NBA Bubble Week 7 Recap: To Choke, Or Not To Choke

Nikola Jokic

Just when you think the NBA Bubble couldn’t get any crazier, the Denver Nuggets decided to eliminate Los Angeles Clippers in humiliating fashion. Let’s not beat around the bush. Let’s talk about the Clippers.

Top Story: Bye Bye, Clippers

1, 2, 3, Cancun! For a team that talked the talk the entire season, the Los Angeles Clippers did not walk the walk. Saying they walked even a little is disrespectful to those who can walk! In Game 7, the Nuggets came back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Clippers, 104-89. When the Clippers needed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George the most, they were nowhere to be found.

NBA Twitter had a field day. It may have been the wildest night on NBA Twitter since the Rockets-Clippers secret tunnel brawl.

Why did we believe in the Clippers? I am not free from ridicule. I believed the Clippers would at least make the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Lakers. I thought Kawhi, PG, and the boys could “turn it on” when it mattered most. Boy, was I WRONG. This team showed no heart whatsoever. The Nuggets came back from deficits of 16 points, 18 points, and 12 points in the final three games of the series to send the Clippers on a one way trip to Cancun. The Nuggets deserve all the credit in the world. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray played like superstars, but unfortunately, the bigger story lies with the underachieving Clippers.

Anchor // iTunes // Spotify // Breaker // PocketCasts // Google Play // Stitcher // RadioPublic // Castbox // Overcast 

Did the Clippers choke? I see a lot of writers saying they don’t like to use the word, “choke.” What other words would you use to describe this situation? The Clippers blew a 3-1 lead as a double-digit favorite to a team with 1 player who has made it past the second round. The Clippers choked.

Miami Heat Thought Of The Week: This Team Doesn’t Die

Last week, I professed my love for the Miami Heat. I am fully on the Heat bandwagon. Butler, Dragic, Bam, Herro, Duncan, and Jae have made me a believer. This team plays hard on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes. In the first two games against the Celtics, the Heat overcame deficits of 14 points and 17 points to win both games and take a 2-0 series lead. To quote Austin Powers, “Why won’t you die?”

The biggest mismatch in this series occurs in the coaching department. Brad Stevens is one of the best coaches in the NBA, but he’s getting dominated by Erik Spoelstra. In fact, Spoelstra, who’s a Top-5 coach in the league, is running laps around Stevens. From playing zone defense to shortening his lineup, Spoelstra has made the perfect adjustment to everything thrown his way. It’s a coaching clinic. If Stevens doesn’t figure it out, the Celtics will join the Clippers in Cancun.

Week 7 MVP: Bam Adebayo

That Bam Adebayo is some player, huh? Bam is having the week of his life. Bam, a runnerup for Most Improved Player, has been a true game-changer for the Heat. Bam made one of the best blocks I’ve ever seen in my life to seal the victory in Game 1. LeBron’s block in Game 7 is the best defensive play I’ve ever seen, but if I’m judging it purely based on the block itself and degree of difficulty, Bam’s could be the best ever.

In Game 2, Bam got to the rim at will, especially in the second half. Bam finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Heat took a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Jimmy Butler is the most important player on the Heat, but Bam is X-factor.

Week 7 LVP: Every Player And Coach On The Clippers

I hate beating a dead horse, but for all the shit the Clippers talked, they deserve every joke thrown their way. The Clippers will be a favorite to make the NBA Finals next year (if the team stays together), but for now, let’s enjoy the roast while we can.

https://twitter.com/kaelinphoebe/status/1306072632127782917?s=20

Storyline For Week 8: All Eyes On LeBron

Remember LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players to ever live? Yeah, that guy has a chance to win his fourth title. The stage is set for LeBron to win his fourth ring as the Lakers are the clear favorite to win it all inside the NBA Bubble. Can the King deliver?

What are your top storylines from Week 7 inside the NBA bubble? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2020 Emmys Predictions: Who Should Win And Who Will Win?

Watchmen

The Oscars may have been pushed back, but the show will go on for the 2020 Emmys on Sunday, Sept. 20. Like most parts of the country, large, indoor gatherings are banned so the Emmys will be a virtual show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

If you know what to expect on Sunday night, then let me know because I’m clueless. I understand why the show went virtual, but I don’t want an online event to dilute the meaning and value of the ceremony. The Emmys are the pinnacle of television awards and a win could literally change someone’s life. The entire world was dealt a bad hand due to COVID so I won’t hold the decision to air a virtual ceremony against the Television Academy. However, I pray the show errs on the side of caution and presents a serious show as opposed to an influx of silly hijinks. The ceremony can still be funny, but make sure the show continues to focus on the winners and their speeches.

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that this year of television was tremendous. In a year where television lost Emmy-giants like Game of Thrones, Veep, and Fleabag, shows like Succession, Schitt’s Creek, and Watchmen are ready to collect their hardware. It’s a wide-open field, especially in the dramatic categories. Below are a few storylines I’m keeping an eye on.

HBO Dominance

Goodbye Game of Thrones, hello Succession. The rich could get richer if Succession wins Outstanding Drama, which means HBO would have won five of the last six Emmys in the drama category. Succession is the favorite or second-favorite to win in six categories. The same can be said for HBO’s frontrunner in the Limited Series category, Watchmen, which received the most nominations of the night with 11. There’s a world where HBO wins every category it’s in for both Drama and Limited Series.

Can Paul Mescal Pull Off The Upset?

Normal People Hulu
Normal People / Hulu

No show emotionally moved me more than Normal People, Hulu’s brilliant series about young love and adolescence in Ireland. Led by two stellar performances from Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People became one of the most heartbreaking and accurate depictions of young love I’ve ever seen. Although Edgar-Jones did not receive a nomination for Outstanding Actress, Mescal and the show itself garnered nominations for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Limited Series, respectively. It’s going to be tough to beat Watchmen for Outstanding Limited Series, but Mescal has an outside chance at winning Outstanding Actor. Mark Ruffalo is the favorite, but the show itself was not as critically acclaimed as Normal People, which works in Mescal’s favor. I’ll be pulling for Connell and his chain on Sunday night.

Outstanding Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Better Call Saul
  • Who Will Win: Succession

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul (not nominated)
  • Who Will Win: Brian Cox, Succession

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Zendaya, Euphoria
  • Who Will Win: Jennifer Anniston, The Morning Show

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul (not nominated)
  • Who Will Win: Kieran Culkin, Succession

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: R H E A S E E H O R N, Better Call Saul (all-caps are necessary)
  • Who Will Win: Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

*I’m obnoxious, but it’s a sin that Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, and Rhea Seehorn were snubbed from their respective categories.

Outstanding Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: What We Do in the Shadows
  • Who Will Win: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Ramy Youssef, Ramy
  • Who Will Win: Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Issa Rae, Insecure
  • Who Will Win: Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Mahershala Ali, Ramy
  • Who Will Win: Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place
  • Who Will Win: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Outstanding Limited Series

  • Who Should Win: Watchmen
  • Who Will Win: Watchmen

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Who Should Win: Paul Mescal, Normal People
  • Who Will Win: Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Who Should Win: Regina King, Watchmen 
  • Who Will Win: Regina King, Watchmen 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Who Should Win: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen
  • Who Will Win: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Who Should Win: Toni Collette, Unbelievable
  • Who Will Win: Jean Smart, Watchmen 

What are your Emmy predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

NBA Bubble Week 5 Recap: We’re On To The Second Round

Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray

Last week was monumental when the players went on strike. After talking it over, the players and owners agreed on new social justice initiatives to carry out for the near future. Once basketball started up again in the NBA Bubble, it was a damn treat to watch. However, as Bill Belichick would say in this exact situation, “We’re on to the Second Round.”

Top Story: Young Talent Takeover

In terms of talent, the NBA is positioned for great success over the next decade because of their wealth of young talent. Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell, both 23-years-old, slugged it out for seven games, one-upping each other with each possession. It felt like a battle of two heavyweights. Check out these stat lines from both players.

Jamal Murray

Donovan Mitchell

These two young men gave it everything they had and more. Unfortunately, one guy had to go home and that team belonged to Mitchell. The Nuggets may have bested the Jazz thanks to a wild final sequence, but both Murray and Mitchell realized the gravity of the situation and showed nothing but respect towards each other.

Murray and Mitchell are two budding superstars that have the potential to become All-NBA guys and faces of the league. Add Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic and the NBA could have their version of “Four Horseman.” LeBron is still the top dog, but the young guns are coming.

Surprise Of The Week: James Harden Makes The Defensive Play Of The Bubble

James Harden’s legacy and narrative were set to experience a crushing blow last night. Quite simply, Harden had an atrocious night on the offensive side of the ball. Despite being the most gifted scorer in the NBA, Harden couldn’t hit the Atlantic Ocean while standing in a boat. The beard had a pedestrian 17 points on 4-15 shooting including 1-9 from 3. If the Rockets lost, that would have been the final straw for Harden’s defenders. As talented as he is, last night would have been added to Harden’s list of playoff clunkers and hiccups. Right before pressing “Send” on the anti-Harden tweets, Harden made the play of the NBA Bubble. Harden blocked Lu Dort on a game-winning 3 point attempt to preserve the win. Who would’ve thought that a Harden defensive play would be the reason why the Rockets advance? Now, Harden can add to his legacy if he slays the beast that is LeBron.

Time to Gloat: I Was Right About The Miami Heat

Full disclosure, I picked the Bucks to win the Eastern Conference so you can take my tweets with a grain of salt. However, I bet the Heat both games and so far, it’s paid off nicely. I’m in love with the Miami Heat. From their coaches to their players, I love the toughness they bring every night. Butler and the kids look like a team that is not afraid of the moment. With a 2-0 lead, the Heat may throw a wrench in everyone’s bracket.

Concern Of The Week: Are The Bucks Done?

In my Week 1 recap, I asked if we should be worried about the Bucks following a loss to the Brooklyn Nets in a game where Milwaukee was the biggest regular-season favorite in history. One week later, I asked if the Bucks were in trouble due to a lack of support for Giannis. It’s now been three weeks since that post and I’m close to pronouncing the Bucks as dead. They were outplayed in both games and despite a controversial foul call against Giannis in Game 2, the Heat deserved to win that game. Giannis needs to find his Superman cape quickly or his 2021 free agency discussions will only intensify.

Week 5 MVP: Lu Dort

I had no idea who Lu Dort was, but now, he’s an Internet darling. Good for this kid. From undrafted rookie to 30 point scorer in a winner-take-all game, I have to give my props to the Church of Dort.

Week 5 LVP: Billy Donovan

https://twitter.com/spurs_legacy/status/1301369399404830721?s=20

For a coach that exceeded expectations, that last play will be the stain on Billy Donovan’s 2019-2020 season.

Storyline For Week 6: Second Round

It’s 2:30 EST on Sept. 3. Here’s where the second round stands.

  • 4 Heat lead 1 Bucks, 2-0
  • 3 Celtics lead 2 Raptors, 2-0
  • 2 Clippers vs. 3. Nuggets, 0-0
  • 1 Lakers vs. 4 Rockets, 0-0

If either the Clippers or Lakers lose Game 1, I can’t wait for the “rest vs. rust” takes.

What are your top storylines from Week 5 inside the NBA bubble? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Ranking My Favorite Movie Twists From Christopher Nolan

Tenet

There is no such thing as a Christopher Nolan movie without a twist. It’s his signature staple in every movie. As an audience, we sit in our chairs, waiting in anticipation for a moment that will both shock and dumbfound us. To quote a line from Nolan’s upcoming movie, Tenet, “Don’t try to understand it. Feel it.” Don’t try to understand the twists. Feel it, enjoy it, and then run home to Reddit to look at fan theories that attempt to explain it.

Here are my five favorite movie twists from Christopher Nolan.

5. Interstellar – Cooper Is Murph’s Ghost

After Interstellar, Nolan went back to the drawing board and thought to himself, “How can I create another mind fuck about time? I got it! The movie’s about time… but it’s in space!” What dreams are to Inception is what wormholes are to Interstellar. Frankly, Nolan could have just marketed this movie as “Matthew McConaughey goes to space,” and I was sold. Instead, Interstellar was a fun adventure that made me question the existence of time. In terms of the twist, it was more rewarding than surprising especially since we got a scene with McConaughey and Ellen Burstyn. Love you, Murph.

Warner Bros.

4. Memento – Leonard Is The Killer

I’m assuming people will take issue with this ranking because many believe it’s not only one of Nolan’s best twists but it’s his best movie. For me, the final scene still leaves me confused to this day so it’s not as satisfying since I can’t explain it. Memento‘s twist is still shocking to this day. I just rewatched the clip and I’m still in awe. For those who don’t know, Leonard is actually the real killer in Memento. Leonard accidentally killed his wife with an insulin overdose. He continues to hunt a “killer” because he can’t face the grief of his deadly mistake and devises plans to hun for a killer that doesn’t exist. Although most of us haven’t committed murder, we all make up our own truths in order to ignore reality. It’s a harsh, but scary truth.

3. Batman Begins – Ra’s al Ghoul Is Liam Neeson

When the guy you least expect turns out to be the villain, that’s when you know the twist worked. In Batman Begins, Liam Neeson was first introduced as Henri Ducard, Bruce Wayne’s mentor, and introduction to the League of Shadows. When Bruce saved his life and left him to heal, I knew he would be back in some way. However, when Ducard revealed himself as Ra’s al Ghoul, my jaw hit the ground. Neeson’s bad guy was the perfect appetizer for the iconic villain that would follow in The Dark Knight, the Joker.

2. The Prestige – Christian Bale Has A Twin

I always believe that two Christian Bales are better than one. The Prestige is one of Nolan’s best scripts, but it gets lost in the shuffle because of its location in Nolan’s filmography. The film that comes before The Prestige is Batman Begins and the film that comes after is The Dark Knight, with the latter universally recognized as one of the best superhero movies ever made. In other words, The Prestige gets sandwiched in between the first two chapters in one of the most important trilogies of the 21st century. The though the film gets lost in the shuffle, the twist is top-tier Nolan. Bale revealing himself to be a twin is the shocking twist, but the entire movie is a game of one-upmanship. From Tesla’s machine to the water tank reveal, The Prestige is full of surprising twists every 15 minutes, just the way Nolan likes it.

1.The Dark Knight Rises – Talia Stabs Batman

WHERE’S THE TRIGGER? I’m going to receive a lot of backlash for this pick, but hey, it’s my list and I can do what I want. Out of the five Nolan movies I’ve seen in theaters Nolan, Talia stabbing Batman was by far the loudest reaction from the crowd. Once Talia said, “But he’s not the child of Ra’s al Ghoul,” and punctured Batman’s suit, the sound of gasps filled the theater so much that you could barely he the next couple of lines. It may not be Nolan’s best twist, but it will always hold a special place in my memory.

What is your favorite movie twist from Christopher Nolan? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

In Defense Of We Are Your Friends Aka The Zac Efron DJ Movie

We Are Your Friends

Let’s go back to August 2015, shall we? Apple stock was teetering at $100, the Knicks still sucked, and I was unemployed. Oh, there was no global pandemic. More importantly, on August 28, 2015, Zac Efron shouted, “Are we ever gonna be better than this?” Five years ago, We Are Your Friends entered my life.

To some, We Are Your Friends is known as the “Zac Efron DJ Movie.” To me, We Are Your Friends is the one that got away. The film had the right ingredients to become a box office hit and cult classic. First, the film had Efron, who is aa likable of A-list star as you can get. At the time, Efron had moved on from his High School Musical days entered into millennial comedies. 2014 was a huge year for Efron as the actor starred in That Awkward Moment and Neighbors with the latter being a smash hit, earning over $270 million at the box office. Both of these movies successfully capitalized on Efron’s likability, good looks, and charismatic personality.

*Zac Efron Side Rant: Why isn’t Zac Efron the biggest star on the planet? He can do it all. He can sing, dance, and charm you to death. Plus, he’s a good looking dude (no shame). Girls love him and guys want to be home. His documentary series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, was the second most popular show on Netflix in July. People like Efron. Many of his critics will sight his acting ability as the reason for what’s holding him back. Is Efron the next Daniel Day-Lewis? Absolutely not. However, when he’s put into movies that utilize his likability and charm like Neighbors and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, good things happen. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile proved he has some dramatic chops. I’ve always said that Efron is an A-list star that’s cast in the wrong movies. There’s no reason why Efron shouldn’t be the lead in a Netflix rom-com or buddy cop movie. We as a society have failed Efron. It’s time to do better.

The premise of We Are Your Friends was promising. Four friends from the San Fernando Valley trying to make it in the world isn’t an idea that reinvents the wheel, but I’m always intrigued by coming-of-age stories. However, following a DJ (Efron’s Cole Carter) as he navigates the EDM-scene in Los Angeles is an idea I haven’t’ seen before so We Are Your Friends had my interest from the start.

The film also surrounded Efron with successful character actors and cultural stars. Wes Bentley and Jon Berenthal are interesting character actors that have been in huge movies like The Wolf of Wall Street, American Beauty, Interstellar, and Ford v Ferrari. Though she had little acting experience, Emily Ratajkowski was a red-hot cultural figure thanks to appearances in the music video for “Blurred Lines” and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. Plus, in a film about house music, the soundtrack has a few songs that are worthy of a spot on everyone’s pregame playlist.

What I’m trying to say is We Are Your Friends had the right formula in place. It had an A-list star, a promising idea, and a supporting cast of good actors and famous figures. I rewatched We Are Your Friends a few weeks ago on Netflix. I had a blast. The first hour was enjoyable and flat out fun. Between the four friends spitting jokes at one another to Efron’s PCP trip, the film didn’t take itself too seriously, which was its strength. It was a free-flowing coming-of-age comedy that made you want to party, get drunk, and dance. I’m not alone when I say that Efron’s performance is underrated. Watching him electrify the crowd and sway Ratajkowski reminded me of all the things I love about Efron. Frankly, Efron really tried to make this work and for me, his performance is the highlight of the film. In fact, the Hollywood Reporter named Efron’s performance as one of their favorites from 2015.

Unfortunately, not everyone shares my praise for Efron’s DJ movie. To say that We Are Your Friends did not connect with audiences is an understatement. In fact, I may have been the only person in America to see it in theaters. The film had one of the worst box office openings of all time with $1.8 million. I didn’t expect the film to bomb that badly, but I wasn’t expecting a huge box office success because of its release date. For a film geared toward the millennial audience, the end of August release date was a death sentence. Why would you release a movie geared toward high school and college students on a weekend where many of them were going back to school? If a college kid has the choice between drinking on the beach or going to the movie theater, they’re going to choose the beach ten out of ten times. I have no doubt in my mind that if this film comes out in 2020, it debuts on Netflix and becomes a massive hit.

Though the release date did the film no favors, my biggest problem with We Are Your Friends is its shift in tone three-quarters of the way in. We’re all having a good time until Squirrel died. I will never understand why the film decided to kill Squirrel. There was absolutely no reason for the movie to shift from a fun-loving comedy to a serious drama. It was an unnecessary decision that killed the film’s momentum. If the film wanted to shake things up, why not just have Squirrel overdose and go to the hospital? Then, you could have had the dinner scene between Squirrel and Cole take place in a hospital room. You still get your redemption arc without using an unnecessary death to motivate Cole in the last scene.

Despite the film’s problems, I will go to bat for We Are Your Friends. Give it another try and watch it with some friends. Laugh, don’t cry and enjoy Efron in his glory.

Do you like We Are Your Friends? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

NBA Bubble Week 4 Recap And Storylines: The NBA Pressed Pause

LeBron James and Anthony Davis

Had this been a normal week, I would start this NBA Bubble recap with an ode to Luka Dončić, who gave one of the greatest performances I’ve seen in years. However, this was no normal week. In fact, this will be a week that will go down in history. The storyline of the week revolves around the strike.

Top Story: The NBA Players Decide To Strike

To quickly summarize what happened, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to not play their game against the Magic. The strike was in response to the situation involving Jacob Blake, an African American man who was shot seven times in the back by police officers. It’s important to note that the incident occurred in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which is about an hour away from where the Bucks play at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks-Magic cancellation set off a domino effect that shook not only the entire league but the entire sports world.

The bombshell from the meeting involved the Lakers and Clippers, who voted to abandon the season. Notably, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, the two best players in the bubble, spoke up about not wanting to play.

After taking some time to think it over, the players once again met in the morning and decided to restart the league.

The decision to not play games inside the NBA and WNBA bubbles trickled into the MLB and NHL.

It’s truly been an unprecedented two days in sports. We are going to look back years from now and remember August 26, the day the players took action. Many former players and coaches such as Chris Webber, Doc Rivers, and Renee Montgomery gave passioned speeches that put a spotlight on social justice. In particular, a line in Webber’s speech is one that has stuck with me since I watched the clip. Webber said, “I don’t know the next steps. I don’t really care what the next steps are because the first steps are to garner attention. And they have everyone’s attention… Don’t listen to these people telling you to not do anything because it’s not gonna end right away. You are starting something for the next generation.”

Whether you agree or disagree with the decision to strike, the fact is the NBA and many athletes have our attention. What happens next? I leave you with an article about Maya Moore, who literally put her athletic career on hold to fight for social justice.

What are your top storylines from Week 4 inside the NBA bubble? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

17 Years Later, I Still Miss The O.C.

The O.C.

On August 5, 2003, Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), an intelligent but troubled teenager from Chino, gets arrested after trying to steal a car with his older brother in the pilot episode of The O.C. Ryan’s public defender, Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher), understands that Ryan’s had a tough life and offers his business card if Ryan ever needs to call him. After getting kicked out of his own house, Ryan has no other options but to call Sandy, who lives in an extravagent house in Newport Beach with his wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), and teenage son, Seth (Adam Brody). Cue the music.

17 years later, I miss The O.C. In the pantheon of shows, The O.C. is never going to be compared to The Sopranos, The Wire, or Breaking Bad. However, it’s one of the most influential television shows of the 21st century. Without The O.C. popularizing the lifestyle of Southern California teenagers and their families, there’s no Gossip Girl, Laguna Beach, The Hills, Real Housewives. Without The O.C. creating a teen drama that also focused on adults, there’s no Friday Night Lights, Riverdale, or Desperate Housewives.

What made The O.C. special is the fact that they focused on relationships between both the kids and the adults. It wasn’t just a show for kids, about kids. The show was able to incorporate issues of alcoholism, wealth, and class seen through the eyes of both teenagers and adults. Creator Josh Schwartz created a primetime television, major network drama with soap opera elements that centered around teenagers. I’m on the record saying the first season of The O.C. is one of my favorite television seasons ever. I’ll go one step further by saying it’s as close to a perfect season as you can get. The show’s pilot is also one of my 10 favorite pilots of all time and I know I’m not the only one who shares that opinion.

Due to its overwhelming popularity, The O.C. became part of the cultural zeitgeist. The O.C. embraced pop culture and included these references throughout the series. From baggy jeans to flip phones and puka shells, The O.C. had a pulse on teenagers during that timeframe. The audience felt like they were growing up with Ryan, Seth, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton), and Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson). The show also provided iconic scenes and moments that were odes to popular moments in pop culture. Who could forget the upside-down spiderman kiss between Summer and Seth?

To all my girls and guys out there, I’m sure we all wished that “Fix You” would play at our high school dances. Am I right?

Speaking of songs, the music drops is as elite as you can get for a show. Schwartz and musical supervisor Alexandra Patsavas had an impeccable taste (and still does cc: Looking for Alaska) for pop, indie, and alternative music. The O.C. helped popularize bands like The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Rooney, Imogen Heap, and The All American Rejects. As I write this piece, I’m listening to Dice by Finley Quaye, which was featured on the New Year’s Eve episode where Ryan shared a kiss with Marissa just after midnight. Suck it, Oliver.

Like many shows, The O.C. ran into problems, especially during the third season. It pains me to bring up bad memories, but the third season is such a departure from what worked in all of the first season and most of the second season. Killing Marissa Cooper because Mischa Barton wanted to leave the show wasn’t a great decision, but their hand was forced. However, the fourth season channeled some magic from the earlier seasons and made Taylor Townsend into a formidable fourth character to Ryan, Seth, and Summer. This comment is out of place, but I have to honor the wonderful holiday that is Chrismukkah.

Teen dramas have tried to recapture the magic of The O.C. and some shows like Euphoria and Riverdale have found some success, but nothing will beat the teenagers of Newport Beach. “They don’t make them like this anymore,” is an overused phrase, but in regards to The O.C., it’s an appropriate response.

Welcome to the O.C., bitch.

Do you miss The O.C.? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Sports Are (Sort Of) Back. Let’s Keep It That Way

Ben Simmons sports

Last night, I experienced something I haven’t felt in what seems like forever. In the span of 30 minutes, I watched Aaron Judge crush a 3-run home run in the 9th inning as well as admired an entertaining Lakers vs. Clippers game that came down to the final shot. I witnessed the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Sports are back… sort of.

2020 has been an unpredictable and unprecedented year. Between a global pandemic, a looming election, and a cesspool of arguments on social media that make me want to bash my head into a wall, sports are far from the most important thing to be discussing. However, I speak for a lot of people when I say sports are a much-needed distraction.

I’ve been living in New York City throughout this pandemic. Besides a few weekend trips to my parents’ house this summer, I’ve been in the city 85% of the time. It’s hard to put into words how different NYC was in March and April. When I’m telling you I was afraid to go outside, I truly mean it. For the first few weeks, the only times I went outside of my apartment were for trips to the grocery store once a week. I also left my apartment for my weekly Friday night pizza and each day, I would stand outside for a few minutes for some fresh hair. That’s all I did for about eight weeks. Even though I was in NYC, I’ll be the first to tell you that I had it easier than most. All I had to do was stay inside and watch a lot of television and movies. For a guy who adores pop culture and entertainment, staying inside was easy. I’m not a first responder or healthcare hero that risked their lives to save others. My neighborhood wasn’t hit as hard as certain areas in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Many families had it far worse. So once again, I’m extremely fortunate and lucky to be in the situation that I was in.

We all need a distraction. When I say, “we,” I speak for all of Americans and even all humans by saying we need a distraction from what’s going on in 2020. That’s where sports come in. Just because I want a distraction doesn’t mean I’m forgetting about the virus. The virus is still here and it’s still a threat to civilization. However, watching a few basketball and baseball games was a feeling that I want to replicate for the rest of the year. It was so refreshing to see Twitter make memes about a picture with LeBron and Kawhi. After seeing 325 Twitter videos of random people with no medical background telling me how to protect myself from a virus they’ve never studied, an NBA joke could not have come at a better time.

Sports are the best. They unite people of different backgrounds, races, genders, and religions. We may not be able to agree on if we should or shouldn’t be wearing a mask (lol), but at least we can all agree that the Clippers missed Montrezl Harrell on the glass last night.

Sports aren’t perfect. They have problems, too. The NBA, MLS, WNBA (Sabrina Ionescu is the Queen of NY), PLL, NHL, and UFC are all competing in bubbles, but that doesn’t guarantee safety. Players can still make questionable decisions involving strip clubs that could potentially put the entire bubble in jeopardy. The MLB has a big COVID problem and it’s called the Miami Marlins. The NFL, who has had the most time to develop a course of action, still does not have a definitive plan for dealing with the virus. College football may have to play in the spring. There is still an ongoing battle for social justice in this country. Plus, the NBA is in hot water after an ESPN investigation revealed abuse complaints and mistreatment of players in NBA training academies in China.

I apologize for beating a dead horse, but sports are not the most important issue at hand. That being said, for a few hours a day, sports provide a much-needed escape from reality. Is that such a bad thing? We can only hope that every league takes the necessary precautions to keep their sport up and running for the remainder of the year. I feel like I’m the overprotective dad telling his daughter to make good decisions before she goes off to her first school dance. But if players, coaches, owners, managers, and commissioners need a reminder, here it is: Be smart and make good decisions. If you need me, I’ll be on my couch all weekend.

Excited for sports to come back? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

23 Thoughts About The 2020 Emmy Nominations

Better call saul

Who’s ready to argue and become “#madonline?” Whenever any list or nominations hit the Internet, in classic Internet fashion, we go right to Twitter to vent. Today was no different after the 2020 Emmy nominations were announced this morning. Below is my thread from this morning.

After taking the day to think, I came up with 23 thoughts.

1. I love that the nominations were announced at 11:30 AM EDT. I never understand why the Oscars announce their nominees at 8:20 AM EDT/5:20 AM PDT. I can’t process information that early. Frankly, the network that hosts the ceremony should have a primetime special to announce the nominations. I expect my check in the mail when a major organization steals that idea.

2. No Rhea Seehorn? I want to puke.

3. Watchmen deserved to lead the field with the most nominees with 26. Watchmen was a fantastic show from start to finish that eerily predicted what’s going on in the world in 2020. As I stated in my Emmy preview, “Watchmen should bring a broom for the clean sweep.”

4. Ramy Youssef is a rising star. I’m very happy he received an individual nomination, but I’m sad the show was not nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.

5. No Bob Odenkirk? I want to vomit.

6. Speaking of rising stars, I’m elated Paul Mescal received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie. Normal People is at the top of my list for favorite shows in 2020. It’s a heartbreaking depiction of first love between Millenials. Mescal was excellent and has a bright future ahead of him.

7. As happy as I am that Mescal received recognition, I’m disappointed his costar, Daisy Edgar-Jones, was left out of the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie category. It’s hard for me to reward one of the actors over the other because of their strong chemistry and connection. This won’t be the last we hear from Edgar-Jones.

8. No Normal People in the Outstanding Limited Series category hurts. If you haven’t heard by now, I loved Normal People.

9. ZENDAYA IS MEECHEE!

10. I, too, also share Laverne Cox’s excitement for Zendaya’s lead acting nomination for Euphoria. Zendaya is the standout on Euphoria. The sky is the limit for this insanely talented actress.

https://twitter.com/bywagnermoura/status/1288160201682620417?s=20

11. No Jonathan Banks? I want to gag.

12. HBO has their new Game of Thrones in the form of Succession. The Roy Family won’t dominate as Thrones did in the technical categories, but 18 nominations including one for Outstanding Drama Series position Succession to become HBO’s new staple program.

13. I’m still catching up on Succession and Ozark so I apologize for my lack of comments about both programs. However, Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy is throwing 98mph fastballs every time he’s onscreen. He deserves his Emmy nomination.

14. THE MANDALORIAN IS UP FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES! I’m still in shock, but it’s a great surprise. I can’t wait for Season 2.

The Mandalorian / Disney

15. No Tony Dalton? I want to heave.

16. I need to watch What We Do in the Shadows.

17. I miss Fleabag.

18. Unbelievable is a classic case of an excellent show coming out too early in the season. Unbelievable, a harrowing and emotional tale about sexual assault and the search for justice, premiered in September 2019 to rave reviews. Unbelievable nabbed nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Toni Collette, but the show’s two leads, Kaitlyn Dever and Merritt Wever, were snubbed from the lead acting category. If the show premiered in 2020, I bet Dever and Wever receive their well-deserved nominations.

19. I would have loved an Emmy nomination for Justin Hartley of This Is Us. However, Sterling K. Brown, Ron Cephas Jones, and Phylicia Rashad all received nominations so it’s a good consolation prize.

20. No Giancarlo Esposito? Oh wait, they did nominate Gus Fring! That’s cool, although Gus really hasn’t been “Gus” yet.

21. In a perfect world, Devs and Dave take home hardware. Maybe we’re in a simulation and need to find another outcome.

22. I can’t stop thinking about how Better Call Saul was snubbed so badly. I wrote about what would happen if the cast didn’t win any awards. However, I assumed most of the cast would receive nominations. Boy, was I wrong!

On one hand, the show scored a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. However, in the show’s best season, none of the major stars besides Esposito received acting nominations. What am I missing? I understand snubs happen every year, but Odenkirk was one of the favorites heading into nominations. Search “Rhee Seahorn” and you’ll find 20 articles about how she’s the MVP of the show and needs to receive an Emmy nomination. Jonathan Banks is a six-time nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and yet he won’t hear his name called at the podium. Tony Dalton is the Breaking Bad universe’s best villain since Gus Fring, and he couldn’t even sniff the nominations. I should not be this mad about television when the world is in a pandemic, but here I am screaming at the Internet like Bob Odenkirk.

Better Call Saul didn’t even receive any directing or cinematography nominations. What is going on?

“Bagman,” Better Call Saul / Sony Pictures Television
Better Call Saul / Sony Pictures Television

There is a lot to celebrate about the nominations, but I can’t erase the sour taste in my mouth due to the lack of recognition for Better Call Saul.

23. We don’t deserve Rhea Seehorn. If I ever win an Emmy, I’m going to thank Rhea Seehorn.

For the complete list of nominations, click here.

Do you have any thoughts about the 2020 Emmy nominations? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

PLL: It’s Time To Give Lacrosse A Chance

Premier Lacrosse League

Imagine a game that combined the best aspects of multiple sports to form one, mega-sport. If you combine the back-and-forth action of basketball, the offensive and defensive strategy of hockey, the physicality of football, and the endurance of soccer, you’d have a pretty damn impressive sport. As it turns out, that sport exists and it’s called lacrosse.

This Saturday, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) kicks off its Championship Series. In lieu of a regular season, the Championship Series will involve all seven teams competing in a 14-game group play format to determine seeding for the elimination round. Essentially, it’s a two week World Cup-style tournament that will take place in one location because of the pandemic. Plus, it’s arguably the most exposure pro lacrosse will ever have as all 20 games will be broadcast on either NBC, NBC Sports, or NBC Sports Gold.

Now that all of the administrative work is complete, let’s talk about lacrosse. Even though I discussed the PLL in the previous paragraph, this isn’t a puff piece for the league. I don’t work for the league nor do they pay me to advertise their series. This piece is about the wonderful game of lacrosse.

As the headline states, it’s time to give lacrosse a chance. As I mentioned, it combines the principles of four sports. Add a stick and you’re ready to go. As someone who grew up in a lacrosse town, I witnessed firsthand how magical the sport can truly be. In a lacrosse game, expect to see fast and powerful shots, laserlike passing, brutal hits, and miraculous saves. It’s a sport where you can control the possession with the faceoff while you’re not required to give the other team an offensive possession. Players can play multiple possessions and are not ruled to the confines of position-specialization, like football. Hell, even a goalie can score if they’re talented enough.

Lacrosse can be a thing of beauty, but unfortunately, it currently has a small, niche audience. A lot of that has to do with stereotypes that have plagued the game for years. The running joke is that lacrosse players are “rich, white, frat-bro douchebags.” As someone who played, yes, there are some lacrosse players who are rich, white, frat-bro douchebags. But you see that small minority of kids in every sport growing up.

I’ll be first to admit that some of the players’ names are “so lacrosse it hurts.” Tucker Durkin, an elite defenseman, could be the name of a cowboy who sells oil in Texas. Deemer Class, a lefty sharpshooter, could moonlight as the owner of five car dealerships in the midwest. Cade Van Raaphorst, an excellent defensiveman, could also be the name of a fraternity president in the SEC.

Lacrosse is also not as accessible as other sports. All you need is a stick and ball to start playing, but if you want to play organized lacrosse, the helmets, arm pads, and chest protectors are just some of the gear you’ll need. It’s not like basketball or soccer, where you need a ball and the right shoes. Lacrosse is predominantly played on the east coast, although it’s rapidly expanding across the country and traveling across the globe to areas in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Groups like Harlem Lacrosse are successfully diversifying the game by infiltrating inner-cities and giving more kids the opportunity to pick up a stick.

The biggest reason as to why I believe lacrosse has not reached immense popularity revolves around exposure and the lack of a big professional league. For years, the pinnacle of lacrosse was the Final Four in Division I lacrosse, which takes place on Memorial Day weekend annually. When the biggest games of the sport happen on the college level, it hinders the growth of professional lacrosse. Pro lacrosse games are not typically covered on sports television unless it involves a behind-the-back goal on the SportsCenter Top 10. You can find pro lacrosse on your tv, but it might be on CBS Sports or ESPN+ instead of the major networks. The MLL has been a league for two decades, but how people outside of the lacrosse world can name a team? I’d be shocked if the average person could name one professional lacrosse team in the MLL. Plus, when guys have second jobs outside of lacrosse in order to make ends meet as a professional, what’s the point of becoming a pro lacrosse player if you can make more money in another profession?

I bring up all these points because I think we’re at the turning point for lacrosse especially at the professional level. What Paul Rabil, the most popular player and co-founder of the PLL, is trying to build with the Premier Lacrosse League could be the start of something special. Big corporations like Ticketmaster and Gatorade are buying into the league’s mission and putting their money where their mouth is with sponsorships. Having a major network like NBC to showcase all of the games is critical for exposure. Last but certainly not least, the PLL has the best players in the world competing at the highest level. With more guys becoming full-time lacrosse players, the product on the field has significantly increased. All of these aspects together form a perfect storm that’s ready to infiltrate the homes of many Americans.

So throughout these next two weeks, when every major sport begins to return, turn on NBC or NBC Sports and give lacrosse a chance. You might even like what you see.

Go Redwoods.

Will you be watching the PLL? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.