Is Today Show Rom-Com Showdown Rigged? [PART 2, final four update]

Earlier this week NBC’s TODAY Show kicked off their Rom-Com Bracket Showdown featuring 16 romantic comedies. Fans all over the country offered many other movies that could have (or should have) made this list, but that is a post for another day. One day The Notebook, one day.

Before the voting officially started, did hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotbe almost slip by announcing the final two movies? This question has made the whole showdown seem like it might be rigged. I posted a theory on Monday that has since been dissolved, but that does NOT mean the showdown is legit.

Earlier today the final four movies were revealed, and this is supposedly all based on viewers’ votes. The last round before the championship includes: Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle, Something’s Gotta Give, and You’ve Got Mail.

The connection between two of the movies is easy (in bold, above), they both star Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

A new theory emerges… Tom Hanks stars in News of the World, a movie released late in 2020. This movie is distributed by Universal Pictures, owned by NBCUniversal who also owns NBC, home of The TODAY Show. Perhaps there is a plan to have Tom win because the studio owes him a favor for some unknown reason, or they are hoping to use this as a platform to promote News of the World?

It’s clear that when something (music, movies, etc) is being discussed in the news, it leads to a raise in sales, so, will the hosts point out Tom is currently starring in News of the World? This would boost the movie’s sales, and views, which would undoubtedly benefit the parent company NBCUniversal.

This is the newest conspiracy theory, time will tell if it’s debunked or if there was a secret sinister plan all along, almost spoiled by Hoda and Savannah’s slight slip of the tongue a couple days ago.

What do you all think about this? Is there something going on behind the scenes that viewers don’t know? Comment below!

-Out of the Wilderness

Escape Game to Debut New AOC-Inspired Room Safely 2 Blocks Away From Any Danger

Philadelphia, PA — Fans of escape rooms will have a new challenge when they sign up for the immersive adventure inspired by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s harrowing experience during the insurrection at the Capitol earlier this year. Among popular game room themes like, “Corporate Office,” “Annual Family Vacation,” and “Seal Team: Operation Blue Heron,” the debut of “AOC’s Riot Rush” will feature a room decorated like the Senate chambers.

Guests have 60 minutes to escape before rioters take over. In order to do this, and save democracy, you and your “squad” will solve puzzles and riddles supplied to you as the game progresses. Examples from the official website include this riddle:

To solve this riddle, use clues around the room to discover a 182-page booklet proposing a $15 minimum wage which then reveals the next challenge.

Another example taps into the danger AOC faced during the historic breach of the Capitol building.

Players are expected to find a picture of Ted Cruz for their next clue.

“One unique part of this new room,” teases Rick Treadwell, manager of a Philadelphia escape game location, “…once all the riddles are solved game-players will exit the room to find out they are 2 blocks away from any of the fictional danger they were frightened by, much like the real AOC.”

Wrapping up the escape room experience, customers will be treated to a narration explaining how the “insurrectionists” were hunted down over the course of 37 months and sentenced to jail time for social terrorism. While in jail, they are forced to listen to AOC explain the green new deal to her boyfriend.”

-OTW News

Is the TODAY Show Rom-Com Bracket Showdown Rigged?

[RIGGED SHOWDOWN BRACKET UPDATE: PART 2, THE FINAL FOUR]

The TODAY Show recently introduced viewers to their Rom-Com Bracket Showdown featuring matches between beloved romantic comedies including When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, Notting Hill, and more. It’s anyone’s guess why The Notebook isn’t in the competition as it is hands-down the best rom-com ever, but even still, the hosts (Al Roker, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Sheinelle Jones, and Craig Melvin) might have accidentally committed an embarrassing mistake regarding this challenge. Check out the clip in this tweet and pay close attention around the 1:00 mark, then scroll down for the transcript of this section.

Al Roker: Who’s winning? Who do you have in the finals?

Hoda Kotb: Well, should we give it away?

Savannah Guthrie: I don’t know, should we tell?

Sheinelle Jones: I mean, it’s America who’s voting.

Savannah Guthrie: Oh, OK.

Based on this short dialogue between the hosts, it appears as if they were about to reveal which movies made it to the final round. In that case, any “voting” by viewers would not matter because the final two would already be chosen. This isn’t too far-fetched knowing that movie studios and distribution deals may limit which of these might have some sort of conflict with NBC or having their DVD cover shown on television without proper clearances, etc.

We’re about to go down a rabbit hole, but bear with me: The TODAY Show airs on NBC. NBC is owned by NBCUniversal/Comcast. NBCUniversal is also produces movies. This Rom-Com Bracket Showdown includes 3 NBCUniversal movies. Now watch the TODAY show clip again and listen to which movies get extra attention when the list of contenders is read. They gave more love to Love, Actually, Notting Hill, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (although less attention to this one).

THOSE 3 MOVIES ARE THE ONES PRODUCED BY NBCUNIVERSAL!!! Here is the potential bracket breakdown including how it might play out in this conspiracy.

Is this just a coincidence or did the hosts really drop the ball here? If they DID accidentally give it away, it it will most likely get brushed under the rug with show staff and anyone involved moving right along as if the showdown isn’t rigged. Did anyone else notice this and if so, should the hosts be asked about it? If either of the 3 NBCUniversal movies win, something would be awfully fishy.

Comment below and let’s get to the bottom of it TODAY.

-Out of the Wilderness

More about GM’s Super Bowl Ad with Will Ferrell, Kenan Thompson, Awkwafina

General Motors teased new electric vehicles to be debuted by 2025, including Cadillac and Hummer. Take a look…

While these vehicles in the ad look amazing and promise to be all electric, don’t forget they’re just prototypes– as pointed out in the tiny print at the bottom of your screen. Neither are currently available.

According to comments made on YouTube, the shots of Will Ferrell in Norway which the passerby says is Sweden is actually Norway, a town called Kragerø.

Here are series of 3 short ads as part of this Norway campaign.

The American Car Club of Norway (AMCAR) responded to the Will Ferrell GM ads with one of their own. Take a look…

But outshining this one is a video put together by the University of Agder in Norway. This one will surely make Will Ferrell laugh, or want to punch them in the face even harder.

Will, Kenan, and Awkwafina are funny in this, obviously carried by the over-the-top acting of Will. What do you think of the ad? Comment below!

-Out of the Wilderness

National Anthem Super Bowl LV – total length of the song featuring Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan

Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan did such justice to the Star-Spangled Banner. Clocking in at 2:17, what did you think about their stripped-down performance?

And just for the good feels, here are two more great performances of the Star-Spangled Banner from Whitney Houston and OneRepublic.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness