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Red Hot Chili Peppers Producer Says Anthony Kiedis Was Tone Deaf

Is it possible for a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band to have a tone deaf singer? According to a former Red Hot Chili Peppers producer, the answer is a very casual, very confident YES.

A music producer named Michael Beinhorn, who worked on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ third and fourth albums (1987’s “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” and 1989’s “Mother’s Milk”) just dropped a surprising bit of trivia about frontman Anthony Kiedis, and it came straight from a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session.

When a fan asked why guitarist John Frusciante handled lead vocals, or at least dominated the mix, on the song “Knock Me Down”, the producer did not sugarcoat his response.

According to him, the reason was simple. The song was melodic, and Anthony Kiedis was, and still is, tone deaf. His exact explanation was that Kiedis “can’t hear pitch,” which made Frusciante the better choice to carry the melody vocally.

If that sounds shocking at first, it somehow makes more sense the longer you sit with it. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have never been known as a band built around pristine vocals or technical perfection. Their sound has always leaned more on raw energy, rhythm, personality, and attitude. Kiedis’ talk-singing, rhythmic delivery, and chaotic charisma have been part of the band’s DNA from the very beginning.

The producer also pointed out that Frusciante essentially wrote “Knock Me Down,” including the melody, which made it feel less awkward for him to sing it. In other words, this was not a case of pushing Kiedis aside. It was more about playing to everyone’s strengths, even if one of those strengths was knowing when not to sing.

Over the years, fans have debated Kiedis’ vocal abilities endlessly. Some love his unconventional style, others joke that the band succeeds in spite of it. This revelation feels less like an insult and more like confirmation of something longtime listeners already suspected. The Chili Peppers were never about hitting perfect notes. They were about vibes, funk, chaos, and somehow making it all work.

And clearly, it did work. The band has had massive success, countless hit songs, and a permanent place in rock history. Tone deaf or not, Anthony Kiedis remains one of the most recognizable frontmen of his era.

These Are the Movies People Claim to Love, but Secretly Might Not

There are two ways a movie earns the dreaded “overrated” label. Either it never lives up to the hype, or it was revolutionary at the time and modern technology has since made it feel less impressive.

Screen Rant leaned all the way into that debate and released a list of the 12 most overrated movies people pretend to love. And yes, this list is guaranteed to start arguments.

Topping the list is “Avengers: Infinity War” from 2018. It was a massive cultural moment, packed theaters, and set records everywhere. But critics of the hype say it leaned too hard on shock value and cliffhangers, especially when you already knew most of those characters were coming back eventually.

Next up is “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”. It is beloved, iconic, and endlessly quoted, but detractors point to the Ewoks, the lighter tone, and the idea that it does not quite match the magic of “The Empire Strikes Back”.

“The Silence of the Lambs” shows up at number three, which feels almost sacrilegious. It won multiple Oscars and gave us one of the most famous villains ever, but some argue its reputation has grown so large that it overshadows the movie’s slower, more procedural moments.

“Frozen” lands at number four, likely triggering parents everywhere. There is no denying its cultural impact, but years of nonstop “Let It Go” may have dulled the magic for a lot of people.

“The Greatest Showman” follows, with critics pointing out that catchy songs sometimes distracted from storytelling.

“Avatar” sits in the middle of the list, which feels appropriate. When it came out in 2009, it was visually mind-blowing. Today, the visuals are still impressive, but the story feels more familiar than groundbreaking.

“The Shining”, “Forrest Gump”, and “Chinatown” all appear next, proving that no era of cinema is safe from reevaluation. These films are undeniably important, but modern audiences sometimes struggle to connect with them the same way earlier generations did.

“Jaws” also makes the list, which is wild considering it basically invented the summer blockbuster. Still, some viewers feel its legacy has outgrown the actual experience of watching it now.

Rounding things out are “The Notebook” and “Fight Club”, two movies that inspire very strong reactions in opposite directions. Both have passionate fan bases, but both also inspire eye rolls from people who feel the hype has gone too far.

What movie or movies would YOU add to the list?

There are a lot of modern “auteurs” who inspire extreme reactions; Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Emerald Fennell, Ari Aster, Robert Eggers, Greta Gerwig, and Wes Anderson, to name a few. There can be no doubt all of these artists who have “fans” who only sing their praises because they think it’s cool to do so . . . or that it’s not cool to dismiss them.

“Survivor” Is Letting You Find an Immunity Idol… Even If You Live in Nebraska

Have you ever wanted to be on Survivor but immediately remembered you enjoy food, mattresses, and not having enemies?

Good news: Survivor is about to give fans a much gentler way to play along… and the biggest danger appears to be walking around your state looking confused while staring at your phone.

In January, Survivor is launching a nationwide contest called the Survivor 50 Challenge, and it is basically a real-life scavenger hunt with way less betrayal. The show is hiding “Immunity Idols” in all 50 states and daring fans to find them using clues posted online.

The “50” in the name pulls double duty. There are 50 states involved, and the challenge is celebrating Survivor’s upcoming 50th season, which premieres February 25th. The whole thing kicks off January 31st, when the clues start dropping online, and it runs all the way up to the season premiere.

Here’s how it works. Each state will have a hidden Immunity Idol somewhere within its borders. Survivor will release clues to help people track them down. You do not have to be the first person to find it, which is huge for anyone who does not sprint well or has a job. Anyone who finds their state’s Idol and takes a photo with it as proof gets entered into a drawing for that state’s prize.

In other words, this is Survivor with no tribal council. Just vibes and maybe a road trip.

There will be 51 total prizes. One winner will be selected for each state, plus one additional winner from a separate “virtual contest.” Details on the virtual part are still pretty light, but it sounds like some kind of online scavenger hunt situation for people who would rather not leave the couch.

Each state winner gets a free trip to Los Angeles for a Survivor-related event. The grand prize has not been announced yet, but given the timing, it probably ties into the upcoming season in some way. Worst case scenario, you get a free trip to L.A. and a great story about the time you hunted for a tiny statue like a reality TV goblin.

If you want in, Survivor has a hype video out and more details at Survivor50Challenge.com, including the official rules. You can also sign up with your email to get updates when clues drop.

If you have ever dreamed of Survivor glory, this might be your moment. Similar searching. Same idols. Way fewer breakdowns.

Can Your Dog Be a Tax Dependent? A Lawyer Says They Should

If raising kids feels expensive… raising pets is not exactly cheap either. Food, vet bills, grooming, boarding, training, toys you swear you will stop buying… it all adds up fast. And now, one lawyer is asking a question plenty of pet owners have at least joked about during tax season:

Why can’t pets count as legal dependents?

A lawyer filed a lawsuit against the IRS, arguing that pets should qualify as dependents for tax purposes, just like human family members. It sounds ridiculous at first, but once you dig into her argument, it starts to feel… possible?

97% of American pet owners say they consider their pets part of the family. And unlike your freeloading cousin, pets are truly dependent. They rely on humans for food, shelter, medical care, transportation, training, and basically every aspect of daily life. No side hustle. No allowance. No chance of paying rent.

The lawyer says her own eight-year-old golden retriever meets nearly every requirement the IRS looks for when defining a dependent. The dog has no independent income, lives exclusively with her, and racks up more than $5,000 a year in expenses. From a purely financial standpoint, the only thing the dog is missing is being human.

Right now, that is kind of a big deal. The IRS officially classifies pets as property, not people, which makes them ineligible for any dependent-related tax breaks.

That distinction is exactly what this lawsuit is challenging.

Still, even people who would love to write off their Labradoodle are not holding their breath. Legal experts say the case faces long odds. One major hurdle is something called legal standing. To sue, you have to prove you were directly harmed, and courts generally do not allow people to challenge the tax code just because they do not like it.

The lawyer insists she has been harmed, arguing that the tax rules are unfairly applied and discriminatory because they treat taxpayers differently based solely on whether their dependents are human.

As of now, the case has not been dismissed, so it is technically still alive. But realistically, do not expect to be claiming your dog, cat, or horse on next year’s return. For the moment, your pet is still family in every way that matters, just not according to the IRS.

What Dish or Flavor Best Represents Your State?

If you had to explain your entire state to a stranger using just one dish, America has already decided what you would serve. And in most cases, it is heavy, comforting, and absolutely not gluten-free.

A recent survey asked people to name the dishes or flavors that best represent each state. And some of it makes sense.

Here is the state-by-state breakdown of the foods people most associate with each place, plus a little personality baked in.

Alabama
• Banana pudding
• Pinto beans and cornbread (grandma is watching, so be respectful)

Alaska
• Seafood
• Muktuk (if you know, you know)

Arizona
• Mexican cuisine
• Sonoran hot dogs

Arkansas
• Catfish
• Country fried chicken

California
• Mexican food
• Burgers
• Shrimp tacos (served with opinions)

Colorado
• Green chili on literally anything
• Rocky Mountain oysters (we are not explaining them again)

Connecticut
• Clam chowder
• Pizza (yes, they are very serious about it)

Delaware
• Scrapple
• Bengali cuisine (sneaky food flex)

Florida
• Seafood
• Key lime pie
• Fresh orange juice (pulp debate mandatory)

Georgia
• Peach cobbler
• Seafood boils

Hawaii
• Laulau
• Poke
• Loco moco (breakfast that could bench press you)

Idaho
• Potatoes (all forms, no apologies)

Illinois
• Deep dish pizza
• Chicago-style hot dogs (do not ask for ketchup)

Indiana
• Corn
• Pork tenderloin sandwich (larger than the plate)

Iowa
• Corn
• Pork chops

Kansas
• Barbecue
• Steak
• Chili with cinnamon rolls (trust the process)

Kentucky
• Fried chicken (the original influencer)

Louisiana
• Crawfish
• Cajun cuisine
• Gumbo

Maine
• Lobster (no notes)

Maryland
• Crab cakes (Old Bay is implied)

Massachusetts
• Clam chowder
• Seafood

Michigan
• Cherry pie
• Coney Island dogs

Minnesota
• Juicy Lucy
• Tater tot hotdish
• Walleye

Mississippi
• Fried catfish
• Soul food

Missouri
• Barbecue (strong opinions, no consensus)

Montana
• Steak
• Wild game
• Huckleberry everything

Nebraska
• Runza sandwiches (you either love it or moved away)

Nevada
• Buffets
• Mexican food (Vegas rules apply)

New Hampshire
• Seafood
• Apple cider donuts

New Jersey
• Italian food
• Pizza
• Taylor ham, egg, and cheese sandwich (pick a side)

New Mexico
• Green chilis
• Enchiladas (red or green, choose wisely)

New York
• Pizza
• Bagel and cream cheese (attitude included)

North Carolina
• Barbecue
• Knoephla soup (surprise!)

Ohio
• Buckeyes (not the tree kind)

Oklahoma
• Chicken fried steak
• Comfort food in general

Oregon
• Salmon
• Marionberry pie

Pennsylvania
• Pierogies
• Cheesesteaks

Rhode Island
• Seafood
• Clam cakes
• Chowder

South Carolina
• Soul food

South Dakota
• Fry bread

Tennessee
• Barbecue

Texas
• Tex Mex
• Barbecue (bigger opinions than plates)

Utah
• Jello salad
• Fry sauce
• Funeral potatoes (yes, really)

Vermont
• Pancakes with maple syrup
• Mac and cheese

Virginia
• Ham (colonial confidence)

Washington
• Apples
• Salmon

West Virginia
• Pepperoni rolls (portable joy)

Wisconsin
• Cheese
• Fish fry (Friday is sacred)

Wyoming
• Steak (that is the whole sentence)

I guess this proves one thing: Every state thinks its food is iconic, correct, and deeply misunderstood by everyone else.

Defense Attorney Says Self-Checkout Can Land You in Serious Trouble

Self-checkout lanes are everywhere now.

Grocery stores, big box retailers, even places selling just a handful of items have decided that scanning and bagging your own stuff is part of the deal. And lately, those machines are even bold enough to ask for a tip. But according to a criminal defense attorney who’s gone viral on TikTok, using self-checkout could come with a much bigger cost than awkwardly hitting “no tip.”

Carrie Jernigan, a criminal defense attorney, is warning people to avoid self-checkout altogether. Her reason is simple and unsettling. It’s risky, even if you’re not trying to steal anything.

She says stores now have large, sophisticated teams whose job is to review self-checkout footage and look for possible shoplifting.

@carriejernigan1

Reply to @afamily20202 I have no idea why it cut off

♬ original sound – LAWYER CARRIE

Every scan, missed scan, and awkward item shuffle is recorded. If a store’s inventory comes up short later, they can go back through the video to figure out where something might have gone missing.

That’s where things can get ugly. If you accidentally forget to scan an item, scan the wrong barcode, or even if the store just makes an inventory mistake, you could end up being flagged as a suspect. From there, the store can report the incident to police. Suddenly, what felt like a harmless mistake at the checkout turns into a legal nightmare.

@carriejernigan1

Reply to @briannapatterson09 and buy and checkout with a toothbrush so you have it in jail if you get arrested 🫣

♬ original sound – LAWYER CARRIE

She says these cases can be expensive, stressful, and time-consuming to deal with, even if you didn’t do anything intentionally wrong. And the worst part is you might not even know there’s an issue until law enforcement contacts you later.

If you’re thinking, “That seems extreme,” she argues it happens more often than people realize. Self-checkout shifts the work and the risk from the store to the customer.

You’re basically acting as your own cashier, but without the training or protection employees have.

That said, Jernigan knows self-checkout isn’t disappearing anytime soon. So if you absolutely have to use it, she offers a few tips to protect yourself. Stick to small orders so there’s less room for error. Always pay with a credit card so there’s a clear record of what you purchased. Keep your receipt, even if you usually toss it. And most importantly, go slowly. Make sure the cameras can clearly see you scan every item.

Convenient or not, self-checkout may not be worth the headache. Sometimes waiting in line for a human cashier really is the safer move.

Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Comedy? These 10 Come Pretty Close

Is there such a thing as a perfect comedy movie? Probably not, because comedy is wildly subjective.

What makes one person laugh until they cry might barely get a nose exhale from someone else. But Collider.com decided to give it a shot anyway, rounding up what they call the 10 nearly perfect comedies of all time and ranking them from top to bottom.

Their list spans decades, styles, and generations, from sharp political satire to absurd slapstick and endlessly quotable bro comedies. And while you will absolutely argue with at least one of these placements, that’s kind of the fun.

Taking the top spot is Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” from 1964. Yes, a Cold War nuclear satire somehow beat out fart jokes and improvised man-children. Collider praises it for being fearless, dark, and still painfully relevant decades later. Not bad for a movie about the end of the world.

Right behind it at number two is “Airplane!” from 1980, a film that basically redefined parody comedy. It is relentless, absurd, and packed with jokes so fast you probably miss half of them on the first watch. Number three goes to “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the 1975 classic that turned medieval legend into coconuts, killer rabbits, and quotes that refuse to die.

Rounding out the top five are “Some Like It Hot” from 1959 at number four and “Ghostbusters” from 1984 at number five. One is a black-and-white classic with Marilyn Monroe, the other has proton packs and a giant marshmallow man. Both somehow belong on the same list.

The rest of the rankings lean into cult favorites and modern comedy staples. “The Big Lebowski” lands at number six, followed by “Groundhog Day” at seven, a movie that somehow gets funnier and more thoughtful every time you see it. “Step Brothers” takes eighth place, proving that yelling and drum sets can age surprisingly well.

Closing out the list are two late-2000s comedy giants: “Superbad” at number nine and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” at number ten.

So are these the 10 nearly perfect comedies of all time? Maybe. Or maybe your favorite is missing entirely. Either way, this list is a pretty solid excuse to cancel your plans and start a comedy marathon.

If You’ve Canceled Plans to Stay Home with Your Pet, You’re Not Alone

Remember the “before times,” when having plans actually meant leaving the house?

Turns out, a lot of those nights out never stood a chance, especially if there was a dog waiting at home giving you that look‘According to a survey, three out of four dog owners admit they have bailed on plans at the last minute just so they could stay home with their pup. Not because they were sick. Not because they were tired. Just because the couch, the dog, and the idea of not putting on real pants sounded way better.

Cat owners are not totally innocent here either. About one in three people with cats say they have also canceled plans to hang out with their feline. Although, let’s be honest, the reaction was probably very different. Dogs were thrilled. Cats were likely annoyed that their perfectly planned night of ignoring you was suddenly ruined.

The survey also found that pet ownership has quietly turned into a full-blown lifestyle. The average dog owner has 1.7 dogs, while the average cat owner has 1.9 cats.

Which means a lot of people crossed the line from “I have a pet” into “this is now a household with a system.”

That might also explain another big takeaway from the survey, where pets actually sleep. The most common answer was not a dog bed. Not a crate. Not even the floor. It is the bed. Your bed. Right between you and any hope of personal space.

For many pet owners, especially dog people, staying home is not a backup plan anymore. It’s the preferred option. A night in with your dog means no small talk, no waiting for the check, and no pretending you’re having fun when you would rather be home anyway.

Your dog is always excited to see you, never asks where you want to eat, and thinks every evening is the best night ever. Cats, of course, are a little different.

Choosing to stay home with a cat is more of a gamble. You might get cuddles. You might get judgment. You might just get two forearms full of lacerations.

Still, the numbers do not lie. Whether it’s dogs wagging their tails or cats silently questioning your existence, a huge chunk of people are perfectly happy canceling plans to be home with their pets. And honestly, that sounds like a pretty great excuse to us.

The U.S. Has Four of the Fakest Cities in the World

According to a new study, America might be leading the world in more than just fast food and reality TV—we’re now officially home to four of the fakest cities on the planet.

A ranking from travel insurance provider InsureAndGo analyzed over 1.3 million Google Maps reviews across 144 global cities, looking for mentions of “authentic,” “local,” or “traditional” experiences—and trying to avoid words like “tourist trap” and “overpriced.” The result? A list of the 10 least authentic cities in the world. And taking the top (or bottom?) spot: Chicago, Illinois.

Yep, Chicago was crowned the world’s #1 least authentic city, edging out famously over-touristed places like Venice, Italy, and Las Vegas, Nevada, which landed at #2 and #3, respectively. In total, four U.S. cities made the list, with Nashville (at #4) and Boston (at #6) also getting called out for being more “for show” than substance.

Here’s the full list of the world’s fakest destinations:

  1. Chicago, Illinois
  2. Venice, Italy
  3. Las Vegas, Nevada
  4. Nashville, Tennessee
  5. Hobart, Australia
  6. Boston, Massachusetts
  7. London, England
  8. Singapore
  9. Sydney, Australia
  10. Brussels, Belgium

If you’re surprised that Los Angeles didn’t make the cut, you’re not alone. The report jokingly nods to that irony—L.A. might be so inauthentic, it’s actually authentic at this point.

Meanwhile, cities topping the most authentic list include Bogotá, Colombia; Lima, Peru; and Taipei, Taiwan. Not a single American city cracked the top 20 for authenticity. Ouch.

So what makes a city feel fake to travelers? According to the study’s metrics, it’s all about the vibe: is your experience shaped by overpriced souvenir shops, gimmicky attractions, and cookie-cutter tours? Or are you getting something that feels real and rooted in local culture?

Either way, maybe this is a sign that it’s time to venture a little farther off the beaten path. Or at the very least, skip the $20 tourist trap hot dog and try something the locals actually eat.

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