Follow The Post’s live updates for reactions, analysis, fact checks and more as former president Trump and President Biden come face-to-face in Atlanta.
Here’s how the Mets have turned their season around
May was miserable in Queens.
My Lady Jane Review
My Lady Jane is now streaming on Prime Video.
A lot of British history is deeply depressing. The Black Death, Henry VIII’s many dead wives (by his decree), religious wars, yadda, yadda, yadda. Who hasn’t dozed off trying to muscle through a history textbook chock full of that doom and gloom? All that bleakness inspired authors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows to take history into their own hands with their revisionist YA novel, My Lady Jane. The 2017 New York Times bestseller reimagines Lady Jane Grey’s tragic, nine day reign as the pawn Queen of England into a fantastical, swoony romance that makes Jane a player in her own story. Under the guidance of writer/showrunner Gemma Burgess (author of the Brooklyn Girls novels), My Lady Jane translates well into an eight episode Prime Video series that confirms, yes, history is a lot more fun and watchable when you take an unrepentantly tongue-in-cheek approach to its telling.
While the series is set in 1553, My Lady Jane takes no time in establishing its anachronistic, irreverent tone and voice through a hand-drawn, animated prologue that immediately earns some big laughs. Through comedically outlandish violence and a deliciously catty commentary from an omniscient narrator (who will continue to show up all season), we’re provided a brief summary of the real history and context for why 17-year-old Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) meant anything to the Tudor dynasty. From there, the show is off and running, establishing Grey’s plight as an eldest daughter with no agency in a patriarchal society.
Feeling the financial pinch of widowhood, Lady Frances Grey (Anna Chancellor) has to marry off one of her three daughters so they aren’t left to the mercy of the ancient and lecherous Duke of Leicester (Jim Broadbent). A savvy player of social and political clout, she connects with the equally transactional Lord Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (Rob Brydon), who is looking to marry off his eldest son for political and financial gains (among other hidden agendas that come to light over the course of the series). Neither offspring is interested in the union and Jane, in particular, spends the entire first episode trying to get out of it. Bader quickly establishes herself as a fiery lead who commands her role with genuine empathy, smarts, and quick comedic timing. When Jane comes to accidentally meet her intended, the rakish Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), the pair radiate instant, palpable chemistry, reminiscent of the combustible leads in The Taming of the Shrew.
To the credit of co-showrunners Burgess and Meredith Glynn (The Boys), the smoldering will-they/won’t-they dynamic between Jane and Guildford is not the sole engine of My Lady Jane. There are plentiful layers of political machinations that spiral out from sickly King Edward VI (Jordan Peters) staving off the ambitions of his bitter half-sister Mary Tudor (Kate O’Flynn) and her freak in the sheets Chancellor, Lord Seymour (Dominic Cooper). But the biggest story driver is one of supernatural origin: a conflict between Verities (normal humans) and E∂ians (humans who shapeshift into a specific animal). The monarchy, especially Mary, consider E∂ians abominations so they have a price on their heads that often results in their death. Because of that, E∂ians are hidden in plain sight, living as servants or paupers, and even the occasional highborn too terrified to reveal their true nature… like Jane comes to discover about Guildford.
To add such a high concept twist to a period drama might seem a bridge too far, but it really cements the “outside of history” approach of the series. The Verities/E∂ians division makes the stakes much easier to follow, with the added benefit of surprising character reveals. The device also creates a plausible purpose through which Jane and Guildford can emotionally bond. Initially, they agree she’ll use her education to seek out a cure for his despised “affliction” so they can divorce. But as they come to trust one another, it becomes a reason for them to deepen their connection beyond just attraction. Bader and Bluemel are utterly successful in making us believe in their gradual attraction, whether they’re looking at one another longingly or trading verbal barbs. They’re easy to root, and a strong, beating heart for the show.
Bader and Bluemel are supported by a fantastic cast who, as a company, never miss a beat in finding the right balance between heightened drama and whip-smart comedy. Brydon steals almost every scene he’s in, while the unexpected May-December pairing of Anna Chancellor with Henry Ashton as her besotted lover, Lord Stan Dudley, is a master class in thirst comedy. The show clearly benefits from its primarily female writer’s room, who aren’t shy about embracing a bawdier and more adult presentation of the story. They absolutely capture the book’s blithe approach to history, while adding a bite and intelligence to their dialogue that feels deeply inspired by Rowan Atkinson’s wickedly droll Blackadder, or William Goldman’s The Princess Bride.
There are some pacing problems; My Lady Jane’s eight episodes are overpacked with plot and too many supporting characters. The jauntiness of the performances and the plot swapping gets bogged down by midseason from the burden of servicing too much. For example, King Edward’s story languishes until the final episodes, making it hard to invest in his arc. And there’s not enough cultivation of the wild E∂ians characters, aside from Jane’s friend Susannah (Máiréad Tyers). As a whole, the “pack” of E∂ians rebelling against the crown are treated more like a plot device than well developed characters.
The show’s other weakness is its overreliance on distracting needle drops. A My Lady Jane soundtrack composed entirely of women vocalists is clever on paper, and certainly in keeping with the show’s point of view – but the decision making behind when and where to use the songs is poor. In general, there are too many of them. So much so, that they often pull focus from the real emotions being articulated onscreen. And there’s no cohesion to the selections, a strange mish mash of not-great punky covers with gems like Portishead’s “Glory Box” or Lez Zeppelin’s version of “Kashmir.” It’s so wildly random that the songs often pulled me out of the moment and made me wonder if some songs were chosen for budgetary reasons – and that’s the opposite of what you want your show’s music doing.
My Lady Jane doesn’t bring much that’s new to the increasingly crowded field of cheekily anachronistic period pieces like Bridgerton, Dickinson, and The Great. But it executes on the premise very well. The strong chemistry between Bader and Bluemel means the rom-com elements are firing on all cylinders – and they have a heat worth watching. While the excellent supporting cast brings the spice and humor in spades for a very fun summer watch.
The Best 4th of July Sales of 2024 We’ve Found So Far
If you’re hoping to find some great discounts this summer, 4th of July sales are a good way to do so. Outside of Black Friday, July is one of the best times of the year to buy just about everything. Although Amazon Prime Day doesn’t arrive for a couple more weeks, many other retailers are already offering some of their best prices of the season.
With so many different sales and upcoming deals events in July, you may be wondering what 4th of July sales are actually worth browsing in 2024. To help you out, we’ve put together this guide of the best sales happening right now as well as what is worth buying.
The Best 4th of July Sales Live Now
If you don’t want to wait until July 4 to actually start shopping the sales, the good news is that many of the discounts are already live. We’ve rounded up some of the top sales live across the web below. Each of these online retailers currently have some sort of 4th of July promotion happening right now:
What Should You Buy During 4th of July Sales?
What goes on sale every year can vary wildly, but there are some staples of every 4th of July sale worth checking out. Each of these products tend to have lower prices than other times of the year. Here are some of the best things to buy during these early July sales:
Mattresses
If you’re looking to buy a mattress in 2024, then U.S, holiday weekends are some of the best times to do so. Similar to Memorial Day, the 4th of July is a great time to find discounts from pretty much every major mattress chain. You will also be able to find discounts from other online retailers like Amazon, Wayfair, and Walmart who sometimes have decent deals on bed-in-a-box brands.
Laptops
Summer is one of the best times to buy a laptop every year. Most of the major brands offer a variety of summer sales throughout the season as part of their back-to-school promotions. 4th of July sales are just another reason to offer discounts, and because of this it’s a great time to find deals on gaming laptops.
Outdoor Gear
Like any seasonal event, the 4th of July is an excellent time to find discounts on outdoor gear. Retailers like REI always have a sale going on with savings on out-of-season gear, clothing, and camping equipment. There are usually deals on stand up paddleboards and kayaks as well.
Clothing
Following the same logic as other back-to-school sales, July is generally a great time to find discounts on clothing. Right around the 4th of July is when most retailers start having their big summer sales with discounts on popular brands and clearance items. Shops like Old Navy and Target are already offering 4th of July savings.
Video Games
Summertime is one of the biggest times of the year for video game announcements, and thus, it’s one of the best times to buy video games every year. Although not all of the sales are specifically branded as 4th of July sales, there are still video game deals at most online retailers. There is also the Steam Summer Sale happening right now that offers up some of the best PC game deals of the year. Amazon is even having an early Prime Day promotion that offers free PC games for Prime members.
TVs
With TV prices dropping pretty low over the past few years, almost every shopping event ends up being a good time to buy a new TV. 4th of July sales are no different, and you’ll be able to find deals on popular TV brands at most major retailers during this time. Some of the best TV deals will be on higher-end models, so if you’re looking for a really cheap TV, you might still want to wait for Prime Day or Black Friday.
Major Applainces
If you’re looking to replace your refrigerator or pick up a new washer-dryer combo, 4th of July sales are a great time to do so. Big retailers like Best Buy, Home Depot, Samsung, and Lowes all have big discounts on various major appliances during this time, making it the time to buy those.
Gaming Monitors
Because many of the direct computing manufacturers tend to have sales aroudn the 4th of July, it ends up usually being a pretty good time to pick up some PC peripherals. Some of the best gaming monitors in particular tend to get some fairly good discounts from retailers like Dell, LG, and Samsung during this time.
Should You Wait Until Prime Day Before You Buy?
One of the main issues with shopping 4th of July sales is that Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner. Not only that, but Walmart has also announced a big sale for July 8-11. So should you start shopping summer deals now or wait for Prime Day deals to arrive? It really depends on what you’re buying and how discounted it is. Many of the things that go on sale throughout the summer will likely be priced similarly during Amazon’s big sale, and if you are feeling unsure about the price you can always check CamelCamelCamel to see historical pricing information for those products on Amazon.
It’s also worth noting that Amazon doesn’t have every product that other retailers have. While they will likely have the best prices on Fire TVs and other Alexa-enabled devices, that doesn’t mean they will have discounts on the brands of clothing you like. So if you find a deal on something you love before Prime Day, you really shouldn’t wait. But if you are looking to make a purchase on big-ticket tech items like iPads or Apple Watches, it’s worth waiting for Prime Day or even Black Friday 2024.
Best Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra Deals: Save With Direct Discounts, Trade-Ins and More
These are the best prices we’ve found for Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Ultra buyers.
‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Season 4 Release Schedule and How to Watch From Anywhere
Only two episodes to go before the midseason break.
Big Three Ignore Biden Admin Collusion with Leftist Billionaire-Backed Trans Org
ABC News, CBS News and NBC News couldn’t care any less about a major scandal involving the Biden Administration’s collusion with a radical organization that apparently supports genital mutilation and chemical castration for children.
On June 24, unsealed court documents revealed that Biden’s Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary “Rachel” Levine, who calls himself a woman, pressured the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to avoid stating any age limits for chemical castration, genital mutilation and other hideous procedures.
The Big Three networks ignored this scandal in their evening programming on June 25 and June 26, although even The New York Times, a leftist newspaper, covered it.
According to The Times, “The [WPATH] draft guidelines, released in late 2021, recommended lowering the age minimums to 14 for hormonal treatments, 15 for mastectomies, 16 for breast augmentation or facial surgeries, and 17 for genital surgeries or hysterectomies.”
Levine, who allegedly repeatedly spoke with WPATH members about standards of care, asked WPATH to remove these age limits. According to WPATH employees, Levine suggested that explicitly endorsing chemical castration and genital mutilation for minors “will affect access to health care for trans youth,” while his chief of staff, Sarah Boateng, allegedly said that these age limits “will result in devastating legislation for trans care.”
In other words, Levine has a high enough opinion of the American people to believe that these practices won’t survive any sunlight.
However, The Times did not mention that WPATH is heavily funded by leftist billionaire “Jennifer” Pritzker, the cousin of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL). “Jennifer” Pritzker gave at least $237,500 to WPATH from 2013 to 2019.
WPATH acknowledged his donations with a “Philanthropy Award” in 2018, while “Jennifer” Pritzker’s Tawani Foundation has continued to spend thousands on WPATH since 2019. WPATH is also funded by George Soros, taking in at least $57,347 from the leftist billionaire.
The networks chose not to report on the funding or the scandal during their evening programming. On June 25, ABC World News Tonight treated its viewers to a segment on a child’s lemonade stand and CBS Evening News covered a Los Angeles intergenerational daycare. NBC Nightly News also ignored the WPATH scandal, devoting time to more important issues such as an Olympic athlete and fear-mongering over the impact of COVID-19 this summer.
On June 26, the networks doubled down, as ABC and NBC covered celebrity news. NBC alerted its viewers to the birth of a bison, while CBS and ABC broke the news that pandas are on the way to the San Diego Zoo.
Conservatives are under attack! Contact ABC News (818) 460-7477, CBS News (212) 975-3247 and NBC News (212) 664-6192 and demand they report on the Biden Administration colluding with WPATH to undermine efforts to protect kids.
Thousands of military families and civilians continue to suffer health problems from 2021 fuel leak in Hawaii
Michigan woman to stand trial in crash that killed young brother and sister at birthday party
Nike Shares Crash Near COVID Lows After Warning Sales Slump Is Worsening
Nike Shares Crash Near COVID Lows After Warning Sales Slump Is Worsening
Nike shares are down over 11% after-hours following an ugly earnings picture that saw Q4 revenues disappoint and more notably, a sizable cut in guidance for the first half of this fiscal year.
Building on a slew of reports that suggest pain is finally hitting the consumer’s wallet, Nike’s revenue for Q4 fell 1.7% YoY to $12.61 billion (notably below the $12.86 billion consensus estimate).
-
Direct Revenue (via the company’s website, app and stores) $5.1 billion, -7.3% y/y, well below the estimate of $5.68 billion
-
Wholesale revenue $7.1 billion, +6% y/y, estimate $6.6 billion
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Poonam Goyal said the underperformance at Nike’s own sales channels “comes by surprise and is a reason for concern, as the activewear giant could be turning its core shoppers away due to lack of newness.”
She added that the performance in wholesale, which beat estimates, is a “positive indicator for its revived and existing wholesale relationships.”
Geographically, Asia was steady while European revenues fell. North America saw the biggest disappointment to expectations:
-
North America revenue $5.28 billion, -1.4% y/y, weaker than the estimated $5.44 billion
-
EMEA revenue $3.29 billion, -1.7% y/y, estimate $3.31 billion
-
Greater China rev. $1.86 billion, +2.9% y/y, estimate $1.83 billion
-
Asia Pacific & Latin America rev. $1.71 billion, +0.5% y/y, estimate $1.74 billion
Across the product-lines, footwear and most notably ‘Chuck Taylor’ brand Converse saw revenues plunge…
-
Converse revenue $480 million, -18% y/y, estimate $545.6 million
-
Footwear revenue $8.24 billion, -3.6% y/y, estimate $8.64 billion
-
Apparel revenue $3.32 billion, +2.8% y/y, estimate $3.25 billion
-
Equipment revenue $578 million, +34% y/y, estimate $446.4 million
But then, during the earnings calls, Nike management said that it sees 1Q revenue down about 10% (dramatically worse than the 3% decline consensus had expected).
This comes after Nike said in March that it expected revenue to fall by a low-single-digit percentage in the first half of its fiscal year.
“A comeback at this scale takes time,” Chief Financial Officer Matt Friend said during the company’s call with analysts.
He added the company is transitioning its product lineup to reignite consumer interest.
NKE shares are trading down almost 12% in the after hours, almost back to COVID lockdown levels…
…almost back to COVID lockdown levels…
Nike Chief Executive Officer John Donahoe is cutting $2 billion in costs and slashing 2% of the workforce, with layoffs recently hitting the company’s European headquarters near Amsterdam and its Boston-based Converse brand.
“We are taking our near-term challenges head-on, while making continued progress in the areas that matter most to NIKE’s future – serving the athlete through performance innovation, moving at the pace of the consumer and growing the complete marketplace,” said John Donahoe, President & CEO, NIKE, Inc.
“I’m confident that our teams are lining up our competitive advantages to create greater impact for our business.”
If Americans can’t afford a new set of sneakers – despite the record number of jobs that Joe Biden has ‘created’, then maybe, just maybe, those jobs weren’t as ‘created’ or ‘well paid’ as some would like you to believe… and maybe, just maybe, the sentiment signals and poll numbers are true about the state of the economy, no matter what all those Nobel laureate economists would prefer that you think.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/27/2024 – 18:40