Related: Copy Meghan Markle’s Winter Look With These Cardigan Coat Styles — From $9
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The POTUS shared “words of support for her and her family,” according to NBC News journalist Tom Llamas.
Floyd Mayweather is well-known for his legendary boxing career and multiple title wins, but according to him, cable network Showtime has not adequately compensated him for his fight earnings.
Per recent reports, Mayweather has filed legal documents accusing Showtime of owing him $340 million, and he wants them to pay up.
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Per The Hollywood Reporter, Mayweather filed a $340 million lawsuit against Showtime on Tuesday, February 3, in California State Court. In the filing, the boxer alleges that Showtime was a participant in a multi-year scheme of “financial manipulation and self-dealing” by Mayweather’s ex-manager, Al Haymon.
According to Mayweather, Showtime and Haymon “intended to steal vast sums of money from him by funneling fight revenues into secret accounts he didn’t control,” per the outlet. Mayweather is claiming both parties engaged in breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
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In 2013, Mayweather left rival cable network HBO for Showtime for a multi-year deal that was the most lucrative in boxing history at the time.
Instead of direct payment to Mayweather, Showtime wired the boxer’s fight winnings into a separate account he had no control over. Mayweather blames the loss of his boxing earnings on Showtime for the money stolen from him by Haymon, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Mayweather obtained new management in 2024, and during that time, he requested to see a breakdown of his earnings for specific fights, but said Showtime refused to show them, according to the lawsuit.
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Despite Haymon being the sole person accused of stealing from the boxer, he is not named in Mayweather’s lawsuit, in which he said that the cable network should have been aware of Haymon’s stealing because his behavior was not consistent with that of a “typical manager.”
Paramount, which owns Showtime, responded to Mayweather’s lawsuit via statement. “These baseless claims lack legal or factual merit. We strongly reject them and will respond accordingly through the court process,” the company said.
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In November 2024, a lawsuit was filed against Showtime regarding the network’s hit horror-drama series “Yellowjackets,” due to claims the show stole its premise from the 2015 film, “Eden,” per Entertainment Weekly.
However, the following year, in April 2025, Showtime came out victorious in the legal battle when federal Judge Dean Pregerson dismissed the lawsuit, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Per Judge Pregerson’s ruling, he found that the “plots, characters, themes, and settings of the two works aren’t similar enough to constitute copyright infringement.”
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“Instances of competition, tribalism, and factionalism in disaster scenarios or in response to resource scarcity are nearly as commonplace, from ‘The Tempest’ to ‘Survivor’ to much of the post-apocalyptic genre, such as the ‘Mad Max’ films or any of a number of zombie stories, to, most archetypically, ‘Lord of the Flies,’” the judge wrote in his ruling in favor of Showtime.

Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson sent boxing fans into a frenzy when it was announced last year that the two would go head-to-head against each other in a boxing match. However, the highly anticipated match-up is sparking doubt.
According to Yahoo! Sports, former kickboxer Mike Zambidis teased an upcoming fight with Mayweather courtesy of a poster where Zambidis referred to himself as “Iron Mike,” which is the widely known nickname for Tyson. The move has left fans looking forward to Mayweather vs. Tyson confused.
In September 2025, Mayweather and Tyson were confirmed to participate in an exhibition match from CSI Sports/Fight Sports set to take place in March, according to ESPN.
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“I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” Mayweather said at the time via a press release. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”

“Money Mayweather,” as he has long referred to himself, is allegedly in financial trouble, according to a lengthy report from Business Insider, which the boxer previously sued for defamation for reporting on his finances inaccurately.
Mayweather has maintained that he is more than financially stable, proven by his repeatedly flaunting his wealth on social media.
Some movies don’t just lodge themselves in your memory — they sprawl out and build a little annex, like the oddball friend at a slumber party insisting everyone watch something weird he smuggled from the back shelf of the video store. The breakthrough 1953 film, House of Wax, starring legendary horror star Vincent Price, is one of those films. It sits right beside Tourist Trap, Phantom of the Wax Museum, and even a few stray Night Gallery segments that stuck to your ribs. Those were stories with some weight on them, a little tragedy in the corners, the kind that made you feel like you were stepping into someone else’s private obsession.
But where House of Wax plays like the ballroom version of the genre — velvet curtains, operatic dread, all that tragic grandeur — Waxwork from 1988 kicks the side door open, wearing mismatched shoes and quoting every horror movie it’s ever rented. It’s the punk nephew crashing the fancy family reunion, bringing the spirit of Creepshow, the playful chaos of The Monster Squad, and the anything-goes attitude that fueled late-night Tales from the Darkside reruns. Waxwork doesn’t just riff on its predecessors; it ransacks the attic of horror history and pulls out everything — Dracula, zombies, werewolves, sadistic aristocrats — with the gleeful confidence of a movie that knows exactly what kind of midnight audience it was born to entertain. It’s cinematic mischief, but mischief made with love.
If you’ve never seen Waxwork, the elevator pitch tells you exactly what kind of ride you’re in for: a group of college kids wanders into a mysterious wax museum that popped up in town like a weed after a rainstorm. The curator — David Warner, doing that sly, half-charmed, half-menacing thing he could do without breaking a sweat — sizes them up with a look that isn’t quite welcoming and definitely not safe. The whole place feels tilted, like someone staged it five minutes before they walked in.
Then the first student steps too close to an exhibit, and the floor drops out. Literally and figuratively. Waxwork’s big trick — and it’s such a good one you can’t even be mad at how bonkers it is — is that each display is a portal. Get too close to Dracula’s dinner table, and suddenly you’re at Dracula’s dinner table for real, with blood on the menu. Wander toward the zombie setup, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in this grimy, George Romero-tinged wasteland that looks like somebody kicked on a fog machine they found in a high-school auditorium closet. Werewolves, mummies, the Marquis de Sade — it’s all crammed in there. This isn’t a museum; it’s a rowdy horror sampler that grabs whoever’s closest.
It’s a concept that shouldn’t feel this fun, but director Anthony Hickox leans hard into the pulpy chaos. He doesn’t tidy the edges or even try to. Waxwork is more mixtape than movie — a heap of genre detours glued together with a wink, a scream, and a bucket of fake blood that probably never quite came out of the carpeting. And somehow, that chaos makes it feel more affectionate than parody.
Vincent Price’s House of Wax aches with its own grandeur. It wants you to feel the tragedy behind every glossy sculpture, each one a monument to obsession and heartbreak. You can almost trace the fingerprints in the wax, the way Price plays his madness, like he’s tuning sorrow into a melody. Waxwork, on the other hand, doesn’t mourn anything. It celebrates the carnage. Where House of Wax is cinematic opera, Waxwork is a punk band rattling a garage door. Instead of tragedy, Hickox gives us pure invention — the thrill of letting every monster loose at once and telling the audience, “You’ll keep up, don’t worry.” It’s not elevating horror; it’s reveling in it.
This Forgotten Vincent Price Horror is One of the Few Films Set in This Famously Haunted Landmark
There isn’t much cinematic blood spilled in the Bloody Tower.
And the cast knows exactly what kind of sandbox they’re in. David Warner plays the curator like a man who’s read every villain’s speech in existence and decided none of them were good enough. It’s camp as performance art. Then there’s Zach Galligan — earnest, a little wide-eyed, almost apologetically sincere — grounding the chaos. He ends up being the one steady presence in the room, the guy awkwardly holding the metaphorical flashlight while everything else whirls and snaps around him.
But Hickox’s real trick is threading that sincerity through all the genre mayhem. He’s not mocking the tropes, he’s creating a hodgepodge of them, similar to how a kid would dump all their toys into a huge pile to see what he could create from various combinations. Each world in the wax scenes reveals warmth, even the goofier ones. You never feel like the movie is punching down at horror. It’s clapping along with it.
For anyone who grew up watching late-night horror blocks or spent uncomfortable amounts of time in video stores clutching a tape with a monster on the cover — Waxwork hits like nostalgia with teeth. It carries the DNA of Creepshow, Fright Night, Monster Squad, and every scrappy anthology film that haunted the 2 a.m. schedule of stations too broke to buy better programming.
But it carves its own spot. It’s knowingly silly, but not a spoof. The film respects the styles it barrels through. You can feel the filmmakers winking, sure, but they’re also sweating. Waxwork is handmade horror — scrappy, clever, slightly lopsided, but full of actual pulse. That’s the thing with camp: it’s not laziness. It’s commitment… just with a smirk. And Waxwork commits. Even though it’s one of those films where you can see the seams on the monsters, you don’t mind. They’re unapologetic, and that adds to the charm because you can feel the love from the hand crafters who probably stayed up into the wee hours of the night to get them just right.
Waxwork earns its cult status, not by being a flawless film, but because it’s not afraid to venture into the bizarre. It’s like that crazy uncle that makes the family cringe when he shows up at family gatherings with dad jokes and a cooler full of mystery sodas, but earns respect from the youngsters with a tattered copy of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine under his arm. You don’t ask it to behave. You ask it to liven up the night.
If House of Wax is your thing — the sweep, the style, the controlled unraveling — save a night for its unruly relative. Dim the room, let the nostalgia buzz a little, and slip into something stranger, bloodier, and way less predictable than anything Vincent Price ever polished for the screen. Sometimes horror works better when it doesn’t try to comb its hair. Sometimes messy is the point. And Waxwork? It’s alive and well.
Waxwork is available to stream on Prime Video and Tubi in the U.S.
June 17, 1988
95 minutes
Anthony Hickox
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As expected, celebrities were out and about at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Among them was Meghan Markle, and while she had eyes on the movies, we had our eyes on her long navy peacoat. The four-digit price tag, however, led us to look for an inexpensive option — which is exactly what we found with this $53 Amazon find.
Markle was at Sundance for the premiere of Cookie Queens, which she executive-produced alongside her husband, Prince Harry. She posed on the red carpet in the Heidi Merrick Fog Coat, which retails for a cool $1,275. Thankfully, the Ebossy Double-Breasted Long Coat is a much more affordable alternative with a similar look, making it a worthy addition to your wardrobe for chilly days ahead.
Get the Ebossy Double-Breasted Long Coat for $53 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
In order to achieve Markle’s deep blue look, you’ll want to shop the layer in navy, but the same piece comes in black, brown, dark gray, dark red and army green. Like the designer version, the Ebossy coat includes a belt for easy closure, but it also features extra hardware, including silver buttons down the front.
Many peacoats come in midi lengths, but the Ebossy option nearly hits the ankles. Not only does that make for an elegant look, but it also keeps wearers protected from the wind and other elements. Despite its price, this pick is surprisingly heavy, so it can withstand the frigid temperatures sweeping the country this time of year.
Amazon shoppers appreciate this long, sleek coat. Even though it’s affordable, it holds up well against serious winter weather.
“This coat is fabulous. All lined, warm and fashionable. Pretty sure I need one in every color now. You cannot beat the price,” one five-star reviewer shared.
“I loved this coat. Great quality for the price,” another happy shopper wrote. “It’s a good buy. Soft and warm. I’ve only worn it once so far, and I only wear it out to elegant occasions.”
A quality peacoat is an easy way to dress up whatever you’re wearing underneath, even if it’s a matching sweatsuit set. This Markle-inspired option will do just that, while also keeping you nice and warm.
Get the Ebossy Double-Breasted Long Coat for $53 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more peacoats here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Published
A new twist in the kidnapping of ‘TODAY’ anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s mother Nancy … the Arizona home of Savannah’s sister Annie is crawling with law enforcement agents.
Photos show a deputy wearing an ICAC shirt arriving Wednesday afternoon at Annie’s home … and what’s even more interesting is what he appears to have in the bag over his shoulder.
Now, the ICAC badge appears to be from the Internet Crimes Against Children task force … and the box with a strap over his shoulder is believed to be a forensic extraction device used to access data from smartphones, SIM cards and more.
The Cellebrite Universal Forensic Extraction Device that the agent appears to be carrying here can even retrieve encrypted data and deleted content.
FOX News
Annie lives in the home with her husband, Tommaso Cioni … and the couple are reportedly the last people to see Nancy before she was abducted from her Tucson-area home in the middle of the night.
Reporters outside the home say agents appeared to have seized items from inside … though it’s unclear what, if anything, was taken.
As for the ICAC task force’s involvement … Pima Co. Sheriff’s Dept. says detectives from multiple units are working the case, but “this does not mean an acronym or unit name on the shirt is indicative of a particular crime associated with this case.”
Authorities have not named a suspect … and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Wednesday they have no reason to believe she is deceased.
When the right elements collide, a great show tends to stick around in the cultural conversation. Streaming platforms may allow series to live online indefinitely, but it’s far rarer for audiences to still be watching and talking about a show months after it premieres. In a binge-first era where entire seasons can be consumed in a weekend and quickly forgotten, a series has to leave a lasting impression to keep drawing in new viewers long after its initial release. Great writing gives actors room to dig deep. Strong performances elevate familiar genre beats. And when all of that clicks into place, you get a compelling show that people can’t stop recommending.
That’s exactly what’s happened with The Beast in Me, which continues to surge on Netflix’s Top 10 charts more than three months after its premiere. In an era when most shows burn hot and disappear just as quickly, The Beast in Me has proven to be a clear outlier. That staying power isn’t surprising, given the stellar lead performances from Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes, along with a group of rich characters and a mystery compelling enough to keep viewers hooked. With showrunner Howard Gordon recently noting that there is “always potential” for a second season, the show’s sustained chart presence proves it has real legs in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape.
Premiering in November 2025, The Beast in Me follows Aggie Wiggs (Danes), a mourning author living next door to her new neighbor, enigmatic and arguably menacing real estate mogul Nile Jarvis (Rhys) and his wife Nina (Brittany Snow). Nile was accused of killing his first wife and convinces Aggie to write a book about him. From there, their relationship grows into something deeply compelling and increasingly unsettling as she peels back the truth of who Nile really is.
Right from the start, these characters draw viewers in with their complexity. Aggie is dealing with the guilt of her young son’s death while trying to move on from her ex-wife Shelley (Natalie Morales). Nile lives in the shadow of his father Martin Jarvis (Jonathan Banks), a ruthless real estate mogul whose influence looms over everything. Rhys has always been reliable for delivering incredible performances, from The Americans to Perry Mason, and he does exceptional work as Nile, balancing charm with a chilling edge that keeps the audience constantly guessing whether he’s a killer or just deeply misunderstood.
From eating a whole chicken to having a laugh to the Talking Heads track “Psycho Killer,” Danes and Rhys had fun making ‘The Beast in Me’ together.
No one plays a woman in grief and turmoil quite like Claire Danes, who viewers have seen for years on Homeland, but here she plays opposite Rhys with palpable chemistry, echoing her Homeland dynamic, drawn to someone she can’t fully trust, unsure what to believe yet unable to pull away. Another standout performance comes from Brittany Snow, who is finally getting recognized for her dramatic range, building on her work in The Hunting Wives. Together, the ensemble turns the series into something far richer than a standard crime drama, but that doesn’t mean the plot isn’t worth watching for either.
Beyond its incredible cast, The Beast in Me is anchored by a mystery that unfolds deliberately across its eight-episode season and remains compelling in its own right. Even when the central revelation — particularly the truth surrounding what happened to Niles’ first wife, Maddie — isn’t especially surprising, it’s the process of uncovering that truth that makes the series so gripping. By prioritizing slow-burn storytelling and complex character dynamics, the show transforms what could have been a conventional whodunit into an examination of grief, guilt, and obsession.
The series also isn’t afraid to keep viewers deeply unsettled, whether through the uneasy presence of Jarvis himself or the stormy nights and shadowed windows of Aggie’s Long Island home. Just as importantly, the show’s pacing is confident and controlled. Tension builds naturally over the course of the season without relying on filler, and even the flashback episode depicting Maddie’s fate feels purposeful, deepening both the mystery and the emotional stakes rather than stalling momentum.
More than twelve weeks after its premiere, it’s not surprising that The Beast in Me continues to draw an audience. Whether through new viewers discovering it via word of mouth or returning audiences revisiting the story with full knowledge of the truth, the series makes a compelling case for why great dramas endure. While Netflix has yet to announce a second season, the show’s sustained presence on the charts makes one thing clear: if the streamer does choose to continue the story, The Beast in Me has already built a dedicated audience ready to show up. Anchored by a carefully constructed mystery, strong writing, and standout performances, the series feels built to last, and its continued success feels earned.
2025 – 2025-00-00
Netflix
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A new movie about the wife of President Donald Trump has viewers watching one about President Barack Obama’s first lady.
Beyond the Gates spoilers for February 9th – 13th anticipate Dani Dupree‘s (Karla Mosley) big confession and Dr. Ted Richardson (Maurice Johnson) absolutely snapping and raging at someone in public who really has it coming.
As we do on early edition day, we talk about what’s coming the rest of this week and then we dive into what is ahead next week.
On Wednesday, February 4th, we’ve got Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning) meeting with his source. This is for the red market plasma case, which of course Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) is also undercover on. Smitty poking around could put Jacob in danger, which is problematic.
Plus, Dani Dupree goes ahead and makes a full confession to Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman). She told him on Tuesday, but we’re going to have it reiterated on Wednesday that she did kiss Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). I don’t know if Andre will pretend to handle it well while talking to Dani, but I don’t think inside he’s going to take it well.
Andre was pretty confident when he was talking to Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) over at the club after his father-in-law said that Bill really regrets losing Dani. He was acting confident, but inside I think he’s worried he doesn’t want to lose her.
Meanwhile, Bill Hamilton surprises Carolyn over at the office. I wonder if it’s about banning Hayley Lawson‘s (Marquita Goings) awful tea or something to do with his medical update. Meanwhile, Hayley is flirting with Isaiah. He’s not a very good mark for a conwoman because, as he pointed out to Katherine “Kat” Richardson (Colby Muhammad), he’s got no money. So, gold diggers need not apply. But he is a hunk. If Hayley’s not busy trying to kill Bill, there she is trying to get lucky.
Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) is absolutely stunned by what she sees with her grandma Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie). I’m sure it’s that she cut all her hair off because of the chemo. I thought she looked absolutely gorgeous with the haircut. Obviously, I know that’s natural hair under there and she was in a wig, but I thought they did the scene very well. It’s very poignant. If you have ever had anybody in your family go through this with chemo, it’s upsetting.
Jacob is making progress while working undercover. I hope Smitty stays out of the way and doesn’t get him shot. Thursday, February 5th, we’ve got Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix) going out on a date with Kyle. She is working hard to get her groove back. I’m interested to see if Nicole is going to hit the sheets with Kyle as well. She’s had some fun with Carlton, but she’s also been very clear about what she wants and what she doesn’t want.


Joey lets Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) get drawn deeper into his business and his personal life, which is going to put her increasingly at risk. This is not just from possible legal ramifications; he’s dealing with dangerous people because he does dangerous things. But Vanessa, to her credit, is game for it all. She wants to be all in with Joey. Randy comes to Mona’s rescue and she thanks him.
Plus, Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) does something that confuses Ted. I don’t know if she’s changing up her look or if she’s doing something else to torment Chenise, who is absolutely disgusted when she finds Leslie’s panties tucked behind a throw pillow in the couch of Ted’s hotel room.
I am curious if he is going to recognize them as ones he has seen on Leslie’s body or just recognize her taste in things. Anita is also bickering with Fairmont Crest resident gossip Anastasia. I always enjoy seeing everybody laying into her. And I wonder if she’s making catty remarks about Anita’s new hair or something equally tasteless.
Friday, February 6th, we’ve got Ted confronting Leslie in public about her little panty plot. I wonder if Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) is going to be there to be mortified by her mama yet again. Two people are getting engaged on Friday. Maybe it’s Tomas “Tom” Navarro (Alex Alegria) and Kat since he’s got his new promotion.
Maybe Chelsea talks Madison into reconsidering her proposal now that they’re heading overseas together. But for real, I would absolutely cheer if it was Vanessa and Joey. Pamela and Andre do some plotting at the end of the week. And I’m sure it’s to make sure that Bill can’t worm his way back into Dani’s life.
Pamela just got her bestie all pulled back together. And she credits Andre for his role in helping Dani heal. They don’t want Bill getting in there and dismantling her again because they don’t trust him, and rightly so.
Shanice (Ernestine Johnson) and Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) talk and she comforts him. He can’t be a fireman anymore, he’s lost Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob). And he’s kind of circling the drain. Grayson has another date with Ashley, but things go awry when Grayson gets a phone call that’s a bit of a mystery.
Could be about his mom because we know he is caretaking a sick parent, or it could be Derek being a jerk and trying to interfere. Plus, Dani gets turned down. And I wonder if Izaiah Hawthorne (David Lami Friebe) is going to officially tell her no thanks on the modeling gig.
The week of February 9th through the 13th, we are way deep into February sweeps with things moving faster. Obviously, everybody in the Dupree family is going to see Anita’s new look and she’s going to tell them about what is going on with the side effects of her chemo. It’s absolutely terrifying. I’m sure we’re not going to see things get too extreme on the soap because we have to keep her looking beautiful, but if you have a family member that’s gone through cancer, it’s terrible.
Next week, Nicole is juggling Kyle and Carlton, but she has made clear with both of them that she doesn’t want anything serious. I’m interested to see if Carlton is feeling threatened by Kyle or vice versa. Hayley’s desperation could make her sloppy now that Bill has a new doctor monitoring his blood levels. Hayley may circle back around to Randy for some other option to kill Bill ASAP.
We’re also going to have to wait and see if Chelsea and Madison actually pack it up and leave the DMV together or if Chelsea will have to let Madison go alone because of Dupree family drama. Look for Valentine’s Day celebrations to kick off. Vernon’s going to make sure Anita is celebrated in style. And Andre is going to bring his A-game now that Vernon alerted him to Bill’s lurking and regrets.
Hayley’s going to have big expectations, but Bill may disappoint her. Tomas is sure to do something special for Kat. And with Isaiah and Eva officially boyfriend and girlfriend, they’re going to have some big romance, too. I wonder if Marcel’s going to have to bail on Leslie to be with his actual wife. Ted and Shanice are sure to have romantic plans. And I can’t wait to see what fabulous gift Joey has for his lady love, Vanessa.
We also have some huge crossover action coming to Beyond the Gates in June. We’re going to have characters from The Young and the Restless, including Victor Newman, Kyle Abbott, Jack and Diane Abbott, Abby, and Devon Winters. They’re going to be in town for an event at Fairmont Crest, which is a fundraiser for Martin Richardson’s (Brandon Claybon) re-election campaign. I have some more spoilers on it, but I’m running long, so I’ll share those next time.
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

Stargate SG-1 turned an early-90s Roland Emmerich film into the foundation for a franchise that’s lasted 30 years and counting. One of the best additions to the franchise came with the villainous Goa’uld symbiotes, who can live for thousands of years and thoroughly enjoy enslaving others to do their bidding.
The problem is that the Goa’uld also use advanced energy weapons, including the Zat’nik’tel, a handheld “ray gun” with capabilities that make no sense the moment you put any thought into them. Michael Shanks, who played Dr. Daniel Jackson, thinks they are the dumbest weapons ever made, and during Oz-Comic Con in 2015, he unleashed decades of resentment in an amazing tirade explaining why the “Zat Gun” was stupid.

While on stage with Ben Browder (Colonel Cameron Mitchell in Seasons 9-10, and also the lead from Farscape) and Cliff Simon (Ba’al the Goa’uld System Lord), Michael Shanks takes an innocent fan’s question about why the SGC team uses P-90s as a sidearm instead of the far more powerful Zat Gun. Shanks starts off slowly, explaining he refused to ever carry a Zat’nik’tel because “it’s the dumbest weapon ever invented by sci-fi.”
For five more minutes, Shanks goes off on everything wrong with the Zat’nik’tel, from its phallic shape to the barely noticeable physical firing effect, before zeroing in on the very stupid way that the weapon works. The first shot from a Zat’nik’tel stuns the target, the second typically kills, and the third causes them to disintegrate. At first, that sounds pretty badass, but as Michael Shanks points out, it makes no sense.
Shanks argues that if you shoot a lock like O’Neil did, is the lock stunned? Then why did it break open? How long is too long between shots? Can you shoot someone an hour later? Does that stun, or does that count as the second shot? And after stunning them three times, shouldn’t they disappear because that’s three shots?
The Zat’nik’tel makes no sense in Stargate SG-1, a show where, again, the big villains are evil, nearly immortal symbiotes. While Shanks is ranting, Ben Browder and Cliff Simon are cackling along with him, having experienced the inconsistent rules around the Zat Gun firsthand. Shanks points out that the third shot that disintegrated was created on the spot as a solution to the pile of bodies the SGC team was leaving behind while infiltrating a spaceship. There was no grand plan; it was an attempt to fill a plothole with a larger pothole.

Every sci-fi franchise has parts about it that make no sense, and Stargate is no exception. What’s refreshing is Michael Shanks willingness to have fun with the audience about exactly why he despises the Zat’nik’tel, and again, everyone who’s been in a sci-fi franchise can relate. Star Wars gave fans midichlorians, Star Trek’s timeline drives fans crazy, and Battlestar Galactica revealed the identity of The Five. None of those are as ultimately inconsequential as the Zat’nik’tel, which is what makes Shanks exasperated rant so over the top: it’s the equivalent of Jonathan Frakes talking about how a phaser works.
Stargate SG-1 fans have known for years that the Zat’nik’tel is a very dumb weapon. As part of its first-anniversary episode, “Wormhole X-Treme,” the crew even got to make fun of the Zat’nik’tel by having it described with a completely straight face, followed by the response, “That’s stupid.” It is, and it’s refreshing when the people making the series acknowledge that, yeah, they messed up when creating this, but at least they can laugh about it.
Compared to Star Wars and Star Trek, Stargate doesn’t have the name recognition or the same sort of cultural impact, though all that may change, and we may get an updated Zat’nik’tel when the new Amazon series debuts in a few years. In the meantime, there’s plenty of time to binge all 10 seasons of Stargate SG-1 and engage in the fun of discussing why every single planet in the galaxy looks like Vancouver.
Claire Foy had to say a total goodbye to caffeine consumption after an experience she does not hope to relive.
“The Crown” actress shared her health challenge, which prompted changes in her diet and lifestyle, ultimately leading to total abstinence from foods containing caffeine. Foy has been dealing with a trail of health issues right from her teenage years, an experience which left her convinced of a rather short life span.
Claire Foy did not only struggle with physical health issues but also faced the brunt of mental health challenges as a young adult. All of which she remains open to sharing, including her career experiences as she climbed up the ladder to success.
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Foy took a trip abroad and came back with an atypical souvenir, which left her sick for years. She detailed her gross experience with the parasites she had ingested and the aftereffects that followed.
Foy was oblivious to the fact at first, only noticing that she kept losing weight, always feeling hungry even while maintaining her regular appetite. This raised the suspicion that she had an infection, and when asked if she had it confirmed through a blood or stool test, she responded, “Yeah, the gross stuff.”
The actress dug into the details during an appearance on the “Table Manners With Jessie and Lennie Ware” podcast on Tuesday, February 3. She told the hosts that she believes she got the parasites in Morocco and had been living with them for at least five years.
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“They travel as a pair. I got told by the doctor, gross, absolutely rank. It’s disgusting,” she added before explaining how she had to do a total sweep of her eating habits as a result.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, parasites are organisms that live in, on, or with another organism (host). They feed, grow, or multiply in a way that harms their host.
They cause parasitic infections, which usually manifest with symptoms such as nausea, fever, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss, among others.
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Still in her chat with Jessie and Lennie, she mentioned that she had to go on a diet while recovering and has stuck with the changes. In the actress’s words:
“That’s why I gave up caffeine. I basically had to go on this diet, and because I didn’t want to take really hardcore antibiotics and stuff like that, I took all this little gross stuff, and part of that was giving up caffeine.”
The Netflix star noted that generally she would consume about fifteen cups of tea and two cups of coffee per day, so totally giving up caffeine was quite an adjustment for her.
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Foy, speaking further, shared that she also suffers from an autoimmune condition, which she didn’t particularly disclose, but noted that it also affects her diet as she must avoid foods that may trigger inflammation. Sugar and gluten are off her checklist as well, except for when she has a special dinner, such as during Christmas.
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Foy previously disclosed that she was convinced her life would end as she clocks forty owing to the myriad of health challenges she faced growing up.
The Netflix star spent her childhood in mid-Counties Buckinghamshire with her family before moving to Liverpool for university. During her childhood, she was not a stranger to hospitals and medical procedures.
The Daily Mail details that she suffered a benign tumour behind one eye and juvenile arthritis that left her unable to walk without the aid of crutches when she was just barely a teenager.
This, among other challenging health issues, made her create the belief that her life would end before it even began. She previously stated that, unlike many who avoid the topic of mortality, she has thought of death her whole life.
“I just presumed that it was going to happen, especially through my childhood… my thing was that I was never going to make it past 40? ever. I have had many medical things in my life,” the Brit actress divulged.
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Speaking to The Guardian three years ago, Foy, who made her stage debut at the age of 23, opened up about the difficult phase she went through in her 20s. She revealed that she struggled with anxiety, and her mental health was spiraling down after she moved to London to build her career.
Although the 41-Year-Old was cast in big acting projects early in her career, she struggled with self-confidence and the swell of negativity. This ultimately led to a mental breakdown as the actress felt her successes did not align with the way she viewed herself.
Her sister had to intervene and insist she seek professional help, and so she turned to therapy. Foy admitted that therapy was a massive help in reconstructing her mindset and building her feeling of self-worth once again.

After filming the first two seasons of the Netflix hit show, Foy and some of her other costars did not return for the third season due to the time jump for the series. Her character as Queen Elizabeth II was recast to be played by Olivia Colman.
For season four, it was confirmed that Foy was set to return to the series to reprise her role, most likely as a flashback character. When the news of her recasting was announced, fans were thrilled, expressing how much they longed to see her again on the series.
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The Blast shared that some fans initially hoped that the actress would not have been recast during the third season, but that production would turn to makeup and digital altering to depict the aged version of the queen. They had fallen in love with her performance, citing that she played the role perfectly.
MTV star Cory Wharton, known for his time on “The Real World,” “The Challenge,” and “Teen Mom,” is flaunting his new body on Instagram, announcing he’s back in action after being sidelined from the gym a year ago because of knee surgery. In his latest post, Wharton, 34, shared exactly how he shed nearly 15 pounds over the last year and gave his followers who might be hoping for a body transformation of their own a brutally honest reality check about how they can do it too.
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In a side-by-side Instagram comparison, Wharton showed off his body a year ago at 233 pounds versus how he looks today at 220 pounds. The difference is quite noticeable, considering the updated photo shows Wharton’s chiseled abs, bulging chest, and broad shoulders.
In the post’s caption, Wharton got real about what led to his weight gain, citing two knee surgeries that kept him out of the gym and prevented him from staying active. After his body recovered, though, Wharton sprang back into action, dropping nearly 15 pounds in the process.
“It’s not always about the number that you see on the scale, it’s about how you feel,” he said.
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Wharton’s ripped physique likely won’t come as a surprise to fans of the reality star, as he’s been a steady presence on “The Challenge” since 2015.
In his Instagram update, Wharton pointed to his athletic background, noting that his familiarity with the gym likely helped make his transformation easier. However, the MTV veteran was adamant that hard work and sacrifice were the true tests in one’s fitness journey.
Wharton then discussed his diet, revealing that, with age, paying attention to what he was putting in his body was equally important. He finished by giving his 1.4 million Instagram followers a harsh reality check.
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“Long story short, if you’re trying to get in shape l, get your -ss to the gym,” he said. “It’s pretty simple and not just that, but when you’re in there, be efficient and use your time well.”
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Wharton didn’t stop there. The outspoken reality star also told his followers who were hoping to lose weight that they had to put in more effort than anyone else to reach their goals. “You need to be the hardest worker in the gym; it’s pretty simple. No magical pill you could take to have the body that you want. It’s gonna take lifestyle changes & consistency,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Wharton has been open about his fitness goals, according to Us Weekly. In the summer of 2025, Wharton shared a similar message, proving that long-term changes have been most beneficial for him.
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Wharton underwent knee surgery in 2025 after tearing a ligament while filming “The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras.” The injury occurred during a challenge against “Big Brother” alum Josh Martinez in the sand. “The sand, already being an unstable surface, sprinting in it just completely [ruptured] the ACL,” Wharton said. “The first surgery that I had back in September was to remove the metal that was in my knee from a bone lengthening surgery I had done 9 years ago. The metal was ultimately in the way of where we wanna put the new ACL.”
According to TMZ, Wharton had another interaction with doctors in 2025 after his young daughter, Maya, was hospitalized at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, California.
Maya reportedly suffers from tricuspid atresia, a “rare and serious congenital heart defect”; however, the little girl made it through two open-heart surgeries without issue.
“I was just happy that we were able to leave the Children’s Hospital, because there’s a lot of families there that aren’t going to leave,” Wharton said. “They’re waiting a year or 2 for a heart transplant.”
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While Wharton was more than grateful to take his daughter home, the reality star said that he left the Los Angeles hospital with a different outlook on life.
“There was people in that building that found a way to smile. Just by talking to them over time, I was just like, ‘These people are staying positive when they’re at their lowest,’” he said. “I’m trying to do what I can to try to help out Children’s Hospital or young ones that are in need … it’s a far cry from MTV, but I wanna try to do something positive with what I got going now.”
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