Latest news with #NeilCampbell
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
'Digman!' Creators Talk Season 2 & Potentially Landing Nicolas Cage
'Digman!' Season 2 The Arky-based adventures of Rig Digman (Andy Samberg), Saltine (Mitra Jouhari), Swooper (Tim Robinson), Agatha (Dale Soules), and Fleety the fast loris will officially continue this Wednesday (July 23) Digman! Season 2 premieres on Comedy Central. You may recall that we last saw our favorite underdog archaeology crew dealing with the fact that Rip's beloved wife, Bella (Melissa Fuermo), had been resurrected from the dead, only to serve as a vessel for the Aunty-Christ. Her evil soulmate, the Uncle-Christ, meanwhile, possessed the body of Quail Eegan's father (Jeffrey Wright). 'Hearing you say it sounds crazy,' Samberg, who co-created the series with Brooklyn Nine-Nine writer Neil Campbell, says after I give a quick recap of the Season 1 finale over Zoom. He goes on to promise that the show's sophomore outing will tie 'that story up a little' before the characters begin to seek out new MacGuffins in an effort to restore Rip's once-great standing in the Arky community. Campbell also teases further character development for Saltine as she continues her training under Rip's tutelage. 'Can Rip train her into becoming a full-blown Arky? Not just his assistant, [but] more of a partner?" he muses. "It doesn't dominate storylines, but it's an arc that's prevalent throughout the season.' A comedic riff on swashbuckling action-adventure films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Romancing the Stone, The Mummy, and National Treasure, Digman! takes place in a reality where archaeologists (better known as 'Arkies') are revered as rock star-level celebrities by the public and hired by museums to track down valuable artifacts. 'There's nothing that I would rather watch … than an Indiana Jones movie,' Samberg admits. 'Those big, '80s tentpole, franchise-y things were the fabric of our youth and really important to us. A lot of work I do is dealing in genre and in tropes — and finding a comedic angle on them. I had never done it with [the action-adventure genre], and it just seemed like a really fun world to [play in], especially if you're doing an episodic where you get to choose an adventure of the week." The ultimate goal with Digman!, continues the Saturday Night Live alum, is that the show appeals to both genre fanatics and casual viewers alike. 'The hope is that the show feels like a reward for people who know everything about it, because they love it the way we love it,' he adds. 'The references are like a fun extra layer to everything, and then, hopefully, you're also just laughing because the joke writing is good enough.' Samberg, who also serves as executive producer on the series alongside Campbell and fellow Lonely Island members Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, doesn't shy away from the fact that his performance as Rip is based on the fan favorite Nicolas Cage character he often played on SNL's 'Weekend Update' segment — one of which featured the real Cage alongside his outlandish TV counterpart (see below). 'Imitation," goes the old saying, 'is the highest form of flattery.' Or, in the words of Samberg's unhinged take on the National Treasure star: 'That's high praise!' 'Part of it was I loved writing jokes for that [bit]. It's an impression, but it really became its own kind of psychotic character,' Samberg explains. 'The moves I got to do in that voice were a lot different [compared to] the other stuff I did at SNL and elsewhere. I missed doing it and getting in that tone. So when we first started talking about this, I was like, 'Oh, that's a good entry point, comedically and performance-wise.' Because of National Treasure, but also because of Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and the genre having existed for so long, it's not going to be just 100% one for one that. It's a really good comedy starting place for me. One of the things I've been really happy about, working on the show, is seeing the character kind of evolve as we work on it, as we try new things, and as he does things comedically and character-wise that are not part of the Nic Cage impression at all. It turns into its own thing.' Still, the question remains: will Cage ever guest star on the show was Rip's father? It seems like the easiest slam dunk bit of casting…well, ever. The idea has occurred to the creators, who describe it as a Digman! bucket list item they're looking to make a reality. 'You're not first person to actually bring that up,' says Samberg. 'It seems like we really should." 'It is the dream, yeah,' echoes Campbell. Samberg continues: "Let's just keep the show going. I can't imagine it won't happen eventually, if we just keep begging him…" While the creators continue to chip away at Mr. Cage's resolve, however, fans can still look forward to a slew of A-list guest voices in Season 2. The list includes, which Comedy Central announced earlier this month, includes such mega-talents as Kate Winslet (Mare of Easttown), Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob Squarepants), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Nathan Lane (The Lion King), Seth Meyers (Late Night With Seth Meyers), Amy Sedaris (BoJack Horseman), Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Geraldine Viswanathan (Thunderbolts*), Beck Bennett (Superman), Fred Armisen (Portlandia), and Kayvan Novak (What We Do in the Shadows), and cult filmmaking icon John Waters (Pink Flamingos). 'You have a responsibility to do something with those people,' Samberg affirms. 'It's not just asking them to come on so you can put their name in the trailer or something. You want them to really score and have something interesting.' 'We would never really ask someone to do a guest voice unless we felt like the A) the role was funny and B) they would be the person to really take it up to another level and make it as funny as possible,' finishes Campbell. Season 2 of Digman! premieres on Comedy Central this Wednesday — July 23 — at 10:30 p.m. ET, immediately following the Season 27 premiere of South Park. All Season 1 episodes are now streaming on Paramount+.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Save the Dates: Digman! Season 2, Minecraft on Max and More
Rip Digman isn't done digging yet. Andy Samberg's animated comedy Digman! will return for Season 2 on Wednesday, July 9 at 10:30/9:30c on Comedy Central, following an all-new South Park, the network announced on Monday. More from TVLine Every New Scripted Show Confirmed to Premiere in 2025 - Save the Dates! What to Watch This Week: 40+ Premieres, Finales and More Jesse Williams' Amazon Action-Drama Sets Release Date - Also, Watch a Trailer for Hotel Costiera Samberg stars as archaeologist Rip Digman, who embarks on Indiana Jones-style adventures with his student Saltine, voiced by Mitra Jouhari (Clone High). The voice cast also includes Tim Robinson, Melissa Fumero and Tim Meadows. Co-created by Samberg and Neil Campbell (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Digman! debuted in March 2023 with an eight-episode freshman season. Get a first look at Season 2 here: In other recent scheduling news… * A Minecraft Movie will make its global streaming debut on Max Friday, June 20, and then debut on HBO linear Saturday, June 21 at 8/7c. * Tubi has acquired Zero Star: The Cam Ward Story — a docuseries chronicling Cam Ward's journey from overlooked high school quarterback with a single Division I FCS offer to the leader of the Miami Hurricanes and No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — to premiere in September. * Season 2 of Kiff and Season 1 of StuGo, both of which aired on Disney Channel earlier this year, will begin streaming on Disney+ Wednesday, July 23 and Wednesday, July 30, respectively. * Blumhouse and Universal Pictures' The Woman in the Yard, starring Danielle Deadwyler (Till), Okwui Okpokwasili (Exorcist: The Believer), Peyton Jackson (Nobody's Fool) and Russell Hornsby, will premiere on Peacock Friday, June 27. * Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, a continuation of the hit series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, premieres Monday, July 21 at 9 am ET on Disney Jr. (and streams all 10 episodes the next day on Disney+). Check out the new theme song: Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
Telegraph
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Eight surprising food combinations that really do work
Once upon a time, sweet-and-salty was about as wild as flavour combinations got. But our palates have come a long way. Scientists now know flavour isn't just about taste. It's shaped by texture, temperature, memory and even expectation. Which might explain why TikTok is full of people dropping jalapeños into sauvignon blanc. I'm partial to a spicy margarita, so I gave the fiery wine trend a go and I loved the mild, tingly chilli edge in every mouthful. Dua Lipa also approves of a chilli-spiked drink: the singer-songwriter's cocktail of Diet Coke, pickle juice and jalapenos went viral recently. Other surprising flavour combinations work beautifully, too, so we asked our favourite chefs to recommend the 'odd' pairings they love. Some you might adore already, others might seem a fad too far – but if you're game to try them, you'll be in for a treat. Miso paste and sugar Funky fermented Japanese miso paste famously adds depth to savoury dishes but is a revelation in sweet things, too. 'Miso is naturally sweet and rich in umami,' explains Neil Campbell, executive chef at Ottolenghi Restaurants. 'Pairing miso and sugar together smooths out its harsh sweetness, enhancing the complex sweet-savoury sensation.' Campbell uses a touch of miso to make rich fudge for his restaurants, as well as in praline, a hard caramel that he crumbles and sprinkles over grilled leeks, each enhancing the other's flavours. How to try it Bake Liam Charles's sweet and umami-rich milk chocolate biscuit bar with miso caramel. Chilli and chocolate Chocolate and chilli parked in the same bowl dates back millennia in Mexico: the fruity heat of chillies complements the bitter richness of chocolate perfectly. Mexican chef Santiago Lastra adores the combination, which features in an iced dessert at his London restaurant, Fonda. 'The combination of high-quality chocolate sorbet with the smoky aromas and depth of spice coming from the smoked chillies draws attention to this unusual combination,' he says. 'It's a next-level, indulgent dessert.' How to try it Use a pinch of chilli powder in Georgina Hayden's spiced dark chocolate and chilli tart. Avocado and matcha This odd couple is served with tuna tartare at abc kitchens at The Emory, the newest restaurant by French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. 'Though the pairing may seem unlikely,' he admits, 'the earthy, slightly bitter notes of matcha beautifully contrast with the creamy richness of avocado, creating a complex yet balanced flavour profile.' It also offers a double dose of healthy: matcha, a form of green tea, is high in antioxidants, while avocado is brimming with healthy fats. How to try it Embrace this nourishing and unusual duo by adding a scoopful of matcha powder and the flesh of half a ripe avocado to your favourite smoothie Strawberries and balsamic vinegar This duo hails from Italy, the home of balsamic vinegar. 'The combination works well because the natural sweetness of the strawberries is cut through by the acidity of the balsamic,' says Robert Homer, head chef of London's Story Cellar restaurant. The syrupy vinegar also provides lovely textural contrast with the juicy strawberry flesh. For an extra flourish, Homer suggests adding basil leaves. 'It adds a floral hint in the back of the palate. Delicious.' How to try it In a salad of burrata with balsamic strawberries, basil and mint Sweetcorn and coffee These sweet and bitter flavours are contented bedfellows according to Jesse Wells, head chef at The Larderhouse in Bournemouth. He teams ice cream made from sweetcorn juice with coffee-infused oil. 'The roasted coffee oil provides hazelnut notes and bitterness plus a real savoury note that just works against the sweetness,' he says. How to try it Try whipping butter with a splash of very strong cold espresso and serve with corn on the cob, ideally roasted on the barbecue in the husk for smoky notes. Ice cream and olive oil Dua Lipa is also fond, apparently, of olive oil and vanilla ice cream and here she's spot on. Fruity, grassy extra-virgin olive oil poured over vanilla (or chocolate) ice cream enhances its sweetness and adds an extra layer of flavour, says Helen Graves, author of BBQ Days BBQ Nights (Hardie Grant, £22). 'There's also something pleasurable about combining two different types of fat in this way,' says Graves. 'The cold vanilla ice cream mixing with the velvety, tongue-coating oil full of grassy, peppery notes sounds odd, but it's a very luxurious experience,' she says. How to try it Follow Graves' recipe for burnt meringue, vanilla ice cream and olive oil, a dish she makes to 'blow people's minds' Cauliflower and maple syrup Huh? But also, yum. Jack Chapman, head chef at The Bath Arms in Horningsham, serves deep-fried 'popcorn' cauliflower with a chilli-spiked maple syrup sauce. 'Pairing maple syrup with cauliflower really elevates the earthiness of this vegetable,' he explains. 'It's a great flavour combination and a different take on a classic sweet and sour.' How to try it To make Chapman's sauce, combine cider vinegar, sriracha and maple syrup in a pan and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Whisk in butter (it can be vegan if you like) and season to taste before serving with roast or deep-fried cauliflower florets. And a festive idea to bank... Mince pies and cheese Eccles cakes are traditionally served with a chunk of Lancashire cheese – another pairing Wells loves, but in a different form. 'The intensely sweet mincemeat and pastry work incredibly well with the sharp savoury cheese. It's brilliant at Christmas, late at night, when you're standing at the fridge and probably shouldn't eat any more.' How to try it Save this seasonal treat for wintry days. 'Grab a mince pie, take the lid off, stick a lump of strong cheddar inside and go for it,' says Wells. Weird food combos we'd sooner skip The social media trends that should never have seen the light of day... Bananas dipped in tomato ketchup Supposedly favoured by Beyoncé, but too saccharine for our taste. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches with Wotsits Hollywood actor Channing Tatum purportedly stuffs his PBJ sandwiches with Cheetos (the American equivalent of our cheesy puffs), turning an already questionable combination into a dusty monstrosity. Sausages and Nutella Peperami dunked into the chocolate hazelnut spread then washed down with a glass of milk is a TikTok favourite for its marriage of spice, sweetness and cool creaminess. A UPF too far. Mayonnaise and Oreos Mayo replaces the buttercream filling in the biscuits. The colour might be right but the tang of the condiment is all wrong. Pickles and peanut butter
