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We just got a surprise official 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' poster that will make you feel like a kid again

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Here it is. 

Just announced and rolled out at the D23 event this weekend, our first look at a new official poster of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

As io9 notes, the art is drawn by Drew Struzan, who has a long track record doing posters for 'Star Wars' movies.

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NOW WATCH: Here’s how to get your own 'Straight Outta Compton' Facebook photo











A physicist just blew the controversy behind this iconic American photo wide open all over again

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Legendary_kiss_V–J_day_in_Times_Square_Alfred_Eisenstaedt (1)

For 67 years, the identity of the two kissers in one of America's most celebrated photos — the "V-J Day in Times Square" or simply "The Kiss" — remained a complete mystery.

The photo was taken by Life Magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt in Times Square in New York City on August 14, 1945 — a day Americans remember as "Victory over Japan Day," when Japan surrendered, putting an end to World War II.

In 2012 the book "The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo that Ended World War II" identified that sailor as George Mendonsa and the nurse as Greta Friedman.

Mendonsa and Friedman's story of how the iconic kiss happened was announced to the world, and the decades-long mystery was finally put to rest.

At least, until now.

The question over the couple's identities has appeared once again because Mendonsa and Friedman's story couldn't have happened at the time they said it did, according to Texas State physicist Donald Olsen and his colleagues Russell Doescher, an astrophysicist at Texas State, and Steven D. Kawaler, an astrophysicist at Iowa State University.

The three scientists pointed out a flaw in the story when they sought to answer another question about this iconic photo that few people think to ask: What time of day Eisenstaedt took the photo.

Olsen scrutinized the length and angle of the various shadows of people and buildings in the photo to help him get an idea of the time of day. He also built scale models of some of the buildings in Time Square back in 1945 based from measurements he found in old maps and blueprints of the square, as well as aerial photos to determine the time, once and for all.

But what ultimately clinched it was the length of the shadow on a clock in the photo. The shadow, Olsen realized, was generated by a sign above the clock. By calculating the distance between the clock and sign, he determined the location of the sun in the sky, which then gave him the time of day.

The KissAfter four years working on this project, Olsen and the team announced beyond any doubt that the famous kiss happened at 5:51 p.m. According to Wired, you can read a report of their findings in the August issue of Sky and Telescope Magazine.

The problem is that Mendonsa and Friedman's story places their kiss around 2 p.m. Mendonsa said the kiss happened shortly after he left a movie at 1:05 p.m., and Friedman said she was on a late lunch break.

While the two purported kissers might just be misremembering the time of day — after all it happened nearly 70 years ago — Olsen's study brings their story and subsequent claims of being the famous sailor and nurse into question.

Though he has solved the time of day, Olsen told Wired he still didn't have a clue as to the identity of the people in the photo. That mystery is one that will have to remain unsolved, for now.

CHECK OUT: Scientists discovered that more sex will not make you happier, but that's not the most surprising part

SEE ALSO: An African python dies prematurely after eating a 30-pound porcupine, but that's not what killed it

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NOW WATCH: How scientists uncovered a completely new world inside the tunnels of the most powerful physics machine on Earth










Disney is working on its first Marvel ride, but you'll have to visit Hong Kong to see it

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iron man experience

Disney announced plans to expand its theme parks over the next few years at its biannual fan event D23 this weekend. 

In addition to several new "Star Wars" attractions, the company announced several other projects it's working on including a much-anticipated Marvel ride.

However, if you want to check it out, you'll have to head to Hong Kong Disneyland.

That's where the Iron Man Experience will debut in 2016.

Check it out below.

Set to open in Disneyland Hong Kong in 2016, the Iron Man Experience will be the first Marvel attraction to be at any Disney theme park.



The attraction will put guests in Iron Man's shoes as they soar above the streets and through the Hong Kong skies.



Riders will head to the Stark Expo where they'll board the Iron Wing to battle Avengers nemesis Hydra with Iron Man.



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NOW WATCH: Here’s how to get your own 'Straight Outta Compton' Facebook photo










N.W.A. biopic 'Straight Outta Compton' has a huge $56 million weekend at the box office

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Universal continues to dominate the summer, as its latest release, "Straight Outta Compton," the biopic on groundbreaking gangster-rap group N.W.A., exceeded all expectation by topping the weekend domestic box office with $56 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

Projections had the film grossing around $25 million, with its more than two-hour running time and R-rating. But following Thursday preview screenings that made $4.96 million, which was more than "Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation" (and in fewer theaters than "M:I" for its Thursday preview), things were looking strong for the film.

"Compton" followed that with a $24.3 million Friday, which is the fourth-highest opening day ever for an August release, according to Deadline.

With a film that has now not just grabbed the attention of moviegoers but has also struck a cultural nerve in the wake of incidents of police unrest like in Ferguson, Missouri, it will be interesting to see if Universal can mount an Oscar campaign for the film through the crowded upcoming fall award season.

Things were not as good for the other new release this weekend. Spy thriller "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." only made $13 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

To put that in perspective, "U.N.C.L.E." cost around $80 million to make. "Straight Outta Compton" had a budget of $29 million.

SEE ALSO: How "Straight Outta Compton" viral marketing became a sensation

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NOW WATCH: Here's why the new 'Star Wars' movie might stink










Here's what real NFL agents think about HBO's 'Ballers'

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As "Ballers, " the HBO comedy series about the glamorous lives of NFL agents and their clients, wraps up its successful first season, the Esquire Network is releasing its own take on the subject matter. 

The documentary series "The Agent" follows a handful of sports agents dealing with the often stressful realities of negotiating lucrative deals for their clients and navigating with the unpredictable world of the NFL. We asked two stars of "The Agent" how their show is different from "Ballers."

"The Agent" airs Tuesdays at 10pm ET on the Esquire Network. 

Produced by Graham Flanagan

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The most famous band of all-time from every state

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Prince (singer)

Great music can be found all across the country. And every state has a famous band that hails from it.

To determine the most famous band from every state, we looked at reputation, record sales, and awards, considering each band within their own era.

We used the term "band" loosely here, including any musical act consisting of more than one person. We focused mostly on the state where each band originally formed, but also considered where their music was popularized, as well as artists' hometowns.

Check out which band is making your state proud.

SEE ALSO: The most powerful person in Hollywood at every age

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ALABAMA: Alabama

One of the most successful bands of all-time, Alabama has sold over 73 million records and has seven multiplatinum albums and two Grammys. The band sold more records during the '80s than any other bandNot only is their success impressive by any measure, but they also managed to make country music popular in the mainstream.



ALASKA: Portugal. The Man

Portugal. The Man released their debut album, "Waiter: You Vultures!" in 2006 and booked their first headlining tour the next year. The rock band released three more albums — including breakout record "The Satanic Satanist" — before signing with Atlantic Records in 2009. Danger Mouse, known for working with artists like Beck and The Black Keys, produced Portugal. The Man's most recent album, "Evil Friends."



ARIZONA: Alice Cooper

The first of the many shock-rock bands of the '70s, Alice Cooper kept fans entranced with their gender-bending outfits and dark, on-stage theatrics — concert-goers could expect performances to include stunts like Cooper's faux beheading via guillotine. But it's the music that kept fans coming back for more, and their riff-heavy brand of hard rock produced a string of hits including "School's Out" and "Be My Lover." Alice Cooper was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.



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22 lessons from Stephen King on how to be a great writer

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stephen king

Renowned author Stephen King has written over 50 books that have captivated millions of people around the world.

In his memoir, "On Writing," King shares valuable insights into how to be a better writer. And he doesn't sugarcoat it. He writes, "I can't lie and say there are no bad writers. Sorry, but there are lots of bad writers."

Don't want to be one of them? Here are 22 great pieces of advice from King's book on how to be an amazing writer.

This is an update of an article written by Maggie Zhang.

 

SEE ALSO: Here's the secret underlying all good writing

1. Stop watching television. Instead, read as much as possible.

If you're just starting out as a writer, your television should be the first thing to go. It's "poisonous to creativity," he says. Writers need to look into themselves and turn toward the life of the imagination.

To do so, they should read as much as they can. King takes a book with him everywhere he goes, and even reads during meals. "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot," he says. Read widely, and constantly work to refine and redefine your own work as you do so.



2. Prepare for more failure and criticism than you think you can deal with.

King compares writing fiction to crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a bathtub, because in both, "there's plenty of opportunity for self-doubt." Not only will you doubt yourself, but other people will doubt you, too. "If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or sing, I suppose), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that's all," writes King.

Oftentimes, you have to continue writing even when you don't feel like it. "Stopping a piece of work just because it's hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea," he writes. And when you fail, King suggests that you remain positive. "Optimism is a perfectly legitimate response to failure." 



3. Don't waste time trying to please people.

According to King, rudeness should be the least of your concerns. "If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered anyway," he writes. King used to be ashamed of what he wrote, especially after receiving angry letters accusing him of being bigoted, homophobic, murderous, and even psychopathic.

By the age of 40, he realized that every decent writer has been accused of being a waste of talent. King has definitely come to terms with it. He writes, "If you disapprove, I can only shrug my shoulders. It's what I have." You can't please all of your readers all the time, so King advises that you stop worrying. 



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You'll be able to buy a 'Star Wars'-themed PlayStation 4 this November

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If you've been holding out on buying a PlayStation 4, this may convince you to change your tune. 

This November, Sony will release a limited edition Darth Vader-inspired PS4 with a repeating "Star Wars" logo across the top of the system. 

The announcement was made at Disney's D23 Expo event in Anaheim, California Sunday.

Let's take a closer look at it!

Here's the limited edition Darth Vader-inspired PS4.



Check out the "Star Wars" logo across the top of the console.



It's a beauty!



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KFC has another new Colonel — and it'll be hoping some viewers hate these ads as much as the last (YUM)

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Fresh from bringing back its iconic "Colonel" brand mascot, KFC is launching new ads with another new actor playing the Colonel.

Norm Macdonald — the "Saturday Night Live" veteran and "Last Comic Standing" judge — is taking over from impressionist Darrell Hammond as Colonel Sanders in a new campaign for the fast-food brand, the company announced on Monday in a press release.

KFC US chief marketing officer Kevin Hochman says: "Other than not quite looking like him, his voice being different, and his inability to cook the world's best chicken, we thought Norm was the perfect choice to play the Real Colonel. I think the fans will agree."

It may sound odd, but KFC will probably be hoping the new ads will polarize viewers. The CEO of KFC parent company Yum Brands, Greg Creed, said one out of five people hated the Hammond ad campaign. But he added that it was great news "because at least now they have an opinion. They're actually talking about KFC, and you can market to love and hate; you cannot market to indifference."

The fall ad campaign refers to KFC's history and sees Macdonald playing the Colonel in his wood-paneled office.

The four spots also introduce a new family-size version of KFC's $5 fill-up meal: the $20 family fill-up, which contains eight pieces of chicken, two large orders of mashed potatoes and gravy, one large coleslaw, and four biscuits.

kfc family fill up

While some fast-food brands are struggling to maintain sales growth in the US, KFC is outperforming many of its competitors. KFC grew sales by 1% in the US in the quarter to June 13.

SEE ALSO: KFC is making 2 drastic changes to beat the competition

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NOW WATCH: McDonald's is changing its burgers to make them tastier










Guess which day set the record for most flowers sold in the US

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elvis flowers death

August 17th, 1977, the day after "the King of Rock and Roll" died, set the record for most flowers sold in the US on a single day.

According to then-Associated Press reporter Mark Knoller, who covered Elvis Presley's funeral in Memphis, the grounds of the Forest Hill Cemetery were a "sea of flowers."

elvis flowers"I remember a spokesperson for FTD, the flowers-by-wire service, telling us they had more orders that day for Elvis than ever before in their history,"  Knoller later wrote for CBS News. "We were told 3,116 floral arrangements had been delivered."

By that afternoon, Memphis ran out of flowers and scrambled to get additional flowers shipped in from around the nation.

Elvis, 42, was pronounced dead at the Baptist Memorial Hospital after his girlfriend found him unconscious in his bathroom on August 16th.

The official cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia.

"The King's" funeral was held on August 18th in his Graceland mansion.

The home remains the second-most visited residence in the US, after the White House.

SEE ALSO: A Tour Of Elvis Presley's Famous Stomping Grounds

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We finally know exactly when ‘The Walking Dead’ spin-off will take place in relation to the original show

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fear the walking dead

Later this month, AMC will premiere a spin-off companion series to its hit series "The Walking Dead."

Called "Fear the Walking Dead," the series will serve as a prequel of sorts. The new show will take place before the start of the zombie apocalypse fans have become familiar with on the original show while showing the experience of the end of the world from a group of fresh eyes.

While we know the companion series will take place at some point before "The Walking Dead," we're not completely clear on the time frame of the spin-off and when it will begin.

When viewers first tuned into "The Walking Dead" in 2010 we were introduced to Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) in a world devoid of any sort of virus or sickness. After a gunshot wound put him in a coma, the next time we see him is an unexplained time later where the world has been transformed into the apocalyptic wasteland with which viewers have become familiar.

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Sure, "Fear the Walking Dead" showrunner and executive producer Dave Erickson said at the Television Critics Association's press tour season one will take place over the course of three weeks — a portion of the time when Rick was in his coma — but when exactly will the show start in comparison to "The Walking Dead"? 

We asked Erickson if he could elaborate. 

"Our starting points are similar. The first day of our show is around or about the day that Rick was shot and fell into his coma," "Fear the Walking Dead" showrunner and executive producer Dave Erickson told Tech Insider. 

the walking dead episode 1the walking dead rick grimes episode 1

"Robert has said for him, the coma, Rick was probably out four to five weeks," he continued. "If you count the days of season one of our show, we’re probably around week three [by the end of the season]. So ... the discovery will continue. Our characters will be up to speed, and they will know that the world has changed and the apocalypse has come, but there’s still going to be a lot of real estate to explore."

fear the walking dead behind the scenes

"Put it this way, when Rick gets to Atlanta [in 'The Walking Dead'], and he catches up and he finds Shane, and Lori and Carl, they got a camp set up already. They know what the walkers are, they know how to defend themselves, and they’ve already created a sort of a system in their own sort of strange dysfunctional family," said Erickson. "That’s something we will continue to explore as we go into season two [on 'Fear']. We will not quite be caught up."

"Fear the Walking Dead" premieres on AMC August 23 at 9 p.m.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: There's a good reason 'The Walking Dead' creator doesn't use the word zombie










Ronda Rousey had a clever way of showing she's right for the lead in 'Captain Marvel'

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ronda rousey fighter

UFC champion Ronda Rousey did a Reddit AMA last week, and one of her answers sparked fans to jump into action.

When Rousey was asked which superhero she would play if given the opportunity, she replied:

Captain Marvel TPB Cover"Well … a lot of the good ones have been taken, but I'd like to vie for Miss Marvel."

That character is also known as Captain Marvel, a name she shared with the classic comic created in the late 1960s. A film adaption is set for release in November 2018 and will be Marvel's first female-led superhero movie.

None of the cast has been announced yet, so if Rousey is interested, this is the best time to let it be known.

But things didn't end with Rousey's comments.

After the AMA, the undefeated MMA fighter took to Instagram and posted fan art that was sent to her of herself playing Captain Marvel. She wrote in her Instagram pics that she "received so many badass Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel edits" and couldn't pick just one so she used two posts to share her favorites.

Here they are:

Rousey isn't the only one voicing interest in the role. "Jurassic World" star Bryce Dallas Howard told Cinema Blend earlier this summer that it would be "rad" if she were chosen to play Captain Marvel.

Rousey has shown she can hold her own in the action-adventure realm. She starred in "The Expendables 3" last year and was in "Furious 7" this year.

SEE ALSO: Why Marvel pulled Captain Marvel out of "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

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NOW WATCH: The BBC just shocked everyone with a clip from the next 'Sherlock' episode










Morgan Freeman's granddaughter was fatally stabbed in NYC

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E’Dena Hines Morgan Freeman

E’Dena Hines, the step-granddaughter of actor Morgan Freeman, died Sunday morning in New York City.

The young actress, 33, was found lying on the street near her apartment on 250 West 162nd Street at 2:54 AM with multiple stab wounds in the torso area, according to a police report. Hines was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center but was pronounced dead.

An investigation into her death is still underway.  On Sunday morning, 30-year-old Lamar Davenport, was taken into custody. He reportedly dated and lived with HinesOn Monday he was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to police. 

"The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer,” Freeman said of Hines in a statement to People. "Her friends and family were fortunate enough to have known what she meant as a person. Her star will continue to shine bright in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The BBC just shocked everyone with a clip from the next 'Sherlock' episode










J.K. Rowling’s advice to a disgruntled young writer is priceless

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JK Rowling

Author of the “Harry Potter” novels, J.K. Rowling, has built a reputation for delivering some incredible tweets.

And her most recent is another example.

Over the weekend someone tweeted the famous author this:

This question from a presumably aspiring writer is one Rowling likely gets on a daily basis. But instead of just ignoring it and going on with her day, Rowling responded with some great advice:

Rowling is quite a success story. She was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International when she conceived the idea for "Harry Potter." In 2014 her net worth was $1 billion

SEE ALSO: J.K. Rowling had the ultimate response when a Serena Williams hater tried to argue with her on Twitter

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NOW WATCH: President Obama and former President Clinton cross paths on the golf course










Bethany Mota just proved once again she's still dominating the internet

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bethany mota

YouTube Star Bethany Mota was a big winner at Sunday's 2015 Teen Choice Awards— the 19-year old lifestyle vlogger scored the Female Web Star award for the second year in a row. 

Mota, a lifestyle vlogger, is beloved by her millions of fans across Twitter, Instagram, and of course, YouTube.

Known for her "haul" videos and DIY tips for everything from room organization to school supplies, Mota has built a digital empire since she began sharing her life online in 2009. 

"What I love about what I do on YouTube is that I have these ideas that I can really bring to life," Mota told Cosmopolitan earlier this year

Check out everything you need to know about the 2015 Teen Choice Female Web Star, Bethany Mota. 

On Sunday, YouTuber Bethany Mota took home the 2015 Teen Choice Female Web Star Award.



Along with bragging rights, Mota took home this full-size surfboard.



The was the second consecutive win for the YouTuber, who also nabbed the Female Web Star award in 2014.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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'Dilbert' creator: There's a 'clown genius' behind Donald Trump's campaign — and it's why he's unstoppable

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The cartoonist who created "Dilbert" has a unique and compelling take on what he calls the "clown genius" fueling Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

Scott Adams, the cartoonist, published a blog post on the subject last week and repeatedly updated the article with additional thoughts on why the talking points of Trump's campaign trail reminded him of successful hypnosis.

"For our purposes today, persuasion, hypnosis, and negotiating all share a common set of tools, so I will conflate them," wrote Adams, who has studied hypnosis. "Would Trump use his negotiation and persuasion skills in the campaign? Of course he would. And we expect him to do just that."

Adams pointed to Trump's repeated — and disputed — claim that he was worth over $10 billion.

Bloomberg Politics and other analysts have argued that Trump's net worth is probably closer to $3 billion, but Adams said that once the debate is over how many billions of dollars Trump is worth, the real-estate magnate has already won.

"The sale he wants to make is, 'Remember that Donald Trump is a successful businessperson managing a vast empire mostly of his own making.' The exact amount of his wealth is irrelevant," he said. "When a car salesperson trained in persuasion asks if you prefer the red Honda Civic or the Blue one, that is a trick called making you 'think past the sale' and the idea is to make you engage on the question of color as if you have already decided to buy the car."

He added: "That is Persuasion 101, and I have seen no one in the media point it out when Trump does it."

And besides, Adams argued, voters will always be inclined to remember big, bold numbers like $10 billion instead of specific counterfigures like Bloomberg's $2.9 billion.

"I don’t remember the smaller estimates of Trump's wealth that critics provided. But I certainly remember the $10 billion estimate from Trump himself. Thanks to this disparity in my memory, my mind automatically floats toward Trump's anchor of $10 billion being my reality. That is classic persuasion. And I would be amazed if any of this is an accident," he wrote, noting Trump wrote a book titled "Trump: The Art of the Deal." "Trump literally wrote the book on this stuff."

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The cartoonist also cited several other examples of Trump's psychological tricks. He said Trump often deployed an "anchor" to shift the conversation to more favorable terms, such as when, Adams said, Trump intentionally exaggerated the illegal immigration issue and his own ability to fix it.

"You probably also cringed when you heard Trump say Mexico was sending us their rapists and bad people," he wrote. "Trump also said he thinks Mexico should pay for the fence, which made most people scoff. But if your neighbor's pit bull keeps escaping and eating your rosebushes, you tell the neighbor to pay for his own fence or you will shoot his dog next time you see it. Telling a neighbor to build his own wall for your benefit is not crazy talk. And I actually think Trump could pull it off."

And as far as Trump's tendency to constantly promote his own brands and approach as the "best" and "biggest" in the world, Adams wrote that it's all part of the real-estate developer's larger plan.

"Every time he opens his mouth he is saying something about the Trump brand being fabulous or amazing or great. The rational part of your brain thinks this guy is an obnoxious, exaggerating braggart," the "Dilbert" creator said. "But the subconscious parts of your brain (the parts that make most of your decisions) only remember that something about that guy was fabulous, amazing, and great."

Adams said that, based on his observations, he was willing to predict that Trump would be the next president.

Check out his full post here >

SEE ALSO: Donald Trump tried to replace the 'cheap tent' outside the White House with a $100-million ballroom

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Fashion designer Nicole Miller reveals what Donald Trump is really like










Sharon Stone says that her time on 'Law & Order: SVU' was 'humiliating'

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When Sharon Stone found herself in a recurring role on NBC's '"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," she felt "humiliated."

The Oscar-nominated actress described the career low in a new interview with Harper's Bazaar, which has been making headlines for the 57-year-old actress' nude photo shoot in the magazine.

Fifteen years after being nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Casino," Stone found herself playing Assistant District Attorney Jo Marlowe on "SVU's" 11th season in 2010. In addition to dealing with the less glamorous side of procedural television compared to movies, she was having a hard time remembering her lines, the probable remains of surviving a brain aneurysm in 2001.

law order svu torch sharon stone chris meloni"That was humiliating," Stone told the magazine. "Having worked with the finest people in the industry, I was like, 'Wow, I'm really at the back of the line here. I'm wearing L'eggs panty hose, and in makeup they start out by putting this white primer on my face. I'm like, 'This is so bad. What did I do to deserve this?'"

Instead of continuing to feel horrible about where her career had ended up, Stone decided she needed to humble herself and deal with the reality that she would have to work her way back up the Hollywood ladder.

She said, "I thought, 'You know what? I got thrown off the bullet train, and now I'm going to have to crawl up a hill of broken glass, get back on the train that's going a million miles an hour, and work my way from the cattle car up. That's just the way it is, so I'd better get humble and shut the f--k up and do the job. Because if I can't do this job, I'm certainly not going to be able to do anything else.' "

Stone found herself back in the movies with a string of independent titles and she's now signed on to play the vice president on TNT's buzzy upcoming spy drama, "Agent X."

NBC didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

SEE ALSO: DC Comics is working on a show for NBC that's like 'The Office' but with superheroes

MORE: NBC's search for Donald Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice' replacement is underway

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NOW WATCH: I've never watched anime before — but this new 'Dragonball Z' movie looks like a blast










'Straight Outta Compton' is gunning for an Oscar nomination — but it’s not going to be easy

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The N.W.A. biopic “Straight Outta Compton” is shaping up to be this year’s award season underdog story.

The two-and-a-half hour R-rated drama about the history of the members behind one of rap music’s most iconic groups has already exceeded the expectations of most in Hollywood with a historic opening weekend in theaters.

As of Monday, the film took in an estimated $60.5 million in the US over the weekend, making it easily the biggest domestic opening weekend ever for a music biopic. 

But now it sounds like Universal is gunning for the ultimate prize.

GoldDerby.com’s Tom O’Neil has confirmed to Business Insider that the studio has already begun their Oscar push for the film as they had a screening for Academy voters in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

“The theater was packed with 700 people who gave the film a hearty response,” O’Neil emailed to BI.

Most studios wait to release their award season hopefuls until September or October at the earliest as it can use the prominent fall film festivals like Telluride, Venice, Toronto, and New York film festivals to garner buzz, but it looks like the incredible response to the film has motivated Universal to roll the dice.

“Universal didn’t position ‘Compton’ as an awards contender,’ O’Neil notes. “But it’s suddenly getting that buzz because of its quality and audience impact. Once it plays out in theaters, the studio will campaign it aggressively to Academy members via DVDs shipped to their homes.”

The Oscar campaign could also include getting the film’s director F. Gary Gray and actors in the film like O’Shea Jackson Jr. (who is receiving rave reviews playing Ice Cube, who is his father in real life) to host parties where they mingle with award season voters before the nominations deadline.

Straight Outta Compton Jaimie Trueblood Oscar 3But just because the film is raking in the dough in theaters doesn’t mean it’s a shoe-in for award season nominations.

Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair’s digital director, believes the film has an up-hill battle to become a contender.

“Music biopics in general don’t perform terribly well with the Academy,” he wrote to BI in an email. “'La Bamba' and 'The Doors' were blanked. 'What’s Love Got To Do With It' and 'Walk the Line' were shut out of Best Picture [Oscars] even though they scored in acting categories.”

Hogan notes the Best Picture nominations for "Ray," the biopic on Ray Charles in 2005, and "Coal Miner’s Daughter," biopic on Loretta Lynn in 1980, as exceptions because those he believes had the perfect mixture of focus on universally beloved legends and directors who were industry veterans.

Ray 1There’s also the factor that “Straight Outta Compton” doesn’t shy from the raw realities surrounding the group, from their violent upbringing in Compton, their in-your-face lyrics, and their groupie lifestyle on the road.

“That rawness could make it a tough sell with Oscar voters who are older, whiter, and more sentimental than the general public,” said Hogan.

But O’Neil believes this might be the perfect moment for a film like “Straight Outta Compton.”

“The Academy is hungry to recognize African-American movies,” he believes. “'Selma' suddenly became a strong contender last year out of the blue one year after '12 Years A Slave' won Best Picture.”

O’Neil believes the buzz for “Compton” is real and that it could “snag a nomination for Best Picture.”

BI reached out to Universal for comment but has not yet receives a response.

SEE ALSO: Here's the "Straight Outta Compton" casting call that everybody thought was racist

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Meet the 12 social media stars millions of teens are obsessed with

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On Sunday, FOX aired its annual Teen Choice Awards — an event celebrating the celebrities and artists who teens are obsessed with. 

5 Seconds of Summer, Robin Thicke, and Flo Rida performed at the event, which was held at USC's Galen Center in Los Angeles.

According to FOX, teens cast 25 million votes for their favorite celebrities in categories including film, music, comedy, and the internet. 

But who made the cut? 

Several well-known YouTube and Vine stars took home surfboard-shaped awards last night, as did several well-known pop culture figures and musical artists.

 

 

 

SEE ALSO: Here's how the 'Rich Kids of Instagram' are spending their summers

Selfie Taker: One Direction



Web Star (Female): Bethany Mota



Web Star (Male): Cameron Dallas



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Tracy Morgan set to host 'SNL' in October

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Tracy Morgan is making a return to his former stomping grounds, "Saturday Night Live."

The actor and comedian will host the October 17 episode, NBC announced via press release on Monday.

 The comic also took to Twitter to express his happiness.

 Morgan was badly injured in a 2014 accident after a Wal-Mart truck hit the comedian's limo. Comic James “Jimmy Mack” McNair was killed as a result.

Just a week ago, The National Transportation Safety Board backed Morgan and said the deadly highway crash was the fault of the sleep-deprived Wal-Mart truck driver, according to Deadline.

In May, Wal-Mart and Morgan reached an agreement to settle the actor's civil lawsuit against the retail store chain. The terms of the proposed settlement were not disclosed.  

This will be Tracy Morgan's first performance on TV since the accident and his second time as "SNL's" host. Morgan spent seven seasons on the NBC sketch show and was Emmy-nominated for his role on the award-winning comedy series “30 Rock.”

In June, Morgan appeared on NBC's "Today" to speak about the deadly accident for the first time.

Additionally, pop singer Miley Cyrus will kick off the season in her third time as host on Oct. 3.

Then, comedienne and actress Amy Schumer has been tapped to host for the first time on October 10.

SEE ALSO: Wal-Mart settles with Tracy Morgan after 2014 accident

MORE: Tracy Morgan breaks down while discussing deadly accident for first time on 'Today'

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