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Spice Girls' 30th Anniversary Announcement Was Not What Fans 'Really Really Want'
A day after the Spice Girls teased a major announcement for Thursday, the news itself let fans down, to say the least.
The announcement, which ended up being a release of their hits dubbed The Singles Collection on vinyl and in CD format, along with artwork and “surprises from the vault,” disappointed fans who were hoping for a tour.
They didn’t waste time expressing their dissatisfaction in the Instagram post’s comments either:
View this post on Instagram- “You have gotta be joking … we were ready for a world tour ladies!!!!” one commenter said.
- “What we really, really, really want is a final world tour where all the fans who have followed you for three decades can see you live—more than just continuing to collect vinyl or CDs,” another expressed. “That would be a fitting finale for you girls as the greatest all-female band of all time.”
- “This was it? I literally was looking up part time jobs to buy tickets for tour,” said another.
It’s worth noting that 2026 marks 30 years since the group released their debut album Spice.
However, while fans expressed their disappointment, perhaps they shouldn’t be surprised as previous rumors of a tour have been shut down in the past.
“I can tell you it’s not happening,” Mel B told Hello! magazine earlier this year. “If it does, it’ll be a shock to me, let’s put it that way. When I look at that [2019 tour] and at the feeling it gave me, I was in my element, but there comes a time … I’m 50.”
Although the group’s opinions may vary as Mel C said last year, ““I would be there tomorrow, obviously.”
“We have so many incredible opportunities. We all have very busy lives. You see all of the girls are still out there doing lots of incredible things — and it’s just the timing, agreeing on what we’d like to do,” she said of getting the other group members, including Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, and Geri Halliwell, to sign on.
The Singles Collection will be available purchase in November and includes “Do You Think About Me,” one of the group’s “earliest demos.”
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Harry Styles Announces 2027 Stadium Tour With Grammy Award-Winning Openers, U.S. Dates
As his 30-show Madison Square Garden residency, which began on Aug. 26, continues, Harry Styles has just announced the continuation of his Together, Together Tour into next year, including more tour dates in the United States, additional cities abroad and a range of Grammy Award-winning artists joining him as openers.
Styles confirmed this morning that the 2027 extension of the tour will include 25 new shows, comprising six North American cities next April and May, as well as six European locations in July and August. The lineup specifically includes:
- April 2-3: Phoenix, Ariz. – State Farm Stadium
- April 9-10: Dallas, Texas – AT&T Stadium
- April 23-24: Pasadena, Calif. – Rose Bowl Stadium
- May 7-8: Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Rogers Stadium
- May 21-22: Atlanta, Ga. – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- May 28-29: Chicago, Ill. – Soldier Field
- July 2-3: Berlin, Germany – Flughafen Tempelhof
- July 16-17: Paris, France – Plenitude Arena
- July 30-31: Madrid, Spain – Riyadh Air Metropolitano
- Aug. 7-8: Rome, Italy – Circo Massimo
- Aug. 18 and 20: Dublin, Ireland – Croke Park
- Aug. 25 and 27-28: London, England – Wembley Stadium
Openers for the 2027 tour dates include Tinashe, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Q Marsden, the Womack Sisters, Getdown Services, Caroline Polachek, Feist, LCD Soundsystem, Baby Rose and Tears for Fears.
Tickets for the 2027 tour dates are not yet on sale, but pre-sale dates and more information can be found on Styles’ website.
There are still several upcoming 2026 tour dates for the Together, Together Tour as well, including many Madison Square Garden shows, which will conclude on Oct. 31, as well as four shows at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 27 and 28 and Dec. 2 and 4 and two shows at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 12 and 13. The Melbourne show opener will be Fousheé, and the opener for the Sydney shows will be Skye Newman.
Shoppers With Planter Fasciitis Swear By These ‘Cloud’-Like Sneakers That Channel Pricier Brands for Less
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When your job keeps you on your feet for hours at a time, the right pair of sneakers can make a long day feel a little easier. Teachers walking between classrooms, nurses making rounds, and anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis knows how important cushioning and support can be. Luckily, Amazon shoppers say they’ve found both in one affordable pair.
The Nortiv 8 Walking Shoes are just $48 at Amazon right now, down from $60. They come in eight colors, including white, beige, black, purple, and pink, all for the same price. The sneakers have earned rave reviews for their cushioning and comfort, and have even garnered comparisons to popular name brand styles that tend to retail for over $100. One shopper said they were hands down the “most comfortable sneakers” they’ve ever owned.
Nortiv 8 Women’s Walking Shoes, $48 (was $60) at Amazon Shop at AmazonThe walking shoes feature a plush, high-rebound EVA midsole that cushions each step and helps absorb shock, which can be especially appealing if you spend hours standing or walking. A rubber outsole provides traction, while the lightweight woven mesh upper helps keep feet cool throughout the day.
Reviewers were particularly enthusiastic about the cushioning. “I really love the way these shoes feel! I have plantar fasciitis and the cushioning in this is amazing!” one shopper wrote. Another called them “extremely comfortable,” adding that they felt like they were “walking on clouds.”
The sneakers are also catching the attention of shoppers who want the feel of a pricier athletic shoe without the higher price tag. One reviewer wrote that “they’re just as comfortable as my Hokas and much more affordable,” adding that they planned to order another pair. They’re available in sizes 6 through 11, including wide sizes.
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At $48, the Nortiv 8 Walking Shoes are worth a look if you’re searching for a cushioned sneaker for long days on your feet, especially if foot comfort is a top priority. Be sure to snag one at Amazon in your preferred size and color while they’re still in stock and on sale!
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Kristin Hannah Announces Next Book Following Massive Success of ‘The Women’
Kristin Hannah has announced her next novel.
The bestselling author of The Women and The Nightingale will return with The Fire, a new novel from St. Martin’s Press. Hannah’s books have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, and several of her best-known works are also heading to the big screen.
With The Fire, Hannah is turning to a modern-day story centered on one woman whose life changes after betrayal forces her into the public eye. The novel will explore difficult choices, strained family relationships and what happens when a woman who has spent much of her life fulfilling expectations decides to break from them.
Here is everything we know so far.
Related: Best-Selling Novel by Kristin Hannah Ranked a ‘Most Read Book of 2026’ by Goodreads
Courtesy of St. Martin's Press
The Fire will be published on May 4, 2027, by St. Martin’s Press. Following the massive success of The Women, this new release will be Hannah’s first in over three years.
St. Martin’s Press describes The Fire as a modern American story rather than the historical setting readers may associate with books such as The Women and The Nightingale. The new novel will instead focus on a woman navigating family conflict, public scrutiny and the consequences of a decision that changes the direction of her life.
What Is Kristin Hannah’s ‘The Fire’ About?The Fire centers on Merritt Locke, who is described as a faithful wife, devoted mother and generous daughter. Her life is upended when she is betrayed by those she trusts and suddenly finds herself in the public spotlight.
According to the publisher, Merritt then breaks “the one rule everyone in her life is counting on her to uphold.” That decision becomes the turning point of the novel.
In the aftermath, Merritt sets out on an impulsive cross-country journey to reconnect with her estranged daughter. During the trip, she meets and joins forces with other women whose lives and experiences become part of the larger story.
St. Martin’s Press describes The Fire as an exploration of “the bonds between women and the transformative power of finding one’s voice.”
The story is also being positioned as a novel about America and the divisions shaping the country. The publisher calls the book “an anthem to those who feel invisible and forgotten and a rallying cry for women of every age to stand together to be seen…and heard.”
Related: 50 Books Every Woman Should Have on Her Bookshelf, According to Librarians
Hannah says the characters in The Fire have been with her for years.
“I can’t wait for The Fire to launch into the world. I’ve been living with these remarkable female characters for years and I am eager to share their story. I look forward to the conversations this novel will spark about the difficult choices we must sometimes make and the transformative power of finding your voice.”
The announcement does not reveal every detail surrounding Merritt’s betrayal or the rule she decides to break, leaving one of the story’s central conflicts unresolved ahead of publication. It also leaves open how Merritt’s journey and the women she meets will influence her attempt to reconnect with her daughter.
What Themes Will Kristin Hannah Explore in ‘The Fire’?Based on the publisher’s description and Hannah’s comments, The Fire will focus heavily on women’s relationships with one another and the consequences of speaking up after remaining silent. Merritt’s estrangement from her daughter also places a mother-daughter relationship at the center of the story.
Hannah’s own statement emphasizes “the difficult choices we must sometimes make” and “the transformative power of finding your voice,” both of which appear to be central to Merritt’s story.
The setting also gives Hannah room to address issues playing out in present-day America rather than looking at them through a historical backdrop.
Related: 25 Best Short Books You Can Easily Read in a Day, According to Librarians
Hannah is the author of 25 novels and has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. Her recent books include The Women, which reached No. 1 on several major bestseller lists, and The Nightingale, which spent weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.
Both titles are also headed to the screen. The Women is set to be adapted into a film by Warner Bros., while The Nightingale is scheduled for a March 2027 theatrical release starring Elle and Dakota Fanning.
Is ‘The Fire’ Available for Pre-Order?Yes! You can pre-order a copy of The Fire here. It will be available on May 4, 2027.
Related: 45 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time, According to Librarians
He Captured Her on 9/11. 17 Years Later, He Photographed Her Wedding
25 years ago, on the morning of September 11th, photographer Phil Penman was standing in the ash of Lower Manhattan when he saw a woman walking toward him.
Joanne “Jojo” Capestro had just escaped the North Tower, walking down 87 flights of stairs after the World Trade Center was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. She was covered in white dust, carrying her shoes in her hand, and trying to make her way through the devastation.
“I raised my camera and took a photograph that captured a moment of pure survival—an image that would bind our lives together forever,” Penman captioned the photo posted to his Instagram page Sept. 10, 2026.
View this post on InstagramThe photograph he took captured Capestro in a moment of survival and neither of them could have known that the image would eventually connect their lives in a way that lasted far beyond that morning.
Years later, the 9/11 Memorial Museum helped reconnect Penman and Capestro and what began with a photograph taken during one of the darkest moments in American history eventually became a close friendship.
“Then, seventeen years after that tragic morning, Joanne called me with news: she was getting married to the love of her life, Robert. She asked me if I would photograph her wedding,” Penman wrote.
On Capestro’s wedding day, the two found themselves on opposite sides of a photograph separated by nearly two decades. This time, Capestro wasn’t covered in the white dust of Lower Manhattan, she was wearing a white wedding dress.
Penman calls Capestro’s wedding day “one of the most emotional moments of my career” and included a photo of the pair, beaming, on Capestro’s wedding day in his Instagram post.
“Joanne said it best: ‘Phil was with me on the best day of my life and the worst day of my life’,” Penman wrote.
For Penman, the story represents something photographers rarely anticipate when they pick up a camera.
“As a photographer, you hope to document history,” he wrote. “You never expect that history will bring you a lifelong friend, or that a lens once trained on tragedy would get to capture such incredible joy, resilience, and hope.”
Related: Viral Reddit Thread Shares 9/11 Stories That Will Leave You In Tears
Andy Cohen Reveals ‘Rough’ First Day After Being Called ‘Grandpa’ at Daughter Lucy’s School, Fans Say He’s a ‘Zaddy’
Andy Cohen got a brutal reminder that kids have absolutely no filter when his daughter Lucy’s first day of school took an unexpected turn.
The Watch What Happens Live host revealed that his morning got off to a “rough” start after a child apparently mistook him for Lucy’s grandpa, prompting a very amused reaction from his daughter.
In an Instagram video, Cohen described the awkward encounter. “I just picked up Lucy from her abridged first day of school, and a little kid came up to me and said, ‘Are you her grandpa?’” Cohen said. “I said, ‘No, I’m her daddy.’”
He then turned to Lucy, who was off camera, and asked, “Lucy, am I your grandpa?” To which she joyfully replied, “Yes!”
View this post on InstagramCohen’s followers quickly came to his defense while also having plenty of fun at his expense. From blaming his gray hair to joking that Lucy seemed to agree with the kid, the comments became a collective reminder that children have a way of humbling their parents. One fan summed up the defense perfectly: “You’re a Zaddy NOT A Grandpa.”
Another fan revealed that her husband had experienced something similar. “My husband had gray early & one of my daughter’s friends asked why she had a grandpa daddy. The mom was so embarrassed, but we still laugh about it—20 years later!”
Plenty of other fans commiserated with Cohen, sharing their own stories and offering some advice. “Time to start wearing a hat to pick up the kids,” one person joked.
Another fan, who said she had her youngest child at 42, reassured Cohen that being an older parent isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “I’m also sure we are the most fun! So don’t sweat it!” she wrote.
Then, of course, there were the equally cringeworthy stories about things children have said without realizing just how brutal they sounded. “Owwwch! I remember working with kids, and they would occasionally ask me if I was pregnant (no, I’ve never been pregnant),” one commenter recalled.
1998 Country Love Ballad by Shania Twain, Which Peaked At No. 2, Reimagined 28 Years Later
Country legend Shania Twain just reimagined her own song with a little help from one of the hottest EDM artists around.
Twain teamed up with Zedd for the first time to release a dance remix of her classic hit, “You’re Still the One,” as part of a Candy Crush collaboration.
The love ballad, released as a single on Jan. 13, 1998 from her 1997 album Come on Over, missed the top spot, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it remains a classic to this day.
Due to its massive impact, however, it always felt like a No. 1 pop hit.
Not only did the song get plenty of airplay, it also garnered four Grammy nominations in 1999, with two wins for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It also marked Twain’s highest-charting song on the all-genre charts, spending 42 weeks on the Hot 100 as a major country-pop crossover hit that made her a household name.
And now, it’s back in the spotlight, with a new sound that’s bringing it to a new generation of listeners, while keeping in-tact what made the song such a success in the first place—Twain’s vocals.
As for what Twain thinks about this second life, she told Billboard, “It’s a great, new, exciting platform for the song, for my classic, and I’m flattered by it.”
She was thrilled that Zedd respected the song, adding, “It’s just a very, very, very classic song and vocal with Zedd’s musical magic.”
The tune is being released as part of Candy Crush’s Music Season 2026, complete with an interactive music video that pulls into Candy Country, a colorful, bubble-gum pink Western-inspired world.
View this post on InstagramOf the concept, she told the outlet, “I would never have thought of that myself,” adding, “So I was excited about it. And it takes the song to a whole other place. It takes it to a different universe, is a good way to put it.”
Zedd—who has plenty of his own megahits, including “I Want You to Know” and “The Middle” (his collaboration with country singer Maren Morris), which hit No. 1 on dance/pop formats—revealed it was a dream to work with the “legendary artist.”
“I grew up listening to her music, so being able to collaborate with her on a new version of such an iconic song has been really special,” he expressed.
However, he had never heard this particular song, admitting to EDM.com that it allowed him to “produce a song with a blank slate.”
“That’s what excites me the most. I love writing around vocals and I love finding a new home for them. You can mold it into anything.”
You can watch the full video at candyroadhouse.com
This Ad Features an Entourage Reunion and the Show’s Creator Has Opinions
Fans of Entourage got something they probably didn’t expect this week: Adrian Grenier and Jeremy Piven back together on screen.
The two actors, who played the fast-talking super-agent Ari Gold and movie star Vincent Chase respectively on the beloved HBO series, reunited in a glossy ad for Jake Paul’s online gambling app Betr. The commercial leans into the same dynamic that made them famous: Piven’s Ari-like smoothness convincing Grenier’s effortlessly cool star to sign on to something, before delivering the pitch to Paul himself. “I got your two superstar faces for your superstar app,” Piven tells Paul at the end of the ad. “We’re in, baby.”
For Ellin, the man who spent years crafting every word of the show that made both actors household names, watching his creation echoed in a gambling commercial was too much to take. “This is trash and theft. Period,” he wrote on X. “I watch it and I wanna throw up.” (Tell us how you really feel, Doug.)
But beneath the colorful language, Ellin’s frustration cuts to something deeper than just the quality of the ad: it’s about the respect owed to the writers and creators behind the characters who make the actors famous. “A lot of times, people in Hollywood don’t give the writer the credit they deserve,” he said in a video posted to Instagram. “I’m not talking about me, I’m talking about all the people that worked on the show.”
Ellin also didn’t hold back about the history behind his stars’ success, claiming he had to convince Piven to take the role in the first place. “We found these people. We cast these people,” he said. “I actually had to beg Piven to do the show.”
I have zero positivity in watching things I busted my ass of on for years he turned into garbage seek. Zero positivity. Go create your own shit. And if you need money for
Flip burgers. This is trash and theft. Period. https://t.co/lYn0UcPUG1
His message to his former cast was ultimately less about bitterness and more about creative integrity. “I want everyone to get paid, get rich,” he said. “Just f—in’ do your own s—.” Representatives for Grenier and Piven have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Entourage ran for eight seasons on HBO from 2004 to 2011 and spawned a 2015 feature film. Now, more than a decade after the show’s finale, Ari and Vincent are back together – just not in the way fans might have expected or the creator wanted.
Starbucks’ New Snoopy Cup Is Expected to Sell Out Fast — Here’s Where to Find It
Fall is in the air at Starbucks, and along with the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the coffee franchise is celebrating the crisp season with a brand-new collaboration.
Starbucks is teaming up with Peanuts to launch limited-edition merchandise to celebrate the beloved It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Halloween special. The collab also coincides with the special’s 60th anniversary.
The Peanuts-inspired line, which drops on September 15, will include 10 collectable items, including the already viral Snoopy Glass Cold Cup. The cup, a Snoopy wearing a green scarf and pumpkin-colored hat and featuring a Woodstock straw topper, retails for $39.95. However, there is a two-item limit per customer.
So, where can you find the Snoopy Cup, which is already being compared to the hard-to-snag Bearista Cup that was released in the 2025 holiday season?
View this post on InstagramThe item will be sold in stores worldwide, while supplies last, but some customers are already seeing the Snoopy Cup in stores and online.
“I saw that it’s released on Sep 15, but when I went to pick up my morning drink, I saw my store already displaying two glass cups with a plush, so I bought it,” one person wrote on Reddit before another added, “They do advance drops online if your membership is a high enough tier.”
And supplies are reportedly very limited, with one person commenting, “Someone in another thread said their store only had 10 arrive. People can buy 2 each. So literally only 5 to 10 people will be able to buy these.”
However, if you are not lucky enough to grab one before the official release or online, you might need to line up early to get the Snoopy Cup before it sells out. Sadly, it is reportedly already reselling online for $200.
The collection also includes an orange stainless steel tumbler with Woodstock charm and dancing Snoopy, a mini Snoopy Tote, a plush Snoopy bag charm, and an enamel pin set.
Good luck!
Henry Winkler Reveals Heartbreaking Childhood Abuse He Suffered From His Parents: 'They Let Me Know I Was a Failure'
Henry Winkler is opening up on the difficulties surrounding his childhood relationship with his parents, a relationship he said was fraught with abuse.
Appearing on the In Depth with Grant Bensinger podcast this past Wednesday, the Happy Days star talked about the difficulties that came with his childhood diagnosis of dyslexia, something that led his parents to regularly criticize him through his childhood.
“I’d never heard of [dyslexia] before,” Winkler said. “I just I was told I was stupid. I was told I was lazy. I bought it.”
“How can a teacher or a parent see their child is struggling and not go, ‘You know what? Let’s take a breath here. Something is wrong. I don’t know necessarily what it is, but come on,’” he continued. “But I was blamed for being the way I was on purpose.”
While Winkler said that he had complete admiration for his parents and all the amazing things they accomplished in their lives, he was also candid in explaining how they felt “embarrassed” by their child due to his diagnosis.
“I embarrassed my parents,” Winkler frankly admitted. “My parents could speak several languages. Dad could speak 11, and it was great. I mean, I really do admire [them]. They escaped Nazi Germany. They came to another country. They got to be able to stay here and become citizens… I appreciate all of that. I mean appreciate in the truest sense of the word. But as human beings, I was a failure. They let me know it.”
While Winkler said he has largely forgiven his parents for the way they treated him, he hasn’t completely forgotten the sting of being called a “stupid dog” due to his learning disability.
“When you see your child and your child is having a problem, you don’t call them [a] stupid dog,” he said. “You go, ‘Woah, wait a minute. There’s a problem here. I don’t know what it is, but let’s see.’ At least make you feel better so that you’re not floundering all the time, and feeling less than, and feeling like a failure — that is still, to me, unforgivable.”
1968 Funk Song, Written by a San Francisco Musical Prodigy, Is Still a Powerful Hit 58 Years Later
By age 11, Sly Stone had already mastered guitar, bass and drums. Years later, the San Francisco musical prodigy would put those talents to work on “Everyday People,” writing and producing the song that became Sly & the Family Stone’s first No. 1 hit.
Sly, born Sylvester Stewart, was already working on both sides of the music business by the mid-1960s. He DJed at San Francisco soul station KSOL and produced tracks for Autumn Records, working with Bay Area acts such as the Beau Brummels, the Mojo Men, Bobby Freeman and Grace Slick‘s first band, the Great Society.
Sly & the Family Stone came together in San Francisco in 1966, with Sly leading the group alongside several of his siblings, including Freddie Stone and Rose Stone. The band scored its first major chart success with “Dance to the Music,” which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1968.
Later that year, the group released “Everyday People,” a song about getting along despite the racial and social divisions of the time. It hit the airwaves in November, with the country already on edge over assassinations, riots and the war in Vietnam.
Sly kept the song moving. It lasts only 2:18, the shortest run time among 1969’s No. 1 hits. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 93 for the week ending Nov. 30, 1968, but it took several months to reach the top.
By the week ending Jan. 11, 1969, “Everyday People” had only climbed to No. 26. It then jumped to No. 15, No. 5 and eventually No. 2, where it spent two weeks behind Tommy James & the Shondells‘ “Crimson and Clover.” The song finally reached No. 1 in February.
It stayed there for four consecutive weeks, the longest No. 1 run of Stone’s career. “Everyday People” spent 19 weeks on the Hot 100 and finished as Billboard’s No. 5 song of 1969. Its success also put the song alongside other socially conscious No. 1 hits of the era, including Aretha Franklin‘s “Respect” and The Rascals’ “People Got to Be Free.”
“Everyday People” appeared on Sly & the Family Stone’s fourth studio album, Stand!, released in May 1969. The album peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 102 weeks, both marks being career highs for the group.
The record also included “Sing a Simple Song,” “Stand!” and “I Want to Take You Higher.” Stand! was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2014 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
Just months after the song reached No. 1, Sly & the Family Stone performed “Everyday People” at Woodstock on Aug. 17, 1969. It holds a unique place in the festival’s history because it was the only No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit performed there by its original artist.
More than five decades later, “Everyday People” continues to rank among Sly Stone’s best-known recordings. Rolling Stone placed it at No. 109 on its 2024 update of its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list, while Billboard included it on its 2023 list of the 500 Best Pop Songs.
Related: 1975 Rock Hit, Ranked Among the ‘Greatest Songs of All Time,’ Reimagined by Ella Langley
'DWTS' Announces Major Week 1 Twist and Fans Aren't Happy
Dancing With the Stars season 35 is starting off with not one, but two eliminations during the very first week.
During the Thursday, Sept. 10, episode of Hulu’s Get Real podcast, host Amanda Hirsch confirmed that one male celebrity and one female celebrity will be eliminated after each night of the two-night premiere.
The women celebrities will all dance on one night of the premiere, while the men will dance on the other.
“I don’t even think I was on the show when that happened,” pro dancer Mark Ballas said on the podcast, referring to the double elimination twist that was last featured on the show during the shortened Athletes season in 2018. “This is a first. … It’s not even an even playing field, right? It’s, like, the cast is split in half. They’re, kind of, like, ‘Boys over there, girls over here; one of you is going from each group.’ So, that’s a little different.”
“That is so scary,” Ballas’ celebrity partner and Love Island UK star Maura Higgins added. “Yeah, I have to work hard.”
Hirsch also revealed during the episode that the entire cast will perform routines to songs that were released during their birth years. Higgins and Ballas are set to perform a Foxtrot to 1989’s “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles.
RELATED: Harry Shum Jr. Sets the Record Straight on His Dance Experience Before ‘DWTS’
When Dancing With the Stars fans learned about the twist, many were not happy about the surprise double elimination.
“Next season let’s go back to a smaller cast so we don’t have to do week 1 eliminations. They are rough unless it’s an obvious dud that shouldn’t have been cast,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“I just don’t believe in first week eliminations. Like give the celebs a chance to grow and just do a double elimination next week,” added another.
“1st night elim is so stupid imo… what’s the point of bringing someone on to judge and critique their dancing and then not giving them a shot to do anything with the critiques?” a third chimed in.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
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1968 Mac Davis Song, Recorded by Elvis Presley, Still Ranks As One of his Best 58 Years Later
Few music partnerships hit as hard or as fast as Mac Davis and Elvis Presley in 1968.
When the late country star penned a sleek, rhythmic groove tailored specifically for the King, history was made in the recording studio. Fifty-eight years later, the song still ranks among Presley’s finest achievements and remains a testament to Davis’ songwriting brilliance.
Davis and Billy Strange originally wrote the track with Aretha Franklin in mind. However, while handling the music for Presley’s 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little, Strange realized the song was a perfect fit for a specific scene. He pitched the idea to Davis, who readily agreed that the King was the right man for the tune, per Songfacts.
David told Songfacts, “I read the script, and the place where they needed a song was in a scene where he’s seducing a girl at a pool and she’s talking too much, and he’s trying to get her to leave with him.” He added, “I had this song already started that I was hoping Aretha Franklin might like, and I wrote it really with her in mind. It just fit right into that spot, and they asked me to clean up the lyrics. It was a little funky, I guess, for his image at the time. So I changed his lyrics to fit the times.”
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This song was the first Davis wrote for Presley. The other two were “Don’t Cry Daddy” and “In the Ghetto.”
In a 2025 retrospective ranking of the 25 best Elvis Presley songs by Gold Derby, “A Little Less Conversation” earned a coveted spot alongside the King’s most iconic hits. Bookended on a list topped by 1956’s “Hound Dog,” the Mac Davis-penned groove wasn’t the songwriter’s only entry—his classic “In the Ghetto” came in at No. 17, while “Memories” captured No. 23.
The original 1968 version of the song only peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. A 2002 remake, listed as Elvis Presley vs JXL, charted a bit higher, at No. 50.
Elvis first recorded “A Little Less Conversation” on March 7, 1968, at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. The track was later released as a single alongside “Almost in Love,” another song featured in the film.
The track marked a distinct shift away from Elvis’ previous movie soundtracks, delivering a mature and more contemporary groove just months before the king’s landmark ’68 Comeback Special. When the broadcast aired in December 1968, it instantly shattered the narrative that Elvis was a washed-up Hollywood relic and re-established him as a force in modern rock ‘n’ roll.
Nearly six decades later, the Mac Davis-penned groove, recorded by Elvis Presley, stands as a vital piece of that transformative era. It remains a masterclass in how the right collaboration can reignite a legend and forever reshape music history.
Related: Elvis Presley’s Longtime Love Shares Rare Photos of Their Private Life Together
In-N-Out Is Making 3 Ingredient Changes That Could Impact Your Order
In-N-Out is making three notable ingredient changes in 2026, including an update to its burger buns that will affect customers in 10 states.
According to The Takeout, the fast-food chain is replacing its iodized salt packets with sea salt, switching to ketchup made with real sugar, and removing sesame flour from its buns in select states.
The changes leave In-N-Out’s core menu intact but alter several ingredients that customers regularly encounter when ordering burgers and fries.
The first two updates involve relatively simple ingredient swaps.
In-N-Out currently offers iodized salt packets, but the chain plans to replace them with sea salt. The Takeout notes that iodized table salt can taste slightly metallic so customers may notice a difference after the switch.
The chain is also changing its ketchup. Its current version uses high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, but In-N-Out will replace it with ketchup made with real sugar.
Both changes update existing components of an In-N-Out meal without adding or removing anything from the restaurant’s main lineup.
The most significant update involves the chain’s buns.
In-N-Out will stop using sesame flour in its buns in 10 states. The company has not confirmed why it is making the change, though some commenters have speculated that sesame allergies may be a factor.
Regardless of the reason, removing sesame flour will make those buns accessible to people with sesame allergies.
The bun change also differs from the salt and ketchup updates because it applies only in certain states.
The ingredient updates come as In-N-Out continues making other moves beyond its longtime Western footprint. CEO Lynsi Snyder previously said the company would not expand east of Texas, but In-N-Out has since opened an office in Tennessee and added stores there.
For now, however, the latest changes are focused on what goes into the food customers already order rather than introducing new menu items.
Related: In-N-Out Is Opening 6 New Locations in 5 States—Find Out Where
Rick Springfield Reveals the Haunting Secret He's Carried Since His 1968 Vietnam Tour
In 1968, Rick Springfield went to Vietnam with his band. The 77-year-old ‘Jessie’s Girl’ rocker recently sat down with Joe Rogan on the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, revealing the terrifying experiences he had when he was only 18.
If you’re wondering how Springfield ended up in Vietnam during a war, he explained, “The GIs wanted to see girls that reminded them of home. So as long as we had a couple of girls in the band, they would hire you, and you could tour Vietnam during the warm zone. It was pretty insane. We were there for about four months.”
He continued, “I thought, ‘ Oh, great, we’ll make money,’ you know. And of course we didn’t make any money. We spent it all at the PX, and we weren’t making much money anyway.”
Even though he was the hired entertainment, Springfield wasn’t holed up in a cushy hotel. “We’re two miles from the DMZ on that next Tet, and I remember New Year’s Eve and the flares, you know, the parachute flares start going off like this, and there’s like a line of guys heading towards us, and it was freaking freaky. They, you know, they kept them at bay. But we got shot at and rocketed, and we’d be playing, and there’d be mortars landing.”
The musician detailed another frightening experience while staying with Navy members that his band had befriended, “So we met these guys, and we really got along well, and we stayed overnight with them. And we all got in the bunkers in the perimeter bunkers. And I stayed in the radio shack. And we got attacked, and I’m throwing mortars down the freaking tube of the radio shack.”
Later in the interview, Springfield revealed to Rogan, “The hardest thing for me was that I’d thrown a mortar down that hit somebody. And they came in the next day and said, ‘Hey, you got one. You got one.’ And that was, it still has a place, a hard place to land in me. That’s really kind of the one thing I brought back with me that I couldn’t really find a place for that to land. It still seems like years ago, another guy, another place.”
“I was a young kid, and I didn’t really understand what I was doing. So I threw the mortars down, about five or six mortars, which I could have easily lost a hand, you know? And it came in the next morning saying one of them had hit a VC,” he said.
Years later, this is one experience that hasn’t left Springfield’s mind. He shared with Rogan, “I think it’s still there. It’s hard for me to face that I was responsible for the end of, you know, a life. Even though it’s distant and it’s war…It’s pretty heavy when I think about the reality of it.
1977 Rock Song, Written in a New York Convent, Is Still a Major Hit 49 Years Later
Aerosmith were coming off a career high in the late 1970s with two hit albums, while their fifth studio album was torn apart by critics, one track became a generational rock staple.
The rock band was catapulted to stardom with the release of their two recent albums, Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976). With stardom also came the downside of the rocker lifestyle that led to their fifth studio album, Draw the Line, marking a major change for the band.
While still doing well on the charts, “Draw the Line” became one of the album’s biggest hit tracks. It landed at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of rock’s distinctive classics.
Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, “Draw the Line” was recorded alongside the rest of the album in a vast 100-acre mansion in a remote part of New York. It just so happens that the mansion was an old convent near the village of Armonk.
According to LouderSound, the convent was named the Cenacle, and the owner of the property was a psychiatrist. He had plans to turn it into a home for troubled youth, and “instead he got us, said bassist Tom Hamilton.
The title track was reported to have reflected what the band was going through at the time, as many fell deep into drugs, alcohol, and the rocker lifestyle. According to producer Jack Douglas, “Draw the Line” was a classic title that said it all: “the coke lines, heroin lines, drawing symbolic lines, and crossing them – no matter what.”
“We were drug addicts dabbling in music, rather than musicians dabbling in drugs,” Perry would later admit about having made the track and album.
Tyler would also admit that “Draw the Line” failed to reach the Top 40, and the album was meant to be one of their biggest follow-up successes. Despite brutal responses from critics, the album was a hit among fans, sold millions of copies, and the track became a rock staple. It had what was expected from Aerosmith, like the back-and-forth riffs between guitarists Perry and Brad Whitford.
Its lyrics at first appeared like vageuly put together words, but Tyler once explained they were “scrambled eggs” ideas. One instance was the line “she was a wet-nap winner.”
“A wet-nap is something that you wipe babies’ asses with. Back in the day, if you were lucky enough to grab a stewardess on a plane and you came out of the bathroom, all you had to clean up with was a wet-nap. The best lyrics are like the scrambled eggs you have in your head about a situation. And I’ve got this uncanny way of weaving s–t together,” he explained, according to SongFacts.
The song would become known for Tyler’s trademark scream, Perry’s extended guitar solo, and antics during live concerts.
Walmart's 'Very Cute' $38 7-Tier Bookshelf Is Perfect for Decluttering Even the Smallest Rooms
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Most storage solutions are more functional than fashionable. Occasionally, you’ll come across something that offers the best of both worlds — but it’s rare. That’s what makes the Costway Industrial Bookshelf such a standout piece. The open-shelf unit makes it easy to organize any space in style, and right now it’s reduced from its usual $99 to just $38 at Walmart.
With seven shelves and a spacious fabric drawer on the bottom, it offers enough room to put items on display and conceal a few other things. What really sets it apart is the striking design. One side has four shelves, while the other features three surfaces with a little extra clearance space between each. There’s plenty of space to put plants, framed photos, books, and other decor right where you want it.
Costway Industrial Bookshelf, $38 (was $99) at Walmart Shop at WalmartConstructed from durable engineered wood, the unit measures 47 inches tall by 21 inches wide by 9.5 inches deep. The size is generous without being overwhelming, so you can set it up virtually anywhere in the home. It makes a great addition to a living room, bedroom, home office, or any cluttered space that could benefit from some order.
It’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical. The material mimics the appearance of genuine wood, with a warm, oak-brown finish that exudes a classic vibe to balance the bookshelf’s unique geometric design. The gray drawer contrasts with the rest of the unit perfectly, while a simple round knob makes it easy to pull open the drawer. The strong and pliable fabric is foldable, allowing you to use the bottom portion as an open display if you prefer.
The bookshelf comes with an anti-tipping kit that securely affixes the unit to the wall. That’s key in any space, but can be a vital safety feature in homes with children and pets. It will also protect the integrity of anything you put on the shelves. Each one has a 33-pound capacity, so you can confidently line up books, decorate with a striking sculpture, or use it for supplies.
Related: Walmart’s $142 Chenille Loveseat Is an ‘Adorable’ Way to Add More Seating to Small Spaces
According to one shopper, it’s “very cute” and makes a great addition to a small space. In rooms of all sizes, though, this shelf can fit right in simply by maximizing storage without occupying too much real estate. And because the design is so clean and unassuming, it won’t compete with other decor in the room.
Shop More Deals- Ebello Accent Chair, $140 (was $230) at Walmart
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If you’re dealing with some clutter or just want an attractive spot to keep books and other belongings, the Costway Industrial Bookshelf makes a standout choice. Grab it now while it’s on sale at Walmart for a limited time.
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'DWTS' Alum Ariana Madix Shares Advice for Season 35 Contestants
Ariana Madix has both practical and fun advice for the upcoming crop of contestants on Dancing with the Stars.
The reality star, who competed on Season 32 of the ballroom dance competition show, chatted with Extra this week ahead of Season 35’s Sept. 15 premiere. When asked about advice she may have for the show’s contestants, she immediately had a pro-tip to share.
“I would say make sure you have shoes that fit,” she said. “The more time you spend on your feet in shoes that maybe are just a little bit off, the more that will snowball into many other problems.”
But of course the former Vanderpump Rules star also encouraged the contestants to enjoy themselves while on the ballroom floor.
“Have fun, live it up, do every dance like it’s your last,” she added. “And I mean, it’s life changing, they’re all going to have so much fun.”
And when it comes to who she’s rooting for this time around, Madix listed off several cast members including fellow reality stars Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins, but also quickly gushed over 90’s hearthrob Taylor Hansen.
However, she noted “I will always root for Pasha [Pashkov],” who was her partner during her time on the show. This season Pashkov is paired with Olympian Amber Glenn.
Related: Emotional Predictions for ‘DWTS’ Season 35 Dedication Night Have Fans Divided
Coincidentally, Madix’s journey from reality TV, to DWTS, and then Broadway has become a familiar trajectory as former Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt, who competed on Season 34 of the the show, has followed the same path.
The two who went on to star as Roxie Hart in Chicago: The Musical on Broadway following their time on DWTS, and are both slated to return to the stage in Just In Time, however their stints will not overlap.
Madix will be playing the role of Connie Francis from Sept. 12 to to Nov. 22, while Leavitt will be playing Sandra Dee from Dec. 1 to Jan. 10.
“We’ve been able to connect and chat,” Madix said during the interview. “I just know in December when she comes she’s going to have a blast.”
Leavitt’s husband, Conner Leavitt, will also be a contestant on DWTS this season.
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9 Genius Chick-fil-A Hacks Employees Use When They Order for Themselves
In the world of fast food, many people don’t realize that what you see on the menu isn’t always the only thing you can order. For years, customers have visited their favorite fast-food restaurants without knowing there are secret menu items, ordering tricks and simple menu hacks that can completely change their dining experience. Some of these hacks have been shared online by loyal fans, while others have been passed along by employees who know the menu inside and out and have come up with their own creative concoctions.
Chick-fil-A is one of those popular restaurant chains that has developed a devoted following over the years. While many customers stick to ordering classics like the Original Chicken Sandwich, Waffle Potato Fries or Chick-fil-A Nuggets, employees often know inventive ways to customize basic menu items for a completely different experience. In some cases, simple modifications can help you get more flavor, add extra toppings or even recreate discontinued favorites that are no longer officially listed on the menu.
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Because employees work with the ingredients every day, they typically have an inside advantage when it comes to getting the most out of the restaurant’s menu. Whether it’s a unique combination of sauces, a creative sandwich upgrade or a lesser-known ordering trick, there are plenty of ways to customize your next Chick-fil-A meal beyond what’s displayed on the menu board.
Read on for the genius Chick-fil-A ordering hacks you can try yourself, straight from employees.
Related: The Greek Way To Make Chicken 10x Better
Chick-fil-A Hacks Employees UseThese are the Chick-fil-A ordering hacks the fast-food chain’s employees swear by to secretly upgrade the menu.
1. Frost Any DrinkOne of the easiest Chick-fil-A ordering tricks is turning almost any beverage into a frosty, dessert-like treat. Ask for your favorite drink to be blended with Icedream, and you can give classics like lemonade, sweet tea or cold brew a creamy upgrade. The Frosted Lemonade is already a well-known menu favorite, but experimenting with other drink combinations can make an ordinary order feel more special. A frosted sweet tea offers a richer spin on a Southern staple, while a frosted coffee can work as a cool afternoon pick-me-up. Availability and customization options may vary by location, so it never hurts to ask.
2. The Viral Chicken BowlThe Chick-fil-A Viral Chicken Bowl is the kind of fast-food order that feels extra satisfying when you want a little bit of everything. It usually starts with a base of crispy Chick-fil-A Nuggets and waffle fries that gets piled with mac and cheese, shredded cheese, pickles, bacon and plenty of sauce. Chick-fil-A Sauce, ranch and Buffalo sauce are popular choices because they add a creamy, tangy kick that makes every bite taste even better.
The best part is that you can customize it however you like, whether you want more heat, extra cheese or grilled chicken instead. It is messy, filling and perfect for anyone who loves a loaded comfort-food meal.
3. Add Honey to Chicken MinisAdding honey to Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis is such a simple trick, but it makes them taste even better. The warm, soft rolls already have a light honey-butter flavor, but a little extra honey gives each bite more sweetness and makes the savory chicken stand out. It is perfect if you like that sweet and salty combination at breakfast or want to make your usual Chick-fil-A order feel a little more special.
You do not need much either—just a quick drizzle over the minis while they are warm. The honey melts into the rolls, creating a sticky, buttery finish that makes this popular breakfast item even more delicious.
Related: I Tried 9 Fast Food Milkshakes To Find the Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide
4. Honey Roasted BBQ on SandwichesAdding Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce to a Chick-fil-A sandwich is an easy way to make your usual order taste even better. The sauce has a sweet, smoky flavor with a creamy finish that goes especially well with grilled chicken, but it is also delicious on the Original or Spicy Chicken Sandwich. It adds more flavor without being too overpowering, and it pairs perfectly with toppings like bacon, cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato.
We recommend getting a packet on the side and spreading it directly onto the bun so you can control how much you use. It is a simple upgrade, but it makes every bite feel extra satisfying.
5. Cookies in Frosted CoffeeChick-fil-A Frosted Coffee is such a fun way to make the drink feel even more like a dessert. The creamy blend of cold brewed coffee and vanilla Icedream already tastes rich and sweet, but crumbled cookie pieces add extra chocolate flavor and a little crunch.
A Chocolate Chunk Cookie is the perfect choice because the warm, soft pieces mix into the frosted drink and create a cookies-and-cream-inspired treat. You can stir the cookie into the cup, or crumble it over the top for the best texture. It is an easy Chick-fil-A hack for anyone who loves a sweet coffee drink.
6. Buy the Pebble IceBuying Chick-fil-A’s pebble ice is such an easy way to make drinks at home feel a little more special. The small ice pieces are perfect for iced coffee, lemonade, sweet tea, soda or even a homemade mocktail because they cool everything down quickly and are so satisfying to chew.
If you love the ice in Chick-fil-A drinks, ordering a bag is a simple trick worth trying for parties, cookouts or everyday use. It can instantly make a regular drink taste more refreshing. Just check your local restaurant or the Chick-fil-A app first because bagged ice availability and prices can vary by location.
7. Customize More Than You ThinkChick-fil-A has more ways to customize your order than you might realize, making it easy to switch up your usual meal. You can add cheese, bacon, extra pickles, sauces or other toppings to many sandwiches, while salads can often be made with a different type of chicken.
The app is especially helpful because it shows all of the available add-ons and lets you remove ingredients you do not want before you order. You can also get creative with sides, breakfast items and desserts to make your meal feel more personalized. It is a simple way to try something new without ordering something completely different.
Related: McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Dunkin’ Once Served These 10 Breakfasts—and We Want Them Back Now
8. Secret Sauce CombinationsMixing Chick-fil-A sauces is such an easy way to make your usual order taste completely different. One of the best combinations is Chick-fil-A Sauce and Zesty Buffalo Sauce because it gives you a creamy, smoky flavor with just the right amount of heat. It is especially good with nuggets, waffle fries or a Spicy Chicken Sandwich.
You can also try mixing Garden Herb Ranch with Sweet and Spicy Sriracha for a cool, creamy sauce with a little kick. And if you like sweeter flavors, Polynesian Sauce mixed with Sriracha is another great option. Just grab a few extra sauce packets and experiment until you find your favorite combination.
9. Order Nuggets and Strips Trays for SundaysOrdering Chick-fil-A Nuggets or Chick-n-Strips trays on Saturday is a simple way to enjoy Chick-fil-A on Sunday when the restaurant is closed. You can pick up a chilled tray the day before, keep it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it when you are ready to eat. This is perfect for a family dinner, game day, church gathering, birthday party or any Sunday when you do not feel like cooking.
Add a few sauces, waffle fries, mac and cheese, cookies and sweet tea, and you have a full Chick-fil-A meal. It is an easy trick that makes Sunday meals feel extra special.
Can You Order It on the App?Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com
Most of these Chick-fil-A hacks can be ordered through the app, but a few may need to be finished at home or customized when you pick up your order. You can order Chicken Minis, sandwiches, Frosted Coffee, cookies, sauces, nuggets, Chick-n-Strips and catering trays directly in the app. Extra honey or Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce may be available as a sauce selection, but you may need to ask for packets at pickup depending on your location. You can also order a Frosted Coffee and a cookie separately, then mix them yourself. Bagged pebble ice is available at some locations, so check your app before ordering.
Now that you have these nine creative ways to enjoy Chick-fil-A, let us know if you have your own version to add to the list.
Hit Broadway Musical '& Juliet' to Wrap Up Broadway Run After Four Years: 'We’re Incredibly Proud of the Run We've Had'
The critically acclaimed jukebox musical, & Juliet, has officially set a closing date on Broadway after four years in New York’s premier theatre district.
According to Playbill, & Juliet will play its final show at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on January 3, 2027.
At its scheduled closing date, the show will have played a total of 1,723 regular performances and 20 previews, closing as one of the 50 longest-running musicals in Broadway history.
As fans of the show might remember, & Juliet offers an inventive twist on William Shakespeare’s classic story of star-crossed lovers. Upending the narrative of Romeo and Juliet, & Juliet finds Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway debating the ending of the Bard’s famed tragedy, providing Juliet with a series of new endings that take place after the events of Romeo and Juliet.
A sensational jukebox musical, some of the songs featured in the show include Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” Britney Spears’ “… Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.”
Originally premiering in the United Kingdom in 2019, the show eventually opened on Broadway in 2022. Over the course of its run, the show earned a total of nine Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Actress and Best Choreography.
“From the very beginning, & Juliet has been winning over audiences and critics alike, shattering every stereotype about jukebox musicals to deliver a smart, funny, heartfelt story— all while sparking true joy in everyone who sees it,” producers Theresa Steele Page and Eva Price said of the show’s closing. “We’re incredibly proud of the run we’ve had on Broadway, and the story of inclusion, acceptance and second chances we’ve been able to share with more than 1.5 million people in our four years on Broadway.”
Prior to playing on Broadway, the West End version of the show earned similarly warm reviews from theatergoers in the UK. At the 2020 Olivier Awards, the show received nine award nominations, winning a total of three, including Best Actress in a Musical.
