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The Odyssey is doing quite well at the box office, and experts are now saying the R-rated epic is defying expectations.

Christopher Nolan's latest movie has made $124.5 million domestically over the weekend, Variety reports. It's the Oscar-winning director's biggest debut since The Dark Knight Rises ($160 million) as well as the third-largest opening of the year, following Toy Story 5 ($159 million) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ($131 million).

Matt Damon leads the on-screen ensemble, and Funko has followed suit with the film buzz by basing its latest Pop! figure after the actor's protagonist, Odysseus.

Funko recently took to Instagram to showcase its latest release for fans. Check it out below.

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Fans certainly seem tickled by the figure, leaving comments on the post ranging from "I NEED THIS" to "preordered👏." But there were plenty of other posts requesting Pops for other characters — and other franchises, for that matter. "We need Agamemnon with the black armour, that'd be so cool!" wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, "Funko Pop, where are the new House of the Dragon Season 3 Funko Pops? We're waiting!"

The figure is 5 inches tall — an inch taller than most Pops! — presumably because the height includes the plume on top of his helmet, Forbes reports. It comes in a window box in case collectors choose to display the collectible. In addition to wearing Odysseus’ Greek army gear, the figure also has the character wielding his sword and sporting a greying beard — as worn by Damon’s character — as he nears the completion of his journey home, per Forbes.

Damon dishes on The Odyssey

Parade recently spoke with Damon, 55, about his experience working on his latest movie. “Odyssey was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done — it’s not even close — for everybody, for the entire crew,” he said. “And that’s what made it so, so great to work on, was — you were working as hard as you ever had, but you realized that every single person around you was, too. And so it was really fun to be a part of that group.”

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can't forget about the NYT's The Mini Crossword, too! Today’s NYT Mini Crossword spans a range of topics including appropriate wedding guests, submarine equipment and even anagrams.

Although the NYT is known for "The Crossword," a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you're working on today's Mini Crossword on Monday, July 20, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, July 20, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Sound of an online message — HINT: Starts with the letter "G"

5 Across: Underwater detection device —HINT: Starts with the letter "R"

6 Across: Chicago's ___ Presidential Center — HINT: Ends with the letter "A"

7 Across: Appropriate anagram of VENMO, if you change the "V' to a "Y" — HINT: Starts with the letter "M"

8 Across: Potentially awkward wedding guests— HINT: Ends with the letter "T"

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Destination for mail that doesn't go to your home address, perhaps — HINT: Starts with the letter "P"

2 Down: Ridiculous — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

3 Down: Things debated by expectant parents — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"

4 Down: Color of an overcast sky — HINT: Starts with the letter "G"

5 Down: '___ assembly required' — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, July 20, 2026

Don't go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Sound of an online message — PING

5 Across: Underwater detection device —SONAR

6 Across: Chicago's ___ Presidential Center — OBAMA

7 Across: Appropriate anagram of VENMO, if you change the "V' to a "Y" — MONEY

8 Across: Potentially awkward wedding guests — EXES

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Destination for mail that doesn't go to your home address, perhaps — POBOX

2 Down: Ridiculous — INANE

3 Down: Things debated by expectant parents — NAMES

4 Down: Color of an overcast sky — GRAY

5 Down: '___ assembly required' — SOME

Related: I Tried Reba McEntire's Unusual Juice Cocktail—and I Wasn't Expecting for It To Be My New 'Forever Love'

LanceBass reveals which iconic boy band he is a huge fan of.

The NSYNC singer spoke to People about the vocal group he would have loved to be a part of. 

“I mean, there are so many. If we go back in the day, of course, The Beatles,” Bass said “That would’ve been incredible. During the ‘60s would’ve been such a cool time. No social media. It was a different time.” 

While he loved his time in NSYNC, New Kids on the Block holds a special place in his heart. 

“My sister was obsessed. It was one of my first concerts, my first stadium concert I ever went to, and I think it was the first time that I looked on stage and said, ‘I want to do that. That looks amazing,’“ Bass said.

The time period also influenced his interest in the group. 

“They got that fun era of the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, where again, it was just such a more innocent time where there were no cell phones or anything like that,” the singer explained. “No one’s taking pictures of you too much. So I think you get away with a lot more back in the late ‘80s. It was just, I don’t know, so much more fun. So I think, yeah, I would’ve been obsessed with being the New Kids on the Block.”

New Kids on the Block was created in 1984 and featured JonathanKnight, JordanKnight, JoeyMcIntyre, DonnieWahlberg, and DannyWood.

Eleven years later, Bass replaced JasonGalasso as the newest addition of NSYNC. The group was created by ChrisKirkpatrick and consisted of JustinTimberlake, JCChasez, Kirkpatrick, and JoeyFatone. The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2002. They are known for songs such as "Bye Bye Bye," "It's Gonna Be Me," and "Tearin' Up My Heart."

Tomahawk, the acclaimed supergroup led by iconic vocalist Mike Patton, made its long-awaited live return.

The experimental rock band composed of Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard, John Stanier of Helmet and Battles and Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle alongside Patton of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle took center stage for its first show in 13 years.

Touring major cities across the United States with sludge metal pioneers Melvins, they are co-headlining the summer tour A Huge Waste of Your Time and Money on a 21-date run.

Kicking off the tour at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, the four-piece supergroup delivered a nostalgic 18-song set featuring tracks from across its catalog, excluding its 2007 album Anonymous.

Tomahawk also spotlighted its latest album, Tonic Immobility, performing several songs from the 2021 record live for the first time.

Mike Patton of Tomahawk performs live during Berlin Festival in 2013

Frank Hoensch/Redferns via Getty Images

In addition, the band brought back its cover of Duane Eddy's 1958 instrumental "Stalkin'" to the live set and closed the show with its signature song, "God Hates A Coward," from its 2001 self-titled debut album.

The supergroup's last live performance was in 2013 during festival performances and headlining shows on the Oddfellows Tour in support of its fourth studio album, Oddfellows.

Following opening night in Nashville, Tomahawk expressed its delight and excitement about returning to the stage after a lengthy hiatus, doing so with its signature deadpan humor.

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For the remaining dates of the A Huge Waste of Your Time and Money Tour, Tomahawk and Melvins will continue touring through August, with the run concluding on Aug. 15 in Los Angeles.

Tomahawk and Melvins 2026 Tour Dates

Jul. 20: Austin, TX - Emo's
Jul. 21: Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
Jul. 23: New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Jul. 24: Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre
Jul. 26: Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Jul. 27: Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
Jul. 28: Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel
Jul. 30: Boston, MA - House of Blues
Jul. 31: Buffalo, NY - Electric City
Aug. 1: Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
Aug. 3: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Aug. 4: Chicago, IL - The Riviera Theatre
Aug. 5: Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Aug. 7: Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
Aug. 8: Salt Lake City, UT - The Union Event Center
Aug. 10: Portland, OR - Pioneer Courthouse Square
Aug. 11: Seattle, WA - The Showbox
Aug. 12: Seattle, WA - The Showbox
Aug. 14: San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
Aug. 15: Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco

Related: 1985 Rock Song, Written by One of the ‘Best Supergroups’ of All Time, Became a Timeless Anthem

Parents with a little kitchen helper at home will want to check the label.

TOMY International is recalling more than 116,000 Boon PIVOT toddler tower step stools because they can tip over while a child is standing on them.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall this week. The collapsible towers, which let toddlers stand at counter height, can tip over and cause a fall, posing a risk of serious injury or death, according to the agency. TOMY has received 11 reports of the stools shifting or leaning while in use. No injuries have been reported so far.

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Which Step Stools Are Affected

The recall covers the Boon PIVOT Collapsible Toddler Tower, a step stool that folds flat for storage. About 116,000 were sold in the United States, with roughly 2,000 more in Canada. They sold online at retailers including Amazon, Target.com and Babylist between January 2023 and June 2026 for around $150. Owners can match their tower against the official CPSC recall notice to confirm.

Related: Over 12,000 Popular Grills Recalled for Hazardous Reason After Dozens of Reports

What to Do If You Have One

Parents should stop using the tower and keep it out of reach until it is fixed. Rather than a refund, TOMY is offering a free repair, sending repair parts and installation instructions. Consumers can reach the company at 866-725-4407 for the kit.

This is the latest in a run of children's product recalls. Fisher-Price recently pulled more than 250,000 toys over a choking hazard, a kids' play kitchen set was recalled for a fatal risk, and regulators keep flagging products tied to serious injury across major retailers.

Next: FDA Issues Nationwide Recall of Millions of Eye Drops–Find Out if You’re Affected

Bettina Trump may look perfectly polished 99.9% of the time, but Donald Trump’s typically chic, put-together, and poised daughter-in-law had a moment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. 

When you’re in the public eye, you can’t always pose for pics. And that means sometimes you get a major photo flub. While attending the World Cup final in New Jersey recently, photogs snapped a group shot of the President’s adult children, and let’s just say, the picture wasn’t exactly flattering.

In the photo, Lara Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Michael Boulous, Donald Trump’s Jr., and Bettina are all enjoying the soccer game. Tiffany is sweetly smiling as she claps; Michael looks somewhat bored; Eric has a quiet intensity about him; Lara shines like she just walked off the cover of a magazine; Don Jr. is serving up some side-eye. And then there’s Bettina…caught with her tongue sticking out of her mouth as she holds onto her phone. Unfortunate to say the least.

The Trump family enjoys the World Cup soccer game. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

But it’s not all bad. Even though this probably isn't the first pic Bettina would have chosen to share, Don Jr.’s new bride has what turns out to be a pretty savage sense of humor. 

Trump (Bettina, that is) posted a screenshot of the photo on her Instagram Stories with the title, “Getty got me good,” and the crying laughing emoji, the palm over the face emoji, and the tongue emoji. Of course, Getty is in reference to Getty Images—one of the top editorial photo providers. 

As a digital warehouse of celeb pics, Getty has millions of images that websites and other publications can access. So, we did some sleuthing and found the full photo. It also includes Trump Jr.’s children,Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner. 

While Bettina was clearly caught off-guard, her husband occasionally creates intentional photo fails. That is, for people other than himself. 

Back in June, Ivanka posted a romantic picture of herself and her hubby during Don Jr. and Bettina’s magical Memorial Day weekend wedding in the Bahamas. Even though the cute couple is all smiles, her obviously annoying older brother, well, in his own words, “Not gonna lie…I think I pulled off the best photobomb ever.” This is one photo fans of the family definitely need to see for themselves!

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Anyone watching Kristi Yamaguchi skate her way to Olympic gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, would have guessed that the 20-year-old World Champion had been athletic from the moment she was born. Both graceful and powerful, Yamaguchi was the kind of skater who made the most difficult moves seem effortless. But the truth is, she was born with a condition that can make walking nearly impossible.

Yamaguchi was born in 1971 in Hayward, California, with bilateral clubfoot, a birth defect which causes both feet to twist out of their usual position.

"I was born with clubfeet, and I had plaster casts on my legs from when I was a couple of months old until age one," Yamaguchi said in 2010, per CNN. "When the casts came off, I wore corrective shoes connected by a brace to turn my feet until I was about two."

"The braces hurt my legs a lot, and I remember trying to walk with a bar in between my feet — I had to shuffle," Yamaguchi continued. "I was lucky they corrected it when I was so young. Skating wasn't assigned to me, but when I wanted to skate, the doctors said it would help."

According to Yamaguchi, she expressed an interest in skating after seeing the Ice Follies and the Ice Capades when she was around four or five.

"I remember seeing Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill and wanting to capture the magic of those shows," she explained.

By the time she was in junior high, Yamaguchi was already competing. She won the junior pairs title at the U.S. championships in 1986 with her partner, Rudy Galindo, according to Biography; the pair did the same at the World Junior Championships two years later (where Yamaguchi also won the singles event). Not long after, Yamaguchi decided to focus on singles skating, moving to Alberta, Canada, in 1991 to train with Christy Ness. This turned out to be a wise decision, of course: That same year, she won the World Championships in Munich, Germany.

It was no surprise to figure skating fans when Yamaguchi ended up at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, on the same U.S. team as Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. While Yamaguchi's competitors, including Harding and Japan's Midori Ito, were known for their ability to land extremely difficult jumps (namely the triple Axel), Yamaguchi had a reputation for being a more well-rounded skater who focused on artistry. Her strategy proved to be a winning one when she made history that year as the first Asian American woman to win gold at the Winter Olympics...though the significance of the moment didn't fully hit her at first.

Mike Powell / Getty Images

"Honestly I just felt like another California girl that grew up (here), and I had to land a triple Lutz-triple toe,” Yamaguchi explained later, per the official website for the Olympics. “I think it was after when I received so much support and outreach from the Asian American community is when it hit me. ‘Oh wow, what’s going on here?' I was able to really appreciate what it meant, particularly to the Japanese American community. I also gained a deeper appreciation for my family, my ancestors and everything that they had gone through in order for me to live the American dream.”

Though Yamaguchi retired from competing not long after winning the gold medal, she didn't stop skating. She toured with Stars on Ice for over a decade, going on to be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1998, the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1999 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2005.

In an interview with the Nob Hill Gazette earlier this year, Yamaguchi reflected on how skating has changed over the years, noting that today's young skaters face a different set of challenges.

"I think it’s harder nowadays because of social media, with how accessible the athletes are and anyone in the spotlight is these days," she said. "We were pretty insulated back in the ’90s, though the traditional press was overwhelming. Still, I can’t imagine nowadays. You see a lot of athletes building their social media presence and getting endorsements and sponsorships, which is great because that helps offset some of the training expenses and things like that. But they have a lot more to deal with in this day and age."

Related: 1988 Olympic Skating Legends, Paired as Teenagers, Became Figure Skating's Greatest Love Story

In July 1988, model and singer Nico passed away aged 49 after falling from her bicycle in Spain.

Nico had been a model for Coco Chanel in the 1950s and acted for Fellini, but she is probably best known for her work with The Velvet Underground.

Born in Cologne as Christa Päffgen, Nico worked as an actress and model, appearing in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Andy Warhol's Chelsea Girls. Warhol insisted she join The Velvet Underground, despite Lou Reed's scepticism.

Despite his chagrin, Nico lent her haunting vocals to three songs on the band's 1967 debut, The Velvet Underground & Nico: "Femme Fatale," "All Tomorrow's Parties" and "I'll Be Your Mirror."

After releasing their debut album, Nico left The Velvet Underground to pursue a solo career. She would make several critically acclaimed, avant-garde solo albums before passing away.

The Tragedy That Led To Nico's Death Photo of NICO (Photo by Peter Noble/Redferns)

Nico struggled with heroin addiction for 15 years. She became involved in exercising as a way to combat cravings after she quit her habit, using this as a way of combating cravings. It's sadly this new love that would lead to her untimely death.

"In the late morning of July 17, 1988, my mother told me she needed to go downtown to buy marijuana," Nico's son, Christian Aaron Boulogne, said in Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. "She sat down in front of the mirror and wrapped a black scarf around her head. My mother stared at the mirror and took great care to wrap the scarf appropriately. Down the hill on her bike: 'I'll be back soon.' She left in the early afternoon on the hottest day of the year."

The former It Girl fell from her bicycle and hit her head. She was found unconscious by a taxi driver and was taken to a hospital where she passed away from a severe cerebral hemorrhage.

"Her manager, Alan Wise, said she died in a hospital on the island a few hours after the accident," The New York Times reported at the time. "A coroner's report said she had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage."

Nicol is remembered by generations of artists, models and filmmakers, who cite her as their inspiration. Her solo albums paved the way for influential musicians like Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Cure, Björk, and Elliott Smith

Nearly 40 years after Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner delivered a gold medal-winning performance at the 1979 World Figure Skating Championships in Vienna, Austria, the routine remains one of the most significant moments in American pairs skating history. Their long program was more than a technical masterpiece; it was a breakthrough moment that ended a decades-long drought for the United States. Their performance was more than a magical moment on the ice—it was an announcement reminding the world that an American pair could compete with the best skaters in the world.

By the time they stepped onto the ice at the 1979 World Championships, Babilonia and Gardner were already regarded as one of the most talented pairs in figure skating. They were athletic and innovative, with exceptional chemistry on the ice. Together since she was 8 and he was 10, the American duo had spent years preparing themselves to challenge the dominance of Soviet pairs skaters who had previously all but controlled international competition.

Skating to a medley that included Igor Stravinsky's "The Firebird," their long program combined difficult technical elements with elegance, speed, and their natural connection on the ice—all hallmarks of what made the pair so special to watch.

The performance earned them gold, making Babilonia and Gardner the first American pair in 29 years to win the World Championship title and only the second U.S. pair ever to achieve the accomplishment.

Why Their 1979 Victory Was So Meaningful

In 1979, under the backdrop of the Cold War era, international sports carried an added political weight that extended beyond competition. The Soviet Union had dominated Olympic and world figure skating for decades, with Soviet pairs teams considered nearly unbeatable.

For the United States, Babilonia and Gardner earning gold and dethroning the Soviet skaters was a symbolic moment of American excellence, challenging one of the Soviet Union’s strongest sporting legacies.

Figure skating was one of the few sports where the U.S. and Soviet Union regularly competed directly against one another on a global stage, making every victory carry cultural significance and the pride of an entire nation. Babilonia and Gardner’s victory at the 1979 World Championships gave American fans a moment of triumph in a sport where Soviet athletes had long been considered the gold standard.

Related: Skating Legend, Who Entered the 1988 Winter Olympics as an Underdog, Delivered One of Figure Skating's Greatest Routines

The Olympic Heartbreak That Followed @stagestarusa

American ice dancing darlings of the 70s - do you remember ? #figureskating #iceskating #icedance #figureskatingcouple #rememberingtai #randygardner

♬ original sound - Stage Star 🇺🇸

Babilonia and Gardner went on to become two of the most recognizable figures in American skating. Their popularity extended beyond the rink, making them pop culture icons and helping bring greater attention to pairs skating.

Entering the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, Babilonia and Gardner were considered heavy favorites for the gold medal, and an entire nation anticipated them delivering another historic moment for the United States.

Sadly, their Olympic dreams ended in heartbreaking fashion. Gardner suffered a serious injury shortly before the competition, forcing the pair to withdraw from the Games in one of the most disappointing and emotional moments in Olympic skating history.

A Legacy That Still Defines American Pairs Skating

Decades later, their 1979 World Championship performance continues to be a defining moment in U.S. figure skating history. Their legendary routine captured the magnitude of its era and proved that American pairs skating could compete—and win—against the world’s very best.

Related: 1988 Olympic Skater Chose a Daring Red Costume for Her Final Routine—Creating Figure Skating History

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Skimping on something as important as skincare isn't something I'm willing to do as I inch closer to middle age. But with a budget that seems to get tighter every month (thanks, inflation!), anything more expensive than discounted drugstore face cream feels like too much of a splurge to purchase regularly. As a shopping expert, it's my job to find great deals on quality products, and right now, ShopHQ is one of my new favorite places to find premium skincare products at a steal. 

ShopHQ's beauty selection is vast, with an array of cosmetics, haircare, and skincare from brands like Yensa, Dermaclara, and Isomers available for less than you'd typically find elsewhere. Take, for example, the Isomers Skincare Re-Densify Contouring Cream. It normally retails for $58 at ShopHQ, but the retailer recently slashed the price by over 30%, dropping it to just $40. The same 50-milliliter jar retails for $81 at Isomer, so even before it went on sale, you'd still be getting a better deal buying this firming cream at ShopHQ. Dubbed "perfect for aging skin" by reviewers, this cream is beloved for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, combating crepiness, and hydrating skin for a plump, refreshed appearance.

Isomers Skincare Re-Densify Contouring Cream, $40 (was $58) at ShopHQ

Courtesy of ShopHQ

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Related: Seiko's Water-Resistant Quartz Watch Easily Fends off Splashes and Scratches, and It’s 48% Off

Smoother, firmer skin doesn't have to stay out of reach as you age. If you're ready to try something new to combat fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin, now's the perfect time to snag Isomers Skincare Re-Densify Contouring Cream while it's 30% off at ShopHQ!

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Ask almost anyone who grew up in the last millennium about fast-food french fries, and chances are you'll hear the same thing: they just don't taste the way they used to.

For years, that sentiment has been chalked up to nostalgia. After all, childhood memories have a way of making everything seem a little better. But when it comes to fast-food fries, nostalgia is only part of the story. The fries themselves really were different.

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During the golden age of the drive-thru, many of America's biggest fast-food chains relied on animal fats, prepared potatoes with different cooking techniques and served super-sized portions that would be almost unimaginable by today's standards. As health concerns over saturated fat gained momentum in the late 1980s and early 1990s, those practices began to change. Beef tallow gave way to vegetable oils, massive portions got downsized, and many chains streamlined kitchen operations in the name of efficiency and consistency.

That doesn't mean today's fries are bad. In fact, many restaurants have spent decades trying to recreate the rich flavor and crispy texture that customers remember so fondly. But between changes in ingredients, preparation methods and even the way our brains connect food with memory, there are plenty of reasons so many people insist fast-food fries tasted better a generation ago.

Here's why those fries left such a lasting impression—and why some restaurants are beginning to embrace old-school cooking methods once again.

The Golden Era of the Fast-Food Drive-Thru

The Washington Post / Getty Images

The 1980s and 1990s were a boom time for the fast-food industry. Drive-thrus became faster, national chains expanded into thousands of new locations and fierce competition sparked what became known as the "burger wars." While flashy new sandwiches grabbed headlines, french fries remained one of the industry's biggest battlegrounds. A great burger could bring customers through the door, but consistently hot, crispy fries kept them coming back.

Back then, many chains still cut, blanched and fried potatoes using methods that prioritized flavor over shelf life. Animal fats—including beef tallow at McDonald's and other chains, as well as pork lard at many restaurants, diners and local fast-food establishments—were very common. Those fats produced fries with a deeply savory flavor, crisp exterior and fluffy interior that many customers still remember today.

Fast-food companies weren't just selling a side dish—they were selling an experience. Pulling into the drive-thru after a Little League game, grabbing fries on a family road trip or sharing a supersized order with friends became ingrained in everyday life. Those memories are one reason the fries of that era continue to occupy such a special place for so many.

The Secret Ingredient We Lost: Beef Tallow

© Andrew Dolph / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Long before canola, soybean and other vegetable oils became the standard for commercial frying, many restaurants relied on animal fats to cook french fries. Diners often used pork lard, while numerous fast-food chains turned to beef tallow, prized for its high smoke point and the rich, savory flavor it imparted to everything from french fries to fried chicken.

No company became more closely associated with beef tallow fries than McDonald's. For decades, the chain fried its iconic fries in a blend that was approximately 93 percent beef tallow and 7 percent vegetable oil, creating the crispy exterior and unmistakable flavor that many customers still describe as the gold standard for fast-food fries. The method wasn't unique to McDonald's, but because of the chain's enormous popularity, it helped define what millions of Americans expected a french fry to taste like.

Beef tallow offered practical advantages as well. It remained stable at high frying temperatures, produced a crisp exterior while helping the inside stay fluffy and could withstand repeated use better than many oils available at the time. It also added a subtle beefy richness that vegetable oils simply couldn't replicate on their own.

Today, many chefs argue that beef tallow creates a more flavorful fry because it contributes both texture and taste. That's one reason why it's enjoying a resurgence at some restaurants, even as most major fast-food chains continue using vegetable oils. While the debate over the "best" frying fat is ultimately a matter of personal preference, there's little question that switching away from beef tallow fundamentally changed the flavor profile of America's favorite fast-food side.

Related: Fast Food Fans Are Debating the Best French Fries, and These Chains Came Out on Top

The 1990 Health Crusade That Ruined the Fry

What kind of cooking fats or oils are most common in your country?
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By the late 1980s, the conversation around nutrition had shifted dramatically. Health experts and advocacy groups were increasingly warning Americans about the risks associated with saturated fat and cholesterol, putting fast-food chains under growing pressure to rethink how they prepared some of their most popular items.

One of the loudest voices in that movement was Phil Sokolof, an Omaha businessman who became a passionate health advocate after surviving a heart attack. Sokolof spent millions of dollars on a national advertising campaign criticizing fast-food chains for cooking with animal fats, taking out full-page newspaper ads urging companies like McDonald's to change their recipes. His campaign generated widespread attention and helped intensify public scrutiny of the industry.

In July 1990, McDonald's announced it would replace its longtime beef tallow-based frying blend with 100 percent vegetable oil, saying the move reflected changing consumer preferences and nutritional recommendations. Other major chains soon made similar changes, marking the beginning of a new era for fast-food fries.

More than three decades later, the tallow debate continues. For some people, the switch represented a necessary step toward healthier eating. For others, it marked the moment America's fast-food fries lost the flavor that had made them legendary. Either way, the industry's move away from animal fats remains one of the most significant changes in fast-food history.

How Chains Tried to 'Fake' the Original Flavor

Manu Vega / Getty Images

Switching from animal fats to vegetable oils solved one problem for fast-food chains, but it created another: customers could tell the difference.

Over the years, many restaurants looked for ways to recreate the savory, satisfying flavor people associated with the old fries without returning to beef tallow. Some experimented with different blends of vegetable oils, while others adjusted frying temperatures or added coatings to help fries stay crisp longer. McDonald's famously added natural beef flavor to its fries after making the switch, a decision that remains part of the recipe in the United States today.

Preparation methods evolved too. Frozen fries became more consistent, allowing chains to deliver nearly identical products from one restaurant to the next. Advances in food science also helped fries retain their crispness longer, an important advantage in the drive-thru era. The result was a fry that was more consistent and easier to produce at scale, but many longtime customers felt something was lost along the way. While today's fries are engineered for consistency, fans of the old-school versions argue they lack some of the rich flavor and texture that made earlier generations so memorable.

Other Reasons '90s Fries Hit Differently

Who remembers McDonald’s super size meal?
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Ingredients weren't the only thing that changed. The fast-food experience itself looked different in the 1990s.

Many chains still finished more of the cooking process in-house, and some restaurants relied on double-frying techniques that helped produce an especially crisp exterior and fluffy interior. Portion sizes were also significantly larger than they are today. McDonald's iconic Super Size option, introduced in the 1990s, became synonymous with an era when "large" wasn't large enough.

Then there's the factor no fryer can replicate: memory.

Researchers have found that taste and smell are among the strongest triggers of autobiographical memories, a phenomenon often referred to as the "Proust effect." A familiar flavor can instantly transport people back to childhood road trips, Friday-night football games or family vacations. In other words, part of what people remember isn't just the fries themselves—it's everything that came with them.

That doesn't mean the golden potatoes weren't genuinely different. Between beef tallow, different preparation methods and larger portions, there were real changes to how fast-food restaurants made their fries. But nostalgia may also be adding a little extra seasoning to those memories, making the fries of the '90s seem even more unforgettable.

Related: 10 Discontinued McDonald's Items We Need Back Immediately

Where Can You Still Get Beef Tallow Fries Today?

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

While most major fast-food chains continue to use vegetable oils, beef tallow has been making a quiet comeback in recent years. A growing number of independent restaurants, steakhouses and burger shops have embraced traditional frying methods, arguing that beef tallow produces a richer flavor and crispier texture than modern alternatives.

Some regional chains have also leaned into the trend. Earlier this year, Steak 'n Shake announced it would transition its fries to 100 percent beef tallow, citing customer demand for a more traditional cooking method. The move generated renewed interest in beef tallow fries and introduced a new generation of diners to an ingredient that was once commonplace throughout the fast-food industry.

Of course, not everyone agrees that beef tallow is the superior choice. Nutrition science has continued to evolve, and many restaurants prefer vegetable oils for health, cost or operational reasons. But for those looking to recapture a little of the flavor they remember from decades past, a growing number of restaurants are once again giving beef tallow a place in the fryer.

Why We Still Crave the Fries of the Past

picture alliance / Getty Images

Ask a group of people whether fast-food fries tasted better in the 1990s, and chances are you'll hear plenty of passionate opinions. The answer, however, isn't as simple as nostalgia—or as simple as beef tallow.

The fries really were different. Animal fats, changing preparation techniques, and larger portions all helped shape the flavor and texture many people still remember. At the same time, those fries became part of countless everyday moments, from family dinners to late-night drive-thru runs, making them as much a memory as a menu item.

Whether today's fries are objectively better or worse is ultimately a matter of taste. But one thing is certain: the fries that defined the golden age of the drive-thru left an impression that's proven remarkably difficult to replace.

Related: This Fast-Growing 'Clean Cooking' Brand Is Now Hitting Stores Nationwide

"Lovin You" is one of the most iconic songs in history, mainly because of Minnie Riperton's vocal performance and that high note.

The 1974 song was written by Riperton and her husband Richard Rudolph, and was produced by Stevie Wonder.

The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Billboard R&B chart and ranked number 13 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1975.

"Lovin' You" was originally written as a lullaby for her infant daughter, Maya Rudolph. Maya is now a highly respected actress, appearing onSaturday Night Liveand in movies like Bridesmaids and Grown Ups. The track started as a melody Riperton hummed to distract one-year-old Maya and her brother Marc so she and her husband could have "grown-up time".

If you listen closely, you can hear Riperton softly whispering "Maya, Maya" at the very end of the track.

Minnie Riperton, her husband Richard Rudolph and children Maya Rudolph and Marc Rudolph attend the Hollywood Christmas Parade in December 1978 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)

Maya Rudolph didn't realize she inspired the much-loved soul ballad until she was an adult. “I didn’t really put together that ‘Lovin’ You’ was for me and my brother. I heard my name and was kind of like, ‘Oh that’s cool, it’s for us,’ but we didn’t really know,” she told uDiscover in 2019.

Rudolph is not surprised that the song is still played and loved, over 50 years after its release. “It’s amazing to me, though not surprising that it’s such an iconic song [‘Lovin’ You’] and record. It was the debut of this special quality my mother had and people were just… blown away," she told uDiscover. "So really, it was her big introduction to people. It just sounds like a perfect example of that time and everything coming together in the right way.”

Minnie Riperton tragically died from breast cancer in 1979, aged just 31. Maya was only six years old at the time, her mother passing away just two weeks before her seventh birthday

“Over the course of my life I’ve become a receptor to the world for people who want to tell me [or tell her] how great she was,” says Rudolph. “How much the song affected their lives, how much her music meant to them and how special her voice was."

Related: 1975 Romantic Smash, With the Highest Note Ever, Remains the Most Dazzling Vocal Performance in Pop Music History

It’s a boy! While Donald Trump and the rest of the White House insiders were busy watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals in New Jersey, Second Lady Usha Vance was quietly announcing the birth of her fourth child with her husband, Vice President JD Vance.

The VP shared the couple’s news just before 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19th, issuing a statement on X and Instagram that read, “We are excited to announce that our baby boy, Alec Neel Vance, was born this morning. Usha and the baby are happy and healthy, and our kids are overjoyed to meet their little brother.”

US Vice President JD Vance and US Second Lady Usha Vance. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Vance continued, “The incredible military doctors and staff members of Walter Reed Medical Center and the White House Medical Unit have been a blessing. We are deeply thankful for all they have done for our family.”

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While a new baby is always exciting, the Vances’ fourth kiddo is a little history-maker. Alec is the first child born to a sitting Vice President in over 150 years. Prior to Usha Vance, the last (and only other) Second Lady to give birth was Vice President Schuyler Colfax’s wife, Ellen, sometime in 1870. Colfax worked under President Ulysses S. Grant.

Fans, family, and friends flocked to the VP’s social media posts to congratulate the new parents with sweet sentiments such as “Welcome to the world, Alec Neel Vance. Your family adored you”, “Congratulations to the parents and siblings,” and “So happy that everyone is healthy and well!” 

The White House issued formal congrats to the Vance family on X, reposting the VP’s statement and adding, “Congratulations to Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their fourth child!”

Congratulations to Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their fourth child! 💙🇺🇸 https://t.co/2C4BkUOAi5

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 19, 2026

Before Alec’s arrival,  the Vice President and the Second Lady were already parents to three children: nine-year-old Ewan, six-year-old Vivek, and four-year-old Mirabel. 

The Vance family initially announced that Usha was expecting back in January, revealing, “We’re very excited to share the news that Usha is pregnant with our fourth child, a boy. Usha and the baby are doing well, and we are all looking forward to welcoming him in late July.” 

While the VP and Second Lady didn’t share Usha’s specific due date publicly, it looks like the general “late July” estimate was almost on point. 

Of course, the Vances aren’t the first family in the current administration to welcome a new baby while Trump is in office. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her husband Nicholas Riccio announced the birth of their second child, daughter Viviana, in May (born May 1, 2026). A month later (on June 3), conservative podcaster Katie Miller and her husband, U.S. Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller, welcomed their fourth child, son Hawthorn Hayes Miller. 

Raising Cane's is having a busy July.

The chicken-finger chain is opening five new restaurants across the country this month, and three of them are its first locations ever in those states.

The new spots are in Schererville, Ind.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Jacksonville, N.C.; Albany, Ga.; and Los Angeles. The debuts in Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia mark brand-new markets for the company, which is also reopening three remodeled restaurants the same month.

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A Chain on a Growth Tear

Founded in Baton Rouge, La., in 1996 by Todd Graves, Raising Cane's runs a famously short menu: chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast and its cult-favorite Cane's sauce. That tight focus has powered rapid growth. The company opened around 100 restaurants in 2025 and plans roughly 100 more in 2026, part of an aggressive expansion into new states.

Related: KFC Rival Opens First-of-Its-Kind Restaurant Complete With 24-Hour Service

When Each One Opens

The Tennessee restaurant in Johnson City opened July 7, as did the Jacksonville, N.C. location, on July 13. Georgia's first Cane's, in Albany, is the last of the batch, set to open July 21. An opening date for the Los Angeles location has not been announced.

Each new store brings the same tight menu that built the brand, plus the sauce fans line up for. The three remodeled restaurants reopening this month round out a stretch that has become routine for a chain adding locations at a pace of nearly two a week. For a company built on four things on a tray, Cane's keeps finding new corners of the map to plant them.

Next: Trader Joe’s Fans Will Be Drooling Over Cult-Favorite Fast Food Chain’s New Item

The match was certainly thrilling enough, going into extra time and all — though fans are still discussing the performances that surrounded the World Cup final.

There was the highly anticipated halftime show, of course, but also the star-studded opening ceremony at New York New Jersey Stadium, which Post Malone headlined on Saturday, July 19.

The beloved country-rock star, 31, expectedly played a couple of hits — "Wow" and "Sunflower" — but before he got to those, Malone debuted a brand-new song that he's been teasing all week, Rolling Stone reports.

Get a taste of "Chrome Heartbreaker" in the Grammy nominee's joint Instagram post with the official FIFA World Cup account below.

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Fans have already flooded the post's comments section to show their support for the "Circles" singer. "Chrome Heartbreaker is a great name," wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, "🎵⚽️ So amazing Posty!!! You won today!!! 🏆💜"

By the time his mini-set concluded, one could argue Malone’s set lived up to the hype FIFA President Gianni Infantino provided earlier this week in a statement: “At a time when sport, culture, and global attention converge, Post Malone will deliver a performance designed to celebrate the tournament’s journey and ignite the atmosphere before the world’s attention turns to the two finalists."

Tom Cruise also made an appearance during the opening festivities, ahead of the release of his new movie, Digger. Jennifer Hudson delivered a memorable rendition of the U.S. national anthem, meanwhile, and YouTube star IShowSpeed performed his song "Champions."

Later on Saturday came the buzzy halftime show, which also featured big names such as Justin Bieber — though his return to the stage wasn’t what many fans expected. Instead of launching into one of his upbeat biggest hits, the singer decided to take things acoustic and performed his stripped-back song “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH.” Placed between energetic performances from BTS and Shakira, the emotional ballad immediately stood out — and not everyone understood the choice. Find out more here.

We love a good talk show! And if our favorite celebrities are guest-starring, you can count us in on watching. If you’re a big fan of talk shows, Live with Kelly and Mark always has the laughs, the cool guest stars and a fun audience. And this week, you can count on the couple to have a number of fun guest stars to watch. 

Live with Kelly and Mark has been co-hosted by the husband-wife duo (Kelly Ripa and Mark Conseulos) since 2023, but the live television franchise has been on the air for over 40 years, with multiple sets of hosts. The show airs five days a week, Monday-Friday, with a new guest star each segment. The couple met on the soap opera All My Children and have been inseparable since. After 30 years together, their chemistry is still apparent on Live with Kelly and Mark, with flirting, banter and cute remarks during segments. 

This week’s lineup features a number of celebrities that we can’t wait to see. The week kicks off with Leslie Jones and Minka Kelly on Monday, July 20. We can expect them to chat with Kelly and Mark about Roast My Rental (season premiere on July 24) and Ransom Canyon (season two airing July 23). 

On Tuesday, Lauren Cohan and Wyclef Jean will guest star, where we can expect Cohan to chat about The Walking Dead: Dead City, with a performance from Jean. On Wednesday, Tom Holland will guest star, just in time for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which hits theaters on July 31. Pamela Adlon will also guest star, and we can expect to hear all about the new season of King of the Hill, which airs July 20 on Hulu and Disney+. 

Related: ‘Good Trouble’ Stars Cierra Ramirez and Sherry Cola to Host Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks

Thursday’s guest lineup includes Josh Duhamel, who stars alongside Kelly in Ransom Canyon. On Friday, Luke Bracey of Little House on the Prairie will make an appearance. Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends and Black-Ish) will also guest star, and we’re excited to hear all about season two of her show, Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross, which premieres on The Roku Channel tomorrow, July 20. 

Between hearing about Spider-Man’s webslinging adventures and Tracee’s solo travel escapades, this week’s lineup is worth clearing your calendar for and tuning in live. Previous guest stars include celebs like Tyler James Williams, Law Roach, Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, Brooke Shields and many more stars. To watch live, find your local listings or channels on livewithkellyandmark.com. 

Related: Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross Is Back for Season Two

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Your bathroom may be one of the most practical rooms in the house, but that doesn’t mean it can’t feel luxurious. If you’ve ever hopped out of the shower and immediately regretted stepping onto the floor, dripped water everywhere while washing your face, or done that awkward one-foot shuffle while trying to avoid a wet spot, you know the struggle is real. A good bath mat isn’t just a pretty bathroom accessory — it’s the unsung hero that keeps cold floors, soggy socks, and constant towel wiping at bay.

That’s where the Findosom 3-Piece Bathroom Rug Set comes in. Originally $56, it’s now marked down 64% to just $20 at Walmart, making it an easy way to give the three hardest-working bathroom zones a cozy upgrade: the sink, the tub, and the toilet. With three coordinating pieces designed to catch drips, cushion your steps, and make your space look more put-together, this set proves that a small upgrade can make a big difference in your daily routine.

Findosom 3-Piece Bathroom Rug Set, From $20 (was $56) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Available in 12 colors, this set makes it easy to refresh your bathroom without committing to a full makeover. Each rug features a layered border design, with a colorful rectangular frame around the outside and a smaller white rectangle tucked inside for a crisp, finished look. The center adds even more texture with a heathered blend of your chosen shade mixed with white, creating a soft, woven-inspired appearance that looks more like decor than a basic bath mat. Whether you’re going for calming neutrals, cheerful pops of color, or something in between, there’s a shade to match nearly every aesthetic.

Made from plush microfiber, these rugs turn stepping out of the shower from a chilly chore into a cozy little luxury. The velvety fibers create a soft, cushioned feel underfoot while helping keep toes warm when cold tile strikes in the morning. They’re also designed to handle the everyday splash zone, quickly absorbing water from wet feet after showers, baths, or sink-side routines to help keep floors drier. A thermoplastic rubber (TPR) non-slip backing helps keep the rugs in place on dry, smooth surfaces, while premium fiber-locking technology helps prevent shedding over time. When they need cleaning, simply toss them in the washing machine with gentle detergent and let them air dry. 

Shop More Deals

• Findosom 4-Piece Bathroom Rug Set, from $29 (was $56) at Walmart
• Tripumer 3-Piece Memory Foam Bathroom Mat Set, from 23 (was $33) at Walmart
• Findosom 3-Piece Striped Bathroom Rug Set, from $30 (was $50) at Walmart

The set comes in three size combinations. The most inexpensive $20 option includes an 18-by-26-inch bath mat, an 18-by-48-inch runner, and a 20-by-24-inch U-shaped contour rug. Another set includes an 18-by-26-inch mat, a 20-by-32-inch bath mat, and a 20-by-24-inch U-shaped rug starting at $25. The largest option includes a 20-by-32-inch mat, a 20-by-59-inch runner, and a 20-by-24-inch contour piece, priced at $35In other words, whether your bathroom has a tiny sink nook, a standard tub setup, or a long vanity that needs extra coverage, there’s a combination ready to cover it.

Reviewers loved the “fluffy” and “plush” feel of these rugs, saying they made stepping out of the shower a much more “enjoyable” experience. One shopper wrote, “The rugs are so very soft to the touch and are easily vacuumed and cleaned; I wish all my floors were covered in these rugs.”

Others highlighted how the design is truly non-slip, with a shopper sharing that you “don’t have to worry about them slipping” thanks to the “durable” rubber backing.

Related: Amazon’s $10 15-Piece Organizer Bins Set Is a ‘Must for Bathrooms, Offices, and Junk Drawers’

A softer step is just one click away. Grab the Findosom 3-Piece Bathroom Rug Set for $20 at Walmart while this 64%-off flash deal lasts!

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Before he was Odysseus struggling to get home and Jason Bourne trying to understand his identity, Matt Damon was a jobbing actor trying to find his big break.

Yet, Matt Damon turned down the chance to appear in a Sam Raimi-directed Western starring Gene Hackman and Russell Crowe. The young actor decided that The Quick and the Dead wasn't the career trajectory he wanted.

In 1995, before his Oscar win for co-writingGood Will Hunting, Damon had appeared in Walter Hill's 1993 historical Western Geronimo: An American Legend, which also starred Hackman and Robert Duvall.

According to Slash Film, Tri-Star offered Damon $250,000 to appear in Raimi's Western, but he was not interested. "I want the kind of career Robert Duvall has. I don't feel [that] chasing movies like this is going to lead to a 40-year career. I'd rather be broke," Damon boldly claimed.

Ironically, the actor who took on the role became as big a star as Damon, possibly more so. Leonardo DiCaprio took on the role of Fee "The Kid" Herod after the Interstellar actor passed. The young boy is convinced that the sadistic mayor, played by Gene Hackman, is his father.

According to The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi, Sam Rockwell also auditioned for the role of The Kid. DiCaprio and Damon would later go on to star in Martin Scorsese's 2006 crime thriller The Departed together.

“This kid named Leonardo DiCaprio was the only one who nailed the audition, in my opinion: he was the only one who came in and cried, begging his father to love him as he died in the scene,” Sharon Stone wrote, per Perisphere. “The studio said if I wanted him so much, I could pay him out of my own salary. So I did.”

Sharon Stone on the set of The Quick and the Dead directed by Sam Raimi. (Photo by Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

The Quick and the Dead took the classic Sergio Leone Western genre and turned it on its head, having Sharon Stone as the gunslinger. When she arrives at the town of Redemption in 1881, she finds it under the control of an evil mayor.

Despite Damon's reservations, The Quick and the Dead made $47.2 million on a $32 million budget. While it wasn't a massive hit at the time, it has become a cult classic, mainly thanks to its memorable final shootout.

Related: Matt Damon Knows His 2016 Film Is Bad, and So Does His Daughter

It happened! The first-ever World Cup Final halftime show is in the books. And fans (of both music and soccer) have plenty to say about it.

Who performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show? Coldplay and The Muppets perform during the half time show for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

The star-studded event was packed with performances galore. Seriously. If you were expecting a Super Bowl-ish show, you were in for a surprise. Instead of one performer and a few special cameos, this was a mash-up of fan favorites, includingMadonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, BTS, conductor Gustavo Dudamel with the musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and the PS22 Chorus featuring members of Coldplay.

Shakira and Burna Boy perform. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

But there’s more. Ronaldo and Ronaldinho joined Madonna, the Muppets (yes, those Muppets) rocked MetLife Stadium, joining an orchestral performance of ‘Seven Nation Army,’ and Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) and Willis Bears (Brendan Hunt) introduced Justin Bieber. 

What did fans think of the World Cup halftime performers?

Of course, the Internet has plenty to say about the World Cup final halftime show. Cue the critics…and the backlash. 

Immediately after the show, negative comments dominated Reddit threads. Commenters complained, “There was just too much going on. For me, if it had been Madonna, BTS, and Shakira, it would have been fine”, “Bad song choice for Justin,” and “That was so dull.” One Reddit user even wrote, “Hate hate hate hate HAAAAAATE it, may we never witness bu****** like this ever again,” while another asked, “What in the fever dream was that?”

Jin of BTS performs. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

But others applauded the event, writing, “Madonna and Shakira straight up carried”, “One positive thing, the Muppets were good,” and “The kids dancing with Shakira were cool.” 

Things didn't get better on other Reddit threads. Critics piled on the hate: “It was horrible. I can’t believe I had to sit through it,” and “I feel like my time was wasted.” 

Despite the backlash, some fans actually enjoyed the show. In contrast to the critics, one commenter wrote, “Probably an unpopular opinion but I thought it was great. Performers from around the world. Great message,” and “I loved it, hope they keep it going forward…helps make it more special and more entertaining.” 

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The reviews were also divided on Instagram. When House of Highlights posted pics of the half-time show, critics fired back with, “Might be the biggest snoozefest of a halftime show” and, “Never again should this happen.”

Some fans voiced (or rather, wrote) their support with comments like “Honestly, I thought it was incredible.”

What’s the verdict on the first World Cup final halftime show?

Gut reactions were not good. But that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone hated the show as a whole. While the critics did come out en masse, some fans backed up the performers and clapped back as steadfast supporters.

2016's The Great Wall is a bad film, and Matt Damon knows this. And if he didn't, his daughter would have reminded him.

A guest on a 2021 episode of Marc Maron‘s WTF podcast, The Odyssey actor admitted that his then-teenage daughter loves to give him a hard time for his less-than-stellar films.

“She’s playfully hard on me. She doesn’t go to see my movies on purpose, the ones she thinks might be good. She crushes me on the ones that don’t work,” the father of four told the comic.

One of those films was the 2016 poorly received and box office flop The Great Wall. “Whenever she talks about the movie, she calls it ‘The Wall.’ And I’m like, come on, it’s called TheGreatWall. And she’s like, ‘Dad, there’s nothing great about that movie.’ She’s one of the funniest people I know.”

He doesn't disagree with her. Damon admits he knew it would be bad once he learned that Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou had bowed to pressure from Hollywood backers, sacrificing his vision. He explained: “It doesn’t cohere. It doesn’t work as a movie.”

Pedro Pascal, director Zhang Yimou, actress Jing Tian and Matt Damon attend the premiere of Universal Pictures' "The Great Wall," February 15, 2017, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. / AFP / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

That didn't make the idea of filming a movie you know would be hated any easier. "I came to consider that the definition of a professional actor; knowing you’re in a turkey and going, ‘OK, I’ve got four more months. It’s the up at dawn siege on Hamburger Hill," he said.

"I am definitely going to die here, but I’m doing it,'” he said. “That’s as shitty as you can feel creatively, I think. I hope to never have that feeling again,” he added on the podcast.

The Controversy Behind 2016's 'The Great Wall'

The Great Wall wasn't just a box office flop, it also caused controversy. The movie saw Damon play a European mercenary warrior who helps the Chinese fight off an alien invasion.

The Bourne Identity actor admitted that he didn't consider the racial subtext and stereotypes when reading the script. “I saw the movie as the exact same plot as Lawrence of Arabia, Dances with Wolves, [and] Avatar. It’s an outsider comes into a new culture, finds value in the culture, brings some skill from the outside that aids them in their fight against whatever and they’re all changed forever.”

Luckily, his daughter has a much better response to his recent movie, Christopher Nolan's epic adaptation of Homer'sThe Odyssey.

 “She saw The Odyssey, and at the end of it, she actually turned to me, and she said, ‘Dad, I’m proud of you,'” Damon told PEOPLE. “She’s never said anything like that because we joke around a lot, and so at that point, I was like, ‘I’m good,'” he said. “It was all worth it.”