Entertainment
10 Greatest Fantasy Shows of the Peak TV Era, Ranked
Fantasy shows have changed a lot in the modern TV era because television now gives storytellers the time to build detailed worlds and follow characters through long journeys. Instead of focusing only on magic or battles, many of these series explore how power, loyalty, and belief influence the choices people make.
Kings fight to keep control, ordinary individuals discover abilities that place them at the center of conflict, and entire societies struggle with forces they barely understand. Therefore, these fantasy shows that I have zeroed in on below balance imagination with meaningful storytelling, and create worlds that are complex and somehow still feel realistic. Lock in.
10
‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)
The story of His Dark Materials begins with Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), a young girl raised within the academic environment of Jordan College in Oxford. Her childhood appears protected by traditions, yet her uncle Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) introduces a discovery that is concerned with a mysterious substance known as Dust. His research suggests that multiple worlds may exist beyond the one Lyra understands.
As Lyra begins traveling beyond the college, she encounters Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson), who gradually reveals his connections to institutions that are determined to regulate knowledge. Lyra’s journey eventually leads her to Will Parry (Amir Wilson), a boy from another world who carries questions similar to her own. Their partnership becomes necessary because each of them holds fragments of a larger truth.
9
‘Carnival Row’ (2019–2023)
Carnival Row takes place in the Burgue, a city attempting to absorb refugees from magical lands destroyed during imperial war. Among these displaced beings is Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne), a faerie who once fought against human forces before escaping to the city in search of safety. At the same time, detective Rycroft Philostrate (Orlando Bloom) investigates murders connected to rising tension between humans and magical immigrants. His investigation slowly reveals that fear has begun to shape everyday life in the Burgue, placing magical creatures under suspicion. Through this setting, the narrative presents prejudice shaping social order.
As Philo continues his investigation, he uncovers evidence that influential figures benefit from maintaining hostility between communities. Meanwhile, Vignette joins groups resisting the restrictions imposed on magical refugees. These responses reveal two different approaches to injustice: reform within the system and rebellion against it.
8
‘Britannia’ (2018–2021)
Britannia begins during the Roman invasion of the British Isles, where competing tribal groups struggle to defend their land against the organized power of Rome. One of the central figures is Cait (Eleanor Worthington-Cox), a young girl chosen by the Druids to undergo training that separates her from ordinary tribal life. Her journey gradually reveals the influence that spiritual leaders maintain over the region’s political decisions. At the same time, Roman commander Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) attempts to conquer the territory through strategy and psychological manipulation. These parallel forces introduce belief guiding political authority.
As the invasion continues, Roman discipline clashes with the spiritual traditions that guide the tribal communities. Cait’s training forces her to confront difficult choices about loyalty and sacrifice, while Aulus seeks control through calculated displays of power. These opposing methods gradually reveal how leadership can emerge from both faith and ambition. Through this tension, the series presents power shaped by belief systems and shows how societies organize themselves around different ideas of authority.
7
‘The Witcher’ (2019– )
The story of The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a monster hunter who travels across kingdoms offering protection from supernatural threats. His work places him on the edges of society, since many people fear the very abilities that allow him to protect them. During his journeys, he encounters Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), a sorceress whose search for control over her own destiny leads her into complex political alliances. Their lives gradually intersect with Princess Ciri (Freya Allan), whose lineage places her at the center of competing powers. Together, their stories reveal destiny influencing individual choices.
With time, the political structure of the Continent becomes increasingly unstable. Kings, sorcerers, and secret organizations all attempt to control Ciri because her future may reshape the balance of power. Geralt, who initially tries to avoid political involvement, discovers that neutrality becomes impossible when destiny binds individuals together.
6
‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)
Shadow and Bone takes place in Ravka, a kingdom divided by a dangerous region of darkness known as the Shadow Fold. Within this unstable landscape lives Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a soldier whose hidden power suddenly reveals itself during a military mission. Her ability to summon light attracts the attention of General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), a powerful leader who claims to protect the kingdom from supernatural threats. Through Alina’s discovery, the narrative introduces power awakening within ordinary lives.
As Alina begins training among Ravka’s magical elite, she learns that her abilities place her within a political struggle far larger than her personal history. Kirigan presents himself as a guardian of the realm, yet his ambitions gradually reveal a desire to reshape the kingdom through control of the Fold. While Alina struggles to understand her role, criminals such as Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter) pursue their own plans within the same world.
5
‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)
The narrative of American Gods begins when Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) leaves prison and accepts employment from a mysterious traveler named Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane). As they move across the United States, Wednesday reveals that ancient gods brought by immigrants now struggle to survive in a society that has forgotten them. These forgotten deities face competition from modern forces representing technology, media, and surveillance. Through this premise, the series presents a belief sustaining divine existence.
As Shadow travels with Wednesday, he gradually discovers that the conflict between old and new gods extends beyond mythology into the structure of modern life. Each deity survives only as long as people continue to believe in the ideas it represents. Meanwhile, Wednesday prepares for a larger confrontation intended to restore influence to the older powers.
4
‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)
The Magicians begins with Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph), a young man whose fascination with fantasy literature leads him to discover that magic exists within a hidden academic institution known as Brakebills University. Once admitted, Quentin learns that magical ability requires discipline rather than imagination alone. Alongside classmates such as Alice Quinn (Olivia Taylor Dudley), he studies complex spellcraft that gradually reveals the risks associated with manipulating reality. These lessons introduce knowledge requiring discipline.
As Quentin and his friends advance in their training, they discover that magical education exposes them to threats from both supernatural entities and their own mistakes. The group eventually encounters a dangerous figure known as the Beast, whose power shows what happens when magical ability operates without restraint. Through these experiences, the students realize that their education carries consequences beyond personal achievement. The series, therefore, presents power demanding accountability.
3
‘House of the Dragon’ (2022– )
House of the Dragon centers on the ruling family of Westeros during a period when the Targaryen dynasty commands both political authority and dragon power. King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) attempts to maintain stability by naming his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) as heir to the Iron Throne. However, this decision introduces tension among nobles who question whether a woman should inherit such authority. Through this succession dispute, the narrative establishes inheritance shaping political conflict.
As Viserys grows older, rival factions within the royal court begin preparing for the moment when the throne becomes vacant. Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) promotes the claim of her own son, while Rhaenyra attempts to protect her position as the chosen heir. Dragons remain powerful symbols of Targaryen authority, yet their political alliances ultimately determine who may command them.
2
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
Stranger Things begins in the town of Hawkins when a young boy named Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) disappears under mysterious circumstances. His disappearance leads his friends, including Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), to encounter Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), a girl with unusual psychic abilities who has escaped from a secret government laboratory. As they search for Will, the group discovers the existence of the Upside Down, a parallel dimension connected to dangerous creatures. This discovery introduces hidden worlds affecting ordinary life.
As the series progresses, government experiments and supernatural forces repeatedly threaten Hawkins. The children grow older and continue to confront dangers originating from the Upside Down. Their friendships become essential for survival, since each character contributes different abilities and perspectives. Through their cooperation, the narrative demonstrates the community resisting external threats, showing how loyalty and trust can allow individuals to confront forces beyond their control.
1
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Game of Thrones begins with the noble Stark family of the North, particularly Eddard Stark (Sean Bean), who accepts the position of Hand of the King in the capital city of King’s Landing. His arrival exposes him to a political system where alliances shift quickly, and personal ambition often overrides loyalty. At the same time, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) begins her own journey across the eastern continent after losing her family’s throne. These parallel narratives introduce power pursued through rival claims.
As the story expands, multiple houses compete for control of the Iron Throne while ancient threats emerge beyond the northern wall. Characters such as Jon Snow (Kit Harington) confront dangers that challenge the political struggles dominating the southern kingdoms. Through shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, the series gradually reveals how the pursuit of authority often leads to instability.
Entertainment
Olivia Munn Says John Mulaney Helped Her Face ‘Death’
Olivia Munn is sharing the darkest parts of her cancer journey, revealing how her husband John Mulaney helped her face the “possibility of death.”
“There’s no better person in the world to me than my husband,” Munn, 45, said during a Sunday, March 29, appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning. “He is — I mean, you’ve met him. He wanted to come to every single doctor’s appointment.”
The Newsroom star explained that when she was “faced with the possibility of death and not being here,” her husband would lighten the load — both physically and emotionally. (The pair, who said “I do” in July 2024, share two kids, Malcolm and Méi.)
“He’s got his notebook that he writes all of his ideas for jokes and anything that comes to him through the day,” she said. “You know, having the humor to go through it and having someone who is so funny, it really — it just lightens everything.”
In March 2024, Mulaney revealed she had been diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer.
“In February of 2023, in an effort to be proactive about my health, I took a genetic test that checks you for 90 different cancer genes,” Munn wrote via Instagram at the time. “I tested negative for all, including BRCA (the most well-known cancer gene). My sister Sara [Potts] had just tested negative as well. We called each other and high-fived over the phone. That same winter I also had a normal mammogram.”
Two months after the negative results, Munn tested positive for cancer and subsequently underwent treatment.
“Surprisingly, I’ve only cried twice,” she added. “I guess I haven’t felt like there was time to cry. My focus narrows and I tabled any emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clearheaded.”
Munn’s treatment included numerous operations, including a double mastectomy, lymph node dissection, reconstructive surgery, a nipple delay procedure, an oophorectomy and a partial hysterectomy.
While she once considered quitting acting, in addition to the support of her husband Munn says getting back in front of the camera actually aided in her recovery.
“I was really nervous about doing any sex scenes because I have a lot of scars,” Munn told The Los Angeles Times in an April 2025 interview of her Your Friends & Neighbors character, Sam. “Scars that can be seen in clothing and scared that you wouldn’t know unless I was completely nude.”
With the help of an intimacy coordinator, Munn was able to get through the scenes with her costar, Jon Hamm.
“I did feel insecure, but each time I did it, I felt better,” she explained at the time. “I’m so grateful for my body because it got me through this.”
Entertainment
Jessica Alba’s Exact Nikes Are Still in Stock on Amazon
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Jessica Alba never misses when it comes to sporty-chic style, even on the golf course. The actress and entrepreneur recently stepped out for a round of golf, pairing her athletic ensemble with sleek Nike sneakers that instantly caught our eye. Equal parts functional and fashionable, the kicks gave her that signature “I just threw this on” vibe while still looking totally put together.
Here’s the kicker: Her exact pair is (somehow) still in stock on Amazon — and they’re even on sale right now. We have a feeling that won’t last long. With sizes already starting to go, now’s the time to snag them if you want to channel Alba’s elevated athletic aesthetic before they inevitably sell out.
Get the Nike Women’s Vomero 18 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
The Nike Vomero is designed for serious comfort, whether you’re logging miles or just running errands. The double-stacked foam midsole combines ultra-lightweight ZoomX foam with responsive ReactX foam, delivering one of the brand’s softest, most cushioned rides yet. Translation? Major support without feeling bulky. A redesigned traction pattern helps create a smooth heel-to-toe transition, while the engineered mesh upper keeps things breathable and lightweight.
Alba’s Summit White/Black/Coconut Milk colorway is effortlessly chic and neutral enough to pair with everything from leggings to relaxed denim. But the shoe also comes in a dreamy dusty rose-lavender combo, plus a versatile gray option. It’s the kind of sneaker that works just as well for workouts as it does for coffee runs, which is exactly why it fits so seamlessly into Alba’s polished, athletic wardrobe.
Shoppers say the comfort factor is next-level. One reviewer shared, “I walked almost 17,000 steps a day and they supported me throughout my journey…extremely comfortable…held up great.” Another gushed that this pair makes an “excellent running shoe.”
With performance-driven details and an undeniably cool silhouette, it’s no surprise these cool-girl kicks are flying off virtual shelves.
Get the Nike Women’s Vomero 18 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Nike here and more sporty-chic sneakers here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Entertainment
Olivia Munn Opens Up About Breast Cancer Journey After Silent Diagnosis
Olivia Munn is reflecting on life after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and the actress is using her experience to raise awareness. She recently shared more details about her journey, revealing there were no warning signs before she was diagnosed. Now, she hopes her story will encourage others to get early screenings to potentially save their lives.
Olivia Munn Is Grateful To Be Alive

In an interview with Tracy Smith for CBS Sunday Morning, Munn released on March 29, the actress shared an update on her health and opened up about her breast cancer battle. Munn said she is doing “good” three years after being diagnosed.
The “X-Men: Apocalypse” actress said she feels grateful and “lucky” to be alive. “I don’t look at it like cancer has taken these things from me or it’s unfair that I have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life,” she explained. Munn said she takes medication that can leave her feeling exhausted, but she embraces the feeling.
“I know I’m lucky to be here and I am so lucky that I’m in this chaos and I haven’t slept in a few days and I’m exhausted. It’s a true privilege to just be alive in the world,” she noted.
The Actress Had No Symptoms Before Getting The Diagnosis

On a routine mammogram and ultrasound in 2023, Munn’s results came back negative for abnormalities. However, her doctor urged her to take the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment test, a free online tool that evaluates a person’s risk of developing breast cancer based on variables, including family history, breast density, and genetic markers.
A score of 20% or higher is considered high risk, and Munn scored a 37.3%. Despite having no symptoms and getting a clean bill of health, she was told to get an MRI and a biopsy. The results showed she had Luminal B cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer that was found in both of her breasts.
“I decided to get a double mastectomy, and I also got an oophorectomy and a partial hysterectomy,” she told Smith, noting that after the procedures, her Tyrer-Cuzick test is now at 0%.
Olivia Munn Wanted To Keep Her Diagnosis Private At First

In an interview with Los Angeles Magazine published in early March, the actress revealed that she wanted to deal with her diagnosis privately at first, only telling her husband, comedian John Mulaney. Days later, however, she realized that Mulaney needed help in supporting her through the cancer battle. “I couldn’t get the words out when I was saying it to my siblings and my mom, so he did that for me as well,” Munn said.
The actress shared her diagnosis publicly in March 2024, telling the world that she underwent several surgeries. She wrote, “I needed to catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing,” adding that she hopes sharing her story will “inspire and support” others who are going through the same experience.
How John Mulaney Helped Her Get Through Tough Times

Munn gushed about Mulaney, telling Smith, “There’s no better person in the world to me than my husband,” adding that he was proactive during the whole process and wanted to be present during all her appointments with her doctors.
“He’s got his notebook that he writes all of his ideas for jokes and anything that comes to him through the day. You turn halfway through it and there’s all these notes about cancer and hormone therapy and everything that you could imagine that I need to know,” she shared.
Munn said that having a partner with a sense of humor “lightens everything.”
Olivia Munn’s Mission For Breast Cancer Awareness

Since publicly sharing her journey, she’s worked on raising awareness for breast cancer. After sharing the assessment test she took, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) noted a 4,000% increase in visitors to the tool’s website.
In 2024, TIME named Munn as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Health. “I wanted to help as many people as possible prevent their cancer from going to the next level,” she said. The following year, the publication also included Munn in its list of Women of the Year.
Currently, the actress is working with Senator Mark Kelly to advocate for making the Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk assessment test part of standard medical care.
Entertainment
7 Netflix Shows Where Every Episode Is a Masterpiece
Content Warning: The following list contains brief mentions of domestic violence and abuse.It is truly a rarity to find a television show in which every single episode is made to perfection. Even some of TV’s greatest shows of all time have a couple of episodes that will make you ask “why did they even air that?” So, taking on the task of finding the Netflix shows in which every episode is perfect was no easy task. It relied on a lot of research, from scouring Reddit boards to relying on our own TV knowledge. It took time, but we managed to craft a list of shows with nary a bad episode.
Whether it’s a limited series that never overstayed its welcome, or a sprawling comedy drama that has a gripping hold on throughout its entire run, these Netflix shows have done the seemingly impossible: produce an entire series in which every episode is a masterpiece. You don’t believe us? That’s OK, as once you reach the end of this story, you’ll come to the same conclusion that we did: these Netflix shows represent the pinnacle of the streaming service’s storytelling.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
In 2018, Netflix viewers were invited into a creepy manor with all sorts of supernatural unease. The Haunting of Hill House, created by Mike Flanagan, kickstarted the service’s Haunting anthology, and it started on a very strong note. The miniseries takes place over two timelines, one from 1992 and another in the present day, with the central figure being Hill House, a large, eerie mansion that haunts the Crain family.
While the series certainly has its terrifying moments, The Haunting of Hill House is a lot more than a regular show about a haunted house. Flanagan takes the trope and goes deeper with it, making it more of a character-driven family drama with some truly emotional moments. It uses Hill House to expose the emotional trauma that the Crain family struggles to cope with. The ghosts in the series aren’t just to make the viewer jump out of their seats, but they’re used as metaphors for grief, regret and mental illness. With complex characters and production that is as close to perfect as one could get, each episode of The Haunting of Hill House builds to a finale that lands the story perfectly. While every series in Flanagan’s Haunting anthology was top-notch, The Haunting of Hill House is, by all intentions of the word, a masterclass in how to tell a haunted house story.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
On the surface, The Queen’s Gambit is a miniseries that never should have worked. Besides, the main premise of the show revolves around a chess player, and who would want to watch a show based on someone playing one of the most boring games on Earth? Well, if you think this way, you’re missing out on one of the best Netflix miniseries ever created. The coming-of-age period drama created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott follows the life of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), a chess prodigy who becomes one of the best players in the world. But, beneath the surface, Harmon struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, and she has to battle these demons while preparing for a major chess tournament in Moscow.
Every episode of The Queen’s Gambit was terrific, and this was due to the impeccable pacing and structure of the series. Watching it all the way, you’ll get the feeling that you’re watching a seven-hour movie with a very clear, resonant ending. Because the creators and writers knew where to go with the story, and how to end it, there were essentially no filler episodes within the series, which makes the entire show such a satisfying watch. Add in the mesmerizing performance of Taylor-Joy, and you have a miniseries that should not be slept on.
‘When They See Us’ (2019)
In 1989, five Black and Latino teens were falsely accused of assaulting a white woman in Central Park. Known as the Central Park Five, their conviction was vacated in 2002, and they were awarded a settlement from the city of New York in 2014 after suing the city for wrongful conviction. The plight of the Central Park Five ignited tough conversations around racial bias, media sensationalism, and the criminalization of people of color, especially after the release of the 2019 miniseries When They See Us.
Created by Ava DuVernay, the miniseries tells the story of the Central Park Five and their wrongful conviction through the experiences of the victims, which forced the viewers to look at the wrongfully accused not as a group of kids, but as individuals who were worthy of justice and empathy from viewers. Each episode will take viewers through a range of emotions, from anger to sadness, and, in the end, tempered redemption for the five kids who were essentially railroaded by the judicial system. When They See Us was a significant achievement on television, daring to question how racial bias and the media also play a part in painting the narrative that people of color are criminals, along with a justice system all-to-eager to accept that narrative. When They See Us is more than the perfect Netflix show, it is basically essential viewing.
‘Maid’ (2021)
One of the best attributes about Netflix original series is its ability to tell serious stories in an unfiltered and honest way. We saw this in 2019 with the brilliant When They See Us, and again two years later, with Netflix premiering Maid, created by Molly Smith Metzler and inspired by the 2019 novel of the same name written by Stephanie Land. The miniseries followers Alexandra “Alex” Russell (Margaret Qualley), a young mom who leaves her abusive boyfriend and takes a job working as a maid.
We’re going to be honest here. Maid can be a hard watch at times, especially the way it honestly portrays domestic abuse, which isn’t always physical, and it answers the long-complex question of why victims struggle to leave their abusers. Not only that, but Maid also highlights “invisible” poverty, the people who struggle to stay afloat, and how just one minor setback can cause someone to lose everything. To tell its gut-wrenching story, Maid uses innovative storytelling to describe Alex’s plight, which lets us see things from her inner perspective. While Maid is a tough watch at times, it’s also a show that is a masterpiece at telling complex, difficult stories.
‘Beef’ (2023–Present)
We all see comedy as a pressure relief from the arduous daily task of life, and it was used brilliantly in the 2023 anthology series Beef. Created by Lee Sung Jin, Beef follows two people who begin to feud after a road rage incident. While this is a simple black comedy on the surface, it’s what lies beneath the comedy that makes Beef a gold-standard when it comes to the perfect Netflix show.
The best aspect to Beef is its tight storytelling, with each of the series’ 10 episodes packed with character arcs that have a significant impact on the overall storyline. Even the minor characters in each episode play a part in the overall feud between Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong), with each episode escalating the feud and showing how it quickly spirals out of control.
The writers use the feud between Danny and Amy to masterfully showcase the Asian-American experience, exploring issues such as class status, immigration, and family expectations, and they did this without casting a monolithic net over the race. This makes the audience understand the pressures Amy and Danny are going through, and also helps to understand why a simple road rage incident spiraled downhill so quickly. It’s a show that tackles existential emptiness when compounded with the pressures of material success, and how it contributes to the overwhelming rage that we feel in society today. They do all of this without sacrificing the comedy, a chef’s kiss to a brilliant series.
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
A great story arc commands you to pay attention to each element in each episode. Each show that we’ve discussed so far in this piece has been a miniseries, where it can be easy to accomplish in just a 10-episode run. But, here’s a show that manages to not have a single filler episode over a three-season span. We’re talking, of course, about Dark, one of the best series not just in Netflix history, but in TV history as a whole, and we’re very serious about this claim.
Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, Dark follows four families as they search for what happened to a kid who disappeared from a small German town, only to discover something truly sinister has been happening in the town over generations. To be honest, the storyline of Dark could have easily been condensed into a single miniseries, but by fleshing the story out over three seasons, it allowed it to be expanded and avoid the plotholes that could have befallen it if it was made as just a miniseries. The story of Dark is very complex, but the writers flawlessly executed the story. They knew how the story would be told and how it would end, and they didn’t deviate from this plan, and the end result is a masterpiece of epic proportions. The moody atmosphere, the exceptional acting, and a complex story that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat throughout its run? What more could you ask for?
‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)
When discussing the best Netflix shows in which every episode is absolutely perfect, you can’t have that conversation and leave Arcane off the list. Created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, the animated steampunk sci-fi is, arguably, one of the most jaw-dropping achievements in modern animation. Much like Dark, the story of Arcane is more complex than what the synopsis says it’s about. On the surface, it’s a story about two sisters who get tangled in a conflict between the poor underbelly of Zaun and the more prosperous city of Piltover. If you go off of the synopsis of the series, you’ll think Arcane is a straight-forward show, but it’s much, much deeper than that, and that’s what makes it such a compelling show.
The main reason why Arcane is such a perfect show is the way it tells its story. Rather than “telling” the story through its characters, it shows you how everything unfolds, using stunning camera work, lighting, and an innovative pace to fully immerse the viewers into the world Arcane has created. Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without an animation style that is distinct and truly revolutionary, making each episode of Arcane feel more like a cinematic event than a typical Netflix show. That’s the beauty of the show as a whole, as it doesn’t feel like you’re watching a TV show; you’re basically watching a movie broken up into 18 episodes. Every episode in Arcane was simply perfection, and it would be a tough sell for another animated show to come close to what this series created.
Arcane
- Release Date
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2021 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Christian Linke
- Directors
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Barth Maunoury, Marietta Ren, Christelle Abgrall
Entertainment
This Ridiculous 6-Part Miniseries Needs To Be Seen To Be Believed
Funny or Die’s 2014 miniseries The Spoils of Babylon is everything that the 2010s-era SNL wished it could have captured in a bottle. Hosted by Will Ferrell‘s jaded fictional author and filmmaker Eric Jonrosh, this epic tale about two romantically attracted siblings, Cynthia (Kristen Wiig) and Devon (Tobey Maguire), and the rise and fall of their family business, is simply too good to be true. Joined by Haley Joel Osment as their son Winston and the critically acclaimed Tim Robbins as father Jonas Morehouse, these are actors who have proven themselves both dramatically and comedically, and they bring that expertise to the table in this spoof of the popular “televised event” of the early 2010s.
With about as much production quality as Comedy Central’s Drunk History and with premises hitherto that of IFC’s Documentary Now!, The Spoils of Babylon hits the nail on the head with a perfect balance of noir-ish melodrama, hilarious visual comedy, and a plot too compelling to turn away.
‘The Spoils of Babylon’ Is Hilarious on Multiple Levels
The most memorable bits in the miniseries are those imbued with an underlying childishness. Moments like the performance of Jonas Morehouse’s death (similar to that of the king in Shrek The Third), the action-packed slap fight between Cynthia and Dixie Melonworth (Jessica Alba), and Cynthia’s messy response to Lady Anne York’s (Carey Mulligan) self-assertion at breakfast make the most of the ridiculousness that comes from such a melodramatic premise. The frequency with which beats are either cut off or extended into oblivion is nothing short of the show’s finest highlight.
An appreciation can be found in allowing the indiscretion of some joke setups to play out, such as when Jonas has to repeatedly tell Devon to “keep reading, there’s more” when he gifts his son an overly-inscribed compass. Of course, Devon would be able to see that there is more to be read, but for the sake of drawing out the bit for as long as humanly possible, some stopping and starting was necessary. The run-on bit is even boosted when Jonas starts to recite the inscription as though it were biblical scripture, just one testament to the show’s common denominator in that every beat meant to be taken seriously makes the show one notch sillier.
Without question, the name of the game in The Spoils of Babylon is melodramatics. Performative comedy blossoms in this series as characters habitually lose their composure for extended periods of time, no matter the pettiness of the reason for their upset. For the sake of drama, the characters behave haphazardly and contrary to what is obviously the main priority at any given moment. A prime example is when an injured Devon manages to stop bleeding out long enough to tell his entire life story, and no sooner than he catches up to the present does he immediately keel over and give up the ghost.
The 10 Most Over-the-Top Villain Deaths in Movies, According to Reddit
These villains know how to make an exit.
Sometimes you can almost see the actors themselves stifling their laughter at the absurdity of their own performance – look closely at Kristen Wiig while Tobey Maguire delivers his character’s emotionally volatile eulogy to his recently-buried daughter. But above all, this teleplay will remind you to never underestimate the secret weapon that is throwing up both fists and screaming “NOOO!” into the air.
Just as well, comedic momentum is upheld by other complementary jokes. Random and unprecedented breaks in accents across actors throw the focus of entire scenes. Props (and characters, for that matter) are occasionally blessed with comedic obviousness that goes unaddressed, like the giant banner that reads “Welcome Home Darin” when Devon returns home from war, Devon’s mannequin wife Lady Anne York and their literal doll baby, or the comically large wine glasses that Devon and Cynthia sip from on the beach, which could only stem from Eric Jonrosh’s affinity for wine.
Each episode of the miniseries is bookended by the cranky and tangential babblings of Jonrosh — a character who was based on a latter-years “Orson Welles who had kind of fallen from grace” — as he stubbornly refuses to comply with his script, inappropriately flirts with his waitress, and branches off into personal factoids about himself and his fictional cast.
‘The Spoils of Babylon’s Cheap Production Quality Is the Only Kind That Would Have Worked
Low-budget sets and props, use of miniatures and dioramas, and ostensible practical effects give The Spoils of Babylon a laughable production quality, resembling that of community theater or a home video. Cheap wigs, fake birds, and car scenes with green screens parade through six episodes the way a fifth-grader with a dream commands a living room full of appeasing adults. The presentation could be improved, but no one’s going to actually say something about it. However, this amateur production value lends itself to supporting a focus on a narrative riddled with greed, vanity, murder, and powerlust.
Added to the noir-centered performative comedy of the miniseries is a more esoteric running joke in the incorporation of experimental film practices as the story progresses through the ’50s and into the ’70s. The avant-garde visual format is not as common in mainstream television and film, but is guaranteed to give film students a chuckle. During the characters’ most cerebral and emotionally torrential moments (which, admittedly, are nearly indiscernible from the rest of the show), Eric Jonrosh chooses to employ surrealist editing techniques like stark superimposition of footage, blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it title cards, prose poetry voiceover, and stylized dialogue recordings. The style is inherently random and haphazard, so it’s an appropriate choice for the scenes in which it’s used, but it makes processing the events more of an artsy-fartsy challenge to less familiar eyes.
‘The Spoils of Babylon’ Is Designed To Test Audiences’ Patience
Art fans are especially bound to appreciate the display of artistic dedication in representing Devon Morehouse’s wayward and wandering years abroad. His unfortunate substance habit is reflected in a shift in musical tone through the use of jazz music, and his voiceover account is revitalized through ample samples of fluent spoken word poetry, with adjusted vocal inflection and emphasis, no less. Although the character’s objective situation is no laughing matter, the retelling of his profound exploration of the soul reels in the mockery of dramatics that call the 1950s their home. This chapter of the series is packed with wordy, metaphorical narration and a bombardment of overt references to jazz artists like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, and Freddie Hubbard. And in true Spoils fashion, Devon’s sudden passion for the written word isn’t just a one-off joke for the art world, but it continues to serve the story in combatting Cynthia’s added attacks.
Writer-director team Matt Piedmont and Andrew Steele, both seasoned sketch comedy writers, used The Spoils of Babylon to explore pushing the limits of an audience’s patience. Instead of needing quicker and more rushed attempts for laughs, Piedmont and Steele could work superfluous bits and run-on jokes into the show. Since the plot of Spoils is thick and sensitive, the floor is cracked open for increased nonsense. For example, between Devon’s flippancy toward his father’s news and Jonas’ reaction to his son’s news, the back-to-back excessiveness of Jonas Morehouse’s final moments is worth every bit of laughter. Such gratuitous instances of borderline wasteful writing are sprinkled across all six episodes.
You Are Right to Weep for the Characters in ‘The Spoils of Babylon’
With an abundance of goofiness going on for the whole of the miniseries, it’s easy to forget that there is a coherent storyline to be followed. The thread of Cynthia’s and Devon’s forbidden eternal yearning for each other holds together the myriad of nonsensical and downright foolish comedy in The Spoils of Babylon. The longer they go on fighting their feelings, the more they end up hurting each other in the process. Shifting the role of antagonist from this intangible doomed attraction onto the destructive character of Winston adds a layer of conflict that amplifies the already-exceeding drama of the storyline from its midpoint to its explosive ending.
Cynthia Morehouse deserves some slack for the position she’s put herself in. Sure, she disregarded her father’s values, murdered Devon’s wife, sabotaged the progression of the auto industry, ripped Devon’s research institute from under him, and instilled in her son a horrible moral compass, but it was all in the name of love. Cynthia’s undying affection for Devon took hold of her life in a way that clouded her self-control. Her greedy and vengeful actions left Devon no choice but to retaliate in an attempt to bring her to a sense of remorse. In agreeing to return to the company, Devon managed his own self-control in trying to “kick” Cynthia by setting a boundary between them. This finally saw Cynthia reach a change of heart and pursue positive changes for the company. But with Winston knee-deep in the company, it became too late to reverse the shame that was brought on the Morehouse name.
If the plot of the main characters isn’t entertaining enough, there are plenty of stories in the wings of the cast. The love story between Cynthia’s goon generals, Rod and Herman (Val Kilmer and Steve Tom, respectively), is one worth rooting for. As is the character of poor, peaceable Chet (Michael Sheen), Cynthia’s second husband, who did not deserve to be wedged into the chaos of this family’s story, nor to have his death go so brutally unnoticed. The fates of innocent sweetheart Seymore Luntz (Toby Huss) and beloved Marianne Morehouse (Jellybean Howie), despite some lackluster dramatization, remain a truly tragic sting. Rest assured, it is appropriate to think that Winston’s demise in particular is the least satisfying after the destruction he caused his family.
The Spoils of Babylon is available to stream on Pluto TV in the U.S.
Entertainment
Howie Mandel Clarifies Kelly Ripa Comment About His Age
Howie Mandel is walking back his on-air clapback to Kelly Ripa over his physical appearance.
“I have been debating for 48 hours whether I should make this post or not, and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing,” Mandel, 70, said in a Saturday, March 28, Instagram video. “Philosophically, I don’t believe that somebody who’s a comedian needs to apologize for a joke. It is a joke, it is meant as a joke, and it’s not meant to offend.”
He continued, “You can not like it and, in all my years in the business, I haven’t ever publicly apologized for [a joke].”
Mandel was interviewed on the Monday, March 23, broadcast of Live With Kelly and Mark, where Ripa, 55, publicly complimented the game show host’s appearance.
“You just celebrated 70 years. You’re 70 years old,” Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, began before Ripa chimed in, adding, “It doesn’t make any sense.”
Mandel seemed perplexed by Ripa’s remarks.
“What do you mean it doesn’t make any sense?” he said. “I look great. That doesn’t mean anything to me.”
Ripa later attempted to clarify that she thought Mandel looked “great” and couldn’t believe he was actually his age.
“It’s like saying you’re smart for a stupid person,” he added. “‘Oh, you look smart! You seem smart!’ I don’t look good.”
Without further addressing the heated exchange, Mandel and Ripa continued their interview as planned. He apparently had a change of heart by Saturday.
“This is hard for me, but this is for Kelly Ripa, who in the past has been incredibly supportive,” Mandel continued in his video message. “Not only have I been a guest on her show, but I have cohosted with her and I have known her for years.”
According to Mandel, he simply “tries to be entertaining” whenever he walks onto the Live stage.
“Sometimes as a comedian, things don’t land the way you mean then to land,” Mandel acknowledged of his jokes. “Not only do I want to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ to Kelly but … you’re right. You’re absolutely right, and I’m sorry I didn’t see it that way.”
At the end of Monday’s broadcast, Mandel took some time to self-reflect about his reaction.
“I do, I look great for my age. I really do,” he said. “I look fantastic. I just have to embrace the fact that I look this good.”
Entertainment
James Blake Asks to Be Taken Off Kanye West’s Bully Credits
James Blake says that he no longer wants partial credit for Kanye West’s latest album, “Bully.”
“The way I pitched his vocals and constructed the track from his freestyle is partially there, majorly peppered with other newervocal [sic] takes,” Blake, 37, wrote in a recent post on Vault. “The spirit of my actual production is mostly absent, other than that. My original version is a completely different production in spirit.”
Blake is currently credited as a producer on West’s song “This One Here,” from his “Bully” LP that dropped Friday, March 27.
“Happy for the fans, but I’ve asked to be taken off the producer credits for now, as I don’t want to take credit for other people’s work,” Blake stated. “This version isn’t what I created with Ye. It’s not personal!”
He concluded, “I just hit a point where I don’t want to be credited on music where I can’t affect the end result.”
Blake and West, 48, had been friends and collaborators for many years, though their bond seemingly dissipated by 2023.
“We haven’t seen each other for a little while. I think it’s probably a no-comment from me,” Blake told Variety in October 2023, seemingly reacting to West’s controversial antisemitic remarks. “I say that with sadness.”
West was suspended from Instagram in 2022 after making a series of derogatory and false comments about Jewish individuals while simultaneously praising dictator Adolf Hitler and Nazism. He issued a public apology in January, two months before “Bully” was released.
“In early 2025, I fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life,” West wrote in an open letter published by the Wall Street Journal, blaming his behavior on his bipolar disorder. “One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-1 are the disconnected moments — many of which I still cannot recall — that led to poor judgment and reckless behavior that oftentimes feels like an out-of-body-experience.”
He continued, “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
West further apologized to the Black community, claiming he “let [them] down.”
“My words as a leader in my community have global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that,” he concluded. “As I find my new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity.”
Entertainment
“Dark Winds ”recap: Leaphorn finally finds Leroy, but nothing is what it seems
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Meanwhile, Chee confronts the truth about his past.
Entertainment
Taylor Swift and John Mayer Both Attend Paul McCartney Show
Exes Taylor Swift and John Mayer reportedly closely avoided a recent run-in.
Swift, 36, was spotted leaving Paul McCartney’s Saturday, March 28, concert outside Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre, according to photos published by TMZ on Sunday, March 29. The pop star walked out of the venue in a group that also included Olivia Rodrigo.
According to the outlet, Mayer, 48, was photographed leaving the Fonda Theatre just moments earlier without running into Swift.
Swift and Mayer were romantically linked from 2009 and 2010 after collaborating on his song “Half of My Heart,” despite a 13-year age gap. (Swift was 19 while Mayer was 32 when they were reportedly an item.)
Speculation ultimately swirled that the two called it quits when Swift included a breakup song called “Dear John” on her 2010 album, Speak Now.
“Dear John, I see it all now that you’re gone / Don’t you think I was too young to be messed with?” Swift sings. “The girl in the dress, cried the whole way home / I should’ve known
Well, maybe it’s me / And my blind optimism to blame / Or maybe it’s you and your sick need/ To give love then take it away / And you’ll add my name to your long list of traitors / Who don’t understand.”
While Swift famously doesn’t name her musical muses, Mayer called out the 14-time Grammy winner for her “cheap songwriting” in a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone.
“It made me feel terrible. It was a really lousy thing to do,” he told the outlet in June 2012 of Swift allegedly writing a song about him. “I never got an email. I never got a phone call. I was really caught off guard. … [That’s] abusing your talent to rub your hands together and go, ‘Wait ’til he gets a load of this!’ That’s bulls***.”

John Mayer and Taylor Swift perform onstage during Z100’s Jingle Ball 2009 in New York City. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Swift ultimately rerecorded “Dear John” for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and urged her fans against resurfacing any bad blood with Mayer.
“As we lead up to this album coming out, I would love for that kindness and that gentleness to extend onto our Internet activities,” Swift told fans during a June 2023 concert on her Eras Tour. “I’m putting this out now because I want to own my music and I believe that any artist who has the desire to own their music should be able to.”
She continued at the time, “I’m 33 years old. I don’t care about anything that happened to me when I was 19, except the songs I wrote. So, what I’m trying to tell you is that I’m not putting this album out so that you should go and feel the need to defend me on the Internet against someone you think I might have written the song about 14 million years ago.”
Swift is now engaged to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, while Mayer was recently dating influencer Kat Stickler.
Entertainment
Lucky Blue, Nara Smith Admit Baby No. 4 Is an ‘Adjustment’
Influencers Lucky Blue and Nara Smith are getting candid about the realities of adding a fourth baby to their brood.
“I mean, we thought we were really done after three,” Lucky told People while attending the Clarins Night of Extra event on March 20. “And to be honest, four has been an adjustment.”
He continued, “It’s been really tricky to navigate, but it’s been good, and I think now we’re finally hitting our stride with it.”
Nara, for her part, agreed with her husband’s take on their new family dynamic.
“Now we have a 5-year-old, so a lot of bargaining,” she said. “So that’s been fun.”
Lucky and Nara tied the knot in February 2020, welcoming daughter Rumble Honey to their family in October that same year. The influencers went on to welcome son Slim Easy and daughters Whimsy Lou and Fawnie Golden in 2022, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
“she’s here! welcome to the world little angel 🤍,” Nara and Lucky wrote in a joint Instagram post in 2025, sharing the birth of daughter Fawnie Golden.
Ahead of their youngest’s arrival, Lucky and Nara admitted that they thought they were done having children.
“After Whimsy, we are absolutely done now,” Nara told GQ Hype in a profile published in August 2024. “Having toddlers is the best sort of birth control because they’re wild.”
Nara went on to explain that she had always wanted to be a young mother.
“Lucky had Gravity when he was really young. It felt like a natural thing, ‘Yeah, I think I’m ready to have kids,’” she told the magazine, referring to Lucky’s daughter with ex-girlfriend Stormi Bree Henley. “When I’m 40, they’ll be 20, and we’ll grow up together. I want to build my life with them rather than trying to integrate them into my life later and it worked out great. I love being a young mom.”
Nara, for her part, rose to online fame sharing cooking and lifestyle content, sparking the ongoing “trad wives” controversy, a term used to describe women who prefer to follow “traditional,” i.e. conservative, stereotypes. Nara, however, has denied the idea that she identifies with the label.
“The other day, someone brought it up to me, and they were like, ‘You have a very traditional way of life.’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’” Nara said on a July 2025 episode of Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast. “We split chores. I work. My husband works. We have children. We split everything. I cook because I love to, not because I have to. Lucky cleans. There was nothing traditional.”
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