Topic

Entertainment & Media

A collection of 115 issues

Bytes and Banter: How the First Apple Mac in Europe Forged a Lifelong Friendship Between Douglas Adams and Stephen Fry

A shared passion for technology led author Douglas Adams and comedian Stephen Fry to purchase the first three Apple Macintosh computers in Europe. This singular event wasn't just an early adoption; it was the silicon spark that ignited one of modern culture's most beloved friendships.

Burn After Reading: The Extreme Secrecy Behind Tarantino's 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Ending

Scarred by a past script leak, Quentin Tarantino went to extraordinary lengths to protect the shocking finale of "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood." He kept the only copy of the third act in a safe, forcing even his biggest stars to read it under lock and key at his home.

Hollywood's Age-Bending Secret: How Johnny Depp Was Older Than His On-Screen Mother in 'Blow'

In the 2001 film 'Blow,' Johnny Depp was surprisingly five years older than Rachel Griffiths, the actress who played his mother. This fascinating bit of movie trivia highlights the magic of performance, makeup, and Hollywood's unique approach to casting across different ages.

Before the Zeppelin Flew: How Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones Forged the 'Goldfinger' Theme

Long before Led Zeppelin's reign, a young Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were top session musicians. Their anonymous but crucial guitar and bass work helped shape the iconic, powerful sound of Shirley Bassey's 1964 James Bond theme, 'Goldfinger,' a hidden chapter in rock history.

Less Talk, More Pay: The Story Behind Schwarzenegger's $1,293-Per-Word 'Terminator' Salary

Arnold Schwarzenegger's role in 'The Terminator' is legendary for its efficiency. With a $75,000 salary for just 58 words, he earned a staggering $1,293 per word, proving that in Hollywood, a powerful screen presence can be worth far more than a lengthy script.

From the Schoolyard to the Stratosphere: Billie Eilish's Forgotten Life as a Movie Extra

Before she was a global pop icon, Billie Eilish was an uncredited extra in films like 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and 'Ramona and Beezus.' It was a brief foray into acting that she found so unenjoyable it solidified her true passion for music.

Wait, YouTube Subtitles Can Shake? Uncovering a Hidden World of Custom Captions

Did you know YouTube subtitles can do more than display text? An old, rarely-used caption format allows for hidden effects like shaking text and custom on-screen movement, a surprising piece of platform history demonstrated in a viral video by Tom Scott.

Proud to be an American... and a Canadian? The Secret History of Lee Greenwood's Other Anthem

Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" is a beloved American anthem, but few know he also wrote and recorded "God Bless Canada" for a 1989 tourism campaign. With swapped lyrics praising Manitoba and Calgary, the song reveals a surprising chapter in the history of a patriotic classic.

Watching Paint Dry: The Story of a 10-Hour Protest Film That Trolled the Censors

To protest the UK's expensive film classification system, filmmaker Charlie Lyne crowdfunded a 10-hour movie of paint drying. He then forced the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to watch the entire tedious spectacle to grant it a rating, highlighting censorship by cost.