Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 150

Why THE NEXT GENERATION Episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise” Is STAR TREK at Its Best

Thirty-five years ago, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired one of the entire franchise’s most beloved episodes, “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” on February 19, 1990. Critics and fans often rank this episode as one of the very best, not just of TNG, but across the entire Star Trek franchise. Like some other great Star Trek chapters, it involves time travel, something Trek fans often love. But it also rectifies a mishandled cast member exit from an earlier season, fills in major gaps in Star Trek history, and gives Sir Patrick Stewart one of his most memorable Picard lines of all time: “Let’s make sure history never forgets the name… Enterprise.” These days, “fan service” is a dirty word, but this episode did fan service right. And it’s a miracle all the elements came together for it to ever even happen.

Paramount The First Two Seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation Actively Avoided Fan Service

For the first two seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the idea of “fan service” was almost completely off the table. Series creator Gene Roddenberry wanted almost no connection to his previous Star Trek for his new take, even putting a hefty 78-year time gap between the end of the adventures of Captain Kirk’s Enterprise crew and his new one. (The real name should have been “The Next Next Generation.”) Roddenberry didn’t even want old alien races like the Klingons from the classic series brought in for his new version. Michael Dorn as Worf was a late addition to TNG, when others convinced Roddenberry it showed growth that the Klingons could now serve in Starfleet. Aside from an Easter egg of DeForest Kelley as an elderly Dr. Bones McCoy, seasons one and two barely had any connection to Trek’s past.

Paramount

During the show’s game-changing third season, however, the ice started to thaw on that edict. Maybe the producers thought TNG was successful enough at this point that referring to Trek’s history wouldn’t make the fans view it as desperate. Or, something more likely was true. By season three, creator Gene Roddenberry was quite ill. Others, like Rick Berman or showrunner Michael Piller were more in charge of running TNG day to day. (Roddenberry passed early in season five.) And clearly, they had less of an issue connecting to Star Trek’s history, or utilizing it to tell stories. More “fan service,” as we call it today, became evident in episodes like “Sarek”, also in season three. That episode saw Mark Lenard return as Spock’s father. In fact, “Sarek” marked the first time anyone uttered the name “Spock” in TNG (Rick Berman overruled Roddenberry on that.)

Season Three’s “Yesterday’s Enterprise” Gives Star Trek Fans What They WantParamount

But the biggest fan service episode came earlier in that season, with “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” This episode rectified actress Denise Crosby’s unceremonious exit from the show in season one, when her character Tasha Yar died thanks to a black tar monster. (Yes, really.) In addition, it finally explored the history of the mysterious other starships named Enterprise between Kirk and Picard’s time. It even explained how the Klingon Empire and the Federation became staunch allies. These last two especially were significant questions TNG left unanswered when the show began. The real miracle of that episode was that the script came pieced together from spare parts. This is quite similar to how director Nicholas Meyer stitched together many different scripts to create the fan-favorite film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982.

The Genesis of “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” a Script Written by a Star Trek FanParamount

The genesis of “Yesterday’s Enterprise” came from something unique to TNG. This was their open-door submission policy for scripts from amateur writers. Particularly, those writers without agents. No other TV show did this at the time. Truthfully, most scripts the TNG offices received (over 5,000 a year) were not very good. Other times, they were just unfilmable on a TV budget. But the cream always rises to the top. A script by a newbie writer and serious Trek fan named Trent Christopher Ganino caught the attention of the TNG staff. Ganino’s script centered around the Enterprise-C, which travels 20 years into the future. In this story, Picard must convince the crew to return to their time, and die, in order to preserve the Federation’s idyllic future. The basic premise of the final episode was there from the start, but many more changes were yet to come.

Early Versions of “Yesterday’s Enterprise” Featured Stronger Connections to The Original SeriesParamount

One interesting tidbit is that Ganino’s Enterprise-C crew was introduced because he knew he couldn’t use Captain Kirk’s iconic Enterprise-A crew. This was for no other reason than because of expense. Years later, TNG producer Rick Berman said he wished he’d kept the “Yesterday’s Enterprise” story for a feature film uniting the two iconic casts. Interestingly enough, the director of this episode, David Carson, was given the job of directing the first TNG feature Star Trek: Generations. When his script didn’t go anywhere, Ganino worked with another writer, Eric Stillwell, with another time travel Trek pitch. This one was a sequel to the iconic TOS episode “The City on the Edge of Forever.” It featured time alterations to the planet Vulcan’s past, via the use of the Guardian of Forever portal.

The timeline change in this proposed script occurs when the father of Vulcan logic philosophy, Surak, is killed millennia ago, before his time. This altered the present, leading to Starfleet being at war with a united Vulcan/Romulan empire. Rick Berman decided he wanted to save the Sarek character for another episode. But he liked the concept of the past changing, thus altering the present. He hired Ganino and Stillwell to fuse that concept with their earlier Enterprise-C time travel script. Only now, without Sarek at its core. But there was one other big wrinkle added to the story, that helped make this episode an all-time banger.

The Return of Denise Crosby as Tasha Yar Gives “Yesterday’s Enterprise” Its Emotional ThroughlineParamount

At a Trek convention, Eric Stillwell struck up a friendship with actress Denise Crosby. Crosby played Security Chief Tasha Yar in the first season of TNG. Crosby asked Roddenberry to write her off, which he did by killing Tasha in a very silly episode. She asked Stillwell to write a script that could bring her character to life again. He took up the challenge, incorporating the return of Tasha into his Enterprise-C script. The script now found its emotional core with Tasha realizing she died a meaningless death in the prime timeline, and chooses to go back in time to die a death that helps to save the future. Tasha also has a romance with Enterprise-C officer Lt. Castillo (character actor Christopher McDonald). In the altered timeline, the Federation was losing a war with the Klingon Empire, adding another interesting twist. This version of the story really clicked with the TNG producers.

Paramount

The script went through even further revisions with TNG staff writers Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler, Richard Manning, and Ronald D. Moore. Together, they beefed-up the story importance of Whoopi Goldberg’s intuitive Guinan character, as only she realized time had shifted. A previous draft had Riker and Geordi as the only crew members who knew things had changed. It also creates a true moral dilemma for Captain Picard, who struggles with sending the Enterprise-C crew to their deaths. Another last-minute change was altering the Enterprise-C’s Captain from Richard Garrett to Rachel Garrett (Tricia O’Neil). Thus, making her the first woman in command of the Federation flagship. Without a doubt, the positive reception to Garrett helped pave the way for Kathryn Janeway in Voyager five years later.

“Yesterday’s Enterprise” Becomes One of the Highest Rated Episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation Paramount

“Yesterday’s Enterprise” was given a budget slightly higher than most TNG episodes. This was justified as the episode would air during February sweeps, something once important to broadcast TV advertisers. The bigger budget went to all the redesigns of the altered Enterprise-D, the new Starfleet uniforms, and the Enterprise-C set. The episode was the most-watched episode of the season, and the third-highest-watched episode of the series overall to that point. It garnered 12 million viewers, a huge number by today’s standards. Fans went nuts for it, and it has since been elevated to one of the greatest chapters in Star Trek’s nearly 60-year history. “Yesterday’s Enterprise” proved there’s nothing wrong with fan service, as long as the writers remember to do more than just empty callbacks. When you connect a long-running franchise to its history and still give us real drama, the result can be an all-time classic.

The post Why THE NEXT GENERATION Episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise” Is STAR TREK at Its Best appeared first on Nerdist.

Helena Eagan’s Identity Crisis Has Made SEVERANCE an Even Better Show

Helena Eagan, like the rest of her corrupt, evil family, is a monster. But Severance season two’s biggest twist showed she’s still human. Unlike the severed employees her company exploits, she wasn’t able to truly split herself into two. She knows everything about her Innie, Helly R. That means Helena also knows exactly who she would have been without Lumon’s corrupting influence. And that has created more than just jealousy in the future CEO. It has created an identity crisis that has made the show’s most meaningful idea about what makes us a person even better.

Apple TV+

Mark and Dylan both agreed to undergo severance because they’re running from something. Mark is running from his grief, Dylan from his failures. Irv, with his locked chest and secrets, also seems to have similar reasons for undergoing the procedure. But Helena Eagan did it for propaganda and self-gain. She was hoping to promote severance so the company she’ll one day run could overcome legal hurdles impeding its grand sinister plans. Yet, despite having an entirely different reason than her “colleagues,” Helena Eagan is suffering, too. And for the same reason.

The other Outies are failing (not even trying, really) to work on themselves in the real world. Same as Helena. However, she’s the only one forced to reckon with that. She’s been watching Helly closely. Helena couldn’t have imitated her Innie as well as she did if she didn’t know everything about Helly even before the Macrodat Uprising. (Helena’s mole operation began shortly after, which wasn’t enough time for her to cram all the necessary research into learning about Helly intimately.) Following Helly’s life forced Helena to find out what she would be like in another existence free of family. Even worse, “Woe’s Hollow” revealed that Helena’s Innie is also undeniable proof of something Helena has clearly always feared: she’s a bad person living a miserable life.

Apple TV+

We learned Helly R.’s Outie was an awful person in season one when she refused to let her quit the severed floor. “I’m a person. You are not,” Helena Eagan said when her Innie begged for freedom from her nightmare existence. But in season two’s second episode, when Helena watched the security footage of Helly kissing Mark, we saw Helena realize she had it all backwards. Helly R. is a person. She is both loving and loved. Helly is caring and cared for. She matters to people and people matter to her. She might be trapped on Lumon’s severed floor, but she’s free to be herself. And who Helly is is a good person.

Helena, though, is not even a person. She is nothing more than a tool used without concern by a global conglomerate. She is so bound in service to Lumon she let the company split her mind in two. Helena allowed Lumon to make her literally disappear for eight hours a day, all without the grace of ignorance about her other life. And when her Innie escaped, her own father blamed her for something she didn’t do.

This experience has made Helena Eagan realize just how trapped she is in a terrible life of servitude. It’s a life she hates so much she stole her own Innie’s life and Mark’s affection.

Apple TV+

Helly R. never returned to Lumon after the Macrodat Uprising, but Mark didn’t know that when he slept with her. And while in the moment, when she told him, “I didn’t like who I was on the outside. I was ashamed,” it seemed like Helly R. was sad about her Outie’s true identity, by episode’s end we knew Helena was talking about herself during a quiet moment of self-reflection and vulnerability. Helena Eagan—who moments earlier mocked Kier’s teachings revealing she knows everything Lumon is built upon is absurd bullshit—hates herself.

Why wouldn’t she? She can no longer deny who she is. Helena is a cold, calculating monster who isn’t even a person. She’s just an employee, molded by her family, whom Lumon abuses without care. She’s just like the severed employees whose love she craves. Neither Lumon nor her own father cares about Helena. But she knows, firsthand now, people care about Helly R., someone not beholden to the Eagan family nor Lumon’s plans.

Apple TV+

Helena also knows that if she were free of her Eagan identity she would have found happiness. She’d have found love and real human connection. Now she must live with that painful knowledge, which ties back into the very core of what Severance is really about.

From the moment Mark Scout went from crying in his car to smiling at work, Severance has been a story about identity and what it means to be a person. And since that opening sequence, the series has shown why we can’t ever split ourselves in two. We are who we are and there’s no running from that, even for people who literally sever themselves in two. But now Helena Eagan’s own unique experience with severance has made that idea even richer. She is who she is, a smart and capable woman who knows right from wrong, truth from lies. The question, now that she has had to not only face the hard truth she tried to deny about who she is but also who she could have been, is what she will choose to do with that knowledge.

Apple TV+

Helly showed Helena who she could be. Then Helena got to live that life. She got to be her best self for a few hours everyday. Now she can either continue being a monster who serves Lumon and hates both her life and herself, or she can choose to be the Helly she has always been capable of being. Because while Severance has shown deep down we are always ourselves, we’re still complicated, complex creatures. And every day we get to wake up and decide which version of ourselves we want to be.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist, a company that does not believe in severing employees. He thinks…. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Helena Eagan’s Identity Crisis Has Made SEVERANCE an Even Better Show appeared first on Nerdist.

MORTAL KOMBAT 2 Shares First-Look at Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage and New Logo

From one M.K. to another, Moon Knight‘s head writer Jeremy Slater will soon pen Mortal Kombat 2. In news we first saw on Deadline, we learned that New Line will move ahead with a sequel to their gaming blockbuster. Simon McQuoid will also return as director, per the publication. Mortal Kombat 2 has even set an October 2025 release date. But for now, Mortal Kombat 2 is only officially saying that it’s “coming soon.” But it has released a logo and a first-look image at Karl Urban as Johnny Cage.

Warner Bros.Mortal Kombat 2‘s Plot

Mortal Kombat released in 2021, to the delight of the game’s many fans. Of course, no movie adaptation will please everyone. But the world of Mortal Kombat is rich and beloved. And a sequel can continue to explore that in film form. And hopefully, whatever lessons the first Mortal Kombat film learned, Mortal Kombat 2 can improve upon.

New Line Cinema

The first movie featured a blend of new and familiar characters. And likely, a sequel will follow the same format and introduce new characters for the audiences to meet. But a sequel will probably make sure to continue to add in Mortal Kombat franchise Easter eggs for die-hard fans.

Mortal Kombat 2‘s Cast

We don’t yet know what story Mortal Kombat 2 will tell. Or who it will spotlight. But last we saw the characters, Shang Tsung (Chin Han) was undeterred by his losses and determined to proceed with his plans for a tournament. Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) ordered his warriors to recruit new champions to defend the Earthrealm. And Cole headed off to Hollywood, hoping to find Johnny Cage.

Karl Urban Will Play Johnny Cage—Here’s Our First Look at the Character

Johnny Cage, of course, is a well-known figure from the games—one of the original characters from the first Mortal Kombat arcade game. Karl Urban has come aboard Mortal Kombat 2 and will play Johnny Cage. And Urban has now given us a look at himself in the Johnny Cage Role, check it out below.

Warner Bros. Pictures

We also got a tease of his character, courtesy of producer Todd Garner.

pic.twitter.com/hNb2sN8sPX

— Todd Garner (@Todd_Garner) January 16, 2024

Other Characters and Actors Joining the Mortal Kombat 2 Universe

Additionally, You‘s Tati Gabrielle will play the assassin, Jade. Jade is a character from Mortal Kombat II and serves as a confidant and protector of Princess Kitana. Speaking of the latter, Adeline Rudolph will portray Kitana. Rounding out the cast are Martyn Ford, Desmond Chiam, Ana Thu Nguyen, and Damon Herriman

New Line CinemaMortal Kombat 2‘s Release Date

Mortal Kombat 2 was reported to be released on October 24, 2025. It was event revealed to be heading to IMAX theaters. But Mortal Kombat 2 is officially sticking with a “coming soon” moniker. We’ll have to wait and see if that becomes the October release date.

All in all, things feel well set up for a sequel. Raiden’s warriors will find new characters from the games. Johnny Cage will arrive. Probably, we’ll see a tournament. And there you have it, Mortal Kombat 2. Hopefully, we’ll hear more about the plot and production of the new movie very soon. Until then, we have one movie and a rich history of games to keep us occupied. A win/win scenario for us all. A flawless victory, as it were.

Originally published on July 21. 2022.

The post MORTAL KOMBAT 2 Shares First-Look at Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage and New Logo appeared first on Nerdist.

DEXTER: RESURRECTION Adds Peter Dinklage to Its Cast

Dexter will never die, apparently. Dexter: Original Sin brought Michael C. Hall back to narrate the prequel series about his early life. But wait, there’s more. There is yet another new sequel series, Dexter: Resurrection, that will have Michael C. Hall return to his infamous role yet again. Yes, we are also wondering how this will happen but we are along for the ride. In addition to Hall, it also sounds like this spinoff will have an incredible cast. The latest actor to join in on the murderous fun of Dexter: Resurrection? Peter Dinklage.

Dexter: Resurrection‘s Cast

The newest star to join the cast of Dexter: Resurrection is Peter Dinklage. Dinklage will play Leon Prater, a character who is described as “a billionaire venture capitalist. To the world, Leon is a generous philanthropist, but behind his polished exterior lies dark intrigue.” Sounds like a great role for Dinklage.

HBO

In addition to Dinklage and Hall, Uma Thurman will have a starring role in Dexter: Resurrection. According to Deadline, she will portray Charley, the Head of Security for a mysterious billionaire named Leon Prater. Charley is a former Special Ops officer who worked for high-level private security jobs before taking on her position under Prater.

Miramax Films What Is Dexter: Resurrection About? Paramount+/SHOWTIME

There aren’t many details about Dexter: Resurrection at this time. According to Variety, it takes place in modern day and is a follow-up to 2021’s Dexter: New Blood, which took place ten years after the original show’s events. This is very, very interesting, considering Dexter literally died at the end of New Blood. The name of this new series is very on the nose, indeed. 

“We are thrilled to have the brilliant Michael C. Hall reprise his iconic role as Dexter Morgan in Showtime’s most successful series ever,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO, about Dexter: Resurrection. “While Dexter: Resurrections will appeal to the tens of millions of longtime fans, Dexter: Original Sin will introduce a whole new generation of viewers into this iconic series by starting from the beginning, which is sure to satisfy existing audiences as well.”

What Is the Release Date for Dexter: Resurrection and Dexter: Original Sin?

Dexter: Resurrection will hit Paramount+ with SHOWTIME in summer 2025 after Dexter: Original Sin’s December 2024 release. 

Originally published in 2024.

The post DEXTER: RESURRECTION Adds Peter Dinklage to Its Cast appeared first on Nerdist.

Why Does THUNDERBOLTS* Have an Asterisk? New MCU Poster Reveals One Asterisk Meaning

Ever since the Thunderbolts* movie title was revealed, the mysterious asterisk at the end of the word has kept fans guessing. It makes sense that the asterisk has been an object of much curiosity. After all, movie titles don’t often come with caveats. And a hidden Easter egg tease often has major implications when a movie is an MCU movie. So why does Thunderbolts* have an asterisk at the end of its title? And what exactly is the meaning of the asterisk in Thunderbolts*? These are good questions that we didn’t expect to have an answer to until well after the movie. But now, a new poster for the Thunderbolts* teases one possible meaning for the asterisk. Here’s the first asterisk annotation reveal.

What Is the Meaning of the Asterisk in Thunderbolts* Title? A New Poster Offers Answers

Up until now, we’ve only seen the asterisk portion of the Thunderbolts* mystery. But a new poster for the Thunderbolts* movie reveals the annotation or the text that the asterisk points to, as well. And we’ve never seen that happen before.

Marvel Studios

So what does the asterisk in Thunderbolts* actually mean? Well, at the bottom of the poster, we see that the asterisk in Thunderbolts* points to the words “*The Avengers Are Not Available.” In fact, in case we have any doubt, the official post copy from Marvel Studios actually asks, “What is the hidden meaning behind the asterisk in the title?” and replies with “The Avengers Are Not Available.”

『#サンダーボルツ*』5/2(金)日米同時公開🎬
◢◤◢◤💥最新ポスター解禁💥◢◤◢◤

ヒーロー不在の世界で立ち上がるのは
全員“ワケあり”のならず者チーム⚡️
《サンダーボルツ》

謎の男・ボブの正体。
タイトルのアスタリスクに隠された意味とは…⁉️

「*THE AVENGERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE」 pic.twitter.com/LdKcaIH5Hm

— マーベル・スタジオ［公式］ (@MarvelStudios_J) February 10, 2025

This new Thunderbolts* poster is also all about the asterisk, so we know it means business. The six members of the Thunderbolts team, Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Yelena Belova/Black Widow, Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster, Ava Starr/Ghost, and John Walker/U.S. Agent, are in fact placed inside the asterisk in this poster, giving it center stage. (Bob [or Sentry] is also peeking into the picture.)

If the Asterisk Means “The Avengers Are Not Available,” What Does THAT Mean?

Okay, so according to this poster, the Thunderbolts* asterisk is here to tell us that the Avengers are not available. We actually hear Valentina Allegra de Fontaine say something similar to those words in the Thunderbolts* latest trailer. She tells the government, “Let’s talk facts, the Avengers are not coming.” 

An asterisk, by definition, is used to share additional information that may help clarify the text it is appended to. We’re unsure what the addendum “The Avengers are not available” reveals to us about the Thunderbolts* team. We do know that President Ross wants Sam Wilson to help him build a new Avengers team in Captain America: Brave New World. Is this Thunderbolts* asterisk meant to communicate to us that this attempt failed? Or maybe it succeeded, but the Avengers are busy elsewhere? For now, it sounds more like a catchy marketing phrase than something actually meaningful.

Why Does Thunderbolts* Have an Asterisk in Its Title? Does the Asterisk Actually Matter?

But that leads us to ask again: why does the Thunderbolts* have an asterisk in its title? Is it just a catchy conceit to keep fans buzzing during the lead-up to the movie? Well, Kevin Feige has said otherwise in the past. He revealed the the asterisk does matter beyond just a few fancy words. Speaking at CinemaCon 2024, Feige offered this about the Thunderbolts* asterisk, “Yes, you’ll notice the asterisk on Thunderbolts*. That is the official title of Thunderbolts*, and we won’t talk more about that until after the movie comes out.” 

Marvel Studios

Hrm. That secrecy and refusal to discuss seems to imply that the meaning of asterisk in the MCU movie’s title is actually important. But here we are discussing it before Thunderbolts* has released, based on information from a movie poster, with a reveal that doesn’t exactly wow us. It makes us feel like there’s more to the story.

Could the Asterisk in Thunderbolts* Mean More Than One Thing?

In the Thunderbolts* trailers, the discussion of what the team should be called is a recurring theme. And that makes the idea of an asterisk fit right in. Maybe Thunderbolts is a temporary name, but the real one is still on the way. While this latest poster from Marvel Studios has given us one meaning for the asterisk, we have a feeling something more substantial will pop up to explain the asterisk. And “The Avengers Are Not Available” version is just a present distraction.

Marvel Studios

But what could other meanings of the Thunderbolts* asterisk be? Some speculation has leaned toward the idea of the Thunderbolts becoming the Dark Avengers. This Marvel Comics team is basically what it says on the label, a superhero team comprising of villains and anti-heroes. U.S. Agent, a member of the MCU’s Thunderbolts, has actually led this team before in the comics. Meanwhile, it’s possible that, for a time, the Thunderbolts will actually become the Avengers themselves. Since the Avengers are not available, someone has to step into the role.

One way or another, we probably haven’t seen the last of the asterisk yet. We’ll find out why the Thunderbolts* title has an asterisk and what exactly it means when Thunderbolts* releases in theaters on  May 2, 2025.

The post Why Does THUNDERBOLTS* Have an Asterisk? New MCU Poster Reveals One Asterisk Meaning appeared first on Nerdist.

Where to Watch CRITICAL ROLE’s Campaign 3 Finale

Critical Role recently wrapped up its third campaign with a finale that was over eight hours long and split into two parts. This makes it the longest episode in the entire history of the show. This is not an exaggeration. So make sure you have a comfy spot to sit in after reading below. Because we have all the scoop on where you can watch the epic saga of Critical Role‘s “Bells Hells” campaign conclude. The finale originally streamed live on February 6th, starting at 7 PM PST/10 EST

Watch the Critical Role Campaign 3 Finale Episode on YouTube

The first place you can watch the finale episode of Critical Role campaign three is on YouTube. Though it wasn’t immediately available, the finale is now ungated and free to watch right now. You can check it out on Critical Role‘s YouTube below.

Other Places You Can Watch the Critical Role Campaign 3 Finale Episode

The Critical Role campaign three finale is also available to stream on a couple of different platforms. You can watch the finale if you are a subscriber of Critical Role’s streaming service, Beacon, or their Twitch channel. As aforementioned, It is also available to watch for free on their YouTube. If you need to multitask the finale and driving to work, don’t fret; the episode’s audio will also be available on most podcasting platforms.

To keep you satiated till you carve out the perfect time to watch, check out the Critical Role’s special, originally live, celebratory pre-show below.

If you’re new to the show, Critical Role started off as a group of friends, who are all voice actors, playing Dungeons & Dragons. They started recording and uploading it in 2015.

You can begin watching the first Critical Role campaign on the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel, which features the group Vox Machina. That may sound familiar because Amazon Prime Video adapted the campaign into a successful animated series. It was renewed for a fourth season last year.

The post Where to Watch CRITICAL ROLE’s Campaign 3 Finale appeared first on Nerdist.

SNL’s First Episode Will Re-Air on NBC to Celebrate Its 50th Anniversary

Everyone’s favorite sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, will celebrate its 50th anniversary by re-airing its first episode. On February 15, NBC will broadcast the first SNL episode a day after a three-hour special for the anniversary. Additionally, a special episode will air the next day with a multitude of special guests, some whom are already announced and others as surprises.

SNL’s first episode originally aired on October 11, 1975, hosted by comedian George Carlin. You may remember from his iconic comedy special about the seven forbidden words you cannot say on air. At the time the show was actually not SNL, but instead called NBC’s Saturday Night. The recent film Saturday Night follows the hectic process of the show broadcasting live for the first time. It is not the best film in the world, but it definitely gives insight into that October night.

In a similar fashion to today’s SNL, there were musical guests, specifically Billy Preston and Janice Ian. NBC’s Saturday Night had its own ensemble cast that included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner. Just like present-day, they had special guests Andy Kaufman and Muppets creator Jim Henson.

NBC

On February 14, before the re-airing of the first SNL episode, NBC is broadcasting a compilation of popular holiday sketches from the show’s history. Right after the broadcasting of the first episode, the documentary directed by Questlove, Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music, will air.

NBC is doing a slew of events for the 50th anniversary to lead up to “SNL50: The Anniversary Episode” on February 16, which has a number of confirmed special guests, including Quinta Brunson, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, Robert De Niro, Ayo Edebiri, Tom Hanks, Paul McCartney, and many more. For more information on all the guests coming back and what’s airing when, head to SNL‘s Instagram.

The post SNL’s First Episode Will Re-Air on NBC to Celebrate Its 50th Anniversary appeared first on Nerdist.

DAGGERHEART, CRITICAL ROLE’s Answer to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Will Release This May

Something new is coming to the world of tabletop roleplaying games, and that’s Critical Role‘s answer to Dungeons & Dragons, Daggerheart, which will release on May 20. Critical Role shares, “Daggerheart [is] our contribution to the world of high-fantasy tabletop roleplaying games. Daggerheart is a game of brave heroics and vibrant worlds that are built together with your gaming group. Create a shared story with your adventuring party, and shape your world through rich, long-term campaign play.”

Darrington Press has revealed the cover of Daggerheart. Unveiling at PAX Unplugged, the artwork embodies the game’s sense of wonder and adventure, rich storytelling, and captivating world and characters awaiting players. The standard Daggerheart Core Set comes as both a core rulebook and a box to hold cards, and their artwork connects together to form a dramatic diptych illustrated by Mat Wilma. The limited edition box set artwork by Dominik Mayer graces the full wrap-around box as well as the core rulebook, the box of cards, AND a stunning exclusive GM screen. Fans attending PAX Unplugged can view both the standard edition of the Daggerheart Core Set as well as the extras-packed limited edition at the Darrington Press booth (#3535). 

Darrington Press

And now, you can officially pre-order Daggerheart and get ready to play. Critical Role’s original TTRPG game is available to purchase now in a standard “Core Set” version or as a limited-edition collectible which will feature “a GM screen, a dice set, a rip pad of character sheets, and tokens, as well as a sweeping alternate cover art treatment.” Daggerheart will officially ship/release on May 20, 2025.

🗡️THE #DAGGERHEART PRE-ORDER BEGINS NOW ❤️‍🔥

Daggerheart is coming in Spring 2025 in the Daggerheart Core Set and the Limited Edition, packed with extras! Be the first to bring the full version of our collaborative storytelling TTRPG to your table and pre-order today!

➡️… pic.twitter.com/9z3x6mQXms

— Critical Role (@CriticalRole) September 17, 2024

As far as game mechanics go, in Daggerheart will “players roll one HOPE die and one FEAR die (both 12-sided dice), which will ultimately impact the outcome for your characters. This duality between the forces of hope and fear on every hero drives the unique character-focused narratives in Daggerheart.” The game will also involve a card system that “makes it easy to get started and satisfying to grow your abilities by bringing your characters’ background and capabilities to your fingertips.

Critical RoleCritical Role

Ancestry and Community cards describe where you come from and how your experience shapes your customs and values. Meanwhile, your Subclass and Domain cards grant your character plenty of tantalizing abilities to choose from as your character evolves.”

Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest has now launched globally.

Originally published September 17, 2024.

The post DAGGERHEART, CRITICAL ROLE’s Answer to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Will Release This May appeared first on Nerdist.

The Best Nerdy Super Bowl Commercials of 2025

Super Bowl LIX saw the Philadelphia Eagles deny the Kansas City Chiefs their third straight NFL championship. The big game also let viewers see a whole lot of great commercials. This year was one of the best batches of pricey ads in a long time. And we’re not just saying that because many of them had a nerdy slant that was right in our Nerdist wheelhouse. (But it didn’t hurt.) Which ones managed to score with a pop culture-related pitch? These are the best nerdy Super Bowl commercials from 2025’s game.

Let’s dive in.

Ritz/MNT DEW/Booking.com/Totino’sMountain Dew Baja Blast Turns Seal Into a Seal in This Great 2025 Nerdy Super Bowl Commercial

Mountain Dew Baja Blast got real weird with a memorable ad featuring Seal…as a seal. “They should have sent a poet…”

Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson Mourn Chazmo’s Death With Totino’s Pizza Rolls

I Think You Should Leave stars Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson quickly recovered from the death of an alien (who they barely knew!) with the help of Totino’s Pizza Rolls in one of our favorite ads of the night.

The Muppets Vacation With Booking.com in This 2025 Nerdy Super Bowl Commercial

The Muppets took a not-so-relaxing vacation thanks to Booking.com in a fun ad.

Matthew McConaughey and Celebrities Sell a Football Food Conspiracy for Uber Eats

Uber Eats had Matthew McConaughey and a slew of celebs trying to convince the public football is one big food conspiracy. We’re sold. Not on the century-old conspiracy, but on this nerdy 2025 Super Bowl commercial.

Matthew McConaughey Struggles Without Salesforce

Matthew McConaughey pulled double Super Bowl commercial duty, as he also starred in Salesforce’s ad alongside his friend Woody Harrelson.

Adam Brody Calls the Mustaches for Pringles

Adam Brody used a Pringles can to accidentally call some of Hollywood and sports’ most famous mustaches to a mass gathering in a very entertaining Pringles ad. (For the record, Nick Offerman did look good with James Harden’s mustache.) We greatly enjoyed this nerdy Super Bowl commercial.

Fast and Furious Stars Slow Down for Häagen-Dazs 

Fast & Furious fans know Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Ludacris have family. But thanks to Häagen-Dazs, they also had ice cream during this nerdy Super Bowl commercial. 

The DunKings Start Dissin’ for Dunkin’

Ben and Casey Affleck, Bill Belichick, and a method Jeremy Strong brought back the DunKings for a diss battle in Dunkin’s over-the-top commercial/movie.

When Harry Met Sally Meets Hellmann’s Mayonnaise in Nostalgicly Hilarious Nerdy Super Bowl Ad

Billy Crystal watched Meg Ryan cause yet another scene at Katz’s Deli (while inspiring Sydney Sweeney) in Hellmann’s When Harry Met Sally parody commercial.

Barry Keoghan and a Donkey Deliver Squarespace

Good Irish lad and The Banshees of Inisherin star Barry Keoghan and his donkey delivered Squarespace newspaper-style in a fun commercial for the website-building website.

Instacart Invites Past Product Mascots to Its Own Commercial in an Iconic Nerdy Super Bowl Offering

Instacart’s first-ever Super Bowl ad called on product mascots from throughout the game’s history for one of the best nerdy ads of the night.

Aubrey Plaza, Michael Shannon, and Bad Bunny Get Salty For Ritz

Ritz served up a perfect nerdy commercial with some famously salty stars. It’s great on its own, but Michael Shannon’s attempt at a “smile” alone made this one of the best promos of the game.

Nate Bargatze and Vanderpump Rules‘ Ann Maddox DashPass for DoorDash

Nate Bargatze got a little too comfortable using DoorDash’s DashPass membership in a humorous ad that also featured beloved Vanderpump Rules assistant Ann Maddox.

Homes.com Won’t Let Dan Levy, Heidi Gardner, and Morgan Freeman Say It’s the Best

I guess you can’t just say something “is the best” in a commercial, even if some very famous faces want to. But you can use that concept to make a good series of Super Bowl ads starring Dan Levy, Heidi Gardner, and Morgan Freeman.

Eugene Levy’s Eyebrows Go Wild for Little Caesars’ Crazy Puffs

Dan Levy’s dad, Eugene, also got in on the Super Bowl commercial fun in Little Caesar’s Crazy Puffs promo. Those little bites send Eugene Levy’s iconic eyebrows on a big adventure.

Long Lost Twins David Beckham and Matt Damon Come Together for Stella Artois

“Long lost” twins David Beckham and Matt Damon Dave Beckham reunited in an intercontinental meeting of celebs in Stella Artois’ ad.

Ram Trucks Sends Glen Powell on a Twisted Fairy Tale in This Excellent Nerdy Super Bowl Commercial

Glen Powell let his imagination get the better of him while reading a fairy tale in Ram Trucks’ entertaining ad. It included dragons, a volcano, and chainsaws, which is always a winning team.

Walton Goggins Turns to GoDaddy To Sell Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses

Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses are not only real; they appeared in GoDaddy’s commercial featuring the Fallout star.

Antonia Banderas Goes Full “Macho Man” Randy Savage for Bosch

Oooooh yeah, we can dig this great Bosch commercial starring Antonia Banderas as both himself and as the late, great “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

Harrison Ford Mocks Ford for Jeep

Harrison Ford got dramatic in a really good Jeep commercial that saw the icon mock Jeep’s competitor that happens to share a name with Harrison. (No, the other name.)

Reese’s Wants People To Only Eat Its Lava

Everyone knows real lava looks incredibly, tantalizing appetizing. Reese’s used that undeniable fact to sell its newest candy in a very funny Super Bowl ad, which also fits the nerdy commercial bill.

Asgardians of the Galaxy Go Full Meta in Ray-Bans’ Nerdy Super Bowl Commerical

Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt (and eventually Kris Jenner) re-teamed without the Guardians of the Galaxy in Meta Ray-Ban’s smartglasses commercials.

Elmo Teaches Roger Federer the Alphabet for On

Elmo and tennis legend Roger Federer debated what the letters “O” and “N” look like in On’s commercial.

Tubi Knows What’s Really In/On Your Head in This Nerdy Super Bowl Commercial

Tubi let genre lovers know they have something for them while scarring generations of football fans with their genre hat flesh-head commercial.

Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe Punk Pickleball Players for Michelob ULTRA

Michelob ULTRA sent Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe to pickleball courts to hustle overconfident yoots out of the beer.

Gordon Ramsay and Pete Davidson Cook Up an Alien Encounter for HexClad in Stellar Nerdy Super Bowl Commercial

Gordon Ramsay learned he’s not that famous while confirming our suspicions Pete Davidson is really an alien in HexClad Cookware’s ad for cooking pans.

MSC Cruises Sends Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom on a Vacation/Holiday

Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom played up their home countries’ vacation/holiday stereotypes in MCS Cruises fun foray into Super Bowl commercials.

2025 Was a Great Year for Nerdy Super Bowl CommercialsMountain Dew

When it came to Super Bowl commercials, 2025 had more nerdy ads than ever before. And shockingly enough, they were good! After this successful game day, we can’t wait to see what next year has in store for us.

The post The Best Nerdy Super Bowl Commercials of 2025 appeared first on Nerdist.

THUNDERBOLTS* Reveals New Synopsis Which Teases ‘A Death Trap’ Set for the Team

The Thunderbolts have been a long-awaited MCU team. The quasi-villainous anti-hero/misfit gang is a staple of the Marvel Comics world, and many heroes have been a part of it at some time or another. As the MCU slowly gathered the right members, fans speculated harder and harder that the Thunderbolts were coming. And finally, in 2022, Marvel Studios made the big announcement—the MCU’s Thunderbolts* movie was finally on the way.

Along with its Super Bowl trailer, Thunderbolts* released a new synopsis for the movie. This Thunderbolts* synopsis shares:

In  “Thunderbolts*,”  Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

Marvel Studios

Here’s everything we know so far about Thunderbolts*.

TitleMarvel Studios

For now, the movie about the Thunderbolts is simply called Thunderbolts*. There is that lurking asterisk that carries some kind of hidden meaning. Kevin Feige has revealed that it’s there for a reason. Speaking at CinemaCon 2024, he shared, “Yes, you’ll notice the asterisk on Thunderbolts. That is the official title of Thunderbolts and we won’t talk more about that until after the movie comes out.” This refusal to address the Thunderbolts* asterisk seems to mean that it’s important. Let the speculation begin.

Kevin Feige confirms THUNDERBOLTS*’ is the new official title

“We won’t talk about the asterisk until after release.” pic.twitter.com/wCwx5g3CWC

— ScreenTime (@screentime) April 11, 2024

Thunderbolts*’ PlotMarvel Studios

We don’t know much about the plot of Thunderbolts*. However, we know who will be part of the MCU Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts will comprise of Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, Ghost, Red Guardian, Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier), US Agent, and Taskmaster.

The Thunderbolts* teaser trailer gives us a bit more of an idea of what we can expect. The clip focused on Yelena (Florence Pugh) as she knocks on Alexei (David Harbour). He welcomes her into his messy apartment. He asks what brings her there, and she says something’s wrong with her, an emptiness. She tried to throw herself into work after Natasha’s death, and we see cuts of her killing people. There’s also Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), US Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), who is in costume. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) arrives and assembles them together for a “bad Avengers” adventure of some sort. Make of that what you will.

Marvel Studios

For now, we still don’t have an official synopsis of Thunderbolts*, but a release from Marvel promises “an irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.”

Kevin Feige, meanwhile, recently spoke briefly about the film and said that it is truly “what Marvel is all about.”

“It’s taking characters from all different types of places and franchises and putting them together,” he said. “That’s what the Avengers is, that’s what Guardians of the Galaxy is.”

Thunderbolts*’ Cast

Accordingly to the MCU Thunderbolts line-up, here is the projected main cast of the movie so far, pending any surprise recastings:

Marvel Studios

Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine in Thunderbolts*. Hannah John-Kamen will play Ghost. David Harbour remains as Red Guardian. Florence Pugh will reprise her role Yelena Belova. Sebastian Stan will again take on the role of Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier). Wyatt Russell will appear as US Agent. And Olga Kurylenko will appear as Taskmaster.

Geraldine Viswanathan will now take on a mystery role initially meant for Ayo Edebiri. And reportedly, Lewis Pullman will replace Steven Yeun as Sentry in the Thunderbolts* movie.

Behind the Scenes

Eric Pearson will write Thunderbolt*’s script, and Jake Schreier will direct the movie. Beef‘s creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin has also come aboard as a writer of the movie. Kevin Feige is, of course, producing this Marvel Studios’ production.

Thunderbolt‘s Release DateMarvel Studios

Thunderbolts* is scheduled to release on May 2, 2025.

Originally published on January 27, 2023.

The post THUNDERBOLTS* Reveals New Synopsis Which Teases ‘A Death Trap’ Set for the Team appeared first on Nerdist.