NBA Scandal in ‘Clipped,’ When Hockey Fans Rioted, ‘Star Wars: Acolyte,’ Cyndi Lauper Looks Back

Clipped (2024)

A colorful fact-based limited series revisits a controversial time in pro basketball history, coinciding with the NBA Finals starting later this week. The catalyst is the wealthy and eccentric owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling (played by Ed O’Neill, in a role that is perfectly cast). In 2013, an audio recording of his egregiously racist remarks is leaked to TMZ, publicly embarrassing Sterling just as the cursed team is beginning to turn around its dismal playoff history under new coach Doc Rivers (played by Laurence Fishburne, who is also perfectly cast). An absurd triangle featuring Sterling, his envious wife Shelly (Jacki Weaver), and his attractive and aspirational helper V sets off the chaos. (Cleopatra Coleman), whose closeness to and yearning for fame and wealth is mirrored in the tabloid reality-TV society personified by the Kardashians, who are famous only for being famous. debuts with two parts.

30 for 30

This week’s topic of discussion on ESPN’s 30 for 30 series is “I’m Just Here for the Riot,” which delves into another sad chapter in the history of a sport: the June 2011 Canucks Stanley Cup Finals, which ended in riots across Vancouver caused by the team’s Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins. (The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will play for the Stanley Cup this year on Saturday.) Examining the aftermath of a tumultuous event that was caught on numerous cell phones and left rioters exposed to the elements, the special raises alarming questions regarding mob violence and fandom.

The documentary series focuses on notable sports happenings.

According to Matt Roush, the 30 for 30 series on ESPN delves into another troubling period in sports history that is currently making headlines. The episode, “I’m Just Here for the Riot,” centers on the June 2011 riots in Vancouver that followed the Vancouver Canucks’ Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. (The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will play for the Stanley Cup this year on Saturday.) Examining the aftermath of a tumultuous event that was caught on numerous cell phones and left rioters exposed to the elements, the special raises alarming questions regarding mob violence and fandom.

Star Wars: The Acolyte

It should come as no surprise that Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland, the first female-created Star Wars spinoff, is significantly biased toward female villainy and heroism. Fans are taken back to the beginning of the series timeline, a century before the rise of the Empire, “a time of peace” when Jedis ruled, for the setup, which can only be alluded to without giving anything away. After being connected to the Jedi masters’ deaths, Osha (Amandla Stenberg), a former Jedi who departed the Order six years prior, is compelled to confront her terrible history. Lee Jung-jae, the Squid Game Emmy winner, plays her old tutor, Jedi Master Sol, who enlists Osha’s assistance in unraveling this mystery. debuts with two parts.

When a former Padawan and her Jedi Master get back together to investigate a string of atrocities, they find that the forces they are up against are darker than they could have imagined.

According to Matt Roush, it is hardly unexpected that Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland, the first female-created spinoff of Star Wars, has a strong bias toward female villainy and heroism. Fans are taken back to the beginning of the series timeline, a century before the rise of the Empire, “a time of peace” when Jedis ruled, for the setup, which can only be alluded to without giving anything away. After being connected to the Jedi masters’ deaths, Osha (Amandla Stenberg), a former Jedi who departed the Order six years prior, is compelled to confront her terrible history. Lee Jung-jae, the Squid Game Emmy winner, plays her old tutor, Jedi Master Sol, who enlists Osha’s assistance in unraveling this mystery. debuts with two parts.

Let the Canary Sing

“Magic if you’re doing what you love.” As she considers her colorful career and eventful life in a music documentary directed by Alison Ellwood (The Go-Gos), music diva Cyndi Lauper, the titular canary, admits as much. Canary follows Lauper’s career progression from the technicolor hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun to a varied resume that includes a Tony Award for Kinky Boots’ soundtrack. Along with honoring her efforts, the episode features testimonies from colleagues Billy Porter, Boy George, and Patti LaBelle.

The journey of Cyndi Lauper, a one-of-a-kind artist, iconic performer, and trailblazing activist. 

“If you’re doing what you love: magic,” says Matt Roush. As she considers her colorful career and eventful life in a music documentary directed by Alison Ellwood (The Go-Gos), music diva Cyndi Lauper, the titular canary, admits as much. Canary follows Lauper’s career progression from the technicolor hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun to a varied resume that includes a Tony Award for Kinky Boots’ soundtrack. Along with honoring her efforts, the episode features testimonies from colleagues Billy Porter, Boy George, and Patti LaBelle.

Who Killed WCW?

In 2001, Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling, which had previously been the most well-liked wrestling entertainment in America, went explosively viral. A four-part documentary series peels apart the layers of ego, money, and backstabbing that led to the league’s demise. Watch how Eric Bischoff, a brazen young marketer, took over WCW and teamed up with Hulk Hogan to create the 1990s phenomenon in the opening segment.

ENTREPRENEUR • PRODUCER • PODCASTER • PERSONALITY

Birth Date: May 27, 1955

Age: 69 years old

Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan

Hulk Hogan

WRESTLER • ACTOR • PERSONALITY

Birth Name: Terry Gene Bollea

Birth Date: August 11, 1953

Age: 70 years old

Birth Place: Augusta, Georgia

Children: Brooke Hogan 

Hulk Hogan is without a doubt the most well-known figure to come out of World Wrestling Entertainment (previously known as the World Wrestling Federation). He was a professional wrestler for a long time, experiencing both incredible highs and dehumanizing lows. Even while the world of wrestling had traditionally been characterized by absolutes—a morality tale pitting good against evil—the real story was much more nuanced, with personal tragedies entwined in a complicated web of a billion-dollar industry. Despite his early career scandals, Hogan overcame them to become the most well-known professional wrestler globally and the face of the sport. This was not the case for many of his peers.

Hogan embraced the wave of Hulka mania, which saw his face and biceps flexed on everything from lunch pails to posters, with his signature red and yellow headband. This led to a career outside the ring with films like “Thunder in Paradise” (1995) and later his own reality series, “Hogan Knows Best” (VH1, 2005-07).

But later, when Hogan was involved in a string of scandals including infidelity, his son almost murdering a friend in a drunk driving accident, and a leaked sex tape, even Hulka mania started to show signs of weakness. Hogan overcame severe personal tragedies to continue having a prosperous career and solidify his status as the most well-known and adored figure in wrestling in popular culture.

Cyndi Lauper

SINGER • SONGWRITER • ACTRESS • ACTIVIST

Birth Name: Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper

Birth Date: June 22, 1953

Age: 70 years old

Birth Place: Queens, New York

Cyndi Lauper became a breakthrough celebrity in 1983 thanks to her catchy songs and eccentric flair, and she enjoyed sustained popularity for many years after. At thirty, Lauper was already somewhat of an established artist when her album She’s So Unusual became popular. Originally from Astoria, Queens, she attended college to study art and performed as a singer in several cover bands before joining Blue Angel, a group whose 1980 album was a lost classic of the new wave.

In 1983, she returned to the clubs and worked her way up to another record deal with CBS/Portrait. Written by new-waver Robert Hazard, who intended it to sound a bit harsher, the single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” became an instant hit. Other hits included “All Through the Night” and “She Bop,” the latter of which was probably the first to feature female masturbation. In addition to the album being multi-platinum and earning her two Grammy nominations (she won for Best New Artist in 1985), the support band, the Hooters, also had their own prosperous career. The title track of her follow-up album, True Colors, turned into a signature song despite being the album’s original modest hit.

Billy Porter

ACTOR • SINGER

Birth Date: September 21, 1969

Age: 54 years old

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Billy Porter, an American actor, and singer, rose to fame after playing lead parts in the Ryan Murphy-produced television series “Pose” (FX, 2018) and “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” (FX, 2018). Porter, who was reared in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has always desired to make a profession by entertaining others. When he was a teenager, he experienced performing live for the first time. Porter and his buddies, who called themselves “Flash,” would entertain people live at Kennywood Park, which is located not far from Pittsburgh. Porter emerged from the encounter elated. His only goal in life was to become a professional actor, so he continued his education by studying drama at Carnegie Mellon University, where he eventually received his BFA.

The lead roles Billy Porter, an American actor and singer, played in the television series “Pose” (FX, 2018) and “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” (FX, 2018), both produced by Ryan Murphy, elevated him to popularity. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Porter has always wanted to become a professional entertainer. He had his first live performance experience when he was a teenager. Porter and his friends, who went by the name “Flash,” would perform for the public at Kennywood Park, a neighborhood near Pittsburgh. Porter was overjoyed to leave the meeting. His dream was to work as a professional actor, so he pursued his studies at Carnegie Mellon University, where he eventually graduated with a BFA in drama.