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1967 Iconic Ballad, With 21-Year-Old Singer of The Monkees, Became a 4-Week No. 1 Hit

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 8:17pm

By the fall of 1967, The Monkees were already one of the biggest pop acts in the world.

Then came "Daydream Believer." Released on Oct. 25, 1967, the heartfelt ballad featured Davy Jones, who was just 21 years old when the single arrived. With its unforgettable melody and Jones' warm lead vocal, the song became one of the defining hits of the decade and one of the band's most enduring recordings.

The song came from one of pop music's most accomplished songwriters.

Written by John Stewart, a former member of the Kingston Trio, "Daydream Believer" tells the story of a romance that has settled into everyday life without losing its affection. Stewart's conversational lyrics, paired with an uplifting melody, gave The Monkees a song that balanced nostalgia with optimism.

"I remember writing 'Daydream Believer' very clearly," Stewart later shared in an interview. "For some reason I was writing songs all day, every day. It was part of a trilogy, a suburban trilogy. I remember going to be thinking, 'What a wasted day — all I’ve done is daydream.' And from there I wrote the whole song."

Jones proved to be the perfect voice for it. He delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career. His expressive voice brought warmth and sincerity to the lyrics, helping transform the song into an instant audience favorite.

"As we sing it, there's a line, 'Now, you know how happy I can be,'" drummer Mickey Dolenz later recalled. "John wrote, 'Now, you know how funky I can be.' But the music department said, 'The Monkees are not singing the word 'funky.'' Funky meant oily, and greasy, and sexy - and they weren't going to have us say it."

Listeners responded in overwhelming fashion.

"Daydream Believer" raced to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent four consecutive weeks at the top. It also reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of the best-selling singles of The Monkees' career, further cementing the group's status as an international phenomenon.

Its popularity has endured for generations.

The song has remained a staple of oldies radio and classic pop playlists, while its optimistic spirit has led to countless appearances in films, television shows, and commercials. It has also been covered by numerous artists, though Jones' original vocal performance remains the version most closely associated with the beloved classic.

"I'm asked to get up in karaoke bars and I've sung 'Daydream Believer' because it pleases the 12 or 15 people that are there," Jones said in a 2012 interview. "Why shouldn't I? I sing it better than anybody else. I'll give them the best. Let them hear the one who did it first. It doesn't matter if there's 10 people or 10,000 people, my performance is the same. I put it right out there."

Nearly 60 years after its release, "Daydream Believer" continues to delight audiences around the world. Featuring a 21-year-old Davy Jones at the microphone, the 1967 ballad became a four-week No. 1 hit and remains one of the most cherished songs in The Monkees' remarkable catalog.

Related: 1967 Rock Song, With 21-Year-Old Singer of The Monkees, Is Still a Powerful Hit 59 Years Later

‘Days of Our Lives’ Releases Sneak Peek of John Oliver's Mystery Character Ahead of Next Week's Episodes

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 8:16pm

Late-night host John Oliver’s Days of Our Lives cameo airs next week, and Peacock just shared a sneak peek of the comedian’s magical performance. 

Oliver has a lot of asks. And most of the time, he gets a resounding yes. When he offered to rebrand a minor league baseball team, 47 teams applied (the Erie SeaWolves won the bid, becoming the Erie Moon Mammoths). When he asked fans to vote for the puteketeke as the New Zealand Bird of the Century, they did, and his feathered friend won. When he auctioned off a Bob Ross painting, he raised over $1 million for public broadcasting. And when he made an on-air plea for a role in a soap, two daytime legacies offered.

Back in March, Oliver lobbied for a cameo after doing a bit on Stephen A. Smith’s over-the-top guest spots as Brick on General Hospital.

Of course, GH answered the call and immediately cast Oliver as World Security Bureau (better known to fans of the soap as the WSB) director “Z” in a three-episode arc that aired July 2, 3, and 6, 2026. He arrived in Port Charles sporting jet-black hair, on a helicopter, with armed guards. And the late-night host even got an impressively dramatic slap from character Carly Corinthos. 

Now that his General Hospital stint is in the books, Oliver is ready to tackle his second soap role of the summer. Like GH, he will appear on three episodes of Days: August 11, 12, and 14, 2026. 

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Oliver shared a look at his performance with Access Hollywoodlast month, giving fans a glimpse at his quirky character. And yes, he wears a wig that does not disappoint yet again.

Daniel Feuerriegel, who plays EJ DiMera on the soap, told Access Hollywood, “I did not wake up going, ‘You know what, I’m going to be wearing my pajamas doing a scene with John Oliver today.’ It was not on my bingo card. But it’s just a lot of fun. And it’s just been an absolute blast to work with John.”

Now that his Days debut is less than a week away, the soap’s streaming network (Peacock) is giving fans a tiny taste of what to expect. John pops up at the end of an Instagram promo for next week’s shows, knocking on Mayor Paulina Price’s door. Price is played by iconic actress Jackée Harry. 

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Fans flocked to Peacock’s Instagram post, almost unable to control their excitement over Oliver’s upcoming appearance. 

“John Oliver getting his 2nd Daytime Emmy reel ready, can’t wait to see if he can top Z on GH,” wrote one fan. Others added, “I’m ready for John Oliver on his next soap” and, “What an exciting week! Of Days!” 

One super-Oliver-fan even recognized the actor from his role on Community (not his current HBO late-night series), writing, “OMGeee is that Professor Duncan from the show Community?”, as another replied, “Haha yes! Merging of my two favorite shows!”

But of course, not every Days of Our Lives fan is also a John Oliver fan (that is, yet), as evidenced by this comment: “Who’s that guy talking to Paulina, what does he want.”

1987 Hit Song, Reimagined by Ella Langley, Is Still a Powerful Hit 39 Years Later 

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 8:03pm

Country star Ella Langley has given Rick Astley’s 1987 classic “Never Gonna Give You Up” a new country sound.

The Alabama singer shared a short acoustic cover of the famous song on TikTok in January 2026. Her version slows down the original pop hit and gives it a stripped-back country feel. The clip is only 18 seconds long, but it quickly caught the attention of her fans.

Langley explained the reason behind the unexpected cover in a simple message: “Been stuck in my head all day.”

The choice of song may have surprised some fans, but “Never Gonna Give You Up” has remained one of the most recognizable songs from the 1980s. 

Rick Astley performs on stage on March 24, 1988.

Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images

Released by Rick Astley on July 27, 1987, the song became a worldwide No. 1 hit and later found a second life online through the famous “Rickrolling” internet meme.

Langley did not try to copy Astley’s original version. Instead, she performed the song acoustically and at a slower pace, changing the feel while keeping the familiar melody.

@ellalangleymusic1

Been stuck in my head all day

♬ original sound - Ella Langley

The unexpected cover led fans to joke about being “Rick-rolled” by the country singer. The reaction is notable because “Never Gonna Give You Up” is already closely tied to internet culture. 

The song became the center of the Rickrolling meme in the late 2000s, when users tricked others into clicking links that unexpectedly opened Astley’s music video.

That internet legacy helped keep the song familiar long after its original chart run.

The official music video has now passed 1.7 billion views on YouTube. The video reached the one-billion-view mark in July 2021, making “Never Gonna Give You Up” one of the major 1980s songs to reach that milestone.

Rick Astley’s 1987 Classic Still Has a Huge Legacy

“Never Gonna Give You Up” was more than a viral joke before it became an internet meme.

The song was Astley’s debut single and the first release from his 1987 studio album Whenever You Need Somebody. Written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, it quickly became a major international success.

The song topped the charts in 25 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.K., it spent five weeks at No. 1 and became the best-selling single of 1987. It also reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in March 1988.

Its success continued beyond the charts. Astley won Best British Single at the 1988 Brit Awards, while the song later became part of the larger story of internet culture through Rickrolling.

 In 2008, he won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Act Ever following an online campaign connected to the song’s renewed popularity, according to the song’s history.

For Langley, the cover arrives at a major point in her own career.

The singer had a huge 2025, including three CMA Awards for “you look like you love me,” her collaboration with Riley Green. She also earned her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Choosin’ Texas.”

In 2026, her momentum has continued. Recently, Langley has continued to build her country radio success. “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay, giving Langley her fifth chart-topper.

Meanwhile, “Choosin’ Texas” has also continued to perform strongly in the U.K., where it reached No. 3 on the Official Singles Chart and No. 5 on the Official Streaming Chart.

For a song that has survived nearly 40 years, countless chart appearances and one of the internet’s most famous memes, Ella Langley’s country reimagining offers another reminder that “Never Gonna Give You Up” is still finding new listeners.

Related: Country Star, With No. 1 Hit Song, Announces New Song Amid 2026 Tour

Lenox’s ‘Charming’ 4-Piece Snoopy Plate Set Adds ’70s Nostalgia to the Table for Under $50

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:45pm

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There’s something about Snoopy that instantly makes a space feel a little more fun, and this Lenox set looks like it could have been pulled from a ’70s breakfast table. The Chef Snoopy 4-Piece Set of Accent Plates is currently $49 at Macy’s, down from $82. Each plate features Snoopy and Woodstock surrounded by colorful donuts, ice cream cones, and other treats, while the mostly black-and-white illustrations give the set a playful retro look. 

Each plate is made from porcelain and measures 8 inches in diameter, so they’re the perfect size for dessert, appetizers, or a smaller meal. They’re also both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, which means you don’t have to treat them like decorative collectibles. And while the Peanuts illustrations are the obvious reason to love them, they’re also made by Lenox, a beloved and reputable brand that’s been around for over a century.

Chef Snoopy 4-Piece Set of Accent Plates, $49 (was $82) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy's

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These plates would be adorable for serving ice cream, cookies, or birthday cake, but they could just as easily make toast or a sandwich more fun. The retro illustrations would fit especially well in a kitchen with vintage-inspired accessories, but you definitely don’t need a full ’70s theme to make them work.

“They are so adorable and colorful,” one shopper wrote, adding, “These plates will put a smile on anyone’s face.” Another praised their “excellent quality” and called them “so charming.” They also mentioned that “they came in a very securely packed box,” which is always reassuring when ordering porcelain dishes online.

Related: This Classic 1966 TV Special Just Inspired the Sweetest New Marshalls Decor

These are also cute enough to display when they’re not in use. The colorful Snoopy and Woodstock illustrations would look adorable stacked on open shelving or mixed in with other vintage-inspired kitchen pieces, giving them more of an edge over basic dinnerware or novelty plates that only come out for a specific holiday or occasion.

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At 40% off, now is a great time to grab these for yourself or another Snoopy fan, especially since they’d make a very cute housewarming gift. Be sure to pick up the Chef Snoopy 4-Piece Set of Accent Plates at Macy’s while the price is still just $49.

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1982 Steven Spielberg Tearjerker, Featuring One of the Saddest Movie Scenes Ever, Is Still Just as Powerful 44 Years Later

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:36pm

Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrialis full of tear-jerking moments from its title screen to the closing credits. But few really get the waterworks flowing like the climactic near-death scene, which Ultimate Classic Rock named one of the film’s most emotionally devastating moments for ’80s kids.

Released in June 1982, E.T. is a nostalgic classic that tells the story of Elliott, played by a young Henry Thomas, a kid whose blossoming friendship with a gentle, bottom-heavy alien becomes a life-changing event. Heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time, the gem has become one of the greatest family films of all time.

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The scene UCR calls out comes near the end of the movie, when the government’s containment effort escalates, and E.T. is taken into custody, where scientists attempt to examine him. Now separated from Elliott, his health rapidly deteriorates, with his body color turning a pale white signaling his life force is fading. At the same time, Elliott’s health begins to fade as we learn the two are sharing the same vital energy.

“To make matters worse, Elliott whispers, ‘I love you,’ to what appears to be a dead body. For kids in the theater, this was intense,” UCR writes. “I cried so hard during this scene that I used my brand-new baseball cap to wipe my face—and by the time I walked out of the theater, my face had turned blue from the dye.”

UCR’s writer wasn’t the only one emotionally wrecked from that scene and others like it in the movie. To ensure authentic emotional performances, Cinema Flashback shared, “Spielberg shot the film in chronological order, making the tearful farewell at the end a genuine reaction from the children who had bonded with the character.”

Related: 1984 Nostalgic Hit With Saddest Scene of All Time Named in Greatest Fantasy Movies

Everyone from the actors to the crew was sobbing by the time Spielberg yelled cut. As if that isn’t enough, the film's origin story is another reason to grab the tissues.

Spielberg drew heavily from his parents’ 1966divorce and the loneliness and isolation he experienced afterward, imagining an extraterrestrial companion who could fill the void left by his broken family, combining those personal memories with an unrealized sci-fi project about a stranded, benign alien.

“Creative people in art or architecture or filmmaking or theater or writing are all products of a collection of impressions from our earliest memories,” Spielberg told American Cinematographer. “I’m inspired all the time, but my inspirations are a sum of all my parts, and all of my parts started back in 1947 when I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and kind of accumulated the dust or the pollen of my experience right up until E.T.”

Aaron Rapoport / Getty Images

Decades later, Drew Barrymore, who played Gertie at age 6, still talks about E.T., describing the lovable character as her “first imaginary friend” and Spielberg as a “father figure.”

Spielberg’s sixth feature film was another box office smash. Grossing more than $600 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, the global phenomenon eventually surpassed Star Warsto become the highest-grossing film in history at the time.

E.T. was no slouch on the awards circuit either.

At the 55th Academy Awards the following year, E.T. was nominated for nine Oscars and wonfour, including best music for John Williams’ masterful, symphonic score. The music was so beloved that Spielberg ultimately re-edited the ending of the film to accommodate the composer’s heartstrings-tugging score better.

According to The Film Music Society, Spielberg had Williams conduct the music while watching the final reel, then essentially cut the film to the music. So, for the riverbed scene, which bleeds into the finale, Williams deserves some of the credit. His sweeping score doesn’t just soundtrack the tearful goodbye; it practically tells the audience how to feel.

“At the time I was working on it, I don't think I really realized how truly great that film is,” Williams said. “It sets the most magical story in the most mundane of circumstances: the suburbs, a broken marriage, a couple of interesting kids. This little creature hidden in the bedroom, falling in love with these young Earthlings and vice versa—an unbelievable story told so skillfully, so expertly, that you buy it completely.”

One of the movie's most famous pieces of nostalgia--the Reese's Pieces-- almost belonged to another candy. M&M’s reportedly passed on the movie tie-in, so Spielberg and his team went to Hershey, which agreed to let the film use the chocolate company’s orange, yellow, and brown bits. The film’s exposure helped boost the candy’s sales dramatically. Perhaps tears of joy were in order there.

Today, the film is beloved for its flying BMX-bike sequence, its iconic Halloween night scene, and, of course, the dying scene that will always require tissues. The film’s emotional legacy still resonates 44 years later, with Spielberg still knowing exactly how to make fans cry.

Related: 1968 Movie, Behind One of TV’s Most Beloved Theme Songs, Was a No. 1 Hit 58 Years Ago

’80s Metal Band, Disbanded for 7 Years, Announces Return to Rock Festival

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:34pm

Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate will return to the stage in 2027 for its first live performance since April 2024. 

The band, led by singer King Diamond, has confirmed a performance at the Leyendas Del Rock Festival in Villena, Spain, scheduled for Aug. 11-14, 2027.

Mercyful Fate announced the festival appearance on social media on Friday. The band wrote: “España! MERCYFUL FATE will be playing Leyendas Del Rock Festival 2027! We will see you next August… Stay Heavy!”

The return gives fans their first confirmed Mercyful Fate concert since the band performed at Brazil's Summer Breeze festival in April 2024.

Mercyful Fate

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns

The 2027 Leyendas Del Rock lineup already includes several major names. Organizers have confirmed King Diamond with Mercyful Fate and British metalcore band Architects as headline acts. Other announced performers include Halestorm, Alestorm, Saltatio Mortis, Wind Rose, Doro, Amaranthe, Devildriver, Dethklok and Feuerschwanz.

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Tickets for the festival were announced to go on sale Monday at 12 P.M. Organizers also warned fans that only a limited number of tickets were available at the festival booth during the 2026 event.

Mercyful Fate 2027 Return Comes With New Album Plans

The Mercyful Fate comeback is also tied to the band's long-awaited new album. The group is currently working on new material and has already given fans a preview.

In June 2022, Mercyful Fate performed “The Jackal Of Salzburg” in Germany. The song was also performed at Psycho Las Vegas.

The band had previously planned to release a new album following its permanent reunion announcement in 2019. The project has taken longer than expected, in part because King Diamond has also been working on his solo band and its upcoming music.

In a statement about its Bloodstock return, Mercyful Fate said, according to Louder Sound: “Mercyful Fate is honored and looking extremely forward to playing Bloodstock again. Last time was awesome, and this time with a brand new album out, finally!”

Mercyful Fate was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1981 by King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. The band became known for its heavy sound, dark imagery and occult-themed lyrics.

The group released its self-titled EP in 1982 before putting out its first full-length album, Melissa, in 1983. It followed that record with Don't Break the Oath in 1984.

Both albums became important releases in the band's early career. Mercyful Fate was also part of the first wave of black metal and later became a major influence on thrash metal, death metal and the Norwegian black metal scene.

The band broke up in 1985 because of musical differences. King Diamond then went on to form his own band, while other Mercyful Fate members pursued different projects.

According to the band’s history, Mercyful Fate reunited in 1992. The band released In the Shadows in 1993 and continued making albums throughout the 1990s. Its seventh studio album, 9, arrived in 1999.

After the touring cycle for 9, Mercyful Fate went on hiatus. The group made occasional appearances over the following years before announcing a more permanent reunion in 2019.

The reunited band eventually returned to live performance in 2022. On June 2 of that year, Mercyful Fate played its first live show since 1999 in Hanover, Germany, where it debuted “The Jackal of Salzburg.”

The band later toured North America in the fall of 2022, marking its first North American tour in two decades.

Mercyful Fate's current lineup includes King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann and Mike Wead on guitars, Bjarne T. Holm on drums and Becky Baldwin on bass.

Baldwin officially joined the band in January 2024 after previously touring with Mercyful Fate in 2022. She replaced Joey Vera, who had been part of the band's lineup since 2019.

The band's last known live performance came in April 2024 at Brazil's Summer Breeze festival. More than three years later, Mercyful Fate is now set to return to the stage in Spain.

Related: ’80s Rock Legend Announces New Song for the First Time in 10 Years

1976 Rock Song, Written by Tom Petty After His First Band Fell Apart, Launched One of Rock’s Greatest Bands

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:17pm

Before there was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, there was Mudcrutch, a rock band active for a few years in the 1970s. The band featured now-music legend Tom Petty along with two others who would go on to join him in the Heartbreakers, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. Other Mudcrutch members took different paths after the breakup in 1975.

But it's a good thing that Mudcrutch split up, because if they hadn't, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers would've never happened. The original band was signed under Shelter Records, and the record company decided to keep Petty signed on and encouraged him to go solo.

Instead, Petty formed a new band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with the group's self-titled debut album coming out in Nov. 1976. Alongside the album release, the band's first official single called "Breakdown" also came out.

Both the album and first single had a slow and steady road to success. Neither made a strong impact at first, especially with U.S. audiences. But over time, the first single achieved success on music charts in different countries. In the U.S., "Breakdown" peaked at 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, while it did well in the U.K. and Canada too.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also had delayed success. At first, the album didn't get a lot of attention. But thanks to touring, it eventually peaked at No. 24 in the U.K. The debut album charted in the U.S. in 1978, peaking at No. 55.

"I wrote ‘Breakdown’ in the studio about 11 years ago, and the first version was seven minutes long, with this long guitar solo in the end," Petty said of "Breakdown" in an interview with Guitar Player.

Related: 1972 Rock Song "Frankenstein," One of Rock’s Only No. 1 Instrumentals, Is Still a Hit 54 Years Later

He explained that he was sitting in the studio after the recording session when singer-songwriter Dwight Twilley came in. After hearing the riff in the guitar solo, Twilley suggested that the riff be included in other parts of the song too.

Petty called the band in to re-record the song at 4 a.m., and what they came out with was the final album version.

Not long after "Breakdown" was released, the second official single, called "American Girl" came out, and the subsequent successes helped launch Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' career to huge heights.

Related: 1968 Rock Song, Inspired by a Woman Spotted on the Beach, Was a No. 1 Hit 58 Years Ago Today

Costco's Kirkland Olive Oil Costs Nearly Half as Much as a Popular Name Brand

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:17pm

Costco shoppers looking to save on a kitchen staple may want to take a closer look at Kirkland Signature.

Extra-virgin olive oil can be one of those pantry staples that gets surprisingly expensive, especially when you're buying a large bottle. But a recent price comparison found that Costco's Kirkland Signature extra-virgin olive oil can cost nearly half as much as a comparable name-brand option.

According to a recent comparison by Narcity, a 2-liter bottle of Kirkland Signature extra-virgin olive oil was listed at $21.99 at Costco in Canada. A 2-liter bottle of Bertolli extra-virgin olive oil was listed at $45 at Loblaws, making the Kirkland option $23.01 less expensive.

That's a substantial difference for an item many shoppers use regularly, whether they're cooking vegetables, making salad dressing, dipping bread or finishing a meal with a drizzle of olive oil.

And Costco shoppers in the U.S. can find Kirkland Signature extra-virgin olive oil in a 2-liter size, too. Costco currently lists both its regular Italian extra-virgin olive oil and an organic extra-virgin olive oil in that size. The Italian version is made with Italian-grown olives and is cold extracted, while the organic version is USDA organic and also cold extracted.

The Kirkland Signature organic extra-virgin olive oil is also a particularly popular Costco item, with Costco's website currently showing a 4.8-star rating from more than 6,300 reviews.

Of course, prices vary by location, and Costco's warehouse and online prices aren't necessarily the same. The $21.99 versus $45 comparison comes from Canadian retailers, so U.S. shoppers shouldn't expect those exact prices at their local warehouse.

Still, the comparison highlights one of the reasons Costco's Kirkland Signature line has developed such a loyal following: shoppers can often find familiar pantry staples in large quantities without paying the premium associated with a major name brand.

And when it's something as frequently used as olive oil, those savings can add up quickly!

RELATED: Costco Agrees to $14 Million Settlement—Find Out if You’re Eligible for Money

KATSEYE Faces Another Setback as Second Member Takes a Hiatus This Year

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:08pm

KATSEYE will be down another member for the time being.

Sophia Laforteza is temporarily stepping away from the Grammy-nominated girl group's promotional activities to prioritize her mental health, making her the second KATSEYE member to take a hiatus this year.

HYBE x Geffen Records announced the news in a statement Friday, August 7, explaining that Laforteza has been working with medical professionals and was advised to take an extended period of rest and continued care. Her condition is expected to be reassessed in September. "We understand how much EYEKONS were looking forward to seeing Sophia on stage, but it is imperative that her mental health and wellness are prioritized," the label said in a statement, per BBC.

Laforteza also addressed fans herself on her Instagram Story, admitting the decision wasn't an easy one. "Making this decision wasn't easy, but I'm learning that health has to come first. I'm realizing that if I don't take care of my mind and body now, I won't be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long," she wrote.

A screenshot of Sophia Laforteza's Instagram account on August 7.

She promised fans she's focused on recovering, adding, "I promise I'm going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger."

The songstress encouraged fans to keep supporting the group, writing, “‘Till then, please continue to be kind and give KATSEYE all your support as we fulfil our promise to show up for you in every way.”

READ MORE: Olivia Rodrigo Sends Blunt Message in New Planned Parenthood Video

The announcement comes less than six months after Manon Bannerman began her own temporary hiatus in February, also citing her health and well-being. 

Bannerman later reassured concerned fans that she was doing well and remained in communication with the group's management. "I'm healthy, I'm okay, and I'm taking care of myself. Thank u for checking in!" she wrote on Weverse, later adding, "HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I'm happy and I'm healthy. I'll share more soon."

Bannerman has yet to return to KATSEYE, meaning Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung will continue upcoming activities as a four-member lineup while Laforteza rests.

KATSEYE formed as a six-member group in 2023 and has since experienced a rapid rise with songs including "Gnarly," "Pinky Up," and “Gabriela.” The latter also earned them two nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or visit their website.

2000s Unaired Prank Show Starring O.J. Simpson Exposed in New Docuseries

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:03pm

The curious case of O.J. Simpson didn't stop with his passing in 2024. Yet another documentary will descend on televisions next month — but this time, a rather unique angle is taken...

The true-crime network Investigation Discovery is expected to unlock never-before-seen footage from the making of an ill-fated hidden-camera prank show featuring the late sports icon — who was also accused of a double-murder, you might recall.

An extreme experiment in the reality TV genre during a time that fused shock value and celebrity culture at any cost, for Simpson, the aptly named Juiced was a misguided and desperate attempt to rehabilitate his public image, ID reveals on its upcoming docuseries OJ Unseen: Exploitation of Evil. Check out the official trailer in the network's recent Instagram post below.

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The post has spawned a flood of varied reactions, with many expressing utter shock at the 20-year-old prank show's existence. "What?!? This is crazy," said one Instagram user in response to the trailer, while another person commented, "It's actually hilarious that they did this. But insane that they thought it would fly."

What to Expect Across the Series' Four Episodes

This year marks two full decades since producers were about to launch the doomed attempt to blend reality TV with the crime of century — when a mystery saboteur reportedly brought the whole thing crashing down from within.

Premiering across two nights, OJ Unseen is a four-part event that aims to examine the behind-the-scenes ethical and production challenges that derailed the project before it ever reached audiences.

ID reports that the episodes feature rare footage, including archival footage of Simpson captured during production, alongside firsthand accounts from those on the front lines of production as they reflect on the boundaries pushed two decades later.

OJ Unseen: Exploitation of Evil premieres Monday, September 7 and Tuesday, September 8 at 9/8c on ID, with episodes available to stream on HBO Max.

Walmart’s $25 55-Piece Food Storage Set Instantly Organizes Meal Prep, Leftovers, and Lunchboxes

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 7:01pm

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If your kitchen cabinets have turned into a graveyard of random containers, you're not alone. Lids disappear, sides crack, and before long you're balancing mismatched stacks that topple over every time you reach for leftovers. Meal prep becomes a scavenger hunt, packing lunches takes twice as long, and storing fresh produce feels more frustrating than it should.

Instead of replacing one container at a time, a complete matching set is the easiest fix. The Soulgenix 55-Piece Food Storage Containers With Lids is currently marked down 50% at Walmart, dropping from $50 to just $25, which shakes out to about 45 cents per piece! With dozens of coordinated dishes included, it's an affordable way to reset your entire food storage collection in one purchase, whether you're organizing leftovers, prepping meals for the week, or bringing order to overcrowded kitchen cabinets.

Soulgenix 55-Piece Food Storage Containers With Lids, $25 (was $50) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The biggest advantage of a full food storage set is having the right size for whatever you’re saving, prepping, or packing. This 55-piece collection includes 24 stackable plastic containers in a variety of shapes and sizes, along with 24 matching airtight lids and five reusable storage bags, giving you plenty of options for everything from small snack portions to full meal prep servings. The assortment includes compact pieces for storing toppings, sauces, candy, and snacks, as well as larger containers for leftovers, chopped produce, grains, pasta, and prepared meals.

Each container's secure snap-on lid creates an airtight, leakproof seal to help keep food fresh while preventing messy spills. That means you can confidently store everything from soups and sauces to cut fruit and leftovers without worrying about accidental leaks inside your refrigerator or lunch bag. The tight seal also helps protect food from absorbing unwanted fridge odors, keeping flavors fresher for longer. Made from food-grade, BPA-free plastic, these pieces were built for everyday convenience and can safely be used in the microwave (with lids removed), placed on the top rack of the dishwasher, and stored in both the fridge and freezer.

The clear plastic construction allows you to quickly see what’s inside without opening every lid. Additionally, the stackable design helps maximize space in crowded cabinets, refrigerators, and pantries, while the nesting shape allows smaller pieces to fit neatly inside larger ones when not in use. 

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Beyond the kitchen, this storage set can help organize the little things that tend to create clutter throughout the home. The smaller pieces are useful for keeping craft supplies like beads, buttons, stickers, and sewing accessories sorted, while they can also corral office essentials like pens, paper clips, charging cords, and other desk drawer extras. In bathrooms, they can hold hair accessories, cotton rounds, travel-size toiletries, or beauty tools, and in playrooms they’re handy for keeping small toys, puzzle pieces, and art supplies contained. They're useful for garages, laundry rooms, and entryways, where they can store everything from batteries and hardware to detergent pods, pet supplies, or everyday items that are easy to misplace.

Dubbed by Walmart shoppers as “useful” and “sturdy,” with “tight seals” and “convenient” sizing, this set earned praise for its practical design and everyday functionality. “They stack neatly and have helped keep my fridge and pantry much more organized,” one shopper wrote.

The included wet-erasable chalkboard labels are another shopper favorite, with reviewers noting that they “easily peel off, so you can mark them or just leave see through,” making it simple to customize the set or keep the clear design visible.

Others highlight the canisters’ “wide” openings, saying that “they are easy to pour into and out of,” which makes transferring ingredients, snacks, and leftovers a little more effortless.

Related: Costco Is Selling a 30-Pack of Reusable Food Containers You'll Use Every Day

Say goodbye to mismatched pieces and hello to a more organized kitchen — shop the Soulgenix 55-Piece Food Storage Containers With Lids for $25 at Walmart before this limited-time flash deal ends!

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1969 Rock Song, With 16-Year-Old Guitar Player, Kept Elvis Presley From the Top of the Charts

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 6:33pm

While some rock stars spend years paying their dues before they manage to land a #1 hit, others find staggering success at a shockingly young age. Jimmy McCulloch, the Scottish guitar player best known for his roles in Thunderclap Newman and Wings, was firmly in the latter category: In fact, he was just 16 years old when Thunderclap Newman shot to the top of the charts with "Something in the Air."

Pete Townshend of the Who was the mastermind behind Thunderclap Newman, named after the band’s piano player, Andy “Thunderclap” Newman. Townshend put the group together as a way to showcase the songs of drummer/singer Speedy Keen, who had written “Armenia City in the Sky” for The Who Sell Out album, per American Songwriter. In addition to Newman, Keen and McCulloch, a prodigy who started playing guitar at the age of 11, Thunderclap Newman also featured Townshend playing bass under the pseudonym Bijou Drains.

Keen wrote "Something in the Air," originally titled "Revolution" but renamed to avoid any confusion with the Beatles' song of the same name. Interestingly enough, the song ended up replacing another song by the Beatles, "The Ballad of John and Yoko," on the U.K. charts, where it went to #1 in June of 1969. "Something in the Air" spent three weeks in the top spot, blocking Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" from reaching the summit (it stalled at #2).

Despite their impressive debut, Thunderclap Newman unfortunately didn't go on to have any more hits, as they broke up after their first album. And though McCulloch had a successful stint as a member of Wings with Paul McCartney, his career was cut short when he died at the age of 26 in 1979.

In a 2024 interview with Variety, Townshend reflected on the tragedy of McCulloch's death and why he felt partially responsible.

“I think if I hadn’t come into Jimmy McCulloch’s life, he might still be alive today,” Townshend said. “I think the fact that he went on to work with Paul McCartney and Wings was the death of him.”

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

"He wasn’t fit for stardom," Townshend continued. "When I met first met Jimmy he was 14, maybe even younger, and he was in a band with his older brother, Jack, who was his protector. And because he was so young, we didn’t notice that he potentially was an alcoholic. At that particular time — despite the fact that Paul and Linda [McCartney] tried very, very hard to help him — there was no machinery to help him. Speedy, the same story."

"None of these three people were ever meant to be stars, and there they were, with a #1 record on 'Top of the Pops,' and 'Pinball Wizard' was #4," Townshend added, laughing. "I remember when I finished the mix — which I did in a proper studio — the engineer banged on the desk and 'That’s a #1 record!' I think everybody just knew it."

Though it was their only hit, the legacy of "Something in the Air" lives on. It's been featured in multiple films and TV shows; most recently, This Is a Gardening Show, the new Netflix documentary series hosted by Zach Galifianakis.

Related: 1967 Rock Hit With Iconic Organ Riff Was Written and Sung by an 18-Year-Old

A Major Settlement Has Been Reached Over a 2019 Hotel Collapse

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 6:23pm

A judge has approved a $106 million settlement stemming from the deadly 2019 collapse of a Hard Rock Hotel under construction in New Orleans, bringing a years-long legal battle to an end.

The 18-story hotel partially collapsed on Oct. 12, 2019, at the construction site on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans. Three people died in the collapse, while dozens of others were injured, and surrounding businesses and properties were also affected.

The settlement, approved Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, by Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese, involves 490 plaintiffs and 21 defendants, according to Mark Glago, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs include injured workers and businesses that were affected by the collapse.

The legal battle had continued for more than six years before the settlement was approved. The $106 million will eventually be distributed among the eligible claimants through a special master, according to the Associated Press.

The collapse occurred while the Hard Rock Hotel was still under construction. At the time, the project was planned as an 18-story hotel, and the partial collapse prompted a massive emergency response in downtown New Orleans.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, three workers suffered fatal injuries and 18 others suffered serious injuries. OSHA later cited the project's engineering firm, general contractor, steel erector and several subcontractors for safety violations. The agency said the engineering firm had failed to adequately design, review or approve steel bolt connections affecting the building's structural integrity.

The aftermath was complicated by the instability of the remaining structure. Officials eventually determined that portions of the building and two construction cranes needed to be demolished to protect the surrounding area. The city said at the time that demolition was considered the safest approach.

The collapse also led to multiple lawsuits. The City of New Orleans filed its own lawsuit in August 2020 against the building's owners, partners and contractors. Those cases were eventually consolidated with other claims into the litigation resolved by the newly approved settlement.

A grand jury ultimately declined to indict anyone criminally in connection with the collapse, but civil litigation continued for years as injured workers, businesses and others pursued compensation.

Now, nearly seven years after the tragedy, the $106 million settlement marks a major step toward resolving the financial claims stemming from the collapse.

The settlement does not erase what happened on that October morning in New Orleans, but it brings an end to a legal process that continued long after the wreckage was cleared and the immediate emergency had passed. 

RELATED: Arby’s $7.99 Meat & 3 Value Box Just Got a Buffalo Ranch Option

Delta Air Lines Is Permanently Canceling Flights to This Popular Vacation Getaway

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 6:21pm

You might need to rethink your upcoming getaway. Delta Air Lines is ending their service to the popular island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean.

The last flight to arrive at the Argyle International Airport on St. Vincent will depart next month from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The airline offered a nonstop flight between St. Vincent and Atlanta, but is “permanently discontinuing” the route “as part of Delta’s ongoing network planning process,” according to a statement by Delta shared with The Independent. 

“The final scheduled flight will operate on Sept. 5, 2026, and the route will not return as previously planned on Dec. 19, 2026," the statement continued. 

Delta told The Independent they are working to reschedule flights for those with tickets after the final flight.

"Customers with affected bookings will be contacted directly about alternate travel options, and Delta apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause," the airline told the outlet.

Delta originally planned to take a break from the flight until December but has since decided to permanently end the route. The airline shared that it made this decision on May 23.

Delta did not state a specific reason for canceling the flight between Saint Vincent and Atlanta. A spokesperson said it “routinely evaluates a variety of factors when making network decisions, including customer demand, seasonality, aircraft availability, operating costs and broader operational considerations.”

The airline announced in April 2025 that it would be the first to provide nonstop routes to St. Vincent and Grenada from Atlanta in December 2025.

“With two brand-new destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, Delta is expanding its offering in the region, with even more seats to Latin America and the Caribbean this winter,” PaulBaldoni, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Delta, said at the time.

The route began with providing daily service between the airports. They transitioned to five times a week in the fall season.

'Boyhood' Child Star Reveals Surprising Career After Leaving Hollywood for 'Middle of Nowhere'

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 6:14pm

Ellar Coltrane, the former child actor who starred in the hit movie "Boyhood," has moved on from Hollywood.

The popular film, which took 12 years to make, followed Coltrane, who played Mason Evans Jr from ages six to 18, who grows up in Texas with divorced parents as well as his sister. It also starred Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and director Richard Linklater’s real-life daughter, Lorelai Linklater.

But after the release of the 2014 film, Coltrane transitioned out of acting. Instead, he pursued a very different career.

In an interview with Variety, Coltrane revealed that he now lives "in the middle of nowhere," where he is a volunteer fireman and does EMT training.

 “I’ve moved on,” he says regarding his acting career.

However, he explained that he has taken part in a few independent films."

"I’ve acted in a couple of short films," Coltrane explained. "One called 'El Fantasma,' which we filmed in Mexico City, where I play Lee Harvey Oswald, that’s really cool. And then I did a film in El Paso two years ago, a short film called 'So, Who Was It This Time?' I’ve become kind of integrated with the independent film community in El Paso, which is really wonderful.

"I’m really inspired by the energy there and what my friends are up to. It reminds me of Austin 20 years ago. Really, in my life I’ve moved on. I do manual labor, and I’m a volunteer firefighter, and I’m working on my EMT license right now. But being back in Austin at the AFS event, interacting with film people again, I am missing being on set, missing collaborating."

The film, which is celebrating its 12th anniversary, representing the 12 years it took to film, is playing in more than 100 theaters across the U.S. and in Canada.

Jeff Probst Confesses What 'Bums Him Out the Most' About 'Survivor 50'

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 6:14pm

For every Survivor 50 castaway celebrating a return, there was another former player receiving disappointing news. And according to host Jeff Probst, those conversations were the hardest part. 

Speaking in an interview with The Ankler shared on Instagram on Thursday, August 6, the longtime host reflected on the enormous challenge of narrowing down decades' worth of memorable castaways for the landmark season. 

"What really bums me out the most is that there are people that we wanted on the show and we just ultimately decided this isn't gonna work out, and their feelings are so hurt, and I get it," Probst said.

He acknowledged that he would likely feel the same way if he were in their shoes, adding, "I imagine I would feel the same way, but it really wasn't personal."

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Probst explained that production pushed the limits of what was possible by expanding the cast from the show's usual size to 24 returning players, but even that wasn't enough to accommodate everyone they hoped to bring back. "We expanded from 18 to 20 to 22 to 24, that was really the threshold for how we could do a 26 day game, and still we had 20 other people that would have been an absolute yes," he said.

Despite the difficult conversations, Probst remains confident in the final lineup: "With no disrespect to anyone who wasn't on, I feel we got it right. We found a really good balance of all the seasons."

What fans had to say

As expected, Survivor fans had a lot to say in the comments section of the video.

“Penner, Sean Rector, and Rob C should’ve been on instead of Jonathan, Coach, and Joe. Jerri and Carolyn instead of Stephenie and Chrissy….for starters 😒,” one fan wrote, which got over 100 likes.

Another pointed out, “I mean Jeff, you could’ve just let the fans vote on who we want to see return for 50. Just like when you allowed us to vote for who we want to see get a Second Chance to play again in Cambodia.”

READ MORE: Survivor's James Clement Makes Rare Public Appearance

“HALF the cast was from the last 9 seasons!! Not one person from the 20s! That was not balance Jeff,” a third said.

Why Survivor 50 was so difficult to cast

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans premiered February 25 and wrapped May 20 with Aubry Bracco taking home the $2 million prize after beating Jonathan Young and Joe Hunter in the Final Three. 

Fans also had more influence than ever before. Beginning in 2025, viewers voted on game elements ranging from tribe colors and immunity necklaces to twists, advantages and whether castaways would receive rice.

That loss of control was an adjustment for Probst. Speaking to Parade before the season, he joked, “We’re not in charge." He continued, "I’m used to having control. Like, ‘This is when an idol is going into the game, and this is how it works. And this is the new twist we’re putting to the game, and this is how it works.’ "

1968 Film, Co-Written by Author Arthur C. Clarke, Was Just Crowned the Best Sci-Fi Movie Ever Made

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 6:12pm

For decades, the sci-fi genre has produced films and franchises that have amassed dedicated, passionate fan bases. However, there are a handful of science fiction films that are superior to the rest when it comes to powerful scripts and impressive cinematography.

For instance, Collider recently published a list of "the 10 best sci-fi movies in film history," which included movies like 2024's Dune: Part Two,Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, released in 2004, and 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The list's top three films are 1927's Metropolis,Stalker from 1979, and the Stanley Kubrick-directed and co-written 1968 movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was put at the No. 1 spot.

Kubrick collaborated on the 2001: A Space Odyssey script with sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke, who also wrote the 2001: A Space Odyssey novel, also released in 1968. During a 1984 interview, promoting the sequel film, 2010: The Year We Make Contact, Clarke shared his theory as to why 2001: A Space Odyssey eventually became so beloved, despite having a bumpy beginning.

"Of course, Stanley Kubrick's genius was the real reason. But it's obviously hit a lot of nerves. And it was slow to start, you know, when it came out originally, the first week a lot of people thought it was a disaster," said Clarke, who died in 2008 when he was 90. "I can still remember one MGM executive saying, 'Well, that's the end of Stanley Kubrick.' And then slowly, not so slowly, it did build up, as you say into a kind of cult. Perhaps the political climate, the time, the hippie movement, all these things."

In addition, Clarke said that he thoroughly enjoyed watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. He also shared that he was surprised by how the movie ended, despite writing the novel and co-writing the film's script.

"The ending was a surprise to me because Stanley and I were working on it right up to the very end. He was cutting and changing, so in a way it was novel to me. I had the general idea, of course, but the final version was only about 24 hours before the movie was due to hit the screen," said Clarke during the interview.

Reese Witherspoon's Father Rushed To Hospital After Being Found Face Down by Pool

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 5:57pm

Reese Witherspoon’s father, John Draper Witherspoon, was rushed to the hospital on Friday, Aug. 7, after he was found face down on the concrete by the pool at his condo in Nashville, Page Six reports.

The outlet adds that another resident spotted the 84-year-old from their balcony and called to alert the doorman. They then went to check on John and found his by the pool, which is when emergency services were called.

“The doorman and building manager rolled him over, and they said, ‘Dr. Witherspoon, are you OK?'” the source told Page Six. “He blinked his eyes, and that’s when he was rushed to the hospital.”

Nashville Metro further confirmed to the outlet that a medical incident occurred at the condos, which resulted in someone being rushed to the hospital, but they did not reveal the identity of the person.

Witherspoon and her brother were raised by their father, John, and their mother, Mary Elizabeth, in Nashville. Both John and Mary were in the medical field, with Mary being a nurse and John being a surgeon. The actress's parents separated in the mid-1990s. John was also in the army, with Witherspoon moving to the city of Wiesbaden in Germany shortly after she was born because it's where he father was stationed, per PEOPLE.

Witherspoon credits her parents with her ambitious drive.

"You wonder where all my drive comes from? My dad scored a perfect score on his S.A.T.'s and a perfect score on his MCATS, and graduated at the top of his class from Yale,” Reese told Vanity Fair in a past interview. “My mom has five or six degrees. My brother and I both went to college, but neither one of us graduated."

"My parents used to call me Little Type A," she added. "I was always very busy and driven. Part of that is great, and part of that can tear you up."

You Won’t Hear High-Level Thinkers Using This 1 Phrase, Psychologists Say

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 5:43pm

There are lots of psychology-related terms out there now, what with therapy-speak being so prevalent and mental health being a (rightfully) popular topic on social media. And while you might have heard of high emotional intelligence or high-level gaslighters, have you heard of high-level thinkers? No, it’s not a combination of those two things, but it isn’t as complex as it may sound. 

High-level thinkers are people who go beyond the norm and possess, well, elevated critical thinking skills. They’re constantly questioning things around them, observing patterns and thinking of ways to solve problems. They aren’t know-it-alls, and they’re open to new ideas and diverse ways of thinking. These individuals are often very creative and embrace nuance when it comes to complicated topics. 

As you can imagine, there are lots of things that they typically do or say, and psychologists broke down phrases high-level thinkers use in a previous article, which gives a good idea of how they process things. Among their findings, they shared with Parade one phrase that high-level thinkers would never say since it really shuts down conversations. Read on to find out what it is, and how to speak with a bit more forethought like high-level thinkers do. 

Related: Psychologists Say High-Level Thinkers Avoid These 14 Common ‘Mental Mistakes’

Psychologist Reveals 1 Phrase High-Level Thinkers Never Use: ‘That’s Just the Way It Is’

As Dr. Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, a doctor of psychology and licensed psychotherapist, told Parade at the time, “High-level thinking goes out of the ordinary and beyond the regular regurgitation of facts or parroting of information that we hear on TV or read in the news.”

So with that in mind, one phrase that they’re not going to say is, “That’s just the way it is.”

“This statement closes the door on questioning, curiosity and the possibility of change,” Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, a psychologist and the co-founder of Veritas Psychology Partners, shared. “It’s antithetical to the very nature of high-level thinking, which thrives on open-ended questions and the potential for innovation.”

Related: 6 Subtle Traits of People Who Often Catastrophize, According to Psychologists

For a similar reason, high-level thinkers also don’t tell people they’re wrong.

“They respect the fact that others have different ways of thinking, even if they don’t agree with their methods,” Dr. Crain stated. “They don’t put absolutes on things because they know that ideas are malleable and that they change and shift over time. They do not say things like, ‘It is 100% this way.'”

Related: 9 Phrases That Signal Someone Has a ‘Victim Mindset,’ According to Psychologists

What To Say To Keep a Conversation Open to New Ideas Like a High-Level Thinker

As Dr. MacBride shared, high-level thinkers are really good “at zooming out to see how the pieces fit together, understanding that details are part of larger systems.” And because of this, a lot of phrases that they’d say in a conversation so as not to stifle it are very encouraging and lead dialogue forward.

“They seek further information to concretize what they’re learning,” Dr. Crain said. “When we learn about something and understand it, we can then concretize and master it and finally formulate our own thoughts and beliefs around it.”

So in terms of phrases that high-level thinkers might say to keep a conversation going—and not use “That’s just the way it is”—here are some ideas to do just that:

  • “What’s the bigger picture here?”
  • “What if we approached it this way instead?”
  • “I can see how you may see it this way. However, to me, it looks more like this…”
  • “Can we find a pattern?”
  • “I’d like to listen to what you have to say about it…”
  • “Can you tell me more about…”

Up Next:

Related: Asking This Type of Question Can Make You Seem ‘Unclassy’ When You First Meet Someone, Etiquette Expert Warns

Sources:

1965 Ballad, From the 21-Year-Old Who Captivated Bob Dylan and Rock’s Biggest Stars, Became an International Hit

Fri, 08/07/2026 - 5:36pm

The Swingin’ Sixties were a busy time for French pop-rock icon Françoise Hardy.

After releasing her first record in France in 1962, she became an international sensation three years later with her English-language breakthrough, “All Over the World,” a ballad inspired by Elvis Presley’s “Where Do You Come From.”

The track, along with her songwriting talent and ability to make music’s biggest names weak in the knees, helped turn her into 1960s rock royalty.

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According to Far Out, the singer-songwriter wrote “All Over the World” after hearing Presley’s slow, hypnotic ballad elevated by the Jordanaires’ celestial backing harmonies. She loved the song so much she swore she’d see Presley live when she got the chance.

“The British musician I was working with, Charles Blackwell, put choirs behind me to sound exactly like the Jordanaires,” she said, per the outlet. “Back in the ’60s, when he wasn’t performing, I always said, ‘The day Elvis comes back to the stage, I will go to see his show.’ When it happened, at the beginning of the ’70s, I made the trip to Las Vegas. I was not disappointed at all. I was amazed.”

For her fellow musicians, the feeling was mutual.

In the early ’60s, Hardy became an instant star in her native France with hits including "Tous les garçons et les filles," "Le Temps de l'amour," "Mon amie la rose,” and “Je n’attends plus personne,” which featured Jimmy Page, who was still a session musician years before he co-founded Led Zeppelin.  

Her sound, a mix of intimate melancholy, traditional French chanson, and Anglo-American rock and roll, made her one of the premier icons of the French yé-yé pop wave. And her English version of “All Over the World,” which reached No. 16 in the U.K. and spent 15weeks on the chart, made her an international star.

Meanwhile, the defining voices of the decade were taking note​. And falling in love.

One of the most infamous stories about Hardy’s effect on those around her involves Bob Dylan. Reportedly smitten by the young French icon, he not only wrote aBeat poem about her but also refused to continue his concert in Paris until she joined him backstage for a tete-a-tete.

For Francoise Hardy
At the Seine’s edge
A giant shadow
Of Notre-Dame
Seeks t’ grab my foot
Sorbonne students
Whirl by on thin bicycles ...

“On the evening of May 24, 1966, his 25th birthday, Bob Dylan was due to play his first concert in Paris,” The Rake reported. “But there was a slight hitch: He was refusing to take to the stage of the Olympia theater unless Françoise Hardy came to see him immediately.”

Following their meeting, Hardy and Johnny Hallyday reportedly visited Dylan at his suite at the Hotel Georges-Cinq, where he gave her a sneak peek at his forthcoming Blonde on Blonde and played her two songs: “I Want You” and “Just Like a Woman.”

His intentions were not lost on her.

“I know,” she told The Guardian, “but I was too busy listening intently to the songs, which sounded like something entirely different to anything I had heard before. Plus, I was so impressed and petrified to meet him. Maybe if he had sung the songs to me, I would have got it.”

Dylan was, of course, not the only musician smitten with Hardy. The Beatles also took notice of Hardy.

In a 1964 interview, she discussed the group’s growing popularity in France and singled out “She Loves You,” one of their biggest hits at the time. Years later, Hardy would remain a fascination for the British rock elite, with members of both the Beatles and Rolling Stones reportedly captivated by her.

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Fast-forward, and the April 1967 meeting between Hardy and Mick Jagger, who notoriously called Hardy “the ideal woman,” got a lot of attention. Though it’s likely the two met before that well-documented night, their chat remains an infamous piece of rock history.

Hardy later commented on the encounter, saying, “We did go out for dinner, but we both had partners at the time. Plus, our mutual attraction may have been superficial. It’s very easy to be attracted from afar by someone good-looking, talented, and famous.”

In 2003, Hardy finally met one of her idols, David Bowie, on the set of the French TV show Trafic.musique. She surprised him by telling him that his experimental 1995 album,1. Outside, was her favorite of his work, specifically praising the track “I’m Deranged.”

Bowie--whose mutual affection for the pop star was revealed when he said, “I was for a very long time, passionately in love with her. As I'm sure she's guessed every male in the world and several females also were. And we all still are!"--was clearly delighted, per his website.

Hardy might be one of the most intoxicating stars of her time, but her charm and mystique translated to the runway and the screen as well. She became a global fashion muse whose intellectual cool and French girl appeal captivated designers Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent, and André Courrèges.

Universal History Archive / Getty Images

On the screen, her quiet defiance and melancholic romanticism shined in 1966’s Grand Prix, the three-time Oscar-winning racing drama directed by John Frankenheimer. She also stole a scene, though uncredited, as the companion of an Army officer in Masculin Féminin, a quintessential French New Wave time capsule directed by Jean-Luc Godard.

On June 11, 2024, Hardy died at the age of 80 following a prolonged battle with cancer. But the music, fashion, and screen icon’s remarkable story—from a young singer inspired by Elvis Presley to a muse for British rock royalty and an early collaborator of Jimmy Page—didn’t end there.

More than six decades later, Hardy’s music continues to find new fans, proving that Françoise Hardy’s allure truly does live on “All Over the World.”

Related: 1964 Ballad, Written by The Rolling Stones, Launched a 17-Year-Old Singer’s Career

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