“Hacks” co-creators Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs have tapped Tara Dorfman to serve as head of TV development at their Paulilu Productions shingle. Dorfman will work with Aniello and Downs to find, develop and produce series and handle television development across all genres.
Dorfman has most recently working as an independent producer, partnering with Australia’s Easy Tiger Prods. in building an international comedy incubator. That has included working on comedy collaborations between the U.S. and Australia with shows like Paramount+’s “Colin from Accounts” Netflix’s “Territory” and Australian ABC’s “Optics.”
“Tara has impeccable taste in comedy and we couldn’t be more excited to build something special together,” said Aniello and Downs said in a joint statement.
Dorfman first met Aniello and Downs while working on Season 3 of Comedy Central’s “Broad City.” She called Aniello and Downs “the ultimate trifecta — smart, funny, and thoughtful. We’ve been in each other’s orbit for a long time, so it’s especially meaningful to come together in this way. Getting to work with people who care about the same things I do feels very special, and I’m excited to help them build on what they’ve created.”
Dorfman spent nearly eight years at Creative Artists Agency, from February 2016 to May 2023, as a scripted television and comedy agent. While there, she repped stand-up comedians, writers, directors, and producers. Dorfman was also named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30 in Entertainment” list in 2018.
Aniello and Downs first launched Paulilu Productions in 2007 to produce character-driven comedy for digital and linear TV. Its credits include “Hacks” and Netflix’s “The Baby Sitters’ Club.” The company holds an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. They are repped by UTA.
Netflix and the American Film Institute have revealed that the televised special, “The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy,” will premiere on Netflix on May 31.
The award will be presented to Murphy at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 18, recognizing Murphy’s accomplishments as an actor and his box office achievements. This is the first year the special will stream on Netflix.
“AFI is grateful to Ted Sarandos and the talented team at Netflix for the opportunity to share this proud tradition with the world,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “And to do so in honor of Eddie Murphy will allow us to shine a proper light on the impact of art at a time the world needs it most.”
According to AFI, Murphy is “the most commercially successful African-American actor in the history of the motion picture business and is one of the industry’s top five box-office performers overall.”
Murphy’s multiple accolades include a Golden Globe and SAG Award for best supporting actor in “Dreamgirls,” which earned him his first Academy Award nomination in the same category. Some of his best-known appearances include “48 Hrs.,” “Trading Places,” “Dr. Dolittle,” “Coming to America,” and the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, receiving multiple Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy across various films. Murphy also appeared as the voice of Donkey in the “Shrek” franchise. He began his career as a stand-up in 1980 and joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” at 19-years-old. His most recent work includes the Netflix documentary “Being Eddie” and Amazon’s heist comedy “The Pickup.”
Considered the highest honor for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award recognizes talent that has advanced the cinematic arts, demonstrated longevity and been acknowledged by scholars, critics, peers and audiences alike. Most recently, AFI presented the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola in 2025. Previous recipients include Julie Andrews, George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg.
Starting today, fans can order new adult meals tailored to the dueling bands, Huntr/x and the Saja Boys, featured in the movie.
“KPop Demon Hunters” follows fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x, who protect the world from demons with their music. Along the way, they face the Saja Boys, who turn out to be shapeshifters. By day, they’re the hot new boy band taking the world by storm, and by night they’re demons.
The Saja Boys breakfast meal includes: Spicy Saja McMuffin, a sausage McMuffin with egg, topped with a peppery Spicy Saja Sauce — inspired by the fire of Gwi-Ma, hash browns and a “soda pop” (small soda).
The Huntr/x meal includes Ramyeon McShaker Fries: a spicy, umami spin on the classic fries featuring a soy, garlic, sesame and spice seasoning — inspired by Rumi, Mira and Zoey’s go-to snack; Hunter Sauce, a sweet chili sauce mixing notes of chili, garlic and pepper with just enough heat to accompany the 10 chicken McNuggets inspired by the band’s fierce, yet fun-loving personalities; and demon sauce: a bold mustard sauce with heat and tang — made purple, just like demon patterns.
Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s said, “Everything we do at McDonald’s is for the fans, and no one can relate to that more than Netflix and ‘KPop Demon Hunters.’ Big things happen when you bring two massive fandoms together, and this partnership was a natural fit. We found authentic ways to unite our iconic worlds — inviting Huntr/x and Saja Boys fans into the rivalry in ways that feel true to the film and unmistakably McDonald’s.”
Marian Lee, Chief Marketing Officer, Netflix added, “‘KPop Demon Hunters’ has ignited an incredibly passionate global fandom, and we’re always looking for authentic ways to bring fans deeper into the worlds they love.” Lee said, “With McDonald’s, we were able to turn the rivalry between the Saja Boys and Huntr/x into something fans can actually experience, drawing inspiration from Korean culture and food traditions that sit at the heart of the film. From Ramyeon McShaker Fries to Demon sauces paired with Soda Pop, every detail was designed to feel like it could have come straight out of a scene in the movie.”
All meals come with an exclusive Saja Boys or Huntr/x photocard and a Derpy access card. The Derpy card features a QR code which unlocks more exclusive content.
“KPop Demon Hunters” took home the Oscar for best animated feature at the Academy Awards. Netflix’s most-watched movie in history also won for best original song for “Golden.” It made history when it became the first K-pop song to ever to take home an Oscar. EJAE, who provides the singing voice of Rumi in the film, Mark Sonnenblick and South Korean hit factory the Black Label (Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Zhun) became the first Koreans to win best original song.
Veteran agent Paul Coggiola has left UTA to lead LIFT Creators, a new division of athlete-representation firm LIFT Management focused on digital influencers.
Coggiola will serve as president of LIFT Creators. At UTA, he led the agency’s sports crossover team. At LIFT, he’s already signed clients to join him at the new agency including Kickball Dad, Sydney Carter (managed by Taylor Burner at Agency 3-2), Stu Holden, Treasure Wilson (managed by Regina Harris at DBA), RainbowDads (managed by Mack Davey at DBA), Imperial Hal, and DougDoug.
The former UTA agent will assist with digital marketing strategy and maximize LIFT’s traditional talent verticals, along with their representation duties. Coggioloa will remain based in L.A.
“Creators are at the intersection of sports, entertainment, lifestyle and most importantly, culture. That’s where brands strive to be. And brands are clearly seeing success with utilizing influencers and content creators,” LIFT chief marketing officer Corey Vann said in a statement. “Establishing LIFT with a presence in the growing creator economy was one of my top priorities upon joining, and we feel like we landed the perfect partner in Paul.”
LIFT CEO Donnie McGrath commented: “This is a critical addition to our business, and it comes at a pivotal time as we look to bridge the gap between traditional athlete representation and the digital arena. I am thrilled to have Paul join us. He brings impactful client experience and a proven track record in talent management.”
Coggiola said in a statement, “Creators are the storytellers of our time. I look forward to building a distinct platform and providing tools that let their voices travel farther than ever before. This new division isn’t just about content — it’s about empowering people with ideas to reach the world. At its core, LIFT Creators will be built on the foundation of knowing our clients’ passions and utilizing our relationships to build brands they are proud of.”
New York-based LIFT Management’s roster of sports clients includes athletes in the NBA, WNBA and NFL. The agency’s services span contract negotiation, name, image and likeness (NIL) representation, marketing, community outreach and philanthropy
The agency was founded in 2020 (as LIFT Sports Management) by McGrath, a former Providence College star college basketball player, and former NBA star Mike Miller.
Select episodes of the pioneering true crime docuseries “Forensic Files” will soon be available in a vertical format meant for smartphone viewing.
Content Partners LLC, which owns the rights to “Forensic Files,” has entered a licensing agreement with microdrama streamer GammaTime to adapt the docuseries for the mobile-first platform. GammaTime will present “a curated collection of 15 of Forensic Files’ most compelling cases,” per a release from the company.
“Forensic Files” was created, narrated and executive produced by Paul Dowling and ran for 14 seasons and more than 400 episodes from 1996 to 2011, beginning on TLC before moving to Court TV in 2000 and then TruTV for its final seasons. In 2020, revival series “Forensic Files II” premiered, running for four seasons until 2023. Episodes of “Forensic Files” give in-depth looks at how forensic science is used to solve violent crimes and other difficult cases.
GammaTime launched in 2025 with $14 million in funding, with high-profile investors including Alexis Ohanian and Kris Jenner. Its library of vertical content focuses especially on the true crime genre.
“Forensic Files is the gold standard in true crime,” GammaTime’s Bill Block said in a statement. “Each episode’s tightly structured storytelling and high-impact reveals make them perfectly suited for GammaTime vertical viewing — delivering complete, gripping true crime stories in the mobile-first format.”
“GammaTime is an excellent partner for expanding Forensic Files into the vertical space,” added Content Partner’s Scott Hemming. “Bill and the team have a deep understanding of the format and a genuine passion for true crime. We’re pleased to work with them to bring this leading flagship series to new audiences in an innovative way.”
Mario and Luigi are about to turbocharge the box office.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is aiming for $175 million to $180 million in its first five days of release. Since its predecessor, 2023’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” was enormously popular, exhibitors and independent tracking services believe that initial ticket sales will power to $190 million to $200 million. Like the original, Universal is getting a jump on the weekend by launching the family film in 4,000 North American theaters on Wednesday.
At the international box office, “Mario” is expected to generate at least $175 million, bringing its global tally to somewhere around $350 million to $375 million. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” will easily rank as the biggest debut of the year, ahead of March’s “Project Hail Mary” with $80.5 million in North America and $140 million globally over the traditional three day weekend.
These are blockbuster figures, but “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” will need to climb toward the higher end of projections to match the start of the first film. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” powered to $204 million in its five-day domestic debut (including $146 million over the traditional weekend) and $173 million overseas, resulting in a stellar $377 million worldwide. Thanks to four-quadrant appeal and multi-generational love for the Nintendo video game, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ended up as the second-highest grossing release of 2023 with $1.3 billion.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” cost $110 million to produce, not including the studio’s global promotional efforts. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic returned to direct the sequel, which follows the Brooklyn-based plumbers known as Mario and Luigi as the venture into outer space. They’re joined by new and old pals including Yoshi, Princess Peach and Toad as they face off against Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr. The voice cast is led by Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Donald Glover as Yoshi and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.
This weekend’s other new release is A24’s twisted romance tale “The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Bolstered by positive reviews, it’s targeting a solid launch around $12 million to $15 million from 4,000 domestic venues. That’s in line with A24’s breakout hit “Materialists” ($11.3 million to start) and Zendaya’s last film “Challengers” ($15 million to start), which appealed to similar demographics as “The Drama.” Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, the R-rated film follows a happily engaged couple whose wedding week goes off the rails after an unexpected revelation. It carries a budget of around $28 million.
“Mario” will tower over the domestic box office and knock down the reigning champ, Amazon MGM’s “Project Hail Mary.” The space odyssey, starring Ryan Gosling, is projected to add $30 million in its third weekend of release. So far, the film has grossed $164 million domestically and $300 million globally after 10 days on the big screen. It already ranks as Amazon’s highest grossing film of all time, overtaking 2023’s “Creed III” with $276 million worldwide.
“Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” will run Off-Broadway this spring following eight sold-out concert performances earlier this month. Inspired by the hit show about hockey and gay romance, “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” follows starry-eyed golden boy Shane Hollander on “his journey from power center to power bottom,” according to a press release. Written by Dylan MarcAurele, the production will star Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya Rozanov and Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander.
Here’s the official logline: “Relive all of the moments from the show that made you wet (with tears) up close on the small-stage by an incredible cast of Broadway actors who thought they were auditioning to be in Season 2. Sporting a bop-infused score, scene-stealing cameos by characters like ‘Rose Landry’ and ‘Ilya’s Ass,’ and time jumps absolutely no one can keep track of, audiences will find themselves hot, bothered, and probably saying, ‘….Girl!’ Because with love, sometimes it comes when you least expect it… and sometimes, it comes hands-free. So, grab a Canada Dry and join us for this hot and steamy romp!”
Performances for the full, staged run of “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” will begin on May 12 at the 6th Floor Theater (formerly The McKittrick Hotel) ahead of an official opening night on May 26 for eight-weeks only.
The show’s creative team includes Dylan MarcAurele (book, music, lyrics and orchestrations), Alan Kliffer (direction), Brooke and Tiffan Engen (choreography), Sully Ross (scenic design), Brendan McCann (costume design), Devin Cameron (lighting design) and Germán Martinez (sound design).
Based on the “Game Changers” book series by Rachel Reid, “Heated Rivalry” became an instant phenomenon when the Canadian-produced show landed last year on HBO Max. Production on Season 2 is slated to begin this summer, with an expected release date in April 2027.
The game will debut the same day as the upcoming Masters of the Universe theatrical release from Amazon MGM Studios, creating a coordinated cross-platform rollout that allows fans to watch the film and play the game on the same day.
“Legends Unite” is a couch co-op experience that blends roguelike deck-building with arcade-style mini-games, designed for both solo and group play. The title draws inspiration from the new film’s world and characters while telling a standalone story, reintroducing figures from across the franchise’s broader lore.
Players will battle enemies including Hordak — the former mentor of Skeletor — across a range of environments, using character-specific abilities and collectible cards to progress through evolving challenges. Each playthrough is designed to vary, with competitive and cooperative elements shaping gameplay.
The title is part of Amazon Luna’s GameNight lineup, which emphasizes accessible, social gaming experiences. Players can use smartphones as controllers, allowing groups to join without dedicated gaming hardware.
The “Masters of the Universe” franchise, which spans more than four decades across toys, television and film, continues to be a key focus for Mattel’s digital expansion strategy as it looks to extend its IP into interactive formats.
“Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite” will be available to Prime members at no additional cost in multiple international markets.
Watch the trailer for the new game in the video below.
See more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.
PARTNERSHIPS
Warner Bros. Discovery is bringing Bugs Bunny into “Fortnite” for the first time as part of its month-long “Rabbit Season” spring campaign, a cross-platform push spanning gaming, streaming, retail and live events.
Timed to April Fools’ Day, the initiative centers on the Looney Tunes brand and its core characters, including Daffy Duck and Lola Bunny, who are also featured in the “Fortnite” Item Shop with themed outfits and accessories. Bugs’ debut includes in-game cosmetics such as pickaxes, back bling and his signature “What’s Up, Doc?” emote, alongside a new teaser spotlighting Looney Tunes-style chaos.
Beyond gaming, Warner Bros. Discovery is leveraging its streaming ecosystem, with Looney Tunes titles available across platforms. Viewers can stream newer series like “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” “Bugs Bunny Builders” and “Tiny Toons Looniversity” on HBO Max, while more than 700 classic animated shorts are being offered free on Tubi. A dedicated Looney Tunes livestream is also running throughout the month on WB Kids’ YouTube channels.
The campaign extends into consumer products and promotions, including a new LEGO Bugs Bunny set and apparel collaborations, alongside live appearances tied to events like the NCAA Final Four.
“Rabbit Season” reflects Warner Bros. Discovery’s broader strategy of activating legacy IP across interactive, retail and digital platforms, using gaming integrations like “Fortnite” to reach younger audiences while reinforcing the franchise’s cross-generational appeal.
NEW RELEASES
Independent developer MyACG Studio has released its dark fantasy rogue-lite, “Cinderia,” into Early Access on Steam for $17.99, inviting players to explore a world set ablaze by black magic. The launch comes with a trailer highlighting the game’s high-speed combat and customizable playstyles.
Set in a smoldering, post-apocalyptic realm, “Cinderia” challenges players to survive as one of the few who can harness corrupted embers without losing their will. “On the night the witch ignited the world, only drifting ash remained,” the game’s lore explains.
“Cinderia” emphasizes combat flexibility and player agency. Adventurers can mix melee, ranged and elemental skills, reshaping abilities with over 180 skills and 130+ pieces of equipment per character. “Every run is a new, unrepeatable path,” the studio notes, with fusion mechanics letting players bend black magic into weapons, spells and combos that suit their preferred fighting style. Four playable heroes, random events and dynamic room layouts ensure each session offers fresh challenges.
The Early Access period will see ongoing updates, including balancing tweaks, new content and expanded features driven by player feedback. “Falling and failing are simply part of the road; a warm flame always waits for those brave enough to rise again,” MyACG Studio writes in its launch notes.
“Cinderia” is available now on Steam Early Access, with wishlists, trailers and game assets accessible on the official Steam page.
AWARDS
Internet star and broadcaster Elz will host the 2026 BAFTA Games Award, taking place on April 17.
The BAFTA Games ceremony aims to celebrate “the extraordinary talent and innovation within the global games community.”
Elz’s broadcast credits include BBC’s MOTDx, KISS XTRAandSky Sports, as well as hosting major international events for the Premier League, Wimbledon eChampsand theFIFA eWorld Cup.
Emma Baehr, executive director, Awards & Content at BAFTA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Elz as our host for the 22nd BAFTA Games Awards. Elz is a formidable talent with an infectious passion for games, she brings together the worlds of games and entertainment, so is perfectly placed to lead our celebration of the year’s very best games.”
Elz added, “I am beyond excited to be hosting this year’s BAFTA Games Awards. Gaming has been a part of my life since I first picked up a controller at eight years old, and to now stand on that stage and honour the people who create the magic is a dream come true. This industry is about creativity, community and breaking boundaries, things I strive for every day in my own work. I can’t wait to celebrate the incredible nominees and share this unforgettable night with players all over the world.”
RELEASE DATES
Gameplay Group International and PM Studios, in collaboration with Paramount, Skydance and Avatar Studios, have announced a global publishing partnership for “Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game,” set to release on July 2.
Developed together with Nickelodeon Animation Studios, the 1v1 fighter features an original and canon story mode and will be available for $29.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, with full cross-play support available at launch.
Set within the “Avatar” universe, the hand-drawn 2D game is designed to engage both seasoned fighting game players and newcomers alike. Players are challenged to master the elements across a roster of fan-favorite characters, “combining strategic depth with fast-paced, accessible action.”
“For us, this is about delivering a fighting game that feels right in the hands of players from day one,” said Victor Lugo, Founder & CCO, Gameplay Group International. “’Avatar’ is a perfect fit for the genre – movement, mastery and expression are at its core. We’ve built a system focused on responsiveness, depth, and competitive play. With PM Studios as our partner, we’re excited to bring that experience to the fighting game community and fans around the world.”
Players can pre-order the game on Steam and wishlist the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S today.
EVENTS
Xbox has announced that its “Xbox Games Showcase 2026” will air on Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. PT, immediately followed by a dedicated “Gears of War: E-Day Direct”, offering fans a deep dive into the legendary franchise’s return.
The showcase will feature first gameplay reveals and major news updates from Xbox Game Studios and partners worldwide. The “Gears of War” segment, produced by The Coalition Studio, promises to take viewers straight into Emergence Day, highlighting new story details and gameplay mechanics.
As part of Xbox’s 25th anniversary celebration, the event will also feature FanFest, which looks back on 25 years of Xbox history while teasing what’s next for the platform. Fans can enter to win tickets to the live event; full details and official rules are available via Xbox Wire.
The double feature will be accessible in over 40 languages, including American Sign Language, British Sign Language and English Audio Descriptions. The full broadcast will stream across Xbox’s YouTube, Twitch, ASL Twitch and Facebook channels, with local air times around the world.
Fans can expect a blend of big reveals, gameplay showcases and anniversary retrospectives, making the 2026 showcase a major highlight of the gaming calendar.
Few stories in NBA history are as dramatic, painful or as improbable as that of Lamar Odom. He was a two-time NBA champion, sixth man of the year, and one of the most naturally gifted players of his generation. He was also, for much of his adult life, fighting a battle with addiction that most people around him either didn’t know about or were working hard to conceal. It cost him his career, nearly cost him his life and played out, in many ways, in front of the entire world.
Netflix’s latest installment of its “Untold” docuseries digs deep into the full arc of Odom’s life — from his whirlwind marriage to Khloé Kardashian and the reality TV empire that came with it, to the trade that sent his drug use into a tailspin and his near-fatal overdose at a Nevada brothel in October 2015. Odom, Kardashian and those closest to them speak with a candor that is, at times, startling — about the drugs, the lies, the enabling, the media circus that descended on a Las Vegas hospital, and the unlikely moments of grace that somehow brought him back.
It is, above all else, a story about survival. Below is everything we learned from “Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom.”
Lamar and Khloé Kardashian fell hard – and fast – for one another
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hulu
In 2009, Odom met Kardashian, his future (though now ex) wife, at a “Welcome to LA” party thrown by fellow NBA player Ron Artest (formerly known as Metta World Peace). She’d been hired to host the party alongside Artest, who paid her just $5,000 for the appearance (he jokes that her rate is much higher now, while she says she only agreed to take the gig because her brother, Rob Kardashian, loved the Lakers). Both Odom and Kardashian maintain they had no idea who the other was at the time. “You know, the first night, I’ll be honest, I was trying to fuck her,” said Odom in an NSFW confession. “[I] got with her the next day, and then the next day turned into the next day.”
Thirty days later, the couple was engaged. As Kardashian explains, a tabloid wanted to run the exclusive on the wedding — but only if they could also get the exclusive on the divorce, she recounted. “Falling in love the way we fell in love, as quickly as we did, is so not my personality,” she says. “But he’s so charismatic. He’s fun and silly. And then he also is a very vulnerable person. He’s very honest about his life.” The reality star admitted that Odom was her first love — and that this was one of the reasons she rationalized so much of his behavior throughout their relationship. “I was fighting every single day to either project him or not let him get caught.”
Lamar’s wedding to Kardashian was to ‘try to better his future’
Odom’s fast engagement to Kardashian didn’t just come as a surprise to the press, but to his family, too. In fact, the news was so shocking that his previous partner, Liza Morales, didn’t let their two children attend (the pair had been high school sweethearts before breaking up in 2006). “I never even met her. I don’t think he told me he was marrying her,” said LJ, Odom’s son. Because the wedding was a star-studded, televised event, Destiny, Odom’s daughter, remembers not wanting to be a “show pony, or anything like that.”
During the wedding, Odom spoke to his childhood friend Anthony “Pumpkin” Booker for two hours, explaining that “the moves he was doing, he was doing it to try to better his future.” At the time, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” was one of the hottest shows on television, while Los Angeles practically revolved around the Lakers. “I’m just watching how she lived and their lifestyle, and I’m like, ‘I know this is where I want to be. This is how I want to live,’” reflects Odom. “I think that was like a power trip for me. Because you took the power that I had, and then the Kardashian power… I wasn’t really ready for all that power.”
‘Khloé & Lamar’ was his idea
While Kardashian was a reality TV superstar by the time the couple tied the knot, it was actually Odom who championed their short-lived show, “Khloé & Lamar.” The show debuted in 2011, giving audiences an inside look into their lives, home and relationship. For Odom, it was a chance to do something outside of basketball — and he loved the cameras, says Kardashian, who was more nervous given the intimate nature of the show. It was filmed almost entirely in their own home, as opposed to a rotation of locations like on “Keeping Up.”
“He did love Khloé, but he’d wanted to be on reality TV for a long time,” says Destiny. When discussing the show, Odom admits that “part of the deal was that, If I’m gonna marry you, fuck it. I want in too.’” Still, Kardashian reflects on it as “the coolest, coolest time of my life.”
Lamar would disappear for days at a time while using, leaving Khloé to ‘cover this up’
Image Credit: Picture Perfect/REX Shutterstock
When Odom first began using cocaine and other drugs, it “seemed responsibly done,” says Kardashian. That quickly ceased to be the case, though, as Odom began to “disappear” for hours, then days at a time while using — unfindable and unreachable by phone. One of the first instances of this came in June, around the anniversary of his youngest son, Jayden’s death. (Jayden passed away from SIDS at just six months.) He’d “escape rehab and go on a drug bender and nobody could find him,” says Kardashian. “I was either looking for him in alleys, looking for him in motels. He would have tinfoil cutouts or spoons and freebasing things, and leaving things everywhere. I remember needing to go to hotel rooms to clean up after him so that housekeeping didn’t sell a story. I was such an enabler without knowing I was an enabler. But I just felt such a responsibility to cover this up.”
One night, Odom remembers getting high in Big Bear. A woman he was cheating on Kardashian with took his phone and called her and Kris Jenner, explaining that “he just keeps wanting money and drugs.” That’s when Kardashian learned he was being unfaithful, she remembers. “I never knew for sure that he was sleeping with other people. Of course, I had suspicions. But I never had anything tangible.” From there, word began to get out about Odom’s drug use.
Lamar’s trade from the Lakers to the Mavericks was an inflection point
Odom was driving to the Lakers’ practice facility when he found out he was being traded to the Dallas Mavericks on the radio. “I’ve given you guys so much, and I’m finding out this way that I’m being traded somewhere else,” reflects Odom. The drug use that transpired from that trade was “monstrous,” says Kardashian.
“I’ve just never seen so many drugs,” she adds. “[There was] just such a dark aura around us. They weren’t testing for certain painkillers, and he knew which ones they weren’t, and he was freebasing painkillers.” Right before Christmas, Kardashian says, Odom locked himself in their hotel bathroom for four days, doing drugs. “He was horrible at practice, because he was so fucked up and high,” she says. But the move didn’t last long; Odom was cut from the team after only a few months.
Khloé had to pump Lamar’s stomach at home
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Kardashian says he got “kicked off” the Mavericks and joined the Clippers in 2012. He was overweight from all of the drug use, so much so he had to check himself into a rehab. “Whenever the Clippers’ season ended, he spiraled again and did crazy drugs,” she says. “He overdosed a few times. I had to pump his stomach,” she says. “We had at-home detox centers. We did everything we could.”
This led to an intervention. Kardashian was advised to give him an ultimatum: go to rehab for a three-month program, or you’re getting a divorce. “He was like, ‘Ok, all I want Is my passport and let’s get the fucking divorce,’” she says, “I was looking around like, ‘Wait. I don’t want the divorce.’ Lamar left immediately.”
Their divorce was awaiting final legal approval in October when she found out he’d overdosed in Nevada. he suffered brain damage, had 12 strokes and six heart attacks.
Lamar’s overdose triggered a media circus and bidding war
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Richard Hunter, the former manager of the Love Ranch and one of the men who helped drag Odom’s unconscious body out of the brothel, says that as a professional athlete, “there are a lot easier ways to do this” when reflecting on how Odom had been contacting the ranch’s girls on Instagram. That cynicism proved warranted.
Dennis Hof, the Love Ranch’s owner, created a bidding war on details of the overdose and sold exclusive footage and signed receipts to the “Today Show,” using the entire situation as publicity for his book “The Art of the Pimp.” “If I didn’t know it before, I knew after that — in terms of what we were gonna do or willing to do for publicity, there wasn’t a limit,” Hunter says upon reflection.
Meanwhile, drug dealers were showing up the hospital and rummaging through Odom’s bags for money. Kardashian put the entire floor on lockdown, funneled who was allowed in and made everyone sign NDAs before they could enter. That also meant Odom’s children and their mother were stopped and checked every single time they tried to come see him. Morales notes how an already devastating situation was made even more painful by the circus and security surrounding it.
Kobe Bryant flew to Vegas to help Khloé make life-or-death decisions
Image Credit: Harry How/Getty Images
With Odom unconscious and his body failing, Bryant got on a plane and flew to Las Vegas to sit with Kardashian and help her work through one of the hardest decisions of her life — whether to risk surgery on Odom’s collapsed lung. They decided to move forward and the surgery worked, but Odom remained in a coma for three to four days. When he woke up, he reached up, ripped the tubes out of his own neck (which he still has the scars from), looked at Kardashian and said, “Hey baby,” then passed back out. Kardashian recalls never leaving the hospital, making sure she was there through every step of his recovery. “We were determined to get him walking and moving again.”
Lamar faked how bad his condition was so Khloé would keep taking care of him
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When Odom came home from the hospital, Kardashian rented him a house in her neighborhood, hired a full-time caretaker, a private chef and nurses to manage his around-the-clock care. However, it didn’t last because Kardashian soon discovered he was still using drugs. “I’ve just put my life on hold to fucking take care of you,” she said. “How did you get this? You don’t have a fucking phone. You can’t talk.”
In reality, Odom did have a phone and was far more functional than he had ever let on. “He was better than I knew,” Kardashian says. “He was playing me so I could continue this lifestyle for him.” Kardashian recalls walking in on him while using, punching him and telling him to pack his bags and leave the house by Monday, adding that she would “never speak to him again.” She filed for divorce a second time shortly after.
A dream about Kobe Bryant is what finally made him want to get better
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
It wasn’t an intervention, a brush with death or a stint in rehab that pushed Lamar to actually change; it was a dream about his former teammate and friend. Kobe ryant appeared to him and said, “L-O, the afterlife is not what people make it out to be,” Odom shares. For a man who had just nearly died and spent years destroying himself, those words from his friend landed differently. That was the turning point. “Right now is go mode,” Lamar says, reflecting on where his head is today. He wants to go back to school. He wants to coach basketball. And after everything — the addiction, the overdose, the lost years — he’s still standing. “Lamar’s had an extraordinary life,” says Kardashian. “Yes, bad and good. But fuck, it’s extraordinary.”
The Eurovision Song Contest is set to launch in Asia for the first time, with Bangkok chosen as the inaugural host city.
The show’s grand final will take place in Thailand’s capital on Nov. 14.
Among the ten confirmed countries participating so far are Thailand’s Channel 3, South Korea’s PK Inc., Malaysia’s Media Prima (TV3), Philippines’ ABS-CBN, Vietnam’s Vietnam Television (VTV3), Cambodia’s TV5 Cambodia, Laos’ Vientiane Capital Television (VTE9), Bangladesh’s NTV, Bhutan’s Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) and Nepal’s Himalaya TV.
More countries are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who own and manage Eurovision, are putting the contest together with Voxovation, 2O Productions and Thailand’s Channel 3.
Eurovision celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, with the European arm set to take place in Vienna, Austria this May.
“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent,” said Martin Green, director of Eurovision.
“This is about evolving Eurovision together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the Contest special. Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music.”
Peter Settman, CEO and co-founder at Voxovation, said: “From day one, our ambition has been to build the Eurovision Song Contest Asia together with the region’s best creative talent, creating a show that truly reflects Asia’s identity and creative energy. Together with S2O Productions, we are shaping a show where artists and fans connect across borders in new ways, through participation, community and deeper engagement beyond the stage, with ZOOP helping bring that fan experience to life. I grew up watching Eurovision, singing in front of the TV, dancing to the winners at the disco and now seeing my own kids just as excited, predicting the outcome. To bring this incredible show to a new continent is something very special.”
An American version of the contest, The American Song Contest, ran as a reality series on NBC in 2022 hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson but was not renewed.
