samhexum

She was talking about it on THE VIEW the other day. They showed clips; that's as far as I need to go.

I'm getting to the point where I'm wishing for episodes of Will Trent that don't involve Will Trent. This has not been a good season and he's been particularly annoying far too often.

It'll never happen but I'd be thrilled if it did. https://www.tvline.com/2115286/the-orville-season-4-update-scripts-written-hulu-seth-macfarlane-interview/

Should You Put Rocks at the Bottom of a Planter? Here’s What a Horticulturist Says Turns out, rocks in pots really don’t rock. Putting rocks at the bottom of planting soil is kind of a hot topic in the gardening world: Some claim that it provides drainage benefits while others say it can actually hurt your plants. We all just want the very best for our little plant babies, so we asked a horticulturist to help clear the air and confirm whether or not you should put rocks at the bottom of your planter. https://apple.news/ABVgdIKxlTYKHSwMv84o-CQ

Social media went wild after an Instagram video of McDonald’s CEO and Chairman, Chris Kempczinski, introducing the fast food chain’s newest Big Arch burger and taking the smallest nibble of it made its rounds. Despite claiming he “loves this product, it is so good,” people online were shocked that a person in Kempczinski’s position would look as reluctant as he did when trying his own brand’s menu item, which rolled out nationally today. “Why does he look like he’s scared to bite it?” quipped a commenter. “Man’s aura screams kale salad,” wrote someone else. Just a few short days later, as a (very) subtle jab, Burger King President Tom Curtis one-upped the Golden Arches restaurant in a new TikTok video posted by the chain, captioned, “Thought we’d replay this,” by taking a rather massive bite of their new and improved Whopper, which was coincidentally released a few days before the Big Arch. Expectedly, people ran to the comment section of BK’s video to further instigate this beef between the two chains. “It’s good to be King,” joked one person. “yea thats a big bite. McDonald’s CEO could never. W BK,” chimed in someone else. “Now THAT’S a man bite. Take notes McDonald’s,” read another comment. This friendly competition kicked off when both chains simultaneously announced their newest menu items. McDonald’s 14-ounce Big Arch burger, available for a limited time, features two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of melted white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, slivered raw onions, lettuce, pickles and a new Big Arch Sauce, which is described as “a tangy, creamy sauce with a perfect balance of mustard, pickle and sweet tomato flavors.” Burger King’s improved Whopper, which still has all the delicious workings of a traditional Whopper except a “more premium, better-tasting bun, “a better-tasting mayo, and a box for the sandwich to be served in, rather than the annoying paper wrapper that would often crush the burger. Created with the intent of elevating the customer’s burger experience, this is the first time in a decade that the fast food joint has made any changes to its signature item. “Over the past several years, we’ve focused on strengthening our operations and modernizing our restaurants to build a more consistent foundation across the system,” Curtis said in a statement. “With that work well underway, we’re now in a position to thoughtfully elevate our core menu. The Whopper is an icon, so we didn’t set out to reinvent it. Instead, we elevated it based on direct Guest feedback,” he continued. The 10 Most Popular Burger Chains In The US, Ranked Chris Corlew 10. Burger King The audacity of the name really sticks out when you're doing a ranking. Burger King stakes its claim to the throne by flame-broiling its beef patties. Even if there's not an actual charcoal-fire grill in the back of the fast food restaurant, the cooking process does give B.K.'s patties a delicious signature taste. The chain is known primarily for the Whopper, which some online call their favorite fast food burger. One Reddit commenter emphasized value, praising the size of Burger King's burgers and calling the chain "the best bang for your buck," while some online reviewers highlight the Rodeo Whopper, which comes with onion rings. For me, the main draw with Burger King is the flame-broiled patties. Any time I can get a good burger and onion rings is a good time. Give it a little hint of char from real flames, and I can be happy. That said, B.K. is never my go-to choice. The menu as a whole has few options that I like, and I sort of resent that I have to ask for cheese on a Whopper. There are few burgers in the world I'd prefer to eat without cheese, and none of them are fast food patties. 9. White Castle If you bring up White Castle in conversation, someone is inevitably going to say that the chain is "fantastic for what it is," and that's true enough. I would contend that there's more to White Castle than meets the eye. For one thing, the story behind how White Castle got its name reveals a company goal of keeping things clean, which is admirable for fast food. There's also compelling culinary and business history here, too. White Castle was one of the first fast food burger chains, and the chain's model for standardization of portions has been influential. Between the steamed patty and bun, rehydrated onions, and quick cooking, you can't deny that White Castle has its system down to a science. White Castle's biggest achievement is making the slider the star of the show. I get irrationally excited about sliders. There's something deeply satisfying about eating a slider in three or four bites, taking a beat, and then deciding to have another one. This place probably isn't many people's favorite, but throwing back late-night White Castle burgers is one of the great food experiences. Still, this chain exists in my brain as a snack place, not a burger place. It's not somewhere you go when you're craving the best a burger has to offer, but where you go when you want something that they don't have at a corner store. White Castle makes the list, but it's a ways off from the podium. 8. Jack In The Box Sourdough Jack, ultimate cheeseburger, classic smashed Jack — there are plenty of solid burger options at Jack In The Box. One thing you'll get here and almost nowhere else? Burgers with two types of cheese. The bacon ultimate cheeseburger, for instance, comes with American and Swiss cheeses. After a somewhat low year in 2025, Jack In The Box resolved to rebound with big changes. While you can find people who still love the chain, those comments are often met with nostalgia for the way Jack used to be. Others complain about Jack In The Box getting expensive. There are those of us who remember those glory days, and hope that it can recover the old magic. The chain's recent downturn does mean that it falls pretty low in my rankings. That said, I'll give Jack In The Box points for innovation. Not only did this chain invent the two-way drive-thru order box, but eating at Jack In The Box as a teenager was my first experience with ciabatta bread. I'm still grateful to the chain for that experience. Even if it's not in my regular rotation, I've never had that bad of a burger here. 7. Checkers and Rally's If the last time you saw a Checkers and Rally's logo was in the frozen section at your local grocery store, then it's time for a road trip. Like a stock car racer, you won't want to stop until you see, well, checkered flags. Vroom vroom, it's burger time. Checkers and Rally's has been praised for its quality food and low prices. Many people go to bat for the Big Buford burger — and why not? It's got two juicy patties, the full complement of lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, plus generous squeezes of ketchup, mustard, and mayo. It's a fully loaded burger. The praise for the seasoned fries here is near-universal, too. Checker's and Rally's makes a great-but-not-excellent burger, in my opinion. There's a pepperiness to the burgers here, or maybe that's just the lingering taste of seasoned fries. Either way, I enjoy it. Still, nothing catapults Checkers and Rally's into the upper echelon. This chain is the exact midpoint of my personal rankings, and that feels right. 6. Five Guys After Five Guys began franchising in 2003, it quickly became one of the faces of the fast casual trend of the 2010s. That luster has maybe worn off a bit, as food prices have been climbing in the 2020s. With a price tag of $11.89 for a cheeseburger at the Five Guys I checked, some people contend that Five Guys is too expensive to be considered fast food. That said, there's a quality of ingredients here that cannot be ignored. Most complaints about cost usually have the caveat that Five Guys makes a great product. These are really tasty burgers. Every sandwich is incredibly customizable, meaning you can come back again and again and always be trying a new combination of toppings. The chain even has helpful suggested toppings listed on its website, catering to people who want their burgers to have specific sets of flavors. Five Guys sits in a strange middle ground for me. Good, quality burgers, sure. The slightly elevated price is a drawback, but that's not my main concern. With two 3.3-ounce patties, the size of the main burger is a touch off-putting. To get a single burger, you have to order the pejorative "little" cheeseburger. There's a time and a place for a burger that's larger than six ounces of beef, and lunchtime is not it. 5. McDonald's The face of American fast food, for multiple reasons. McDonald's has locations across the globe, and its reputation precedes it. I've even seen restaurants borrow the lyrics to the Big Mac jingle to describe their own burgers. More than just fame, though, there's also the fact that the food here simply tastes good. As one Reddit commenter said, "I could eat a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese every day and not get sick of it." Of course, McDonald's is sometimes a conversational shorthand for cheap or low quality. Sure, the chain isn't threatening to win a Michelin star any time soon. I'm certainly not arguing that McDonald's is the greatest spot for burger lovers. Still, the sheer amount of very good options here is staggering. Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, McDouble, Daily Double — all of those burgers bring something unique to the table. The toppings are varied, too: A McDouble keeps things simple with ketchup, mustard, onions, and pickles, while the Big Mac has its famous special sauce and crispy lettuce. No one should say McDonald's is the best. I think, though, that the burgers at the Golden Arches deserve recognition for being constantly imitated and yet never totally duplicated. Whether you prefer a Big Mac or a Double Quarter Pounder, you know you can get something tasty at Ronald's house. Yes, there are better burgers out there, but McDonald's still merits a high ranking. 4. Wendy's Two peculiarities stick in the mind about burgers at Wendy's. One is the corners of those square patties peaking out from under the bun. If you're anything like me, you save a corner for the last bite. One last bit of beefy taste to linger on the palate. That ties in with the other memorable thing about Wendy's burgers, which is how the chain uses fresh, never-frozen beef. I'm not the only person who can taste the difference. Link Neal of Good Mythical Morning on YouTube called Wendy's "the best burger if you isolate it." Hey, no one's buying a burger for the tomato. The main component of the sandwich needs to be on point, and Wendy's delivers. Of course, the crisp lettuce and juicy tomato are big selling points for a Dave's single. Both burger and veggies at Wendy's are good quality. Another thing Wendy's has going for it is relatively low prices, in spite of the inflation of the early 2020s. Some say they think Wendy's has the best value deal in the fast food game, and value menu burgers like the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger are excellent. For me, Wendy's is easily the best of the nationwide chains. Maybe it's the fresh beef, or maybe the square patty tricks me into thinking I'm eating something special. If you're looking for good off-menu items, Wendy's secret menu burgers are great, too. Whatever it is about Wendy's, the place is my go-to on road trips. 3. In-N-Out If you've never had In-N-Out, but you spend time on the internet, then chances are good that you're sick of hearing about the place. Trust me when I say, though, that the burgers are absolutely worth the hype — but not quite so much that you should book a flight to Los Angeles purely for the chance to go animal style. Being a resident of the Midwest, I have only had In-N-Out a couple of times. The limited reach of this chain is part of the reason it falls below the top two. How highly I'm ranking this place should tell you how good an animal style burger is, though, and how much I appreciate In-N-Out's no-nonsense menu. One thing people seem to like about In-N-Out is how, despite its cult following and outsized reputation, the restaurant manages to be a relatively simple throwback to old-school burger joints. The ingredients are fresh, the patties are small and inexpensive, and the burger is customizable. You'll find this spot near the top of many internet rankings, and deservedly so. Some praise the size, price, and taste, and they're right to do so. There's something to be said for a fast food spot that loves burgers enough to have specially trained butchers making patties by hand every day. There's also something to be said about the genius of cooking a burger patty in mustard. In-N-Out might get hyped up, but I, for one, was not disappointed. 2. Culver's This Midwestern chain, specializing in butterburgers, is another regional chain that's worth the hype. People have praised it as having not only the best burgers, but the best fish and onion rings, too. "Nothing comes close to Culver's," said one Reddit commenter, talking specifically about regional burgers. Even if having locations in 26 states stretches the definition of "regional," Culver's wears its origins on its sleeve. Between butterburgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard, this is a restaurant that could only exist near endless cow pastures. Culver's respects the animal, too. The burgers are made from fresh, never frozen beef, and are cooked to order. Call me a homer for living in Chicago and ranking Culver's second if you want. I'll contend that Culver's is every bit as good as people say it is. Using fresh beef and buttering the buns goes a long way. The patty melts are great, too — both a standard sourdough melt and the funkier Wisconsin Swiss melt are excellent choices for those who like toasted bread. Every time I've tried a limited edition burger from this place, I've loved it. Oh, and if you ever want to switch things up? Culver's has one of the best chain restaurant fried fish baskets out there. The whole menu here is great, but I regret to inform my Midwestern neighbors that Culver's still takes second place. 1. Shake Shack One of the chains at the forefront of the smash burger trend, Shake Shack takes beef patties seriously. Using fresh beef, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, these burgers get smashed on the grill until they're crispy but not overcooked. A Shackburger is topped simply with crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and Shack sauce. Put all that on a perfectly squishy, but not soggy, potato bun? Absolute burger nirvana. Personally, I like adding cherry peppers. They're finely diced enough to not be obstructive, and the spice and acid are such welcome additions to the overall taste. The internet is full of burger debates, and you can find plenty of people who have Shake Shack high in their personal rankings. The crispiness of the patties is a big selling point, too. If you ask me, Shake Shack gets the nod over In-N-Out for having a farther reach, while it gets the nod over Culver's because of the looser pack on the patty and the crispiness on the beef. If it helps bolster the case for Shake Shack, I'll admit that this is the only spot on this list that I'll eat on my birthday. There's a Goldilocks feeling every time I eat a Shake Shack burger, where I feel like I could have more, but am content without more. It leaves me satiated but not stuffed, and I'm already thinking about my next one.

A 16 1/2 minute 2 character Storrie: there's a SPECIAL THANKS list in the closing credits and Connor's dad is at the top.

A 16 1/2 minute 2 character Storrie: there's a SPECIAL THANKS list in the closing credits and Connor's dad is at the top.

St. Louis Cardinals unveil new perk where fans can eat all they want at games for $29 St. Louis is introducing its “Coca-Cola Unlimited” ticket package, starting at $29 and including all-you-can-eat concessions. As much soda, hot dogs, french fries, ice cream cups, and popcorn — among other snacks — as one can eat, all the way until the eighth inning. They’re not the first to ever offer an all-you-can-eat option. Other franchises, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, and Cincinnati Reds, currently have similar promotions. The reason teams like the Cardinals are willing to take a loss on concessions is simple, says Andrew Zimbalist, the author of “May the Best Team Win: Baseball Economics and Public Policy” and an Economics professor at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. “They’re induced to come to the ballpark because of it,” Zimbalist told The Athletic. “Even though the Cardinals might lose money on it because they’re giving away too many hot dogs and french fries, they can view that as a loss leader. Now this guy’s coming with his whole family to the ballpark, and he might not come otherwise.” For the Cardinals, bringing supporters back to Busch Stadium is a priority. Since fans returned to ballparks after the 2020 COVID season, the Cardinals ranked in the top 10 in average attendance in MLB every year — before plummeting to 19th in 2025. “As an organization, we are making a concerted effort to improve the fan experience,” said Vicki Bryant, the Cardinals’ vice president of event services and merchandising. “From the time they purchase a ticket until the time they leave the ballpark, we’re looking at every aspect of our operation.” Some of the lower attendance can be attributed to the struggles of a team that hasn’t made the postseason since 2022. The hope is that even with the Cardinals’ best home run hitter, first baseman Willson Contreras (20 in 2025), having been shipped off to Boston and the team looking to rebuild, the unlimited concessions deal will lure fans in. “No matter what you’re buying, people are very cost-conscious,” Bryant said. “The cost of concessions, the cost of the tickets, and the cost of parking, all of that goes into a decision as to whether ‘I want to come to the ballpark.’ “We’re trying to have a positive effect on the things that we can have an effect on. I certainly am not responsible for the play on the field, but we can make sure that we offer great food and beverage at a good price and have something for everybody.” Especially if the product on the field isn’t the most alluring it’s ever been. “This is not one of the Cardinals’ eras of best performance,” Zimbalist said. “There are many, many baseball eras or decades where the Cardinals were one of the leading teams in the National League. They’re not now. “… They’re looking at this and thinking ‘what kind of other come-ons, what kind of other incentives and inducements can we offer to keep the fan base interested? Given that it’s not likely this year that we’re going to be competing for the postseason or certainly not competing for the division lead and certainly not competing for the World Series.” The unlimited concessions ticket package is available on a game-by-game basis. The seats are in the “Big Mac Land” portion of the stadium in left field, which only seats about 500 people. That section was chosen by the team due to its probability of receiving home runs, its proximity to an easily accessible concession stand, and the fact that it has previously been one of the more undersold portions of the stadium The $29 portion of the deal is subject to change due to dynamic pricing. Bryant explained that “you’re gonna pay more, for example, when the Dodgers come into town than you will on some other days.” The ticket includes entrance and concessions. Alcohol is not part of the deal, as the promotion’s goal is to attract families. Bryant predicts that the unlimited concessions deal will encourage parents to bring their kids, in turn creating a connection to the team and “to grow up a Cardinals fan.” It’s not cheap to attend a ballgame. In 2024, the average ticket price for a St. Louis game was $39.49. Currently, chicken tenders cost $11.49, a jumbo hot dog is $8.49, a 20-ounce bottle of water is $5.99, and a 21-ounce fountain soda is $7.39. Even just a ticket, one hot dog and a bottle of water would add up to $53.97. “Food prices are absolutely rising,” Bryant said. “You look at the cost of the food itself, the cost to purchase it, and the cost of labor has all continued to rise. It makes it challenging. We never want to have to increase prices. But the reality is the cost of that food is going up.” This is the franchise’s attempt at combating those rising costs. In a blog post by Kate McCaslin on WebstaurantStore.com, she calculated the top five and lowest five in cost of the following categories: tickets, hot dogs, and beer across the league. Then she calculated the cost of the approximate entire in-person experience of a ticket, a hot dog, and a beer for a game. The Miami Marlins ($31.83), Arizona Diamondbacks ($33.35), and Colorado Rockies ($37.25) were the three cheapest in the league, with the Houston Astros ($78.17) listed as the most expensive. This deal puts the Cardinals’ experience at the lowest end of this calculation, with the added all-you-can-eat feature that means you can get a whole lot more than one hot dog. And the teams hope fans decide to stay a while. Zimbalist says that even if only helps attendance a little bit, it will still add to the in-stadium vigor the teams hope to cultivate. “Bringing people in not only means you get revenue from the ticket sales,” Zimbalist said. “It means that you have a livelier atmosphere in the ballpark, and the ballpark becomes a more exciting place to go. If your team’s not in first place, and your team doesn’t have Shohei Ohtani hitting home runs, you’ve got to do something else. That’s this deal.”

Hunterfly Road Houses Completes Restoration In Crown Heights, Brooklyn Photograph from groundbreaking ceremony for Hunterfly Road Houses, via NYC. Restoration work is complete on Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The $4 million city-funded project was led by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Department of Design and Construction, and began in the fall of 2024. The 19th-century wood-frame houses are the last remaining structures of Weeksville, one of the nation’s largest free Black communities before the Civil War. The 18-month project focused on restoring the exterior of the four homes, including façades, siding, windows, doors, and front-entry porches. Additional upgrades included new plumbing, exterior lighting, a modernized fire alarm system with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a CCTV monitoring system. A climate-controlled storage room was also installed in the cellar of one of the houses to better preserve historical artifacts. Funding was provided by the Mayor’s Office, the Brooklyn Borough President, and the New York City Council. Photograph of one of the Hunterfly Road Houses, via NYC. Weeksville was founded in 1848 by James Weeks, a formerly enslaved man who purchased land in what is now Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant. By the 1850s, the community had grown to more than 500 residents and served as a refuge for Black New Yorkers, including during the 1863 Draft Riots in Manhattan. The houses were rediscovered in 1968 after nearly being lost to urban renewal, designated a New York City Landmark in 1970, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Today, the center operates as Brooklyn’s largest African American cultural institution, hosting exhibitions, educational programming, and community events. Transit nearby the Hunterfly Road Houses includes the Kingston–Utica Avenues station, served by the 3 and 4 trains, and the Utica Avenue station, served by the A and C trains.

Grandfather's 'PB4WEGO' license plate OK'd by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul 4:06 pm EST Feb. 28, 2026 A Long Island grandfather got approval from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to continue driving around with his humorous "PB4WEGO" license plate. In a Feb. 24 Facebook post, Seth Bykofsky, 69, wrote, "WE WON!" He added, "Justice - and humor - prevail! NY Governor Kathy Hochul Gives Reprieve To PB4WEGO Plate." Hochul shared a video on her Instagram on Feb. 24, during which she speaks with Bykofsky on the phone, and wrote the caption: "Seth’s license plate is a public service."

The show was hosted by “Heated Rivalry” actor Connor Storrie, and at the end of his monologue, the Hughes brothers joined him on stage and pretended they had no idea what “Heated Rivalry” was about. “We’ve been so busy playing, we haven’t had time to see your show yet. It’s about hockey, right?” Jack said, through some missing teeth after being high-sticked late in the third period of the gold-medal game. “Kind of,” Storrie deadpanned. “I got my teeth knocked out in the finals. Does that happen in your show?” Jack said. “Metaphorically,” Storrie, with a wink, said. “What team do you play on?” Quinn asked. When told the Boston Raiders, Jack asked what league that was in. “The HBO,” Storrie joked.

Gone but not forgotten is an amateurish, badly acted 2003 movie that explores the "mystery" of what really happened to amnesiac hospital patient Mark who was rescued by Drew, the dorky Forest Ranger. The movie would've been at least a little bit better if the part of Drew had been played by Joel Bryant, who played his religious older brother (and boss) Paul. He has beautiful eyes. This movie is best forgotten. I only got through it because I had it on in the background as I did some chores.

AN ALMOST ORDINARY SUMMER (2019) Two Italian men of a certain age plan to marry in three weeks... if they can overcome their disapproving families' attempts to sabotage the situation. Not bad at all. It was nice to see an older gay love story for once... and the disapproving older son looks a bit like Ricky Martin, so that was a little treat. I don't know if it's on any streaming service. I watched it on YouTube at 1.25X speed, which negated the extra time added by the ads.

He's in the pantheon of the great Jewish Neils... Simon, Sedaka, Diamond, deGrasse Tyson...

https://apple.news/APKYk_I8jQceESaXsejxRnQ Bartenders Pick Their Favorite Bourbons to Use in an Old Fashioned These experts believe the whiskey is the most important element in this iconic cocktail.