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The Viva El Birdos Podcast – Episode 53: “Talking About Birdos”
SportYahoo9h ago

The Viva El Birdos Podcast – Episode 53: “Talking About Birdos”

This week, Jake and Gabe are joined by Ben Smorka and Nate Heininger of “Talking about Birds.” These two combined their love for Cardinals baseball and beyond surface-level stats with comedy and real-world humor. If you have not listened to their show, you should. The fellas talk about the origins of TAB, all that they […]

Bloody brilliant or toothless? Cynthia Erivo’s Dracula – reviews roundup
CultureBBCThe Guardiantimes-uk6d ago3 sources

Bloody brilliant or toothless? Cynthia Erivo’s Dracula – reviews roundup

The Wicked star plays all 23 characters in a hi-tech London staging of Bram Stoker’s novel by Kip Williams. Here’s a bite-sized look at the critics’ verdicts Dracula, the Ur-vampire and ultimate outsider of the literary canon, is played by Cynthia Erivo, along with every other character, in this deliciously wicked tale of the blood-sucking count. Except it’s not deliciously wicked in adapter-director Kip Williams’ stage reinvention. Williams has proven himself a Midas-touched spinner of old stories to new. His one-woman version of The Picture of Dorian Gray was deliriously original. His take on Jean Genet’s The Maids was punk inspired. What has happened here? Arifa Akbar, the Guardian As in the Australian director’s hit adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray (immaculately interpreted by the Succession star Sarah Snook), the stage is sometimes so crowded with camera operators and stage crew that it’s not always easy to see Erivo. The shallow rake in the stalls makes this theatre a less than ideal setting for Marg Horwell’s handsome scenic design: I spent at least half the evening watching the action on the large screen hanging overhead. Yet it becomes a hallucinatory experience all the same. Erivo dons wigs and skirts and recalibrates her voice to play Harker’s fiancee Mina and her friend Lucy; then spectacles to play psychiatrist Dr Seward and comic Saruman tresses for a guttural Van Helsing. It’s to her credit, and Williams’, that one sometimes loses track of which character is being broadcast live and which is recorded. The integration is mostly seamless. Personifications of Irish and American characters are knowingly ridiculous, but Dracula always had a vein of camp. It’s refreshing to see Erivo get to own her queerness on stage, licking her lips lasciviously as a lace-decked Lucy who’s in sexual thrall to an androgynous Dracula – or strutting confidently in a masculine vest with silver chains (a welcome escape from her feminine get-ups in Wicked). She unleashes her ethereal voice to haunting, vulpine effect in the final scenes, where she finally gets to embody Dracula’s power on a bare stage, unobscured by tech and crowds. The multi-faceted approach speaks to the way that Stoker cut between first-person perspectives using a document-sharing and epistolary form. Equally, Williams’ boundary-breaking artistic toolkit brings out the thematic heart of the matter; it emphasises the way in which the predatory count stokes fears but also embodies deep-rooted desires. Erivo seems ill at ease with the material. There’s a hesitancy about her performance, as if she were wrong-footed by the technology that surrounds her. A scattering of arch, self-conscious moments and sly humour are part of the deal in Williams’ interpretation, but nothing feels truly felt and, as she switches between characters, the individual voices are not always properly differentiated. The overall effect is slightly ramshackle, sluggish and, in the end, frustratingly short on dash and drama. Erivo’s range is remarkable – alternately placid, pert, prowling and predatory. A Tony award-winning star of musical theatre in The Color Purple, she despatches one melancholy torch song by Clemence Williams with wistful nonchalance. Otherwise, her athletic efforts are magnified by a filmic soundtrack encompassing Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Chopin, Björk and even a bit of electro-trance music. For truly this is a mind-bogglingly complex show, which goes beyond the kitchen sink in its attempts to create an audio-visual hallucination. The effects, with Craig Wilkinson as video designer, are impressive: a vampire flying by, Dracula crawling down the wall. The camera operators, wig providers, stage managers and props assistants are all assiduous and wonderfully efficient. Marg Horwell’s design is effectively flexible, Nick Schlieper’s lighting and the sound design by Jessica Dunn suitably dramatic, though Clemence Williams’ score becomes increasingly over-emphatic. Despite stumbling over the odd line, Erivo is charismatic, game, and essentially does her best as a cog in Williams’ elaborate machine. But if you agree to tie your big comeback to a very specific directorial vision, there’s not much even a superstar actor can do if that vision is faulty. Continue reading...

I'm the CEO of The Ironman Group. I start my days training to climb mountains and end them with 'Schitt's Creek' episodes
BusinessBusiness Insider8d ago

I'm the CEO of The Ironman Group. I start my days training to climb mountains and end them with 'Schitt's Creek' episodes

Scott DeRue is CEO of The Ironman Group. Ironman Scott DeRue is the CEO of The Ironman Group. The Ironman Group is the largest operator of participation sports, including the Ironman race. DeRue shared his daily routine, which includes fitness training and binging "Schitt's Creek." This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Scott DeRue, CEO of The Ironman Group. The Ironman Group is the largest operator of global participation sports events, including the Ironman Triathlon Series, City2Surf, and the Epic Series mountain bike races. This story has been edited for length and clarity. I've had a pretty eclectic path, but there's a singular throughline of purpose that runs through it. I love creating experiences that transform people's lives for the better. I went into private equity, investment banking, and consulting after college. I developed a passion for the role business can play in society. Education, though, changed my life, so I took a big step back and said, "If I want to live a life of purpose, how might I do that?" A business school professor sounded like a pretty big gig. I joined the University of Michigan's faculty in 2007. Ultimately, I was on faculty for 14 years and served as dean of the business school at Michigan. Scott DeRue often exercises in the mornings or evenings, depending on his schedule. Ironman During that time, I joined the Equinox board as one of three independent directors. I fell in love with the brand, the team, the community, and really saw a sense of purpose behind it. It's really about unlocking and maximizing people's potential in life through health and fitness. When the pandemic happened, the board asked if I would join full-time and serve as president. We did a lot of great work, and I'm really proud of the team and what we built there. Then, Ironman called and asked if I would serve as CEO. We get to make people's dreams come true, so it's the same purpose, just a different vehicle. We're headquartered in Tampa, Florida, but my wife and I also have a place in Park City, Utah. Business Insider's Power Hours series gives readers an inside look at how powerful leaders in business structure their workday. Reach out to editor Lauryn Haas to share your daily routine. I wake up between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. I care deeply about my sleep, so I aim for about 8 hours a night and wake up between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. We're a global business, so some mornings I need to start early because we have teams in different time zones. Depending on the day, I'll either train in the morning or in the evening. For the last 17 years — usually once a year — I would climb a really big mountain. If I'm training for a mountain, it's a lot of running and lifting weights. I typically live in flat areas except for Utah, so I spend a lot of time on the StairMaster with my weighted pack. Last year, I finally finished the Seven Summits Quest, which is climbing the tallest mountain on each continent. If I'm training for a trail run in the mountains, I try to get out there as much as possible. If I'm in Florida, I just run long distances. If I'm training for a triathlon, then it's swim, bike, and run. I usually sit down every weekend and map out when I want to train vis-à-vis my work schedule that week. I usually have a Kashi cereal, a yogurt, and some fruit for breakfast. I'm not a big caffeine guy. I love the smell, don't like the taste. I arrive at work around 7:30 a.m. and take time to map out my day I'm usually at the office by 7:30 in the morning. I tend to drive when I'm in Tampa since it's more of a commuter city. In Park City, I keep a small office I can either drive to or walk to. Sometimes an early morning meeting is inevitable, but I like to sit down for about an hour to map out the two or three things I need to achieve to make it a great day. There's going to be a lot that happens during the day, but for me, I try to be very intentional. If you jump into every urgent matter, you'll never actually focus on what's important, and your team will come to expect you to engage in every matter. That's not healthy for me in my role or for them. In many, if not most, cases, they're better equipped to handle that matter than I am because I don't have the experience in the specific domain. My job is to create an environment and empower them to be successful. In the morning, Scott DeRue tries to map out two or three things he must achieve each day. Ironman I sometimes have untraditional morning meetings I have a lot of meetings during the day. It really depends on the day, and the stakeholders are varied, but they're not always your traditional meetings. This week, we're at the Iron Man World Championship in Hawaii. We organized a run for some of the partners, spouses, and coaches of some of our professional athletes this morning. Basically, a group of friends got together and went for a run. That's not a traditional meeting, but I learned a lot and gathered some good feedback on what we're doing well, so we can keep doing more of that and identify where we can continue to improve. My favorite lunch spot is in Utah Typically, I have a sandwich for lunch — nothing too fancy. My favorite sandwich in the world is the Crazy Chicken at the Clockwork Cafe in Park City, Utah. If I'm training for something specific, I'll supplement my diet with a smoothie and other supplements to get additional nutrients. Surprises can happen throughout the day We're in the live events business. There's always a surprise, and that surprise can come in many different forms. You come to expect the unexpected. But we have an incredible team with tremendous experience. I have a lot of trust in our team because they're the best in the business and can adapt to address issues that come up. Frankly, I don't get thrown off balance that much because our team is so talented, committed, and capable of handling matters as they come up. I typically go home around 7 p.m. Scott DeRue. Ironman Usually, I'll leave around 7 p.m. if it's a day in the office. If it's an event day, we can start at 4 a.m. and go to bed around 2 a.m. the next day. For dinner, my wife and I love to cook out, and fortunately, we live in places where we can do so for most of the year. Typically, some good chicken, rice, and vegetables on the grill is always a good one for us. If I'm training that evening, I'll run, and my wife will ride her bike next to me. That's our quality time. We also have two chocolate labs, so we'll play with them in the backyard or take them for a walk. Later, we'll watch television. We've got a few shows that we like together, typically in the realm of comedy. One of our favorite shows we binged together was "Schitt's Creek." I had never actually watched "Friends," which mortified my wife, so we binged that for a while. We like shows that bring a smile to our faces and give us a little bit of humor to end the day. We're usually in bed by 9:30 p.m. or so. I'm asleep by 10. Read the original article on Business Insider

Cultureeconomist12d ago

Humorous Takes on Modern Workplace Culture

A collection of articles humorously dissects the quirks and challenges of contemporary office life, from the quest for meeting rooms and signing birthday cards to office snackers, feuds, and the decline of brainstorming.

Nikšić Theater Play 'Heroj nacije' in Berane
Culturevijesti-me20h ago

Nikšić Theater Play 'Heroj nacije' in Berane

The Nikšić Theater's play 'Heroj nacije' (Hero of the Nation) is being performed in Berane, humorously and ironically examining the concept of a hero in an era dominated by media and reality TV culture.

‘Profoundly moving’: Netflix’s posthumous celebrity interview series is a marvel
CultureThe Guardian1d ago

‘Profoundly moving’: Netflix’s posthumous celebrity interview series is a marvel

Famous Last Words is a series of interviews conducted with notable names and only released after their death and is offers an incredible opportunity Exactly one day after the death of actor Eric Dane, a new show appeared on Netflix. Entitled Famous Last Words, it consisted of an interview with none other than Eric Dane himself. While at first the timing of the release might have seemed coincidental at best and exploitative at worst, the reality of the interview was something else entirely. Da...

Game review — Deltarune shines magnificently bright once it comes into its own
CultureDawn5d ago

Game review — Deltarune shines magnificently bright once it comes into its own

TL;DR Pros: Compelling, emotion-driven story highlighting rich character dynamics Intricate, bright pixel art visuals Thoughtful sound design with incredible music Endlessly inventive variations on gameplay Super replay-friendly, with variant routes and secret bosses Enjoyable, funny and well-written script Every element works well in tandem Cons: Will take a while to fully release Questionable visual design choices in Chapter 1 Not sure why it reused Undertale characters, honestly Score: 6.5/7 — Four chapters of game design and storytelling brilliance Reviewed on PC; available on PC (Windows), macOS, PS4 and PS5, and Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Price: $12.49 (Steam); $24.99 (Nintendo and PlayStation). Free demo available on PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch and PS4. If you’re unfamiliar with Toby Fox, get familiar right now. After 2015’s smash-hit Undertale that rewired modern geek culture, the indie creator is back at it with another absolute banger: Deltarune, which on the surface alludes to its accolade-winning older brother but is in effect a very different, also amazing game. So amazing that I’m struggling to find anything to criticise about it. The only reason one might not want to play this game right now is that it’s unfinished: just the first four chapters of seven are released. That said, they are phenomenally satisfying and leave me hyped for more to come (and the first two are free!). For a game so full of heart, I’ll wait as long as I need to for the rest, especially since its replayability factor is absurdly high and the wait between chapters has been well worth it so far. Driving through town. — GIF by author Familiar concept, but fully new game Let’s get the comparison out of the way. Deltarune features the same gameplay and interfacing concepts as Undertale, complete with an upgraded version of familiar battle mechanics. It also features a lot of familiar characters from Undertale, playing different roles in a different universe, and makes sparing references to the former game. It even has similar ways to play through the story peacefully or violently, although there’s reportedly only one ending regardless. Kris’ mom wakes them up for school. Does she look familiar? — screengrab by author All in all, familiarity with Undertale acts as a good foundation for this similar universe of monsters and (singular) human and dodging bullets while convincing enemies to be friends. But this is where we can stop comparing the two, because Deltarune is neither its sequel nor its spinoff. It has its own story and gameplay charms, and deserves to be judged on its own terms. In fact, what really surprised me was the fact that, aside from adding some nostalgia, this game honestly didn’t need to rely on any repurposed Undertale characters at all; it could just as easily have used new original characters. I’m not really sure why it made this choice, except maybe to rope in longtime fans, but ironically this is the one thing that threatened to lessen the experience even marginally for me. The game is not Undertale 2, and it doesn’t have to be. When it shakes off that mantle is when it really starts to shine. A new beginning. — screengrab by author A concept that builds and builds Without spoiling too much: Deltarune introduces you to Kris — a human raised in a small town of monsters — and antagonistic deuteragonist Susie. Then it throws the two into a strange ‘Dark World’ with a mysterious prophecy at its core. Along with Ralsei, a Dark World prince, they set out JRPG-style to explore new worlds and seal the fountains at their centre — meeting friends and enemies of all kinds as they go. ALL kinds. — screengrab by author Every chapter brings a new quest, and while Chapter 1 functions more as a proof of concept, by Chapter 2 the game has firmly found its footing and started sprinting. Everything from the underlying narrative to the zany boss fights just keeps heightening. There are points that I just don’t know how the game can surpass itself, and then it does. A former encounter has a glow-up. — GIF by author Sound design integrated into everything Sound is a huge part of Deltarune from both an aesthetic and gameplay standpoint. In some areas, it’s integrated thoroughly into gameplay and interfacing itself, to the point where you might want to play with your headphones set to stereo. Elsewhere, it elevates humorous and narratively powerful moments alike, and suffuses every element of the surroundings and interface with life. Close attention to detail here plays a major role in shaping a living, breathing world. Fox’s soundtrack steals the show in every way, though. Every track is electric, bright, powerful and infuriatingly catchy, making the soundtrack an obvious standout feature. Each new theme compliments its area or battle perfectly, keeping you in the moment during the most tedious of puzzles and holding your attention when tough bosses threaten to get frustrating. I would love to keep singing praises of the music, but I’ll just provide an example. Have a listen as you read the rest of this review, or after. Evocative, expert pixel art The interface is retro and JRPG-esque, with nostalgically pixelly battle screens and movement mechanics. Overall, the visuals are striking, with gorgeously popping colours; there are some plainer elements, but they’re usually used deliberately for dramatic effect. Castle Town. — screengrab by author Traversing the dark. — GIF by author And the sprites are — mostly — amazing. Some are… not, especially in the first chapter. This might be for visual gags that don’t always land, but I’d guess the reason is simpler — certain aspects of Chapter 1’s art suggest a budget of somewhere between $31 and a handwritten note saying “please”. A cage of… ‘animals’? — screengrab by author Thankfully, the visual design gets better every chapter. One must note that the game isn’t particularly ‘cute’, so the art isn’t afraid to get a little creepy, and have its characters pull big faces. I love the unfiltered expressiveness, and I really like it when the visual design breaks boundaries. One of these sprites is not like the others… — GIF by author Two standout features are the scenic backgrounds and the incredible sprite animations, both masterclasses in pixel art. The backdrops of your journey are impressively intricate, especially later, and lend a sense of grand scale to offset some flatness in the map. A view of the city. — screengrab by author Meanwhile, sprite animations are super detailed and rendered with astonishing effort and purpose, grounding the characters firmly in the world and making them feel super real. Lead artist Temmie Chang, responsible for the pixel animation, knocks it out of the park. Susie stays for breakfast. — GIF by author Queen appeals to Kris. — screengrab by author Battles At its core, the battle system is a beautiful bullet hell bonanza. But it’s so much more than that. A typical enemy encounter. — GIF by author A simplified overview: you can choose to ‘fight’ enemies — using magic or melee — or disavow violence entirely to ‘act’ instead until you gain an enemy’s mercy. Acting looks different for every enemy, and it’s always fun and personality-filled. Acting to gain mercy. — screengrab by author A great way to befriend your enemies. — GIF by author This game is absurdly inventive with its battling, with some really creative ways of utilising the entire battle interface. It never runs out of concepts: gimmick fights and minigames abound as it throws rhythm game mechanics, arcade-style punch-outs, and full-fledged Pac-Man your way as it likes. A battle that turns its own interface into a game. — GIF by author The heroes rock out (this is my favourite minigame ever). — GIF by author There are also secret bosses to reward exploration — they can be hard, but are super worthwhile if only for bragging rights. The challenge is optional, so you never feel stuck. A hidden boss fight. — GIF by author Although the game supposedly only has one ending, chapters have their own ‘routes’ that can permanently affect the later game. I prefer playing mercifully, but fighting your way through is a perfectly valid way of experiencing the story with its own rewards. Compelling characters with a fantastically human script Speaking of which, the story absolutely bangs, with phenomenal narrative and comedic pacing and some of the most interesting and rich characters I’ve encountered in a while. I refuse to spoil too much, but for only four chapters, the narrative is substantial and constantly packed with interesting new turns. Whatever Kris has got going on as a (creepy, mysterious) player character is a class apart from your typical silent protag. And the core cast is especially vibrant to fill Kris’ silence, blooming quickly into multi-dimensional characters with rich inner lives and a great variety of personality. Noelle regrets her decisions. — screengrab by author Everyone is really lovable, and the scripting makes them doubly so: even at its most heroes-save-the-day, it never gets too hammy to take seriously. It’s a script that is fun rather than just funny; more than anything, it captures a human side to the characters that evokes the kind of dumb, playful conversations I might have with my own friends. Examining a fire extinguisher. — screengrab by author Susie and Ralsei bond. — GIF by author Sharing a meal. — GIF by author Verdict: PLAY IT Above all, the game is perfectly cohesive. Art, sound, gameplay and narrative all refract off each other in a dazzling interplay, becoming greater than the sum of their parts. Battles have narrative weight and sound design builds humour; music and visuals work in constant harmony to inform gameplay. I struggle to find anything bad to say about Deltarune. It’s fantastic, and whatever minor nitpicks I had early on were thoroughly steamrolled by massive improvement later. The fact that it’s not yet fully released can’t count against it (I did choose to play it unfinished); in fact, these four chapters are enough to cement it among the best of the best games I’m going to play this year. The only thing I would ask of Fox is that he embrace his new stories for what they are: new. Undertale nostalgia may have roped in old fans, but Deltarune shines brightest when it steps out of the other game’s shadow. The adventuring party, inventive game design elements and unique emotional core are easily some of its best assets. Deltarune’s first four chapters are out on Steam for $12.49, with the first two available as a free demo. .single.story { background-image: url('https://i.dawn.com/large/2026/02/191917201803c97.gif'); background-repeat: repeat-y; background-attachment: fixed; background-size: 100vw 100vh; } body:not(.newskit) .story { color: #ffffff; } .story a { color: #ff9d1f !important; } article.box, .story .template__main { background: #000000; opacity: 0.95; } article.box { padding: 5px; border: 0; } .story__time { color: #aaa; } .story__title, .comments { background: #000000; padding: 10px; }

OpinionDaily Nation10d ago

Columnist Ponders Unanswered Calls and Absence

A daily-nation columnist shares a personal anecdote about attempting to contact 'Fiolina,' who was absent from school and not responding to calls, prompting a humorous reflection on communication.

Icelandic Dubbing King Celebrated
Culturemorgunbladid8h ago

Icelandic Dubbing King Celebrated

An Icelandic article celebrates a prominent figure in Icelandic dubbing, highlighting their contributions to fantasy, humor, and adventure genres.

‘Keralamite, Keralamian’? Shashi Tharoor quips after Centre renames Kerala as Keralam
PoliticsTimes of India19h ago

‘Keralamite, Keralamian’? Shashi Tharoor quips after Centre renames Kerala as Keralam

The Union Cabinet has reportedly approved renaming Kerala to 'Keralam', following a state assembly resolution. This move, aimed at reflecting the name in Malayalam, has sparked a linguistic debate. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor humorously questioned the new terms for residents, asking how people from the state now would be referred to, and what happens to terms like “Keralite and Keralan”.

Dropout to Stream U.K. Series ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ in First-Ever Licensing Deal (EXCLUSIVE)
Culturevariety1d ago

Dropout to Stream U.K. Series ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ in First-Ever Licensing Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

Comedy streaming service Dropout will begin streaming British comedy series “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared” on Monday. The show’s launch marks Dropout’s, formerly known as CollegeHumor, first-ever licensing deal, a three-year non-exclusive syndication agreement. Created by Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling, “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared” will launch with its web series version streaming on […]

Jack Whitehall and 'Nepo Parents'
Culturernz3d ago

Jack Whitehall and 'Nepo Parents'

Comedian Jack Whitehall discusses the concept of 'nepo babies' and how his success led to his parents becoming famous, humorously coining the term 'nepo parents'.

Commentary on Pedestrian Behavior
Opiniondh-les-sports4d ago

Commentary on Pedestrian Behavior

An opinion piece from DH Les Sports titled 'Gare aux zombies du bitume!' (Beware of the asphalt zombies!) likely offers a humorous or critical take on pedestrian behavior or road safety.