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The last few weeks of political news has felt like a decade — so, Randy Rainbow is summing it all up in one convenient, five-minute video.
For his latest parody, Rainbow took on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical Oklahoma! with his own rendition of Act II opener “The Farmer and the Cowman.” In order to frame up the current state of political affairs, Rainbow decided to change the title to reflect the contenders in the 2024 election, calling it “The Lawyer and the Conman.”
Kicking off the track in full cowboy regalia, Rainbow welcomes the audience by pointing out the constant deluge of political news in recent days. “I reckon the last few weeks alone have been enough to fill 10 chapters in the history books, and frankly I can’t keep up!” he offers with a Southern twang. “I’ve had to re-write this damn song six times … we need a Rodgers and Hammerstein B-side just to keep things straight.”
Starting the song back in early July, when Democrats expressed unease over President Joe Biden’s slipping poll numbers against former president Donald Trump, Rainbow sings the story of “the conman” (Trump) and “the old guy” (Biden) vying for the highest office in the land. Quickly covering the assassination attempt on Trump and Biden’s disastrous debate performance, Rainbow explained their respective issues as candidates early on in his song: “One was crooked and unfit/ The other couldn’t run for s–t/ But just the same they damn sure ran for prez.”
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But once Biden announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 race, Rainbow re-framed the presumptive Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris as “the lawyer” coming after Trump’s “conman” on the campaign trail. “One’s a felon and a crock/ The other’s ’bout to clean his clock/ And now it’s up to us who will be prez,” he sang.
What ensued was Rainbow’s classic brand of roasting-via-musical-number, where he described Trump and his campaign as wanting to “block our rights,” claiming that he has his “head up Putin’s a–” and very simply describing him as a “whiny little putz.”
But right near the end of the song, Rainbow slowed things down to deliver a full-throated endorsement of Harris, and asking his viewers to keep paying attention until the election in November. “I know we’ll choose the light and this all will turn out right,” he sang. “Or maybe not, girl what the f–k do I know?”
Watch Rainbow’s full parody video of “The Lawyer and the Conman” above.
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Fun in the sun, live music and libations. Festival season is a time to let loose, and Hennessy is shaking things up with its “Made for More” campaign.
Teyana Taylor and Snowfall actor Damson Idris star in the campaign, which has been making the rounds for festival season. After debuting at Dreamville Festival in April, Hennessy brought “Made for More” to Lollapalooza earlier in the month. Music lovers were able to drop by the Henny Highline house where they enjoyed giveaways, live DJs and cocktails such as the Henny-Rita, Hennessy Summer, and Hennessy V.S.O.P Paloma.
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“Hennessy is well known everywhere but people don’t always know about how versatile it is – how it brings more flavor, depth and complexity to all kinds of cocktails,” Julie Nollet, Hennessy’s global chief marketing officer said in a newsreleaseannouncing the campaign in April. “Our new ‘Made for More’ campaign is bringing to life this notion of 1+1 = 3, showcasing the unlimited possibilities and introducing another side of the brand with beauty, fun and open mindedness. It shakes up the brand perceptions and builds on its legacy for a new generation.”
Hennessy Made for More
Micaiah Carter for Hennessy
“I’m super excited to embark on a journey with my favorite cognac, Hennessy,” Taylor noted of working with the brand. “Destination: fresh, bright, and invigorating, like any good cocktail should be.”
Added Idris, “The chance to work with such an iconic brand was one I just couldn’t say no to. When I think of Hennessy I think of my three older brothers, I think of amazing memories. The visuals are stylish, the films are fun, it’s magic. It’s cinema.”
Want to channel that festival feeling wherever you go? We rounded up the Henny-Rita recipe, so you can make the refreshing cocktail all year long.
Henny-Rita Recipe:
1.5 oz Hennessy V.S
0.75 oz Fresh lime juice
0.5 oz Orange Liqueur
0.25 oz Agave syrup
1 lime wedge
1 optional: salt (or Tajin) on the rim.
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake until chilled. After that, strain the drink into salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice, and don’t forget to garnish with a lime or an orange wedge.
Want to turn your Henny-Rita into a frozen drink? Get the Ninja SLUHSI maker. The viral slushy machine takes just 15 minutes to work and it doesn’t use ice.
For more festival finds, check out the best shoes for festival season and venue-approved bags for concerts and more.
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Are you a fan of Universal horror movies and Care Bears? Get ready for spooky season with this crossover featuring Care Bear Grumpy as Frankenstein‘s Monster. This huggable plushy is set to release on Thursday (Aug. 15). To get a head start, you can pre-order now on Amazon and add it to your collection. This Grumpy Bear and Frankenstein mashup features the iconic Frankenstein’s Monster with stitched details, a grumpy expression, and a flat-top angular head with bolts.
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Whether you’re searching for a birthday gift or looking to expand your Care Bear collection, this Grumpy Bear Plush is a great choice. With this limited-edition spooky and sweet plush toy, you’ll be ready to make someone’s day. The Care Bear x Monster collection not only includes Grumpy Bear as Frankenstein’s Monster, but also Cheer Bear as the Bride of Frankenstein and Tenderheart Bear as Dracula.
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If you’re shopping on Amazon, consider taking advantage of all Amazon Prime has to offer and sign up for a 30-day free trial, which also comes with access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music. And to help make sure you get your purchases quickly, being a Prime member means you get fast, free shipping in two days or less with Prime Delivery.
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Care Bears Universal Monsters 9″ Fun Size Plush – Grumpy as Frankenstein
If you are looking for a gift for kids ages 4 and up, this little monster is sure to be a hit. You can also take this Care Bear wherever you go. Whether you’re going on a road trip, visiting relatives, or just heading to the park, this plush toy is the ideal size to take with you on any adventure. If that’s not enough, it easily fits into backpacks and strollers. The brand describes this plush toy as “soft” and “snuggly.”
For more product recommendations, check out the best merch inspired by Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2, this Baggu x Peanuts Collection, and these Harry Potter inspired squishmallows to add to your collection.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. With back-to-school shopping in full swing, there are some dorm essentials you’ll want to make sure are at the top of […]
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Robin Allen, best known by her rap moniker “The Lady of Rage,” portrays self-proclaimed psychic Miss Cleo in a new Lifetime movie premiering on Saturday (Aug. 10).
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Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall follows the highs and lows of Miss Cleo, whose birth name was Youree Dell Harris. The Los Angeles native became a popular fixture during the late ’90s and early 2000s through her work with Psychic Friends Network, but her stardom came crashing down after the network was accused of scamming customers.
Shane Johnson, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Cocoa Brown, Dwayne Boyd, Towanda Braxton, Jaida Standberry, Marley Taylor, Amelia Young, Stevie Baggs Jr. and Leslie Black star in Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall, which is directed by Tim Reid and written by Camara Davis.
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The movie is produced by Hillionaire Productions for Lifetime along with Jami McCoy-Lankford, Samone Norsworthy and Anthony Standberry. William J. Cone is a consulting producer, Ahmed Hussain and McCoy-Lankford serve as executive producers.
Keep reading for ways to watch the movie online for free.
How to Watch
Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. To watch without cable, join DirecTV Stream or Philo for instant access to Lifetime and other cable channels, and a free trial when you sign up.
Philo is the most affordable streaming option among the two. Plans start at $28/month after a free trial for one week.
The streaming service features 80+ channels (Lifetime, MTV, BET, TLC, VH1, CMT, WEtv, A&E, ID, Travel Channel, OWN, AMC, Comedy Central, etc.) that you can watch live or stream on-demand. A subscription to Philo includes cloud DVR that can be stored for up to a year.
DIRECTV Stream starts at $49.99 per month for a limited time. Stream 90+ live channels, including cable networks such as Lifetime, E!, Bravo, HGTV and MTV, as well as local channels like ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.
For a limited time, new subscribers can save up $39 per month over three months with select DirecTV streaming plans.
Want more ways to watch? Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall will be available to stream on Prime Video a day after it airs on Lifetime.
Watch the trailer below.
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If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok, you might have seen the buzz about the life-sized Polly Pocket 1994 dollhouse, which is set to make its Airbnb debut on Wednesday (Aug. 21), in Westford, Massachusetts.
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Originally created by Bluebird Toys in the late 1980s, Polly Pocket began as a line of small, portable dolls and playsets. The brand was later acquired by Mattel. Polly Pockets are best known for its compact designs and detailed environments. These toys encourage imaginative play in various themes from Unicorn Tea Parties to Otter Aquariums. Now, you can step into a larger-than-life version of this iconic toy, complete with interactive features and nostalgic details.
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For those who are longtime Polly Pocket fans, you can celebrate Polly Pocket’s 35th anniversary by booking your stay at this life-size Polly Pocket house featuring five beds, one bedroom, and a private half-bath. According to Airbnb, you’ll be able to camp out under the stars, play dress-up, craft your own bracelets at the Friendship bracelet station, enjoy a 90’s inspired kitchen.
All you need to do is simply download the Airbnb App and be prepared to book your stay as soon as it becomes available on August 21.
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Airbnb Polly Pocket Compact 1994 Dollhouse
If you are looking to expand your Polly Pocket collection before your visit, consider browsing Amazon and select your favorite Polly Pocket Compacts. For Harry Potter enthusiasts, there’s also a Polly Pocket playset that features five main characters from the franchise, including, Harry Potter, Ron, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.
For more product recommendations, check out this list of alternative Airbnb immersive spaces. You can also book your stay with Airbnb at the house featured in the rom-com, The Idea of You.
Britney Spears is reportedly the latest star to document her life via biopic. According to Variety, Universal Pictures landed the rights to the pop princess’ best-selling memoir The Woman in Me. The book chronicles Spears’ rise to fame, her relationship with fellow child star Justin Timberlake — which included her getting pregnant and having an abortion during their time together — […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Whether you’re traveling to one of the biggest festivals of the year or just want to explore new destinations, there are […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Beating the heat doesn’t have to require upping your electric bill and with temperatures reaching some of the hottest on record […]
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The Braxton family is returning to reality TV. Toni, Towanda, Tamar, Trina and family matriarch Ms. Evelyn star in The Braxtons, premiering on Friday (Aug. 9) on WEtv.
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The Braxton sisters, along with mom, Evelyn, are giving fans another candid view at their lives, including navigating grief after the death of their sister, Traci, who passed away from cancer in 2023.
Offering a “raw and unfiltered” look at the Braxton family, the series will feature Toni launching her Las Vegas residency with Cedric the Entertainer, Towanda balancing business and motherhood, revealing her alopecia diagnosis, and lending support to Traci’s son, Kevin.
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Traci is also playing the balancing act with her businesses and being a mom to two adult sons while Tamar expands her “music and media empire, balancing motherhood, and navigating how to juggle it all,” according to a press release from AMC Networks.
Keep reading for ways to stream The Braxtons without cable.
How to Watch The Braxtons
The Braxtons premieres on Friday, Aug. 9, at 9:30 p.m. ET on WEtv. The series premiere will air commercial free and debuts on WEtv directly after Love After Lockup: Life After Lockup.
The show will stream on AllBLK in addition airing on WEtv.
Don’t have access to cable channels? You can watch WEtv and other cable networks on DirecTV, Philo and Sling TV.
DirecTV Stream is on sale for $49.99 per month for a limited time. The streaming deal saves you $30 over three months, plus you’ll get a free trial for five days. Click below to join.
Philo is free for the first week and $28/month to stream 80+ cable channels including WEtv, Lifetime, OWN, TLC, VH1, MTV and more on Philo. While you won’t get local channels on Philo, there’s a huge streaming library of cable shows and movies to binge. Subscribe below.
The Braxton family’s return to reality TV comes three years after ending the series, Braxton Family Values. Want to catch up on older episodes? Braxton Family Values is available to stream on platforms such as Sling TV, Hulu, Philo, Prime Video, iTunes and The Roku Channel.
Watch the trailer for The Braxtons below.
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