The 9 Best Moments from NBC’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’

Allison Takeda
Apr 02, 2018

NBC’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert on Easter Sunday, April 1, was easily the network’s best attempt at a live musical thus far. The cast was incredible, the costumes were fun and flashy, and the stripped-down staging was perfect for the rock-concert format of the show. Read on for the nine best moments of the night.

9. Wakanda Forever: As Judas, Brandon Victor Dixon was a standout anytime he was on stage, and the bows were no exception. During his curtain call, he threw up the “Wakanda salute” from Black Panther — a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Twitter.

8. “King Herod’s Song”: Alice Cooper was born for this role. It’s actually weird that he hasn’t played it before.

7. “Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)”: JohnLegend left it all on the stage for this number. It’s a difficult song to both sing and act, and the anguish in his voice was palpable.

6. Every Time Norm Lewis Opened His Mouth: Norm Lewis was stellar in the role of Caiaphas. Those bass notes were truly something else, especially coupled with Jin Ha’s countertenor. Lewis should be in everything, forever.

5. “Everything’s Alright”: Sara Bareilles’ first song as Mary Magdalene was a great one. Listening to her tell John Legend that everything would be alright made us feel like everything actually would be alright. Also, has there ever been anything more relatable than a song about a woman telling two agitated men to just relax and maybe go to sleep?

4. “Could We Start Again, Please?”: This song was the perfect change of pace after Cooper’s rockin’ rendition of “King Herod’s Song.” Bareilles and Jason Tam gave a lovely, plaintive performance.

3. “Superstar”: This song comes at kind of a weird moment in the show — Jesus is about to be crucified, and Judas (who is dead at this point) is singing to him and questioning whether there’s really a divine plan. It’s an unexpectedly upbeat number, and in this case, it was a showstopper. Dixon sang the hell out of it — while wearing sparkly chainmail, no less — and the team of backup singers and dancers alongside him made it one of the most energetic and dynamic performances of the night.

2. “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”: This is probably the most well-known song from the musical, so expectations were high — and Bareilles more than lived up to them. Her voice is perfect for Mary Magdalene, and she nailed the feelings of sadness and longing that come with these lyrics.

1. “Heaven on Their Minds”: Dixon set the bar for the whole show with this number. “Heaven on Their Minds” is one of the best songs in the musical — maybe one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best songs, period — and Dixon gave it the performance it deserved. That voice! That range! We have chills just thinking about it.

What did you think of NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert? Tell us @BritandCo!

(photo via Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Whoa, This 'Stranger Things 5' Leak Might Confirm Steve Harrington's Fate

Stranger Things fans have one thing in common: we love Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery. (Well, that and we'd give anything to bring Eddie Munson back). Despite the insane life or death situations the characters go through every single episode, the hit Netflix show is notorious for keeping all its main characters alive.

Even though that means we don't have to mourn our faves, some fans also think it lowers the stakes. Well, as we near Stranger Things 5, the final installment, fans have been terrified that we'll see Steve sacrifice himself for best friends Dustin (Gaten Matarrazzo) and Robin (Maya Hawke) or for Nancy (Natalia Dyer), who he definitely has unresolved feelings for. But there's one Stranger Things spoiler that could give us all the info we need.

This huge Stranger Things 5 spoiler could confirm Steve Harrington's fate.

The latest 'Stranger Things 5' leak appears to bring Steve Harrington into the '90s.

TikTok · stversse

We know that Stranger Things 5 will open in the fall of 1987 — and based on another recent leak, it's also bringing us into 1989. That means the epilogue will probably features tons of '90s vibes! And the latest Stranger Things spoiler shows off Steve Harrington in a VERY 1990s outfit. So this means he could make it out of the finale after all!!!

Steve fans have been worried for years that he'd die in a finale, whether it be because of the Russian torturers in season 3 or in Vecna's house in season 4. But this single photo has given fans a ton of hope. And they've already run with it. "steve survives oh we won," on TikTok user says in the comments of a slideshow. "90s Steve Harrington has just made me like Steve even more dear lord," another comment says.

The slideshow also shows off what appears to be a college-aged Dustin. "DUSTIN HAS EDDIE'S BAT TATTOOS," a third comment reads. Yep that's right — you get a glimpse of Dustin's new ink, which is totally a nod to Eddie, who sacrificed himself in season 4 to a bunch of demon bats (and I'm still not over it).

Dustin and Steve are my absolute favorite relationship in the show, and after some ups and downs in their brotherly relationship, I'm so excited that it seems like they'll both make it out. However, I'm not feeling so confident about Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) fate after all those rumors she'll sacrifice herself to close the Upside Down. We'll have to wait to see when Stranger Things 5 comes out later this year!

Are you a Steve Harrington fan? What do you think about this leak & the potential, spoilery implications? Let us know on Instagram!

pop cultureentertainmentstranger thingstv

17 Vegan Starbucks Drinks & Foods Plant-Based Eaters Need To Know About

Eating out as a vegan can be a true challenge, especially if you don’t exactly know that what you’re ordering is 100% vegan. Fast food faves like McDonald’s and Taco Bell are secretly packed with vegan items, and Starbucks is no exception. From oat milk coffees to satisfyingly savory snacks, you’ve actually got plenty of plant-based choices when you pull up at your local Starbucks.

Scroll on to explore every vegan Starbucks drink and food item you can add to your order!

Vegan Starbucks Drinks

Starbucks

1. Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado

This new-to-the-menu espresso drink combines brown sugar syrup and oat milk to balance out the punchy coffee notes.

Starbucks

2. Latte (Iced + Hot)

You can totally enjoy a latte at Starbucks if you're vegan. Their oat, almond, coconut, and soy milks are vegan, plus many of their syrups qualify as vegan, too, if you want to flavor up your drink. According to this Starbucks supervisor, all of Starbucks "clear" syrups are vegan and dairy-free. Starbucks' regular and white mocha sauces and caramel drizzle are also vegan and dairy-free.

Starbucks

3. Americano (Iced + Hot)

Starbucks' Americanos are just water and espresso, so you don't have to worry about any dairy being in there. Optionally, you could ask for a splash of non-dairy milk and pumps of your fave syrup.

Starbucks

4. Brewed Coffee (Iced + Hot)

Same goes for their brewed coffees, including iced coffee. Easily ask your barista to add in some non-dairy milk and a few pumps of syrup if you desire!

Starbucks

5. Nondairy Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew

This vegan cold brew drink is crafted with non-dairy cold foam that's flavored with salted caramel – and it's delish!

Starbucks

6. Nitro Cold Brew

A plain nitro cold brew from Starbucks is fully vegan and dairy-free. You can choose to add a splash of non-dairy milk, if you wish your sip to be a bit smoother and creamier.

Starbucks

7. Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

This one's a classic: shots of espresso get shaken up with ice and brown sugar syrup to create a frothy foam, then the drink is topped off with oat milk to cut the bitterness. It's quite a delectable order, even if you're not eating fully vegan.

Starbucks

8. Starbucks Refreshers

All of Starbucks' fruity Refreshers are vegan. Plus, you can can add lemonade, tea, other flavor inclusions like strawberry and peach to add some extra oomph.

Starbucks

9. Iced Black Tea

Their refreshing iced black tea is certifiably vegan, too.

Starbucks

10. Iced Green Tea

If you prefer green tea, Starbucks' offering is vegan-friendly. If you tend to take your tea a bit sweeter, just order it with however many packets of your preferred sweetener, and your barista will add it in.

Starbucks

11. Lemonade

You truly can't go wrong with a lemonade!

Starbucks

12. Hot Teas

Starbucks' hot teas are totally vegan, too. If you want to make them fancier, ask for an additional splash of your go-to non-dairy milk!

Vegan Starbucks Foods

Starbucks

1. Rolled & Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Now onto the food! First up is Starbucks' oatmeal, which you can fancy up with nuts, berries, and brown sugar. Make sure to order it with water to ensure it stays vegan.

Starbucks

2. Plain Bagel

Surprisingly, Starbucks' bagels are also vegan.

Starbucks

3. Everything Bagel

The plain and everything bagels will work for any vegan eater.

Starbucks

4. Avocado Spread

Plus, you can order your bagel with a side of this delicious avocado spread for a nutritious boost!

Starbucks

5. Spicy Falafel Pocket

This 100% vegan snack pocket is new to the Starbucks menu, but it's already become a fan-favorite amongst vegans and non-vegans alike.

Starbucks

6. Chipotle Almond Dip

You can order the Spicy Falafel Pocket with a side of this fully-vegan Chipotle Almond Dip (AKA Bitchin’ Sauce). Yum.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing Starbucks orders!

food newsmenufast foodstarbuckscoffeevegan foodfood

Adam Brody & Leighton Meester Are FINALLY In A New TV Show Together

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester (who, you know, played The OC's Seth Cohen and Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf) made our teen drama dreams come true when they tied the knot in 2014. And after The Oranges and Adam's appearance on Single Parents, we're FINALLY seeing them onscreen together again in 2025. Leighton's new series Good Cop/Bad Cop premieres on the CW this winter and I can already tell it's going to be one of my favorite new TV shows of 2025.

Here's everything you need to know about Leighton Meester's Good Cop/Bad Cop — and Adam Brody's appearance!

What is Good Cop/Bad Cop about?

In the CW's newest series, Leighton Meester stars as detective Lou, working for her dad in their community's local police force. She's thrilled to finally get a partner — until she realizes it's her little brother Henry (Luke Cook). It looks like it's all in the family with this comedy drama.

When does Good Cop/Bad Cop come out?

The Good Cop/Bad Cop release date is coming up! The new series premieres at 9 PM EST on the CW starting February 19, 2025, and each episode will be one hour long.

Who else in the Good Cop/Bad Cop cast?

Good Cop/Bad Cop stars Leighton Meester, Luke Cook, and Clancy Brown. And in addition to a variety of additional actors, we'll be seeing Adam Brody make an appearance too! In the new trailer, we get a brief glimpse of his character during one of Lou and Henry's investigations — and it looks like he's playing a glasses-wearing cowboy. Yeehaw!

Are you excited to see Leighton Meester and Adam Brody onscreen again? I think they're both hilarious and can't wait to see their banter. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest Good Cop/Bad Cop news and read up on the other February TV shows premiering in 2025.

pop cultureentertainmentleighton meestertv

Jenna Bush Hager's New Book Club Pick Is A Family Drama That "Will Sweep You Off Your Feet"

What is it about family sagas that seem to make book clubs more interesting? Maybe it's because we know interpersonal relationships can be a little dysfunctional. It could be that we still don't know how to communicate with the people we love the most. Even if we love our parents and siblings, reading about other families' fictional twists and turns gives us a rush of adrenaline.

So it's no wonder Jenna Bush Hager's January book club pick feels like something we can read without putting down. It's full of complicated relationship dynamics, love, and reconciling one's identity with their past. You can say it's the perfect read to kick off your 2025 reading goals!

Learn more about Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 book club pick and fall in love with one character's journey of self-discovery.

Amazon

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

Penn should be excited about advancing her education at the University of Edinburgh, but she can't stop thinking about the secret her parents have been keeping from her. For some reason, she believes she'll uncover it while she's in Scotland because Lord Lennox — her father's friend — is in the area.

Her hunger for the truth leads her to Lord Lennox's estate where she she starts mingling with his family and even discovers love in this moving novel.

@readwithjenna/Instagram

Jenna Bush Hager's Thoughts About The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus

Jenna Bush Hager thinks readers will love The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus because "it's a rich novel" with themes of "friendship and motherhood" (via Instagram). It's so good, she's sure "it will sweep you off your feet (via Instagram).

We hope you enjoy reading about Penn's journey in The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus and encourage you to check out Reese Witherspoon's January book club pick next!

jenna bush hagerbook clubbook recommendationsbooksentertainment

7 New Trader Joe’s Items Under $5 You Need To Try In January

Trader Joe’s loves to keep us on our toes when it comes to their new arrivals. We’re constantly monitoring the aisles to discover all the new TJ’s sweet treats and savory snacks they launch – and these 7 new picks for January 2025 are not to be missed! All of these Trader Joe’s products will run you less than $5, which only makes sealing the deal on your grocery bill easier.

From delicious dips to a very enticing new frozen meal, these are the 7 best new Trader Joe’s finds you absolutely need to try in January 2025.

Trader Joe's

1. Teensy Candy Bars

These tiny little candy bar bites ($2.99) resemble Snickers in the best way possible: layers of nougat, caramel, and peanuts are enveloped in a delicious chocolate coating for maximum snackage. We're gonna have to resist eating the whole bag! TJ's even suggests using these bits as decoration for other desserts, like sprinkling some on a scoop of ice cream or baking them into some cookies.

Trader Joe's

2. Olive Tapenade Hummus

Trader Joe's array of dips is simply too good to resist, and this newcomer hummus ($3.49) is no exception! It's a tub of "smooth and nutty" hummus topped with a tapenade comprised of black olives, manzanilla olives, capers, and olive oil to give it a salty effect. It's gonna taste so great as a dip for crackers or as a spread on a Mediterranean pita wrap.

Trader Joe's

3. Organic Concord Grape Jelly

This squeezable grape jelly ($3.49) is nothing short of nostalgic. Trader Joe's says it's "super smooth, joyously juicy, and potently purple," which immediately has us sold on making PB&Js every day now.

Trader Joe's

4. Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Oh, yeah. Bring on the spice with these spicy nuggs ($3.99) that make the perfect easy meal no matter the time of day! Made from all-natural chicken breast and rib meat, breaded with wheat, rice and corn flours, then covered in hot sauce and lightly fried, TJ's has their texture down to a tee. You can easily cook 'em in the air fryer, oven, or microwave before chowing down!

Trader Joe's

5. Crispy Potato & Poblano Pepper Tacos

These halved and fried frozen tacos ($4.99) will totally crush your Taco Bell cravings, since they come together super quickly and contain flavors with mind-blowing authenticity! Each taco is filled with a blend of seasoned mashed potatoes and some "ever-so- slightly spicy" poblano peppers that'll work so well with any dipping sauce, from TJ's salsa to their creamy Jalapeño Sauce.

Trader Joe's

6. Strawberry Mini Hold The Cone!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Trader Joe's is debuting a new flavor ($3.99) of their classic Hold The Cone! frozen dessert: strawberry! These tiny, chocolate-covered cones are lined with even more "rich" chocolate on the inside, then packed with strawberry ice cream, which TJ's says is crafted with plenty of strawberry purée.

Trader Joe's

7. Caesar Salad Dip

Trader Joe's shoppers have said this new Caesar Salad Dip ($3.69) makes a perfect girl dinner addition– which, if you get it, you get it! The tub starts with a "creamy" base that's then loaded up with Caesar-seasoned sour cream, mayo, anchovy paste, Parmesan, and finely shredded Romaine for the crunch. It's best enjoyed with crackers or veggie sticks to dip, but you could also smatter fried chicken or seared steak in it for some ahh-mazing flavor!

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more of the best Trader Joe's new items!

food newsgrocery shoppingtrader joe'snew food alertfood