We know comedians get one-liners shouted at them on the regular, as Will Ferrell told CinemaBlend fans shout his ‘meatloaf” line at him and Jon Heder told us he gets ‘Tina, you fat lard’ all the time. I’d assume it’s way easier to quote a line as a celebrity is passing by than to try and actually meet them, and would be an easy way to attract attention from a celebrity without putting real work in. So, Adam Sandler getting asked about the line fans shout at him most was not a real shocker. What did have me nearly spitting up my Gatorade Zero was the line fans choose.

In fact, Sandler was among the a-listers who were asked about lines thrown at them by fans, and he really was the only one with a surprise answer. Of course, fans shout “you’re welcome” at Dwayne Johnson and, of course, fans holler “yes, chef” at Jeremy Allen White. For Adam Sandler, it’s not something cutesy or iconic that's hollered at him, it’s actually an insult Happy Gilmore deals with throughout his tenure on the big screen that he hears “a lot.”

As a millennial who grew up right smack dab in the middle of Adam Sandler’s most popular movie releases, there are a lot of quotes that live rent-free in my head, and not always from Sandler’s best movies. Anytime I stub my toe or do anything stupid, I literally say, "Damn you, Scuba Steve." I also sometimes think about how “water sucks” any time I can’t take a break in a tennis match. These don’t even begin to encompass the funniest quotes from one of Sandler’s flicks.

“Jackass,” on the other hand, just doesn’t come to mind much, even though I like Happy Gilmore infinitely better than movies like Big Daddy and The Waterboy. So, I guess it’s easy to picture Adam Sandler just walking around in public and minding his own business and hearing a lesser-known line like “jackass” and then being annoyed for a hot second.

The thing is, it’s not even Sandler’s line. Instead, it’s one a heckler (played by Joe Flaherty, may he rest in peace) shouts at Adam Sandler throughout the course of Happy Gilmore, though it came back up again in Happy Gilmore 2 with Eminem’s already-iconic cameo. At this point, doubtless he’s used to it, but that doesn’t make it any less insulting, honestly.

So, for all you jackasses out there hollering this particular one-word quote at Mr. Sandler, I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul. (OK, I know that’s not a Sandler line, but it just fits so well contextually.)

Like the rest of the world, I was introduced to Eminem when his “My Name Is” music video premiered on MTV’s Total Request Live in January 1999. From then on, I was a massive fan of the rapper also known as Slim Shady, and it stayed that way for quite some time. So, when I found out that his new documentary, Stans, was going to be available with a Paramount+ subscription, I made sure to check out the exploration of his career and those diehard fans of his.

Little did I know going into the documentary, but I would leave the experience with a whole new perspective on Marshall Mathers, his music, his career, and the legions of stans that have dedicated so much of their lives to one of the greatest rappers of all time. What a journey it was…

I Went Into Stans Thinking It Was Just About Fandom (Which It Kind Of Is)

When I watched the Stans trailer before the documentary landed on the 2025 movie schedule, I thought I was going to simply be watching a deconstruction of fandom, especially surrounding Eminem. With the documentary being a play on the rapper’s 2000 hit “Stan,” which tells the fictional story of an obsessive fan, it’s easy to see where I was coming from in this regard.

To be totally honest, a lot of the documentary is about the countless fans that idolize Marshall Mathers and his massive library of tracks, and how his music has inspired them and lifted them up in some of life’s hardest moments. While a few of the fans admittedly take things farther than I would have with their obsession, they’re never presented in a negative light or anything close to the “stan” played by Devon Sawa in the unsettling music video.

But Eminem Opening Up About The Impact Of Fame Led To Me Seeing Him In A New Light

While Stans does spend a lot of time interviewing fans from all around the world, the incredibly engaging documentary also dives deep into how fame, and those fans, impacted practically every aspect of Eminem’s life. There are great moments where the rapper opens up about how much the fans mean to him, but there are also some pretty harrowing moments along the way, and one in particular led to me seeing him in a new light.

Partway through the doc, Eminem opens up about a time when he took his daughter to the mall only to be surrounded by screaming fans. The way he describes it makes the situation feel less like a run-in with fans and more like something out of Dawn of the Dead. Though well-meaning, the fans changed the way he went about his daily life, and watching that resulted in me seeing him as a human being just trying to live his life.

The Documentary Is A Must-Watch For Stans, Fans, And Non-Fans Alike

There have been a lot of great music documentaries this year, and this is right up there on that list. Similar to the great Becoming Led Zeppelin being something that fans and non-fans alike can enjoy, the new Eminem doc is an eye-opening and entertaining experience that has something for everyone, stan or not.

If you’re a fan of Slim Shady, there’s something there. If you’re a diehard fan, you’ll find something to latch onto. If you know nothing about Marshall Mathers and his rap persona, this is going to do the trick. It’s rare that you find something so eye-opening and entertaining, but this doc does it.

I’m really glad I watched Stans, especially because it has me seeing Eminem in a whole new light. Now I just need to find one of those wildly memorable popcorn buckets.

Some may think that Eminem having a documentary on the roster of 2025 movies is either weird, or a sign that some of us fans are getting old. In either case, the Stans trailer may have stirred up some feelings, as the man also known as Marshall Mathers is about to speak candidly soon enough, and in a theater near you. What’s even more wild though is that in a tip of the hat to his own iconography, there’s going to be a popcorn bucket for the upcoming film that’s absolutely on brand; and it could be yours for free.

The good news is that if you want to grab this Stans concession collectible, you don’t have to do anything but buy a ticket. However, the bad news is that it’s one of those “while supplies last” deals; with no set cap on what to expect. Even with those caveats in mind, though, it's hard not to admit that the finished product below is pretty in line with what you’d expect from Eminem:

Just imagine one of those pill bottle buckets, proudly displayed in-between The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Galactus bucket and The Naked Gun’s beaver-iffic collectible at your local theater. It’s a visual that shows just how broad the spectrum of movies (and merch) can be in the tail end of the summer movie season. Of course, we need to drill down a little to get to the Eminem of this Stans collector’s item; which is also quite the clever twist.

On the surface, the bucket’s prescription bottle appearance feels like a nod to 2009’s Relapse. That album had its own pharmacological aesthetic, with the track listing looking like the paperwork you’d get with a prescription.

As for patient “Stanley Mitchell” and the advice to “remember, it’s not so bad,” that all comes from The Marshall Mathers LP’s classic single that gave Stans, and the fans it describes, that very name. That fact, and the impact it has on this project, is totally felt through the trailer - which you can see below:

Even wilder than the popcorn bucket, though, is the fact that it's been 25 years since “Stan” openly talked about obsessive fandom, giving the world a new name to something we used to call devotion like “Beatlemania.” It’s even weirder to think that Eminem will be returning to the big screen as a lead (of sorts) for the first time since 2002’s 8 Mile.

Only this time, the story the Grammy winner is sharing isn’t semi-autobiographical. It's an unvarnished truth. Learning that director Steven Leckart came across some wild Stans fan stories during the making of this documentary is about as surprising as finding out that there are Eminem/Happy Gilmore 2 outtakes which are "unusable" in a PG-13 film.

The tales told in this doc are probably what will be the true shockers, and you can experience those stories for yourself right now. Stans’ limited theatrical run continues through this Thursday, so be sure to check your local listings before heading out. Best of luck to those of you who’ve just learned of this popcorn bucket and want to make it a part of your collection at home!

Fifteen years ago, Eminem released the song “Stan” about a fan obsessed with a celebrity whose story ends tragically. Since then, the word “Stan” has become a catch-all for fans who are particularly passionate about a celebrity or piece of pop culture, though usually stopping short of being obsessive. Now, Stans has become a documentary film specifically about fans of Eminem.

Stans is a new documentary film that will give some passionate fans an opportunity to talk about their love for Eminem, but of course, the film wanted to steer clear of anybody whose passion manifests into obsession, like the character in the song. Documentary director Steven Leckart told US that part of the reason the song resonates with people even today is because we all know that obsessive fans are a very real thing. He said…

Stans has been a project in development for quite some time, but that shifted into “high gear” about five years ago when Leckart joined the project. A public survey was released to begin looking for the sort of fans who would be featured in the film. The director says he heard a lot of wild things from fans who wanted to be in the movie. He continued…

Being a fan of something is fine, and being a fan of something to the point that you consider it part of the person you are certainly isn’t unheard of. Some people may get tattoos of Eminem, others are Disney Adults, and fans of Taylor Swift are called Swifties. If people love something so much they have a name for it, that’s certainly passion.

The fact that a documentary film is being made about Eminem's fans shows that they are a particularly passionate group. This perhaps makes the importance of making sure the right people are part of that story all the more important, and potentially all the more difficult.

Of course, some take things too far. We’ve seen too many cases where celebrities have had to file restraining orders against fans who do that, and there have even been cases where people have died as a result of the obsession. Filtering those people out of those who tried to be part of Stans had to be a top priority. The movie may be using the name of an obsessed fan, but nobody wants to highlight that sort of behavior.

In 1999, Marshall Mathers a.k.a. Eminem landed like a bomb in pop culture. His album The Slim Shady LP was both a massive hit and exceptionally controversial, and it earned him legions of fans around the world. In fact, his fans are so passionate that it's because of them that we have the slang term "Stans" – a reference to the rapper's 2000 hit "Stan."

After a quarter-century, that love is being examined in the new big screen documentary Stans. Between the success of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé's concert films last year (the former being the most successful concert film of all time at the box office) and the popularity of Becoming Led Zeppelin among Netflix subscribers, music and movies have been colliding in a big way as of late, and we're getting a special inside look at the world of Eminem later this summer in Stans.

Domestically, the doc is getting a limited theatrical release starting on August 7 exclusively in AMC Theatres, and it will only be on the big screen for a single weekend (so you may want to mark off your calendar now!). In order to qualify for awards, the film is getting a week-long run at the AMC Empire 25 in New York, and there will be at least two showtimes each day at each location.

As previewed in the trailer above, Stans will not just examine the highs and lows of Eminem's career – featuring a mix of archival footage, interviews, and recreations – but will examine the intense relationship he has with his fans and that his fans have with him. (I'll take this moment to point out that the eponymous Stan in the Eminem track is an extreme obsessive whose story ends with a murder-suicide).

This, of course, isn't the first time that Eminem has been featured on the big screen. When the calendar flips to November, die-hards will be celebrating the 23rd anniversary of director Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile – a fictional film loosely based on the rapper's life and early career in Detroit.

Looking back at the movie, it has an outstanding ensemble cast (including Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Shannon, Taryn Manning and Anthony Mackie), and the Oscar-winning song "Lose Yourself" is an all-timer. However, that was a semi-autobiographical piece; where as Stans is purely a documentary. That means the Marshall Mathers we see on screen is unvarnished, and ready to get as candid as he wants about his own life and career.

If you want to reserve your seats now, tickets for Stans are now on sale via the AMC mobile app, the chain's official website, and via all platforms where the theater's tickets are sold. The film will be playing in 135 locations, so check listings to see if it is going to be playing near you. The soundtrack for the documentary is also now available for pre-order, with a press release promising to include previously unreleased tracks.

In the history of moviemaking there are many, many absurd stories about how and why people got cast (or didn’t get cast). I have a feeling 8 Mile would have been a very different movie without Kim Basinger playing the role of Stephanie Smith, the mother to Eminem’s character Jimmy in the movie. But if the script had gone just a little bit differently, there’s a chance someone else entirely would have occupied the role.

In a wide-ranging interview, Kim Basinger revealed that she actually had a problem with the 8 Mile script when she read it, and it honestly nearly turned her off from the role. Her one request? If they changed one f-bomb-oriented line to another f-bomb-oriented line, she could get behind the character.

Just thinking about what it must have been like to be director Curtis Hanson on the line during that phone call cracks me up. I have no idea if he felt like it was a six-to-one sort of change or if he maybe even thought “fucking pancakes” sounded way better or way worse. But just the thought of that being a negotiating point amuses me. In the history of wild movie requests, this one definitely stands out as both an unexpected request but also one that was likely relatively easy to fulfill.

It's worth noting Curtis Hanson and Kim Basinger had previously worked together on what some would argue is the "best" detective movie L.A. Confidential before he brought her back into the fold on 8 Mile. She even called him her "dearest friend" in the same interview with Variety. So, she already had a working relationship with the director when she made this script request. But she'd also passed on his movies before, saying no to Wonder Boys a year or two before 8 Mile.

I’m guessing he was confident enough in her intuition, because he gave the change the greenlight, with her giggling about the nature of the request even now, so many years after the movie wrapped. The rest is history, and the movie even went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original song thanks to Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ and it's notable lyrics.

Working as a director on a movie does not sound like it is for the faint of heart. Once on set, though, Ms. Basinger said everyone was a delight, particularly Marshall Mathers, who really went for it in some of the movies tough subject matter scenes.

Eminem’s 8 Mile had an impact on a whole generation of teens growing up in tough circumstances in struggling cities. (Me, I’m talking about me.) The rapper would go on to return to the Academy Awards in 2020 to pay homage to the song and the movie that lived on, though Hanson didn't live long enough to see it. Despite its resonance, the story behind this request is what will likely leave the most lasting impression on me in the coming years. In fact, one could say I lost myself in the story.

Adam Sandler has made himself a pretty solid and successful career over at Netflix. While not every film the comedy star has made has made massive waves, his next movie is all but certain to be his biggest yet, as he’ll be returning to one of his most popular characters in next year’s Happy Gilmore 2. And apparently a lot of people are coming to the party.

The list of returning characters and incredible cameos gets longer and longer the more we hear about the film, and now we’ve learned about a couple of surprising appearances that just make the new movie all the more exciting. Sandler recently called into The Dan Patrick Show, the host of which will also be appearing in the movie, and they discussed some of the stars who will be showing up, including, incredibly, Eminem. Sandler said…

I can’t imagine how Eminem will fit into the story of Happy Gilmore 2, but it sounds like he was just hilarious on the set. Eminem hasn’t appeared in a movie since 2014’s The Interview, where he also cameoed as himself. From how Sandler talks, it sounds like they just messed around for a day on his scene, so there’s probably a lot more hilarious footage than we’ll ever see in the film.

Eminem joins a long list of returning stars and other impressive cameos. We know that Christopher McDonald will return as Shooter McGavin. Actress Julie Bowen is returning to reprise her role from the first film as well. Even Ben Stiller will be back playing his scene-stealing nurse from the first film. The movie will also include a host of golf’s greatest stars. John Daly talked about his time filming, and Sandler also told Dan Patrick that the great Jack Nicklaus would appear. Sandler explained…

Cameos are a big part of Happy Gilmore. The original movie had its share of iconic moments that came from celebrity appearances. The most famous is likely Adam Sandler's famous fistfight with Bob Barker. Golfer Lee Trevino also had a memorable scene in the first movie.

Happy Gilmore is one of Adam Sandler's best movies and one of his most iconic characters, so there are sure to be a lot of people excited for the sequel. While John Daly had previously said he thought the movie would be out in March or April, Sandler indicated the Happy Gilmore 2 release date would likely be July. While we may have to wait a bit longer for it, with this cast, the film should be worth the wait.

Eminem hasn't held back in his commentary (via his music and his statements) about his complicated relationship with his mother, Debbie Nelson, over the years. Following her recent death at the age of 69, however, his half-brother Nate Mathers was the first of the two to publicly share a reaction, and he only needed five words to convey his feelings about her passing.

Debbie Nelson died due to complications related to lung cancer on the night of Monday, December 2, in Missouri, according to Dennis Dennehey, Eminem's representative, as reported by TMZ. The news comes after she was diagnosed back in September and said (via In Touch) to be "terminally ill" at the time.

Not long after word of Nelson's death broke on December 3, Nate Mathers posted this on his Instagram Story, in white text against an all-black background:

At the time of writing, Eminem – real name Marshall Mathers – himself has not yet posted on social media about his mother's death or in reaction to what his brother himself posted. According to Daily Mail, Nate Mathers did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on his five-word reaction to Debbie Nelson's death. "Mixed emotions" likely won't come as a surprise to anybody aware of the family's story, in light of what has been publicly revealed about the brothers' relationship with their mother.

Naturally, Eminem has gotten the majority of the spotlight in the complicated relationship, although the lyrics to his 2002 song "Cleanin' Out My Closet" explicitly mention both Nate his daughter Hailie. In addition to the chorus, in which he repeated "I'm sorry, Mama, I never meant to hurt you, I never meant to make you cry, but tonight I'm cleanin' out my closet," the multi-time SNL musical guest rapped this in a verse aimed at his mom:

While amends seem to have been made to at least some degree by 2013 with the song "Headlights," it's said that they remain estranged for the rest of her life following all of the public back-and-forth and lawsuits. Eminem also certainly had direct insight from his brother on how he was doing as he grew up, as he was able to adopt Nate when he was sixteen years old. The younger brother been placed into foster care nearly ten years earlier at the age of eight, with Eminem trying and failing to get custody when he was just 20 himself.

Nathan Mathers went on to become a music producer and a DJ, with his most recent Instagram post prior to the Story about his mother's death showing him posing with Shaboozey. Other photos include him with singer and Super Bowl Halftime Show alum Usher, rapper/The Expendables 4 actor 50 Cent, and hip hop artist/Olympics enthusiast Flavor Flav. In another recent post unrelated to Debbie Nelson's death, Mathers had another short and to-the-point message:

For now, it remains to be seen if Nate Mathers elaborates on his initial response or if Eminem releases a statement of his own. At this point on the evening of December 3, the rapper's most recent Instagram post is a Cyber Monday promotion of his shop.

Being a Saturday Night Live musical guest makes you popular. Performing on the show a second time makes you beloved. Performing on the great sketch comedy TV show three times or more just might make you a legend. That’s how we would describe the following 32 pop stars, rock bands, and masters of the rhyme who have brought the house down at Studio 8H as memorable SNL musical guests on multiple occasions.

Billy Joel

The "Piano Man" himself first performed at Studio 8H in Season 3 on an episode hosted by Chevy Chase, which was also the first time the short-lived SNL cast member came back to host. After a return in 1981, Billy Joel's third time on the show was eight years later in 1989, which saw him perform "We Didn't Start the Fire."

Foo Fighters

Following two appearances with Nirvana and a third as an impromptu drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dave Grohl made his SNL debut as frontman of Foo Fighters in December 1995, a year after the release of their debut album. The rock band (which has gone through a vast rotation of members since) also performed with Mick Jagger as special guests in 2012 and some of the best SNL sketches featuring musicians have involved Grohl.

Miley Cyrus

Having become famous as a TV star (while leading Disney Channel's Hannah Montana) before her music career really took off, it makes sense that Miley Cyrus made her SNL debut as a host in 2011 before returning as both host and musical guest two years later. Some of the Grammy winner's most notable performances on the show include the SNL 40th Anniversary Special and a pre-taped rendition of "Wish You Were Here" that aired during the Covid-era "SNL At Home" days.

Justin Timberlake

A celebrity who qualifies for SNL's Five-Timers Club as both a host and musical guest is Justin Timberlake, who might be one of the best SNL hosts we have ever seen for that matter. His first time performing music on the show, however, was in 2000 with NSYNC but some of his especially memorable musical moments on the show have been his raunchy collaborations with Andy Samberg.

Coldplay

A year after releasing their hit debut album, Parachutes, in 2000, British rock band Coldplay was booked on SNL for the first of several gigs. Lead singer Chris Martin is known for appearing in a few sketches – including one of the most popular SNL clips on YouTube, in which he helps Andrew Garfield finish The Amazing Spider-Man 2's kissing scene – and performed solo for the first Covid-era "At Home" episode.

Beyoncé

If you include her two appearances as part of Destiny's Child and her special guest appearance alongside her husband, Jay-Z, Beyoncé has performed on SNL five times between 2001 and 2008. She also appeared in a sketch offering a humorous dramatization of the making of the "Single Ladies" video and has been impersonated countless times by SNL and Groundlings alum Maya Rudolph.

Randy Newman

The second-ever episode of SNL marked the show's first appearance by Randy Newman, who would perform five more times up until 1988. The singer-songwriter would expand his audience when he wrong captivating, award-nominated songs for several beloved Pixar movies, including Toy Story's "You Got a Friend in Me."

Eminem

Most of Eminem's many SNL performances have been collaborative efforts. For instance, the rapper made his 1999 debut on the show with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, performed "Stan" with Dido the following year, and would bring Skylar Grey along for two separate occasions – for "Survival" in 2013 and a medley of "Walk on Water," "Stan," and "Love the Way You Lie" in 2017.

Taylor Swift

Any of the several times that Taylor Swift has appeared at Studio 8H has been a notable occasion. This not only includes her many appearances as a musical guest (the second of which doubled as a hosting gig) but also her jaw-dropping SNL cameos, such as her impromptu introduction of Ice Spice in the Season 49 premiere.

Paul Simon

No one has appeared on SNL as a musical guest more times than Paul Simon, who was also one of several performers when he hosted the show's second ever episode. Many of his 15 gigs (as of 2018) were shared with musicians like George Harrison, his wife Edie Brickell, and Alicia Keys.

Rihanna

Surprisingly, it was not until 2009 when Rihanna made her SNL debut, featuring guest Young Jeezy for her performance of "Hard." She would go on to show up at Studio 8H several more time, two of which saw her appear in SNL Digital Shorts with Andy Samberg as "Shy Ronnie."

Sting

The Police had already broken up by the time Sting made his SNL debut in 1987. Before the end of the 20th Century, he would appear five more times, including one gigs doubling as host and musical guest and another as just the host, featuring performances by Veruca Salt.

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire had the pleasure of performing alongside Mick Jagger as special guests when the Rolling Stones frontman hosted in 2012, which we will also count as their third SNL gig. The indie rock outfit has also appeared in a few sketches, such as an SNL Digital Shorts and a game show-style bit challenging host Tina Fey to guess who is a new cast member or a member of the band.

Jack White

On the same night Woody Harrelson was inducted into the Five-Timers Club, Jack White was also given a robe for preforming on SNL for the fifth time in February 2023. This would include when he made his debut in 2002, billed alongside former bandmate Meg White as The White Stripes.

Leon Redbone

Before his death in 2019, Leon Redbone appeared as a musical guest on SNL four times, first in 1976 and lastly in 1983. While the blues musician would go on to do some acting, such as voicing Leon the Snowman in the 2003 Christmas movie classic, Elf, he never appeared in any sketches during any of his visits to Studio 8H.

Linda Ronstadt

After making her Studio 8H debut in a cold open cameo in 1977, Linda Ronstadt would first perform on SNL two years later with co-musical guest Phoebe Snow. She shared her next three gigs with the cast of The Pirates of Penzance in 1980, The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán in 1987, and Aaron Neville in 1989.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

Rock and roll icons Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed on SNL eight times. The last time was in 2010 – for which Petty appeared in an SNL Digital Short opposite Andy Samberg and host Alec Baldwin – before the frontman's death in 2017.

Bonnie Raitt

As of 1994, Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Bonnie Raitt has been an SNL musical guest four times. Her debut was in 1978 but the three subsequent appearance would all occur in the early 1990s.

Aerosmith

Despite breaking out a few years before SNL premiered, Aerosmith would not appear on the show until 1990, when they also starred in a legendary "Wayne's World" segment with Tom Hanks as Barry, their roadie. The rock quartet would perform on the show three more times, the last occurring in 2001.

Neil Young

A surprising late bloomer to SNL is Neil Young, who made his debut in 1989 after being impersonated by Dana Carvey a couple of years earlier. The folk singer and part-time Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member returned for his third time more than a decade later in 2000.

Mariah Carey

One of the most esteemed pop divas of her generation, Mariah Carey, first appeared on SNL as a musical guest in 1990. Her fourth time, in 2008, saw her joined by T-Pain for a performance of "Migrate."

Beck

After his 1993 hit single "Loser" made him a star, Beck debuted on SNL in 1997. This was the first of several appearance for the alt rock hero, the second of which saw him act in a sketch framed as a Behind the Music episode about Fat Albert & the Junkyard Gang.

Maroon 5

Pop rock band Maroon 5 made their first of several appearances in 2004, shortly after making their mainstream breakthrough. Frontman Adam Levine (also known as a judge on NBC's The Voice) has also appeared on the show solo to host in 2013 and join Kanye West in a performance of "Heard 'Em Say" in 2005.

Prince

Unless you count his performance of "Electric Chair" at SNL's 15th Anniversary Special in 1989, Prince was only a musical guest on the show three times. However, after his untimely death in 2016, the show aired a special featuring clips of all his Studio 8H sets, highlights of the recurring "Prince Show" sketches featuring Fred Armisen as the pop star, and anecdotes shared by host Jimmy Fallon.

Natalie Merchant

Natalie Merchant's first two appearances on SNL were as the lead singer of the indie rock group 10,000 Maniacs in the late '80s and early '90s. Her two subsequent gigs as a musical guest occurred in 1995 and 1998 after she had gone solo.

Justin Bieber

Following his breakthrough as a teen pop sensation, Justin Bieber made his SNL debut at 16 years old in a 2010 episode which also saw him participate in a sketch with host Tina Fey. The Canadian artist went on to double as host and musical guest for his second gig in 2013 and also made a few unexpected cameos, such as in a Church Lady revival from 2011 and in 2012 for the 100th SNL Digital Short.

Lizzo

Lizzo made her Studio 8H debut in a big way, performing as the musical guest on an episode hosted by the legendary Eddie Murphy making an epic SNL return in 2019. A couple years later, she returned as both musical guest and host and, while she could not stop laughing during some sketches, she was pretty stone-faced for a bit that demonstrated her talent for simultaneously twerking and playing the flute.

Green Day

Green Day emerged as one of the biggest bands of the '90s but would only perform on the SNL once during that decade. The punk trio would, however, return twice more during the 2000s, first following the success of their Grammy-winning album, American Idiot, in 2005 and again in 2009 to promote 21st Century Breakdown.

Billie Eilish

A non-actor who killed it at as an SNL host for the first time in 2021 is Billie Eilish, who also served as a musical guest for her second time that night. The Grammy and Oscar-winning pop sensation has gone on to participate in sketches in her subsequent appearances as well, such as when she joined Barbie cast member Kate McKinnon for a music video for the Season 49 Christmas show.

James Taylor

James Taylor had the rare opportunity to perform three songs in multiple episodes: when he made his SNL debut in 1976 and both times he appeared in the '90s. He would also play a song during host Michael Palin's monologue in 1979 and once served as a co-host and co-musical guest with Paul Simon in 1980.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z qualifies for this list by his solo appearances as an SNL musical guest alone. However, he has taken the stage at Studio 8H for a few special appearances, such as when he joined wife, Beyoncé, for "Crazy in Love" in 2003 and when he performed his rap on Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" in 2013.

Kanye West

Kanye West's debut SNL performance in October 2005 was preceded by a cameo by Mike Myers, reference their awkward appearance together at a telethon benefitting victims of Hurricane Katrina. He would later be joined by Pusha T to perform "Runaway" for his fourth gig and memorably performed "I Love It" with Lil Pump dressed as water bottles for his seventh appearance in a 2018 episode that would end in controversy when the rapper went on an unexpected political tirade.

After a lengthy federal investigation into Sean “Diddy” Combs for alleged sex trafficking, racketeering and other charges, the record producer was arrested September 16 and is being held in court despite attempts to post $50 million in bail. Many have been surprised by the details of the case — including that 1,000 bottles of lubricant were found when authorities raided his homes this year — but one person who was likely not shocked by any of it was Eminem. Fans are just now realizing that the rapper took some brutal shots at P. Diddy in his song “Fuel” months before the arrest.

Eminem has fired off plenty of jabs at the rapper with many names over the years, but some fans are just catching onto his wordplay in the song “Fuel” off of his latest album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which came out in July. After using the word “essay” to reference the abbreviation “SA” (sexual assault), Eminem goes on to intentionally misspell “rapper,” and apparently there are some who are just understanding the full meaning of what he did next. Check out this viral TikTok reaction:

Eminem raps, “I'm like a R-A-P-E-R,” and then says, “Wait, he didn't just spell the word, ‘Rapper’ and leave out a P, did he?” Fans get it now that the last part comes out sounding exactly like “P. Diddy.” One fan wrote on X (Twitter):

There also seem to be plenty of people who heard “Diddy” but are just now understanding the “P” is there too. Underneath another reaction video, a fan commented:

Of course, other commenters pointed to the rest of the lyrics in the song, which reference Keffe D (real name Duane Davis), who was charged in 2023 with the murder of Tupac Shakur, a nemesis of Diddy’s friend the Notorious B.I.G. Davis has allegedly claimed that Diddy offered him $1 million to kill Tupac.

In the bonus track "Fuel (Shady Edition)," Eminem says even more, rapping:

Eminem certainly did call that one, as Sean “Puffy” Combs now is being held in prison awaiting trial. The music mogul’s legal issues began late in 2023, when Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend. While that suit was quickly settled, several others followed, and in March federal officials raided Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami. Following his arrest, he pleaded not guilty to the charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

It looks like P. Diddy will get his day in court, but Eminem has already made his opinion on the rapper quite clear — whether fans realized it at the time or not.

Celebrities owning restaurants is an old tradition in Hollywood. Sometimes, like Mark Wahlberg, it's a simple burger chain, other times, it's a classy hotel where you can have an elegant meal, like Richard Gere. Everything from tacos to sushi to fried chicken and everything in between. 

Just like people love watching scenes in movies about food, people love to rub elbows with the elite in some of these establishments. Here are 32 actors who own restaurants all over the country. 

Mark Wahlberg - Wahlburgers

The first Wahlburgers opened in Hingham, Massachusetts in 2011. The chain has since grown to dozens of stores all over the country and was the subject of a reality show for 10 seasons on A&E. The chain is collectively owned by three Wahlbergs, including Mark and Donnie, along with their chef brother, Paul. 

Ryan Gosling - Tagline

Ryan Gosling has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and so it makes sense he would open a restaurant in Beverly Hills. Co-owned by the Barbie star and Chef Ben Benameur, the Moroccan joint serves up delicious food in a cozy atmosphere.

Lady Gaga - Joanne Trattoria

Joanne Germanotta was a beloved aunt to Lady Gaga (whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta). Not only did Gaga name a 2016 album after her, but the family has also opened Joanne Trattoria on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. In true Gaga style, the restaurant is not only a great place for Italian food, but it supports local artists, hosts regular drag shows, and has regular performances by local musicians. 

Robert De Niro - Nobu

Robert De Niro first became a regular at chef Nobu Matsuhisa's LA sushi joint Nobu way back in the 1980s. In the mid-90s, De Niro approached Matsuhisa about opening a New York spot. Nobu opened in 1994 in Tribeca and the company has since become a powerhouse in the hospitality industry, with dozens of restaurants and hotels all over the world. 

Michael Imperioli - Scarlet

White Lotus star Michael Imperioli has dabbled in the restaurant industry for a long time. In the mid-'90s Imperioli and his wife opened a speakeasy-style bar called Ciel Rouge, in Tribeca. Almost 30 years later, and 20 after Ciel Rouge closed in 2005, the couple opened Scarlet on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It sticks with the classy, chill speakeasy vibe that made their first venture successful. 

Sandra Bullock - Walton's Fancy & Staple

Walton's Fancy & Staple in Austin, TX, is pretty much exactly what you would expect from Sandra Bullock. It's an upscale neighborhood place with hearty food and a cheery atmosphere. Walton's is the Speed star's second restaurant in her adopted hometown. The first, Bess Bistro, closed in 2016 after a successful 10-year run. Walton's opened in 2009. 

Ludacris - Chicken And Beer

Is there anything better than good fried chicken and great beer to wash it down? If you're in Atlanta and don't check out Ludacris' place, simply named Chicken and Beer, you're missing out on those two wonderful things that pair so well together.

Norman Reedus - Nic & Norman's

Norman Reedus is famous for playing rough-around-the-edges characters like Daryl in The Walking Dead, but his restaurant is not. Nic & Norman's, which has locations across the Southeast is rustic, but it's not rough in any way. The upscale but relaxed gastropubs are sure to satisfy anyone. 

Susan Sarandon - SPiN

When Susan Sarandon and her fellow investors opened SPiN in 2009, there was a surge in the popularity of table tennis (or ping pong). The fad was pretty short-lived, but the table tennis-focused restaurants have remained successful with multiple locations around the country. 

Dan Aykroyd - House Of Blues

One of Dan Aykroyd's most beloved SNL characters, Elwood Blues of The Blues Brothers, has proven to be more than just a role for the actor. On Thanksgiving Day 1992, Aykroyd and his partner Isaac Tigrett (who founded the Hard Rock Cafe), opened the first House of Blues in Cambridge, MA. It has since grown into one of the largest chains of live music venues in the world, and serves some pretty delicious food, too. 

Eva Longoria - Beso

Eva Longoria can do no wrong on the big and small screens, but she didn't have much luck in the restaurant industry. Her steakhouse in LA, Beso, ran into multiple problems in its short run, though none were the fault of the actress. 

Kevin Hart - Hart House

Kevin Hart's LA chain Hart House was ambitious. He wanted to create an affordable vegan chain, and despite rave reviews, it just couldn't make it in the market. The company closed all of its locations in 2024 after initially finding success. 

Issa Rae - Hilltop Coffee And Kitchen

Issa Rae is a true force of nature both in front of and behind the camera. She's also found success in the food industry. Hilltop Coffee And Kitchen brings high-end coffee vibes to historical Black neighborhoods in LA, like Inglewood and View Park. 

Danny Trejo - Trejo's Tacos

Everyone loves tacos and every loves Danny Trejo. So of course a concept like Trejo's Tacos is sure to work and it has succeeded greatly. The chain has multiple locations across LA and has even spawned a second concept: Trejo's Donuts which also opened to rave reviews. 

Channing Tatum - Saints And Sinners

Saints And Sinners, a bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans co-owned by Channing Tatum was a wild success... at least for a time. The industry is notoriously fickle and Tatum and his partners learned that the hard way when the bar closed in the summer of 2024 after 12 great years. 

Justin Timberlake - The Twelve Thirty Club

Justin Timberlake first dabbled in the food industry in the early teens when he helped design a Memphis-style BBQ joint in New York City called Southern Hospitality. Though he wasn't an owner, he was involved in the concept phase of the place and was a regular there. More recently, he has teamed up with restauranteur Sam Fox to open The Twelve Thirty Club in Nashville. 

Nicholas Braun - Jac’s On Bond

Cousin Greg may not always get the most respect on Succession, but the actor who plays him, Nicholas Braun, sure gets respect in the hospitality industry. Braun is an investor in multiple restaurants in New York City, including a chill bar and restaurant called Jac's on Bond Street in the trendy NoHo neighborhood. 

Zach Braff - Mermaid Oyster Bar

MacDougal Street in New York's Greenwich Village is home to some great restaurants, like the legendary Caffe Reggio and Mamoun's Falafels. It's also where you can find Zach Braff's more upscale, but still laid-back seafood spot appropriately called Mermaid Oyster Bar. 

Anthony Mackie - NoBar

Like others on this list (and in the world), Anthony Mackie has had mixed results as a bar/restaurant owner. His most famous spot, NoBar, opened in Brooklyn in 2011, followed by a second Booklyn location in 2013. Sadly both closed in 2015. 

Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis - Planet Hollywood

The granddaddy of all actor-owned restaurants has to be Planet Hollywood. The first Planet Hollywood opened in New York City in 1991. Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis, among others, were all investors in the concept and, at least at first, the restaurant was a huge success, opening additional locations across the globe. At its peak, there were upwards of 60 locations in the late '90s, but the fun didn't last. Things started to unravel and the stars started to jump shit and most of the locations, other than their most successful ones, closed. 

Richard Gere - Bedford Post Inn

Legendary actor Richard Gere doesn't just own a restaurant, he owns an 8-room bed and breakfast called the Bedford Post Inn in... appropriately, Bedford, NY. The stylish and quaint inn does include a spot to eat, the Bedford Post Tavern, and the inn and the restaurant both draw all kinds of celebrities for a restful stay or a delicious dinner. 

Robert Redford - Zoom

It shouldn't come as any surprise to learn that Robert Redford's former restaurant in Park City, UT was home to a lot of home to a lot powerbrokers during the Sundance Film Festival for many years. Prior to closing in 2016, the hot spot was where the elite met to eat and strike deals during one of the biggest film festivals in the world. 

Hugh Jackman - Laughing Man Coffee

The origin story for Hugh Jackman's Laughing Man Coffee is one of the best on this list. The Aussie actor and his wife took a trip to Ethiopia to learn more about coffee and how the beans were grown. There, according to the coffee shop's website, Jackman met a coffee farmer named Dukale. Dukale gave Jackman a real hands-on experience and after the trip, he and some partners opened Laughing Man Coffee with the goal of working directly with farmers around the world to bring their coffee to New Yorkers. 

Jon Bon Jovi - Soul Kitchen And JBJ's

Jon Bon Jovi may be most famous for being the voice of the band named after him, but he's dabbled a lot in acting, and a little in the hospitality biz. His first venture was started by his foundation and called Soul Kitchen. The restaurant, located in Red Bank, NJ, sells food for whatever hungry customers can afford. Bon Jovi has also opened a spot on the famous Broadway strip in Nashville called JBJ's which features live music and a full menu, in addition to beer and booze, of course.

Piper Perabo - Jack's Wife Freda

Piper Perabo got her big break playing a bartender in Coyote Ugly and while the New York City chain she's an investor in, called Jack's Wife Frida, doesn't feature half-dressed women dancing on the bar, it's got something even better: delicious Mediterranean food. With five locations across the city, you can always find what you're craving, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Jessica Biel - Au Fudge

Au Fudge, which closed its doors in 2018, was something unique in the celebrity restaurant world - a kid's restaurant. As the name implies, Jessica Biel's spot was all about dessert and candy. It also had all the stuff kids love, like chicken fingers, on the menu. The world needs more of these, right parents?

Debi Mazar - The Tuscan Gun

Debi Mazar and her chef husband's love of food was first shown through a cooking show on the Cooking Channel. They spun that into a Tuscany-themed New York restaurant called The Tuscan Gun. Using chef Mazar's husband Gabriele Corcos' recipes, the Italian joint brought the best of Italy to Williamsburg. 

Quentin Tarantino - Do Hwa

For years, Quentin Tarantino's Korean restaurant Do Hwa brought the delicious flavors of East Asia to the West Village in New York. While very few people would call Tarantino "understated," his restaurant was, in all the best ways. It was cozy and delicious before it closed in 2018.

Jerry Ferrara - Fat Sal's

A sandwich joint called Fat Sal's is just perfect for Entourage star Jerry Ferrara. It sounds exactly like something Turtle would open on the show. Fat Sal's has multiple locations around LA and is a great spot if you want traditional deli sandwiches sold by a guy you can be sure loves them as much as you do. 

Justin Theroux - Ray's

Justin Theroux is a jack of all trades. He's an actor, a writer, and an ex-husband to Jennifer Aniston. He's also a bar owner, along with partner Nicolaus Braun with Ray's on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The dive bar is everything you could ever want in an unpretentious local water hole, which is no surprise, coming from Theroux. 

Ashton Kutcher - Dolce Enoteca E Ristorante

Ashton Kutcher has never been afraid to make risky investments. Some have paid off handsomely, like his early investments in Spotify and Uber. Others haven't worked out so well, like his short-lived Italian spot, Dolce Enoteca E Ristorante. The hot spot worked for a while but it closed in 2020, like so many other restaurants. 

Ty Burrell - The Eating Establishment

Modern Family star Ty Burrell took a slightly different route to restaurant ownership than most of the other actors on his list. Instead of starting a new spot, he bought an old one. The Eating Establishment, which dates back to 1970, was purchased by Burrell and other investors in 2016 and they've continued to run the popular Park City, UT restaurant ever since. 

Eminem - Mom's Spaghetti

Mom's Spaghetti is the perfect kind of place for Eminem to own, right? The Detroit, Michigan-based eatery has name that perfectly describes the food you can get there, and it's taken straight from an Eminem lyric in "Lose Yourself."

Jon Huertas - Clutch

Jon Huertas, best known for playing Brad Alcerro in Sabrina The Teenage Witch, is the proud owner of Clutch Roadhouse in Culver City, CA. Clutch is known for its great food and charitable works, both very important to the This Is Us star. 

Devon Sawa has had a long and remarkable career, boasting roles in some of the best horror movies ever, as well as some of the best '90s movies. Fans arguably love him most for his role in the fan-favorite horror franchise, Final Destination, and he shared a surprising revelation about the film's connection to Eminem's iconic Stan music video, which starred Sawa.

Fans of both the rapper and Sawa were caught off guard when the actor shared how his part in the "Stan" video came about due to his horror cred. It's an unexpected twist to one of the most famous music videos of the early 2000s, and was highlighted by the fan account @TheEminemBible on X. A side-by-side image of Stan portrayer in Eminem's music video along with his lead in the horror film Final Destination.

The caption read: "How old were you when you realised that these two are the same person?😳" Anyone of age at the time was definitely aware, but to the delight of fans both older and younger, Devon responded with an unexpected tidbit about how he landed the role. The Idol Hands actor revealed:

Who would have guessed mega-producer Dr. Dre was a fan a glossy teen-centric horror like Final Destination? I mean, the film did have some pretty creative death sequences that inspired even wilder scenes in later movies, so who can blame him? Still, this revelation is likely a surprise to many. Known for his influence in the music industry and his collaborations with Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, Dre also played a significant role in the creative direction of the music video, co-directing the now-iconic MTV vid. No word on how he felt about Casper, though.

Released in 2000, "Stan" tells the story of a fan obsessed with Eminem, whose letters become increasingly unhinged and ultimately lead to a tragic ending. Sawa’s portrayal of Stan was praised for its intensity and depth, making it one of the most memorable depictions of a fan in pop culture. The video even influenced current slang, with "Stan" now commonly used to describe someone who is overly zealous or obsessive about a celebrity. It was even spoofed to hilarious effect by Pete Davidson on SNL, which you can see below.

Given that the song and video are some of Eminem's most iconic pieces of work and the video is considered one of the best of all time, it’s fascinating to learn that a seemingly unrelated horror movie influenced the Chucky alum’s casting. It's funny how the world works!

Final Destination remains a strong force in pop culture, continuing to captivate audiences even today. Although fans were disappointed when Devon Sawa's character, Alex, was abruptly killed off-screen between the first and second films, excitement for the franchise is still high. The sixth installment, which has been in development at New Line since 2019, is generating quite a buzz as it hopefully gears up for production, landing its main cast.

There are even rumors that Mr. "Stan" himself might return to the franchise, especially since he has expressed interest in reprising his role. Let's hope it happens—Alex deserves justice!

Don’t forget to check out our list of upcoming horror movies to see what's coming to theaters soon, as well as the 2025 movie schedule and beyond.

As soon as Katy Perry announced she would be exiting American Idol as a judge after seven seasons, the speculation began over who could fill her coveted chair. Jelly Roll’s name has been mentioned frequently as an option, with Perry herself recommending him as her successor. Regardless of whether or not he’s the one who gets the gig alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, the “Need a Favor” singer has already accomplished something that he deems “the coolest moment” of his career.

Jelly Roll apparently had the experience of a lifetime when none other than Eminem asked him to join him on stage for a surprise performance for Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central, which aired June 9 on NBC (and can be streamed on Peacock, one of the best streaming services). Recalling the opportunity, Jelly Roll told ET: 

What made the whole thing even more surreal, Jelly Roll said, is that Eminem’s people reached out to him. He said he thought it might be a joke up until the moment he met the Detroit rapper himself. Jelly Roll wasn’t even able to play it cool on stage, he said, where he got to sing the chorus and hook of “Sing for the Moment.” He continued: 

You can see Eminem’s full set below, including Jelly Roll’s performance around the 3-minute mark: 

After that experience, it seems like if Jelly Roll does become the lucky artist to land the American Idol gig, that might just be the second-best thing to happen to him this year. That’s no disrespect to the singing competition though. The “Son of a Sinner” singer has shown quite a bit of enthusiasm at the prospect of replacing Katy Perry, joking that he’d already accepted the position, despite it not actually being offered to him.

He’s got some competition, too, at least amongst musicians who are interested. Jordin Sparks threw her hat in the ring for the job, as well as Meghan Trainor. Meanwhile, there are a couple names we can cross off the list, as Pink said she wouldn’t want it and OG champion Kelly Clarkson wouldn’t be able to because of her recent move to the East Coast.

Meanwhile, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest seems to agree with Katy Perry that Jelly Roll would be fantastic as a judge, but if he’s got the tea on the behind-the-scenes conversations that are taking place at ABC, Seacrest is keeping that close to the vest.

While we wait for official word on what’s coming for American Idol Season 23, check out Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central with your Peacock subscription. 

It's hard to believe Entourage ended its eight-season run so long ago, in 2011 (not counting the less-than-well-recieved movie in 2015). For the length of the show, one thing that kept audiences coming back for more each week was the great celebrity cameos. What started as a trickle in the first season, became a flood towards the end, with big stars always showing up, usually with hilarious results. Here is our list of some of the funniest celebrity cameos on Entourage. 

Mark Wahlberg

It makes sense that Mark Wahlberg would be the first cameo on the show, appearing in the very first episode of Season 1. Entourage was (very) loosely based on his experiences in Hollywood as a young actor, and the Boogie Nights star was a producer of the show. 

David Schwimmer

A great thing about the cameos was that often the celebrities weren't afraid to poke a little fun at themselves. Take, for example, David Schwimmer's spot in the Season 6 episode "Running on E." Schwimmer sits in a pitch meeting with super agent Ari Gold's (Jeremy Piven) team and offer after offer is for the Friends star to play some sort of neurotic character for comedic effect. The frustration for Schwimmer is palpable. 

Peter Dinklage

One of the most common tropes on the show was the stars taking potshots at Ari. Ari was a character we all loved to hate, but it turns out most of the celebrities playing themselves also hated Ari. Peter Dinklage is one of those when he trades barbs with Ari at a party in the Season 2 "Sundance Kids."

John Stamos

John Stamos was the perfect type of celeb to show on Entourage. It was always fun to see how a cameo appearance might just be an opportunity to take down lovable loser Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon). In a bit of a twist, after getting insulted by Stamos a few times, the two play an epic match of ping pong that ends predicably for Drama in the Season 7 episode "Tequila Sunrise." 

Jeffrey Tambor

Jeffrey Tambor plays a jerk like few others can in Hollywood. When he's playing a fictionalized version of himself being to jerk to his kids, it's comedy gold. Fictional life as a jerk and real life have blurred together for Tambor, but his appearance in Season 6 is still really funny. 

Matt Damon

Matt Damon takes charity very seriously, so his cameo on Entourage, in the Season 6 finale, fits perfectly. It's also a rare time that Vince (Adrian Grenier) is the one getting clowned when he tries to dodge both Damon and Bono into giving money to their charity to help children.  

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer's guest spot on the show is a little different than most on this list. He doesn't play himself, but the role is so brief – and so funny – that it had to be included. In Season 1, the Top Gun: Maverick star plays a "sherpa" living in a giant house in Beverly Hills like a '60s hippie. 

Snoop Dogg

No one brings joy like Snoop Dogg. There is never a time when people are unhappy to see the legendary rapper show up somewhere on TV and Entourage is no exception. The brief interaction between Snoop, Vince, and Eric (Kevin Connolly), partly highlights the confusion of how to pronounce "Cannes" in the Season 4 episode "The Dream Team."

James Cameron

The Season 2 episode "Sundance Kids" really kicked the cameos on the show into overdrive and one of the best of the whole series is James Cameron. Vince is trying to land a role in his Aquaman movie, so Turtle and Drama try to help (and fail). The best part, though, is Cameron's interaction with a barista (played by This Is Us star Chrissy Metz). 

Tom Brady

Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) is a die-hard New York Giants fan, so when he meets Tom Brady at a charity golf tournament, he does what any self-respecting fan would do, he blows him off and refuses to shake his hand. It's brilliant. 

Martin Scorsese

Entourage proved just how big it was for celeb cameos when none other than Martin Scorsese appeared for a brief scene to offer Vince a role in his fictional The Great Gatsby movie in the finale of Season 5. You know you've made it when Scorsese gets involved. 

Scarlett Johansson

Season 1 ends with a big-time star appearance when the one and only Scarlett Johansson cameos on the phone with Vince, after Eric promises him to land a date with the superstar actress. It works, though it's the last time we'd see Johansson on the show. 

Stan Lee

Comic legend Stan Lee became the king of cameos with his iconic moments in the MCU universe for years, a streak that ended with his death in 2018. It's all too appropriate that we include him on this list, not only due to Lee's status as a cameo-king but because his quick role is just so funny as he can't quite place where he's seen Vince's adult film star girlfriend, Sasha Grey, before.

Lamar Odom

Entourage was replete with professional athletes throughout its run. Lamar Odom shows up pretty early in the show's run, in "An Offer Refused" in Season 2. The cameo is notable because of the way Drama gets obsessed with how men's calves look, including Odom's, which understandably freaks the NBA star out. 

Bono

Bono's appearance in the Season 6 finale is brilliant. He only appears via computer screen, as he's on a video call with Matt Damon and teams up with Damon to gang up on Vince to guilt him into getting on board with their charity. It's vintage Bono, pushing a charity but not taking himself as seriously as the world perceives him to be. 

Bobby Flay

Ari being a jerk to someone isn't a surprise, but Ari being a jerk to Bobby Flay is, pardon the pun, pure gold. Flay is great playing himself as the chef at his own restaurant, one of Ari's favorites, but the two bicker before Flay has had enough in the Season 8 episode "Whiz Kid." 

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara's cameo is notable because she's not playing herself. While she herself is perfect for the role as a Colombian actress auditioning for the movie Medellin, it's funny because of how ridiculous the rest of Vince's team reacts to her. The first episode of Season 2 is one of the most unique, and funniest, of the show's run. 

M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night Shyamalan's appearance in the episode "Sorry, Harvey" in Season 4 is classic Entourage. Playing himself, he's angry at Ari for not reading his latest script and confronts the super agent to call him on it. It's the kind of cameo we've come to expect from this show, a major star fighting with Ari. 

Christina Aguilera

The Season 7 finale, "Lose Yourself" is one of the saddest of the show, for a few reasons. One is Ari throwing a lavish party for his wife to keep her from leaving him complete with Christina Aguilera singing "You Are Beautiful," only to have his wife not show.  Aguilera gets mad at Ari (naturally) and demands his Lakers playoffs tickets to keep performing. 

Adrian Peterson

NFL superstar Adrian Peterson selling a dinosaur skull. Is there anything more that needs to be said? The Season 7 episode "Tequila and Coke" has a great moment poking fun at people investing in fossils, and yes, Nic Cage gets a shout-out. 

Zac Efron

It's no surprise that Ari would be trying to steal a client from another agent, but what makes Zac Efron's cameo on Entourage so funny is his interaction with a fan while on the phone with Ari. A mom using her daughter to get Efron's autograph (and pushing for, um, more) is hilarious. 

Kanye West

Vince and his crew have no problem asking anyone for a favor. Kanye West is the victim of one of the most outlandish requests when they beg him for a ride on his private plane to France, even though Ye is headed for London in "No Cannes Do" from Season 4. The rapper is stunned and doesn't hide it, but still, who can turn down Vince? No one, not even Ye.

David Spade

David Spade is the perfect star for a cameo on Entourage. In his, he's got women on both arms and plays a total jerk. While he's surely not a jerk, he somehow has that public perception, which is what makes the cameo so much fun in the Season 8 episode titled "The Big Bang." Spade is just hilarious. 

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson is clearly a good sport. Despite the show taking a shot at the pro golfer's failure at the 2006 U.S. Open, he later agreed to appear on the show, if only to show up Ari. A chance meeting on the golf course between Mickelson, and Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara, led to the role. Kizmet. 

50 Cent

50 Cent makes one of the briefest cameos on the show, but it's one of the best. When he sees Turtle driving, he pulls up alongside and manages to take Turtle down a notch, despite the fancy ride he's driving in. Turtle has a rough time in his birthday episode, "One Car, Two Car, Red Car, Blue Car," from Season 6.

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin's first cameo (he made two) on Entourage came in an episode named after him, "The Sorkin Notes" in Season 6. Sorkin is caught up in some drama in Ari's office that he wants no part of and is hilarious in a rare acting role for the writer and director. Now can we get that West Wing revival starring Sterling K. Brown that Sorkin had an idea for, please?

Dean Cain

Another very brief cameo comes from Dean Cain. The former Superman actor disrupts one of Drama's auditions, which crushes Drama, as he figures there's no one he can compete with Cain for the part. It's vintage Johnny Drama in the Season 6 episode "Scared Straight." It's another moment in which you can't help but feel terrible for Drama. 

Eminem

The Season 7 finale, "Lose Yourself," not only foreshadows Vince's downward spiral, but Eminem's cameo. In one of the lowest moments of Vince's life, he first insults Minka Kelly, then gets into a fistfight with Eminem. It's as sad as it is funny, a line the show walked brilliantly in the episode. 

Alex Rodriguez

How tragic would be to hear that you lost out on a ton of money from former Yankee Alex Rodriguez? That's what happens to Turtle when the shortstop-turned-third-baseman shows up on screen to tell Turtle that the tequila company he once owned a lot of stock in went public after he sold out. Ouch. 

Steve Nash

Poor Steve Nash. The NBA star was at the height of his fame when he was unwittingly cornered by Eric at his manager's office (Scott Caan). Eric dumps all of his girlfriend problems on the Canadian basketball player's feet in the Season 6 episode "Murphy's Lie," and all Nash can do is look stunned. 

Johnny Galecki

Johnny Galecki's role in Entourage was a little more than one cameo, it was more like three cameos over three episodes and he plays a fictionalized version of himself who makes Eric's life hell by dating Eric's ex-girlfriend Sloan (Emmanuelle Chriqui). This version of Galecki is terrible but completely hilarious. 

Jessica Simpson

As Ari tries to protect his client base, he's forced to go hat in hand to a client who's mad at him for not caring when her dog died. Jessica Simpson meets Ari at the door in "Bottoms Up" from Season 7, and in classic Entourage fashion, makes Ari look like the jerk that he is, despite his insincere attempt to gift another dog to Simpson. It sums up everything a great Entourage cameo should be. A big star, an unrepentant Ari, and some choice lines. 

This is a list that could be almost endless, and we didn't even get into the multiple cameos in the Entourage movie, one of which featured Channing Tatum that didn't actually happen. 

There’s always sure to be drama afoot when members of The Real Housewives are concerned, but two of the Bravolebrities have become embroiled in a legal battle with an unlikely opponent. The rapper Eminem has filed for protective orders against The Real Housewives of Potomac cast members Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon stemming from their months-long fight over the reality stars’ Reasonably Shady podcast.

Back in February 2023, Eminem filed opposition to Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon’s attempts to trademark the name of their podcast Reasonably Shady, with the rapper alleging that the title could “cause confusion in the minds of consumers,” as he has used the names “Shady” and “Slim Shady” in his music career for over two decades. As their legal battle continues, Eminem filed for the protective orders on December 15, Page Six reports, so he would not have to be present for a deposition.

The rapper’s legal team said it would be “unduly burdensome” for him to be deposed, as he possesses a “limited knowledge of the subjects at issue,” but The Real Housewives of Potomac stars have been insistent that Eminem — real name Marshall Mathers — be made available, as he owns the trademark to “Shady” and was the one who filed the lawsuit to keep Reasonably Shady from being trademarked. Robyn Dixon and Gizelle Bryant’s attorney Andrea Evans said: 

The trade reports that Marshall Mathers’ lawyers have offered alternatives to the 8 Mile star who would have “equal and superior knowledge to [him] on the relevant topics.” However, as the “green-eyed bandits” have remained insistent that Eminem appear in court, the rapper filed the protective orders.

Eminem released The Slim Shady LP in 1999 and has continued to go by the nicknames “Slim Shady” and “Shady” throughout his career, which includes starring in 8 Mile, winning an Academy Award for the iconic movie song “Lose Yourself,” and taking a knee during the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show that starred multiple rap and hip-hop legends.

Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon, meanwhile, started Reasonably Shady in 2021. Their move to trademark the name was done with the intention of selling merchandise, including eye shadow, water bottles, lip gloss, sweatshirts, paddleboards, jackets and socks, per Page Six. They seem to have no intention of backing down to Eminem’s lawsuit, with their attorney saying in March that the RHOP stars denied any likelihood of confusion between their brands, saying they “are prepared to defend any allegations against them regarding their intellectual property.”

We’ll have to see if the protective orders keep Marshall Mathers from having to appear in court for deposition, but in the meantime, you can catch up on The Real Housewives of Potomac by streaming episodes with a Peacock subscription. New episodes of Season 8 are set to resume on Bravo at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, January 7. Check out our 2024 TV schedule to see what else is coming in the new year. 

Music and the movies are two worlds that cross over often, and to great effect. Sometimes the greatest overlap between those segments of entertainment comes from performances through figures we primarily know for carrying a tune over a scene. But believe it or not, these 32 movies featuring professional musicians are noteworthy for providing talent that can do both. 

Janelle Monáe - Hidden Figures

Playing Mary Jackson, an African-American mathematician crucial to the early days of NASA’s space race, Janelle Monáe showed off her dramatic chops in the historical drama Hidden Figures. One of the earliest cinematic roles in her career, Monáe would go on to become a more prolific actor and singer, adding films like Glass Onion: a Knives Out mystery to her resume along the way. 

David Bowie - The Prestige

As he continues to build amazing ensemble casts to carry out his cinematic visions, director Christopher Nolan has a knack for choosing talent. Which leads to that time Nolan begged David Bowie to be in The Prestige, as the helmer felt that the actor/singer would be a perfect Nicola Tesla. That instinct was as well played as the film it served to bolster.

Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born

Lady Gaga is such a natural entertainer that when she was announced as a lead in Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born remake, it didn’t feel like that much of a surprise. With previous films and shows to her acting credit, this role could be considered her cinematic breakout, as it landed her many raves, awards and nominations during the 2018-2019 awards cycle.

Frank Sinatra - The Manchurian Candidate

By the time Frank Sinatra made The Manchurian Candidate, his career had seen him make musicals, comedies, and intense dramas alike. The 1962 neo-noir thriller became one of his best received films, as Sinatra’s Captain Bennett Marco and his quest to prevent a clandestine assassination attempt distinguished itself as a contemporary hit, as well as an all-time classic. 

Queen Latifah - Set It Off

A landmark ‘90s drama that’s still fondly remembered to this day, Set It Off told a story of four women looking to live better lives through thievery. Queen Latifah’s Cleo Sims made up a part of that team, offering a complex performance that was both tragic and empowering. 

Gene Simmons - Runaway

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons knew what it was like to surprise the world when he and his bandmates took off their makeup for a period between the ‘80s and ‘90s. That was as good a time as any for Simmons to break into acting, as the villainous Dr. Charles Luther in Michael Crichton’s Runaway. 

Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard

If The Bodyguard had been made when it was first written, we might have seen Ryan O’Neal and Diana Ross playing the leads. But, as anyone in Hollywood could tell you, delays can sometimes gum up the works. Which is how, by time the ‘90s rolled around, Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston landed the iconic leads in this romantic-drama; with Houston making her historic cinematic debut.

Tim McGraw - The Blind Side

A year after Tim McGraw starred in Four Christmases, the country singer experienced two life changing moments. Not only did McGraw’s weight loss journey start to take off, but his acting career saw him co-starring with Sandra Bullock in the sports drama The Blind Side.

Beyoncé - Dreamgirls

2006 was a banner year for Beyoncé’s film acting resume, thanks to Deena Jones, part of the central trio in the musical drama Dreamgirls. The Renaissance woman helped boost director Bill Condon’s musical to awards glory, alongside co-stars Anika Noni Rose and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. 

Lenny Kravitz - The Hunger Games

Lenny Kravitz jumped into the acting game in a pretty big way, after playing himself in several film appearances. Perhaps his most iconic role yet is that of portrayal of Cinna, stylist to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games. Inspiring everyone’s favorite tribute into subtle acts of rebellion, Kravitz’s warmth helps solidify the guidance that helped turn Katniss into a hero for the ages. 

Cher - Moonstruck

“Snap out of it!” With four words, Cher became a romantic-comedy legend, as she tried to deal with Nicolas Cage’s amorous advances in Moonstruck. Not only did that impress audiences overall, it landed her the award for Best Actress at 1988’s Academy Awards as well.

Flea - The Big Lebowski

If you thought “Nihilist #2” in The Coen Bros’ legendary comedy The Big Lebowski looked or sounded familiar, you have a good ear. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Flea is the actor credited for that role, providing some comedic menace in Jeff Bridges’ neo-noir classic about blackmail, death, and bowling. 

Dolly Parton - 9 To 5

With a balance of commanding wisdom and unlimited sweetness, Dolly Parton is a country star that will always be an icon. However, watching 9 to 5 just might shock you, as the dark comedy shows her teaming with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda to teach Dabney Coleman how to treat a woman in the workplace. Let’s just say that lesson goes beyond a catchy theme song.

Dean Martin - The Sons Of Katie Elder

Rat Pack icon of cool Dean Martin is mostly known for either his comedies alongside musical pals Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., or his long running partnership with Jerry Lewis. But outside of either of those canons is Martin’s parts in westerns like The Sons of Katie Elder, which saw the crooner playing brother to genre legend John Wayne. So you can see how this was a pretty big deal back in 1965. 

Madonna - A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own's Mae Mordabito is quite possibly Madonna's most memorable part. As center fielder for the Rockland Peaches, she plays the entire cast with comedic precision with her free spirited character. 

Eminem - 8 Mile

Playing a fictionalized version of your own experiences isn’t a guaranteed success. And yet, Eminem took 8 Mile’s aspiring rapper Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith and made believers of fans and critics with his acting abilities. It was enough of a success that, decades after he has yet to take on another major film role, people are still curious if Marshall Mathers will ever lose himself in a movie again. 

Mandy Moore - A Walk To Remember

Pro-tip: if you’re a pop star that wants to become an actor, a Nicholas Sparks movie just might be the surest way to test those waters. Mandy Moore can attest to that fact, as her role in 2002’s A Walk To Remember was probably a good warm up for her future success as part of NBC’s drama series This Is Us. If you’re a fan of that meteoric network hit, and you haven’t watched this movie, you owe yourself a moment to correct that. 

Isaac Hayes - Escape From New York

A certain generation of Isaac Hayes fans will know him best as a soulful singer, while others would recall his velvety pipes from the romantically obscene Chef from South Park. And right in between those groups are the die hard fans of the best action movies ever who would remember Hayes as the menacing Duke in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. 

Brandy - Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Everyone has their favorite Cinderella, and for Disney growing up in the ‘90s, Brandy is a prime candidate for those honors. Which is totally valid, as the singer’s leading portrayal in Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a magical glass slipper that ties the entire cast of notables together. To imagine this movie without her is, quite frankly, impossible.

Sammy Davis Jr. - The Cannonball Run

The entire Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. were all actors, as well as singers, at the height of their powers. One of Davis’ best gigs, besides the original Ocean’s 11, came out of The Cannonball Run, which reunited him with fellow pally Martin for two films of vehicular madness. 

Janet Jackson - Poetic Justice

Writer/director John Singleton’s Poetic Justice could very easily be counted as an acting win for either Tupac Shakur or Janet Jackson. However, Ms. Jackson wins out no question, as her dynamic performance as Justice anchors both the dramatic, and the romantic halves of this picture. Not to mention, this project marking Janet’s debut as a feature film actor is still a powerful statement felt by her fans.

Andre Benjamin - Four Brothers

While Four Brothers isn’t an exact, on-brand remake of the western The Sons of Katie Elder, it’s pretty close. The similarities between the two Paramount movies are even eerier when you think about how Dean Martin’s acting career was enriched by the 1965 western, and Andre “3000” Benjamin saw the same sort of fortune come from his part in the 2005 action-drama.

Diana Ross - Lady Sings The Blues

Upon its release in 1972, Lady Sings The Blues sparked critical debate over how good of a biopic it really was. What wasn’t up for question was the excellence of Diana Ross’ performance as Billie Holiday; a feat that not only won her raves from critics, but also scored her a Best Actress nomination at 1973’s Academy Awards.

Usher - Light It Up

Not long after Usher made his movie debut in Robert Rodriguez's The Faculty, he graduated to being a lead player in the ensemble for writer/director Craig Bolotin's Light It Up. Going back to high school with Rosario Dawson and Sara Gilbert as classmates, Usher took part in a teenage rebellion with a cause more serious than any alien invasion.

Alicia Keys - Smokin’ Aces

The words “professional assassin” aren’t exactly what come to mind when talking about singer/songwriter Alicia Keys. That perception is part of how 2006’s Smokin’ Aces was such an explosive surprise upon its initial theatrical release. Keys and Taraji P. Henson’s double act as hired killers with a job to do helped keep this ensemble action dramedy spinning with chemistry to spare.

John Legend - La La Land

Is John Legend’s La La Land character a villain? It depends on who you ask, with his part in splitting up Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s on-screen romance acting as a defining factor. Unsurprisingly, the piano man’s charm and musical prowess added some extra star power to Damian Chazelle’s colorful musical.

Mariah Carey - Precious

People like Mariah Carey and Charlize Theron “deglamming” for performances in powerful dramas only helped amplify their performances. In Theron’s case, that led to her first Academy Award nomination in Monster. Meanwhile for Carey, director Lee Daniels’ heartbreaker provided her with a credit that wowed the critics to an impressive degree.

Alice Cooper - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Decades before Across the Universe turned the Beatles songbook into a jukebox musical, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band used that premise to a campier extent. This is, after all, the movie where you can see Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees “fighting” villains like Aerosmith and Steve Martin. And a part of that collection of baddies is an equally creepy and intriguing Alice Cooper, playing the role of cult leader Father Sun. 

Björk - Dancer In The Dark

Writer/director Lars Von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark was only singer Bjòrk’s second motion picture. You’d never know it, as this beautiful but tragic mashup of drama and music saw the Icelandic singer-songwriter land a heartbreaking blow with her character Selma. Trust us, you need the right headspace, and a lot of tissues, to take on this experience.

Common - Run All Night

While Common eventually got to hunt down Keanu Reeves’ titular assassin in John Wick: Chapter 2, he practiced his killer skills with another action vet: Liam Neeson. Run All Night pitted the rapping/acting talent against Mr. Neeson, and the war waged between the two men is something truly impressive to behold. 

Britney Spears - Crossroads

Not a girl, not yet a woman, and because of Britney Spears’ intense “method acting” in Crossroads, there was one more thing she wasn’t at the time: an actor. Though she’d eventually play a couple other roles here and there, preparing to star in this teenage drama road trip was enough to make Spears question how much she really wanted to act. 

Prince - Purple Rain

The world knows the many sides of Prince through his mythic career as a guitar god and musical boundary pusher. Purple Rain made that image all the stronger, as the man is basically playing himself, with some dramatic and comedic embellishment. The result is a movie that was a white hot success, and a powerful calling card in Prince's future endeavors on both sides of this fence.

While it’s not for everyone, actor/musician crossovers are always interesting to keep an eye out for. Both commanding successes and curious one-off scenarios are equally intriguing, as one never knows where the next success story will come from. Aspiring singers and actors alike take note: these cases we’ve just discussed are good studies to keep in mind when plotting your own course to stardom! 

The world remains engrossed in Nick Cannon’s personal life, as his eighth child is about to be born. Bre Tiesi will be the fifth woman to birth one of the actor’s children, and he’s pretty much admitted to having at least one more on the way. Cannon gave fans a good bit of insight into his personal situation via a freestyle rap, addressing the public scrutiny his family faces and seemingly implying that the mothers of his children don’t always agree. But as some fans were surprised with Cannon’s impressive rap skills, others were reminded of another, less fortunate time, when he released diss tracks amid his feud with Eminem.

Nick Cannon went on Power 106 FM, where he started freestyling a message to his kids in which he said he loved them and called their mothers “a blessing.” In the rap, about a minute long and posted to Cannon’s Instagram, he got hype as he talked about all of his children being friends with each other and being in allegiance as part of the Cannon family. Check out the rap below:

Not only does Nick Cannon appear to share the same viewpoint as Bre Tiesi and Abby De La Rosa on their children all growing up close, but he seemed to address the criticism their family faces over their nontraditional situation. (The Masked Singer host has said he no longer believes in marriage or monogamy.) Tiesi spoke out recently about the flak she gets for being pregnant with his eighth child, and having multiple women involved can’t always be easy for everyone, as Cannon alluded to in the freestyle:

And while some of the comments had fans “shocked by how good it is” and dropping LOTS of fire emojis, some couldn’t help but connect the dots between the former talk show host and his rival. Several commenters left sentiments similar to this one from nomehklmw: 

Back in 2019 Nick Cannon was absolutely roasted over a trilogy of diss tracks he released about Eminem. The two had been trading barbs since way back in 2009, and it’s actually fitting that their beef would be mentioned alongside a video of Cannon defending his family. The feud started over comments Eminem made about the Drumline actor’s then-wife Mariah Carey — who the blond rapper reportedly dated briefly — in his song “Bagpipes From Baghdad.” 

Maybe Nick Cannon has been working on his game over the past few years, or maybe rapping to his children brings out a different side. Whatever the case, fans seem to be reconsidering their thoughts on Cannon’s skills. Any chance Eminem responds to this? No telling, but we’ll sure be on the lookout for more of this from the Wild ‘n Out star. If you're in the market for some TV options moving forward, check out our 2022 TV schedule.

Pete Davidson had his big send off this past weekend on Saturday Night Live, as it was his and a number of other cast members’ final episode on the comedy sketch show.  He said goodbye with a surprising Will Smith and Chris Rock joke. However, one excellent moment during the bittersweet episode was only unveiled later in a cut-for time sketch. That would be Eminem’s well placed f-bomb after Davidson’s final SNL rap tribute. 

With so many long time cast members leaving SNL after this season’s finale, Kate McKinnon included, it was only fitting that Pete Davidson do a rap tribute to the great Lorne Michaels, who may also be leaving the show over the next few years. Michaels created Saturday Night Live, which launched so many comedy careers into mainstream success, and he is beloved by those who found a home on the long-running show.

SNL’s Season 47 finale saw Pete Davidson launch into a parody of Eminem’s “Forgot About Dre” in his tribute to Lorne Michaels, and much to my and Eminem fans everywhere, the Rap God himself made an appearance. His and Davidson’s exchange of words was pretty great, and it ended with a perfectly orchestrated f-bomb delivery (that was bleeped in the video!):

• "Eminem: Pete! Pete! What are you doing, man?
• Pete Davidson: Oh! Yo, what’s up dude?
• Eminem: It’s another parody? It’s another tribute or something?
• Davidson: Yeah, yeah, it’s like the third one.
• Eminem: Yeah, I would just stop.
• Davidson: Wait, what?
• Eminem: Yeah, they all suck.
• Davidson: Well, do you not like the videos? Or do you just…you don’t like me?
• Eminem: Just please stop.
• Davidson: Alright I will.
• Eminem: It’s really bad.
• Davidson: Honestly we just do these because we love you so much, Marshall.
• Eminem: Pete. Don’t fucking do it again."

Davidson has parodied Eminem before, and for me it hits every time. The ending exchange is fitting too, as after eight years, Pete Davidson will probably not be parodying the "Stan" rapper again. That’s not to say some future cast member couldn't do the same, though. 

I think it’s pretty safe to say that Eminem doesn’t really care about his songs being parodied on SNL. I mean, half the man’s career is made up of silly parody songs - have you ever seen that “Lose It” music video? It lives rent free in my teenage-years. What's even more, though, is that he literally inserted comedian Chris D'Elia's parody of him in his song "Homicide." The man can take a joke, which is probably why he agreed to be in the video in the first place.

I’m not surprised that Eminem is a great addition to SNL, because he is historically hilarious. Yeah, his songs have some humor, but he is probably one of the most deadpan people I have witnessed in interviews and appearances, and it totally works for SNL too. 

While I loved the exchange between Pete Davidson and Eminem, especially that last f-bomb, Davidson’s Adam Sandler impression that followed right after is just *chef’s kiss*. He lets out a very ‘90s Sandler scream after Eminem walks off stage, telling Lorne Michaels he “blew it”. 

The choice to use “Forgot About Dre” is pretty perfect. Dr. Dre has helped a number of big artists in the rap industry get their names out there and build careers, including --notably-- Eminem's. Using that song in a tribute to Lorne Michaels says a lot, and it’s obviously all love there on SNL for the creator, even though some people may have forgotten what an icon the man is.

It’s sad that so many cast members are leaving SNL, and they are definitely leaving a hole for the show to fill. The send off was perfect, though, and a great note to leave on. Hopefully more comedians with major potential can fill the shoes of Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, and the other cast members taking their leave. If nothing else, I’m hoping there is another comedian who can do a good Eminem impression as Saturday Night Live enters another new era.

There are only so many movies that fall under the category of “musical,” but most movies do have a musical element to them that lends much to their timelessness. I am not specifically talking about film scores here, but of the catchy and powerful pop hits that have accompanied some of cinema’s iconic moments - most of which were written specifically for the movie and helped launch its popularity, and vice versa. The stories behind how these iconic movie songs came to be (and other intriguing relative facts) are almost as fascinating as the films they appear in.

"Writing's On The Wall" - Sam Smith (Spectre)

While co-writing "Writing's on the Wall" -- from 2015's Spectre -- brought him great success -- including the Best Original Song Oscar -- Sam Smith does not enjoy singing his James Bond theme. Before singing the song for an audience for the first time on The Graham Norton Show, the Grammy winner revealed that he was "dreading" that very performance because it requires him to hit such a painfully high note. He then joked he would have to "grab [his] balls" to achieve the right pitch. 

“Danger Zone” - Kenny Loggins (Top Gun)

The secret as to why the opening scene of Top Gun - the highest grossing film of 1986 - is so unforgettable is the accompaniment of the infectious rock hit “Danger Zone,” which was composed and produced by Giogio Moroder with lyrics from Tom Whitlock. Vocalist Kenny Loggins recalled to MovieWeb that the film’s director, the late Tony Scott, also helmed the song’s music video, which was rare for a major Hollywood filmmaker to do at the time.

“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” - B.J. Thomas (Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid)

Of the four Academy Awards that the seminal western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid earned in 1970, one of them was for its equally seminal original song, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head.” While the iconic track was memorably sung by B.J. Thomas, the late singer revealed in an interview for The Tennessean that co-writer Burt Bacharach approached folk legend Bob Dylan about singing the vocals. 

“Moon River” - Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast At Tiffany’s)

Composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics from Johnny Mercer, “Moon River” became a unique standout after its appearance in the classic romantic-comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s as sung by its star, Audrey Hepburn, who was not known as a singer at the time. According to The Telegraph (via Southern Living), that is why Paramount Pictures’ then-president, Barney Balaban, wanted to remove the song from the 1961 adaptation of Truman Capote’s novel, but Hepburn said that would only happen over her dead body.

“Lose Yourself” - Eminem (8 Mile)

Seventeen years after it won the Oscar for Best Original Song for its appearance in 8 Mile, Eminem took the stage at the 2020 Academy Awards for a surprise performance of his powerful track, “Lose Yourself.” Co-writer Jeff Bass told Billboard in 2017 that it took roughly a year to complete the song, partly because it was not until after receiving Scott Silver’s script that the rapper (born Marshall Mathers) began developing the autobiographical lyrics.

“Theme From Shaft” - Isaac Hayes (Shaft)

Isaac Hayes became the first Black man to ever win a music Oscar for the theme song of the 1971 Blaxploitation classic, Shaft. In 2000, the late musician-turned actor told NPR that, after he was hired to score the film, he requested to audition for the title role before it went to Richard Roundtree.

“Fight The Power” - Public Enemy (Do The Right Thing)

One of the most striking hits in the history of rap music is Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” which got a lot of exposure in writer, director, and star Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. According to an oral history by Rolling Stone, Lee wanted the “anthem” for his influential, and still socially relevant, 1989 classic to be a hip-hop rendition of the iconic hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as performed by the rap group, until co-writer Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad suggested making something new that would “resonate on the street level.”

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” - Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)

According to a Guardian article written by lead singer Jim Kerr, Simple Minds initially turned down the offer to perform “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” for John Hughes’ influential teen dramedy, The Breakfast Club until the song’s writer, Keith Forsey, spent some time with the band and they hit it off. Kerr also improvised the “la, la-la-la-la” at the end and planned to incorporate real lyrics later, but Forsey insisted it should stay.

“Mrs. Robinson” - Simon & Garfunkel (The Graduate)

In an interview for The Game 365, Paul Simon recalled a time he happened to spot Joe DiMaggio - who is mentioned in the Grammy-winning song from The Graduate - at a restaurant, approached him, and was questioned why the song asks where the baseball legend has gone. The singer-songwriter explained that the namedrop in “Mrs. Robinson” was a nod to a seeming absence of great American heroes at the time, which DiMaggio was then flattered by.

“St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)” - John Parr (St. Elmo’s Fire)

The ultimate film from the “Brat Pack” era would have to be director Joel Schumacher’s star-studded 1985 drama, St. Elmo’s Fire, for which John Parr wrote and performed the theme song. When speaking to NPR, the British musician revealed the unlikely source for the lyrics to “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion),” which has little to do with the actual plot of the film, but with the inspirational story of a wheelchair-using Olympian from Canada named Rick Hansen.

“See You Again” - Wiz Khalifa Feat. Charlie Puth (Furious 7)

Charlie Puth told Entertainment Weekly that he wrote the chorus for the Oscar-nominated “See You Again” in 10 minutes while thinking of a friend of his who had passed in a similar way to Paul Walker. The actor’s untimely death in 2013, caused by a car crash, inspired Universal to approach Puth to pen a song for the end of Furious 7, which pays tribute to Walker.

“Shallow” - Lady Gaga And Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)

While having a more romantic meaning in the context of the story from 2018’s A Star is Born, Lady Gaga told Variety that she believes the popularity of “Shallow” stems from a more serious real-world topic. She said that, in the wake of the #MeToo movement, the content of the Oscar-winning hit’s lyrics being a conversation between a man and a woman who are connecting and openly listening to each other is “why people cry when they hear it.”

“(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” - Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes (Dirty Dancing)

The Dirty Dancing cast played writer Franke Previte’s original demo of “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” while filming the iconic ending performance, which was also the first scene they shot. Previte told American Songwriter that star Patrick Swayze later thanked him at the Oscars for the on-set camaraderie that the demo provided them.

“Eye Of The Tiger” - Survivor (Rocky III)

Survivor guitarist and “Eye of the Tiger” co-writer, Jim Peterik, revealed to Songfacts that Sylvester Stallone initially wanted to use “Another One Bites the Dust” in the montage where the song appears in Rocky III. When he could not get Queen’s permission, he hired the ‘80s rock outfit, who originally thought to call the Oscar-nominated power ballad “Survival,” which would have been the last word of the chorus to rhyme with the lyric “rising up to the challenge of our rival.”

“Ghostbusters” - Ray Parker Jr. (Ghostbusters)

With only a few days given to complete the Ghostbusters theme song (the film itself was conceived, shot, and released within a year), Ray Parker Jr. struggled with the lyrics, especially with figuring how to incorporate the title, as he recalled on an episode of Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us. His breakthrough came when the titular paranormal exterminators’ TV ad in the film reminded him of bug exterminator commercials and inspired him to lead into the famous “Ghostbusters!” shout with the equally iconic phrase “Who you gonna call?”

“Stayin’ Alive” - Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever)

According to ProCPR.org, a study proved that CPR trainees can maintain the technique at the recommended momentum of 100-120 compressions per minute even more effectively while listening (or singing aloud) to the Bee Gees hit which opens the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. How fitting that a song called “Stayin’ Alive” really can help save lives.

“Purple Rain” - Prince And The Revolution (Purple Rain)

The title song from the soundtrack for Purple Rain was originally recorded by Prince and The Revolution during their live performance of it in the movie’s final scene, which was also the first time the band ever played it on stage. Alan Light, who wrote a book about the making of the 1984 film called Let’s Go Crazy, assured NPR that only minimal editing was applied to the track as it appears on the album, such as the omission of a verse and few notes in Prince’s guitar solo.

“9 To 5” - Dolly Parton (9 To 5)

According to Biography, Dolly Parton agreed to star in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5 on the condition that she could also write the theme song. The country music legend came up with its baseline (which resembles the sound of a typewriter) on the set while strumming her acrylic fingernails in between takes, which is why “Nails by Dolly” can be found in the soundtrack credits.

“Kiss From A Rose” - Seal (Batman Forever)

While it is impossible to separate “Kiss From a Rose” from Batman Forever, the song was not originally written for the superhero film and, in fact, Seal wrote it in 1987 - years before he was even signed to a label, according to People. In response to Joel Schumacher’s passing in 2020, Seal posted an Instagram video recalling how the director’s inclusion of the song in the 1995 blockbuster turned the romantic ballad - previously a flop - into the defining hit of the artist’s career.

“Footloose” - Kenny Loggins (Footloose)

When speaking to Bart Herbison of Nashville Songwriters Association International for an interview published by The Tennessean, Kenny Loggins made a “confession” about the title song from the 1984 Kevin Bacon-led hit Footloose. The lines “Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees” and then “Jack, get back. Come on before we crack” were inspired by a similar lyrical device Paul Simon used for “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” specifically when Simon sings, “Slip out the back, Jack / Make a new plan, Stan,” etc.

“My Heart Will Go On” - Celine Dion (Titanic)

Penned by James Horner, the love theme from Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On,” won the hearts of many - including those at the Academy Awards - but, initially, not its vocalist, Celine Dion, who told Billboard, “When I recorded it, I didn’t think about a movie; I didn’t think about radio. I thought, Sing the song, then get the heck out of there.” Additionally, director James Cameron was, at first, against the idea of adding a pop song to the end of his historical tragedy, but after a push from the studio and some convincing from Horner, he conceded and came to really admire the ballad’s resonance to the film’s romantic plot.

“I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard)

Whitney Houston’s career-defining song, “I Will Always Love You,” was recorded specifically for her 1992 romantic thriller The Bodyguard, but it is actually a cover of a Dolly Parton classic. Curiously enough, according to an oral history by EW, producer David Foster actually based his arrangement of the song on a previous cover by Linda Ronstadt, which was the only version he could find at the time.

“Gangsta’s Paradise” - Coolio Feat. L.V. (Dangerous Minds)

As Coolio revealed to Rolling Stone, Stevie Wonder had a few conditions that had to be met before he and L.V.’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” - the de facto theme for 1995’s Michelle Pfeiffer-led drama Dangerous Minds - could be released, because it samples his 1976 song “Pastime Paradise.” Ironically, the rapper himself was not happy with “Weird Al” Yankovic’s parody, “Amish Paradise,” and would not make peace with it until years later.

“A Whole New World” - Alan Menken, Tim Rice (Aladdin)

Alan Menken has won several awards for iconic, sweeping songs from some of the best animated Disney movies, including “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. The composer revealed in an interview with Jake Hamilton (co-host of the ReelBlend podcast) that the original title he had in mind was “The World At My Feet” until lyricist, Tim Rice, suggested that “the word ‘feet’ would be better not in the title of a Disney love song.”

“Goldfinger” - Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger)

We all know that the title track from Goldfinger (one of the all-time greatest Bond movie theme songs) is sung brilliantly by Welsh songstress Shirley Bassey, but less people are aware that a young Jimmy Page played guitar in the orchestra. The future Led Zeppelin founder recalled to GQ how Bassey performed the session in one take and, after holding the huge final note, ran out of breath and collapsed on the floor.

“The Power Of Love” - Huey Lewis & The News (Back To The Future)

Huey Lewis & The News wrote and performed two songs for 1985’s masterful time travel adventure, Back to the Future - most famously the Oscar nominated hit, “The Power of Love.” As Lewis recalled in a video for Rolling Stone, the musician makes a funny, uncredited cameo as a Battle of Bands judge who believes the rendition of the song that Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his band perform for their audition is “too darn loud.”

“That Thing You Do!” - The Wonders (That Thing You Do!)

The titular, Oscar-nominated 1960s-style pop song from Tom Hanks’ 1996 directorial debut, That Thing You Do!, was actually written by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger, who went on to compose Howard Stern’s theme music, became the musical director for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and other notable works. When he passed away from Covid-19 in 2020, the members of the fictional band from the film, The Wonders, reunited over Zoom for a livestream as a pandemic relief benefit.

“Rainbow Connection” - Jim Henson (The Muppet Movie)

One of the most celebrated achievements of prolific songwriter Paul Williams is “Rainbow Connection,” which Kermit the Frog (voiced by Jim Henson) performs in The Muppet Movie from 1979. In a video interview shot for The Tennessean in 2016, Williams told Bart Herbison that he and and co-writer Kenneth Asher wanted to give Kermit a song as heartwarming and “spiritual” as Jiminy Cricket’s “When You Wish Upon A Star” from 1940’s animated Disney classic Pinocchio, which served as a jumping-off point for the Oscar-nominated ballad.

There really is nothing like dropping the needle on your favorite movie soundtrack and reminiscing about the scenes in which each killer song appears. Now you have many more stories to associate them with.

This year’s Super Bowl halftime show was filled with nostalgia and classic rap hits, and there were plenty of highlights from the much-discussed spectacle. As a celebration of hip-hop culture, the big-budgeted performance also referenced some pop culture and sociopolitical moments. According to headliner Dr. Dre, those references weren’t as hard to get approved as some viewers might think, but there was indeed one element that had to be changed for the live stage.

Bringing in so many hip-hop heavyweights into one performance was a huge undertaking, even for someone as prolific as Dr. Dre, given the money he stood to lose if the show didn't happen. The hip-hop super-producer spoke with TMZ about the highly watched event, revealing that Eminem's much-publicized kneel (as a nod to former NFL star Colin Kaepernick) was approved by the organization. Plus, he said that while there were a few minor notes here and there,  He spilled he and the other performers were only given minors for their performance,  but there was indeed one halftime element the NFL required them to change. In his words:

It was kind of sad, yet wholly understandable why the NFL wanted to change the beginning of Kendrick Lamar’s “M.A.A.D City.” Given the gang culture associated with Los Angeles, the organization wasn’t comfortable with any sort of gang affiliation language being part of the family-friendly spectacle. With the Super Bowl taking place in Inglewood, the NFL presumably didn’t want any smoke from certain sets. Gang culture is still a sensitive issue with multiple sets representing that city alone, as well as the overall L.A. area.

While the NFL was worried about gang affiliations, that didn’t stop Snoop Dogg from repping via his full Crip-blue sweatsuit. He did soften his look somewhat by adding some yellow as a nod to the L.A. Rams. 

At least it doesn't sound like anyone tried to keep Eminem from taking a knee, despite the complicated and tumultuous history between the organization and Colin Kaepernick (as well as those promoting his cause). The rap superstar tapped into hip-hop’s political roots by acknowledging the political upheaval spurred by Kaepernick’s action. Overall, he gave an exceptional performance despite feeling nervous about performing live at the Super Bowl.

Luckily, the entire performance went off without a hitch, with one of the halftime show's producers saying the hardest part was whittling down the performances to a 13-minute runtime. But that is understandable, seeing as how each performer boasts a massive catalog. Cramming so many iconic songs into such a short set, complete with the surprise upside-down arrival of 50 Cent, was one of ourd takeaways from the Super Bowl halftime show. 

Of course, the extravaganza (and the actual game) drew plenty of celebrity attendees to its L.A. setting. While the Super Bowl halftime performance is still being talked about amongst the 110 million or so people who tuned in, there are many new and returning shows to watch as 2022 goes on.

The Super Bowl is traditionally full of iconic moments, and this year's NFL extravaganza was no different. Outside of Gwyneth Paltrow eating her own vagina candle and the actual football game, arguably the biggest moment was the epic halftime performance from some of the biggest names in hip hop. When you’ve got a lineup of legends like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, and the beautifully talented Mary J. Blige in the same place, you know something amazing is going to happen. Such greatness doesn’t come easy, though, and Super Bowl 56’s Halftime show producer Jesse Collins revealed what he thinks was the hardest part of making the timeless collaboration happen.

There are still a lot of opinions circulating regarding that star-studded halftime show — and we’ve got our own take as well — but no one can deny that Gen Xers and Millennials as collective generations were struck with some major nostalgia across the board. Seeing some of the most iconic hip hop artists on stage playing their biggest hits from the ‘90s and early 2000’s has that lasting effect and the responsibility of such a feat had even the fearless Eminem a little nervous ahead of time.

In an interview with ET, the Super Bowl halftime performance's executive producer Jesse Collins revealed that the timing element was the biggest hardship involved with making that iconic slice of live television happen. According to Collins, there were so many working parts involved, on top of the potential possibilities for what could be done, that it was difficult to cut the mini-concert down to the necessary time span. This is how he put it:

With as many iconic songs that any one of the headliners has delivered in their distinguished careers, I’m super not surprised that it took a concerted effort to narrow things down appropriately. Perhaps had he been forced to throw the whole shebang together in a weekend's time, instinct might have kicked in, but with 4-5 months to make it happen, that allows for a ton of time to second-guess one's decisions.

In the same interview, Jesse Collins says they ultimately had to make the best choices that they could, even though it could have been a full-length show in an ideal world.

The song choices comprised some of the most recognizable tracks from the group of artists, and the show seemed to majorly honor Dr. Dre. This seeming tribute to the rapper and hip hop producer makes a ton of sense, though, because Dre put a ton of his own money into the production and every one of the other artists have a solid history with Dre. 

Eminem obviously has a huge connection with Dr. Dre, and attributes his success to the pioneer producer, but all of the other artists are also heavily connected to legend as well. Dre has either produced songs for the hip hop icons, has had them under his label at some point, or both. (Basically, Mary J. Blige is the only one he didn't have a hand in discovering out right.) Dre also, of course, has his own timeless bops, and one of the most iconic was featured in the halftime show, “Still D.R.E.”, which also features Snoop Dogg, making it an obvious choice for the Super Bowl. 

As difficult as it was to put together such a brief production with so many historical hip hop artists, it sure came together as a memorable halftime show, even without a major wardrobe malfunction. If you missed the show, you can still watch it with a Peacock subscription, as the Super Bowl is available to stream behind the paywall of NBC’s streaming app, along with a number of other TV necessities.

The Super Bowl halftime show was an absolutely loaded event this year, with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem all taking the stage to perform their big hits. If that weren’t enough, audiences got yet another surprise appearance when 50 Cent appeared on stage. There’s no denying it was one of the most star-studded performances in some time, but was it truly one for the ages, or more of a forgettable affair?

As with most Super Bowl performances, it looked like everyone at the halftime show itself had a blast, while reactions are all over the place online. Music is subjective, of course, so everyone's mileage will vary. In the minutes that followed the big show, here are some of the things that went through my mind.

The Show Was Entertaining, But Felt Short

Putting so much iconic talent together in one single stage show is something only the Super Bowl tends to get away with, at least on this scale, but there’s a downside to the vast array of rappers that were on display. Halftime shows are relatively short when compared to concert performances,  and I definitely felt the truncated timing during this show. In reality, I think it was more the case that so many people were involved, as opposed to one person getting more or less time than others. The end result made things feel a bit rushed, even if it wasn’t really any shorter than previous shows. I guess that's why most artists go the medley route. 

The Actual Set Was Spectacular

When the show started and revealed Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on top of that massive all-white structure, I was skeptical. That didn’t last long, however, as setting up the stage throughout a house was a masterful way of making a packed stage seem way less crowded (possibly intentionally because of COVID) by separating people in different rooms. I never thought the Super Bowl needed more than a flat stage for performers, but I was wrong, and it truly felt like a party was happening throughout. 

Mary J. Blige Is Still So Awesome

It’s been over 20 years since Mary J. Blige last appeared in a Super Bowl halftime show, along with Eminem’s “rival” and *NSYNC singer Chris Kirkpatrick, but you wouldn’t know it. In her section, Blige oozed the same energy she’s brought to her music for decades, and in my opinion, she had the strongest mini-set of the night. It’s great to see she’s still got it, and we should all hope we’re half as talented more than two decades into our own careers. 

We Didn’t Really Need 50 Cent

50 Cent was a decent surprise for the Super Bowl halftime show, considering others involved, but his appearance necessarily meant less time for one of the talents actually advertised. I personally would’ve been alright seeing Eminem (who admitted he had nerves performing) do another song, or maybe Kendrick Lamar hop in with a collaboration with one of the others on stage. 

What Was That Ending? 

The halftime show fell within the normal parameters of what I expect from a Super Bowl, including moments that were weird and hard to explain. Such as at the end of the overall performance, as the scene cut to a shot of the top of SoFi stadium, where Dr. Dre stood watching fireworks go off. The thing is, we’d only just seen Dre down on the field, so even though we know he wasn’t actually up there, the bit didn’t make a ton of sense. Was there a deeper message I’m missing? Was it a reference to Lady Gaga’s rooftop situation a few years ago? I’m not sure, but I wasn’t a fan. 

The Super Bowl LVI halftime show is over, but the conversations about it and other big moments from the night could go on for days. Keep an eye on CinemaBlend for more reactions in the days following the Super Bowl and for a look at what new shows are coming later in the year. 

Super Bowl LVI will be one of the biggest sporting events of the year, but not everyone who tunes in cares about the big game. The event is about football, sure, but it’s also full of exciting movie trailer reveals, hilarious high-budget commercials featuring Dr. Evil, and halftime shows featuring performances by some of the biggest superstars in the world. This year, Eminem takes the stage alongside Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre (who has some surprises up his sleeve), and Mary J. Blige. There’s a good chance the 8 Mile star busts out his classic hit, “Without Me.” On that note, has anyone else ever wondered what *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick thinks of the diss that the song makes at his expense?

I had a chance to speak to Chris Kirkpatrick following his eviction from Celebrity Big Brother and found out just how he feels. I asked Kirkpatrick if he'd ever had a chance to speak with Eminem about that line, and he not only revealed that but also how he feels about the song in general:

I’m not sure any moment in my life will be as surreal as getting to experience Chris Kirkpatrick directly saying the line from “Without Me,” especially given the context. Aside from that though, it’s cool to hear that Kirkpatrick isn’t at all offended by the reference and even likes to sing the tune from time to time. 

The singer and music producer actually has something in common with Eminem, as he too participated in an ensemble Super Bowl halftime show back in 2001. *NSYNC took the stage with Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Nelly, and even Mary J. Blige for a huge variety show of big hits. He spoke about the significance of the event in his own life and how it measured up to other accomplishments in his career:

So if Eminem (who admitted he’s nervous about performing) utters the line “Chris Kirkpatrick, you can get your ass kicked,” on Super Bowl Sunday, just know there’s a chance the singer is spouting it right alongside him. Not sure the same can be said of some of the rapper’s other past targets (like Stan)! 

Super Bowl LVI will air live on NBC on February 12, with kickoff starting at 6 p.m. ET, and you can stream it over on Peacock. Tune in for what should be an exciting football game, and and hopefully, one epic halftime show.

Many movie fans revere Mad Max: Fury Road as one of the best films of the 2010s. The synergy between George Miller, the cast and the story resulted in a commercial and critical hit. Casting Tom Hardy as the title character was an amazing call on Miller and his crew’s part, but the part of Max Rockatansky almost went to rap music icon Eminem. As surprising as the news is, the Mad Max: Fury Road director explained what led to the rapper not playing the role.

The casting revelation became known from the behind-the-scenes book Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road. The excerpt from Vulture broke down all the A-listers vying for Max, including Michael Fassbender and the late Heath Ledger. As far as Eminem goes, George Miller became fascinated with the rap superstar after seeing his performance in 8 Mile and getting a glowing review from his co-star Brittany Murphy. According to storyboard artist Mark Sexton, things went as far as creating storyboards featuring a likeness of the rapper. However, one small detail kept Eminem from taking the role, according to the Mad Max director:

Being close home seemed to be a priority for the multi-Grammy winner, as he was experiencing a career comeback and raising his daughters. So, his stance made sense but looking back at some of Eminem’s more controversial material involving women, it appeared the film dodged a bullet, according to Mark Sexton:

Mark Sexton was right in assessment. The rapper’s misogynistic lyrics wouldn’t have gelled well with the female empowerment message of the 2015 action film. The move might’ve been viewed as hypocritical by some moviegoers and detractors. It would’ve undermined the message and may have turned off some viewers from seeing the film. As Sexton mentioned, Eminem as Max might’ve changed the subtext of the big-budget road film.

Thankfully, George Miller and his team went with Tom Hardy instead. While Hardy did an excellent job as Max, it couldn’t curtail the behind-the-scenes drama between him and co-star Charlize Theron. Their feud made life on set for the cast and crew difficult, as Theron's stunt double recalled her and Hardy's double having to play in scenes opposite the stars. Years later, the Venom: Let There Carnage star expressed regret over the on-set friction between him and Theron.

It appeared George Miller has moved on, as the Fury Road prequel Furiosa will feature Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa, with Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke attached in unspecified roles. Taylor-Joy was just as excited to tackle the character as fans are to see Furiosa's story. Miller will direct, produce and co-write the spinoff film, so it might be a while before we see Hardy as Max again. If you want to revisit cool visuals, a stellar soundtrack and amazing cast, you can get an HBO Max subscription to watch Mad Max: Fury Road and plenty of other available HBO Max movies.

Eminem is far past being nervous and choking on stage, his sweater having long been free of mom’s spaghetti. Apparently winning 15 Grammys and having 10 number 1 albums has made the iconic rapper look into other ventures. In opening his new restaurant, Eminem goes full 8 Mile in a reference to his Oscar winning song “Lose Yourself”. 

Named after maybe one of the most recognizable of his song lyrics, Eminem’s new restaurant Mom’s Spaghetti had its opening night recently in Detroit, the rapper’s home city. According to Entertainment Weekly, Eminem himself made an appearance and surprised fans by serving customers through the take out window on the restaurant’s opening day. 

Mom’s Spaghetti is a simple concept all around; the restaurant consists of a walk up window where patrons can pick up food. The menu is a small one: they’ve got spaghetti plain, with meatballs, or in between bread as a sandwich. Vegan patrons have the option of “rabbit” balls instead of typical meatballs, another reference to the rapper’s semi-biographical film, as his in screen name was Rabbit. 

The literal hole-in-the-wall restaurant is not a new concept for the rapper, although this is the first time he has attempted to make it a permanent placement in Detroit. Back when his Album Revival was released 2017 he announced Mom’s Spaghetti as a pop-up restaurant to last just one Friday and Saturday. The menu is relatively the same now as it was back then, except for the addition of the “Rabbit” balls.

Eminem has a long history of supporting his home city of Detroit, and he has made a point to bring business and attention to the city. In the past, the rapper turned down the leading role in Elysium due to the fact that it could not be filmed in Detroit; the role then went to Matt Damon. He also had been the spokesperson for Chrysler for their “Imported From Detroit” campaign, meant to honor the Motor City for their workmanship. It only makes sense he would open his business venture in Detroit, and it would honestly be a shock if he were to start up any community based business in any other city.

If you aren’t local to Detroit and can’t make the hike to Mom’s Spaghetti, you can still get your Eminem fix in Venom: Let There Be Carnage even if he doesn’t appear on screen. After making “Venom” for Tom Hardy’s first Venom film, the rapper has a new single with Skylar Grey, “Last One Standing” that can be heard in the film. The newest Venom film releases exclusively to theaters this weekend on October 1st and if the critics’ words hold up, fans are in for one hell of a movie from Hardy and company.

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I’m going to make you feel old. The Eminem classic, 8 Mile came out almost 20 years ago. I’m going to repeat that. 8 Mile, and in turn, the 8 Mile soundtrack, is nearly 20 years old. That said, even as old as it is, Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” can still be heard blasting from car speakers across America, and probably across the world. Seriously, I have a 12-year-old student in my class who calls Eminem the G.O.A.T. Not only that, but he can recite every single lyric to the hit song. And I mean it. Every. Single. Lyric.

But here’s the thing. While my student knows all of the lyrics to “Lose Yourself,” a lot of it is actually lost on him. And I don’t mean because the lyrics are above him or anything like that. He's a really smart kid. I mean, it’s because he’s never seen the movie 8 Mile, and actually didn’t even know that it existed until I told him about it (which I kind of regret now since the movie is Rated-R). I think some of the lyrics might actually be lost on a lot of younger listeners though since the song is directly connected to the film. So, I’m here to break down some of the lyrics that may fly over the heads of some of the younger hip-hop heads who have never seen the once-popular flick. And no, I won’t be mentioning the famous “Mom’s spaghetti” lyric. That beauty can still stand on its own.

Some vague 8 Mile spoilers ahead! The film is currently available streaming on Max Go.

"He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out…”

Upon a first listen, the song seems general enough. Eminem opens the track by asking if you had one shot of reaching your dreams, would you take it? And yes, anybody can relate to that. But in actuality, this idea is directly tied to the narrative of the film, as Eminem’s character wants nothing more than to be a world-famous rapper, and he’s cutting his teeth on the underground, freestyle circuit. But one lyric in particular stands out in regards to that narrative thread:

Early in the film, Eminem’s character is at a rap battle, but he freezes. Part of it is because he’s a white rapper, and his opponent really plays upon that. But the other part is just sheer stage fright, and the crowd literally chants “Choke! Choke! Choke!”, which is where the whole, “He’s chokin’, how, everybody’s jokin’ now” part comes from.

“Ope, there goes Rabbit, he choked…”

I already went over the whole “choked” aspect of the story, but another lyric that somebody really listening to the song might raise an eyebrow to is the mention of a rabbit. In fact, the lyric goes as follows:

Eminem’s character’s name in the movie is Jimmy, but his MC name is B-Rabbit, or Bunny Rabbit, to be specific. He got the nickname from his mother in the film, played by Kim Basinger, because she said he had buck teeth like a rabbit when he was a child. So, there you go. That’s the “Rabbit” in question who choked. It’s not an actual rabbit like this is Watership Down or something.

“He's so stagnant, he knows, when he goes back to this mobile home…”

This is another lyric where you could probably just shrug it off, but this actually played a major part in the film as well. In the movie, Eminem is living in a mobile home kind of like Frances McDormand in Nomadland. Instead of living alone, though, he’s living with his mother, his little sister, and his mother’s abusive boyfriend, played by Michael Shannon. The lyric in question is as follows:

This plays directly into the plot of the film, as Eminem is working a dead-end job during the daytime at a car factory to help support his family, who is sharing a mobile home together. And the mobile home is where he writes his lyrics, as he’s going “back to the lab.” "Back to the lab" is a common saying, with "the lab" being your home, as that’s where the mad science, i.e., the dope lyrics, are created.

“Make me king, as we move toward a New World Order…”

Is Eminem a part of the Illuminati? Or maybe he’s just a big wrestling fan. I’ll tell you that the definite answer to the former is no (but I honestly have no idea if Em is into the nWo). What I do know though is that the “New World Order” line directly connects to the antagonists of the film. The line from the song is as follows:

In the movie, Rabbit’s main antagonists are a rap collective called “Leaders Of the Free World,” and it’s led by a rapper named Papa Doc (played by Anthony Mackie). The whole, “We move toward a New World Order” line is a swipe at the Leaders of the Free World, as Em’s character is rising to the occasion and taking them all down, one by one, on the mic.

“And it's no movie, there's no Mekhi Phifer…”

Lastly, a lot of younger people might wonder who Mekhi Phifer is. And if they do know him (likely from Divergent), they’ll likely wonder why Eminem is talking about him. The line goes like this:

Mekhi Phifer plays Rabbit’s best friend, Future, in the movie. In this section of the song, Em is saying that this is the verse where he wasn’t even talking about the movie anymore, and was instead just talking about his own life and the struggles he had to go through to get to where he was at that time. The movie was semi-biographical anyway, and there was “no Mekhi Phifer” on his actual journey. This was real life, yo.

And that’s it. There’s more to the lyrics, but those are a few of the most glaring ones that today’s fans of the song might wonder about. But what are your thoughts on the lyrics? Have you ever seen 8 Mile? Answer in the poll below. And To learn more about 2021 movies rather than movies from 2002, make sure you stop by here often!

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I don’t know what the hell an NFT is. I’ve read like three articles trying to figure it out and remain confused. Thankfully, some of the fine folks at Saturday Night Live seem to feel the same way. This week, the cast busted out a sketch trying to explain the hot new trend, and while I’m still confused on some of the specifics, I laughed at the attempt, which starred Pete Davidson dressed as Eminem dressed as Robin doing his take on the rapper’s “Without Me”, alongside cast member Chris Redd and musical guest Jack Harlow who got their own verses.

The sketch, which got a good response on social media, especially Pete Davidson’s Eminem, also features Kate McKinnon as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Kyle Mooney playing the straight man, though to be clear, a straight man with a really solid teacher look. You can check out the really funny and somewhat informative sketch below…

Whenever people talk about Saturday Night Live being topical, it’s almost always in reference to how many political sketches the show does. That’s fair. Obviously SNL has generated most of its headlines over the years by parodying presidents and top political figures, but I really love when the show takes on the random trends and weird fads and minor scandals of the moment. For example, earlier this season, we got Regina King and Kenan Thompson as Gorilla Glue lawyers. That kind of topical humor works really well for the show.

Of course topical probably requires a bit of an asterisk here. The core subject matter about NFTs is obviously extremely topical, as is Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, but humorously, a lot of the references are anything but topical. Emimen’s “Without Me” came out in 2002. There’s also a reference to The Matrix, which came out in 1999 and maybe a subtle reference to 1997’s Good Will Hunting since Harlow plays a super well-informed janitor, though I might be reaching with that last one.

I’m not going to pretend to explain any of the takeaways here about NFTs. I feel slightly more well-informed after watching this sketch, but I still don’t feel comfortable enough to put myself out there and then get bombarded with angry messages about how I misunderstood some minor aspect. So, if you want to do some more research, I would suggest checking here or here or talking to a friendly young person in your life.

While this sketch didn’t feature the host herself, former cast member Maya Rudolph returned this week to take top billing. She, of course, got in sketches playing her noted impressions including Vice President Kamala Harris and Beyonce. She did a very good, highly professional job throughout in a development that should surprise absolutely no one.

Pete Davidson is on a roll with pop culture references during Saturday Night Live sketches this season. His latest to go viral was a bit called “Stu” which was a holiday-themed take on Eminem’s famous “Stan” music video, also starring Jason Bateman as Santa Claus. Many a year ago, Devon Sawa starred in the original music video for “Stan” and, of course, he caught the SNL spoof over the weekend, reacting afterward.

On Saturday, NBC debuted the Jason Bateman-led and oft holiday-themed episode of Saturday Night Live from 30 Rock. In it Pete Davidson plays Stu, the character based on the Stan character that Devon Sawa played in the original music video. If you haven’t gotten a chance to check it out yet, you can give it a watch below.

Like many of us, Devon Sawa actually caught the holiday-themed (but still rather dark) Saturday Night Live Sketch. Speaking with ET Canada, Devon Sawa elaborated on everything he loved about the holiday take on Eminem’s “Stan” music video, which starred the Final Destination actor 20 years ago.

Obviously, it’s always a little better for the Saturday Night Live cast members when the people being spoofed are happy about the outcome. (It can be less great the other way around.) In this case, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could have disliked the “Stu” video -- at least who was already a fan of “Stan,” though it's hard to tell how much mileage the average person will have gotten if they aren't a big Eminem person. However, the real question, as Devon Sawa sees it, is who did it better:

“Stan” has been one of the most enduring enduring songs of Eminem’s career, to the point where he’s performed it a couple of times on SNL before. Twenty years later, the sketch still holds up for a generation of fans who grew up on the The Marshall Mathers LP. Personally, I can't wait to see what Pete Davidson brings to the table next, but if it's another sketch with an Eminem cameo, I'm here for it.

SNL Season 46 is currently airing on NBC. To see what else is heading to the schedule this winter, take a look at our full guide. And be sure to keep tabs on the other major names hosting Saturday Night Live this season.

Somehow, I didn’t think that Pete Davidson could top dressing up as Count Chocula and getting called out by Dave Chappelle this season, but he did it and it didn't even take him that long. This weekend, Saturday Night Live premiered "Stu," a short taking Eminem’s veteran hit “Stan” and turning it into a Christmas jingle. Oh, and he had a little help from Eminem himself.

This week’s viral Saturday Night Live moment comes straight from the North Pole, where Jason Bateman's Santa and a slew of elves are getting ready to wrap up Christmas gifts for all the nice boys and girls around the world. However, one elf gets a letter that’s a little weirder from a fan, Stu, who really, really wants a PS5 (so say we all). The letter starts out normally enough, but Stu starts sending letters that are more and more threatening as time goes on.

As someone super familiar with The Marshall Mathers LP, this sketch really plays for me, with Kate McKinnon even singing a Stu-themed version of the Dido part of the song. In addition, stick around to the end, because Eminem himself makes a cameo and throws a little shade at Stu a little after the rapper himself -- spoilers-- gets his own PS5 from Santa.

I have no idea how much mileage the average non-Eminem fan gets from the trajectory of the sketch, but I’d be willing to bet jokes about Assassins Creed Valhalla and how good Will Ferrell is in the movie Elf still played. I also totally lost it the moment Pete Davidson brought in, “I drank a fifth of eggnog, dare me to drive?,” a holiday-themed play on an original line from “Stan.” But perhaps the most unexpected bit is when Davidson’s Stu addresses the camera, introducing us to “Sir Elton John” (or rather Bowen Yang in costume).

Most of SNL’s most viral moments have come in the form of political sketches this season, but it’s nice to see the show take a break and do something so unusual that plays so well. The last time I can remember SNL being so funny with music was when SNL turned another holiday into a musical moment by bringing in Adele’s “Hello.”

This isn’t the first time “Stan” has ever been connected to SNL. While Eminem himself has never hosted the NBC late night sketch series, Eminem has performed on the show a few times. Back in 2000, he popped up with Dr. Dre to perform both “Stan” and “The Real Slim Shady” on the show. In addition, the last time Eminem was on Saturday Night Live was for a musical appearance in 2017 in which he was joined by Skylar Grey and also performed “Stan.” So the song has been a mainstay for the rapper for a long time.

Meanwhile, you can catch new episodes of Saturday Night Live weekly at 11:30 p.m. ET, only on NBC and keep tabs on who's hosting/the musical guest with CinemaBlend's full guide. Meanwhile, what did you think of the sketch? On point or too far over the line?

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Rapping and acting may seem world’s apart, but many successful actors started off as rappers (and some still do both). Ice-T has been on the hit series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit since it began, Ice Cube has been a co-star of several hit franchise movies, including the Ride Along movies, and former rappers Queen Latifah and Will Smith have made a very successful transition from rappers to respected actors. Rappers have created a lot of great hip-hop music, but they have also made some pretty entertaining movies as well.

For this list, I have selected a few great movies with rappers in a supporting or lead role, and usually movies during an important time in their rap careers. Let’s drop a beat (sorry, bad joke) and look at some of the iconic films featuring rappers.

Set It Off - Queen Latifah

Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise star in Set It Off, a film about four women who decide to rob a bank.

Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) used to work as a bank teller, and gets fired, which leads to her working janitorial duties with her three friends. She and her friends are fed up with how life treats them and (after some hesitation) start to plan a bank robbery. Set It Off premiered in 1996 and Queen Latifah was still very much a successful rapper. She released an album a few years prior, entitled Black Reign, and had already appeared in a few films, like Juice and House Party 2. Queen Latifah appeared in Set It Off while being the series lead of the sitcom Living Single.

Poetic Justice - Tupac

Regina King, Tupac Shakur, Janet Jackson, and Joe Torry star in Poetic Justice, a movie about two people forced on a road trip together by their friends. Their relationship starts combative, but eventually, they start to get to know each other and fall in love.

Poetic Justice is a great romantic drama because of the chemistry between Janet Jackson and Tupac. The film was released in 1993, and Tupac had just released his second studio album Strictly 4 My Life N.I.G.G.A.Z. Poetic Justice was his second major starring role after 1992’s Juice. The film was released during Tupac’s rising period as an artist.

Friday - Ice Cube

Chris Tucker and Ice Cube star in Friday, a comedy about the misadventures of two men living in South Central LA. It gives a more lighthearted, comedic look at the hood. Friday includes an all-star comedy cast that includes Bernie Mac, Regina King, Nia Long, and John Witherspoon. Friday would eventually lead to two other sequel movies. The film was co-written by Ice Cube. Apparently he and co-writer DJ Pooh wanted to create a film that showed a lighter side of hood life. Ice Cube was in the middle stages of his solo career, releasing four albums before Friday hit theaters. The most recent one was 1993’s Lethal Injection. Ice Cube had also done some television and movies before Friday, including Boyz n the Hood.

8 Mile - Eminem

8 Mile is a semi-biographical movie about B-Rabbit (Eminem), a white battle rapper living in Detroit. The film follows B-Rabbit as he tries to raise his sister, deals with an unstable mother, and tries to be taken seriously as a battle rapper. 8 Mile’s cast includes Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger, Anthony Mackie, and Michael Shannon. 8 Mile’s song “Lose Yourself” won the 2003 Academy Award for best original song. In the same year as 8 Mile’s release, Eminem released his fourth studio album, The Eminem Show. The album went on to become the best selling album of 2002.

Bad Boys -Will Smith

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence star in Bad Boys, a buddy cop film directed by Michael Bay. The first film was released in 1995, and then had two sequel films Bad Boys II and Bad Boys for Life, with possible plans for another movie. Will Smith was beginning his major transition to mega film superstar during the release of Bad Boys. He had already appeared on the hit TV-show The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, but Bad Boys was his first major box office success, and it led to another one with Independence Day. Bad Boys was really the film that kicked off his movie career, but he was still recording rap albums after Bad Boys as a solo artist, like his 1997 album Big Willie Style.

Girls Trip - Queen Latifah

Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah reunite in Girls Trip, the movie also stars Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish. This comedy involves four best friends who have started to drift apart going on a trip to New Orleans to reconnect. Crazy antics ensue. Girls Trip was released in 2017, and Queen Latifah hadn’t released a rap album in over seven years. Instead, she was a pretty big film and TV name in 2017. During Girls Trip release, Queen Latifah was a main character on Fox’s TV show Star.

Boyz N The Hood - Ice Cube

Boyz N the Hood stars Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, Regina King, and Angela Bassett. The film follows Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) as he’s sent to live with his father in South Central, LA. It’s about Tre’s personal journey and the violence and devastation he, his family, and friends witness living in an area plagued with violence and gangs. Boyz N the Hood was Ice Cube’s first feature film.

Boyz n the Hood was directed by John Singleton and earned him an Oscar nomination, making him the youngest director nominee in Academy Award’s history. In 1991, Ice Cube released his second studio album Death Certificate. N.W.A also released their second and final studio album that year, Niggaz4Life, but Ice Cube had already left the band.

House Party - Kid ‘n Play

Hip hop group Kid ‘n Play star in House Party. The film follows one crazy night leading up to a big party, during it, and the events after the party. Robin Harris, John Witherspoon, Martin Lawrence, and Tisha Campbell also have supporting roles in House Party. The film spun four additional sequels, all but one features Kid N’ Play. In 2018, it was announced that LeBron James planned to add another House Party movie to the franchise. House Party was released in 1990, the same year that Kid ‘Play released their second studio album Funhouse.

ATL - T.I.

ATL is a coming of age dramedy about teen Rashad (T.I.) growing up in Atlanta. It deals with Rashad and his friends and family facing obstacles on their quest to move past the barriers of their high school lives. ATL’s cast also includes Evan Ross, Lauren London, and Big Boi from hip hop group Outkast. ATL marked T.I.’s film debut. He later went on to appear in major Hollywood films like Ant-Man and the Wasp, Entourage, and Sleepless. T.I. released his fourth studio album King during the same year as ATL’s release. That same year, he received several Grammy award nominations, including for Best Rap Album and Rap Artist Of the Year.

Juice - Tupac

Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Khalil Kain, and Jermaine Hopkins star in Juice, a 1992 drama about four young men living in Harlem. Their daily activities involve disputes against rival gangs and police harassment. Juice marked Tupac’s film debut. It was another film released during the peak of Tupac’s rap career. A year prior to the film’s release, Tupac released his first solo studio album 2Pacalypse Now. In 1992, he also released the single “If My Homie Calls,” which peaked on the Billboard charts at number 3.

Den Of Thieves - 50 Cent

Den of Thieves is a 2018 crime drama starring Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube’s son), 50 Cent, and Pablo Schreiber. Detective Nicholas (Gerard Butler) is in charge of stopping the crime team planning to rob the Los Angeles Federal Reserve bank. Ray (Pablo Schreiber) is the crew’s leader.

In 2018, it was announced that Den of Thieves would have a sequel that could include the return of Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s characters. Rapper 50 Cent had made the successful transition from making music to making films by the time of Den of Thieves release. He was playing a main character on the show Power during the release of Den of Thieves. 50 Cent’s last studio album was in 2014, but, as of 2020, he has still been working on an upcoming album called Street King Immortal.

There are a lot of great films featuring rappers out there, Will Smith alone has a pretty big selection, but if you want some lesser-known suggestions: Disorderlies featuring the group The Fat Boys, Vengeance featuring 50 Cent, Dope featuring ASAP Rocky, and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai featuring RZA.

Many of the films on this list are available to stream or rent, so if you like your rappers with a little side of acting, these films should interest you.

The Academy Awards went hostless again this year, which means there were plenty of surprises when it came to who popped up onstage. Among the surprises was an appearance by Eminem, who performed his 2002 Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself” from the movie 8 Mile, also starring Marshall Mathers. People in the audience seemed to be loving it, but nearly everyone was confused about why it happened. Luckily, Eminem is here to clear the matter up for us.

To begin, it’s worth pointing out the now 47-year-old rapper did not perform “Lose Yourself” at the Oscars the year the song was nominated. There’s some conflicting info regarding why the performance didn’t happen, but now Eminem says he wanted to come back and give it a go since he missed his chance the year the song actually won. Per the rapper:

While the Oscars performance aired, there were plenty of reactions about it from the crowd, ranging from a confused-looking Billie Eilish to Gal Gadot and Zazie Beetz happily singing along. Martin Scorsese seemed unmoved by the addition of “Lose Yourself” and plenty of other non-celebrities reacted from the comfort of their own homes as well.

Eminem’s explanation to Variety about why he decided to perform makes sense, as it explains his thoughts on why he didn’t show up for the Oscars ceremony back in 2003 as well as why it seemed like a good idea this time around. To note, rumors that had been running around back in the day regarding why he didn't perform had mentioned things like he didn’t want to bleep himself, which read as really odd to me as I’ve seen Eminem censor himself for TV before. Eminem also refuted those rumors in the interview, noting “Lose Yourself” really doesn’t have a lot of profanity in it and that wasn’t the case.

Instead, he said his daughter was in school at the time and he went to bed early, only to be woken up with the news he had won an Oscar, which does not seem to be what he was expecting ahead of the event. He genuinely seems to remember being surprised that 8 Mile could win for best song, also revealing:

However, what I really wanted to know was how did the “Lose Yourself” performance even come up? According to Eminem, it was someone involved with the Oscars’ idea. The montage that preceded the performance was already going to be a part of the show and they just happened to ask, with Eminem confirming:

I had wondered if it was Eminem’s team who reached out due to his new album or if someone involved with the Oscars had come up with the idea, so I’m really glad this was addressed before it became a what came first: chicken or egg situation. Now, that we all know, we can just enjoy (or ignore) the performance for what it is.

Other Oscars highlights included Billie Eilish’s touching In Memoriam, some interesting comedic pairings (Cats!) and more. What did you think of Eminem’s performance?

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Without a host to move the Academy Awards forward the past two years, the musical numbers during the Oscars have moved way up as highly-anticipated moments during the ceremony for audiences to look forward to. Along with the show celebrating those nominated for Best Original Song, the Oscars have become much more of a song-and-dance show. After the 2020 show kicked things off with a fun opening number by Janae Monae, there were various other performances to enjoy.

For the most part, the musical performances at tonight’s Oscar show played it safe. They were visually striking, but their concepts didn’t particularly dazzle. Hollywood’s biggest night will be best remembered for the historical win of Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite or heartfelt acceptance speeches such as Laura Dern’s win for Marriage Story. That said, there were still some that shined above the rest. Check out the best musical moments of the night:

Idina Menzel and Other Elsa’s Sing "Into the Unknown"

At the beginning of the night, although Disney’s Frozen II didn’t receive a nomination for Best Animated Feature, it did get representation for Best Original Song for “Into The Unknown.” Idina Menzel belted out the song on stage, but she had some company that really added to the performance.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora, who sings on the recording, accompanied Idina Menzel in the background. And toward the end of the song, nine Elsa’s from all over the world sang with her. It made for a powerful moment that also highlighted Frozen’s global success. The singers sang in German, Spanish, Thai, Russian and so forth! What a great way to remind audiences how universal the Disney hit is.

Eminem Surprises With “Lose Yourself”

Almost twenty years ago, Eminem won an Oscar for his iconic song “Lose Yourself” featured in 8 Mile. But the audience had no idea he’d show up on the Academy Awards stage for another performance of the song nearly two decades later. The surprise led to some awesome reactions from the celebrity audience. Zazie Beetz couldn’t quit banging her head back and forth, Kelly Marie Tran and Gal Gadot were singing along the words, the list goes on.

Back when the rapper won the Oscar way back when, he actually wasn't present, and thus didn't perform "Lose Yourself" because the Academy wouldn't let him belt out the uncensored version. So this one was a long time coming! It's the song we have stuck in our head long after the Best Picture was called. The moment was built up beautifully by a montage of various songs from movies that added to Eminem’s shocking entrance.

Cynthia Erivo Sings “Stand Up” From Harriet

The most memorable performance at the Oscars was Cynthia Erivo's "Stand Up.” It’s a tough job to anticipate potentially going on stage to give a speech for Best Actress and have a song to nail. But, wow did she nail it. The Best Original Song award ultimately went to Elton John and Bernie Taupin for his Rocketman’s “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” but it was her vocals that gave us all the goosebumps!

Her choir and dances going into the audience added energy and elevated the performance. Many viewers probably hadn’t heard this song before tonight. This is an incredible introduction for many to Erivo and Harriet – that’s what the Oscars are all about!

Aside from these showstoppers, This Is Us' Chrissy Metz sang "Stand With You" from Breakthrough, Elton John and Randy Newman performed at the piano for their Rocketman and Toy Story 4 songs, and Billie Eilish sang an emotional rendition of the Beatles' "Yesterday" during the "In Memoriam" segment honoring late stars such as Kirk Douglas. What do you think? What was the best performance at the 2020 Oscars? Vote in our poll and comment below!

Photo Credit: ABC

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A whole lot of people are distraught by the news that Netflix has cancelled The Punisher, and at least one famous person is quite unhappy: Eminem. Earlier this week, the rapper did not mince words. He let his feelings be known about via Twitter, and Punisher star Jon Bernthal has responded. Check out Bernthal’s tweet below:

In his tweet, Eminem expressed his discontent over the decision, slamming Netflix for cancelling The Punisher. Eminem went all out, tagging Netflix’s official account in his tweet and signing off with his real name. For his part, Jon Bernthal is focusing on the fact that Eminem watched The Punisher and is honored he did.

In his tweet, Eminem said that the streaming platform was “blowing it” with its cancellation of The Punisher. It is a sentiment that has resonated among the Twitter-sphere. Eminem’s to-the-point tweet has almost 137,000 retweets and more than half a million likes at the time of writing.

Eminem and The Punisher share a connection beyond the rapper watching the Netflix series. Back in May 2009, Marvel published a comic crossover featuring Eminem and The Punisher.

The one-shot issue involved a story that brought Frank Castle and Eminem face-to-face. What ensues involves gunfire, Barracuda, a frozen lake, and a chainsaw.

Eminem joins many fans frustrated over Netflix’s decision. Mystery continues to encircle the rash of cancellations. Whether the superhero shows can be revived is another aspect that fans will be paying close attention to in the aftermath.

Following Netflix’s announcement of the cancellation, Jon Bernthal took to social media to express his gratitude to comic fans and the armed forces. He also said that it was an “honor to walk” in Frank’s boots.

The news has been sad, albeit not entirely unexpected. Before announcing its simultaneous cancellation of The Punisher and Jessica Jones, the streamer had cancelled Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Daredevil, respectively. Hence, the sense that The Punisher may be next had hovered ominously in the air.

Despite hope that the series could stick around Netflix for another season, Netflix dashed it with its announcement.

Now the question becomes whether Disney+ will eventually resuscitate any of the series with their original cast. While promoting Season 2 in light of those cancellations, Jon Bernthal had weighed in how he felt regarding the series’ future.

Eminem, along with the show’s myriad of fans, will always have Season 2. That and the knowledge that the second and final season did not leave its characters in the midst of a potentially deadly cliffhanger. If Eminem is upset with the decision now, imagine his feelings had that have been the case!

Both seasons of The Punisher are currently streaming on Netflix, among many other shows. There is also a lot of new TV content set to arrive during the midseason.

Machine Gun Kelly isn't going to like the latest development in his budding feud with Eminem. The competing rap artists have found themselves on each other's bad sides, when they started dissing one another in both public settings and in their music. When Eminem threw shade at MGK in his studio album, the surprise release Kamikaze, the younger rap musician took it upon himself to release his own diss track, "Rap Devil," which was in reference to Eminem's popular single, "Rap God," which took aim at the aged musician attacking MGK for comments he made about his daughter years earlier. It took a bit of time, but Eminem retorted with his own diss track, "Killshot," which took aim at MGK for his personal attacks. Now, likely much to MGK's chagrin, "Killshot" is doing quite well on YouTube. The recently-released track has a bunch of people listening to Eminem talk smack on MGK.

As it was reported by Business Insider, Eminem's "Killshot" has reportedly the biggest debut in YouTube's history for a hip-hop single. That's not too shabby, one must admit. The comments came from the video-sharing company itself. As they reported, the rap song earned a reported record of 38.1 million views (or, you know, listens) in the first 24 hours. At this time, the video has 81 million views at the time of this reporting. It's only growing from here, as you can expect, particularly after this most recent accomplishment. If you missed it, here's the song and the video that's breaking records.

Before he released his diss track, Eminem talked about Machine Gun Kelly in an extended interview segment with Sway, which was also found on his YouTube page. As he admitted in this conversation, Em was hesitant about getting into a full-out feud with Machine Gun Kelly, because he didn't want to use his media influence to boost the up-and-coming musician's profile. But if he made Machine Gun Kelly famous (or more famous) by embarrassing him, then Eminem saw the potential in making a diss track about the musician -- which he did, ultimately. Here's what Eminem said in the interview.

Based on this recent string of events, the feud between Machine Gun Kelly and Eminem isn't going to die down anytime soon. But MGK hasn't yet responded to Eminem's musical takedown. Perhaps he's cooking up another diss track, or maybe he's simply accepting defeat? It's hard to know right now, but it's evident that Eminem's song has earned many more ears than MGK, and that's something that MGK probably doesn't appreciate. At all.

The feud between Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly continues to be blazing hot. The rappers haven't been playing nice with each other, notably within the past few weeks, as tensions continue to mount and each rap artist uses their music to throw taunts and targeted insults at the other person. It's believed the feud started a few years earlier when Machine Gun Kelly felt diminished by Eminem and therefore threw insults at Eminem's daughter, Hailie. But Eminem reportedly didn't know about these insults until years later, and he responded accordingly by lashing his own comments at MGK on his surprise studio album, Kamikaze, where Em threw verbal grenades at seemingly everyone and anyone. But MGK decided to take things one step further, producing his own diss track, "Rap Devil," which is a pun on Eminem's single "Rap God." Now, Eminem has his own diss track towards MGK.

The diss track from Eminem, titled "Killshot," is the rapper's response to the much-heard diss track that Machine Gun Kelly released only a few days after the release of Kamikaze. While Eminem was initially hesitant to get involved in a feud with MGK, believing that Em's influence would only balloon the interest of an artist he doesn't care for (or about), Em's stark feelings on the matter evidently changed with this newest diss track. Check it out.

For comparison's sake, here's Machine Gun Kelly's diss track, "Rap Devil," which the disgruntled musician put out shortly after Kamikaze's release.

A mere day before the song made its way onto the Internet, Eminem commented on the growing feud between him and Machine Gun Kelly. Here's what he said in an ongoing conversation with Sway, where Em admitted that he doesn't give a hoot about MGK (or so he says). Rather, Em wants to let the fellow musician know that he could care less about the bitter, petty feelings of resentment that Kelly clearly feels towards his one-time music idol.

The biggest takeaway from "Killshot" is that this diss track isn't even Eminem at his maddest. If anything, he's annoying and ticked off, and he's trying to set a musician he sees as inferior to him (and his rap legacy) down a few pegs. If MGK decides to provoke Eminem more about this point, particularly if he releases a follow-up diss track, then we might truly see Eminem unleash his angry side. And if he gets Dr. Dre involved, Em might produce a diss track that's truly blistering. As it stands, though, this feud between these two rappers seems petty more than anything else right now.

Eminem is pissed. As anyone who listened to the rap artist's contentious new studio album Kamikaze can attest, he isn't looking to make new friends and he's not afraid to make new enemies in the process. That includes Machine Gun Kelly, the up-and-coming rapper who was one of several modern musicians whom Eminem dissed in the surprise album a few weeks earlier. Kelly wasn't afraid to bite back, releasing his own diss track directed towards the middle-aged musician shortly thereafter. And in a recent interview found on Eminem's YouTube account, Em explains why he is holding a grudge towards Machine Gun Kelly in particular. Suffice to say, the embittered feud between Kelly and Eminem will only get stronger from here on out.

The wide-ranging videotaped conversation finds Eminem talking about a variety of different talking points, mainly about his last two studio albums: last year's Revival and the aforementioned Kamikaze, as well the reception of his past few projects. But it was later in the two-part YouTube interview with Sway that Machine Gun Kelly came into the fold, and that's when Eminem didn't feel the need to hold back his feelings. Sway talked about how MGK went off on Eminem in his own single, "Rap Devil," and it furthered the bitter animosity between the two musicians. Here's how Eminem described it.

You can watch the full interview clip with Eminem with Sway at the link below. While Machine Gun Kelly isn't the only subject discussed, it may the most talked about aspect.

It's evident that Eminem isn't looking to let bygones be bygones anytime soon. He's out for revenge, and the heat between is only starting to boil. If there's one person who can really hold a grudge, it's Eminem. And Machine Gun Kelly isn't looking to keep things friendly either, it seems, based on recent behavior found between them. Expect more developments. Although, as Eminem admits, if he keeps this charade going, it's only blowing up MGK's profile more. And Eminem admits, "Rap Devil" wasn't bad "for him." We'll continue to keep you posted on the ongoing feud between Machine Gun Kelly and Eminem as new updates arise, and we'll keep you posted on the latest celebrity developments and more here at CinemaBlend.

Less than one year after the debut of his last studio album, the critically-and-commercially divisive Revival, Eminem is back again with a surprise new release-- hoping to earn more credibility again and possibly show the new generation of hip-hop artists how it's done. Titled Kamikaze, the unexpected new 13-track album finds the 45-year-old rapper takes aim at everyone from Drake to the President of the United States himself, Donald Trump, and he's not holding back in his verbal attacks. Evidently, Eminem is planning to unleash his rabid anger onto everyone.

The announcement about the new album was made by Eminem himself, who said the following on his Twitter page late last night.

Inside the tweet was the link to the brand new album, which features 13 tracks, where Eminem dishes his disputes against the media, popular rap artists and everyone and anyone who claims he's out of the game. The album, as the title Kamikaze suggests, is a full-fledged attack on the rappers the controversial musician deems less-than-worthy of holding his former career stature, which includes Lil Yachty, Lil Pump, Lil Xan, Tyler, the Creator, Machine Gun Kelly, Joe Budden and the aforementioned Drake. Eminem also takes some shots at Vice President Mike Pence in addition to Donald Trump, and he makes some comments towards disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Eminem also makes remarks towards the Grammys as well.

Clearly, Eminem is not happy about how the last album was received, and he is evidently using this album to not only boost his own self-esteem, but to give the fans something more desirable. Whether or not they'll like it is something they'll need to decide for themselves. It's much too early for any critical reception of the album, as listeners are only barely digesting it (if they even had a chance to listen to it yet at all). But those who have listened to it can say assuredly that Eminem isn't looking to leave any stone unturned. He is mad, he is loud, and he wants everyone to know just how mad he is.

In addition to the new album, Eminem also dropped the new single "Venom (Music From the Motion Picture)," which is at the tail-end of the CD. The song is also expected to play over the credits of Sony's forthcoming anti-hero blockbuster. While the album has been earning some good early notices, this song, in particular, has received no shortage of scorn. The rap artist even uses the black goo which overtakes Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock in the October film as a metaphor for the musician's mixed relationship with his fanbase. Reception for the song has been mixed, so it's safe to say that this song might earn Eminem some more criticism in the next couple months, especially when the movie hits theaters on October 5th.

Nevertheless, Eminem is here to stay. And you can listen to the new album for yourself to determine whether or not it's a good return-to-form.

The rumor mill is spinning again. This time, it wants to know: are Nicki Minaj and Eminem together? The relationship query was sparked by the musicians themselves. Earlier last week, around the time Nicki Minaj announced her delayed Princess Diana-inspired new album Queen was arriving in August, the Barbie-adoring rapper was featured on YG's newest single, "Big Bank." In the track, she spit out a few rhymes centered around Slim Shady himself. In the brand new song, Minaj claimed "once he goes black, he'll be back again," referring to Eminem. Then, over the weekend, Em asked an adoring audience in Boston if he should ask Minaj out. The crowd was, of course, very receptive, and it didn't take long before Minaj responded affectionately. But it should be known that they're not yet dating. You can watch Eminem egg on the crowd below.

Affectionate to Eminem's flirtations, Nicki Minaj responded on Twitter with her own lighthearted teasing. She also saw this moment as a great business possibility too, relishing the opportunity.

While the social media response makes it apparent that Nicki Minaj is thinking with her head, not her heart, at the moment, the rapper isn't making her affections towards Eminem's romanticism any sort of secret. And she likes playing along. On Instagram, when a fan asked if the celebrity coupling was official, she responded with a simple, "Yes."

While that answer seemingly confirm their recent relationship status, those close to Nicki Minaj claim that's the artist keeping in tune with her naughty sense of humor. She's merely indulging in Eminem's playful silliness, and it's apparent that they're very friendly right now. While Eminem isn't confirmed to appear on Queen just yet, it doesn't seem to be out-of-the-question either. The invitation has been made, and if Eminem has the availability in his schedule, it could happen.

Whether or not Eminem and Nicki Minaj become an item (start proposing your date nicknames, but I like the nice, simple M&M), and whether or not Eminem accepts Nicki's studio proposal, are questions that'll need to be answered on a later date. For now, though, Nicki Minaj and Eminem are certainly tickled by the notion, even if they're not actively acting on it. At least, not yet.

Queen hits stores on August 10th. We'll let you know if Eminem makes any appearances.

Whenever Oscar season rolls around, there are a fair amount of frontrunners and dark horses plucked out of the crowd for discussion. But by time the big night hits, there's always a surprise or two when it comes to the actual winners. And in the case of the nine folks we're about to share with you, they're all stealth Oscar winners who are known primarily for their efforts outside of the world of film. So as you go through this list, you just might be surprised with who's landed the big golden honor over time. Here are nine people who were famous for something not-film-related, who took home the film industry's biggest prize:

Kobe Bryant

Let's start with the man that inspired this list, basketball player Kobe Bryant! Best known as the shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016, the man landed himself an Oscar at this year's past ceremony for Best Animated Short Film alongside acclaimed animation director Glen Keane. As the film was based off of his letter he wrote on the eve of his retirement, Dear Basketball's Best Animated Short win gave Bryant another accolade to add to his personal records.

Peter Capaldi

Whether you know him as The Doctor from Doctor Who or Malcolm Tucker from The Thick Of It, Peter Capaldi is primarily known as a fixture of British television and pop culture. But hidden within that legendary career is some work that Capaldi has done with his other passions: writing and directing! And in 1994, those twin professional loves led him to Oscar victory, as he was part of a tie for the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film with his comedy Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life. The title says it all, as the short that gave him his golden trophy mixes the Christmas classic with a case of writer's block, leading to some problems for our main character.

Jim Rash / Nat Faxon

After their win with Alexander Payne for Best Adapted Screenplay, Jim Rash and Nat Faxon went from a couple of funny guys you recognized from TV to the award winning co-writers of The Descendants. As it turns out, the two men had a previously existing friendship that lead to the two working together to adapt Kaui Hart Hemmings' novel of the same name into an Academy Award nominee for several key awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. But when it came to the award the film actually did win, you can thank two goofballs known for their work on such shows as Reno 911! and Community.

Oprah Winfrey

Yes, Oprah Winfrey has been nominated for an Oscar as an actor, for her work in The Color Purple. But if you were to mention her name to the public at large, the first thing folks would think of is her mega-hit talk show and media empire, both of which have been Winfrey's bread and butter for decades worth of broadcast history. And her Oscar win only further cements that career's influence, as she actually was granted the Jean Hersholdt Humanitarian Award, for "outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes." So while Oprah is a talented actor in the Hollywood firmament, her dedication to bettering the world landed her a very special honor in the history of the Oscars.

Eminem

2002 marked the first win for Best Original Song that would be granted to a song from the genre of Hip Hop, courtesy of Eminem's Lose Yourself from the film 8 Mile. That win was not only historically relevant, it was also a hell of an upset in a field that had a new song for the film adaptation of Chicago, as well as songs from U2 and Paul Simon. But just as he enjoyed acclaim with his first, and so far only, major motion picture lead, Eminem ran away with an Oscar that would pave the way for others to follow in his footsteps.

Three Six Mafia

The second Hip Hop win in the Best Original Song category didn't take too long to happen, as 2005 saw rap group Three Six Mafia claim the prize for "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp", the pivotal song in Craig Brewer's Hustle and Flow. The group themselves were undoubtedly surprised, as their reaction to the win was so genuine that it became a gag in remarks made later by the evening's host, Jon Stewart. What wasn't a gag though was the fact that Three Six Mafia had become an underdog Oscar victor, and another pioneer in Hip Hop making its way to the big stage yet again.

Mo'Nique

For the most part, Mo'Nique has been known as a stand up comedian extraordinaire that rose up the ranks of TV comedy stardom. Her film career, while certainly not negligible, wasn't as prolific as her televised efforts, which helped make her casting in Lee Daniels' Precious all the more shocking. That shock turned to buzz, with her portrayal of the titular character's abusive mother became strong enough to land her a nomination, and eventual win, for Best Supporting Actress in 2009.

Bret McKenzie

We end our run through the surprise hall of Oscar fame with the most important lesson we've learned today. Which is, if you're looking to win an Oscar, your odds are much better if you can get a nomination in a below the line category. Much like Eminem and Three Six Mafia before him, Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie became a surprise winner thanks to the Best Original Song category. "Man Or Muppet" from 2011's The Muppets. While the catchy nature of the song isn't the part that surprises people, the fact that it was co-written by one of the minds behind such ditties as "Business Time" is the part that might act as the shock.

NBC's iconic Saturday Night Live is heading into Season 43 for the 2017-2018 television season, and while the show will be very different this year without any major elections to cover and some notable cast departures, you can bet that those behind the long-running, Emmy-nominated sketch series are working hard to guarantee that there's a solid parade of celebrity guest hosts and musical acts scheduled to perform on the program every week.

While we don't yet know about all the surprises that will await us in Season 43 of SNL (what fun would that be, anyway?), we can probably bet on a few new cast members to fill in for Sasheer Zamata, Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan, who all left the late-night staple after Season 42. And, with many interesting developments in politics happening on an almost daily basis, we're likely guaranteed continued impressions of those in our top offices as the new season gets underway. We've even already heard that the team at SNL and Alec Baldwin, who has been lauded for his Donald Trump impression, are (wisely) not planning to give that popular part of the show up any time soon. Baldwin has noted that, even though he's got several projects in the pipeline, he is game to be around for as many Trump sessions on Saturday Night Live as possible this season.

While we wait for word on new not-ready-for-primetime players and when we can expect Alec Baldwin to hit the SNL stage again, the show is (finally) starting to let us in on who will be hosting and performing on each live episode. Be sure to check this guide regularly to see when your favorites will be appearing on the show, as we'll update it when SNL releases new information. Read on to see who you can watch this season!

Upcoming Episodes

May 5 - Donald Glover With Musical Guest Childish Gambino

Alright, technically SNL is pulling double duty on this one, because when actor/writer/comedian Donald Glover hosts the show on May 5, he will also appear as musical guest under his hip hop moniker Childish Gambino. Glover has become a force to be reckoned with in the years since his star-making turn on the comedy Community. He created and writes, produces, directs and stars in his hit FX show Atlanta, and will be seen in Solo: A Star Wars Story when it opens on May 25. As a rapper/singer, he's released three studio albums, with the most recent, Awaken, My Love!, scoring several Grammy nominations.

May 12 - Amy Schumer With Musical Guest Kacey Musgraves

Comedian and actress Amy Schumer will return for her second hosting stint on SNL on the May 12 show. The Trainwreck and Snatched star will hit the stage a few weeks after her new film, I Feel Pretty, opens in theaters. Country singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves will appear as musical guest in support of her third studio album, Golden Hour.

May 19 - Tina Fey With Musical Guest Nicki Minaj

Wrapping up Season 43 of Saturday Night Live will be frequent host and former head writer/cast member Tina Fey. The 30 Rock and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot star launched the Mean Girls musical on Broadway in October 2017. Rapper Nicki Minaj is set to tear up the stage in support of her upcoming fourth studio album that same night.

Previously Aired

September 30 - Ryan Gosling With Musical Guest Jay-Z

The Season 43 opener will see actor Ryan Gosling host for the second time. Gosling, also known as the guy every dude's girlfriend is not-so-secretly in love with, was most recently seen in the Oscar winning film La La Land, for which he was nominated for Best Actor. His next movie is the highly anticipated sequel Blade Runner 2049, with Harrison Ford and Jared Leto, which opens on October 6. Jay-Z, who's performed three times previously, will be along to promote his recently released 4:44 album.

October 7 - Gal Gadot With Musical Guest Sam Smith

The first Saturday in October will see Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, host SNL for the first time. She is, of course, coming off a major summer when her solo outing as the hero wowed audiences and critics alike. Her appearance on the show comes a little over a month before the November 17 debut of Justice League, in which Gadot also stars. The night's musical guest, Sam Smith, will be taking the stage in his second stint on the show. The Grammy winner has been working on his second album, and just released a new single, "Too Good at Goodbyes," earlier this month.

October 14 - Kumail Nanjiani With Musical Guest Pink

Also making his SNL debut during Season 43 is Kumail Nanjiani, who stars on the HBO comedy Silicon Valley. He recently gained even more praise for writing and starring in the film The Big Sick, which came out earlier this year. Singer/songwriter Pink, also the winner of multiple Grammy Awards, is due to release her seventh album, "Beautiful Trauma," on October 13.

November 4 - Larry David With Musical Guest Miley Cyrus

SNL will launch its November episodes with Larry David hosting the show for only the second time, with his first stint being back in February 2016. David, who is best known for helping to create Seinfeld and guide the show to the heights of comedy over many of its nine seasons, as well as for creating and starring in his (recently revived) HBO hit Curb Your Enthusiasm, appeared on Saturday Night Live several times during the election cycle to play candidate Bernie Sanders. Miley Cyrus, who hosted in 2011 and then took on both hosting and musical guest duties in 2013 and 2015, will return to perform and promote her most recent album, "Younger Now."

November 11 - Tiffany Haddish With Musical Guest Taylor Swift

The breakout star of the summer hit film Girls Trip, comedian Tiffany Haddish will get her first go 'round as an SNL host when she steps on stage for the November 11 episode. Haddish is also known for her work in Real Husbands of Hollywood, The Carmichael Show and in the film Keanu, and has several new projects currently in development. Taylor Swift will appear to perform songs from her new CD, "Reputation," and has been on the show several times before, including a 2009 stint where she served as both host and musical guest.

November 18 - Chance the Rapper With Musical Guest Eminem

Also marking his first stint as host in November will be Chance the Rapper, who's made several appearances as musical guest over the past few years. His third mixtape, "Coloring Book," was released in May 2016 and won three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album. It is also the first streaming-only album to get a Grammy nomination and win. Chance was also nominated for an Emmy this year for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for "Last Christmas," which was written for and performed on SNL. Eminem will perform on the show to promote his new album, "Revival," which debuts on November 17.

December 2 - Saoirse Ronan With Musical Guest U2

SNL's December kicks off with two-time Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan hosting the comedy. Ronan, who received nominations in 2008 and 2016, is once again getting Oscar buzz for her role in Lady Bird, which was released in early November. U2, which has won a whopping 22 Grammy Awards, will perform on the show to promote their soon-to-be-released CD, Songs of Experience.

December 9 - James Franco With Musical Guest SZA

Jack of all trades James Franco takes on SNL hosting duties for the night of December 9. He's currently starring in the HBO drama The Deuce and can be seen on the big screen in The Disaster Artist. R&B singer SZA will make her debut on Saturday Night Live that evening. The five-time Grammy nominee will perform to promote her debut studio album, Ctrl.

December 16 - Kevin Hart With Musical Guest Foo Fighters

Making his third appearance as host, actor/comedian Kevin Hart will hit the SNL stage on December 16. His film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle will be released on December 20 and he has five projects coming up soon. Seven-time musical guests Foo Fighters will rock the show once again, this time in support of their new CD, Concrete and Gold.

January 13 - Sam Rockwell With Musical Guest Halsey

Actor Sam Rockwell is primed to host SNL for the first time when the show returns from its holiday break on January 13. Rockwell is currently gaining much praise for his role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, having been nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance, which is also getting Oscar buzz. Singer Halsey will be hitting the SNL musical stage for the first time to promote her most recent CD, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.

January 20 - Jessica Chastain With Musical Guest Troye Sivan

Molly's Game star Jessica Chastain takes on hosting duties for the first time when she hits the SNL stage on January 20. The actress, who received Oscar nominations for her work in The Help and Zero Dark Thirty, has become a force to be reckoned with on screen. Since 2010, she's gotten a remarkable 110 nominations for her roles in films like Miss Sloane, A Most Violent Year and Take Shelter. Troye Sivan will perform on the show for the first time to promote his debut studio album, Blue Neighbourhood.

January 27 - Will Ferrell With Musical Guest Chris Stapleton

Funny man Will Ferrell hits his old stomping grounds again when he returns to host Saturday Night Live for the fourth time. After making a name for himself with impressions of personalities like James Lipton, George W. Bush and Alex Trebek, Ferrell, of course, went on to take his wacky characters to the big screen in films like Anchorman and Talladega Nights. Grammy-winning country artist Chris Stapleton will make his second appearance on the show to promote his third solo album, From A Room: Volume 2.

February 3 - Natalie Portman With Musical Guest Dua Lipa

Hosting for her second time as the comedy moves into February is Oscar winner Natalie Portman. After being most recently seen in Jackie and Song to Song, Portman's next big screen effort, the sci-fi thriller Annihilation, debuts on February 23. Singer Dua Lipa makes her first appearance as musical guest to promote her self-titled debut album, which features the hit single, New Rules.

March 3 - Charles Barkely With Musical Guest Migos

March will bring NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley back to SNL for his fourth hosting gig. The Emmy winner can be seen as an analyst for TNT's Inside the NBA and NCAA March Madness coverage on CBS. Hip hop trio Migos will head to the show for their first stint as musical guest, and will perform in support of their new album Culture II, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

March 10 - Sterling K. Brown With Musical Guest James Bay

This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown will make his hosting debut on March 10. The Golden Globe, SAG and Emmy winner can currently be seen on the big screen in Black Panther, and will be back in theaters later this year in The Predator. Singer/songwriter and three time Grammy nominee James Bay will hit the stage for the first time to support his upcoming sophomore album that night.

March 17 - Bill Hader With Musical Guest Arcade Fire

Emmy winner and Saturday Night Live vet Bill Hader returns to the show for his second hosting gig on March 17. Hader's HBO hitman comedy Barry, which he is the creator/executive producer/director and star of, will premiere on March 25. Arcade Fire will join the show for their fourth appearance as musical guest during the broadcast. Their single, "Everything Now," from the album of the same name, recently became their first to hit No. 1 on any Billboard chart.

April 7 - Chadwick Boseman With Musical Guest Cardi B

SNL decided not to let Season 43 pass by without a visit from everyone's favorite Black Panther, as Chadwick Boseman will hit the stage for his first hosting gig on April 7. Known around the world for his part in the massive hit Black Panther, Boseman will next be seen on the big screen in Avengers: Infinity War when it opens on April 27. Cardi B will appear as the musical guest to promote her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy.

April 14 - John Mulaney With Musical Guest Jack White

Comedian and former SNL writer John Mulaney will make his first appearance as host on the April 14 episode. Mulaney is best known for helping write all those insane Stefon sketches with Bill Hader and he sometimes popped up on the Weekend Update segment of the show during his time there. Jack White will perform to promote his third solo studio album Boarding House Reach.

Remember, be sure to bookmark this guide so you can stay up to date on all the hosts and musical guests Saturday Night Live has to offer in Season 43. For an in depth look at what else you can watch this fall, take a look at our fall premiere schedule and Netflix premiere schedule, as well.

The Truman Show has held up in the decades since its 1998 release, thanks to being a cleverly premised sci fi comedy featuring a great performance from Jim Carrey. However, it's also apparently an influential movie, as Eminem just revealed his 2002 album The Eminem Show actually came together thanks to the Peter Weir movie, and the rapper recently paid homage to Carrey and the film with a lovely post. He said:

I don't know how I've gone 15 years without noticing The Eminem Show is titled similarly to The Truman Show, but it did happen, and here we are. The album's apparently about Eminem feeling watched when he was at his most famous, and the album actually sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was his third record in four years to win Best Rap Album at the Grammys. If that doesn't indicate how famous he was, and how much he was scrutinized at the time, I don't know what would.

I'm personally not really like Eminem in a lot of ways. I don't love the word bitch. I'm female. And I would never, ever dye my hair the color blonde his is known for. But I did grow up in a blue collar town, and Eminem was everywhere. The Eminem Show, with tracks like "Hailie's Song," "Till I Collapse," "Sing for the Moment" and "Without Me" did resonate at the time, even if it's an album that is less about the rapper's roots and more about fame and the Eminem's changing role in society, and it's interesting to hear Eminem acknowledge it's those changes brought on by fame that really made The Eminem Show the album it was.

As for The Truman Show, the movie had a huge effect in a lot of different ways. It proved to us that Jim Carrey could be funny and still make a serious movie. It's a film that at the time won or was nominated for a lot of awards, and is still available--and watched--on cable and streaming services. It's not a huge surprise that Peter Weir's movie had an effect on people, but it is pretty cool that it inspired one of the biggest rap albums of the early 2000s.

So, I guess, thanks Jim Carrey?

The Eminem Show can currently be found on Spotify. (I know because I listened to it while writing this.) The Truman Show is currently streaming on Amazon. If you haven't given it a watch in a while, it still holds up. It did inspire a popular album, after all...

The musical biopic has always stood as the premiere example of a vanity project, and 8 Mile is certainly no exception. And with every vanity project, there's a critic waiting to take it down quite a few pegs. Which means that the Honest Trailer for 8 Mile below is just nature doing its job.

Screen Junkies let their Honest Trailers team loose to tear apart the 2002 film that actually won an Oscar for Best Original Song. Yet despite its golden honors, and some overwhelming critical support, 8 Mile doesn't seem to have aged the way most other film success stories have. But then again, what can you expect when your film's award-winning song states: "You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow" ... only to give that shot to its main character several times throughout the film.

Much like the many shots the character of Jimmy gets to shine throughout the course of 8 Mile, the Honest Trailer actually brings up a valid point when it comes to the filmography of Eminem: he's only ever played himself. You'd think that landing some solid buzz in a film directed by L.A. Confidential helmer Curtis Hanson, while also winning an Oscar for an original song from said movie, would be enough to start the man truly known as Marshall Mathers on a career for at least mid-level roles -- other than playing himself in a cameo capacity -- in big ticket pictures.

While 8 Mile may not have given Eminem his own franchise of superhero films, it is coincidental to note that both Michael Shannon and Anthony Mackie were both in the film. Go ahead, dig up that copy of 8 Mile you accidentally bought from your old Columbia House subscription, and search through the movie to find them. Shannon is the abusive boyfriend to Kim Basinger's fictional representation of his mom, while Mackie is the leader of what the Honest Trailer calls "the Cobra Kai of rap." So Zod and The Falcon stand in Eminem's way to a better future, and in the end, he defeats them both? The fact that one of the singles used to promote the film was a track entitled "Superman" is somewhat oddly prophetic. Listen to that NSFW track right here:

While Emimem's film career isn't as big as it could have been, and 8 Mile isn't exactly the cultural milestone it wishes it could have been, no one can take away from it the fact that it was a film that deeply affected viewers. Also, no one can change the fact that despite the thrashing Screen Junkies gave it in the Honest Trailer, the film still holds strong at a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. With that in stone, it's clear that 8 Mile took its one chance, and it came out much like its protagonist did: slightly better than everyone would have expected.

8 Mile is available on Blu Ray, DVD and Digital HD. "Mom's Spaghetti" recipe, not included.

For most music fans, Bob Dylan is recognized as a lyrical mastermind, a poet, and a true artist. But when it comes down to logistics. The man with answers “blowin’ in the wind” actually didn’t know as much as we all thought, at least when it comes to vocabulary. Research compiled by a company called Musixmatch took 100 of the most linguistically dense songs in the top 93-selling artists ever, and who came out on top? Will the Real Slim Shady please stand up?

It’s not all that surprising that hip-hop artists came out on top during this study. They do spit the most rhyme per amount of time. Eminem tops them all though with an incredible count of 8,818 total number of words used, making him the reigning leader of artist with the widest vocabulary. Next up came Jay-Z with 6,899 words, Tupac Shakur with 6,569 words, Kanye West with 5,069 words, and at number five, Bob Dylan with 4,883 words. This put Dylan as the top folk artist in the chart, and he also was the musician who uses a new word in his songs most frequently, with an average of one every nine words. So rest assured, not everything is run by the rap gods.

There are also a few other logistical issues (if you will) with this study. For instance, there are some top selling musicians who did not want to be included in this research, and did not give Musixmatch the permission to use their lyrics, a few to name are Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Def Leppard, Journey, The Beach Boys and The Doors. Also this is a measure of the top 100 artists, so a few of our favorite lyric genii out there, are unfortunately not going to make ‘popular’ cut.

Another few standout rankings include The Beatles who were at 76th place, and The Black Eyed Peas at number 6 (“boom boom pow” should not count). To conclude their study though, Musixmatch wants to reiterate that their analysis doesn’t mean one musician is better than another:

So at the end of the day, even if Kanye West uses more words than the majority, he’ll never be comparable to The Smiths. And let’s keep it that way.

Do you know what The Interview DOESN’T need at the moment? More headlines because of its borderline-controversial material. The latest pot being stirred by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s comedy has nothing to do with North Korea or its leader, Kim Jong-un, though. Today, the rap community is reacting to a cameo that opens the film, where Eminem finally reveals his "true" colors.

This isn’t exactly a spoiler, though it does reveal the opening sequence of the film – and it convinces a celebrity to pop up in yet another Seth Rogen comedy and spoof the public’s perception of their reality. (Rent This Is The End for several more examples.) This time, it’s rap star Eminem, who admits during a televised interview with James Franco’s character, Dave Skylark, that he’s gay. As you might imagine, the team in the production booth – led by Rogen’s character, Aaron Rapaport – reacts accordingly in this TMZ-infused, hyper-sensitive, pop-culture media landscape.

Eminem treats the whole thing very seriously, telling Franco’s character that he has been "playing gay peek-a-boo" with his fans, and has "pretty much been leaving a bread crumb trail of gayness" for his fans to follow back to the truth. You can watch the scene from Sony’s comedy here on Billboard.com, but don’t be surprised if it gets pulled down, soon.

You have to hand it to Eminem for putting himself out there for the benefit of a joke. Twitter is hitting him up for participating in the scene, with haters and supporters weighing in at a pretty even clip. Some who’ve seen the movie state:

While others bypass the brutality aimed at Kim Jon-un and critique:

Without diving too deeply into the cesspool that is Twitter, there were plenty of opinions about Eminem, the scene, and the movie as The Interview continued to be streamed over Christmas break.

This is a recurring theme on Twitter, that Eminem would have to be paid to say that he's gay. Why?

Some even referenced Em's penchant for threatening women:

Others cooked up a new theory that North Korea wasn't behind the blocking of The Interview from theaters. It was Eminem. Because he didn't want the world to know the "truth" about his sexuality:

Allegedly, this scene was supposed to be slightly different, though. According to Showbiz 411, in a December 17 Tweet:

And yet, Eminem frequently has used his celebrity and his public persona to shine a light on homosexuality and gay rights. Prior to participating in The Interview, Eminem’s biggest visible display had to be his duet with openly gay Elton John at the Grammy Awards.

It’s a shame The Interview isn’t opening as wide as planned, because we’d love to hear more reaction to Eminem’s amusing cameo. It’s always fun when a performer plays against the labels that have been affixed to them by the media and fans. Good for Marshall Mathers for continuing to change how people perceive him… and for proving he has a sense of humor.

All things considered, one would assume that Scandal star Kerry Washington would be the most excited person in the promotional videos for her hosting stint on Saturday Night Live, but you'd be wrong. It’s in fact her musical guest star, the ever-effusive, rapping wind-up toy come to life, Eminem, that has overdosed on the glee.

“This is fun!” cast member Nasim Pedrad exclaims, “Are you having fun?”

Washington shoots back a bubbly "Of course!" before the King of Nice (said by no one, maybe ever) Eminem is posed the same question. And in true Marshall Mathers style, he bounds across the stage, twirling and singing and giggling uncontrollably, tossing flower petals as he skips around his two female companions. “But of course, my dearest Nasim! Oh you are a tiddlywink. This is like Christmas day but funner!”

Ha, juuuuuust kidding. This is Eminem we’re talking about, after all: stoic-yet-angry poker face is the name of the game. Not a word, movement, sign of life or emotion scrawls across Eminem’s face before Pedrad awkwardly adds, "Two of us are having fun!" Clearly, the rapper has his bitchface game on lock.

Luckily for us all, it seems Eminem’s soft spot for cupcakes gets him in the end. It’s a hilarious use of deadpanning that shows he’s just as in on the gag as everyone else. And honestly, a relief to see.

The recently revealed to be pregnant Washington, star of Shonda Rhimes’ soapy semi-ode to The West Wing , has been tapped to host this week’s show — her first time — making her only the 9th black woman to host the sketch comedy stalwart. Ever. And considering the hell week Olivia Pope’s had on the hit ABC series (always hard when, spoiler alert, you find out the love of your life maybe killed your mom at the request of your father), we’re happy to see her spirits high and set to have a good time rather than an anxiety-stricken, stress-inducing, life-altering one. I mean, have you seen the preview’s for next week’s episode, “ Icarus ” yet? Sheesh.

During her Thursday night appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Washington quipped, “It’s a total dream come true, especially coming from New York. It’s a New York institution. I'm really excited.”

Earlier in the week, King of The Rising SNL Stars, Taran Killam also got in on the promotional action, creating scandalous scenarios for himself and the I'm-not-entirely-convinced-she-isn't-just-actually Olivia Pope. And even though Washington gives him a hard no (she was recently married to NFL star Nnamdi Asomugha), something tells us Killam’s own spouse, How I Met Your Mother’s Cobie Smulders, would totally be down for the comedic benefits of a three-way marriage. Every argument, quandary, or disagreement would be “handled” in only the Pope-iest of ways. Stressful but successful!

Saturday Night Live with Kerry Washington and Eminem airs this Saturday, November 2, at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT.

Eminem is proving to be as good at marketing as he is at rapping. The 40-year-old rapper is pulling a trick from Katy Perry’s book and releasing a bunch of songs before he drops his latest album, the Marshall Mathers LP 2. On Monday, he debuted the track “Rap God,” which can be listened to, above. There’s always been big egos in rap, but it certainly took the rapper a long time to come to the ‘rap god’ conclusion.

The lengthy track doesn’t begin like an average Eminem song. The rapper drops his preferred fast-paced lyrics in favor of a weird offbeat rhythm, talking about how he’s beginning to feel like a rap god. "I'm beginning to feel like a rap god (rap god)/ All the people from the front to the back, nod (back nod)." Eventually, he settles into his usual quick pace, dropping names from Monica Lewinsky to Run DMC. It’s completely different, too, from the other tracks he has already let fans listen to, including “Berzerk” and “Survival.”

The song is over six-minutes long, which means there is a lot of time to throw insults at people from pop culture’s past and present. Some of these lines are more meaningful than others and some of these lines are more relevant than others. Still, if you can sit down and actually get through all of the lengthy track, there’s a good chance you already dig it. We once noted Eminem worries about writer’s block, but that’s definitely not the case during “Rap God.”

If you did enjoy the track, the song will actually become available for purchase over at iTunes at midnight tonight, as per Hiphop-n-more. Fans won’t have too long to wait for The Marshall Mathers LP 2 to be dropped in full, either. The album is expected to hit the market on November 5.

You can check out the cover art, below.

Eminem has introduced us to a brand new teaser video that gives us hint at what his newest album might be like. According to the singer’s website, the rapper is “about to kick-off this party” with a brand new single called “Berzerk” that will hit the market on Tuesday. The single will be part of an album that Eminem is calling The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

The snippet of the new song doesn’t tell us much about the new “Berzerk” single, but the video does highlight Eminem’s unique vocals, as well as gives us some information about the single, which was produced by Rick Rubin. The video also notes that The Marshall Mathers LP 2, otherwise known as MMLP2, was co-produced by Rubin and Dr. Dre. I can’t say that title is particularly inspiring, but Eminem the title does fit with some of the rappers other discography titles.

While last night’s MTV VMAs ceremony was mostly about Taylor Swift muttering expletives at her exes, Miley Cyrus being explicit with a foam finger, and Lady Gaga’s numerous costume changes, Eminem also smartly teased the new album and single during Sunday night’s big ceremony. This morning, he released more official information, including the fact that The Marshall Mathers LP 2 will drop on November 5, which puts the title in direct competition with pop singer Lady Gaga, whose newest endeavor, ArtPop, will hit shelves on November 11. While the two don’t share exactly the same audience, it will be interesting to see which LP manages to sell more copies.

Eminem is more of a veteran in the music business than Gaga. The 40-year-old rapper put out an independent album all the way back in 1996 and followed that up with his major label debut, The Slim Shady LP, in 1999. During his career, the man has released seven albums, the most recent being 2010’s Recovery, an album that debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts and went on to garner the rapper some Grammy wins. It’s been three years since Recovery was released, and new music from the performer is overdue.

It’s not that Eminem has been lazy during that time. He has his own radio station and he recently even sort-of released a song called “Survival” via the trailer for Call of Duty: Ghosts. Still, putting out an album is a much bigger adventure, and should be more exciting for fans. We’ll keep you posted as new details about MMLP2 are released.

There are just a little over three weeks left until Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium transports theatergoers to the luxurious pie-shaped space station in the sky. But don’t take that to mean Blomkamp has just been sitting back in anticipation, fielding questions from journalists; he’s hard at work on his next few projects. And how do I know that? Well, from a journalist. Wired’s Mark Yarm recently wrote a profile on the South African director, which also gave us the image seen above, not all that different from the other promo stills we’ve seen of Matt Damon holding a gun. Far more interesting was the article, which covered his political message (or lack thereof) with Elysium, a District 10 update, and his original casting choice for Damon’s Max De Costa character: 8 Mile actor and rap superstar Eminem.

Initially intending the $100 million action flick to be similar to his surprise 2009 Best Picture nominee District 9 as far as a mid-to-low budget and little star presence, Blomkamp asked Em if he would be interested in the part. Oddly enough, it could have happened if Blomkamp had been willing to set the film’s production in Detroit, Eminem's hometown. But that didn't happen, and one snap back to reality later, Blomkamp realized he might need a bigger name, and Damon stepped up to the exoskeleton plate. Before Eminem, the director also tried to get fellow South African native Ninja of the duo Die Antwoord to play the lead, but Ninja opted out due to the high-profile nature of the film and the risks attached. However, both members of Die Antwoord will be staring in Blomkamp’s next project, the sci-fi comedy Chappie.

We’ll get to Chappie soon, but Blomkamp’s District 10 tidbit is more important. He and co-writer Terri Tatchell have written an 18-page treatment for it, which he says is “really fucking cool,” though he shared no details, only mentioning that he isn’t yet committed to the project. As long as they don’t let anyone else do it in the meantime, I’m all right with that.

Before any of that though, he’s definitely going back to the low-budget side of things with Chappie, which will star Blomkamp’s go-to star Sharlto Copley as a sentient droid. It was described by the director as “fairly touching…But you know, fraught with gunfire.” He says the smaller scale is “project-specific, not part of an overall strategy.”

Yet Blomkamp mentions another cheaper project he’s developing called Mild Oats, which he says is “somewhere between John Waters and Jackass.” In fact, he showed off a prop to Yarm, who described it as “a 3-foot-tall, photo-realistic silicone puppet rocking a mullet and jailhouse tattoos. The deranged redneck stands completely naked, revealing six nipples and a prodigious, uncircumcised penis. The character’s name, Marvin, is inked on said organ in gothic lettering.” I already cannot wait to see this movie. Don’t look for any hidden meaning there.

But what about the meaning behind his upcoming movie? “Elysium doesn’t have a message either,” he says, in response to Yarm’s opinion that Michael Bay films are without messages. Regardless of what he's putting in front of audiences, he doesn’t want to be “the political filmmaker.” I’m pretty sure Marvin would knock that stereotype right out.

Elysium hits theaters and IMAX theaters on August 9. Check out the trailer below, only picture Eminem this time.

What’s as good as a story about a guy with big dreams who fights his way to the top? A guy who loses it all and has to work twice as hard to get it all back. That seems to be the direction Southpaw is taking. The film has three great things going for it: Eminem, Antoine Fuqua, and Kurt Sutter. Now it needs a studio. At the moment, it’s looking like MGM is the frontrunner with Sony distributing.

If there’s anyone who knows about telling a story about tough guys with issues, it’s Kurt Sutter. The man behind FX’s excellent biker-drama Sons of Anarchy penned the script for Southpaw, a boxing film which is set to bring Eminem back to a starring role on the big screen, with Training Day’s Antoine Fuqua set to direct.

According to Deadline, Dreamworks’ Stacey Snider, who worked with Eminem on 8 Mile, originally bought Southpaw, but has since let the project go. Now it would appear that MGM/Sony is the frontrunner to tackle the film, which will star Eminem as a left-handed boxer who is trying to reclaim the glory he once held, but lost after experiencing a tragedy and then hitting rock bottom.

Kurt Sutter had some interesting things to say about the film, specifically, the parallels between the story and Eminem’s life and career. “I love that the title refers to [Eminem] being a lefty,” Sutter told Deadline. “which is to boxing what a white rapper is to hip hop; dangerous, unwanted and completely unorthodox.” He also spoke of the loose connection between Southpaw and 8 Mile, describing this new movie as a metaphorical narrative about the second chapter in this character’s life. In 8 Mile, Eminem played a young aspiring rapper who was trying to prove himself. South Paw is about a man who already made it and then lost it all and is trying to get it back. If the film comes together as well as 8 Mile did, and judging by the potential of the series, with Sutter and Fuqua on board, we could be in for something really great here.

We've been hearing about Southpaw for a few months now. A boxing drama starring Eminem, in his first starring role since Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile, the project signed Antoine Fuqua to direct back in June after the filmmaker dropped his Tupac Shakur biopic. It seemed like everything was calm seas and smooth sailing for the movie, but apparently it's just been hit by a tidal wave.

Deadline has learned that Dreamworks has decided to drop the project from its upcoming slate. While the studio won't be making the picture, they have given the project to the filmmakers so that they may try and start it up at a different studio. The script was written by Kurt Sutter, the creator of Sons of Anarchy, and the plan was to begin production at the start of next year. There was no official reason given for why Dreamworks decided they didn't want the project, but the website speculates that it could be because they are afraid of filling the market with too many fighting movies (citing The Fighter and the upcoming Warrior) or because they are feeling a bit more "cautious" after Cowboys & Aliens underperformed.

The story follows an up-and-coming boxer (Eminem) who becomes a welterweight champion but is then befallen by tragedy. He then tries to pick himself back up and become a winner again, both for himself and for his daughter. If this sounds a bit like a boxing version of his character from 8 Mile you're not exactly wrong. Said Sutter about the film, "In a way, this is a continuation of the 8 Mile story, but rather than a literal biography, we are doing a metaphorical narrative of the second chapter of his life." Sutter says he sees the film mirroring the last five years of the rappers career and says that even the title, which points to the fact that Eminem is a lefty, is a metaphor for the star being a white rapper. "I love that the title refers to [Eminem] being a lefty, which is to boxing what a white rapper is to hip hop; dangerous, unwanted and completely unorthodox," said Sutter. "It's a much harder road for a southpaw than a right-handed boxer."

Given how the last few years have been filled with vampire movies and we are about to see about 20,000 "dark" versions of fairy tales, I highly doubt that the reason behind the studio's decision to drop the project was too many fighting movies. The Fighter made more than five times its budget at the international box office. That's not a reason to stop making boxing movies, that's a reason to make more. Don't be surprised when another studio jumps at the chance to make this film.