NOVEMBER 3, 2026
‘YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING’ IS MUCH MORE THAN THE YEAR‘S BEST DOCUMENTARY The latest film by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, “You Can See Everything,” hit theaters nationwide on October 16 and quickly gained a massive amount of attention due to the overwhelmingly positive reviews...
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WE SHOULD’VE SEEN ETHAN KLIEN COMING
A GUIDE TO VOTING IN THIS YEAR’S MIDTERMS
The internet has been lit aflame following Hila Klein, founder of TeddyFresh and co-host of The H3 Podcast, announcing on Instagram that her husband, prominent YouTuber and the other half of the H3 podcast and brand, Ethan Klein, had been cheating on her for over six months...
The 2026 midterm elections will take place on Nov. 3 across the United States, with 435 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs as well as 35 Senate seats and 39 gubernatorial seats...
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THE TORCH’S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE 2026 MIDTERMS
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KEYSHAWN HALL HAS THE KEYS TO THE OFFENSE
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The Ultimate Guide to 2026 Midterms
What are the determining factors in one of the most consequential election cycles this century? Micah Grayson | Oct. 27, 2026
The midterms are a week away. Control of the House, Senate and numerous other positions is up for grabs, along with several important local elections/ballot measures in key states. Parsing through all the information can oftentimes be difficult during our busy lives. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the important factors and races that will determine the power balance across the country.
a democrat to win in such a deep red environment, a lot of people have to switch sides. If Paxton bucks the narratives surrounding his party’s decline in the state, it will be because he leaned on the loyalty of Republican voters to the MAGA movement. Michigan Senate Former Detroit public health administrator and Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed might be the most intriguing and talked-about Senate candidate in the country, running one of the most overtly left-wing campaigns. Money out of politics, money in your politics and Medicare for all have been the staples of his populist agenda. But many have pointed to his foreign policy positions as the true “radical” element of El-Sayed’s platform. He, unlike many of his peers, openly affirms that Israel committed a genocide in Gaza. He’s very blunt about the supposed failures of the Iran war, emphasizing his desire to fund schools in Michigan instead of bombing schools abroad. In debates, El-Sayed has claimed that his enemies have focused more on his personal endeavors than on his actual agenda for Michiganders. And while Republican nominee Mike Rogers has certainly been guilty, he’s had several of his own internal questions to answer. Rogers, a current U.S. representative running for the second time, has subtly attempted to distance himself from the president. He’s called for an end to the Iran war, despite several decades of backing an escalation in Congress.
The Countrywide landscape As is the case for most midterm elections, there’s one man at the center of discourse: The President of the United States. Donald Trump’s approval rating is at a historic low, with recent polls falling to 31 percent nationwide. There are several reasons for this, but one stands out as the most damaging and consequential to the race for Congress. This past February, his administration launched its second war on Iran, with the supposed aim of regime change and the annihilation of its nuclear program. The Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point through which 20 percent of the world’s oil goes through, provides the Iranians with an unparalleled point of leverage: the capacity to raise the price of oil and gas in the global marketplace, and most importantly, in the United States of America. The exacerbations in the global energy market have led to a climate in which Democrats are projected to win several seats in states where President Trump performed exceedingly well in 2024. In the polls, highly contested US Senate races in Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Alaska, North Carolina and Maine are all polling in favor of Team Blue. But Team Blue isn’t necessarily in good standing either, as only 30 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the Democratic Party. Maine Senate In generic ballots, polls that ask what party people prefer overall, Team Craziness. Not a word you would expect to describe anything related Blue leads by only six points, a smaller margin than in 2006 or 2018. to Maine, but in the case of the 2026 race for Senate, it might be an Each race, campaign and state-by-state issue will likely play just as understatement. important a role, if not more, than national trends. The incumbent, Republican Susan Collins, has been on the less Let’s go down the list of the most critical contests: tumultuous side. She has had an easier time dissociating herself from the president, as she’s always been one of the more dissenting voices Texas Senate within his own party. The Lone Star State has long been at the heart of the American Following the outsting og Graham Platner, Troy Jackson emerged conservative movement. There have been several Democrats with as the new candidate. And despite the chaos, he’s held a small but perceived chances to secure a victory leading up to the election, but consistent lead over Collins since joining the fray. things never seem to pan out as intended. He’s the most left-wing Senate candidate in the country not named This is what makes Democratic state representative James Talarico’s Abdul, and advocates for the policies Plater gained a significant following contest against state attorney general Ken Paxton’s one of, if not the for. most important races this cycle. Collins, in perhaps the biggest bombshell of this race, has also recently If Texas falls, the entire future of the Republican project could be in been accused of participating in a pay-for-play deal with a defense doubt. And if polls are any indication, the 37-year-old Round Rock contractor, despite the illegality of accepting military-related offers native has a legitimate chance to pull it off. during a campaign. Torch Photo/ Isabella Athanasiou He, like most of the Senate candidates, has centered his campaign While it may not have the same ripple effects as blue Texas, this race around a populist, affordability agenda, but he’s also made sure to deploy may very well be the deciding factor in who wins the Senate. uniquely Texan aesthetics, such as trucks, barbecues and football. Sullivan’s hopes lie with whether the MAGA base will turn out, and On the policy front, he’s also taken a fairly centrist stance on whether enough independents mistrust Peltola’s lobbyist background. immigration, committing to taking down the “drug cartels” and refusing to abolish ICE. He’s trying to pull hardline evangelical Republicans into his base. For
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Athletics Department Faces Challenges After Departures
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Ed Kull explained how staff changes have affected the Athletics Department. Dean Koutouratsas| Oct. 28, 2026
The St. John’s Athletic Department has been dealing with some challenges stemming from the recent departures of three longtime members. In an interview with The Torch, Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull described the exit of Joe Oliva, who retired earlier in October, as well as John Difley, Melissa Manno and other employees who were affected by the University’s layoffs in August as “tough” because of their institutional and personal connections to the University as alumni. “It’s challenging to try and fill those voids,” he added. “It’s not easy or possible to do that, so how do we continue to pivot and try to lean on others?” Asking others to take on more responsibilities can be difficult, especially if they don’t have the same level of familiarity with the task as those who previously held the role. However, Kull shared that this has been something “we kinda have already been doing at athletics” because of their institutional revenue-sharing model. The system, which launched on June 13, 2025, allows sponsors, alumni and fans to donate directly towards St. John’s through their “Red Storm Legacy Investment Fund” to help compensate student-athletes from the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The model has also led to more partnerships with notable organizations, such as Adidas and AlumniFi, which became the official Credit Union of St. John’s Athletics and the program’s first jersey patch spon-
sor. “It puts more of an emphasis on fundraising, revenue-generating opportunities and corporate partners,” Kull said of the revenue-sharing model. He added that the sponsorship can help create more jobs and internship opportunities for students seeking work experience. He is also taking an approach of looking “at this more efficiently and collaboratively.” “Change is never easily accepted, especially from a culture change,” Kull continued. “But, I think our folks are resilient and passionate. They’re gritty. We have to continue to lean on that.” Kull said that lay-offs are a situation that has affected all aspects of the University since it has to do with enrollment issues. He added that “it’s the nature of higher education.” In August, the University laid off dozens of employees as it underwent organizational changes to align with its strategic plan. 55 staff and administrative positions were let go without impacting any faculty positions. As a part of these lay-offs, the Athletic Department laid-off 13 employees. Kull claimed that the athletic department is doing the best it can, but that has involved “not only cutting operational budget, but unfortunately, employees and body counts.” They have also reduced the number of graduate assistants that they can employ.
Tip-Off Cancelled for Second Straight Year
Athletics department defends decision as students call for tradition’s return. Isabella Athanasiou | Nov. 3, 2026
St. John’s University’s annual Tip-Off celebration has been canceled for the second consecutive year, as the athletics department says it’s shifting spending toward other ways to engage students during basketball season, including giveaways and transportation to games, Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull told the Torch in a recent interview. Kull said the department is prioritizing game day experiences rather than hosting a concert, citing financial challenges facing the University. “Similar to last year, a decision was made efficiently to make sure we’re prioritizing food vouchers at games, more t-shirts, buses and transit needs to help students get to games, pregame stuff at Stout [NYC], Bourbon Street where all of that is in play and making sure we put our resources there,” Kull said. Tip-Off, a tradition dating back to 2007, usually previews the St. John’s men’s and women’s basketball teams ahead of the season at Carnesecca Arena, featuring giveaways and musical performances. Past events included performances from artists like Juice Wrld, Mac Miller, Sheck Wes, Desiigner and 2 Chainz. The last Tip-Off, in 2024, included a performance by Grammy-nominated rapper Quavo. Kull said the department has considered alternatives to hosting its own concert, including partnering with existing venues to give students access to performances. He also said he is open to holding a campus pep rally without a musical performer, a trend he said is being seen across college athletics beyond St. John’s. However some students expressed that the alternatives do not replace what Tip-Off offered to the campus community.
“We haven’t had an event to get us, the public, hyped since 2024-25 homecoming, and as a school it’s cool that we are starting to win games and become ranked, but we want people to know the names on the team besides Ian Jackson,” junior Edrissa Treira said. For sophomore Saniyah Munro, the event is a lost opportunity to meet people and become more involved on campus. “I am very sad as a sophomore student that we don’t have Tip-Off anymore. Coming into my freshman year, I feel like it would’ve been something for me to meet more people, get involved and get more acclimated to life here at St. John’s,” Munro said. However, masters student Brandon Cosby, an Athletic Facilities and Operations graduate assistant, who previously served as the RedZone committee’s game day operations chair and offered insight into the department’s decision to cancel. Cosby explained that, as both a fan and a GA, he understands the decision to focus on “increasing student engagement at games.” He pointed to vouchers, transportation, road trips and improved watch parties as part of those efforts, while recognizing student disappointment over the celebration not taking place. Kull noted the department continues to receive feedback through Student Affairs and the RedZone group, remaining open to suggestions for future events. “Between Student Affairs and the RedZone group, which really becomes our voice in those conversations, things have been well received, but I am open to ideas for anything that could be beneficial,” Kull said.
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Best College Study Spots
The best places to study on and off campus.
Katie Caruso | Oct. 28, 2026
St. John’s students are conveniently near several Queens Public Library locations, which offer the same benefits as the library on campus, but also host a multitude of other events depending on the location. If you want to make the most out of your academic experience, the library is the perfect spot for you. 4. ULC Also located in St. Augustine, St. John’s University has the University Learning Commons (ULC). Here, you can meet with tutors to go over your class materials. Remember, even if you think you understand the content in your classes, meeting with a tutor for a simple review will help you know if you definitely understand. It’s better to get ahead and practice what Torch Photo / Morgan McEachern you’ve just learned instead of cramming at the last minute. The ULC also allows you to utilize the facility for private study, and Now that we’re in the second half of the semester, many students are you can also book private study rooms to review material with your taking the time to get some studying done. However, studying at home friends. or in your dorm is not for everyone. Some students might want to jazz things up a bit and study in different places, but where are the best 5. Empty Classrooms places for students to study? Empty classrooms are perfect for studying or getting your homework done. If you check out the different buildings and class schedules, 1. Benches on Campus you’ll most likely find a great spot to study for a few hours. At St. John’s, there are benches scattered all over campus to sit and The other great thing about empty classrooms is that they’re spacious. relax on, offering the perfect spot for students to take a break and look If you want to study with others but don’t want to be a distraction in over their materials. a place like the library, an empty classroom allows you to converse and With the beautiful scenery, they offer the ideal place for students spread out your work as much as you need. to relieve stress while partaking in an activity that might be otherwise You also have the ability of using the computer and board to present stressful. information, as well as blackboards or chalkboards to write on. There are also some tables outside that make for a good study session, like on Marillac Hall Terrace. Unlike when you’re on a bench, a table 6. Cafés gives you the option to spread your things out, which might come in Cafés are a great spot to study because of what they offer. Some cafés handy depending on what you’re working on. have a working environment where the other patrons are all on laptops Students can also set up on the various benches located in the differ- being productive. This is a great way to get you into that mindset too. ent buildings on campus. Some of these spots also have nearby outlets It’s almost as if you’re being held accountable by strangers since there to charge your computer while you work, a necessity for many. Tobin seems to be a social norm to follow. also has some tables located on the second floor, another popular spot The other great thing about cafés is the easy access to food and drinks. for many students. These indoor spots offer the perfect place for stu- If you feel yourself losing stamina, you can always purchase a cup of dents to study once it gets too cold to stay outside. coffee or some snacks to wake you back up. Cafés are also another great spot to bring friends along, so if you 2. Great Lawn know you and your peers have some serious locking in to do, a café St. John’s University also has a beautiful lawn where students can might be a great spot to do just that. hang out. Besides being a good social spot, it’s also great if you want to get some work done. Students have the option to sit on one of the lawn chairs, or even bring their own towel or blanket and spread out on the grass. It’s a great change of scenery you might not have known you needed. 3. Libraries Libraries are a classic study spot, and have remained that way for good reason. St. Augustine’s third and fourth floors are great spots on campus that are perfect for getting everything done without much distraction. If you feel like you need a slight change of scenery, you also have the option of going to your local public library.
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Things To Do in NYC: Nov. 2-Nov. 8
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Your guide of things to do in New York City this week. Katie Caruso | Nov. 2, 2026
SKULLPANDA Off Mode Experience: Through Nov. 30 The toy brand, SKULLPANDA, created by Chinese designer Xiong Miao, is having an immersive pop-up in NYC located at 423 W. 14th Street. Here, visitors can experience themed rooms as well as exclusive merch from the brand. Their “off mode” collection is a newer series of blind boxes the brand is putting out surrounding the theme of being in an “off” state. These figures are supposed to highlight moments of relaxation and powering off, something we can all benefit from. Bryant Park Winter Village: Through Feb. 28 A seasonal tradition, Bryant Park reopened its winter village. Here, patrons can enjoy their
holiday shopping at many of the booths, as well as try some of the different foods available. The village also has an ice skating rink and igloos for people to enjoy. It truly is an experience that brings out the magic of the holiday season for everyone. OPI x M&M’S Mobile Bodega: Nov. 5 To promote their new holiday collection in collaboration with M&M’s, OPI is hosting a pop-up event with a mobile bodega in Times Square. At such a popular location, there are plenty of colorful items to check out and sweets to be had. To add to the excitement, visitors will also have the opportunity to meet food influencer, Courtney Cook at the event. RPZL Pop-Up: Nov. 6-8 RPZL, a hair salon and beauty brand located
in NYC, is hosting a pop-up at 178 Bleecker Street where they will have a custom engraving machine. They will also be bringing out some of their best-selling accessories as well as some surprises, so it’s best to not miss out! Care Bears Meet the Tree Day: Nov. 7 On Nov. 7, everyone is invited to see the new tree at Rockefeller Center, a perfect way to start up the holiday season. Care Bears and FAO Schwarz are hosting a holiday workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a celebration. Here, guests can meet characters, write letters, create keepsakes and take photos to document their experience.
A Guide To Voting In This Year’s Midterm Election
Whether you’re a first-time voter or seasoned voter, here are the steps you can take to vote in the 2026 midterms. Brianna Amelia Baez | Oct. 27, 2026
The 2026 midterm elections will take place on Nov. 3 across the United States, with 435 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs as well as 35 Senate seats and 39 gubernatorial seats. For first-time voters, the process can seem daunting, but it is the best way to make your voice heard. Who you vote for can impact your life in both small and big ways, on the local and national level. It might seem challenging at first, but voting in the United States is easy to do when you follow these steps. Research Your Candidates Researching the candidates running in your state is a great first step when it comes to elections. USA.gov has sample ballots where you can see who’s running for office in the upcoming election. Once you have that information, you can use nonprofit websites like VoteSmart.org to look into all candidates. Websites such as Ballotpedia.org also offer in-depth information on candidates, like the candidate’s voting records and whether they’ve held political office before. You can also go on a candidate’s website and see in their own words where they stand on the issues that matter the most to you.
Check Your Registration Many state websites as well as organizations like Vote.org offer a quick check of your registration status. If you’re not registered to vote, you can do so online. You do not have to register with a specific political party when you register to vote, nor do you have to vote only for the candidates in that political party if you choose to register with a political party. Some states allow in-person registration on election day. Here is a complete list of every state’s voter registration deadline. Vote By Mail You can vote by mail in all fifty states. The deadlines on absentee ballots differ by state. Vote.org has a complete list of the deadlines for both requesting an absentee ballot and submitting an absentee ballot. If you have registered to vote by mail, you will receive a ballot, certificate and mailing envelope. Once you open your ballot, you completely fill the oval next to the candidate you want to vote for in blue or black ink. You then fill and sign the certificate. Before sealing your ballot, double-check that you have voted for the candidate you want to vote for and completely filled out the oval next to their name. Make sure you have
filled out and signed the certificate completely, as any missing information can affect your ballot. Once those steps are completed, place the ballot into the certificate envelope and place the certificate envelope into the mailing envelope. You can then return your ballot by mail, a secure ballot box or a board of elections office. Your mail-in ballot cannot be returned to your in-person voting location on Election Day. Vote In Person To vote in person, the first step is locating your polling place and the times it will be open on Election Day. Each state’s official voting website has a polling place search tool, which will tell you where to go to vote and what times they will be open. Times differ from state to state. Thirty-six states require a form of ID to vote. If you arrive at a polling location before it has closed and the location closes while you are in line, stay in line, as you must be allowed to vote if you were there on time. Once you get to your polling location, poll workers will be there to guide you.
6 Opinion
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Fighting for the Future: Combat Sports Enter a New Era New ways to watch are giving fans greater access and athletes more opportunities across promotions. Isabella Athanasiou | Oct. 21, 2026
Combat sports have always extended beyond thePhoto/ biggest Torch Sky promotions, News Australia but fans have not always had an affordable way to follow them. As streaming takes down pay-per-view (PPV), the fight game is entering a new round, with new opportunities for fans and athletes alike. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) helped lead the way in 2021 when it signed a multi-year deal with Peacock, making the service the exclusive U.S. home of WWE Network and its live PPV events. The deal gave fans access to major wrestling showcases through the streaming subscription, requiring no separate purchases. In 2023, WWE and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) came under the same parent company, TKO Group Holdings, after Endeavor combined the two promotions. That partnership has since helped rework how both the scripted and real bouts reach audiences, including the UFC’s media rights deal with Paramount. Announced in August 2025, the seven-year deal took effect this year. UFC cards and Fight Nights in the U.S. now stream on Paramount+, with select numbered events also airing on CBS. The agreement includes 13 numbered contests and 30 Fight Nights annually, again eliminating a PPV fee for subscribers. Under the previous ESPN+ model, fans paid $12 per month for a subscription and another $79.99 on top for major fights. Following the UFC throughout the year became a test of who can keep paying, leaving fans who could not keep up on the sidelines. Paramount+ removes that extra charge, opening the door for more viewers to follow the competition. The deal averages $1.1 billion yearly, with UFC CEO Dana White believing it could bring back those fans who stopped watching because of the cost. “I think we’re going to pick up a lot of new fans, a lot of fans that fell off [who] couldn’t afford it,” White said. “The cost of UFC for the year is less than a pay-per-view was last year, and when you pay that, you get so much more — you get everything UFC, plus you get all their television shows, movies. I mean, you should buy Paramount+ right now just for ‘Landman’ and ‘MobLand,’ let alone UFC.” Reaching more fans is an important development, but the industry’s financial success raises another question: Are the athletes benefiting too? UFC fighter Sean Strickland recently criticized the promotion’s pay, arguing that some fighters receive too little compared to its biggest stars. “McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 seconds, and they don’t want to pay us a fraction of it,” Strickland said on X. Strickland added he is considering a move to light heavyweight in finishing his UFC contract before potentially “scrapping” Jake Paul for a different company. White responded that Strickland had signed a new contract in May, and disputed the figures he cited. Their disagreement alone does not settle the question of fighter pay, but it directly displays why athletes need opportunities beyond a single promotion, which they are beginning to get due to the increased visibility. More places to compete means additional income and more chances to develop their careers.
Real American Freestyle (RAF) offers that opportunity. The freestyle wrestling promotion has seen an influx of current and former UFC fighters, allowing them to compete outside the Octagon while enhancing talents that carry over into mixed martial arts. It has seen a growing rise in popularity, among both fans and athletes involved. UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan has credited RAF with improving his abilities. “And then RAF came. I started wrestling, and now, like, when I’m in the clinch or taking legs, or shoot double-leg takedowns, it’s way better than before,” Tsarukyan said. “So I improve my freestyle wrestling as well.” The relationship benefits all parties. Fighters gain another platform to compete, while RAF attracts attention from fans who already know its athletes from the UFC. To reach more of those fans, the promotion is experimenting with new ways to show its events, including a partnership with AMC Theatres. On Oct. 23, RAF 14 will be shown at select AMC Theatres locations nationwide. The card features Tsarukyan against Dillon Danis and Khamzat Chimaev against Robbie Lawler in freestyle wrestling bouts, live from Las Vegas. It offers an alternative to watching at home or attending an arena, bringing fans together to experience the event on the big screen. With AMC promoting the screening, RAF has a chance to introduce freestyle wrestling to people unfamiliar. If successful, the partnership sets a precedent for other promotions to reach new audiences beyond bland, exclusive broadcasts RAF is expanding closer to home, largely due to exposure, and hosting its first New York card on Dec. 19 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island. The wrestlers have not yet been announced, and the event will stream on Fox Nation, with no PPV charge. Streaming, and the attention that has come with it, will not solve every problem in combat sports, but it can change who gets to be part of its future. It is a step in the right direction, putting the focus back on the people who make the sport what it is. The future of the industry, and its success, will not be exclusive to the companies with the biggest deals, but will extend to the fighters willing to take chances elsewhere and the fans who follow them.
Photo Courtesey / YouTube ArmanTsarukyan
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We Should’ve Seen Ethan Klein Coming
How does the story of every “Wife Guy” manage to end in divorce?
104TH EDITORIAL BOARD JAMES WILLIAMS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ALEXANDRA PRETTITORE CO-MANAGING EDITOR ISABELLA ATHANASIOU CO-MANAGING EDITOR & CO-SOCIAL JACK BULIK NEWS EDITOR JASON PETRUCCI SPORTS EDITOR AND OUTREACH MANAGER DEAN KOUTOURATSAS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR SAMANTHA AGOURSALIDIS CULTURE EDITOR
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Eva Abraham | Nov. 3, 2026
The internet has been lit aflame following Hila Klein, founder of TeddyFresh and co-host of The H3 Podcast, announcing on Instagram that her husband, prominent YouCONTRIBUTIONS Tuber and the other half of the H3 All letters submitted for publication must podcast and brand, Ethan Klein, STAFF & CONTRIBUTERS include the author’s name, email, and affiliation had been cheating on her for over to St. John’s. Limit letters to 350 words. SubJoe Browne missions may edited for clarity. Please submit six months. Daniel Rios letters to Fans are in uproar scanning every Brianna Amelia Baez torchopinion@gmail.com Thomas Grasso piece of H3 media to find cracks Eva Abraham ABOUT THE TORCH in the Kleins’ marriage or proof The TORCH is the official, independent student of the suspected mistress. But can newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch we blame this on the work of any is written, edited, designed and produced by seductress or negligent wife, when students of the University. The TORCH is pubEDITORIAL POLICY lished throughout the week at torchonline.com. history told us this would happen? Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial There is a weekly newsletter on Wednesday BOARD of the TORCH. Columns and other The “wife guy,” while a new trope, afternoon, as well as a full digital publication content are the opinions of the authors(s) is now a quite played-out one. It’s each month and are not expressed in editorials, columns, the inverse of the classic idea of a letters or cartoons are not necessarily those ADVERTISING husband who can’t stand his nagof the student body, faculty or adminstration To advertise in The TORCH, contact torchads@ of St. John’s University. All contents are the ging wife. Instead, the “wife guy” gmail.com. Adverstisements can be purchased sole responsibility of the editors and the for placement on our website, in our newsletter loves his wife so much it becomes editorial board and do not necessarily repreand within our full digital publication. For more a defining characteristic of his pubsent the views of the administration, faculty information, please see The TORCH Media or students of St. John’s University unless lic persona. Ethan Klein, while still Package located on our website. specifically stated. mostly known as the controversial face of the YouTube channel h3h3productions and co-host of the H3 podcast alongside his wife, Interested In embodied this title through and joining the torch? through. Klein proclaimed his love for his Email us at: wife whenever he could. He repeated how lucky he was, revealed the song he wrote for her when they outreachtorch@gmail.com first started dating and even went so far as to tattoo a hyper-realistic portrait of her face on his forearm with the quote “the greatest thing a Interested In man can do for his children is love their mother.” He made a show of advertising with the torch? disgust when Ned Fulmer of The Email us at: Try Guys was exposed for his own affair in September 2022. Fans remarked that Ethan was different. The TORCH. St. John’s University O’Conner Hall
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However, here is where we should’ve developed some skepticism. Fulmer, while not the first wife guy, was the embodiment of the label. It’s what distinguished him from his other co-stars, and it’s what made his cheating scandal a national headline. It was reminiscent of John Mulaney’s scandal a year prior, who started a family with actress Olivia Munn, suspiciously shortly after separating from his wife who he constantly expressed his adoration for. In the reckoning of these scandals, perhaps we should’ve taken a moment to reexamine why the wife guy never works out, the pressure it amounts and the social currency it retails. Being a wife guy provided a shield for Ethan Klein. When his character was questioned because of his offensive jokes and comments, his love for his family would be used as evidence of his good heart. Perhaps Ethan’s incessant declarations of adoration started off genuine, but became a way to simply keep up the goodwill. As the controversies shifted from him to Hila due to a new re-examination of her former status as an IDF soldier, he no longer saw the value in being the wife guy or sticking through controversy with her as she did for him. If there’s any good to be brought from this, maybe this scandal will cause more people to examine other wife guys in pop culture and put an end to the whole charade once and for all.
8 Culture
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‘You Can See Everything’ is Much More Than The Year’s Best Documentary Nathan Fielder & Lance Oppenheim’s new documentary is a masterpiece in filmmaking. Brianna Amelia Baez | Oct. 25, 2026
Spoilers For “You Can See Everything” Below. The latest film by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, “You Can See Everything,” hit theatres nationwide on October 16 and quickly gained a massive amount of attention due to the overwhelmingly positive reviews. This is Oppenheim’s second hit of the year, with “Primetime” also receiving an incredibly positive reaction due to Oppenheim’s directing. Fielder, on the other hand, is known for creating very specific environments to get a targeted psychological reaction from people. Many went as far as to describe the concept of the film where Holmes and Fielder would be interacting as a master manipulator meeting another master manipulator. Fielder’s impact on the film is felt even more as Oppenheim stays behind the scenes for the most part. With Oppenheim firmly in the director’s chair, Fielder becomes another player in the complicated chess game that the viewer is witnessing. The film, despite being a documentary, feels like a real-life psychological thriller you can’t tear your eyes away from. The documentary follows Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, 34 days before she goes to federal prison for eleven years. She and her partner Billy Evans invite filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim to document the family in Holmes’ final days at home. What begins as an average documentary quickly shifts through very subtle moments at first. The viewer witnesses that Evans is quick to take control over situations for Holmes even when she doesn’t ask for it. Anything from whisking eggs to explaining a joke has to be controlled by Evans. Fielder can’t even have a conversation with Holmes’ father before Evans cuts the conversation short. Holmes and Evans also make multiple comments about their love and how connected they are to one another and as the film progresses, it quickly becomes clear this isn’t a clean-cut documentary. Fielder, known for usually keeping his cool and not being led into situations, is visibly frustrated at certain points in the movie, even yelling at Evans when he tries to tell him he knows how he feels. Evans’ need to control also causes friction between him and Fielder later on as Evans cuts an interview short and tries to stop Fielder from contacting Holmes in prison. It is also made clear that Fielder and Holmes’ dynamic is a very interesting one. From the very beginning of the movie, Holmes appears to be very close to Fielder, and the two even share an emotional goodbye when Holmes goes to prison. When trying to get in touch with Holmes later on in the film, Fielder updates Holmes on his personal life, which, combined with an earlier scene where the viewer sees personal text messages between Holmes and Fielder, paints the picture that Fielder is a somewhat unreliable narrator. The viewer quickly becomes entranced by the dynamic between Holmes, Evans and Fielder. Fielder’s unique way of getting information out of people is a highlight of the film as he tries to get the truth out of Evans and Holmes. It soon becomes clear, however, that Fielder, no matter how skeptical he is of Holmes’ intentions, is also lured into her manipulations. The film makes the viewer question if they really are seeing everything or if
Fielder has fallen into a trap Holmes and Evans have set. Fielder himself raises doubts about Holmes’ intentions and Evans’ actions when he finds out Holmes doesn’t know that Evans made a deal with A24 to get a cut of the movie’s earnings (Evans later backed out of this agreement before the film’s debut). It also raises questions as to who is really in control of the situation, as Evans quickly becomes the primary antagonist in Fielder’s, and therefore the viewer’s, perspective. The big twist of the movie comes when Fielder invites actress Amanda Seyfried, who previously portrayed Holmes and won an Emmy for her portrayal in the Hulu series “The Dropout,” into the fold. Once Seyfried is in the picture, the film takes even more mind-bending twists as Fielder has Seyfried act out events that happened between him and Holmes before the cameras were rolling. Fielder’s fascination with Holmes is seen when he and Seyfried are reading the scripts Fielder has written based on his off-screen interactions with Holmes, where Fielder goes as far as to tell Seyfried when she doesn’t sound like Holmes. As Fielder interacts with Seyfried, who has never met Holmes and therefore isn’t in her trance in the way Fielder is, the viewer begins to question what they’re viewing. Seyfried even acts as a voice for the audience, asking Fielder if he is sure he’s telling the story as it happened or if his feelings regarding Holmes are making him an unreliable narrator. The final shot of the film is a previously unseen moment between Holmes and Fielder swimming in the ocean, despite the fact that earlier Holmes seemed to not succeed in getting Fielder to swim with her. This leaves the viewer with the same question Seyfried seems to have. If Holmes convinced Fielder to do that, what else did she convince Fielder of? From start to end, “You Can See Everything” completes its mission of absolutely capturing the viewers’ attention for the complete runtime of the film, leaving audiences wondering what it is that they actually just saw.
Photo Courtesy / YouTube A24
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‘Whalefall:’ The Past Runs Deep
Culture 9
Austin Abrams takes on another intense role in “Whalefall,” a survival story with a deeper emotional core. Thomas Grasso | Oct. 28, 2026
Through its claustrophobic visuals, Austin Abrams’ performance and exploration of a broken father-son relationship, “Whalefall” turns a seemingly impossible fight for survival into a deeply personal story. The film follows college student Jay Gardiner, who returns home after his father, Mitt, dies. Jay sets out on a search for his father’s remains off the coast of California, but things take a terrifying turn when he gets swallowed by a whale. Now, Jay must find a way to escape before he runs out of oxygen. While the film is a survival thriller at its core, it is also about the broken relationship between a father and son. As Jay fights to survive, he must also come to terms with his complicated relationship with his father and the unresolved feelings he has carried with him.
attempt to escape. With his oxygen supply continuing to run low, this setback makes his situation even more desperate. The scene shows how every obstacle brings Jay closer to running out of time, making his fight for survival even more suspenseful. One-Man Show Like “Resident Evil,” which was released in September, “Whalefall” puts Austin Abrams at the center of another perilous situation where he spends the majority of the film alone. The film relies heavily on Abrams’ performance, as he spends most of the story trapped inside a whale, with the exception of flashback sequences featuring his father Mitt, played by Josh Brolin. With so much of the film focused on Abrams alone inside the whale, he has to keep the audience engaged throughout the story, which he does very well. His body language and reactions to everything happening around him make it feel like he really is trapped in that situation. Abrams has to balance Jay’s desperate fight for survival with the grief he carries following his father’s death. He brings both sides of the character together to create a memorable performance, establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s most underrated stars.
The Weight of the Past While “Whalefall” delivers an intense survival story, its emotional core comes from Jay’s complicated relationship with his father. Through flashbacks, the film gradually reveals the tension between the two and why they drifted apart. Photo Courtesy / YouTube 20th Century Studios In these scenes, Mitt is shown being very hard on Jay while training him to dive, even though Jay clearly has no interest in it. Other moFighting for Every Breath ments in the flashbacks show Mitt putting pressure on his son, but by While Jay is searching for his father’s remains, he encounters a sperm the end, it is revealed that he only wanted to prepare Jay for a world whale trying to escape a giant squid. Jay gets caught in the middle without him because he knew he was dying of cancer. of their struggle and ends up being swallowed whole along with the Jay eventually comes to terms with his father’s death and realizes squid. He eventually wakes up inside the whale, where the squid bethat the skills Mitt taught him are what can help him survive. He uses gins attacking him. Jay manages to outsmart and kill it, but the enthose lessons to find a way out of the whale, giving their relationship a counter leaves him seriously injured. Even after surviving the fight, he deeper meaning. The father-son relationship feels genuine and adds an still has to make his way through the whale and find a way out. emotional layer to the already intense survival conflict. The film does a great job of making the audience feel like they are “Whalefall” handles grief by showing how Jay learns to understand trapped inside the whale with Jay. The close-up shots surrounding his father’s actions and carry the lessons he taught him, even after he is Austin Abrams make the environment feel cramped, while the visuals gone. capture the isolation of being alone in the deep blue sea. The film also uses extreme wide shots of the whale from the outside to emphasize how small it is in the vast ocean and how isolated Jay is in his fight for survival. The film builds tension by giving Jay a limited supply of oxygen. As he struggles to escape, he has to carefully manage what little oxygen he has left, making every decision feel important. Jay’s limited oxygen supply creates a constant sense of urgency, forcing him to find a way out of the whale before he runs out of time. The danger becomes even more apparent when Jay makes his way into the whale’s stomach chamber, believing he is one step closer to freedom, only to discover another obstacle in his escape. As Jay begins crawling through the acidic stomach, he does not realize the damage the acid is causing until he looks at his hands. This forces him to retreat to the stomach cavity he came from, setting him back in his
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St. John’s Men’s Soccer Stuns UConn With Last-Second Goal A 3-2 come from behind win over the Huskies gives the Johnnies hope. Daniel Rios | Oct. 27, 2026
The St. John’s men’s soccer team pulled off a dramatic comeback on Oct. 27, scoring three goals in the final eight minutes to defeat UConn 3-2 at Belson Stadium. Trailing 2-0 late in the game, the Red Storm rallied behind goals from Cayden Walton, Henrik Ropstad and Luca Fargnoli. Fargnoli’s game-winner, scored with just 4.8 seconds remaining, capped off an improbable comeback and earned a spot on ESPN’s Sports Center Top 10 plays. UConn opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Max Gummesson found the back of the net off an assist from Alfonso Arredondo. The Huskies carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime, leaving St. John’s searching for an answer. The Red Storm attempted to respond in the second half but struggled to find an equalizer. Goalkeeper Nico Bezama kept the Johnnies within reach, making a crucial penalty kick save in the 66th minute to prevent UConn from extending its lead. However, the Huskies found their second goal in the 81st minute when Arredondo finished a pass from Elijah Langford, putting St.
John’s behind 2-0 with time running out. The Red Storm responded almost immediately. In the 82nd minute, Walton capitalized on an opportunity in the box to cut UConn’s lead to 2-1. The goal gave St. John’s new life as it pushed forward in search of another score. With the clock winding down, the Red Storm continued to apply pressure. In the 88th minute, Ander Gonzalez delivered a free kick into the box. After the ball deflected off Walton, Ropstad headed it into the net to tie the game at 2-2. With less than 10 seconds remaining, Scott Wilhelmsen caught the ball in the air and directed it toward Ropstad, who flicked it forward to Fargnoli. The junior collected possession before dribbling to his right and firing a right-footed shot into the lower-left corner for a game-winning goal with just 4.8 seconds left on the clock. Fargnoli’s finish capped off a night in which the Red Storm refused to surrender despite facing a two-goal deficit late in the contest. Walton and Ropstad contributed a goal and an assist, while Bezama recorded six saves to
keep the Johnnies in contention. St. John’s finished with a 15-11 advantage in shots and earned nine corner kicks compared to UConn’s five. The victory improved the Red Storm to 6-72 overall and 2-2-2 in Big East play, keeping its Big East tournament hopes alive with two regular-season games remaining. UConn, on the other hand, fell to 7-7-2 overall and 3-3 in Big East play. Torch Photo / Cassandra Casiero
Torch Photo / Sara Kiernan
Quinn Ellis Named to Preseason Watch List for Bob Cousy Award
The Red Storm point guard receives preseason national recognition.
Joe Browne | Oct. 27, 2026
St. John’s senior guard Quinn Ellis was named to the top 20 preseason watch list for the prestigious Bob Cousy Award on Oct. 26. Each year, the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame presents the Cousy Award to the nation’s top point guard. Ellis, who has yet to debut in collegiate basketball, earns the recognition for his performance overseas. Last season, Ellis led his previous club, Olimpia Milano, to a Serie A title in Italy. He took home MVP honors in the Italian Super Cup, an in-season tournament similar to the NBA Cup. In 64 appearances, Ellis averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. His international experience extends further, representing his native country of Great Britain on the senior National Team. This past summer at the 2026 FIBA EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers, Ellis averaged 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game across two outings.
After arriving in Queens, Ellis stood out in three preseason exhibition games, averaging 6.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. His 6-foot-5 frame and lengthy wingspan allow him to be a force on the defensive end of the ball. A major reason why head coach Rick Pitino was eager to bring Ellis to St. John’s was his expected impact on defense. He will match up with a handful of the nation’s top guards throughout the season. In preseason action, Ellis had his strongest defensive game in the quadruple overtime victory over Rutgers on Oct. 15, blocking four shots and collecting two steals. On the offense, the Red Storm will rely heavily on Ellis for his playmaking ability as their lead guard. His professional experience overseas is key in what is projected to be a highly competitive Big East conference. Ellis is one of three Big East point guards named to the preseason Cousy watch list,
joining UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. and Marquette’s Nigel James Jr. As the season progresses, the list of Cousy Award candidates will be narrowed to ten, and eventually down to five finalists. Ultimately, 98-year-old Bob Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee will select the winner. Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
SPORTS VOLUME 104:03, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 ISSUE
| TORCHONLINE.COM
keyshawn hall has the
keys to the offense
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
Jason Petrucci | Oct. 27, 2026
It may be difficult to fully commit to this St. John’s team full of pros. Five players are rostered over the age of 22, with extensive pro experience — ranging from the NBA G League to overseas leagues. There are many other reasons surrounding it, specifically: Keyshawn Hall. The fifth-year Auburn transfer isn’t technically fully “eligible,” but can currently play thanks to a temporary restraining order (TRO) granted by the Queens court — he is still waiting for the judge to rule on a preliminary injunction. That’s not the only reason there is skepticism surrounding the new Johnnie. Hall has been criticized in the past for his attitude and work ethic, culminating in a public benching on Feb. 14 when the Auburn coaching staff announced the forward was out “indefinitely” for failing to meet program stan-
dards. Although he returned a game later, his time with the Tigers is largely remembered as a friction-filled stretch — one where defensive lapses and visible frustration frequently overshadowed his undeniable scoring production. None of that matters now. Hall joining Queens signifies a new leaf, one where he could potentially be given the keys to an offense in need of a pure scorer. How Hall can lead the Red Storm offense Through three exhibition games, Hall flashed his ability to score at an elite level. His best performance came during their final rehearsal against Texas on Oct. 25, a team Hall has much familiarity with — scoring 24 points while shooting an efficient 8-for-14 from the field, also making it to the freethrow line nine times, making all
but one of the attempts. “Keyshawn Hall will only get better,” said Texas head coach Sean Miller when asked about Hall’s performance. “I would say you’re looking at one of the Big East’s overall best players there.” The strongest part of Hall’s game is his ability to work inside, not only attacking the rim with ease, but also consistently drawing fouls and going to the free-throw line. The 6-foot-7 forward drew over six fouls per contest, averaging six made attempts per contest — the ninth-best in the country, also making 85% of his 228 attempts. In his three exhibition performances, Hall made it to the charity stripe 23 times, missing just one of his attempts. Hall can also beat you from beyond the arc, being regarded consistently as a true three-level scorer. During the 2025-26 season with T
Auburn, Hall shot a strong 37.9% from three, also averaging four attempts — making close to two per night. Because of his unique mix of physical strength and a soft perimeter touch, Hall can serve as an elite offensive weapon, capable of pulling opposing big men out of the paint and forcing defenses to stretch, also opening lanes for teammates. “He’s a bucket-getter,” said Pitino. “He is one of the best one-onone players I’ve ever coached. He understands the game very well.” Eligibility will be key for the fifth year forward, potentially providing much-needed scoring in the Red Storm’s starting lineup, accompanying Tounde Yessoufou and Ruben Prey to round out a frontcourt that lacks true size. Behind Hall will be another forward-facing eligibility issue in Babcar Sane – who will appear in court on Nov. 9.