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Yodel kid Mason Ramsey explains why he always sings at Walmart: 'That's the only store we've got'

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  • Yodel kid Mason Ramsey yodeled on NBC's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Tuesday.
  • He reprised his performance of Hank Williams Sr.'s "Lovesick Blues" and it was beautiful.
  • In an interview with DeGeneres, Ramsey — who is from the 700-person town of Golconda, Illinois — said he yodels at Walmart all the time because "it's the only store we've got."
  • He also jokes that his grandfather taught him to yodel, but his grandpa isn't very good at it himself.
  • DeGeneres booked Ramsey a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, a prestigious country music venue in Tennessee, on Saturday.
  • He'll also perform live at a Walmart in Harrisburg, Illinois on Wednesday.
  • Watch Ramsey's appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" below:

 

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Comedian TJ Miller was arrested on suspicion of calling in a fake bomb threat from an Amtrak train

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  • Former "Silicon Valley" actor TJ Miller has been arrested on suspicion of calling in a fake bomb threat to authorities from an Amtrak train.
  • Miller was taken into custody Monday night at LaGuardia Airport in New York City for what prosecutors say is "intentionally conveying to law enforcement false information about an explosive device on a train traveling to Connecticut."
  • Miller appeared before the US district judge in New Haven, Connecticut, on Tuesday, and was released on a $100,000 bond. 
  • His charge "carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years," according to the Justice Department.

The comedian and former "Silicon Valley" actor TJ Miller has been arrested on suspicion of calling in a fake bomb threat to authorities from an Amtrak train.

Miller was taken into custody Monday night at LaGuardia Airport in New York City for "intentionally conveying to law enforcement false information about an explosive device on a train traveling to Connecticut" on March 18, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut said in a statement

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

Miller appeared before the US district judge in New Haven, Connecticut, on Tuesday, and he was released on a $100,000 bond. 

His charge "carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years," the US attorney's office in Connecticut said.

The criminal complaint alleges that Miller called a 911 dispatcher and said a female passenger had "a bomb in her bag." According to the complaint, the responding officer is said to have detected that Miller was slurring his speech and asked if he had consumed alcohol. Miller replied that he had "one glass of red wine," the complaint said.

When asked if he suffered from mental illness, Miller allegedly replied, "No, absolutely not. This is the first time I’ve ever made a call like this before. I am worried for everyone on that train. Someone has to check that lady out." 

No evidence of an explosive device or materials were recovered from the train, according to the US attorney's office.

Miller left the hit HBO series "Silicon Valley" after the show's fourth season aired in 2017. He does not appear in the show's fifth season, which premiered last month. Miller said that he left the show to "have the time to develop animated features," after the release of his critically panned "The Emoji Movie," which he starred in in 2017.

This is not the first time Miller has run into legal trouble.

In March, Miller reached a settlement with a driver who accused him of physical assault in 2016, according to TMZ. Miller was arrested and released for the charge in December 2016, and his attorney told THR last year that the driver's complaint was part of "a plan to try and extort money" from the actor.

In December 2017, allegations that Miller sexually assaulted a woman in college resurfaced in a report from The Daily Beast. Miller and his wife denied the allegations in a joint statement to the outlet.

Miller's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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'The Simpsons' brushed off people who say one of its characters has been racist for decades — and now critics are calling it out

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  • Hank Azaria has provided the voice for Apu on "The Simpsons" for decades.
  • It's been under criticism as a racist caricature.
  • On Sunday's episode, the show appeared to brush off the criticism instead of engaging with it.
  • Critics are calling that response insensitive and lazy.
  • It doesn't help that Azaria and "Simpsons" writers appear to know the character can be seen as offensive, and keep it up anyway.


As more people pay attention to diversity on TV, there's been a growing chorus of voices calling out a character who's been a mainstay on "The Simpsons" for decades: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

On the show, Apu is a convenience store owner with a thick yet vague South Asian accent. Ever since he was introduced as a character in 1990, he's been voiced by Hank Azaria, who is white.

To critics, he's a racist caricature who has perpetuated stereotypes about people who come from India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries, and who should be handled with more care than he has in the past three decades.

"The Simpsons" finally addressed the Apu controversy on an episode Sunday night. It didn't go well.

"The Simpsons" brushed it all off.

On Sunday night's episode, titled "No Good Read Goes Unpunished," there's a scene where Marge Simpson gets frustrated while reading Lisa a children's book that's been sanitized of unsavory details. Lisa responds with uncertainty, at first.

Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now suddenly politically incorrect," Lisa says while looking directly at the viewer. "What can you do?"

Then Lisa looks at a photo of Apu on her bedside with the phrase "Don't have a cow" scrawled onto it.

"Some things will be dealt with at a later date," Marge responds.

"If at all," Lisa says in response.

A representative for Fox, which produces "The Simpsons," declined to answer questions about the depiction of "Apu" on the show.

"The producers of 'The Simpsons' are declining comment and prefer to let the episode speak for itself," the representative told INSIDER.

Critics say it's an irresponsible way to handle the show's racism.

To critics of Apu's depiction on "The Simpsons," the way the show addressed it Sunday night was unacceptable.

Apu has been a reference point used to advance racism in pop culture for decades. Actors like Kal Penn and Kumail Nanjiani say they have been asked to "do an Apu accent" in auditions.

And in his 2017 documentary "The Problem With Apu," the comedian and "Simpsons" fan Hari Kondabolu sees Azaria's depiction as little more than "a white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father."

"We just were underrepresented,"the actor Utkarsh Ambudkar said in the documentary. "We didn't have any other representation in this country. That creates a problem when the most popular show on television is showing mainstream America what an Indian is."

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To perpetuate that stereotype remains damaging, as Josh Rivera wrote in GQ.

"To hand-wave away the lived pain and racism that others have experienced in this manner is to trade a considerable portion of your legacy just to maintain an air of smug superiority that isn't worth it," Rivera wrote. "These people aren't making this s--- up, man. I've been called 'Apu' based solely on my appearance, and I'm not even remotely South Asian."

Sunday night's episode not only waved that all away, critics say, but possibly poked further by using the phrase "Don't have a cow," which could be a glib reference to Apu's Hinduism.

After the episode aired, Kondabolu called it out.

Critics also accuse the show's creators of laziness.

Many fans are also upset by what they see as the "Simpsons" creators — like Matt Groening, who co-wrote Sunday night's episode — dodging the issue.

In the past, "The Simpsons" has been a fearless critic of social issues like racism and homophobia in culture at large.

But when it comes to itself, the show's creators brushed off the criticism and used Lisa, the show's moral center, to do it.

Furthermore, Apu is an ongoing concern, not some relic of the show from previous episodes.

There doesn't seem to be a movement asking the writers of "The Simpsons" to kill off Apu or change the series entirely. But the show, Linda Holmes wrote for NPR, needs to reckon with its past and address affection for art with its own moral principles.

"Apu is not the central character of 'The Simpsons,' and it's absurd to suggest that the fabric of the show will be unwound if he doesn't continue to be the same caricature he is," Holmes wrote. "His existence at the periphery — his very flatness, and his definition as a bag of signifiers meant to scream 'INDIAN!' is integral to what it means to write a racist stereotype. It's galling that writers will force a character to exist as funny scenery and then complain that they cannot change him without upsetting the emotional arc of the series."

"The Simpsons" showrunner appeared to be dismissive on Twitter.

Some people also noticed that "Simpsons" showrunner Al Jean appeared to endorse his depiction of Apu on Twitter when the episode aired.

On Sunday night, he appeared to predict that the episode would ruffle some feathers. He later retweeted someone who said that Apu's critics "just want to cry about everything nowadays."

There are conflicting stories about Apu's creation.

Making things more complicated is that, over the years, different stories have emerged about how Apu came to be the character he is.

In a 2007 interview, Azaria said producers wanted Apu to be an offensive Indian stereotype.

"Right away, they were like, 'Can you do an Indian voice? And how offensive can you make it?'" Azaria said. "I said, 'It's not tremendously accurate. It's a little bit of a stereotype.' And they were like, 'It's OK.'"

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But in 2016, writer and producer Mike Reiss had a different story. He said that in the script where Apu's character is first introduced, he wrote specifically that the character shouldn't be Indian.

"I wrote in the script, 'He is not an Indian,' because that is a comedy cliché," Reiss said.

But Azaria used the fake Indian accent anyway for the line.

"And suddenly, Apu was Indian," Reiss said.

Azaria knows the character can be offensive, but he does it anyway.

In a separate interview, published by the Archive of American Television in 2015, Azaria said he bases the portrayal on a clerk at a 7-Eleven store he disliked.

He also said he bases it on Peter Sellers' portrayal of an Indian character in the 1968 movie "The Party." In the movie, Sellers, who is white, wears brown makeup and adopts a thick Indian accent. Azaria called it one of his favorite performances ever.

"I've since learned that a lot of Southern Asian people, a lot of Indian people, found that Peter Sellers portrayal offensive," he said. "Sometimes over the years, I've gotten some flack for Apu. Which I understand."

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In 2013, Azaria told The Huffington Post that he had mixed feelings about the character.

"I really do love the character and do try to do right by him accent-wise and character-wise, and that goes for all the characters I do," he said. "But I do understand why people could have been offended or upset, and I'm sorry for that."

A representative for Azaria didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's requests for comment.

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Shari Redstone is reportedly 'likely' to fire Les Moonves as head of CBS if the Viacom merger falls through

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  • Shari Redstone is likely to fire Leslie Moonves as the head of CBS if a merger between CBS and Viacom falls through, CNBC reports.
  • CBS is expected to make a new offer for the purchase of Viacom, but the bid is expected to be an insufficient price for Viacom, sources told CNBC. 
  • The Hollywood Reporter reported Wednesday that CBS' potential merger with Viacom's struggling assets is "repellent to Moonves."
  • "The industry and the marketplace know Leslie Moonves’ record and we think it speaks for itself," a CBS representative said in a statement to Business Insider. 

Shari Redstone, whose company National Amusements controls CBS and Viacom, is likely to fire Leslie Moonves as the head of CBS if a merger between CBS and Viacom falls through, CNBC reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the situation. 

CBS is soon expected to make a new offer for the purchase of Viacom, but the network's bid is expected to be an insufficient price on Viacom's side of the deal, sources told CNBC.

CBS originally made a "lowball offer" of about $11.9 billion for Viacom (below market value), which was countered by Viacom with an offer of about $14.7 billion, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In a profile of the embattled potential merger on Wednesday, THR reported that Viacom's struggling assets like MTV and Nickelodeon have made a merger plan "repellent to Moonves." CBS and Viacom were previously part of the same company from 2000 to 2006, under the ownership of National Amusements, before Viacom spun-off as a separate company in 2006.

Shari Redstone has reportedly been pushing for the merger and is "widely seen as intent on taking a hand in the running of the combined companies," according to THR. She is in the driver's seat at National Amusements because of the declining health of her 94-year-old father, mogul Sumner Redstone. The elder Redstone's health, The Wall Street Journal reported last week, had "declined so significantly that he cannot speak much beyond grunts."

CNBC reported that one roadblock to the CBS-Viacom merger deal has been a disagreement over the potential management team of the combined company. Moonves reportedly favors Joe Ianniello, COO of CBS, as his potential key lieutenant in the new company, while Redstone wants Bob Bakish, the current CEO of Viacom, as the company's second-in-command.

Sources told CNBC that Redstone is also expected to replace the CBS board if a merger isn't reached between the two companies. Moonves was believed to have previously agreed with Redstone to run the combined company for at least two years, according to CNBC. 

"The industry and the marketplace know Leslie Moonves’ record and we think it speaks for itself," a CBS representative said in a statement to Business Insider.

Viacom and National Amusements were not immediately available for comment to Business Insider.

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'Roseanne' finally addresses a big character's death with a tribute on an emotional episode

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Tuesday's "Roseanne,""Eggs Over, Not Easy."

In its first two weeks, the "Roseanne" revival didn't do a lot to address one of the show's lingering questions: How will the show explain the absence of Mark?

Glenn Quinn, who played Becky's boyfriend, and eventual husband, Mark for seven seasons on the ABC sitcom died in 2002 as the result of an accidental heroin overdose.

There was a minor mention of Mark's death on the season premiere, and Darlene's son is named after Becky's late husband. You can also spot a photo of Mark on a table behind the Conner couch in each episode. 

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It seemed like that might be the extent of the show's reference to Quinn, but that changed on Tuesday's episode with a tribute to the late actor at the episode's end.

Last chance to head back before spoilers. 

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"Eggs Over, Not Easy," centered around Becky as she continued her journey to be a surrogate for a woman named Andrea (played by Sarah Chalke, aka the original series' second Becky). She was hoping to use the $50,000 to buy a house with a yard for a new pup.

Her dreams came to a halt when she was told late on the episode there was a good chance she could never have children.

The 43-year-old Becky tries to take the news positively. But during a conversation with her younger sister Darlene near the episode's end, the eldest Conner child reveals she and Mark were planning to have their own kids one day.

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"My life wasn't supposed to turn out like this," Becky tells her sister. "Mark and I were gonna have kids... We were trying, like all the time."

A teary-eyed Darlene, who is usually bickering with her sister most of the time, is completely shocked and says she assumed Becky never wanted to have kids because she never had any. 

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But that wasn't the case. 

"No, I just never met anyone after who I wanted to have them with," she revealed. "I just never met anybody as good. I have high standards."

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It was a heartbreaking reveal, and one that made Quinn's absence on the show more real.

The episode then ended with a fade to black and a tribute to the actor. You can’t see it if you try and watch the episode on Hulu, but it was captured and shared on Twitter as the episode aired.

Viewers still don't know when or how Mark's character died, but that may be a story the "Roseanne" writers are waiting to reveal on a future episode. 

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The 24 best TV couples of all time

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead if you haven't seen some of the following shows.

No matter what genre of television you're into, most of us can think of couples on TV we've looked up to throughout our lives, or couples who inspire us in our own relationships.

From comedies to dramas, mysteries to sitcoms, the heart-warming romance is endless.

Here are 24 of the best TV couples to date — in no particular order.

Randall and Beth Pearson from "This Is Us"

Randall and Beth Pearson met in college, and they immediately hit it off, with Randall doing everything he can to seem cool, rather than acting like the nerd we know and love. They get married, have two girls, and overall their family is stable and thriving.

They're close-knit and they stick together, even when the unexpected happens — from navigating their complicated relationship with Randall's birth father to deciding to ultimately become foster parents. Together, they handle everything life throws at them.

They are a great example of a healthy relationship.



Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd from "Grey's Anatomy"

What started off as a one night stand with the dreamboat she'd soon find out was one of her bosses turns out be the ultimate love story. Meredith and Derek make the whole working together and being together thing work (for the most part). It's impossible not to root for them.

Their on-and-off again relationship is filled with so much passion, and even though they occasionally venture from one another to pursue other relationships, they ultimately end up together.

I think we'll always wonder, what if? What if Derek hadn't died and they were still in love, saving lives, and raising Zola, Bailey, and Ellis while growing old together in the house Derek built for Meredith?



Stef and Lena Foster from "The Fosters"

Stef, a police officer, and Lena, a principal, had a rocky start to their relationship. They met when Stef was still married to her husband, and not out. Eventually, Stef divorced her husband to be with Lena. They build a large family together, with both biological and adopted children, and with their large family comes lots of drama.

Together, they deal with everything: losing jobs, their kids getting arrested, cancer, the death of a parent, and more. They push through it all, always coming out stronger than ever.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 actors who got their big break on 'The Walking Dead'

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On its eight seasons, "The Walking Dead" has had some big gets from Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the show's latest villain to a surprise appearance from Jayne Atkinson on a recent episode. The AMC drama is also known for casting many actors from "The Wire," because it's a favorite of creator Robert Kirkman.

But a lot of actors who have appeared in the zombie apocalypse have gone on to larger projects and movies. Some have even landed their own TV shows.

Keep reading to see which "Walking Dead" stars received their big break on the AMC show.

Steven Yeun had a minor appearance on "The Big Bang Theory" before he landed the role as pizza delivery boy Glenn in the zombie apocalypse.

Glenn saved Rick Grimes from a certain death and became one his core allies for six seasons until he was brutally killed off the show.



Since then, Yeun has taken his talents to Netflix, voicing characters in movies and animated shows.

Yeun voices characters on Netflix's "Voltron,""Trollhunters," and "Stretch Armstrong & the Flex Fighters." You can also catch him in the movie "Okja" and last year's thriller, "Mayhem."



Chandler Riggs grew up on the show over the course of eight seasons.

Carl went from the curious kid who refused to stay indoors during the zombie apocalypse to a selfless leader whose last words will hopefully help in ending the war.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Neil Patrick Harris paid $173,000 for a piece of Disneyland — and revealed the famous people he outbid for it

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  • Neil Patrick Harris appeared on CBS' "The Late Late Show" on Wednesday and talked about his obsession with Disneyland.
  • When asked about the most ridiculous thing he ever spent money on, the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" star said engaged in a bidding war in order to get an original piece of the Haunted Mansion. 
  • Harris admitted that he paid "way too much" for the piece —$172,500 — but he didn't mind because that's how much he wanted one of the original stretching portraits. 
  • He later found out that Chris Hardwick was also bidding for the same item, but gave up because "it was getting crazy expensive."  
  • Harris also discovered that he was bidding against one of the wealthiest people in the world, and played coy about the identity of the person.
  • He implied that he outbid Amazon's Jeff Bezos
  • "I don't want to say his name because I still want free two-day Prime shipping when boxes come to my house," Harris joked.
  • Watch the video below. 

 

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The 20 most popular TV shows of 2018 so far

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There is no shortage of TV to choose from these days, whether it's catching up on the best shows of all time or the newest Netflix originals you might have missed

To learn what shows really have people buzzing in 2018 so far, INSIDER worked with Parrot Analytics, which compiles available global data on social media, blogging, pirating, and other factors to figure out the viewer demand for shows.

Parrot assigned each series an "expressions" total that reflects average daily audience demand from all countries from January 1 to March 31, 2018 (adjusted for each country's population).

Keep scrolling to see the 20 most popular TV shows of the year so far.

20. "Peaky Blinders" (BBC)

Average Demand Expressions: 4.04 million

This gritty drama tells the story of a crime boss navigating Birmingham, England, in the years following World War I.

The first four seasons of "Peaky Blinders" have become a hit with US audiences after moving to Netflix. A fifth season is expected from BBC sometime in 2019. 



19. "The Blacklist" (NBC)

Average Demand Expressions: 4.06 million

James Spader and Megan Boone star in this mystery-driven thriller series about a high-profile criminal and an FBI agent drawn into a dangerous world of intrigue.

This NBC drama is currently airing its fifth season, scheduled to conclude in May 2018. 



18. "The Grand Tour" (Amazon)

Average Demand Expressions: 4.10 million

After a dramatic departure from BBC's "Top Gear," Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May found a new home (and new name) for their car series. 

The first two seasons of "The Grand Tour" are streaming on Amazon Prime now. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

CBS CEO Les Moonves could make up to $280 million if Shari Redstone fires him over embattled CBS-Viacom merger

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  • CBS CEO Leslie Moonves could reportedly make up to $280 million if he is fired over an embattled potential merger between CBS and Viacom, Bloomberg reported.
  • CNBC reported on Wednesday that Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, was "likely" to remove Moonves as the head of CBS if merger negotiations between CBS and Viacom fell through. 
  • Moonves' contract entitles him to $150 million if he is fired before its expiration in 2021, Bloomberg reported.
  • But his payout figure could reportedly balloon to $280 million when taking into account CBS' stock and potential performance over the next few years.

CBS CEO Leslie Moonves could make up to $280 million if Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom through her company National Amusements, fires him over the embattled potential merger between the two TV companies, according to a Bloomberg report.

CNBC reported on Wednesday that Redstone was "likely" to remove Moonves as the CEO of CBS if merger negotiations between CBS and Viacom fell through, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Moonves' contract entitles him to $150 million if he is fired before his contract expires in June 2021, Bloomberg reported. But his payout figure could reach up to $280 million when taking into account CBS' stock and potential performance over the next few years, according to Bloomberg.

CBS is expected to make a new offer for the purchase of Viacom, but the network's bid is expected to be an insufficient price on Viacom's side of the deal, CNBC reported Wednesday.

CBS originally made a "lowball offer" of about $11.9 billion for Viacom (below market value), which was countered by Viacom with an offer of about $14.7 billion, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In a recent profile of the embattled potential merger, THR reported that Viacom's struggling assets like MTV and Nickelodeon have made a merger plan "repellent to Moonves." CBS and Viacom were previously part of the same company from 2000 to 2006, under the ownership of National Amusements, before Viacom spun-off as a separate company in 2006.

Redstone is expected to not only replace Moonves but the entire CBS board if a merger isn't reached between the two companies, according to CNBC. But Bloomberg's report would suggest that Moonves' massive payout could throw a kink into that plan. 

In a statement to Business Insider on Wednesday, a CBS representative touted Moonves' track record, which is well-regarded by shareholders and the industry. "The industry and the marketplace know Leslie Moonves' record and we think it speaks for itself," the CBS representative said.

SEE ALSO: Shari Redstone is reportedly 'likely' to fire Les Moonves as CEO of CBS if the Viacom merger falls through

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The artist behind the 'Dawson's Creek' theme song is really bitter over the whole thing

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  • The "Dawson's Creek" original theme song was "I Don't Want to Wait" by Paula Cole.
  • The song was a smash hit and is iconic.
  • The theme has been replaced on the DVD release and on streaming services.
  • Cole spoke with HuffPost about the song's legacy and her "bittersweet" feelings about its success. 


Iconic theme songs help make a series, and "Dawson's Creek" is no exception.

Paula Cole's "I Don't Want to Wait" played over the series' intro throughout its six seasons, setting the tone for the teen drama and becoming ingrained in fans' minds. But in a new interview with HuffPost, the Grammy Award-winning artist feels "bittersweet" about the song's success. 

"The idea that people only know who I am as an artist because 'I Don't Want to Wait' was used as the 'Dawson's Creek' theme song bothers me because I care so much about leaving a great body of work," she said. "And, not only do I have to deal with that association — with my name being both married to and usurped by the success of that show — but, even worse, I'm now being erased from the association with 'Dawson's Creek' due to (what feels to me like) corporate greed."

Her hit song has been replaced by another song by singer Jann Arden in both the DVD release of the series and on streaming services. The exclusion of her original theme was a surprise to Cole who said an executive at Sony Pictures just "wanted to save money" instead of keeping the original song for "artistic integrity or continuity for a beloved show."

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Cole doesn't blame Arden for selling her song to the studio years ago, but she does feel anger towards corporations who may take advantage of musicians.

"All in all, everything that's happening right now is definitely bittersweet for me," she said. "It hits that painful chord — they stopped using my song and at this point, part of me would like for them to use my song again because there's caché to having your song used on a TV show.

She said she initially received "backlash" for letting the studio use her song when the show was first released. But she says now people think it's a good thing to have a song play as the theme for a show. The artist added that she'd let the studio use her song if they were willing to negotiate with her and pay her for the rights. Ultimately though, Cole said she doesn't regret the song being used as the theme.

"The money I received at the time helped me to raise my daughter during the years she was suffering from severe asthma," she said. "I couldn't work then — I had to be at home with her helping her breathe — so, having a show on television afforded me that time with her and she's here and healthy today ... I'm grateful for that."

She added that she's also grateful for the fans that have stuck with her throughout her career and hopes to move forward. 

"If I can't have 'I Don't Want to Wait' be part of the show anymore and Jann's song remains the one associated with 'Dawson's Creek' from here on out, then I will just make peace with that part of my life, and maybe I can finally be free. ... My real fans know me for the content of my catalog ... I continually perform live concerts and I'm here making meaningful music. That to me is the path — that's my truth."

A representative for Sony Pictures Television didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment.

Read her full conversation about the song's inspiration and her career with HuffPost here

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How realistic fake foods are made for TV and movies

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Movies and TV shows tend to use real food when they can, but there are a number of times when they need something fake. We spoke with two fake food artists who specialize in making custom, inedible treats for restaurants, trade shows, and Hollywood.  Here's how fake food props are made to look so delicious. Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: Is this food making you hungry? Well, don't try to take a bite because these delicious looking foods are actually fake. TV shows and movies will try to use real foods on screen when possible, but there a number of reasons why food props might be used instead. For example, if ice cream is used, they don't want it to melt between takes, or if you need a lot of food in the background of a shot.

Companies like Independent Studio Services and Display Fake Foods offer pre-made food props that can be ordered in bulk. But often times, movies need items specially made. That's when they seek out a fake food artist, like Lisa Friedman.

Lisa Friedman: For people who need something specific, that's why they reach out to me. I'm an artist. I went to school for art and I also love to cook and bake. There's not a lot of us out there that do this.

Narrator: Brenda Chapman also makes fake foods in Oklahoma.

Brenda Chapman: I just kind of figure it out. I've had no formal training, didn't go to college. I started this just so I could be a stay-at-home mom with my kids.

Narrator: Both women work out of studios in their homes. They can recreate pretty much anything. Much of their day-to-day business is in restaurant displays and food shows. But prop masters will contact them if they need food items for movies.

Brenda Chapman: In the last 20 years, I've done almost 3 million dollars worth of fake food business.

Narrator: Brenda has had her work featured in a number of productions. For Glee, she made some ice cream for this diner scene.

Brenda Chapman: In their diner scene, they wanted milkshakes and hot fudge sundaes and banana splits that were new, half-eaten, quarter-eaten so that they could switch them out during the takes.

Narrator: She says you don't always know where your food will end up. Like when some of her items popped up in the Muppets. - When Miss Piggy eats my doughnuts, I didn't realize they had bought my doughnuts. - Pardon moi, Mademoiselle Cochonne? - Can't you see I'm busy! - [Receptionist] Of course.

Narrator: And sometimes your food doesn't even make the final cut.

Brenda Chapman: Thor, the movie, actually bought like $500 worth of doughnuts, and they had a building that said Donut Shop or Donut Land, they never went inside, so I didn't get to see my doughnuts. I was very sad.

Narrator: Here's a creamsicle Lisa Friedman made that was featured in a scene from Kevin Saves the World.

"The coldest thing they have.""Oh, thank you."

Lisa Friedman: I guess, his eye was swollen, he got hit in it.

Narrator: While the details may vary based on the artist, the creation process is pretty standard. We stopped by Lisa Friedman's home in New York to see how she makes her fake foods. After the order is submitted, typically the customer will send her a real version of they want duplicated. Then she will produce a mold out of the item to get the exact size and shape.

Lisa Friedman: We try to mold it close to the color, so that we're not starting with a blank white canvas.

Narrator: Typically fake foods are made with rubber or foam. She pours the material into the mold and lets it set. Foam rises like actual dough, so she needs to prevent it from spilling out.

Lisa Friedman: It's like I'm baking a cake, right? I'm baking my bread.

Narrator: Then she sands the excess pieces down. Once the item is dry, it's painted and detailed to look like real food.

Lisa Friedman: With my background in painting, I can color it to be as realistic as it is.

Brenda Chapman: You just kind of have to look at things a little differently, um, and think, okay, it's not made for this but it does look like this. We use a lot of Styrofoams, a lot of stuff from the local hardware store, you know, caulking, and drywall patching, and sheetrock mud.

Narrator: To replicate granola and ground beef, Lisa uses crushed cork board.

Lisa Friedman: Cork is kind of breaks up like granola, so we took some cork boards and we started breaking it down.

Narrator: Sometimes real food is used. Like covering actual popcorn, cereal, or candy in resin to preserve it. It's often hard to tell the finished product from the original.

Lisa Friedman: I don't do this for the money. It's more for the accolades, when my customers write, oh, I love it, it came out great.

Narrator: And while these items might make your mouth water, they're only a feast for your eyes.

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11 great shows you should watch if you love 'The Walking Dead'

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AMC's "The Walking Dead" is wrapping up season eight. And if you're looking for something to watch as you wait for more of Richonne, Negan's ego-boosting monologues, and Daryl grunting, we have you covered. 

Whether you're looking for a bit of horror, action, or just want another show about the undead, INSIDER has put together the ultimate list of new and old shows to keep you busy through the show's return this fall. The list consists of shows I watch, serious fellow "Walking Dead" fans view, and data from TV tracking app TV Time about shows fans are likely to watch.

While you anxiously await Rick and the gang to return, here's what you should watch in the meantime.

1. "Fear the Walking Dead" (AMC)

What it's about: It's "The Walking Dead" spin-off you either already watch or chose to ignore entering its fourth season. It follows an entirely different group of people in a different location.

Do I need to watch "The Walking Dead" to start watching this? If you're just joining the show during it's fourth season, no! The first two episodes feel like an entire new series. Having some background is nice, but you won't be lost.

Why to watch: If you've been invested in "The Walking Dead," you'll want to tune into the first episode of "Fear's" fourth season. It's completely centered around Lennie James' Morgan who is leaving "TWD" for the spin-off. 

Also, Colman Domingo who plays Victor Strand may become one of your new favorite TV crushes. 

Where to watch: Hulu



2. "Game of Thrones" (HBO)

What it's about: Jon Snow! Sex! Dragons! The many houses of Westeros fight for control of the Iron Throne, but eventually need to align for survival against an army of the undead.

Why to watch: The zombies on "The Walking Dead" seem tame compared to the vicious wights and white walkers of HBO's hit. If you haven't read the books and have been lucky enough to avoid spoilers, the season one finale will wreck you. 

Even "The Walking Dead" cast and crew love to watch "Game of Thrones." Jeffrey Dean Morgan has shared fan art mashing the two shows together with his showmance Norman Reedus. Executive producer and makeup supervisor Greg Nicotero told INSIDER he's a big fan of how the undead look on the show.

Where to watch: HBO Go 

 



3. "The 100" (The CW)

What it's about: Years after civilization on Earth is destroyed, mankind is living out their days in space. When resources start to become scarce, 100 prisoners are sent back to Earth to see if its livable. It turns out, not everyone actually perished after the nuclear apocalypse and that's where things start to get interesting.

Why to watch: I can't tell you how many times fellow "Walking Dead" fans have told me to watch this show. At this point, I'm just convinced this is a staple watch of "The Walking Dead" family because it's also about a group of people trying to survive after the end of the world.

If you were a big fan of "Lost," the show stars Henry Ian Cusick who played fan favorite Desmond on the ABC series. 

Where to watch: Netflix



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REVIEW: 'Westworld' fans will love the violent delights and new mysteries offered up on season 2

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Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for the second season of "Westworld." 

The premiere season of HBO's sci-fi/western thriller "Westworld" captivated millions with its mystery box narratives and compelling characters, but there was legitimate concern about the magic staying alive for a second round. 

After reviewing the first five episodes of the second season, I believe fans should trust co-creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy with this ambitious story more than ever. 

"Westworld" returns after the dramatic first season finale that brought about the death of Anthony Hopkins' character, Dr. Robert Ford, and the start of a robot/host revolution in the park. The story moves forward quickly in what's already become the show's predictably unpredictable fashion. 

Why you should care: "Westworld" is one of HBO's best original series. 

As HBO looks to fill in the gaping chasm "Game of Thrones" will leave behind in 2019, "Westworld" remains a strong contender. The high production value and incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera carries the second season into a strong start. 

Evan Rachel Wood_James Marsden_photo by John P Johnson HBO

Composer Ramin Djawadi's score continues to build on itself with ominous musical cues (and yes, more piano pop song covers). The costuming and set design are on also on par with the best of peak TV.

What's hot: The world-building and character arcs are on point.

One of my favorite things about the first season's narrative arc was how the story zoomed out more and more with each episode. Starting with the day-to-day activities of the park itself, we slowly learned more about the Delos facility and how all of the human and host characters function as entertainment and employees. 

The second season furthers this practice in an even more intriguing way. Now that several hosts — like Dolores and Bernard — are fully conscious, they have complete access to all of their memories. But the hosts' memory doesn't work in the same way as it does with mere humans. 

Dolores white dress Westworld Season 2 photos 11

The hosts' memories are nearly impossible to differentiate from something happening to them in the present. This is woven carefully into episodes by serving to confuse some hosts into not knowing where or "when" they are.

But more importantly, it allows "Westworld" to give the audience more flashbacks and background on human characters you know from the first season. We won't give much here, but if you were disappointed with the fast-forward montage showing Williams' transformation into the Man in Black, I promise there are many scenes in the second season that make up for it. 

Another stand-out part of the first half of season two is both Maeve and Bernard's journeys. We pick up with Maeve seeking out her host-daughter, and she finds several familiar faces along the way. This crew eventually lands in Shogun World, where one sequence had me positively giddy once I figured out what Nolan and Joy were doing. 

Maeve Westworld Season 2 photos 15

Evan Rachel Wood and Jeffery Wright's performances as Dolores and Bernard continue to astound me. They flash so quickly from one iteration of their physical selves into another. Whether it's the rancher's daughter or Arnold or Wyatt or Bernard experiencing serious cognitive dissonance, both actors excel in their roles. 

What's not: Not enough piano covers or Louis Herthum (so far)

With the first five episodes, I'd be nit-picking to find things I truly disliked. If you were hoping for a new piano cover each episode, though, you'll be let down. The Mariposa Saloon (and therefore the player-piano) don't feature much, which means Djawadi and the team have fewer excuses to put a new song in. 

Dolores and Peter Abernathy Westworld

And Louis Herthum, whose brief scenes on the first season as Peter Abernathy were fantastic, has also been underutilized during the front half of the second season. Fingers crossed we get more of him in the hours yet unseen. 

The Bottom Line: If you loved the first season, you'll be happy with the new story

Though the second season has fewer mysteries for people to unpack, there is plenty of detail and foreshadowing and lore packed into each episode to satiate the fan-theorists out there.

And if you were someone more content with just watching the various characters play out their coding (or break out of it), you'll also find more delights waiting ahead.

The second season of "Westworld" premieres Sunday, April 22, on HBO at 9 p.m. EST.

Grade: A

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All your favorite Netflix original shows that have been renewed for another season

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Netflix has begun to cancel shows, but that doesn't mean it's getting rid of your favorites.

39 Netflix original series will be returning with new seasons in the near future.

Only a handful of the series have official release dates, including the premieres of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "Marvel's Luke Cage."

This week, the streaming service announced the renewal of another critically acclaimed Marvel series, "Jessica Jones," along with a second season of its recent sitcom "Alexa & Katie."

Other hit Netflix shows that have been renewed by the streaming service, like "Stranger Things" and "Black Mirror," are either in production or awaiting release.

For this list, we have included only renewed Netflix series that are yet to air, and we've included official release dates if applicable. We've excluded children's shows and reality series.

Here are the 39 Netflix original series that are coming back for another season:

SEE ALSO: All 54 of Netflix's notable original shows, ranked from worst to best

"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (Season 4) — Premieres May 30



"Marvel's Luke Cage" (Season 2) — Premieres June 22



"Orange Is the New Black" (Seasons 6 and 7)

Date renewed: February 5, 2016



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11 iconic TV and movie moments that were unplanned

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Despite their best efforts, most actors' unscripted moments don't make the final cut on either the big screen or the small screen. Still, once in a while, an improvised line, ad-libbed response, physical fumble, or surprising reaction can capture a character or story line's essence in a powerful way that written lines cannot.

It is in these slip-ups, brilliant recoveries, and wacky improvisations that many actors reveal the true depth of their talents and the unwavering commitments they have to their characters. These unscripted moments have also brought us some of pop culture's most enduring quotes, episodes, and scenes.

Here are 11 of the most memorable on-screen moments that were, apparently, totally off-the-cuff.

Chris Pratt's Internet skills on "Parks and Recreation."

Chris Pratt embraced his character Andy Dwyer so fully on "Parks and Recreation" that he ad-libbed one of the show's funniest lines. When Leslie has the flu in the episode "Flu Season," Andy shouts from his desk: "Leslie, I typed your symptoms into the thing up here and it says you could have network connectivity problems!"

"He has the best improvisation in a cast full of world-class improvisers," co-creator Michael Shur told AV Club of the quote. "He's so present and in the moment and fully fluent in his character that he can make up perfectly formulated jokes like that on the spot, and it's incredible. He's improved every episode he's ever been in."



Steve Carell's surprise kiss on "The Office."

Oscar's shocked response when Michael Scott kisses him on the lips during a meeting in "Gay Witch Hunt" is totally authentic.

"He wasn't supposed to kiss me, we were just supposed to hug," actor Oscar Nuñez told AV Club. "And that particular take he came in really close, and I'm like, ‘Where is he going with this?' And then I'm just thinking, ‘Oh God, nobody laugh so we can use it.'"

Thankfully, and perhaps miraculously, no one did.



The jewelry box joke in "Pretty Woman."

One of the most delightful scenes in "Pretty Woman" features Richard Gere snapping a jewelry box shut just as Julia Roberts reaches out to touch it. Roberts responds by throwing her head back and laughing — and, as it turns out, the genuine, delighted laugh was a response to Gere's improvisation.

"She laughed so honestly that we left it in the picture," director Garry Marshall said in a conversation with The American Film Institute.

 



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Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde's son is going through a Michael Jackson phase — and there's an adorable video to prove it

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  • Jason Sudeikis appeared on NBC's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Friday and shared details about he and Olivia Wilde's children.
  • Sudeikis said that his nearly four-year-old son, Otis, is going through a Michael Jackson phase "that's fantastic because you both get great tunes and also amazing videos."
  • According to Sudeikis, he's obsessed with watching Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson's music video for "Scream."
  • He's only seen the approximately video four times, but he "listens to the song all the time" and does the choreography. 
  • Watch him nail the dance moves in the video below.

 

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A 20-year-old star makes $65,000 for each Instagram post and bought a mansion with her earnings

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Bella Thorne

  • Bella Thorne says she makes up to $65,000 for an Instagram post and up to $20,000 for a story on Instagram or Snapchat.
  • She says the revenue allowed her to buy a mansion.
  • Thorne treats Instagram as a full-time job, analyzing data about which posts perform well.
  • She's also starred in movies and TV shows.

 

Bella Thorne makes so much money as an Instagram star that she bought a mansion.

The "Midnight Sun" star said in the documentary "Inside the Life of Bella Thorne," produced by Vogue, that she makes up to $65,000 for each promotional post on Instagram, and additional revenue for posts on Snapchat.

"For [an Instagram] grid posting, it’s 65 grand a post," Thorne said. "For story posting, it’s anywhere from 10 to 20K, and for Snapchat, it’s the same as Insta story."

Thorne says revenue from her social media posts allowed her to buy a mansion, where the documentary was filmed. She's filled it with fun knickknacks like big pillows with cats on them and a life-sized model of The Babadook.

Thorne makes sure her following grows by instinct and by studying data about which kinds of Instagram posts accrue the most likes.

"Instagram is 100% a job to me," Thorne said. "I started with literally $200 in my bank account and I bought this house after a year and a half. That's all from social media."

Social media isn't her only source of revenue. Thorne has also been an actress and a model since she was a child. She had a role on HBO's "Big Love" starting in 2010, was in the Disney Channel series "Shake It Up," and is currently in Freeform's "Famous in Love."

You can watch "Inside the Life of Bella Thorne" below:

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'The Walking Dead' season finale hints that a long-time character may take a villainous path and fans aren't sure what to think

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for AMC's "The Walking Dead" season eight finale, "Wrath."

Sunday's "The Walking Dead" finale put a neat bow on most of its storylines to start its ninth season anew.

Somehow the end of a story arc called "All Out War" in the comics ended without a single large character losing their life. Instead, Rick wounded Negan within a few inches of his life only to make him a prisoner back at his home base of Alexandria.

Not everyone was thrilled with Rick's decision to keep Negan alive. Maggie screamed the war wasn't over until Negan was dead. Rick's response? Sorry, Maggie, but they have to be better than that. (What a time for Rick's morals to kick in after slaughtering dozens of Saviors days prior.)

If you thought Maggie was going to come around by the episode's end, you were sorely mistaken. Instead, the show teased the Hilltop leader plotting with Jesus and Rick's brother-in-arms Daryl against Rick and Michonne.

"Rick was right about not killing all the Saviors," a calm and collected Maggie tells Jesus. "He was. Not about Negan."

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When Jesus asks her what they need to do, she lays out a plan for building up their community to defend themselves before turning toward what to do about the Negan problem.

"Rick and Michonne, Rick was wrong to do what he did. Michonne, too," Maggie decides. "So we're going to bite our tongue, wait for our moment, and then we're gonna show him."

Daryl then joined out of the shadows to add an unexpected, "Yeah, we will."

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Are the trio Rick's next big threat? 

Fans were understandably confused and unsure of what to make of Maggie's dark monologue. Is #TeamFamily breaking up?

Others simply refused to buy it.

Is Maggie really going to lead a coup against Rick?

maggie walking dead

It seems unlikely given how long these people have known each other. They just really want Negan dead, not Rick. Still, when former showrunner Scott M. Gimple was asked on "Talking Dead" whether or not Maggie, Jesus, and Daryl were in a "civil war" against Rick, the answer wasn't good.

“It looks like that to me," said Gimple. "Lauren [Cohan] is so amazing in that scene. She’s full Maggie Corleone. And Jesus, you know, he would not have killed the surrendering Saviors, but he’s not Morgan. Like, he could kill Negan. That certainly isn’t off the menu for Jesus."

Still, it seemed extremely out of character for Jesus to have a devious look on his face to plot against Rick. He's usually the calm voice of reason for Maggie when she's stepping over the line into an area of vengeance.

There's just one big problem with Maggie going down a dark path.

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Actress Lauren Cohan still hasn't reportedly signed on for the show's next season

Instead, Cohan landed a lead role on a pilot for ABC's upcoming hour-long series "Whiskey Cavalier." 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, even if "Whiskey Cavalier" moves forward at the network, it's still possible Cohan could remain on the zombie series.

"We've had people do other shows and other gigantic movies that take America by storm," former showrunner Scott Gimple told THR. "We're figuring it out with each other and trying to let people be able to do other things and stick around."

You can read more on Cohan's uncertain "Walking Dead" future here.

Plus, there may be a bigger threat out there for all of the survivors to unite against.

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A group called the Whisperers are the next big threat to come Rick's way in the comics. They're a group of survivors who walk around wearing the skin of the undead. 

Rick teased them briefly on the season eight finale when he commented at the size of a large group of walkers in the distance.

walking dead walkers

Of course, the massive group of walkers could just be the writers throwing in a small Easter egg for comic fans. The show has a lot of other loose ends to tie up that aren't in the comics without worrying about another group of villains, or another war, so soon. 

Maybe tell us more about the mysterious helicopter that keeps popping up or Heath's disappearance for a change.

We'll know more come July when San Diego Comic-Con takes place. Or maybe the show's spin-off "Fear the Walking Dead" will give us a few clues now that Morgan is there. 

You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here.

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11 details you may have missed on 'The Walking Dead' season 8 finale

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for season eight's "The Walking Dead" finale, "Wrath."

The war between Rick and Negan finally came to an end on the season eight finale of "The Walking Dead." Amid, the gunfire and the bloodshed, there were a lot of references to episodes past and plenty of comic nods for fans of the graphic novels.

Keep reading to see what you may have missed.

Eugene sabotaged the bullets he made for Negan so they backfired on his men.

After berating Father Gabriel for attempting to sabotage the bullets, Eugene wound up doing it anyway himself.



If you go back to last week's episode, you'll notice he hinted he was going to do something to mess up Negan's plan.

Eugene tells his workers at the end of the episode that it's time for all of them to do something useful with their pathetic lives.

His words echo some of the last words Rosita tells him beat for beat.

She tells him he was a selfish traitor to work for Negan willingly and turning his back on the only friends he ever had. As they attempt to march him back to the Hilltop she says he'll live out the rest of his days doing "something useful with his pathetic life."



Rick and his group mention a giant herd that they see in the distance.

It sounds like the show may be foreshadowing a major group from the comics.



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