Parade

Subscribe to Parade feed Parade
Your daily destination for celebrity news, videos, entertainment, food, recipes, health tips, fitness, and games from America's most popular magazine.
Updated: 29 min 34 sec ago

1977 Song by Santana Ranked Among the 'Most Underrated Classic Rock Songs of All Time'

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 10:08pm

While Santana is undeniably one of the most influential classic rock bands, not all of their songs are exactly famous. For instance, Santana’s 1977 track, “Transcendence,” off the band’s partially live record, Moonflower, was featured on Collider‘s ranking of the “10 Most Underrated Classic Rock Songs of All Time.”

The publication ranked the Carlos Santana-penned track at the list’s ninth spot, asserting the song is a buoyant number that elicits a sense of peace. Other songs featured on the publication’s ranking are “Baker St. Muse” by Jethro Tull, “The Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin, and “When the Music’s Over” by The Doors, with “Seasons of Wither” by Aerosmith coming in at the list’s number one spot.

Carlos Santana Explained His Appreciation for Live Recordings

Best Classic Bands reported that Santana, now 79, shared that he had a deep appreciation for live recordings, like several tracks off of Moonflower.

“I like live albums a lot, because out there you don’t have time to do anything else except just go, go for the heart,” said Santana, per Best Classic Bands.

According to Best Classic Bands, Santana clarified that he wasn’t attempting to be an “innovator” in the music industry despite his significant impact as a guitarist in a 1976 interview with Sounds.

“I don’t care whether or not I’m an innovator anymore. If it’s something old or something new it doesn’t matter as long as my heart’s in it. A lot of people take a lot of time putting on a black cape and being mysterious about their music; people’ll say, ‘Far out,’ but they don’t really understand what it means. I care more for relating than innovating,” said Santana during the 1976 interview.

Carlos Santana Shared His Advice for Those Who Want to Be Professional Guitarists

In a 2022 interview with AXS TV, Santana gave some advice to those who want to be professional guitarists.

“The first thing I would teach youngsters about music is, don’t touch the guitar yet. Just look at it. Can you hear the sound just by looking at it? One. And two, most importantly, actually, one, can you give yourself chills? Before you touch the guitar. If you can’t, be and do something else,” said Santana in the AXS TV interview.

He then explained that being a guitarist “is a way of life, not a business.”

“You are giving birth to beauty when you play. So, give yourself chills. Otherwise, you might as well be a mechanic, dealing with screwdrivers and hammers,” said Santana.

The Original Broadway Annie, 61, Sings 'Maybe' Again and Fans Say It Means More Now Than Ever

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 10:07pm

When Andrea McArdle stepped onto the stage of Broadway’s Neil Simon Theatre on April 21, 1977, for the debut of the musical Annie, the then-13-year-old became more than a Broadway star. She became the voice of an entire generation who saw themselves in the hopes and dreams of little orphan Annie. McArdle’s voice, with its belting bravado and matching vulnerability, felt youthful and mature all at the same time. Her performance was one of the first times a child starred in a Broadway musical, and fans couldn’t get enough. More than 50 years later, McArdle’s voice is as ageless as the title character she portrayed so many years ago.

Andrea McArdle Became the Voice of a Generation @thebroadwayfest

Who’s exited for the revival of Annie?! 🙋‍♀️ #musical #musicaltheatre #annie #broadway

♬ original sound – The Festival

Andrea McArdle has enjoyed a long and enduring career as a performer since her stage debut in the ’70s, but it’s nearly impossible not to associate her with the famous redhead who stole the hearts of theatergoers—and Daddy Warbucks.

McArdle didn’t just perform Annie. She embodied her. She made kids feel like they were watching themselves onstage. We wanted to be Annie. We sang “Maybe” in school talent shows and played piano versions of the song in annual recitals.

McArdle’s recent performance of “Maybe” is giving fans a dose of nostalgia, coupled with more than 50 years of hindsight. That combination makes the song—and McArdle’s performance—hit differently.

“Hits different listening as a 55-year-old whose parents are gone,” reflected one emotional viewer.

Another added, “My first Broadway show, Annie with the iconic Andrea McArdle! She was such a talented performer. And now I see she still is. What an amazing voice!”

“I still have my Andrea McArdle Annie album,” shared another fan.

“8-year-old me wanted nothing more than to be her!” commented another, echoing the sentiments of many.

Related: Figure Skating Legend, Known as ‘Fred Astaire on Skates,’ Has Fans Saying Thank You for Bringing Back His Iconic Performances

Why Andrea McArdle’s Voice Still Resonates @millennialguru89

#annie #annie1977 #annietok #andreamcardle #theatertiktok

♬ original sound – Morgan Mallette 🐬🐟🌊⚓️🌅

It’s tough to deny why Andrea McArdle’s vocal performance has endured over time, but technical ability alone did not make her precocious performance so indelible.

Annie debuted at a time when television, film and theater were just beginning to represent young people with depth and emotion rather than simply as side characters trusted to deliver charming one-liners.

Little Orphan Annie was the star of her own world—and her own Broadway show. She encapsulated a range of emotions, from hope to longing, that had rarely been represented in such a young character onstage.

Annie was bold, charming, fearless and vulnerable. She was everything we wanted to be but couldn’t always show the world at a time when pop culture was just beginning to give young people’s full emotional lives more space.

Annie Meant More Than a Broadway Show

No one was better suited to become the voice of a generation of young girls than a young girl herself who was bold, fearless and oh-so-talented.

“Maybe” hits differently now that so many of the children who grew up with Annie are parents and grown women. Some have even experienced the loss and loneliness that Annie once sang about.

That is what makes McArdle’s performance feel like more than a walk down memory lane. Her voice brings audiences back to who they were in 1977 while reminding them of how much life has changed since then. For the fans who once dreamed of being Annie, hearing McArdle sing again is a chance to reconnect with that hopeful, fearless child—and to realize that some part of her is still there.

Related: ‘One Day at a Time’ Sisters Reunite Decades After 1970s Sitcom Stole Our Hearts

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

1963 Hit, Which Christine McVie Played ‘Until There Was Nothing Left,’ Was Actually a Cover

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 10:07pm

Christine McVie is one of the greatest singer-songwriters in music history. But even legends fangirl over other legends. Before she became one-fifth of Fleetwood Mac in August 1970, McVie was rocking out to a specific recording on repeat.

“My parents bought me this album for Christmas, and it was during Beatlemania,” she said on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs. “I was one of the Beatlemaniacs. I must have been about 19, 20; oh, I played this record until there was nothing left of it.”

View this post on Instagram

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

Released on Nov. 22, 1963, “Roll Over Beethoven” appeared on the Beatles’ second studio album, With the Beatles. With George Harrison singing lead, the song remained in the Fab Four’s set until the end of their North American tour in September 1964. A high-energy, fast-paced rock-and-roll track, it’s driven by electric guitars and a relentless beat. But as great as the Beatles sound on it, it wasn’t initially theirs.

“Roll Over Beethoven” belongs to Chuck Berry, who first released it in May 1956 on Chess Records. According to Songfacts, the genre pioneer wrote the song about rock’s takeover as a jab at his sister, Lucy, who played classical music. The song now serves as an anthem for the youth of the 1950s.

“I sang ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ for With The Beatles—it was a song I liked,” Harrison said, per The Beatles Bible. “I had the Chuck Berry record, and I used to sing it in the clubs.”

The outlet also shared that the band recorded the track in five takes, then added overdubs and the final guitar chord in August 1963. Though it wasn’t a smash like many of the band’s other songs, it did chart, landing at No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“It was all about the melodies, the songs, the harmonies,” McVie said about the song, which she called one of her favorites. “The voices were so upfront and crystal clear. I think their use of space was so crucial.”

Far Out, which originally reported on McVie’s favorite hits, expounded on the song, writing that it was “deceptively simple” when it first hit the radio back in Berry’s era. But rather than recording a carbon copy of the classic, “The Beatles transformed it through inspired use of melody, harmony and space. All things that she prided herself on in the Mac.”

In the 1970s, another legendary rock band covered the classic. Mixing some of Beethoven’s music into their rendition, Electric Light Orchestra released their version in 1973 and watched it climb to No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

No band’s cover could ever best Berry’s, though. His original reached No. 29 on the U.S. pop chart and No. 2 on the R&B chart.

Originally released as a single, it was then included in the soundtrack album Rock, Rock, Rock! before appearing on Berry’s first studio album, After School Session in 1957. It would later become the centerpiece of his most famous early compilation albums, starting with Chuck Berry Twist in 1962.

And now, seven decades later, the song still rocks.

Related: ’80s Rock Legends Currently on ‘PWR/UP’ Tour Are Suddenly Climbing the Charts, 46 Years Later

'Charlie's Angel's Jaclyn Smith Gets Brutally Honest About Why the Show Never Won Any Major Awards: 'They Put Us Down... We Were Barbie Dolls'

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 10:00pm

Jaclyn Smith isn’t mincing words about the lack of critical success her celebrated series Charlie’s Angels received during the show’s heyday in the 1970s.

Speaking with Variety, the 80-year-old Smith reflected on the reasons she felt Charlie’s Angels never received any major awards or accolades during its time on ABC.

While the show did earn a fair number of award nominations, it routinely failed to win any significant honors at events like the Golden Globes or the Primetime Emmy Awards.

As per Smith, the biggest reason she believes the show never won any major awards was due to the “snobby” nature of the events’ organizations, who often looked down on the provocative tone of Charlie’s Angels.

“It would have been nice to have gotten Emmys, but there was a snobbism about it,” Smith explained. “They didn’t like all the glamor. They put us down. We were Barbie dolls. They didn’t see the weight or the depth of the devotion of the girls to each other. They thought it was fluff, and [executive producer Aaron Spelling] said, ‘It’s eye candy.’ But he also gave it narrative. He gave it mystery. He gave enough danger to keep you leaning forward. It had a little bit of everything.”

Airing in fall 1976 and running for five seasons until summer 1981, Charlie’s Angels followed Smith, Kate Jackson and Farrah Fawcett as the titular crime-fighting protagonists as they completed various private detective-based cases in Los Angeles.

While the show might have been popular among mainstream viewers back in the day, the show’s endearing legacy remains strong, as evidenced by the recent applause Smith, Jackson and season 2 addition Cheryl Ladd received during their recent Emmy appearance.

“There was a lot of love in that room for us, and I really appreciated that,” Ladd said of the trio’s Emmy appearance. “I could feel it.”

Martha Stewart's 'Sturdy' End Table Has Gorgeous Spindle Legs That Will Look Charming in Your Living Room

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 10:00pm

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

What if we told you that you could replicate Martha Stewart’s exact interior decor palette? Thanks to Wayfair, you can shop for the television personality’s stunning home collection, which includes everything from this trendy woven rattan mirror to this elegant reversible comforter set. Now, we’re adding the Martha Stewart Lily Pond Philippe Round End Table to our shopping wishlist, while it’s nearly 50% off.

The brown end table originally cost $258, but has been reduced to $136 during the retailer’s epic fall sale. The furniture is made of manufactured wood with a natural wood grain detailing that looks like rich walnut. It gives off a moody seasonal vibe that’s great for this time of year, but is still perfect for all year-round. If you really want to dress up your home this autumn, we especially love the idea of placing a vase with fall-colored leaves on the tabletop, and even a few miniature pumpkins. 

Martha Stewart Lily Pond Philippe Round End Table, $136 (was $258) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

The piece is 24 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 20 inches long, which is a standard size for a round side table, so you can place it virtually anywhere you’d like. Put it next to your bed or by the sofa so that you can use the tabletop for food and beverages, or use it solely for decorative purposes in your entryway. The open bottom shelf is a great place to store books, picture frames, and any other decor that you’d like to display, since it can hold up to 75 pounds worth of items. 

The table itself is approximately 20 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver anywhere, especially if you’re moving it solo. Plus, the four “very sturdy” legs offer stability. You will have to assemble the table when it gets delivered, but all of the necessary tools are included in your purchase and shoppers said it’s “super easy” to put together.

Our favorite aspect of this table is not only its durability, but its rounded spindle legs that will easily add character to any space. The style is perfect for farmhouse, cottagecore, traditional, and vintage-style homes, since its design is timeless and presents an effortless charm. Reviewers further described the high-end table as “beautiful,” “perfect,” and a “great value.” 

Shop More Martha Stewart Deals 

Due to the affordable cost, some customers even purchased two of Martha Stewart’s stunning end tables for their home. You’ll want to snag yours soon though, because this unbeatable fall sale won’t last for long. Shop the furniture now at Wayfair, while it’s just about 50% off! 

Related: Wayfair’s ‘Space-Saving’ Armchair Includes a Matching Ottoman and Hidden Storage

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.

1967 Rock Song, Sung Defiantly by Jim Morrison, Got Legendary Band Banned From TV 59 Years Ago Today

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:53pm

While the legendary rock band the Doors had quite a few notable controversies throughout its career, one truly iconic moment happened 59 years ago today, on Sept. 17, 1967.

The band had just achieved their first No. 1 song with “Light My Fire,” released as a single for the Doors’ self-titled debut album in 1967. With the chart success, the band’s manager was able to book them on the popular talk show, The Ed Sullivan Show. The show was well-known for helping rising artists become superstars, so it was a major opportunity for them.

As The Ed Sullivan Show‘s official website tells it, the band appeared at CBS’s Studio 50 for the show on Sept. 17. They rehearsed the two songs they were meant to perform, “Light My Fire” and “People Are Strange,” and about 15 minutes before the show started, they met host Ed Sullivan.

The meeting reportedly didn’t go as well as it could’ve, and after he left, a producer came to the band and told them they had to censor a lyric in “Light My Fire.” The show wanted the Doors to change the line, “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher,” alleging that the word “higher” was associated with drug use.

The band’s lead singer, Jim Morrison, got angry and didn’t want to do as they asked, and neither did the rest of the band. But they eventually told the producer that they agreed.

Related: 1970 Folk-Rock Song, Written in a Few Minutes in London, Became One of the Best-Selling Singles of All Time

As the story goes, as soon as the door was closed, Morrison said to the rest of the band, “We’re not changing a word.” When the Doors went to perform “Light My Fire,” the band kept the lyrics the same, stunning the producers.

After the show ended, an angry producer told the band, “Mr. Sullivan wanted you for six more shows, but you’ll never work The Ed Sullivan Show again.” Reportedly, the Doors weren’t too put off by this, and the band never made another appearance on the talk show.

Related: 1973 Rock Song, Written by Pete Townshend, Among ‘Greatest Rock Lyrics of All Time’

1979 Hit by Pink Floyd Ranked Among the 'Greatest Songs of All Time'

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:48pm

It’s difficult to argue that Pink Floyd has had a significant impact on the rock genre. Since the English band’s debut album, 1967’s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Pink Floyd has released several revolutionary and still-celebrated hits, including “Bike” (1967), “Money” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), and “Comfortably Numb” (1979).

“Comfortably Numb,” penned by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, was featured on Rolling Stone‘s ranking of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The publication placed the track off the band’s acclaimed 11th album, The Wall, in the list’s 179th spot, complimenting Waters’ painful lyricism and Gilmour’s guitar skills.

In a 2011 interview with Absolute Radio, Waters noted that he and Gilmour had “a disagreement” about “Comfortably Numb” before it was released. He explained that he and the guitarist “had made a rhythm track” for the song, which he “loved.” However, Gilmour “thought it wasn’t precise enough rhythmically and recut the track.” According to Waters, when Gilmour showed him the recut track, he told his bandmate that he “hated” it. Waters clarified that he and Gilmour eventually came to a compromise about the iconic Pink Floyd song.

“In the end, the track that is on the record, the first verse is from the version I liked and the second verse is from the version he liked,” said Waters in the 2011 interview.

Roger Waters Has Theorized Why ‘Comfortably Numb’ Has Made Such an Impact on Listeners

Rolling Stone reported that Waters’ ordeal with doctor-prescribed tranquilizers to quell cramping in his stomach prior to having to go on stage led to him writing “Comfortably Numb.”

“He gave me a shot, and to this day I don’t know what it was. But it’s not something I would ever recommend giving to a human being. It came out of a dart that felt like it was used to tranquilize an elephant,” said Waters during a 2010 interview, per Rolling Stone.

In a 2024 interview on the Useful Idiots podcast, Waters acknowledged that fans have deeply identified with “Comfortably Numb” since its release in 1979. According to Waters, whether listeners realize it or not, the track is a reminder to treasure all emotions, even despair.

“I run into people all the time who go, ‘You changed my life.’ And they have no idea why they were moved by ‘Comfortably Numb’ or something or other. But they were. And even if they can’t articulate it, it’s nearly enough. ‘Comfortably Numb’ says, ‘If you have feelings, treasure them,'” said the bassist, now 83, during the 2024 podcast interview.

1967 Country Song, Covered by Freddy Fender, Became a Career-Reviving No. 1 Hit

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:45pm

Some songs were simply meant to be covers, with country and Tejano singer Freddy Fender bringing life back into his music career thanks to a track from 1967.

Ben Peters and Vivian Keith co-wrote “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” as a breakup track telling the story of a man still holding on to his ex, even though she’s moved on. He promises to still be there when her new boyfriend lets her down. The duo penned the track in the late ’60s when they both worked at the publishing company Fingerlake Music.

Fender wasn’t the first person to release a cover of the song, as Duane Dee released his version that same year. It had moderate success, landing at No. 44 on Billboard’s country chart early the following year. Linda Martell also tried her hand at covering the track in 1970, and it reached No. 33. In between both artists, Jerry Lee Lewis included it on his Another Place Another Time album.

It wasn’t until 1974 that “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” finally got some recognition high on the charts thanks to Fender. The Tex-Mex singer was on the rise to becoming a notable star in the ’60s until he was sent to prison for marijuana possession.

Fender’s career was put on hold for three years while serving time, and when he was released, he had no desire to revive his career. The singer known for the song “Don’t Be Cruel” ended up working as a mechanic until 1971.

According to SongFacts, Fender met producer Huey Meaux and signed a deal with Crazy Cajun Records. Fender mostly worked on singing demo tracks so that producers could pitch them to others, and “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” was one of them. Unlike previous covers, Fender decided to sing the second half of the song in Spanish and was convinced by Meaux to record it.

“English is my second language, and I made a super effort to pronounce my words, and that, along with the meaning and melody of a song, gave me my style,” said Fender, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Fender wasn’t too happy to record a country song or revive his career, as he once commented, “The recording only took a few minutes. I was glad to get it over with, and I thought that would be the last of it.”

He was proven wrong, as his version of “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” became a crossover hit that landed at No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It was even once ranked by Billboard as one of the top songs of 1975.

“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” sparked a revival for Fender, who went on to release other well-known hits. The song was even chosen by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry. Other notable covers included Gene Stuart, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, and even Dolly Parton.

Related: 1970 Country Song, Written as a Lullaby by James Taylor, Became One of His Greatest Songs of All Time

Could This Be the Next ‘Making a Murderer’? A Former Reality Star’s 92-Year Prison Sentence Is Getting New Attention

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:37pm

A former reality TV star is at the center of a growing innocence campaign more than a decade after he was sentenced to 92 years in prison. And now, the filmmaker who helped make him a small-screen personality is working to tell his story.

Bradley Beesley, creator of the National Geographic reality series Mudcats and the documentary filmmaker behind The Fearless Freaks, Summercamp!, and Okie Noodling, may be taking true crime for a spin with his next project. According to a new investigative report from Slate, the director has already begun work on a podcast and is eyeing a potential documentary focused entirely on Winston Walters.

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

View this post on Instagram

Beesley met Walters through Mudcats. The show featured the then-17-year-old catfish noodler from Oklahoma and his cousin as hand-fishing athletes competing in the Okie Invitational Tournament for cash and honor.

The 2012 series captured Walters and the other participants braving riptides, snakes, insects, severe droughts, and sweltering temperatures as they attempted to snatch massive Flathead catfish weighing up to 60 pounds from the water with their bare hands.

According to the outlet, Walters and his cousin performed poorly in season one but were far more competitive in the follow-up season.

“I can’t believe these people are going to pay me a couple thousand dollars per episode to go fishing,” Walters said, via Slate. “I just thought that was the funniest thing in the world.”

In January 2013, however, Walters’ story took a dark turn. The rising star was implicated, along with an accomplice, John Oxford, in a brutal home invasion and armed robbery targeting Mark and Rita Roebuck in Comanche, Oklahoma.

According to court testimony, two masked men broke into the Roebuck residence through the rear entrance. When Mark went to investigate, he was confronted by an intruder pointing a rifle at him. A struggle ensued, and Mark was shot twice. The intruders then duct-taped Rita to a chair and forced the couple to open their safe. The intruders then fled the scene with $28,000 in hundred-dollar bills and several firearms.

“John Oxford stood there with a gun pointing right between my eyes,” Mark told ABC News.

Mark’s account of who shot him came after he and several other pieces of evidence initially implicated the Roebucks’ nephew, Jeramy Roebuck. In the end, authorities cleared Jeramy and focused on Oxford and Walters.

Oxford pleaded guilty as the second gunman and is now serving a 72-year sentence. Walters, however, has maintained his innocence to this day, denying any involvement in the crime. Still, he was convicted and sentenced to 92 years in prison, a sentence he is now more than a decade into.

“My brother didn’t do that,” Walters’ younger half-brother, Noah Collins, told Slate. “That’s what I believe. As a man of God, he still proclaims his innocence. It’s not him.”

Since his conviction, a social media campaign has rallied around the possibility that Walters was wrongly convicted. Per Slate, Beesley “took a shine” to Walters while he was on the show and was “stunned” by how his story turned out. After reviewing the case, the outlet said the filmmaker came away suspecting the noodler may have been wrongfully convicted, reporting also that he’s already begun work on a podcast and a possible film.

Because the two share personal history, the potential documentary becomes much more compelling than a generic true-crime adaptation. As does this next twist: Mark reached out to Walters in prison recently with a “strange” offer.

Delivered by message through a correctional officer named Ronnie Sloan, Mark said that if Walters agreed to a written confession accepting guilt in the attack, he’d consider supporting an effort to reduce Walters’ sentence. Walters wrote the letter, but he stopped short of fully confessing to the crime.

“I fully, wholly, and from the bottom of my heart apologize purely in a good way to you,” Walters wrote. He also apologized for befriending Oxford, and he signed off with a request to correspond and perhaps visit someday, Slate shared.

Despite the offer relayed by Sloan, Mark declined to read the letter, saying he didn’t want anything to do with it.

However, during his meeting with Slate, he went back and forth on whether he’d support an effort to reduce Walters’ sentence, saying, “If the jury came up with this [92-year sentence], that’s what they see fit,” only to contradict that with, “After really thinking about it and going through all this time, it’s hard to say. Yeah, probably, because … that’s a long time.”

The whole saga makes for an entirely fascinating story and begs the ultimate question: Could this be the next Making a Murderer? Though no finished documentary or announced release is on record yet, readers are captivated as the story unfolds in real time.

Related: Ed Sheeran Controversy Recalls 1969 Rock Legends’ Shocking Cancellation From a Major Festival

New Tiger Cat Species Identified for First Time in 100 Years, and It's Smaller Than a House Cat

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:33pm

A new species isn’t discovered every day, and when it is, it’s usually something small and easy to overlook, like an insect, a microbe, or an obscure plant. Even rarer is the discovery of a new cat, smaller than a house cat, whose existence was first scientifically documented on Thursday in the journal Current Biology.

Living in the rainy, humid Bolivian Yungas mountains, the Leopardus tilcayo, or the tilcayo tiger cat, has spots similar to those of a leopard, with rounded ears and long whiskers.

In this region, the Amazon basin converges with the Andes Mountains, creating an extremely diverse environment where wild cats like the Leopardus tilcayo can thrive.

Mountains near Coroico in Yungas mountains, Bolivia.

StreetFlash / Getty Images

Speaking to NBC News, Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a co-author of the study, said that it’s rare to discover a relatively large mammal. Based in Bolivia, she also leads a local initiative, Programa de Investigación de Félidos Bolivia (Bolivian Felids Research Program), which is devoted to researching and conserving the country’s wild cats.

“We really don’t know how many cats are still in the wild. We need science, we need more studies to answer this question, which is actually critical for its conservation.”

View this post on Instagram

According to National Geographic, in 2016, a local man brought a cat to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, a wildlife rehabilitation center near Bolivia’s capital, La Paz. He had been feeding it noodles, rice, and eggs for about a year. When he realized he couldn’t take care of it, he brought it to the sanctuary, which then called Nogales-Ascarrunz.

“I saw this cat. It was really, really small, and I couldn’t believe how small it was.”

Thinking the spots or tail didn’t match any other known tiger cat, she ran genetic testing, comparing this cat’s tissue to that of another cat also at Senda Verde.

View this post on Instagram

Working with geneticist Eduardo Eizirik of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and co-lead author Jonas Lescroart of the University of Antwerp, the team pinpointed exactly where the cat fits on the feline family tree.

The cat, they discovered, isn’t a validation of a proposed species, nor is it a previously recognized subspecies being elevated to species status; it’s entirely new to science and redraws the cat family tree.

Thus, the cat that the local man brought in became the first-ever documented Leopardus tilcayo.

View this post on Instagram

Although it was new to the scientific community, local communities in Bolivia had known of the species for generations. “This cat, they call it tilcayo,” Nogales-Ascarrunz explained. “This is a traditional knowledge that they have in the community. We want to preserve that knowledge and we didn’t want to give it another name.”

The 10-year-old male at the Senda Verde sanctuary, the first of his species to be scientifically studied, weighs just three pounds and measures 18 inches from his head to the end of his body.

Related: What Kind of Wild Cat Are You, Based on Your Birth Date

1964 Iconic Ballad, With 20-Year-Old Singer of The Moody Blues, Is Still a Generational Hit 62 Years Later

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:31pm

In 1964, The Moody Blues achieved a career milestone with the release of “Go Now,” which not only became the band’s first No. 1 hit but also established itself as an enduring classic in music history.

Written by Milton Bennett and Larry Banks for Banks’ wife, soul singer Bessie Banks, who released the song as a single in January 1964, The Moody Blues later recorded their own rendition and released it as a standalone single several months later.

What set The Moody Blues’ version apart from the original was the smooth yet powerful vocals of then-20-year-old singer Denny Laine.

The band decided to include “Go Now” on their debut studio album, The Magnificent Moodies, after Laine was drawn to the piano part of the song.

British pop group, The Moody Blues members Mike Pinder, Clint Warwick, Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas and Denny Laine.

Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images

“It came in one of these suitcases full of records from America,” Laine told Gibson.com, as cited by Songfacts. “This guy, James Hamilton, he was a friend of B. Mitchel Reed, who was a DJ, and he would send this stuff across. So I picked that one out especially because Mike Pinder was a piano player. (chuckles) We’d always get the gig where the piano would be out of tune and we’d get the slow handclap because they were waiting to tune the piano… (laughs) Anyway, we did ‘Go Now’ because it was a song with a piano in it.”

The song helped the band rebound after their first single, “Lose Your Money,” failed to achieve commercial success.

Thanks to steady radio airplay, “Go Now” became their first Top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 10, while it reached No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart, marking the band’s first and only No. 1 song in their home country.

With their first major achievement, The Moody Blues sustained their momentum and later scored more hits, including “Nights in White Satin,” which reached No. 2, and “Your Wildest Dreams,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

After a decades-long career, following the band’s final touring period in 2018, “Go Now” continues to make an impact and resonate with listeners to this day.

In fact, Ultimate Classic Rock ranked the song No. 5 on the Top 10 Moody Blues Songs and No. 2 on Gold Radio, highlighting how the band transformed the song “into a lovingly pained ballad.”

Morever, the song has also continued to spark discussion among listeners, with Reddit users sharing positive comments about “Go Now” in recent discussions.

Related: 1970 Country Song, With Singer Nicknamed ‘The Cherokee Cowboy,’ Is Still a Powerful Hit 56 Years Later

Academy Award Winner Ke Huy Quan Says 'Well-Known Actor' Insulted Him During Awards Ceremony: 'You're Not Going to Win Tonight with That Stupid Face'

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:30pm

Ke Huy Quan, the celebrated actor best known for his work as a child performer and later for his Oscar-winning work in Everything Everywhere All at Once, is making some shocking claims about a certain well-known actor who snapped at him during an awards ceremony.

According to People magazine, Quan wrote about the incident in his new memoir, Never Say Die. In said story, Quan mentioned that he saw a certain actor he had long respected and admired attending the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“I spotted a well-known actor I’d respected for years standing right behind me,” Quan wrote in his book. “Without thinking too much about it, I asked if we could take a picture together. I held the phone out between us, angled it back toward our faces, and leaned in. I pointed and made one of my silly faces, the same one I’d been making all season.”

Though intended as a light-hearted joke, the actor Quan posed with seemingly had a very different response to his facial expression.

“He looked at me for a beat, then said sharply, ‘Why did you make that stupid face?’” Quan wrote. “I laughed, a little surprised and not quite sure what to make of it. He shook his head and added, ‘You’re not going to win tonight with that stupid face.’”

Speaking with People, Quan reflected on the back and forth exchange, revealing he wasn’t entirely sure whether he should have included the incident in his memoir at all.

“I feel like there’s going to be so many people who ask that question, and I actually debated whether to share that story at all,” he said of the event. “I knew people were going to want to know who he is, but to me, who he is, it has never been as important as the lesson that I learned from it.”

Legendary Hollywood Dancer Claims Frank Sinatra Was 'Not Fun to Work With'

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:30pm

If anyone knows what it’s like working with Hollywood royalty, it’s the accomplished dancer Christopher Riordan.

Having made a name for himself as a dancer alongside many famous faces from the 1950s onwards, Riordan appeared with some of the most popular celebrities of his generation, including Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, among many others.

In spite of how many famous names he worked with, one notable celebrity Riordan wasn’t a fan of working with was none other than the legendary ’50s crooner, Frank Sinatra.

Appearing on a recent episode of the That’s Classic! podcast, the 88-year-old Riordan shared his candid memories of working with Sinatra in the 1965 films Von Ryan’s Express and Marriage on the Rocks.

“Honestly, let me just preface by saying I think he’s a wonderful musician,” he started by saying. “I play his music a lot.”

“But he was not fun to work with,” Riordan flatly admitted. “And yeah, I mean, he would show up in his helicopter, you know, that would land, and he’d get out and do his scene. And he wouldn’t do it more than twice, and then he’d get in his helicopter and go away, and that was it, you know.”

With his mixed experience working with Sinatra, Riordan said he was fairly uncertain when it came time to work with Frank’s daughter Nancy. However, Ol’ Blue Eyes’ daughter proved far more personable than her Rat Pack dad, leading to a pleasant experience for Riordan.

“Later, when I was choreographing at American International, I was told, ‘Okay, you’re going to be choreographing Miss Sinatra,’” he said. “And I thought, ‘Oh god, another Sinatra.’ Nancy Sinatra turned out to be one of the sweetest people that I ever worked with. At the end of the whole thing, she came up and gave me a kiss and thanked me for making her look good and so on.”

Sienna Miller and Daughter Marlowe, 14, Turn Heads on the Red Carpet—Fans Say She’s the Next 'It' Girl Like Her Mom

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:26pm

Sienna Miller was one of the original “It” girls of the 2000s, known for her effortless style, high-profile romances and roles in films like Alfie and Factory Girl. Now, nearly two decades later, the actress is turning heads again, this time alongside her 14-year-old daughter, Marlowe Sturridge, at the premiere of WAR. The mother-daughter duo’s rare red-carpet appearance has fans looking at Marlowe in a whole new way, with some already predicting that she could become the next “It” girl, just like her famous mom.

Sienna Miller Became a Defining Face of the 2000s @hellomag

Sienna Miller made the WAR premiere a family affair as she stepped out alongside her 14-year-old daughter, Marlowe Sturridge 🤍

♬ s o s – ➷。˚𝐬𝐚𝐯 ೃ࿔₊

Miller became one of the defining faces of early-2000s celebrity culture. She became just as closely associated with fashion as she was with acting. British Vogue described her as an “It” girl and even featured her on the cover of the magazine.

Girls replicated her boho-chic style, while her relationships, especially her high-profile romance with actor Jude Law, were closely followed by celebrity gossip magazines and entertainment television.

Sienna Miller Steps Out With Her Daughter @enews

Like mother like daughter. 😍 #SiennaMiller and her daughter #Marlowe attend the #HorizonAnAmericanSaga red carpet. #Cannes2024

♬ original sound – E! News

At this week’s WAR movie premiere, Miller was joined by her teenage daughter on the red carpet, introducing another potential “It” girl to the public.

“Absolutely stunning like her mom,” gushed one social media viewer.

“This level of beauty is actually insane,” added another.

“Holy face card!” wrote someone else.

Related: The Chicks and Jack Antonoff’s Unlikely Pairing Has Fans Saying Natalie Maines’ Voice Is Unreal

Who Is Sienna Miller’s Daughter Marlowe Sturridge?

Marlowe Sturridge is Miller’s 14-year-old daughter with actor Tom Sturridge. Miller has generally kept her daughter out of the spotlight, which makes their joint red-carpet appearances feel more notable.

Marlowe first made her red-carpet debut alongside her mother at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and the pair have occasionally appeared together publicly since then.

Fans Think Marlowe Could Be the Next “It” Girl

The WAR premiere offers a new look at Sienna Miller. Now, at 44, she’s an established actress and mother appearing alongside a daughter who is old enough to begin developing a public style and identity of her own.

For fans who remember Miller’s fashion influence and headline-making romances from the 2000s, seeing her with Marlowe feels like a full-circle moment. And if the early reactions are any indication, plenty of people are already wondering whether the next generation of “It” girls could include Miller’s daughter.

Related: Figure Skating Legend, Known as ‘Fred Astaire on Skates,’ Has Fans Saying Thank You for Bringing Back His Iconic Performances

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

1965 'Sound of Silence,' Secretly Overdubbed Without Paul Simon or Art Garfunkel Knowing, Went to No. 1

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:20pm

In 1964, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel put out their debut album. It sold about 2,000 copies. They broke up. Simon moved to England. Garfunkel went back to college. That was supposed to be it. Then a Columbia Records producer named Tom Wilson did something neither of them knew about — took their best song, added electric guitar, bass, and drums without a word to anyone, and released it as a single. It went to No. 1. Simon didn’t find out until it was already on the charts. The duo who’d given up got back together. And “The Sound of Silence” became one of the most recognized songs in American music. None of it was supposed to happen. But all of it did.

Paul Simon wrote the song in February of 1964 in Queens, New York. President Kennedy had been assassinated three months earlier. He was 22, going nowhere in particular. He wrote it alone about the inability of people to really hear each other. He and Garfunkel had recorded the song acoustically, put it on their debut album, and watched it fade into oblivion. Simon kept on playing it solo in English folk clubs because he still believed in its potential. Nobody else seemed to. Back home though, something was stirring. Radio stations in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Boston kept getting calls about the acoustic version of that forgotten Simon and Garfunkel album. Tom Wilson noticed.

Wilson had just come out of one of the most consequential sessions in rock history — Bob Dylan‘s “Like a Rolling Stone.” Same day. June 15, 1965. Same musicians. He immediately walked straight from that session into a studio and did something folk purists would’ve called absolute sacrilege. He overdubbed Simon and Garfunkel’s acoustic track with electric guitar, bass, and drums. Didn’t call Simon. Didn’t call Garfunkel. Didn’t ask. Released it in September 1965 and said nothing.

Related: 1969 Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt’s Duet, Almost Canceled by June Carter Over a Wardrobe Crisis, Was Wildly Unexpected

Simon was busy playing clubs in Denmark when the song started climbing the charts in a version that he’d never even heard yet. Garfunkel was studying for exams at Columbia University. They found out the way most people found out — it was on the radio. But it sounded completely different. Electric. Bigger. Not what they’d made. Wilson had performed unauthorized surgery on their song while they weren’t looking. And it worked.

What Happened When They Found Out

That overdubbed version hit No. 1 on New Year’s Day 1966. Simon and Garfunkel got back together — not exactly by choice — and rushed to record a second album. That second album became the foundation for one of the greatest song catalogs in American music. “Mrs. Robinson.” “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” “The Boxer.” “America.” Ten Grammys. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A Grammy Hall of Fame Award for “The Sound of Silence” itself in 2004.

The song nobody heard in 1964 is now the one everyone knows from the first two words. “Hello darkness, my old friend.” Written by a 22-year-old going nowhere. Secretly electrified by a producer who didn’t ask. No. 1 anyway. It’s still going strong.

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

'Scream' Star Matthew Lillard Says He Regrets and 'Feels Ashamed' About Taking Part in New Sequel: 'I Blew That, I’m on the Wrong Side of History’

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:15pm

Matthew Lillard is giving some surprising thoughts about returning to the Scream franchise after 30 years.

During a recent 30th anniversary screening of 1996’s Scream, Lillard spoke about the difficulties of discussing politics as an actor, something that led him to develop mixed feelings about reprising his role for 2026’s Scream 7.

“I don’t know how else to do it,” Lillard said (via Entertainment Weekly). “For me, I have queer kids. If I’m not standing up for queer kids or kids in the trans community, then what the f**k am I doing? If I’m not standing up against ICE, then what the f**k am I doing?”

Lillard then went on to mention the treatment of Scream’s dismissed star Melissa Barrera, who was fired for calling out the war in Gaza, upending production on Scream 7.

“Melissa Barrera, who’s a beautiful actor, was fired for what she said after the whole Palestinian — what started happening in Israel,” Lillard said.

“It’s really f***ing bullshit and really hard, and she’s on the right side of history. When they start coming after your job, sometimes things are worth it… When that happened to Melissa, the whole world didn’t pipe up,” he continued. “But she was a year early on what the f**k’s going on. But the whole world should have popped up and said, ‘She’s right.’ And they didn’t. And that’s brutal.”

As a result of Barrera’s firing, Lillard said he eventually had regrets about participating in Scream 7, in spite of his personal enjoyment returning to the franchise after three decades.

“I went back to do Scream, and I got called out. And I’m like, ‘Oh, f**k. That’s brutal,’” the Scooby Doo actor continued. “I feel bad about that. I feel ashamed about that. Because in that moment I was so excited to go back, I didn’t really think about Melissa and that journey. I didn’t say no.”

“I’m embarrassed; that’s the truth… I blew that,” Lillard ended by saying. “I’m on the wrong side of history for that. I still like being in the movie [but] it may not have been the best idea.”

Le Creuset’s New Stoneware Christmas Tree Doubles as a Holiday Dessert Helper for Just $30

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:15pm

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

When it comes to holiday decor, some people don’t touch a thing until after Thanksgiving, while others haul it all out the moment Halloween is over. I fall into the latter camp, and in my book, there’s really no such thing as too early to prep for the holiday season. That’s why when an adorable Christmas kitchen accessory popped up in early September, I knew I had to spread the word to my fellow fa-la-la-la-la enthusiasts — particularly the ones who’ll also be baking all season long.

Le Creuset just released one of the cutest seasonal versions yet of its popular stoneware pie vent. Shaped like a little Christmas tree topped with a gold star, this new piece adds a pop of festive charm to any double-crust pie while doing the practical work of a conventional pie vent. It’s currently available for just $30 at both Nordstrom and Amazon, making it easy to snag for your own seasonal baked goods or slip into the stocking of your favorite baker. 

Le Creuset Stoneware Christmas Tree Pie Vent, $30 at Nordstrom and Amazon

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Shop at Nordstrom Shop at Amazon


The sleek white glazed stoneware tree is topped with a glossy gold star, just like you’d put on top of your actual Christmas tree, except this one performs a useful function. When placed inside a pie before it goes into the oven, a hollow opening running from the bottom to the top of the vent lets steam escape so neither the bottom nor the top crust gets soggy. 

Measuring just under 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide, this petite piece is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Though it’s designed for pies, it’s small enough to use as a cute cake topper or to place in the middle of a platter of Christmas cookies. It’d also look just as festive sitting on a countertop when it’s not in use.

While the tree-shaped pie vent is a new piece launched just in time for the 2026 holiday season, the brand’s stoneware pie vents have long been a fan favorite. It all started with the classic bird shape, but has expanded to bunny- and duck-shaped versions, typically released for springtime baking. Last year’s holiday version featured a bird wearing a Santa hat, and shoppers were obsessed.

@lecreuset

A slice of holiday spirit! ❤️ This Cranberry Apple Pie with Walnuts, from @themindfulhapa, is baked in our Heritage Fluted Pie Dish. Here’s how to make it: Ingredients: Pie Dough 2 ½ cups all purpose flour 1 ½ tablespoons sugar 8 oz (2 sticks) salted butter, cold, cubed 7-8 tablespoons ice water Pie Filling 4-5 pink lady apples, peeled, cut into ¼ inch slices 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce, divided ½ orange, zested ½ orange, juiced, approx. 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch ¾ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped, divided 1 egg, for egg wash Turbinado, pearl, or cane sugar, for topping Instructions for Pie Dough: 1. Add flour, cubed cold butter and sugar to a food processor and pulse until the butter resembles pea-sized pieces. 2. Slowly add iced water (1 tablespoon at a time) and pulse between additions, being careful not to overwork the dough. The mixture should have a consistency similar to sand and hold its shape when you pinch it between your fingers. 3. Turn pie dough onto a lightly floured surface and squeeze dough together gently. Divide into 2 cohesive dough discs, one slightly larger than the other. 4. Wrap each dough disc tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Instructions for Pie Filling: 1. Peel and slice apples and place into a large bowl. Take half of the cranberry sauce and mix into the apples along with the arrowroot starch, orange juice, orange zest and ½ cup of the toasted walnuts. Fold everything together and set aside until the crust is formed / chilled. Instructions for Assembly and Baking: 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Take the larger dough disc out of the freezer and roll it out carefully to ⅛-inch thickness circle. 2. Roll up dough onto a rolling pin and carefully drape over the pie pan. Gently shape the dough into the pan, leaving a slight overhang for the top crust. Dock the bottom/ sides of the dough with a fork. Head to the comments for the remainder of the recipe!

♬ original sound – Le Creuset

Amazon shoppers raved about the functionality of Le Creuset’s stoneware pie vents. One reviewer who purchased last year’s holiday version said, “It was such a hit in all of my holiday pies that I had to get one for the rest of the year. It’s the perfect size for a standard double-crust pie and will hold up for years to come.” Speaking about the pie vent in general, the same customer said, “This would make a great gift for the baker in your life!”

Shop More Deals

Related: Better Homes & Gardens’ ‘Extremely Durable’ 12-Piece Artisan Stoneware Dinnerware Set Was ‘Made for a Family’

Whether you’re baking apple, pumpkin, pecan, or berry-filled pies this holiday season, the Le Creuset Stoneware Christmas Tree Pie Vent is the perfect way to give your desserts the sweetest festive touch. 

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.

This $20 Marshalls Rug Proves You Don't Need to Splurge for a High-End Look

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:15pm

If there’s one home decor rule that gets repeated more than any other, it’s this—your rug is the foundation of the room. It anchors your furniture, ties your color palette together and sets the tone before anyone even looks at the walls. Which is exactly why rugs have a reputation for being one of the priciest pieces in any home.

A single well-made area rug can easily run into the hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. For anyone trying to pull together a stylish space on a real-life budget, that price tag can feel like a dealbreaker.

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

Enter a find that’s making the rounds for exactly the right reasons: the Laura Ashley Florence Washable Accent Rug, spotted at Marshalls for just $19.99. It’s proof that a recognizable, design-forward name doesn’t have to come with a design-forward price, especially when you know where to look. It’s beautiful sage green, blush pink and rich blues really make it stand out.

Laura Ashley Florence Washable Accent Rug, $19.99 at Marshalls Laura Ashley Florence Washable Accent Rug

Marshalls

Shop It!

At 26 by 45 inches, this one falls into accent rug territory rather than a full living room centerpiece, which is exactly what makes it so versatile. Made from machine-washable polyester, it’s a genuinely practical choice for high-traffic spots—perfect for in front of the kitchen sink, by the bathroom vanity, at the entryway or tucked beside the bed as the first thing your feet meet in the morning. Spills, muddy paw prints and daily wear don’t have to spell disaster when the whole thing can go right into the wash.

Styling-wise, this rug earns its keep by doing a lot with a little. In an entryway, it instantly makes a hallway feel finished and intentional rather than like an afterthought. In the kitchen, it softens the hard tile or hardwood underfoot while adding a patterned, layered look near an island or sink. Bathrooms benefit from the washable factor most of all, letting you rotate in a fresh, elevated look without worrying about moisture or mildew.

Related: This $17 T.J. Maxx Scalloped Lamp Is Giving Classic, Collected Style

And for renters or anyone who likes to switch things up seasonally, an affordable accent rug like this makes it easy to experiment with pattern and color without the commitment (or guilt) of a big spend. A rug pad is worth grabbing alongside it, both to keep it from slipping and to extend its life over time.

At the end of the day, this under-$20 rug is a reminder that elevated and expensive aren’t always the same thing. Sometimes the best design lesson is simply keeping an eye out—because the foundation of a beautifully styled room might just be waiting in a Marshalls aisle.

Related: Marshalls’ $25 Faux Berry Wreath Is the Cozy Fall Touch Your Front Door Needs

NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Friday, September 18, 2026

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:11pm

Some of today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers cover everything from San Francisco transportation, laughing text responses, foamy drinks, slow-moving substances, Marvel superheroes, blooming flowers, expressions of amazement, noodle soups, Happy Meal surprises and foxes.

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

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

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Friday, September 18, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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

Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Friday, September 18, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: San Francisco’s rail system — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

5 Across: Response to a funny text — HINT: Starts with the letter “L”

6 Across: Like beer from the tap, often — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”

7 Across: Move like honey — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

8 Across: Group of Marvel superheroes — HINT: Starts with the letter “X”

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Open up, as a flower — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”

2 Down: Wow — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

3 Down: Noodle dish in a rich broth — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”

4 Down: Happy Meal inclusion — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”

6 Down: Animal known scientifically as “Vulpes vulpes” — HINT: Ends with the letter “X”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, September 18, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: San Francisco’s rail system — BART

5 Across: Response to a funny text — LMAO

6 Across: Like beer from the tap, often — FOAMY

7 Across: Move like honey — OOZE

8 Across: Group of Marvel superheroes — XMEN

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Open up, as a flower — BLOOM

2 Down: Wow — AMAZE

3 Down: Noodle dish in a rich broth — RAMEN

4 Down: Happy Meal inclusion — TOY

6 Down: Animal known scientifically as “Vulpes vulpes” — FOX

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Thursday, September 17, 2026

The Terrifying Song ‘The Traitors: New Blood’ Players Heard Before Roundtable That Viewers Didn’t

Thu, 09/17/2026 - 9:11pm

The Traitors: New Blood has officially begun. An all-civilian edition of the Emmy-winning reality competition series, this season features an entirely green cast, with nary a reality star, Bravolebrity, or B-lister in sight.

Tonight’s premiere was full of surprises, but viewers at home didn’t get to see one aspect of NBC’s game of murder and betrayal. And it happened right before the ritual in which host Alan Cumming secretly selects his Traitors with sneaky shoulder taps.

View this post on Instagram

Following a set visit, Entertainment Weekly revealed that the new civilian players were treated—or maybe subjected—to a chilling serenade courtesy of the song Jennifer Lawrence sang for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. It’s called “The Hanging Tree,” and for three full minutes, the contestants sit in silence at the Roundtable, staring at one another as the song plays around them.

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

“Are you, are you coming to the tree? Where the dead man called out for his love to flee,” Lawrence sings through strategically placed speakers, per the outlet. “Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.”

Then the song ends, and Cumming, dressed in a high-fashion, military-style uniform, makes a dramatic entrance to officially start the game. “This table is a field of battle,” he says, “and words will be your weapons,” right before forcing the newbies into their blindfolds.

A deeply unsettling folk ballad performed by Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, “The Hanging Tree” features lyrics from Suzanne Collins’ Mockingjay, the third book in the worldwide bestselling Hunger Games trilogy. Fans of the novels and franchise films will know that Katniss learned the forbidden song from her late father, and that as it starts quiet and eerie, the song about execution swells into a massive anthem of rebellion for the districts fighting the Capitol.

“The players either dramatically make or subtly avoid eye contact with one another as the song builds to an epic crescendo, complete with eerie chanting, orchestral bombast, and booming timpani drums,” EW shared.

Behind the song is an even more star-studded production. Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers composed the music, with Collins providing the lyrics and legendary film composer James Newton Howard producing the recording. The result was a surprise international hit, debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in Austria, Germany and Hungary.

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

The catch? Viewers didn’t get to hear what the contestants heard. “The Hanging Tree” was used as an off-camera mood setter and was replaced for the NBC broadcast by another song. In the episode, viewers instead hear Astræa’s “His Body Lies (Where Flowers Grow),” the song that has become inseparable from the show.

The secret use of “The Hanging Tree” in the series opener of The Traitors: New Blood makes clear that these new contestants didn’t simply walk into Cumming’s Scottish Highlands castle to play a game. Rather, they are there to be immersed in an atmosphere deliberately designed to get inside their heads.

“They’re obviously more naive, in terms of the workings of a television film set,” Cumming told EW, speaking about the cast. “So they feel things more vividly.”

And according to Cumming, the psychological effect was very real. During one nighttime torch procession to a graveyard, the experience became so intense that one contestant vomited from fear. Cumming said he even broke character and hugged contestants during two Roundtables because the emotion was so overwhelming.

That opens up a fascinating question: How much of “The Traitors” is actually a game, and how much is the production deliberately manipulating the players’ emotions? Either way, it looks like their game plan is working. And audiences are here for it.

The Traitors: New Blood airs on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Related: Ed Sheeran Controversy Recalls 1969 Rock Legends’ Shocking Cancellation From a Major Festival

Pages

New Haven Independent News

405 Charles Cook Plaza

New Haven, MO 63068

(573) 237-5600

nhnews2017@gmail.com