True, but it is Super Bowl 56. The game starts at 6:30pm ET this Sunday. The Cincinnati Bengals head to SoFi stadium to challenge the Los Angeles Rams on their home turf. So get the wings ready because theVince Lombardi Trophy is on the line.
What do I need to know?
The underdog Bengals took the league by surprise and came in hot during the 2022 championships — beating the Super Bowl 2020 champions: the Kansas City Chiefs. The stakes are high for Bengals fans considering they’ve never taken the Lombardi Trophy home. And haven’t made it to theSuper Bowlin over 30 years.
What about the Rams?
They’ll be playing at home donning their blue, yellow, and white uniforms. It’s rare considering the NFL rotates the Super Bowl location annually tomake sure no team has a home-field advantage.But it can still happen, right Buccaneers? Now, the Rams are eyeing this year’s trophy after 22 years. And are hoping to be chanting “Whose House?” a little louder this time around.
What players should I know about?
The Bengals are hoping QB Joe Burrow, Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp, and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr can take them to the finish line. The Rams have QB Matthew Stafford (who’s a newbie on the team) and their wide-receiving trio Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd who are yearning for a W. And football wouldn’t be football without a little sideline tea. The head coach of the Rams is Sean McVay. And one of his former assistant coaches – Zac Taylor – is leading the Bengals as head coach. TBD if these two will put on a show.
Speaking of shows…
Jhené Aiko — who says her parents are from both teams' hometowns — will kick the game off with her rendition of "America The Beautiful." And as usual, companies will be making bathroom breaks nearly impossible thanks to their multi-million dollar commercial slots. For the first time, crypto will be making a play (more on that here). And let's not forget the halftime show. But you can forget Y2K fashion because the '90s are back, baby. Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige will take center stage. But TBD if Snoop Dogg will still be on the roster now that he is facing allegations of sexual assault.
theSkimm
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest celebrations in America. The Rams and Bengals have waited decades to get to this point — so have their fans.And each team will be showing up in hope of yelling“I’m going to Disney World.”
Skimm More: Want more on Super Bowl LVI? We Skimm'd all the details for you here.
And Also...This
What’s got people saying ‘about time’...
The #MeToo bill. Yesterday, the Senate passed a landmark bill banning companies from forcing sexual harassment and assault claims to be handled privately vs in court. Think: no more shielding accused perpetrators from the public eye. The bipartisan-backed bill was first introduced in 2017 by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — who had an ally in former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. It could be Congress’ most significant response to the #MeToo movement, reportedly affecting about 60 million Americans subject to the clauses. Now it heads to President Biden for signature.
What’s being said: Supporters say ‘it’s about time.’ But critics reportedly say the bill is another example of government overreach into private companies.
Who’s in the hot seat…
Tesla. Earlier this week, a California agency sued the EV company over allegations of racial discrimination. The lawsuit alleges its factory in Fremont, CA, is a “racially segregated workplace.” And that Black workers are subjected to racist slurs and assigned the most physically demanding jobs. Tesla called the lawsuit “misguided,” adding that the company “strongly opposes all forms of discrimination.” It comes months after a fed jury awarded $137 million to a former employee whose complaints of racial harassment were ignored by managers. And as Tesla faces several other lawsuits — including of allowing “rampant” sexual harassment.
Who people are remembering…
Luc Montagnier. Earlier this week, the French virologist died at age 89. In 1983, Montagnier led a team of scientists to discover theHIV virus that causes AIDS. It led to the development of HIV testing and drugs. In 2008, Montagnier received a Nobel Prizewith one of his colleagues for the monumental discovery. Recently, Montagnier had been criticized for repeating misinformation about COVID-19.
Consumer prices are looking way up nationwide. US inflation is at a 40-year high — up 7.5% as demand struggles with supply. And since inflation's sticking around for now, use these tips to make some room in your budget.
How much Anna Sorokin (aka Anna Delvey, the pseudo-heiress who the press nicknamed “the Soho grifter”) pretended she was worth while inserting herself into the NY social scene, according to prosecutors in her 2019 trial.
Spoiler alert: She was found guilty of stealing more than $200K from banks, businesses, and friends. Her story inspired the new Shondaland limited series, “Inventing Anna.” It’s a sharp, suspenseful must-watch show that follows a journalist as she investigates — and forms a love-hate relationship with — an Insta-famous con woman determined to make it big. And we have breaking news: You can stream every ep on Netflix right now. Brb, canceling our weekend plans...
Forty-four percent of all people without kids say it isn’t likely they’ll have them — and that number is up from 2018. The data, our social feeds, and convos with friends are all pointing to the fact that more people are joining the “childfree by choice” movement. So we called author and podcaster Emma Gannon to talk about her decision to go childfree and why she hopes her story can help other people figure out theirs. Read our interview here.
Skimm Picks
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Clean beauty products you’ll wanna add to vanity. Glow forth and prosper with Sephora’s list of 100+ makeup, skincare, and fragrance brands with their Clean seal of approval. And feel good knowing they’re all committed to moving the industry forward. Shop now.*
2. A ~luxurious~ sale that’s too good to pass up. This brand’s cashmere collection is a one-stop shop for all things comfy, cozy, and sustainably made. And every style just so happens to be 50% off right now. Cash(mere) in.*
3. Trendy earrings that’ll spread the lo(b)e. Sorry not sorry. This brand’s V-Day collection has huggies, studs, and curated sets that’ll make your S.O. (or galentine…or self) smile. Heart eyes included. PS: Skimm’rs get a free earring with any $60+ purchase.*
4. Must-have items to keep in your handbag at all times. Like these microfiber cleaning cloths for smudges on glasses, gentle hair ties that won’t rip your locks, and a blister balm for boots that rub in the wrong places. Want more? Check out our Amazon Storefront for tons of problem-solving products.
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Cooking up change…Lara R (CA). She’s celebrating twelve years of Kids Cooking For Life, an initiative inspiring healthy cooking and eating habits in low-income communities.
(Some) Birthdays…Lois Beckley (WA), Stacey Leiman (NY), Kori Lay (CA), Danielle Dueno (NY), Ben Carpenter (CT), Tom Martinolich (NJ), Brea Falley (NE), Delia Moran (NY), Joana Buck (VA), Amy Dang (TX), Kerrigan Cook (AR), Kristi Hammond (WI), Anna-Elyse Lewis (SC), Fred Erben (TX), Carmella DeFichy (NY), Mary-Bradley Flynn (AL)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm More
The Super Bowl is as famed for commercials as it is football. And on Sunday, you might notice a new kid on the block(chain): Crypto. This week on “Skimm This,” we cover how and why crypto features will be blitzing the ad space. Listen now.
And if you’re looking for other smart ways to spend your time...
Listentoour news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.
