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Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, October 1, 2026

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 11:45pm

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle explores different ways things can come undone.

Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #942 on Thursday, October 1.

How to Play Strands

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

  • Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
  • Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
  • Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

  • The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
  • The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
  • An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

  • Find non-theme words to get hints.
  • For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
  • Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.
What Is Today’s Strands Hint for the Theme: “Things fall apart.“

If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: Is it possible to fix that?

What Are Today’s NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today’s puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

  • BE
  • CR
  • CO
  • DI
  • FR
  • BE (SPANGRAM)
NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today’s Spangram is a mix of vertical and horizontal

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for October 1

Today’s Spangram answer for today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram, and Answers for Thursday, October 1, 2026, is BEYONDREPAIR.

What Are Today’s NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Thursday, October 1?
  • BREAK
  • CRUMBLE
  • COLLAPSE
  • DISSOLVE
  • FRAGMENT
  • SPANGRAM: BEYONDREPAIR

Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Wednesday, September 30, 2026

NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Thursday, October 1, 2026

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 11:25pm


To solve today’s New York Times Connections puzzle, think about ways to put something somewhere, measurements you might need when shopping for clothes, post ’90s indie music and the beginnings of familiar puzzles.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1208 on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle for Thursday, October 1, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Thursday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints About Today’s NYT Connections Categories on Thursday, October 1
  1. Set it right there.
  2. A tailor works with these.
  3. Rock on.
  4. More puzzles from the Times.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today’s Connections Game Answers for Thursday, October 1:

1. PUT: PLACE, POSITION, SITUATE, STICK
2. DRESS SHIRT MEASUREMENTS: CHEST, NECK, SLEEVE, WAIST
3. 2000S INDIE ROCK BANDS, WITH “THE”: DECEMBERISTS, NATIONAL, SHINS, WALKMEN
4. STARTS OF NYT PRINT PUZZLES: ACRO, CROSS, KEN, SUD

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Today’s Wordle Hint, Answers for #1930 on Thursday, October 1, 2026

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 11:04pm

To solve today’s NYT Wordle puzzle, think fancy or luxurious, but in a showy kind of way.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1930 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There is one vowel and one sometimes vowel in today’s Wordle.

What kind of letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s Wordle begins with a consonant.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today’s Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today’s Wordle?

Today’s Wordle answer can refer to something that’s very expensive, often in a showy way.

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

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

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle Answer for #1930 on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Today’s Wordle answer on Thursday, October 1, 2026, is RITZY.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

1969 Rock Song, Written During a Trip to Italy, Is Still One of the Rolling Stones' Darkest Hits

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:48pm

It wasn’t uncommon for Keith Richards and Mick Jagger to develop hits for the Rolling Stones with an intriguing backstory, and their 1969 hit was certainly one that fans still ask questions about.

The two rock icons were in Italy when they developed the track “Midnight Rambler,” which was never released as a single. It was originally recorded during the sessions for Beggars Banquet, but was released as part of their album, Let It Bleed.

“Midnight Rambler” was called by Richards a “blues opera” song that “nobody else” could have written. They had no intention of it being a blues track, but it was “just the way it turned out,” said the guitarist. He explained it was a large part of what made the Rolling Stones a good band: their ability to “give them a song half raw and they cooked it.”

The track would also gain infamy due to its lyrics and the reported inspiration behind the dark track that was a stark contrast to where it was written on the sunny Amalfi Coast.

“We were on a holiday in Italy. In this very beautiful hill town, Positano, for a few nights. Why we should write such a dark song in this beautiful, sunny place, I really don’t know. We wrote everything there – the tempo changes, everything. And I’m playing the harmonica in these little cafes, and there’s Keith with the guitar,” said Jagger, according to UDiscoverMusic.

It’s been reported that “Midnight Rambler” was loosely based on the life of the real Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo. Richards or Jagger have never actually confirmed whether the rumors are true, but lyrics like “Well, you heard about the Boston…” led to assumptions as an instrumental stab sound cuts off Jagger. The track’s lyrics even have Jagger take on the persona of a killer stalking a young woman.

DeSalvo was one of America’s infamous serial killers who murdered 13 women around the Boston area from 1962 to 1964. His victims were found strangled, with their nylon stockings tied in a bow around their necks. In 1965, he was already serving time in a mental institution for sexual assault when he confessed to the murders. He was given life in prison, while multiple experts still question his involvement and the forensics.

“Midnight Rambler” may not have entered the charts, but it was a concert favorite. The Rolling Stones played the song throughout the ’70s, with Jagger putting on a theatrical show that led audiences to scream alongside him. According to SongFacts, their lighting director Chip Monch even developed a special lighting rig that would shine red on Jagger.

Related: 1968 Country Song, Written in 30 Minutes for Aretha Franklin, Is Still a a Cross-Generational Hit 58 Years Later

Shoppers Say Walmart's Bestselling $13 Smiling Hanging Planter 'Cheers' Them Up Instantly

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:45pm

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As we head into shorter days and chillier nights this fall, adding some greenery is a great way to keep the vibe of your space bright and fresh. The first step is getting a planter so you can showcase your plants in all their glory. Our favorites are those that are just as adorable as they are functional, like this Tcwhniev Smiling Hanging Planter at Walmart. 

There’s no better time than right now to snag this hanging planter because it’s currently on sale for a limited time! Available in six designs, prices vary slightly depending on the style. Normally retailing for between $16 and $34, it’s now marked down to between $13 and $16. Five of the styles feature one pot, while one $15 style includes two connected pots. 

Tcwhniev Smiling Hanging Planter, From $13 (was $26) at Walmart Shop at Walmart

It’s no surprise that many shoppers said that these planters put a smile on their faces every time they see it. Cheerful and adorable, each boasts a smiley face design plastered in the middle of the pot that’ll instantly perk up the vibes in your home. Depending on the style, the planter sits on either a wooden plank or a woven saucer chair. Multiple reviewers said that these are “the cutest” planters they’ve ever seen. 

“This is so unique and adorable,” one customer raved. “It’s super cute and cheers me up every time I walk into the room.” Another shopper said that it “adds a bit of fun” to their garden. 

Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, these planters come equipped with a rope so you can hang it up anywhere. The rope is strung through multiple parts of the base to keep it even and steady. They’re great for small and large homes alike, as they don’t take up any floor or counter space. 

You can hang it up from your ceiling using a mounted or adhesive hook, or from any rod in your home using an S-shaped hook. If you want to place it outdoors, either suspend it from a hook on your overhang or awning, or dangle it from a shepherd’s hook if you want to display it in your garden.

Tcwhniev Smiling Hanging Planter, From $13 (was $19) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Made from synthetic resin, these planters are very durable. Synthetic resin can withstand harsh weather conditions like rain and intense sunlight. They prevent corrosion and moisture penetration. The bottom of the planters are fixed with a drainage hole, allowing water to flow through to prevent waterlogged soil. 

You can pot any small plant in these planters. Many customers mentioned that they keep string plants in the planters. The long flowing plants, like English ivies or strings of pearls, make the planters look like they have hair, bringing it to life. Other shoppers noted that they’ve planted succulents, cacti, and herbs in these planters. 

Related: Walmart’s ‘Smooth’ Gliding $72 Patio Bench Is a Calming Spot for Reading or Sipping Coffee

Not only is the Tcwhniev Smiling Hanging Planter a practical way to show off your plants, but it’s also a great mood booster. Head to Walmart and snag it while it’s on sale for as low as $13! Be sure to hurry because it’ll only be available at this amazing flash price for a limited time! 

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.

1974 Rock Song, Covered by Eddie Vedder, John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen, Is Still an Inspirational Classic 52 Years Later

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:32pm

When British pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz released “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” on their 1974 album The New Favourites of…Brinsley Schwarz, it wasn’t a major hit. But that was only the beginning of the song’s career; thanks to a series of high-profile covers (more on that later), it’s now considered a classic. So what inspired Nick Lowe to write it in the first place?

The song’s title says it all, pretty much: As Lowe told Vanity Fair in 2009, his “original concept was that it was sort of a humorous idea, because it was written in 1972, 1973, something like that, when the hippie dream was dying, and a lot of people who had been hippies — I suppose myself included, really — were starting to be rather embarrassed by the fact that they’d been hippies.”

“And the song was written from the point of view of an old hippie, answering the people who had once been hippies and had strayed from the faith,” he continued. “They were all laughing at this old guy, and he was saying, Well, you can laugh at me, but all I’m saying is, ‘What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding, man?’ So that was the idea.”

In a 2018 interview with The Ringer, Lowe expressed gratitude towards his younger self for not overthinking the concept.

“Unbelievably, because I was, in so many other ways, an incredibly stupid youth — I behaved in a sort of idiotic way, most of the time — I had the incredible foresight not to mess it up with any clever, stupid, clever lines,” he said. “Just let the slightly clunky title do the work, was the idea. The idea was all in the title. I had a good tune for it. And I let the title do the work. And that was amazing — I’m amazed nowadays, looking back, that I did that.”

Elvis Costello‘s version was the one that propelled “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” into the pop culture consciousness. Elvis Costello and the Attractions covered the song on the 1979 album Armed Forces, which happened to be the third Costello album Lowe produced.

“I could babble on about the history of the song, but the version that Brinsley Schwarz recorded, that Elvis heard at the gigs, was recorded by Dave Edmunds,” Lowe told Stereogum in 2021.

“It had quite a big full sound. When the Brinsleys split up, that should’ve been the end of it,” he added. “That’s what happens to bands’ songs when they split up, the songs go in the dustbin of history. The song was never a hit, it never caused much of a stir at all when we did it originally. ‘Cruel To Be Kind,’ we did a demo, but it never caused a stir even if it did well when we played live. That should’ve been it. But it was those two songs that got pulled out of the dustbin.”

It was Costello who “pulled out ‘Peace, Love, And Understanding,’ and said, ‘You remember that song? I think it’s a real cracker, I want to do that,'” according to Lowe. “Up until that point, he hadn’t done any covers at all, I don’t think. I said, ‘Are you sure?’ It wasn’t me as a producer saying ‘Elvis, I really think you should record my song.’ It was totally his idea. I was none too sure if it was a good idea until they actually went into it and was like ‘Oh my God, this is fantastic.’ But the success of the song is really all down to Elvis. He’s the one who put the hurt on it, which people identified with.”

Of course, Costello was far from the last person to cover the tune. “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” was often performed during the 2004 Vote for Change tour, featuring a variety of different headliners; in Washington, D.C., the all-star jam session included Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, the Dixie Chicks, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, John Fogerty with Michael Stipe, Bonnie Raitt and others.

A few years later, in 2008, Costello joined Stephen Colbert, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, John Legend and Feist to sing “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” at the end of the Comedy Central special A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!.

“I’ve heard all kinds of different treatments of it,” Lowe said, adding, “It’s a song that can really be done in many, many ways. I’m grateful for it. It was sort of a hippie that wrote the song, and the hippie in me wishes a time would come where the song would not be required anymore. But the narrow-eyed chancer I’ve become, thinks now ‘Well, royalties, ha ha ha!’ I’m grateful for it in two ways, the spiritual side and the fact it gives people so much pleasure to perform it and hear it.”

Related: 1979 One-Hit Wonder, Inspired by a Shakespeare Quote, Became One of the ‘Best Pop Songs of All Time’

1966 Crossover Classic, Written by Michael Nesmith, Became a Cross-Generational Hit

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:24pm

Before he sang “Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees,” Michael Nesmith wrote “Mary, Mary.”

A heavy, driving electric blues-rock track, the song was written as a commercial pop hit. Nesmith could never have foreseen the three distinctly different sonic identities that awaited it. But that’s exactly what he got.

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The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Recorded ‘Mary, Mary’ First

Nesmith wrote “Mary, Mary” in 1966 while working as a songwriter for Randy Sparks, founder of a music publishing company. Nesmith later recalled that Frazier Mohawk took the song to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, which recorded it.

The band cut Nesmith’s song for its landmark 1966 psychedelic blues album, East-West. The Butterfield version was never released as a single, so it didn’t chart, although East-West reached No. 65 on the Billboard 200.

“I don’t know how many people have told me over the last 50 years that it was the Butterfield Band that got them into music,” Elvin Bishop, member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, once said. “We were at the right place at the right time, because there was this huge, beautiful body of music–the blues–and a huge white American audience. And the two had never really got together.”

Their influence is certain. Whether they inspired Nesmith to record his own version of “Mary, Mary” remains to be seen, but the Monkees indeed reclaimed the song a year later.

The Monkees Gave the Song a Completely Different Sound

A year later, after Nesmith became famous with the Monkees, the group released its own version.

The Monkees had actually recorded “Mary, Mary” in July 1966, with Nesmith producing. Micky Dolenz provided the lead vocal, while a collection of top Los Angeles session musicians—including Glen Campbell, James Burton, Al Casey, Hal Blaine, and Larry Knechtel—helped create the track.

This upbeat, jangly pop-rock take features an instantly recognizable opening guitar riff by Campbell and energetic vocals by Dolenz.

The song appeared on the Monkees’ More of the Monkees, released in January 1967. Although “Mary, Mary” wasn’t released as a standard U.S. single, it was released as a single in Australia in 1968 to coincide with the group’s tour there and reached No. 4.

“People unjustly kicked us in the nuts over and over because they thought of [The Monkees] as vapid or whatever word you want to use there to indicate no artistic return. But it is not,” Nesmith once told Rolling Stone.

Its parent album was an even bigger success. More of the Monkees reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and stayed there for 18 weeks.

Run-D.M.C. Turned ‘Mary, Mary’ Into a Rap-Rock Track

Fast-forward to 1988, and “Mary, Mary” goes hip-hop.

During the genre’s golden era, Run-D.M.C. took the track and turned it into a heavy, rhythmic rap-rock version. The group retained the central vocal hook but rewrote much of the lyrics into rap bars, notably tweaking the main line to, “Mary, Mary, why you buggin’?”

And here’s the especially wild part: Run-D.M.C.’s version samples Micky Dolenz singing the title from the Monkees’ recording, creating a direct musical link between the 1967 pop version and the 1988 rap version.

Only to be expected from the band Eminem called “something tough. Something dangerous. Something beautiful and something unique. They were the first movie stars of rap … they are the Beatles,” when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“That’s crazy,” DMC told the Guardian about the compliment. “Busta Rhymes said, ‘Run-DMC didn’t change music, they changed everything’.” That certainly included “Mary, Mary.”

‘Mary, Mary’ Finally Became a Charting Single

As different as all three versions are, their chart histories were, too.

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s “Mary, Mary” was never released as a single, so it didn’t chart as a single. Its album, however, reached No. 65 on the Billboard 200.

The Monkees’ version hit No. 4 in Australia, where it was released as a single to support their 1968 tour. It wasn’t released as a standard single in the U.S., but its appearance on More of the Monkees put it on an album that spent 18 weeks at No. 1.

Run-D.M.C., which did release “Mary, Mary” as a U.S. single, saw its version climb to No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 29 on the Hot Black Singles chart. It was the only single from Tougher Than Leather to reach the Hot 100.

Three versions. Three completely different sounds. One Michael Nesmith song that somehow traveled from psychedelic blues to Monkees pop to 1980s hip-hop. “Mary, Mary,” love to see it.

Related: ‘The Swan’ Gave One Dentist Carte Blanche Over Contestants’ New Looks; Years Later, Their Teeth Fell Out

Is '80s Rock Band Anthrax Retiring After First Album in 10 Years?

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:17pm

Anthrax is not retiring, despite the title of its first new album in 10 years suggesting otherwise. Guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante addressed the question during a Monday appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, saying the band has no current plans to call it quits.

The confusion comes from the title of the group’s 12th studio album, Cursum Perficio. The Latin phrase can mean “My journey has come to an end,” “My journey is over,” or “I complete my journey.” The album was released Sept. 18 through Megaforce in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast in Europe.

According to Blabbermouth, when host Eddie Trunk asked if Anthrax had plans to retire in the not-too-distant future, Ian pointed out that the band would have made a much bigger announcement if retirement were actually the plan.

Scott Ian performs onstage with Anthrax during Tons Of Rock at Ekebergsletta on June 25, 2026 in Oslo, Norway.

Photo by Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

“Don’t you think, if that was the plan, we would play that card, like so many other bands have, and say, ‘This is it. Look, the album title says it. Our journey is over, so you better buy this one and you better go buy tickets. We’re only gonna tour now and do this for five more years,’ and then make an excuse why, ‘Well, we said the journey was over, but it was only kind of over. So now we’re making another record.’”

Ian also made it clear that Anthrax has not announced a retirement.

“I’m not talking about us, because we haven’t said we’re retiring,” he said while discussing other bands that have announced farewell plans and later returned to the stage.

Benante also discussed why long-running bands sometimes continue performing even after announcing farewell tours.

“When you get to a certain level, then you have managers, agents who are, like, ‘Man, there’s still a market for you guys.’ And then they talk to one guy and that guy’s, like, ‘Well, I’m cool if he’ll do it.’ And then it starts to become, ‘Okay, let’s do it again.’ How do you stop? How many years have we put into this already? 40-something years. So you built the store. Why close it?”

The comments suggest that Anthrax is focused on continuing its career rather than preparing for an immediate farewell.

At the same time, the band members did not say that another studio album is guaranteed. The possibility that Cursum Perficio could eventually become Anthrax’s final full-length record remains open. That is different from announcing the end of the band, however.

The timing is notable because Cursum Perficio arrived a full decade after Anthrax’s previous studio album, For All Kings, which was released in 2016.

Despite the long wait, Cursum Perficio has given Anthrax a major new chapter rather than a farewell statement.

The album was recorded in earnest beginning in 2022, with the band working at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles. According to Louder, Jay Ruston and Anthrax produced the record. The album includes the previously released singles “It’s For The Kids,” “The Edge Of Perfection” and “Everybody’s Got A Plan,” followed by the title track.

Anthrax also recently released the official music video for “Cursum Perficio.” The black-and-white video was directed by Don Argott, whose previous work includes the Lamb of God documentary As the Palaces Burn. London May, known for his work with Samhain, appears in the video.

Per Billboard, Cursum Perficio opened at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart, making it Anthrax’s second album to reach the top of that chart. It also debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200.

The new album follows more than four decades of music from Anthrax. Ian and bassist Dan Lilker formed the band in Queens, New York, in 1981. Anthrax later became one of the leading bands of the thrash metal movement, alongside Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer.

The band has released 12 studio albums and has spent decades touring around the world. Its best-known records include Among the Living, State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time, Sound of White Noise, Worship Music and For All Kings.

Anthrax has also remained active onstage while promoting Cursum Perficio. In September, the band performed shows supporting Iron Maiden, including a Sept. 26 club performance at the Roxy in West Hollywood.

There was even a recent last-minute change behind the drum kit during an Anthrax performance. Mike Heller stepped in for Benante at an Iron Maiden show after receiving a call only hours before the concert. Heller said he had to quickly learn Anthrax songs before performing for the large crowd.

For now, however, there is no farewell announcement from Anthrax. Cursum Perficio may one day be remembered as the band’s final studio album, but based on Ian and Benante’s latest comments, the album is not being presented as the end of Anthrax.

Related: 1979 Country Song, Inspired by ‘The Mountain Whippoorwill,’ Is Still a Powerful Hit 47 Years Later

Rock Icon, Now 78, Announces Release of New Solo Song

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:14pm

Tony Iommi, the legendary Black Sabbath guitarist, is back with new music as the rock icon proudly introduces his solo single, “Stormwatcher.”

With his new solo album, From the Dark, set for release later this month, the 78-year-old musician once again showcases his signature guitar work.

In collaboration with renowned Norwegian power metal vocalist Jørn Lande, alongside Becky Baldwin, one of the UK’s busiest rock bassists, keyboardist Mike Exeter, Iommi’s longtime creative partner, and drummer Karl Brazil, who has worked with Robbie Williams and serves as his musical director, “Stormwatcher” delivers a heavy, dark and mid-tempo anthem that highlights the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s chugging, distinctive guitar work.

Moreover, the former Black Sabbath member, together with Exeter and Lande, co-wrote the song.

Tony Iommi attends the launch of his new album “From The Dark” on July 29, 2026 in Birmingham, England.

Katja Ogrin/Getty Images

In addition, Lande provided the lyrics and vocal melodies, while Exeter co-produced the song with Iommi.

“It channels something from within, something real,” Lande mentioned in an official statement per Ultimate Classic Rock,  about the maritime theme of “Stormwatcher,” adding, “We are the captain of our own vessel, a ship crashing through unknown and sometimes challenging waters – always navigating forward, steering steady through every storm, driven by dreams of new horizons and longing for something new.”

Iommi’s official Instagram post sparked excitement as it offered fans a first glimpse of the music video.

View this post on Instagram

“Well, this is epically brilliant!!” one fan wrote.

“Absolute masterpiece!! Jorn is from another planet. Perfection,” a commenter added.

“NASTY RIFF! Tony is a living legend,” a fan echoed.

The same goes for another user who continued praising the guitar legend’s newly released song.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! THIS SONG IS AMAZING, THIS RIFF IS SO POWERFUL!!!!” a follower said.

“Stormwatcher” follows “World Alone,” the lead single from From the Dark, which was released on July 29.

As for the upcoming album, which is scheduled to hit shelves on Oct. 23 via BMG, Iommi described the recording process as relaxed and pressure-free.

“If nothing happened, nothing happened, then we’d do it the next time,” he told Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights. “But it did: Every time we come to record something, it’d work.”

From the Dark was also a significant record for Iommi since it marks his first solo album in 21 years.

Related: 1976 Rock Song, Lasting Over 10 Minutes, Was Recorded in a Wheelchair

Jack White Poses With Nearly 'Unrecognizable' Al Pacino, 86, After 'The Godfather' Actor Attends His Show

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:06pm

Jack White had a very special guest at his Los Angeles show this week.

The rocker shared a new photo on Instagram with Al Pacino after the legendary actor came out to see White perform at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 29.

In the shot, White, 51, is appropriately on-brand in a black long-sleeve shirt with white stripes running around the upper arm. Beside him is 86-year-old Pacino, looking considerably different from some of his most famous onscreen roles with a full gray beard, black sweater, and what appears to be a white hat.

View this post on Instagram

“What an honor it was that the incredible Al Pacino came to see the show last night,” White wrote in the caption. “It was wonderful to be able to speak to him about how much I was inspired by his documentary ‘Looking for Richard’ about the enduring legacy and importance of Shakespeare’s Richard III.”

Fans got quite a kick out of the encounter.

“My vision is poor but legit thought Al Pacino was an elderly grandmother until I read the caption 😬,” one fan wrote in the comments.

“Ok next time I say I’m too tired to go to a concert, I’m going to remember that Al Pacino still rocks out,” another joked.

“Al Pacino looks unrecognizable in this photo, but I loved him in Richard III,” a third said.
“Amazing!!🔥 when are you guys recording an album?” a fourth asked.

READ MORE: Jack White’s Wife Files for Divorce After 3 Years of Marriage

White was referring to Pacino’s 1996 directorial debut, Looking for Richard, which combined documentary filmmaking with performances from Shakespeare’s Richard III. Pacino starred as Richard while exploring how Shakespeare’s work could remain accessible and relevant to modern audiences. The film also starred Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder.

As for White, the musician is currently in the middle of his Jack White Live 2026 Tour, supporting his seventh solo album, Frozen Charlotte, which arrived in July.

Following his two-night Hollywood Palladium run, White performed in Del Mar on September 30 before upcoming stops in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Austin.

Kacey Musgraves Reveals Unrecognizable Look While Performing a Brooks & Dunn ‘90s Country Classic

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:05pm

Kacey Musgraves pulled out all the stops during her show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Monday, Sept. 28. The country superstar, 38, turned out a rendition of Brooks & Dunn’s ‘90s country classic, “Neon Moon,” bringing out Ronnie Dunn, 73, who makes up one half of the iconic duo, as a special guest. 

But that’s not all. 

Musgraves made a point of dressing just like Dunn from head to toe, going in disguise for the rendition while sharing the stage with the real-life icon.

Videos shared on social media capture the hilarious moment, including one clip that can be seen below. 

@_kc276_

I have no words this woman is one of a kind #kaceymusgraves #nashville #foryoupage

♬ original sound – kc

In the clip, posted on TikTok by a fan, Musgraves can be seen looking nearly unrecognizable as she enters the scene through a set of stairs. She is shown sporting a black shirt with rolled-up sleeves and matching pants. She sings the lead of the hit song while wearing a pair of Aviator sunglasses, faux facial hair, and a wig styled to resemble Dunn’s hair. Stunned, Dunn watches his duet partner before jumping in on the microphone to harmonize with her on the chorus. 

Fans who caught the clip chimed in in the comments section to applaud Musgraves for showing off her sense of humor, with one person writing, “She’s my favorite celebrity ever.” 

“I know he got a kick out of that,” another user wrote, while a third fan added, “I’m crying. She pulls it off so well.”

This isn’t the first time Musgraves has stepped out as Ronnie Dunn. Earlier this year, she transformed herself into the fellow country star during a surprise appearance at Robert’s Western World in Music City, where she also covered “Neon Moon,” according to iHeart. At the time, the “Space Cowboy” songstress also took to Instagram to post her outfit, writing, “omw to end your dry spell,” a reference to her song “Dry Spell.”  

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Musgraves is currently on the road playing shows as part of her Middle of Nowhere Tour. Her concert at Bridgestone Arena served as the second of two back-to-back shows, which ran from Sept. 27-28.

Related: Kacey Musgraves Reveals Unrecognizable Look While Performing a Brooks & Dunn ‘90s Country Classic

Longtime Music Fan Bill Murray Names This 12-Piece Ensemble Led by a Powerhouse Married Couple the 'Greatest Live Band in the World'

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:02pm

Bill Murray may be known to movie fans as the quick-witted, sarcastic SNL star who went on to star in some of the era’s best comedies, including Meatballs, Stripes, Charlie’s Angels and The Royal Tenenbaums, but the legendary Groundhog Day star is also a music aficionado who is a longtime supporter of the blues and live music. Murray hosted the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s members, including Derek Trucks and wife Susan Tedeschi, at the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival and was quickly smitten with the 12-piece band’s unpredictable live shows. Murray’s naming the band the best live band of all time. He’s not alone.

Bill Murray Has Long Been a Tedeschi Trucks Band Fan @tedeschitrucksband

“The Tedeschi Trucks Band”

♬ original sound – Tedeschi Trucks Band

Murray was introduced to the Tedeschi Trucks Band around 2010, but he returned to the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival, this time as the MC, and introduced the band as “the greatest live band in the world.” The band then delivered on Murray’s superlatives with a dazzling set featuring Trey Anastasio, John Mayer and Eric Clapton.

Related: Susan Tedeschi Has ‘The Voice Of An Angel’ Covering Sly And The Family Stone On Howard Stern

Who Is Tedeschi Trucks Band? @tedeschitrucksband

What an incredible weekend at Red Rocks! Thanks to our friend Lukas Nelson for joining us to close out night 2. Next stop: Seattle! 🎥 Ehud Lazin @nugs

♬ original sound – Tedeschi Trucks Band

Tedeschi Trucks Band is a 12-piece blues, rock and country-inspired ensemble led by married music legends Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Married in 2011, the couple formed the band in 2010, bringing together musicians from their respective groups.

Susan Tedeschi is the powerhouse vocalist and guitarist known for her searing vocals and killer guitar riffs. Derek Trucks, formerly of the Allman Brothers Band, is one of the world’s most revered slide guitar players. Onstage, the couple is surrounded by a lineup of music’s best, including two drummers, a horn section, keyboards, multiple vocalists and percussionists.

Tedeschi Trucks Band Is Known for Its Live Shows

Together, the Tedeschi Trucks Band puts on an unpredictable, never-the-same live show that leaves room for improvisation and extended guitar work. The sound leans into jazz, funk, gospel, rock and the blues, with a heavy guitar influence from the band’s leads.

This is no typical rock group, nor is the Tedeschi Trucks Band really Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks surrounded by a group of supporting musicians. The 12-piece group is a tight ensemble, capable of turning first-time listeners into lifelong fans.

Casual music fans may not know the name Tedeschi Trucks Band yet, but with one of the greatest comic actors of all time throwing his own superlatives around, it’s just a matter of time until the rest of us are singing their praises, too.

Related: ‘Witnessing Greatness’: Zac Brown Calls Legendary Guitarist ‘The Hendrix Of Our Generation’

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It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie! - Stream the Fun Family Film, 'Grow'

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:01pm

As a parent, it can be difficult to find content that is suitable for the entire family to watch. Whether it’s language, violence, or other adult situations unsuitable for younger children, it can be hard to find something other than an animated film to view. That’s why I enjoy films like Grow, which is rated PG and hits streaming in the US on Oct. 1. It’s a film full of whimsy and wonder for the adults and enough potty humor and silliness for the kids to keep their attention.

Here’s everything we know about Grow including a Parade exclusive sneak peek. Take a look.

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What is the movie Grow about?

In the Pumpkin Capital of the World, stoic farmer Dinah Little (Golda Rosheuvel) begrudgingly takes in her spirited niece, Charlie (Priya-Rose Brookwell). But Charlie isn’t an ordinary child—she has a special knack for connecting with plants that quietly reflects her own longing to feel just as seen and loved. As the town prepares for the annual pumpkin-growing contest, Charlie sets her sights on winning. With the help of quirky Arlo (Nick Frost), plot and pumpkins thicken as rival growers pull every trick in the book. Will Charlie and Dinah’s unlikely entry stand tall against the fiercest competition the town has ever seen? As her pumpkin grows, so does her bond with Dinah, and together they learn the real prize is joy, laughter, and family.

It is rated PG.

Where was the movie Grow filmed?

Grow was filmed in Scotland, specifically in Edinburgh, the village of Culross, and their surrounding areas.

Who directed Grow?

Grow was directed by John McPhail. McPhail’s first feature film was the heartfelt indie comedy, Where Do We Go From Here? He followed that up with Anna and the Apocolypse, a zombie Christmas musical that became a cult favourite.

Of Grow, McPhail said, “This film reminded me why I love what I do. It reaffirmed my passion for storytelling, for collaboration, and for crafting films that don’t just entertain but connect. GROW is a celebration of joy, resilience, and shared experience, everything I believe cinema should be.”

Related: Netflix’s New KPop Demon Hunters Short Is Ready — What to Know

Who wrote Grow?

The original screenplay was written by Nick Guthe and Christos N Gage & Ruth Fletcher Gage.

Who is in the cast of Grow? Priya-Rose Brookwell as Charlie

This is Brookwell’s first film!

Dominic McLaughlin as Oliver

This is Dominic McLaughlin’s first film though his biggest claim to fame hasn’t even premiered yet! McLaughlin landed the coveted role of Harry Potter in the upcoming HBO Max series about The Boy Who Lived.

Related: ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series

Golda Rosheuvel as Dinah

If Rosheuvel looks familiar, you’re probably a Bridgerton fan. Rosheuvel plays Queen Charlotte in the series and in the prequel series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Her other credits include Luther, Death in Paradise, and Silent Witness.

Nick Frost as Arlo

Nick Frost has worked alongside his best friend, Simon Pegg, for decades started with the British sitcom, Spaced and later in the trilogy of movies Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End. The pair also wrote and starred in Paul. His solo credits include Into the Badlands, Why Women Kill, and How to Train Your Dragon. He takes on the role of Gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter series.

Jeremy Swift as Mr. Gregory

US audiences know Swift best from his roles as Leslie Higgins on Ted Lasso and as Spratt the butler on Downton Abbey. His television credits include The Durrells, Vanity Fair, and ALl Creatures Great & Small. His film credits include Gosford Park, Oliver Twist, and Mary Poppins Returns.

In this exclusive to Parade, Swift talks what the movie means to him.

PARADE Exclusive – Jeremy Swift – Grow (3:41)

Related: ‘Ted Lasso’ is Back! Check out the Latest Trailer and Images from the New Season

Jane Horrocks as Lady Smythe-Gherkin

Horrocks is best known to US audiences as Bubble on Absolutely Fabulous and for her role as the titular character in the film, Little Voice opposite Michael Caine, Brenda Blethyn, and Ewan McGregor. Based on the stage play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, the role was written for Horrocks, who mimics the legendary voices of Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, and Marilyn Monroe. Horrocks has also voiced characters on animated films Chicken Run, Tinkerbell, and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.

Tim McInnerny as Lord Smythe-Gherkin

McInnerny has starred mostly in British television and is best known for his work on The Black Adder. His other credits include Gladiator II, Outlander, and Game of Thrones.

Where can I watch Grow?

Grow will be available to stream on Peacock beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

What is the release date of Grow?

Grow premiered in theaters on Oct. 17, 2025 and will be available to stream in the U.S. on Peacock beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

Is there a trailer for Grow?

Yes, check out the official trailer for Grow below.

Sneak peek of Grow: PARADE Exclusive – Grow (Sneak Peek) (1:36) More photos from Grow

Take a look at select images from Grow.

Next, Meet the New Harry Potter: HBO Drops New Teaser Trailer and Premiere Date

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Store Crafts, Tools, Makeup, and More With Amazon's Stackable 16-Drawer Organizer Set, Now $26

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:00pm

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

It’s not difficult for desks, vanities, and countertops to collect clutter, especially if you’re low on storage space. While bookcases and cabinets are a great way to streamline and tidy up your home, a simple organizer can be just as handy. If you’re looking for something to neatly store the little things, this Caktraie 16-Drawer Organizer Set at Amazon is definitely worth checking out. 

Now is a great time to snag one for your home because it’s currently on sale for just $26, down from $45 ahead of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event next week. It’s also available in five other sizes, ranging from four to 30 drawers.

Caktraie 16-Drawer Organizer Set, $26 (was $45) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

This organizer set is designed to effortlessly declutter your space. It comes in four separate sections, each boasting different drawer configurations. Two of the organizers have drawers that stack vertically, while the other two have a wider layout with drawers that sit side-by-side, as well as some stacked on top of each other. 

One organizer is equipped with four equal-sized drawers, while the rest feature drawers of various sizes. For reference, one of the organizers is configured with three smaller drawers stacked on top of two larger ones. Another organizer is designed with one large drawer and two stacked drawers next to it. 

The differently sized drawers allow you to store items of various sizes, maximizing the available storage space. You can use them in any room to organize any items that don’t have a designated space and are currently cluttering your desk, countertops, or drawers. 

The tall organizers are about 10 inches tall and 4 inches wide, and the wide versions are around 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide. You can either use these drawers in one area, placing them side by side or on top of each other, or separate them to declutter multiple rooms. 

Shoppers have found so many different uses for this organizer set. They mentioned that they use it to organize skincare products, makeup, office supplies, tools, crafts, and so much more!

“It’s been a game changer in keeping my workspace organized and boosting my productivity,” one reviewer said. “It has made my workspace so much more efficient and clutter-free.” They also described these organizers as “versatile, practical, and stylish.” Another shopper commented: “It has completely transformed my desk and office area into a clutter-free, organized space.”

Many customers raved about how sturdy and durable these organizers are. They’re made of acrylic, which is transparent like glass but is stronger, sturdier, and much lighter. The acrylic is waterproof, making these organizers ideal for bathroom use. These organizers are also very easy to clean. If you ever want to give them a little refresh, you can just wash them with soap and water.

These no-frills organizers have a sleek silhouette that’ll seamlessly blend into any space in your home. Because the acrylic is transparent, it allows you to see everything you have stored inside without needing to open the drawers. Reviewers mentioned that these organizers come with non-slip feet, which helps keep them in place.

Related: Walmart’s Cozy $19 Fair Isle Cardigan With Cabincore Charm Looks Like It’s Straight Out of a Holiday Movie

Ready to streamline all those products that currently don’t have a designated home? Head to Amazon and snag the Caktraie 16-Drawer Organizer Set on sale for just $26 before this sale ends!

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.

Who Went Home on 'The Amazing Race 39' Tonight? Premiere Elimination Spoilers

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 10:00pm

If there was one word to describe the premiere of The Amazing Race 39, it would be “pulse-pounding.” Thirteen teams of two kicked off the latest season of the Emmy-winning travel reality show, racing through Vancouver for a day of fish-grabbing, flag-memorizing, and canoe-capsizing. The show’s newest twist gave every team an Express Pass, which three put to immediate use to guarantee they make it out of the premiere. For one team, unfortunately, their chances of surviving sank, in an incredibly tight finish to start the season.

Check out our spoiler-filled recap below to find out who went home from The Amazing Race 39 tonight.

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Who was eliminated on The Amazing Race 38 tonight? Zach and Nate Johnson — Brothers (L-R) Zach Johnson and Nate Johnson on ‘The Amazing Race 39’

Sonja Flemming/CBS

In one of Zach and Nate Johnson‘s first confessionals, they admitted that Nate can sometimes put the pedal to the metal too aggressively. It turns out, if they wanted to continue racing outside of Canada, they had to use that urgency a bit more. The brothers quickly fell into last place when they were the only ones who chose to go to the first task on foot. From there, it was a day of playing catch-up for the duo. Every time they thought they had gotten back in the hunt, there was an aqua bus they had just missed, or an Express Pass that had already been used. And so Vancouver wound up not being the city of brotherly love, as the two became the first team eliminated from the race.

Which teams finished at the top of The Amazing Race 39 tonight?

Erin Taylor and Javi Vintimilla started the race by talking about how they’re hoping to learn to make confident decisions. And they got a test right off the bat as, seeing they were in the back of the pack, they immediately used their Express Pass to skip the first task of the season. While it raised some eyebrows among the other teams, the gamble ultimately paid off, as the married couple hit the mat in first. They were followed by childhood friends Conner Wilson and Garrett McGuire and married couple Michelle and Matthew Patterson.

Which teams finished at the bottom of The Amazing Race 39 tonight?

Siblings Cody Langlois and Jaime Tribo had a whirlwind day, leaving them sopping wet and bleeding. But they were able to survive the leg intact (even if Jaime’s nose wasn’t), finishing in 11th place. Daisha Wilks and Dalton Hamby, on the other hand, fought tooth and nail to avoid elimination since the Roadblock, especially after Dafina and Saran Dunmore used their Express Pass. In the paddle battle with Zach and Nate, the dating couple prevailed, surviving to Leg 2.

Who’s left this season on The Amazing Race 39? Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman — Pro athletes and moms Ann-Marie Tejcek and Riley Tejcek — Mother and daughter Anuar Tager and Andrea Tager Ballesca — Father and daughter Cody Langlois and Jaime Tribo — Siblings Conner Wilson and Garrett McGuire — Childhood friends Dafina Dunmore and Saran Dunmore — Sisters Daisha Wilks and Dalton Hamby — Dating Doug Matter and Dylan Matter — Grandfather and grandson Erin Taylor and Javi Vintimilla — Married Jody Rebhun and Jenn Naso — Best friends and moms Katie Schultz and Charlotte Schultz — Sisters Michelle Patterson and Matthew Patterson — Married parents

Related: Phil Keoghan Breaks Down ‘The Amazing Race 39’ Cast — Including the ‘Most Competitive’ Racer in Years (Exclusive)

'Pretty in Pink' Star, 58, Looks Amazing Decades Later and Calls Making the Film 'Ten Out of Ten'

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 9:51pm

Forty years after Pretty in Pink became one of the defining teen movies of the 1980s, Molly Ringwald is giving fans another reason to revisit the beloved classic. The 58-year-old actress recently appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, where she reflected on making the movie and gave the experience a perfect rating: “Ten out of ten.” Ringwald’s appearance also gave fans a chance to see how she looks today, with viewers quick to praise the actress and her timeless style. For anyone who grew up with Pretty in Pink, there’s something especially fun about seeing its star decades later and hearing her look back on the movie that helped make her an ’80s icon.

Molly Ringwald Looks Amazing 40 Years After Pretty in Pink @bravowwhl

Molly Ringwald looks back on her John Hughes films #WWHL

♬ original sound – BravoWWHL – BravoWWHL

While playing a game of “Spill the IMDb Tea” on Cohen’s late-night chatfest Watch What Happens Live, the darling of the Brat Pack spilled the tea on some of her most iconic film experiences, including Pretty in Pink, an experience she calls “pretty great” before giving it a 10 out of 10.

Ringwald pulled no punches when discussing the filming of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Despite praising her co-star Shailene Woodley, Ringwald called the experience the worst of her career, thanks to one unnamed co-star.

Cohen loved the inside scoop from one of the biggest movie stars of the ’80s, but social media fans were quick to note something else: Molly Ringwald looks “amazing.”

“Molly looks incredible,” one fan gushed.

Another added, “Molly Ringwald is iconic.”

“Does she even age?” asked another. “She looks great.”

Related: Kate Upton Has a Hilarious Reaction to Husband Justin Verlander’s MLB Retirement: ‘I’m Never Watching Another Baseball Game Again’

Molly Ringwald Revisits Her John Hughes Era

The combination of Ringwald’s youthful glow (seriously, what is her skin-care routine?) and her unfiltered insights on the John Hughes era made her appearance on Watch What Happens Live such a treat for Gen Xers who still think of Molly Ringwald as outcast Andie in Pretty in Pink.

Ringwald may not look that much different than she did in 1986, but her perspective on one of the most prolific filmmakers of the era comes from a very different point of view now: that of a grown adult looking back on the movies that helped define her career.

Ringwald had three iconic collaborations with John Hughes, with Pretty in Pink being her last, following Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. The films established her as one of the defining faces of 1980s teen movies.

Decades later, she’s now sharing what it was actually like to make those iconic ’80s films.

Molly Ringwald Has Continued Acting for Four Decades @hauntedbymusic

#CapCut “I love you…always.” 💞#prettyinpink #johnhughes #80smovies #nostalgia #fyp #classic

♬ original sound – 𝓑𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮

While many stars of teen movies pivoted their careers after they were no longer teenagers, Ringwald has continued to work prolifically since the 1980s.

She has appeared in Riverdale, Netflix’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and FX’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.

Now, Ringwald is preparing for another high-profile television role. She has signed on to join the cast of HBO’s Yellowjackets, giving fans a chance to see the ’80s icon in a new generation-defining series.

And if her recent appearance with Andy Cohen is any indication, fans may have plenty more reasons to talk about Molly Ringwald as she continues to revisit the era that made her famous while building a career that has lasted far beyond it.

Related: Jane Fonda, 88, Steals the Show Strutting Down the Runway in Paris

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Natasha Gregson Wagner Looks Like Mom Natalie Wood in New 56th Birthday Photo With Robert Wagner

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 9:45pm

Natalie Wood‘s lookalike daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, is smiling brightly as she celebrates her 56th birthday with stepfather Robert Wagner.

Natasha, the daughter of Wood and British talent agent Richard Gregson, is no stranger to the film business. She grew up surrounded by the industry thanks to her parents’ careers, and appeared in a variety of films like Two Girls and a Guy and High Fidelity. Now married to 7th Heaven alum Barry Watson, Natasha is still exuding the same natural beauty that her beloved mother shared with the world. While Wood died at age 43 in 1981, her legacy continues to live on through her roles in iconic classics like West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause.

In a new photo shared by Natasha’s stepfather, famed actor Robert Wagner, Natasha boasts a smile and dark eyes that are definitely reminiscent of her mother’s show-stopping glamour.

“Please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter, Natasha. Jill and I are so proud of the woman you are and the joy, laughter, and love you bring into our lives. We love you and wish you the happiest of birthdays 💕 @ngdubdubs,” Wagner captioned the photo, which showed Natasha with her arms around her stepdad.

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How Does Natasha Gregson Wagner Share Natalie Wood’s Legacy With Her Own Daughter?

Images Press / Getty Images

Natasha made it clear earlier this year that when it comes to raising her own children, she’s intent on having them feel connected to her late mother, Natalie Wood.

“I really want Clover to feel a connection to her grandma and I didn’t know how I was going to do that when she was born, except that so many things from my mom’s life and my life with my mom are in my home,” Wagner told Entertainment Weekly.

She frequently shows Clover her grandmother’s movies.

“It did make sense that Clover would grow up around these things or around movies. There were lots of movies that she was able to watch as a child [from] when my mom was a child. And so, Clover’s had a very Groundhog Day sort of childhood, very different from mine, very day in, day out,” Natasha added.

Related: Bond Girl Jill St. John Turns 86: See the Timeless Beauty Who Stole Robert Wagner’s Heart

1974 Hit, by a 25-Year-Old Australian Singer, Became Her First No. 1 52 Years Ago Today

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 9:34pm

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John was already finding success on the American charts, but one tender love song was about to take the 25-year-old Australian singer somewhere she had never been before.

“I Honestly Love You” was released as a single in the U.S. in August 1974 and quickly climbed the charts. On Oct. 5, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Newton-John’s first song to top the chart. It remained there for two weeks.

The achievement came during a pivotal year for Newton-John, who had scored an earlier U.S. hit with “Let Me Be There” and was increasingly making a name for herself with American audiences. Her album If You Love Me, Let Me Know, which included “I Honestly Love You” in the U.S., would also reach No. 1.

But “I Honestly Love You” almost belonged to somebody else.

The song was written by Peter Allen and Jeff Barry, and Allen originally intended to record it himself.

According to music historian Fred Bronson’s “Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” Barry was preparing to produce Allen’s first album for A&M when the pair wrote “I Honestly Love You.” After they made a demo, someone from the publishing office brought the song to Newton-John, who immediately wanted to record it.

Newton-John later recalled to Billboard how strongly she reacted when she first heard the song, saying she worried that somebody else might already have recorded it.

Allen and Barry initially decided Newton-John could cut the song instead of Allen. But Allen’s label wanted it for his album as well, and he ultimately recorded his own version for Continental American.

Newton-John’s recording, produced by John Farrar, proved to be the breakthrough version.

“I Honestly Love You” didn’t stop at the top of the Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and crossed over to the country chart, where it peaked at No. 6. The song also topped the charts in Australia and Canada.

Its success carried into the following year.

At the 17th Annual Grammy Awards in 1975, “I Honestly Love You” won Record of the Year. Newton-John also won Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for the song.

The composition itself was nominated for Song of the Year, although that award went to “The Way We Were,” written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch.

It was another major Grammy moment for Newton-John, who had won Best Country Vocal Performance, Female the previous year for “Let Me Be There.”

Decades later, Newton-John returned to the song that had given her that first American No. 1. She re-recorded “I Honestly Love You” for her 1998 album Back With a Heart, with Babyface providing background vocals. The new recording put her back on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 67.

But it is the 1974 recording that remains tied to a major turning point in Newton-John’s career, arriving four years before Grease would transform her into an even bigger international star.

Fifty-two years ago today, “I Honestly Love You” gave Olivia Newton-John her first No. 1 hit in America, and within months, it would also give her one of the biggest awards of her career.

Related: ’60s Rock Legend, Who Was Olivia Newton-John’s Duet Partner, Turns 80

'Verity' Early Reviews Are In—What Are Critics Saying, and Is It Worth Watching?

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 9:30pm

Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway’s dark thriller Verity is about to hit the big screen, bringing yet another fan-favorite Colleen Hoover novel to life, and early reviews from critics are already rolling in. The narrative of the movie centers not so much on the titular Verity Crawford (Hathaway) but on up-and-coming writer Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) who steps in as essentially a ghost writer for Verity following a mysterious accident.

As any of the teasers, trailers and promos for Verity made quite clear, though, the movie is far from a standard mystery or romance, although there are plenty of elements of each genre. Rather, the flick, while fun, is full of blood, jump scares and truly creepy moments. So, how has that panned out with critics? So far, not very well.

Currently, with 50 reviews accounted for, the movie has a pretty bleak 43% on Rotten Tomatoes. Notably, that is the critic score only; audience ratings won’t be available until after the movie officially lands in theaters on Oct. 2. There is, therefore, a chance that the movie will have very disparate critic and audience scores, which isn’t all that rare; critics and audiences are often looking for different things when they head to a theater.

The current negative reviews do suggest Verity might have a tough time even with audiences, though. Per Rotten Tomatoes, Robbie Collin at the Daily Telegraph (UK) wrote, “There can be great satisfaction in a thriller that ends by forcing you to re-evaluate everything you thought you just saw. But ideally, there should be a bit more to the process than turning to the person next to you and muttering ‘what?'” Peter Bradshaw at the Guardian said, “After a sensational opening sequence, the film gradually unwinds, and the entirety of the third act disintegrates into a shower of small substandard plot points that don’t convince.”

However, not all reviews are bad, by any stretch. David Ehrlich at IndieWire, for example, said, “The Housemaid was a clear reminder that a good actress can elevate this kind of material high enough to enjoy at ground-level. Verity has two of them, and Hathaway seems to be having the time of her life.” Peter Gray at The AU Review similarly wrote, “A serviceable and slickly mounted psychological thriller that moves at an agreeable clip, benefits enormously from its ridiculously attractive central trio, and offers enough melodramatic thrills to keep audiences entertained until its final revelations.”

It will be interesting to see how audience scores compare as they roll in this weekend, but hope remains that this film will land with a broader audience, especially because its strengths are largely its fun, high-energy approach to a dark thriller.

Wynonna Judd Found Out About Her New Grandbaby Via TikTok: 'I Cried and Cried'

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 9:29pm

Wynonna Judd recently became a grandma again, but it wasn’t the warm-and-fuzzy family moment a grandparent hopes for.

The 62-year-old star — who is one half of the legendary country music duo The Judds — found out about her newest grandchild via social media. Her daughter, Grace Kelley, is currently serving a 15-month jail sentence. The two are estranged.

Kelley has a troubled history that includes drug addiction, and though Judd has tried to help her many times, the singer tells People in a new cover feature that her daughter cut off contact roughly a year ago.

“I miss her. I miss her desperately, and I’ve missed out on a lot of years because of the drug addiction,” Judd explains. “I’ve spent half a million dollars on programs trying to do the right thing, trying to do the next right thing. And meth is a b–ch. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

The “Mama He’s Crazy” hitmaker and her husband, Cactus Moser, legally adopted and are raising Kelley’s 4-year-old daughter, Kaliyah. The little girl recently became a big sister.

“I learned about it on TikTok,” Judd tells People of how she heard the news of her new grandchild. “Isn’t that crazy? I laid there, and I was shocked, just like you would imagine. And I cried and cried and cried and cried, because I have another grandbaby, I think.”

According to the outlet, Kelley, 30, was denied a temporary release to give birth in a hospital. She was due in mid-August. No other details are known — not even Judd knows what will happen with the baby.

“I’m heartbroken,” she admits, “so I’m walking a very interesting walk right now where I absolutely know very little.”

Judd is hopeful that her daughter will heal from her demons and reiterates that she loves her “dearly.”

Her People cover story is centered around her new album, The Hard Truth, which will be released Friday, October 2. She says the project is “raw and real” and draws from her life, which includes her painful relationship with her daughter.

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