Vanderpump Rules' Jo Wenberg Claims Ex Tom Schwartz Blocked Her | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
Vanderpump Rules' Jo Wenberg Claims Ex Tom Schwartz Blocked HerJo Wenberg and Tom SchwartzCourtesy of Jo Wenberg/Instagram
Vanderpump Rules star Jo Wenberg claimed Tom Schwartz blocked her after she spoke about his girlfriend, Sophia Skoro, during an Instagram Live.
Jo, 35, took to Instagram Live once again on Friday, May 10, and read alleged text messages from Schwartz, 41.
"Please don't mention me or my girlfriend anymore. Why would you waste another second of your life chasing someone who doesn't want to be with you," one alleged message from Schwartz said, according to Jo, who was reading off of her cell phone.
While Schwartz said he wasn't trying to "gaslight" Jo, he asked that she "let [him] go," adding, "Respectfully blocking you so whatever you say will fall on deaf ears."
Jo said she would continue to talk about the reality star because he was a "massive part" of her life, and she now "can kind of relate to" Schwartz's ex-wife, Katie Maloney.
Vanderpump Rules' Jo Wenberg Claims Ex Tom Schwartz Blocked HerTom Schwartz and Katie MaloneyKevin Winter/Getty Images
"She probably wasn't wrong," Jo said of Katie, 37, before bringing up their dynamic during season 11. "However, she was mean to me, but if you really think about it and break it down … you know what, I really learned my lesson."
Jo's IG Live comes one day after she called Schwartz's girlfriend "a fan" on the platform.
"I think Tom Schwartz is dating a fan. Sorry, I mean, I just know that for a fact," she said of Sophia, who first sparked romance rumors with Schwartz in March. "And I think that that's amazing. … Like, let's just let him do his thing."
Following Schwartz and Katie's split in March 2022 after 12 years together, the TomTom co-owner was romantically linked to Jo the following December. In February 2023, Schwartz said he and Jo were living together but claimed their relationship was platonic.
While Jo didn't receive a warm welcome from Schwartz's Vanderpump Rules castmates, Katie said her ex showed a "bit of a F-boy behavior" after hearing Jo's side of things during the season 11 reunion.
"Seeing their dynamic and seeing how they were together and getting kind of Jo's perspective on the whole thing was very eye-opening," Katie exclusively told Us Weekly in April. "And I kind of did feel for her because he was giving her the runaround and breadcrumbing her a bit, and it made me feel a little sad because she did have an investment in him and real feelings there."
'Law and Order' Star Camryn Manheim to Leave Show After Season 23 Finale | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
'Law and Order' Star Camryn Manheim to Leave Show After Season 23 FinaleWill Hart/NBC
Camryn Manheim will leave Law & Order following the season 23 finale.
Manheim, 63, portrays Lieutenant Kate Dixon, joined the cast when NBC revived the series in 2021. The May 16 season finale will be her 48th and final episode.
"I thank Camryn for her three wonderful seasons helping us relaunch Law & Order," creator Dick Wolf said in a statement on Friday, May 10. "She is a class act, and I wish her nothing but the best for her next chapter."
Though Manheim became known on the series for playing Dixon, the commanding officer of the Manhattan North Homicide Squad, that wasn't actually her first character in the franchise. She appeared in a guest spot during the show's first season in 1991 and returned playing other characters in 1993 and 1994.
"I had the most incredible experience being a part of the Law & Order Universe, and more importantly the Wolfpack," Manheim wrote via Instagram on Friday. "I'm so thankful for the three wonderful seasons that I spent with this wildly talented cast of merry pranksters. Mehcad Brooks, Reid Scott, Connie Shi, Anthony Anderson, Jeffrey Donovan, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi, Tony Goldwyn and Sam Waterston. Not to mention the stellar guest stars that came in and out of the studio doors."
Manheim's departure follows that of Waterston, who played District Attorney Jack McCoy in 405 episodes from 1994 to 2024. His final appearance came in February, and Goldwyn, 63, has since replaced him, playing new DA Nick Baxter.
'Law and Order' Star Camryn Manheim to Leave Show After Season 23 FinaleVirginia Sherwood /NBC
"Greetings, you wonderful people. It's a pleasure to talk directly like this to the backbone of Law & Order's absolutely amazing audience," Waterston, 83, told The Hollywood Reporter at the time of his departure. "The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. There's sadness in leaving, but I'm just too curious about what's next. An actor doesn't want to let himself get too comfortable. I'm more grateful to you than I can say."
Manheim and Waterston's exits come on the heels of Donovan, who played Detective Frank Cosgrove, leaving the show last season. In season 21, Anderson left, with his character being replaced by Brooks.
When Manheim first joined the cast as a series regular during Law & Order's revival, she came in to replace S. Epatha Merkerson. Merkerson, 71, played Lieutenant Anita Van Buren from 1993 to 2010, when the show was originally canceled.
Law & Order has already been renewed for a 24th season amid a 56 percent viewership bump from season 22.
Chris Pine Recalls 'Traumatic' Auditions With Acne, Lost Role on 'The O.C.' | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
Everyone goes through an awkward phase, even megawatt movie stars like Chris Pine.
Pine, 43, was dropped right back into one of the hardest and most uncomfortable periods of his life during the Thursday, May 9 episode of the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast. Host Josh Horowitz asked the Poolman actor to recount his bombed audition for Fox's The O.C., which aired from 2003 to 2007. While Pine would go on to prove he has leading man chops, his acting wasn't what got him eliminated from the casting call — it was his "awful skin."
"I was going out for The O.C., a teenage melodrama. I can understand that they wanted to have pretty people doing pretty things," he said, with the benefit of hindsight. "It's no fun going out for roles when you have bad skin. It was one of the most traumatic points in my life."
In Welcome to the O.C.: The Oral History, released last fall, casting director Patrick Rush revealed that Pine's acne was the reason he didn't score the role of Ryan Atwood, which went to Benjamin McKenzie.
"I hate saying this, but it's the truth: Chris Pine was at the age where he was experiencing really bad skin problems. And it was at that point where it looked insurmountable," Rush said in the book. "And as a kid who grew up with horrible skin, it just broke my heart."
On Thursday's podcast, Horowitz offered that not landing a role on the Fox soap might have been a blessing, giving the way his career turned out.
"I don't want to say I'm grateful for not having landed The O.C., but …" Pine agreed.
Pine also took a moment to raise awareness that acne can be more than just a passing time in a young person's life.
"Acne is regarded as this thing; it's like what you go through as a teenager," he said. "It can also be tremendously debilitating and, like, really seriously emotionally incapacitating."
Pine went on to say that he hopes people dealing with persistent, long-term skin issues know that it does eventually get better.
"Anyone out there who's experiencing that, I get you. I hear you. I've been there. I know it. I know how depressing it can be and the kind of depths of sorrow it can drag you to but there is a brighter day," he said.
Pine's career is proof of that. Shortly after The O.C. first aired, Pine's career got a jump-start with a role in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. The 2004 movie offered him $65,000 to play one of lead Anne Hathaway's potential suitors, an amount of money he said was "earth-shattering" at the time.
Since then, Pine has taken on two of the most iconic characters in all of nerdom with roles as Captain Kirk in three Star Trek films and Wonder Woman love interest Steve Trevor. His attitude toward everything from negative reviews to his own outfits proves that he's learned to let incidents like one bad casting call roll off his back.
Do Taylor Swift's Dancers Copy Her NFL Cheers in 'So High School' Routine? | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
Do Taylor Swift's Dancers Copy Her NFL Cheers in 'So High School' Routine?Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
Taylor Swift truly is a mastermind because her "So High School" Eras Tour routine appears to be littered with Travis Kelce references.
Swift, 34, added a snippet of "So High School" — a Tortured Poets Department song that seemingly shouts out Kelce, 34, and their love story — to her concert setlist on Thursday, May 9. "So High School" came shortly after a performance of "But Daddy I Love Him," as Swift and her backup dancers moved from center stage to a set of stadium-caliber bleachers.
Swift's fans have since pointed out that the dancers' poses all corresponded to different reactions that the pop star had while attending Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs NFL games this past season. According to a fan-made graphic circulating on X, each performer appeared to take on a different pose of Swift's.
One dancer down in front was seen pointing directly ahead and it has been presumed that she was mimicking Swift pointing at Kelce at February's Super Bowl. Another dancer leaned forward, resting a hand on his chin. Swift had done the same at a 2023 Chiefs vs. Packers away game.
Other fans pointed out that two of Swift's dancers even appeared to hug, much like how she embracedBrittany Mahomes (the wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes) at multiple home games in the fall.
Do Taylor Swift's Dancers Copy Her NFL Cheers in 'So High School' Routine?Taylor Swift and Blake Lively.Michael Owens/Getty Images
There also appeared to be more football references in the "So High School" set-up, with fans clocking that the stadium lights looked like ones in a sports venue. Plus, Swift and her dancers' choreography seemed to directly reference several of Kelce's touchdown dances and the "swag surfing" routine that Chiefs fans do to hype up the players. (Swift notably "swag-surfed" with Brittany, 28, during a January playoff game.)
As Swift began her European tour leg on Thursday, Kelce has been supporting her from afar. (He is currently filming FX show Grotesquerie in Los Angeles.)
"LFG!" Kelce commented on Swift's guitarist Paul Sidoti's Instagram post about resuming the Eras Tour shows.
Swift and Kelce have been dating since summer 2023, frequently supporting one another's respective careers. Just as Swift attended 13 of Kelce's NFL games, he has stepped out at multiple Eras concerts during his NFL offseason.
"When you say a relationship is public, that means I'm going to see him do what he loves, we're showing up for each other, other people are there and we don't care," Swift told TIME in her 2023 Person of the Year profile. "The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you're seeing someone. And we're just proud of each other."
Kelce has since hinted that he plans to attend future Eras Tour shows, which Swift will perform across Europe and the United Kingdom throughout the summer. North American shows resume in October.
Joe Alwyn Promotes Movie With Taylor Swift's BFF Emma Stone Using Cat Pics | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
Joe Alwyn Promotes Movie With Taylor Swift's BFF Emma Stone Using Cat PicsEmma Stone and Joe AlwynNicholas Hunt/WireImage
After a six-year romance with Taylor Swift, Joe Alwyn is used to internet stans being a little bit catty toward him. Maybe that served as the inspiration for his feline-centric promotion for his new movie with Emma Stone?
Alwyn, 33, shared a still via Instagram on Friday, May 10, from their upcoming film, Kinds of Kindness. He followed the official still with a parody photo of himself and Stone, 35, as cats. The film is Yorgos Lanthimos' follow-up to 2023's Poor Things, which also starred Stone and netted her a Best Actress Oscar earlier this year.
Alwyn and Stone are long-time friends, having worked together on another Lanthimos picture 2018's The Favourite. That relationship hasn't soured in the wake of Alywn's split from Swift, another close friend of the actress (and famous cat lover). Speaking about their time on set, Stone called Alywn "one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet" in press production notes for the movie.
"I love Joe," she shared. "We had to do some pretty dark stuff on this one, so it was extremely comforting to be with him."
Joe Alwyn Promotes Movie With Taylor Swift's BFF Emma Stone Using Cat PicsJoe Alwyn Promotes MovieCourtesy of Joe Alwyn/Instagram
Alwyn and Swift called it quits in 2023. Their separation and a subsequent fling with The 1975's Matty Healy inspired much of her most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department. The album held equal venom for Healy's alleged pretensions as for fans who criticized Swift's choice of partner. A reference to London pub The Black Dog — along with the insinuation that Alwyn is a regular — caused Swifties to swarm the bar looking for her ex.
"I don't want to give too much away, We do have a certain blond regular who frequents, let's just say that," proprietor Lily Bottomley told Sky News.
The reported haunt of Alwyn became decidedly less conducive to a quiet pint, as Bottomley began to sell Swift-themed items (and reported the highest foot traffic the bar has ever seen).
While Alwyn and Swift were together, they kept their relationship as buttoned-up and close to the vest as possible. A source close to the couple told Us Weekly that the intense scrutiny of Swift's fans was a sticking point in their relationship. "Joe is very shy and never liked all of the attention that came with dating one of the most popular singers in the world," the insider said.
The spotlight-averse actor has remained mum about the breakup in the wake of TTPD, even while working with one of Swift's collaborators on the project. Stone is credited with contributing "oddities" on "Florida!!!," featuring Florence and the Machine.
How Hollywood Intimacy Coordinator Choreographs TV's Steamy Sex Scenes | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
How Hollywood Intimacy Coordinator Choreographs TV's Steamy Sex ScenesJen Espenson; Routledge
As one of the first intimacy professionals to be recognized by SAG-AFTRA, Brooke M. Haney has become the go-to when it comes to choreographing sexually charged scenes.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Haney — who's served as an intimacy coordinator for Mayor of Kingstown, Elsbeth, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Harlem and East New York — dished on what goes into overseeing sensitive sequences that translate into moments of passion onscreen and, most importantly, creating a safe space for the cast and crew.
"We joke that we're the only person production hires and pays to tell them no," Haney told Us while promoting their new book, The Intimacy Coordinator's Guidebook: Specialties for Stage and Screen. (Haney goes by they/she pronouns.)
Following the #MeToo movement, liaisons for actors and producers on projects where nudity may be involved became more prevalent. "Actors often say that they feel a lot safer with an intimacy coordinator," Haney, who has acted in the past, shared. "I don't think of my job as making actors feel safe — I think of it as making actors feel prepared because I can't define safety for someone else."
Haney's job starts with a meeting to understand the "vision" of the scene followed by discovering the "boundaries" of the actors involved.
"[I] meet with the director and producer in advance of shooting, and ask, 'What's the vision for this scene?' because ultimately, they're the storyteller," Haney said. "Then I meet with the actor and say, 'Here's the vision. What are your thoughts on the scene and what are your boundaries? Do your boundaries align with the way the director wants to tell this story?'"
"If they say, 'yes', great, we're good to go," Haney continued. However, often, "Actors will have a boundary [so] I'll go to the director and [say], 'We have a boundary, here are three other ways I think we can get your idea across in an equally or more compelling way. What do you think?'"
How Hollywood Intimacy Coordinator Choreographs TV's Steamy Sex ScenesTaylor Hooper
Two crucial elements in helping actors feel comfortable is letting them know what to expect ahead of time and considering the "different kinds of ways people have power," Haney shared, noting it's not rare for a rising actor working alongside an A-list star to be eager to impress the people they're working with.
"There's times when I work with an actor who [says], 'I don't need an intimacy coordinator, I feel totally fine articulating my boundaries,' and I'm like, 'Great, my job is not to be your voice,'" Haney continued. "If you feel confident, that's fantastic, [but] you're not the only one in the scene."
Filming threesomes or sex scenes with multiple participants can be more time-consuming and complex. "People's boundaries can be different with different people or around different actions," Haney explained, "so it's important I meet with each person individually and check in with them about everyone they're working with, and bring us together so we have a group understanding of what's going to happen."
Of course, there are certain things that are off-limits when it comes to filming sex scenes ("It's always fake, so any real sexual act is a no-no," Haney explained) but showmances can and do happen "quite frequently, honestly," which makes sense to Haney.
"One of the things we talk about in the book is about, in scenes of trauma and non-consent, asking actors to put their bodies into positions of fear or terror or rage, [that] our bodies don't know it's fake physiologically and still feel like they've gone through that — it's similar with intimacy," Haney explained. "If the screenwriter is giving you all the right words to say, and the choreography is giving you all the best choreography, it can feel really good."
Still, an intimacy coordinator's job is to make sure that everything unfolding in production pertains to work. "I'm not going to be in charge of controlling what actors do on their own time. That's their business," Haney — who created The Actor's Warm Down, a 20-minute closure practice for actors who have worked on challenging projects — said. "But when we're at work, it should never be about their personal relationship, it should be about the characters."
There is only one goal when it comes to filming sex scenes, says Haney: "The audience should think it's real and the actors should feel like it's fake — sort of."
The Intimacy Coordinator's Guidebook: Specialties for Stage and Screenis available now.
Joel Kim Booster Reveals the 'Fire Island' Scene Inspired by His Real Life | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
Joel Kim Booster Reveals the 'Fire Island' Scene Inspired by His Real LifeJoel Kim Booster.Taylor Hill/WireImage
Fire Island, written by and starring Joel Kim Booster, may be inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, but one scene in particular was taken from Booster's real life.
"The 'Heads-up' scene in Fire Island is ripped from the headlines of my life," Booster, 36, tells Us Weekly exclusively as part of his 25 Things You Don't Know About Me feature. "My friends and I are big on game nights and things get competitive. It's how I found out my boyfriend didn't know who Natalie Imbruglia was."
The movie — which also stars Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully and Margaret Cho — follows a group of gay friends who go on vacation to Fire Island, an island off of New York known for its queer-friendly community.
The "Heads-Up" scene Booster references follows the group as they play an intense round of the iPhone game, which prompts the players to guess the name of a person, place or thing which can be read on the phone held on the forehead of one player.
Joel Kim Booster Reveals the 'Fire Island' Scene Inspired by His Real LifeSearchlightPictures/YouTube
The players hilariously try to get Ricamora's character, Will, to guess the name of Marisa Tomei by acting out some of her iconic movie scenes.
"No, the defense is wrong!" Keegan (Tomas Matos) and Luke (Matt Rogers) exclaim, imitating Tomei's line in My Cousin Vinny. "My biological clock is ticking like this and the way this case is going, I ain't ever getting married!"
"That's actually the problem with Hollywood," Luke adds. "It's people like you who forget about Marisa Tomei, but they remember Alicia Vikander."
Keep scrolling for 25 things you might not know about Booster, including more exclusive behind-the-scenes facts about Fire Island:
1. One of my biggest splurges was the complete Gilmore Girls series box set. I took part of my student loan to pay for it. It was an insane amount of money. I don't regret it.
Joel Kim Booster Reveals the 'Fire Island' Scene Inspired by His Real LifeWarner Bros
2. The three items I can't leave the house without are my phone, wallet and nicotine.
3. Being nominated for an Emmy [for Fire Island] was honestly a surprise. I woke up to a s—t ton of texts [and] my group thread had already moved on by the time I found out.
4. My favorite memory from working with Maya Rudolph on Loot was watching her film the "Hot Ones" scene in season 1. An absolute master class.
5. My favorite book is White Teeth by Zadie Smith.
6. I decompress with a big joint and American Idol.
7. One look I'd never be caught dead wearing is skinny jeans.
8. The tattoo I have on my thigh is fun and stupid. It's poppers.
9. The extracurricular activities I did growing up were Bible quizzing, speech team and theater.
10. My favorite movie is My Best Friend's Wedding.
11. My celebrity crush growing up was Jeri Ryan — but secretly Paolo Montalban.
12. Dev Patel is my current celebrity crush.
13. My most starstruck moment was [meeting] Ariana Grade backstage at the Hollywood Improv.
Joel Kim Booster Reveals the 'Fire Island' Scene Inspired by His Real LifeJon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
14. My first car was a 1992 Honda Accord [that] I bought for $500. My parents didn't want me to have a car, so I hid it until I made eye contact with my dad at an intersection while on my way to school.
15. My alternate profession would be a librarian.
16. While shooting Fire Island, I'd blast "Last Summer" by Zara Larsson in my trailer every morning. I can't hear it without feeling good now.
17. I make a killer bolognese.
18. My craziest fan encounter was one guy who followed me across the country and at each show, would beg me to read his manifesto.
19. I'm fairly introverted around new people, depending on the setting. All of my boyfriend's friends thought I was a cold bitch when they first met me.
20. The "Heads-up" scene in Fire Island is ripped from the headlines of my life. My friends and I are big on game nights and things get competitive. It's how I found out my boyfriend didn't know who Natalie Imbruglia was.
21. I played basketball my sophomore year and was terrible. However, I was in [my] church's intramural volleyball team, and that, I nailed.
22. My first job was a page at the library.
23. The best gift I've received was from executive producer Tony Hernandez, who sent me a PS5 to celebrate Searchlight saving Fire Island.
24. On Saturday nights, you can find me at a firetrap downtown.
25. On Sunday afternoons, I'm still in bed waiting for my boyfriend to wake up because we got home at 10 a.m.
John Krasinski Used 'Emotional Blackmail' to Cast Blake Lively in 'IF' | 1SIMA32 | 2024-05-12 18:08:01
John Krasinski Used 'Emotional Blackmail' to Cast Blake Lively in 'IF'John Krasinski, Blake Lively and Ryan ReynoldsGetty Images (2)
Take it from actor-director John Krasinski: peer pressure works.
During a stop on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on Friday, May 10, Krasinski, 44, said he used "emotional blackmail" to add Blake Lively to the ranks of his star-studded cast of IF, which already included her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
"I was like, 'Everybody's doing it,'" Krasinski said of his pitch.
In addition to Reynolds, with whom the Gossip Girl alum shares four children, Lively, 36, joined the likes of Krasinski's former Office costar Steve Carrell, Bradley Cooper and George Clooney in the movie about the world of imaginary friends. She plays Octopuss, a cat that dresses up like an octopus to will herself past her fear of water.
Krasinski says he came up with the idea almost a decade ago while watching his kids play and felt a newfound urgency to complete it during the coronavirus pandemic.
"I used to just stand in the doorway and watch my kids disappear into this magical world that we as parents aren't allowed in," he shared. "It actually wasn't until the pandemic when genuinely I saw their lights starting to go out … I went, 'That's it, I'm writing this movie right now to prove to you that magical world is always there. You can always go back.'"
John Krasinski Used 'Emotional Blackmail' to Cast Blake Lively in 'IF'John Krasinski, Blake Lively and Ryan ReynoldsIgnat/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
The idea resonated with Hollywood A-listers, as Krasinski said he received "the most 'yeses' of my career" for the movie. Clooney's decision to take a role in the movie is particularly resonant for Krasinski, as he was the first person who saw the one-time sitcom star moving into the director's chair.
"He was the first person who ever thought I would direct. He would take me to dinner while we were shooting Leatherheads, and he would show me a drawing. 'This is what I'm going to shoot tomorrow. This is where I'm going to place the cameras,'" Krasinski told Fallon. "I said, 'That's amazing. Why are you telling me this?' He said, 'Well, you're not just going to be an actor, are you?'"
Krasinski said that Clooney, 63, saw the desire to direct in him before he did, joking that he only "takes 10 percent" for his mentorship. The Clooney team-up was far from the only emotional reunion brought on by the film. A video shared by Paramount Pictures captured Carrell and Krasinski reuniting for the first time in years while making the movie. Krasinski told Total Film Magazine that Carrell's speech to him soon after brought on the waterworks.
"As much fun as it was to work with him, the most powerful part about it was he came in with the most heartfelt speech about how proud he is of me to be making movies. He said in reading the script, 'I'm just so honored to be a part of it. I'll do whatever it takes,'" the director shared last month. "So when I thought that I would be laughing all day, I was crying all day."
'Are the computers on lunch break?' blasts Walmart customer as self-checkout shakeup makes shopping 'infuriating' | 3V98ZFG | 2024-05-12 17:08:01
A WALMART shopper is fed up over frequently closed self-checkout lanes and is confused as to why they would not always be available.
The shopper argued Walmart self-checkouts should always be available to use since they are machines.
'Are the computers on lunch break?' blasts Walmart customer as self-checkout shakeup makes shopping 'infuriating'GettyWalmart customers made sarcastic jokes about its self-checkout consistently being closed down[/caption]
A user on X, formerly Twitter, explained their frustration with the closed self-checkouts.
"It drives me nuts when you go to a place like Walmart or anywhere with self-checkout and half of the stations are closed," Tony (@cardinalfan9633) said on X.
"Are the self-checkout computers on their lunch breaks?"
Another Walmart shopper made a sarcastic comment about the store's checkout process.
"Shopping at Walmart is usually easy until you have to checkout," they replied to Tony's tweet.
"Can be infuriating!"
SELF-CHECKOUT WOES
Many shoppers are unhappy with the number of self-checkouts kept open throughout the day at their Walmart store.
Walmart shopper Colleen shared a post on Facebook to explain her self-checkout troubles and how there were "rarely any lanes open."
"Walmart I have a huge bone to pick with you," Colleen said.
"You have removed the option to self-checkout unless you are a Walmart member."
"I am still waiting on my paycheck for working there every single time I have to use self-checkout," another Walmart customer said on X.
Someone else said, "I am going to start to bill you for my time if you can't solve these service issues."
Some Walmart stores have even started to limit who can use self-checkout.
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This is due to certain self-checkouts being reserved for Walmart+ subscribers.
A Walmart+ membership costs $98 annually.
"We continually look at ways to provide our customers with the best shopping experience and that includes adjusting the checkout area in stores," Walmart spokesperson Josh Havens told Business Insider.
'Delicious and nutritious,' praise Denny's fans over new menu item as chain brings back all-day meal deal | 3V98ZFG | 2024-05-12 17:08:01
DENNY'S has introduced a new wallet-friendly menu that has foodies excited to stop by.
The diner restaurant chain announced all-day deals that start at just $5.99 and shared some new menu items.
'Delicious and nutritious,' praise Denny's fans over new menu item as chain brings back all-day meal dealGettyDenny's has brought back new deals and introduced new menu items[/caption]
'Delicious and nutritious,' praise Denny's fans over new menu item as chain brings back all-day meal dealDenny'sFans can enjoy several breakfast classics and some dinner options for as low as $5.99[/caption]
'Delicious and nutritious,' praise Denny's fans over new menu item as chain brings back all-day meal dealDenny'sThe super slam breakfast is affordable and comes with buttermilk pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and hash browns[/caption]
The Denny's All Day Diner Deals Value Menu is perfect for consumers who want to enjoy a diner-style breakfast on a budget.
No coupons are required to secure the savings, and the menu includes a diverse list of delicious offerings.
Plus, the menu items are available all day long, which is a huge win for those who prefer breakfast items for dinner.
The first classic meal to be added to the menu is the scrambled eggs & cheddar breakfast.
This includes eggs, buttermilk pancakes, two bacon strips, and two sausage links.
Breakfast lovers can also order the everyday value slam for an affordable price.
This meal includes a choice of pancakes, brioche french toast, or biscuit and gravy, and also comes with eggs and bacon or sausage.
The Super Slam breakfast has everything found in a classic diner meal but includes delicious skillet hash browns.
For those stopping by for dinner, the quarter-pound cheeseburger meal may be the right choice.
This meal comes with wavy-cut fries and is sure to be a hit with diners.
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And Denny's fans can also get the country-fried steak dinner with two sides for an affordable price.
The prices of these menu items vary depending on the location, but the restaurant chain stressed that each meal would be affordable.
'Delicious and nutritious,' praise Denny's fans over new menu item as chain brings back all-day meal dealTwitter/DennysDiner
The new berry waffle slam is made of two Liège-style waffles with seasonal berries[/caption]
NEW MENU ITEMS
Denny's has also introduced a few new menu items.
For a limited time, diners can try the berry waffle slam, the BBQ bacon chicken sandwich, the brownie sundae with Oreo pieces, and the cinnamon sugar pancake puppies.
The berry waffle slam is made of two Liège-style waffles with seasonal berries and sea salt caramel on top.
The chicken sandwich is a grilled chicken breast covered in barbecue sauce and topped with bacon, aged white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
The sundae includes a warm chocolate brown with vanilla ice cream, Oreo pieces, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
And the cinnamon pancakes are bite-sized fried pancakes with cinnamon sugar and cream cheese icing.
Fans have voiced their excitement toward the deals and can't wait to try out the new menu.
"Looks delicious and nutritious," one fan wrote about the berry waffle slam on X.
Another fan who tried the new waffles said they were "fantastic."
"Best waffle they've ever done," the diner said.
"They put some kind of sugar or syrup on the waffle while cooking so it's got this sweet crunchiness to the outside and then waffle softness on the inside.
"With the fruit and whipped cream on top it was just chef's kiss."
'Fix this' Target shoppers demand over self-checkout issue that leaves store 'looking like Walmart' | 3V98ZFG | 2024-05-12 17:08:01
TARGET shoppers are being tested as they stand in long checkout lines to purchase a few items.
Ranting on social media about shopping trips gone wrong, some compared the checkout experience to long wait times at Walmart.
'Fix this' Target shoppers demand over self-checkout issue that leaves store 'looking like Walmart'Target shoppers say they're stuck in long lines after self-checkout was shutteredGetty
Lengthy checkout lines with few workers available have set off Target shoppers across the US.
Despite complaints about self-checkout, some customers are even yearning for the kiosks back.
"Why is the self-checkout lane closed?" questioned one user on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
"These lines [are] looking like Walmart. Girl fix this. I have three items," he continued.
The shopper said his five-minute trip turned into a 25-minute one because there were only two lanes open, with lines extending into the women's section.
Target responded to the post and said it's "prioritizing full-service check lanes to support [its] guests during the entire day and intends to open Express Self-Checkout to support busier times."
But many customers would classify their trips as happening in busy times, with another describing a 35-minute wait in line.
Posting from Jansen Beach in Portland, Oregon, another user described a line that was 26 people deep "with only one checkout person."
"You decided you didn't want people going through self-checkout," he continued. "And you are confused when people just walk out with stuff."
Meanwhile, a Target shopper in El Cajon, Californiaposted a picture of the scene at their store.
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"Once again. 10-15 people in every open line and self-checkout closed," he said.
The customer described self-checkout as "four lanes that move faster than any manned station" but "closed every single time and in no seemingly logical time frame either."
Target once again responded to the shopper, explaining that self-checkouts are open during busiest times, but that these times "might not be convenient for everyone."
The U.S. Sun reached out to Target in a request for comment.
SHIFTS AT THE SELF-CHECKOUT
Complaints are flying amid recent changes by the big box retailer to curb theft and prevent long lines at the self-checkout.
'Game changer,' rave Sur La Table shoppers over deeply discounted popular cookware selling for $38 – comes in 6 colorsFans are calling a baker on a bargain "a game-changer"Getty Images - Getty
'Game changer,' rave Sur La Table shoppers over deeply discounted popular cookware selling for $38 – comes in 6 colorsFunctionality combines with sophistication in the design of this baker, featuring handles crafted for enhanced comfort, balance, and effortless lifting.Sur La Table
Known for its impeccable quality and timeless designs, Le Creuset has once again left an indelible mark with its Heritage Square Baker, a culinary gem that promises to elevate your cooking experience to new heights.
Crafted from durable stoneware featuring an industry-leading enamel interior, this square baker is a versatile powerhouse, perfectly suited for entrees, side dishes, desserts, and beyond.
Its robust construction not only withstands the rigors of everyday use but also delivers consistent, amazing results every time.
One of the hallmarks of Le Creuset's stoneware is its virtually non-porous nature, which ensures that each dish remains pristine, resisting odors, stains, and flavor absorption.
Whether you're baking a savory casserole or a delicate dessert, you can trust that the flavors will remain pure and unadulterated.
But it's not just about functionality; the Heritage Square Baker is a testament to Le Creuset's commitment to exquisite craftsmanship.
Available in a dazzling array of vibrant colors, each piece is a work of art, meticulously crafted using time-honored techniques that have been perfected over generations.
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What truly sets this square baker apart, however, is its unparalleled durability.
Fired at high temperatures for increased strength, the enamel finish resists chips, cracks, and stains, ensuring that your investment will withstand the test of time.
Practicality meets elegance in the design of this baker, with handles designed for added comfort, balance, and ease of lifting – all in six colors, including:
Pêche
White
Caribbean
Marseille
Meringue
Azure Blue (an exclusive color)
The baker makes it effortless to go from freezer to oven to table, transforming it from a functional cooking vessel to a handsome serving dish.
For added peace of mind, the Heritage Square Baker comes backed by Le Creuset's renowned 5-year warranty, ensuring that your investment is protected for years to come.
This baker is sure to become an indispensable part of your kitchen arsenal.
'GAME-CHANGER'
One satisfied customer raves, "After making dinner with my beloved new Le Creuset Heritage Square Baker on 3 or 4 or 5 occasions, I cannot believe there was ever a time when I used anything else.
"It is perfection. A game-changer. (No pun intended.) Poultry emerges with a pleasing crispness. Potatoes, shrooms, likewise ahhhhhhh….
"I do sometimes wish it had a lid when it comes to refrigerating leftovers.
"As far as baking, it is a joy — vastly superior to any other baker dish I have ever used in all my born daze."
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In other shopping news, a Walmart air fryer is currently discounted by more than 20%, and it's available for online purchase rather than in-store.
And explore The U.S. Sun's report on Amazon's air fryer, touted as a "best friend," which saw its price drop from $150 to $99.
'Had to get two extra,' cries Costco shopper after learning meaning of asterisk on price sign – you'll want to stock up | 3V98ZFG | 2024-05-12 17:08:01
A COSTCO shopper knew they had to stock up on their favorite item when they spotted an asterisk next to the price inside a store.
The symbol is sometimes referred to as a "death star" by die-hard fans of the big box store but this customer had just learned what it means for the first time.
'Had to get two extra,' cries Costco shopper after learning meaning of asterisk on price sign – you'll want to stock upReddit/mh1357_0On Costco shopper bought two extra of their favorite product after finding out it could soon be going out of stock[/caption]
'Had to get two extra,' cries Costco shopper after learning meaning of asterisk on price sign – you'll want to stock upGoogle MapsThe customer got worried after spotting a 'death star' on the price sign inside a store[/caption]
"Found out the asterisk on the price signs means that's their last pallet and they probably are discontinuing the item," the shopper wrote on Reddit after their-instore experience.
"So I had to get two extra jars of the 505 Hatch chilies."
Attached to the post was a picture of the two jars that they bought.
Nearly 100 people commented on the Reddit thread sharing their knowledge about what the asterisk means.
One user simply wrote, "Death Star! = Stock Up."
"Asterisks are also used for 'seasonal' items that are available for a limited time but won't be restocked anytime soon but may come back next year or at a later date," another Costco shopper replied.
A third user posted a differing explanation of why you might see the star on the sign.
"The asterisk is also used when an item is getting repackaging. Like the pacific foods red pepper soup recently went through," they wrote.
Other commenters were just as shocked to find out the information about the asterisk, except one who shared their frustrating Costco story.
"Once my favorite chicken nuggets had an asterisk and I panicked and bought 6 bags," the shopper wrote.
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"A month later they came back in a new bag design and a dollar cheaper. Same amount of chicken nuggets."
Other Reddit users flooded the post with raving reviews of the 505 product.
"This is a seasonal item, I buy a few jars every time they are released," one wrote.
"It's not being discontinued just they bottle these after the August – November season and have a limited amount of them each Spring/Summer."
A second added, "505 is the real deal! They have this at my Walmart too."
PRICE TAG CLUES
Looking at the price tag won't only give you a clue as to whether your product will be discontinued, but it could also apparently let you know if your product has been returned or not.
Prices ending with .88 or .00 are commonly on products that have been returned or display items with a special discount, Best Life reported.
An item ending with .97 on the price tag means that it's been marked down from its original price, according to the outlet.
Regularly priced items, on the other hand, typically end in .49, .79, .89 or .99.
Costco Club insiders also recommend customers shop the store from back to front for bigger savings.
However, the real savings supposedly lie in the center of the wholesale store.
The Costco Center Court, as it is referred to by its members, is the center of the store where the best deals usually are.
Despite the fact that the best discounts are in the middle of the store, it may be better to avoid the center court if you're trying to have a quick shopping trip.
By placing a variety of discounted products in the center of the store, Costco hopes that customers will leave with more items than they originally intended on buying.
Also, if you're looking to save more money, don't be fooled by Costco's free samples.
No matter how tempting those samples may look, one financial expert on TikTokposted about the psychological effects of free samples.
"In one study free samples helped [Costco] sell more frozen pizzas at one warehouse by over 600%," the advisor said.
