Off The Desk 1/8/2026

Hello and happy Friday, Junior. Thanks for joining us here on Off the Desk. I'm Kaylee Collins. >> And I'm Julia O'Keefe. Yes, we made it to Friday Junior. It feels feels good to be in the second half of the week. >> I know. I'm I'm kind of a little off because I wasn't here on Monday, but it still has felt like I don't know, kind of long. >> It's January. That explains it. >> It's a January slump. But in good news, we have some guests here joining us this morning. That'll make it feel more like a >> Friday Junior. >> Yes. >> Hi guys. >> Thanks for being back with us, you guys. >> Thanks for having us. >> Thanks for having us. >> It's a fun time. So, what's going on on this Thursday for you guys this January 8th? >> There is actually so many things that we've seen trending throughout the week out the week. I don't know like where to even start. I think yeah I think we'll start with some things that revolve around movies and TVs for now and we'll start there. >> Um one of the big things that that's been trending this week is Hannah Montana 20 years in the works. >> Yes like a few months ago about >> if um there was going to be that Riley would do. Yeah. >> Yeah. There was an an interview she's on a red carpet I forget. I think it was for Avatar cuz she has a new song in that movie. M um and she, you know, has blonde hair, the bangs, and someone's like, "Can you spill anything about this show?" And she was like, "Just look at the bangs." And then that's that's all she said. >> I love it. Look at the bangs. Real hair, >> right? I know. I'm so >> I bet it would be It's going to sell out so fast. >> The 22 News outing. We could all go out. We'll have to do the what? Ticket master weight line or whatever it is. >> We'll all be waiting on our phones for this. I was so good to that. I love Hannah Montana. The Hannah Montana movie. I actually watched it recently. It is still like it's a timeless classic. It's so good. Travis Brody probably my first celebrity crush. >> I know. Like Lucas Ta is the actor, but but it's Travis that was my celebrity crush. Correct. >> It was Travis the character. >> Oh yeah. And like the big reveal of like you know >> Yes. >> probably. It's so funny to think. I used to say this when I was, you know, I would watch Hannah Montana as a kid, like >> the concept of her just putting on a wig and no one knows who she like, >> come on. If I put a wig, you'd be like, "It's Eva." Like, >> and like she just like dramatically like pulls off the wig. And I mean, I guess at this time, social media and the internet was like just kind of up and coming when the Hannah Montana movie like first came out. But if that happened nowadays, somebody just pulled their wig off and was like, "It's me. I'm actually Miley. Like that would be everywhere. Like she's like all these like hundreds of people in the crowd of her hometown. Don't tell my secret. Like we can keep this. >> No, we turned out they do. >> They do. Well, they supposed to cuz then it's um in the last season, Hannah Montana forever when Jackson's dating Sienna and then they're like singing as the cows in that weird musical episode where they have like I don't know. Yeah. And then Sienna says like when they're talking about how she's going to reveal the secret to everyone, she's saying now everybody knows, but like before it was just Crowley Corners or something. There's a line about that or something. So they're supposed they actually talk about the movie in the show and say how everyone was supposed to have kept the secret like that small town. >> That's kind of cool. >> They did it for for Hannah. They did it for Miley. >> They did it. >> It works. >> They did it. Yeah. >> That is hysterical. >> That's exciting though. I think that that would be really cool to see. I think it's a great comeback for Disney, too. If it's going to be all under like the same like company, I guess like it has to. >> I'm sure I Yeah, because if it's Montana, I'm sure it has to be Disney connected to Disney somehow. So, it's just kind of like interesting about that >> to think about because now with like the next generation of like Disney characters, which this does segue to the Tangle cast got her first >> with Milo and then I'm Tegan. >> I don't really I think I've seen him and stuff before. I don't know who that the actress is. >> I don't know who the actress >> and I just saw the based off the photo again. I don't know really much about either of these two people. I kind of was like like I wasn't I wasn't wowed by the selection but like that's just my opinion. >> Right. Well, I did >> what you guys think? >> I I did read up on who she is a little bit. She's Australian act an Australian actress and she's been in like the Titan series. So if I know like Teen Titans or anything like that, but she plays one of the characters. >> Another childhood like picking out of my brain. Right. >> That's right. um doesn't mention anywhere though that she's like a singer or past singer or anything like that. So, I'm kind of curious as to that. But I was talking with Lindsay earlier, we both agreed that it's kind of nice to have like a new face like >> I agree. Yeah, I think that the buildup cuz we talked about this last time you guys were on um them them saying like who was in the works for it. It was all actresses that we knew and I think people were getting like harsh criticism because of that because people were saying like oh no like I don't see that for her or others were like yes I see it for her because it's acting like they're you know close personal friends about parasocial relationships it's kind of like that like everyone had a reason to or not to think that someone was right for it where it's like give it to a fresh face it's going to be probably less criticism cuz people are just like let's just see what she does. Um, and then I think I think I like Milo. I think he looks he looks the part. They look like the right age. I think if they were going to cast up a little bit, Jonathan Bailey would have looked the part, too. But they they had to they had to cast younger. Um, so yeah, I'm looking forward to her. I feel like it's a new generation of not only Disney, but also live action because this one was what this Tangled came out. I don't know. I was like not super super young. Yeah. versus like the other past live actions like >> Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella and Snow White were like the OG Disney princesses. So, this is kind of that that change a little bit, that next step kind of >> kind of connected to this, but just branching off of like all these live action remakes and stuff. I just want I'm like looking forward to not just Disney or Pixar or whatever, >> companies coming up with new concepts and new movies and new characters, you know? Like I get it because it's it's nostalgic and there's all these classics. They probably could talk about this on Simply Cinema. >> They probably >> I don't know. And because I feel like the past ones that they have done, >> correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not really sure, but they haven't performed that well, the remakes. >> Yeah. Not all of them. >> I think the first couple Snow White. Um but I feel like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast did okay. Okay, that those were like the first couple. I like those. >> Moana did okay, too. But Lilo and Stitch, it's one way or the other. >> Also, Moana isn't out yet, but people um well, Moana 2 came out, but people are saying that like Moana doesn't quote unquote deserve a live action yet because it came out in 2016. So, people are like, why are we making a live action about a movie that came out just within the last 10 years? >> That makes sense. >> I think I kind of agree with that. >> Yeah. Yeah. We'll guess. I guess we'll we'll have to see. I'll be I'll be there in theaters when it opens. >> I know. I love Tangled. I love >> I love Moore, too. I feel like she's such a Disney princess voice. I'm excited to see like how this new actress is going to >> play and sing the role as well. I'm curious as her who they're going to cast as Mother Gothol, the evil mother. >> Yeah, that's the next one. >> That's what our What are our predictions? I heard there's a rumor for Sher. >> Oh, I would love for share. What about you guys? Are we all for do it? >> I don't. I don't know. Let me go ask her. >> Yeah, that that'd be really cool. >> Maybe if she's not doing anything crazy. Sure. Who >> knows? I think that would be a good fit. Well, when we get the announcement, I'm sure Lindsay will talk about it coming up soon. >> Yeah. Would you like want to talk about that a little? That's exciting that you guys kind of like, >> you know, you're doing some planning and you can, >> you know, I think after this last >> They're on their own. Yeah. Production, >> but you can always have us on guest if you want. >> Yeah. No, we're super excited. I think it's just going to be a great opportunity for both of us to kind of just be in front of the camera instead of behind and just have our own kind of creativity and see where that all goes, >> right? And you know, it's we'll have some guests on, I'm sure, at some point. We'll have you guys on um it'll be once a week. Um date TVD on TV on when the show will actually happen per week, but it'll be once a week. We'll talk about all things trending, pop culture, movies, um and also things that are local as well on our website. So definitely stay tuned for that. >> Yay. We're excited to see how it all comes together. >> Yeah. >> But we'll take a quick break here and come back with >> Yes, there's lots of other stuff in the news. So much more. >> We'll be back. All right, welcome back to Off the Desk X in the loop. >> Yes, >> it's a collab. >> A collab. No, I love it. So, now too, back to all of our trending topics. Now, a celebrity catchup, which Dancing with the Stars holds near and dear to my heart. Derk Huff and his wife just had their baby. Her name is Everly Capri Huff. And I'm so excited. It's so pretty. >> After everything they have even been through as a couple, watching the show, watching them dance, like it's just so like heartwarming. I don't know too much because like I just kind of got back into watching Dancing with the Stars like through Tik Tok this past season, but I don't know too much about their history. She's the the the mother, the wife. She's the host, right? So that's his sister. >> Oh, okay. So I'm out of the loop here, >> but there Yeah. Get us in the loop, girls. Take it away. >> Haley. >> Haley. Yes. So she also danced for a very long time with Derek and she underwent a really big like health scare. Had >> she had an Yeah, she had a brain aneurysm. Yeah. >> She got like a labbotomy like in like two years ago. It was pretty like two years ago. I'm pretty sure >> and she's like fully recovered. Fully recovered. Fully dancing. They had their like dancing appearance I think last not this past season, the season before. Oh, it was beautiful. When I tell you when my mom and I watched it, tears down my face. It was so beautiful. >> Yeah. >> Well, that's awesome. And this is their first child, right? >> First child. Yes. So, so excited. >> So, now Julianne, who is the host? >> That's the aunt. >> She's now auntie. Yeah, she's now auntie. I'm pretty sure it's I mean, I don't know the whole family, but I mean, Julie, she's not married or anything. I was going to ask >> Julian Huff the most perfect host for that show. I She so beautiful. >> I was going to say she's an interesting personality, right? Personality that no one else could do the job. >> Yeah. I just like you can't even call her >> She's not a great host, but she's just Julianne. Like she I wouldn't even It's She's not the host of the show. She's the Julian Huff of the show. Like that is what she just puts co-host cuz there's Alan. Alfonso is awesome. I love him as a host. >> Julian's hosting is a little >> pretty random. She's a spaz. >> So, would anyone else do that job? Absolutely. >> No, that's what I'm saying. >> You want someone who has I guess like a a kind of obscure personality or something like that. >> Yes. >> No. Exactly. So now now I'm hoping maybe little baby Everly makes an appearance at Dance Stars Live show at Sun. No, when are you going? >> I'm going at the end of the month. I'm so excited. Why am I forgetting her name now? Oh my goodness. Danielle. Danielle, she plays Panga in Boy Meets World. Daniel celebrity guest. >> I'm so excited. >> That's going to be cool to see. >> She came off as like the underdog in the show, too. So, like I just I love I love those stories. >> It was such a good season. I love I absolutely loved it. >> There wasn't a person that was like that. I thought that they did like I'm like, "Oh, they should." >> No, exactly. Like no one was just like the oh shocked you're not shocked you're going home. >> Yeah. But now too seeing like all the celebrities now taking like a dancing route and making that as like a career has been coming from a fellow retire very retired dancer myself. It's just nice seeing like dance become like a career for people whether it's like Broadway or like in Dancing to the Stars or like World of Dance which now brings to Whitney who now is making her Chicago Broadway appearance. I'm pretty sure in like February. >> It's in February. Yeah. February. I saw >> I know she is. I saw the post that she was doing press for it this week and she's posted Tik Toks moving her whole family out here and everything. >> That's crazy. That's crazy. It's so interesting though because I mean she is probably someone maybe the most controversial celebrity on the show this season but she's and she didn't make it to the finale but she's clearly taking t taking all the resources taking the world by storm. Yeah. Um but I'm happy for her. I think that it's welld deserved. She's very very talented. >> Very talented. But I wonder what her singing is in a bit. >> I was just about to say she hasn't released any any like clips of hers yet at all. So I thought the same thing initially and then I So have you guys seen Chicago or do you know anything about it? >> I don't like the story. >> So Chicago in that role, Roxy Hart especially is a role that is typically in historically stunt cast on Broadway. So like Ariana Maddox played um and there's a couple other names that weren't really singers or actresses necessarily, but like they get pulled into shows that aren't necessarily struggling, but shows that need a ticket box office boost. So this is this is a stunt cast, so to speak, bringing in a huge controversial celebrity right now. You people either love her >> or you don't. Yeah. That will bring the eyeballs. And she's already got people like Alex Earl commented that she already bought her tickets. Like I would want to go to the same show as Alex Earl is going to lead. You never know, >> you know? So it's one of those things where it the role itself doesn't do a lot of singing. Um so I don't think it's going to be >> like that crazy like a concept. >> Curious. It's her like persona that's going to be great in the role. >> Yeah, I definitely >> honestly her, you know, dance like dance face, I guess. Very like very Roxy part for sure. >> Very Roxy. Very I know. I've seen the show. Mike Old School did the show um for college and it was really good and I was like I should >> I know I'm on like my Broadway show kick right now. So I'm like >> Didn't you just see Mamame Mia? I did just >> it was absolutely beautiful how like each person like inherited like the character like especially the two leads like Sophie and Sky. They were so good. The chemistry was there. It was so funny at the end. They had like a whole concert singing like dancing queen and stuff and it was one of the best moments of >> I have to go see it. I 10 out of 10 recommend. >> Awesome. I saw local production of it, but I haven't seen it. Like the the last Broadway show I saw was the Harry Potter cursed >> that was good. >> I that's that's next on the bucket list. So that is just Harry Potter. >> But there are other shows, not just Brahman that are coming out. Well, not I wouldn't say shows, movies of a certain local figure. >> We love Oh, yeah. Oh, Miss Karen Reed. Karen, >> her case will be back in the spotlight in the new Lifetime movie. >> I think it's going to release in the spotlight. Yeah, >> it's never gone. >> 22. >> Oh, we Yeah. So, it's coming out Lifetime movie this Saturday, right? Saturday. >> Quick. >> Yeah. Quick. Which is interesting because this is one of a couple, I think, scripted works that have been talked about so far. This would be the first though because everything so far has been um docuer such, right? Yes, for like an actual movie. >> Yeah, for like an actual movie with an actress playing her. Also interesting because we talked about it before that Pittsfield native Elizabeth Banks is rumored to be playing Karen in a another scripted work. Um, but this is like the Lifetime movie, so the Lifetime cast, which will be interesting to see. Very interesting. Like >> with the Lifetime movies, like I don't know why it automatically makes me think of like Hallmark movies that are like cheesy kind of like same vibe almost. >> So it's like are they going to be sticking with the story line? Are they going to be making their own? Are they going to like make assumptions about things in her case? So it's like it's weird how it's going to be depicted to other people, >> right? like how accurate like how how much cuz it is a work of it's going to be like action fictional in a sense based off of Yeah. It has to be a fictional >> it has to have that appeal of like a a film um >> likeun >> right like they better have a good team of legal analysts out there cuz there's a lot of people on the internet who were super involved in this case and like followed it so closely >> they will criticize. So, it should be interesting to see what they include and how accurate. >> Yeah, >> we'll have to check it out. I'm sure a lot of us here at 22 will be watching. >> Um, it's interesting to think like of >> the casting how accurate or >> what that that'll look like. And it just makes me think of this is more of like a news related topic. We had it in the news this morning, but um the development in the >> uh Riner case that Ellen Jackson is no longer going to represent Nick Reiner. Um that's um I thought that was really interesting and now he's going to have a public defender, but >> just Alan Jackson being thely the attorney that represented the star of Reed as well other high-profile cases. So, it'll be interesting to see for like a lifetime adapt adaptation if like who's going to play someone who's going to play Alan Jackson, you know, >> who's been so >> who's going to be Hank Brennan. I don't know. I saw the picture of um Karen or the actress playing Karen and I honestly part of me like the the thumbnail at first I was like, wait a minute, is that Karen? >> Oh, wow. >> Karen playing herself. She's not. It was an actress. So, I think that I haven't seen anything else about it, but me neither. >> Yeah, that's definitely going to be a deep dive this weekend. Yeah, you can watch it and maybe report back on next week some point. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. I think it's just about time for another break. Yeah. We'll come back. >> We have plenty more to talk about celebrities. And we're back. >> Hey, we are >> It's Friday Junior. Hey guys. >> I know. We made it to Friday Junior. Almost Friday. >> Whispers. >> Finally. >> Know exactly. >> It's so hard to wake up in the morning, guys. It's just dark and cold. It's like our our first kind of like full week back after the holidays and it feels like it's been dragging this week. But >> exactly. >> We got some good news. >> Good news. >> We did get good news. >> On X, Bruno Mars posted that he said the album is done. >> That's it. And that's it. >> That's it. What are these celebrities just like >> made music in a while though? 10 years. >> Oh my gosh. >> That's crazy. So what was the last would that last one have been like? Well, he's dropped like collabs like Leave the Door Open Uptown Funk, but what has been Well, I just listed a lot on it. >> Oh, super fan. >> No, like I have to say. >> I love I MEAN, HE'S GOT SOME BANGERS THERE. When the song The song Chunky came out by I did not hear Chunky. >> I was obsessed with that song to the point where I remember it was I don't know what birthday it was. It's got to be was over 10 years ago, but we were me and my friends went to the beach for my birthday and I like kept asking to repeat that song and I'm like, "Come on, it's my birthday." One of my my friends, Sky Tai, was like, "Kaylee, if I have to listen to that song one more time, I might jump out of this car." And I was like, "Okay, I guess I feel that." >> I listen to it now and I'm like, "Yeah, I guess it's a good song." But I was like obsessed with it. >> It's like a fun a fun dance song, you know, but that's what he's kind of known for. Exactly. The fun song music you would play you play at a party. You play going out with girls. >> A really good singer. >> He's so good player like like Grenade and like all those other songs. Grenade a bunch of stuff. >> Yeah. >> So this thing maybe you've come across this. I don't know cuz you've had a wedding but my cousin and I've seen a lot of people also doing this. My cousin banned Bruno Mar songs at her wedding and people you did too. I KNEW WHY I HAVE THE FEELING that you did. People do this. So, can I ask why? Because I'm a >> like like Marry You is a good song. I think I think the reason why for I did I did make a a do not play list. Every time I was thinking of a song that like it was like overplayed or that I had heard a lot or thinking about like what I wanted the the dance floor to be. >> Bruno Mars just like didn't fit into that mold. Okay, >> you guys might realize that again like when you're going to plan a wedding, you're you're thinking about it and you're like, "Yeah, like chunky. I like I like that. I want that playing at my wedding." I was like and someone like like the Uptown Funk and and and like songs like that like that have played on the radio so much or that maybe it's just because they got you get a little fatigued by it. It's like when it first comes out, yes, it's like a dancy fun energy type song, but yeah. I don't know. every single time I was like trying to come up with a list of songs that I knew in my mind I just didn't like >> and then I was looking maybe I was influenced by some other people's like do not play list too but then I was like thinking about it and I played the songs >> I'm like yeah I don't think I really want that at my at my wedding but I was like love Bruno Mars and I was dedicated to him like love grenade like stuck by through it all but like >> those songs are kind of old >> they are 10 years or more Yeah. So, >> it's like you're not going to want that in your wedding. >> I actually get it because even like I was thinking about it like even I love Grenade Just the Way You Are, but those are like slow and like ballad style. I would I guess I I would rather something upbeat and Uptown Funk. Then I was like, "Oh, well that's an upbeat one." But then I was like, "Wait, I've heard that so many times. I can sing every word. I don't love it." Like, I would probably use that as an opportunity to either use the restroom or go get, you know, something that I need, >> right? I have just three songs. I ended up making a way longer list. This is my initial like off the top of my head for my wedding do not play list was Happy by Fel. >> This one's a This one's a hot take I think but Bohemian Rap City by Queen. >> It takes so long to sing along. The reason why, and I don't even know how often it gets played at weddings, but the reason why I did not want that song was because I knew my one of my best friends, my my cousin, she loves that song to the point where I knew she was going to request it if like it didn't play. And I was like I told her ahead time like, "Morgan, I'm sorry. I don't like that song." She knows I don't like that song, but she'd be like, "Come on, like it's a fun wedding. Everyone sings along." I don't know what it is about it. Maybe because it is so long and then the different voices like overwhelming at the wedding. >> I just picture like all the groomsmen like belting and >> I know like being in the center of the circle. >> I played like um what is the classic like all the groomsmen are all the guys are like singing at the end of the night. Mr. Bright Side, >> you know, like like there are some basic ones that I did include it. It's just kind of personal. >> I actually get it. No, that makes sense. >> I get it. I get it. >> And like thinking back on it now, like how would you dance to like Just the Way You Are like how would you vibe? >> Like you can have some of those types of songs when you're maybe like >> waiting the dinner music stuff. Um >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> A lot of people do Bruno Mars. >> Yeah. My cousin. She literally just wrote to for the DJ, "No, Bruno Mars." >> I already know I'm playing throwbacks for my wedding. So, >> I played a lot of >> You got to get some You got to appeal to all the generations for sure. >> That's I'm like I don't think I'll ever be over that. That's >> But you know what? I will definitely listen to his new album WHEN IT COMES OUT. >> ABSOLUTELY. Wedding song in there. Maybe there will be maybe a new wedding hit of >> a new one that people will have on their wedding. >> Yeah. No, exactly. My best friend's getting married in October. um day of honor. So, I'll definitely be requesting. >> Oh, yeah. If there's um some nice burrito bar songs, I'll definitely tell her to be like had this in there. >> Oh, wedding season will be coming up quick. So, >> I have like three weddings this year anyway. It's always this this time of life. It's like everyone some But >> yeah. >> All right. Well, Emma and Lindsay, thanks for joining us past few weeks here on Off the Desk. We're excited to see your show. And of course, everyone can keep updated here on the 22 News Plus app. That's where you where you'll find Emma and Lindsay's in the loop. >> In the loop. >> Sure. >> If you want all things trending in social media and pop culture and things like that, come watch our show. >> Spread your wings and fly. >> Yes. We're on our own. >> Bye >> bye.