Parade

The Season 2 finale will leave NCIS: Origins fans with several questions, especially the surprising cliffhanger ending. But the good news is that there will be a Season 3 to answer those questions.

That’s the good news. The sad news is that the number of episodes for the season have been reduced from 18 to 10 and that co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal will be exiting the show she helped to create, leaving the nostalgic, character-driven drama solely in the capable hands of David J. North to oversee.

Here’s everything we know about NCIS: Origins Season 3 to date.

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

When is the NCIS: Origins Season 3 release date?

The second season of NCIS: Origins will begin airing new episodes in fall 2026 when CBS launches its 2026-2027 schedule. It will remain on Tuesday nights but move into the 10 p.m. ET/PT timeslot, following the new spinoff NCIS: New York, which will air at 9 p.m. ET/PT.  The exact release date hasn’t been announced but look for late September or early October.

Is there a trailer for NCIS: Origins Season 3?

It's too soon! The episodes have not been filmed as yet, so no trailer yet.

Who’s in the NCIS: Origins cast for Season 3?Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro GibbsKyle Schmid as Mike FranksMariel Molino as Special Agent Lala DominguezTyla Abercrombie as Mary Jo SullivanDiany Rodriguez as Vera StricklandCaleb Foote as Benjamin “Randy” Randolf

Related: NCIS: Origins Star Austin Stowell Teases ‘Life-Changing’ Gibbs Decision in Tonight’s Finale (Exclusive)

Who will be leaving NCIS: Origins in Season 3?

A major change will be the exit of co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal, who is leaving the show at the end of Season 2. The finale, "Hollywood Ending," was her final script. That will leave David J. North as the sole showrunner.

In an exclusive interview with Parade, Monreal told us, “First of all, I’m just so grateful to have been part of this for two seasons. This has really been such an honor and a highlight of my career. Just getting to work with David, my bestie, I’m just so excited to see what he comes up with for next season. The show could not be in more capable hands. I am going to take a much-needed break and have some quality time with my family, and then we’ll see where the writing takes me next.”

To which North responded, “All Gina’s ever been is the dopest person and the kindest most awesome person, and she’s just going to go keep doing that is what I predict.”

Are there any spoilers for Season 3 of NCIS: Origins?

The episodes have not been written yet, so no spoilers yet, other than to say that the big cliffhanger mystery that takes place in the final minutes of Season 2 will need to be resolved.

Another change that is coming is that the agency will be changing its name, and there's a fun storyline in the Season 2 finale that takes a fictional look as to why and how.

How many episodes will there be in Season 3 of NCIS: Origins?

NCIS: Origins will see a big change for its third season as the number of episodes has been reduced by CBS from 18 for Seasons 1 and 2 to only 10 for Season 3.

Where to watch and stream NCIS: Origins

NCIS: Origins will air on Tuesday nights on CBS. Then stream the next day on Paramount+.

Does NCIS: Origins air on Netflix?

No, it’s exclusive to Paramount+

Where can episodes of Season 1 and 2 of NCIS: Origins be watched?

All episodes of NCIS: Origins can be streamed on Paramount+.

Next, CBS Reveals Scripted Finale Teases For the 2025-2026 Broadcast Season

Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day knew the assignment when it was released in 2001: Entertain, thrill, and deliver a defining modern crime thriller. Competing with blockbusters like Black Hawk Down, The Fast & the Furious, and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Fuqua’s gritty, crooked-cop gem was just ranked the very best action film of 2001. 

“Starring Ethan Hawke as a rookie cop [named Jake] who is taken under the wing of Denzel Washington's Alonzo, a crooked detective with a mean streak, Training Day is one of the most groundbreaking, truly modern action flicks of the last thirty years,” Comic Book Resourceswrites. 

View this post on Instagram

Set over 24 hours in Los Angeles, the narrative charts Jake’s first day with the narcotics force. Trained by Alonzo, he’s forced into a series of morally corrupt situations, from smoking PCP to dodging bullets in South Central L.A. The “gangster” part of the narrative, Washington shares, was added to David Ayers’ screenplay by the film’s director. 

“I don’t think it was written for a Black guy,” Washington tells The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that the film was originally scripted as a Lethal Weapon-type movie. “It was more like a plaid-shirt [wearing] guy with beer bottles in the back. Antoine was the one that brought gangster to it.”

Beyond the film’s evolving screenplay, the film also went through a major casting makeover, Mental Floss shares. An early version had Samuel L. Jackson and Matt Damon in the lead roles, with David Guggenheim initially directing. 

For the role of Jake, a long list of pretty-boy contenders reportedly included Eminem, Tobey Maguire, Ryan Phillippe, Paul Walker, and Freddie Prinze Jr. In the end it was Washington who signed on first, and insisted on Fuqua helming. It was also Washington who received the most acclaim, winning an Oscar for his performance.

“Washington is utterly electric in the role of Alonzo,” CBR writes. “It's an unforgettable experience packed with tense shootouts, harrowing showdowns, and enough twists and turns to keep anyone and everyone locked in.”

The white-knuckle storyline is definitely action-packed and wrought with tension, but another element of surprise comes from the film’s music-star cameos. Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Macy Gray all make memorable appearances, adding to the world Fuqua built and cementing themselves serious character actors. 

Meanwhile, Washington proved himself a master of improvisation, famously coming up with the film’s most iconic line — “King Kong ain’t got nothing on me” — on the spot. It’s just one of the many moments and reasons that explain why, even in a stacked year, no film hits quite like Training Day.

Related: 1971 Bittersweet Classic With Soulful Soundtrack Ranked Among Greatest Rock Movies

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

Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift, especially at the last minute, can be a lot of pressure. If you’re still scrambling to find one with Mother’s Day just a few days away, we dug up an option that you may want to consider — this Michael Kors Zoe Small Convertible Pouchette at Amazon that’s currently on sale for up to 40% off! If you’re an Amazon Prime Member, you can get this bag delivered as soon as tomorrow. With a deal this sweet, you may even consider grabbing one for yourself, too! 

Normally retailing between $75 and $158, this convertible shoulder bag is now marked down to as low as $59! Prices vary depending on style, but most are on sale between $59 to $75. The best deals are on the ivy green, husk taupe, gold, and silver versions, which are at the lowest price. It’s available in 23 other styles, including other solid colors like oxblood, chambray, white, and more. You can also choose from those crafted with logoed fabric or adorned with rhinestones.

Michael Kors Zoe Small Convertible Pouchette, From $59 (was $98) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazo

Shop at Amazon

Made of leather, this pouchette captures the essence of understated luxury. This bag has a sleek and elegant exterior, boasting pebbled fabric that gives it texture and dimension. Featuring a streamlined silhouette with rounded corners, it has a soft look that’ll seamlessly complement both casual and dressy outfits. Depending on the style you opt for, the bag is complete with gold-tone, antique gold-tone, gunmetal, or silver-tone hardware. 

A subtle nod to the past, this pouchette also has a slim profile that gives it a retro feel. Additionally, it’s crafted with two chunky exterior pockets with large buckle accents, lending itself to the Y2K aesthetic. A shopper mentioned that this bag is “nostalgic” and said that it gives “2000’s nostalgia.” 

One shopper called this pouchette their “go-to on-the-go purse.” Another reviewer said that “it goes great with just about anything.” Many customers adored the style of this bag, describing it as “chic,” “super cute,” and “elegant.”

Michael Kors Zoe Small Convertible Pouchette, From $59 (was $98) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

While undoubtedly stylish, this bag is also practical and will come in handy, especially on those days when you can’t be bothered to lug around a large tote. Measuring 9 inches wide, 4.3 inches tall, and 1.8 inches deep, it offers just enough space to hold all your everyday essentials so you can go about your day hands-free. The top of the bag is finished with a zipper closure to prevent your items from falling out. 

Shoppers noted that the main compartment is large enough to hold their phone, a small wallet, a set of keys, and more. The two front pockets are ideal for organizing smaller items (think: lip gloss and cash) to prevent them from cluttering the main compartment. To keep your belongings secure, the pockets are fixed with snap closures to ensure that the flaps remain closed.

Related: Amazon Has 'Beautiful' Michael Kors Sandals for 40% Off, and They're 'Very Comfortable' for 'All-Day' Wear

This shoulder bag is essentially two styles in one, doubling as a wristlet. The top handle has an 8.5-inch drop, designed to sit elegantly on your shoulder without getting in the way of your arm. However, you can easily convert this pouchette into a wristlet by attaching both ends of the strap to one side of the bag, allowing you to take it from day to night. 

Shop More Deals 

• Michael Kors Alice Shoulder Bag, $180 (was $300) at Amazon
• Michael Kors Marilyn Crossbody Bag, From $103 (was $258) at Amazon
• Michael Kors Jet Set Card Holder, From $23 (was $44) at Amazon

Whether you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift or want to refresh your bag collection, don’t hesitate to snag the Michael Kors Zoe Small Convertible Pouchette at Amazon while it’s on sale for as low as $59! If you want to get it before Sunday, sign up to become a Prime Member — the first 30 days are free.

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

Shark Tank has a way of putting certain food brands on your radar—and Daisy Cakes is one brand that still resonates 15 years later. The Southern-style cake company, founded by Kim Nelson, built its pitch around scratch-made family recipes, traditional techniques, and desserts that look like they came straight out of grandma's kitchen rather than a commercial bakery.

That approach is a big part of the brand's appeal. Daisy Cakes focuses on classic flavors—like coconut, carrot, chocolate and red velvet—made in small batches and shipped nationwide. The cakes are fully frosted, layered, and designed to feel homemade, which is not always easy to pull off when something has to survive shipping.

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

Of course, that's also where the hesitation comes in. Ordering a cake online is a bit of a gamble. Between the price, the potential for damage during delivery and the question of whether it will actually taste as good as it looks, expectations can be high, and results can vary.

I finally got my hands on one to see how it holds up outside the spotlight—and whether it's worth the price once it's on your table.

What Is Special About Daisy Cakes?

Courtesy Daisy Cakes

What sets Daisy Cakes apart is its focus on traditional Southern-style baking, with a heavy emphasis on scratch-made methods and familiar flavors. Instead of chasing trends or over-the-top combinations, the brand sticks to classics that feel nostalgic and comforting.

Each cake is layered and frosted, with an emphasis on a homemade look rather than a polished, bakery-case finish. That slightly imperfect appearance is intentional—it's meant to mirror the kind of cakes you'd expect made by hand from a family recipe, rather than a mass-produced dessert.

Another key difference is how the cakes are handled for shipping. Rather than trying to deliver them fresh and risking damage, Daisy Cakes sends them frozen, packed with dry ice. This helps preserve structure and texture during transit, which is critical for a product that has to travel long distances.

Related: High Poppi Performance! How Did ‘Shark Tank’ Guest Allison Ellsworth Make Her Soda Money?

What Happened to Daisy Cakes After Shark Tank?

Daisy Cakes gained national attention after appearing on Shark Tank (season 2, episode 5), where Nelson struck a deal with Barbara Corcoran. The exposure helped transform the business from a small, homegrown operation into a recognizable name in the mail-order dessert space.

Since then, the brand has continued to grow while sticking to its core identity. It has expanded its online presence and built a steady following, especially around holidays when desserts are in high demand and time is scarce.

That staying power is notable. Many food brands that have appeared on Shark Tank fade after the initial buzz, but Daisy Cakes has maintained visibility, in part because it leans into a clear identity rather than constantly reinventing itself.

Related: Every Shark on ‘Shark Tank’ Ranked by Net Worth in 2026

What Can You Order From Daisy Cakes?

Courtesy Daisy Cakes

The menu centers on classic cake flavors: lemon, coconut, chocolate, carrot, and red velvet, forming the backbone of the lineup. There are also seasonal and specialty offerings that vary with the time of year, giving returning customers something new to try.

Cakes are sold whole rather than by the slice, and they are not inexpensive. However, pricing reflects the handmade quality and the shipped nature of the product. Most standard four-layer cakes are priced at $69.95, with gluten-free, vegan, and "Happy Birthday" versions running about $10 more. Half-and-half cakes come in slightly higher at $74.95.

It's positioned as a premium, shipped dessert—more in line with a gift or special-occasion purchase than something you'd order on a whim. The brand also offers a Cake of the Month Club that delivers rotating flavors on a recurring basis for those who want to make it a more regular indulgence.

Shipping plays a major role in the experience. Cakes are sent frozen to hold up in transit, but that ends up being a benefit, since it lets you slice off only what you need and thaw it in smaller portions. Each piece only takes a couple of hours to thaw, making it easy to plan around.

I Tried Daisy Cakes—Here's My Honest Review

Jim Hoffman

The first thing I noticed was the box's weight—it's heavy. Taking it out of the shipping package, the cake was still very much frozen, which felt like a good sign for something that had to travel.

I ordered the carrot cake, which the website lists as its No. 1 seller—and it also happens to be one of my all-time favorites.

Jim Hoffman

After letting it thaw and cutting into it, I was struck again by the size. This is a massive cake. It's built with four layers, each about an inch thick, making it nearly impossible to serve "just a small slice." Visually, it's impressive. The cake is cleanly assembled and evenly frosted—but with a hand-finished look that feels closer to what you'd expect at a high-end restaurant or steakhouse than to a mail-order cake.

Jim Hoffman

The first bite delivers a strong hit of flavor. The cake itself is well-balanced, with the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting working nicely against the spiced, cinnamon-forward layers. Large pieces of shredded carrot are clearly visible throughout, along with whole golden raisins, which add both texture and bursts of sweetness.

Jim Hoffman

One of the things I look for in a carrot cake is moisture. Given that this one was shipped frozen and thawed at home, I expected it to be slightly drier than something fresh from a bakery or my own oven—but that wasn't the case. It retained its moisture well and remained intact without crumbling. Overall, it's a well-executed cake. At $69.95 for a standard cake—and more for specialty versions—it's not an everyday purchase, but the size helps justify the cost. It feels better suited for a gathering or as a gift than a casual dessert. The website estimates 16 to 20 servings, but given how substantial each slice is, you could likely stretch that closer to 24 and still leave guests satisfied.

How to Order Daisy Cakes

Jim Hoffman

Daisy Cakes can be ordered directly through the company's website, where you'll find the full lineup of flavors along with seasonal offerings. Because the cakes are shipped frozen, it's a good idea to plan ahead, especially if you're ordering for a specific occasion.

Shipping timelines and availability can vary depending on demand, so checking delivery windows before placing an order is worth doing. Once it arrives, allowing time for the cake to thaw properly will help ensure you get the best possible texture and flavor.

For anyone who remembers seeing Daisy Cakes on Shark Tank and has been curious ever since, ordering one is a straightforward way to see how it holds up beyond the pitch—and whether it actually justifies the price once it's on your table.

Related: 12 'Shark Tank' Food Products at Costco to Buy in 2026

On May 4, 1968, Merrilee Rush made her debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Angel of the Morning.” Backed by Lee’s Memphis band, The Turnabouts, the soft-rock ballad quickly became a defining one-hit wonder known for its iconic lyrics. Now, following the death of the song’s writer, Chip Taylor, the track has returned to the spotlight as fans and critics revisit its enduring legacy.

“When Merrilee Rush starts the chorus of this song, you know you’re witnessing something great,” American Songwriter shares. “Indeed, when she sings the very title of this song, it is enough to give you, well, a rush.”

With lyrics that seemed to materialize without intention, Taylor wrote the song in just 20 minutes, without fully understanding what it meant. According to Kent Kotal, author of the Forgotten Hits newsletter, Taylor spent hours struggling to capture the ideal sound before finally surrendering to an emotional, almost automatic songwriting process. 

“Incredibly, in one sitting, he completed the entire song,” Kotal says. “In his own mind, he feels that he didn't so much as write this song as that he dreamed it.” Taylor adds, “I just let the emotion carry me. In this song, the emotion just totally took over and carried me. It was magic.”

Now that it’s a hit, it’s easy to go back and evaluate its meaning. A song about, ahem, premarital sex, the core idea was way taboo for mainstream radio in the ’60s. Still, even though it was bold for its time, the song was celebrated as nothing less than poetic. We love to see soft rock pushing boundaries and it paying off. 

Rush’s song became a breakout hit, soaring to No. 7 on the Hot 100 for three weeks and earning Rush a Grammy nomination and international chart success.

Originally intended for Evie Sands, the song was almost shelved after Sands’ label went under, but it found new life with Rush, as well as several other artists who covered it — see: Billie Davis in 1967, Juice Newton in 1981, and The Pretenders in 1994.

The ballad is also used in modern pop culture, featuring in films including Promising Young Woman(2020), Girl, Interrupted(1994), and the opening credits of Deadpool (2016). The song just continues to find new audiences. 

Last month when Taylor died, Rush, now 82, shared a tribute to the legendary songwriter, who is also the uncle of Angelina Jolie and brother of Jon Voight, on her Instagram. 

View this post on Instagram

“How can I begin to express my gratitude to this wonderful man and Hall of Fame Songwriter, Chip Taylor,” she captions an image of her and Taylor. “Writing ‘Angel of the Morning’ changed his life and recording it changed mine. Together we created one of rock & roll’s most iconic records and shared a lifetime of appreciation for the imprint it made on each of our lives.”

She signed off, “Thank you, Chip. Your fan, Merrilee Rush.” Sentiments we share.

Related: 1970s Rock Icon, 77, Announces Exciting Update to 2026 Tour and Fans ‘Can't Wait’

Rolling Stones legends Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood are still loving life together on the red carpet.

The iconic rockers, who formed as a band in 1962, reunited in Brooklyn, New York, this week to attend the Rolling Stones Album Launch Event at The Weylin. Flanked by his bandmates, Jagger, 82, smiled brightly in a vertically striped suit as they worked the red carpet with ease. After so many years together, these days are still tight.

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

There's a New Rolling Stones Biography

According to a new biography of the Rolling Stones, Jagger nearly died of a heroin overdose back in 1976. The rocker is spoken about at length in The Rolling Stones: The Biography, the new book by Bob Spitz. Inside, former Rolling Stones Records president Marshall Chess claims he had to resuscitate Jagger at his apartment in 1976 after the two shared one gram of heroin, PEOPLE reported. After visiting a “Buddhist heroin dealer,” Jagger collapsed on the floor.

“His lips were turning blue. I didn’t know what else to do. I was freaked,” Chess wrote. “Mick Jagger’s gonna die in my f—–g apartment!”

Actress Faye Dunawayarrived shortly after, and Chess gave Jagger CPR. After calling for an ambulance, Dunaway helped them secure a private hotel room at the hospital away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

Jagger Has Embraced a Peaceful Life with His Fiancée, Melanie Hamrick

Decades later, Jagger is living a more peaceful life. The singer has found happiness these days with his fiancée, Melanie Hamrick. Jagger and Hamrick are parents to a 9-year-old son, Deveraux. For Jagger’s birthday last year, Hamrick shared a sweet photo of her two men alongside each other sporting bunny ears. (Swipe to the third photo in the slide to see the shot.)

“Happy Birthday!!!!🎊 ❤️🥳,” Hamrick captioned the three shots, which started with a photo of her alongside Jagger looking dapper in formal wear. In the second slide, the couple posed for the camera outside on what looked like a restaurant patio. But it was the third shot, which featured the adorable Deveraux mugging for the camera alongside his smiling dad, that made waves on social media.

View this post on Instagram

Related: Mick Jagger’s Gorgeous Blonde Daughter Georgia May Rolls Around in a Field of Daffodils

From "Ghostbusters" to "Footloose" to so many others, movie theme songs were some of the biggest hits of the '80s...and a film didn't even need to be a major blockbuster for a tune from the soundtrack to hit the top of the charts.

In August of 1985, John Parr's "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" from the coming-of-age Brat Pack drama St. Elmo's Fire went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two weeks. It was the breakout hit from the movie's soundtrack, though it could be said that the track has sort of a different vibe than the film, which starred Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Andie MacDowell, among others.

“It has the feel of ‘Chariots of Fire,’" Parr said in a 1985 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “It also has the feel of ‘Rocky.’ I can see Rocky climbing the steps with that playing in the background.”

Of course, St. Elmo's Fire wasn't about athletes, it was about a group of friends struggling to find their way in the world, but Parr found parallels in the film's themes and the story of disabled athlete Rick Hanson, who went around the world in a racing wheelchair.

As Parr explained, director Joel Schumacher "wanted a song about determination."

“He wanted a song about kids who are growing up and have to make decisions about what to do with their lives. That’s what the movie is about," he said.

According to Parr, "‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ was written very fast, between 2 and 4 on Friday afternoon. We wrote it together, with David [Foster, producer] sitting at the piano.”

And even though Schumacher didn't want "St. Elmo's Fire" in the lyrics, Parr put the words in anyway.

“They didn’t like the idea, but I thought it fit in the song,” he said. “In the movie, St. Elmo’s is a bar. But to me St. Elmo’s Fire is a magical thing glowing in the sky that holds destiny to someone. It’s mystical and sacred. It’s where paradise lies, like the end of the rainbow.”

Reviews for the 'St. Elmo's Fire' movie were mixed

Though St. Elmo's Fire was a success at the box office (and on the charts), critics were less than impressed with the actual movie, for the most part.

David Denby of New York likened the film to "early adolescent gossip" and a "TV sitcom without jokes," while Janet Maslin of the New York Times noted that St. Elmo's Fire was "edited so skittishly that the actors are barely able to complete their sentences, let alone their thoughts," adding, "That's probably just as well."

''St. Elmo's Fire is most appealing when it simply gives the actors a chance to flirt with the camera, and with one another," Maslin continued. "When it attempts to take seriously the problems of characters who are spoiled, affluent and unbearably smug, it becomes considerably less attractive."

Related: 1984 Hit Single Ranked 'Best Motivational Song' of All Time Was Originally Written for a No. 1 Movie

There is an upper echelon of musicians within the industry who have reached another level of stardom. People who seem to transcend normal artistry and become idols for people. These people can often cause a radical fandom that becomes an event in itself. Off the top of my head, people like Michael Jacksonand Taylor Swift come to mind, but the true pioneers of the fever pitch fanbase are The Beatles.

It's hard to sustain a legendary fanbase for your entire career, but Paul McCartneyhas certainly done that. When Beatlemania swept America in the '60s, McCartney was practically mythologized right off the bat. As the late Ozzy Osbourne used to say, "The Beatles turned a black and white world into color."

This has carried on into today. With the access of the internet and the continued legend of The Beatles sustaining in popular culture today, there is a whole new generation of fans with the same obsession the band had surrounding them when they first began. This leads to some repeated themes from the crowd at some of McCartney's shows.

@big.papa.67

guys he said “uh oh” 😉 #paulmccartney #thebeatles #fyp #music #foryou

♬ original sound - big.papa.67

"You're so sexy!!" this fan cried out to McCartney at one of his performances. The crowd clearly loves it, all cheering and laughing at the vintage comment. McCartney is clearly amused, and according to this fan he said "uh-oh!"

The comments were filled with fomo from fans of all ages.

"I know he felt so good hearing the crowd cheer after that!"

"I WOULD DIE, OMG!!"

"How does it feel to live my dream? 😢"

Despite not being as loud and sweeping as before, Beatlemania is alive and well around the world, ready to strike at any moment.

Related: Paul McCartney, 82, Makes Hilarious Confession About His Time with The Beatles

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

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

If you want to organize your kitchen, entryway, or bathroom before spring cleaning season ends, Target has a smart storage solution on sale for up to 40% off. The top-rated Ledrem Freestanding Bathroom Storage Cabinet has adjustable shelving to hold toiletries, towels, snacks, utensils, and more, and it features a sleek, modern design that's versatile enough to complement any space. 

Originally $133, the two-door accent cabinet is currently marked down to just $80. It comes in two neutral colors: slate gray and dove gray. Both colors blend beautifully with a range of decor and come accented with silver knobs that open and close effortlessly. 

Ledrem Bathroom Storage Cabinet, $80 (was $133) at Target

Courtesy of Target

Shop at Target

At 11.8 inches deep, 23.6 inches wide, and 31.5 inches high, the cabinet has a slim design that's made to fit easily into small spaces, including tight hallways, narrow entryways, and tiny bathrooms and kitchens. Despite its compact build, the interior is generously sized, with two roomy shelves that each hold up to 33 pounds and can be adjusted to three different heights. 

Related: Target's 'Beautiful' Rattan Egg Chair Is Nearly 50% Off, and It's 'Great for Relaxing' in the Sun

It also has a spacious tabletop that's designed to hold up to 110 pounds, making it ideal for displaying candles, diffusers, photo frames, plants, and more. Shoppers praised the durable build, calling it "very sturdy and well made." One reviewer highlighted the versatile color options and clean silhouette, noting that "it’s simple but elegant." 

Shop More Deals

• Costway 71-Inch Tall Pantry Cabinet, $218 (was $563) at Target
• Costway Accent Floor Storage Cabinet, $130 (was $390) at Target
• TruAir Shoe Storage Cabinet, $161 (was $322) at Target

If you want a stylish and functional way to declutter your home this season, this compact freestanding storage cabinet is a versatile option that works even in small spaces. Snag one for just $80 before this sale ends at Target.

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

As far as movie plot twists go, few are as unforgettable as the final scene in the 1968 movie Planet of the Apes. In the shocking ending, George Taylor (Charlton Heston) and Nova (Linda Harrison) are riding across a beach on a horse in search of a safe, new home, only to discover a jaw-dropping reality that changes how both Taylor and audiences see the entire Planet of the Apes story. Spoilers ahead ...

In Planet of the Apes, astronauts from planet Earth, including George Taylor, wake up from hypersleep after a years' long space expedition and find themselves far from home, on a desolate unknown planet. Soon after their crash landing, the men are hunted, captured, and enslaved by the evolved and highly-intelligent ape species who rule the planet.

Photo by Screen Archives on Getty Images

In the iconic final scene of the 1968 Planet of the Apes movie, Taylor and Nova's beach ride lands them at some ruins, soon revealed to be remnants of theStatue of Liberty. Upon taking it in, Taylor realizes he's not on an alien planet after all. He has been on Earth the entire time. It's just Earth hundreds of years in the future after it's been destroyed by human hands through nuclear warfare. And, well, humans didn't fare too well in the aftermath, and the ape species evolved and took power instead.

As the revelation hits, Taylor sinks to his knees in the sand, shouting, "Oh my god. I'm back. I'm home. All the times... You finally really did it. You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! God damn you all to hell!" The scene is as dramatic for the viewer as it is for Taylor.

The Planet of the Apes plot twist was groundbreaking in the way it simultaneously reframed the entire film's narrative, subverted audience expectations, and delivered a powerful message. The audience has their minds blown right along with the character and immediately feels the need to rewatch the movie again and with the new knowledge and perspective gained.

Related: 1979 Movie’s Opening Scene Still Haunts a Generation—Now It’s Ranked One of the Most Terrifying Ever

Decades later, the movie continues to make impact, landing on several current "best of" film and pop culture lists. The movie is included in BuzzFeed's recent "The 14 Smartest Sci-Fi Movie Twists That Absolutely Blew People’s Minds" and Collider's "10 Great Sci-Fi Movie Twists We Will Never Forget." The plot twist is referenced again and again.

The original Planet of the Apes movie premiered on February 8, 1968, and was released nationwide on April 3, 1968. It was the first film in what became a decades-long franchise on the same theme of evolved apes rising up in the downfall of human civilization. The Planet of the Apes franchise grew to include 10 films, spanning 1968–2024, as well as a live-action television series (1974) and an animated TV show (1975-1976).

The 1968 Planet of the Apes' script was co-written by Rod Serling, who had perfected plot twist endings in his work on the popular TV series The Twilight Zone (1959-1964). The plot twist influence of The Twilight Zone, Planet of the Apes, and even 2001: A Space Odyssey, which came out the same year as Planet of the Apes, raised the bar for sci-fi storytelling and surely influenced the writing in many films that came after.

Watch the final scene in Planet of the Apes, starring Charlton Heston and Linda Harrison:

The film also starred Roddy McDowell as Cornelius, Kim Hunter as Dr. Zira, and Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius.

Planet of the Apes is currently available for streaming via Plex (currently free), as well as on YouTube, AppleTV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home, where subscription and other fees may apply.

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

Matthew Perry’s legacy lives on, supporting a good cause in the process.

A collection of the late Friends star’s belongings is now heading to auction, giving fans a rare chance to own a piece of sitcom history while supporting a cause close to his heart. 

The sale, organized in partnership with the Matthew Perry Foundation, will direct net proceeds toward addiction recovery initiatives and the expansion of access to care.

Among the most buzzworthy items are 26 original Friends scripts, including fan-favorite episodes like “The One With Ross’s Tan” and the two-part finale, “The Last One.” Also up for grabs are signed scripts from the full cast, a personal photo album titled “The One With the Last Supper,” and Perry’s replica of the show’s instantly recognizable yellow peephole frame from Monica’s apartment. 

Bidders can also vie for Perry’s SAG Award, as well as artwork from Banksy and other artists. And if you're a fan of Batman, the actor’s Dark Knight Rises watch and ping pong table is also available, with the starting bids listed at $1,000.

For those hoping to take part, proxy bidding is already open through Heritage Auctions, allowing collectors to place early bids online. The items will also be available for in-person preview at the Beverly Hills showroom from May 18 through 29, ahead of the live auction, which will take place both online and in person in Dallas on June 5.

The Hollywood Reporter shared that in addition to Perry’s nonprofit, beneficiaries of the auction’s proceeds include the Matthew Perry Foundation in Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Healing Appalachia—a sober music festival with a focus on recovery.

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

Perry’s close friends and costars cherish his friendship nearly three years after his death. Lisa Kudrow(known for her role as the famous Phoebe Buffay in the sitcom) recently shared that revisiting Friends after his death gave her a new perspective on the show, and on Perry’s talent. “And then Matthew—he was just beyond us all,” she said in an April interview with The Times. “There was a genius at work, and whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again.”

Perry died on October 28, 2023. He was found unresponsive in his hot tub, with his cause of death listed as an overdose from the acute effects of Ketamine and drowning. He was 54 years old.

A beloved sketch turned big-screen movie, Wayne's World, has officially been crowned the top film adaptation of a Saturday Night Livesketch.

The segment originally started on NBC's Saturday Night Live, which first aired in 1989 during the comedy show's 14th season, with Leslie Nielsen as the host. The sketches focus on Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey), who co-host a local TV program in Aurora, Illinois called "Wayne's World," and they have guests visit them on the show. The sketch quickly became a fan favorite, turning their catchphrase "party on" into a pop culture staple and earning multiple returns on the sketch comedy show.

Bruce Willis as Rick, Nora Dunn as Mrs. Campbell, Mike Myers as Wayne Campbell, Dana Carvey as Garth Algar during the 'Wayne's World' sketch on September 30, 1989.

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

The Wayne's World movie was green-lit by Paramount Pictures in 1991, two years after the original sketch first aired. Written by Myers and Bonnie and Terry Turner, produced by SNL showrunner Lorne Michaels and directed by Penelope Spheeris, both Myers and Carvey play their respective characters, alongside Tia Carrere, Rob Lowe, Lara Flynn Boyle and Brian Doyle-Murray in supporting roles.

The movie continues the story of the two best friends, but this time, a TV producer (Lowe) buys their show, forcing them to protect their creative freedom, navigate the complications of the TV and entertainment industry and win back Wayne's girlfriend, Cassandra (Carrere).

When Wayne's World was released on Valentine's Day in 1992, it became a critical and commercial success, making it the eighth highest-grossing film of that year. It also remains the highest-grossing film based on an SNL sketch. A sequel, Wayne's World 2, was released the next year.

Lara Flynn Boyle, Penelope Spheeris, Mike Myers, Lorne Michaels, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Dana Carvey and Hawk Koch attend the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosts a "Wayne's World" reunion at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on April 23, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.

Araya Doheny/FilmMagic

One of the most iconic scenes of the entire film is its opening scene, where Wayne, Garth and their friends are headbanging to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" in a car while driving around the suburbs of Illinois. When "Bohemian Rhapsody" was released in 1975, it topped the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks, and returned again in 1991 after Freddie Mercury passed away. It came back to the charts at No. 2 in 1992, after Wayne's World was released.

Though songs by Guns N' Roses and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" were thrown around in the writers' table, Myers fought for "Bohemian Rhapsody" to be the opening song because he thinks it's "one of the greatest rock songs ever."

"It has a strange operatic quality. I loved Queen, and in our car, we had a light-blue Dodge Dart that had a vomit stain that we chipped into the shape of Elvis. And everybody was assigned a 'Galileo.' That was the big thing, and we had fights if you took my 'Galileo,'" Myers told Vulture in a Q&A published in December 2024. "It was originally going to be a long operetta. My thinking was that when you see Wayne’s World onSaturday Night Live, it’s the basement. So in the movie, we will literally take you up to the top. I thought it should be, in order to illustrate the world and the other people who were going to be in it, an operetta."

Wayne's World can be watched for free on Pluto TV, as well as streamed on Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu and The Roku Channel.

Related: Queen’s Brian May, 78, Admits He Hasn’t Spoken to Former Bandmate in Years

Related: 'SNL' Breakout Star Reveals Life Lesson From Hollywood Legend Diane Keaton

Sometimes, you want a twisty, "can't put it down" type of read. A book that will remind you of what it was like to be kid reading under the sheets with a flashlight because you just had to know what was next. Colleen Hoover, the wildly influential and bestselling novelist, did just that with her 2018 thriller, Verity, which is one of the best psychological suspense thrillers written by women for women according to Goodreads.

Verity is a notable departure for Hoover who typically focuses on writing contemporary romance novels. Instead, Verity is a suspenseful novel centering manipulation, depression, and the increasingly thin line between truth and a lie.

Hoover originally self-published Verity before the novel was republished traditionally in 2021 largely in part to its "word of mouth" success on BookTok. In 2023, the book won the British Book Award for Pageturner. The novel has gone on to sell over 2 million copies and is slated for an upcoming film adaptation starring Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett.

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

What is 'Verity' about?

Verity centers Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer with little to her name who is floundering in her career. Seemingly out of nowhere, Lowen is hired to ghostwrite injured author Verity Crawford's bestselling series after the famous writer is left bedridden following a near-fatal car accident. Lowen moves into the Crawford home for the job and becomes enthralled with Verity's husband, Jeremy. Lowen finds a hidden, disturbing manuscript titled So Be It detailing Verity's dark, manipulative past and is drawn deeper into the the sinister secrets within the Crawford family.

Why do fans of thrillers love 'Verity?'

Verity has gripped fans who praise the novel for its unexpected ending and Hoover's "penchant for pushing boundaries." It's definitely a book people haven't been able to stop talking about, so next time you need a page turner, Verity might just be the book for you.

Related: Colleen Hoover Bestseller Comes to Life in New Trailer

The Kinks' acclaimed song, "Waterloo Sunset," turned 59 on May 5, 2026. American Songwriter reported that the hit, featured on the band's album, Something Else, had the release date of May 5, 1967.

According to the publication, the song, written by the band's singer and guitarist Ray Davies, was originally titled "Liverpool Sunset." However, the Beatles' February 1967 hit, "Penny Lane," which also depicts an area in Liverpool, made him change the tune's title.

“Originally, I was going to call it 'Liverpool Sunset.' But the Beatles came up with 'Penny Lane,' and so that was the end of that. It happens quite a lot with my numbers. I work on a theme only to find, as it nears completion, someone else has come up with exactly the same melodic or lyrical idea," said Davies while speaking to NME, as reported by American Songwriter.

Ray Davies Discussed Recording 'Waterloo Sunset'

During a different interview about the 1967 hit song, Davies said he felt comfortable with changing the title of the tune to "Waterloo Sunset" because he's "from London" and "had a few memories of Waterloo," located in Central London, specifically near the river.

In addition, he said that recording the song with his bandmates, including his brother, Dave Davies, now 79, was relatively easy.

"It was all very simple," said the British musician in the interview.

Davies also complimented his brother's guitar skills on the track.

"It's one of the most structured guitar parts my brother, Dave, has ever done on a record. Really great arrangement," said the 81-year-old.

He then said that he believed the band "sounded brilliant" on the song.

"I'm very proud of the Kinks' recording," said Davies.

Ray Davies Spoke About the 'Detached' Lyrics of 'Waterloo Sunset' in 1968

In a 1968 interview, Davies noted that the narrator of "Waterloo Sunset" is a detached observer of the people outside his window. He explained, however, that the detachment is purposeful as the narrator is actually appreciating his surroundings, making him connected.

"It's so detached, it's welded together to everything else, it's detached for a purpose," said Davies during the 1968 interview.

Online scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, duping Americans out of $2.1 billion in 2025, a figure that is only set to grow. While social media still dominates as the top place where scams start, spoofing phone calls, texts, and emails remains a huge market for these digital thieves.

Scams Are Evolving

You may remember the early days of email scams when messages with poor grammar and fantastical stories about needy Nigerian princes graced everyone’s inboxes. For most people, these oddly worded pleas for money were easily recognizable as scams.

Modern scammers have improved their methods, even spoofing numbers from trusted sources like Chase Bank. That’s how Jennifer Lichthardt was tricked into giving away $40,000, according to ABC Chicago News. She notes that the fraudsters not only called from a number identical to the Chase number on the back of her card, but also had her account number and exact balance down to the penny.

Related: Florida Retiree Loses $200K Thanks To Devastating Fake PayPal Scam

Personal Information

This sounds scary. How can a scammer get all that information? Usually, through data breaches, something many of us ignore when they’re announced. Sensitive information is for sale to the highest bidder on the dark web, and scammers can purchase it for shockingly cheap. 

You can help mitigate the flow of your personal data by using data removal services like DeleteMe, but software can’t catch everything. That’s why the FBI warns consumers to be vigilant when contacted by anyone claiming to be from your bank, or even the Federal Government. 

💰 Get financial information right to your inbox with Parade's daily newsletter 💰

Jennifer's Ordeal

Lichthardt was told that Chase employees had access to her account and was advised to move the $40,000 into a “secured” Chase account. The scammers withdrew the money the same day. 

Because Lichthardt moved the money herself, no security software would have caught or stopped her. But understanding the warnings issued by banks and the government could have helped her stop before she transferred the funds. 

Related: Booking.com Hit by Insane Data Breach— Here’s What To Do if You Have an Upcoming Trip

What To Look For

It’s important to remember that no financial institution or government entity will call you to ask for your banking details or to move money. The IRS isn’t taking payments over the phone, and Chase doesn’t expect you to put money in “secured” accounts. 

If you receive one of these calls, it’s best to hang up and then call the institution yourself. Never use a number provided by the caller, and always contact the institution through verified channels (like the bank’s phone number from the website or the back of your card). That follow-up phone call could save you from being the next scammer’s victim.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

Lexington, Kentucky just landed on Chase Travel’s list of fastest‑growing summer destinations—and the surprise is part of the charm. Travelers are suddenly waking up to this Bluegrass city’s mix of horse‑country beauty, bourbon culture, and a blossoming food scene, according to new 2026 booking data.

What makes Lexington pop is that it doesn’t try to be anything other than itself. It’s warm, grounded, a little nostalgic—the kind of place where you can spend the morning petting foals, the afternoon sipping something caramel‑colored, and the evening eating a meal that tastes like someone’s grandmother and a Michelin‑hopeful chef collaborated.

Related: ‘Rage-Booking’ Is the Newest Travel Trend for 2026— Here Are the Best Places To Escape To

Why Lexington Is Trending This Summer

Chase Travel’s data shows a shift toward nature‑forward, culturally rich, and close‑to‑home destinations—not surprising considering how exorbitant plane tickets have become recently. Based on their full list, travelers are also craving cooler temps, fewer crowds, and experiences that feel rooted in place—and Lexington delivers all three.

You feel it the moment you arrive: the rolling bluegrass hills, the plank‑fenced horse farms, the way locals talk about bourbon, the way Italians talk about wine. It’s approachable, gorgeous, and still feels miles away even if you didn’t travel far to get there.

Horses are the heartbeat of the city. Lexington is home to world‑famous farms and the iconic Kentucky Horse Park, where visitors can meet equine legends and learn about the sport’s deep history.  Farm tours—like Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm Tours—let you wander pastures, meet retired champions, and see the behind‑the‑scenes magic of the industry. 

One can't talk about Lexington without mentioning bourbon. With distilleries like Woodford Reserve and James E. Pepper offering tastings and tours, Lexington is a natural base for exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a tourist draw in its own right.  If craft beer's more your vibe, the self-guided Brewgrass Trail won't disappoint.

And then there’s the burgeoning food scene: inventive, Southern‑leaning, and deeply local. Think open‑air cafés, cozy Italian spots, and Cajun comfort food with a twist. Paired with the kind of Southern hospitality that meets you at every turn, it’s the sort of place that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.

Related: Celebrate the Kentucky Derby With the Ultimate Mint Julep Recipe

Where to Eat, Sip and Explore in Lexington

If you’re planning a summer trip, here are some standout spots worth adding to your list:

• Kentucky Horse Park: A must‑visit for horse lovers, with museums, shows and stunning pastures.
• Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm Tours: One of the highest‑rated ways to see Lexington’s most beautiful farms up close.
• Woodford Reserve Distillery: A historic, scenic distillery offering tours and tastings in a postcard‑perfect setting.
• James E. Pepper Distillery: A revived 19th‑century distillery with rich history and excellent bourbon.
• Mary Todd Lincoln House: Take a tour of the home of the former First Lady for a dose of history.
• Holly Hill Inn: Chef Ouita Michel’s iconic, hospitality‑soaked restaurant where seasonal Kentucky cooking shines in a cozy, countryside setting.
• Carson’s Food & Drink: Elevated comfort food and cocktails in a stylish, industrial‑chic space.
• Kentucky Native Café: A cozy outdoor spot for salads, pretzels, desserts, and wine under the trees.
• Agave & Rye: Bold, creative tacos in a lively downtown setting.
  
  SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox

One of the most popular rock bands of the '60s was Buffalo Springfield, made up of Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, Dewey Martin, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay. The band had a short run, released only three albums, and had their last farewell concert as a band in early May before breaking up.

Buffalo Springfield was originally formed in Los Angeles in 1966 under the folk rock and psychedelic rock genres. Their debut track, "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing," had moderate success and one spot shy of making the Billboard Hot 100. They reached the Top 10 with their counterculture anthem and protest song "For What It's Worth" and released their second album in 1967.

The band became known for tracks like "Mr. Soul" and "Bluebird," but their run was quickly coming to an end. Buffalo Springfield was often in trouble with the law, with Palmer often deported due to marijuana possession. Young was also appearing less and less frequently, giving the reins of lead guitar to Stills.

According to UltimateClassicRock, Neil told Mojo in 1995 that he initially left the band because he didn't want to do the Johnny Carson Tonight Show. He felt it was "belittling" of what the band was doing, and the audience wouldn't understand them. On May 5, 1968, Buffalo Springfield would perform their farewell concert at the Long Beach Auditorium.

Many fans saw the performance as the very end for the band, with the members having set up a meeting with Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun to arrange their official breakup.

Related: 1989 Soft Rock Ballad Became a Defining Heartbreak Anthem After Its Film Debut

"I just couldn't handle it towards the end," Young explained about his departure. "It wasn't me scheming on a solo career, it wasn't anything but my nerves. Everything started to go to fucking fast. It was going crazy, joining and quitting, joining and quitting again. I began to feel like I didn't have to answer or obey anyone. I'd quit, then I'd come back 'cos it sounded so good. I just wasn't mature enough to deal with it."

Stills also added that they each had fallen victim to the idea of having their own entourage and forgot the brotherhood of the band. In 1968, Furay and Jim Messina compiled various tracks to form Buffalo Springfield's last album, Last Time Around. After the disbandment, Martin formed a new version of the band and toured extensively. Palmer also reformed his own version of the band in the early '80s.

In 1986, Palmer, Martin, Furay, Young, and Stills dabbled with the idea of a reunion tour, but it was scrapped. It had been one of the last times all five members were together. While Young expressed interest in reuniting with the original band, Palmer died in 2004 and Martin in 2009. The remaining members, Young, Stills, and Furay, reunited at the Bridge School Benefit in 2010 and later reunited for six concerts in 2011. Young announced in 2012 that Buffalo Springfield was on an indefinite hiatus.

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

If you’ve ever wanted your home to feel a little more relaxed and beachy, coastal-chic décor is one of the easiest styles to lean into. You don’t need a full makeover to get there — sometimes it just takes one well-chosen accent to shift the entire mood of a space.

Right now, Walmart is offering a budget-friendly scalloped planter that fits right into that effortless, coastal-inspired aesthetic. The My Texas House 8-Inch Ceramic Shell Planter is on sale for just $12, down from $18. This planter brings coastal charm to your space with its soft gray textured finish and shell-inspired curves. Walmart shoppers called it “absolutely beautiful” and a “10 out of 10,” noting that it works well for both “indoors and outdoors.”

My Texas House 8-Inch Ceramic Shell Planter, $12 (was $18) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmar

Shop at Walmart

The ceramic planter features a sculpted, scalloped shell texture that gives it an artisanal look. Measuring just 8 by 8.5 inches, it’s an ideal size for small to medium houseplants, whether you’re potting a trailing pothos, a lush fern, or a classic spider plant.

Several shoppers noted that it performs similarly to a clay pot in how it manages moisture, preventing roots from sitting in excess water and keeping plants healthy. It comes with a drip tray at the bottom, which Walmart shoppers said was helpful for keeping watering simple and mess-free. It also makes the planter easy to use both indoors and outdoors. 

Finished in a soft gray, shell-inspired tone, the design is neutral enough to complement a range of décor styles, including coastal, modern, boho, and minimalist. It can easily be styled on a sunny patio, a kitchen nook, or a bright windowsill.

Related: Walmart Has a Pair of ‘Absolutely Gorgeous’ $50 Rustic Table Lamps with Major Farmhouse Vibes

Overall, buyers said the planter is “such a great value” with a solid balance of sturdiness and ease of use. One reviewer said “it’s sturdy but not heavy, and has the perfect amount of drainage with the dish underneath.” 

Shop More Deals

• My Texas House 8-Inch Dot Bowl Brown Ceramic Planter, $12 (was $15) at Walmart
• My Texas House 8-Inch Ceramic Flower Planter, $10 (was $15) at Walmart
• Mainstays Ceramic Mushroom Plant Planter, $5 (was $8) at Walmart

Whether you're aiming for a coastal-inspired decor for your space or just want one standout piece, the My Texas House 8-Inch Ceramic Shell Planter is an easy, budget-friendly pick. At just $12, it’s an affordable way to add a little charm to any corner of your home. The rollback won’t last long, so it’s worth grabbing one while it’s still available. 

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

While the upcoming Harry Potter TV series has hogged most of the media spotlight since its announcement, fans of the original film series got their own bit of good news on May 5. HBO Max revealed in a press release that it's partnering with Pod People to launch Harry Potter: The Official Film Podcast on May 19, to celebrate 25 years since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone was released in theaters.

New episodes will drop every Tuesday, with two episodes premiering on May 19. Each episode will run for 60 minutes. In total, fans can expect 16 hours worth of episodes, with two episodes devoted to each of the eight films. The podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, AntennaPod, or whatever platform you use. For those interested in watching the podcast, videos will also air exclusively on HBO Max.

Self-professed "Harry Potter obsessive" Rhianna Dhillon will host the show, bringing her film-critic expertise and extensive Harry Potter knowledge to the experience.

"Have you ever confidently explained Horcrux mechanics at a dinner party?" Dhillon asks in the podcast trailer. "Genuinely debated the true purpose of a rubber duck? Or declared out of nowhere that Slytherins are vastly misunderstood? Because -- same."

Along with deep dives and dissections of each film, Dhillon will interview those who worked behind the scenes, giving listeners and viewers valuable insider information. She will also be joined by various co-hosts, who love talking about Harry Potter just as much as she does.

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, the original films ran from 2001 through 2011. When filming began, the actors were 11, 10, and 12 years old. Because they spent the next decade together on film sets, many of the actors from the films remained in touch after filming ended.

Oliver and James Phelps, who played George and Fred Weasley, have stayed more connected to the films than many of their castmates. In 2022, they began Fantastic Friends, a series in which they met up with a different Harry Potter actor each episode. In 2024, they began hosting Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, in which contestants bake Harry Potter-themed desserts. Like Fantastic Friends, many of their former co-stars, such as Evanna Lynch and Bonnie Wright, have appeared as judges.

It was a banner year for pop music in 1974 with artists such as the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Bad Company, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney & Wings and others topping the charts. Yet there was one No. 1 album that was different than all the others.

It was the soundtrack to an Oscar-winning film that featured no singing and was centered around a 72-year-old song. It was called The Sting.

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

The song in question was “The Entertainer,” a ragtime piano number written by Scott Joplin in 1902, updated by noted pianist/composer Marvin Hamlisch.

The musician was recruited to work on the soundtrack to the film that starred Robert Redford and Paul Newman as a pair of con men. Hamlisch and Hill were pals dating back to the days when Hill directed plays on Broadway and Hamlisch occasionally served as a rehearsal pianist.

Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff and Robert Redford as Johnny Hooker in the 1973 film The Sting. (Photo by �� John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Yet since those days, Hamlisch had become a star in his own right, co-writing Barbra Streisand’s first No. 1 single, “The Way We Were” with the songwriting husband-and-wife team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Working on The Sting was different for Hamlisch than writing for Streisand. Although he wasn’t a particularly big fan of Joplin, he was left with the task of figuring out which of the composer’s songs would work best in the context of the film.

“The way George cut the film was very musical,” Hamlisch said in an interview for The Billboard Book of Number One Albums. “But Joplin’s music wasn’t always a perfect fit, so I had to do things to make it fit.”

Initially, there weren’t even plans to release a soundtrack album to the film. “It was an afterthought,” Hamlisch added. “I don’t think anyone realized that it would be a big hit.” Since the music was recorded with a relatively small band of 10 or 11 players, the album could be recorded inexpensively, even if it wasn’t a big seller.”

Aside from using “the crème de la crème of Scott Joplin,” which included three different takes of “The Entertainer” on the album, Hamlisch wrote some original music, including “Luther” and “The Glove.” Hamlisch explained, “Anything I wrote was written in a very Scott Joplin manner, and hopefully no one could tell my originals from his music.

The formula worked. With The Sting a big hit at the box office, the soundtrack album rose to the top of the Billboard album chart the week of May 4, 1974, in its 15th week on the list, making it the first instrumental album to top the chart since “Dueling Banjos” from the Original Soundtrack Deliveranceaccomplished the feat in March 1973. Like “Dueling Banjos,” “The Entertainer” did not top the Hot 100, peaking at No. 3, but the fact it was a hit at all stunned Hamlisch.

“We were totally surprised when ‘The Entertainer’ became a hit single,” he said. “We had no idea that in the midst of all the rock ‘n’ roll that was dominating the charts, we could have a hit with some Scott Joplin ragtime.”