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If a large chunk of your morning routine consists of deciding what to wear for the day, you may want to consider adding some matching sets to your closet. Loungewear sets are a great option, offering all-day comfort while ensuring a cohesive and stylish ensemble. This Tankaneo 2-Piece Matching Lounge Set at Amazon is a fantastic choice for summer, and it’s currently on sale for less than $15! 

Normally retailing for $26, this matching lounge set is now marked down to as low as $13 for a limited time. Prices vary depending on size and color. A ton of styles are on sale between $13 and $15, while a few go up to $23, and select options remain at full price. This lounge set is available in 11 colors, including neutrals (khaki, black, taupe, white, gray, dark gray, light brown) and vibrant hues (lake blue, royal blue, army green, and purplish red).

Tankaneo 2-Piece Matching Lounge Set, From $13 (was $26) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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This loungewear set finds a balance between style and comfort. It’s cute enough to wear out of the house, and cozy enough to relax and sleep in. Made of 79% polyester and 16% viscose, this set is soft and smooth to the touch. The polyester and viscose blend is breathable, promoting airflow to prevent you from overheating on those warm spring and summer days. The other 5% of the material is made of elastane, which gives it that stretch, allowing you to move around with ease. 

Thanks to the viscose blend, this top has a flowy and relaxed drape. The slouchy silhouette and loose, oversized fit keep the fabric from clinging to your skin. This set is available in sizes small to XXL, and shoppers noted that it fits true to size. However, if you prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down, as this set is intentionally designed to fit loosely. 

This top boasts wide sleeves with rolled cuffs and a low crew neckline, which gives it a laid-back feel. The hem ends below the waist, and you can either wear it loose for a relaxed look or tuck it into the waistband for a polished and put-together feel. 

Completing the outfit, the matching shorts have a high waist and hems that end around the mid-thigh. They’re fixed with an elastic waistband that’ll stretch along with your movements, preventing it from uncomfortably digging into your stomach. The waistband is equipped with an adjustable drawstring so you can tailor the fit to your preference. 

Tankaneo 2-Piece Matching Lounge Set, From $13 (was $26) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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One reviewer commented that the material feels “lightweight and super soft,” and a second person added that the thickness is “perfect for summer.” A third customer said that it’s “well-made and incredibly comfortable.” Shoppers also loved the style of this set and described it as “cute, stylish, and pretty.”

Equal parts comfortable and chic, this is an outfit that you can put on for lazing on the couch and just as easily wear out the door. Whether you’re traveling, running errands, or going on a walk, it’ll keep you comfortable and ensure a cohesive and put-together look. You can also have some fun with this set and style them separately with other pieces in your closet.

Related: Walmart’s 'Lightweight' $30 Reversible Striped Comforter Set Comes in 4 'Vivid' Colors

As a bonus, this set is easy to care for. When it needs a refresh, you can toss it in the washing machine, and it’ll come out as good as new. Shoppers noted that it washes well without shrinking or pilling. 

Shop More Deals 

• Tankaneo Knit Short-Sleeve and Shorts Set, From $32 (was $60) at Amazon
• Tankaneo V-Neck Tee and Shorts Set, From $18 (was $33) at Amazon
• Ekouaer 2-Piece Cotton Tee and Shorts Set, From $18 (was $37) at Amazon

If you’re looking for something you can throw on in just seconds for all your summer outings, don’t hesitate to snag the Tankaneo 2-Piece Matching Lounge Set at Amazon while it’s still on sale for as low as $13!

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Dylan Dreyer just revealed a secret celebrity relative—and it's not who fans may expect.

During the Tuesday, May 12 episode of the Today show, Dreyer interviewed Alix Earle and explained to cohosts Al Roker and Craig Melvin that she and the social media influencer are second cousins.

"Growing up, your dad is like one of seven. You have lots of brothers and sisters," Dreyer told Earle of her dad, Thomas "TJ" Earle, who is Dylan's first cousin. "You have a million cousins. The Christmas card, when it arrives every year, there's like 100 people in it."

Earle—who has four younger siblings—agreed, saying, "My family's huge."

RELATED: Dylan Dreyer Shares Update on Savannah Guthrie’s Future on the ‘Today’ Show

The Dancing With The Stars alum then revealed that she almost pursued a career in broadcast journalism after watching her cousin on TV "all the time" when she was a kid.

"I took a broadcasting course in college, or it was a little club after school. And I was not very good at it, so I quit," Earle said with a laugh. "But I always wanted to be just like you."

Despite their family connection, the pair actually met for the first time recently after their careers caused them to cross paths.

"Funny enough, Alix and I hadn't really met until the Kentucky Derby a couple years ago, for the first time," Dreyer said.

"This is so cool getting to sit here and do this with you," Earle added of their time together on Today, adding it was "such a special day."

RELATED: Alex Cooper Calls Out Alix Earle in New Video: ‘I Know What Happened, and So Do You

Ironically enough, this is not the first time a Today host has discovered a surprising celebrity relative. In fact, in 2011, Al Roker revealed live on-air that he is a distant cousin of Lenny Kravitz.

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Today's Mini Crossword is full of twists and turns. And if you're anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can't forget about the NYT's The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for "The Crossword," a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you're working on today's Mini on for Today's Mini Crossword on Wednesday, May 13, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Sprinter's race — HINT: Ends with the letter "H"

5 Across: Statuette awarded at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre —HINT: Starts with the letter "O"

7 Across: A la ___  — HINT: Starts with the letter "C"

8 Across: Word meaning "details" or "glasses" — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"

9 Across: What's the reason? — HINT: Starts with the letter "W"

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Google ___ — HINT: Starts with the letter "D"

2 Down: Immediately — HINT: Ends with the letter "P"

3 Down: Twistable piece of hardware — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"

4 Down: Devise, as a plan — HINT: Starts with the letter "H"

5 Down: Booking service that competes with OpenTable — HINT: Ends with the letter "Y"

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Don't go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Sprinter's race — DASH

5 Across: Statuette awarded at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre — OSCAR

7 Across: A la ___  — CARTE

8 Across: Word meaning "details" or "glasses" — SPECS

9 Across: What's the reason? —WHY

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Google ___ — DOCS

2 Down: Immediately —ASAP

3 Down: Twistable piece of hardware — SCREW

4 Down: Devise, as a plan — HATCH

6 Down: Booking service that competes with OpenTable — RESY

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Tuesday, May 12, 2026

On the one hand, it's not uncommon for a #1 song to experience a steep decline in popularity after topping the charts...but they're not all remembered as the "worst song ever" (by a member of the band, no less).

Even though Starship's "We Built This City" went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Nov. 16, 1985, in the years since, it's gained a reputation as one of the awful tunes ever to hit the airwaves. Not only did Starship member Grace Slick go on record about how much she hated the track, but countless critics have agreed: As Ultimate Classic Rock reported, VH1 and Blender magazine ranked the song #1 on their list of The 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs…Ever in 2004; a few years later, in 2011, Rolling Stone’s readers declared "We Built This City" to be the worst song of the ’80s. GQ even called it “the most detested song in human history."

So why does it seem like you've been hearing "We Built This City" on TV like, all the time for the past year? It all has to do with toilet paper.

That would be Quilted Northern toilet paper, to be exact, and the company's "Keep It Quilted" campaign. In the commercials, a trio of women known as the Quilted Queens wear white quilted jackets and sing their own version of Starship's hit, “We Quilt This City," while grocery shopping. They ads, designed in collaboration with Orchard Creative, are colorful, ridiculous, and unbelievably catchy (just like the original song).

“We wanted to build a campaign to help Quilted Northern break through the noise in the category, and most importantly, be able to communicate why our target consumer should choose Quilted Northern," said Priti Lokre, Quilted Northern senior brand building manager in a statement shared with Tissue Online North America.

To that end, the lyrics of "We Quilt This City" are an ode to comfort:

"So cushy and so plushy / Just give it a try / Feeling is believing / We quilt this city with a comfy roll"

Grace Slick never liked 'We Built This City'

The fact that "We Built This City" ended up as a toilet paper commercial theme song only makes Slick's explanation for why she did the song in the first place all the more fitting.

As Slick told Vanity Fair in 2012, she agreed to sing on "We Built This City" because she was trying to make amends for past behavior.

"I was such an a—hole for a while, I was trying to make up for it by being sober, which I was all during the '80s, which is a bizarre decade to be sober in," she said. "So I was trying to make it up to the band by being a good girl. Here, we’re going to sing this song, 'We Built This City on Rock & Roll.' Oh you’re s—tting me, that’s the worst song ever."

And now it all makes sense.

Related: 1966 Classic Rock Hit Is Making a Massive Comeback 60 Years Later

Disney just nailed down the month.

Camp Rock 3 lands August 2026 on Disney+ and Disney Channel, the studio confirmed today alongside a brand-new poster. The third entry in the beloved Disney Channel musical franchise rolls in 16 years after Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam dropped on Disney Channel in 2010. The original Camp Rock premiered on Disney Channel in June 2008.

Cue the Jonas Brothers, back at the lake.

Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, and Kevin Jonas all reprise Shane, Nate, and Jason Gray. Maria Canals-Barrera returns as camp director Connie. The fresh campers? Sherry Cola, Liamani Segura, Malachi Barton, and Lumi Pollack.

Ready to rock. #CampRock3 premieres this August on Disney+ and Disney Channel. pic.twitter.com/4CwiwG2Yng

— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) May 12, 2026

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Inside the New 'Camp Rock 3' Plot

Disney's official synopsis: the band loses their opening act ahead of a reunion tour. So they head back to Camp Rock to scout the next big sensation. Classic reset. The setup tracks pretty closely with the real-life Jonas Brothers reunion tour that's been rolling for the past few years.

Behind the camera, Veronica Rodriguez directs. Eydie Faye wrote the screenplay. Choreography by Jamal Sims. The studio first teased the project last December with a 43-second clip of the Jonas Brothers walking back toward the camp lake, soundtracked by Mitchie and Shane's signature duet "Wouldn't Change a Thing," paired with a vague summer 2026 window.

Today's reveal pins the exact month.

Related: Disney World’s ‘Iconic’ New Announcement Has Fans Saying Today Is the ‘Best Day Ever’

Demi Lovato Returns

Demi Lovato joins as executive producer alongside the Jonas Brothers, Tim Federle, Betsy Sullenger, Spencer Berman, and Gary Marsh. Whether her original character Mitchie Torres returns on screen? Disney won't say. Lovato originated Mitchie in the 2008 film and reprised her in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam in 2010.

Next: Who’s Returning for ‘Camp Rock 3’? Full Cast and Demi Lovato Details

Pearl Jam has some exciting news to share with fans.

The legendary ‘90s rock group was announced as the headliner for the final night of the 2026 Ohana Festival, marking their first performance since longtime drummer Matt Cameron left the band in 2025.

The festival—which was founded by frontman Eddie Vedderin 2016—is set to take place September 25 through 27 in Dana Point, California. The appearance marks the band’s first confirmed live performance since Cameron’s departure, though one major detail still remains a mystery: who will be behind the drums?

Cameron announced his split from Pearl Jam in July 2025 after nearly three decades with the band. “Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” he said at the time, calling his years with the group “the opportunity of a lifetime.” Pearl Jam later praised the drummer in a statement of their own, describing him as “a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer.”

READ MORE: Legendary '90s Rock Band Celebrates 8th No. 1 Album at Iconic Rock Festival

As of April, Pearl Jam still hadn’t found a replacement. “We’ve just got to find a new drummer, you know? We don’t have one,” guitarist Mike McCready told American Songwriter on April 17.

That uncertainty has only fueled fan curiosity online, with longtime listeners already speculating about possible fill-ins and surprise guests for the performance.

“Who’s the drummer for PJ?” one curious fan asked in the comments of the Instagram post announcing the lineup on Tuesday, May 12.

View this post on Instagram

“Guess PJ is done woodshedding for the moment 🤷🏻‍♂️ Well, alright! Maybe it’ll be a rotating cast of drummers :),” another wrote.

“I’m saying it’s Stephen Perkins or Dave Krusen,” a third theorized. Perkins is known work in Jane’s Addiction and Krusen was Pearl Jam’s original drummer who left after the release of gtheir first album in 1991.

Vedder will also headline the festival’s opening night with Eddie Vedder & Friends, while Tyler Childers tops the bill on day two. Other performers include Billy Idol, Pixies, Alabama Shakes, and Fontaines D.C..

As for the dummer—eager fans will just have to wait and see.

The Real Housewives of New Jerseyproved that sometimes blood is ‘Thicker Than Water’ as the series premiered on Bravo, 17 years ago today.

Bravo described the series as ‘the most affluent and drama-filled women in the Garden State’; viewers were introduced to the original five members of the RHONJ cast: Dina Manzo, Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita, Caroline Manzo, and Danielle Staub.

The premiere episode set up the connections that served the women as the group had been connected in some form for years prior to the series's beginning production. Since Caroline and Dina were sisters, Jacqueline, their sister-in-law, had been friends with them for years, and Danielle had been introduced to the group through Jacqueline.

After introducing viewers to each housewife individually and their connection to the group at large, the premiere focused on two major story beats. First, Danielle goes on a blind date with someone she met online under the user name “Gucci Model,” with whom she had been talking and having explicit conversations for the past two years.

While she goes to an upscale restaurant and waits for him at the bar, Jacqueline and Teresa follow along to make sure she is safe. When “Gucci Model” is a no-show, Danielle leaves him a voice mail giving him a piece of her mind, then reaches out to her friend, asking her to come to the restaurant, and is surprised when the woman appears moments later.

The second storyline also focused on Danielle and her contentious relationship with Dina. According to Dina, Danielle has started rumors in New Jersey that she doesn’t agree with. Viewers learn that Dina believes Jacqueline’s relationship with her has changed since she became friends with Danielle.

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The premiere was watched by over 1.72 million viewers, and by the finale, that number had grown to 3.47 million, which concluded with Theresa infamously flipping a table.

Over the next 14 years, The Real Housewives of New Jersey would keep viewers glued to their screens with 249 episodes broadcast, along with three spinoff series and appearances in the Peacock spinoff series The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

The series was put on hold after filming the finale of Season 14 in 2024, with production only recently returning for the series upcoming 15th season.

In the meantime, viewers will see Teresa’s return to the Real Housewives franchise with Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th premiering on August 9, 2026, on Bravo.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is streaming now on Peacock.

Martin Short is opening up about the loss of his daughter Katherine.

During a Sunday, May 10 appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning, the actor revealed why he's sharing his grief journey publicly. Katherine died by suicide at the age of 42 in February.

"If I said to the audience, any audience I was in, 'How many have lost anyone from suicide?' You'd be stunned by the hands that would go [up]. 'How many have mental health in their family?' 
You'd be stunned by the hands that would go up," Short said. "So, why pretend that this is your own pain? Maybe by sharing your pain, it will help other people's pain."

When asked if sharing his pain helps him, Short replied, "Yes, I think so. I think whenever you realize you're not the only person on the planet that's going through something, I think, we go, 'Oh, really?'"

RELATED: Martin Short Breaks Silence on Daughter Katherine’s Death: ‘Nightmare’

At another point in the interview, Short called's Katherine's death “a nightmare.”

“It’s been a nightmare for the family,” he said. “But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal. And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she couldn’t until she couldn’t.”

Katherine, who worked as a social worker in Los Angeles, was the eldest daughter of Short and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman. Nancy died from ovarian cancer in 2010.

"[Nancy's] last words to me were 'Martin, let me go,'" Short added. "And what [Katherine] was saying was 'Dad, let me go.'"

RELATED:Martin Short’s Daughter, Katherine, Dies at 42

According to People, Katherine worked in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and worked part-time at the clinic Amae Health, providing community outreach, family support groups, peer support and psychotherapy. 

She also worked with Glenn Close‘s charity Bring Change 2 Mind, which focuses on reducing stigma around mental health issues.

Throughout the years, Katherine mainly stayed out of the public eye—opting to attend a few events with her father over the years.

Short is set to be featured in the upcoming Netflix documentary film Marty, Life Is Short, premiering on Tuesday, May 12. The documentary is dedicated to both Katherine and actress Catherine O’Hara, Short’s longtime friend and occasional co-star who died in January.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, call or text 988 to connect to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Nothing shapes a film quite like a stunning soundtrack, and this comedy-drama film crafted one of the best in 1975.

In 2019, Consequence ranked the 50 best rock and roll movies, compiling a list of the greatest films that incorporate the beloved genre through both soundtrack and plot. Ranked among classics such as Cameron Crowe’s 1992 rom-com Singles at No. 34 and Michael Winterbottom's 2002 film 24 Hour Party People at No. 35, Robert Altman's 1975 film Nashville secured the No. 33 spot.

Released in New York on June 11, 1975, Nashville was a major box office success. The film grossed over $10 million against a $2.2 million budget and was named the 27th highest-grossing film of 1975. Nashville featured a cast stacked with major Hollywood stars and up-and-coming talent, including Lily Tomlin, Ronee Blakley, Karen Black, Ned Beatty, Keith Carradine and Henry Gibson—all of whom aided in the film's popularity.

A poster for Robert Altman's 1975 drama 'Nashville.'

Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images

Aside from its box office triumph, the film earned significant critical acclaim. The movie was largely considered a masterpiece by film industry professionals and was heavily recognized during the 1976 award season.

Among its accolades, the film was nominated for five Academy Awards and 11 Golden Globe Awards—setting a record at the time for the most Golden Globe nominations for a single film. In the end, Nashville took home an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, as well as a BAFTA for Best Sound Track for the song, "I'm Easy."

Nashville follows an ensemble of 24 characters as they prepare for a political rally for a populist third-party presidential candidate. The characters, comprising country and gospel singers as well as politicians in Nashville, Tennessee, are thrown together in a plot laced with satire and drama.

The soundtrack was crafted by musical director Richard Baskin and several key actors featured in the movie who wrote their own material. Some of the most notable songs were Carradine's "I'm Easy" and "It Don't Worry Me," Blakley's "Bluebird" and "Dues," Gibson's "200 Years" and Black's "Rolling Stone." In total, over a dozen original tracks were composed for the film, making for a memorable and enduring soundtrack.

Related: 1992 Hit Film With Iconic ’70s Soundtrack Ranked Among Best Rock Movies of All Time

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It's not every day you find jewelry that's versatile and beautiful for a steal of a price, especially from a brand known for stylish, high-quality accessories. Anthropologie has you covered if you're looking to add a touch of sparkle to your everyday style, now that the Mini Glitz Huggie Hoop Earrings are on sale at a terrific price. 

Originally priced at $50, these petite hoops are now on sale for just $7, making them an irresistible treat for yourself! 

Mini Glitz Huggie Hoop Earrings, $7 (were $50) at Anthropologie

Courtesy of Anthropologie

Shop at Anthropologie

Available in both gold and gunmetal tones, they're perfect for mixing and matching with any outfit, whether you're dressing up for a night out or keeping it casual for coffee with friends. 

Each pair is crafted from gold-tone or gunmetal-plated zinc and features a row of shimmering glass stones that catch the light beautifully without feeling over-the-top. At just 0.75 inches long, they add a delicate glimmer to your look without weighing down your ears. The secure hoop closure means you can pop them on in seconds, and they're comfortable enough to wear all day.

Mini Glitz Huggie Hoop Earrings, $7 (were $50) at Anthropologie

Courtesy of Anthropologie

Shop at Anthropologie

With details like gold and gunmetal plating, a comfortable huggie fit, and a delicate size that works for everything from Zoom calls to date night, these earrings are the definition of easy elegance. They're also designed to stay secure so that you can wear them for hours without worry.

Related: Kate Spade Outlet's 'Versatile' $87 Nylon Backpack Is a 'Stylish' Way to Carry All Your Essentials

Shoppers are loving the sparkly effect of these comfy earrings. "So pretty!" one shopper said. "I receive a compliment every time I wear them. I love them so much that I went back and ordered a couple more pairs just in case something happens to my first pair and I can keep them in my collection."

"Glitzy and glam," another shopper said. "Pretty earrings that catch the eye and aren't too heavy, love them!"

Shop More Deals

• By Anthropologie Initial Pendant Paperclip Chain Necklace, $34 (were $48) at Anthropologie
• By Anthropologie Icon Post Earrings: Floral Edition, $20 (were $28) at Anthropologie
• By Anthropologie Twisted Bead Pearl Bracelet, $27 (was $38) at Anthropologie

If you've been wanting to add a little shine to your collection, now's the perfect time to grab a pair (or two). The Mini Glitz Huggie Hoop Earrings are on sale for just $7 at Anthropologie, but with a price and look this good, they're sure to go fast. Treat yourself to a little glitz — you deserve it!

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If you've been looking for fuel to add to your fitness fire, look no further than Marla Gibbs' social media account, where The Jeffersons star is serving some major inspiration.

The 94-year-old shared a few words of wisdom on her Instagram account this evening, offering fans a glimpse at a major part of her health and wellness routine: keeping active by working out.

In the new photo, the '80s icon wore a pair of striped navy joggers and a bright blue zip-up over a white tee as she sat on a large piece of gym equipment, holding the handles out to her sides as she appeared to do a round of chest presses, or a similar exercise.

"At my age it’s easy to just lay in bed," she admitted in the caption of the fitspo pic. "Then I remember…as long as I’m breathing, I still have a chance to enjoy life. It’s Never Too Late!!!💪🏾❤️."

The advice also happens to be the name of her memoir, published earlier this year, in which she details a series of massive health complications that most people don't survive. But, as she added in the hashtags, she "keep[s] on moving"—something her followers needed a little reminder for.

View this post on Instagram

Fans praised the "Shero right in front of us!" in the comments, gushing over the "Words everyone should live by."

"I know that's right. I hope I'll be doing this when I reach your age.👏🏾👏🏾," one follower promised, while another shared, "You just inspired me to get up off of my rusty dusty you know what!🏃🏽‍♀️."

"Let me get off my couch Miss Martha 🙌🏾," someone else reiterated, while another fawned, "Yasss!! ❤️ LOVE this and You! Keep moving Ms. Gibbs!😍."

Overall, the beloved actress proved to "truly inspire" her fanbase with her self-motivation, which seems to stem from her time in physical rehabilitation following her health crisis. "There was just something inside me that kept saying, ‘It ain’t over,'" she wrote in her book. It took endless amounts of patience, but over, it sure isn't.

Related: Lenny Kravitz Shares the Sweetest Reaction to Marla Gibbs’ ‘The Jeffersons’ Cast Photo

Lord of the Flies tells an important story of survival. It’s more than just a story of boys trapped on an island. We get a look at different political systems, how society rules can shift as new threats come up, and the dark side of human nature. With so many different elements to the story, it can be hard to find something that suits it all in a book.

The good news is there are plenty of novels out there to jump straight into. Of course, if you haven’t read William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, that is the best place to start. But I’m assuming you read it before watching the adaptation, considering how old it is. These next seven novels are now worth checking out.

‘A Clockwork Orange’ by Anthony Burgess

You’ve likely watched the movie starring Malcolm McDowell, but have you read the novel? A Clockwork Orangeby Anthony Burgess is more than just a man performing violent acts while dancing to “Singing in the Rain.” It’s a disturbing look at the youth of a dystopian society.

In this world, the youth carry out some of the most violent and atrocious acts. We get the story from Alex’s point of view, as he explains his violent tendencies and the way the state tries to reform him. This can be a difficult read at first, as you get used to the teenage slang developed for the story, but it’s worth your time for the messages.

‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley

There have been many dystopian novels written throughout the years, and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was one of the earlier ones. Written in 1931 and published a year later, the novel is set in a futuristic society controlled by technology.

With psychological manipulation, reproductive technology, and sleep-learning abilities, this world creates a pure world that is supposed to be a utopia. However, it means sacrificing elements of humanity that we wouldn’t ever want to give up, such as freedom and art. It’s another novel that will make you think about the world around us and the society that we live in.

‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell

While I love Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, it’s Animal Farm that is better for those looking for something similar to Lord of the Flies. This is one of those stories that tells a dark story in what seems to be a lighter-hearted way — through the use of animals.

We get a look at the abuse of power and social breakdown, with a focus on the communist regime. Everyone has a place in the world, but not all those places are equal. While initially, the animals rebel against their human masters, we soon get a reminder that the current enemy may not be the worst one there is.

‘The Road’ by Cormac McCarthy

Many of the darkest stories take place in a post-apocalyptic landscape. One of those is The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which tells a bleak story of survival, similar to Lord of the Flies. This time, we follow a father and son walking along through a burned and destroyed America.

Everything about the walk would make most people give up immediately. The land is in ruin, and the wind is cold enough to crack stones. Yet, the two continue on in the hope that they can find something, focused on the love they have for each other. Is it possible to survive the unsurvivable? How much does it take?

‘The Outsiders’ by S.E. Hinton

Published in 2006, The Outsiders explores society cliques and the youth with violence. S.E. Hinton started writing this while in high school, and it follows a 14-year-old boy, Ponyboy Curtis, who struggles with right and wrong. He’s sure that he’s an outsider, especially when he looks at how those with money are able to get away with everything.

There are two types of people in this world: a greaser or a soc. Ponyboy is a proud greaser, until the night his friend Johnny kills a soc, and the aftermath starts to change his view of the entire society.

‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad

Often paired with Lord of the Flies, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a novella that was origianlly written as a three-part series in Blackwood’s Magazine. Charlie Marlow tells the story of his time on an anchored ship when he was a ferry boat captain. 

He’s initially supposed to transport ivory downriver, but he ends up developing an interest in procuring the ivory. That leads to a journey to become a god among the natives in what is described as “one of the darkest places on Earth.” Like with Lord of the Flies, we get a look at the primal nature of humans, and the darkness within.

‘Wilder Girls’ by Rory Power

If you want something that mirrors Lord of the Flies, but with girls, then you’ll want to turn your attention to Wilder Girls by Rory Power. The story focuses on a post-pandemic world, where a group of girls have been isolated from everyone else in a boarding school. It was actually published in 2019, just ahead of the real pandemic!

In this world, a strange illness called the Tox has taken over, leading to pre-pubesent girls forming second spines, scaled skin, and other irregularities. Now, to survive, they need to follow a strict set of rules if they want to receive supplies from the Navy, which are barely enough to keep the girls alive.

The NBA's first openly gay player, Jason Collins, died of brain cancer on Tuesday, May 12. His family released a statement regarding the news.

Why Jason Collins Came Out as Gay View this post on Instagram

"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma," the statement said, according to the NBA. "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar." 

"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses," the statement continued. "Our family will miss him dearly."

The athlete was in the 2002 NBA finals with the New Jersey Nets, which was a first for the team. The starting center was later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Collins returned to The Nets in 2014 and played, becoming the first openly gay player in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues.

Collins came out in Sports Illustrated in 2013 at 34 years old. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport," read the interview. "But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."

He revealed that his Stanford roommate, Joe Kennedy, inspired him to come out. Kennedy became a congressman in Massachusetts and marched in a gay pride parade.

Collins married The Help film producer Brunson Green in May 2025. Octavia Spencer posted a picture of the couple walking down the aisle on Instagram. Collins has a twin named Jarron Collins, and he also played in the league.

Season 23 of NCIS ended with a cliffhanger when a shot rang out in an alley where we last saw Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) trying to convince Special Agent Timothy McGee’s (Sean Murray) newly discovered son, Mateo (Patrick Keleher), to put down the gun he was holding. Torres had caught Matteo doing something shady on the NCIS computers, but what and why has not yet been revealed.

It also ended with Kayla Vance (Naomi Grace) trying to decide whether she wants to remain an NCIS agent in honor of her late father, Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll), or strike out on her own to continue her work monitoring patterns online of activity that could lead to terrorist events, like the backpack bombings featured in the finale. It was also a chance for Leon to say goodbye to his daughter, which he did by leaving her a discharge form from NCIS should she care to use it with a note that read, “Follow your own path.”

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“There’s really three parts to the Vance story,” NCIS showrunner Steven D. Binder tells Parade in an exclusive interview. “There was losing him in Episode 500, part two was going after the bad guy and getting justice, and part three was the dust settling emotionally for the closest person in the world to him. We view these things through the workplace, and they certainly are a family, but Vance was a father and this was his daughter. That’s really where this story is in my mind, even if it doesn’t feel that way when you just think of the show because you don’t see her as much.

“So, we wanted to settle that, we wanted to really, really play out the family dynamic after losing her father, but we wanted to do it in a way where there could be some closure that comes from it, and that’s when Vance gives her that card at the end. Which is interesting, we went back and forth between Rocky’s voice in that moment and not his voice, and it played better without his voice. So, we wanted to do that, and then the other thing we wanted to do was set some things up for Season 24 that left the audience going, ‘What the hell just happened?’”

Here's everything we know so far about the NCIS 24th season.

When will NCIS Season 24 be released?

NCIS will premiere its 24th season on a Tuesday this fall at 8 p.m. ET/PT. We know the day and time, but not yet the exact release date. Check back.

What time will NCIS air?

NCIS will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Which NCIS cast members are returning for Season 24?Gary Cole (Special Agent Alden Parker) Gary Cole

Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Sean Murray (Special Agent Timothy McGee) Sean Murray

Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Wilmer Valderrama (Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres) Wilmer Valderrama

Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Katrina Law (Special Agent Jessica Knight) Katrina Law

Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Brian Dietzen (Dr. Jimmy Palmer) Brian Dietzen

Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Diona Reasonover (Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines) Diona Reasonover

Photo credit: Michael Yarish/CBS

Who is leaving NCIS in Season 24?Rocky Carroll (NCIS Director Leon Vance) Rocky Carroll

Photo: Art Streiber/CBS

Following the death of Director Vance at the end of Season 23, he will not be seen in Season 24 unless there are more flashbacks like those that took place in the season finale. But he will be returning to the series as a director of several episodes.

Related: NCIS’ 500th Episode Bombshell: Rocky Carroll Breaks Down That Shocking Death (Exclusive)

Who will replace Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance in Season 24 of NCIS?

According to Binder, there are a couple of reasons not to replace Vance immediately.

“One is I don’t know that you can ever replace this character, this actor,” he said. “When Gibbs [Mark Harmon] left, we didn’t really replace him, we had to bring in another team member, I guess. We replaced the butt in the chair, but certainly we brought in a very different kind of person. I don’t think that we will ever have a director like Leon Vance on the show again, and I don’t mean the actor, I mean the character. It’s going to have to be a very different kind of director.

“So, if we are going to do that at some point and not just retire the jersey, which is the playground we’ve been playing in with interim directors and things like that, it’s going to have to be a very different kind of director. And like the agency itself would be doing, we’re trying to figure out what that is. You bring in a different person. You brought in an interim CEO Steve Jobs, until you figured out who the right CEO was, who in that case turned out to be Steve Jobs, but it takes time.”

Related: NCIS’ Shocker: Showrunner Steven D. Binder on McGee’s Secret Son! (Exclusive)

What happened in the NCIS Season 23 finale?

The Season 23 finale began with a flashback a year before Director Vance was killed and showed his daughter Kayla (Naomi Grace) narrowly escaping a suicide bomber at a coffee shop. When her dad shared the results of the FBI investigation – which he did because she was having trouble sleeping – she didn’t buy their conclusion that it was a lone, suicide bomber, so she started her own private organization using private grant money to monitor online activity to monitor patterns and report potential danger she found to the appropriate agencies.

Cut to the present day, and a second backpack bomb goes off. This time the case is for NCIS and the team tracks down evidence that takes them to a website at a former flower shop, and as they go to arrest everyone, Kayla comes out and explains what she’s doing.

Meanwhile, McGee and Mateo are bonding and Mateo comes to NCIS to take a tour for their internship program, but then Mateo tells McGee that NCIS isn’t really for him, which Torres overhears.

Using information obtained by Kayla, NCIS is about to make an arrest of the individual who they believed was training kids to be a suicide bomber when they were stopped by LaRoche (Seamus Deaver), who returns in his new job as US Associate Attorney General. It turns out that he is investigating Kayla and Vance for using dirty money for her organization.

Kayla is taken off the case as a result, but she still discovers that the author of the book Agnors Bliss, Ivan Wren, is responsible for the suicide bombers, and she realizes he is the next target, and she goes to save him, which she does. Then, NCIS arrested him because they found proof that he was doing it just to make money.

Then when everything looked like a happy ending, in a conversation with Parker, LaRoche admitted he was vying for the job of director, which would be anything but.

Also, Torres heard Jimmy say that Mateo used one of the computers to fill out an application. But Torres knew Mateo wasn’t interested in a career at NCIS so he checked, and there was no application. He went to talk to Mateo, who was carrying a gun, and Mateo told Torres to walk away because “they” could be watching. Next, we heard a gunshot, but as the camera had pulled back, we have no clue as to who shot the gun and if anyone was hit.

Binder, when asked if there could be a third party in the alley that we didn’t see, admitted, “Yes, they certainly could. That was Mateo’s fear; he was worried that he was being followed.”

Are there any spoilers for NCIS Season 24?

Whether or not there will be a time jump or we’ll pick up in the alley with Torres and Mateo remains to be seen.

“That hasn’t been etched in stone yet. But for sure, one version is a straight pickup, another version is of a time jump, and we see it in flashbacks, what happened,” Binder says. “There’s some other things that dictate that choice that have yet to be decided, but probably we’ll just pick it up straight, is my guess.”

But what he did tell us was, “Clearly McGee’s son is in over his head, in some kind of trouble. We hope he’s in over his head; he certainly seems to be. You don’t want to think that he’s a mover and shaker of whatever malfeasance he’s involved in. He’s in over his head and McGee is clueless about it, but Torres is not. Torres is going to confront McGee’s son, and it’s going to end badly, but we just don’t know exactly how badly it ends. We know it’s like ‘Copacabana,’ where there’s blood and a single gunshot, but exactly who shot who is how we want to leave it. There’s no good version of that, but I think we’re going to have the surprising version of it.”

What we also need to watch for in Season 24 of NCIS is how Alden Parker will act without a strong director like Leon Vance in charge to keep him in line.

“I think the thing that you should pay the most attention to is what former Army CID Director Wayne Rogers (J. Paul Boehmer) said about Parker, which is, ‘You were always a bad seed. You’ve played cop for a while, but I know you, you’re a bad kid,” Binder says. “I’m not saying Parker’s a bad seed at all, but if you contrast Parker versus Gibbs, Gibbs was the opposite. Gibbs was this awe shucks, small town, true love, married-his-first-true-love kind of guy, and then he got broken, and in the breaking, he acted out in these ways that we came to know as Gibbs.

“But Parker’s sort of the opposite. He was in juvie when he was 14, and stealing hubcaps and stuff. That old saying, criminal or cop, well, he became a cop, but maybe he’s still a criminal. I don’t know, he’s a lot more complex than the chill vibe that Gary Cole exhibits most of the time as he plays the character. I think that’s a sign of his maturity, but does the leopard change its spots?”

Will Mark Harmon return to NCIS?

Parade spoke to Harmon last November when he reprised his role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for an episode of NCIS: Origins, but it was a very brief scene.

He told us, “[NCIS: Origins co-showrunners] David [J. North] and Gina [Lucita Monreal] together came up with an idea that was fun and certainly somewhat surprising, and I just thought it was a good idea. I’ve enjoyed being part of the process with them over the last couple of years with Origins and trying to revisit all those things that I remember from the original when they first started, which was every bit as challenging and every bit as tough.”

But when pressed about a guest appearance on the mothership at some point, Harmon wouldn’t commit.

Related: NCIS: Origins: Mark Harmon Reveals Why He’s Returning as Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Exclusive)

What does NCIS stand for?

When the series premiered, it was originally called Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which was later shortened to NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and then, once everyone knew what NCIS stood for, the series simply became NCIS.

How to watch and stream NCIS Season 24 on TV and online

New episodes of NCIS will air Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and stream next day on Paramount+.

Where can I catch up on previous seasons of NCIS?

Previous seasons of NCIS are available on Paramount+, Hulu, Netflix, and in reruns on USA Network.

Related: Is Your Favorite Show Coming Back or Canceled? See Our Fall TV 2026–2027 Guide

In one of the most explosive fights in 10 seasons of Summer House, Kyle Cooke and Carl Radke nearly come to blows while hurling brutally hurtful insults at each other. Caught in the middle is Kyle’s now-estranged wife, Amanda Batula, who seeks comfort in the arms of West Wilson, telling him, “I love you,” as the bombastic showdown finally begins to simmer down.

Kyle becomes unglued during a dinner party when Lindsay Hubbard finally pushes him over the edge over his DJ aspirations and the implications his career has had on his marriage. Harboring deep-seated resentment over Kyle’s refusal to invest in Carl’s venture, Soft Bar, Carl goes after him — and the two have to be physically restrained from turning the heated confrontation into an all-out brawl.

As insults fly, Carl calls Kyle a "loser," while Kyle fires back with "f— you, Carl," and "You bitched and whined all summer, 'Oh I'm so sensitive!'" Carl ultimately gets in Kyle's face, telling him he's "supported him all f—ing summer. Thanks for your lack of supporting me, you f—ing loser!"

Thankfully, Jesse Solomon, West, KJ Dillard, and Ben Waddell step in to restrain both men, and Kyle and Carl eventually retreat to separate corners. In the middle of the chaos is Amanda, who finds Kyle and urges him to breathe.

Kyle continues spiraling outside while Amanda tries to calm him down, but Carl throws more fuel on the fire by returning and telling Kyle he'd "beat the f— out of you."

Frustrated, Amanda heads back inside as West attempts to calm Kyle, reminding him, "You're mad at Lindsay, to be quite honest." Meanwhile, Lindsay admits she feels bad for bringing up painful issues.

Claiming he confronted Kyle because he felt the need to defend Amanda, Carl eventually reaches a calmer place, while Kyle breaks down in tears over Ciara Miller previously telling him that he and Amanda should separate. He admits he feels attacked.

Both Amanda and Kyle seemingly realize their marriage is on life support. West later finds Amanda in the foyer, where she thanks him for pulling his chair next to hers during dinner as tensions escalated and Kyle began melting down at the table. As they embrace, Amanda begins to sob. "Thank you," she tells him as he kisses her head. "I love you."

Carl and Kyle quickly squash their beef, meeting privately in a bedroom to finally talk through their issues before hugging it out. It’s the conversation they should have had all summer.

However, the divide between Kyle and Amanda remains, with the two sharing an icy exchange. Kyle says he wants his marriage back, but admits that by August, he knows it’s over. The couple announced their separation in January.

"I'm going years on years on years feeling like my wife doesn't have my back," Kyle says as he walks down the hall. "It's a horrible feeling." Later, he adds, "I don't think she wants a single thing to do with me. And I think she's too scared to f—ing get out of it."

Summer is almost over — and the couple who started it all is, too.

Summer House airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.

Fifty-four years ago today, The Rolling Stones put out Exile on Main St.

Critics in 1972 didn't know what to make of the 18-track double LP and weren't quite sure what they had on their hands. Today Exile sits near the top of just about every "greatest rock album" list. The band is headed back into headlines this week with a fresh record on the way.

Exile hit U.S. shelves May 12, 1972. It was the Stones' tenth U.K. studio album. The LP birthed Tumbling Dice, which peaked at number seven and was the only Exile single to crack the U.S. Top 10.

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The Tax Exile That Shaped a Classic

Half the legend lives in the recording. To dodge a sky-high British tax bill in 1971, Keith Richards rented Nellcote, a sprawling villa on the French Riviera near Nice. The band cobbled together a makeshift basement studio. Hallways, the kitchen, and side rooms all got drafted in as recording spaces. Summer heat down there was brutal. Sessions stretched on for months while Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and Mick Taylor came and went, and visitors drifted through Nellcote at all hours.

That lived-in chaos gave Exile its ragged, smoky sound.

From Mixed Reviews to Masterpiece

Reviewers split when Exile first arrived. Muddy, said some. Overlong, said others. A few years on, that view flipped, and Exile climbed every best-of-the-decade ledger going. Rolling Stone magazine slotted it at number seven on its first 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

The 54-year mark lands just as the Stones prep their next album, Foreign Tongues. Richards confirmed Foreign Tongues this week in New York. The record will feature guest spots from Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood, plus tracks featuring late drummer Charlie Watts. Richards also told reporters a 2026 tour isn't happening.

Then he added, "we can talk next year."

It's basically an official fact that Led Zeppelin was the biggest rock band in the world in 1972. (Sure, some might argue otherwise, but they'd be wrong.) So when the group started working on their fifth studio album, expectations were high; after all, their fourth and untitled record (generally referred to as Led Zeppelin IV) contained "Stairway to Heaven," which has probably been ranked the best rock song ever hundreds of times by now.

Luckily for Led Zeppelin fans, Houses of the Holy — released on March 28, 1973 — didn't disappoint. In fact, some even preferred Houses of the Holy to the album that came before...like Robert Plant.

"There was a lot of imagination on that record," the singer told High Times in 1991. "I prefer it much more than the fourth album. I think it's much more varied and it has a flippance which showed up again later."

By May 12, 1973, Houses of the Holy had climbed all the way to #1 on the Billboard 200, where it stayed for two weeks. It's not like the album went out of style after it slipped from the top spot, though...far from it. In fact, Houses of the Holy was ranked #278 on Rolling Stone's list of the Greatest Albums of All Time.

"Led Zeppelin stuck close to their core sound on earlier albums — supercharged blues, celestial folk — but here they got into a groove," the RS article noted, going on to praise Plant's performance on "The Rain Song" as "one of [his] most amazing vocals."

What Robert Plant said about his own vocals

In a 1980 interview with Tony Bacon, Plant shared a different opinion on his best vocal performance, citing another song from Houses of the Holy.

"I don't know. I suppose 'The Ocean' was great," he said. "Because it was on one of those daft riffs, one of those silly time thingbobs...There's so many different ways of working a vocal across that kind of riff. And maybe 'Immigrant Song' I quite like."

"'The Rain Song' was — well, it's fodder for sarcasm now," Plant continued. "Because, surely, you can't look at all this too seriously. But looking at it now as some sweet little thing, which it was in its directness and its sincerity — it was a nice little vocal. But it's very hard to sing it as the springtime of my loving at 39 in my manager's kitchen."

All these years later, Plant is still singing "The Rain Song" live onstage...and fans still can't get enough.

Related: 1969 Hard Rock Hit With 'Greatest Guitar Riff of All Time' Went Gold 56 Years Ago Today

As even the most casual soda drinker might readily recognize, "dirty sodas" are currently the talk of the town, with millions of people around the globe getting in on the craze around the popular soda trend.

As more and more companies get in on the hype, ICEE is officially throwing their cap into the ring when it comes to their own rendition of dirty soda beverages, albeit in a completely new and wholly exciting new way.

According to a new post from the ever reliable food blogger markie_devo, ICEE is rolling out new Dirty Soda Swirled Ice & Coconut Cream Pops for the start of the summer season. As the names are sure to suggest, the new trip is specifically meant to capture the signature taste of traditional canned soda with the vibrant flavor bursts of "dirty" fruit-based syrups.

As per the new post on Instagram, ICEE is specifically launching two new flavors of the Swirled Ice & Coconut Cream Pops in the form of Coconut Lime Cola and Orange Cream Soda.

With the former, ICEE delivers a tropical blend of creamy coconut, tart lime and refreshing cola, ideal for hot summer days while sunbathing by the pool. The Orange Cream Soda, on the other hand, features a flavor profile reminiscent of an orange creamiscle, making it a fantastic treat to enjoy during the high heat of the season as well.

As of yet, it's not quite clear when exactly the new frozen treats will arrive on store shelves. But with summer beginning to peak around the corner, it's say to assume the new desserts will make their way to major retail suppliers sooner rather than later!

So far, the response to the new treats has been unsurprisingly enthusiastic, with many voicing their excitement to the new frozen dessert.

"These sound good," one user commented on Instagram.

"Looks like a great product," said another account.

"I'm game," agreed a third.

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Clutter has a way of sneaking up on you. Before you know it, those miscellaneous items tend to line your countertops and take over your living space. Looking for an easy way to streamline your home? This Xueyu 3-Pack of Woven Rope Storage Baskets is a stylish storage solution that’ll help you tame the clutter while adding a farmhouse accent to your space. 

Right now, you can score it on sale at nearly 50% off for a limited time! Normally retailing for $39, this three-pack of baskets is now marked down to just $20 in a natural tan version. These baskets are available in a larger size, which normally retail for $50 and $53, but are now on sale for either $26 or $27. They’re available in five styles, including white, oatmeal brown, white and brown, white and gray, and white and pink. 

Xueyu 3-Pack of Woven Rope Storage Baskets, From $20 (was $39) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The natural tan basket measures around 7.5 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 5 inches deep, while the other five styles measure 11 inches long and wide and 9 inches deep. They both have a large capacity and offer plenty of space for you to store those items that currently don’t have a proper home. You can use them to store and organize anything from out-of-season clothes and accessories to craft supplies and tools. 

Environmentally-friendly and sustainable, these baskets are made of 100% cotton. They’re flexible yet hold their shape. Many shoppers noted that they’re very sturdy and raved about their fantastic quality. These baskets are also soft to the touch and skin-friendly, which makes them ideal for storing linens, bedding, and clothes. They’re breathable and promote airflow, ensuring that your belongings remain fresh. 

Featuring a woven design with horizontal braided stitching, these baskets radiate farmhouse charm. The cotton material and rope texture give them that natural and rustic feel. Practical yet chic, they double as a decor piece that’ll add a cozy and inviting accent to any room you place them in, whether it’s your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen.

Xueyu 3-Pack of Woven Rope Storage Baskets, From $20 (was $39) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Many shoppers mentioned that these baskets fit seamlessly on their shelves. They’re a great way to decorate your space while keeping everything streamlined and hidden away. These baskets are also great for closet organization, giving loose accessories and folded clothes a designated space. You can also place these baskets on the floor by your couch to store your throw blankets and pillows. 

“I would definitely recommend these baskets to anyone looking to organize the clutter in your life,” one shopper said. Another reviewer described the baskets as “sturdy, beautiful, and well-made” and said that they “look high-end.” 

Related: Amazon's Space-Saving and 'Durable' $16 6-Tier Shoe Rack Is Perfect for Closets and Entryways

For convenience, these baskets are equipped with two reinforced handles, allowing you to easily move them around your home. Because these baskets are flexible, you can easily fold them up and stow them away when they’re not in use. As a bonus, these baskets are easy to clean. Whenever they need a refresh, you can just toss them into the washing machine and either air dry or tumble dry afterwards. 

Shop More Deals 

• Criusia 4-Pack of Foldable Fabric Storage Cubes, $23 (was $60) at Walmart
• Sorbus 7-Piece Stackable Baskets Set, From $31 (was $36) at Walmart
• Cherishgard Woven Blanket Basket, $24 (was $36) at Walmart

Stylish yet practical, the Xueyu 3-Pack of Woven Rope Storage Baskets can streamline your living space in no time while effortlessly elevating your home’s aesthetic. If that sounds like something you need ASAP, be sure to head to Walmart and snag it while it’s still on sale for as low as $20! 

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The 1985 black comedy film After Hours, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese, has been ranked No. 1 on WatchMojo’s list of the “Most Underrated Movies of All Time.”

The ranking highlights how the film, once modest at the box office, has grown into a cult favorite known for its strange humor, chaotic storytelling and nighttime New York setting.

The movie follows Paul Hackett, a quiet computer office worker played by Griffin Dunne, who experiences a long and disturbing night while trying to go home from SoHo, Manhattan. What starts as a simple visit turns into a series of confusing and dangerous encounters across the city.

Released on Sept. 13, 1985 by The Geffen Company through Warner Bros., After Hours earned $10.6 million against a $4.5 million budget. While its theatrical run was small, critics later praised it for its bold style and unusual comedy approach.

The film also became an important turning point in Scorsese’s career. It won Best Director honors at both the Cannes Film Festival and Independent Spirit Awards, solidifying its artistic recognition years after release.

In After Hours, Paul Hackett meets a woman named Marcy Franklin at a café, played by Rosanna Arquette. Their conversation leads him to her apartment in SoHo, but everything quickly goes wrong when he loses his only $20 bill in a taxi window.

From there, Paul’s night spirals out of control. He becomes trapped in a series of strange and often unsafe situations involving different characters across New York City. Each stop brings new confusion, misunderstandings and panic.

At one point, Paul struggles with subway fare changes, hostile strangers and mistaken identities. He is even chased by punks, wrongly labeled as a burglar, and misunderstood by people he tries to ask for help.

The film’s tone shifts between comedy and tension, showing how quickly an ordinary night can turn into something overwhelming.

Although After Hours did not perform strongly in theaters, critics later praised its unique storytelling and tone. It has been described as a mix of black humor, paranoia and surreal chaos.

The film holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 70 reviews, with critics calling it a “masterful and often overlooked” entry in Scorsese’s filmography.

Roger Ebert gave the film a perfect four-star rating and later included it in his “Great Movies” list. Other critics noted its unusual structure, comparing it to a dreamlike or nightmare-like journey through New York City.

The Guardian also described the film as a “peculiar, potent film” where “strangeness and anxiety loom large,” highlighting its uneasy but gripping tone.

Over time, After Hours became known as a “cult classic,” especially among fans of dark comedy and neo-noir films.

Decades after its release, After Hours continues to influence modern pop culture. The film inspired Canadian artist The Weeknd’s 2020 album After Hours and even influenced an episode of the television series Ted Lasso titled “Beard After Hours.”

Its reputation has shifted significantly since 1985. What was once a small, unusual comedy is now widely seen as one of Scorsese’s most creative and overlooked works.

Related: 1994 Hit Television Drama Show, Once Ranked No. 1 Hit in United States, Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 32 Years Later