Kirk Herbstreit: ‘God bless’ Pat McAfee’s Veterans Day show, ‘one of your best’

On Tuesday, Pat McAfee hosted his eponymous show from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina to celebrate Veterans Day. The show featured numerous gestures in praise of the military, but none more notable than an interview with the sitting president.

The commander-in-chief spoke to McAfee by phone, with much of the interview focused on celebrating veterans. However, the interview has come under fire in the days since. Critics point out that McAfee gave President Trump carte blanche to discuss lies about the 2020 election, didn’t bring up Trump’s history of denigrating the military, and then hid behind his self-proclaimed ignorance of politics when facing the predictable criticism of hosting a controversial political figure on ESPN airwaves.

The following day, McAfee claimed that anyone who disagreed with his decision to interview Trump “hate[d] the troops.”

Despite the polarizing nature of the interview, one of McAfee’s ESPN colleagues decided to publicly voice his support for the former Indianapolis Colts punter during a high-leverage portion of College GameDay on Saturday. Fellow GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit told McAfee that his Veterans Day show was one of the “best shows you’ve ever had,” as the show’s panel picked Saturday’s slate of college football games.

“Veterans Day was Tuesday,” McAfee said before making his selection for the USF-Navy game. “Give me Navy, for America. Of course, I’ll take Navy to get a big time win.” After celebrity picker Aaron Donald also picked Navy, McAfee said, “And God bless the troops,” at which point Herbstreit quickly jumped in to say, “And God bless you for that show you put on Tuesday. One of your best shows you’ve ever had.”

In Herbstreit’s defense, McAfee’s Trump interview was but a small portion of a three-hour show that featured plenty of tactful celebration for our nation’s armed forces. However, the Trump interview was by far the most notable part of the show, and the part that has received the vast majority of media coverage (and criticism) in the days following the episode.

Whether Herbstreit meant his comments to be an endorsement of the Trump interview or not, that is how they came off.
https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/kirk-herbstreit-endorses-pat-mcafee-veterans-day-show-trump-interview.html

Heidi Klum transforms into mythological Medusa for Halloween with hand-painted bodysuit

Heidi Klum Slithers into Halloween History as Medusa at Annual NYC Bash

Heidi Klum has once again cemented her title as the “Queen of Halloween” with a jaw-dropping transformation that mesmerized fans and partygoers alike. At her much-anticipated 2025 Halloween party held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Klum stunned attendees by embodying the ultimate mythological monster: Medusa.

The star-studded “Heidi Halloween Party” drew its usual A-list crowd, but all eyes were on Klum as she emerged in a reptilian, hand-painted bodysuit, crowned with a massive headpiece featuring writhing snakes. Her look was completed with flashing fangs and a lengthy serpentine tail trailing behind her, making the supermodel a literal stone-cold stunner.

Adding to the eerie ambiance, Klum’s husband, musician Tom Kaulitz, fully embraced the theme by dressing as the unlucky Greek soldier whom Medusa famously turned to stone. Together, the couple made a chillingly cinematic entrance on the blue carpet, captivating the crowd.

Deliberate Artistry Behind the Transformation

Speaking with Variety, Klum revealed that her inspiration went deeper than just shock value. “There still need to be people that create moments with real people. To me, it’s like beautiful art,” she explained, emphasizing that her Medusa look was a deliberate statement in an age increasingly dominated by generative AI. “This is only good for the night,” she joked. “Tonight, everything goes down the drain literally in the shower.”

Bringing the vision to life was no small feat. It took a dedicated 15-person team of artists to hand-paint every scale and sculpt each sinuous detail of her exquisite costume.

A Tradition of Showstopping Halloween Costumes

For Klum, the labor-intensive process is all part of the fun. Over the years, she has famously transformed into iconic characters such as Jessica Rabbit, a full-body Frankenstein’s monster, and even six versions of herself. Last year, she wowed fans as E.T. from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi classic, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” cleverly disguised with a black hat, blonde wig, and red shawl. Kaulitz complemented her in a traditional E.T. costume.

Klum and her German guitarist husband have been married since 2019. In the lead-up to Halloween 2024, she teased her upcoming ensemble with Fox News Digital, describing it as “outerworldly.” However, she keeps details under wraps to preserve the element of surprise.

“I can’t give too many little hints because I don’t want people to know. I really love to have the surprise at the end of the day,” Klum shared. She prefers to keep her costume a secret to lower expectations and allow fans to form their own impressions when she steps onto the red carpet.

Past Favorites and Fan-Favorite Moments

Klum’s past Halloween showstoppers are as diverse as they are elaborate, including portrayals of the Hindu goddess Kali, Fiona from “Shrek,” and the werewolf from Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” music video. In 2022, she underwent a claustrophobic transformation into a gigantic worm, with Kaulitz dressed as a fisherman sporting a bloody eye.

When asked about her favorite costume to date, Klum likened her extravagant ensembles to children, implying each one holds a special place in her heart.

Stay tuned to see what otherworldly looks Heidi Klum conjures up next, as she continues to reign supreme in the world of Halloween celebrations.

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https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/heidi-klum-transforms-mythological-medusa-halloween-hand-painted-bodysuit