Late last week, the CW released a sequel to its delightful fanservice ad for its DC superhero shows, now featuring the much-needed and lovely addition of Supergirland then made it only available to watch in full on its app. Thankfully, the CW has now released it all online, and its well worth watching (again and again and again).
Supergirl is once again the real star, as she was in the preview clip, but now we get to see the full thing, including the entire fight with Cisco and Felicitys sphere of fear, and most importantly, Diggles hilarious reaction to Hank Henshaw revealing himself as Jonn Jonnz.
I hope this Fight Club skit becomes a regular feature for the CW. Its just full-on, dorky, fanservice fun.
Grant Gustin as The Flash and Keiynan Lonsdale as Kid Flash.
Theres only one thing I know about life, Barry Allen says in the opening voice-over of The Flashs season 3 premiere. I know some things happen by chance. And some things happen because we make them happen.
Now, theres a couple problems here, the first being that those are two things, Barry. But the second, far more all-encompassing issueis that its true, some things in life really dont happen unless we force the issue. Asking your childhood crush on a date in a coffee shop is one example. Running backwards in time to stop your mothers murder, therefore altering the trajectory of all time and space as we know it is another example. And therein lies the issue; Barry Allen is equating one with the other. The first half of Flashpoint is concerned with watching Barry, who we know to be very, very smart, trying his darndest to justify what is clearly a very, very selfish decision.
I mean, I suppose it could be worse. Geoff JohnssFlashpoint event of the comic books was so catastrophic it altered the DC Universe for years, gave way to the across the board moody New 52, and the publisher had to drag Alan Moores omnipotent Doctor Manhattan into the fray just to explain the dang thing (for his part, Alan Moore responded by angrily casting a spell in a cottage outside Northampton, England).Episode writer Brooke Roberts, playing off a story by exec-producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, does the exact opposite; Flashpoint, for the most part, is a return to the lighthearted jauntiness that was season ones trademark, that the show largely lost in Season 2: Arrow But With Lightning Bolts. Yes, this comes along with the layers of cheese The Flash so often melts over painfullyon-the-nose dialogue (over-under on how many iterations of Some people are just meant to meet we get in an hour). But story issues asideand oh boy, are there issues, and well get to thattheres a lot of fun to be had in this alternate timeline while it still exists.
Case in point: Carlos Valdes is having the time of his d**n life playing Cisco as the tech-billionaire owner of Ramon Industries. Think Jesse Eisenbergs Lex Luthor from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but entertaining instead of the absolute worst. The moment Cisco testily misses a layup is one I will treasure for years to come:
Then theres Wally West as dont-call-me-Kid Flash and his ongoing feud with Edward Clariss, a speedster who labelled himself The Rival to prove he has no rival, which doesnt make a ton of sense. But thats okay! Keiynan Lonsdale is charming as h**l as Wally, and sells the fact that an inexperienced, hotheaded Flash wouldnt do much more than blaze around with one enemy in a super-powered game of one-upmanship (although I did laugh when someone in the police department yelled for, like, the third time Ohhhh Kid Flash and Rival are at it again!).
But again, this all blur-circles back to Barry, who is navigating this with the optimism of a dog in a burning house. Which is why when the premiere turns dark real fast, its jarring. I mean, theres no way around it this episode effectively ends with Barry murdering his own mother. Its Eobard Thawne who holds the knife, as it was the first time and always will be, but Barry course-corrects from Flashpoint by letting it happen.The path Barry takes to that decision is so quick, though, it almost doesnt feel earned. To be fair, he says it himself: Speed has always been my problem.
But this is a problem. True, the universe kind of forced Barrys handWally was on his deathbed after the climactic battle with Rival, and Barry was losing all memory of his former self, powers includedbecause of course of you f**k with time, time f***s with you back. I learned that from James Franco. But thats a momentous choice to make, to willingly stand there as your greatest enemy kills your mother, that Barry processes and decides over the course of about three scenes and a few hugs.
Of course, Barry and Thawne dont return to a completely unchanged timeline. For one, we get a brief, faceless introduction to season 3 big bad, Doctor Alchemy, voiced by Jigsaw himself, Tobin Bell.
Completely unrelated to this episode, but in the earliest appearances of Doctor Alchemy he used a magnetic light called Elemento to send The Flash into space, a plot point I fully support The Flash copying with minimum to zero changes.
But the real changes here are more emotional than grandiose; Wally is alive, Joe and Barry are back on speaking terms, but for some yet-unknown reason, Iris and Joe arent on speaking terms. Thats a small change that effectively shatters the universe of both The Flash and The Flash. Barry ended season 2 by changing the entire world, by creating Flash Point, all because of a parental connection he never had. Now he not only understands that he could alter time itself and still not have that connection, but in trying hes doomed Iris to that same burden.Make no mistake,I do not want a return to the brooding of The Flash at its doom-and-gloomiest last season, I do have to give kudos to the weight Grant Gustin puts into Barrys final line here: Oh Godwhat have I done?
I know two things about life, and its that what Barry did was mess up very, very badly.
If theres one solid rule of TV Critiquing 101, its dont nitpick. Unfortunately, I skipped that class in college to get high and watch The Flash, plus if its any form of storytelling that practically begsto be nitpicked, its time travel. With that said: If Barry is losing his memories of the former timeline completely, how does he know hes forgetting? Wouldnt the only way to know youre forgetting be toremember?
Nitpicking Part 2: Barry asks to leave work early to bring Thawne dinner. Assuming he feeds him every day, wouldnt that mean Barry has to leave work earlyevery day?
Caitlin: Excuse me, have I been kidnapped? Wally: Unclear.Danielle Panabaker was wasted in Caitlins short, super nonessential appearance here, but this exchange was gold. As was billionaire-douche Cisco referring to Caitlin as Kitty Eye Docs.
Man, Wally was really thrilled to explain in deep, expository detail his Flash origin story to a dude he literally just met while lying in a dumpster.
Cisco: This guys like a weather wizard or something. Its nice to know some habits defy the laws of time and space.
ESPN First Take - New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings : Who Wins?
Art Stapleton, USA TODAY Sports 8:50 a.m. EDT October 3, 2016
The New York Giants Olivier Vernon (54), shown here last week against Washington, says he"s not feeling anymore pressure to get to the quarterback against Minnesota Monday night despite the team"s depleted secondary.(Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
MINNEAPOLIS Olivier Vernon is not feeling any more pressure to generate pressure because of the injuries that have left the New York Giants secondary thin going into Monday"s prime-time showdown against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
The Giants will be without two of their starting safeties in Nat Berhe (concussion) and Darian Thompson (foot), and the status of cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) and Eli Apple (hamstring) remains uncertain with both unlikely to play.
Apple is listed as doubtful, but Rodgers-Cromartie likely will be a game-time decision.
Vernon promises the Giants will not be out to overcompensate for perceived holes in the back of their defense. The plan of getting after opposing quarterbacks never changes.
Your goal is to always get there fast, Vernon said.
That goal becomes even more of a priority Monday when points likely will be a premium.
The Vikings (3-0) are vulnerable along the offensive line and the Giants (2-1) despite stark improvements up front have yet to have the kind of performance that jumps off the videotape from every angle.
Matt Kalil, Minnesotas starting left tackle, is on injured reserve after undergoing hip surgery. That forced T.J. Clemmings to flip from right tackle to the blind side.
Left guard Alex Boone was hampered in practice all week with a hip injury, although hes expected to start. The right side of guard Brandon Fusco and tackle Andre Smith has struggled mightily, allowing 21 pressures over the first three games.
The Vikings are coming off a performance during which they sacked reigning league MVP Cam Newton eight times, forcing three interceptions in the process in a dominant 22-10 victory at Carolina.
Its really going to be a defensive game. You can see it, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said. We have to come out there; we know its going to be a fight, and we have to give them our best defense. Weve got to go at it.
In their three wins, the Vikings are holding opposing offenses to under 300 total yards and are third in the NFLin points allowed (40).
In their Dec. 29 trip to Minnesota last season, the Giants were embarrassed in every facet.
They gave up 49 points in a dominant Vikings performance that included All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completing 15 of 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown.
But Peterson and Bridgewater wont be in uniform at U.S. Bank Stadium: Both are on injured reserve with knee injuries. Bridgewater is out for the season, and Peterson could be as well, although theres a chance the Vikings could use the IR designation for return to bring him back to the active roster if his recovery goes well.
Theyre a good team. Theyre a good team all around, Vernon said. They went to the playoffs last year and theyre trying to get back. They have very talented guys on that defense and that offense. Its going to be a good ballgame.
Only three players from the Giants starting defense that lost to the Vikings last season are likely to be in the starting lineup: Pierre-Paul, linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Casillas and safety Landon Collins.
Rodgers-Cromartie would be the fourth.
The Minnesota offense is ranked 31stin the NFL in yards per game (265.3), but has turned over the ball just once and has outscored its opponents in the second half, 46-19.
The Giants have played 211 defensive snaps in their first three games and Pierre-Paul has missed just five of them. Vernon has played 198.
Its not the same team as last year, Minnesotas Clemmings said. Its the same New York Giants, but the pieces are different. We understand that. Its not going to be last year. We know its a good team were about to face.
The Giants know it, too.
We have to expect theyre gonna bring their best, Pierre-Paul said. Were gonna have to bring our best.
Art Stapleton writes for the Bergen County Record, part of the USA TODAY Network.
REBUILDING THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS! NBA 2K17 MY LEAGUE
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Zaza Pachulia stretches before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Zaza Pachulia stretches before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Andre Iguodala heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Andre Iguodala heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry jokes with assistant coach Bruce Fraser before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry jokes with assistant coach Bruce Fraser before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry watches as he makes a shot from the tunnel before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry watches as he makes a shot from the tunnel before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant warms up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant warms up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Warriors Kevin Durant hopes to average double-double
Kevin Durant has been named an NBA MVP, a Rookie of the Year and an All-Star Game MVP.
In his first season with the Warriors, he eyes a new feat: averaging a double-double. It is an ambitious goal that, if reached, would buoy a team trying to replace two of last seasons top three rebounders in centers Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli.
I feel I can be a double-double guy if I go in there and bang a little more than I have in the past, said Durant, whose Golden State team hosts the Clippers for a preseason game Tuesday night. Its just a matter of me developing that mindset and just going out there and doing it.
At 6-foot-9 with a 7-4 wingspan, Durant has long been a solid rebounder for his position. The four-time NBA scoring champion has averaged 7 rebounds per game over his nine-year career, including a career-high 8.2 last season. But Oklahoma City, which paced the league in 2015-16 with a mind-boggling rebound differential of plus-8.4, hardly needed Durant to be elite at crashing the glass.
The Warriors offer a far different scenario. With Bogut and Ezeli gone, they dont have anyone capable of routinely soaring above the rim for rebounds. Offseason signings Zaza Pachulia and David West, while both proven rebounders in their own rights, rely on boxing out their men.
Though preseason openers should be kept in perspective, Golden State was outrebounded, 58-42, Saturday by Toronto. Durant finished that game with four rebounds, only two shy of Wests team-high.
Ive got to do a better job, said Durant, who would be just the second small forward this century to average 10 rebounds per game if he achieves his goal (Gerald Wallace in 2009-10 is the other). Ive got to do a better job of getting in there and helping Zaza and Draymond (Green) out. And JaVale (McGee) and D-West. Ive got to go in there and help those guys out.
Said head coach Steve Kerr of Durant trying to average a double-double: I think its a great goal. Im pretty sure hes going to get the double on the scoring side. I like anyone who tries to set goals other than scoring.
Briefly: Forward Kevon Looney (left groin strain) is out, and Kerr said he is day-to-day. Kerr said he expects to play his starters more Tuesday than he did Saturday, bumping them up to over 20 minutes each.
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron
Maureen & Artem"s Quickstep - Dancing with the Stars
Amber Rose might have a booty to rival Jennifer Lopez, but her moves didn"t quite match on Monday"s episode of Dancing With The Stars.
The curvy 32-year-old TV host failed to beat The Brady Bunch actress Maureen McCormick, 60, who was struggling with a bad back.
"My body feels totally beaten up right now," said Maureen, who revealed she was "very intimidated" to be up against Amber.
Twerking it: Amber twerked against Maksim Chmerkovskiy during her Dancing With The Stars routine on Monday
Surprise victory: However Maureen McCormick won immunity after a face-off dance against Amber
But Amber only received 25 points out of 40, while Maureen took the win with 29 points in their "salsa face off".
Amber had twerked to Jennifer Lopez"s Big Booty song with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 36.
"This is very appropriateI"m super excited to shake my booty in this dance, I feel like I"m really going to bring it tonight," Amber remarked beforehand.
"I feel like J-Lo already," she cooed in rehearsals.
Feeling good: The Jennifer Lopez song choice had Amber feeling confident
Feeling it: Maureen admitted she was intimidated going up against Amber
But Amber, who was in jeopardy last week, remained in the danger zone as Maureen and Artem Chigvintsev gained immunity from elimination.
Her shaky performance was part of the show"s "face off week" where each couple was pitted against another with the highest scorer gaining immunity.
An unusual "bromance" has been emerging between Texas governor Rick Perry and his fellow Texas native Vanilla Ice (real name Robert Matthew Van Winkle).
Strong performance: Artem Chigvintsev and Maureen gained immunity
Room for improvement: Amber and Maks only got 25 out out of 40 points
TV star: The TV host has kept up a smile throughout the show
She"s got moves: Amber looked sensational in a sparkly body suit
"It"s actually really sweet," remarked Emma Slater, Rick"s 27-year-old partner.
The unlikely friends were pitted against each other in a paso doble face off.
Rick, 66, a former presidential hopeful known for his stance against gay rights, scored 23.
In training: The star put her all into rehearsals with Maks
Former governor: Rick Perry performed a paso doble with Emma Slater
Debate night: The show was only one hour due to the presidential debate
Vanilla Ice and his partner Witney Carson, tied with Rick but the 48-year-old rapper, gained immunity from elimination as head judge Len Goodman broke the tie.
Disgraced Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, 32, was up against Indycar driver James Hinchcliffe, 29.
Ryan got his shirt ripped open by his partner Cheryl Burke, 32.
Smooth moves: Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson barely beat Rick and Emma
Broke it: Len Goodman broke the tie and voted for Ice
The winners: Vanilla Ice and Witney celebrated their immunity
Both couple"s cha chas were quite strong, but James gained immunity with 29 over Ryan"s 25.
Terra Jol, 36, is first little person to appear on DWTS and was battling retired NFL star Calvin Johnson, 30.
They both tackled the Viennese Waltz.
He"s good: James Hinchcliffe impressed again during his dance with Sharna Burgess
Shirt off: Ryan Lochte had hsi shirt ripped open by pro partner Cheryl Burke
"This dance is basically saying ""I want to be equal""," said Terra, who became tearful in rehearsals.
Terra and Sasha Farber gained 30 points but Calvin and Lindsay Arnold beat them with 32.
Teenage Olympian gymnast Laurie Hernandez, 16, did a tango against Taxi actress Marilu Henner, 64.
Emotional dance: Terra Jole and Sasha Farber gained 30 points
Won it: Calvin Johnson and Lindsay Arnold won immunity with their 32-point performance
Good times: Terra and Calvin danced with each other during a break
"I want to show the judges that I can tango as well as someone older than me," said the gold medallist.
Laurie and her pro partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy received 31 while Marilu and Derek Hough took 28.
Country singer Jana Kramer, 32, got embroiled in a "Jive off" against Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, 57.
Brought experience: Marilu Henner and Derek Hough got a 28 for their tango
She"s a winner: Laurie Fernandez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy got 31 and won immunity
The host: Tom Bergeron hosted the show solo as Erin Andrews took a night off to support her boyfriend Jarrett Stoll after his nephew died
Kenny and his partner Allison Holker danced to Little Richard"s Great G*d Almighty.
"I"m always in control, this performance has to be a little bit out of control," said Babyface, who has written and produced over 26 No. 1 R&B hits throughout his career.
Babyface and Allison received a respectable 25, but Jana and Gleb Savchenko beat them with 26 points to gain immunity.
DWTS returns on Tuesday on ABC
In control: Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds performed a jive with Allison Holker
Won immunity: Jana Kramerand Gleb Savchenko won their face off and got immunity
Candace Cameron Bure Talks About Living Vicariously Through Her Daughter | The View
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Natasha Bure, daughter of "Full House" (and "Fuller House") star Candace Cameron Bure, stepped on the stage for a blind audition on "The Voice" Monday night, and let"s just say she made mom very, very proud.
The elder Bure, 40, stood on the sidelines while Natasha crooned a confident "Can"t Help Falling in Love With You" for the coaches, convincing Adam Levine to punch his button and turn around.
"Shut up!" cried Bure backstage, ecstatic for her daughter, while standing alongside husband Valeri Bure, a former Russian hockey player.
@NBCTheVoice/Twitter
Candace Cameron Bure reacts to her daughter Natasha"s performance on the "Voice."
Levine told her that the performance was "self-assured," noting, "There was something there that was really different and special."
MORE: You can now rent the "Full House" house!
But as he noted, "The second my chair turned around you had a little bit of a nervous breakdown." He advised her to work on getting her nerves together.
"My mind isn"t nervous but I think my body gets nervous," she told the coaches.
In the end, she earned a slot on Team Adam no small feat. Maybe this video from "Full House" stars John Stamos and Bob Saget helped amp her up?
However she did it, congratulations to Natasha and her support team most especially mom!
A flood of social media posts that surfaced in recent days threatening attacks on Philadelphia schools by clowns some of which named specific schools prompted Philadelphia police and the city school district to investigate.
The district and police on Sunday released a joint statement saying that the unnerving posts, some of which named Philadelphia schools as targets in attacks to be carried out by clowns in the coming days, are being taken seriously.
"The School District of Philadelphia"s Office of School Safety alerted both the Philadelphia Police Department and the Office of Homeland Security Saturday upon learning of these disturbing social media posts," the statement read in part. "The safety of our children and the communities surrounding our schools is a top priority for us, and we are taking this matter seriously."
Authorities said similar posts have surfaced in a number of other states, but they"re actively investigating those in Philadelphia and "pursuing those responsible for them."
Reports of clown sightings across the country surfaced in recent weeks, including several in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties.
Police in northeastern Pennsylvania about two weeks ago said they were investigating in Pottsville after receivinga report that a 12-year-old girl and her friends were chased by a clown, who then threw a stick at them and yelled obscenities before running back into the woods. Last week in Reading, police said a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death after someone in a clown mask may have provoked a confrontation.
Reports of clown sightings have also surfaced in Lower Macungie, Easton, and New Jersey over the last several weeks.
Published at 2:07 PM EDT on Oct 2, 2016 | Updated at 12:03 PM EDT on Oct 3, 2016
