The media wants you to get canceled and stay canceled.
Journalists didn’t complain about Cancel Culture during woke’s darkest days. Instead, they fed the beast. And they haven’t stopped, even if what Elon Musk dubbed the “woke mind virus” is fading.
Cancel Culture took down all comers for a good, long while. Think of those who committed legitimately awful acts (Louis C.K., Harvey Weinstein), comedians who shared “problematic” jokes (Kevin Hart), or singers saying ugly words off stage (Morgan Wallen).
For the worst offenders, the media insisted that the parties in question have no redemptive arc. Apologies were demanded but not accepted.
Louis C.K. is the poster child for this trend.
The “Louie” star was one of the most respected comics in the industry circa 2017. His FX series earned endless praise, his edgy stand-up material wowed critics, and he seemed poised for a Woody Allen-style directorial career with his upcoming film, “I Love You, Daddy.”
Then he confirmed reports that he had sexually exposed himself to multiple women. He apologized and said he’d go away for a while.
And he did, but not before his career collapsed. He lost that FX series, a role in “The Secret Life of Pets 2,” and any other gigs from his once-thriving career. Oh, and the distributor behind “I Love You, Daddy” yanked the film from the schedule. It remains unreleased.
C.K. eventually returned to comedy stages nationwide. He did so on his own, flexing his email list of supporters and trusting his comedy could lure some folks back to his side.
He suffered for his actions. He lost millions. He will never lose the label that many have affixed to him for his actions. And, of course, some fans will never support him.
That’s their choice, and it’s reasonable.
He still deserves the chance to win back an audience and make people laugh. And they came, slowly at first, and his audiences eventually grew large enough that he played Madison Square Garden.
But he’s not allowed that chance for redemption if the media has anything to say about it.
His new Netflix special, “Ridiculous,” is his first mainstream Hollywood project since the revelations went public nine years ago. Variety’s review suggests his comeback, both on Netflix’s part and the media reception, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/reviews/louis-ck-ridiculous-review-netflix-1236797990/">remains problematic</a>:
<blockquote>
The release of “Ridiculous” also culminates a tour that saw C.K. make inroads with the kind of liberal-coded publications that once covered his reputational nadir, with favorable writeups in both The Times and The New Yorker.
</blockquote>
Other outlets have played a <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2021/12/louis-c-k-releases-new-stand-up-special-sorry.html">similar refrain</a> about his slow-motion comeback. The Guardian filled its “Ridiculous” review with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/30/louis-ck-ridiculous-review-netflix">regret that the special even exists</a>:
<blockquote>
It’s less a triumphant return than a gradual slinking back, an unspoken assumption that no one really cares that much about his behavior; no particular defense or apology, just a shruggy emoticon. 
</blockquote>
Cracked.com, a far-Left site allegedly dedicated to pop culture, <a href="https://www.cracked.com/article_49913_louis-cks-new-special-shows-that-all-canceled-comics-need-are-bad-words.html">trashed C.K.’s fans</a> for laughing at the R-rated jokes told in “Ridiculous.”
Wallen’s cancellation story may be the most absurd. He was caught on camera using the “n-word,” but not aimed at anyone or, more specifically, targeting a black person. His career also collapsed overnight.
He donated thousands to black organizations to stem the career damage, apologized profusely and took a break from touring. He lost access to major awards shows, found his music stripped from radio stations and lost his representation.
The Washington Post used his cancellation <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/washington-post-cancel-culture-country-music/">to attack all of country music</a>.
He, too, slowly came back, and his fans were all too eager to forgive and forget. But when radio stations started playing his music again, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/morgan-wallen-banned-country-radio-1227035/">Rolling Stone magazine cried out in horror</a>.
In the end, Wallen’s massive fan base un-canceled him. He grew more famous, more unstoppable, and the media hand-wringing eventually subsided.
All for saying one ugly, offensive word.
Dave Chappelle’s sin proved the most bewildering. The comedy giant poked fun at the trans community during a 2019 Netflix special dubbed, “The Closer,” that wrapped with a moving tribute to a late trans comic.
The Cancel Culture mob ignored the latter and laser focused on the former. Chappelle’s skin color and comedy god status didn’t protect him from said mob. Netflix workers picketed their employer and media outlets turned on Chappelle with a ferocity that likely caught him by surprise.
His plans to release a documentary got canceled, a project that has yet to see the light of day several years later.
And, through it all, reporters piled on Chappelle.
Rolling Stone, once a free speech bastion, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/dave-chappelle-documentary-san-fran-tour-opener-1252836/">often led the charge.</a>
Despite the rightful criticism many have shared in the wake of that special’s release, Chappelle’s career seems to be doing just fine if the arena-wide standing ovation he received upon arrival on Thursday is any indication.
Darn it!
Others piled on, demanding he apologize for … jokes.
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Dave Chappelle Inducts Jay-Z Into Rock Hall With Unapologetic Speech: ‘He Is Hip-Hop’ (The Hollywood Reporter)</li>
</ul>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Dave Chappelle addresses Netflix controversy, remains unapologetic about anti-trans material: ‘I said what I said’ (New York Daily News)</li>
</ul>
In most cases, the obligatory narrative followed. Think variations of “What Cancel Culture?” That ignores the massive punishments the aforementioned stars endured along the way.
You’ll likely read just that as disgraced actors Armie Hammer and Kevin Spacey rebuild their professional careers.
The people who behave badly but don’t endure this brand of media attack? Democratic politicians like Graham Platner. He was never canceled by the press in the first place. That’s all you need to know about “cancel culture.”
***
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of <a href="http://www.hollywoodintoto.com/">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News&#8217; Big Hollywood. He&#8217;s also the host of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hollywood-in-toto-podcast-w-christian-toto/id1186449155">The Hollywood in Toto Podcast</a>. Follow him at <a href="https://twitter.com/HollywoodInToto?lang=en">@HollywoodInToto</a>.

Louis C.K. Performance – 2025 New York Comedy Festival

What Cancel Culture Says About The Woke World Versus The Real World

Cancel Culture

Dave Chappelle

Entertainment

Hollywood

Louis CK

Media Bias

Morgan Wallen

Mel Gibson’s massive hit “The Passion of the Christ” will return to theaters this September ahead of the release of “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One,” which debuts in 2027.
The 2004 biblical drama has been remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, Variety <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mel-gibson-passion-of-the-christ-theaterical-release-resurrection-of-the-christ-sneak-peek-1236800050/">reported</a>. Theatergoers will also get a sneak peek of the sequel during their screening. 
“&#8217;The Passion of the Christ&#8217; remains one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences ever created. For millions of people, it was far more than a film — it became a powerful shared cultural and faith experience,” Kevin Grayson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president of worldwide distribution, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mel-gibson-passion-of-the-christ-theaterical-release-resurrection-of-the-christ-sneak-peek-1236800050/">told</a> the outlet in a statement. “Bringing it back to theaters in a stunning new restoration allows longtime audiences to experience it in an entirely new way while inviting a new generation to discover it in theaters for the very first time.”
“Few modern-day films have made as much of an impact on the cultural landscape as ‘The Passion of the Christ,&#8217;” said Ray Nutt, Fathom Entertainment’s chief executive officer. “Twenty years ago, faith-based and more secular-leaning audiences alike embraced Mel Gibson’s film cinematic masterpiece and made it a true success, ushering in an era of opportunity for future religious-themed projects.”
The sequel will be released on Ascension Day during two consecutive years, with “Part One” coming out on May 6, 2027 and “Part Two” following on May 25, 2028. 
Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will be stepping into the role of Jesus, replacing original “Passion” star Jim Caviezel. Actress Mariela Garriga will portray Mary Magdalene, taking over the role previously played by Monica Bellucci.
Gibson described the film as something far bigger than a normal Hollywood production in an official statement earlier this year. 
“This film represents a major part of my life’s work,” Gibson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/first-look-at-mel-gibsons-long-awaited-biblical-jesus-sequel-revealed">said</a>. “It’s far more than a film to me.”
Back in 2004, much of Hollywood and the Left openly sneered at “The Passion of the Christ” before its release. But Gibson proved them all wrong when the film earned more than $600 million globally and became one of the most successful independent films ever made.

Passion of the Christ

‘The Passion Of The Christ’ Is Coming Back To The Big Screen

Christianity

Mel Gibson

Movies

“Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz announced on Wednesday that he and his wife are getting divorced, but that’s not the part fans are reacting to.
Instead, they’re coming down on the TV star for the way he pitched the dissolution of his marriage, especially in light of the fact that the couple shares a 5-year-old child together.
Originally, Muniz posted a video of himself and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Paige Price, dancing joyously to the song &#8220;Check Yes, Juliet.&#8221; Their son, Mauz, is seen dancing along with his parents. Many commenters pointed out that this was a strange way to announce such negative news and let their opinions be known in the comments. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Should have used “Take a chance on me” by ABBA <a href="https://t.co/phrdl7D3aU">pic.twitter.com/phrdl7D3aU</a>
— SaltDisney (@SaltDisney2) <a href="https://x.com/SaltDisney2/status/2072427857423532514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Muniz deleted the bizarre video of him and his wife dancing to celebrate their divorce. But he reposted the same nauseous text,” Daily Wire podcast host Michael Knowles <a href="https://x.com/michaeljknowles/status/2072443640535003605">wrote</a> in his reaction. “This is the most offensive part of liberal ‘morality.’ It’s not enough that we tolerate their sin and vice. They demand that we celebrate it.”
“Divorce is profoundly evil. Sometimes people do it. There’s more we could do to limit it. But in a fallen world, it will occur. Such is life. But to ask that we celebrate it? It’s simply beyond the pale,” he added.
Muniz <a href="https://x.com/frankiemuniz/status/2072449222591516710">responded</a> to Knowles, arguing that he didn’t “celebrate” his divorce but rather celebrated “the fact that we’re both adults and can handle it like adults moving forward, amicably.”
Muniz deleted the Instagram video shortly after posting it and replaced it with a different version of the announcement. Price weighed in, saying she thought that was the wrong move. 
“Frankie, I am so sorry that you felt the need to delete an old fun video of our family because people are so cruel to you. This world is so f*cked … divorce is bad, sure – it’s not like we’re excited about it … but we’re two adults who know how to be on the same team. I can’t believe people could scrutinize that,” Price wrote under the new post.
The “Malcolm in the Middle” star <a href="https://x.com/frankiemuniz/status/2072401072392642977">wrote</a> in the updated announcement on X, “Following a period of separation that we kept private, Paige and I have decided to move forward with ending our marriage. After 10 beautiful years together, we’ve grown in ways that made us realize our relationship feels most natural and strong as a deep friendship and as co-parents. We share an incredible son who remains the center of our world, and we’re both happier, stronger parents because of the love and growth we’ve shared.”
The actor went on to say he is “endlessly grateful to Paige for everything she’s done for me and our family.” 
“We’re closing one chapter with gratitude and opening the next with bright futures ahead, for us as individuals and especially for our son,” he wrote before adding the standard disclaimer for fans to respect his family’s privacy at this time. 
Muniz began dating Price in 2016. The pair officially married in 2020 and had Mauz in 2021.

Frankie Muniz Paige Price

‘Malcolm In The Middle’ Star’s Celebratory Divorce Post Sparks Debate With Michael Knowles

Celebrities

divorce

“Lethal Weapon” star Danny Glover announced that he’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The 79-year-old actor discussed his diagnosis alongside family members in interviews with multiple outlets. 
“I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing,” Glover said in an <a href="https://www.today.com/health/celebrity-health/danny-glover-alzheimers-exclusive-today-rcna352405">interview</a> with Today that aired on Wednesday. 
The “Field of Dreams” star revealed that he was diagnosed in 2023. He’s now working with the Alzheimer’s Association to spread awareness about the progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. 
“I&#8217;m still not accepting in my mind all parts of it,” the actor told People in a separate <a href="https://people.com/danny-glover-opens-up-alzheimers-diagnosis-79-life-continues-exclusive-12010257">interview</a>. “There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I&#8217;ll never forget.”
Glover rose to prominence with roles in “Places in the Heart” (1984), “The Color Purple” (1985), and the Lethal Weapon franchise. He’s been involved in most genres, from family-friendly films to action to drama. 
“I think it’s really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story,” Glover’s daughter, Mandisa, told NBC News journalist Lester Holt during the interview. “That’s really important. And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself?&#8221;
“It’s important because people ask questions sometimes, and I don’t want to be a dishonest person and say, ‘Oh, yeah, everything is all right. It’s all great,’” she said.
Mandisa said she believes the disease is likely “depressing” to live with. “It&#8217;s a change in the core of who you think you are or don&#8217;t think you are,” she told the outlet, saying it’s “very hard” for the family to deal with. Glover’s younger brother Marty said, “We just want him to live his best life like he made us live ours.”
Despite the diagnosis, Glover expressed optimism about the future. 
“I don&#8217;t feel like it&#8217;s the end of my life,” Glover told People. “&#8230;I still have my daughter, I have friends,” he added. “I want to just say, your life continues.”
Outside of acting, Glover has long been active in left-wing political causes, endorsing presidential campaigns of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in both 2016 and 2020 and participating in numerous protests.

Danny Glover

‘Lethal Weapon’ Star Reveals Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

alzheimer's

U.S.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is under fire for choosing to stay quiet on politics, with multiple celebrities publicly disparaging him for his choices.
“Star Trek” star George Takei <a href="https://www.threads.com/@georgehtakei/post/DaLl2B9kY5B?xmt=AQG05FfX_EHQZRGDn83R2tmk7dyiMpIey6zM3fIx8UGHgQ">commented</a> on The Rock’s stance in a Threads post, writing, “Silence is complicity.” 
“So disappointing to find out he is such a coward,” Wil Wheaton chimed in, but appears to have deleted the post afterward.
It all started in 2024 when the actor told Fox News that he regrets endorsing Joe Biden in 2020. 
“Am I happy with the state of America right now? Well, that answer is no,” Johnson said at the time, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-says-hes-unhappy-with-state-of-america-will-not-endorse-biden-again?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Dwayne+%E2%80%98The+Rock%E2%80%99+Johnson+Says+He%E2%80%99s+Unhappy+With+State+Of+America%2C+Will+Not+Endorse+Biden+Again">reported</a>. “Do I believe we’re going to get better? I believe in that. I’m an optimistic guy.”
“The endorsement that I made years ago with Biden was one that I thought was the best decision for me at that time,” he added. “And I thought back then … ‘Hey, I’m in this position where I have some influence,’ … and I felt like that then that it’s my job to exercise my influence and share with [people] this is who I’m going to endorse. Am I going to do that again this year? That answer is no.”
Johnson is currently promoting the upcoming live-action remake of “Moana” and mentioned in an <a href="https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a71465908/dwayne-johnson-the-rock-interview-2026/">interview</a> with Esquire that he doesn’t regret that decision. 
“What I have learned through experience is that I need to keep — need, not want — the main thing. And the main thing for me, the thing that in the morning I swing my legs out of bed and I run towards, is creating. It’s art. It’s storytelling. I’ve learned I’m going to keep my politics to myself.”
He added, “There are moments when, hey, there’s nothing we can’t talk about. If I’m wrong, I’ll tell you I’m wrong. Or if I feel like I got a leg up and this is the right way to go, I’ll share it with you. Politics is omnipresent and it’s forever. I don’t like it. I hate it at times. I hate the slinging. I hate all the bullsh*t that comes with it.”
The Rock previously said he considers himself a centrist and had not made any public endorsements prior to endorsing Biden in 2020.

Dwayne Johnson

Hollywood Star Labeled A ‘Coward’ For Refusing To Bash Trump

Dwayne Johnson Is Labeled A 'Coward' By Hollywood For Refusing To Bash Trump

Politics

The teaser for The Daily Wire&#8217;s latest project, “Run Hide Fight: Infidels,” is causing quite a stir online. 
The sequel to the hit 2020 action film “Run Hide Fight&#8221; — which dealt with a school shooting — takes place on a New England college campus that has been taken over by violent terrorists in a situation that’s chillingly true to life. 
“When radical Islamic terrorists hijack a liberal college’s pro-Palestine encampment to enforce barbaric Sharia law on students and execute infidels in a makeshift caliphate, a ragtag band of red-blooded students, a security guard tired of ‘Uncle Tom’ smears and a Delta Force vet must arm up to save their clueless peers and keep America from surrendering to the enemy on its own soil,” the logline of “Infidels” says.
The trailer includes footage from September 11, anti-Israel college protests, news reports on terror threats, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling Fox News, “Radical Islam has designs openly on the West.”
The trailer later shows an ISIS flag flying over a college campus and a departing message that says, “Coming soon … Or already here?”
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Run Hide Fight: Infidels | Official Teaser Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KoLkuCo0PNc?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>
The film marks a comeback to the industry for actor Jonathan Majors. It’s reported to be a return to traditional action-packed storytelling that’s been missing from Hollywood for some time. 
Producer Dallas Sonnier revealed a little bit about the inspiration, telling <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/06/25/hollywood/watch-trailer-for-disgraced-jonathan-majors-explosive-movie-return-where-he-frees-college-campus-from-islamic-terrorists/">Page Six</a>, “We all worship at the altar of [director] John Milius and Red Dawn. And Eastwood, and all the other wonderful action stars of the ’80s — Stallone and Schwarzenegger. Nobody’s making these types of movies anymore.” 
As for the film’s star, Sonnier said, “[Majors] loved the script, loved shooting the movie, is so great in the film, and he is totally 1,000% behind it.”

Run Hide Fight Infidels

WATCH: ‘Run Hide Fight: Infidels’ Takes On A Real World Nightmare

DailyWire+

“Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan said he really doesn’t care what the critics think and admitted to “rage bait[ing]” them on occasion.
The hit-producing showrunner, who debuted the popular series “Landman” in 2024, <a href="https://www.theringer.com/podcasts/the-bill-simmons-podcast/2026/06/28/nba-trade-reactions-and-more-with-bill-simmons-and-zach-lowe">said</a> during a recent appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” that he doesn’t typically follow the established rules of the entertainment industry.
“I knew when I started writing [I wanted] to simply not do what everyone else was doing,” Sheridan said.
“What everyone else was doing was taking shortcuts, essentially breaking all the very basic fundamental rules of storytelling, because they couldn’t figure out their story. With a movie, you’re supposed to show me what’s happening. The camera is supposed to move the story. The dialogue is supposed to tell me how the people in this world feel about what’s happening or what they hope to do or what they wish they hadn’t done or had done.”
Sheridan said the critics took issue with how he wrote Demi Moore’s character, making her less of a focus in the first season with the intention of stepping up her involvement in season two.
“The critics are going to come after me. I’m underutilizing [Moore], can’t write for women, all this nonsense. Then I’m going to kill your husband and you’re going to have to run the oil company. The critics and me … I don’t care what they think, and it annoys the sh*t out of them that I don’t care. I’ll be the first to tell you that there are things that I do that rage-bait them a bit, and this is one of them. F*ck ’em, honestly.”
Sheridan came down hard on entertainment executives in particular, saying they were not the experts when it comes to telling great stories. 
“It didn’t used to be this way when Steve McQueen was a movie star at Paramount, and Bobby Evans ran the studio because writers were turned loose. Directors were turned completely loose. There weren’t endless rewrites. There weren’t meetings with executives about tone and mood and all this nonsense.”
“By the way, the studio executives and the network executives — these are marketing executives, for the most part,” he went on. “Or maybe they studied law or whatever. Then they came, got a job in the mailroom at CAA or WME, and hated that sh*t. So then they ended up as an intern at some network. Then, through attrition, they find themselves the head of development. Well, what do you know about developing story? You know nothing. So they get terrified, panicked that the audience won’t get it because they actually have no storytellers.”
He said oversight from the executives is stifling. He also noted that he’s not in the business to win awards. 
Sheridan continued, “Our business, at this point, is truly governed by these executives because they’re the ones that are going to determine whether or not your script is going to go into production. They’re going to try and control every element of that.”
“This is not a democracy. There’s no committee. You’re going to pay me and you’re going to give me a bunch of money and I’m going to deliver you these shows. I’m pretty common and I’m going to tell stories that common people are going to understand. That’s most of America,” he said. 
“You’re not going to win no Emmys with me, but I’m not trying to win Emmys. That’s not my goal. My goal is to sit somebody on their couch and move them, make them think, make them laugh, scare the sh*t out of them, excite them. That’s what I want to do, because that’s what I want from a show.”
Sheridan said he has no interest in making shows in Los Angeles anymore, either. 
“The only way you’re getting me back to Los Angeles is if it secedes from the union and I’m drafted into the Army to take it back. It’s the only way,” the showrunner went on. “I love New York. That city’s way, way stronger than whatever political wind is blowing it in any direction, right? Whereas L.A. is built on sand.”
Despite the popularity of “Yellowstone” and contending for nominations for both “The Madison” and “Landman,” Sheridan has famously never won an Emmy Award.

Taylor Sheridan

Taylor Sheridan On His Critics: ‘I Do Rage-Bait Them … F*ck ’Em, Honestly’

Landman

Television

To the surprise of almost no one, “Supergirl” bombed over the weekend following months of bad press, thanks in part to comments made by the film’s lead star, Milly Alcock, and negative reviews ahead of the premiere.
The Warner Bros. and DC Studios adaptation centered on Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, earned $38 million domestically and $68 million globally during its opening weekend, well below expectations. Studio co-CEO Peter Safran acknowledged the disappointing numbers, but insisted it would not alter the studio&#8217;s plans. 
“While Supergirl didn’t meet our box office expectations, it’s just one component of a broader, long-term strategy at DC Studios that we remain confident in,” Safran <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/28/business/media/supergirl-box-office.html">told</a> the New York Times.
Per <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/supergirl-box-office-bomb-dc-studios-1236797855/">Variety</a>, Warner Bros. and DC spent $170 million on production and around $120 million on marketing the film. But Alcock, who played the titular star, seemed determined to compete with Rachel Zegler in terms of tanking her own film before it ever came out.
The 26-year-old spoke to Variety last month about backlash ahead of the film’s release, insisting that 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, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/supergirl-star-says-shes-glad-to-trigger-christian-dads">reported</a>. “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.”
“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.
The “Supergirl” star preemptively blamed potential criticism 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.
Alcock also described “Supergirl” as a more personal story centered on Kara Zor-El. “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.”
Even if audiences were willing to look past that, there was another problem: the movie got terrible reviews, even from mainstream critics. It currently has a 55% critical rating and a 75% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Alcock throws around a medley of furrowed brows, sleepy glares and insolent grins – much like my own teen daughter – while hinting at a soulfulness that the movie directed by Craig Gillespie is barely equipped to tap,” a reviewer from The Globe and Mail <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film-and-tv/film/article-supergirl-movie-review-dc-comics-milly-alcock/">wrote</a>. 
“The action sequences are jerky and disjointed; Supergirl’s laser eyes constitute the only occasional, if inadequate, jolt of life,” another reviewer <a href="https://time.com/article/2026/06/25/supergirl-review/">observed</a>. 
“Despite an appealingly rough-edged title character played with scrappy aplomb by Milly Alcock, this second installment in what DC is positioning as an unfolding multicharacter franchise defaults to too many of the clichés of superhero cinema at its worst,” the Slate reviewer <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2026/06/supergirl-movie-2026-milly-alcock-superman-reviews.html">said</a>.
“Supergirl” is currently playing at theaters nationwide.

Supergirl

‘Supergirl’ Stumbles After Controversial Press Tour

Box Office

DC Studios

Superheroes

Singer Olivia Rodrigo revealed one disgusting habit some of her fans allegedly participate in.
The 23-year-old recording artist discussed the phenomenon during a recent interview with Kiss FM. Hosts Tyler West and Chloe Burrows asked Rodrigo about the worst place she’s had to use the restroom, and the pop singer responded by talking about all the times she’s suspected that concertgoers were wearing adult diapers so they could get and keep the best spots at her shows.
“I can’t think of anything for myself,” Rodrigo said. “But I have been to certain concerts and certain festivals where people wear diapers so that they can be front row of the show, and that’s been an experience as a performer that I have … smelled.”
“That is insane behavior!” Burrows said with a gasp. “I cannot believe that.”
She said it’s not that surprising as it’s a known trend among New Year’s Eve revelers in New York City.
“It’s also like in the ball drop in New York for New Year’s Eve,” Olivia continued. “Everyone is wearing diapers, they sit there all day.”
“You’re pranking us,” West said in response. Rodrigo insisted that it’s true, though. “No, that’s a thing. I think about it kind of often.”
The reactions online were ones of disgust. One viral <a href="https://x.com/crazyinIqve/status/2067297946777878646">response</a> on X, which has close to 2 million views, says, “stop wearing diapers to concerts u weirdos yall making my girl smell ur piss on stage omg.”
Another person <a href="https://x.com/likesrosies/status/2067307745444073697">agreed</a>, writing, “this is insane if she could smell someone&#8217;s piss from all the way on stage just imagine what the people standing around that person were dealing with&#8230; no amount of being in the front row is worth humiliating yourself like this please BRING BACK SHAME!”
This isn’t the first time there have been rumors of adult diapers being worn at concerts. Legend has it that Taylor Swift fans do the same thing so they don’t miss a single note of her songs while waiting in line to use the facilities.

Olivia Rodrigo

Pop Singer Reveals Disgusting Habit Her Fans Can’t Quit

concert

Music

New Year's

singer

Superhero films are no longer Hollywood’s coin of the realm. Video game-based films are a safer bet — think the “Super Mario” franchise, “A Minecraft Movie,” and the “Sonic the Hedgehog” saga.
Even “Superman,” the most consequential hero in the comic book canon, didn’t deliver the box office bounty as expected last year.
Yet a certain wall-crawler defies this pop culture trend.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” set to open July 31, just reached the best <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/06/spider-man-brand-new-day-presales-record-1236959396/">first-day presales</a> figures since 2021, according to Deadline. The film’s latest trailer, released June 17, teased fellow superheroes (like the Hulk) and pointed to yet another summer blockbuster.
Spidey crushed the competition with 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which earned nearly $2 billion worldwide. The fourth installment in the series may not make that much money, but it’ll prove we still have a soft spot for Lycra-clad heroes.
Why does Spider-Man endure?
We’ll start with Stan Lee. The Marvel Comics maestro cracked the superhero code in his early days, understanding that flawed, relatable heroes matter more than invincible ones.
Spider-Man’s alter ego, Peter Parker, was a picked-upon teen who pined for the girl of his dreams, Mary Jane, and struggled to make ends meet. His boss barked at him at The Daily Bugle, his schoolmates bullied him, and the world took away his parents at an early age.
A radioactive spider bite changed everything, at least on paper. He was still the sweet, insecure kid deep down. That’s true in both the comics and on the big screen.
Tobey Maguire’s “Spider-Man” (2002) found the web-slinger struggling to woo his beloved Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), even though he could have spilled his secret and potentially won her over in a super way.
His innate decency wouldn’t allow it. And he knew it also might put her life in jeopardy.
Credit Hollywood’s casting gurus for finding the right Spideys at the right time. Maguire nailed the character’s naive approach and Everyman status. Andrew Garfield, his immediate successor, conveyed a similar sense of unease while slowly growing into his skills over two “Amazing Spider-Man” movies.
Tom Holland effortlessly took the baton, and his aw-shucks shtick from “Captain America: Civil War” gave the film endless highlights. His Spidey even read his frenemies their Miranda rights during that film’s epic battle royale.
Would any other hero approach a fight in that fashion? In a way, Spidey is one of us — uncomfortable with being a hero.
If anything, Spider-Man getting the girl in the recent films could prove problematic. We love him a wee bit more when he’s pining for the girl of his dreams, not swinging from rooftop to rooftop with her by his side.
That’s why the big moment at the end of “No Way Home,” where Doctor Strange causes Zendaya’s MJ to forget all about her beau, sets “Brand New Day” up in a satisfying manner.
It also helps that the “Spider-Man” film series never went woke. Sony technically holds the keys to the webbed character’s cinematic kingdom, but it pairs with Disney’s MCU to bring him to screens.
While Disney movies like “Eternals” and “The Marvels” pushed a progressive agenda, the “Spider-Man” saga focused on the fun. That meant no awkward gender swaps or forced same-sex subplots. Zendaya’s MJ isn’t technically the classic character from the comics and big-screen adaptations. Her nickname was a tip of the cap to the source material.
Her MJ shared a few woke asides in 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” her first feature as the character. That’s where it started and ended, and she sounded like too many Gen Z types anyway. No lectures, no clunky messages beyond the hero’s signature wisdom, shared by Uncle Ben: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Even the animated “Spider-Verse” movies have avoided woke flourishes and maintained their cinematic excellence. The visuals from the first two installments — and a third has been delayed until 2027 — set a very high bar at a time when CGI animation is routinely stunning.
Embracing the Miles Morales arc of the Spidey universe expanded the film’s appeal to a broader audience without detracting from the character’s core traits. So did the recent “Spider-Noir” Prime Video series, giving the web crawler a neo-noir edge.
Credit also goes to the minds behind the recent “Spider-Man” live-action films.
The saga’s newest iteration has felt organic in a way that has eluded both “Star Wars” and the once-mighty MCU. We’re watching Peter Parker grow up, establish his personal boundaries, and realize his full potential.
The aforementioned franchises felt as if they were being assembled on the fly, with no overarching plan. The saga also found a way to shake up the formula without losing audiences.
Consider the loss of Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) in “No Way Home.” Her death allowed Peter Parker to grieve a loved one in powerful ways. Yes, this saga is full of humor and heart, but it’s also achingly human.
Holland recently nominated Owen Cooper, 16, of “Adolescence” fame, to take over as the next Spider-Man. That change is inevitable, given the character’s enduring popularity and Spider-Man’s creative DNA. Peter Parker should be a youthful figure. It’s part of his appeal and distinctive persona.
At 30, Holland is getting a little long in the tooth to be playing a college student — even if he looks young enough to pull it all off.
Either way, Spider-Man isn’t the mightiest Avenger, let alone the toughest superhero. He’s still able to put fannies in seats better than any other costumed crusader.
Long may he swing.
***
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of <a href="http://www.hollywoodintoto.com/">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News&#8217; Big Hollywood. He&#8217;s also the host of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hollywood-in-toto-podcast-w-christian-toto/id1186449155">The Hollywood in Toto Podcast</a>. Follow him at <a href="https://twitter.com/HollywoodInToto?lang=en">@HollywoodInToto</a>.

Celebrity Sightings In Glasgow – August 3, 2025

Why Spider-Man Is The Last Superhero Standing

Marvel

Peter Parker

Spiderman

“Cheers” co-creator James Burrows has died at the age of 85.
Burrows’ family confirmed his death in a statement, reported by <a href="https://people.com/james-burrows-dead-cheers-co-creator-director-was-85-exclusive-11744793">People</a>. “We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family. For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world.”
&#8220;Over the course of his unparalleled career, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television and was instrumental in creating some of the most iconic series ever produced, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will &amp; Grace, and The Big Bang Theory, among many others,&#8221; the statement went on.
&#8220;But beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him. He possessed a rare ability to make everyone better and was known for remembering every person he met by name, making colleagues at every level feel seen, valued, and appreciated.&#8221;
The director is well-known in Hollywood for directing cult classic shows including &#8220;Will &amp; Grace,&#8221; &#8220;Cheers,&#8221; and &#8220;The Mary Tyler Moore Show,&#8221; and for helping to create hit shows including &#8220;Friends,&#8221; &#8220;Taxi,&#8221; and &#8220;Frasier,&#8221; CBS News reported. Burrows directed episodes of &#8220;The Big Bang Theory&#8221; and &#8220;Two and a Half Men,&#8221; as well as the more recent reboot of &#8220;Frasier.&#8221;   
Burrows won 11 Emmy awards and was nominated for many others, the outlet noted.
&#8220;Burrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth. That understanding became the foundation of a career that forever changed television,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;His influence will continue to be felt for generations through the countless artists he inspired, the stories he helped tell, and the millions of people whose lives were brightened by his work.&#8221;
His family wrote in conclusion, &#8220;Above all else, Burrows was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie, his four daughters, and his seven grandchildren. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered. Our thoughts are with Debbie, his children and grandchildren, his family, friends, collaborators, and all those whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing.&#8221;

James Burrows

‘Cheers’ Creator James Burrows Dies At 85

The reviews are in, and while “Toy Story 5” is getting high marks, it currently holds the lowest critic score out of all the mainline films in the franchise. 
The latest installment, which hits theaters this Friday, June 19, has a 94% critics’ rating on the review aggregator <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story_5">Rotten Tomatoes</a>.
In “Toy Story 5,” the gang must contend with children who are enamored with technology and what it means for the future of play. Woody, Buzz, and the others are all highly skeptical of a new tablet named Lilypad.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Toy Story 5 | Official Trailer | In Theaters June 19" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c51ND9Hdbw0?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>
“As a piece of family-entertainment content it has the unblemished sheen of a brand new smartphone. But at heart, it has gone dead,” the reviewer from the Guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/16/toy-story-5-review-pixar-franchise-needs-new-batteries">wrote</a>, giving the new film just two stars out of five. 
“For all the intensive, high-energy creative work that has clearly gone into this film’s every frame, the jeopardy, the novelty, the ideas and the passion are lacking; the crucial Toy Story theme of mortality feels underpowered.”
“Alas, Toy Story doesn’t follow through on its initial thesis that technology has turned humankind into a bunch of cruel, narcissistic zombies &#8230; But we have enough of that in the real world, so consider this movie an escape of sorts,” the Boston Globe reviewer <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/16/arts/toy-story-5-review-lilypad/?p1=StaffPage">wrote</a>.
“The studio naturally holds back from portraying Lily as an all-out villain — more a misguided soul, merely concerned with what’s best for Bonnie. But the film fails to drum up any kind of meaningful conclusion on the matter, even if it’s a nuanced one,” said the <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/toy-story-5-review-release-pixar-b2997450.html">review</a> from the Independent.
Not all the reviews were negative, however, with the reviewer from Variety saying, “It’s a sublime summing up, a movie that reflects the whole series in its magic mirror, and (just maybe) a perfect ending.” But even with the support, it fell behind the rating of the original “Toy Story” and the other three sequels. The next lowest-rated installment is “Toy Story 4,” which has a 97% rating. “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” each have a perfect 100%. 
Film director Andrew Stanton explained during a previous interview that Lilypad is not the villain of the movie in the traditional sense.
The teaser trailer, released in November, indicated that a new tablet called “Lilypad” steals main character Bonnie’s attention as she forgoes playing to scroll. This recognizable storyline immediately resonated with parents and helped justify the idea of yet another “Toy Story” sequel.
“[Lilypad] is [the villain] to the toys because they’re understandably intimidated,” Stanton told Variety while clarifying the iPad stand-in is not meant to be the overall bad guy.
“She’s just the next phase in Bonnie’s life. She’s built like a toy in the sense that she wants to help the kid go forward, but she’s got very different skills and zero experience, whereas Jessie has nothing but experience and is probably unprepared for what to do.”
Co-director McKenna Harris told the outlet that several “Toy Story 5” creators pushed to turn Lilypad into a true villain, but that idea was ultimately shot down.
“Lots of people at the studio wanted her to be a villain, and it was so hard to strike the balance because I think we all come in with such loaded emotions towards devices. At the end of the day, it never made sense,” she said.

Toy Story 5

‘Toy Story 5’ Breaks The Wrong Kind Of Record For Pixar

Animation

Toy Story

Menu