Summary

Netflix's "Bridgerton" season 3 premiered with significant fanfare, breaking traditional narratives and musical norms, and its second half will be released on June 13th. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's commencement address sparked controversy over traditional gender roles, prompting both support and backlash. The "Wicked" film trailer, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, was unveiled, with the first part releasing in November 2024. The "Mad Max" prequel "Furiosa," starring Anya-Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth, debuts this Friday. Eminem's upcoming album, "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)," marks the end of his alter ego, Slim Shady.

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Trending Topics…

• Netflix released the first half of Bridgerton season 3 last Thursday, and it definitely delivered. Seasons 1 and 2 were the 8th and 9th most watched shows, respectively, on Netflix the week of the newest season’s debut. The show, which is based on a popular book series by Julia Quinn, broke from the order of the novels and pushed up the love story between main characters Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. Fans have taken to many different platforms to gush over the nontraditional transformation of the female lead and how they completely break the mold of costume dramas with modern-influenced gowns and hit pop songs as fully orchestrated productions. Part two will be released June 13th, and in the words of Lady Whistledown, this writer can’t wait!
• Also trending on social media currently is Kansas City Chief kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement address at Benedictine College on May 11th. A trend on social media has surfaced with many women using the words of his speech referring to the most important job for a woman is being a homemaker to show off their professional and academic achievements. The NFL has since disavowed his remarks, but the far right made his jersey among the most sold following his speech. Many people have spoken up both for and against Butker, with his wife insisting he is not bigoted. However, the Sisters of Benedictine, for which the school was founded, stated his words are not supported by the Catholic Church, and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder announced on stage in Vegas that there is “nothing more masculine than supporting a strong woman”.  

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Popcorn Picks…

• The trailer for the film adaptation of the hit Broadway show “Wicked” was released last Thursday, with sneak peaks of stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo “defying gravity” in the world of Oz. The film will be released in two parts, with the first half set to hit theaters in November and the second half over a year later in December of 2025.
• The newest installment of the Mad Max franchise, “Furiosa”, has been reviewed as a dazzling but overstuffed prequel to the previous Mad Max films. The film stars Anya-Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth and will be released in theaters this Friday. 

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Rhythm Report…

• The Detroit Free Press published an obituary for rapper Eminem’s alter ego “Slim Shady” to promote his upcoming album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce). The album is set to be a curtain call for the Detroit native’s famous alter-ego in his 12th EP.  

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That’s all for your pop culture news, thank you for listening to Current2 Pop Culture, the easy way to stay entertained!

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Netflix's 'Bridgerton' season 3 debuts with modern twists (Forbes, Today, Independent)

Butker's speech on homemaking ignites social media debate (Guardian, HuffPost, NBC)

'Wicked' film trailer released (Deseret)

'Furiosa,' the 'Mad Max' prequel, premieres this Friday (Variety)

Eminem announces 'The Death of Slim Shady' album (NBC)