#//I think this was filmed sometime before July 2023

[jesstasticvoyage]

Silence on Set interview with Sam Claflin

uploaded to YouTube: September 28, 2023

[leclerc-s]

snow angel - track four

series masterlist // previous // next

DECEMBER 2022

JANUARY 2023

EARLY MARCH 2023

liked by lilymhe, alex_albon, mickschumacher and others

rheareynolds the council sending me off for filming.

tagged: lilymhe

view all comments

user1 somehow all three are very grumpy about rhea leaving.

↳ rheareynolds they were. although the boyfriend has no place to be complaining. he's constantly travelling.

user2 the boyfriend is hot.

↳ user3 you can only see his hair and arms?

↳ user2 and?

vancityreynolds stop lying, i bet they're thrilled.

↳ rheareynolds just because blake always throws a party when you leave doesn't mean my friends and boyfriend do.

lilymhe you couldn't have found a better picture of me?

↳ rheareynolds i think you look very cute

↳ alex_albon that's my girlfriend!

↳ rheareynolds what's your point? she's literally my wife

charles_leclerc have fun but not too much fun!

user4 okay but her cat is literally the prettiest cat i've ever seen.

user5 see i personally love that rhea met lily and the other drivers through lando but they still picked her over him

↳ user6 to be fair they are friendly with lando but you can tell it's not the same as it was.

↳ user7 well lando cheated on his girlfriend and not the other way around.

LATE MARCH 2023

lilymhe and rheareynolds posted new stories

breakfast with the prettiest girl ever.

prettiest surprise visit ever.

charles leclerc rhea come home the children (me and lily) miss you

lily muni he please come back!

max verstappen added two people

logan sargeant bonjour!

logan sargeant i don't speak french

oscar piastri hello?

charles leclerc piastri i swear to seb if you tell nowins about this i will crash into you. alex albon jeez give the kid a chance to breathe sharl

rhea reynolds i wrap filming in may!

rhea reynolds oh hello. oscar piastri and?

logan sargeant i'm logan sargeant, alex's teammate. when will we be getting new music?

yuki tsunoda yes, when can i get new material to further torment norizz?

rhea reynolds july.

lance stroll BOOO!!

rhea reynolds but a single in june

pierre gasly IT'S BARELY APRIL?? THAT'S TWO WHOLE MONTHS AWAY?? mick schumacher sucks to suck charles leclerc YOU LET HIM HEAR IT BEFORE US?? YOUR BEST FRIENDS?? charles leclerc WHAT HAPPENED TO BROS BEFORE HOES?

george russell GIVE US THE TRACKLIST TO MAKE UP FOR YOUR SINS!!

rhea reynolds talk too much, i hate boston, poison poison, gemini moon, snow angel, so what now, the wedding song, pretty girls, tummy hurts, i wish, willow, 23.

charles leclerc claiming snow angel lily muni he claiming pretty girls max verstappen you two are too much sometimes. but i claim so what now.

rhea reynolds his ass is grass. trust.

oscar piastri trust i will be playing this in my drivers room.

MAY 2023

rheareynolds posted new stories

💞💞

i just woke up why the fuck is everyone blowing up my phone? did my nudes get leaked, not that i have any, or some shit? worse, what the fuck did ryan do now?

mick schumacher who fucking spilled??

esteban ocon i spilled milk earlier, why are you asking?? and how do you know??

rhea reynolds how the fuck did some spanish paper find out that i was dating mick??

charles leclerc oh no.

max verstappen YOU TOLD CARLOS??

charles leclerc HE PROMISED ME HE WOULDN'T SAY ANYTHING!!

pierre gasly HE'S FRIENDS WITH NO BITCHES!! WHY THE FUCK WOULD HE KEEP IT A SECRET??!!

oscar piastri this is bad. so bad.

lily muni he OH COME ON!! SERIOUSLY CHARLES??

charles leclerc I FUCKED UP OKAY?! I GET IT! I WILL SPEAK TO CARLOS!

george russell NO! NO MORE TALKING TO CARLOS!!

charles leclerc HE PROMISED!!

max verstappen HIS PROMISES MEAN SHIT! WE BOTH KNOW THAT!

rhea reynolds WHAT THE FUCK CHARLES??

charles leclerc I WAS ALSO DRUNK AND I TRUSTED HIM!!

pierre gasly i thought we learned our lesson after last time?

alex albon this is bad. this is so fucking bad.

rhea reynolds yeah no shit alex.

alex albon you didn't read the article did you?

lily muni he i swear to sebastian that i will be castarating both sainz and norris for what's being said. rhea reynolds oh fuck me.

are you dating mick schumacher?

rhea?

i know you're seeing these

are you seriously dating mick? my friend?

that's rich coming from the guy who cheated on me with a friend.

and if i am i don't think i owe you an explanation.

i also wasn't aware you guys were friends. you take one picture with a guy and suddenly you're friends.

are you fucking kidding me reynolds?

you're dating him?

him of all people

literally fuck you norris.

tell carlos to pull the fucking article or i'm suing his ass for defamation.

for what? telling the truth?

you and i both fucking know that article is straight bullshit. i never did anything to you. i was committed to our relationship more than you ever fucking were.

either he pulls the article or i swear i'll sue him.

fuck you and i hope you choke.

taglist: @emilyval @ihateyougunthersteiner @lesliiieeeee @firetruckstuckley @cashtons-wife @landonorizzz @yoremins @nikfigueiredo @badassturtle13 @cataf1 @silentreader128 @taylorsatl @alessioayla @greeneyesandsunshine @wisteriafence @mrscharlesleclerc @sesamepancakes @localwhoore @vettelsebastianvettel @Pinksstrawberry @yourbane @bborra @aandreea2005 @nichmeddar @asparklysoul @landossainz @scarletwidow3000 @cha-hot @ssararuffoni @cherry-piee @vroomvroommuppett @shineforever19 @kissesandmartinis

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¡leclerc-s speaks! i do know that the mick quote in the grill the grid video is in reference to seb, but the opportunity was right there so i had to go with it!! if i had a nickel for everytime i made carlos out to be an asshole i'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice. I PROMISE I DON'T HATE HIM!! I ACTUALLY LIKE HIM BUT HE'S LIKE BESTIES WITH LANDO AND IT WORKS OUT SO WELL.

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[becauseimanicequeen]

Don't Ask Me for QL Recommendations Because My Taste is BAD

Bad as in TRASHY.

For your own good, don't ask me for recommendations.

I'm writing this because I've gotten some asks lately for QL recommendations and I wanted to spare you the pain.

If you still don't trust me (because to be fair, why would you? I'm just a random weirdo on the internet), let me tell you how bad my taste is so you'll know why I'm doing you a great favor by sparing you the pain.

(I also watch, and rewatch, series/films for ridiculous reasons, yet another reason not to listen to me. I’ll come back to this in a minute.)

Let's start with a brief rewind to a couple of decades ago (because it matters in this context).

The first queer content of any kind I can remember watching was Xena: The Warrior Princess in the late 90s and early 00s (I was a child/pre-teen at the time). It was such a pivotal point for me, which is why I remember it vividly. Not only was Lucy Lawless (the actress playing Xena) the most beautiful human being I had ever seen at that point, Xena was also queer and I loved her.

The series, though? It’s bad.

It’s over-the-top, contains ridiculous humor, face-palm-worthy fight scenes, etc., etc. (But, it was also the 90s, so it was quality television at the time, no matter what anyone else says.) It was so bad that it was ridiculously entertaining. I would watch it today (if I could find it anywhere…). That’s how bad my taste is (or how attached I am to bad shit).

That’s when the groundwork for my bad taste was laid. I blame THANK Xena: The Warrior Princess for it.

Then there was a huge skip until July last year when I found the Asian QL world, because I had no idea it even existed (I’m from Europe, btw).

(My personal story is that I fell into the queer/gay film world before the QL world, and the queer films I could find were made and released very sporadically. But ever since I found the treasure trove of Asian QL series in July 2023, I’ve watched 291 series/films as of right now.)

The reason I fell into the Asian QL world was thanks to a Short on YouTube with the main characters from Roommates of Poongduck 304 kissing. (Want to know what convinced me to watch it? One of them was wearing blue and the other pink, two of my favorite colors. Yep, that’s the reason. Told you it would be ridiculous.)

Since then, I’ve been exploring this rabbit hole and loving every second of all the bad shit that’s out there (there’s some great shit too, and some great things that aren’t shit at all, but they’re not really my taste because my taste is trashy, remember?).

I quickly noticed what my taste was pulling me towards and, in some cases, the trashier it was, the more I liked it.

(I’m talking about fiction here. I’m mature enough to be able to separate fiction from reality. Just because I enjoy watching a series/film that depicts a problematic topic, and sometimes do it in a problematic way, doesn’t mean I condone it in real life. I’m just putting this here as a disclaimer because people on the internet are easily offended nowadays. And I honestly don’t have time to respond to people who are venting their anger after purposefully misinterpreting what I’ve said, unless there’s a very valid reason, which there usually isn’t.)

So, what are some of my favorites that I absolutely do not recommend you watch?

Unless you want to watch trash, then, have at it. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

(Btw, if you like any of these, I apologize for calling your taste bad and trashy. But, if you like any of these, I think you already know your taste is bad. Also, if you like any of these, hey, bestie!)

Let’s start with the less extreme ones so I don’t scare you away from the start. After that, they’re in no particular order.

(With the issues/TW section for each series/film I include possible trigger warnings, taboo topics, what viewers/commenters have brought up as problematic, my possible issues with the writing, etc. I won’t list everything (because some of them would have looong lists) but I’m including some of the major ones.)

Kiseki: Dear to Me (Taiwan)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, age gap, “adoptive” brothers becoming lovers, etc.

Both couples in this series have their own set of issues. Ai Di and Chen Yi are the “adoptive” brothers who become lovers while Ze Rui and Zong Yi have an age gap (I can’t remember how big of an age gap but I think it was close to 10-ish years).

(Before I move on there’s one thing you should know about me… I was born into a family with a varying degree of age gaps within marriages, from 2 to 23 years. Even though we’ve talked about the bigger age gaps occasionally, it’s never been an issue. I don’t mind age gaps as long as they’re legal. Does that mean I would hook up with someone in their late teens or early twenties? No. I would rather hook up with someone who has a fully developed brain, which science suggests doesn’t happen until somewhere in the mid-to-late-twenties. But it does mean that age gaps (as long as they’re legal) aren’t something I’ll be bothered by or judgemental of.)

Kiseki: Dear to Me is one of my favorite series because:

It’s from Taiwan, and the Taiwanese QLs are generally great at dealing with more difficult and taboo topics.

Ai Di is the feistiest, most colorful, and pettiest bitch and I love him with my entire ice-cold heart.

Chen Yi looks amazing in black.

The neon lights (because I’m a slut for that).

Also, the kissing (from both couples) is great.

You know, I did say that these would be series/films I absolutely do not recommend you watch. But I’ll actually recommend this one. Watch it. It’s great.

Unknown (Taiwan)

Issues/TW: Age gap, “adoptive” brothers becoming lovers, etc.

This is another one I’ll actually recommend you watch because it’s great.

The main couple (Qian and Yuan) are the “adoptive” brothers becoming lovers while the age gap is most prominent between San Pang (Qian’s business partner) and Lili (Qian’s younger sister). There’s also the fact that San Pang is part of their chosen family and has seen Lili grow up and stuff. So, if that bothers you, then don’t watch it.

The biggest reasons I would personally recommend it to those I know aren’t particularly bothered by taboo topics are because:

The yearning is palpable (and I love shit like that).

Qian would move heaven and earth for his family.

The great story.

The even more amazing acting.

Some moments made me bawl (and since I'm an ice queen, I get obsessed with shit that shatters my ice and makes me cry).

I know I said my taste is trashy… but I would actually give myself a gold star for loving this one.

Now, back to the real trash…

Love in the Air (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, SA, rape, MAME, etc.

Everyone and their aunt (or however the saying goes in English) seem to have an issue with MAME (the original creator of LITA and several other trashy BLs) and for good reason. (I would say that she improved a lot with Wedding Plan, which is the least problematic thing I’ve watched from her and it’s the latest series of hers, as of right now.) If she’s grown, remains to be seen. But it doesn’t change the fact that LITA has some issues.

Honestly, I just watch this for the visuals, as in the motorcycles and the neon lights. That’s it. That’s the reason.

I mean, if you look at the whole first sex scene between Sky and Prapai, you get what I mean with the neon lights. It’s divine. (I recently rewatched LITA for this very reason. A waste of time, you say? Not when you’re a slut for neon lights.)

Don’t watch this though! Just enjoy this gif instead…

I just saved you 13-ish hours of your life. You’re welcome.

TharnType and TharnType 2: 7 Years of Love (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, homophobia, domestic violence, MAME, etc.

Don’t watch this. This is bad. As in, really bad. And all the issues are in the main couple’s relationship.

But, since my taste is really bad, I rewatched this recently for horny reasons (it’s Mew, after all, and he’s got me in a chokehold for some reason). It’s still as bad as I remembered it, but I would still rewatch it for Mew’s sake (and because Techno is ridiculous throughout both seasons, which means I love him).

To be fair there are other, a lot spicier, series that I watch more often for horny reasons (yes, some of them are in this post because they’re trashy too), but none of them include Mew. And since I have to get my dose of Mew from time to time, I return to TharnType (especially the second season).

Big Dragon (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, blackmail, etc.

This isn’t that problematic in my opinion, but there is definitely a drug-induced sexcapade that’s taped and used for blackmail for a while. And that's how the series starts.

I recently did a rewatch of this and it was still bad (in a good way) and I loved every second of it.

What I love about this series are:

The visuals. The set designs are beautiful (especially Yai’s home and the bar, before he demolishes it). As a visual artist, this is speaking to my soul.

The chemistry between Yai and Mangkorn.

Pong and Park. Two idiots I love with my whole ice-cold heart.

And the title track because it’s addictive as hell to listen to.

Also, the sex (which my horny ass needs). Let's not forget the sex. Those scenes were also visually stunning, which made me love them even more.

Honestly, I'll kneel and bow down to this shit because it's that great.

Don’t trust my judgment, though, because my taste is trashy.

Only Friends (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Manipulation, stalking, promiscuity, etc.

This series is messy in terms of intrigue (especially from Boston and then Boeing’s part). The ending had some issues. The sex isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, either. I, on the other hand, would drink a whole pot of this.

Overall, I loved this trash. Mainly because of:

How visually stunning it is.

Sand. He’s a hardworking, good person. He’s also a proud bi!

How they depicted and handled Ray’s addiction and recovery. (I know some watchers were upset that the focus of the series landed on Sand and Ray towards the end while neglecting the other characters, which is a valid point. However, setting that aside, the way they portrayed Ray’s addiction and then his road to recovery in the last couple of episodes was realistic, and I loved it.)

The promiscuity, because I loved it and the mess it created.

Boston being a slutty asshole. The more of a slutty asshole he was, the more I loved him. (I know, it’s a me-problem.)

Boeing coming in and kissing (almost) everyone.

It’s trashy, it’s messy, and I love it!

But, I don’t recommend it to anyone.

My Beautiful Man 1, 2, and 3 Eternal (Japan)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, obsession, bullying, lack of (or no real) communication, etc.

I love this series (2 seasons + 1 film), but I honestly don’t see it as particularly problematic. But I know others will disagree with me, so here it is on my list of trashy QLs.

I don’t mind Hira’s obsession because I know Kiyoi is just as whipped for Hira (even though he doesn’t know how to communicate it to Hira at first, especially in a way that Hira understands). Would I be okay with someone’s obsession and stalking in real life? Of course not. But, as I mentioned before, I’m mature enough to separate fiction from reality.

Also, I love miscommunicating characters, especially when the misunderstandings they create bring out all the emotions (angst, hurt, anger, sadness, embarrassment, etc.) and even the flight response. I especially love miscommunicating characters when they learn to communicate throughout the series/film. And this series is especially delicious on the miscommunicating part.

But, it’s also problematic, apparently. So, don’t watch it.

The End of the World With You (Japan)

Issues/TW: Blackmail, biphobia, cheating, etc.

I’ll be honest and say that I’ve only watched this series three times. And that’s because the biphobia is fucking annoying. In this series, the bi character is depicted as a cheater (which is common in QLs, btw). It’s an exasperating stereotype. Cheating has nothing to do with your sexuality and everything to do with who you are as a person.

(I mean, you can be a proud bi like Payu in LITA or Sand in OF. They have eyes only for one person as soon as they’re pursuing or dating someone. Give me more bi characters like this, please.)

We could discuss how cheating can be used as characterization in certain stories. But not in this one. Here, they’re basically using Ritsu’s bisexuality as the reason he’s cheating (since he’s sleeping with Masumi while having a thing going on with a girl, and then sleeping with a girl when he has a thing with Masumi), which is why it’s bothering me in this series.

If I’m going to tell you why I like this series, however, it’s for 2 reasons:

It’s about getting a second chance, a topic I love.

The sex (laser-focused horny Ritsu is my favorite Ritsu).

Check Out (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Biphobia, cheating, lazy writing, etc.

(It should be mentioned that I’ve read some comments about some issues involving the company behind this series. I haven’t dug deeper into this so I don’t really know if there’s any substance to the comments I’ve read (like official statements from the company or the other people involved, etc.). But I’m putting this out there in case this might be a potential issue for you (even though I’ve already told you that I don’t recommend you watch any of these because they’re all trashy).)

When I first checked this out at the beginning of this year, this series seemed to have created a storm of bad comments and reviews on MDL since it first came out. So, obviously, I needed to watch it because my taste is trashy.

And, you know what? I loved it!

Besides having the bi character depicted as a cheater (again, the use of this biphobic stereotype is so fucking annoying) and the sporadic clunky and stale scenes, I loved this series because:

It’s about second chances. As I mentioned before, I love that topic.

Best (the actor playing Daonuea) is the best in this series. There’s just something about him that grabs my attention every time. He has me in a similarly tight chokehold as Mew.

There’s sex (and my horny ass needs it).

But, it’s also trash, so don’t watch it.

Pit Babe (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Domestic violence, non-consensual, SA, age gap, etc.

This became popular. Really popular. I saw people comment about it everywhere. And usually, when stuff becomes popular, it’s more than likely reduced to trash quality by the general public. So, obviously, I had to watch it.

Did I end up loving it? Yes.

Honestly, the biggest issue this series had for me was the whole omegaverse thing (this was a new thing for me because I don’t come from an erotic fiction background, my head was rather stuck in fantasy fiction). And, from my limited understanding of this, they didn’t seem to fully commit to the omegaverse thing in Pit Babe, which was unfortunate.

The racing was also so-so for me, which hurt my soul because I usually love racing (cars, mcs, boats, etc.).

What I did like, however, was:

The chemistry between Pete and Kenta (and I’m so sad I only got crumbs of this).

Pavel (the actor playing Babe). I would watch and listen to him recite product placement scripts for toothpaste all day long.

The sex, especially the scene with Babe and Charlie in ep. 9 (even though it was mixed with clips from the racing) and Jeff and Alan’s scene in ep. 13 (because it was sensual, if we ignore the music).

The neon lights (have I mentioned that I’m a slut for neon lights?). I mean, just look at this:

I can watch that pinkish light all day long, even though Babe and Charlie are trying to distract me. (Especially Pavel!)

Dead Friend Forever (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Grooming, bullying, suicide & suicide attempts, etc.

Besides the issues listed above, this also suffered from lazy writing at the end. BUT, I fucking loved DFF anyway.

I never expected to love this series because it’s just a bunch of teenagers stuck at a house in the woods. How interesting could that be? Turns out, very.

DFF wasn’t perfect (perfection doesn’t exist anyway), but what I loved about it was:

The morally ambiguous characters.

The revenge plot.

The poetic justice.

The questioning of what was real vs hallucination.

The visually stunning shots.

The mask!

And Tan’s mask!

The beheading scene.

I could go on, but you get the point. I just love this piece of trash.

But, please, don’t watch it. You will suffer from brain rot. Trust me.

I, however, am currently rewatching this because I choose the brain rot. And my taste is trashy, remember? Or, perhaps I just love watching chaos unfold…

HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count (Taiwan)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, age gap, tragic ending, etc.

Everyone and their aunt and even their dog have an issue with the ending of this one. And it’s understandable.

I don’t necessarily like or dislike the ending. Obviously, the bury your gays trope is tragic in itself, and, tragically, it’s still being used. That’s why I couldn’t find myself liking the ending, even though I don’t mind tragic endings. (Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite classics, which people tend to forget is a tragedy and not a romance, btw, but I digress…)

At the same time, though, this series made me cry for a whole episode before tragedy struck because I could feel it. And you have no idea how obsessed I get about shit that makes me cry (since I’m an ice queen).

(Another side note: one of my favorite BLs is Once Again, which made me bawl throughout the whole series. It’s not on this list because it’s neither trashy nor bad, but it’s still one of my favorites because it broke me in the best ways. But, anyway…)

The best part of this series from beginning to end was the other couple, at least for me. This couple is the one with the age gap (which, again, doesn’t bother me) and I fucking love them! One, because Wilson Liu (the actor playing Bo Xiang) is such a gem. Second, because their first time was such a spur-of-the-moment thing fueled by a desire that went from 0-100kph in less time than a Ferrari would. And I loved it (just as much as the squeezing of boobs from behind, which, for some reason, appeals to me).

Also, the twins are so pretty it’s annoying.

Do I recommend it, though? No, because I don’t have time to respond to the clap back I’ll get when you come to the end.

HIStory 4: Close to You (Taiwan)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, SA, obsession, age gap, stepbrothers becoming lovers, etc.

This one has some problems (especially the relationship between Yong Jie and Xing Si), but I love both the series and its problems (yes, I’m trash). You could say that I’m as obsessed with this series as Yong Jie is with Xing Si. Would I get this series drunk and fuck the living daylights out of it? No. But I would watch it once every 3 months or so. Oh, wait… I already do that. Because I’m trash.

What do I love so much about this series (other than what I mentioned above):

It’s from Taiwan.

Li Cheng is ridiculous, which is exactly why I love him.

Every time I rewatch it, it gets funnier.

The chemistry between Li Cheng and Teng Teng is amazing.

As well as the chemistry between Yong Jie and Xing Si.

The kissing is just as amazing.

The main fujoshi girl, Mei Fang, is so cute I can’t handle her.

And the bathroom scene! In that lighting! It’s iconic!

I don’t care what anyone else says. This is fucking gold to me. But, then again, my taste is trash. So, don’t listen to me.

KinnPorsche (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Dubious consent, SA, torture, Stockholm syndrome-ish, etc.

This is some next-level trash, and I fucking love it.

Two of the major relationships in this series (Kinn & Porsche and Vegas & Pete) are problematic at some point. Especially Vegas and Pete who have this whole captor/captive, torture, BDSM-ish type relationship. Of course, I love Vegas and Pete because my taste is super trashy (yes, it’s a me-problem, but I don’t force my taste on other people, so, for the love of all that is holy, don’t watch this!).

Other reasons I love this series and rewatch it from time to time:

It’s visually stunning! The cinematography is amazing. As I mentioned before, I’m a visual artist, so this is a very valid reason for me to watch it again and again. And again.

The neon lights.

The whole mafia thing.

The sex (because my horny ass needs it).

Playboyy (Thailand)

Issues/TW: SA, homophobia, suicide, etc.

I was debating whether or not to add this to my list solely based on the ending. However, up until that point, I really liked it.

The fact that every episode starts with a whole ass list of trigger warnings tells me this is my shit. And it was.

At times, it was so bad that it was good (until the ending, which was just so bad it was bad). The things I liked were:

The mystery.

Win (who played Nuth). His acting was great.

The chemistry between Nuth and Phop.

The tattooed daddy that’s Aob and his chemistry with Puen (there’s also an age gap here, btw, but as I’ve mentioned before, it’s fine by me as long as it’s legal).

The weird ass sex scenes (and the underwear).

And the not so weird ass sex scenes (like the ones between Aob and Puen and the ones between Nuth and Phop).

But, this series is trashy. Keep as far away from it as possible. If you still decide to dip in, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Red Wine in the Dark Night (Thailand)

Issues/TW: Obsession, blood, human blood bags, etc.

This is a queer film that’s BL-ish with some dark themes. Mainly, it’s about how far Wine would go to help the person he’s fallen for (or become attached to).

What I loved about this film was:

Fluke (who plays Wine). He’s such a great actor and I love him in everything he does.

Wine who is so desperate to love someone and be loved that he ends up doing some weird shit.

The darker and sadder vibe, which I love.

Irresistible Love 1 and Irresistible Love 2 (China)

(This is also called Uncontrolled Love.) 

Issues/TW: Obsession, homophobia, codependency, adoptive brothers becoming lovers, etc.

This is another queer film (in two parts) that is more BL-ish than the films I’m getting into below.

This depicts a weird relationship dynamic between Xie Yan and Shu Nian where Shu Nian was basically adopted into the family to become Xie Yan’s friend/babysitter/lackey. This is some weird ass shit, and I love weird ass shit so I really enjoyed this rare, uncensored, gem from China.

But, it’s also trashy. So, don’t watch it.

The next couple of films I’ll mention are (obviously) trashy, but also complex and deep (which is why I love them).

One Summer Night (South Korea)

Issues/TW: Obsession, dependency, oppression, etc.

This is a low-budget film from 2016 (so, production-wise, it’s definitely nothing like the usual stuff from South Korea you can watch on Netflix), but I love it.

It’s gritty, it’s raw, it’s explicit (an emphasis on explicit because you’ll see dicks), it deals with being a North Korean defector but ending up in an impoverished situation in South Korea, and it ends with a dubious ending you can interpret in different ways.

This is definitely not for the general QL viewers who watch QLs for the cutesy stuff.

And it's trashy. So, don’t watch it.

Dangerous Drugs of Sex (Japan)

Issues/TW: All the trigger warnings! Seriously. I feel like it’s better to say that so you’ll look up the TWs for yourself (if you choose to watch this, which I'm asking you not to) rather than me mentioning a few and forgetting others.

With this film, what others see are all the trigger warnings (and, yes, I see them too, they’re fucking obvious). However, I can see beyond that and watch it for what it is at the core: Two characters dealing with incredible grief.

Grief is a topic that often affects me and I can relate to it because I’ve had to deal with a lot of grief in my relatively short life. Watching a film like this where grief pushes the characters to their very limits will (often) get a special place in my heart, especially if done well. And it’s done very well in this film.

Do I condone the characters’ behaviors? No (especially not Yoden Ryoji’s). But I do understand that grief can send you over the edge (and in some cases throw you off the edge) because I’ve experienced it. I do understand that grief can cause you to make horrible decisions because I’ve done it (though, not this extreme). I do understand that grief can be self-destructive because I’ve been there. This film shows it all. That’s why I love it so much.

Do I recommend you watch this, tough? No. Don’t do it. This is not for everyone. It’s definitely not for those who watch QLs for the cutesy stuff.

But it is for me because I love trash. Especially good trash. And this is the best trash I’ve ever seen when it comes to gay films.

Anything by Scud Cheng

Lastly, I want to mention any film by Scud Cheng because…

And I’m an artist so art means everything to me.

Cheng is a screenwriter and director from Hong Kong. His films, the ones I’ve seen, are gritty, nude, and real. They are more on the art side than the others I’ve listed above, which is why they have a special place in my heart.

They’re also deep and explore themes like introspection (are we doing things because we believe they’re the right thing to do, or because external forces have “brainwashed” us to believe they’re the normal thing to do?), the porn industry and how it exploits young and queer men, death, politics, and love, to name a few.

These are not for the average QL watcher. They’re not for the faint of heart. They’re not for those who want an entertaining watch.

These films require multiple viewings. I’ve watched some once, some twice, and some more times, and I still find new themes and meanings woven into the stories. So, they’re complex and deep.

But, don’t watch them because I know you’ll come at me later. So, to spare us both the time and energy it would take to argue about this shit, just don’t watch any of it.

Now, if you still want to ask me for recommendations after all that, don't tell me I didn't warn you!

[jadedxhearts]

𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐖 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 #𝟏𝟎

HC's about filming with Law (cam girl/boy au)

Warnings: smut, fem reader, modern au

Originally posted on July 3rd, 2023

So with the camgirl/boy au being really popular right now… I keep thinking abt Law filming with his girl 🫣 And what complicates it is that I would never ever do it, like no amount of money could get me to post myself NUDE online…. No way in hell. I also hate the idea of having an s/o who does that (it’s bc I’m a very private person, not bc I’m a controlling asshole lol) So sometimes that makes it more difficult to read those fics… but…

I can’t stop thinking abt it. Either reader’s guilty pleasure is watching Law and she ends up recognizing his tattoos that she’s seen wrapped around his cock before, and that’s how she figures out the guy she’s been noticing on campus is the camboy she’s obsessed with. Or the other way around, Law’s been watching her videos, but doesn’t realize that this whole time the girl he’s been foolishly crushing on is the same girl that he’s been watching; he’s literally seen her knuckles deep in her pussy, playing with it before bouncing on a dildo, so completely exposed… and he doesn’t make the connection until one day let’s say he tutors you, and realizes that your apartment matches the one in that girl’s videos.

From there… it all spirals. But what I’m REALLY thinking abt a lot is this: at some point, they start making videos with each other. Maybe at first it starts out as a private thing, but then eventually they post one of the videos as a thrill or something.

It would mostly consist of either Law fingering your pussy, rubbing his palm along your clit until you’re squirting into the camera, or him fucking you. You’re both on your sides, laid out on the floor. Law’s spreading your legs apart, fucking into you forcefully and taunting you the entire time. As well as the audience… “I bet they all wish they could have your cunt, huh? But you’re fucking mine, all you’ll know is my cock. Not some loser’s who’s watching.”

He’s holding you in place as he cums inside you, telling the audience that he’s breeding you to permanently mark you as his. Law slowly pulls his cock out, letting everyone get a good view of his seed dripping out of your cunt.

Or you’re sitting up on the ground, both of your faces cut off. All they can see is both of your legs spread out as you’re sitting in Law’s lap, keeping his cock nice and warm in your tight cunt… Law continues with the taunting, telling the audience you’d never want their gross dicks when you’ve got his. Then you bounce in his lap, riding his cock. The audience can see as his tattooed hands keep your legs spread and play with your clit while his cock repeatedly disappears into you, your breasts bouncing within the camera’s frame at the same time.

[cadmium-free]

Funeral Parade of Roses (1969) - Watched on August 5, 2023

It spirals to its inevitable conclusion. We revisit a moment, a scene. A little more plays out, we step back or step forward. We live transfixed in a moment. Sometimes a scene mirrors another, it's all the same but with different details. There is no escaping fate, we can only be sucked closer and closer to our inevitable conclusion.

Stop Making Sense (1984) - Watched on October 5, 2023

I genuinely don’t think this needs any explanation or justification at all. I could watch it over and over and over and over and over.

Possession (1981) - Watched on October 17, 2023

It took me three sittings to get through this film and I wasn’t sure I liked it immediately after I finished it. And then it just simmered in my mind for days and weeks after until it finally clicked into place. I love the way Sam Neill moves in this. Everyone comments on the haunting way Isabelle Adjani looks directly into the camera, and yea. Yeah. Ok. Yeah. Yeah.

The Devils (1971) - Watched on June 26, 2023

I thought going into it with the full knowledge of Urbain Grandier would defang it, and perhaps this did soften the blow a bit, but it's audacious, frenzied, sensual. You get tangled up in its themes, its sensations, its torture.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - Watched on January 13, 2023

This set off a brief and ferocious obsession with Al Pacino. I have a strained relationship with films based on true crimes, but this slides past my qualms, perhaps just on the strength of the fact John Wojtowicz himself did write a review of it.

Bound (1996) - Watched on April 5 and August 19, 2023

The way Corky and Violet can come together with genuine trust so quickly. The way Ceaser can misunderstand Violet so fundamentally. The literal betrayal in realising who someone is.

Häxan (1922) - Watched on October 27, 2023

The 1922 equivalent of a Youtube video essay where a guy is like, "Guys, I just learned a bunch of fucked up facts about witches and witch trials. I think maybe we just execute women for being poor and mentally ill. Also aren't mental institutions a bit fucked up?" but like, a bit hornier than you would expect for the subject.

Cruising (1980) - Watched on January 17, 2023

It’s all about looking and being noticed. The camera is looking. Al Pacino is looking. The men are looking. And the ambiguity of the gaze and the plot.

Pontypool (2008) - Watched on October 4, 2023

It's a film about words. It's a film about broadcasting from a radio station and seeing nothing. Our imagination fills in the visual gaps. It's so much more horrifying to be piecing everything together from the safety of a recording booth.

The Lair of the White Worm (1988) - Watched on February 1, 2023

Hugh Grant—looking like a lesbian—who is a freaky little rich boy who believes in cryptids, Peter Capaldi—looking like a lesbian—sucking snake venom from a neck bite, an incredibly sexy snake woman with a house full of snake stuff, a giant snake puppet, surreal dream sequences, the coolest game of snakes and ladders ever made, snake dicks, weaponised bagpipe music, homoeroticism, and giant strap-ons.

Ravenous (1999) - Watched on October 19, 2023

This film is so offbeat and strange. It has the strange feel of a comedy, while being a really understandably grim depiction of cannibalism as manifestation of greed, expansionism, and colonization. I kept having these moments of shock that this was a studio movie, that studios were willing to make this film that so thoroughly deconstructs the American mythology.

Penda's Fen (1974) - Watched on July 6, 2023

The first movie in a long time that has made me feel as though I need to pick it apart like an essay, to rewatch multiple times and take notes and repeat sentences until I’ve done a thorough analysis. I've never had a film hit me in quite this way before.

[sapphyreopal5]

I know Jensen was seeing another girl for awhile, I won’t say her name for her safety but you are very insightful so I’m pretty sure you know who I’m talking about, my question is do you think he’s still seeing her?

Hello Anon, thank you for the question and compliments. You know what's funny about this is that over a year ago someone was in my DMs saying that they know Jensen pretty personally. Never was shown any photos or anything but I believed them, figured maybe they'll prove it creatively somehow you know? I was told things to the effect of Jensen signing on for The Boys season 5 in the middle of filming for The Boys season 3 last May, which was confirmed over a year after being told this (Variety.com article dated 7/26/2024 shows this). Why? "He liked the script" and also "so he could be closer to me". They had also told me "I was in Toronto" at one point but never said where they were currently.

I was also told of a conversation him and Jared had on the phone about Jared apparently asking him about moving in (didn't say where exactly) and Jensen basically said nah, you're on your own with that one. "You didn't help me in my time of need, why should I help you?" was the general sentiment. This took place about a month and a half or so (sometime in early June 2023 I think) before the news hit that Jensen closed on that house in Connecticut at the end of July last year. This person also told me other things about the Pads marriage but this is not the central point of this post because you are asking about Jensen here. I thought it was worth mentioning this tidbit because it shows that Jensen must've had SOME kind of talks with others with regards to moving or moving around for some reason. I do know that house closings take place on average anywhere between 30-60 days after an offer is accepted. For a big purchase like that mansion, 60ish days is not unheard of particularly since they only bought part of that property not the whole thing, the high price tag and taking out a mortgage on the house NOT using just cash.

I also told this person after they saw a post of mine about Danneel, black magic and the Rust shooting that Jensen should've never signed up for that movie to begin with. He was scheduled to return at one point per this Variety.com article dated 4/21/2023. I created that post about Danneel and black magic with regards to the Rust tragedy on 5/5/2023. 12 days later after I had the talk with this person about this movie being a tamper in Jensen's divine blueprints, it was announced Jensen pulled out of Rust due to "scheduling conflicts". Scheduling conflicts with what project though? As far as we're all aware, he had NOTHING on schedule around that time and he had begun filming for this movie over a year before pulling out. Looking back now it doesn't seem like there was an actual project going on at the time and from what I had heard he had like 1 or 2 days left on the set, making this all the more intriguing.

As for the original question, I am going to say this. I haven't spoken to this person at least on that Tumblr account since last July. They were pretty upset when I asked about the CT house, I do remember that much. My opinion? I think kind of yes but it was never in ideal or favorable circumstances because he's clearly still married to Danneel and apparently keeps promising of a divorce coming. I know for 100% fact this user is the so called Canada Anon who was going around to different anti Danneel bloggers. People assumed that Canada Anon is fake because of their divorce claims and yet... no divorce. I think this is a poor reason to assume they aren't a legit in the know person because it's too simplistic. They also assumed they're just like a friend or something of Jensen's.

Someone told me that Canada Anon started showing up in people's ask boxes more when it was close to when Jensen started filming for The Boys season 3. I'm pretty sure they are striking again with the Jensen having affairs asks coming from other anti Danneel bloggers' direction but just not going with the nickname Canada Anon. My senses tell me that she's getting frustrated and is clearly sick of being hidden, not being publicly acknowledged. Also according to this Tumblr user, it was apparently HER idea to talk to Kripke about the ending of Supernatural for Dean. Apparently also there's times he will say "my wife"... he's referring to her NOT Danneel unless he says "my wife Danneel".

At one point not super long after we first started speaking, I was saying things about what my guides told me about Jensen's soulmate that upset her (I at the time didn't know she actually knew Jensen personally). Her brother (or is it "brother"? I don't know) had come on her account and told me she will no longer be on for the day and is not feeling well. During this conversation I was asked "you know exactly who she is, don't you?" I told him no it should be known by her screenname what her name is, as I genuinely had NO idea what he was talking about actually. Looking back now at things in the conversation and outside with what I know now (plus how she described herself and even her age at the time) has me saying HMMMM.

This user also said that with the Prequelgate drama, Jared realized stuff was going on with Danneel and Jensen's marriage apparently (from what I could understand at the time anyways). I didn't understand why they said that at the time. Going back and seeing the day The Winchesters was actually announced, it makes sense to me now. I will say this user isn't particularly fond of Jared, said he is two faced and just not that good of a person. Part of this seems to be because he apparently encouraged Danneel and Jensen to work things out "despite clear evidence of her abusing him". This person also said the issues with him and Gen they say have been going on with the whole asking Jensen to move in stuff is karma for him (pointing to the him encouraging Jensen and Danneel to work things out). Interesting times we're in now folks...

[taekooktimeline]

August 5, 2023 -

Jungkook goes live! Fans ask him to play Taehyung’s “Winter Bear.”

Timestamp 1:26:16

I highly encourage you to watch Jk as he watches it. For the first approximately fourteen seconds, he doesn’t blink, eyes fixed on his screen (when the birds fly and Tae is taking photographs).

Throughout watching the MV, Jk will sometimes stare without blinking for a spell (1:27:41-1:27:54, 1:27:58-1:28:14 are two other examples). His gaze is soft, and sometimes his mouth puckers up (the below are two instances of when his mouth softly purses). It’s really sweet to watch. He hums along before starting to toggle between humming and singing the song.

Snippets - https://twitter.com/taekookalbum/status/1687527626464964608?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg

https://twitter.com/_btsmoments_/status/1687528031257350144?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg

And here is a snippet of him not blinking for a length of time - https://twitter.com/moni_butter/status/1687531893913509888?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg

Mona shared a beautiful splice edit of Jk watching Tae’s “Winter Bear” that I would encourage people to watch - https://twitter.com/_k91230v_/status/1687536880760619008?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg

As a friendly reminder, on July 24, 2019, we got a BB of Taekook laying in bed together, watching Tae’s “Winter Bear” MV.

CTTO

Recap (please note I’m unsure if the dog is Jk’s, but at the time of writing, when two of us worked on this blog, we didn’t disclaim disagreements, so it’s left as a statement we didn’t think it was his dog. But in 2023, I can say I’m actually unsure and open to discussions) - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2019/625211404246548480

BB - https://youtu.be/oU_OmKOZtMs

In early August 2019, Jk picks the purple paper, which is revealed to be Tae, who he must award a certificate to. He awards him the poetic and beautiful “I thought you’d be beyond my imagination but then I think again and you’re way beyond my imagination” award, for his work on “Scenery” and “Winter Bear.”

Gifting the award -

Recap (and as has been noted numerous times, utilizing clips and videos doesn’t mean endorsement of the content creator; sometimes, it’s the best I can find to show a moment) - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2019/626871253873082368/early-august-2019

On April 9, 2020, Jimin suggests the maknae line sing “Winter Bear” for Festa 2020. No surprise, the subtitles don’t pick it up, but K ARMY said Jk said, “Ahh it’s my song!”

Recap - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2020/640123827258589184/bts-sing-karaoke-as-part-of-festa-2020-the-maknae

August 2020, BTS film “Break the Silence” commentary.

As members watch the screen, they speculate what the next clip will be, guessing it’ll be France. To their surprise, it’s London, with solo shots of Tae. Yoongi mentions his guitar teacher was in the city at the same time, before Jk excitedly interjects in recognition that Tae filmed his “Winter Bear” MV here. He says this twice, before the song had even started playing (which I find telling), nudging Tae in his excitement. As it airs, Jk continuously praises his style, softly smiles while watching, and sings along (after, it transitions to Tae’s “Singularity” which also gets Jk excited, and has him rub Tae’s head affectionately by the end of the performance!)

Recap - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2020/642468005010407424/august-2020-the-18th-or-a-bit-sooner

Link to Winter Bear on YT - https://youtu.be/pk7ESz6vtyA

As an aside, this has nothing to do with Taekook but I’m obsessed with Jk’s pink microwave😭

CTTO for finding and creating the above collage

[formulafixated]

The 2010 Season: The Greatest Ride

(This is an old blog post from July 19th 2023)

AKA: Niamh yaps about a random F1 advert from 2011. Here's a bit of a curveball.

My original plan for my second blog post (a deep dive of sorts into the mythic nature of being a Ferrari driver) has been momentarily put on hold to make way for whatever this will be. And I have yet to know what this will be or how it will turn out but stick with me, okay!

Some context first. Picture me at 11pm eating some Shreddies as a before-bed snack and finding things to watch on Youtube while I do (because eating without having a video to watch is a fate worse than death), when I come across a video titled "BBC F1 2011 INTRO". I'm instantly like "oh awesome, love me a bit of The Chain", thinking this would be similar to other F1 intros of the 2010s era.

(Try and tell me you can listen to that song without thinking of Formula One.)

I was wrong.

What I was witnessed to instead was enough to make me stop eating altogether. I put the spoon down. My Shreddies were left to drown in the milk but I didn't care, I was physically unable to move as a result of this video. It was a montage of various moments from the previous 2010 season (a beloved season to me), set amongst Hans Zimmer's iconic 'Time' from Inception and over the top was a poem narrated by Eddie Jordan.

"But Niamh, that sounds way more boring and normal than you made it out to be. Shreddies drowned for this?" I hear you say. You underestimate how much a bit of film soundtrack and spoken poetry can impact a girl. I was so impacted, in fact, that I was suddenly fully prepared to pause my planned blog post (which in all honestly I still have yet to find the inspiration for, so maybe this is a good thing!) and write this one instead. I have got to talk about some of these quotes and what they refer to. Think of this as a sort of 2010 season mini recap, but only the most dramatic moments.

Here is the video, by the way. I urge you to check it out.

https://youtu.be/k_hFOC42Qcw

Let's begin!

(A warning: this is all just going to be meaningless drivel from my brain. But you probably already knew that)

“It had charging snorting bulls in the ring tamed only by those two who rode them. Unable sometimes to tame themselves, unable to control their own beast within”

Who doesn't love a metaphor? Obviously this refers to Sebastian and Mark at Red Bull and their tumultuous relationship that had started to develop by the second year of their partnership. Most people think mainly about 2013's Multi 21 incident when talking about the pair's most tense moment, but 2010 had its fair share of these too. Firstly, the wildly entertaining Turkish Grand Prix saw them collide after Seb attempts to overtake Mark on the inside. Due to the angle of Seb's car they made contact and he is sent spinning off into the gravel, with Mark managing to escape being stuck and continuing the race. This moment is so iconic, I think, because of Seb's reaction to it (watch it on Youtube if you haven't already, it's great) and the fact it was the catalyst for the downfall of their relationship. Not helped by the fact that three races later at Silverstone, an incident with Seb's front wing in final practice meant that the team replaced it with Mark's newly upgraded one. Seb then went on to take pole position in qualifying. As a result, talk about favouritism within the team arose. But that's a blog post for another day. Anyway, I love this quote and I think it sums them up perfectly; sometimes they really were unable to tame the beasts within. The way the shot moves from Seb laughing with Britta to Mark in the background looking all solemn and serious? Art.

“It had intrigue and inviting. It had a prancing horse and a rider asked to take a fall”

It's quite easy to wax poetic when it comes to Ferrari, but I think this line is just so good. I love it when Ferrari is referred to as the 'prancing horse', there's something so elegant about it. The lineup for 2010 included newcomer Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who had already been part of the team for a few seasons. The season before Felipe had undergone surgery due to an accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and understandably he had a slow return back to his usual form once the 2010 season began. As a result, by the German Grand Prix, Massa was 31 points behind Alonso and therefore not a championship contender. It was during the last few laps of this race that Massa was ahead of his teammate for a 1st place finish when he received a message from his race engineer Rob Smedley informing him that Alonso was faster. He quite literally said, ‘Fernando is faster than you, can you confirm that you understood the message?’. Felipe let his teammate through to take the 1st place trophy. Ferrari, despite claiming that the incident didn't involve illegal team orders, were fined $100,000 for the controversy. It didn't help that Smedley literally apologised to Massa after the original message... whoops. How many riders of the prancing horse have been asked to take the fall?

"It had those who would not lie down and told that they were not the chosen one."

The term "chosen one" has so much weight to it, right? Obviously this line relates to Mark during his time opposite Seb at Red Bull. Mark frequently vocalised his feelings surrounding the apparent favouritism within the team despite their adamance that there was no such notion. The initial tension caused by the swapping of front wings at the British Grand Prix was soon diminished once Seb took a trip off track and received a puncture, meaning Mark was able to storm ahead and take the win. During his cool down lap he announced over the radio, "not too bad for a number two driver", referring to the idea that Sebastian was Red Bull's favourite. This wouldn't be the first time Mark brought the subject up in a public manner, so it's definitely true that he refused to lie down and accept what was happening. No matter how much they tried to deny it, Sebastian was always Red Bull's 'chosen one'. The chosen one hand picked personally to bring the team to the top after years of disappointing results. And that he did. But God, did Mark try his best!

"It had new and old; new faces, new machines, new blood. And an echo of the past, a name, a memory."

One of the moments that genuinely gave me chills. The 2010 season brought with it five rookies, including Nico Hulkenberg and Karun Chandhok, as well as new teams. There were also new regulations regarding a ban on refuelling, a ban on double diffusers and a collective agreement not to use KERS. But despite the fresh faces and rule changes this season indeed brought several echos to the past. The 2010 season saw the return of a familiar name in Team Lotus, which hadn't taken part in F1 since the 1990s. Their livery even referenced the classic green and yellow colours of the original Lotus cars of the 60s. One of the rookies introduced this year was Bruno Senna, nephew of Ayrton Senna (who even raced for Lotus during his career). I remember while I was watching the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, Bruno's engine overheated and there was a shot of his eyes through his visor. Martin Brundle reacted to the shot by saying, "that scares me, that looks like Ayrton through the crash helmet when the visor is open... it stops me in my tracks." Despite his unremarkable rookie season, I'm sure he brought back a lot of memories for F1 personnel and fans alike. In a similar vain, 2010 was the year that 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher returned to the grid to drive for the also returning Mercedes GP team after retiring in 2006. 2010 was the year of throwbacks and nostalgia.

"It had the spectre at the feast; a falling god now reigning against his own mortality and risking that of others."

Used to talk about Michael, this line was SO interesting to me. Firstly, the description of him as the 'spectre at the feast'. This phrase can be linked to a scene in Shakespeare's Macbeth where the ghost of murdered Banquo appears at a feast, and is used to refer to someone or something that brings misery or sadness to a happy or celebratory occasion. So why was this used in reference to Schumacher? Of course, the legend's return to the sport brought with it a lot of hope and anticipation that he would return to his former glory once he raced again. Nevertheless, Michael struggled to get good results in his first stint back. A new generation of cars and regulations, and a team which struggled to improve upon its previous success (Mercedes GP replaced 2009 constructor's champion Brawn GP), can't have made it easy for him. Thus commenced a season of misery and disappointment for those once hopeful fans. A so called "spectre at the feast". "A falling god reigning against his own mortality"; a god of the sport attempting to reestablish his former glory but unfortunate timing and circumstances meant he had to accept he was no longer untouchable. The last part of the line refers to Michael's sometimes aggressive driving style, specifically the incident at Hungary where he squeezed former teammate Rubens Barrichello against the wall of the pit lane while defending. The dangerous move was punished with a 10-place grid penalty the next race. People often claimed that while Michael never lost his ruthlessness, he had lost other aspects once apparent in his original F1 stint. Whoever came up with that line deserves a Nobel Peace Prize in literature.

And there we go. The 2010 season recapped in the words of whichever brilliant mastermind at the BBC F1 team came up with that poem, and a bit of my knowledge sprinkled in as its one of my favourite seasons. There's just something about art when it's combined with Formula One because the effects it has on a simple girl like me is groundbreaking. I eat it up every time! It turns simple car racing to something much more dramatic and emotional and interesting and I value every person who creates art dedicated to F1.

Please never stop.

Anyway. That was really long and probably quite boring, but I had so much fun writing it. I love talking about old seasons and I'll probably do it again in other posts. I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!

[chirpsythismorning]

hi some twitter users are saying that the pre-production of st will start in late october :( we have to wait for so long…

Interesting...

Regardless of whether this is true or not, this is a possiblity. I'm like 50/50 rn, considering Netflix said they had 6 months of backlog at least, they’re presumably willing to hold out that far on their end at least.

Although even still, I have been cautiously hoping that the writers could reach a fair deal with the studios sometime in late July/August, but that’s still a best case scenario rn.

It’s possible the strike could end sooner than October, as nothing is set in stone obviously, beyond Twitter speculation.

The reality is, the writers have no intention of dropping all of their demands anytime soon if it means returning to work without any changes. That would make the strike thus far pointless. With how far they’ve come, it only makes sense to keep going and see it through until they get something fair out of it. And that could mean holding out for longer than any of us want.

It’s probably not sustainable for ALL writers across the board to strike for 6+ months, without pay, nor do I think the studios would be willing to have production halted for over half a year and potentially beyond that. This is why late October has always been a possibility, bc that is the 6 month mark. I think by then not only would writers be ready to make some sort of deal, but the studios would also be desperate presumably by that point, so hopefully by then they would be willing to get closer to meeting their demands so that writers can get back to work and do what they love.

If ST5 didn’t start filming until late Oct this year, that would mean filming would go until Oct 2024. This is because it was already stated by multiple sources that filming for s5 was originally going to be from June 2023-June 2024 before the strike, so a year of filming was already in the cards.

I know most fans hear one year of filming and freak out, without understanding what warrants that much time for filming in this case. This does not mean one full year of nonstop filming for every actor. It means that the massive cast will have to plan a schedule that allows their availability to align with the other actors, so that they can accommodate and make production go a lot smoother, throughout a whole 12 month period.

For example, while the Duffer’s did say Amybeth (Vickie) would play a major role in events to come, and so she will presumably have more scenes in s5 than she did in s4, that doesn’t mean she’ll have anywhere close to as much screen-time as someone like Millie. This means that Amybeth won’t need to be on set near as much as the main cast. All it means is that she needs to be available when the other top billed cast is available, specifically whoever she is slated to have scenes with. It costs money to house an actor for days, weeks, months at a time so that they can be near the production location(s). Someone like Amybeth who is based in London, is obviously not going to be in Atlanta the entire run of filming. From what I recall, when filming for s4 Amybeth was only in Georgia for like 2 weeks, and I’m guessing that she was only filming for half of that time.

It makes sense that the top billed cast, who needs to film the most, gets first priority, and as it goes down the line, the actors with less screentime are going to be working around that, also assuming they have much more open schedules because they're also not as high in demand as the top billed cast.

In a perfect world, if everyone in the cast was available at a moments notice, maybe they could film s5 in about 8 months. But adding another 4 months to sort of make up for holidays and other contractual obligations, like cons or any other filming/work priorities, makes up for all of those short and maybe even large breaks in between for certain cast members for various reasons. There's people like David, who has said he was going to have to film Thunderbolts simultaneously while filming ST5. So there we have the second top billed actor needing to make his schedule align in that regard. Then there's Noah who attends Penn during the school year, and while I think it's likely he was probably planning on taking classes online this next upcoming year, it's also possible they were making a point to rush him to start filming s5 as soon as possible so that maybe he could have more time off set later on (hence why he might have been one of the few to start in May).

All of those schedules need to overlap based on who has screentime together basically.

So while I'm not a Finn and Noah were 100% going to start filming in May truther, I don't think the arguments against it were all necessarily based in the reality of the magic of film.

The beauty of film, is that it makes its own rules. You you could literally have actors who are in the same scenes, not filming on the same day, in the case they’re not in the frame at the same time.

One example of this from Stranger Things is the reunion for Mike and El at the end of s2. The Duffers made a joke that they 'ran out of Finn time', meaning that he was unavailable to do those scenes when the time came, which meant they had to wait. But then Millie insisted they do it anyways because she was available.

Not to mention, again, you don’t need every actor available 24/7 to film, which is why Finn and Noah in particular filming in May, as they both said multiple times they would have started then, was entirely possible. They could have scenes together or on their own with no other actors, and it could have taken like 2 weeks to complete them, right in time for June when some of the other actors availability opened so they could then join the mix.

I just remember Redditors specifically getting all up and arms like it wasn’t possible for Finn and Noah to start in May bc certain other actors weren’t available, but that’s not how it works always. I mean, even with filming starting in June, Sadie was always going to be unavailable to film ST during that time bc she was going to be out of the country filming for a different project until July. That doesn’t mean the actors that are available couldn’t film some scenes that they have together and that don’t include her.

I think those fans just got upset bc the possibility of Finn and Noah filming on their own for a week or two, might mean they have multiple scenes alone with no one else, and that terrified them. It’s funny though, bc I’m certain that if Millie and Finn were said to start in May before the others, it would have been quite easy for them to consider the reality of what that meant, being that they presumably had multiple scenes alone together. But in this case, they weren’t willing to even consider it.

Basically filming is complex and to think that it should be done all at once with everyone present is not realistic.

So while I know the 1 year timeframe is daunting to many, know that it's for good reason. Actors don't need to be overworked, nor do those invovled BTL making it happen. The production value from s1-s5 is just not even in the same wheelhouse, so using past metrics from past seasons as to why s5 will be faster to film is not based in what is actually most likely to occur because of so many different factors that are out of anyones control rn (some factors however are...Netflix... PAY YOUR WRITERS!).

There is a light at the end of the tunnel with this news though, believe it or not.

With the strike going on, many fans have accepted that Summer 2025 is the most likely scenario right now. This means that even if filming takes a year after Oct, that puts us at filming ending and post-production officially starting in Oct 2024, which is the same time roughly that s4 filming ended (Sept 2021). And in that case they managed to have s4 premiere the following year with Vol 1 in May and Vol 2 in July.

So even with filming not starting until late October, we're still likely looking at ST5 premiering in summer 2025, maybe with a June/August release if it's two volumes. Or maybe just July/August with one season on it's own.

Right now, I think it would be wise of fans to think about what they want to be doing long-term. In the case that filming doesn't start until October, what do you want to be doing in the meantime while you wait?

You do not have to be here if you don't want to be. Fandom shouldn’t be an obligation. Take a break.! I know I should... But I don't want to, so... yeah.

ALSO I think that realistically, with the strike going on, there could be some stuff we as fans could focus on highlighting in that regard. I know we're not very united or anything, but I've seen fandoms like LOTR and OFMD and even more recently Julie and the Phantoms coming together to fundraise and support the strike. For those that don't know, Julie and the Phantoms literally got cancelled after like one season... So the fact that they're out here supporting writers while the ST fandom, with one of the biggest audiences in the world, is mostly silent beyond acknowledging the strike happening, is sort of embarrassing...

Now this is NOT me saying that each of us as individuals is bad or anything, we're all just existing and I do think that accepting whats going on as this sort of reality has been our way of coping with something we feel like we can't impact at all. And again, we're not very united, which I think is important if you want to see an impact at the scale we are capable of, but are not able to achieve for obvious reasons.

Still I at least wanted to throw this out there, that if we know we're going to be here for a while, might as well make the best of it and support the writers, so that when they do come back it will be a feeling of like relief and excitement to return to writing these characters and their endings, as opposed to like just disappointment from the literal biggest fandom in the world being mostly silent about it.

To be fair, the writers themselves have been very cryptic about it compared to other writers from other series. Of the two pictures we've got from them, they did not show their faces. We have not seen any of them at the picket lines, which is something that I think if they did do it would actually get fans hyped up enough to do something more substantial. I know it's complex, but it is sort of a confusing situation right now, with how they're handling it and how they presumably would like for us to handle it.

In the mean time, I'm just going to go with the flow and accept everything as it comes to us.

[bestofsophieturner]

I agree with you and anon. But as I understood, Sophie is not dating anyone yet, she is single, but open to new relationships. It seems to be from one of Sophie's representatives: https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/inside-sophie-turners-dating-status-after-peregrine-pearson-pics/ https://pagesix.com/2023/11/01/entertainment/sophie-turner-keeping-her-options-open-after-kissing-aristocrat-report/ And to be honest, I think since she was in England back since April, and since the divorce, she seems happier, I think Joe was putting a damper on her mental health and she only realized it when they were apart, but she thought that if they move to England everything will change, but Joe is so narcissistic and selfish that he doesn't want to change and compromise, he wants people changed and compromised just for him. I am glad that she is free from him and her daughter too and I hope that Sophie will have more custody and the children will live with her all the time and see Joe sometimes, he is a bad father who only wants to use them.

Hello !

I don't know if it's from her representatives. But from my perspective, it makes sense that she's not dating for now. I mean, she's divorcing and she must have so much on her mind right now. It must be hard to be emotionally available for a serious relationship. Well, it's only my thoughts. Maybe I'm wrong.

About Joe... The way the whole thing happened doesn't sit well with me. First, they signed a document to buy an house in July. Then, not even two months later, he filled for divorce. And he did it while she was in UK filming. It's a shitty move. And everything he said/or did about/to his exgirlfriends came to light again. There's definitely something wrong with the guy...

I did notice the media are still trying to paint Joe as the doting father and Sophie as the bad mother. When the sun posted this picture of Sophie kissing Peregrine, the picture has been taken 4 or 5 days ago. And with the picture, they shared several pictures of Joe walking the children for Halloween. And I was like "seriously ?" This didn't work before, why did they think it could work now ?

Well, I just hope they will leave alone. I just want peace and happiness for Sophie.

[this-daydream-is-dangerous-13]

Same anon on Travis Kelce ask. I think what most haylors fail to accept is that Harry has been saying no to Taylor since 2020. The Daylight mv is a good proof. It's about & for Taylor but Harry saying, "If I was a bluebird..." But he is not. He's been yelling at her, so to speak on that megaphone, but she just won't listen. And haylors aren't listening too. I think it's best to help Taylor out as you just did on your answer but not push the Haylor narrative anymore. I just think that's more helpful to blondie.

Should I feel conflicted about calling you “Travis Kelce ask” anon, lol? Thank you for replying.

I don’t agree with the view that “Harry has been saying no to Taylor since 2020”. No about what? I don’t think he would ever be willing to again be part of a banquet of boys with whom she hooks up (no more JALBOYL or Fool’s Gold stuff). So yeah, much firmer boundaries. (If I am being honest, my guess is his unwillingness to do so might have set the stage for May’s MH three weeks of yuck.)

But what I am documenting is the ways they seem to still be communicating, sending messages to each other, whatever the messages might be since their meaning is not fully clear to us fans. I wouldn’t classify that as “pushing the Haylor narrative”. These things are actually happening. I am citing sources and using data, and I am saying it’s spec when it is.

And the Daylight MV is an example, but I disagree with your argument about the Bluebird. I think that reference ties to this poem by Harry’s beloved Bukowski, and it’s a heartbreaker.

The bluebird? Is the vulnerability and softness he feels he can only let out (at night) sometimes (so it doesn’t die) and if he could share it? It would be with *her*.

And look at this timeline I outlined:

He filmed a whole video packed with messages for her on May 10/11, 2022 after weeks (or even months) of planning.

Then SIX DAYS LATER he films a decoy video.

Then he sits on the other Haylor-coded one for nearly FIFTEEN MONTHS. He could have never released it; he has done that before. But he chose to, on July 19, 2023. Why would he do that?

And the Satellite MV. He could have let us wonder who the song was about. But after the May 3rd video release: no more doubt. Blondie. And it was entirely developed after she dropped Question…?

And I do not have firm answers. I am just archiving what is happening.

It’s the same thing with his set list changes. Why add Stockholm Syndrome?

Why drop LOML and add Fine Line?

And her! Why did she make the it so clear that Question…? was about him? Why did she have it on the album at all, holy sh*t. It’s not fair to ask that Blondie, especially since you already know the answers!

Why did she approach him and touch him in public at the Grammys, twice?

Why did she play Question…?, a song that “brings me a lot of happy memories” on May 20th?

These are just some of the very obvious ways they are sending messages. And I don’t have definitive answers. I am noting what I see.

[shannendoherty-fans]

Shannen Doherty Said Working, Filming 3 Podcast Episodes a Day Left 'No Room for Depression' Before Her Death

"It fuels me," the actress, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, told PEOPLE in her November 2023 cover story

By

Becca Longmire

Updated on July 15, 2024 09:43AM EDT

Shannen Doherty put everything into her work.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star died on Saturday, July 13, at age 53 after first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

While speaking to PEOPLE in November 2023, Doherty shared how working and filming multiple episodes of her memoir-style podcast Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty — sometimes in one day — saved her from feeling depressed amid her stage 4 cancer journey.

"Listen, you're seeing me on a good day. Right? But I think also the difference that I've really noticed is that when I'm working and when I'm creative, there's no room for depression at all. It fuels me," she said.

Doherty debuted the podcast, in which she spoke about everything from her career highs to her diagnosis and health journey, the following month.

"Working makes me so happy. Even my podcast producers were like, 'Really? You're going to do three episodes in one day? It's a lot.' And I was like, 'I could do five in a day,' " Doherty continued. 

"I just go ... Once they start working, I dive in, and I have such discipline and such work ethic, but it's also invigorating. I love it. So that helps me for sure," she said.

"I've had bouts of depression. Things have not been exactly easy and smooth. They've been really challenging, at times, and it's hard to find yourself suddenly single in your 50s, and with stage four cancer. That's a hard one," Doherty shared, adding that although "that was super depressing for a while," eventually "you turn a corner."

The Charmed actress shot her final PEOPLE cover shoot four days before Thanksgiving last year and said at the time, “I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better. I’m just not — I’m not done.”

Doherty had a mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy and radiation after her initial breast cancer diagnosis eight years ago. 

In April 2017, she revealed on Instagram that she was in remission. But by 2019, her cancer had returned — and she announced her diagnosis of metastatic stage 4 cancer the following year. In June 2023, she revealed the spread of her cancer to her brain. 

Doherty's longtime publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed the actress had died in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, July 14.

"It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease," the statement read.

"The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace," Sloane continued.

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Recent DreamWorks "announcement" to "release date" movie timeline, a scorecard of sorts...

I'll start with SPIRIT UNTAMED.

SPIRIT UNTAMED: Announced October 2019, released June 2021. Over a year and a half before release.

THE BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS: Announced May 2017, two months after the release of the first movie. Released July 2021. Four years before release. The date was always some time in 2017, it was only mildly affected by COVID-19 and other minor adjustments to their schedule.

THE BAD GUYS: Announced March 2018. Released April 2022. Four years before release. Originally scheduled for a fall 2021 debut, until schedule adjustments and COVID-19. BAD GUYS once bumped out a movie on the schedule called SPOOKY JACK, which got cancelled completely.

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH: Announced/mentioned in November 2012. Released December 2022. Ten years before release. However, the PUSS IN BOOTS sequel announced in 2012 - titled NINE LIVES & 40 THIEVES - would be put into limbo in early 2015. The project was rebooted with an all-new story after Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks, and this development was announced in November 2018, the film itself being announced shortly thereafter.

RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN: Announced in March 2023. Released June 2023. Three **months** before release. The only places you heard of this movie's existence was through scooper sites two years prior. The film had been in some form of development since 2016.

KUNG FU PANDA 4: Announced in August 2022. Released March 2024. More than a year and a half before release. DreamWorks founder/former CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg had announced in 2010 that KUNG FU PANDA was aiming to be a six-film series, but those plans had seemingly changed since the release of the 2nd movie in 2011.

THE WILD ROBOT: Announced in September 2023. Releasing September 2024. About a year before release. One can assume the project began development after the release of director Chris Sanders' THE CALL OF THE WILD in early 2020.

DOG MAN: Announced in December 2020. Releasing January 2025. A little over four years before release.

THE BAD GUYS 2: Announced in March 2024. Releasing August 2025. Over a year and a half before release.

GABBY'S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE: Announced in April 2024. Releasing September 2025. Over a year and a half before release.

SHREK 5: Announced July 2016. Rumored to be in production. It's worth noting that a fifth SHREK was talked about as far back as 2004, and then again in 2014.

MICE AND MYSTICS: Announced October 2018. Status unknown.

RONAN BOYLE: Announced September 2020. Status unknown.

THE BOSS BABY 3: Announced June 2021. Status unknown.

UNTITLED UNANIMOUS MEDIA FILM: Announced September 2021. Status unknown. Unanimous Media is a production company.

--

So what this says is that DreamWorks works rather irregularly these days, when it comes to announcing movies. Sometimes a project is announced, and doesn't make it. Par for the course with a lot of studios, right? But DreamWorks will announce a movie hitherto unheard of, not too far from release date... So when a date is locked on the slate, one can't assume it's for a project they already announced.

For example, I kept thinking RONAN BOYLE would be released some time over the past couple of years, but instead it's been projects that were announced way after it was.

Fun stuff.

[noraqrosa]

about ODIO-HIME / Nora Q. Rosa

hello

we are 𝙾𝚍𝚒𝚘-𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚎

a digital girl in a material world, manifesting via hacking into the mortal body of a girl who's too plugged into the internet

we're trans poly plural system who makes psychedelic electronic music of various stripes, from hyperpop and sick club beetz to experimental abstractions and ambient ambiences to chill li'l bitty bits and hip-hop beats

psychedelics fuel me, empowering me to make the mesmerizing hypnotic/actually insane pieces of muics i love to make; i have gone to great lengths to push the boundaries of art, music, and my own psyche

MUSIC WE'VE PRODUCED:

odiohime.bandcamp.com (and every other digital music service)

My latest album (as of this writing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1vX_MRHV4s https://odiohime.bandcamp.com/album/the-butterfly-house

My latest single (available everywhere else July 8th, 2023): https://odiohime.bandcamp.com/album/d-e-c-o-m-p-o-s-e-m-e

izuku.bandcamp.com (my joyfriend + an artist for whom i produce; you can find them at @izukuleeyoung)

Their latest singles: https://izuku.bandcamp.com/track/expand-ur-mnd (available everywhere else July 5th) https://izuku.bandcamp.com/track/bing-bong (available everywhere else July 20th)

PROJECTS IN WHICH I AM INVOLVED

we're an audio producer in general + have done a bunch of things:

produced the entirety of the Trans & Caffeinated Podcast with trans activist Arielle Rebekah https://transandcaffeinated.com/podcast/ https://www.facebook.com/transandcaffeinated/ https://twitter.com/ariellergordon

created the ending music for Regular Pat, a YouTube creator who makes mostly Kingdom Hearts video essays, as well as some little pieces of music he sometimes uses & a jokey remix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKY3Dj_Ef9o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GACuGHjdFM

currently working on composing music and planning out sound design on a few things in preproduction, including a couple video games, a couple animated projects (including an experimental feature length film and a cartoon pilot), a documentary, and other things (including a couple scripted serialized audio dramas i'm planning out myself)

COMISSION INFO:

FOR MUSIC: $50/hr of completed music for professional use. sliding scale of $25-30 for personal use (we can discuss this)

FOR AUDIO EDITING (e.g. podcasts, sound design): $25 per hour of work

FOR VIDEO EDITING: $30 per hour of work

For long term/big projects, we can discuss rates.

If you're making money/planning to make money using material I've created for you, we will discuss residuals privately.

OUR SYSTEM: (overall she/they, but individual preferences listed)

Maria (text marker: ">" before text) - she/her; we THINK she's the OG one here, shy gal, relatively chill, pretty depressed & down on herself a lot

Nora (no text marker): she/her; hello i am our PR person, our front-facing performer who takes on the world with a sly grin, a loud presence, and biting clownery

Riley ("☆") - fae/faer/fem; she baby, adorable li'l ball of sunshine who revels in silliness

Lola ("<3") - she/her; sultry and the kind to call you "dear" and "my darling" and etc; you know the song "Whatever Lola Wants"? yeah that essentially, she a tease to a degree

Serafina (none yet) - she/it; she's kinda depraved and horno all the time when fronting

[THE VOID] - it/its; full dissociation mode, entirely in own head, rote responses at best

"Little Miss Rage" / "The Owl Beast" (none yet) - she/they/it; essentially us in full rage mode, impulsive, hostile, screams at people, we try to keep her buried and need to teach her to direct her anger in more healthy, less dangerous ways

MY FRIENDOS:

these are people i find cool and are my friends and with whom pretty regularly collab together

@izukuleeyoung (also my joyfriend) we collab a lot on music (i produce most their tracks & beats, which they release under the name izuku) and they do a lot of art for me + most of my graphic design

@kirlian-light (also my girlfriend) they've done a large portion of my art, and we have a lot of collaborations planned; they make a fantastic coo

@poppetsisters - cool artful set of gals who's done artwork for me (namely for my single "wondersong") + with whom i have multiple audiovisual collaborations planned

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

anyway i'm too tired to write more so here are my links now please go buy my muics and increase my stats so i can become a hit producer on the level of SOPHIE and finally have the financial freedom to live how i want and to help others as much as i can

personal/business website forthcoming

https://ko-fi.com/NoraQRosa

https://subscribestar.com/odio-hime

odiohime.bandcamp.com

https://twitter.com/NoraQRosa

https://www.youtube.com/@NoraQRosa

https://facebook.com/Odiohime

https://facebook.com/NoraQRosa

https://soundcloud.com/noraqrosa

etc

also 🔥💖anarchy💖🔥

baiiiiiiii 4 nao

==============================================

[album-imagery]

Why Andrew Ridgeley let George Michael walk away from Wham!: 'I couldn't be resentful of my best friend'

A new documentary makes a strong case that the late Michael's '80s pop duo was a true partnership, but his childhood friend and bandmate insists: "I knew, and he knew, that his future lay outside of Wham!"

-

Lyndsey Parker·Editor in Chief, Yahoo Music

Wed, July 5, 2023 at 9:34 AM PDT

Wham!'s Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael at the peak of their '80s fame. (Photo: Netflix)

-

Class of 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee George Michael was such a superstar in his own right, it’s almost easy to forget that his ‘80s duo Wham!, formed with his childhood best mate Andrew Ridgeley, was the launching pad for his stellar career.

To be fair, Wham!’s run was quite brief. Incredibly, only three and half years separated their charmingly school-play-like “Young Guns (Go for It)” performance on Britain’s Top of the Pops — a last-minute booking, after an unnamed act dropped out, that gave Wham! their first U.K. top 10 hit and forever altered the course of their lives — and their bittersweet official farewell concert at London’s 72,000-capacity Wembley Stadium. However, Wham! sold a whopping 30 million records during that short time frame, and their new self-titled Netflix documentary (which coincides with the band’s 40th-anniversary greatest-hits collection The Singles: Echoes From the Edge of Heaven and unexpected resurgence on TikTok) makes a compelling case that they were never just a footnote on George Michael’s lengthy résumé. In fact, it shows that without Wham! — and more specifically, without Ridgeley's friendship and support — Michael probably would have never become a star at all.

Wham! chronicles Michael and Ridgeley’s schoolboy days, when the more gregarious Ridgeley was actually Wham!’s bandleader and front-facing heartthrob, up through their surprisingly shared decision to part ways so that the prolific Michael, who at age 23 had already outgrown Wham!’s bubblegum pop, could pursue a more sophisticated solo sound. It was a breakup that Michael once described to Smash Hits as “the most amicable split in pop history.” And throughout both the Wham! film and his interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Ridgeley — who after Wham! pursued a race-car-driving career and released one solo album, 1990’s Son of Albert, before stepping away from the spotlight — displays an almost saintly sense of humility and absolutely no signs of resentment.

“Well, first and foremost, I couldn't be resentful of my best friend,” Ridgeley tells Yahoo matter-of-factly. “It's just not in me. I was the proudest person of [Michael’s] creative development throughout — and it was very, very swift, indeed. No one could have been more pleased than me.”

The Wham! movie actually makes a strong case that Ridgeley was a key contributor to the group, not the coattails-riding sidekick he was sometimes cruelly made out to be in the press. (“Almost everything came from Andrew,” Michael says at one point in the doc’s archival interview footage.) Ridgeley was the one who initially urged his shy and awkward classmate George, nicknamed “Yog,” to pursue music against Michael’s strict Greek father’s wishes. Ridgeley also cowrote “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do),” “Club Tropicana,” and “Careless Whisper,” the three demos that landed Wham! their first label deal. But Ridgeley insists that setting the record straight about his involvement “wasn't the purpose of the documentary.” “I don't think it would've served me, Wham!, or anyone else really very well, if that was the purpose,” Ridgeley says humbly. “Setting records straight is pointless, as far as I'm concerned. I've never endeavored to do so. And if people's perspectives change somewhat [after watching the documentary], well, then, they had the wrong perspective in the first instance.”

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley perform in London in 1983. (Photo: Pete Still/Redferns)

-

Wham!’s origins go back to Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire, England, where Michael (real name: Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou) and Ridgeley became instant best friends at age 12. At that time, no one, not even Ridgeley or Michael themselves, could have predicted the superstar metamorphosis that Michael would undergo less than a decade later. “The interesting thing is, it was inconceivable to me that I would ever become the kind of pinup that I thought Andrew naturally was,” Michael confesses in one of the Wham! documentary’s vintage interviews.

Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael in their early days. (Photo: Netflix)

-

“When we met as kids, I was a far more confident kid. Yog was always plagued by the sense of himself as a slightly chubby kid with big specs,” Ridgeley tells Yahoo. “You look at Yog in our promo stuff, early in our career, and then you look at him in the final [Wham! stage] where he's become ‘George Michael,’ and I mean, the transformation is astonishing. I didn't go through a transformation; there was no transformation for me to go through. I was confident in my looks. I never felt the need to look any different or any particular way. It just wasn't a factor for me. I'm not sure I even understood that good looks were necessarily a part of being successful [in show business]. We started the band because we wanted to write songs and perform, and that's really all that that mattered. I didn't perceive anything beyond that; Yog did. And I think the fact that he was a less attractive youth was a factor in feeling that he needed to change. I think it informed a lot of his desire to succeed.

“Wham! had to be a success,” Ridgeley continues. “It was essential that Wham! was a success for George personally. He was discovering himself. He hadn't found the person, or at least he hadn't been able to reveal it to himself or bring out the person that he was. He was very strongly opinionated, and he had great belief in his talent. But it took a little time for him to really, truly develop.”

The young Yog wasn’t just grappling with his confidence and image as Wham!, formed from the ashes of a short-lived local ska band called the Executive, began to find success. In an emotional “pivotal moment” in the Wham! documentary, Michael recalls how during a 1983 trip to Ibiza to shoot the “Club Tropicana” music video, he held a band meeting in his hotel room, with Ridgeley and background singer Shirlie Holliman, to tell them he was gay or possibly bisexual. (Michael had had his first romantic encounter with a man — a confusing and ultimately life-changing experience that inspired a sultry ballad on Wham!’s debut album, “Nothing Looks the Same in the Light” — about six months earlier.) The result of that hotel room discussion was Michael being persuaded to not to come out publicly at that time. And once he became the band’s main heartthrob and a global media sensation, mere months later, he felt it was already too late to tell the truth. “I lost my nerve completely. And just out of necessity, I went with full gusto into the progression of Wham!, creating a new character,” Michael sadly explains in another one of the film’s flashback interviews.

“We were just concerned about his father's response,” Ridgeley, who along with Holliman was personally unfazed by Michael’s Ibiza revelation, clarifies to Yahoo Entertainment. “Some part of me felt that he should just tell, and you know, make it public. I couldn't see that it could make any difference to [the band]. … I'm not sure, necessarily, that it would've inhibited us. But I certainly think Yog felt that [being openly gay] might compromise our chances of success. I didn't feel the same way. I didn't think it would have, had he chosen to [come out]. But I can see why he felt the way he did.”

While Michael was struggling with his decision to keep his sexuality secret from the tabloids and Ridgeley was dealing with mean-spirited media speculation about his artistic input, both men were the targets of music critics, who wrongly dismissed Wham! as a fluffy, fly-by-night boy band. “I don’t know whether the music press is the same these days, but certainly [back then], it took itself extremely seriously,” says Ridgeley. Wham!’s scrappy anti-authority singles “Wham Rap!” and “Young Guns,” which were inspired by “Rapper’s Delight” (“That Sugar Hill Gang track was just a complete revelation,” says Ridgeley of hearing hip-hop on British radio for the first time), were actually well-received by critics. The press even hailed Wham! as “the new heralds of the social conscience,” Ridgeley recalls with a chuckle. But then Wham! ditched their leather-jacketed James Dean image for “the neon thing, that whole kind of leisure/holiday look” (which, incidentally, was mainly styled by Ridgeley) and incorporated “a sort of tongue-in-cheek element into our music and our visuals” for their lighter, brighter, hedonistic fourth single, “Club Tropicana.” Ridgeley recalls that this “really didn't sit too well” with crusty music journalists, who quickly, viciously turned on the group.

“What happened with ‘Club Tropicana’ was we shook off all those kind of shackles,” explains Ridgeley. “We were free to be Wham! — the pure essence of Wham! — and that was a real step forward and change, because from that point we were a pop band and we weren't encumbered by any weight of youthful social consciousness. We were just the essence of what we really were, which is two young men having the time of their lives. The lyric in ‘Club Tropicana’ was actually slightly tongue-in-cheek, a sort of view of the clubland culture that we were experiencing … the kind of escapism that one experienced, or at least was supposed to experience, when you stepped into some of these clubs. … Critics certainly didn't get that.”

By this point, Ridgeley had graciously come to another major mutual decision with his bandmate, which was to let Michael take over all of Wham!’s songwriting. “I understood very well that Yog was a songwriting talent of far greater breadth [than me],” he explains with his characteristic modesty. “I could have insisted, and I'm sure that he would've quite happily conceded, [to give me] one or two tracks on albums, had I really made a point of it. But I didn't make a point of it. There was no point in making a point of it. George was a far more competent songwriter, and the songs that he was writing were perfect for Wham!, so there just didn't seem any point.” With Ridgeley now less involved in the music-making process, he was slightly less affected by the media’s maliciousness than the more sensitive and serious Michael. “I accepted it long before the press perhaps turned against us — really, I saw it coming, to a degree,” he admits. “But [the criticism] did knock a little bit, because it was constant.”

Michael wanted to be seen as a legitimate artist, not as some pretty-boy pinup; one of the most moving scenes in Wham!, in fact, is when he’s named Songwriter of the Year at the 1985 Ivor Novello Awards (Britain’s most prestigious honor for music composers) and breaks into grateful tears during his acceptance speech. “Whilst we didn't take our presentation and ourselves as Wham! seriously, the songwriting and the recording was a serious business,” stresses Ridgeley. “George said it himself: The fact that a lot of people couldn't see the quality of the songwriting and the production, that they couldn't see past the presentation and the image, needled him. But the fact is, actually we won American Music Awards. We won the BRITs’ Best New Act. Our peers and those in the industry, outside of the magazines and the music critics and such, did understand that George was talented.”

Ironically, it was one of the few Wham! songs that Ridgeley had co-written, “Careless Whisper,” that became the “obvious launchpad” for Michael’s inevitable solo career: The second single from Wham!’s aptly titled 10 million-selling sophomore album, Make It Big, was credited to “Wham! featuring George Michael” in North America, and solely to “George Michael” in the U.K. and Europe, upon its fall 1984 release. While Ridgeley says it “was so much a shared song” and “inextricably linked to the two of us,” when the two wrote the ballad in 1981 — with Ridgeley coming up with the chord structure and Michael adding the “amazing melody” — neither of them thought it would fit in with the more hip-hop/disco-influenced material of their edgy debut album, Fantastic.

“Careless Whisper’ was just a real sort of one-off; at that point in time, it was still difficult to see how it might sit in the Wham! context,” says Ridgeley. “We all knew we had a gem in ‘Careless Whisper’; it was what to do with it. And then when Yog asked me if I’d concede to him releasing it as a solo record, at that point it had been established that he was the songwriting force in our partnership, and that his songwriting was developing in a way that would inform and shape his career.

“I knew, and he knew, that his future lay outside of Wham!, even at that point,” Ridgeley continues diplomatically. “Wham! imposed constraints upon his songwriting, which he was going to outgrow as an artist, as George Michael. He couldn't forever write for Wham!, because Wham! was essentially the representation of our youthful friendship up to that point. But we were growing into men and adults.”

“Careless Whisper” was massive, topping the pop charts in 10 countries and selling 6 million copies worldwide, but Ridgeley says Michael later “felt ambivalent” about the track. “Oh, not even ambivalent! He was openly critical about it in latter years, because it's slightly naive. It's slightly contrived. The sentiment is a little bit teenage — we were 18 when we wrote it.” Michael also “really disliked” the sassy Fantastic single “Bad Boys,” because he “felt he had to write it to follow on from the success of ‘Young Guns.’ … It’s a really good dance track… but he couldn't get over the fact that it was contrived and he had allowed himself to be put into a corner to have to write that.”

Understandably, by the time Wham! took their final bow on the Wembley Stadium stage on June 28, 1986 — at the very peak of their fame — Michael was ready to move on. And Ridgeley, unbelievably, was ready to let Michael go. “We knew instinctively, as Wham!’s career unfolded at that pace, that it had a finite lifespan, because Wham! was so much about us. Wham! was that snapshot of our youthful years we were going through, and it became evident that we'd have to bring it to a close,” Ridgeley says. Two compilations — Music From the Edge of Heaven in North America and Japan, and The Final in other territories — were released in the summer of '86 to placate fans who craved more Wham! content, and Ridgeley reveals that “George talked about a third [Wham! studio] album” but it was “an idea sort of hovering there, never really explored.” However, he now speculates, “There are tracks on [Michael’s monster solo debut] Faith which quite possibly could have been Wham! tracks. I mean, ‘Faith’ itself could have been a Wham! track.”

Sixteen months after Wembley, Michael unleashed Faith, which went on to spawn four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, sell more than 25 million copies globally (making it one of the most successful LPs of all time), and win the Grammy for Album of the Year. But the reluctant sex symbol continued to push against his earlier teen-idol image, eventually refusing to appear in his music videos or do typical record promotion and famously suing Sony to get out of his record contract — a protracted legal battle that arguably derailed his solo career, as he didn’t release an album for six whole years in the ‘90s.

“I think he understood [in the Wham! days] that he’d had to play the game. He said so in ‘Freedom ‘90’ — it’s all there in the lyric. As his art became more important to him and he became a more serious songwriter, I think he felt that the compromises that he had been forced to make throughout his career, he resented them,” says Ridgeley. “So, some of the game, he chose not to play. He was in a position, to a large degree, where those decisions didn't compromise the success of his music, but you know, he made it tough for himself. I support the essential concept of his dispute with Sony — that an artist should be free, as other people are, to terminate their contracts. However, it came at a cost, both financially and personally, for him.” The ‘90s were difficult for Michael in another way. He had to contend with the nasty media again when he was arrested for “engaging in a lewd act” in a Beverly Hills park men’s room in 1998 — a tabloid scandal that effectively publicly outed the star as gay, 15 years after that secret Ibiza hotel room conversation. While Ridgeley says he doesn’t think Michael ever regretted quitting Wham!, he muses, “I do think he probably missed the support that the context of Wham! lent to us both. He was out on his own, and he was quite capable of fending for himself, but at times it was really tough. So, whilst I don't think he regretted the decision — and it was a mutual decision, to bring Wham! to a close, as it was inevitable — I think he probably at times felt that it was much harder than he'd bargained for.”

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley at the Rock in Rio festival, 1991. (Photo: Mick Hutson/Redferns)

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Ridgeley’s only seeming regret regarding Wham! is: “I wish we'd have toured more; we didn't play enough, by any stretch of the imagination.” (Polyps that Michael developed on his vocal chords, which “wasn't something that was actually resolved until a fair bit later in his career,” limited the band’s ability to regularly play live at the time.) While Michael and Ridgeley occasionally appeared together publicly after the Wham! split, like at the Rock in Rio festival in 1991, they “made a pact, if you like, that we'd never reform Wham!, because Wham! was a sort of place in time,” Ridgeley reveals. The last time the two childhood friends met up, for a Scrabble game, was the September before the 53-year-old Michael’s shocking death from heart and liver disease on Christmas Day 2016. In the end, Wham!, which was directed by Chris Smith (FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, Bad Vegan, Tiger King) is more than just a rockumentary: The film, which climaxes with the spectacular Wembley goodbye gig, is really a heart-warming story of partnership, of true brotherhood. “Our friendship was a big part of what Wham! was to people,” Ridgeley says proudly, and just a bit wistfully. “There was a lot more to it besides just having to write and record the songs.”

[damfinofanfiction]

Chapter 22: A Talk Between Two Aunts

Note: just to conclude 2023 with this new chapter! you may notice that I edited the story a bit on ao3; it's only for the grammar. this might stay the same on tumblr. Anyway happy new year damfinos!

Filming resumed as soon as the star cow was no longer in heat. Buster was relieved that things had run smoothly once more. However, minor obstacles still occur in production but each has a solution. Rain? Shift the shoot to indoor scenes. Wolves lurking around? The ranch owners promptly dealt with them. Running out of ideas for a gag? Gather the crew to play a little ball until something comes up.

Whatever it took, Buster wanted or had to finish the film by autumn.

Buster was thankful to the ranch owners for letting them film there and giving insight into the plot. Not to mention their attempts to help Brown Eyes, but he didn't want to be reminded. 

Kathleen Myers was a fine actress for Buster to direct. It wasn't her first time in a feature this year since she had finished Goat Getter at the time of her casting. Kathleen once complained to Buster about the cow slowing production down as she had other upcoming projects. Buster appreciated her ambitious nature, and her looks reminded him of Gail. He still wished she would have worked with him if it wasn't for the injury or Schenck recommending Kathleen to the picture. 

In mid-July, Buster decided for the production to leave the ranch after having the necessary footage. Filming was moved to the train where he could develop gags and scenarios.

As always, Buster had thought about how the movie would begin and end but he still had ideas for the middle. He had conversed with Lex about how it would go.

Sometimes it just left Buster thinking about whether he would say anything to Gail.

************

On her Saturday off, Gail hung her damp clean laundry on a clothesline in a small backyard. The production of the short had finished the day before and everyone celebrated with a small party which had Gail feeling tired in the morning. She hadn't had a Buster dream for a while. They became unnecessary since she was seeing and having some activity with Buster Keaton.

Following her chores, she went to the front to find out what was in her mailbox, forgetting to check the day before. She then noticed that among the mail, one was addressed to her. She rushed inside to read in peace. Expecting it to be from the one and only, she was a bit disappointed to find it was from Churchill. She opened the envelope and read the letter.

Dear Gail, We are thrilled to announce that Geraldine’s twins have arrived on July 12! They are both healthy girls and their mother is recovering well. Their older brother Jake is not happy that neither one is a boy. Ezekiel’s just relieved that the delivery went smoothly and is glad he found an experienced doctor for her. We will provide more details to come. We were also surprised to hear that you were at the premiere of Charlie Chaplin’s new picture. We all saw that movie too but it was just one scene that not everyone believed you were in the picture. We also would love to hear everything about you and how your arm has recovered.  Geraldine agreed we should delay your father’s retirement party to Thanksgiving weekend instead of August. We hope to see you then. Love, Mother.

Gail had mixed reactions to the letter. She’s an aunt again but had forgotten about her father’s upcoming retirement. She believed that it was due to her romantic involvement with Buster that made her slip her mind.

Later that evening, bridge practice at Lenore's was turned into a game of kings in a corner because the older woman decided to liven up the game night. Gail placed a red queen on top of a black king. Sally wasn't new to the card game but quickly picked up the skill as she placed a black five over a red six. Lenore then put those cards on top of the corner which her niece overlooked on her turn.

What pleased Gail more was seeing Lenore and Sally on good terms since she hadn't seen them argue or offend each other in three months.

 Lenore asked Gail, "So what's new?"

When picking up a new card, she responded, "I have just received news that my sister has given birth to twins."

The women both put down the cards after hearing the happy news. "That's wonderful! Why didn't you say so before?" Lenore boasted.

It wasn't brought up. I didn't get a picture yet. She and the babies are fine. They didn't send a picture yet."

"I'm happy for your family." Lenore smiled widely.

"Yeah, that must be hard childbirth," Sally chirped in.

The older woman nodded with a sullen face. "Well, not everyone is lucky to have a child." Both young women looked at her with sympathy.

"There's another thing," Gail mentioned another bit of news about her father. "I'm just glad the retirement party is delayed. What if Mr. Sennett has me on another project by that time?"

"Don't worry, there are other actresses who are dying to be in pictures!” Sally said.

"That's true, they can fill in, though you're still irreplaceable."

Sally stretched her arms and yawned. "I'm gonna head upstairs now, good night auntie, good night Bae."

“Very well, good night Sal!” It was getting late. She would have left the table to grab her hat and coat if it were for any persuasion by the older woman.

“Gail, can you stay for a bit?” Lenore asked. “I like us to talk, just us aunts.”

“Sure.” 

Cards were placed aside. “How well did you get along with your nieces and nephews?”

“Well, they know me well but it’s hard not to see them since we're apart more often.”

“My nephews didn't want to talk to me, they only wanted my money. However, Sally didn't care about my wealth. She said nothing about it.”

Gail knew she was still seeing the wealthy Sterling and didn’t want to say anything, hoping Lenore would hear from Sally. She blurted out, “Well that’s good since she’s not chasing money.”

"That’s not it", Lenore sighed. "The point is that I don't know what is going on and what kind of life she has. Did she tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

She quit that nightclub. 

Gail was in a bit of disbelief. "But she enjoyed performing there."

"She did before. She told me that her manager fired her because of her age, but she would rather quit." Lenore became visibly upset. "I worry she's turning into my sister. May God rest her soul. My most regret is not being there for her, even if she was stubborn. That's why I'm trying my best to look after my niece." Gail gave her a comforting hug. When they stopped Lenore wiped her eyes. "You are a godsend, dear."

"Well, I guess I am." Gail grinned gracefully.

"As you're her best friend, I'd like you to keep an eye on her when you let her come along."

Gail held the older woman’s hand as she tried to avoid breaking her trust, "You have my word."

She left Lenore’s after wishing each other a good night.

Gail took a bus to get home. Before going to her bungalow, she checked the mailbox again. Her eyes lit up when she found an envelope from the Kingman Hotel. She rushed to her bedroom, so she read the letter in bed. 

Dear Gail,

I’m sorry I haven't written to you. Things were busy during filming. Brown eyes is alright again. 

The heat in the desert was hot as hell and it kept being rained on which thankfully helped cool down.

I would like to hear how it went filming your short since we have to keep things between us.

Thankfully, I will be coming back home at least next week. We left the ranch after some weeks and are currently filming somewhere along the way.

There’s another good news, we will be filming downtown when we return. While there’s still a consideration, I would like you to be on the scene if you're free to work with me.

See you then!

Yours truly, "Michael"

Gail beamed, grabbed the letter close to her chest, and then drifted off to sleep due to drowsiness.

She didn't mind sleeping with her clothes on because she's going to see Buster again soon.