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On April 30, 1982, Bobbie Gentry attended the Academy of Country Music Awards in California. That was the last time she was seen in a public setting.

The “Ode to Billie Joe” hitmaker quietly disappeared, and no one is really sure where she went. There have been rumors, however.

After making her appearance at the ACM Awards, Gentry said nothing. She just faded into the shadows, never to be heard from again. That means she never made another public appearance, never gave another interview, never walked another red carpet, and never released a single other country song.

Some say she lives a quiet life in a gated community near Memphis. There’s a little weight to this theory — in 2016, a Washington Post reporter claimed to have tracked the star down, and even called her. The woman on the other end, presumed to be Gentry, refused to confirm her identity and declined to speak further.

In the 1990s, there were whispers that Gentry was itching to make music again, but with her previous producer, Jimmie Haskell, busy, it never came to fruition (via The Boot). She’s now 84 years old.

Did you know Reba McEntire‘s “Fancy” is a Bobbie Gentry cover? Gentry released it as a single, too. She wrote it, sang it, and pushed it to radio in 1969, and it became a crossover hit, landing in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

McEntire, of course, calls her an influence.

“I fell in love with ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ and the albums, her duet album with Glen Campbell,” the redheaded star told media in 2020, according to Taste of Country. “I’m just a huge fan. I think she’s a genius. Great songwriter, beautiful woman, great singer, and it’s just been kind of a — she’s a mystery woman.”

But would you believe McEntire has never had the chance to talk to Gentry — to thank her? McEntire cut “Fancy” in 1990, and it became a career song and one of her all-time biggest hits. But she’s never said a word to the reclusive star!

So many of the women in country music who followed in her footsteps have named Gentry as one of their biggest influences. Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn” was even inspired by “Ode to Billie Joe.” Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow — all cite Gentry as a big reason they pursued country music.

You could pin her as a one-hit-wonder in country music, but she was anything but that in the music world. The Southern Gothic queen is a Grammy winner: In 1968, the year of “Ode to Billie Joe,” she won Best New Artist, Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards.

Her real name: Roberta Lee Streeter.

As for what happened to her? We may never know. Perhaps she packed up a suitcase full of dollar bills and skedaddled out to the country somewhere, where she lives happily ever after without a care in the world — or anyone to bother her.

It’s been 58 years since Lucille Ball’s Here’s Lucy made its debut on CBS—and the show had a bit of a similar premise, but a different look, from her past series.

Premiering on September 23, 1968, on CBS, the sitcom starred Ball as Lucy Carter, a widow raising her two children, Kim and Craig, in California. The kids were played by Ball’s real-life children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.

Here’s Lucy came months after Ball’s previous CBS sitcom, The Lucy Show, ended its six-season run. While both shows starred Ball as a widow with two children, The Lucy Show featured Candy Moore and Jimmy Garrett as the kids, Chris and Jerry, being raised by their mom Lucy Carmichael in Danfield, New York.

Ball’s first set of kids were written out of The Lucy Show in 1965, with Chris going to college and Jerry being sent off to military school. In Season 4, Mama Carmichael moved to California, and the kids were never talked about again.

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

While his character was written out of The Lucy Show and never mentioned again after 1965, Garrett had no hard feelings about the situation. The actor, who died in 2021, once revealed that he had wonderful memories of working with Ball.

“To me, she was very maternal she was never harsher or a disciplinarian,” he recalled in an interview with Tony Maietta. “I hear that said sometimes, but with me she couldn’t have been more lovely. She used to call me the baby, you know, ‘Let’s get the baby let’s do this.’”

RELATED: Lucille Ball’s Favorite ‘I Love Lucy’ Episode Was a 1956 Classic

The transformation of The Lucy Show into Here’s Lucy served as “an improvement to the Lucy character” under Ball’s new self-titled production company, entertainment historian Robert S. Ray once explained to The Television Academy. “Lucy Carter, unlike Lucy Carmichael in the later seasons of The Lucy Show, was no longer a woman without a family. She had two teenage children,” he said.

As for Ball’s real-life kids, her daughter Lucie Arnaz wasn’t originally sure about signing on to a TV show.

“Getting into that show wasn’t an easy thing for me to agree to do in the first place because I had by that time decided that I really wanted to give a shot at the theater and I was planning on graduating from high school and trying to get into some place like Northwestern or NYU or someplace good,” Arnaz told the Television Foundation Academy in an interview. “And this was really throwing a monkey wrench into the plans because what if I go on this show and I’m no good and then I will have embarrassed myself in front of millions of people and I can never go back again.”

“So, we kind of made a pact really, my mother and I, seriously, that if that happened, like if I were on the show and after the first few weeks, the feeling was, well, these kids are not cutting it, that they would she please just write me out in some way, send me away to college, whatever you have to do and just save me from the embarrassment of that,” she added. “So, they said that they would, and um thank God that didn’t happen.”

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Ball’s daughter co-starred on Here’s Lucy for six years, until the series end in 1974, but her brother dipped out after the third season to focus on a career in movies. While Desi Jr. was gone, his chracter Craig was not forgotten and was mentioned on the show in passing throughout the series run.

When Here’s Lucy ended in 1974, it marked the end of Ball’s 23-year run on CBS. The New York Times described the star as a “Monday night fixture” on the network, before noting that she voluntarily ended Here’s Lucy to focus on other projects.

Related: 1952 ‘I Love Lucy’ Classic, Ranked Among the ‘Best TV Episodes of All Time,’ Turns 74

Rush  members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are mourning another devastating loss in their longtime musical circle.

The band shared a tribute following the death of Canadian lyricist and poet Pye Dubois, born Paul Woods, who died at his home in London, Ontario, on Sept. 15. He was 77.

“It’s been an unbelievably tragic year for Max Webster founder Kim Mitchell and all those who knew that band personally,” Rush wrote on Instagram.

The post noted that Max Webster keyboardist Terry Watkinson died in February, followed by drummer Gary McCracken on Sept. 15. Just days after hearing the news of McCracken’s death, Rush learned that Dubois had also died.

“For those who aren’t aware, over a span of 20 years, Pye and Neil collaborated on the lyrics for four Rush songs: ‘Tom Sawyer,’ ‘Force 10,’ ‘Between Sun and Moon,’ and ‘Test for Echo,’” the band continued, referring to late Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, who died in January 2020 at age 67.

“We send our most heartfelt sympathies to the bandmates, friends and families of those three stellar musicians. RIP boys.”

Max Webster founder Mitchell also paid tribute to the man who was his friend and writing partner for decades.

“Rest in Peace lyricist / friend / writing partner Pye Dubois,” Mitchell wrote on Facebook. “You sure knew how to jam with the English language!”

Mitchell then rattled off some of the many songs Dubois helped create over the years, including “High Class in Borrowed Shoes,” “A Million Vacations,” “Patio Lanterns,” “Go for Soda,” “Rockland Wonderland,” “Tom Sawyer” and “Battle Scar.”

He closed his tribute with a line from Dubois: “Some say freedom is after the storm.”

Dubois was never an official performing member of Max Webster, but he was considered the band’s unofficial fifth member, writing lyrics for each of its albums and maintaining a long creative partnership with Mitchell even after the group dissolved.

That partnership extended to Mitchell’s solo career, with Dubois contributing lyrics to some of the singer and guitarist’s best-known songs, including “Go for Soda” and “Patio Lanterns.”

Dubois’ connection with Rush also produced one of the band’s most recognizable songs.

He brought Peart a poem that became the starting point for 1981’s “Tom Sawyer,” with Dubois sharing songwriting credit with Peart, Lee and Lifeson on the Moving Pictures track. He later received co-writing credits on “Force Ten,” “Between Sun and Moon” and “Test for Echo.”

Dubois and Mitchell were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame together in 2021, recognizing a partnership that stretched from Max Webster through Mitchell’s successful solo career.

The loss comes just days after Lee paid tribute to McCracken, his longtime friend and Max Webster’s drummer. Rush and Max Webster became close while touring extensively together in the late 1970s, with Max Webster supporting Rush more than 200 times.

In that earlier tribute, Lee recalled some of the adventures he shared with McCracken and wrote, “RIP Stixie,” adding, “Oh, what memories we made.”

Lee’s latest tribute included another glimpse into those years. He shared photographs he took during a 1979 bus trip through Germany while Max Webster was touring with Rush, including one capturing what Lee described as “Pye’s broad smile.”

Dubois’ family announced his death in an obituary, calling him a “true Canadian Icon” and remembering him as a “gifted writer, artist, lyricist, and poet.”

The obituary closed with words Dubois himself wrote in 2016:

On my deathbed I will cry,
not because I’m dying,
but because I am alive.

Dubois is survived by his brothers Dave and Rob, nieces Taylor and Kaila, nephew Matt and his extended family.

Related: Rush’s Geddy Lee Mourns Death of ’70s Rocker and ‘Old Friend’: ‘What Memories We Made’

Melissa McCarthy is looking incredibly svelte in a black beaded gown on the red carpet.

The beloved actress, 56, who worked her way into our hearts as Sookie on Gilmore Girls, became a comedy legend with roles in films like Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy, and St. Vincent. Her role on Mike & Molly earned her critical acclaim and a bevy of acting awards, and her appearances on Saturday Night Live have gone down in comedy history. She’ll soon appear on Netflix in The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey as Patsy Ramsey, starring alongside Clive Owen in the role of John Ramsey. But in preparation for that major debut, McCarthy had a special night at Variety’s 2026 Power of Women event. The stunning star hit the red carpet and showed off her svelte frame in a beautiful black beaded gown.

Chloe Kern / Getty Images

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In a recent post celebrating her 56th birthday, the star looked more svelte than ever as she embraced the delightful parts of aging. Making it clear that getting older means embracing your quirks, the star wore a cherry hat as she jokingly noted that “subtlety is everything.”

With a svelte look and sculpted face, McCarthy reminded us why we love her so much below:

McCarthy herself has spoken about her weight loss journey, sharing in a May 2018 interview with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club that she had been losing “a lot” of weight gradually, over the course of five years.

“I think everybody’s always kind of working on something,” she said. “And I was like, ‘If I can de-stress and just do it slower and stop constantly trying to be on something.’ And then it actually worked better instead of being like, ‘I’m gonna not do this and do this and only drink this.’ ”

Related: Netflix Reveals First Look at Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen as JonBenét Ramsey’s Parents

The Pioneer Woman star Ree Drummond is navigating some difficult family news. Her 23-year-old foster son, Jamar Marquis Goff, was taken into custody in following a recent incident with law enforcement.

PEOPLE Magazine cited an original report by TMZ, which revealed that Goff was arrested and booked into Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sept. 16. PEOPLE reported that Goff was “charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance; drug paraphernalia, use, possession, delivery, or sale; attempting to elude a police officer; and aggravated assault.”

Court documents allege that Goff possessed methamphetamine, reported PEOPLE. WBRC reported that Goff is being held on a $37,000 bond.

According to reporting by ABC 44/40, “an affidavit alleges he struck Officer K. Dabbs in the chin with an open hand while attempting to avoid arrest. Officers subsequently took Goff into custody and used pepper spray during the arrest.”

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TMZ alleged that Goff was also in legal trouble back in 2025. He was arrested for “biting the hand of a detention or correctional officer.” The outlet reported that Goff claimed he was homeless and had just begun working at a local Alabama McDonald’s.

Drummond and her husband, Ladd, introduced Goff to her readers in 2020 via a blog post. She wrote, “I haven’t written or spoken publicly about him much, because for one thing, the state agency that handles fostering has strict rules against posting about foster children on social media, which I get. But mostly, and this is slightly related, I feel protective of Jamar and have always wanted his story to be his own and not fodder for my social media, which is often riddled with silly videos of my Basset hounds running toward the camera in slow motion.”

She continued, “That he came to be our foster son was entirely situational. Fostering a kid was never something Ladd and I pursued or felt called to do, but Jamar’s circumstances presented themselves to us in a way we couldn’t ignore—so, long story short, all six foot five inches of him showed up at our house one afternoon, bag in hand, ready to move in. Ladd, who had the initial idea to have Jamar live with us, had met him a couple of times during high school football practice that summer.”

Drummond added, “My boys had recently become friends with Jamar through football—he’d transferred from Tulsa a few months before.” 

The Pioneer Woman star concluded, “I could go on and on about Jamar, my bonus son. He’s larger than life, has a hilarious laugh, and is extremely smart—both book and street. He’s a great kid who’s overcome some difficulties in his life. I’m proud of the kid, and I can’t wait to see where life takes him.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

Related: Ree Drummond Admits Her Family Is in ‘Disbelief’ Over Son-in-Law’s Medical Diagnosis

Roseanne Barr doesn’t hold many positive feelings for her former TV son, Michael Fishman.

Almost a decade after the Roseanne reboot was canceled following the actress’s controversial tweets, Barr reacted to Fishman’s recent remarks that ABC was justified in canceling the revival.

“He f***ing doesn’t even f***ing know what I said, even though I’ve explained it 10,000 times for nine years on the Internet,” Barr said on the Can’t Be Censored podcast. “He hasn’t even taken the time to listen to what I say because he’s a bigot. And he’s a brainwashed bigot.” 

As viewers might recall, the Roseanne revival was canceled at ABC after the star shared social media comments that many considered racist. In said comments, Barr compared Barack Obama’s advisor Valerie Jarrett, who is Black, to Planet of the Apes, even though Barr has long maintained there was no racist intention with her comment.

After Barr’s comments, Barr claimed that Fishman asked her to explain her tweet’s intentions. In response, Barr said that she told Fishman, “Let me explain this, Michael, go and f**k yourself and stay f***ed ‘till the day you die. Don’t put my name in your f***ing mouth; shut the f**k up.”

“You are an ignoramus and a bigot, and you have no idea what I said because it contradicts the Democratic Party platform that you’ve had shoved down your throat and up your a**. So just f**k you. You have no geopolitical context whatsoever to discuss what I said.”

“You think I said Black people look like monkeys,” Barr continued. “Go f**k yourself, you little f***ing worm. And I’m glad they fired you because I was the only reason you were ever on that show. They wanted to get rid of you in the reboot and I made them take you back.”

Richard Thompson is returning with a new studio album that draws on characters and experiences from across his long career, including a complicated chapter involving spiritual movements in the 1970s.

Hippies, Thugs and Heroes, Thompson’s 20th studio album, arrives Oct. 16 via New West Records. Thompson previously shared “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking” as the album’s lead single and has now released “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” as the latest preview of the record. Here’s everything you need to know.

Related: 1968 Rock Song, Written by a 19-Year-Old, Is Still Powerful

Hippies, Thugs and Heroes is a 12-track album produced by Thompson and James Frazee and recorded at Hobosound Studio in Weehawken, New Jersey. Thompson says the songs grew from a range of characters and memories, including old friends, musicians, former versions of himself and people he encountered along the way.

The album follows Thompson’s recent work as he continues a recording career that began with Fairport Convention in the 1960s. According to New West Records, the new record moves between different styles and moods rather than settling into one sound.

Thompson said he looked across the songs he had written and tried to identify connections between them.

“You look over the body of songs you’ve written and ask yourself, Which ones are kindred spirits?” he said in the album’s press materials. “You look for commonality among the songs, and it’s also a joy when you realize that certain songs seem to be brothers and sisters.”

The result is an album built around storytelling, with the title characters appearing in songs that range from personal reflections to fictional portraits.

Courtesy of Bandcamp

The new single “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” draws directly from Thompson’s memories of the spiritual searching that was prevalent in the 1970s. He says the song reflects his experience with a group whose leaders eventually became too influential in the lives of its followers.

“In the 1970s there was a lot of spiritual searching going on, and I was involved with a particular group where the leaders got too big for his spats, so to speak,” Thompson said.

He described the relationship as complicated and said it was possible to become absorbed in other people’s ways of thinking before eventually recognizing that the ideas no longer worked for him.

Musically, Thompson used three electric 12-string guitars on the recording. The chiming arrangement and steady rhythm give the song a bright, immediate sound despite its subject matter.

The single follows “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking,” which Thompson released as the album’s first preview. That song depicts a group of people navigating London, including a “Kings Road Hippie” and a “Sauchiehall thug,” and features a psychedelic guitar solo.

Related: ’70s Band Just Ranked ‘the Best Classic Rock Artists’ of All Time

Thompson recorded the album with his backing band, including Taras Prodaniuk on bass, Michael Jerome on drums, David Mansfield on guitar and fiddle and his wife, Zara Phillips, on backing vocals.

Unlike some of his earlier recording processes, Thompson developed more elaborate demos at home before taking the songs into the studio. He even bought a drum kit so he could build fuller arrangements himself.

“It’s so much fun to mess around at home and disappear down in the basement for hours at a time,” Thompson said. “So I was able to present more complete demos to the band.”

Those demos also gave Thompson more control over the finished recordings. He described the resulting album as “less them and more me,” while still leaving room for the musicians to bring their own ideas to the songs.

The band recorded live at Hobosound Studio, located near Thompson’s home in Weehawken. Most songs required only a few takes, with some completed in two and rarely more than four. Thompson said the proximity of the studio helped the group move quickly without spending excessive time on individual tracks.

The finished album includes “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking,” “Pauper’s Grove,” “Unsung Hero,” “Make Believe You Don’t Know Me,” “She Burns It All,” “Everybody’s Stealing,” “The Soul In Me,” “Pipe Dreams,” “The Big Smoke,” “Stringer” and “Siren.”

Early reviews have been strong. Uncut gave the album a 9/10 and called it a “latter-day classic,” according to the label’s announcement. MOJO awarded it five out of five stars and compared it favorably with several albums from earlier points in Thompson’s career.

Related: Iconic Singer-Songwriter, Who Played Alongside Paul Simon and David Bowie, Disappeared From the Public Eye for Almost 20 Years

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

Thompson co-founded Fairport Convention as a teenager in the 1960s, helping establish the British folk-rock sound before leaving the group at age 21. He later recorded and performed with Linda Thompson before developing a decades-long solo career.

In a 2006 profile, the Los Angeles Times described Thompson as “the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix.”

He received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 and has received lifetime achievement honors from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the Americana Music Association and the Ivor Novello Awards. His song “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” was included in TIME magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Songs Since 1923.”

Other artists who have recorded his songs include Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos.

Hippies, Thugs and Heroes will be released Oct. 16 on digital platforms, CD and vinyl. Limited editions, including signed and colored-vinyl versions, are available for preorder through select retailers and New West Records.

Related: 1974 Folk Rock Classic, an Inspiration to Prince, is Ranked One of the Greatest Songs Ever

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Fall baking season is finally here, and the list of recipes worth preheating the oven for is getting longer by the day. Think cinnamon-spiced apple pies with buttery lattice crusts, pumpkin cheesecakes, maple-pecan tarts, and bubbling pear crumbles topped with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. Of course, all those homemade treats deserve bakeware that’s just as charming as the finished product. 

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Enter the Paris Hilton Ceramic Pie Dish Set at Amazon, which is not only a great bargain, but also brings the trendy yet timeless gingham check to your fall tablescape for just $30. The classic pattern looks right at home alongside wooden cutting boards, vintage mixing bowls, and freshly picked apples, while the ceramic design is durable enough to go straight from the oven to the dessert table.

Courtesy of Amazon

Paris Hilton’s take on cottagecore comes with a little extra pink. Each dish features a cheerful pink-and-cream gingham print around the exterior of each dish, paired with a glossy cream interior and a generously fluted rim. The ruffled edges give the dishes a charming, old-fashioned pie-plate look

The set includes two ceramic stoneware pie dishes, measuring 7 and 9 inches, so there’s plenty of room to get creative with your fall baking plans. Use the larger dish for a brown sugar sweet potato pie topped with toasted marshmallows, then use the smaller one for a cranberry-orange tart or a caramel apple cheesecake pie. They’re just as useful for savory recipes, whether you’re making a cozy chicken pot pie, a caramelized onion quiche, or a bubbling casserole. And when you’re finished, the dishes nest together to take up less room in your kitchen cabinets.

• Paris Hilton 5-Piece Baking Pans Set, $44 at Amazon
• Paris Hilton Nonstick Carbon Steel Bakeware Collection, $22 at Amazon
• Paris Hilton Heart-Shaped Ramekins Oven Safe, $18 at Amazon

Beyond their charming appearance, the stoneware construction helps distribute heat evenly and retain warmth. Both are oven-safe up to 450 degrees and microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe. Just let the stoneware adjust gradually when moving between hot and cold temperatures to avoid thermal shock.

Bakers praised this “super cute” and “adorable” set in the reviews section. “The delicately fluted rim and pink gingham pattern give them a really charming, feminine aesthetic that looks great in my kitchen and stands out to guests when serving at the table,” one shopper wrote. 

Other customers highlight the duo’s “durable” quality, with another shopper adding that “the finish hasn’t chipped or scratched with regular use.”

Related: Whip Up Pinterest-Worthy Dishes With Martha Stewart’s Colorful 3-Piece Stoneware Baking Sets 

Clear your calendar, grab your ingredients, and get ready to bake — shop the Paris Hilton Ceramic Pie Dish Set for $30 at Amazon!

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What does your kid do for a living? A common answer is “influencer” in this day and age.

But Martha Stewart was arguably the first. And for the brand-new issue of AARP The Magazine, the businesswoman and writer, 85, is on the cover and continuing to shine all these decades later.

The organization just named Stewart its No. 1 “Top Influencer Over 50,” and as part of her cover-story interview for the October/November issue, the icon opened up about what gets her the most clicks on Instagram — specifically her personal one.

“Anything with Snoop Dogg,” she said in the feature published Thursday, September 24. “I think I was the first TV personality to really focus a little bit on rap. I had not only Snoop Dogg, but I had Busta Rhymes… And then Snoop and I did that 2015 Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber together, and we sat next to each other and became the adorable couple of the roast.”

The inspirational TV personality also got candid on what makes a successful influencer, admitting she doesn’t “really know, because so many people are influencing so many millions of people in very odd ways today. I just spent three days with [28-year-old media personality] MrBeast. Who the heck is MrBeast? Why is he getting billions of hits on his YouTube channels? He struck a chord. He found a void that wasn’t being filled, and he filled it.”

Stewart is joined on AARP’s list of Top Influencers Over 50 by plenty of other big names, such as:

• Shaquille O’Neal
• Snoop Dogg
• Salma Hayek
• Pedro Pascal
• Halle Berry

This week, Parade reported on Stewart’s Safavieh Maisy Bordered Indoor Outdoor Area Rug which brings a polished, designer-inspired look to your space without requiring a complete decorating overhaul.

Oh, and it’s currently on sale at Walmart. Find out more here.

They’re blood-red, they’re spooky, and they’re available in stores now: Cup Noodles has launched a limited-edition Halloween variety that pays tribute to everyone’s favorite creature of the night, the vampire. Cup Noodles Vampire Noodles turn blood-red when hot water is added, thanks to natural beet coloring. And they have a hot garlic chicken flavor that’s perfect for scaring off those pesky vampires.

Cup Noodles

You’ll find Cup Noodles Vampire Noodles starting on Sept. 24, exclusively sold at Walmart stores for $1.18 each. Every cup contains seasoning that flavors the noodles and broth with spicy garlic and savory chicken, and, once hot water is added, the noodles turn blood-red. That scary, red color doesn’t come from artificial dyes, though: Cup Noodles says the vibrant red hue comes from vegetable color, namely coloring derived from beets.

In a press release, Priscila Stanton, senior vice president of marketing at Nissin Foods, which manufactures Cup Noodles, said, “Halloween is the perfect moment to create something unexpected, and Vampire Noodles does exactly that. The blood-red transformation and bold hot garlic flavor turn an everyday meal into a memorable Halloween experience.”

Cup Noodles

As part of the promotion, Cup Noodles has partnered with leading direct-to-consumer casket company Titan Casket to create a special casket inspired by the launch. The Cup Noodles X Titan Casket collaboration features a casket with the Cup Noodles emblem and blood drip design across the lid, an “It’s to die for” head panel, and a deep maroon, high-gloss finish. Fans can enter a sweepstakes to win a casket on Cup Noodles’ social media channels or purchase their own directly from the Titan Casket website for $3,999.

Sci-fi fans are gearing up for a major franchise event as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds wraps up its fourth season. Episode 410, titled “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” premieres on Paramount+ Sept. 24 with the sci-fi drama delivering a high-stakes storyline centered on one of Starfleet’s most iconic bridge officers.

Here’s everything you need to know about watching the Strange New Worlds season finale, how to stream all previous episodes and what to expect from the star-studded ensemble cast.

Related: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Star Celia Rose Gooding Reveals What She Took From Set After Filming Wrapped

The Season 4 finale drops on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, exclusively on Paramount+. For fans following the weekly release schedule, the new episode will be available starting at 3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT.

If you need to catch up before diving into “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” all episodes of Season 4—along with the complete first three seasons—are available for immediate streaming on Paramount+.

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***

Parade got a sneak peek of the finale and found out the episode centers on a temporal anomaly that threatens the future of Starfleet. The plot teaser reveals that when a ripple in time severely damages the future Enterprise, Ensign Nyota Uhura must face an unprecedented challenge: working directly alongside her older self to fix the altered timeline before the damage becomes permanent.

John Medland/Paramount+

Time-travel paradoxes are a cornerstone of the Star Trek franchise, dating back to The Original Series classics like “The City on the Edge of Forever” and The Next Generation‘s famous “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” However, bringing two distinct versions of Nyota Uhura face-to-face gives Strange New Worlds a rare character-driven twist.

Ensign Uhura, played by Grammy winner and Tony nominee Celia Rose Gooding, has undergone one of the most compelling character arcs on the ship. Starting as an uncertain cadet grappling with grief, she has evolved into a vital bridge officer under Captain Christopher Pike’s command.

Pairing Gooding’s younger, developing officer with an older, veteran iteration of Uhura allows the show to explore how her decisions shape Starfleet history. It also pays tribute to the enduring legacy established by Nichelle Nichols, who originally brought the character to life in 1966.

Related: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Star Melissa Navia Reveals What She Won’t Miss About the Show

Led by Captain Christopher Pike, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise has navigated an intense fourth season filled with alien encounters, personal crises and classic space exploration.

The main ensemble cast returning for the Season 4 finale includes:

• Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike
• Rebecca Romijn as Una Chin-Riley (Number One)
• Ethan Peck as Officer Spock
• Celia Rose Gooding as Ensign Nyota Uhura
• Jess Bush as Nurse Christine Chapel
• Christina Chong as La’an Noonien-Singh
• Melissa Navia as Lieutenant Erica Ortegas
• Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga
• Martin Quinn as Montgomery “Scotty” Scott

The season also features recurring guest appearances by veteran actress Carol Kane as Chief Engineer Pelia and Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk.

Related: Anson Mount Says Star Trek: SNW Episode Began as a Dare: ‘I Never Thought It Would Happen’

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is produced by CBS Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. The series continues to be led by co-showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers.

Executive producers for Season 4 include franchise veteran Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers, Aaron Baiers, Dana Horgan, Alan McElroy, Robbie Thompson, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Chris Fisher, lead actor Anson Mount, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth.

With Season 4 wrapping up on Sept. 24, fans can stream the entire season on Paramount+ to prepare for the crew’s next mission across the stars.

Related: The Next ‘Star Trek’ Movie Leaves Every Familiar Face Behind

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Breezy fall nights call for warm, comfy sweaters that you can easily throw on over tees, long sleeves, dresses, and more. If you’re looking for a cute but cozy option that pairs well with just about anything, Walmart’s bestselling Sunbs Quarter-Zip Mock-Neck Sweater is a top-rated pick that’s now on sale for over 50% off in all four colors.  

Available in sizes small to 2XL, the stylish pullover is currently available for just $19, down from $40. It comes in four neutral shades — black, army green, white, and light coffee — that make it easy to pair with anything in your wardrobe, no matter what your personal style is.   

Courtesy of Walmart

Made from a polyester-acrylic-polyamide blend, the quarter-zip sweater is soft yet breathable, with a ribbed texture that adds warmth without feeling overly heavy or bulky. It features a classic mock neck with a quarter-zip front,  dropped shoulders, and a relaxed fit that’s roomy yet flattering. The stretch-infused fabric moves with you throughout the day, while the cuffed sleeves help protect against windy temperatures, 

The sweatshirt has a versatile design that’s perfect for layering. Throw it on over a T-shirt and jeans in the early fall, and don it under a heavier blazer or jacket in the colder winter months. You can also dress it up by pairing it with wide-leg pants or a midi skirt and adding heels and jewelry. 

The bestselling Sunbs sweater has earned high praise from Walmart shoppers. One reviewer called it “wonderfully soft and comfortable,” while another said it has a “nice weight to it, making it perfect for chilly days without feeling bulky.” 

A third buyer said, “It looks great on, and the material is super soft — the kind you want to live in,” adding that “it’s comfortable, flattering, and perfect for everyday wear.”

• Fantaslook Fall Cardigan, $15 (was $28) at Walmart
• Sunbs Striped Knit Pullover, $19 (was $40) at Walmart
• Inverlee Cropped Pullover Hoodie, $16 (was $21) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s $24 Waffle-Knit Lounge Set Is Made for Chilly Nights, Lazy Mornings, and Fall Errands

With four classic color options to choose from and a plush medium-weight construction that’s ideal for layering, this comfy quarter-zip pullover is a versatile staple that you’ll be reaching for again and again this season. Snag it while it’s still on sale for under $20 at Walmart. 

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There was a cabin on a hill in a place called Butcher Hollow — the locals called it Butcher Holler — no running water and no electricity. Loretta Lynn grew up in that modest home as the second of eight children in a coal mining family in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Her father, Melvin Webb, worked the Van Lear coal mines. The family didn’t have much. Her younger sister — who’d grow up to be country star Crystal Gayle — grew up in the same place. Lynn left the hollow as a teenager when she married Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn. But she never stopped thinking about what it meant to come from there. In 1969, she sat down and wrote a song about it.

She wrote it herself: every single word, every melody. Nobody in Nashville helped her. The song started with 9 verses because she had that much to say — her father’s work at the mines, her mother’s bleeding fingers at the washboard, the kids barefoot in summer and shoes from a mail-order catalog in winter. She wanted to name the hollow specifically. Not “a small town in Kentucky.” Butcher Hollow. The rhymes were the hard part. “I had to match up words like ‘holler’ and ‘daughter’ and ‘water’,” she wrote in her 1976 autobiography. “But after it was done, the rhymes weren’t so important.” She spent hours on it. Eventually, she brought what she had to Owen Bradley, who recorded it at Bradley’s Barn in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, in October 1969.

Her label Decca didn’t want to release it. The song was too personal, too specific, too honest about poverty for what they thought country radio would play. Bradley pushed back. He’d produced Patsy Cline‘s most vulnerable recordings, and he believed specificity was exactly what made Lynn’s voice worth hearing. He argued for it and won. Decca put it out as a single in October 1970. On December 19, 1970, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and crossed to the Billboard Hot 100 — something almost no country song managed in 1970. It was the first song she’d written that universally connected with audiences far beyond Nashville.

Related: 1975 M*A*S*H Cast Filmed Henry Blake’s Happy Goodbye and Went Home; Their Phones Rang That Same Day – Nobody Knew Why

Specificity was the song’s strength, not its weakness. The more specifically she described Butcher Hollow — the coal mines, the barefoot summers, the mail-order shoes — the more people who’d never been anywhere near Kentucky felt like they recognized it. It was their version of Butcher Hollow. Their father’s version of Melvin Webb. The song the label said was too small for radio played at every country station in America.

“Coal Miner’s Daughter” led directly to Lynn’s bestselling 1976 autobiography of the same name, which eventually became the 1980 film in which Sissy Spacek won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Lynn in the movie. The song itself was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2009.

Ron Galella / Getty Images

In June 2026, CBS News included it in the 250 most essential American songs of the past 250 years. Sissy Spacek later said meeting Lynn in person left her “thunderstruck.” Loretta Lynn died October 4, 2022, at age 90. Butcher Hollow is still there. The cabin is even open for tours. The song she wrote about the place she came from outlasted every single person who ever told her it was too small for the radio.

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Taylor Swift is giving fans another reason to tune in to the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend.

The singer debuted a 13-second sneak peek of her upcoming “Patient Zero” music video on her Instagram Thursday, Sept. 24, offering the first look at a cinematic project starring Swift alongside Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.

The brief clip is packed with mysterious imagery, including Swift washing her hands, two figures plunging into water, a black rose, and two women standing at a gravesite. Swift also appears visibly emotional in several scenes, while Johnson and Farrell are shown alongside her in what appears to be a dramatic storyline.

The music video was shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, whose credits include The Revenant, Birdman and Gravity.

While the 13-second preview doesn’t reveal much about the plot, it appears to have a darker tone than the glittering aesthetic associated with Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era.

Fans won’t have to wait long for the full story. “Patient Zero” is set to be released Friday, Sept. 25, as one of four new songs included on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, an expanded edition of Swift’s latest album. The other new tracks are “Pink Clouding,” “Babylon” and “Cleveland!”

The full “Patient Zero” music video will premiere during the 2026 MTV VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The timing also marks a major moment for Swift behind the camera. She will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors at this year’s VMAs, an award recognizing artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music videos and visual storytelling.

When Van Halen released their self-titled debut album in early 1978, they came out with a bang. The album solidified their status as rising icons in the world of rock music, while one particular track made history thanks to Eddie Van Halen‘s guitar playing.

The song “Eruption,” which debuted on the album, is an instrumental track centering around a guitar solo from Eddie. In the song, Eddie used a unique two-handed tapping technique that completely changed rock. The technique wasn’t that well-known before this song, but after it came out, it became a mainstream favorite for many rock musicians.

“Eruption” was also an unique pick for the band’s album, and it almost didn’t make the cut. In an interview with Guitar World in 1996, Eddie recalled how it all came to be. He said, “The whole story behind Eruption is unusual. It wasn’t even supposed to be on the album.”

Eddie described going to the recording studio a little early one day while Van Halen was working on the album. He wanted to use the time to practice a guitar solo for an upcoming gig at a club. But then the band’s producer, Ted Templeman, heard it.

“He asked, ‘What’s that? Let’s put it on tape!’ So I took one pass at it, and they put it on the record,” said Eddie. “I didn’t even play it right. There’s a mistake at the top end of it. To this day, whenever I hear it, I always think, ‘Man, I could’ve played it better.'”

“Eruption” has no lyrics and wasn’t a single for Van Halen, but it made a huge impact despite this. Along with how it got other guitarists to learn the two-handed tapping technique, it is still regarded as one of the best guitar solos of all time.

Related: 1980 Hit Song, Rejected by Stevie Nicks, Became an International No. 1 Hit for Another Rock Legend

The song is often included on lists of the best guitar solos in music history, with Guitar World ranking “Eruption” at No. 2 on its list. The publication said of the song, “No one had heard anything as groundbreaking since the days of Jimi Hendrix.”

“The tapping gets the attention, but the tone, blistering legato, and creative note choices are all equally important,” the entry went on. “Amid all that virtuosity, Eddie still played with joyous rock ’n’ roll abandon. It makes his playing appeal to people who never listen to shred instrumentals.”

Now almost 50 years after “Eruption” was first released, the legendary guitar track from Van Halen is still a true smash hit, beloved by fans and well-respected by musicians.

Related: 1969 Rock Song, Featuring a Famous Guitar Riff by Jimmy Page, Is Still a Global Hit 57 Years Later

When winter settles in, escaping somewhere warm sounds pretty irresistible. Walking 20,000 steps a day to enjoy said vacation? Maybe not so much.

While some destinations practically require you to pound the pavement from morning until night, others make it remarkably easy to settle in, soak up the sun and actually feel like you’re on vacation. And for multigenerational families, travelers with limited mobility or anyone who simply doesn’t want their winter getaway to double as a walking challenge, choosing the right destination can make all the difference.

So, where should you go when you’re craving warm weather without miles of walking? We asked travel experts for their favorite destinations where you can arrive, unpack and enjoy the best parts of vacation without racking up a serious step count.

One important distinction: Minimal walking doesn’t necessarily mean a destination or experience is fully accessible. Travelers with specific mobility needs should always speak with their hotel, tour operator or travel advisor before booking to confirm accommodations and transportation will work for them.

Related: Planning a Family Trip? Travel Advisors Say This Crucial Hotel Information Is Often Wrong Online

For Juliana Fraioli Wilson, founder of Edge Escapes, a private membership blending books and travel, one of the easiest answers is Anguilla, specifically the intimate Frangipani Beach Resort on Meads Bay.

“Anguilla is one of my favorite recommendations for someone who wants a beautiful Caribbean vacation without spending half the trip walking around a massive resort,” says Wilson.

Unlike sprawling Caribbean resorts that can feel like small cities, Frangipani has just 19 rooms and suites, plus a four-bedroom beachfront villa, with accommodations just steps from Meads Bay.

“Your room, the beach, the water and lunch are all right there,” Wilson says. “Meads Bay is also absolutely gorgeous, with the most beautiful crystal-clear water.”

In other words, this isn’t the kind of vacation that requires consulting a resort map every time you want lunch.

“This is the kind of place where you arrive, unpack your sandals and swimsuit, and really don’t need to go anywhere for a few days.”

Related: The 10 Best Tourist Attractions in the Caribbean for 2026

For a warm-weather escape where you can essentially create your own little vacation village, Fora travel advisor Caroline Bernthal recommends Mayakoba on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

The gated resort community is home to four luxury hotels—Rosewood Mayakoba, Alila Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Fairmont Mayakoba—and you don’t need to log miles on foot to enjoy them. Complimentary transportation connects the destination by golf cart and electric boat through Mayakoba’s canal network, making it possible to bounce between hotels, restaurants and activities without relying on your own two feet.

“Mayakoba is like a small village with private transportation,” says Bernthal, who points out that it’s particularly well suited to multigenerational groups since everyone can choose how active they want to be.

Those who do want to move can bike, golf or play tennis and pickleball, while everyone else can spend the day by the pool or beach, then hop a golf cart to dinner.

Don’t feel like digging out your passport at all? Wilson points to Palm Beach for an easy dose of winter sunshine closer to home.

“For someone who wants warm weather without even dealing with the Caribbean, Palm Beach is an easy answer,” she says. “I’d stay at the Four Seasons Palm Beach because it’s directly on the ocean and relatively intimate compared with so many of the enormous Florida resorts.”

The oceanfront resort has 207 rooms and suites and puts the beach, pools and dining within easy reach. Some first-floor accommodations even offer direct access to the pool and beach.

“Once you’re there, there’s really no reason to leave unless you want to,” Wilson says. “You have the beach, pools, restaurants and everything else within a very small footprint.”

That makes it an especially appealing option for travelers who want a traditional resort vacation without feeling like getting around the resort is an activity in itself.

“It’s particularly good for someone who wants sunshine and beautiful surroundings but doesn’t want the vacation itself to feel like an expedition.”

Getting halfway around the world may require a little effort, but once you arrive in the Maldives, Fora travel advisor Maya Dani says you can settle into island life without spending your vacation walking everywhere.

After landing in Malé, resorts are typically reached by speedboat or seaplane, depending on the island. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, for example, guests take a 25-minute speedboat transfer from the airport.

Once there, Dani points out that you can stay in an overwater bungalow and fill your days with experiences that don’t revolve around sightseeing on foot. Four Seasons offers everything from dolphin cruises and fishing trips to cooking classes, yoga and plenty of opportunities to simply lounge by the water.

Another option for travelers looking to keep the step count low is Baros Maldives, an intimate private island in North Malé Atoll that’s just a 25-minute speedboat ride from the airport. The resort is small enough that you can walk around the entire island in about 20 minutes, with beach and overwater villas, restaurants, a spa and water activities all close at hand. And if even that sounds like too much effort, in-villa dining and spa treatments can bring the vacation directly to you.

For families looking to take the idea to another level, Dani also recommends Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, a seven-bedroom private island with its own 62-foot yacht.

The beauty of the Maldives, according to Dani, is that “no walking is necessary.” You arrive, unpack and let island life come to you.

Sometimes the easiest winter escape is the one where you check into a great resort and have very little reason to leave.

“For an easy warm-weather winter getaway, I love Palm Heights in Grand Cayman,” says Halie McGee Brarda of ETK Travels, an affiliate of SmartFlyer and a Virtuoso agency.

The appeal for travelers hoping to keep walking to a minimum is simple: Beach, dining and resort life can all be the vacation rather than merely your home base between sightseeing excursions.

Brarda also recommends Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico and Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort in Hawaii, both of which offer plenty to do without requiring guests to venture far. Rosewood Mayakoba has multiple pools, two beach clubs, six on-site restaurants and a spa, while Kona Village puts pools, dining, ocean activities and cultural experiences within the resort.

All three, Brarda says, make it easy “to arrive, unpack and actually relax with great beaches, dining and service, and very little need to leave the resort or walk long distances.”

For anyone whose ideal winter itinerary looks more like beach, lunch, pool, repeat than a jam-packed sightseeing schedule, that’s kind of the point.

Related: 25 Best Beach Vacation Ideas

A safari may not immediately come to mind when you think of a vacation requiring very little walking, but Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys, operator of EF Go Ahead Tours, says it’s one of her favorite options for warm-weather, multigenerational travel.

“A safari is probably the best option for warm weather with little walking,” says Durflinger. “It is meaningful for all generations. And nothing is more awe-inspiring and bonding with loved ones than being in nature, seeing an elephant, giraffe or lion in its natural environment for the first time.”

EF Go Ahead Tours offers itineraries including its Kenya Wildlife Safari and Tanzania Wildlife Safari, where much of the wildlife viewing happens from safari vehicles. Its Tanzania itinerary specifically notes that there is minimal walking, although travelers can spend six to eight hours per day in a safari vehicle and must be able to get in and out of the vehicle and participate in included walks without assistance.

And while game drives are the main attraction, Durflinger says it’s the shared experience that makes a safari such a strong choice for families spanning multiple generations: “Beyond the safari experience, the warm, welcoming people and culture touch your heart.”

If your idea of vacation involves doing as little as possible beautifully, Wilson also recommends a tiny three-mile-long island in the Bahamas where the main mode of transportation is a golf cart.

“Harbour Island is perfect for this because the entire point is to slow down,” she says.

Wilson is partial to The Dunmore, “a small hotel directly on that incredible pink-sand beach, and it’s exactly the type of property I’d choose for someone trying to avoid a lot of walking,” she says. “You can have breakfast, spend the day on the beach, swim, have lunch, get dressed for dinner and barely leave the property.”

But we’re also big fans of Ocean View Club and Eleven Bahama House. Ocean View Club is an intimate beachfront hideaway with just nine uniquely styled rooms, while Eleven Bahama House feels more like a private island home, with colorful rooms and cottages surrounding a small central pool. The latter is tucked into the heart of Dunmore Town, making it easy to settle in without covering much ground.

Up next:

Related: We Asked 6 Travel Advisors Which “Bucket List” Destination They’d Skip—One Place Kept Coming Up

When Vince Gill sat down to write “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” he wasn’t looking to create a chart-topping country-gospel hymn.

The country superstar was simply trying to process overwhelming grief. He began crafting the track in 1989 following the sudden death of his close friend Keith Whitley. However, the painful emotions proved too heavy, forcing him to shelve the unfinished song for four years.

It wasn’t until 1993, when his older brother, Bob, tragically died from a heart attack, that Gill finally summoned the strength to write the final verses.

Yet even with the masterpiece complete, Gill almost refused to record it. The lyrics were so raw and deeply personal that the singer couldn’t bear the thought of turning his private pain into a commercial record.

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Songfacts quoted Gill as saying, “I wrote this song, and I didn’t have any idea if anybody would want to hear it or like it. All I wanted to do was grieve [Bob] and celebrate his life.”

He continued, “That’s how I always process grief—sit down with a guitar and make something up. Turns out that if anybody remembers any of my songs, it’ll be this one.”

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Charts. It remained on the charts for 20 weeks total.

Chris Stapleton reimagined Gill’s masterpiece alongside the song’s original harmony singer Ricky Skaggs at the Nashville Songwriter Awards, where Gill was presented with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, according to American Songwriter.

Stapleton’s performance was the last tribute of the night, and Gill was brought to tears by the soulful rendition of his heartbreak song. The “Tennessee Whiskey” singer received a standing ovation for his performance.

Gill told the crowd at the Ryman Auditorium, “I played that song for Tony [Brown, producer]. It was right after my brother had died. I said, ‘I wrote this song, but I don’t think I can record it.’”

The entertainer concluded, “He said, ‘Why not?’ I said, ‘It’s too personal. It hurts too much.’ He heard the song and said, ‘I’m sorry, but you have to record that song.’ He made me record ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain,’ so I owe him a great, great debt of gratitude.”

It took a lot of guts, and a little push from a great producer, for Vince Gill to share something so painfully personal with the world back in 1995. “Go Rest High On That Mountain” isn’t just another classic country record; it still brings a room to tears over three decades later.

Related: Forgotten 1980 Country Pop Hit Made Vince Gill Famous Before Anyone Knew His Name

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An area rug can instantly soften a room, adding warmth and texture to your space. When it comes to materials, wool is especially appealing because it’s naturally durable and well suited to everyday use. For busy households, that makes a wool rug a practical choice that can still bring plenty of style to your home.

One option with a soft, romantic look is the Martha Stewart Rugs Metro Hand-Tufted Floral Wool Rug. Right now, it’s on sale for 64% off at Wayfair, bringing the price down from $312 to just $113. That makes it a much more approachable way to add a high-end touch to your floors without spending a fortune.

Courtesy of Wayfair

The rug is hand-tufted from wool and features a high-low pile, meaning some parts of the surface sit slightly higher than others. This creates a textured feel underfoot while giving the floral design more dimension. The backing combines latex and cotton to help provide structure and keep the rug feeling substantial.

Its muted blush pink and creamy off-white palette gives the rug a gentle, understated look that can brighten a room without overpowering the rest of your decor. The rug features vintage-inspired floral and damask patterns and an intentionally lived-in appearance. It has an antique-style feel that works especially well with traditional, cottagecore, or romantic spaces.

There are several sizes and shapes available, making it easier to find one that fits your room. Options include 4-by-6-foot and 8-by-10-foot rectangular rugs, a 6-foot round version, a 6-foot square option, and a 2-foot-3-inch-by-9-foot runner. The runner can work particularly well in a hallway, while the larger options can help anchor a bedroom, living room, or other open area.

Since the rug arrives tightly rolled, you may notice that the corners curl slightly when you first unroll it. That’s normal and should resolve as the fibers relax. You can lay the rug upside down for a couple of days to help it flatten naturally, or place a heavy, safe-to-move object over each corner until the bends disappear. 

Keeping a wool rug looking its best is also fairly straightforward. Vacuum regularly to keep dust, dirt, and crumbs from settling into the fibers, and if you spot a loose thread, snip it carefully with scissors instead of pulling it. To help prevent fading and uneven wear, avoid prolonged direct sunlight and rotate the rug periodically. For spills, gently blot the area with a clean, dye-free cloth, and consider professional cleaning for stubborn stains.

Reviewers praised the look and feel of the rug. One shopper said it “looks so pretty” in their bedroom, adding, “This rug is very beautiful. The pile is thick and dense and feels soft underfoot.” Another reviewer said it’s “very good quality,” writing, “It’s thick and comfortable to walk on.”

• Red Barrel Studio Metro Hand-Tufted Damask Wool Rug, $384 (was $1,040) at Wayfair
• Magnolia Home x Loloi Henley Ivory Spa Area Rug, $474 (was $979) at Wayfair
• Wade Logan Annig Handmade Pink and Ivory Area Rug, $380 (was $880) at Wayfair

Related: Create the Coziest Cafe-Like Fall Ambiance With Walmart’s Trio of Sleek Gold Cordless Lamps

If you’re looking for a rug that adds softness, color, and vintage-inspired character to your space, the Martha Stewart Rugs Metro Hand-Tufted Floral Wool Rug is worth a look. And with Wayfair’s current 64% discount, you can get the 4-by-6-foot size for just $113 and save nearly $200.

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Stella Parton is mourning the loss of her dear sister Dolly Parton, one month after the singer’s death.

“Good morning, look at this beautiful day we are blessed to receive! Tomorrow will be one month since my big sister Dolly left us on this side of what is called reality!” Stella shared via social media on Thursday, September 24. “I feel her presence now as much as always. Her light will never go out because the seeds of goodness she planted in all our lives will keep growing!”

She went on to thank all of Dolly’s fans for their love and condolences, saying, “It has been a comfort to experience such an outpouring of love on her behalf as we grieve her passing.”

One month before Dolly’s death at age 80 on August 25, the Parton family lost their brother, Denver.

“We are also grieving the loss of our brother Denver, who passed less than a month before her,” Stella continued. “All families have the same struggles since we are all living in this world having a human experience!”

Stella assured fans that the family is “still intact and moving forward” despite the heartbreak.

“Our children and grandchildren look to us for strength and guidance during this difficult time of loss and confusion for them as well,” she wrote.

The Parton family has been riddled with rumors of drama surrounding Dolly’s estate after her nephew, Bryan Seaver, was fired after 20 years as the head of security.

“Regardless of what you may have seen on different news outlets, we are all doing what you would be doing under the same circumstances, we are living our lives one day at a time and being grateful for every blessing,” Stella noted.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared Friday, September 25, Dolly Parton Day—in honor of her megahit “9 to 5.” While it’s unclear whether any of the Parton family will be in attendance for the commemoration, Stella noted. “Tomorrow there will be a celebration in my sister’s honor and I thank you again for your support of her and your kind thoughts. God bless all of you and have a wonderful day!”

More than six decades after it was recorded in Clovis, New Mexico, “Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs remains one of the most recognizable songs from the early 1960s. 

Released in May 1963, the rock and roll song became a major chart success later that year, spending five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song reached the top spot beginning Oct. 12, 1963, and stayed there through Nov.9, per Elpee. The recording later earned gold record status after selling more than one million copies.

With 2026 marking 63 years since its release, “Sugar Shack” remains closely linked to the sound of early-1960s American rock and roll and to the recording history of Clovis, New Mexico.

The single was credited to Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, a New Mexico group that had already built a name through instrumental records such as “Torquay” and “Bulldog.” According to Songfacts, the band recorded “Sugar Shack” at Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis, where producer Norman Petty played a key part in shaping the song’s sound.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

“Sugar Shack” tells a simple story about a man who meets a young woman working at a coffeehouse. The two fall in love, marry and look back on their time at the coffeehouse.

The song was written by Keith McCormack and his aunt, Faye Voss. According to Songfacts, the pair worked on the song over breakfast, trading lines back and forth. The coffee setting in the lyrics came naturally from that writing session.

The recording also has a sound that makes it easy to identify. A key part is the unusual keyboard riff played by Norman Petty on a 1940s Hammond Solovox. The instrument helped give the song its distinctive whistling-like sound. Because the Solovox was not practical for the group to carry on the road, the Fireballs used a guitar to imitate the part during live performances.

When “Sugar Shack” was released, the Fireballs lineup featured Jimmy Gilmer on vocals, George Tomsco on guitar, Doug Roberts on drums and Stan Lark on bass.

The Fireballs had started as an instrumental group in New Mexico in 1957. Before Gilmer became their lead singer, the band had found success with instrumental songs. Gilmer joined the group in 1960 after performing with his own rockabilly band.

The addition of Gilmer changed the group’s sound and eventually helped lead to its biggest commercial success.

“Sugar Shack” was not simply a modest hit. It became the band’s only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and one of the biggest records of 1963. Stereogum‘s retrospective on the song also records its five-week run at No. 1.

The success of “Sugar Shack” helped make the Fireballs an important part of the early-1960s pop and rock scene. The group later scored another Top 20 hit with “Daisy Petal Pickin’” in 1964, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band returned to the Top 10 in 1967 with “Bottle of Wine,” which reached No. 9. However, “Sugar Shack” remained the group’s defining commercial hit.

The Fireballs themselves continued making music after “Sugar Shack.” Their later history included another period of success with “Bottle of Wine,” followed by the group’s eventual disbandment in 1969.

The Fireballs reunited decades later for the Clovis Music Festival in 1989. Members continued performing in different lineups for years, with the final show featuring George Tomsco and Jimmy Gilmer taking place at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on Feb. 5, 2022.

Jimmy Gilmer died in Amarillo, Texas, on Sept.7, 2024, at age 83.

Today, “Sugar Shack” remains tied to two important parts of music history: the rise of the Fireballs and the recording legacy of Norman Petty’s Clovis studio.

Related: 1972 Rock Song by Van Morrison, Lasting Over 11 Minutes, Recorded in San Francisco, Is Still a Generational Hit 54 Years Later