It's awards season in Hollywood, and as we all wait to see which 2026 Oscar nominees become winners, a well-known legend is airing her grievances about a past Academy Awards appearance. Readers may remember Lady Gaga's viral moment helping Liza Minnelli onstage, but according to the latter, the story wasn't as sweet as it may seem.

Minnelli isn't afraid to share her opinions about things she dislikes, so I'm excited to see what else she discusses in her upcoming memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, out on March 10th. The book, timed to release ahead of the airing of the Oscars on ABC (streaming with a Hulu subscription) on March 15th, had a snippet released by Variety, which alleged she was forced to sit in a wheelchair for the moment:

Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli presented the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2022 award show. Minelli briefly fumbled her words and was reassured by Gaga just before the show cut to the nominees for the category. When the clips stopped rolling, the feed returned to Minnelli and Gaga, who had a bit of banter before Minnelli read that CODA won best picture.

At the time, some praised Lady Gaga for her continued support of aged icons, pointing to her relationship with the late singer, Tony Bennett. Minnelli wrote about what she was feeling in the moment:

Minnelli does go on to say that Gaga checked on her ahead of the performance, after she heard about the situation with the wheelchair. The triple threat said that she simply told the artist she was "a big fan" as her parents, Judy Garland and Vincent Minnelli, taught her to be gracious in moments of high stress.

Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli had a connection not just as performers, but because Judy Garland also once starred in A Star Is Born. It seems that both performers have a mutual respect for one another, though I would love to see what Gaga has to say with this added context for the moment in 2022.

As of writing, the Academy has not offered comment on the allegations brought up by Minnelli. Of course, the awards show is less than a month out, so it would be understandable if the producers are being cautious about how to address the situation ahead of its big show.

CinemaBlend remains enthusiastic about the Oscars' arrival on the 2026 TV schedule, even if some of us are bummed Wicked: For Good was snubbed. Stick with us on the big night as we break down some of the big surprises, shocks, and other viral moments that capture the attention of the world on Hollywood's biggest night.

Super Bowl LX's halftime show was about as publicized as any musical performance could be, and Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance ended up being worth all the talk. (Not so much the negative kind.) Whether viewers were familiar with his music or not, there was no avoiding the headlines leading up to the performance, to the point where even the President of the United States commented on it, and a counter-performance was set up headlined by Kid Rock.

I tuned in as someone who doesn't know much Spanish outside of the few phrases I learned taking the language in high school. Despite that, I enjoyed the halftime show quite a bit, and that's in large part thanks to special care that was put into making this a full-on entertainment spectacle, and not just a medley of global hits.

The Pageantry And Visuals Were More Like A Broadway Musical

I felt that Kendrick Lamar raised the bar when it came to making more of the space allotted for Super Bowl halftime show, but Bad Bunny's production just blew that out of the water. This presentation didn't just utilize the space of the field intelligently, it turned it into something that felt more like a Broadway musical. I loved how it felt like Puerto Rico was brought onto the field in a way that felt organic, well-choreographed, and fun to watch! As Jon Hamm said, "You don't have to speak Spanish to feel that vibe."

Bringing In Lady Gaga And Ricky Martin Were Great Choices For Guest Performers

I was only a little disappointed that the rumors of Cardi B performing in the Super Bowl weren't true, but she did appear onstage as other guest performers more than made up for it. Lady Gaga came out to perform "Die With A Smile" with a Latin music twist, and Ricky Martin also made an appearance singing “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii”, one of Bad Bunny's songs, rather than one of his hits.

Other notable appearances included Pedro Pascal, whose upcoming 2026 movie The Mandalorian & Grogu is headed to theaters. Jessica Alba was also a part of the fun, making for a solid celebration with some big non-musician stars onstage together.

Bad Bunny's Performance Was All About Cultural Positivity Instead Of Politics

With all the chatter surrounding Bad Bunny and his halftime show, it would've been very easy for him to clap back and make a show that criticized the current political administration, and those who campaigned to see other performers get the opportunity instead. He did make such a statement at the Grammys a weekend prior, so the potential precedent was set.

Bad Bunny used his platform to highlight the things he loves about his home, Puerto Rico. Similar to his Album of the Year, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, the performance was a celebration of many things the U.S. territory is celebrated for, with a dance party on the field.

I may not speak Spanish or have all of Bad Bunny's lyrics committed to memory, but I understood the vibes of the show well enough. It was a celebration of culture, family, and things that everyone in the United States can relate to on some level. Who among us has never been to a family gathering, wedding, or just had a good time dancing? Unlike box seats at the Super Bowl, those are ideas that are relatable to just about everyone.

Readers are free to share their thoughts on Super Bowl LX, their favorite commercials, or on the result of the game in the comments. I can't say it's been a fun one to watch as a fan of the New England Patriots, but at least I have a memorable halftime show to look back on!

Following Wednesday’s second season run on the 2025 TV schedule, we’ve gotten some very exciting news about the Addams Family spinoff’s third installment. After a season full of mystery and intrigue surrounding Ophelia Frump, Morticia’s sister has officially been cast. She’s being played by a Tim Burton regular, too, which is very exciting and debunks a theory I had about Wednesday’s aunt.

Eva Green Has Been Cast As Aunt Ophelia

It was revealed by Netflix that Aunt Ophelia will be played by Eva Green following Wednesday’s Season 2 cliffhanger ending, which revealed that Ophelia was alive and being kept in Grandmama’s basement. The actress has collaborated with Tim Burton on many occasions as she has had roles in movies like Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Dumbo and Dark Shadows. So, she’s a perfect fit for Wednesday’s “mysterious and spooky” ensemble.

So, it would seem that we’ll get to see Green with a platinum blonde look and in Grandmama’s basement when Wednesday returns to Netflix’s streaming schedule. Remember, the season ended with her whereabouts being revealed as she wrote “Wednesday must die” in red on her cell’s wall.

Personally, I can’t wait to see the Casino Royale star back in Tim Burton’s world and in costume as this long-talked-about Wednesday character. However, I can’t help but think about how it debunked my main theory about Ophelia, too.

This Confirmation Debunks A Theory I Had About Who Would Play Aunt Ophelia

Now, while this casting is thrilling, it also debunks a theory that I was hoping to be right about. As Season 2 came out last year, we theorized a few times that Lady Gaga could play Aunt Ophelia. While she appeared in the show as Rosaline Rotwood, it seemed possible that her character’s true identity could be the long-lost aunt of Wednesday Addams.

I mean, Rotwood was introduced to Wednesday by way of Grandmama, and considering the grandmother is also holding Ophelia, this seemed possible. Plus, the singer has the look to pull off the aunt, and considering her tiny role in Season 2, it seemed like something bigger could be set up.

It’s also worth noting that in the 1960s series, The Addams Family, Carolyn Jones played both Morticia and Ophelia. So, it also could have been fun (and within reason) to see Catherine Zeta-Jones trade her long black hair for a platinum blonde wig to play both Frump sisters in Season 3 of Wednesday. Clearly, that little theory has also been debunked.

However, those theories have officially been put to rest, because now we know that Eva Green will play Ophelia Frump when Wednesday returns for its third season.

So, get excited about her return to Tim Burton’s universe, and stream the first two seasons of Wednesday with a Netflix subscription. Meanwhile, we’ll keep you posted as we learn more about this highly anticipated return to the Addams Family “creepy” and “kooky” world.

Spoilers for Wednesday Season 2, Part 2 are ahead! You can stream the series about the Addams Family member with a Netflix subscription.

We learned that Lady Gaga had joined the cast of Wednesday in November of 2024, and since then, we’ve been trying to guess and theorize about who the “Born This Way” singer could play. Overall, there’s been a lot of pomp and circumstance around her being on the show, so when she appeared as Rosaline Rotwood for only a few scenes, fans didn’t hold back their thoughts about her lack of screentime. However, I have a theory that there’s a bit more to her character’s story than meets the eye.

Fans Can’t Get Over The Amount Of Screentime Lady Gaga Had In Wednesday Season 2

When the final four episodes of Wednesday Season 2 premiered on Netflix’s 2025 schedule, we finally got to see Lady Gaga in the role of Rosaline Rotwood. We learned that her character was a former teacher at Nevermore, and Wednesday visited her grave to get help with her psychic powers. Rotwood was a powerful psychic, and Wednesday sought out her assistance because she wanted to use her own psychic abilities again. However, things went awry, and Rotwood made Wednesday pay a price by forcing her to body-swap with Enid.

Ultimately, Gaga was only on screen for less than two minutes between that scene and one other, and fans weren’t thrilled about it, as @AMENARTPOP posted:

Another fan posted a TikTok of someone popping in and out of frame in the blink of an eye to illustrate their thoughts on her cameo:

Overall, reactions to her cameo have been mixed. Some thought she ate in the tiny amount of time she had; others were hungry for me. Here’s a smattering of the opinions people had about the pop star’s part in Wednesday:

• Knew it wasn't going to be longer than five minutes -@Smallville0628
• The concept of Gaga originally only contributing 'The Dead Dance', but then being asked to appear in the season, which was then hyped up and promoted like crazy...only to appear for a minute 😭 they wanted the Gaga views, I have to respect it 😭 -@twink4harry
• and you know what... am i little bit upset? yes but am i grateful? so grateful cus we know how busy Mother is -@zuzudw
• and she ate every single second up -@INJ0YANDS0RROW

I agree with that last one; she killed every second of the show she was in. And while I get the disappointment that she wasn’t in more, I’m just happy we got her in the first place. However, I also don’t think we’ve seen the last of Lady Gaga on Wednesday, which is helping process her small amount of screentime, too.

However, I Have A Theory That Lady Gaga Could Play A Bigger Role In Wednesday Season 3

As I was watching the end of Wednesday Season 2, I couldn’t help but think that we hadn’t seen the last of Lady Gaga. Obviously, her participation in Season 3 is not confirmed, so I don’t actually know. However, when it was revealed that Ophelia was alive and hiding in Grandmama’s basement, my gut reaction was to theorize that she would be played by the singer.

Think about it, Grandmama was the one who told Wednesday about Rosaline, so I don’t think it’s off base to make the connection between the spirit and Ophelia. Plus, in that final scene, where we saw her writing about how Wednesday must die (which you can see above), it was hard not to clock the long platinum blonde hair, which I immediately associated with Lady Gaga.

Plus, for a while now, there’s been speculation that she’d play Ophelia. And I don’t think we should bury that theory in a grave quite yet.

So, yes, it’s a bummer Lady Gaga wasn’t in much of Wednesday. However, don’t give up hope quite yet, folks, because I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her…

Spoilers, and I mean all the spoilers, for Wednesday Season 2 are ahead! So, read with caution, and watch the series with a Netflix subscription.

You know, we were told to “buckle up” for Part 2 of Wednesday Season 2, and boy, was that true. These last four episodes proved to be all the adjectives associated with the Addams Family – “creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky” – and we got a bunch of twists and turns that provided clarity on some matters and questions about others.

So, now, as the wait for Season 3 begins, let’s break down the biggest twists and surprises as well as THAT origin story (you know which one I’m talking about).

Enid Is Stuck As A Werewolf After Saving Wednesday

Arguably, the biggest update, since it was both a focal point of the episodes that dropped on Netflix’s 2025 schedule and a major mystery going into Season 3, was the fact that Enid transformed into a werewolf to save Wednesday, even though she knew she might not be able to shift back.

At the end of the season, she was missing after running away and still a wolf, and Jenna Ortega’s character was leaving her family with Uncle Fester and Thing to find her. However, it sounds like when she finds her, she won’t be the same happy-go-lucky roommate, because Wednesday said in voice over:

It had been implied that Emma Myers' character transforming into an alpha wolf could have dire consequences. However, Wednesday’s musings added an extra surprising stake into the heart of this plot point, and I’m sure it will be a vital part of the story in Season 3.

I Didn't Expect Capri And Tyler To Make A Deal, But They Did

Isadora Capri and Tyler were certainly a pairing I wasn’t expecting, just like I wasn’t expecting Wednesday to show Tyler mercy by freeing him from Isaac’s bonds. Now, I’m so curious to see how this Hyde factors into Wednesday’s story.

I had a feeling Billie Piper’s teacher had to factor into the story in a bigger way somehow, and this plot twist certainly affirms that assumption. It seems like Capri could become Tyler’s new master or motherly figure of sorts, even though she said she’s not “interested in being either,” as she explained:

So, it seems like the Hydes will continue to be an issue on Wednesday, and maybe there will be more of them. Also, after Wednesday let Tyler go, I can’t help but wonder if this offer will help him heal and be better, or if it will make him even more evil.

At this point, Tyler is in a vulnerable state, and this deal feels like a game-changer for him. It also feels like a game-changer for the show’s overall story, considering co-creator Alfred Gough did say that Hunter Doohan’s character is “the ultimate wild card.”

So, Is Ophelia Alive? Why Was She Writing About Wednesday Dying? Is She Also Lady Gaga?

While we had our fair share of surprises and shocking updates, I think the biggest plot twist came when it was revealed that Ophelia is alive. And she’s not just alive; it would appear she wants Wednesday dead (or maybe she had a vision that shows that Wednesday must die).

It turns out, Grandmama had a big secret of her own, and this long-lost aunt who was talked about frequently was being kept in her basement. So, that brings up a lot of questions about why she’s being hidden and why she’s writing about Wednesday dying on the wall.

However, the other question here is: Who is playing Ophelia? We know that Lady Gaga was on Wednesday as Rosaline Rotwood, a spirit who helped Wednesday temporarily use her power and caused the body swap between the titular character and Enid. However, what if she’s also Ophelia, and that’s her true identity?

Considering Grandmama was the one to reveal Rosaline to Wednesday, and she’s the one holding Ophelia, it certainly is possible. Plus, that long blonde hair we saw is giving Gaga.

I Cannot (And Will Not) Get Over Thing's Origins

Now, while all that is shocking and twisty and will impact Season 3, the reveal in this finale that surprised me the most had to do with Thing’s origins. Frankly, I never thought we’d learn about the body the hand originally belonged to. However, it was revealed that Thing is an anagram for Night, and he was attached to this season’s big bad, Isaac Night.

I honestly felt a bit traumatized watching the hand be swen back on to Isaac, and I was deeply sad when Thing lost his self-control. However, the hand came out victorious as he used his autonomy to fight Isaac back and help defeat this mad scientist who was out for revenge.

It’s wild to look back on Season 2 and see the arc our favorite hand experienced. He had an existential crisis, sought out help, and ultimately played a major part in defeating this season's big bad while reclaiming and owning himself.

Other Questions That Cropped Up After Wednesday’s Season 2 Finale

• How will Wednesday’s relationship with her family be impacted by all the secrets they’re keeping?
• Will Pugsley actually hang out with Eugene over the summer?
• Are Ajax and Bianca going to end up being more than friends? What does that mean for their friendships with Enid?
• Who is Agnes' dad, and will he be important?

Well, now we have to wait in woe for Season 3. However, thankfully, Season 2 left us with a lot to think about, and I’m certain these loose ends, reveals, twists and origins will play a big part in whatever comes next for Wednesday Addams.

The second half of Wednesday's second season is easily one of the biggest streaming debuts of post-Labor Day week, and fans will no doubt be bingeing the final four episodes via Netflix subscription with the quickness. The new eps will finally deliver the highly anticipated arrival of Lady Gaga's new character, who's mostly been cloaked in mystery since she was first announced. Now, we have our first look at Ms. Rosaline Rotwood, but I'm already questioning whether or not that's actually her real name.

Check out what we can expect from Lady Gaga's Nevermore instructor, who looks about as perfect as any character can within the world of the Addams Family, even though she'll certainly stand out for wearing all white.

It's a surprisingly simple approach for a pop culture queen who has pulled off some of the more elaborately themed looks of any entertainer in the 21st century. Granted, it's possible the back of that shirt could feature a big colorful dragon or something, but I doubt it.

But can we agree that there's something unexpected about this first look? Something that has me questioning whether this woman's real name is actually Rosaline Rotwood.

Why Is Rosaline Rotwood So Friendly With Thing?

To me, Lady Gaga's look isn't even as striking as the fact that Thing is a key part of the photo. We're not talking about a prop or piece of wardrobe that can be tossed on and off without questioning anything. Thing is a sentient character, so for it to be posing with Rosaline means that it's there agreeably and not under duress.

To me, for Rosaline to be posing with a member of the Addams Family (biological or otherwise), it must mean the two characters already have a positive standing relationship of some kind. Considering we never saw Thing rushing off to go on mysterious hangouts during the first season and a half of this show, I think their chumminess predates Wednesday's arrival at Nevermore.

Considering Rosaline Rotwood is described as being a legendary instructor at Nevermore, one could theorize that Thing knew her back when Morticia attended the Academy. But that would require the character to age differently from the norm, since Lady Gaga is technically 16 years younger than Morticia actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. Which leads me to the big question...

Is Lady Gaga Actually Playing Morticia's Sister Ophelia Frump?

This definitely isn't a new theory or anything, since Ophelia was referenced an almost cartoonish number of times in the first four episodes, to the point where theories abound regarding other female characters possibly being revealed as the long-missing sister. And given she hasn't arrived yet, Lady Gaga's new character was also in that mix.

Actually seeing her makes that theory seem even more likely, too. Because within Addams Family lore, Ophelia is known to counter her siblings' dark aesthetic by wearing white and other light colors, while also rocking a head of light blonde hair. Not exactly the most common look at Nevermore.

Plus, if she's actually Ophelia, that would likely help explain why Thing is part of the first look, if one assumes that Thing has been with Morticia since her teen years and would have been around Ophelia at the same time. Sure there are probably other explanations that would make sense out of this, but probably nothing as interesting for the storyline. (I guess she could be revealed as a sister to Gwendoline Christie's returning character Larissa Weems, but it would still take some plot-juicing for it to matter.)

Let us know below if you agree with me, or if you think Lady Gaga's new character is exactly what she appears to be.

Wednesday Poll

Be sure to watch the second half of Season 2 when it drops on Wednesday, September 3, to see if we're all right or wrong or otherwise.

SPOILERS are ahead for Wednesday Season 2, Part 1, now streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Ever since Lady Gaga was cast in Wednesday, I’ve been looking forward to seeing the iconic pop goddess enter the gothic world of the Addams Family, because it just makes sense. But, there’s long been a question about where exactly the singer and Oscar winner will fit into the series. Well, after watching the first half of the season, I have a theory!

My Theory About Who Lady Gaga Could Play In Wednesday

So, we already knew going into Part 1 that Lady Gaga wouldn’t be showing up just yet. Back in May, Netflix did reveal her character name “Rosaline Rotwood,” along with saying Rotwood is “a legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday.” However, at the same time, Jenna Ortega told Entertainment Tonight more recently that she doesn’t think “she’s what people expect her to be.”

In my opinion, character names don’t really matter much, especially when you look at Christina Ricci’s character last season. She played a botany teacher named Marilyn Thornhill before Wednesday later discovered she was actually Laurel Gates. I think while Gaga may initially present as Rosaline, she’ll actually be her aunt Ophelia, who has been missing for roughly 20 years.

While some might think she’d play someone inherently musical – I think of Lady Gaga as an actress just as much as a musician these days, and I would think if she’s going to work with Tim Burton and Ortega, she’s not going to have a cameo, it’s got to be something juicy, and this role is the juiciest I can think of for her.

What We We Know About Ophelia So Far

There’s no doubt to me that Morticia’s sister and Wednesday’s aunt Ophelia is a major key to the mystery of Season 2. The character has been mentioned on many occasions throughout this season, and holds a very important connection to Wednesday, because she also abused her psychic powers and dealt with the black tears before being sent to Willow Hill.

The story goes that Uncle Fester broke in to check in on Ophelia while she was there, but one day she suddenly vanished from the facility. Given what we just learned about LOIS program taking place at Willow Hill and all the patients there recently escaping, it definitely feels like Ophelia could be a major part of the story. And, I honestly cannot think of a better way to bring Lady Gaga into the fold for the second half of the season than making her Wednesday’s long lost aunt.

In the trailer for Season 2, Part 2 (which just dropped on YouTube on Thursday), there’s a scene being teased with Morticia, Wednesday and Granny all sitting at a table, perhaps doing a seance or trying to use their psychic powers. I can see them all coming together to try to find Ophelia specifically, and I’m convinced, whether she’s living or dead, it will be Gaga in the role.

Wednesday Season 2, Part 2 is among the 2025 Netflix movie and TV releases for September 3. Check out what the creators told us about injecting more horror in the series here on CinemaBlend while we wait for Lady Gaga’s mysterious Wednesday debut to be revealed. Even if I’m wrong, I hope it will be an epic moment in one of my favorite Netflix series!

There are a ton of headlines swirling around Jeff Bezos' wildly expensive wedding to Lauren Sánchez. The event was in Venice and reportedly cost millions of dollars. There are also rumors swirling that Lady Gaga and/or Elton John asked for $6 million to play for the CEO's event... but now we're getting conflicting stories. Let's break it all down.

There's been a ton of discourse surrounding this particular wedding, including reports that Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend partied too hard. And while celebs like Oprah Winfrey were reportedly in attendance, a report by TMZ refuted claims that Gaga and Elton John asked for millions to perform. This claims the two icons were never even approached to perform, yet alone negotiating for a specific fee.

In the end, there was entertainment in the wedding. And no, I'm not referring to Khloé Kardashian's curve-hugging dress. Instead, Ellie Goulding and Andrea Bocelli's son Matteo performed throughout the weekend of festivities. But but it looks like Gaga and Elton John were never on the table.

While Kylie Jenner turned heads at the Bezos wedding alongside her famous family, it now looks like two musical A-listers were never going to factor into the celebrations. And if they were, I have to assume that Gaga and Elton John might be worth even more than the millions they were rumored to request. I mean, just count their awards!

It certainly seems like Jeff Bezos' wedding is going to continue to make headlines for the foreseeable future. There are lots of eyes on the event thanks to how star-studded it was, but there's also been some backlash to its scale and reported price tag. Some folks are taking umbrage with how much money the weekend of festivities cost, especially while members of the general public struggle to make ends meet. As such, we should probably expect the discourse to continue for the time being.

Given their status as music icons, it definitely would have bee surprising if Lady Gaga and/or Elton John did a private wedding gig for Jeff Bezos. They both seem to pick out their projects and music releases methodically... and are far from run of the mill wedding singers.

While the chatter surrounding Jeff Bezos' wedding continues, fans of both of these music legends are looking forward to whatever actually coming for Elton and Gaga. While the A Star Is Born actress doesn't currently have any upcoming movies listed, she's expected to have a role in Wednesday Season 2.

Of course, fans of both of these artists are anxiously awaiting new music. Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but Gaga is usually good for a new album every few years. Meanwhile, there are fans who are still hoping that Elton John goes back on the road one day. Fingers crossed.

I think it is safe to say that Lady Gaga (née Stefani Germanotta) has secured herself a spot among the best musician-turned-actors of all time. To this day, I still believe that she deserved to win more than just the 2019 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Shallow,” considering the astonishing and heartbreaking performance she gives in A Star is Born. In fact, I believe her acting talents deserve even more recognition than that.

The Grammy-winning pop star’s big screen appearances so far – also including her portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani in the House of Gucci cast and a new reimagining of Harley Quinn in Joker Folie à Deux – have been predominantly dramatic. Even the one small screen performance that earned her a Golden Globe was as a terrifying vampire queen in the fifth season of the acclaimed horror anthology TV show, American Horror Story. However, much of her other work in TV has proven to me that Lady Gaga has what it takes to light up the silver screen with something a bit more goofy. Allow me to explain…

Lady Gaga's Comedic Talents Deserve The Big Screen Treatment

For Saturday Night Live’s 50th season, Lady Gaga made a long-awaited return to Studio 8H to pull double duty as the host and musical guest in March 2025. In my opinion, the episode (which you can stream with a Peacock subscription) most definitely did not disappoint and saw the artist demonstrate her comedic skills better than ever, making me wonder why she has not starred in a comedy yet. The closest she has come to giving a humorous cinematic performance is her cameo in Machete Kills as one of El Cameleón’s disguises, but even that was too badass to be considered overtly funny.

In addition to the night’s sketches – some of which were among the best featuring a famous musician in SNL’s history, if you ask me – I thought her musical performances that night were uniquely animated and full of character in a somewhat uproarious way. Keeping that and her awesome performance at SNL50: The Homecoming Concert in mind, not only would Gaga nail a comedy, but I think she is even better suited for a musical comedy movie that would allow her to utilize her wonderful singing and dancing skills and her willingness to be funny in one potentially epic project.

Bowen Yang Should Be In The Movie, Too

I have no idea what the plot of Lady Gaga’s musical comedy movie (or, even better, musical horror comedy movie) would be. However, I already know exactly who I would choose to be her co-star.

I understand why “Lord Gaga’s” Weekend Update appearance is one of the more popular bits from her Season 50 SNL episode, but the real standout that night for me was her and Bowen Yang’s parodic rendition of “Wonderful Tonight.” This duet was doubly impressive, as it was not only a gut-buster but also proved that the SNL star and his pop music idol can harmonize with one another masterfully. Plus, Yang is already a veteran of the Wicked movie cast, so there is no question that they would make a dynamite duo performing more farcical tunes in a movie together.

If my words cannot convince you, I recommend you stream Lady Gaga’s SNL Season 50 episode on Peacock now and maybe even check out her first hosting gig from 2013, too. That should give you all the proof to understand why I – a person who is not the biggest fan of musicals – would kill to see her bring her comedic skills to the big screen in one.

Throughout Saturday Night Live’s already impressive history, you can find many examples of the most unexpected sketches earning their place among the most memorable. The 2025 TV schedule has made a pretty huge contribution with a segment from Lady Gaga’s recent appearance. At the same time, thinking back to that show’s contents, there’s an old recurring sketch that I think should be kept in mind for Gaga’s next guest spot, as well as for any upcoming SNL hosts/musical guests who are game to play along.

Lady Gaga’s Performance In Pip Made A Good Sketch Into Something Great

In the tradition of “TV Funhouse” and “SNL Digital Shorts,” the series of pre-taped sketches known as “Saturday Night Live Midnight Matinee” has once again caught my eye in this historic season. Previously the John Mulaney starring “Beppo” made me feel sorry for a space monkey that just couldn’t catch a break.

However the most recent offering for Peacock subscription patrons really took the cake, as it had Lady Gaga’s talents to help it really soar. If you haven’t seen it, or want to relive its glory, here’s that sketch, titled “Pip,” in its entirety:

You could have run this sketch with another guest, and the core concept would have still been hysterical. However, writer Dan Bulla’s segment included a tune that saw the great and powerful Gaga treating a humorous ditty like it was her theme song to Top Gun: Maverick.

As the night went on, SNL’s cast shared nothing but bangers with Gaga, making for one of the best episodes in recent history. But, with Mike Myers’ wild Elon Musk impression leading to the veteran performer being on hand for a timely reprise, I feel there was one golden opportunity staring us in the face throughout the night.

How Did We Not See Mike Myers Revive Sprockets With Lady Gaga?

Once upon a time, Myers’ own storied tenure on Saturday Night Live saw his repertoire of characters include his infamous German film critic, Dieter, the host of the faux art program “Sprockets.” This recurring sketch was so popular that it was literally days away from becoming a motion picture. For the uninitiated, here’s how a typical day on “Sprockets” went:

Mixing crazy character work, while spoofing the sort of avant garde artistry that Lady Gaga trades in, the greatest missed opportunity here was not having a follow-up with a title like “Sprockets: die neue Welle” in the mix. With A Star is Born’s Academy Award winning songwriter/actor carrying the torch into the future, Dieter could return to show the clash between generations in the name of art.

For anyone who's not convinced, go listen to the Gaga song "Scheiße," and imagine that persona processed through NBC's team of crack writers. (And maybe without the need for German profanity.) That concept could easily recur as often as SNL’s writers and Myers choose. Recent hosts like Timothée Chalamet, Michael Keaton, or even Ariana Grande would have been perfect fits for this proposal, in an exercise that could further bond fans of all generations through comedy.

Lady Gaga’s Season 50 episode of SNL is what happens when a guest meshes perfectly with the writers and the cast. I feel like it’s going to be a fools errand to try and top this laugh riot, but I welcome the opportunity to tune in every week and find out.

No one knows what’s in store when the clock strikes 11:35 PM on Saturday. All anyone can promise is that, barring any extenuating circumstances, NBC will be delivering a fresh hand of comedy, with potential aces such as “Pip” or “Sprockets” waiting in the deck.

Jenna Ortega is set to have a major 2025, with the releases of Death of a Unicorn and Wednesday Season 2. As Ortega gears up for the busy year, she revealed who she looks up to within the Hollywood landscape. Unsurprisingly, the star of the hit Addams Family spinoff (which can be streamed with a Netflix subscription) named series director Tim Burton as one of those people. As for the other, I didn't see this name coming, but I totally understand Ortega's admiration.

While at the premiere of Death of a Unicorn at SXSW, the Scream actress teased her show ahead of its release on the 2025 Netflix schedule. During the conversation with IndieWire, she revealed that Tim Burton and Lady Gaga (who's part of Wednesday Season 2) have been great sources of inspiration. The actress couldn't say enough kind words about Gaga and explained just why she was such a pleasure to work with:

Considering that Jenna Ortega has collaborated with Tim Burton closely on multiple projects, it makes sense that he would be someone she admires. But Lady Gaga is a bit of surprise -- and a pleasant one at that. When it was announced that Gaga was joining the Wednesday cast for its sophomore season, the internet went wild. But there was still a question of how she'd work with Ortega. By the sounds of it, the two got along swimmingly, and I love that Ortega views her as a role model.

What makes me particularly envious is that the Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice actor has already had the privilege of working with so many major Hollywood stars. Among them are Winona Ryder, Neve Campbell, Michael Keaton and Martin Freeman. Not only that, but Steve Buscemi even joined the cast of the Addams offshoot this year. She's definitely been in the presence of talent.

As for plot details on Wednesday Season 2, they're scarce at the moment. I'm hoping Steve Buscemi and Lady Gaga both play substantial roles, though, and really shake things up at Nevermore Academy. Along with the top-tier cast additions, Jenna Ortega also promised some significant set expansions for the new seasons.

It's natural for people to have heroes, and I love that Jenna Ortega has been able to work with a few of hers. Here's hoping that gets the opportunity to collaborate with Tim Burton and/or Lady Gaga again sometime down the road.

You can usually tell where an SNL sketch is going. I’m not saying you can see every joke coming in advance, but more often than not, you can understand the tone and the basic premise within thirty seconds. Now and again, however, the comedy staple still has the ability to surprise, as we saw last night when a cute little Weekend Update bit that seemed designed to work in fun Lady Gaga references suddenly turned into an extended dunk on Colin Jost.

The sketch in question stars veteran Mikey Day as Lord Gaga, a British Aristocrat and husband to Lady Gaga who is just happy his wife found a hobby she can enjoy. Throughout the bit, Colin Jost keeps trying to convince Lord Gaga that his wife is actually very popular and probably makes a lot of money from singing. After a few fun back and forths, Lord Gaga finally snaps and says whatever she makes certainly isn’t as much as his textile empire. He then launches into a rant about how emasculating it would be as a man to have a wife whose salary dwarfs your own.

The subtext, of course, is that Jost’s wife Scarlett Johansson is one of the biggest movie stars in the world and makes significantly more money than he does. That’s not to say he doesn’t earn a nice living as Weekend Update host and one of the more famous stars on SNL, but there’s no way it’s anywhere close to Johansson who was a major star in multiple Marvel movies and has been nominated for multiple Oscars.

It takes the crowd a little bit to catch onto exactly what’s going on, but when they do, it’s obvious they cannot get enough of the premise. Every time Mikey Day digs into another “I would die” or “What a nightmare”, the crowd roars with approval. You can check out the full segment below…

Fortunately, Jost seems to have a great sense of humor about such things. He’s always a good sport about the infamous joke swaps with Michael Che, and a good number of those contain references to his relationship with Johansson. In the most recent joke swap, she even appeared on a split screen while he was forced to read jokes about her.

As for the rest of SNL, Lady Gaga crushed it as host and musical guest. Fans couldn’t get enough of Mother Monster’s artsy and chaotic song performances, and as always, she jumped in the deep end and wasn’t afraid to get weird in her sketches. I’m very confident she’ll be invited back to do double duty again at some point in the future. Exactly when that’ll be, however, is unclear. The show hasn’t announced any upcoming hosts or even dates it’ll return with new episodes. That typically means we’re in for a few week break, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Bowen Yang is continuing to prove just how much of a force he is in Hollywood–in front of the camera and via his travel habits. Lorne Michaels’ SNL requirement for Yang to join Wicked involved a regular commute from New York City to London and back again, regularly. Once Wicked wrapped, the Fire Island actor expressed just how glad he was to have the opportunity, regardless of the hours he kept, but glad his wild and regular plane days were done. Although for The Oscars and Lady Gaga week at Studio 8H, he picked up that old Ozian habit, which didn’t take me out but his Miley Cyrus nod did.

The Saturday Night Live cast member continues to be a bright spot on the historic 2025 TV schedule season. And while he’s become one of the most recognizable faces on the titular evening, his foray into movies has helped catapult him to new heights. Between Wicked last year and his two 2025 movie schedule flicks–The Wedding Banquet and Wicked: For Good he’s become increasingly busy. And that’s not even mentioning his killer podcast, Las Culturistas, with BFF and cohost Matt Rogers. All this to say, he shared with ET (via its TikTok) his crazy NYC-LA commute for the big event, kicking it off with the classic LA Cyrus song, he shared:

It doesn’t shock me the Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens actor pulled out such an iconic line to make light of his tight timeline. That casual but pointed humor has helped his career climb as quick as it has.

Yang then went on to share that he didn’t take any special plane to make it to The Oscars. He noted that he’s just typical traveler and likes to be a conscious traverler, saying:

Again, his response is just lightly witty but honest and relatable, continuing the vibe of why his likeable factor. It’s probably just one of the reasons why he’s bonded so well with the Wicked cast and had to show up for them for The Academy Awards. In the future though, The Monkey King alum may have to change this habit with his continuing rise in popularity.

And even though he’s becoming a household name, he still has his fangirl moments. The Garfield Movie actor shared why he committed to the Miley Cyrus song-themed weekend and it’s because of the upcoming hosts and musical acts–Lady Gaga. With the Peacock subscription streamable show booking his personal "White Whale" guest for his own podcast, there’s no chance Yang would miss anything. He stated passionately:

As a fan of both, I am over the moon waiting for this weekend! Both to see the fun they’ll have on the NBC show and to know the Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld alum will maybe catch up on some sleep. Whatever sketch they’re in together, hopefully it doesn’t go viral like Yang's surprise Wicked meme. We’ll have to wait and see!

It’s good to know that Yang can still pull a small but wild Wicked commute when he needs to. Knowing that he can have “Party in the USA,” levels of fun with his SNL to The Oscars travel is even better. Here's hoping he can hang out in one place for a while.

SNL’s 50th Anniversary celebration was filled with memorable moments on Saturday night, from the return (and subsequent drama behind) “Black Jeopardy” with Tom Hanks to Jenna Ortega memorably getting squished. But the whole weekend was an experience for the longtime cast members on the show, as Friday night’s SNL50: The Homecoming Concert also brought in a slew of major names for performances, veteran Andy Samberg included.

In fact, in an iconic moment, he busted out his longtime hit “Dick in a Box” with Lady Gaga, a moment that immediately went viral and was discussed in the days following. This subsequently led into a Digital Short medley that was one of the highlights of the evening.

But, how did Lady Gaga even get involved given she wasn’t the OG “Dick in a Box” singer? And why was Justin Timberlake missing? Thankfully, Andy Samberg addressed this and more in his story of how SNL50 Concert came together.

How Lady Gaga Got Involved With Dick In A Box

Samberg’s less active with SNL than he has been in the past, but his podcast with Seth Meyers, aptly titled “The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers,” addressed how the whole thing came together. Honestly, there was way less preparation in advance than I would have guessed.

The Lonely Island frontman said that’s because they were not doing any new material really. So, it was only a week before the project came to fruition that Lady Gaga even became involved as a musical guest on the docket.

To be clear, Samberg was stoked to create the opportunity with the A Star Is Born actress and pop singer, and they even nodded at her movie gig before the “Dick in a Box” bit. It was very funny. You’d never guess it by the final version that played out onstage, but Samberg was a bit intimidated about working with Gaga.

Oh yeah, so where was Justin anyway?

Why Justin Timberlake Was Out And Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny And Eddie Vedder Were In

Lady Gaga may have been a great get, but Andy Samberg says she only came into the picture after Justin Timberlake declined; the former concurrent SNL host and musical guest currently on his Forgot Tomorrow World Tour. Then other big names got added, including singer (and sometimes WWE star) Bad Bunny, Pear Jam’s Eddie Vedder (in cosplay) and T-Pain, who tragically did not bring a pashmina afghan.

Missing Justin was a bit of a bummer, but Seth Meyers said the medley end result was fantastic, and that largely had to do with those involved --s/o Eddie Vedder -- who really committed to the bit. Meyers said that's really a key to being involved with SNL in general; when people who are not comedians "get the game," the end result is always better.

While Samberg said the songs being written already made things easier, it was actually fairly difficult to rehearse and everyone put in a lot of effort. The medley itself was complicated to compose, and Gaga even had some trouble with learning "the piano parts," so it wasn't just "a given" they could all show up and just execute with no work. It all turned out great, however, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the night.

To be blunt in the best way, SNL’s Homecoming Concert was bangin’. The concert on the 2025 TV schedule celebrated many of the iconic musicians to perform in the legendary Studio 8H and it paid homage to the musical comedy featured on the show. Obviously, The Lonely Island and their videos needed a big moment. However, the internet and I did not expect Lady Gaga to be involved in the said moment, and seeing her sing “Dick in a Box” with Andy Samberg has left us in shock, awe and hysterics.

When The Lonely Island’s performance started, it wasn’t clear that that’s what it was. As I was watching the concert with my Peacock subscription, I thought we were going to see Lady Gaga sing “Shallow” beautifully. However, when Andy Samberg showed up in a bad wig and cowboy hat, I knew something was up.

Quickly, it turned into a big performance about the SNL music group and some of their best digital shorts. And it all kicked off with the “Bad Romance” singer seriously and impressively singing “Dick in a Box” with Samberg, as you can see below:

They also sang part of “Motherlover” before Chris Parnell came out for “Lazy Sunday.” However, Gaga did return at the end with a box on to sing alongside the trio and all their guests to conclude The Lonely Island medley with a bang.

The internet, obviously, was thrilled about this and Gaga and Samberg’s rendition of “Dick in a Box,” as @Melissa_Wasser posted:

Others were understandably shocked by this performance from Gaga, considering she dropped a new single recently. It would have made sense if she performed that, but she went for the significantly funnier option instead, as @AMENARTPOP wrote:

Truly, the internet and I can’t get over this performance. Lady Gaga has hosted SNL before, but this was just further confirmation that she is a musician who needs to host again. So, Lorne Michaels, I hope you are in talks to get the pop star on SNL 50 as host and musical guest, 'cause she just proved in dividends that she would kill it (again)!

Going back to this performance of the iconic Lonely Island song that originally featured Justin Timberlake, @thebravobabe_ posted:

Over on SNL’s Instagram post about this moment, the folks in the comments couldn’t stop praising Samberg and Gaga for this seriously hilarious and exceptional performance, take a look at some of the highlights:

• Gaga playing the song completely seriously and straight-faced is the best thing abt this -@mangociana
• DOUBLE TRUE! 😂😂😂 y’all killed it! Lady Gaga looks awesome! 🔥-@timecapsule_
• This being sang by Lady Gaga is just some epic level comedy 🤣 2010 is knocking at the door -@caheinecke
• The duet we didn't know we needed 😂 -@louisemiller87
• When I say I SCREAMED -@hollyklepcyk
• Ok Jake Peralta and Lady Gaga mashup was not on my 2025 bingo card but I am SO FOR IT! bring in Doug Judy and we have the ultimate trio. -@jennaarayyy

Of course, Samberg has performed “Dick in a Box” with Justin Timberlake live over the years since its release in 2006. However, this was on another level.

Gaga’s commitment to the bit was immaculate, and her vocals were on point. Plus, you can never go wrong when Andy Samberg is singing a silly song.

So, while I never ever expected this to happen, I sure am happy it did, and I think just about anyone who watched it feels the same way too.

One of the greatest honors a public figure can achieve is to either host Saturday Night Live or appear as a musical guest but how many people can say that they accomplished both in one night? Quite a few, actually. See for yourself by taking a look at some great SNL hosts who also put on memorable musical performances at Studio 8H in the same episode (or episodes).

Timothée Chalamet

After receiving a 2025 Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet paid tribute to the folk singer in an amusing way. The actor appeared on SNL's 50th season for his third time as host but his first time as a musical guest, performing covers of Dylan's “Outlaw Blues," “Three Angels,” and "Tomorrow Is a Long Time.”

Lady Gaga

In 2013, years before proving she was a phenomenal actor with a Golden Globe-winning performance on American Horror Story and an Oscar-nominated performance in A Star is Born, Lady Gaga pulled double duty at Studio 8H. In addition to her earnest performances of "Do What U Want" and "Gypsy," the pop star (née Stefani Germanotta) appeared in some of the best SNL sketches featuring a famous musician, which were made classic by her willingness to poke fun at herself.

Mick Jagger

After previously hosting and performing alongside his bandmates in The Rolling Stones in 1972, Mick Jagger would return to SNL to headline the 37th season finale on his own. For his performances of classic tracks like "The Last Time" and "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)," the legendary frontman was accompanied by Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, and Jeff Beck.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover (a.k.a. Childish Gambino) opened his Season 43 SNL episode by singing about his ability to do "anything" in jest but was still able to back up that claim quite sufficiently with his hilarious acting and memorable musical performances. In fact, the episode famously marked the debut of the Atlanta star's hit single, "This is America."

Stevie Wonder

The most memorable highlight from Stevie Wonder's Season 8 SNL episode is when he appeared in a sketch alongside Eddie Murphy (who had portrayed the musician a few times before) as an aspiring Stevie Wonder impersonator seeking his help to perfect his impression. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter also performed "Overjoyed" that night "Go Home."

Ariana Grande

For her second appearance on SNL in Season 41, Ariana Grande pulled double duty in more than one way. In addition to performing "Dangerous Woman" and "Be Alright" between sketches, one bit saw her demonstrate her impeccable ability for musical impersonations as a Tidal intern who must help when the music streaming platform loses power.

Elton John

Elton John first appeared on SNL as a musical guest on an episode hosted by fellow musician Johnny Cash in 1982 before returning 29 years later to both host and perform songs with Leon Russell from their album, The Union. In addition to the Grammy-winning headliner, it was a pretty star-studded night at Studio 8H, with cameos by Carmelo Anthony, Will Forte, Tom Hanks and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Miley Cyrus

Twice, Miley Cyrus got to be the best of both worlds on SNL. In Season 39, she poked fun at her VMAs performance with Robin Thicke and sang "Wrecking Ball" and "We Can't Stop" and, two years later, was joined by The Flaming Lips" to perform "Karen Don't Be Sad" after an introduction by special guest Hillary Clinton.

Justin Timberlake

Qualified to join SNL's Five-Timers Club both for his hosting and musical performances is Justin Timberlake, who debuted on the show with N*SYNC before pulling double duty for the first of multiple times on October 11, 2003. The pop star and actor has contributed to some of the show's most iconic musical sketches, including three awesome SNL Digital Shorts alongside Andy Samberg as a crass R&B duo.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has appeared at Studio 8H multiple times, acquiring a number of musical guest gigs and a few jaw-dropping SNL cameos under her belt, since becoming one of the most famous people in the world. In Season 35, she showed up for the second time as a musical guest (singing "You Belong With Me" and "Untouchable") and the first time as a host, appearing in a funny fake trailer for a Twilight rip-off called Firelight, among other sketches.

Paul Simon

No one has appeared on SNL as both the host and musical guest more times than Paul Simon, who also became the first to pull double duty on the show's second episode ever before coming back to do it three more times. The singer-songwriter was also the first person to join the Five-Timers Club by musical performances alone.

Chance The Rapper

In addition to being one of the most innovative hip-hop artists of his time, Chance the Rapper proved that he can act and has some impeccable comedic timing the multiple times he has hosted SNL. The second time, in Season 45, he also served as the musical guest and was joined by Megan Thee Stallion for a performance of "Handsome."

Kris Kristofferson

In July 1976, months before leading A Star is Born with Barbra Streisand, singer and actor Kris Kristofferson both sang and acted as an SNL headliner. He was joined by his then-wife Rita Coolidge for "Eddie the Eunuch" and later performed "I've Got a Life of My Own" on his own.

Debbie Harry

The frontwoman for Blondie performed solo on the Valentine's Day episode of SNL's sixth season, which she also hosted. Between sketches, Debbie Harry sang "Love TKO" and "Come Back Jonee" before introducing additional musical guest Funky 4 + 1's "That's The Joint," which became the first rap song performed on television that night.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks first served as both host and musical guest on SNL in the show's 23rd season, during which he appeared in sketch where he falls for Chris Kattan's Mango. The country music singer returned to pull double duty a year later but performed his musical numbers as his rock star alter ego, Chris Gaines.

Dolly Parton

For her sole SNL appearance, Dolly Parton hosted and sang in Season 14. The country music legend appeared in multiple comedic bits poking fun at her chest size and performed a couple of tracks from her 1989 album, White Limozeen.

Willie Nelson

February 21, 1987, marked Willie Nelson's second SNL appearance as a musical guest and sole hosting appearance. The influential "outlaw country" legend, who had done some acting before and has acted plenty of times since, was a great fit for the gig and even performed a song with then-cast member Victoria Jackson.

Drake

Before he became one of the most successful rap artists of his time, Drake (née Aubrey Graham) was an actor, best known for his starring role on the Canadian coming-of-age drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation. He reminded audiences that his acting talents have not waned when, after performing as a musical guest in 2011, he returned to SNL to serve double duty in 2014 and again two years later.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish became the first person born in the 21st Century to host SNL when she appeared in the Season 47 Christmas episode, which was met with much acclaim despite her not being able to stop laughing in a few sketches. The Grammy and Oscar winner's parents introduced her and her brother Finneas' performance of "Happier Than Ever" before they later returned to perform "Male Fantasy."

Halsey

Before lending her voice to Sing 2 and appearing in the A24 horror movie MaXXXine, Halsey was considered a non-actor who nailed her SNL hosting gig from Season 44. The self-professed fan of the show was a hilarious standout in sketches and also wowed audiences with her musical performances, such as when she painted a full portrait while singing "Eastside."

Ray Charles

Before making a cameo in, arguably, the best movie based on an SNL character, 1980's The Blues Brothers, Ray Charles headlined the fifth episode of the show's third season. The influential musical genius was surprisingly good and sketches and unsurprisingly shined with his performances of "I Can See Clearly Now," "What I'd Say," "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," and "I Can't Stop Loving You."

Olivia Newton-John

Having gained international fame from playing Sandy in Grease, there was no question that Olivia Newton-John would be a great fit on SNL as both a host and musical guest. The Australian singer and actor actually appeared in a parody of the 1978 musical movie classic when she took the stage for the Season 7 finale, during which she also performed songs from her hit album, Physical.

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa's hosting duties in SNL's third season were largely seen as a disaster, due to his tendency to go off-script, which is said to be why he never appeared on the show again. However, his performances of "Dancin' Fool," "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing," and "Rollo" with the Mothers of Invention should still be recognized as highlights of that night.

Quincy Jones

In SNL's 15th season, influential music producer Quincy Jones made his sole appearance on the show as a host and musical guest. However, notably, he was not the only musical guest to appear that night, seen performing "Back On The Block," "The Verb To Be," and "Wee B. Dooinit" with the likes of Take 6, Tevin Campbell, Andrae Crouch, Sandra Crouch, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, Melle Mel, Quincy D III, Siedah Garrett, and Al Jarreau.

Sting

Sting is qualified for the Five-Timers Club with his number of SNL appearances as the musical guest – one of which, in Season 16, also saw him headline as the host. The one-time Police frontman would later return to host the show again in 1997 but with musical guest Veruca Salt.

Harry Styles

In November 2019, Harry Styles made his debut as an SNL host on a night that also saw his induction into the Five-Timers Club as a musical guest. The English singer and actor had previously appeared three times with the boy band One Direction and once as a solo artist in 2017.

Gary Busey

Following his Oscar-nominated performance as the late, eponymous rock 'n roll pioneer in 1978's The Buddy Holly Story, Gary Busey made his sole appearance on SNL as a host. The actor also performed the song "Stay All Night" as one of three musical guests for that episode, the other two being Gregory Hines and Eubie Blake.

Bruno Mars

As he mentioned in his opening monologue, Bruno Mars had no prior acting experience (unless you count his cinematic debut as "Little Elvis" in Honeymoon in Vegas) before appearing as a host in Season 38 of SNL. Nevertheless, he proved to be a fantastic comedic actor in an episode that was also graced with a cameo by Tom Hanks, who showed up to introduce the pop star's performance of "Locked Out of Heaven."

Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz used to perform music and comedy on an almost regular basis when starring in the classic TV sitcom, I Love Lucy, as Ricky Ricardo. Therefore, appearing on SNL as both the host and musical guest (alongside his son, Desi Arnaz Jr.) should have been a breeze for the Cuban-born performer.

Lizzo

Lizzo's second appearance on SNL as a musical guest (for which she performed "About Damn Time" and "Special") was also her first time hosting the series. In her Season 47 episode, she proved to be a natural – especially in one sketch as a flutist who cannot play a note with twerking in unison – but also got a few cases of the giggles, endearingly so.

Art Garfunkel

Following his appearances with his one-time singing partner, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel went solo on March 11, 1978, as the host and musical guest. In addition to his performances of "All I Know," "Scarborough Fair," and "Crying in My Sleep," he was joined by Stephen Bishop for "Wonderful World."

Lily Tomlin

For her first hosting gig, on the sixth episode of SNL's first season, comedy icon Lily Tomlin also filled in as the musical guest, performing "St. James Infirmary" with Howard Shore & the All Nurse Band. In what would now be considered a controversial SNL moment if it was not largely forgotten, Tomlin would return to pull double duty in Season 8 but, for her musical performances, donned blackface to play a male R&B singer character named Pervis Hawkins.

When you’re an actor in a movie that’s a massive hit, you’re the toast of the town. When you’re an actor in a movie that bombs, you’re…not. Lady Gaga has been on both sides of the equation. She’s an Academy Award-nominated actress, but that was yesterday. Today, she’s the co-star of Joker: Folie à Deux, one of the biggest bombs of last year. Having said that, she’s taking the movie’s failure in stride and taking a view of it that most others in Hollywood could probably learn from.

2019’s Joker was a massive hit by any definition, it was a huge box office success and it was a serious Oscar contender, earning multiple Oscar wins including a Best Actor award for Joaquin Phoenix. It’s no surprise that a sequel was given the green light. Unfortunately, the sequel failed to live up to expectations. It flopped with both audiences and critics. While that was almost certainly a disappointment for Lady Gaga, she tells Elle that sometimes, that’s just what happens…

When a movie flops it’s pretty common to see fingers start to get pointed. Critics get blamed for bad reviews hurting the box office. Studios get blamed for not spending enough to market the movie to the right audience. Anybody on the cast or crew may take the hit for dropping the ball, resulting in a movie that could have been a success if only something had happened slightly differently. Sometimes an actor or director may fall on their sword and blame themselves.

But Lady Gaga isn’t blaming anybody. She’s pointing out (quite correctly) that movies are art and not all art works for everybody. Sometimes a work of art can connect with a large audience, sometimes it connects with a small audience, and sometimes art just gets rejected by everybody. Or at least everybody except Quentin Tarantino. That doesn’t mean the art is in some way wrong, it just is what it is.

Certainly, the movie business is a business, it’s not just about creating art for art’s sake. For that reason it’s understandable that we judge movies by box office receipts or by award nominations, tangible things that studios can point to, to show that investment in a film was worthy. But there is still an intangible element to art that can’t be forgotten.

We’re heading toward the middle of December, and it seems the folks behind the best streaming services know that it’s getting cold outside. That's because they’re putting an incredible list of content up on their platforms this week. I could have filled this entire list with what’s new on Netflix and what’s upcoming on Disney+ alone, because there’s enough worth of note on those platforms alone.

However, there’s at least one new show or movie on every major platform that’s worth checking out this week. From major theatrical releases making their streaming debut to the newest entries in successful franchises, here's what’s coming to streaming this week.

New TV

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… - December 10 (Netflix)

It’s been a little less than two years since Jamie Foxx's mysterious medical emergency, which made headlines. Since that time, he hasn’t said much about it publicly. That’s likely to change this week, if you have a Netflix subscription when his new comedy special What Had Happened Was. Some claims coming off the taping indicated that Foxx will discuss what happened to him, though clearly in a humorous way.

Dream Productions - December 11 (Disney+)

Inside Out 2 looks like it will become 2024's highest-grossing movie. Knowing that excitement for Dream Productions is likely high. The new Disney+ limited series will focus on the Dream Productions area of Riley’s mind as seen in the first movie, acting as a sort of mockumentary-style workplace comedy that paints the titular entity as a movie studio. We can expect more than a few meta-jokes coming from this new Disney+ series.

Dexter: Original Sin - December 13 (Paramount+)

The Showtime series Dexter was a huge hit in its day, but it ended in a way that made continuing the story from there challenging. But there really isn’t any way to kill a franchise, and thus Dexter: Original Sin is here. The prequel series stars Patrick Gibson as Dexter Morgan but will also include original series star Michael C. Hall as an older Dexter narrating the story.

New Movies

Red One - December 12 (Prime Video)

With a $164 million worldwide box office take, the new Christmas movie Red One starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans hasn't proven itself truly profitable against its large budget. While Red One actually got to see the big screen, it was always planned to be a streaming offering for those with a Prime Video subscription, and so anyone who's been waiting to see the movie that way doesn't need to wait much longer.

Joker: Folie à Deux - December 13 (Max)

The sequel to the smash hit Joker certainly didn’t set the box office on fire with its strange musical (but not a musical) sequel. Still, we’ve seen more than a few movies that struggled at the box office find their audience on streaming platforms. Anybody with a Max subscription will be able to check out Joker: Folie à Deux for themself and decide whether the sequel is as bad as critics claim.

Next week, we enter the back half of December and begin closing out the year. Know that a lot more fun is on the way before 2024 comes to a close!

I believe it is only a matter of time before we see Harley Quinn in Matt Reeves’ Batman Universe, which has been officially dubbed “The Batman Epic Crime Saga.” Considering how many movies featuring the Clown Princess of Crime we have seen in only the last decade, despite the character only existing since 1992, this new canon of upcoming DC movies led by Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight would not be complete without her.

I cannot be certain that we will see the villain once known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel in the upcoming The Batman Part II but if and when she is inducted into this bleak vision of Gotham City – which was expanded on with the new DC TV show, The Penguin – I can only imagine who would be chosen to play her. In fact, I did use my imagination to put together a list of talented actors whom I believe would be ideal to play the Harley Quinn to Barry Keoghan’s Joker one day.

Sydney Sweeney

I think most audiences would agree that Sydney Sweeney did not have the most satisfying superhero movie debut, having starred in 2024’s Madame Web cast as Julia Cornwall in the critically reviled Sony Spider-Man Universe installment. While there are other Marvel characters I would like to see Sweeney play, I believe that an even better second chance at comic book movie glory would be offering the Euphoria cast member the role of Harley Quinn, which would also give the talented actor an opportunity to play a someone deeply unhinged.

Margaret Qualley

An actor who is almost too good at playing unhinged characters is Margaret Qualley, as she has demonstrated with her roles in the likes of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the underrated dark comedy Sanctuary, and Coralie Fargeat’s body horror masterpiece, The Substance. So, as far as I am concerned, all Andie MacDowell’s daughter would need to do is dye her hair blonde and she has the role of Harley Quinn in the bag.

Rosa Salazar

Another actor who has proven her ability to play unhinged characters, such as in the Hulu original miniseries Wedding Season and the 2021 Netflix horror TV show Brand New Cherry Flavor, is Rosa Salazar. The Peruvian and French-Canadian actor, who made her comic book debut in the title role of Alita: Battle Angel, is about to be added to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Diamondback in the upcoming Marvel movie, Captain America: Brave New World but, hopefully, that does not interfere with her potential.

Florence Pugh

Already an MCU alumna is Florence Pugh who, in addition to playing a few badasses in her day – namely Yelena Belova, whom she is reprising in the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie – has played roles that meaningfully address mental health, particularly Dani Ardor in A24’s Midsommar. All the Academy Award nominee would really need to do is combine those abilities into one, let her natural talent guide her the rest of the way, and she would be a perfect Harley Quinn.

Amanda Seyfried

Despite having no experience acting in comic book adaptations, nor portraying “unhinged” characters (unless you count her role as Karen Smith in the Mean Girls cast or Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout), I still believe Amanda Seyfried (pronounced “sigh-fred,” by the way) has what it takes to make a great Harley Quinn. The key to her eligibility, for me, is not necessarily in the Brooklyn femme-fatale accent she perfected for her Academy Award-nominated performance as Marion Davies in Mank but just in her eyes, which have enough character in them to nail the portrayal alone.

Imogen Poots

English actor Imogen Poots is also gifted with striking blue eyes that would lend beautifully to her hypothetical Harley Quinn portrayal in a sequel to The Batman. However, unlike Amanda Seyfried, many of Poots’ best movies and TV shows (including Amazon Prime sci-fi neo-Western series Outer Range, the Twilight Zone-esque Vivarium, and the erratic dark comedy Filth) see her taking on roles that do require her to go a little off the deep end and I think that playing the DC Comics villain could be her magnum opus in that regard.

Naomi Scott

It was not until she gave an astonishing performance as a pop star driven insane by a parasitic demon in one of the best horror movies of 2024, Parker Finn’s Smile 2, that critics and audiences finally began to notice just how talented Naomi Scott is. If the English actor – also previously known for 2017’s Power Rangers and the live-action Aladdin remake – were to channel that same energy into a portrayal of Harley Quinn, it could be something really special.

Natasha Liu Bordizzo

Taking a look at the best Natasha Liu Bordizzo movies and TV shows – including Ahsoka, The Society, and The Voyeurs – it is clear that she has played quite a few scene-stealing roles of a relatively dark variety. I could see the Australian-born model-turned-actor of Chinese and Italian descent trying something different with the Harley Quinn role – perhaps making her more outwardly reserved with a chilling underlying mania, which might actually be a perfect fit for the tone of the Batman Epic Crime Saga.

Lady Gaga

I don’t think there is a single person who blames Lady Gaga’s performance for the poor critical reception of Joker: Folie à Deux, in which she plays a version of Harley Quinn who is already broken and committed to Arkham Asylum when she meets and falls for Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck. So, I say, give the Oscar-winning pop music diva a second chance at the role in another gritty DC Elseworlds story that would allow her to really explore the complexities of the character in her more definitive form.

You may have noticed that I did not mention Margot Robbie, whose version of Harley Quinn originated from the now-defunct DC Extended Universe. Well, honestly, I am not sure she is right for the world introduced in The Batman but I would still absolutely love to see more of Robbie’s iconic iteration of Harley in the DCU canon.

Get ready to bust a move with Wednesday again, because Lady Gaga is officially joining the cast of one of Netflix’s best series! And after hearing the news that the singer would be joining Wednesday for Season 2, I know the exact kind of character I want her to play.

After Wednesday and Lady Gaga went viral last season because fans recreated Jenna Ortega's dance to the song "Bloody Mary," the pop star's connection to the show has grown deeper. EW announced the casting, noting that "Gaga's role in the Wednesday cast is still unknown, though the singer-actress is currently filming the show in Europe."

Personally, I'm hoping she plays some sort of teacher and villain a la Christina Ricci. I loved the role the Yellowjackets star played last season as Marilyn Thornhill. I think the "Bad Romance" singer would thrive as a character who is close to the students but has evil intentions.

While Ricci’s character taught her students about plants, maybe Gaga’s could be a music teacher at Nevermore. Then, not only would she grace the screen with her incredible acting abilities, but she’d also have ample opportunities to sing too! Honestly, I can picture it all now.

And guess what? Jenna Ortega can too. Back in early 2023, a few months after Wednesday’s first season took the internet by storm, the Scream actress was asked about Gaga and the viral dance. She was then questioned about what role she could see the A Star Is Born actress playing on The Addams Family spinoff, and her fantasy falls in line with mine, as she told Variety:

Well, there you have it. Jenna Ortega and I seem to be on the same page. So, here’s hoping this is the direction the show decides to go. Seeing actors like Gwendoline Christie and Christina Ricci play employees at Nevermore was so fun, and I loved watching them interact with Wednesday and her friends in ways that showed off how eclectic this school’s staff is. I could see Lady Gaga doing the exact same thing in Season 2 if she’s cast as a teacher or staff member.

Obviously, all of this is just me dreaming, and at the moment, we don’t know who the “Born This Way” singer will play. What I do know is that no matter who she portrays, it’ll be wonderful, weird and probably scary, like most of the characters on Wednesday.

Along with Lady Gaga, there are other new faces stepping into the world of Wednesday. Earlier this year, it was announced that Steve Buscemi would be joining the Addams Family show along with other actors like Christopher Lloyd, Thandiwe Newton, Haley Joel Osment, Billie Piper and more.

Basically, what I’m saying is, we’re really in for a treat whenever Wednesday graces our screens again.

As of right now, there isn’t much known about Season 2 outside of the actors' cast and the fact that they’re in production. However, hopefully, the series will air on the 2025 TV schedule so we can find out more about this mystery character Lady Gaga is playing.

While we wait, though, you can watch Season 1 of Wednesday with a Netflix subscription to get to know the Nevermore staff and imagine Lady Gaga as part of it.

All Saturday Night Live hosts have appeared "as themselves" in their monologue but things get really fun when they take allow themselves to be the butt of the joke in a sketch and appear as themselves. Not counting some of the jaw-dropping SNL cameos over the years, these are some of our favorite examples of a celebrity going meta at Studio 8H in a sketch from an episode that they headlined.

Brunch (Chris Hemsworth)

At first, in the Season 41 SNL sketch "Brunch," it seems that host Chris Hemsworth is playing a woman named Claire, who happens to be obsessed with the Thor actor until her friends begin to suspect that she is the Australian celebrity himself. They turn out to be correct when he reveals he wanted to make sure he was still one of the most desired Hollywood Chris' and the most desired Hemsworth.

Your Mom Talks To Megan Fox (Megan Fox)

One sketch from Megan Fox's sole hosting gig from SNL Season 35 sees the star of the Transformers movies appear as herself waiting for a friend of hers to get ready for a night out. During that time, she chats with Kristen Wiig as the friend's mother while she does laundry and has some eye-opening life advice to offer the actor.

I'm Just Pete (Pete Davidson)

For his return to Studio 8H as a host, Pete Davidson welcomed the opportunity to poke fun at his post-SNL career and personal life, most notably with a music video that quickly became one of the most popular sketches of Season 49. Set to the tune of the Oscar-nominated song "I'm Just Ken" from Barbie, the comedian channels Ryan Gosling's portrayal of the iconic doll (and dons his hairstyle) for a hilariously self-effacing ballad with blockbuster-level production design.

Little Focker Film Fan (Robert De Niro)

On his third appearance on SNL as a host, Robert De Niro stars in a sketch taking place on the set of 2010's Little Fockers, where meets a young boy named Keith (Bobby Moynihan) who is extremely excited by everything he sees, except for the two-time Academy Award winner. He even ribs De Niro for a few of his career misfires but, of course, goes crazy over receiving a page of the script, meeting a makeup artist, and when Ben Stiller, also playing himself, appears.

Why is Benedict Cumberbatch Hot? (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Everyone in this sketch, stars as themselves, including Beck Bennett, who sets up a game show in an attempt to understand why people find the night's host, Benedict Cumberbatch, attractive. It gives the Doctor Strange actor a chance to be self-effacing (comparing himself to the likes of a hammerhead shark and Sid the Sloth from the Ice Age movies) before his compliments toward Beck finally lead the SNL star to understand the English actor's appeal.

Meet The Family (Christopher Walken)

Everyone has their own Christopher Walken impression and most of the SNL cast, circa Season 33, had the opportunity to demonstrate their own right in front of the Academy Award winner. They play members of the host's family who reunite with him at a restaurant, discuss highlights of his career, and reminisce about their own lives together.

Friends (Matthew Perry)

Then Friends cast member Matthew Perry appears as Matt LeBlanc's character, Joey Tribbiani, for what starts a typical parody of the hit sitcom. It evolves into something more meta when Colin Quinn walks in as an overly flamboyant caricature of Chandler Bing, causing the host to unhappily break character and derail the whole sketch.

Ryan's Hometown (Ryan Gosling)

In 2015, first-time SNL host Ryan Gosling appeared as himself in a sketch set at a bar in Ontario, Canada, where he is being interviewed for a GQ profile. The interview is interrupted by the Drive star's childhood bully, Trevor (Kyle Mooney), who challenges him to perform a song from Dreamgirls, dance to Cathy Dennis' "Touch Me," and compare their muscular physiques before admitting that he misses the actor's presence.

United Way (Peyton Manning)

One of the funniest SNL sketches featuring a professional athlete is an SNL Digital Short framed as a United Way ad, featuring Peyton Manning spending the day with a group of children. Quickly, it becomes clear that this fictionalized version of the former Denver Broncos quarterback is the farthest thing from a good role model to the world's youth.

Old Lady Gaga (Lady Gaga)

Lady Gaga proved that she was totally game to make fun of herself when she hosted a 2013 SNL episode, which featured an entire sketch dedicated to mocking some of her most famous radio hits and iconic career highlights. It is set in a future where the world has forgotten about the pop star and her older self, desperate to find a fan, calls up her building's superintendent (Kenan Thompson), who at least can recognize "Empress Beyoncé."

Star Trek Convention (William Shatner)

Emmy winner William Shatner owes his career to the Star Trek franchise but you would think he was not so grateful with the way he treats fans in an SNL sketch from 1986. The Captain Kirk actor appears at a convention, where he urges a group of Trekkies to "get a life" instead of obsessing over the sci-fi TV show that he did "as a lark" back in the 1960s.

Hamm & Bublé (Jon Hamm)

After promoting "Jon Hamm's John Ham" in his first SNL hosting gig, Jon Hamm teamed with Michael Bublé (who was that night's musical guest) to introduce a new restaurant that serves pork and champagne. However, the crooner explains in his musical interstitials that he is being held captive by the Mad Men cast member and forced into helping him with this misguided and pun-fueled idea.

Point Blank (Wayne Gretzky)

The legendary Wayne Gretzky appeared as himself in a number of sketches, and proved to have some surprising comedic timing when he hosted SNL in 1989. One of the funniest moments sees the hockey star appears on a talk show that encourages viewers to call in to ask the guest something but none of the questions have anything to do with him or with hockey and are all people seeking advice for something obscure.

Easter Candy (Michael Keaton)

In 2015, Oscar nominee Michael Keaton appeared as a flamboyant, blonde-haired gentleman showing off the contents of his Easter basket, with help from Kate McKinnon as the seemingly imbalanced Portia. It is not until the very end of the deeply bizarre sketch that we discover the Batman actor has been portraying a highly fictionalized version of himself the whole time.

Bill Swerski's Super Fans (Michael Jordan)

NBA legend Michael Jordan plays himself in a few sketches from his sole hosting gig from 1991. One of the most essential highlights sees the Space Jam cast leader join the hosts of Bill Swerski's Super Fans in a cheer for his fellow Chicago Bulls while wearing hula skirts.

Steve Martin Wants More Money (Steve Martin)

When Five-Timers Club member Steve Martin returned to SNL for his then-record-breaking 14th hosting gig, the comedian starred in a sketch set backstage, where he demanded Lorne Michaels a pay raise. However, the producer insists that he go on or he could be replaced with the one person who was closest to matching his record at the time: Alec Baldwin.

Investigation Discovery Presents: White People Problems (Charles Barkley)

In one of the few SNL sketches starring Charles Barkley as himself with no relation to basketball, he is seen hosting a true crime docuseries. However, instead of covering murders or kidnappings, Investigation Discovery Presents: White People Problems discusses instances of caucasian people reacting angrily to situations that seem completely blown out of proportion to the Black people involved.

Chris' Bedtime Story (George Foreman)

In Season 20, George Foreman starred in a backstage-set sketch in which one-season SNL cast member Chris Elliott asks the host to read him a bedtime story so he can take a nap in his dressing room. We imagine that, if anyone else demanded such a request from the boxing champ in real life, it might not end well for them.

Elton John And The Royal Wedding (Elton John)

Most of the sketches from host Elton John's 2010 episode see the Grammy winner playing himself. One of the best SNL sketches featuring the musician sees him visiting the Royal Family, who reveal their nasty, conniving true selves to him behind closed doors.

Brian Diaries (Brian Williams)

A non-actor who still nailed it as an SNL host is Brian Williams, who actually portrayed several original characters throughout the show. However, the former NBC Nightly News anchor did play himself in a Digital Short offering an exaggerated account of his daily routine, which includes receiving a motivational message from Bono (also appearing as himself) while meditating.

Read To Achieve (LeBron James)

LeBron James made his true acting debut hosting SNL before portraying himself in Trainwreck convinced audiences he had talent off the basketball court. He also stars as himself in one sketch in which his attempts to film a PSA are repeatedly interrupted by an obnoxious PA (Jason Sudeikis) who cannot seem to throw the ball at the athlete correctly.

Garth Brooks Backstage With Tracy (Garth Brooks)

During his second hosting gig, Garth Brooks appeared in an SNL sketch taking place backstage at Studio 8H, where cast member Tracy Morgan voices his disparaging opinion of that night's musical guest, Chris Gaines. What the country music star does not disclose to the comedian is the fact that he and the rock singer are actually the same person.

Sugar-Frosted Anabolic Steroids (Fran Tarkenton)

SNL has poked fun at how professional athletes often endorse products on many occasions, such as when John Belushi played himself in an ad for a breakfast cereal that was literally chocolate donuts. In the 1970s, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton tried his hand at the topic with a sketch that sees him endorse a cereal that is literally just performance-enhancing drugs.

Fernando's Hideaway (Mr. T And Hulk Hogan)

When actors/professional wrestlers Mr. T and Hulk Hogan hosted SNL together in the 1980s, they mostly appeared as themselves throughout the show. The most esteemed highlight sees them as guests on a recurring talk show bit hosted by Billy Crystal as Fernando Lamas, who goes off script to acknowledge the Hulkster's bouncing pecs when he accidentally laughs in the middle of the segment.

Marvin PSA/Knockouts (Marvin Hagler)

No one through a knockout punch quite like Marvelous Marvin Hagler in his day, which served as the inspiration for a bit from his SNL hosting gig. He appears in a PSA to help prepare people for if and when they might be forced to oppose him in the ring.

Boston Teens: Ski Lift (Jonny Moseley)

Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch used to star in a recurring SNL sketch as stereotypical Boston teenagers Pat Sullivan and Denise McKenna. One edition saw them share a ski life with Olympic Gold medalist Jonny Moseley, who acts as a referee when the couple gets into an argument.

Finnish Talk Show (Katy Perry)

Katy Perry's second time on SNL was also her first time serving as a host, during which she starred in a sketch in which the pop star appears on a talk show from Finland. She soon discovers that the host (played by Kristen Wiig) has employed an unusually thorough research team, allowing her to have a clip ready to fun for literally any topic that comes up.

Football Liar (Walter Payton)

One of Jon Lovitz's most popular recurring characters on SNL was the habitually dishonest Tommy Flanagan. One sketch sees him run into Chicago Bears running back (and that night's host) Walter Payton who ends up being just as big a liar as he is.

Sports Beat (Nancy Kerrigan)

After suffering an infamous attack which was later dramatized in 2017's I, Tonya, Nancy Kerrigan proved she had a sense of humor about it when she hosted SNL. One sketch sees the figure skater appearing on a talk show with other Olympians who endured much worse injuries than she did but would receive far less favorable treatment.

Tommy Flanagan: Drinking With The Jaggers Cold Open (Jerry Hall)

Tommy Flanagan talks up model Jerry Hall and tries to convince her that he personally knows Mick Jagger. It seems that the facade is compromised when the Batman 1989 cast member's boyfriend, the Rolling Stones frontman himself, appears but he ends up using the pathological liar as an excuse for his absence a previous weekend.

Michael Phelps Diet (Michael Phelps)

Like any committed athlete, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps consumes a high-calorie diet for the purpose of burning off those calories during practice in the pool. However, when he hosted SNL, he starred in a fake ad promising that regular people could indulge in the same diet without exercise, on to show that the results would be disastrous.

Tennis Player Adoption (Andy Roddick)

To younger viewers, the 2021 biopic King Richard's depiction of Richard Williams' disciplinary coaching style of his daughters, Venus and Serena, must have been shocking. However, it was common knowledge when 2003 U.S. Open winner Andy Roddick hosted SNL and appeared in a sketch where Williams (Kenan Thompson) proposes to adopt the athlete as his son.

Paul Schrader, the legendary screenwriter behind the 1976 classic Taxi Driver, knows his way around dark, complex characters. Recently, the iconic '80s director set his sights on critiquing a dark entry on the 2024 movie schedule: Joker: Folie à Deux. Having helped shape the gritty, introspective style of American cinema—not only through Taxi Driver but also through writing Raging Bull and directing Hardcore, American Gigolo, and Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters—the auteur is no stranger to tough critiques. His latest target? He had some scathing words for Todd Phillips' Joker sequel.

During a chat with Slave Play playwright Jeremy O. Harris for Interview Magazine, Schrader opened up about his feelings on big-budget commercial films. He didn’t mince words when asked about his impression of Joker 2, which, to mixed effect, pushed boundaries with a musical twist and the addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. The Affliction screenwriter’s critique, as blunt as you might expect, left little doubt about his view on the film, as he said:

To those familiar with the Auto Focus filmmaker’s raw honesty, this might not come as a surprise. However, his dismissal of the film doesn’t stop at the content itself. The 77-year-old director went on to criticize not only the movie’s structure as a musical but also its two main stars. He continued:

Ouch. Schrader’s sharp criticism of Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker, and Lady Gaga, who received acclaim for her performance in A Star Is Born, cuts right to the core of his frustrations with modern cinema. His remarks on Joker: Folie à Deux reflect a broader critique of contemporary Hollywood and seem to align with the negative response the Jokeer sequel has received from audiences. As you may have heard, the movie has struggled with disappointing box office numbers and harsh reactions from critics.

Paul Schrader’s thoughts seem particularly pointed, given how the original Joker film drew heavy inspiration from Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, both of which he had a significant hand in creating. Despite Joker's success, the There Are No Saints writer’s disdain for its sequel suggests that for him, Folie à Deux is far from the gritty, subversive cinema he once helped define.

However, perhaps the criticism from the former UCLA film student is less surprising when considering his broader views, as expressed in the same conversation. The director of the Dominion revealed his disinterest in mainstream, high-budget filmmaking, reflecting on his own brief encounter with the genre while working on the prequel to The Exorcist. He added:

Hey, fair enough, big-budget spectacle isn't for everyone, and that’s okay.

Paul Schrader is no stranger to harsh criticism, even for his own work. His erotic 2013 thriller The Canyons—written by American Psycho novelist Bret Easton Ellis and starring Lindsay Lohan alongside real-life porn star James Deen—was torn apart by critics upon its release. Thankfully, that didn’t stop him from creating more films, or we wouldn’t have First Reformed, The Card Counter, and The Master Gardener—three films that, in my opinion, form an unofficial trilogy and are nothing short of incredible.

Schrader’s latest film, Oh Canada, is set for release on December 6. As for Joker: Folie à Deux, if you’re curious to make up your own mind about it, it’s still playing in theaters. Check your local listings, and don’t forget to take a peek at our 2025 movie schedule for other upcoming releases!

Alright… where do I even start this?

Joker: Folie à Deux was one of those films I was really looking forward to on the 2024 movie schedule. While I didn't know if having a sequel to a movie like Joker would work after watching it back in 2019 (jeez, was it really five years ago?), I always like to give things at least a shot. When I found out that Lady Gaga had signed on for the film to play Harley Quinn (or rather Harleen Quinzel), I was definitely on board.

And then, after years of hype, Joker: Folie à Deux arrived and underperformed... badly. It didn't hit the box office predictions that were slated earlier on, and the more people saw the film, the more they began to rip on it. And yeah, I wasn't a massive fan of it either, and I wasn't even the target audience. I can only imagine what people who were huge fans of the first movie thought of this film.

However, there is one aspect of this movie that everyone hates, and I actually really enjoy it. I'm here to stand by it no matter what, so let's get into it. There will be SPOILERS for Joker: Folie à Deux from this point forward.

As A Fan Of The Original Film, The Second Joker Was A Disaster

So let's deal with the wrong first, because yes, Joker: Folie à Deux was, for lack of a better word, a disaster. The film doesn't deserve the low Rotten Tomatoes score that it has right now, with just as low an Audience score. There have been far worse films out there that are far more deserving of a lower score.

But yeah, Joker: Folie à Deux was better suited to have, like, a 45% or something like that because it really wasn't much better than what the critics gave it. This film had a lot going for it at first, and it just slowly started to tank, scene by scene. It was a decline that was almost like a car crash – it's terrible, but you can't look away, thinking of all the reasons as to how we got here.

The inclusion of Arkham Asylum as a main plot point is great. There are so many characters you could talk about. Bringing back some interesting story decisions from the first film to further expand on them is cool, but I'm always down for that. Adding in a well-known character like Harley Quinn and getting Lady Gaga to play her – fantastic.

But every time we were given something that had potential, it just… fell into nothing. Arkham felt almost like a background set rather than anything else, with nothing expanded on those guards, the prisoners or anything else. Sophie, Puddles and so many more were in the movie for all of five minutes, and then we never saw them again, even though they were big parts of the first film. Harley was underused, and Gaga felt almost like an afterthought.

There were so many instances that made me overall disappointed. The longer the court case went on, the more I was depressed. This film could have expanded on the ideas of the first, and it just left them behind.

Even If It Was A Mess, Joaquin Phoenix And Lady Gaga Still Gave Great Performances

Even if the movie itself was just… something else, I'll still give my flowers to Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The rent was due, and they delivered.

Do I think Phoenix was as good as his Academy Award-winning performance in the first film? No, and we won't reach that kind of Joker portrayal again for a long time. But he did give an outstanding performance that indeed sat with me. Joaquin Phoenix's best films have grown and evolved, but the first Joker will remain on that list. As for this one? The story is just not there, but the acting was still great. He never phones it in.

It's the same deal with Lady Gaga. We all know that she can act, as we've seen in several major movies and TV shows now. There's so much out there to watch if you like Lady Gaga, and this movie is undoubtedly a decent addition that shows off her acting capability. And while her character was grossly underused in this, it's going to be good for her career to show her range.

And I Actually Enjoyed The Musical Aspect

I don't care what any of you say, I liked the musical aspect.

And no, I don't just like it because I enjoy musicals. Sure, I'll openly say I love to see the best modern musicals out there, or I can quote the entire script from the 2021 West Side Story cast. I am that person. But I was like you – when I first heard this would be a musical, I was a little less than enthused and didn't know if it would work well with the subject matter.

But honestly, it did. You can say what you want about the musical choices, but it fits with the narrative of the story as much as we harp on it. Arthur isn't singing at first, but the moment he meets Lee, the moment he begins to feed into this delusion of The Joker again, that's when the music starts.

It's really all in his head. Every song he sings is dedicated to their relationship, and it's the same with her. The longer their relationship goes on, and the more they feed into this Joker persona, the bigger the musical numbers get, some simply singing to each other to full-scale Broadway-style hallucinations in their mind.

The Inclusion Of Him Stopping His Music Towards The End Was A Great Decision Too

There's also been plenty of talk about the Joker 2 ending, and I'm not the biggest fan of it either. But the one thing I agree with is the way they stop the musical aspect.

The moment that Arthur decides to take responsibility for the people he killed, it wasn't Joker who did that; the music in his brain stops. There are no more happy moments, nothing that fits in with this crazy man called The Joker. Then that's carried over at the bombing and then when he sees Lee again.

Lee only wanted him for the Joker fantasy, for the delusion of the man who killed bullies and stood up for the mentally incapable of society. She didn't want Arthur. She never wanted Arthur. And while she continues to sing, he pleads with her to stop, saying he doesn't want to sing anymore, but she keeps going.

It's the perfect way to signal that she never truly wanted to be with him – she just wanted the symbol he could be, and he never was that. Not really.

That Being Said, I'm Glad There Probably Won't Be Anymore Joker Movies After This

Now, knowing what I do, if I had the chance to go back in time and stop Todd Philips from making this a musical, would I?

Eh, I really don't know.

Look, as I said before, I was a big fan of the original film, but I am, yet again, not the target audience (which has pretty much rejected the film), and I have never been. I'm the type of person who likes all movies and will give most a shot, and while I liked the musical aspect, there were many other things in this film I did not enjoy.

Now think of the actual target audience, who predominantly do not like musicals and were waiting for a strong continuation of the story that we all know and love. Yeah, I'd be pretty annoyed, too, and this is an excellent way to leave the Joker; or at least this version of the Joker.

Heck, is Arthur even The Joker after that ending? I don't know. His strange Southern accent can die with him. Either way, I think I'm glad that we most likely will not be getting any more Joker movies after this because this was just… something else. Maybe James Gunn will have a better version for the DC Universe (one that's not Jared Leto, please).

What are your thoughts about the musical aspect of Joker: Folie à Deux? All I know is that Gaga's voice was perfect – and I needed to hear more to get me through those two hours, dang it.

Let me start by saying a few positive things. Joker: Folie a Deux bucks the trend of a traditional sequel. It doesn’t give you “more of the same,” but it does take the natural explorations into an interesting character named Arthur Fleck, a performance that won Joaquin Phoenix a well-deserved Academy Award. This film is beautifully shot by director Todd Phillips and cinematographer Lawrence Sher. And the performances, once again, can be mesmerizing. Particularly Phoenix, as I think Lady Gaga is let down a bit by the script. When I came out of Joker: Folie a Deux the first time, I told you I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and that much remains true.

The problem is, the more I think about the film’s ending, the more I hate it.

From here on out, I’m going to have to spoil the ending of Joker: Folie a Deux, so only keep reading if you have seen the movie, or if you don’t care about details, and want to hear the analysis.

What happens at the end of Joker: Folie a Deux?

So much of Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel deals with the push and pull inside of Arthur Fleck as to whether or not he truly is The Joker. Did Arthur do all of the horrible things that were detailed in the original movie – kill those people on the subway, shoot talk-show host Murray (Robert De Niro) on live television – or was it an alternate personality, The Joker. Arthur’s attorney (Catherine Keener) wants to make the argument that Fleck is criminally insane. Arthur’s new “girlfriend” Lee (Lady Gaga) wants him to embrace Joker as his core personality, and let chaos reign free.

Ultimately, though, Arthur stands up before the court and renounces the Joker identity. He takes responsibility for the crimes he committed, and says he’s NOT the Joker… prompting Lee to leave him. The police recapture Arthur, and throw him back in Arkham. It’s there that Arthur is approached by a younger prisoner. The guy starts to tell Arthur a joke. Then he stabs Arthur to death, and in the background, we can see the prisoner carving a smile into his own face. Perhaps, a new Joker – and maybe even the “real” Joker – has been born.

Why this ending bothers me so much

Why are these movies called “Joker” at all? Even if you try to watch these movies as pieces of a larger DC story quilt – something Todd Phillips never really seemed interested in constructing – the pieces don’t add up. Bruce Wayne, who we met in the original movie, would still be a young boy at the time of Joker: Folie a Deux. So is the prisoner who killed Arthur Fleck going to become the Joker who eventually fights Batman in Gotham?

Unlikely. In fact, Joker and Joker: Folie a Deux cinematographer Lawrence Sher appeared as a guest on CinemaBlend’s official ReelBlend podcast and told us that he believes the idea of a “Joker” will be more of a myth that will be handed down from criminal to criminal. Sher told us:

What does that ultimately leave us with? It means that Todd Phillips ended up making two full-length movies dedicated to a character who doesn’t become The Joker. MAYBE you can say that Phillips made a movie about a person who would INSPIRE the idea of The Joker in Gotham. But Arthur Fleck isn’t even that, given the fact that he renounces the concept of The Joker, and would reject the people who have rallied around him. People like Lee (Lady Gaga), who immediately drops Arthur the moment she realizes he won’t be the person she wants him to be.

Let’s go one step further. To me, this ending of Joker: Folie a Deux completely deflates the impact of Joker. Why would I ever go back and rewatch a movie about a character who I now know never becomes The Joker? I can see the argument being made that Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy made a similar point. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) left the Dark Knight persona behind, and it likely was carried on by Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character. The myth had been created, and handed down.

That’s not what happens here. Arthur never gets to be The Joker. He rejects The Joker. And he’s murdered for turning against the Joker persona that people wanted to foist on him. The joke’s on us, the audience. It’s every bit as tragic as I think Todd Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver wanted their second movie to be. But it’s such a middle finger aimed at the idea of a Joker origin movie, because it dances around the origin of the character almost entirely.

And that pisses me off.

Joker, as a standalone movie, worked incredibly well as a possible origin story for the malevolent force that is supposed to be the Clown Prince of Crime. Would he go on to fight Batman? Who knows? Phillips wasn’t really interested in connecting those dots. Until Joker: Folie a Deux. Which deliberately erases the dots, and shapes them into a new image that insults the suggestions of the two movies, entirely.

Joker and Joker: Folie a Deux will be remembered, by me, as strange experiments in how to handle IP. It didn’t fully embrace the notion of being a Joker origin story in the first movie, hinting at core Batman elements without making them integral to the story. And then it delivered a sequel that hated the way the first movie was perceived, and pulled the rug out from underneath any foundation the original film had laid. Perhaps that was Todd Phillips’ point, and I certainly applaud him for taking big swings. But his ultimate message tells me that these two movies build toward nothing, and so their legacy ends up being an empty vessel, a hollow effort, and a punchline aimed squarely at the audience.

Critics were at odds when they saw Joker: Folie à Deux’s premiere at the Venice International Film Festival last month. Some — like Eric Eisenberg in the CinemaBlend review of Joker 2 — said it was tough to watch with its unrelenting cruelty and overindulgent musical numbers. Others raved about Joaquin Phoenix’s performance, and for our own Sean O’Connell, it changed the way he saw the first film. As audiences start to weigh in ahead of its release on the 2024 movie calendar, it’s pretty clear which side of the coin they collectively fall on, as the upcoming Batman movie is taking some brutal hits.

The next chapter of Arthur Fleck has pulled in a 48% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s in the audience reactions where the Todd Phillips sequel is really taking hits. The verified user Paul, for instance, gives the movie just 1 star out of 5, writing:

I actually love the description of the sequel as A Star Is Born: Joker Edition, especially given that Lady Gaga was encouraged to “sing poorly” in her role as Lee Quinzel (aka Harley Quinn). Many of the audience’s gripes seem to involve the musical aspect of the sequel. Other reactions include:

• Didn't realize it was a musical. Terrible ending for a joker film. – Marie
• I was excited to see this but was disappointed. They tried to make it a musical but most of the singing wasn't good. Not much of a story and little to no comedy. It was depressing really. – Bryan
• Save your money. I do enjoy broadway but not for joker movie. – German G.
• Ridiculously unnecessary and boring. – WTF
• Awful movie, waiting this long for the second part and they made so bad. – Raul E.
• Hated it and left with a headache. Such a disappointment. – Ayssa

If the decision to make the sequel to the 2019 Academy Award-winning film into a musical is confusing to you, you’re not the only one. It seems the people involved aren’t even sure about the genre, as Lady Gaga herself said it’s not a musical but then proceeded to describe it as exactly what a musical is.

Furthermore, while it does continue the story of Arthur Fleck following the events of the first movie, Todd Phillips doesn’t see Joker: Folie à Deux as a sequel. Audience member Brian B. says he was distracted by the music, and he’s not buying any of the conjecture that it’s not a musical, writing:

ELI is another verified moviegoer who feels Joker 2 does fans of the Batman villain a disservice, saying:

Many people are likely to head to theaters this weekend regardless of any negative opinions, just based on their love of the first movie, but assessments like this one from Moon likely aren’t going to do those box office numbers any favors:

What strikes me the most is that the audience members who are ripping on Joker: Folie à Deux went into the movie wanting to love it. Maybe the musical element changed the tone too much for their liking, but whatever it is, the response is brutal. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, the sequel hits theaters on Friday, October 4. Joker, meanwhile, is available to stream with a Max subscription if you’d rather just rewatch the first one.

In just a few days, the public will get to see a new actress portray Harley Quinn in a live-action movie following Margot Robbie’s run as the character in the DC Extended Universe. Lady Gaga is putting her own spin on Harley in the upcoming DC movie Joker: Folie à Deux, informally known as Joker 2, which picks up two years after the events of the first Joker movie. There’s already been praise thrown Gaga’s way for her performance in this DC Comics adaptation that sees her acting opposite Joaquin Phoenix, but Gaga admitted that inhabiting the role also impacted her home life with her fiancé, Michael Polansky.

Lady Gaga discussed this subject while explaining how the movie inspired her new album Harlequin, which collects reimagined covers that she and Phoenix sing in Joker, as well as two original songs. The singer-songwriter and star of movies like A Star is Born and House of Gucci started off by telling EW:

Naturally we’ve already seen snippets of what Lady Gaga will be doing as Harley Quinn, referred to as Lee in this movie, thanks to the first Joker: Folie à Deux trailer and the subsequent previews, but it’s nice to get extra insight on how actors handle their roles. Clearly Gaga poured a lot of herself into bringing Lee to life, as was evident by how Michael Polansky, who was nowhere near the Joker 2 set, grew familiar with the character, which in turn led to the creation of Harlequin. Gaga also spoke more to how her version of Harley Quinn is meant to celebrate “complex female characters,” saying:

Michael Polansky is credited as a songwriter on Harlequin, and Lady Gaga praised her fiancé for his “tremendous creativity” and called him “closer to me artistically than most people” in her life. So if you’re a fan of Gaga’s music and looking forward to listening to Harlequin, then you also have to give him props. Without Polansky’s contributions, it sounds like the album wouldn’t exist.

Rather than starting out as a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum as she’s traditionally depicted, Lady Gaga’s take on Harley Quinn is a fellow patient at Arkham alongside Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck. Upon meeting Arthur, Lee becomes obsessed with him, and from there they form the unsettling romantic relationship that has been explored in media many times for over three decades now. Joker 2’s cast also includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Steve Coogan and Harry Lawtey, among others.

Make sure to read CinemaBlend’s Joker: Folie à Deux review before seeing the movie starting Friday, October 4. If you’re interested in streaming the first movie beforehand, you’ll need a Max subscription.

When Lady Gaga was first confirmed to play Harley Quinn in Joker 2, it was natural to have a lot of questions when its first teaser showed artwork of the Grammy winner and Joaquin Phoenix dancing to Frank Sinatra’s “Cheek to Cheek.” After all, would we get a fun, maniacal Harley Quinn like we’ve seen in movies featuring the DC antihero or something totally different? The Joker: Folie à Deux actress answers the question by celebrating the “complex female character” she brought to the big screen in her third film role.

Joker 2 takes place two years after the first Todd Phillips movie where Arthur Fleck meets and falls in love with musical therapist Lee who shares his insanity. But even though these two characters transform themselves towards the path of Joker and Harley Quinn, all original stories delve into the complexities of how they came to be these famed characters. While rocking out in a Harley Quinn-inspired gown and makeup during the premiere of the musical thriller, Lady Gaga spoke (via Getty) about celebrating “complex female characters” while hyping up her own for the Joker sequel:

Based on Lady Gaga’s claims, it looks like we’re gonna get a Harley Quinn different than anything we’ve ever seen before. Maybe we’ll learn more about her own backstory that brought her to Arkham State Hospital and why she shares Arthur Fleck’s passion for anarchy.

Based on what we’ve seen in the Joker 2 trailer, I already see a difference in Joker’s right-hand woman than any other time we’ve seen her in movies and TV shows. The musical numbers she shares with Joaquin Phoenix aren’t something typically shown in a DC project. Not to mention, the darkness shown in the character seems to be more psychological and complex compared to being all in-your-face. Just like we got to know why Arthur Fleck turned to violence in the first Joker movie, I have a feeling the same will be said with Lee on her reasoning for sticking with a mental patient focused on wreaking havoc.

Harley Quinn wouldn’t be the first “complex” character that Lady Gaga has played. In fact, none of the characters she’s portrayed have black-and-white personas. In her film debut A Star is Born, you can tell through each story-building song sung in the movie that Ally is lost during her journey into music. She wants to write songs that mean something to her, but also wants to wow the crowd in the process even if that means losing sense of her true self. Not to mention her complicated relationship with alcoholic singer Jackson Maine.

In House of Gucci, the triple-threat performer is a mix of both hero and villain who’s an outsider motivated by dreams of love and success only to descend to her lowest point orchestrating her husband’s murder. The role was so dark for the American singer/actress that she felt the need to protect her mental health by meeting with a psychiatric nurse during the end of filming. With each complex role, Lady Gaga wows critics and audiences. I wouldn’t be surprised if Joker 2 gave her another Oscar nomination. You can watch the video in full below:

Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn role in Joker: Folie à Deux is the perfect role to celebrate “complex female characters” by allowing audiences to delve into the mind of a famous DC character differently than ever before. With each song and dance number she and Arthur Fleck share, I’m confident we’ll get to know just how complex these two characters are compared to their previous counterparts. The 2024 movie release of Joker 2 hits theaters on October 4th.

It’s almost time to smile again, as we’re only a little over a week away from Joker: Folie à Deux taking its place among the 2024 movies in theaters. Though write-ups like our own Joker 2 review have been quite divided on the film, you can’t deny the impeccable fashion that’s been on display throughout the promotion of this upcoming DC movie.

And while Lady Gaga has stunned us all again in a Harley Quinn-inspired gown for the recent UK premiere, I need to draw your attention to the top tier makeup she showed off at the same time. Joker 2’s initial critical reactions kicked off the grand tour that director Todd Phillips’ long awaited follow up has engaged in since its early showings.

The latest stop arrived at the Cineworld Leicester Square theater, complete with the prerequisite red carpet. Although the acting/singing sensation best known for her performance in A Star Is Born wore a gown that was fitting for the occasion, it’s the makeup shown below that really caught my eye:

Would it even be a Joker event if there wasn’t a tinge of sadness included in the joy? That pattern not only fits the first installment’s air of smiling through the pain, it also matches what we know about Joker: Folie à Deux and its debatable label as a musical.

With a lone teardrop painted in black eyeliner, and given a glittery accent to stand out, Lady Gaga wears the ultimate statement of mixed emotions. Now that we’ve given such up close and personal details their due, we should really look at this Joker sequel premiere look in question.

Though you’ll notice the teardrop makeup more readily than if you’d seen this photo first, Gaga’s entire ensemble is just as on point as the finer touches that make it all sing. Without further delay, I present to you Lady Gaga’s gown:

Strangely enough, this look has already been seen in another form thanks to an interesting new collab that’s been announced. As The Louvre is promoting an exhibition entitled “Figures of a Fool,” Gaga has found herself rocking that lone teardrop in a rather artful looking clip that could double as a music video. You can check that video out for yourself below:

I have a feeling that we might be seeing more of this look in the near future, as it's likely there are more stops that’ll see Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix wowing the crowd with even more fashionable takes on the theme of their latest project. And we’ll certainly be here for it, as it’ll help count down to Joker: Folie à Deux’s theatrical debut, on October 4th. In the meantime, you can bring yourself back to where it all started with Joker, as that previous film is currently streaming for those with a Max subscription.

It’s been over a year since Lady Gaga confirmed she’ll be Harley Quinn for Joker 2. As the sequel trailer showed her and co-star Joaquin Phoenix singing and dancing together in mad bliss, it’s safe to say we’ll get a Joker: Folie à Deux soundtrack out of this. Not only do you have to look forward to the music coming from the psychological thriller, but the “Poker Face” singer announced a new album of hers coming as well, and fans are freaking out.

Just like how the first Joker movie tapped into the warped mind of Arthur Fleck through his dance sequences, the soon-to-arrive Joker 2 will go full force musically with song and dance numbers of the maniacal comedian and his love interest, Harley Quinn. Just when it seemed like you couldn’t wait for Joker: Folie à Deux’s soundtrack to come out, the Grammy winner announced on X she’s got a special surprise of her own, and I think you’ll like it:

That’s right! Lady Gaga’s got a new album coming out on September 27th that’ll resemble the music from Joker 2. Titled Harlequin, the A Star is Born actress’ album cover shows her fully clothed wearing a life vest in the shower with the running water washing away her clown makeup. The next image shows a milk carton with the song titles listed from familiar tunes heard in the sequel’s promos, like “Close To You,” “Get Happy,” “That’s Life,” and more.

As you can imagine, fans are freaking out over the announcement. For instance, @pop culture girl is telling us what we’re all thinking before the album’s release:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Harlequin does become Album of the Year. Lady Gaga has a knack for rolling out tunes that are easy hits. Her last album was “Chromatica” from four years ago with the Grammy-winning album topping the charts in many countries and releasing a concert film available on your Max subscription. She also sang and wrote Top Gun: Maverick’s Academy Award-nominated song “Hold My Hand” blowing over audiences with her live performance at the Oscars.

With each track the “Bad Romance” singer lays out playing on repeat in our minds, we’ll never complain about more music from her. @˚✧ stephanie 🤭 also made a revelation about the new album news that’s blowing my mind:

The day before the news about Harlequin came out, X fans did notice some cryptic billboards appearing in Los Angeles and New York City that read “LG 6.5” and “LG Six.Five.” Now, we have an idea of what she’s referring to. But hey, if all know about it so far in advance, there's no fun in a surprise, right? @sky🖤🍃(fan account) perfectly described how we all felt learning about “LG 6.5:”

Yeah, I’m freaking out too for this. What gets me the most excited for Lady Gaga’s Harlequin is getting to hear the singer cover her own Joker 2 songs like the award-winning singer would and not as Harley Quinn. Apparently Joaquin Phoenix encouraged the American Horror Story actress to sing “poorly” for their movie, as her DC character is not a professional singer. So it would be nice to hear how the chart-topping performance would sound as herself in these tracks. @Brooklyn’s post illustrated the shock and awe we all are probably feeling about the album news:

Once we all come to, I can imagine how we’ll all be spending our weekend. As much as I love Lady Gaga’s dance-pop songs, she does an unbelievable job singing classic covers, like in her collaborative album with jazz singer Tony Bennett and when she delivered a stunning tribute to The Sound of Music at the 87th Oscars. It’s an amazing quality for your voice to blend with a variety of musical genres. @Lady Gaga Facts expressed their own reaction to receiving a whole new album of Lady Gaga songs with limited time to mentally prepare:

If we think we’ll be surprised listening to Lady Gaga’s new Harlequin music, I'm sure what she's ready to give us in Joker 2 will be beyond our expectations, no matter how many trailers we've watched. Playing a fellow patient who encourages Arthur Fleck’s unstable mentality, an insider alleged the actress/singer really put in “work” for her new movie while “totally in the zone.” The sequel’s casting director praised Lady Gaga’s performance saying she’ll “blow your mind,” and I’m confident this is true.

With Lady Gaga’s Harlequin coming out on September 27th and the Joker 2 soundtrack releasing a week later, it looks like we’ll have a whole lotta new music to go “ga ga” over. Fans already are freaking out over the stellar music news, and the tracks aren’t even out yet! After you listen to “LG 6.5,” I’m sure you’ll want to add the 2024 movie release of Joker: Folie à Deux coming to theaters on October 4th.

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. 

While superhero movies are everywhere, a few stand out as uniquely set outside of any cinematic universes. The upcoming DC movie Joker: Folie à Deux is in that category, and anticipation for the blockbuster has reached a fever pitch. Lady Gaga recently shared the movie's final trailer, and she sounds absolutely incredible singing "That's Life" in it.

What we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is limited, but that'll change when it hits theaters in October. And while Joaquin Phoenix encouraged Gaga to sing poorly, that's simply not the case in the final Joker 2 trailer. Mother Monster shared th enw clip on her Instagram, check it out below:

Get this movie here, already. It looks like the sequel will pick up where the first Joker (which is streaming with a Max subscription) left off. Except this time Arthur Fleck has a partner in crime, and it seems like he and Lee are going to create even more chaos in Gotham City.

While Lady Gaga maintains Joker 2 isn't a musical, it certainly seems like there will be plenty of musical numbers throughout its runtime. And while she worked hard to change her singing voice to play Lee, it sounds like she's still going to wail like Mother Monster in a few points of the movie, including her performance of "That's Life." 

This is just the latest song that's been confirmed for Joker: Folie à Deux thanks to its promotional material. We've also heard snipped of "For Once In My Life" and "What the World Needs Now Is Love", so seems like Warner Bros. spared no expense in getting the rights to beloved songs from the American Songbook. And I can't wait to see what other tracks end up being sung when Todd Phillips' sequel hits theaters.

Fear not moviegoers, this use of music is seemingly not going to make the movie any less grueling and dark. CinemaBlend's Joker 2 review assured that the franchise's tone is still present, despite the whimsy of musical numbers. But while critical response to Folie à Deux has been mixed, it should be interesting to see if there's a discrepancy in the way that audiences respond. 

The ending of Joker was fairly ambiguous, with the audience left to wonder if what they saw throughout the movie actually happened. After all, Arthur Fleck's delusions made him an unreliable narrator. But the limited footage of the Joker sequel seemed to indicate that those incident did in fact occur, and that the title character has continued to influence other folks around Gotham.

Joker: Folie à Deux will arrive in theaters on October 4th. For now, check out the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year.  

Lady Gaga has been a household name for about 15 years now, earning award after award for her music before making an impressive jump into acting. The singer won an Academy Award for 2018’s A Star Is Born and is now set to hit the 2024 movie calendar as one of the stars of the highly anticipated sequel Joker: Folie à Deux opposite Joaquin Phoenix. Certainly no one’s questioning her fame now, but Gaga posted about a Facebook group that was started by her college peers that could have come straight out of the movie Mean Girls.

The Facebook group, as shared on an Instagram celebrity fan site, was called “Stefani Germanotta, you will never be famous.” The group, which referenced Lady Gaga’s given name, appeared to be “Closed,” meaning Lady Gaga could see that people were talking about her but could not access the content herself. Years later, she addressed the petty (and undoubtedly hurtful) behavior, writing:

It’s always disappointing when we see people trying to discourage others from following their dreams, particularly when women feel pitted against each other. Whether the creation of this Facebook group crushed Lady Gaga (I imagine I would have been devastated) or fueled her to work harder, she is certainly enjoying the last laugh.

One has to wonder if this was fresh on the actress’ mind when she continued to give the same answer to questions on the A Star Is Born press tour, saying that “There can be 100 people in the room, and 99 don't believe in you…” She was referencing her co-star Bradley Cooper and the support he showed her, but either way it’s clear that her classmates’ cruel actions have stuck with her all these years, despite her lengthy list of achievements.

Another image on the post listed those accolades, which include the aforementioned Oscar, which she won for Best Original Song with “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, 13 Grammys, two Golden Globes, and the list goes on and on. It’s kind of hilarious that only 12 people made up the Facebook group that didn’t recognize their peer’s star power, because that technically means each member could hold one of Lady Gaga’s Grammy Awards, and she’d still have one leftover.

Twelve people may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but when you’re 20 years old and talking about classmates or a group that knows you IRL, that's a pretty significant number. Hopefully, Lady Gaga showing that even she had to deal with real-life Regina George will help other aspiring artists push past the negativity and continue to pursue their craft.

I’d also love to know if any of those 12 Facebook users will be in the audience when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on October 4, or how many of them regularly fire up their Max subscription to watch her Oscar-nominated performance as Ally in A Star Is Born. And, in case anyone is interested, you can also stream both Mean Girls films with a Paramount+ subscription.

While shared universes have become commonplace, certain movies within the comic book genre stand on their own. Todd Phillips' Joker (which is streaming with a Max subscription) is one of them, and its sequel is the next highly anticipated upcoming DC movie heading to theaters. The movie will contain singing, and Joaquin Phoenix recently spoke about encouraging Lady Gaga to "sing poorly" in the flick.

What we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is limited, but fans are definitely intrigued by the use of musical numbers in the movie. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are leading the Joker 2 cast, and will seemingly get a few duets throughout its runtime. The pair recently spoke to Vogue, where Oscar-winning Phoenix confirmed that he tries to get the pop star/actress to sing bad. As he put it:

Points were made. While Lady Gaga has a stunning singing voice, it wouldn't really make sense for her character Harleen Quinzel to be so gifted in the grimy halls of Arkham Asylum. So instead she had to change her technique, including not using her signature vibrato.

Not one to be left out of the conversation, Lady Gaga weighed in on the way she changed her ionic singing voice for Folie à Deux's musical numbers. As she put it:

Since it was revealed that singing will be part of the sequel, there's been discourse about whether or not the Joker 2 was a musical. Both Todd Phillips and Lady Gaga claim it is not, although the way that music is used sounds like a textbook musical. So it should be fascinating to see how it all shakes out once the movie hits theaters in October.

The trailers for Joker: Folie à Deux have already shown some of the songs that are going to be used throughout the sequel's runtime. We hear snippets of classics like "For Once In My Life", "What the World Needs Now Is Love", and "When You're Smiling." Since we've only been given limited footage of the movie, smart money says that's just the tip of the iceberg.

All will be revealed when Joker: Folie à Deux will arrive in theaters on October 4th. Check out the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the movies in the new year.

Joaquin Phoenix’s new offering on the 2024 movie calendar may have the word “Deux” in the title, but he and the rest involved are not really considering Joker: Folie À Deux a sequel. The actor’s original portrayal of the classic Batman villain earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, and now Phoenix is back to continue Arthur Fleck’s story. Joker 2 premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on September 4 to mixed reviews, as critics say the film is “compelling,” and yet “senselessly devoted to sabotaging” itself.

The sequel picks up two years after the events of Joker, with Arthur Fleck living as a patient in the Arkham State Hospital, where he becomes interested in his music therapist Lee Quinzel (aka Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga). In the CinemaBlend review of Joker: Folie À Deux, Eric Eisenberg calls the musical “overindulgent,” saying that while the character study offers some real surprises, it harvests a blend of misery and monotony. He rates the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, writing:

Even CinemaBlend's critics appear to be somewhat at odds, as our own Sean O’Connell also weighs in on the project by returning director and co-writer Todd Phillips. He says he can’t stop thinking about the provocative sequel, as “a study in isolation, a fascinating analysis of the worshiping of false gods, and a showcase for the blistering talents of Joaquin Phoenix.” He continues:

Bill Bria of SlashFilm rates Joker 2 as an 8 out of 10, saying the decision to turn this movie into a musical makes it one of the most compelling comic book movie of the year. Bria writes:

Yasmine Kandil of AwardsWatch gives Joker: Folie À Deux a “B,” calling it a “deranged duet of musical mischief.” Blending the genres of musical and courtroom drama feels fresh, Kandil says — at least at first, as the format loses its charm over the 138-minute runtime. Still, the critic says:

Total Film’s Jordan Farley seems to have a response to that question, as the critic says the combination of those genres “fails to hit the high notes.” Farley notes that it feels smaller and more insular, providing a less-effective vehicle for Joaquin Phoenix to play in. The critic says:

Making the sequel into a musical is definitely a unique choice, with Lady Gaga no less, but does it make for an ingenious character study? Or does the genre dampen the movie’s message? You’ll be able to find out for yourself soon enough when Joker: Folie À Deux makes it to theaters on Friday, October 4.

Todd Phillips' Joker was a huge success upon its release, with some considering the grueling drama as one of the best superhero movies of all time (even if there's no actual hero). It's sequel is the next upcoming DC movie heading to theaters, and will pair the Oscar-winning actor with Lady Gaga's Harleen Quinzel. Gaga recently said she doesn't think Folie à Deux is a musical, but proceeded to describe it as a textbook musical.

What we know about Joker 2 is limited, but fans are eager for the story of the original movie (which is streaming with a Max subscription) to continue. The Joker: Folie à Deux trailers showed off the movie's musical numbers, so the public has been wondering exactly how much singing is in the forthcoming drama. While speaking at the Venice Film Festival (via Deadline's twitter), Mother Monster spoke about how and why the project uses musical numbers. In her words:

With all due respect to Lady Gaga, that... sounds exactly like a musical. In pretty much every Broadway show or movie musical, characters usually begin singing because their emotions are so strong that dialogue is no longer enough. It remains to be seen how Joker 2 differs from the productions currently gracing the Great White Way, her description definitely makes it seem like it's using the rules of a traditional musical.

CinemaBlend's Joker 2 review took aim at its pacing, so it remains to be seen how the movie's songs help to buoy fan excitement. Lady Gaga's comments at Venice in many ways mirror Todd Phillip's take on the musical debate, where he insisted that the movie's songs are being treated as dialogue itself. As a reminder, you can check out the trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux below.

From this limited footage, it does look like Arthur Fleck and Harleen Quinzel have a common connection with music in Joker: Folie à Deux. They're shown singing to each other, seemingly in both reality and fantasy sequences. Since Joaquin Phoenix's title character has been established as an unreliable narrator, it feels like just about anything could happen.

Whether or not the cast and crew consider Joker 2 to be a musical, casting Lady Gaga in a role that's both dramatic and requires singing feels like a brilliant choice. What's more, it seems like she and Joaquin Phoenix really matched each other's energy on set.

All will be revealed when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on October 4th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Todd Phillips warned us. A small group of film journalists had gathered in a Burbank screening room to watch his anticipated sequel Joker: Folie a Deux – a fancy title for a follow up to a controversial, Oscar-winning villain origin story. We were the first official group of strangers to screen what Phillips, co-writer Scott Silver (The Fighter, 8 Mile), and leading man Joaquin Phoenix had concocted. And Phillips wanted to set the stage. He informed us:

Remarkable as it sounds, Joaquin Phoenix does not have sequels on his resume, which stretches back to the early 1980s and includes such memorable movies as Walk the Line, Gladiator, The Master, Signs, and Beau is Afraid. Mentally, I went into Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie a Deux anticipating something more of a traditional sequel, when I should have remembered that Phoenix wouldn’t sign up to do that. As a result, Phillips and Silver wrote to the instincts of their leading man.

As Phillips went on to tell us, prior to our screening of the film:

That’s what they produced. An unnerving, disturbing, completely unexpected sharp-left-turn of a movie that follows along the path established by Joker, but inverts the narrative so drastically that it has made me rethink Phoenix’s original film, and reach new conclusions.

The following will get into spoilers for Joker: Folie a Deux.

Joker: Folie a Deux is impeccably shot, and extremely well acted.

Lest we forget, the original Joker competed for 11 Academy Awards (including Picture, Director, Screenplay and Editing). Its follow up is every bit the technical marvel as its predecessor. Todd Phillips created a grimy, New York-in-the-70s aesthetic for Gotham City, and he continues to layer grit and distress on his sequel. Cinematographer Lawrence Sher has a different task at hand here, though, trading the wandering expanse of Arthur Fleck in the city for the oppressive confines of Joker in prison, and we feel – through visuals, and performances – the constraints that are being placed on our lead character.

Joaquin Phoenix, once again, is brilliant as Arthur, an outcast, loner, mama’s boy who lashed out for attention (in murderous fashion) but now must face the brunt of his consequences. From the moment we see Phoenix's gaunt frame and distracted gaze – with skeletal angles protruding through his wafer-thin skin – it suggests that something eats away at Arthur at his core. Is it guilt? Regret? He hardly speaks, but for asking prison guards for a cigarette, so his intentions are left for us to puzzle over.

Arthur quite literally snaps out of his fog only after spying Lee (Lady Gaga), a patient at the neighboring psychiatric ward who is part of a choral group Arthur pretends to be interested in joining. Lee, as it turns out, is a big fan of Joker. Not Arthur. Joker. Massive distinction. What Arthur is slow to realize is that his criminal actions from the first movie have inspired a growing movement in Gotham. The streets are filled with Joker disciples, though the man they think they worship isn’t sure he wants to be their idol, after all.

Joker: Folie a Deux will contend for the saddest film you’ll see this year.

By design, Todd Phillips and Scott Silver deliver an oppressive, sad, and hopeless cautionary tale that deconstructs most of what people admired in the first movie. When Phillips told us that he and Phoenix had no intention of simply putting together a conventional sequel, they were right. I know I want to see Joker: Folie a Deux a few more times to simply unpack the numerous messages included about stolen identity, loneliness, the media’s treatment of misunderstood individuals, the broken penal system, and more. I also know I have to work up the fortitude to endure repeat showings of Joker 2, because it’s a depressing sit. You’ll admire the hell out of it. I’m not sure you can enjoy it.

Two supporting characters stand out in Joker: Folie a Deux, for both their performances, and the way they interact with Arthur Fleck. The always welcome Catherine Keener plays Maryanne Stewart, a defense attorney convinced that Arthur is suffering from multiple personality disorder, which she believes she can use to get him out of his charges – and, more important, get him proper care far away from Arkham.

Inside of Arkham, Arthur is closely monitored by a sadistic officer played by Brendan Gleeson. These characters rise above the fray because of their opinions on Arthur… and it’s the movie’s treatment of the character (and Phoenix’s harrowing performance) that should affect the audience most. Is Arthur really also The Joker? Does he want to be? There are answers to be found in Joker: Folie a Deux. I’m just not certain I liked the ones the movie provided.

Reset your expectations for Joker: Folie a Deux.

I absolutely recommend that you go see Joker: Folie a Deux, which is a meticulously crafted study in isolation, a fascinating analysis of the worshipping of false gods, and a showcase for the blistering talents of Joaquin Phoenix.

You might have heard that Joker: Folie a Deux is a musical, and to a certain extent, it is. By my estimation, half of the musical numbers in the film are effective, and half are forgettable. And as captivating as Lady Gaga can be in her role, Harley Quinn is let down by the script, as Joker: Folie a Deux attempts significant changes to both the character’s comic origin, but also her motivations throughout the movie. Adding the Harley Quinn character to a Joker story makes sense – even one that’s so interested in deconstructing what the idea of “The Joker” really is. But Phillips and Silver didn’t crack what, exactly, to do with Harley in this story, and it felt like the character was underserved by this narrative.

Still, there’s so much to discuss following a screening of Joker: Folie a Deux. Moreso than when we even exited Joker, which I thought worked extremely well as a standalone origin story with an ambiguous ending and more than enough threads that could have connected to a Batman story down the road. As Phillips explained to us during our pre-screening conversation:

Which, once you see Joker: Folie a Deux, will make you laugh. Because the way they treat Arthur in this movie will make you question that love. And it will make you question how you feel about Arthur, and about Joker, from the first movie. I know I remain deeply conflicted after one viewing, and I am mentally preparing for another go-round. Either way, give me these two films, and the issues they raise, over a Venom, a Catwoman, or any other superficial stab at creating a mythology around an anti-hero. At least Phillips, Silver, and Phoenix swung for the fences.

Director Todd Phillips took some big swings with Joker. Yes, the film centers on one of the best and most notorious pop culture villains of all time (and it’s a role that earned Heath Ledger an Academy Award), but it was a gamble that asked audiences to accept its extreme grimness and a bleak character study that doesn’t prioritize anything that remotely resembles that is familiar as “comic book movie entertainment.”

Phillips was right to test the hunger for the style and approach, as the 2019 release was an immense success in multiple respects: the director found a phenomenal collaborator in Joaquin Phoenix, it’s a gripping and impactful drama that is hard to shake from one’s mind, and it spent years as the highest grossing R-rated release of all time.

To the credit of Joker: Folie À Deux, the five-years-later sequel, the big swings certainly continue. The familiar unpleasant atmosphere is back in full force, it is very much a musical (undeniably a shocking genre choice), and there is an evident meta commentary in Todd Phillips and Scott Silver’s screenplay that takes a surprising look at the audience’s reception of the previous chapter. The big difference this time out, however, is that some of those big swings end up being overswings that eclipse the movie’s best qualities.

Joker: Folie À Deux is only 16 minutes longer than its predecessor, but you really end up feeling that time thanks to the mix of unrelenting heavy vibes and cruelty, the minimalist approach to plot, and what is ultimately an overindulgent number of musical sequences. The dismal and horrific tale of Arthur Fleck remains compelling, the character once again brought to life with a chaotic and emotional turn by Joaquin Phoenix, and he’s provided a great scene partner in Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn – what proves to be an intriguing interpretation of the quirky villainess. But languid pacing renders the film thin, and the impact of its smart, shocking finale is dampened by the journey to get there.

The film catches up with Arthur Fleck as he lives life locked up Arkham Asylum awaiting trial for the murder of five people – including the on-air killing of talk show host Murray Franklin. While Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey) puts together a case against him, Arthur’s lawyer, Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener), builds a defense around the idea that “Joker” is a dissociative identity and hopes to get him acquitted of charges with an insanity plea.

Under the eyes of a brutish guard (Brendan Gleeson) who trades him cigarettes in exchange for a joke a day, Arthur is a model patient, and it earns him the opportunity to make visits to the minimum security ward and participate in organized singing classes. It’s in these sessions that he gets to know fellow patient Lee Quinzel – who he instantly falls in love with – and amid a public movement of support, he is encouraged to embrace his dark clown persona.

Joker: Folie À Deux is made up of impressive pieces that don’t quite come together as a whole.

Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix notably left their time making Joker not wanting to leave the world behind, and to their credit, Joker: Folie À Deux in no way feels superfluous or like a victory lap. In fact, it’s a bit of the opposite, as there is a read of the film as critical riposte to the most intense and rapturous reactions to the first movie. This is represented not just through the throng of sign-sporting Arthur supporters who protest on the killer’s behalf while court is in session, but particularly through the intense presence of Harley Quinn – a fan-favorite character now ubiquitous in pop culture played by a beloved superstar whose presence in the story is to coax and stoke her sick lover’s wickedest inclinations.

The collaboration between Phillips and cinematographer Lawrence Sher again produces intense aesthetics that instantly remind you of this world’s mood from the very first shot –Arkham Asylum guards escorting patients from their cells through dimness and dankness so they can dump the contents of their waste buckets into a sink – though this hopelessness is eventually contrasted by sharp and colorful spotlight duets with Arthur and Lee singing classics together (in the protagonist’s mind, of course).

Once again there is some crafty editing at play, with notable details not lining up shot-to-shot in Jeff Groth’s assembly, and there are certain developments that end up raising a lot of logical red flags – echoing its predecessor’s ability to make you question the authenticity of what’s on screen. This coating of fantasy again adds a touch of slyness to the big screen proceedings, but it also makes moments of actual reality hit particularly hard (be ready for scene-stealing turns from Zazie Beetz and Leigh Gill, who reprise their roles from Joker as witnesses in Arthur’s trial.

There are some terrific elements and pieces in Joker: Folie À Deux – but they’re overcooked.

Todd Phillips doubling down on what made Joker great doesn’t totally work.

Because of Joker’s novelties (no pun intended), the brutal, Scorsese-esque vision of Gotham was in its own way refreshing, and the way in which the 2019 film swallows you up in its world is impressive… but much like how one probably wouldn’t want to take a vacation to such a place twice, the second visit lacks any of the charms and just provides the oppressiveness. In fact, it’s even more oppressive given that Arthur spends the vast majority of the film being shuttled between an asylum where he is surrounded by lunatics and abusive guards and the courtroom where proceedings will determine whether or not he will receive the death penalty for his crimes.

The repetition and the dreariness takes a toll on the audience – and regular diversions from the story for musical numbers playing out in Arthur’s head don’t pace things up. There is no denying the gifts of Lady Gaga, and one can respect the film trying to get the most out of her abilities, but there are just too many return trips to the same well-dressed well (and there is also the simple fact that while is performances are ambitious, Phoenix is very obviously not on his co-star’s level melodically, hurting the aural experience).

There is a clear artistic vision both employed and concluded in Joker: Folie À Deux, which gives it a level of merit even though Joker exists perfectly well as a standalone movie. It’s an expansion of the character study that offers some real surprises, but it also harvests a blend of misery and monotony, and on a certain level, it’s a victim of familiarity breeding contempt. With longer consideration and study, its best qualities may leave it with a positive legacy, but it’s a tough film to sit through.

Comic book movies are everywhere, but a few stand out for not being within a shared universe. The upcoming DC movie Joker: Folie À Deux is in that category, as it'll pick up the narrative after Joker's ending. Anticipation for the flick is high, especially with Lady Gaga debuting as Harleen Quinzel. But the pop star recently revealed why her Harley Quinn won't be too much like either Lady Gaga or Harley Quinn. Let's break it all down.

What we know about Joker: Folie À Deux is limited, but the movie's marketing campaign has started kicking up ahead of its release in October. The full trailer for Joker 2 teased what Mother Monster was bringing to the project, including musical numbers. Gaga recently spoke to Empire about the way she changed her vocal technique for the flick, offering:

Well, I'm intrigued. Lady Gaga is known for her stunning voice, both for her pop career as well as her breakout role in A Star Is Born. But she won't be using her signature vocal technique in Joker: Folie À Deux, mostly because Harleen isn't a singer herself. And just Joaquin Phoenix in the first film (which is streaming with a Max subscription) Mother Monster is putting character first.

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix are leading the cast of Joker: Folie À Deux, and they're both known for fully committing to their roles. In the same interview with Empire, director Todd Phillips spoke about how the House of Gucci star found her own take on Harley Quinn, rather than trying to emulate an established version of her. In his words:

This makes a great deal of sense. The first Joker movie put a new spin on the title character's backstory, introducing Arthur Fleck and his laugh-inducing neurological disorder to moviegoing audiences. It also put a new spin on Bruce Wayne's parents dying, so clearly Phillips and company are crafting a story unique to the source material.

All will be revealed when Joker: Folie À Deux hits theaters on October 4th. In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates.

While there are a number of cinematic universes currently in play, some superhero projects are set outside of these big franchise. Case in point: the upcoming DC movie Joker: Folie à Deux, which will pick up the narrative after Joker's ending. The sequel is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and bosses from the fest has already seen it, with one saying "we were astonished."

What we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is fairly limited, but the marketing campaign has started to pick up ahead of its release this October. Fans are eager to see how it differs from Todd Phillips' original movie (which is streaming with a Max subscription), and Arthur Fleck's budding relationship with Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn. Venice Festival Chief Alberto Barbera recently spoke to Deadline about the festival's movies, including Joker 2. When speaking about that project in particular, he said:

Is it October yet? While Joker: Folie à Deux's tailer teased some of the musical moments that are coming in the forthcoming DC flick, it sounds like the sequel will still have the same dark tone of its predecessor. And per Barbera's assessment, it's somehow even darker.

The original Joker made for a grueling viewing experience, as audiences watched as Arthur Fleck descended into murderous madness. One might have assumed that Joker 2's use of musical numbers would bring some levity to the burgeoning franchise, but that seemingly won't be the case. As a reminder, you can re-watch teh trailer below:

This footage definitely make it seems like Joker: Folie à Deux will be unsettling, especially related to Arthur Fleck's relationship with Harleen Quinzel. It looks like all sorts of chaos will occur as Joaquin Phoenix's title character stands trial for his crimes from the first movie, with plenty of his supporters wearing Joker's signature makeup.

Since Joker isn't connected with the DCEU or the new DCU, Todd Phillips has the freedom to make bold narrative choices in the sequel. Arthur Fleck was a new take on the Clown Prince of Crime's backstory, as well as how/why Bruce Wayne's parents were killed. Will the future Batman end up appearing again in Folie à Deux? Only time will tell, but it sounds like it's going to be a dark film.

All will be revealed when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on October 4th. While we wait, check the 2025 movie release dates.

The superhero genre continues to dominate the entertainment industry, but a few franchises stand out for not being apart of a full cinematic universe. Todd Phillips burgeoning Joker franchise is in that category, and the sequel is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming DC movies heading to theaters. A new trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux has dropped, and it reveals some of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix's musical numbers. 

What we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is fairly limited, but fans are eager to see what happens after the ending of Joker. Lady Gaga will be playing Harley Quinn in the forthcoming movie, which will break new ground by including musical numbers. And this new trailer offered a deeper look at what Phillips has in store for the follow-up film. 

Lady Gaga's casting as Harley Quinn is a big reason why the hype surrounding this new movie is so high. The original Joker (which is streaming with a Max subscription) was a grueling watch, but one that earned Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for his performance as Arthur Fleck. This time he might have a partner in crime... if we can believe the unreliable narrator of the franchise. 

This new Joker 2 trailer reveals that the movie will focus on Arthur Fleck's trial for his crimes in the first movie. There is still a ton of support in Gotham City for The Joker, including from Lady Gaga's Harleen Quinzel. She's clearly enamored by this version of the Clown Prince of Crime, inspiring her to do some crime herself, including looting. They end up meeting in Arkham Asylum, where her fascination with Arthur becomes a shared romantic connection.

It's been teased that Joker: Folie à Deux will be a musical, and we were treated to a few brief singing moments in this new trailer. The first comes about a minute in, where Joaquin Phoenix's title character sings Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life", presumably about Harleen. The next one comes towards the end, where Arthur and Harleen sing Judy Garland's "Get Happy" with each other. That's definitely an appropriate choice given Joker's penchant for laughing, as well as the framing of his trial, as they "get ready for the judgement day."

This is likely just the tip of the musical iceberg, as it looks like there will be plenty of songs throughout Joker 2's runtime. We see Gaga and Phoenix dancing in a variety of locations, including those infamous Joker stairs. I have to wonder just how many songs will be included in the film, and if it makes it any less disturbing to watch than its predecessor. Either way, it certainly looks like the sequel will be a wild ride.

All will be revealed when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on October 4th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

It has been less than two months since Constant Readers everywhere first got the opportunity to read You Like It Darker, the latest collection of short stories by Stephen King, but one of the best things about being a King fan is knowing that the next book is always right around the corner. Today, we've learned not just the title of his next novel, but also what it's about and what inspired him to write it.

Stephen King is featured as a guest on the latest episode of the Talking Scared podcast, and there is a point in the conversation when King discusses what he is currently working on. It's a new Holly Gibney mystery titled Always Holly that he has been working on since February 2023, and he noted that one of the early ideas that he had for the story took inspiration from the Lady Gaga dognapping case. Said King,

With the idea of a dognapping put aside, Stephen King pointed Holly Gibney in another direction: the world of politics. Always Holly will apparently involve the titular investigator getting involved with a female politician who becomes the target of a stalker. Or as King put it in the interview,

Always Holly will be the sixth story Stephen King has written featuring Holly Gibney, but it will be just the third where she has been the main protagonist. She was first introduced as a supporting character in the Mr. Mercedes trilogy and returned in a similar capacity in The Outsider. She was put front in center for the eponymous novella in the 2020 collection If It Bleeds, and was most recently the hero of the 2023 novel Holly.

Justine Lupe played Holly Gibney in the Audience network television adaptation of Mr. Mercedes (starring Brendan Gleeson) and Cynthia Erivo played a much different incarnation of the character for HBO's The Outsider. On the upcoming Stephen King movies and TV front, it was announced last fall that producer Jack Bender is developing a TV adaptation of Holly, and if Season 1 of that potential show covers that whole book, perhaps a Season 2 could use Always Holly as source material.

Unfortunately, we don't yet have a release date or even window for Stephen King's new novel – but it seems like a fair bet that we won't see it hit stores before the end of 2024, so 2025 seems likely (there has been at least one new King book released every year since The Shining came out in 1977). Hopefully we'll learn more about Always Holly soon, and you can keep up to date on all King-related news with my weekly column The King Beat, which publishes here on CinemaBlend every Thursday.

While the superhero genre has been dominating the entertainment industry for over a decade, a few projects have stood out as wholly original. Todd Phillips' grueling drama Joker was definitely in that category, and set outside of the main DCEU. A sequel was ordered after the movie's Oscar-winning success, titled Joker: Folie à Deux. And the upcoming DC movie's casting director has praised Lady Gaga’s Performance, being quoted saying "she’s going to blow your mind." Now suddenly I need this sequel even more. 

What we know about Joker 2 is fairly limited, but fans are definitely exciting to return to the burgeoning franchise... especially with Lady Gaga debuting as Harley Quinn. The trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux showed some of this performance, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. Casting director Francine Maisler recently spoke at a convention (via ComicBook) about what the "Poker Face" singer brought to the table, saying:

Is it October yet? It sounds like Mother Monster is about to bring another iconic role to life in Joker 2, following acclaimed performances in projects like A Star Is Born and House of Gucci. And that's coming from the casting director who didn't even think to bring her in for the project initially. Hopefully get to see more footage of Gaga's performance as the movie gets close to its release this fall.

From the sound of it, Joker: Folie à Deux will have a number of notable differences from its predecessor (which is streaming with a Max subscription). Obviously the inclusion of Harley Quinn is one thing, but perhaps even more significant is that Joker 2 will be a musical of sorts, with a number of songs belted out by the likes of Gaga. 

Exactly how/when songs will be used remains to be seen, but the limited footage that's been released to the public definitely makes it seem like there are flashy musical numbers. This stands in stark juxtaposition to the grueling tone of the first film, although smart money says Arthur Fleck will still be had to watch at times.

All will be revealed when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters October 4th. In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates. 

The comic book genre continues to be a powerful force in the entertainment industry, with a number of shared universes in play. While fans are eager to see what James Gunn has in store for the DCU's first chapter Gods and Monsters, there are some upcoming DC movies that are set outside of the shared universe. Chief among them is Joker 2, which will feature Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Although it doesn't look like the actress and pop superstar is down for comparisons to other takes on Harley.

What we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is limited, but that hasn't stopped anticipation from headily building. The first movie (which can be streamed with a Max subscription) was a huge hit, so expectations are high. While speaking with Access Online, the "Born This Way" singer addressed putting her unique spin on a beloved character like Harley, saying:

There you have it. While Harley has been adapted for the page, movies, and TV before, Lady Gaga's is going to be working under a very different set of rules. Todd Phillips' burgeoning Joker franchise is set in a different universe, one that isn't as connected to the events of the comic book. And as such, Gaga can seemingly take her version of Harley anywhere. 

There's been plenty of Harley Quinn movies, including a trio of blockbusters where Margot Robbie played Harley. That will likely be the most common comparison happening when Joker: Folie à Deux finally hits theaters, although the character recently got its own video game, as well as Kaley Cuoco's Harley Quinn animated series.

The Joker 2 trailer revealed the first limited footage of Lady Gaga's Harley, but it seems like the story could go just about anywhere. The Joker sequel will feature musical numbers, although there's been some debate about exactly how much music to expect. Hopefully more information is given as we get closer to the movie's release this fall.

The first Joker movie offered a new take on the title character's origin story, showing as Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck slowly descended into madness. The ending of Joker saw him in Arkham Asylum, and it looks like that's where the story will pick up in the sequel. Harleen Quinzel is reportedly a music therapist for the facility, which is where she and Arthur meet. And I have to assume that Phllips is going to put some unique spins on that story.

Joker: Folie à Deux will arrive in theaters on October 4th. For now, check the 2024 movie release dates. 

You know Lady Gaga goes through an assortment of unique styles like in her music video “Judas” combining the striking blend of religious iconography and biker chic to play Mary Magdalene in it. You also can’t forget about the Grammy Award winner having all eyes on her wearing a dress made of meat at the MTV Video Music Awards back in 2010. For the Joker 2 star’s latest shock-and-awe red carpet look, she’s ditching the meat dress for an outfit made entirely from car parts!

Lady Gaga’s outfits are more than just a fashion statement. It’s an exclamation point that serves as a powerful form of artistic expression in the “Applause” singer. If you thought that time the chart-topper’s meat dress made your eyes pop, check out this Instagram photo of Lady Gaga’s newest red carpet look that she wore at the Los Angeles world premiere of her new concert film Gaga Chromatica Ball. See what it reminds you of:

Yes, Lady Gaga is wearing car parts. Based on the fashion icon’s caption, her latest style ensemble isn’t simply her wearing a dress that looks like a car. It actually is made of scrap metal from a car. Sporting a black hairdo with bleached eyebrows, the Selva-designed white dress looks like she’s wearing a car bumper. But, we don’t know for sure exactly what part of a car she’s sporting, and apparently, neither does the American Horror Story actress. Either way, she’s ready to hit the gas to promote her new concert film and I’m all for it.

It’s hard to forget the time at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards when the pop star debuted her raw meat dress accessorized with a hat, boots, and purse also made of beef. She showed off this style again at the Born This Way Ball concert tour performing the songs “Americano” and “Poker Face” in a different faux-meat dress. As Lady Gaga explained on an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show, her meat-composed attire was to show the importance of standing up for your rights or we’ll have “as much rights as the meat on our bones.” The “Shallow” singer may have gotten flack from animal rights groups for the look, but Time Magazine called it the top fashion statement of the year.

Fashion is clearly very important to Lady Gaga not just for her music but for her movie roles as well. Her looks are incredibly memorable in her film projects such as her pop star look co-starring with Bradley Cooper in A Star is Born. We get to see her character Ally's symbolic transformation going from a brunette aspiring singer to a ginger-haired glam pop star.

The House of Gucci star also donned some big hair as Italian socialite Patrizia Reggiani. Even for that biopic, the Golden Globe winner had a “very strong viewpoint” on how fashion should be used to better service the story. For Lady Gaga’s upcoming movie as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux, we see the talented actress wearing shaggy blonde hair with washed-out clown make-up, speaking volumes about what the DC character’s mental state will reflect.

Just when you thought Lady Gaga’s meat dress was bold enough, she took it one step further with her latest dress being made out of car parts. Leave it to the triple-threat performer to make a splash on the stage, the big screen, or the red carpet wearing outfits made of material you didn’t think was possible. But, we all know the “Just Dance” singer can pull off anything she wears.

The 2024 movie release of Lady Gaga's musical psychological thriller Joker: Folie à Deux premieres in theaters on October 4th. You can also see her behind-the-scenes concert special Gaga Chromactica Ball streaming with a Max subscription on May 25th.

May is when the summer movie season starts to heat up and, with that, there are more and more reasons to get your media outside the house. Of course, while the best streaming services are all owned by companies that also make those movies, the minds behind streamers like Netflix and Disney+ don’t want you to stop watching their new content entirely. The good news for them is that there’s plenty of reason to stay home.

From music to animation, and documentary films to the streaming debut of theatrical hits, there’s plenty to look forward to this month whatever streaming subscriptions you happen to have. Here are a just a few of the shows and movies worth checking out this week.  

Netflix This Week: Jennifer Lopez, Reading Rainbow And More

Anyone with a Netflix subscription will have a strong week ahead, as three very different new additions all worthy of note are on the way. A live-action sci-fi movie starring Jennifer Lopez, the streaming debut of a documentary that will probably make you cry, and a new animated series from the Jurassic Park franchise are coming.

Atlas - May 24

One gets the impression that the elevator pitch for this one, “Jennifer Lopez in a mech” was enough to sell the project, because who wouldn’t want to see Lopez kickass in a sci-fi action movie where she’s chasing one AI with the help of another, built inside the giant mech that’s keeping her safe from an alien world?

Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow - May 24

For more than 20 years, Reading Rainbow helped imbue kids with a love of reading. Now, a new documentary film takes a look back at the important series with host LeVar Burton, as well as many of the people who helped make the show happen. Viewers will also hear from some of the people the show most impacted. Get the tissues ready.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory - May 24

Fans of Jurassic World: Camp Cretatious, which ran for five seasons on Netflix, are likely eagerly anticipating the new animated series, Chaos Theory. The sequel show picks up years after the events of its predecessor and sees the former Camp Cretatious kids come together to unravel a new mystery.

Disney+ This Week: Behind-The-Scenes Of X-Men '97 And More

Disney+’s month of music, which has included the remastering of a Beatles documentary and a Queen concert film, continues with a look at another seminal band. Additionally, there's a behind the scenes look at one Disney+’s most popular shows this year that you might want to check out.

Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of X-Men ’97 - May 22

The Marvel Studios: Assembled series has featured a strong run of documentary look backs at the various Marvel movies and Disney+ live-action series that have made up the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With X-Men ‘97 now behind us, the series now takes a deep dive into the popular animated series revival. 

The Beach Boys - May 24

Just a couple of weeks after Disney+'s release of a remastered version of the Beatles documentary Let It Be, the platform will give Disney+ subscribers a modern look at another iconic ‘60s band. The Beach Boys includes interviews with the original band members and more of the people involved in this often underrated creative group's success. 

Max This Week: Dune Sequel And Lady Gaga

If you have a Max subscription, then the coming week is looking pretty good. Get ready, because the highest-grossing movie of the year is heading your way. Not only that, but fans of Lady Gaga also have a reason to smile as well.

Dune: Part Two - May 21

Following the critical and box office success of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, fans had been eagerly awaiting the promised sequel. Based on the fact that Part Two is the top box office movie of he year, there’s a decent chance you’ve already seen the film. However, if you decided the nearly three-hour movie was a bit long for a theater showing, or you just want to binge both halves of the epic together, you can do that this week.

Gaga Chromatica Ball - May 25

While Disney+ has been the go-to streaming service for concert films of late thanks to Taylor Swift, Queen, and more, they haven’t cornered the market quite yet. Gaga Chromatica Ball will debut on Max this week, and Lady Gaga fans will want to check out this 2022 performance in its concert film form.

Paramount+ This Week: Evil's Finale Begins

This week, Paramount+ subscribers who are also serious horror fans begin the process of saying goodbye, as one of the platform's original series begins its farewell season.

Evil (Season 4) - May 23

Evil originally debuted on CBS but, following its first season, it moved to Paramount+ where it would become an early hit for the recently rebranded streaming platform. It's already known that this fourth season will be the last for the show and, hopefully, it goes out strong. Evil is a truly chilling show and some of the best horror on TV. 

Prime Video This Week: The Blue Angels

The big new release on Prime Video this week was actually filmed for IMAX, but even if you don’t have the chance to see it in it’s massive screen glory, it will certainly look amazing on your TV at home as well. 

The Blue Angels - May 23

The Navy’s Blue Angels are possibly the most well known symbol of the military organization. However, while their primary job is to perform rather than fight, the new documentary film shows just how difficult, stressful and potentially dangerous the job really is. The film follows the team, including several brand new members, for a year as they train and perform and learn to work together.

Of course, these are just a few of the shows and movies that are coming out this week. Be sure to check out the full list of everything upcoming on Netflix to be sure there isn’t something else you might want to see. We also have a complete list of what’s new on Disney+ as well as what’s new on Hulu so that you don’t miss anything there as well. 

The future looks extremely bright for the DCU, with James Gunn’s Superman set to take over theaters in 2025. But not all DC characters have it so lucky, and director Todd Phillips is set to wallow back into the muck with Joaquin Phoenix for the highly anticipated Joker: Folie à Deux. The WB sequel’s first trailer made quite a splash upon its release, as it gave audiences our first extended look at Arthur Fleck’s next reign of madness, with Lady Gaga joining the ride as fan-favorite Harleen Quinzel. But there was also an amusing detail that many fans probably missed while watching.

The first Joker: Folie à Deux trailer kicked off with the comedy-influenced killer being dragged around while in custody, where he first locks eyes with his dark and demented soulmate. It’s not long before Arthur is back out in the world, even if it’s not entirely clear how that happens, and he obviously partners up with Harley to bring his signature brand of chaos to the streets for the not-quite-a-musical feature.

That chaos extends to the steps of the local court house, where a huge crowd amasses to witness the makeup-donning duo heading up the steps. And it’s during that crowd scene where the unexpectedly hilarious detail pops up, particularly when Gaga and Phoenix are together and high-kicking. That’s when someone on the left side of the crowd is holding up a copy of the Gotham City Journal, whose editors made quite the bizarre choice with the front page story they paired with Arthur’s release news.

I definitely understand how Gotham City’s newsfeed was likely so hooked into Arthur’s story that other local events and updates paled in comparison. (Not easy to do with such an already pale dude.) But that doesn’t mean that Gotham City just stopped in its tracks while all this was happening. It’s still meant to be as bustling a metro center as New York or Los Angeles. So why is this the first thing that appears underneath the massive cover story about Arthur being freed?

If the Gotham City Journal was a real-world publication, I could give it the benefit of the doubt in assuming that the bottom section of the front page was dedicated ad space. But this is a movie, and that newspaper’s design was completely up to the discretion of those working on the movie, which reportedly boasts a budget of around $200 million.

But instead of a potential easter egg about the Cobblepot family or up-and-coming attorney Harvey Dent, we get a promotion for car deals that aren’t just unbelievable, but are incapable of being conceived by the human imagination.

Perhaps it’s actually just a very low-stakes plot conceived by Scarecrow, where he gets Gotham City citizens to fear the idea of vehicles that they can’t properly think about. Fun thinking about what the 2.0 version of that Fear Toxin would be.

Oddly enough, that very same group shot also features a crowd member who may or may not be a visual nod to R&B legend Prince’s look in his “Batdance” era. (Not really a whole era, but probably should have been.) Check it out:

It’s not like a mirrored reflection or anything, but with enough similarities to still seem vaguely legit, from the purple jacket to the curled-up hair to the seemingly pale makeup. This person’s reddish undershirt sleeve even sticks out the same way Prince’s did in the “Batdance” video. Again, not super-precise, but it doesn’t need to be. Of course now I'm really hoping that track makes it into Todd Phillips' final cut...

Joker: Folie à Deux will dance and sing its way into theaters on October 4, 2024, so be sure to have your facial makeup planned just right. Check out all the other upcoming DC movies that are coming down the pipeline.

There is madness in the world of Todd Phillips’ Joker, but there also seems to be a method in it. The more mature realization of DC’s clown prince of crime will try to live up to that standard yet again, as what we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is that it’s set to finally wow the world later on in the 2024 movie schedule. And now that we’ve seen our first look at this dazzling dance between Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.

As Warner Bros. showed off “The Big Picture” at this year’s CinemaCon, the first public look at Joker 2 footage has been unfurled to the world. While we got a sneak peek earlier today through a moment where Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck looked like he was about to break into song, this full look has a lot more musical excitement to offer.

In fact, dare I say this change-up in format could be more exciting than I'd thought. I'll admit it: I was not a fan of 2019's Joker. But with a musical approach and Lady Gaga along for the ride, I'm seriously rethinking things after seeing this trailer. While we're at it, we obviously need to discuss Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harleen Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn. 

That much is prevalent for two big reasons: first, this is Gaga stepping into the world of DC Comics, and in her first big screen role since 2021’s House of Gucci. But also there’s been some debate as to how her interpretation of Harley would pan out thanks to leaked audio of Lady Gaga’s performance. Looking at this trailer, there are more questions than answers on that front, as Gaga's Harley appears to be a fellow inmate at Arkham rather than an attending physician intrigued by The Joker's case. 

While Joker: Folie à Deux has shown off the second coming of Arthur, it’s also given us a look at its musical mayhem. There were certainly questions about how this DC sequel earned its R-rating, especially the brief full nudity. I'm still curious where that'll come into play, because I highly doubt it's going to be one of the musical numbers. 

However, my inner cynic is rather overcome by the fact that the musical numbers, as well as the film in general, seems to be filmed lovingly for IMAX 70mm. If there's anything else that'll draw me to this lavish musical of mayhem and merriment, it's that. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go tell everyone that this movie has changed its name to Ha Ha Land. 

Friends, the envelope is open, and the madness has begun. Is Joker: Folie à Deux going to be a beautifully bonkers sequel? Or has this format smashing follow-up pushed the joke a bit too far? That will probably be the debate of the moment, as we wait for Arthur and Harley to dance into theaters, with a song in their hearts, on October 4th. While you wait, you can easily slip back into the retro grime of Gotham City, thanks to the power of a Max subscription allowing you to revisit 2019’s Joker through the world of streaming.

Ever since it was revealed in 2022 that Lady Gaga would take on the iconic role of Harley Quinn in Joker 2, we’ve been getting tiny snippets of her in character through first-look photos and her singing one of the songs featured in the sequel. With a little preview revealed of how the Oscar winner will speak in the movie, fans noticed she didn’t use Harley Quinn’s signature New York accent and the debate is on!

With Lady Gaga reportedly putting in “work” to portray Joker’s love interest, we know we’ll be in for a wild ride. Through the pop star’s music videos, going all out in her American Horror Story: Hotel performance, as well transforming as Ally in A Star is Born, you know she always brings it. 

That’s all the more reason why fans were surprised when an audio clip was revealed in Discussing Film’s post that Lady Gaga speaks in her natural dialect instead of Harley Quinn’s signature Bronx dialect. An X user expressed their disappointment in the comments.

In the audio snippet, we hear a romantic interlude in the background with Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn telling Joker “You can do anything you want…you’re Joker.” But fans  noticed that we’re hearing the singer/actress in her natural dialect, compared to the thick New York accent we’re used to hearing from the Gotham City villain. Of course with the lack of accent noticed, another fan on X felt the need to compare Lady Gaga’s interpretation of the character with Suicide Squad’s Margot Robbie's.

With so many versions of the character in live-action and animated form, it’s natural for fans to play the “Which Version is Better” game. When Margot Robbie first joined Suicide Squad, she teased she’d have a thick Brooklyn-esque accent for the movie since the character is said to be from New York. In the case of why the Australian accent had a “Brooklyn accent” as her go-to playing Harley Quinn was because it’s just easy for her voice to do. This X gif gave a throwback to the original DC character from Batman: The Animated Series. 

Something you may not know about the Suicide Squad character is that she didn’t debut in the DC Comics. The Warner Bros. Animation production, Batman: The Animated Series, was the character’s debut based on Days of Our Lives actress Arleen Sorkin. Her college friend and developer of the animated series, Paul Dini, was inspired seeing the actress play a jester in the dream sequence of the soap opera. Sorkin voiced Joker’s sidekick using her natural Brooklyn accent. So, you can thank the talented voice actress for originating the character’s signature voice. Another X post by Hollywood After Dark podcast host Matt Jarbo had an unusual comparison of his own.

This is actually a hilarious comparison! We may not hear a New York Bronx accent coming out of Lady Gaga, but there is something very soothing about the way the “Born This Way” singer delivers her line. If you need some context to the post, ASMR is the deep relaxation you feel in your neck and scalp after hearing whispering or quiet sounds. Imagine how twisted it would be for people to hear this Joker 2 audio in their car or before they go to work to get themselves more at ease for the long day ahead. One more X response actually defended the Grammy winner’s lack of accent.

This X user actually makes a good point as Lady Gaga did get a lot of flack for the Italian accent she was trying to use. Even her dialogue coach wasn’t impressed, believing it sounded more Russian than anything else. 

Another great point made by the post was that it seems like harsh criticism if an actress chooses not to incorporate an accent for a role. After all, Kaley Cuoco explained her hard work voicing Harley Quinn in the Max subscription series involved her not forcing a New York accent to come out. She preferred to use her own voice to take on the role more naturally. For all we know, maybe that was Lady Gaga’s intention as well.

It looks like a lot of fans were confused to hear Lady Gaga’s audio snippet of her natural dialect come into play as Harley Quinn. But, it’s important to remember that every actress makes their own choices in how they make a character their own. With the trailer for Joker 2 coming soon on April 9th, we’ll all know for sure how the triple-threat performer will really sound taking on the obsessed psychiatrist role. Don’t forget to add the 2024 movie release of Joker: Folie à Deux to your watchlist coming to theaters on October 4th. 

The superhero genre is wildly popular, but a few project stand out as wholly unique. Todd Phillips' Joker is in that category, as it's not set in the DCEU and managed to win Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar. It's sequel Joker: Folie à Deux is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming DC movies, especially since he'll be joined by actress/pop star Lady Gaga. A new image from Joker 2 featured Gaga and Phoenix, and also revealed when the trailer is coming. Spoiler alert: it's soon.

What we know about Joker: Folie à Deux is limited, but fans are eager to see how its two stars descend into madness on the big screen. Moviegoers have not-so-patiently been waiting for news, and Joker's Instagram posted a gorgeous image of Gaga and Phoenix dancing, while also revealing the trailer is coming April 9th. Check it out below:

Do you hear that sound? It's countless DC fans out there cheering because we're finally going to be treated to the first trailer from Joker 2. There are countless questions about what's coming next, especially given Joker's twist ending. And luckily we won't have to wait long before seeing at least some footage. 

Excitement has been high for Phillips' sequel, especially when it was revealed that Lady Gaga would be leading Joker 2's cast as Harley Quinn. She's got a habit of doing prestige films, and it should be fascinating to see her take on the beloved DC villain. The first movie (which can be streamed with a Max subscription) was a departure from typical DC lore, and I assume that the director is going to follow suit for the sequel. 

Given the first movie's success and Gaga's global popularity as a pop star, the hype for Joker: Folie à Deux is real. But Phillips and company have been keeping the movie's contents a mystery, except for the exterior shots which were leaked during filming. That includes Lady Gaga singing on those infamous stairs. 

The original Joker was a grueling audience experience, as we watched Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Peck slowly lose his mind. And as such, news that the sequel would contain musical number definitely turned heads. Exactly how this will work remains a mystery, although Joker 2's cinematographer clarified that he didn't think the movie was a musical per se.  

Hopefully the upcoming first trailer will offer some guidance about the tone of Joker: Folie à Deux and its use of music. The pressure is on for the sequel to rise to the wild success of its predecessor. But with the DCEU now behind us and a new DCU being formed, perhaps moviegoers will be eager to see the familiar faces and settings.

Joker: Folie à Deux is expected to arrive in theaters on October 4th. While we wait, check out the 2024 movie release dates.

While cinematic universes are everywhere, Warner Bros. has also been exploring comic-related stories that aren't connected to the main DCU. Chief among them is Todd Phillips' Joker, which was a huge hit and won Joaquin Phoenix a 2020 Academy Award. One of the most anticipated upcoming DC movies is definitely its sequel Joker: Folie à Deux. And the movie's cinematographer Lawrence Sher recently clarified the use of musical numbers, being quoted saying "it's not a musical per say." Let's break it all down. 

What we know about Joker 2 is limited, but the musical aspect of the upcoming flick has definitely helped to buoy excitement. After all, who doesn't want to see Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn belting it out? But perhaps we should expect less from its musical numbers, as a masterclass by Sher on YouTube offered more context. In his words: 

Well, now I'm confused. From what we've been told, musical numbers were going to be a big part of Joker 2, with set videos revealing one of Lady Gaga's songs. But Lawrence Sher actually worked on the film, and doesn't seem to classify Phillips' sequel as an actual musical. So maybe we shouldn't expect Mother Monster to belt out too many tunes.

Joker: Folie à Deux reportedly being a musical definitely felt like a departure from the original movie. The 2019 original was a grueling moviegoing experience, with the audience watching Arthur Fleck descend into madness in an unforgiving Gotham City. So having the sequel be chock full of musical numbers felt like a very different movie.

As previously mentioned, the cast list of Joker 2 will be led by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, as Joker and Harley respectively. Not much is know about what the company has up their sleeves, but the relationship between Mr. J and Harley is expected to begin in Arkham Asylum. The ending of Joker saw Arthur locked up, although there was some doubt about whether the events of the movie actually happened. After all, he proved himself as a very unreliable narrator. 

Our long-awaited answers will presumably come with Joker: Folie à Deux, along with a brand new story. Gaga filmed scenes on the now-infamous Joker stairs, and it should be interesting to see how Dr. Harleen Quinzel eventually breaks bad. 

Joker 2 is currently expected to arrive in theaters on October 4th. While we not-so-patiently wait for that release, check out the 2024 movie release dates.