We know it’s only the afternoon, but we think you should sip on a Martini tonight — specifically, a recipe from Senior Editor Amanda Gabriele (she’s half of the brains behind our drinks newsletter, The Spill). Before we get into that, here’s what you have to look forward to in today’s newsletter:

• Why some men prefer female friendship: It’s certainly not a bad thing, but experts suggest there are upsides to male bonding.
• Our interview with Luke James: The singer-turned-actor talks about his star-making turn on the horror anthology series THEM: The Scare.
• The best bracelets for men: It’s time to level-up your wrist game this spring.

Why Some Men Prefer the Friendship of Women

BY KIRK MILLER

There’s a hilarious line in a season 8 episode of The Simpsons that I’m going to take out of context. In the show, Marge is trying to convince Homer that his “festive” new friend John (John Waters) is gay.

Marge: “He prefers the company of men!”

Homer: “Who doesn’t?”

It’s an excellent line (great episode, too, and go ahead and go down a YouTube Simpsons rabbit hole for the next 20 minutes. I’ll wait.). But it’s also inaccurate, at least when it comes to me and friendships.

I prefer the company of women. Over the years I’ve found it easier to make lasting platonic relationships with females, whether through work, social events, friends of friends, etc. Even when I’ve outwardly pined for close male friendships, I’ve been hesitant to create those connections.

In yesterday's poll, we asked you which watch from this article was your favorite. Here are the results: 

• In last place: the Carrera Date 36, with 14.7% of votes.
• In third place: the Carrera Chronograph, with 23.3% of votes.
• In second place: the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, with 27.9% of votes.
• And the top pick: the Carrera Chronograph Skipper, with 34.1% of votes.

Luke James Would Love to Freak You Out

If there’s one thing to understand about Luke James, it’s that he’s done a lot, across all facets of the entertainment industry. Since the jack of all trades got his start singing backup for Tyrese, he’s written songs for the likes of Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Chris Brown. He appeared in Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” music video. He’s earned three Grammy nominations of his own for his impressive R&B catalog, and when the time came to branch out into acting, his range made him a natural on Broadway. And yet, his latest project is unlike anything he’s done before.

James delivers a breakout performance in THEM: The Scare, the second installment of Prime Video’s horror anthology series, which debuts today. As Edmund Gaines, an aspiring actor who works at a Chuck E. Cheese-style pizza place, he faces one too many rejections and slowly begins to lose his grip on reality in an extremely disturbing way.

IN THE NEWS

MLB treated a pitcher’s American flag patch like sticky stuff.

Scientists are looking for ways to make AI less racist.

There was a substantial doping scandal at the Tokyo Olympics.

This illness may be what causes the next pandemic.

Nauseous mice are helping with research on the human brain.

The Best Men’s Bracelets to Elevate Any Outfit

Bracelets say more about someone’s style than one might think, and with so many variations out there, you need not be pigeonholed. There are no hard and fast rules to this, and you should just wear what feels right. Authenticity is key here, however, and these accessories should serve as an extra 10% that add character, personality and originality to your look without overpowering it.

With so many different types of bracelets in the market, it can be dizzying. From luxury classics to niche artisanal brands — in a range of styles from leather to beads to precious metal — here are 10 of our favorites to consider.

This New Book Revisits the Origin and Making of “The Blues Brothers”

There’s a singular place where the histories of comedy, music and film all converge, and its name is The Blues Brothers. Saturday Night Live castmates John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd started a band to tap into the music that they loved, one that became wildly popular and led to a now-classic film that debuted in 1980. In his new book, The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic, Daniel de Visé explores the lives of both Aykroyd and Belushi, the music they made and the chaotic production of the film The Blues Brothers. It’s a fascinating look at the evolution of two comic geniuses and the birth of their unlikely musical collaboration. InsideHook spoke with de Visé about the book’s origins, the film’s legacy and what some decades-old VHS tapes have to do with it all.

COCKTAIL RECIPE: THE MARTINI

Shaken or stirred? With an olive or twist? Or, better yet, why not both? Check out The Spill's Instagram for the full recipe to your future new Martini. You're welcome.

The 15 Best Gyms in Chicago

There are a few things that there’s no shortage of in Chicago, like hot dog stands, summer festivals, hastily-built condos and — as you may be aware — places to work out. While finding the right gym for you may feel like a Herculean task, we’ve made the job a little easier by narrowing it down to our top 15 picks in the city. With a list that includes everything from athletic country clubs to boxing to rock climbing, we’ve got something for you, no matter your fitness goals.