From a taste of Netflix to 'Black Mirror' almost taking it too far, here's what's happening in entertainment.
Netflix Eats
Netflix is set to add cuisine to its menu of offerings.
The streaming giant is launching a pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles called Netflix Bites. The experience will only be available for a limited time and will feature dishes and drinks from chefs featured on popular series like Chef's Table, Is It Cake?, and Iron Chef.
"From episode to entrée, with NETFLIX BITES, we are creating an in-person experience where fans can immerse themselves in their favorite food shows. We are excited to collaborate with these incredible chefs who will bring this vision to life and showcase an array of their delicious menus," Josh Simon, vice president of consumer products at Netflix, said in a statement.
NETFLIX BITES will open on June 30 at Short Stories Hotel.
'Rust' Movie Update
Actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed are still not in the clear following the accidental shooting death of a cinematographer on the set of the film Rust.
Prosecutors are mulling over the idea of recharging Baldwin after his charges were dismissed in late April. At the time, prosecutors in New Mexico said an investigation remained active.
Meanwhile, charges still stand for Gutierrez-Reed and prosecutors now allege she was likely hungover on the set when she loaded a live round into the weapon that killed Halyna Hutchins. The state's lawyers are looking to establish a pattern of reckless conduct, according to the Associated Press.
Gutierrez-Reed is due in court in August for a preliminary hearing that will decide whether or not the charges levied against her will stand. Meanwhile, prosecutors said they will decide whether or not to recharge Baldwin for his role in the shooting in the next 60 days.
Hayek Talks 'Black Mirror'
With the return of Netflix's Black Mirror just days away, we're learning more about at least one episode from Salma Hayek.
Last month, we told you about Hayek's introduction into the series as she takes up the role of an average, non-celebrity who finds out that a streaming service, which appears to be a spoof of Netflix, has launched a series about her life. Now Hayek has revealed she almost reconsidered the role after reading the script and realizing she'd have to do something that might get her canceled.
"There was one thing that really did make me hesitate about doing it all together. Yeah, it's insane, but I love that Black Mirror is not known for being super funny. I like breaking the mold," she said in an interview with Good Morning America.
The value of most cryptocurrencies have plummeted in recent months since reaching all-time highs in November, wiping out more than $1 trillion in value globally. The steep crash has some talking about the possibility of a crypto winter, a term referring to a prolonged bearish period where asset prices persistently fall over many months. This all comes as the Fed is expected to raise interest rates, and the Biden administration is working on an executive order to regulate Bitcoin and other assets. Josh Goodbody, COO of Qredo, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the crypto crash, and how the industry might recover from it.
Recent data reveals that streaming giants are struggling to retain subscribers in the months following a major release.
According to data from Antenna, subscriber trends show that users will subscribe to a given streaming service just to watch a particular show, and then cancel those subscriptions shortly after. This comes as the streaming space continues to heat up as new entrants crowd the space. Jon Christian, Founding Partner + Digital Supply Chain Leader at OnPrem joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
The EU relaxed its Covid travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals among the union's 27 member states, doing away with testing or quarantine requirements for travelers. This comes soon after the World Health Organization said the omicron variant could help make the pandemic more manageable. The new rules take effect February 1st. Bryce Conway, Founder, 10xTravel joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
If you're in China you may have noticed that the 1999 film "Fight Club" which features Brad Pitt has somehow got itself a new ending. In the new ending on the streaming service Tencent, the narrator is killed and the explosions are replaced with a black screen saying "the police arrested criminals".It's unclear as to exactly why the changes were made. However, it is the latest example of China playing by its own rules when it comes to entertainment and attempting to control everything its citizens watch. Media Reporter at Axios, Sarah Fisher, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Some of Tiktok's biggest stars have a message for the platform: It is time to pay up! As the platform has skyrocketed in popularity, many content creators have been given the opportunity to garner millions of fans and even sometimes billions of views. In 2020, the company launched a creator fund in order to incentivize the platform's users. However, while the group of creators has grown larger, the pool of money has remained the same, and creators are fed up, they claim as Tiktok becomes more successful. Senior Editor at Engadget, Karissa Bell, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
In 2021, QAnon, the community which traffics in conspiracy theories saw a rapid growth in its numbers. As a result of vaccine rollouts, a number of conspiracies surrounding them also began to circulate which then led to the rise of "Anti-Vaxxers". As a result, the QAnon and anti-vax communities have become increasingly intertwined and the results could be costing lives. Senior Researcher at Media Matters Alex Kaplan, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Neil Young gave the streaming service Spotify an ultimatum demanding that his music be removed if the Joe Rogan experience remained on the platform. Joe Rogan's platform has been questioned a number of times as a result of some of his takes on covid treatment strategies and at times downright misinformation. Ultimately, Spotify decided to stick with Joe Rogan's podcast. The Director for the Business and Entertainment Program at American University, John Simson, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Nutritional supplement beverage company Athletic Greens has achieved unicorn status. The company announced a new $115 million funding round, bringing its valuation to $1.2 billion. The company's flagship product AG1 combines 75 different vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients into one daily serving. Athletic Greens says it is poised to reach the millions of consumers who are currently driving the health and wellness market's exponential growth. Athletic Greens founder and CEO Chris Ashenden joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Michael Mitchell, senior director of brand at Mailchimp, joins Cheddar News to discuss the launch of Bloom Season and what every BIPOC entrepreneur needs to know to succeed.
