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The 1973 crime drama The Mack is back in the spotlight after Rolling Stone ranked its soundtrack at No. 41 on its list of the best movie soundtracks of all time. 

The film’s music, created by Motown artist Willie Hutch, has long been praised for its smooth soul-funk sound and deep influence on hip-hop and rap music.

Directed by Michael Campus and starring Max Julien alongside Richard Pryor, The Mack follows John “Goldie” Mickens, a man who returns to Oakland after serving a five-year prison sentence. As Goldie tries to build power and money through pimping, he clashes with drug dealers, corrupt police officers and the growing political activism of his brother Olinga.

Carol Speed and Max Julien onstage in a scene from the film 'The Mack', 1973.

Photo by American International Pictures/Getty Images

Rolling Stone described the soundtrack as “luxurious” and “silky-smooth,” highlighting Willie Hutch’s use of “wocka-wocka-ing guitars and percolating percussion” to tell stories about “pimps, prostitutes, pusher men and players.” 

The magazine also pointed to the emotional closing song, “Brothers Gonna Work It Out,” as one of the soundtrack’s standout tracks.

The ranking also renewed attention on “I Choose You,” a song from the soundtrack that became widely known years later after being sampled in Int'l Player's Anthem (I Choose You) by UGK and OutKast.

The soundtrack for The Mack was recorded by Willie Hutch during his time as a Motown artist and producer. Though the movie first received mixed reviews when it arrived in theaters in 1973, the music gained lasting respect among musicians and fans.

Over the years, songs from the soundtrack have been sampled by major artists across hip-hop and R&B. Dr. Dre sampled “Brother’s Gonna Work It Out” in “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat” from The Chronic. 

Usher sampled “Mack’s Stroll/The Getaway” in “Superstar” from Confessions. Chance the Rapper and Chief Keef also used Hutch’s music in later releases.

Rolling Stone noted that the soundtrack helped shape the sound of West Coast rap, especially among artists connected to pimp-inspired storytelling and smooth funk production. The publication specifically mentioned the influence on rappers like Too $hort, Snoop Dogg and Suga Free.

One of the most surprising parts of The Mack’s history is how its original script was created. According to director Michael Campus, the screenplay was first written on prison toilet paper by San Quentin inmate Bobby Poole.

The production itself also faced major tension while filming in Oakland, California, in 1972. Campus worked with real-life Oakland pimp and drug dealer Frank Ward, who inspired Max Julien’s character Goldie. Ward reportedly helped provide locations, protection, and background actors for the film.

During production, members of the Black Panther Party reportedly protested filming by throwing bottles and trash cans from rooftops. Later, filmmakers reached agreements with Huey Newton and Bobby Seale to provide extras for the movie.

Partway through filming, Frank Ward was shot and killed while inside his Rolls-Royce. The cast and crew later moved production to safer locations.

Despite controversy around the blaxploitation label, many critics and fans now consider The Mack one of the strongest films in the genre.

While Rotten Tomatoes lists a 60% critic score, the movie holds an 84% audience score from more than 5,000 ratings.The movie’s influence has continued for decades through film references, hip-hop samples and the lasting popularity of Willie Hutch’s soundtrack.

More than 50 years after its release, The Mack is now receiving renewed recognition as one of cinema’s most influential music-driven films.

Related: 1978 Hit Film, With '60s Rock Legend Who Nearly Quit, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Music Films’ of All Time

We’ve officially made it to cookout season, friends, and if you haven’t already gotten your backyard setup ready, Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to knock the dust off your grill and fire it up. Juicy brats, perfectly cooked burgers and all the fixin’s sound like the perfect start to summer if you ask me.

Of course, actually taking on the task of hosting a cookout can be a bit stressful if you’re short on time (and these days, it seems like we have less of it than ever). I'm always looking for food hacks to make my life easier, and while we report on Aldi Finds frequently, there's one freezer item at this grocery store that has especially stood out: their smash burgers—aka Aldi’s Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers.

And I'm not the only one taking notice. Fans on Reddit have recently shared their enthusiasm for these burgers returning to stores. "My wife loves these, we are so happy they are back," one person commented. "I love chucking these in the air fryer for easy dinner," another user wrote.

Intrigued? Read on for my honest review of these Aldi burgers, including if they're a good value, how to make them at home, and tips for cooking them for a crowd ahead of the holiday weekend.

Related: We Asked 4 Chefs What They Never Leave Aldi Without—and We’re Taking Notes

Courtesy of Kenn C. Bivins

What Makes Aldi's Smash Burger Special?

I’ll try to answer this without writing an entire sonnet, but truly, the Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers at Aldi might be one of my favorite freezer finds of all time. The burgers are preportioned and separated by wax paper in the package, making it easy to cook just one for yourself or throw them all on the grill to feed a crowd. 

The burgers are also made with nothing but all-natural ground beef, so you can customize them to your liking, whether you’re going for something classic with melty cheese and bacon or trying something new like a caprese-style burger or one topped with pineapple pico de gallo.

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Is Aldi's Smash Burger a Good Value for the Money?

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

Is Beyoncé the greatest living entertainer of our time? The answer to that is a resounding yes. Although the price has jumped a bit from $7.99 a year ago to its current price of $9.99 per box, it’s hard to overstate how much of a steal this is. 

Each box contains eight hefty ¼-pound all-natural beef burgers with no additives, fillers or extra ingredients. That works out to about $1.25 per patty, which beats the cost of buying ground meat and making your own burgers by a mile. On average, a pound of ground beef today costs about $6.90, and if we’re following the same math of four ounces per patty, you could only make about four smash burgers (not to mention the extra cost of buying toppings). 

So, yes, Aldi’s Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers are a certifiable steal, and at that price, you might want to grab two boxes.

Related: My Chef-Husband Just Taught Me How to Make the Best Burger, and My Summer Grilling Is Forever Changed

How To Cook Aldi's Cattlemen's Ranch Smashed Burgers

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

The beauty of this ready-to-go freezer find from Aldi is that you can cook your burger in a variety of ways, making it perfect to keep in your freezer for any occasion. According to the box, thawing these burgers isn’t recommended, as it can affect the burger's overall texture, so you'll want to cook from frozen. Prep is as simple as choosing your cooking method, gathering your toppings and letting the heat do the rest.

You can fire up the grill and toss the burgers on straight from the freezer, cook yours diner-style on a griddle or in a frying pan, or set them under the broiler until they're cooked to your liking. Personally, I chose to make mine in a cast-iron skillet set to medium. I seasoned my burger with salt and pepper, and then cooked each side for about six minutes. 

After cooking was complete, I placed the burger on a toasted brioche bun and topped it with caramelized onions, sliced Campari tomatoes, pickles, fresh serrano peppers, homemade kimchi and Bitchin’ Sauce x Yellowbird’s new habanero flavor to really round out the heat. It was transcendent. From start to finish, it took about 20 minutes total to have dinner on the table.

Related: The Michigan Way to Make a Burger 10x Better

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

Aldi's Cattlemen's Ranch Smashed Burgers Review: My Honest Thoughts

If you couldn’t already tell, I absolutely loved these burgers. Not only are they an incredible value for the money, but they take virtually no time to whip up. No mixing meat by hand or smashing your own burgers—simply take them out of the freezer and throw them on the grill. That’s it!

Beyond how easy they are to make, what impressed me most was the actual quality of the burgers. Unlike typical frozen burger patties, Aldi’s Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers are beefy in a way that actually tastes fresh. 

They were so good, in fact, that I admittedly ate a burger every day for three days straight after trying them for the first time. That being said, smash burger purists might say that these burgers are a bit thicker than the paper-thin Midwest staple, complete with the traditional lacy meat skirt, but I say tomato, tomahto. We’ll settle for this diamond of a freezer find from Aldi any day. It’s the kind of staple that we’ll keep stocked in our freezer year-round.

Related: I Tried the Viral Pinterest Burgers and They’re So Good They Don’t Even Need Toppings

4 Tips for Making Aldi Smash Burgers

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

For a better smash burger, try these tips.

1. Use a burger press

Although you could definitely make these without one, a burger press helps to ensure your patty gets more direct contact with your cooking surface, resulting in a beautifully crisp golden exterior. It’s the secret to getting that texture that smash burgers are known for.

It also prevents the burger from cupping in the middle, which can create a pocket of steam that can make your burger softer. 

2. Keep seasonings simple

When it comes to seasoning, you can pretty much flavor these patties however you want, but a simple salt and pepper blend allows the beefy flavor of the meat to really shine. Let your toppings drive the flavor bus instead.

That being said, we recommend seasoning these pretty liberally because the only ingredient is beef with no additional flavorings.

3. Experiment with toppings

Speaking of toppings, we say, "Do it up." Sure, the standard toppings would work great here, but why not swap lettuce for kimchi or layer on caramelized onions and gruyère cheese for a riff on French onion soup?

You could stick to ketchup and mustard, or go for something with a little more pizzazz, like smoked tomato mayo. The flavor journey is totally up to you. 

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

4. Double (or triple) it up

Because these patties are so thin, you can stack them to your heart's content. Why settle for just one patty when you can make your own triple stack piled high on a toasted bun? The key is to make sure to evenly distribute the toppings between layers so you get some of everything in each bite.

Up Next:

Related: I Tried Shake Shack's Bold New BBQ Menu and It's the Perfect Ode to Summer

When it comes to pizza, my tastes fall across a pretty wide spectrum. As much as I crave a hot and ready slice from my local pizzeria, I still have a soft spot in my heart for almost anything of the frozen variety. And seeing as I stop by my local Trader Joe's on a weekly basis, every visit turns into a game of which frozen pie I'll be trying next.

This week's pizza dinner? A newcomer to the freezer aisle: Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza. Priced at just $7.99, I had high hopes the moment I tossed it into my cart. For starters, I happened to grab the last one available, which told me it was already a hit with shoppers. And second, it promised a crispy-edged crust with a fluffy bite I just knew I wouldn't be able to resist.

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Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, $7.99 at Trader Joe's

Nathan Hutsenpiller

Sporting a classic rectangular shape and a deep, crispy-edged crust, Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza does a great job of paying homage to traditional Detroit-style pizza. Inspired by the pies that helped convert thin-crust fans back in 1946, it comes in a rectangular, oven-friendly pan, topped with a bright, garlicky tomato sauce, Parmesan, Romano and mozzarella cheeses and a generous amount of uncured pepperoni.

Easy Dinner Done Right

Nathan Hutsenpiller

What really sets this pie apart from others like it is that the tray it's served in is sprinkled with cheese before the pizza's assembled. While it might sound wasteful, this crucial step creates a golden, crispy underside that pairs beautifully with the pizza's pillowy interior crust. This truly minor upgrade boasts incredible results, and it's details like this that make this pizza feel like an elevated easy dinner staple.

I also really appreciate how easy the pizza is to prepare. All you have to do is remove the plastic wrap before baking, and roughly 22 minutes at 425°F is enough to get it piping hot, with a perfectly crispy crust and melty cheese. The included oven-safe tray also seemed to lock in heat beautifully, helping create a deeply caramelized, cheesy bottom layer with a crispy texture I didn't want to end.

Related: I Tried This $5 Trader Joe’s Limited-Time Snack, and Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About It

Final Thoughts

Nathan Hutsenpiller

As a fan of frozen pizzas, I'm aware that my bar may not be as high as others'. But when it comes to Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, I really feel like I've discovered a new easy-dinner gem. And while I was lucky enough to grab the last box, its bold mix of traditional pizza flavors and a crispy yet pillowy crust made it a new favorite, one I'll definitely be stocking up on during my next visit.

Keep an eye out for this delicious Detroit-style pizza during your next TJ's run, but before you go, check out this list of 24 best Trader Joe's freezer finds for more easy meal inspiration.

Related: 15 Discontinued Fast-Food Burgers We Are Still Begging Them to Bring Back

Dexys Midnight Runners has announced a new album titled LOVE, which marks the group’s first release under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since 1985’s Don’t Stand Me Down.

Frontman Kevin Rowland describes the album as a deeply personal collection of songs exploring “love in all its forms,” including family, ageing, memory, romance and reconciliation. The album drops on September 4, you can pre-order the album here.

Related: This 1981 Rock Classic Became the First No. 1 Song on Billboard’s Rock Chart

Produced by David Holmes alongside Peter Schweir, the record also reunites Rowland with longtime collaborators Sean Read, Mike Timothy, Jim Paterson and Brian Irving.

The album’s lead single, “My Life In England Pt. 1,” revisits Rowland’s childhood growing up in a second-generation Irish family in north-west London.

Related: 1984 Rock Classic Ranked No. 1 on New Greatest Album List

“We were in England dreaming of America,” Rowland said in a statement. “It was Elvis, it was Sonny Liston, Cassius Clay, clothes, all of it was America.”

He also reflected on memories of hearing Irish rebel songs in social clubs as a child, recalling how his mother warned him that one song “wasn’t allowed in England.”

Dexys Midnight Runners became one of the defining bands of the early 1980s thanks to hits like “Geno,” “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)” and especially “Come On Eileen,” which reached No. 1 in both the UK and the United States.

Related: 1979 Rock Classic Named No. 1 Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time

The song later won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards and became Britain’s best-selling single of 1982.

Related: 1981 Timeless Classic, Inspired by Real-Life Heartbreak, Became a Soft Rock Anthem

The renewed attention arrives decades after Dexys Midnight Runners scored one of the defining hits of the early MTV era with “Come On Eileen.” The song topped the U.S. charts in 1983 and later became one of the most recognizable one-hit wonders of the decade. In his book "99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders," author Brent Mann described the track as an “unforgettable tune” that blended “lazy, dreamy fiddle” with “foot-stomping pop overdrive.”

Mann also noted that the song’s blue-collar visual style helped turn the band into MTV favorites during the spring of 1983, with frontman Rowland’s overalls-and-bandana look becoming instantly recognizable to a generation of viewers.

Although the group continued releasing music in later years under the shortened name Dexys, the return to Dexys Midnight Runners carries extra significance for longtime fans. The band has not toured under that name since 2003.

Related: 1965 No. 1, Ranked Among Greatest Rock Songs Ever, Came to Guitarist in a Dream

'LOVE' Track List

“My Life In England Pt. 1”
“You’ve Got The Love”
“Once A Man, Twice A Child”
“You’re Alright”
“I Want To Be Holding You Next Christmas”
“I’ll Always Love You”
“Strange Feelin’”
“It’s Over Now”
“Old Love”
“My Life In England Pt. 2”

Alongside the album announcement, the group revealed an extensive UK, Ireland and European tour, including two nights at London’s Hackney Empire after adding an extra show due to fan demand.

Related: 1963 Rock Anthem Investigated by the FBI for Dirty Lyrics 61 Years Ago Today

2026 Tour Dates

In-Store Appearances
Sept. 4 — Assai — Glasgow
Sept. 5 — Jumbo — Leeds
Sept. 6 — Rough Trade — Nottingham
Sept. 7 — HMV — Birmingham
Sept. 8 — Rough Trade — Bristol
Sept. 9 — Resident — Brighton
Sept. 10 — Rough Trade East — London

Tour Dates
Oct. 4 — Gota Lejon — Stockholm
Oct. 6 — Pustervik — Gothenburg
Oct. 7 — Slagthuset Teater — Malmo
Oct. 10 — Passionskirche — Berlin
Oct. 11 — Elysee Montmartre — Paris
Oct. 20 — Royal Concert Hall — Glasgow
Oct. 21 — City Hall — Newcastle
Oct. 23 — The Halls, University of Wolverhampton — Wolverhampton
Oct. 25 — Opera House — Manchester
Oct. 27 — Hackney Empire — London
Oct. 28 — Hackney Empire — London
Oct. 30 — Corn Exchange — Cambridge
Nov. 1 — Dome — Brighton
Nov. 4 — Olympia — Dublin
Nov. 5 — Ulster Hall — Belfast
Nov. 6 — Black Box Theatre — Galway
Nov. 8 — Beacon — Bristol

Related: 1975 Film, Overshadowed by Its Iconic Music, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Soundtracks of All Time’

Question: Is prog-rock still alive and rocking in 2026? Y-E-S. The pioneers of progressive rock are still going strong, with their fifth albuminthree years dropping in a matter of days now. 

Aurora, YES’ 24th studio record, is set for release on June 12, with guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, and bassist Billy Sherwood, who all had retro stints with YES, as well as frontman Jon Davison and drummer Jay Schellen, all contributing. 

“Making this record was joyful, a chance to play, explore, and give everything to the music,” Howe said, per the band’s official website. “It’s always been about collaboration, somebody can write a song, but until everybody puts their contribution in it isn’t really a YES song. We’re not trying to echo the past; we’re carrying the spirit of YES forward and turning it into something new.”

After releasing their same-name lead single last month, the Grammy-winning band treated fans to another morsel, dropping their second single, “Turnaround Station,” today.

“YES are extremely proud to launch the new single ‘Turnaround Situation’ from their forthcoming album 'Aurora,' accompanied by a visualizer animated by Matt Hutchings, who also made the video for ‘Aurora,’” the band, who gave us "Roundabout" in 1971 and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" in 1983, shared on Instagram. 

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In a press release announcing the track, Davison said, “‘Turnaround Situation’ came from realizing that every time I ignored my conscience, life seemed to fall apart in one way or another. I’ve taken the wrong road before. Most people have. There’s always a temporary thrill in it, but eventually it catches up with you.”

He added, “Ultimately, the song is meant to capture that feeling of finally being at peace with yourself, when, by choosing the high road, you stop fighting what you know deep down is right.

Related: 1977 Yacht-Rock Ballad With Iconic Guitar Solo Became an Era-Defining No. 1 Hit

The Academy Awards are often marked by one film dominating above all others. Anora and the genre-bending Everything, Everywhere All at Once are recent examples.

The latter cleaned up at the 2023 Oscars, and its award-winning directors are finally making big moves for their next narrative film.

Deadline reports that Matt Damon is now in talks to star in the newest feature from Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the filmmaking duo known as Daniels. Universal, which is releasing the Damon-led feature The Odyssey, is backing the not-yet-titled project.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Daniels have been working on the project for the past three years amid challenges tied to budget, script and casting.

The movie's storyline is described as involving global warming, time travel and even a possible superhero angle. Plus, there are two timelines, THR noted on Wednesday, May 20: one set in the 1980s and one set in the present day. The protagonists of the story are reportedly teens — at least in the '80s-set timeline.

Before Damon, 55, Daniels had their sights on Ryan Gosling. After initially agreeing, however, the Project Hail Mary star, 45, thought it should be larger and asked for script changes, according to THR's sources. Accommodating Gosling would require more script revisions, and time was simply running out for the directors who had to start shooting in time for a California tax credit.

THR's sources say there was even a time when Jack Black was considered. With Damon, it helps that the Oscar winner is well-liked at Universal thanks to the Bourne action franchise as well as Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic.

On that note, a new trailer for The Odyssey dropped earlier this month, which fans counting the days until its summer release. The Greek tragedy also stars big names like Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya, and it hits theaters on July 17.

While some popular songs aren't everyone's cup of tea, a handful of the top tunes are universally beloved. For instance, on May 20, Far Out magazine released a ranking of "10 songs that are too perfect to hate." According to the publication, a few songs "that are impossible to hate" include Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" (1975), "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman (1988), "Friday I’m in Love" by The Cure (1992), and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers (2004).

Far Out named the Beatles' beloved 1969 song, "Here Comes the Sun," as the top tune simply "impossible to hate."

While "Here Comes the Sun," off of Abbey Road, has received constant praise from critics and fans alike, its songwriter, George Harrison, revealed he wasn't overly impressed with the tune. During a 1969 interview for Scene and Heard, Harrison described "Here Comes The Sun" and his song, "Something," also from Abbey Road, as "ok... maybe a bit more commercial but as songs not much better than the songs on the last album."

"But I've been writing for a couple of years now. And there's been lots of songs I've written which I haven't got 'round to recording. So, you know, in my own mind I don't see what the fuss is, because I've heard these songs before and I wrote them, you know quite a while back. And it's really nice that people like the songs, but," continued Harrison, who died in 2001 at the age of 58.

He also suggested he didn't believe he had the same songwriting abilities as his Beatles bandmates, Paul McCartneyand John Lennon. He clarified that McCartney and Lennon inspired him to pen his own tunes for the band.

"I wasn't Lennon or I wasn't McCartney. I was me. And the only reason I started to write songs was because I thought, well if they can write them, I can write them. You know, 'cuz really, everybody can write songs if they want to. If they have a desire to and if they have sort of some musical knowledge and background," said Harrison during the 1969 interview.

In the interview, Harrison also shared how he came up with his songs.

"I just write a song and it just comes out however it wants to. And some of them are catchy songs like 'Here Comes The Sun' and some of them aren't, you know," said Harrison. "But to me there's just songs and I just write them and some will be considered as good by maybe the masses and some won't. But to me they're just songs, things that are there that have to be got out."

Beyond the Gates' most shocking storyline yet may be about to play out on viewers' screens, as it appears Dr. Doug McBride (Jason Graham) may not be as ‘dead’ as the show has led audiences to believe.

On-Screen Beyond the Gates' first major death occurred on September 24, 2025. Following a night of drinking and gambling at Joey’s (Jon Lindstrom) casino, viewers were told that Doug died in a car accident. Meanwhile, at the same time, Joey was in bed with Doug’s wife Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) and had just given the order to Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) to “handle” Doug.

Viewers watched as Vanessa and the twins, Donnell (Alex Cheeks) and Deanna (Angela Fairley), mourned Doug's death. Oftentimes leading to heated confrontations.

Meanwhile, Joey and Vanessa continued to grow closer. Joey has met the twins and has attempted to make his way into the family's lives, going so far as to extend an olive branch to Donnell by offering him a good-luck charm passed down in his family for his assistance with the cotillion.

The audience has long suspected there may be more at play when it comes to the death of Doug, given the fact that the wreck occurred off-camera and no body was ever presented on-screen, giving the writers a clear ability to write a ‘return’ at any moment.

Now, that moment appears to be closer than ever.  At the end of the May 20, 2026 episode of Beyond the Gates, viewers spotted Graham’s name in the credits for the series, and given that he hasn’t appeared in months, that was highly suspicious.

The official Beyond the Gates spoilers also teased that this Friday, “One of the McBrides has a stunning reunion.” Could this reunion be with Doug?

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Parade reached out to a representative for the show, but no comment was provided by press time.

Beyond the Gates airs weekdays on CBS with episodes streaming weeknights on Paramount+.

Viewers can catch up on all of the drama from Fairmount Crest from the beginning of the series on Paramount+ or for free on Pluto TV’s dedicated 24/7 Beyond the Gates FAST  channel.

When The Go-Go's released "We Got the Beat" in 1981, it was clear that they had mastered a formula for an irresistible anthem that would become a sing-along tune for generations to come.

The energetic new wave classic became one of the defining songs of the era, though, surprisingly, the song never reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Instead, it peaked at No. 2 in 1982, spending two weeks on the charts as their biggest hit, blocked from the top spot by "Centerfold" by The J. Geils Band. 

The tune was released twice, as it first appeared in the 1980s on a small UK label, before the band decided to re-record it for the debut album titled Beauty and the Beat.

The initial version reached number 35 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play due to its popularity in the clubs, but the second version was the one that became a massive hit, going on to become one of the most recognizable songs of the decade. 

Its explosive success was largely fueled by MTV, as the lively music video was heavily in-rotation at a time when the network was taking off in popularity. The band also performed the song in Nov. of that year on SNL, while getting a boost from the opening sequence in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. 

The chart positioning had little impact on the song’s overall success, as it became a radio staple, heard in households globally, even named one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll."

Written by Charlotte Caffey, lead guitarist and keyboardist, the song helped launch the rock band into superstardom. The group, pioneering the establishment of women in new wave, was formed in 1978 by Caffey, vocalist Belinda Carlisle, guitarist and vocalist Jane Wiedlin, bassist Margot Olavarria and drummer Elissa Bello. 

While the track never hit No. 1, the album went on to make rock history, becoming the first Billboard No. 1 album by an all-female band that not only wrote its own songs but also played its own instruments—an achievement that remains unmatched.

As for the band's signature track, it captured the carefree spirit and youthful energy that defined new wave music, with an infectious melody and catchy chorus that continues to connect with audiences to this day.

Even more than four decades after its release, the feel-good tune continues to endure, sounding just as timeless as ever as it appears in movies, commercials, and takes its spot on nostalgic, roadtrip and karaoke playlists.

Related: 1981 Synth-Powered Classic Became a Defining ‘80s Anthem, Despite Never Reaching No. 1

The winner of Season 50 and the biggest prize in Survivor history is set to be revealed during the finale on Wednesday, May 20, and everyone's placing their bets for who they think will take home the $2 million windfall.

Related: Fans Still Can’t Get Over Parvati’s Double Idol Play on ‘Survivor’ 16 Years Later

Now down to the final five, Aubry Bracco, Jonathan Young, Joe Hunter, Tiffany Ervin, and Rizo Velovic will battle it out to earn the title of Sole Survivor. Before the big night, some of the CBS reality show's most iconic players ever are weighing in on who they think is going to win the milestone season.

Boston Rob Mariano's Prediction

Six-time player Boston Rob admits it's near impossible to accurately predict a winner because "one thing's going to have an effect on the next," but he does have a favorite.

"Personally, I'm rooting for my buddy Jonathan," he shared with TMS. "He started this season before. He came over to my house. He asked me my advice and he's still in it. He's going strong. I'm proud of him and I hope he can pull out the win. We'll see, though."

Rob Cesternino's Prediction

Fan favorite Cesternino shared his thoughts on CBS Good Morning, admitting that the person he's been rooting for isn't necessarily the most likely to win.

"Tiffany was my preseason pick, and she looked so good... but I think everybody else sees how good Tiffany is looking," he said. "So if she gets to the end, I think Tiffany can win, but I think she's also the most likely person to get voted out next."

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After that, Cesternino suspects they'd turn on Young, leaving Velovic, Bracco, and Hunter as the final three. Of those choices, he thinks Bracco has the best story, and if she can share it right, she can take home the gold.

"She came so close in Kaoh Rong, and she has this chance to have a redemption story and come back and then become a Survivor winner," he said. "I really love that story for her."

Todd Herzog's Prediction

Herzog won the 15th season of Survivor in China, and he agreed with Mariano that Tiffany is likely next out. Depending on whether they do a fire-making challenge as they have in the new era, he believes it will likely be Bracco, Hunter, and Young at the end.

"If it's Joe, Jonathan, and Aubrey, then Aubrey wins," he told The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp. However, that doesn't mean he thinks it's be unanimous.

"I think it's definitely going to be split, especially if it's those three," he said.

Kelley Wentworth's Prediction

Three-time player Wentworth put her full faith behind Bracco with a touching message on Instagram hours before the finale.

"In case it wasn’t clear who I’m rooting for tonight on Survivor 50: [Aubrey] you are strong, fearless, caring, loyal, relentless, and play the game your own way," she wrote. "Every time you hit that beach, you hit it hard, some ups, some downs, but always giving 100%. I am a proud friend and fan, and although not everyone will understand you, those who do, we GET IT."

The finale of Survivor 50 starts at 8 p.m. on May 20 on CBS.

He gave us high school in the ’70s, so it’s only fair he follows up the experience with college in the ’80s. A brilliant snapshot of time and place that, according to Collider, has only “aged like fine wine,” Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!! is the “spiritual sequel” to Dazed and Confused and like its predecessor includes a stellar soundtrack, this one headlined by a Van Halen hit from 1980. 

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“Those first few Van Halen albums will always be special,” Linklater told Classic Rock in 2016. “It’s not their fault that the hair metal bands were their progeny. They were the first, they were the original.” 

Directly inspired by the band’s primal party-rock anthem of the same name, Linklater even used the song’s same two exclamation points in his title. 

“I loved that title and that song because it can mean a few different things,” he said. “It’s raunchy but it’s funny, with a certain irony and humour to it. Everybody Wants Some!! — it means being young, wanting everything and expecting everything. Van Halen had that primal party innocence, I always equated them to it, and that’s a lot of what the movie is about.” 

A semiautobiographical portrait of Linklater’s own transition from high school to college in Texas, the film unfolds through Blake Jenner’s Jake, a baseball stud whose first few pre-season days on campus are spent hanging out, drinking, and playing ping-pong with the team. 

Sitting at a pretty 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film actually bombed at the box office. Like all great cinema does over time, though, it's become a fan-favorite cult classic, thanks to its slice-of-life charm; stellar cast, which includes Zoey Deutch, Wyatt Russell, Austin Amelio, and Glen Powell in his breakout role; and, of course, its totally ’80s soundtrack.

In addition to the Van Halen essential track, the film’s tunes range from The Knack’s “My Sharona” and Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” to The Cars’ “Good Times Roll” and The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight." Dire Straits, Devo, Blondie, Hot Chocolate, and dozens more all make cameos, too. We’d expect nothing less from a helmer who is as much a fan of movies as he is of punk, rock, and new wave.

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“I was the guy who went off to college with his whole stereo system, all my LPs and cassettes,” Linklater said, per CR. “My car was worthless, but my net worth was in my stereo.”

Celebrate 10 years of Everybody Wants Some!! by streaming it for free on Tubi. 

Related: 1991 Drama Inspired by a Haunting Bruce Springsteen Ballad Became a Fan-Favorite Cult Classic

Hi brittany

For many millennials and Gen X viewers, My Girl was the first movie that truly broke their hearts. The 1991 coming-of-age film follows 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) and her best friend 10-year-old Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin) for an adventurous summer that ends in tragedy—and many fans still aren’t over the ending today. (Spoilers ahead ...)

In November 1991, the warm nostalgic tone of the My Girl marketing, released just ahead Thanksgiving break, wooed us into believing the movie was just a sweet buddy film. The clips in trailer make the film seem so "small-town summer of 1972." Vada and Thomas J. ride their bikes around, saying all these funny, enjoyable lines. Even the soundtrack behind the preview is the chipper 1964 "My Girl" hit song by The Temptations. But all that was foolery.

Once they got eager movie fans in the theater seats, they pulled a fast one. Thomas J. goes into the woods alone, looking for his BFF Vada's lost ring, and the script takes an emotional turn that forever shocked young viewers.

Even when Thomas J. naively kicked that beehive, nothing tipped viewers off to what was coming. Soon enough, the bees were swirling and stinging him, but at the most, this would mean a scary hospitalization, right? Wrong.

In the next scene, without warning, sweet Thomas J. is pronounced dead. Viewers learn the terrible news of Thomas J.'s untimely death at the same time as young Vada. Vada's innocent face drops from a smile to dreadful realization, and the impact of this unforgettable moment emotionally eviscerated audiences.

And the My Girl creators weren't done yet either. Together with Vada, viewers must walk through devastation and grief. Moviegoers, too, sit on the stairs in Vada's house (also a funeral home), looking in at Thomas J. in his tiny coffin. When Vada approaches the open casket, bawling and saying the iconic line, “He can’t see without his glasses!” audiences were crushed right along with her. When poor broken Vada took off on that desperate, mad dash down the street, viewers wanted to make that same kind of exit from the theater. Get us out of here!

Decades later, the film’s heartbreaking ending still ranks among the saddest movie moments ever. Popular entertainment sites continue to place My Girl alongside some of cinema’s most emotional tearjerkers. Fans voted the movie No. 1 on Ranker's "12 Kids Movies With Really Depressing Endings." Collider includes My Girl in their "10 Best Movies About Childhood Trauma, Ranked." And one Collider critic even calls the movie "One of the Most Emotionally Devastating Movies of All Time."

Related: 1987 Movie Ballad Became a Love Song That Defined a Generation

For many '90s kids and teens, the shocking death in the movie My Girl was their first encounter with death and grief. The desire to rewind, go back, start over was overwhelming. Sad things do happen. People we love die. We could die! The pretty picture of childhood innocence became stained and curled at the edges. More horror movie than family movie, it was impossible to unsee and unfeel this story.

While the movie wrecked young hearts, it was also so darn well done. The film builds a believable, cherished friendship. It taps into all the realness of growing up and being frustrated by our parents and confused by our feelings and the world.

Chlumsky's emotional authenticity in the role of Vada is bar none. The young actress did more with her eyes than most actors can do with their whole bodies. And this is Culkin during during his peak Home Alone famousness, yet he switched it up and took on this unexpected and emotional role, and it worked! It really worked!

Decades later, My Girl still occupies a unique place in pop culture—not just as a coming-of-age movie, but as one of the first times many young viewers learned how deeply a story could hurt. Memes and clips of the film, particularly the "Where is his glasses?" scene, pop up on TikTok and Instagram as viewers, now grown-ups, recall this early heartbreak.

Here's an example of a recent TikTok ode to My Girl:

@bombxel

Mi trauma cinematográfico #MYGIRL #miprimerbeso #vada #thomasj

♬ sonido original - Bombxel

Many young viewers may feel a bit of their childhood innocence was lost watching this film in its day. The emotional memory of first heartbreak holds fast. At the same time, maybe it was better for many to watch this, hopefully alongside a loving adult who could break it down in a safe space afterward. But would it have been so hard to give audiences a little warning?

Also, for anyone who was traumatized by the movie My Girl back in the '90s, the actor Macaulay Culkin, 45, is doing just fine. See? Here he is a few weeks ago with his longtime partner Brenda Song at a basketball game:

Photo by Allen Berezovsky on Getty Images

Here's young Macaulay Culkin around the time he'd have been filming My Girl:

Photo by Vinnie Zuffante on Getty Images

Watch the official movie trailer for My Girl:

And if you're glutton for punishment and want to rewatch the ending, here it is:

My Girl is currently available for streaming on Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video, where subscription and other fees may apply.

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French's just announced the debut of a brand-new condiment, and the 122-year-old company is collaborating with an upcoming film for the trendy food product. Joining forces with Illumination's Minions & Monsters, there's a totally unexpected release coming to stores nationwide—and it's a first for the brand: French’s Goomi’s Green Mustard.

"In true Minions fashion, a playful factory mishap – caused by the Minions and Goomi, their mischievous green monster – resulted in an unexpected twist on a classic," a press release shared directly with Parade announced. The colorful twist on the brand's classic yellow mustard is said to have the same tangy flavor fans love, now with a playful spin. Plus, it's arriving just in time for summer grilling.

Entertainment and food collide for the trendy new partnership, which includes two limited-edition French’s products with Minions & Monsters packaging, as well as immersive fan experiences.

“French’s has always been part of summer’s biggest moments, from ballparks to backyard cookouts. Partnering with Illumination’s Minions & Monsters reimagines that tradition with a surprisingly colorful and undeniably fun, green twist,” said Tabata Gomez, Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at McCormick & Company, Inc., in the press release.

Directly from the brand, the limited-edition product lineup includes:

• French’s Goomi’s Green Mustard: A playful take on the classic yellow mustard fans know and love. Crafted with spirulina, a natural colorant, it delivers the same signature tangy flavor with an unexpected visual twist.
• French’s Minion Yellow Mustard: Featuring limited-edition film-inspired packaging, this classic condiment captures the rambunctious and comedic spirit of Minions & Monsters.
• French’s Minions & Monsters Limited-Edition 2-Pack: Includes one bottle of French’s Goomi’s Green Mustard and one bottle of French’s Classic Yellow Mustard in exclusive film-inspired packaging. Fans who purchase the 2-pack will also receive a limited-edition mustard bottle topper, as a gift with purchase, inspired by new Minion James.

Goomi's Green Mustard and Minion Yellow Mustard are available online now and in select retailers nationwide beginning June 1, while the Minions & Monsters limited-edition 2-pack is available exclusively online while supplies last.

Additionally, fans can get in on even more fun with a custom French’s and Minions and Monsters online experience on Frenchs.com featuring monster-themed recipes, entertaining inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.

Minions & Monsters hits theaters in the U.S. on July 1, 2026.

Related: Little Debbie Releases 2 New Special-Edition Treats — And They're Perfect for Summer Snacking

More than 50 years after forming, Kansas is proving it still has plenty of life left on the road.

The legendary 1970s rock group has officially added new headline dates to its already packed 2026 touring schedule, expanding a year that already includes major runs with 38 Special and Deep Purple.

The newly announced headline shows begin Sept. 29 in York, Pennsylvania and continue through mid-November, with stops planned in Texas, Iowa, New Jersey, Connecticut and more. The band also added an additional June 24 appearance in Albany, New York.

Fan presales begin May 20 using the password KANSASBAND, while general ticket sales launch May 22.

Despite never scoring a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Kansas became one of the defining American rock bands of the 1970s thanks to arena-ready classics like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind."

Their blend of progressive rock, soaring harmonies and emotionally introspective songwriting helped them stand apart during one of rock music's most competitive eras.

Formed in Topeka, Kansas in the early 1970s, the group steadily built a loyal fan base through relentless touring and ambitious albums that mixed hard rock with classical and symphonic influences. Over time, songs like "Carry On Wayward Son" evolved into classic rock radio staples and became deeply embedded in pop culture.

Even decades later, the band's music continues reaching younger audiences through film, television and streaming playlists.

Despite several lineup changes over the decades, there's no bad blood among the band.

"We've all remained good friends and see one another from time to time," co-founder and drummer Phil Ehart told Innerview. "Sometimes Kerry Livgren would jump onstage and play. Robby Steinhardt would show up at shows. We'd see the other members too. It wasn't like after 1980 when people started leaving that we said we’d never see each other again."

Kansas has also remained remarkably active as a touring act in recent years. Their 2026 schedule already includes a major summer run with 38 Special, reviving a fan-favorite pairing from 2025, as well as more than 20 shows with Deep Purple across North America later this year. Additional performances with acts including Jefferson Starship and Brother Cane are also planned throughout the year.

Meanwhile, Ehart, who is not currently touring with the band, recently released his memoir, I Am Phil.

With even more dates now added, Kansas continues demonstrating why it remains one of classic rock's most enduring live acts.

Even without ever reaching No. 1, the band's music has become something arguably more valuable: timeless.

Related: 1973 Rock Classic, Written in 30 Minutes, Became a Road Trip Anthem

Fans of 1990s rock and Led Zeppelin are getting another chance to hear the iconic band's songs and catch one legendary drummer’s son on stage this summer.

Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin's late drummer, John Bonham, announced that he and his band will be extending their 2026 North America Tour on Tuesday. Bonham, who formed the tribute band in 2010, celebrates the life, legacy and music of Led Zeppelin through live renditions of their discography. Their tour kicked off on Tuesday night at Saratoga, California.

The new shows have expanded into various cities and states on the West Coast and the Midwest areas of the United States from mid-August to early September. After a two-month break, the second leg of the tour will start on Aug. 13 in Pocatello, Idaho, and conclude in Iowa on Sept. 6.

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The English-Canadian hard rock tribute band was formed in Hamilton, Ontario, under the name Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience for seven years before renaming themselves to Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening in 2017. Its current lineup includes Bonham, James Dylan, Dorian Heartsong, Alex Howland and Akio Sakurai.

Before the band's formation, Jason Bonham played with Led Zeppelin a few times throughout the 1990s and early 2000s after his father passed away. After Led Zeppelin's 2007 reunion at the O2 Arena in London, Bonham expressed interest in touring and recording with the band, but singer Robert Plant didn't agree. Later on, though, Plant permitted Bonham to create a tribute band to honor his father's legacy.

"Jason’s a bit of a rascal, but I’ll tell you this — nobody else plays drums like him," Plant mentioned in a radio interview. "There was, once, but his father is no longer with us. As long as Jason does it with a smile on his face, he has my blessing."

"I’m very conscious of the legacy and get very emotional," the 59-year-old drummer told The Orange County Registerback in 2010. "For anyone that’s lost anybody, everyone can replay great memories inside, fond memories they have of their loved ones. It’s highly emotional when the crowd is going nuts, you just can’t help but get kind of choked up and think, 'Dad, look at the fans, these guys love you, they love you so much they are supporting your kid. It’s amazing.'"

Jason Bonham of Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience performs at Toyota Amphitheatre on September 1, 2017 in Wheatland, California.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Led Zeppelin is widely considered one of the most influential rock bands in music history. Formed in 1968, the group — made up of Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham — helped shape hard rock and heavy metal through their fusion of blues, folk and psychedelic rock genres. Known for songs like "Stairway to Heaven," "Whole Lotta Love" and "Kashmir," the band became famous for its powerful live performances and unique sound. Their influence can still be heard across modern rock and metal music decades after the band disbanded following Bonham’s death in 1980.

"If he were here, I wouldn’t be doing it. He wouldn’t make anything of it," Jason Bonham concluded in his Q&A. "Ironically, when we were in Houston, when the place was going crazy, I thought, 'I really wish my Dad was here to see all of this.'"

Presale access for the upcoming August and September shows took place on Wednesday. General sale will happen on Thursday at 10 a.m. local time. Fans can purchase tickets and learn more information on the Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening's official website.

Related: '90s Rock Band Announces 2026 Tour With Special Guests 31 Years After Forming

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If you want to revamp your sleep space for spring and summer, the Angenia 7-Piece Comforter Set at Walmart delivers a full bedding refresh in one neat package. The bestselling set includes everything you need to revamp your bedroom, and it's now on sale for nearly 20% off in select styles. 

Originally $60, the beautiful king-sized bedding is currently marked down to as low as $49 in the classic beige colorway. You can also shop it in six other colors, including terracotta, dark green, olive green, grayish blue, oatmeal, and black, and it comes in full, queen, and California king sizes as well, starting at $47. 

Angenia 7-Piece Comforter Set, From $49 (was $60) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

No matter which color you choose, the set offers a stylish and fully coordinated look that will elevate any home, including a comforter, a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, two pillow shams, and two pillowcases. It features an elegant tufted design with a classic geometric pattern, adding a touch of boho-style charm to any bedroom, no matter your style of decor. 

Related: Walmart's 'Super Cute' $24 Area Rug Set Adds 'Pretty' Farmhouse Vibes to Kitchens and Entryways

All seven pieces are made of premium ultra-soft microfiber that's lightweight, cozy, and breathable enough for year-round use, keeping you comfortable even in the hotter months. Filled with plush down alternative material, the comforter features unique stitching that prevents clumping and helps it retain its shape, even after multiple washes. 

The set has earned over 330 five-star ratings from Walmart shoppers. Several praised its "stylish" and charming design. One reviewer highlighted the stunning range of "vibrant" colors. Another buyer said the material is "super soft" and feels like "silk." 

Shop More Deals:

• Sonive Washed Duvet Cover Set, $19 (was $34) at Walmart
• IGII Full/Queen Comforter, $26 (was $37) at Walmart
• Emonia Cooling Comforter, $54 (was $70) at Walmart

If you want to add chic and cozy boho vibes to your space, this seven-piece comforter set is an excellent option that's lightweight enough to use all spring and summer long. Grab one while it's still on sale for under $50 off 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.

Madonna is sitting on a black leather banquette, framed by a dark Manhattan window and the warm glow of votive candles. She is wearing a pale pink dress, a white stole, and metallic silver sleeves.

But look closer at her hands. Those are purple leather driving gloves, complete with the classic open-back knuckle cutouts.

The image hit Instagram and set off alarms for anyone tracking the rollout of her fifteenth studio album, Confessions II, dropping July 3. The purple leather is not a random styling choice. For Madonna, the hands have always been part of the story.

Madonna Era

The Gloves

1984 (Like a Virgin)

White Lace, Fingerless, Punk

1985 (Material Girl)

Hot-Pink Satin, Opera Length, Irony

1990 (Vogue)

Black Satin, Opera Length, Rigid

1996 (Evita)

White Kidskin Leather, Political Armor

1998 (Frozen)

Black Henna Tattooing, Occult Skin

2004 (Re-Invention Tour)

Fingerless Black Leather, Military Grit

2012 (Super Bowl XLVI)

Studded Black Givenchy, Empress Metal

2012 (MDNA Tour)

Fingerless Red Leather, Majorette Punk

2025 (Met Gala)

Sheer Embroidered Mesh, Tailored Tuxedo

2026 (Confessions II)

Purple Leather, Knuckle Cutouts

Madonna Fashion History: The 1984 'Like a Virgin' Lace and 1985 'Material Girl' Pink Satin Gloves

Go back to the beginning. In 1984, the world was introduced to the Like a Virgin silhouette. The defining image of that era went beyond the wedding dress; it was the white lace, fingerless gloves bunched at her wrists. They were cheap, thrift-store approximations of bridal purity, torn apart and frayed. It was punk rock disguised as a pop wedding, a deliberate middle finger to the polished studio singers of the early 1980s. By exposing the fingertips while wrapping the wrists in lace, she turned a symbol of modesty into an invitation to the dance floor.

Photo by Marc S Canter on Getty Images

But she switched it up almost immediately. By 1985, for the Material Girl music video, the shredded lace was replaced by a look of high-glamour irony. Replicating Marilyn Monroe’s famous Gentlemen Prefer Blondes routine, she wrapped her arms in long, hot-pink satin opera gloves. By taking a symbol of old-money culture and using it to sing about commercial greed, she proved she could upend standard pop imagery just by changing the fabric on her hands.

Iconic Outfits: The 1990 Vogue Black Satin Gloves and 1996 'Evita' Movie Wardrobe

By the turn of the decade, the street-urchin lace and the ironic pink satin were completely dead. Enter the Blond Ambition era and the global takeover of Vogue. The hands became architectural tools. To frame the face during those dance routines, she needed maximum contrast. Madonna found it in sleek, black satin opera-length gloves. The accessory turned her arms into rigid extensions of the choreography. If the early 1980s looks were about subversion and irony, the 1990 black satin was about absolute focus.

Photo by Getty Images on Getty Images

That sense of rigid discipline transformed into political theater by 1996 during the Evita era. Stepping into the role of Eva Perón, Madonna traded subversion for institutional power. The gloves became pristine, white kidskin leather daytime accessories. By covering her hands in flawless leather while waving to crowds from historical balconies, she used the accessory to project dominance.

Madonna Tour Costumes: From the 1998 Frozen Henna Hands to the 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Two years later, she completely inverted the concept of the glove for 1998's Ray of Light reinvention. In the music video for Frozen, she didn't wear fabric at all. Instead, she used black henna (mehndi) to paint intricate patterns directly onto her palms and fingers. It was a maneuver that turned the glove into a permanent, spiritual second skin, setting the visual tone for her late-90s mysticism.

Photo by KMazur on Getty Images

As her career scaled into stadium tours, the physical gloves returned as literal performance weaponry. For 2004’s Re-Invention Tour, she took the stage in fingerless black leather gloves to grip the microphone.

By the time she reached the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show in 2012, the gloves were elevated to pure deity status. Playing a gold-plated Roman Empress to a global audience, she wore black leather gloves covered in heavy metal studs.

She weaponized that exact athletic aggression later that year on the MDNA Tour. Walking out in a hyper-stylized, 1940s-inspired cheerleader majorette uniform, the focal point shifted to a pair of bright, fingerless red leather gloves. By matching the crimson leather to her lipstick while twirling a baton, she twisted traditional American innocence into something provocative.

High Fashion Subversion: Madonna's 2025 Met Gala Tuxedo and Sheer Mesh Gloves

The historical loop tightened significantly last year. Attending the 2025 Met Gala, Madonna honored the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme in a sharply tailored, all-white tuxedo by Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford.

Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo on Getty Images

The subversion was in the hands. To break up the rigid lines of the tailoring, she wore sheer, embroidered mesh gloves. It was a direct nod back to the 1984 lace that started her career, but recontextualized for high-fashion nobility.

View this post on Instagram New Madonna Album 2026: The Purple Driving Gloves of the 'Confessions II' Era

Which brings us back to the Manhattan couch and the purple leather driving gloves.

This is Madonna’s first major visual statement since clearing her grid to announce Confessions II, a record built alongside producer Stuart Price as the direct sequel to 2005's Confessions on a Dance Floor. The original 2005 era was all about purple leotards and soft, feathered disco hair. But twenty-one years later, the 2026 version introduces a much harder, industrial-glam texture.

Driving gloves historically existed for utility: to protect drivers' hands from vibrating wooden steering wheels in cold roadsters and to provide a better grip. By pulling them into a late-night lounge setting, she strips away the car and leaves the control. The timing is calculated as the public waits for June 5, when she premieres the Confessions II immersive visual film at the Tribeca Festival. Directed by New York post-internet duo TORSO, the project is built around the album's first six tracks. The purple driving gloves tell you everything you need to know about that film before a single frame leaks: Madonna is now (and always has been) in control.

The '80s were all about new wave and pop tracks that had fans on the dance floor all night long. In the summer of 1981, the Go-Go's released a popular song that didn't top the charts or reach No. 1, but was seen as one of the best of the era.

"Our Lips Are Sealed" was a power pop track released by the Go-Go's, written by guitarist Jane Wiedlin and the Specials singer Terry Hall. It was released as their debut single before it became the opening track for their first album, Beauty and the Beast.

The song peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and No. 15 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. It also landed at No. 10 on Billboard's Disco Top 80 chart. In a list by Rolling Stone of the Best Songs of the '80s, they listed "Our Lips Are Sealed" as No. 7. They called the release of the debut single "making every other band seem hopelessly boring."

What made the track so much more interesting was its backstory. According to American Songwriter, The Specials and the Go-Go's were on tour together when Wiedlin started a brief affair with Hall. She would tell Rolling Stone that it was "a dramatic, traumatic, long-distance romance," especially since Hall was in a relationship at the time.

Related: 1976 Soft Rock Hit, Inspired by a Young Love Affair, Ranked Among ‘Best Rock Songs of All Time’

Some reports state Hall had a girlfriend, while others call her his fiancée. Wiedlin stated that "He had a fiancée at the time — nowadays I wouldn’t touch that with a 10-foot pole, but I was 19, and I was like, fiancée schmiancée, man." She would add that Hall had sent her lyrics through the mail that were "kind of about our relationship," and liked them so much that she finished them and wrote music to them. The rest was history.

"Our Lips Are Sealed" was credited to both musicians, with the song's title being self-explanatory once knowing how it came to be. Some time later, Fun Boy Three, which Hall was also a part of, released their own version of the track. Wiedlin called it a good song, but it had a gloomier edge than the Go-Go's version.

The track was also covered decades later by Hilary and Haylie Duff for the soundtrack of the 2004 film A Cinderella Story. It did well amongst fans, with critics calling it a "sugary" cover of the original.

There are three things guaranteed in the world today: Death, taxes, and Jeopardy! being on. Believe it or not, the iconic game show has been on the air for over 60 years (though the modern incarnation we know and love technically debuted in 1984). Under the watchful eye of Ken Jennings (who himself was a record-breaking champion), Jeopardy! puts three people's trivia skills and reflexes to the ultimate test. And so many of the greats to grace those podiums started by simply watching the show as it aired on weekdays, as millions have done for over half a century.

Here's a spoiler-filled recap of who won Jeopardy! today, plus the answer to Final Jeopardy.

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Who won Jeopardy today?Chris D'Angelo

Every great Jeopardy! streak has to end sometime! Chris D'Angelo dethroned 10-game super-champ TristanWilliams, winning with a final score of $19,401.

Who are the Jeopardy contestants today?Chris D'Angelo

Chris D'Angelo is a content manager from Washington, D.C.

Tristan Williams

Tristan Williams is a data scientist originally from Lincoln, Nebraska.

Allegra Rosenberg

Allegra Rosenberg is a writer originally from Skokie, Illinois.

Related: Sam Heughan Surprises ‘Jeopardy!’ Fans With an ‘Outlander’ Category — Can You Answer the Clues?

What was Final Jeopardy today?

Final Jeopardy today was in the category "THE 20TH CENTURY"

The clue: 51 DAYS AFTER THIS EVENT, EDWARD TELLER SAID THE UNITED STATES HAD LOST "A BATTLE MORE IMPORTANT & GREATER THAN PEARL HARBOR"

The answer: "What was the launch of Sputnik?"

D'Angelo controlled the board from the opening round, capping his victory by being the only contestant to correctly answer Final Jeopardy (after changing his answer at the last minute). He entered with a lead of $12,800, compared to William's $9,700 and Rosenberg's $1,400. His wager of $6,601 was a smart cover bet, ensuring it was enough to beat Williams if both got it right, accounting for Williams' maximum possible wager.

In the end, it didn't matter, since Williams got it wrong, as D'Angelo brought his final score to $19,401. Williams' run ends with 10 games and $224,902 total winnings. He is already locked in for the Tournament of Champions after his fifth game win, opposite this season's 31-game champ Jamie Ding.

One Redditor pointed out, "History was made today. Tristan becomes the first contestant in Jeopardy! history to end his run with exactly 10 wins," confirmed by The Jeopardy Fan.

D'Angelo will return on Thursday in hopes of defending his title.

Did you get the answer? Sign off in the comments!

Related: Where Jamie Ding Ranks Among ‘Jeopardy!’s Top 10 All-Time Winners

When is Jeopardy on next?

Jeopardy! will come back on Thursday, May 21, with a new episode. Check your local listings to find out when to watch

Where is Jeopardy streaming?

Jeopardy! is available on both Hulu and Peacock. Subscribers can enjoy watching new episodes the next day, as well as access a vault of many classic episodes to enjoy at a moment's notice.

Related: Ken Jennings Reveals If 'Celebrity Jeopardy!' Questions Are Easier