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The Digest

A mini-blog of news, links, and updates

❑ Wednesday, Apr. 17, 3:53 pm | Sarah D. Bunting

Malcolm LaVergne, OJ Simpson's attorney, was apparently "flummoxed" that Simpson named LaVergne his estate's executor...but not so taken aback that he couldn't promptly and pointlessly be a jackass about finally making good on the civil judgment the Goldmans have now been owed for decades: "'It’s my hope that the Goldmans get zero, nothing,' LaVergne told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'Them specifically.'" ...Why? Why be like this? And where did this dude get the idea that kicking the Fred beehive is a great idea? Your boy did it. Pay up and shuttie, my God.

❑ Wednesday, Apr. 17, 3:39 pm | Andy Dehnart

I'm rewatching Below Deck season 7 (fun background TV), and this group of "misogynistic assholes," as Kate called them, are just horrible. I did a search and came across Leslie Jones' criticism of Ashton, which included his after-show defense of himself by—wait for it—being misogynistic:

"Anyone who knows me personally knows that I will always open a door for a lady. My mom and dad brought me up with great manners. It really annoys me when people hit me with that misogynistic stick because I think the world's a better place with women."

"I am so tired of this 'misogynistic' word being thrown around, especially when it comes my way. I love women. And I love the fact that women exist on this earth with us."

Opening a door for another person is lovely and kind! Defending yourself for your gross sexist behavior by saying you participate in a patriarchal tradition but only for "a lady," not so much.

Also, the "world's a better place" and "with us" are just icing on this yucky cake, as if men are the default and women are just extras that showed up to entertain them—which is exactly how those four guys acted, actually.

❑ Wednesday, Apr. 17, 8:42 am | Sarah D. Bunting

Margaret Qualley has departed Hulu's Amanda Knox limited series for scheduling reasons. I liked that casting, so this is a bummer...but! Deadline notes that a similar casting issue hit The Dropout -- "Kate McKinnon, originally attached to star and executive produced, dropped out. Amanda Seyfried was subsequently cast in the lead role, winning an Emmy" -- so maybe this too will turn out for the best?

❑ Tuesday, Apr. 16, 8:04 pm | Andy Dehnart

Amazon Prime Video is bringing back Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, though now as Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, hosted by Taylor Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Contestants will face off against whatever alleged "celebrities" producers gather over 20 episodes.

❑ Friday, Apr. 12, 5:25 pm | Andy Dehnart

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are getting divorced, which they announced on Good Morning America, as one does. They also both said they still love each other, which explains the divorce.

Gerry explained, helpfully, that they're close to their families and "we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to, to live apart."

Gerry and Theresa got married on an insufferable two hours of TV just four months ago, and now they've gotten total Bachelor experience.

❑ Thursday, Apr. 11, 2:59 pm | Sarah D. Bunting

The latest on the Shohei Ohtani situation: his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, faces federal charges for the theft of $16 million from the Dodgers star. CNN's story says the charges stem from "evidence Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani in phone calls to a bank in order to authorize wire transfers to associates of the illegal gambling operation with which he had been involved." Mizuhara had access to the accounts because he helped Ohtani, who didn't speak English, set them up in the U.S. Ohtani is absolutely the victim here, but does...he not speak arithmetic either? I get that rich people don't always pay attention, but: it's $16 million. Also, get gambling away from sports or this will happen again.

❑ Thursday, Apr. 11, 9:55 am | Sarah D. Bunting

Well-regarded t.c. podcast Bone Valley is in the works as a TV docudrama. Per Deadline, the production is "with Cathy Schulman’s Welle Entertainment and Primary Wave Music. Dana Stevens (The Woman King) will adapt."

❑ Wednesday, Apr. 10, 11:17 am | Andy Dehnart

Former American Ninja Warrior star Drew Dreschel's sentencing for charges he pled guilty to has been rescheduled, again, from today to April 16. In a letter, the Department of Justice said that his victim(s) may testify during that hearing.

❑ Tuesday, Apr. 9, 12:40 pm | Sarah D. Bunting

WNYC reports that NYC Mayor Eric Adams has hired "high-profile" attorney Alex Spiro to defend him in the sexual-assault lawsuit against Adams. Spiro, who has defended Jay-Z and Elon Musk among others, was the subject of a New Yorker profile last summer.

❑ Monday, Apr. 8, 5:17 pm | Andy Dehnart

CBS announced that The Amazing Race 36 will conclude May 15, with a 90-minute episode, and Survivor 46 will conclude the following week, on May 22, with a three-hour episode, which already sounds exhausting.

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Survivor 46 episode 8 started with a simple game of hide and seek and ended with a truly wackadoodle Tribal Council.

Hulu’s limited series on the 1997 murder of Reena Virk took its time getting here. Deft writing and great acting are just a couple reasons YOU should take the time to watch it.

There was a Movie Night Massacre mess this week, as Big Brother Canada literally spoiled their own show, revealing the first jury member before finding a new HOH and nominees.

If a true crime documentary is sloppy enough to use obviously manipulated photos, what else could it be getting wrong?

In today’s Ask Andy, two Survivor questions, with answers but also requests for your help in finding even more information.

Eric on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
@Elizabeth, it's even worse when he signposts "FIRST TIME IN THE NEW ERA" when something barely significant happens. I'm always like, "sooo.... NOT the first time" lol
Raph on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
@Elizabeth, 6 seasons in and still have to try to make a point that it’s a new era. Should be a sign that people don’t like what their watching. Imagine any other show 6 seasons in and still…
Cat on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing was exhausting in its premiereApril 18, 2024
A point system would have been better, keeping all the chefs. I really was looking for chaos. I hope it comes eventually
Jeff Metzner on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing was exhausting in its premiereApril 18, 2024
@Andy Dehnart, I was thinking they could blur it. It's still a little spoilery, but at least they wouldn't explicitly be saying "this chef will still be here when there are 8 hours on the clock."
Elizabeth on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
Jeff keeps saying the "new era" of survivor. I want the "old era" of survivor back!! If I can't have that, then I would settle for Survivor Australia to come back to Paramount.
~ZZZ~ on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
I have to say I really enjoyed the hide and seek. And I was dying laughing every time Q said someone made a MISTAKE! Hilarious! Even though it was a boring old challenge, it was still a pretty…
Johnny Michael on Let’s stop blaming Survivor players for the show’s declineApril 18, 2024
@Walton, I agree with your comment wholeheartedly. My kids and I also just watched the All-Star season and Heroes versus Villains. Interesting, athletic, and intensely conniving contestants, difficult physical challenges, and elaborate rewards at pristine locations. Seems like…
Melissa on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
Q is fucking crazy!! I don't know why they didn't just vote him out; I don't know why anyone would want to align with him after that. I'm also bitter because I liked Tevin.
~ZZZ~ on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
Q! WTF! 🙄
Kevin on When has the tribe not spoken on Survivor? Where’s early Survivor bonus content?April 18, 2024
Update: Found his elimination footage - yep, I imagined the entire thing!
Kevin on When has the tribe not spoken on Survivor? Where’s early Survivor bonus content?April 18, 2024
For some reason I remember Probst saying something to the effect of "The Tribe has NOT Spoken, but it's time for you to leave". I want to say it was to Paschal due to the Rock OF DOOM,…
raph on Survivor’s Tribal Council was indeed ‘the dumbest thing ever’April 18, 2024
🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ That’s my feelings on this season and the big brother it’s become
Heather on Under The Bridge was worth waiting forApril 18, 2024
I have been waiting for this one too! I loved the book.
Kimberly on A reality show withheld spoilers—only to spoil itselfApril 18, 2024
The mistake by BB in releasing the Interview with Kayla is non starter with me. If that's the Biggest Mistake BB Canada makes, I am truly A-ok with it!! What an EPIC week, full of everything you could…
Deidre on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing was exhausting in its premiereApril 18, 2024
I was excited to see the show, but eliminating half of the chefs is ridiculous especially since the title is 24 in 24. I won't continue to watch!