Cynthia Erivo will play Jesus in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ musical

From wicked to a saint: Cynthia Erivo is set to play Jesus Christ in the Hollywood Bowl’s upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Performances for the musical from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice will begin Aug. 1 at the famed Los Angeles venue and run through Aug. 3. Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo will serve as director and choreographer, while Tony winner Stephen Oremus will serve as musical director and conductor. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

The rock opera, first released as a concept album before taking Broadway by storm, is an interpretation of Jesus’ final days before his crucifixion and chronicles his relationship with Judas, Mary Magdalene, and his disciples.

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Erivo, a Daytime Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner — as well as an Oscar nominee — is no stranger to the show. She previously assumed the role of Mary Magdalene in Morgan James’ all-female Jesus Christ Superstar album and performed the popular track, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”

Norman Jewison previously adapted the musical into a 1973 film starring Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman, and NBC aired the special Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert in 2018 featuring John Legend, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Sara Bareilles.

Erivo celebrated the news of her biblical casting on Instagram Tuesday: “Just a little busy this summer,” she wrote. “Can’t wait!”

The actress is currently celebrating her third Oscar nomination for her role as Elphaba in part one of Jon M. Chu’s big screen adaptation of Wicked, which has since become the top-grossing film adaptation of a musical at the box office. Should she win best actress at the upcoming March 2 ceremony, Erivo would join an exclusive club of stars who’ve won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, reaching EGOT status.

Dope Thief Trailer: Brian Tyree Henry Is Hunted by a Dangerous Drug Ring — Watch

A pair of small-time crooks is about to mess with the wrong crew.

Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book of the same name, the eight-episode crime drama Dope Thief (which debuts on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes on Friday, March 14, followed by new episodes every Friday through April 25) follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents (Atlanta’s Brian Tyree Henry and Narcos’ Wagner Moura) who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside. But their small-time grift becomes a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern Seaboard.

In the trailer embedded below, we get our first glimpse of Ray and Manny’s shady operation, which includes them visiting “the wrong house” where they lift from a murderous drug operation. The friends’ actions then put everyone they love in danger, as the dealers track down the duo, who are now fugitives running for their lives. Insert explosions, car wrecks, gunfire and a whole lotta action-packed drama.

In addition to Henry and Moura, the ensemble cast includes Marin Ireland (Justified: City Primeval), Kate Mulgrew (Orange Is the New Black), Nesta Cooper (See), Amir Arison (The Blacklist), Dustin Nguyen (21 Jump Street) and Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction).

The series was created and executive produced by Peter Craig (Top Gun: Maverick). Ridley Scott directs the premiere and is also on board as an EP. Henry also executive-produces.

Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus Auctioning Off Prized Banksy Painting

LONDON (AP) — A painting by street artist Banksy with an environmental message and an estimate of up to 5 million pounds ($6.3 million) is going up for auction, with some of the proceeds helping victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Sotheby’s auction house said Tuesday that “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is being sold in London next month from the collection of Mark Hoppus, bassist with California skate-punk band Blink-182, who sees Banksy as a kindred spirit.

Hoppus said he was drawn to the subversion, humor and intelligence of Banksy’s work and the similarities between “skateboarding, punk rock and art.”

“I feel like street art and punk rock have the same core,” Hoppus said. “The left-out and overlooked making their own reality. … Just go make art. It’s the same spirit. And I’ve loved art and especially street art ever since realizing that.”

“Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is part of a 2005 series of works in which Banksy put a satirical spin on famous paintings — withering Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” and smashing the diner window in Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” The artist said his aim was to show that “the real damage done to our environment is not done by graffiti writers and drunken teenagers, but by big business.”

The work going under the hammer is based on “The Singing Butler,” a painting by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano showing a couple in evening dress dancing on a beach as servants proffer sheltering umbrellas. Banksy has added a sinking oil liner and two figures lugging a barrel of toxic waste.

“We loved this painting since the moment we saw it,” said Hoppus, who bought the artwork with his wife, Skye Everly, in 2011. He said the painting – “unmistakably Banksy, but different” – has hung in the family’s homes in London and Los Angeles.

Hoppus said he would use the proceeds of the sale to buy work by upcoming artists. Some will go to the California Fire Foundation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Hematology Oncology Research.

Banksy, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, “Laugh now, but one day I’ll be in charge.”

Several of his works have sold for multiple millions at auction. The record is almost 18.6 million pounds ($25.4 million at the time) paid at Sotheby’s in October 2021 for “Love is in the Bin” – an image of a girl with a balloon that partially self-destructed during an auction three years earlier thanks to a shredder hidden in the frame.

“Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is on display at Sotheby’s in New York until Thursday and in London Feb. 26-March 4.

Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Christopher Nolan has begun shooting his next film, “The Odyssey.”

Produced by Universal Pictures, the star-studded blockbuster will be Nolan’s follow-up to his Best Picture-winning 2023 hit “Oppenheimer” and will reunite him with a number of his past collaborators both in front of and behind the camera.

An adaptation of Homer’s Ancient Greek poem, Nolan intends to shoot the period epic with “brand new Imax film technology,” making it a big-screen adaptation of “The Odyssey” the likes of which audiences have never seen before.

The film is still over a year away, but here’s everything we know right now about “The Odyssey.”

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is set to hit theaters on July 17, 2026.

“The Odyssey” isn’t in theaters or streaming yet. When it is eventually released in July 2026, though, it will be a theatrical exclusive, which means it will only be available to watch first in cinemas.

Christopher Nolan has long been a proponent of the theatrical experience, and coming off the financial success of “Oppenheimer,” there’s no reason to believe he will settle for anything less than a long theatrical window for “The Odyssey.”

“Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer” scene-stealer Matt Damon is finally getting the chance to lead a Christopher Nolan film with “The Odyssey.” He’s set to play Greek hero Odysseus, and he’ll be joined by an impressive ensemble of other past Nolan collaborators, including Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, Bill Irwin and Himesh Patel.

The film will also feature Nolan newcomers Zendaya, Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Corey Hawkins and Will Yun Lee. Together, the actors form a massive ensemble befitting an adaptation of a story as sprawling as “The Odyssey.”

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is an adaptation of the story of the same name written nearly 3,000 years ago by Ancient Greek poet Homer. Set after the 10-year long Trojan War, it follows Odysseus, the king of the island Ithaca, as he encounters a murderous cyclops, deadly sirens and a witch goddess, among other memorable detours and characters, on his decade-spanning journey home.

“The Odyssey” has been adapted multiple times over the years. Its most noteworthy adaptations include a 1997 miniseries starring Armand Assante, Bernadette Peters, Isabella Rossellini and Vanessa Williams, as well as the Coen Brothers’ satirical 2000 musical “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and the 2024 drama “The Return” starring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes.

Nolan’s film is shaping up to be the biggest, most expensive and most ambitious adaptation of the epic poem to date.

In its original announcement of the film, Universal Pictures teased that “The Odyssey” will be shot “across the world,” and it looks like both the studio and Nolan are following through on that promise. The film is currently set to be shot in the United Kingdom, Morocco and throughout the Aeolian Islands located near Sicily, including the island of Favignana, where it’s believed Homer envisioned certain scenes in “The Odyssey” taking place.

Not yet! “The Odyssey” only just began filming, which means it will likely be some time before a trailer for it is released. Stay tuned to this page in the meantime. We will update as new information and footage comes through.

A Hand-Painted Banksy from blink-182 Co-Founder Mark Hoppus’ Collection Is Headed to Auction

“Crude Oil (Vettriano),” which has a high estimate of £5 million at Sotheby’s, debuted in the artist’s groundbreaking 2005 show in London.

With their shared rebellious spirit, Mark Hoppus, founding member of the American pop-punk band blink-182, found a perfect artistic counterpart in Banksy, whose raw, defiant style resonates deeply with the musician’s own ethos. Now, a cornerstone of Hoppus’s art collection, Banksy’s hand-painted Crude Oil (Vettriano), is poised to headline Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary Evening Auction on March 4 in London with a high estimate of £5 million.

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The painting first appeared in the landmark 2005 exhibition “Crude Oils: A Gallery of Remixed Masterpieces, Vandalism and Vermin,” a provocative, unforgettable show in London where Banksy boldly reimagined iconic paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Warhol and Hopper, turning them into sharp critiques of contemporary life and society. In true punk spirit, Banksy’s “vandalism” of art history went beyond the canvas: he transformed the gallery itself into a chaotic spectacle, releasing 200 rats to scurry through the space, introducing shock, discomfort and disorder, and shattering the traditional serenity of an art exhibition. Among the show’s notorious works, Crude Oil (Vettriano) subverts Jack Vettriano’s 1992 painting The Singing Butler, which famously depicts a couple dancing on a windswept beach, serenaded by an attendant butler — an image so ingrained in British pop culture it has outsold prints of Monet and Van Gogh.

Vettriano, known for his romantic and stylish depictions of leisure and intimacy, sees his idyllic vision shattered under Banksy’s brush. In this version, a sinking oil liner and two men in hazmat suits pushing a barrel of toxic waste intrude upon the scene. Adding bitter irony, a well-dressed financier, seemingly fresh from Bond Street, holds an umbrella as though shielding the oblivious dancing couple from impending environmental and financial collapse.

SEE ALSO: Inside the Gochman Family Collection of Indigenous Contemporary Art

“The vandalized paintings reflect life as it is now. We don’t live in a world like Constable’s Haywain anymore. If you do, there is probably a travelers’ camp on the other side of the hill,” Banksy remarked at the time. “Graffiti writers and drunken teenagers do not do the real damage done to our environment, but by big business… exactly the people who put gold-framed pictures of landscapes on their walls and try to tell the rest of us how to behave.”

Acquired in 2011 by Hoppus and his wife, the painting has since been a fixture in the family’s home — first in London, then in Los Angeles. “It’s borne witness to our family over these past dozen years. It hung over the table in London, where we ate breakfast and our son did his homework,” Hoppus shared in a statement. “It hung in our living room in Los Angeles. It’s seen laughter and tears and parties and arguments. Our son has grown up in front of it. This painting has meant so much to us and has been an amazing part of our lives.”

The couple plans to use part of the proceeds of the sale of Crude Oil (Vettriano) to expand their art collection with work by younger artists. “Coming back to punk rock, one aspect of the community I always hold dear is that if you get lucky enough to gain success, you bring your friends. Larger bands bring smaller bands on tour. We support one another from within,” he said. “We were lucky enough to find Crude Oil (Vettriano) in our lives, and it’ll help us support more art and artists. I want to be a fucking Medici.”

Emerging in the ’90s, blink-182 rapidly became one of the most iconic and influential pop-punk bands of the era, gaining notoriety for their rebellious style, irreverent attitude and lyrics that oscillated between humor, sentimentality and provocation. Their sound, infused with skate punk and alternative rock elements, defined a generation and paved the way for a youth-driven revolt against the establishment — a spirit Banksy shared.

“Mark Hoppus fell for this work for its rebellious spirit, raw edge and unfiltered expression — the fundamentals that also shaped Mark’s world: Punk culture,” Oliver Barker, Sotheby’s Chairman for Europe, said in a statement. “Street art and punk rock share the same vocabulary — they speak to the outsider, the rebel and the overlooked. Both movements were born from the margins. They challenge authority and rewrite the rules, a fundamental trait shared by Mark and Banksy.”

Hoppus discovered he had a passion for art during his college years in California when a professor introduced him to the subject. Yet it was a friend from the skateboarding community who truly sparked his appreciation, taking him to a street art show at LACMA — an experience that connected his worlds of music, art and rebellion. “That’s the moment it all came together for me,” Hoppus recalls. “Skateboarding, punk rock and art. Street art… They are left out and overlooked, making their own reality. Just make it yourself. Fuck everybody else. Just go make art. It’s the same spirit.”

The couple will also direct a portion of the proceeds toward charitable causes, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (specifically the Child Life Program) and Cedars Sinai Haematology Oncology Research. Additionally, in response to the recent devastating wildfires in L.A., they will make a contribution to the California Fire Foundation. Last week, on February 13, blink-182 played a one-night-only benefit concert at the Hollywood Palladium, with 100 percent of ticket sales supporting the wildfire relief efforts.

Crude Oil (Vettriano) is on view at Sotheby’s New York from February 18 to 20. It will then head to London for the auction house’s preview exhibition from February 26 through March 4.

‘Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’ review: A nautical delight

There is currently no better video game series to be a fan of than Sega’s Like a Dragon, formerly known (and still colloquially known to my friends and I) as Yakuza in the west.

Aside from perhaps train simulators on Steam that release 2,000 expansions per year, you just don’t get more juice from the squeeze with any other series in gaming right now. You never have to wait more than a year or two to play a new one, and developer Ryo Ga Gotoku Studio is constantly experimenting with the formula in fascinating ways. The latest experiment, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, is not only one of the most literally named video games of all time; it’s also a lot of fun.

“Let’s make a pirate game starring the one guy in the series who wears an eyepatch” is such a stupid idea that wouldn’t work in any other context, but for Yakuza, it’s totally cool. Thanks to excellent combat and an even-by-series-standards ridiculous and irreverent tone, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face for the 20 hours or so it takes to finish it.

Warning: This section contains minor spoilers for the early parts of the story

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a game about a Japanese Yakuza member who travels to Hawaii and becomes a pirate. The title isn’t some clever metaphor, it’s just what the game is about. The Yakuza in this case is Goro Majima, who I imagine most fans would rank roughly among the top three Yakuza characters, but is rarely actually a playable protagonist outside of 2017’s Yakuza 0.

In the rest of the series, Majima is known as the “Mad Dog of Shimano,” an unpredictable wild card who loves knives and being shirtless. In Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, he awakes on an island near Hawaii with amnesia, befriends a young English-speaking boy named Noah who badly wants to go on nautical adventures, and goes from there. Before long, Majima, Noah, and a ragtag group of lovable, sweaty morons are performing a Disney-style musical number about the joys of adventure on the deck of an old-school, wooden pirate ship.

None of that is an exaggeration, and it’s a good example of what makes Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii stand out from the (relatively) self-serious mainline games. There isn’t a great deal of melodrama about real estate disputes or anxiety about the death of organized crime in Japan to be found here. Majima breaks the fourth wall within the first five minutes to tell you not to even worry about the fact that all of these people speak different languages. For the most part, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a silly game about fighting silly pirates in silly places.

It can occasionally be a bit much even for a seasoned Yakuza player like myself, but if you just give yourself over to what RGG Studio is cooking, you’ll find a lot to like. I have a real fondness for the notion that this series, which is known for painstakingly realistic depictions of contemporary Japanese neighborhoods, can also accommodate a fictional pirate city called “Madlantis” full of guys who have wooden pirate ships in the year 2024 for some reason. Also, it’s run by All Elite Wrestling’s Samoa Joe, or at least a guy played by Samoa Joe.

Having said that, I do think there’s a bit of a missed opportunity here. As tedious as stories about amnesia can be, they can also act as an easy springboard for a character study as the person in question slowly regains their memories. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii gestures at this at times, but never really commits to it. It’s not until the end of the game that you get any new insight into Majima’s emotional state. That moment did hit me as a fan of the series, but don’t expect the rest of the story to do that.

That’s all to say that even though Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes place after the last mainline game, Infinite Wealth, it is not a sequel to that game in any meaningful sense. It gets by purely on vibes, which is fine by me. It doesn’t hurt that the soundtrack is full of stone-cold heaters everywhere you listen.

After the first couple of linear and cutscene-heavy hours, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii opens up into a familiar structure for the series. You’ll spend a great deal of time running around a shockingly realistic depiction of Honolulu (the same one from Infinite Wealth), fighting thugs, doing side stories, and recruiting new crew members for your ship, the Goromaru.

This is no better or worse than it has been in any other Yakuza game, aside from the notable lack of a business mini-game. I guess those are only for the mainline entries. Anyway, the side stories are as charming and funny as ever, all the crew members you can recruit are certified weirdos and freaks, and you can do karaoke. RGG Studio has gotten this part of every game down to a science.

Majima’s new on-foot combat mechanics are what make it all work. Just like 2023’s Like a Dragon Gaiden, this is a spin-off game with action combat that should satisfy people who maybe aren’t as into the turn-based fights in the newer mainline entries. Majima has two combat styles you can switch between at any time, Mad Dog and Sea Dog. The former is typical Majima stuff, revolving around punches, kicks, and slashes with his tantō blade. It’s a ton of fun, but is mostly suited for one-on-one battles.

For big groups of idiots (and you’ll be fighting a lot of idiots bunched together in groups), Mad Dog is the flavor of the week. In this style, Majima dual wields cutlasses while also having access to an old-school pistol and a grappling hook. He can throw his swords like boomerangs, take out as many as five dudes at once with a charged pistol shot, and fly across the arena with his grappling hook.

This is probably the most I’ve ever enjoyed action combat in any Yakuza game. Fluid, stylish animations, punchy feedback, and exciting camera angles on finishing moves make every fight as fun to watch as they are to play. Later in the game, Majma gets access to magical musical instruments, like an electric guitar that summons spectral sharks to gobble up everyone on the battlefield.

Does any of it make sense within the context of the larger Yakuza series? Hell no. Why are there cursed musical instruments scattered around the Pacific Ocean? More importantly, who cares? There might eventually be a time when RGG Studio jumps the shark, but it skillfully avoided doing so in the game that has literal sharks in it, so I trust that it isn’t coming soon.

The Goromaru isn’t just a plot device, it’s a fully controllable and customizable pirate ship that you use to navigate the high seas around Hawaii.

This is, admittedly, the weaker side of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, but also thankfully the part you have to do the least. Ship combat isn’t bad whatsoever, but after Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag more than a decade ago, nautical pirate combat in games has become a little samey. Fights largely involve getting in position to fire your powerful broadside cannons or ramming at full speed, with not much else in the way of tactics or special weaponry.

Occasionally, your crew members will be incapacitated and you’ll have to relinquish the helm to help them recover, which does add some much-needed tension to sea battles. Still, I never found anything I had to do in either the main story or the secondary pirate sub-story all that difficult.

I do want to commend RGG Studio for letting me put laser cannons on a wooden pirate ship, though. That’s pretty neat. I just wish this part of the game was a bit deeper or more challenging. Repetitive side missions where you go to generic island stages and beat up a few waves of bad guys in order to find treasure are just about the only other thing to do out in the ocean. It feels just a tiny bit half-baked.

Anyone who has any affection whatsoever for Goro Majima doesn’t need me to recommend this game to them. They’ve probably already pre-ordered it.

Still, I feel the need to reassure you that it’s a fun time on the high seas. I wish there was just a bit more interiority given to Majima as a character, like what RGG Studio has done with longtime series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu in recent games, but I’m not going to complain about a pirate action game with multiple extremely sincere musical/dance numbers in it.

‘Saturday Night Live’ celebrates 50 years with comedy, music and A-List celebs

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter duetted on Simon’s “Homeward Bound” to open the show, five-decade “Saturday Night Live” luminary Steve Martin delivered the monologue, and Paul McCartney gave an epic closing to a 50th anniversary special celebrating the sketch institution that was overflowing with famous former cast members, superstar hosts and legendary guests.

The 83-year-old Simon has been essential to “SNL” since its earliest episodes in 1975, and told the 25-year-old pop sensation of the moment Carpenter that he first performed “Homeward Bound” on “SNL” in 1976.

“I was not born then,” Carpenter said, getting a laugh. “And neither were my parents,” she added, getting a bigger laugh.

McCartney closed with the rarely performed song cycle from the Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End,” with its wistful ending, “the love you take, is equal to the love you make.”

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Lil Wayne and Miley Cyrus were among the night’s other musical guests, though the show’s musical legacy also had its own night with a Radio City Music Hall concert on Friday.

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“SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration” aired live from New York, of course, on NBC and Peacock. The pop culture juggernaut has launched the careers of generations of comedians including Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, who all appeared in early sketches.

And the evening included epic cameos that included Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Keith Richards.

Steve Martin’s opening sets tone for ‘SNL50,’ ‘Update’ keeps it rolling

Martin, one of the shows most prolific hosts and guests since the first season in 1975, tried to keep it current in the monologue even on a backward-looking night.

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Martin said when the show’s creator Lorne Michaels only told him he’d be doing the monologue, “I was actually vacationing on a friend’s boat down on the Gulf of Steve Martin.”

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He was joined by former “SNL” luminaries and frequent hosts Martin Short and John Mulaney, who looked at the star-studded crowd full of former hosts in the same Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza that has been the show’s longtime home.

“I see some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life,” Mulaney said. “Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder.”

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Later, on the night’s “Weekend Update,” anchor Colin Jost said there are so many former hosts and musical guests that wanted to see the show that many had to be seated in a neighboring studio and some had to watch “from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn” as a photo of Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared.

Martin took a jab at the always-difficult-to-wrangle Bill Murray in his monologue.

“We wanted to make sure that Bill would be here tonight,” Martin said, “so we didn’t invite him.”

Murray appeared on “Weekend Update” to rank the show’s anchors since they began with Chevy Chase. He poked at the whiteness of the group by first ranking its Black anchors, a list of just one, current co-anchor Michael Che.

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The extravaganza came after months of celebrations of “Saturday Night Live,” which premiered Oct. 11, 1975, with an original cast that included John Belushi, Chase and Gilda Radner.

It’s become appointment television over the years as the show has skewered presidents, politics and pop culture.

“It is a honor and a thrill to be hosting weekend update for the 50th and if it was up to our president final season of SNL,” Jost said.

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The show had its typical ending, with all involved looking exhilarated and exhausted on the studio stage. This night it was so crowded with luminaries it looked like it might break. Led by Short, they all applauded in tribute to Michaels, who created the show and has run it for 45 of its 50 years.

Cameos and memorials

Alec Baldwin, the show’s most frequent host with 17 stints, appeared to introduce an evening of commercial parodies, seven months after his trial was halted and an involuntary manslaughter charge was dropped in the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Aubrey Plaza made one of her first public appearances since the January death of her husband when she introduced Cyrus and Howard’s performance.

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The 87-year-old Nicholson was once a constant in the front rows of the Oscars and Los Angeles Laker games, but is rarely seen out anymore. He introduced his “Anger Management” co-star Adam Sandler, who sang in his signature style about the show’s history. He gave a roll-call of cast members, giving special attention to several who have died, including his friends Chris Farley and MacDonald along with Radner, Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman.

It ended with, “six years of our boy Farley, five of our buddy Norm.”

The show didn’t have a formal “in memoriam” section, though it pretended to when 10-time host Tom Hanks came out somberly to mourn “SNL characters and sketches that have aged horribly.”

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A montage began with the late Belushi’s “Samurai” character. The word “Yikes” appeared on screen in a sketch that included Mike Myers and a young Macaulay Culkin in a bathtub. A “body shaming” label appeared over the beloved sketch of Farley and the late Patrick Swayze as Chippendale’s dancers, and “slut shaming” appeared over one of the show’s earliest, catchphrases, Dan Aykroyd saying “Jane, you ignorant slut” to Jane Curtin. The current-day Aykroyd was a notable absence.

The oldest former cast member, 88-year-old Garrett Morris, appeared to introduce a film that showed the whole original cast.

“I had no idea y’all that I would be required to do so many reunion shows,” he said.

Sketches and bits jam-packed with former cast and hosts

The first sketch featured a mash-up of former cast members and hosts. Fred Armisen hosted a “Lawrence Welk Show” that featured Ferrell as Robert Goulet.

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Former hosts Kim Kardashian and Scarlett Johansson — Jost’s wife — gave an updated version of the elegant singing Maharelle Sisters with former cast members Ana Gasteyer and Wiig, who provided the traditional punchline “And I’m Dooneese” with a balding head and creepy, tiny doll arms.

It was followed by “Black Jeopardy,” hosted by the show’s longest running (and still current) cast member, Kenan Thompson, who called the game show the only one “where every single viewer fully understood Kendrick’s halftime performance.”

It showcased many of the show’s most prominent Black cast members through the years including Tracy Morgan and Murphy, doing a Morgan impression.

“Big Dog gonna make some big money!” Murphy-as-Morgan shouted.

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Streep walked on as the mother of McKinnon’s constant alien abductee Miss Rafferty, with the same spread legs and vulgar manner.

Streep’s fellow all-time-great actor Robert De Niro paired with Rachel Dratch in a “Debbie Downer” sketch with its traditional trombone accompaniment.

Former cast member Amy Poehler and former lead writer Tina Fey, who partnered as “Weekend Update” anchors, led a Q-and-A with audience questions.

Ryan Reynolds stood, and they asked him how it’s going.

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“Great, why?” he said defensively. “What have you heard?”

Reynolds and wife Blake Lively, sitting next to him, have been locked in a heated legal and media battle with her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Adam Driver, Cher, Bad Bunny, Peyton Manning and Richards were also featured in the bit.

Poehler also paired with Rudolph for a revival of their mock talk show “Bronx Beat,” that featured Mike Myers as his mother-in-law-inspired, Streisand-loving character “Linda Richman.”

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“Look at you, both of you, you look like buttah,” Myers said.

Brandon Sklenar Isn’t Picking Sides Over Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Drama | Video

“I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place,” the actor tells Gayle King

Brandon Sklenar may be one of the main characters of “It Ends With Us,” but that doesn’t mean he’s going to formally pick sides amid castmates’ Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s very public legal drama.

The “1923” star stopped by “CBS Mornings” on Monday to discuss the return of his Paramount+ spinoff, where Gayle King made sure to ask him point-blank whether he was Team Blake or Team Justin.

“I’m Team ‘It Ends With Us,’” Sklenar said with a laugh. “I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for and just keeping the focus on that.”

“I have someone very, very close to me who’s gone through what Lily’s going through for a long time and I’ve been on the front lines helping her navigate that space, so that movie meant a lot to me and it means a lot to her. It was one of the reasons that me doing that film gave her the strength to change her life,” he elaborated. “It’s unfortunate that things get taken away from what the ethos of that thing is and it gets convoluted and I just want to remind people of why it exists in the first place.”

In August of 2024 — before Lively and Baldoni’s feud got litigious in December — Sklenar spoke out about the rumors surrounding their film, condemning anyone who was “vilifying the women” involved in the Colleen Hoover adaptation.

“Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point,” he wrote on Instagram. “What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”

“Someone very close to me has been struggling with a relationship that has mirrored Lilly’s closely. I feel a responsibility to bring this to life and help spread that message further,” Sklenar continued. “Prior to my involvement in this film, she had not heard of the book. It was only then that she read it. She credits Colleen’s book and subsequently this film with saving her life.”

“Trust me when I tell you, there isn’t a single person involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this. A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma — domestic abuse — or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see,” he added. “This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s — t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.”

“This film is meant to inspire. It’s mean to validate and recognize. It’s meant to instill hope. It’s meant to build courage and help people feel less alone. Ultimately, it’s meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to once again make the women the ‘bad guy,’ let’s move beyond that together,” Sklenar concluded. “All I ask is that before you spread hate on the Internet, ask yourself who it’s helping. Ask yourself if your opinions are based in any fact. Or if you simply want to be a part of something. Let’s be a part of something better together. A part of a new story being written for women and all people everywhere.”

Most recently, Lively’s team issued subpoenas last week to crisis PR firm consultant Jed Wallace of Street Relations, as well as multiple telecoms, to discover if Baldoni’s team really has the receipts they claim to have regarding the so-called “smear campaign” and/or “falsified stories” at the heart of the legal battle.

The actress first accused her director/co-star of sexual harassment in December 2024. Baldoni then filed (and amended) his defamation counterclaim against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist and the New York Times for $400 million. Their first hearing earlier this month ended in no gag orders being placed.

As things stand, the trial is expected to begin in March 2026.

8 Simple Ways to Boost Home Air Quality

In a world constantly in motion, the air we breathe often becomes an afterthought—yet it’s the very foundation of our well-being. Let’s shine a spotlight on effective ventilation: the unsung hero of home wellness. It’s time to take the reins of your home’s air quality and transform your living space into a haven of health.

Open those windows wide, and let nature do its magic. Cross-ventilation isn’t just about a breeze—it’s about allowing fresh air to sweep away stale, stagnant vibes. Your home gears up for wellness when it breathes as freely as you do.

Consider an air purifier your steadfast ally. This silent guardian filters out the multitude of pollutants and allergens that linger unnoticed. It’s a small investment for a stunning return—an enhanced environment that supports your most vibrant self.

But let’s not neglect the humble air filters. Regular cleaning ensures that air purifiers and HVAC systems perform at their peak, keeping indoor air crisp and clear. After all, a clean filter equals a cleaner life.

Don’t overlook the power of plants. A touch of green—whether it’s a lush fern or a stately snake plant—does more than delight the eyes. These natural purifiers elevate air quality, offering a breath of fresh air with every glance.

Humidity, the silent architect of comfort, deserves your attention. Maintain levels between 30-50% to keep mold and dust mites at bay. A well-balanced environment is a fortress against unwanted intruders.

High-moisture areas, like bathrooms and kitchens, demand your diligence. Exhaust fans aren’t merely appliances but shields against humidity and its allies—mold and mildew. Let them do their part in safeguarding your sanctuary.

Make a bold choice for health: declare your home a smoke-free zone. Protect the air you breathe and shield your loved ones from harmful pollutants. It’s a decision that resonates with every breath.

Finally, embrace the power of exhaust fans. In spaces prone to fumes and gases, they are your first line of defense. Ensure each room benefits from efficient and effective air circulation.

By taking these simple, actionable steps, you’re not just improving ventilation—you’re crafting an atmosphere that nurtures both body and mind. It’s time to breathe easy and thrive in a space that supports your every inhale and exhale.

7 Steps to Boost Mental Resilience in Fitness

In the high-octane world of fitness and personal growth, mental resilience isn’t just a bonus—it’s your secret weapon. When tackled head-on, adversity becomes the ultimate teacher, ready to sculpt you into a powerhouse of strength and determination. Let’s dive into how a battle-tested mindset can turbocharge your fitness journey.

First off, embrace the struggle. You heard me right—gear up for those uphill climbs as they pave the road to not just physical, but mental fortitude. It’s in these moments of grit and grind that you grow the most. Accept challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities that fine-tune both body and mind.

Next, visualize success. Picture your goals so vividly that they feel just within reach. This mental rehearsal gears your mind up for victory, making the journey as rewarding as the destination itself. When you see yourself succeeding, you’re already halfway there.

Cultivate gratitude like it’s your daily mantra. Turn your focus from what remains undone to what you’ve already conquered. This shift not only fuels your motivation but bolsters that mental armor against self-doubt.

Positive self-talk is non-negotiable. Send those negative thoughts packing by injecting your inner dialogue with empowering affirmations. Confidence isn’t just built in the gym—it’s crafted in your mind.

Setting realistic goals is your map to success. Break those colossal objectives into bite-sized tasks. This strategy doesn’t just keep frustration at bay—it maintains your momentum as you tick off achievements, one by one.

Let’s not forget the wisdom of setbacks. Don’t just move past them—put them under the microscope. Analyze, learn, adapt. Every stumble is your stepping stone to a stronger, wiser you.

Finally, celebrate small wins with gusto. Every minor achievement is a victory lap around the field of perseverance. These celebrations aren’t just pat-on-the-back moments—they’re fuel injections for continued commitment until you cross that ultimate finish line.

With mental resilience as your compass, you’re not just surviving the fitness journey; you’re thriving. So lace up your mental sneakers and march forward, because your mindset has the power to turn ambitions into stunning realities.