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Kevin Spacey is speaking out about how Hollywood is welcoming him back after his sexual assault trials.

The acclaimed actor, 66, who scored Oscars for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, was famously fired from Netflix’s House of Cards after facing accusations of sexual misconduct and harassment. But in a new appearance on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, Spacey says Hollywood is ready for his return.

“I feel much more welcomed, and I think that things are moving in the direction that we hoped they were moving in,” Spacey said, Variety reported.

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However, Maher directly questioned Spacey about the variety of allegations and the subsequent trials.

“I’m not going to lie to you, I go by numbers with scandals,” Maher said. “If it’s like one person, I’m always like, I don’t know if I wasn’t in the room.” He added that in Spacey’s case, “There’s too much smoke to be no fire.”

In response, Spacey said, “I never said there was no fire. It just wasn’t a raging forest fire. It was a small kitchen fire that could have been put out with an extinguisher.” He added that he “hit on a lot of guys.”

Noting that he has won “in every court we’ve gone into with a jury,” Spacey said the allegations contain partial truths.

“There are certain cases where part of something is true, but it’s been rethought, it’s been redesigned, or it’s been entirely made up, certainly in the case of Anthony Rapp, which is a case that we won in federal court in New York,” Spacey said.

Maher made it clear that Spacey "should have gotten some punishment," but noted that Spacey had “paid a lot” for his offenses.

Is Kevin Spacey Still Working?

Yes. Back in May, Deadline announced that Spacey has signed on to lead a World War 2 drama titled Melodies in the Forest. He will play the role of Petr Novotni, an 85-year-old world-renowned conductor whose buried wartime past violently resurfaces.

Related: Jorma Taccone Isn’t the Only ‘SNL’ Alum With an Awkward Kevin Spacey Story

Katy Perry is "just as unhappy" as her fans are to have been forced to cancel her set at Belgium’s Werchter Boutique festival over the weekend.

Just hours before the "Watch It Burn" artist, 41, was set to take the stage at Festivalpark Werchter on Saturday, June 27, the show was canceled, with organizers citing severe weather and a government-issued emergency warning as their reasons.

Perry was quick to address the cancellation in a statement on Instagram, posting a photo of herself outside of the venue wearing a robe and smoking a cigarette. "Sadly my set @WerchterBoutique tonight can’t happen due to a government mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns," the pop star began.

"I was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice," Perry went on. "I am just as unhappy as you are. Unfortunately this is beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost."

She concluded: "I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight. I was looking forward to being back after 17 years, I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all, and please get home safe."

Perry, who was originally scheduled to headline the festival, also shared the official statement from the organizers on her page, which confirmed that the event would end early following a performance from Pitbull.

"This decision was taken in response to the weather forecast, which predicts severe thunderstorms from midnight onwards at the earliest. The governor of Flemish Brabant has also issued a be-alert in this regard," the statement read. "By bringing the festival to a close early, we can ensure that the exit of visitors will proceed in a safe and orderly manner, allowing everyone to return home calmly. The safety and health of everyone present is always our top priority."

Aniya Harvey and KC Chandler's reunion after Casa Amor was tense. He brought Tierra "Titi" Davis back and Aniya chose to stay single.

KC, 23, claimed he treated Aniya, 23, well, but he was never chosen. Aniya reminded him that she chose him in recent recoupling ceremonies. The situation got worse in the following episode.

Spoiler alert for Love Island USA Season 8 Episode 23!

'Love Island USA' Fans Say They Cried Watching Aniya's Breakdown Jaiden Bacciocco, Caleb McDaniel, Parmida Keshani, Aniya Harvey, and Melanie Moreno on 'Love Island USA'

Ben Symons/Peacock

A viewer started a Reddit thread to say Aniya's emotional reaction was valid and other fans shared their thoughts. "Because if I already was upset and felt humiliated, then I turned around to see everyone LAUGHING and MOCKING me," the original poster wrote. "I would've been crying for days like nobody would've seen me. Aniya is so strong."

"No that was HARD to watch. If all those people were laughing at me idk if I could have accepted an apology …it was really sickening to watch on TV," one comment reads.

"One of my biggest fears is being publicly humiliated, so Aniya hearing people laughing as she walked off made me emotional for her. I did get a little teary," a viewer wrote.

"I literally started crying while watching this episode…. It breaks my heart," a fan simply put.

Others understood Aniya wanting to quit. "She's stronger than me, I would have jumped into the ocean and tried to swim home at that point," another comment reads.

"No [I] would’ve been on the first flight home," another fan admitted.

Related: Alannah Keyser of ‘Love Island USA’ Speaks Out After Exit for Racial Slur Video

What Did Parmida Say About Aniya on 'Love Island USA'? Parmida Keshani, Corbin Mims on 'Love Island USA'

Ben Symons/Peacock

Episode 23 started with Aniya walking toward the daybeds with Melanie Moreno, Jen Terry, Trinity Tatum, and Kenzie Annis. The rest of the cast was at the bonfire.

"I want to go home," she told the girls.

"No!" they responded.

"He doesn't even care to have another conversation with me," she continued. "He wrote me off. I want to--I don't even want to be here. I feel so stupid."

Parmida Keshanitold Corbin Mims and KC her thoughts on the villa women's reactions. "Ya'll be acting like y'all f--king married in two days," the 27-year-old personal trainer said. Tierra, 25, and Corbin, 22, laughed.

Zach Georgiou said the vibe was better in Casa Amor. "It's because we're not f--king 21 and 22," Parmida replied. She said the other women weren't "grown."

Aniya looked toward them. "They're f--king laughing," she told Melanie as they walked back to the villa. "This sh-t is a f--king joke. They're f--king laughing."

This made her mad and more upset. She asked to go home as she took off her shoes, then got on her knees. Melanie reminded Aniya to breathe and started encouraging her.

The episode ended on a lighter note with Megan Thee Stallion hosting a competition. She then revealed America voted for Carl Lee Schmidt and Amora Robinson from Casa Amore to enter the villa.

Related: ‘Love Island USA’: Carl Defends Trinity After Recoupling Argument With Tierra

With the opening of the new Highmark Stadium on the horizon, NFL's Buffalo Bills have officially revealed that they won't be honoring their former running back O.J. Simpson in any capacity.

According to People magazine, the Bills will honor a number of iconic players closely tied to the franchise in its new family circle year that focuses on the history of the famed NFL fame. However, one notable name that won't be featured anywhere in the display is O.J. Simpson, who played nine out of 11 seasons in the NFL with the Bills as the team's premier player.

“We have made an organizational decision that he is not a fit to display inside our new stadium and family circle,” said Bills COO Pete Guelli in a statement shared with People.

Despite his impressive performance on the field, Simpson remains more readily known for his controversial personal life, including his highly publicized 1995 murder trial in which he was acquitted for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman.

Originally, Simpson was the first name featured on the Bills' Walk of Fame, his name continuing to hang on display even after his arrest and related trial. Similarly, Simpson's name has remained in the Pro Football Hall of Fame since his induction in 1983.

So far, the Bills have revealed that Simpson's name is "likely the only" from the old stadium that won't make the transition to Highmark Stadium's new display.

The Bills' new stadium officially held its opening ceremony earlier this month on June 23, with its first regular-season game set to take place on September 17 against the Detroit Lions.

The cost of the new stadium is estimated at around $2.1 billion. Previously, the Bills had called Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium its home venue from 1973 until 2025. Since January 4 of this year, "The Ralph" has shut down, with its scheduled demolition expected to take place in 2026 or 2027.

Willie Nelson is known as one of the most peaceful human beings in country music.

But, shockingly, did you know that his most infamous nickname came from an actual gunfight he was involved in?

The legend begins in the late 1960s at Ridgetop, Willie's home just outside Nashville, on what was supposed to be a day like any other day. It definitely wasn't. On that particular day, Willie found out that his beloved daughter Lana was being abused by her husband Steve. Willie was not happy and did not take this news well.

"I ran for my truck and drove to the place where Steve and Lana lived and slapped Steve around," Willie recalled. "He really pissed me off. I told him if he ever laid a hand on Lana again, I would come back and drown his ass."

Willie got back in his truck and drove home. Unfortunately, Steve followed.

That was a questionable choice on Steve’s part.

"No sooner did I get back to Ridgetop than here came Steve in his car, shooting at the house with a .22 rifle," Willie recalled. "I was standing in the door of the barn and a bullet tore up the wood 2 feet from my head. I grabbed an M-1 rifle and shot at Steve's car. Steve made one pass and took off."

If Steve thought that was the end of it, he didn't know Willie very well.

Willie went back to confront his son-in-law, only to find that Steve had grabbed his young son and disappeared. Lana warned Willie that Steve was planning to finish what he started. So Willie drove back to Ridgetop, parked his truck and laid in wait.

Related: 1991 IRS Auction, Willie Nelson Lost Everything, Nobody Expected What Came Next

"Thinking Steve would come to Ridgetop to pick me off about dusk, I hid in the truck so he couldn't tell if I was home," Willie said. "I had my M-1 and a shotgun."

Just as expected, Steve showed up at Willie’s house. He looked around the property, decided Willie wasn't home, and started to drive away.

Just then, Willie came out guns ablazing - shooting.

The shotgun took out one of Steve's tires. Steve, apparently not properly assessing his situation, called the police.

When the officers arrived to look at the bullet-riddled car, Willie kept things simple.

"Instead of explaining the whole damn mess, the beatings and the semi-kidnapping and shooting and all, I told the officers he must have run over the bullet," Willie said. "The police didn't want to get involved in hillbilly family fights. They wrote down what I told them in their report and took off."

And that, more or less, was that.

The Song That Named a Legend

That night, Willie found himself in a hotel room with a new record deal, a new label, a new manager and a whole lot to prove.

Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler had handed Willie something almost never heard of in country music at the time: total creative freedom. No rules. No Nashville machine telling him what would sell and what wouldn’t. Just Willie and whatever magic that came out of him.

The pressure, it turns out, was still very much there.

"I liked the words, but I also felt the pressure," Willie wrote in his 2015 memoir. "I needed at least two or three new songs to justify Wexler's faith in me. I needed to come up with something quick."

He ended up in the hotel bathroom and right next to the toilet was a dispenser for sanitary napkin bags. Inspiration struck. Willie took one out, found a pencil in his pocket and started scribbling. The first lyric he put down was "Shotgun Willie sits around in his underwear."

The irony was that at that exact moment, he was precisely doing that.

"The words came tumbling out," he said.

He was convinced nobody would get what he'd written. "Wasn't much more than a variation on a twelve-bar blues," Willie said. "I figured the words wouldn't make much sense to anyone except me."

Photo by Michael Putland on Getty Images

The first verse drew on the shootout. The second verse, he freely admitted, was just stalling for time while he figured out what the third verse was going to be. But when it came, he brought in John T. Floore, owner of a famous honky-tonk outside San Antonio where Willie had played many times. The fact that Floore had once supplied the Ku Klux Klan with sheets was the kind of detail most Nashville songwriters wouldn’t have touched with someone else’s ten foot pole.

Not Willie. He put it right there in the third verse.

When he finally played it for Wexler, he braced for confusion and the inevitable push back.

"I think you're brilliant!" Wexler told him. "Let's cut it. Lay down another bunch of songs and we'll call the record 'Shotgun Willie.'"

In Nashville, you did things a certain way and followed the rules. At Atlantic, you wrote songs on sanitary napkin wrappers in hotel bathrooms if that's when inspiration struck. The difference between those two worlds is what ‘Outlaw country’ was.

The album peaked at No. 41 on the country albums chart and sold poorly when it first came out. It was one of the first country records ever made entirely outside Nashville's studio system, which was exactly the point. Willie referred to the experience as "clearing his throat."

"Wexler's attitude really pumped me up," Willie wrote. "The atmosphere was right. Whereas Nashville had always been uptight about musicians smoking dope in the studio, Atlantic didn't give a shit. I felt free to tap into my imagination, no holds barred."

The nickname stuck and an ‘outlaw’ was born.

Fifty-three years later, Willie Nelson turned 93 in April 2026 and put out Dream Chaser, his 79th studio album, in May. He's out on the road with the Outlaw Music Festival through August.

And Farm Aid 2026 is scheduled for September 26 in Virginia Beach. The same people who once bought his Texas ranch back from the IRS and handed it back to him are still at it.

The most peaceful man in country music earned his outlaw credentials the old-fashioned way.

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For anyone preparing to board a Mediterranean cruise or embark on a guided tour of the Greek islands, a recent wave of headlines regarding an invasive fish species might have popped up on your radar. Reports have surfaced detailing a toxic influx of silver-cheeked toadfish making their way into local waters, prompting public health warnings and even government bounties for fishermen.

However, before you consider adjusting your coastal itineraries or skipping those pristine excursions on Crete, authorities are assuring visitors that there's little cause for concern. For the vast majority of travelers, the situation requires standard situational awareness rather than a change of travel plans.

Related: The 'Sicilian Summer' Trend Is Huge—But These 4 Greek Islands Are Half the Price

The Real Reason Behind This Strange Marine Migration

The silver-cheeked toadfish is not native to the Mediterranean. As reported by The Independent, marine biologists believe these torpedo-shaped fish originally traveled from tropical environments up through the Suez Canal. Attracted by steadily warming sea temperatures, they have established a stronger presence in the region, prompting coastal management responses in both Cyprus and Greece.

The species is visually distinct due to its prominent, human-like teeth and belongs to the pufferfish family. This invasive species brings a double whammy of trouble. It carries a powerful neurotoxin within its skin and internal organs that can cause severe cardiac complications if eaten, and its powerful bite can damage commercial equipment. Local fishing crews have documented the fish biting through heavy-bunt nets and aluminum cans, illustrating the pressure they are placing on the regional maritime economy.

Related: This Mediterranean Country Has More of the World's Best Beaches Than Any Other

The Real Risk for Coastal Tourists

While the biological facts sound intense, the actual risk to the average resort guest, cruiser, or shore-excursion swimmer remains remarkably low. Greek authorities have explicitly noted that these fish are primarily an offshore operational hazard for commercial fishermen rather than a shoreline threat. According to data tracked by The Independent, there have been no confirmed sightings of the species within the designated, shallow bathing zones of major Greek island resorts.

There has been isolated media coverage of a swimmer requiring medical attention and stitches after an encounter near Athens, which prompted the Greek Red Cross to release basic first-aid protocols for marine bites. However, local tourism and medical boards are actively encouraging travelers to view the situation with perspective. In a joint statement obtained by The Independent, a coalition of 16 medical and tourism associations on the island of Crete addressed the public concern directly: “The presence of these fish in the Mediterranean has been known for years. There is, however, no 'invisible' or imminent danger to bathers. Marine predators do not threaten the safety of visitors and residents. Exaggeration is often a feature of public debate.”

Related: The Greek Islands, Hotels and 'Secret' Beaches Chef Suzy Karadsheh Is Loving Right Now

Government Intervention and Smart Travel Practices

To help manage the problem, the Greek government is actively paying commercial fishing crews a bounty of about $6 per kilogram to catch the fish and remove them from the ecosystem entirely. If you're traveling through Greece via cruise ship or land tour, staying safe boils down to a few highly practical, common-sense practices:

• Choose Managed Excursions: Cruise lines and established tour operators vet their private beach arrivals and snorkeling spots carefully. Stick to designated, high-traffic swimming areas recommended by your ship's shore excursion desk or local guides.
• Leave the Seafood Prep to the Professionals: Because the neurotoxin is entirely internal, the fish is only lethal if ingested. Avoid buying raw catch directly from independent docks to cook yourself. Stick to established tavernas and restaurants where professional chefs understand local fish varieties perfectly.
• Keep Your Distance from Fishing Gear: If you wander past local docks or watch crews bringing in their daily catches, give the nets a wide berth. The toadfish is currently causing headaches for fishermen precisely because it gets tangled in their daily hauls.

Ultimately, Greece remains a remarkably safe, spectacular destination for summer travel. By staying informed and relying on local expertise, you can enjoy the Aegean Sea with complete peace of mind.

Related: We’re Living Vicariously Through These First Photos of Royal Caribbean's Stunning New Beach Club in Greece

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Summer is finally in full swing! If you're planning on hosting a 4th of July barbecue or any other warm weather gatherings, you'll want to get your yard, garden, or patio looking its best. Walmart's latest decor find is an easy way to add some gorgeous ambient lighting to your space, and it's now on sale for nearly 50% off. For a limited time, the top-rated ExcMark Solar Light 10-Pack is available for just $30, down from $55.

All six color combinations are currently marked down to the same discounted price. You can shop the glossy black set with cool white, warm white, or multicolored bulbs, the brown set with warm white or cool white bulbs, or the matte black set with cool white lights. 

ExcMark Solar Light 10-Pack, $30 (was $55) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

No matter which color you opt for, these solar lights will help brighten up your space for all your outdoor gatherings, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere wherever you place them. Just imagine seeing the stakes light up as the sun fades during a 4th of July party or during an al fresco evening dinner. It's a seriously easy backyard upgrade for all your summer plans.

They have a simple, sleek design that's versatile enough to use in a variety of spots, including patios, gardens, walkways, decks, and more. They're also easy to operate, with a sensor that automatically turns on at sunset and off at sunrise. 

Featuring an IP44 rating, the ExcMark solar lights are built to withstand all types of weather conditions, including rain, snow, sleet, and thunder. Thanks to their wireless design, they can be installed in just a matter of minutes. Each light is durable, water-resistant, and features a rechargeable battery that powers up in the sunlight and remains lit for six to eight hours once fully charged. 

These solar pathway lights are a Walmart bestseller for a reason, earning over 3,200 five-star ratings from shoppers. One reviewer said they're " bright" and "beautiful," while another called them "so pretty" at night. A third buyer highlighted the set's impressive quality, noting that it looks "very elegant" placed along their walkway. 

Shop More Deals

• ExcMark Solar Lights 10-Pack, $34 (was $50) at Walmart
• Beatineon Outdoor String Lights, $40 at Walmart
• Szrsth Outdoor Solar Light, $50 (was $163) at Walmart

Related: Walmart Has a 'Sturdy and Durable' Outdoor Storage Shed for Just $110 That's Perfect for Small Backyards

If you’ve been looking for a simple and affordable way to spruce your outdoor space for warm-weather season, now's your chance to score a great discount. Grab this highly rated solar light 10-pack for under $30 before this flash deal ends at Walmart.  

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

Leave it to Joan Collins to turn a heatwave into a photo op.

The Hollywood legend is keeping cool in St. Tropez this week, glamour fully intact at 93.

The Dynasty icon looked radiant as she cooled off in the pool alongside her husband, producer Percy Gibson, 61, during a sun-soaked getaway in St. Tropez. 

Sharing the moment on Instagram, the 60s icon posed in a black-and-white striped one-piece, finished with a straw hat, a silver heart-shaped necklace and sunglasses, an iced coffee in hand and a smile for the camera.

View this post on Instagram

One photo showed Gibson wrapping a towel around her as she stepped out of the water, another caught them relaxing side by side on a daybed, and a final shot featured Collins in a breezy white-and-blue patterned dress.

"Beating the heat in St. Tropez!" she wrote. "When it's 33C (92F) in the South of France it's best to rely on hand fans, sunglasses, and lots of water! Nevertheless we are having a good time."

Fans quickly flooded the comments section with praise, marveling at Collins' timeless elegance and positive outlook.

"Chic, as always! ❤️" one person wrote. Another commented, "You have perfected the art of aging with beauty, style and elegance ❤️ Thank you for your inspiration… Cheers 🥂."

A third admirer added, "Joan you are so lovely. You don't show off, you are really natural… A genuine lady who does not need airs and graces. It all comes natural."

Another fan summed up the mood, writing, "Looking great 🔥 Chic as always darlin'… your beauty is always in season!"

When asked about the secret to her seemingly endless energy, Collins often points to one thing first: a simple, sensible approach to food.

Talking about late-night snacking in an interview with HELLO!, she didn't hesitate. 

"Never, not before I go to bed," she said. "I believe our body is a factory; it needs to be fed the right things. If you have a great car, you don't put inferior petrol into it. I'm very fussy about what I eat."

Exercise plays its part too, though she keeps it refreshingly simple. "I work out with my trainer a couple of times a week," she told The Telegraph in May 2026.

"Just basic Pilates-type exercises rather than using one of those Pilates machines." Walking, on the other hand, is where she draws the line. "It bores me," she admitted. "I'll walk around my apartment tweaking the flowers, but that's about it."

More than any single routine, though, Collins credits her outlook.

Actress Joan Collins Reclining with Cigarette

Getty

Speaking with The Independent at Variety's Women of Power event, the Emmy nominee said gratitude is the real secret. 

"I just love life," she said. "I wake up every morning and breathe the air, try to get a good night's sleep, drink lots of water and take care of myself."

If your grocery budget has you making regular Aldi runs, there's a good chance another store could soon be opening nearby.

The discount grocery chain is continuing its rapid expansion across the U.S., with four new locations set to open in Florida and Georgia in the coming months. But the additions are just a small piece of Aldi's much larger growth strategy as it works toward opening more than 180 new stores nationwide by the end of 2026.

Where are Aldi's new stores opening?

The next wave of Aldi locations will bring three stores to Florida and one to Georgia.

Florida shoppers can look forward to new stores in:

• Jacksonville (open now)
• Hobe Sound (summer 2026)
• Williston (later this year)

Meanwhile, Georgia will welcome a new Aldi in Douglas which is rumored to open on July 2.

Aldi's expansion is just getting started

As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary in the United States, it plans to open more than 180 stores across 31 states during 2026, according to a press release from January. By the end of the year, Aldi expects to operate nearly 2,800 stores nationwide as it works toward a long-term goal of 3,200 locations by the end of 2028.

"One in three U.S. households shopped at ALDI this past year, and in 2026 we're focused on making it even easier for customers to shop our aisles first," Aldi U.S. CEO Atty McGrath said in a statement. "That means bringing ALDI to even more neighborhoods, upgrading our website and planning additional distribution centers to keep our shelves stocked with the products our shoppers love."

What's next for Aldi?

Beyond the four upcoming stores, Aldi has even bigger plans on the horizon.

The grocer will enter Colorado for the first time within the next five years, beginning with more than 50 stores across the Denver and Colorado Springs markets. It's also continuing to expand throughout the Southeast, converting additional Southeastern Grocers locations into Aldi stores, while adding new distribution centers in Florida, Arizona, and Colorado to support its growing footprint.

Related: Buc-ee's Announces 15 New Store Locations: Is One Opening Near You?

When Barnes & Noble recently asked bestselling authors to name the Great American Novel, one of the world's most successful writers didn't hesitate.

James Patterson chose Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove," the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1985 Western that has captivated readers for four decades.

"If I had to recommend one Great American Novel, Larry McMurtry's 'Lonesome Dove' would be high on my list," Patterson wrote. "It's got everything I love as a reader: unforgettable characters, a huge sense of adventure, humor, heartbreak, and a story that never lets go of you."

He continued, "McMurtry takes the mythology of the American West and fills it with real people who are complicated, funny, brave, and flawed. It's one of those rare novels that's both epic in scope and deeply personal, and that's a hard combination to pull off."

Published in 1985, "Lonesome Dove" follows retired Texas Rangers Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow F. Call as they undertake a dangerous cattle drive from Texas to Montana in the fading days of the Old West. Along the way, McMurtry weaves together stories of friendship, love, sacrifice, loss and survival, creating what many readers consider one of the defining American novels of the modern era.

The novel became an immediate bestseller and won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, cementing McMurtry's reputation as one of America's most celebrated novelists. Critics praised its sweeping scope, richly drawn characters and ability to elevate the Western beyond familiar genre conventions.

Its reputation has only grown with time.

Stephen King has called "Lonesome Dove" his favorite book, while USA Today famously declared, "If you read only one western novel in your life, read Lonesome Dove."

The story reached an even broader audience in 1989 with CBS's acclaimed television adaptation starring Robert Duvall as Gus McCrae and Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow F. Call. The four-part miniseries became one of television's biggest events, drawing millions of viewers and winning seven Emmy Awards along with two Golden Globes, including Best Miniseries.

McMurtry later expanded the saga with the sequel "Streets of Laredo" and the prequels "Dead Man's Walk" and "Comanche Moon," but many readers still consider "Lonesome Dove" the crown jewel of the series.

Forty years after its publication, the novel continues to find new readers while inspiring some of today's biggest authors. Patterson's selection serves as another reminder that "Lonesome Dove" isn't simply a classic Western. For many readers, it's one of the finest American novels ever written.

Related: Barnes & Noble Just Crowned Its 2026 Discover Prize Winner

Prince William is opening up about the private life of his grandmotherQueen Elizabeth II in an initiative to inspire others to share their memories of the late monarch.

"Whilst I had the privilege to know the late Queen better than most, some of my fondest memories of my grandmother are from here in Windsor," he said, introducing a new feature of the Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial. "I remember many a quiet afternoon having tea with her and my grandfather at the castle, chatting, sharing stories, and seeing how completely at ease she was here, surrounded by family and her much loved dogs and horses. To this day, she's given me a love of tea time that I never knew I needed."

View this post on Instagram

"Watching her ride her horses in the great park, even well into her later years, showed a side of Granny the world didn't often see, off duty, relaxed, and utterly at home," he continued. "These moments with my grandmother are ones I'll always hold dear."

The feature on Queen Elizabeth's official memorial site will allow "members of the public and those who knew her" to share their own memories according to the official announcement. The site will also feature her royal schedule from her reign of 1952 to 2022.  

While the post encouraged followers to go to the site and share stories, hundreds couldn't help but share their support for the future King as well as share a memory directly in the comments.

"I was at a car show on Windsor long walk, and as we were driving in to park, we were stopped by the police to allow your grandmother our wonderful Queen to cross over in front of us to go riding on her horse," they said. "It was an amazing sight and felt so privileged to watch the joy she had riding."

"My mother and I saw her on Canada Day in Ottawa, that was an amazing moment," another added.

Related: Resurfaced Footage After Queen Elizabeth’s Death Is ‘Still Heartbreaking’

Others commented on how proud she would be of her grandson.

"I am sure your grandparents are very proud of you and yours," a commenter said, also referring to his late grandfather Prince Philip. "You must have been a great comfort to your grandmother and grandfather."

"Our beloved Queen never forgotten," another said. "She would have been very proud of you William and your beautiful wife and family."

While it'll be four years in September since the UK's longest-reigning monarch died, supporters as well as tourists can keep her memory alive in trips to London as the Queen's outfits are on display at The King's Gallery in Buckingham Palace.

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Louis C.K. made a rare public appearance over the weekend to support Bill Maher as he received the Kennedy Center‘s Mark Twain Prize.

C.K., 58, a six-time Emmy Award winner who famously faced major career struggles in 2017 after several women accused him of sexual misconduct, was joined by fellow comedians like Jay Leno and politicians like Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Sen. John Fetterman for the big event, Deadline reported. Sporting gray hair and a matching gray beard, C.K. watched from above alongside Leno as Maher received the major comedic honor. Wearing a black suit and glasses, C.K. checked out the scene.

Photo by Shannon Finney on Getty Images

A tarp was on the facade that conceals most of the building's name, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, at the big event.

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Where Has Louis C.K. Been?

After the New York Times published a major article where five women accused C.K. of sexual misconduct, the actor and comedian faced the "cancellation" that led to the loss of millions of dollars and his film, I Love You, Daddy, being pulled from release.

In response to the allegations, C.K. confirmed them.

"These stories are true," he said in a statement. "… The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly." 

However, getting "canceled" didn't end the star's career. After a couple of years of lying low, he soon returned to a successful standup comedy career and embarked on an international tour in 2019. He even won a Grammy in 2022 for his comedy album, Sincerely, Louis C.K.

His 2025 debut novel, Ingram, went on to become a New York Times bestseller. That year, C.K. appeared on Maher's show, Real Time with Bill Maher, to promote the book.

View this post on Instagram What's Next for Louis C.K.?

Louis C.K.'s new comedy special, Ridiculous, debuts on Netflix on June 30. It marks his first stand-up special released by a major distributor since 2017, Variety shared. He has released several specials independently.

Check out the trailer for Ridiculous below:

Related: This 'Canceled' Comedian Returns to Netflix With New Special and Headlining Show

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Layla Taylor is living her truth as a bisexual woman.

The Hulu reality personality, 25, came out as bisexual during the Monday, June 29, episode of the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, revealing that she's dating a woman following her split with Mason McWhorter.

"It’s just something that I honestly didn’t really know how to formally address for a long period of my life. … I’m gay and I’m bi and date women and men," Taylor announced during the podcast.

Taylor said she wasn't ready to embrace her sexuality for a long time as someone who "didn't fit in for a lot of reasons" growing up.

"I grew up in a very predominantly white area, and being a little Black girl, I already stood out so much to my peers and took that on a lot more than I feel like I realized," she explained. "I always had these thoughts, and I kind of laugh about it now because I would be watching shows like Pretty Little Liars, and I would watch Shay Mitchell kissing a girl. I was like, 'Wait, why is that hot?'"

Taylor said she "didn't know what those feelings were" due to a lack of queer representation in her life. "It wasn’t necessarily that I had parents, or I was Mormon at one point," she explained, "but I didn’t necessarily have that pressure to not do that. I just didn’t have people around me that modeled that."

The reality personality thought her feelings were possibly "just a phase" before she went on to marry her now-ex-husband, Clayton Wessell, with whom she shares two sons. Her recent breakup with McWhorter helped Taylor "authentically focus" on herself, however, which led to her decision to come out.

"I just feel like I’m finally in the era that I’m over not being truly myself and I’m over not showing every part of Layla to the world. I’m very proud now to be out," she said.

Taylor also revealed that she's currently dating a woman after they connected on social media. Praising her mystery woman, who was not named during the podcast, Taylor gushed, "I feel like at least who I’m talking to right now, she’s just been very understanding and letting me take this at my own pace because it is just still foreign to me and it is so new."

Earlier this year, Last Week Tonight star John Oliver shared his love for General Hospital after watching a scene of Stephen A. Smith (Brick) save the day. The Emmy winner appeared on his show and offered his services to the soap world, and now General Hospital has written him in and given fans a first look at his “significant” role.

The official General Hospital YouTube channel posted a promo for this week, June 29, 2026, through July 3, 2026.

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In the promo, viewers see Oliver surrounded by men with guns, looking very menacing.

After seeing the promo, some fans have theorized that Oliver may be playing the mysterious “Z”, the head of the WSB (World Security Bureau).

Not much is known about who “Z” is, but Valentin Cassadine went to him for support in taking down the looming threat of Cullum and to help protect Josslyn Jacks.

While nobody knows what the “Z” stands for, fans have speculated and pointed out the fun connection between John Oliver and the letter “Z,” given his role as Zazu in the live-action Disney remake of The Lion King.

Oliver’s episodes are expected to air over three days: Thursday, July 2; Friday, July 3; and Monday, July 6.

Elsewhere in the promo, Carly is confronted by Callum and his agents as they search for Josslyn.

Obrecht explains to Josslyn that she has finished her work on the prototype.

Felecia’s voice is heard explaining that Nathan isn’t who he says he is, while Cody sees Caccias and James having a ‘father and son’ day.

Fans took to the comment section on YouTube to celebrate their excitement for the week. “This going to be an epic and interesting week,” wrote one fan.

A second viewer added that “Carly really is hard headed that woman will never learn.”

While a third shared how excited they were for John Olivers appearance. “It happened!? Stephen A and now Jon Oliver?! I LOVE GH!!

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams weekdays on Hulu.

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Sandals are a warm weather staple for a reason — they keep things cool and comfortable whether you're at the beach, on vacation or just out and about. If you need a sporty pair that still looks cute, the Clarks Arla Shore Sandals are worth a look. 

Part of Clarks' Cloudsteppers collection, these sandals feature soft cushioning, a sweet knotted bow detail at the toe, and an ankle strap for extra support. Shoppers are fans, too. One called them "so comfortable, like walking on a cloud," while another said they were the "best walking sandals ever." Right now, they’re on sale at Amazon for up to 56% off, bringing the price down to as low as $31 from $70. 

Clarks Arla Shore Athletic Sandals, From $31 (was $70) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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They come in classic navy and black and sizes 5 through 12. Prices vary slightly by color and size, but you won't pay more than $40 for any combo, so it’s a solid deal no matter what!

These sandals are designed to feel light and comfortable, making them a reliable option for all-day wear. Instead of a heel, there’s a 1.5-inch sole that gives just a tiny lift without sacrificing comfort. Built with high-density foam and a lightweight EVA midsole, they help absorb impact and reduce pressure on your feet as you walk. If you’re planning on summer travel, these are the kind of sandals you want to pack in your suitcase.

Shoppers have put these sandals to the test. One reviewer shared that she wore them throughout a trip to Morocco — walking for hours each day through deserts, cities, and different terrain — and her feet never hurt. They also wore them during a full day of sightseeing in London, walking for over six hours straight, and still described them as “incredibly comfortable.” 

Shoppers also love how easily these work across different outfits. One buyer called them "cute — perfect for casual wear or an evening out," while another noted you can "go from a dress to jeans in the same shoes."

They fit a wide range of foot types, too. One shopper with wider feet shared that they wore the sandals on a trip that involved a lot of walking and didn't get a single blister. Those with narrower feet said the fit works just as well. The sandals run true to size, so there is no need to size up or down.

Related: Skechers’ Slip-in Sneakers Feel Like 'Walking on a Cloud,' and They're 50% Off on Amazon

At just $31, the Clarks Arla Shore Sandals are a deal worth grabbing while it lasts. Both navy and black are still available, but stock tends to go fast. If you've been looking for a comfortable, go-anywhere summer sandal, now is a great time to pick up a pair. 

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The Beatles have returned to the Billboard 200, as their classic 1969 album Abbey Road re-entered the chart at No. 199 for the week dated June 27, 2026. The surprise appearance gives the iconic record another chapter in its long chart history, nearly 57 years after it was first released.

The comeback highlights the band's lasting popularity decades after its recording career came to an end. While the Beatles are not on this week's Billboard Hot 100 or Billboard Global 200, their return to the Billboard 200 shows that fans continue to discover and revisit their albums.

The Beatles enjoyed their final run of hit singles before the group broke up in 1970, making the latest Billboard 200 appearance another reminder of the band's enduring place in music history.

Originally released on Sept. 26, 1969, Abbey Road was the Beatles' eleventh studio album and the last album the group recorded together, although Let It Be was released later after earlier recording sessions were completed.

The Beatles sitting on a sofa.

Photo by Unknown/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

The album debuted during one of the band's most difficult periods. Internal tensions had grown, and the group was nearing the end of its time together. Even so, the recording sessions produced what many fans and critics now consider one of the Beatles' greatest achievements.

When Abbey Road first arrived, it became an immediate commercial success, reaching No. 1 in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Its double A-side single, "Something" / "Come Together," also topped the U.S. charts.

The album features several of the Beatles' best-known songs, including "Come Together," "Something," "Here Comes the Sun," "Oh! Darling" and "Octopus's Garden."

Its famous cover, showing John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr walking across the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios in London, has become one of the most recognizable images in music history.

Recording sessions began in February 1969 and continued through the summer. The final sequencing of the album was completed on Aug. 20, 1969, marking the last time all four Beatles were together in the recording studio.

Producer George Martin later recalled that the sessions felt different from previous projects, while George Harrison reflected that the band had "performed like musicians again" during the making of the album, per Rolling Stone.

The Beatles officially broke up in 1970, ending one of the most influential careers in popular music. Even after the split, the band's music continued to reach new generations of listeners.

The band remains the best-selling music act of all time, with more than 600 million records sold worldwide, along with a record 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and 19 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.

Now, even 56 years after the band's final era of chart-topping hits and its 1970 breakup, Abbey Road is once again climbing one of the industry's biggest rankings.

Related: 1973 Rock Song, Originally Disliked by Rock Legend, Remains a Classic 53 Years Later

Renowned Japanese singer and iconic Studio Ghibli voice actor Akihiro Miwa has died at age 91.

Miwa's death was announced on the official website of the singer, drag artist and actor, who is best known by American audiences for voicing Hayao Miyazaki characters Moro in Princess Mononoke and the Witch of the Waste in Howl's Moving Castle.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Akihiro Miwa, a singer and actor affiliated with our company, passed away peacefully at 9:30 a.m. on June 20 at the age of 91 due to old age," read the official statement on Miwa's website. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed him such exceptional kindness and warm support during his lifetime, and we express our heartfelt gratitude to him and all of our employees."

The statement revealed that Miwa's funeral service was held privately with only close family members in attendance, "in accordance with his wishes." There are no plans for a public memorial service, and the statement "respectfully [declined] any condolences or floral tributes."

Born Akihiro Maruyama on May 15, 1935, in Nagasaki, Miwa survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki at age 10 before moving to Tokyo and beginning his singing career in the Ginza district at age 16.

In 1957, Miwa earned the attention of the public with a Japanese adaptation of the French song “Me Que Me Que,” and he would go on to release his most popular song, "Yoitomake no Uta," in 1965.

Miwa is well known for appearing on TV Asahi’s talk show Aura no Izumi alongside Taichi Kokubun and Hiroyuki Ehara from 2005 to 2009, and he also starred in numerous theatrical productions, including La Marie-Vison and Black Lizard, earning recognition at the Yomiuri Theater Awards. Miwa was also a notable LGBTQ advocate and champion of peace.

We have all felt that pang of hesitation standing in the grocery store aisle staring at the price difference between a name-brand product and its generic counterpart. In an era where inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, saving a few dollars on everyday essentials is more important than ever.

However, a common psychological hurdle remains: the fear that choosing the cheaper store brand means sacrificing quality, taste or safety. We automatically assume that a lower price tag translates to inferior ingredients or cutting corners in the factory.

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But what if you could buy the exact same premium product, made by the exact same manufacturer, in the exact same facility, for up to 40-percent less? Welcome to the worst-kept secret in the food industry: private-label partnerships. Major consumer packaged goods companies rarely let their multi-million-dollar factories sit idle.

To maximize their profits and keep assembly lines running 24/7, big-name brands regularly sign confidential contracts to manufacture private-label goods for mega-retailers like Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s and Target. The recipes are often virtually identical, with only the packaging and the price tag being changed before shipment. By pulling back the curtain on these corporate agreements, you can stop paying the brand-name tax entirely.

Here is the definitive breakdown of 12 store-brand items secretly made by industry giants, along with a grocery hack to spot them yourself.

Store-Brand Items Made by Major Brands

From pantry staples to frozen favorites, these 12 items prove you can ditch the name-brand price tag without sacrificing a single ounce of flavor or quality.

1. Costco (Kirkland Signature) Jelly Beans

Costco does not bother hiding this partnership. The massive, transparent containers of Kirkland Signature Jelly Beans proudly display the official red-and-yellow Jelly Belly logo directly on the front label.

Buying them in bulk at Costco gets you the exact same 49 legendary flavors, including Buttered Popcorn, Very Cherry and Toasted Marshmallow, for a fraction of the cost of Jelly Belly retail bags. Because they are identical in recipe, texture and taste, this is a foolproof way to satisfy your sweet tooth while saving money.

2. Trader Joe's Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings

Trader Joe's frozen aisle is famous for its cult-favorite Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings, but you can find the exact same comfort food under a different name. Industry supply chain data points straight to CJ Foods, the parent company of Bibigo.

Bibigo is the undisputed giant of mass-market Korean dumplings, and it uses its advanced manufacturing technology to supply Trader Joe's private label. When you steam a tray of the TJ's version, you are getting the exact same thin, pillowy wrapper and rich, savory chicken broth formula as the name brand—just at a much friendlier price point.

Related: 5 Best Produce Items To Buy at Trader Joe's (and 4 To Skip)

3. Walmart (Great Value) Sandwich Breads

When you grab a budget-friendly loaf of Great Value White or Wheat Bread at Walmart, you are highly likely eating a Sara Lee product. The industrial baking giant Bimbo Bakeries USA owns the iconic Sara Lee brand and handles massive private-label baking contracts for retail giants.

The connection isn't just a rumor. Historical Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall logs have grouped Great Value loaves with Sara Lee batches because they shared the exact same regional bakery lines. You can confidently skip the premium price tag on the bread aisle knowing the generic loaf offers the same soft texture and freshness.

4. Costco (Kirkland Signature) Albacore Tuna

The high-quality, solid white albacore packed into Kirkland Signature Tuna cans is sourced directly from seafood titan Bumble Bee. Costco's corporate executive team previously confirmed that they specifically partnered with the national brand to co-pack their tuna to ensure strict quality control and sustainable fishing standards.

By buying the Kirkland version, you get the exact same premium, meaty texture and protein-packed fish without paying the standard grocery store markup for the Bumble Bee logo.

5. Target (Good & Gather) Shredded and Block Cheeses Forget Jobs, Let's Worship Woz
by u/japerk in reddit.com

While Target designs the clean packaging for its Good & Gather dairy aisle, the retailer doesn't operate its own dairy farms. Instead, Target routes its private-label block and shredded cheese production through the Great Lakes Cheese Company.

This multi-billion-dollar packaging giant manufactures major store brands and bulk foodservice cheese across the country. The partnership was confirmed during a past food safety recall, which pulled affected batches from Target, Walmart and Aldi shelves simultaneously. You get the same quality without paying a name-brand markup.

6. Walmart (Great Value) Ice Cream

Walmart’s highly rated tubs of Great Value Ice Cream are manufactured by Wells Enterprises, the largest family-owned dairy company in the United States. Wells is the creator and parent company of Blue Bunny ice cream, which shares the same production lines in Le Mars, Iowa.

By opting for the budget-friendly Great Value tub, you get the same velvety texture, rich dairy base and premium freezing standards as the iconic national brand—saving you several dollars per carton.

7. Aldi (Park Street Deli/Kirkwood) Meat Lines

Aldi keeps its prices incredibly low through ultra-efficient sourcing, frequently partnering with massive agricultural giants behind the scenes. Federal recall logs have previously linked Aldi's Kirkwood chicken lines directly to Tyson Foods, Inc., factories. Furthermore, USDA public health notices have traced production for Aldi's pre-cooked Park Street Deli meat trays straight to global protein powerhouse Cargill. By skipping the corporate branding, Aldi passes the immense supply chain savings directly to your grocery receipt.

8. Costco (Kirkland Signature) Cranberry Juice

If you inspect the fine print on a twin-pack of Kirkland Signature Cranberry Juice, you will often see the Ocean Spray name on the packaging. Costco taps the world's leading cranberry cooperative to supply its juice, guaranteeing you get the same tart, crisp, premium blend without paying the retail premium for the name-brand label. It's an effortless way to maximize your grocery budget.

9. Trader Joe's Fruit Juice Smoothies

The beloved Trader Joe’s Very Green and Mango 100% Juice Smoothies are widely known to be produced by Naked Juice. The shape of the square plastic bottles is completely identical, and the ingredient lists match up perfectly, right down to the specific order of the fruit purees, juices and added micronutrients.

By switching to the Trader Joe's version, you can enjoy the same thick, nutrient-dense morning boost without paying the heavy name-brand tax that usually comes attached to national beverage giants.

10. Costco (Kirkland Signature) Scotch Whisky

Costco’s high-end spirits are legendary among liquor enthusiasts, and its scotch is no exception. The back labels of Kirkland Signature Scotch Whiskies openly credit Alexander Murray & Co., a prestigious independent bottler.

Alexander Murray does not operate its own distilleries; instead, it sources its exceptional spirits directly from top-tier, historic Scottish distilleries—heavily rumored to include giants like Macallan and Caol Ila. This partnership allows you to pour a world-class, expertly aged Scotch at an entry-level price point.

11. Trader Joe's Pistachios

This lucrative partnership was definitively exposed during a major food safety recall. A nationwide recall issued by Wonderful Pistachios due to potential contamination explicitly listed Trader Joe’s Dry Roasted & Unsalted Pistachios in the federal paperwork.

The government notices proved that both products were harvested, roasted and bagged in the same California facility. By opting for the plain Trader Joe's pouch over the green name-brand bag, you're getting the identical premium nut and perfect roast for a much smaller price tag.

12. Walmart (Great Value) Chicken Nuggets

A major food safety recall pulled back the curtain on Walmart's frozen poultry aisle. Perdue Farms was forced to recall specific batches of frozen Great Value Chicken Nuggets directly from its factory lines.

This legal paper trail proved that the poultry giant processes, shapes and flash-freezes Walmart's white-meat nuggets using its own institutional facilities. Skipping the premium price tag on the blue bag means you get the exact same crispy, kid-approved dinner for a fraction of the cost.

The 'Factory Code Hack'

If you want to play grocery detective and find the secret manufacturers yourself, you can bypass corporate secrecy with two quick tricks:

• The dairy plant code: Every dairy product in the United States includes a plant code stamp near the expiration date. Type that code into WhereIsMyMilkFrom.com. If the code on your store brand matches the name brand, they came from the same tank.
• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shield: For poultry and meats, find the round USDA Inspection Shield on the packaging. Enter the establishment number (e.g., "EST. 3181") into the USDA’s online product inspection directory to find the corporate facility where it was processed.

Switching to store brands doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—it just means skipping an unnecessary brand-name tax. By using these secret partnerships and factory hacks, you can easily slash your monthly grocery bill without changing your diet.

Related: The Best Starbucks Ordering Hack for Cheaper Drinks, According to Baristas

On June 29, one of the biggest voices from ‘80s hard rock is celebrating his birthday.

Don Dokken, the frontman of the legendary glam metal band Dokken, turns 73 years old today. Dokken was born June 29, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, and began his music career in the late 1970s.

Known for soaring vocals that helped define the hair band sound of the ‘80s, the singer released his first album with Dokken, titled Breaking the Chains, in 1981. Over the years, the band became known for melodic yet hard-rocking Billboard chart hits such as “Alone Again,” “In My Dreams,” and “Burning Like  a Flame.” Dokken was heavily featured on MTV throughout the 1980s and remains one of the most distinctive voices from the glam rock music video era.

Nearly 50 years after forming Dokken, the singer remains the only original member of the group.

Dokken has spoken about aging as a rock star. In a 2020 interview with Antihero magazine he admitted that, as a singer, aging has “been a problem.”

“We get older and our voices are not like they were when I was 27 or eight, or 30, or 35, or 40,” the rocker shared. “When you get older, your voice is not as high as it used to be, so you lose your high notes.”

“In my world, I have good days and I have bad days and I don’t want to put the blame on anybody,” he continued. “But when you’re flying on an airplane  for five hours in a pressurized cabin, and then you go to a hotel and the air conditioning’s on, and it’s 100 degrees outside, and then you go in your room and it’s 60 degrees, then you get back on a plane, your voice goes out.”

Dokken continues to perform even in his 70s. He is currently on tour with multiple shows in  2026 set to feature guests Lita Ford and his old Dokken bandmate George Lynch, with Lynch Mob.

The rocker admitted that he has received “complaints" from fans as his voice changed over the years.

“I see fans, when I go, 'The kiss of…' [in the song 'Kiss Of Death'] and I hit this B flat above A, this super soprano note, and I wouldn't hit it, and you see people go, 'Well, hey, you didn't hit the note.' I'm, like, 'Dude, I've done, like, three thousand concerts. It's like a motor car. It's getting worn out,'" he told Laughing Monkey With Shawn Ratchesin 2023.

"When you're in your 20s... I don't know if we're gonna have another record or another hit or anything — I don't know. So here I am just singing up [in the high register]. …But you go on the road for a year and a half and do 400 shows and five albums… [My voice is] husky today just from talking to everybody. And that's just the way it is. You get older. I'm 70, man."

While he hasn’t announced official plans to retire, Dokken could do so tomorrow and still be happy with what he’s accomplished over the past five decades.

“As far as my career goes… I’ve accomplished what I wanted to accomplish,” he shared in the Antihero interview. “I’ve been to the top of the mountain, and I played stadiums, and I’ve played with AC/DC all over Europe and stadiums. I’ve accomplished what I wanted to accomplish.  …Amd what I want now is what everybody should want and that’s peace and happiness and good health.”

Related: 1989 Rock Duet, Ranked Among the ‘Greatest Power Ballads of All Time’, Became the Biggest Hit Ever for Both Artists

Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye looks better than ever soaking up the sun at 49.

Frye, 49, grew up in the public eye as everyone’s favorite foster child on the iconic TV series Punky Brewster. If you forgot the basis of the series, the show followed Brewster, a little girl abandoned in a store by her mother, who is taken in with her golden retriever, Brandon, by her foster parent, Henry Warnimont, a grouchy older man in Chicago. Punky soon warms his heart and turns his world around.

While Frye rose to fame in the series, she also developed a successful career behind the camera. A mother of four children, Frye took to social media to show herself soaking up the sun in a new bathing suit photo that made it clear she is all grown up. Sporting a black bathing suit and lounging on an orca float, the brunette beauty went for a dip in a swimming pool and looked like she was having the time of her life. Fans couldn't believe how little she's changed since her days on '80s television.

"Orca vibes. 🫍🖤 📸 by @jagger.bluee," Frye captioned the stunning shot.

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Soleil Moon Frye and Cherie Johnson Reunited

Cherie Johnson, whose Punky Brewster character bore the same name as her real name, became Punky’s best friend in their Chicago apartment building. But the duo became friends in real life, and they still are tight to this day. As their social media followers found out, they even got together for a slumber party recently.

“My love 🍒 @cheriejohnson75 and I came together for a night of friendship, laughter heart to hearts & fun in Texas. We had the best time catching up, surprising people we love, & had a slumber party like we would when we were kids. Forever young, besties, spirit sisters, amazing night of sleep with you by my side. I love you@cheriejohnson75 Thank you for making me feel so loved and safe with you. Punky & Cherie 4-ever!!! 🌈♥️🍒 Thank you @bigtexcon for bringing me to Texas @cheriejohnson75 & I will be together in @ricomicconofficial Come and see us soon. SO excited Xx,” Frye captioned the photos.

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Naturally, fans went wild.

“Oh my childhood! Love those faces!! 😍😍😍😍,” one commenter said.

“THEY’RE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN,” another person said.

“this makes my heart so happy,” someone else chimed in.

The Two Were an ’80s TV Staple

As any avid fan of the series remembers, Punky and Cherie were icons on the ’80s sitcom scene. But they also tackled real issues, ranging from drug use and kidnapping to drunk driving and the Challenger explosion. But who could forget the moment in the series when Cherie Johnson gets trapped inside an old refrigerator, and Punky and their friend Alan have to do CPR?

@totally80sroom

Trauma refrigerator #80s #90s #episode #punkybrewster

♬ original sound - totally80sroom Soleil Moon Frye Has a Thriving Career as a Director

While Frye is always associated with her childhood career, she’s actually a thriving director in adulthood. Last year, she directed Paramount+’s documentary The Carters: Hurts to Love You, about Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter and his siblings dealing with their abusive childhoods. The film was told from the perspective of Angel Carter, who is the last surviving child besides Nick. Their other three siblings, Leslie Carter, Bobbie Jean, and Aaron, all died between 2012 and 2023 from drug-related causes, Variety reported.

Related: ‘Punky Brewster’ Star Soleil Moon Frye’s Daughter Graduated High School, and She’s Almost Her Mom’s Twin