When Survivor first aired, it was a social experiment to see how far ordinary people would go for a large sum of money. While there was some strategy in the first 10 seasons, most contestants maintained a relatively simple game plan: team up with the majority of your tribemates to pick off your adversaries one by one. Occasionally, players would flip on their alliances to improve their positioning, or there would be a miraculous immunity challenge victory, but for the most part, if you were an underdog or in the minority, you could count on your torched being snuffed by Jeff Probst sooner rather than later.

However, a twist in Season 11, Survivor: Guatemala introduced a new mechanism that would give the down-and-out castaways more of a fighting chance: the hidden immunity idol. Though its design and power have evolved over time, the basic rules have largely remained the same. If you suspect you or an ally might be in trouble, simply play the idol before the votes are read, and you’ll be granted immunity for the round.

Not all idol plays are made equal, but it’s undoubtedly become a staple of the show and a wrinkle that keeps fans coming back. Here are the greatest idol plays in the show’s history, ranked by their strategic impact, entertainment value, and overall iconic status.

Everyone, buckle up. We’re heading into full Pedro Pascal overload. With a packed 2025 lineup that includes The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Materialists, and Eddington, plus the second season of the HBO mega-hit The Last of Us, Pascal is poised to further cement his place as one of the the premier performers of his generation. But it wasn’t always this way.

Long before he became a leading man and beloved internet heartthrob, the Chilean-American actor was best known for playing likable outsiders with a bit of an edge. He bounced between parts in TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Law & Order, but it wasn’t until later that he found his calling: playing the father figure we didn’t know we needed.

It’s an archetype that has defined many of his trademark roles — and with what looks to be a massive summer ahead for Pascal, it’s the perfect time to look back at his most iconic performances. We’ll be focusing specifically on his narrative scripted onscreen work — so, unfortunately, his unforgettable appearances on Saturday Night Live and the Community table read won’t be included.

There’s a saying in the entertainment business: “There are no small parts, only small actors.” It’s a mantra comedian Tommy Davidson likely embraced when he guest-starred on Martin over 30 years. His character, Varnell Hill, an animated talk-show host whose success eclipses Martin Payne’s (Martin Lawrence), only appeared in a two-part Season 2 episode titled “Hollywood Swinging.” Two episodes. That was it. But the role left such a mark that now, Varnell is getting another shot in the spotlight.

On April 15, BET+ announced a new Martin spinoff centered on Davidson’s character, aptly titled Varnell Hill. The spinoff has gotten a straight-to-series order from BET+. Martin Lawrence is a co-creator of the series and will executive produce.

Today, May 1, marks the 28th anniversary of the Martin series finale, which aired on May 1, 1997, on Fox. Here’s everything we know so far about the new Tommy Davidson Martin spinoff.

There isn’t another human roaming this Earth quite like Nathan Fielder. The writer-actor has become a standout voice of his generation, thanks to his abnormal sensibilities and a singular brand of cringe comedy that’s as hard to watch as it is to explain. When it comes to The Rehearsal (returning for Season 2 on Sunday, April 20, on HBO), Nathan for You, and The Curse, you really have to see the absurdity for yourself. Whether what he does is real or staged is up for debate, but what’s undeniable is how much we love watching this man-child who is equal parts awkward, endearing, and megalomaniacal.

Comedy Central’s Nathan for You was a comedic docuseries that showed Fielder armed with a business degree and thinking he could give advice to people with struggling businesses. In The Rehearsal, which first debuted in 2022, he gave participants the space to rehearse their own lives in practice scenarios of his own design.

Fielder has devoted his on-screen life to helping others — or at least doing what he believes will help — investing his know-how and experience into elaborate marketing plans that usually backfire in spectacular fashion. While he’s often helping small business owners in Nathan for You, The Rehearsal widens the focus to individuals unsure of how to prepare for life’s most unpredictable moments. In The Rehearsal Season 2, he lends his assistive efforts to the aviation industry. That will go well.

In 2022, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan teamed up to create the chilling miniseries Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which would go on to haunt viewers’ nightmares and inspire controversial Halloween costumes for years to come. While the duo had previously dabbled in the disturbed, collaborating on Scream Queens and, in Murphy’s case, co-creating American Horror Story with Brad Falchuk, this newest project marked a whole new level of exploration.

Originally conceived as a limited series focused on Jeffrey Dahmer, the breakout hit tapped into the pervasive fascination with serial killers. This success led to its promotion from a limited series to an ongoing anthology, with the second installment, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, following two years later.

For its third season, Monster shifts to its next subject: Ed Gein, set to be portrayed by Charlie Hunnam. As fans anticipate what looks to be the most unsettling entry yet, here’s everything we know so far.

Walton Goggins may not be A-list (yet), but his impressive resume has made his face and million dollar smile as recognizable as Hollywood’s top-billed stars. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, the actor took a bet on himself when he moved to Los Angeles, and he’s been rewarded with a lengthy career as one of the industry’s most sought-after character actors.

While Goggins has proven himself capable of transforming into any role, he’s often been tasked with playing a depraved villain or an eccentric oddball, all with his signature Southern drawl. It’s only recently that Goggins has begun to shed the label of supporting player, emerging as a dependable leading man — or at the very least, a key figure in any ensemble. With two Primetime Emmy nominations under his belt, he’s now poised to enter a new chapter in his career: full-fledged stardom.

The second season of the Apple TV+ smash-hit Severance booted back up again earlier this year, continuing the story of Mark Scout (Adam Scott), a widower who undergoes a drastic procedure to make the grieving process a little easier. When he clocks in at the beginning of his shift at Lumon Industries, he has no recollection of his personal life. All he knows is his workplace, a sentence that becomes deeply frustrating for him, but would potentially be a blessing for other TV characters.

The position itself, along with his supervisors — controlling manager, Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette), and her lackey-turned-successor, Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman) — are certainly intimidating, to say the least. But working in the Macrodata Refinement Division isn’t all bad (when you’re not paying attention to the horrors underneath the surface…).

Mark is joined by a team of loyal coworkers, including recent hire Helly Riggs (Britt Lower), the ambitious Dylan George (Zach Cherry), and the most senior employee, Irving Bailiff (John Turturro). It’s the core four’s chemistry and camaraderie that makes working in an Orwellian nightmare just a little bit more bearable.

While Severance has been redefining the concept of the workplace, it is by no means the first TV series to explore the ins and outs of office culture. Here are some other workforces we wouldn’t mind sharing some water-cooler talk with, ranked by how badly we want to work there. As you can imagine, Lumon Industries will not be featured on this list. We prefer to keep our minds in one piece and out of the control of cultish corporate interests. Don’t you?

Apple TV+ has cornered the streaming market, delivering some of the industry’s biggest hits. Severance, Ted Lasso, the list goes on.

But one of their biggest hits, the thriller The Last Thing He Told Me, seemingly came out of the blue. The Reese Witherspoon-executive produced miniseries premiered to 4.5 million unique viewers in its first month of streaming, setting a record as the platform’s most-watched limited series at the time, according to Variety. Although initially conceived as a one-off, its success and the continued interest from cast, crew, and audiences were too much to ignore. In March 2024, the series was officially renewed for a second season.

It was clear from the jump that the Reacher team had big plans for the character of Frances Neagley (Maria Sten). Not only was she written into the first season — despite not appearing in the books at that point — but she has also consistently been one of the best-written and most memorable characters in Jack Reacher’s (Alan Ritchson) posse.

Now, three seasons into Reacher and with a fourth on the way, the crew saw this as the moment to give Neagley her own series. Prime Video announced the Neagley spinoff on Tuesday, February 26 following the February 20 premiere of Reacher. Here’s everything we know so far about Neagley’s standalone series.

LeBron James has played many parts in his more than 22-year — and counting — career. Before becoming the NBA's wise elder statesman, he was the "Chosen One," prophesied by sports analysts as the man destined to bring a championship to Cleveland, Ohio. The prodigal son would eventually fulfill that promise, though not before adopting the role of the league's bad boy by taking his talents to South Beach.

The pride and joy of Akron, Ohio,has meant many things to many people — an observation that playwright Rajiv Joseph wanted to explore. But rather than focus on the King, he turned his attention to his loyal Midwestern disciples.

George Street Playhouse's latest production, "King James," explores the budding friendship between two Cavaliers fans: Matt (Doug Harris), a bartender looking to offload his basketball tickets, who meets Shawn (Blake Morris), a recently successful writer eager to witness rookie phenom James light up Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Directed by Ryan George, the narrative tracks the 12-year journey of two ordinary people living in the shadow of an extraordinary figure.

Ahead of the play's March 18 debut, the cast and director spoke with The Daily Targum about the correlation between sports and theater, their basketball knowledge and how they've prepared for opening night.

When Mark Scout’s (Adam Scott) wife passes away in Severance, he looks for an escape. Desperate, he undergoes an operation that erases his memories of life outside the office. In other words, he literally loses himself in his work (the work is mysterious and important). But if the series can teach us anything, it’s that love conquers all — even brain-implanted microchips.

Innie Mark soon falls for Lumon’s new hire, Helly R. (Britt Lower), much to the chagrin of their coworkers. While their relationship takes a darker turn in Season 2, there’s a reason why TV shows — especially sitcoms — often fixate on these affectionate workplace relationships: they make for compelling stories!

The Oscars is the biggest night of the year for movie lovers. With Conan O’Brien picking up the hosting mantle from Jimmy Kimmel, the 97th iteration promises an exciting gathering of Hollywood’s most impactful creatives, most of whom got their start on the small screen.

The acting categories, in particular, include some well-known faces for frequent TV viewers, but most are Academy newcomers. Thirteen out of the 20 nominated actors have never been nominated before and only one returning actor in this year’s cohort, Adrien Brody, has felt the wave of euphoria that comes with walking across the Dolby Theatre stage en route to a golden statuette.

For three-time nominees like Ralph Fiennes and Cynthia Erivo, the distinction of being an Academy Award winner is long overdue. For international performers like Yura Borisov, Karla Sofia Gascón, and Fernanda Torres, the time in the spotlight could help them cross over into mainstream American audiences (though Gascón’s recent controversies may have dashed her hopes for a win).

In 2022, Ke Huy Quan, the child star of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "The Goonies," made a miraculous emergence into the spotlight with his role in the A24 film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" — but you probably knew that already.

For nearly a year, Quan's return to acting — which came after a transition to stunt coordination — was one of Hollywood's most buzzed-about, feel-good stories. His teary-eyed acceptance speech at the 95th Academy Awards and its ensuing appearances in "hopecore" TikTok edits only cemented his status as a symbol of resilience in the ruthless entertainment industry.

But as nostalgia faded and attention shifted to the next celebrity comeback, a question arose: how would Quan's acting career evolve beyond his endearing portrayal of Waymond Wang, a meek, yet loving and protective husband? The answer? It wouldn't — at least, not yet.

Let's face it: the Super Bowl commercial is a lost art. Gone are the days of monumental, expertly-directed shorts — like Ridley Scott's take on "1984" for Apple. Even the bizarre, trend-chasing attempts by out-of-touch corporations, specifically the monstrosity known as "Puppy Monkey Baby," have become a thing of the past.

Regardless of their quality, these advertisements did what they were designed to do: got people talking and kept eyes glued to the screen. Over time, though, it feels like these moments have become less integral to the theatrics of the NFL's season finale. During Super Bowl LIX, in particular, the absence of memorable ads was noticeable, especially given the dullness of the game — unless you were a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan or staunch Patrick Mahomes detractor, there wasn't much to write home about.

This isn't to say all of the festivities were lackluster. Of course, there was Kendrick Lamar's top-notch halftime performance, which exceeded expectations built up during his interview with Timothée Chalamet, and a few commercials that were at the very least memorable.

Almost exactly a year ago, the cast of the College Avenue Players (CAP) was set to debut its hotly anticipated holiday show — "What's the Deal with Valentine's Day?" — when a snowstorm unceremoniously canceled the event. All the hopeless romantics and lonely hearts left in the dark would have to patiently wait another year to see how the troupe would tackle the saccharine festivities.

That moment finally came with the recent announcement of this year's Valentine's production, which immediately set the tone with its title, "Lower Your Expectations." Clearly, CAP isn't interested in the usual mushy romance stories. Instead, it's offering up an entertaining distraction from all the sappy sentimentality.

When New Jersey's own Charles Addams first sketched "The Addams Family" in a 1938 issue of The New Yorker, he couldn't have imagined they'd become the cultural phenomenon they are today. From comics and TV to movies and viral TikTok dances, the unusual nonet has only refined with time, their morbid tone continuing to attract new fans and inflict nightmares onto its detractors.

Still, even with all this time, the formula has remained fairly unchanged, up until the franchise's biggest departure: the musical "The Addams Family," which came to the State Theatre New Jersey for one weekend on January 24. With the momentum of the Netflix monster-hit "Wednesday" behind the production, the family's triumphant return to the Garden State comes with a witch's brew of laughs, tears and goosebumps.

By almost every metric, Fievel is Glauque defies all expectations and indie conventions.

Whether you're swept up in the band's vibrant jazz-pop sound or mesmerized by lyrics that fluctuate between English and French and shift from uplifting to devastating, the act has built a following by cultivating truly inimitable experiences.

First came their debut studio album, "Flaming Swords," a collection of intricate and elaborate arrangements neatly packed into 18 tracks. Two years later, their 2024 release, "Rong Weicknes" threw out the playbook and went all-in on one of the band's signature quirks: organized chaos.

Even deciphering the group's complicated etymology presents a challenge in itself. No matter how many times you scrutinize the proclamation "Fievel is Glauque," it never seems to click. The name is literally a Frankensteined-mashup of the name of the rodent protagonist from "An American Tail" and a French word for a dull bluish-green color, or something with a sinister energy. Whatever that means.

The title may deter some, but that only adds to the team's mystique, as they continue to capture lightning in a bottle again and again. Each new output comes with auditory and behind-the-scenes evolutions, but it's all unmistakably Fievel is Glauque.

To shed light on the various methods behind the madness, The Daily Targum interviewed Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Zach Phillips about Fievel is Glauque's distinctive recording approach and what lies ahead for the collective.

For 43 years, the New Jersey Film Festival (NJFF) has been a reliable source of creativity for Rutgers and the New Brunswick community, showcasing innovative, low-budget projects that might otherwise go unseen. Twice a year, Voorhees Hall, located on the College Avenue campus, transforms into a makeshift movie theater, housing audience members, filmmakers and a carefully curated lineup of films.

Starting Friday, attendees can experience perspectives from around the world, including Turkey, Germany, the U.K., Canada and, of course, New Jersey. Submissions originate from Bloomfield, Fair Lawn, Leonia, Parsippany, Westfield and even from some familiar faces in New Brunswick.

Madeline Hettrick, a junior at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, will showcase her short film, "His New Girl," as part of the festival's opening shorts program. The five-minute piece, which tells the story of a girl preparing for a date, was originally a project for a film class here at Rutgers.

Everyone loves an underdog. There's a reason why the archetype has remained timeless. From David defeating Goliath to Rocky Balboa triumphing over Apollo Creed, audiences have always had a soft spot for the "little guy."

Now, George Street Playhouse presents the latest addition to the growing canon of unexpected and unlikely transformations: "SMALL."

The autobiographical play, which tells the story of Robert Montano, debuted at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) venue last week. With various accolades under its belt, including nominations for both a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award, the Rutgers community and local theatergoers will finally get to experience the innovative one-man show.

In an interview with The Daily Targum, writer and sole performer Montano, along with director Jessi Hill, discussed how they brought "SMALL" to the stage of the Arthur Laurents Theater and the lasting messages they hope audience members will take away after the curtain call.

The College Avenue Players (CAP) rounded off the Spring 2024 semester with a medieval-themed rendition of their annual sketch show, "Wacky Hijinks." So, naturally, as the Fall 2024 semester comes to a close, the troupe chose to wrap things up with some more magic, this time coming from their version of the dramedy, "She Kills Monsters."

Penned by Qui Nguyen, the play takes audiences to the far away land of Athens, Ohio, where they meet Agnes Evans (School of Arts and Sciences first-year Mya Espinal), a high school teacher grieving the sudden loss of her estranged sister, Tilly (School of Environmental and Biological Sciences first-year Edith Zhao). In an effort to find closure, the relatively average Agnes decides to partake in her sister's nerdy hobbies, namely, a "Dungeons & Dragons" module that she created.

Last month, Kendrick Lamar surprised the music world with the unexpected release of his sixth studio album, "GNX." As with any new project from the multiple-time Grammy winner, the album features collaborations with heavy hitters like SZA, Roddy Ricch, Jack Antonoff and Mustard. But, what truly sets this album apart is the inclusion of lesser-known, up-and-coming rappers.

Lefty Gunplay delivers a striking four-word outro on the hype anthem "tv off (feat. lefty gunplay)" while Wallie the Sensei joins Lamar on the catchy hook of the lowkey "dodger blue (feat. wallie the sensei, siete7x, roddy ricch)."

The most memorable collaboration, though, comes on the title track. After Lamar and Peysoh open with the chorus and first verse, Dominicke Williams, better known as Hitta J3, joins in.

Reflecting on the challenges he's faced growing up in California, he delivers an impressive verse with a smooth, effortless flow that aligns perfectly with the album's themes. While his appearance might confuse newer fans, those who have followed K. Dot's career from its inception will recognize that Williams has been a part of the journey.

In an interview with The Daily Targum, the West Coast rapper discussed his long-standing friendship with Lamar and how exactly he ended up on one of the most anticipated rap albums of recent memory.

Since its launch in 2019, Apple TV+ has built an impressive library, particularly in the miniseries variety. One standout was The Last Thing He Told Me, a 2023 mystery thriller based on Laura Dave’s bestselling novel of the same name. The series immediately found an audience, earning the title of most-watched Apple TV+ limited series at the time, according to Variety.

After months of anticipation, fans finally got the news they’d been waiting for: The Last Thing He Told Me will return for a second season.

After making the announcement in March of this year, star Jennifer Garner recently shared an Instagram post, reuniting with co-stars Angourie Rice and the titular “he,” Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

The caption read, “Well, well, well … look who we found. #TheLastThingHeToldMe Season 2 is in production!”

The first season of The Last Thing He Told Me follows Hannah Hall (Garner), who leads a seemingly perfect life with her husband Owen Michaels (Coster-Waldau), though she struggles to connect with her stepdaughter, Bailey (Rice). When Owen suddenly disappears, and both the FBI and a mob family start poking around, Hannah and Bailey are forced to come together and uncover the truth about the patriarch’s mysterious past.

Step into any of the four dining halls across Rutgers' campuses, and you'll encounter a distinctly different experience each time.

For a relaxed, social meal with friends, Neilson and Busch Dining Halls offer a welcoming atmosphere. If you're seeking a quick bite, paired with ordering kiosks and cutting-edge technology, The Atrium on the College Avenue campus or Livingston Dining Commons is the place to go.

Though each dining hall proudly features the iconic red "R" in its decor and you'll occasionally run into a familiar face, there's little else that ties these spaces together. While this variety makes each visit feel special, it also raises some important concerns. For students with food sensitivities or religious dietary needs, the lack of consistency across the menus at each location can make it challenging to find reliable, suitable options.

But, finally, after much-needed feedback from the student body, Rutgers Dining Services made a change this semester that was long overdue — all fresh chicken served at Rutgers dining locations is now halal.

No longer are the days of having to place a special order ahead of time or confining yourself to a specific section of the buffet spread — this adjustment will extend to most chicken items that students can find, including chicken breasts, thighs, rotisserie chicken and chicken strips.

The infamous criminal and cult leader Charles Manson passed away years ago but, as displayed in the new Peacock docuseries, Making Manson, his actions are still felt by many.

Throughout his life, he amassed a legion of followers and devotees adamant that their hero did nothing wrong. Only now, many years removed, they’ve been able to recognize the trauma they underwent while interacting with him.

Among these figures was Dianne Lake, a former Mason family member known colloquially as “Snake.” She was one of the first “Manson girls,” but also one of the youngest — Lake met the eccentric cult leader when she was 14 and in desperate need of a father figure.