Author: business

  • Lorde ‘What Was That’ debuts with impromptu park concert

    Lorde ‘What Was That’ debuts with impromptu park concert

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    Lorde fans stampeded through the streets of Lower Manhattan as news spread like wildfire that the notoriously elusive musician would offer a one-time pop-up concert.

    As fans flocked to Washington Square Park, the small quadrant that serves as the center of New York University’s campus life, the pop star’s unreleased single “What Was That” blared from speakers.

    The April 22 event, which was so mobbed that New York police eventually broke up the crowd, was announced via text − a new, more intimate form of communication Lorde has opted for with fans.

    “In the park,” she texted a few hours before the performance, which police later said was unscheduled.

    “A sound and parks permit is required to have a concert in a New York City Park. This individual did not possess either. Organizers of the event were informed they could not perform and they left the location,” a spokesperson for the New York Police Department’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information wrote in a statement to Rolling Stone.

    “Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down,” the Grammy-winning artist wrote on her Instagram stories in response, according to Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. “I am truly Amazed by how many of you showed up !!! But they’re telling me you gotta disperse … I’m so sorry.”

    This was all before she had even arrived. The loyal throngs of fans that stuck around, even as the crowd dwindled, were duly rewarded when, a few hours later, Lorde arrived in the flesh to perform.

    Singing “What Was That,” out now, Lorde offered loyal listeners a sneak peek at her upcoming album. The moody track mimics the tone of her most popular album, “Melodrama,” blending heavy synth and bass with confessional lyrics.

    Lorde danced above the crowd as fans sang along. In a white button-down with a bikini top underneath and baggy jeans, the singer punched the air and swayed as listeners lifted their phones to capture the moment, flashes lighting up the darkened park.

  • Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal return in 'The Accountant 2' trailerMovies

    Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal return in 'The Accountant 2' trailerMovies

    Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal return in ‘The Accountant 2’ trailerMovies

  • Ben Affleck revisits autistic hero

    Ben Affleck revisits autistic hero

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    Take Ben Affleck’s original “The Accountant,” subtract the math, add country line dancing and multiply it by two brothers. The result is a crime thriller sequel that’s not as winning but still mostly satisfying.

    Director Gavin O’Connor’s 2016 movie was a combo of “A Beautiful Mind” and B-movie action, featuring Affleck as a socially awkward CPA with high-functioning autism, special-forces skills and a big heart. It didn’t knock Hollywood’s socks off when it was released but found a cult fandom via cable TV reruns. So now we have “The Accountant 2” (★★½ out of four; rated R; in theaters April 25), boasting a more conventional formula and taking Affleck’s Christian Wolff on a cross-country journey to help a friend and connect with his hit man brother, Braxton (Jon Bernthal).

    In the first film, Chris saved a junior accountant (Anna Kendrick), reunited with his lost sibling and rode his Airstream into the sunset. Eight years later, he’s contacted by Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), the treasury agent who previously hunted him because of Chris’ dealings with criminals.

    Her old boss Raymond King (J.K. Simmons), someone Chris had helped, was shot dead in LA and left a wall of random evidence involving a broken family, human trafficking and global assassinations. (For the record, it’s not as cool as Christian’s window walls painted with math equations from the first movie.)

    Marybeth doesn’t know what to do with this stuff. But before he died, Ray wrote “Find the accountant” on his arm, knowing that Christian’s uncanny penchant for solving puzzles and problems would make him a natural to tackle the various mysteries.

    Chris recruits Brax to help as well as a room of brilliant computer wizards led by Justine, Chris’ partner with nonverbal autism who communicates via a British computer voice. (The role was recast for the sequel with autistic actress Allison Robertson, but original actress Alison Wright still plays Justine’s voice.) Along the way, they uncover a prison full of kids in Mexico they need to deal with, plus an enigmatic assassin (Daniella Pineda) who was the last person to meet with Ray before he was killed.

    The first “Accountant” really dug into Christian’s world, from why he has a collection of priceless artwork and rare comic books to his thought-provoking backstory. The sequel spends more time with the detective work, which just isn’t as interesting, but the movie finds nifty little moments for character-building excursions.

    A speed-dating outing for Chris goes hilariously awry, and while it’s tonally weird considering much of the movie, it’s fun because it peels a few more layers from the paradox that is Chris. Same for a trip to a country bar, where Chris picks up the dance moves insanely quickly and Brax starts a window-crashing brawl.

    The pairing of Affleck and Bernthal is essential. Chris doesn’t get his brother’s jokes, the brash Brax has a bunch of hard feelings he needs to work through, but there’s a gentle warmth between the two actors that makes them a joy to watch. It gives this franchise a secret sauce: These movies could easily be dumb, two-fisted affairs, yet there’s a thoughtfulness in them, alongside a commitment to exploring heroic neurodivergent characters that the usual macho movie wouldn’t even touch.

    Let Jason Statham wreck dudes with “The Beekeeper” and “A Working Man,” and let Affleck be a role model for empathetic masculinity – who can still wreck dudes if needed – with “The Accountant” movies. Just toss in some more math next time.

  • Lover Tribute Band takes unofficial Eras Tour around the world

    Lover Tribute Band takes unofficial Eras Tour around the world

    Welcome to the (unofficial) Eras Tour!

    The record-shattering, stadium bumping and happiness generating adventure through Taylor Swift’s 11 eras lives on through singer Charity Eden and her Lover Tribute Band.

    “Taylor really is my biggest inspiration,” Eden says over a video call. “It’s just the relatability of her music and how her experiences are my experiences. It’s her ability to create a soundtrack to our lives.”

    What fans may be shocked to learn is how fast the 35-year-old learned the lyrics and dance moves to 50+ songs. Surprisingly, she had never scream-shouted to “All Too Well,” danced to “Shake It Off” or harmonized to “Willow” until 2022.

    “I honestly only listened to Christian music up until three years ago,” she says. Eden’s introduction to non-Christian music was the superstar’s 10th studio album. “When ‘Midnights’ came out, it wrecked me and literally changed my life.”

    A friend invited her in 2023 to see the Eras Tour in Dallas, where she was indoctrinated in Swift lore. As the “Karma” confetti enveloped her at the end of the show, she knew she wanted to recreate the magic of the three-hour show. She just didn’t know how.

    ‘OK, I guess I’m doing this’

    At Eden’s birthday party in June 2023, the University of North Texas music grad performed some Swift covers for her family and friends.

    “My friend and now drummer,” she explains, “told a venue booker shortly after, ‘My friend Charity does a Taylor Swift tribute, you should call her.’ I got a call and was like, ‘OK, I guess I’m doing this.’”

    The little white lie propelled her into a full-fledged career. She quit her finance and wealth management job and dived in, enlisting friends to join her 10-person team of bandmates, dancers and stage managers. She styled her hair like Swift’s signature blonde bangs, sharpened her cat eye and donned a bold red lip.

    “This is what I was born to do,” she says. “I love when people come up after the show and say, ‘I wasn’t able to go to the Eras Tour and it feels like I got to go’ or ‘I was able to go to the Eras Tour and it feels like I got to go again.’”

    Long live the Eras Tour with our enchanting book

    Eden bought a bunch of spangly outfits on Etsy and had them professionally altered. Her portable closet of gowns, catsuits and jackets has followed her across the U.S. and to Japan, Canada and Kuwait.

    “The costume changes are the craziest 2 minutes every 12 minutes,” she says. “In the beginning, I didn’t realize how long it would take. I had three friends backstage helping me do everything. But I learned a few tips and tricks like investing in high-quality zippers. There was one show where four zippers broke.”

    She perfected the transitions between eras and now only needs one assistant to help backstage. And like Swift, she sings live.

    “I’m not going a full three hours. It’s usually two,” she says. “There are days I don’t talk at all, just to fully recover my voice. I try to be as healthy as I can.”

    Booked through 2026

    Eden makes a point to emphasize she’s not affiliated with Swift’s team and her intention is to spread some of the sparkly and shimmery magic to cities and countries that never got the chance to see the show.

    The tribute is as close to the Eras Tour as a fan can get, aside from turning back time. Eden hands out a “22” hat, plays a moss-adorned piano, faints after “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” and sings “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me.”

    Her most memorable performance happened last Fourth of July for an audience of troops stationed in Kuwait.

    “It was almost all men and it was fun to see how in the beginning, the crowd was maybe 50 feet from the stage and they weren’t really interacting,” she says. “During the ‘Fearless’ era I went out into the audience and slowly started luring them in. By the end of the show, they were right at the stage. I loved singing ‘Karma’ because they were all dancing and singing it down the octave.”

    The Lover Tribute Band is booked through February 2026 with trips to Canada, Mexico, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Bermuda, Virginia, Utah, Minnesota, Ohio and Florida.

    Don’t miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.

    Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network’s Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.

  • Beyoncé fans hope for guests, surprises, more on ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour

    Beyoncé fans hope for guests, surprises, more on ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour

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    • Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour begins April 28th in Los Angeles, with fans anticipating special moments and guests.
    • Fans hope to see Blue Ivy Carter perform, along with potential appearances from collaborators like Post Malone and Shaboozey.
    • Beyoncé’s wardrobe changes are highly anticipated, with a unique styling team assembled.
    • Fans are excited to see if Beyoncé incorporates viral TikTok mashups and line dances into the show.

    Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour will kick off in matter of days, and the Beyhive is buzzing with excitement in anticipation of how the singer will translate the groundbreaking album to the stage.

    In true Beyoncé fashion, few details have been revealed about her upcoming Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour, which is set to kick off April 28 in Los Angeles. However, that isn’t stopping fans from dreaming up special moments and surprise guests they hope to see at the concert.

    From possible collaborations to nostalgic reunions, fans have been voicing their wish lists online.

    Ahead of her SoFi Stadium debut, here’s a look at what they’re hoping to see on the “Cowboy Carter” stage.

    Blue Ivy and other special guests

    One of the most hoped for special guests is Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter. In 2023, an 11-year-old Blue Ivy made her tour debut, dancing to “My Power” and “Black Parade” alongside her mom and fellow dancers during the Renaissance World Tour in Paris. She also appeared during Beyoncé’s NFL halftime show on Christmas Day.

    That performance at the the Texans-Ravens game may have given fans a glimpse into the upcoming tour. During the show, she brought out many notable guests including her “Cowboy Carter” collaborators Post Malone, Shaboozey and “Blackbiird” vocalists Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer and Tiera Kennedy. 

    One fan said, “I’m hoping to see Miley Cyrus or Shaboozey pop out.” Another fan wrote, “I’m hoping to see Destiny’s Child, but that’s wishful thinking.”

    During the halftime show she also brought out a number of other guests, such as bull-riding legend Myrtis Dightman Jr., known as the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo”; Miss Rodeo Texas Princess 2004 and Miss Rodeo Texas 2015 Nikki Woodward and many more. Beyoncé’s longtime dance captain Ashley Everett made her return, and fans hope she will appear again during the concert.

    Beyoncé’s spectacular wardrobe changes

    Of course, every Beyoncé show is a spectacle of music and fashion. And many fans are not only excited to unleash their own creativity and wear their best “Cowboy Carter” concert looks, but they are also waiting to see just how Beyoncé delivers her looks onstage.

    During Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, she reportedly donned over 140 unique outfits with the help of her stylists Shiona Turini, Julia Sarr-Jamois, Karen Langley and KJ Moody. And given the Western and equestrian influences of the album, her outfits will likely be a huge component of the concert.

    Recently, Beyoncé’s mom Tina Knowles announced that Beyoncé’s former stylist Ty Hunter would be joining the team for this tour.

    “So happy to have my bonus son (Ty Hunter) working with us on the tour after all of these years,” she wrote. “We added him to the team a month ago! We are so blessed to have a talented team of Super Star Stylist!”

    ‘Cowboy Carter’ TikTok mash-ups

    As this is Beyoncé’s first country album, many fans are interested to see how she brings the music and culture to the stage. It will be fascinating to see which other songs in her catalogue she chooses to perform with the genre-bending album.

    Many fans have already created several mash-ups of her music, and they have been making the rounds on social media. Plus, Beyoncé is known to throw in a viral moment or two in her sets.

    One fan wrote, “I’ve been loving the mash-ups I hear on TikTok, and I really want to hear the ‘Tyrant’ mash-up with ‘All Night’ from her ‘Lemonade’ album. I think it’s so interesting and great how we can combine two completely different songs from different genres but the same artist.”

    Line dancing and other viral dances

    “Cowboy Carter” has also birthed many viral dances and line dances since it was released March 29, 2024. Undoubtedly, fans are hoping to see Beyoncé perform her hit “II Hands II Heaven,” which became a viral dance and internet sensation after a fan paired a snippet of the song to Drea Kelly’s dance moves. Beyoncé even busted out the dance moves at one point, and it’s a matter of time before fans see if she’ll incorporate them into her set.

    One X user wrote, “Every time I hear “II Hands II Heaven” I imagine how it’ll sound hearing Beyonce sing it at the concert.”

    Additionally, line dancing is not only a huge part of Southern and Western culture, but it has also become linked with this album. Fans might recall Beyoncé’s single “Texas Hold ‘Em” taking the internet by storm with many creating line dances to the tune.

    Moreover, songs like “Boots on the Ground” by Douglas Furtick, also known as 803 Fresh, and its corresponding line dance have been taking over social media with many grabbing their boots and handheld fans. This makes for the perfect cultural backdrop for Beyoncé’s country showcase, and it’ll be interesting to see if she incorporates any of these moments or moves.

    Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on InstagramTikTok and X as @cachemcclay.

  • Crossword Blog & Answers for April 24, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

    Crossword Blog & Answers for April 24, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

    There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Split the Pole

    Constructor: Zachary Edward-Brown

    Editor: Jared Goudsmit

    Comments from Today’s Crossword Constructor

    Zach: This puzzle was inspired by the scene in The Burial with Jamie Foxx where a bunch of people squeeze through these poles because they are superstitious. Thanks to the editors for helping me revise this puzzle!

    What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

    • ASL (8D: Language in the film “Hear and Now”) Hear and Now is a 2007 documentary by Irene Taylor Brodsky. The movie tells the story of Paul and Sally Taylor, Irene Taylor Brodsky’s parents, who were both born deaf. In their 60s, Paul and Sally Taylor both had cochlear implant surgery, which allowed them to hear for the first time. The documentary follows their journey. American Sign Language (ASL) and English are used in the movie.
    • TEN (43D: Messi’s jersey number) Although I just wrote about [World Cup star Lionel] MESSI yesterday, I did not mention his jersey number. If I’ve previously known that he wears number TEN, I’ve forgotten, so I needed the help of crossing answers here.

    Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

    • UNO (21A: Half of dos) and ONE (24A: 21-Across, in English) This is a nice clue pairing.
    • HER (33A: Dating app founded by Robyn Exton) HER is a dating app geared to “LGBTQ+ women and queer folks.” Robyn Exton founded the app, which was launched globally in 2015.
    • BTS (35A: “Dynamite” band) “Dynamite” is a 2020 song by the K-pop band BTS. It was the band’s first song fully in English. BTS has paused their musical activities to allow the members to complete their 18 months of mandatory South Korean military service. All of the BTS members are scheduled to complete their military service by June of this year, but the timing of a possible BTS reunion is still unknown.
    • POWER COUPLE (36A: Duo such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce) and FAN BASE (44A: Group of Swifts, for example) Taylor Swift’s FAN BASE is certainly interested in any news about the POWER COUPLE of singer Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce.
    • CIA (41A: Spy org. in “Jason Bourne”) Jason Bourne is a 2016 movie, the fifth of the Bourne movies, which are based on the character created by Robert Ludlum. Matt Damon portrays the title character, a former CIA assassin.
    • AGAVE (48A: Plant used to make tequila) AGAVE are spiky-leaved succulents that grow in the hot and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean. The sap of the AGAVE plant is fermented to make an alcoholic beverage called pulque, which is distilled to produce the spirit, mezcal. Tequila is mezcal made from a variety of the plant known as blue AGAVE. (All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila.)
    • CASINO (53A: Place to play Omaha Hold ’em) and POKER TABLE (58A: Place to play Omaha Hold ’em) I definitely experienced a moment of “Wait, didn’t I just read this clue?” when I came to the clue for POKER TABLE shortly after filling in CASINO.
    • HIPPOS (1D: Semiaquatic African mammals) HIPPOS are native to sub-Saharan Africa. The full name of the HIPPO – hippopotamus – comes from Ancient Greek and means “river horse.” HIPPOS spend their days in the water, in order to stay cool. They emerge from the water at dusk to graze. Fun fact: The closest living relatives of HIPPOS are whales.
    • OWN (5D: “A League of Their ___”) A League of Their Own is a 1992 movie set in 1943. It tells a fictionalized account of the real All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The 2022 TV series of the same name is an adaptation of the movie.
    • RADON (7D: Rn, on the periodic table) The atomic number of RADON is 86, and its chemical symbol is Rn. RADON is one of six naturally-occurring noble gases (along with helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon). As RADON occurs naturally, some level of RADON is present in all buildings. Exposure to high levels of RADON has been linked to lung cancer. (According to the EPA, RADON is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.) Like all noble gases, RADON is odorless and colorless under standard conditions. Therefore, its presence must be detected by testing. If high levels of RADON are detected, RADON mitigation systems can be installed to decrease the RADON level in the building. 
    • OUTER EAR (18D: Where the tympanic membrane is located) The tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, separates the OUTER EAR from the middle EAR.
    • OHIO (26D: Midwestern state associated with Gen Alpha) Sometime in the last few years, those in generation Alpha (those born between 2010-2024) adopted the word OHIO to refer to anything strange or odd. I’ve written about this previously.
    • BLAB (35D: Let the cat out of the bag) My cat, Willow, says, “Don’t even think of trying to put me in a bag!” This picture shows my view of Willow the other day when I was sitting at our kitchen counter and she was on my lap.

    • PARASITE (36D: 2019 Bong Joon-ho film set in South Korea) Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-Ho, is set in Seoul, South KOREA. The movie is about a family that insinuates itself into a wealthy household. Parasite won four Academy Awards, including Best Director.
    • WACO (56D: Texas city home to the Dr. Pepper Museum) WACO, Texas is located along the Brazos River, approximately halfway between the cities of Dallas and Austin. WACO is where Dr Pepper was created in the 1880s by a pharmacist named Charles Alderton. Dr Pepper was nationally marketed in the U.S. in 1904, and is now sold worldwide. The Dr. Pepper Museum in WACO opened in 1991 in the first building constructed specifically to bottle Dr. Pepper.
    • TIL (60D: “Was just taught…” acronym) TIL = Today I learned…

    Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

    • POOL NOODLE (17A: Buoyant, pasta-shaped toy)
    • POWER COUPLE (36A: Duo such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce)
    • POKER TABLE (58A: Place to play Omaha Hold ’em)

    SPLIT THE POLE: The word POLE is SPLIT by each theme answer: POOL NOODLE, POWER COUPLE, and POKER TABLE.

    I was not familiar with the 2023 movie The Burial, which Zach mentioned in his notes, so was not aware of the context of SPLIT THE POLE. In fact, I was not familiar with the phrase “SPLIT THE POLE,” though now that I’ve learned it, I’m aware of the situation it refers to. When you are walking with someone else and come to a POLE, such as a sign post, telephone pole, or bollard, if you walk on opposite sides of the POLE, you have SPLIT THE POLE. Some people consider that practice to be bad luck. Fortunately, the title gives a clear description of the theme, even without that context. For people familiar with the movie, I imagine there might have been a nod of recognition upon reading the title. Thank you, Zach, for this enjoyable puzzle.

    For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles

  • An alliance is tested. Who goes home?

    An alliance is tested. Who goes home?

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    Although they tried to retain a united front, the strong majority alliance began to let infighting break them apart during the latest episode of “Survivor” Season 48.

    The ninth episode, titled “Welcome to the Party,” saw the majority alliance of six members begin to turn on each other as paranoia crept in. Even after the majority group promised to play the game of “Survivor” with integrity and honor, deception and lies remained the real name of the game as allies turned on one another to vote out a castaway.

    At the start of the episode, there were nine players left and two members on the jury who will help cast votes for the $1 million winner and “sole survivor” of Season 48 of the long-running reality competition show. After this episode, only eight remain in the game, with three on the jury.

    Here’s who was voted off this week.

    Who went home on ‘Survivor’ Season 48, Episode 9?

    The majority alliance, consisting of David Kinne, Kyle Fraser, Joe Hunter, Shauhin Davari, Eva Erickson and Mary Zheng, valued their physical strength and promised each other to play with honesty and integrity.

    But all is not as it seems, as Kyle has a secret alliance with Kamilla Karthigesu and was forming a side alliance with Shauhin, as both players distrust David.

    Eva was also holding onto her own secret after finding an advantage clue in the last episode. She snuck away from camp at night and earned a very useful safety-without-power advantage, allowing her to leave a future tribal council before votes are read, therefore saving herself from being voted out.

    At the immunity and reward challenge, players had to stand on a small platform holding onto a bar holding a ball up on a metal chute. Should they step off the platform or move their arms, therefore moving the ball, they would be out of the challenge.

    As has often been the case this season, the challenge became a showdown between the physically stronger players, and David and Joe battled it out for immunity. David eventually dropped out unexpectedly, letting Joe win and allowing him to take three others on a food reward.

    Joe chose Eva, Shauhin and Mitch Guerra, who had not yet been on a reward challenge and was very hungry after days with low to no food.

    Two names emerged as possibilities to go home as tribal council approached: David and Mitch. Feeling suspicious of fellow alliance members Shauhin and Kyle and a possible immunity idol that could be played on Kamilla, David urged players to vote for Mitch. Frustrated by David’s gameplay and possible knowledge of his secret alliance with Kamilla, Kyle urged players to vote for David.

    It was a fairly close vote at tribal council between David and Mitch, but in the end, David, a 39-year-old stunt performer living in Buena Park, California, became the latest person voted out and the third member of the jury.

    Who went home last week on ‘Survivor’ Season 48?

    During the challenge, five pairs worked as a team, moving through several stages of an obstacle course. Only three teams would make it to the second stage, and only two teams would make it to the third and final stage, where they would compete for individual immunity.

    The first two teams eliminated didn’t get the reward of tacos and had to take a “journey,” where they stood to lose their vote in the night’s immunity challenge.

    Immunity came in a survivor classic challenge: “Get a Grip,” where players must hold onto a narrow, tall pole for as long as possible.

    Eva Erickson, Joe Hunter, Mary Zheng and David Kinne competed in the immunity challenge, with Eva taking home her first individual immunity of the season.

    Going on the journey were Kamilla Karthigesu, Shauhin Davari, Star Toomey and Mitch Guerra. They had to compete in their own challenge that involved strategically picking up red and grey balls from a chute. The first player with three red balls lost their vote, and after a secret strategy between Mitch and Kamilla, Star was unable to cast a vote in the night’s tribal council.

    Luckily for Star, her name wasn’t on the chopping block. Players quickly honed in on sending either Kamilla, Shauhin or Chrissy Sarnowsky home. Panicked at the thought of Kamilla, his closest (and secret) ally leaving the game, Kyle desperately tried to convince others to vote for Chrissy instead, raising David’s eyebrows and planting suspicion of an undercover alliance.

    But at tribal council, Chrissy expressed her frustration at the so-called strong player alliance between David, Eva, Joe and Shauhin, calling out Eva and Joe’s close alliance and pleading for other players to recognize their gameplay.

    Her outburst was enough for a near-unanimous vote against Chrissy, and the 55-year-old fire lieutenant from Chicago became the latest person voted out of Season 48 and the second member of the jury.

    How to watch ‘Survivor’ Season 48

    Season 48 of “Survivor” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET / PT on CBS and streams on Paramount+ for subscribers of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan.

    Episodes can be streamed the next day for subscribers of any Paramount+ plan.

    The previous 47 seasons of the show are all available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

    Watch every season of Survivor on Paramount+

    Who is the host of ‘Survivor’?

    Jeff Probst has hosted all 48 seasons of the show, which has been on the air since 2000. He also serves as an executive producer.

    Who won ‘Survivor’ Season 47?

    Rachel Lamont won Season 47 of “Survivor,” in a 7-1-0 vote against Sam Phalen, who got one vote, and Sue Smey.

    Lamont, a 34-year-old graphic designer from Southfield, Michigan, was originally on the Gata tribe and became the fifth woman ever to win four individual Immunity Challenges in a season.

    Where is ‘Survivor’ filmed?

    While “Survivor” previously took contestants to remote locations around the world, from the Pearl Islands to the Philippines and Guatemala, the show has been filmed in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji for the past 15 seasons.

    We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

    Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

  • Series ends with Roseanne grave, family tears

    Series ends with Roseanne grave, family tears

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    Spoiler alert: This story discusses “The Conners” April 23 series finale.

    It’s a TV miracle that ABC’s “The Conners” has existed, much less survived – even thrived – for seven seasons without the family’s working-class superstar matriarch, Roseanne Conner, famously played by Roseanne Barr.

    Barr was the Emmy-winning star and the Conner family glue on America’s must-watch No. 1 show, “Roseanne,” from October 1988 to May 1997. The star and executive producer briefly revived the series in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois, two decades later in March 2018. But two months into the hit reboot, ABC abruptly pulled the plug after Barr’s racist tweets, which ABC parent Walt Disney Co. called “abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values.”

    Against the odds, “The Conners” rose from the ashes that fall, with Roseanne’s TV absence explained by an accidental opioid overdose. Still, the major question going into the two-episode series finale (now streaming on Hulu) remained: Would Roseanne somehow show up? She doesn’t.

    “I’m sure there were a lot of fans who would like to have seen it,” says executive producer Bruce Helford, who also executive-produced five seasons of “Roseanne,” including the short-lived revival.

    However, the series finale is primarily devoted to Roseanne Conner, which includes a graveside family farewell.

    “She’s not there physically,” says Helford. “But we wanted to honor something that she really gave birth to and cared for. We did right by her memory. The audience certainly loved her and her family.”

    It’s the middle-class family that has picked up the comedic and dramatic load. John Goodman, 72, who has lost 200 pounds since his “Roseanne” heyday as loving husband Dan Conner, anchors the cast with Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne’s sister Jackie), and Sara Gilbert and Lecy Goranson (grown daughters Darlene and Becky, now parents).

    We’ve got room on the couch! Sign up for USA TODAY’s Watch Party newsletter for more TV & film news.

    No lottery, but a payout check opened at Roseanne’s grave

    “Roseanne” was initially revived as a do-over of the fan-loathed Season 9, which saw Dan die and the Conners win the lottery. “Our whole mission to start this thing was to undo that,” Helford says.

    The finale features Dan’s passionate support of his dead wife during a deposition for a lawsuit against the opioid company. The entire family meets at Roseanne’s grave to open the resulting settlement payment. Rather than lottery riches, the check is for a paltry $700.

    “We wanted to stay true to what’s really happening in the legal system,” says Helford. “It’s about family resilience, and shows that money does not create happiness. That comes from the group.”

    Each family member gives a grave farewell to Roseanne’s cemetery marker. Dan’s is the last: “Well, Rose, we always said that if the kids were alive at the end of the day, we did our job,” Dan says. “I think we did better than that.” Dan also says he’s “cool” if Roseanne has met another love, “wherever you are.”

    Roseanne is Dan’s ‘true love,’ even if he’s married to Louise

    Before starting “The Conners,” Goodman told Helford he didn’t want Dan to quickly enter a new relationship.

    In Season 4, he remarried high school classmate Louise Goldufski (“Married…with Children” star Katey Sagal). The couple shows genuine love and devotion. But Dan’s deposition in the finale makes clear that Roseanne was “the love of my life.”

    “He declares that in front of Louise,” Helford says. “We hit that in an interesting way.”

    The $700 pizza party leads to an emotional ‘Conners’ farewell

    The $700 is enough to have the entire family over for a pizza party around the family’s famed couch and afghan. Only core characters have seats.

    Dan, at the center of the couch, gives the final defiant toast: “No matter how much crap life throws at us, all we got to do is look around. Because if we hang together, nothing can stop us.”

    Metcalf starts the farewells, tearing up at the door with “Good night.” Goranson and Gilbert follow with tearful exits that are deeper than a pizza-party ending.

    “That was ‘goodbye’ forever,” Helford says. “They wanted to say goodbye to each other. So that’s the actual people saying goodbye, breaking the fourth wall. Once Laurie (Metcalf) said hers at the door, and said it for real, everyone got emotional.”

    Goodman, alone on the couch, looks to the camera and says with a wry smile, “Good night,” before walking off, beer in hand.

    ‘The Conners’ ends with ‘Roseanne’ nostalgia, but without Roseanne

    The episode concludes with big-hair vintage clips of the characters from “Roseanne.” Barr is noticeably missing, even in this tribute. But the moment shows how the core “Conners” crew have been together for nearly four decades.

    “These actors have been friends for 37 years, playing these characters for 15 of these years,” says Helford. “Literally, Sara Gilbert and Lecy Goranson grew up on this show. Just seeing the changes in everyone and the passage of time shows how momentous this is. ‘Roseanne’ was a very big thing in people’s lives. For many people, this is their family.”

  • Meghan Markle addresses happiness, Netflix show criticism

    Meghan Markle addresses happiness, Netflix show criticism

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    Duchess Meghan is happy as ever.

    The Duchess of Sussex got candid about why she’s “the happiest I’ve ever been” on April 23 at the TIME100 summit in New York City while discussing her new podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder” and new business ventures. When asked by TIME CEO Jessica Sibley to make a confession on stage, Meghan had a surprising admission.

    “I think the confession for you today, that I could very comfortably say, is I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” Meghan said. “Of all the things that have happened in my life, I never would have imagined that getting here, at this point, I feel just so happy and grateful. I really do.”

    The comments come as the former “Suits” actress, turned partner to Prince Harry, experiences a wave of renewed attention five years after the pair stepped back from their roles as British working royals and flocked to her native California in January 2020.

    Meghan and Harry have both been vocal about how public scrutiny and demands of royal life affected their marriage and mental health.

    In a now-famous March 2021 post-exit interview with Oprah Winfrey on CBS, Meghan said she was so close to suicide during her time in the palace that she couldn’t be left alone. 

    “I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she told Winfrey, tearing up. “I was ashamed to admit it to Harry, but I knew if I didn’t say it, I would do it. I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. It was clear, it was real, it was frightening, and it was a constant thought.”

    We’ve got Hollywood covered: Sign up for USA TODAY’s Entertainment newsletter.

    Duchess Meghan has returned to pre-Harry pursuits in 2025

    In the four years since their royal departure, Meghan has seen brighter days.

    In 2025, she reentered the public imagination and reemerged with a pair of pre-Harry-inspired pursuits: a Netflix show, “With Love,” and a companion lifestyle brand, As Ever. Before meeting Harry, she was the curator of a successful lifestyle blog, The Tig.

    She also told Sibley that “tapping into what really ignites my joy” and “being creative” help her take care of herself. During the Time talk, she pushed back at criticism of her choice not to film “With Love” at her and Harry’s Montecito mansion.

    “When people say, ‘Why didn’t you (film in) your house?’ Well, I have kids coming home for their nap, and 80 people in the kitchen isn’t really the childhood memory I’d want for them to have,” Meghan said, in reference to the show’s crew, which she compared to over 200 people who worked on “Suits.”

    The Archewell founder and Harry share two children: 5-year-old son Archie and daughter Lilibet, 3.

    ‘I need to work and love to work’: Meghan previously slammed critics of Netflix show, brand

    Meghan has defended her decision to start As Ever and star in “With Love” before.

    In a profile for The New York Times published April 2 in conjunction with the official launch of As Ever, Meghan explained that the brand gives her flexibility as a mom to her two children.

    “I need to work, and I love to work,” Meghan told the NYT, adding that the brand “is a way I can connect my home life and my work.” In the profile, Meghan, now 43, also told the Times that she had a job from age 13 until she met Harry.

    If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.

    Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

    Contributing: Maria Puente, USA TODAY

  • Watch: Dan prep for Roseanne deposition in 'The Conners' finaleTV

    Watch: Dan prep for Roseanne deposition in 'The Conners' finaleTV

    Watch: Dan prep for Roseanne deposition in ‘The Conners’ finaleTV