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Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Apple TV+'s latest series does the worst thing for a new show but I can't help recommend it
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info *Warning - this article contains minor spoilers for the opening scene in Smoke, episode one* Apple TV+'s latest series does the worst thing a new show could possibly do, in my opinion, but I still can't help but recommend it. The first two episodes of Smoke are now available. It is the latest prestigious and original television drama series from the company. It comes after the likes of Your Friends & Neighbors, The Studio, Stick, Dope Thief, Murderbot and Prime Target all releasing earlier this year. That's a lot of new shows demanding your attention. As a film and TV writer and critic, I'm able to see shows before they're released. So, let it be known that as of writing, I have so far watched the first five episodes of the nine-part season. Three of those will not be available to subscribers until July. This is crucial, as had I only watched the premiere streaming now, I would most likely tell you not to bother at all with Smoke. (Image: Apple) An early review of Smoke claimed it is "nine great hours of television." That's the thing. The reviewer had clearly watched all nine hours, as had they only watched the first two, it would be described quite differently. Be warned, as I'm about to mention some aspects of what happens in Smoke's opening moments. However, it could lead you to realising you can skip the first 10 minutes or so. The series follows troubled detective, Michelle Calderone, played by Jurnee Smollett, who is made to team up with arson investigator, Dave Gudsen, played by Taron Egerton, as they track down two serial arsonists. Their investigation turns into a "twisted game of secrets and suspicions" as they try to track down those responsible for the alarming crimes. The series is inspired by true events and the acclaimed Firebug podcast. Those familiar with that podcast will already know where the biggest plot point leads. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Apple TV+ Get Apple TV+ free for a week TV fans can get Apple TV+ free with a seven-day trial and stream acclaimed shows like Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends and you won't pay a penny. £0 Apple TV+ Get Apple TV+ here Now, the worst way a new series which is attempting to establish its characters, setting, premise and convince viewers the premise is viable is one of a few things. At least it is for me personally. These include a voiceover. There really needs to be a good reason for this tactic. It cannot be just describing what should be shown or utilising flowery language about the show's theme. There's also intermittent flashbacks. You want to show a past or future event before telling the audience we are actually days later or before said event? Fine. But don't keep flashing between past and present as if you couldn't decide where the story should start. Smoke manages to do every one of these things. Taron Egerton's character begins trapped in a burning building, his voiceover pointlessly droning about fires then - he wakes up! When our other lead character is introduced, we get more intermittent flashbacks for her. However, despite all those tropes, which is surprising they are even present considering the episode is penned by an experienced writer in Dennis Lehane, I recommend most viewers to push on. We come to one of the other worst things that a review could tell a potential audience. You're going to have to make it through the first two episodes before knowing if this show is for you. By the final scene of the second episode and its huge plot twist, I've gone from wanting to give up, to needing to know what's next. (Image: Apple) From episode three, Egerton's arson investigator is more than just a terrible stepfather, there's a side the show is delicately peeling away to reveal. Detective Calderone is now interesting when actually investigating the story's central crime rather than reflecting on an affair, and I need to know just what is going on with Ntare Mwine's Freddy Fasano. The show's weekly release schedule could be an issue here, as perhaps it is better as a binge watch. Smoke is not the best show of the year. It's not even Apple's best new series of 2025 (The Studio, if you were wondering) but I still find myself attracted to its flames, needing to know how it all ends and recommending it to anyone who is after a twisty crime drama. Smoke is streaming on Apple TV+.
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Jon Hamm admits he prefers playing bad guys
The Mad Men alum revealed he thinks playing a wholesome role would be "kind of boring" and explained he actively enjoys playing "sinner" characters. 'I think people can relate to characters making bad decisions, because we've all made them," Jon, 54, told W Magazine. 'My history of characters isn't exactly the saints; it's more on the sinner side of the equation.' Asked whether his ability to play the bad guy on TV had extended into his real life, Jon joked, "Well, my wife might have an opinion about that'. The actor's most recent role, on the Apple TV+ dark comedy series Your Friends & Neighbors…
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans React to Newly Surfaced ‘90s Dating Show Footage of Big TV Star: ‘I Bet He Tried Out for 'Real World''
Fans React to Newly Surfaced '90s Dating Show Footage of Big TV Star: 'I Bet He Tried Out for 'Real World'' originally appeared on Parade. Jon Hamm wasn't an overnight success. The Your Friends & Neighbors star, 54, paid his dues with small parts until he got his big break on the hit AMC drama Mad Men. Newly surfaced video from the '90s shows one of Hamm's earlier 'roles'—this time as a contestant on a USA Network dating game show called The Big Date, hosted by Mark L. Walberg. The resurfaced footage shows a much younger, less-Hollywood-heartthrob Hamm talking about his ideal date. The aspiring actor was rejected twice on the show, but the footage lives on in had strong reactions to Hamm's hair and his on-screen persona in the dating show footage. One commenter wrote on the video shared to Instagram, 'That hair!' in reference to Hamm's '90s curtain cut and middle part, while another shared, 'He definitely got better looking with age.'Other fans weren't quite taken with Hamm's description of a perfect first date when he said, 'Well, start off with some fabulous food, some fabulous conversation.' When prompted to share what else would be fabulous about the date, Hamm offered, 'a fabulous foot massage for an evening of total fabulosity.' In response, one fan quipped, 'We'd go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that.' Some fans found Jon Hamm's dating show footage to channel full 1990s vibes with one writing, "I bet he tried out for Real World 😂" While some fans were charmed by Hamm's early on-camera efforts, other commenters made note of a hazing incident the actor was reportedly involved in during his time at the University of Texas. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Fans React to Newly Surfaced '90s Dating Show Footage of Big TV Star: 'I Bet He Tried Out for 'Real World'' first appeared on Parade on Jun 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Buzz Feed
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Olivia Munn Doesn't Let Her Kids Watch Ms. Rachel
Olivia Munn won't let her kids watch Ms. Rachel. In an interview with People, the Your Friends & Neighbors actor shared why she doesn't let her children watch Ms. Rachel's videos or most children's programs, and it's pretty reasonable. Ms. Rachel is a popular YouTuber and Netflix star, famous for making videos that help kids with language development. Olivia has two children, whom she shares with husband John Mulaney — Malcolm, 3, and Méi, 8 months. "I know kids love [Ms. Rachel], but the thing is, if I can't watch it, I'm not going to spend the rest of my life going crazy," Olivia said. "These kid shows drive me crazy." For Olivia, it's not just Ms. Rachel. She's not here for most cartoons in the household. "Malcolm asked for Blue's Clues [recently], and I don't know who showed him Blue's Clues, but they are on my shit list now," Olivia said. "I said, 'Hell no. Not in my house.'" Olivia described how John got Malcolm into the Spider-Man cartoons, which she didn't find "interesting." Her preference is the updated live-action movies. "I put on Tom Holland's Spider-Man: Homecoming and was like, 'If you want to watch the real-life ones, then we can watch that.' It might be a little too old for him, but I can't take the cartoons." But don't worry. There's at least one children's show that makes the cut with Mama Olivia, and that's the PBS children's show Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood for one specific reason. She believes it's a "great program" because it was vital in helping Malcolm understand what it's like to become a big brother to Méi, who was welcomed via surrogate last September. "Daniel Tiger has a little sister, and we'd tell him, 'There's a baby sister coming,'" Olivia said. Even though the typical children's programming might not be on the television when Olivia's around, she's found a system that works for their family. Talking with People, she said when she first introduced Méi to her big brother, she and John made a point not to "change his world and indentity and responsiblities." "A lot of times people will be like, 'Oh, you're a big brother now. You're not the baby anymore. Now you can help mommy get the diapers.' So, all of a sudden, he has all these responsibilities, and he doesn't just get to be carefree anymore," Olivia added. "Instead, we would say, 'Now we have two babies. There's baby Méi Méi and baby Malcolm.'" In the interview, Olivia shared that she and John focus on providing their children equal attention, so, in my opinion, it makes sense that she might not want to throw that balance off with too much Ms. Rachel and animated Spider-Man. Olivia said about her 3-year-old son, "He would say, 'Mommy, come over here. Daddy, come over here,' and if we were holding the baby, we would put her down so that he wouldn't feel that all of a sudden now we can't be there for him." "It's not that we were trying to teach him that everything he says goes, but we wanted him to have the transition with her to know that we're still here whenever he needs us. Then, eventually when he'd say, 'Put Méi Méi down,' we'd say, 'No, she wants to see her mommy too.' He smiles, and he understands," Olivia said. It sounds like Olivia has a system down, and Ms. Rachel (as popular as she may be) might not be for every family. And to be honest, I support Olivia keeping cartoons outside of the house for now, especially when her husband is literally part of a cartoon series that has scenes like this: And this: Perhaps they should wait until Malcolm and Méi are full-grown adults before they start showing them cartoons, in case they become interested in their dad's show. Read the full interview here.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Olivia Munn Reveals She Had To Take a ‘Scary' Risk in Order To Try for a Baby Girl
Having another baby is always a big choice, but for Olivia Munn, it came with a medical risk as well. She just revealed that she wanted a baby girl so much that she had to take a 'scary' risk to get her — and her husband John Mulaney was fully supportive. In a cover interview with PEOPLE, the Your Friends & Neighbors star opened up about her decision to expand her family after going through a breast cancer diagnosis in April 2023 and having multiple surgeries. Because her aggressive breast cancer was influenced by hormones, she worried that pregnancy, or even egg retrieval, would increase her chance of a recurrence. More from SheKnows Meghan Markle Shares Rare New Photos of Princess Lilibet - & She Is Dad Prince Harry's Mini-Me 'What happens if I can't carry?' Munn recalled thinking before welcoming daughter Méi, 8 months, via surrogate. 'There were all these unknowns, but I knew where I wanted to go: alive on the other side, healthy, energetic, with a baby on the way.' In between a double mastectomy and having her uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries removed, Munn had 'a window' to do an egg retrieval to try for a baby via surrogate. 'It was important to do it at that moment, but it was also scary because my type of cancer feeds on hormones, and there are a lot of hormone injections with IVF,' she told the outlet. Regardless, she decided to go for it. Munn went through a special IVF protocol for cancer patients, and doctors were able to retrieve seven eggs. Two were 'strong enough to be tested for abnormalities and the gender,' Munn explained. Still, she said she wanted a baby girl so badly that she was willing to go through it all again, despite the risk. 'I remember I was on a walk with John, and I said, 'I really don't think that I'll be okay unless we get two girl embryos. I know this puts me at risk, but I just need you to support me,'' Munn, who also shares 3-year-old son Malcolm with Mulaney, recalled. 'He said, 'Whatever you need.'' We love that Mulaney was super supportive of this move! Later that day, the doctors revealed that they had two healthy female embryos. 'That was a sign for me everything was going to be okay,' Munn said. Now, she is at peace. 'I'm so grateful to be on the other side. Everything feels easy in a way,' the Hit-Monkey star added. 'I feel so at peace. If I can stay happy and healthy, then I just want to sail into the rest of my life.' In Oct. 2024, Munn shared a heartfelt post reflected on her life now. 'This time last year I was recovering from my fourth surgery and now I'm hanging with my baby girl. 🥹💕,' Munn captioned a photo of her and her daughter. Munn's motherhood journey has been tougher than most so far, and we are so happy for her that she finally gets to heal and enjoy her wonderful babies. She's a true testament to the strength of moms! Before you go, check out these celebrity parents who welcomed their babies . Best of SheKnows These '90s Girl Names Are All That and a Bag of Chips 26 Stunning, Unique Jewelry Brands & Pieces for Teens 19 Celebrity Parents With Trans & Nonbinary Kids
