T(abel) Reads 26

Friday September 5th, 2025 - Edition 026

EVERYONE'S FAVORITE BI-WEEKLY NEWS SOURCE... UNLESS YOU'RE NOT EVERYONE

VENICE GOES HOLLYWOOD

Heartfelt Tributes and Standing Ovations Made Venice's 82nd Edition Unforgettable

TV AND FILM

The 82nd Venice Film Festival (Aug. 27–Sept. 6, 2025) delivered a blend of glamour, artistry, and political resonance. Filmmaker Alexander Payne led the jury, while Emanuela Fanelli hosted, opening with Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia and closing with Dog 51. Lifetime Achievement Golden Lions went to Werner Herzog and Hollywood legend Kim Novak, whose emotional return at age 92 was a highlight. Standing ovations defined the festival: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein brought Jacob Elordi to tears with a 13-minute reception, while Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine earned 15 minutes of applause. Most impactful was The Voice of Hind Rajab, a Gaza-set drama that drew a record 23-minute ovation and sparked chants of “Free Palestine,” underscoring cinema’s political weight. Protests also marked the Frankenstein premiere, as demonstrators voiced solidarity outside. Overall, Venice affirmed its role as both a launchpad for awards contenders and a global stage for cultural dialogue.

ART AND FASHION

Maison Margiela has never been afraid of mystery, and this week the label offered up one of its boldest announcements yet. Back in 1997, the house introduced its iconic numbered system to categorize collections: 1 for women’s lines, 3 for fragrances, 4 for wardrobe staples, and so on. But the number 2 had long remained an enigma, unused and unexplained. That changed this September, as Margiela revealed that “Line 2” will finally debut. The twist? It won’t be clothing at all. Instead, Line 2 is envisioned as a platform for artistic and cultural exploration, with projects meant to blur the line between fashion and conceptual art. Its first iteration is an ambitious installation at Frieze Seoul (09/02 to 09/06), marking Margiela’s formal entry into the cultural space. The move signals a shift in ambition: positioning Margiela not just as a fashion house, but as a creative engine shaping global conversations across art and culture.

MUSIC

Tame Impala is back in the spotlight with his newest single, “Loser”. The track instantly recalls the dreamy grooves of Currents (2015), pairing a rolling bassline with Kevin Parker’s signature falsetto. The music video only adds to the buzz: Joe Keery, of Stranger Things and DJO, plays the lead role, while Beck makes a sly cameo—an unmistakable wink to his own 90s anthem of the same name. But the single isn’t the only news. After five years of anticipation, Tame Impala announced a new full-length album titled Deadbeat, slated for release on October 17th. Meanwhile, Spotify is busy reshaping the listening experience. Their newest update lets users fully customize track synchronization, giving unprecedented control over transitions that were once locked to presets. Alongside that comes a new direct messaging feature, pushing Spotify further into social territory. Some users are excited, others apprehensive—but it’s clear the platform is angling to be more than just music.

SPORTS

Year two in the post-Saban era at Alabama is already off to a rough start. The Crimson Tide, ranked 8th nationally, stumbled against Florida State despite entering the game as 14-point favorites. Coach Kalen DeBoer, just 5–5 in his last 10 outings, is beginning to hear whispers about whether he’s cut out for SEC football. Replacing Nick Saban, who delivered six national championships, was never going to be simple, but patience in Tuscaloosa is rarely abundant. Over in Austin, Arch Manning finally made his highly anticipated debut as Texas’ starting quarterback. The spotlight was bright, but the results were shaky: one touchdown against two interceptions in a loss to Ohio State. Still, given his pedigree, it’s hard to imagine Manning not bouncing back soon against lighter competition. In the NFL, Banner Night in Philadelphia saw the Eagles unveil their second Super Bowl banner in a win over Dallas, setting the stage for Chiefs-Chargers in Brazil.

VIDEO GAMES

After more than a decade of silence, EA has finally answered the call: Skate 4 will release before year’s end, with early access launching in less than two weeks. Fans of both skateboarding and gaming are buzzing, thrilled to see the revival of a franchise many feared was lost forever. The Skate series has always stood apart from flashier competitors, offering an open-world playground built on flow, freedom, and creativity. Players grind rails, experiment with tricks, and chart their own path through an experience that feels more authentic lifestyle than button-masher. Nostalgia doesn’t stop there—Pokémon enthusiasts also received a surprise gift. Google quietly unveiled a feature allowing users to “catch” all 151 original Pokémon directly from the search bar. Search for a Pokémon, tap the small Pokéball icon, and attempt to snag it, though misses happen. A light leveling system even adds progression. For digital trainers everywhere, the dream lives again.