Entertainment Tidbits

MGM+ has announced the July 13th premiere date for its upcoming thriller series The Institute, based on the Stephen King novel. The series follows teen genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and wakes up at a facility full of children with special abilities. The eight-episode series stars Joe Freeman, Ben Barnes, Mary-Louise Parker, and others. (Deadline)

Kevin Smith was inspired by a “sentimental” screening of Dogma at the Cannes Film Festival, leading him to plan a sequel. Smith now wants to return to Cannes with the “Cannes-worthy” sequel in the next few years, hoping to reunite the original cast. The iconic comedy celebrates its 25th anniversary with a theatrical re-release this week. (UPI)

Nintendo has released the Switch 2 console, priced at $449 or $499 with the new Mario Kart World game. The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch 4K screen, voice chat, and magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers. Launch games include enhanced versions of Zelda, Cyberpunk 2077, and more. Nintendo’s next big release is Donkey Kong Bananza in July. (UPI)

Jeff Garlin refused to perform at a stand-up show in Calabasas, California because the organizers wanted to pay him with a check instead of cash. Garlin had agreed to headline the comedy dinner for $800 in cash, but when he arrived, the organizers only had a check for him. He then refused to go on stage, leaving the audience “pissed.” (Page Six)

Lamar Odom, the former NBA player, is being evicted from his Los Angeles residence after failing to pay $45,000 in rent. The sublessor of the property sued Odom in March, claiming he had a verbal agreement to pay $15,000 per month, but failed to make payments from January to March 2023. The sublessor sent Odom multiple notices to no avail. (Us Weekly)

Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who starred in FX’s The Bear, will lead the new Broadway play Dog Day Afternoon. The play, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Adly Guirgis, is based on the classic 1975 film starring Al Pacino and John Cazale. The play follows a bank heist gone wrong that captivates the nation. It opens in 2026. (UPI)

Love Island USA contestant Yulissa Escobar was removed from the villa after podcast clips surfaced of her using racial slurs. Her exit was not fully explained on the show. Another contestant, Austin Shepard, also faced scrutiny over his alleged social media activity supporting Donald Trump, but remains part of the cast. (Variety)

Joe Rogan was left visibly uncomfortable when mentalist Oz Pearlman correctly guessed his ATM PIN code during a podcast. Rogan admitted the code was one he received in the mail, saying he didn’t like that Pearlman had guessed it. Pearlman is known for his mind-reading and magic skills, having appeared on shows like America’s Got Talent. (Complex)