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Anjanette Comer has died at the age of 86, per her official death certificate filed with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The Hollywood Reporter obtained the actor’s death certificate, which confirmed that Comer died on May 28, 2026. It was reported that she battled leukemia and had heart-related issues. There hasn’t been an official statement from her family about the actor’s death.

Comer was born in Dawson, Texas, in early August of 1939 to Rufus Franklin Comer, Jr. and Nola Dell “Sue” (Perkins) Comer. The actor made her big-screen debut in 1964 with the comedy film Quick, Before It Melts, starring Robert Morse and George Maharis.

The following year, she would become a well-known star when she played the role of Aimee Thanatogenous in the black-and-white black comedy The Loved One. It was based on Evelyn Waugh‘s 1948 short novel The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy, and it had Comer reuniting with Morse as her co-star.

In 1966, Comer gained further recognition when she starred opposite Marlon Brando in the Western film, The Appaloosa. The two actors also starred alongside John Saxon, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. While having done well at the box office, it was also considered to be one of the more outstanding Westerns of 1966.

“I didn’t build my career slowly like most successful actresses do. After a couple of TV appearances I became an instant movie star,” she said, according to UPI.

Comer made her acting debut in 1962 when she appeared in My Three Songs and The Donna Reed Show. She also starred in hits like Gunsmoke and Arrest and Trial before acting in films. The actor went on to appear in several popular films and series during the ’60s and into the ’70s.

One interesting fact about Comer was that she turned down two of the biggest roles that could have made her career. She was originally scheduled to star opposite Robert Redford in Barefoot in the Park but passed, and she also turned down the role opposite Warren Beatty in Bonnie and Clyde. The roles instead went to Jane Fonda and Faye Dunaway.

According to UPI, Comer rejected the roles and took a hiatus from acting due to having “had this very important relationship with a man, an actor, who didn’t want me to work in movies. At that time I was young and naive.”

She also reported that she wasn’t a fan of her career, and it “didn’t mean that much to me. I dropped out because my drive and ambition were gone.” She even left the production of Funeral in Berlin to be with the man.

In 1990, Comer began to revive her career after jumping in and out of the industry. She appeared in series like Streets of Laredo, Profiler, and The Practice. Her last TV role was in 2002 with The Pennsylvania Miners’ Story. When it came to film, she played roles in Netherworld and The Underneath in the 90s, with A Bird of the Air being her last role.

Related: 1998 Tom Hanks Movie, With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes Score, Ranked as One of the Best Movies of All Time

Paramount Skydance has cleared the last major legal hurdle in its bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, and moviegoers get a promise out of it.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office announced a settlement on Monday, Sept. 21, resolving the 12-state lawsuit against the $110 billion merger. Bonta made clear the states were not cheering, though. “The settlement is not a vote of support for this merger,” he said at a news conference.

Under the settlement, which still needs a court’s approval, the combined company must release 30 films a year, including 20 wide releases, for the first two years, then 32 films a year for the next three, according to New Jersey’s attorney general. For each film it misses, it owes $30 million toward health care and retirement funds for Hollywood unions and other groups, and it would have to sell off Miramax.

Paramount also agreed to spend at least an additional $1.5 billion on U.S. film production over five years and to create an editorial-independence board for CNN and CBS News.

The early years look doable on paper. As of late August, Warner Bros. had 20 films planned for 2027 and Paramount had 11, which is already enough to clear the bar. The picture gets thinner after that. The two studios had only 17 films dated for 2028.

Box office analyst Jeff Bock shared that studios typically release 12 to 16 films a year “because that is what they can stably put out.” Thirty films would mean both studios working at the very top of that range, every year, for five years. And mergers have shrunk slates before. After Disney bought 20th Century Fox, Searchlight Pictures went from 22 releases in 2017 through 2019 to 12 from 2024 through 2026.

For moviegoers, 30 films a year works out to a new Paramount or Warner Bros. release nearly every other week.

Bonta led 12 attorneys general in suing to block the deal on July 13. His office called it the largest merger in Hollywood history and warned that the combined company would control nearly one-third of theatrical films. A trial had been scheduled for early March.

If the deal closes, David Ellison, 43, will run a company that owns both Paramount+ and HBO Max, plus CBS News and CNN. That puts shows like Landman and Hacks under the same roof, along with Warner Bros. movies like Superman and A Minecraft Movie.

In a statement, Ellison thanked Bonta, the other attorneys general, the Writers Guild and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and said the goal was a stronger Hollywood with more choice for consumers.

Not everyone is on board. The Block the Merger coalition, which fought the deal, said it was disappointed and angry with the settlement, and Mark Ruffalo has spoken out against the deal in recent weeks.

The merged company must also keep offering a free streaming service, like Pluto TV, as part of the deal.

Let’s be honest—the fall wreath is the main character of the front door. The doormat is a supporting player, and the pumpkins are the ensemble cast, but the wreath gets top billing. It’s the first thing guests, delivery drivers and nosy neighbors see, and it sets the mood for the whole season before anyone knocks.

Target’s Threshold line designed with Studio McGee has a new contender: the Plum Berry Wreath. It’s a 24-inch circle of leafy foliage in moody maroon and green, about five inches deep for a full, lush look. At $35, it delivers cozy autumn cottage energy without the boutique markup. It’s made of polyester and weighs under a pound, so your door hardware won’t need a pep talk.

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The color palette is the star of the show. Instead of the predictable orange-and-yellow candy corn scheme, this wreath goes deep and wine-toned, with green accents that keep it from feeling too gloomy. It also reads as a little more grown-up than your average harvest decor, and it works well over a mantel or on a bare wall too.

And that’s where this wreath gets especially fun—you don’t have to stop at the front door. Try hanging it above a console table in the entryway and styling the surface underneath with a stack of books, a ceramic vase or a small table lamp. Add a woven basket nearby for texture, and suddenly you’ve got an entire little seasonal moment instead of a wreath simply hanging on a wall. Or, it could go above your fireplace or mounted on the hood in your kitchen.

If your decorating style leans cozy and collected, play up the wreath’s burgundy tones with rust, cream, camel and warm wood. A plaid or chunky knit throw nearby can make the space feel extra autumnal without turning it into a pumpkin patch. For a more modern look, keep everything else neutral and let the rich plum color do the talking. Creamy whites, natural wood and a few black accents would give the wreath plenty of room to shine.

Related: Dollar General’s Adorable $2 Pumpkin Print Oven Mitt Looks Straight Out of a Cottage Kitchen

It’s also a good excuse to rethink the traditional fall colors. Pair it with deep green pumpkins instead of orange ones or add a few woodsy taper candles to the dining room. Even a small bowl filled with faux pears or apples can echo the wreath’s warm, harvest-inspired feeling. Pick one or two of its colors and sprinkle them around the room so the decor feels intentional rather than matchy-matchy.

Shoppers seem to agree. One fan called the colors “perfect for late summer and fall” and liked that they ease you toward the holidays. Another said the mix of shades looks great against a dark wood door and praised the metal hanger on the back for making it easy to put up. Several also love that it’s faux, since it can come back out next year, which makes the price feel like an even better deal.

The late-summer-to-fall transition is actually where this wreath may have its biggest decorating advantage. Because it skips the bright oranges and obvious harvest motifs, you can put it out before the first pumpkin even hits the porch. Then, as the season progresses, add pumpkins, mums, cozy textiles or candlelight around it to gradually turn up the autumn factor. So, if your entryway needs a seasonal refresh that looks designer without the designer price, this wreath is worth a look.

Related: Marshalls’ $25 Wicker Mum Wreath Might Be the Easiest Glow-Up Your Front Door Gets This Year

You know Jeneva Rose for her psychological thriller The Perfect Marriage. She followed up on that with The Perfect Divorce, but you’ll also know Home Is Where the Bodies Are and One of Us Is Dead.

Rose is stepping away from the thriller side of things for her next release. On Sept. 22, 2026, she’ll release her first foray into horror with Sometimes I Scare Myself. Rose chatted with Parade about this journey, getting into the inspiration for the collection of three stories, her early introduction to horror, and more.

“It was really great to take off the thriller guardrails, where, for the reader, you have to lay out the clues, and you have to be one step ahead of them,” Rose explained, as we got into her decision to write her first horror book. “Everything has to make sense and be grounded in reality. Where horror just lets me be whatever. What’s the worst thing that could happen, and then I could take it a step further than that.”

She did explain that horror was a natural progression from thriller. She was able to stop censoring herself with the collection of horror stories — there are three short stories in Sometimes I Scare Myself — especially when it came to the gore.

“Readers are looking for darker stories, so it was really fun to jump headfirst and see what happened.”

The love for horror stems from a young age, and it was something I could relate to. While Rose watched A Nightmare on Elm Street when she was four, I watched Pet Sematary and It at that age. Sure, that cemented my fear of clowns, but it also made me appreciate the horror genre and understand more of what goes bump in the night. It certainly set up my love for horror as an adult.

Rose has spent years offering her horror recommendations to her readers, so the move into this space with her writing seemed perfect. It’s already helped set the tone for what to expect from her in the future, and she’s built a community because of being a human and offering an insight into her life.

“I remember when I used to attend in-person events,” Rose delved into why the community aspect is so important to her by looking back on her time as a fan of authors. “I didn’t know much about the author other than their bio. Their Q&A was a lot about their craft and how they come up with the idea, but I didn’t really know the author. I loved getting into the mind of people who are creatives.”

That perfectly opened the next avenue of questioning, as I’d been curious about where the ideas for the stories in Sometimes I Scare Myself came from and even where it all started with The Perfect Marriage.

“[The Perfect Marriage] is not an interesting story,” Rose admitted, but then went on to explain how the story formed from one simple fascination: revenge. “I think it’s because the scariest thing is waking up one day and realizing the person you thought you knew, you didn’t. I think that’s a breeding ground for thrillers. What would happen when you do find out that the person you love and you thought you knew, you didn’t know at all? I think it’s fascinating, and it terrifies me.”

It’s certainly a common theme in many psychological thrillers. Whenever there is a story of cheating, there is a story of betrayal and revenge. It all breaks something in your psyche, as you can’t look at the world the same way ever again. Even in the world of true crime, these themes come up.

As for the horror stories, they each came from different experiences that kick-started an idea.

“Never Kill the Medium, like many of my stories do, started as a what-if. I was at my friend’s bachelorette party, and I was meant to go to a male strip show, but it got canceled due to low ticket sales. So, instead, she decided to hire a medium.”

That led to a lot of questions about how genuine this medium was. Why would someone with this special ability to communicate with the dead be available at short notice? In the end, the event went well, and she was certainly convinced by the things this person knew, but it also sparked an idea. In fact, it created two ideas.

In Never Kill the Medium, it created the story asks what if the medium died in the middle of a séance with the door wide open? Of course, I immediately started to think of Penny Dreadful, but that’s not the journey Rose takes us on with her horror short story. It’s well worth the read!

The second short story, The Nightmare House, also came from this medium experience.

“He said something that would end up coming true later,” she went on, talking about how the medium had mentioned a water feature. More specifically, it was about a moving water feature, which Rose would experience in a “house that’s going to save you.”

She’d moved house while 12 weeks postpartum, and it was a traumatic experience, but sure enough, the moving water feature was there, and it was a blessing. But what if it wasn’t?

“I came up with The Nightmare House, which was: What if the monsters aren’t inside the house? What if they live next door?”

The third short story is titled All Curses Are Final, and that was something that came up while watching Oddity. There is a sign in that movie that says, “All curses are final. Curse lifted at point of sale.”

“What if that was the whole plot?” Rose shared the initial inspiration: “So that formed All Curses Are Final, so it was all very different things. What if, what if, what if, and boom. Then what happens? And that’s the spiral.”

Something that makes Sometimes I Scare Myself stand out from the thrillers — except for it being a horror book — is that it is a collection of short stories instead of one book.

“I wanted it to be substantial enough, so I didn’t short the reader,” Rose explained as we got into the decision to add three novellas together and whether there would be more. “I wanted it to be about the length of a novel, and I wanted three stories. These three stories are actually about grief: the loss of an identity with The Nightmare House, the loss of a relationship with All Curses Are Final, and the loss of a sister in Never Kill the Medium.”

It was one of the reasons we connected over Pet Sematary, as that story has grief at its root of the story. People do strange and dangerous things when they’re grieving, and many of us can relate to the characters in their actions. We know bringing back the people we love is wrong, but wouldn’t we try?

Adding a human layer like this also creates a grounding element in the story. It’s not the supernatural essence of the story, but the emotions of the characters.

“I think a reader will trust you if the emotions of the characters feel real, and then you can take them on the journey,” Rose agreed. “You can recognize yourself within those characters and let the horror unfold from there.”

There’s also a beauty in creating seemingly normal and fun situations and turning them into horrifying events. It adds a layer of the ordinary to the horror.

“If I take you to an abandoned house, you already know something bad is going to happen. If I take you to a dinner party and a medium shows up, you’ll think, ‘Oh, this is a fun activity.’”

We finished up chatting about Dead Girl Summer, an upcoming thriller. Now, we have to wait until April 2027 for this, but it’s back in the world of laughter, fun, and death.

“It’s set in a town I love so much,” Rose dished out a few teasers, “I love this laketown of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. I exaggerated a little bit in the story, but it’s just fun to have somewhere that lives and dies on tourism.”

It’s become another “what if” story in the sense of “What if really bad things happen here, but they couldn’t afford for that reputation to get out because it would destroy the local economy. What would people do to protect that?”

On the other side of that is a true crime podcaster who is looking to get back into the game. She wants redemption, but she also wants to reveal the secrets of a town desperate to protect it all.

“You have this Sheriff Dana, and then you have Taryn Voss, the true crime podcaster. One of them wants to tell the story, and the other one thinks the story’s over and there’s nothing here. These two women clash, with one fighting for the reputation of her town and herself, and the other just fighting for her career. I had a lot of fun with that, and I think it’s my twistiest thriller yet.

And if you’re interested in seeing Sarah Morgan’s story continue, there is some hope. Sarah’s story isn’t quite over, but Rose couldn’t go into detail about that or much about the movie adaptation of The Perfect Marriage.

Sometimes I Scare Myself is hitting shelves on Sept. 22, 2026.

Thirty-four years ago, Cindy Crawford turned a simple roadside Pepsi run into one of the most iconic moments of the ’90s, saying years later that she loved the ad because “it made people happy.” Fast-forward 26 years, and the ’90s supermodel made people smile again as she passed the torch—and Pepsi can—to her teenage son, Presley Gerber.

In the wake of Gerber’s death on Sept. 20 at the age of 27, the “Pepsi Generations” campaign hits differently now. What was once a clever new take on the 1992 spot is now a touching mother-son moment preserved in time.

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Back in 2018, Crawford explained that including Presley made the commercial feel particularly familial, adding the “next generation.” But she deliberately stopped short of recreating the original commercial exactly.

To grasp why the moment resonates so deeply, it helps to go back to where it all began.

Crawford’s 1992 Pepsi commercial aired during Super Bowl XXVI and became one of the decade’s most recognizable ads.

In the spot, the supermodel pulls into a gas station in a red Lamborghini, steps out in a white tank top and denim cutoffs, and walks over to a vending machine for a Pepsi. Two young boys appear captivated by Crawford, only for the punchline to reveal they’re actually admiring the newly redesigned Pepsi can.

Crawford later recalled that she still revisited the commercial every January. “It was just one of those commercials that everyone loved, and it made people happy,” she told Time.

And Pepsi knew it had a good thing going, which is why the brand brought Crawford back 26 years later.

As part of the “Pepsi Generations” campaign celebrating 120 years of Pepsi’s pop-culture history, the brand brought Crawford back for its Super Bowl LII spot, “This Is the Pepsi.” This time, her 18-year-old son joined her for a new take on the classic commercial.

The ad was explicitly built around the idea of generations, with Crawford and Presley becoming part of Pepsi’s larger journey through its own pop-culture history.

For Crawford, the experience was as much about being Gerber’s mother as being a supermodel. “We drove to work together, we shared a trailer, and just as a mom watching him perform, I was the proud stage mom standing by the monitor,” she recalled.

At the time, Gerber was already pursuing modeling. He had made his runway debut for Moschino at 16, telling Vogue before the show that he had enjoyed the fashion industry “a lot more than expected” and felt ready for the next step. The Pepsi ad thus captured him at the beginning of his own career, even as he stood beside a mother whose face had already become synonymous with the original commercial.

“To include now my next generation, Presley, just makes it that much more familial feeling,” Crawford said. “I hope it gives people that warm, fuzzy feeling.”

At 18, Gerber starred alongside his mother in a commercial that was deliberately about generations. The narrator, Jimmy Fallon, eventually introduced the pair with the line: “This is the Pepsi for this model, and his mom. Hi, Cindy. Show ’em how it’s done.”

What was once a clever Pepsi callback became something else entirely with time: a preserved moment of a mother and her teenage son, captured before either could know how much that footage would one day mean.

Related: Amanda Seyfried Quietly Confirmed Devastating News Involving Her Husband of 9 Years

The singing mailman of Chicago used to frequent the folk clubs of the late ’60s and early ’70s working open mic nights with some original material. The singing mailman was pretty good, and people really liked his songs. In fact, they liked them so much that he managed to get himself a record deal. The singing mailman was now a bona-fide professional musician, and the world got to know him as John Prine. On the first day of 1971, he would release his self-titled debut, and with it some of the greatest songs ever written.

The mythology of Prine’s time in the postal service is an integral of the modern folk hero that he would become during his time on this Earth. A man of the people who emerged to share his soul in the form of stripped back, authentic country music. In my opinion, Prine’s first album marked the greatest songwriting debut since Bob Dylan a decade prior, with Rolling Stone agreeing with me as it’s ranked in spot 149 on their “500 Greatest Albums” list. It’s a record that has been praised over and over by the likes of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, and features some incredible work that makes it deserving of its reputation.

“Hello in There” is the album’s first masterpiece. The song takes a look at aging, and the loneliness that follows. Prine takes the perspective of an aging couple as they grow to feel alienated from the world around them. They are still young inside, living behind tired eyes and wrinkled faces as they go about the final years of their lives. The song is heartbreakingly empathetic, and features Prine’s cosmic understanding of the human condition as both a writer and performer. His voice is so pure and honest that it consistently reduces me to tears. This live clip is probably my favorite version of the song. Prine’s age adds something to the performance that makes it hit that much harder.

Another aspect of the record that I absolutely adore is the humor, which is exemplified really nicely in “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore.” The song is a satirical look at performative nationalism and the way many feel it absolves them of their wrongdoing. It’s a bitingly funny and endlessly relevant song exploring the culture of patriotism in America that rings especially true in this current day and age.

The true standout track from the album is “Sam Stone,” which I have a whole post going into here. That being said, every song on this album is close to if not completely flawless. Every day I find myself having a different song I gravitate to. It’s an endlessly rewarding listen that understands being human on a level few records can. I can’t imagine not connecting with even one song on the album. It’s a true masterpiece.

Related: 1974 Willie Nelson Record, Ranked Among the Greatest Ever, Was Country’s First Successful Concept Album

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With cooler weather settling in and a world of cozy seasonal recipes waiting to be explored, the weeks ahead offer no shortage of opportunities to indulge in your favorite fall flavors. Whether you’re dusting off an old family recipe or perfecting the ultimate holiday dinner spread, some of the best meals are ones that remind you of your childhood.

For those who appreciate good Southern cooking, Costco just stocked up on a popular pantry staple deserving of a spot on everybody’s dinner table: Famous Dave’s Original Recipe Corn Bread Mix. Available in select warehouse locations as a four-pack for just $7.99, this convenient cornbread mix makes it easy to serve up an authentic Southern favorite in a jumbo size the whole family can enjoy.

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Perhaps one of the better pantry deals of the season, snagging this popular boxed mix at Costco gets you four 15-ounce boxes of Famous Dave’s Original Recipe Corn Bread Mix for a cool $8. Sold individually elsewhere, a single box can run you at least $3.19, allowing you to save roughly $4 when buying in bulk at everybody’s favorite warehouse. 

Designed to replicate the sweet, moist and crumbly cornbread served at the Famous Dave’s barbecue restaurant chain, this fan-favorite mix delivers the authentic cornbread flavor and texture the chain is known for, making it the perfect side dish for a wide range of meals. Best of all, each box yields roughly 12 muffins, just enough for a family dinner or event, or six jumbo muffins for those looking for a little extra indulgence.

“I’d grab this one now and keep it stocked in the pantry for the seasons ahead,” @costcochika encouraged viewers in a post shared to Instagram. “Think chili nights, soups, BBQ, holiday dinners… basically cornbread season is officially here.”

“My favorite boxed cornbread,” one shopper wrote in response, as others chimed in, expressing a sudden urge to try the mix for themselves.

Related: The Discontinued ’90s Halloween Candies You Didn’t Realize Were Gone Forever

Once you’ve stocked your pantry, you’ll be pleased to know that this mix makes it incredibly easy to bring all kinds of warm, delicious cornbread creations to life. While the box instructions offer three baking options (pan, regular muffins and jumbo muffins), you’re definitely not limited to just those choices. With a little creativity, you can easily adapt the mix to whatever bakeware you have at home, whether you’re making single-serve sides or experimenting with different loaf shapes and sizes.

Beyond a traditional loaf or muffins, you can easily make cornbread waffles, mini cornbread bites, skillet cornbread, cornbread stuffing and so much more. And with minimal ingredients needed to bake, you can eliminate the need to make yet another dish from scratch, effectively streamlining the meal prep process whether you’re manning the barbecue, in charge of holiday dinner or simply getting your weekly fix of authentic Southern flavor.

Got casseroles on your mind? While you’re whipping up a fresh batch of cornbread muffins, take a gander at Lucille Ball’s Sunday Night Special and keep the Southern food coming.

Related: Sam’s Club’s ‘Beautiful’ $20 Glassware Resembles a Williams-Sonoma Set 5x the Price

In 2026, Adam Sandler may be one of the most recognizable comedy stars in Hollywood, but apparently all it takes is a purple hoodie and a pair of sunglasses to make him look like an entirely different person.

The Happy Gilmore star, who turned 60 on Sept. 9, was spotted out with wife Jackie Sandler sporting an extremely casual ensemble that left him nearly unrecognizable.

Sandler appeared to be doing his best to fly under the radar, with the hood of his bright lavender zip-up sweatshirt pulled over his head and a pair of dark sunglasses covering much of his face. He paired the hoodie with a green T-shirt, loose white basketball shorts and wildly colorful sneakers.

Jackie, 51, went considerably more understated for the outing, wearing an all-black ensemble, white sneakers and a wide-brimmed hat.

Andrea Cremascoli/Getty Images

Of course, dressing down isn’t exactly unusual for Sandler.

The actor has made his famously laid-back wardrobe part of his public persona, frequently appearing in oversized T-shirts, basketball shorts and sneakers. In fact, Vogue dubbed Sandler a fashion icon in 2021 for his “low-key grocery-run look.”

Sandler joked about his unlikely fashion influence in an interview with Esquire, agreeing with the outlet that it took decades for people to finally embrace the “schlub style” that he likes to sport.

The comedian has plenty to celebrate these days. After becoming a breakout star on Saturday Night Live in the early ’90s, Sandler went on to headline movies including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy, Big Daddy, 50 First Dates and Grown Ups. His movies have collectively grossed more than $2 billion worldwide.

More recently, Sandler returned to one of his best-known roles in 2025’s Happy Gilmore 2, nearly 30 years after the original movie. But he has also received critical acclaim for his more dramatic roles in Punch-Drunk Love and Uncut Gems.

And acting has increasingly become a family affair for the Sandlers. Adam and Jackie have been married since 2003 and share daughters Sadie, 20, and Sunny, 17. Both daughters have followed their parents into acting, with Sadie appearing in Happy Gilmore 2 and 2026’s Roommates, while Sunny starred in Don’t Say Good Luck, which was released in August.

Sandler previously offered a sweet explanation for his long marriage in a 2022 interview with AARP.

“Jackie and I like spending time with each other,” he said, adding that they try to make each other laugh, listen to and support one another. He also said the couple always talks about their future together.

More than two decades into their marriage, apparently that future includes the occasional incognito stroll in a very, very purple hoodie.

Related: ’80s Sitcom Star, Who Played Madeline Kahn’s Husband, Dies at 85; James Sloyan Also Appeared in ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Xanadu’

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It may only be September, but savvy hosts know it’s never too early to start prepping for the holidays. From festive serving pieces to dinnerware that can make a gathering feel a little more special, getting those entertaining essentials early means one less thing to worry about when the holiday season arrives.

Dolly Parton fans can get a head start on holiday entertaining with the Holly Dolly 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set, currently $56 at Wayfair. Decked out in a festive, Dolly-inspired holiday design, the set is made from durable melamine that resists breaking and shattering. It’s a practical pick for serving a crowd, whether you’re hosting holiday guests or simply sitting down for a family meal. 

Courtesy of Wayfair

The 12-piece set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four bowls, providing a complete place setting for four people. The dinner plates feature the text “Have a Holly Dolly Christmas,” while the salad plates are inscribed with “Deck the Halls with Songs of Dolly.” All of the pieces are also decorated with festive red and green hues and holiday-inspired motifs like poinsettias, mistletoe, candy canes, and Christmas tree branches, giving your holiday tablescape a playful dose of cheer. 

Don’t feel like you have to wait for December to break these out, though. They’re made for everyday meals, with a chip-resistant, lead-free design that’s dishwasher-safe when you’re done. The one catch? They’re not microwave-safe, so you’ll want to move your food to another dish before reheating. 

The set arrives in a beautiful gift box with shipping-ready packaging, making it a thoughtful gift for a Dolly Parton fan or a fun housewarming present. One reviewer described the set as “so cute” and “great quality.” Another called them the “perfect pieces for Christmas,” adding that the set was “very well done and beautiful.”

• Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Lazy Susan, $44 at Wayfair
• Dolly Parton “What Would Dolly Do” Rolling Pin, $23 at Wayfair
• Holly Dolly Set of 2 “Have a Holly Dolly Christmas” Wine Glasses

Related: Embrace the Stoneware Trend for Less With This ‘Elegant’ 12-Piece Glazed Dinnerware Set

At just $56, the Holly Dolly 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set is a fun, budget-friendly find for Dolly Parton fans who want to make their holiday table a little more memorable. Head to Wayfair and snag one early while it’s still in stock! 

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For 22 years, Project Runway has been a beloved TV show, allowing fashion fans the opportunity to see designers’ processes in much greater, more personal detail. For nearly as long, Christian Siriano has been a part of the show. Siriano was the season 4 winner of Project Runway, but that was far from the end of his journey with the series. In 2019, he returned in the role of mentor to the contestants, and he continues in that role today, with Season 22 just concluding earlier this month.

Speaking exclusively with Parade, Siriano reflected on the show’s legacy and why it has the staying power that it does.

“Project Runway is different than, like, a cooking show. A cooking show, you can’t eat the food, you don’t get to eat it, you as the audience, right? And in a competition show with music, you get to hear them sing, which is why those shows last forever. Project Runway is the same thing; you get to see people take a flat piece of nothing and turn it into something amazing in an episode, in a day. And I think there’s nothing like it,” Siriano said.

He continued, “The drama that happens and the pressure cooker situation is very real. It’s so unscripted, which I think is a big part of authenticity. And I think the young generation also is now watching Project Runway again because they want authentic TV, and it is. The designers really go at it; the judges really go at it. No one sacrifices their opinions, and fashion is very subjective, so it’s one of those things that lots of people can like something, and lots of people can hate something, and we are very passionate about that.”

Siriano also addressed his “tough love” approach to mentoring on the show.

“I definitely like helping young designers. I definitely have found that is something I enjoy because it’s really, really, really hard to survive,” he said. “We’ve had 22 seasons, and it’s really hard to, you know, build another me because it’s really hard out there…So that’s kind of why I mentor that way. It’s tough love not because I don’t personally always like something. It’s because maybe I don’t, but I know what the judges or I know what an editor of a magazine or I know what an actress wouldn’t like, for the most part. Because I’ve literally dressed almost every single famous person and worked with every editor, every stylist. I still do right now, every day.”

Just recently, Siriano collaborated with the energy drink brand Alani Nu to bring the fan-favorite seasonal flavor Witch’s Brew to life in a couture gown. About the design, Siriano explained, “The Witch’s Brew can, it already had so many ideas and interesting things, and that alone was inspiring, whether it was the colors or this idea…It kind of looked like that’s what she would wear if she were a character.”

Alani Nu

“I think that’s how I approached it,” he added. “You definitely don’t want it to be this on the nose thing, but what would our witch be wearing while she’s making this brew or while she’s drinking this drink? She still has energy; she’s a vibe. It’s an energy drink. But then also she still has to be young and sexy and fabulous.”

Of the future, Siriano said he would love to do costumes for television or movies, such as a Ryan Murphy show or a franchise like The Hunger Games.

Country music icon Toby Keith passed away after a battle with stomach cancer in 2024, but it’s not only his sprawling catalog of hits that lives on for his avid fans.

“I Love This Bar” is one of those hits, but the song also inspired a passion project that still stands today with two Southern locations.

Whether it was yet another successful venture so he could cheekily ask, “How Do You Like Me Now?” or he genuinely loved owning a bar, Keith’s favorite meal came from his own restaurant kitchen.

Related: Elvis Presley’s Favorite Meal Is Still Served at This Southern Drive-In Nearly 70 Years Later 

It turns out the Country Music Icon Award winner was a simple man when it came to his preferred food choices, opting for a tasty sandwich over fancier fare he could no doubt afford given his reported $400 million net worth at the time of his passing.

His bar, aptly named Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar, has two Oklahoma locations: one in Bricktown in Oklahoma City and another in Moore, Oklahoma—both holding rave reviews on Google with impressive 4.3 and 4.4 ratings respectively.

His favorite meal is still on the menu, which serves up the kind of unpretentious Southern comfort food the country star clearly loved:

A fried bologna sandwich, with thick-cut bologna, Jack and Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, Toby’s BBQ sauce, and Texas toast.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Favorite Meal Is Still Served at the California Restaurant She Visited for Decades

The sandwich is even marked on the menu as “Toby Keith’s favorite.”

Despite its notoriety, the meal will only cost you $15 and comes with seasoned fries too.

James Sloyan, the veteran character actor who starred opposite Madeline Kahn on the 1980s sitcom Oh Madeline and appeared in everything from The Sting to Star Trek, has died. He was 85.

Sloyan died July 22 at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif., surrounded by his family, according to an obituary published by his loved ones. His death was announced publicly over the weekend.

During a career that spanned six decades, Sloyan amassed an extensive list of film, television and stage credits, but comedy fans may remember him best as Charlie Wayne, husband to Kahn’s Madeline Wayne, on Oh Madeline.

The ABC sitcom, which premiered in 1983, starred Kahn as a bored suburban housewife whose attempts to inject some excitement into her life regularly created headaches for Charlie. Sloyan’s character was a romance novelist who wrote under the pen name Crystal Love.

The series was the first produced by Carsey-Werner Productions, the company that would soon become one of television’s biggest comedy producers with shows including The Cosby Show, Roseanne and 3rd Rock From the Sun. Oh Madeline lasted just 18 episodes during the 1983-84 season.

Sloyan also had a memorable role in the 1973 Best Picture Oscar winner The Sting, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. He played Mottola, a numbers runner whose encounter with Redford’s Johnny Hooker and James Earl Jones’ Luther Coleman helps set the movie’s elaborate con in motion.

Seven years later, he appeared alongside Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck in the musical fantasy Xanadu, playing Simpson, Sonny Malone’s demanding boss at AirFlow Records.

Sloyan became especially familiar to Star Trek fans during the 1990s, appearing five times across three series and portraying several very different characters and species.

On Star Trek: The Next Generation, he played Romulan Admiral Alidar Jarok in the 1990 episode “The Defector” and Alexander Rozhenko, the adult son of Worf, in the 1994 episode “Firstborn.” He later portrayed Dr. Mora Pol, the Bajoran scientist who studied Odo, in two episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and appeared as Ma’Bor Jetrel on Star Trek: Voyager.

His remarkably long television résumé also included appearances on Wonder Woman, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Lou Grant, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, Cagney & Lacey, Moonlighting, Murder, She Wrote, Quantum Leap, The X-Files and NYPD Blue. He was also a series regular on the 1977 ABC medical drama Westside Medical.

Away from the screen, millions of television viewers heard Sloyan without necessarily knowing his name. Beginning with the launch of Lexus in 1989, he served as the luxury automaker’s commercial voice for 18 years.

Born in Indianapolis on Feb. 24, 1941, Sloyan graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and served three years in the U.S. Army. After returning to New York, he worked as an actor and fight choreographer with Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival and made his Broadway debut in Arthur Kopit’s Indians in 1969.

Sloyan’s family remembered him as “always present, always curious, courageous, inventive, loyal,” as well as “brash, mouthy and very urban.”

“He was one-of-a-kind,” they added.

Sloyan is survived by his wife and partner of more than six decades, actress Deirdre Lenihan, and their children, musician Daniel Sloyan and actress Samantha Sloyan.

Related: 1980 Olivia Newton-John Hit, Written for a Box Office Bomb, Became a Four-Week No. 1

Considered one of country’s biggest stars, Tammy Wynette had a series of hits with her then-husband George Jones, and one of them was released after a turbulent time in their marriage.

The singer married Jones, her third husband, in 1969 and became a hit music duo on the charts. “We’re Gonna Hold On” has some backstory behind it, as it became Wynette and Jones’ first No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and the first chart-topper of their careers.

Like many of their songs, “We’re Gonna Hold On” mirrored their stormy marriage. Wynette had actually filed for divorce in 1973 before the track was ever released. Reports claimed that the country singer largely made the decision based on Jones’ excessive drinking. He had also returned for a binge that lasted several days.

“We’re Gonna Hold On” was released after the couple reconciled in August 1973 as a duet single. Jones told Music City News that he understood his faults and the pain he caused his then-wife.

“I was tired of waking up sick and having people talk about me – having my wife and children mad at me…I just looked at the situation and realized all the pain I was causing, and all the pain I was suffering wasn’t worth it. We love each other very much,” he explained.

The track also has more interesting details behind its backstory. Jones wrote the song alongside Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery, who found inspiration for “We’re Gonna Hold On” from his own blunder with alcohol.

In an interview with the Drifting Cowboy podcast, Montgomery’s wife, Charlene, recalls how he came up with the title for the song. They were all in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, when the couple had been fighting and said something along the lines of, “We’re going to have to stop this mess. We’re going to have to hold on.”

Later on, Montgomery and his wife went to the lounge, where the songwriter raked up a large bill by buying drinks for people. He ended up charging it to Wynette’s room and later worried that the singer would be angry.

Montgomery wrote “We’re Gonna Hold On” based on what the couple said and as a way to save himself from Wynette.

“You went up to their room the next morning to play it to them and sat down beside their bed. You wanted to get yourself out of trouble, but Tammy had done got word before we got there that you had run up a bill on her. So you went ahead and sung the song, and George helped you write and finish it up,” explained Charlene.

“And Tammy said, ‘I love it, Peanut. I’m going to record it, but you ain’t out of trouble for what you did last night.”

The track, born from a hopeful way of getting out of trouble, ended up becoming Wynette and Jones’ biggest chart hit. Sadly, the duo would still divorce in 1975 due to Jones’ continued alcohol consumption, missed recording sessions, and more. Jones gave the singer everything and “didn’t fight it.”

Related: 1966 Blues Rock Song, Written by a 27-Year-Old, Launched Eric Clapton’s Solo Career

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From farmers markets to coffee runs and afternoons spent leaf peeping, fall usually involves a lot more walking than expected. A comfortable pair of sneakers you can throw on for all of it makes a big difference, and the Clarks Mykah Joy Round Closed-Toe Slip-On Shoes are $60 at JCPenney right now, down from $100. They come in tan and are available in sizes 5 through 12, with several half-size options in stock.

The sneakers feature a 100% leather upper, textile lining, and a flexible, rubber-like sole. Their chunky 1.5-inch platform adds some height, while the round toe keeps your feet covered as temperatures start to cool. They also lace up in front but have a side zipper, so once you have the fit you want, you can slip them on without retying them every time.

Courtesy of JCPenney

These kicks are perfect for early fall days when sandals are done for the season, but pulling out your boots still seems a little early. The leather upper gives them a slightly dressier look than athletic sneakers, while the thick white platform keeps them casual enough for an afternoon spent running around town. You could also easily wear them from a morning coffee stop through dinner without needing to change your shoes.

One person said they’re “cute and very comfortable right out of the box.” Another mentioned they’re “very comfortable and well made” but noted that they ran big, so they had to order a smaller size. JCPenney’s fit rating also leans toward the larger side, so checking the size chart before ordering may save you an exchange.

Related: Clarks Is Selling a Cushiony Spin on a Classic Fall Clog in 2 Colors, and It’s 40% Off

You can wear these with straight-leg jeans and a crewneck sweater for a casual weekend outfit, or pair them with leggings and a quarter-zip on days when you’ll be out for hours. They’d also look cute with a denim skirt, a button-down, and a light jacket. And since the tan shade works with fall neutrals like cream, brown, olive, burgundy, and denim, they’ll likely match many pieces already hanging in your closet.

• Easy Spirit Hotrace Sneakers, $38 (were $69) at JCPenney
• East 5th Elander Moc Closed-Toe Slip-On Shoes, $25 (were $60) at JCPenney
• Clarks Ashland Bubble Loafers, $60 (were $100) at JCPenney

If you want something casual enough for errands and weekend plans but a little dressier than running sneakers, the Clarks Mykah Joy Round Closed-Toe Slip-On Shoes are an easy addition to your fall shoe rotation. Grab your size at JCPenney for $60 while they’re still 40% off.

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Ke Huy Quan has been known by many for his childhood role in Harrison Ford‘s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with the actor revealing he got a hefty residuals check that was unheard of at the time.

The actor’s first-ever film role was as Short Round in the Steven Spielberg-directed film based on George Lucas‘ story. As the film became an adventure cult classic, Quan quickly became known as a rising child star. While the film grossed over $333 million at the box office, Quan admitted in his memoir Never Say Die that he never expected to get a cut of the earnings.

He revealed in his memoir the moment his parents gave him his first residuals check from Temple of Doom, almost two years after he signed on to the project. Despite having only starred in a few roles at the time, Quan knew it wasn’t common for certain actors to get more than their original pay.

“One afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and found my parents standing together at the table. Mom was holding an envelope with my name printed across it. Dad had the papers that had been inside,” he recalls.

“They were both smiling, the kind of smile that comes from surprise and disbelief mixed together. They handed everything to me. It was a check from Lucasfilm. It was for almost $100,000, an amount that didn’t make any sense to me.”

The actor called the check a “quiet gesture from Steven [Spielberg] and George [Lucas] and that “small share was life-changing for my family.” He adds that back in the day, a majority of actors didn’t get paid from the movie’s profits, and even today, only the major A-list stars still do.

“That a kid like me, making his first film, would be included in something like that was unheard of. And Temple of Doom wasn’t some small movie no one was expected to see. It was the sequel to a massive hit, a movie everyone knew would make a lot of money. That made their gesture even more generous,” said Quan.

After Temple of Doom, Quan went on to star in the 1985 film The Goonies as Richard “Data” Wang. It did well, making $65 million at the box office, and became a cult classic staple among fans. He even starred in Together We Stand in the late ’80s and Head of the Class in the ’90s. Quan shifted focus in adulthood to focus more on behind-the-scenes stunt choreography, before winning an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2022.

Related: 1981 John Travolta Film, Ranked Among the Best Movies of the ‘80s, Is Still a Hit Thriller 45 Years Later

Achieving good heart health involves a mix of diet, exercise and smart lifestyle choices, making it a concerted effort. But given that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women globally, it’s worth putting the effort into ensuring your heart is in good shape.

If you already exercise regularly, minimize alcohol intake and don’t smoke, it makes sense to assume you’re in pretty good shape. But it’s also important to take a closer look at what lands on your plate. There are a lot of foods that are good for heart health and some that clearly aren’t. Cardiologists generally recommend limiting foods high in sugar, salt and sodium, and focusing on eating plenty of plants and minimally-processed foods instead. 

Related: ‘I’m a Neurologist—This Is the Morning Habit I Try to Never Skip’

And, of course, you shouldn’t neglect your protein intake. While no one food will magically lower your risk for heart disease, cardiologists agree that there’s one in particular that should have a regular spot on your plate—and it’s probably not there already.

Less than 25% of Americans eat foods in this heart-healthy category, suggesting there’s work to do. Here’s why cardiologists say this food deserves a solid spot in your diet.

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It’s fatty fish. “In the early ‘70s, two Danish investigators noticed a surprisingly low rate of coronary heart disease in the Inuit population of Greenland,” says Dr. Christopher Clyne, MD, cardiologist at Tufts Medical Center. “They traced this unusually low incidence of heart disease to a diet high in fatty fish, seals and whales.” 

Related: The ‘3-Ounce Rule’: Immunologists Say Eating This Specific Protein Multiple Times a Week Rebuilds Your Immune System After 50

When scientists dove deeper, they discovered that the omega-3 fatty acids found in these fish and sea animals seemed to be linked with the very low rates of heart disease, Clyne says. Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, both of which are linked to good heart health, says Dr. Sergiu Darabant, MD, cardiologist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida. Specifically, they may help to lower triglycerides (fat in the blood), reduce blood pressure and support healthy blood vessel function, he says. 

Fatty fish “also have anti-inflammatory properties, which lowers the risk of coronary artery disease,” says Dr. Catherine Weinberg, MD, director of congenital heart disease at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital.

Fatty fish are a type of oily fish that have healthy oils and fats spread throughout their bodies. Fatty fish generally include:

• Salmon
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Sardines
• Lake trout
• Albacore tuna

If you’re not eating fatty fish now, doctors say that any amount is better than none. But you’d ideally have about two servings of fish—or 3 to 4 ounces per serving—each week, Dr. Darabant says. “Preferably baked, grilled or broiled, rather than fried,” he adds. 

Fish does the most for heart health when it replaces red or processed meats, he explains. (That’s why he suggests Mediterranean- and DASH-style diets, both of which incorporate fatty fish.) 

Related: If You Want To Lower Your LDL Cholesterol, This Lesser-Known Diet Is Proven To Work

Fish isn’t for everyone, which is likely why only about a quarter of Americans regularly eat it. But while the best way to get the benefits of fatty fish is eating fatty fish, Dr. Weinberg says the following can also add heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids to your diet:

• Flax seed
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Algal-oil

Again, the best way to achieve good heart health is to approach it from multiple angles. But your diet should include more than fatty fish, Dr. Weinberg says. “Load up on colorful fruits and vegetables, use olive oil as your go-to fat and incorporate flax seeds and nuts into your routine,” she says. “On the flip side, try to steer clear of ultra-processed foods.”

Overall, cardiologists say it’s a good idea to incorporate fish into your diet—and to just try to do your best. “It’s all about building a well-rounded, heart-healthy eating pattern,” Dr. Weinberg says.

Up Next:

• Heart Disease Facts, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr. Sergiu Darabant, M.D., cardiologist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida
• Dr. Christopher Clyne, M.D., cardiologist at Tufts Medical Center
• Dr. Catherine Weinberg, M.D., director of congenital heart disease at Northwell’s Lenox Hill hospital
• Heart Disease Facts, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations, American Heart Association
• Seafood Consumption Among Youth and Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023, National Center for Health Statistics

Al Pacino and his on-again/off-again girlfriend, Noor Alfallah, just had a rare date night.

The legendary actor, 86, known for diverse roles ranging from The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon to Carlito’s Way and Scent of a Woman, is currently raising a child with Alfallah, 32. The couple welcomed a young son named Roman in 2023, and just referenced the little one as they stepped out for a date night to attend the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opening night in Los Angeles, California. In the caption, Alfallah wrote, “Roman’s Mom & Dad ❤️,” a sweet mention of their tyke. Noor’s sister, Sophia, commented, “Parents night out💃💃.”

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Back in May, Pacino celebrated his 86th birthday with a fun party, and Alfallah was on deck for all the celebrations. In a video posted to Instagram that has since been deleted, the actor danced it out with a microphone in his hand and blew out his birthday candles on a large sheet cake covered with one of his childhood photos. Alfallah watched from the side with a smile on her face.

In total, Pacino has four children, and recently hit the red carpet with the three older ones, Anton Pacino, Olivia Pacino, and Julie Pacino, for the opening of I Live Here Now at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. But this wasn’t just a typical appearance for the Pacino family. I Live Here Now, a horror thriller, is actually Julie Pacino’s directorial debut!

Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

Anton and Olivia Pacino’s mother is none other than beloved actress Beverly D’Angelo, who welcomed twins at 49 with Pacino, her then-partner. The star originated the role of Ellen Griswold alongside Chevy Chase‘s Clark W. Griswold in the first National Lampoon’s Vacation film in 1983 and played the iconic role of Ellen in several follow-ups, including 1989’s beloved holiday version, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Related: Hollywood Icon Al Pacino, 85, Hits the Red Carpet With Three of His Children

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Buying a home security system often involves two separate costs: the equipment itself and the service that keeps it monitored. Equipment can range from a basic hub and a few sensors to a larger system with cameras, smart locks, smoke detectors and other devices. Paying for everything upfront keeps the purchase simple, but financing can make a more comprehensive setup easier to fit into a monthly budget.

So, should you finance a home security system or buy the equipment outright? The better choice depends on the financing terms and how much cash you want to spend initially.

If you’re deciding between paying upfront and financing, an ADT quote can show the equipment and monitoring costs separately so you can compare the monthly and upfront prices.

The upfront cost largely depends on how much equipment the home needs and whether you choose self-installation or professional installation.

For example, ADT’s current Base package is listed at $269 and includes the ADT Base, a door/window sensor and access to the ADT+ app. Additional cameras, sensors and other devices increase the equipment total.

Financing divides the cost of qualifying equipment and installation into scheduled payments rather than requiring the entire amount at once.

ADT currently advertises financing as low as 0% APR for eligible customers with approved credit. Its product page, for example, shows the $269 Base package at approximately $7.47 per month for 36 months at 0% APR for qualifying buyers.

Credit matters. ADT states that its 0% offers are limited to well-qualified customers, and down payments or other financing terms can vary. Some buyers may also face an upfront financing fee of up to $49, depending on their history.

For this reason, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends looking beyond the monthly payment when evaluating financing. APR incorporates the interest rate and applicable lending fees, making it more useful for comparing borrowing costs.

Financing can make sense when you want to preserve cash or spread the cost of a larger security system over time. A homeowner adding several cameras, entry sensors, smart locks and life-safety devices could face a substantially larger equipment bill than someone purchasing a basic system.

If you qualify for 0% APR, financing also lets you divide that cost without adding interest. The main consideration is whether the monthly equipment payment comfortably fits alongside monitoring and other household expenses.

ADT can provide a customized equipment quote before purchase, making it easier to see what the system costs upfront and what qualifying financing would look like monthly.

Paying cash may be preferable if you already have money set aside and don’t want another recurring payment. It also makes comparisons simpler because there is no financing term, APR or separate equipment installment to track.

For financing offers that charge interest or fees, paying upfront will reduce the total amount spent as well. For this reason, the CFPB advises consumers to consider the APR, financing term, amount borrowed and monthly payment rather than focusing only on the smaller payment created by a longer loan.

Related: Do You Need Professional Monitoring for Fire, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alerts?

No. These are separate agreements and costs. Equipment financing determines how you pay for the hardware. Monitoring covers the ongoing service connected to the security system.

ADT’s professionally installed systems generally require a 36-month monitoring agreement, or 24 months in California, while ADT Self Setup monitoring is available month-to-month. Keeping those costs separate makes it easier to understand the true monthly budget.

For example, a homeowner financing equipment could have both an equipment installment and a monitoring charge appearing each month until the equipment is paid off.

Paying upfront is usually the simplest option if the equipment cost comfortably fits your budget. Financing becomes more attractive when preserving cash matters or when a 0% APR offer allows you to spread the expense without increasing the equipment’s cost.

Start by comparing the full equipment price, APR, financing period and monthly monitoring cost. A $30 equipment payment may sound affordable by itself, but it should be considered alongside monitoring and any other services you choose.

For homeowners building a larger system, financing can make it easier to install the desired equipment now rather than scaling back solely because of the upfront price.

If you’re weighing the two options, request an ADT quote and compare the cash price with the available monthly financing terms before deciding how you want to pay.

The Blind Auditions kick off tonight on The Voice with BigCountry, who performs his own rendition of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins‘ “I Put A Spell On You” for coaches Kelly Clarkson, Queen Latifah, Adam Levine and Riley Green.

It’s the perfect way to launch the singing competition’s 30th season and BigCountry manages to get a three-chair with everyone but Kelly hitting their button for the 37-year-old from Tacoma, WA.

“Now I feel like a complete moron,” says Kelly once she turns. “I love that your name is BigCountry. I’m so excited to see what you’re going to do. The reason I didn’t turn was I was waiting for that next level…but BigCountry, you are one helluva singer. Welcome to the show.”

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With Kelly’s comments out of the way, it was time for the three coaches who were vying to land BigCountry on their team to make their pitches.

“I turned around way first, way more first than anybody else,” Adam points out. Before he could say anything more, Riley begins blowing on his duck whistle, making both Kelly and Queen laugh. Then Riley says, “Excuse me. You were saying Adam.”

But Adam keeps it serious. “I’ve won the show four times. I won last season, 29. When I hear BigCountry, I get scared because naturally we  have the duck caller over here” [He points to Riley].

Riley picks up the cue and jokes, “Adam’s nickname is really Little City.

Adam says, “More like average-sized city.”

Riley comes back with, “Medium-sized city. Normal-sized city.”

Adam continues his most convincing best, trying to woe BiCountry, saying, “I know when I turn around and see someone who can win this thing. To be a part of this thing together would be magical, and it would be different and we would have the best time.”

Related: The Voice Season 30 Sneak Peek: Watch Kelly Clarkson Literally Pull Her Hair Out to Get a 21-Year-Old Singer

Then it was Queen’s turn to do some persuading.

“You got it! You got it!” she says. “You just did that song from your heart for the people and that’s what I felt. We’ve heard it done many ways but never like that. You made it yours. I want to see you win this, so I’d be happy to be your coach and do whatever is necessary for you to rock that stage for the whole show.”

Then Riley turns it around and instead of pitching himself, asks BigCountry to tell him about himself.

“Even though I’m country bred and country fed, I sing everything,” BigCountry says.

Riley responds, “I love this. I’ll tell you, too,” as he puts on his cowboy hat to make a point. “Listen, country is not about singing the genre of country music, it’s about telling a story of how you grew up, where you’re from, what you believe in. That I know you can do whether you like Hip Hop, rap, country music, soul, whatever it is. What you just did is you sang something that had soul in it but had roots like country music does, and that’s what I was drawn to.”

There was so much cheering offstage from his family and friends that Riley and Kelly had BigCountry bring his supporters onstage: his wife, his mother and two battle buddies from his time in the military.

Then Riley pulled out his team gift: overalls. Queen pulled out her robe to try to entice BigCountry with gifts, but Adam wasn’t having it.

He said, “Don’t pay attention to all these shiny objects. I have a hoodie. I’m not going to take it out. I am not because I want to get to the competition.”

But then he was interrupted as Riley went up to the stage to show BigCountry the fabric on the overalls and kisses his mother, which gave Queen a chance to talk more about her robe gift.

But Adam was not to be deterred. He continues, “If you’re thinking about Riley, I don’t know where your head is right now, but don’t break my heart.”

Then Kelly asked the key question, “Who are you going to pick as your coach…”

Tune in to The Voice tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC to find out. Streams next day on Peacock.

Next, The Voice Returns for a Milestone 30th Season with Stunning New Format Twists

Typically, when chit-chatting with your parents in the kitchen, a variety of topics are on the menu. You could be seeking sage advice about the problems in your life, gossiping about the drama among your family friends, and everything in between. What you’re probably not doing is putting your heads together to solve a double homicide case.

But that’s exactly why Line of Fire is far from your typical family drama. The new NBC series, premiering tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, centers on the Hollingsworths, a clan of agents from various branches of law enforcement who find themselves tangled up in a case that escalates into a full-blown conspiracy. Patriarch Mike (Peter Krause) and son Micah (Tommy O’Brien) both work for the Secret Service, while mother Jane (Hope Davis) and daughter Claire (Kat Cunning) put in time with the U.S. Marshals and FBI, respectively. And, in an exclusive sneak peek of tonight’s pilot, we see the Hollingsworth women doing their best multitasking, cracking a murder mystery while also whipping up dinner.

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“Did I tell you a neighbor’s nest cam caught an Uber delivering an envelope to Carlos’s house the day he died?” Claire asks her mother as we dive right into the action. “Driver said he didn’t look, but it felt like cash. My hunch is that the killer paid Carlos to lure Libby to that blind spot on the cliff, promised they’d get rid of her to keep his hiding place a secret, then killed them both.”

“You still haven’t offered why a deputy marshal would be targeted for a hit,” Jane simply replies.

“Sandoval knows Libby’s looking for him. Maybe she’s getting close.”

“But why would Libby be looking for Sandoval in the first place? We have a special task force on him. She could have asked to be on it. She didn’t.”

Related: NBC Sets Fall Premiere Dates for 2026-27 Season, Including OneChicago Shows, ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Traitors: New Blood’

“Maybe she wanted brownie points for finding him herself,” Claire reasons.

“Or maybe she wanted to find him for another reason,” Jane responds.

The kitchen collusion is interrupted when Claire gets a call from the medical examiner. But it cannot be stated enough how incongruous this dialogue is with the actual visuals of the scene. Two characters are talking through possible motives for a government agent’s murder, something we’ve seen hundreds of times across the history of procedurals. But the talk is going down around the kitchen island, as an apron-clad Jane is nonchalantly preparing a meal while reasoning through what could have happened. Even just through this 45-second clip, we get a sense of what Line of Fire can provide in mashing up the concept of a work/life balance: A brutal murder as literal dinner conversation.

Check out the sneak peek of the pilot episode above. Line of Fire premieres tonight, Sept. 21, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

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