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SPOILER ALERT! The following contains full details of the Lanterns premiere, “Pilot.”

Superheroes have saved the world countless times, but they’ve rarely had to solve a murder mystery. That’s what makes HBO’s Lanterns feel different from most DC adaptations. Rather than beginning with a cosmic battle or another origin story, the series pairs Green Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) with rookie John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a bizarre massacre in small-town Nebraska.

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What happened in the Lanterns premiere?

Episode 1 opens in 1996, introducing a young John Stewart watching television as Hal Jordan, Earth’s first Green Lantern, explains how he publicly revealed the existence of the Green Lantern Corps by stopping a meteor from destroying a town. During the interview, Hal describes the Corps as intergalactic peacekeepers and explains that after losing his father in a plane crash, fear no longer controls him. Later that night, John’s Marine father reinforces a similar lesson by forcing his son to stand perfectly still while he shoots an apple off his head.

Twenty years later, Hal has spent two months training the now-adult John. During a test, Hal jumps from a moving car, forcing John to use a power ring for the first time to save himself. Afterward, a backup copy of Hal’s consciousness stored inside the ring delivers a cryptic message: “There’s hail in Rushville, Nebraska.”

Hal and John arrive in Rushville to find Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) investigating what appears to be a mass shooting at a high school football game. The case quickly takes an unusual turn when Hal realizes every victim belonged to the visitors, no relatives have come forward to identify the bodies, and none of the victims appear connected to the town.

After Hal identifies one of the lingering spectators as a possible alien, the suspect flees when John approaches him. A brief chase ends with deputies taking the man into custody. Denied access to the prisoner, Hal comes up with a characteristically unconventional plan: He intentionally starts a bar fight, hoping an arrest will get him close enough to question the suspect. Kane isn’t fooled, though, and thwarts the scheme by locking him in a storage closet instead of a jail cell.

Related: James Gunn Reveals Which ‘Big Brother 28’ Reality Icon Canceled a Secret ‘Superman’ Cameo

The following day, local attorney Billy Macon (Jason Ritter) bails him out and introduces Hal and John to his father, wealthy businessman Will Macon (Garret Dillahunt), whose heavily fortified compound reflects his belief that Earth is being infiltrated by extraterrestrials. Although Hal questions Will’s motives, he accepts his help securing access to the prisoner.

During the interrogation, Hal confirms his suspicions. The man isn’t human and threatens to detonate a device implanted inside his body. Hal contains the explosion with his power ring, preventing mass casualties but causing extensive damage to the jail. The incident convinces even the skeptical John that something larger is unfolding in Rushville.

Lanterns premiere ending explained: Who died?

The episode ends with a shocking flash-forward to 2026. John returns to a snow-covered Rushville, where Sheriff Kane leads him to the football stadium. Sitting in the same seat where viewers first saw him years earlier is Hal Jordan dead, with his power ring missing.

The premiere’s biggest surprise isn’t that Hal Jordan dies, it’s that viewers learn his fate before they know his story. By jumping ahead 10 years, Lanterns turns Hal’s death into the season’s central mystery instead of its biggest shock. The question is no longer if he dies, but how, why, and who walked away with his ring.

Because the main storyline takes place in 2016, there’s little reason to think Kyle Chandler is going anywhere this season. Instead, the flash-forward hangs over every episode, inviting viewers to look for the decisions, betrayals, and clues that eventually lead to Hal’s death in 2026.

The Manhunters are coming

Episode 1 never explicitly names the Manhunters, but longtime Green Lantern fans likely recognized the clues. The ancient robotic police force, created by the Guardians before the Green Lantern Corps existed, has already been named in promotional material, specifically in the show’s San Diego Comic-Con trailer. If the premiere is any indication, the strange events unfolding in Rushville appear to be connected to something much larger than a single alien infiltrator.

Related: DC Fans Disappointed as Major Superhero Movie Is Delayed Once Again—This Time to 2028

Why Hal and John don’t see eye to eye

One of the premiere’s biggest strengths is the chemistry between Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre. Hal is sarcastic, impulsive, and willing to bend the rules, while John is stoic, disciplined, and approaches every situation with a Marine’s precision. Their wildly different personalities give Lanterns the feel of a classic buddy-cop mystery, but the episode also makes it clear they respect one another. 

The real source of tension, however, is the power ring itself. John has been chosen to become Earth’s next Green Lantern and believes it’s time for Hal to step aside, while Hal has little interest in giving up the job. These diametrically opposed views give their partnership an added layer of conflict beyond the usual rookie-and-veteran dynamic.

Who are the “big blue bosses?”

One of the running jokes throughout the premiere is Hal’s habit of referring to the Guardians of the Universe as the “big blue bosses.” While the nickname gets a laugh, it’s also an important clue about Hal’s relationship with the Green Lantern Corps.

The Guardians are the ancient, blue-skinned beings who founded and oversee the Green Lantern Corps from their homeworld of Oa. Think of them as the Corps’ commanders or governing council. The premiere also reveals John was personally selected by the Guardians to become Earth’s newest Green Lantern, a notable departure from traditional Green Lantern lore, in which the power ring chooses its bearer. Hal’s obvious disdain for the Guardians suggests there’s more to that story than viewers have been told.

Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan is surprisingly funny

The trailers hinted Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan would have a dry sense of humor, but Episode 1 leans into it far more than expected. Between calling Sheriff Kane “Lady Justice,” dropping an E.T. reference during the interrogation, and relentlessly teasing John, Hal frequently lightens the mood.

Ryan Reynolds’ 2011 version of Hal Jordan relied on rapid-fire sarcasm, while the comic book version is typically portrayed as fearless and intensely focused. Chandler leans more towards the Reynolds version but never goes over-the-top, giving the veteran Lantern a sardonic wit that helps establish the buddy-cop chemistry at the heart of Lanterns without undermining the show’s darker mystery.

Related: After 15 Years of Jokes, DC Fans Think ‘Lanterns’ Finally Got Green Lantern Right

All My Children might be coming back, but that isn’t stopping its former stars from passing the acting legacy down to the next generation, as daytime star Lindsay Price’s son is breaking into Hollywood in a big way.

Price’s son Hudson Stone is starring in the Disney+ original movie, Camp Rock 3, as Desi.

Price praised her son on Instagram, writing, “I don’t really have the words for once in my life. But Hudson Stone, you are a pure supernova.”

Hudson Stone and Lindsay Price at Variety Power of Young Hollywood 2026 Presented by Disney+ held at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills on August 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)

She went on to share how she felt his performance in Camp Rock 3 was “beautiful, grounded and true.”

The beloved daytime star added, “Your talent and authenticity are only outmatched by what a soulful, humble human being you are.”

She also acknowledged that she “dressed like a disco ball” at the premiere and apologized for it, but let him know that it “just low key makes me feel like dancing.”

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Price portrayed An Li Chen on All My Children from 1991 until her exit in 1993. She then played Michael Lai on The Bold and the Beautiful between 1995 and 1997.

Since leaving daytime, she has had a successful career in primetime, including appearing in over 70 episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as hit series such as Lipstick Jungle and Eastwick, with her most recent credits including Splitting Up Together and Atypical.

Related: The Original ‘Camp Rock’ Cast Is All Grown Up—See Where the Disney Stars Are Now

Camp Rock 3 continues the legacy of the hit Disney Channel Original Movie series for a new generation. The original series starred Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers as they navigate life and relationships together at a summer camp. The new film sees Connect 3 (the Jonas Brothers) searching for a new opening act for their tour. Thus, they come to Camp Rock in a talent search. There they meet various campers, including Desi, who all compete for the opportunity to perform and win the coveted spot.

Camp Rock 3 is streaming now on Disney+.

Fans can relive Price’s appearance on The Bold and the Beautiful on the official BBTV streaming service, which houses thousands of episodes of the daytime soap opera from the very beginning.

Related: I’ve Waited 16 Years for ‘Camp Rock 3’—Here’s What It Has to Get Right

Long before Chris Stapleton launched his solo career as one of country music’s biggest powerhouse vocalists, he was one of Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters, writing for stars like Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Luke Bryan and more.  

Stapleton also wrote a No. 1 hit for Thomas Rhett in the early stages of the Georgia native’s career. In April 2015, at age 25, Rhett released “Crash and Burn” as the lead single from his sophomore album, Tangled Up. The track was co-penned by Stapleton alongside Jesse Frasure. 

RELATED: 1969 Hit, Reimagined by Reba McEntire Decades Later, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’

Opening up about how the song came together in an interview with Taste of Country, Stapleton revealed “Crash and Burn” arrived more like a happy accident. 

“We’re kind of a musical odd couple,” he said of his friendship with Frasure. “He’s a DJ and makes tracks. Stick us side by side, it’s kind of a funny-looking pairing. But we’re dear friends, and we’ve known each other a long time. He’s a wonderful guy, and a wonderful talent.”

“Maybe two years ago I had some of these ideas for these kinds of pop songs. He and I just started moonlighting…He and I would get together at night, almost in secret, to make these tracks, these pop things with no real agenda,” Stapleton added. “’Crash and Burn’ was one of the earlier efforts at that. He has kind of a modern Motown thing that he does, and mix that with a little bit of hillbilly that I do, and the result is songs like ‘Crash and Burn.'”

“Crash and Burn” is Rhett’s first song about heartbreak as he sings about a relationship that didn’t work out. Though the song is about a failed romance, the track is in no way a slow song. In fact, its uptempo sound and soul, pop, and R&B influences, along with its prominent whistling, marked a significant departure from Rhett’s previous releases like “Something To Do With My Hands” and “Beer With Jesus.” 

The major shift in his sound made some of Rhett’s closest confidants worry that “Crash and Burn” might be a mistake, with Rhett telling Taste of Country Nights that even his father, Rhett Akins, wasn’t on board with it. 

RELATED: 1961 No. 1 Hit, Ignored by Radio and Rejected by Brenda Lee, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’

“I think ‘Crash and Burn’ might have been the first one that my dad was like, ‘I just think that’s not a good idea,'” Rhett said. “There were a lot of people that I trusted a lot that told me that was a terrible idea.”

Luckily, Rhett’s instincts paid off as “Crash and Burn” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, giving him his fourth consecutive chart-topper.

Related: 1961 No. 1 Hit, Ignored by Radio and Rejected by Brenda Lee, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’

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If you’re already on the lookout for a new bag to brag about this fall season, then we’ve got you covered. Our seasonal favorites come from Coach, Walmart, and Amazon, with many of the top styles on sale at lower prices. We’re currently shopping for this trendy beaded shoulder bag, quilted Vera Bradley belt bag, and the Montana West Wrangler Purse, which is 44% off at Walmart right now.

The bestselling bag originally cost $80, but has been reduced to as low as $45 in the tan, blue, and dark brown colorway (and the latter hue is genuinely perfect for autumn). The accessory is also on sale in five other colors for $50, including black, medium brown, green, khaki, and light brown. The bag is 19 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 7 inches tall, so it’s a great medium sized option that’s great for everyday wear.

Montana West Wrangler Purse, From $45 (was $80) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The purse features a top zipper closure that keeps your essentials safe and one inner pocket and one zippered pouch for organization. The best part about this bag is that it has a traditional top handle and a detachable strap that’s up to 26.3 inches long so that you can go hands-free and wear it across your chest or over your shoulder. The handle is made of leather, while the majority of the bag is made of faux leather. 

Montana West Wrangler Purse, From $45 (was $80) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Aside from the crossbody strap, we really love the subtle woven texture on the sides of the bag, giving it a unique look. Each colorway features silver-toned hardware with a brown inlay, so it can really pair with any outfit. One shopper said that they loved this style from the “first sight,” with others describing the bag as “pretty,” “super cute,” “beautiful,” and “fantastic quality.” 

Another reviewer wrote that the bag is the “perfect size” for carrying their essentials,  as you can easily fit your phone, sunglasses, wallet, and other miscellaneous accessories that you take with you daily. Due to the affordable price, customers are also purchasing this gift for loved ones. The holidays usually come up quickly, so it’s not a bad idea to get ahead! 

Shop More Deals 

• Amberspace Botanical Flowers, $50 (was $80) at Walmart
• Moshy Midi Dress, $13 (was $28) at Walmart
• Gocvo Corduroy Tote Bag, $14 (was $20) at Walmart

Your friends will all be asking where you bought this sleek wrangler purse. While it’s on sale, you should purchase a few colors to rotate through during the fall months. Add this chic purse to your Walmart cart before the 44% off deal disappears! 

Related: Walmart’s Dainty Heart Necklace With Swarovski Crystals Is a Layering Essential, and It’s Just $25 Right Now

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

Here’s what we learned about the upcoming Encanto and Monsters Inc. attractions coming to Walt Disney World. Between the “Horizons” and “Disney Worldbuilders” panels at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Imagineering and the creative teams have shared more details about how they’re working together to bring truly special experiences for park guests.

Encanto in Tropical Americas – Animal Kingdom Park Courtesy of: Walt Disney Imagineering

Courtesy of: Walt Disney Imagineering

During the Horizons presentation last night, we learned the Encanto ride will be called Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto and will take fans of all ages on a journey through Casita. Like the Coco ride, it will not have a height requirement, which is such a win for park guest accessibility in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

Families will climb aboard furniture-inspired trackless ride vehicles as they make their way to Antonio’s room, which has transformed into a rainforest filled with animals. There, we get to see his gift light up the house with magical animal interactions with wildlife native to Colombia. And yes, there will be donkeys.

On hand during the Horizons presentation, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios Jared Bush described the premise of the ride. “[It’s] Antonio’s gift day,” he revealed of the celebration you’re invited to take part in with the Madrigal family. “Antonio’s gift is communicating with animals, which is perfect for Animal Kingdom.”

Related: Pixar Announces ‘Cars’ and ‘Coco’ TV and Film Sequels, Video Games and Expansions Across Disney Parks at D23 2026

The filmmaker continued, “We are invited into Casita to celebrate Antonio with all of his family and now his extended animal family. One of my favorite parts was working with the Imagineers to explore the house [ride] through Casita, hearing the music of Encanto, seeing the family using their gifts [and] getting to celebrate with Antonio.” It was also revealed that the original cast would return to reprise their roles, including Madrigal sisters Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel, Dianne Guerrero as Isabela, and Jessica Darrow as Luisa.

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Guerrero expressed the family’s excitement in a video reveal: “I think it’s so cool that there is an actual physical place where people can experience the story.” There was also a design reveal for El Carrusel de Animalitos, a classic ride reimagined with Pixar and Disney sidekicks in a uniquely Animal Kingdom way.

Later at D23, Bush shared his feelings about seeing films he has worked on come to life as Disney Experiences: “These are imagined places. There’s no set that we go to shoot something on. This is all first in people’s heads, and it goes to drawings on a piece of paper, and eventually becomes this realized place.”

The co-director of Encanto recounted during the Worldbuilders panel, “And then to have the fans that you made the movie for show up and enjoy the same things that you are at the same time. It’s kind of an unbelievable surreal moment,” he said of his reaction to seeing eras of Disney Animation under his leadership, starting with Zootopia, having a presence in the parks.

Monsters Inc. in Monstropolis – Disney Hollywood Studios Park

Walt Disney World will be welcoming park guests to Monstropolis sooner than anticipated. Imagineers revealed during the Horizons panel that the Monsters Inc. land will be opening in 2027, while progress continues on its highly anticipated coaster.

Park guests will be able to experience the other two features of the Hollywood Studios land, including a new show at the Glob Theater, called “Welcome to Monstropolis,” which will feature a new song by the same name from legendary singer/songwriter Randy Newman, marking his first composition for the parks. In the show, Mike and Sully will lead the monsters in welcoming humans to Monstropolis for H.U.M.A.N. Day.

Related: Chic Travel Gear That Will Instantly Bring Back Your Childhood Disney Vacation Nostalgia

The introduction sets the stage for park guests to see the ways monsters have discovered that the power of laughter brings all kinds together through experiences in the area. Additionally, you’ll be able to grab a bite at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, visit the Monsters University Alumni Club, and shop at the Scareporium.

A big highlight of the area will be a restaurant that brings to life the very place where Mike and Celia’s date goes so wrong from the movie. That’s right, Harryhausen’s Restaurant is coming, and Imagineer Michael Hundgen described the in-universe experience as having “a menu unlike anything else we offer at Walt Disney World. It will be a great place to bring your Schmoopsie-poo for a romantic meal.” The iconic spot will have an audio-animatronic of the film’s famed tentacled chef.

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During the Worldbuilders panel, Pixar director and CCO Pete Docter talked about seeing the environments come to life since their CG origins: “It’s all in the computer. None of it is real. You’ve seen it only two-dimensionally on the screen.” He looked back at Pixar’s start as lands in the parks, which began with A Bug’s Life, saying, “And just being in that space and being in the movie was, I mean, overwhelming.”

The Pixar CCO, who started as a filmmaker in the studio’s creative stable, recalled, “I remember working on Monsters Incorporated with literally a second after we said, ‘Okay, they work; the monsters are scaring through these doors. They must store all the doors somewhere. They must have, like, this giant vault,’ and I was like, ‘That would be a great ride at Disneyland,’ and now finally we’re gonna get it,” he said, talking about Walt Disney World’s upcoming main E-ticket coaster, despite having imagined it on the opposite coast.

Even though it will open on an undetermined date, Imagineers tease that fans will launch 40 feet in the air in 4 seconds before taking off above the Scare Floor through the franchise’s iconic doors to other worlds.

Caraway has become known for its stunning, non-toxic kitchenware, offering beautifully crafted collections of colorful, durable, and sustainable cooking items geared toward the health-conscious consumer. Now, the social media-viral brand is delighting fans once again by bringing back a lineup that sold out just 48 hours after its first launch.

The product in question, the fan-favorite Butter Yellow Mixing Bowl Set, is officially back in stock—but not so fast: the brand warns it’ll only be around for a limited time. The kitchen set, comprising a trio of trendily colored soft yellow stainless steel bowls, debuted earlier this year in the springtime and quickly sold out in two days’ time.

With three sizes of bowls (2-quart, 4-quart, and 6-quart) and fitted glass lids to match, the six-piece set is “designed to nest together for easy, space-saving storage. Perfect for everything from baking and meal prep to storing leftovers…and, of course, cute enough to leave out on the counter,” the brand promised in a press release shared directly with Parade.

Caraway

So how much are Caraway’s products anyway? While their popular pans run anywhere from the mid-to-high-hundreds depending on what you get, the revived Butter Yellow Mixing Bowl Set retails for $195. In addition to the best-selling colorway, it comes in six other hues to fit a variety of kitchen aesthetics: cream, navy, gray, perracotta, sage, and marigold.

And are they worth the hype? Fans think so. One reviewer called them “The best buys out there on the market,” raving, “A better-quality mixing bowl that I have ever purchased. Better than the ones I brought from HSN several years ago. The glass lids have made it great for storage.”

Another said, “Not only are they beautiful, they are by far the best nesting bowls for kitchen prep and leftover storage,” while a third exclaimed, “A set I wished I’d had for years!! Durable build, glass lids fit fabulously. Perfect time to purchase with garden harvest! Your best friend is going to want to know about this!”

“Thankfully caraway brought back the butter yellow color because I was dreaming of it ever since the first launch and I never ended up buying them but I’m glad k did now when they brought back the limited edition color again. These mixing bowls are a true dream with their glass lids,” someone else added.

Next, Stanley’s New Special-Edition Collection of Stunning Tumblers Is a Tropical Twist on the Original

I love trying a viral food trend. Give me something that’s taking over TikTok or Instagram, and chances are I’m going to want to get into the kitchen and see if it actually lives up to the hype.

Lately, lemonade has been having quite the moment. I dug far and wide through social media and found so many variations, from dirty lemonade to fluffy lemonade to tomato lemonade (?!) to pickle lemonade, and just about everything in between. But one version kept catching my attention, and after watching about 25 creators make their take on a viral lemonade, I believe I tracked it back to one of the creators who helped get the creamy lemonade trend going: Emma Grace – @not.eg on TikTok and @emmagraceandmemama on Instagram.

Emma and her grandmother, lovingly called MeMama, make videos together cooking, shopping and even refilling candy jars, and I quickly found myself hooked on watching them. Their relationship couldn’t be sweeter, and neither could some of the recipes they make together.

@not.eg

🍋CREAMY LEMONADE🍋with MEMAMA #lemonade #creamylemonade #lemonshakeup #drinktok #emmagraceandmemama #southern #southernaccent #memamatok #memamafy #grandmasoftiktok #watertok

♬ original sound – EMMA GRACE

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

One that really caught my eye was MeMama’s creamy lemonade, a simple Southern-style lemon shake-up made with fresh lemons, sugar, water, ice and a very generous pour of sweetened condensed milk. After shaking everything together, you’re left with a thick, creamy lemonade that Emma describes as tasting like lemon pie.

As someone who loves testing viral recipes, and isn’t necessarily the biggest sweets person, I needed to know if this one passed the vibe check. So I grabbed my lemons and a can of sweetened condensed milk and got shaking.

Related: I Tried 14 Store-Bought Lemonades and the Winner Won By a Landslide

What Makes Lemonade ‘Creamy’?

The dirty soda trend has completely taken over social media over the last few months, and there are so many creamy, extra sweetened drinks all over the internet, but what exactly makes a drink “dirty”?

Traditionally, a dirty soda starts with soda and adds flavored syrups plus something creamy, such as half-and-half, heavy cream or coffee creamer. The combination turns an everyday fizzy drink into something sweeter, creamier and much more dessert-like.

The idea has expanded well beyond soda, with people giving all kinds of drinks the “dirty” treatment. In the case of creamy lemonade, you’re taking tart, refreshing lemonade and adding a rich, creamy ingredient, which in this recipe, sweetened condensed milk.

The result lands somewhere between a drink and a dessert. Think classic lemonade meets creamy lemon pie.

Related: I Tried 10 Popular Mountain Dew Flavors and the Winner Was Abundantly Clear

The 3-Ingredient Dirty Lemonade Recipe

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

MeMama’s creamy lemonade only requires three main ingredients: lemons, granulated sugar and sweetened condensed milk. You’ll also need water and plenty of ice to turn those ingredients into a cold, refreshing drink.

Ingredients

• 2 fresh lemons per serving
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar per serving
• Sweetened condensed milk, to taste
• Water
• Ice

That’s it. And while “sweetened condensed milk, to taste” leaves quite a bit of room for interpretation, MeMama’s method is wonderfully straightforward: add as much as your heart desires.

Related: I Juiced Lemons Using 6 Different Methods and the Winner Was Very Clear

How To Make the Viral Dirty Lemonade

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Start by cutting two lemons into pieces and adding them to a container or jar with a lid. I couldn’t resist the charm of doing it exactly like I’ve seen online, in a disposable quart deli container. Add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, then muddle the lemons and sugar together really well. You want to release as much lemon juice as possible while allowing the sugar to start dissolving into it.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Next, add plenty of ice and water. Then comes the ingredient that turns regular lemonade into something much more decadent, and as the recipe says, creamy: sweetened condensed milk.

Pour in as much sweetened condensed milk as you’d like, keeping in mind that a little goes a long way when it comes to creaminess, sweetness and richness. Secure the lid and shake everything vigorously until the condensed milk is completely incorporated and the lemonade looks creamy.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

I poked a hole right into the lid and stuck a straw in and sipped right from the source.

Related: We Asked a Floridian to Taste & Rank 11 Orange Juice Brands and the Winner Surprised Him

The Food Science: Why Doesn’t the Cream Curdle?

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Pouring a dairy product directly into acidic lemon juice sounds like a recipe for curdling, so why does sweetened condensed milk work so well here?

It actually comes down to the way sweetened condensed milk is made. Much of the water has been removed from the milk and a significant amount of sugar has been added, creating a thick, concentrated dairy product. When the milk proteins encounter the acid in lemon juice, they do react, but instead of producing the unpleasant, separated texture you might expect from pouring regular milk into lemon juice, the concentrated mixture thickens smoothly.

It’s the same chemistry that makes sweetened condensed milk such a natural partner for citrus in desserts like key lime pie and lemon pie. The acid helps the dairy proteins coagulate and the mixture becomes thicker and creamier. The lemon isn’t fighting against the condensed milk here. It’s actually helping create that dessert-like texture.

My Honest Opinion

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This one delicious drink and one heck of a sugar rush!

I completely understand why these fun lemonades are trending. It’s fun, creamy and unlike any regular glass of lemonade. The first thing that hit me was just how sweet and tart it was at the same time. The fresh lemon gives you that strong acidic pucker, while the sweetened condensed milk comes in right behind it with an incredibly rich sweetness.

It really does feel more like drinking a lemon dessert than sipping on traditional lemonade.

Would I make it again? Probably not exactly as written. I’m not into very sweet things, and this was definitely a lot. But if you have a serious sweet tooth, this might be the viral trend for you.

I would, however, absolutely play around with the concept. I think fresh lemon juice topped with cold seltzer and a flavored syrup could give me that fun “dirty soda” experience while keeping it a little lighter and more refreshing.

3 Flavor Upgrades To Make It Your Own

Toasted Coconut Creamy Lemonade: Swap the sweetened condensed milk for coconut milk and a few pumps of toasted coconut syrup. You’ll get that same creamy experience with a tropical twist, and it can easily be made dairy-free.

Dirty Citrus-Ade: Don’t stop at lemons. Muddle lemon, lime and orange together before adding the remaining ingredients. You’ll get layers of tart, sweet and slightly floral citrus flavor instead of straight-up lemon.

Strawberry Dirty Lemonade: Add a handful of fresh strawberries when you muddle the lemons and sugar. The berries add natural sweetness, gorgeous color and a strawberry-lemonade flavor that works perfectly with the creamy finish.

Is Viral Dirty Lemonade Worth Trying?

Trying viral food trends is one of my favorite things to do, and more often than not, there’s a reason a recipe takes off. Creamy lemonade is no exception. It’s fun, ridiculously easy to make and definitely delivers on its promise of turning an everyday summer drink into something that tastes like dessert in a glass.

Like I said, I’m not much of a sweets girl, so this probably won’t replace my favorite regular lemonade anytime soon. But if sweet, creamy drinks are your thing, run and grab a can of sweetened condensed milk, a couple of lemons and plenty of ice.

At the very least, this is one viral summer treat worth trying once, and if you have a sweet tooth, you may just find yourself making it all summer long.

Related: I Tried Making Viral Dirty Sodas With 5-hour ENERGY’s New Flavors—and They’re Officially My New Summer Obsession

Actress Zendaya has Hercules star Susan Egan‘s blessing to play a live-action Megara “Meg.”

In an interview with Deadline for D23 during the weekend of August 15, Egan, who famously provided her voice for the complicated heroine in the 1997 Disney animated film Hercules, was implored to share who in Hollywood would be the perfect Meg on screen.

“I mean, I’ve been subtly saying Zendaya, but now I’m just gonna say it. And probably, Tom and Zendaya, who I have never met, are filing for the restraining order right now. But honestly, I don’t even care. I feel like the world needs it,” said Egan, in reference to Zendaya’s husband, fellow actor Tom Holland.

She clarified she picked Zendaya not because of her popularity. Rather, she feels that she has enough talent and the right on-screen personality to successfully play the sarcastic character.

“Not even because they are the ‘it’ couple right now, it’s not even that. I have watched her beautiful career from when she was a teenager, and she’s just grounded. She is a strong woman, obviously, statuesque and amazing, with an incredible voice and a little edge, don’t you think?” said Egan during the August 2026 interview with Deadline.

Deadline reported that Disney has a live-action Hercules in motion.

The clip of Egan talking to Deadline was posted to the Popculturechat subreddit on Reddit. Several commenters stated that they weren’t interested in another live-action version of an animated Disney film, like Cinderella (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Little Mermaid (2023), and Lilo and Stitch (2025).

“No more live action Disney movies,” wrote a Reddit user.

“Forget who would play them. WE DON’T NEED A LIVE ACTION HERCULES. WE DON’T NEED ANY MORE LIVE ACTION DISNEY REMAKES,” shared another.

“No. Hercules doesn’t need a live action movie. I really need Hollywood to actually read books before imagining projects. Hercules is the worst demigod,” added a different person.

Some commenters, however, wrote that they believed Zendaya would be a good fit for Meg.

“That is actually a role that would fit Zendaya perfectly on an aesthetic level. If she can really channel Meg’s sass then even better,” wrote a commenter.

“Oh my god. Zendaya would look amazing in Meg’s outfit and hair,” commented a social media user.

Meanwhile, others commented that they would prefer if a different actress played the role.

“Personally, I don’t think their casting would work at allllll, BUT I love that Susan Egan is one of us lol TOMDAYA 4EVA 💕,” wrote a commenter.

“I love Tom and Zendaya, but please no. They’re getting a bit overexposed at the moment, especially Zendaya,” shared a different Reddit user.

There are few names in modern historical fiction bigger than that of American novelist Kristin Hannah. Despite publishing numerous novels in the ’90s and early 2000s, Hannah found her stride in 2008 with the novel Firefly Lane and subsequently began writing work that explored more history and women’s relationship to the world around them.

Her latest novel, published in early 2024, was The Women—a historical fiction set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The novel was an instant number one New York Times bestseller and became the top-selling book of the year with a combined 1.7 million copies sold. The novel continues to be immensely popular amongst readers, with Goodreads ranking it as one of the “Most Read Books of 2026” so far.

On top of being commercially successful, The Women was critically acclaimed as well, with Kirkus Reviews calling it a “dramatic, vividly detailed reconstruction of a little-known aspect of the Vietnam War.”

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The novel follows nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath from Southern California, who enlists in the Army Nurse Corps in 1965 during the Vietnam War after her brother is drafted and heads overseas. As a combat nurse, Frankie is confronted with horrific tragedies and immense trauma during her time in Southeast Asia. Despite the psychological toll the war takes on her and others, Frankie forms close relationships with many of her fellow nurses. When she returns back to the States, the country is fully divided, and her time in Vietnam is seemingly erased as society says, “women didn’t go to Vietnam.” Over the years, it’s up to Frankie to reconcile with what happened to her and process the reality of being one of the women who did, in fact, go to the country during that traumatic time.

The Women by Kristin Hannah is out now and available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling Summer Novel by Alison Espach Ranked a ‘Most Read Book of 2026’ by Goodreads

The 1978 superhero movie Superman, starring Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, has been ranked No. 1 on Esquire’s list of the 30 greatest superhero movies of all time.

Directed by Richard Donner, Superman topped the ranking in Esquire’s July 24, 2026 feature. The film was described as “The big bang of superhero cinema” and pointed to its lasting effect on the superhero genre.

The ranking places the classic DC movie ahead of newer superhero films and recognizes its role in shaping the movies that followed. For Superman, that impact can be seen in the way the movie helped establish the superhero film as a major Hollywood genre.

American actor Christopher Reeve plays the comic-book hero as he mends a broken railway track in a scene from the film ‘Superman’.

Photo by Keystone/Getty Images

The movie arrived in theaters in December 1978, with Reeve playing the dual role of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent and his heroic alter ego. Margot Kidder played Lois Lane, while Gene Hackman portrayed Superman’s enemy Lex Luthor. Marlon Brando appeared as Jor-El, Superman’s biological father.

Superman begins on the planet Krypton, where Jor-El sends his infant son Kal-El to Earth before Krypton is destroyed. The child is discovered by Jonathan and Martha Kent and grows up in Smallville as Clark Kent.

As an adult, Clark moves to Metropolis and works at the Daily Planet. He keeps his powers hidden while creating the Superman identity. His life changes as he becomes a public hero, develops a relationship with Lois Lane and faces Lex Luthor’s dangerous plan.

Reeve’s performance was central to the movie’s success. He had to make Clark Kent and Superman feel like different sides of the same character. As Clark, he played a quiet and awkward reporter. As Superman, he brought a confident and heroic presence.

The film also brought together a large cast that included Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Ned Beatty as Otis, Glenn Ford as Jonathan Kent, Phyllis Thaxter as Martha Kent, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher and Terence Stamp as General Zod.

Reeve was chosen from more than 200 actors who auditioned for the role. His performance became the breakthrough role of his career and led to three sequels between 1980 and 1987.

The film was also praised for its technical work and music. John Williams created its musical score, while its special effects helped make the story of a flying superhero believable to audiences.

That achievement was recognized at the Academy Awards. Superman received nominations for Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound, while it won a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. It also won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film and received other awards and nominations.

The movie was a major financial success as well. With a reported $55 million budget, it earned $300 million worldwide and became the second-highest-grossing release of 1978.

Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Superman: The Movie with an 87% Tomatometer score from 123 reviews and an 86% audience score based on more than 250,000 ratings.

The film became part of the National Film Registry in 2017, further recognizing its place in American film history.

Its legacy also remains connected to Christopher Reeve. After becoming one of the most recognizable actors to play Superman, Reeve continued working in film, television and theater. He later became an advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights after a 1995 horse-riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Reeve died in 2004 at age 52, but his Superman performance remains one of the defining portrayals of the character.

Related: 1942 Classic Named Greatest Romance Movie of All Time, One Spot Ahead of ‘Titanic’

Kristi Yamaguchi entered the 1992 Albertville Olympics under enormous pressure to bring home a gold medal. Having beaten Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan at the 1991 World Championships in women’s singles, Yamaguchi did not enter the Albertville Olympics as an unknown, despite having never won an Olympic medal. But with Japan’s Midori Ito considered the best technical skater in the competition, Yamaguchi needed to deliver a strong performance if she wanted to find herself standing atop the podium. Her short program was picture-perfect, but she needed a strong free skate to win. A mid-routine mistake put her gold medal in jeopardy. That’s when the skating sensation relied on her training and precision to save her performance and her gold medal dream.

Kristi Yamaguchi’s 1992 Olympic Free Skate @quadloopexpresss

Kristi Yamaguchi 1992 Olympic Free Program #kristiyamaguchi #figureskatingtiktok #foryoupage #fyp #figureskating

♬ original sound – QuadLoopExpresss

Following her nearly flawless short program to “Blue Danube,” Kristi Yamaguchi had put herself in a strong position at the ’92 Olympics. Entering the free skate, she sat ahead of both Kerrigan and Ito.

Skating to “Malagueña,” Yamaguchi opened with a difficult triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, which she landed successfully. She skated with her signature elegance and control, and it looked like an Olympic gold medal was within reach.

Then, midway through the performance, she made an error that could have ended a less experienced skater’s Olympic dreams.

Yamaguchi fell on a jump she considered one of her strongest, the triple loop. Rather than allowing the mistake to unravel the rest of the program, she immediately adjusted her strategy. She turned her upcoming triple Salchow into a double in hopes of playing it safe while she rebuilt her momentum rather than chasing the mistake.

Then, instead of allowing the error to define the rest of the performance, she adapted and finished with a clean triple Lutz, a jump that helped seal the gold.

Yamaguchi herself explained her thinking afterward: after falling on the loop, she decided to play it safe on the next jump and “go for it in the end.”

Related: Olympic Skating Legend, 62, Who Created Magic at the 1988 Winter Games, Can Still Make the Ice Sing

Yamaguchi Saved Her Olympic Dream @quadloopexpresss

1992 Olympic Ladies Figure Skating Medal Ceremony #kristiyamaguchi #fyp #figureskating #figureskatingtiktok #foryoupage

♬ original sound – QuadLoopExpresss

Her strategy worked.

The 20-year-old, skating in her first and only Olympics, stood at the top of the podium, with Kerrigan earning the silver medal and Ito taking home the bronze.

Kristi Yamaguchi became the hero of Americans watching from home. Rather than let a mistake define her performance and unravel her confidence, she adjusted in the moment, relying on her training and skill to overcome what could have been a devastating setback.

Not only did Kristi Yamaguchi give the United States its first Olympic women’s figure-skating gold medal since Dorothy Hamill’s win in 1976, she showed that a true champion doesn’t have to be perfect. She just needs to stay in the moment when something goes wrong.

Related: Olympic Skating Legends, Who Defined Figure Skating’s Golden Age, Made the Ice Sound Like Tap Dancing

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In 1981, Simon & Garfunkel took the stage in Central Park together for a reunion show after years apart—and 45 years later, the concert they put on that evening is still considered one of the greatest live performances of all time.

The legendary ’60s folk rock duo, comprising singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel, was one of the best-selling musical acts to come out of the decade. They reportedly met as school-aged kids in Queens, N. Y. in the 1950s, performing as the teen duo Tom & Jerry in 1957 before officially regrouping as Simon & Garfunkel in 1963. They released their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., a year later, and skyrocketed to stardom in 1965 after the success of their first Billboard Hot 100 hit, a remixed version of “The Sound of Silence.”

Their biggest hits also include two more U.S. Hot 100 hits, “Mrs. Robinson” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” both of which earned the coveted Record of the Year awards at the Grammys in 1969 and 1971, respectively.

Related: 1967 Masterpiece by ‘King of the Electric Guitar’ Jimi Hendrix Ranked One of the ‘Most Important Classic Rock Albums of All Time’

Alas, the duo went their separate ways in 1970, with sources reporting the two had a “troubled relationship” and “artistic disagreements.” So when they reunited after years of ups and downs for a show in front of 500,000+ people, it was a treat for fans, to say the least—not to mention, one of the largest single-concert audiences in history.

The memorable moment was honored in a social media post highlighting its impact for longtime supporters. “The Central Park concert took place on September 19, 1981, in front of more than 500,000 people, marking the duo’s reunion after years apart,” the caption of the Instagram post explained. “’Mrs. Robinson’ was one of the standout performances of the night, connecting their 1960s work with a new generation of listeners.”

As for the backstory of the song, the tune was originally written for the 1967 film The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, and Katharine Ross. “It became a key part of the soundtrack and helped define the movie’s cultural impact. Later released as a single, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100,” the caption noted.

Related: 1957 Rock and Roll Ballad, Written by 15-Year-Old Paul Anka, Is Still a Pop Culture Staple Nearly 7 Decades Later

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The comments section of the post was rife with fans raving over the iconic duo and their catalogue. “It was a great concert by two great talents,” one pointed out, while another dubbed Simon & Garfunkel “The best duo that ever existed,” writing, “it’s a shame that time has passed so quickly, but you can also say…. I was one of those who got to experience these super singers 👏👏👏👏👏🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹.”

A third simply proclaimed the concert was “the best,” while someone else agreed it was “unforgettable.”

“But how it was a fabulous moment and that harmonic vocal… Isn’t this just stunning!!!” yet another exclaimed.

In 1968, the Graduate soundtrack album and the duo’s fourth album, Bookends, featuring the hit version of “Mrs. Robinson,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. Their final studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, became one of the world’s best-selling albums.

Next, 1971 No. 1 Hit, Famously Performed on ‘Soul Train,’ Is Still a ‘Masterclass in Storytelling’ 55 Years Later

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It doesn’t take long for your kitchen to fall into disarray. Whether you’re at the tail end of meal prep, making dinner for multiple guests or putting off a good deep clean, it’s only a matter of time before parts of the room become more cluttered than you’d like.

Fortunately, Aldi has just the thing to bring some much-needed order to any kitchen space: the Crofton Acacia Lazy Susan. Back in stock on Aug. 19 and ready to become the creative storage solution of your dreams, this simple yet effective $15 find is your ticket to having your essentials easily accessible and always within reach.

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Crofton Acacia Lazy Susan, $14.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Serving as the latest iteration of a tried-and-tested Crofton design, Aldi’s Acacia Lazy Susan is a popular pick that shoppers tend to snatch up fast. Featuring a wide surface area and a full 360-degree rotation, it easily stores items like spices, bottles, perishables and more, helping clear up some much-needed counter space or bring order to the pantry.

While Aldi has yet to release any details about this updated Crofton piece, we do know from past releases that it’s likely 18 inches in diameter with a slight rise off the counter of roughly one to 1.5 inches. We also know that it’s made entirely of durable acacia wood, meaning it’s designed to hold up through years of regular use while maintaining its natural appearance with minimal upkeep required. 

Related: Sam’s Club’s $40 Fluted Dutch Oven Is a Must-Have for Cozy Fall Recipes

Why Every Kitchen Needs a Lazy Susan

Instead of digging through crowded shelves or reaching around various items you don’t need, a lazy Susan lets you rotate its base in either direction, bringing what you’re looking for directly into your line of sight. Cutting out the hassle of moving other items out of the way, it effectively streamlines the way you organize, whether it’s in the kitchen, at the dinner table or repurposed throughout the house.

Designer Style for Way Less

Versatile range of uses and minimal upkeep aside, this specific lazy Susan really shines in its striking resemblance to a Crate & Barrel model that costs over five times as much. Featuring the same acacia wood finish and extra-wide surface area, it holds its own against its name-brand counterpart with similarly smooth round curves, rich color and an artful display.

With the extra money in your pocket, shopping at Aldi also frees you up to explore even more ways to complement your newly organized space. While a lazy Susan is a great upgrade to start with, it can also be the first step toward discovering more creative and affordable pieces that make your kitchen work better for you.

Speaking of more Aldi discoveries, don’t miss out on the latest lineup of Crofton Wooden Chopping Blocks or the Crofton Ramen Cooker.

Related: Aldi’s Retro-Chic 2-Tier Fruit Bowl Doubles as an Elegant Centerpiece

Nirvana’s 1991 classic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” has earned another major place in rock history after Collider ranked the song No. 3 on its list of “The 25 Best Rock Songs of All Time.” 

The track never reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its lasting impact helped make it one of the most recognized rock songs of the 1990s.

Released as the lead single from Nirvana’s second album, Nevermind, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became a major turning point for the band and the grunge movement. Collider’s ranking places the song ahead of many other important rock recordings, while noting how it helped bring grunge from Seattle’s underground music scene into the mainstream.

Eugene Kelly and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana perform on stage.

Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns

The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1992. While it did not top that chart, its success was much larger than its peak position suggested. Around the same time, Nevermind reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, knocking Michael Jackson’s Dangerous from the top spot.

Collider described “Smells Like Teen Spirit” as “a Generation X anthem which killed off hair metal in under five minutes.”  It also pointed to the song’s mix of punk and pop, Kurt Cobain’s vocals and Dave Grohl’s powerful drumming as key parts of its sound.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” was already widely regarded as one of the defining songs of its era. It was included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.” In 2001, the Recording Industry Association of America placed it at No. 80 on its “Songs of the Century” list.

The song continued to receive high praise in later years. Rolling Stone placed the track at No. 5 on its 2021 list of “the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” It was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017.

The song’s commercial reach was also enormous. It has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide and became one of the best-selling songs of all time. In 2021, it passed 1 billion streams on Spotify.

Its music video also played a major role in its rise. The video shows a high school pep rally that ends in chaos and was inspired by the films Over the Edge and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. The video won two MTV Video Music Awards and received heavy rotation on MTV during the 1990s.

The video became so successful that Guinness World Records named “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the most played video on MTV Europe in 2000.

Before “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Nirvana was known mainly within the Seattle grunge and punk scene. The band had formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987, with Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic at its center. Dave Grohl joined as drummer in 1990.

Nirvana released its debut album, Bleach, through Sub Pop in 1989. The band later signed with DGC Records, leading to the recording of Nevermind.

Cobain had a clear idea of what he wanted when writing “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” He explained to Rolling Stone in 1993, “I was trying to write the ultimate pop song,” while also admitting that he was trying to draw from the Pixies’ approach to music.

He said, “We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.”

The song’s rise helped Nevermind become a cultural phenomenon and pushed grunge into the mainstream. Nirvana’s success also helped alternative rock reach a much larger audience, changing the direction of popular rock music in the early 1990s.

Related: 1971 Rock Song, Featured in ‘Family Guy,’ Ranked Among ‘Most Perfect Guitar Solos’ in Classic Rock History

Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, is still missing, as Attorney General Todd Blanche broke his silence on her abduction.

On Sunday, Aug. 16, Blanche commented on the 84-year-old’s case during an interview with Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet the Press.

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“The kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s beloved mom — the FBI told The Wall Street Journal, ‘The state is the lead in this investigation and has always been the lead,'” Welker began. “Mr. Attorney General, she has been missing for more than six months now. Is it time for the FBI to take the lead in this investigation?”

To that, Blanche replied, “It’s a horrible situation. And I share the grief and the frustration that you and your colleagues have, and the whole country has, in this situation.”

He continued, “I think whether the FBI takes the lead, we are there to support. And President [Donald] Trump pledged it, [FBI] Director [Kash] Patel pledged it, the resources, anything that that investigation needs, we are working as hard as we can with the state and local law enforcement in every area. And that means not only providing assistance with manpower, but any sort of forensic assistance.”

Additionally, Blanche said that coming in “with sharp elbows” to “take over” the investigation is “not necessarily the right thing to do for her or for anybody.”

He added, “But making sure it’s done right and making sure that this investigation is being conducted the way that it should be is something we’re doing.”

When asked if there was an update, or if investigators were “any closer to solving” Nancy’s case, Blanche conceded, “I don’t have any update. I don’t. And I’m sorry to say that because I wish I had an update. And I know that this type of case is heartbreaking, especially when it plays out nationally, like this one has.”

To conclude his remarks, Blanch told Welker, “All I can say is Director Patel and his leadership, and the leadership out in that area of the country, it will remain a priority, as it should, with resources and with energy and with focus. And we hope that we get something soon.”

Nancy was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona, home on Jan. 31. Although Savannah has offered a $1 million on top of other reward money, no suspect has been named in her mother’s case. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, led by Sheriff Chris Nanos, is heading the investigation.

Next: Nancy Guthrie Update: Former FBI Agent Explains Why ‘Quiet’ Is Actually Good News 6 Months Later (Exclusive)

Robin Roberts and her stunning wife, Amber Laign, were the cutest couple at D23.

Roberts, 65, a beloved anchor on ABC’s Good Morning America, and Laign, 51, a massage therapist, were photographed with bright smiles on their faces at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: Legends this weekend in Anaheim, California. While Roberts looked sunny in a bright yellow suit, Laign went for a muted look in a long, black dress. However, her long blonde hair was the perfect contrast. Together, the couple was one of the most stunning duos at the major event.

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

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How Long Have Robin Roberts and Amber Laign Been Together?

The couple has been together since 2005, but just married in 2023.

“I could not have imagined as a young girl growing up in Mississippi that I’d be sitting here with you in New York City, with my fiancée who is a woman, and freely, openly and passionately talking about it,” Roberts told the New York Times in 2023. “For it to be received as is is a gift.”

After the couple wed in their Connecticut backyard, Roberts spoke about how momentous the occasion was.

“The fact that people are so happy for us is a gift,” Roberts said. “And it’s not just a gift for us. It’s a gift for those who are in areas of this country who may have a parent or grandparent who doesn’t quite see it like this, but they see us, and they see that we just love each other. We’re very boring, but we just love each other.”

The Couple Has Faced Health Battles Together

Both Roberts and Laign have faced challenging health battles together. Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. In 2012, she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome.

“I was like, ‘Of course I’m going to be by your side.’ I would never, ever leave her,” Laign told the Times.

Upon Laign’s diagnosis with breast cancer in 2021, Roberts cared for her in the same loving manner.

“She taught me how,” Roberts said.

Related: Robin Roberts, Serena Williams Launch Docuseries on This All-New Women’s Franchise

Tomorrow night, the reigning Mirror Ball Champion arrives on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. And she’s got plenty of wisdom at her disposal.

Witney Carson is the latest pro to appear on the new DWTS spinoff, reuniting with her Season 34-winning partner Robert Irwin. The 32-year-old kicks off a three-week stint that will keep her on the set through the finale, when one contestant will be given a spot on this fall’s edition of the hit ABC reality series. And watching and judging the remaining five dancers compete for a spot in this fall’s roster, the 32-year old admits that she couldn’t help but have deja vu from her own reality TV origin story: So You Think You Can Dance.

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“I was having flashbacks,” Carson tells Parade in an exclusive interview. “As I was watching these kids go through all of these challenges, I was having flashbacks. Because it’s very much So You Think You Can Dance. You are on your own. You are fighting for your life, essentially. And that’s what these kids were doing. And each week they had, they were presented a different challenge.”

The challenge in tonight’s episode is by and far the most applicable to the DWTS experience. Carson serves as a mentor and judge for the hopeful pros as they get their first taste of teaching notable names, tasked with choreographing a ballroom routine with a celebrity superfan. It’s an opportunity to get an unvarnished look at how the samba sausage gets made, creating a stunning routine while also spotlighting someone who feels far from comfortable in this environment.

“I love the reality part of it,” Carson says. “Because we get to see really behind the scenes of what their mental state goes through. For us pros, that’s half the battle. When we go into choreographing, [there’s] all of this pressure of making sure our celebrity looks the absolute best. There’s a lot of mental struggles that come with that and a lot of stress that comes with that. I think people will get a real insight to what we actually go through week to week.”

Related: ‘Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro’ Gets a New Frontrunner — See Who Went Home

Getting to watch these dancers compete for a coveted spot on the pro cast, of course, has Carson thinking back to her own DWTS origin story. As mentioned before, her on-screen debut came on Season 9 of So You Think You Can Dance, where she made a run all the way to third place at just 18 years old. As she recounts, the DWTS producers saw her on the FOX show and called her for an audition. And before she could even unlace her dancing shoes, she was off to L.A., ready for the biggest gig of her life to begin.

Carson spent two years in the DWTS troupe, providing support for all the action on the dance floor. And in 2014, she was given the ultimate promotion: The call to officially become a pro, partnered alongside singer-songwriter Cody Simpson. But, outside the ballroom, a horrifying diagnosis was threatening to stop the job before it even began.

“Right when I got the call to be a professional on Dancing With the Stars, I also was dealing with melanoma,” she reveals. “I had gone into the doctor. They found a small mole on the top of my foot. Both my parents had melanoma, so it was something that all of the kids got checked for. And the doctor was like, ‘If you don’t take care of this, you’re going to have to go through chemo.’ And I was like, ‘Hold on. My dream is about to happen. I’m about to be on Dancing With the Stars. I don’t have time for this!'”

Despite her initial protestations, Carson ultimately listened to her doctor’s advice. She underwent surgery to remove the mole, as well as take out some lymph nodes on her hip. And, while the panic of melanoma had subsided, the anxiety of missing out on the upcoming season because of the treatment ramped up. And so, shockingly, she told nobody on the show about the surgery she had undergone. Not the judges, not Simpson, not even the producers.

What didn’t help, however, was what happened during her very first rehearsal as a DWTS pro.

“No one knew. So I was hiding this big scar on my foot. I had wraps on,” she recounts. “I remember I had not gotten cleared to dance yet, but of course I was going to move. So I did anyway. And I looked down at my foot. And I just had a big pile of blood. My tennis shoe was completely soaked in blood.”

Related: Witney Carson Teases 3 Major ‘DWTS’ Announcements Coming Soon

She continues, “Every time after the live show, I had to go to the doctor and get it wrapped and fixed. And no one knew.”

To make this story even more unbelievable, Carson made it a whopping five weeks into her debut season alongside Simpson. That’s almost a month and a half of bloody footwear, trips to the doctor, and likely excruciating pain. All the while, she put on a brave face, not telling a soul involved with the show what was actually happening until much later, when she had become much more established as a pro.

While Carson’s first steps as a pro were far from ideal, she would get a much better run later that year. Four months after getting eliminated, she returned to the ballroom alongside Alfonso Ribeiro. And for any DWTS devotees, you know what happened next. She dominated the competition alongside the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor, earning the Mirror Ball Trophy in only her second season. And it was only fitting that, over a decade later, Ribeiro would be alongside her again for her next victory, serving as host while she put on another masterclass of a season with Irwin. Carson’s wins serve as bookmarks of two very different eras in her life: A fresh-faced teenager harboring an incredibly taxing secret on her own, and a wife and mom who now gleefully sports an entire support system every week she hits the dance floor.

New episodes of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro air Mondays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Related: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Casting Director Breaks Down the First Season 35 Contestants — And the One Rule to Get Cast (Exclusive)

According to astrology, your birth month can reveal the friendship that was written in the stars for you. Do you have a sense of what kind of person makes your most compatible friend?

Some connections take real effort to maintain, while others feel effortless from the very first conversation. Per astrologers, certain personality pairings are naturally suited for that second kind of friendship — the kind where two different energies balance each other out instead of competing.

Find your birth month below to see who your most compatible friend is.

Each Birth Month’s Most Compatible Friend

Check for your birth month below.

Learn more about your birth month:

Born in January | Born in February | Born in March |

Born in April | Born in May | Born in June | Born in July |

Born in August | Born in September | Born in October |

Born in November | Born in December

January Needs a Friend Who Brings the Heart

Born under disciplined Capricorn or a forward-thinking Aquarius, you lead with structure and reliability, but may struggle with being reserved at first and showcasing vulnerability and emotion. Your most compatible friend is someone whose warmth and empathy pull you out of your head and into your feelings. In return, you give them the grounding and consistency their big emotions sometimes need. You keep them steady while they keep you soft.

February Needs a Friend Who Brings Confidence

You’ve never needed the room’s approval to feel like yourself — that’s the gift of being an independent Aquarius or a dreamy Pisces. But there’s a difference between not needing approval and never quite taking up the space you deserve. Confidence to be loud and proud brings you out of your detachment and into your heart. The right friend activates your passion without even trying. What you give back is intentional reflection — something real for their bigger personality to stand on.

March Needs a Friend Who Brings Structure

Ideas and imagination come easily to you. Mundane follow-through? Not quite as exciting. Whether you carry Pisces imagination or Aries impulse, you’re often better at dreaming something up than actually finishing it. Precision fixes that. A friend who brings structure turns your half-built visions into something real — and you return the favor by loosening them up, showing them not everything has to be planned within an inch of its life to matter.

April Needs a Friend Who Brings Depth

Bold Aries or steady Taurus, you move first and ask questions later, which works right up until it doesn’t. This birth month needs someone who slows the moment down enough to examine what you’d rather skip. A friend who embodies such patience and mindfulness can test your fiery personality. However, their disposition also helps sharpen your instincts. In return, you’re the one who finally gets them to stop weighing every option and just choose from their gut.

May Needs a Friend Who Brings Intensity

There’s a version of “settled” that starts to look like stuck, and May-born Taurus or Gemini energy can slide into it fast. What jolts you loose is a friend with real intensity. Someone whose strength makes staying in your comfort zone feel a little less appealing. In return, you give such a friend patience, which is the one thing their all-or-nothing approach to life usually runs short on.

June Needs a Friend Who Brings Focus

Focus was never your strong suit — not with Gemini’s curiosity or Cancer’s sensitivity pulling your attention six different ways at all times. You need a friend with concentrated direction, someone who can take your scattered energy and actually point it somewhere. What you offer them back is levity — proof that seriousness doesn’t have to mean rigid.

July Needs a Friend Who Brings Discipline

You love hard. That’s just what happens when Cancer’s intuition or Leo’s warmth is running the show. The problem is what happens after — all that feeling with nowhere solid to land. A disciplined friend helps direct your passion, giving it somewhere to go. You’re the one who reminds them, in return, to take risks and wear their heart on their sleeve to find deeper bonds.

August Needs a Friend Who Brings Self-Awareness

People are drawn to you before you’ve said a word — Leo’s confidence or Virgo’s precision tends to do that. What doesn’t come as naturally is turning that same attention inward. A quietly self-aware friend gives you permission to be seen as more than magnetic or entertaining. What you hand back is cheerleader confidence — the kind that lets their own light finally boldly shine without apology.

September Needs a Friend Who Brings Spontaneity

Getting it right matters more to you than it probably should, whether that’s Virgo precision or Libra’s need for balance talking. Somewhere in there, “right” started costing you the ability to be present in the moment. An easygoing, imaginative friend interrupts that spiral, reminding you good doesn’t have to mean perfect. You return the favor by actually helping them finish what they start.

October Needs a Friend Who Brings Decisiveness

People born in October carry Libra’s fairness or Scorpio’s depth. Either way, you’ve never met a decision you didn’t want to examine from six more angles first. What you need is a friend who trusts their gut without the deliberation. Watching them just decide teaches you something. What you give back is the perspective they overlook or skip when they’re moving too fast.

November Needs a Friend Who Brings Ease

Scorpio’s depth or Sagittarius’s philosophy, you feel things at a volume most people can’t match — which makes something as simple as relaxing into a friendship harder than it sounds. A steady, unhurried friend gives that intensity somewhere calm to exist. They remind you that ease is just as important as examining complexities. In return, you teach them to feel things more deeply than their comfort zone usually allows.

December Needs a Friend Who Brings Accountability

Vision was never the issue for you — not with Sagittarius’s optimism or Capricorn’s ambition fueling every idea you’ve ever had. Finishing what you start, though – that’s the part that quietly falls apart somewhere between the big talk and the follow-through. What you need is a friend who won’t let you forget what you said you’d do, someone steady enough to hold the line when your enthusiasm moves on to the next thing. In return, you’re the one who convinces them to dream a little bigger than what feels safe.

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Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 classic, The Ten Commandments, is back in the spotlight. Once chosen as one of the American Film Institute’s greatest epics of all time, the sprawling period piece is now also one of the most enduring, with viewers hitting play so often it’s now appearing prominently on Pluto TV’s streaming charts.

A free, ad-supported streaming service, Pluto TV is a wellspring of classic fare, with films like The Godfather, Top Gun, This Is Spinal Tap, and Point Break serving as frequent go-tos for fans. But for the last nearly two months, according to FlixPatrol, The Ten Commandments has been streamed way more than all the above.

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A biblical retelling of the story of Moses and a remake of his own 1923 film of the same name, DeMille’s epic follows the adopted Egyptian prince on his journey from being found in a basket in the Nile River, to the royal court where he was raised, to his discovery of his Hebrew heritage and eventual mission to free his people from slavery.

Charlton Heston stars as Moses, with Yul Brynner as Pharaoh Ramses II and the inimitable Anne Baxter as Nefretiri (see above).

Supporting roles include Edward G. Robinson as Dathan, Yvonne De Carlo as Sephora, Debra Paget as Lilia, John Derek as Joshua, and others in supporting roles. A colossal box-office smash, it raked in more than $120 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful films of its time.

That success translated to awards, too, with the film receiving seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. In the end, it won for Best Effects, with top prize going to Michael Anderson’s Around the World in 80 Days.

The Ten Commandments marked DeMille’s final film, serving as its own cinematic closing to a career spanning 70 films and several Academy Award nominations, with one Oscar win for The Greatest Show on Earth. DeMille was one of the founding fathers of American cinema and went on to become the most commercially successful producer-director in film history.

The epic is frequently cited as one of the greatest movies of all time. According to the AFI, the film is the 10th-greatest epic of all time.

“The film was named, appropriately, No. 10 on AFI’s list of cinema’s greatest epics and appears at No. 79 on AFI’s list of the most inspiring movies of all time, with Charlton Heston’s performance as Moses ranked No. 43 on AFI’s list of the greatest heroes in movie history,” the film institute wrote.

DeMille’s epic is in good company on the Pluto TV Top 10.

Currently, the No. 1 most popular film, per FlixPatrol, is Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 revenge masterpiece Django Unchained, followed by Seth MacFarlane’s 2012 raunch comedy Ted and the ever-enduring 2022 action epic Top Gun: Maverick taking spots two and three, respectively. Maverick has actually been gracing the chart now for more than 100 days, cementing it as the longest-charting movie in quite a while.

DeMille’s epic, celebrating its 70th anniversary with high-profile 4K digital restorations, is finding new audiences decades later—some nostalgic for the grand, practical filmmaking, others embracing its unmatched scale over modern CGI. Either way, all are discovering DeMille’s and Heston’s mastery from the comfort of their couches.

The Ten Commandments is steaming for free on Pluto TV.

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Children growing up in the 1980s are often described as the generation raised by television. From The Dukes of Hazzard to Dallas, Gen Xers’ childhood memories are filled with iconic TV moments. There are few as memorable as Debbie Allen’s “Fame Costs” speech featured in the 1982 pilot of the TV show Fame, which was actually titled “Metamorphosis.” From the opening shot of Allen’s Lydia Grant’s leg warmer-clad feet to her infamous wooden teaching stick, everything about this speech is pure ’80s nostalgia at its finest. More than 40 years later, this TV speech remains one of the definitive inspirational TV moments of the ’80s.

When Fame premiered on NBC in 1982, it brought the world of the performing arts to primetime TV. Inspired by the 1980 movie of the same name, the series followed a group of young students at the New York City High School of Performing Arts as they pursued their dreams of becoming dancers, singers, actors and performers.

@ladivafina77

Thank you #DebbieAllen The movie and TV show #FAME shaped my life and this speech here became my mantra and #LivesRentFreeInMyHead #YouWantFame #Dancer #NYC #Class #Auditions #RememberMyName #PayInSweat

♬ original sound – Jose Covarrubias

The only thing harder than getting famous was pleasing the school’s taskmaster dance teacher, Lydia Grant, played by Debbie Allen.

Allen’s Grant wasn’t solely a hard-driving, fame-at-all-costs dance teacher. Lydia Grant was tough and demanding, but her discipline was rooted in her desire to see her students succeed. Allen’s “Fame Costs” speech is one of the most remembered TV moments from the ’80s, with the indelible line, “You’ve got big dreams. You want fame. Well, fame costs, and right here is where you start paying,” often repeated and referenced in speeches, pop culture moments and social media memes.

Debbie Allen’s “Fame Costs” Speech Became an ’80s Mantra @layla_.mckenzie

Miss Grant is the bomb! #debbieallen #geneanthonyray #loveisthequestion #dancemovie #moviedance

♬ Halloween Mashup by 917Josh – 917JOSH

The speech was excerpted in the show’s opening sequence and is one of the most recognizable and frequently quoted ’80s TV moments. Fans around the world continue to recite the speech to Allen herself decades after the series ended. Allen’s speech wasn’t just good TV; it became an iconic message about chasing a dream and understanding what it takes to achieve it.

The enduring reaction demonstrates just how deeply the show connected with fans. For viewers watching Fame in the 1980s (proudly raises hand), Allen’s words became more of a mantra than a scene from a TV show.

Allen, who also starred as Lydia Grant in the 1980 version of the film, was heavily involved with the production of the TV show, assisting with choreography and storylines. Having been a successful dancer and actress herself, she brought a unique authenticity to Fame, making her and Lydia Grant seemingly interchangeable.

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Fame Captured the Hopes and Dreams of the ’80s

Filmed against the backdrop of the grittiness of ’80s New York and featuring a diverse cast of personalities, highlighted by the standout Gene Anthony Ray, who portrayed the beloved dance student Leroy Johnson, Fame captured the essence of the ’80s: aspiration, big dreams and hard work.

Allen’s Lydia Grant became the heart of the show, seamlessly embodying the life of a dancer. She was one. She knew what it took. She brought the firsthand knowledge of someone who had lived the highs and lows of life as a dancer to every episode, highlighted by her infamous “Fame Costs” speech.

More than four decades after Fame premiered on TV, Lydia Grant’s speech still resonates. We children of the ’80s may not be able to find our glasses (on your head, likely), but we can recite just about every word of Debbie Allen’s speech.

That’s because Fame was more than a TV show. Fame was the encapsulation of the hopes and dreams of an entire era, with Allen’s speech summarizing the sentiment.

Related: John Fogerty Has the Sweetest Reaction to Hearing ‘Proud Mary’ Playing at a Gas Station

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