Ranked: 7 Pop-Culture Moments From The Last 48 Hours, From 'Dad Joke Disaster' To 'Absolute Legend'

Stop scrolling, because the last 48 hours delivered a bull-riding teen, a record-smashing country star and a neighbourhood at WAR with a rollercoaster. We ranked the best of it, from "mildly amusing" to "frame this immediately."

7. Universal's Rollercoaster Has Toluca Lake Screaming (Literally)

Universal Studios' new Fast & Furious coaster opened Sept. 16, and neighbours say the riders' screams are the problem. Deadline reports that at least 350 people packed a community meeting that one resident called "hostile."

Residents say they hear a scream every 20 to 40 seconds, which they calculate at roughly 1,000 screams a day. Universal is promising a temporary 1,900-square-foot sound barrier and no coaster operation from 8 to 9 a.m. through the end of the year. Mood: tense. Ranking: low, because nobody is having fun here except the riders.

6. Ben Affleck Is NOT Worried About SkyNet

Ben Affleck told Deadline he doesn't "worry about SkyNet" when it comes to AI, calling it "another form of computing." Bold take, delivered with total calm. We'll file this under "future us problem."

5. 'East Of Eden' Is Here, And Florence Pugh Is Reportedly TERRIFYING

Netflix's Steinbeck adaptation lands today, and critics are already talking. The Hollywood Reporter says a "terrifying" Pugh "towers over" the seven-episode series, while Variety calls her and Hoon Lee the show's "beating heart."

THR's verdict is "imperfect but admirably nuanced," and it warns that Netflix is selling a love triangle the show very much is not. Consider yourself prepared.

4. Netflix Is Going BIG On 'KPop Demon Hunters 2'

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said at Bloomberg's Screentime that the sequel, expected in 2029, is targeting "a very broad theatrical release," per Deadline.

The first film spent 63 consecutive weeks in the Global Top 10, and its sing-along cut reportedly grossed an estimated $19M in two days at No. 1. We will be buying tickets and singing at full volume. 🎤

3. Chris Hemsworth's Dad Joke Did NOT Land

Chris Hemsworth's 14-year-old daughter India won an all-boy bull-riding competition, and Page Six reports she lasted nine seconds on the bull.

Dad's pre-ride pep talk? He asked if she'd hang on for "seven seconds." India's reply: "Seven? Why seven? You have to stay on for eight." Hemsworth's caption: "Just wanna say my daughter is a savage."

The champion is India. The cringe is dad's. Worth noting: some commenters also raised animal-welfare concerns about the sport, per Page Six.

2. Anne Hathaway Picked The Knicks Over A Second Oscar

On The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon asked Anne Hathaway whether she'd rather win another Oscar or see the Knicks take another title. Variety says she stumbled, then chose the Knicks, explaining her "nervous system" was reacting "really intense[ly]."

Fallon also gifted her a signed OG Anunoby jersey, and she was so thrilled she played with it instead of answering questions. Priorities, honoured.

1. Ella Langley Just Delivered The Speech Of The Week

"Choosin' Texas" beat Mariah Carey's 22-week run atop the Hot 100 to become the longest-running No. 1 song in history, according to E! News. Then she told a Columbus, Ohio crowd she's heard more opinions about herself this year than ever.

Her answer to the noise: "I am proud of that girl that everybody seems to be picking on." She talked about the 15-passenger van, the Honda Accord and the tip-jar money that got her here.

Record broken, haters answered, crowd roaring. Number one for a reason.

The Tea ☕

Ella Langley's record-breaking run and heartfelt speech takes the crown
Hathaway and the Hemsworths supplied the sweetest sports-flavoured moments
Netflix is serving up a big-screen 'KPop Demon Hunters 2' and a very Pugh-heavy 'East of Eden'

Your Turn

Would YOU rank Hathaway's Knicks loyalty above Langley's speech, or is India Hemsworth the real winner here? Drop your own ranking in the comments.