Not all of Chris Rock's jokes have landed with the same freshness over the years, at least according to audience reception. More than two decades after the Madagascar star hosted the Academy Awards for the first time in 2005, he revealed details about that experience and his approach to comedy's biggest stage.
Chris Rock's 2005 Oscars Hosting Debut
Rock's first turn as Oscar host came during the 77th Academy Awards ceremony. The comedian brought his signature sharp observational style to the Dolby Theatre, delivering an opening monologue that targeted Hollywood politics, box office flops, and the industry's self-seriousness. While critics offered mixed reviews at the time, the performance established Rock as a willingness to challenge the room's comfort zone.
Evolving Comedic Perspective
In the years since that debut, Rock has openly discussed how his comedic voice has matured. He has acknowledged in interviews that certain bits from earlier specials and hosting gigs haven't aged well, reflecting a broader cultural shift in what audiences consider acceptable humor. This self-awareness has become a hallmark of his more recent work, including his 2023 Netflix special Selective Outrage.
Return to the Oscars Stage
Rock returned to host the 88th Academy Awards in 2016, a ceremony dominated by the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. His second monologue tackled the diversity crisis head-on, blending pointed commentary with the self-deprecation that characterizes his mature style. The contrast between his two hosting appearances illustrates his evolution from provocateur to a comedian willing to confront uncomfortable truths within his own industry.
This article contains details which some readers may find distressing.
Mark Wahlberg’s 9/11 Flight Controversy and Apology
Actor Mark Wahlberg faced significant backlash after making controversial comments about what he believed would have happened if he had been aboard one of the planes used in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Twenty-five years ago, Wahlberg was originally scheduled to fly on American Airlines Flight 11, the first aircraft to strike the World Trade Center’s North Tower.
Last-Minute Travel Change Saved the Actor
Wahlberg had been booked on the Boston-to-Los Angeles flight but decided at the last minute to travel to a film festival in Toronto instead, requiring a different flight. This spontaneous decision meant he was not on board when terrorists crashed the plane into the North Tower, killing all 92 people aboard.
Controversial Comments to Men’s Journal
Years later, when asked about the near-miss by Men’s Journal, Wahlberg described a scenario in which he would have single-handedly thwarted the hijacking:
“If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did,” he claimed. “There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘Okay, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry’.”
In essence, Wahlberg suggested that his presence would have led to the terrorists being beaten and the aircraft landed safely.
Backlash from Victims’ Families
The remarks drew immediate and fierce criticism from loved ones of those who perished in the attacks. The widow of a man killed on 9/11 labeled Wahlberg’s comments “disrespectful,” echoing the sentiment of many who felt the actor diminished the bravery of the actual passengers and crew.
Formal Apology Issued
Following the outcry, Wahlberg released a formal apology acknowledging the insensitivity of his speculation:
“To speculate about such a situation is ridiculous to begin with, and to suggest I would have done anything differently than the passengers on that plane was irresponsible.”
“I deeply apologise to the families of the victims that my answer came off as insensitive. It was certainly not my intention.”
25 Years Since the September 11 Attacks
As the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches, the nation reflects on the loss of 2,977 lives. The milestone has prompted many to revisit harrowing footage and firsthand accounts to grasp the terrifying scale of destruction.
Eyewitness Account: Stefan Horlacher
Stefan Horlacher, who witnessed Flight 11 striking the North Tower from two blocks away, shared his experience with LADbible. He recalled feeling vibrations from the impact and described the horrifying scenes that unfolded outside:
“We had the first jumpers, splashing on the plaza. Almost every 10 seconds, maybe 20 seconds, somebody right in front of you, kind of splashed on the plaza,” he said. “They always gave [me] that deep, dark noise… Then you knew it was more serious than just a tiny accident.”
Horlacher’s testimony underscores the unimaginable horror faced by those in Lower Manhattan that morning, a stark contrast to the hypothetical scenarios later debated in the media.
The cast of Crew Girl didn’t just dip their toes into rowing training — they dove in headfirst. Stars Miku Martineau, Sam Braun, and Kyle Clark recently shared insights into the rigorous preparation required to portray competitive rowers authentically for the Netflix series.
Intensive Rowing Preparation for Authentic Performances
Portraying elite athletes demands more than memorizing lines; it requires embodying the physicality, technique, and mental discipline of the sport. For the actors stepping into the world of competitive rowing, this meant undergoing a demanding training regimen designed to build both skill and credibility on the water.
While the full details of their regimen were not disclosed in the available preview, the trio emphasized that the process was far from superficial. The training aimed to ensure that every stroke, breath, and moment of exhaustion translated realistically to screen, capturing the grueling nature of the sport.
Bringing the Sport to Life on Screen
Crew Girl centers on the high-stakes world of competitive rowing, blending athletic intensity with personal drama. Authentic performances are critical to grounding the series’ emotional arcs in a believable physical reality. By investing in genuine athletic preparation, the production signals a commitment to realism that elevates both the storytelling and the viewer’s immersion.
As streaming audiences increasingly value authenticity in sports dramas, the cast’s dedication to mastering rowing fundamentals positions Crew Girl to resonate with both sports enthusiasts and general viewers seeking compelling, well-crafted narratives.
The Paper Season 2 Review: Nicole’s Character Arc Undermines Show’s Optimistic Tone
Sometimes a sitcom plot line arrives so misguided, so confounding, so utterly ill-conceived that you stop and think, “Surely I hallucinated that in its entirety, right?” In The Paper Season 2’s case, that dishonor falls to literally everything the show does to Nicole (Ramona Young).
Season 1 Established Nuanced Romantic Dynamics
Season 1 of The Office spinoff paired circulation staffer Nicole with ad salesman Detrick (Melvin Gregg) in one of the series’ main romantic storylines. Nicole consistently told him their dates and hookups were casual and that no feelings were involved. She actively encouraged Detrick to see other women, but he declined. Their differences led to a breakup in the Season 1 finale, though Nicole would insist there was nothing to break in the first place. However, the aftermath suggested Nicole was more emotionally attached than she wanted Detrick to believe, as she went to cry on journalist Mare’s (Chelsea Frei) shoulder.
The storyline functioned as a fun play on attitudes around commitment and casual dating, with its ending setting the stage for a potential slow burn to reunite Detrick and Nicole on more official terms. That is, until The Paper‘s second season arrives and wrecks Nicole’s character.
Season 2 Transforms Nicole Into Vindictive Stereotype
Throughout Season 2, Nicole becomes a vengeful harpy out to get Detrick. She receives a promotion, then attempts to use that extra power to burden him with additional work, a plan that backfires. She reports their now-ended relationship to HR representative Lisa (Lisa Gilroy), searching for any legitimization of the connection she mourned. When Lisa begins to show interest in Detrick, Nicole dresses as her, complete with dyeing her hair blonde, and rams her car into Lisa’s. She also follows Detrick to Cincinnati, leading to an unsettling sequence where Detrick genuinely seems to believe she intends to harm him.
This bizarro arc strips Nicole of any nuance or interiority, trading meaningful development around her approach to relationships for unfunny “crazy ex-girlfriend” stereotypes. In a post-Crazy Ex-Girlfriend world? Really? The main joke here, that at her own insistence Nicole was never really Detrick’s girlfriend, is nowhere near funny enough to warrant such a prolonged storyline. Nor does it align with The Paper‘s more optimistic tone.
Tonal Disconnect From Mockumentary Peers
Even though The Paper is a spin-off of The Office, it shares more thematic DNA with shows like Parks and Recreation, Abbott Elementary, or St. Denis Medical: mockumentaries with an eye for people trying to make a difference in struggling institutions. Given that angle, The Paper‘s treatment of Nicole feels far too malicious, not to mention out of left field.
Really, it feels like The Paper is trying to recreate the dynamic between The Office‘s Kelly (Mindy Kaling) and Ryan (BJ Novak), which featured its fair share of Kelly being vindictive. But crucially, Ryan wound up also being a jerk in that on-again, off-again relationship. The pair fed off one another’s toxicity. In The Paper, Detrick mainly just reacts to Nicole like anyone else would: with bewilderment, then horror. His arc is primarily focused on his burgeoning reporting skills, while her arc is all about him. To borrow a phrase from Kelly herself, “I have a lot of questions about these story choices. Number one, how dare you?”
Ensemble Fragmentation Undercuts Season 1 Chemistry
The horrible mishandling of Nicole speaks to The Paper Season 2’s broader issue of barely knowing how to handle its ensemble. The Paper’s team of amateur journalists gelled exceptionally well in Season 1, but they’re as fragmented as can be in Season 2. While the show focuses the brunt of its energy on Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mare’s love story, which it handles wonderfully, the rest of its reporters are left to flounder.
Adam (Alex Edelman) is a non-entity.
Ken (Tim Key) disappears for episodes at a time.
Oscar (Oscar Nuñez), Adelola (Gbemisola Ikumelo), and Travis (Eric Rahill) feel like a thin Greek chorus, with the latter two finally receiving the beginnings of a fulfilling story in the season’s final episodes.
If you’re in The Paper and your character isn’t named Ned, Mare, or Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore), you appear to have two choices: wind up with a paper-thin storyline, or get saddled with a nightmarish arc like Nicole’s. Given how out of character and out of line the latter is, The Paper Season 2 might be the one time fading into the background is a good thing.
Apple TV+’s new thriller Last Seen opens with a haunting premise: police dispatcher Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall) has spent 11 years grieving the disappearance of his young daughter, Maggie. The two-episode premiere pulls the cold case back into the spotlight when residents of the fictional Australian town Port McKenna discover the remains of a young girl in a nearby forest. Almost simultaneously, Ian receives a call from a teenage girl he believes to be Maggie, now all grown up.
Where is Maggie?
For much of the first episode, Ian and his ex-wife, Debbie (Jessica Wren), agonize over whether the discovered remains could be Maggie’s body. By the episode’s end, they lack a definitive answer, but the audience receives one. Maggie is alive and living on what appears to be a small homestead.
The reveal arrives in the final moments of episode one. Cleaner Henry Reid (Brendan Cowell), introduced briefly earlier, arrives home to his wife, Jenna (Maxine Peake). Their daughter, Sarah (Chloe Jean Lourdes), heads out to check on the chickens. As she moves through the gardens surrounding the house, the show intercuts her image with police sketches depicting Maggie’s hypothetical age progression. The resemblance is nearly perfect, confirming Maggie is alive and well.
Chloe Jean Lourdes in “Last Seen.” Credit: Apple TV
Episode two reinforces this confirmation. Quick flashbacks show that during Sarah/Maggie’s early days at Henry and Jenna’s farm, she carved her nickname “Mags” into a wall in the garden.
Who are Maggie’s kidnappers, Henry and Jenna?
Henry and Jenna remain shadowy figures. We learn Henry works as a cleaner at the police station and is the brother of Donald Reid (Daniel Henshall), Ian’s friend and a key figure in his sobriety journey. In their first scene together in episode one, Donnie mentions he would love to see “Sarah,” but Henry is evasive, suggesting he and Jenna keep her under a tight watch.
Maxine Peake and Brendan Cowell in “Last Seen.” Credit: Apple TV
Their control over Maggie becomes even clearer in episode two. Henry and Jenna maintain a comprehensive alarm system and refuse entry to outsiders — not even neighbors — through their gate. They do not allow Maggie outside their compound.
Maggie has apparently been raised to believe that, as “people of faith,” she and her (fake) family are under fire from the outside world. She has been told that if she were to leave, the government would take her away and force her to attend school. These outlandish claims suggest Henry and Jenna are religious fundamentalists, perhaps verging on cultists, who use their belief system as a means of controlling Maggie and covering up their crime.
Why did Henry and Jenna kidnap Maggie?
The who and where of Maggie’s abduction are now established, but the why remains unknown. The motivation may tie back to their religious fervor. Perhaps they believed they “saved” Maggie from a family of “non-believers.”
Who is the Jane Doe in the woods?
By the end of episode two, DNA evidence confirms the body in the woods is not Maggie, but a Jane Doe. While that closes the immediate question of Maggie’s fate, it raises new ones: Who was this child, and why was she discovered in Maggie’s pajamas?
One theory: she was another kidnapping victim of Henry and Jenna’s who perished, and they dressed her in Maggie’s clothes to convince the world Maggie was dead. An even darker possibility: she was Henry and Jenna’s own child, and they have raised Maggie as a replacement. Whatever the answer, it promises to be bleak, and Last Seen clearly has more twists in store.
New episodes of Last Seen premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
A royal biographer has ruled out any possibility of Prince Harry returning to working royal duties, even if his marriage to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were to end. The assessment comes as fallout continues from King Charles III’s formal letter confirming the Sussexes’ permanent status as non-working members of the royal family.
No Path Back for Prince Harry, Says Former Palace Aide
Speaking to the Daily Express, royal expert and former Palace aide Dickie Arbiter dismissed speculation that a marital breakdown could open a route for the Duke of Sussex to resume official duties. Arbiter stated the King’s Monday letter makes clear that the 2020 “half-in-half-out” arrangement remains in force.
“There’s no way back for him as a working royal,” said Dickie. “Even if the marriage goes pear-shaped and they separate, he won’t be a working royal again.”
Arbiter identified the couple’s media strategy as their most damaging decision. He criticized their engagement with American television and the reception it received across the Atlantic.
“The worst is how they’ve sold themselves to the media, to television in particular, American television, and how the Americans bought into it.”
“The Americans, they’re quite gullible actually. I’m sorry to say.”
King Charles Confirms Permanent Non-Working Status
The monarch’s letter addresses several ongoing disputes. It confirms Harry and Meghan will be regarded as private citizens “with commercial and charitable interests” and are not to use “HRH” titles in any official capacity. Security inquiries are to be directed to Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of Sussex remains embroiled in a legal battle with the Home Office over taxpayer-funded security during UK visits. He is also pursuing privacy claims against Daily Mail publishers and other news organizations alongside other high-profile figures. Controversy has persisted over the couple’s use of royal titles despite their agreement to cease using them in an official capacity.
New Book Offers Further Insight
Arbiter’s comments coincide with the release of his book, On Duty with the Royals, officially published Thursday, 10 September 2026. The publication arrives as the royal household continues to navigate the long-term implications of the Sussexes’ departure from official duties.
Netflix Confirms Third Inbetweeners Movie as Cast Reunites for New Adventure
Nearly two decades after its Channel 4 debut, The Inbetweeners is set to return for a third feature film. Netflix has announced that the original quartet – Simon Bird (Will McKenzie), Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper), Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland) and James Buckley (Jay Cartwright) – will reprise their roles for another installment. The sitcom, which aired for just 18 episodes across three seasons between 2008 and 2010, spawned two successful movies and remains a cultural touchstone, with Bird revealing he still hears “briefcase w***er” shouted at him in public.
The Inbetweeners first launched in 2008 (Channel 4)
James Buckley Reveals His Favourite Line – And It Isn’t His Own
During a late 2023 appearance on The Therapy Crouch podcast alongside his wife Clair Buckley, James Buckley disclosed that his favourite line from the entire series belongs to his on-screen father Terry, played by David Schaal. He recalled the moment verbatim:
“There’s a line from The Inbetweeners, this is one of my favourite lines and it is Jay talking to his dad.
“And his dad just goes, ‘Jay, women are like fairground rides, f**king mental.’
“That’s it, that’s all it is – that’s the pearls of wisdom.
“And I’m just like ‘oh thanks dad.’”
The line encapsulates the show’s blend of crude humour and unexpectedly poignant father-son dynamics that resonated with audiences.
James Buckley has shared his favourite line from the show (Channel 4)
Simon Bird’s Most Memorable Moment Was a Real-Life Health and Safety Nightmare
While Buckley cherishes a scripted gag, Simon Bird’s standout memory comes from behind the cameras during the first movie. Speaking to The National Youth Film in 2021, he described a stunt that went far beyond the script:
“There was a scene in the film, where Joe had to be airlifted out of the ocean by a helicopter. That was a big health and safety nightmare.
“Joe was really left alone out in the sea for quite a long time. It was actually being saved from drowning. Totally unnecessary for it to be Joe. Could have been a stuntman. Should have been a stuntman. And we’re all on sunloungers on the beach, watching this unfold.”
The incident underscores the often chaotic nature of the production and the camaraderie – however twisted – that defined the cast’s relationships.
The original four pals will be reuniting for a third movie (Channel 4)
Reddit Users Crown the Ultimate Inbetweeners Quote
With a new film on the horizon, fans have been revisiting the series’ most iconic moments. A 2022 Reddit thread asking What is your favourite ever line/scene from The Inbetweeners? drew hundreds of responses. Among the contenders were classic exchanges such as Neil and Jay’s Championship Manager boast:
Neil: How about this one? Jay: Championship manager? Completed it. Neil: But you can’t complete it. Jay: Err, I know. But I got so good at it they offered me in a role in the England set-up. Neil: Did they? Jay: I took Woking from the Conference to the Champions League in 6 seasons, that kind of stuff doesn’t go unnoticed.
Jay’s seafood aversion also earned votes:
Jay: I’m not eating that, it’s come out the f**king sea.
Other frequently mentioned catchphrases included Bus W**kers and ooo friend, while a darkly comic exchange between Tara and Will highlighted the show’s knack for awkward timing:
Tara: Her dad just died last month. Will: It’s not really relevant is it?
However, the clear winner by upvotes was a succinct, brutal put-down between Simon and Jay:
Simon: No-one brings a bag of s**t to a pub. Jay: Your dad does. Simon: Does he? Jay: Yeah. Your mum.
As the cast prepares to slip back into their trainers and ill-fitting jeans for a third cinematic outing, the enduring popularity of these lines proves that The Inbetweeners remains as quotable – and as painfully relatable – as ever.
NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Today’s Puzzle
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle offers a tasty advantage for fans who enjoy pre-game tailgating traditions. As a specialized version of the popular New York Times word game, this sports-themed edition tests the knowledge of sports enthusiasts by challenging them to find common threads between words. Like the original Connections and Wordle, the puzzle resets daily after midnight, with each new set presenting increasing difficulty.
What Is Connections: Sports Edition?
The New York Times launched this daily word game in association with The Athletic, the Times’ dedicated sports coverage property. Accessible on both web browsers and mobile devices, Connections: Sports Edition requires players to group four words that share a common theme. Each puzzle features 16 words divided into four categories, which can span topics from player names and stadium history to equipment and wordplay. While multiple words may appear to fit together, only one correct solution exists for each category.
Gameplay mechanics mirror the original: correctly identifying all four words in a set removes them from the board, while incorrect guesses count as mistakes. Players are allowed up to four mistakes before the game ends. Additional features include the ability to rearrange and shuffle the board for easier pattern recognition, and color-coded difficulty levels ranging from yellow (easiest) through green, blue, and purple (hardest). Results can be shared socially, similar to Wordle.
For players seeking gentle guidance without full spoilers, here are hints for today’s categories:
Yellow: BBQ equipment
Green: Iconic Super Bowl athletes
Blue: Seahawks stadium history
Purple: Rearranged NFL teams
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Categories
If you need more direct assistance, the confirmed categories for today’s puzzle are:
Yellow: Tailgating Needs
Green: Super Bowl MVPs
Blue: Names of Seahawks Stadiums
Purple: Anagrams of NFL Teams
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Solution
Spoiler alert: The following reveals the complete solution for Connections: Sports Edition #716.
Tailgating Needs
CHAIRS, COOLER, GRILL, TENT
Super Bowl MVPs
BRADY, BRANCH, EDELMAN, WALKER
Names of Seahawks Stadiums
CENTURYLINK, KINGDOME, LUMEN, QWEST
Anagrams of NFL Teams
BANGLES, SABRE, TAR PITS, TREELESS
If you didn’t solve it this time, don’t be discouraged. A new sports Connections puzzle arrives tomorrow, and we’ll return with fresh hints and strategies. For additional word game challenges, explore Mashable’s games hub featuring Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more. You can also find hints and answers for today’s NYT Strands puzzle.
A Food Network personality has revealed a significant injury just days before her scheduled debut on ABC’s popular dancing competition series, raising questions about her ability to perform.
Injury Revealed Ahead of Premiere
The television chef shared a detailed look at what she described as a “nasty injury” with her social media followers, offering a close-up view of the physical setback. The timing is particularly critical, coming exactly one week before the new season of the hit ABC dancing show is set to begin.
Competition Status Uncertain
While the star has not officially announced a withdrawal, the severity of the injury so close to the premiere date casts doubt on her participation. The competition demands rigorous physical training and live performances, which could be compromised depending on the nature and recovery timeline of the injury.
Fan Reaction and Show Implications
Fans have flooded the comments with messages of concern and support, speculating on whether the contestant will be cleared by medical staff to take the dance floor. Producers have not yet released a statement regarding potential contingency plans, such as a delayed start or a replacement celebrity, should the injury prevent her from competing.
ESPN NFL insider Dianna Russini has reportedly turned down multiple lucrative tell-all interview offers from major television networks, popular podcasts, and reality television productions, according to a source who spoke with Page Six.
Media Interest in Russini’s Career and Insights
The reported interest from across the media landscape highlights Russini’s prominent position in sports journalism. As one of the NFL’s most connected reporters, her behind-the-scenes knowledge of league operations, team dynamics, and player relationships would command significant audience attention.
Focus Remains on Reporting
By declining these opportunities, Russini appears to be prioritizing her role as a working journalist over celebrity exposure. The decision aligns with her established reputation for breaking major NFL stories and providing insider analysis across ESPN platforms, including “NFL Live,” “SportsCenter,” and “Get Up.”
Russini joined ESPN in 2023 after several years at The Athletic, where she covered the NFL with a focus on the Washington Commanders and league-wide transactions. Her reporting has consistently driven news cycles around coaching changes, quarterback decisions, and front-office movements.
