Latest news with #GraceandFrankie
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Big Mouth' Was Courageously Filthy ‘Til the End, but About So Much More Than Sex: TV Review
SPOILER ALERT: The following piece contains spoilers for the series finale of 'Big Mouth,' now streaming on Netflix. It may surprise you to learn that 'Big Mouth,' the Netflix animated series chronicling a group of teenagers' physical and emotional maturation, concludes its eight-season run without one of its protagonists having sex. Then again, one of many lessons 'Big Mouth' imparted to its viewership — some well past the travails of puberty, some just on their cusp — is that sex is an expansive idea. With Hormone Monsters, the show's signature metaphor and comic creation, as their Virgils, the characters of 'Big Mouth' have explored everything from oral sex to erotica to enough masturbation to make the entire premise a smirking play on 'coming of age' even without more conventional congress. But in the end, all the gleeful obscenity took a backseat to the story's true subject: the terrifying process of growing up. More from Variety Nick Kroll Reveals the 'Sick Little D-' Scene in 'Big Mouth' That Netflix Asked to Be Cut: 'It's the Grossest Thing' Netflix Orders Adult Animated Comedy 'Mating Season' From 'Big Mouth' Team What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 'Big Mouth' ultimately aired for nearly a decade, an eternity in the streaming age; in fact, the show wraps its tenure as the longest-running scripted original on Netflix, beating out 'Grace and Frankie.' And yet the creative team — comedian Nick Kroll and his childhood friend Andrew Goldberg, working with married duo Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett — avoided the frozen quality that helps so many animated series, whose actors don't age on-screen, last for the long haul. On 'The Simpsons,' Springfield is a timeless bubble. But 'Big Mouth' is about the passage of time, and what it does to young bodies. (The theme song, Charles Bradley's 'Changes,' couldn't be more apt.) Its heroes progress and evolve, graduating middle school and moving along the proverbial bases. This dynamism makes their journey's end both more natural and more meaningful than its medium's typical stasis. Kroll and Goldberg loosely modeled the leads of 'Big Mouth,' Nick (Kroll) and Andrew (John Mulaney), after younger versions of themselves. Hormone Monsters Maury (Kroll, in one of several roles), Rick (Kroll again), Connie (Maya Rudolph) and Mona (Thandiwe Newton) are also drawn from real life, albeit indirectly. These creatures personify the uncontrollable urges and insatiable desires that come with the first stirrings of adolescence — the voice telling you to rub one out in the bathroom or, as Mona's charge Missy Foreman-Greenwald (Ayo Edebiri) does in Season 8, hump your robotics team's final project to death. The Hormone Monsters were soon joined by a full menagerie of metaphysical beings, from the Shame Wizard (David Thewlis) to the Depression Kitty (Jean Smart) to the Anxiety Mosquito (Maria Bamford). The interplay between the Monsters and their mentees nonetheless remained the core of the show; 'Human Resources,' a spinoff set entirely in the creatures' workplace, was canceled after two seasons. The thesis of 'Big Mouth' is neatly summarized by a song in its penultimate episode: 'There's no such thing as normal / We're each and all uniquely strange.' What could be treacly assurance á la 'Our Bodies, Ourselves' was instead reinforced with gleeful profanity, like when a Miss Frizzle-esque sex ed teacher voiced by Natasha Lyonne takes the class on a Magic School Bus tour of a penis. Yet the show's underlying sincerity never wavered. 'Big Mouth' was committed to destigmatizing the most shameful and embarrassing parts of getting used to a grown-up body, while still acknowledging the inherent humor. In modeling candor and acceptance, the series was also open to recognizing and correcting its own mistakes. The biracial Missy was originally voiced by Jenny Slate, who makes a cameo in the final season as a kindly pharmacist who explains you can't get pregnant from clothed dry-humping, before Edebiri took over the role in 2020, a casting change that was written into the show as a sign of Missy's increasing self-possession. For their final act of embracing adulthood, the 'Big Mouth' kids face their fears and walk into a blank, expanding void that represents the unknowable future. It's not a subtle way to illustrate the yawning abyss of infinite potential, but 'Big Mouth' never bothered with subtlety when lewdly inventive allegory would do. Over eight seasons, the now-15-year-olds have moved from reckoning with their first periods and erections to their initial attempts at healthy, communicative relationships. 'Big Mouth' leaves them, and us, with one final lesson: Once you have the confidence to embrace your own messy quirks, you're equipped to face whatever comes your way — pun somewhat intended. Best of Variety The Best Albums of the Decade
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 times lesbian and sapphic 'Drag Race' guest judges stole the show
Drag Race All Stars 10 is about to premier and the celebrity guest judge list is full of queer women we can't wait to see them critique the queens! Chappell Roan, Ice Spice, and Cynthia Erivo are all stepping up to the judges panel, but Drag Race has hosted lesbian and sapphic guests since the inception of the show and they've always been iconic. There have been hilarious moments, biting critiques, and undercover werkroom capers that have kept us glued to our screens every season. But what were the best moments of the last 17 seasons? s_bukley/Shutterstock Jenny Shimizu Model and former Angelina Jolie paramour Jenny Shimizu set the standard on season 1 when she told BeBe Zahara Benet that she 'would completely be doing coke with you if this was the '90s.' DFree/Shutterstock Lily Tomlin Lesbian comedian Lily Tomlin joined her Grace and Frankie co-star Jane Fonda on All Stars 3, where the two funny ladies judged the queens who dressed up as some of their most iconic characters. The level of camp was high as the girls dressed up as characters from 9 to 5 and Fonda's '80s leotard-clad workout videos. - YouTube When bisexual rapper Doechii was a guest judge on season 17, Lexi Love and Crystal Envy lip-synced to her song 'Alter Ego,' which led to the song surging in the charts. Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock Cassandra Peterson Cassandra Peterson (AKA Elvira), may not have come out until 2021 when she announced she has been in a 19-year-long relationship with a woman, but she has been a repeat guest on Drag Race for years. In 2019, she joined the judge's panel for the season 11 'Monster Ball' episode where the queens created looks for a Halloween-themed ball and Peterson judged them while dressed in her signature Elvira wig, and plunging black dress. - YouTube Pop star Miley Cyrus was an iconic guest on Drag Race season 11 where she not only critiqued the queens from the judge's table, but she went undercover in the werkroom with short hair and faux facial hair pretending to be a production before Silk Nutmeg Ganache realized who it was. Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock Fortune Feimster In season 11, comedian Fortune Feimster and fellow guest judge Cheyenne Jackson helped the queens with an improv comedy challenge on the streets of LA, and the results were messy and hilarious, in large part because of Feimster's ability to 'yes, and…' If you haven't seen Silk Nutmeg Ganache running a back-alley butt pad business out of the trunk of her car you need to check it out ASAP! Este es el mejor dia de mi vida #aubreyplaza #dragrace #rupaulsdragrace Agatha All Along star Aubrey Plaza joined RuPaul on the judge's panel for the season 2 episode 'Family that Drags Together,' where the queens had to give members of their drag family makeovers. Plaza used her signature brand of dark humor and flat delivery to have us laughing during her critiques. But it was her line, 'This is the greatest day of my life. I'm killing myself tomorrow,' that people really remember.
Mint
30-04-2025
- Health
- Mint
Anxiety attacks: When should you get treated?
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably watched season 3 of the dark comedy, The White Lotus . This season saw Victoria Ratliff (played by Parker Posey) spin out of control with anti-anxiety medication, Lorazepam. Posey's incantation of the name even turned into a meme on social media. However, this representation isn't new in Hollywood. In sitcom Grace and Frankie, we see Grace, played by Jane Fonda, taking valium (another drug known to mitigate anxiety) when faced with unexpected situations. And in the mockumentary, Modern Family , Gloria portrayed by Sofia Vergara is seen taking Xanax to calm her nerves before meeting her husband's ex-wife. While these portrayals are often humorous, one is oftentimes left wondering about the impact they could be having on viewers here. Beyond that, it also raises curiosity about when should you be really reaching out for anti-anxiety medication. Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr Sapna Bangar feels that the situation in India is more complex than in the West. 'There's a significant cultural barrier to openly discussing mental health and greater reliance on alternative therapies. But as awareness rises and more people recognize anxiety as a serious issue, both medication and therapy could gradually become more accessible." To be sure, work load, family issues and lifestyle stress have made anxiety an ubiquitous problem that's affected different cohorts. A 2017 National Mental Health Survey (NHMS) found that 3.3% of India's population suffered from some form of stress or anxiety-related disorder. According to a State of Healthcare in Rural India Report, 2024, 45% of rural Indians suffer from anxiety issues. The Youth Mind: Rising Aggression and Anger , a report released by Sapien Labs' in January, claimed that over 50% of 13–17-year-olds in India and the US indicated that feelings of sadness, guilt and anxiety caused them serious problems in their everyday life. 'Medication isn't always the first line of treatment to treat anxiety, but it can be effective for certain people," says Sapna. According to her, seeking professional help is warranted when you are overwhelmed by worry almost every day; stops you from going to work/school or execute normal tasks; and when your social life or relationships begin to suffer. According to Santosh Bangar, consultant psychiatrist at Gleneagles Hospitals, Mumbai, your anxiety problem is serious if you are feeling constantly tired even after adequate rest, have a fast heartbeat, and feel anxious or panicky for no reason. He, however, believes that lifestyle changes like including yoga and exercise to your daily schedule can help mitigate the problem without resorting to medication. But what if getting on medication is unavoidable? Sapna has a checklist that can help. 'Anti-anxiety drugs, like any other medication, come with potential side effects, which can vary depending on the specific drug. So, always consult a qualified psychiatrist before starting or stopping any medication," she advises. Some of the known side effects of anxiety medicines are changes in appetite, weight and sleep patterns, where they can either cause drowsiness or insomnia. Sapna also warns against alcohol and caffeine consumption. 'Alcohol and caffeine can interfere with anxiety medications, potentially increasing side effects or making the medication less effective." Self-medication in the form of CBD (cannabidiol) oil or CBD derivatives or using someone else's medication is also a complete no. Santosh warns against abruptly stopping medication without consulting your doctor. 'This can further worsen your condition and may lead to withdrawal symptoms or relapse," he says. Being alert to how your body is reacting to the medicine is essential. 'Communicate with your doctor if you experience worsening anxiety, depression, or other symptoms after starting the medication. Additionally, talk to your doctor about the frequency of the follow up you might need," Sapna says before prescribing a safe formula. 'Keeping a journal to record your moods and combining medication with therapy, is a great way to track, and even, expedite your progress." Sumitra Nair is an independent journalist based in Kochi.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What we know about a movie filming in Milwaukee and Glendale, from Kevin Spacey to 'the last DMV'
"The last DMV in the former United States." That's the premise of a film that actor and Whitefish Bay resident Michael Roman pitched to Glendale city officials on March 4 about an independent film he's written and is directing, partially in Glendale and Milwaukee, according to permit applications submitted to both cities. At the time, Roman, who recently moved to Whitefish Bay and previously starred in Netflix's "Grace and Frankie," said he was unable to disclose much about the film. Nearly two months later, a producer behind the independent film, Evan Lowenstein, said the team is still keeping the lid closed on details, like the movie's name and casting. However, some Milwaukee-area residents have seen a well-known, Oscar-winning actor who may be tied to the project. Kevin Spacey has been spotted around Milwaukee recently, according to social media reports. Lowenstein, who formerly gained prominence as part of the '90s boyband Evan and Jaron, also is Spacey's manager and close friend, according to several entertainment media outlets. Almost two years ago, Spacey was acquitted in a high-profile sexual abuse criminal trial in 2023. The actor still faces two British lawsuits alleging sexual abuse. The permit application submitted to the City of Glendale, which listed Lowenstein, requested temporary business approval to film at a vacant office warehouse building owned by Phoenix Investors at 5055 N. Lydell Ave. The application submitted to Milwaukee sought special event permitting to barricade East Reservoir Avenue from 937 E. Reservoir Ave. west to the end of the street between April 14 and 17. The Milwaukee permit names Chicago-based producer John Lerchen. Both permits tie the project to the entities referred to as Road Worthy Productions or Road Worthy LLC. At Glendale's March 4 Planning and Architectural Committee meeting, Roman told the committee he's eager to bring more of the entertainment industry to Wisconsin and the Greater Milwaukee area. He said he'd already met with Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@ Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we know about a movie being shot in Glendale and Milwaukee
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Philo review: The best-kept secret in live-TV streaming is only $28 per month
If you miss basic cable (is life really complete without a daily dose of Chopped?) but don't want to shell out $80-plus every month for the likes of DirecTV Stream or Hulu + Live TV, here's good news: You can watch over 70 live channels — good ones, familiar ones — for just $28. That makes Philo the most affordable live-TV streaming service you can get, though it does lack three key elements many people want: local channels, news and sports. But if you want A&E, AMC, Comedy Central, Food Network, History, Nickelodeon and lots more, you can get them here on the cheap. Even more surprising, the service provides unlimited DVR, an extensive catalog of on-demand content and the complete AMC+ library. There's only one thing I don't like — but I can live with it. Here's my Philo review. Related: The best streaming services for TV, movies, sports and more in 2025, tested and reviewed The best live-TV streaming services for 2025 Hulu review: The single best value in streaming services, especially if you bundle As noted, a Philo subscription will run you $28 per month (plus any applicable local taxes). That nets you the aforementioned 70+ channels, without limits or restrictions. Philo has just one paid plan; it comes with everything. That everything now includes AMC+ and the four channels under that service's umbrella: IFC Films Unlimited, Shudder, Sundance Now and The Walking Dead. That's a pretty good value, considering a standalone AMC+ subscription would cost you $7 per month. (Philo also offers a handful of add-ons, including MGM+ and Starz.) For families, the Philo lineup features Animal Planet, Discovery Family, Hallmark Family and four Nickelodeon channels. (Unfortunately, Philo has no parental controls, something to consider if you're hoping to keep kids away from the likes of horror channel Shudder.) But to repeat: no news, no sports, no local stations. (Actually, BBC News and Cheddar News are included in Philo's freebie selection, detailed below, so although you're not getting any of the major networks, Philo isn't 100% news-less.) That would be a dealbreaker for some viewers, but it's worth noting you may be able to tune in local stations by way of an antenna, and there are plenty of ways to stream news for free. Speaking of free, Philo also offers zero-cost access to around 100 other channels, most of them thematic: AMC Thrillers, The Baywatch Channel, Comedy Dynamics, Nashville, Pickleball TV and so on. It's not unlike the kind of ad-supported selection you see on free-TV streamer Pluto, but with some notable exclusives in the mix. For example, you can watch shows like Grace and Frankie, Mad Men, Party Down and Nurse Jackie. (In some cases you get all seasons; in others a partial selection.) At this writing, selections from the various movie channels included Boyhood, Limitless and The Cabin in the Woods. Philo Free Channels even includes DVR, though only 30 days' worth and only for select titles. So, yeah, even if you don't pay for a subscription, Philo is an app worth having on your TV and mobile devices. Just be prepared for an interface that's a little rough around the edges. I tested two versions of Philo: Google TV and Roku. As I've discovered with other streaming services, there are some subtle differences between the two. Alas, in both cases the only way to sign into your account is by manually entering your e-mail address via an onscreen keyboard, which requires your TV remote. I'd love to see Philo add a QR-code and/or web-based sign-in option. That's not the only area that needs work. The Home page (above) is actually pretty good, with large, colorful thumbnails and useful quick-access sections like Keep Watching, Saved and Featured on AMC+. But as you can see, when you scroll your way down, the UI cuts both the top and bottom rows in half, leaving only the middle two fully visible. This is... bonkers. And it doesn't get better from there. For starters, the main menu — consisting of Home, Guide, Top, Saved and Search — spans the top of the screen. Pretty much every other streaming service uses a left-side menu, no doubt because it's easier and more intuitive. Here, that menu disappears when you scroll down. The only way back to it is by scrolling up again — inconvenient if you've made significant southward progress. If you press the back button on your remote, it jumps you to the Home page, where at least the menu is visible again. But! If you're already on the Home page, no matter how far down you've scrolled, pressing the back button takes you out of the app altogether. This jump-back-home "shortcut" works only on the Guide and Top pages. Speaking of which: Top? Top what? Turns out this is where you access the on-demand content for your channel lineup, all of it presented in a grid with colorful thumbnails for each show or movie. Why Philo designates this "Top," I have no idea. Just as confusing, the channel guide consists of a similar grid for everything that's streaming live, but every tile is just text atop a drab gray (Google TV) or black (Roku). A live-preview snippet appears when your cursor lands on any individual tile, but why not make image thumbnails omnipresent, as on the Top page? The result is a channel guide that looks dull and lifeless. And those oversize tiles limit how much of the guide you can actually see at once. (Verdict: not very much.) Plan on doing a lot of scrolling. When viewing the guide, there's an icon in the upper left that says "All channels" — suggesting you could somehow filter the view. Try as I might, I couldn't navigate to that icon, and therefore couldn't access any filtering options. As it happens, there aren't any: Even in the web interface, clicking that icon with my mouse did nothing. The only clue was further down the guide: a similar icon indicated "Free channels," clearly designating that remaining portion of the guide. But why "All channels" at the top and not "Premium" or "Subscription"? Confusing. There's also this oddity: When you choose a program from the channel guide, it automatically starts from the beginning — even if you select "join live" from the show's Watch Options menu (see below). As a longtime Philo user, I recall that in the past you could hold the OK/select button for a few seconds to jump straight to live, no menu visit required — but that option appears to have disappeared. There is, however, a toggle in the main settings menu that dictates whether channel playback starts from the beginning or the current live position. I'm glad I found that, but still irritated about not having more direct, per-situation control. Philo's search feature works well enough, though it lacks support for voice input and doesn't indicate what parameters you can enter. (Actor names? Movie genres?) I tried searching for "Tom Cruise" and got no results, but searching for Top Gun produced the Maverick sequel — so Cruise is in there somewhere. Look, I get that it costs money to hire a good UX (user experience) team, and I can live with Philo the way it is in exchange for the low price. But most of these interface issues seem like they'd be pretty easy to remedy. Much as I'm irked by certain aspects of the interface, Philo is an undeniable bargain. With competitors like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV charging $83 per month (and up) for a channel selection that's not a whole lot larger, it's nice to see an affordable alternative. Granted, you'll have to live without sports, local channels and mainstream news networks. But I'm in the group that consumes very little of that kind of content — and I'm guessing I'm not alone. Philo scratches the basic-cable itch in a way that won't break the bank.
