By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 27 seconds ago

These days, Star Trek: The Next Generation is considered the gold standard of the franchise. When fans complain about NuTrek shows like Discovery or Starfleet Academy, they are usually griping that these new series are nothing like the adventures of Captain Picard and crew. However, what many modern fans don’t realize is that, in its early days, TNG was one of the worst shows in the entire franchise. That’s mostly because Season 1 was a train wreck, one filled with stiff characters and stiffer stories that ranged from inexplicably horny to unspeakably racist.

Season 2 was a general improvement, though the show was still very rough around the edges. Unfortunately, it ended with “Shades of Grey,” a finale so bad that most fans consider it the worst episode of the entire franchise. Fortunately, that episode saved Star Trek: The Next Generation, albeit accidentally. That’s because this episode was so bad that it made everyone involved say the same thing that Bruce Wayne said after watching his parents get gunned down: “never again!”

You’ll Want To Burn Your Eyes After Watching

“Shades of Gray” is a real war crime of an episode, so I’ll spare you the trouble of watching it with a quick summary. Basically, Paramount forced everyone to create an ultra-low-budget bottle episode, so the writers developed a skeletal plot about Riker getting a fast-acting virus that will shut his brain down in hours. Dr. Pulaski develops a device to help stimulate his brain with memories of his various adventures from the last two years. In reality, the memory stimulation plot was just an excuse to create Star Trek’s first and only clip show episode, with Riker watching the worst set of nonsense video snippets this side of TikTok.

Pretty much everyone involved with “Shades of Gray” hated it. This included then-showrunner Maurice Hurley, who (as recorded in Captains’ Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages) later dubbed this episode a “Piece of sh*t.” He lamented that “It was supposed to be a bottle show. Terrible, just terrible, and a way to save some money.” However, the show wasn’t going to be Hurley’s problem anymore because, as he bluntly stated, “I was on the way out the door.”

Two Beams, One Cup

In an interview with The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine, “Shades of Gray” director Rob Bowman essentially disowned his work. He said that this was “basically a money-saving episode. All we shot was three days of framework, and they just stuck in flashbacks. That’s all it was.” To hear Bowman tell it, this was an episode in name only, with Paramount just throwing in a bunch of disjointed clips and calling it a day. This is part of why legendary TNG writer dubbed it an “embarrassment” in one of his famous AOL chats, deeming it (along with “Up the Long Ladder”) as the worst episode of the series.

However, one man feels that Star Trek: The Next Generation owes a debt of gratitude to “Shades of Gray.” That man was veteran producer Peter Lauritson, who spoke about the matter on the DVD special features for TNG Season 2.  “It was just… we learned from that. I think, probably, the worst we ever did,” he said. “It was like ‘Never again.’ ‘Shades’… I don’t even want to remember it.”

The Worst Of Both Worlds

In retrospect, Lauritson was correct, and everyone involved with Star Trek: The Next Generation never made an episode even nearly as bad. Over on IMDB, it is the lowest-rated episode of all time, but the overall quality of episodes steadily increased after this. Granted, credit for this mostly goes to Michael Piller, who revamped the entire writing team when he became showrunner in Season 3. But some credit must also go to “Shades of Gray,” an episode so bad and so universally hated that it taught the writers and producers exactly what not to do with this ambitious sci-fi spinoff.

While Season 2 was generally an improvement over Season 1, Star Trek: The Next Generation was still an extraordinarily rough sci-fi spinoff. “Shades of Gray” taught the writers and producers a major lesson through the greatest teacher of all: failure. Had this crappy clip show not been the worst episode of Trek ever made, TNG might not have become the most foundational bit of genre television of the 20th century. In this way, it’s fair to say that the worst episode of Star Trek’s most beloved show helped save the most influential series in sci-fi history!

Shocking new details are emerging surrounding a chaotic domestic dispute involving reality star Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, including a disturbing 911 call and graphic images that paint a troubling picture. The incident, which allegedly unfolded at Paul’s home, stems from a February altercation between the former couple, who dated on and off between 2022 and 2024. While both Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen accused each other of domestic violence, authorities confirmed Tuesday that no charges will be filed.

Bloody Photos And 911 Call From Taylor Frankie Paul Incident Reveal Chaotic Scene

Images submitted to the Draper City Police Department show Mortensen with a bloodied nose, while both he and Paul appear to have visible bruising.

Audio from a February 22 911 call, obtained by TMZ, captures a tense exchange between the two, with a child crying in the background. Mortensen, who shares 2-year-old son Ever with Paul, can be heard expressing concern for the child, telling dispatchers his son is “freaking out” and had been “kind of hurt” and “wasn’t doing so well.”

At one point, he says, “I told you,” while Paul speaks in the background, though her words are largely unclear aside from a repeated plea of “please.”

The dispatcher attempts to assess the situation, asking if the child is crying and whether he is sick. “Is that him crying in the background?” the dispatcher asks.

Mortensen confirms before adding, “Yeah, I think he’s sick because that’s what he just did was throw up.”

“Do you want me to have somebody come just check him out?” the dispatcher asks.

“No, he’s okay,” Mortensen replies, though the child can still be heard crying.

“I might just take him in, so I just didn’t know how to do that,” he adds before the call ends.

Second 911 Call Raises Alarming Allegations

The situation escalated the following day when another 911 call was placed by a man identified as Cru Ethan, who alleged an ongoing pattern of abuse involving his friend, believed to be Mortensen.

According to the call, the man claimed his friend had visible scratches and described alleged property damage, including a broken car mirror, a damaged screen, and a drink being thrown.

He also alleged there was evidence of repeated incidents, including photos and videos, and claimed Mortensen was “mentally drained” while expressing concern for the children in the home.

Conflicting Accounts From Both Taylor Frankie Paul And Dakota Mortensen

Police reports detail drastically different versions of what allegedly took place.

Mortensen previously claimed Paul attacked him in the early hours of February 22, alleging she grabbed his throat, face, and neck before shoving him into a window. He also said he attempted to call the police but was convinced to hang up. Paul, however, told officers she had asked Mortensen to leave her home and denied that any physical violence occurred that day.

The following day brought more conflicting claims, with Mortensen alleging Paul “became angry again, mounted him, grabbed his throat, and screamed in his face.” He also claimed she threw objects, damaged property, and continued to assault him outside near his car.

According to the police report, “Dakota shoved her off, causing her to hit her head on the center console screen. Upon leaving again, Dakota received a text from Taylor stating she was gushing blood from her nose and it would not stop.”

Paul, meanwhile, alleged Mortensen became aggressive during a separate incident in the car, claiming he slammed her head against the dashboard and grabbed her by the neck and back.

Police Decline To File Charges

Despite the disturbing allegations and visible injuries, authorities ultimately determined there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges.

According to the report, officials cited “insufficient corroborating evidence” and noted that “Dakota to the primary aggressor of the second incident on the 23rd, and there is limited information for the 22nd.”

In a separate interaction captured in police audio, Paul insisted that Mortensen’s claims were “not accurate” before hearing the full details.

Custody Battle Heats Up As Restraining Orders Fly Between Taylor Frankie Paul And Dakota Mortensen

The fallout has since spilled into the courts. Mortensen filed for a restraining order in March, temporarily impacting custody arrangements for their son. Paul was later granted her own protective order on April 8, preventing Mortensen from contacting her or coming within 100 yards.

A judge has since allowed Paul up to eight hours of supervised visitation per week, with the arrangement set to be revisited at a hearing on April 30.

Amid the ongoing drama, ABC pulled Paul’s planned season of “The Bachelorette” before it aired following news of the latest allegations. Plus, production on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has also reportedly been paused.

Days of Our Lives teases Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) could be entering another dark season in their lives soon. Johnny doesn’t know it, but he has been marked for death. Meanwhile, Chanel is pregnant and there’s another health crisis looming that doesn’t look like it has anything to do with the pregnancy.

I’m just wondering if these two storylines are going to be what sends Johnny and Chanel off of Days of Our Lives once and for all, possibly in body bags.

Kristen Plots To Murder Johnny

So, right now we know that Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is plotting with Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) to destroy EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and their plan is absolutely diabolical. Kristen said they are going to murder Johnny. That’s right. Kristen wants Sophia to kill her nephew Johnny to get back at her brother EJ. And that’s because Kristen blames EJ for Rachel shooting him.

Because EJ stashed her grandma Rachel Blake away. And in Kristen’s twisted mind, Rachel’s locked up in Bayview because of EJ. She has no self-awareness of the terrible influence that she is on her daughter. She’s to blame, I think, for all of this. But Kristen thinks because she lost her daughter Rachel, who’s stuck back in Bayview now, that EJ needs to lose his son Johnny.

Days of Our Lives: Sophia and Kristen a Dream Team?

But Kristen wants to leave EJ heartbroken forever. And Kristen is counting on how much Sophia hates Johnny because of the whole adoption mess. So for that reason, Sophia is the perfect partner in crime for crazy Kristen. Lucky for her, unhinged Sophia agreed with the caveat that she also takes down Holly Jonas because Sophia won’t ever stop hating her. And she insisted Kristen provide extra resources for the revenge on Holly plan.

And I knew that Kristen hated EJ, but I mean, wow, right? Having Sophia, who is the biological mother of Johnny’s adopted son, kill him to get vengeance is so freaking twisted. That’s a new low, even for Kristen, who has drugged and raped a priest. I mean, that’s on the list of very, very bad things that Kristen has done in her life. The attack on Eric was terrible.

And I’m sure that if EJ knew about this plot that Kristen is cooking up, he would much rather Kristen come after him and leave Johnny alone. Now EJ knows Kristen hates him, but I don’t think it’s on his bingo card that she would kill his only son. But Kristen’s decided the sins of the father rest on the son and thinks Johnny should pay the price for EJ’s actions. And Sophia may have it in her mind that if Johnny’s dead, somehow Trey might be taken away from Chanel. Or Sophia might plan to snatch Trey and run after killing Johnny because that girl’s crazy. And Sophia is a very willing participant in Kristen’s awful plan.

How Will Sophia Try to Kill Johnny?

So, I’m curious as to the method of their madness and how Sophia and Kristen are going to try and kill Johnny. So Kristen and Sophia may set up Johnny’s death to look like a horrific, say, car accident. Maybe Sophia cuts Johnny’s brake line so he runs off the road and crashes. Or Kristen may get an undetectable poison from Dr. Rolf that Sophia can slip into Johnny’s drink at the pub.

Sophia might decide to get really hands-on and vicious and, you know, violently stab Johnny when he’s home alone or out on the streets of Salem one night, act like it’s a mugging, you know. Or because Rachel was sent back to Bayview for accidentally shooting EJ, maybe Kristen will have Sophia shoot Johnny. Kristen may want to leave some sort of clue for EJ that Johnny’s death is his fault.

And of course, Kristen wants Sophia to do the deed, not because Kristen’s not capable, but I think this is about her having an airtight alibi for the time of Johnny’s death. She may even make sure that she is with EJ when the murder happens. That way he’ll think, “Oh, Kristen was with me.” But EJ’s not dumb.

Chanel’s Health Crisis

So now, let’s talk about Chanel. Johnny and Chanel are already worried because Sophia’s out of Bayview and she’s at her mom Amy Choi’s house, so she’s local. Johnny and Chanel know they have to be on high alert. We’ve been hearing rumors for a while also that there may be another murder mystery in Salem. Now, that could be Johnny’s death or his attempted murder. And then Chanel is looking like there’s a major health crisis brewing.

She was already at risk of cancer before she turned up pregnant, but then Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) assured Chanel everything was fine. And then this week, when Johnny and Chanel were getting intimate, Johnny felt a lump on one of Chanel’s breasts. And at first, she was kind of annoyed and frustrated because Johnny worries a lot about her in this pregnancy. Chanel just wants Johnny to enjoy the pregnancy with her and be excited. And he insists he is, but he also knows Chanel’s got serious health issues that cannot be ignored.

Days of Our Lives: Pregnancy Problems?

And once she feels the lump Johnny felt, she’s going to worry. I mean, already we know that Chanel is at high risk for cancer. And she told Johnny that she’ll talk to her OB about the breast lump. And of course, breast tissue does change during pregnancy, and your breasts actually get really lumpy, especially when you start the milk making.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. And Chanel and Johnny, of course, both hope the lump is nothing to freak out about. But if there is something worrisome about it, Chanel being pregnant can make treating an illness very tricky. I think Sarah would be able to get a biopsy and they might even be able to do a lumpectomy. But anything else like radiation or chemotherapy cannot be done while a woman is pregnant.

And Johnny might freak out and want Chanel to terminate the pregnancy so that she can get cancer treatment if the lump is a serious health risk. Remember, Johnny was kind of already thinking about how high risk it was when she first turned up pregnant. So, that’s going to come right back up in his mind. But even if Johnny begged her to do that, I don’t think Chanel would. I think if she has cancer that she would just proceed with the pregnancy to full term, which would allow it to spread to the point that it would probably be life-threatening.

Are Johnny and Chanel Being Written Out?

Now, I just want to say I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom about Johnny and Chanel, but there is good reason to think things could take a really dark turn for them. Because when Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens, who play Johnny and Chanel, came back to Days of Our Lives in January after their Christmas break, both of them found out they had been fired from their roles as Johnny and Chanel.

And another couple of actors were also axed, that was Ashley Puzemis and Leo Howard who play Holly and Tate. They were also let go. And at the time of their firing, Days was shooting 9 to 10 months ahead, and they may have had them film some more scenes after they came back in January. So, we could see them sticking around till late October, November, possibly even till the holidays, but they are going.

So, are the writers setting up a double death for Johnny and Chanel? Will Sophia kill Johnny and then Chanel dies of breast cancer? I mean, it’s heartbreaking to think about it because they have the adopted son, they have the baby on the way. Or Sophia could try and kill Johnny and he winds up, you know, injured and in a long-term coma and that’s how he exits while Chanel’s cancer kills her.

However, I will say EJ would probably freeze them both if he could. I mean, it’s awful to contemplate, but after today’s this last I guess it was Thursday’s episode of Days with Johnny finding Chanel’s breast lump and then Kristen ordering Sophia to kill Johnny, things could get very dangerous very soon.

Meghan Trainor was gearing up for the “beautiful chaos” of taking her family on the road days before cancelling her Get In Girl Tour.

“I can’t wait,” Trainor, 32, told Us Weekly exclusively in her recent cover story. “I’m also very nervous.”

Trainor explained that her husband, Daryl Sabara, and their three kids — sons Riley, 5, and Barry, 2, and daughter Mickey, 3 months — would be joining her on tour.

“I know the shows will be fun and great and exhausting, but the fans keep me going,” she continued. “But it’s spooky going out with a 6-month-old because we don’t even know what [Mickey is] going to be like at 6 months.”

Trainor went on to call her “middle child” Barry a “very emotional” toddler.

“We call him Scary Barry sometimes,” she said, before discussing her eldest son. “Riley’s main mission in life is to visit every tall building in the U.S., so I’m going to have to find the tallest building and beg them to let me go to the top.”

The pop star’s plan was to bring her mom, Kelli Trainor — a.k.a. her “nanny” — on tour as a way to combat the chaos.

“[When] the kids are all in bed, and I’m done with the show, I need you to help me get in the shower and pull my hair down and feed me medicine and make sure I’m good,” Meghan recalled telling her mom. “I need my mommy still. That’s nonnegotiable.”

All of those plans went out the window, however, when Meghan announced on Thursday, April 17 that she wouldn’t be going on tour.

“After a lot of reflection and some really tough conversations, I’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the Get in Girl Tour,” the musician wrote via Instagram Stories. “Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now.”

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Related: Meghan Trainor’s Best Quotes About Motherhood, Parenting With Daryl Sabara

Meghan Trainor has opened up about her and husband Daryl Sabara‘s journey to become parents — and she’s offered sweet glimpses at their special moments. The singer and Sabara, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed son Riley in February 2021.  The couple later welcomed their second child, son Barry, in July 2023. Thank You! […]

Meghan’s new album, Toy With Me, drops Friday, April 24. The Get In Girl Tour was set to run from June 12 through August 15.

“I know this will come as a disappointment to my fans, and I am so sorry to let you down,” the statement continued. “But I know this is the right decision for my family and me right now.”

She concluded, “I promise I’ll be back soon, and I can’t wait for you to hear this new record. I’m so proud of it and I’m endlessly grateful for your love and support always.”

Social media users are mentioning Remy Ma after Claressa Shields flexed that she secured her “dream car.”

RELATED: Awww! Clips Of Remy Ma & Reminisce MacKenzie’s Cute Mommy-Daughter Time Have The Internet Gushing (VIDEOS)

Claressa Shields Flexes That She Secured Her “Dream Car”

On the evening of Thursday, April 16, Claressa Shields took to Instagram to share a carousel of photos that showed her dressed down in Gucci to the toes while posing over a white Corvette with a blue bow.

“Bad enough to talk about, pretty enough to pull off in a Corvette 🤪🥳🍾🔥 I just Love My Life!!! Going to be Hot Girl summer ☀️ ! This is my DREAM CAR SINCE A KID 😭🥹 #claressashields #GWOAT #corvette #corvettez06#ownership,” she captioned the photos.

Swipe below to see all of the photos.

Social Media Users Are Mentioning Remy Ma

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section with reactions to Claressa Shields flexing her new Corvette. Furthermore, many couldn’t help but mention Remy Ma, seemingly noting Shields’ outfit choice and Remy’s lyrics from the ‘W.Y.F.L.‘ freestyle.

Before Claressa Shields Flexed That She Secured Her “Dream Car,” Papoose Turned Heads

Before Claressa Shields flexed that she secured her “dream car,” her boo, Papoose, had the internet talkin’. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Pap sat down with DJ Vlad and addressed rumors that he cheated on Remy Ma with Shields.

Ultimately, Papoose’s response had one social media user sliding in TSR’s comments, writing, “ Yep! Whatever Remy said he did HE DID IT!”

RELATED: Keep It 100! Papoose Addresses Rumor That He Allegedly Cheated On Remy Ma With Claressa Shields (WATCH)

Serayah and Joey Bada$$ recently served couple goals with their recent ‘fit check.

RELATED: Cuteness Overload! Serayah & Joey Bada$$’s Son Gives The TL Baby Fever With Adorable Giggly Video (WATCH)

Serayah & Joey Bada$$ Serve Couple Goals With Recent ‘Fit Check

On Friday, April 17, Joey took to Instagram to share ‘fit check footage of him and his lady. “& we’re off! 🥥🤎,” he captioned the clip, which showed him donning a brown ombre suit jacket, brown pants, and brown dress shoes with a matching cap.

Furthermore, as the clip rolls, Joey extends his hand, and Serayah walks into the frame. Additionally, she appeared glowing and donning a strapless, bedazzled, dark mauve gown.

Social Media Users React

Social media users reacted to Serayah and Joey Bada$$’s ‘fit check in TSR’s comment section.

Before Serayah & Joey Bada$$ Served Couple Goals With Their Recent ‘Fit Check, Their Baby Boy Was Melting Hearts

Before Serayah and Joey Bada$$ were online melting hearts, their baby boy had the timeline in a chokehold. As The Shade Room previously reported, last month, Serayah took to Snapchat to share a clip of her cradling her baby. Additionally, the pair appeared to have ‘Gracie’s Corner’ playing in the background, and viewers melted over them, enjoying the show and each other’s embrace.

RELATED: Mommy Mode! Serayah Has Fans Melting With Peek At Her Baby Boy While Turning Up To ‘Gracie’s Corner’ (VIDEO)

Dwayne Johnson is giving fans another look at his transformation into Maui, and it’s already generating buzz. The actor appeared at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where Disney unveiled an extended preview of its upcoming live-action “Moana” remake. Held at Caesars Palace, the annual event brought together theater owners and industry insiders for an early glimpse at the highly anticipated film.

Dwayne Johnson Gets Emotional Over Returning As Maui

Taking the stage, Johnson opened up about what the role means to him personally, having originally voiced the character in the animated hit.

“The animated version was just an amazing experience for us as Polynesian people. Maui has been with me for over a decade, and to have the opportunity to bring this powerful and vulnerable demigod to life means so much to me,” he said.

The Rock Praises Women While Debuting ‘Moana’ Role

Johnson also revealed that Maui’s appearance wasn’t just fictional, but it was inspired by someone very close to him. The actor shared that elements of the character’s design were based on his grandfather, legendary Samoan wrestler Peter “High Chief” Maivia. He even showed the audience a photo of Maivia during the presentation, drawing applause as fans recognized the resemblance.

Before introducing Catherine Laga’aia, who will play Moana, Johnson delivered a powerful message about the film’s central character. “The hero of our story is not a princess; she’s a warrior,” Johnson said, explaining that Maui’s role is to guide and support her. “All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks like.”

Dwayne Johnson Says Fatherhood Changed Him

Beyond his connection to Maui, Dwayne Johnson has previously opened up about how fatherhood has shaped his perspective, especially as a dad to daughters. In a past interview, Johnson shared that becoming a father taught him to be more present and emotionally aware.

“Just be there,” he said, explaining that many fathers are often wired to fix problems instead of simply listening. “You can be wired, as a lot of fathers are, to fix things. Just having an expanded capacity to listen and be more tender and gentle really gave me that ability to solve whatever the issue is, but with them compared to for them.”

The Rock Credits The Women In His Life For Shaping Him

Dwayne Johnson has long credited the women in his life for helping shape his outlook both personally and professionally.

As an only child, he was largely raised by his mother, Ata Johnson, along with the guidance of his grandmother, two figures he says were intentional about instilling strong values and a clear sense of integrity from a young age. “They had a very clear agenda on how to raise me and what lessons I should be taught and what kind of integrity I should have as a little boy growing up,” he shared.

Johnson added that the influence of strong women has continued throughout his life, from his first wife and long-time business partner to his current family.

“My grandmother, my mum. My first wife, Dany Garcia, who is now a long-time business partner, my wife today, Lauren, my three daughters continue to influence and teach me daily. Even my little ones. I have a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old, and when you’re open and amenable, you’d be surprised as a man, just how much your daughters will teach you,” he said.

Dwayne Johnson Says He ‘Grew Up’ Alongside His Daughter

Dwayne Johnson has also reflected on how fatherhood, especially with his eldest daughter, Simone Johnson, has transformed him over the years. The actor has often said the two essentially “grew up together,” pointing to how much he’s evolved since becoming a young dad. “I’m a completely different man than I was 20 years ago,” he admitted.

At the time, Johnson was rising fast in professional wrestling, but he now sees that period through a very different lens. “I had a career in professional wrestling that was on fire. The stuff you thought was important that you should sweat maybe 10, 15 years ago are so meaningless, actually,” he said. “The most important things really are literally right in front of you (like family).”

When Beef first arrived on Netflix back in 2023, it didn’t just become one of the streamer’s most talked-about shows. It felt like the kind of series that came out of nowhere and instantly locked people in, blending dark comedy, rage, pain, and chaos in a way that was weirdly hard to look away from. Plenty of shows come back after a long gap hoping to recreate that same magic, but that’s always easier said than done. Especially when the first outing landed almost perfectly with both critics and audiences.

Now, after a three-year wait, Beef has officially returned for Season 2, and while the new installment is still in strong shape overall, it hasn’t hit the same towering Rotten Tomatoes highs as the first season. Season 1 holds a huge 98% critics’ score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while Season 2 currently sits at 87% with critics and 62% with audiences. That still keeps the new season comfortably fresh on the critical side, but it’s a pretty noticeable drop from the level the series reached the first time around.

That gap matters because Beef didn’t return with the same setup. Creator Lee Sung Jin has turned the Netflix hit into an anthology, meaning Season 2 trades the Ali Wong and Steven Yeun-led spiral of mutual destruction for a completely different story and cast. The new season stars Oscar Isaac as Josh, Carey Mulligan as Lindsay, Charles Melton as Austin, Cailee Spaeny as Ashley, and Youn Yuh-jung as Chairwoman Park. It’s a big swing, and one that was probably always going to invite comparisons to the original. We need to remember though — it’s still clearly very good, but perhaps just lacking that freshness the first one had.

Is ‘Beef’ Season 2 Worth Watching?

Collider’s review stated that Beef Season 2 is ambitious, well-acted, and often compelling, but it never feels as sharp or complete as the first season. Instead of centering on one tightly wound conflict, this new story spreads itself across two couples, class issues, race, beauty standards, healthcare, and more. That gives the season a lot to say, but not enough time to say it well.

At the end of the day, Beef Season 2 struggles where so many other shows flounder today: The show is trying to do too much with too little. With double the protagonists, the season would have had more room to breathe with even just ten episodes, allowing for the final arc — which takes our protagonists out of California and over to Korea — to feel a bit more natural in the transition. Season 2 is by no means bad, but it’s a step down from what this series can accomplish, and I can only hope that if there’s a Season 3, the series will course-correct, because this just isn’t working as well.

Beef is streaming now on Netflix.

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Release Date

April 6, 2023

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Netflix

Showrunner

Lee Sung Jin

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Directors

Hikari, Jake Schreier, Kitao Sakurai, Lee Sung Jin

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Writers

Alice Ju

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Our belted T-shirts and doubled-up polos may have been laid to rest years ago, but some millennial-approved trends stand the test of time. One example? Sporty Adidas slides, which seem to make a stylish appearance every spring and summer — and this time, it’s Jennifer Lawrence who’s kicking things off.

While the 35-year-old actress likely wore a version of this slip-on shoe at some point in her teens or 20s, she proved the style is just as cool and current in 2026. For an updated twist, Lawrence paired the Adidas Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slide Sandals with a white T-shirt and black trousers, layering her simple look under a $980 Rohe dress that she styled as a jacket.

Get the Adidas Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slide Sandals for $35 (was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Despite the reasonable price tag, these shoes can still be considered luxe. They look just as great with elaborate, high-end designs as they do with your Hanes sweats, proving they’re one of the more versatile options on the market. Want to spice up your tank top and jeans? These chunky, striped slides will instantly add interest. They’ll also keep frilly sundresses from feeling too formal, and are the perfect pair to pack for the pool or beach.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence Wore Adidas Shoes Shoppers Call ‘Unbelievably Comfortable’

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Jennifer Lawrence is the poster child for easy dressing — effortlessly making tees, jeans and even sneakers look polished and cool. Naturally, her latest look didn’t disappoint, especially since she completed the easy-going fit with head-turning Adidas Tokyo tennis shoes. Stepping out in New York City, Lawrence opted for a yellow Beatles T-shirt, Hermès Lindy […]

Plus, the updated Adidas Adilette isn’t your average rubber sandal. Sure, the slides are easy to clean and save you from fussing with straps or laces, but they also feature Cloudfoam cushioning that keeps them extra comfy. The black and white color is a forever classic, but you still can’t go wrong with solid black, beige or blue. You can even choose the opposite of Lawrence’s pair, selecting white sandals with black stripes — a great warm-weather alternative to crisp white sneakers.

Unsurprisingly, Amazon shoppers are big fans of this forever-cool, unisex design, calling the slides “very comfortable” and “not flimsy” like other options.

“After a long journey of finding the perfect slides, these are them,” one person wrote. “I am sensitive when it comes to sandals, especially because most slides have a seam sewn on the front part that runs with the toes. This doesn’t have any and is soft. Perfect slides.”

An international shopper also noted that the “Cloudfoam footbed is genuinely impressive — way softer and more cushioned than my previous Adilettes.”

We’re sure that Lawrence would also give these shoes a glowing review. According to photos, she’s consistently worn the same style since 2021, even breaking them out during pregnancy. That kind of approval, coupled with the price and nostalgia factor, makes them a worthy investment in our book. Grab a pair now and prepare to rock them for literal years to come!

Get the Adidas Adilette Comfort 2.0 Slide Sandals for $35 (was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.