Recently, Netflix dropped off a trailer for their new competition series, Squid Game: The Challenge. The show is based off of the scripted drama series, which skyrocketed to popularity in 2021. The original Squid Game sees its characters competing in high-stakes challenges for a massive cash prize. The only catch was that if they lost a challenge, they would be killed. Now, real people will be competing in challenges similar to those from the original series. The winner will also be taking home a whopping $4.56 million dollars. Though competitors obviously won’t be killed if they fail to successfully complete a challenge, Netflix has still gotten a great deal of backlash since the trailer dropped.
Countless social media users are weighing in on Squid Game becoming a reality, with many claiming that Netflix missed the entire point of the original. Users note that the show worked to depict the extremes desperate people would go to for money, calling this new take on the show counterintuitive. Some others are also worried that Squid Game: The Challenge will “ruin” their view of the Korean thriller.
Many are focusing their criticism on the exploitative nature of the new series. This has also turned some people’s attention to the fact that the creator of the smash hit show took home next to nothing, relative to the value of the series. Reportedly, Hwang Dong-hyuk got a lump sum, which he accepted since he had spent years trying to sell the show. Netflix’s internal value, on the other hand, was raised by $900 million.
Some remain critical of Netflix’s decision to turn the series into a competition show. Several others, however, can’t wait to tune in. What do you think of Netflix making the show come to life with the new competition series, Squid Game: The Challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more news.
Megan Thee Stallion is taking her talents to Netflix’s popular animated comedy, Big Mouth. Megan was announced in a 48-second short dedicated to both her character and the Season 7 date reveal. She will play a caked-up hormone monster ready to cause trouble for the already embattled eighth-graders. While the show has proven divisive, Megan joins what is one of the most stacked casts on TV right now. Big Mouth already features Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, and Ayo Edebiri.
However, Big Mouth is far from Megan’s only project in the works. Last year she camoed in She-Hulk and also flexed her comedic muscles during a hosting slot on SNL. Meanwhile, she has a leading role in Dicks: The Musical, A24’s upcoming musical comedy. Furthermore, she is also reportedly in negotiations for a role in an upcoming project from the Safdie Brothers and Adam Sandler. If you’re unfamiliar, the Safdies directed Sandler in Uncut Gems.
However, being bootylicious in animated form isn’t the only thing that Megan has been making headlines for. With a spotlight at the VMAs, Megan took the opportunity to squash any rumors of beef between her and Justin Timberlake. After a video emerged appearing to show the pair arguing backstage at the event, Megan went to find Timberlake to help dispel the notion that there was beef. The pair filmed a jubilant TikTok together as way to let everyone know that it was all good between them.
Meanwhile, a recent scheduling change from Megan has also got people speculating about a fire collab. Megan recently announced that she would no longer appear at the Global Citizen festival in late September. This has led fans to wonder if Megan dropped out to go to Houston instead of New York. September 23, the date of the GCF, is also the same day that Beyoncé is performing in her hometown of Houston. While Megan is not from Houston, she is also a Texas girl. Regardless of what happens, it’s an exciting time to be a Megan Thee Stallion fan.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Danny Masterson was among the most sought-after actors. His role in The ’70s Show boosted his fame, and soon, he was on the cover of every entertainment magazine worldwide. As he continued to build on his career, undisclosed controversies were happening behind the scenes. Even after That ’70s Show ended, the actor continued to enjoy his status as one of Hollywood’s elite.
However, by 2017, severe accusations began following Masterson. Soon, several women would come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and rape. Although Masterson denied the allegations, he faced charges relating to the scandal. This month, the once beloved star was sentenced to 30 years behind bars. This is the monumental rise and fall of Danny Masterson.
Early Career Of Danny Masterson & That ’70s Show
Daniel Peter Masterson was born on Long Island, New York, on March 13, 1976, and started modeling at age four. According to In Touch Weekly, Danny appeared in his first commercial at five years old. By the time he was 16, Danny starred in more than 100 commercials. In 1993, Danny landed his first role in a movie, Beethoven’s 2nd. He also had roles on TV shows like Roseanne, NYPD Blue, and Cybill. In 1998, Danny caught his major break.
When Masterson landed the role of Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show in 1998, the 22-year-old hit paydirt. Fans loved the series and it became an instant hit. Danny’s Hyde was one of the show’s favorite and most beloved characters. He received much praise for his portrayal. Although the show ended after eight years in 2006, Masterson made his mark and was ready to take his success to the next level.
Life After The Series Ended & Accusations Against Masterson
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 18: Danny Masterson arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Olympus Has Fallen” held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on March 18, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
After That ’70s Show ended, Danny Masterson continued to work and starred in other shows and movies. While he didn’t find another character that resonated like Hyde, he was still in the spotlight. In 2016, he reunited with his former ’70s co-star, Ashton Kutcher, to star in the Netflix hit show, The Ranch. As a co-executive producer on the show, things were looking food for Danny until the serious accusations.
Everything came tumbling down for Danny Masterson when three women accused him of sexual assault in March 2017. The women all alleged that Danny raped them between 2001 and 2003 at his home, coinciding with his success. One of the women was an ex-girlfriend who claimed that Danny raped her numerous times. Based on the women’s accusations, the Los Angeles Police Department opened up an investigation.
Beyond the rape allegations, the women claimed that his role as a high-ranking Scientology member prevented him from being charged earlier. The women claimed that church members tried to shut them up to protect Masterson. Instead, the victims said they were the ones who bore the brunt. One of the women, an actress, claimed she was effectively blacklisted. Eventually, two more women accused Danny of assault, increasing the number to five.
The Fallout
Danny vehemently denied the accusations, but almost immediately after, people began choosing sides. While Danny had plenty of supporters, many others turned their back on him. In December 2017, Netflix decided to believe the women and dropped Danny from The Ranch. The streaming giant released a statement stating, “As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of The Ranch. Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him.”
Danny released his own statement. “I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix’s decision to write my character off of The Ranch. From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one.” He added, “I understand and look forward to clearing my name once and for all.” By 2019, four women sued Danny and the Church of Scientology.
The Charges & First Trial
In June 2020, Danny was charged with raping three women and pleaded not guilty in January 2021. After days of emotional testimony in May 2021 during a preliminary hearing, a judge decided that the women were credible and Danny would face trial. He was arraigned on June 7, where he pleaded not guilty again. At the time, he was free on a $3.3 million bail.
The trial opened on October 11, 2022. While Danny never testified on his behalf, the women recalled stories of him allegedly making unwanted advances. They even said they felt like he drugged their drinks to assault them against their will, according to E! News. One victim claimed that Masterson pulled a gun on her during an encounter. Despite the damning testimony, the jury deadlocked on whether he was guilty of all three charges. Therefore, the judge declared a mistrial. However, Danny Masterson wasn’t off the hook yet.
The Second Trial Of Danny Masterson
The second trial took place in April 2023. Once again, he pleaded not guilty, and once again, he didn’t testify. However, this trial was different since a jury found him guilty on two out of the three charges. After his conviction, Masterson was transferred to the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail. He was kept out of the general population due to his celebrity status.
During the sentencing phase, the victims spoke out. One called him “a true coward and heartless monster.” Another woman said, “You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favorite thing to do.” The judge came down hard on Danny and said, “Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that’s why you are here. You were not convicted based on rumors, innuendo, gossip and speculation.”
The judge also mentioned that Danny paid each accuser $1 million to sign an NDA. She told him an innocent person would not have paid that amount. The judge gave Danny a 30-year-to-life sentence on September 7. Two 15-year sentences for each rape he was convicted of must be served consecutively. While Danny Masterson’s attorneys have promised to appeal, and he still has plenty of support, it looks like it will be an uphill battle.
This week, Top Boy will be returning for its fifth and final season. The beloved British series depicts life in the fictional Summerhouse estate in East London. Its premise revolves around drug dealers Dushane and Sully, as well as their associates and rivals. Top Boy is known for its authentic depiction of British culture in its imagery and dialogue. The first two seasons, now known as Top Boy: Summerhouse, initially aired on Channel 4 in 2011 and 2013 before its cancellation the following year.
With the help of Drake, Top Boy returned for its third season as a Netflix original in 2019. Season 3 stuck to the show’s authenticity and gained it a dedicated viewership, assisted by both new cast members and fan favorites. Following delays due to COVID-19, Top Boy returned for its second season on Netflix and fourth overall season in 2022. Unfortunately, the show will be coming to an end, with its fifth and final season releasing on Netflix this Thursday, September 7. Here is everything we know about season 5 of Top Boy.
Top Boy’s fifth season will see lead actors Ashley Walters and Kano return as Dushane Hill and Sully, respectively. Jasmine Jobson (Jacqueline “Jaq” Lawrence), Little Simz (Shelley), Hope Ikpoku Jnr. (Aaron Tovell), and Araloyin Oshunremi (Stefan Tovell) will also return for their respective roles. Also, recent additions such as Adwoa Aboah (Becks) and Saffron Hocking (Lauryn Lawrence) appear in the show’s final season as well.
Top Boy’s fifth season will include new cast members, including Barry Keoghan as Jonny and Brian Gleeson as Tadgh. Top Boy is full of surprises so it is also possible we may see some recognizable faces from previous seasons.
Brian Eno, the renowned producer known for his versatility and soundtrack work, scores Season 5 of Top Boy. The soundtrack for the upcoming season is actually now available for streaming and digital download. While there may be no original compilation of music like previous seasons, the show is known for showcasing a variety of UK talent and beyond in its score. Songs from Burna Boy, Jorja Smith, Unknown T, Central Cee, and Pa Salieu appeared across the last season’s eight episodes. Season 3’s soundtrack included original songs from Dave, Ghetts, Drake, Avelino, AJ Tracey, Headie One, and many more.
To build anticipation for the final chapter of Top Boy, Netflix shared the official trailer for the upcoming season. The intense sneak peek features the aforementioned returning and new cast members, as well as flashbacks to the show’s beginnings. Top Boy’s latest season is being heavily promoted as having “no loose ends” for its ultimate finale, with the statement notably being featured in the trailer. A series finale without loose ends will have fans anticipating how the show will end, keeping them guessing about the fates of their favorite characters. The show will pick up where it left off with its fourth season, which was released last year.
The previous season “concluded with Sully’s actions rewriting the rules of his business with Dushane.” According to Netflix, “the two of them will endure new problems as everything they’ve built comes under threat from forces outside and within their empire.” Based on the trailer for Season 5, Top Boy will continue to provide thrilling and unpredictable scenes, wrapping up the show and its beloved characters. Netflix has confirmed that Top Boy’s final season will consist of six episodes, with the show dropping this Thursday. Until the final season of Top Boy is released, fans will be eagerly waiting to see how its last episodes unfold.
After shows like Atlanta and Dave pulled back the curtain on the music industry, it only makes sense that more shows would follow in their footsteps to depict the highs and lows of the pursuit of stardom from different angles. Issa Rae’s Rap Sh!t addresses the industry’s sexism and double standards through the lens of a rising Miami rap duo, while Netflix’s new show, Neon, returns to Miami to follow an aspiring reggaeton star and his friends as they try to work their way past industry gatekeepers with the help of an insider who isn’t what she seems.
Neon was created by Hip-Hop (And Other Things) author Shea Serrano, who teamed up with Dave writer Max Searle, who is the series’ showrunner. The show’s executive producers also include reggaeton star Daddy Yankee, while Tainy serves as executive music producer with One Six, which is comprised of Tainy, Ivan Rodriguez, Lex Borrero, and Neon16. Here’s a sample of the new music, “Exagero”:
In the trailer, aspiring reggaeton star Santi, portrayed by Tyler Dean Flores (Miguel Wants To Fight), moves to Miami with his best friends/managers Ness and Felix (Emma Ferreira and Jordan Mendoza, respectively) to seek his fortunes after racking up a viral hit. But while he’s earned the respect and appreciation of more established stars (Daddy Yankee among them, naturally), he’ll still need the help of Mia a wannabe A&R, to land a deal and prove he’s not just a one-hit wonder — or even just get a paying gig. Neon premiere on Netflix on October 19. Watch the trailer for Neon above.
(WARNING: Spoilers for Top Boy episode will be found below.)
In less than a month, a new season of Top Boy will be available for us to enjoy on Netflix. Earlier this year, the platform revealed that the show’s third season (fifth if you count Top Boy: Summerhouse) would premiere in September. Today, with help from Drake who is an executive producer on the show, Netflix revealed that Top Boy‘s third season will debut on September 7 in a new trailer for the series. This leaves less than a month before fans can enjoy the Top Boy experience for one last time.
Netflix renewed Top Boy for a third season shortly after the show’s second season came to an end in March 2022. That season concluded with a shocking ending as (SPOILER INCOMING): series favorite Jamie (played by Michael Ward) was ruthlessly killed by Gerard “Sully” Sullivan (played by Kane Robinson). Viewers expect Dushane Hill (played by Ashley Walters), who was close to Jamie, to retaliate against Sully in the new season and the new trailer seemed to hint at a face-off between Dushane and Sully. We also see Jamie’s little brother Stefan (played by Araloyin Oshunremi) put on Jamie’s beloved chain, which could mean that Stefan now plays to fill in Jamie’s role in more ways than one.
You can watch the new trailer for Top Boy above.
‘Top Boy’ returns to Netflix on September 7. Seasons one and two of ‘Top Boy’ are available now to stream on Netflix.
Drake, the executive producer of the series, gave fans a sneak peek of what to expect in the upcoming third and final season. On Sunday (August 13), the Toronto native took to Instagram to share a dramatic teaser trailer for Top Boy‘s last season. “So how do you think we survived all this time?” the trailer begins. The highly acclaimed British crime drama returns this fall.
Because of its authentic portrayal of life in East London, the Netflix series grew a cult-like fanbase. It also has tackled issues like social justice, mental health, racism, and poverty. The rapper promises to leave “no loose ends” in the caption, as in the trailer. “No.Loose.Ends… Top Boy, The Final Chapter. September 7th,” he wrote.
Drake Became The Series’ Executive Producer In 2017
The TV series, which originally aired on Channel 4 in 2013, was canceled. However, after the rapper expressed his love for the show, he called for it to be revived and joined as an executive producer. Fans expressed their excitement for the potential revival in the comment section. “Peak story telling is back,” one person wrote. Others had different, more amusing ways of conveying their excitement: “time to annoy my wife with my fake british accent for a month.” Even Lil Yachty hopped in the comments to share his enthusiasm,” Finally,” he wrote.
On the other hand, while the rapper has reasons to celebrate, there is also bad news. Podcaster and alleged “industry plant” Bobbi Althoff and Drake have apparently severed their social media ties. It was recently reported that the pair unfollowed each other on Instagram. The Her Loss rapper appeared on her The Really Good Podcast a few weeks back. Certainly, this could definitely be a real feud brewing between the two, or it could just be a random falling out. Not only that, on YouTube, the only trace of the Drake interview on Bobbi’s channel is some “Shorts” that were released prior to the entire interview going live. Drake has had an unfollowing spree with other women in the past. Ice Spice is a prime example. The possibilities are truly endless.
A rapper who goes by the name, Malcolm Whyz3, has gone viral on social media for dissing Netflix in a remix to Drake’s 2015 song, “Back to Back.” In the track, Malcolm mentions the uptick in price for the streaming service, its new password-sharing policy, and more.
“Fuck yo Netflix and chill you really up next to be killed. I’m really gonna need the answers what’s going on with this bill. Didn’t y’all used to be like $9.99 but I’m telling you right now the price is too damn high,” he raps. “Man y’all used to be cool but lately it’s been a pass. How are y’all a streaming service but still showing its ass. Yeah this the final straw I’m done that’s it.”
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Delivers Keynote Address
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 06: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings delivers a keynote address at CES 2016 at The Venetian Las Vegas on January 6, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world’s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 9 and will feature 3,600 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“Y’all remove the good shows and we don’t see ’em again. And we can’t even share the password with family and friends,” he adds. Regarding the removal of their best content, Netflix recently made headlines by announcing that its Oscar-winning film, The Power of the Dog, will be leaving the service in the U.K. This decision comes despite the 2021 film being a Netflix Original.
Drake’s “Back to Back” famously served as a diss track aimed at Meek Mill amid their feud in 2015. It arrived after Meek accused Drake of using ghostwriters. “Back to Back” isn’t the only diss song that Malcolm Whyz3 has remixed as of late. He also received attention for dissing Apple for overcharging consumers by using 2Pac’s classic “Hit Em Up” instrumental.
In the hip-hop world, where women have consistently struggled for recognition, Netflix’s upcoming docuseries Ladies Night: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop has garnered much anticipation. The series boasted a star-studded cast, including icons MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Rah Digga, and rising stars Coi Leray and Latto. However, fans quickly noticed rap superstars Nicki Minaj […]
Netflix is gearing up to drop an exciting limited documentary series, Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop, and fans are already buzzing with anticipation. The series promises to shine a spotlight on the pivotal role that women have played in shaping the hip-hop genre throughout its revolutionary 50-year history. “Ladies First: A Story […]
