NBC News)

Ed Sheeran is working himself to the bone. In support of his latest album — (Subtract), the “Bad Habits” singer has embarked on two simultaneous tours, The Mathematics Tour and The Subtract Tour. Based on the latest attendance roundups, it seems to have been worth it.

Based on reports from NJ.com, Sheeran’s recent The Mathematics Tour stop at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey broke an attendance record previously held by rockers U2. The outlet shared that the final attendee count for the show on Saturday, June 10, came in at just above 89,000 fans. U2’s 360° World Tour previously held the record at the venue, bringing in 88,491 fans on July 20, 2011. Overall, the venue’s standard seated capacity is 82,500. Both tours allowed standing-only tickets.

When discussing why he decided to coordinate two separate tours, Sheeran wrote on Instagram, “I’m playing some smaller theatre shows in the US this summer, so I can play Subtract the entire way through with full band in an intimate setting.”

For The Mathematics Tour, Sheeran is playing his bigger hits, including “Shape Of You,” “Bad Habits,” and “Thinking Out Loud,” with support from rotating openers Khalid, Russ, Dylan, Rosa Linn, Cat Burns, and Maisie Peters as the openers. Check out the setlist for The Mathmatics Tour here.

View the remaining tour dates below.

06/17 — Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre
06/18 — Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre
06/24 — Landover, MD @ FedExField
06/30 — Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium
07/01 — Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium
07/08 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Acrisure Stadium
07/15 — Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
07/22 — Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium
07/29 — Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
08/05 — Kansas City, MO @ GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
08/12 — Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium
08/19 — Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High
08/26 — Seattle, WA @ Lumen Field
09/02 — Vancouver, BC @ BC Place
09/09 — Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
09/16 — Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium
09/23 — Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium

— (Subtract) is out now via Asylum and Atlantic. Find more information here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Technically Ron DeSantis has only been running for president for a few weeks now, but even before he threw his hat in the ring his campaign was off to a rocky start. He was prone to weird laughs and weirder faces. He also eats pudding with his fingers. His biggest rival, Donald Trump, tried out one mean nickname after another (but refused to use the cruelest). Recently he scored his first endorsement from a governor. Alas, he accepted it while caked in sweat.

As per Newsweek, the Florida governor moseyed on over to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where state governor Kevin Stitt had decided to go with him rather than the guy who’s spent months clobbering him in the polls. Nevertheless, Stitt told the crowd he was “the right guy to beat Biden.” Unfortunately, while on stage DeSantis made it look as though the venue wasn’t air-conditioned.

When an image of DeSantis, sweating right through his dress shirt, hit social media, it drew plenty of derision.

It wasn’t the only unflattering viral breakout from the event. Despite it being hosted by the Never Back Down PAC, which is dedicated to getting DeSantis in office, when Stitt introduced him, the crowd wasn’t exactly enthused until they were told to applaud.

But hey, at least DeSantis hasn’t been indicted multiple times, with more troubles likely to come.

(Via Newsweek)

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will look to win the franchise’s first championship at home on Monday night, as they hold a 3-1 Finals lead on the Miami Heat entering Game 5.

Jokic has been nothing short of sensational this postseason, putting to rest questions about his playoff bonafides after his back-to-back MVP seasons, and a championship will secure his place in Denver franchise lore. One day the No. 15 will sit in the Ball Arena rafters, at least with his name and potentially a second, as Carmelo Anthony wore 15 prior to Jokic’s arrival. Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero, who is moonlighting as a reporter for the NBA during the Finals, asked Jokic for the story behind why he wears the No. 15, and got an incredible response — “I was chubby. I was big, and 15 was the biggest jersey.”

It’s a perfectly Jokic response, as he was famously the chubby kid with crazy skills in Serbia before blossoming into the unstoppable force he’s become in Denver. Through it all he’s worn No. 15, noting he just stuck with it once he got it as a young player, and it’s safe to say it’s worked out for him. There’s always a story behind the number, and even if it doesn’t hold some deep, personal meaning to Jokic, his No. 15 comes with a very funny background.

Ever wonder what an ideal date for a lemur would be? Or a lizard’s favorite Disney princess?

Thanks to one YouTube poster with a passion for animals and an endearing sense of humor, all questions shall be answered. Well, maybe not all questions. But at the very least, you’ll have eight minutes of insanely cute footage.

In a series titled “Tiny Mic Interviews,” Maya Higa approaches little beasties with a microphone so small she has to hold it with just her thumb and forefinger. And yes, 99% of the animals try to eat it.

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There’s Ginger, the pig with a lot of stored up resentment toward the big bad wolf. She ain’t afraid to talk about it, either. Or so her passionate snorts would indicate.

Then there’s Brazilian porcupine Boris (at least, I think that’s what Boris is after Googling, I’m no zoologist), who is asked to name his favorite food. For the record, it’s corn. And no, you may not touch his snoot.

Godzilla, the itsy bitsy turtle that fits into one hand, gets asked, ironically, “what’s it like being land’s fastest animal?” Though Godzilla remains stoically silent, an image of super cool speedster sunglasses gets superimposed onto his face, along with the words “I am speed.”

The best part to me is a bird, aptly named Giggles, gloriously laughing at a cheesy joke. In fact, here’s a nod to all the birds with impeccable names in this video.

Mordecai, Costello, Bartholomew (these include stars from Higa’s first interview) … I’m looking at you.

Though these critters provide some top notch entertainment, there’s plenty of valuable information being thrown into the mix as well.

All the exotic “interviewees” are part of Zoo To You Conservation Ambassadors, a permitted facility in California, Higa informs her viewers. Rescued or surrendered from the illegal pet trade, or permanently injured, these animals receive permanent care and become a part of Zoo To You’s education program. Pretty sweet gig, right?

Higa herself is a wildlife rehabilitator, falconer and streamer who focuses a lot of her content on conservation. Though her online persona veers toward the upbeat and positive, she isn’t afraid to shed light on some darker facts around certain threats many species face.

“The natural world that these animals come from is being absolutely decimated,” Higa states in another video. “The UN estimates that over one million plant and animal species face extinction today. Pollution, habitat loss, climate change, the wildlife trade, exploitation, general human intervention…is causing us to lose species at rates unprecedented in human history. We’re experiencing a mass extinction.”

Wanting to be part of the solution, Higa has founded her own nonprofit organization called Alveus, which, like Zoo To You, acts as an exotic animal sanctuary and virtual education center.

If you’d like to support Higa’s sanctuary, you can do so by donating to [email protected] via PayPal.

And if you’re already jonesing for more adorable “Tiny Mic Interviews,” you’re in luck! You can find even more on Maya’s YouTube channel here.

This article originally appeared on 09.02.22

“America’s Got Talent” gave viewers online a sneak peak from an upcoming episode of Season 18, and it features an unforgettable audition from comedian Ahren Belisle.

Belisle, a 28-year-old engineer with cerebral palsy, used a text-to-speech app to deliver insanely clever, perfectly timed one-liners that left audiences howling.

As the aspiring comic explained to the judges early on, typing on his phone “builds tension during a set, and I think people enjoy watching me laugh at my own joke that I’m writing.” He wasn’t wrong. The crowd could barely contain themselves as they giggled with anticipation.

And it’s not just Belisle’s timing that was impressive. He excelled at a kind of charming, yet sharp, borderline self-deprecating humor that many comedians take years to master. Crazy to think that this guy has only been performing for a year.

Take for instance his first big laugh moment of the set, when Belisle addressed “the elephant in the room.”

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“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Who ordered Stephen Hawking off of Wish.com?’” he joked. “He might be smarter than me, but I would beat him in a race. Unless the race is downhill, then I’m screwed.”

Belisle would go on to take a playful jab at a “random white lady” who scolded him online for using the word “handicapped” in his social media bio, since of course it’s “offensive to disabled people.”

“Hmm…I don’t think It’s offensive. Last time I checked, I was pretty disabled, “ he quipped, then said the woman was “probably commenting on her phone from a handicapped bathroom stall.” Needless to say, the crowd was beside themselves with laughter.

In a rare feat for most comedians on the show, Belisle ended up with “yes” votes from every single judge for his unique and compelling routine, advancing him to the next round. Across the board, his set was praised as “clever” and “fearless,” with Sofia Vergara declaring, “I hope that you are the one comedian that finally wins ‘AGT.’”

Howie Mandel, the show’s resident comedian, really nailed it on the head as to what made Belisle’s act so special when he raved, “You open up the conversation and normalize humanity and originality.”

Will Belisle be crowned the Season 18 winner? No one can predict the future, but he has certainly won over all our hearts.

Like a lot of actors on Marvel’s payroll, Elizabeth Olsen is a serious thespian. When they scooped her up to play Scarlet Witch, she was an indie darling best known for her brilliant work in the drama Martha Marcy May Marlene. For the last year she’s been open about how doing comic book movies cost her some challenging roles, which she’s starting to do more now again. (See: Max’s Love and Death.) In fact, if she never plays Wanda Maximoff again? Well, she’s fine with that.

Olsen sat down with White Lotus Season 2 breakout Meghann Fahy for one of Variety’s “Actors on Actors” chats (as caught by Entertainment Weekly). It’s been a while since Olsen played Wanda — in last year’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, to be precise. Fahy asked Olsen if she missed her? Olsen was blunt.

“No, I don’t,” she replied. “I think it’s been almost 10 years of playing her. And I’ve loved it. And I think the reason why I am not calling Kevin Feige every day with ideas is because I’m really proud of what we were able to do. I think WandaVision was a really surprising opportunity.”

That said… “If someone were to tell me that I’m fired from Marvel movies, I will feel proud of what we made,” Olsen continued. “And I really am just trying to figure out how to load up other films and characters so it becomes less about the Marvel of it all.”

Olsen has received some of the best notices for any actor in the MCU, particularly when she showed both the breadth and the depth of her talents on the shape-shifting WandaVision, in which she had to embody acting types stretching decades while her character wrestled messily with grief. Now she gets to do that kind of thing without playing a character who flies and creatively massacres other superheroes.

(Via Variety and EW)