Gen V review – the male full-frontal really is gratuitous | Television

Two years after we last joined its troubled teens in their battle against the forces of corporate tyranny, superhero drama Gen V is back for a second series of powerfully bawdy chaos. Release the penis-shaped balloons! Uncork the Château les Norks! But for pity’s sake conduct your celebrations quietly: Godolkin University’s clipboard-clutching new dean is in no mood for frivolity.

“Let’s be real,” he drawls during his inaugural campus address. “The previous human administration was full of shit. We can’t trust humankind. And that is why, as your new dean, I will be preparing you for this brave new world,” he continues, as the assembled superheroes-in-training – or “supes”, as they’re called – variously gulp, whoop and clench their bum cheeks.

So! New God U, new you. Specifically, new Emma (the wonderful Lizze Broadway), whose relief at her sudden release from the Elmira Adult Rehabilitation Center is tempered by the discovery that her lightly tyranny-padded seat of learning has gone full fascist.

A brief recap, then, before we get our Speedos wet. The first series of this wildly irreverent spin-off of the sublime, R-rated superhero satire The Boys ended with Emma and fellow supes Marie, Andre and Jordan being stitched up by Homelander after their discovery of the clandestine, Vought-run medical/torture facility known as the Woods. (Homelander, for those not yet au fait with The Boys, is the psychopathic superhero figurehead of dastardly corporate cabal Vought International. Think, if you can stomach it, Trump in tights.) Got it? Good. And now? Marie (Jaz Sinclair) has escaped from Elmira and is on the run. After a valiant struggle with the powers that be, Andre (Chance Perdomo), alas, was not as fortunate. (Following Perdomo’s death in 2024, the decision was made not to recast the role.)

Back at Godolkin, Emma and fellow releasee Jordan (London Thor/Derek Luh) are greeted by a grinning wall of suits and forced to read to the press a Vought-approved “victory” speech that turns out, perhaps unsurprisingly, to be rubbish. Jordan, understandably, is suspicious. Not least of Dean Cipher (yes, Cipher), whose densely bearded presence Jordan is convinced they spotted “more than once” at Elmira. “He was a doctor or something,” the bi-gender shapeshifter tells a characteristically open-mouthed Emma. “And now he’s the dean? I mean, who the fuck is this guy?” Who indeed. Facts, discovers Emma, are thin on the ground. “I mean, the name ‘Cipher’ is a little on the nose, honestly …”

Extravagant creepiness … Hamish Linklater as Dean Cipher. Photograph: Jasper Savage/Prime

Cipher is played by Hamish Linklater, which is in itself a little on the nose, honestly. Is there anyone as adept at extravagant, nay, luxuriant creepiness as Hamish “Midnight Mass” Linklater? Let us discuss. Actually, let’s not. Let’s just accept that there isn’t. And then allow ourselves a gander at the actor’s spectacularly unnerving MO, albeit from a safe distance (the International Space Station, say; or crouched behind Emma during one of the bits where she suddenly goes big and all her clothes explode off). In addition to his stocks-in-trade (not blinking, being tall, speaking slowly in a sad voice before suddenly blurting out something unconscionable very quickly indeed), this particular Linklater performance comes with a range of Gen V-appropriate accessories. These include a set of ample action-eyebrows and a proclivity for calling those few, brave young supes who disagree with his belief in supe-supremacism “race traitors”. So, y’know, yikes.

Unsurprisingly, campus unrest begins to mount. Humans are subjected to increasing harassment from the loutish, Cipher-emboldened frat-supes, while hopelessly naive activists scamper around daubing the word “Resist” over posters of Homelander’s spray-tanned fizzog.

Elsewhere, as this second series unfurls its cape, it’s a joy and a relief to discover that it is business as usual. There are several outrageous, monocle-fogging set-pieces, including a gratuitous full-frontal male locker room scene complete with prosthetic thunder-dong. (What is it with Gen V and penises? Have 5,000 words on my desk by evensong.) There is an enormous amount of swearing and violence, much sweet-natured navigating of still-unformed teenage belief systems, several mildly confusing references to events in The Boys (the fifth and final season of which arrives next year) and many, many perfect jokes about the endless commodification of mental health and gender identity.

But isn’t all this zippiness, this pinging between tones and genres a bit, well … throwaway? Ultimately, yes! But then, aren’t most things these days, when you think about it? Gen V is aware of its own limited relevance in the grand scheme of things but has embraced its small role with pluck and charm. It’s all part of its pinball patchwork of superhero tropes, romance, comic book baddies, thumpingly broad political satire and penises. Oh, so many penises. Enjoy!

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Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham eligible for NBA season awards

Lakers star Luka Doncic and Pistons standout Cade Cunningham are eligible for all 2025-26 season awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams, after their extraordinary circumstances challenge of the 65-game rule was approved by the NBA and NBPA on Thursday.

Doncic, who finished with 64 games during the regular season, missed two games in December because of the birth of his child abroad.

Cunningham, who played in 63 games, missed 12 games with a collapsed lung.

“The NBA and NBPA agreed that, taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Dončić, each player qualified for awards,” the league and the union said in a statement.

Minnesota‘s Anthony Edwards, who appeared in 60 games, filed a challenge as well. His case was advanced to an independent arbitrator, but his challenge was denied and he is not eligible for awards.

The statuses of Dončić and Cunningham were a major topic toward the end of the season. San Antonio‘s Victor Wembanyama — an MVP candidate and the likely defensive player of the year — got to the 65-game mark in the Spurs’ next-to-last game, and Denver‘s three-time MVP Nikola Jokic became qualified for this year’s awards on the final day of the regular season.

Jokic has been first or second in MVP balloting in each of the last five seasons and won the league’s rebounding and assist titles this season.

Nuggets coach David Adelman said last week that he hopes the 65-game rule is changed, somehow, this summer. He said if players like Jokic can play 64 games, never wanting to come out, and not be award-eligible, then something is wrong.

“That’s not the spirit of what that rule is,” Adelman said.

A number of players will be ineligible for most major individual awards this season because of the 65-game rule, including the Lakers’ LeBron James, whose 21-year streak of making an All-NBA team will end. Milwaukee‘s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State‘s Stephen Curry have also missed too many games to be eligible.

With the decisions on Dončić, Cunningham and Edwards now complete, the NBA is expected to send award ballots to the panel of reporters and broadcasters who cover the league in the coming days. It’s unclear when the announcement of award winners will begin.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Shapovalov vs. Fabian Marozsan Prediction, Odds to Win BMW Open

On Thursday, Denis Shapovalov (No. 39 in the world) meets Fabian Marozsan (No. 42) in the Round of 16 at the BMW Open.

Marozsan is the favorite (-150) in this match compared to the underdog Shapovalov (+115).

Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 2:35 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Denis Shapovalov vs. Fabian Marozsan matchup info

Tournament: BMW Open
Round: Round of 16
Date: Thursday, April 16
Court Surface: Clay

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Shapovalov vs. Marozsan Prediction

Based on the implied probility from the moneyline, Shapovalov has a 60.0% to win.

Shapovalov vs. Marozsan Betting Odds

Shapovalov’s odds to win match: +115
Marozsan’s odds to win match: -150
Shapovalov’s odds to win tournament: +1600
Marozsan’s odds to win tournament: +1200

Shapovalov vs. Marozsan matchup performance & stats

Shapovalov has a record of 3-4 on clay over the last 12 months.
Shapovalov has won 77.3% of his service games on clay over the past year and 27.4% of his return games.
On clay over the past 12 months, Shapovalov has converted 23 of 54 break points (42.6%).
Shapovalov was eliminated in the Round of 64 of his last tournament (the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters) 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 by No. 91-ranked Alexander Blockx on April 6.
Marozsan has played in seven tournaments on clay over the past 12 months, putting up a 9-7 record on that surface.
Marozsan is 139-for-181 in service games on clay (winning 76.8%) and 51-for-189 in return games (27.0%).
Marozsan has won 38.0% of break points on clay (38 out of 100) which ranks 52nd.
In his last tournament (the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters) on April 8, Marozsan played Hubert Hurkacz in the Round of 32 and was eliminated 2-6, 3-6.

This content was created for USA TODAY CO. using technology provided by Data Skrive.

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April 15, 2026 – MJF vs. Darby Allin for AEW World Title, More

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Tonight, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite becoming the longest-running primetime professional wrestling program in Turner Sports history with Spring BreakThru LIVE at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on TBS and streaming on HBO Max from Everett, Washington. The fallout from AEW Dynasty will be felt, and we’ll see three championship matches, including an AEW World Title match that could bring Darby Allin’s career full circle!

Allin will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship just 20 minutes from where he began his wrestling training, in a match that was made following the events of Dynasty, when Allin defeated Andrade El Ídolo to earn the AEW World Title shot, and MJF remained AEW World Champion following his main event victory over Kenny Omega. Can Allin achieve his ultimate goal of becoming AEW World Champion?

The TBS Championship will be on the line when Willow Nightingale defends against Kamille. On the day of Dynasty, Kamille made a shocking return to AEW and attacked Nightingale, leaving her too injured to hold a TBS Title open challenge. Now, Nightingale will get a chance to show why she’s the “Comeback Killer,” while Kamille tries to finish the job she started and become TBS Champion.

“The Jet” Kevin Knight outlasted the field in the Casino Gauntlet at Dynasty to win the vacant TNT Championship. However, there won’t be much time to celebrate because Knight’s first defense comes against Claudio Castangolo of the Death Riders tonight on Dynamite.

Jericho had his in-ring return at Dynasty spoiled by Ricochet. Tonight, we find out what Jericho has to say about his loss and what’s next when Renee Paquette interviews him live!

There’s so much more coming your way tonight on Dynamite Spring Break Thru!! Here’s your complete AEW Dynamite preview for April 15, 2026.

AEW Dynamite Matches, Preview for Everett

AEW World Championship Match: MJF (c) vs. Darby Allin

It’s only been three days since this AEW World Championship match was made official, but to both men, it feels like it’s been building since Day 1 of AEW.

Allin and MJF have met before, both before and during their AEW careers. It was the opening match of Full Gear 2021 where MJF famously beat Allin with a headlock takeover after using his Dynamite Diamond Ring. Despite the outcome, it was a defining match for both MJF and Allin, as both men raised their stock considerably under a PPV spotlight.

It was also the last time the two met one-on-one. Since then, they’ve had only three matches, most notably MJF retaining the AEW World Championship in a Four-Way against Allin, “Jungle” Jack Perry, and Sammy Guevara nearly three years ago at Double or Nothing 2023.

MJF had recently gone into business with Don Callis to keep Allin away from the AEW World Championship by any means necessary, but Allin wouldn’t go away. Callis put the red-hot Andrade El Ídolo in the way of Allin’s world title chase this past Sunday at Dynasty, and Allin found a way to beat him. The Don Callis Family certainly did some damage, yet Allin still found his way to an AEW World Title shot.

Deep down, MJF had to know that this day would come. He’s been dismissive of Allin in the past, but he’s also been around to see everything Allin has done to get to this point. Tonight, Allin is back in familiar territory for the biggest match of his life. Will he fulfill his burning need to become the AEW World Champion? Or does MJF continue his march toward wrestling immortality with his eighth successful defense in less than four months?

TBS Championship Match: Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Kamille

Kamille made a rude yet impactful return at Dynasty when she brutally attacked Nightingale before the event even began, knocking Nightingale out of action. After Kamille made short work of her opponent on Zero Hour, Nightingale tried to push through the medical staff to go after Kamille, but wound up getting laid out by Kamille once again. Nightingale agreed to give Kamille a shot at the TBS Title, but warned Kamille that she is the “Comeback Killer.”

After beating both Hikaru Shida and Queen Aminata in their returns this month, can Nightingale kill another comeback when she puts her TBS Championship on the line against the ruthless Kamille?

TNT Championship Match: “The Jet” Kevin Knight (c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli of the Death Riders

Knight had the biggest victory of his career at Dynasty when he entered the Casino Gauntlet in the #9 spot and pinned Daniel Garcia to become the new TNT Champion. After rising above nine other competitors to win the TNT Title at the expense of the Death Riders, tonight, Knight will have to defend it for the first time against another Death Rider, Claudio Castagnoli! How will Knight handle such a stiff championship challenge in a first-time meeting with Castagnoli?

Renee Paquette Interviews Jericho LIVE!

After a year away from the ring, Jericho returned to action at Dynasty against his hand-picked opponent, Ricochet. And despite an outstanding effort in his comeback, Jericho fell to Ricochet (who certainly got some help from his allies in The Demand) on Sunday night. Tonight, Renee Paquette will interview Jericho LIVE on Dynamite to hear what he has to say about his return match and what’s next!

Non-Title Match: Will Ospreay vs. CMLL World Heavyweight Champion Hechicero of the Don Callis Family

Despite a frustrating and emotional loss to Jon Moxley for the AEW Continental Championship just three days ago at Dynasty, Will Ospreay showed up to Dynamite looking for a fight. Ospreay has been cleared to wrestle, but he is not 100 percent. Tonight, Ospreay will try to get back on the winning side against the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion and “Mad Scientist of Professional Wrestling,” Hechicero!

“Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa vs. Dezmond Xavier of The Rascalz

Ciampa entered the Casino Gauntlet at Dynasty in the #1 spot, but he was unable to regain the TNT Title. His championship aspirations haven’t changed, so he’ll be back in action tonight against Dezmond Xavier of The Rascalz! This first-time one-on-one matchup should be an excellent clash of styles!

How to Watch AEW Dynamite

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Start Time: LIVE at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
Location: Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Washington
TV: TBS
Streaming: HBO Max

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