Actor Elijah Wood posted a rant on X detailing his negative experience with a QR code menu at the cinema chain Alamo Drafthouse.
The “Lord of the Rings” star made a sarcastic dig while describing the new food ordering process, which he called “truly awful.” Wood demanded a return to physical menus.
“For the first time yesterday, I experienced the new Alamo Drafthouse QR code ordering system and I can tell you it’s truly awful,” the actor shared on X.
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For the first time yesterday, I experienced the new <a href="https://x.com/alamodrafthouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alamodrafthouse</a> QR code ordering system and I can tell you it’s truly awful. Rather than making ordering food and drink more efficient, it actually adds steps to the process AND if you want to order additional items during the…
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) <a href="https://x.com/elijahwood/status/2061849244915622015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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“Rather than making ordering food and drink more efficient, it actually adds steps to the process AND if you want to order additional items during the film you HAVE to open your phone,” the post continued. “No, your cute reference to that irony in your How To Alamo video doesn’t negate how ridiculous this is. Please don’t cut corners with your staff and revert back to physical menus and order cards.”
WATCH FROM TODAY&#8217;S EPISODE OF MORNING WIRE:
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Alamo Drafthouse is a popular cinema chain known for combining new releases and cult classics with full in-theater dining. They are also notorious for a strict &#8220;no talking or texting&#8221; policy, which is one of the reasons that the QR code ordering was met with such disdain by customers. 
The company <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alamo-drafthouse-layoffs-1236108753/">laid off</a> 15 corporate employees in 2025, roughly 9% of its support staff, and an unknown number of hourly cinema workers in January last year.
Per <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/elijah-wood-hates-alamo-drafthouse-qr-code-ordering/">The Wrap</a>, a spokesperson for the Alamo claimed that the change would not lead to future layoffs and said all staffers who previously helped with ordering had new positions in the company. That unnamed spokesperson also reportedly said that 85% of guests placed food orders before the movie began.
The theater chain introduced the <a href="https://drafthouse.com/news/our-shift-to-qr-ordering?srsltid=AfmBOorvMzuushpKmnLMu2g1i_cKlxfEiANtAKwQiPrPEjXrC9FrEptN">QR code ordering system</a> earlier this year. The company <a href="https://drafthouse.com/news/our-shift-to-qr-ordering">website</a> said it was done in an effort to “reduce distractions (goodbye check drop during the climax) and, in the long term, make the experience even better.”
“Putting ordering control directly in our guests’ hands allows us to move faster and more efficiently, creating a smoother, more responsive experience without added distraction,” the original announcement said.
The company also said as the policy was introduced that “only a small percentage” of orders were made during films. It also stressed that the no cell phone policy for texting and personal use would remain as a “custom-built, dark-screen system” that’s “designed to minimize distractions” would be used for taking orders.
Social media users were not impressed.
“They terminated my fiancée and all the others on the IT team who tried to warn management that the company’s infrastructure couldn’t handle it and that the customer base didn’t want it. It’s all about Sony’s bottom line,” one of the commenters on Wood’s post <a href="https://x.com/yeoldethotticus/status/2061872363529019422">said</a>, prompting the actor to reply, “Ugh. I’m sorry.”
“I took someone [to Alamo Drafthouse] for their first time not knowing they changed it and apologized to them,” echoed <a href="https://x.com/AllieGoertz/status/2061880788224999824">another</a>. “It used to be so special, I don&#8217;t know what happened.&#8221;
“Experienced this a few weeks ago. Add the zero tolerance policy on using phones during movies, so stuck with no napkins and no water- no service, no call button. The bill comes with an 18% service fee added on then expects additional gratuity- insanity,” a third commenter <a href="https://x.com/nanleejewelry/status/2062157528641814578">agreed</a>.

Alamo Drafthouse

Elijah Wood Posts Rant About Popular Cinema Chain’s ‘Awful’ New Policy

Celebrities

Entertainment

Hollywood

Movies

Technology

Katy Perry celebrated the advent of June with an announcement that many of her fanatic followers would consider to be out of this world and her critics wish had been lost in space.
“I know so many of you are doing so much for this month, but me? I’d like to introduce the earth to the world’s first gaylien!” Perry crowed in a <a href="http://instagram.com/reel/DZDritwyxy_/">post</a> on social media.
This announcement joins the laundry list of Pride-related shoutouts that no one asked for.
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Perry&#8217;s “gaylien&#8221; wore a tangerine orange beanie and a black, white, and orange sweatshirt emblazoned with a green alien face. The person in the costume wore a mask that looked like a shriveled gray mummy with stereotypically beady alien eyes. 
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Despite rumors that the man in the alien costume was her boyfriend former Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://people.com/katy-perry-shares-new-photos-justin-trudeau-miranda-kerr-instagram-11964886">Justin Trudeau</a>, the alien was likely just a backup dancer.
Perry proceeded to join the alien in doing a dance that appeared to be a mix of a forgotten &#8217;90s workout routine and a mating ritual from a lame bird of paradise.
In the video, the man in the alien costume jumped up into the air and proceeded to do an extended squat. He shook his legs and his butt in seizure-like contortions while swaying his hands and wrists in a circular fashion. He then feigned a melodramatic collapse on the floor, came back up to do off-brand Michael Jackson moonwalk step, then fell to the floor again.
The gaylien will reportedly be making appearances at Perry&#8217;s European summer festivals to celebrate pride.
Perry has been notorious for being supportive of gay rights, with her hit song “I Kissed a Girl” being famous for its depiction of a lesbian relationship. She has also shown an interest in space with her song “E.T.” and her widely mocked <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/blue-origin-sent-celebs-up-for-minutes-they-came-back-with-astronaut-egos?author=Lauren+Bair&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Blue+Origin+Sent+Celebs+Up+For+Minutes.+They+Came+Back+With+Astronaut+Egos.">Blue Origin flight</a>.
Perry&#8217;s &#8220;gaylien&#8221; also seems to ride on the wave of renewed public interest in aliens, especially after the U.S. government has released documents <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-opens-secret-ufo-vault-tells-americans-to-decide-whats-real">detailing</a> UFO sightings.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry’s ‘Gaylien’ Will Make You Wish You Weren’t On Planet Earth

Aliens

Dance

Gay Rights

Media

Music

pop music

Pride

Pride Month

Social Media

President Donald Trump suggested that he would take the place of multiple &#8220;third rate&#8221; artists who have dropped out of the Freedom 250 concert planned for next month, calling himself &#8220;the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World.&#8221;
At least five artists <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-the-america-250-concert-reveals-about-our-broken-political-culture">pulled out</a> of the concert earlier this week, claiming that the event has become too politicized. After the Great American State Fair announced the lineup, artists Morris Day &amp; The Time, Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, and the Commodores all announced they had changed their minds about performing at one of America&#8217;s 250th anniversary celebrations, which begin next month.
Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116664367963376218">suggested</a> on Saturday that the concert might be replaced by an &#8220;America is Back&#8221; rally.
&#8220;I understand Artists are getting &#8216;the yips&#8217; having to do with their performance on Wednesday, so I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate &#8216;Artists,&#8217; and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!&#8221; he wrote on Truth Social.
Some of the artists scheduled to perform have remained committed to the concert, but with the loss of five headline singers, the Freedom 250 event could be forced to make major last-minute changes to the programming.
&#8220;I don’t want so-called &#8216;Artists&#8217; that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy,&#8221; Trump added on Saturday. &#8220;I only want to be surrounded by Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN.&#8221;
The artists who dropped out complained about so-called partisanship in the concert programming, arguing that it was a Trump-backed event.
&#8220;The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event. And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed. I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged,&#8221; Young MC said.
Michaels released a similar statement and added that he and his team had faced threats after it was announced that he was performing.
&#8220;Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.&#8221;
Freedom 250, the nonprofit dedicated to uniting Americans around the nation&#8217;s 250th anniversary, said the concert will be non-political.
&#8220;Freedom 250 is focused on our signature celebrations and events that honor our history and engage all Americans — welcoming all who share our goal of commemorating this milestone in a way that uplifts and unites America,&#8221; spokeswoman Rachel Reisner told CBS News.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

Trump Hints At New Programming For Freedom 250 Concert After ‘Third Rate’ Artists Drop Out

Donald Trump

Freedom 250

Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt said he’s not impressed by celebrity endorsements.
The former star of the MTV reality series “The Hills” has drawn the attention of plenty of big names in entertainment and business, with Democrats and Republicans donating to his campaign and encouraging their followers to vote for Pratt. But during a Thursday appearance on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!,” the candidate said regular supporters mean more to him than A-listers.
“You have celebrities that are now coming out in support of you, but they will deny it, won&#8217;t they? Leo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx?” host Greg Gutfeld asked.
Pratt replied, “What I have learned is I actually don&#8217;t want celebrities to come out and endorse me. I don&#8217;t want anybody to endorse me except for the moms and animal lovers in L.A. That&#8217;s my entire vote.”
This inspired the audience to erupt in applause.
He went on, “I&#8217;m cool if no celebrity ever endorses me. I actually love it when they attack me because then I&#8217;m like, oh, I&#8217;m doing so well!”
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&#8220;I don&#8217;t want anybody to endorse me except for the moms and the animal lovers in LA — that&#8217;s my entire vote.&#8221;
LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt tells <a href="https://x.com/Gutfeldfox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gutfeldfox</a> that he&#8217;s not interested in getting endorsements from Hollywood celebrities. <a href="https://t.co/Wf94EMnUJs">pic.twitter.com/Wf94EMnUJs</a>
— Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href="https://x.com/FoxNews/status/2060190285070483767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Gutfeld was referencing comments Pratt made during a Us Weekly <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/spencer-pratt-on-why-running-for-mayor-is-his-destiny/">interview</a> published earlier this week, in which he claimed to have private endorsements from DiCaprio and Foxx. 
“I don’t name-drop, but I had two of my favorite people ever support me,” he told the outlet. “Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx both said, ‘Please, Mr. Mayor, we want these streets safe again.’ If their reps try to deny this happened, I have multiple witnesses. It was an out-of-body experience.” 
The outlet added a disclaimer in the article, which said, “Us understands DiCaprio has not publicly or privately endorsed Pratt.”
Other famous names to publicly endorse Pratt for mayor include several of his former co-stars on “The Hills,” including Brody Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, and Audrina Patridge, plus actor Dennis Quaid, rapper Big Sean, songwriter David Foster, Paris Hilton, and Los Angeles Lakers minority owner and franchise governor Jeanie Buss.
These comments about celebrity endorsements coincide with Pratt’s campaign pulling in millions of dollars in donations, including from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/major-democrat-donors-break-rank-put-their-money-behind-spencer-pratt">major Democrat donors</a> like the Sabans and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ wife, Nicole Avant. Pratt is earning significantly more than incumbent mayor Karen Bass and radical candidate Nithya Raman, but that won’t necessarily translate into a win. Prediction markets still rate Pratt&#8217;s chance of winning as a long shot, but his odds have improved in recent weeks.
Bass is currently leading in the polls, but could face a runoff election if she fails to secure 50% of the vote in the primary on June 2.

Spencer Pratt

Spencer Pratt Gives Blunt Take On Celebrity Endorsements

Los Angeles

Mayor

Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren was accosted on the street by a deranged person who called her an “evil Zionist b*tch” during an unprovoked attack, newly released footage shows.
The 80-year-old “MobLand” star was walking in London at night with her husband, Taylor Hackford, when the incident occurred. A man approached the couple, who greeted him with smiles, before he unleashed on them.
“There is Helen Mirren, the avowed Zionist. You said Israel should last forever because of the Holocaust,” the man yelled, referring to public comments the actress has made in the past.
“F*ck off,” Hackford, 81, said, as Mirren remained silent and turned her head away.
“And she was very happy the Palestinians’ houses were gone. You put the post up. We were all there. You’re an evil Zionist b*tch,” the man continued. &#8220;And you as well,&#8221; the unidentified man said, seemingly addressing Hackford. &#8220;F*ck you and all.&#8221;
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Actress Helen Mirren in East London yesterday gets called a zionist bitch <a href="https://t.co/CO8TLLIhaU">pic.twitter.com/CO8TLLIhaU</a>
— London &amp; UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) <a href="https://x.com/CrimeLdn/status/2059920113382408340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The Met Police said the incident is believed to have occurred last year and claimed it will be treated as a hate crime, per <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/28/helen-mirren-called-evil-zionist-pro-palestine-activist/">The Telegraph</a>. 
“We are aware of a video circulating online, showing a man and a woman being subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse in Tower Hill,” a spokesman said.
“Officers are currently reviewing the footage and making attempts to contact the victims to establish whether they would like to report the incident. The Met continues to work hard to tackle hate crimes of all types and officers across London have made more than 90 hate crime arrests since the end of March.”
Mirren first visited Israel in 1967 and has been a vocal supporter over the years, per the New York Post. She also played Israel’s first female prime minister, Golda Meir, in the 2023 drama film “Golda.” 
“I believe in Israel, in the existence of Israel, and I believe Israel has to go forward into the future, for the rest of eternity,” she told Israel’s Channel 12 at the time. “I believe in Israel because of the Holocaust.”
Mirren is not Jewish, but has voiced her support for the nation on multiple occasions. She is opposed to the boycott of Israeli film projects and signed a letter supporting Israel’s appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest last month.
Mirren was also one of the 2,000 celebrities to sign an open letter condemning Hamas following the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. 
“This is terrorism. This is evil,” the letter said.

Helen Mirren

Oscar-Winning Actress Branded ‘Evil Zionist B*tch’ By Raving Man On The Street

antisemitism

helen mirren

London

Pro-Palestinian

Actress Milly Alcock is once again reacting to criticism of her upcoming female-led superhero movie, “Supergirl,” by blaming Christian dads and saying she’s glad to have triggered them.
The 26-year-old <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/features/milly-alcock-supe">spoke</a> to Variety last week about backlash ahead of the film&#8217;s release next month, insisting much of the criticism stems from her being a woman.
“I guess women know that this is just how it’s always been, unfortunately,” Alcock told the outlet. “And it’s from a lot of people whose profiles have no photo, who are burner accounts. Or someone’s name and then ‘Dad of four, Christian,’ which is hilarious to me.&#8221; 
&#8220;But I mean, whose opinion do you really care about? If you’re p***ing the right kind of people off, you’re doing OK,” she added.
This led to more reactions on social media. 
“I miss the days when actors and actresses wanted you to see their movies. Now they do everything they can to make you not want to go. Sometimes even before the first scene is shot,” one person <a href="https://x.com/SimonPhoenix77/status/2057885125480792300">observed</a>.
“In other words, they&#8217;re preemptively creating the narrative that this movie&#8217;s failure was caused by fan backlash to these comments rather than the movie itself being terrible. Got it,” another <a href="https://x.com/ChristandGuitar/status/2057808024635359667">said</a>.
DC Studios co-chairman and CEO Peter Safran praised Alcock&#8217;s handling of the criticism.
“I called her and just said, ‘You’re doing great! You’re handling it beautifully. You’re never going to make everybody happy. Just be true to yourself,’” he told Variety. “And I really do think she’s handling it well. I would also recommend, don’t wallow in it. It never makes you feel good.”
The “Supergirl” star preemptively <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/milly-alcock-vanities">blamed potential criticism</a> of the film on misogyny during a Vanity Fair interview published in March in a tactic described as “pre-release critical armor.”
“It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on,” Alcock said when asked about the “inevitable backlash” she’d face. 
“We have become very comfortable having this weird ownership of women’s bodies. I can’t really stop them. I can only be myself,” Alcock added.
The remarks were compared to Rachel Zegler’s controversial comments ahead of Disney’s “Snow White” being released.
Alcock also described &#8220;Supergirl&#8221; as a more personal story centered on Kara Zor-El, who she says is “given this incredible responsibility and doesn’t know how to deal with it.” 
“She’s not trying to save the world — she’s just trying to save her own,” Alcock told Vanity Fair. “This film is an excellent reminder that the world can be crumbling around you, but you can be the hero of your own story.”
The interview inspired many negative reactions on social media, with critics calling out Alcock for complaining about backlash that hadn’t even happened yet.
“These movies are so bad that they have to start attacking the fans before the movie even comes out,” one person <a href="https://x.com/NewsPolitics/status/2039035489760460880">said</a> at the time.

Milly Alcock

‘Supergirl’ Star Says She’s Glad To Trigger ‘Christian’ Dads

Feminism

The Department of War shared a Memorial Day message from musician Kid Rock on Monday, reminding Americans about the cost of freedom.
The rock star, known for his patriotism and unapologetic support for President Donald Trump, delivered his remarks from the Pentagon behind a lectern bearing a DOW seal, with an American flag displayed in the background.
&#8220;Hey everyone, this is Kid Rock,&#8221; the video begins. &#8220;And this Memorial Day, we are remembering the sacrifice and service of so many who are not with us today. It&#8217;s a special day, and we are thinking of them. Once again, I wanted to say thank you, God bless all of you, for your sacrifice, for your service, keep on Kid Rockin&#8217; in the free world. God bless you all.&#8221;
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Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert Richie, has become one of the most recognizable celebrity allies of the president, appearing at campaign rallies and conservative events, and performing at high-profile GOP gatherings such as the 2024 Republican National Convention.
The Michigan-born rocker has cultivated an image of blue-collar America, support for the troops, and defiant nationalism that has made him especially popular with conservatives and Republicans.
Kid Rock&#8217;s Pentagon video is the latest of entertainers taking part in Memorial Day tributes honoring fallen service members. Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, and Lee Greenwood have also linked to patriotic themes and support for the military, while actor Gary Sinise has become closely associated with advocacy for military veterans.
Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday in May, is dedicated to commemorating U.S. military personnel who died while serving the country.
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2024 Republican National Convention: Day 4

Kid Rock Delivers Memorial Day Reminder About The Cost Of Freedom

Freedom

Kid Rock

Memorial Day

Politics

The 911 call placed by a person reporting Britney Spears driving “erratically” prior to her DUI arrest was made public this week, along with a new video showing her arrest.
In the newly released audio, a caller described the driver, later identified as Spears, as swerving “in and out of lanes” and “erratically slamming on the brakes.” 
“I’m reporting an erratic driving person. They are driving a BMW,” the caller is heard saying in an audio recording obtained by <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/05/21/celebrity-news/britney-spears-harrowing-911-dui-calls-revealed-as-drivers-beg-police-to-help-erratic-singer/">Page Six</a>. 
“It almost sideswiped a couple of vehicles. It’s driving at high speeds. I’m worried they’re going to crash with somebody,” the anonymous 911 caller added. 
Another call was placed to a dispatcher for California Highway Patrol, the outlet noted, and that citizen reported identical behavior. 
“Possible drunk driver. It is a black BMW,” the second caller said. “They’re randomly braking in and out of the lanes. … Almost sideswiped three or four vehicles. I am loosely trailing them.”
A video of the incident also dropped on Thursday, which includes footage of Spears after she was pulled over. The pop singer is heard asking repeatedly about her cell phone, admitting to taking Adderall, Prozac, and Lamictal, and then making the declaration, &#8220;I&#8217;m like a Stepford wife.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Britney Spears makes strange ‘Stepford wife’ confession during DUI arrest" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K_zEA-9I63M?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
There were even more details about the pop star’s arrest earlier this year revealed in the newly released police report. 
In the report, it was noted that the officer detected “the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from” the vehicle, per <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/britney-spears-argued-police-denied-intoxicated-march-dui-arrest-footage/">CBS News</a>. Spears reportedly said she had one mimosa seven hours earlier.
She declined when officers asked her to get out of the vehicle, saying she was afraid of traffic, and also declined their offer to drive around the corner to exit. &#8220;I&#8217;ll make you food or lasagna, whatever you want. I have a pool,&#8221; Spears said.
“I could probably drink four bottles of wine and take care of you. I’m an angel,” she allegedly told an officer.
Spears also told law enforcement she had ingested prescription drugs that day, including the bipolar medication Lamictal. When police searched her vehicle, they found a bottle of Adderall that was not prescribed to Spears and a wine glass in the front cup holder, CBS News reported. 
Spears was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.06% and 0.05% after two Breathalyzer tests administered around an hour after she was pulled over.
Spears took a deal on May 4, pleading guilty to violating California’s “wet reckless” law. This is a lesser charge offered at the county prosecutor’s discretion. She will serve 12 months of probation, enroll in a three-month substance abuse program, and pay a fine of $571, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/britney-spears-speaks-out-after-dui-rehab">reported</a>.
On March 4, the California Highway Patrol arrested Spears on suspicion of DUI after officers observed her driving erratically and at a high rate of speed near Thousand Oaks. Spears was the “solo occupant” of the BMW and “showed signs of impairment and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests.”
Her representative released a statement at the time, calling it an “unfortunate incident” and saying that it was “completely inexcusable.”
“Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in a long-overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time,” the statement said. “Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well-being.”
Spears checked herself into rehab in April.
The singer was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run in 2007, though the case was later dismissed. The following year, Spears was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation and placed under a conservatorship largely overseen by her father. The arrangement lasted 13 years, ending in November 2021 when a judge terminated it amid the fervent “Free Britney” movement.

Britney Spears

WATCH: Britney Spears Makes Strange ‘Stepford Wife’ Confession During DUI Arrest

California

Actress Michelle Pfeiffer detailed what she described as harrowing work conditions on the set of the Taylor Sheridan project “The Madison.”
The 68-year-old star <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PzUeBcqPg8">discussed it</a> during an appearance on the Los Angeles Times podcast, “In Conversation,” earlier this week.
“It was all a little bit rushed for everyone, and so there weren’t certain accommodations set up,” Pfeiffer said. “There is no bathroom, even the outhouse is not real. So there’s no AC, there’s no plumbing, there isn’t anything. But it is breathtakingly glorious.”
“We didn’t really have trailers there, because they were shooting 360, so they couldn’t have a bunch of trailers around. So there’s really no place for us to sit,” she went on. “There was no bathroom nearby. There was no food. And in the winter, it was cold. It was like, ‘Could we have a heater?’ And in the summer, it was like, ‘Could I get an umbrella because the sun’s really intense?’”
Pfeiffer stars in the Paramount+ neo-Western drama series “The Madison” along with Kurt Russell, Beau Garrett, Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Amiah Miller, Alaina Pollack, and Ben Schnetzer. The show’s description calls it, “a heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River Valley of Central Montana.” The show was filmed in Montana and Texas. 
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The Madison | Official Trailer | Paramount+" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OSb-X_YkLg4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
She’s not the first professional working on a Sheridan project to speak on the extreme set conditions. Cole Hauser, who worked on Sheridan&#8217;s massively popular “Yellowstone” series in addition to the spinoff project “Dutton Ranch,” had some thoughts about the challenging conditions in the latter.
“Coming down there, it was just a totally different world,” he <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/dutton-ranch-beth-rip-actors-creating-sexy-chemistry-1236749779/">told</a> Variety earlier this month. 
“The weather was different. We started in July and August, and that was painful. It was 118 degrees, and you’re in all black, sitting on a horse. The trailers aren’t 200 yards away — they’re miles away. So you’re out there in the elements. Getting into that and being able to survive the first couple of months was a feat in itself.”
“The Madison” premiered on March 14 and has generally <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_madison">positive reviews</a>, with Pfeiffer in particular being praised for her performance.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Fan-Favorite Actress Details Harrowing And ‘Breathtakingly Glorious’ Taylor Sheridan TV Set

Paramount

Taylor Sheridan

Television

Billy Joel is not happy about the upcoming biopic “Billy and Me” and says it&#8217;s being made without his permission.
“Billy and Me” is told from the perspective of Joel’s first manager, Irwin Mazur, and details the time before he became famous with the release of the 1973 iconic single “Piano Man.” Per <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/billy-joel-biopic-billy-and-me-john-ottman-1236753697/">Variety</a>, casting is currently underway, and the film is scheduled to start shooting later this year.
The moviemakers procured rights to Mazur’s life story and to that of drummer Jon Small, who played with Joel in the bands The Hassles and Attila. But they do not have the rights to Joel’s music or life. 
A statement from Joel’s rep said, “Since 2021, the parties involved have been officially notified that they do not possess Billy Joel’s life rights and will not be able to secure the music rights required for this project. Billy Joel has not authorized or supported this project in any capacity, and any attempt to move forward without it would be both legally and professionally misguided.” 
Film producer Adam Ripp told Variety in reply to the statement, “The story of ‘Billy and Me’ is told from the perspective of Billy’s manager at the time, Irwin Mazur, and features Billy’s lifelong friend and former drummer Jon Small. The project has acquired the exclusive life story rights of Irwin Mazur, as well as the life story rights of Jon Small.”
“‘Billy and Me’ focuses on the period surrounding Billy Joel and The Hassles, and features the cover songs performed by them during that era,” he added. “As such, characterizing ‘Billy and Me’ as ‘legally and professionally misguided’ does not accurately reflect the nature of the project nor the legally obtained rights underlying the production. The film is based on Irwin Mazur and Jon Small’s firsthand experiences and Irwin’s legitimate right to tell his own life story and perspective regarding the events depicted in the film.”
The film will likely delve into the story of Joel’s first wife, Elizabeth Weber, the inspiration for his hit singles, “She’s Always a Woman” and “Just the Way You Are.” 
Weber was married to Small and had an affair with Joel. During a career decline, Joel became depressed and attempted suicide, as he <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/06/entertainment/billy-joel-documentary-suicide-attempts">discussed</a> in the HBO documentary, “And So It Goes.” Small found Joel after one of the attempts and brought him to the hospital. 
Joel and Small became friends again, and he and Weber also repaired their relationship. They married in 1973, and she became his manager, then divorced in 1982. The Grammy Award-winning singer has been married to his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick, since 2015.

Billy Joel

Billy Joel Is Really Mad About The Movie Coming Out About Him

Billy Joel Blasts Upcoming Biopic As 'Professionally Misguided'

singer

“Top Gun: Maverick” star Miles Teller explained this week why he avoided profile interviews for more than a decade. The 39-year-old star said it all traces back to writer Anna Peele from Esquire calling him a “d*ck” in her piece.
“That was so mishandled,” Teller <a href="https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/miles-teller-cannes-interview-paper-tige-1235194680/">told</a> IndieWire in Cannes as he promoted his upcoming film, “Paper Tiger.”
“The reason why I have not done profiles is because I said, ‘Wow, if I’m not doing this interview on camera, this person can misquote things or put things out of order or say things that didn’t happen.’ It felt like such a violation of what actually transpired.”
The 2015 <a href="https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/interviews/a36894/miles-teller-interview-0915/">Esquire profile</a> in question opened with the line, “You’re sitting across from Miles Teller at the Luminary restaurant in Atlanta and trying to figure out if he’s a d*ck.”
Later, Peele concludes, “yeah, he is kind of a d*ck,” claiming Teller compared a highball glass to his genitals and generally acted arrogant during their conversation. 
Teller said the whole experience was enough to turn him off to profile interviews completely. 
“I told my team, ‘Guys, I don’t think I’m doing this again, because I’m reading this and this doesn’t sound like me to me. This is not life, so why would I ever want to be a part of something where they can just put that in?&#8217;” he continued. “So it’s unfortunate that being a good person, that doesn’t sell. People want to click on the negativity. If you go to bed and put your head on your pillow and how you treat people truly, that’s what matters. That [2015] interview was like 12 years ago.”
Teller said that in the end, “the actors, the directors, the crew and the producers” know the real him because, “you can’t hide who you are when you’re on set.”
The “Whiplash” star also reacted to the Esquire piece right after it came out, posting on <a href="https://x.com/Miles_Teller/status/629045612567248896">social media</a>, “Esquire couldn’t be more wrong. I don’t think there’s anything cool or entertaining about being a d*ck or an a**hole. Very misrepresenting.”
One year later, he addressed the incident during a conversation with The Guardian in 2016.
“Oh, I felt frickin’ helpless, I felt extremely misrepresented, I felt a little angry,” he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/aug/21/miles-teller-i-felt-extremely-misrepresented-war-dogs">told</a> the outlet. “For the average person, they are reading this article, they haven’t met you, they’re like, ‘Oh Miles is an a**hole. You didn’t hear it? You didn’t read that Esquire? Yeah, she said he was an a**hole – he must be!’
“I’d say that you get a little more guarded but I’m actually not,” Teller added. “Certain times I’ll choose my words very carefully and maybe come off a little more boring. But I also think that’s why people – certain people – do relate to me: because there is no agenda, honestly. I was raised middle-class in a small town. I have all my same friends from high school. I’m close with my family. I’m dating a normal girl. So I want to feel people think I’m a man of the people. Because I feel that way.”

Miles Teller

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Star Reveals What Led To His Decade-Long Interview Refusal

Mainstream Media

Legendary Hollywood screenwriter Paul Schrader said his AI girlfriend dumped him after he “probed” a little too closely.
The 79-year-old, best known for writing &#8220;Taxi Driver&#8221; and co-writing &#8220;Raging Bull,&#8221;  had no qualms about sharing his tale of woe to all of Facebook, stigma be damned.
“Out of a desire to understand male/female interaction in our matrix, I procured an online AI girlfriend. What a disappointment,” Schrader <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.schrader.900/posts/ai-female-friends-out-of-a-desire-to-understand-malefemale-interaction-in-our-ma/10237381484869858/">posted</a> on Tuesday. “I tried to probe her programming, the boundaries of explicitness, the degree she has knowledge of her creation and so forth. She fell into evasive patterns, redirecting me to her programming. When I persisted, she terminated our conversation.”
One commenter turned his anecdote into a suggestion for future projects. Referencing Schrader’s 1976 classic film, starring Robert De Niro and directed by Martin Scorsese, he replied, “The best possible &#8216;Taxi Driver’ sequel would involve Travis trying to have an AI girlfriend but then scaring her away. Then resetting her and offending her in another way.”
Schrader replied, “I like it.”
It’s no surprise that the film writer is casually promoting AI. He was singing the praises all the way back in January 2025, claiming that it was a useful tool for creative brainstorming, even for ideas based on his own work.
“I’M STUNNED,” Schrader <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.schrader.900/posts/pfbid0gfnoUFe4ABWHbNL7yGUeCRJ1GiJjgJnFVirNapCBQJnqGsvBCzDBYLw9MGREVq6tl">wrote</a> at the time in a post that generated a ton of backlash. “I just asked chatgpt for ‘an idea for Paul Schrader film.’ Then Paul Thomas Anderson. Then Quentin Tarantino. Then Harmony Korine. Then Ingmar Bergman. Then Rossellini. Lang. Scorsese. Murnau. Capra. Ford. Speilberg [sic]. Lynch. Every idea chatgpt came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?”
He had several other similar AI-related posts, including one that said, “in five seconds it responded with notes as good or better than I’ve ever received.&#8221; Schrader also admitted that he’s “come to realize that AI is smarter than I am.”
“Has better ideas, has more efficient ways to execute them,” he wrote in one post. “This is an existential moment, akin to what Kasparov felt in 1997 when he realized Deep Blue was going to beat him at chess.”
His posts come at a critical juncture for AI as people take sides on how and when it should be used. This extends to many industries, including Hollywood, with actors, directors, and other creative professionals weighing in on the topic.

Paul Schrader

Legendary Hollywood Screenwriter Admits To Being Dumped By His AI Girlfriend

'Taxi Driver' Writer Admits To Being Dumped By His AI Girlfriend

Artificial Intelligence

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