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If you adored the crossover event between Sheriff Country and Fire Country last season, then you’ll be happy to hear another one is happening. This is also much sooner than the first one, with the event slated for November.

Despite it being a month away, there are already teases of what to expect. One thing is for certain: Boone and Bode will need to figure out how to work together again. Hopefully, they won’t be trapped underground this time!

When Will the ‘Sheriff Country’ and ‘Fire Country’ Crossover Happen?

The date is already set. CBS loved the first crossover so much that it wanted to do it again. And it wanted to air it earlier. This also worked for the two teams, as they loved the way the story played out over the course of two episodes as well.

So, get Nov. 6, 2026 in your diary. This will mark the fifth episode of the two shows, and remember that Fire Country Season 5 has fewer episodes than before, so it puts it around the halfway mark of that series, which is another reason for an earlier event. Sheriff Country Season 2 is getting a full season order.

“Cyclone” — CBS Original Series Sheriff Country, scheduled to air on Friday, October 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Pictured (L-R): Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox and Matt Lauria as Boone. Photo: Darren Goldstein/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sheriff Country will start the two-way crossover event at 8 p.m. ET. The story will then continue into the next hour when Fire Country airs.

What to Expect in the Crossover Event on CBS

The synopses for the two episodes are already out. It all starts with a prison break that escalates into a hostage crisis. Mickey Fox needs to make decisions that could put lives on the line, and the synopsis teases something personal about it.

In the second hour, it’s over to the Station 42 and Third Rock crews. They’ll join with Mickey and some of her team as the prison break leads to a manhunt. 

Take a look at the two synopses:

“No Way In,” airing from 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT: When a dangerous prison break escalates into a volatile hostage crisis, Sheriff Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin) must make a high-stakes decision with personal consequences that could change the course of the case and put lives on the line. Max Thieriot, Kevin Alejandro, and Jules Latimer guest star.

“No Way Out,” airing 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT: When escaped convicts trigger a dangerous manhunt, Bode (Thieriot) and the Station 42 crew join forces with Sheriff Mickey Fox and her deputies to protect their loved ones and the community caught in the crossfire. Baccarin, Matt Lauria, Michele Weaver, Amanda Arcuri, and Ian Quinlan guest star.

“Founders’ Day” — CBS Original Series Fire Country, scheduled to air on Friday, October 9 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+. Pictured: Kevin Alejandro as Manny Perez. Photo: Sergei Bachlakov/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sheriff Country showrunner Matt Lopez told Deadline that fans will get to see Mickey (Morena Baccarin) and Manny (Kevin Alejandro) working together to get to deal with a spectacular windstorm that turns into a major fire event. 

There are also images that show Boone (Matt Lauria) and Bode (Max Thieriot) working together, and the last time we saw them, they didn’t fully get along. In Boone’s defense, it was Bode’s actions that led to them being caved in underground, but they did end up finding a way to work together to get all the kids out of the bunker they were in.

There will be a few mentions of events from each show throughout the event. This is more of just general continuity for those who watch both shows. However, the main focus is on the explosive episode.

For now, eyes are going to be on the Sheriff Country Season 2 and Fire Country Season 5 premieres, which air on Friday, Oct. 9, starting at 8/7c on CBS. You can stream the episodes the following day on Paramount+.

Related: The 7 Questions ‘Sheriff Country’ Needs to Answer in Season 2

One of the most highly anticipated shows on the CBS fall schedule will be the newest addition to the NCIS franchise when Sam Hanna (LL COOL J) moves from Los Angeles and Hawaii to New York in the upcoming NCIS: New York.

In the spinoff, Sam Hanna returns to his hometown of New York City to the field office there, where he partners with a roguish agent (Scott Caan) and helps lead his new team as they are tasked with high-stakes missions to defend one of the most vital cities and ports in the world.

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“It’s definitely more gritty,” LL COOL J says. “It’s definitely a whole new iteration of the franchise and I think it’s a great contribution to the universe. New York as a character gives you so many different people from all over the world, so many different types of energies. You’re very close to the street when you’re filming New York. It’s not like L.A. L.A. is a little more used to filming. Seeing people film here in New York, we’re like right next to the guy next door, so it’s a whole different energy. I’m seeing parts of New York I never saw and I was born and raised here.”

Here’s a sneak peek at the trailer:

But what happened to Hanna’s partnership with Callen (Chris O’Donnell) you might ask? The two seemed inseparable. What would motivate Hanna to leave that very close partnership behind, so Parade did ask.

“A lot of that was explained way back when we ended L.A.,” LL Cool J tells Parade during the CBS Fall 2026 Virtual Press Day. “We went on that mission and we all kind of went our different ways if you really remember the finale. So, after that Sam ended up traveling and becoming this kind of special OPS guy who would do special operations for different people around the world. He definitely does tap in with Callen from time to time. He talks about him sometimes in some of the episodes.”

Along with that, the happy news is that characters from other iterations of the franchise will be appearing on NCIS: New York so there will be crossovers from past and current characters. One that was confirmed by showrunner Byron Balasco was “we’ve got Jimmy Palmer popping up right away. Fans will be excited to see him. Brian Dietzen is a great guy, a great actor, and then more are planned, but you’ll have to stay tuned for that.”

Related: LL Cool J Drops Major NCIS: New York Hint Before Dramatic NCIS Return (Exclusive)

Fans of NCIS: Los Angeles will recall a crossover episode where Hanna and Callen worked with the Hawaii Five-O team, so this isn’t the first time that LL Cool J and Scott Caan will be working together and it’s a partnership they were happy to continue.

“I just love the chemistry with Scott,” LL COOL J says. “What I’m saying is he’s a man’s man. He’s a lot of fun to work with. We have a great time. We run around New York. He’s taking me to restaurants I haven’t been to. The one thing we learned when we worked together in Hawaii is that we got along well. We were on the same page creatively, so it’s a lot of fun.”

NCIS: New York also stars Jennifer Beals, Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper and Devin Druid.

NCIS: New York will premiere on Tuesday, October 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Streams next day on Paramount+.

Next, A 1980s Icon Just Joined NCIS: New York — And Fans Are Already Thrilled

Some musicians spend years waiting for their big break. Bernie Calvert was working in a factory when his arrived.

The longtime bassist for British rock greats The Hollies turns 84 today, Sept. 16. Born Bernard Bamford Calvert in Lancashire, England, in 1942, the musician known to his friends as “Bamf” would spend 15 years with The Hollies during the height of the band’s success.

Calvert started out as a pianist, studying the instrument from the age of 8 before switching to bass guitar at 16 as rock ‘n’ roll took hold. In the early 1960s, he played in Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins alongside future Hollies guitarist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott. Hicks and Elliott eventually moved on to The Hollies, while Calvert continued playing semi-professionally before taking a factory job after a full-time career in music failed to materialize.

Then came a phone call.

In 1966, The Hollies needed someone to fill in for bassist Eric Haydock, and Calvert was recruited for a tour. He subsequently played on The Hollies’ “Bus Stop.” The Graham Gouldman-penned single became the band’s first U.S. Top 10 hit and reached No. 2 in the U.K.

When asked two years later what it was like when he first joined the Hollies, Calvert told Top of the Pops, “It was so frightening, I didn’t sleep for the first two weeks…just one of those things you’ve got to adjust to, and I think I did it successfully.”

Remarkably, Calvert initially went back to his factory job while “Bus Stop” climbed the charts. By late summer, however, The Hollies had invited him to join permanently.

He arrived just as the band was entering an especially fertile period, playing bass and occasionally keyboards as The Hollies moved through psychedelia and into the 1970s. Calvert’s distinctive melodic bass playing can be heard on their major international hits, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” and “The Air That I Breathe,” along with the group’s late-’60s classics “On a Carousel” and “Carrie Anne.”

Like many musicians, Calvert’salso had an intriguing side adventure in 1969, recording with the short-lived Bread and Beer Band alongside a young Elton John, guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope. The studio group recorded an album that was ultimately shelved.

And there was at least one birthday Calvert was unlikely to forget. He was friends with Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas, who once flew Calvert and his Hollies bandmates to Los Angeles for his birthday.

Calvert remained with The Hollies until 1981, after which he largely stepped away from the music business. His contribution to the band’s legacy was formally recognized in 2010, when The Hollies were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Calvert was one of the seven members named as inductees, alongside Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Eric Haydock and Terry Sylvester.

Not bad for a bass player who once went back to the factory while his first Hollies single raced up the charts.

Related: 1997 John Travolta Movie, Ranked Among Best Movies of the ’90s, Has a Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score  

It’s a matter of days until autumn is officially here — by calendars’ standards, anyway.

Fans of the season have already been basking in its traditions of late, indulging in pumpkin-flavored treats and beverages. And now, a popular fast-casual restaurant chain just joined the cause.

Just Salad has welcomed fall with a limited-time menu packed with seasonal ingredients and returning guest favorites — and they’re now available at all locations nationwide.

Headlining the lineup is the new Adobo Chicken Wrap, which brings the sweet-savory flavor of Just Salad’s Honey Adobo Chicken into a new format alongside avocado, pickled jalapeños and homemade Green Aji Sauce, per the franchise’s recent news release.

The menu, which welcomes back three seasonal favorites built for cooler-weather cravings, spans the following items:

• new Adobo Chicken Wrap (starts at $11.99)
• Autumn Caesar Salad (starts at $11.99)
• Buffalo Cauliflower Salad (starts at $12.99)
• Honey Adobo Chicken Market Plate (starts at $12.99)

“Fall is perfect for big, comforting flavors, and this menu brings them together in a way that feels fresh yet familiar,” Jhonny Castro, Just Salad’s culinary director, said in a recent statement.

For those not familiar with the chain, Just Salad is best known for its reusable bowl program, which rewards guests with a free topping for every reuse. The company boasts that “health and sustainability are built into every meal, serving approachable, flavor-packed meals. This means homemade dressings, prepped-daily produce, chef-designed recipes and fresh, flavorful ingredients.”

Coffee Chains Are Basking in the Season

Last month, BIGGBY COFFEE unveiled its own fall lineup, which runs through November 1. The popular franchise has brought back fan-favorite drinks and food while adding new ways for guests to enjoy seasonal flavors.

Pumpkin is taking center stage with a lineup that appears to go well beyond BIGGBY’s classic Pumpkin Spice Latte. Find out more here.

We are weeks away from the Sheriff Country Season 2 premiere, and if you missed the trailer, now is the time to check it out. This season promises to be packed with drama and crime.

The Sheriff Country Season 1 finale ended in one of the wildest, soapiest ways possible, as we learned who DEA Deputy Director Eva Santos really was. It was a reveal nobody saw coming, despite there being hints along the way that the death of Mickey’s mom was much bigger than she would ever realize.

Now, we have plenty of family drama, while also seeing Mickey and her dad, Wes, forced to work together on some major drug-related investigations. On top of that, Travis has taken over his family business with his daughter, Skye, by his side. It opens plenty of storylines, but it also leads to plenty of questions that need answers.

How Did Mickey’s Mom Fake Her Death?

Arguably, the biggest question for Sheriff Country Season 2 is how Mickey’s mom got away with faking her death. Mickey shared the story, making it clear that her mom had been taken into custody at the time her dad was arrested and died of pneumonia while in jail.

“Cyclone” — CBS Original Series Sheriff Country, scheduled to air on Friday, October 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Pictured (L-R): Caroline Rhea as Gina Fletcher and Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox. Photo: Darren Goldstein/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There didn’t seem to be anything nefarious about that, and yet it’s now clear that it didn’t happen at all. Showrunner Matt Lopez has teased a few things about Eva’s story and how she faked her death. It turns out that she was working undercover when she got into the relationship with Wes, and that means there is so much more to this story.

So, at what point did Eva decide it was time to fake her death? Who came up with the plan for it to happen in jail? Curious minds need to know.

How Can She Justify It to Mickey?

Look, if we’re supposed to like Eva, the show will need to do a lot to fix her image. Just like Supernatural fans are angry at Mary Winchester for abandoning her sons — although there are some wildly different circumstances there — Sheriff Country fans are sure to hold a grudge against Eva.

She needs a good excuse to justify leaving Mickey. After all, she created trauma for a six-year-old. Not only did this child watch as her parents were violently arrested, but then she had to grow up believing one of the people who promised to keep her safe had died. She grew up without a mother, and it’s affected her even as an adult.

That childhood trauma sticks, and Eva knew what she was doing by leaving her life behind. She can’t just use “the job” as the excuse.

How Will Boone’s Injury Affect Him?

During the gunfight with Alec, Boone was shot. He is medically fine, as we saw at the end of the finale, but something like that is going to stick with him. Sure, he has always worked in careers where his life is on the line, but knowing that it could happen and it actually happening are different.

“Cyclone” — CBS Original Series Sheriff Country, scheduled to air on Friday, October 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Pictured (L-R): Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox and Matt Lauria as Boone. Photo: Darren Goldstein/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

He is already holding the battle scars from the showdown at the sheriff’s office. Now he has to deal with another injury while also handling the heartache of Mickey turning him down. What sort of trauma will he be left with, and who will he lean on for support? Will he even think he can lean on something?

While he’s in a new relationship, it’s not at a stable point. They’ve only just started dating, and with lingering feelings for Mickey, it could certainly affect things in a negative way.

Will Fraley Horizons Break from the Negative Views?

The truth came out about Miranda’s involvement in buying the houses for her plans with weed by the end of the season. Travis and Skye realized that they needed to take over the family business, and while the lumber business isn’t what it used to be, there must be another venture that they can lean into.

It’s not clear what that venture is just yet. Nor is it clear if they can brush off the negative views that were created because of Miranda. However, there is a sense of hope under the new leadership who values family.

Of course, there’s always the threat of the drug cartel that is moving in. That storyline wasn’t wrapped up, and it leads to the next question.

How Deep Does the Criminal Activity Run?

With cartels, the Fraley business taking over, and the illegal weed growers forming their own co-op, there are plenty of issues with drugs in Edgewater. That’s why the DEA has moved in, and it’s why Eva needs Mickey and Wes to work together.

“Compromised” – Sheriff Mickey Fox aids a federal investigation into a high-stakes case involving alleged interstate crime and a web of local land deals. GRAMMY® Award-winner Maren Morris guest stars as Hazel, Skye’s sponsor, on SHERIFF COUNTRY, Friday, May 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+. Pictured: W. Earl Brown as Wes Fox. Photo: Darren Goldstein/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Just how deep does it run? Is there anyone that Mickey can trust in the town? Now that the co-op seems to have broken up with Wes turning himself in, will the rest of the individuals start to break and share what they know? This small town may not be as safe as it once was.

Will Mickey and Wes Be Able to Reconcile?

One of the best things about Sheriff Country Season 1 was seeing the development of Mickey and Wes’ relationship. Mickey wants her dad in her life, but she always wants to see him change. When he failed at that, of course, she was going to kick him out. Having to arrest him brought back plenty of trauma.

Can the two reconcile after all this? Can they get back to a relationship close to what they had? With the two of them being forced to work together, there’s a sense of hope, but it needs to come over time. Otherwise, it will feel too forced considering the backstory between the two of them.

Of course, Eva being back could help to speed up the process. They are both going to feel the sting of betrayal as they hear the excuses from Eva about why she faked her death.

“Compromised” – Sheriff Mickey Fox aids a federal investigation into a high-stakes case involving alleged interstate crime and a web of local land deals. GRAMMY® Award-winner Maren Morris guest stars as Hazel, Skye’s sponsor, on SHERIFF COUNTRY, Friday, May 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+. Pictured: Matt Lauria as Boone and Michele Weaver as Cassidy. Photo: Darren Goldstein/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. How Will Cassidy Help Others Get Answers They Need?

The first season of Sheriff Country saw Cassidy go on a journey of discovery. After finally admitting that she was in a position and headspace to get answers about her sister’s disappearance years earlier, she was able to bring closure for her mom. That helped their relationship, and Cassidy ended the season hoping that she could do that for others.

What will that journey look like? The character got some of the best development over the course of 20 episodes, and now it’s time to see that continue. Hank made it clear that he wants to support her in this, so what will that look like? Could it lead to something more than friendship for the two deputies?

Sheriff Country Season 2 premieres on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8/7c on CBS.

Foreigner is bringing another major piece of its original lineup back for its 50th anniversary celebration.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band announced on Wednesday, Sept. 16, that original lead singer Lou Gramm will reunite with Foreigner for a series of special performances in 2027. Founding keyboardist Al Greenwood is also returning for select shows, with his first appearance coming in just two days.

Gramm will join Foreigner aboard the Rock Legends Cruise, which departs from Miami on Feb. 21, 2027, before performing with the band during six shows at The Venetian in Las Vegas in March.

The reunion puts the unmistakable voice behind some of Foreigner’s biggest hits back onstage with the band during its milestone anniversary year.

Gramm joined founder Mick Jones in Foreigner’s original lineup in 1976 and sang on the band’s self-titled 1977 debut as well as Double Vision, Head Games, 4 and Agent Provocateur.

His voice powered an extraordinary string of hits, including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and “Juke Box Hero.”

And, of course, Gramm sang Foreigner’s biggest hit “I Want to Know What Love Is,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.

The newly announced appearances aren’t Gramm’s first reunions with Foreigner. He has made select appearances with the band in recent years, and the group’s 2019 Double Vision: Then and Now release documented a reunion of original and then-current members. But the 2027 dates will give fans several more opportunities to see Foreigner’s original voice performing with the group during its 50th anniversary celebration.

Gramm is currently performing his own dates as well, including a show in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., on Sept. 16. And fans won’t have to wait until 2027 to see another original member return.

Greenwood will join Foreigner for five performances this fall, beginning Friday, Sept. 18, at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Ga. He’ll also appear Sept. 19 in Augusta, Ga., followed by three California shows on Oct. 23, 24 and 25.

Greenwood was the first musician Jones recruited while assembling Foreigner in 1976. He played on the band’s first three albums, Foreigner, Double Vision and Head Games, contributing keyboards during the era that produced songs including “Cold as Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Double Vision” and “Dirty White Boy.”

He’ll return again in spring 2027 when Foreigner brings its 50th anniversary celebration back to the area where it all started.

The previously announced New York-area run begins April 27 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, followed by shows in Montclair, N.J., Port Chester, N.Y., and Westbury, N.Y. The band was formed in New York in 1976.

“New York is where Foreigner began, so there could be no better place to celebrate 50 years of our music,” Jones said when the dates were announced.

The anniversary comes during another period of change for Foreigner. Longtime singer Kelly Hansen stepped away after 20 years as the band’s frontman, with Luis Carlos Maldonado taking over lead vocals. The current lineup also includes Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson, Chris Frazier and John Roth.

Meanwhile, Foreigner’s 50th anniversary festivities are already underway. The band is performing at The Venetian in Las Vegas on Sept. 16 before heading to Georgia for the first of Greenwood’s reunion appearances on Sept. 18.

Now, Foreigner’s anniversary is reaching all the way back to the beginning, with two of the musicians who helped create its original sound returning to the stage.

Related: 1981 Hit’s Iconic Solo Happened After 2 Foreigner Stars Found a Motown Legend Playing 2 Blocks Away at 12:30 a.m.

Tiger Woods is back on the golf course, showing off his skills just weeks after he struck a plea deal in his DUI case. 

Woods posted a clip on Instagram earlier this week of himself “Snapping shots on the range today at NEXUS Cup.” This marks the first time fans have seen the pro golfer on the course since his March arrest. 

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Woods’ TGR Live event management company hosted the two-day amateur golf experience at the Liberty National Golf Club in New York, New York, on September 14 and 15. Per the NEXUS Cup website, the exclusive match included a meet-and-greet (and a photo op) with Woods, personalized team apparel, and premier prizes for the winning team. Participating teams were also invited to attend an evening at the private NEXUS Club New York. 

Of course, it’s not all glitz and glam. The proceeds from the seemingly opulent event benefit Woods’ TGR Foundation. The charity helps students from under-resourced communities through educational programs and specialized TGR Learning Labs. 

Fans were surprised, and pretty excited, to see Woods back on the course so soon. One commenter wrote on the golfer’s Instagram post, “Even if it’s a range clinic just so happy for him to have a golf club back in his hand taking some swings even if it’s practice,” as others added, “Just really pleased to see him healthy and hitting balls,” and “Let the comeback commence.”

His recent time on the golf course comes almost six months after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Florida. While his breathalyzer test was negative, Woods showed signs of impairment, leading to his arrest. 

On September 2, news broke that Woods received a five-year driver’s license suspension and had to pay $1,500 in fines as part of a plea deal after pleading no contest to a reduced charge in his DUI case. 

According to ESPN, Judge Darren Steele told the golfer, “There are no exceptions. If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail.” 

Even though Woods hit the links, there is currently no information on whether he will return to PGA play. His last official Tour appearance was at The Open Championship in July of 2024. 

While James Taylor is a prolific songwriter in his own right, one of his most beloved songs wasn’t actually penned by him.

Taylor’s 1971 song, “You’ve Got a Friend,” featured on his third album, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, was penned by fellow singer-songwriter Carole King. King also recorded the song and put it on her second record, Tapestry, which debuted in February 1971, two months before Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon came out, per UnCut.

Taylor’s take on “You’ve Got a Friend” secured the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1971, marking his only No. 1 hit.

During a February 2026 interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Taylor revealed how “You’ve Got a Friend” ended up on Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. Taylor explained that he was in awe of King’s songwriting “when she was a pen for hire” in the 1960s. In addition, he said he and King quickly developed a friendship and musical collaboration after meeting.

He noted that she “played piano on [his] Sweet Baby James album,” released in 1970, and he “played on Tapestry.” In addition, he and King “went on the road together,” as she “was in [his] band.” According to Taylor, he was immediately impressed with “You’ve Got a Friend” when King performed it on the stage of the West Hollywood venue, The Troubadour.

“I was sure I knew the song already because it was such a classic immediately. I literally ran to find my guitar so I could play it,” said Taylor during the February 2026 interview.

He then said that a few weeks after the Troubadour engagement, he was in the studio recording Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. He said he realized he needed another track for the album and began playing “You’ve Got a Friend.”

“I blithely go and record the song, and we really liked the way it sounded,” said Taylor, now 78.

Taylor also said he was aware that King was in the midst of creating Tapestry and wanted “You’ve Got a Friend” as a track for her 1971 album because “it’s the best song written by a human being.” According to Taylor, he immediately let King know he had recorded the tune and planned on featuring it on Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon.

“She said, ‘That’s great!'” said Taylor during the interview.

In addition, Taylor said that King had told him that “You’ve Got a Friend” was in conversation with his 1970 song, “Fire and Rain.”

“She said, ‘You know that line in ‘Fire and Rain?’ ‘I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.’ She said that’s what inspired the song, ‘You’ve Got a Friend.’ She said, ‘I heard those lines I was thinking to myself, I’m going to tell him he does have a friend,'” said Taylor during his The Late Show with Stephen Colbert interview.

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The smaller items in your kitchen are often the easiest to overlook. You’ll probably notice a chipped bakeware or a broken spatula right away, but when’s the last time you took stock of your ramekins? A tiny but mighty part of any dish collection, ramekins are handy for portioning out ingredients, serving your kids an afternoon snack, or enjoying a single scoop of ice cream after everyone else is in bed. They’re a kitchen staple, but only having a few stray mismatched versions means you’re less likely to use them when entertaining. 

That’s precisely why we’re so pleased to find that Drew Barrymore has a gorgeous stoneware ramekin set in her kitchenware lineup at Walmart. The best part? A two-pack is just $7. And should you want to have a couple more on hand, they’re also available in a four-piece set for $17. The porcini taupe color is a gorgeous neutral that would match just about any kitchen decor, making them an easy way to elevate your tablescape the next time you’ve got something small to serve.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 2-Piece Stoneware Ramekin Set, $7 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Each ramekin has a 7.5-ounce capacity, making them the perfect size for individual portions. You could use them to hold small snacks like nuts or pretzels, but they’re also fantastic for serving dips. You could also set them out at a party with a bowl of chips or use them as personal vessels for things like ketchup with chicken strips or marinara alongside mozzarella sticks.

Oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, these ramekins offer proper heat distribution for single servings of baked desserts like creme brulee or cheesecake. The glossy interior coating also helps keep food from sticking. The exterior features a gorgeous satin-like finish, which makes them an appealing choice to use for serving dishes like baked mac and cheese straight from the oven to the table.

Walmart shoppers said these ramekins are “absolutely brilliant” to keep on hand for entertaining because they’re so “convenient” and look “elegant.” One customer said the microwave-safe design “works like a charm” for reheating leftovers. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup, reviewers noted that the stoneware construction is “durable” and resistant to cracks and chips.

Shop More Deals

• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 5-Piece Kitchen Tool Set, $16 (was $20) at Walmart
• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Fluted Stoneware 2-Piece Vanity Jar Set, $24 (was $30) at Walmart
• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 3-Piece Stoneware Nesting Mixing Bowl Set, $20 (was $33) at Walmart

Related: Drew Barrymore’s ‘Gorgeous’ New Chocolate Brown Kitchen Collection Makes Any Countertop Look Fall-Ready

Whether you’re looking to elevate your table the next time you’re hosting last-minute or just want to add some everyday elegance to your dish collection, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 2-Piece Stoneware Ramekin Set is a fantastic choice you can snag for just $7 at Walmart.

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

Melanie Griffith rose to superstardom in Working Girl, but the Hollywood titan is just as stunning 38 years later.

Griffith, 69, scored acclaim for her famous role as Tess McGill in Working Girl, and went on to roles in projects like Celebrity and Crazy in Alabama. The acclaimed actress, who is also the mom of star Dakota Johnson, still takes on occasional acting roles these days, but lately flies under the radar. But in a new post to her Instagram page, the stunning star soaked up the sun in a black bathing suit while enjoying a trip to an Austrian spa. The ageless beauty made it clear that she’s living her best life these days.

“I’ve just spent a few wonderful weeks at @vivamayrmariawoerth in Austria, -an incredible place dedicated to wellness, healing and renewal. 🇦🇹✨ It gave me the chance to truly recharge, replenish and relax. “The Cure” is an amazing health reset, centered around being good to your body, mind and soul. I’m so grateful to all of the wonderful doctors, therapists and health practitioners who make the experience so special. -A little heaven on earth. ♥️,” she captioned her photo set, which showed her doing yoga, taking boat trips, and sunning herself.

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Griffith Is Still Close With Her Ex, Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas, 66, known for films ranging from Philadelphia and Evita to Shrek and The Mask of Zorro, married Griffith in 1996. While the couple isn’t married anymore, they’re still rather tight and enjoy hanging out with each other. The duo has a daughter, Stella Banderas, and recently shared a sweet Instagram photo of them cuddling on the couch together with Stella’s new husband, Alex.

“A lovely and fun moment yesterday in Los Angeles with my son-in-law Alex, my daughter Stella, and my ex-wife and lifelong friend, Melanie,” Banderas captioned the photo, which showed the fearsome foursome curled up on the couch for a photo.

View this post on Instagram When Did Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith Divorce?

Banderas and Griffith officially divorced in 2015 after separating in June 2014, the Associated Press reported at the time. It was determined that Banderas would have to pay Griffith up to $65,000 a month in spousal support.

Related: Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith’s Daughter Stella Is So Stunning at the World Cup

An icon from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Lauren Bacall was known for her roles in films like The Big Sleep, Murder on the Orient Express, and The Mirror Has Two Faces. Bacall, who died at age 89 in 2014, married actor Humphrey Bogart, won Golden Globes and an Academy Honorary Award, and worked as both a model and a Broadway performer during her lifetime.

But Bacall also enjoyed cooking, as evidenced by her contribution of one of her go-to recipes to the 1950 cookbook 282 Ways of Making a Salad. Redditor u/ciaolavinia shared the vintage dish, Lauren Bacall’s Strawberry and Peach Salad, in the r/OldCelebrityRecipes subreddit, and Reddit users reacted enthusiastically to the bright colors and unusual combination of ingredients in the Jell-O-topped salad.

Lauren Bacall’s 1950 Salad Is Unlike Anything You’d Make Today

“Lauren Bacall’s Strawberry and Peach Salad is a sight to behold, but the taste is even better,” u/ciaolavinia wrote in her post. “This one has a fun mid-century vibe to it… Lauren’s salad is so playful, colorful, and truly delicious.”

The ingredients in this vintage salad are simple: 1/2 pound of strawberries, 6 large peaches (fresh or canned), 2 crisp heads of lettuce, 1 box of raspberry Jell-O prepared, chopped nuts for garnish (u/ciaolavinia recommends walnuts), and 1 cup of whipped cream.

“You definitely need that pop of raspberry Jell-O to bring this whole dish together,” u/ciaolavinia added. “The lettuce adds a nice crunch… This is one salad that’s both refreshing and unique.”

How to Make Lauren Bacall’s 1950 Strawberry and Peach Salad

Redditors were thrilled with the post sharing Bacall’s recipe, calling the dish everything from “fabulous” to “so pretty.” The recipe serves six and comes together with just a handful of ingredients.

To make the recipe, arrange six beds of lettuce on six plates and top each bed of lettuce with two peach halves (be sure to drain them first if you’re using canned). Place some sliced strawberries, chopped nuts, and whipped cream in the center of the peaches, then garnish the surrounding lettuce with slices or cubes of raspberry Jell-O. The recipe can also be trimmed down to serve fewer guests, or even made as a salad for one.

When cardiologists give advice on how to improve your diet for your heart health, they usually mention eating more home-cooked meals. The advice isn’t bad. Research suggests people who eat home-cooked meals consume more whole foods and have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Eating heart-healthy foods is a vital way to protect yourself against heart disease and cardiovascular events, like heart attacks. Cardiovascular disease has long been the top killer of U.S. adults.

However, one cardiologist often tells his patients that “cooking at home” only works if you start with the right ingredients. Making a heart-healthy meal and snack starts at the grocery store, which is why he avoids certain aisles (and spends a lot of time in others).

“If you fill your cart with ultra-processed foods, high-sodium sauces and refined carbs, your home-cooked meals can easily become just as bad for your heart as a fast-food chain,” Dr. Craig Basman, MD, FACC, the associate director of the structural and congenital heart program and director of the structural and congenital fellowship program at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, tells Parade. “Grocery shopping for success means intentionally stocking your kitchen with whole, nutrient-dense foods so that heart-healthy choices become your easy, default option.”

Indeed, research suggests that foods in the Mediterranean diet can contribute to lower heart disease risk. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats like olive oil and plant-based and lean proteins. However, Dr. Basman warns that other foods don’t help the heart. For this reason, the cardiologist avoids this specific grocery store aisle.

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‘This Is the Grocery Store Aisle I Spend the Least Time in as a Cardiologist’

As a cardiologist, Dr. Basman says he tries to spend as little time as possible in the packaged snack aisle. He shares that many packaged snacks contain too much sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats, which are linked to risks of higher blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic inflammation—none of which are good for the heart.

When manufacturers add these heart-unhealthy ingredients to packaged snacks, they try to make the foods shelf-stable and, importantly, highly craveable.

“Food scientists literally design them to be irresistible,” Dr. Basman explains. “Packaged snacks are engineered to hit the ‘bliss point,’ which is a specific, highly researched ratio of salt/sugar/fat that triggers a dopamine rush in the brain.”

Yet it’s not what the heart wants long term.

Related: This Condiment Could Be Silently Clogging Your Arteries, Cardiologists Warn

5 Ways Packaged Snacks Negatively Impact Heart Health

Dr. Basman knows that the salt, sugar and other ingredients in packaged snacks make them taste good. However, as a cardiologist, he spends little to no time in the snack aisle and advises patients to do the same.

He digs into common packaged snack ingredients, including the items that have them and the problems they can cause for the heart if you consume them too often.

1. You’ll find high sodium loads

Where you’ll find it: Salty staples like potato chips, pretzels and cheese puffs

The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily (ideally 1,500 mg). Unfortunately, salt-loaded snacks like chips often push people over that limit.

“Too much salt causes your body to retain water, driving up your blood pressure—hypertension—and forcing your heart to work much harder,” Dr. Basman says. “Over time, this chronic stress on your blood vessels significantly raises your risk of heart attack and stroke.”

2. You might miss sneaky added sugars

Where you’ll find it: Granola bars, flavored yogurts and fruit snacks

Dr. Basman says that granola bars, flavored yogurts and fruit snacks often “masquerade as health foods.” However, the heart would like a word.

“Current research closely links high added sugar intake to increased systemic inflammation and higher triglycerides, which are fats in your blood,” he warns. “This combination accelerates the buildup of plaque in your arteries and increases your risk for metabolic issues like type 2 diabetes.”

3. You might over-eat unhealthy fats

Where you’ll find it: Packaged baked goods, cookies and microwave popcorn

These products remain fresh for months because of the trans and saturated fats, but these ingredients do a number on your heart health.

“These fats raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which can deposit in your blood vessels and restrict healthy blood flow to your heart,” Dr. Basman tells Parade.

4. You won’t meaningfully contribute to your fiber intake

Where you’ll find it (or not find it): Snacks made from refined flours, like standard white crackers, baked chips, and pretzels

If you want to fiber max, you’ll probably want to steer your shopping cart clear of the packaged snack aisle.

“During processing, these snacks have almost all their natural fiber stripped away,” Dr. Basman notes. “Fiber is crucial because it helps sweep bad cholesterol out of your body and stabilizes your blood sugar. Without it, these simple carbs digest instantly, spiking your glucose and leaving you hungry again.”

5. Ultra-processed additives

Where you’ll find it: Brightly colored chips, processed meat sticks and highly flavored snack mixes.

Convenient and perhaps colorful, snacks with ultra-processed additives can harm the heart if you eat them regularly.

“These rely on a cocktail of artificial additives, preservatives and emulsifiers,” Dr. Basman states. “Recent clinical studies show that diets heavy in ultra-processed foods are directly tied to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, largely because they trigger chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body.”

Related: The Heart Health Mistake People Make With Electrolyte Drinks, According to Cardiologists

3 Tips for Grocery Shopping for Better Heart Health

OK, so Dr. Basman isn’t a regular in the packaged snack aisle. But what does he do when he shops for groceries? He shares top tips for grocery shopping for better heart health (and like a cardiologist).

1. He shops the perimeter first

Dr. Basman avoids the packaged snack aisle and heads to the perimeter.

“The outer edges of the grocery store are where the fresh, whole foods live—like produce, lean meats and fish,” he states. “By spending most of your time and budget here, you naturally fill your cart with heart-protective nutrients and avoid the highly processed, sodium-heavy items waiting in the center aisles.”

2. He ignores the front of the package and reads the back

This tip is especially helpful when you want to avoid sneaky added sugars in products marketed as “healthy,” like granola bars.

“Marketing buzzwords on the front of a box, like ‘multigrain,’ ‘all-natural’ or ‘low-fat,’ are designed to sell products, not protect your heart,” Dr. Basman states. “Turning the package over to read the actual nutrition facts and ingredient list is the only way to spot hidden sugars, sodium and heavily processed oils before you buy.”

3. He eats before he shops

Dr. Basman advises patients to “never shop on an empty stomach.”

“When you go to the store hungry, your brain instinctively craves high-calorie, sugary and salty convenience foods,” he says. “Having a quick, protein-rich snack before you grab a shopping cart stabilizes your blood sugar and keeps your willpower intact, making it much easier to walk right past the packaged snack aisle.”

Up Next:

Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Heart When You Eat Cottage Cheese

Sources:

• Dr. Craig Basman, MD, FACC, the associate director of the structural and congenital heart program and director of the structural and congenital fellowship program at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center
• Home Meal Preparation: A Powerful Medical Intervention. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
• An evidence-based, multidimensional definition of the Mediterranean Diet within the Italian National Guidelines “La Dieta Mediterranea”. Nutrition.
• 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation.
• Addressing the sugar, salt, and fat issue the science of food way. Science of Food.
• Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association.
• Excessive intake of sugar: An accomplice of inflammation. Frontiers in Immunology.
• Our Hidden Enemy: Ultra-Processed Foods, Inflammation, and the Battle for Heart Health. Cureus.

I have officially seen the first 20 minutes of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, and I can confirm that both in and out of the arena are just as tragic as we hoped.

Ahead of the film’s November 20 release, I got an early look at the highly anticipated prequel, which follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Before the footage began, director Francis Lawrence teased that we would see “the beginnings of who Haymitch was” before he became the character fans know from the original films.

Lawrence said the movie leans into the pageantry of the Capitol, the spectacle and scale of the Games, and a colorful new visual style, while also capturing the optimism and youthfulness of Haymitch before everything changes. He described the film as a return to the elements fans loved in the original Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

After seeing the footage, I can confirm: it delivers on all of that. And after sitting down with Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson for a Q&A about bringing Suzanne Collins’ latest story to the big screen, I have one major takeaway: bring tissues.

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Haymitch Is About to Break Our Hearts

Of course, the biggest question surrounding Sunrise on the Reaping is Haymitch.

Fans already know the man he eventually becomes thanks to Woody Harrelson’s performance in the original films, but this story gives us something we have never really seen before: Haymitch before the heartbreak.

And Joseph Zada absolutely smashes it.

The opening is incredibly book accurate, taking us from “Happy birthday, Haymitch” to his work for Hattie Merny, finding Lenore Dove in the woods outside District 12, and eventually the reaping that changes everything. We watch his heartbreaking goodbyes, then see him on the train to the Capitol, watching Lenore disappear into the distance.

Zada makes this version of Haymitch impossible not to love. I love the accent, but especially the kindness and naivety he brings to him. This is a softer Haymitch. He is loving, hopeful and just a teenager in love, completely untouched by the trauma we know is coming.

During the panel, Nina Jacobson described him as innocent, optimistic and carefree, a stark contrast to the “bitter, broken” man audiences eventually meet.

After seeing Zada’s performance, I completely understand why they wanted us to fall for Haymitch first. We already love this character, but Zada makes sure we develop a soft spot for this Haymitch, too. And knowing where he ends up makes it hurt even more.

Related: ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Prequel Movie About Haymitch: Cast, Release Date, More

The Games Begin With Pure Chaos

The first moments of the 50th Hunger Games are intense.

Very intense.

The sequence is immediately reminiscent of Katniss’ opening moments at the Cornucopia in the original film, with quick cuts, frantic camera movements and tributes scrambling to grab supplies before trying to escape.

You genuinely feel like you are inside the arena with them.

There is barely a second to process what is happening before the violence begins, and yes, we see a major character death almost immediately.

It is chaotic, brutal and incredibly effective. This is the kind of sequence that had me sitting on the edge of my seat, completely locked into what was happening.

And according to Lawrence, that heightened scale was intentional.

Because this is the 50th Games, the arena itself is larger and more spectacular than the Games we’ve seen before. But it is also visually unlike anything we have seen in the franchise.

Related: A New Trailer for ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Has Just Been Released

Francis Lawrence Says This Is Where the Revolution Begins

While Sunrise on the Reaping is Haymitch’s story, Lawrence and Jacobson made it clear that the film is also laying the foundation for the rebellion audiences already know is coming.

Lawrence described the 50th Games as the point where resistance and revolution truly begin, with Haymitch, Plutarch, Wiress and others becoming part of something much bigger than themselves.

That idea also plays into the larger themes of the film.

Lawrence said Suzanne Collins’ story explores fear, propaganda and why people submit to systems that control them, while also emphasizing the emotional relationships between the characters.

Jacobson described the larger arc of the Hunger Games stories as expanding outward from protecting yourself and your family to protecting your community and, eventually, an entire society.

In other words, this isn’t just a story about surviving the Games. It is about deciding what you are willing to stand for.

The Cast Is Stacked

Another major difference between Sunrise on the Reaping and the original films is the sheer number of recognizable names joining the cast.

The film features Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin and a new generation of young actors led by Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak.

Lawrence said it was a dream to work with the ensemble and explained that the franchise has always attracted major talent because these movies give actors substantial roles to sink their teeth into.

That includes Jesse Plemons, who Lawrence revealed was his first choice to play Plutarch Heavensbee, as well as Glenn Close, who actually approached the production about joining the film.

The result is a cast that feels like a mixture of old-school Hollywood prestige and fresh Hunger Games energy.

Kieran Culkin Is Already Killing It as Caesar Flickerman

One of the biggest surprises of the footage came when Kieran Culkin appeared as a young Caesar Flickerman.

Before the clip, Jacobson explained that audiences would see younger versions of some of the franchise’s most recognizable characters, including Caesar, who was originally played by Stanley Tucci. This time around, Culkin gets to put his own spin on the beloved Capitol host.

And he absolutely does.

In the two-minute scene, Culkin is unmistakably playing Caesar, but there is a sharper edge to him. He is more outwardly judgmental and dismissive of the tributes, and there is a clear sense that he is focused on becoming a star. Culkin’s signature sass shines through, while his performance still feels connected to the character fans already know.

It is very much a new take on Caesar without losing what made the original character so memorable.

Elle Fanning Gives Effie Trinket a Completely New Perspective

Then there is Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket.

Jacobson described the character as being at the beginning of her journey in the Hunger Games, long before the Effie audiences know from the original films, where she was played by Elizabeth Banks.

What makes this version so compelling is that Effie is still unmistakably a Capitol girl, but she is younger, more innocent and seeing the Games from a completely different perspective.

In the footage, we see Effie preparing Haymitch for the arena before watching the opening moments of the Games themselves. And Fanning is wonderful.

She brings a warmth and youthful sincerity to Effie while still capturing the strange Capitol worldview that makes the character so fascinating. She knows the Games as a part of her world, but now she is having to confront what they actually mean.

It makes their goodbye especially emotional.

And that emotional weight only gets heavier once Haymitch enters the arena.

‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Is Bringing Color Back to Panem

One of the most interesting parts of Lawrence’s conversation with Jacobson was their approach to the arena’s unusual color palette.

The world of Sunrise on the Reaping is bright, colorful and almost psychedelic, a major contrast to the darker and more desaturated look audiences have come to associate with dystopian stories.

Lawrence explained that the arena’s aesthetic helped inspire the movie’s overall visual language, eventually leading the filmmakers toward a 1970s-inspired look for the production.

Jacobson also revealed that the arena sequence was among the first things they filmed, in a remote part of Spain near Portugal.

The production was so isolated that the crew had to bring in practically everything they needed, from water and electricity to facilities for the young cast.

That enormous landscape helped give the Games the scale Lawrence and Jacobson wanted, while also allowing them to create a world that feels dramatically different from the previous films.

And yes, it is colorful.

Very colorful.

And Somehow, We Still Have More to See

The footage I saw was only a small taste of what is coming, but it already delivered exactly what I want from a new Hunger Games movie: spectacle, emotional stakes, complicated relationships, terrifying arena sequences and familiar characters reimagined in ways that actually feel new.

The Caesar clip alone was enough to get me excited, while seeing Effie send Haymitch into the arena gave the story an emotional weight I was not quite prepared for.

And then the Games started.

Let’s just say I am already emotionally preparing myself for November 20th.

Next, ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Drops ‘Happy Birthday Haymitch’ Video

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Somewhere between the sterile all-white quiet luxury era and the maximalism of your grandma’s sunroom lies the style everyone’s chasing right now—collected and curated. The kind of home that looks like it was assembled over decades of flea markets, hand-me-downs and one very good eye.

Think brass, scallops and a home that tells a story instead of matching a catalog. It’s the aesthetic fueling much of Pinterest and every “affordable old money” TikTok right now, and the secret nobody wants you to know is that you don’t need a design degree or a trust fund to pull it off.

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That’s where the Merkury 10-inch Cordless Scalloped Shade Tabletop Lamp from T.J. Maxx, currently sitting pretty at $16.99, comes into play.

Merkury Cordless Scalloped Shade Tabletop Lamp, $16.99 at T.J. Maxx

T.J. Maxx

Shop It!

At first glance, this little lamp reads like a vintage estate sale score—the kind of piece you’d triumphantly haul home and text your group chat about. The scalloped shade gives it that soft, romantic silhouette designers love, while the gold-tone hardware adds just enough shine to feel intentional.

It’s compact, too, at just six inches deep and 10 inches tall, so it slots neatly onto a nightstand, a bar cart, a bookshelf or that one awkward console table that’s been begging for personality.

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

But here’s where it gets incredibly useful—this lamp is cordless. No hunting for an outlet, no tangled cord ruining your carefully staged vignette. It runs on a rechargeable battery (with a USB cord included for charging), and it comes with three lighting modes and dimming options, plus touch controls, so you can go from reading nook glow to dinner party ambiance with a single tap. Basically, it’s got the charm of an antique with the convenience of the modern world.

That combination—old-world look, new-world function—is exactly why collected style is having such a moment. It’s not about buying “old stuff.” It’s about mixing pieces that feel storied with pieces that actually work for how we live now.

A $17 T.J. Maxx lamp that looks like an heirloom and moves wherever the mood strikes? That’s not just a good deal, that’s the whole assignment.

Related: Michaels’ Gorgeous Fig Vase Will Elevate Any Fireplace Mantel for Just $8

Gray hair gets a bad rap—when sometimes it just needs a better haircut. Because while silver strands can look seriously cool, they can also come with a few quirks. Gray hair often gets drier, coarser or more unruly, and suddenly the haircut that worked five years ago is giving less effortless silver siren and more, “Why does my hair have a mind of its own?”

The good news? You don’t need to fight your gray with constant color appointments or a complicated styling routine. Sometimes, a strategic chop is all it takes to make strands feel fresh again. The right cut can add movement, shape and personality while making the gray itself feel like the feature, not something you’re trying to disguise.

And there are so many ways to go with it. Maybe you want a short, slightly edgy crop that makes your silver look intentionally cool. Maybe a bouncy bob is more your speed. Or perhaps you’re growing out your color and need a shape that makes the transition look totally on purpose. Whatever your vibe, these seven celebrity stylist-approved haircuts are proof that gray hair can be anything but boring.

Related: 6 Best Youthful Hairstyles Over 50, According to Celebrity Stylists

What Makes a Haircut Look Modern With Gray Hair vs. What Ages You Instantly?

When it comes to gray hair, the difference between “modern” and “instantly aging” often comes down “movement and texture,” says Gina Rivera, founder of Phenix Salon Suites and stylist to Grammy and Coachella clients, which is why easy, lived-in shapes tend to work so well with gray. Cuts like “shags, bobs and pixies” give silver hair some personality and bounce instead of letting it sit too stiffly around the face.

On the flip side, overly rigid shapes, heavy one-length styling or anything that feels overly set can instantly make the overall look feel older. The sweet spot is a haircut that lets the gray move, has a little imperfection to it and feels like you, rather than a style you’re trying too hard to maintain.

Related: 5 Hair Color Tricks to Instantly Look Younger, According to Celebrity Colorists

Should You Completely Change Your Haircut Style When You Go Gray?

Going gray doesn’t mean you have to abandon the haircut you’ve loved for years. Instead, it’s more about making sure the shape works with the way your new color changes the appearance of your hair. Rivera explains that gray hair can make the shape of a cut more noticeable, which can cause certain styles to “look choppier.”

Rather than making a dramatic switch, she recommends staying in the same general family of cuts but opting for softer lines, lighter layering and more natural movement. “You want to stay close to cuts that have movement and softness,” she says. In other words, going gray can be a reason to tweak your haircut, not necessarily reinvent it.

The Pivot: What Hair Colors and Highlights Work Best Alongside Natural Gray?

If you’re embracing your natural gray, the best color strategy isn’t necessarily to cover it, but to give those silver strands more dimension.

Rivera recommends “low lights” as an easy way to add contrast, explaining that they “give grey hair depth” and create that coveted salt-and-pepper effect without fighting your natural color.

For anyone whose gray is already on the medium-to-light side, “baby white highlights are great,” she says, because they “illuminate the hair and make it more dimensional.” The idea is to work with the gray you already have, adding subtle contrast and brightness so the overall color feels intentional and full of movement.

Related: Makeup Artist Reveals the Eyebrow Color Mistake That Washes Out Women With Gray Hair

How To Transition to Gray Hair Gracefully at Any Length

The easiest way to grow out your gray without feeling like you’re stuck in an awkward in-between stage is to focus on blending rather than trying to hide every new silver strand. “Blending is the best way to transition,” Rivera says, recommending that you “start with baby lights that pick up the natural silver.”

Those delicate highlights help soften the contrast between your existing color and incoming gray, which Rivera says “breaks up the line of demarcation between colored hair and roots.” The result is a much more seamless grow-out, regardless of whether you’re working with a pixie, bob or longer style.

Related: How To Transition to Gray Hair Without the Awkward ‘Skunk Stripe’ Phase, According to Celebrity Hairstylists

7 Best Haircuts That ‘Instantly Modernize’ Gray Hair and Cheat the Aging Process 1. Long and natural

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Long gray hair can look incredibly cool when you stop trying to make every strand behave. Adam Federico, pro stylist who has worked with models at numerous fashion week shows including Fendi and Armani shows, is also the R+Co vice president of technical education. He says the trick is to “embrace the natural texture rather than overworking it,” letting curls, waves, and bends give the length some personality.

The goal, he says, is “beautiful, lived-in texture rather than perfectly controlled curls,” which is exactly what keeps long gray hair from feeling overly fussy or dated.

2. Sleek and minimalistic

Getty

Sometimes the most modern haircut is the one that barely looks like you did anything to it. A sleek, minimalistic shape puts the spotlight exactly where it should be: on that natural silver.

“The beauty here is in the simplicity,” Federico says, recommending the use of your go-to blow-dry cream through the mid-lengths and ends to add softness and shine without making the hair “feel overly styled.” Keeping the shape clean and the finish touchable lets the silver become the statement instead of competing with it.

3. Soft, wispy bob

Monica Schipper/WireImage

A wispy bob brings a little flirtiness to gray hair, especially when the shape has movement instead of sitting rigidly around the face. Federico suggests using volumizing mousse for “lightness and lift,” then working primarily with your hands while drying to keep the finish airy.

A small amount of texture paste adds “separation and definition” at the end, giving the bob those piecey little bends that make it feel current rather than overly coiffed. The key is touchable texture, not a helmet of hairspray.

4. Blunt bob

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

There’s a reason the blunt bob keeps coming back—sometimes a really crisp haircut is all gray hair needs to look instantly current.

Rivera describes this shape as simply “crisp and blunt,” and that’s the appeal. A clean jaw-length line gives the hair a deliberate shape and creates a striking contrast with soft, dimensional silver, making the whole look feel graphic and fresh without requiring much styling.

It’s a particularly good option if you want your gray to feel like a statement rather than something you’re merely growing into.

5. Choppy lob

John Lamparski/WireImage

The collarbone-length lob hits that sweet spot between short enough to feel fresh and long enough to still give you plenty of styling options.

Rivera recommends “a Bob that hits at the collarbone with textured ends,” noting that this “gives the appearance of longer hair without heaviness.”

Those textured ends are doing a lot of the work here, keeping the longer shape from dragging down the face or looking too dense. Paired with natural gray, the result has that slightly undone quality that makes a longer cut feel much more modern.

6. Bold pixie

Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Juzui

Going gray can be the perfect excuse to go shorter, and a bold pixie makes the change feel intentional.

Federico says this shape benefits from “something with a little more control,” using your favorite molding paste to emphasize “separation, direction and the architecture of the haircut.”

The important part is not going overboard. “Use it sparingly,” he advises, with the goal being definition “without stiffness.” That bit of structure lets the silver catch the light while the haircut itself does the talking.

7. Layered shag

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

If there’s one haircut that was practically made for making gray hair feel cool, it’s the shag. The layers give silver strands somewhere to go, creating movement and that slightly messy, rock-and-roll energy that keeps the look from feeling too traditional.

Federico recommends using mousse to build “lift and movement,” followed by texture spray to “break apart the layers and create a slightly undone, modern finish.” In other words, don’t fight the imperfection here. The more the layers move and separate, the more personality the gray gets.

The Yellowing Problem: How To Keep Your Silver Hair Bright and Sharp Post-Cut

Keeping silver hair bright after a fresh cut comes down to one big thing: don’t let dryness or buildup dull all that gorgeous dimension. “Silver hair is at its best when it’s hydrated and can reflect light,” says Federico, noting that gray hair can also “become drier or more resistant in texture,” which makes moisture especially important.

He also recommends avoiding an overload of styling products that can leave silver looking dull or weighed down. Instead, a small amount of smoothing product can boost shine while still allowing you to see “the individual strands, movement and natural variations within the gray.”

And that’s really the goal—not disguising the silver or trying to make it look younger, but keeping it healthy, luminous, and as Federico puts it, “incredibly current.”

Up Next:

Related: Why Your Gray Hair Is Suddenly Frizzy (And a Free Fix From a Celebrity Stylist)

Sources:

• Gina Rivera, founder of Phenix Salon Suites and stylist to Grammy and Coachella clients
• Adam Federico, pro stylist for major fashion week shows and R+Co vice president of technical education

Reba McEntire gave an emotional tribute to her late friend Dolly Parton during the 2026 Emmys, but the most touching details were overshadowed by the song.

McEntire was wearing Parton’s personal jewelry. The white, sparkly, sequined gown was intentional, too.

The redheaded star borrowed the blingy dangle earrings Parton wore in the “Does He Love You” video, as well as a butterfly ring from her private collection (via The Dolly Archive). Butterflies showed up often in Parton’s branding — she loved them.

“I wanted to wear something sparkly, just like Dolly would have done,” McEntire told Vogue after the Emmys. “When Dolly did her first TV special, Live in London, in 1983, she wore a white fringed gown, and that’s where she first sang ‘Appalachian Memories.’ So my white gown is a little nod to that moment.”

“It was an honor to have a little piece of her on stage with me,” she added of the jewelry pieces. “I picked a pair of rhinestone earrings and a butterfly ring. There’s nothing that says Dolly more than rhinestones and butterflies!”

The two had been friends since 1977, when they met backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Parton was one of McEntire’s idols at the time, so this was a big moment for her. She remembers it quite well.

“She had on the most beautiful black chiffon pantsuit with rhinestone butterflies on them — and her beautiful hair! I thought, ‘My gosh, that’s probably what an angel looks just like right there'” she recalled in an interview for MasterClass several years back.

The song McEntire sang at the Emmys, “Appalachian Memories,” was quite personal to her friend. Released in 1983 on Parton’s Burlap & Satin album, the lyrics detail her father’s deep Appalachian roots and a longing to get back there when he’s away. Parton was proud of her family’s roots, though she grew up very poor. She was one of 12 siblings living in a one-bedroom cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, but there was a lot of love under that roof.

“It’s always been one of my favorite Dolly songs,” McEntire also dished to Vogue. “She wrote it about her family, and I think it’s just so beautiful and perfect to honor who she was and where she came from. She always carried her upbringing with her, and I admired that. There will never be another Dolly Parton.”

Nearly 20 yers after their last reunion and nearly a decade after the death of their frontman and leader Tom Petty, the surviving members of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are officially set to reunite for an upcoming show.

According to Variety, the four members of Petty’s iconic band will take part in a new show fronted by Chris Stapleton at the opening performance of the Americana Honors & Awards show in Nashville this Wednesday.

The performance will specifically see the involvement of original Heartbreakers Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Stan Lynch and Ron Blair.

For the finale of the show, the four Heartbreakers will be joined by two other later additions to the band: Steve Ferrone and Scott Thurston.

As exciting as it might be to see this concert in person, fans will have a chance to see a livestream of the show beginning 7:30 p.m. ET.

Notable ways to listen include NPR Music’s YouTube channel and the Americana Music Association‘s Facebook page; SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel and clear-channel WSM-AM; and Nashville’s FM stations WRLT and WMOT.

If that weren’t exciting enough, the band’s highly anticipated reunion comes a short time after the recent announcement that a new boxed set of the Heartbreakers’ earliest work together, Origins 1971-1978. The boxed set will also include previously unreleased material related to the Heartbreakers’ initial songs and musical projects.

Originally formed in Gainesville, Florida in the mid 1970s, the first lineup of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lasted until 1982 when Blair formally left the group and was replaced by Howie Epstein, later returning in 2002 following Epstein’s death.

While Campbell and Tench remained with the group until Petty’s death in 2017, Lynch wound up exiting the band in 1994. The most recent concert performance featuring all five members of the original band played together was a short performance in 2002 upon their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

In the late 1970s, Rush spent hundreds of nights on the road with fellow Canadian rockers Max Webster, forging a friendship between the two bands that would last for decades.

Now, singer and bassist Geddy Lee is mourning the death of Max Webster drummer Gary McCracken, who died on Sept. 15 at age 75.

“Just heard the very sad news that my old friend, drummer, Gary ‘Stixie’ McCracken has passed away,” Lee wrote on Instagram.

Lee recalled how close the musicians became while Max Webster toured with Rush around the world in the late ’70s. One particularly memorable adventure came when a Rush show in Paris was canceled, but Lee, McCracken and Rush assistant Sam Charters decided to make the trip anyway.

The three spent what Lee remembered as “3 crazy days of pommes frites, beer and berets.”

“RIP Stixie,” Lee wrote, adding, “Oh, what memories we made.”

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McCracken joined Max Webster in 1976, replacing drummer Paul Kersey after the band had toured Canada opening for Rush. He made his recording debut with the group on 1977’s High Class in Borrowed Shoes and remained with Max Webster until the band dissolved in 1981.

The two Canadian bands became especially close during those years. Max Webster supported Rush more than 200 times, including extensive touring outside Canada, and their friendship eventually made its way into the recording studio.

All three members of Rush—Lee, Alex Lifeson and the late Neil Peart—performed with Max Webster on “Battle Scar,” from the band’s 1980 album Universal Juveniles. The song was recorded live in the studio with Rush and Max Webster playing together.

McCracken was more than the band’s drummer. He also co-wrote and sang lead on “A Million Vacations,” the title track from Max Webster’s 1979 album. The song became a Canadian hit, while the album reached No. 13 in Canada and was certified platinum.

McCracken later played with artists including Triumph, Wrabit and Klaatu and released his solo album Audioscapes in 2000. He also taught music in his hometown of Sarnia, Ontario.

His death comes months after Max Webster keyboardist Terry Watkinson died on Feb. 28 at age 85. One person responding to Lee’s tribute noted the painful year for fans of the band, writing, “Two Max Webster losses in one year!”

Max Webster founder Kim Mitchell also remembered his former bandmate, writing on Facebook, “Rest in peace Gary McCracken .. my brother in RAWK !”

McCracken was present when Max Webster received one of its biggest honors in 2023. The band was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame at a ceremony at Toronto’s Massey Hall, with the longtime members reuniting for the occasion.

Related: Rock Icons Announce First Tour Since Beloved Drummer’s Death

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Temperatures are only going to get lower from here, so it’s never too early to find little ways to bring some sunshine into your everyday routine. Whimsical, flower-inspired decor can add a cheerful touch to your space even when the weather outside is anything but bright — and you don’t have to wait until spring to enjoy it.

The Wsyear Tulip Table Lamp fits the bill, offering a charming way to bring a little cottagecore magic indoors with a bloom that will never wilt. Right now, the pink tulip version is on sale for 50% off at Amazon, bringing the price down from $27 to just $13. That makes it an affordable way to add a playful decorative accent and a little extra light to your home.

Wsyear Tulip Table Lamp, $13 (was $27) at Amazon 

Courtesy of Amazon

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Designed to look like a blooming pink tulip, the lamp features an artificial flower set in a premium plastic vase with a thick, non-slip base. It stands about 11 inches tall, with a base that’s 3.8 inches wide, so it’s compact enough for a nightstand, side table, or shelf. At just 0.7 pounds, it’s also lightweight enough to move around easily, and there’s no assembly or ongoing maintenance required.

The pink tulip is the only design currently on sale, but there are 18 flower-inspired styles available overall. Depending on your taste, you can also find designs inspired by lilies, orchids, roses, sunflowers, and hydrangeas. Most of the other options are priced around $30, giving you plenty of choices if you’d rather decorate with a different bloom.

Unlike a traditional table lamp that needs to stay plugged into an outlet, this one has a rechargeable lithium battery and a touch switch. A quick tap lets you turn it on and cycle through three brightness settings, from gentle illumination for relaxing evenings to brighter light when you need a little more visibility. Since it’s rechargeable, you don’t have to keep a bulky cord running across your table.

Related: Walmart’s ‘Gorgeous’ Blue Mosaic Side Table Doubles as a Plant Stand — and It’s 60% Off

Its small size and cordless design make it easy to use throughout your home. Keep it beside the bed as a soft night light, place it on a dining table as a floral-inspired centerpiece for dinner parties, or set it in the living room to add a warm glow to a darker corner. Since it’s lightweight, you can move it wherever you want a little extra ambience.

It also makes a thoughtful alternative to a traditional bouquet, especially if you want something that can brighten a room without eventually wilting. It can be a practical option for households with pets, too, since many common flowers can be toxic to cats and dogs. And if seasonal allergies make fresh flowers less appealing, an artificial bloom lets you enjoy the look without bringing pollen indoors.

Reviewers praised the lamp’s charming design and practicality. One shopper said it’s the “perfect gift” and a “great night light,” writing, “It’s really beautiful! I bought this in place of real flowers because we have cats.” Another highlighted its “long battery life,” adding, “It lasted two days on one charge. I bought it as a gift and they loved it.”

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• Hodans Galaxy Light Aurora Projector, $30 (was $44) at Amazon
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For a cheerful, low-maintenance accent that can brighten your space in any season, the Wsyear Tulip Table Lamp is a charming find. And with Amazon’s current 50% discount, you can snag the pink tulip version for just $13 right now.

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.

Ritter Sport is making its nationwide debut at Target, bringing several new chocolate bars and bite-sized treats along for the ride.

Among the new releases are two new flavors of Ritter Sport Duos, a format launched last year that combines two distinct flavors into one chocolate bar.

“Ritter Sport’s premium German chocolate starts with high-quality ingredients, but it comes to life through exciting flavor combinations and formats that keep consumers eager to discover what’s next from the brand,” Chris Avery, vice president of sales for Ritter Sport USA, shared in a Sept. 16 press release. “From our new DUO bars to the fall caramel innovations, we’re continuing to bring fresh chocolate experiences to the category that align with the season, while staying true to the commitment to quality, variety and innovation that we are known for.”

Ritter Sport Debuts 2 Duos Chocolate Bars, and Several Other Bite-Sized Sweets—Here’s Where to Find Them

The new chocolate Duo bars heading out this season include the nostalgic Sweet & Salty Duo and Cookie Duo. Ritter Sport is also launching a new caramel-filled collection inspired by the popularity of its Salted Caramel and introducing an additional variety of its poppable Choco Cubes, per Wednesday’s announcement.

Related: Ritter Sport Fans Have 3 New Chocolate Bars to Look Forward to This Summer

• Sweet & Salty Duo: Combines caramel cream and salty butter biscuit pieces with rich chocolate brownie coated in smooth milk chocolate
• Cookie Duo: Chocolate cream with crunchy cookie pieces and vanilla cream with cocoa and vanilla biscuit pieces, surrounded by creamy milk chocolate 
• Mixed Caramel Minis: Caramel Pretzel, Caramel Popcorn and Double Caramel Crunch
• Caramel Choco Cubes: A perfect bite-sized blend of milk chocolate with double caramel layers

Ritter Sport’s new Sweet & Salty Duo chocolate bar (L) and Cookie Duo (R).

Ritter Sport

Ritter Sport’s new Duos are now available nationwide at World Market and, for the first time ever, at Target stores, for a suggested retail price of $9.75.

Its Salted Caramel and Mixed Caramel Minis Fall Stand-Up Bags, as well as its Caramel Choco Cubes Fall Stand-Up Bags, will be available at several major retailers across the country, including Publix, CVS, Kroger, The Fresh Market, Raley’s, Hy-Vee and Woodman’s stores for a suggested retail price of $6.89.

Which are you most excited to grab first? Let us know in the comments!

Next: Ghirardelli’s ‘Best-Selling’ Jack O’Lantern Chocolates Are Back for Halloween 2026