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Culture Editor Stella Powers waited outside in the rain in the 'Saturday Night Live' standby line for five hours.

I did standby for ‘Saturday Night Live’: Here’s how it went

By Stella Powers | 4 days ago

Seeing “Saturday Night Live” live in the studio has been a dream of mine since I was 14 years old. However, it isn’t exactly easy to do.There are a few ways to be in the studio for the taping of the show, including the lottery and the standby process. At 10 a.m., the Thursday before the show, an online form opens to request standby numbers for both dress rehearsal and the live taping that weekend. The available spots fill up within seconds, so getting through this first step successfully is difficult.If you’re lucky enough to get through the form, you’ll receive standby numbers through email at some point that day that reflect where you’ll be placed in the standby line Friday night.

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In addition to talking about his acting career, Lillard also discussed his involvement with Dungeons and Dragons.
CULTURE

‘Scream,’ ‘Scooby Doo’ and entrepreneurship: A Q&A with Matthew Lillard

By Stella Powers and Parker Green | April 11, 2025

Matthew Lillard, known for his iconic roles in “Scream,” “Scooby Doo” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” has stepped beyond acting and into Dungeons and Dragons, entrepreneurship and more. On April 7, Lillard visited Miami University as part of the school’s lecture series.Prior to his 7:30 p.m. lecture in Hall Auditorium, The Miami Student sat down with Lillard in an exclusive interview to discuss his expansive career.

On April 7, actor Matthew Lillard gave a lecture in Hall Auditorium, moderated by Geoffrey Long.
CULTURE

Matthew Lillard discusses acting career, new businesses in lecture series

By Stella Powers and Parker Green | April 10, 2025

Students, faculty and community members filled the seats of Hall Auditorium on April 7. Some fans dressed in “Scooby Doo” gear and brought along “Scream” merchandise, celebrating actor Matthew Lillard’s long-standing career.Lillard, star of “Scream,” “Scooby Doo” and “Five Nights at Freddys” gave a lecture at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Moderated by Geoffrey Long, the actor discussed his career, entrepreneurship and the importance of conventions in his life.

Asst. Campus & Community Shannon Mahoney is an avid reader and has some favorite books she wanted to share.
CULTURE

What to read next

By Shannon Mahoney | April 8, 2025

As we head into the second half of spring semester, I’m filled with the urge to procrastinate on all my work and take some time to read a book for fun instead. Here I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite books for you to read when you really should be working on your final essays.

Culture writer Sydney Mulford isn't a huge fan of Duolingo, but the marketing does impress her.
CULTURE

Duolingo’s “iconic” marketing strategy

By Sydney Mulford | April 7, 2025

About a week ago, my editor sent me a video of Duolingo doing Sabrina Carpenter’s Juno pose from her Paris show. Sure, it was funny, but how was watching Duolingo folded into the “Eiffel Tower” going to make me more inclined to complete my Duolingo math lesson for the day?  Fun fact: it was not successful.

Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation works with Hopelab on a study around LGBTQ+ relationships with online spaces.
CULTURE

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation provides new study on the LGBTQ+ community’s relationship with online spaces

By Ayla Peden | April 4, 2025

Earlier this year, Hopelab partnered with the Born This Way Foundation to conduct a study examining how LGBTQ+ young adults connect with their peers online to explore their identities, find support and build meaningful relationships. The Born This Way Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by pop star Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. The foundation works to inspire young people to build a kinder world that supports their mental health and well-being. The foundation uses research, programs and grants to connect people with accessible mental health resources.

Culture editor Stella Powers thought "Snow White" was a magical experience.
CULTURE

Disney’s ‘Snow White’ is magical and doesn’t deserve the hate

By Stella Powers | April 3, 2025

From a very young age, I dreamed of being a Disney princess. Ballgowns and princess dresses flooded my costume chests, and the Disney version of Pretty Pretty Princess was by far my favorite game. Disney princess DVDs lined my shelves and the Disney FastPlay advertisement constantly replayed in my head. Princesses were my favorite. When I heard they were making a live-action “Snow White” film, I was skeptical. Excited, but skeptical nonetheless. When Rachel Zegler was announced as the star, my excitement grew.

For women's history month, Culture Editor Stella Powers complied a list of some of her favorite films directed by women.
CULTURE

Best films directed by women

By Stella Powers | March 23, 2025

It’s women’s history month, and through working on this piece, it has come to my attention just how few films are actually directed by women — it’s upsetting. I was barely able to come up with a top 10 list. If I were asked to come up with more films, I’m not sure I would be able to. So many films, including some of my favorite films about women, are directed by men. However, in honor of women’s history month, I decided to highlight some of my favorites.

Chappell Roan teased her new song, "The Giver," with a unique billboard marketing campaign.
CULTURE

Chappell Roan releases ‘The Giver’ following huge marketing promotions

By Sydney Mulford | March 21, 2025

Chappell Roan first played her newest song, “The Giver,” way back in November on “Saturday Night Live (SNL).” Now, she has officially released the song. While I am a big Roan fan, “The Giver” did not necessarily live up to my hopes for a new song from her. Do not get me wrong, I love everything she stands for with the song, but it is not something I want to listen to on repeat.

Spring break is right around the corner, and Culture Editor Stella Powers has some recommendations for what to watch.
CULTURE

What to watch over spring break

By Stella Powers | March 17, 2025

Spring break is rapidly approaching, and the long-awaited week off often brings with it tropical vacations and fun getaways. However, not everyone has that to look forward to. So, what should people do with this week off? My answer: movies. Here are some of my favorite loosely spring break (or more so getaway) films to help you escape on a fun vacation right from your couch.

Chloe Southard shares her final playlist as culture editor and chooses to be vulnerable with it.
CULTURE

In the editor’s rotation: My public humiliation ritual

By Chloe Southard | March 16, 2025

This is my last playlist as culture editor. Don’t worry, my devoted handful of readers, I’m not going to leave you high and dry. The playlists will continue, but not from the culture editor. Think of it more as a grandmother of The Miami Student dropping in and telling you what she’s listening to. Now that I’ve prepared you for what’s to come, I’ve got a bit of a doozy this week. Lately, I’ve been listening to music that is embarrassing, to say the least. I’m going to be very vulnerable with you here, so please be nice to me.

Culture Editor Chloe Southard thinks Lady Gaga has fully returned to the kind of music that makes her great.
CULTURE

Lady Gaga returns to dance pop with ‘MAYHEM,’ and suddenly everything feels like it’s going to be OK

By Chloe Southard | March 13, 2025

I have been a Lady Gaga stan since the ripe age of 7 years old. When I tell you that seeing the “Paparazzi” music video for the first time on MTV changed the trajectory of my entire life, I mean it. Gaga was my first favorite singer; she is the reason why I became so consumed by pop culture. And like any loyal Little Monster, I have been seated for every single thing Mother Monster has released. Even throughout her country era with “Joanne” and jazz era with “Cheek to Cheek,” I was there in the trenches, defending her artistic decisions.

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