Vulture - Entertainment N United States of America

Adele Gets The Boot From SNL’s The Bachelor Parody; Good Thing She Has All These Torch Songs On Hand - Vulture

Overly dramatic, quick to smash a wine glass… as if the producers would let her leave.

If youre still a little salty Adele merely hosted, rather than hosted and performed, during this weekends Saturday Night Live, Lorne and the gang tried to give you what you want (without, you know, giving you what you want) by having the singer break into song during this weeks The Bachelor parody. While Adele probably would have lost to Hannah C. at some point during her season, the sketch ousted the singer from the Bachelor mansion after one night, following her dramatic outbursts of snippets of Someone Like You, When We Were Young, Hello, and Rolling In the Deep. Quick to catastrophize, ready to commit to a man she literally just met, willing to hide in a bush, and able to crush a wine glass in her bare hand? Say whatever you want about how distracting her belting is, Ben K. In reality, theres no way the shows producers would let go of a reality TV gem like Adele.

Get Into ‘Position’ For Ariana Grande’s New Single - Vulture

Out October 23.

While were all still reeling from Ariana Grandes surprise album announcement, the queen of quarantine sneakily dropped a countdown clock to what is presumably her newest single, Positions. According to the cryptic announcement, the single will arrive next week on October 23, with the album dropping on October 30. Grande also posted a mysterious video of her very slowly typing out positions on a mechanical keyboard to Twitter and Instagram. Fresh off her VMAs performance and wins, Grande encouraged/gently bribed fans with the promise of new music in exchange for their voter registration in the upcoming election. Turning in these mixes and reminding u again to register to vote if u havent already / to vote early, Grande tweeted earlier this month, thereby edging out Michael B. Jordan for most effective celebrity voter registration tweet. pic.twitter.com/1zAXsDNqim — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) October 17, 2020

Joshua Jackson Is Your Brand-New Dr. Death - Vulture

Jamie Dornan had to bow out of the Peacock series due to COVID-related production delays.

You wouldnt peg him for a sociopathic neurosurgeon capable of grievously harming his unsuspecting patients, but we guess thats how the real Dr. Death got away with, too. According to TVLine, Joshua Jackson will replace Jamie Dornan as the titular doctor in the upcoming Peacock series Dr. Death, based on Wonderys 2018 true-crime podcast about Texas-based surgeon Christopher Duntsch, after COVID-19 and the quarantine made Dornans involvement impossible. Due to production delays relating to the coronavirus pandemic, Jamie Dornan is no longer professionally available to participate in the production, a Peacock spokesperson told TVLine. Alec Baldwin and Christian Slater are still set to co-star in the show as neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Henderson and vascular surgeon Dr. Randall Kirby, respectively, the two medical professionals who helped bring to light Duntschs systematic gross malpractice, which resulted in the death or maiming of multiple people. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for permanently paralyzing a patient. Since the show is clearly still in the thick of production, tide yourself over with the Wondery podcast itself, though try not to picture Joshua Jackson when you do. None of this is his faces fault.

The Wanted Singer Tom Parker Reveals Inoperable Brain Tumor Diagnosis - Vulture

The 32 year old singer and former member of The Wanted opened up about the terminal stage 4 glioblastoma.

32-year-old British singer Tom Parker revealed that he has been diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma tumor in an interview with OK! Magazineon Monday, October 12. The former member of boy band The Wanted told the magazine that after having a seizure in July and another seizure six weeks later, an MRI test revealed that the root cause was an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor: They pulled the curtain around my bed and said, Its a brain tumor. All I could think was, F**king hell! I was in shock. Its stage four glioblastoma and theyve said its terminal. Parker added that he will be undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Earlier this year, Parker and his wife Kelsey Hardwick announced that they were expecting their second child. Parker also posted about the tumor diagnosis to his Instagram on Monday, writing: We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way. We dont want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options. Its gonna be a tough battle but with everyones love and support we are going to beat this. In the photo, Parker is pictured with Hardwick and their one-year-old daughter, Aurelia.

Are Cardi B and Offset Kissing at Her Birthday and Getting Divorced … at the Same Time? - Vulture

Schrödinger’s WAP.

If it was presented as a thought experiment revealing the limitations of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, wed say theres no way two contradictory things can be true at the same time, but this is love were talking about, not science, so of course Cardi B and Offset were spotted kissing, dancing, and generally being as un-divorced as two people can be at her 28th birthday party in Las Vegas on Saturday, despite the WAP star having filed for divorce almost a month ago from the Migos rapper. As reported by TMZ, who rounded up video of the pair enjoying themselves, Offset also gifted his wife a Rolls-Royce Cullinan with their daughter Kultures name embroidered into the seat. Offset himself posted a series of Instagram Stories from what appears to be the after-after-after-after-party, which was basically Cardi and her friends dancing early Sunday morning on what looks like a hotel roof, during which she comedically jumped off a short ledge and gave Offset a vertical lap dance. The pairs first court hearing about their divorce isnt until November 4, so they still have plenty of time to work and/or not work things out before then.

The Fate of American Movie Theaters Looks Terribly Bleak - Vulture

Theater owners across the country explain how they’re going to survive 2020: “It’s a darker time now than when theaters were initially closed.”

On August 28, after five long months of dramatically locked doors and darkened screens, the Logan Theatre a small, independently run movie theater in Chicago readied itself to reopen. With major titles like New Mutants and Tenet set for debuts that weekend and the next, the cinema felt optimistic about its chances to slowly crawl back to profitability after making zero dollars for nearly half a year. Were really happy to be back! the company said in a rosy Facebook post at the time, touting its intensive, COVID-era safety measures, which included the institution of a 25 percent seating capacity, the use of sanitizing foggers, and mandatory temperature checks for all staff. Guests were equally excited. Thrilled to have you reopening! replied one fan. Cant wait to see New Mutants! said another, emphasizing that proximity to the theater was one of the reasons he moved to his neighborhood. However, on September 23, less than one month after the reopening, the Logan Theater posted another, more somber message. Its Tenet and New Mutants sales were stagnant. The theater would be closing its doors once again. Once it becomes clear that there is a consistent flow of films to play, the statement said, we will make plans to reopen. Its a predicament theaters large and small are struggling to cope with: After months of uncertainty during which just about every major studio blockbuster save for Christopher Nolans thriller and the critically lambasted X-Men saga dropped off the 2020 theatrical release calendar and with no vaccine in sight, how do you entice people to return to the cineplex in the middle of a pandemic? The industry is kind of in chaos, says Albert Waitt, director of operations at Smittys Cinema, a regional theater chain based out of Maine. A month ago, Id say we only have to make it to Thanksgiving and well be fine. But, looking at it now who knows what will happen. While neither Warner Bros. nor Nolan ever spoke explicitly about their ambitions for Tenet, there were enough breathless headlines Tenet is more than a film. Its the saviour of an industry, declared Esquire to set a narrative on its course: The release of Tenet would herald not only the return of the studio movie but of the exhibition space at large. Even insiders were cautiously optimistic that a blockbuster action-thriller from Nolan (whose films have grossed over $2 billion domestically and received 34 Oscar nominations) would jump-start the movie-theater industry. After news broke that the thrice-delayed film would finally premiere in U.S. theaters in early September, states like New Jersey and Maryland scrambled to reopen locations as local officials lifted restrictions on public gatherings. Between investing in new safety protocols and the staff training required to implement them, it was a risky and expensive proposition. But with so many other previously postponed titles set to follow in Tenets footsteps and release in September and October of 2020, theater owners bet there would be plenty of bankable films to keep willing patrons buying tickets thereafter. Then Tenet opened. Warner Bros. refused to publicly confirm the films box-office performance (as of October 5, its reportedly totaling only $45.1 million in the U.S. and just over $300 million abroad), but experts soon began speculating that the movie would fail to break even on its estimated $400 million budget. The fawning headlines were no more, replaced instead with a question: Tenet Failed to Save the Box Office, Now What? It wouldnt take long to answer. Shortly after Tenets lackluster release, Disney moved major films like Black Widow and Steven Spielbergs West Side Story to 2021. Universal pushed Candyman from October and No Time to Die to April of next year. Even Warner Bros. shifted Wonder Woman 1984 to a Christmas date, and punted Duneto 2021. Theres currently no wide release from a major studio scheduled until Pixars Soul on Thanksgiving weekend. Its a darker time now than when theaters were initially closed, contends Jeff Bock, senior media analyst for Exhibitor Relations. Many regional and independent theater owners who spoke to Vulture believed that if they reopened in late summer and remained open, they could endeavor to break even each day even if attendance was capped at 25 percent a strategy that would, at the very least, keep them operating. But there was one major problem: As new movie releases dwindled, the possibility of reaching even a quarter of capacity diminished, too. Dale Coleman, owner of the regional Stone Theaters chain in the Carolinas, said his venues were only averaging five tickets per showing since their August 28 grand reopenings. Thats why we made the decision [to close] last week, at least until we felt we had meaningful product where our customers would come back and join us. Smitty Cinemas Waitt opted to close his Maine theaters on Mondays through Wednesdays, redirecting guests to weekend showings, but even with that change, screenings still arent hitting the 25 percent cap. Its a darker time now than when theaters were initially closed. National chains with more significant overhead face a similar conundrum. In a September 24 SEC filing, AMC Theatres (Americas largest theater chain, with over 650 locations nationwide) said attendance at its locations would need to reach approximately 75 percent of normalized levels or it would require additional sources of cash. Cineworld, which operates Regal Cinemas in the U.S., reported a loss of $1.6 billion since April 1, conceding that there is no certainty about its future; this week, the chain announced it would be suspending all U.S. operations. Alamo Drafthouse, which operates six locations in the Dallas metro area alone, reclosed four of them and said in a statement, [We] look forward to reemerging with our other locations once major new releases resume. In total, the research and accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers projects a 65.7 percent decline in U.S. cinema revenue, from $11.4 billion in 2019 to $3.9 billion this year. Other industry groups estimate that 93 percent of exhibitors saw revenue drop by 75 percent or more in the second quarter of 2020, compared to the same period last year. Analyst Bock speculates that local, independent theaters might have an easier path forward in these atypical conditions, noting their ability to appeal directly to an invested client base. The regional and national chains are seen as corporate entities, versus the neighborhood cinemas that have the support of their community, he says. Indeed, before it opted to reclose, the Logan Theatre began offering curbside pickup of fresh popcorn, popular movie candies, and even beer and wine. Jennifer Zacarias, the Logan Theatres marketing manager, said the program had a tremendous amount of support, but acknowledged that once the city hit the next phase and more options for food and beverage became available, our sales decreased substantially. But box-office observer James Shapiro contends that smaller, art-house theaters whose primary content is niche, independent fare face just as many obstacles in the long run: I think those theaters are the most vulnerable right now unfortunately, he notes, foreseeing an exhibition space increasingly attached to blockbuster films that can attract the kind of audience numbers needed to keep theaters afloat. Ultimately, independent, regional, and national chains are all struggling, and theres not much in the way of relief on the horizon. Insurers are unwilling and unable to provide assistance to an industry that employs roughly 150,000 people, instead pointing the finger at the federal government, which has yet to provide any significant bailout money. The National Organization of Theatre Owners (NATO) sent a letter to Congress urging the government to redirect unallocated funds from the CARES Act to proposals that help [movie theaters] Absent a solution, theaters may not survive the impact of the pandemic. However, only 16 percent of consumer respondents to a recent Performance Research survey were very supportive of federal bailout initiatives for the exhibition industry. In the meantime, several exhibitors say they will continue to lean on dependable repertory titles like Goonies, Jurassic Park, and this Halloween season, Halloween. In fact, the No. 2 movie at the box office during the first weekend of October was the 1993 title Hocus Pocus.Even Disney, which has traditionally been loath to allow its classic titles to be shown theatrically, has allowed screenings of The Empire Strikes Back to commemorate the films 40th anniversary. Some theaters have tried their hand at virtual cinema and video-on-demand rentals, offering 24-hour viewing windows for both studio titles like Bill & Ted Face the Music and independent fare like a 4K restoration of Claire Deniss Beau Travail. While numbers for these rentals arent publicly reported, one executive at a major national chain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, categorized the cinema-at-home strategy as a success for their business on a customer-satisfaction level. But as its yielded only an average of $30,000 in monthly ticket sales (compared to the estimated $50 million in average monthly ticket sales a chain could make in August of 2019, according to Comscore), its still far from a solution. Other theater owners have opted to turn their facilities, big and small, into venues for other types of public gatherings. Cinemark, the third biggest national chain, charges $99 for two hours of video-game time on its big screens (you provide the console and the games). The IFC Center in New York City is offering online classes about documentary filmmaking and has posted a selection of short films created by theater staff on its website. Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn provides both curbside pickup and outdoor table service for its expansive menu of food and drinks. Thats going really well and people are stopping by, saying hello, and supporting us, says Nitehawk owner Matthew Viragh. Its at least driven enough revenue where we can continue to pay our bills. Smittys Cinema has even tried indoor cornhole tournaments. Were going to try everything at our disposal to stay afloat until some of these movies do come out, Waitt said. We just want to be able to survive 2020. When exactly those movies will come out is a question experts are less sure of how to answer. Bock admits that studios, like the rest of us, dont really have any idea when the box office will return to anywhere near normal. You might as well ask a Magic 8-Ball at this point. Studios are particularly reluctant to take risks with their tentpole films when American movie theaters are still shuttered in the three markets (New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco) that accounted for 18 percent of total box-office grosses in 2019 (just shy of $2 billion). Local legislators remain unclear as to when their public-gathering restrictions will be lifted in New York City and Los Angeles (San Francisco recently announced a reopening date of October 7). In his latest comments regarding movie theaters on September 16, New Yorks Governor Andrew Cuomo said, Movie theaters want to open I understand, but were not yet at a point where we can get back to normal life. Indoor dining is set to resume in New York City on September 30, but there is still no update on movie theaters and live-event venues. Its a frustratingly vague stance that has had far-reaching implications. Its very simple: Unless there is action out of New York City, there will absolutely be more movies dropping off the release calendar, says Joe Masher, head of the National Association of Theatre Owners New York office. Viragh is more direct: Theyre killing the industry. Distributors are not going to be releasing films without New York and L.A. Its just not going to happen. The holiday season seems like a pipe dream at this point. Yet, even if theaters in those major market cities are permitted to open sometime this fall, it still may not be enough. A recent study by NRG revealed that 49 percent of moviegoers are still uncomfortable with the idea of returning to the movies, and only 41 percent of all potential moviegoers are even aware that their local theater is open. The uncertainty weighs heavily on theater employees. An assistant manager at Marcus Theatres in Texas said she was finally rehired after a four-month furlough only to have her hours cut after one week. Two weeks later, they were cut even further. Now shes making less than she was on unemployment benefits. Another worker for a national chain was already struggling after being furloughed in March, only to contract COVID-19 at a mandatory COVID-training safety session once she was finally hired back for the reopening. Her only income now is a benefit of sick leave, at a reduced rate of pay, via the Federal Medical Leave Act. I have to spend the little money Im getting on doctor visits with no clear outcome in sight. And the prospect of going back to work isnt very good either. A longtime employee, who had worked her way up to a supervisory position, she put her health on the line for a job she loved, but now admits to feeling a real sense of being expendable in a way I had never felt before. So what are the theaters to do? NATOs Masher puts it bluntly: Repertory product is not the answer. We really need to look to Hollywood to help us get through this. Bock agrees, asserting that blockbusters are the lifeblood of the exhibition industry. But how much can Hollywood really do amid an unrelenting pandemic, particularly when the talent behind its major projects are actively lobbying against the release of their films? Producer Jordan Peele privately requested Universal delay Candyman out of health concerns for audiences, and after his big superhero movie The Eternals was pushed back to November 2021 by Marvel Studios, star Kumail Nanjiani tweeted, Nothing is more important than health & lives. I cant tell [people] to go to a movie theater until I feel safe going to one. More recently, over 70 directors, writers, and producers signed a letter asking Congress to provide financial assistance to the industry, claiming that 69 percent of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will face bankruptcy without aid. According to Shapiro, this prevailing sentiment could mean that studios wont move to release any blockbusters until a vaccine is widely available, and even then, its difficult to predict whether or not an expedited paradigm shift toward streaming films will cement studios willingness to circumvent theaters altogether. If theres not an effective vaccine by first quarter of 2021, he explains, then the industry is in big trouble. In this volatile climate, if theater chains do eventually file for bankruptcy, it likely wouldnt mark the final chapter for companies like AMC or Regal; in fact, it could actually position them to come out of the pandemic stronger. Yes, a filing might amount to new ownership, and some individual venues could close, with jobs lost in the process, explains Shapiro, but bankruptcy would allow them to restructure their business in ways that make profitability more obtainable in the future. And while Netflix recently brushed off the idea of acquiring any theater chains, Amazon has reportedly been exploring a potential acquisition of AMC since mid-May. In the end, Bock says the prospect of major movies releasing during the holiday season seems like a pipe dream at this point. Maybe [theatrical blockbusters will return] next summer. All we can do is wait and see. I do think its going to be a long time until were back to 100 percent capacity, Nitehawks Viragh adds. That could be deep into 2021. Thats what were looking at in terms of how long the road to recovery will be. One Great Story: A Nightly Newsletter for the Best of New York The one story you shouldn't miss today, selected by New York's editors.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd, a Staple Actor In Spike Lee’s Films, Shot and Killed in Atlanta - Vulture

The director memorialized the Tony nominee this weekend.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd, stage actor and a frequent ensemble player in director Spike Lees movies, was shot and killed this weekend. According to the Hollywood Reporter, authorities were called to an Atlanta residence on Saturday and found the actor dead of multiple gunshot wounds to the back. An investigation into Byrds murder is currently ongoing. Per Entertainment Weekly, the actor was 70 years old when he died. In addition to Byrds work across Spike Lees ouevre, where he can be seen in Clockers, Get on the Bus, Girl 6, He Got Game, Bamboozled, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, Red Hook Summer, and Chi-Raq, the actor appeared in Bulworth,Set It Off,Ray, and Lees Shes Gotta Have It series on Netflix. In 2004, Byrd received a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in the 2003 Broadway revival of Ma Raineys Black Bottom. On Sunday, Spike Lee took to Instagram to remember the actor, memorializing him for his turn as the frightening character Errol Barnes in Clockers. Im so sad to announce the tragic murder of our beloved brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd last night in Atlanta, Georgia, the director wrote on Instagram. Tom is my guy, here below you see him as the frightening character Errol Barnes in CLOCKERS. Brother Byrd also did his thang in my joints - CHI-RAQ, SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS, RED HOOK SUMMER, BAMBOOZLED, HE GOT GAME, GET ON THE BUS, GIRL 6, and CLOCKERS. May we all wish condolences and blessings to his family. Rest In Peace Brother Byrd. View this post on Instagram Im So Sad To Announce The Tragic Murder Of Our Beloved Brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd Last Night In Atlanta,Georgia. Tom Is My Guy,Here Below You See Him As The Frightening Character Errol Barnes In CLOCKERS. Brother Byrd Also Did His Thang In My Joints- CHI-RAQ,SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS, RED HOOK SUMMER,BAMBOOZLED,HE GOT GAME,GET ON THE BUS,GIRL 6 And CLOCKERS. May We All Wish Condolences And Blessings To His Family. Rest In Peace Brother Byrd. A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee) on Oct 4, 2020 at 10:40am PDT

BlackPink’s Debut Album, The Album, Is Here With Surprise Cardi B Track - Vulture

Cardi B is a master at promotion and also had one of the best Trump has coronavirus jokes of the night.

Blinks, the moment youve waited for is finally here, but not without a healthy dose of controversy. At midnight on Friday, K-pop super girl group Blackpink released their highly anticipated debut album, The Album. The 8-song album features previously released tracks How You Like That,Ice Cream featuring Selena Gomez, and a new track Bet You Wanna featuring Cardi B. Although she appears on the album, Cardi B seems less than thrilled with Blackpinks fanbase, known as Blinks, who apparently have been hounding her to promote The Album. I really love the girls but I wont let you lil kids play with me. I already got payed to do what I had to and I wont do nomore [sic], Cardi tweeted right after the album was released. She continued, responding to a tweet from a Blackpink fan calling her mental, tweeting Im not mental Im just not going to let lil kids disrespect me. Yall make relationships with artist be very weird cause of the weird hate ya be throwing and ya was doing that b4 the song came out. I already got pay [sic] and I dont ask to be on songs I GET ASKED! Well, at least everyone got paid and theres no bad blood between Lisa, Jennie, Ruby Rose, and Rosé and Belcalis. Blackpink is probably not too pressed by their fans causing a little ruckus, as their Netflix film Blackpink: Light Up The Skyis set to drop in two weeks. You can stream The Album below but dont tell Cardi. I really love the girls but I wont let you lil kids play with me.I already got payed to do what I had to and I wont do nomore . — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020 Anyways stream wap — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020 Im not mental Im just not going to let lil kids disrespect me.Yall make relationships with artist be very weird cause of the weird hate ya be throwing and ya was doing that b4 the song came out .I already got pay and I dont ask to be on songs I GET ASKED! https://t.co/w9uyB5K9WD — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020 Im not mental Im just not going to let lil kids disrespect me.Yall make relationships with artist be very weird cause of the weird hate ya be throwing and ya was doing that b4 the song came out .I already got pay and I dont ask to be on songs I GET ASKED! https://t.co/w9uyB5K9WD — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020 Update, 2:22 AM: So, as it turns out, it was all a ruse. After an hour or so, Cardi B deleted all of the tweets criticizing Blackpink stans, replacing them with tweets promoting Blackpinks The Album. BARDI PINK IN YOUR AREA! I need ya to download The album by Blackpink and stream bet you wanna show me down here ya did some, tweeted out Cardi, showing her support for the K-pop girl group and their fans. As if the night couldnt get any better, Cardi B delivered potentially the sickest burn in response to the incredible, gorgeous, absolutely poetic news that Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. Chris Rock approved comedienne Cardi B tweeted BET YOU WANNA wear a mask now at Trump, expertly promoting her new track with Blackpink and roasting the president at the same time. Wow, Cardi B and the Blinks are getting along and Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. For once this year, all is right in the world. BARDI PINK IN YOUR AREA! I need ya to download The album by Blackpink and stream bet you wannashow me down here ya did some https://t.co/EvTVVYYvj5 right here https://t.co/A5Ylk5Ohmcpic.twitter.com/mjG3q2FPB1 — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020 BET YOU WANNA wear a mask now https://t.co/jp6NTiGztO — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020 Stream On Spotify now!!!!! https://t.co/CfePXurclr — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020

The One Where Gabrielle Union Hosts an All-Black Table Reading of Friends - Vulture

With Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Bathe taking on the roles of Ross and Rachel.

It really hasnt been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, and honestly that isnt going to change anytime soon, but maybe an evening of Friends hosted by Gabrielle Union might help take the edge off? According to Deadline, the L.A.s Finest star will lead a table read of the classic Friendsbottle episode The One Where No Ones Ready tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Union herself co-starred in a Friends episode (2001s The One With the Cheap Wedding Dress) but doing that one probably would have gotten real confusing, real fast. The event, which you can sign up for here, is the latest in Zooms benefit table read series The Zoom Where It Happens, which kicked off with an interpretation of The Golden Girlswith Tracee Ellis Ross. Each reading highlights a different non-profit, and this weeks is Michell Obamas When We All Vote initiative. Tomorrow nights table read will feature Sterling K. Brown as Ross, Ryan Michelle Bathe as Rachel, Uzo Aduba as Phoebe, Aisha Hinds as Monica, Jeremy Pope as Chandler, and Kendrick Sampson as Joey, for which he will hopefully go full method and wear all of Jeremy Popes clothing, sans underwear, at the same time.

Lady Gaga Drops ‘911’ Music Video With a Shocking Twist - Vulture

Our journey into Chromatica continues.

Our journey into Chromatica returns to the desert in Lady Gagas new music video for 911, the third official single off her latest album Chromatica. But this isnt the extraterrestrial Stupid Love desert as those sweet, sweet Chromatica II strings play, Gaga wakes up to white sands as far as the eye can see. And what a way to wake up. The video finds her taken to an adobe house in the desert, where she meets a cast of immaculately clad characters who lip-sync, fly like balloons, and bang their heads against pillows (just like me as I try to interpret this Gaga video). Its a lushly detailed setup for the song, complete with the costume changes and slow-mo voguing youd expect from Gaga. The story takes a turn when Gaga is dropped from her balloon flight, then strapped to a board and taken inside to be murdered and as shes stabbed, she wakes up at the scene of a car crash in a whiplash-inducing twist thatll have you calling 911. As Gaga is shocked back to life and hyperventilates, we see the clues all around and have a moment of Dorothy-waking-up realization: the people around, the New Mexico poster, that wall painting of a car crash, even that bracelet/tourniquet around Gagas leg. Her mind. The video was directed by Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, a video of the year winner at the MTV Video Music Awards for R.E.M.s Losing My Religion. It comes after Gagas own showstopping Chromatica medley at the VMAs, which opened with the live debut of 911. Gaga ended the night with the most awards at four, including the inaugural Tricon Award. Leave it to a Tricon to pull off a twist like that.