Which Robert Pattinson Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign

At the dawn of his fame, Robert Pattinson was a heartthrob synonymous with his squealing teen fan base. The Twilight star embodied the mysterious bad boy persona as emotional vampire Edward Cullen from 2008 through 2012. Cut to the current day, and it is suddenly cinephiles and DC fanboys drooling over the actor, set to star in Christopher Nolan's upcoming Tenet and later the inevitably-titillating The Batman.

RELATED: Robert Pattinson's 5 Most Underrated Films (& 5 That Are Overrated)

Such an inflection point is the opportune time to look back on a filmography through the lens of the Zodiac. In which of his roles did Robert Pattinson most effectively bring to life which astrological signs? As one of the most exciting movie stars of the past decade, there is not a film not worth watching based on your alignment.

12 Aries - Eric Packer (Cosmopolis)

Eric Packer, originally of the Don DeLillo novel, is a dystopian billionaire genius. He is an eccentric creative in a suit inspired by the likes of Elon Musk and other Silicon Valley wunderkinder.

Aries are akin to this profile. They are big dreamers, but not without a firm handle on reality - they will work to get their dreams done. Their passionate and expert approach tends to be applied across life disciplines. Finally, Aries are competitive, making them perfect for the type of financial trading mayhem Eric Packer is consumed with, for instance.

11 Taurus - Robert Pattinson (Real Life)

Born May 13, 1986, the real-life Robert Pattinson is a bonafide Taurus. Throughout a career which was born of the phenomenon Twilight series, the young Englishman has since played true to sign and successfully avoided being pinned down.

Tauruses dislike labels, especially in the way they conflict with the notion of individual progress. Pattinson was a teen heartthrob on the level of Justin Beiber ten years ago. But he was not to accept his fate. In recent years he has avoided roles anywhere in the vicinity of suave and charming and even lambasted the famous vampire franchise. It looks as if he'll succeed in setting his own course.

10 Gemini - Tyler Hawkins (Remember Me)

For this film, which utilizes the romantic coming-of-age format to explore some particularly dark topics, Robert Pattinson brought his best performance of Gemini emotional complexity. While somewhat trite, he succeeds in depicting a balance of despair and hope, of charm and introspection, as Geminis do so naturally.

Pattinson was awarded a Teen Choice Award for this role. He seemed to soon after reject such praise for the calling of higher ceremonies. There is only one other even relatively romantic film on this list outside of the Twilight series.

9 Cancer - Edward Cullen (Twilight Series)

The ubiquitous concept of the romantic or sexy vampire might as well be synonymous with the romantic or sexy Cancer. These individuals are cold and aloof, only highlighting how dreamy and mysterious they are. If only one could get through to these deep-feeling creatures, they'd find a sea of complex emotion.

RELATED: Twilight: Lack Of Diversity & 9 Other Problematic Things About the Saga

As far as the recycled genres go, Edward Cullen was one of the best. He had teenage hearts transfixed over four years and five films.

8 Leo - The Dauphin (The King)

Netflix's Shakespeare adaptation The King was released last year to mixed reviews, but, if for this Robert Pattinson performance alone (only some ten minutes of screen time), it is worth checking out. As The Dauphin of France's kingdom, Pattinson is over-the-top ridiculous, menacingly making fun of Timothée Chalamet's King Henry V's you-know-what and owning the French accent.

Prideful and unshy with cruelty based in honesty, this Dauphin incarnation must have been born under the Leo sign. Important to remember is that the wretched character would be a beloved one, were the story told from a French perspective.

7 Virgo - Jacob (Water For Elephants)

If Robert Pattinson's demeanor indicates sophistication, he has certainly at least done his reading. More of this list than not is comprised of literary phenomenons of various scale. Water for Elephants is based on Sara Gruen's romantic 2006 period novel with a circus backdrop.

It is precisely the Virgo qualities in Robert Pattinson's Jacob which allure Reese Witherspoon's Marlena in this story. He is a dreamy stoic, but never complaining. Once his trust is gained, as Virgos will expect, things take off quickly.

6 Libra - Monte (High Life)

Cerebral sci-fi stories are excellent platforms for Zodiac analysis. In the likes of Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone, and this film, directed by renowned Franch auteur Claire Denis, characters are placed within logic scenarios devised of inventive technologies and futuristic settings.

RELATED: Which Nicholas Cage Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac?

Monte, for example, occupies a hopeless space prison, where inmates are used for fertility experiments. His Libra's empathy makes him an occasional protagonist - protecting the weak of the ship. His Libra's desire for harmony, though, causes him to regard both sides of certain conflicts until it's too late.

5 Scorpio - Thomas Howard (The Lighthouse)

At face value, Scorpios are prickly, matter-of-fact folks who do not back down from a necessary debate. This profile fits perfectly with The Lighthouse's premise and its character Thomas Howard. Stuck for days in a house with a maniacal partner, Howard spends little time mincing words or making nice.

Below the surface, however, is where much of the iceberg-like Scorpio psyche resides. As The Lighthouse begins to explore Howard's internal conflict, the film gets as weird as anyone who has ever loved a Scorpio might expect.

4 Sagittarius - Connie Nikas (Good Time)

The smash success of indie caper Uncut Gems and the Robert Pattinson arrival that inspired this list were not surprises to cinephiles who caught the Safdie brothers' heist thriller Good Time. Pattinson is excellent as Connie Nikas in a film that does not ever let up the tension.

Connie Nikas is the stereotypical gifted criminal (especially in comparison to his brother and partner-in-crime). His Sagittarius' finely-tuned zeal and propensity for risk collide with his apparent rough background, leading to an effective but detrimental life.

3 Capricorn - Cedric Diggory (Harry Potter Series)

As much semi-professional analysis has detailed, Hufflepuffs are accused of being the dorks and squares of the wizarding world. Famously, Harry Potter, an eventual legendary Gryffindor, also knocked at the door of Slytherin. Team captain, student council president, volunteer in his spare time Cedric Diggory, on the other hand, has nothing but yellow and black in his blood.

RELATED: Harry Potter: Which Muggle Are You Based On Your Chinese Zodiac?

This is not to set an unwavering link between Diggory, Hufflepuff, and Capricorns, but let's just say cloak fits. Capricorns communicate strictly in organized itineraries and have never met a rule they didn't respect.

2 Aquarius - Edward Cullen In Vampire Form (Twilight Series)

Edward Cullen and his family are reformed vampires. They have morally pledged to get by on consumption of animal blood, despite their always-lingering thirst for humans which could turn them into hunting monsters upon relapse.

But every so often, it's necessary to live your truth, as Aquarius do. While your "kind" are sometimes difficult to externally read in your passionate behavior based on deeply-felt links to duty and identity, it's good that in reality these are not the duties and identities of a vampire as they are for Edward.

1 Pisces - Henry Costin (The Lost City Of Z)

In The Lost City of Z, Robert Pattinson is the archetypal brusque expedition leader Corporal Henry Costin to Charlie Hunman's inspired explorer character Percy Fawcett. It is always the keen, unspoken sense of Pisces intuition that guides such characters through dangerous terrain.

The real-life Costin was not a Pisces, but he did disappear mysteriously upon his search for this film's titular city. Searching for something which others do not even know exists is the perennial state of the Pisces (and apparently of the soul of Henry Costin).

NEXT: Tenet: 5 Perfect Fan Theories About Christopher Nolan's New Movie (& 5 Hilarious Ones)

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5 Of The Craziest Game Shows Of All Time (& 5 That Were Hilarious)

There are beloved game show favorites, like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and then there are others that aren't so beloved. Some were dull, some were too convoluted, and some were just downright bonkers.

RELATED: 15 Weirdest Reality Shows on Netflix Right Now

The list below chronicles 10 game shows that have gone down in the books as being some of the most bizarre, insane, hilarious (and sometimes downright cruel) game shows of all time. From physical torture to straight-up harassment, here are the 10 craziest game shows of all time, both bizarre to hilarious.

10 Bizarre: 1 Vs 100 (2006 - 2011)

This game show is exactly what it sounds like: one poor, innocent soul is forced to compete against 100 other people. Aside from how egregiously unfair the show was, it was also completely bizarre due to the extensive and elaborate set.

The show literally built a giant stadium-style seating arena for the "100" to sit in, as they look down upon the "one" they were competing against. 1 vs. 100 ended up becoming a popular board game, as well as a PC and Xbox game.

9 Hilarious: Friend Or Foe? (2002 - 2003)

Friend or Foe? saw three teams of two compete against each other in a trivia match. While that format seems pretty standard, the real hilarity comes in at the end. After the other two teams are eliminated, the final team is giving a lightning-round of questions, helping them earn more money. However, at the very end, the two are asked to secretly decide whether they're "Friend" or "Foe."

If they both say, Friend, they split the money. If they both say Foe, no one gets any money. And if one says Friend and the other says Foe, the Foe gets to take home the entire cash prize. The explosive final moments proved to be some of the best TV viewing of all time.

8 Bizarre: Queen For A Day (1954 - 1970)

Many think that TV today is exploitative, but current shows seem tame compared to Queen For a Day, which pitted desperate women against each other just to receive something they critically needed. A group of women would be interviewed in front of an audience and asked to tell their tales of why they were the most downtrodden and hopeless of the group.

RELATED: Strong Women: 10 Action Movies Starring Badass Women

Many women stated they needed things like medical care, new appliances they couldn't afford, or help caring for an ill child. The most miserable woman was deemed the winner.

7 Hilarious: Hellevator (2015 - 2016)

Hellevator was a horror game show on GSN created by Blumhouse and hosted by famous horror filmmakers, the Soska sisters. Each episode was based on a legend of a mass murderer or psychotic sadist.

The teams would be taken into a haunted house, where they'd have to complete challenges based on that episode's legend or theme. Contestants could be grabbed, followed, and harassed, all in nearly-pitch black rooms.

6 Bizarre: Dog Eat Dog (2002 - 2003)

Baywatch's Brooke Burns hosted this lost gem of a game show that challenged people's mental and physical strengths. The show was filmed in a giant arena full of mechanics and an arial jungle gym.

Challenges included making contestants strip, repeatedly flipping them upside down while they answered questions, and in one of the show's notoriously offensive segments, 'He or She', they were presented with six people and had to guess their gender.

5 Hilarious: Legends Of The Hidden Temple (1993 - 1995)

As a child, Legends of the Hidden Temple seemed awesome. Kids had to run through a huge maze, complete with trap doors and giant tribal warriors that popped out of walls and grabbed contestants. However, as an adult, the entire concept seems cruel, dangerous, and downright hilarious.

RELATED: 10 Formerly Famous Game Shows That Have Since Been Forgotten About

Legends of the Hidden Temple is a show that audiences constantly demand to be brought back, but with modern-day child endangerment laws and the show's obvious cultural appropriation, it's unlikely to happen.

4 Bizarre: Russian Roulette (2002 - 2003)

You can't shoot someone on live television (yet), so the game show Russian Roulette came up with a unique way to play the infamous game. Contestants would stand on a giant revolving cylinder. If they answered a question wrong, they pulled a lever, which, sometimes, would open a trap door beneath them, causing them to fall under the stage.

Contestants were forced to sign liability waivers before playing, and throughout the show's run, there were only a few accidents.

3 Hilarious: Let's Make A Deal (1963 - Present)

Let's Make a Deal is your classic betting-game-of-chance game show, similar to The Price is Right. What makes the show unique is the audience's insane costumes.

Back in the day, wearing a crazy outfit used to better an audience member's chances of being chosen to play, so before long, every single person in the audience came dressed in a wild and flamboyant outfit. That tradition still continues to this day with Wayne Brady's current version of the show.

2 Bizarre: The Chamber (2002)

Shockingly, The Chamber, a show that literally tortured contestants as they tried to answer quiz questions, was canceled after just three episodes. Contestants would be strapped into chairs and put in chambers. Temps could soar to 170 F or drop to -20 F. The chair would violently shake, oxygen levels were reduced, and air cannons blasted gusts of up to 140 mph, straight in their face.

The show literally could have killed people and received a huge backlash upon premiering on FOX, with audiences and critics alike criticizing the show's dangerous conditions.

1 Bizarre: Fear Factor (2001 - 2012)

Fear Factor was a show known for pushing the boundaries and making people do scary things to win money. Classic stunts included being covered in everything from snakes and bees to cockroaches. But the last episode of the series, titled "Hee Haw!" was pulled by NBC before airing because of its disturbing content.

In the episode, contestants were forced to drink two glasses of different donkey bodily fluids. After weeks of furious debate, NBC execs finally deemed the episode was unwatchable and pulled it before airing, immediately ending the show's run.

NEXT: 10 Biggest Winning Streaks in Game Show History

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Which Desperate Housewives Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac?

Very few shows on televisions have been as successful as Desperate Housewives. The reason why the sitcom remained so interesting till the very last episode of its eight seasons is because it featured a dynamic and interesting ensemble of characters, all of them with complex narratives that added a lot of depth to their characters. 

RELATED: 10 Behind The Scenes Facts You Didn’t Know About Desperate Housewives

Everyone has at some point related to at least one character from the show, be it the clumsy but adorable Susan, or the Ms. Perfectionist Bree or even the overworked full-time mum Lynette. So, which Desperate Housewives character are you based on your zodiac sign?

12 Aries: Edie Britt

Aries are natural leaders, which also makes them quite assertive. From the very beginning, Edie had an unapologetic approach to life. She lived loud and proud and never let anyone make her feel bad about herself, irrespective of how and where she was in her life.

RELATED: Which Ben Schwartz Character Are You According To Your Zodiac Sign?

She was also particularly brave and held her own, even when she was being challenged or shamed. Aries are also pretty territorial and believe in transparency. This aligns perfectly with Edie’s personality because despite everything that she went through, she never really hid anything about herself.

11 Taurus: Lynette Scavo

Taureans can be unyielding, protective and superbly practical, which are all the things that define Lynette Scavo. Lynette left her promising corporate job to become a full-time mother, and even after all the challenges which come with raising five kids, she clearly did not regret her decisions.

Taureans value family over everything else, and can even get too possessive. Lynette was always depicted as someone who prioritized her husband and children and continued being a dutiful mother and wife, even after she found out about Tom’s illegitimate child.

10 Gemini: Angie Bolan

Angie comes to Wisteria Lane with a dark secret, but she tries hard to fit into the new neighborhood. And while she and her family are often eyed suspiciously by her neighbors, it turns out Angie was, in reality, running from someone dangerous from her past.

She’s a total Gemini who can be impulsive and can make hurried decisions but is fiercely protective about the ones close to her because they are almost entirely driven by their emotions. Geminis also fall in love too hard and often unconditionally, which would explain why Angie never questioned her bomb-maker ex.

9 Cancer: Bree Van De Kamp

Bree was one of the most nuanced characters on the show - someone who could surprise the audience at any moment. Like a true Cancer, she is loyal and protective but can be an intimidating adversary.

Bree was the epitome of success. She had a thriving culinary career, she was a perfectionist homemaker, and a great mom and wife. In fact, her love for perfection earned her the nickname of Martha Stewart on steroids. But Bree could also be really vengeful if she felt threatened or defenseless, and like a true Cancer, she could get very defensive.

8 Leo: Renee Perry

Leos are dynamic and have a love for the good life. Renee is a total city girl who moves to Wisteria Lane from New York, seemingly because she’s tired of the high-powered lifestyle. Leos are best suited for leadership roles because they have an amazing sense of self-possession and they can balance several issues at once.

RELATED: Which Riverdale Teen Are You Based On Your Chinese Zodiac?

Renee initially came across as someone who was a little stuck-up and self-absorbed, but as the show progressed, it was revealed that she was dealing with quite a few issues and was actually one of the toughest people in the neighborhood. Plus, like a classic Leo, she was a loyal friend who essentially moved to town just so she can be close to Lynette.

7 Virgo: Mary Alice

Mary Alice was the reliable narrator of the show who had a posthumous presence, as she took her own life in the very first episode. Virgos are born under the Earth sign, so they are a bit traditionalist, pro-establishment and appreciate orderly perfection, which pretty much describes Mary Alice and her perfect suburban life before the tragedy hit her family.

But Virgos can also be major over-thinkers and can often surprise people, as they can quickly get defensive. This would explain why Mary Alice was so desperate to keep the biological mother of her adopted son away from the family.

6 Libra: Andrew Van De Kamp

Bree Van de Kamp’s son shared a stormy relationship with his mother, who struggled to come to terms with his sexuality. But despite a troubled past, Andrew grows up to be a successful, resourceful business aide to his mother and helped build her catering empire.

RELATED: Desperate Housewives: 5 Reasons It Deserves A Reunion Special (& 5 Why It Doesn't)

Libras make for the best companions and friends, and evidently great business partners because they are patient, smart and great listeners. They are clever and know when to give other people space and when to claim the spotlight.

5 Scorpio: Carlos Solis

Scorpios are loyal, brave, supportive and make for amazing partners. Gabrielle and Carlos had been through a lot together and had a whole riches-to-rags-to-riches trajectory and Carlos even lost his eyesight for a while, as the family suffered financially.

But interestingly, Carlos and Gabrielle’s relationship was always on pretty steady footing, and fans believe it’s all thanks to Carlos because Gabrielle had some bad moments. Scorpios appreciate stability and they are pack builders, which make them great at long term commitments.

4 Sagittarius: Gabrielle Solis

Sagittarians are hugely individualistic and freedom-loving and live life on their own terms. They are also really funny, spontaneous and adventurous. All these traits describe Gabrielle perfectly. She was one of the funniest characters on the show and also someone who had a tremendous arc on the show.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Desperate Housewives Has Aged Poorly (& 5 Reasons It's Timeless)

Sagittarians usually have an incredible potential for growth because change does not intimidate them. Gabrielle, too, had to figure out a lot of things on her own and was often alienated and found herself friendless, but she always persevered.

3 Capricorn: Orson Hodge

Capricorns make for really confident partners. They are usually secure about their choices since they value commitment and are quick to acknowledge flaws in their relationships, but do not cope well with big changes. Orson Hodge is one of the most complex characters on the show and intrigued fans throughout its run.

RELATED: Which This Is Us Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

He was always desperate to keep up the facade of a happy couple with Bree and worked incredibly hard to stop her from leaving him. This is a signature Capricorn trait because people born under the sign are hardworking, refuse to take no for an answer and public appearances matter a lot to them.

2 Aquarius: Julie Mayer

In Desperate Housewives, Julie Mayer was the perfect daughter, she was hard-working, brought home straight As, got into medical school and even fixed her mum’s bad parenting decisions.

Like a true Aquarian, she was original, intelligent and constantly looking for mental stimulation. But Aquarians also do not know how to cope with stagnancy or boredom. In Julie’s case, her image as ‘miss goody two shoes’ took a toll on her. Julie essentially wanted to make some changes to her life, as she found it too boring, and looked in all the wrong places. She dropped out of medical school, became involved with a married man and lost track of her own life.

1 Pisces: Susan Meyers

Anyone can tell that Susan Meyers is a total Pisces. Pisces is a Water sign and people born under this sign are always driven by their emotions. They are empathetic and possess a keen emotional depth, which makes them great parents. And as any Desperate Housewives fan would agree, Susan was a great mum.

Susan was perhaps one of the most relatable housewives on the show, mainly because she always wore her heart on her sleeve, and was a total over-thinker who got carried away with her emotions one too many times. 

NEXT: 13 Most Shocking TV Deaths of All Time

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The Bachelorette: Rachel Lindsay Harshly Disses Garrett Yrigoyen

Bachelorette alum Rachel Lindsay had some harsh words to say about fellow Bachelorette alum Becca Kufrin’s fiance, Garrett Yrigoyen. Becca and Garrett have been separated as they question the future of their relationship.

Becca accepted Garrett’s proposal at the end of season 14 of The Bachelorette in 2018. The two have been together until recently. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and subsequent nationwide protests, Garrett posted a black square with a thin blue line to show his support for police forces. Many criticized him for standing in opposition to the Black Lives Matter Movement as the symbol is often used as a rebuttal to the movement. Becca disagrees with Garrett’s views, a point she made clear on the June 9 episode of The Bachelor Happy Hour Podcast. These differing views have led to a breakdown in their partnership.

Related: Bachelorette: Does Tyler Cameron Have a New Woman in His Life?

Rachel gave her take on an episode of Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino. Rachel said she thinks Garrett is “a piece of sh*t” but didn’t want to go further into detail since she and Becca are friends. She previously told Becca “I will not f-ck with him” which is why she was comfortable revealing her opinion. Rachel also explained how Garrett has a history of liking insensitive content on Instagram which he has since apologized for. In addition, she reminded listeners of Garrett’s history of racist, sexist, and homophobic comments when he was on The Bachelorette. This included an instance where he referred to the Parkland shooting victims as “child actors.”

It’s no surprise Rachel has a big issue with Garrett’s views. She has been a strong supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has adamantly pushed for Bachelor producers to highlight BIPOC casting and stories. Rachel and Becca have likely become good friends as they co-host The Bachelor Happy Hour podcast together. The two probably became close as Rachel was season 13’s Bachelorette. With a strong bond, Rachel’s opinion carries a lot of weight. And it seems Rachel won’t be pushing for the pair to reconcile anytime soon.

Differing political views can be a heavy stressor on any relationship. Most see political views as an indication of someone’s deeper morals and values. In this case, dismissing Parkland shooting victims and opposing protesters advocating for equal treatment and an end to police brutality indicates little to no morals whatsoever. Even if Becca loves Garrett and desperately wants to stay together, it may be better for Garrett to find someone who more closely aligns with his political views.

Next: What Happened To DeAnna Pappas After The Bachelor/Bachelorette?

Source: realitytvworld.com

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Jeopardy! & Wheel of Fortune Set To Film With COVID-Safe Sets That Protect Cast & Crew

Safety first! Sony Pictures Television announced popular TV game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are heading back to production with redesigned sets that keep precautions for COVID-19 in mind.

Social distancing matters in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and the evergreen TV favorites Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are committed to safety for both cast and crew. The coronavirus pandemic affected the production for both game shows, causing shutdowns back in March. Wheel of Fortune, currently hosted by Pat Sajak, 73, and 63-year-old Vanna White, is all set to enter into a new season, its 38th since the first premiere in 1975. Meanwhile, Jeopardy!, which has tested the general knowledge of America through over 8000 episodes, will welcome its 37th season with host Alex Trebek. Apart from safety concerns regarding both the contestants and the crew, Trebek’s health was also a major point of distress amongst the show’s fans. Trebek, 80, has been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but shared some positive news about his recovery back in March. Since then, Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune fans have been waiting for an update about Trebek's prognosis and the future of both legendary shows with bated breath.

Related: Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak Thought He Was Dying During with Near-Fatal Health Scare

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Sony Pictures Television confirmed in an exclusive statement to CNN that the shows will definitely resume production. “Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! are returning to the studio to tape episodes for the shows’ upcoming seasons,” said the studio representative. "The productions have protocols in place in accordance with current government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew, and talent from the spread of COVID-19." The representative also added that while some things may have changed behind the scenes and on set to keep everyone safe, fans can expect to see no major differences in the classic formats of both the shows that they’ve come to love over the years. People also reported that the wheel from Wheel of Fortune will be back with a makeover to reflect the new normal. This redesigned wheel will ensure that contestants are standing six feet apart. Jeopardy! also will have a few tweaks in terms of the set arrangement. The podiums are going to be further spaced out to maintain a safe distance between future contestants and Trebek.

To further ensure the safety of the cast and crew, it will henceforth be mandatory for the contestants to be tested for COVID-19 before setting foot into the studio. The crew will reportedly also be tested regularly. Although on-camera personalities won't wear masks, off-camera staff will be required to wear personal protective equipment or PPE gear.

Keeping the well-being and health of contestants, staff, and crew in mind is the top priority for both shows given the current situation. It was earlier reported that Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune would stop filming with live studio audiences on March 10, but the shows eventually ceased production altogether on March 16 as the number of coronavirus infections kept rising. Fans who have been enjoying throwback episodes of their favorite games shows while waiting for new seasons to air are certainly excited at the news that both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune will return to our TV screens soon.

Next: Jeopardy: 10 Of Alex Trebek's Shadiest Burns

Source: CNN, People

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Into A Dream Review: A Beautiful Celebration of Humanity

It's been clear from the moment the trailer for the indie 2D adventure game Into A Dream dropped that developer Filipe Thomaz had a story to tell about humanity, relationships and life itself. Players take on the role of John Stevens, a man who wakes up to find himself in a dark but not unpleasant forest without his memories. He is instructed by communication on an old cassette tape to find a man named Luke Williams who is struggling with depression and travel through his dreams to learn his story and help keep him from fading away. Players will need to help John solve a series of puzzles to cross breathtaking landscapes and unravel the story of Luke's life.

The premise, while simple, is enhanced by Into A Dream's dialogue and the realistic character interactions. The characterization relies almost entirely on voice acting, as John and Luke, along with all the other characters, are silhouettes whose faces the players do not see during gameplay. This gives the player a chance to project themselves onto not only the protagonist reaching out to a person in need, but also onto Luke and his mental and emotional turmoil, and his wife and daughter, who are trying to get through to him. Unfortunately, the gameplay mechanics can become frustrating and almost feel out of place within such a sophisticated narrative. Thankfully, the story elements are so strong, it should be easy for players to forgive some of the more frustrating aspects of gameplay.

Related: Creepy Tale Review: An Eerie But Frustrating Puzzle Game

While the story is the strongest element in a game full of strong and emotional elements, there is much to enjoy about this game. The voice acting for the main characters is spot-on and haunting, forcing the player to face and feel difficult emotions despite never seeing a single character's face or expressions.

The art style is unique, comprised mainly of silhouettes and shadows with the occasional use of colorful lighting to create a dramatic effect. The symbolism is apparent, but not overstated, with a use and reuse of symbolic imagery that mimics the feeling of poetry. The game could have easily been a visual novel. Accompanying the game is a beautiful, sweeping and relaxing score that grabs attention not for being too overpowering, but rather for being enjoyable.

The puzzles appear to have been an issue from the start of the project, based on critiques of the initial demo. To progress the game, which exists on a single plane and only allows players to move left or right, John will need to complete puzzles to close gaps in the scenery and avoid falling into water or off a cliff. Some puzzles are fairly straightforward, if not a bit challenging, with a great, unobtrusive tutorial provided to get players accustomed to the controls.

However, several of the puzzles, including a conspicuous rope chain, are less puzzling and more tedious. In this particular instance, the player will need to have John jump and grab a hanging chain. He will need to pump his legs as though on a swing, with the player in control of the timing of each leg motion, to propel the chain forward by centimetres across a long bar over a ravine. Far from operating like a video game zipline, the chain moves frustratingly slowly, and players have no choice but to stare at John, now a human pendulum, as he slowly crosses the water.

Mechanics like these grind the story to a halt and break the player's immersion. They also feel out of place with the rest of the story, at once too whimsical to feel real or necessary and too realistic to feel like part of a dream. While gameplay elements are obviously important, the game may have benefited more from a strictly choice-based mechanic, where what John chooses to do and say propels the narrative forward rather than navigation-based puzzles.

There is so much to like about Into A Dream, and the overall experience is a compelling, heart-wrenching look at interpersonal relationships, mental illness and connection. At a time when so many in the world are feeling understandably out of control, isolated and disconnected, Into A Dream is a welcome reminder of the beauty of compassion and empathy.

Next: Monsieur PAF Review - Brawn & Brains In Puzzles

Into A Dream is available for PC. A Steam code was provided to Screen Rant for review purposes.

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The Sims 4 Surpasses 30 Million Players After Its Best Quarter Ever

The Sims 4 passed a new milestone of 30 million players this year, following its most active quarter to date. The Sims 4 was first released on PC in 2014 and has seen a steady increase in players following its port to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and a series of popular expansion packs.

While The Sims 4 base game was popular enough as it is, the real success of The Sims is in its post-launch support. Sims developer EA regularly releases new content packs for The Sims 4, ranging from full expansion packs that add robust new activities or overhaul the game in major ways to “stuff packs,” which add new items and smaller updates to the game. Keeping up with all of The Sims 4’s new content packs can get expensive just from the sheer number of them, but dedicated fans continue to buy them to add new dimensions to the lives of their Sims.

Related: The Sims 4: All Hidden Areas (And How to Access Them)

Despite The Sims 4 being six years old, it continues to attract new players, no doubt in part due to its frequent updates. Gamasutra reports that The Sims 4 has passed 30 million lifetime players across its PC, PS4, and Xbox One, according to a recent EA earnings call. Just this January, The Sims 4 passed 20 million lifetime players, meaning that it grew by 50 percent in only the past few months. EA said that Q2 2020 was the game’s best quarter to date when it comes to active daily, weekly, and monthly players.

While EA didn’t give a reason for The Sims 4’s massive growth this year, there are several likely factors that helped give it a boost. For one, The Sims 4 was one of the free games on PlayStation Plus in February 2020, potentially introducing the game to a whole whole set of players who hadn’t picked it up yet. Between late 2019 and now, several new packs have been released, giving players new options like sending their Sims to college, adopting sustainable lifestyles, and taking up knitting as a new hobby. It’s also impossible to ignore the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which is keeping players indoors and likely making a robust life sim like The Sims 4 seem even more attractive than normal.

It’s no surprise that The Sims 4 continues to gain new players even years after its release. The franchise has a long history of devoted players, and its constant addition of new content means that sooner or later, it’s bound to add something to appeal to nearly anyone.

Next: The Sims 4: Every Possible Death (& How To Trigger Them)

The Sims 4 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: Gamasutra

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Pixel 4a Announcement Coming August 3, According To Google Store Teaser

According to the Google Store, the Pixel 4a is likely to launch on August 3. This Android phone has been a long time coming, considering the previous model had already been discontinued. Due to this gap in release, consumers interested in a Pixel phone have been left with no option other than to purchase the more expensive versions.

Google made the first Pixel phone in 2016, shocking the smartphone photography industry with advanced computational photography and raising expectations of how impressive photos taken with a mobile phone could be. Each following year has brought with it a new model and new features with the Pixel 4a a lower-cost version of the Pixel 4. This will also be the second low-cost option to arrive, following the release of the Pixel 3a series in 2019. While Google released both a standard and XL Pixel 3a phone, earlier leaks have indicated there won't be as much choice with the Pixel 4a size.

Related: Google Store Accidentally Revealed Official Pixel 4a Image

In the first official release date hint, Google snuck information into the header of its @madebygoogle Twitter account, including a link that points to a hidden page on the Google Store. The page not only shows a cut-out in the shape of a phone but it also houses a teaser for the release date. The pandemic slowed several tech announcements this year, so it was unclear when the next Pixel phone would come through. However, with this teaser on the Google Store, the release date of the Pixel 4a appears to be pretty much guaranteed. Note that the text form of the link contains the words, lorem ipsum, placeholder text that designers often use when the real text is not yet available - quite appropriate for this situation. This Latin language placeholder text is also on the Google Store page. However, the true secret, the release date, is only unlocked for those that can solve the challenging color puzzle.

The key to solving the color puzzle is noticing the colors Google uses for each letter of its logo when in the spelled-out form, as it appears on every Google search page. Tap or click the color blocks until the color matches - as if each block was one letter of Google spelled out. Then scroll down to confirm the release date as August 3.

While no other details are given, few surprises are expected. The Pixel 4a has leaked often over the past few weeks and months and therefore, much of what's expected to be on offer with this new smartphone is already believed to be known. Besides a cheaper price, the budget Pixel phone should bring many of the improvements seen in the Pixel 4, along with a plastic body and a single rear-facing camera.

More: How To Get Android 11 Beta On Google Pixel Phones: Where To Download & Install

Source: Google

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Dragon Ball Z's Buu & Frieza Plot Hole Explained | Screen Rant

Frieza's forgetfulness in Dragon Ball Super creates a glaring plot hole concerning Majin Buu. Inconsistencies are a regular occurrence in Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise, especially since the start of the Dragon Ball Super era. The sequel series has retconned a ton of long-established lore, from full-blooded Saiyans being able to grow hair to kid Trunks' stunted growth. In the Resurrection F movie, the Dragon Ball franchise revived its most famous villain - Goku and Vegeta's fated enemy, Frieza. After being sliced up on Earth, Frieza spent years in Hell, trapped in a cocoon, surrounded by cute fairies and forced to listen to their mind-numbingly cheerful music - his own personal torture.

However, Frieza hadn’t spent all of his afterlife sentence in this twisted kids' TV show scenario. Towards the end of Dragon Ball Z, Goku is locked in battle against Buu for the fate of all life. Virtually unstoppable in his Kid Buu form, Goku has met his match, and the entire universe watches with bated breath. And even the dead get to follow the action. In between the Goku vs. Buu fight scenes, Frieza is seen hanging out with other deceased foes of the Z-Fighters, including the Ginyu Force and Cell, and eagerly watches Hell's livestream of the final fight between Goku and Kid Buu. In typically evil fashion, Frieza even begins cheering for Buu to win, glad to see Goku getting the Super Saiyan snot beat out of him.

Related: Dragon Ball: Goten Is Goku's Reincarnation Theory Explained

Dragon Ball Super completely contradicts this scene. When Frieza is finally brought back to life by his minions in Resurrection F, he's completely unaware that Goku has defeated Majin Buu, and shocked to hear his eternal rival managed to take down the formidable pink blob. Frieza remarks that Buu was one of only two beings his father told him never to challenge (the other being the God of Destruction, Lord Beerus), so the villain is apoplectic with rage when he discovers Goku's latest achievement. Obviously, this makes no sense. Anime viewers have already seen that Frieza witnessing the Goku vs. Buu fight in the afterlife, so why is he so shocked to hear about the incident in Dragon Ball Super?

The explanation is all to do with Dragon Ball's filler. The scene where Frieza watches Goku and Buu fight, along with almost all of the Other World scenes in the anime, is not derived from Toriyama's original manga story, and therefore considered non-canon, anime-only material. Truthfully, Frieza was never aware of the encounter between Goku and Buu. He was safely locked away in his cocoon, surrounded by singing stuffed animals, and it would absolutely come as a surprise to learn how Goku defeated someone even King Cold explicitly warned against. While most of Dragon Ball's filler is obvious, this particular scene is a little sneaky. Most filler occurs in isolation from the rest of the story, such as Goku and Piccolo's driving test, or the Garlic Jr. saga. But these afterlife scenes are inter-cut into the very-much-canon battle between Goku and Buu, muddling authentic bits with non-Toriyama additions. Even Dragon Ball Z Kai, which removes most of the original anime's filler, retains these scenes, so it's easy to see how confusion could arise.

Filler or not, Frieza's forgetfulness makes no sense when considering the Dragon Ball anime as a whole story. A possible in-universe explanation could be that Frieza's memories were erased during his afterlife cleansing. Dragon Ball Z Kai explores in greater detail what happens to a person’s soul when they die, and this process includes their memories being wiped, potentially explaining why Frieza doesn't remember watching the Goku vs. Buu fight on Hell's pay-per-view. Alternatively, it's possible that when Shenron erased the people of Earth's memories about Majin Buu, the wish's power somehow extended to those in the Other World too. Once again, this would mean Frieza forgetting he ever watched the fight. Neither explanation is particularly strong, however, and this plot hole remains another glaring example of anime filler contradicting canon in Dragon Ball.

More: Dragon Ball: The 4 Z-Warriors Who Have Defeated Goku

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Pirates of the Caribbean: All 5 Ships Captained By Jack Sparrow

Here are the ships that Captain Jack Sparrow captains in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Portrayed by Johnny Depp in a career-defining performance, Jack Sparrow is the undisputed heart of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, starring in all five movie releases since 2003. Rumors continue to swirl around Depp's future on the seven seas, but for many, it's hard to imagine the story continuing without Captain Jack swashbuckling his way from one disaster to the next. But just as Jack is instantly recognizable as an iconic movie character, so is the fictional Jack Sparrow famous (on infamous, depending on your perspective) in the fictional world of Pirates of the Caribbean.

And that reputation is far from unwarranted. Captain Jack has endured ancient curses, arduous voyages, the British Navy, zombie pirates, the kraken and, worst of all, running out of rum. Jack's exploits as a captain of the seas are legendary among his peers and enemies, affirming him as a man to be feared, respected, perhaps even loved, but certainly never trusted. This renown would never have been possible without a series of eventful stints as captain on a host of different pirate ships.

Related: What To Expect From Pirates of the Caribbean 6

Born into piracy, Jack was a prodigious talent in his youth, and after a brief stint with the East India Trading Company, Jack resumed his buccaneering ways, and the 18th century's answer to Keith Richards hasn't looked back since. But which ships and crews were unlucky enough to call Captain Jack Sparrow their leader?

Even the most legendary pirates often have humble beginnings, and so it goes with Jack Sparrow, who made his bones on the Barnacle as an aspiring young teenage pirate. A (very) modest fishing boat, the Barnacle was devoid of the bells and whistles Jack's later ships would come with, but served its purpose in carrying Jack and his budding crew during their earliest adventures. The Barnacle makes her debut in Rob Kidd's series of official Pirates of the Caribbean books, which chronicle Jack's early life long before the events of The Curse of the Black Pearl. After initially leaving with only 2 crew mates, a barmaid and an aristocrat, the new Captain Jack soon gathered more friends and experienced the kind of magic and mayhem even veteran pirates can only dream of, discovering hidden cities, encountering mermaids, fighting a weather-controlling captain and, of course, seeking treasure.

Although the Barnacle was nothing more than a single-sail vessel, young Jack was able to enjoy the full pirate experience when he used the Sword of Cortés to turn the undersized boat into an impressive, mighty warship. Renamed the Grand Barnacle, Jack captained his way to victory over the British, but ventured alone during this period, and eventually, the Barnacle was returned to its former state. Much to Jack's dismay, his first true pirate ship came to a fiery end when the Barnacle found itself on the receiving end of a cannonball intended for his own father, Edward Teague.

After serving under a selection of pirate captains, including Teague, Rapièr and others, Jack found himself unwelcome by the pirate community for breaking their time-honored code. Unable to sail as a criminal, Jack tried to go legitimate and signed up to the East India Trading Company, where his extensive sailing experience made for a rapid rise through the ranks. Jack first stepped onto the company's Fair Wind vessel in the position of first mate under Captain Bainbridge. Despite only being a typical merchant ship, this brig-class was a vast upgrade on the Barnacle and made its sole appearance in A.C. Crispin's The Price of Freedom novel in 2011. Somewhat surprisingly, Jack largely stuck to the rules while employed on the Fair Wind, and attained the rank of captain not by mutiny or misdeed, but because Bainbridge was killed during a pirate attack.

Related: Pirates of the Caribbean: Why Jack The Monkey Is Still Undead

As first mate, Jack had a responsibility to assume captaincy of the Fair Wind, and did so with aplomb. As fortune would have it, the invading pirate was once romantically involved with Jack during his swashbuckling days, allowing the newly-promoted Sparrow to succeed in salvaging the cargo from Esmeralda's pirate crew and bringing the vessel home in one piece. Having excelled under pressure, the East India Trading Company rewarded Jack for his efforts by promoting him to captain of his own ship.

The most famous ship in Pirates of the Caribbean was originally known as the Wicked Wench. Jack was assigned as her commander after he refused to be captain of a slave ship, whereas the Wicked Wench was designed simply for cargo. Although it was the East India Trading Company who first put Jack in official charge of the Wicked Wench, his history with the boat stretches back to the battle against Salazar, in which the infamous Spaniard was defeated by a young Jack Sparrow alone at the helm of the Wench during his early piracy days. In a strange quirk of fate, both the Wicked Wench and Jack ultimately found themselves in the East India Trading Company, and were now reunited.

Finally the captain of his own ship once again, Jack experienced the same kind of attachment to the Wicked Wench as he did with the Barnacle before, enjoying the freedom of the seas and the mastery of his own destiny. Once again, Jack resisted the temptations of piracy and kept on the straight and narrow during his time on the Wench, but Sparrow's staunch moral code would soon lead him away from the privateering world. Jack's superior, Tom Hollander's devious Cutler Beckett, once again tried to steer Jack Sparrow towards the slavery trade and, once again, he was refused. In response, Beckett banished Jack back into piracy and burned the Wicked Wench, while Jack did what any good captain should and went down with his ship.

With his beloved ship falling to the depths, Jack made a deal with Davy Jones to raise the Wicked Wench once more. Renewed by magic and christened "the Black Pearl" due to being flame-grilled by Beckett, Jack's ship was now the fastest in the Caribbean and the perfect vessel to start his life of piracy anew. Over the course of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, the Black Pearl regularly flits between the command of Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa, and sees more adventure than ever before. The fabled ship is consigned to Davy Jones' Locker along with Jack in At World's End and miniaturized in a bottle by Blackbeard in On Stranger Tides. The last fans saw of the Black Pearl, she was once again captained by Jack Sparrow and seeking fresh escapades.

Related: Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Why Disney Is Rebooting The Franchise

When The Curse of the Black Pearl begins, Jack Sparrow has been deprived of the film's titular ship by Barbossa and is seeking to reclaim the boat from his sworn, undead foe. Jack's interests conveniently align with those of Will Turner, whose lover (Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Swann) has been kidnapped by Barbossa. Together, the unbearably handsome duo plot to escape the port by hijacking one of the Navy's own ships - Captain Norrington's HMS Interceptor, reputedly the fastest in the fleet and second only to the Black Pearl herself. After succeeding in their mission, the unlikely duo of Sparrow and Turner make for Tortuga, where they assemble a pirate crew with the help of Jack's trusted first mate, Joshamee Gibbs.

The Interceptor serves as Jack's replacement ship during his first true voyage in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but when the protagonists finally catch up to Barbossa and the Black Pearl, their fortunes take a turn. Proving its reputation for swiftness is not without merit, the Black Pearl catches the Interceptor and Jack's ragtag crew are taken aboard his old ship, with not much in the way of friendly welcome. After taking the crew hostage, Barbossa orders the Interceptor destroyed, and the ship is never seen again in Pirates of the Caribbean.

This small sloop wass introduced in 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales and represented another temporary stopgap while Jack's Black Pearl was otherwise unavailable to him, still shrunken inside Blackbeard's bottle. Coming across the boat while it was marooned on the island of Saint Martin, Jack and his crew mates claimed the appropriately-titled Dying Gull as their own, with Sparrow as its land-bound captain, but few believed the thing would actually float if taken to sea. Fortunately for Jack and his new companion, Will Turner's son Henry, the Dying Gull was indeed seaworthy, and more capable than many gave her credit for. Aboard the Gull, Jack, his crew, Henry and Carina set sail seeking the Trident of Poseidon but were pursued by Salazar, seeking revenge on Jack for locking him in the Devil's Triangle years prior.

With Barbossa in tow, Salazar gains on the Dying Gull, at which point the ship's crew decide they want no part of Salazar's Pirates of the Caribbean vengeance against Jack, mutinying and forcing their captain, Henry and Carina to disembark. Gibbs takes the captaincy of the Gull for a brief time, although he swiftly passes the buck onto Scrum before the Dying Gull falls into the hands of the British.

More: Pirates of the Caribbean: Why Zoe Saldana’s Anamaria Didn’t Return

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