Latest news with #GeorgeoftheJungle
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Just Binged 'Overcompensating' and Now I See Why Everyone's Obsessed (Even If I'm Still Confused)
If you haven't heard yet, there's a new series called Overcompensating—and honestly, it wasn't even on my radar until TikTok did its thing. Between all the clips floating around and the mini think pieces popping up, curiosity got the best of me. I hit play… and I'm glad I did. Overcompensating, which dropped on Prime Video on May 15, follows Benny—played by Benito Skinner (aka Benny Drama)—a closeted queer college student doing everything he can to hide his identity. His tactic? Lean hard into exaggerated masculinity. Think frat energy dialed up to eleven. And while that might sound like it could lean cringe or cliché, it actually doesn't. The show is smart, hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt. Jackie Brown/Prime What really sets Overcompensating apart, in my opinion, is that it doesn't try too hard. So many shows struggle to hit the sweet spot for millennials, Gen Z or even Gen Alpha without coming off as forced or cartoonish. But this one nails it. The humor feels organic and the characters are grounded (even in their ridiculousness)—probably because it's loosely based on Skinner's actual college experience. You can tell it comes from someone who gets it. That said, the show isn't without its quirks. Some viewers have pointed out it's hard to pin down exactly when the story is supposed to take place. One minute Benny's referencing George of the Jungle and Britney Spears's 'Lucky,' putting him squarely in the early 2000s, and the next Charli XCX shows up performing one of her 2017 hits. The timeline's a little fuzzy—but honestly? It doesn't take away from the story at all. It just adds to the surreal, slightly nostalgic vibe the show plays with. And let's talk about the cast. Alongside Skinner, you've got Adam DiMarco (yes, from The White Lotus), Owen Thiele, Holmes, Kaia Gerber, Lukas Gage and James Van Der Beek. Guest stars? Connie Britton, Megan Fox, Bowen Yang and more. Then there's funny guy Jonah Hill, who helped executive produced the show. The show is stacked both in front of and behind the lens. So, if you're in the mood for something hilarious, a little messy and genuinely original, give it a go. You'll probably end up watching the whole thing in one sitting. All 8 episodes of Overcompensating are streaming now on Prime Video. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here. 16 Shows and Movies to Watch This Weekend, Recommended by Our Editors
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Chimp Crazy' Star Pleads Guilty to Charges Over Faking Pet Chimpanzee's Death
The star of the HBO docuseries Chimp Crazy pleaded guilty to perjury and obstruction of justice after she tearfully testified under oath that her beloved pet chimpanzee Tonka had died — when in reality, the primate was sitting in her basement. Tonia Haddix could face up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines for the three felony counts. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 16 and firecracker Haddix was warned by U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark against making any more colorful remarks about the case in the interim. More from Rolling Stone Andrew Tate Beat, Choked 'Terrified' Girlfriend at Beverly Hills Hotel, Lawsuit Claims Dr. Dre Says His 'Rough' Texts to Doc Were 'Protected Activity.' Judge Disagrees Jay-Z's Extortion Claim Against Tony Buzbee Back From Dead 'If between now and sentencing you make statements to suggest that you do not accept responsibility, I will take that into account,' Clark said at Monday's court hearing, according to St. Louis Public Radio. 'I encourage you to confer with counsel before making any statements.' Rolling Stone has reached out to Haddix for comment, but her attorney Justin Gelfand told St. Louis Public Radio that she 'looks forward to putting this behind her.' Haddix became a minor celebrity last year following the release of the four-episode docuseries. She had been locked in a years-long, contentious feud with PETA after she took over the controversial Missouri Primate Foundation in 2018. In June 2021, a judge ordered Haddix to turn over seven chimpanzees in her care to a Florida animal sanctuary after she failed to make improvements to the roach-infested, feces-covered facility. However when PETA and officials arrived to transport the animals to the sanctuary, Haddix's favorite chimp Tonka — who starred in the movies George of the Jungle and Buddy — was nowhere to be found. Instead, Haddix claimed Tonka suddenly died after experiencing heart failure, submitting a sworn statement that claimed she cremated his remains. Although PETA was convinced Haddix was lying, they were unable to prove that Tonka was alive. They teamed up with Tonka's former co-star Alan Cumming to offer $20,000 in reward money to anyone who could help find Tonka's whereabouts. But Tonka was discovered alive in June 2022 after PETA received information that Haddix had been keeping Tonka locked up in a cage in her basement. The tip came from a documentary crew who had been filming with Haddix for what she claimed to believe was a film supporting the private ownership of exotic animals. In reality, Tiger King's Eric Goode was behind the project. For nearly a year, the crew had captured incriminating footage of Haddix, including a stunning scene where Haddix breaks down in tears during a Zoom court hearing about Tonka's supposed death only for her to slam the laptop shut and celebrate her short-lived court victory with Tonka in her basement. After the docuseries aired, PETA used the footage and other evidence to push the court to pursue criminal charges against Haddix. In a statement provided to Rolling Stone, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said the organization hopes Haddix serves prison time 'so she can get a taste of the suffering she condemned Tonka and other animals to.' 'When PETA and U.S. Marshals found where Haddix had hidden Tonka, he was alone, locked in a tiny cage in Haddix's dark basement, isolated, and denied everything necessary for a healthy, happy life,' Newkirk said. 'U.S. Marshals and PETA freed him and now Tonka spends his days at a beautiful sanctuary roaming a three-acre island, climbing, basking in the Florida sun, and, most importantly, spending time with other chimpanzees — and Haddix must now face consequences for her selfish, cruel actions.' Haddix previously told Rolling Stone that her love for Tonka clouded some of her decisions. If she could do it all over again, Haddix said she would still fight for Tonka, but would do some things differently. 'I wouldn't get involved with a film crew,' she said. 'They're three-quarters of my problem. Secondly, I would not have lied to a federal court judge. I just would have handled it all in a better way.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
