Latest news with #PeterWeber
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Before Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Comments On The Destination X Winner, I Didn't Realize How Much I Was Rooting For One Reality Star To Lose
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS are ahead for the Season 1 finale of Destination X on NBC, available streaming next day with a Peacock subscription. The first season of Destination X has come to an end, with the finale revealing alliances and betrayals that determined who among Rick Szabo, Biggy Bailey, and Peter Weber would win the $250,000 grand prize. I've had fun watching the series as it aired after new episodes of America's Got Talent, but no episode really hooked me as much as when the series premiere hoodwinked me earlier in the 2025 TV schedule. I was still happy to celebrate Rick getting the win by identifying Big Ben in London, and there's some real charm in a professional birdwatcher coming out on top. But it wasn't until I read some comments from host Jeffrey Dean Morgan that I realized that part of my happiness for Rick was likely because I was rooting against another competitor more than I knew. Sorry, Pilot Pete, but I just really didn't want you to win! Now, to be clear – I wasn't rooting against Peter Weber because of his experience on The Bachelor or The Traitors. After all, gaining fame in Bachelor Nation (whether or not you're there for the right reasons) doesn't make one a geography expert, being banished from The Traitors Season 2 cast doesn't transform a competitor into a master cartographer, and working as a pilot doesn't guarantee the ability to crack clues. No, I didn't really care that much that Peter came in with reality TV experience. Peter Weber was just my #3 pick out of the three finalists because of one big advantage that had nothing to do with his time on ABC or Peacock reality shows: he got to join Destination X a few episodes into the season, skipping out on some early eliminations. I came to my realization not when the final credits rolled on Rick's joy or after Peter's emotional final speech, but after I read some comments from Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Parade. He said: I give big props to the casting department. Now, going forward, say we do a Season 2. I kind of like the mix of having some newbies as well as some veterans. And maybe also it would behoove us to do kind of what Traitors does, and have an 'all-star' sort of thing of reality show vets come on and do the show. But I like the newbies. I like the guys [who] have never done this before. And you know, someone like Rick, who gets to walk away with the big prize, who we'd never seen before, a bird watcher from Canada, I think that's kind of cool. I wonder what the audience would think if Peter had come on Episode 3 and then won it, if people think that that's fair. Peter Weber was one of two reality stars who got to make late arrivals to Destination X, as he was joined by Love Island USA vet JaNa Craig to move into the bus in Episode 3. JaNa didn't last long in competition, but Peter obviously made it to the very end. Jeffrey Dean Morgan raised the question of whether "people think that that's fair" if he'd been the champion; I can't speak for everybody, but I sure wouldn't have seen it as 100% fair. That said, I can't disagree with Morgan's additional point that it "makes for good TV if the audience knows some people," and Deal or No Deal Island did something similar by casting Survivor legend Boston Rob Mariano for Season 1. And the format of Destination X means that what Morgan described as Peter and JaNa being "very savvy" and "very smart" about reality TV dynamics won't be enough to win. Savviness isn't enough when you also need to identify locations in Europe! The playing field would have been pretty even if everybody started at the same time. On the whole, I'm on board if Destination X is renewed and brings in reality TV celebs on the same level as The Bachelor and Love Island vets, but would find it a whole lot easier to root for them if they also have to start at the beginning like everybody else. Was Peter Weber an entertaining part of the final stages of Season 1 thanks to his secret alliance? Sure, but I don't think I'll change my mind that it would have been unfair for him to beat Rick or Biggy. If you want to relive the wild ride of Destination X Season 1, you can find the episodes streaming on Peacock. Jeffrey Dean Morgan seems open to returning for a second season, especially after he revealed why he finally took the hosting job. The ratings as America's Got Talent's primetime partner were also solid, so I wouldn't be surprised to see NBC bring the show back as a new summer staple. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Bachelor' star Peter Weber blindsided on 'Destination X' (and loved it)
Peter Weber has spent plenty of time at 30,000 feet, but "Destination X" challenged the former Bachelor star in a new way: Taking away his ability to navigate. On NBC's travel-based reality series, contestants boarded a blacked-out bus and used their intuition, logic, and social savvy to figure out where in Europe they'd landed without ever seeing the journey there. It's part travelogue, part mind game, and for Weber, part full-circle adventure. As a licensed commercial pilot and reality TV veteran, Weber brought a unique mix of wanderlust and game strategy to the series that got all the way to the final two, but ultimately was beaten by fellow contestant Rick Szabo. Weber opened up to USA TODAY about the challenges of navigating blind, the misdirection he used to stay ahead in the game, and why making strategic choices over emotional ones. And, yes, he has opinions on aisle vs. window. This interview was edited for length and clarity. Question: What made you join 'Destination X' and how did it compare to your experience with 'The Bachelor' and 'The Traitors'? Peter Weber: This opportunity, like the last three, they just kind of you know fell into my lap. I couldn't say no even though I wasn't necessarily looking for anything. Specifically with "Destination X," when I was told the whole kind of premise, it was an immediate yes. My background of flying and love of travel and adventure and then just, you know, being the ultimate competitor, I think this just kind of grouped everything into one. But I would say, that without a doubt, this is the most fun thing I have been able to do. It's such a unique experience to be able to do in today's day and age; just disconnect from the outside world and no phone, no social media, nothing — just immerse yourself into a game like you're playing like a kid, and having that game be all across Europe just makes it that much better. How did your background as a pilot help or hurt you when you were guessing locations? There definitely were a lot of pros to helping me, you know. In this most recent episode it came into play a lot. I recognized the peaks that we were at — in Monaco, up high just from flying in and out of Venice Airport quite a bit. So, some familiarity there with certain departure corridors that I'd flown before helped me. And just naturally being maybe good at navigation and following the sun as much as possible. That's really the only clue you had on this bus was, you know? It's all fogged out. Unless Jeffrey (Dean Morgan) wanted you to see out. So, you could follow the sun and track a little bit and get an estimate of what direction you were going for and a rough speed of how far you could have traveled to help me in that way. In regards to hurting me, maybe just coming in, I think it could have put a target on my back a little bit, with people thinking, "Yeah, you're a pilot, you probably have some extensive travel experience." You know, maybe that's a threat kind of thing. So it was really important for me right off the bat to kind of figure out, OK, who am I going to trust in this game? Who am I going to work with now? How did it feel to be blindfolded and have no control over where you were going, you know? Definitely eerie. It's kind of cool how they edit it in the show to, "boom." It goes from one scene to the next. But obviously to get to those spots where that Google reveal happens takes a lot of coordination and, you know, us following producers with our hands on their backs. And you can't literally see. You're blindfolded. You can't see anything and it's, you know, done just for the fairness of the game. It has to be done that way, but definitely a very odd feeling to have no control, no say where you're at, no idea where you're at, but also, it's kind of what made it so much fun is really kind of pushing yourself to figure it out. What do you think was the moment that pushed you most out of your comfort zone during the the entirety of the game? I've always been an emotional person, and that's just naturally who I am. And I think there was a period where I really had to push myself to get out (someone) I had been beefing about some stuff with, and there was some stuff going on there. And there was a decision I had to make where it was: Do I do the feel-good option of when you're beefing with someone and you have now the power to kind of get rid of them? Or do I do the smart play and completely let go of the emotion of that? So, I would say that probably pushed me the most to be able to make the right call under pressure. I remember when we were able to get Mack (Fitzgerald) out, cause Mack would have, I think, won the game if we hadn't gotten her out in that point, I think she wins the whole thing. And so, I had to make that call, strategy-wise, even though emotionally I wanted to go somewhere else. Europe is known for its robust train system. You are of course a pilot. And you were on a bus. What is your preferred method of travel? Oh, for sure flying. Obviously. You know, we'll always take airplanes over anything. But I think one of the coolest moments was that that last episode of Monaco that that yacht we were able to go on and go get anchored right outside the Monte Carlo. That was a very surreal experience. You know, "cheersing" with some Champagne with Jeffrey and Rick (Szabo) and Biggy (Bailey) there and realizing, wow, we made it this far and now we're going to the finale. And I just never experienced that kind of a yacht experience. It was pretty surreal. Speaking of planes, aisle or window seat? Window, for a couple of reasons. Obviously, for the view, you know? And it's sad. I feel like in today's day and age, so many people close the window shade or dim it, or just not have their face glued outside and being on their phones. I mean, it's the most incredible view in the entire world you're ever going to get. I'm always a window fan, also, for the aspect of sleeping. I like being able to lean and have some support. You don't quite get that with the middle or aisle seat. Is there a travel habit that you picked up as a pilot that you still use as a passenger? I think just efficient packing. It's sometimes easy to overpack, and you're going to have all these outfits you're going to wear, but I think just kind of nailing it down to the base set of clothes, shoes, etc. Is there something that you like to splurge on while you're on vacation? Dessert. I'm a huge, huge dessert person. I have a huge sweet tooth, though. Anytime I'm on vacation, I'm always looking forward to that dessert menu. Ideally, a chocolate molten lava cake with some ice cream on top is my go-to. What's your travel pet peeve? Pet peeve, I would say, is when people stand up right when the airplane gets to the gate. I think it creates such a sense of anxiety and panic, and everyone is just trying to get ahead of each other and no one's going anywhere cause you know, they gotta open the door first and obviously very skinny aisles for everyone to feed through. Is there something that you would like to remind future you from the show? The biggest thing that I want to take away from this show is having an opportunity to fully disconnect and appreciate the moment, and appreciate where you're at. I think it's such a beautiful thing to do in life and it's so easy to not do that. With all distractions of everyday life in the era that we live in, and with social media and phones, there's always a million things to do. But this show kind of forces you, because obviously you have no choice, into that mindset to really be present and soak it all in. I think that's something that I would love to really take forward. And if I need a reminder later on in life, being able to look back on an experience like "Destination X" or "The Traitors" and remember vividly what that was like to feel fully present and just enjoy the moment and not be distracted. That's probably the biggest thing I'd love to take forward and apply to my life. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Peter Weber says 'Destination X' was his most fun adventure yet
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Bachelor' star Peter Weber blindsided on 'Destination X' (and loved it)
Peter Weber has spent plenty of time at 30,000 feet, but "Destination X" challenged the former Bachelor star in a new way: Taking away his ability to navigate. On NBC's travel-based reality series, contestants boarded a blacked-out bus and used their intuition, logic, and social savvy to figure out where in Europe they'd landed without ever seeing the journey there. It's part travelogue, part mind game, and for Weber, part full-circle adventure. As a licensed commercial pilot and reality TV veteran, Weber brought a unique mix of wanderlust and game strategy to the series that got all the way to the final two, but ultimately was beaten by fellow contestant Rick Szabo. Weber opened up to USA TODAY about the challenges of navigating blind, the misdirection he used to stay ahead in the game, and why making strategic choices over emotional ones. And, yes, he has opinions on aisle vs. window. This interview was edited for length and clarity. Question: What made you join 'Destination X' and how did it compare to your experience with 'The Bachelor' and 'The Traitors'? Peter Weber: This opportunity, like the last three, they just kind of you know fell into my lap. I couldn't say no even though I wasn't necessarily looking for anything. Specifically with "Destination X," when I was told the whole kind of premise, it was an immediate yes. My background of flying and love of travel and adventure and then just, you know, being the ultimate competitor, I think this just kind of grouped everything into one. But I would say, that without a doubt, this is the most fun thing I have been able to do. It's such a unique experience to be able to do in today's day and age; just disconnect from the outside world and no phone, no social media, nothing — just immerse yourself into a game like you're playing like a kid, and having that game be all across Europe just makes it that much better. How did your background as a pilot help or hurt you when you were guessing locations? There definitely were a lot of pros to helping me, you know. In this most recent episode it came into play a lot. I recognized the peaks that we were at — in Monaco, up high just from flying in and out of Venice Airport quite a bit. So, some familiarity there with certain departure corridors that I'd flown before helped me. And just naturally being maybe good at navigation and following the sun as much as possible. That's really the only clue you had on this bus was, you know? It's all fogged out. Unless Jeffrey (Dean Morgan) wanted you to see out. So, you could follow the sun and track a little bit and get an estimate of what direction you were going for and a rough speed of how far you could have traveled to help me in that way. In regards to hurting me, maybe just coming in, I think it could have put a target on my back a little bit, with people thinking, "Yeah, you're a pilot, you probably have some extensive travel experience." You know, maybe that's a threat kind of thing. So it was really important for me right off the bat to kind of figure out, OK, who am I going to trust in this game? Who am I going to work with now? How did it feel to be blindfolded and have no control over where you were going, you know? Definitely eerie. It's kind of cool how they edit it in the show to, "boom." It goes from one scene to the next. But obviously to get to those spots where that Google reveal happens takes a lot of coordination and, you know, us following producers with our hands on their backs. And you can't literally see. You're blindfolded. You can't see anything and it's, you know, done just for the fairness of the game. It has to be done that way, but definitely a very odd feeling to have no control, no say where you're at, no idea where you're at, but also, it's kind of what made it so much fun is really kind of pushing yourself to figure it out. What do you think was the moment that pushed you most out of your comfort zone during the the entirety of the game? I've always been an emotional person, and that's just naturally who I am. And I think there was a period where I really had to push myself to get out (someone) I had been beefing about some stuff with, and there was some stuff going on there. And there was a decision I had to make where it was: Do I do the feel-good option of when you're beefing with someone and you have now the power to kind of get rid of them? Or do I do the smart play and completely let go of the emotion of that? So, I would say that probably pushed me the most to be able to make the right call under pressure. I remember when we were able to get Mack (Fitzgerald) out, cause Mack would have, I think, won the game if we hadn't gotten her out in that point, I think she wins the whole thing. And so, I had to make that call, strategy-wise, even though emotionally I wanted to go somewhere else. Europe is known for its robust train system. You are of course a pilot. And you were on a bus. What is your preferred method of travel? Oh, for sure flying. Obviously. You know, we'll always take airplanes over anything. But I think one of the coolest moments was that that last episode of Monaco that that yacht we were able to go on and go get anchored right outside the Monte Carlo. That was a very surreal experience. You know, "cheersing" with some Champagne with Jeffrey and Rick (Szabo) and Biggy (Bailey) there and realizing, wow, we made it this far and now we're going to the finale. And I just never experienced that kind of a yacht experience. It was pretty surreal. Speaking of planes, aisle or window seat? Window, for a couple of reasons. Obviously, for the view, you know? And it's sad. I feel like in today's day and age, so many people close the window shade or dim it, or just not have their face glued outside and being on their phones. I mean, it's the most incredible view in the entire world you're ever going to get. I'm always a window fan, also, for the aspect of sleeping. I like being able to lean and have some support. You don't quite get that with the middle or aisle seat. Is there a travel habit that you picked up as a pilot that you still use as a passenger? I think just efficient packing. It's sometimes easy to overpack, and you're going to have all these outfits you're going to wear, but I think just kind of nailing it down to the base set of clothes, shoes, etc. Is there something that you like to splurge on while you're on vacation? Dessert. I'm a huge, huge dessert person. I have a huge sweet tooth, though. Anytime I'm on vacation, I'm always looking forward to that dessert menu. Ideally, a chocolate molten lava cake with some ice cream on top is my go-to. What's your travel pet peeve? Pet peeve, I would say, is when people stand up right when the airplane gets to the gate. I think it creates such a sense of anxiety and panic, and everyone is just trying to get ahead of each other and no one's going anywhere cause you know, they gotta open the door first and obviously very skinny aisles for everyone to feed through. Is there something that you would like to remind future you from the show? The biggest thing that I want to take away from this show is having an opportunity to fully disconnect and appreciate the moment, and appreciate where you're at. I think it's such a beautiful thing to do in life and it's so easy to not do that. With all distractions of everyday life in the era that we live in, and with social media and phones, there's always a million things to do. But this show kind of forces you, because obviously you have no choice, into that mindset to really be present and soak it all in. I think that's something that I would love to really take forward. And if I need a reminder later on in life, being able to look back on an experience like "Destination X" or "The Traitors" and remember vividly what that was like to feel fully present and just enjoy the moment and not be distracted. That's probably the biggest thing I'd love to take forward and apply to my life.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Penlink Introduces New Media Intelligence Platform Powered by Generative AI
New platform redefines visual data analysis for public safety and security teams Washington, DC, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Penlink, the leading authority in AI-powered digital intelligence, proudly announces the launch of VIA, its next-generation Visual Intelligence Platform. This marks a major advancement in the company's suite of CoAnalyst GenAI solutions, designed to deliver intuitive access and powerful analysis of large-scale digital media datasets. VIA provides analysts and investigators with unprecedented access to media intelligence by transforming images and videos into actionable insights. The platform enables users to seamlessly search and analyze digital media such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), evidentiary, or forensic data. Investigators can now detect relevant images and frames through contextual and natural language queries, extract geospatial intelligence, identify objects and relationships, interpret scene context, verify media sources, and trace how visual content spreads across networks. 'VIA represents a major step forward in making unstructured visual data searchable, analyzable, and trustworthy,' said Shay Attias, Chief Technology Officer at Penlink. 'We've engineered it as a multimodal system, leveraging the latest generative AI models to extract and correlate insights across visual, textual, and spatial domains, unlocking layers of intelligence that were previously inaccessible.' Penlink has long focused on bridging the gap between overwhelming data and operational intelligence. With VIA, investigators no longer need to sift through irrelevant media - they can focus directly on the content that matters, gaining instant insights into time, place, and context. The platform extends Penlink's mission into the visual domain, offering accelerated workflows for investigations, threat detection, and uncovering new layers of intelligence. 'Penlink is committed to building solutions that empower our law enforcement, defense, intelligence, and enterprise partners,' said Peter Weber, CEO of Penlink. 'With VIA, we are unlocking the potential of visual data at scale - bringing clarity to complex investigations and accelerating the path from raw media to real understanding and better conclusions.' VIA is now available to selected partners and will be showcased during upcoming innovation briefings and public safety summits. For more information, visit About PenlinkPenlink is the leading provider of digital intelligence solutions, integrating open-source intelligence and digital evidence for law enforcement, national security, defense, and enterprise sectors. Leveraging advanced AI technologies, Penlink enables end-to-end digital investigations and threat monitoring. Its comprehensive data intelligence platform accelerates the identification of leads and critical connections in complex investigations. Headquartered in the U.S. with global operations, Penlink is proud to support organizations worldwide with solutions that enhance safety, security, and operational impact. CONTACT: A.J. Guenther Yes& aj@
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW Gets Munich Plant Ready for Neue Klasse EVs
BMW is preparing for the start of Neue Klasse production at its home Munich plant, with plans to begin assembly in 2026. The automaker's first two Neue Klasse EVs will be a 3-Series-sized sedan and X3-sized SUV, targeting the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y more or less directly. The automaker's Debrecen, Hungary, plant has already produced pre-series examples of the model that will replace the iX3, and will begin series production later this year. The original Neue Klasse introduced a new design language and lineup for BMW, rescuing the automaker from post-war doldrums while setting the template for the next several decades of design and engineering. The 21st century Neue Klasse program is expected to be just as revolutionary for the Munich-based automaker, set to usher in a new generation of battery-electric models with a fresh look, one that will draw its inspiration from the classic models of the 1960s. BMW is now getting ready to build the first models that will comprise the Neue Klasse at its main plant in Munich, with plans to kick off production at that particular site next summer. "For the production start of the Neue Klasse, we will have a state-of-the-art plant in Munich that is characterised by flexibility, innovation and, above all, efficiency," said Plant Director Peter Weber. But BMW's Debrecen plant in Hungary will start building Neue Klasse cars first, before the start of series production in Munich in 2026. The first pre-series vehicles in Munich, on the other hand, are slated to be completed by the end of this year, with help from BMW Group Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ). When it comes to the Debrecen plant in Hungary, the first pre-series units of the 2026 BMW iX3 left the assembly line late last year, with the model patterned after the Neue Klasse X concept revealed in the spring of 2024. Yet another one of the first wave of Neue Klasse models will be a 3-Series-sized sedan, which was teased by the Vision Neue Klasse concept in 2023, and which features quite a few nods to the classic BMW 2002. The sedan is expected to be produced at the Debrecen plant, but it's possible that production in the US is in the cards as well, especially given the current tariff trends. These first two models should land in two traditionally high-demand segments for the automaker, while also allowing it to target the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y more or less directly. But the Neue Klasse program is more than just about design. BMW has revealed in recent months that the debut models will see 30% quicker recharges thanks to 800-volt architectures, while also aiming to deliver 30% more range thanks to cylindrical lithium-ion cells. These metrics alone should give the Neue Klasse models a decisive advantage in range, just as the range wars rage on in the EV sphere. And getting the Munich and Debrecen plants ready for EV production is near the top of the agenda in 2025. In a few years, these two plants will exclusively produce electric models, with Munich switching to EV-only models in 2027. Three new production halls are currently being outfitted in Munich in preparation for the start of series production next year, just as existing models are being assembled. The switchover to EV-only production, which will involve only one type of drivetrain, is expected to achieve a higher level of efficiency in comparison to ICE powerplants. "With the Neue Klasse, we will significantly reduce manufacturing costs at the Munich Plant," Weber added. But the competition isn't sitting still. By the time the Neue Klasse models arrive in Europe, automakers from China could gain even more of a foothold on the continent, so Tesla won't be the only EV maker BMW will have to worry about. BMW's plans to reposition the Munich plant exclusively for EV production starting in 2027 also rely on a continuously growing rate of EV adoption in Europe—an assumption that may have seemed warranted five years ago, but one which is now beginning to show signs of doubt. Will the Neue Klasse models see greater success than BMW's current electric lineup, or will they reenergize the automaker's EV sales by a significant margin once they arrive? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
