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San Francisco Chronicle
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Mark Zuckerberg surfs in bald eagle costume for viral Fourth of July stunt: ‘Sam Altman would never'
Mark Zuckerberg may be a billionaire tech mogul, but his Fourth of July antics prove he's still just a kid at heart. The CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, spent the holiday in a full-body inflatable bald eagle costume and shared a now-viral video of himself wakesurfing in the getup with his millions of followers over the weekend. The clip, posted to Instagram and Facebook on Friday, July 4, opens with Zuckerberg sitting down on a moving boat, holding an American flag and nodding his head, not yet covered by the costume. 'Is this the stupidest thing we've done so far?' an off-camera voice asks, before Zuckerberg hops onto the board fully suited up in his patriotic outfit. The video then cuts to him surfing, with his arms outstretched to show off the red, white and blue fringed wings of his costume as the song 'America, F— Yeah,' from the 2004 comedy 'Team America: World Police,' plays. His video has received 961,000 likes since it was posted, and has garnered a number of impressed comments from Zuckerberg's followers. 'Didn't think he'd be able to one-up last year's post but he did,' wrote content creator Kagan Dunlap, referencing Zuckerberg's similar Independence Day stunt from last year, during which he surfed in a suit and bowtie while holding a beer in one hand and an American flag in the other. That comment also received a like from Zuckerberg, along with more than 6,500 others. While Zuckerberg didn't tag the location of his post, many fans speculate the clip was filmed in Lake Tahoe, where Zuckerberg is building a seven-building compound. On Saturday, July 5, the Facebook founder shared another holiday-themed video, this time accompanied by his friends as they pretend to be Marvel's Avengers. The clip was recorded backwards to make it appear as though each individual is jumping out of the water, and is set to audio from the superhero film series in which Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, delivers the iconic line: 'Avengers, assemble.' Zuckerberg wore a long sleeve shirt that resembled Captain America's suit, while one friend was dressed as Uncle Sam and another wore the same bald eagle costume from his previous post. Zuckerberg has developed a reputation for his elaborate stunts over the years, though many have been romantic gestures for his wife, Priscilla Chan. In February, he borrowed singer Benson Boone's skintight Grammy jumpsuit to serenade Chan on her birthday, and in 2024 he went viral for commissioning a seven-foot-tall teal blue sculpture in her likeness.
Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Hulkamania will live on
In the early 2000s, a pair of heels (unsympathetic wrestlers) might be taking turns to pound on an unfortunate babyface (sympathetic wrestler) in the ring, or Mr McMahon, the promoter of WWE, might be getting too full of himself. And then the opening notes would ring out, and the wrestling fan could whoop in joy; it was what one didn't dare hope for. As the lyrics of his entrance music followed, Hulk Hogan in all his roaring, shirt-ripping, bandana-ed glory would emerge. Someone was about to get leg-dropped. This was an American icon, and the macho righteousness that he and his theme song, 'Real American', projected, stood in stark counterpoint to the alternative representations on offer: Green Day's 'American Idiot', or Team America: World Police. It also foreshadowed his later political trajectory. As US President Donald Trump posted after the news of his death on Thursday, Hogan was 'MAGA all the way'. This wasn't the peak of Hulkamania, the great fan craze that had its first wave in the 1980s, or the time of his most famous feats, such as body-slamming André the Giant — supposedly weighing 520 pounds. Terry Bollea, the son of a construction worker, got the nickname 'Hulk' thanks to his size and 24-inch biceps even before he joined what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1979. He would go on to become the best-known face of professional wrestling worldwide. Hogan also tried his hand at other ventures, including acting, with a filmography ranging from Rocky III to low-budget '90s films. In the 2000s, there was the inevitable reality TV series, Hogan Knows Best, in which he appeared alongside his family. There were scandals, too, such as a leaked sex tape of him with a friend's wife, which led to a legally consequential case against media site Gawker that pitted freedom of speech against the right to privacy. As far as sports entertainment is concerned, though, few would dispute fellow wrestler Sting's characterisation of Hogan — 'the greatest of all'.
Boston Globe
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Rihanna finds ‘Smurfs' in a hopeless place
So I was quite worried when I learned that 'Smurfs' not only sends its heroes to real-world Paris, it has Rihanna playing Smurfette and John Goodman co-starring as Papa Smurf. 'It's deja Smurf all over again!' I muttered. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Papa Smurf (John Goodman). Paramount Animation Advertisement That was before I read that the script was by 'South Park' veteran and 'Team America: World Police' co-writer, Pam Brady, and directed by Chris Miller, who directed the 'Shrek' spin-off, 'Puss in Boots.' (Chris Miller did not direct 'The Lego Movie' or '21 Jump Street.'—that's Christopher Miller.) 'Perhaps Brady will bring some irreverence to this movie,' I thought. Plus, I liked 'Puss in Boots' well enough to give its director the benefit of the doubt. I was cautiously optimistic as I entered the theater. When the credits rolled on this animated bore, I felt like a Smurfing fool for getting my hopes up. I wanted to kick my own Smurf. Advertisement Your kids will probably love this movie, which means you'll be watching it often. Excuse me while I giggle with unSmurflike malice. To its credit, 'Smurfs' does at least try to tell a coherent story. Papa Smurf (Goodman) creates Smurf Village as a way to hide one of the four magic books that can be used to bring either good or evil into the universe. He populates the mushroom houses with the male Smurfs you're familiar with, such as Vanity Smurf (Maya Erskine) and Worry Smurf (Billie Lourd). If you happen to be unfamiliar, don't worry. There's a disco number at the beginning of the film that introduces all 3 gazillion Smurfs. Rih—I mean, Smurfette is by far the most popular Smurf in the village. I'm glad the film acknowledged her origin story as a creation of the evil, Smurf-hating wizard, Gargamel (JP Karliak), who designed her to lure the Smurfs to him. It's unfortunate that they left out the part where she originally looked like a blue Olive Oyl before Papa Smurf gave her the Mamie Van Doren treatment. No Name (James Corden) and Smurfette (Rihanna) in "Smurfs." Paramount Animation Believe it or Smurf, Smurfette isn't the main character in this movie. That role belongs to No Name Smurf (James Corden), the only Smurf in the village who doesn't have a defining characteristic. After trying over 10,000 jobs, including wooden clog making, No Name is having a major identity crisis. While Smurfette gets to sing one of several songs in the film (a song co-written by Rihanna, no less), it's No Name who gets the big 'I Want' number. His wish for a vocation is granted, but not without severe repercussions. Advertisement Meanwhile, Gargamel's younger brother, Razamel (also voiced by Karliak) is in cahoots with three other evil wizards to secure the book Papa Smurf's been hiding for 100 years. Razamel sounds like a cream you'd use to cure the Smurf on your Smurf, proving that those poorly named wizards had some mean parents. Joel (Daniel Levy) and Razamel (JP Karliak) in "Smurfs." Paramount Animation Because of an accidental use of magic in the normally magic-free Smurf Village, Razamel is able to use a portal to snatch the Smurfs, including Papa and his red-headed brother, Ken (Nick Offerman). It's up to Smurfette, No Name, and a few others to save the day. Along the way, they meet some scary looking creatures led by Mama Poot (voiced by Natasha Lyonne at her raspiest), who help them out. There are so many missed opportunities in 'Smurfs' that I wanted to pull out all my Smurf. Different animation styles are used, but they never seamlessly cohere. The cast is made up of a murderer's row of great voices like Sandra Oh, 'Schitt's Creek' alum Dan Levy, Octavia Spencer, and William S. Preston, Esq. himself, Alex Winter. Hefty Smurf (Alex Winter), Vanity Smurf (Maya Erskine), Worry Smurf (Billie Lourd), Ken (Nick Offerman), Smurfette (Rihanna), No Name (James Corden), and Brainy Smurf (Xolo Mariduena) in "Smurfs." Paramount Animation The biggest Smurfing deal is that they got Kurt Russell to play Papa Smurf's brother, Ron. His blonde hair is so long and luxurious that it makes Smurfette look like Kojak. Having Russell, Offerman, and Goodman play brothers is casting manna from Heaven, yet this movie doesn't do anything remotely Smurfing interesting with them. Eventually, No Name finds his true calling. It's no surprise that it's film criticism. That's right, No Name Smurf grew up to be me. If you believe that, I've got a Smurf in Brooklyn to sell you. Just be aware that my fake ending is better than the one you'll get in 'Smurfs.' As the fella once said, 'ain't that a kick in the Smurf?' Advertisement ★1/2 SMURFS Directed by Chris Miller. Written by Pam Brady. Starring Rihanna, John Goodman, James Corden, JP Karliak, Nick Offerman, Sandra Oh, Dan Levy, Octavia Spencer, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd. At AMC Boston Common, Landmark Kendall Square, Alamo Drafthouse Seaport, AMC Causeway, suburbs. 92 min. PG (some necessary bleeps by Sound Effects Smurf) Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kendrick Lamar Comedy From Trey Parker and Matt Stone Moves to Spring 2026
You will have to wait a little longer for the untitled comedy starring Kendrick Lamar and directed by 'South Park' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, as Paramount has announced that it will now arrive in theaters on March 20, 2026. It was previously scheduled to release July 4 of this year. The script for the project is by Vernon Chatman and while Paramount has yet to reveal any plot details, with the studio only describing the movie as an 'original live-action comedy.' Lamar and Dave Free are producing through their company pgLang, while Stone and Parker are producing for Park County. Paramount film chief Brian Robbins spoke about the project at last year's CinemaCon, calling it 'one of the funniest and most original scripts we've ever read.' The film is the first feature from the duo in more than two decades – their last feature was 2004's puppet-filled 'Team America: World Police;' before that was their Oscar-nominated 1999 'South Park' movie 'Bigger, Longer & Uncut.' Lamar recently performed a political and Easter egg-packed Super Bowl halftime show and has won 22 Grammy awards (including several this year). On the film side of things, he appeared in last year's LEGO-fied Pharrell Williams documentary 'Piece by Piece' and oversaw the blockbuster soundtrack for Marvel Studios' 2018 smash 'Black Panther.' The post Kendrick Lamar Comedy From Trey Parker and Matt Stone Moves to Spring 2026 appeared first on TheWrap.
The National
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Ramy Youssef's first animated series #1 Happy Family USA is a satire about post 9/11 America
Ramy Youssef will release his first animated series, #1 Happy Family USA, this April. Youssef tells The National: 'This is a premise I had wanted to see come to life for a long time". Co-created by Youssef and Pam Brady (South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, Team America: World Police, Hamlet 2) and produced by British-Iraqi journalist and illustrator Mona Chalabi, the series was helmed by Youssef's own production company Cairo Cowboy, as well as A24 and Amazon MGM Studios. The eight-episode first season will be released on April 17 via Amazon Prime Video. Set in the early 2000s, the show follows the 'manically upbeat' Hussein family – 'the most patriotic, most peaceful and most-definitely-not-suspicious Muslim family in post 9/11 'Amreeka',' according to the official description. Youssef adds: 'It's set in the early 2000s, which is an exciting time to look at from this vantage point. Surprisingly, a lot of the same tensions exist. So it's been fun just looking at that era with 20 years of experience.' Youssef headlines the cast opposite Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development, Search Party). Youssef voices Rumi, described as a hopeful 12-year-old-boy with a big imagination and a desire to fit in. The comedian also takes the role of Hussein Hussein, the family's patriarch, a former cardiothoracic surgeon, who now runs a halal cart. Shawkat plays his older sister Mona, the family's "golden child". Also starring are rising comedian Salma Hindy, author Randa Jarrar, as well as comedian Akaash Singh, Chris Redd, Whitmer Thomas and Mandy Moore. Hindy plays the family's mother, Sharia, who is equally obsessed with being a good mum and solving the conspiracy around Princess Diana's death. Jarrar plays Grandma, a blunt, talk-show obsessed niqabi woman. The subject matter is something Youssef has explored in his own work before, including in his stand-up comedy specials and in the fourth episode of the series Ramy's first season. While the show was inspired by his existing comedic material, it has grown due to the input of his collaborators and their own experiences. 'Much of it is spilling over from my stand-up and my own inner stuff, but this is very much a comedy collective,' Youssef explains. 'For me, this cartoon is a great collection of people that I've been wanting to work with for the last few years coming together – some of my favourite emerging comedians and writers' fingerprints are on it.' Youssef notes that it was particularly exciting to work with Chalabi, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2023 for her work with the New York Times. 'She's an amazing journalist and political cartoonist. And she very much has her own style, so this is modern political cartoon show that is really dope.' Youssef doesn't think the show compares to any animated series to date, saying: 'I just want it to be its own thing". The comedian is set to have a busy 2025. In addition to his coming cartoon, he co-wrote each episode of Mo season two, a series he co-created with Mo Amer, which released in January to great acclaim. He also has a show titled Golf, set to premiere on Netflix at an unannounced date, the first project under his current first-look deal with the streaming platform. Youssef will next perform comedy as part of a benefit event to support those affected by the Los Angeles fires on March 4. His latest comedy special, Ramy Youssef: More Feelings, was nominated for a Golden Globe in January.
