#undrafted cast imagine

[angrylizardjacket]

i’ll be in the front row {Joe Mazzello}

Anon asked: lil prompt I thought of while doing my laundry: imagine meeting Joe while you’re both doing your laundry at a laundromat. it’s nyc, so apartments with full wash & dryer are hard to come by. joe is always running lines with himself, and you both sometimes loan each other quarters when one of you runs out.

Anon asked: tbh I don’t have anything specific to request, but I am begging you to please write more for Joe. srsly you write him so well & he deserves more content!!! 🐚 

A/N: 3269 words. my little garbage brain had to yell at me not to write this like the laundry scene from Dr Horrible. BIG FLUFF. set around undrafted. hope you enjoy. PLEASE leave feedback!! i love this so so very much omfg.

----

You always see him on Sundays, eleven in the morning, like clockwork. Dark sunglasses, fancy backpack, but nondescript clothes; sweater and jeans, baseball jersey and jeans, laundry day clothes if you’ve ever seen them. He’s a little familiar, but you’re not sure why. Sometimes he’s wearing a cap, but not with any sort of consistency, at least not in the six months since you’d been coming there. 

For the record, you’re not staring, he’s the only person who comes in at the exact same time as you, give or take fifteen minutes, and he, like you, always waits for his laundry. It’s only been in the past few months that you’d even started recognizing each other, smiling and giving the other a wave across the machines. It’s harmless, it’s people watching, it’s routine.

One morning, he’s sitting on his washing machine, with a pen in his mouth and a stack of papers in one hand. His usual sunglasses are propped up on his head, which isn’t an unusual occurrence when he reads - is it weird that you know that? Kind of. He’s highlighting something, mouthing whatever he’s reading too fast for you to catch, and anyways, you’re trying not to stare. You’re half paying attention to a kitschy game on your phone since your washing is almost done, and you heave your damp clothes into the dryer.

“Damnit,” patting your pockets again, and searching through your change, you can’t help but scowl and come to an annoying conclusion. All you have is a fifty, and the change machine in the laundromat only spits out quarters.

“You okay?” It’s the guy with the script, your quiet laundry buddy, looking at you with slight concern, pen still in his mouth.

“Yeah,” you huff a sigh, putting on a strained smile, “two quarters short for the dryer.” Usually you had smaller bills, or just remembered to bring the right change, “can you watch my stuff while I go to the gas station to get change?”

“I can cover two quarters,” he offers easily with a slight smile, pulling the pen from his mouth and putting it, the highlighter, and the stack of papers, onto the dryer after he jumps from it. You stumble through trying to brush him off and refuse graciously, but he’s already elbow-deep in his backpack, telling you it’s no trouble.

“I owe you,” you say with half a laugh, and he shares in your amusement.

“Yeah, I’ll hold you to that,” he replies with an amiable sarcasm, which has you laughing. After you start the dryer, however, you turn back and he’s regarding you with a frown, leaning on the washing machine with his stuff in it.

“Do I have something on my face?” You ask with surprising uncertainty, and he’s quick to clear the frown from his face as he shakes his head.

“No, it’s just kind of weird that we’ve been coming here for so long but never... like, spoken.” He muses, and you feel yourself growing surprised. He offers his hand. “Joe.”

“Y/N,” you say, shaking his hand firmly, and he quietly repeats your name back to himself, like he’s committing it to memory. Something warms in your chest, and you can’t help but look at the stack of papers he’d been focusing intently on, “may I ask what you’re working on?” And he looks confused for the barest moment, quickly followed by excitement, and then what you recognize as him very deliberately restraining that excitement into something more polite.

“It’s a script,” and he kind of sounds... apologetic?

“And...?” You prompt, before backpeddling, “I mean, if you don’t wanna talk about it, that’s fine, I mean we technically just met -” and he’s waiving you off goodnaturedly.

“No, I know, I know,” he assures, “I just... another white guy writing a script in New York?” He makes a face, “get a real personality, am I right?” He laughs self-deprecatingly, but it seems to hit a little too close to home for him, and his expression falls. It’s a sentiment he’s been on the receiving end of far too many times.

“What’s it about?” You ask, gentle and genuinely curious, and his eyebrows raise in surprise as he meets your gaze. Tentatively hopeful, he explains that he’s on the fourth draft of it, that it’s loosely based on his brother’s experiences trying to make it into the Major Leagues in baseball. Most of it goes over your head, but you can’t help but be intrigued. 

“I’m not super big into baseball,” you admit as he’s winding down, “but it sounds awesome, dude; let me know when it’s in theaters and I’ll be in the front row.” He grins at that.

You exchange phone numbers a month later, the pair of you getting take out at the fast food joint across the road from the laundromat, so you could still at least keep somewhat of an eye on your clothes. He’s in between drafts of the script, and they’re actually in preproduction, and you realise oh, he’s actually serious about this.

“See, that’s the difference,” you tell him, leaning your elbows on the table and pointing a finger at him, “the difference is that you follow through.”

“What?” He laughs, not yet following your train of thought.

“Every other white guy in New York could write a script, but none of them would follow through and get it made; you’re ambitious, Joe.”

“I’m not ambitious, I’m just lucky,” he shrugs, a blush creeping up his cheeks, but you won’t let it slide.

“Luck will only get you so far,” you tut, and he gives you a strange look.

“Have you... never seen Jurassic Park?”

“When I was younger,” you shrugged.

“Or The Social Network?”

“I’ve really been meaning to, why?” 

“No reason,” Joe shakes his head with a disbelieving grin, and doesn’t bring it up again.

A few weeks later, he’s late by almost a full half an hour, which you’re not particularly bothered by, you get the impression that he’s a busy guy, but he runs in, laundry basket in hand, apologizing breathlessly. 

“No need to apologise,” you tell him with a bright smile, putting your phone away, “everything okay?”

“Budget meeting ran late,” he explains, gracelessly lumping his clothes into the washing machine and throwing a few tide pods in along with them, “filming’s so close, I just lost track of time.”

“Oh, shit really? Wait have you already cast it?” You asked with a surprisingly genuine excitement; over the weeks, you’ve become rather invested in this project.

“Yeah, didn’t I tell you?” He asked with a grin, “casting was finalized two weeks ago; we start rehearsals next Saturday.”

“That’s so exciting!” You enthused, before laughing, “anyone I’d recognize?” And it’s mostly a joke, but Joe gives pause, evaluating you before he pushes start on his washing machine.

“I don’t know,” he answers genuinely, before conceding, “I mean, apart from me -”

“Acting, writing, and directing; does that make you a triple threat?” You asked coyly, and he breaks out into grin.

“And producing,” he reminds, and you make an impressed noise, nodding.

“Quadruple threat, excuse me.”

“But honestly, I don’t know if you’d recognize them; do you know,” and he goes back to the topic at hand, frowning a little, “Aaron Tveit?” You’re a little speechless, before answering.

“Not personally,” you find yourself answering, which gets Joe to laugh, “shit, dude, from Broadway?” And Joe’s wearing a proud little smile when he nods in confirmation, “and the Les Mis movie?”

“The very same,” Joe agrees, and your mouth hangs agape, “I told you, this is a real movie, I’m not filming this in my backyard,” after a beat, he licks his lips and jumps to sit on the washing machine, “have you seriously never googled me?”

“Why would I?” You asked, and he huffs a disbelieving laugh, shaking his head again in that way that you don’t quite understand. “Should I?” You finally ask, and Joe shrugs, smiling bright and carefree. He’s even swinging his legs, ankles crossed.

“I’m not a murderer, if that’s what’s got you worried,” he muses with a surprisingly carefree grin, “I mean, I’m kind of glad that you haven’t, it means you actually like me for me, you know?”

“Of course I do,” you answer automatically, and Joe’s expression turns fond, “I really like you, dude,” you explain, “I’m kind of in awe of what you’re accomplishing.” And you mean it with your whole heart, “if you’d prefer I didn’t google you, I won’t; I don’t make a habit of googling my friends, I won’t start with you.” When you say this, something about him relaxes, and he hops off the washing machine.

“Wanna grab lunch?” He asks with a smile, which you mirror without hesitation, and agree.

They’re filming out of state, which Joe tells you the week before he leaves, and you hadn’t realised how much you would miss him until the first Sunday rolls around, and you’re sitting in the laundromat alone.

Your phone goes off with a notification at exactly eleven.

It’s a photo of Joe and Aaron Tveit in baseball jerseys, covered in dirt, grinning.

[HOLY SHIT] you send back, following it up with [IS THAT] and then you wait a moment before adding [QUADRUPLE THREAT JOE MAZZELLO??] 

[christ 😳😅🥰] he sends back, and something about his restrained but still obviously flustered response has your heart skip a beat. [is it weird that i miss the laundromat?]

[yes 😂]

[and you of course i miss you too] he’s quick to follow it up with, and your own smile grows wider. You take a photo of the empty laundromat and draw in a terrible stick figure impression of him and send it back.

[miss u too haha] and you give pause before sending [hey if u ever wanna send other prod photos.......] [u don’t just have to send them on sunday]

[you haven’t signed an NDA 😂]

[joseph who am i gonna tell??]

[your other friends idk]

[my lips are ZIPPED 🤐] [photos for personal use only]

[personal use????? 😘😘]

[dont be GROSS]

[but i wanna be gross!!]

So now you’re flustered in the middle of the laundromat, completely at a loss as to how to respond to that. 

[are u flirting with me joseph?] you send back, and you watch the three little typing dots as they hover for a very long time.

[only if you’re into it]

Oh. 

[the FIRST WEEK YOU’RE AWAY FROM THE LAUNDROMAT AND YOU’RE PULLING THIS SHIT] [i AM into it but fuck 😳😅]

[I’VE BEEN FLIRTING WITH YOU FOR WEEKS]

Oh!

[OH]

[THE FIRST WEEK I’M AWAY FROM THE LAUNDROMAT AND YOU FINALLY PICK UP ON IT???]

[go direct ur baseball movie 🥰😅] you send, and tuck your phone away, feeling rather like a fool, but a pleased fool nonetheless, and you’re grinning for the rest of the day.

Photos are exchanged often after that, usually selfies, or photos of where either of you were, what you were doing, the flirting turning absolutely less subtle with each day that passes until you’re just complimenting each other, and mentioning occasionally how you miss the other.

When he sends a photo of himself posing against the fence of the dugout in a way that showed off his ass, you can’t help but make it your lock screen, though it’s quickly followed by a video and a text that reads [i was told i have to send you this too,,, for context].

“This feels undignified,” says a strangely familiar voice from off-screen, presumably filming, while Joe was trying to ask for opinions on how he should pose.

“This is undignified,” comes someone else’s response, and the camera swings around to reveal an amused Tyler Hoechlin, opening a water bottle, “this Y/N must be real cute.” In the background, a few others, vaguely recognizable, all in baseball uniforms, snicker.

“They are!” Joe answered defiantly, grinning, one leg up against the wire, looking over his shoulder, “are you filming me?” The camera flips around and you get a pretty glorious angle directly up Aaron Tveit’s nose.

“No -”

The video stops abruptly, and you’re all but wheezing with laughter, though all you send back is;

[so worth it] [ur ass *chef’s kiss*]

[THANK YOU] [you get it] [knew there was a reason i liked you so much]

The moment he gets back to New York, he asks you out to dinner. Of course you say yes.

For your third date, he offers to cook you dinner, and watch a movie, prefaced with a question that you’re surprised he still asks; have you really not googled me? And the honest answer you always give: no.

His apartment has a lot of movie posters, of movies you’ve heard of but never seen, or seen when you were very little.

“Big movie buff, obviously,” you note with a little smile, and he raises his eyebrows in amusement at your observation. Even moreso when you excitedly coo about how you haven’t seen Jurassic Park in so long when he suggests it.

“Your self restraint is godlike, babe,” he snickers, and you’re not quite sure what he means, you’re kind of just happy to be here. 

He cooks dinner, and you both sit down in front of his alarmingly big TV, and you feel a warm rush of nostalgia at the opening. You’re eating quietly, watching with rapt attention, but you can feel Joe watching you expectantly. 

“What’s up?” You ask, turning to him, confused, and his smile grows a little wider, and his gaze flicks to the screen for a moment, and then back to you.

“Just waiting for it to click.”

“For what to click?” 

“Babe,” and he says it like he can’t quiet believe it, his gaze now focused on the screen where the kids, Tim and Lex, were being introduced, “that’s me.” And follow his gaze and holy shit. A lot of things start making a lot more sense.

He’s not sure what he’s expecting your reaction to be, but the way your face lights up, and the unbridled enthusiasm and compliments that pour out of you, was not it, but he’s definitely not complaining. 

“Wait!” Your eyes sparkle as you look around his apartment, the movie posters he had everywhere now having a completely different meaning, “all these...?”

“Every single one,” he agrees, a little abashed, suddenly humble, and you grin when you finally look back at him.

“I didn’t think I could be more awed by you, but dude,” you enthused, “that’s cool as hell! You’re cool as hell!” But you take a deep breath, putting your plates onto the coffee table, sitting as close to him as you could, “but I would have thought the world on you even if you hadn’t done any of this,” and he tries to brush it off, but you’re adamant, “no, I mean it, I like you for you, Joe, not for what you’ve done, but... for who you are.”

“You’re gonna make me blush,” he shoots for serious, but misses entirely thanks to his pleased little smile.

“Good,” you tell him seriously, and kiss both of his pink cheeks before kissing him. Your dinner might get a little cold after that, but you can always reheat it. 

You comfort him over the weeks it takes to edit him film, Undrafted, though he’ll never let you see too much of the final product; he wants you to see it in cinemas first.

It’s still kind of surreal to you that Joe Mazzello is both a movie star, and your boyfriend. He’s still friends with Laura Dern, and he also spends eight dollars a week at a laundromat to wash his clothes. Bizarre. But you kind of like how down-to-earth he is. 

What’s more bizarre is when he invites you to the red carpet premiere of his movie.

“Me?” You squeaked, and he seemed a little confused at your hesitation, his hands on your shoulders.

“You,” he nodded slowly, not understanding why you’re suddenly nervous.

“For real?”

“Yeah, of course I want you there; you said so yourself, you’d be in the front row, right?” He smiled a little and you could feel your heart melt.

“You remember that?”

“Of course I do,” he tells you gently, “it’s one of the reasons I liked you in the first place.” He’s so earnest; you agree easily.

The red carpet is a whole other world, you find, dressed to the nines, styled by someone you don’t know, cameras flashing in your face -

“Is this Y/N?” Tyler Hoechlin is saying your name. What universe is this? Joe was blushing furiously with his arm around you as the cast made their way over.

“Finally, a face for a name,” and that’s Aaron Tveit; you have to remind yourself not to get star struck. Instead, you smile and offer your hand to them both, which they shake, smiling and greeting you warmly. 

“Don’t embarrass me, you assholes,” Joe warned, though his tone was amused, and the others chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Mister Director,” Aaron assured.

“You’re good at doing that on your own,” Tyler added, and Joe gave him the finger, but held you a little tighter. 

“Did he send you the video of when he asked me to take that photo? You know the one,” Aaron asked, and you straightened your posture, grinning brightly.

“With an ass like his, I don’t know why you’d think it’s undignified,” you said loftily, and there was a beat as everyone took in what you said.

“I fucking love you,” Joe half laughed, pulling you in for a kiss.

“You’re good,” Tyler snorted, shaking his head with a grin, and Aaron was just straight-up laughing. The rest of the cast took to you easily, though most of the in-jokes among them went over your head, by Joe’s side, you never really felt left out. 

The theater itself was cool and dark, but you could feel the whole cast and crew thrumming with excitement and nervous energy, and Joe gave your hand a squeeze where your fingers were interlaced. 

It’s clear he’d poured his heart and soul into the movie, his fingerprints were all over every aspect of it, and you couldn’t quite believe you were watching it all finally completed; it had been almost a year since you’d first asked him about it, and now, here you were, hand in hand with him at the premiere. 

As the credits rolled, as the crowd clapped, and you along with them, you found yourself speechless. Joe, quiet and surprisingly nervous, turns to you.

“What’d you think?” His voice is quiet, uncertain, and you all but tackle him across the armrest, kissing him until you’re both breathless.

“I’m so proud of you,” you gasp against his lips, “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” his voice is gentle as he takes your face in his hands, but you shake your head.

“You could have, babe, you absolutely could have, you’ve got so much ambition and talent -”

“I didn’t want to do it without you,” he admits in a rush, and you freeze, eyes on his, “I mean it.” And you’re kissing him again, hoping he can feel the pride and love that’s flowing through you. There’s an afterparty to get to, drinks with the cast and crew, and a comfortable bed waiting after that, you know, but you can’t help but bask in this one moment together, just a little longer.

[mercurymilkshakes]

Enchanted | Joe Mazzello

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: joe mazzello x gn! reader

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆(𝐒): idk how award shows work lmao is that warning worthy?

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: joe never had trouble feigning polite smiles while at events like these. It is a welcome relief, though, when he meets you- and doesn’t have to fake those smiles.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓(𝐒): enchanted by taylor swift

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 1k

Award shows were fun for the most part. They were chances to make major connections and meet big names in whatever industry the awards were for; which, in this very particular case, was film.

Joe didn’t necessarily hate these events- more so mildly disliked them. He was an extrovert, of course, and was kind and genuine with every new person that greeted him and shook his hand- but tonight seemed particularly lonely and insincere, for no other reason than he felt as if every smile sent his way was fake and plastered on as a way to pass as polite.

That’s how people were at events such as these, and having gone to the show alone, Joe hadn’t seen a single person that he could have a genuine conversation with.

As Joe forced a laugh at another lame joke from the actor who’d attempted to strike up a chat with him, his eyes wandered among the crowd, searching for a familiar face that could be his saviour.

Then, just as he was about to give up hope on the task altogether, his eyes met yours from across the room.

He’s never met you before, he was sure he’d remember standing across from eyes like yours, but he did happen to recognize you.

You smile at him, dazzling, kind, and real.

He’s enchanted. Seeing you on the big screen could never do justice to seeing you in person, even when you were standing near the other side of the room.

You begin walking towards him, offering gentle nods and pats of the arms when you crossed paths with a friendly face.

Joe’s hands begin to shake, so he plays with the corner of the tablecloth in front of him, only mildly paying attention to the actor at his side as he stares at his plate.

He hears your voice before he meets your eyes, your tone playful and warm.

“Weren’t you that kid from Jurassic Park?” You ask, a teasing smile pulling at your lips as Joe stands to meet you.

He returned the look of mirth as he squinted and tilted his head, “Weren’t you that adult in Jurassic World?”

“Touché.”

Joe reaches out to pull out a chair for you, thanking whatever gods he could think of that his hands had calmed their nervous trembling.

He offered the seat to you, which you graciously took as Joe sat back in his own- not even bothered when he noticed the man who’d been talking at him for the past seventeen minutes had finally moved on to someone else.

You and he spoke softly, Joe chuckled at every joke and watched the way your eyes captured the reflection of the lights all around. He was enchanted by your voice, by your words- every breath you took was another wave of awe flooding his mind.

Even as the show properly started, you continued to whisper amongst yourselves- like children at the back of a classroom.

You shared stories, talked about your most recent projects, you teased and joked about dinosaurs.

Joe couldn’t remember a time he’d had so much fun at an event like this. It was relieving, like a breath of fresh air after years of being locked away. You brought out a side of him he loved, a side he couldn’t get enough of.

He was captivated.

Joe hadn’t had a single sip of the champagne they offered that night, but he felt like your presence was a better intoxicator anyway.

The night continued, the lights sparkled, the cheers were loud and electric. It was the same as any award show, but somehow the atmosphere was different. It was you, Joe knew, that was making him see it this way. It was magic.

He had been enchanted by you, and he kicked himself all the way to his car thinking about how he didn’t take the opportunity to ask you out.

Joe drove home, alone, mulling over and recalling the conversations you’d had, and the quip’s you shared.

He was still a bit red faced, he noticed, as he thought of you, and he knew your smile wouldn’t soon leave his mind.

Oh god, why hadn’t he asked for your number?

This thought didn’t leave his head. How could it? No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about you.

Joe wondered what your favourite colour was, and your favourite warm beverage. He wondered if you preferred chocolate or vanilla, cats or dogs, fries or salad.

He wondered if you loved someone. He wondered if he even had a chance with someone like you.

That night he got home and his mind was reeling at the thought of you- so much so that he didn’t even change out of his suit before laying atop his bed sheets.

Staring at the ceiling, he cursed himself yet again for not saying more, for not asking you more questions when he had the chance.

As these thoughts permeated his mind, he loosened his tie and glanced at his phone as it lit up on the mattress next to him.

Joe brought the phone to his face, ready for another scam notification from his emails or announcement that someone he followed on Instagram had posted.

Instead, his heart stopped when he read the name that had been running through his head since he left the venue earlier that night.

It was a WhatsApp message from a friend of his who was also in the business of acting- and who, as Joe could recall, had worked with you before.

‘Y/N L/N is asking me for your contact, would you mind if I sent it?’

Despite being the picture of poetic discussion in person, Rami always had been very ‘to the point’ over text.

Joe tried not to seem eager in his response of ‘Yeah, sounds good!’

For the second time that night, his hands shook as he waited- for what, he wasn’t completely sure.

Then it happened.

An unknown number appearing in his messages, a giddy greeting, another corny dinosaur joke.

Joe laughed at that, adding your name to his contacts, returning the playful banter, and thanking his lucky stars that you seemed just as enchanted by him as he had been by you.

The way I did not re read this, oop. Anyway, joe could run me over and I wouldn’t even be mad. and for that matter so could taylor swift, enchanted is such a vibe -♠️

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[borhap-au]

Joe Mazzello: the fluffy chronicles

BF!Joe

Imagine you and your best friend in a book shop

Joe is there as well ofc

But he’s in a different section

And you look at all those books about movies

And come around one about Jurassic Park

You open it up on a random page

And see your boyfriend’s cute little face

He’s about nine in the photo

You smile immediately

“y/bff/n, look”

And you show her the picture and she smiles too

“or look here”

And you show her another one, and another

And you finally whisper

“I want one of those”

And she knows damn well you don’t talk about the book

You talk about a baby that’s gonna look like little Joe

And yes, he was the cutest

And then Joe shows up

Leans over your shoulder

And says as if it was the most normal gift you can wish for, as if you asked for the book

“I can give you one of those in nine months”

And kisses your cheek

And then proceeds to go and look at other things

And at first you cannot hide your smile

Because well, you’re way younger than him and yet he thinks about you so seriously

Heart eyes, obviously

You’ve probably never been more in love

And your bff smiles with you, knowing she leaves you in his safe hands

But then, after a second, you turn to him and ask suspiciously

“what’s with all the do it yourself gifts, Joe”

And he laughs

“I wanted to bestow us both”

And he kills you again bc now you know he for reals wants to start a family with you

[halfofwhatisayismeaningless]

Fat Bottomed Girls. // Joe Mazzello. (Requested).

As you can see I love to write about empowered women.

Remember you can find the spanish version under the english one.

Request. A mix of  @joe-mazzellhoe and @themazzello​ 's requests.

Summary: Joe meets the reader in a pub where she is playing with her band. (Y/N) is a plus-size women.

Words: 1,6k

Warnings: smoking.

READER’S POV.

- Maybe the Luke's guitar should sound louder. - you suggested Bob while the other two musicians played.

- Try the volume of your bass, let's see if you like the mix I prepared. - you played your bass and lifted up your thumb in approval. - Sing. - you talked on the microphone "lalalala". - now the chorus. - Luke and Mike sung. - Perfect, see you in an hour guys.

- I'm going to smoke. - you said jumping off the stage. You went out by the backdoor of the bar while you light a cigar. You had to stop smoking that shit.

You started the "Dark Place" project three years before. A cover band, you and two friends, Luke and Mike, guitarist and drummer. A year after Bob joined, the keyboardist and mixer, a madman of musical engineering. And you, (Y/N), bass player and singer, unusual combination, but if Paul McCartney cans, why wouldn't you?

You started smoking the cigar. That bar was where you played every two Saturdays. You loved it, not only being in front of an audience, you were paid for doing that, no much, but enough. You took out that night's setlist, you liked it, you were going to try two new covers and a new song which Luke wrote. You unlocked your phone and put on your earphones. You had one hour to rest and concentrate.

Your bandmates were really weird. Luke was the writer of most of the songs, of the music, at lyrics he was bad as hell. He's really shy until he takes the guitar, but he doesn't say a word unless he's in a "safe space". Even so, he was tall, handsome and mysterious, because of that the dressing room was full of girls after the concerts. Although however the flirting one was Mike, he isn't as good looking as Luke, but is hilarious and know what the girls like. But without any doubt the weirdest one was Bob. You hadn't talk with him more than twice outside concerts or rehearsals. When the concert ended he didn't wait a minute to get off of there, without helping to pick up the things. You beared with it because he is the best at his work. He can mix any song and make it sound like the original one in just a second. And we didn't have to hire sound technician, he would control everything.

You saw the back door open up, Luke went out and sat by your side, you offered him a cigar.

- No, thanks.

- Is Lucy coming tonight?

- I don't know, haven't talked to her in some days.

You nodded, you didn't understand your friends relationships. Maybe because you hadn't have anything similar to that. You had been struggling a lot of time trying to love yourself, and after some years it looked like your weight wasn't an obstacle to talk with other person. It wasn't even an obstacle to go to the stage. But it was an obstacle to have spontaneous relationships.

JOE’S POV.

When Joe went to turn off the lights of the living room he looked at the couch with desire. He was going out with the Bohemian Rhapsody guys, but he was sad and he fancied a night at the couch watching shit on TV or listening to sad music.

It hadn't happened nothing, but it was one of those days when you are just sad. For Joe those days were weird, he wasn't used to be sad. Maybe since his dad had died he was having more days like that one, but it was normal. Even so he knew that going out with the boys would make him happier, it would be only 15 minutes of faking a smile until he smiled without making any effort. His phone started making a sound, it was Gwil.

- We are at your street.

- Give me a minute.

He shut off all the lights and pick up his black jacket. It was starting to be cold in the nights, there in New York. When he got to the front door he found Gwil's car parked in front.

- What's up boys? - he went to the backseat, next to Rami.

- My dearest Joe! - Ben shouted. - it's normal that you are late, look how handsome.

- Thank you, darling. - Joe winked at Ben. - Where are we going.

- To a pub where (Ben says) there's good music.

- Let's go then.

While they were on the car, through the streets of Brooklyn, the four friends told each others what had been doing during the past. They wouldn't have thought that after finishing part of the press tour they would still seeing each others.

The pub was small, but there was a lot of people, most of them looking to the small stage on corner of the room. It was dark, so that was good for them, not to get recognised was good sometimes. They ordered beer and chips and stayed standing up, next to the bar.

- Do you know the band that plays today? - Rami asked Ben.

- Yes, they are one of the best bands that play here. The girl is really good. - Joe nodded, he was starting to feel better.

After some minutes talking Joe, who was facing the stage, saw a girl going out. Black jeans, plaid shirt and grey t-shirt. She had her hair in a ponytail and a red bandana around her head. She looked like a plus size model, one of that empowered women who didn't care about what society said about them. It was Joe's kind of girl. She took the bass and talked to the microphone.

- Good night everybody. Me and other persons that are about to come to the stage are "Dark Place". Let's give them a big applause, to Luke, on the guitar; Mike, at the drums and Bob, with the keyboards and the mixing stuff. I'm (Y/N) bassist and singer.

The other boys went out, they started to play "Are You Gonna Be My Girl, by Jet. They were good, very good. The singer was spectacular, knowing how hard is to sing and play the bass at the same time. Joe was surprised of how much self-confidence she had. He felt stuff going on his tummy when she looked at her. He liked her, quite a lot. She connected so good with the crowd... When they sang their own songs the people sang with them too.

After some songs (IN) talked again.

- Some weeks ago we went to the cinema and saw Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen biopic. - the four guys looked at each others smiling. - And we loved it, we are obsessed as we were three years ago. We've change a lot since then, but we recovered two Queen songs that we know you love.

(Y/N) looked to the drummer, they both started the song, the bass first, Another One Bites The Dust, it was perfect. And without letting the people give them an applause, they started singing "Fat Bottomed Girls". She moved as if it was her song, Joe was amazed. Suddenly he wasn't sad.

READER’S POV.

It was a good concert, Queen songs were good. She loved the live version.

- There was a chap at the crowd who looked familiar, near the bar. - Mike said, Luke shrugged.

- I don't know, Mike, I couldn't see anything beyond the two first lines.

It sounded three knocks on the door. There they were, Luke's and Mike's groupies, it was a constant figure in Dark Place.

- I leave, guys.

- Okay Bob. - (Y/N) said.

- Do you need help? - Bob asked when (Y/N) started taking things out on the street, next to the van.

- Don't worry, you know I like this me-time after the concert.

Bob left and (Y/N) started taking out the things the staff from the pub had taken from the stage. When she was fitting the amplifiers in the van Luke went out to the street.

- (Y/N) someone came to see you. I know you don't like visits after the concert right after the concert. But I think you'd like this one.

- Can he come out while I pick up the things?

- Of course. - said a voice almost unknown. You took off the head from the van to find out that the person who was there to see you was the one and only Joe Mazzello, from Bohemian Rhapsody cast. - Nice to meet you, (Y/N), I'm Joe.

- Of course you're Joe , I know who you are. How are you?

- Very good, I really enjoyed the concert. You are particularly good. - he stopped to autocorrect himself. - All of you are very good.

- It's okay, you can say that the talent of the band is me. - (Y/N) joked winking to Joe.

- Do you need a helping hand? - Joe asked when he saw that the girl was approaching to the drums to pick them up.

- Yes please, I normally do it alone. I like this moment alone while my bandmates disappear or try to find a bed for tonight. - Joe smiled, she was sweet, and smiley, and pretty. He liked her.

When they put the drums and the guitars in the van Joe said:

- Hey, the other guys of the film are outside. Can I buy you a drink?

- I'll be delighted Joe. - she took the actor's hand.

Luckly Joe had gone to that bat that night. Otherwise he wouldn't have known the empowered and self confident "Fat Bottomed Girl" with whom he fell in love moths after.

READER’S P.O.V.

- Quizás hay que subir un poco la guitarra de Luke. – le indicaste a Bob. Mientras tus otros dos compañeros tocaban.

- Prueba el bajo, a ver si os gusta la mezcla de todo. – cogiste el bajo y tocaste. Levantaste el pulgar en señal de aprobación. – Canta ahora. – dijiste “lalalala” al micro. – Los coros. – Luke y Mike cantaron. – Perfecto. Nos vemos en una hora.

- Me voy a fumar. – dijiste saltando del escenario. Saliste por la puerta trasera del local mientras encendías un cigarro. Tenías que dejar esa mierda.

Empezasteis el proyecto “Dark Place” tres años antes. Una banda de covers, tú y dos amigos, Luke y Mike, guitarrista y batería. Un año después se unió Bob, el teclista / mezclista, un loco de la ingeniería música. Y tú, (Y/N), que tocabas el bajo y cantabas, combinación poco común, pero si Paul McCartney ¿por qué no ibas a hacerlo tú?

Le diste una larga calada al cigarro. Aquel local era en el que solíais tocar cada dos sábados. Te encantaba, no sólo disfrutabas del calor del público, también te pagaban por ello, no mucho. Pero era suficiente. Sacaste el setlist de esa noche, te gustaba, ibáis a probar dos covers nuevos y una canción de Luke. Desbloqueaste tú móvil y te pusiste los auriculares. Tenías una hora para descansar y concentrarte.

Tus compañeros eran raros, muy raros. Luke era el escritor de la mayoría de las canciones, de la música, porque de letra era malísimo. Es muy tímido hasta que se cuelga la guitarra, no dice palabra a no ser que se encuentre en confianza. Aun así, era alto, guapo y misterioso, lo que hacía que después de los conciertos se llenaran los camerinos de chicas. Aunque el más ligón era Mike, no era tan guapo como Luke, pero era muy gracioso y sabe lo que las chicas quieren. Pero sin duda el más raro era Bob. No habías hablado más de dos veces fuera de los bolos o los ensayos, en cuanto terminaba se iba, sin recoger ni nada.

Pero lo soportabais porque el chico era el mejor en lo que hace. La mezcla de cualquier canción original la hace en un segundo y encima no teníais que contratar al técnico de sonido, con tal de que todo estuviera conectado al ordenador de Bob.

Viste la puerta trasera del local abrirse, Luke salió a la calle y se sentó a tu lado, tú le ofreciste un cigarro.

- No, gracias.

- ¿Viene Lucy hoy?

- No sé, hace días que no hablo con ella.

Tu asentiste, no entendías las relaciones sentimentales de tus amigos. Quizás porque nunca habías tenido una similar, tampoco es que te apeteciera. Te había costado mucho quererte a ti misma, después de años parecía que tú peso no era una barrera para hablar con otras personas, y mucho menos para subirte al escenario. Pero aun así era un impedimento para tener relaciones espontáneas.

JOE’S P.O.V.

Cuando Joe va a apagar la luz en el salón mira al sofá con deseo, había quedado con los chicos de Bohemian Rhapsody, pero estaba triste y le apetecía quedarse en el sofá viendo cualquier tontería en la tele, o escuchar música triste un rato.

No había pasado nada, era uno de esos días de bajón. Para Joe esos días eran raros, no solía estar triste. Puede que desde que muriera su padre hubieran sucedido más, pero era normal. Aun así, sabía que salir con los chicos le sentaría bien, solo serían 15 primeros minutos de fingir una sonrisa, luego saldría sola. Sonó su teléfono, era Gwil.

- Estamos abajo.

- Dadme un minuto.

Terminó de apagar las luces de casa y cogió la chaqueta negra. En Nueva York empezaba a hacer frío por las noches.

Cuando llegó a la puerta de su bloque de pisos encontró el coche de Gwil aparcado en frente.

- ¿Qué pasa chicos? – dijo metiéndose en el asiento trasero, al lado de Rami.

- ¡Querido Joe! – dijo Ben. – Normal que hayas tardado tanto, mira que guapo estás.

- Gracias querido. – Joe le guiñó el ojo a su amigo. - ¿A dónde vamos?

- A un pub que dice Ben, al parecer ponen música buena.

- Pues vamos allá.

Durante el viaje por las calles de Brooklyn los cuatro amigos se contaron lo que habían hecho esa última semana. Quién les diría que incluso tras terminar parte de la gira de prensa seguirían quedando tantas veces.

El pub era un local muy pequeño pero lleno de gente, la mayoría mirando hacia el pequeño escenario colocado en una esquina de la sala. Estaba todo oscuro lo cual para un grupo de cuatro personas que son protagonistas de una de las películas más famosas del momento, estaba bien. Pidieron una cerveza y se quedaron en la barra.

- ¿Conoces a la banda que toca hoy? – preguntó Rami.

- Si, son de los mejores que tocan aquí. La chica es buenísima. – Joe asintió. Ya empezaba a notarse más contento.

Tras un rato de charla Joe, que estaba mirando hacia el escenario vio subir a una chica al escenario. Vaqueros negros, camisa de cuadros anudada a la cintura y camiseta gris. Llevaba el pelo recogido en una coleta alta con un lazo rojo alrededor de la cabeza. Parecía una modelo de tallas grandes, una de esas mujeres empoderadas que les daba igual lo que pensara la sociedad sobre ellas. Era el tipo de chica que le gustaba a Joe. Se colgó el bajo y se acercó al micrófono.

- Buenas noches a todas y todos. Junto a las personas que están a punto de entrar formamos el grupo “Dark Place”. Démosle un fuerte aplauso a Luke, guitarrista, Mike, batería y Bob, a los mandos del teclado y de la mesa de mezclas. Y yo soy (Y/N), bajista y cantante.

Los demás chicos salieron, empezaron con Are You Gonna Be My Girl de Jet. Eran buenos, muy buenos. La cantante era espectacular, sabiendo lo difícil que es tocar el bajo mientras cantas. Sorprendía lo segura que estaba de sí misma, eclipsando al resto. Joe sentía cosas en su estómago cuando la miraba. Le gustaba, muchísimo. Conectaba muy bien con el público, en los temas que tocaban que eran suyos la gente los cantaba a la perfección

Después de unos cuantos temas (Y/N) volvió a hablar.

- Hace un par de semanas fuimos juntos a ver Bohemian Rhapsody, el biopic de Queen. – los cuatro chicos se miraron entre ellos, sonriendo. - Y nos encantó, nos hemos vuelto a obsesionar con ellos como nos pasó hace tres años. Hemos cambiado mucho desde entonces, pero hemos sacado del cajón de los recuerdos dos temazos que sabemos que os encantan.

(Y/N) miró al batería, ellos empezaban la canción. El bajo primero, Another One Bites the Dust, la canción quedó perfecta. A continuación, y sin dejar que la gente aplaudiera, los cuatro empezaron a cantar “Fat Bottomed Girls”. Ella se movía como si fuera su canción, Joe estaba emocionado. De repente ya no estaba triste.

READER’S POV.

Había sido un concierto bueno, las canciones de Queen habían quedado muy bien. Le encantaba el directo.

- Había un tío entre el público que me sonaba muchísimo, en la zona de la barra. – dijo Mike. Luke se encogió de hombros.

- No sé, Mike, yo no veía nada más allá de las dos primeras filas.

Entonces sonaron tres golpes en la puerta. Ya estaban allí, parecía mentira, pero el concepto groupie se daba mucho en el caso del guitarrista y el batería de Dark Place.

- Yo me voy, chicos.

- Vale Bob. – dijo (Y/N).

- ¿Necesitas ayuda con algo? – preguntó Bob al ver que (Y/N) empezaba a sacar cosas a la calle, al lado de la furgo.

- No te preocupes. Ya sabes que me gusta pasar este rato sola recogiendo.

Bob se despidió y (Y/N) empezó a sacar las cosas que el personal del pub había traído del escenario. Cuando estaba encajando los amplificadores en el maletero de la furgoneta Luke salió a la calle.

- (Y/N) alguien ha venido a verte. Sé que no te molan las visitas justo después del concierto. Pero creo que esta si.

- ¿Puede salir mientras yo recojo?

- Por supuesto. – dijo una voz casi desconocida. Sacaste la cabeza del maletero para encontrarte con que la persona que había venido a verte era el único e inigualable Joe Mazzello, actor de Bohemian Rhapsody. – Encantado de concerté, (Y/N), soy Joe.

- Claro que eres Joe, se quién eres. ¿Qué tal?

- Muy bien, he disfrutado mucho el concierto. Eres muy buena. – de repente se paró y se auto corrigió. – Bueno, sois, muy buenos.

- Puedes decir que todo el talento de la banda recae sobre mis hombros, es cierto. – bromeó (Y/N) guiñándole el ojo a Joe.

- ¿Quieres que te eche una mano? – preguntó Joe cuando vio que la chica se acercaba a por las cosas de la batería.

- Si, por favor. Normalmente esto lo hago sola, me gusta este ratito después mientras mis compañeros desaparecen o intentan conseguir una cama para esta noche. – Joe sonrió, era muy maja, y sonriente, y guapa. Y le gustaba.

Cuando terminaron de meter la batería y el resto de las guitarras (bajo incluido) Joe se atrevió a decir:

- Oye, los demás chicos del Queen no-original, están fuera. ¿Te puedo invitar a una cerveza?

- Estaría encantada, Joe. – dijo (Y/N) cogiendo de la mano al actor.

Menos mal que Joe no se había quedado esa noche en casa, porque no hubiera conocido a la “Fat Bottomed Girl” tan empoderada y segura de si misma de la que acabaría enamorándose meses después.

[bashbrother2160]

PART 1:

So a working theory is that Stranger Things is one big game and that the entire series has just been imagined by their older selves. So I thought why not put together a cast of the characters as their older selves. This is just what I think but by all means create one of your own. I think it would be cool.

To start we have Mike Wheeler-Bill Hader

We have Eleven/Jane-Natalie Portman

Dustin- Duke Davis Roberts

Lucas-Mike Colter

Part 2 coming soon! Also Dustin’s older self is played by Duke Davis Roberts from the movie Undrafted. If you haven’t seen it I suggest it. The film is hilarious.

[mdittyz123]

Joe Mazzello Fic Recommendations

Queen/Bohemian Rhapsody Cast Fic Recommendations Masterlist

Niece To Meet You Summary: Your job running a daycare service goes from great to greater when your favorite client is picked up by her uncle. Who happens to be famous. No big deal. #joe's niece

Man's Best Friend Getting a dog (or any animal) with Joe #puppy #fluff

Your Weirdo Can you write prompt 27 with Joe for the kiss? #dad!joe #mom!reader #child #queen plushies

Fatherhood with Joe Here’s some pure fluff of our fave dino boy on becoming a dad! #headcanon #dad!joe #mom!reader #pregnancy #new baby

Playing the fifth member of Queen in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie So imagine there’s a fifth member of queen and reader plays her in borhap. Then her and Joe end up dating. #filming bohemian rhapsody #actress!reader

Paper Rings Summary: Pat Murray and Belle Ramos have been best friends for years. Nothing could come between them. Maybe except for some pesky romantic feelings. #masterlist #series #ongoing #undrafted movie #pat murray x reader

[littlestoriesforall]

Aaron Tveit: BJ for friends Imagine

SMUT WARNING

“I can't believe she bit it” Y/N laughed as her friend Aaron discussed his failures in his sex life. They had been friends for a couple of months but swore they got close very quickly. She always had a crush on Aaron but did not want to tell him that since it could have ruined a friendship. “I swear I’ll never meet anyone that can give great blowjobs” he laughed, she smiled. “I give great blowjobs so there's that” she laughed which he smirked. 

“Who could vouch for you then?” Aaron asked before taking a sip of his drink. He watched the blonde as she stared at her drink. “Remember that party we went to at Soho?” she asked, he nodded. The party was with his cast form undrafted. “Well just saying you weren't the only one cheering with one of your teammates” she laughed, his mouth dropped. “Who did you sleep with?” he asked, she shook her head. “A women never tell but I have to say height doesn't change length size” she laughed which caused him to turn red.

“So would you do me?” Aaron asked as he swiped his finger around the rim of his drink. She smiled at that question since such an attractive man would be asking her that. “If we weren't so close I would be all over you” she stated which he smiled. “Well a blowjob doesn't have to ruin our friendship” he stated, she nodded. She placed her glass down and walked over to him.

 She takes his pants off as well as his underwear. She got on her knees as she touches his length. He breathed in before she licks the tip before taking it all in her mouth. "Oh my gosh Y/N" he groaned in pleasure as she kept sucking him. They made eye contact as she sucked him off. She sucks him deeper until she started gagging. "Y/N" he moaned as he held her head down. She brought her head back before licking his balls and sucking them. "Y/N" he sang as he never felt this pleasure from a mouth. She went back to sucking him off which he came.

She pulled herself up with his load in her mouth full. "Swallow" he demanded which she did, she opened her mouth for him to see. He leans in and kisses her even harder sticking his tongue in her mouth. “You know you are right Y/N, you do give great blowjobs” he smiled. 

[bbcworldnewstoday]

Cowboys lose game to Buccaneers, Dak Prescott to injury in disastrous opener

  By David Helman FOX Sports Dallas Cowboys Writer It's hard to imagine how a 19-3 drubbing could get worse, but true to form, the Dallas Cowboys pulled it off. Sunday night's abysmal loss to Tampa Bay was already one of this team's ugliest of the last decade. But their hope for a bounce back hinges on the health of Dak Prescott, and that hope took a hit late in the fourth quarter when Prescott exited the game after his hand collided with Shaq Barrett's helmet. Speaking to reporters after the game, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said that Prescott will need to have surgery on his thumb and will likely miss several weeks. Prescott himself said he'll schedule surgery on Monday morning. "Obviously, it's not what you want to hear," Prescott told reporters. "It's not the worst thing that's happened to me. It's just another bump in the road." That bit might be true. But at the very minimum, it's a significant injury to the most important member of the roster. Everything else about the Cowboys' season is on pause until more details are known, but it's a devastating loss at the tail end of a devastating loss. Not to add insult to injury, but Prescott left the game with 6:02 to play — and it's not as if the Dallas offense was functioning effectively when its franchise quarterback was healthy. The Cowboys drove the ball 54 yards for a field goal on the opening possession of the game, and literally nothing else worked the rest of the way. They finished with 244 yards of offense, 76 of those coming on the final two possessions, when the outcome was obvious. To put it in perspective, three points is the worst tally in a season opener since the Cowboys were shut out, 28-0, by the New Orleans Saints in 1989 — Jones' first season as owner and general manager. The difference is obviously that the 1989 team was in the beginning of a rebuild, having just selected Troy Aikman with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. That group finished 1-15. This 2022 roster is the one Cowboys brass selected to follow up a 12-5 campaign. This was the group that Jones said "need to be viable in the playoffs" to be considered successful back on the first day of training camp. It's important not to overreact to one week of a long season, but nothing about this Dallas offense looked viable in Week 1. Nowhere is that more obvious than the performance of Prescott and the Cowboys' skill players. The team famously traded away Amari Cooper in the spring, looking to replace that production with veteran receiver James Washington and third-round draft pick Jalen Tolbert. Washington broke his foot way back in August, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. And after an up-and-down summer, Tolbert was a healthy scratch for the season opener, leaving Prescott with journeyman Noah Brown and undrafted rookie��Dennis Houston as his primary options behind CeeDee Lamb. To be fair to the receivers, Prescott played one of his worst games as a pro. When he exited for the night, Prescott had completed an abysmal 14-of-29 passes for 134 yards, lowlighted by a horrific interception that saw him try to fit a third down pass into triple coverage. To be fair to Prescott, the supporting cast was hardly helpful. Lamb, expected to make a leap into the NFL's elite during his third NFL season, was targeted 11 times on the night but finished with just two catches for 29 yards. Of those other nine targets, he dropped two. And while Brown did rack up yardage in the game's waning moments, he and Prescott failed to get on the same page when the deficit was still close. There's more, as you might expect when an NFL team scores three points. The Cowboys' offensive line, reshuffled following Tyron Smith's knee injury two weeks ago, endured a forgettable opener, as well. Of the team's 10 penalties on the night, six were committed by Dallas offensive linemen. The group also surrendered four sacks to a swarming Tampa Bay pass rush. Ezekiel Elliott — and to some degree, the line's run blocking — was as much of a bright spot as you might be able to muster. The running back averaged 5.2 yards per carry en route to a 52-yard night, but the lopsided nature of the game took him out of the equation early into the second half. The performance unfortunately overshadows what was actually a solid showing by the Dallas defense, expected to do some heavy lifting in Dan Quinn's second season as defensive coordinator. True, the Buccaneers did rush for 152 yards behind a wonderful performance from Leonard Fournette. But the Cowboys flustered Tom Brady into just 212 passing yards and an ugly interception, and the Bucs did finish with just one touchdown on the night. It looked for all the world like Micah Parsons would write the narrative of the game. On back-to-back possessions in the second quarter, Parsons sacked Brady on two separate third downs, forcing Tampa Bay to settle for field goal attempts — one of which was missed. Football romanticism would have you believe Parsons was holding the rope until Prescott could rally the offense, but it wasn't close to the case. Instead, this Dallas defense might have even more on its plate. The Cowboys have work to do on offense, and for the time being they'll be trying to fix it without Dak Prescott. Joe Burrow and Cincinnati's warp-drive offense arrive at AT&T Stadium in a week. That's a lot to figure out if they're going to prevent the season from heading off the rails. David Helman covers the Dallas Cowboys for FOX Sports. He previously spent nine seasons covering the Cowboys for the team’s official website. In 2018, he won a regional Emmy for his role in producing "Dak Prescott: A Family Reunion" about the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @davidhelman_. Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more.   Read the full article

[junker-town]

Is it time for the Panthers to fire Ron Rivera?

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Wherein we debate keeping Riverboat Ron in Charlotte one more year.

Ron Rivera has seen plenty of hard times in his nine years as head coach of the Panthers. But Week 12’s come-from-ahead loss to a hapless Washington team may have been rock bottom.

Carolina struck out to a 14-0 lead at home against a formerly 2-9 team, then gave up 29 straight points to rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins and a pumped-up Derrius Guice. All was not lost, however. The Panthers rallied to create an opportunity to tie the game with a first-and-goal situation from the Washington 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

Rivera’s team lost 30 yards from there, culminating with ... whatever this was.

Here’s fourth-and-the-season for the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/VresISdjTj

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 1, 2019

That locked down Washington’s third win of the season and a 5-7 record for the Panthers. The loss was the team’s fourth in a row in fifth in its last six games. It all put eliminates Carolina from the playoff race.

And now it’s time to ask: will Rivera survive the offseason? Should he?

Ron Rivera and Cam Newton have thrived in the past. Do they deserve one more ride?

Christian D’Andrea: 2018 was a disappointment. 2019 is a disappointment. There’s no denying that.

But 2018 was a function of a limited supporting cast and an 80 percent Newton. In 2019, the former MVP limped through only two games before being replaced by an undrafted second-year quarterback and eventually going on injured reserve. Kyle Allen’s success this fall has been a testament to the upgrades Carolina’s made up and down the roster — but those upgrades were made with Newton in mind, and now there’s a chance we never see him take advantage of them at full strength.

That would be a shame. Imagine a totally healthy Cam Newton flanked by the MVP candidate version of Christian McCaffrey. He’d give way to a receiving corps led by a coming-into-his-prime D.J. Moore (on pace for 1,300 receiving yards in his second season) and a still-improving Curtis Samuel. While Newton may never return to his 2015 peak, surrounding him with playmakers capable of sharing the load should make him an above-average quarterback once more. That’s a foundation from which this offense can build.

James Dator: There’s a lot to admire about the Ron Rivera era in Carolina. A fierce, player-first coach was the necessary departure the team needed after a decade of floundering. John Fox’s milquetoast coaching was as underwhelming as it was often ineffective. But though Rivera was a breath of fresh air, that doesn’t mean we need to cling to the past.

Injuries, departures, underperforming players — every team in the NFL needs to deal with these challenges. It consistently feels like Rivera is utterly incapable to adapt when things go wrong.

The most recent incident is by far the biggest indictment, with Cam Newton being forced to plan on a Lisfranc injury for weeks out of fear that the season might collapse if he was placed on injured reserve. Of course, that ended up being the case, but it’s that lead up that never should have happened. The second it became apparent that Newton was hurt beyond natural repair the Panthers should have moved on, done their best to salvage the season, and most importantly allow Newton to fully recover in preparation for 2020.

Instead, Rivera danced around questions about his quarterback, allowed Newton to get thrown under the bus when he was playing like garbage on a hurt foot, and backfilled the season with excuses. We don’t know whether perception matched reality, but it all reeked of a coach trying to save himself at the expense of the team.

How will ownership address the Panthers’ other gaping concerns?

D’Andrea: Getting the star QB back doesn’t address the other massive problem Rivera faces: a defense that allowed a punchless Washington team to score 29 points in Week 13. Carolina ranks 22nd in the league in projected cap space for 2020, so landing impact talent in free agency will be difficult (but not impossible) — especially with the team’s lasting need for offensive line upgrades. Fortunately for Rivera, the latest collapse should provide the draft capital to pick up some starting talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Owner David Tepper has been impressively patient with the team since taking the reins from Jerry Richardson in 2018. Tossing out Rivera and Newton (who only carries $2 million in dead cap next year) — it seems like any fresh start would likely mean discarding both — would be throwing away an asset that still holds value. Maybe the charge is gone from that Newton/Rivera battery, but past results suggest they’ve still got some life to them.

Dator: It’s become abundantly clear that Rivera has traveled down the same road to the point now where he too is unable to get the job done. We’re about to see the end of the ninth season with Rivera at the helm. At no point have his Panthers been able to piece together back-to-back winning seasons. Sure, there are excuses to justify keeping him around, but there have been ceaseless, endless excuses every time the Panthers fail. Eventually nobody can keep going back to the same well and keep their job.

Tepper has yet to make a serious statement since taking over as team owner. This is his chance to truly leave a mark and back up statements he’s made about not tolerating mediocrity.

Advocating for anyone to lose their job always makes me feel gross, but here we are. Rivera is still a great football coach, and I fully believe he can do a great job somewhere else. He’s run his course in Charlotte, though. It’s time for Tepper to make a change and usher in a new, modern approach to the NFL, one that doesn’t lean on Rivera’s old-school defensive knowledge and Norv Turner’s antiquated approach to offense.

The biggest indictment I’ve had with how the Panthers have handled Newton so far is that it’s felt like a Ferrari has been given to a staff only capable of driving a Ford Fiesta. It’s time to swing for the fences and go for it; otherwise the only thing that’s in the future is another set of disappointing seasons with no effective end to the madness.

What would the Panthers look like without Rivera in 2020?

D’Andrea: Two questions for you, James. The first: what do you think Newton still has in the tank (and will he be Carolina’s QB in 2020)?

Dator: Newton is only 30, and it’s easy to overlook that because of injuries and how he plays the game. That said, I expect that if he’s able to recover from his foot injury he’s going to be very, very good for someone. Look at this NFL season: A large part of why Lamar Jackson is garnering justified MVP buzz is how he’s able to extend plays with his legs, while teams still need to respect his arm. This isn’t dissimilar to Newton. And while their running styles are vastly different, more and more NFL minds are accepting the idea of dual-threat quarterbacks. Or at least pretending they are.

I’ve said before that the Panthers parting ways with Newton would be the biggest mistake in team history. I stand by that. In the end it’s going to come down to a balance of Newton’s health and his cap figure. If that balance is out of whack in favor of his cap number then I expect the Panthers to move on — especially if they pick a new coach.

D’Andrea: The second: what kind of coach would you like to see take over in Charlotte?

Dator: That’s tricky. Admittedly I’m not one of this people who pores over coaching circles to predict who might be available, but it’s time for a youth movement in Charlotte. In team history, the Panthers have never had anyone from an offensive background as head coach. Jerry Richardson always believed in defense first, which has led to stagnant offensive thinking.

Meanwhile look around the NFL right now, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur — the new breed of young NFL coaches are having success and came from offensive backgrounds.

I just want some new thinking in Carolina before it’s too late to take advantage of the exciting players on the roster.

What does the future hold for Rivera if he’s not in Charlotte?

Dator: Two questions back at you. The first: Say Ron Rivera gets fired. Is there another NFL team you see hiring him to a head coaching job?

D’Andrea: I think Riverboat Ron would take a year off, hit the pregame talk show circuit, and patiently wait for Matt Nagy to overanalyze his way out of Chicago before a return to the team he called home for nine seasons as a linebacker. Would he be an upgrade over Nagy? I’m honestly not sure! Still, his ability to move on from his gambles and mistakes would be a strong departure from Nagy, whose fixation on his team’s flaws has manifested throughout his playcalling.

Dator: What do you think the tipping point should be where the Panthers move in a different direction?

D’Andrea: Rivera’s 2020 tipping point, assuming he makes it there, would be any sustained losing streak. His biggest flaw as a head coach has been his inability to pull his team from regular season death spirals. He’s lost at least four straight games in three of his last four seasons and five of his last eight. If his trajectory dips again in his last chance season, Tepper would be entirely justified in making a midseason switch on the sideline.

[angrylizardjacket]

angrylizardjacket’s imagine masterpost

Bohemian Rhapsody

Series

ask your destiny to dance (Masterpost)

Roger/OC (Ash) | long-running, follows BoRhap, NSFW

And All The Queen’s Men (Masterpost)

Roger/OC (Giselle) | famous singer, collaborates with Queen often

act your age (Masterpost)

Roger/OC (Ash) : John/OC (Giselle) : Freddie/OC (Oscar) | high school/college au; the school is putting on Heathers the Musical

‘cos i don’t believe in ghosts {Masterpost}

Joe Mazzello/Reader/Lucy Boynton | cryptid/supernatural AU

Brian May

any time

Words: 1343 | Unspecified!Reader | existential crisis hurt/comfort

like flying

Words Per Part: approx. 2000 | Unspecified!Fallen-Star!Reader | Stardust AU

sweet chaos

Words: 3640 | Female!Extrovert!Reader | just... chaotic, but sweet as well

what it’s worth

Words: 2957 | Unspecified!Photographer!Reader | Smile-Era, fluffy

Freddie Mercury

limited eternity

Words: 2649 | Male!Reader | time travel, fluffy but also sad

John Deacon

a process

Words: 3169 | Female!Reader | fluffy, set pre-A Night At The Opera

dinner plans

Words: 1041 | Unspecified!Reader | proposal fic, FLUFF

double shot. /SMUT\

Words: 3380 | Female!Reader | 1981 Montreal Deaky Smut

morning light

Words: 1877 | Unspecified!Reader | fluffy n soft

oblivious

Words: 2066 | Female!Extrovert!Reader | deaky-centric mutual pining

Roger Taylor

a kind of loneliness

Words: 4027 | Unspecified!Photographer!Reader | pining and trying to move on

a long time coming

Words: 2008 | Female!Pregnant!Reader | a lil bit of arguing with a happy ending 

a soft sunrise

Words: 1103 | Unspecified!Reader | morning fluffy w/ the boyfriend

always been close

Words: 2870 | Female!Reader | friends-to-lovers 

and then there was light

Words Per Part: approx. 5000 | Female!Roadie!Reader | on tour, gets real angsty

at ease / audio version

Words: 1181 | Female!Reader | fluff

convenient 

Words: 3228 | Male!Reader | fuckbuddies with feelings

just alright? /SMUT\

Words: 2216 | Female!Reader | daddy kink, post-pub gig, thigh riding

soup for the soul and also for eating

Words: 1105 | Unspecified!Sick!Reader | fluff af

time’s arrow / epilogue

Words: 2727 | Female!Reader | angst with a happy ending, a story through seasons 

tug.  /SMUT\

Words: 2605 | Female!Reader | smut, Rogerina outfit

what is and isn’t allowed

Words: 2253 | Unspecified!Bartender!Reader | smile-era pinning

Dominique Beyrand

only fools

Words: 4331 | Unspecified!Reader | angst with a happy ending

Mary Austin

sunshine smiles

Words: 2219 | Female!Reader | Smile-Era, friends to lovers

ease my mind. /SMUT\

Words: 1534 | Female!Reader | trying to be discrete during a recording session

Jim “Miami” Beach

you may not be blood, but you’ll always be family (Platonic)

Words: 1175 | Unspecified!Reader | sometimes you just need a hug

the sun always sets behind you (Platonic)

Words: 1880 | Female!Daughter!Reader | reader is roger’s new assistant, and his reputation precedes him

Ben Hardy

guessing games

Words: 2152 | Female!Actor!Reader | ben and reader are together and not subtle and yet joe still doesn’t realise 

heard your name in every love song

Words Per Part: < 2000 | Female!Actor!Reader | falling in love on set

it hurts because it has to

Words: 3107 | Male!Reader | FWB angst with feelings

lead up

Words: 1367 | Female!Reader | getting ready for the BoRhap premiere

lover boy

Words: 1514 | Unspecified!Reader | reader visits the set, Ben is a big softie for them

of comfort and joy

Words: 1562 | Unspecified!Reader | Christmas Dad!Ben fluff

when i said it i thought it was true

Words Per Part: approx. 3000 | Female!Actress!Reader | BoRhap Fake Dating AU

Gwilym Lee

all the world

Words: 4761 | Female!Actor!Reader | cast in a midsummer night’s dream production w/ gwil

integrity. /SMUT\

Words: 1865 | Female!Reader | one night stand

Joe Mazzello

don’t @ me

Words: 1781 | Unspecified!Reader | cardboard ben shenanigans

i’ll be in the front row

Words: 3269 | Unspecified!Reader | reader and joe get close while he’s working on undrafted

insufferable

Words: 2390 | Unspecified!Lighting Designer!Reader | College Theatre AU

sharp dressed

Words: 1498 words | NB/Male!Reader | golden globes + some anxiety re; callout culture

teenage fantasy. /SMUT\

Words: 2483 | Female!Reader | reader is worried joe’s outgrowing her, he looks to prove he’s not

Lucy Boynton

heaven in hiding. /SMUT\

Words: 2105 | Female!Reader | PWP + Dom-ish!Lucy

Rami Malek

our love was made for movie screens

Words: 2967 | Unspecified!Introvert!Reader | a few moments of PDA in an already uncomfortably public relationship

Roger Talylor / Reader / John Deacon

how long can you stand the heat? / SMUT \

Words: 2794 | Female!Sub!Reader | PWP + AOBTB

Ben Hardy / Reader / Joe Mazzello

nostalgia

Words: 1141 | Female!YouTuber!Reader | long distance comfort

the things we do for likes

Words: 1954 | Female!Reader | embarrassing the reader on instagram

prettiest things

Words: 3874 | Female!YouTuber!Reader | OSCARS 2019

Ben Hardy / Reader / Roger Taylor

eyes on the horizon

Words: 1447 | Female!Reader | the reader tells them she’s pregnant

holiday cheer. /SMUT\

Words: 3604 | Female!Reader | Filthy holiday threesome smut.

my baby’s a public menace

Words: 2670 | Female!Reader | Four iconic moments the press has a field day with. (Modern)

take comfort

Words: 1807 | Female!Reader | exhaustion & hurt/comfort, fluff (70s)

that fools should be so deep-contemplative

Words: 1810 | Female!Reader | BoRhap filming & premiere & daughter

the in between moments

Words: 2664 | Female!Reader | during/post pregnancy + light angst

the motley fool thus morals on the time

Words: 977 | Unspecified!Reader | 70s!Roger has met 2018!Roger. He doesn’t talk about it a lot

Tags

#thirst-hour - Thirst Hour tag (NSFW)

#ben-x-reader-x-roger - Ben/Reader/Roger tag (NSFW)

#joe-mazzello-can-get-it - Joe’s Other Characters tag

The Dirt

Series

Run to Paradise (Masterpost)

Nikki/OC (Lola) | long running, follows The Dirt, NSFW

Nikki Sixx

compound regret

Words: 2701 | Unspecified!Reader | mutual pining in the name of safety

Vince Neil

first aid

Words: 1481 | Unspecified!Reader | providing first aid after the first gig fight

people change

Words: 2065 | Female!Rockstar!Reader | article style, speculating about reader’s relationship

Daniel Webber

M1

Words: 1440 | Unspecified!Reader | driving home to see his family

the last house at the end of the street

Words: 2871 | Unspecified!Reader | Australian as Hell + Fluff

Douglas Booth

the band with no name

Words Per Part: approx. 3000 | Female!Punk-Musician!Reader | you’re in a cover band and he hasn’t told you he’s in the motley crue biopic

Machine Gun Kelly

fit by my side

Words: 3188 | Unspecified!Pastel!Reader | clashing aesthetics and real feelings

guardian as a title

Words: 2512 | Female!Reader | the lead-up to adopting Casie

i’ll leave early

Words: 1173 | Unspecified!Musician!Reader | exhausted, you’re missing each other

mouth full of white lies

Words Per Part: < 2000 | Female!YouTuber!Reader | fake dating on The Dirt set

sabotage

Words: 6477 | Female!Makeup-Artist!Reader | you’re an assistant on The Dirt

[youre-in-the-psycho-circus]

The Game | 2 | Joe Mazzello

Pairing: Joe Mazzello x Reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 4,677

Summary: When Joe visits Ben in London and they’re sent a round of drinks from a pair of girls at a pub, Joe is ready to play a game of love

Masterlist

Part 1

Ben and Joe quickly pulled on their coats, gesturing for the girls to walk on ahead before following them out. “So, where would you ladies like to go?” Joe smirked, clapping his hands together as they came to a stop outside the pub.

“Uh...well I know of another few other pubs not too far from here if we want to head in that general direction first, if things go well, we can figure out something from there.” (Y/N) suggested with a shrug.

“Lead the way!” The American cheered. (Y/N) smirked mischievously at him before grabbing (Y/F/N)’s arm, pulling her on ahead in the direction of the next pub before starting to chat quietly to her.

Ben looked at Joe with a quizzically raised brow seeing the stupid grin on his face. He was clearly smitten over (Y/N) in just a few minutes. He was hopeless. Ben smirked slightly. “You sure you know what you’re doing there mate?”

“Please by the end of the evening she’s going to be putty in my hands.” Joe tried to wave him off as they walked off in pursuit of the girls. He was either going to get this girl or be extremely depressed the rest of the night, there was no in-between.

Ben rolled his eyes. “I could tell by the way she’s throwing herself at you…” Joe looked up to see (Y/N) turned around looking at the pair of actors with a smirk glued to her lips. God was she beautiful. She laughed before turning back to her friend. “See, she doesn’t even know what we’re talking about and she’s already laughing at you.”

“Oh, fuck off. I’ve got a whole plan worked out. Just watch.” Joe smirked as they walked up next to the girls who were stopped on the corner waiting for the light. The American deposited himself at (Y/N)’s side, hands deep in his pockets trying to keep warm in the frigid winter’s air. “So, uh (Y/N), what’s the name of this pub we’re off to?” Joe took a moment to take the female in, in the low lighting of the street. She was absolutely stunning. The way her (h/c) locks were being blown back from her face in the light wind. The scintillating glint in her dazzling (e/c) orbs from the soft light of the streetlight above them, complemented by the perfect smoky eye she had done that showed them off so fantastically. Her outfit complimented her every curve and showed off her best assets and god was it hard for him to stop looking at her.

He couldn’t get over how incredible she looked, so much so he didn’t hear her reply. “Hey, space cadet!” She waved her hand in front of his face.

“Hmm, what?” Joe asked, closing his eyes before shaking his head out.

The three people before him snickered slightly. Ben placed a hand over his mouth to try and disguise his amusement for Joe’s sake. Of course, Joe saw anyway and just gave the blonde an unamused look. “I told you he wasn’t listening.” (Y/F/N) giggled softly as she and Ben walked on ahead with the change of the light, allowing the pair to be alone.

“Alright?” (Y/N) asked the actor with a soft giggle as they stepped off into the street.

“Not gonna lie, I kinda wanna light myself on fire right about now.” Joe chuckled awkwardly. “I must look so stupid right about now.”

“Yeah, pretty much.” (Y/N) looked at him with a straight face before she giggled softly, seeing the dejected look on his face. “I’m only teasing, I think it’s cute.” She smiled.

“I do have a certain irresistible charm, don’t I?” He smirked.

“Cheeky.” She laughed, playfully bumping shoulders with the actor. “But we’re going to a pub called The Dog and The Duck.”

Joe nodded as he sunk his hands deep into his pockets, as he trudged on next to (Y/N). “You look amazing tonight, by the way.” He looked over at her, hoping he was making up for earlier a bit by complimenting her.

(Y/N) smiled softly, feeling a blush spread over her face as she looked over at him. “Thanks.”

They arrived at the pub shortly after. The four of them grabbed one of the only remaining tables before the boys went up to the bar to grab them the first round of pints. “So, you and (Y/F/N) seem to be getting rather close,” Joe smirked, nudging Ben ever so slightly. He was getting awfully close to her on the walk over, Joe might just be stuck listening to Ben having the time of his life through the wall all night if he didn’t work fast enough. “Do I have to be worried?”

The blonde actor rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on, don’t be daft. We’ve hardly said anything to each other.”

“Baby steps, my friend.” Joe waved him off as his pints for him and (Y/N) were set in front of him. He had at least a basic concept about how he was going to snag the (H/C) woman back at the table. He should at least give Ben the common courtesy bestowed upon Joe by the ‘bro-code’ and help him get a girl tonight as well. “I could be your wing-man.”

“I think you’ve got your hands full with her friend.” He chuckled. “And what about you and (Y/N)? You two looked as though you were getting pretty cosy on the walk over.” Ben jested turning around ever so slightly. He smirked seeing (Y/N) quickly look away before turning back to (Y/F/N). “Can’t keep her eyes off you.” He chuckled.

“What can I say, I’ve got all this…” He paused a moment brushing off his shoulders trying to act cool. “American charm.”

“If that’s what you want to call it. Whatever helps you sleep at night. mate.” Ben chuckled.

Meanwhile back at the table, the girls had been chatting quietly amongst themselves as the boys stood with their backs to them at the bar. “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my fucking god…!” (Y/F/N) breathed with an incredulous smile on her face as she looked at her friend next to her on their side of the table. “We’re actually here with them! They’re actually with us!”

“I told you that sending the drinks was going to be a good idea.” (Y/N) smirked, looking over (Y/F/N) shoulder at the boys as they stood at the bar. Joe wasn’t normally the type of guy that she would’ve gone for, but something about her drew her to him. She bit her lip as she stared at the back of his head, there was a certain charm to him that she was desperate to figure out. She’d spend as long as it took to figure out how he had managed to crawl his way under her skin so quickly. “They’re quite charming, aren’t they?”

“Yours seems a bit oblivious if I’m completely honest.” (Y/F/N) teased gently.

“At least mine talks.” (Y/N) stuck her tongue out at the (Y/F/H/C) next to her before turning her gaze back to Joe. She felt a stupid grin spreading across her lips until Ben turned around, looking back at the table, a smirk poised on his lips as he talked to Joe. The (H/C) female drew in a sharp breath as she quickly turned to look back at (Y/F/N), hoping to god that the blonde at the bar hadn’t caught her staring at his friend. “Yours seems interested by the way. Just checked you out.” (Y/F/N) blushed fifty shades of crimson as she giggled softly to herself. “Awe, come on babe, you got to own your hotness every once and a while. You’re a real catch!”

“So you keep telling me, but it has yet to happen.”

“Well, tonight could be your lucky night.” (Y/N) winked at her friend, seeing the boys returning to the table over her shoulder.  

“Here we are!” Joe cheered, setting the pint down in front of (Y/N) before taking his seat across from her. “You said a Strongbow Dark Fruit, yeah?”

“Sure did, thanks.” She smiled at him as she took a sip of her drink. “Ah, that’s the ticket right there.” She sighed leaning back in her seat as she smirked across the table at the American. “So what brings you to England then?”

“I’m going to be moving here in about a month for work for a bit. For now, I’m just here for some, I guess you could say interviews.”

“Oh, so you’re going back to America then?” (Y/F/N) sighed, slightly disappointed. She was wasting her time, wasn’t she? Even still she was determined to spend the night with Joe if anything to show him what he was going to be missing out on.

Joe smirked cheekily. “Don’t you worry, I’ll be back in a month.” He winked at her. “I’ll have my own place then, but for now I’m crashing with this guy.” He pointed his thumb over at the blonde sitting next to him. It was then that Joe noticed how intently that (Y/N) was staring at him, but not in a lustful kind of way. More in like an I know your secretkind of way. “Why do I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before?”

“Uh…” Joe’s heart sped up ever so slightly. He was used to not many people recognizing him, but even still that didn’t mean that he didn’t enjoy being able to be a completely normal guy who hadn’t been in an extremely successful film franchise as a child, or in one of the biggest biopics about one of the greatest bands in history a few years back. “I really doubt that.” He shrugged her off, deciding that telling a little white lie would’ve been in his best interest. The last thing he wanted to do was answer questions about being in the entertainment industry all night. “Must have a twin or something in London.” He chuckled. “Though I have been told I look like a young John Deacon so maybe that’s it.”

“Yeah...I suppose you’re right.” She squinted her eyes at him before looking over at Ben. She stared at him, lost in (Y/F/N)’s eyes despite the fact that she wasn’t looking at him before looking at (Y/F/N). “Don’t you think he looks a lot like the guy who used to play Peter Beale on EastEnders?”

“Now that you mention it, he does a bit…” (Y/F/N) furrowed a brow quizzically at the blonde across from her.

“Hey Ben!” (Y/N) tried to grab his attention. “I know I’ve seen you somewhere before. You wouldn’t happen to know EastEnders, would you?”

Joe turned his gaze to the younger actor next to him expecting an answer, but to nobody’s surprise, it was Ben’s turn to be lost in thought as he stared at the (Y/F/H/C) across the table from him, a stupid, lovesick look on his face. The group laughed a little bit at his dazed state. “Ha, now who’s being the oblivious one.” Joe teased gently.

“Go on (Y/F/N), try to snap him out of it with a witty remark or something.” (Y/N) nudged her friend with a smirk, referring to what she had said to Joe earlier when he had been gone.

“I am absolutely not asking him if he wants to see my tits like you did.” (Y/N) rolled her eyes.

“Wait you said what?!” Joe laughed in surprise. He hadn’t realised that. Boy was this kid lost. Joe chuckled softly as he tried to shake the blonde from his distracted gaze. “Hey, Romeo, snap out of it.” Joe teased waving a hand in front of his face, snapping Ben back to reality.

“Oh uh...sorry what were you saying?” He asked, turning to look at the other actor, a slight glare of annoyance for interrupting his staring to his gaze.

Joe snickered softly at Ben before turning over to look at (Y/F/N). “(Y/N) was just asking why she feels like she’s seen us before.” He explained, not sure if Ben wanted to disclose that information.

It wasn’t often that they got to go under the radar as normal guys, especially Ben. EastEnders had been the thing to put him on the map here in England, and so many people knew the show, so he figured he’d let the younger actor take the lead on this one.

“Oh, well, you know I live here in London, perhaps you might’ve seen me around.” Ben tried to wave her off.

“In a city with over a million people living in it?” She scoffed. “Highly unlikely.”

“Never know, if you’re a frequenter of that first pub, then you’re bound to catch me in there with my mates for a pub quiz on a Friday night.” He shrugged, taking a sip of his pint. On the surface, (Y/N) seemed to accept this answer, but inside something was screaming at her that the blonde and his friend were hiding something about themselves, something that was drastically important. After a while, they migrated over to The Lyric, where they had a high-top table to sit around, this time Joe and Ben across from each other with the girls in between them. It had been a pretty chill night so far, discussing music and films, while the two actors casually danced around their own professions. “So (Y/F/N) what would you say your favourite film is?”

“Oh you ask me to choose my favourite child! There’s so many amazing films out there.” She groaned as she pondered his question. “I guess if I had to pick one, it would have to be...Jurassic Park.”

Joe’s eyes lit up when (Y/N) had said Jurassic Park. “Really?” He asked leaning forward in his seat, a wide grin stretching across his features. “What about it do you like so much?”

“Well let’s face it, nobody can compose a score like John Williams.” She laughed. “Star Wars, Harry Potter, ET, Indiana Jones, what’s not to like? Then I guess the acting was pretty good, especially the kids.” Joe beamed at this answer. Sure (Y/F/N) wasn’t the one that he was interested, but it was always nice to hear people compliment his work, especially when they didn’t realise, they were. This look of adoration didn’t go unnoticed by (Y/N). She stared at the man trying to figure out why all of a sudden, his loyalties had changed. It wasn’t until he started talking about Jurassic Park, particularly about Timmy, did it finally dawn upon her where she had seen him before. This man sitting next to her was the grown-up little boy from Jurassic Park! Oh, (Y/N) just had to tell (Y/F/N), right now. It was luck that at this moment both girls were finishing up their drinks. They wouldn’t dare leave the table together before they were gone. She motioned her head toward the sign that said ‘Toilets’ with an arrow pointing in their direction. (Y/F/N) nodded before rising with her. “We’ll be right back, just going to pop off to the toilet’s really quick.” The boys nodded and fell into their own conversation as the girls wound their way through the crowded pub.

“We get it Joe you were a successful childhood actor. No need to go rubbing it in my face.” Ben chuckled softly, winking cheekily at the older actor.

“Well, you know it’s not every day I get to hear people’s genuine opinions on my work.” Joe chuckled as he finished off his pint.

“Uh-huh, well could you get those opinions without making it seem like you’re moving in on my girl?” Ben asked with a raised brow. “I think (Y/N)’s starting to get a bit jealous, she was looking at you a bit weird just now before they left.”

“Oh god, you don’t think she thinks I’m hitting on (Y/F/N) do you?” Joe asked, a bit mortified at the very idea. (Y/N) had been great fun all night, she was so witty, not to mention beyond beautiful. Last thing he wanted to do was make it seem like her friend was getting all the attention.

“Well, if she does, I’d recommend doing some major clean up if I were you.” Ben suggested as the girls reapproached the table, Ben and Joe grinned widely at them as they sat down with the next round in hand.

“Can you two be any more perfect?” Joe chuckled as he took the last sip of his other pint before reaching for the other.

“You’ve just about read my mind.” Ben chuckled doing the same.

The conversation quickly picked up where it had left off, this time Ben more so staying in conversation with (Y/F/N) and Joe with (Y/N). After a while, (Y/N) couldn’t help but notice how Joe seemed rather distracted by something as she was telling him a story about her favourite song and the meaning it had to her. He frantically began to look around the table. “Oh, goddamn it.”

“What’s wrong?” (Y/N) asked with a raised brow, confusion laced over her features as the other two broke from their conversation to look at the American actor.

“I don’t have my bag. I had a work thing before Ben and I went to the pub you guys found us in.” Joe groaned as he leaned forward on the table banging his head up against it. The new script for the film he was about to be working on was tucked in there with his name written all over it. If that script was leaked before the film came out, and the producers found out it was him who had been so careless, not only would he be fired in an instant, but probably blackballed as well.

“You didn’t have a bag when we left the first pub, perhaps you left it behind.”

The American was clearly beginning to panic at this point at the thought of his bag being lost out there in the cold dark streets of London...all on its own. “There’s confidential script things in there. If that gets leaked, I’m so fired.” (Y/N) raised an eyebrow at this statement. Script things? Could her suspicions about Joe be true?

“Hey.” (Y/N) reached out gently placing a hand on his trying to calm him. “It’ll be alright. We’ll find it. Just call the pub.”

Though frazzled, Joe took out his phone and began scrolling through the names of the nearby pubs, desperately in search of the contact info for the pub they had been at before. He eventually found it, and while he was distracted on the phone, Ben turned to the two ladies on either side of him. “I guess that means we’re going to have to take off.” He sighed sadly, his eyes connecting over with (Y/N)’s for a moment. “He’s not from around here, can’t have him getting lost…” He explained with a frown.

“Well, I’ll go with him.” (Y/N) name spoke up looking over at (Y/F/N) with a smile, hope sparkling in her eyes. Now was her chance to be alone with Joe and find out if her suspicions were true. She’d still be interested in him regardless of if they were or not, but there was something exciting about the prospect that she was.  “That is if you don’t mind being left alone with…” She looked over at the blonde actor, a soft giggle escaping her lips before back at her friend.

(Y/F/N) nodded before she stood, walking over to whisper in (Y/N) ear. “Now’s your chance. Don’t fucking blow it.” (Y/F/N) laughed in her ear. “And remember, use protection.

(Y/N) turned a dark crimson at what she said. (Y/F/N) was normally so innocent so to hear such a thing escape her lips was new for the (H/C). “I’ll be fine. Just text me if you need me.” (Y/F/N) giggled at her friend as she rounded her way back around the table, sending Ben a bright smile.

“Okay, thank you so much.” (Y/N) heard Joe say, grabbing her attention once again. “The first pub’s got it.” The American actor shrugged on his coat as he stood looking over at Ben. “I’m going to go grab it, I’ll be back soon.”

“Would you like some company?” (Y/N) smirked, smoothly timing her attempt at spending some alone time with Joe. Judging by the way he stood there for a moment, clearly in shock she certainly had the American wrapped around her finger. Getting the rest of this evening to go her way was going to be all too easy.

Joe on the other hand was absolutely floored. She wanted to come with him. He was actually going to be alone with her. It was now or never, he had to make up for what an idiot he had been earlier on the street “Uh...Yeah! Sure! That’d be great!” He nodded, rambling ever so slightly as (Y/N) stood, his eyes glued to her as she pulled on her jacket. “I could use someone to show me around.”

“I think I can do that.” She winked at him cheekily, sending a flush over the actor’s cheeks as she turned to look at the blonde and the (Y/F/H/C) who remained at the table. “Don’t do anything I would do, but then again don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. There’s a little grey area there for you (Y/F/N).” She winked again before leaving the pub with the other actor.

The pair walked along in silence for a little bit. “I uh...thanks for coming with me.” Joe stumbled over his words a bit. “I’m sure I would’ve gotten horribly lost and ended up getting mugged in an alleyway or something.” He laughed.

“Well, I wouldn’t count yourself completely out of the woods yet. The chances of me mugging you in an alleyway may be slim but they’re still there.” She winked cheekily.

Joe gasped in fake shock, placing a hand over his chest. “Are you saying you would do things to me in an alleyway?”

(Y/N) smirked softly as she slyly looked over at the actor. “Eh, probably not.” She chuckled under her breath slightly seeing how dejected Joe looked for a moment. “Now in my bed however...that could be fun.”

Joe smirked pulling the girl to a stop by a hand around her waist. “Oh-ho.” He chuckled softly, pulling her close so she was but a lips distance away from him. “Is that a bit of desire I’m sensing?”

“Among other things.” She winked cheekily, kissing his cheek before pulling herself out of the actor’s arms, continuing on toward the pub he had left his bag at. Joe stood there dumbfounded, what was the girl doing to him that he was so whipped this early on? “Hey, Stars and Stripes, you coming?” She called over her shoulder for the American actor.

Joe quickly caught up to the girl as they made their way back to the first pub. He saw her checking him out from the corner of his eye every once and awhile. “I can feel you burning holes in my head.” He chuckled.

“I’m sorry for staring it’s just...you look so familiar. You’re sure we’ve never met before?”

The actor gulped slightly; he was rather enjoying not having to talk about his films with someone he was interested in in the longest time. “If you had to say who I look like, who would it be then?” He asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Hmm...well if I had to say one, it’d be the grown-up version of Timmy in Jurassic Park. Or, like you said, maybe even John Deacon from Queen.” She shrugged. She was almost positive that Joe was, in fact, Joe Mazzello the actor, but she didn’t want to assume anything. If he wanted to tell her that he was that actor, he’d do it in his own time.

Joe narrowed his eyes as they stopped outside the pub that had his bag. “Alright, how long have you known?” He asked with a slight smirk.

“For sure? About five seconds.” She winked. “Before then, I only thought you looked like him.”

The actor groaned, rolling his eyes as they entered the pub. “You’re not one of those crazy overzealous fangirls who’s going to try and murder me or cut off a lock of my hair when you think I’m not looking are you?”

“No, why? Does that turn you on?” She smirked cheekily, making the actor burst out laughing.

“Only every second Tuesday.” He said before turning to look at the host. “Hi, I called earlier about a bag I left behind?” As the worker left in search of the bag, Joe turned to look at (Y/N). “Well, you’re right, I am Joe Mazzello.” He sighed. “Please don’t think any differently of me now that you know…”

“You mean give you special treatment?! Nah, I’m going to treat you like the worthless piece of pond scum you are.” She winked at him, making him laugh again. She had no idea where this sudden boost of confidence was coming from. She desperately hoped deep inside that he was genuinely finding her humour as just that, humour and not that she was actually insulting him. That would be her luck. She had started talking to him because she thought that he was funny and handsome not because he was Joseph Francis Mazzello III.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He smirked. “You’re not like other girls I’ve met.”

“Because I’m sexy beyond belief?” (Y/N) asked, striking a ridiculous pose batting her lashes at the actor. That would be an understatement, the actor thought to himself. The girls that he often met in his line of work were typically like the triangle of choice between two things and not getting the third. The three points were usually good looks, good personality, and humour, and somehow this girl standing next to him with her beautiful sparkling (e/c) irises, and flowing (h/c) locks, she was a novelty in the regard that she somehow checked all three boxes. He wasn’t about to let this one get away.

“No, I believe that would be me hun. I mean just look at this piece of ass.” He smirked as he struck a pose making her laugh as the pub staff brought over the bag the actor had lost earlier. He thanked the host before they walked out of the pub together for the second time that night. “So...back to the other pub then…?” He asked quietly, silently hoping that she would suggest something else.

“I mean if that’s what you want.” She shrugged as they trudged along...in the complete wrong direction despite the fact they both knew very well where they had to go.

“Look I think it’s safe to say that we’re both attracted to one another.” Joe stated rather bluntly. “I don’t know about you, but I’d be an absolute fool not to act upon the choice opportunity that’s been presented to us, don’t you agree.” Without hesitation (Y/N)’s arms were around the actor’s neck as she pulled him into a rather heated kiss. When they broke apart only for air, the actor smirked. “I’m going to take that as a yes then.”

“We’ll go to mine then, yeah?” She asked as they kissed again.

“Well seeing as how Ben might think I was overstepping guest boundaries by doing it on his couch….” He chuckled as they both broke out their phones to text their respective friends.

Joe - See ya in the morning 😎😏😉

Ben - You’re abandoning me? 🥺🥺

Joe - Sure am 🖖🏻👅

Ben - 🙈 Really Joseph, I thought we had something special 😭

Joe - Just think of it as a temporary eviction 😜

“So, where were we?” Joe asked as he kissed her again.

“Not a question of where were we, it’s where are we going?” (Y/N) laughed pulling the actor off in the direction of the nearest tube stop to get to her flat.

“Will there be more drinks?” He chuckled.

“I’ll put the kettle on.” She winked. Afterall, it was going to be a long night.

[halfofwhatisayismeaningless]

Photos. // Joe Mazzello. (Requested)

Requested by @noroger: the reader is plus size n joe absolutely loves her curves and joe doesn’t know this but the reader does lingerie photoshoots and he finds a big stack of photos from different shoots in her room or something? and he just looses his shit n worships her and it’s all fluff

A/N: As always, my request box is OPEN (send some song requests, I love those).

Words: 354 (short one, I know, sorry)

Warnings: none? I don’t really know.

"Last night you were stunning, but this outfit is mind-bending." Joe said, stroking your naked hip. "Did you read something about last night?"

"In the plane, while you were sleeping,"

"And how was it?"

"You were fantastic, you can imagine the comments."

"What about you?"

"You know, there was a lot of opinions." Joe touched your face. "People love plus size people, only when they are not that big. But there was also a lot of positivism and support."

"You are awesome, inside and outside. The most beautiful girl of the Oscars."

"Thank you babe, you too."

You got off bed to make breakfast, wearing that black satin dressing gown that Joe himself had given you.

"(Y/N) do you have the invoices from the trip?" you heard Joe from your bedroom.

"Yes, they are on my computer. Bring it and I'll unlock it."

That's what he did, Joe went to the living room to check trip expenses. While you were cooking you felt him get inside the kitchen. You turned around to see the face of your boyfriend unbalanced.

"What's wrong?"

"I was looking through your files and I went into "Invoices" expecting them to be there, but..."

You realised that in that file there was some things that were far from invoices.

"Honey that is a book that I wanted to send to a model agency, but I stepped back."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to try on the modeling and..."

"No, no. I mean why didn't you sent them?"

"Well... because... I don't know."

"I don't why. They are beautiful. All of them. This one, in the beach, at your room."

"Do you like them?"

"If I like them? I love them. Please, send them."

"I thought you'd be mad if you find them."

"Be mad? Why? Because of doing whatever you want with your body? I would like you to tell me, yes, but I'm not angry at all."

"Thank you for understanding." You said giving him a kiss. Joe got up and approached  his body to yours, touching your butt above the black cloth.

"Thank you for being incredible." He said while he unbuttoned the nightgown and approached his face to your panties.

SPANISH VERSION.

- Anoche estabas espectacular, pero este outfit me alucina. – dijo Joe, acariciando tu cadera desnuda. - ¿has leído algo sobre la gala?

- En el avión, cuando estabas dormido.

- ¿Y qué tal?

- Vosotros fantásticos, os lo podéis imaginar.

- ¿Y tú?

- Bueno, de todo, como siempre. – Joe tocó tu cara. – A la gente le gustan las tallas grandes, solo cuando no son tan grandes. Pero también ha habido mucho positivismo, y apoyo.

- Eres espectacular, por dentro, y por fuera. La persona más guapa de los Oscar.

- Gracias, cariño, tú también.

Te levantaste a hacer el desayuno. Cubierta con una bata brillante negra que el mismo Joe te había regalado.

- (Y/N), ¿tienes las facturas del viaje? – oíste a Joe desde tú habitación.

- Si, están en el ordenador. Tráemelo y lo desbloqueo.

Así hizo, Joe se fue al salón a revisar los gastos del viaje. Mientras tú cocinabas lo notaste entrar en la cocina. Te giraste, para encontrar a tu novio, con la cara descuadrada.

- ¿Qué pasa?

- Es que estaba buscando en las carpetas y he entrado en “Facturas” porque esperaba que estuvieran ahí, pero…

Y caíste en la cuenta de que en esa carpeta había algo que quedaba muy lejos de unas facturas.

- Cariño, es un book que quería presentar para una agencia de modelos, pero me eché para atrás.

- ¿Por qué?

- Porque me apetecía ser modelo y…

- No, no, ¿por qué no las enviaste?

- Pues… porque… no lo sé.

- No lo entiendo. Son fantásticas. Todas. Estas, en la playa, en tú habitación.

- ¿Te gustan?

- ¿Qué si me gustan? Me encantan. Por favor, mándalas.

- Pensaba que te enfadarías si las encontrabas.

- ¿Enfadarme? ¿Por hacer lo que quieras con tú cuerpo? Me hubiera gustado que me lo contaras, si, pero no estoy enfadado.

- Gracias por entenderlo. – dijiste dándole un beso. Joe se levantó, y acercó su cuerpo al tuyo, tocando tu culo por encima de la tela negra.

- Gracias por ser incríble. – dijo mientras te desabrochaba la bata mientras acercaba la cara a tus bragas.

[judefan844-blog]

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[theactorssuite]

9 PRODUCTIONS THAT PLAN TO RESTART HOLLYWOOD IN ATLANTA POST-COVID

Hollywood is in the process of re-opening, even in the midst of a continuing pandemic. All of the major guilds have given safety guidelines to their respective states and have been approved by the Governors. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) set his own guidelines on May 22 and on June 12 essentially opened Georgia Film up for business. Last week, commercials started in earnest. This week, a basic cable series that was postponed, restarts. Today a major music video with Tyrese and Cee Lo Green is shooting. In two weeks, Tyler Perry will implement Camp Quarantine (his extensive 30-page document) bringing back his BET+ series. Actors, stunt players, background extras are all itching to get back to work. The key going forward is to be vigilant on how to do that safely and effectively. Listed below are shows that have stated in production trades shooting start dates. Some were already cast before the shutdown, some have not announced casting breakdowns yet. Of course, all of this could change depending on flattening the curve and future shutdowns. I also included some titles that will film within a 4-hour driving distance. Atlanta artists will frequently travel for the opportunity to work.

Terror Lakes Drive (UMC)

June 25-July 15

Atlanta

Malik Yoba, Lamman Rucker

On the heels of a recent pandemic, and calls for Social Distancing, a single mother tries to dodge her troubled past by relocating to another city with her defiant teenager, only to discover there are forces that cannot be outrun. 

Takeaway-The Urban Movie Channel (UMC) has only been around for 5 years, but they have consistently been putting out original content. It doesn’t surprise me that they were able to get back on their feet before most, due to smaller budgets and crew.

Tyler Perry’s Sistas

July 8-19

Atlanta

SISTAS, follows a group of single black women from different walks of life who bond over their one common thread: why am I single? In this bold new series, viewers watch these women navigate their "complicated love life" status, careers and friendship through the ups-and-downs of living in a modern world of social media and unrealistic relationship goals

Takeaway- The first production to shoot under Tyler Perry’s Camp Quarantine, everybody will be looking at the studio to see if this plan works out and if others will be emulating its execution.

Tyler Perry’s The Oval

July 28-Aug 9

Atlanta

The Oval tells the story of a family placed in the White House by people of power while also highlighting the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run the inner workings of the nation's most iconic residence.

Takeaway- The second production that will shoot under Tyler Perry’s Camp Quarantine. Any missteps and mistakes that occurred on “Sistas” I’m sure will be resolved for “The Oval”

Alice

August 2020

Atlanta & Savannah

Keke Palmer, Common, Johnny Lee Miller

It's 1973 all over America, except in one 55-acre plot in Florida, where it's still 1855, and slavery exists on a cotton plantation. Alice escapes her owner to discover her new world and take revenge on her old master.

Takeaway-Savannah is known to shoot the slavery period pieces needed due to its swamps, marshlands, and plantations. The parallel universe is set in the 1970s. COVID-era productions with tons of costumes will be a tough endeavor for any project.

American Underdog

August 31

Atlanta

Kurt Warner

A faith-based biopic based on the life of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner. American Underdog will follow the life story of Warner from a young man stocking shelves at a supermarket and an undrafted free agent in the NFL to how he became a two-time NFL MVP quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants. (August 31 - October 16)

Takeaway- Originally this was picked by Lionsgate and slated for a December 18 release. Obviously that will be postponed. I do not know if next Christmas will be another theatrical window, or perhaps Easter 2021.

Black Adam

Mid-October 2020

Atlanta

Dwayne Johnson

Black Adam is a super-villain, occasional antihero, and the archenemy of the superhero formerly known as Captain Marvel, Shazam. Hawkman will have a major role in the film. Hawkman is a winged vigilante who fights crime using a flight harness made from Nth metal and a mace.

Takeaway: The Rock has a solid history of shooting in Georgia (even purchasing property). The Marvel universe is known to camp at Pinewood Studios, with houses and apartments across the street (Pinewood Forest), it is possible that cast and crew can quarantine there if needed.

Bringing Down the Government

August 23

Atlanta

The Bordeaux's are hit with a ton of bricks when their 17-year-old son is diagnosed with a life-threatening rare cancer. The already struggling family try and get the money they need to heal their son. As his conditions worsen; you will see a totally different side of the family. Blaming the President for her son’s misfortune, Tina and her eldest son take The President of The United States Hostage.

Takeaway: I couldn’t find much information on IMDB, other than this was a feature film. It surely maybe indie, but was featured in enough big publications to warrant a mention.

Castle Falls

Mid-Late July 2020

Birmingham, Alabama

Dolph Lundgren, Scott Adkins

Three million dollars are hidden in a luxurious condominium known as The Castle. Two vicious rival gangs led by Deacon and Shea, are after the hidden cash but before they can retrieve it, the building’s janitor Mike stumbles upon it. The three groups are battling for the prize but are all under a ticking time bomb, as the building is strapped with dynamite to be demolished by the city. The three groups have 8 hours to retrieve the cash and get out alive. 

Takeaway- Who doesn’t want a good old-fashioned shoot ‘em up movie with man-made explosions. The Alabama film office has been making inroads the last year luring more productions to the state. However, in a COVID-era, what will these fight scenes look like?

Ms. Marvel (working title “Jersey”)

August 2020

Atlanta

The show will center on Marvel's first Muslim superhero to star in her own comic book title. Ms. Marvel as a comic and heroine has existed since 1976, with the character Carol Danvers using the name for her crime-fighting escapades. The latest incarnation, and the one the show will be focusing on, is a teenager named Kamela Khan. Khan broke ground by becoming Marvel’s first Muslim character to be leading her own comics title. Her identity as a Pakistani American, living in a religious family in New Jersey whilst trying to find her own way, has been a major focus of the stories. Her powers have been described as polymorphous, meaning she has the ability to stretch and change her shape.

Takeaway- This is supposed to be a series for Disney+ along with several other Marvel spinoffs. Please refer to my earlier statement about “Black Adam” in regards to shooting at Pinewood Studios.

“Creepshow”, “Stranger Things”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, “Vacation Friends”, “Macgyver”, “Black Lightning”, “Dynasty”, “Atlanta”, “Ant-Man”, “Loki”, “Falcon and The Winter Soldier”, “Shrunk” are all productions that were halted and/or delayed due to the pandemic. As of print time, there are no announced dates of their return.

Kevin Marshall Pinkney

www.theactorssuite.com

@theactorssuite-instagram/twitter/Pinterest

Sources

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/keke-palmer-star-true-story-thriller-alice-1298009

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Adam

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-dolph-lundgren-scott-adkins-square-castle-falls-1279912

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ms-marvel-muslim-identity-a-changing-hollywood-1234666

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kurt-warner-movie-works-i-can-imagine-team-1276259

https://deadline.com/2020/05/tyler-perry-restarts-production-sisters-the-oval-atlanta-coronavirus-1202932678/

https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt12552642?rf=cons_tt_indv&ref_=cons_tt_indv

www.productionweekly.com  

[jodyedgarus]

The Rams And Patriots Have Reversed Roles Since Their First Super Bowl Meeting

One of the most wonderfully ironic moments in Super Bowl history happened just before kickoff in February 2002, when St. Louis Rams wide receiver Ricky Proehl turned to NFL Films’ cameras during warmups and declared: “Tonight, a dynasty is born!”

Proehl was right, of course. A dynasty was born that night — just not the one he was imagining. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots ended up toppling the heavily favored Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, using it as a springboard for the greatest run of sustained success any NFL team has ever known.

The Patriots were the up-and-coming team back then, while the Rams were the established champions with the veteran, future Hall of Fame quarterback. This time around, though, the roles will be reversed for the two franchises — with the Patriots serving as the elder statesmen, while the Rams are the team on the rise. It’s a fitting turnabout, one featuring what the Elias Sports Bureau determined was the largest gap in age between both starting quarterbacks (Tom Brady is 17 years and 72 days older than Jared Goff) and head coaches (Bill Belichick is 33 years and 283 days older than Sean McVay) in Super Bowl history.

The Rams opened the betting Sunday night as slight favorites with some sportsbooks (so yes, you can say you were an underdog, Tom), though that didn’t last long. A flood of bets for the Patriots pushed the line to favor New England by 2½ points, according to the current consensus in Vegas. Here’s what our Elo ratings think about the matchup, using both the classic version from our interactive and one with the experimental quarterback adjustments we’ve been tinkering with:

OK, Elo — who ya got in the Super Bowl?

Win probabilities for Week 21 games according to two methods: standard Elo and adjusting for starting quarterbacks

Standard Elo QB-Adjusted Elo Team Rating Win Prob. Base Rtg Starting QB QB Adj. Win Prob. LAR 1667 47% 1656 Jared Goff +4 46% NE 1686 53 1645 Tom Brady +42 54

Elo quarterback adjustments are relative to average, based on a rolling average of defense-adjusted QB stats (including rushing).

Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

The Patriots still somehow have two very important components from that original Super Bowl against the Rams: Brady and Belichick. At age 41, Brady had his worst passing numbers in several years, yet he also was still a top-10 QB (at worst), a Pro Bowler and — it bears emphasizing — impossibly productive for his age. All of that came despite throwing to a revolving-door cast of receivers and a less-dominant version of longtime security blanket Rob Gronkowski. All told, Brady led an offense that still ranked fourth in scoring and eighth in expected points added, albeit with a lower per-game EPA average than any Pats team with Brady as starter since 2013.

For Belichick’s part, this season saw his Patriots improve significantly on defense, jumping from 24th in EPA in 2017 to seventh in 2018. Although New England tied for the second-fewest sacks in the league, it generated the third-most pressure (according to ESPN’s Stats & Information Group), forced the second-lowest completion percentage and generally was the best Patriots pass defense in a while. And this team was also a celebration of Belichick the (de facto) general manager: In addition to shrewd veteran acquisitions such as CB Stephon Gilmore and LB Kyle Van Noy, a large share of the Pats’ production came from draft picks made over the past few years, including DLs Trey Flowers and Malcom Brown, OLs Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney, and rookie RB Sony Michel.1 All of those pickups helped fuel a Pats roster that still relied heavily on Brady to work his magic but also blocked well and played sound defense.

The Patriots’ run wasn’t always easy, of course. The 2018 edition had the second-worst points per game differential and lowest Elo rating of the franchise’s Super Bowl-bound squads since … you guessed it, the 2001 team. But maybe that’s just further proof that everything truly has come full circle in New England. They’re certainly hoping the story ends the same way this time around.

As for these current Rams, they are not too dissimilar from their Greatest Show on Turf forebears, either. Los Angeles outscored opponents by 143 total points in the regular season (third-best in football) and got high marks in every power ranking out there, including Elo (which ranks them No. 2), Football Outsiders’ Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (No. 2), ProFootballFocus’s rankings (No. 2), Jeff Sagarin’s ratings (No. 2), Andy Dolphin’s predictive rating (No. 3) and Pro-Football-Reference.com’s Simple Rating System (No. 3). Though they never actually ranked first in Elo at any point during the season, the Rams were consistently one of the game’s top contenders all year long.

And they got that way just about as quickly as those fabled 1999 Rams, who went 4-12 the year before Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk changed the franchise’s fortunes forever. The 2018 season culminated a remarkable two-year turnaround arc under soon-to-be-33-year-old coach Sean McVay, who took L.A. from a 4-12 disaster in 2016 under former coach Jeff Fisher to an 11-5 record last year, and now a Super Bowl. Over that span, the Rams went from an Elo rating of 1346 to 1667, a gain of 321 Elo points. Only four other Super Bowl teams in history have gained more rating points from the end of two seasons prior to the start of the big game itself — the 1998 Atlanta Falcons (+368), 1981 San Francisco 49ers (+360), 1992 Dallas Cowboys (+357) and 1971 Miami Dolphins (+339). Even the ’99 Rams had “only” gained 246 points of Elo from the end of 1997, though they do own the largest single-season gain ever for a Super Bowl team.

How did L.A. do it? The cornerstones of the 2018 team — Goff, DT Aaron Donald and RB Todd Gurley2 — were all drafted by the club from 2014 to 2016. But general manager Les Snead did his best work over the 2017 and 2018 offseasons, snagging the majority of the current team’s other starters either via the draft or in a flurry of win-now moves that mostly look smart in hindsight. The other key ingredient was coaching, where (with a few weird exceptions on Sunday) McVay has shown a fantastic knack for incorporating analytical thinking into his play-calling, and he remains the master of keeping defenses off-balance by running almost all of his plays out of the same personnel package. While there are very legitimate questions as to whether Goff or Gurley could be as successful in a different system, the pair has powered a Super Bowl run under McVay’s scheme.

Each team needed luck to get here, too. The Rams likely wouldn’t be headed to Atlanta without a blown pass-interference call that kept New Orleans from running down most of the clock in regulation, instead giving L.A. the chance to force overtime and eventually win the game. The Patriots benefited from a phantom roughing-the-passer penalty and a (legitimate) offside call that negated what would have been a game-ending interception, then rattled off what felt like a million straight third-and-long conversions in overtime. But there isn’t a single Super Bowl team in history that didn’t have big moments when fortune smiled on it. You have to be lucky and good to win a championship, and these teams fit both criteria.

Now, they’ll get a chance to battle on the game’s biggest stage. Will a new dynasty be born? Or will an old one keep rolling? Will the new Greatest Show on Turf avenge the old one? Or will Belichick draw up another brilliant game plan to shut down this latest version? Either way, it should be a fitting way to end one of the most entertaining NFL seasons in a while.

FiveThirtyEight vs. the readers

As you prepare for the Super Bowl, be sure to check out FiveThirtyEight’s NFL predictions page, which uses our Elo ratings to simulate the game 100,000 times, tracking how likely each team is to win. You can also make your Super Bowl pick against the Elo algorithm in our prediction game and make one last bid to climb up our giant leaderboard.

According to data from the game, here’s how readers did against the computer last weekend:

Elo’s smartest conference championship picks

Average difference between points won by readers and by Elo in Week 20 matchups in FiveThirtyEight’s NFL prediction game

OUR PREDICTION (ELO) READERS’ PREDICTION PICK WIN PROB. PICK WIN PROB. Result READERS’ NET PTS NO 64% NO 62% LAR 26, NO 23 -4.6

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KC 61 KC 59 NE 37, KC 31 -7.1

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Home teams are in bold.

The scoring system is nonlinear, so readers’ average points don’t necessarily match the number of points that would be given to the average reader prediction.

After a divisional weekend in which all the home teams won, both home squads lost their conference championship games for just the fifth time in the Super Bowl era. Elo tends to love home teams, especially in the playoffs, so you might think that would be bad news for its picks. (Indeed, the average probability set by the reader was closer to picking the road team than Elo’s default probabilities.) However, Elo still came out ahead on net points because more individual readers made extreme picks in favor of the Saints and Chiefs, costing the field points on average. It’s an instructive example of something we discussed back in Week 9 — that, because of the nonlinear scoring system in our contest, overly confident picks can really wreak havoc on your point totals. When in doubt, set a conservative probability! (Unless, say, you are in 59th place going into the Super Bowl and need a Hail Mary to move up the rankings. Know anybody like that?)

Congratulations are in order to reader Deryl Mundell, who leapfrogged long-standing leaderboard-toppers Neil Mehta and Greg Chili Van Hollebeke to claim first place on the season, checking in with 1,202.5 points. Deryl is also our No. 1 (identified) player on the postseason, with 294.2 points since the playoffs started. Thanks to everyone who has been playing — and the game isn’t over yet! You now have one last chance to make your Super Bowl pick. Make it count!

Check out our latest NFL predictions.

from News About Sports https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-rams-and-patriots-have-reversed-roles-since-their-first-super-bowl-meeting/

[eliottweetsill]

The Daily 30th: Indiana Pacers

Mood: “On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again”

Best thing going: The Paul George trade fiasco is over and done with, and it's time to move on

Best player: Myles Turner

Worst player: Lance Stephenson

1-year core: Myles Turner, Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Lance Stephenson, Glenn Robinson III

5-year core: Myles Turner, Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Glenn Robinson III, T.J. Leaf, preferably high draft picks

There are several events that have transpired over recent years which have revealed this to be the darkest timeline. Derrick Rose's successive knee injuries are likely the first example, but Paul George's horrific leg break is probably second. Moreover, imagine if Rose and George remained healthy through their careers. If the Heat lose a conference final in 2012 or 2013, would winning with the Heat have meant more to LeBron? Did the lack of a challenge make him feel like he had less of an excuse not to go back to Cleveland? Maybe the Heat, Pacers, and Bulls would still be duking it out for supremacy in the East.

While that fantasy could have us rolling downhill for hours, the Pacers face a much different reality. The Paul George era crumbled as his supporting cast left piece by perfect-fitting piece. He was left with a hodgepodge core that included Monta Ellis and C.J. Miles, and the Pacers brought Lance Stephenson back from the dead and immediately made him a fixture of the offense, the ultimate “getting the band back together” move. There were some moments in an eventual sweep at the hands of Cleveland that were quite beautiful. Ultimately, though, it was easy peasy for Cleveland, and Paul George saw the writing on the wall. He informed the team he would leave in free agency in two years, a move that would have been almost gentlemanly if it hadn't made its way to the public sphere, and the Pacers were put into rebuilding mode with a sentence. General manager Kevin Pritchard called it a gut punch. Have you ever been hit so hard in the stomach that you just throw up?

There were a couple weeks of queasiness, but Pritchard met a devil named Sam Presti in an abandoned wheatfield and made a deal in exchange for his team's soul. Presti took George in exchange for a couple of 25-cent prospects. Oladipo at 25 has developed into the average player his boom-or-bust projection indicated he would either surpass or never become. And Domantas Sabonis, son of the flamethrower Arvydas, showed promise in Oklahoma City last season, but his potential isn't enough to call this an even trade. More than ever, teams are paying the price for starting over. The Pacers now have a couple of years to rebuild before fans begin to question the trustworthiness of their process. Where the 76ers succeeded with their charade, is being so bad and so lucky that they landed themselves four top-three picks and a pick at 12 that would land in the top five if Dario Saric hadn't had plans to stay overseas. They also sifted for golden second rounders and undrafted players, ultimately landing undrafted wing Robert Covington and 37th overall selection Richaun Holmes as viable rotation cogs. Meanwhile, the Pacers just kind of fell off the contender wagon and rise now in rebuilding mode. They have picks plucked from the teens to the 20s, with former No. 4 pick Oladipo settling in well below his draft stock.

So what can we expect from the Pacers this season? I suspect they will continue to go younger (get worse) as the year progresses. I expect them to forfeit their status as fringe playoff contender to get into the lottery. I expect them to rally around the core of Oladipo-Sabonis-Turner and for those three to have their best seasons ever. I expect Indiana will be fine with the whole thing, and enjoy Oladipo's improvement and feel just fine coasting to 34 wins. Best-case scenario for them is that each player in that core experiences drastic leaps in their games, and the team snags playoff spot in a weak Eastern Conference. Worst-case scenario is that same thing happens, but the Pacers miss out on the playoffs by a hair and settle for a high lottery pick. Best longview scenario is that the Pacers fall apart at the seams and land a top-three pick to expedite their rebuild, then that pick takes a year off and the same thing happens so they get another top-three pick and model themselves more completely after Philadelphia.

I think most franchises would be depressed in the Pacers' current position, but fans may have felt what Paul George was feeling — that it would never come together for them. It's somewhere between the Jazz losing Gordon Hayward and the Kings getting rid of DeMarcus Cousins. The Pacers became a little less disjointed when George left town. The descent could be quick and smooth. In the NBA, though, there are no guarantees, and we could very well see the Pacers stick to the bottom of the standings for half a decade or more. Welcome to The Process, Indiana.