Mount Hood

The ad-pocalypse hits streaming

March 5, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“If I wanted to pay for commercials I couldn’t skip, I’d sign up for Hulu.” Who knew a throw-away line in a 2014 episode of “The Simpsons” would still be so prevalent today? I mean, the episode wasn’t even about commercials or advertisements — it was about Homer pirating movies and consequently being arrested by the FBI.

But, Homer did have a point. Why pay for streaming services when they have ads?

When companies like Netflix and Hulu first launched, they both offered an ad-free service as their basic plan, which now both have ads. Even Hulu’s so-called “ad-free” subscription — the most expensive of their plans at $18.99 — is adding ads to certain programming, alongside Disney+, which Hulu is now partnered with. 

There’s not really a definitive answer for why these services are including ads, but it doesn’t make sense in the first place. After all, when Netflix and Hulu first launched as apps, they offered ad-free services for a fraction of the cost of cable. So what’s changed?

The first is the very reason why Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ gained popularity: no ads for a fraction of the cost. As more and more users joined, the companies realized that they needed a solution to make up for the revenue they were losing. Even with every user paying the monthly fee, they still needed support from advertisers. Thus, they began to offer two services — ad-free and basic with ads. 

Eventually, these evolved into different subscription plans for each service, some being ad-free, some offering partnerships with live TV or other streaming services. Currently the most popular partnership is the Hulu bundle, offering no ads on Hulu, a Disney+ subscription with no ads and ESPN+ with ads.

The second reason for advertisements becoming more prevalent on streaming services goes hand in hand with the bundling of streaming services: the amount of content offered. As content becomes available through cross-platforming, like Hulu titles and ESPN+ live sporting events being available on Disney+, the cost of licensing increases. The only streaming services that seem to avoid the need for ads due to cross-platforming are HBO Max and Prime Video, though Prime still has ads on when watching titles from its library or other non-Max affiliated services. 

With all these ads, it seems that streaming services have become cable, but if streaming services have become the new cable, what’s the next step?

For starters, visit a local library. They have extensive collections of movies and shows on DVD, though a DVD or Blu-ray player is required. Thrift stores typically also have copies of movies and shows, and ownership of one’s favorite titles might bring peace of mind — especially with the way titles are traded between services. However, a major downside of this is that many newer movies and series are not available on DVD, especially with the popularity of streaming services and digital copies. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

The worlds of modern entertainment and traditional boxing collided on the night of Nov. 15, 2024. Social media star Jake Paul faced off against Mike Tyson, a boxing legend, in one of the most highly anticipated fights in recent history.
In most people’s minds, Tyson’s name goes hand and hand with the sport of boxing. Born in Brooklyn in 1966, Tyson had a troubled youth but found a purpose in boxing. Under the wing of legendary trainer Cus D’Amato, Tyson’s career began to skyrocket. By age 20, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, capturing the WBC title in 1986.
Nicknamed “Iron Mike,” Tyson was feared for his brutal knockouts and excessive aggression. His career record includes 50 wins, 44 by knockout and only six losses. Despite his success, Tyson’s journey was followed by controversy, including legal troubles and public meltdowns that negatively affected his reputation. He retired from boxing in 2005 but made a surprising return in 2020 for an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr., which sparked a new interest in the once-retired fighter.
Unlike Tyson, Jake Paul’s rise to fame came from the entertainment industry. Born in Ohio in 1997, Paul gained notoriety as a Disney Channel star and then became a YouTuber before pivoting to boxing in 2018 as a way to expand his name and take on new challenges. His journey into the ring was initially perceived as a joke, but Paul quickly proved himself as a skilled, disciplined fighter. His journey began with a widely publicized fight against YouTuber Deji Olatunji, the brother of famous influencer KSI, which took place on the undercard of the KSI vs. Logan Paul fight. Paul ended up winning the match, which motivated him to pursue the sport even more. He eventually transitioned to professional boxing in 2020, defeating YouTuber AnEsonGib in his debut fight. Paul began taking part in intense training regimes, working with professional trainers and sparring with established fighters. He has since fought and defeated multiple opponents, including former MMA champions, solidifying his position as a controversial yet influential figure in the boxing world. Going into the fight vs Tyson, Paul held a professional record of 10-1.
The announcement of the Tyson-Paul fight in March 2024 sparked debates across the sports world. For fans of traditional boxing, a 58-year-old Tyson stepping into the ring against a 27-year-old social media star was unimaginable. On the other hand, Paul’s supporters praised the fight, egging on the other side.
Initially scheduled for July 20, the fight faced delays due to Tyson’s health issues. The fight was then rescheduled for Nov. 15 and was billed as a professional match. Adding to the hype, Netflix secured exclusive streaming rights, allowing them to broadcast the fight to their subscribers.
With a crowd of 75,000 in attendance and millions watching online, the stage was set for a showdown between past and present. The eight-round match featured two-minute rounds and heavier gloves — a safety measure given Tyson’s age and the nature of the exhibition.
From the opening bell, it became clear that time had taken its toll on Tyson. His once lightning-fast combinations were visibly slower, even though his boxing IQ and footwork stayed the same. Paul was able to capitalize on his youth, using his speed and stamina to control the pace of the fight.
While Tyson landed a few shots, Paul’s consistent jabs earned him the upper hand. The fight ended with a unanimous decision in Paul’s favor, with judges scoring the match 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73. Paul went on to celebrate the victory as the “most significant achievement of his career,” while Tyson thankfully acknowledged the outcome.
Days after the fight, Tyson let the world know that he had undergone serious health struggles leading up to the event, including significant weight loss and multiple blood transfusions. This gave context to his performance, showcasing the physical toll boxing takes on aging athletes.
Due to technical issues, Netflix received backlash from fans claiming that there were buffering and streaming glitches. Fans were outraged, and a $50 million class-action lawsuit was filed against Netflix, alleging breach of contract.
Despite its controversies, the fight was a commercial success. Paul’s victory solidified his spot as a legitimate fighter, with his team expressing interest in future matchups against legends like Canelo Álvarez and Anthony Joshua.
For Tyson, the fight marked another chapter in his career, one that emphasized resilience and courage. While some questioned his decision to fight at 58 years old, others admired his willingness to step back into the ring.

Contact the author at howlsports@mail.wou.edu

A new version of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” comes to Netflix

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers and mentions of murder.

Film fanatics may be familiar with the title “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” a thriller that stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law in an unconventional love triangle. Netflix has taken on a noir remake of the story with the leading man played by Andrew Scott, who is well known for his roles in “Sherlock,” “Fleabag” and more recently, “All of Us Strangers.” The director’s choice to make the show in black and white was due to the original book cover by Patricia Highsmith. Set in the 1960s between New York and Italy, “Ripley” is a captivating story that is hard to look away from.

In addition to Scott, the new Netflix series also stars Dakota Fanning and Johnny Flynn. Each actor delivered a unique perspective to the remake of the classic story within their individual roles. The chemistry between the trio was undeniable.

Andrew Scott’s stoic performance as Tom Ripley gave the series its unsettling tone. In contrast to Matt Damon’s portrayal of the character, Scott plays Ripley as a calculated, apathetic man with little remorse for his actions. In the 1999 film, Ripley is more frantic after his murders and genuinely seems to be upset about his wrongdoings. Both interpretations are incredible portrayals of the multi-dimensional character, but the passiveness of Scott’s performance is almost terrifying to watch.

The most uncomfortable scene in the series was the practically silent 20-minute murder sequence of Greenleaf, as Ripley tediously and clumsily carries out his plan. The blood on Ripley’s fingers looks black, but the audience can see its unmistakable deep red color as they experience the brutal death of Dickie Greenleaf. Ripley goes on to steal Greenleaf’s identity for his wealth and status. 

Every few minutes there is a shot of religious art, whether it is Greek, Roman or Catholic, a statue or a painting on a church ceiling. Tom Ripley walks in the shadows of these works of art, and at some points, he silently ponders them. This could be interpreted as a higher power looking down at him as he continues to commit acts of sin, whether he chooses to acknowledge it or not. He views himself as the puppetmaster of everything around him, but truly knows he is on the verge of spiraling out of control. Characters such as Marge Sherwood, Dickie Greenleaf’s girlfriend, can see right through Ripley’s actions but have no way to prove his wrongdoings. Something is not quite right with him, which all the people he interacts with take notice of.

The juxtaposition of Tom Ripley’s character is what made the 1955 novel and the 1999 film unique. Though he is a con-man and murderer, the character is also described as a sensitive man. The 90s movie depicts Ripley as a queer man, in his odd relationship with Dickie Greenleaf, and even gives him a lover at the end of the movie. His acute awareness of the people around him is what makes him the enticing villain he is. 

With an all-star cast, unique filming style and an incredible setting, “Ripley” is a must-watch for any fans of the original film or audiences interested in the noir genre. The eight-episode show goes into more depth than the movie was able to, and it did not disappoint.

8/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Schneider suing “Quiet on Set producers

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

Content warning: this article contains mentions of sexual assault.   

Dan Schneider, former Nickelodeon producer and writer, is suing the producers of “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” stating that the show implies sexual assault of young actors with whom he routinely worked. 

Schneider is suing Warner Bros, Discovery, Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures Television, who worked on the production of the series. The case will be brought before the Los Angeles Superior Court on the grounds of alleged defamation with misleading allegations of sexual abuse against child actors. 

Schneider’s lawyers declared that the alleged false statements and implications harmed his reputation and legacy at Nickelodeon. The first four episodes of “Quiet on Set” premiered on March 17 and 18, 2024 while the fifth episode was released on April 7, 2024. 

Schneider responded to the docuseries with a YouTube video titled, “Dan Schneider Talks about Quiet on Set” on Schneider’s YouTube channel, “DanWarp.” In the video, Schneider sits with BooG!e, born Bobby Bowman, who plays T-Bo on one of Nickelodeon’s hit shows, iCarly, that Schneider produced. 

In this video, BooG!e recounts the docuseries and Schneider addresses allegations raised, such as pressuring female employees to perform massages, constant harassment and making co-writers uncomfortable in the writer’s room. 

Concerning the alleged massages, Schneider said, “It was wrong that I ever put anybody in that position… I’d never do it today, I’m embarrassed… I apologize to the people who were walking around Video Village or wherever it happened because there were lots of people there who witnessed it who also may have felt uncomfortable so I owe them an apology as well.” Regarding writers, Schneider stated, “No writer should ever feel uncomfortable in any writer’s room ever, period, the end.”

The docuseries also features two writers, Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen, who remember Schneider illegally forcing the women to split their payment “I have nothing to do with paying writers, I never have. I’ve never made a writer’s deal and of all the writers I’ve been in a writer’s room with, I never even knew how much most of them were getting paid… it’s very simple, there’s a common practice in television when hiring… writers for your first job are willing to share a salary, you can both have the job (and) they have the opportunity to say ‘Yes, that sounds good’ or ‘No, no thank you,’” Schnieder said.

Back in 2000, Kilgen filed a lawsuit against Schneider for gender discrimination because of the alleged harassment and illegal payment, prompting an internal investigation. The lawsuit settled for an undisclosed amount.

Schneider states as the lawsuit is served to the producers of “Quiet on Set,” “… I sadly have no choice but to take legal action against the people behind it. In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted…” 



Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

The truth behind children’s television

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

Content warning: this article discusses sexual assault, child abuse, racism and toxic workplace environments.   

“Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” is a new 5-episode docuseries released to the streaming service Max, that discusses the trauma and horrors inflicted behind the scenes of some of the most beloved 90s and early 2000s Nickelodeon shows. These shows include  “All That,” “The Amanda Show,” “Zoey 101,” “Drake and Josh” and “iCarly.” 

What all of these familiar titles have in common is the showrunner, Dan Schneider. Schneider is responsible for making many children laugh, but also for causing trauma to multiple young cast members. The series talks about Schneider’s verbal abuse on the sets of his shows and his use of many inappropriate euphemisms during production. In “Quiet on Set,” many child actors recount their trauma and abuse while working for Schneider and Nickelodeon. 

Leon Frierson, a cast member of “All That,” talks about his trauma of portraying a character named Nose Boy who had a skin-tight costume with suggestive male body parts as design. Frierson remarks about his treatment being one of the few African Americans on the set as well as Bryan Christopher Hearne who played various characters during his time on “All That”. Hearne had a similar experience and was mocked for his skin color and appearance while doing costume designs and makeup. 

Schneider ignored labor laws and urged the child actors to work rigorous hours. Those who have worked alongside Schneider have expressed how harsh and demanding he was — especially from the women he hired. Two female writers, Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen, recount Schneider illegally making the women split a salary, as well as pressuring the women into performing acts including screaming profanities, giving Schneider massages and performing sexual reenactments in front of him and others.       

Most shocking within the docuseries were the three different child predators hired by Schneider and Nickelodeon. These men were hired to help coach or even mentor the children on set. Most notable is the case of actor, producer and dialogue coach Brian Peck during his time working on “All That.” Peck was charged with many accounts of sexual abuse towards Drake Bell, a child actor who was well known for his starring role in “Drake and Josh,” but also made appearances on “All That” and “The Amanda Show.” Bell was 15 when these events occurred, and in August 2003, Peck was arrested. Peck was charged with 11 counts of lewd acts towards a minor. Peck served just 16 months in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender. This is the first time Bell has spoken about his abuse and trauma — as a result of Peck’s identity and charges were made public. A new episode of “Quiet on Set” was released on April 7, 2024, and continues to unveil the story behind the scenes of Nickelodeon and Schneider.   

Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

Popular movies and TV coming to streaming

The critically acclaimed media coming to Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu this October 

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Classes are back in session, which can mean more stress for students. For those who need a break from homework, here’s a sneak peek into some of the critically acclaimed movies and television shows coming to streaming services this October. 

Coming to Netflix:  

  • “Seinfeld” (1989) ⏤ Oct. 1. All nine seasons of the famous sitcom featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards. Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%. 
  • “Till Death” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 1. A romantic lake house vacation turns deadly when Emma’s husband enacts a revenge plot against her. Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%.
  • “On My Block” (2018) ⏤ Oct. 4. Two years after Monse’s departure from Freeridge, the group is back together, and this final season will explore their changed dynamic as they navigate new threats in the neighborhood. Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%. 
  • “YOU” (2018) ⏤ Oct. 15. In season three, Joe and Love are raising their newborn son in a Californian suburb. But when Joe’s attention shifts to their next door neighbor, Love must take drastic measures to protect her perfect family. Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%. 

    Coming to Disney+:

    • “Black Widow” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 6. Natasha Romanoff must confront her dark past as an assassin — and the people she left behind — when a new foe arises. Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%. 
    • “Marvel’s What If…?” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 6. Marvel’s newest addition to their growing media arsenal comes to a close in the finale episode. Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%. 

    Coming to Hulu:

    • “Crimson Tide” (1995) ⏤ Oct. 1. Set after the Cold War, a rookie lieutenant commander of the submarine USS Alabama stages a mutiny to prevent the captain from starting a nuclear war with Russian extremists. Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%. 
    • “Escape from Alcatraz” (1979) ⏤ Oct. 1. Frank Morris, a criminal with a reputation for breaking out of prison, is sent to Alcatraz and crafts a plan to escape the inescapable. Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%.
    • “Goldfinger” (1964) ⏤ Oct. 1. When gold magnate Auric Goldfinger is suspected of concocting a scheme to rob Fort Knox and cripple the world economy, 007 must foil the plot. Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%. 
    • “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005) ⏤ Oct. 1. The season 18 premiere will feature the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital treating patients after the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduce new obstacles as they try to employ doctors. Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%. 
    • “Mad Max” (1979) ⏤ Oct. 1. In a world where oil shortages have led to famine, war and financial crisis, police officer Max goes rogue to avenge his murdered wife and son. Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%. 
    • “The Hunger Games” (2012) ⏤ Oct. 1. Every year, the Capitol picks two children from each assigned district to join a bloodthirsty competition. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to save her sister, her life is changed forever. Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%. 
    • “Waitress” (2007) ⏤ Oct. 1. Waitress Jenna is married to an abusive husband and stuck in a small town, with plans to escape ⏤ but complications arise when she begins an affair with the town doctor. Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%. 

    Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

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