Entertainment

HBO’s show nails the Black American experience in unexpected ways.

This article contains spoilers for Season 1, Episode 3, “OutKast,” of Lanterns.
Lanterns, HBO’s new series adapting DC’s Green Lantern comics, has been unfolding like a narrative set of Russian nesting dolls, wherein one mystery always leads to yet another and every character’s background is shrouded in secrecy. This is why, three episodes in, we’re only now getting the origin story of the show’s unflappable co-lead, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), a former U.S. Marine and Green Lantern–in–training to Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), the jaded, virid hero currently tasked with protecting Earth from alien threats. Sunday’s episode of Lanterns plays a pivotal role in peeling back the show’s exterior of puzzles and spandex and deftly approaches a more jagged topic: John’s reality as a Black superhero in training, whose life has been shaped by an immense pressure to defy the world’s racial expectations. This pressure is placed on him by his parents, characters who are approached here with a great level of nuance and care.
In Episode 3, titled “OutKast,” written by Vanessa Baden Kelly, Lanterns reveals that John’s father, John Stewart Sr. (J. Alphonse Nicholson), was asked by the Guardians of the Universe to be Green Lantern before Hal Jordan. We see the extraterrestrial presence kidnap John Sr. in a green bubble and ask him the one question needed to pass the test: “Are you afraid?” John Sr. replies honestly: Yes, he is. That spells the end of that possibility, and on top of everything else, no one believes John Sr.’s claims that an alien kidnapped him, least of all his wife, Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones), causing him to begin devolving mentally. It’s not until an unnamed member of the Guardians (played by Laura Linney) arrives in front of Bernadette to apologize for any “emotional turmoil” caused by the Lantern initiation process that Bernadette believes her husband. But she also immediately begins to feel cheated. Bernadette grills the Guardian: “Do you understand how unfair it is to ask a Black man in America if he’s afraid?” She continues, “We are terrified daily of persecution and still show up, sometimes better than everyone around us. Did you know that?” When the Guardian replies that she did not know that, Bernadette quips: “Even in space y’all don’t consider us.”
But, the Guardian hints to Bernadette, even if her husband didn’t make the cut, her child could be a candidate to replace the current Lantern, when the time comes. Bernadette’s resentment toward the Guardians passing up John Sr. for the job drives both of them to believe in that promise; as Bernadette tells her husband: “We didn’t break every stereotype and face down every fear for you to be penalized because you’re scared to leave the people that you love.” From then on, the couple ruthlessly “conditions” John, their youngest son, to become “used to fear” in an effort to turn him into a nearly inhuman shoo-in for the role. This preparation involves training John as an expert sniper, but also as a target, tasking the child to stand still while his father shoots apples off of his head with a gun, and making him do the same to his parents. John is obliged to sleep in a separate room from his older brothers and forced to walk home from unfamiliar, potentially dangerous neighborhoods when he’s barely a teenager. He is asked to sacrifice his interest in drawing, his relationship with his brothers, and his capacity for emotions, all so that he can, eventually, become the next Green Lantern and prove that Black people should no longer be left out of conversations of capability and power and renown.
This dream, though, is eventually revealed to be something of a sham. John becomes a Marine, but winds up dishonorably discharged from the military for a mistake everyone knows he didn’t make. Later, he is told by the Guardians to, in practical terms, shut up and follow orders. And, on top of that, the job of Green Lantern isn’t even all that great. It doesn’t pay well, and, as Hal’s trainee, John is affronted by the superhero’s mediocrity—which actually caused John’s dishonorable discharge—yet subjected to his lackluster teachings. John’s parents reared their son to take on an honored role, but for what? At the end of the day, John realizes, he is still meant to answer to a dubious group of beings that couldn’t care less about him beyond what he can do for them. He’s been weighed down by the enormous psychological and emotional burden of his parents’ expectations all his life, for little more than the same old crap.
This harsh revelation gets at the fallacy and the pressure of “Black excellence,” an idea often used to describe a Black person breaking barriers or achieving a set of accolades that even their white counterparts find impressive. Yes, Black successes should be celebrated, and the notion that Black people can be great should be a given, not an idea we have to fight for. But, in a world where other people from various backgrounds get to be mediocre, fail upward, or show imperfections, so, too, should Black people. We should be allowed that same grace without suffering what feels like life-ending, or career-disrupting, repercussions. Great shouldn’t be the only thing Black people are allowed to be, especially when that is a humanly impossible achievement, and particularly when that status of great or excellent that we’re trying to attain is defined by the groups who fail to acknowledge us, anyway.
Lanterns tackles this sharply. Notably, John’s parents specifically strive to make him something that is a little less than human. As viewers, it’s hard to watch this young child (played by Cairo Cash Lee) be separated from the people he loves and the activities he cherishes. It would’ve been all too easy to merely cast blame on John’s parents, or approach them with uncomplicated resentment, especially considering John’s parents are fully aware of the sacrifice they’re asking of a son who is too young to consent to it. “He’s gonna hate us,” John Sr. says, to which Bernadette replies, “So be it.” But John doesn’t, and neither does the show. Lanterns makes you understand that John’s parents made what they felt was the best choice for their family, driven by an exasperation with surviving under the threat of persecution and consistently being perceived as inadequate while doing it. As Bernadette tells John Sr., “We can’t raise three boys and believe that no matter how good they are, they get looked over.” To Bernadette, everything began “falling apart” on “the night they rejected” John Sr., and it’s telling that she sees that incident as a rejection and not a failure of her husband, that she knows that the Guardians’ test was not one that considered the totality of their experience.
By withholding from assigning total and straightforward blame, Lanterns is able to fully consider what it would look like if a Black parent dedicated their child’s life to making them the undeniable best, the epitome of Black excellence, even in a supercharged world. It’s ultimately a misguided decision, sure, but it was born out of a deeply justified feeling of dissatisfaction with the status quo. Though John Sr. and Bernadette’s pursuit ultimately feels ill-advised, we’re only able to reach that conclusion about the fallacy of Black excellence because we understand why John’s parents would do that in the first place. The only way to deconstruct our staunchest cultural ideas is with the nuance of having empathy and understanding regarding where those ideas came from in the first place.

Entertainment

Netflix Officially Confirms ‘The Inbetweeners’ Reunion Movie

Netflix confirmed the Inbetweeners Reunion today, with Simon Bird reprising his role from the hit original show and movie. Blake Harrison, James Buckley and Joe Thomas will also reprise their roles.
This announcement puts an end to months of speculation about the revival of this hugely successful coming-of age sitcom. It follows the adventures of suburban teenager Will McKenzie, his friends Simon Cooper and Neil Sutherland, and Jay Cartwright. The original broadcast was on Channel 4 from 2008-2010.
In a brief clip shown on the platform, the actors were seen in the reprised roles of their previous appearances more than 15 year after the last time they appeared. They are young men entering the yellow 1996 Fiat Cinquecento Hawaii Edition car that was given by Simon Cooper’s parents to him after he had passed his driving exam in Series 1.
The storyline of the fictional Rudge Park comprehensive was not further developed. Instead, the focus was on the lives of the main characters as they navigated through school, their friendships and the failed sexual experiences that occurred.
Claire Jones, Banijay’s Patrick Holland, Fudge Park Production’s Mark Lesbirel and The Inbetweeners’ creators Damon Beesley & Iain Morris will produce the film.
It’s great to see our old friends and work with them again. We’ll be working hard each week to make sure there’s no problems in making the new human film,” Beesley said. He and Iain Morris will serve as Executive Producers for Film4 alongside Caroline Levy and Caroline Leddy. They’ll also act as Phil Gilbert and Suzanne Knight’s executive producers. Tom Jordan, Farhana Bhulla, Caroline Levy and Caroline Leddy are all involved.
Two successful films backed by Film4 were released in 2011, and 2014.
First, the film topped the charts and broke records for opening weekends for UK comedies at that time. The sequel was no exception.

Entertainment

MS NOW Anchor Breaks Down in Emotional Final Sign-Off

Alex Witt, a veteran MS NOW host who has been with the network for almost 30 years, broke down into tears in an emotional goodbye after signing off.
Alex Witt Reports is a three-hour afternoon program that Witt launched in 2011 after joining the network as a 65 year old in 1999. In her long career, Witt covered everything from the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Afghanistan to the 9/11 terror attacks, COVID-19 and royal weddings, as well as Hurricane Katrina.
According to Variety, Witt will host various daytime programs for the remainder of the year. Her weekend time slot will now be taken by The Assignment, hosted by Antonia Hylton, starting next Saturday. Hylton, a former NBC journalist, called Witt a legend and “the Mayor of MS NOW”.
On Sunday during her last show, guests and panelists paid their respects to Witt. She said at one stage, “Let’s get on with it before I cry, today I am wearing waterproof mascara.”
The host said: “Let’s move on to our final moments, as there’s an awesome line in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off that says, ‘Life is pretty fast.'” You could miss something if you never stop to look around.
She continued, “With that in mind I would like to take some time with you all to reflect on the stories and the people that have allowed me to cover, in most cases, the rough version of history over the past 27 years.”
Witt began crying as she expressed her gratitude to Nick Kovijanic, her executive producer of “forever”.
The host, fighting back tears, said “Oooh I knew this would be difficult to achieve.” As producers displayed a picture of Witt and Kovijanic as she spoke on the screen, You’re a champion, Nick. You have fought on my behalf, for this show, and our team… you’ve always been there to steer me through this. “I promise to continue looking in that direction.”
She then invited the “her village”, which she called the crew, to the MS NOW studio to be with her.
A visibly emotional Witt concluded the program by saying, “It’s been a great privilege earning your trust in delivering news.” Thank you for being loyal and keeping me in the anchor chair doing what I love all these years. “Thank you.”
Her daughter Caroline and son Charlie were also thanked for their “understanding and embracing the various ways that my weekend hours affected you.” “I’ll always be proud of you both, and I love you until the end of my days.”

Entertainment

Zoe Is The Manhunter

In this week’s episode of “Lanterns,” we learn the identity of the Manhunter. This doesn’t mean that our brave Green Lanterns and Green Interns are any closer to capturing the intergalactic antagonist. What a painful journey they have to take in order to reach that epiphany!
John’s nudity is a big draw for Will. Meanwhile, Hal and the Guardians get more aggressive with their plan to replace him. Yep. Here are the highlights from Episode 4.
After last week’s flashback, we go back to 2016 and Hal’s trip to Sinestro. Hal, demoralized by his experience with John’s death, admits that John was indeed Hal’s backup. Sinestro tells Hal he will have to kill John. Hal immediately refutes this idea, “because I am not evil.” Hal is about to fly when Sinestro offers some valuable information regarding the unique characteristics of Manhunters, which do not change even when they shapeshift. He warns Hal to not make the same mistakes with John as Hal made with Sinestro.
John returns to Rushville and buys a scope for his rifle. He then climbs up a tower of water to see Will’s land. Hal soon joins John. John believes that a helicopter arrives at the compound every day around the same time, and that there is a secret structure hidden on the property. The men discuss the Manhunter and come to the conclusion that it is Will Macon’s mysterious donor. John tells the sheriff that there is an interplanetary war-criminal hiding in Rushville, and the technical term for him is “Manhunter”. They also warn her to call John before the deadline. She claims she doesn’t really know who the Manhunter is, but that she will join in if John does not call by the deadline. Alien’s are about to destroy my city. “Finding him will stop the aliens, right?” She asks. She agrees when Hal replies “probably” — but warns that they only have a single shot.
They go to the hotel to pass some time. Laura Guardianney shows up in John’s bedroom because he did not check-in with her. Laura Guardianney tells John that Hal was not having space sex as he claimed: He was instead “violating” his oath by seeing Sinestro. She announces that Jordan’s actions “have accelerated the inevitable” and orders John to recitiate the Green Lantern Oath when Hal hands him the Ring during training. John will become the Lantern of Sector 2814 when he says these words.
John balks a little, and the Guardian instantly switches into “I-should’ve-known-you-were-as-weak-as-your-dad” guilt-trip mode. Hal had criticized John for being uncreative and weak in his reports. John says, “He’s too old and tired and his time’s up.” He adds that Hal did not work hard for the position, but he has. The ring has always belonged to me. “That a**hole is just keeping warm.” The Guardian seems pleased. She says, “Then get it John Stewart” before she disappears.
John then knocks at Hal’s front door. He suggests that they tunnel into the compound and gives Hal a map he drew. Hal is amazed. “Yeah,” John deadpans, “I’m creative.”
Hal gives John the drill and a ring that night outside Macon’s house. John doesn’t say the oath. They talk while the machine is working about Hal’s mother dying of cancer and how his father “fearless” — or at least that was what he wanted others to believe. As they make their way into a building full of high-tech weapons and Hal asks for his ring, Hal accidentally triggers a pressure sensor. This activates Macon’s soldiers, who enter the building and deploy black smoke, rendering Hal and John blind and inactivating the ring. The pair are captured.
The ring was placed on Will Macon’s desk. Will tells Zoe that John was an artist, in one of the greatest non-sequiturs ever. Will, upon hearing John’s confirmation that John is an artist, drops his robe and requests John to sketch him naked. Hal says, “I have seen some sh*t. I’ve been on a planet that has sentient tentacles.” This is strange, yes? John nods. “Yeah.” (HA!)
Will tells Zoe to stay. He knows for sure that John and Zoe slept together. Will tells Hal that he shouldn’t be worried unless Lanterns plan to attack Hal’s boss. This mystery man: is he really a boss? Benefactor? Savior? Will answers yes to everything above because the person in question has cured him of cancer. He and Zoe actually met because she was his nurse. Hal says, “Now that you mention him as if he were a God,” “I do, don’t I?” Will speaks.
In exchange for his protection, he explains that this is why the town has been doing well. “Crops grow, children thrive and the hospital was empty. Hal is refusing to go, but Will insists. Will threatens to kill John, and then asks Kerry to hide her package. She arrests Hal, John, and Hal for trespass. Will gives her the sketch and the ring as she leaves.
Kerry tells the group that they wasted their only chance and says Zoe had alerted them to what was happening. Kerry yells, then tells them that they’re close to discovering the identity of Will’s benefactor. They should stop being stupid and instead wait until she commands. She gives John the gun because Will will surely send his henchmen. Hal, what about him? She mocksly says that he can defend himself using his “superhero abilities”.
Zoe is the one who shows up in John’s bedroom. Macon sent you? He asks with a gun aimed at her chest. She claims she arrived on her own. He kisses her and lowers his weapon. In the aftermath, it gets very hot, and she laughs about how “it was better not in my truck.” He says that everyone, including Hal and her, is probably lying to him. She says, “It’s amazing how everything changes when I share what I know with you.” I can’t. He refuses to go. She leaves the motel and, as she pulls her truck away, a beam of red light from above shatters the molecules in the car.
Hal is immediately on scene. He flies up and grabs the weaponized Satellite, bringing it to the Parking Lot. He then creates a huge, green protective bubble to surround the entire structure. John believes that this is a too simple solution. The satellite belonged to Hector Hammond’s company, which owns a slaughterhouse nearby. Hal, who is driving them to the slaughterhouse asks John how he’s doing after his last hookup was vaporized. The younger man replies, “I am handling it.” Hal says that death comes with the job and that Hal should avoid “real relationships” from now on. For their safety, keep people away. “Lonely, f**king job.”
After that depressing feeling, they walk into an ultra-high-tech building where the employees don’t even seem to be aware of their presence — when addressed directly. John and Hal arrive at Hammond’s desk, where the man asks for John’s address. He then threatens to destroy it if John is not still alive by the end of the encounter. Hector claims to have heard all their discussions at the motel and replays John’s conversation with the Guardian for everyone present. Awkward!
Hal does not believe Hammond when he says that he is the Manhunter. Hal asks Hammond to tell him what colour Abin Sur is. He explains that Abin, the pilot of Hal’s ring who brought Hammond back on Earth after he died and gave Hal Hal’s ring was Abin. Hammond says he doesn’t remember. Hal refers to him as a “smokescreen, or a decoy.” Hal uses the information Sinestro provided about Manhunter heart flaws (which are undetectable when they’re alive but crystallize once dead) to scare him into confessing that he is human. Hal makes Hammond stop counting down to blowing the Stewart home up. They then discover that Hector Hammond was really Hector Gutierrez. The Manhunter had offered him tech in return for a false front to aid his family and community. Hammond replies, “Isn’t it obvious?” when Hal asks who the Manhunter really is. Will Macon.
John is irritated when he tells Hal in the car that he’s going to return the ring and that he hasn’t taken the oath. Hal is a lot less angry when he says “Honestly, I’d have done the same thing.” John was expecting him to be. Hal acknowledges that visiting Sinestro was a breach of vow, but John should not believe what the Guardians say. John then says that the Manhunter is Will Macon as Hector had claimed. Hal instructs John to contact Antaan’s hit squad, and arrange for them to meet him in the café. John follows Hal’s instructions.
Hal replies a few moments later, “I truly did forgive you.” I thought you would be honest.” Hal recalls asking John why he wasn’t upset more about Zoe and thinking he was a stoney guy. But when he noticed how passionate he became at the thought of losing his parents, he understood. You’re not upset, because you’re aware that Zoe’s alive. It’s not clear to me how she got out, unless it’s because she is a Manhunter. “I can’t tell how long you have known me.”
John does not deny the truth, but says that he was not sure if Zoe is what they were hunting. He adds, “I had a gut feeling.” He apologizes for calling Hal old and exhausted.
Hal looks at him, and then says, “I am sorry for the rental.” He laughs and jumps from the car. It crashes into a post moments later.
It’s now your turn. What do you think about the episode? Comment in the comment section!

Entertainment

Rob Reiner, Betty Glipin Win 2026 Emmy for Guest Actor, Actress Comedy

The 2026 Creative Arts Emmys have awarded Rob Reiner, Betty Gilpin and the best comedy guest actors and actresses.
Reiner was awarded for his part in The Bear for which he had been nominated posthumously. Last December, the legendary actor, Michele Reiner and their wife were brutally killed in their Los Angeles house. Nick Reiner has been accused of the murders and has pleaded guilty.
Wendi McClendon-Covey, the presenter of the show, told the audience that it was appropriate for them to give the winner a standing applause. I know that we would all like Rob to be with us tonight.
Gilpin won the award for Apple’s Widow’s Bay. The poem-like form of her speech made it a standout for the evening. She started by mentioning her former Glow costar Alison Brie, who was the date of that night.
In the early evening, two other awards for guest acting were presented. Shailene woodley won the award for best guest actress for a drama show for her role in Paradise. This was the first Emmy for this show. Ernest Harden Jr. won the Emmy for best guest actor for a drama for his role as The Pitt.

Entertainment

Barbara Eden abruptly cancels film festival appearance, tells fans she’s ‘okay’

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Barbara Eden’s sudden withdrawal from a Los Angeles Film Festival due to a “sudden sickness” prompted concern in her fans. However, the actress shared an update on Facebook that was reassuring.
It was planned that the “I Dream of Jeannie'” actress would be recognized at Saturday’s Cinecon Classic Film Festival, which was to take place at the Landmark Nuart Theatre. However, she canceled the ceremony just before it was to start.
In a post posted on Facebook, festival organizers said that Barbara Eden was unable to attend Cinecon this evening due to an illness.
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They continued, “Barbara regrets that she was forced to cancel last-minute as she looked forward to celebrating with everyone.”
We know that many of you welcomed Barbara with great enthusiasm. “We appreciate your patience and send her best wishes to a quick recovery,” the added.
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Eden took to Instagram later to explain the reasons for her absence, and to update her fans about her health.
It’s okay, everyone! I’m okay!” She wrote this next to a picture of her smiling in front a painting. Eden said, “Oh my goodness! There has been some miscommunication.” My doctor prescribed me a new medication which had some unpleasant side effects. My doctor told me that I should stay at home due to my discomfort until the problem can be resolved.
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What a terrible coincidence! “I want to thank everyone who has expressed concern for me,” added she. This is only a speedbump!” As soon as the OK is given, I will be on my way! She concluded by saying “Thank you for your concern and my love.”
Cinecon, a Los Angeles classic film festival, celebrates Hollywood’s Golden Age stars and vintage films. The 62nd Cinecon festival was held this year.
After spotting a’subtle clue’, archivists at the Library of Congress discovered a lost film by renowned cinema pioneer.
Eden had been scheduled to accept the Cinecon Legacy Award along with a screening her 1961 film, “All Hands on Deck.” Eden was supposed to present the film with Pat Boone. Boone accepted the Cinecon Legacy Award in her place.
Cinecon Legacy Award: The Cinecon Classic Film Festival honors entertainment professionals who have made a significant contribution to motion pictures and the entertainment industry.
CAMERON DIAZ, RICK MORANIS AND LINDSAY LOHAN ARE AMONG STARS THAT LEFT THEIR FAME BEHIND PRIOR TO RETURNING HOLLYWOOD
Eden’s best-known role is as Jeannie in “I Dream of Jeannie”, a classic NBC television sitcom that ran between 1965 and 1970. She became one of the most recognizable TV stars. Her career spans more than 70 years in film, television and theatre.
She has starred in “Flaming star” with Elvis Presley and “Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea”. She has also appeared in the TV series “Dallas,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and others.
Eden received two Golden Globe nods for “I Dream of Jeannie”. She was also honored in 1988 with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. In 2023, she was awarded the Legend Award of Lifetime Achievement by the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
She played Mrs. Claus in the 2019 film “My Adventures with Santa”. Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon were also in the movie.
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Eden will star in “Love Letters”, a stage performance that takes place only one night at the El Portal Theatre, located in North Hollywood.
Eden revealed in an Entertainment Weekly interview last month that she was still interested in acting. She also hinted at her interest to play a villain.
She told the publication that she could “be really nasty”.
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Eden said, “Bad Jeannie is bad. You know,” referring to the trouble-making “evil sister” of hers on “I Dream of Jeannie.”
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Eden has also stated that there is one condition she must meet before accepting any role.
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If it was well-written, I would probably do whatever. “If it’s written well,” she says.