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Culture Feature
8 Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Still Alive
At 90+, these celebrities have seen a lot of sh*t go down.
06.27.2020
Old people: They're reservoirs of hidden wisdom, and if all goes well, we'll all become them someday.
Despite the fact that—barring outside circumstances—everyone gets old, it's surreal to imagine our favorite celebrities as wrinkly elders. But time will have its way with all of us. That doesn't mean we should forget our elders, though; we would do well to learn from them.
Here are twelve celebrities you may not know were still living…
Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke
Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke has achieved immortalized success in the entertainment industry. With five Emmys and a Grammy and Tony under his belt, he is best known for starring in Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and many more iconic films. He was born in 1925 and is currently 94.
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Culture Feature
How Chris Pratt's Politics Affect Your Life
Whether liberal or conservative, Chris Pratt's politics are apparently the most important thing in the world...
10.23.2020
This is an incredibly consequential time in American history.
With less than two weeks left until the 2020 presidential election, the future of the nation hangs in the balance, and it all hinges on one essential question: Which side is Chris Pratt on?
<p>Chris Pratt, AKA Peter Quill, AKA Andy Dwyer, AKA that guy from <em>Jurassic World</em> with the pet velociraptors has yet to publicly announce his political affiliation. As a result, the nation apart as we all try to make sense of how we're even supposed to have a democracy if a popular actor won't take a stance.<br></p><p>Chris Pratt first came to America's attention in 2009 for his role in NBC's <em>Parks & Recreation</em>, which followed local government and politics in a small town in Indiana. And it was there that Pratt first launched his apolitical rein of terror.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Chris Pratt's Costars Defend Him After He's Dubbed 'Worst Hollywood Chris' | Entertainment Weekly</small>
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</p><p>While many of the show's cast of characters took clear political stances on issues from same-sex marriage to public health taxes to the idea that all government regulation is an infringement on fundamental liberty, Pratt's character, Andy Dwyer, remained maddeningly disengaged.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent1 - mid_content --></p><p>What were viewers to make of this oblivious goofball who just seemed to want to play video games and make mediocre rock music with his friends? Surely he couldn't just be an amusing man-child who has no awareness of the political issues unfolding around him. Which side is Andy Dwyer on?!</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-634"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent11 - mid_content --></p><p>When he donned an FBI jacket as "Burt Macklin," was that an implicit endorsement of the FBI's involvement in the death of Black radical Fred Hampton? When he literally ran away from his medical bills, was that indictment of America's overpriced private healthcare system? Or when "Johnny Karate" sent a horde of tiny ninjas to attack "Mailman Barry," was that really a precursor to <a href="https://www.popdust.com/post-office-gift-shop-2647054374.html" target="_blank">Donald Trump's attacks on the post office</a>? What is Chris Pratt hiding?!</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-635"> </div>
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGM0Z6Uy5naWYmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZpLmdpZmVyLmNvbSZzPTUyMyZoPWY0MjMyMjcxMTI2MDBkNjkwZmU5ZDA1ZjhlZTQ0MjkyMDAxYWY2YTYwNDdjYmFlNjEwMjk0NDllODIzNGIzOTEmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9MTI3MjQ1MjkzMyIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2MjAxNDg1NDJ9.z0VhRUy0Ef7SLviMGoq5VYG7-crRyM8gUqM3FEgpufc/img.jpg" id="6651b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4c21df4c62f980d3113943ca43e5d015" alt="mailman Barry">
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</p><p>Since that time, Pratt has been elevated to the status of an A-list celebrity by his role as Star-Lord in the <em>Guardians of the Galaxy</em> movies, and for racing some dinosaurs on a motorcycle. As Star-Lord—real name Peter Quill—Pratt achieved a total departure from his oblivious goofball image by playing an oblivious goofball with a six-pack and some cool sci-fi toys. And yet he still refuses to tell us where he stands on tort reform?!</p><p>Recently his lack of vocal political convictions has come to a head as Internet sleuths have attempted to find evidence of his true political beliefs in <a href="https://people.com/movies/chris-pratt-joke-about-voting-dubbing-him-worst-chris-in-hollywood/" target="_blank">a joke he made about the importance of voting</a> (for his Pixar movie <em>Onward</em> in the People's Choice Awards), and in his failure to attend a fundraiser for the Biden-Harris presidential campaign—despite many of his Marvel castmates agreeing to go. In addition to attempts to "cancel" Pratt, he was recently labelled by Twitter users as the worst "Hollywood Chris," losing out to Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Pine.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-636"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent22 - long_content --></p><p></p><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- Popdust Mobile Banner 320x100 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:320px;height:100px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4301469008561137" data-ad-slot="6952751205"></ins><script>
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</script></center><p></p><p>Sadly, these intrepid digital gumshoes have been foiled in their efforts by the fact that the voting joke was fairly harmless and at least partially self-deprecating, and by the fact that <a href="https://nowthisnews.com/pop/chris-pratt-wasnt-asked-to-attend-biden-fundraiser-with-avengers-cast-director-says" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pratt was not invited to the Biden-Harris fundraiser as a result of being in the UK</a> for the filming of <em>Jurassic World: Dominion</em>.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-637"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent3 - longer_content --></p><div id="596c7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bf60cbaf5eeb31f8fdc9df411f8a39e5"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1317583965520240640" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">One has to go. https://t.co/HUWnbQOA43</div> — Amy Berg (@Amy Berg)<a href="https://twitter.com/bergopolis/statuses/1317583965520240640">1602971471.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Still, we should be able to look at the facts of the case to determine the truth. For a start, we can look at his love life. Pratt was married for eight years to actor Anna Faris, who has described herself as <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/anna-faris-the-dictator-interview.html" target="_blank">a feminist, an environmentalist, and an activist</a>, which sure sounds like a Democrat... But then the couple divorced in 2018.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-638"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent33 - longer_content --></p><p>Now Pratt is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger, whose father Arnold Schwarzenegger spent eight years as the <em>Republican</em> governor of California. But Pratt's new mother-in-law, Maria Shriver—niece of JFK and Robert Kennedy—is a member of the Kennedy dynasty of <em>Democratic</em> politicians, and <a href="https://people.com/movies/katherine-schwarzenegger-urges-fans-to-vote-for-joe-biden/" target="_blank">Katherine Schwarzenegger herself recently endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris</a>, even expressing an inability to understand how people continue to support Trump. Still, Pratt eludes us. We must dig deeper.<em></em></p><p>Pratt is a devout Christian, and a member of Zoe Church in LA, which is—at least <a href="https://www.popdust.com/chris-pratt-hillsong-church-lgbtq-2628782104.html" target="_blank">according Ellen Page</a>—"infamously anti-LGBTQ" but while the church's stance on issues such as gay marriage are not entirely clear, with <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/zoe-church-chris-pratt-religion-lgbt-beliefs" target="_blank">founder Chad Veach saying</a> that his church "is not the place for a political agenda"...while also funding an indie-Christian film that addressed same-sex attraction in the context of "sexual brokenness."</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-639"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent4 - longest_content --></p><p>Then again, Veach's views do not necessarily equate to Chris Pratt's. In his response to Ellen Page's criticism last year, he said, "No church defines me or my life and I am not spokesman for any church or any group of people," adding that "hate has no place in my or this world." The mystery remains.</p><p>Some have speculated that Pratt has avoided offering any political views in order to make himself more marketable by not alienating one portion of the public or the other, but considering the backlash he's been getting for not speaking out, that may not be accurate. So is it possible that he's just... not political?</p><div id="f34fe" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a3e315cf3b6e149cbd364ff7093d4e3e"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1318646841324560385" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">You all, @prattprattpratt is as solid a man there is. I know him personally, and instead of casting aspersions, loo… https://t.co/30E9gZUaWF</div> — Mark Ruffalo (@Mark Ruffalo)<a href="https://twitter.com/MarkRuffalo/statuses/1318646841324560385">1603224880.0</a></blockquote></div><p>That seems like an absurd prospect in the Trump era–when the country feels more divided than ever into distinct political camps--but as shocking as it may be, there are still people who prefer not to hurt themselves by paying attention to the infuriating issues of the day and forming serious opinions—occupying themselves instead with arcane interests like "music," "art," and "religion."<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-640"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent44 - longest_content --></p><p>Is it better to pay attention to the awful things that our government does to its people and to use whatever platform we have to support efforts to improve the lives of the powerless and disenfranchised? Undoubtedly, yes.</p><p><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script></p><p>But it's also not a crime to find that process too personally overwhelming, alienating, or depressing.<strong> It's not a crime to disengage, or to joke about the dire, life-or-death importance of voting (although, seriously...it's kind of life-or-death)—even if you're famous. </strong>And while we might love to think that all the apolitical people in our lives can be encouraged to join righteous political causes... bullying them into doing so probably isn't the way to make that happen.</p><p>So while it's still possible that Chris Pratt is an evil fascist who just plays <a href="https://www.hollywoodpipeline.com/2019/03/27/anna-faris-explains-why-ex-chris-pratt-is-the-sweetest-guy-ever/" target="_blank">a sweet, harmless guy in his personal life</a> and on TV, until he announces that he loves Donald Trump or hates Black Lives Matter, maybe we can work from the assumption that he really is kind of an oblivious goofball who probably doesn't like Trump, but also doesn't pay that much attention to politics.</p><h2></h2><h2></h2><p>Maybe we can focus our energy and our rage on people we know oppose our interests, and stop acting like the fate of American democracy depends on exposing the views of Chris Pratt. Seriously, who cares?</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-641"> </div>
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Music Lists
The Battle Series Verzuz Is Slowly Losing Its Appeal
Lack of star power and corporate backing is causing the show to lose steam.
10.23.2020
With the entire world stuck at home sheltering in place, musicians have had to resort to entertaining fans (and themselves) virtually.
While some entertained the weary masses in the form of TikTok videos and Instagram challenges, others went as far as performing concerts and DJ sets from the comfort of their homes. But it would be the platform created by super producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland that would become the frontrunner in quarantine entertainment.On March 24, Verzuz was born as a showdown between accomplished artists, songwriters, and producers playing their most popular songs against each other in the spirit of friendly competition. Instagram Live would act as the battleground for the clash of musical titans. Swizz and Timbaland would not only serve as the masterminds of the series but its inaugural battle participants.
<div class="redactor-editor" dir="ltr" placeholder="Start writing..."><p>Verzuz entertained its viewers in myriad ways. Those who tuned in got to hear the music that shaped their fondest memories while hearing stories behind some of their favorite artists' biggest hits. It also became a place for artists to let their hair down and be their most candid while celebrating their love and mutual respect for one another.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
<!-- End Ezoic - undersecond12 - under_second_paragraph --></p><p>Some battles were masterclasses in musicology, such as Johnta Austin vs. Ne-Yo and Alicia Keys vs. John Legend. Others were entertaining for reasons beyond music. Teddy Riley vs. Babyface and Nelly vs. Ludacris were plagued with technical difficulties. But abysmal sound quality and slow wifi connections didn't drive down the entertainment value. These hiccups provided social media with memeable moments and provided much needed comic relief in a time of uncertainty. </p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent1 - mid_content --></p><p><br></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1603481482053611206="true" data-twitter-extracted-i1603484337849872016="true"><a hashtag="" href="<a%20href=" https_="" target="_blank" twitter.com="" verzuz="">https://twitter.com/hashtag/Verzuz?src=hash&</a>;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Verzuz <br><br>John: I ain't gon Teddy Riley y'all <br><br>Teddy in the comments: <a href="<a%20href=" https_="" rel="noopener noreferrer" szxmpjxgua="" t.co="" target="_blank">https://t.co/szxmpjXGUa</a>">pic.twitter.com/szxmpjXGUa<br>— Bianca, but make it ✨Spooky✨ (@BinksInProgress) <a binksinprogress="" href="<a%20href=" https_="" rel="noopener noreferrer" status="" target="_blank" twitter.com="">https://twitter.com/BinksInProgress/status/1274157...</a>">June 20, 2020</blockquote> <script async="" https_="" platform.twitter.com="" rel="noopener noreferrer" src="<a%20href=" target="_blank" widgets.js=""><a href="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" charset="utf-8"></script><p><br></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1603481482053611206="true" data-twitter-extracted-i1603484337849872016="true"><a hashtag="" href="<a%20href=" https_="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" twitter.com="" verzuz="">https://twitter.com/hashtag/Verzuz?src=hash&</a>;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Verzuz Nelly googling Digicel like <a href="<a%20href=" https_="" rel="noopener noreferrer" t.co="" target="_blank">https://t.co/0GysGIdZdF</a>">pic.twitter.com/0GysGIdZdF<br>— Tonja Renée Stidhum (@TonjaStidhum) <a href="<a%20href=" https_="" rel="noopener noreferrer" status="" target="_blank" tonjastidhum="" twitter.com="">https://twitter.com/TonjaStidhum/status/1264361060...</a>">May 24, 2020</blockquote> <script async="" https_="" platform.twitter.com="" rel="noopener noreferrer" src="<a%20href=" target="_blank" widgets.js=""><a href="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" charset="utf-8"></script><p>But then <a href="https://variety.com/2020/music/news/verzuz-apple-music-beats-1-swizz-timbaland-1234711424/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Apple Music interfered. In July, Verzuz announced it would be joining forces </a>with the streaming platform. Apple Music would simulcast with Instagram Live, providing a massive upgrade in video and sound quality. The lifting of quarantine restrictions allowed artists to be in the same space instead of conducting the battles at home. The face-to-face interaction was the missing ingredient from an already perfect recipe.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-634"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent11 - mid_content --></p><p>With interest at an all-time high and the partnership with Apple Music now in play, Verzuz looked set to maintain its popularity. But recent events indicate that might be wishful thinking. </p><h3>No Persona</h3><p>In the beginning, Verzuz's modest presentation was endearing. Seeing artists at home in a relaxed setting made viewers feel connected to them in a way they might not have before the pandemic. Now, the Apple Music format allows artists to be amongst one another; but, Instead of getting them at their most comfortable, viewers get the immaculately styled versions of artists that they're accustomed to seeing. The high-level production has added to the presentation, but Verzuz has lost its organic appeal.</p>
<p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-635"> </div>
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU2OTQyMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODQ1NzcwNX0.rA64ysAG5C6NvQI76PIbaG6LPJFfwrB4ff9lUiTwS-4/img.jpg?width=980" id="702ff" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ab2024d4e71f1b5c2d8db8038c740afa" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="no persona">
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<p><br></p><h3>The Talent</h3><p>Another key selling point for Verzuz was that its participants were music legends. The artists who originally battled were influential to their genres and generations. Though the likes of Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, and others have participated, there are so many more musicians who fit the criteria.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-636"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent22 - long_content --></p><p>The collection of superstar artists that fans still want to see duke it out is still plentiful—but fans shouldn't get their hopes up.</p><p>Though there are many artists left that would help Verzuz keep its cool factor, they won't do it simply because they don't want to. Fans have clamored for Missy Elliot, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, and others to do battle–with the artists flat out refusing. This past week Busta Rhymes laid down the gauntlet and challenged T.I. The Atlanta rapper <a href="https://www.bet.com/music/2020/10/21/busta-rhymes-ti-verzuz.html" target="_blank">declined Busta's invitation to square off </a>because of a perceived generational gap.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-637"> </div>
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</p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-813"><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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<!-- End Ezoic - under_second_paragraph - under_second_paragraph --><p></p><p>With fan favorite artists declining to partake and the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Drake being too big to be asked to take part, the list of possible guest stars that fans undoubtedly want to see is growing shorter and shorter. With the <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/swizz-beatz-confirms-verzuz-season-2-news.119573.html" target="_blank">announcement of a season 2 coming soon</a>, one can't help but wonder if Verzuz can maintain its appeal.<span></span></p><p>Since launching back in March, Verzuz became a bright spot while being trapped at home. It allowed music lovers to be distracted from the chaos in the world while celebrating musicians and their contributions. However, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have become victims of their own success.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-638"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent33 - longer_content --></p></div><div class="redactor-editor" dir="ltr" placeholder="Start writing..."></div>
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