Parade

As The Eagles celebrated their career-defining 1976 album Hotel California, they were also trying to figure out how to replicate that success. The result was The Long Run, an album that contributed to the band going their separate ways.

The Long Run was released 47 years ago today, on September 24, leading The Eagles to “a somewhat dispirited halt,” as Taste of Country wrote. The record marked the group’s sixth studio album, hallmarking the inner conflict within the group. The title track hinted at relationships gone sour and the band’s overall frustration, with the lyrics being: “It was high time I quit / I just couldn’t carry on that way.”

Glenn Frey, a founding member of The Eagles, said to The Independent in 1992 that The Long Run was the most difficult album he’d ever worked on.

“We worked hard to keep it loose, but everything had to be right and we spent three years on it, far longer than any other record,” Frey said. “It had stopped being fun. We no longer trusted each other’s instincts, so there was considerable disagreement as we were for the first time considering what we ought to be doing.”

Frey added that working in close quarters on tour was also a challenge, saying that they “found out a lot about each other.”

“We’d been living this lifestyle of limos, private jets, first-class hotels, and people doing what you told them to,” Frey said. “Plus, both Henley and I had developed drug habits, which didn’t help matters. Going to the studio was like going to school — I simply didn’t want to go.”

But after working on it for three years, The Long Run was born. It reached No. 1 in its second week, and in November 1979, “Heartache Tonight” topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It became The Eagles’ final No. 1 hit, with the group disbanding only one year later.

Frey recalled that once the album was released and the band parted ways, he experienced “an overwhelming sense of relief.” He cut out alcohol and cocaine, beginning to experience life again.

“When I gave up snorting I found I didn’t need to drink any more and started to behave like a human being again,” he said.

While Frey said that The Long Run was a “very polished” album, the band decided that none of them wanted to go through that experience again.

In 1977, the Marshall Tucker Band released a country-rock song that would become the biggest pop hit of its career.

Written by guitarist Toy Caldwell, “Heard It in a Love Song” appeared on the band’s sixth studio album Carolina Dreams. The song featured 28-year-old Doug Gray on lead vocals, Caldwell on lead and acoustic guitars and Jerry Eubanks on flute, with Tommy Caldwell, George McCorkle and Paul Riddle rounding out the band.

By the time Gray recorded the song, he had already taken a much different path to becoming a rock singer.

The Spartanburg, S.C., native had played with several future Marshall Tucker Band members before joining the U.S. Army and serving during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service, Gray reunited with his old bandmates, and by 1972, the group that would become the Marshall Tucker Band had come together.

“Heard It in a Love Song” was released as a single in March 1977, backed with “Life in a Song.” Paul Hornsby, who had worked with the band since its early days, produced the track.

The song quickly became the Marshall Tucker Band’s biggest pop success.

“Heard It in a Love Song” reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1977, making it the group’s highest-charting single. It also crossed over to the country and Adult Contemporary charts, reaching No. 51 and No. 25, respectively. In Canada, it was an even bigger pop hit, climbing all the way to No. 5.

Critics took notice of the song’s unusual blend of sounds, too.

Related: 1976 No. 1 Hit, By 32-Year-Old Adult Film Star, Is Still a Party Favorite 50 Years Later

In its 1977 review, Cash Box praised the Marshall Tucker Band as one of America’s most versatile rock groups, noting that its music could range from “sinewy boogie to the sweetest country tunes.”

The publication put “Heard It in a Love Song” firmly toward that sweeter end of the spectrum, praising Gray’s “pure-toned vocals” as well as the song’s flute and guitar work.

The song helped make Carolina Dreams the Marshall Tucker Band’s most commercially successful album. Released in 1977, the record went platinum and reached No. 23 on the Billboard album chart and No. 22 on the country albums chart.

“Heard It in a Love Song” also showcased exactly why the Marshall Tucker Band could be difficult to put into one musical box. The group mixed rock and country with blues and jazz, while instruments such as Eubanks’ flute gave its recordings a sound unlike many of its Southern rock contemporaries.

Nearly 50 years later, the opening notes of “Heard It in a Love Song” remain instantly recognizable, and that combination of Gray’s easygoing vocal, Caldwell’s guitar and Eubanks’ flute still makes a pretty convincing case for calling it “the sweetest country tune.”

Related: Rush Mourns Death of ‘Tom Sawyer’ Co-Writer After ‘Unbelievably Tragic Year’: ‘Heartfelt Sympathies’

Love can be complicated, and Mick Jones was living through plenty of it when he wrote “I Want to Know What Love Is.” 

The Foreigner guitarist came up with the song during a sleepless night in 1984, drawing from the upheaval in his life and the uncertainty surrounding the band. Released later that year, the power ballad became Foreigner’s biggest hit, reaching No. 1 in both the U.S. and U.K.

Jones would often work late into the night, after everything with the band had settled down for the evening. 

“I always worked late at night, when everybody left and the phone stopped ringing,” he recalled to Classic Rock. “‘I Want To Know What Love’ Is came up at three in the morning sometime in 1984. I don’t know where it came from. I consider it a gift that was sent through me. I think there was something bigger than me behind it. I’d say it was probably written entirely by a higher force.”

Jones had gone through a divorce, fallen in love again and was preparing to marry, while Foreigner was dealing with the “pressure of selling millions of albums.” His relationship with lead singer Lou Gramm was also becoming strained.

“The song was an expression of my tempestuous private life over the three years before,” Jones said. “So it was an emotional time that stirred up a lot of things.”

That night, Jones got as far as the title, opening chords and chorus. Still, he immediately knew he had something worth pursuing. “That was enough to make me go into the bedroom where my soon-to-be wife was asleep and tell her I had an idea for a song called ‘I Want To Know What Love Is,’” he recalled. “She just fixed me with this strange look and said [offended]: ‘What do you mean? Don’t you already know what love is?’” 

Jones was looking for a way to give the song more of a gospel feel. Aretha Franklin was one of his first thoughts, but hearing the New Jersey Mass Choir gave him a different direction for the arrangement. 

“When I heard them, I immediately had the finished song in my head,” he recalled. Jones traveled to New Jersey to watch the choir rehearse before bringing about 30 members into a New York studio to record. 

Released in November 1984 as the lead single from Foreigner’s fifth album, Agent Provocateur, “I Want to Know What Love Is” quickly became one of the group’s most successful songs. It topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. singles chart, turning Jones’ late-night thoughts about love into a No. 1 song on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Listeners began reaching out to Jones to share how the song had gotten them through difficult periods. “I started getting letters from people who weren’t necessarily fans but had found comfort in that song at times of suffering and sadness,” he said. “Everybody took their own meaning from it. And that’s all you can hope for as a writer.” 

Decades later, “I Want to Know What Love Is” still stands as one of the band’s most recognizable songs. It was included on Rolling Stone’s list of the “Greatest Songs of All Time,” ranking No. 476 in 2004 and No. 479 in the magazine’s 2010 update. 

Related: 1950 Country Ballad Named No. 1 Hit Became a Timeless Anthem

It may have been 26 years since Gilmore Girls first premiered, but Lauren Graham and Melissa McCarthy’s reunion at Variety’s 2026 Power of Women ceremony has us feeling like we never left Stars Hollow.

On September 23, McCarthy was honored at the ceremony for her work in TV, film and her philanthropy with Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation. Graham, who played Lorelai Gilmore in the series, honored McCarthy, who played Sookie St. James, with the award.

River Callaway / Getty Images

“I met Melissa playing her pretend friend on Gilmore Girls, and we got to become friends in real life,” Graham said in her speech, People reported.

Although Gilmore Girls ended in 2007, Graham and McCarthy remained friends. In fact, they have a Christmas tradition that they’ve kept alive over the years.

Lauren Graham and Melissa McCarthy

Chloe Kern / Getty Images

“Among the many festivities we shared over the years was the tradition of taking turns throwing a cowboy-themed Christmas party,” Graham said. “I don’t know why this was the theme. Neither of us was from the South, and I don’t know any cowboys, but I still have a 10-gallon hat in my closet and photos of the Christmas where we hired a band called Cousin Lovers to play in my living room.”

Setting aside Christmas memories, Graham went on to say that McCarthy has “empathy, intelligence [and] originality” that she brings to every set.

“Those [are the] same skills that make her an exceptional performer and a generous philanthropist in a truly powerful way,” Graham said.

When McCarthy accepted the award, she was quick to extend similar kind words to Graham.

“Lauren was really one of my first lessons in how to yield power with grace and give patience,” McCarthy said. “So thank you for that, Lauren.”

As fans get ready for “Gilmore Girls season,” Lorelai and Rory’s iconic house was recently listed for around $2.8 million. Located in a town north of Toronto, the home is on sale for the first time since the pilot premiered. While there’s no Luke’s to grab coffee, the nearby Main Street is similar to Stars Hollow.

As fans anticipate the film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Noah Kahan has unveiled the movie’s lead single. Inspired by characters Haymitch and Lenore Dove, “Draw You Out” is set to release on October 2.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do and I am so grateful for the opportunity to write for this moving film, having adored the works of art by Suzanne Collins,” Kahan posted on Instagram. “I was already totally connected and inspired by the tragic yet hopeful story of Haymitch and Lenore Dove, and writing a song about the purpose, grief and perseverance through pain that they exemplify was an experience I’ll always be grateful for.”

Kahan concluded, saying, “This is an incredible film, and I am so honored to be a small part of it.”

With nearly 500k likes in three hours, Kahan’s fans have been losing their minds since the artist announced the song on Instagram.

“YESSS THANK YOU FOR FEEDING US,” one user commented.

“My worlds are colliding,” another said. “They’ll have to drag me out of that theater.”

“I just recovered from the [Noah Kahan] album and tour… can my therapist send you the bill?” one fan joked.

“Draw You Out” continues The Hunger Games’ tradition of featuring celebrity singers. Previous songs included Jennifer Lawrence’s “Deep in the Meadow,” Rachel Zegler’s “The Old Therebefore” and Taylor Swift’s “Safe and Sound.” Sunrise on the Reaping’s companion album will feature 29 songs, with some speculating that Lizzy McAlpine might also have a featured song on it.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set to release in theaters on November 20. The film will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, focusing on the story of Haymitch Abernathy. Starring Joseph Zada, Mckenna Grace and Elle Fanning, the trailer can be found below:

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Reorganizing has a way of revealing just how limited your storage space truly is. If your current setup isn’t quite roomy enough, a larger, more functional dresser might be in order. One worth checking out is the Simenmax 9-Drawer Dresser, which is now marked down as part of a Walmart flash sale.

Marked down to as low as $32 from its original $63, this dresser is a surprisingly affordable way to expand your wardrobe capacity. With nine drawers, it’s spacious enough to sort out bulky items like jeans, hoodies, and knitwear while still keeping things tidy and within reach. Whether you’re reworking a bedroom, adding structure to a guest room, or just trying to make more space for fall favorites, it’s a low-effort, high-impact upgrade.

Simenmax 9-Drawer Dresser, From $32 (was $63) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The dresser itself is built for versatility. A sturdy steel frame gives it structure, but the lightweight design means it’s easy to move between rooms as your space (or needs) shift. It features nine fabric drawers — three smaller ones across the top and six larger drawers below — giving you storage that suits both smaller essentials and bulkier items. The overall piece has a 66-pound weight capacity and measures 39.37 inches high, 39.37 inches wide, and 11.8 inches deep. One reviewer noted that each dresser can “hold a lot.”

A wood-style MDF top adds a sturdy surface for keys, candles, or whatever needs a landing spot. Available in 12 colors and patterns, it’s easy to find an option that blends in with your existing furniture. Setup is simple, too, with all the tools included and a step-by-step video guide available online.

With over 1,400 five-star reviews and counting, this dresser has earned top marks from shoppers for its design. “[It’s] so easy to assemble,” one wrote, “The frame is very sturdy and good quality. The drawers are [made from] a nice looking fabric with a heavy duty lining so that they don’t cave in.”

Another shopper appreciated how “spacious” and “lightweight” the dresser is, which makes it simple to rearrange. The shopper also noted that the piece sits high enough off the floor to allow a vacuum underneath for easy cleaning.

Related: Add Stylish Storage to Small Bathrooms With Walmart’s Freestanding Cabinets, Starting at $43

At nearly 50% off, the Simenmax 9-Drawer Dresser is a smart way to get organized for the cold months without overspending. Grab yours while it’s still on flash sale at Walmart!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

If you firmly believe everything is better when it’s shaped like a tiny pumpkin, there’s a pepper plant that deserves a spot on your fall gardening radar.

The Halloween Pepper from Bonnie Plants produces small, ribbed peppers that genuinely look like miniature pumpkins growing on the plant. Even better, they’re not just ornamental. They’re sweet, edible peppers, so you can admire your tiny pumpkin harvest and then actually eat it!

“Halloween peppers are compact, highly productive sweet peppers that produce pumpkin-shaped fruit,” says Emma Ford, who works in product research and development at Bonnie Plants. And the pumpkin resemblance isn’t subtle. “They produce adorable ribbed fruit that look like miniature pumpkins,” Ford says.

It Grows Tiny Edible ‘Pumpkins’ Halloween Pepper Plant

Bonnie Plants

For something that looks this much like a novelty plant, the Halloween pepper is surprisingly practical. Despite the name, there’s nothing scary about the flavor.

“They have a similar taste to other typical orange sweet snacking peppers,” Ford says. Plus, “They can be used to make fall vegetable planters—or platters—more festive.” Toss them onto a fall charcuterie board or veggie platter alongside cheeses, crackers and other seasonal snacks, and you’ve got an edible Halloween decoration that requires basically zero effort. 

It Even Changes Color for Halloween Halloween Pepper Plant

Bonnie Plants

As if growing peppers shaped like miniature pumpkins weren’t festive enough, Halloween peppers also come with a pretty perfect color trick—the peppers don’t start out orange. 

Ford says the immature fruit is dark purple before ripening to orange, which means the plant can display both colors as the peppers mature. In other words, it basically grows in a Halloween color palette all on its own.

It Stays Pretty Compact, Too

You don’t need a huge vegetable garden to grow Halloween peppers. Ford says the mature plants reach about 18 to 30 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide, so they stay relatively compact while still producing plenty of pumpkin-shaped peppers.

Just don’t expect to plant one a week before Halloween and have instant pumpkin-shaped peppers. Ford says Halloween peppers take about 60 to 70 days to reach maturity. 

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers cover a range of topics, including household animals, highway exits, baseball opportunities, Greek islands, strong dislikes, Georgia symbols, extrasensory perception, Mount Everest geography, governors and TV actors.

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 Crossword on Friday, September 25, 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!

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Friday, September 25, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Dogs and cats … or less commonly, frogs and rats — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

5 Across: Highway off-ramp — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

6 Across: Chance to hit a homer — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

8 Across: Largest island of Greece — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”

9 Across: Strongly disliked — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Fruit on a Georgia license plate — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

2 Down: The “E” of ESP — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”

3 Down: Region on the north side of Mount Everest — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

4 Down: Governor’s responsibility — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

7 Down: Danson of “The Good Place” — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, September 25, 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: Dogs and cats … or less commonly, frogs and rats — PETS

5 Across: Highway off-ramp — EXIT

6 Across: Chance to hit a homer — ATBAT

8 Across: Largest island of Greece — CRETE

9 Across: Strongly disliked — HATED

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Fruit on a Georgia license plate — PEACH

2 Down: The “E” of ESP — EXTRA

3 Down: Region on the north side of Mount Everest TIBET

4 Down: Governor’s responsibility — STATE

7 Down: Danson of “The Good Place” — TED

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Thursday, September 24, 2026

By September 1979, Marianne Faithfull’s unlikely comeback was already in the works. The former ’60s pop princess had spent May through July recording Broken English at London’s Matrix Studios, and she was now in the calm before the storm, awaiting the release of an album that would ultimately transform her career again.

But the public had yet to hear the record that would introduce a radically reinvented Faithfull. The album arrived Nov. 2, 1979, after its first single, “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” was released on Oct. 26.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

View this post on Instagram Her Fall From Pop Stardom Was Almost Unthinkable

“The Ballad of Lucy Jordan” was a haunting and psychologically dark ballad written by Shel Silverstein. Faithfull’s version became one of the defining songs of her comeback, but her journey there had been anything but straightforward.

Faithfull was just 17 when Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham discovered her at a Stones launch party in 1964. Her first single, “As Tears Go By,” was the first song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and Faithfull quickly became one of the most recognizable young women of the British Invasion era.

Related: 1964 Ballad, Written by The Rolling Stones, Launched a 17-Year-Old Singer’s Career

She was soon known as the “crown princess of swinging London,” moving within the same countercultural world as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.

But her life took a dramatic turn after her relationship with Jagger ended in 1970. She lost custody of her son, battled heroin addiction, and spent roughly two years homeless, living on the streets and in squats in London.

For a former pop princess once at the center of London’s celebrity scene, the fall was extraordinary.

The Record That Changed Everything

Faithfull had begun finding her way back to music by the middle of the decade. Her 1976 album Dreamin’ My Dreams received little attention in the U.K., but its title track became a major success in Ireland, spending seven weeks at No. 1 and convincing Faithfull she could still make records and perform for an audience.

Then came Broken English.

Recorded in spring and summer 1979, the album marked a dramatic reinvention. Its sound incorporated new wave, punk, blues, and reggae influences, with musicians including Steve Winwood, Barry Reynolds, and Terry Stannard contributing to the sessions.

Faithfull later described the transformation in striking terms, comparing the new version of herself to Frankenstein’s monster: “I had reluctantly come to the conclusion,” she wrote in her 1994 memoir, “that if I was ever to obliterate my past I’d have to create my own Frankenstein, and then become that creature as well.””

The album definitively brought her back to the international music scene.

Why Marianne Faithfull Chose This Haunting Shel Silverstein Song

The first single from Broken English was “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” written by Shel Silverstein and originally recorded by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show in 1974.

Faithfull’s version tells the story of a 37-year-old suburban housewife whose dreams of youth and escape have disappeared beneath the routine of domestic life. By the song’s end, Lucy imagines herself riding through Paris in a convertible—a stark contrast to the bleak reality surrounding her.

Faithfull interpreted the song’s final image of a “long white car” as an ambulance taking Lucy to a psychiatric hospital. At the same time, Lucy herself imagines that she is being taken somewhere glamorous.

Released Oct. 26, 1979, Faithfull’s recording became one of her highest-charting songs, reaching the Top 10 in several European countries. It would also have a long afterlife, appearing in films including Thelma & Louise and Montenegro, as well as the television series American Horror Story: Hotel.

And the song’s story continued into another September.

In September 1996, Belinda Carlisle released A Woman & a Man in the U.K. A special DTS edition of the album included Carlisle’s own cover of “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” giving the song another connection to a new generation of listeners.

Her Comeback Was Only the Beginning

Broken English ultimately reached No. 57 in the U.K. and No. 82 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. It was certified gold in several countries, sold more than a million copies worldwide, and earned Faithfull a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

More importantly, it marked a new chapter for an artist whose career had already contained several lives.

The woman once introduced to the world as a teenage pop star was now making dark, uncompromising music on her own terms. And “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” a song another songwriter wrote decades earlier, became one of the most enduring pieces of that remarkable transformation.

Related: 1979 Country-Rock Ballad, Written for Linda Ronstadt in a Colorado Cabin, Became a Cross-Generational Hit

Tim McGraw is one of country music’s defining stars, but some of his most memorable songs came from a time when he was still establishing the sound and persona that would make him a superstar. “Something Like That,” released in 1999, is an upbeat love song and one of McGraw’s biggest crossover hits. The song became one of country music’s most played radio singles across all genres. Twenty-seven years later, “Something Like That” is still one of the most important Tim McGraw songs and one that helped establish the sound he’s still known for today.

“Something Like That” Became a No. 1 Hit for Tim McGraw @pameck

When Tim sings Something Like That… #timmcgraw #labordayweekend #somethinglikethat #ruoff

♬ original sound – Pam Williams Eck

“Something Like That” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart on Sept. 25, 1999, giving McGraw his 10th No. 1 hit. It also reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song is a perfect example of the songwriters’ ability to turn a specific memory into a relatable anthem. Like a collection of recognizable snapshots, the song’s story travels from the rush of a first crush to the little moments one remembers from a summer romance and a simple memory from a summer barbecue, all crafted into a song that feels deeply personal and endlessly relatable.

Related: 1980s Country King Turned Down Offer to Join Dire Straits to Stay Loyal to His Sound

Tim McGraw Pushed for “Something Like That”

The song also says something about Tim McGraw as an artist. “Something Like That,” written by songwriter Rick Ferrell, wasn’t originally planned as a single. McGraw pushed the record label to release it, giving the song a chance to stand on its own.

The decision paid off. Not only did “Something Like That” rise to the top of the music charts, it helped cement Tim McGraw’s place as one of the most enduring country music artists of his generation and one with undeniable crossover appeal.

Why “Something Like That” Still Matters @aiman.baig69

Tim McGraw Performs Something Like That | Baltimore, MD

♬ original sound – Sound of Tim – Sound of Tim

Tim McGraw had an epic run of hits in the late 1990s, building a career based on crossover appeal, but he’s also demonstrated remarkable staying power across multiple decades.

“Something Like That” wasn’t McGraw’s first big hit, but it was one of his biggest crossover successes and remains a snapshot of the artist he was becoming. Twenty-seven years later, the song is a reminder of how a great country song can take the simplest of memories and make generations of listeners feel like it happened to them.

Related: 1977 Hit With an Uncredited Joe Walsh Guitar Solo Became an Andy Gibb No. 1 Hit

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

If anyone’s a decent judge when it comes to frightening horror films, it’s safe to assume that person is Stephen King.

The best-selling author behind such accomplished horror novels as It, Carrie, The Stand, The Shining and dozens of others, King has regularly described himself as a devoted fan of the horror genre, consuming hundreds of movies, TV shows and comics deep within the genre.

As dedicated a fan as the King of Horror is, however, the Green Mile author said there has only been one horror too intense for him to sit through the first time around.

In the 2010 preface to his nonfiction book, Danse Macabre, King shared some distinct praise for the 1999 found footage horror film, The Blair Witch Project.

As King recalled, the first time he managed to watch The Blair Witch Project, he was in the hospital recovering from the near-fatal car accident that saw him struck by a passing driver.

“I was, in a manner of speaking, the perfect viewer: roaring with pain from top to bottom, high on painkillers and looking at a poorly copied bootleg videotape on a portable TV,” King wrote.

Given the heady quality of the movie’s narrative, King ultimately asked his son Joe to turn off the movie, believing it was a bit too frightening for him to fully absorb at the moment.

“It may be the only time in my life when I quit a horror movie in the middle because I was too scared to go on,” King revealed.

“I thought then that Blair Witch was a work of troubling, accidental horror, and subsequent viewings (where I actually finish the film) haven’t changed my mind,” the author continued.

“One thing about Blair Witch: the damn thing looks real. Another thing about Blair Witch: the damn thing feels real,” King wrote elsewhere. “And because it does, it’s like the worst nightmare you ever had, the one you woke from gasping and crying with relief because you thought you were buried alive and it turned out the cat jumped up on your bed and went to sleep on your chest.”

Last week kicked off The Traitors: New Blood, as we were introduced to a brand-new crop of civilians ready to take on everyone’s favorite game of mischief and murder. And we left off on quite the cliffhanger, with Xavier Scruggs and Katie Fites one decision between becoming a Traitor and getting murdered. Then, of course, there’s the rest of the Faithful, who try their best to separate signal from the noise, and try to avoid the watchful eyes of the Traitors.

Here’s our full spoiler-filled recap of The Traitors: New Blood tonight, including who went home.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

Who went home on The Traitors: New Blood tonight? Xavier Scruggs Xavier Scruggs on ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

Courtesy of NBC

When the former MLB player was told he was in the running to become a Traitor, he immediately went on offense. Knowing either he or Katie would be recruited, he spent the day throwing her under the bus in the hopes of making her less appealing of a candidate. But all it ended up doing was putting on the heat on Xavier. Fearing he could commit Traitor-on-Traitor violence, Joe and Tomica decided to not make him a Traitor at all, picking Katie and murdering him by proxy.

Arisa Thomas Arisa Thomas on ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

Courtesy of NBC

Every dog has its day, and dog groomer Arisa Thomas had quite the final day in the castle. After the Faithfuls found out that someone was recruited in plain sight, they became immediately suspicious of Arisa, who drew some eyes when she held Victor Vollbrechthausen’s hands as part of a lie detector test. Their confirmation bias was furthered in the mission, when rumors were spread that she went for a Shield and chose not to disclose the information to the group. Yet again, the Faithfuls rode a hunch, piling their votes onto Arisa. And yet again, they were wrong, banishing her from the game.

Logan Smith Logan Smith on ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

Courtesy of NBC

A soft-spoken Southern gentleman, Logan Smith‘s gameplan in the castle was to always be seen, but not heard. And sitting back and observing was able to get him plenty of information, namely Xavier’s suspicions about Katie. When Xavier didn’t turn up for breakfast, Logan began gently floating out her name, serving as a necessary force of stability in the turbulence of the Roundtable. Unfortunately, that’s what made him the perfect kill for the Traitors: Silent, but deadly.

Related: ‘The Traitors: New Blood’s Kim Daily Reveals She Gave Up a Shield Before Shocking Murder (Exclusive)

Who are the Traitors on The Traitors: New Blood? Joe Vanella Joe Vanella on ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

Courtesy of NBC

Tomica Adams Tomica Adams on ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

Courtesy of NBC

Katie Fites Katie Fites on ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

Courtesy of NBC

Katie was chosen by Joe and Tomica to be the third Traitor this season.

Related: Meet ‘The Traitors: New Blood’ Cast—Including a Former MLB Player

Who’s left on The Traitors: New Blood?

With 5 players eliminated, there remain 17 contestants in the hunt for the $250,000, with 3 as Traitors. The remaining players are: 

Abbey Benjamin Abby Lee Ben McDonnell Clyde Moser Jay Vinnedge Joe Vanella Katie Fites Kriste Lewis Mark Zgoda Michael Foote Morgan Cook Niyyah Hayes Shane Beatty Sherry Kuehl Tomica Adams Victor Vollbrechthausen Wyatt Gillespie

Related: ‘The Traitors: New Blood’ Star Madeline Kostopulos Says Chemistry With Victor Was ‘Definitely Mutual’ — And Reveals Where They Stand Today (Exclusive)

When Patti Page recorded “Tennessee Waltz,” Mercury Records had another song in mind as the hit. 

The label paired it with “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” and put the waltz on the B-side. That supposedly secondary track soon became the bigger record by far.

Released in 1950, “Tennessee Waltz” was written by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart, with King having already released his version of the song. R&B singer Erskine Hawkins had also performed the track, and Page had heard his rendition before putting her own take on it.

Page’s recording turned “Tennessee Waltz” into a massive hit. It became her second No. 1 pop single and one of her biggest career records, holding the top spot on the Billboard pop chart for nine weeks. The song also climbed to No. 2 on the country chart, becoming one of her biggest career hits.

Mercury didn’t bet on that kind of success when the record came out. As Page later recalled, the label was particularly excited about “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” which was being released in November for the Christmas season. “Tennessee Waltz” was placed on the other side because Mercury wanted something relatively lesser-known on the B-side.

Instead, listeners gravitated toward the waltz. The hit sold millions of records and reportedly became the last song to sell more than a million copies of its sheet music. 

“Tennessee Waltz” was also part of Page’s early use of vocal overdubbing. She had experimented with the technique a few years earlier, most notably on her 1947 recording of “Confess,” where she layered her own vocals instead of using a traditional backing group. 

Page wasn’t the only singer drawn to “Tennessee Waltz.” The song became a popular standard, with artists including Jo Stafford, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Pat Boone and Anne Murray recording their own versions over the years.

And while “Tennessee Waltz” remained one of Page’s most recognizable songs, it was far from her only hit. She followed it with other chart-toppers and enduring favorites, including “I Went to Your Wedding,” “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” and “Changing Partners.”

Related: ’60s Music Icon, Who Kept Her Alcoholism Secret, Says She ‘Lived in Terror of Not Being Perfect’

Jeff Probst has made plenty of changes to Survivor over the years, but few generated as much conversation as dropping four words from his vocabulary.

For years, Probst famously welcomed contestants to challenges with his signature “Come on in, guys!” But in 2021, the longtime host stopped using “guys,” explaining at the time that he wanted the show to use more inclusive language.

The decision divided viewers, particularly those who considered “guys” a gender-neutral term and had grown attached to the phrase after hearing it for decades. Probst revealed on the Popcast podcast on Thursday, September 24, whether he wishes he’d handled things differently.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by All Winners Survivor (@allwinnerssurvivor)

Does Probst regret dropping ‘come on in, guys’?

“Not one bit,” Probst said when asked if he regretted the change. “It was the right decision for me.”

That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t reconsider some things. He admitted if he had to change anything, he wouldn’t have made a discussion out of the decision. Probst recalled receiving that criticism from an unnamed movie producer, who told him, “the mistake you made is you made it about you.”

READ MORE: Jeff Probst Confesses What ‘Bums Him Out the Most’ About ‘Survivor 50’

“And you should have just done it and never said anything,” Probst recalled him saying. “Just stop saying it. He was right.”

Why did Probst stop saying ‘guys’ on Survivor?

Probst said conversations with his children also influenced his thinking at the time. His daughter told him she didn’t consider “guys” gender neutral, even though Probst acknowledged that others disagree.

“I wanted to be a dad that heard my kids, and so I made the decision, if that matters to you. I’m in,” he explained.

Years later, Probst said he still notices how frequently other people use the word—but doesn’t believe they’re doing anything wrong. “I don’t judge anybody for saying it. It’s a universal word,” he said. “I’m glad I don’t say it.”

Related: Survivor’s Jeff Probst Reveals Surprising Requirement for His Eventual Replacement

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

A modern home security system does more than sound an alarm. Cameras, doorbells and mobile apps can let homeowners check the house from almost anywhere. But that convenience also means some parts of the system are connected to the internet.

Like other connected devices, security cameras can be targeted through stolen passwords, outdated software or an unsecured home network. That doesn’t mean wireless security systems are inherently unsafe. It means they need the same basic cybersecurity protections as phones, computers and other internet-connected devices. For this reason, the Federal Trade Commission recommends securing home cameras with unique passwords, software updates, encrypted Wi-Fi and two-factor authentication when available.

So, can someone actually hack a security camera? Here’s where the risks come from and how to reduce them.

If you’re considering a connected security system, ADT combines professionally monitored security with Google Nest cameras and the ADT+ app, allowing compatible equipment to be managed from one platform.

Can Hackers Watch Your Home Security Cameras?

It is possible for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to an internet-connected camera, particularly if account credentials are stolen or the device or network is poorly secured.

The FTC specifically warns against leaving default usernames or passwords in place and recommends never reusing a camera password from another account. Reused credentials are especially risky because passwords exposed in one data breach can be tried against unrelated services.

A compromised camera account could potentially expose live or recorded video, depending on the system and the level of access obtained. Fortunately, many of the most important defenses are straightforward. Consider the following:

Security Step

Why It Matters

Use a unique password

Limits damage from passwords stolen elsewhere

Turn on 2FA

Adds another requirement before account access

Update apps and devices

Installs security fixes

Secure the router

Protects the network cameras used

Use WPA2 or WPA3

Encrypts Wi-Fi traffic

Review shared access

Limits who can view cameras or control the system

Why It’s Important To Use Two-Factor Authentication on Security Camera Accounts

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, makes a stolen password less useful. Instead of allowing access with only a username and password, 2FA requires another verification step, such as a code or authenticator prompt.

CISA says multifactor authentication significantly increases account security because an attacker who steals one credential still needs the additional factor. Google also offers two-step verification for accounts used with Nest cameras. Google recommends giving each household member an individual account rather than sharing one username and password.

How Encryption Protects Home Security Camera Video

Encryption helps protect information as it moves between devices, apps and online services. Current Google Nest camera specifications list 128-bit AES encryption with TLS/SSL, along with secure boot and automatic security updates.

The FTC also recommends enabling encryption whenever a camera supports it and checking that browser-based camera logins use HTTPS. Encryption doesn’t eliminate every possible security risk, but it makes intercepted data considerably harder to read. That’s why shoppers should compare security features alongside camera resolution, field of view and night vision.

Related: Can You Use a DIY Security System Without Monthly Fees?

Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Before Adding Cameras

Your router is one of the most important parts of a wireless security setup. Most connected cameras reach the internet through the home network, so poor router security can create another avenue for unauthorized access.

The FTC recommends changing the router’s default administrator credentials, using a strong unique password, enabling its firewall and selecting WPA3 or WPA2 encryption.

The agency also suggests considering a separate network for cameras and other connected devices. That can reduce an attacker’s ability to move easily from one compromised computer or device to security cameras on the same network.

Protect every entry point and video stream: Find the right ADT and Google Nest setup for your household.

Keep Security Cameras and Apps Updated

Software updates aren’t only about adding features. They often contain fixes for vulnerabilities discovered after a device was released.

The FTC recommends keeping both camera firmware and the mobile apps used to access security footage up to date. Automatic updates can make that easier. Google’s current Nest camera specifications also list automatic security updates as part of the camera’s security features.

Older cameras that no longer receive security support deserve closer scrutiny, particularly if they remain connected to the internet.

Related: Should You Finance a Home Security System?

Be Careful About Who Has Access to Your Cameras

Not every security issue starts with a hacker breaking through encryption. Sometimes, too many people simply have access to the account.

Google advises Nest users not to share account passwords. Instead, household members should receive their own individual access so permissions can be managed separately.

Also, be sure to review account access periodically, especially after a roommate moves out, a relationship changes or someone no longer needs permission to view cameras or control the system. That small administrative step can prevent old access from becoming a privacy problem later.

Are Wireless Security Systems Safe?

A properly configured wireless security system can provide strong protection, but its cybersecurity depends partly on how securely the homeowner manages accounts, software and the home network. Strong passwords, 2FA, encrypted Wi-Fi and current software address many common risks.

ADT’s current platform integrates compatible security devices and Google Nest cameras into the ADT+ app, while professional monitoring handles supported alarm events separately from simply viewing camera footage.

The important takeaway isn’t that connected cameras should be avoided. It’s that security hardware should be treated like any other internet-connected technology and configured accordingly.

If you’re comparing wireless home security options, ADT can recommend a professionally monitored setup that combines intrusion protection with compatible Google Nest cameras and connected-home features.

For generations, kid-focused breakfast cereals have been all about bright colors, sugary flavors and boxes that practically beg to be spotted from across the grocery aisle. But these days, parents are looking for ways to keep some of that breakfast fun without piling quite as much sugar into the first meal of the day. Enter a new generation of cereals trying to give families a little more of both worlds.

One of the latest to make a seriously splashy entrance is Backflip, a colorful cereal brand created by entrepreneur Shaun Neff and YouTuber Ben Azelart. Azelart, who has built a massive online following, is bringing his internet star power to the breakfast table—and Backflip is quickly becoming a viral hit. The brand launched with four playful flavors: Cinnamon Magic, Chocolate Sundae, Fruit Galaxy and Strawberry Milkshake.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

Backflip Cereal Is Going Viral as Fans Rave About Its Delicious Taste, ‘Better’ Ingredients View this post on Instagram

The cereal is designed to look and feel like the fun stuff kids have always loved, while offering some changes parents may appreciate. Backflip says its cereals provide 6 grams of protein per serving and are made without synthetic dyes or preservatives. Its Cinnamon Magic variety, for example, has 30% less sugar than the leading cinnamon cereal, according to the brand.

And shoppers aren’t just noticing the colorful boxes. They’re apparently liking what’s inside them, too. Fans have praised its flavor, crunch and lower-sugar profile. One reviewer called it delicious and appreciated that it stayed crunchy in milk, while another said it was a tasty option with great flavor and texture.

Related: The 11 Best Greek Groceries To Buy at Costco (And 3 To Skip)

There’s also a definite nostalgia factor at play. One Target reviewer said Fruit Galaxy reminded them of the “so nostalgic” fruity cereals they grew up with, while appreciating the added protein and lower sugar. Another said their kids loved the flavors, particularly the chocolate variety, saying it “tastes so delicious.”

Backflip’s early success has caught the attention of the retail world, too. The brand hit Target shelves nationwide this year and has posted notable sales in the breakfast aisle.

So, yes, cereal may be having a little bit of a makeover. And with Backflip bringing YouTube fame, bold packaging and a more parent-friendly ingredient pitch to the bowl, breakfast just got a whole lot more interesting.

Related: 9 Items To Buy From the Sam’s Club Produce Section (and 2 To Skip)

It’s not President Xi’s first time at the White House. Back in 2015, before Trump won the election the following year, former President Obama hosted China’s leader for an official state visit and dinner.

Now in the midst of his second term, President Trump is never shy about sharing his opinions.

Long before he developed the social platform Truth Social as a digital town hall of sorts, Trump criticized the Obama administration for rolling out the red carpet for Xi and his team during their visit to Washington.

Related: Donald Trump’s Favorite Meal as President Is Still Served at This Popular Restaurant—It’s Not McDonald’s

During a rally in South Carolina, Trump suggested Xi and his delegation should simply head to McDonald’s before returning to negotiations. He later appeared on Fox News and quipped that Xi might warrant something a little more substantial: “probably a double-size Big Mac.”

The Associated Press got a hold of the menu being offered at Trump’s State Dinner, which is hosting President Xi and a who’s who of tech moguls, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

It’s certainly a far cry from fast food.

Instead of a Mickey D’s run, the guests will be treated to a smorgasbord of fancy words that includes yellow squash velouté with wild mushrooms, fresh herbs, crispy pancetta and scallion oil.

Related: Donald Trump’s Former Butler Reveals the One Food the President Won’t Touch

The main course features sesame-crusted sea bass with braised baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant and sauce verte, followed by vanilla crémeux with sour cherry confit and walnut frangipane for dessert. White House Honey Ice Cream rounds out the meal for a sweet-tooth fix.

And the sumptuous meal wasn’t the only worthwhile experience Trump had in store for his guest. While showing Xi around the White House, Trump also invited him inside Marine One—a rare glimpse for a foreign leader to set foot in the presidential chopper.

“We had a great meeting,” Trump later said.

So, while a Double-Size Big Mac may have once been Trump’s idea of a fitting meal for Xi, this state dinner is taking things up several notches.

We are all familiar with the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945; few know about a nuclear bomb that was dropped on domestic soil purely by accident.

On the afternoon of March 11, 1958, Walter Gregg was working in his garage in Mars Bluff, South Carolina, about 100 miles east of Columbia, when he and his family narrowly avoided being at the epicenter of a nuclear catastrophe.

Unexpectedly, a bomb dropped onto their property, causing damage to his home, a church, and six nearby houses. It also created a crater about 70 feet wide and 35 feet deep, according to the Florence County Museum. What they didn’t know was that this device was actually a nuclear weapon; it was just missing its core. This absence is what prevented hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths.

A Boeing B-47 Stratojet, the same model that dropped a bomb on Mars Bluff, shown in flight in 1963.

Bettmann / Getty Images

Shortly after the incident, Gregg recounted the incident to the New York Times: “The timbers were falling around us. There was a green, foggy haze around us and then a big black cloud of smoke. It lasted about thirty seconds. When it cleared up, I looked at the house. The top was blown in, and a side was blown off.”

Just 25 minutes before the explosion, at around 4:34 pm, a U.S. Air Force Boeing B-47E-LM Stratojet took off from Hunter Air Force Base near Savannah, Georgia. The plane, operated by the 375th Bombardment Squadron of the 308th Bombardment Wing, was scheduled to fly to the United Kingdom as part of Operation Snow Flurry, which involved mock bomb drops. Instead, the pilot was forced to abort the mission and return to base because of what happened next.

Captain Earl Koehler encountered a fault light in the cockpit, which indicated that the bomb harness locking pin wasn’t engaged. Air Force Captain Bruce Kulka, the plane’s navigator and bombardier, was summoned to the bomb bay to investigate. While trying to insert a steel pin through the shackle, which would’ve prevented the weapon from falling if the electrical lock released, he accidentally caused the weapon to unhook. The Mark 6 nuclear bomb fell into the bomb bay, forced the doors open, and fell out over Mars Bluff at 15,000 feet.

View this post on Instagram

The Gregg family and the people in Mars Bluff and the surrounding area were saved by the fact that the nuclear weapons that were carried onboard for Operation Snow Flurry had their fissile nuclear cores removed and couldn’t have caused a nuclear detonation. They carried them only in case the planes had to activate in a wartime scenario.

The family suffered some injuries: Walter Gregg was cut on his right arm, his wife was cut on her head, and the children were hit by flying debris. After the cuts had healed, the family appeared on an episode of the CBS television program, I’ve Got a Secret, on April 2, 1958. Their segment was called Our house was hit by an atom bomb.

Related: 55 Best War Movies of All Time

Who’s the Boss star Judith Light will join the cast of Apple TV’s Shrinking for Season 4, according to Variety.

The Season 3 finale seemed pretty final. Alice leaves for college in Connecticut, Gaby proposes to Derrick, Sean moves out of the pool house, Liz and Derek plan a trip to Europe, Brian goes to Tennessee, and Paul returns from the East Coast to confront Jimmy. In the last few moments, Jimmy sits down with Sofi for what seems like a breakfast filled with new beginnings. And all of that left fans wondering, “Does it end here?” Well, according to the show’s creator, Bill Lawrence, it most certainly does not. 

What can fans expect from Shrinking Season 4? Things got weird online after Lawrence shared a series of posts on X last April. 

“Season finale and end of this three-season story next week. Hope you dig it. (Excited to start completely new story next year. Feels scary/risky/fun),” wrote Lawrence on April 4. He later added, “So excited to do Season 4 and a new story with the same cast,” and “There is a Season 4 with the EXACT same cast (that’s why we are doing it, we love each other). 

Fans took the posts to mean that Season 4 would include the same cast playing entirely new characters. And, as Lawrence later pointed out, this isn’t the case. He explained the somewhat cryptic teases to Variety, saying, “I think people will feel when they come back to this show that it’s a completely different story. We feel that the characters on this show have enough stuff going on in their life that we were interested in seeing what a new story for these characters looks like.”

Lawrence continued, “People shouldn’t be surprised if there’s a time jump and it feels like we’re telling a completely different story.” Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Luke Tennie, Jessica Williams, and Ted McGinley will reprise their roles in Season 4. And yes, that means fans will get to see an Ugly Betty reunion between Light and Urie.

As of now, there is no information on who Light will play. But the time jump leaves the possibilities wide open. 

View this post on Instagram

Filming is currently underway on Season 4. Last month, Miller posted a pic on Instagram of herself with Segel, captioning it, “On set shooting S4 of #Shrinking!”  Even though there is no premiere date, Apple TV is expected to drop the new season in 2027. 

Kunal Nayyar starred as Dr. Raj Koothrappali throughout The Big Bang Theory‘s 12-season run, which came to an end in 2019.

In a June 2026 episode of The Big Bang Theory Podcast, Nayyar said he was constantly on set when the hit CBS sitcom was on air. He shared that he barely took any time off after his grandmother died while he was shooting a Big Bang Theory episode.

“We never had the luxury over 12 years to call in sick, you know. Or if someone passes away. You don’t. My family lives in India. I mean, I remember my grandmother passed away during a taping of Big Bang,” said the actor.

He said that after he “had finished [his] scenes for the day,” he approached the show’s creators, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, to ask for time off.

“I went up to Chuck and Bill, and I said, ‘Hey, can I leave? Because my grandmother’s passed, and I’m going to fly to India tonight or tomorrow morning or whatever,'” recalled Nayyar during the podcast interview. “And I flew home to India. You get there one and a half days later to the funeral. Flew back the next day. Rehearsed one day and shot an episode. Just didn’t miss one day. Couldn’t miss any days.”

He then said that he wasn’t the only cast member who immediately went to work following a hardship. He noted that Kaley Cuoco, who played Penny, came back to the Big Bang Theory set relatively quickly after undergoing surgery for a severe leg break in 2010.

“I think Kaley broke her leg, and I think, even she just missed like one [episode], and then we did it with a body double,” said the actor.

Nayyar also shared his belief that some Big Bang Theory fans may forget that their favorite characters are played by real people.

“I think what people don’t realize is audiences fall in love with the characters, but behind those characters are humans who are playing those characters. And the humans behind the mask are living. And [have] very similar emotional and psychological lives as everyone else in the world, which is happiness and sadness and joy and depression, death, sickness, everything,” said Nayyar while recording The Big Bang Theory Podcast episode.