Siobhán McSweeney tells a truly surreal tale: best podcasts of the week
There's a strong chance that this podcast will sound a little familiar. Not only is it from the team behind Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding, it kicks off with another faecal felony. If you could stomach that show and its low-stakes investigations, you'll love this speedier version, AKA 'part detective show, part gameshow, part panicky race'. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly
After her hit series following the Sean 'Diddy' Combs case, journalist Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty returns with the latest on another lawsuit: the allegations against Kanye West by his former chief of staff, Lauren Pisciotta (which West denies). Hollie Richardson Widely available, episodes weekly
Doyens of the true-crime podcast, Wondery, offer something slightly different here, with a tense show about environmental malfeasance. It kicks off with an episode about a Montana coalmine dubbed a 'den of thievery', where – Zach Goldbaum reports – fraud, embezzlement and even links to Putin were just the tip of the iceberg. HJDWidely available, episodes weekly
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In words that will be relatable to many, Alex Sujong Laughlin describes herself as 'terrified, uncomfortable and uneasy'. Gladly, the Normal Gossip co-creator has channelled this nervous energy into a charming, gentle series about people trying to do new things. First up is Mattie, a trans woman who finds exercising in public excruciating but would love to visit her local yoga studio. HJDWidely available, episodes weekly
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The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
American Eagle's stock takes off after Trump weighs in on Sydney Sweeney ad furor
Stock in American Eagle is flying after President Donald Trump weighed in on Sydney Sweeney 's jeans ad controversy. Conversations around the clothing brand's punny 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' ad campaign have consumed the internet, so much so that the president gave his two cents on the matter Monday morning. Since then, the brand's stock has skyrocketed. As of Monday afternoon, the company's stock was up 2.57 points, or nearly 24 percent. At 8.56 a.m. Monday, Trump praised the ad and noted the Euphoria star was a registered Republican and 'has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there,' he wrote on Truth Social. The president also took a jab at what he believed to be 'WOKE,' including singer Taylor Swift, writing: 'Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be.' The company's stock started climbing, reaching 12.47 points by 10.15 a.m. At 10.25 a.m., Trump took down the post and reposted it with a corrected spelling of Sweeney's first name. The stock has continued to rise since. The president first weighed in on the ad campaign Sunday. 'She's a registered Republican?' the president asked while speaking to reporters. 'Now I love her ad.' In one video, the blonde-haired blue-eyed actress, wearing an all-denim getup, looks at the camera and says: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color.' She adds: 'My jeans are blue.' With a pun on the word 'genes,' the narrator then says: 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.' The wordplay is at the heart of the online backlash. Critics say the ad's word choices evoke the language of eugenics – the racist and discredited belief that the human race can be improved through selective breeding. American Eagle has defended the ad campaign. It 'is and always was about the jeans,' the retailer said in a statement Friday. 'We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way,' the statement continued. 'Great jeans look good on everyone.' Sweeney has yet to make a public statement on the matter. Some social media users have claimed that Trump is commenting on the internet debate to latch onto the latest distraction from the Jeffrey Epstein files after the Justice Department issued a memo related to the late sex offender's case last month. But much to the disappointment of many, the memo contained no new revelations. The DOJ confirmed that Epstein died by suicide and said there was no evidence to support the existence of a 'client list' of high profile individuals involved in his alleged sex trafficking scheme. 'When it comes to identifying a distraction from a real issue, we have a current object lesson: Sydney Sweeney = Distraction Jeffrey Epstein = Real issue,' Sarah Longwell, a GOP political strategist and founder of the conservative news site The Bulwark, wrote on X. 'The thing I like most about Sydney Sweeney is that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files,' another X user wrote Monday. 'Donald Trump is posting about Sydney Sweeney and Taylor Swift because he doesn't want to talk about the fact that he's in the Epstein files, doesn't want to talk about rising prices, and doesn't want to talk about the job market being the worst it's been since the last time he was president,' another wrote. 'It's all distraction politics. Don't take the bait.' A chunk of the MAGA base, and politicians on both sides of the aisle, along with others, have demanded heightened transparency around the Epstein case. Although Trump has denied that his name was in the files, the Wall Street Journal reported that DOJ officials told the president in May that his name, among many others, had appeared. Being named in the files does not suggest any wrongdoing. The president is suing the Journal sexually suggestive birthday card for Epstein in 2003. Trump has denied he drew the card.
Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Love Island fans plead 'hurry up' as they all issue same complaint during ITV final
Love Island's grand final got underway on Monday night but viewers were quick to all issue the same complaint about one thing as they waited to discover who would be crowned this year's winners Love Island fans all issued the same complaint as the live final got underway on Monday night. The ITV2 dating show wrapped up its twelfth series as couples Angel Swift and Ty Isherwood, Harry Cooksley and Shakira Khan, Yasmin Pettett and Jamie Rhodes, and Toni Laites and Cach Mercher all hoped to win the public vote and walk off with the £50,00 prize. But just minutes into the episode airing, fans were quick to slam the programme as 'boring' and flooded social media with their reactions. It comes after reports of all the celebrities rumoured to be joining BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025. One wrote: "I forgot how f****** BORING the #LoveIsland finale always is," and the opinion was echoed across the site. Another viewer said: "Are they not doing the declaration of love crap this year? "If not thank god that is boring because half the things they say to each other is not genuine because most of them break up within a few months," and a third fumed: "Thank god they stopped doing those dramatically long final dates and near-wedding speeches . So boring" Others just appeared keen to know who will walk off with the £50,000 cash prize, as one said: "The final is always so boring, just give us a 10 minute episode telling us who won we haven't got the patience anymore," and a fourth said: "May be a unpopular opinion but the final is the worst episode of the series, so dragged out and boring." A fifth viewer lamented: "i really wish i cared more about Angel and Ty but i just don't hurry up and rank them 4th so i can see which REAL couple wins" The reality show is now in its milestone 10th year and this series, it has been dubbed 'TV gold' by fans who hailed it 'iconic' with its summer of jaw-dropping twists and turns. And on the day of the final, it was announced that spin-off All Stars will return next years as well. Single Islanders from across the 10 years of the show will return to the famous Villa in South Africa, but this time they'll be in the villa for six weeks instead of five. "We are very excited about series 3 and you can expect the twists and turns to continue in All Stars, after an incredible smash hit summer series.' The second series of Love Island: All Stars aired earlier this year, and was won by Gabby Allen and Case O'Gorman. The series also saw the reunion of Ronnie Vint and Harriet Blackmore - but it didn't come without complaints. In February, the show lodged over 2,000 complaints to Ofcom in its final week, as fans fumed at various stars for their "bullying behaviour". On February 12, there were 1,347 complaints, followed by 820 on February 11, 63 on February 13 and 57 on February 16. The February 12 episode saw Ekin-Su and Elma clash over the latter's comment about Ekin-Su and Curtis having the weakest connection. Things only got worse between the group when Ekin-Su had kissed Sammy during the heart rate challenge. During the argument, an angry Elma swore at Ekin-Su and Curtis and told them to "shut their mouths". Tonight, viewers will see either Toni and Cach, Yasmin and Jamie, Shakira and Harry or Ty and Angel take home the crown as the 12th series concludes. This series however, has also been hounded with complaints. Last week, it was revealed that fans had complained to Ofcom over scenes where they claimed Islanders were bullying Shakira. A total of 9,339 complaints were made to Ofcom in this vein, whilst a further 298 were made about the way Blu spoke to Toni. But for those feeling a little inspired by this year's Islanders and think they have what it takes to head to the iconic villa, dreams can come true as anyone can apply for the show. ITV have a section dedicated to Love Island on its website where hopefuls can submit their application forms. It reads: "ITV2 & ITVX are looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who are looking for love in the sun! "The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another, but to remain in paradise, they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders, who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island. If you think you've got what it takes, then we want to hear from you!" Those wanting to apply must be aware of the all-important eligibility requirements. All applicants must be at least 18-years-old at the date of applying and they must not be currently employed by ITV, Motion or Cast It Reach. They also must not have a live-in partner or relative who works on Love Island. Applicants need to have or be prepared to get a passport and they must be available to participate in Love Island for a minimum of ten consecutive weeks. Bosses are able to keep the names and contact details for applicants so they can reach out with opportunities for three years or suggest other ITV shows. As well as meeting all the eligibility criteria, those wanting to appear on Love Island will need to complete the application questions "honestly and truthfully".
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
UFC legend drops YouTube fighter with BRUTAL head kick after becoming enraged by opponent taunting him
Demetrious Johnson might be retired from professional MMA — but he's still not someone you want to taunt inside a cage. The former UFC flyweight king lost his cool during a sparring session with a YouTube fighter — and responded with a brutal head kick that left his opponent sprawled on the mat. Johnson, 38, was filming content for his YouTube channel when things took a tense turn. He was mentoring two fighters from the viral brawling organisation Streetbeefs, known for its backyard-style grudge matches, when one of them — a character nicknamed Winged C — began mocking him mid-round. In footage shared online, Winged C is heard repeatedly calling Johnson 'good boy' — a jibe that appeared to spark a rare flash of rage in the MMA great. 'He kept saying good boy,' Johnson said afterwards. 'Does he realize I'm f***ing 38 years old and have done this for 20 f***ing years? 'I was about to go to a little f***ing dark place... They're always clip farming. It just f***ing pissed me off.' Demetrious Johnson snapped after Streetbeefs MMA fighters disrespected him 😬 — Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 4, 2025 Seconds later, Johnson launched a devastating head kick that dropped his opponent on the spot. After collecting himself on the ground, Winged C grinned and said: 'That's the clip, that's the clip shot.' But the reaction from outside the cage pushed Johnson over the edge. Death Sentence, the other Streetbeefs fighter, had been watching the sparring closely and chimed in: 'Wait Mighty Mouse, Mighty Mouse… if that was a real MMA fight...' He didn't get to finish his thought. 'Shut the f*** up!' Johnson snapped, pointing at him furiously. 'Shut up. The show's over. The clowning is over. You want to get good? Or you want to keep up this circus act? Because I don't want to waste my f***ing time with this clown show s***.' Johnson, one of the most technically gifted fighters in MMA history, then delivered a passionate lecture about what the fight game meant to him — and what it should mean to others. 'I'm very passionate about fighting. I'm very passionate about getting people better. But I'm not passionate about trying to look for clips and s***. When I started training 18 years ago, it was about the f***ing money. It wasn't about f***ing clips and views. You guys live in a different generation. That's why you call me "Unc". Yes I am. Now f***ing train.' Pointing again at Winged C, he warned: 'He's been knocked out the same way. When he's 40 he won't be able to put together a sentence.' Later in the video, Death Sentence was filmed speaking one-on-one to camera. Reflecting on the moment, he said: 'It was f**ing embarrassing. It was like a dad yelling at his son for doing too much.'* Johnson, known in MMA circles as Mighty Mouse, retired from professional competition in September last year, ending a legendary career that saw him crowned champion in both the UFC and ONE Championship. He was the UFC's inaugural flyweight champion and held the belt from 2012 to 2018, defending it a record 11 times before losing a controversial split decision to Henry Cejudo. He later moved to ONE Championship in a rare trade deal that sent Ben Askren in the opposite direction. Since retiring, Johnson has become a content creator and mentor.
