Men's Journal's Blog, page 59
July 6, 2025
Pucker Up For This Beloved Fast Food Chain’s Collab With an Iconic Candy
It’s no secret the beverage category is a bit unhinged these days (in a good way). We love the variety of coffee, tea, smoothies, slushies, shakes, energy drinks, flavored waters and dirty sodas popping up in restaurants, convenience stores and on supermarket shelves.
We also love a good collab, especially when it involves one of America’s most beloved fast food chains and an iconic candy brand. And by that we mean Jack in the Box x SOUR PATCH KIDS.
That’s right, you can now pick up three watermelon-flavored beverages that showcase SOUR PATCH KIDS’ trademark sour-then-sweet taste experience. This limited-time menu includes a watermelon shake, watermelon twisted soda and watermelon lemonade. A watermelon slushie has debuted in only a few select locations.
Related: Beloved Fast Food Chain Makes Telling Move After Closing Hundreds of Locations
Jack in the Box x SOUR PATCH KIDS Watermelon Beverage Lineup Jack in the Box describes the watermelon shake as a vanilla shake with SOUR PATCH KIDS watermelon flavor swirled throughout; whereas the twisted soda is classic lemon-lime soda with a generous drizzle of watermelon syrup topped with whipped cream; and for the ultimate ‘pucker-up’ experience, tangy-sweet lemonade is combined with tangy-sweet watermelon flavor.
I can’t imagine a more appropriate collaboration where the best of both the sweet and sour worlds are on full display.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jack in the Box (@jackinthebox)
After sipping on the watermelon shake for the first time, one Jack in the Box fan exclaimed “oh, that’s stellar”. Another said, “I’ll probably drink this a lot” after testing out the watermelon lemonade.
A Reddit user noted “I tried the watermelon lemonade today. Really good stuff. Tasted amazing, like watermelon [SOUR PATCH KIDS] melted at the bottom of your drink mixed with lemonade. It tasted like actual sour patch so it hits sour-then-sweet.”
Prices start at $5.19 for the shake, $3.79 for the twisted soda and $3.29 for the lemonade and slushie.
Per a Jack in the Box press release, “The SOUR PATCH KIDS Watermelon beverages are here for a good time, not a long time—so get your hands on them while they last.”
With this kind of creativity in the beverage world, we’ll never go thirsty.
Up Next:
Related: Aldi's 'Amazing' New $3 Item Has Shoppers Rushing to Grab Every Flavor
Beloved Bar Suddenly Closes After 18 Years
The bar industry is a vibrant one, and there are some big positives to running such a business. The work is always different from day to day, and over time, the staff gets to know the clientele and it may become like one big family. But, it's also a competitive business with plenty of other bars vying for attention.
According to research from IBISWorld, there are more than 68,0 bars and nightclubs in the United States as of 2025. They also mention an interesting factor that "falling interest in alcohol consumption among younger consumers, coupled with record-high inflation, has depressed demand for drinking and nightlife activities as these are deemed nonessential." However, IBISWorld notes that "stable alcohol consumption and demand for socialization among affluent customers keep demand afloat."
Now, a beloved bar that's been around for 18 years has announced that it's closing for good.
The Violet Hour, located in Chicago, first opened in 2007. Now, in a June 27 post on social media, the bar has announced that it's closing.
"After 18 incredible years behind our discreet, unmarked doors in Wicker Park, it is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the velvet curtains at The Violet Hour have closed for the final time," they state in the post. "Between our partners at One Off Hospitality, we’ve spent nearly a quarter of a century in this building, 18 of those years as The Violet Hour. Several weeks ago, we closed temporarily due to unexpected damage to the building. Despite extensive efforts and negotiations, we were regretfully unable to reach a resolution with our landlord."
So, The Violet Hour has already served its last drink. Some commenters shared their memories of being at the place, with one noting, "My fiancé and I had our first date here and went for drinks immediately after we got engaged. You will be so missed." Another said, "Cheers to the amazing staff over the years…met so many friends there."
Related: Beloved Pizza Restaurant Announces It Will Permanently Close July 11
Body Found in Search For Missing American Tourist
Authorities in Turks and Caicos continue to look into the mysterious disappearance of American tourist Brian Tarrence.
Tarrence, 51, "basically disappeared" while on vacation with his wife late last month. According to reports, the New York resident was last seen leaving the Airbnb he and his wife rented in Grace Bay, Providenciales at around 3:30 a.m. on June 25.
Tarrence was making his way downtown when his trail seemingly disintegrated. Since then, the Turks and Caicos authorities have been investigating the matter, and this weekend, they made a grisly discovery.
According to a social media post from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police, a body was discovered in Blue Hills on Saturday in what is a "suspected homicide."
At the moment, it has not been determined if the body is Tarrence's or not.
"Officers and medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the given location along Miracle Close and discovered the lifeless body of a male," the Turks and Caicos police said.
"Efforts are underway to confirm the identity of the deceased. Once an identification has been made, the next of kin will be notified in accordance with standard procedures."
In a statement, acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams asked that "family members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to confirm the identity through official channels."
Tarrence was reportedly celebrating his one-year anniversary with his wife in Turks and Caicos when he disappeared last month.
"They seemed to be having a normal couple days, and he ended up walking out of his condo, which is in a very safe place and in the middle of Grace Bay Road," Carl DeFazio, the family's private investigator, told Fox News Digital. "And we have him on camera, and he walks into town, and then he basically disappears, and we haven't heard from him since."
Obviously, there has been no definitive announcement yet that the body found is Brian Tarrence. In the meantime, we continue to wish the best for his family and friends during this difficult time.
July 5, 2025
'The Boys' Cast Recreates Season 1 Photo After Wrapping Final Season Filming
With filming officially wrapped for Season 5 of the popular Amazon Prime Video series The Boys, attention now shifts to its release date. While fans are bound for a bit of a waiting game before that information is released, there has been no shortage of teasers from the cast in recent months.
However, the show's stars opted to take fans on a trip down memory lane as filming for the final season wrapped up.
In a fun full-circle moment, the original group of Jack Quaid, Karl Urban, Karen Fukuhara, Laz Alonso and Tomer Capone recreated a photo from Season 1 of The Boys, as Discussing Film revealed.
‘THE BOYS’ cast recreate the Season 1 poster as they wrap filming on the final season. pic.twitter.com/LNAPgJpDU0
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 5, 2025
Not surprisingly, fans were quick to show love on the social media post, praising the show, cast and expressing their excitement for the final season.
"One of the most iconic posters of all time," read the high praise of a follower.
"We ain’t never get a show like this ever again in our lifetime," said one fan.
"The Boys is still goated even if S2 was mid. Can't wait for the finale!" replied another.
"Jack Quaid is an awesome guy lol," said another.
"Can't wait to see how they cap off this wild ride!" said one fan about Season 5.
"The Boys has been an incredible series," replied another.
"gen v will take over i guess. i really didn’t want it to end," added another.
While fans will undoubtedly miss the popular series that consistently left them in awe of the sheer chaos and memorable moments, the hype surrounding Season 5 of The Boys will only continue to ramp up in the coming months.
Related: 'The Boys' Star Jensen Ackles Breaks Silence on Potential Batman Role
Disneyland Closing Beloved Ride During 70th Anniversary
As Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary with fireworks, parades, and a flood of visitors, one iconic ride is going dark right in the middle of the party.
Starting Aug. 11, the Haunted Mansion will temporarily close to undergo its annual transformation into Haunted Mansion Holiday, the seasonal overlay inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
While Disney hasn’t issued an official press release, the closure quietly appeared on the park’s calendar and was quickly spotted by dedicated fans, People reported.
According to reports, the ride will reopen on Aug. 22, just in time to kick off the Halloween season with its Jack Skellington-themed makeover. That leaves an 11-day window where anniversary-goers won’t be able to ride the classic version.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Disneyland (@disneyland)
For die-hard fans, it’s a bittersweet twist. The Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1969, has long been one of the park’s most beloved and enduring attractions. Its blend of eerie effects, clever storytelling, and tongue-in-cheek humor has earned it a cult following across generations.
Many guests visiting this summer expected to experience the original version as part of the anniversary celebration. Instead, they’ll find construction walls and anticipation for what’s next.
Still, there’s plenty for visitors to take in. Disneyland’s 70th anniversary lineup includes the new Tapestry of Happiness projection show and the Paint the Night parade, which floods the park with one million LED lights and classic Disney characters. Updates to other rides, including It’s a Small World, also offer something new for returning guests.
For those who planned their trip hoping to ride the Haunted Mansion in its classic form, it’s a small disappointment. But fans of the seasonal overlay have reason to be excited because Jack Skellington is coming soon.
Related: AI vs. Darth Vader: Disney’s Bold Lawsuit to Protect Its Creative Empire
Jennifer Aniston Teases 'The Morning Show' Season 4 as ‘Really Suspenseful’
As the calendar slowly draws closer to changing seasons, it means the return of several popular shows is on the horizon. Among the series that fans are anxiously awaiting is the Apple TV+ hit The Morning Show, starring Jennifer Aniston.
Season 4 of The Morning Show is set to return on Sept. 17 and will feature 10 episodes, with one episode released weekly every Wednesday.
Aniston's award-winning performance quickly became a fan favorite following the show's debut in 2019, and she opened up about The Morning Show during a recent interview with People.
While Aniston had plenty to say about the hit series that also features Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass and Jon Hamm, she gave the perfect one-word teaser for Season 4 in the process.
Jennifer Aniston attends a special screening of Apple's 'The Morning Show' at The Ham Yard Hotel.Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple
"Really suspenseful," Aniston stated to sum up her description of Season 4.
While describing the show more broadly to People, she explained that it's also "a beast to film" while giving fans a blast from the past, declaring that The Morning Show is "not Friends," referencing the hit NBC series in which she starred as Rachel Green.
"The Morning Show is just a beast to film. It is layered, it's complicated, it's emotional, it hits on a lot of topics and current events, so let's just say, it's not Friends," Aniston says.
Aniston, who stars in and produces the show, admitted that it "takes a lot out of you."
While it's evident that Aniston has been logging heavy hours both behind the scenes and in front of the camera for The Morning Show, it's unquestionably paid off. Although the Season 1 critic ratings on Rotten Tomatoes were less than ideal, at 61 percent, they've improved over each subsequent season.
Season 3 of The Morning Show received its highest mark from critics, as it was labeled "certified fresh" by the site and earned a 75 percent rating.
Now, Aniston and the rest of the cast and crew will look to continue the show's upward trajectory, and the actress's description of the new season as "really suspenseful" should only add to the intrigue.
Related: 'The Lincoln Lawyer' Star Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Makes Big Admission About Season 4
Weird Way USDA Combats Flesh-Eating Maggots in Texas
Texas skies are about to get crowded, but not with birds or drones. Instead, millions of sterilized flies are being released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a high-stakes battle against one of the most dangerous parasites to livestock: flesh-eating maggots.
The USDA’s target is the screwworm fly, a parasitic insect whose larvae burrow into open wounds of warm-blooded animals, feeding on flesh and potentially killing their hosts if left untreated, according to the Independent. Once widespread across the southern U.S., screwworms were declared eradicated in 1982 after an aggressive multi-decade campaign. But that fight isn’t over.
To keep the pest from returning, the USDA continues to release sterile screwworm flies along the southern border, particularly over Texas. These specially bred male flies are irradiated to render them infertile, then dropped from planes in massive quantities—about 25 million per week. The idea is simple: when sterile males mate with wild females, no offspring are produced, collapsing the population over time.
This technique, known as the sterile insect technique, has been one of the most successful biological control efforts in U.S. history.
It's a quiet operation that few Americans know about, but it plays a critical role in protecting the nation’s multi-billion-dollar livestock industry. A single outbreak could devastate cattle, deer, and other animals, especially in a state like Texas, where ranching is a way of life.
The USDA partners with Mexico to create a buffer zone south of the border, releasing the sterile flies in coordination to stop re-infestation before it crosses into U.S. territory. Without the program, the economic and animal welfare impacts would be catastrophic.
It may sound like science fiction, but dumping millions of lab-raised flies from the sky is a vital part of keeping flesh-eating maggots from returning to Texas pastures, and it’s working.
Related: Surprising Truth About the Scorpions Creeping Into Your Home
50 Years Later, This Time Capsule Brought Grown Men to Tears
In Seward, NE, the “world’s largest time capsule” was finally unsealed after 50 years underground, and what people found inside was far more emotional than anyone expected.
Thousands of artifacts from 1975, including letters, family messages, and even a teal leisure suit, were sealed away by Harold Davisson in a giant concrete vault beneath a pyramid structure on his property, ABC News reported. Davisson hoped to preserve the spirit of the era for his grandchildren, and now, half a century later, his vision came to life.
Among the most poignant moments was when Chris Galen, who traveled from Virginia, unearthed a letter from his late mother.
“I hope you had a good education, a happy and successful life, rich in many ways,” she had written. Galen choked up as he read her words aloud. “I’m hoping as she’s looking down on us from somewhere that I can report back to her that a lot of the things she wanted for me and for my brother came true.”
Stephanie Fisher, who brought her parents from Colorado, found a cassette tape they had recorded together in 1975. “Their voices are in there,” she said. “I haven’t heard them in a long time.”
Despite moisture damage to some paper items, organizers estimate that about 80% of the contents were successfully recovered. Pet rocks, wedding invitations, and heartfelt letters flooded the display tables—each one a window into a past generation’s hopes and everyday lives.
Davisson’s daughter, Trish Davisson Fisher, said her father’s goal was to give his descendants a real sense of what life felt like in 1975. “He did everything big,” she said. “This is the culmination of 50 years of planning.”
A permanent exhibit is in the works to preserve the recovered items for future generations. But for those who gathered last week in Seward, the takeaway wasn’t just what was in the capsule.
“It’s not about what’s inside of it,” Galen said. “It’s about what’s inside of us—and who we were back in ’75, and who we are today.”
Related: Why Your Nervous System Might Be at War With Modern Life
Aldi’s Seasonal Coffee Lineup Includes a Summer Blend and These 2 Unique Flavors
Aldi sure knows how to get their fans talking when it comes to their seasonal varieties of everyday food and beverage products. Whether it’s a warm weather jam lineup, a slew of unique chocolate flavors, boxes of mini ice cream treats, or in this case, a seasonal coffee stash, the Aldi Finds section is brimming with summery goods.
Aldi fans have long been obsessed with the ever-changing selection of traditional, flavored and decaf coffee mixes found at their neighborhood stores. This month, Aldi is upping their coffee game with three new flavors: cherry, chocolate coconut and summer blend.
Aldi Barissimo Cherry Coffee What is summer blend, you ask? One Facebook user describes it as having “a touch of citrus, but it’s more like, I wanna say an apple note, which is kinda cool. But not like a cinnamon apple coffee or anything like that - it has more of a blackberry note”.
A Reddit user described it as having a “smooth and fruity finish”. Another noting “I bought a bag of summer blend. It turned out to be one of my favorite coffees ever! I didn’t notice a fruity taste, but it was delicious and leaves a wonderful aftertaste! Hubs loves it, too”. I don’t know about you, but I’m keen on a bright citrusy iced coffee on a hot July day.
Related: Grilling Fanatics Are Rushing to Aldi for This $8 Cut of Lamb
“Love the cherry [coffee]. Are these coming out in the pods as well?” one Facebook user asked about the cherry variety. “To me, it has a hint of chocolate so it kind of tastes like chocolate covered cherries”, commented another.
“I'm enjoying a cup of the chocolate coconut right now! It's so good!” exclaimed an Aldi Aisle of Shame Facebook follower.
All three varieties are Rainforest Alliance Certified, which according to the Alliance “aims to help coffee farmers improve their productivity and profitability using more sustainable methods and better farm management practices”.
Whether you’re a flavored coffee connoisseur or not, it seems these three are worth a try. As with all Aldi Finds products, be sure to stock up before the shelves are empty.
Up Next:
Related: Aldi's 'Amazing' New $3 Item Has Shoppers Rushing to Grab Every Flavor
Taylor Fritz's Girlfriend Turns Heads With 4-Word Message at Wimbledon
American tennis star Taylor Fritz took down Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 to punch his ticket to the fourth round at Wimbledon.
“It’s getting pretty annoying having to stop all the time,” Fritz said after requiring two medical stoppages to deal with a bloody elbow during the match. “I feel bad for my opponent when I keep having to stop all the time, but you can only really do it on grass. I’m just really determined to get some of these balls, and eventually I’m going to win one of these points.”
The three-hour, 12-minute victory set the stage for a match against Jordan Thompson with the winner heading to the quarterfinals - where Fritz has reached in two of his last three Wimbledon appearances.
As Fritz prepares for another match, his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, is getting used to the WAG life off of the court. "I’ve always embraced the WAG thing,” she told Harpers Bazaar. “I knew no matter what my feelings were on it, that’s what I’d be called – so I never wanted to attach anything negative to it. Instead, I wanted to shift people’s perspective on the word.”
The social media influencer gave her nearly 450,000 followers on Instagram something to talk about ahead of Fritz's next match. "one serve, two serve," she said while showing off a white dress matching Wimbledon's aesthetic.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Fans couldn't get enough.
"Serving aces, c’monnn🔥😍," one person said.
"Honey she’s home! 🎾," added another.
"serving!! 🔥" offered a third.
While Riddle accepts the "WAG" moniker, she's also creating a lane of her own.
"People think of a WAG as someone who follows their partner around without having their own life,” she said. “Maybe they’re financially dependent on them. I came in swinging, really making my own name in this space, and am trying to actively contribute to the sport. I don’t just take glam pictures of myself. I know for a fact that I have brought a younger demographic to the game, and a younger, female-led audience too. I’ve made it more welcoming for female fans. Having a purpose for everything I’m doing is very important to me."
Fritz will take the court for his match against Thompson at 8 a.m. ET. It will be broadcast on ESPN.
Men's Journal's Blog
- Men's Journal's profile
- 1 follower
