Parade

Iconic ‘70s rocker Ritchie Blackmore built his career on life on the road. But now, the legendary guitarist says even traveling short distances has become a serious challenge.

In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock shared on Sunday, May 17, the legendary Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist revealed that a frightening bout of vertigo forced the cancellation of several recent Blackmore's Night shows and has left him reconsidering future travel plans altogether.

“I woke up one morning when we were on tour and I had what is called vertigo,” Blackmore explained. “I don't recommend it to anybody. It was the worst thing I've ever been involved with.”

The 81-year-old musician described the episode as so severe that he lost control of his balance and feared something far more serious was happening. “You think your whole world is ending right there,” he said.

Blackmore explained that the condition returned shortly after he arrived back home, leading him to rethink the physical demands of touring at his age. “I've found that at my age, being 150, that you know, it's time to kind of pull back on touring,” he admitted. “I do not like traveling anymore.”

READ MORE: Paul McCartney Wasn’t Supposed to Perform a Third Song on ‘Saturday Night Live’ — and the Internet Has Opinions

According to Blackmore, even traveling long distances now affects his equilibrium, something he believes may connect back to childhood motion sickness and anxiety surrounding travel.

The latest update comes after Blackmore previously revealed additional health struggles, including debilitating ocular migraines, chronic back issues, and even a heart attack he reportedly suffered around 2023. 

But despite the setbacks, Blackmore made it clear that he has no desire to stop performing completely. Instead, he hopes to continue playing shows much closer to home on Long Island. “I want to be on stage. I want to play,” he said. “But I want to play within the radius of, like, 30 miles or 40 miles.”

If you haven't already noticed, yellow and white stripes instantly make life feel a little more fabulous. Maybe it's because the combo has been serving poolside cabana chic for generations, or maybe it's because it screams sunshine and vacation all at once. Either way, those cheerful stripes have serious main-character summer energy. They call to mind vintage beach clubs and dreamy seaside escapes.

Thankfully, you don't actually need a luxury resort membership or a Hamptons address to steal the look. These days, bringing that same sunny, classic cabana vibe home is a whole lot more doable and way more budget-friendly. A pop of yellow and white can instantly brighten up a porch, patio or even an indoor space, making everything feel fresher and happier. If your summer aesthetic is somewhere between "backyard oasis" and "stylish coastal getaway," this timeless stripe pattern really does understand the assignment.

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Kirkton House 5' x 7' Reversible Indoor/Outdoor Rug - Yellow Stripes, $14.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Aldi has been dropping super cute indoor/outdoor rugs all spring season long to help get our patios and porches ready for warm-weather lounging, and the Kirkton House 5' x 7' Reversible Indoor/Outdoor Rug in yellow stripes is one of the latest additions to the mix.

Related: Costco's New Coastal-Inspired Cotton Throw Looks Like It Would Be Draped on a Couch in a Nancy Meyers Movie

A five-by-seven-foot outdoor rug is kind of that sweet-spot size because it's big enough to make a patio or porch feel pulled together, but not so massive that it completely takes over the space. Depending on the square footage of your spot, it can be perfect for anchoring a small seating area, fitting nicely under a couple of chairs and a coffee table, or adding some personality beneath a bistro set.

I could go on about all the great Aldi Finds available, but let me share a few highlights. For starters, I'm stocking up on the four-pack of lidded tumblers, perfect for summer sipping outdoors. (Those lids will keep the bugs out of your iced coffee.) And speaking of pests, the bug-repellant fans are epic for keeping insects at bay while you're trying to dine al fresco. But the true pièce de résistance just might be the portable hammock chair that makes outdoor lounging oh-so-easy. You'll be relaxing in your yard in no time.

Related: This Uno x Vrbo Collab Is the Getaway Game Night Dreams Are Made Of

When it comes to ab exercises, a lot of people focus on the rectus abdominis, which is science speak for six-pack abs. While there’s no shame in wanting a toned stomach, true ab strength means having a strong deep core too. 

The “deep core” is located beneath the six-pack muscles and helps stabilize the body. If you struggle with maintaining good posture for an extended period of time, that’s a sign that you could benefit from strengthening your deep core. Having a strong deep core makes it easier to maintain good posture and can prevent or reduce lower back pain.

Related: Abs of Steel! Here Are 8 of the Best Core-Defining Workouts You Can Do at Home

“In Pilates, the deep core muscles are known as ‘the powerhouse.’ The powerhouse is more than just your abs. It is a coordinated system that includes your abdominals, back muscles, glutes and pelvic floor,” says Erica Walters, NCPT,a level-three certified Pilates instructor and the owner of Pilates Fit Studio in Kentucky. 

Walters explains that a strong deep core creates stability, which allows arms and legs to move with strength, control and grace. “Without a connected center, your arms and legs are working in isolation. With a connected center, every movement becomes more powerful and more efficient,” she tells Parade.

Lauren King, NCPT, a Pilates instructor at Strong Pilates Commack in Commack, New York, adds to this, saying that a well-functioning deep core supports posture, helps distribute load through the spine and allows the body to move with better control and coordination. “Its main role is stabilization. These muscles activate to control and support movement, which is how the core functions in everyday activities,” she says.

Want to strengthen your deep core? There’s a Pilates move that’s more effective than crunches.

Related: Here's How Often You Actually Have to Work Out Your Abs To See Results—and the Best Moves to Try

raquel arocena torres/Getty Images

Is Pilates a Good Workout for Strengthening the Deep Core?

If you want to strengthen your deep core, Walters and King both say that Pilates is a great workout to do regularly. “Rather than isolating the core, Pilates integrates it into full-body movement. This helps build strength that carries over into daily life,” King says.

She explains that Pilates focuses on control, alignment and breath, which helps engage the deeper stabilizing muscles, including the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor.

Classic Pilates was literally designed to strengthen the deep core. “The system uses your own bodyweight along with spring resistance on the apparatus to build deep, connected strength,” Walters shares.

Scientific research shows that practicing Pilates regularly can truly strengthen the deep core. In a 2025 scientific study published in the journal Medicina, one group of healthy adults did Pilates three times a week for six weeks. A second group did aerobic-based exercises three times a week for six weeks. At the end of the six weeks, the Pilates group had a significant improvement in core strength, which was measured through muscle thickness, contraction timing and contraction ratios.

A 2023 scientific review published in the journal Healthcare also found that doing Pilates regularly can strengthen the deep core and can help improve lower back pain too.

Related: Sit-Ups Are So Yesterday! These 6 Exercises Will Target and Flatten Your Lower Abs

The Best Pilates Move for a Stronger Deep Core, According to Instructors

Walters' favorite move for strengthening the deep core is called “the hundred,” and it can be done using a mat—no reformer needed.

“'The hundred' demands that your ‘powerhouse’ hold your entire body in position while your arms move independently. It is a masterclass in connected strength,” she says. Here’s how to do it:

The Hundred

1. Lie on your back and hug your knees to your chest.
2. Lift your head and shoulders, thinking only of moving the thoracic spine (the part of the spine spanning from the base of the neck to the bottom of the rib cage). This is important to avoid straining your neck. 
3. Extend your arms long by your sides, hovering just above the mat. Then, extend your legs to a 45-degree angle.
4. Begin pumping your arms vigorously up and down. Inhale for five counts, exhale for five counts. That is one set of 10. Repeat 10 times to reach 100.

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2 Other Expert-Backed Pilates Moves for Sculpting Your Deep Core

Another deep core-strengthening move that Walter recommends? It's called “the teaser.” This move can also be done on a mat and does not require a reformer.

“‘The teaser’ asks the ‘powerhouse’ to control the entire body, folding and unfolding from the center. There is nowhere to hide,” she says. Here’s how to do it:

The Teaser

1. Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. 
2. Begin by working only the upper body: Roll up and down three times, articulating through the spine. 
3. Add the lower body by lifting one leg at a time, pressing into the standing leg for stability, and rolling up and down three times on each side.
4. From there, you can build on to the move to make it even more challenging. To do this, lie on your back with your legs extended at a 45-degree angle. Roll your upper body up to meet your legs in the V shape, then roll only your upper body back down while your legs stay in place. Repeat three times.

And one of King’s favorite Pilates moves for strengthening the deep core is the “dead bug.” This exercise move (which doesn’t require a reformer) strengthens the deep core without putting pressure on the spine or neck.

“The goal is to keep your spine stable throughout the movement. This trains the core to resist movement while the limbs are in motion, which is key for building stability and control,” King tells Parade.

Dead Bug

1. Lie on your back with your arms reaching toward the ceiling and your knees in a tabletop position.
2. Slowly extend one arm and the opposite leg away from the body, then return to center and alternate sides. Do 10 reps per side. 

To really benefit from these deep core moves, King recommends doing them three to four times a week. She says that in a few weeks, you’ll notice a difference in how you feel. For example, it will be easier to maintain good posture for a longer period of time.

Having a strong core is more than about looking good. It’s about being able to move easily and avoid pain as we age. Once you start integrating deep core strength into your workout routine, you’ll notice a difference in how you feel, making it well worth the effort.

Up Next:

Related: 7 Simple Wall Pilates Exercises for Lean, Sculpted Arms After 50

Sources:

• Chang, W. D., Lin, H. Y. and Lai, P. T. (2015). Core strength training for patients with chronic back pain. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 27(3):619-622. 
• Erica Walters, NCPT, level-three certified Pilates instructor and the owner of Pilates Fit Studio in Kentucky
• Lauren King, NCPT, Pilates instructor at Strong Pilates Commack in Commack, New York.
• Lee, K. (2025). Effects of Core Stability Training on Deep Stabilizing Muscle Function and Neuromuscular Control.Medicina. 61(3):364. 
• Franks, J., Thwaites, C. and Morris, M. E. (2023). Pilates to Improve Core Muscle Activation in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.Healthcare. 11(10):1404.

If you grew up in the 1990s, there’s a good chance you either owned a Sky Dancers doll—or got smacked by one.

The spinning fairy toys became one of the decade’s biggest crazes after launching in 1994 by Galoob Toys. Marketed as magical dolls that could gracefully fly through the air, Sky Dancers quickly became a must-have toy for kids everywhere. But behind the fun was a toy that eventually became infamous for being surprisingly dangerous.

The dolls worked by placing them feet-first into a launcher and pulling a cord that sent them spinning upward like tiny helicopters. In commercials, they floated gently into kids’ hands. In real life? The results were often far less elegant.

The toy became such a phenomenon that it expanded into its own animated television series in 1997, which ran for 27 episodes and introduced kids to the fantasy world behind the fairies. The brand also branched into books and video games as the craze continued to grow.

But by June 2000, the toys were officially recalled after mounting injury reports tied to their unpredictable flight patterns. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Galoob received roughly 150 reports involving injuries to both children and adults. The incidents included scratched corneas, temporary blindness, broken teeth, facial cuts requiring stitches, a mild concussion, and even a broken rib.

READ MORE: The ’70s Toy That Changed Playtime Forever Was Secretly Just Corn Syrup — and It Just Turned 50

The CPSC later announced that Galoob agreed to pay a $400,000 civil penalty related to allegations that the company failed to report the defects and injuries in a timely manner. Roughly 8.9 million Sky Dancers were recalled nationwide after being sold between 1994 and 2000 for anywhere between $8 and $25.

Ironically, the toys’ unpredictability became part of their lasting reputation. One reviewer called the doll “tools of war,” and even recalled using them during childhood fights because they were especially effective as a weapon.

If you want to get your hands on these whimsical weapons, head on over to eBay, where retailers are selling the dolls for $50-$100 a piece.

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There are celebrity cookbooks, and then there are Ina Garten cookbooks. The kind that end up splattered with olive oil, stained with chicken stock, and permanently open to her meatloaf recipe on your kitchen counter. As someone who cooks constantly, hosts often and craves recipes that fit in for real life, I’ve spent years making my way through the Barefoot Contessa universe one roast chicken, one chocolate cake, and one giant bowl of pasta at a time.

What makes Ina different is that her recipes deliver that rare combination of comfort and elegance. Her food feels aspirational without being impossible. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight chicken dish, a make-ahead dessert for company, or a stunning tres leches cake that tastes like it came from a bakery, her books are packed with the kinds of recipes people actually want to eat. And more importantly? As someone who's professionally read cookbooks for most of her career, you can always count on an Ina recipe to be top notch and work out perfectly.

For this list, I ranked every Ina Garten cookbook I’ve cooked from in order from least essential to absolute must-own. Some books shine because they’re perfect for entertaining. Others earn a permanent place in the kitchen because they make dinner easier for busy families. And a few contain what I genuinely think are some of the best recipes Ina has ever written.

If you’ve ever wondered which Ina Garten cookbooks stand out the most, or which ones are worth pulling back off the shelf, this ranking is for you.

Related: 25 Classic Ina Garten Recipes To Make All the Time

What Is Ina Garten Known For?

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Ina Garten is best known for approachable luxury cooking: recipes that feel elevated and comforting at the same time. Through her long-running Barefoot Contessa television series, bestselling cookbooks and signature Hamptons entertaining style, she became one of the most trusted home cooks in America.

Her recipes often rely on simple techniques, high-quality ingredients, and thoughtful entertaining shortcuts. She’s especially beloved for roast chicken, easy dinner party menus, decadent desserts, foolproof cocktails and make-ahead dishes that remove stress from hosting.

Related: I Tried Ina Garten’s Potato Galette and It’s the Perfect Easy but Elegant Brunch Dish

Ina Garten's Cookbooks in Order

Ina Garten has published more than a dozen cookbooks over the years, each reflecting a different era of her signature comfort-food cooking style. Here's a list of her impressive list of books:

• The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (1999)
• Barefoot Contessa Parties! (2001)
• Barefoot Contessa Family Style (2002)
• Barefoot in Paris (2004)
• Barefoot Contessa at Home (2006)
• Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics (2008)
• Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That? (2010)
• Barefoot Contessa Foolproof (2012)
• Make It Ahead (2014)
• Cooking for Jeffrey (2016)
• Cook Like a Pro (2018)
• Modern Comfort Food (2020)
• Go-To Dinners (2022)

Related: I Made Ina Garten’s Signature Challah

How I've Tested and Ranked These Cookbooks

I ranked these books based on how often I realistically cook from them as a busy mom, food creator and someone who genuinely loves hosting people at home. I prioritized books with dependable weeknight dinners, make-ahead recipes, crowd-pleasing desserts, entertaining value, and recipes that consistently work without requiring overly fussy techniques.

I also considered how memorable each cookbook feels. Some Ina books contain iconic recipes that became permanent staples in my kitchen, while others feel more transitional or repetitive compared to stronger entries later in her career.

Related: Ina Garten Delivers the Roast Chicken of Your Dreams in This Super Simple Recipe

Every Ina Garten Cookbook Ranked From Worst to Best by a Superfan13. Barefoot Contessa Parties! (2001)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This book is undeniably charming, but compared to Ina’s later work, it feels the most dated. The entertaining inspiration is still lovely, but some menus feel very early-2000s dinner party in a way that doesn’t translate as seamlessly today.

That said, it’s still worth flipping through for anyone who loves old-school hostess energy. It's a great read for an Ina super-fan; you can see the beginnings of the effortless entertaining style that would later define her brand.

Related: The Easy Pasta Dish Ina Garten Loves to Make After a Busy Day of Recipe Testing

12. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (1999)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Ina’s first cookbook deserves respect purely for introducing the world to her cooking philosophy. It laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Compared to the polish and practicality of her later books, this one feels less refined. It’s more of an origin story than a cookbook I regularly reach for on busy weeknights. The food photography from 1999 is a feat of its own...so nostalgic! A true queen listing a recipe for a fresh fruit platter.

11. Barefoot in Paris (2004)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This book is romantic and transportive, and if you love Parisian cooking, it has some beautiful recipes. But it leans more aspirational than practical for the every day cook. I love that it explores her love for French cuisine and her times in France, but I tend to revisit it more for inspiration than actual dinner planning. The recipes are elegant, but not necessarily the ones I turn to when I need dependable family meals or easy entertaining shortcuts.

Related: I Made Ina Garten’s Famous Flag Cake, and It’s So Much Easier Than It Looks

10. Barefoot Contessa Family Style (2002)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This book has warmth and heart, and you can feel Ina leaning into comforting meals meant for sharing. But compared to her newer books, many of the recipes feel heavier and less streamlined. It’s cozy, but not quite as essential as the books where her recipe development became more modern and efficient.

One of my go-tos from this book is her Chicken Stew with Biscuits, where it's all served in a casserole dish and topped with homemade biscuits. I think Ina would appreciate that I've cooked this but topped it with store bought for an easy weeknight meal.

9. Barefoot Contessa at Home (2006)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

There’s a comforting simplicity to this cookbook that makes it very approachable. It feels like the blueprint for the Ina many people know and love. While I enjoy it, I don’t return to it quite as often because later books sharpened the balance between elegance and ease even more successfully.

8. Cook Like a Pro (2018)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This book is incredibly useful if you genuinely want to become a stronger home cook. Ina breaks down techniques in a very accessible way. It’s more instructional than cozy, though, which is why it ranks slightly lower for me personally. I admire it more than I emotionally crave cooking from it.

This book has one of my all time favorite Ina recipes in it, her Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Louis. That is a recipe to keep on hand for an easy entertaining moment!

7. Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics (2008)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This book contains some truly classic Ina recipes and feels very reliable overall. It’s especially good for newer home cooks who want confidence-building recipes. The strength here is consistency. Nearly everything feels approachable, comforting, and polished without being intimidating. The pomegranate cosmopolitans from this book are my go-to for a pretty and refreshing cocktail.

6. Barefoot Contessa Foolproof (2012)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

The title says it all. This is one of Ina’s most dependable books for recipes that work every single time. It’s especially strong for entertaining because many dishes feel elevated while still being low-stress. There’s a practicality to this cookbook that makes it incredibly useful. I frequently make her play on the famous Nick & Toni's pasta dish, Penne alla Vecchia Bettola. It's a quick, easy and crowd pleasing pasta dish that comes together in under 20 minutes...truly foolproof!

5. Cooking for Jeffrey (2016)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

There’s something especially personal and warm about this cookbook. If you read her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, you have heard her entire love story with Jeffrey, so reading this again after hearing about all their ups and downs as a couple, feels especially intimate. The book is inviting and the recipes strike a great balance between cozy and special occasion-worthy. Who can't related to cooking special meals for the person you love the most?

4. Modern Comfort Food (2020)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This book arrived at exactly the right moment, and the recipes reflect that deeply comforting energy. It’s filled with cozy, satisfying meals that still feel elevated enough for company. This is one of the books I’d most recommend to busy families because the recipes feel modern, comforting and realistic for everyday cooking.

3. Make It Ahead (2014)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Well before meal prepping was a trend you saw on TikTok, Ina showed us how it's done. This book is cookbook gold, especially if you entertain regularly. Ina’s make-ahead strategies genuinely reduce stress, and the recipes still taste fresh and thoughtful.

This is one of the smartest cookbooks she’s ever written because it understands how people actually cook for gatherings in real life. Her Overnight Belgium Waffles are what I make on Christmas Eve in order for a smooth and cozy Christmas morning.

2. Go-To Dinners (2022)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This is the Ina cookbook I probably relate to most at this stage of life. The recipes are practical without sacrificing flavor or that signature Barefoot Contessa polish. The Chicken in a Pot with Orzo is genuinely spectacular and comes out beautifully every time. I also learned how to make a proper omelet from this book, and Ina’s Gruyère omelet is exquisite in its simplicity. This book understands modern home cooking in a way that feels deeply useful.

1. Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That? (2010)

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This is peak Ina Garten for me. Every recipe feels designed to make life easier while still delivering maximum payoff. As a busy mom who still loves feeding people beautiful food, this is the book I return to constantly. It’s practical, unfussy and filled with recipes that feel impressive without being exhausting.

I cooked from this book recently for cookbook club, which reminded me just how strong it is front to back. The Tate’s Bake Shop cookie icebox cake alone earns it a top ranking, it’s the kind of no-bake dessert people think took hours, yet it’s incredibly simple to throw together. If I could only keep one Ina cookbook on my shelf, this would be it.

Final Thoughts

No one understands the intersection of comfort, elegance, and real-life cooking quite like Ina Garten. Whether you’re planning a dinner party, feeding your family on a busy weeknight, or looking for a dessert that guarantees compliments, there’s an Ina cookbook for every kind of cook. But the best ones, the books you reach for again and again, are the ones that make hosting feel easier, dinner feel special, and cooking feel joyful instead of stressful. And that’s exactly why her recipes have remained staples in so many kitchens for decades...and why everyone is excited for fall 2026 when her next cookbook is released...Simply Ina!

Up Next:

Related: The 12 Best Italian Cookbooks, According to an Award-Winning Chef

There's something even more magical about a movie that'll make you feel all of the things in a few hours or less. And that's exactly what one of Pixar's most beloved animated films will do. From tears of laughter to tears of joy, this fan-favorite is an emotional rollercoaster — and it's considered to be one of the best films in cinematic history.

Up was directed by Pixar royalty, Pete Docter, who is also the mastermind filmmaker behind other 2000s and 2010s animated movies like Monsters Inc., Inside Out, and Soul. The movie follows the story of Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower who is aiming to get to South America to fulfill his promise to his late wife. However, Carl discovers a young stowaway, a Boy Scout named Russell, who accidentally ended aboard the flying home.

At the time of its release in May 2009, the film achieved a major milestone after it was nominated for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture, only the second movie in history to be under consideration for the Oscar, following Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Related: Legendary 1972 Film, Considered ‘the Greatest American Film Ever Made,’ Is Now Available to Stream For Free

Up went on to win two Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.

Today, the renowned movie is still considered to be one of the greatest animated movies in history, and is among Rotten Tomatoes' 300 Best Movies Movies of All Time. Placing at number 39 in the list, it has received a Tomatometer score of 98% and rave reviews from some of the best film critics in the industry.

"Up is buoyant with thrills and spills, yet it's anchored, quite movingly, in the acceptance of mortality. This rollercoaster ride will leave everyone on an up." The Independent's Anthony Quinn wrote.

"If it had lived up to its golden first five minutes, Up would have been the film of the decade," Empire Magazine critic, Ian Freer, wrote. "As it is, it remains the best animated flick of 2009, a funny, moving, beautifully made argument that dreamers can move mountains."

Per Empire, in 2023, Carl's story continued with a short titled Carl’s Date, which was played in theaters at the start of Pixar's Elemental, which was also directed by Docter.

Related: 1995 Film, Once Banned in Malaysia, Is Climbing the Charts 31 Years Later

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When it comes to fashion, classics are classics for a reason. They're the pieces that somehow manage to feel familiar, functional and effortlessly chic all at once. These are the kind of staples that don't just survive trend cycles, but outlast them. And there really is something comforting about a true classic. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor or the reliability, or maybe it's just knowing that some things really do deserve a permanent spot in our closets.

Of course, not every comeback deserves applause. Some resurrected trends definitely have us collectively asking, "Wait. We're doing this again? Seriously?" especially if you lived through the first round and didn't love it. But every now and then, a beloved piece returns, and it just makes sense. That's when fashion nostalgia really hits its sweet spot.

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1998 Large Montauk Tote in Stripe, $148 at J.Crew

J.Crew

Shop It!

Bringing back an iconic bestseller like J.Crew's 1998 Montauk Tote isn't about chasing trends; it's about revisiting something people loved in the first place. It feels a little like reconnecting with an old favorite that still gets the job done.

The large version that's shown above retails for $149 and comes in three different colorways: natural navy stripe, natural crimson and natural navy. It's made from sturdy cotton canvas, making it perfect for a variety of situations, whether you're headed to the beach, running errands, or packing for a weekend away.

Related: Old Navy's Darling Mini Dress Is a Springtime Must-Have

The roomy size (12 ½ inches high, 26 ½ inches wide and eight inches deep) means there's plenty of space for all your essentials and then some. Meanwhile, the 9 ½-inch handle drop makes it easy to sling over your shoulder and go. It's practical, versatile and has that throw-it-all-in-and-look-great kind of vibe.

Just know that this tote is only available online, so you'll have to order it and have it shipped, rather than popping into a J.Crew store to buy it. That said, it definitely feels like one of those special finds worth snagging before it's gone.

If you want to make things even preppier, J.Crew offers the option of adding a monogram for $10. Hey, that's insurance that no one in your house can borrow it for extended periods, right? Those initials mark your territory.

Related: Costco's New Coastal-Inspired Cotton Throw Looks Like It Would Be Draped on a Couch in a Nancy Meyers Movie

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

With the arrival of warmer days and longer evenings, many of us are turning our attention outdoors, looking for ways to make our patios, porches, or balconies more inviting. If you're hoping to refresh your outdoor space without breaking the bank, Walmart's flash deal on the Walsunny 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set is worth a closer look. 

Normally priced at $170, this highly-rated bistro set now starts at just $100, a sunny deal that combines modern style, comfort, and unbeatable price. Prices vary slightly by hue, but all are currently under $110, so you'll score a great deal no matter what.

Walsunny 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, From $100 (was $170) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The Walsunny patio set includes two rocking chairs and a sleek, three-legged round coffee table, creating a cozy spot for morning coffee, evening chats, or simply soaking up the sun. The gentle rocking motion of the chairs makes it easy to unwind after a busy day. Adjustable feet on the table help you keep it balanced on uneven decking or patio stones.

The chairs are constructed with breathable and lightweight textilene fabric, which is cooler and more flexible than traditional rattan, especially on hot days. Unlike some heavier patio furniture, these pieces are easy to rearrange, making them a practical choice for those who like to switch up their outdoor setup.

With a nearly perfect rating, this set is praised not only for its comfort and looks but also for its value. Whether you're looking to create a restful reading nook with ergonomic handrails, a conversation space for entertaining friends, or simply a comfortable spot to enjoy the outdoors, this rocking chair patio set offers an affordable and stylish solution. 

Shoppers praised the set's comfort and aesthetics, noting that it's "very comfortable" and "a good-looking set." The combination of style and coziness makes it a popular pick for anyone wanting to upgrade their outdoor living space.

Related: Walmart's 'Beautiful and Spacious' $79 4-Drawer Storage Cabinet Is Sized Just Right for Small Bathrooms

"They look adorable on my porch!" one shopper said, echoing the sentiment of many who have added the set to their homes.

Reviewers mentioned that it is "easy to put together," thanks to clear instructions and the included hardware, and that it's "very well made," making the process hassle-free even for those with little assembly experience. 

Once assembled, the set's modern design and three neutral color options (black, light gray, and white) blend seamlessly with a wide variety of outdoor decor styles. The high-quality, rust-resistant steel ensures the set stands up to the elements and remains sturdy for years to come. 

Shop More Deals

• Lvelia Intelligent Electronic Dancing Robot Toy, $16 (was $24) at Walmart
• Ecetana Floral Open Toe Slide Sandals, $33 at Walmart
• Hoofun Electric Cordless Bath Scrubber, $27 (was $40) at Walmart

With this flash deal on a bestselling Walmart patio set, you can revamp your outdoor living area for just $100 and make the most of every sunny day this season. Snap it up before the sale ends!

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Long before streaming franchises and social media fandoms, Baywatch occupied a unique place in pop culture. The series became one of the most recognizable television shows of the 1990s, turning its red swimsuits and slow-motion runs into pop culture icons. Now, as a new generation prepares for Fox’s reboot, Brooks Nader says the experience has already become unexpectedly personal for her family.

Speaking during Fox’s 2026 Upfront presentations in New York, the model and reality television star reflected on her parents’ reaction when they learned she had been cast in the upcoming reboot. Nader said her family was initially 'shocked' by the news, largely because acting represented a major career shift for her.

Nader, who stars as lifeguard captain Selene in the new series, said the role quickly became more meaningful once filming began. She described wearing the franchise’s iconic red swimsuit as an emotional, full-circle moment connected to memories of growing up with the show’s cultural legacy. The reboot also stars Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Livvy Dunne and Noah Beck.

Related: 'Little House on the Prairie' to 'Stargate': 5 Nostalgia Reboots Coming in 2026

The actress also shared that her father became a source of support during production, offering reassurance as she adjusted to a demanding television set environment. Nader explained that childhood performances with her sisters helped prepare her for the transition into scripted entertainment, even though Baywatch marks her first major acting role.

Part of the preparation involved far more than recreating the visual style associated with the original series. Nader recently told People that the cast underwent several weeks of swim and lifeguard training, including CPR instruction, after producers emphasized the real-world impact the original Baywatch had on viewers learning lifesaving techniques.

Fox officially unveiled early footage and promotional images for the reboot this week, renewing interest in a franchise that once reached enormous global audiences during its original run. Reports surrounding the relaunch have focused heavily on balancing nostalgia with a younger ensemble cast.

For viewers who remember Baywatch at the height of its popularity, the reboot arrives with a familiar challenge facing many legacy television properties. The appeal depends partly on recreating a feeling audiences already associate with another era of entertainment. Nader’s comments suggest the cast understands that connection, to the point where they even careful to perfect that classic slow-motion run.

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Adam Driver isn’t saying much about the claims Lena Dunham made in her new memoir, but his cryptic response to a question at the Cannes Film Festival is raising eyebrows.

While promoting his upcoming film Paper Tiger during a press conference on Sunday, May 17, Driver was asked about Dunham’s recent allegations surrounding their time working together on Girls. Rather than directly addressing the claims, the actor quickly sidestepped the question.

“I have no comment on any of that. I’m saving it all for my book,” Driver, 42, said in a clip from Variety, drawing laughter from the room before the conversation moved on.

The moment comes about a month after the actress released her own memoir Famesick, where she reflected on her fame and the complicated working dynamic she said developed between herself and the Star Wars actor during the early years of Girls.

Adam Driver responds in #Cannes to Lena Dunham's memoir, which alleges he was "verbally aggressive" and "hurled a chair at the wall next" to her on the "Girls" set.

“I have no comment on any of that. I’m saving it all for my book.”https://t.co/LdLs30aeKA pic.twitter.com/RLEXGHcgZC

— Variety (@Variety) May 17, 2026

Dunham, 40, described several tense moments on set, including filming their first sex scene together during Season 1. According to Dunham, the blocking choreography they rehearsed beforehand allegedly “went out the window” and “he hurled me this way and that.” While she clarified that she did not feel violated by the interaction, the moment left her emotionally unsettled.

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Elsewhere in the memoir, Dunham recalled a rehearsal for the Season 1 finale where she claimed Driver became frustrated while the pair practiced lines in her trailer. “I remember doing a fight scene with Adam and how scary it was to meet someone so totally present with such absence,” she wrote. Dunham alleged that after she froze during rehearsal, Driver screamed at her to “[explicit] SAY SOMETHING” before allegedly throwing a chair at the wall nearby.

Despite the difficult moments she described, Dunham also acknowledged that their creative relationship was often layered and complicated rather than entirely negative. She wrote that Driver could sometimes be supportive, protective, and deeply invested, even though he came across as “condescending and physically imposing.”

Barnes & Noble has unveiled its June 2026 Book of the Month selections, and one highly anticipated historical fiction novel is already generating major early buzz among readers and bestselling authors alike.

Maggie O’Farrell’s new novel "Land" was selected as one of the retailer’s featured picks for June, continuing the award-winning author’s remarkable run following the success of "Hamnet" and "The Marriage Portrait."

Related: Best-Selling Novel Ranked Among Goodreads Favorite Historical Fiction Still Captivates Readers

Set in Ireland in 1865 shortly after the devastation of the Great Hunger, "Land" follows a father and son working on the massive Ordnance Survey project mapping the country’s landscape during a period of upheaval and recovery.

Barnes & Noble described the novel as a sweeping story about “human resilience and a deep connection to the natural world with a sense of wonder.” The retailer’s description teases “buried treasure, overlapping lives, ancient woodland, persistent ghosts, a particularly loyal dog, and how, when it comes to both land and history, nothing ever goes away.”

According to the synopsis, the story centers on Tomás and his 10-year-old son Liam as they travel across a windswept Irish peninsula mapping terrain still scarred by famine and political turmoil. But after a mysterious encounter in the woods changes Tomás forever, Liam is left struggling to understand what happened to his father while trying to complete their journey home.

Related: Best-Selling Novel Called ‘Darkly Hilarious’ Is Suddenly Everywhere

Early praise for the novel has been especially strong.

“Simply the best novel I've read in years,” author Louise Kennedy said.

"North Woods" author Daniel Mason called the book “a breathtaking hymn to the sanctity of natural spaces,” adding that he was moved not only by the characters but by “the thrumming, gorgeous presence of its mosses, waters, winds, and skies.”

Author Ferdia Lennon described the novel as “haunting and elemental.”

Related: Groundbreaking Novel Ranked Among ‘Best Books of All Time’ Turns 307 Years Old

O’Farrell has become one of the most acclaimed literary voices of the past decade. Her 2020 novel "Hamnet," inspired by the life and death of Shakespeare’s son, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

The story later became a major film adaptation co-written by O’Farrell and director Chloé Zhao. The adaptation earned widespread acclaim and brought O’Farrell an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay earlier this year.

Related: This Classic Novel Was Ranked the No. 1 ‘Greatest Novel of All Time’ on Goodreads

Long before "Hamnet," O’Farrell built a devoted following through bestselling novels including "The Hand That First Held Mine," "This Must Be the Place" and "The Marriage Portrait." Her memoir "I Am, I Am, I Am" also became a bestseller after chronicling a series of life-threatening experiences from throughout her life.

Barnes & Noble noted that its exclusive edition of "Land" will include special endpapers and a reading group guide for readers.

The novel is scheduled for release this summer and is already shaping up to be one of the season’s most talked-about historical fiction releases.

Related: New Psychological Thriller Inspired by Natalie Wood Mystery Earns Major Honor

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Long before punk rock became part of mainstream music history, The Decline of Western Civilization captured the movement at its loudest, rawest and most chaotic.

Directed by Penelope Spheeris, the groundbreaking 1981 documentary was recently named an honorable mention for the best rock movie of 1981 by Ultimate Classic Rock.

The film offered an unfiltered look at the exploding Los Angeles punk scene at the end of the 1970s, documenting performances and interviews with bands that would later become hugely influential across punk, hardcore and alternative music. Among the artists featured were Black Flag, X, Germs, Circle Jerks, Fear and Alice Bag Band.

At the time, many of these groups were still underground acts performing in small clubs, often far removed from commercial success. The documentary expertly preserved the intensity and unpredictability of that early punk movement before it was softened or commercialized.

"What was great was, when I looked at the footage from the first concert, it was all over the place," Spheeris told The Dissolve. "Because the cameras kept getting bumped. [...] I think in those days, which was way before MTV, we came up with a shooting style—and afterward, an editing style—that made it as crazy and chaotic as punk rock itself."

One especially memorable aspect of the film is its footage of Darby Crash, the volatile frontman of Germs, whose chaotic performances became legendary within punk circles. Crash died tragically shortly before the movie's release, giving the documentary an even deeper historical significance.

Musically, the film stands out for its sheer energy. The performances feel immediate and confrontational, reflecting the frustration and rebellion that fueled the punk scene during the era.

Although the movie was initially considered too abrasive for mainstream audiences, it gradually developed a massive cult following and became one of the most important music documentaries ever made. The film also helped establish Spheeris as a major chronicler of underground music culture. She would later direct additional installments in the Decline of Western Civilization series focused on heavy metal and later punk movements.

Today, the documentary is widely viewed as an essential time capsule of American punk history.

"There weren't a lot of people making movies like this back then and not everybody had an iPhone, and so the history's sort of been preserved in those films and I think it's valuable to present generations who think that, you know, a torn t-shirt, or a tattoo, or a nose ring came from, you know, yesterday," Spheeris told Cyclic Defrost. "All that stuff is rooted in those times."

Its recognition by Ultimate Classic Rock highlights how influential the film became, not just as a concert movie, but as one of the most authentic portraits ever captured of a music scene on the verge of changing rock forever.

Related: 1975 Timeless Classic, Written in 20 Minutes, Became a Soft Rock Anthem

Thrillers are the kinds of books that suck you in and keep you up at night, not only because of the storylines but because you just can't put them down. Author Mary Kubica does just that with her suspenseful, twisty psychological thrillers. Her debut novel, The Good Girl, is so well known for it that it's in the top ten of "Best Psychological Thrillers by and for Women" according to Goodreads.

Often compared to Gone Girl, The Good Girl has everything you want in a gripping thriller. Multiple points-of-view, delicious family secrets, twists galore, and an ending you can barely see coming. It's why readers call it "unputdownable" and "a killer debut" for Kubica.

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The Good Girlfollows the story of Mia Dennet, a wealthy art teacher from Chicago, who leaves a bar with a stranger, Colin, when her boyfriend fails to show. Colin abducts Mia but instead of delivering her to his employers, hides her away in a secluded cabin in the middle-of-nowhere Minnesota. Mia's mother, Eve, hires a detective and works to find her missing daughter. As the story unfolds dark family secrets are revealed, and the emotional entanglement between Colin and Mia proves to be something no one could have predicted.

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While The Good Girl was Kubica's debut in 2014, she's since gone on to publish nine other novels and her work has been translated into over 30 languages and sold over five million copies worldwide. Booklist Reviewcalled her first novel "[a] debut thriller builds suspense steadily and will have readers guessing what’s really going on until the final pages," with Kirkus Reviewssaying it's "a pleasant and unexpected find."

A collector's edition of the novel will be available at Barnes and Noble this summer, just in time for readers to add it to their thriller shelves.

Related: No. 1 Bestselling Author's Obsessive Thriller one Readers 'Can't Wait' to Devour

Paul McCartney already had two performances planned for the Saturday Night Live season finale—but apparently, that wasn’t enough.

The music legend surprised viewers during the May 16 finale of SNL when he casually returned to the stage during the show’s closing moments for an unexpected third song after the credits rolled.

The 83-year-old initially performed “Days We Left Behind,” a new track from his upcoming solo album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, followed later in the night by the Wings classic “Band on the Run.” But as the cast gathered for goodnights and audiences assumed the show was wrapping up, McCartney walked back over to his band and launched into “Coming Up,” the hit single from his 1980 album McCartney II.

The performance in itself became one of the finale’s biggest talking points online.

“Paul McCartney singing on SNL might be the worst thing I’ve ever heard,” one X user claimed.

Another noted, “Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE @PaulMcCartney but after his singing performance on @nbcsnl tonight someone seriously needs to have an intervention. I was embarrassed for him.”

A third wrote, “Well not to be the contrarian but tonight would have been a good night for SNL to roll out a lip sync of a studio version of the song for Paul McCartney.”

READ MORE: Paul McCartney Takes The Stage With Late John Lennon In Emotional Theater Show

Other’s remained supportive, however.

“Look, the only correct take about watching Paul McCartney at 83 in 2026, on SNL no less, is that it’s a privilege to still witness him do this,” one said.

“@SNL Paul McCartney singing band on the run was awesome. Thanks,” another replied.

The former The Beatles member was heavily involved throughout the episode beyond just the musical performances. During host Will Ferrell’s opening monologue, McCartney jokingly interrupted to insist that he—not Ferrell—was actually hosting the show.

McCartney also appeared later in a bizarre mechanic sketch alongside Ferrell, where the two delivered increasingly ridiculous fake automotive terminology in exaggerated British accents.

The episode also revived Ferrell’s long-running resemblance joke with Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who crashed the monologue pretending he was the real host, and played drums for McCartney’s performances.

Related: Next Up:

Ed Harris and Amy Madigan have a rare, long-lasting Hollywood marriage. 

The pair met in the early ‘80s, got married while filming a movie together and have remained each other’s biggest champions ever since. “We’re really good supporters of each other and always have been,” Madigan said in 2026.

When asked in another interview how her husband, who currently stars in the newTaylor Sheridanseries Dutton Ranch, reacted to her sinister character in the 2025 horror movieWeapons — for which she was then just nominated for an Oscar — she shared, "He loved it. He's known me a long time and he saw all the parts of myself melded into Aunt Gladys. So, I have a very supportive family, my daughter also, so I'm very lucky." About six weeks later, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. 

Here’s everything to know about Harris and Madigan’s marriage, including how they met.

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Are Ed Harris and Amy Madigan a couple?

Yes, and they’ve been together for a very long time, especially by Hollywood standards. When asked about the secret to their successful relationship, Madigan once said they “don’t have” one. 

"We just love each other and we work really hard at that and in our work," she told People earlier this year. 

How long have Ed Harris and Amy Madigan been together?

The couple have been together for more than 40 years. Nodding to their many decades together at the 2026 Oscars, Madigan gave her husband a sweet shoutout while accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress, calling him “my beloved Ed, who's been with me forever, and that's a long ass time.” 

She added, “None of this would mean anything if he wasn't by my side.”

Related: Amy Madigan Reveals the One Aunt Gladys Trait She Wishes She Had

How did Ed Harris and Amy Madigan meet?

The pair met in Los Angeles in 1980, before either were major stars. Harris caught Madigan’s first, when she saw him in a production of Sam Shepard and Patti Smith’s Cowboy Mouth.

"It was like something you see in a movie or hear in a song," she told Life in 1985 (via People). "I just thought — 'Well, there he is.' It was obvious to me that I'd see him again." 

The following year, they starred in a play by Edward Allan Baker called “what’s so beautiful about a sunset over prairie avenue,” and by 1983, while filming Places in the Heart, they were married.

When did Ed Harris and Amy Madigan get married?

The pair tied the knot on Nov. 21, 1983. 

Do Ed Harris and Amy Madigan have kids?

Yes. Harris and Madigan share one daughter, Lily Dolores Harris, who was born in 1993. The couple kept their only child out of the spotlight for most of her life, but she eventually followed in her parents’ footsteps as an actor. 

Rather than jump right into auditioning, however, she attended Reed College, where she earned a B.A. in English, then enrolled in the American Conservatory Theater’s MFA acting program. She made her acting debut in 2021, with a guest role in an episode of Chicago Med.  

Related: Amy Madigan Once Made This Unexpected Comment About ‘Uncle Buck’ Co-Star John Candy

Who did Ed Harris and Amy Madigan refuse to applaud at the Oscars?

One of the couple’s most talked-about public moments came during the 1999 Academy Awards, when they famously refused to applaud director Elia Kazan as he accepted an honorary Oscar.

Kazan’s legacy has kicked up controversy because he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952 and named former colleagues suspected of Communist ties during the Hollywood blacklist era.

Television cameras caught Harris and Madigan sitting stone-faced while much of the audience gave Kazan a standing ovation.

Years later, Madigan explained the decision, telling the New York Times, “There was no way we were going to do that. No way.”

"My father, who’s not with us anymore, he was a political analyst and a journalist and he was working on Capitol Hill when McCarthyism was going on and it really, really affected him deeply," Madigan continued. "And yeah, that whole thing was really bringing it back to me. I was like, 'Nope.'"

Have Ed Harris and Amy Madigan acted together?

Many times.

Over the years, the couple have appeared together in projects including Places in the Heart, Alamo Bay, Gone Baby Gone and the stage production of The Jacksonian.

Madigan also appeared in Pollock, which Harris directed and starred in as painter Jackson Pollock. The film earned Harris an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

“We’re different people,” she said of their acting styles. “But about the important things we are very like. We prepare differently, and we rehearse differently, but it just works for us.”

Whether they’re sharing the screen or not, they always have each other’s back, professionally. Speaking with the New York Times, Madigan shared that for years before she landed Weapons her husband “repeatedly” told her that she’d get another break in career if she’d just sit tight. 

“He said, ‘Something’s going to happen and it’s going to be a very different situation for you,’” she shared. He turned out to be right. 

Next: Everything to Know About the 'Yellowstone' Spinoff 'Dutton Ranch,' Starring Ed Harris

The second installment in the Alien film franchise, 1986's Aliens, has been continuously acclaimed by critics and praised by audiences.

Despite premiering 40 years ago, Aliens recently received recognition by the publication Collider. In February 2026, the publication ranked the "10 greatest sci-fiaction movie masterpieces of all time," with Aliens, directed and written byJames Cameron, taking home the top spot. Some of the other sci-fi movies spotlighted in the list included Terminator 2: Judgment Day from 1991, 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, 1987's RoboCop, andThe Fifth Element, released in 1997.

Aliens has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93 percent and an 84 on Metacritic.

The Cast & Crew of 'Aliens' Shared Behind-the-Scenes Facts

Aliens sees Lt. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her crewmates facing off the horrifying Xenomorphs and their queen. In a 2016 interview on the TODAY show, members of Aliens' cast and crew shared some behind-the-scenes insight into the celebrated sci-fi film. Cameron noted that they used practical effects for the Xenomorphs to come alive on film.

 "It was all hydraulics and puppetry. There were two guys inside the alien queen, in the body operating the arms," said the director in the 2016 interview.

Weaver also shared that she purposefully avoided the Xenomorph queen when it was stagnant, so she could convince herself that the animatronic puppet was a genuine threat.

"I believed in the queen. I thought it was better for me to, you know, really deal with her as a completely realistic entity. For all we know, there is a queen someday," said Weaver.

During the TODAY show, Weaver also revealed her favorite moment filming as Ripley for Aliens.

"My favorite day was when I was holding the flamethrower," said Weaver.

Weaver's castmate, Michael Biehn, who played Corporal Dwayne Hicks, said he also appreciated the iconic Ripley scene.

"I love the look that Sigourney gave in that moment. You know, there's some look, and she has that look of like, 'Should I do this? Should I do that? Screw it!'" said the actor in the TODAY interview.

By the mid 1980's, The Bangles were at the top of their success as a pop-rock band, with one main track having landed as their first No. 1 hit. Despite the pop-rock track's fame, it led to internal tensions among the band and would be banned by radio stations decades later.

"Walk Like an Egyptian" was one of the first tracks by The Bangles that wasn't written by its members, and instead was a demo by Liam Sternberg. According to Song Facts, the band had developed their own tracks since they formed in 1981, with Sternberg's demo having gained them breakthrough success and inter-band drama.

Sternberg was inspired to write the track while on a ferry crossing the English Channel. As the waves hit the ferry and passengers tried to keep their balance, the songwriter thought they looked like ancient Egyptian figures. The demo was originally offered to Toni Basil, who rejected it, and was later recorded by Lene Lovich. Lovich's was never released as she took a break to raise her family. In the end, the demo caught the interest of David Kahne, who gave it to The Bangles.

The Bangles thought "Walk Like an Egyptian" was "too weird," with Kahne reporting to Sound on Sound, "They just didn't want to record it." To their surprise, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts at No. 1 and on Cash Box. It became their first major hit, but its creation wasn't smooth sailing.

Related: 1989 Soft Rock Ballad Became a Defining Heartbreak Anthem After Its Film Debut

Members Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele, and Susanna Hoffs all ended up singing a verse in the track, with Kahn delegating Debbi Peterson to background vocals due to her lack of interest, which turned into a "silent argument." While "Walk Like an Egyptian" became the band's biggest hit, it also changed their branding as original songwriters. The band would later break up in 1989.

According to reports, "Walk Like an Egyptian" was later banned by radio stations following the events of 9/11 in New York City. Clear Channel Communications circulated an internal list of songs that the program directors felt were inappropriate to play following the attacks. The list consisted of over 160 tracks whose lyrics or titles were questionable, including "Walk Like an Egyptian," Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and many more rock hits.

Dennis Locorriere, the longtime frontman and lead vocalist of Dr Hook & The Medicine Show, has died at the age of 76 following what his management described as a “long and courageous battle” with kidney disease. Locorriere was the last surviving original member from the band’s classic era following the deaths of Ray Sawyer in 2018, Billy Francis in 2010 and George Cummings in 2024.

In a statement shared with Metro UK, management said Locorriere “passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on May 16, 2026” and praised the singer for facing his illness “with remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience throughout.”

Locorriere was best known as the voice behind many of Dr. Hook’s biggest hits during the 1970s and early 1980s, including “Sylvia’s Mother,” “Sharing the Night Together,” “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman,” “Sexy Eyes” and “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone.’”

Related: 1970 Rock Anthem, a Sneaky Anti-War Protest Song, Was No. 1 56 Years Ago Today

Born in Union City, New Jersey, Locorriere joined the band in the late 1960s after founding members Sawyer, Francis and Cummings relocated to New Jersey and formed what eventually became Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. The band’s name was inspired by Sawyer’s signature eyepatch after he lost an eye in a near-fatal car accident years earlier.

The group broke through in 1972 with “Sylvia’s Mother,” written by legendary poet and songwriter Shel Silverstein. The song became an international hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in countries including Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

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

Dr. Hook quickly became one of the era’s most recognizable crossover acts, blending soft rock, country-pop and novelty storytelling songs. Their music dominated Top 40 and adult contemporary radio throughout the 1970s with hits like “Only Sixteen,” “A Little Bit More,” “Sharing the Night Together” and “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman,” which spent several weeks at No. 1 in the UK in 1979.

One of the band’s signature songs, “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone,’” became a million-selling hit in 1973 and famously led to the group appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in caricature form after the publication embraced the song’s satirical lyrics.

Despite their success, the band endured years of financial struggles and lineup changes. Dr. Hook filed for bankruptcy in 1974 even as its popularity continued to grow. Over time, the group shortened its name from Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show to simply Dr. Hook and continued touring heavily throughout the decade.

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

Locorriere remained active long after the band’s original breakup in 1985. He released solo albums, toured internationally for decades and later fronted “Dr. Hook starring Dennis Locorriere.” In recent years, he continued celebrating the band’s legacy through anniversary tours and live performances across the UK and Europe.

In 2014, more than four decades after the band’s debut, Dr. Hook returned to the UK Top 40 with the compilation album Timeless.

Tributes quickly poured in following news of Locorriere’s death. BoomRadioUK called him “the legendary voice at the heart of Dr Hook” on X, while in the comments, fans remembered growing up with the band’s music and seeing Locorriere perform live over the years.

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

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Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig…and Donald Trump? It’s certainly not the first AI image that POTUS has shared. But a recent X post from the official White House account featuring the Commander-in-Chief in a poster-like pic holding a gun in silhouette, à la 007, has people talking (and a few mocking). 

If you’re wondering what Trump has to do with James Bond, it appears the post is a response to the search for a new 007. In a recent statement, Amazon MGM Studios announced that auditions have begun, revealing, “While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.” 

The newest Bond film is the 26th installment of the series and will feature a script by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, Dune’s Denis Villeneuve, is set to direct. While fans have speculated superstars such as Idris Elba, Callum Turner, and Jacob Elordi could snag the coveted role, the studio is staying hush-hush about the auditions. 

Of course, the AI-generated movie poster, which features the ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan above ‘007,’ isn’t actually building a case for a Trumpy Bond. After all, as one commenter points out, “You do know Bond is a British spy?” And that would make it more than a conflict of interest for the President. 

So what does the public think about the pic? Critics took aim at the President and the White House’s…somewhat problematic messaging. One commenter replied on X, “There’s literally not a single positive comment,” and another added, “Trump as James Bond would be wild: walks into a villain lair, immediately announces ‘great conversation, very productive’ gives the villain a 10-day extension, a 2nd extension, and probably a golf invite, and by the end credits he’s still very close to a deal.” 

The comments weren’t the only way X users got creative. Some shared their own AI images, including a mock Nosferatu “The Last Term” poster and several memes referencing Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. One even added a burger to the Trump-as-Bond design, with the title, “The Man With the Golden Bun.” 

The comments didn’t stop at the X post. Critics also flocked to other social media sites, such as Reddit. Cynics on the “entertainment” subreddit posted, “Yeah, From Russia with Love, indeed”, “James Bond/007 isn’t American (or real)...You couldn’t think of one cool American”, and “He’s the bad guy 007 fights right?” 

Fans of HBO's Sex and the City have long debated about who was the best boyfriend to the core four characters of the show. Steve Brady, the lovable, down-to-earth bartender was the perfect match to balance out Type A Miranda Hobbs, making him an instant fan favorite upon his first appearance in season two. Actor David Eigenberg, best known for the role, turned 62 on May 17th, 2026.

Before heading to Hollywood to try his hand at acting, Eigenberg enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1982 to 1986. Once he started acting he had small roles in shows like ER, King of Queens, and Ghost Whisperer. But it was his role as Miranda Hobbs' "on again off again" boyfriend that made him most known to viewers.

At 62, Eigenberg has continued to play Steve in both Sex and the City movies and the now canceled spin-off, And Just Like That... His own hearing loss inspired Steve's hearing loss in later iterations of the franchise.

Steve Brady appeared just behind the character of Mr. Big for most consistent boyfriend on the series, so fans really got to know the ins and outs of the character. While he's not perfect and has flaws, he's praised for being "relentlessly positive, supportive, reliable and, devoted" to Miranda and fans of the show love how "he's in touch with his feelings more than most men, and he's uncynical." Vogue even called him "only truly good guy in the SATC extended universe."

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Sex and the City and And Just Like That... was able to depict relationships at multiple stages of life. From your early thirties to late fifties and even early sixties, being able to portray someone as sweet as Steve at any era is truly a gift for an actor.

Related: Sarah Jessica Parker Recreates Iconic ‘Sex and the City’ Moment With a Royal Family Twist