Category Archives: media

High-Profile Peacock Show Officially Scrapped

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A high-profile Peacock show is no longer happening. After it was announced in 2025 that the *Upgrade* sequel series was canceled, producer Tim Walsh further confirmed the news.

Back in 2020, Deadline reported that Leigh Whannell’s 2018 sci-fi thriller *Upgrade* would be getting a TV follow-up. The original film follows a technophobe who, after a mugging leaves him paralyzed, is implanted with a chip that allows him to control his body. The planned series was set to pick up a few years after the events of the film, broadening the universe with an evolved version of STEM and a new host, imagining a world in which the government repurposes STEM to help curb criminal activity.

Blumhouse Television and UCP were set to collaborate on the project, with Whannell attached to direct. However, in early 2025, Whannell alluded to the show’s cancellation during an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*. He explained, “As far as making a sequel to *Upgrade*, it’s another one where he thinks they’re good and it doesn’t need another. I would love to let that film keep bubbling away as this cult movie, and if people keep thinking that it was somehow prophetic, then that would be great.”

More recently, in an interview with *Bloody Disgusting*, producer Tim Walsh shed additional light on the cancellation. “Leigh and I sold that to Peacock back in 2019,” he recalled. “I think I started my writer’s room for *Upgrade* on the day the world shut down from the pandemic. We had the writer’s room. We wrote the scripts. But, as often happens in this business, somebody up top at Peacock got fired, and a new person came in, thought they knew everything, and dropped that project. It never got picked up later because it was a tumultuous time in the world.”

Considering Whannell has expressed no interest in pursuing an *Upgrade* sequel, it can be assumed that he and Walsh won’t be trying to revive the series. Whether the series would have moved forward if not for the pandemic remains unknown, but COVID-19 certainly disrupted many productions. It seems the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin for the *Upgrade* sequel series.
https://popculture.com/streaming/news/high-profile-peacock-show-officially-scrapped/

From the archives: Diane Ladd and Laura Dern

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Three-time Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, known for her memorable performances alongside her daughter Laura Dern in several productions—including *Rambling Rose* and *Wild at Heart*—passed away on November 3, 2025, at the age of 89.

In a heartfelt “Sunday Morning” interview that aired on May 14, 2023, Diane and Laura sat down with Rita Braver to discuss their shared family history, which has frequently played out on movie and TV screens. The conversation also touched on their joint memoir, *Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)*, where they explore the deep bond they share through life’s many complexities.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/from-the-archives-diane-ladd-and-laura-dern/

Denmark Has Killed Almost Every Baby With Down Syndrome in Abortion

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Life News
November 1, 2025
By Steven Ertelt

—

Back in 2019, we reposted a story revealing the grim reality facing babies with Down syndrome in Denmark. That year, there were virtually none—just 18 babies born with Down syndrome.

When I read “The Last Children of Down Syndrome” by Sarah Zhang, I was immediately reminded of a 2017 story she wrote that appeared in *The Atlantic* magazine. The subhead of Zhang’s piece puts the story into a broader context:

*“Prenatal screening is changing who gets born and who doesn’t. This is just the beginning.”*

Nobody questions the legality of abortion in Denmark, Zhang writes. “Danes are quite open about abortion—astonishingly so to my American ears—but abortions for a fetal anomaly, and especially Down syndrome, are different. They still carry a stigma.”

Why this stigma exists runs as the main thread throughout this long, must-read story.

—

The backdrop is that in 2004, Denmark became one of the first countries in the world to offer prenatal Down syndrome screening to every pregnant woman, regardless of age or other risk factors, Zhang explains. Nearly all expecting mothers choose to take the test; of those who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis, more than 95 percent choose to abort.

The few babies born with Down syndrome are typically due to a “misdiagnosis” or because parents are told the odds of having a baby with an extra chromosome were almost infinitesimally small.

—

One question raised is why women choose abortion and how influential bleak prognostications can be. Ann Katrine, the sister of Karl Emil—an 18-year-old young man with Down syndrome who is the heart of the story—put it this way:

*“If you handed any expecting parent a whole list of everything their child could possibly encounter during their entire lifespan—illnesses and stuff like that—then anyone would be scared.”*

Their mother, Grete Fält-Hansen, added,

*“Nobody would have a baby.”*

Or, looked at another way, are women truly exercising genuine “choice” in such a cultural setting? When the expectation is that a woman carrying a baby with Down syndrome will abort, how free is that choice?

—

While the language has evolved—“mongoloid” is no longer used—physicians are perhaps no less blunt about these children’s futures. Even though less emphasis is publicly placed on “saving money” by aborting than in years past, the message still rings clear: aren’t all of us, including the child, “better off” if he or she is aborted?

As Zhang writes,

*“The decisions parents make after prenatal testing are private and individual ones. But when the decisions so overwhelmingly swing one way—to abort—it does seem to reflect something more: an entire society’s judgment about the lives of people with Down syndrome. That’s what I saw reflected in Karl Emil’s face.”*

—

The cultural narrative is a constant back-and-forth between the near absence of children with Down syndrome and a collective guilt that Danes, in doing so, are not living up to their own image of themselves or their culture.

*“I think it’s because we as a society like to think of ourselves as inclusive,”* said Stina Lou, a researcher.

*“We are a rich society, and we think it’s important that different types of people should be here.”*

For some women who choose abortion, their own self-understanding is shaken.

*“They have to accept they aren’t the kind of person like they thought,”* Lou said. *“They were not the type of person who would choose to have a child with a disability.”*

—

One powerful thought comes from Stephanie Meredith, director of the National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources at the University of Kentucky. She shared a story about her 20-year-old son seeing his sister collide painfully with another player on the basketball court. She hit the ground so hard an audible crack went through the gym.

Before Meredith could react, her son leapt from the bleachers and picked his sister up.

*“He wasn’t worried about the rules; he wasn’t worried about decorum. It was just responding and taking care of her,”* Meredith recounted.

Meredith was recently asked a simple but profound question:

*What are you most proud of about your son that isn’t an achievement or a milestone?*

The incident on the basketball court was the first to come to mind.

*“It doesn’t have to do with accomplishment,”* she said. *“It has to do with caring about another human being.”*

This question stayed with Meredith—and it stayed with me—because of how subtly yet powerfully it reframes what parents should value in their children: not grades, basketball trophies, or college acceptance letters, but empathy and caring. It opens the door to a world less obsessed with achievement.

Meredith also pointed out that Down syndrome is defined and diagnosed by a medical system made up of people who themselves must be highly successful to get there, people who likely base part of their identity on their intelligence. This is the system offering parents the tools to decide what kind of children to have. Might it be biased in judging whose lives have value?

—

**Topics:** Chit/Chat
**Keywords:** abortion, Denmark, Down syndrome, prolife

—

**Comments:**

1. *”Once they are able to detect who will be short or more often ill or physically not as strong, they will eventually be aborted as well. Nothing less than a superior human will be allowed to be born as they piece together how genes interact with each other.”* — Morgana

2. *”(I’ve been diagnosed as being polemic and there is no cure.)”* — Jonty30

—

*Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected.*
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4350177/posts

Mavericks’ Anthony Davis to miss at least 2 games with calf strain

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Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis will miss the team’s next two games due to an injury, the team announced on Friday.

Davis sustained a low-grade calf strain during the first quarter of Wednesday’s 107-105 win over the Indiana Pacers. As a result, he will be sidelined for the upcoming matchups.

The Mavericks are scheduled to play the Detroit Pistons on Saturday in Mexico City, followed by a game against the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Davis is expected to be re-evaluated ahead of Wednesday’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Further updates on Davis’ condition will be provided as they become available.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-news-anthony-davis-miss-2-games-calf-strain

Shacknews Presents: Pop! Goes the Culture! Episode 176

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Watch Us React to the Final Trailer for Stranger Things Season 5!

Get ready, fans! In this exciting video, we dive into our first reactions to the highly anticipated final trailer for Stranger Things Season 5. From shocking moments to thrilling previews, join us as we break down every detail and share our thoughts on what’s to come.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, our reaction captures all the excitement and suspense leading up to the new season. Don’t miss out—watch now and experience the hype alongside us!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146596/shacknews-pgtc-stranger-things-trailer-reaction

Fortnite Sidekicks are new customizable companions

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Epic Games has announced the launch of Sidekicks, a new set of companion creatures that can accompany players in Fortnite. These customizable Sidekicks will be available across various game modes, including Battle Royale and LEGO Fortnite, as well as other titles developed by Epic.

Sidekicks will make their debut with the start of the next Fortnite season on November 1, 2025. Revealed in a recent blog post, these companions travel alongside players as they explore the map and engage in battles. While Sidekicks do not provide any competitive advantage, they add a fun element by mimicking player emotes and reacting to in-game actions.

Most Sidekicks will be customizable upon acquisition, allowing players to personalize their look. However, once these customizations are finalized, they become permanent. Additionally, Sidekicks will earn Sidekick Points (SP) during gameplay, which players can use to unlock new cosmetic items.

Several Sidekicks have already been revealed. One of the highlights is Peels, a playful banana puppy that players can earn through the new Battle Pass launching on November 1, 2025. Other Sidekicks, such as Bonesy, Spike, and Lil’ Raptor, will be available for purchase in the Item Shop starting November 7.

Get ready to welcome your new companions in Fortnite’s upcoming season and enjoy a fresh way to experience the game!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146590/fortnite-sidekicks-companions-announced

PAC-MAN joins Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Gaming is making a big splash this year in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Bandai Namco has announced that Pac-Man will be featured as a new balloon in the famous parade, marking its first-ever appearance on November 27, when the event takes place.

The details of the Pac-Man balloon were revealed in a social media post by Bandai Namco earlier this week. The company shared that it will be launching this exciting new addition as part of the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade lineup.

Over the years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has occasionally included video game characters, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Pikachu from Pokémon. However, this year promises to showcase several new video game-themed balloons, highlighting the growing influence of gaming culture in the parade.

In fact, it was announced earlier this month that Nintendo will be debuting a Mario balloon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. With Pac-Man and Mario joining the lineup, this year’s parade is shaping up to be a fantastic celebration for gamers and parade fans alike.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146570/macys-thanksgiving-parade-pac-man-2025

‘Chad Powers’ Co-Creator Michael Waldron Breaks Down The Season 1 Finale’s Biggest Scenes: “We Want To Really Beat Our Hero Up And Make It Hard For Him”

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Hulu’s new football comedy, *Chad Powers*, stars Glen Powell as former star quarterback Russ Holliday, who uses facial prosthetics, a wig, and an over-the-top fake voice to disguise himself as aspiring pro QB Chad Powers. The premise naturally invites plenty of laughs, but when Russ’ secret is finally revealed in Season 1’s eventful finale, *Chad Powers* unexpectedly levels up, delivering its most emotional and dramatic scenes yet.

“Hopefully, like any good story, we want to really beat our hero up and make it hard for him,” Michael Waldron, who co-created, wrote, and executive produced the series alongside Powell, told Decider over Zoom. “These moments are why I wanted to do this show, where, unlike *Mrs. Doubtfire* or *Tootsie*, on this one, it’s kind of like nobody gets out alive.”

### Finale Highlights and Directorial Debut

Episode 6, titled “6TH QUARTER,” explores the fallout of Coach Hudson’s (Steve Zahn) heart attack, Ricky’s (Perry Mattfeld) processing of harsh truths and tough decisions for the South Georgia Catfish, and Russ’s soul-searching both as himself and as Chad. Besides perfectly setting the stage for a potential Season 2, this finale also marks Michael Waldron’s directorial debut.

Waldron shared with Decider what it was like stepping into the director’s chair for the first time. “It was so much fun. I’ve described it as easier than not directing. We had a script we were really excited about. I’ve been around a lot of great filmmakers and worked closely with Sam Raimi on *Doctor Strange 2*, and I learned so much from him. I felt ready and confident, and my job is really just to get out of the way and let those great actors do their thing. So I hope to do more and more of it.”

### Intimate Emotional Scenes

The finale has many emotional scenes set in intimate spaces—the Cybertruck, the trailer, and notably, the bus. Waldron highlighted the bus scene as especially rewarding to shoot. “Glen and Perry’s performance in there are tremendous. We were building the season toward this confrontation between those two characters, and after shooting on the bus in Episode 4, I felt drawn back to that small, confined space. When he shuts that bus door, it’s like closing an airlock—they’re locked in together and have to have it out. It was great.”

He praised the camera work from Mark Schwartzbard, the director of photography, and the whole crew. “That one was really fun, and we got to rehearse it with the actors.”

### Harsh Words and Redemption

One of the most striking moments on the bus is Ricky’s harsh statement to Russ: “I wish after the Rose Bowl you just killed yourself.” Waldron explained the intention behind these cutting words and their impact on Russ’s redemption journey, especially following Coach Hudson calling him “a cancer” in the previous episode.

“We want to really beat our hero up and make it hard for him. That’s why I wanted to do the show—unlike *Mrs. Doubtfire* or *Tootsie*, in this one, nobody gets out alive. I wanted to explore what people’s actual reaction might be to this sort of thing.”

He continued, “It hurts Russ very deeply, as Glen’s performance shows, because Ricky’s words speak to real struggles many athletes face when failing on the biggest stage. Social media after those moments is often cruel, filled with comments telling them to ‘kill yourself.’ That’s part of our online culture. So Ricky’s words are her way of hurting him.”

Waldron also teased the possibility of exploring how—if ever—they could come back from such darkness in Season 2.

### A Romantic Comedy at Heart

While many ask about sports movie inspirations, Waldron categorizes *Chad Powers* primarily as a romantic comedy. He cited films like *Jerry Maguire*, *When Harry Met Sally*, and *Notting Hill* as influences, especially when crafting Chad and Ricky’s dynamic.

“I was thinking about stories where a self-absorbed guy has to figure out how to get the girl, but of course trips over himself doing it,” he said.

He also mentioned the iconic speech Russ makes confessing his feelings for Ricky. “I was excited about doing that kind of final speech, but then having it turn into something where they don’t get their happy ending right away—the writing version of caressing and slapping the face.”

### Dad Scenes and Prosthetics Fun

Before Chad and Ricky’s romantic tension builds, both characters share touching father-related scenes inspired by Russ’s elevator advice. Waldron also revealed that Toby Huss was enthusiastic about his big prosthetics moment as Chad’s dad.

“I pitched Toby the idea of getting him in a fat suit, and he was all in. It perfectly captures what I love about the show—balancing cathartic emotional moments with absurd comedy. Glen delivering a powerful dramatic speech, then cutting to Toby Huss in the ridiculous prosthetic fat suit, also acting dramatically—we just kept looking around in disbelief that we were getting away with this. All thanks to Michael Bay! [Laughs]”

### Glen Powell’s Dual Role Performance

Waldron praised Glen Powell’s work in the big father/son/Chad monologue, highlighting his physical and emotional range playing two characters.

“In this finale, I was excited to have Glen click into that amazing dramatic gear and finally tap into real honesty from Russ—who can only express it while disguised as Chad. That shows how emotionally stunted he is.”

He noted that much of what made it into the final cut was from their very first take. “He knocked it out of the park, and seeing him reach that place the first time was really special.”

### Exploring Backstory

The exchange also reveals that Chad’s mom died and his dad hasn’t seen him smile the same since. Waldron said they intended to be deliberate in how much they reveal.

“It was always part of the character Glen and I knew, but we didn’t want *Chad Powers* just to be about past off-screen trauma. The main trauma is the Rose Bowl and its fallout. Maybe down the line, we’ll explore more about his mom or others’ backstories, but I’m not big on flashbacks. We’ll see.”

### Father-Daughter Dynamic

Steve Zahn and Perry Mattfeld share a poignant hospital scene in the finale, displaying a father-daughter bond that was especially meaningful to Waldron, who became a father himself during filming.

“That hospital scene is maybe my favorite in the show. The themes mark a departure from the comedy—it’s just real. I was newly a dad when we started shooting and poured the vivid emotions I was living into their relationship. With actors that good, my job was just not to mess it up.”

### Filming in Sanford Stadium

The season wraps with a dream-come-true moment filming in Sanford Stadium, Waldron’s alma mater.

“We rehearsed extensively on the practice field and on the actual field in Atlanta. Our AD Kris Krengel choreographed camera moves with the crew and extras. A late idea was to have Ricky toss the ball to Russ instead of handing it, which added a cool play—everyone nailed it. Natalie Holt’s score matched, even exceeded, the epic feeling of the visuals.”

### Cliffhanger and Season 2 Tease

Fans screaming over the finale’s cliffhanger will be interested to know it was always the intended Season 1 endgame.

“We knew we had six episodes and were excited to have Ricky find out early. So we never considered showing the game results—it was always about ending on the cliffhanger and making what happens next good and fulfilling.”

About Season 2, Waldron teased:

“If we’re lucky to get another season, Ricky will be pulled into the ‘Chad Powers’ conspiracy alongside Russ and Danny. That creates a whole new, really fun dynamic.”

Regarding Glen Powell’s busy schedule, Waldron assured, “We want to make it on time, on schedule. We don’t want fans waiting years for six episodes. The response is growing, and we want to deliver without delay.”

### Other Characters and Romantic Hope

When asked about shipping opportunities beyond Chad and Ricky, Waldron expressed enthusiasm for Coach Hudson and Tricia’s dynamic.

“Steve and Wynn have amazing chemistry—just put them in a room, and it’s hilarious. Coach Hudson is on the market, although we hinted at some chemistry between Tricia and Coach Dobbs. We’ll see where that goes.”

### Memorable Improv Moments

Waldron shared one of the best improv moments from the season came from Glen Powell in Episode 5 with the line: “Is this wood? It’s all so woody!” The team kept the joke going longer than expected, creating an iconic scene.

### Final Thoughts for Fans

Waldron closed with a note for viewers:

“*Chad Powers* starts farcical but really grows into something deeper in Episodes 5 and 6. I hope people keep giving it a chance and allow themselves to be surprised. The show is probably not what you expect based on the trailers or initial impressions.”

*Chad Powers* Season 1 is now streaming on Hulu.
https://decider.com/2025/10/29/chad-powers-michael-waldron-interview-season-1-finale-recap-season-2-info/