A lawsuit against Howard Stern by former assistant Leslie Kuhn has resurfaced earlier allegations from his ex-staff about working conditions.

In 2023, Jackie Martling, John Melendez, and Steve Grillo claimed they were underpaid despite Stern’s fortune and said he often prioritized himself.

All three were employed by Howard Stern for years but left later after not getting raises despite the shock jock making a lot of money.

Howard Stern’s Ex-Staff Claims He Was Let Go After Asking For A Raise

Amid Howard Stern being embroiled in a lawsuit from his former assistant, complaints made by his ex-staffers about the shock jock in a documentary have come back to light.

In 2023, Stern’s ex-employee, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling, opened up in the Vice TV docuseries “Dark Side of the 2000s Shock Jocks” about how his former boss was “making countless millions of dollars” as the face of the show while much of the staff remained severely underpaid.

“It was frightening what was going on,” said Martling, who worked on Stern’s eponymous show as a cast member and writer from 1983 to 2001, per Page Six. “There was so much money coming in. It was crazy the amount of money.”

At the time, Martling shared that he couldn’t wrap his head around how Stern made no move to bump up his salary despite the relationship they shared, and that when he did request a raise, Stern chose to let him go instead.

“You are beyond rich and successful, and you have someone sitting next to you who makes you enjoy that job much more. And you let them go?” Martling also noted about his former boss. “Because he asked for more money? Especially when you’re friends. It boggles the mind.”

Other Ex-Staffers Also Complained About Being Underpaid By The Comedian

Martling wasn’t the only one to raise complaints about being underpaid, as the likes of John Melendez and Steve Grillo also made similar claims.

In Melendez’s case, he claimed that he only earned $20,000 when he began working with Stern and never went above $75,000. After leaving the show and working with Jay Leno, he earned around $350,000 to $400,000.

Meanwhile, Grillo claimed that his first few years on the show came with no pay, and that when he did start earning a salary, it was only minimum wage and did not fully cover all the hours he worked.

“I started getting paid about 30 hours a week, minimum wage, which was like $6.35 at that time,” he shared. “So I got paid for 30 hours, and I was working like 60.”

Howard Stern’s Ex-Staffer Slams Him Over Lack Of Support Despite Making A ‘Million Dollars An Hour’

Just like Martling, Grillo claimed to have received no support from Stern when he reached out to the higher-ups to ask for a raise.

“You’re making a million dollars an hour, and I have to go work at a nightclub in order to survive,” Grillo reflected.

He continued, “And this is the moment I knew I was gonna leave. If that man’s not gonna stick up for me, I’m out. And that’s when I left.”

The Shock Jock Was Sued By An Ex-Employee Over ‘Hostile Work Environment’ And Other Claims

The resurfaced allegations come on the heels of Stern and his wife, Beth, being sued by his former executive assistant, Leslie Kuhn.

Kuhn claimed in her suit that Stern fostered a “hostile work environment” and seemingly suggested that the couple was not willing to give her a raise.

She was fired in February, just two months after receiving a raise letter that would have increased her salary from $80,000 to $265,000.

Kuhn also alleged that Stern says she signed a non-disclosure agreement, which she denies. She also called the document “manufactured” and said it shouldn’t be enforceable.

She further alleged that the supposed NDA prevents her from discussing her employment and termination while allowing Stern and his wife to speak openly about her.

The Alleged Howard Stern’s NDA For His Ex-Employee Had Many Bizarre Rules

Details of the alleged NDA were obtained by Page Six, which revealed several bizarre rules Stern and his wife wanted Kuhn to observe when they offered her employment.

The document ordered the former employee never to disclose the Stern family’s “daily activities and personal habits,” including their “food preferences, sleeping habits, [and] hobbies.”

It also restricted Kuhn from sharing details of the family’s consumer product choices, preferred eating or entertainment establishments, and even political affiliations.

Kuhn was further banned from discussing “any other matters affecting or relating to the Company and its business, and the personal and business affairs of the Company.”

General Hospital spoilers confirmed that Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) is going to order somebody to be taken out, a female somebody.

We’re going to talk about what unlucky lady in Port Charles may be dead by the end of this week.

Sidwell Vows To Even The Score on General Hospital

All right, so this week after facing off with Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), we saw Jenz Sidwell vow to even the score. He is completely convinced that Sonny killed Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo). And in the new promo, Sidwell is saying, “Get rid of her permanently.” So, let’s talk about who she might be.

But first, real quick, let’s talk about who Sidwell is giving the kill order to. It could be a random henchman. But that’s dull, let’s face it. It could also be Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) doing Sidwell’s dirty work, or possibly Pascal, who is murderous and he loved Marco and he knows he played a role in his death. So, I think he could go release some tension killing somebody.

Could Jordan Be the Target on GH?

So, with the hit order given, which woman in Port Charles might be pushing up daisies in just a few days, I think that it’s going to be Pascal or Cassius tasked with this deadly deed. And we have some ideas of who is going to be in their crosshairs. So, first off, this week, General Hospital spoilers show danger for Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper). Now, off the cuff, you got to wonder why Sidwell would target her.

Now, if you remember, he warned Jordan recently that he could make sure she loses everything. Because he wants her to find out information and get involved in this Marco investigation. And we know from the jump she only took the job with Sidwell to take him down. But she hasn’t made a lot of progress.

Does Sidwell Realize Jordan’s Out to Get Him on General Hospital?

Jordan did recently tell Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) that Sidwell being distracted by Marco’s death could be the chance for her to get evidence to take him down. So, maybe Sidwell’s figured out she cannot be trusted. Another GH spoiler for this week says that Curtis is distraught and April spoilers say he’s worried about Jordan.

So, she could be in danger. But it kind of looks more likely that Curtis and Jordan could be in a car accident. There’s a scene in the big weekly promo and it looks like a power line comes down across the road.

Curtis is in the passenger seat and Jordan is driving and they look like they’re having a good time. They look happy. But you know, even a power line could be taken down with some planning to make it look like an accident. But I kind of doubt that Sidwell targets Jordan just yet. Because he wants to hit at Sonny.

What About Carly?

Now, the second thing to think about, we also have Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) out on the road. She’s in a car with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart). And so far we’ve seen Carly kind of playing nice with Sidwell. If you remember, Carly went over to spy at Wyndemere to see if she could help Valentin by pretending to be there for Lucas and in support of his relationship with Marco. And last we saw Sidwell and Carly, they were playing nice. They were planning a party together.

But with Marco dead and Sidwell lashing out, we can’t take Carly off the board as a possible death target for Sidwell’s revenge play against Sonny. Because let’s face it, Carly is the mom of a couple of his kids and she is a woman and Sidwell is definitely gunning for a female to punish Sonny. But again, with Carly and Valentin on the road along with Curtis and Jordan, those two vehicles might be involved in something.

So, we could see Carly and Valentin helping save Jordan. And then they ask Curtis to promise to keep it secret that Valentin’s out and about with Carly. And I do think Curtis would keep that secret if Valentin and Carly are the reason Jordan survives an auto accident. You know, maybe they have an accident and they roll up on them and then they don’t drive by, they decide to render aid.

Britt In Danger on GH?

And next, we need to talk about Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud). Because this week she is determined to tell Sidwell that she knows Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) is the one who murdered Marco. And I suspect it’s Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) that Britt is talking to when she says this. But somebody this week is calling her naive and it may be her brother Cassius.

General Hospital spoilers say that Britt gets warned by Cassius this week that if she doesn’t deliver, sister or not, Britt is on her own. So Cassius might be warning Britt she needs to prioritize the Cold Fusion prototype or Britt’s going to be dead and nothing else matters. And Sidwell told Cassius that regardless of family ties, Britt will be held accountable for messing up the Cold Fusion project. And Cassius agreed with Sidwell that Britt must be quote unquote dealt with.

So, there is a chance that Cassius might have been telling Sidwell what he wants to hear, you know. But then again, when not Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) first came back from the dead, it sure seemed like Britt was afraid of him. So sister or not, Cassius may have no problem killing Britt. He is Cesar Faison‘s (Anders Hove) son after all. So Britt could be the person who’s targeted this week.

Kristina The Likeliest Target

But now let’s talk about who I think it really is that I think there’s a higher probability of and that’s Kristina Corinthos (Kate Mansi). We recently shared a leak from a reliable source that said Sidwell plans to kill Kristina to punish Sonny. Because he thinks he killed Marco.

And with the grand reopening of Charlie’s this week, it is the perfect time and place to cause chaos. We know that Sonny’s going to be there and he’s telling Kristina it’s going to be a great night. And based on the spoilers, the promo. And the leaks we’ve gotten, I fully expect that Sidwell is going to target Kristina during the reopening night event.

Twisted Karmic Justice on General Hospital

And if you remember, Sidwell already targeted Charlie’s once. He had it set on fire, so he probably could have an easier time targeting Kristina at her place of business. Because his henchmen know the layout. When Sidwell ordered it burned down, though, he thought Kristina wasn’t there. And last time, Sidwell didn’t intend to hurt Kristina.

Luckily, Marco was driving by and he rushed in and saved Kristina’s life. Because she doesn’t know how doors work and, you know, couldn’t get herself out of the fire. It was so badly done. And with Marco gone, Sidwell may think that taking Kristina’s life is some sort of twisted karma from Marco saving her and a perfect way to get revenge on Sonny.

Mistaken Identity – Justine Shot Instead?

Now, that being said, while I do think Kristina is the likeliest target, I don’t think she’ll die. I don’t even think she’s going to take a bullet. Instead, I think somebody who’s not on Sidwell’s radar could die accidentally. And the good news for the bad guy is that if this woman is collateral damage, it will still end up hurting Sonny.

So, I expect we may see Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor) at the Charlie’s event. An April spoiler says Sonny and Justine make a serious commitment. So, it may be to see more of each other, to stop fighting. It may be to date kind of on the down low. Another official General Hospital spoiler says a couple’s date ends in disaster. And that could be about Sonny and Justine.

General Hospital: Sidwell’s Minion Hits the Wrong Target

So, our leaker told us that there’s a shooter targeting Kristina on Sidwell’s orders. But there’s a case of mistaken identity and somebody else is shot instead of her. Now, our source also gave a huge hint that it could be Justine because they said that Sonny may lose his current love interest.

So, yeah, Justine could be collateral damage if the shooter’s taking aim from outside looking for a brunette talking to Sonny. They both have very dark hair, similar height, similar build. And I expect that Sidwell is going to issue a death order against Kristina this week. But Justine may wind up hurt instead.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 24 seconds ago

I’ve been making a conscious effort to check out more foreign-language films because it’s interesting to see how other cultures play with the tropes I’ve grown bored with stateside. I made this decision after watching 2017’s Veronica and its prequel, 2023’s Sister Death, which both serve as perfectly terrifying Spanish-language analogs to The Conjuring film series while still doing enough of their own thing to make you want more. The worldbuilding is top-tier in the sense that the lore explained everything you needed to know, but not in such a heavy-handed way that it overstayed its welcome.

My search ultimately led me to another Spanish-language film, 2007’s Timecrimes, which follows similar logic to low-budget sci-fi thrillers from the US like Primer (2004), Coherence (2013), Empathy, Inc.(2018), and Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox (2024). All of these films are cut from the same cloth, but offer their own unique blends of existential dread in the face of free will and determinism, making you wonder who’s really in control of the situation. None of them offer clean answers either, which makes them perfect to revisit as you search for clues you may have missed the first time around.

Hector And His Duplicates

Timecrimes is a time-loop thriller where a man named Hector (Karra Elejalde) finds himself reliving the same few hours of his life on repeat, each time making matters worse for himself. His strange foray into the unknown begins while renovating his new house with his wife Clara (Candela Fernandez), who’s so busy unpacking and tending to the garden that she doesn’t initially realize anything is off.

When Hector sees a woman stripping naked in the nearby forest (Barbara Goenaga), he sets out to investigate. It’s not that he’s a peeping tom or anything creepy like that. He also notices somebody else in the woods and has reason to believe she might be in danger. After their first encounter, where he finds her nude, seemingly lifeless body, he runs off after spotting a strange man whose face is wrapped in bandages.

Fearing for his life, Hector runs toward a nearby building, where he communicates with a nameless scientist (Nacho Vigalondo) running a series of unsanctioned experiments over the weekend. The scientist stuffs Hector into what looks like a sensory deprivation tank but is actually a time machine. Hector emerges from the tank an hour earlier on the timeline and quickly realizes he may need to prevent the incident that led him to the building in order to restore some sense of balance.

The scientist, now referring to him as Hector 2, insists that he stay put and let the next hour play out as it originally did. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Hector 2 runs off and tries to intervene with the girl and the masked man, only to learn the man’s origins, which adds another layer of confusion. The cycle continues in Timecrimes with a third Hector materializing, and this time Hector 2 is certain that Clara is in danger. Not quite sure how badly things will unravel if he keeps interfering, Hector 2 takes his chances, and it’s all but guaranteed he’s not going to like what happens next.

A Low-Budget, High-Concept Thriller 

Sharing the same DNA as the thrillers I mentioned earlier, Timecrimes stands on its own thanks to its willingness to trust the audience and let events unfold naturally. There are no heavy exposition dumps outside of the scientist laying out the most basic time travel logic we need to follow. Most of the suspense comes from Hector trying to recreate events to control the narrative, even as he realizes he has no real control over anyone’s actions, even if those actions are coming from slightly earlier versions of himself.

The amount of care Hector puts into not breaking the space-time continuum, even while suspecting that fate will play out the same way regardless, makes his journey all the more unnerving. There’s a lingering sense that he may have been stuck in this loop far longer than we realize, and we’re only witnessing one iteration of a much larger cycle. With that possibility in play, it becomes nearly impossible to pinpoint where the story truly begins, where it ends, or whether it’s meant to land on a clean conclusion at all.

As of this writing, Timecrimes is streaming for free on Tubi.

Savannah Guthrie made an emotional return to “TODAY” on Monday, April 6, following her brief hiatus over her mother Nancy Guthrie‘s disappearance.

Behind the scenes, reports claim her co-hosts were given strict orders on how to handle the journalist’s mother’s issue on air.

Meanwhile, to celebrate Easter, Savannah Guthrie was vulnerable and spoke about the struggles with her faith amid the difficult time that had hit her family.

Savannah Guthrie’s Co-Hosts Were Told To Focus On The News

Savannah Guthrie returned to her co-hosting duties on “Today” this week after she took a break to focus on her family amid her mom’s kidnapping issue.

But behind the scenes, reports suggest there were some ground rules the whole crew had to adhere to in a bid to keep things flowing.

According to Page Six, sources close to the production reveal that Savannah’s colleagues were explicitly told not to address her mom’s issue or even welcome her back formally.

“It was supposed to be business as usual. [Producers] said to act totally normal,” an insider shared. “‘Move forward’ is the vibe. It’s been a hard year and a draining time.”

The move was seemingly to curtail her from having to respond every time correspondents brought up the case, which would, in turn, break the flow.

The Journalist Is Ready To ‘Go Back To Arizona’ If There Are Major Developments In Her Mother’s Case

Despite the directive, Savannah’s colleagues Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Jenna Bush, Sheinelle Jones, and Carson Daly all welcomed her back on air.

Behind the scenes, the vibe was also emotional, with reports claiming there were lots of hugs to go round.

 “It is good to be home,” Guthrie said at the beginning of the show. “Ready or not, let’s do the news.”

Another source said, “There were lots of hugs … Coming back to a routine brings a sense of normalcy.”

They added, “She’s prepared to go back to Arizona if there are major developments in the case, or wherever she’s needed.”

Savannah Guthrie Vowed Not To ‘Fall Apart’

Before her return, there were fears Savannah would break down on air as she is still dealing with the disappearance of her mom, who was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1.

However, the journalist has revealed she intends to stay strong and vowed not to “fall apart” for the sake of her two children, daughter Vale and son Charles.

“I will do it for my kids,” she told former co-host Hoda Kotb during an emotional sitdown in March. “I will not let whoever did this take my children’s mom away.”

The Journalist Was Praised For Her Bravery: ‘Her Faith Is Unmatched’

Following her return, an insider praised her bravery while noting the important role she plays on the set of the news show.

“Savannah is the heart of the show and the steady hand that guides everyone in the right direction,” the source said, per Page Six. “The staff and crew, we all needed her back. It was emotional for everyone.”

They continued, “Her sadness and pain are not gone, but her bravery and strength aren’t either, and her faith is unmatched.”

“Just as she needed to come home to her children and husband, she also needed to come home to her ‘Today’ family,’” the source added.

Savannah Guthrie Shared A Heartfelt Message About Challenges With Her Faith

Law enforcement has yet to make an arrest in Nancy’s disappearance, nor have they been able to come up with any viable leads.

The 84-year-old grandmother’s continuous disappearance seems to have left Savannah’s faith shaken as the TV host opened up about her struggles in an Easter video message at a New York church service on Sunday.

She spoke about the Christian belief in the resurrection and how humans still encounter “deep disappointment with God” and “the feeling of utter abandonment.”

“Recently, though, in my own season of trial, I have wondered, I have questioned whether Jesus really ever experienced this particular wound that I feel,” she said, per NBC News. “This grievous and uniquely cruel injury of not knowing, of uncertainty and confusion and answers withheld.”

“In those darkest moments,” she continued, “I have thought bitterly, and perhaps irreverently, that I have stumbled upon a feeling that Jesus did not know.”

Savannah then said that it’s not wrong to “challenge our God with questions,” and through it comes “a portal of revelation, the imparting of truth and wisdom.” She went on a seemingly short rant before saying that she “still believes.”

“I see a bright vision of the day when heaven and Earth pass away because they are one, on Earth as it is in heaven,” Savannah said in the closing of the message. “When we celebrate today, this is what we celebrate, and I celebrate, too. I still believe. And so I say with conviction, ‘Happy Easter.’”

 Bold and the Beautiful has Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) irate about Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) cheating on her on a recent episode. Sheila sliced and diced Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) with a pizza cutter and then licked off the blood.

But don’t worry, that was all bait and switch. Sheila is daydreaming about killing Taylor, but she’s not going to do it. And this week, it is confirmed Deacon and Sheila break up. We’re going to talk about whether Deacon and Sheila are really over for good or if something’s going to change after they split.

Taylor Admits The Truth To Sheila on Bold and the Beautiful

So, we saw Taylor take a big risk this week. This is that spoiler about a heroine risking danger for love. And that happened when Sheila confronted her in her office. So Taylor at first tried to fib, but Sheila had seen her and Deacon in a close moment and she already knew the truth before she even started asking questions.

But Sheila wanted to hear Taylor admit that she’s been cheating behind her back with her husband Deacon. And then it got worse with Sheila asking if this is just a rebound from Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye). Because Taylor finally admitted to Sheila, “This is not an affair. It is so much more than that.”

Taylor Admits to Wanting a Future with Deacon on B&B

Taylor said that she and Deacon are in love and they want a future together. That means the wife’s got to go. So Sheila was seething and everything Taylor said made Sheila even angrier. She ranted about Taylor breaking her professional ethics and targeting Deacon while he was vulnerable. And Sheila seemed also really mad at herself for feeling grateful to Taylor and for admiring her so much.

We saw Sheila making it clear she’s not going to let Taylor have Deacon and then it looked like Sheila was murdering Taylor. But no, that is not going to happen. That’s either Sheila’s imagination, that’s most likely, or Taylor having a flash of fear of what Sheila might do to her.

Sheila Confronts Deacon on Bold

This week, their conversation continues and she asked Taylor if she thinks that she’s unhinged. And then Taylor reminds Sheila that she cut off her toe. She faked a bear attack. She, you know, dismembered herself. All crazy stuff.

And in the end, I think she’s going to walk away, leave Taylor alive, and go to confront Deacon, who, by the way, is totally clueless that Sheila is on to them. But when Deacon’s wife shows up at Il Giardino, they’re going to have it out. I mean, there’s no reason for Sheila to take Taylor’s word that she and Deacon are in love and planning a future. Sheila needs to hear this from Deacon.

Deacon & Sheila Have a Heart-to-Heart on Bold and the Beautiful

So, Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for this week say that Sheila and Deacon have a heartbreaking conversation about their marriage and then they take a look back at their relationship and that leads into another B&B spoiler that says a couple who seem perfect for each other end things.

Definitely sounds like Sheila and Deacon. They were both villains. Andthey both did terrible things. They hurt many people. They both spent time in prison, but then, you know, starting with him, they both wanted to be better and they both wanted redemption. Deacon even recently said that when they first got together, they were lost souls.

Sheila’s First Real Test on B&B

So, to me, this feels like the first real test that Sheila has faced since she has decided she wants to change who she is and be a decent human. Deacon, however, has been on this road for longer, and I do feel like he’s made a legit transformation into a good human.

He’s not even close to being the bad guy that he used to be. Now, he’s got Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) in his life. He’s got her kids. He owns Il Giardino. And Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) respects him enough to invest. So, really, he has totally remade his life.

The only complication in Deacon’s life is that Sheila terrorized so many people for so many years that nobody wants her around. It wasn’t even that long ago when she shot Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) and nearly killed them both. Almost killed Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda).

So, another B&B spoiler says that Sheila tells Deacon despite her pain, she’s going to walk away and she’s not going to do something she will regret. And we also know their split is confirmed because another April spoiler says that Taylor and Deacon take their relationship public. So, Sheila’s out and Taylor’s in. But, will she and Deacon last? And are Sheila and Deacon really over for good? Got some insight on that.

Is Sheila Really Changed?

So, initially, I think Sheila wants to prove that she’s changed and she isn’t unhinged anymore. That might be the best revenge Sheila can get to show everybody they were totally wrong about her. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Taylor and Deacon won’t have to deal with Sheila.

Another spoiler for this week says Taylor and Deacon don’t realize it, but they are being watched. And that could be Ridge or Steffy. You know, they’re both a little upset on Bold and the Beautiful about this thing. Or it could be that Sheila is stalking them.

Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila More Hury by Taylor

I mean, let’s face it, May Sweeps doesn’t kick off until the third week of April, and I would expect something explosive. So, we may have a few weeks of peace and quiet and Sheila seeming sane. So, she may leave Deacon with Taylor, but then Sheila just can’t hold it together.

You know, Deacon may think that he and Sheila are done for good when all is said and done. The thing is she might not be able to let him go. I don’t think she’s changed enough to let Taylor get to happily ever after with Deacon that Sheila thinks belongs to her.

And I think she’s even more upset with Taylor than she is with Deacon because Sheila thought they were close friends even though Taylor always told Sheila they were not.

But I think she feels more betrayed by Taylor, who should have been above sleeping with a patient who was a married man. So, while Deacon and Sheila may end their relationship, Taylor and Deacon might not be able to fully escape Sheila long-term.

Divorce Drama Ahead on B&B?

I’m also wondering if Deacon is going to go ahead and file for divorce and then Sheila causes problems with that. She keeps referring to Il Giardino as their business. It’s not. Deacon owns it free and clear and he had already built it into something and then Sheila got out of prison.

And it was kind of like he gave Sheila a work release job and then in her mind it’s this full partnership thing they built together which isn’t true. Deacon and Taylor are going to get together officially.

That’s confirmed in Bold and the Beautiful spoilers but I doubt the drama is done. Sheila has never loved anyone like she loves Deacon. So, in her mind, it’s not over.

Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila Still Gets Her Revenge

Sheila may do something typical for scorned wives, and she may refuse to divorce Deacon to try and stop him and Taylor from having a real future together. You know, just because Sheila doesn’t get violent doesn’t mean she won’t try to make Taylor and Deacon pay for what they did to her. I just can’t see Sheila going that easy on them.

But, of course, we’ll see how it plays out. I mean, even totally sane women have been driven unhinged by cheating husbands. So, Deacon should enjoy Taylor while he can because it may not last forever.

Deacon and Sheila’s split happens this week. That is confirmed in Bold and the Beautiful spoilers. However, I think we’re going to see hints that things are far from over where Sheila is concerned and May sweeps may be the end of what looks like a resolution and her walking away quietly and it may turn into something explosive.

Singer and actress Halle Bailey starred in Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” Though the movie was well-received by many, Bailey faced backlash from the moment her casting was announced in 2019. Most notably, some traditionalist fans objected to a racebended version of the famed Disney character. Now, years later and ahead of her new movie, “You, Me & Tuscany,” she’s reacting to the harsh comments.

Halle Bailey Details Dealing With Backlash From ‘The Little Mermaid’

Bailey has experienced quite a bit since starring in “The Little Mermaid.” She became a mother in December 2023 and later went through a very public breakup with content creator DDG. Now, in a new interview with The Independent, she’s opening up about dealing with backlash associated with playing the famed Disney character.

She called working on the movie “a beautiful experience for me.” Bailey continued, “And I feel like it taught me to listen to myself and the good voices inside. I learned how to block out the noise. How do I explain it… It was actually freeing to be in the middle of this conversation where so many different opinions were coming in, and they were so opposite from one another…”

The actress continued, “I felt like I was watching myself inside a cup, seeing how people react to it… Growing up in the industry can really develop your sense of self, and for me, it keeps me grounded in a way. I know for some people it’s the opposite, but I just always think to myself, ‘None of this is real.’”

Bailey Also Says The Entertainment Industry Isn’t What Matters In Life

Bailey first began showing her talents to the world in 2011, when she and her sister, Chloe Bailey, launched their YouTube Channel. After that, the sibling duo Chloe X Halle released two studio albums, with the latest being 2020’s critically acclaimed “Ungodly Hour.”

However, Bailey can separate the art from the industry and continued in her interview with The Independent by discussing what the backlash against “The Little Mermaid” taught her: to remain grounded.

She said, “I love feeling small, realizing that the world is so big and beautiful and I’m just a tiny, tiny part of it. The fact I’m here is a blessing, and I’m grateful [to be doing music and acting], but at the same time, this is not what matters in life. What matters is keeping our feet on the ground and holding the people we love.”

Fans Are Offering Mixed Reactions To Bailey’s Comments

Following Bailey’s comments about the “The Little Mermaid” backlash going viral, many social media users reacted. While some offered compassion for Bailey and what she endured while promoting the film, others say the backlash wasn’t about racism, but rather wanting to retain the character’s original identity.

One person who felt for Bailey said, “I hate that she had to deal with such horrible racism. She should not have had to deal with that.”

However, someone else stated, “When you race swap characters, you are going to p-ss off a lot of people. It isn’t racism she is facing, it is people who generally care about the original character and want to see it portrayed by someone who actually looks and acts the part.”

A different X user reacted, “The fact that she was 19 when the internet dogpilled on her like that is crazy.” Lastly, a different social media user remarked, “Halle was the perfect choice to bring a FICTIONAL character who happens to be white, due to an artistic decision, not a storytelling one.”

‘You, Me & Tuscany’ Is A New Romantic Comedy

Bailey had appeared in multiple films since “The Little Mermaid.” They include “The Color Purple” in 2023 and “The Line” in 2024. Now, her latest movie, “You, Me, & Tuscany,” is set to arrive in theaters on April 10, with some theaters offering advanced screenings the day prior.

In addition to Bailey, the movie stars Regé-Jean Page, Marco Calvani, Aziza Scott, and Lorenzo de Moor. The movie centers on Anna (Bailey), a down-on-her-luck chef who falls in love with Michael (Page). According to Deadline, the movie was produced by Will Packer Productions and is distributed by Universal Pictures.

The Singer Also Discussed Beyoncé’s Impact On Her Career

Bailey has been open about being a Beyoncé fan, especially given that she and her sister signed a record deal with the icon’s Parkwood Entertainment. During her interview with The Independent, she opened up about how the “Crazy In Love” singer impacted her career.

She said, “She just let us be. She’s a very genuine human being, a nice, soft voice who will give us advice when we need it.” Bailey also stated that working under Beyoncé’s guidance has “actually been really good for” her and her sister.

Regarding music, she released her debut album, “Love?…or Something Like It” in October 2025 via Columbia/Parkwood.

The beginning of the end is here for Prime Video‘s diabolical superhero satire series, The Boys. The fifth and final season kicks off tomorrow, April 8, with the first two episodes as the final attempt to take down Homelander (Antony Starr) takes shape. Early reviews of the season from critics hint at a big ending for the series, and it’s nothing anyone wants to miss out on. Effectively, the series is slowly surging on Prime Video as subscribers refresh their knowledge ahead of the new season, according to FlixPatrol’s data. Meanwhile, those who have not gotten caught up on Season 4 try to do so before the internet is flooded with spoilers, memes, and FOMO kicks in. The season’s official logline below teases an epic conclusion.

“In the fifth and final season, it’s Homelander’s world, completely subject to his erratic, egomaniacal whims. Hughie (Jack Quaid), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), and Frenchie (Tomer Capone) are imprisoned in a “Freedom Camp.” Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) is nowhere to be found. But when Butcher (Karl Urban) reappears, ready and willing to use a virus that will wipe all Supes off the map, he sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the world and everyone in it. It’s the climax, people. Big stuff’s gonna happen.”

Is ‘The Boys’ Season 5 Any Good?

The season has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, boasting a 96% score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. They have praised the show for going hard in its final outing, where, in addition to the regular gore and nudity, the emotional moments also land. Collider’s Nate Richard watched the first seven episodes and was impressed by what the writers had cooked up. While the series finale was not offered for review, he was confident the season is a winner. An excerpt from his review of The Boys Season 5 explains:

“Prime Video has been holding the series finale back for now, which makes perfect sense, but if the last episode can maintain the quality of the previous seven, The Boys Season 5 may just be one of the show’s best. It has all the gore, dark comedy, action, and vulgarity that you would expect, while also never veering too far out of control ahead of the final hour. In the words of Billy Butcher, Season 5 is bloody diabolical.”

The Boys Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, April 08 on Prime Video globally. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2019 – 2026-00-00

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Showrunner

Eric Kripke

Writers

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Eric Kripke

Franchise(s)

The Boys

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A high-stakes plan to bring Kanye West back to the UK has collapsed in dramatic fashion, leaving behind financial losses, public backlash, and a canceled festival.

What was meant to be a carefully orchestrated return quickly unraveled, exposing miscalculations, mounting criticism, and a gamble that ultimately failed under intense scrutiny from both officials and the public.

The Ambitious Kanye West Comeback Plan

Behind the scenes, the effort to reintroduce Kanye West to UK audiences was anything but casual.

Industry giant Live Nation reportedly poured time, money, and resources into securing his return, even traveling internationally to court the controversial star.

According to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail, “Live Nation put together a big package of multiple shows across the globe including Wireless.”

The ambition was clear: not just a single performance, but a global comeback narrative centered around one of music’s most polarizing figures.

However, warning signs were already present early in the process.

The same source revealed that concerns had been raised about the optics of hosting the rapper in North London.

“They were advised that it would be mad to put him on stage in Haringey, so close to a large Jewish community in north London, and they didn’t listen,” the source shared.

Despite those warnings, planning continued. Critics were later unimpressed with claims that consultations had been thorough.

The insider said, “They are now saying that they asked ‘stakeholders, ‘ but this is simply ludicrous.”

Kanye West Deal Raises Early Red Flags

Even before the Wireless Festival announcement, securing venues proved difficult.

Attempts to stage performances at major stadiums were unsuccessful.

The insider noted, “Before they signed a deal with Wireless they had asked about putting a show on at the Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham grounds and both turned them down absolutely flat.”

That rejection alone hinted at the controversy surrounding West’s return.

The source said, “That should at least have shown them what a problem there was. Then there was an exploration of asking Twickenham but it was felt to be the wrong crowd for Kanye.”

Still, negotiations pushed forward, culminating in a massive payday.

“He asked for and got $15million to play those three nights at Wireless. At that late point they still hadn’t secured a headline act,” the insider added.

From a business perspective, the gamble was enormous and increasingly fragile.

Kanye West Ban Sparks Immediate Fallout

Everything changed when UK officials stepped in. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood blocked Kanye West’s entry, citing concerns that his presence would “not be conducive to the public good.”

The consequences were swift. Within moments of the ban becoming public, the Wireless Festival, set to take place in Finsbury Park, was canceled outright.

Promotional materials vanished almost instantly, leaving only a brief notice stating the “festival has been forced to cancel.”

Fans were promised refunds, but frustration quickly surfaced. Many questioned why organizers failed to prepare alternatives, especially given the risks tied to booking such a controversial headliner.

The fallout extended beyond disappointed ticket holders. Political and advocacy voices also weighed in.

Sir Keir Starmer argued that West “should never have been invited,” while support for the government’s decision came from groups like The Campaign Against Antisemitism.

Karen Pollock, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, strongly criticized those defending the artist.

“No other community would be told to ‘forgive’ or ‘talk’ – the disgusting racism would be recognized for what it is,” she said.

Financial Fallout And Industry Backlash

The collapse of the event has triggered serious financial concerns. Live Nation now faces the possibility of staggering losses, with some estimates reaching $30 million.

Although contracts may allow the company to recover part of the $15 million fee, doubts remain.

As one source bluntly put it, “Live Nation should be able to get all $15million back as their contracts say that it is the responsibility of the artist to get a visa. Because the decision was made by the Home Secretary they believe that they can get their money back.”

Still, optimism appears limited. “They think it’s not as big a disaster as it could have been but, good luck getting Kanye to pay you back,” the source continued.

The damage goes beyond finances. Industry insiders have described the situation as a major misstep.

Another insider said, “This is one of the biggest mess-ups that they have made since Covid, and I am including the Ticketmaster disaster which has led to them being sued in that.”

Criticism of the company’s judgment has been sharp. The source continued, “This shows how arrogant and out of touch they are. They thought that they would get away with it and that everyone would roll over. That didn’t happen which is why Kanye released a new apology, but it was too little too late.”

The source also questioned the artist’s pattern of behavior, adding, “Kanye has just been cynically doing what he always does which is cause outrageous offence, go away for a year, and then come back with an album and apology. That playbook no longer flies.”

A Comeback That Could Not Be Saved

Kanye West’s attempted return was already under scrutiny due to his past controversies, including offensive remarks and public backlash. Although he had issued an apology earlier in the year and expressed a desire to demonstrate change, it wasn’t enough to shift public sentiment.

He had even suggested he wanted to show “change through his actions” and engage directly with Jewish communities in London ahead of the planned shows.

However, for many critics, the timing and sincerity of those efforts were questionable. The broader response suggested that reputational damage, combined with political pressure, proved too significant to overcome.

Wireless organizers attempted to defend their decision-making process after the cancellation. In a statement, a spokesperson said, “As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”

However, by then, the damage was done. The festival’s future now hangs in the balance, with reports suggesting it could “go dark” in 2026 if a new headliner cannot be secured.

What began as a bold attempt to revive Kanye West’s presence in the UK has instead become a cautionary tale, one that highlights the risks of betting big on controversy in an increasingly scrutinized entertainment landscape.

Despite being quite relevant to the current world of AI, Rebecca Ferguson‘s cyberpunk thriller Mercy was a box-office failure, barely breaking even on production costs without marketing included. The actress plays Judge Maddox, an AI judge in the newly established Mercy Court that judges and executes those convicted of murder. The movie was poorly received by critics, with a 25% score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This reception was reflected in theaters, where it fizzled out after the opening weekend. However, viewers loved it, giving the film an 82% score on the same site. Mercy is now available to stream at home, and while it did not make waves on the big screen, the story is quite different now.

Produced by Amazon’s MGM, the film was made available to stream on Prime Video and MGM+, both of which are owned by Amazon. Mercy arrived with a bang, claiming the top position on Prime Video before being dethroned recently by Chris Hemsworth‘s new heist thriller, Crime 101. But on MGM+, Mercy remains the most-watched overall project. It’s displaced MGM+’s biggest hit to date, FROM, the sci-fi horror thriller that has gained a cult following since its 2023 premiere. The mystery box drama was created by John Griffin and follows a group of people stranded in an inescapable town. FROM has dominated MGM+ and has recently been seeing increased interest as a new season premieres late this month.

MGM+’s Flagship Series Returns Next Week

FROM will undoubtedly reclaim the number one spot on MGM+ when the Harold Perrineau-led series returns for a new season next week. The new season promises grisly consequences for the townsfolk as, finally, the powers behind this place take a more active role. The logline below teases more mysteries and horror. It reads:

“In Season 4, the closer the residents of town get to the answers they seek, the more terrifying their search becomes. Who is the Man in Yellow, and what does he want? Will Jade (Eion Bailey) and Tabitha’s (Catalina Sandino Moreno) revelation be the key to finally going home? How much longer can Boyd hold the town together, even as his body and mind are falling apart? And what role will the town’s most recent arrival play in the events to come? Season 4 will open doors that some in town will end up wishing had remained closed.”

FROM returns on Sunday, April 19. Watch Mercy and all past seasons of FROM on MGM+ in the US. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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January 19, 2026

Runtime

100 minutes

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Director

Timur Bekmambetov

Writers

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Marco van Belle

Producers

Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, Timur Bekmambetov

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