An Australian woman took to TikTok to share her thoughts on the UK’s beaches – and she didn’t think much of them.
The woman, Celeste, was left unimpressed by UK beaches but Brits were quick to offer alternative suggestions in the comments, reports The Mirror.
Celeste visited Essex and East Sussex coastlines after she journeyed from Down Under to explore the British seaside, only to find her expectations falling short.
She said: “I just arrived in Southend and thought I’d check out a new beach, but something crazy has happened.”
Her confusion continued as she questioned: “People tell me this is a beach, but I’m just wondering who the heck stole all the water. Where are the waves?”
She then showcased the tranquil sea to her followers, asking: “What in the UK is going on here?”
Reflecting on her visit to Brighton the day before which resulted in sunburn, Celeste acknowledged one positive.
“Well I’m thankful that there is sand,” she quipped in acknowledgement to Brighton’s shingle beach.
Taking further issue further with her Brighton experience, Celeste also hit out at the wildlife on the south coast.
“They were so mad that they’ve given me PTSD,” she said of the seagulls. “I bought fish and chips and I was so excited, but a seagull just plucked it straight out of my hands and I looked at my bank account and that fish and chips cost me $30 (£15.10), which to me is just mad.”
The video, which has racked up an impressive 2.3 million views, prompted a flurry of comments from Brits offering advice.
One empathetic viewer suggested: “You chose the two worst beaches,” before recommending Cornwall, Devon, or Holland-On-Sea in Essex as superior alternatives.
Another enthusiast gushed about the northern shores, adding: “Not sure if you’re staying put in the south or travelling, but if it’s beaches you’re after then come up north to the Northumberland coastline for best fish/sea/beach/dunes and views.”
Someone else added: “West Wittering is the UK’s best beach, it’s the only beach I want to go to, when you arrive keep going right past the crowds and you’ll feel like you’re abroad, super soft sand.”
As the mid-’80s approached, a new cornerstone of pop culture arrived in the form of Japan’s Dragon Ball, transpiring into an influential and much-loved phenomenon. The series chronicles the adventures of Goku and his peculiar pals as they embark on a quest to collect seven mystical orbs known as the Dragon Balls. When gathered, the balls process the power to grant wishes, setting the stage for escapades and challenges.
Created by manga master Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball blew doors wide open, inviting curious novices in the Western world to feel a part of the anime realm, debuting as a manga in 1984 and then transitioning to an anime two years later. The Dragon Ball community still stands as strong as ever to this day, with hundreds of episodes of the show readily available to satisfy fans old and new. Last October, a year after its announcement, Dragon Ball DAIMA hit our screens and has garnered perfect reviews. It begs the question: Does it deserve them?
Akira Toriyama: The Passing of a Visionary
Toei Animation/AFP
Toriyama took his first steps into creating comics with Dr Slump – a story about the robot Arale and her creator in the early 80s. But it wasn’t until Dragon Ball that he found global success. On 1 March 2024, Akira Toriyama sadly died at the age of 68 from acute subdural hematoma – pressure from bleeding in the brain, leaving fans saddened. Following a quiet and humble funeral, the official Dragon Ball website posted: “It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm.” Adding, “Also, he would have many more things to achieve.”
These Dragon Ball characters would make for essential storylines in the Dragon Ball Daima.
Until 1995, Toriyama was the guiding light for Dragon Ball, although he remained involved in the franchise in various capacities until his death. From offering Toei Animation advice sporadically, Toriyama became heavily involved in the creation of Dragon Ball DAIM, getting stuck into the story, characterization and more, which excited those fans who preferred the essence of the early days. With emotions high, reviews were bound to hold nostalgia and possibly be more favorable than they might have been if circumstances were different.
In honor of the late icon, here are 10 anime that wouldn’t exist today without Akira Toriyama’s genius and creativity.
‘Dragon Ball DAIMA’ Seen in a Positive Light
Dragon Ball DAIMA harkens back to the early days of Dragon Ball and draws similarities to Dragon Ball GT. In an attack by Gomah the demon king, Goku and his friends find themselves shrunken in size. To return to form, they head off on an action-packed adventure to the Demon Realm. Goku compensates for his new stature by fighting with the Power Pole, a weapon that hasn’t been seen since the early Dragon Ball arcs.
So far, the show has achieved a perfect score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The beautiful esthetics have pleased reviewers, with Gizmode claiming, “DAIMA succeeds by being in fun-spirited dialog with GT’s logline while sprinkling in exciting new bits of lore the series hasn’t seen since Super, and some damn fine animation is thrown in the mix for good measure.” The show also seems to have hit a sweet spot where longtime devotees can sit down to share the show with their children. It works as a standalone series with lots of comedic moments and battles, albeit less intense than usual.
Discover Goku’s age through the chronology of events depicted in the popular anima franchise Dragon Ball.
The Strengths of ‘DAIMA’ Can Also Be Its Weaknesses
Toei Animation
The watered-down elements with Guko coming across as ‘too silly’ appear to cater for a much younger audience and haven’t resonated with many mature viewers, and the lighter approach has left some wishing for a more profound narrative, with the new show conflicting with the lore that was established before. While it’s true that the connection to Toriyama and knowledge of his efforts with Dragon Ball DAIMA could taint people’s opinions, franchises and their continuity are always open to criticism. Knowing there will not be another Toriyama show is a robust reason that many viewers have gratefully accepted what they’ve been offered.
Tim Allen’s newest show, Shifting Gears, Rotten Tomatoes score is revealed. Debuting on ABC from creators Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully and showrunner Michelle Nader, the story of Shifting Gears follows the relationship between Matt (Allen) and his daughter (played by WandaVision and 2 Broke Girls star Kat Dennings). Matt is a widowed owner of a car restoration shop who lets his daughter, Riley, and his grandchildren move back in despite some complicated history. It airs on Wednesdays at 8 PM ET, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
Shifting Gears has received a Rotten Tomatoes score, revealing that the new series is off to a rough start. The sitcom currently holds a 44% rating based on nine reviews, with five listed as negative and four listed as positive. The score breaks down to 3.30 out of 10 stars, indicating that the negative reviews are particularly sharp. The score will fluctuate as more reviews come in. Shifting Gears season 1 has a mixed record compared to Allen’s well-known TV comedies, coming in ahead of Last Man Standing season 1 (14%) but well behind Home Improvement‘s debut year (64%).
What Do The Reviews Say About Shifting Gears?
It’s A Familiar Allen Premise
With a cast that includes Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis, with Brenda Song and Jenna Elfman in guest roles, the acting in Shifting Gears received solid feedback from critics. Dave Nemetz of TVLine writes: “It’s built surprisingly well, with a lot of the credit going to co-star Kat Dennings, who proves she can go toe-to-toe with Allen and match him jab for jab.” But where the show falters for some is exactly what would make it appeal to others; it’s similar to Allen’s past work.
Shifting Gears:MainCast & Characters
Actor
Who They Play
Tim Allen
Matt
Kat Dennings
Riley
Seann William Scott
Gabriel
Daryl Daryl “Chill” Mitchell
Stitch
Maxwell Simkins
Carter
Barrett Margolis
Georgia
This is made explicit in Daniel Feinberg’s review for The Hollywood Reporter as he writes “I watched Shifting Gears thinking that it was Last Man Standing without the guts to come right out and just be Last Man Standing.” The review also cites that the acting is capable, even though the premise and effort are lacking. It’s worth noting that critics have only screened two episodes, meaning that the show could evolve with more time. But, for now, for better or worse, it’s exactly what is advertised.
Is Shifting Gears At Least Funny?
The Comedy Also Falters.
More than any similarities to Allen’s previous comedies, a key sticking point is that the first two episodes are not all that funny. The humor is dinged by going for the lowest common denominator and favoring easy laughs. This may reflect that Shifting Gears is still at the point where it’s introducing the characters and establishing their dynamics. But it could also mean that the ABC show doesn’t plan to grow beyond what its audience expects it to be.
Numerous new shows and season premieres are making their way to network television in 2025, including the highly anticipated Suits spinoff.
In his review for IndieWire, Ben Travers gives Shifting Gears a D+ and writes that it “needs better jokes, better timing, better arcs, better set design (the kitchen looks like a Home Depot display room), and better use of its stars.” The fact that the sitcom doesn’t make better use of its ensemble is a recurring theme, with American Pie actor Sean William Scott highlighted as someone the initial episodes don’t make much use of. His character, Gabriel, looks to be set up for a romance with Riley. Albeit, so far, he is the lovable doofus.
The series, in this early stage, is about how Riley and Matt move forward now that there’s no mom and wife to act as a peacemaker between them.
In a more positive review, Alison Herman writes for Varietyand underlined the show’s emotional center by noting in part: “The good news is that there’s a lot more for Shifting Gears to mine in this arena.” The series, in this early stage, is about how Riley and Matt move forward now that there’s no mom and wife to act as a peacemaker between them. The sitcom may actually work better in its more sincere and emotional moments than its humor early on, though it remains something that viewers might potentially want to watch for in the early episodes.
Our Take On Shifting Gears
It May Not Be Bad To Know What You’re Getting
Allen’s latest does not seem to be clicking with critics, although it is only at the beginning. There is also a creative change, with Nader taking over as showrunner after the pilot episode. So it could still be the case that the new sitcom finds its groove after the premiere. Nader became the showrunner after writers and executive producers Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully exited in July 2024, before the show’s premiere. Nader, a veteran television writer and producer, previously worked with Dennings on 2 Broke Girls and the short-lived Hulu series Dollface.
But even if it doesn’t get there, a familiar comedy that is just fine enough and lifted by good performances can go the distance. For many, that’s exactly what Home Improvement and Last Man Standing were. Both would go on to have long runs, eight and nine seasons, respectively. Both are well-liked, if not exactly highly regarded, so there are worse fates for Shifting Gears.
Matt, a widowed and stubborn owner of a classic car restoration shop, has his life turned upside down when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her teenage children move in with him.
Russell was selected by the Lakers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft. As a rookie, he became friends with Young, a veteran player in his ninth NBA season and third with the Lakers.
“We play around and we joke and we laugh and we say things that you don’t really repeat,” Russell told reporters March 31, 2016. “That was just an incident of just ‘playing too much goes wrong.’ I take the full blame for that, recording the video. But leaking the video wasn’t me.”
Lakers Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell speak with the media before tipoff against Miami.
Young spoke briefly before Russell that day, taking no questions and telling reporters he and Russell would handle the situation in private. In August of that year, Young told the Daily News that his bond with Russell was on the mend.
“We’ll be able to work it out,” Young said. “We’ve already been working it out. It is what it is. I can’t be mad forever.”
Young has addressed the matter in his current role as a regular on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast. Asked in November why he didn’t physically confront Russell at the time, Young said then-Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and team security prevented him from coming into contact with Russell until the situation had cooled over.
Both players left the Lakers during the 2017 offseason, Young as a free agent and Russell in a trade with the Nets. Young played two more seasons, with the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. Russell became an All-Star in his second season with the Nets, then played with the Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves before returning to the Lakers in February 2023.
Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
“You definitely have to take care of home. … Totally had my support 100%,” Lue told reporters before the game. “Going back, checking on his family and kids, making sure they’re well. And he got back, and they’re doing OK, so just happy and thankful for that.”
Tens of thousands have been evacuated because of the Palisades Fire, with more than 11,800 acres having burned in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, according to ABC News. More than 1,000 structures are estimated to have been destroyed in the fire.
Leonard, who bought a house in the Pacific Palisades in 2021, was set to play in his third game of the season against Denver. The Clippers star made his season debut against Atlanta on Jan. 4 after missing the start of the season with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
HONOLULU — The Sony Open is the PGA Tour stop where introductions are in order, and Paul Peterson made quite the first impression. He opened with a 6-under 64 and shared the lead with five others Thursday on a pleasant day at Waialae.
Tom Hoge, who tied for eighth in Kapalua, had the only 64 in the afternoon in a round that featured two eagles. The second one Hoge described as a gift — an 8-iron out of the rough from 189 yards that hit the pin and dropped into the cup.
“I was just hoping it would get down before it got over the back of the green,” he said.
Hideki Matsuyama, coming off a record score to par at Kapalua, birdied two of his last three holes for a 67. He is trying to become the third player to sweep the Hawaii swing.
Peterson is no ordinary rookie.
The lefty from Oregon State has five passport books with stamps from some 44 countries. He has held cards from six tours around the world, which doesn’t include the mini-tours in Arizona and the Dakotas when he was just starting out.
“Whether I feel like a rookie, no,” Peterson said. “I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve seen a lot of golf in a lot of places. I feel like all of that’s helped prepare me to get here. … Do I wish I was over here a little bit earlier? Yeah. But do I regret any experiences I’ve had along the way? No.”
The Sony Open is the first full-field tournament of the year on the PGA Tour, attracting a big batch of rookies and graduates from the Korn Ferry Tour.
Peterson finally made his way back home by finishing among the top 30 on the Korn Ferry Tour, which included a victory in Tennessee. He felt good all week, and had such a good range session Tuesday that he wanted the tournament to start a day early.
The wait didn’t hurt him. He was motoring along with three birdies in eight holes when he belted his 7-wood into a soft, tropical breeze on the par-5 ninth hole to 5 feet for eagle. With birdies in two of the next three holes — six straight 3s on his card — he was the first player to reach 7 under.
A few soft bogeys followed, and Peterson followed with another 7-wood to two-putt birdie range on the par-5 closing hole to join the others.
Peterson left Oregon State and tried the Canadian tour before getting his card on the Asian Tour. He picked up his first victory at the Czech Masters over Thomas Pieters on the European tour, added another title in Myanmar and figured a Japan Golf Tour membership might help him crack the top 100 in the world ranking.
He never made it that high — No. 120 was his best — and has yet to play a major.
But the travel, various conditions inside the ropes and culture at night helped him develop. And there were a few memories along the way. None was better than in 2015, when he received an exemption into the KLM Open.
“Tom Watson made his final European tour start and we got paired on Sunday,” Peterson said. “It was the coolest. He was the coolest. He signed a golf ball for me.”
The travel also let him know he didn’t handle the wind very well. When it blew in Oregon, he just didn’t play. He has a home in Arizona and conditions were too pure. So he moved to Sea Island on the Georgia coast just north of Florida, where he also had plenty of action with several PGA Tour players.
So yes, he’s a rookie. He just doesn’t feel like one, and he certainly didn’t appear to be one.
Cole, McCarthy and Schenk all played bogey-free. Hall, from England, had a more stressful time, at least when he wasn’t making 10 birdies. The 27-year-old, who played college golf at UNLV and now lives in Las Vegas, took two shots to get out of a bunker on No. 8 for a double bogey that slowed his momentum.
Beyoncé brought her album “Cowboy Carter” to life for the first time in a halftime performance at an NFL game on Christmas Day in her hometown of Houston.
The show, which came midway through the Baltimore Ravens’ rout of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, was designed to entice viewers to Netflix as the streaming goliath inaugurated a new pact with America’s most popular professional sports league. It also was a way to bring attention to Beyoncé’s latest LP — a detailed excursion into country music that plays up the singer’s Southern roots — just as Recording Academy members cast their votes for February’s Grammy Awards, where “Cowboy Carter” is nominated for album of the year.
Immediately following her performance, Beyoncé posted a brief video on X that suggested she’ll announce something on Jan. 14 — something, whatever it is, that many more fans now are likely to be looking forward to.
For all its cross-promotional synergy, though, Wednesday’s halftime show was a reminder that whatever lures Beyoncé from her superstar cocoon is worth celebrating: As usual for pop music’s greatest live performer, this 13-minute production — a “ho ho ho-down,” as she called it — was a thrill from top to bottom.
The show began with Beyoncé astride a white horse sauntering down a hallway in NRG’s bowels as she sang “16 Carriages,” her ballad about a youth spent on the road chasing showbiz dreams. Soon she was joined by a quartet of Black female country singers — Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts — for a moving rendition of the Beatles’ “Blackbird.”
Beyoncé emerged onto the stadium field to sing a blistering “Ya Ya,” her version of a classic Tina Turner rave-up, accompanied by a small electric rock band and a huge horn section arrayed on bleachers that called to mind her presentation at the Coachella festival in 2018. Then she did the clubby “My House” before welcoming Shaboozey to join her for “Sweet Honey Buckiin’” and Post Malone for their “Levii’s Jeans” (which they did in front of a pickup truck wrapped in denim).
Beyoncé sang her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” while riding in a car cruising down the field — not unlike her Coachella tribute to HBCU tradition, this was a loving embodiment of Black rodeo culture — and finished the show with her chart-topping “Texas Hold ’Em,” which she did on the 50-yard line while dancing next to her 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.
Throughout the show, Beyoncé’s vocals were strong and precise, the choreography tough and hard-hitting, the costumes beautifully bedazzled — a Christmas gift to her fans in the form of a marketing opportunity.
The “most misunderstood entry” in the White Stripes‘ back catalog is getting a revisit for its 20th anniversary.
Released as part of the ongoing Vault subscription series from Jack White‘s Third Man Records, Get Behind Me Satan XX comes packaged as part of a special two-record set alongside an additional 7″ record and a Blu-Ray, serving as a companion to the original 2005 album.
“Often mistaken as a break-up album, a treatise on fame, or a ‘piano’ album, the record is most accurately described in Jack White’s own words as focused on the truth,” a statement from Third Man Records reads. “The fact that it was in no way Elephant, Part 2 only further confused, infuriated, and/or beguiled many.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“Twenty years later and the album still stands out for how fresh and how timeless it sounds. In the face of newfound worldwide commercial success, no other contemporary rock band had the stones to introduce mandolin, tympani, hand bells and marimba into their arsenal, let alone embark on deep tours of both Central America and Eastern Europe. But as has long been established, the White Stripes were singular. They were never like anybody else. What enchants now, upon further reflection, is the disparate threads that all came together to make Satan so refreshing.”
The first disc of the new package comes front-stacked with previously-unreleased demos of the album and alternate studio takes. “At the same time both skeletal and enlightening, Jack White’s songwriting demos from 2004 and early 2005 – captured with zero concern for fidelity or thought that anyone else would ever hear them – are of prime excitement here,” the statement adds.
Meanwhile, the second disc features previously-unreleased live recordings from the album’s 2005 tour, while the additional 7″ record boasts “one of the great white whales in Stripes history”, a recording of the long sought-after “Spitting Tacks”. Additionally, the Blu-Ray captures footage of the band during a tour of Central and South America in support of the original record.
“Armed with a mini-DV camera and free reign to capture whatever caught his eye, David James Swanson tagged along on the White Stripes Central and South American tour in 2005,” Third Man Records added. “A soundcheck here, rabid fans singing along there, it’s all crystalline visual quality on a handheld scale. While it would be too grandiose to deem this a ‘film’, the collection of sequences and behind-the-scenes moments captured here are a striking, complimentary statement of the unique and chaotic time that the White Stripes inhabited in this era.”
In typical fashion, the nascent package is rounded out by an expansive archival booklet which collects photos, concert posters, a comprehensive list of tour dates, “and all the exhaustive details fans have come to expect from these anniversary editions”.
Released in June 2005 as the White Stripes’ fifth – and penultimate – album, Get Behind Me Satan peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and saw the group win the Grammy for Best Alternative Album the following year.
While the original album has been occasionally reissued since its original release, Third Man Records’ Vault editions are not typically reissued, with those interested in the Get Behind Me Satan XX advised to sign up to the Vault before Jan. 31st.
If you’re looking to lower your blood pressure, a certain tablet could help. Experts highlight that potassium, a key mineral for heart health, is naturally present in many foods.
However, if your diet falls short, the American Heart Association suggests that supplementation could be a simple fix. Heart health specialists note the role of potassium in managing high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Potassium relaxes the walls of your blood vessels, which helps reduce blood pressure. Additionally, it counteracts the effects of excess sodium – a known contributor to high blood pressure – by getting rid of sodium through your urine.
Potassium tablets, such as those available from Myvitamins MYPROTEIN™ and other brands, can be purchased for as little as £4.03, equating to around 4p per tablet. Don’t forget to check for potassium-rich foods or supplements during your next grocery trip.
Do I need to take potassium supplements?
The experts state if you are an adult with a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg or higher and are “otherwise healthy” then they say that people in this category “may benefit from increasing potassium in their diet.”
However not everyone can have this so always ask your GP for advice. Potassium can be harmful in people with:
Kidney disease
Any condition that affects how the body handles potassium
Certain medications
How much potassium should I have?
Recommended potassium intake for an average adult:
Men: 3,400 milligrams per day
Women: 2,600 milligrams per day
The associations: “These recommendations change with pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are trying to prevent or treat high blood pressure, the AHA recommends 3,500 mg to 5,000 mg of potassium daily.”
Is there a diet I should follow?
Experts say you should try the DASH diet. This stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and includes fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains as well as fat-free or low-fat dairy foods.
Potassium-rich foods include:
Fruits
Apricots
Cantaloupe
Durian
Guava
Jackfruit
Kiwifruit
Orange juice
Pomegranate juice
Prune juice
Vegetables
Acorn squash
Bamboo shoots
Beet greens
Carrot juice
Fufu
Lima beans
Plantains
Potato
Spinach
Swiss chard
Water chestnuts
Yam
Dairy
Buttermilk (low fat)
Kefir
Milk (fat free)
Yogurt (Greek and plain)
Proteins
Bison
Catfish
Clams
Goat
Herring
Rainbow trout
Skipjack tuna
Tempeh
Can you have too much potassium?
Yes, and it can really harm your kidneys as too much can build up when your kidneys are less able to remove it from your blood. Too much potassium can also be harmful if you take some medications or have certain medical conditions that affect potassium.
Potassium levels often must be very high before symptoms occur. Symptoms could include:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Alan Cumming is back in his castle, and murders are happening in the middle of the night. Season 3 of The Traitors is here! Peacock just dropped the first three episodes of the Emmy-award-winning competition show with a new batch of celebrities and a whole lot of treachery. We couldn’t be more thrilled.
Last season became a certified hit by bringing an all-celebrity cast into the castle. It birthed memes, they earned awards, and a year later, we’re still uttering to ourselves, “Lord, Not Ekin-Su.”
With that in mind, Season 3 has some big shoes to fill and they’re already delivering. The season kicked off with everything we expected to see: gamers, murder, Real Housewives, surprise players, and a whole lot of tartan. Let’s get into the action with a recap of The Traitors Season 3 premiere, Episodes 1-3.
Who is on the cast of The Traitors Season 3?
“Boston” Rob Mariano — Survivor
Dorinda Medley — The Real Housewives of New York
Chrishell Stause — Selling Sunset
Britney Haynes — Big Brother
Danielle Reyes — Big Brother
Bob the Drag Queen — RuPaul’s Drag Race
Wells Adams —The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise
Chanel Ayan — The Real Housewives of Dubai
Gabby Windey — The Bachelorette
Dylan Efron — Down to Earth with Zac Efron
Tony Vlachos — Survivor
Jeremy Collins — Survivor
Dolores Catania — The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Robyn Dixon — The Real Housewives of Potomac
Bob Harper — The Biggest Loser
Ciara Miller — Summer House
Lord Ivar Mountbatten — British royal
Carolyn Wiger —Survivor
Sam Asghari — Model, actor, and Britney Spears’s ex-husband
Tom Sandoval —Vanderpump Rules
Nikki Garcia — Former professional Wrestler
The Traitors Season 3, Episode 1 Recap: “Let Battle Commence”
Photo Credit: Euan Cherry/Peacock
Season 3 of The Traitors kicked off with the same energy as Season 2. The cast members rolled up in their SUVs, eager for the adventure ahead. Immediately, the editors started teasing some pre-existing rivalries within the cast. For example, Danielle from Big Brother said that she really didn’t want to see Britney, who just so happened to be in another car on the way to the same castle. It’s like the Parvati and Sandra feud all over again.
When the celebs arrived at the castle, they all started making their little first impressions. Dorinda was stoked to see other Real Housewives. Carolyn felt starstruck by her fellow Survivor castaways. Meanwhile, Dylan felt like the underdog since his main selling point was, “Hi! I’m Zac Efron’s brother.”
Once the celebrities finished their intros, Alan made his grand entrance, along with an army full of creepy dudes in gold masks and black robes. It’s the high level of camp that we love about this show, but then Alan revealed that it was already time to make their “first tough decision.”
One of the cloaked men stepped forward, and like a scene from The Masked Singer, Alan took off the mask to reveal none other than Boston Rob. Alan told the players that anyone could invite Rob into the game, but then they’d have to choose someone to banish. That’s a big choice for a game that has barely even started!
Carolyn felt tempted, but no one took the offer. Alan sent Rob on his merry way, and they really wanted us to think that he had been banished for good. We know they didn’t fly him all the way to Scotland just for two seconds of TV time. He’ll be back. He always comes back.
The Traitors Season 3, Episode 1: Meet the Traitors
Photo Credit: Peacock
Up next was the moment we were all waiting for — the selection of this season’s Traitors. At the roundtable, Alan dramatically paced around the room to make his decisions about who would be bestowed with the great honor of being a Traitor. His first selection? Danielle from Big Brother, and she couldn’t have been more pleased.
“I’ve never been so happy to be so bad,” Danielle said in her confessional.
Next up was Carolyn. She practically begged Alan for it in her interview before the roundtable, so she could hardly contain her excitement when she felt Alan’s hand touch her shoulder.
Last, but certainly not least, the final Traitor selected (for now) was Bob the Drag Queen. Bob teased in his confessional that he was ready to be “employee of the month.” Now, we’re off to the races.
Looking back on the last season of the show, you can see how these picks are extremely similar to last season’s. You’ve got a Survivor castaway, a Big Brother houseguest, and a non-gamer with a huge personality. Has Alan found a formula?
The first mission called for major sacrifices
Photo Credit: Peacock
With the Traitors selected, the group embarked on their first mission. Alan took them to a giant lake. However, we have to call it a loch because, you know, they’re in Scotland.
For the first mission, they had to work together to paddle a giant, dragon-shaped boat. Throughout the loch, there were five pontoons with barrels of gasoline and money. The group needed to paddle their way to the platforms, grab the gas and as much cash as possible, and then return to shore to light a giant ring of fire.
Curiously, Alan mentioned that anyone inside the ring of fire at the end would win a shield. That should have raised some eyebrows for the players. Wouldn’t that mean that everyone could get a shield? Well, that’s the twist.
Once they got to the pontoons, they learned that with each step, they’d need to sacrifice two players, and “shackle” them there for the duration of the mission. You can’t stand in the ring of fire and win a shield if you’re shackled to a raft in the loch.
At the first checkpoint, Robyn volunteered to sacrifice herself. She said it was because she’s a “selfless person,” which we’ve learned from watching her relationship with Juan Dixon. Then, fellow housewife Ayan followed Robyn and sacrificed herself, too.
The paddling continued, and at the next platform, Dorinda and Dolores chose to sacrifice themselves. If you’re rooting for The Real Housewives on this show, this is when you probably started getting worried. Why are they putting themselves up for slaughter?
At the next checkpoint, Bob the Drag Queen started screaming because none of the men wanted to sacrifice themselves. He and Danielle eventually volunteered. Hilariously, the two of them had no idea they both had the same traitorous intentions.
Second thoughts about the sacrifices
Photo Credit: Euan Cherry/Peacock
Bob from The Biggest Loser and Sam sacrificed themselves at the fourth checkpoint, but then the group decided to call it quits. They went back to the shore without grabbing the final money cache. That meant that instead of 10 people at risk for elimination, there were only eight.
That math wasn’t promising, and when the sacrificed players learned their team didn’t hit all of the pontoons, all hell broke loose. In particular, Dorinda was super frustrated, and she said in her confessional that she was starting to feel “Housewife-y.” Let’s say it together, everyone. She’s startin’.
At the castle, Dorinda made it known that she was not happy about how things shook out in the mission. In front of the whole group, she asked, “Why didn’t you go for the fifth boat?”
Dylan and Jeremy tried to defend themselves, but they clearly had never seen Real Housewives of New York. They had no idea that you can’t just go back and forth with Dorinda without losing a limb. Ivar was the one who really pushed it by accusing Dorinda of being a Traitor.
“I didn’t even see you move, Ivar! You didn’t even remotely move,” Dorinda said with a grin that RHONY fans know all too well.
“I put myself out to be murdered tonight,” she continued. “If I do make it tonight, things change. I pray to God.”
The Traitors Season 3, Episode 2 Recap: “Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold”
Photo Credit: Peacock
While Dorinda ripped Lord Ivar a new one, Alan was deep in the forest up to no good, accompanied by a person in a cloak. What could this possibly be?
When the group banished Boston Rob, Alan warned that every decision would have a consequence. With that in mind, Alan went to unmask the person who we assumed would be Boston Rob. Nope! Alan hit us with the first plot twist of the season.
Alan removed the mask, revealing a surprise player: Wes Bergmann! His knees were still dirty from begging for the win on House of Villains. Then, another player appeared. Surprise! It’s Derrick Levasseur from Big Brother. Alan tells them that they’ll both play as Faithfuls, and we’re over here wondering how in the hell they kept this casting a secret.
Finally, Alan revealed Boston Rob again, and he got the golden ticket to enter the game as a Traitor. That means we have four Traitors this season and a whole lot of heavy hitters from the gaming world. Buckle up.
Who was the first kill of The Traitors Season 3?
Photo Credit: Peacock
Dorinda from The Real Housewives of New York was the first person murdered on Season 3 of The Traitors.
In a devastating blow for Bravo fans, Bob, Carolyn, and Danielle set their sights on the Housewives during their first meeting in the turret. They wanted to split up the foursome, and the fact that they all sacrificed themselves in the first mission made it even easier. Brilliant job, Housewives.
For various reasons, The Traitors narrowed down the list to Dolores, Robyn, or Dorinda. Seriously, this felt like a nightmare scenario for those of us rooting for the Bravolebs, and ultimately, they settled on Dorinda. Her fight with Ivar seemed to seal the deal. She couldn’t make it nice, and she had to pay the price.
The next morning at breakfast, the celebs slowly realized that it was Dorinda who got the axe. Most people were shocked, but when Robyn walked in, she was like, “Oh, wow. They murdered Dorinda? I’m not surprised.”
Robyn’s reaction was drier than the English muffin she started scarfing down while everyone else mourned the loss of Dorinda. If you watch The Real Housewives of Potomac, then you know this is just how Robyn rolls. If you don’t know her, then this behavior would look pretty suspicious, and like clockwork, some of the Faithfuls began questioning her position.
Release the beasts
Photo Credit: Art Streiber/E! Entertainment
For the second mission, Alan brought the celebs back into the forest where Derrick, Wes, and Rob were suspended in cages, each of them with a shield to give away. For the mission, the active players had to untangle bags of coins and deposit them into a box. Each deposit lowered the new player down into the game, little by little.
Let’s be honest. This whole scene felt less like a real mission and more like a creative way to introduce the new players into the game. There were no actual stakes here, but it did allow the new players to get introduced to the current players. Hilariously, Wes said that he mainly recognized the people from Survivor and assumed that everyone else had to be Housewives. Wishful thinking, Wes.
With Wes, Derrick, and Rob officially in the game, Alan revealed that they’d be “soft-launched,” meaning that they wouldn’t be able to vote or be voted out of the game this week. Plus, they got to hang onto their shields until after the first banishment. That way, they could be extra strategic (or sneaky) when choosing who to protect.
Who got banished in The Traitors Season 3, Episode 2?
Photo Credit: Peacock
Wells was the first player banished from the game thanks to a messy showdown at the roundtable.
With three new players in the game, the players assembled at the roundtable to discuss the first banishment. Immediately, Bob the Drag Queen made a conscious decision to take control of the room. He was like, “I’m ready to cause some chaos,” and he did just that. He went after Wells, claiming that he had been showing suspicious behavior.
While in the hot seat, Wells put the spotlight on Robyn, claiming that she was suspicious of how she reacted to Dorinda’s murder. A few people agreed, but Robyn seemed completely unbothered.
When it was finally time to vote, everyone was all over the place with their decisions. Some people wanted to target the Housewives, resulting in Dolores and Ayan getting votes. Sandoval randomly got a vote.
Ivar got a handful of votes few from people thinking he killed Dorinda out of retaliation. Ultimately, it all came down to Wells and Robyn. It’s no wonder he was trashing the Housewives in interviews promoting the show.
Interestingly, the final vote came down to Carolyn, a Traitor. She voted for Wells, and Robyn has never looked more pleased. Wells became the first person of Season 3 to get banished, and the room lit up with disappointment when he revealed himself to be a Faithful. Better luck next time, Faithfuls.
As if that wasn’t enough drama for one episode, the three newbies still had to hand out their shields. Derrick gifted his shield to Dylan, and Rob gave his shield to Tony. When Wes gave his shield to Jeremy, he noted how it seemed like the Survivor players were all in lockstep. Alliances are forming, or at least it seems that way.
The Traitors Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: “Nail in the Coffin”
Photo Credit: Peacock
The final episode of this three-part premiere had literally everything you’d want in an episode of The Traitors. There were clowns, there was a murder, and the celebs delivered another shocking banishment.
First, the original three Traitors met up in the turret and welcomed their surprise new member, Boston Rob. He knows he was made for this role, but the reactions in the turret were mixed. Carolyn wasn’t pleased, but Danielle felt relieved to have the Survivor icon on her side.
The four Traitors began debating who they’d kill off next, and once again, it came down to some of our iconic Bravolebs. They wanted to kill either Ayan, Dolores, or Sandoval. Which kill would cause the most chaos and confusion?
The Traitors Season 3, Episode 3: Who did the Traitors murder?
Photo Credit: Peacock
The next morning at breakfast, we learn that the Traitors murdered Ayan.
It’s another blow for the Housewives fans, and the remaining ladies of Bravo were not pleased. Dolores described the state of the game as “Housewives Hunters,” and Robyn said that the rest of the players had a “hard-on for the Housewives.” All of those comments sound like terms that should never be entered into a search engine at work.
Ayan marked another kill for the Traitors, but unfortunately, they weren’t great at hiding their excitement. Danielle thought she was giving an Oscar-winning performance at breakfast, but it was too much. She started raising suspicions because of her theatrics.
Similarly, Dylan felt like Bob the Drag Queen did way too much at the roundtable. He assembled a group of people and started spit balling his theories. It’s wild how correct he was. The only issue was that he told the theory to Boston Rob, another Traitor. Whoops!
The funhouse that flopped
Photo Credit: Peacock
If you’re afraid of clowns, this mission must have been a nightmare to watch. Alan brought the players to a “funhouse” for their third mission, which was packed with killer clowns holding sharp objects. The whole thing turned into a huge disaster, but you could tell Alan loved every minute of it.
On paper, this sounded like a cute challenge. The players got grouped into pairs, and they had to carry a giant gold balloon through different doors of a funhouse. Some of those doors had terrifying clowns waiting behind them, ready to pop the balloon.
Alan teased that the first team to make it through the funhouse would win shields, and every team that gets their balloon across would add $2,000. None that mattered because not a single group made it through the funhouse. They banked a whopping zero dollars. The killer clowns popped all of their balloons, and glitter went flying everywhere.
“My funhouse was not a barrel of laughs for you,” Alan teased the players.
The real fun of this episode happened after the mission. On the car ride home, Jeremy started telling everyone in his car that he felt convinced that Danielle was a Traitor. He’s right on the money, but he didn’t know that Bob the Drag Queen, another Traitor, was right there. Bob immediately ran back to the castle to warn Danielle.
Did anyone get banished in The Traitors Season 3, Episode 3?
Photo Credit: Peacock
In a shocking turn of events, Tony became the second player banished from the game.
He didn’t see it coming, and neither did we.
The players sealed Tony’s fate during a heated exchange at the roundtable, but first, Dylan tried to get everyone on board with his Bob the Drag Queen theory. That didn’t end well for Dylan because Bob dragged him in front of everyone.
Bob said, “You’re misguided. That should be your drag name — Miss Guided.”
With the Bob theory shut down, all of the attention went towards Tony. The poor guy still had glitter on his face, when Gabby kicked off the conversation about how he seemed suspicious. It turned out, a lot of players agreed.
Then, Boston Rob delivered Tony’s final blow. He told the entire roundtable that he gave Tony his shield but hadn’t heard from him since. He said it felt “sus” how Tony acted after getting the shield. Yikes!
When the votes rolled in, the overwhelming majority of players chose to send Tony packing. He was emotional, and the only person he seemed to blame was Boston Rob. On the way out the door, he looked at Rob and said, “You’re a sell-out, bro.”
Episode 3 ended with yet another surprise from Alan. He doesn’t stop! This time, he quietly instructed the Traitors players to create a shortlist of three players to murder. Instead of doing their plotting in the turret, they’ll have to deliberate right in plain sight. And it turned messy, quickly.
The Traitors Season 3 continues Thursdays on Peacock at 9/8c.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE FIRST THREE EPISODES OF THE TRAITORS? WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE ELIMINATIONS AND MURDERS? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WES AND DERRICK JOINING THE COMPETITION?
