Wanda Sykes claims all the Republican presidential candidates are 'awful'



Celebrity Wanda Sykes claimed during an interview with Variety that all the Republican presidential candidates are "awful."

"I don't see how," Sykes said when asked if she believes former President Donald Trump will be nominated again. "I mean, there are definitely pockets that he’s going to dominate, but I don't see across the country how he'll get the nomination. Right? Are we that bad? Is the country that horrible? Really?" she said, according to the outlet — Variety noted that the interview was "edited for length and clarity."

After the interviewer noted that Trump's poll numbers have been higher than other Republican contenders, the comedian replied, "Well, I mean, they're all awful."

But Sykes predicted another Biden victory over Trump.

"Biden will beat him again. Yep! I said: Old Man Biden will beat him again!" she said.

A number of other Republican candidates are challenging Trump, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will reportedly announce a White House bid on Wednesday.

Sykes, who identifies as a lesbian, is completely supportive of those who identify as transgender.

"I'm not trans, but they have my support, 100%" she said, according to Variety.

She indicated that she would not have any objection to being described as a "woke comic."

"If you want to give me the label of a 'woke comic,' that's fine. That's great. What makes me laugh is that they say that like it’s an insult: 'Oh, they're woke.' Thank you! Yeah, I read some stuff from time to time. Yeah, I know a few things. It's not an insult at all. I mean, George Carlin, he was woke. Richard Pryor, woke. Bill Hicks, woke. It's almost like they’re angry that we’re evolving. It's sad, really," she said, according to Variety.

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Grammy Awards feature satanic-looking 'Unholy' performance, 'unrecognizable' Madonna



The 65th annual Grammy Awards held in Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday featured Satan, cages, dominatrices, whips, fire, and an "unrecognizable" Madonna.

"It's a take on not being able to choose religion. And not being able to live the way that people might want you to live," performer Kim Petras, a German-born, transgender woman (i.e., a biological man), said of the "Unholy" performance, Variety reported.

"I think a lot of people, honestly, have kind of labeled what I stand for and what Sam [Smith] stands for as religiously not cool, and I personally grew up wondering about religion and wanting to be a part of it but slowly realizing it didn’t want me to be a part of it," Petras also said.

\u201c#Grammy winner Kim Petras on the religious inspiration behind her award show performance, \u201cIt\u2019s a take on not being able to choose religion. And not being able to live the way that people might want you to live.\u201d https://t.co/JUB36VWZsf\u201d
— Variety (@Variety) 1675657852

"Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I'm the first transgender woman to win this award," the performer said in an acceptance speech, to a standing ovation from the crowd.

\u201c"Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I'm the first transgender woman to win this award." Watch Kim Petras' acceptance speech from the #Grammys:\u201d
— Variety (@Variety) 1675649027

"Saturday Night Live" hosted a performance of the song "Unholy" two weeks ago. Sam Smith
performed in an enormous, hot pink, fluffy tulle gown. Petras was revealed to be sitting under the voluminous skirt as the gown was flipped open.

Billy Hallowell, who penned "Playing with Fire: A Modern Investigation into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts," described the "Unholy" performance at the Grammy Awards as "heartbreaking." He encouraged viewers to pray for "people who mock God, flaunt that mockery, and [are] then praised for it."

"Unholy's" lyrics address themes of marital infidelity and betrayal.

\u201cThe "Unholy" performance wasn't really outrageous or innovative; it was just sad. It's really heartbreaking to watch people mock God, flaunt that mockery, and then be praised for it. This should break our hearts and send us into prayer for these people. Truly.\u201d
— Billy Hallowell (@Billy Hallowell) 1675680114

Page Six described Madonna as "unrecognizable." The "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl" pop legend presented ahead of Smith's and Petras' "Unholy" performance.

Though she wore her signature fishnet gloves, some viewers were shocked by Madonna's near-unrecognizable face.

"Her lips appeared plumped and pouty and her skin was smooth and without wrinkles," according to the Mirror's gracious description of 64-year-old Madonna.

Others were more blunt.

"I'm all for cosmetic surgery but @Madonna should have left her face alone after her last lift," said actor Damon Gonzalez.

"The mother of reinvention needs an intervention. And yes, I'll be paying 1,300 to see her at MSG this summer," Gonzalez added.

\u201cI\u2019m all for cosmetic surgery but @Madonna should have left her face alone after her last lift. Her hair, makeup & eyebrows make her only look worse. The mother of reinvention needs an intervention. And yes, I\u2019ll be paying 1,300 to see her at MSG this summer. #GRAMMYs\u201d
— Damon Gonzalez (@Damon Gonzalez) 1675666352

"Madonna can't see it. It's filter fatigue. People get so used to their face they no longer see it's different, so they continue to get more," said writer and director Jay Arnold.

\u201cMadonna can\u2019t see it. \n\nIt\u2019s filler fatigue. People get so used to their face they no longer see it\u2019s different, so they continue to get more.\u201d
— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1675693134

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Outrage mob turns on Jimmy Kimmel after he usurps Quinta Brunson's Emmy Award acceptance



Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is being accused of using his "white privilege" to upstage Quinta Brunson at the Emmy Awards ceremony.

What happened?

While Brunson, creator and lead actress of ABC's hit show "Abbott Elementary," was accepting her award for best Writing for a Comedy Series, Kimmel acted out a skit in which Brunson was forced to step over his body.

When it was time to present the award, Will Arnett dragged Kimmel's body onto the stage and joked about Kimmel having drunk too many "skinny margaritas." But Kimmel never got up, and Brunson was forced to give her acceptance speech while standing over his body.

To her credit, Brunson remained professional throughout, gave a touching speech, and then left the stage.

Writing for a Comedy Series: 74th Emmy Awards www.youtube.com

The antics, however, did not go over well.

In fact, fans, especially black fans, saw the incident as yet another instance of a white man stealing the spotlight from the accomplishments of black women.

  • "If #QuintaBrunson stepping over #JimmyKimmel who literally laid in her spotlight on the day she won an Emmy isn’t a metaphor for what it means to be a [women of color] in a white mans world I don’t know what is," Boston University professor Heba Gowayed said.
  • "Jimmy Kimmel should have left the stage during Quinta’s speech. Highly disrespectful," HuffPost editor Philip Lewis said.
  • "Jimmy Kimmel owes Quinta an apology but the messed up part is every image of her accepting her award has his a** in it.White men really are insufferable," Candice Marie Benbow said.
  • "To me, what Jimmy Kimmel did is worst than Will Smith," one person said.
  • "Where’s Will Smith when you need him?" another person reacted.
  • "Just a reminder of how Jimmy Kimmel doesn’t seem to be able to let Black folks shine in really important moments," April Reign said.
  • "I don’t know of a better example of invasive white male privilege than Jimmy Kimmel laying in the middle of Quinta Brunson’s #Emmys2022 speech. He had no business/right to take up space in the way that he did," another person said.
  • "Caucasity is centering your unfunny self and joke as someone wins their first Emmy Award. Jimmy Kimmel ol’ by golly whillickers face a** owes Quinta an apology. Foolishness," Luvvie Ajayi said.
  • "I really don't know how to define white, male privilege more clearly than Jimmy Kimmel not getting out of the way of Quinta Brunson's moment," another person said.

What did Brunson say later?

After the awards ceremony, Brunson was asked about Kimmel's controversial skit. She responded with total grace.

"I know Jimmy Kimmel, and I don’t know, I felt like the bit didn’t bother me that much. I don’t know what the internet thinks," she said. "I know him. Jimmy gave me my first big late-night spot and was one of the first people to see ‘Abbott.' He Instagram messaged me that he saw this comedy and thought it was one of the greatest comedies of all time and he was so excited it was going to be on ABC."

"So in that moment I think I was just really happy that it was Jimmy up there. I kind of consider him one of the comedy godfathers," she continued.

"Tomorrow maybe I’ll be mad at him. I’m going to be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face," she quipped. "I don’t know. We'll see what happens."

\u201cQuinta Brunson addressed Jimmy Kimmel laying on stage during her #Emmys acceptance speech: "I felt like the bit didn\u2019t bother me that much...Tomorrow maybe I\u2019ll be mad at him. I\u2019m going to be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face." https://t.co/Bm8Bfhyi0k\u201d
— Variety (@Variety) 1663039869

Oscars quickly unravel after best actor Will Smith rushes stage and slaps comedian Chris Rock in the face: 'Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!'



Actor Will Smith — who would go on to win best actor during Sunday night's 94th Academy Awards — slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face during the evening show after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife's alopecia diagnosis.

Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, shared an emotionally charged video earlier this month detailing her struggle with alopecia — an autoimmune disorder that results in sporadic hair loss.

What happened during the show?

Rock, while presenting an Oscar for best documentary feature, joked about Pinkett Smith's condition, quipping that the star looked like she was gearing up to play in a nonexistent sequel to "G.I. Jane" — a film in which actress Demi Moore shaves her head bald.

"Jada, I love ya," he said. "'G.I. Jane 2,' can't wait to see it."

Following the joke, Smith could be seen making a beeline for the stage and slapping Rock across the face.

A stunned Rock simply stood there as Smith exited the stage.

After a moment, the comedian composed himself and said, "Oh wow. Wow. Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me."

Smith, by this time in his seat, then screamed at Rock, "Keep my wife's name out your f***ing mouth!"

Rock answered, "Wow, dude! It was a 'G.I. Jane' joke!"

Smith fired back once more, "Keep my wife's name out your f***ing mouth!"

Rock conceded and said, "I'm going to, OK?"

(Content warning: Rough language):

VIA JAPANESE TELEVISION: The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rockpic.twitter.com/j0Z184ZyXa
— Timothy Burke (@Timothy Burke) 1648434735

Smith wins best actor — and addresses the slap in acceptance speech

Smith addressed the incident during his best actor acceptance speech for his role in "King Richard," in which he portrayed Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams.

The audience gave the emotional-looking Smith a standing ovation as he took the stage to accept his award.

He began his acceptance speech by saying, "Oh man. Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world."

"Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met," he continued. "I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses that played Venus and Serena [Williams]. I'm being called on in my life to love people, and to protect people, and to be a river to my people."

Smith added, "Now I know that to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse, you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you in this business, you’ve got to be able to have people disrespecting you. You’ve got to smile and pretend like that’s OK. But Richard Williams, and what I loved ... thank you, D. Denzel [Washington] said to me a few minutes ago, he said, 'At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.'"

"It’s like, I want to be a vessel for love," an openly weeping Smith continued. "I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena, I just hope they didn't see that on TV. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for trusting me with your story. That’s what I want to do — I want to be an ambassador for that kind of love and care and concern."

Image source: Twitter video screeenshot

He then went on to issue an apology to the Academy and to his fellow nominees — notably excluding Rock from the moment.

"I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees," he said. "This is a beautiful moment, and I'm not, I'm not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me, it’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people. Tim and Trevor and Zach and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue, and the entire cast and crew of 'King Richard,' and Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. Love will make you do crazy things. To my mother, this moment is really complicated for me, but to my mother, she didn't want to come out; she had her knitting friends. She has a knitting crew that she’s in Philly watching with. Being able to love and care for my mother, my family, my wife, I’m taking up too much time."

He concluded, "Thank you for this honor, thank you for moment. I thank you on behalf of Richard and Oracene [Williams] and the entire Williams family. Thank you, I hope the Academy invites me back. Thank you."

Here's Will Smith's tearful acceptance speech at the #Oscars. https://bit.ly/3JNjjaq\u00a0pic.twitter.com/Uq2krBbBld
— Variety (@Variety) 1648438100

What else is there to know about this?

The Academy issued a statement in reference to Smith's on-stage antics later that evening.

The statement read, "The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."

'The individual involved has declined to file a police report'

The Los Angeles Police Department also issued a statement on the matter, announcing that Rock had declined to press charges against Smith.

"LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another," the statement read. "The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report."

Official LAPD statement on the Will Smith x Chris Rock incident:\n\n"The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report."pic.twitter.com/cgzD9UPUlF
— Tony \u2022 GMA (@Tony \u2022 GMA) 1648440824

A spotty history

During 2016's Academy Awards, Rock made another joke at the expense of Pinkett Smith, who at the time was boycotting the awards ceremony to protest what she said was a lack of racially and culturally diverse nominees.

"Jada got mad, said she’s not coming," Rock said at the time. "Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited. You get mad. It’s not fair that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated. It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for ‘Wild Wild West.’"

'Totally misleading propaganda': Story condemned for saying Spotify lost more than $2 billion after Neil Young removed



Variety, an entrainment news outlet, was promptly bashed for promoting "misleading propaganda" after claiming Spotify lost more than $2 billion in market value following the removal of Neil Young's music.

Spotify dropped Young's music from its platform after he issued the streaming service an ultimatum. Young said that Spotify "can have Rogan or Young ... not both." Spotify ultimately chose Rogan.

What are the details?

On Saturday, Variety published a story with a headline that read, "Spotify Lost More Than $2 Billion in Market Value After Neil Young Pulled His Music Over Joe Rogan’s Podcast."

"Spotify’s market capitalization fell about $2.1 billion over a three-day span this week, coming after folk rocker Neil Young yanked his songs from the audio-streaming giant to protest Joe Rogan’s misinformation-spreading podcast," the story explained.

Spotify Lost More Than $2 Billion in Market Value After Neil Young Pulled His Music Over Joe Rogan\u2019s\u00a0Podcasthttps://variety.com/2022/digital/news/spotify-2-billion-market-cap-neil-young-joe-rogan-1235166798/\u00a0\u2026
— Variety (@Variety) 1643462530

The news outlet was sharply criticized for the framing of its story because the headline suggested that Young's removal from Spotify was the reason for a loss in Spotify's market value. But as the article explained, Spotify had been hemorrhaging market value for months before the controversy with Rogan, and its value actually rose one day before the story was published.

"To be sure, Spotify’s stock price was already on the slide — having plummeted 25% year-to-date as of Jan. 25, the day before Young’s catalog was pulled off Spotify," the story admitted. "Also, it’s worth noting is that Spotify’s stock rebounded slightly Friday, closing up 1% to $172.98/share, amid a broader market upturn.

Critics blasted:

  • "This is cherry-picked bulls***. The market in general was way down this week, but in the last two days of trading, since they announced Young was gone and Rogan is staying, their stock is actually up slightly.You moronic hacks have no shame!" Mediaite columnist John Ziegler said.
  • "Totally misleading propaganda. Did Spotify market cap drop significantly more than every other tech stock recently?" evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller said.
  • "There was a market correction that knocked down literally the whole market due to the interest rate scare brought about by the US federal reserve. This is wilful (sic) ignorance," another person pointed out.
  • "So hold on — you rally against Rogan for ‘misinformation’ and then you write an article with a completely false narrative? Jesus Christ," one person observed.
  • "Lol the two happened at the same time so it HAS to be connected right?? What a child-like analysis," another person mocked.

Anything else?

Spotify responded to the controversy surrounding Rogan on Sunday by making public the platform's content moderation policies. The company also said it would "add a content advisory to any podcast episode that includes a discussion about COVID-19.

"This advisory will direct listeners to our dedicated COVID-19 Hub, a resource that provides easy access to data-driven facts, up-to-date information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics and public health authorities around the world, as well as links to trusted sources," Spotify CEO Daniel Ek explained.

Associated Press, Variety falsely claim Dave Chappelle supporter screamed profanities, was aggressor at Netflix walkout — and both outlets issue retractions



If you spent any time perusing Thursday's story in TheBlaze about the Dave Chapelle supporter who hilariously succeeded in exercising his free speech in the face of hostile, left-wing Netflix protesters, you watched the video of the mob members destroying his sign, bumping him backward, and screaming profanities in his face.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @johnschreiber

The guy didn't lay a hand on anyone — and, in fact, he made his hands visible as he spread them wide in a preacher-like, profanity-free pronouncement: "I'm just here to say that jokes are funny, people! Dave Chappelle is a funny guy! I love Dave! I don't know why all the violence! I don't know why all the hate! I just love Dave Chappelle! Dave Chappelle! Wooo!"

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @johnschreiber

Here's the clip. Content warning: Profanity:

A couple of people with signs supporting #DaveChappelle try to interrupt a rally in support of a Team Trans employe… https://t.co/2uAVFQX411

— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) 1634753954.0

Yet, the Associated Press got the idea that the Chappelle supporter was the one screaming profanities — and Variety managed to call him the aggressor.

What are the details?

Turns out the Chappelle supporter — Vito Gesualdi — is a comedian as well, which makes sense since given how humorously he handled the naked hostility all around him.

And Gesualdi posted a ton of tweets in the last couple of days detailing what happened to him as he subverted the Netflix walkout — and what the media did to him as well.

First up is what Variety tweeted out:

@Variety https://t.co/TXrhUoSMCE

— Jpsmith (@jpsmith412) 1634922809.0

The magazine got roundly torched for using a photo of Gesualdi with the mob in his face and adding that "counter protesters pushed against trans speakers."

Soon enough Variety walked it all back: "The photo attached to an earlier version of the above tweet did not accurately illustrate the reporting from our story. We apologize for any confusion."

"Well the damage has been done," one commenter wrote to Variety. "You slander a poor gentlemen who everyone saw was not the aggressor. You can't lie about what you wrote and stated."

The magazine left up the text of the original tweet but switched out the photo of Gesualdi.

In addition, the Associated Press made a false claim about Gesualdi, saying in a photo caption that he shouted profanities at the "peaceful" Netflix protesters:

"Comedian and videographer Vito Gesualdi screams profanities as he engages with peaceful protesters begging him to… https://t.co/3ArasC9jy4

— YOUTUBE.COM / VITO (@VitoGesualdi) 1634796620.0

Gesualdi added in a subsequent tweet that "those 'peaceful protesters' broke my s**t and tackled my buddy to the concrete. What a load of s**t." He also pointed out that the AP's false caption became "stock" and that the "lie is on dozens of news sites now. Any lawyers in the house? This is BS."

The only profanities being uttered at the moment — well, screamed — came courtesy of a protester banging a tambourine at Gesualdi and repeatedly ordering him to "repent motherf***er!"

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @johnschreiber

How the photographer in question — standing directly behind the "repent motherf***er" protester when the photo was taken — thought Gesualdi was the one cursing is anybody's guess.

But after some detective work — courtesy of writer Jesse Singal, who broke down the false caption using photographic facts based on the video of the incident — the AP changed its caption. However, Gesualdi was still displeased with how things were shaking out, quite understandably:

Worth noting that my co-host Dick Masterson is currently at the hospital getting a CT scan after having his head bo… https://t.co/OfOVH9gwDc

— YOUTUBE.COM / VITO (@VitoGesualdi) 1634855281.0

The last laugh?

It's fitting that Gesualdi very well may have elicited the last laugh (for now, at least) in the whole debacle. He took to Twitter on Friday to convince his adversaries that he's not a threat, and they can stop doxxing him at any time — and then hit 'em with the following sign off: "And to be clear: I love trans people! But my trans friends all have a sense of humor."

(H/T: Hot Air)