By H. Alan Scott
If there's one artist who has mastered the art of an album release, it's Taylor Swift. And she's proving just how good she is at this with the release of her new album The Tortured Poets Department, coming out this Friday. Just last night she dropped a video on her Instagram jampacked with Easter eggs for what to expect from the album. There's also some speculation on social media that she might be dropping—prepare to gasp—two albums this Friday. (Insert head explosion emoji here.)
Let's start with that Instagram video, shall we? The video shows a room filled with crumpled-up paper strewn about, with the clock set at 2:00 and records, a guitar, d up paper strewn about, with the clock set at 2:00 and records, a guitar and other items spread out throughout the room. Then the video heads to another room that says Tortured Poets Department on it. It's all white and clean, with a simple typewriter and a bulletin board. On the board, underneath the April 19 date, it says, 'The Tortured Poets Department Release Day... 8 p.m. ET. Music video release,' with 14 slashes.
Now I know what you're thinking, why so much detail in that description? Well, it's because everything Swift releases is often coded. That's part of the fun of a Swift album, figuring out the clues. I've never been good at games like this, but I'm excited to find out what it means this Friday.
There's even talk of a double album, which would be wild. This viral TikTok video explains it all, but it involves a Swift mural in Chicago and a secret video on her YouTube page. I swear, Swift knows how to get people talking.
One of the reasons why there's so much speculation about this album is because it's the first time she's released an album without releasing a single first. She first announced the album two months ago at the Grammys. While accepting the award, Swift said, "I want to say thank you to the members of the Recording Academy for voting this way. 'But I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans. So, I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I've been keeping from you for the last two years, which is that my brand-new album comes out on April 19."
Even though so much of the album remains a mystery, we do know one person who has heard it: Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce. At a press conference before the Super Bowl, Kelce said, "I have heard some of it, yes, and it's unbelievable."
I guess we'll just have to wait until Friday. But prepare yourself, because it's going to be the only thing the internet is going to talk about for a while. (Just like I can't stop talking about Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, thank you very much.) Scroll down for more essential entertainment news.
Do you know what Joe Rogan is referring to? Go behind the quote below.
By H. Alan Scott
Revivals rarely work. Successful revivals of popular game shows are even rarer. That is, except for when they're hosted by Jane Lynch. Now in its fourth season, NBC's The Weakest Link has the energy of the original show—hosted brilliantly by Anne Robinson—but with modern flare. "I'm a softer, gentler Anne Robinson, but that doesn't mean I'm squishy," Lynch said. While "it's exactly the same game," what gives it a different feel are the "people and the questions. Each game has a different tone to it."
Also known for shows like Glee and countless Christopher Guest films, Lynch was one of the first stars to become successful while being openly queer. In terms of timing, she said, "I came along at the exact right time...the great thing is I didn't have to hold a press conference because nobody cared."
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