Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword, Play to the Crowd (Freestyle)New Foto - Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword, Play to the Crowd (Freestyle)

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday's puzzlebefore reading further!Play to the Crowd (Freestyle) Constructor:Dena R. Verkuil Editor:Amanda Rafkin ADU (15A: Soccer star Freddy) Freddy ADU is a former professional soccer player. He was born in Ghana, and moved to the U.S. with his family when he was eight years old. In 2004, Freddy ADU signed a contract to play with Major League Soccer (MLS) team D.C. United. At the time, he was only 14 years old, making him the youngest person to sign a major league contract (a record that stood until 2024 when Cavan Sullivan signed with the Philadelphia Union). ARI (63A: Poet Banias) ARI Banias' first book of poetry,Anybody, was published in 2016. You can read somepoems by ARI Baniason thePoetry Foundationwebsite. COSMO (9A: Pink drink, for short) A cosmopolitan, or COSMO for short, is a pink cocktail made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice. PCP (20A: Go-to doc) PCP here stands for "primary care physician." ADA (23A: Programmer Lovelace) ADA Lovelace (1815-1852) was one of the first computer programmers, and is considered to be one of the first people to recognize the full potential of computers. DANKE (25A: Thanks, in German) I took a semester of German when I was a freshman in college. There's not a lot I remember from that semester, but I was able to remember that "DANKE" is German for "thanks." ADE (35A: Juicy ending?) The question mark in the clue alerts solvers to be on the lookout for trickiness and word play. Therefore, this juicy ending is not an exciting plot twist. Instead, the clue is looking for an ending to the names of juice-based drinks, or ADE (as in limeADE, lemonADE, etc.). AHS (36A: FX show whose middle letter stands for "horror")AHShere stands forAmerican Horror Story, a TV series that first aired in 2011.AHSis an anthology TV series, meaning each season is a self-contained miniseries with a different set of characters and story lines. SID (37A: "Ice Age" sloth) I have never seen the 2002 animated movieIce Age, or any of the sequels. However, from crosswords I have learned that these movies feature a sloth named SID (John Leguizamo), a wooly mammoth named Manny (Ray Romano), a squirrel named Scrat (Chris Wedge), an aging sloth named Granny (Wanda Sykes), and a one-eyed weasel named Buck(Simon Pegg). (There are lots of other characters, too. I just haven't come across them in crosswords ... yet!) PHI (41A: ___ Beta Kappa)PHI Beta Kappais an academic honor society founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. There are currently 293 PHI Beta Kappa chapters. The group's members include select arts and sciences students who are usually inducted in their senior year of college. KAPUT (51A: Broken down) KAPUT is a fun word! Seeing it in the puzzle made me curious about its etymology. The word originated with a French card game called piquet. The French used the word "capot" to describe both big winners and big losers in the game. German speakers borrowed the word, respelling it as "kaputt," and using it only to refer to losers. By the time English speakers adopted the word, they dropped the final t, spelling it "KAPUT," and used it to refer to things that are broken down or useless. PTO (53A: _aid _ime _ff) Here we have a split fill-in-the-blank clue, where each blank represents one missing letter. PTO is paid time off. TOURIST TRAP (54A: Fisherman's Wharf or Times Square, e.g.) Fisherman's Wharf is a popular destination in San Franciso, California. It is home to Pier 39 (known for its shopping and sea lions), Ghirardelli Square, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Times Square is a popular destination in Manhattan, New York City, formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. It is the hub of the Broadway Theater District and is brightly lit by numerous digital billboards. I have been to both of these TOURIST TRAPS, and can report that they both attract large crowds. ODE (57A: "homage to my hips," e.g.) Lucille Clifton (1936-2010) is the author of the ODE"homage to my hips."Whenever this ODE is referenced in the crossword, I like to watch and listen to Lucille Clifton read it. I highly recommend you take the time to listen; it's a couple of minutes well spent. SUBREDDIT (60A: Niche community for a specific topic)Redditis an online social site for news aggregation and discussion. One of the features of Reddit is multiple discussion boards, or SUBREDDITs, focusing on particular topics. There are over 138,000 active SUBREDDITs, so there's a good chance you might find one that interests you. And yes, there is acrossword SUBREDDIT. CODAS (64A: Finales to many fugues) In music, CODAS are ending passages. I appreciate the alliteration in this clue. TEA (64A: Leaves in a cup) There's some mildly tricky wordplay happening in this clue. "Leaves in a cup" is not a phrase clueing "not drinking the remaining contents of one's drink." Rather, "leaves in a cup" is referring to actual leaves – TEA leaves, that is – in a cup. COBS (9D: Inner ears?) The question mark here alerts solvers that the clue is not referring to the inner parts of organs that help you hear, but rather the inner parts of ears of corn, or COBS. SPINAL (11D: "This Is ___ Tap") I wrote about the 1984 movieThis is SPINAL Taplast weekwhen we saw the answer ELEVEN clued as [Max volume on Spinal Tap's amps]. MANTRA (12D: "Om mani padme hum," for one) "Om mani padme hum" is a MANTRA in Tibetan Buddhism. It is often translated as "praise to the jewel in the lotus." This MANTRA is believed to cultivate compassion and wisdom. TENNIS (22D: Sport where "love" means zero) I wrote about TENNIS scoringlast weekwhen we saw DEUCE clued as [40-40, in tennis]. ANI (24D: Righteous Babe Records creator DiFranco) ANI DiFranco has released all of her albums on Righteous Babe, a record label she founded in 1990. SUBURBIA (37D: "WandaVision" setting)WandaVisionis a 2021 TV miniseries featuring Marvel Comics characters Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). The show is set in SUBURBIA, three weeks after the events of the 2019 movie,Avengers: Endgame. However, as the show progresses, things are not as they seem... DRY (40D: Like Death Valley) Death Valley is located in eastern California in the Mojave Desert. The DRY desert climate of Death Valley makes it one of the hottest places on Earth. Death Valley lies in the rain shadow of four major mountain ranges, which explains why its climate is extremely DRY. The average annual rainfall of Death Valley is just 1.5 inches. PET SPA (44D: Place for a "pawdicure") and CAT SAT (48D: Kept tabs on a tabby) Although my CAT, Willow, is always happy for PET content, she would like it known that she is not a fan of the PET SPA or of being CAT SAT. I have a fun story about Willow to share with you today that relates to one of the other answers in this puzzle. A couple of days ago I walked into my office to find Willow on my desk looking at the computer monitor. When she realized I was back in the room, she turned around and gave me this, "I was not reading about SPINAL Tap" look. TAR (52D: La Brea goo) Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California was formed around the La Brea TAR Pits. For tens of thousands of years, natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground in this area. The TAR preserved the bones of animals unlucky enough to get caught in the pits centuries ago. ETSY (58D: "Keep Commerce Human" site)ETSYis an online marketplace with an emphasis on handmade and vintage items. ETSY's tagline is "Keep Commerce Human." A few other clues and answers I especially enjoyed: HAD (38A: "You ___ one job!") DEEP DIVE (3D: Thorough examination of a subject) EYES (5D: Lumps of coal, for a snowman) PLAY TO THE CROWD (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless puzzle. The title is a nod to TOURIST TRAP (54A: Fisherman's Wharf or Times Square, e.g.). I also think it could relate to RUSH HOUR (42A: High-traffic time to drive). As I REVIEWED (31A: Wrote up an assessment of) today's puzzle, I was reminded that one of the things I enjoy about solving crosswords is that the entries in the puzzle often take me on trips down memory lane. Today, ORGANS (13D: Instruments heard in ballparks) reminds me of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch. USER ERROR (17A: Input mistake) reminded me of an incident just the other day when I told my husband, "The printer is not cooperating!" A few minutes later, I confessed, "I discovered it was USER ERROR." What memories came up during your solve today? Thank you, Dena, for this memorable puzzle. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Crossword Blog & Answers for July 21, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword, Play to the Crowd (Freestyle)

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword, Play to the Crowd (Freestyle) There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solveto...
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Derek Jeter Reveals Why He Had to 'Do Over' His 1996 "Seinfeld" Cameo: 'You Can't Say That' (Exclusive)

Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Derek Jeter is revealing what happened behind the scenes of his 1996Seinfeldcameo The former MLB star tells PEOPLE that he had to "do over" his season 8 cameo with Bernie Williams after mouthing the phrase "Jesus Christ" in reaction to George Costanza's baseball skills "They were like, 'No, no, no, no, no,'" he says of those working on the show Derek Jeter's initial reaction to George Costanza's swing wasn't necessarily a home run for network television at the time. The New York Yankees legend, 51, reveals to PEOPLE that his memorable 1996 cameo on season 8 ofSeinfeld— as himself in "The Abstinence" — wasn't a one-and-done situation, as he actually had to have a "do over" when filming for his first official TV gig. As Jeter shares, he and fellow former YankeeBernie Williamsflew out to Los Angeles at the time to film the episode, which followed George (played byJason Alexander) and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) each practicing sexual abstinence. Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty For George, that meant eventually hitting an open-air batting area supposedly at Yankee Stadium and showing a couple of players his newfound baseball skills (after an extended period without sexual activity appeared to impact his intelligence). In the scene, George — then an assistant to the traveling secretary for the baseball organization — drops some "simple physics" knowledge on Williams and Jeter before hitting a couple of homers. "It was me and Bernie and George Costanza, but we flew out to film it in L.A., and I remember they were telling us to react to George hitting the home run," Jeter recalls of the scene. "I mouth, 'Jesus Christ.' And they were like, 'No, no, no, no, no. We got to do it over. We got to do it over. We got to do it over. You can't say that, that's the thing.' I just felt like I made a big mistake," he adds. "I think that's what stood out for me." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Jeter and Williams weren't the only stars to make cameos in the episode either, as both David Letterman andAlex Trebekalso made guest appearances in "The Abstinence," which premiered on NBC in November 1996. The eighth season also marked the first following the departure ofLarry David. Filming the scene, Jeter says, gave him "much more respect" for actors and actresses. Now, as part of being named BetMGM's latest brand ambassador, fans can catch a glimpse of Jeter on TV screens with the company's newest "Legendary Plays" ad, in which the retired MLB star walks the field at Yankee Stadium and recalls "where it happened." While reflecting on his on-screen history, the former shortstop and sportscaster added that he once tried to secure a spot in aSpike Leefilm back in 1996, but it didn't go according to plan. "I met Spike Lee in 1996 at a Yankee game, and I was excited," Jeter says. "Everyone knows Spike Lee, and he was on the field, and I said, 'Hey, Spike, when are you going to let me act in one of your movies?' And he said, 'Try acting like a shortstop tonight.' " "So he put me in my place. And ever since that, I took his advice to heart, and I realized where my focus should be, and that should be on the baseball career." Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Derek Jeter Reveals Why He Had to 'Do Over' His 1996 “Seinfeld” Cameo: 'You Can't Say That' (Exclusive)

Derek Jeter Reveals Why He Had to 'Do Over' His 1996 "Seinfeld" Cameo: 'You Can't Say That' (Exclusive) Joseph...
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JC Tretter resigning from NFLPA amid scandals within unionNew Foto - JC Tretter resigning from NFLPA amid scandals within union

Days after the NFL Players Association'sexecutive director Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned, the favorite to replace him is resigning as well. FormerCleveland Brownscenter and NFLPA president JC Tretter told CBS Sports that he is resigning from the NFLPA, removing his name from candidacy for the now-vacant executive director position. "Over the last couple days, it has gotten very, very hard for my family. And that's something I can't deal with," Tretter toldCBS Sports. "So, the short bullet points are: I have no interest in being [executive director]. I have no interest in being considered; I've let the executive committee know that. I'm also going to leave the NFLPA in the coming days because I don't have anything left to give the organization." NFL, NFLPA explainer:What to know about grievances, Lloyd Howell, next steps Tretter served as president of the NFLPA from 2020 to 2024 and resigns amid multiple scandals involving Howell and the players' union. Howell faced questions after the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast released a 61-page arbitration reportshowing the NFL encouraged owners "to reduce guarantees in future contracts with players at the March 2022 annual meeting." Howell, the head of the NFLPA at the time, reached a confidentiality agreement with the NFL that kept players and the public from knowing what was in the report. Since his resignation, reports came out thatHowell charged the NFLPA for multiple strip club visits. The "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast also reported another confidential deal between the NFL and the NFLPAon an investigation into fake injuries. Tretter's comments during an interview in 2023 led to the investigation. Tretter was considered a frontrunner to replace Howell in upcoming NFLPA executive director elections. "I'm not resigning because what I've been accused of is true," he told CBS Sports. "I'm not resigning in disgrace. I'm resigning because this has gone too far for me and my family, and I've sucked it up for six weeks. And I felt like I've been kind of left in the wind taking shots for the best of the organization." OPINION:Former NFLPA head Lloyd Howell was sunk by his own secrets NFLPA chief player officerDon Davis is reportedly the other frontrunnerand seems poised to take the position. Davis played linebacker for 11 years in the NFL with theNew Orleans Saints,Tampa Bay Buccaneers,St. Louis RamsandNew England Patriots. All the NFL news on and off the field.Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why JC Tretter is resigning from the NFLPA amid scandals

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

JC Tretter resigning from NFLPA amid scandals within union

JC Tretter resigning from NFLPA amid scandals within union Days after the NFL Players Association'sexecutive director Lloyd Howell Jr. r...
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Mike Williams' abrupt retirement has Chargers searching for a wideout to fill a big holeNew Foto - Mike Williams' abrupt retirement has Chargers searching for a wideout to fill a big hole

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A week into theLos Angeles Chargers'training camp, an unexpected hole has quickly become a coaching staff and front office focal point. It's a void that measures 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, was previously inhabited byveteran wideout Mike Williams, and now needs a sizable presence to step into an opportunity. That was the primary takeaway after visiting Chargers camp Saturday, just days after Williams abruptly retired on the first day of practice and pushed the franchise to start mulling limited options. It's a roster concern that exacerbates an early — but somewhat typical — camp theme for many teams: The defense is ahead of the offense; the installation process is just now getting traction; and conversations are intensifying behind closed doors about roster questions that will need to be answered from inside the current depth chart or supplemented with an outside addition. For the Chargers, nothing represents that reality more than the starting "X" receiver spot, which not only lost Williams' prototypical size and strength at the position, but also his baked-in chemistry with quarterbackJustin Herbert, whom Williams played with from 2020 to 2023. All of that drove Los Angeles to reunite with Williams in free agency last March, bringing some important depth and options to the position alongside rising young starLadd McConkey. Unfortunately, with Williams battling lingering health issues from the spring, the reliable free-agent signing ended up being the least reliable development in the first week of camp. "Nothing's shocking to me — I was definitely disappointed, though," Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of Williams' retirement. "I really enjoyed my time with Mike. I've watched him throughout the years, obviously coming out of the draft and watched him flourish here over the years. … I don't know that it changes things a lot. You know, you lose a Mike Williams, that is what it is. It's not easily replaceable. But we like where everybody is going. We like the guys we have. We've just got to work to keep getting better. I like the trajectory we're on." [Get more Chargers news: Bolts team feed] So what now? Well, a few things are in play. First and foremost, the Chargers have the option on the table of adding one of the free-agent wideouts who are currently waiting for the right opportunity to open. Among them are former Chargers starKeenan Allen, who makes the most sense given that he's still productive and has also played with Herbert, as well as veteransAmari CooperandGabe Davis. All would be expected to be bargain price options at this stage. Even with the veteran options on the table, the Chargers seem intent on getting a good look at other players who could step in and potentially replace Williams in the aggregate. Third-year receiverQuentin Johnstonfaces a referendum of sorts this season, despite growing in production during his first two seasons with the Chargers. Coming off a rough performance in aplayoff loss to the Houston Texans, Johnston is going to have to showcase more consistency and reliability across the course of the season if he's going to develop into the bona fide No. 2 next to McConkey. He'll also now have to contend with a pair of rookies who are already stalking opportunities to take a bite out of the snaps opened up by Williams' departure: second-round pickTre Harris, who has already flashed some of the big-play ability he showcased at Ole Miss, and fifth-round pickKeAndre Lambert-Smith, whose top-tier speed and early groove with Herbert already has the coaching staff and front office excited. Barring a free-agent signing or trade, one or more of that trio is going to get a slew of snaps to help fill the gap left by Williams' departure. The only question now is who steps up from Day 1 to the next to earn the trust of Roman and head coach Jim Harbaugh. Putting together a preseason watch list for my All-Pro vote, the Chargers' brass advanced two of their youngest players: wideoutLadd McConkeyand right tackleJoe Alt. Interestingly, one member of the braintrust said McConkey's superb rookie season is not perceived as anything close to his ceiling internally. One thing that has the staff buzzing? McConkey opens camp a little bigger and stronger than anticipated. While it's not via a big weight gain, the staff noted that McConkey is visibly stronger. As for Alt, the Chargers think he and a healthyMekhi Bectoncould form one of the better right guard/right tackle duos in the league this season. The team is also confident that Alt could swing to left tackle if injuries necessitate it, making him one of the most versatile young anchor tackles in football. How much did the Chargers like wideoutTre Harrisin the draft? I was told that while running backOmarion Hamptonwas the team's target with the 22nd overall pick, there was a trade-back scenario that could have come into play if Hampton had come off the board board early. While there were various options on the table, if Hampton was gone by No. 22, the Chargers would have entertained moving to the bottom of the first round (likely to thePhiladelphia Eagles'original pick at No. 32), where they would have been comfortable taking Harris to close out the first round. Instead, they got Hampton and then white-knuckled Harris making it all the way to the 55th overall pick in the second round. Another rookie to watch this season: fifth-round tight endOronde Gadsden II, who a team source says has made strides getting stronger and bigger only a few months since the draft. Despite players likeSam LaPortaandBrock Bowerspopping as rookies in recent years, tight ends usually have a slow build in terms of production. But Gadsden has already had flashes in camp as a receiver and could factor more than expected as the season moves along.

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Mike Williams’ abrupt retirement has Chargers searching for a wideout to fill a big hole

Mike Williams' abrupt retirement has Chargers searching for a wideout to fill a big hole EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A week into theLos Angeles...
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Josh Lucas, Brianna Ruffalo marry in 'dream' wedding at VaticanNew Foto - Josh Lucas, Brianna Ruffalo marry in 'dream' wedding at Vatican

The forecast is looking sunny forJosh Lucasand his meteorologist wife. The "Yellowstone" star, who portrayed a young John Dutton, and Brianna Ruffalo, a meteorologist for ABC7 Los Angeles, have tied the knot in Vatican City, according to Instagram posts shared by the couple on Friday, July 18. "Mr. and Mrs.," Ruffalo, 34,captioned a gallery of photosfrom the ceremony. "Incredibly blessed to receive this sacrament together inside the heart of the Catholic Church and holy city." In another post,she thanked"the many people who helped us get to this moment" and their "stellar wedding planning team who coordinated with the Vatican." In his ownInstagram message, Lucas also thanked everyone who "helped make the dream of wedding in the #vatican come true." He shared a pair of photos of the two posing in Vatican City, with the bride holding a white umbrella. In a comment on one of her posts, the actor wrote that it was "easily one of the greatest days of my life" and that he is "so so grateful." The bride wore a lace corset gown and veil with stiletto sandals, her hair long and loose, and the groom donned a black suit with a tie. Lucas, 54, has starred in movies including "Sweet Home Alabama," "A Beautiful Mind" and "American Psycho," as well as TV shows like "Palm Royale." A return to 'Sweet Home Alabama'?Josh Lucas says there's a proposal for a sequel with Patrick Dempsey Lucasconfirmed his engagementto Ruffalo in June 2024. At the time, the "Ford v Ferrari" actor shared a clip of his fiancée looking emotional in a restaurant, apparently after he popped the question. "For the last 2 years in Every Way and Every Day this beautiful soul has made me and my life better, deeper, and more whole," he said on Instagram at the time. "I am so grateful and thrilled she said 'Yes.' " He added, "I WAY love you Brianna. & Thank You to our families and all the people and places that made this come true. I am absolutely aware I got crazy lucky." Charli XCX is married!She tied the knot with The 1975's George Daniel Ahead of the wedding,Ruffalo posted a clipon July 10 of herself delivering the forecast on ABC, while noting this would be her last day of work for "a few" weeks. In June, shecelebrated Lucas' birthdayand paid tribute to "this special guy who lights up my days with humor, love, selflessness, and dedication." Walton Gogginswas among those who sent well-wishes to the newlyweds. In a comment on Instagram, the "White Lotus" actor wrote, "Congratulations my friend. This is the good stuff." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Yellowstone' star Josh Lucas, Brianna Ruffalo marry at Vatican

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Josh Lucas, Brianna Ruffalo marry in 'dream' wedding at Vatican

Josh Lucas, Brianna Ruffalo marry in 'dream' wedding at Vatican The forecast is looking sunny forJosh Lucasand his meteorologist wif...
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Travis Scott's 'Jackboys 2' Bows Atop Album Chart, With Justin Bieber's 'Swag' Following at No. 2New Foto - Travis Scott's 'Jackboys 2' Bows Atop Album Chart, With Justin Bieber's 'Swag' Following at No. 2

The new Billboard 200 album chart has an unusual amount of fresh blood, with debuting releases accounting for five of the top 10 titles — starting with "Jackboys 2," from Travis Scott and his Jackboys collective, getting off to a robust start in the No. 1 spot, followed by Justin Bieber's first album in more than four years, "Swag," bowing in second place. The Travis Scott project came in with 232,000 equivalent album units, with Bieber chalking up 163,000 units at No. 2. The other top 10 bows were the reconstituted rap act Clipse's "Let God Sort Em Out" at No. 4, with 118,000 units; K-Pop group Twice's "This Is For" at No. 6, with 80,000 units; and Giveon's "Beloved" at No. 8, with 44,000. More from Variety 'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack Hits New Peak of No. 2 on Albums Chart Justin Bieber's 'Swag' Is Well-Guided, Heavily Guarded and Searching for Something Deeper: Album Review Justin Bieber's 'Swag' Album: Most Revealing Lyrics Address a Viral Paparazzi Moment, Hailey Bieber Devotion and More The data for the top 10 comes from Luminate, as first reported byBillboard. The top two albums for the week feel like they should come with asterisks attached, and footnotes to explain the extremely different paths they took to the top (or near-top) — one weighted heavily toward sales, and the other dependent almost exclusively on streaming. "Jackboys 2," the second release from the Cactus Jack label, includes songs from Scott and his rap collective — consisting of members Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, Chase B, SoFaygo, Wallie the Sensei and Luxury Tax 50. The album's success was largely sales-driven, as its 232,000 equivalent album units included 160,000 copies sold as pure album sales, thanks in part to a large number of variants being put on sale. Billboard reports that the album was released as both a seven-song EP (including five different vinyl editions up for sale on the artist's webstore) and a 17-track expanded edition (which had five variants of its own, including a CD, on top of the usual digital release) — before a 20-song version went up for grabs at the end of the week. While "Jackboys 2" was a sales monster, it was only the fourth-biggest streaming album of the week, with 94.86 million on-demand streams. (One additional asterisk: The tallies for "Jackboys 2" would have been even bigger if it had gone on sale on Friday, like almost all other releases, but it came out on a Sunday, so only five days of consumption were measured for the week.) Meanwhile, Bieber's "Swag" bowed with 163,000 equivalent album units — but almost none of those came from actual album sales, since it was a late-breaking surprise release with no physical product in the marketplace at all, and no vinyl expected to be out for months to come. Only 6,000 of those 163,000 "Swag" units were comprised of sales, all of them digital downloads. Yet Bieber still had a potent debut, thanks to his biggest streaming week ever, with 198.77 million on-demand official streams, led by the track "Daisies" becoming the top song on streamers like Spotify and Apple Music. Perhaps needless to say, with all that consumption, "Swag" did land at No. 1 on the streaming chart. Wherefore art thou, Morgan Wallen? The seemingly unstoppable run of "I'm the Problem" at the top of the Billboard 200 finally came to an end — for now. After eight weeks at No. 1, his blockbuster fell to No. 3 in its ninth week out. But at 147,000 units for the week, it was suffering only a 3% decline from the previous week, marking it as a likely bet to return to No. 1 soon. (The Wallen album probably won't be moving back to the top spotrightaway, however, as Tyler, the Creator's Monday release is expected to assume that slot, even with only four days of activity in store for it.) Among holdovers, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack got pushed down to No. 4, even though it's still on the rise in consumption, registering a 10,000-unit increase to 85,000 for the week. Ateez reentered the chart at No. 7 with "Golden Hour: Part 3" following the release of a deluxe edition, racking up 79,000 equivalent album units for the week and giving K-pop three spots in the top 10. Closing out the top 10 were Wallen's previous blockbuster, "One Thing at a Time," at No. 9, and SZA's "SOS" at No. 10. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Travis Scott’s ‘Jackboys 2’ Bows Atop Album Chart, With Justin Bieber’s ‘Swag’ Following at No. 2

Travis Scott's 'Jackboys 2' Bows Atop Album Chart, With Justin Bieber's 'Swag' Following at No. 2 The new Billboard ...
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Chiefs, DE George Karlaftis reportedly agree to 4-year, $93 million contract extensionNew Foto - Chiefs, DE George Karlaftis reportedly agree to 4-year, $93 million contract extension

TheKansas City Chiefsare making sure their leading pass rusher is around for multiple seasons, reaching agreement with defensive endGeorge Karlaftison a four-year contract extension, according to multiple media reports. Karlaftis is set to be paid $93 million with the contract, with $62 million guaranteed,according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. In his three seasons with the Chiefs, Karlaftis has compiled 24.5 sacks with 115 total tackles, 56 quarterback hits and 24 tackles for loss. He was Kansas City's 2022 first-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) out of Purdue. [Get more Chiefs news: KC team feed] During the Chiefs' run to Super Bowl LIX last postseason, Karlaftis totaled four sacks with 13 tackles, 8 QB hits and 4 tackles for loss. He's become one of the standout players on Steve Spagnuolo's defense with defensive tackle Chris Jones, middle linebacker Nick Bolton and cornerback Trent McDuffie. Karlaftis, 24, was already signed for one more season on his original rookie contract and the Chiefs had previously picked up his fifth-year option for 2026-27. The guaranteed $62 million in his contract ranks him ninth among the NFL's edge rushers,according to Spotrac. And his average annual salary of $23.25 million will bejust out of the top 10at the position. The Chiefs ranked 18th in the NFL with 39 sacks last season and their overall unit placed 16th with 3,970 yard allowed. They finished 15-2 during the regular season and advanced to Super Bowl LIX, where they lost to thePhiladelphia Eagles,40-22. Karlaftis joins guard Trey Smith as Chiefs players receiving lucrative contract extensions. Last week, Smith agreed toa four-year, $92 million deal(with $70 million guaranteed) that makes him the highest-paid player at his position. Up next, the Chiefs will likely pursue an extension with McDuffie. Kansas City will begin training camp Monday at Missouri Western State University.

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Chiefs, DE George Karlaftis reportedly agree to 4-year, $93 million contract extension

Chiefs, DE George Karlaftis reportedly agree to 4-year, $93 million contract extension TheKansas City Chiefsare making sure their leading pa...
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Wilyer Abreu homers twice as the Red Sox beat the Cubs 6-1 to avoid a sweepNew Foto - Wilyer Abreu homers twice as the Red Sox beat the Cubs 6-1 to avoid a sweep

CHICAGO (AP) — Wilyer Abreu homered twice and drove in three runs, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago Cubs 6-1 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep. Alex Bregman also connected as Boston rallied after managing just one run in its first two games after the All-Star break. Garrett Crochet (11-4) pitched six effective innings in his fourth consecutive win. The Red Sox went ahead to stay when Trevor Story opened the seventh with a walk and Abreu hit a drive to right-center off Ryan Pressly (2-3) for his 19th homer. Bregman broke it open with a pinch-hit shot off Drew Pomeranz for a three-run homer in the eighth. Abreu tacked on a two-out solo drive against Ethan Roberts. It was Abreu's fourth multihomer game of the season and No. 5 for his career. He hit a total of 17 homers in his first two years in the majors. Boston improved to 12-3 in July. It had won 10 in a row going into the series. Chicago wasted a sharp performance by Cade Horton, who pitched 5 2/3 innings of two-hit ball. The Cubs had won five of six. Crochet allowed eight hits in his first start since July 12. The All-Star left-hander struck out five and walked two. Chicago scored its only run in the second. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a leadoff double and Dansby Swanson followed with an infield single. After Crow-Armstrong was caught stealing third, Swanson raced home from second on Ian Happ's single to right. Key moment The Cubs threatened in the fifth, loading the bases with two down. But Crochet escaped the jam when he got Carson Kelly to bounce into a fielder's choice. Key stat The Red Sox improved to 13-14 against the Cubs since the start of interleague play in 1997. Up next Red Sox: RHP Walker Buehler (6-6, 6.12 ERA) starts Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Philadelphia. RHP Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.36 ERA) goes for the Phillies. Cubs: Stay at home for the opener of a three-game set against Kansas City on Monday night. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Wilyer Abreu homers twice as the Red Sox beat the Cubs 6-1 to avoid a sweep

Wilyer Abreu homers twice as the Red Sox beat the Cubs 6-1 to avoid a sweep CHICAGO (AP) — Wilyer Abreu homered twice and drove in three run...
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Marvel Plans to Recast the X-Men and (Eventually) Tony Stark After 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' But 'Reboot Is a Scary Word,' Says Kevin FeigeNew Foto - Marvel Plans to Recast the X-Men and (Eventually) Tony Stark After 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' But 'Reboot Is a Scary Word,' Says Kevin Feige

The all-new X-Men are coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and an all-new Tony Stark will (eventually) join them. In a wide-ranging conversation with press on Friday, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige confirmed that, following the events of 2027's "Avengers: Secret Wars," the company will recast the super-powered mutants for its upcoming "X-Men" movie directed by Jake Schreier ("Thunderbolts*"). More from Variety John Malkovich's Red Ghost Cut From 'Fantastic Four'; Director Says 'It Was Heartbreaking Not to Include Him' (EXCLUSIVE) 'Fantastic Four,' Assemble: Director Matt Shakman on Casting Marvel's First Family Without Auditions and 'Corporate Pressures' Not Being 'My Burden to Shoulder' Tom Holland Says 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Will Go Back to 'Old School Filmmaking and Shoot in Real Locations' After COVID Restricted 'No Way Home' to Soundstages Many of the actors who starred in the "X-Men" movies of the 2000s and 2010s are reprising those roles in 2026's "Avengers: Doomsday," including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden and Kelsey Grammer. Stewart also played Charles Xavier in 2022's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," and Grammer appeared as Hank McCoy in a post-credits scene in 2023's "The Marvels." In future films, however, X-Men characters who appeared in previous movies will be played by new actors, along with mutants making their big screen debut. The decision echoes changes in the composition of the Marvel comics following the 2015 "Secret Wars" storyline, which involved multiple timelines collapsing and re-converging, mixing up the characters of the main Marvel timeline in the process. "We're utilizing that [story] not just to round out the stories we've been telling post-'Endgame,' just as importantly — and you can look at the at the 'Secret Wars' comics for where that takes you — it very, very much sets us up for the future," Feige said. "'Endgame,' literally, was about endings. 'Secret Wars' is about is about beginnings." But Feige was also careful not to characterize the changes as a "reboot"; instead, the executive said "Secret Wars" will serve as a "reset" for the MCU. "Reboot is a scary word," he said. "Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline — we're thinking along those lines." Later, he added, "'X-Men' is where that will happen next." Feige noted that the X-Men comics, with their focus on Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, naturally centered on stories about adolescent characters. "They have been a place to tell stories about young people who feel different and who feel Other and who feel like they don't belong," he said. "That's the universal story of mutants, and that is where we're going." Even more intriguingly, Feige also indicated that other Marvel characters will eventually be recast, including its most iconic roles, like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. He pointed to many other major film franchises that have done the same thing, multiple times over. "Amy Pascal and David Heyman are now searching for a new James Bond," Feige said, referring to the producers of Amazon MGM's upcoming Bond film. "David [Corenswet], the new Superman — he was awesome. That will always be the case." Feige acknowledged that stars who've retired their original MCU roles like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans have made it difficult to imagine anyone else in their characters' shoes. But it isn't an impossible task. "I think it's hard for anybody to do that when an actor has done such a great role," he said. "How are they going to ever replace Sean Connery [as James Bond], right?" At least two legacy actors may still yet appear in the MCU, as well. Asked about his plans for a follow-up to Marvel's 2024 blockbuster "Deadpool & Wolverine" with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Feige, in typical fashion, made no definitive statements, but also did not close off any possibilities. "I think there is more fun to be had with both of those characters," he said. "But we'll see where." Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

Marvel Plans to Recast the X-Men and (Eventually) Tony Stark After ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ But ‘Reboot Is a Scary Word,’ Says Kevin Feige

Marvel Plans to Recast the X-Men and (Eventually) Tony Stark After 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' But 'Reboot Is a Scary Word,' Sa...
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This '70s pop band has won over Gen Z (again) with 1 billion Spotify streams.New Foto - This '70s pop band has won over Gen Z (again) with 1 billion Spotify streams.

It's not 1979, butABBAis bewitching a whole new generation with its disco magic. Theiconic Swedish pop group, beloved for its infectious blend of Europop and danceable grooves, has made Spotify history with its late-'70s hit"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)."The song, cowritten and coproduced by members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, enteredSpotify's Billions Clubon Sunday, July 20, after surpassing one billion streams on the music platform, Spotify exclusively confirmed to USA TODAY. This isn't the first time ABBA has dominated the streaming universe with its timeless tunes. The band's enduring anthem, "Dancing Queen," entered the Billions Club in July 2023. Released in October 1979 as part of the group's compilation album"Greatest Hits Vol. 2,""Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" peaked at No. 1 in several territories, including Europe, Denmark, Japan and Switzerland, and cracked the top 20 in ABBA's native Sweden. The song has received a number of revivals over the years thanks to various covers and samples. '80s diva and "Queen of Pop"Madonnafeatured the track's opening synth line in her 2005 song"Hung Up,"which peaked at No. 7 on theBillboard Hot 100. ABBA book revelations:AC/DC connection, the unlikely inspiration for 'Mamma Mia!', more Additionally, the 2008 film"Mamma Mia!"— a musical based on ABBA's hits-heavy catalog — includeda version sung bystarsAmanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley and Rachel McDowall. More recently, "Gimme!" has enjoyed a digital resurgence with Gen Z, as seen on the social media platform TikTok. Several clips show young fans embracing the song's disco sound withlively, choreographed routines. ABBA's streaming dominance is in part due to the group's sizable Gen Z audience. Globally, Gen Zers have accounted for 50% of ABBA's total streams on Spotify in 2025, according to the streaming service. Additionally, there have been over 11 million ABBA discoveries by Gen Z listeners on Spotify, which makes up half of the band's discoveries from all users worldwide. See the photos:A 'very emotional' ABBA reunites to receive Swedish royal honors The top 10 most-streamed ABBA tracks among Gen Z listeners in 2025 are as follows: Dancing Queen Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) Lay All Your Love on Me The Winner Takes It All Mamma Mia Slipping Through My Fingers Money, Money, Money Super Trouper Chiquitita Take a Chance on Me This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:ABBA reaches 1 billion Spotify streams with 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'

byLiam Oneel
in
July 20, 2025

This '70s pop band has won over Gen Z (again) with 1 billion Spotify streams.

This '70s pop band has won over Gen Z (again) with 1 billion Spotify streams. It's not 1979, butABBAis bewitching a whole new genera...
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