Michael's Jam

Just like Scream 5 was a requel to the OG Scream, Scream 6 is a requel to Scream 2, but also a direct sequel of Scream 5. It might seem confusing to the new generation of screamers, but the die-hard fans who grew up with the original three movies, will know exactly what I’m talking about after watching this wild and insane blood bath.

This is a spoil free review of Scream 6, so it’s most likely going to be short and sweet, which is nothing like the new movie, out today. Scream 6 is a two-hour, nonstop, thrill ride with some of the best scares and nastiest kills out of all of the movies combined. It’s an impossible movie to not give away hints about the plot and twists, so that’s why I’ll keep things surface level and cut right to the chase. Go into this movie with no expectations and definitely stay away from social media.

The opening scene is nothing that you would expect from a Scream movie and legit had Brooke and I extremely tense | full of anxiety. We were legit having heart palpitations from how realistic and dark it was. It’s beyond scary and something no one would ever want to experience in real life, let alone watch on the big screen.

Sisters Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) obviously survived in Scream (2022), so we find them in New York City months after the attacks and also attending college. They are accompanied by Chad and Mindy, the twins played by Mason Gooding | Jasmine Savoy Brown. These four friends are all survivors from last years Woodsboro mayhem and use their anger fueled revenge, to try and stop the killer for good.

Always in routine fashion, we have our legacy characters; Sam, Tara, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and none other than Kirby Reed, played by the fabulous Hayden Panettiere. Kirby, who was left for dead in Scream 4, didn’t actually die from her stabbing and returns to the sequel kicking ass | taking names. Twelve years after her supposed death, we find Kirby in NYC with the gang, this time as the FBI, aiding the four core in catching the fucking psycho. Joined by a fresh slew of newbies, the movie begins to feel like you’re watching the 2023 version of 1997’s Scream 2. The suspense and mind-blowing kills are something completely different and make Terrifier look like a Disney movie.

Just like the college setting of Scream 2, Scream 6 mirrors that same energy, creepy vibes and unbelievable, shocking revelations throughout the film. Set at Blackmore College in New York City, nothing is off limits this time. Anyone can die and anyone could be the killer. Scream 6 takes the whodunit, meta-slasher horror experience to the next level. Shocking, disturbing and very clever, there is no time to catch your breath. In a city filled with millions of people, no one can hear them scream and what you’re about to see is the reason why we all go to the movies. Fun, terrifying and wonderfully entertaining, Scream 6 will 100% be the topic of conversation this weekend and at the office Monday morning.

As some of ya’ll know, I’ve been anticipating my 38th birthday for months now, which happens to be today! Last summer, I began seeing the number 23 everyday on my iPhone. When I would look at the time randomly, I would legit always see times like 6:23, 4:23 and even 12:23 on occasion. Every single day, multiple times a day even, the time just happens to be something :23. I’ve never really been a superstitious guy, but since I was born on the 23rd day of the month and this year is 2023, I knew something magical was | is happening.

My buddies would tease me, joking that 2/23/23 and seeing the number 23 for like 9 months everyday, was nothing special. They knew how cool it was for me though, especially after the nightmare I experienced in 2022. They’ve had my back since the day I stepped into the rooms last month and started my new journey in recovery.

While doing some research on February born babies, I found that we like to be the center of attraction wherever we go and want people to talk about us. I know my close friends reading this and everyone I’ve met throughout my adult life, are laughing and agreeing. I also read that Februarians are extremely lucky and are born with “The Golden Spoon.” I should be dead today and know that my Grandfather Wells | God have been watching over me, protecting me and allowing me to learn from my mistakes, rather than becoming another statistic.

I also found that people born in February are Artists, Photographers, Creative Designers, Entrepreneurs, etc. In fact, many great scientists, Businessmen and musicians are born in the month of February. Seems pretty accurate as I thrive on writing and creating.

I decided to finally put down the booze for good on 1/1/2023, after an unfortunate relapse during the 2022 holiday season. Something inside me felt that this time, it was do or die for me. I knew for the first time during my drinking career, that I would never achieve the happiness and success I’ve craved since I was in college, if I continued to put poison into by body. I would probably end up in jail, back in rehab or dead if I tried to “moderate” my drinking again.

I want to apologize to everyone I met last year during my Denver bar-hopping tour. The things I said to ya’ll, how I treated ya’ll and my overall demeanor at my favorite bars was awful and way out of character for me. I still have so much guilt and remorse for the damage I caused with my words, something I hope will continue to fade away as I work through the twelve steps with my sponsor.

Tyler, I know you may never speak to me again, which I completely understand, but I have to at least tell you know how much I’m truly sorry for last year. You we’re just trying to be a good friend to me, but I couldn’t accept that it wasn’t in a romantic way. If I could go back and change 2021-2022 with you, I would. I still think about you often and you’re still in some of the dreams I have. It doesn’t help that we’re neighbors to each other, ha, but I’m doing just dandy and wish you could see the man I am today.

Now, I don’t want to be all sappy and bore ya’ll with apologies and stories on this article (that’s for my book), but Brooke, Stacy, Erika, Julie, Kim, DeAnn, Sarah, Trevor and Ustyna; you all mean so much to me and I shouldn’t have taken our friendships for granted. Some of you I’ve known for 30 years and it kills me inside that I would treat my best girls like that. I never meant to hurt you and also hope you could see the man I am today, one day. I’ll always love each and every one of you and wish nothing but the best.

As I get to spend my birthday with my family this year, I’m ecstatic and extremely grateful I’m showing up sober for John Ryder and Addison. Those knuckleheads are my entire world. As I feel that the “having children ship” has sailed for me, I’m going to spoil the hell out of them and love JR | Addy wildly until the day I die. Having my sister here, who has always been my best friend throughout the good times and bad, makes me feel like everything is just as it should be on this birthday of mine. My wonderful new job helping the Denver community, an apartment with mountain views in my living room and feeling happier | healthier than ever, is truly a gift. It’s legit the best birthday gift I could ever receive. I feel peace and serenity, I’m where I belong.

February 23rd, 2023 | #thenewmj

Tove Lo was in Denver at The Mission Ballroom last night and performed to a vibrant, loud and jam-packed crowd. Lo is a Swedish singer|songwriter most recognized for her two Billboard hits “Habits (Stay High)” and “Talking Body.” I honestly had not thoroughly listened to Tove Lo’s work after her commercial success in the mid 2010’s, but after hearing her most recent album, “Dirt Femme,” I was extremely interested in going to her show. Man, I’m glad I did as it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to.

Rolling Stone has called Lo “Sweden’s darkest pop export.” Her raw, grunge-influenced take on dance and pop music has made her known for being an honest, complex performer captivating fans all across the world.

When my best friend Brooke scored tickets for us a few weeks ago, I started listening to her albums I had not heard before. I immediately fell in love with her brutal honesty and ability to demonstrate her naked truth. The synth-dance and electro-pop influence she’s had internationally, is perfectly produced with edgy beats and seriously sexy sounds. The energy was electrifying and legit had me and the girls shaking our asses off the entire night.

The concert was definitely one hell of a time and everyone was having the night of their lives. The gays were out in full swing with their boyfriends, buddies and purses (girlfriends). Different walks of life came together for a night celebrating positivity, keeping our dreams alive, promoting equality and uniting as one community, doing it all for love.

Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules premiered on Wednesday and since I’m a huge fan of this juicy, entertaining reality show, I’ve decided to finally showcase my talent on camera. Blake Horstmann basically invented this type of video recap, expanding to what we now call vlogging. He’d provide witty, funny and hilarious dialogue during seasons of The Bachelor | The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, after his own time on the popular franchise. Blake posted videos (stories) of episodes on his Instagram, while also providing clever commentary throughout his discussions. It was the greatest thing and totally up my alley, so as an avid writer and pop culture fanatic, I believe it’s time for Michael Wells Jenney to raise his glass high, make a toast and vlog about the fabulous Vanderpump Rules.

For those of you not familiar with Vanderpump Rules, it follows a close knit crew of SURvers, bartenders and bar owners, as they navigate through the hustle and bustle of LA. Mental health, addiction, recovery, breakups, scandals and the up’s | downs that we all face in life are respectfully illustrated throughout the series. Pump has become an extremely relatable show and definitely has shed some light on many hush hush, taboo topics. It has become a pop culture phenomenon that has people from around the world flocking to Vanderpump Land. Lisa Vanderpump, fan favorite from The Real Housewives Beverly Hills, plays the strict, but helpful boss providing the crew with life lessons and motherly advice. Oh, and she owns all the restaurants showcased on the show.

Lala Kent, Scheana, James Kennedy, Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, Ariana Madix, Raquel Leviss and Katie Maloney rule the screen and it’s incredibly inspiring to see their dreams come to life. Their dramatic romantic | platonic relationships and the who’s who of West Hollywood are all perfectly captured on the hit show.

Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute and Katie Maloney, also known as The Witches of WeHo, are the OG badasses that made this show what it is today. It became an instant success when it first premiered in 2013 and this trio had me dying laughing every week. While Stassi and Kristen are no longer a part of the Vandercrew, they’ll always be the reason I became so involved with Vanderpump Rules. These ladies helped me to escape from tough times I endured over the past ten years.

People have told me to take this writing | blogging talent I’ve created over the past year and do some vlogging. With their advice and just a little hunch I have, I’ll post these reviews on my Instagram every Thursday night, hoping to find an audience. As some people don’t have cable and stream most everything virtually, I will post my videos when it’s available to stream on Peacock (Thursday’s). Vanderpump Rules first airs on Bravo TV, on Wednesday nights at 9/8c.

My first review of Season 10 Vanderpump Rules, episode one, airs this weekend on my Instagram. After that, it will be Thursday nights.

Instagram: michael_jenney

When Rihanna announced she would be performing at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show, fans and music lovers across the world were ecstatic. Even hardcore sports guys, who could care less about halftime entertainment, are just as eager to see what she will do on February 12th. It’s been seven years since she released an album (the critically acclaimed, Anti) and five years since Rihanna performed in public. She was alongside DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller performing Wild Thoughts at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

What sets Rihannna apart from the Britney’s, Gaga’s and Taylor’s of the female dominated music industry, is her unique style and consistent ability to reinvent the way Pop | R&B music should sound. Not only does she run a multibillion-dollar empire, Fenty Beauty, but Rihanna also continues to evolve as an entertainer and has become one of the best-selling artists of our generation.

With an impressive career combined with her absence from the music industry in quite some time, people are amped to see what Rihanna has up her sleeve. While her single Pon de Replay put her on the map in 2005, it was 2007’s super smash single Umbrella, that made Rihanna a global sensation. Also featuring Jay-Z, Umbrella won the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2008 Grammys and is listed as No. 332 in Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Instead of taking bets on either Eagles | Chiefs or playing squares at this years Super Bowl, I’m going to predict Rihanna’s setlist in what has become the most anticipated halftime show of the past decade, if not of all time.

From her 2012 album, Unapologetic, Ri Ri exudes bitchin’ confidence and baller status on opening song Phresh out the Runway, so it would be dope and fitting to start the show with this highly energetic track. Ri also opened the 2012 Victoria Secret Show with the explicit banger and had the audience vibing; just watch and see for yourself.

After opening with Phresh out the Runway, she’ll need to perform some of her chart-topping, hit singles. Songs that every person in the world has probably heard at some point in their lives. Those would be Pon de Replay, SOS, Don’t Stop the Music, Shut Up and Drive, Rude Boy and Hard (feat. Jeezy). With only a limited amount of stage time, I bet she’ll take some of her best work mixed with songs that we’re also popular during her reign.

After Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad and Rated R eras, she’ll need to own her unbelievable talent and bust out with Only Girl (In the World), What’s My Name? (feat. Drake) and S&M. These smash hits were on her multi-Grammy nominated album, Loud, and have become some of her most recognized singles throughout her career. The album was also praised by critics and her peers in the music industry. Only Girl (In the World) won the trophy for Best Dance Recording at the 2011 Grammy Awards and was even nominated for Album of the Year at the 2012 Grammys, but lost to Adele.

After her success from Loud, Rihanna released another album almost immediately, Talk That Talk, in 2011. She experienced with EDM sounds for the first time, collaborating with Calvin Harris on the album. We Found Love, the lead single from Talk That Talk, exploded onto the club scene with DJ’s all across the world playing | promoting the song. She should play We Found Love along with Where Have You Been and Cockiness (Love It) from this album.

Ri Ri could play Diamonds, the lead single from her Unapologetic album, if she decides to do a mellow song and take a breather from all the dancing she’ll be doing. After she slows things down, she’ll definitely play Work (feat. Drake) from her most recent album, Anti. Work was one of the most downloaded and played songs of 2016. It’s my least favorite single from Rihanna, but it seemed to capture the attention from fans around the world.

The finale should be Rihanna’s most popular, recognizable and award winning song, Umbrella. Will Jay-Z join her? Could Britney Spears surprise us on S&M or what about Eminem on their ridiculously popular love anthem, Love the Way You Lie? Either way, this Sunday’s game and Rihanna’s halftime performance will produce some of the highest ratings in years and will be talked about for weeks. Fly Ri Ri Fly 🦅