What we know about Emperor Palpatine — and how he could impactStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

This manipulation reaches its culmination inRevenge of the Sith. Has the man conquered death itself? Hes not finished toying with his apprentice though. Lucasfilm/Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock; Lucasfilm (2) Once again Vader seems poised to do Palpatines bidding until Luke refuses. Palpatine tries to murder Luke for his insolence, but Vaders love for his son proves too much. He sacrifices himself to save Luke and throws the Emperor to his apparent death. © & TM Lucasfilm, Ltd....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 253 words · Billy Hays

What We're Reading: Books for an angry, dystopian, conspiracy-laden America

Read on for more, and be sure to check out our columnfrom last month. “Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands,” she wrote. “Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. Credit: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Simon & Schuster; William Morrow; William Morrow (And yes, there are some chapters about Harvey-who-shall-not-be-named.) How many elaborately fictionalized explanations can there be? The list feels endless; interest in this particular “mystery” is unceasing....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 184 words · Courtney Johnson

What would Jesus do? WatchTeenage Bounty Hunters: Review

The original title for this hour-long comedy from creator Kathleen Jordan (American Princess) wasSlutty Teenage Bounty Hunters. Thats grabby, for sure but not really true to the spirit of the final product. A buddy-comedy partnership is born. Credit: NETFLIX Yes, its a real “just-go-with-it” premise, so… just go with it. (“This is the sexiest place Ive ever been!") While Sterling and Blair contain multitudes, they always hold fast to Christianitys Golden Rule....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 132 words · Timothy Espinoza

What you DIDN'T see in theSurvivor: Winners at Warseason premiere

We were in Fiji for the first episode and provide behind the scenes intel on what went down. Not allSurvivorseasons are created equal. I suppose this is somewhat obvious by virtue of the fact that I provide (highly-debatable)season rankings. Robert Voets/CBS Some seasons are, naturally, better than others. When all is said and done, I have no idea whereWinners at Warwill fall. But I can tell you this: Being out there for filming, itfeltspecial....

May 1, 2025 · 12 min · 2460 words · Jeanne Townsend

What you didn't see on TV during the Tony Awards

Heres some of what you didnt get to see if you were watching at home. Patient journalists could hear him warming up for the big opening number, singing through the lyrics and melodies. (Watch the full speech online now.) Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Ben Platt stood up for the first round and sang Tomorrow fromAnnie. (Hey, CBS, put these online in full so everyone else can see!) After a messy first try in which a brave attendee sang Alexander Hamilton fromHamilton Corden kept things light....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 293 words · Barbara Byrd

What you missed at Stephen Sondheim and Jason Robert Brown's incredible benefit show

When youreStephen Sondheim, you earn a standing ovation before you say a word or play a note. That mesmerizing moment was just (just!) (Its the same group Brown worked with for hisone-night-onlyLast Five Yearsperformancethree years ago.) Credit: Erika Kapin The group sang selections from the Sondheim songbook, as well as selections from Browns own catalog. (She also sang a song from an unfinished musical Brown is working on calledThe Connector.)...

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 93 words · Andre Sanchez

What you need to know about Netflix's wild social experimentToo Hot to Handle

Get ready to watch the most attractive people from Tinder get paid not to touch each other. Keep your pants up! No sex or physical relationships of any kind. Credit: Netflix (2) For more of a taste of what to expect,read our review of the show. How many episodes of Too Hot to Handle are there? All eight episodes are out now, each about 40 minutes long. Netflix We’re introduced to the 10 contestants when they arrive not knowing about the no-sex challenge....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 300 words · Denise Weber

What you need to know about Oprah Winfrey's controversial new book club pickAmerican Dirt

This is likeGone With the Windfor brown people. Nothing wrong with a non-Mexican writing about the plight of Mexicans, he wrote. Whats wrong is erasing authentic voices to sell her inaccurate cultural appropriation for millions. Oprah Winfrey addresses controversial January 2020 book club pick, ‘American Dirt’.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images; Flatiron Books Chicana author Myriam Gurba called the novel dangerous, cruel and smug in a tweet. By categorizing these characters as the modern bogeymen of urban Mexico, she flattens them....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 241 words · Julie Mueller

What you need to know about Quibi, Jeffrey Katzenberg's bite-size streaming service

Katzenberg and CEO Meg Whitman have pitched the mobile-based service as quick entertainment for viewers on the go. “You leave the house every morning with a little TV in your pocket. It’s called your smartphone,” Whitman said in 2018. Quibi (3) “During the day, you have these in-between moments. Ten minutes here, 15 minutes there, where you want to see something great.” Quibi will launch April 6 with a two-tier pricing system: $4....

May 1, 2025 · 5 min · 886 words · Shannon Nelson MD

What you need to know aboutLove Is Blind,Netflix's wild new dating show

We spoke to hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey to get the inside scoop on Love Is Blind. So, basically, a confessional hold theHot Priest, and add a lot of commitment. For more of a taste for what to expect, readour review of the show. Netflix When do the episodes drop? Like fellow Netflix reality showThe Circle,the streamer is going with the 3-week release approach withLove is Blind. This all culminates in a nearly 90-minute finale on the third and final week (Feb....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 385 words · Duane Watson

What you need to know aboutPeaky Blindersbefore season 5

Catch up on the Cillian Murphy-led crime drama before the new season hits Netflix in October. Why does the internet keep talking about a show calledPeaky Blinders, you ask? (The name comes from their tradition of stitching a razor blade into their caps.) Credit: Robert Viglasky/© Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd. 2019 And yes,Tom Hardydoes pop up in multiple seasons. And theyre all SO. How to catch up This ones easy....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 99 words · Joshua Moore

What you need to know before watchingHannaseason 2

Hannais back, and the titular teen assassin (Esme Creed-Miles) wants revenge. “At first she resists,” Farr says. “She is back in the forest, which is really wonderful. Credit: Christopher Raphael/Amazon Studios She’s going back to her roots,” Creed-Miles says. “You never really know whether she can trust any character or not.” The CIA operative and former Utrax head has given everyone whiplash from her constantly changing loyalties. Christopher Raphael And perhaps Marissa doesn’t know either....

May 1, 2025 · 2 min · 321 words · David Daniels

What young adult novel should Hollywood adapt next?

Yes, as in Sept. 7, 2010, just two weeks ago. (Or, as we will likely be saying soon, the nextHunger Games.) So, PopWatchers, we ask you:What young adult novel should Hollywood adapt next? (In 3-D, no less!) And, personally, Id be shocked if Melissa de la CruzsBlue Bloodswent ignored for much longer. Of course, there are certain YA books whose stories should remain on the page. (And dont even venture to convince me to watch the1997 TV movie....

May 1, 2025 · 1 min · 135 words · Rodney Acosta