Month: May 2024

“I don’t want to see some glittery vampire”: Why Anne Rice’s undead reigns in a post-“Twilight” era

“I don’t want to see some glittery vampire”: Why Anne Rice’s undead reigns in a post-“Twilight” era

Published by Sam Flores

Nobody throws shade like a vampire. Makes sense right? Existing forever in darkness means figuring out how to navigate and manipulate it, a talent that can rub off on the people who play these monsters. Take “Interview with the Vampire” stars Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid, the actors bringing Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt to life in the TV adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel. Like their immortal counterparts, these two thoroughly enjoy their work, and they especially delight in knowing their vampires go against the grain of the type of bloody romance 20- and 30-something viewers were raised with. “I want to see crazy, demonic, messed up, tortured creatures. Like, I want to see my vampires like that, whether I’m watching this or I’m reading it,” Reid said in February, when I sat down with him and Anderson in Pasadena, Calif., to discuss the series. “I don’t want to see some glittery vampire who’s at odds with themselves and, like, can’t go near their human counterpart because they’re scared of eating them. I want to see full bloodthirst.” Both Reid and Anderson smirked …

Hate “The Phantom Menace”? The Ewok Line theory could explain why

Hate “The Phantom Menace”? The Ewok Line theory could explain why

Published by Sam Flores

Twenty-five years onward from the theatrical debut of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” nearly every one of its haters has a story about how George Lucas wrecked their childhood. Maybe it was the acting, or more accurately, its absence. Many cite the introduction of the whole midichlorians pseudo-science which, as my still-traumatized husband explained during a recent rewatch, negated the mystical wonder of the Force connection. “The podracing . . . the podracing . . . ” he muttered his breath with all the resignation of Colonel Kurtz gasping out his last words. This man loved “Star Wars” well into his 20s . . . until Lucas brought Jar Jar Binks and the Gungans into his orbit. The Naboo natives’ barely intelligible patois moved critics like NPR’s Bob Mondello to wonder what Lucas was thinking in “ [introducing] “a race of idol-worshiping primitives who speak with Caribbean accents and behave like refugees from ‘Amos n Andy.’”  The Jar Jar hatred ran so deep and fierce that it brought years of virulent harassment upon Ahmed Best, the actor who voiced him. To the manchild …

“Hacks” wonders why saying sorry is rare in comedy

“Hacks” wonders why saying sorry is rare in comedy

Published by Sam Flores

“Hacks” at its best is an exercise in wish fulfillment. That, and the regrettable gifts-with-purchase that come with realizing long-deferred dreams. The outcome of “Yes, And,” the season’s penultimate episode, proves this when at long last, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) wins the job that has long eluded her after decades of playing to pliant Vegas slot jockeys content to giggle at the broadest pabulum. Getting there took a lot of clawing through others’ low expectations and a moral flogging session at the finish line, courtesy of students at her alma mater, a situation she set in motion years before more of them were born. Her crime? Telling the same bad jokes that everyone else was telling. We’re constantly reminded that Deborah is one of the toughest people to work for in show business, and that the same drive that made her wealthy and iconic also makes her a bit monstrous. And yet, the love she shares with her protégé Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is obvious to anyone with a working heart. Deborah understands that working with Ava makes her more …

Best Filtered Shower Heads of 2026, Tested & Reviewed

Best Filtered Shower Heads of 2026, Tested & Reviewed

Published by Sam Flores

Updated February 2026 to reflect new testing, product availability and expert insight. How much thought do you put into your shower water? Barely any? I was with you until I spoke to experts. Shower water often has impurities like chlorine, heavy metals and sediments, which can irritate sensitive skin, make dry hair worse and even clog plumbing fixtures over time, says Doug Anderson, vice president of global engineering, research and development for Culligan. Filtered showerheads are a solution. They have built-in filtration systems that purify water before it hits your body, so you’re rinsing off with the cleanest H20 possible. The NBC Select team has tested filtered showerheads for over two years, and we’re constantly trying new models. Below, I share our experience installing and using eight shower filters from popular brands like Jolie, Canopy, Act+Acre and Afina. I also spoke with experts about the benefits of using a filtered showerhead and their tips on how to find the right one for your home. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The …

Where to find the best cookies to try now in Los Angeles

Where to find the best cookies to try now in Los Angeles

Published by Sam Flores

Cookies are the ultimate bringers of joy. These days, Los Angeles is flush with standout bakeries ready to satisfy every type of cookie craving. The cookie scene here has gotten so competitive that a handful of East Coast shops have relocated to get in on the action. Last summer, famed New York bakery Levain landed on Larchmont Boulevard with dense 6-ounce cookies embellished with coconut flakes, gooey chocolate and caramel. Lines are constant at James Beard-nominated Gusto Bread in Long Beach, with customers stocking up on sweet and savory pastries that draw from the owners’ Mexican and Argentine heritages. For the record: 8:24 a.m. May 27, 2024A previous version of this article stated that the tahini chocolate chip cookie is available at Kismet restaurant. In fact, it is available at Kismet Rotisserie locations. The article has been updated with this information. On a corner in West Adams, one of L.A.’s newest bakeries, Fleurs et Sel, pulls inspiration from France with fat, chewy cookies that weave floral ingredients with nostalgic flavors. And then there are the …

Every ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, ranked

Every ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, ranked

Published by Sam Flores

Is this the most important theme park attraction ever created? It just may be. The Universal Studios tram tour — officially designated as the World Famous Studio Tour — is today a polished theme park ride, a large-scale attraction bundled with a host of mini attractions within it. From a shark attack referencing Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” to a jaunt through the fake rural amusement park of Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” the tour serves as a crash course in the last 50 years of Universal blockbusters, all while jostling park guests through a simulated earthquake and a 3-D encounter with King Kong. It’s also rooted in Universal’s beginnings. Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle welcomed fans in 1915 to watch how silent films were made, charging them a quarter and giving them a box lunch in the deal. Yet different eras bring different financial motivations. The modern Studio Tour is rooted in a more basic human desire: We need to eat. In the early 1960s, according to Stephen M. Silverman’s book “The Amusement Park,” Universal began welcoming Gray …

Where to eat near campus: UCLA, USC, Loyola, Long Beach, Northridge

Where to eat near campus: UCLA, USC, Loyola, Long Beach, Northridge

Published by Sam Flores

Graduation season is upon Los Angeles. Parents and extended family members are traveling in for the occasion, while students are wrapping up finals and preparing to walk across the stage into a new, postgraduate phase of life. This year, due to nationwide pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, some of those annual celebrations look a little different. Citing security concerns, USC canceled its mainstage commencement and held a smaller ceremony at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum last week; attendance was limited to graduates, their families and loved ones. At UCLA, a pro-Palestine encampment was destroyed with more than 200 protesters arrested, though graduation ceremonies remain on schedule for June 13 through June 16. At other campuses across Southern California, campus life is marching on as usual, with some students heading home for the summer while others enter the “real world” of interviews and job hunting. Dining options near college campuses usually are focused on convenience and affordability, such as the USC Village development that opened in 2017 with a Trader Joe’s and Starbucks below new student housing. …

Do Dogs Need Sunscreen? What To Know, According to Veterinarians

Do Dogs Need Sunscreen? What To Know, According to Veterinarians

Published by Sam Flores

Applying sunscreen should be part of your daily skin care routine — but should it be part of your dog’s, too? If they’re spending hours outside, veterinarians say yes. Dogs can get sunburns and skin cancer just like their owners, and SPF is one of the best ways to protect them from UV damage. Below, vets explain everything you need to know about dog sunscreen, including when your pet should wear it and how to shop for the safest options. I also used experts’ guidance to round up the best dog sunscreens you can use at home or while traveling. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. Do dogs need to wear sunscreen? Yes, dogs need to wear sunscreen when they’re outside for long periods, like during hikes, trips to the park and while relaxing on outdoor dog beds. “Dog sunscreen serves the same purpose as it does in humans: to protect the skin from damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays,” says Dr. …

101 best West Coast experiences: Summer trip ideas from Baja to B.C.

101 best West Coast experiences: Summer trip ideas from Baja to B.C.

Published by Sam Flores

A brilliant, enduring moment can happen to anyone, any time, anywhere. But if you’re giving me a choice, I’d rather go looking for that moment at dawn on the salt flats of Death Valley. Or at the base of the Yosemite waterfall. Or on a busy night in Vancouver’s only Native restaurant. Or on a southern Baja beach with sunset coming. What secret thread runs through these places? Well, the same migrating gray whale might show up in Baja or British Columbia, depending on the season. Beyond that, these destinations are all on the West Coast, which we like to think of as our backyard, even though it rises, falls and sprawls for thousands of miles. We’re spoiled for choice as travelers living in Southern California: The beaches, deserts, mountains, towns, cities and people — some familiar, some startling — all roar for our attention. This list aims to cover 101 West Coast experiences that roared loudest when we showed up, looked and listened. Ahead you’ll find fresh information on plenty of destinations you’ve long …

Where to find the best happy hour deals in L.A. neighborhoods

Where to find the best happy hour deals in L.A. neighborhoods

Published by Sam Flores

When happy hours triumphantly returned to bars and restaurants in 2022, it was a welcome excuse to get out of the house after two years of isolating and social distancing. In 2024, happy hours are booming once again, but this time with a different catalyst: inflation. With the cost of dining out higher than ever, more and more restaurants are launching new deals to help offset the uptick in prices and attract new diners. While they’re at it, they’re redefining the category — happy hour is no longer just about discounted beers and shots or watered-down margaritas. Many are offering discounts on chef-driven dishes, spanning steak tartare to caviar bites to grilled kanpachi. Some are happening before dinner, while others are perfect for a late nightcap or a weekend afternoon. You can even find menus starring nonalcoholic beverages. From downtown to Hollywood to Santa Monica, here are some of our favorite happy hours all over town, including plenty of summer-friendly patios and rooftops. Source link