Men's Journal's Blog, page 23

Taylor Swift Sends 7-Word Message to Travis Kelce After Major Announcement

On Monday, the New Heights podcast, hosted by Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, shared a pretty major announcement revealing that global pop sensation Taylor Swift would be appearing on the podcast this week. And it sure sounds like Taylor is excited about the opportunity.

In a post from their official New Heights account on Monday morning, the Kelce brothers hinted at a "VERY special guest" for the upcoming New Heights podcast episode.

"92%ers, we're coming back early for a special episode with a VERY special guest," the official New Heights podcast account posted on X Monday morning. "New episode Wednesday 7PM ET."

The teaser included a graphic showing Travis and Jason on opposite sides of a redacted mystery guest, fueling speculation that it could be Taylor Swift.

Later that day, the official podcast account put the rumors to rest through the New Heights podcast social media, confirming the guest was indeed the pop superstar.

"Taylor's about to do a [freaking] podcast! NEW EPISODE WEDS 7PM ET," the official New Heights account shared in an X post on Monday night.

The post included a teaser video showing Taylor and Travis interacting on the podcast.

Taylor's about to do a f*cking podcast!

NEW EPISODE WEDS 7PM ET pic.twitter.com/CFpIjMNHF4

— New Heights (@newheightshow) August 12, 2025

"Such a nice color on you," Taylor told Travis in the video, complimenting the blue color of his sweatshirt.

"Yes, I know," Travis responded. "It's the color of your eyes, sweetie. It's why we match so well."

With that, Taylor had a seven-word message for Kelce.

"We're about to do a [freaking] podcast," she said to end the teaser clip, with one of the words censored.

Though Taylor and Travis have been dating for nearly two years, she has never appeared on the New Heights podcast throughout their relationship. Now, it sounds like she is quite excited to be making her first appearance.

We'll have to see how it goes on Wednesday evening.

Taylor Swift Fans Unearth Year-Old Easter Egg After New Heights Podcast News

Taylor Swift fans are convinced they are about to get a major announcement from the singer and they believe Swift has been planning this for months. 

"Taylor Alison Swift you are DIABOLICAL for this," one fan wrote via X alongside a screenshot of a video Swift shared via TikTok in October 2024. 

In the photo, the "Look What You Made Me Do" singer was seen in a mustard yellow crewneck sweatshirt, walking away from the camera towards a stage while carrying one of her beloved cats. 

"Back in the office… #MiamiTSTheErasTour," the video was captioned. But it was in the background of her post that has fans spiraling 10 months later. 

"A12," seemingly a seating section at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, now has another meaning: August 12. 

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A post shared by New Heights (@newheightshow)

"It’s been there the whole time and i seriously have not heard one person mention that it might indicate an August 12th announcement," another Swiftie shared to TikTok with the same screenshot. 

The image began recirculating after Swift was revealed as the upcoming surprise guest on boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce's podcast, "New Heights." 

"Taylor’s about to do a f*cking podcast!" the official Instagram page for the brothers' podcast announced, adding "NEW EPISODE WEDS 7PM ET."

In addition to the Swift's first ever podcast appearance, fans also noticed her website has a countdown to Tuesday, August 12 at 12:12 a.m. ET. 

Related: Travis Kelce Lights Up After Surprise Visit at Chiefs Training Camp

While fans have been wrong about the "So High School" singer's Easter eggs in the past, they unanimously are crossing their fingers for TS12, the singer's 12th studio album. 

The Grammy winner's last album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released in April 2024. She surprised fans two hours after its release by dropping a surprise second album to create an anthology.

AMC Theatres Announces Major Change Affected All Moviegoers

AMC Theatres' CEO Adam Aron announced during an earnings call on Monday that the company would be cutting down on its pre-show marketing.

“It’s not that there’s been a change of heart...but we also know that some other consumers think the package has gone too long, and we’re trying to find a happy medium," Aron said. 

After ACM and National CineMedia, an advertising company, reached a deal, AMC customers were alerted that they could expect their movie to begin up to 30 minutes after the listed showtime. 

“While AMC was initially reluctant to bring this to our theaters, our competitors have fully participated for more than five years without any direct impact to their attendance. This is a strong indication that this NCM pre-show initiative does not negatively influence moviegoing habits," the theater chain announced at the time. "We were forgoing tens of millions of dollars that our competitors were taking."

Related: Target Shoppers React to Disappointing Change for All Stores

In order to balance out the extended wait times, Aron announced, “We’re not cutting back the agreement that we put in place with National CineMedia that is contractual for many years to come."

Instead the CEO stated they would be cutting down their in-house ads by two to three minutes. Additionally, they would pick up another two to three minutes by eliminating one trailer per film. 

“We knew that when we made the NCM deal, we might have to make a tradeoff,” Aron said. “If we’re adding six minutes in NCM ad time, we would have to reduce a trailer or cut down some of our own marketing fluff in advance of the feature film.”

Days prior to Aron's announcement, AMC walked out a previous decision to run a "platinum spot" in their pre-show programming. 

Travis Kelce Confirms Taylor Swift Podcast Appearance

On Monday, speculation began to swirl that Taylor Swift would be the guest on the Wednesday episode of the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce. But it did not take long for that news to be confirmed.

Early Monday morning, the Kelce brothers teased a "VERY special guest" on the next episode of the New Heights podcast. 

"92%ers, we're coming back early for a special episode with a VERY special guest," the the official New Heights podcast account wrote in a post on X on Monday morning. "New episode Wednesday 7PM ET."

The initial teaser included a graphic featuring both Travis and Jason with the mystery guest redacted from the photo, sparking speculation that it would be Taylor Swift.

On Monday, Travis and Jason confirmed via their New Heights podcast social media accounts that the guest would indeed be the pop sensation.

"Taylor's about to do a [freaking] podcast! NEW EPISODE WEDS 7PM ET," the New Heights official account wrote in a post on X on Monday night.

Taylor's about to do a f*cking podcast!

NEW EPISODE WEDS 7PM ET pic.twitter.com/CFpIjMNHF4

— New Heights (@newheightshow) August 12, 2025

The post included a video teasing Taylor's appearance on the podcast.

"Such a nice color on you," Taylor told Travis in the video, complimenting the blue color of his sweatshirt.

"Yes, I know," Travis responded. "It's the color of your eyes, sweetie. It's why we match so well."

"We're about to do a [freaking] podcast," she said to end the teaser clip.

The podcast coincides with what appears to be an announcement from Taylor Swift as she started a countdown on her official website ending at 12:12 a.m. ET, possibly suggesting that she is set to announce her 12th studio album.

Whatever the announcement may be, it's pretty obvious that she will be talking about it extensively on the podcast.

The latest episode of the New Heights podcast is set to debut at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Chris Pratt Is Game for a ‘Parks and Rec’ Reboot, and Has a Wild Andy Dwyer Storyline

Leading up to the premiere of the follow-up series to The Terminal List, star Chris Pratt surely knew the questions would come while speaking to reporters about his beloved television character, Andy Dwyer. 

After all, reboots of popular movies and shows are popping up all over Hollywood, and Pratt, who stars in the upcoming series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, was a core part of one of the most beloved comedies from 2009 to 2015.

However, when the topic of a Parks and Recreation reboot was brought up, Pratt's answer was surprising and far more detailed than most would likely expect for a show that had its series finale 10 years ago.

Chris Pratt on Board for 'Parks and Recreation' Reboot, Reveals Where Andy Dwyer Would Be Today Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza attend the Paley Center For Media's 2019 PaleyFest LA 'Parks And Recreation' 10th Anniversary Reunion held at the Dolby Theater.

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images

During an interview with Access Hollywood, Pratt was asked if he would be interested in a reboot of NBC's beloved series Parks and Recreation.

Not only did Pratt offer a resounding "yes" to returning, he even took it one step further to discuss modern-day Andy Dwyer.

"Oh my gosh, a reboot? Wow, yeah, of course I'd be game," Pratt said. "That was one of the most special seasons of my life—all seven seasons of the show, but that entire era for me. It was so much fun, I loved it so much. I'd be so curious to see what Mike Schur, Greg Daniels and Amy Poehler would have imagined where Andy Dwyer may have gone."

When asked where Pratt thinks his former Parks and Rec character would be now, he set the stage with what would be a pretty incredible storyline.

"I think he moved to Eagleton," Pratt replied. "I think he moved to Eagleton and became a yuppie. I think that'd be really funny to explore."

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If Pratt came up with that on the spot, it'd be impressive, but you have to imagine the Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World star has been tossed that question more than a few times over the past 10 years.

Chris Pratt Has a Loaded List of Acting Roles on the Horizon Chris Pratt attends a special screening of 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.'

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

If Pratt really would dive in for a Parks and Recreation reboot, there hasn't been much said about it to this point. That's good news for the 46-year-old actor, as his plate is pretty loaded throughout the remainder of 2025 and 2026.

Along with Amazon Prime Video's The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, which is set to be released on Aug. 27, shows him in two other completed movies, Way of the Warrior Kid and Mercy. 

From there, he's slated to reprise his role as the voice of Mario in Super Mario World in 2026, along with an untitled Garfield Movie sequel, both of which are in pre-production. Lastly, Pratt is listed in the movie Cowboy Ninja Viking, which is still in development.

And although there's been no update from Marvel on Pratt returning as Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, for the 2026 film, Avengers: Doomsday, or the 2027 follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see him reprise his role as the popular character in at least one of the two.

Related: Chris Pratt's Wild Bedtime Stories for His Kids All Center on 1 Surprising Person

'Weapons' Zach Cregger Says Austin Abrams Was the 1 Original Cast Member to Make Film

Zach Cregger found himself facing somewhat of a disaster after originally casting his latest hit movie, Weapons. However, if things hadn't played out the way they did, moviegoers would be watching an entirely different cast, and it's safe to say that the new-look group knocked it out of the park.

As Cregger revealed during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he had an entirely different cast for Weapons, but the writers' strike, followed by Pedro Pascal having to back out, led to a full recast.

'Weapons' Director Zach Cregger Reveals 1 Actor From Original Cast 'Hung Tough' With Him

Weapons, which features Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, joined after things went somewhat haywire for Cregger and the original cast. Brolin, who plays Archer, the father of a missing child in the movie, stepped into the part originally cast for Pascal.

"I had a whole different cast for this movie," Cregger tells Entertainment Weekly. "And then we had the strike, and then Pedro Pascal's schedule threw us into turmoil. I had to recast the entire movie."

Zach Cregger attends the Los Angeles premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema's 'Weapons' at The United Theater on Broadway.

Savion Washington/Getty Images

Along with Pascal, the original cast of Weapons included Brian Tyree Henry, Renate Reinsve and Austin Abrams. While Cregger added that he bears "no ill will towards anybody" for having to back out and the movie essentially resetting back to casting, he had high praise for Abrams, the lone name that "hung tough" with him.

"He hung tough with me. That's my dude right there," Cregger comments.

Abrams plays the part of James, a homeless man who's battling a drug addiction.

Austin Abrams Discusses Decision Not to Back Out of 'Weapons' After Writers' Strike Austin Abrams at the 'Weapons' World Premiere held at The United Theater on Broadway.

Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

While actors' schedules got overloaded and Cregger was left with many recastings on his hands, Abrams chose to ride it out for the Weapons role. During the same interview with Entertainment Weekly, he explained the decision, stating that he "loved the part" and "didn't wanna let it go."

"I'd seen Barbarian with a friend. I remember when it cut to Justin Long in the car, I just knew I loved whoever made that movie," Abrams says.

"I was able to get in contact with Zach, and then it turned out he was making something. He thought I was a good fit for it, potentially.... I loved the part and I didn't wanna let it go. So I just really held on 'cause I really wanted to do it."

It's safe to say the decision was a wise one for Abrams, at least at the surface level. Weapons has been a juggernaut in terms of its early reviews from fans and critics alike. It also raked in $42.5 million domestically at the box office and $27.5 million overseas, blowing past the initial expectations for an opening weekend total of $70 million globally.

Considering the movie was made for $38 million, Weapons is well-positioned for a big run, especially as the hype behind the movie continues to grow following its release.

Related: 'Weapons' Director Zach Cregger Addresses Chances of Sequel After Film's Rave Reviews

'Big Brother' Alum Haleigh Broucher Marries NBA Star Alex Caruso

Big Brother 20 houseguest Haleigh Broucher and NBA star Alex Caruso are married! The couple tied the knot surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, August 9 in Houston, Texas.

The PhD student, 28, and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, 31, showed off their rings and marriage certificate in photos shared on social media. They could also be seen in pictures at the alter during the ceremony and dancing at the reception, with videos of Caruso seeing his soon-to-be wife in her wedding dress for the first time too.

Guests at the nuptials included his Oklahoma teammates Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, among others. It wasn't immediately clear if any of Broucher's reality TV friends were also in attendance. 

"Prepare to be sick of me," she joked on Instagram the morning of the big day while clad in a robe getting ready.

The newlyweds, who have been dating for many years, announced their engagement back in August 2024 with photos from a romantic beach proposal. "Forever kind of love," she captioned one picture.

That fall, Broucher shared more videos from the special day, writing, "I am so blessed with a man who goes above and beyond in every aspect for me. I look to him in moments of stress, happiness, and calm and know that he will be there steadfast. I truly try to embody him throughout my day. I know it’s cheesy, but he truly makes me a better person in all areas of my life, and I cannot wait to be the best wife I can to him until my last breath."

The couple, who are both from Texas, actually went to the same college, Texas A&M. "I knew of him because he played basketball, obviously, at the school and we never connected, but we had the same circles," she explained during a July 2024 interview on The Exclusive podcast. "And he watched season 20. A bunch of his friends were Big Brother fans, so he already had an intro to me and who I was."

Caruso just wrapped up his first season with the Thunder after he was acquired by the team in a June 2024 trade with the Chicago Bulls. Broucher moved to Oklahoma with him and is busy getting her PhD in psychology.

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A post shared by Haleigh Broucher (@haleighcaruso)

Dell's Bestselling $550 Inspiron 14 Laptop Is on Sale for $349, and Shoppers Say It 'Works Like a Charm'

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why We Love This Deal

Whether you’re prepping to go back to school this fall or just need a new laptop for work, prices play a huge factor in the decision-making process. Apple users know this feeling well—even when on sale, MacBooks remain expensive. For Windows fans, things are a little easier. Savvy shoppers are turning to places like Walmart, where it's easy to find great laptops, like this Dell, on sale.

The Dell Inspiron 14 Laptop 5440 is now on sale for $349, a sizeable 27% discount on its normal $550 price. This is an incredibly low price for a laptop in today’s world, and it's one shoppers are flocking to get.

Dell Inspiron 14 Laptop 5440, $349 (was $550) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

[image error] Why Do Shoppers Love It?

The Dell Inspiron 14 Laptop 5440 has a thin chassis and compact design for easy transport everywhere. It has slim keys and a large central trackpad. With it, you’ll get clear visuals from the FHD+ display with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio.

When participating in digital meetings, an FHD webcam that’s designed to reduce visual noise will be there to aid in making the best presentation possible. It even has military-grade testing on its physicals to keep it reliable as you move it from place to place.

Related: Walmart Is Selling This $469 HP Laptop for Just $279 Right Now, and It's a Perfect Pick for College Students

What Shoppers Should KnowSpecs: The Dell Inspiron 14 Laptop 5440 has an Intel Core i5 processor, 512GB of SSD storage, and 8GB of RAM.Ports: The laptop has a USB-C, 2 USB-A, HDMI, and SD card reader ports, plus a headphone jack.Battery Life: Up to 10 hours.Best Use Case: Casual browsing, schoolwork, and business.

The laptop uses an Intel Core i5 processor, has 512GB of SSD storage, and 8GB of RAM, perfect for casual browsing and schoolwork, or even business purposes. With USB ports galore and even a headphone jack, it’s easy to connect other tech to the Dell Inspiron 14 Laptop 5440. Its 10-hour battery life makes it excellent for all-day usage.

What Shoppers Are Saying"Works like a charm." "Good for office use and work and studying."“Works well and is easy to get started."

One shopper described how this Dell lived up to their expectations. “I needed a smaller laptop for internet browsing on the sofa with minor email, word processing ability. This laptop is well-suited for my intended use. Easy to set up the way I use it and more than adequate for this use.”

The Dell Inspiron 14 Laptop 5440 is $349 for a short time, but dozens of shoppers are buying it each day. Get yours before it sells out.

Shop More Deals Like ThisDell Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, $23 (was $30) at WalmartLenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, $444 (was $500) at WalmartDell Inspiron 16 Laptop 5640, $499 (was $700) at Walmart

‘Transformers’ Star Ditched Hollywood to Build ‘Doomsday Cabin’

Transformers star Josh Duhamel stepped away from Hollywood in order to "stay true to [his] roots."

"I make movies and TV shows, and I love it, I truly do love it, but I had this calling to go and really do things with my hands again. Fix things, make things and just do the basic things that we take for granted,” Duhamel, 52, told People. 

The Safe Haven actor explained that he purchased a plot of land in North Dakota before building what he calls his "doomsday cabin."

"I'm really more of a guy who wants to stay true to my roots, get back to the basics, hone whatever basic skills I need in this world of massive technology, to do the basic things to provide for my family,” he told the outlet. "We're at a place now where it feels done. It's completely livable now.”

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Josh Duhamel is seen on May 07, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Duhamel previously explained that his family compound "started with one little cabin in the woods with no electricity and no water." 

"Then, the cabin on the property next to that one went up for sale, and I bought it for like nothing; this beautiful little idyllic cabin on the water," he told Inverse in 2023. "Suddenly I had 54 acres out there. So I had two cabins, one with no electricity or water. They both have wells and electricity now, but they're both really small."

The former soap opera actor, who shares son Axl with ex-wife Fergie and son Shepherd with wife Audra Mari, admitted he had become "a bit of a doomsday prepper," learning how to hunt and garden. 

"I'm building something so if things do go south, I have a place to take my family. And I believe that we could live off the land out there. I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm getting there," he said in 2023.

Banana Republic's 'Elevated' $65 Knit Polos Are Just $26 Right Now, and Guys Say the Fit Is 'Perfect'

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why We Love This Deal

An easy way to elevate your summer style is with a classy watch, a clean pair of shoes, and a well-fitting polo. Banana Republic does a fantastic job of creating flattering polo shirts, and while they fetch a more premium price, the brand is offering a can't-miss sub-$30 deal at its Factory store right now.

Banana Republic Factory Tipped Textured Polos are on sale for just $26, a 60% discount compared to their full price of $65. These stylish polos are a great way to complete any look, and with a near-perfect five-star rating, it’s easy to see why.

Banana Republic Factory Tipped Textured Polo, $26 (was $65) at Banana Republic Factory

Courtesy of Banana Republic Factory

[image error] Why Do Shoppers Love It?

This standard-fit knit polo has just the right body-hugging silhouette without looking constrictive. This makes it accentuate the arms while not feeling tight through the chest and stomach areas. With its ribbed collar, cuffs, and bottom hem, it brings the entire piece together.

This particular polo has vibes of the French Riviera, with the perfect contrast tipping of the placket and color. While the navy color is ever popular, its other three colors give every man an elevated style option.

Related: Abercrombie & Fitch's Bestselling Jeans That Are 'Immediately Comfortable' Are 30% Off and Selling Fast

What Shoppers Should KnowColors Available: Navy, khaki, orange, light blue.Sizes: S to XL.Fabric Detail: Textured.Composition: 100% cotton.Fit: Regular.Ribbed: Collar, cuffs, hem.

These handsome polos come in four timeless colors of navy, Army khaki, a burnt orange, and a light blue. Right now, they are available in sizes S to XL.

What Shoppers Are Saying“Elevated casual comfort.”“Very nice fit and comfortable.”“Love the style and color—bought two different colors.”

One shopper even called them the “perfect polo.” They said, “I love the look and feel of this polo. It has a nice texture that elevates it over your typical cotton polo, and the tipped collar is a nice touch. The rust color is unique. I liked it so much I got it in blue, too. Banana Republic has been knocking it out of the park lately.”

A luxury-looking article of clothing, the Banana Republic Factory Tipped Textured Polos are now more affordable and attainable than ever, thanks to this sale price. Grab one in every color before the sizes run out.

Shop More Deals Like ThisBanana Republic Factory Vegan Leather Sneakers, $54 (was $90) at Banana Republic FactoryBanana Republic Factory Classic Suede Penny Loafer, $99 (was $165) at Banana Republic FactoryBanana Republic Factory Braided Leather Belt, $40 (was $80) at Banana Republic Factory