Latest from CinemaBlend

Macaulay Culkin's Return To Acting In A 2003 Crime Drama Should Be Talked About More

Rich Knight — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:05:00 +0000

If somebody says, “Macaulay Culkin,” I guarantee that 9 out of 10 people will likely think of Home Alone, which I suppose makes sense since it’s such a beloved classic, and Macaulay Culkin is the face of it.

For a lot of people, Christmas isn't Christmas without Home Alone, so for many, Macaulay Culkin represents the holiday itself. However, what if I were to tell you that one of his best NON-Home Alone movies wasn't just My Girl or The Good Son, but also a 2003 crime drama called Party Monster about the ‘90s New York City club scene?

If you’ve watched it, cool. But if you haven’t, let's talk. Oontz oontz oontz!

(Image credit: Strand Releasing)

Firstly, Party Monster Was Essentially Macaulay Culkin's Return To Acting

Take a look at Macaulay Culkin's filmography, and you'll see that he had an extremely busy 90's (he's even in one of my favorite horror movies, Jacob's Ladder!). However, you’ll also notice that his career came to a screeching halt after 1994’s Richie Rich. In fact, when looking at his best movies, you'll likely surmise that most of his best films are from when he was a child.

In pursuit of actually living a “normal” life, he decided to leave acting for an extended hiatus, and when he returned, it was with a way different image in the movie, Party Monster, which is based on James St. James’ memoir, Disco Bloodbath.

In the film, Culkin plays the real-life club promoter, Michael Alig, a.k.a the “King of the Club Kids,” while Seth Green plays his friend, James St. James, who really introduces Alig to the club scene in the first place. Culkin’s role is surprising in this film, though, because he plays a drug addict who later becomes a criminal, which is a far cry from playing Richie Rich, I'll tell you that much.

(Image credit: Strand Releasing)

If You Have Any Sort Of Desire To Learn More About The New York Club Culture, This Is Your Movie

Another reason why I think more people should talk about this film - besides Macaulay Culkin, of course - is to learn more about the club scene back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Now, growing up in the ‘90s, I clearly remember three things about people who went clubbing on a regular basis - one, they always had glowsticks on hand, two, they were perfectly okay with hooking up with sweaty strangers, and three, they were usually fond of drugs…typically ecstasy.

And, this movie definitely covers two out of the three quite well, as there’s lots of sex, and lots of drugs. But, what I also like about the film is how it covers the LGBTQ+ aspects of the New York club scene. Marilyn Manson is in the movie, vamping it up, and Macaulay Culkin plays an openly gay character in Michael Alig, and it’s all just wonderful to see.

Not so wonderful is the drug use. In fact, all of the problems Michael Alig experiences (including his ultimate crime) are due to drugs, and the problems that come along with them. That’s why this film really resonates with me, since I knew kids who were deeply into drugs and partying, and sometimes took me along for the ride (I peaced out, though, when they started popping pills). This movie showcases all of that really well.

(Image credit: Strand Releasing)

It's An Early 2000s Gem, And One You Should Check Out To Take You Back To The '80s and ‘90s

Though I wouldn’t consider Party Monster to be one of the best movies of the 2000s, I would say that it’s one of the best representations of a certain part of the ‘90s.

Party Monster is loud, colorful, in your face, and violent, but it also has a sort of strange detachment to it all. A lot of this is due to Caulkin’s performance, but it also has to do with the filmmaking itself, which puts us at the heart of the club scene, but also feels like it’s keeping us away somehow.

It’s a film that, if you lived in that era, you’ll recognize the whole vibe and energy. And, if you happen to miss that bygone time, might I suggest this early 2000s gem?

I Was Shook By Wall-E Director's Story About How Alien Inspired The Pixar Film

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

I would not have guessed that WALL-E, one of Pixar’s best, and Alien, one of the best horror movies of all time, shared any real creative wiring beyond the whole “outer space can get weird” of it all. But according to WALL-E director Andrew Stanton, Alien helped inspire the flick in a way that has me shook.

In a recent appearance on the How I Write Podcast, Stanton explained how he knew WALL-E would be mostly dialogue-free, so the script itself had to prompt readers to slow down and absorb the action, emotion and rhythm of the movie rather than rushing ahead to the next spoken line. That is when he looked to Walter Hill’s 1979 draft of Alien. He explained:

I read a script that Walter Hill had done, a draft for Alien in 1979, and there’s not a lot of dialogue in the first 10, 15 minutes of that movie. And you read the script, and he sort of broke all the rules and did these little left-justified haikus that were like four lines at a time or four or five lines or would just break a line. Nothing would go all the way across the page. It looked to your eye like dialogue, and he broke it at the rhythm that he wanted you to read it.

That is such a fascinating micro lesson in screenwriting. The way the longtime Pixar creator describes it, he gets at something most casual moviegoers never think about and that is that a script is not just a blueprint for what happens but also teaches the reader how to feel the movie's pace. In Hill’s case, that sparse formatting helped create dread through silence and tension.

For Stanton, the same trick served a completely different emotional purpose. WALL-E is not trying to scare you in its opening stretch. It is trying to get you to sit with this little machine as he moves through an abandoned Earth, cleaning up after humanity and collecting scraps of meaning from all the junk left behind. If a reader skimmed through that, they would miss the whole point.

Stanton explained that he borrowed Hill’s formatting so people could not “cheat” their way through the page. He wanted the screenplay to force the same kind of patience that the finished movie would ask from an audience. He continued:

I just kind of adopted that same thing so that you would not cheat, you wouldn’t read ahead. In Walter Hill’s script, it would say something like, “The door opens,” and then there’d be a whole break, and then “steam,” just the word, and then another description of other doors opening. It makes it sound like those are the moments worth savoring versus “get to the point.” That’s what I wanted for WALL-E. I wanted you to read it the way you’re going to ultimately watch it, and be at the rhythm and slow down your heart rate and be at the pace that ultimately is what you saw in the end movie. So it was really inspirational.

I love this because it makes total sense once he explains it. WALL-E works because it trusts silence. The Alien connection is especially cool because Stanton was not borrowing monsters or horror imagery but rather the screenplay’s architecture. A way of arranging words on a page. A way of telling the reader, “No, stay here. This moment matters.”

That is exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes craft detail that makes me want to rewatch WALL-E immediately. The movie already felt like a small miracle, but knowing that part of its rhythm was shaped by one of the greatest sci-fi horror scripts ever written adds a strange new layer. Now that I have this bit of behind-the-scenes knowledge rattling around in my head, I kind of want to fire up my Disney+ subscription and revisit WALL-E with fresh eyes.

As for Stanton, he has another major new Pixar project on the 2026 movie calendar, as he directed Toy Story 5, which is currently playing in theaters.

Toy Story 5 Lassos Another Big Box Office Win, But Just How Bad Was Supergirl’s Debut?

Heidi Venable — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:52:47 +0000

Movie lovers came out to play this weekend, but unfortunately for the new releases — Supergirl and Jackass: Best and Last — it was the toys everybody was talking about. Toy Story 5 reigned supreme at the box office again, falling just 56% from its record-breaking opening to rope in another $70 million domestically. Supergirl, meanwhile, hit the 2026 movie release calendar to the tune of $38 million in the U.S. and Canada, but is there hope for the DCU’s sophomore feature?

I’ll break that down, as well as what happened to the final Jackass movie, which along with Disclosure Day, fell below — surprise, surprise — Obsession, which maintained its No. 3 spot this weekend after 45 days in theaters.

First, however, let's take a look at the Top 10 chart. (Any * denotes a new release.)

Weekend Box Office: June 26-28

TITLE	WEEKEND TOTAL	DOMESTIC TOTAL	LAST WEEK	THEATERS
1. Toy Story	$70,000,000	$297,241,642	1	4,425
2. Supergirl*	$38,000,000	$38,000,000	N/A	3,602
3. Obsession	$9,800,000	$233,903,000	3	2,965
4. Jackass: Best and Last*	$8,400,000	$8,400,000	N/A	2,855
5. Disclosure Day	$8,100,000	$94,384,000	2	3,357
6. Backrooms	$4,315,190	$184,185,938	4	2,396
7. Scary Movie	$3,000,000	$103,524,000	5	2,004
8. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity*	$1,954,000	$2,954,000	N/A	943
9. The Mandalorian & Grogu	$1,600,000	$175,253,370	7	1,250
10. Leviticus	$929,280	$5,366,463	9	965

Supergirl’s Opening Falls Below Expectations

There was reason for concern going into this weekend for Supergirl, with Milly Alcock even admitting a flop was one of her biggest fears just days ahead of its release. Projections started to look comparable to The Marvels, and that’s not a good thing. The 2023 MCU film debuted to $47 million, which was the lowest opener for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. Supergirl didn’t even reach that, drawing $38 million (though on an admittedly smaller budget).

Domestic expectations for the Milly Alcock flick ranged from $39 million up to $55 million, which even if it had landed on the higher end would have been a tepid start for a summer tentpole. Supergirl didn’t get much help overseas, either, earning just $30 million more, per The Numbers, for a global total of $68 million. With a reported budget of around $175 million, it will need to gross between $315 million and $375 million to break even.

How did Supergirl's debut compare to last year's Superman?

2025's Superman starring David Corenswet earned $125 million domestically over its three-day opening weekend and went on to earn $618 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run. Milly Alcock's Supergirl brought in $38 million from Friday to Sunday.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

How Critics Rated This Week’s New Releases

Reviews for Supergirl didn’t exactly help to hype the movie up, though they weren’t all as bad as one critic’s viral thrashing. Sometimes a good Rotten Tomatoes’ audience rating or high CinemaScore grade can indicate that word-of-mouth advertising will lead to longer legs in the box office. Take a look at how this week’s new releases were graded:

RANK/TITLE	RT CRITICS	RT AUDIENCE	CINEMASCORE
2. Supergirl	56%	77%	B-
4. Jackass: Best and Last	88%	85%	A-

Moviegoers were slightly kinder to Supergirl than the critics. It will be interesting to see what the slow start means for upcoming DCU movies, especially those based on lesser-known characters like Clayface, which stars Tom Rhys Harries and hits the big screen in October.

Meanwhile, critics and audiences alike seemed to approve of Jackass: Best and Last. However, reviews of the Jackass swan song didn’t help it much with ticket sales.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Jackass: Last And Best Sees Franchise-Worst Opening

The final chapter of the quarter-century-old stunt show was both the highest-rated on Rotten Tomatoes and lowest-earning of the franchise. Jackass: Best and Last’s 88% on RT is slightly higher than Jackass Forever’s 86%, but the box office debut numbers tell a much sadder story. In order of best to worst opening weekends are:

Jackass 3D (2010): $50.4 million
Jackass: Number Two (2006): $29 million
Jackass Forever (2022): $23.2 million
Jackass: The Movie (2002): $22.8 million
Jackass: Best and Last (2026): $8.4 million

Jackass: Best and Last does feature new stunts, but those are mixed in with plenty of old clips. Also, Johnny Knoxville’s past concussions and brain injuries — namely his “catastrophic” run-in with a bull — require that he not be hit in the head anymore, meaning that he wasn’t able to partake in the more extreme events of the latest film.

I’m not sure if those factors played into low turnout in theaters, but with the movie seeing such high praise, maybe there’s hope for future weeks. Either way, the movie only cost a reported $10 million to make, so this isn’t in any way a disaster.

(Image credit: VIZ Media)

BLEACH Anime Event Nabs A Top 10 Spot

Anime fans have a reason to celebrate this week’s box office, as their combined forces put BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity into the Top 10. Fathom released the first three episodes of the series’ final season in theaters before they hit streaming, where the compliation earned $1 million on opening night Thursday and an additional $1.95 million Friday through Sunday.

The special release was a limited four-day event (June 25-29) that included behind-the-scenes content and an exclusive interview with creator Tite Kubo. BLEACH is a series that’s perfect for first-time anime watchers and can be streamed with a Hulu subscription.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Will Minions & Monsters Mean Trouble For Toy Story 5?

Speaking of disasters, those chaos-causing yellow blobs are returning to the big screen with Minions & Monsters being released Wednesday, July 1. The midweek debut corresponds with the opening of the new Universal Kids Resort theme park in Texas (which my pre-teen loved, despite the park being geared toward younger kiddos).

I'm not sure there's anything that could stop a Despicable Me spinoff from doing gangbusters at the box office, but it certainly won't hurt that reviews for Minions & Monsters are calling it the best of the whole franchise. How do you like them bananas?

According to Coming Soon, the new Illumination animated offering is projected to bring in between $75 million and $85 million next Friday through Saturday — and up to $115 million over the five-day holiday weekend. That’s more than enough to knock Toy Story 5 from the top spot, and with what I’d imagine is a pretty big overlap in audience, I'm curious as to just how far Buzz, Jessie, Woody and the gang will fall.

We’ll find out next week, so make sure to hit up your local theater and then join me back here next Sunday to look at how the box office plays out!

I Thought Fans Would Be Pretty Aligned About Their Fave NCIS Shows. I Was Very Wrong

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:35:11 +0000

NCIS is one of the biggest crime procedural franchises in the world, and for as long as I've been a fan, I always assumed the flagship series was the favorite. That was up until I saw the question posed online, and learned that opinions on which is the best spinoff vary wildly from person to person.

As we wait for NCIS, NCIS: Origins, and the brand new NCIS: New York spinoff to come to the 2026 TV schedule, Reddit is in a debate on which show is the best. This includes the original series it was a spinoff of, JAG, and it feels like everyone has a different take:

NOLA is my absolute favorite but Origins is coming for that spot tbh - RedditLeaveMeAlone2o
NCIS origins, NCIS , Fin. The other spinoffs are lame - NotAUserNamm
I loved the NCIS Hawaii and I was really surprised it didn’t get at least one more season. I haven’t seen many of the others, I saw the early original NCIS so I’d say that was better then Hawaii but Hawaii was better than original NCIS from after I stopped watching purely because original NCIS had lost my attention - Wild-fleurs
NCIS, NCIS LA, Never saw the others. I think I saw a couple epsidoes of NOLA and it wasn't for me. - WhatTheJessJedi
I feel like original NCIS needs to be broken into groups of seasons. Must see in the beginning, not so much now. - lalamarie513

Here I thought everyone was in agreement that the original NCIS was superior to all others! Speaking personally, I was never able to latch on to any of the spinoffs in the way I was the the original, and maintain it's doing things as great as ever with its latest season finale. Now I'm finding out everyone may not be on the edge of their seat waiting to see who was shot between McGee's son and Torres?

Also, for what it's worth, one the commenters above noted the absence of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, conceding that they think of it as a standalone series. But then the lone streaming series of the bunch didn't seem to land at the top of anyone's picks.

Why Seth Rogen Hasn't Directed A Movie In More Than A Decade: ‘Not The Biggest Problem Anymore’

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Seth Rogen has not exactly been sitting around for the past decade resting on his laurels. The man has acted in, produced, and wrote for various new TV shows, from live-action to animation, with The Studio becoming one of the buzziest Hollywood comedies of 2025, with a second season on the way. But when it comes to big-screen movies, he and longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg have been absent from the feature side since 2014, and he explained why that's been the case.

Rogen addressed that long break with The Hollywood Reporter, while attending the Los Angeles premiere of Olivia Wilde’s stress-inducing new movie The Invite, in which he stars alongside Wilde, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. His reason for staying away from directing films is pretty understandable, given the last movie he and Goldberg directed together was The Interview. He said:

It has been a while. The last one we did almost started a war, so that made us maybe a little gun-shy for a little while. We eased back in through television and it seemed to go well, so we do talk about maybe, hopefully, directing a film next year actually. We’re not the biggest problem anymore.

That is a very funny line about a situation that was, at the time, not funny at all. The Interview starred Rogen and James Franco as journalists who land an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, then get recruited by the CIA to assassinate him. The comedy became the center of an international incident, with the North Korean government threatening the United States over the film, and with Sony Pictures later being hit with a massive cyberattack.

Being “a little gun-shy” after such an ordeal seems fair. Most filmmakers worry about opening weekend numbers, bad reviews or studio notes, but everyone involved with this movie had to deal with it becoming a diplomatic headache and a corporate security nightmare. That is the kind of thing that might make someone look at the director’s chair and think, “Maybe non-dictator-focused television sounds nice for a while.”

And television really has been a way back in. The Superbad duo have directed multiple TV episodes since The Interview, most notably with The Studio, which gave Rogen a chance to satirize Hollywood from inside the belly of the beast. That feels like an appropriate reentry point after a movie that caused actual global fallout. A series about studio panic probably feels near-cozy in comparison.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

The industry has changed quite a bit since Rogen and Goldberg's last big-screen directorial effort in 2014. Hollywood now has plenty of problems fighting for the crown: streaming confusion, theatrical uncertainty, franchise fatigue, AI anxiety, runaway budgets and a comedy market that has become much harder to navigate. Compared with all that, two guys wanting to direct another movie sounds almost charmingly old-fashioned.

For now, the Freaks and Geeks alum is back in actor-only mode with the 2026 calendar release of The Invite, and he sounded pretty happy about that, too. He joked that it was nice to see a miserable production conversation happening nearby and realize he did not have to be part of it, leaving him free to scroll social media and talk to Edward Norton instead. Honestly, that sounds like a tiny vacation for a guy who is usually juggling several creative jobs at once. Whatever stress went into making the movie seems to have paid off, too, since the new A24 flick has a Rotten Tomatoes score high enough to leave me shook.

He also praised Wilde, who both stars in and directs The Invite, saying he found her bold as an actor and filmmaker. That probably carries extra weight from someone who knows exactly how hard it is to do both jobs at once without setting your own brain on fire.

Whether Rogen and Goldberg actually direct a new movie next year remains to be seen. But after more than a decade away from features, it sounds like the door is finally open again.

The Invite is now playing in theaters, so be sure to check your local listings for showtimes.

Adults Who Saw Toy Story 5 Are Mercilessly Trolling Those Girls Who Were Mean To Bonnie

Nick Venable — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t seen Toy Story 5 in its entirety, so be warned if that applies to you, pardner!

I Went To HersheyPark For The First Time In Over A Decade, And 3 Things Were Better Than My Last Disney Trip

Corey Chichizola — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:05:00 +0000

There's nothing like a good theme park, and I've had some great times from local ones to the magic of a trip to Orlando for Walt Disney World. As a New Jersey native, I recently crossed state lines for a few days at HersheyPark, my first time in that particular venue in well over a decade. I didn't know what to expect, but had an absolute blast. What's more, there were three ways that the chocolate-y destination actually beat my most recent trip to Disney. Let's break it all down.

I'm admittedly not a hardcore theme park junkie, so I went into both Hershey and Disney World with an open mind. While I could have spent my entire trip in the latter park at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, I was shocked by how chill and low-stakes HersheyPark ended up feeling. Let's break it all down.

The 3 Ways Hershey Beat Disney World (For Me)

I recently went to HersheyPark with some family, complete with a four (and a half) year old. I expected the wild crowds of Disney World, but that wasn't the case. Instead, it was an easy-breezy few days, where I was able to easily get refreshments, walk around the park, pose with characters, and even walk right onto attractions without having to wait on a line. Hershey does indeed have a Fast Track option that lets you skip the line like Disney's Lightning Lane, but it wasn't necessary when I went.

I will admit that my days at HersheyPark were in the middle of the week, so that might be a contributing factor to the lack of crowds. But even on its busiest day, I can't imagine the park being anywhere near as crazy as Rope Drop at Disney.

(Image credit: Hershey)

There's another aspect of my time at Hershey that I thought stood above my time at Disney World. Namely, you can buy alcohol and take it with you as you walk around the park. This was a lovely surprise after my last trip to Disney, as booze is only permitted in EPCOT and certain select restaurants in the other parks. I spent a few days walking around Hershey with the aforementioned four-year-old, and being able to enjoy a nice cold beer as he rode the Trailblazer ride for the eighth time was a game changer.

The third point of victory over Disney is the fact that one ticket to HersheyPark gave you full access to the park, including its water park attractions. There's no need for a park hopper or shuttles; you just needed to bring a bathing suit and enjoy the various attractions at The Boardwalk.

The entire trip felt like a much lower-stakes situation, where one could easily go on rides and get refreshments without having to program it onto an application and follow a strict schedule. So I found myself much more relaxed than at Disney World, which is a huge (expensive) undertaking. Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges, but it felt like a whole new way to experience a Theme Park.

Bam’s Parents Get Real About Jackass Stunts: ‘Thank You For Crashing A Lot Of Stuff I Cared About’

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 19:15:00 +0000

It's the end of a nearly 30-year legacy with Jackass: Best and Last landing on the 2026 movie calendar this weekend. On that note, there are plenty of ways to thank the Jackass crew for years of some of the funniest and nude-heavy stunts imaginable. But April Margera may have found the most fitting one: thanking them for destroying her house. That sounds ridiculous anywhere else but, when it comes to this wild franchise, it is practically a family toast.

Bam Margera’s parents, April and Phil Margera, shared a sweet and very funny message to the crew in a video posted by the official Jackass Instagram account. It's fitting this comes amid the release of Jackass: Best and Last, which has been framed as the franchise's farewell ride. You can see the video below:

A post shared by jackass (@jackass)
A photo posted by on

The former reality TV regulars were never just relatives hovering at the edge of the frame. Thanks to MTV staples Jackass and Viva La Bam, not to mention the larger CKY orbit, the Margera household became one of the franchise’s most recognizable locations. It was a home, sure, but it was also a staging ground for chaos. If something could be broken, startled, sprayed, crashed into or otherwise turned into a problem for “Ape” and Phil, there was a decent chance it happened there.

That is what made Bam Margera’s mother’s thanks so perfect. She shared a funny yet heartwarming message, saying:

Thank you for ruining my house. Thank you for coming in and crashing a lot of stuff I cared about. And, thanks for being friends and always including us.

Needless to say, most parents would not look back on people wrecking their belongings and land on gratitude. April, somehow, can. That is part of why fans have always loved her. She was often exhaustedly furious with her son's antics, and usually justified in that reaction, but she also brought warmth to the madness.

Phil’s message was more straightforward, but no less heartfelt. He said:

Hi, Jackass crew. You guys are awesome. All the actors, all the filmmakers, all the producers, you guys are fantastic, and I see that everybody truly loves each other, including Bam. He loves all you guys!

That last part hits a little differently, given how complicated Bam’s history with Jackass has become over the years. The former stunt performer has said in the past that he is done with the franchise, and he did not film anything new for the fifth and final movie. As public and painful as the rift between former castmates has been, it is great to hear his dad share some love. All in all, Phil’s comment keeps the focus on what always seemed to sit underneath the stunts: real affection.

The franchise worked because viewers could tell these guys were not just coworkers chasing a bit. They were friends, brothers, collaborators, lunatics and occasional human bowling pins. The fan-favorite mom then added one more thought:

And we are honored to be part of it. I know you said this is the last, and I never know. I keep always looking over my shoulder.

That is the most Jackass possible way to describe closure. Even when everyone says it is over, April Margera still sounds like a woman who knows better than to relax fully. Somewhere, in some corner of her mind, a prank is still waiting.

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It feels like the unofficial Jackass house parents are speaking from the exact place fans remember them from. While they were dragged into the circus because their son was part of it, I'd like to think that over time, they became an emotional anchor of that circus. And, judging by their message, they also gained a second family and, for Jackass, that feels about right.

Jackass: Best and Last is now playing in theaters, so be sure to check your local listings. If you want to revisit the previous films in the franchise, or any of the many spinoff series, they’re streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

How Today Is (Allegedly) Making Plans In Case Savannah Guthrie Steps Away Again

Heidi Venable — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:35:00 +0000

It’s been five months since Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy went missing from her home in Arizona, and while The Today Show anchor returned to work in April after a two-month leave of absence, the efforts to find the 84-year-old are very much ongoing. In fact, as new ransom note details are reported and Guthrie pleads on air for someone to step forward, NBC is allegedly preparing for if she has to step away again.

Despite all the national attention Nancy Guthrie’s case has received, a large reward being offered and allegedly hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on private investigators, there have been no arrests made or suspects named. According to Naughty But Nice podcaster Rob Shuter, network executives reportedly are ready, should there be a break in the case that would require Savannah Guthrie to leave again — or if the whole ordeal just becomes too much for her. A source said:

Everyone is deeply worried about Savannah. She’s showing incredible strength on camera, but every new twist is another emotional blow. No one expects a daughter to carry this kind of heartbreak while hosting live television every morning.

I can’t imagine what Savannah Guthrie and her family are going through, and she even admitted on The Today Show they are “in agony.” Experts predicted in April that she might be “more visibly shaken” when she returned to the morning show, and insiders have reported that Guthrie has gotten emotional during commercial breaks.

If the longtime anchor does eventually need to step away for any reason, NBC is reportedly prepared, as Rob Shuter reports that Hoda Kotb has allegedly been put on standby. According to a source:

Hoda didn’t hesitate. She made it clear she’ll be there the moment she’s needed. This isn’t about replacing Savannah—it’s about protecting a friend. Right now, everyone wants Savannah focused on one thing: finding her mother.

Hoda Kotb filled in for her friend and former colleague earlier this year, when Savannah Guthrie went to Arizona to assist in the official investigation, and she apparently is ready to do it again if and when she’s needed.

(Image credit: NBC)

Savannah Guthrie, however, seems determined to stay the course, regardless of co-workers' alleged concerns. A third source said:

She’s exhausted, heartbroken, and doing everything she can to stay strong. Everyone is praying this nightmare ends soon because nobody knows how much more one person can endure.

On May 6, Savannah Guthrie abruptly left The Today Show about 90 minutes into taping with no explanation, but Craig Melvin did explain why she wasn’t there for a handful of more recent episodes — apparently she started work on the new NBC game show Wordle.

I think everybody’s hoping that this nightmare will end for Savannah Guthrie, but it’s good to know she’s got people looking out for her and friends like Hoda Kotb, who will allegedly continue to be there if needed.

Tune into The Today Show weekdays on NBC to see what Savannah Guthrie and the rest will be talking about next.

Kourtney Kardashian Reportedly Has Beef With Kris Jenner, And Scott Disick Is Involved

Caroline Young — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:05:00 +0000

There is drama swirling around the Kardashian family, or maybe "within" the family is the best way to put it. Kourtney Kardashian has been openly distancing herself from the family for a while now, leaning into a more “grounded” lifestyle, but it seems like there may me other reasons the Lemme founder is not hanging around her family as much, and it allegedly has to do with her ex-partner Scott Disick being extremely involved with the family, and Kris Jenner’s sensitivity to Disick.

In a recent article published by InTouch Magazine, the magazine claims that Kourtney has been trying to convince her mother to limit Scott’s access to the family, and he is actually a negative presence for all of them. The Kardashian family have always been open to Scott and included him in family gatherings, which is why Kourtney is seemingly trying to change that. The source told the magazine:

Kourt has been chipping away at Kris [Jenner] for years now, telling her that Scott is pure poison and he has no place at the family dinner table. It annoys the hell out of her that he’s still on the payroll and being allowed to tag along with her mom and sisters on a regular basis. It’s the main reason they go their own way these days and tend to skip most of the family gatherings. But Kris, Kim and Khloe — as well as many others in and around the family — think she’s being cruel and vindictive.

After Kourtney and Scott Disick split for good back in 2015 after almost a nine year on-again, off-again relationship. The two share three children together, Mason (age 16), Penelope (age 13) and Reign (age 11), which is a big part of the reason the Kardashian family has been so welcoming towards Disick. Also, after almost a decade of Scott being around all the time and becoming such a big part of the family, as well as the show, the family has gotten quite close to Scott, especially Kris and Khloe, who have been vocally supportive of his recent weight loss.

Kourtney however seems to really be settling into her new life with Travis Barker, and is allegedly trying to cut Disick out. The magazine claims this all came to a head this Father’s Day when Kourtney decided to ignore him, which didn’t go over well with the rest of the family.

They thought it was pretty tacky on her part to totally ignore him like that [on Father’s Day]. [They] have told Scott to hang in there and rise above Kourtney’s pettiness.

If this is all to be believed, I can’t imagine Disick is happy about it. The reality star had a hard time when Kourtney and Travis Barker got together in 2021. He also openly had an even harder time processing the situation when Kourtney and Barker eventually got engaged. If there is potentially a rift between the two, it’s a pretty big departure from the co-parenting relationship the two had for years, and the magazine alleges that the kids are being caught in the middle.

She won’t back down and make nice with him, even if it does make her unpopular. But the ones you have to feel sorry for most in all this are the kids, they’ve been stuck in the middle of this toxicity for their whole lives.

There are always rumors about fighting between the Kardashian clan, especially as Kourtney has been openly trying to pursue a different lifestyle with her new family. However if this is true, I hope it is resolved soon, especially if the kids are involved. Unfortunately for Kourtney, Disick has strong bonds with the Kardashians, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. They are pretty loyal, even after relationships end, and Disick being the father to three of the children adds another layer to the bond.

We’ll have to see if these rumors of a rift have any truth when season 8 of The Kardashians airs sometime this year. In the meantime, you can check out season 7 of The Kardashians, which is available to stream now with a Hulu subscription. For more information on other shows streaming later this year, make sure to check out our 2026 TV premiere schedule.

I Keep Thinking About David Letterman Comparing The Late Show Ending To An Adult Bookstore

Jessica Rawden — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:19:44 +0000

David Letterman may need no introduction, but it’s rare you’ll catch him in a room with a traditional outlet doing a traditional interview these days. The former late night host and current Netflix host did speak out around the time of Stephen Colbert’s big exit from CBS, and with good reason: Both men were tied to the Eye Network for years before breaking free to do new projects. So, I get why there would be curiosity around what Letterman thinks. Yet, I did not see his “adult bookstore” reference coming.

Here’s what happened. Not only did the New York Times snag an interview with the former host, they also caught him in time to talk about his feelings about Colbert’s show getting axed on the 2026 TV schedule. He didn’t hold back, which is where the adult bookstore analogy came in.

I wondered: What the hell have they done to Stephen [Colbert]? And I would say farther down on the list is your point: Wait a minute, this used to be my show. It’s like driving by your old neighborhood and realizing that where you used to live, they’re putting up an adult bookstore.

Now, that he put this analogy out into the universe, I can’t unsee it. I know exactly how he’s feeling. There was once something great and something familiar in this slot and now it’s been ceded to something that’s unexpected. In fact, Letterman also told the news outlet his first feelings were “disbelief.” Afterward, he felt like it had been a “botched holdup.” All of these visuals really paint a negative picture of how he felt CBS handled the situation as a whole.

As the former host of The Late Show with David Letterman, he knows more about the inner workings of late night, the network and what happened behind the scenes than most.

David Letterman Does Not Blame Byron Allen

Of course, David Letterman also was quick to point out he’s not mad at Byron Allen, the man at the head of the new series that took over The Late Show’s timeslot, Comics Unleashed. He and Allen have palled around before, and he’s not opposed to Byron coming in and making his mark.

He’s been wildly more successful than any hundred of us. I periodically talk to him, and neither he nor I understand how he became a billionaire. God bless him. To hell with CBS. To hell with Skydance. To hell with the Winslow twins or whoever the hell these guys are. But Byron, he’ll still be providing comedy in that time period. I think that’s a valuable bit of resolution here.

[Editor Note: As Letterman himself noted, the "Winslow Twins" or the "Ellison Twins" are what Letterman likes to call the one son of Larry Ellison, David. That part is a bit.]

However, he definitely still feels Stephen Colbert got a raw deal. The Eye Network has claimed its choice to cancel The Late Show was all financial, but it’s not just Letterman who is skeptical. Fellow late night host Jimmy Kimmel also spoke out about how the choice may have been more related to politics than the money piece. Colbert himself famously said "my side of the street is clean" when it came to any political allegations.

Meanwhile, David Letterman himself had a somewhat tumultuous run on late night, eventually signing on with NBC as a potential successor for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Then, executives at the time famously chose Leno instead. Letterman had a long and storied history on CBS, anyway, and retired of his own accord in 2015. (Other famous hosts like Conan O'Brien and Kimmel also spoke out about The Late Show at that time.)

It ended on his own terms, but Letterman still has a bit of a contrarian in him. If someone is calling out the network he formerly worked at, he'll lead the charge.

Time has separated me from the genealogy of the show. On the other hand, if there’s outrage to be directed at management, either real or imagined, I’m all in. Let’s go.

Just don't ask him to work that "tough" late night grind again.

I Just Found Out Tom Cruise And Millie Bobby Brown Are Real-Life Pals (And There Are Helicopters Involved)

Carly Levy — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:55:44 +0000

Millie Bobby Brown is definitely no stranger to big action sequences, and she has the receipts to prove it! For instance, the teaser trailer for Enola Holmes 3 sees the actress running, jumping across staircases and wielding a shotgun on a moving carriage. With all of these high-intensity action scenes, it's fitting that the Stranger Things icon recently called herself a “female Tom Cruise.” On that note, I also just found out Brown and the Mission: Impossible actor are real-life pals, and their hangouts even involve helicopters.

Tom Cruise became very familiar with helicopters while filming of Mission: Impossible—Fallout. After going through some intense prep work to achieve that insane chopper chase scene in the action flick, he became a licensed pilot. And, per Millie Bobby Brown, the blockbuster star has apparently been trying to extend that love of the craft to her. The British actor recently spoke at the 92nd Street Y for a recording of an upcoming Happy Sad Confused podcast episode and revealed (via People) that she'd “flown his helicopter before:” She also said this about her buddy:

He's a dear friend. He's a wonderful man and I'm very lucky to call him my friend. Tom does the craziest stuff. I think he's trying to get me to somehow fly a plane at some point.

Oh my! Then again, I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less from the daredevil of an actor. Funny enough, though, I'm not sure Brown wants to take him up further helicopter flights or a theoretical plane excursion:

I was like, 'This is the last time I ever fly any of his equipment.’

I can’t say I blame her, as I certainly wouldn’t know what to do behind a helicopter cockpit either. But I give her a lot of credit for taking on that riveting experience.

As for Cruise, he not only used helicopters in movies, but he's also given generous rides to his adoring fans. He once took M: I co-star Hayley Atwell’s grandmother on a helicopter ride to tour London. The War of the Worlds actor also gave a ride to a family in Warwickshire during his filming breaks of M: I 7 & 8. Cruise landed in the family’s backyard after the Coventry Airport closed, and I'm still amazed that such a surreal moment actually happened.

All of that aside, though, I'm just living for the bond between Cruise and Brown. Celebrity friendships can be fun, but they're especially cool when they happen between stars that fans may not have expected to be chums. In this case, I love that stunt work also links these two stars.

Brown deserves her props for consistently doing stunts, even when it makes her want to throw up. She previously expressed how much she’s not a fan of climbing or falling for any of he projects she’s done. At the same time, the Damsel actress says on her Happy Sad Confused episode that she still takes pride in doing her own stunts and hopes to inspire young girls to do the same.

Considering that, I'd love to see Millie Bobby Brown and "dear friend" Tom Cruise perform stunts together in some sort of project. Personally, I think fans would definitely sign up to see the actors who play Ethan Hunt and Eleven team up for an action flick and fly helicopters as part of that. Until that happens, though, you can watch Brown in the 2026 Netflix release of Enola Holmes 3, hitting the streaming schedule on July 1st.

NFL Star Shared Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Surprising Wedding Rule, And I Have One Question

Heidi Venable — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:29:54 +0000

By all indications, it seems we are mere days away from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, and with a power couple this strong, you better believe they’re going to do things their way. If that means no plus-ones, so be it. Shut down the streets in front of Madison Square Garden for three days? Why not? One of Kelce’s football buddies shared another rule they’ve implemented, and I’m questioning what the etiquette is in this situation.

The guest list for the presumed July 3 nuptials has been a big talking point, with who isn’t invited to see the celebrity couple exchange vows being just as noteworthy as who is. Travis Kelce’s coach, Andy Reid, made sure he could fit in his tux for the occasion, so he’s in. And, apparently, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is too, as he revealed to Extra one surprising mandate from the bride- and groom-to-be. The NFL star said:

Absolutely no gifts.

OK, I totally get that Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift want for absolutely nothing in their lives. They’re full-grown adults in their mid-30s with more money than they could ever spend, while wedding gifts are traditionally a way of helping a young couple start their lives together.

This is certainly a special circumstance, but wouldn’t it feel just plain rude to show up empty-handed? Even Kittle admitted he was thinking of bending the rule to add a piece to Travis Kelce’s apparent coin collection.

So, what’s the etiquette here? Respect the bride and groom’s explicit request, or celebrate them with a gift anyway? According to California-based etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts, it’s the former, as she told Fox News:

Regardless of a couple's financial status, a wedding should never feel like a financial transaction. This isn't like arriving at a dinner party empty-handed without a hostess gift. If a couple says, 'No gifts, please,' honor their wishes.

That makes sense, but there will always be some who simply can’t arrive to such an event without something, regardless of the couple’s financial situation. So where does the etiquette expert stand on a lovely card, a bit of cash or a donation in the newlyweds’ names? She said:

Whether a couple has extraordinary wealth or modest means, gifts should never be viewed as a way to turn a profit. A charitable donation made in their honor is a thoughtful alternative, especially if it's directed to a cause they publicly support.

This is what Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco reportedly did last year — asking guests to forgo traditional gifts and suggesting a donation could be made to Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund, which increases access to mental health resources. If I remember correctly, though, Taylor Swift did arrive with a mysterious white box that looked suspiciously like a gift. So she probably can’t get too upset with those who don’t adhere to her request.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding rule may even be a security measure but, either way, another etiquette expert, Jacqueline Whitmore from Florida, thinks their friends should embrace the request. She said:

The couple is taking the pressure off their guests. Something tells me Taylor and Travis don’t need another toaster.

What if it’s a cute toaster with a Chiefs logo? I digress.

Hopefully, the happy couple and all of their friends are able to enjoy a day that’s as perfect as the ones Taylor Swift has been singing about all of these years, with or without wedding gifts. She may like shiny things, but she’d marry him with “Paper Rings,” after all, right?

Why Johnny Knoxville Turned Down SNL’s Offer To Be A Cast Member

Mack Rawden — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:58:59 +0000

Jackass was famously the subject of a bidding war before the show even aired a single episode. MTV, Comedy Central and FX all liked the pitch enough to make offers, and at one point, Saturday Night Live even got involved. Star Johnny Knoxville and his producing partners Spike Jonze and Jeff Tremaine of course went with MTV, but that hasn’t stopped fans from playing the what-if game for the last quarter century, especially about SNL.

Well, it turns out the sketch comedy offer was a little different than at least I had realized. Ahead of Jackass: Best And Last, an old Howard Stern interview with Knoxville has gone viral in which the subject of Saturday Night Live came up. The actor said he met with showrunner Lorne Michaels, who offered him three to five minutes of airtime each episode, but he ultimately turned it down because apparently it wasn’t for Jackass. It was for him and wouldn’t have included the rest of the crew.

At that point, we were making the pilot for Jackass, and it was me and all my friends and Spike Jonze and Jeff Tremaine, and I would have to leave that to do Saturday Night Live… So, at the time, in my ignorance, I, once again, I’m like, ‘I’m just gonna bet on us.’

For some reason in my mind, I envisioned a weekly stunt or prank that involved Knoxville and the other guys, but this makes a lot more sense given how SNL casts work. It apparently would have just been the lead actor himself doing some bit of craziness.

I’m sure that would have been funny and blown the minds of network TV audiences who would have been shocked, but that wouldn’t have been Jackass as we know it. That would have just been Knoxville doing his thing. I wonder if he would have gotten the chance to appear in other sketches like a traditional cast member too. He’s hosted the show before so we know he would have been able to pull it off.

This might sound out of left field for Saturday Night Live. In some ways, it obviously is a big departure from the heart of the show, but it’s not quite as crazy as it might seem. There’s definitely an established pattern of SNL partnering with comedians to do something other than traditional sketch comedy.

When the show first premiered, it included a more adult version of The Muppets that Jim Henson created. There have also been plenty of filmmaking duos who have made weekly shorts for the show that are pre-taped with The Lonely Island probably being the most prominent example.

I’m sure SNL would have loved to get in on the Jackass phenomenon, but we should all be happy that it worked out the way it did. Arguably the best part of the entire franchise is the chemistry and love between the leads. Everyone laughing at each other helps the audience feel okay with laughing, and the show and subsequent movies also benefited from having a high number of sketches in order to play to different comedic tastes. Some people want to see Knoxville attach bottle rockets to roller skates. Some people want to see Steve-O get stung by bees, and some people want to see Pontius dance for random people. It’s an eclectic vibe.

You can catch the main Jackass guys one final time in Jackass: Best And Last, which hits theaters this weekend. The film is a mix of older footage, unaired stunts and new bits the team shot, alongside some of the newer cast members that appeared in Jackass Forever. It's getting very strong reviews.

One Big Lesson (I’m Glad) The X-Men ‘97 Team Has Finally Learned

Erik Swann — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:42:56 +0000

At long last, X-Men ‘97 Season 2’s premiere is about to hit the 2026 TV schedule and reacquaint fans with Charles Xavier and his band of mutant do-gooders. Teasers for the new episodes seem to indicate that fans are in for a fun and emotional ride, which will feature plenty of En Sabah Nur (a.k.a. Apocalypse). While the hype amongst fans of the legacy sequel series still seems to be intact, it’s still hard to believe its hiatus has been so lengthy. Well, like I am, fans may be eager to know the creative team has learned some lessons.

X-Men ‘97’s first season premiered back in March 2024 and, at that time, it was already reported that a second season was in the works. So those new installments are now coming more than two years after Season 1, which is definitely a long stretch of time. But fear not, true believers, as EP Larry Houston shared some good news in regard to the upcoming third season, which was announced this past fall. Fans should not expect long breaks between future seasons, and Houston explained the reason for that to The Direct:

Luckily, the production problems won’t occur again. There was a huge gap of time between [season] one and two. They’ve learned their lessons, so with [seasons] three and four, that won’t happen again… That was a one-off.

Houston – who produced X-Men: The Animated Series (the direct predecessor of ‘97) – didn’t specify the nature of those “production problems.” However, it’s possible that he may have been alluding to the firing of series creator and ex-showrunner/writer Beau DeMayo. Shortly before Season 1 debuted, DeMayo was let go after an investigation into his workplace conduct. That not only led to a feud between DeMayo and Marvel Studios, but he was also replaced with Matthew Chauncey, leading to episodes also being rewritten.

Is Scooter Braun 'Calling The Shots' Or Generally Supportive Of Sydney Sweeney? Insiders Conflict

Heidi Venable — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:14:55 +0000

People love a good celebrity relationship, and while we can’t get enough of couples like Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet or Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, some romances seem to draw more confusion than adoration. That would be the case for Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun, who were seemingly first linked at Jeff Bezos’ wedding in Italy a year ago. Was it a fling? Was it a business arrangement? Is he supportive of her career? It doesn’t help that supposed insiders are telling conflicting stories.

The couple has mostly kept to themselves since last June, with subtle nods from Sydney Sweeney and brief podcast mentions from Braun about their romance. However, following a very public date night at the NBA Finals, the former talent manager’s outpouring of love for the Housemaid star seemed to indicate just how serious things are. Indeed, one source for Page Six said what allegedly started out as a fling in Italy quickly became more. By September 2025, the insider said:

[They were] game on, full throttle … not a casual relationship. He is picky about who he lets in his inner circle. If he is with her, it’s not about what she looks like or celebrity, but means he really likes her.

People weren’t sure what to think of The White Lotus star being with the man with the big Taylor Swift feud, and Sydney Sweeney, 28, even said at the time that she wasn’t looking for a man. For his part, Scooter Braun, 45, allegedly thought she was too young for anything more than a fling. However, the attraction apparently couldn’t be denied, as the source said:

It’s genuine support. Neither one of them need each other for anything. They don’t have a transactional relationship.

Other sources, however, have indicated that’s exactly what it is, and that Scooter Braun had introduced Sydney Sweeney to new business perspectives and that she was soaking up his knowledge of the industry for pointers on her own career. According to a source who is allegedly tight with Sweeney, her family is still reportedly skeptical of Braun. They said:

He’s calling the shots. He’s in charge. This is not who she is. She normally keeps her private life private.

Reports have indicated that while Scooter Braun allegedly has no issue with Sydney Sweeney’s career — and particularly her provocative and even controversial Euphoria storylines — he reportedly can get “upset” about the athletes sliding into her DMs. Per the Page Six source, it seems her family is afraid the relationship could hurt her career, as they added:

Her career is clearly something she’s worked very hard for. She’s this up-and-coming, beautiful successful young woman.

A full year has passed since we started talking about Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun, but apparently enough questions remain about their dynamic and how the record executive will affect her rising star.

We’ll have to wait to see what happens next with these two, but in the meantime you can stream Sydney Sweeney’s latest movie The Housemaid on Starz, and there have been some good deals on Starz subscriptions lately.

Milly Alcock Talked ‘Biggest Fears’ Of Being ‘Rejected’ Before Supergirl’s Flop

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:50:36 +0000

“What are your biggest fears?” is already a heavy question, but it hits a little differently when it is being asked of someone leading a massive new DC movie. Milly Alcock was heading into Supergirl with the cape and the pressure of fan expectations that come with being one of the first major faces of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU. Before the box-office conversation around the film got thornier, she was already talking openly about the fear that comes with being rejected on such a large-scale franchise.

Ahead of Supergirl’s 2026 movie schedule release, Alcock spoke to Variety and discussed everything from auditioning for the role to tuning out toxic fan chatter. The interview was conducted in mid-April, before either the actress or the interviewer had seen the finished film, which makes her comments about fear especially interesting now, given the film's less-than-stellar opening-weekend box-office projections. When asked about her biggest fears, she said:

I mean, that it won’t do well, obviously. That I will never work again! The obvious ones — that I’ll be rejected in some way. But I have a good support system around me in terms of my friends and family. So I think that’s what matters. This isn’t real life, you know?

Honestly, that's a pretty human answer. It's also one that sounds much more grounded than the usual “I just hope people connect with it” press-tour answer. Alcock knew the movie could stumble, fans could reject it and that the internet could decide she was the problem, because it loves finding one face to pin a giant studio machine onto. And, unfortunately, that appears to be sort of playing out in real time.

That's part of what makes this interview and the current situation surrounding the film so interesting. When early reactions to Supergirl arrived, there were already strong opinions about Alcock and Jason Momoa as Lobo. A lot of those reactions specifically praised the woman stepping into the role of the Girl of Steel, even when people were split on the film, she was highlighted as a positive standout. But once a new superhero movie starts underperforming, nuance tends to be the first thing tossed out of the airlock. The Sirens actress seemed aware of that even before the movie opened. She continued:

Not everyone can like everything. And I think I got the greatest fulfillment and joy, and what I’m really taking away from this experience is how much I’ve grown as a person. I’m not really concerned with how it’s received at the moment, because I can’t control that.

That tracks with what she has said elsewhere about the role. The Upright performer has talked about Kara being kind of a mess in the DCU, and not every fan clicked with her drunken cameo in Superman. But Alcock has also made it clear that she sees Kara as someone wrestling with pain, not floating around as some perfect superhero symbol. She has been candid about how intimidating the whole thing felt, too, which makes her comments about being terrified after landing the role feel even more relevant now that the film is underperforming and being compared to some of Marvel's less-than-great outings like The Marvels.

The hardest part is that the House of the Dragon breakout star is right about how little control actors have once a movie leaves their hands. She put it plainly:

And as an actor, you don’t have a lot of control. You don’t choose what you say, what you wear, where you stand, how it’s cut.

That is worth remembering as Supergirl’s disappointing box-office results start to turn into an online blame cycle. Alcock showed up, gave the role everything she had and tried to make Kara feel real. But she cannot control the editing, the marketing or how audiences respond once the movie is out in the world.

As for how Supergirl is landing, the movie’s opening weekend has been softer than DC likely hoped, though the audience reaction appears to be warmer than the critical one. As of this writing, the film sits at 56% on Rotten Tomatoes from 275 critic reviews, while its Popcornmeter score is at 77% from more than 2,500 verified audience ratings. So, while the box office conversation may be rough, the people who have actually bought tickets seem more divided than outright dismissive.

Anyone curious about the particular new take on Kara can still judge the movie for themselves. Supergirl is playing in theaters now, so fans who want to see how they feel about DC’s latest big-screen swing can grab a ticket, a Lobo popcorn bucket and make up their own minds.

What’s Justin Baldoni’s ‘Only Route Back’ To Hollywood After It Ends With Us Drama?

Erik Swann — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:03:28 +0000

Justin Baldoni’s legal battle with Blake Lively now seems to be finished and, per reports, his main “focus” is now on his family. However, as is the case with Lively as well, there are still questions regarding what lies ahead for Baldoni from a professional standpoint. As far as the public knows right now, the It Ends with Us director/co-lead hasn’t booked any additional gigs. Entertainment experts have weighed in on whether there’s a path forward for Baldoni and, now, one is sharing thoughts on his “only route back” to Tinseltown.

During Lively and Baldoni’s lawsuit skirmish, sources alleged that the situation had done considerable damage to their reputations. The notion of the two actors’ public images being hurt was also brought up in a lengthy story from Us Weekly. One individual the news outlet spoke to was PR expert Mark Borkowski, who spoke about Baldoni and Lively’s current situations. While Borkowski argued that “Blake suffered the most,” he also opined that Baldoni needed to keep his head down for a while:

Justin’s only route back [is to] make something good and [be quiet] for two years.

Before the legal matter, Baldoni had mostly been directing and producing in more recent years. He notably helmed 2019’s Five Feet Apart and 2020’s Clouds and served as a producer on The Garfield Movie, Ezra and The Senior. In addition, Baldoni co-hosted the Man Enough podcast with Liz Plank, who left the show in 2024 after Lively leveled sexual harassment allegations against Baldoni. Aside from Brokowski’s hiatus comments, fellow PR veteran David Johnson says there are other key factors that should be considered:

Recovery from a case like this depends on three factors, the absence of new controversies, continued professional achievement and time.

Sami Zayn Just Won The WWE Championship, And Fans Already Think They Know Who He’ll Lose It To

Mack Rawden — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:51:30 +0000

Sami Zayn finally won his world championship. After more than a decade of consistently being one of the best side characters on WWE programming, Triple H and the writers unexpectedly gave him his moment. The former indie darling turned NXT favorite turned midcard standout turned Bloodline comedic relief turned last real good guy pinned Cody Rhodes last night in Saudi Arabia to become the WWE Champion. The moment received a raucous ovation from the Night Of Champions crowd, but if fans on social are to be believed, his reign probably isn’t going to last long.

To be clear, that’s not to say fans weren’t celebrating loudly. They were. Those of us who have followed his career for a long time were hammering the like button on so many celebratory tweets and fun career montages, as well as tribute posts from current and former wrestlers. It was a triumphant night for someone who deserved his flowers, but at the same time, people were also fantasy casting his demise.

It’s both a problem of timing and circumstance. We’re a little more than a month away from SummerSlam, which is (arguably) WWE’s second most important premium live event of the year after WrestleMania. Typically, whoever holds the WWE Championship wrestles in the main event of one of the two nights of the show, but fans are skeptical that WWE has enough confidence in Zayn to have him main event. He’s very popular amongst hardcore wrestling fans, but he’s not historically been someone the company has put on billboards to try and sell tickets, at least apart from his Elimination Chamber match against Roman Reigns when he left the Bloodline.

Consequently, one of two things is happening. Either WWE has reevaluated and decided they want to push Zayn as a proper main event guy heading into one of their biggest shows of the year, or there’s a larger plan that’s going to see him lose the belt before SummerSlam. I could honestly see either scenario playing out, but many fans are convinced it’s going to be option two, which will likely involve Brock Lesnar.

This is about to get really complicated, but I promise this theory makes logical sense. Oba Femi, who WWE is treating like the company’s next big star, just won the King Of The Ring tournament. That gives him the right to face a world champion of his choice at SummerSlam. Right now, his options are World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns or the recently anointed WWE Champion Sami Zayn. He’s been talking a little smack about Roman Reigns in recent weeks, but he’s been talking a lot more smack about Brock Lesnar, who he has been locked into a separate feud with for months.

Most fans wanted to see Femi win the King Of The Ring tournament, but many were skeptical he actually would because rumors have been swirling that WWE’s plan was to have him wrestle Lesnar at SummerSlam to finally put an end to their feud. If he were to face one of the World Champions and Lesnar, that would mean he would need to wrestle twice, unless, of course, Lesnar was one of those World Champions. That didn’t seem like a real possibility when the title holders were Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, but now that the belt is on Sami Zayn, some fans think it’s likely. Here’s an example of what I’m seeing on social media…

It’s so obvious they had Sami Zayn win the WWE title so he could get pinned by LesnarSeth is going to be Roman’s next title challenger so Lesnar Oba trilogy is gonna be for the WWE title pic.twitter.com/4rezQLpX1IJune 27, 2026

It’s definitely not just the above tweet either. Many plugged-in fans are being pretty vocal about the same exact theory. WWE has a Saturday Night’s Main Event coming up at Madison Square Garden, and the prevailing theory going around is that Lesnar will likely end up wrestling Zayn for the WWE Championship at that event. None of that has been announced, of course, but no one loves predicting the future like wrestling fans.

So, is it going to happen like that? I don’t know. I think there’s definitely a strong chance it will. If this were another time of the year, I’d expect Zayn to get a few months of run with the WWE Championship so he could properly celebrate, but I’m not convinced they’re going to let him carry it into SummerSlam for the same reason I didn't think he had a realistic chance of winning last night. He would be a huge underdog against Oba Femi if that’s the route they went, and I’m not sure fans are really clamoring to see him wrestle another match against Cody Rhodes, given we’ve been down that road plenty over the past few months.

Regardless, winning the WWE Championship is a huge deal, whether you hold the belt for five years or five minutes. Hall of Famers like Kane and Rey Mysterio only had one run each with the WWE Championship, and neither one even last two days. I’m sure they would have preferred longer runs, but what’s more important is they got a chance to be part of that exclusive club of WWE Champions. Now Sami Zayn is forever a member, and I couldn’t be happier for him, whether he’s about to lose the belt to Lesnar or not.

Dutton Ranch’s Cast Joked About Death In Season 1's Finale, But Yellowstone History Suggests We Should Be Worried

Riley Utley — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:13:15 +0000

The finale of Dutton Ranch is right around the corner, and I think we need to prepare for the worst. This spinoff on the 2026 TV schedule has proved to be ruthless, and after Episode 8 ended with Joaquin calling his dad and Rip and Beth learning about the Jacksons’ corrupt business, it feels like all-out war could break out. Meanwhile, the cast is joking about the potential death that could happen. However, while they were keeping things light, Yellowstone history tells us we should actually be quite worried for our favorite characters.

The Dutton Ranch Cast Joked About Characters Dying In Season 1’s Finale

Obviously, the cast of Dutton Ranch is not allowed to divulge details about who survives Season 1 and who doesn’t. So, during an interview with Us Weekly, the cast commented on the future of their characters with jokes and exaggeration. For example, Natalie Alyn Lind, who plays Oreana, quipped:

At least three people — is it three or four people that die in the finale?

Also, while Finn Little, who plays Carter, said we should be “very worried,” Lind wouldn’t let anything slip, humorously saying:

I don’t want to give anything away. Nobody dies. Everybody dies. .. Oh, wait, they’re all dead.

Meanwhile, Zachariah actor Marc Menchaca said that death is “always a possibility,” and it’s one he knows well, seeing as he has “a pretty good track record of saying bye-bye on a show.” He went on to joke that he’s died so many times on camera that his wife made a “death reel” for his birthday.

As for Juan Pablo Raba, who plays Joaquin, he thought he might bite the bullet after Episode 6. Thankfully, he didn’t, and he doesn’t want to, explaining:

You hope for the best and you hope it’s going to be a long run. But you really don’t know. I really hope we can really work this for many seasons because I think there’s so much story to tell.

Considering Dutton Ranch has been renewed, we know some of the characters will be back. However, while the cast was lighthearted about this topic for the most part, Yellowstone history tells us we need to take the possibility of losing a character or two very seriously.

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Yellowstone History Suggests We Should Always Be Worried That Characters Could Die

*The following section contains major spoilers for Yellowstone (which you can stream with a Peacock subscription), 1883, 1923 and Marshals (all of those, and Dutton Ranch are available with a Paramount+ subscription).*

Having watched all the Yellowstone shows that came before Dutton Ranch, I know all too well that no one is safe, and that includes Dutton family members.

In Season 5 of Yellowstone, John died at the beginning, and Jamie was killed at the very end. Plus, John’s oldest son, Lee, died in the very early episodes of the flagship show. Then, in Marshals, Kayce’s wife Monica died off-camera and isn’t even in the show.

In the prequels, so many main characters die tragic deaths as well. Elsa had a slow, painful death at the end of 1883. Then, in 1923, it’s revealed that James and Margaret (John, Spencer and Elsa’s mom and dad) both passed away not too long after they made it to Montana. And don’t even get me started on 1923. We lost multiple characters, including Jack, in one violent episode, and then the show ended with Alex dying not long after she was reunited with Spencer and gave birth to their child.

I’d also like the record to state that I only went over Dutton deaths here. There are plenty of others who don't survive in all these shows.

So, all this is to say, death is a common tragedy for the Duttons, and I think we should expect it in Dutton Ranch when the finale drops on Friday. While I don’t know who won’t make it out of Season 1, based on Yellowstone’s history, I have a feeling not everyone will be in Season 2.

The Vampire Lestat Is Missing A Key Element Of What Made Interview With A Vampire So Good

Corey Chichizola — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000

June is Pride Month, and there's plenty of A+ content about queer stories hitting TV and the big screen. Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire has a long history for LGBTQ+ community, and we're a few episodes into the show's third season on AMC. Retitled The Vampire Lestat, the book to screen adaptation has once again caught my attention. Although there's one big thing I'm missing from its firs two seasons on the air.

Reviews for The Vampire Lestat are quite positive, and in many ways it feels like a brand new show. We are now finally in Lestat's POV, which stands in juxtaposition to some of the stories Louis told in the first two season (streaming with a Netflix subscription). It's wild watching Sam Reid's character tour as a rock star, but there is on essential ingredient I wish was still included.

I Miss The Romance Between Lestat And Louis

In the first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire, Sam Reid's Louis tells the story of his long life to Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). The heart of the story is about his romantic connection with Lestat, who transforms him into a vampire and creates a family unit alongside Claudia. Their queerness was noticeably left out of the Interview with the Vampire movie, and in my opinion it helped make the show even more captivating. But The Vampire Lestat is largely set in 2025, after the title character and Louis have become estranged following the release of Daniel's book.

While both Louis and Lestat remain major characters in the new season, I'm missing their love story, which was previously central to the story. It remains to be seen if they end up making up, but right now I'm missing the experience of shipping these two blood suckers.

(Image credit: AMC)

Interview with the Vampire has brutal kills and an intriguing decades-long story that still captures my attention. Having Lestat take center stage for Season 3 offers a new and exciting perspective on Anne Rice's beloved story, but I still miss the love triangle that was established in the first two seasons between Lestat, Louis, and Armand. Hopefully we get to explore more of this dynamic in the remaining episodes of the season.

Of course, there are plenty of other thrilling narrative threads that are being pulled on in The Vampire Lestat. To start, the first episode's time-jump saw an injured Louis and Armand following Lestat's apparent death, as well as a mysterious "global catastrophe." What's more, I'm curious about the waitress Louis visits who resembles a grown-up Claudia. I'll be tuning in to each new episode... and crossing my fingers that the show's love story returns.

New episodes of Interview with the Vampire air Sundays on AMC as part of the 2026 TV schedule. For now, folks can re-watch the first two seasons over on Netflix.

'I Want To Be Your Daddy.' Robert Pattinson Was Constantly Trolling Tom Holland On The Odyssey

Carly Levy — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 12:37:23 +0000

Christopher Nolan assembled an all-star cast for The Odyssey and, as part of that, the filmmaker reunites with Tenet's Robert Pattinson. In turn, not only will Pattinson be reunited with his The Drama co-star, Zendaya, but he will also collaborate with frequent co-star Tom Holland. The two British actors seem to be very comfortable with each other at this point. At least, that's the feeling I get as I crack up about how Pattinson trolled Holland during the filming of their upcoming book-to-screen adaptation.

In The Odyssey, Robert Pattinson plays the role of Antinous, who has an antagonistic dynamic with Tom Holland’s Telemachus. Said animosity stems from Antinous conspiring to marry Telemachus' mother, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), amid the absence of his father, Odysseus (Matt Damon). As Pattinson explained to Empire, he had a lot of fun playing up his character's nastiness, and I wish I could've been a fly on the wall:

I mean, he’s just the worst stepfather you could possibly have. I always end up doing these slithery things with Tom and I don’t know why. This was just a fun part to play: ‘I just want to be your daddy. I want to be your daddy. That’s all I want!’

I can’t stop laughing at the idea of the Twilight star trailing behind the MCU actor and talking about wanting to be his “daddy!” That’s truly hysterical (and maybe a tad weird). However, if it helped the two build their dynamic accordingly, I'd say it's worth it.

Robert Pattinson and Tom Holland’s playful banter probably shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. After all, the co-stars worked together on The Lost City of Z as well as the terrifying Netflix movie, The Devil All the Time. With three joint ventures under the stars' belts, I'm loving that the pair get along so well.

Despite the playful teasing Pattinson did on the set of The Odyssey, Holland seemed to enjoy his time working with him on set. Holland also spoke to Empire, and shared some glowing thoughts about Pattinson:

Having a familiar face and someone that I could share the screen with was a real safety blanket for me. I’m always eager to share scenes with Rob, because he just brings the best out of everyone. I admire his ability to take big swings and make them feel like the perfect decision for that character.

There’s no doubt that Robert Pattinson knows how to take big risks getting into character. For his part, Tom Holland got to see him in action with his wild accent in The Devil All the Time and see how he dropped 35 pounds for The Lost City of Z. It goes without saying that Pattinson firmly commits to his roles, and I'm very eager to see the kind of villainous energy he brings to his character in Christopher Nolan's latest historical drama.

On that note, when I see the film, I'll be paying close attention to the tense scenes between Telemachus and Antinous. While those moments are sure to be tense, I may actually start chuckling to myself due to the knowledge that Pattinson was having fun with his character's sliminess on set.

See Robert Pat Pattinson and Tom Holland share the screen when The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17th amid the 2026 movie schedule.

I Learned More About The Amazing Race Rules From Kaitlin Olson Than I've Learned In Years Watching

Jessica Rawden — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 12:08:06 +0000

I’ve been an Amazing Race superfan for years. I’ve actually seen every U.S. season of the series. I’ve followed the contestant drama. I know about how contestants get that million dollar prize. I usually know about newer twists in advance of new seasons. Yet, I just learned more about The Amazing Race rules from Kaitlin Olson in one video than I’ve learned in literal years of watching the show.

And I learned all this because of Hacks.

I assume you know Katilin Olson has not appeared on a traditional season of The Amazing Race, though some celebrity names like Mike White have. Instead, the final season of Hacks features a very memorable episode in which DJ (Olson) convinces her mom Deborah (Jean Smart) to compete on a celebrity edition of The Amazing Race with her. I've long wanted a celebrity edition of Race, but there are some obstacles to making it fully happen. Getting it this way was cathartic to me.

Anyway, they get eliminated early, but Olson recently admitted the show actually hired real crew members from the reality series in order to make sure they got the details right, which squares with similar comments the Hacks writing team has made. She told Awards Buzz:

Listen, that was something that was very important to them was making this very authentic. So, you see the camera person, the cameraman and the boom operator following us around, and those were Amazing Race crew. They wanted it to be very realistic.

So, she really did got schooled on some of the TAR rules, including a few I didn't know about.

The Fanny Pack Must Stay In Front

The actress went on to say she “does not” want to join basically any of the best reality shows after her Hacks experience, but she did learn a lot. That includes things like clue placement and where fanny packs must go.

We had very specific instructions, which I loved. Tell me exactly how, what’re you supposed to do with the envelope? Can I throw it on the ground afterwards? Do I hold onto it? Like the fanny pack can’t [go in] the back, it’s in the front, like great.

While she doesn’t give us the answer to the envelope thing, they usually stick the clue back in the fanny pack and refer back to it throughout the race. I’m pretty sure throwing the clue on the ground and littering would be frowned on, but I had no idea about this fanny pack thing!

(Image credit: CBS Broadcasting Inc.)

You Can’t Say “Fuck You” To Host Phil Keoghan

The second thing Olson mentioned was a bit of improv she attempted to include in the episode, which would have involved getting aggressive with host Phil Keoghan. Turns out, that’s a big no-no.

At the end, after the clown dance, when I screw it up, I screamed, ‘Fuck you Phil!’ And they were like, ‘Stop, no. One thing you can’t do is say ‘fuck you’ to Phil. I was like, ‘Cool, cool, cool.’ Let’s do it again.

Phil's got a squeaky clean image, and The Amazing Race airs on network TV, so this entire thing squares away. But I do think the image of the actress going so over-the-top as a fake contestant is very funny, and would have played for shock value. That is, if it totally hadn't been against the rules.

I Don't Think Enough People Talk About Ben Stiller As A Director, And I Think That Should Change

Rich Knight — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 11:05:00 +0000

Not too long ago, I wrote about one of my father’s and my father-in-law’s favorite movies, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and it was directed by the one and only Ben Stiller.

However, I feel like even though Stiller has a rock solid filmography when it comes to movies that he’s directed, a vast majority of people still think of him as the fashion model, Derek Zoolander (Which he also directed), or as the bumbling lead in the Meet the Parents series (which we’re getting a fourth movie soon starring Ariana Grande, by the way).

But, like other prominent actors/directors, such as Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, and Jodie Foster, I think we need to celebrate Ben Stiller’s directing career as well, since I don’t think nearly enough people talk about it.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

First Off, His Directorial Debut, Reality Bites, Still Resonates With Gen X

There are a select few directors who make a great, career-defining movie on their first try, and then there are directors who make good, fairly competent movies on their first attempt, and 1994’s Reality Bites fits somewhere closer to the latter. However, this is coming from a Millennial. When Reality Bites came out, I was only 11 years old, and so I didn’t even see it when it first debuted.

Do you know who did, though? My Gen-X, older sister, and this is a movie that’s a lot more catered to people like her than it is to people like me. For Generation X, Reality Bites has become a bit of a cult movie that resonates with them, and I can see why.

Starring Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo (Does it get more ‘90s than her?), and Ben Stiller, Reality Bites is about an aspiring documentarian (Ryder) who’s just trying to get her name out there and forge relationships, namely with Ethan Hawke, who plays a guitarist. It’s all about struggling after college to make a way for yourself, and it certainly feels like a time capsule.

That said, it’s important that it DOES feel like a time capsule - one that perfectly encapsulates the anxieties and struggles of being a recent adult in the ‘90s. It may not entirely speak to me, but for a certain demographic, this feels like it was specifically made for them, and it was Stiller’s directorial debut. A generational cult classic? Quite the start.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

You Want Silly Movies? Check. You Want Dark Comedies? Check Again.

I mentioned earlier that Stiller directed Zoolander (both movies) and that's about as silly as it gets. And, when it comes to early 2000s films, I think a lot of people will tell you that the first Zoolander is an important comedy for just how absurd it is. Honestly, when I think of early 2000s comedies, Zoolander is right up there with movies like Wedding Crashers, Old School, and Dodgeball, when it comes to overall silly comedies.

However, the first Ben Stiller-directed movie that I ever saw wasn't Reality Bites, but rather, a pitch-black dark comedy starring Jim Carrey. Now, Jim Carrey WAS my childhood, and I watched him in pretty much everything back in the ‘90s. Carrey was always an expert in playing weirdos, and that's what I was accustomed to seeing whenever my dad would take me to see Jim Carrey movies.

But, by 1996, I was 13-years-old and could see PG-13 movies on my own, which is just what I did when I saw that year's Jim Carrey movie, The Cable Guy. That said, The Cable Guy wasn't like other Carrey films, as he wasn't just weird in this one. He was creepy!

In this story, Carrey plays an obsessive cableman just looking for a friend. His idea of “friendship” verges on being an outright stalker, and Carrey is funny, but also genuinely unsettling. Plus, the crazy thing is, the same guy who developed the “Blue Steel” face in Zoolander is also the same guy who made Carrey creepily sing “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane. Now that's what I call directorial range!

(Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures)

Plus, I Don't Think It Should Be Understated Just What A Risk-Taking Movie Tropic Thunder Actually Was

People are always talking about “movies that could never be made today” (though the recent Scary Movie's whole schtick was about being as politically incorrect as possible…and audiences approved). Do you know one movie that I genuinely do think was pretty audacious upon its release? 2008’s Tropic Thunder, which was Stiller's fourth directorial effort.

The story of actors filming a war movie who are actually dropped off into a real war zone, Tropic Thunder is absurd to the nth degree, but also has a genuine, IDGAF, punk rock attitude that is wholly unique and impressive for its time, and still today, really.

Yes, everybody remembers it for Robert Downey Jr. as a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude, but the dirty (and some might even say “mean-spirited”) jokes in this movie really are quite shocking. Especially for modern audiences.

Which I think is really cool. Given the safe comedy that Ben Stiller typically stars in, one would probably not imagine that he would make a vulgar movie like Tropic Thunder, but he did, and we're all the better for it.

(Image credit: Apple Studios)

And Television! Can I Talk About Severance?

For a while now, television has been a great second home for filmmakers to explore more long-form, versatile projects, and I think one would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile project than Severance (when are we getting Season 3, by the way?), which is probably one of the most inventive sci-fi shows in the past 10 years.

The gem of Apple TV, Severance is all about work/life balance, and the mysteries in-between. At times darkly funny, but also strangely eerie (even verging on creepy), Severance is the brainchild of Dan Erickson, but a lot of the series is directed by Ben Stiller, and it shows!

Adam Scott - who was also in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - is our protagonist, and Stiller does a great job of showing how work can both give one’s life purpose but also be life-draining, and he handles the mystery of what’s really going on extremely well.

Severance is just another example of how we can’t quite peg what kind of director Ben Stiller wants to be, which is really rewarding for somebody who follows his work.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

In The End, Stiller Will Likely Always Be Known For Comedic Roles, But He Is One Hell Of A Director

As I hope you can see, if you scroll through Stiller’s filmography, you’ll find a number of comedic performances in the Actor column. However, if you check out his Director column, you’ll see just how versatile he’s always been.

From cult movies to silly comedies to dark comedies, to TV work (Let’s not forget The Ben Stiller Show), Stiller has definitely made a name for himself as a director if you’re looking.

Which is important, because again, I don’t think “Director” is the first word that comes to most people’s minds when they think of Ben Stiller, but it should be, since he’s one of the greats.

So, out of all of the projects that he’s directed, which one’s your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Reese Witherspoon Gave Advice To The Legally Blonde Prequel’s Star, And It’s So Elle Woods-Coded

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 23:45:00 +0000

We’re only days away from the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle premiering, after anticipating it on the 2026 TV schedule for a hot (pink) minute. Not only does the new Elle Woods, Lexi Minetree, totally look like Reese Witherspoon, but she got to develop a relationship with the OG Elle and even received some A+ advice.

Since Reese Witherspoon is a producer on Elle through her Hello Sunshine banner, she really got to know Lexi Minetree. Speaking about that, the 25-year-old actress recalled one piece of advice Witherspoon gave to her:

[She told me], ‘Always choose kindness and never go low, even when other people do.' Because I think with Elle, the biggest thing is that no matter what people have done to her, she always gives them the benefit of the doubt and forgives them.

What wonderful insight from the original Elle Woods! Elle marks Minetree’s first time leading her own TV show after filming her version of the character’s Harvard admission essay as her audition for the role. You can check out the video that got her in the door below:

A post shared by Hello Sunshine (@hellosunshine)
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Minetree also recently revealed that she watched Legally Blonde something like 150 times and could probably do a “one-woman show” of the classic after spending so many hours revisiting the 2001 film. It’s not easy to follow a role that’s so memorably executed by Reese Witherspoon. However, it sounds like the new actress took on the part with a lot of drive and enthusiasm.

Reese Witherspoon has had nothing but glowing things to say about Lexi Minetree too, as she says she has a “beautiful heart” and has made her “proud to pass the baton”. Along with Witherspoon being by Minetree's side for Elle, the series also stars June Diane Raphael as Elle’s mom Eva, Tom Everett Scott as her dad Wyatt, along with Chandler Kinney, Jacob Moskovitz, Gabriellle Policano and Zac Looker as the other high school students in the show.

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Elle also happens to be the late James Van Der Beek’s last role. The actor plays the part of mayoral candidate Dean Wilson in the show, and was given an emotional shoutout by the show’s creator during the New York City premiere earlier this week. The series was created by The Vampire Diaries writer Caroline Dries and Insecure’s Laura Kittrell.

The prequel follows a 16-year-old Elle Woods circa 1995 as her family moves out to Seattle from Los Angeles, starting her at the bottom of the high school food chain and very out of place. You can see Lexi Minetree’s interpretation of Elle Woods yourself when Season 1 of Elle comes out in full on Wednesday, July 1 on Prime Video.

I Can't Stop Thinking About This Unhinged Bridesmaids Scene With Kristen Wiig That Nearly Made The Movie

Carly Levy — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 23:06:00 +0000

Bridesmaids is one of the best movies of the 2010s, thanks to its fantastic women-led cast and it's absolutly hilarious story. It also features so many outlandish scenarios that make it unforgettable, like the infamous gross-out bridal shopping scene, an aggressive game of tennis, and a Parisian bridal shower gone wrong. However, there was one unhinged Bridesmaids scene featuring Kristen Wiig that didn’t make it into the final cut, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

So, in the Paul Feig flick, Lillian and her bridesmaids plan a bachelorette party in Las Vegas, but they never make it there due to a drugged-out Annie causing a scene on the flight. However, in the original script, the gang did make it to Las Vegas. Explaining the call they got from Judd Apatow about cutting the sequence, co-screenwriter Annie Mumolo said on Radio Andy:

And he called us in literally about a month before we started shooting and was like, ‘All right, have a seat.’ And Judd was like, 'I'm cutting Vegas.' It was almost 60 pages. He was like, ‘I'm cutting Vegas.’ And we were like, ‘OK.’ Then he was like, ‘We need to do something where they don't get there. Just try over the weekend. Maybe they're just, I don't know, see what happens over the weekend, maybe they’re just on the plane or something.’ So, again, very pregnant. I did about two hours of uncontrollable sobbing and then was like, ‘OK, we got to go.’ Kristen was in New York, so we got on the phone and wrote the airplane scene, which is one of my favorites by far.

I can understand the uncontrollable sobbing if 60 pages of a script went down the drain. At the same time, I can understand why Judd Apatow wanted to take it out. As Mumolo explained, around the time of Bridesmaids’ release, there were many great movies about Las Vegas coming out, like The Hangover, What Happens in Vegas, and 21. So, it’s possible Apatow didn’t want to follow the comedy trend.

Plus, ultimately, this rewrite was amazing because it led to the iconic airplane scene, which features some of the film’s best one-liners and is totally unique to this comedy.

However, for curious minds, here’s what the original Vegas scene entailed; it’s wild:

Well, [Annie] couldn't afford the trip everyone else went on. So she had to stay in a different hotel, and they get split up from the get-go almost. She ends up in a different club, where she meets a nice gentleman and has a thing with him, an adventure. Then his girlfriend shows up where they are, and she gets into a fight with a group of young community college students.

Well, that sounds like quite the trip! It also would have fit right in with the outlandish and slapstick moments in Bridesmaids. So, even though I already think the movie is perfect, there's another part of me that wants to see Annie's sidequest in Vegas.

Now, if you thought the possibility of Annie getting beaten up by community college girls was crazy, her story in Sin City isn't over:

So we had that. She comes dragging in with a black eye the next morning, and they had all just gone to the spa. She was looking for them bar to bar, meets someone, and then just gets the shit kicked out of her. So that's what was there. There were a couple other things in there, but the gist of it was getting split off and having a different trip than the rest of the bachelorette party.

Talk about a Vegas trip gone wrong. This truly sounds wild, and part of me would love to see this trip made into a short film.

However, I have to admit, I feel like the airplane scene is ultimately better. Annie went through the wringer throughout Bridesmaids as she had to compete with Helen for Lillian’s friendship, dealt with romance troubles, and was down on herself after her bakery didn't work out. Having Annie endure a black eye while all of her friends were living a luxurious life at a spa would have been more tragic for me than funny.

So, in the end, what was supposed to happen in Vegas never did. However, because of that, we got a hilarious airplane scene that made us all “ready to partay with the best of them!”

You can revisit one of the best rom-coms of all time by streaming Bridesmaids with a Starz subscription.

Chanel Gave Us A Stunning View Of Dua Lipa's Wedding Dress

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:45:00 +0000

When you’re a chart-topping pop singer, you have no excuse not to pull all the stops for your wedding day, and Dua Lipa sure did. The singer tied the knot to Eternity actor Callum Turner with two ceremonies, and I'm dumbfounded over her wedding dress – especially after Chanel gave us a closer look at the garment made by the brand for her.

The hot celebrity couple first made their union official on May 31 at London's Old Marylebone Town Hall (which is the same venue where the likes of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr married their partners) for an intimate affair. Then, they jetted off to Italy for an extravagant three-day wedding celebration with high-profile guests like Elton John, Charli XCX, Mark Ronson and Donatella Versace in attendance. Check out the closer look at Dua Lipa’s stunner of a gown:

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial)
A photo posted by on

What an absolute dream of a wedding dress. The Haute Couture gown was designed by Matthieu Blazy. It features hand-embroidered embellishments with over 480,000 beads and 25,000 feathers. It is reportedly also the product of 1,155 hours of needlework. What a beautiful piece she wore on June 6 during their second ceremony, which apparently took place in the 18th-century Sicilian mansion Villa Valguarnera, where Elton John reportedly sang “Your Song” as they exchanged vows, per InStyle.

Having feathers on a dress that extends to the train is a bold choice, but the designers absolutely nailed it. You can check out Dua Lipa in the dress alongside her hubby on her Instagram. I love how she implemented the feather detailing into her veil as well. The pop star's wedding gown toes a beautiful line between being incredibly classy and opulent while being very fun and party-like as well. I don’t know how a wedding dress gets better than that.

Dua Lipa is known for her impeccable fashion, but this one takes the cake for sure. Previously, the pop star memorably wore white on tour by wearing a T-shirt as a skirt and got wrongly got flack for going to someone else’s wedding in a sheer white dress, but I don’t know how she’s going to top her own wedding dress – or if she wants to.

Now that Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are officially husband and wife, they’ve been enjoying an Italian honeymoon that also looks straight out of a dream. Take a look:

A post shared by DUA LIPA (@dualipa)
A photo posted by on

The pair reportedly started dating in January 2024. Dua confirmed they were engaged after months of rumors last summer, and a year later, here they are already married. Both of them have been juggling wedding planning with their careers. Dua Lipa wrapped a world tour she was on for most of last year back in December, and Callum Turner is set to star in one of the rom-coms on the 2026 movie schedule, One Night Only, coming out on August 7.

Our congrats to the married couple, of course, but also a huge congrats to the geniuses who pulled off that magical wedding gown!

I Wasn’t Expecting Sarah Sherman’s Deeply Personal Reason For Feeling Like ‘Roadkill’ After Finishing An SNL Season

Riley Utley — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:15:00 +0000

While the benefits of being on Saturday Night Live are amazing, and the show has produced many successful comedians, it also takes quite a toll on its cast and crew. I mean, Michael Che says he’s going to leave every season because of how challenging it is, and many others have spoken about just how tough it is to perform week after week. Now, Sarah Sherman has gotten very personal about why she felt like “roadkill” after wrapping up a season of SNL.

This conversation came up as Sherman was discussing touring as a stand-up comedian on Deadline’s Comedy Means Business podcast. She explained that she’s not doing it right now, despite the fact that her special, Sarah Squirm: Live + In the Flesh (you can stream it with an HBO Max subscription), came out in December last year. While that feels unnatural, it was needed after she wrapped another season of SNL, as she explained:

I should be touring, touring, touring, touring now ‘cause the special just came out. But like I'm coming out of the season of SNL feeling like roadkill. I got one eyeball dangling. I'm missing both my arms and legs. I feel crazy. And so I'm taking a bit of a break before I start touring again, which is like totally the antithesis to the pace I should be on.

Sarah Sherman has always kept it real when it comes to SNL. She’s talked about things she still hasn’t figured out, and she’s explained what it’s like to have a sketch cut in the middle of an episode. While these comments are not rude or angry, they are candid and highlight the challenges that come with working on this show.

(Image credit: NBC)

In her latest comments, she explained that she was so tired after this last season that ended on the 2026 TV schedule that she was in desperate need of a break. Explaining that point a bit further, and diving into why SNL is so exhausting, she said:

It makes sense. I should be like, keeping up with the momentum, but I kind of — I've never taken a break before in my life. But I was like, ‘Oh shit, I needed a break.’ And it's not just because I'm tired of touring or I'm tired of working. It's like I come out of SNL feeling really vulnerable. And it's just a really scary hard job, and like my self-esteem is like, you know, I'm doing all this crazy shit on live TV in front of millions of people. It feels kind of crazy, and I kind of just didn't have the heart to tour right now at this very moment.

This all makes perfect sense. Week after week, the writers and cast of SNL are expected to write and perform new work. Then, through that process, a lot gets cut and changed. It’s a tough and ultra-fast-paced job that comes with funky hours, intense highs and low lows. So, I get why a cast member might feel like “roadkill” after a given season.

However, despite the challenges, the cast is coming back and killing. On top of that, they’re also working on other projects. In fact, while Sherman isn’t doing stand-up right now, she will be later this summer. Plus, in 2026 alone, she’s worked on three movies – Pizza Movie, Roomates and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma – while also performing on SNL.

So, yes, while the work is challenging and exhausting, it’s clear that even though Sarah Sherman is taking a break right now (and a deserved one at that), she really shows no signs of slowing down.

Chris Hemsworth Shared Amazing Vacation Views, But It's His Thor Arms That Have My Attention

Carly Levy — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:03:54 +0000

When Chris Hemsworth goes on family vacations, it’s easy to be green with envy. In 2023, the Hemsworths took in stunning views during a trip to Dubai, and there were even some great shots from their camping trip with Chris' younger brother, Liam. It shouldn't surprise the MCU star's social media followers that he recently shared more photos from yet another family vacation, and the shots are breathtaking. However, I'm more focused on the sight of Hemsworth's bulging Thor arms.

As the Aussie actor normally has a busy schedule with his many acting projects, it makes sense that he wants to spend his downtime with family and sightseeing. Based on Hemsworth's Instagram Stories, he had a sweet Boys Day Out with his two sons in the French Alps. And those snowy mountains look rock solid, I'd argue they've got nothing on Hemsworth's arms:

(Image credit: Chris Hemsworth)

Yes, the mountains are breathtaking, and it’s incredibly cute to see Chris Hemsworth and his boys all hand-in-hand staring at those peaks. However, those French summits don't quite compare to the sight of the Star Trek actor’s sculpted arms! And, if you want an even better look at them, check out this next photo of Hemsworth holding a camera with an arm fit for an Asgardian prince:

(Image credit: Chris Hemsworth)

To say Hemsworth’s arms look toned would be an understatement. Look at those veins running across those muscles! Hemsworth is certainly known for putting in work in the gym, but he and his trainer seem to have really outdone themselves.

Of course, there's surely an explanation for those attention-grabbing guns, as Hemsworth may be getting Thor-ready once again. Last year, he wrappped filming on Avengers: Doomsday, in which he'll reprise his role as the God of Thunder. Also, it's been speculated that Hemsworth will return as Thor in Avengers: Secret Wars. Recent reports suggest that second film will begin shooting soon, so that could explain why Hemsworth's arms are so swole right now.

On that note, MCU stars like Elizabeth Olsen and Benedict Cumberbatch gave agreed that Chris Hemsworth's arms are part of what makes him attractive. And the talented actor worked hard for those babies. For instance, he was certainly lifting weights for Thor: Love and Thunder, which showed how dedicated the Transformers One actor to training to play the Son of Asgard. Other than non-stop lifting, Hemsworth was also eating 4,500 calories a day.

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The very fit actor also changed his training regimin for Avengers: Doomsday. His personal trainer, Luke Zocchi, he switched it up between cardio and lifting based on how Hemsworth felt. So, yeah, this guy is certainly going to look big on the big screen.

So, while I thank Chris Hemsworth for those stunning pics of the French Alps, I also thank him for reminding us why he's the perfect star to play Thor. And, if those arms don't convince you of that, then I don't know what else to tell you.

Get pumped to see Chris Hemsworth return as Thor in the upcoming Marvel films, as Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18th. And Secret Wars is set to be released on December 17th, 2027. In the meantime, you can also check out Thor's various appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by streaming the films with a Disney+ subscription.

I'm Right With The Bear Fans Who Are Emotional After Sydney And Carmy's Big Season 5 Moment

Erik Swann — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:29:47 +0000

Major spoilers for the final season of The Bear lie ahead, so proceed into this kitchen with caution, chefs.

The end is no longer near, it is here, as The Bear has reached the conclusion of its five-season run. While it’s sad that Christopher Storer’s Emmy-winning restaurant dramedy has come to a close, its final eight episodes leave viewers with a lot of cathartic moments to chew on (no pun intended). Among the sweeter scenes within the series finale is a particularly great moment between Carmy Berzatto and Sydney Adamu. Now, after having seen that, fans who’ve long loved these characters are in their feelings as am I.

A subplot within The Bear Season 5 involves Syd, Carmy and co. expecting a visit from an inspector, who could award them with a Michelin star (which would certify the quality of the establishment). The final episode, “The Original Beef of Chicagoland,” sees Carmy take a phone call from an unknown caller he’d frequently ignored throughout the season. Peter Clark is revealed to be the caller, and he not only reveals himself as the “Star Man” the team has been waiting for but that he actually visited the eatery months earlier.

Sydney later finds an emotional Carmy, who tells her about Clark and that he enjoyed the restaurant. Carmy then shocks Syd when he reveals that the restaurant has been awarded not one, but two stars. While the two initially play it cool, Sydney eventually leaves the kitchen and embraces Carmy with a passionate hug in the dining room. It’s a sweet sight, and fans aren’t holding in their emotions about it. Check out what some of them shared to X about what could be one of the best moments to grace the 2026 TV schedule:

The Bear finally achieving Syd’s dream of becoming star holders. They didn’t get one but two stars and her hugging Carmy in thanks oh I’m so not okay. - @Archivesbym_
The hug and then them pulling back and Carmy holding her face then them hugging again IM GOING CRAZY. - @mavellarke
Dare i say this hug is somehow more intimate and romantic than a kiss. - @shivlestat
SOMEBODY SEDATE ME this is happening woahh wow SYDCARMY NATION THEY HUGGED for a MINUTE!!! - @_delovetv
The way he immediately drops the towel and runs straight to her is killing me. - @jawholic
I can’t even put into words how much this scene means to me. They are so fucking proud of each other, and this hug was an accumulation of everything they have been through, separate and together. - @belqvedrue

At this point, I’m still on a high after seeing that hug between Carmy and Syd – who really have physical contact throughout the show – play out in real time. It’s a sweet moment and, as one of the social media users alludes to, it’s an earned public display of affection, considering what the two friends/co-workers have been through. The Bear has delivered some striking images and, for a show that can certainly make viewers feel anxious, it’s poetic that such a serene moment will now likely remain within the public’s consciousness.

(Image credit: FX)

What’s particularly notable about this scene is that for some time now, there’s been speculation regarding how Syd and Carmy’s relationship might develop. There have been those who’ve shipped them as a couple, while others believe it’d be a terrible idea to get them together. Syd actor Ayo Edebiri has also shot down romance assumptions, arguing that her character is not in love with Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy. Instead, she argues that the two have a kinship due to their shared passion for what they do.

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I agree with Edebiri’s assessment, as the dynamic between Carm and Sydney has always read as platonic to me. Still, I’d argue that, thanks to that sweet hug scene, fans who fall on either side of the relationship debate should (hopefully) be satisfied. And, on a much broader note, that moment is just one of many reasons why this final season serves as a worthy send-off for the show. I’ll certainly miss the shots of tasty-looking foods, but it’s the characters and the firm bonds between them that I’ll miss the most.

Even though The Bear is done, fans can still revisit the show in its entirety using a Hulu subscription. And, if for some reason you’re reading this and have yet to watch the show at all, give it a try. You won’t regret it, chef.

I’m Pumped After The Princess Diaries 3 Gets An Update From The Book Series’ Author

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:07:30 +0000

After Anne Hathaway successfully brought back one of her most beloved characters through The Devil Wears Prada 2, I’ve been curious about what’s been going on with The Princess Diaries 3. Thankfully, Meg Cabot, the author behind The Princess Diaries books, just shared a really exciting update about one of my most-anticipated upcoming Disney movies.

Anne Hathaway officially announced The Princess Diaries 3 was happening back in 2024 (via Instagram), but the actress and producer has also been busier than ever lately, between leading five films on the 2026 movie schedule and announcing that she's pregnant with her third child. Luckily, the book's author has an update about a return to Genovia, as she said:

I’m so excited there is a third movie. I read a script, and it was amazing. I told them not to send anymore, because I love it so much. I have a problem keeping my mouth shut. They don’t like it when you tell people what’s gonna happen yet, so I was like, ‘Better not send me any more scripts!’

Shut up! This makes me so happy to hear. Since The Princess Diaries 3 was announced, it sounds like there’s been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make the movie the best it can be before cameras start rolling. I appreciate the care going into the movie, and what Meg Cabot told THR has me more excited that the film is finally shaping up.

She also said that she’s seen several versions of the sequel since it's been in development, and it’s now gotten to the point where she’s completely satisfied with where the script is now. In her words:

It has been in discussions for a really long time. There have been a lot of scripts, and I think this one that I most recently read is my favorite. Fingers crossed that’s the one they’re going to use, but it’s a really fun idea, and I’m 100 percent behind it.

The Princess Diaries 3 is set to be directed by Adele Lim, who previously helmed the 2023 comedy Joy Ride and co-wrote both Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon. In the director’s latest update from last month, she said that it's been taking so long because she and the other producers are committed to “make the story right” since the franchise is “so beloved by so many people.”

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Lim also hinted that the movie will be a rare wish-fulfillment movie about a queen, a “woman in her full power.” She also said they are planning to shoot the movie in Europe to “really show the audience Genovia in its full glory,” and fans of the first two movies can expect “a lot of fun returns.”

When it comes to who’s returning, aside from Anne Hathaway, I have a lot of questions and hopes. The main person I want to see back is Julie Andrews, who has previously said she’d be “happy” to do another one, but the 90-year-old hasn’t been doing much acting lately aside from voice work.

Considering everything on Anne Hathaway’s plate right now, I don’t see this movie fully taking off until next year, but Meg Cabot’s comments definitely have me anticipating the movie even more now.

Supergirl Is Only The Second Film In The James Gunn DC Universe, But A Trend I Love Is Emerging

Hugh Scott — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:05:00 +0000

If there is one word I would use to describe Supergirl, it’s “fun.” The film, which hits the 2026 movie schedule this weekend, has a very James Gunn vibe. It’s not directed by Gunn or written by him; those credits go to Craig Gillespie and Ana Nogueira, respectively. Still, Supergirl feels more like Guardians of the Galaxy than anything in the pre-Gunn era of the (formerly) DCEU, and not just because of the brisk runtime. Gillespie and Nogueira definitely put their imprint on it, but the new DC Universe already feels more cohesive than anything DC has done before, outside of The Dark Knight Trilogy.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

That Humor And Those Needle Drops

To be sure, Supergirl has some very poignant moments (though some people seem to disagree with that) and doesn’t shy away from some pretty heavy themes playing out with Milly Alcock’s Supergirl/Kara Zor-El. However, it’s also filled with great jokes and funny moments. In that respect, it feels very much in the style of Guardians or Peacemaker (the first DC show created by Gunn). Some of the humor is raunchy, and the language is definitely PG-13. I loved all of that. It made the emotional moments more powerful and kept the movie chugging along at a great pace.

Then there are the needle drops. One reason I really love Gunn’s work on comic book movies is how great he is at picking songs. Bringing back a somewhat overlooked track from a quarter century ago in Superman with “Punkrocker” by Teddybears, featuring Iggy Pop, was brilliant. While Supergirl doesn’t really reach that deep into the annals of pop culture, adding some bangers by great current artists like Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, and Halsey feels perfect.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Where Will The Future Projects Fall?

One of the things the MCU really got right when it was firing on all cylinders was keeping a cohesive vibe, no matter who was directing or writing whichever movie was coming out. The DCEU was all over the place in that respect. Gunn, Gillespie, and Nogueira seem to have made a conscious effort to focus on this in the new DCU. The sum of the parts should add up to something. How this will work going forward will be fascinating to see.

Up next for DC television shows is Lanterns, which will hit the 2026 TV schedule in August, and the next DC film to be released will be the body horror Clayface in October. Lanterns is being described as having a detective show vibe, while obviously a horror movie like Clayface is unlikely ot have many lighter moments, but I can’t wait to see how they fit in here. The 2027 movie schedule includes Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman, written and directed by Gunn, so I do expect that to bring the same energy as these first two movies.

All in all, I can’t wait to see this universe continue to expand and evolve, and I’m trusting the hand of Gunn more and more.

Isiah Thomas Doesn’t Hold Back His Issues With Michael Jordan And Other NBA Vets Working At Networks: ‘Not This BS’

Erik Swann — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 20:27:36 +0000

Sports networks have long utilized former athletes for commentary, and NBC did that in a big way when NBA coverage returned this past season. The network tapped several veteran ballers for gigs, and Michael Jordan was even hired to headline a segment. Jordan’s portion of the broadcasts received mixed-to-negative reactions, and it’s unclear if he’ll collaborate with the brand moving forward. In the meantime, though, fellow NBA legend Isiah Thomas is weighing in on that segment and revealing why he takes issue with some broadcasters.

Jordan was at the center of MJ: Insights to Excellence, which are nearly five-minute segments that see Jordan discussing a different topic with broadcaster Mike Tirico. Yet the chats weren’t live, as they were portions of a pre-recorded interview between the pair. Early on, it was thought that Jordan’s segments would be live, and fans seemed disappointed to find that out. Isiah Thomas was recently asked about the merits of networks bringing in Jordan and other NBA legends more regularly, and he’s fine with it on one condition:

Only if they’re going to be one hundred percent honest, and not promote this BS. Tell the truth about the game. Give our game truthfully, honestly, and factually to the fans so they can continue to learn and grow and love our game. But the way our game is being talked about in some ways, it’s very mythical. It ain’t real. We’re still calling his [Jordan’s] game ‘The Flu Game,’ and they know he didn’t have the flu. But they promote it.

Thomas – a seasoned broadcaster himself – makes a good point, and what he’s essentially referring to is how some people tend to romanticize the history of the game. Don’t be mistaken, as the NBA has seen some incredible feats over the course of its existence. However, it can be argued that there are those who look at it all through rose-colored glasses. Thomas is one of several players who’s witnessed or been a part of big moments, so he does have the authority to speak. On that note, he also told Run It Back this:

I’m just down for honesty and telling the truth about what it is we’re seeing. So, if NBC is going to bring back people to talk about the game, bring the folks who are going to be honest and tell the truth, not this BS.

Something that should be mentioned, is that there are those who've seemingly enjoyed Insights to Excellence and appreciate the novelty of seeing Jordan share his perspectives. Check out a segment below:

At its best, sports journalism is indeed storytelling, but it’s also about laying out facts as accurately as possible. There are, of course, other avenues in which former players have discussed their on-court battles like documentaries. Thomas, for example, appeared in The Last Dance and reflected on the intense rivalry between his Pistons and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. After the fact, though, Thomas said he felt “blindsided” by the way the doc was edited, and it played into his decision to opt out of the Celtics City docuseries.

NBC, meanwhile, will seemingly maintain its group of broadcasters for the upcoming professional basketball season. That includes big names like hall-of-famers Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony as well as Inside the NBA alum Jamal Crawford among others. As for Michael Jordan’s future as a “special contributor,” NBC Sports head Rick Cordella would neither confirm nor deny whether his Airness would be part of the team again. However, Cordella said the company hoped “to be in business with Michael for a long time.”

If that happens, I have to wonder if Isiah Thomas will be watching in the hopes that the “honesty” he seeks will take shape. Thomas and others will be able to tune into the NBA on NBC when the block returns to the 2026 TV schedule this fall.

I'm So Happy Avatar: The Last Airbender's Actors Fought To Bring One Iconic Sokka And Katara Scene To Live Action

Riley Utley — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:48:05 +0000

As someone who grew up with Avatar: The Last Airbender and rewatched it many times, there are so many moments from the animated series that I wanted to see in live-action. Thankfully, Season 2 delivered quite a few of those, including a few silly scenes that are utterly irresistible. Actually, one of those funnier instances made it into Netflix’s adaptation in a more accurate way because the two actors who play Sokka and Katara fought for it.

Now, the moment I’m referring to is when Katara spooks a couple of guys, and Sokka proudly says “Water Tribe” as they leave in a cool way. I’ve always adored that scene between the siblings, and I was stoked when it found its way into the show on Netflix’s 2026 schedule. During an interview with CinemaBlend, Ian Ousley, who plays Sokka, told me that he and Kiawentiio, who plays Katara, fought to do it accurately too:

Me and Kiawentiio actually got to work on the ‘Water Tribe’ thing like a lot. And we loved that moment in the original animated series, and [we] ended up actually like talking to our writers and showrunners and asking for it to be in a slightly different place. It was supposed to actually be in the Earth Rumble, that’s where they had placed it originally.

So, in the live-action adaptation’s second episode (you can stream it with a Netflix subscription), Aang, Katara and Sokka are exploring a new town and trying to get information. Before they go to the Earth Rumble, Katara said she got some info out of people, and her brother jokes that she probably did it with waterbending. We then see Katara making an “I’m watching you” motion at two people she froze together. When Sokka sees them, he proudly says “Water Tribe” while making the motion you can see below:

(Image credit: Netflix)

That moment is ripped straight out of the original show. In the sixth episode of the animated series’ second season (which you can stream on Netflix or with a Paramount+ subscription), Katara uses the same method to get information out of two boys. Later in the episode, the gang goes to talk to the guys again, and as they’re ending the conversation, Katara says, “I’ve got my eye on you” and makes the “I’m watching you” hand motion. Then Sokka says “Water Tribe” with the following motion:

(Image credit: Nickelodeon)

As you can see, the two versions of this scene are very similar, and both highlight Katara’s strength and Sokka’s humor. It’s also just fun to do the “Water Tribe” thing with him. So, overall, I’m so happy Kiawentiio and Ousley fought to do the scene this way. Explaining how exactly they fought for it, the actors said:

Kiawentiio: Yeah, and we filmed it both ways, and fought really hard to be able to capture it in a more of the original blocking.
Ian Ousley: Yeah, like a closer adaptation to the original animated series.
Kiawentiio: Yeah, and that's the one that ended up working best. So, it was really fun when we got to see that.

Along with seeing intense and sad Avatar moments come to life in live-action, I adore that the funnier lines and sequences made it in, too. I especially adore that the cast fought for them, because it proves just how much they care for and love the source material.

Now, to see this moment (and many others) in live-action, you can stream Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.

Mariska Hargitay Got Brutally Honest Advice Right Before Landing Law & Order: SVU (And I’m Glad She Didn’t Take It)

Megan Behnke — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:24:40 +0000

Mariska Hargitay is the longest-running actor in the Law & Order franchise and, at this point, she's arguably the face of the franchise. Having been a mainstay on SVU since it premiered in 1999 (and continues its run amid the 2026 TV schedule), it’s hard to imagine the show without her. Before locking down the role of Olivia Benson, though, Hargitay got some blunt advice, and I’m so glad she didn’t take it.

The newly-minted Broadway star has been open about what her life was like when she was first getting into acting and how a psychic even predicted her SVU fame before she got the role. The psychic is not the only one whom Hargitay saw, though. While speaking with Jamie Lee Curtis for Variety’s Actors on Actors segment, Hargitay recalled how her acting teacher at the time told her she needed to be on stage, and she became good friends with Oscar and Emmy-winning director Fisher Stevens as a result.

Stevens would take her to Broadway shows whenever she was in New York and introduce her to actresses. It was then that she knew that’s what she wanted to do. There was one actress that Hargitay became friends with who warned her to avoid one thing, and those comments couldn’t have come at a more interesting time:

I became friends with the amazing Kathleen Chalfant, and she was like, ‘Don’t sell out [and] do TV.’ Seriously, an hour later, I got SVU. So that was a hard call to make!

Well, that guidance certainly wasn't too subtle. Interestingly, at that time, Hargitay had done quite a lot of TV, as she landed recurring roles in Falcon Crest and ER as well as leading roles in Downtown, Tequila and Bonetti, and Can’t Hurry Love, among others. But the fact that Kathleen Chalfrant -- known for her work across film, TV, and stage -- gave Hargitay that advice just before she got the call for SVU is hilarious. It’s a good thing Hargitay ended up not taking the advice, because who knows what could have happened with her career or the L&O franchise.

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Luckily, Hargitay has been able to finally live out her Broadway dreams, even as Law & Order: SVU continues going strong. The actress recently made her Broadway debut in Every Brilliant Thing, taking over the narrator role from Daniel Radcliffe. Her run, which began on May 26, will go through July 5, and I'd imagine that'll end shortly before filming kicks off for SVU’s 28^th season. So, while it took some time, I'm glad Hargitay got to experience the bright lights of Broadway.

Still, I'm looking forward to seeing Mariska Hargitay back on set for Law & Order: SVU. Both that show and Law & Order will be back for new seasons later this year, but it’s hard to know just how much longer the Dick Wolf franchise will be around for. As of now, there doesn’t seem to be any end for SVU, and I'm hopeful that the same level of vigor that pushed Hargitay to sign on for the show years ago continues to stay with her as she continues to make it.

Law & Order: SVU Season 28 will premiere on Thursday, October 8 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, streaming the next day with a Peacock subscription.

‘I’m Doing That?!’ The Toy Story 5 Storyline That Was Awkward For Tim Allen To Record

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:07:47 +0000

SPOILERS for Toy Story 5 ahead.

We got a monumental moment in Toy Story 5, as Jessie and Buzz shared a kiss! After the sequel explores Jessie’s backstory and develops her character, she plants a big smooch on Buzz Lightyear upon their reunion, who’s been itching to ask her to marry him the whole movie. It’s a sweet scene, but Tim Allen got honest about how awkward it was to record the moment in the newest Disney movie.

The 73-year-old has been playing Buzz Lightyear for over 30 years, but there’s a specific reason why the romance of it all felt odd to him at first. In his words to Us Weekly:

[It was] creepy! When I’m doing [Toy Story], I’m literally an 8-year-old kid. That’s what the personality I feel is inside Buzz, is my 11-year-old. So it’s like, ‘Oh God, oh no, I’m doing that?!

Now, this totally makes sense! Sure, Buzz Lightyear has grown older in a sense across the past five movies, but he still thinks of the character as a little kid on his end. So, it was tough to wrap his head around the maturity of Buzz and Jessie being outwardly romantic this time around, with both a kissing scene and a wedding. As he continued:

Every time there’s a kissing scene, everybody gets really quiet in the room. Especially when [Elizabeth was] a little younger. And that is exactly how I responded [to Buzz kissing Jessie]. I remember when I first read it, I said, ‘Are you going to show this?’ It’s like Woody’s bald spot. You kind of move them out of the animated thing, and it gets into some larger dramatic questions. Can they get married? And let’s move on from there.

You gotta love this reaction. Buzz and Jessie’s big kiss is pretty innocent, but as he recalls, he found himself a bit shocked about it when he first read it on the page.

Tim Allen also couldn't help but think about his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, who is 17 (his other one, Kate, is 36). As he shared, he still distinctly remembers a time when she would have an adverse reaction to kissing. He compared his daughter’s past reactions to that of his own when he learned Buzz and Jessie would be smooching in Toy Story 5.

That being said, obviously, he approves of the scene now. As he added:

I loved [it] because it affects everybody in the room. You know, adults, and then kids go, ‘Eew!’ You got that potpourri of responses.

Test Your Toy Story Knowledge

(Image credit: Pixar, Disney)

Toy Story Experts Should Ace This Crossword Puzzle Quiz

Both Tim Allen and Tom Hanks have been candid about their initial hesitancy to be in another Toy Story movie. In Allen’s case, he found the fifth movie’s story “really clever” and got himself excited to go back in the recording booth to play Buzz Lightyear again. He’s also been vocal about how “hysterical” he thinks the 100 Buzz B-plot is.

Buzz and Jessie’s romance in Toy Story 5 is a sweet advancement to their storyline after there’s been a wink to their interest in each other in past movies. They also get a lovely wedding moment staged by Bonnie, her new friend Blaze, and the rest of the toys during playtime. How adorable was it for Toy Story to give these two a Disney-worthy happily ever after?

Paget Brewster Is Sharing Random Criminal Minds Set Facts, And These Two Stuck With Me

Megan Behnke — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:22:49 +0000

Criminal Minds: Evolution has been airing its fourth season, 19th overall, on the 2026 TV schedule, and even after all these years, I love learning about how this show gets made. So, in the midst of this new season, some of the cast have been sharing photos and videos from filming, while others have been posting behind-the-scenes details, which I love. Most recently, Paget Brewster shared some random set facts, and there were two that really stuck with me.

Brewster is a staple on Criminal Minds. She has starred in hundreds of episodes as Emily Prentiss, and she is leading the BAU in Evolution. To celebrate Season 19, which premiered on May 28, Brewster took to X to reveal some fun facts about the show so many people love. One of them even involved the upcoming 20^th season and how she gets into character:

I have to cry on Monday in a scene for [Criminal Minds] Season 20 and if I can’t get there, I saved a video of kids getting puppies they’ve asked for forever. Makes me cry every time. I’m early and I know my lines. I’m not Meryl Streep.

I have always wondered how actors are able to cry on the spot, because if I were in that position, I would be doing so many takes. Knowing how Brewster prepares herself gives me an insight into that skill, while also giving me a peek into what it's really like filming Criminal Minds. It also makes me wonder what will be in store for Prentiss come Season 20, because I need to know why she’ll be crying.

Anyway, while we wait to see the tears in question, Brewster revealed another BTS fact that's worth discussing. In a different post on X, she got real about a hard truth that comes with being an actor. While this is not necessarily a surprising truth, it's still harsh. It also makes it clear that Criminal Minds is intense both on-screen and off.

Here’s the thing about being in a show as a cast member, if you are sick as hell, you can’t replace yourself for a day. Sometimes, we might seem sick in camera. Because we were!

Having to still work while sick definitely sucks. I’ve done it numerous times. But having to work and pretend like everything is alright for the camera is a different story. However, it makes sense that sick days aren't really possible, especially if there’s a strict filming schedule. However, hopefully, sick actors are still able to take some time to rest and relax.

I always love getting behind-the-scenes facts of my favorite shows, and I’m grateful that Paget Brewster shares so many while holding down the fort on Criminal Minds. Whether or not Brewster has more set facts under her sleeve is unknown, but with much more of the show on the way, I'm hopeful she'll share more.

While I cross my fingers for more BTS info, fans can watch new episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution on Thursdays with a Paramount+ subscription. All current episodes of Criminal Minds are also available on the streamer.

Was Supergirl Hinting At Anything With That A+ Superwoman Bit? We Had To Ask

Erik Swann — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:05:18 +0000

Minor spoilers for Supergirl – which is currently playing in theaters – lie ahead.

For years now, comic book fans have loved the character of Kara Zor-El a.k.a. Supergirl, and understandably so. The character greatly differs from her cousin, Kal-El/Clark Kent (Superman), but they’re similar in that they both have a desire to serve up justice. Something that’s been noted for a while now though, is the fact that Kara’s superhero moniker includes the word “girl,” while Clark’s includes “man.” The term “Superwoman” is mentioned in Kara’s 2026 movie schedule entry, though, and CinemaBlend asked about what that meant.

During Supergirl, Milly Alcock’s Kara and Eve Ridley’s Ruthye Marye Knoll visit the planet Bilquis and, after their arrival, Ruthye questions Kara about her hero name. She questions Kara as to why she’s called “Supergirl” and her cousin is called “Superman,” opining that it would make more sense for her to be called “Superwoman.” While speaking to screenwriter Ana Nogueira, CinemaBlend asked about the use of the term “Superwoman” and whether there was ever a time amid development when the film had that title. Nogueira said:

No, there was never a discussion about it. I think the character, like in the larger comic world, is Supergirl. I think maybe Superwoman is like a completely different character. I could be wrong about that….. Someone's going to come at me. I'm going to get come at. I think it's like a different character. So, yeah, maybe later we call her Superwoman.

I Thought The Amazing Digital Circus Was Just Cringe YouTube Stuff, Then My Daughter Made Me Watch

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:05:00 +0000

I'd seen The Amazing Digital Circus referenced at conventions and other events in recent years, but I never gave it a ton of attention. What little I knew of it was that it started on YouTube, and from my limited, thirty-something worldview, it felt cringe for a man of my age to even engage in it.

Fortunately, I have a brilliant young daughter who desperately wanted me to watch it with her, so I fired up my Netflix subscription and off we went. Nine episodes later, I fully admit I was wrong, and I totally get why so many people went to see the final episode in theaters. It may be cringeworthy to some, but The Amazing Digital Circus ended up being one of the best sci-fi shows I've seen in a while.

(Image credit: Gooseworx)

What Is The Amazing Digital Circus About

Without going too deep into spoilers, The Amazing Digital Circus kicks off when a young woman wakes up in a virtual reality space surrounded by characters. She can't remember her own name, but does have vague memories of her past life. It turns out that's the same as everyone in this space, which is run by Caine, the ringmaster who has god-like powers and the ability to shape the digital world.

With, seemingly, no way of escaping, Caine constructs scenarios for Pomni, the given name to the jester girl that spawned in, and the rest of the crew. It's vital the team participate, as it seems when they stop engaging with the madness, they "abstract" and become an unrecognizable beast. It's a colorful, chaotic world filled with wild happenings, which can wear down anyone trapped for eternity.

As for what age group it's suitable for, the general consensus online is that it's pretty PG-13. I would say it's a very mild PG-13, and if your kid went to see Five Nights At Freddys, they'll have no problem watching this. The profanity is largely mild and doesn't happen often, so really it's just the darker themes of the show that may be cause for concern.

(Image credit: Gooseworx)

It May Appeal To Kids, But The Story Itself Rivals High Concept Sci-Fi

Science fiction shows are struggling right now, so imagine my surprise when The Amazing Digital Circus reminded me of one of my favorite villains from Star Trek: Voyager. Anyone familiar with "The Thaw" will want to check this out, as it's that concept stretched out over the course of nine wonderful episodes.

Tom Holland Revealed The Next Project He Wants To Do With Zendaya, And I Need This ASAP

Carly Levy — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:28:53 +0000

This year is a big one for Tom Holland and Zendaya. Firstly, after much speculation, it was finally confirmed that they did get married. On top of that, they have not one, but two projects on the 2026 movie schedule: Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey. Now, as we get excited for those releases, it's also time to look toward the future, as Holland revealed the kind of project he'd like to work on next with his partner.

There’s no doubt that Holland and Zendaya have undeniable chemistry playing love interests in the Spider-Man movies. Peter and MJ starting as awkward high school teens with a crush and growing into a lovely couple is one element that’s made the MCU flicks all the more memorable. However, there's no denying how badly I want to see these two actors in a full-blown rom-com. Thankfully, Holland wants to see that too, as he explained to Vanity Fair France at Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s UGC Cine Cité Bercy fan event:

I think we would make an amazing rom-com together, that would be really fun. A musical rom-com, yeah. She could do the singing and the dancing, and I would do some of the dancing. That would be fun.

Well, this needs to happen immediately. That's because not only do I want to see these two in a rom-com, but they both have the musical background to pull off what Holland suggested in a magnificent way.

For instance, Zendaya started on Disney Channel, dancing and singing on Shake It Up! while also releasing two albums. Not to mention, she topped the music charts with songs from Euphoria, and she starred in the musical flick The Greatest Showman. So, you know singing and dancing won’t be a problem for the Emmy winner, as Tom Holland said. And because we haven’t seen the actress/singer in a light romance movie before, why not take that genre on with her real-life husband?

As for Tom Holland, he's got some moves of his own! In fact, he joined the cast of Billy Elliot on the West End when he was only 12 years old. Now, Holland is set to play Fred Astaire in the song-and-dance man’s biopic. He's actually started working on the film too, as he explained on Good Hang with Amy Poehler that he had his first dance rehearsal for the flick recently. So, we know he's got the moves; now, we just need to hear his vocal chops.

You have to admit that a Tom Holland-Zendaya rom-com is exactly what we need. While the pair share plenty of cute romance scenes in the Spider-Man movies, their characters still face the constant threat of enemies. So, I'd love to see them tell a story where their characters simply fall in love. Plus, The Drama actress looked very impressed watching her other half dancing ballet in front of her and doing a funny impression of his Billy Elliot singing. So, I can see them having a lot of fun singing and dancing together in a musical.

However, that's a dream for now. So, while we wait for Tom Holland and Zendaya to hopefully star in a musical rom-com together, you can see the loving pair reunite in Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st. You can also watch the actors in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in theaters on July 17th.

Amal Clooney On How Marrying Into Fame Changed Her Life: ‘I Can't Be Seen Wearing This Dress’

Caroline Young — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:51:08 +0000

Amal Clooney’s life took an unexpected turn when she met George Clooney back in 2013. The two fell in love quickly and got married a little over a year and a half later. While Amal was already an accomplished human rights lawyer, representing clients in high profile, international cases, public interest in her personal life was something new for the philanthropist. She is now opening up about this immense change and how she initially felt about the attention.

During a recent Cartier Dialogues event in Bangkok, Clooney opened up about her feelings on fame when she married the Oscar winner. She definitely knew there was a newfound interest in her personal life, which was unique for her because up until that point, much of the focus had been on her professional life, and myriad of accomplishments in the human rights sector. She also was able to keep her work life and personal life completely separate, but that all changed very quickly. She explained (via People):

I used to have my work life and my personal life, and they could look quite different, and I was able to not have them mix and then I got married and that changed quite a lot. And at first I was kind of conscious of that one-dimensional view where I felt like, well, I can't be seen wearing this dress or doing this because I'm in front of a judge on Monday.

I can understand how that would be a hard situation to navigate, especially given the lawyer was marrying someone like George Clooney. Before he tied the knot with Amal, the Ocean’s Eleven star was consistently at the center of tabloid gossip involving his dating life. He previously stated that he never thought he’d get married, and those comments seemingly added to the public's interest when he decided to marry Amal.

Clearly, the relationship is working out, as the Clooneys welcomed twins in 2017, and Amal has been candid about how George stepped up to the plate when they were born. The Clooneys have a seemingly solid, blissful marriage that has lasted over 11 years despite the amount of attention they’ve attracted. Amal Clooney also says she feels much more content with the fame aspect now, explaining:

But you know it just doesn't matter as much as living your life, and ultimately if you're good at what you do, that is going to shine through or not. I wouldn't allow that factor to stop me from doing things that were important for my family or for my relationship. It was easier when I could decide what kind of exposure I got. It was something new to navigate.

The Clooneys have seemingly navigated it quite well, too. Both have continued to have booming professional lives as a couple and external of their relationship. Ultimately, they combined what they were both good at and created the Clooney Foundation for Justice together, where they provide free legal services to cases surrounding women’s rights.

Why Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding At Madison Square Garden Is (Allegedly) Rubbing New Yorkers The Wrong Way

Riley Utley — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:26:32 +0000

Yes, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding is a big deal, and yes, if it happens at Madison Square Garden, it will be very buzzy in Midtown Manhattan. However, while that’s exciting, it could also be a logistical nightmare for those who travel in and out of New York City. So, with all that in mind, insiders explained why New Yorkers allegedly aren’t thrilled that this wedding could happen at one of the most famous arenas in the United States.

Recently, reports have come out about permits being filed that seem to prove that Swift and Kelce will get married at Madison Square Garden. Specifically, the NYT reported that one was filed to close the streets around the venue from July 2 to midday July 4. That falls in line with the couple’s alleged July 3 wedding date. According to insiders who spoke to Rob Shuter, it’s these supposed street closures that are upsetting New Yorkers, as one source claimed:

New Yorkers already spend enough time sitting in traffic. The reaction is, ‘Isn’t Madison Square Garden big enough? Now you need the streets too?’

Now, as someone who regularly uses the trains to get into and out of New York City, I can see why New Yorkers would be annoyed by street closures. Notably, MSG is right on top of Penn Station, which is one of the primary stations people use to get around. If the streets are closed around it, it makes getting into and out of Manhattan significantly more inconvenient (trust me, I know from experience).

To that point, an insider noted that people might be upset about a high-profile wedding impacting their ability to go about their day-to-day lives. On top of this being impactful by itself, it’s also adding to the list of massive events going on in and around NYC that weekend that will make it busier than normal.

Right now, the FIFA World Cup is going on in North America, with Met Life Stadium (currently named New York New Jersey Stadium) holding the rest of its matches on June 30, July 5 and July 19. If fans are staying in NYC, one of the main ways they can get to this venue in New Jersey is by train out of Penn Station. Adding to that, the Fourth of July is a major event in the city, and it’s a peak tourist season. Speaking to all that, an insider claimed:

People are trying to get home from work, catch trains, or leave the city for the July Fourth weekend. Nobody wants to hear that their commute could be disrupted because two very rich people are throwing a wedding.

It should be noted that Manhattan and MSG are no strangers to events that impact the flow of traffic. For example, when the NBA Finals were airing on the 2026 TV schedule, and Taylor Swift was attending games, fans filled the streets to support the Knicks, and there was major traffic control going on around The Garden.

If Swift and Kelce do get married there, it can be assumed that a lot of security will be needed, and it makes sense why they’d file a permit to close the streets. However, according to one insider, New Yorkers allegedly don’t care about that:

People don’t care who filed the permits. They see street closures, traffic delays, and a celebrity wedding. To them, it feels rude—and that’s becoming the story.

There’s no denying that if the streets are indeed closed around Madison Square Garden and subsequently Penn Station around the Fourth of July, it will be a hassle. It will make getting from point A to point B incredibly difficult, because it could cut off a main hub of transportation. That’s inconvenient by itself. However, when you also consider everything else going on, it’s understandable why New Yorkers might not be thrilled about this wedding.

Of course, at the moment, nothing is confirmed. However, while I was sus about the MSG wedding at first, there is a lot of evidence in support of it. So, we’ll just have to keep an eye on Midtown Manhattan during the first week of July. And if you have travel plans that involve Penn Station, maybe have a backup plan in place in case the streets do end up closed.

Maria Sten's Taking A Bikini Break Before The Reacher Spinoff

Megan Behnke — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:41:47 +0000

Amazon’s Reacher is gearing up for Season 4, which may or may not be on the 2026 TV schedule, but that’s not all that fans will be able to look forward to. The upcoming Neagley spinoff starring Maria Sten will also eventually be available for Prime Video subscription holders to stream Before the series comes out, though, Sten is taking a bikini break, and I'm digging the vibes.

Filming for Neagley kicked off in 2025 and, while a premiere date has not yet been announced, I am very stoked for more Neagley. I imagine that Sten's character is in for a lot of stress and bombastic action in the new show. In contrast, though, I love that Sten is making sure to take a little “me” time while she has the chance. She recently took to Instagram to share some vacation photos, and her beach pics are sure to stir up FOMO amongst fans:

A post shared by Maria Sten (@mariasten)
A photo posted by on

Considering the work on the spinoff has been hard, I’m not surprised that Sten is taking some time for herself. Since Alan Ritchson goes through the wringer on Reacher with his many bumps and bruises, I can only imagine what Sten has been through. At the very least, a little beach therapy never hurt anyone, and Sten definitely deserves to relax after all this filming. I must also say that she can really rock a two-piece like the best of them!

Vacation aside, Sten has been sharing frequent updates about Neagley, as fans have seemingly been eager for information. It seems the lead actress is aware that fans are craving the first season of the spinoff, so I'm glad she's been obliging us with some behind-the-scenes content. The reason why the show has been taking so long, as has been pointed out by Sten, is that the creative team just wants it to be perfect. Even though the wait has been a long, I'm hopeful that it'll be worth it, and I'm eager to see these Instagram posts go from bikini breaks to promo.

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Sten isn’t the only one who has been providing updates on the spinoff either. Adeline Rudolph, who will portray Renee, previously shared a tease that clarifies the differences between Reacher and Neagley. She said that tonally, the two shows are a bit different, but Neagley still has “elements” from its parent show that people will love. That's certainly good news, as it could indicate that there will still be a level of consistency between both shows

With at least two more seasons of Reacher and the Neagley spinoff, fans have a lot to look forward to with next chapter of the Reacher franchise, whenever that is. In the meantime, though, I just hope Maria Sten gets the time she wants and needs to refresh -- whether she's in swimwear or not -- before she starts doing press for her new show.

Disneyland's Pirates Of The Caribbean Just Got An Update, But Fans Aren't Sure It's An Upgrade

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:12:45 +0000

If you’ve been to Disneyland Resort in the past couple of months, you probably noticed that one of the theme park’s best rides, Pirates of the Caribbean, has been closed for refurbishment. Well, the ride is officially back up and running in Anaheim, California, and there’s a notable change to talk about.

What's New On Disneyland's Pirates Of The Caribbean Ride

Pirates of the Caribbean is considered one of Disneyland’s most classic rides, and it has a long history of changes since it was opened back in 1967. Do you know the part of the ride where a skeleton is sitting on top of gold? Well, now it's been replaced with an audio animatronic that transforms from a flesh-and-blood pirate to a skeleton. Here’s a look at him:

(Image credit: Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson)

The Imagineers are behind the new technology, which combines projection, animatronics and robotics all in one. As explained in a new Walt Disney Imagineering video, they felt the change to the greedy pirate would allow them to “tell his full story” after 59 years of remaining stagnant. It’s explained that it enhances his lore because the audio animatronic looks at a cursed coin and becomes transformed by it before he drops the coin and the curse lifts. He’s “stuck in this loop” for eternity due to his greed. Here it is in action:

A post shared by Walt Disney Imagineering & Disney Live Entertainment (@waltdisneyimagineering)
A photo posted by on

The audio animatronic technology recently came to Disneyland through a figure of Walt Disney that was added for the 70th anniversary celebration and has been popping up across Disney Parks around the world, including through a free-walking Olaf in Hong Kong and Paris.

What Fans Are Saying About It

Pirates of the Caribbean is an especially sacred ride to Disney fans because it was the last one Walt Disney was directly part of before his death in 1966 (prior to its opening). Over the years, there’s been some notable changes, like a female pirate being added and Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow also being included after the success of the movie franchise based on the ride. Here are some first reactions to the latest addition, per Instagram:

“Not everything needs to be updated with current tech. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…There’s a nostalgia and beauty to the simplicity of original Disney animatronics, leave them alone!!” - @alicia.nestasia
“This takes a GREAT and iconic scene and unfortunately makes it now look fake. The old way whilst not moving looks completely, COMPLETELY real. This triggers criticism and disbelief because it looks so fake...it's a fun idea but it pulls you right out of the awe of the scene. One of Pirates most iconic scenes at that. Yeah, it's a nope from me.” - @robertjkral
“I know there are so many truly talented people that worked on this, so repectfully: no thank you 🙂‍↔️” - @hallandoatesmeal
“can’t believe this is why it was closed on my birthday, i-” - @ericahnelson
“Cool tech, but use on different ride please. Pirates is perfect just the way it is.” - @caseykas

To be clear, these comments come from people who likely haven’t been on the ride itself, but the response to the update is overwhelmingly negative. As I suspected, fans have a certain protectiveness over the classic attraction, and are a bit pessimistic about the changes, even though it's also pretty cool to see the scene come alive.

By my estimation, I think we’re in a shock stage of change (I feel it myself), and I think time will certainly tell if people embrace this audio animatronic over time or not. You can go check out the fresh addition to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland now.

Can Brad Pitt Intervene In His Son’s Attempt To Drop His Name? A Legal Expert Explains

Erik Swann — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:35:26 +0000

Another one of Brad Pitt’s kids is seeking to drop his surname, and they’ve already taken a few steps to make that happen. It was recently reported that Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s 24-year-old son, Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, filed to change his last name to “Jolie.” Maddox’s plans took a major step forward when he landed a court date of September 14, at which point he’ll argue for the change. In the meantime, there’s the question of whether Brad can intervene in any way, and a legal expert is now shedding light on that.

What should be mentioned up front is that Brad Pitt (62) didn’t get involved when his daughter, Shiloh (20) filed to drop his name and only use “Jolie” in 2024. In the midst of Maddox’s attempt to file for a name change, Rachael Bennett of Sullivan Law & Associates, spoke with Us Weekly about the proceedings. According to Bennett, a senior attorney and family law specialist, it would be difficult for Brad to try to block the change even if he wanted to. Bennett laid out the reasoning as follows:

For an adult child a parent does not have any legal grounds to block the name change just because they don’t like it. Once somebody is 18, they can file their own name change petition, and the parent doesn’t get any veto power, and really, the court’s not going to care about the impact the name change has on the parents, even if a parent may have an emotional reaction to it, they don’t have any legal input once their child’s an adult.

So, based on those comments, it sounds like it would theoretically be easier for the Adventures of Cliff Booth star to have an impact on the proceedings if his son were a minor. At this point, only two of the kids Pitt shares with Angelina Jolie (51) – twins Vivienne and Knox (17) – still fall within that category. When it comes to Maddox, Bennett says he shouldn’t have a hard time having his request granted. The lawyer laid out why the process is “pretty straightforward”:

For an adult changing your last name, it’s actually pretty straightforward, but it does require a formal court order to change your name. The process is pretty simple. The court’s going to set a hearing date and in many cases, the person may have to publish a public notice of the proposed name change in a local newspaper. The judge is going to decide, yes, there’s an improper purpose, or no, there’s no improper purpose, and then if everything’s green lit, the judge just signs off on the petition, and the name change is granted.

Two Psychos Falling In Love Is One Of My Favorite Romance Tropes. Thank You, Deli Boys

jerricatisdale@gmail.com (Jerrica Tisdale) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:05:00 +0000

I think psycho love stories are cute. Before you call the police, let me explain. Several shows and movies display fictional love stories between two mentally unwell people. Maybe their hobbies include murder or just destruction. These are the Harley Quinns and Jokers of the world. The couples who create magic and mayhem. This has been a very niche genre that often brings me joy. Deli Boys, available with a Hulu subscription, recently did a psycho love story.

In Season 2, Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan) begins a new relationship with shady casino owner Max Sugar (Fred Armisen). Their attraction quickly blooms into a full romance. Both are crazy, ruthless people, so it’s an electric romance. The TV world needs more romances like Lucky and Sugar.

Warning: Deli Boy spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Psychos Falling In Love Makes It Seem Like Everyone Has a Soulmate

In the real world, you should probably not engage in a toxic romance. It will leave psychological scars and likely mimic a breakup story movie. Your heart and soul will get crushed. However, toxic romances are not just enjoyable but encouraged in fiction. It’s a very popular genre. I am not a fan of dark romance books, but I am a fan of movies and TV shows where two crazy people find each other and make it work.

I was a Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Spike (James Marsters) fan, but I adored Drusilla (Juliet Landau) and Spike when they were initially introduced. He adored her. They were both insane, but it worked. They seemed destined to be together because she found him one day and transformed him from a weak man into a cool vampire. They were my first taste of psychotic characters finding love.

Psychotic characters are supposed to be void of love and beyond redemption. However, these couples somehow seem destined. Lucky and Sugar have a similar vibe because they’re both committing to lives of crime. They don’t need much, but end up needing and wanting each other. The hopeless romantic in me loves the idea that even psychotic people need love and can make it work.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Deli Boys Reminds Me Of How Funny Most Of These Serial Killer Love Stories Are

There are far too few of the best romantic comedies about psychotic love stories. They can be funny too. Imagine cutting up a body while arguing with someone for not taking out the trash? Love in general is kind of a funny thing, but add the aspect of someone being clinically insane on the topic of it? That’s just comedy.

Mr. Right is a quirky romantic comedy where an assassin falls in love. It’s one of Anna Kendrick’s most fun movies. Her character seems normal, but eventually becomes fine with her partner’s profession. She has some psycho in her as well. There definitely aren’t enough romantic movies that explore the idea of two characters who are a little (or a lot) crazy trying to make a relationship work.

We don’t support serial killers or psychos in real life, but fiction has the opportunity to explore dark topics in fun ways. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver is a part of The Ruinous Love Trilogy. It’s a popular BookTok series. The first book, at least, explores two serial killers finding love.

The book has a lot of comedy and is more proof that this genre can be popular and funny if done well. I didn’t love Butcher & Blackbird, but I really enjoyed its concept.

Watching Lucky and Sugar deal with their relationship issues (like going to therapy), but threatening the therapist, is comedy gold.

(Image credit: Hulu)

It’s Kind Of Sweet Seeing Someone So Crazy Be Vulnerable

Sometimes the villain gets the girl. Often, movies and shows focus on villains with singular goals: Destroy the hero or the world. However, occasionally, especially on TV shows, the bad guy falls in love. I was not a full Reylo shipper, but I did understand the appeal of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) potential romance. The sort of romance inspired a lot of successful fan fiction because it spoke to the idea that someone can be saved by love.

Kylo left the dark side because of Rey’s influence. She inspired him to be a better person and allowed him to be vulnerable when he was set on being evil. Rey and Kylo don’t exactly fit the idea of two psychos falling in love, because only one is in this pairing, but it showcases the idea that a dark character can be vulnerable with the person he loves.

There are many examples of two psychos falling in love, from couples in The Vampire Diaries to romances in books such as The Cruel Prince. Crazy love can also have psychotic characters show sweet sides. We see Lucky become vulnerable with Sugar. He also does some sweet things for her throughout their relationship, even if some of them are criminal.

(Image credit: Hulu)

The Chemistry is Really What Carries These Stories, Deli Boy Proves This

Fred Armisen has had a ton of great performances, and I have seen many of them. I never thought Fred Armisen was hot, but I did while watching him as Sugar on Deli Boys. There was just something hot about his evilness as this character. Poorna Jagannathan and Armisen are hot together. Similar to her character on Never Have I Ever, Jagannathan’s Lucky proves that women over 50 can still be sexy and find love.

Armisen and Jagannathan have insane amounts of chemistry, which helps sell this criminal couple as a romance. You want them together and to do bad things. I think that goes to the heart of the appeal of two bad guys getting together. They’re hot together. Obviously, this isn’t always the case, but when it works, it really works. Lucky and Sugar really work as these toxic criminals who find love, even if only briefly.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Deli Boys Had An Element Of Uncertainty About Betrayal; The Danger Aspect Of Two Killers Falling In Love Adds To The Appeal

One of my favorite examples of two psychos falling in love is Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) and Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) from You. They were perfect for each other. However, Joe ends up killing Love during the You Season 3 finale. Even though they should have been able to work it out, it ends in tragedy and betrayal.

As much as psychos want to live normal, happy lives, at the end of the day, they’re drawn to darkness. Love and Quinn could only end with one of them dead. Lucky and Sugar should have been a powerful crime couple. This was not their fate.

Sugar betrayed and manipulated Lucky. Our girl deserved better in the end. She got revenge, but had to suffer a broken heart. If you’re going to love a madman (or woman), you need to expect that it could come with a major heartbreak, one that may end in tragedy or unforgivable behavior.

Improvising Is So Hard On House Of The Dragon, But I'm So Happy One Star Spontaneously Added A GOT Nod

Corey Chichizola — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:02:50 +0000

Spoilers ahead for the Season 3 premiere of House of the Dragon.

While folks are still debating the controversial series finale of Game of Thrones, audiences are invested in the spinoffs like House of the Dragon. Season 3 of that show just began for those with a HBO Max subscription, and the premiere was full of action and the death of Jacaerys Velaryon. Actor Harry Collett recently revealed a line he improvised on set, and I'm so glad he did.

House of the Dragon Season 3 started off with a bang with The Battle of the Gullet, which had action on the seas as well as in the air courtesy of HOTD's Dragons. While Jace perished, Collett revealed to TV Line that he actually improvised one of the most iconic lines in Westerosi history. Namely "Dracarys", which is used to prompt drgons to breathe fire. As he told the outlet:

It wasn't in the script either that I say dracarys. And it was me. And I was like 'I'm just going to say it. There's no way I can possibly leave the show without saying that word.' So I was like 'Yup, let's do it.' And they kept it in. And I think I say like twice or three times.

Since Harry Collett always knew that his character would die in The Battle of The Gullet, the 22 year-old actor knew that the Season 3 premiere was the final chance to call out "dracarys" on camera. That's exactly what he did, and he was delighted to see that it ended up in the final cut of the explosive premiere episode. That's why sometimes you have to take a chance on set.

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During this same interview, Baela Targaryen actress Bethany Antonia asked if her co-star had permission to throw in that extra line, to which Collett said:

No, I just did it.

Sometimes its better to ask for forgiveness instead of permission. And considering how much editing goes into editing sequences like The Battle of the Gullet, there was ample opportunity to cut Jace's "dracarys" if they wanted to. Luckily for Harry Collett, it made it into the theatrical cut.

Unfortunately Jacaerys' death means that we won't be able to see Collett utter that command to his dragon Vermax on screen again. We'll just have to wait and see if he ends up returning via a flashback or dream sequence.

House of the Dragon airs new episodes Sundays on HBO as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

Harrison Ford Has An A+ Quip When Asked About His Favorite Movie

Liz Konkel — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:10:28 +0000

One celebrity you can always count on for a good quip is Harrison Ford. The actor has spent his career being blunt and honest, even giving George Lucas “crap on the Star Wars set” and advocating for Han Solo’s demise. Some adore his grumpy personality, while others list him with other actors who hate their own fandom. So, naturally, he had a funny and blunt comment when he was asked which of his movies was his favorite.

When Ford recently showed up on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the newest season of Shrinking and talk about the lifetime achievement award he received, I knew we were in for a treat. However, the conversation delightfully pivoted when the host asked the actor to pick his favorite movie from his own filmography, leading the Indiana Jones actor to share an A+ quip:

When you've seen it, it's all screwed up. When I did it, it was better than that.

Well, I'd expect nothing less or more from Harrison Ford. The interview started strong as he told the audience to “knock it off” when they were cheering. It only got better when his favorite movie came up following a few compliments by Kimmel about his award, which was presented by Woody Harrelson at the Actors' Awards.

This conversation about his lifetime achievement award led to more talk about the movies Ford has been in. In fact, Kimmel asked him what it was like to see a montage of his career on a big screen. In response, the 1923 actor dropped another great take, saying:

No, I try not to watch that, because if I see my life flash before my eyes, I’m not going to be available for a lifetime award. I think I’ll think I’m dead.

The interview focused on his achievements, which include his time on one of Apple TV's best shows, Shrinking, and being honored for his extensive filmography. However, Ford doesn't enjoy being in the limelight, stating he didn’t run his acceptance speech by anyone, not even his wife, Calista Flockhart. He “just wanted it to be over.”

So, clearly, Ford does not want to take a deep look back, and he definitely does not want to pick a favorite project. However, that won't stop me from talking about one of his most recent great works, which believe it or not, isn't a big-screen venture.

The beloved actor can currently be seen sharing the screen with Jason Segel on Shrinking (which is returning for Season 4). One thing Ford said he enjoys about being on a TV show is that he never knows what to expect, especially with his character having Parkinson’s Disease. Season 3 explored this further with Michael J. Fox playing a significant role alongside Ford. This is a storyline that has become dear to Ford, and he has nothing but lovely things to say about it.

Overall, when it comes to Shrinking (which you can stream with an Apple TV subscription), he's been praised for the humor and heart he brings to his character Paul, and there's 100% a reason he got an Emmy nomination for it.

Work like this is why the actor has been honored with a lifetime achievement award, and why people ask him which of his own movies and shows are his favorite. However, while fans might have strong opinions about that topic, don't expect Harrison Ford to.

I Just Realized Something About The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, And Now I'm In My Feelings

Jessica Rawden — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:35:50 +0000

The Big Bang Theory has long held my fascination as a show with enduring and palpable interest from fans. So, of course, I’ve been paying attention to the upcoming spinoff Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, or at least I thought I was, as Kevin Sussman and co. wrapped filming and started promoting the series. Only, somehow I completely missed the boat on one big detail, and I don’t really know how to feel about it.

So far, the Chuck Lorre Universe that spawned characters like Sheldon Cooper has had two spinoffs: Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. All three shows, the third of which is The Big Bang Theory itself, have aired in a traditional network TV format. In fact, all three have specifically aired on the TV schedule on CBS proper.

That’s not what’s happening with Stuart Fails To Save The Universe. Instead of airing on the Eye Network, it’s going to be available for those with an HBO Max subscription. I only just became aware of this when HBO Max dropped the show's July 23rd release on a poster and dangled it in front of my face.

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Now, this is hardly a secret. In fact, I’ve been roasted by some of my peers here at CinemaBlend for not making this connection, and rightfully so. Still, now that I am clued in, I think we need to be talking about how the move does have implications, both positive and negative. First and foremost, you can do a lot more when you are on a streaming service. Runtimes don’t need to fall into a narrow box, nor are there network censors worried about certain language choices and more. There’s more freedom, both from a creative standpoint, but also simply from the lack of structure network TV requires.

Now for the bad part? The siloing of the show is not great. It means ideas that have oft been bandied about, like a Georgie and Mandy spinoff, are less likely to happen than they might if everything was tied together on one network. It means not everyone who has access to the shows on CBS will have access to HBO Max. The audience could become more segmented.

I’ve seen the mind-bending trailer for Stuart Fails To Save The Universe (and yes I see it says a Max original all over the trailer, but again, we've already established it totally went over my head before.) Basically, I did know the tone of this was going to feel different than a laugh track-based sitcom, and that’s probably a good thing. It’s better for the franchise to move forward and try something new than to remain stagnant, but it still marks the end of an era for the franchise, and I don't fully know how to feel.

Still, we also know the show has a ton of Big Bang Theory crossover, from returning characters to references in Season 1. There should be something for everyone in Stuart Fails To Save The Universe… provided you have HBO Max.

I Streamed Pillion For Pride, And It Makes Fifty Shades Look Like When Harry Met Sally

Corey Chichizola — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000

June is Pride Month, and there are plenty of LGBTQ+ folks and their allies who are looking for queer stories to watch. While not exactly a queer rom-com, folks with an HBO Max subscription were recently treated to the streaming release of Harry Lighton's Pillion. I was excited to watch the steamy movie from my home, and it really made the Fifty Shades movies look as wholesome as When Harry Met Sally.

I wanted to see Pillion in theaters, but was too busy back in February when it arrived in US theaters. I was shocked by its sexual content and its portrayal of a dom/sub relationship, as well as its graphic nudity. Overall, I'm surprised this movie was even able to be made and given a wide theatrical release.

Pillion Was Way Steamier And NSFW Than I Thought

Pillion wasn't what I expected, which is very much a compliment. I was hooked on the movie the minute Alexander Skarsgård's Ray entered the film and began to train Harry Melling's Colin as his submissive. In many ways, it felt like the audience was in Colin's POV, getting more invested methodically from their meeting at a bar to them eventually engaging in a committed relationship. Just not the one you typically expect from queer love stories on film.

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Indeed, Ray makes it clear to Colin that they are not in "love" the way most relationships play out. Instead, he's in complete control, telling Colin what to wear and having him serve him in and out of the bedroom. And while it's undeniable that Skarsgård's character is easy on the eyes, the actual reality of the dom/sub dynamic is intense and more than I assume most people would be able to handle. There's also a ton of nudity, including close-up shots of Ray's (prosthetic) penis, which has the potential to be a big shock.

For instance, Colin must shave his head and sleep on the floor while Ray sleeps on his comfortable bed. He also cooks all his meals and gives up complete control over his own body when the two are sexual. I couldn't help but think of how PG-13 the Fifty Shades movies were in comparison; I mean, Dakota Johnson's Anastasia would never put up with Ray's demands.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

As a queer person, I'm at least partly aware of how these dom/sub relationships work. But I think it's pretty remarkable that Pillion was filmed and released, and is now streaming on a major platform like HBO Max. I have a feeling that straight folks out there might be in for a ton of surprises is they decide to give the movie a try because they love True Blood's Alexander Skarsgård and want to check out a relatively new release. As for LGBTQ+ audiences, I think this movie is a perfect Pride watch, and is more than just steamy scenes.

Pillion is streaming now on HBO Max as part of the 2026 movie release list. Just beware: the movie is definitely not suitable for work.