> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Monthly August 2025 - URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-monthly-august-2025/ - Published: 2025-08-31T12:00:24.000Z - Updated: 2025-09-23T22:52:07.000Z - Description: Three things to know. Two trailers to watch. One article to read. Here’s what you need to know for this month. - Author: Bill Kuchman - Tags: Popculturology • The Monthly, Popculturology, SNL, Star Wars, Oscars, Marc Maron, Avatar, The Office It’s the last day of August, and **Popculturology** is in your inbox with the latest edition of **The Monthly**. Pop culture news didn’t slow down over the summer — neither did snack news, with **Snackology** publishing a whopping 11 pieces since July’s **The Monthly** — so here are the three stories you need to know, two trailers you need to watch and one article you need to read. ## Sign up Join the hundreds of ****Popculturology** subscribers who already get free editions including the Friday newsletter, The Box Office Report, Deep SNL Thoughts, The Monthly and special editions. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. ➕ Already a ****Popculturology** subscriber? ****Please consider becoming a supporter** by [****upgrading your account**](https://www.popculturology.news/?ref=theomnicosm.com#/portal/). 🍪 Wanna add ****Snackology** to your subscription? ****Update your email preferences** [****on your account page**](https://www.popculturology.news/?ref=theomnicosm.com#/portal/). --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2025/08/083125-cards.jpg) ****Heidi Gardner** and ****Michael Longfellow** on **SNL*, ****Ryan Gosling** and ****Flynn Gray** on the set of **Star Wars: Starfighter*, and ****Mikey Madison** at the Oscars. / NBC, Lucasfilm, AMPAS ## 3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ### “yall acting like we died” With the yearlong celebration of *SNL*’s fiftieth season now behind us, we appear to be on the cusp of a massive retooling of the show. While as of the writing of this edition of **The Monthly** there hasn’t been any official word from NBC about the *SNL* cast, we’ve gotten some major news through not just the trades but cast members who have departed the show. The ranks of *former* cast members now includes **Heidi Gardner**, **Michael Longfellow**, **Devon Walker** and **Emil Wakim**. Gardner has yet to publicly comment on her departure (her most recent Instagram post is [an ad for Starbucks](https://www.instagram.com/p/DN0sooaajHQ/?ref=theomnicosm.com)), but as of this moment, she’s the biggest name leaving *SNL*. Since joining the show in 2017, Gardner became a go-to talent in not just sketches but also as a *Weekend Update* guest. The news that Longfellow is out is probably the most shocking, especially after [a *Puck* report this month](https://puck.news/lorne-michaels-on-colbert-trump-the-future-of-snl/?ref=theomnicosm.com) that he had screen tested as a potential *Update* anchor. “Will not be returning for a 4th season at *SNL*,” [Longfellow wrote on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DN6phpQEdAu?ref=theomnicosm.com). “Wish I was but, so it goes. It was the best three years of my life so far. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everyone there.” Longfellow never really made an impact in regular sketches, but he had quickly established himself as a killer *Update* guest. Did he find himself in some kind of “*Update* anchor or bust” situation ... and the answer was bust? Over at *The Not Ready for Primetime SNL Podcast*, **Mike Ryan** and **Ryan McGee** put out a special Friday episode, giving a good state of play in terms of where *SNL* stood at that point in the week. No solid news on new cast members, but there’s [a *LateNighter* report](https://latenighter.com/news/rumor-mill-snl-upping-please-dont-destroy-member-to-main-cast/?ref=theomnicosm.com) that the on member of the Please Don’t Destroy trio — **Martin Herlihy**, **John Higgins** and **Ben Marshall** — might become part of the show’s main cast. (The rumor is Marshall, with one of the remaining members stays on the writing staff and the third is off the show completely.) I dunno, booting Longfellow and elevating these guys seems like a huge miss to me. - 💬 “yall acting like we died lol we just getting different jobs,” Walker wrote on X in response to a post claiming that the duo of him and Longfellow had done “irreparable damage” to the poster’s brain. [***(Devon Walker)***](https://x.com/internetdevon/status/1961174408321507446?ref=theomnicosm.com) • • • ### More stars for *Star Wars: Starfighter* I’ve long had the theory that in today’s world of franchises and cinematic universes, the MCU and *Star Wars* eventually come calling for every actor. (Look, it’s only a matter of time before we learn about **Daniel Day-Lewis** getting into superhero shape for a future *Iron Man* movie.) There’s even a growing roster of actors who have checked off both franchises: **Natalie Portman**, **Samuel L. Jackson**, **Harrison Ford**, **Oscar Isaac**. (Does **Emilia Clarke** count? We’re all pretending that *Secret Invasion* never happened, right?) *Star Wars* staked its claim to several big names this week with the announcement that **Amy Adams** and **Matt Smith** were among the actors who had joined **Ryan Gosling** in director **Shawn Levy**’s *Star Wars: Starfighter*. This isn’t Adams’ first big franchise, previously playing Lois Lane in **Zack Snyder**’s *Man of Steel*, *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice* and various versions of *Justice League*. For Smith, his *Doctor Who* fame landed him a major role in *Terminator Genisys* (which was one of many dead ends for the *Terminator* franchise) before he joined the *Game of Thrones*\-verse with *House of the Dragon*. Is it good that these franchises have devoured pop culture and the careers of stars like Adams? Probably not. But it’s always fun to see how they mesh with these roles. [***(Star Wars)***](https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-starfighter-cast?ref=theomnicosm.com) • • • ### Like and subscribe to the Oscars The Oscars and ABC have been partners since 1976, with the biggest awards show in entertainment airing on the network for almost half a century. The synergy between the two entities has deep roots. Does anyone think that [**Jimmy Kimmel** would’ve hosted the ceremony four times](https://www.theomnicosm.com/oppenheimer-closes-out-awards-season-with-best-picture-and-6-more-oscars/) if he wasn’t ABC’s only late-night talent? Or that [**Conan O’Brien** didn’t get a shot to host](https://www.theomnicosm.com/anora-snags-major-oscars-wins-for-best-picture-best-director-and-best-actress/) until after he was no longer associated with NBC or TBS? The deal between the Oscars and ABC isn’t up until 2028, but [Disney’s rivals are already making moves](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-02/the-oscars-consider-move-from-disney-to-netflix-other-networks?ref=theomnicosm.com) to snap up the ceremony from ABC. The big news this month is that YouTube — which has over the past few years revolutionized itself from the app that you streamed videos from on your phone to the service [that now dominates your TV](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/technology/youtube-streaming-tv.html?ref=theomnicosm.com) — has looked into rights to the Academy Awards. If you ever wanted to shake up an awards ceremony, jumping from ABC to YouTube will definitely make that happen. Are we ready for **MrBeast** to host the Oscars? [***(Bloomberg)***](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-17/youtube-is-making-a-play-to-host-the-oscars?ref=theomnicosm.com) --- 💰 Like what you’re reading on ****Popculturology**? [Send ****a one-time tip to show your support** for the newsletter.](https://www.popculturology.news/?ref=theomnicosm.com#/portal/support) --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2025/08/083125-cards2.jpg) ****Zoe Saldaña** in **Avatar: Fire and Ash*, and ****Sabrina Impacciatore** on **The Paper*. / 20th Century Studios, Peacock ## 2 TRAILERS YOU NEED TO WATCH ### Avatar: Fire and Ash I’m not going to argue about whether **James Cameron** should keep making *Avatar* movies. It’s what he’s decided to do with the rest of his life — and I’m sure Disney isn’t complaining after *Avatar: The Way of Water* grossed $2.32 billion at the worldwide box office. A lot of people want to pay money to see these films in theaters. What we can take Cameron to task for, though, is his recent stated desire to “see the cost of VFX artists come down.” Sorry, but if you want to make movies that are almost entirely realized thanks to the work of visual effects artists who turn your motion-captured actors into the blue-tinged folks of Pandora, you need to pay them. Or get a logon to whatever VFX software those teams use and do the work yourself. [***(The Associated Press)***](https://apnews.com/article/avatar-james-cameron-fire-ash-interview-3992c0f4f4e14ed1c1582b10e467d503?ref=theomnicosm.com) • • • ### The Paper When *The Office* premiered way back in 2005, it wasn’t a hit. Not even close. The first season was uneven. It slowly built a devoted fanbase before becoming a core NBC sitcom. Two decades later, it’s unescapable, in syndication on TBS and holding a spot as one of the top streaming shows. I don’t know if that magic awaits *The Paper*. We’re days away from the *Office* spinoff premiering on Peacock, with the streaming shifting from the weekly release model that made the original a hit to just dumping all ten episodes of *The Paper* at once. While insiders have told places like *TVLine* that the move was made thanks to “overwhelmingly positive early reaction to the series,” I don’t buy that. If you have a hot property that can build buzz, you stick with the weekly releases. But if you know that *The Paper* isn’t going to hit well with viewers, you don’t give people a chance to sour on the show between episodes. [***(TVLine)***](https://tvline.com/news/the-paper-release-date-the-office-spinoff-peacock-1235448760/?ref=theomnicosm.com) - 📖 [**How the crew behind *The Office* crafted a new type of workplace story with *The Paper***](https://ew.com/the-paper-office-spinoff-cover-story-11786470?ref=theomnicosm.com) *(Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly)*: “‘That workplace was so much about people trying to have a decent life and not get too bummed out at a very boring job,’ Daniels says, whereas at *The Truth Teller*, ‘the boss is actually inspirational to the staff, and they get on board with this super low percentage of winning.’” --- 📱 Follow me on [****Bluesky**](https://bsky.app/profile/billkuchman.bsky.social?ref=theomnicosm.com) and [****Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/popculturology/?ref=theomnicosm.com). --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2025/08/083125-cards3.jpg) ## 1 ARTICLE YOU NEED TO READ ### Who the F\*\*\* Is Marc Maron Without Podcasting? He’s About to Find Out **Marc Maron** has been everywhere since announcing the end of his iconic podcast. He’s been on other podcasts, he was on Apple TV+’s *Stick*, his new standup special came out, the animated movie *The Bad Guys 2* hit theaters. For a guy who’s ending the unparalleled run of *WTF with Marc Maron*, he certainly doesn’t seem ready to shy away from the spotlight — if anything, he’s become more bold since making that announcement. [***(The Hollywood Reporter)***](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/marc-maron-interview-wtf-podcast-ending-whats-next-1236342269/?ref=theomnicosm.com) --- ## CATCHING UP Here’s what you might have missed from **The Omnicosm** this month ... ### Friday Newsletter - [Heidi Gardner leads the *SNL* exodus](https://www.theomnicosm.com/heidi-gardner-leads-the-snl-exodus/) - [*The Pitt* Season 2 trailer sends Noah Wyle back to the ER](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-pitt-season-2-trailer-sends-noah-wyle-back-to-the-er/) - [*The Naked Gun*! Spider-Man swings! *The Office* spins off!](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-naked-gun-spider-man-swings-the-office-spins-off/) - [No, Robin Williams doesn’t ‘gotta be the voice of AI’](https://www.theomnicosm.com/no-robin-williams-doesnt-gotta-be-the-voice-of-ai/) ### The Box Office Report - [*KPop Demon Hunters* sings a winning tune at the box office](https://www.theomnicosm.com/kpop-demon-hunters-sings-a-winning-tune-at-the-box-office/) - [*Weapons* scares up a second No. 1 weekend](https://www.theomnicosm.com/weapons-scares-up-a-second-no-1-weekend/) - [*The Fantastic Four: First Steps* stretches to a $118M opening weekend](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-stretches-to-a-118m-opening-weekend/) ### Snackology - [Skittles Gummies Fuego are 🔥🔥🔥](https://www.theomnicosm.com/skittles-gummies-fuego-are/) - [Hey, you got Reese’s in my Oreo cookies](https://www.theomnicosm.com/hey-you-got-reeses-in-my-oreo-cookies/) - [Snack Chat August 2025](https://www.theomnicosm.com/snack-chat-august-2025/) - [Freeze! Spree, SweeTARTS and Lemonhead get the freeze-dried treatment](https://www.theomnicosm.com/freeze-spree-sweetarts-and-lemonhead-get-the-freeze-dried-treatment/) - [Are Pizza Hut’s Crafted Flatzz a hit? Or do they fall … flatzz?](https://www.theomnicosm.com/are-pizza-huts-crafted-flatzz-a-hit-or-do-they-fall-flatzz/) - [Gimme a slice of Apple Pie a la Mode Oreos](https://www.theomnicosm.com/gimme-a-slice-of-apple-pie-a-la-mode-oreos/) - [Enter the Upside Down with Chips Ahoy! and *Stranger Things*](https://www.theomnicosm.com/enter-the-upside-down-with-chips-ahoy-and-stranger-things/) - [Hey, you got Oreo in my Reese’s Cups](https://www.theomnicosm.com/hey-you-got-oreo-in-my-reeses-cups/) - [The clock strikes Baja Midnight for Mountain Dew and Taco Bell](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-clock-strikes-baja-midnight-for-mountain-dew-and-taco-bell/) - [The Mt. McDonaldland Shake is worth the trek](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-mt-mcdonaldland-shake-is-worth-the-trek/) - [Snack Chat July 2025](https://www.theomnicosm.com/snack-chat-july-2025/) ****Popculturology** is written and produced by ****Bill Kuchman**. Copyediting by ****Tim Kuchman**. 💰 Like what you’re reading on ****Popculturology**? [Send ****a one-time tip to show your support** for the newsletter. ](https://www.popculturology.news/?ref=theomnicosm.com#/portal/support) ➕ Already a ****Popculturology** subscriber? ****Please consider becoming a supporter** by [****upgrading your account**](https://www.popculturology.news/?ref=theomnicosm.com#/portal/). 🍪 Wanna add ****Snackology** to your subscription? ****Update your email preferences** [****on your account page**](https://www.popculturology.news/?ref=theomnicosm.com#/portal/). You can also follow me on [****Bluesky**](https://bsky.app/profile/billkuchman.bsky.social?ref=theomnicosm.com) and [****Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/popculturology/?ref=theomnicosm.com). ![The Omnicosm](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/size/w1000/2025/05/the-omnicosm-wordmark-new-1.png) **Popculturology** is a publication of The Omnicosm. ***Issue No. 367*** Want to remove the **The Monthly** from your **Popculturology** subscription? **[Please click here](mailto:popculturology@gmail.com?subject=The%20Monthly%20unsubscribe&body=Please%20remove%20the%20The%20Monthly%20from%20my%20Popculturology%20subscription.)** to notify **Popculturology** via email.