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Time Magazine
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
In Season 4, 'The Bear' Has—Quite Literally—Lost the Plot
This article contains extremely minor spoilers for The Bear Season 4. You can't go wrong putting delicious-looking food and the perfectionist chefs who cook it on TV. That was the lesson of Food Network's rise in the 1990s. It held true throughout the Y2K reality boom; stalwart competitions like Top Chef and Hell's Kitchen are still on the air after more than 20 seasons. Anthony Bourdain created his own subgenre of culturally aware, personality-driven food-travel shows that has persisted, since his death, in variations on the format from Padma Lakshmi, Stanley Tucci, Phil Rosenthal, and others. The streaming era has yielded a cornucopia of beautifully shot food programs: Chef's Table, Omnivore, High on the Hog, Salt Fat Acid Heat. All of which is to say that, though it's understood to have been a surprise hit, FX's The Bear was well placed to become the phenomenon it is. The rare scripted series set in a restaurant, its first two seasons combined all the enticements of the best nonfiction food TV with the propulsive tale of a grieving, Paul-Newman-lookalike master chef (Jeremy Allen White) who toils to transform his family's Italian beef joint into a fine-dining mecca worthy of a Michelin star. Like many popular food shows, The Bear makes for satisfying comfort viewing even when the narrative is lacking. Be that as it may, its fourth season, now streaming in full on Hulu, so exacerbates the stagnation that set in during Season 3 that it's bound to make all but the least demanding fans impatient. The show still looks scrumptious. But it has, quite literally, lost the plot. Following the frenzied efforts of White's Carmy Berzatto, in Season 1, to save The Original Beef of Chicagoland, formerly operated by his recently deceased brother Mikey (John Bernthal), and Season 2's transformation of the space and its staff in preparation of its rebirth as culinary destination The Bear, the third season chronicled the new spot's rough start. Carmy chose his work over his burgeoning relationship with Claire (Molly Gordon), pushing himself towards artistic excellence—and his employees towards madness—with a new menu every day. His unwillingness to compromise made the restaurant unfeasibly expensive to run, infuriating his investor, family friend Uncle Jimmy (a.k.a. Cicero, played by Oliver Platt) and making his sister and business manager Sugar's (Abby Elliott) life difficult as she welcomed a new baby. It also heightened Carmy's perennial conflict with Mikey's best friend Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), whose charm eased his evolution from managing The Beef to running front of house for The Bear. Their fights in the kitchen threw dinner services into chaos. Said chaos forced Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), a talented and self-possessed young chef who once idolized Carmy, to consider leaving this restaurant she helped create to accept a job offer from a more stable competitor. But by the end of the season, no problems had been solved and few questions answered. Maybe this was a manifestation of the same streaming bloat that has also, recently, produced maddeningly incomplete seasons of hit shows like The Last of Us and Squid Game. To give The Bear the benefit of the doubt, which it had earned, was to interpret 10 episodes' worth of wheel-spinning as a stylistic choice underscoring the characters' own poor communication and fundamental stuckness. When the finale made the contents of a Chicago Tribune review its cliffhanger, it seemed as though movement was finally imminent. Unfortunately, Season 4—whose thematic throughline is Carmy and his family and colleagues mending broken relationships and making amends for the hurt they've caused each other—is just as inert. Carmy acknowledges as much in a premiere that finds him gloomily watching Groundhog Day on TV and complaining to pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) that he feels 'stuck in the same day.' The Trib headline reads: 'Bear Necessities Missing: The Bear Stumbles With Culinary Dissonance,' and the gist is that, while the food is interesting and ambitious, a lack of harmony behind the scenes makes the overall experience a crapshoot. Or, as Syd sums it up, 'The Trib ate here three different times at three different restaurants… They didn't like the chaos.' As usual, Carmy sees the situation through his own, depressive and self-absorbed, lens: 'I wasn't good enough, and I need to be better.' Whatever the core problem may be, the need for improvement is urgent. Spooked by the review, Jimmy and his numbers guy, The Computer (Brian Koppelman), come into the kitchen with a giant digital timer, counting down two months' worth of seconds. That's how long The Bear has to change its financial outlook or close. This challenge should've been enough to get the show cooking again. Weirdly, it isn't. Though the timer keeps ticking and graphs charting the restaurant's progress periodically flash across the screen, little of what actually happens has much to do with this race towards profitability. It's as though creator Christopher Storer has forgotten how to do the kind of thrilling service scenes that once made The Bear so addictive, painting plot beats and character development into the larger panorama of present-tense panic. Instead, in too many formless episodes, Season 4 favors quiet solo scenes (Syd perfects a dish amid dramatic lighting and a haunting St. Vincent track, in a set piece that looks lovely but has nothing new to say) and earnest two-handers. These one-on-one conversations sound remarkably similar to one another. Everyone is always expressing profound truths from the very bottom of their soul. And what they're conveying, more often than not, are truisms or self-help koans: 'People are not so different.' 'It's realizing the capacity to love that matters.' 'There is probably one really true thing about restaurants… You are never alone.' As awards pundits never fail to notice, The Bear resists categorization as a comedy. Now, it's not only seldom funny; it also takes itself way too seriously. That shift in tone, from early seasons that moved fluidly between humor and wonder and angst to the relentless solemnity of the past two, has been particularly frustrating with regard to our hero. It's not hard to believe Carmy's a culinary genius, nor would the show work if he wasn't one. What's growing tiresome is his depiction as the ultimate tragic hero, noble and beautiful but cursed by the tragic flaw of his perfectionism, and specifically of his need to compensate for a bad childhood by proving he's the best to ever tweezer microgreens onto a blanket of foam. The camera lingers for too long on his pained, Grecian-bust features. His every line is freighted with meaning. White does as great a job as is probably possible of making this overly aestheticized archetype into a believable human being. It's not his fault that Carmy has gotten so boring. For proof, look to Season 4's best episode, in which he isn't even a presence. Directed by Zola filmmaker Janicza Bravo (every other episode this season credits Storer as director or co-director), it follows Syd on a day off spent getting her hair braided at the home of a stylist pal, Chantel, played by Danielle Deadwyler. A pragmatic, emotionally intelligent contrast to Carmy, Syd is still agonizing over whether to leave The Bear or become one of its partners. When Chantel has to run to the beauty supply store for more hair, Syd entertains—and, of course, tenderly cooks a meal for—her 10-year-old daughter, TJ (Arion King), who happens to be navigating a painful transition of her own. The episode is refreshing, thanks in part to Bravo's lighter hand and in part to the respite it offers from Carmy's wallowing. Standout installments of previous seasons have also spotlighted secondary characters, from Season 2's Richie-focused 'Forks' to line cook Tina's (Liza Colón-Zayas) origin story in 'Napkins,' from Season 3. The Bear should be leaning more and more on this great supporting ensemble, whose characters are rich with potential storylines, for longevity. To Storer's credit, the new season does dial back the distracting celebrity-chef cameos and, with Deadwyler among the few exceptions, shiny A-list guest stars. (A wedding episode features many of the same characters we met in Season 2's divisive family Christmas blowout, 'Fishes,' to which this sometimes-wonderful but excessively long, 70-minute montage of confessions and reconciliations is trying a bit too hard to be a sequel.) Still: Carmy's brooding leaves little time to venture into the lives of, say, Tina or Marcus. Like its predecessor, this season ends with the tantalizing suggestion of big, overdue changes to come. If the twist that's teased in the promising finale really does happen, it will be The Bear's most substantial—and, I think, most inspired—reset to date. If not, a show that has now been in decline for half its run risks devolving into a mess as self-indulgent, morose, and, well, dissonant as its title character.
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The completely free streaming service that boasts 10,000 shows and movies
TV fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to streaming services, but keeping up with the latest releases comes at a cost. With the likes of Netflix, Apple TV Plus and Amazon Prime Video adding new shows all the time, many of us spend upwards of £30 each month to satiate our binge-watching desires. But savvy viewers know that there are a few free streaming services out there with huge catalogues of film and TV shows at no cost — and Rakuten TV is one of them. Rakuten is what's known as a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform, meaning users can watch TV channels and shows for free with adverts. Where it differs from the likes of Tubi and Pluto TV is that users can buy or rent the latest film and TV releases on the platform too. Simply pay to watch whatever takes your fancy, without paying an additional subscription fee on top. There are plenty of hugely popular titles ready to stream, with shows including House of the Dragon and The Last of Us available from £14.99 for one season. However, fear not, as users who want to keep costs low can use Rakuten at zero cost. The service has a huge catalogue of TV shows and movies available to watch with adverts for free. In fact, it boasts more than 10,000 titles in total. Though, as you might expect, these options are less popular and well-known compared to the paid-for titles. Metro's Caroline Westbrook has used Rakuten before, and shared her verdict on the free streamer: 'If nostalgia is your thing, then you can't go far wrong here. Want to dive into some Baywatch? Vintage episodes of 21 Jump Street? You've come to the right place. And there's no shortage of British TV favourites either, with the likes of Hell's Kitchen, Pointless and even classic episodes of The Graham Norton Show. 'But if it's the latest blockbusters you're after, it'll cost you. Yes, you can watch Final Destination: Bloodlines, the Minecraft movie and other recent hits, but you'll pay for the privilege. The free movies are a bit limited and obscure by comparison, but there are some familiar titles thrown in among the lesser-known offerings (and even a few box office gems). 'And Rakuten adds new free-to-watch content all the time, so it's worth keeping an eye on, as you never know what might show up.' Rakuten has a huge number of live TV channels organised by genre, including sport, lifestyle, cooking, crime and mystery, reality, news and more. TV shows that have their own linear channels (meaning the episodes run back-to-back at all hours of the day) include Kim's Convenience, Mr Bean, Ninja Warrior, Great British Menu, Andromeda and The Graham Norton Show. Other TV series that are available for free on-demand include apocalyptic horror series Z Nation and Clink, a Channel 5 drama set in a women's prison. There's also sci-fi series Sanctuary and Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen. Meanwhile, free on-demand films include 2018 romcom I Feel Pretty, starring Amy Schumer, hit mystery thriller Gone Girl, the critically acclaimed Tangerine and 00s classics like Just My Luck and Bring It On. On the Rakuten TV store, users can rent or buy early home releases of films like Final Destination: Bloodlines, The Amateur, which stars Rami Malek, and The Penguin Lessons with Steve Coogan. These popular titles generally cost £15.99 to rent or £19.99 to buy, while older titles are available for less. Rakuten is compatible with a wide number of smart TVs, including models from Samsung, LG, Philips, Hisense, Panasonic and Sony. The app is also compatible with Chromecast, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV andTiVo. Plus, there's a mobile app, and users can also watch on a browser by visiting To rent or buy titles, users have to register for a free account, but this isn't necessary to watch the free on-demand content or live TV. However, registered users have other benefits, including access to a wishlist function and a library storing bought or rented content. And registered users can watch on up to three devices at the same time. Reviews of Rakuten TV are generally positive. On the Amazon App Store, one user wrote: 'At a time when you have to create an account for almost every app you want to use, the absence of this requirement by Rakuten to enjoy free streaming should be noted and encouraged.' They added: 'You shouldn't expect to be able to see the latest trendy movies or series, but the offer of a 'free' TV like on TNT is appreciable.' More Trending One reviewer praised it as 'easy to use', while another echoed that it's 'simple and very convenient'. And one called it an 'impeccable fast service'. Not everyone is happy, however, with some put off by the adverts. One user, who gave the app three stars, wrote: 'It has many free channels but with a lot of advertising, much more than Pluto TV'. Another, who left a more scathing one-star review, said: 'Too much advertising, more than commercial TV'. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: South Park faces major question in bitter battle over $900,000,000 deal MORE: Netflix actor 'left visible teeth marks on co-star after biting her' MORE: Has WWE Night of Champions been cancelled? All the latest updates
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jennifer Ellison's low-key life away from showbiz after 'traumatic' relationship
Jennifer Ellison was subject to a 'traumatic' time in her formative years, after getting involved with gangster ex Tony Richardson at the age of just 16 - here's how she turned everything around Soap icon Jennifer Ellison rose to fame as Emily Shadwick in Channel 4 's Liverpool-based show Brookside. Having joined the show aged just 15, she was by her own admission, a "baby", but she was forced to grow up quickly, after fame and her abusive relationship pushed her abruptly into adulthood. When she left the show in 2002, after four years, her character was killed off during a robbery, when she fell from a window. But her personal life had become more dramatic than her on-screen saga, with her ex partner's gang activities threatening her life. With the actress was dragged into the criminal underworld, she managed to end the relationship when he was unfaithful to her. Since then, she's turned it around, opting for a low-key life away from showbiz, as she started a family and finally got her 'happy ever after'. Although she happily runs her own business in Liverpool, the star occasionally dabbles showbiz. Over the years, Jennifer had made appearances on reality TV show Hell's Kitchen, ITV's Dancing On Ice and most recently Celebrity SAS: Who Dares wins. Here we look at what lead to her peaceful life as a dance studio owner. Double life When Jennifer met gangster Tony Richardson in 1999, she was just 16 years old and within 12 months the pair were engaged. But during her formative years, Jennifer was subjected to abuse and violence, with her older boyfriend controlling and hurting her - a far cry from her showbiz lifestyle, glamour model shoots and glitzy parties. Jennifer has since admitted she endured a catalogue of abuse, including a broken collar bone and a beer bottle smashed over her head. Jennifer told Cosmopolitan in 2013: "The attacks started pretty early on in our relationship. It began with mental rather than physical abuse. He'd criticise how I looked, accuse me of flirting with other men and question me all the time about who I'd been with and where I'd been. "Once, about six years ago, he smashed me over the head with a beer bottle in front of all my friends. My face, eyes, hair and mini dress were covered in blood. I was told Tony ran out of the London club we were in, chased by bouncers." Jennifer confessed that she would avoid seeing friends and family when she had bruises from his attacks, willing him to change. She added: "I can't tell you how many times I lied to protect him. When he broke my collarbone in 2005, I told doctors I'd fallen, because I thought it was my fault." Outside their relationship, Jennifer was also constantly looking over her shoulder thanks to Tony's criminal activity. She was embroiled in more violence, from fire-bombings to drive-by shootings. The tumultuous era came to a close when her partner was caught cheating on her with footballer John Terry's ex, Shalimar Wimble. But far from being devastated, Jennifer described his unfaithfulness as a "get out of jail free card", admitting she finally had a reason to leave. Tony was later jailed for eight years after being convicted of a sword attack in Liverpool. Body image and weight gain Jennifer's weight has been under scrutiny following her lad's mags days, meaning the star's body image has suffered. She went up to a size 18 following the births of her children, before slimming down to a size 10 over three months in 2017. But Jennifer rightfully hit back at her critics. Speaking to Lorraine previously, she explained her weight peaked in 2015 after the birth of her third son. Jennifer declared: "I don't care about trolls. What I look like is not a priority." She added: "My husband still looks at me the way he did when I was nine stone, after doing my fitness DVD. I'm happy and feel so loved. He thinks I'm the sexiest woman in the world. "So I'm not worried, because he finds me as attractive as he always did and he loves my bum and my boobs. If he turned round and said I didn't look too good, I would do more about it but he thinks I'm stunning. Love is blind." But in a bid to kick her sugar addiction, she appeared on ITV reality show Sugar Free Farm in 2015 and shed the weight once again. In 2017, she proudly shared her achievement on Instagram: "Ok so today was measurements day! ! ! So proud to say I've lost a further massive 6.5 inches of body fat in a month! And today I felt brave enough to take a pic after training without a big baggy top over! ! ! I've gone from a size 18 to a 10 in just over 3 months." She added: "I still have a long way to go to get back to what I was but 2 stone lighter and 27 inches of body fat later I'm feeling SOOOO much better! Thanks to the most amazing trainer ever Tony Swift for keeping our sessions amazing and challenging and to my training partner Rob Tickle who's absolutely smashing the results too." Reality TV 'therpay' Although she appeared to have put her traumatic past behind her, taking part in 2022's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins opened up old wounds, as she faced her demons. Jennifer opened up to former Commando Jason 'Foxy' Fox in the show's famous mirror room, admitting her life with Tony left her feeling worthless. She explained at the time: "It was a volatile relationship and he was connected with this other world, this gangland world. For years and years I thought that life was normal and bad things like that happened to everyone because it happened in the world I was in. "I was having nails in my letter box, going into hiding and fearing for your life walking down the street. That's not normal. It's just been one of those things that I kind of buried, just kind of got on with life and got on with everything. 'I look back and think how it was so traumatic. It was so horrific what I was going through. I was such a young girl, I was a baby. I feel like opening up in the mirror room about that has put that part of my life to bed. It was like the best therapy session ever.' Jennifer's happy ever after Years after splitting from Tony, Jennifer's life is now content and peaceful as she focuses on her family and her dance school. Jennifer met boxer Rob Tickle in 2008, with the pair tying the knot in Mauritius the year after. They've been happily married ever since and Jen has become a mother to their three sons, Bobby, 12, Harry, seven, and Charlie, six. She is also stepmum to two daughters, Sophie and Chloe, both 24. Now, Jennifer enjoys getting involved in productions with her dance school, and spending time with her family. She regularly shares their trips on social media. Recently, Jennifer shared her skiing trip with her boys, writing: "The most magical trip ever, with the bestest people you will ever meet! Never in a million years did I think I would enjoy something so much and even more so because I watched my boys have the time of their lives, skiing, making snow balls, sledging, playing darts, UNO, snap they did it all not a phone in sight and wow was it a dream! Memories that will last a lifetime time, a trip we will never forget" And her and Rob are going strong after 17 years together. The couple recently spent some child-free time together in the Scottish Highlands, where they ate delicious-looking food and explored the outdoors. Jennifer shared a series of photos of them together, writing: "Thank you my love for the most gorgeous time away! Loved spending quality time just the two of us, celebrating 17 amazing years together. "So lucky to have you and can't wait for the rest of our lives together. Love you forever and always @
Metro
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gordon Ramsay reveals moment he 'collapsed' while holding his son for the first
Gordon Ramsay has opened up about the alarming moment he fainted during the birth of his fifth child, Oscar. The TV chef, 58, recalled the scary moment with a few chuckles in hindsight while appearing on a recent podcast. The Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares star was not present in the delivery room for the arrival of his first four children – Megan, 26, twins Jack and Holly, 25, and Tilly, 23 – at the request of his wife Tana, 50. 'Let's make one thing absolutely clear, my wife didn't want me in there,' Gordon explained on SmartLess podcast. 'First of all, [Tana] said, 'I want my mum and your mum in there, you're not going to see me in that state, that side of the curtain, get out of there.' That was her decision and I had to respect that decision. Talking about the arrival of Oscar in 2019, Gordon said: 'When I did finally arrive in the theatre for our fifth baby I collapsed like a wimp! I blacked out holding Oscar in the air.' Gordon explained how Oscar arrived via C-section – or 'through the sunroof,as he put it. The TV chef was then asked what song he wanted to listen to. 'There was a lot of commotion going on,' Gordon recalled, 'I said, 'Can you play Ed Sheeran?' so they started playing Ed. They turned up the volume. 'I saw two more doctors dive in, I looked on the floor and there was blood everywhere. All of a sudden they popped him out and they came straight over to me and I went, 'Wow, wow, wow!' I sat back and collapsed like an idiot.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Gordon and Tana married in 1996 and two years later Megan arrived followed by the rest of their brood, and most recently son Jesse James, who was born in 2023. The pair kept Tana's pregnancy with Jesse tightly under wraps until his arrival, with the mum-of-six taking to social media after he was born revealing they'd endured a 'nerve-wracking 9 months'. She also added: 'Ramsay family complete.' Talking on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast in 2024, Tana opened up about Gordon's lack of presence in the delivery room. 'He would've gotten all squeamish and probably fainted and all the attention would've been on him, and this is my moment,' she said, mirroring Gordon's story hilariously closely. Elsewhere in the podcast, Gordon discussed how in his downtime he likes to compete in Ironmans – a long distance triathlon consisting of a 2.4mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2mile run. 'Lots of people are scared of that level of exercise,' he said, explaining: 'I know it sounds crazy, but for me it's a way of relaxing.' This podcast appearance comes after Hell's Kitchen chef admitted his three Michelin starred eatery Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is 'too posh' even for him. More Trending Gordon – who has earned 17 Michelin stars over his career – said on The Savoy Originals podcast: 'There's a very fine line, running it or indulging in it. 'I've only had dinner at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay twice in 25 years. 'Once was for Megan's birthday, and the second time was with Bradley Cooper when we were together for the film Burnt. 'It's not my style. It's too posh for me. It sounds weird, right?' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Tom's Guide
17-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I was introduced to HexClad by Gordon Ramsay himself — here's my honest verdict after 3 years of daily use
Picture the scene: I'm a baby journalist, and a cookware company invites me to Gordon Ramsay's cookery school to get hands-on with its products. The brand is HexClad, which, at this point, nobody in the U.K. has heard of. Lured in, admittedly, by the promise of a meal at Ramsay's restaurant after the masterclass, I was beyond shocked when I walked into the event to be greeted by Gordon himself. Ok, so this cookware is kind of a big deal. It's fair to say I had a bit of a headstart on the HexClad hype. Not only was I taught how to use these pans by Ramsay himself, but I got to take a few pans home with me. That was 3 years ago, and I've been using them ever since. So, is HexClad worth the hype? Here's my honest verdict. Get 3 frying pans and 3 glass lids for $379, and complete your frying pan collection for life. They're backed by a lifetime warranty too. A lot of popular cookware comes with a long list of things you can't do when using it. I don't mind using a bit of extra care for my kitchen knives or handmade mugs, but I'm a firm believer that you should be able to throw your cookware around without worrying about scratches, scuffs or distortion. And with HexClad pans, I'm able to go full Hell's Kitchen mode. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Want to baste your steak with a metal spoon, or use your metal fish slice to check your salmon? I'm constantly using metal utensils with these non-stick pans, with no flaking or scratching. You can also put them through the dishwasher, and I've even scrubbed mine with a metal scourer. What makes HexClad different is its hybrid tech. It's called TerraBond, and it uses an aluminum core and ceramic nonstick (which is etched in HexClad's iconic hexagonal pattern) to offer both "durability of cast iron, and the convenience of nonstick." I'm honestly not sure how they've done it, but it works like a charm. From high-heat searing to slowly simmering glazes, this cookware really does achieve a great middle ground between nonstick cooking and durable stainless steel performance. I'd be nervous to cook scrambled eggs in a stainless steel pan, but I do it at least once a week in my HexClad. When I went to HexClad's cooking masterclass way back in 2022, Gordon Ramsay watched as I nervously cracked an egg into my pre-heated pan, and gave me a few pointers. Yep, turns out I'd been frying eggs wrong. He explained that the temperature control is one of his favorite things about the pans. They pre-heat fast and evenly, but also hold heat well. Obviously, as an investor, Ramsay has some skin in the game when it comes to these pans, but I do agree that these pans knock my old nonstock pans out of the park when it comes to heating. My coated nonstick pans have lost their slip over time, but while the HexClad doesn't quite match them in the ability to flip pancakes or fry an egg, the nonstick elements have held up really well over time. In fact, they're still working just as well as they did when I nervously fried that egg. And it's just as well, because HexClad backs them with a lifetime warranty. The only downside, if I had to find fault, is the price. This cookware comes with a premium price, but it's the durability that justifies it in my book. Like my Le Creuset or my carefully-seasoned wok, these pans are going to be passed down to my children one day. Save 32% on this immense 12-piece set, featuring 3 frying pans, 2 small saucepans, a stock pot, and matching lids. It's expensive, but it's the only set you'll ever need to buy.
