Sometimes comedy hurts, literally. To prove that point, after Will Ferrell previously credited Molly Shannon for saving Saturday Night Live with her character Mary Katherine Gallagher, she explained that she actually got a ton of bruises while playing her. So, while those sketches must have been painful for the SNL star, it also, clearly, paid off.

Now, recurring characters on SNL are a must. When something works, it’s consistently brought back and is made even better. During Shannon's time on SNL from 1995 to 2001, she had a few recurring characters, including Mary Katherine Gallagher. The fan-favorite character made her debut during Season 21 in 1995, and Shannon shared on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend that the sketch, which frequently called for intense stunts, gave her some bruises the day after the show:

An unpopular teen Catholic schoolgirl, Mary had a tendency to be pretty dramatic and have socially awkward exchanges with her fellow peers before ultimately falling over, crashing into a wall, or destroying something. This would then lead her to utter her iconic catchphrase, “Superstar!” and show everyone that she was okay. It happened in every single sketch, and, in true Mary Katherine Gallagher fashion, it was always overdramatic.

So, I can't say I'm surprised that the actress got beaten up doing these bits. She was literally throwing herself around the set. The fact that Shannon didn’t even feel anything during or right after the sketch is impressive.

Many actors have gotten bruised on projects, such as Alan Ritchson, who goes through the wringer each season for Reacher. SNL cast members can get battered and bruised too, which is really not surprising, considering the amount of physical acting and comedy required for a lot of the sketches.

While Shannon was on Saturday Night Live until 2001, she stopped doing Mary Katherine Gallagher on a frequent basis in 1999. She brought the character back in February 2001 during Season 26 for her final episode. That was not the last time that fans saw the chaotic Catholic schoolgirl, as she stepped back into the uniform one last time in 2007, when she hosted SNL during Season 32. She returned to host in 2023, reprising a couple of other fan-favorite characters, but not Mary Katherine Gallagher. And knowing how bruised she got doing that bit, I can't say I blame her.

Now, fans can watch those sketches and every single season of SNL with a Peacock subscription. And if you see Shannon doing Mary Katherine Gallagher, maybe give her an extra round of applause, because not only did Ferrell say she saved SNL with that character, but she also committed to the bit so hard she wound up with bruises.

It’s safe to say that when anyone thinks of Ferris Bueller, they probably think about skipping school, as Matthew Broderick’s character is infamous for having the most epic "sick day" ever. Though this doesn’t mean Ferris would stay the same aloof guy we loved in the iconic John Hughes high school movie. And it turns out Broderick is thinking the same thing. When the actor stopped by The Guardian to spill some BTS moments, he shared what he believes happened after the movie. And his comments about Ferris as an adult are bumming me out.

This isn’t the first time Broderick has shared BTS trivia, having previously revealed some conflicts with Hughes when filming Ferris Bueller. The actor once thought the chance of a sequel was possible (until Hughes' passing), but that hasn’t prevented him from thinking about "what happened to Ferris." He gives the answer, along with some cheeky shade at ‘80s hair. If you don’t like the idea of Ferris as an adult, you may not like Broderick’s answer:

Truthfully, at some point Ferris would have to grow up. What was beloved about him as a ‘teen’ may not play as well in an adult. Admittedly, it’s harder to think about Ferris growing up after hearing from Broderick how much went into fine-tuning his character to the perfect blend of slacker and charmer. Hughes even nixed a scene after a screen test in fear of how it’d make Ferris come across.

Bringing this character to life was truly a collaborative effort, from specific details of his costume to even making the dance scene feel spontaneous. In fact, you can relive these moments with a Paramount+ subscription. It was important to the actor that Ferris was “a little cool and aloof,” but more importantly, he says:

But there’s one thing that Broderick feels would have held his character back from fame, and it has to do with his and sidekick Cameron's hairstyles. Since they were coming off the Gene Saks’ military play, Biloxi Blues, they had “timeless hair-dos." But the actor can't help thinking about how they could have easily had “crazy mullets, in which case, it would not have become a timeless classic.” Broderick's most recent projects include a guest appearance on Elsbeth. Meanwhile, his co-star Alan Ruck can be seen playing a jerk on Rooster.

Though I do have good news for Ferris Bueller fans as Broderick and Ruck will be reuniting after 40 years for a new movie. The Jon Turteltaub-directed film, The Best is Yet to Come, is currently in production and will bring the costars back together for a bucket list road trip adventure. The two will be playing best friends who set off to do everything they’ve always wanted to do before life got in the way.

If you squint just right, this almost feels like a Ferris Bueller sequel. Surely, we’ll get a few nods to the classic movie and maybe even an idea of what an adult Ferris would be like.

As a tennis player, I wasn’t planning to watch The Dink on the 2026 movie schedule. The very noise the pickleball makes is obnoxious enough to deter me, and there are myriad articles on the Internet about why tennis players get frustrated having to share courts with casual picklers. I won’t get into those in depth, except to say that despite loving Jake Johnson, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about the new comedy flick. But then the reviews dropped.

Can I say I’ve changed my mind? Yes, yes I have. This week a bunch of journalists shared their opinions, and they make some compelling arguments. For instance, Kristy Puchko of Mashable says in her review of The Dink that director Josh Greenbaum — who’s also helming the upcoming Spaceballs sequel — combines wacky humor with physical comedy, resulting in a laugh-out-loud yet heartwarming crowdpleaser. Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen have crackling chemistry and sublime comedic timing, she says, continuing:

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics says Josh Greenbaum keeps The Dink just grounded enough to deliver a charming message in a sports comedy that “scores more than it hits the net.” In the critic's words:

OK, let’s not get carried away here. I said I’d watch the movie, not fully jump ship. But if anybody’s mind is going to be changed, Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert seems to think Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen might be the ones to pull it off. Johnson’s Dusty is the right mix of ego and vulnerability, while Steenburgen’s Candace is effortlessly charming. The critic rates The Dink 3 out of 4 stars, writing:

Matt Schimkowitz of AV Club gives it a B in his review of The Dink, writing that this Apple TV movie isn’t trying to be Challengers. However, its leisurely action, low-lift laughs and enthusiastic cast allow it to “hit hard with light taps.” The critic says:

Lindsey Bahr of the AP says the grounded and goofy humor, coupled with eccentric characters and some fun cameos, add up to make this quite an enjoyable watch. She rates it 2.5 out of 4, writing:

Look, The Dink sounds like it’s actually pretty good, and another quality outing for those with an Apple TV subscription. My co-worker Heidi Venable loved it. So, I humbly submit I will bow down to the pickleball gods, give it a watch this weekend, and try to keep my judgy personal opinions to myself.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Stuart Fails To Save The Universe episode "Spoiler: Gary Dies." Stream it with an HBO Max subscription and read at your own risk!

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe got off to a hot start, bringing back a major character from The Big Bang Theory only to kill him off later. Raj Koothrappali made his big return to the 2026 TV schedule, though he was a lot different than fans may remember, and he died quickly. While that was shocking, I am thrilled about the doors it potentially opens.

Stuart was on a mission to save the universe after it was thrust upon him by another version of himself from the same universe as where The Big Bang Theory takes place. For all intents and purposes, this Stuart is largely the same as the one fans remember, minus the fact that everyone here lived in a post-apocalyptic wasteland that had giant moths and other fearsome creatures. Here's how the first leg of the adventure played out, and what it sets the stage for in future episodes.

How Raj Died On Stuart Fails To Save The Universe

Stuart and friends crossed paths with Raj when they were taken captive in an effort to try to fix the universe. They learned the universe was broken thanks to a quantum device built by Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard, and Raj believed he had a way to fix it. They just had to find the device, but there was one major obstacle in their way.

Barry Kripke, the jerk character from The Big Bang Theory, had seized power when the world collapsed and was now a dictator over the Pasadena area. The world had gone to hell, but as far as he was concerned, it was fantastic. As such, he didn't want to change things and was hellbent on preventing anything that may change the status quo.

This led us to the episode's end, in which Raj, Bert, and Stuart found the quantum device. Raj got to work trying to fix it, but before he could make too much progress, he was shot in the back by Kripke. He died, but Stuart, Bert, and Kripke jumped to another reality in which the circumstances are presumably as off the wall as what we saw in the trailer.

There Are, Presumably, Plenty Of Other Versions Of Raj (And Other Beloved Characters) In The Multiverse

Raj is dead, but as we've learned in the best superhero movies, no one is truly dead in the multiverse. There are, presumably, other versions of Raj, just as there are other versions of everyone else.

So, his death opens the door to the characters seeing him again, and maybe seeing some other wild cameos from people from The Big Bang Theory cast as well. After all, if you can kill, transform, or change versions of these people with little to no permanent consequences, the sky's the limit on the wild things the writers can do to these characters.

It's one of the reasons I love Stuart Fails To Save The Universe more than The Big Bang Theory. I feel like the door has been enthusiastically swung open for even more actors we know and love to show up and act out these crazy and shocking storylines, and then come back again for another.

However, it's not the only reason I am here for this show. I also love how this episode made Bert Kibbler look super cool, as he created homemade grenades to blow Kripke's minions up.

On that note, I do wonder how Bert and Stuart will be able to move forward with Kripke, who they just witnessed kill a friend in cold blood. I'm not sure I'd trust him on this mission, as he wasn't exactly a stand-up guy before the apocalypse either. Then again, people change, and anything is possible in the multiverse, so maybe he'll surprise everyone as the series continues.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe continues on HBO Max with new episodes showing up on Thursdays. Continue to stick with the series as they explore this brave new universe they were sucked into, and wait for more potential cameos from people from The Big Bang Theory.

Many consider The Big Bang Theory to be one of the best sitcoms of all time, but that doesn’t automatically mean that every spinoff that continues its characters’ stories will be a hit. Sure, Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage found success, but Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — a new HBO Max series that hits the 2026 TV schedule on July 23 — is quite a big swing for creator Chuck Lorre. Despite its creative concept, critics’ reviews disagree on whether or not it’s actually funny.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe picks up where The Big Bang Theory left off, with the titular comic book store owner (Kevin Sussman, reprising his TBBT role) triggering a multiversal apocalypse. As he tries to set things right, he encounters multiple versions of himself, Denise (Lauren Lapkus) and their friends. CinemaBlend’s own Mick Joest says he was surprised that the show made him laugh out loud multiple times. In fact, he says he loves it even more than The Big Bang Theory, writing:

The Big Bang Theory fans have been promised easter eggs, and Amber Dowling of The Wrap agrees that’s part of what makes Stuart Fails to Save the Universe fun. The critic admits it’s a completely different tone — with more R-rated material — than TBBT that might take some getting used to, but the cast is game for anything and everything, and you can tell everybody — including creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn — are having a blast. Dowling continues:

Alison Herman of Variety says viewers should be firing up their HBO Max subscriptions for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe because it’s such a creative way to extend The Big Bang Theory universe — especially in an entertainment landscape with so many perfunctory prequels, sequels and spinoffs. Herman says:

Noel Murray of AV Club gives the series a B rating, saying the spinoff is wilder and nerdier than TBBT, but it’s also raunchier, cornier and more uneven. Its strengths are its emotional core and wonkiness, but the critic finds it lacking in humor and occasionally mean-spirited. Murray concludes:

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert also thinks that despite some “glimpses of ingenuity,” the actual Apocalypse will probably be funnier than Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The jokes are repetitive, the plots are thin (largely clocking in under-20 minutes), and John Ross Bowie’s character Barry Kripke — horny, cruel and mocking people with speech impediments — was already stale when The Big Bang Theory ended seven years ago. In the critic’s words:

Several critics said you don’t have to have watched The Big Bang Theory to get into this new spinoff, though there are guest stars and references that will make more sense if you did. Critics don’t exactly agree on how funny the show is, which is reflected in its 70% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Tune in to see for yourself when Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, July 23, on HBO Max. New episodes drop weekly.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that Season 4 of Ted Lasso will follow AFC Richmond’s women's team. I can’t wait to meet a new cast of characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing the new dynamics created among the ensemble when the show returns on the 2026 TV schedule. However, this big update also means not everyone from the original cast could return. It turns out, Jason Sudeikis personally called those actors too to break the sad news to them.

As of right now, actors like Toheeb Jimoh (Sam), Cristo Fernández (Danny), Phil Dunster (Jamie) and more will not be back for Ted Lasso Season 4. All these guys played important members of the AFC Richmond men’s team. However, with the focus shifting over to a whole new team, there wasn’t room to bring them back. Speaking to THR about making this choice, Jason Sudeikis said it was “very difficult” to call the guys and break this news to them. He also explained why it was vital for them to learn this news from him:

I can imagine how hard it must have been to both make and receive that call. For three seasons, this group was not only a team on screen, but off too. They experienced a phenomenon together as they made one of Apple TV’s greatest shows. So, finding out you won’t be returning for Season 4 must have been a hard pill to swallow.

I’m happy, though, that Jason Sudeikis personally called them all. I imagine this news was much easier to process after having a conversation rather than finding out about it online.

However, this is the way television works: casts evolve, stories shift and that causes big changes. In Ted Lasso’s case, this meant bringing in a full new team of female soccer players, and saying so long to the men’s team.

Of course, I’m optimistic the guys could make cameos. I mean, both Brendan Hunt and Brett Goldstein are in Season 4, and the last time we saw Beard and Roy, they were coaching the men. So, I don’t think it’s far-fetched to think we could see someone like Jamie or Danny pop in for a minute or two. However, we do know that no matter what, the guys will not be the regular players they were in Seasons 1 through 3.

Instead, a whole new team of women will be introduced. This new cast of characters will be played by Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey and Abbie Hern. Grant Feely has also joined the cast, and he’ll be taking over the role of Ted’s son, Henry (who was played by Gus Turner in the first three seasons).

The cast is not entirely new, though. As mentioned earlier, Sudeikis will, obviously, be back as Ted, and he’ll be joined by Brett Goldstein and Brendan Hunt, who play his fellow coaches, Roy Kent and Coach Beard. Hannah Waddingham will also return as the team’s owner, Rebecca. Juno Temple and Jeremy Swift will be reprising their roles as Keeley and Higgins, respectively, as well.

So, overall, Ted Lasso will be missing some familiar faces, and as the show’s lead said, it was hard to break that news to them. However, now, we get to enter a new chapter of AFC Richmond’s history with some of the characters we love and a whole new set of folks we get to learn about. To do that (and to spend time with the lads from Seasons 1 through 3), you can stream Ted Lasso with an Apple TV subscription and catch the premiere of Season 4 on August 5.

Tony Shalhoub is no stranger to comedic roles. While he’s most known for playing Monk, the OCD detective, I never realized the Wings vet could have been in the mix for Seinfeld’s funniest moments. I definitely wouldn't have guessed the character he auditioned for. Given his previous characters, the obvious choice to me would have been the offbeat neighbor Kramer, even knowing that it wouldn't have matched up with Michael Richards' take.

However, the actor dropped quite the "what could have been" bombshell when he visited the TODAY show to promote his upcoming Monk movie. While a lot of buzz online suggested he did audition to play Kramer, Shalhoub was quick to clear things up:

Talk about mind-blowing news. I don’t know if anyone can picture him as George. Not that I don’t fully believe Shalhoub could sell that character. He convincingly played both an alien in Men in Black whose head grew back after Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K shot it off, and the only relaxed member of the crew in Galaxy Quest. He’s one of those actors who knows how to land comedic timing every time, and that’s why I’ve always adored him. All the proof you need to do is watch Monk, which was a part he embodied so convincingly it was revived for Mr. Monk’s Last Case.

That said, I still can’t wrap my mind around him as George. Selfishly, I’m glad he lost the part to Alexander, and not just because the right actor got the part. If he had joined the Seinfeld cast, we may never have gotten our favorite Italian taxi driver on the sitcom Wings. (The latter can be streamed via Paramount+ subscription.) The two sitcoms overlapped during the ‘90s, with Shalhoub joining Wings in Season 3.

Though it seems the neurotic New Yorker George wasn't the only character the actor lost out on due to a certain actor. When asked, "What happened?" by the TODAY hosts, he a simple yet on brand answer:

Naturally, Shalhoub has no ill will toward Alexander for getting the part. He states that it "depends on how good or bad" an actor is in the role, and I think we all agree that Alexander nailed it. Though I can't help picturing the actor in Monk's trademark suit (he wore the same one every day).

The two did end up working together on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. However, that's not the first time they joined forces. Alexander was one of Monk's popular guest stars, having showed up in Season 4, Episode 1, “Mr. Monk and the Other Detective.” The actor played Shalhoub's opposite: a messy, unorganized private detective.

Shalhoub recently put the suit back on for Mr. Monk's Last Case. The streaming film followed Monk in a darker place as he contemplated ending his life. Though the revival was first teased when Shalhoub reunited with the cast during COVID for a new scene. He’s also become known for his role as Abe Weissman in Amazon Prime’s story of female independence in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Perhaps one day we'll see Shalhoub and Alexander working together on a new project. Maybe even on another Monk movie. Fingers crossed!

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe may have arrived long after The Big Bang Theory and its spinoffs, but it's easily my favorite in the lineup by a mile. Kevin Sussman's Stuart was a meek comic book owner in the original series, and while not a ton has changed about that, he's easily the most captivating leading man in this hilarious comedy series.

That's just one of the many reasons I'm encouraging everyone to check out this series with an HBO Max subscription when it premieres on July 23rd, regardless of their feelings on TBBT, Young Sheldon, or Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. This show is something completely different than all of those, and it's a great thing.

The Big Bang Theory Was A Show About "Geeks" Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Is For Them

While co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady may take offense to The Big Bang Theory being about "geeks," there's no denying the show had that reputation and gained some ire from those communities for the representation. Rest assured, while TBBT might've been about the geeks, there's no denying that Stuart Fails To Save The Universe is for the geeks.

The new series leans into the growing trend of sci-fi franchises embracing the concept of a multiverse, as Stuart is tasked by another version of himself with trying to save the universe by traveling through different realities. Along for the ride are familiar faces from Big Bang: his friend Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn), his love interest Denise (Lauren Lapkus), and the heel of the original series, Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie).

Together, they pop up in different realities, the rules of which gradually unfold throughout the course of each episode. This creates an intriguing premise in which the characters are forced to adapt to weird circumstances either imagined or based on famous franchises, as seen in the trailer. I can't really talk spoilers, but the trailer features nods to The Matrix, as well as Mr. Freeze from DC Comics.

The show not only beautifully leans into the modern trope of universe-hopping adventures, but Stuart Fails To Save The Universe may do it better than any I've seen so far. It also makes plenty of references to pop culture, as well as past events in The Big Bang Theory. Don't worry, most of the references are done in a way that even someone casually familiar with the series will pick up on, but there are treats in store for those who are deep into the original show.

The Series Is Laugh Out Loud Funny, And Unlike Anything I Expected

I think what surprised me most about Stuart Fails To Save The Universe is just how hilarious it is. While The Big Bang Theory and other shows might've given me a chuckle occasionally, there were more than a few moments in the new series I found laugh-out-loud funny, and I'm ready to rewatch it all over again.

Part of this is due to the tonal shift, which can be a bit jarring at first. I can't say I ever imagined any of these characters swearing, or expected so much violence in a show like this, but it's always warranted. It may not appeal to everyone who watched The Big Bang Theory, admittedly, but for those who enjoy the average superhero movie, you'll feel right at home watching this.

I think there's a comparison here to be made between The Big Bang Theory and Stuart Fails To Save The Universe is similar to when Better Call Saul came out after Breaking Bad. Both share some connective tissue, while also being about two entirely different things. I can't say a lot more than I love it way more than I ever did TBBT, but since it couldn't exist without the original, it's given me a new appreciation for the series.

As mentioned, Stuart Fails To Save The Universe premieres on July 23rd at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO Max. I cannot stress enough how everyone should be tuning into this series to check it out, because it really is that good.

For a long time, the question surrounding Ted Lasso was: Will it ever come back? Following Season 3’s ending, we were given closure; however, the door never felt like it was fully shut. Now, the comedy is returning with a new season and a bunch of new characters. So, the new question is: Will Ted Lasso continue after Season 4 finishes its run on the 2026 TV schedule? Well, Jason Sudeikis has a plan.

Ted Lasso’s fourth season hasn’t even premiered yet. In fact, we have to wait until August 5 to stream new episodes with an Apple TV subscription. However, there’s already a lot of talk about what will happen next.

So, if you’re familiar with the plan behind the first three seasons of the great Apple TV show, you shouldn't be surprised to learn that “Sudeikis has a three-season arc in mind” for this new chapter. According to a report from THR, he would like to do Seasons 5 and 6 following the release of Season 4. In fact, work on Season 5 could begin soon, as it's been reported that “if all goes according to plan, the Lasso team will be back in the writers room in late August.”

While Season 5 has not been officially ordered, it stands to reason that history could easily repeat itself, and the Ted Lasso cast could find itself returning to the pitch for at least two more seasons. The SNL vet is ready for it too, as it was explained that he has already been writing down ideas in his Notes app. As all this information was explained, Sudeikis also noted that he needed this show to come back, so I get why they want it to continue too:

Knowing all of this, I’m thrilled about the potential for Ted Lasso to continue, and I love that there’s a rough plan in place. Personally, I was a fan of the first three seasons’ arc, and appreciated that they intentionally created one big story with them. I’d love it if they did that again with Seasons 4 through 6.

We know that Season 4 will kick off a brand new chapter for Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond, as he begins coaching the women’s team instead of the men’s team. Overall, Ted Lasso’s Season 4 trailer left me with lots of questions about all the characters and the journey they’re about to go on. So, I can already tell there’s plenty to explore in this continuation of the beloved show.

However, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves here. As I said, the series has not been officially renewed for Season 5 yet, and Season 4 hasn’t even premiered. We get to return to Richmond soon, though, as Ted Lasso will premiere on August 5.

So, get ready, folks. It sounds like there’s a good roadmap for the future in place that has a “Richmond ‘til we die” mentality. And if all goes to plan, we could be seeing a lot more of Ted and co. on our screens in the years to come. Now, all we have to do is watch and believe that there will be more to come after Season 4.

The BTS stories that have come out about The Big Bang Theory over the years include character changes, alternate actors and much more. One of the most interesting details involves the character of Howard Wolowitz. Before Kevin Sussman landed the role of Stuart Bloom and got his own show on the 2026 TV schedule, he nearly played Howard. Eventual Wolowitz actor Simon Helberg shared his side of the story on that casting and, now, Sussman is sharing his take.

Simon Helberg Almost Lost Out On Howard

Helberg portrayed astronaut Howard Wolowitz for all 12 seasons of the hit CBS sitcom and it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing him. That being said, he revealed during an interview that the incredible Big Bang salary almost wasn’t his, as Sussman auditioned for the role as well. Helberg didn't know that for a while and was only aware that Sussman had read for Leonard and was actually well-liked by producers.

While he didn’t know what happened when it came to Sussman nearly landing Howard and how the news was broken to him, Helberg revealed he didn’t really have any strong feelings about it. In the Audacity star's view, the curiosity is “part of this formative experience.”

It's hard not to wonder how different the show would have been had Howard been played by Sussman. Of course, Sussman eventually landed another role on Big Bang, but the road to get there wasn't so straightforward.

Kevin Sussman Lost Howard Because Of Another Job

During his recent interview on The Big Bang Theory Podcast, Sussman got real about what really happened with his Howard audition. Host Jessica Radloff, who wrote The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, mentioned that Sussman had actually won the role of Howard.

Unfortunately, at the time, Sussman was working on Ugly Betty, and ABC wouldn’t let him out of his contract. So CBS had to go with someone else, Helberg. Sussman recalled getting the heartbreaking news, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time:

It was unfortunate that Sussman couldn’t play Howard because of a contractual obligation, and what was even worse was that he was celebrating the role when he found out he got it. That’s apparently not even the worst of it, as he also added this about his ABC gig:

Of course, it all worked out in the end. Helberg portrayed Howard in a way no one else could and Sussman ended up appearing in the second season of The Big Bang Theory as comic book store owner Stuart. And, from there, Sussman would go on to appear throughout the rest of the show’s run. Now, fast forward over a decade later, and he’s getting his own spinoff series, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. It was definitely fate, maybe not in the way Sussman planned, but it was fate regardless.

Fans can catch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe with an HBO Max subscription, as it premieres on Thursday, July 23. And, with that same streamer, you can stream The Big Bang Theory in its entirety.

This week marks a big milestone for The Daily Show on Comedy Central, as it was 30 years ago — July 22, 1996, to be exact — that Craig Kilborn’s version of the satiric news show first aired. The show has seen several hosts sitting behind the desk in that time, including Trevor Noah, who vacated the position in 2022 after seven years. So why did the comedian leave what seemed to be such a good job? Noah had a pretty thoughtful response.

Trevor Noah made a significant impact on The Daily Show over the seven years that he hosted it, winning two Emmy Awards from more than a dozen nominations. During a visit to The Diary of a CEO podcast, he said there wasn’t just one thing that prompted his exit, but he gave a couple of reasons:

Fair enough. If Trevor Noah wasn’t used to seeing shows last for a decade or longer, he likely never intended to stay longer than he did. However, what was possibly a bigger factor was the realization he came to in 2020. In Noah’s words:

With many people forced to stay home during COVID, and as the former Daily Show host said, many found some benefits to being able to spend more time with their loved ones. Trevor Noah didn’t have that experience — and he realized it wasn’t just because of the lockdown. He continued:

Once the world started to open up again, Trevor Noah looked back at the previous seven or eight years and decided to make a change, saying:

Since he left The Daily Show, Trevor Noah has put out some comedy specials, started a podcast and served as the host of the Grammy Awards. Hopefully he’s also had plenty of time to travel and reconnect with friends and family.

As for The Daily Show, new episodes continue to air on the 2026 TV schedule, but it hasn’t seen one permanent host since Noah’s departure. Guest hosts initially filled in before Jon Stewart returned to host Monday nights, with correspondents Michael Kosta, Desi Lydia, Ronny Chieng, Jordan Klepper and Josh Johnson rotating on the other days of the week.

With the 30th anniversary upon us, it’s a good time to look back at the hosts — namely Trevor Noah, Craig Kilborn and Jon Stewart — who made the comedic news program what it is and how much work they put into it.

Catch new episodes at 11 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central and streaming the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson’s hilarious bond might be getting a run for its money. Hart is starring in the upcoming Netflix film 72 Hours with Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández, and the duo have been giving fans a sneak peek at what to expect when it comes to their comedy. This includes Hernández doing a spot-on impression of his co-star that made Al Roker laugh so hard he had to apologize.

While promoting 72 Hours, which releases on Friday with a Netflix subscription, Hernández and Hart appeared on The Today Show. Not surprisingly, putting two comedians together means endless laughs, and that was true for both the film and their Today appearance. Since this is their first time working together, Hernández gave people a taste of what it’s truly like working with Hart, and his impression got everyone, on and off-camera, cackling. That includes Roker, check out below:

As a comedian, you can expect someone like Hart to have a great sense of humor, and I love that he can laugh at himself. Considering all the times that The Rock has trolled him, it makes sense. Secondly, the fact that you can hear Roker laughing hysterically off-screen really makes the entire bit. Laughter fuels comedians, so hearing all that laughter and how much Roker enjoyed it probably pushed Hernández to go even further with his impression. The fact that Roker felt the need to apologize for laughing is just icing on the cake.

Whenever you get SNL stars in a movie, you know it’s going to be a good one, and when they’re paired with other SNL stars or comedians, that is going to really heighten the entire project. Already it seems like Hernández and Hart are getting along swimmingly. And it makes me excited to see their new movie because if it’s anything like this interview, I just know I’m going to be laughing the entire time.

It does blow my mind that 72 Hours is the first time that Hernández and Hart have worked together, especially since it seems like they’ve been friends for years. The last time Hart hosted Saturday Night Live was in 2017, and Hernández didn’t join the show until 2022. As of now, he doesn’t seem to have any desire to follow in Chloe Fineman’s footsteps and leave SNL, and Hart is severely overdue for a return to Studio 8H, so hopefully we’ll get even more of them when Season 52 premieres this fall.

At the very least, we can look forward to seeing Kevin Hart and Marcello Hernández together in 72 Hours. The new film, also starring fellow SNL stars Ben Marshall and Kam Patterson as well as Mason Gooding, Teyana Taylor, Michael Mando, Zach Cherry, Mike Epps, Andy Garcia, and Kevin Dunn, drops on Netflix on Friday.

Following Saturday Night Live’s mass cast exodus before and during Season 51 last year, Season 52 will see even more changes. Ahead of the premiere on the 2026 TV schedule, SNL had its first cast exit of the year, with Chloe Fineman officially bowing out after seven years. She’s now revealing how she broke the news to Lorne Michaels, and it couldn’t have come at a more awkward time.

Fineman decided to leave SNL after being offered a role in David E. Kelley’s upcoming Netflix series, Myron Bolitar. The decision reportedly wasn’t easy, and what was even more difficult was telling her boss. The comedian told Variety that when she called Michaels to inform him that she would be departing, he was apparently enjoying the World Cup, and I can only imagine what it was like:

I have to give props to Fineman for building up the courage to call Michaels (who can probably be very intimidating) to tell him that she’s not coming back to Saturday Night Live. But the fact that she did it while he was watching the World Cup is pretty horrible timing. He’s having a good time, watching the game, and then he gets a call from a cast member telling him they’re leaving the show. It likely put a damper on the game, and not just because England ended up losing.

It’s pretty awkward to call your boss during a World Cup game, even if you didn’t know, and tell them that you’re quitting while also trying to make light of the situation. Luckily, Fineman revealed that it wasn’t all awkward. The two of them had a good conversation after all was said and done, and there doesn’t seem to be any hard feelings about it, other than the fact that Michaels lost twice that day:

Considering SNL has been airing for over five decades, I’m sure there have been phone calls about cast exits that have been a lot worse than Fineman’s. At the very least, it sounds like she and Michaels were able to have a good chat, which likely squashed any awkwardness that was still left over from when she called during the game.

With Season 52 premiering this fall, it’s possible Fineman won’t be the last exit. Over the years, there have been a handful of rumors as to who could be leaving SNL and who could be staying, and you never truly know until it’s announced. Even after the cast is confirmed, things could always change throughout the season. For instance, Bowen Yang departed after the Christmas show last year. If anything, with the World Cup over and Spain taking it all, the next time a cast member exits, they don’t have to worry about interrupting Michaels at a game to tell him the news.

When it comes to finding new shows to binge, the options are seemingly endless. So that’s really my only excuse for initially passing over a new action comedy series hitting the 2026 TV schedule. Because after seeing the Rotten Tomatoes score for Ride or Die, I think I’m going to be firing up my Amazon Prime Video subscription to check out the series that critics are calling “rip-roaring fun.”

Ride or Die stars Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham as friends on the run from Bill Nighy, who plays the director of a crime syndicate. These decorated actors — who all have BAFTAs to their name, as well as other accolades — are undoubtedly part of the reason the series has been declared Certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes, holding a 96% on the Tomatometer. Sabrina Carr of Metro says it’s more than just the performances, though. She says it’s an action-packed comedy that actually made her laugh. Her review reads:

After watching the Ride or Die trailer, it does seem like Debbie (Octavia Spencer) and Judith (Hannah Waddingham) might just be the action team I never knew I needed. Debbie is the wife of a politician who thinks her best friend Judith is a forensic accountant. Judith has been keeping a big secret, though, which her friend gets pulled into after a failed assassination attempt.

Aramide Tinubu of Variety enjoys how the friends’ lives are explored beyond generic talking points like career, family or ageism, really getting to the heart of Debbie and Judith’s friendship. Ride or Die loses its luster when new characters and sidequests pull attention away from their dynamic, but Tinubu says this series is worth seeing for Hannah Waddingham’s stunts alone. The critic says:

Critics aren’t the only ones excited about Ride or Die, either. Rotten Tomatoes’ audience gives it an 82% rating (as of this writing), with some of their reactions reading:

• Fantastic watch! Had everything: spies, action, bonding between friends, humor, great acting, European locations. More like this, please! Top marks across the board! 5/5 – TM S
• It's very entertaining. Hannah Waddingham is very fun to watch. – Larry S
• Entertaining with good pacing and a nice mix of action, comedy and suspense. Love the chemistry between the 2 leads! – Ying L
• I loved this series. [Witty], funny and just enough action. – Louise B
• Hands down one of the best new shows I have seen in years! Octavia Spencer is magic as always. Hannah Waddingham is incredible! Their chemistry is outstanding. I need so many more seasons of this! – Melissa R

The talent involved in Ride or Die — in addition to Hannah Waddingham apparently doing so many of her own stunts — should have been a clear indication that this would be a worthy Amazon Prime binge. If you’d also like to check out the new series, all eight episodes are available to stream now on Prime Video.

In a lot of ways, The Big Bang Theory followed in the footsteps of sitcom predecessor Friends, particularly in how its ensemble cast became global superstars, and will likely forever be associated with their apartment-dwelling characters. (Remember this reunion?) For Jim Parsons, it’s taken years to properly come to terms with his juggernaut-esque rise to fame, and recently addressed that it was a truly “miserable” time in his life, in part because of how stressed out he made himself on top of other woes.

Appearing on the podcast All Out with Jon Dean (available on YouTube and elsewhere), Parsons looked back at that time of his life and career with fresh eye, and admitted that while it may have looked like heaven from the outside, it was anything but from within. After noting that he stayed sober throughout the first nine seasons of The Big Bang Theory’s, he made this observation:

As opposed to any fun and fancy-free feelings he might have felt about being on one of TV's most popular sitcoms, Jim Parsons seemed to view that success as being a massive amount of pressure to live up to. (Understandably so.) It seems like he was extremely invested in delivering the best version of Sheldon Cooper as he could, and even his method of memorizing scripts seemed intense.

Knowing just how unhappy he was on some levels makes it easier to understand why he was the first cast member who wanted to leave the show, despite others trying to convince him to stay on. And I don't think anyone currently in the process of creating a broadcast TV sitcom should have any hopes for Parsons to sign on as a lead. He plainly stated his career's future will not reflect his past in such a way, saying:

Though he can readily admit that the "somewhat self-tortured nature" is part of why he doesn't feel inclined to ever go back to that lifestyle, and that he regrets that he "missed a lot of life" while stressing over the role of Sheldon Cooper, Jim Parsons is also still appreciative for everything that his years onThe Big Bang Theory helped him to achieve. As such, he doesn't see himself as a bearer of great advice when it comes to other actors who may be in similar positions.

Could Jim Parsons Ever Play Sheldon Cooper Again?

Technically, Jim Parsons has only been completely free from Sheldon Cooper's shadow for a couple of years, as he served as the narrator for CBS' Young Sheldon, and also returned in-person for the series finale in 2024. But he also sounds like he's in a better place mentally and emotionally in terms of carrying that mantle, despite years of reservations over constantly being viewed as his astrophysicist character by fans and the general public.

The most obvious place for a new Sheldon cameo to hit the 2026 TV schedule would be in the new HBO Max comedy Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which we already know will feature plenty of fan–favorite cameos and easter eggs as it picks up where the OG sitcom left off, albeit in the strangest way possible.

That spinoff’s plot kicks off when the titular comic store owner accidentally damages a high-tech device built by Sheldon and Leonard, which would seemingly already provide a clear and logical way for Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki to reprise their beloved roles. But given the wacky nature of the new show, such reprisals could happen in ways other than straightforward live-action appearances. For example, if Parsons would be more comfortable lending his voice to an animated Sheldon rather than donning a Green Lantern shirt himself, so be it.

Lots of "serious" actors spend ages attempting to distance themselves from heavily embraced roles due to self-image and other issues, only to realize years later that it might have been better to embrace all the fans' appreciation from the jump. Here's hoping that Parsons can find a way to play Sheldon again in the most relaxing and stress-free manner possible.

All seasons of The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon are available to stream via HBO Max subscription, which is where fans can also find Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which premieres on Thursday, July 23.

New Girl, which you can stream with a Disney+ subscription, is the kind of TV show you put on to feel the comfort of a friend. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry - maybe both at the same time - and you’ll fall in love with it all over again, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. (Is it just me? Nope.) A big part of that endurance comes from not just loving the characters separately, but loving the whole ensemble, so the thought of any of the actors not playing exactly the role they were cast in makes me shudder.

One of TV’s funniest sitcoms, New Girl debuted in 2011, as Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) needed a new place to live after finding out that her long-term boyfriend cheated on her. Her world expanded with roommates Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris), and they became inseparable for seven seasons. But that fantastic foursome almost didn’t happen, in its current ensemble. Here’s what Zooey Deschanel said about it on the Zach Sang Show:

Zooey went on to explain that Jake Johnson and Max Greenfield both became part of the New Girl cast early on. She also knew Hannah Simone should be Jess’s best friend when she saw her smart, deadpan approach to CeCe. The Coach role was tougher to cast, and while they loved Damon Wayans Jr., he had to return to his own show, Happy Endings, leaving a void after the pilot. And then, Lamorne Morris reentered the picture.

The man who brought Winston Bishop to life originally auditioned for the Coach character, before his role was ultimately created. During that time, he had already made an impression on his future co-stars, who all went to bat for him when they needed to round out the ensemble. Zooey continued:

When the chemistry is there, you can feel it, so it’s not surprising that Lamorne Morris rose above the rest for everyone in the cast. And since wrapping the series in 2018, his career has continued to rise as he went on to join the list of 2024 Emmy winners, for his role in Fargo Season 5. (Fans can also see him in the 2026 TV series Spider-Noir, streaming via Amazon Prime subscription.) Thankfully, though, the gut instinct of the New Girl cast won out, and the actor meant to play Winston stepped into the role. Deschanel said:

You can hear the willingness the New Girl cast had to ensure the best actor would step into the role in the words of Jess, herself, in the full clip at:

The comedy is largely considered one of the most rewatchable TV shows ever, and the love it still has makes it ripe for a revival. Who wouldn’t want to see that loveable ensemble together again, especially when they clearly enjoy hanging out together? Back in 2024, Lamorne Morris made it clear that it would take all of them being on board for that to be a possibility and said it was Jake Johnson keeping a New Girl revival from happening. Until then, we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that the stars might someday align for new episodes.

As iconic and successful as it's been, The Big Bang Theory had its share of critics during its run on television. Now, as we reach the point in the 2026 TV schedule where its latest spinoff, Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, comes out, creator Chuck Lorre is firing back. While some may say the original series poked fun or made jokes at nerdy peoples' expense, Lorre has strong feelings pushing against that.

I spoke to Lorre and the other co-creators of Stuart Fails To Save The Universe about the original show's reputation, and how the upcoming series available with an HBO Max subscription feels more "geek-coded" in comparison.

Lorre didn't see his characters as nerdy, nor does he feel the same way as Stuart Fails To Save The Universe and its cast. Kevin Sussman's character still owns a comic shop in the series, ironic because Sussman worked in one as he started out in acting. I wouldn't call Sussman an inherently geeky person, so maybe Chuck Lorre made a good point.

Co-creator Bill Prady, who also helped make The Big Bang Theory, also chimed in. He brought up that, at times, he felt fan complaints characterized him and the writers as punching down on the geeks and nerds. In reality, Prady was pitching and writing moments from his own life:

Prady's point being, even if the show was making fun of "nerds," it wasn't from a place of them being above those experiences or awkward encounters. I don't think it should come as a surprise to any reader that the creators and writers of The Big Bang Theory could also be nerdy, seeing as they invited guest stars like Star Trek's Wil Wheaton regularly.

Now, they've created Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, a series that turns the world of The Big Bang Theory on its head and puts Stuart and friends in wild situations across the multiverse. The trailer for this sci-fi series shows this is a series that feels more like something Leonard and the guys would watch in his apartment, rather than anything that may feel like mockery to its prospective audience.

It's the third spinoff from The Big Bang Theory, and I'm sure HBO is hoping it'll succeed as the next major hit for the growing franchise. Things are a bit different this time around, with the show relying on violence and edgy material rather than wholesome family comedy made for a CBS audience. I'm eager to see how the world responds, and if Chuck Lorre and company can make television magic yet again.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Thursday, July 23rd. Be prepared for the world of The Big Bang Theory in a way it's never been seen before, and prepare to see some familiar faces in a brand new way.

Tropic Thunder is easily one of the funniest movies of the 2000s, even if the raunchy action comedy likely couldn’t be made today. The all-star cast is fantastic, and it is certainly one of Ben Stiller’s best films. Stiller gives such an over-the-top hilarious performance, that some fans don’t know he directed the movie as well. Stiller balanced both responsibilities perfectly, but one scene did have the cast members confused whether or not a piece of direction was coming from Stiller, or his character in the film.

In one of the scenes, Stiller’s character, actor Tugg Speedman, is telling Steve Coogan’s character, film director Damien Cockburn, to cut. Tugg is being periodically dunked in a pool of water, desperately asking the director to stop filming, so his “cuts” are pretty agitated. However, considering Stiller was actually the director of the very real film they were making, Coogan didn’t know whether or not the “cut” direction was to him as an actor or not. Coogan explained (via Instagram):

I can imagine that would be so confusing. The point of Tropic Thunder are the several layers of irony that the movie is operating under. The cast of the film are playing a ridiculous band of actors who are making a movie, so there is emphasis on the “movie-within-a-movie trope.” Throwing in the fact that one of the lead actors is the director of the film is even more confusing.

As a result of this mess. Stiller realized he had to come up with alternative phrases for the cast and crew to know when a direction was coming from him as the filmmaker, rather than him as his character in a scene. In true Ben Stiller/comedy movie fashion, the phrase he decided on was hilarious, and incredibly direct. Stiller said:

Well I guess you can’t get more on the nose than that. However, as someone who has seen the movie a million times, I think that phrase is still something Tugg Speedman would say in the film during that scene, so it still could be confusing. They probably should have used a classic code word like “pineapple” or something totally random to take the cast and crew out of the film, but I guess Stiller’s style ended up working out.

This kind of meta aspect of the film is what makes the end product so great, and makes the audience feel like the cast is laughing at themselves through their characters, which is always fun to watch.

You can revisit Ben Stiller, Steve Coogan, and the rest of the iconic cast in Tropic Thunder, which is currently streaming with a Peacock subscription. Fans of Stiller should also check out his upcoming 2026 film, Focker-In-Law, which hits theaters on November 25th.

Without fail, every single time I’ve rewatched Ted Lasso with my Apple TV subscription, I replay the moment where Ted hits his head on Rebecca’s door frame. It’s so shocking that I always instantly replay it. However, the story behind filming that moment makes it even crazier, because it was a total accident. And I have to say, the fact that it wasn’t meant to happen makes Hannah Waddingham’s look of horror in the episode make a lot more sense.

The moment in question happens during Season 1, Episode 10, after a meeting Ted has with Rebecca. During their conversation, Ted voices his insecurities about coaching the team, and Rebecca hypes him up. That prompts the coach to realize he can “cause chaos” on the pitch, and with his newfound realization, he jumps for joy out of her office. However, he jumps a bit too hard and hits his head and knee on the doorframe. He then falls down, gets up, and says he’s “fine.” According to Jason Sudeikis, he really wasn’t fine, though, as he explained on The Drew Barrymore Show:

Well, that story about filming this Ted Lasso moment could certainly explain why Hannah Waddingham’s Rebecca looked like she was in utter shock when her coach slammed into the door frame (which you can see in the image at the top of this story).

While I know they turned the camera around to get Waddingham's coverage after Sudeikis hurt himself, I also have to assume they were both in shock about what just happened. So, I’d imagine that looking horrified and concerned for the camera was not difficult. In fact, I’d assume there was really no acting required there, because from a viewer’s perspective, the way the Ted actor jumped, hit himself, and then fell was so utterly unexpected. I have to believe they felt the same way on set too.

Now, I’m very curious to see if there are moments like this in Season 4 of Ted Lasso. Both Sudeikis and Waddingham are set to return, alongside Juno Temple (Keeley Jones), Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins). Plus, a whole new set of characters will be joining them, as Ted will return to AFC Richmond to coach the women’s team.

With all that in mind, I’m sure the cast and creatives will bring us many new gags, goofs and hilarious quotes that will leave us laughing and maybe even gasping like this Season 1 moment did.

However, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to find out, as Season 4 of Ted Lasso is set to premiere on the 2026 TV schedule on Wednesday, August 5. In the meantime, we can all go back and watch this wild, injury-inducing moment by streaming the beloved comedy series on Apple TV.

By all accounts, Tom Cruise’s next big-screen effort is unlike anything else in his 45-year career, and also looks unlike any other 2026 movie releases, standing far apart from his recent years invested in Mission: Impossible’s Ethan Hunt. The actor rarely dons extensive makeup and prosthetics for roles, but fully transformed for the role of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, with total Les Grossman vibes all over this thing. We don’t have a new trailer yet, but we do have several new videos showing off Digger’s (digitally enhanced) skills with a soccer ball.

We’re definitely waiting to see more from Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new movie after that bonkers first trailer, but I am fully embracing any and all ad campaigns utilizing this character for moments that won’t be in the film. Case in point, Warner Bros. is promoting the World Cup with Digger, giving audiences that much more of this loquacious and endlessly confident personality to soak up before the movie gets here.

Check out the video below, which features both Digger Rockwell and Tom Cruise. How did they do it?!? (Amazement heightened for dramatic effect.)

I can see why this probably seemed like a good 1:1 connection to make. Digger Rockwell is described as being the most powerful man in the world, so it only makes sense that he would be promoting the most popular sport on the planet. (You’re probably not gonna catch ol’ Digger waxing poetically about the next Pillow Fight Championship event.) I guess when you’re one of the richest people of all time, you have that much more time to practice your ball-handling skills.

The video promo below is sans Cruise himself, but offers up quite a bit more fancy footwork with the ball that’s fun to watch, even if it’s abundantly clear that Digger is not actually hitting all those perfect moves himself. My brain can gloss over the somewhat unnatural way the ball balances on his head and feet, because I’m just that invested in this dude’s whole vibe.

Beyond all the excellent shots of that wonky-looking cat, I also like that we get a peek into Digger’s mindset in this one, even if it’s not the most mysterious or hidden.

Which is why the bazillionaire is the only person suited to take a self-appointed global savior role, as he attempts to thwart an all-consuming disaster that he himself was responsible for unleashing. So maybe he’s not the most likeable guy from the onset. But I’m already thinking this character deserves sequels and TV spinoffs. Assuming Tom Cruise wants to keep bringing that WTF look out.

The video below was the first one shared, preceding those above by a couple of days, and it almost seems tame in comparison.

Digger, which already got big props from Cruise’s M:I 3 director J.J. Abrams, is set to hit theaters on October 2. And it’s going to be hard for me to stop hearing the character’s slightly unnerving way of repeating “Olé” the way he does at the end of that second video.

After seven years as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, Chloe Fineman has decided to exit the NBC mainstay. She leaves behind a strong legacy of iconic sketches and characters and for a while, seemed like one of the faces of the show. However, there have been a lot of changes at SNL, and for Fineman it seemed like the right time to depart. Of course, it's know that she's already landed her next gig and, per a report, her decision to step away from Studio 8H came together very quickly.

Fineman was offered a new TV opportunity that would reportedly conflict with SNL’s famously intense and demanding schedule. As has been revealed, Fineman was offered a role in David E. Kelley’s upcoming Netflix series, Myron Bolitar. And, according to a source for Page Six, Fineman allegedly decided upon everything in the matter of a day:

Myron Bolitar is one of many Harlan Coben adaptations in development at the aforementioned streamer, as the author’s books have been the source material for thirteen series currently available on the platform. This immense success of the previous adaptations bodes well for this latest production, so it makes sense that Fineman wouldn’t want to give this huge opportunity up. And, in theory, a dramatic turn like this could be a way for her to showcase her range.

Additionally, Page Six's insider also claims the purportedly fast decision could also be a result of Fineman’s current status at the show. Fineman’s presence on the show had dimmed a bit due to the power of new performers at the show, which includes rising star Ashley Padilla, who was one of the most heavily featured performers last season. SNL is a very competitive environment, and Padilla was notably taking on roles in sketches that had been given to Fineman in the past. A source claimed:

Many have noted over the years that timing an SNL exit is incredibly important, and knowing when to leave is crucial for one's career following their tenure. The Lorne Michaels-produced show is a great way for a performer to show what they're capable of, but some stars have spoken about how it can limit a person's opportunities outside the show.

Additionally, many cast members Chloe Fineman started with, including Bowen Yang, have already exited the show themselves. On that note, Yang praised Fineman alongside others like Kenan Thompson and Marcello Hernández after she announced her departure. All in all, fans seemed to love watching Fineman make a name for herself over the years, but it's great to see new faces too. Regardless of what exactly went into her decision-making and how fast it transpired, I'm excited to see what lies ahead for her.

Check out some of Chloe Fineman’s best sketch comedy moments by revisiting Season 51 of Saturday Night Live, which is currently streaming with a Peacock subscription. That'll be a solid way for SNL fans to pass the time before the show returns for its 52nd season on NBC this fall as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

The Scrubs reboot had a successful launch on the 2026 TV schedule. It became an instant hit on ABC when it premiered earlier this year, and it's since been renewed for a second season. A handful of franchise OGs appeared in the first season, with the reboot cast led by the returning Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke, and more OGs are expected to return. Now, production has officially begun on Season 2, and Braff celebrated with some truly lovely posts.

It felt like it took forever for the Scrubs reboot to get off the ground, with discussions apparently going back and forth for a while. So the notion of the actors returning to the Sacred Heart set to film a second season of this revival is very satisfying for this fan. With the cast back on set, Braff celebrated by sharing a photo of himself, Chalke and Faison on Instagram, and I’m loving the caption added to the post:

As a fan, I can honestly say it's so great to see the three of them back on set! We had to wait six years to see JD, Elliot, and Turk together again and, now, we only have to wait a matter of months for new episodes. With filming having started, I would hope that more BTS content will be shared in the months to come. In the meantime, though, Braff's other photo, which shows Faison with Penny the dog, is just warming my heart:

As of now, it’s unknown when Scrubs Season 2 will premiere, but the presence of BTS material makes the prospect of its return feel all the more real. Even though Braff's photos are making me excited for the second season, I’m also nervous about what could be coming. Of course, this is a fun show, but it can also be heartbreaking. After all, the writers managed to throw in that twist involving John C. McGinley’s Dr. Cox, which was devastating.

Before all that, though, it was hard to predict just how it would predict how the medical show would fare. Reboots and revivals are all the rage in Hollywood right now, and they can be hit or miss. Ultimately, reviews for Scrubs were mostly positive, though, and the reboot’s premiere brought in big ratings. With the return of numerous OGs and the introduction of a new crop of young doctors, the franchise seems to have found a solid balance between the old and the new.

I'm hopeful that additional details on Season 2 of Scrubs will be revealed in the coming weeks. Networks are beginning to finalize their fall schedules, so it may not be long before ABC releases premiere dates. At the very least, fans can feel relief knowing that filming has started, and here's hoping the cast and crew have a great shoot. For now, watch the original Scrubs and first season of the reboot with a Hulu subscription.

The Sheep Detectives is now available to stream with a Prime subscription, so if you've been wondering about this critically acclaimed movie, now's the time to watch. I watched it with my child, and while we both thought it was a great movie for all ages, we were both absolutely devastated by the Winter Lamb.

Murder aside, there's nothing more upsetting in this movie than a baby lamb who is constantly bullied by the rest of the flock. What's even worse is I found out this was a thing that actually happens in nature and is more common than non-shepherds and farmers may think.

Yes Winter Sheep Are Rejected By Flocks, And There's A Science Behind It

Known sometimes as "Bummer Lambs," these little sheep are given their names because, for whatever reason, they're the weakest of the younger sheep in their flock. For a variety of reasons, sheep will occasionally reject the smaller and weaker lambs they give birth to, often to preserve the survival of the stronger ones. It's then on the farmer to care for the weaker baby lamb, often bottle-feeding and providing warmth to it until it's strong enough to be on its own.

Hobby Farms wrote that it's not uncommon for farms to sell these lambs at a bargain, which may be how George Hardy came across them. Due to the feeding and warmth requirements, George likely had to spend a lot of time with the sheep, which prevented it from being around the other sheep in the flock and bonding with them over a love of mystery novels.

Winter Sheep Can Be Accepted By A Flock Without A Murder Happening

Winter sheep are a sad phenomenon, but the good news is it can be fixed! What's better is it can all be accomplished without requiring the sheep to solve a murder mystery, which is good because I don't want to deal with more grief after George's tragic death. By the way, if you thought that ending was sad, definitely don't read the book.

Usually sheep just need slow integration into the flock, and they'll be accepted soon enough. What I found interesting, and what The Sheep Detectives didn't cover, is that these sheep often can become "leading sheep" in the pack, as the ones most comfortable around humans. I have to say, I like the idea of the Winter Lamb ultimately growing up to lead the flock, so I'm going to imagine that's exactly what happens.

The Sheep Detectives is available to stream over on Prime Video, and even those of us who didn't enjoy the film recommend that readers watch it. To pile on top of the existing sheep puns surrounding the movie, it's not a baaaaaaad way to spend an evening watching it.

In Olivia Wilde’s film on the 2026 movie schedule, The Invite, there’s a lot of hilarious and direct talk about sex. The film sees two couples played by Seth Rogen and Wilde and Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton gather for a dinner party, and quickly the conversation gets intimate. Their actions do too, and while speaking about filming those moments in particular, Rogen shared that he just kept telling Cruz “thank you.”

This story came up after Ike Barinholtz – who is one of the guest hosts filling in for Jimmy Kimmel – asked Rogen if he was “at all worried Javier Bardem is going to kill [him]” while he was filming intimate scenes for The Invite with Penélope Cruz. Here’s what The Studio star had to say about that during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live:

As someone who covers steamy shows like Heated Rivalry and Bridgerton, I’ve heard my fair share of stories about how intimate moments are filmed. I can safely say I haven’t heard one like this before. However, manners are always nice, so it’s both hilarious and kind of wholesome that Seth Rogen just kept saying “thank you” to his scene partner as they played out a moment where their characters almost hooked up.

However, it was a bit odd that he just kept reiterating the phrase as he filmed with Cruz, and The Invite’s director, Olivia Wilde, couldn't help but ask him what was up. Recalling how she reacted to Rogen’s constant thanking, the comedic actor said:

He went on to joke that he would be “apologetic and thankful” in the situation their characters were in, which makes the “thank yous” make sense.

Overall, this story hilariously highlights both what this new A24 movie is about and how funny it is. While it has tense and dramatic moments as these two couples navigate their relationships, as The Invite’s trailer shows, it’s also laugh-out-loud funny. That’s in great part thanks to the comedic genius of Rogen and his co-stars.

So far, The Invite has a great Rotten Tomatoes score of 96% and stellar reviews. And ever since I saw it, I’ve been thinking about the masterful performances given by Rogen, Cruz, Wilde and Norton and the wild story they tell about two couples reckoning with their relationships in mental and physical ways. The movie really is so nuanced, emotional, and funny, and it is very deserving of the praise. Or, I guess I should say, it’s very deserving of a few thank yous.

Spoilers for Ride or Die are ahead! You can stream the series with an Amazon Prime subscription.

While Debbie (Octavia Spencer) finds out that Judith (Hannah Waddingham) is an assassin early in Ride or Die, the fact that she kept that secret for so long looms large over the entire show. So, as I watched the project on the 2026 TV schedule, I couldn’t stop stressing about said secret. That's why I asked Hannah Waddingham about it and how long her character kept it.

Throughout Ride or Die, Waddingham’s character fights off bad guys, but she also has to deal with inner demons and secrets. This specifically applies to the state of her friendship with Debbie, as Judith didn't tell her she was an assassin for decades. Considering how long she kept her true profession under wraps, I asked the Ted Lasso actress if her character ever thought about confessing to her pal. In response, she said:

As I was watching the show, I couldn’t help but think about how natural that secret became. Judith’s life with Debbie was an escape from her professional life, and telling her about it would endanger both of them. So, she just kept on keeping this massive part of her life to herself.

To that point, Waddingham explained that she made sure her performance acknowledged the fact that keeping this information from her best friend was second nature:

In the Ride or Die trailer alone, Debbie and Judith’s bond is on full display. So, you can imagine both how hard it might have been to live with that secret and how terrible it was for both of them when it was revealed.

As the show goes on, Debbie reckons with Judith’s real job, and it impacts their friendship in a big way. However, while she was utterly blindsided by her pal’s reveal, I also couldn’t help but wonder if she was ever suspicious about all this. So, I asked Spencer about it, and she said:

Waddingham went on to say that both characters coped with their lives by hiding things, and they’ve each gotten so used to it that it was something they could do without thinking about it too much. So, there was no suspicion. However, once the cat was out of the bag, all of this became unavoidable conflict.

That became the driving force behind Season 1 too, as these women reckoned with Judith’s secret and worked through their history together (while also fighting off bad guys). Overall, this all helped make Ride or Die a complex story about female friendship, and Waddingham and Spencer played the nuances of it all very well.

Now, to see how all this plays out in detail, you can stream Ride or Die on Prime Video.

The ongoing saga between Bam Margera and the rest of the Jackass crew, specifically Johnny Knoxville, has reared up once again with the release of Jackass: Best and Last on the 2026 movie schedule. Margera, arguably the second biggest star in the whole cast of the original show, has been estranged from Knoxville and director Jeff Tremaine for years now. The fallout really escalated in 2022 with the production of Jackass: Forever, and now Knoxville has spoken out about Margera’s lack of participation in the latest release. Here’s what he had to say about it.

Bam Was Invited, But He Said No

Bam Margera’s personal problems have been well documented over the years. And according to the producers of Jackass: Forever, they were the reason he was fired from the production five years ago. Margera has a different take on the firing, claiming they didn’t live up to their end of the deal when he agreed to go to rehab as a condition of appearing in the movie. Margera and Knoxville have been on the outs ever since.

That means he also didn’t appear in any new footage for the latest movie, which is a combination of “best of” bits, outtakes, and some new stunts and has been somewhat warmly received by fans and critics. Margera does appear in one outtake filmed in 2020. That wasn't really a surprise to anyone who has followed the drama for all these years, but until recently, Knoxville has been somewhat mum on the decision not to include Margera again.

When Knoxville was finally asked in an Esquire interview why Margera is only seen in the movie in old footage, he gave a pretty straightforward answer. According to Johnny, Bam turned down the offer to appear. Here’s what he said:

Margera sees things differently, of course. He has also been asked recently about not appearing in the movie. It has everything to do with Knoxville and Tremaine, according to Margera. Speaking to Rolling Stone earlier this month, he said that while he was planning on seeing Jackass: Best and Last, he said a reunion was out of the question. He told the magazine:

Those decisions, according to Margera, led to a lawsuit after Jackass: Forever, which was settled shortly after the movie was released in 2022. The legal drama has been over for some time, but it seems the lingering wounds still haven’t healed for Margera. For his part, Knoxville is seemingly taking the high road, though it doesn’t seem like the two are going to squash their beef anytime soon.

It’s always hard to say goodbye to Saturday Night Live cast members, and that’s especially the case when they’ve worked at the show for a long time. So, yes, it’s difficult to comprehend that Chloe Fineman really is leaving SNL after seven seasons. However, while it’s sad, it’s also worth celebrating the incredible run that she had, which is exactly what Bowen Yang, Kenan Thompson and so many more did.

Chloe Fineman’s departure from SNL marks the first cast exit ahead of Season 52, and the first comedian to leave since Bowen Yang said goodbye in the middle of Season 51. In her Instagram post about this news, the actress noted that “it’s time for [her] next chapter.” She also wrote that “it’s really hard to leave SNL, but it does feel like the right time.” In response, a bunch of current and former cast members commented, writing things like:

• Bowen Yang: You tore that shit up. I love you so much, Chlo. ✨
• Kenan Thompson: Fantastic work Chloe!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
• Marcello Hernández: Congrats Carlotaaaa ❤️‍🔥🫱🏼🫲🏼 💃
• Ego Nwodim: Congratulations Chloe!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
• Jeremy Culhane: I’m gonna miss you so bad!!! ❤️❤️❤️
• Sarah Sherman: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
• Ben Marshall: SNL legend 😭
• Veronika Slowikowska: Love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Yang and Fineman both joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in Season 45, which makes his statement mean even more. Plus, it has to be moving to see SNL’s longest-running cast member, Kenan Thompson, call out how brilliant your run was on the show. Along with those two, Ego Nwodim congratulated Fineman, and so did Marcello Hernández and Sarah Sherman, both of whom joined after her but have worked with her for a long time.

Alongside the longtimers, some of Season 51’s newbies commented too. This included Jeremy Culhane and Veronika Slowikowska; Ben Marshall, who was a writer for a while before joining the cast full-time, also showed his love.

So, all around, despite this news being a bummer, there is a lot of love for Fineman among the SNL cast. She got a bunch of appreciation from other celebs too. Check out these comments:

• Reese Witherspoon: CHLOE !!! Your SNL characters were always the perfect blend of clueless & unhinged. So excited for your very bright future! ✨
• Natalie Portman: You’ve made us all laugh so hard for so many years! Excited for what you’ll do next
• Lily Collins: Wow! Thank you for being so insanely hilarious. Can’t wait to see what you do next
• Monica Barbaro: incredible. well done. you’re a star… a legend… also a genuinely nice chill person. idk how you do it all. so excited for you 🩷🩷

It’s always so sweet to see a Saturday Night Live cast member celebrated like this, and it’s certainly deserved for Fineman. Now, I can’t wait to see what she does next, and I’d assume those who commented feel the same way.

Of course, when SNL returns to the 2026 TV schedule for Season 52, it will be odd not to see Chloe Fineman on screen (you can still stream her old episodes with a Peacock subscription). However, the show will go on, and her career will continue to flourish.

As far as early jobs on the resume go, a job at Disneyland sounds like it’d be a pretty sweet one. Unless you're Will Ferrell, in which case you only last for a day. I just learned Will Ferrell once got hired to work at the Happiest Place on Earth, but he backed out of it pretty quickly. Hijinks definitely were involved.

Before Will Ferrell found his big break as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, the comedian and actor grew up in Orange County, California. One of his first jobs was technically at Disneyland, but the gig didn’t last very long. He recently revealed all this to Amy Poehler, including what lured him away.

It’s true. Not every job title at Disneyland is as exciting as the place itself. While Josh Gad might get a celebrity pass to work rides, Mr. Ferrell was not the comedian we know today at that time. He genuinely seems unenthusiastic about ticket taking, and waiting, and I do get it. That’s not even inside the park!

Since he’d just been offered another job at a surf shop in Newport Beach his friend was managing, he decided to suddenly quit. Here’s where the story really gets good, and definitely highlights the environment Ferrell grew up in that led him to be so funny.

Will Ferrell oozes confidence these days, but his anecdote on Good Hang With Amy Poehler shows that he didn’t always have nerves of steel. What a way to quit Disneyland!

One can’t help but giggle at the story. Imagine being the person that was on the other side of the line (perhaps reading this), and realizing it was THE Will Ferrell! How funny.

Will Ferrell might have quit Disneyland before he even started, but fellow SNL alum Steve Martin definitely didn’t. The comedy icon worked at Disneyland at the age of 10 after biking over to the theme park and asking for work there. Someone allowed him to sell guidebooks there, and Martin continued to work for the Mouse for eight years. The actor started working at the park’s magic shop at 15, which gave him an avenue to perform before later heading to 30 Rock.

Ultimately Will Ferrell left his life in Orange County for Los Angeles to join the city’s local The Groundlings improv group. It was there where he was encouraged to try out for SNL producer Lorne Michaels. Ferrell was on the sketch show for seven years before launching a successful movie career. And to think, if he'd spent those seven years at Disneyland, he still probably wouldn't be manning The Jungle Cruise.

His latest project is a new series called The Hawk, which is dropping this week for those with a Netflix subscription.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe is not The Big Bang Theory, and that'll be apparent enough in the opening minutes of Episode 1. Beyond the switch from traditional sitcom to serialized multi-camera exploits, those who watch can expect occasional violence, swearing, and even some R-Rated humor they would've never heard on the acclaimed CBS series. It may not be embraced by everyone, but Chuck Lorre and his fellow co-creators explained why they had to make this new show more edgy than the previous series.

As we prepare for the series' premiere on the 2026 TV schedule, I had the honor of talking to co-creators and EPs Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn about the big change from TBBT. Lorre admitted some may be surprised by the tonal shift, but that, he thinks, plays to the series' advantage:

I love the Star Trek reference by Chuck Lorre, using the classic line from Spock to salute the continuing legacy of The Big Bang Theory. Beloved as it is, the series is in syndication and on streaming for those with an HBO Max subscription, and that wasn't the show that he and the co-creators wanted to make now. They set out to make a series that emulated some of the best sci-fi movies and superhero shows, not another sitcom.

That much is understandable, but then why risk alienating that audience from The Big Bang Theory, who may not like the new cast swearing, blowing people up, or any of the other wild stuff that happens in the trailer? Bill Prady spoke to me about how it's more or less a necessity, as the reactions help sell the stakes of the story:

The stakes have to feel earned in Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, and as the title may suggest, the stakes are very high. Though the verdict is still out on whether the show's title will ultimately be a massive spoiler for the series like Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, it's evident enough that we'll see Stuart fail at saving the universe more than he'll succeed.

Zak Penn was last to chime in with why the swearing happens in the new series, and while he's speaking tongue in cheek, it's still worth sharing with the prospective audience:

The co-creators added that while Stuart Fails To Save The Universe didn't necessarily hold back on the swearing, it did limit some of the more severe cases for key moments. The same goes for the violence and other wild things that occur, and while I can't get into specifics, I can confirm it's all usually done in service to the plot.

For fans of The Big Bang Theory curious about the series, there is plenty of connective tissue between the two shows that helps boost the story when it can. All this to say, superfans and even casual viewers should make a point to clock that July 23rd premiere date, and have their schedule cleared because this is a show people will be talking about.

Overall, I can't wait for people to watch Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, and be surprised by the many things that happen in this wild series. I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping for a crossover with Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, which Montana Jordan did weigh in on when speaking to CinemaBlend a while back. However, for now, I'll just enjoy this new (and slightly more R-rated) corner of the Big Bang universe.

There are some truly great golf comedies out there (Happy Gilmore, Caddyshack, etc.) and similarly, some of the funniest Will Ferrell movies involve sports. It seems like The Hawk, which hit the 2026 TV premiere schedule July 16, should be a match made in comedy heaven, with Ferrell portraying an aging golfer seeking a huge career comeback. However, the reviews are in, and critics seem to think the new series is more double bogey than hole-in-one.

The Hawk was co-written by Will Ferrell and Harper Steele — the stars of one of 2024’s best movies, Will & Harper — as well as Chris Henchy. It features an A+ cast, reuniting Ferrell with Molly Shannon, but according to Daniel Fienberg of THR, those talents are wasted on the “most shapeless and least comedically focused” sports project of Ferrell’s career. The Hawk is “hollow and forgettable,” the critic says:

Lauren Sarner of the New York Post says she wishes Will Ferrell would have taken some of the energy he put into promoting the 2026 Netflix series — including appearing in character as Lonnie Hawkins in Kim Kardashian-approved SKIMS tighty-whities — and used it to make sure the show was actually funny. In her review of The Hawk, Sarner calls the titular character a “pale imitation” of Ferrell’s earlier work. The critic says:

Eric Goldman of IGN rates it a “Bad” 4 out of 10, calling the majority of the 10 half-hour episodes “meandering and dull.” That’s not something you expect to read about Will Ferrell, given how many funny characters we’ve gotten from him in the past, but Lonnie Hawkins does not stand up to the comedian’s previous work. Goldman says:

Richard Roeper of RogerEbert gives it 2 stars out of 4, agreeing with the above critics that everything about The Hawk reminds him of better golf movies and funnier Will Ferrell performances. The series favors “loud” over “clever” with few original gags. Roeper continues:

Erik Adams of AV Club is a little kinder to the Netflix comedy, giving it a "B" despite the critic’s admission that it “lands a few feet shy of the pin.” Adams still says it’s an “A” for effort (or, I guess a “B” for effort), because Will Ferrell is as game as ever. He says:

Will Ferrell is quite the character, but that doesn’t always translate into laughs. The Hawk reviews indicate there was a surprising lack of humor and even some mean-spiritedness in the 10 episodes, as well. So far, 24 critics on Rotten Tomatoes are rating the series at a pretty putrid 29%. However, if you’re a fan of Ferrell or any of the talented ensemble, you should definitely check out the show and draw your own conclusions.

The Hawk is available to stream now with a Netflix subscription.

Despite any and all annual claims from Michael Che that he's leaving Saturday Night Live in the near future, that thankfully still isn't the cast just yet. However, today did bring the somewhat disappointing and somewhat hopeful news that the long-running sketch comedy did lose its first longtime cast member ahead of Season 52 premiering later in 2026: the always great Chloe Fineman!

Lest this sound solely like a funeral dirge, this casting departure seemingly isn't due to anything detrimental happening behind the scenes, and hasn't yet sparked any rumors. In fact, she shared a bittersweet, photo-filled post on Instagram where she spoke directly about leaving, saying:

Doesn't sound like somebody who hated her job for the past seven years. Quite the opposite. She shared more fun memories, and closed out with this:

You heard her, scientists. Get on that. And while you're at it, you might as well figure out a way to clone the actress so that she can go off to do other jobs, and SNL won't have to lose her stable of characters and impressions that have made her seven-year run so much fun to watch. Who are they gonna get to do Drew Barrymore now? Kenan Thompson? Fine, I'll watch it.

Now let's talk about what Fineman reportedly has coming up next.

Chloe Fineman Is Reportedly Joining A Netflix Drama With KJ Apa

According to Deadline, Chloe Fineman has wasted zero time in locking down her first on-screen project following up on her SNL exit. She's reportedly in negotiations to join the cast of the Netflix drama series Myron Bolitar, based on the book series authored by the streaming service's go-to mystery scribe, Harlan Coben.

Already looped into the cast for Myron Bolitar are Riverdale vet KJ Apa, The Flight Attendant's Colin Woodell, and Doom Patrol's Diana Guerrero.

Before today, the most recent sketch star to vacate Studio 8H was Bowen Yang, who exited in the middle of Season 51, rather than doing all that waiting business. Season 51 had already faced a whirlwind of shake-ups prior to its premiere, starting with Devon Walker being let go, followed by news that Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow and Heidi Gardner were also let go, which was later followed by Ego Nwodim bowing out on her own accord.

Which stands to reason that Fineman's career change is only the first, with more to come as the summer progresses. The exits didn't start last year until mid-August, so we're already ahead of schedule.

Who will be the next SNL cast member to bow out ahead of Season 52? Place your bets, and then send me half of whatever you win, because you're nice like that.

The recent boom in gaming storytelling across TV and movies means anyone currently working on upcoming video game adaptations are likely keeping a close eye on what's working the best. For me, Fallout is the gold standard, as it brings its game elements to live about as successfully as any could hope to. Not everyone involved with the acclaimed Bethesda franchise agrees, though, as game designer and writer Chris Avellone said while he enjoys the show, there are times he's been "embarrassed" by the writing.

As Fallout's cast continues to work on Season 3, Avellone spoke to Insider Gaming about not liking the dialogue in the series. Avellone is primarily known for writing the story of Fallout: New Vegas, and while he shared praise for stars Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell, he openly talked about being let down by the script-writing:

As the senior writer for Fallout: New Vegas, I can understand why Chris Avellone may be critical of the television series, especially after Season 2. The show casually skated around directly addressing the events of the game, in part because the player can work toward multiple endings. The series opted to move things into the future, which sacrificed the wonder and luster of New Vegas seen in the games.

Avellone didn't give any specific examples of what he disliked about the dialogue in the Fallout series, but as mentioned, he did have compliments for the cast. He specifically praised Purnell and the way the series perfectly captured the wide-eyed feeling of a Vault Dweller walking out into the Wasteland for the first time.

To speculate a bit, I will say that the overall tone of Fallout: New Vegas is more serious than the Fallout series can be. The show certainly plays on the absurdity of the Wasteland and can play its brutality for laughs at times, whereas the games don't do that nearly as much. He might also not be a fan of Lucy having a catchphrase, but personally, I can't get enough of it.

Season 3 of Fallout will pick up after some interesting developments, one of which includes Lucy and Walton Goggins' Ghoul going their separate ways. He's off to Colorado in search of his family, which appeals to the gamer in me since that area hasn't gotten nearly as much attention as the areas we've seen in the show thus far. I am curious about how Chris Avellone and other creatives from the Fallout world react, and if they have any gripes with how that's approached.

Fallout is available to stream with a Prime subscription, and Season 3 is on the way. It seems like we may be getting new episodes in late 2027, which isn't a terrible time to wait, and I can't wait to see what the writing team has planned.

Legally Blonde is one of those great movies from the 2000s that’s brimming with one-liners we still repeat to this day. In honor of its 25th anniversary, one of the movie’s writers shared an amusing anecdote I’ve always been curious about. How did the amazing “bend and snap” scene come to be?

Kirsten Smith has previously called the invention of the bend and snap a “spontaneous invention” that was the result of “a completely drunken moment in a bar”. But there’s much more to it. In her words:

In the new interview, Smith said she loved writing Legally Blonde’s many iconic moments, but many of them actually came about later in the process. She and her co-writer Karen McCullah Lutz knew they wanted to give Jennifer Coolidge’s Paulette more to do, but it took some thinking. As she added to Gold Derby:

While I certainly would have thought the bend and snap was in the DNA of Legally Blonde from the beginning, that wasn’t the case. The scene came out of the rewrite stage via some notes from producer Marc Platt.

Legally Blonde would have certainly been a bit of a different movie if there was a crime at the salon instead. But it just wouldn’t have been the same without the plotline revolving around Paulette’s crush on the UPS guy. The screenwriters ultimately felt a sprinkle of romance in the B-plot would be better served than a crime due to their personal strengths as writers. I think they made the right choice.

Smith also recalled the famed scene being a “much longer sequence” and originally feeling like “the movie fully stopped” for a musical number. But after it went through the editing room, the co-writer felt like the Legally Blonde scene “became the perfect length.”

Kirsten Smith’s new comments on Legally Blonde come following the franchise getting its own series called Elle. The series is currently No. 1 on the Prime Video charts after dropping on the streaming service a couple of weeks ago. Elle is about a high-school-aged Elle Woods as her family moves from Los Angeles to Seattle, uprooting her social life completely. You can check out the new show, executive produced by Reese Witherspoon, now. And it’s always a good time to revisit Legally Blonde!

Minor spoilers for Ride or Die are ahead! You can stream the series with an Amazon Prime subscription.

We know Hannah Waddingham is a comedy queen; her Emmy-winning performance in Ted Lasso proves that. We also know she’s a great dramatic actress. However, in Ride or Die, her new show on the 2026 TV schedule, she proves she’s an action star too. In fact, there’s one scene in this new series she went so hard for that her own stunt double had to “raise her game.”

In Ride or Die, Waddingham plays an assassin named Judith, and in Episode 5, she finds herself captured in a bathroom with a bag on her head. As she struggles to free herself, she bites a guy and fights with three others. It’s a sequence that feels like something straight out of the Mission: Impossible movies, and it turns out the Ted Lasso actress took a page out of Tom Cruise’s book as she worked on her own stunts. Explaining how that impacted her stunt double, Waddingham said:

While Hannah Waddingham has had supporting roles in action movies like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and The Fall Guy, she takes center stage in Ride or Die and is very involved in its biggest set pieces. She looks like a natural on screen too. It seems like that really was the case on set, as well, considering her own stunt double had to step up her game. To that point, the actress told me:

That’s quite the feather in Waddingham’s cap, and the sequence all around is very epic. I also love that she took it so seriously and went so big that her stunt double had to get on her level. That’s a testament to how committed the actress was to the action in this show.

Overall, Waddingham is epic throughout the show, not just in this scene. Her co-lead Octavia Spencer noted that too. Earlier in our interview, I asked about moments that made Ride or Die’s stars feel the most badass. As they were talking about Judith’s skiing sequence that opens the show, The Help actress had this to say about her co-star:

As you can see in the trailer for Ride or Die alone, both Waddingham and Spencer kick butt in this show about two women who wind up on quite the action-packed adventure together.

Now, to watch the action sequences mentioned in this story, and to see exactly why Hannah Waddingham is “the whole potato” when it comes to these sequences, you can stream Ride or Die on Prime Video now.

The Big Bang Theory will soon be adding another show to the growing franchise. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is set to premiere on the 2026 TV schedule on July 23 with an HBO Max subscription. The new series will include some Big Bang Easter Eggs, even though it will mostly take place in an alternate universe. Kevin Sussman, however, revealed how Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will pick up where the original show ended.

Stuart will pick up after the events of TBBT, which ended in 2019. The series will see Stuart (Sussman) accidentally causing a multiversal apocalypse, leading him to team up with Denise (Lauren Lapkus), Bert Kibler (Brian Posehn) and Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) to fix reality. It’s going to be a treat to see these characters all together, especially Stuart and Denise, who went from comic book store owner and employee to a blossoming romantic relationship. Sussman told TVLine that the end of Big Bang gave fans a hint as to where they were going, until we had to say goodbye to them:

Even though some people may not like that this new Big Bang Theory spinoff doesn’t include any of the main cast, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a pretty great alternative. You have some fan-favorite recurring characters that you are now able to learn more about and expand more. In Stuart and Denise’s case, we’ll finally see more of their relationship. And honestly, I couldn’t be more curious about what’s in store for them. Sussman is excited for the opportunity to touch more on these characters, in more ways than one. As he put it:

It’s likely that about seven years have passed between the events of The Big Bang Theory’s finale and the beginning of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, much like in real life. Obviously a lot can change in that time, but it sounds like Stuart and Denise are still very much together, or at least still working together. Considering the other two Big Bang Theory spinoffs are prequels, it’s hard to tell how Stuart will go. Not only is this the first spinoff that directly follows the events of The Big Bang Theory after the finale, but it’s also a multiverse show, so it could go in so many directions.

Meanwhile, it seems like the series is already having an impact, as Sussman had a full-circle moment ahead of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s premiere. He shared a picture on Instagram from his old stomping grounds: a comic book store he used to work at, where his old boss put up a poster for his new show. And you really can’t get any more meta than that.

I am excited to see what Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is all about. The show has already been getting hyped by fellow Big Bang stars, so knowing that it’s gotten the stamp of approval from other actors makes it even better. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres on Thursday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

The 2026 TV schedule has already included a surprising amount of reboots, revivals, and spinoffs, and we’re only halfway through the year. One of those revivals included Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. Streaming now with a Hulu subscription, the four-episode series brought back most of the Malcolm cast with even more chaos and surprises in tow. One surprise I just found out about was how the crew redid the original house, and it sounds like an insane amount of work.

Even though I am always on the fence about revivals and reboots, it’s always incredible seeing the same sets as if nothing ever changed. Between the exact layout, intricate details and more, you’d assume that said set was never torn down or that they had blueprints of the set and knew where everything should be. But in Malcolm in the Middle’s case, things were a bit more complicated. Bryan Cranston, who played Hal, did Variety’s Actors on Actors segment with Rhea Seehorn, where he talked about doing the revival. Seehorn asked him if they had to rebuild the sets in Life’s Still Unfair, and he got real about the house:

I have heard about going the extra mile, but I can't imagine having to comb through who knows how many episodes just to make sure that the house is exact. It probably would have been easier to just build a whole new house set. But it wouldn’t be the same if Hal and Lois lived in a different house than the one on Malcolm in the Middle, which went through so much over the seven-season run.

It’s astounding that no blueprints were saved, even with the show ending two decades ago. Of course, no one could have predicted that a revival would have happened, but you never know when you could need it. This definitely makes me appreciate Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair even more and the hardworking crew. Although now I’m curious if other revivals have to go through the same process.

As of now, it’s unknown if Malcolm in the Middle will get another revival. While nothing is set in stone, it’s possible the revival could launch a spinoff. Creator Linwood Boomer and executive producer Tracy Katsky Boomer previously shared that they think Keeley Karsten, who plays Malcolm’s daughter Leah, could hold her own with her own show. Four episodes was definitely not enough, but if more episodes happen hopefully they don’t have to rebuild the OG house again from scratch.

If anything, all that hard work definitely paid off. Reviews for Life’s Still Unfair leaned toward mostly positive, with many critics pointing out that the one downside is the fact that the show is only four episodes long. More hard work could be on the way, but for now, fans can watch the original series and revival on Hulu and see if they can spot any differences with the house.

Jerry Seinfeld has made his feelings regarding Friends well known over the years, and his opinion doesn’t seem have changed any. Seinfeld and the aforementioned sitcom overlapped in TV history, and it’s easy to see the comparisons, especially when the comedian points them out. Both sitcoms were about a group of friends and were set in New York City, along with being among the most popular '90s sitcoms. Seinfeld took aim at Friends during a recent discussion and, with that, it's hard not to think about the other times he's spoken out about the series.

What Did Jerry Seinfeld Say About Friends This Time?

The topic came up yet again during Netflix is a Joke festival (via Hollywood Reporter) in which the comedian asked the audience to guess his favorite sitcom. They gave the usual answers from his own comedy (which in true Seinfeld attitude, he swiftly denied) to Curb Your Enthusiasm. During the festival, Seinfeld also shared his theory on Friends:

It's obvious that the comic is being playful here, though it's hard not to see the similarities between his show and that of David Crane and Marta Kaufman's. Sure, Seinfeld's eponymous show was successful, but it's clear that he has strong feelings about the sitcom's primetime counterpart.

What Jerry Seinfeld Previously Said About Friends

Seinfeld premiered on NBC in 1989 and ran for nine seasons, so it predated Friends which came on a “few years later” in 1994. When the latter debuted, it followed Seinfeld reruns. That fact seemed to elicit a cheeky - although very on brand - response from the comedian after he ran into Lisa Kudrow at a party. He had a funny response when the Phoebe actor told him hello:

Well, that was direct and to the point, and Kudrow also recalled saying, "You're right. Thank you" after a moment of confusion. Given the overlap of the sitcoms, it's not surprising to think of the two as competitors. Both of the NBC Must See titles were known for having insightful and funny moments. I still hear quotes and see merchandise everywhere with those sayings. However, some fans have pointed out other ways in which the iconic series overlap

A fan list (shared via Vice) speculates that perhaps some of Friends' fame stems from storylines that are a little too similar to Seinfeld's, such as a battle with pants that are just a little too tight. Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time the the Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox-headlined series has been considered a "little too similar" to another sitcom. It's also been compared to the Queen Latifah-led comedy Living Single.

On top of all that, both NBC sitcoms were shot primarily before a live audience, with Friends taking longer to film. So, needless to say, there's a lot of connective tissue between these two programs.

Despite the similarities between Friends and Seinfeld and the jokes from the latter's star, it's clear that both comedies hold special places in people's hearts and continue to be enjoyed by different generations of viewers. For that, the cast and crews of both sitcoms should be proud.

They also remain especially meaningful for the cast themselves. While the Seinfeld cast drifted apart for a time after the show ended, they have reunited off and on throughout recent years. And, of course, the Friends cast has remained quite tight, and they even gathered for a reunion a few years before cast member Matthew Perry's death.

Of course, fans can be reassured that they don't have to pick a favorite, as they're free to enjoy both. You can rewatch Seinfeld with a Netflix subscription and Friends using an HBO Max subscription.

The 2026 movie schedule marks what might be Tom Cruise’s most ambitious performance yet. Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu are teaming up for Digger – a comedy about the world’s most powerful (and chaotic) businessman who must prevent a global disaster. Cruise really had to go through a physical transformation to play the titular Digger Rockwell, and he’s a sight to behold in the wild trailer. Funny enough, Cruise delightfully dropped an F-bomb when he first saw what had been envisioned for the character’s look.

Earlier this year, Cruise talked about playing Digger and how, in hindsight, the last 40 years of his career had been preparing him for the role. The leading man reiterated that during an event for the trailer launch, which CinemaBlend was fortunate enough to attend. Cruise said he’d “never had something that could challenge me in this way” and that it was uncharted territory for Iñárritu as well. As for the first time, Cruise got a gander at his director’s vision for Rockwell, he made a humorously bold assertion:

Honestly, that's an understandable take. As has been shown, Cruise sports prosthetics, a wig and a faux belly in order to play Rockwell, and he’s more than committing to the bit. That shouldn’t be all that surprising since this is the same actor who effortlessly portrayed the eccentric Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder. Digger definitely has shades of Grossman, especially when it comes to bravado. However, as the Top Gun icon explained, the process of landing on a character varies by project:

That level of cerebral thinking is why Cruise has done such great work over the course of his illustrious career. He understands that there are different strokes for different folks – or characters in this case. And it’s because of that approach that Lestat de Lioncourt differs from Les Grossman, who differs from Frank T.J. Mackey, who differs from Jerry Maguire. All in all, given Cruise’s approach to his latest role, fans should be in for something special.

It would seem that the Rain Man alum’s cast and crew were also taken with his work on set as well. During this year’s CinemaCon, Iñárritu praised his star’s commitment to his craft and emphasized just how big a swing he was taking with this role. Emma D’Arcy – one of Cruise’s co-stars, also praised his work, and they even said they were taking notes on set.

All signs point to Tom Cruise giving a performance that’s a true tour de force, and I’m eager to see it on the biggest screen possible. Per the footage, I’m expecting Cruise – as Rockwell – to chew some scenery and drop his fair share of F-bombs. Be sure to check out Digger when it opens on October 2.

Saturday Night Live’s host lineup is always impressive each season. Even after over 50 years, the producers of the show manage to attract some excellent talent to Studio 8H. Season 51 saw a mixture of first-timers and veterans, including Matt Damon. The Saving Private Ryan star hosted for the third time in May, and he recently opened up about what got him to host the first time, and I can’t argue with his reasoning.

Damon made his SNL hosting debut back in October 2002 for the Season 28 premiere. Even though it’s been 24 years, the actor still remembers that week like it was yesterday. He recalled on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast what it was like getting the call about SNL all those years ago. He was initially confused about why he'd get the gig, because he had nothing coming out at the time. (The Bourne Identity had just released that summer.) However, his agent had a sure-fire way to talk him into saying yes:

I've always wondered what it's like for an SNL host to headline an episode when they're a massive fan of the night's musical guest. Bruce Springsteen is a pretty darn good reason to host Saturday Night Live, so I can’t say I blame Damon for immediately jumping on board after hearing that he’d be the musical guest. Of course, I can't help but think that Damon would have agreed to host SNL at some point even if Springsteen wasn’t the musical guest. Either way, I'd say everything worked out well for Damon (and his agent).

Even though he made his hosting debut in 2002, Damon made his SNL debut in 2001, and Springsteen was not involved. He cameoed during Gwyneth Paltrow’s episode in Season 27, so he had a taste of what to expect when he agreed to host. However, I get Damon’s initial reservations, as he didn’t have anything else coming out, meaning he couldn’t really do any self-promo, and the season premiere is a big deal.

During his most recent hosting gig in May, though, Damon did have something to promote. He is part of the star-studded ensemble cast for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, an upcoming 2026 movie that has everyone buzzing. The epic fantasy flick is releasing in theaters on Friday, and Damon is hyped as well. Due to his lead role as Odysseus, Damon was put through the wringer and talked about being cold and wet at times during the shoot. However, the leading man also seemed to relish the experience and even got to reunite with Charlize Theron, who he first worked with on The Legend of Bagger Vance.

While waiting for The Odyssey, fans take a step back in time, so to speak and watch Matt Damon’s first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live with a Peacock subscription. His subsequent episodes during Seasons 44 and 51 are also available to stream, along with his many cameos. And, of course, be sure to check out Bruce Springsteen's performance in the first of those episodes.

The Schwartz has been awakened, as Spaceballs: The New One is set to grace the silver screen as part of the 2027 movie schedule. Producer Mel Brooks and co. announced the legacy sequel in 2025, and it was clear from the opening crawl-centric video that fans were in for a major spoof of a movie. Plot details have mostly been kept under wraps, but there’s now an official synopsis as well as a fresh, new poster. And, after seeing those, I can already say this film is delivering what I’ve been hoping to see from this upcoming flick.

Considering this is a Spaceballs movie we’re talking about here, it’s only fitting that the synopsis be meta and totally self-referential. That’s exactly what we get here, as the logline references an infamous Star Wars line from the jump, and that’s not all. Additionally, there’s even a reference to another long-hoped-for sequel that was released earlier this year. Check out the first portion of this summary, and I dare anyone not to chuckle at least once while reading it:

I mean, how could the creative team not riff on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s “somehow, Palpatine returned” line while referencing the re-emergence of Rick Moranis’ Dark Helmet. What I wasn’t expecting was to see a reference to The Devil Wears Prada 2, but I’m not mad at it. The rest of the synopsis reads as follows:

So it would seem Spaceballs: The New One is aiming to play on elements of 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. For example in TFA, Leia helps head up the Resistance and, here Vespa, is now the head of the Druidian Throne. And, of course, the disappearances of Lone Starr and Yogurt parallel the absence of Luke Skywalker at the beginning of the Sequel Trilogy. I’m glad director Josh Greenbaum and co. are seeking to jump into outlandish new territory but, as the poster suggests, they also haven’t forgotten the franchise’s roots:

The “combing the desert” joke from Brook’s original 1987 film still holds up in my book, and it’s a perfect way to tease the movie by way of its first poster. What’s evident to me right now is that a lot of time and care has seemingly been put into making this sequel. This has particularly been a passion project for cast member/co-writer/producer Josh Gad, who pitched the movie to Mel Brooks. For a while now, Gad has kept fans updated on the production and, to that point, he also spoke out after the movie wrapped.

Gad will be joined in the film by several returning franchise veterans, including Brooks, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, George Wyner and Rick Moranis. As for series newcomers, there’s Lewis Pullman (who gets to work with dad Bill), Keke Palmer, Anthony Carrigan and Rowan Witt.

There’s still plenty of time before Spaceballs: The New One is released and, given footage hasn’t even been shown yet, I don’t want to get too excited yet. Still, if these early marketing materials are any indication, the Schwartz may be strong with this one. Check out the film when it opens in theaters on April 23, 2027.

For some time now, Tom Cruise has been teasing his next movie, Digger, a dark comedy directed by Oscar winner Alejandro Iñárritu. Some footage dropped earlier this summer and, based on that, Cruise’s titular character mirrored Tropic Thunder’s Les Grossman. Well, we finally have the first official trailer for the movie, and it’s somehow even more bonkers than I imagined. There are plenty of striking images and funny quotes, but I just can’t get the image of Digger’s cat out of my head.

The trailer quickly establishes the aging Digger Rockwell as an eccentric tycoon, who enjoys a lavish lifestyle. However, he’s quickly thrown for a loop when he learns that one of his drilling projects has started an environmental chain reaction that could spell the end of life on earth. What strikes me about this footage, which can be seen above, is the sheer scale of Iñárritu’s vision. Shots of floods, aircrafts and missile launches abound, and it’s clear that this is going to be the Birdman director’s biggest film to date.

Ironically, some of this material feels like it would be fitting for an installment of Mission: Impossible, which Cruise has since stepped away from. Personally, I’d imagine Cruise and Iñárritu are fully aware of that and may even be looking to lampoon elements of such blockbusters in that regard. Aside from the spectacle, though, there also seem to be plenty of quirky character moments acted out by the film’s capable cast.

The member of the ensemble that I can’t stop looking at, though, is Digger’s cat, who’s seen better days. In fact, it’s established early on that the feline doesn’t have long to live, which upsets his master. To say that this one-eyed furry friend is quite a sight would be an understatement, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being more essential to the narrative than teased.

Aside from the cat, though, what also sticks out to me is something quite obvious – Tom Cruise really seems to be going for it with this performance. He’s chewing up all kinds of scenery here, from trying to feed his pet peanut butter in bed to using his physical endowment to illustrate his drilling work. As Cruise explained at CinemaCon earlier this year, Rockwell was a role 40 years in the making for him, and he even dropped an enthusiastic F-bomb when he saw what the character would look like.

Iñárritu, who also co-wrote the script, praised Cruise’s performance as well, opining that while he’d pulled off plenty of massive stunts on camera, this role may have been his biggest risk. Of course, the Revenant helmer also deserves credit, as this is yet another major swing for him as well. Comedy and spectacle seem to be colliding in a great way, based on this trailer, and it’s also already clear that the director and his co-writers are injecting a bit of social commentary into this environmentally and politically-tinged story.

Of course, we also have to mention the rest of the cast, which includes John Goodman (who was mildly injured amid production) playing the President of the United States. Honestly, I can’t think of a better role for the incomparable Goodman in a romp like this one. Also part of the ensemble are Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, Michael Stuhlbarg and Emma D’Arcy, who praised Cruise’s work.

All in all, this first trailer delivers, as it expertly establishes the tone, lays out the premise and highlights its leading man in a big way. I can’t wait to see what Tom Cruise brings to the role of Rockwell and, if this footage is any indication, there’s a chance it could be Cruise’s finest performance of this decade. He’s sure to be a scene-stealer, but I also expect that cat to delight (and somewhat unnerve) audiences as well.

Digger opens in theaters on October 2 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

Full House remains a highly popular sitcom even more than 30 years after the conclusion of its eight-season run. The beloved TGIF comedy has been kept alive in part due to members of the cast and crew sharing cool behind-the-scenes tidbits about making it. Something I’ve long wondered has to do with Michelle actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. I never knew how it was decided which twin would film a specific scene. Well, thanks to two of the Olsens’ co-stars, I now have some much-needed clarification.

So much has been said about the Olsen twins’ time on Full House, including the fact that Uncle Jesse actor John Stamos nearly got them fired early on due to their constant crying. So it’s wild to think that I’m only now just getting a sense of how they were selected for scenes. The answer came from series alums Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber during an episode of the How Rude, Tanneritos! rewatch podcast. Sweetin recalled squabbles between the twins over wanting to do certain scenes and how that was handled:

Overall, it sounds like a little negotiating had to be done from time to time, depending on what was being filmed. (And, honestly, I can understand the girls’ eagerness to do ice cream scenes.) It’s interesting to think about having to manage such details on a show featuring twins, especially ones so young. Helping to solve those issues was Adria Later, who served as a teacher and acting coach to Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Barber said this of how Later would handle a disagreement over an ice cream scene or one similar:

Throughout Full House’s eight seasons, Michelle has memorable experiences, and one of those actually prompted the discussion on the rewatch podcast. Sweetin (who played Stephanie Tanner) and Barber (who played Kimmy Gibbler) recalled filming the two-part Season 6 episode, “The House Meets the Mouse,” which sees the Tanners and co. heading to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World. There’s a scene in which Michelle gets to take part in a princess float, and Barber theorized about Later’s handling of all that:

It can’t be said for sure just how that particular scene was settled upon. However, Sweetin did bring up one interesting point about the float scene:

Conversely, during the period of the show in which the Olsens were still little, the producers apparently had a preferred twin to work with. Sweetin revealed during a previous episode of the podcast that Mary-Kate apparently didn’t like being on set, while Ashley was “much more docile.” However, as Sweetin also explained, the twins’ cooperation could shift depending on the scene being done.

These BTS facts just shed more light on the intricacies of producing one of the most popular sitcoms of the ‘90s. If anything, I’d love to hear Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen themselves talk about what they can remember from their experiences, as Jodie Sweetin and co. can only field questions about them. Of course, the two sisters – who’ve found massive success in the fashion industry – prefer their privacy, which I can certainly respect. If anything, I’m just pleased to have this latest bit of information on their time sharing the role of Michelle.

Check out the Olsens’ work in Full House by streaming all eight seasons using a Hulu subscription.

Travis Kelce is a lot of things. He’s the guy on the Chiefs, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and now Mr. Taylor Swift following the wedding of the century. That’s not all, however. He is also deemed Bowen Yang’s “straight male friend for life,” and the Saturday Night Live alum just revealed how Kelce earned that title.

In 2023, Kelce hosted SNL during Season 48 (which fans can watch with a Peacock subscription) and he was in some pretty memorable sketches. One of those was a “Straight Male Friend” sketch, a commercial parody that saw Yang talking about having a straight male friend so he can hang out with someone who isn’t a group of women and there’s no emotional attachment. The sketch seems to have made it out of the TV, because Kelce is truly Yang’s straight male friend for life. As Yang once told the Los Angeles Times:

I love how close Yang and Kelce have gotten, the fact that the “Straight Male Friend” sketch basically helped make their friendship even stronger makes it all the more better. Yang revealed they’ve DMed but have yet to get to the stage where they’re texting a lot. However, Kelce wanted to reunite with Yang, it just didn’t work out. But it’s clear that they definitely have a special bond.

This just makes me sad that the NFL player was unable to return to SNL after hosting the show for the first time before Yang departed in December. Assuming Kelce hosts the variety sketch series again in the future, perhaps Yang could make a surprise appearance for his straight male friend for life. SNL is known for celebrity cameos, especially when they come out of left field, so you never know. At the very least, it sounds like this friendship is not going down so easily, and it’s even more evident after Yang reportedly attended the MSG Tayvis wedding.

It’s been over three years since Kelce hosted SNL, and it’s hard to imagine how his friendship with Yang would have been like if he never stepped on the Studio 8H stage. If there even would be a friendship. Yang might have to thank Heidi Gardner for his straight male friend for life, as she previously revealed the story behind Kelce hosting SNL. Lorne Michaels had just one requirement, which was for Kelce to win the Super Bowl. So it wasn’t a surprise when he hosted not long after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII.

Yang may no longer be on SNL and we probably won’t get a “Straight Male Friend” sketch 2.0 if Kelce ever hosts again. But at the very least, their friendship probably won’t die any time soon. That “for life” that Yang mentioned seems to be forever, and I’m glad to see this is yet another SNL sketch that has made it out of SNL. It’s not the same as an SNL character getting a movie, but it’s pretty close.

The Princess Diaries’ Mia Thermopolis may not be an official Disney Princess, but she certainly shares one popular thing many of them sadly have: a dead parent. But I just learned that Mia’s dad is very much alive in The Princess Diaries books. When it came to Meg Cabot's novels being turned into a movie from Walt Disney Pictures, the producers had a big reason for why they felt Mia's dad needed to be dead, and what a revelation!

Why are the characters in Disney movies always without parents? When it came to Cabot’s The Princess Diaries books, she had no intention of following that trend and leaving Mia without a father. However, here's why the storyline changed for the 2001 movie, per Cabot:

If you’re a reader who follows along with all the book-to-screen adaptations, you know that changes between the book and movie are inevitable. A film script just doesn’t have the kind of time to get into as much detail as a novel can, and characters being combined into one role is common. As Cabot also said in a new interview with CBS Mornings:

So, I’m never looking at The Princess Diaries movies the same again whenever I watch them with my Disney+ subscription. While it’s kind of sad that the studio felt they needed to give Mia a darker backstory, they also had a really good reason for it: Julie Andrews. And all they had to say was her name for Cabot to get on board, too.

When Julie Andrews was approached for The Princess Diaries, it became her first Disney film since 1964’s Mary Poppins; it was also a big deal because she only worked on six projects during the '90s. And, four years prior to signing on for The Princess Diaries, Andrews actually had surgery to remove a non-cancerous lesion on her vocal cords that ended up leaving her without the four-octave soprano range she once had.

Ultimately, Walt Disney Pictures made a good decision to give Andrews the bigger role as Queen Clarisse rather than balancing the characters of Mia’s grandma and dad in one movie. But, wow!

Cabot just released a graphic novel version of her classic middle-grade novel as we look forward to the third Princess Diaries movie that's currently in development. Cabot also recently said The Princess Diaries 3 script is “amazing,” and she’s “so excited” for it.

I'm also hyped after hearing that it's going to be shot in Europe and be a “wish fulfillment movie for queens” per the director's most recent update about it in May. Right now, the star of The Princess Diaries movies, Anne Hathaway, is booked and busy on her third press tour of the year, The Odyssey. (She's the lead of five 2026 movies). So, it's unclear when exactly production will begin on The Princess Diaries 3. However, we do know that it's being actively worked on.

I felt like Mia Thermopolis when she learned she was a princess when coming across this story of Mia's dead dad's origins, and I will feel that way again when my burning questions about The Princess Diaries 3 are answered. While we wait, you can grab The Princess Diaries graphic novel on Amazon and see Hathaway in The Odyssey when it hits theaters on July 17.

Will Ferrell is one of the biggest names to ever come out of Saturday Night Live, and some would say he’s the absolute best cast member of all time. But at one point, he was just a young comedian doing improv comedy at the Groundlings hoping for his big break. The Step Brothers star recently opened up about his first audition for the NBC sketch show, and a bit he tried to do with Lorne Michaels that he just couldn’t get over the line.

In an interview with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson for their podcast, IMO, Ferrell talked about the nerves surrounding his first audition for SNL, including doing characters like Ted Kennedy, an adult who plays with cat toys, and Harry Caray, which ended up becoming one of the funniest recurring characters on the show. He was so nervous because nobody laughed at his audition; however, after being asked to meet with Michaels later, he knew he was still in the running.

Ferrell had heard a story about how Adam Sandler, who made quite the impact on SNL, got the gig after a five-minute meeting with the legendary showrunner. As a result, Ferrell decided he’d do a bit during the meeting to showcase his talents. He said:

This is an absolutely hilarious idea, and such a perfect Will Ferrell bit that would land perfectly during a sketch. However, Michaels has a reputation for being intimidating and a pretty serious guy, despite the fact that his expertise is in comedy. Ferrell had these big plans of doing this ridiculous bit, but apparently the second he walked into his future boss's office, the energy and the tone of the meeting shot him down right away. He said:

A briefcase is certainly a bizarre thing to bring to a meeting about comedy. It is so big and clunky and implies you brought a lot of stuff with you to a meeting that doesn’t require much of anything. Without context, I can’t imagine what Michaels was thinking.

The whole thing was made even worse when Steve Higgins, who was one of the head writers at the time, said “nice briefcase” to Ferrell during the meeting, who was still too nervous to do the bit. Even better, when the Talladega Nights star was asked to come back for a second meeting, he wanted to try and do the bit again. He explained:

He literally planned and failed to do the bit twice, which makes the whole thing even funnier. Especially considering he asked Michaels’ assistant, who was sitting outside his office, to finish the bit for him, which Michaels ended up finding funny later. Farrell finished the story, saying:

The joke itself was one thing, but the real funny aspect of this story was that Ferrell kept trying to do this absurdly stupid joke but couldn’t manage to execute it. He went on to be a stellar addition to the cast and gained the confidence around Lorne Michaels to start doing ridiculous bits like this one to his face.

After his cast member stint from 1995 to 2002, Will Ferrell went on to host the broadcast mainstay six times. This includes the SNL Season 51 finale this year, which you can revisit now with a Peacock subscription. Fans of Ferrell can also check him out in his new comedy series The Hawk, which will be available with a Netflix subscription on July 16, 2026.

One of the most striking things about the Legally Blonde prequel TV series Elle, which is available to stream with a Prime Video subscription, is just how much Elle Woods newcomer Lexi Minetree looks like Reese Witherspoon. Don’t take my word for it. Witherspoon herself posted on Instagram to show that comparison pics between the two are pretty spot-on. But the similarities don’t just stop there.

In an interview with Variety, Jason Moore, who directed the first two episodes of Elle, noted that Reese Witherspoon and Lexi Minetree are also the same height. He said:

To get the nerves of the initial in-person meeting out of the way, Reese Witherspoon attended a table read to break the ice with the cast of the series on the 2026 TV schedule. By the time she got to set for the scene where Elle gets knocked in the face and Miles (Jacob Moskovitz) takes her to the hospital, she was able to just be a part of the day, which included 200 extras.

Reese Witherspoon was also generous with advice that she gave to Lexi Minetree, to always choose kindness and never go low, even when other people do. How very Elle Woods of her.

While the similarities between Lexi Minetree and Reese Witherspoon are easy to see, the 25-year-old who filmed her version of Elle Woods’ Harvard admission essay as her audition was able to make the role her own. You can check out a video of that video essay below:

The best kind of prequel is the one that allows its lead to understand the character and follow their own instincts, never forgetting where they came from, or in this case, where they’re going. Minetree has revealed that she watched Legally Blonde somewhere around 150 times, which shows that she’s quite the overachiever herself. And she had the same dedication when it came to perfecting the voice of Elle Woods. Moore said:

A lot of the critics have objections to the Legally Blonde prequel series, which I don’t agree with. Personally, I found Elle delightfully entertaining. As someone who’s spent time in the Seattle music scene, it was full of nostalgia that brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. And watching Lexi Minetree pay tribute to Reese Witherspoon’s iconic work made me excited to see what she does as the character continues her prequel journey.

Elle’s love triangle, a tribute to The Breakfast Club, Bruiser, and all sorts of silly fun were present when the series hit the streaming schedule. While you’re waiting for Season 2, you have plenty of time to rewatch Elle and Legally Blonde to do your own Lexi Minetree and Reese Witherspoon comparison.

Chuck Lorre is a sitcom legend, particularly with his Big Bang universe expanding, but none of that would have probably happened without his good friends James Burrows and Bob Broder. The director quickly became Lorre's go-to for handling pilots, and he helped the TBBT franchise get started with a bang. Meanwhile, Broder was both men's agent. Through their work, some of the biggest comedies in TV history were made. So, these were big losses for Lorre.

Burrows’ recent death hit even harder because Broder died last year. The agent, lovingly nicknamed 'Darth Broder,' earned a reputation as a tough negotiator. So, within the last nine months, Lorre has lost two of his most important TV collaborators. When he sat with Deadline to remember Burrows, what he had to say made me very emotional:

While those are some of his biggest hits, Burrows was also known for Frasier (even coming back for a few episodes of the revival), Friends, Cheers, and the entirety of Will & Grace (including the revival). And I just learned that he directed the pilot for another one of my favorite sitcoms, Dharma & Greg. In fact, it was this comedy that Broder first put the two together. He was Burrows' agent, too, and the two friends paid tribute to him at his memorial last year.

Both Lorre and Burrows had lovely things to say about their agent when they spoke at his funeral. I wasn't surprised when Lorre opened with his trademark comedy, stating:

He went on to say that Broder was his agent for 25 years, his business partner for 12, and his friend for, jokingly, "six, seven months." Meanwhile, Burrows described his friendship with Broder as "50 beautiful years."

Clearly, these men were in each other's lives for a very long time and made big impacts. They also have left quite the impression on the world of television.

After such losses, I can only imagine how Lorre is feeling right now. I'm sure that while he's working on his newest projects, such as The Big Bang Theory’s Stuart spin-off and Georgie & Mandy, he's missing his late friends.

Burrows often spoke fondly of the TBBT franchise, having directed the Big Bang pilot that flopped and the redo. He described how the “rest was history” after they ditched the original concept and tried again. Despite the initial failure, this created a lasting memory for him and Lorre, who said working with the director was "a gift."

Truer words have never been spoken. Multiple generations have grown up watching projects directed by Burrows, going back to his involvement in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi. However, his legendary status isn’t just for those of us who watched and continue to rewatch his comedies. He deeply impacted the casts of those shows, with various actors honoring his memory. I know it made me emotional when Jennifer Aniston paid the director tribute and the Will & Grace cast reunited in honor of him.

His last project was the Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern, which teamed the always charming Matt Bomer with Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham, and the late Linda Lavin.

Burrows was a legend for a reason, and so was Bob Broder. And their work individually and with Chuck Lorre will live on. So seeing Lorre remember his friends is a lovely reminder of how much they'll be missed.

The Devil Wears Prada is one of the best 2000's movies, which is why fans were so hyped when it was revealed that a long-awaited sequel was finally coming. The Devil Wears Prada 2 hit theaters back in May, and caught up with the beloved cast of characters. That includes Emily Blunt's Emily, and the actress revealed one line of dialogue that made her "shrivel" in front of Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly.

The original movie (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) made audiences fall in love with Emily, and moviegoers were shocked when she was an antagonist of the sequel. But Miranda threw some epic shade at her as a result, saying, "You’re not a visionary, you’re a vendor." During an interview with The New York Times, Blunt revealed her reaction to that savage line, offering:

She's not wrong. While she eventually reached peace with Miranda and Andy at the end of The Devil Wears Prada 2, Emily needed to be put in her place after trying to steal control of Runway. The Devil Wears Prada has lots of great quotes, and the one about Emily being a "vendor" is definitely a memorable one from the sequel.

While Emily Blunt has a great relationship with Meryl Streep in real life, that doesn't mean that she wasn't intimidated when getting read to filth by Miranda Priestly. That's why she "shriveled" on the set, although the scene in question is one of the most delightfully savage in the sequel's 119-minute runtime.

Reviews for The Devil Wears Prada 2 were generally positive, and the audience score was even higher on Rotten Tomatoes. The original movie is what made Emily Blunt into a household name, so it was definitely a full-circle moment for her to reprise that role in the long-awaited sequel. And while Emily was one of the antagonists of David Frankel's follow-up film, she reached peace with Andy by its conclusion. The final shot of the movie features Andy, Miranda, and Nigel working in their respective offices at Runway in a gorgeous ending to the story. Of course, there are some fans who are hoping for a third book-to-screen adaptation.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is currently available to rent or purchase digitally as part of the 2026 movie release list. It'll set to arrive on streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on July 29th, so fans can re-watch that epic "vendor" line over and over again, and see Emily Blunt shrivel in the process.

There are mixed feelings when any TV series comes to an end, as it’s impossible to make everyone happy about each character and storyline. And The Umbrella Academy, which is available to stream with a Netflix subscription, was no exception to that according to fan reactions.

But we live in a world where TV series are rebooted and revisited, so it’s not surprising that Ryan Lu asked Aidan Gallagher, aka Number Five, in an interview for Delulu, about whether he’d ever want to see The Umbrella Academy return in some way. And Gallagher revealed he would be on board, if it were to come back as an animated series. He said:

After three well-received seasons of The Umbrella Academy, based on the comic by My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way and artist Gabriel Bá, opinions about the fan favorite series started to change as it neared its end. The wonderfully odd tale about the Hargreeves siblings with world-altering powers questioned whether you can really save the world and yourselves. While it didn’t suffer the fate of many beloved series that Netflix has canceled, it did shorten the original plan from ten episodes to six and left some storylines feeling incomplete and unsatisfying. The shorter season left fans hurt and wanting more, and an animated series is the perfect solution.

Throughout the run of the live-action Umbrella Academy series, Aidan Gallagher had the wild task of playing an aged man in his 13-year-old body. Being a boy with the ability to jump through space and time sounds cool. Until you get stuck in a future apocalyptic world and are unable to get back until after you’ve survived on your own for decades, only to have to revert to your teenage body when you return to your timeline. Aidan Gallagher’s nuanced performance was a standout among the talented ensemble.

Unfortunately, an animated version of The Umbrella Academy is destined for the 2026 TV schedule, but it should be, and could potentially show up down the line. Animated TV series like X-Men ’97 and What If…? show that there’s an appetite for showcasing comic book characters in such a way. The promise of delving deeper into the things that you can’t do in live action, either because they’d be too expensive or just not possible to pull off, is certainly intriguing.

It would also help bring the cast together because they could record their voice performances from pretty much anywhere while they’re working on other projects. An animated series could also dig back into threads that weren’t fully finished in the series to provide a more complete conclusion. The Umbrella Academy ended without answering the question of what happened to Sloane Hargreeves (Genesis Rodriguez) or addressing her fate directly, and it would help ease fan frustration if they could dedicate an animated episode to the Sparrow Academy member that Luther (Tom Hopper) fell for.

Yes, there are plenty of new and upcoming original shows available on Netflix, but an order of animated The Umbrella Academy episodes is definitely something that I’d check out. Fingers crossed, as I try to will that into being.

Full House and Boy Meets World are two of the greatest TGIF sitcoms of all time. The comedies are still watched by many fans today thanks to streaming, and they both had successful revivals. While Boy Meets World began towards the end of Full House’s run, the two shows are considered to be among the best sitcoms of all time. Their successes and shared network may not be all that they have in common, though, as the internet is debating a theory that they’re in the same universe.

Why Full House And Boy Meets World Might Be Connected

ABC’s TGIF lineup was an iconic time. Meaning "Thank Goodness It's Funny," the programming block began in the late '80s for a night dedicated to primetime sitcoms on Friday nights. Throughout its initial run, TGIF featured shows such as Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step, Boy Meets World, Sister, Sister, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and more.

This led to some shows ultimately crossing over. Jaleel White reprised his memorable Family Matters role as Steve Urkel in an episode of Full House and Step by Step, while Boy Meets World and Sabrina also had a crossover. There were other TV crossovers, too, such as between Perfect Strangers and Family Matters, and between Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and Full House.

A Reddit thread on a TGIF sitcoms subreddit pointed out that because of this, the beloved shows might be in the same universe that could be bigger than I thought.

Aside from his appearances on Full House and Step by Step, Urkel had a cameo in a short-lived show called Meego that didn’t air in the United States. That program also notably had voice cameos from a few Gilligan’s Island characters.

As for Gilligan’s Island, A Very Brady Sequel revealed that the Professor from the series is Carol Brady’s ex-husband, and in the same movie, Mike goes to John Munch from Homicide and Law & Order: SVU for help in investigating a man claiming to be Carol’s ex. So you could even go as far as to say that the TGIF shows are connected to the Law & Order franchise and thus One Chicago as well as FBI. Then there’s Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World, the latter of which crosses over with other Disney Channel shows, adding on yet another big connection.

So, it's fun to theorize that these shows, including Boy Meets World and Full House, all live in the same universe. However, there's an issue with this theory.

There’s One Kink In The Theory

Step by Step stars Stacy Keanan and Christine Lakin read a fan comment on their rewatch podcast, Keanan And Lakin Give You Déjà Vu, that pointed out that Full House, BMW, Family Matters, and Sabrina take place in the same world because of the various crossovers and character name-drops. This makes sense, of course. However, they also note that John Stamos appeared on Step by Step as himself, and Suzanne Somers did the same on Full House.

There were also other actors on TGIF shows playing different characters in different TGIF series. Danielle Fishel appeared in a few episodes of Full House as Stephanie’s classmate Jennifer P. prior to landing the role of Topanga on Boy Meets World. Meanwhile, after Full House, Candace Cameron Bure appeared in an episode of Boy Meets World as Jack’s spooky girlfriend Millie.

Well, this certainly does poke a hole in the theory that it's all connected. However, considering how many Law & Order actors have played more than one character in that franchise, I still think the shared universe theory could be valid.

Plus, there’s enough evidence that shows the TGIF comedies are in the same universe, including Full House and Boy Meets World, thanks to various crossovers, even if some of the actors have appeared in the other as different characters.

Most of the TGIF shows are streaming with either a Disney+ subscription and/or a Hulu subscription, so fans can make up their minds about this theory for themselves. Personally, I love it when shows crossover and open up a whole new world of possibilities.