Looking back at this week, one thing is for certain: the final month of 2024 is going to be a memorable one. From Trump’s cabinet picks to Beyoncé being crowned as the greatest pop star of the 21st century, we’re starting December with a lot to talk about.
But before we get into the parting shot for the week, make sure you’re subscribed to the For the Culture newsletter for all things entertainment and to the Parting Shot Podcast with H. Alan Scott for celebrity interviews and reactions to what’s going on in pop culture and how it’s impacted by politics, news and the world at large.
On the Parting Shot Podcast with H. Alan Scott, comedian Anna Roisman stopped by to react to Trump’s cabinet picks; Billboard magazine crowning Beyoncé as the greatest pop star of the 21st century–and the internet getting mad that it isn’t Taylor Swift; and what these Spotify and Apple year-end wrapped stats say about our music tastes.
MARGO MARTINDALE & CHRIS DIAMANTOPOULOS
Now can we talk about a show you need to watch this weekend? It’s Prime Video’s The Sticky, and it’s perfect.
“Who knew that a barrel of maple syrup is worth more than a barrel of oil?” That’s what Margo Martindale told me during our chat about The Sticky. The dramedy series follows Ruth Landry, a Canadian syrup farmer who resorts to crime after the government threatens to take away her livelihood. Inspired by a true story and produced by Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis, Martindale’s Ruth adds to an already impressive resume Martindale has crafter of unsuspecting yet extraordinary women. “The difference in this woman is that she starts at her most desperate. And that’s fun.” And while “she does have her feet on the ground,” she’s pushed to the limit and decides “to steal some maple syrup. It’s so logical to me.” [laughs]
Mike Byrne (Chris Diamantopoulos), Ruth Clarke (Margo Martindale) in The Sticky Mike Byrne (Chris Diamantopoulos), Ruth Clarke (Margo Martindale) in The Sticky Jan Thijs
The series also stars Chris Diamantopoulos as Mike, one of the two men who help Martindale’s Ruth in her illegal plot. The Sticky is a culmination of a lot of impressive work in Diamantopoulos’ career, who has played everything from Broadway to performances in films like The Boys in the Boat and Red Notice. (You need to watch him in Mrs. Davis. Trust me.) (Oh, and you may even recognize his voice from his extensive voice work.)
You can listen to both chats with Martindale and Diamantopoulos on Newsweek’s Parting Shot podcast. The Sticky is streaming now on Prime Video.
REALITY RECAP
If we’re handing out crowns for reality TV royalty, Teresa Giudice of Real Housewives of New Jersey fame would certainly be donning one of those crowns. That’s why seeing her on E!’s House of Villains was so exciting. (What made it even more exciting was that she shared a room with fellow reality TV royalty, Tiffany ‘New York’ Pollard.)
Teresa Giudice on E!’s House of Villains. Teresa Giudice on E!’s House of Villains. Trae Patton/E! Entertainment
Well, if you’ve been watching House of Villains, you know that she was sent home in a shocking elimination at the start of this week’s episode. It was part of a double elimination, alongside Victoria Larson from last week. (Larson went out hilariously complaining about Giudice’s French toast.)
Giudice spoke with Newsweek about her time on House of Villains, how she doesn’t feel too villainous, and she even defends her French toast.
Now we need to talk about this week’s episode of Survivor, because it contained one of the best moves in the history of the long-running reality series.
(L-R): Andy Rueda, Sam Phalen, and Genevieve Mushaluk. Photo: CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (L-R): Andy Rueda, Sam Phalen, and Genevieve Mushaluk. Photo: CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CBS
Three players devised a plan to misdirect the other players and blindside one of them at Tribal Council. Now you’re probably thinking, what’s so special about that? Rarely does a plan like this go so perfectly according to plan on Survivor, but the one devised by Andy, Sam and Genevieve, dubbed Operation: Italy, was executed flawlessly. (Right down to Genevieve flaunting a fake Immunity Idol, and then Sam openly encouraging her to play said idol at Tribal even though he knew it was fake.)
Well, the plan sent Caroline Vidmar home, and she’s talking with Newsweek all about it.
While we’re talking about reality TV, an honorable mention needs to go to this week’s episode of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. It involved the women gathering for a bat mitzvah, and then it spiraled into a hilarious (and cinematic) shaming party, with half the cast accusing one of the women of having “porn” hair (whatever that means), while the other half of the cast defends the “porn” hair. The whole episode felt like old school Housewives, and it was the reality TV hug we needed this week.
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT WEEK
Lots of new movies to check out this weekend. Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult star in The Order, and Law told Newsweek all about it. Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche star in The Return, their first film together since 1996’s The English Patient. There’s also Nightbitch, which finds Amy Adams turning into a dog (sort of, it’s complicated). Other films to check out include Y2K, Werewolves and Get Away.
And finally, the awards season officially kicks off Monday with the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations. Expect Wicked, Gladiator II, and Conclave to be big nominees. Of course I’ll be reacting to all the nominations on Monday’s For the Culture newsletter and on the Parting Shot podcast, so make sure you’re subscribed.
That’s it for this week. We’ll see you next week.