The Brunch round-up: The week and how it made us feel

Because even at gigs, Indians greet foreign acts desi style. Fans cheered for “jiju” when Nick Jonas got on stage at Lolla last week. His brother, Kevin, introduced him by that term too. For Sting, they chanted “Sting is king” before he performed. This is much better than the time, at another gig, when fans called out for Prateek Kuhad while the opening act was still on stage.

British actor Tom Hollander mentioned on a talk show that he once accidentally received Tom Holland’s (aka Spiderman’s) bonus cheque for Avengers. It was a seven-figure sum. Hollander’s initial joy waned once he realised that 1) it was for Holland and 2) Holland was only 20 years old. Of course, he had to give it back. What a terrible feeling.

Is it just us or were scratch cards more fun when we were younger? Find a coin or pen cap, scrub away at the metallic coating, find a cool free gift or a discount. Even GPay would deposit actual money in the early days of the service. Now it’s just rebates on things no one wanted in the first place. Boo!

An artist has tried to work out how long the 394-m-tall Godzilla’s legs need to be for him to stand upright in the sea. Some believe he just kicks his stumpy little legs to stay afloat. Others think he’s floating on his tummy. Our fav: The theory that Godzilla’s wearing platform heels. One commenter says, “Dude could be a Victoria’s Secret model.” Agreed!

Researchers with the BioRescue project have successfully impregnated a southern white rhinoceros through IVF. Sperm from a rhino in Austria was extracted, egg cells from a rhino in Belgium were collected, samples were fertilised in Italy, embryos were transferred to a rhino in Kenya. It’s taken 13 attempts! But this could be the key to saving other endangered species too. Come on, scientists. You’re our only hope.

Sofía Vergara, aka Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in Modern Family, has a dramatic role on Griselda (2024), in which she plays a drug lord in Miami. Come on, Sofia. Modern Family worked so hard to demolish stereotypes. And here we are back in the pigeonhole. At least the character is based on a real woman.

Reports are pointing to a trend among New York and London restaurants that may please the glutton in us all. Small plates and tapas-size portions are out. Individual plating is in. Hope that means bigger, better helpings! They’re also predicting the rise of hot cocktails (not spicy, but warm) and more seafood. Just give us proper portions, garçon.