Bravo launched an official investigation into the events surrounding leaked audio from the Summer House season 10 reunion taping, sparking outrage from the network, host Andy Cohen and multiple cast members.

“This represents a serious breach of trust and a clear lack of respect for the cast, crew, and the integrity of the production process,” a Bravo spokesperson told Us Weekly in April 2026. “We take this matter very seriously and have launched a full investigation and we will take appropriate action based on our findings.”

Audio of the highly-anticipated reunion surfaced on social media hours after the Summer House cast gathered in New York City on April 23, 2026, to break down the ongoing drama over Amanda Batula and West Wilson‘s relationship and more. In the purported audio, Ciara Miller confronted former BFF Amanda about dating her ex after months of denial.

Keep scrolling for everything to know about the Bravo drama:

Andy Cohen Calls the Leak ‘Disgusting and Illegal’

Andy Cohen, who hosted the reunion, did not hold back when he learned about the leak.

“On my way to eye surgery and just reading about it,” Andy wrote via Threads after a fan warned him to stay off social media. “People laid their souls out emotionally for ten hours yesterday and it’s disgusting and illegal for someone to leak or distribute this.”

The Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen host added, “It’s disrespectful to the work and tears the cast put in yesterday. Let the season play out. You will see it all in due time.”

Hours earlier, Andy previewed the tell-all special and promised that fans would soon see one of the most raw reunions in Bravo history.

“This was one of the most intense [reunions] we’ve ever shot. This was a lot. This was a lot. It was very intense, you guys,” he shared via his Instagram Story at the time, confirming that “every question was asked” about Amanda and West’s dating timeline.

‘Summer House’ Cast Members React to the Leak

Kyle Cooke broke his silence about the “frustrating leak” hours later, sharing his theory about how the audio was captured.

“Bravo takes it insanely seriously,” he said in a video posted via his Instagram Stories. “They’re doing a full-blown cyber investigation. If you’re the one that leaked, you might wanna seek cover or counsel.”

Kyle further speculated the audio was captured by “someone [who] took their phone and put it next to a speaker where there was a live feed,” claiming that it was unlikely that a makeup artist or hair stylist would risk their jobs by leaking the audio.

“This is someone clearly acting on their own,” he speculated. “I don’t think this is something we’re going to make sense of anytime soon.”

Kyle also set the record straight on who he called a “schmuck” in the leaked clip.

“This was directed at West,” he wrote via Threads.

KJ Dillard, for his part, denied being involved in the leak, writing via Threads, “I wouldn’t risk losing my job by leaking audio of a deeply emotional reunion. The leak wasn’t me.”

Castmate Levi Sebree, meanwhile, shared a fan account’s post that stated she wasn’t the leaker. She replied, “Put some respek [sic] on my name, y’all be real.”

Bravo Finds the Source of the Leak

A spokesperson confirmed to Us on April 26, 2026, that the investigation had concluded.

“An investigation into the recent leak of the Summer House reunion audio has concluded that the audio was an unauthorized recording and distributed by an individual involved in the production of the reunion,” the statement reads. “There is no evidence that any member of the cast was involved in the recording of the audio. We take these matters seriously and will continue to take appropriate measures to respond to the unauthorized distribution of our content.”

The statement concludes, “We are aware that there is additional improperly obtained audio circulating and we caution all parties and platforms to refrain from posting, sharing, or amplifying any unauthorized audio.”

The Drama Behind the Reunion

Amanda Batula and West Wilson stunned the Bravoverse on March 31, 2026, by revealing they are dating. Amanda and her estranged husband, Kyle, had announced their separation in January. West, meanwhile, dated Ciara in 2023 and reportedly hooked up earlier in 2026.

“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” West and Amanda wrote in a joint statement. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

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Days before the reunion, West insisted on his “Show Me Something” podcast that there was “no overlap” with the end of Kyle and Amanda’s marriage. “I know there’s a thousand different theories on the internet right now but that is one thing that for sure did not happen,” he said “Everyone was single.”

As for Ciara, she claimed that she was blindsided by her costars’ relationship and told Glamour that the situation was a “major mindf***.”

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. 

After almost 60 years on the airwaves, Star Trek has mastered a formula that both entertains and educates. The visionary and sometimes endearingly silly franchise embodies what science fiction does best: interrogate universal experiences through sleek, allegorical spectacle. Although Star Trek: The Original Series pioneered the franchise’s principles, its successor, Star Trek: The Next Generation, doesn’t hit its stride until it shakes off one of Gene Roddenberry‘s restrictions. Star Trek‘s late creator posited a Utopian future where humanity has evolved beyond our collective and individual flaws. Although an enviable idea, the notion deprives Roddenberry’s universe of the alchemy every compelling drama needs: conflict, transformation, and depth.

While never a fully serialized series, The Next Generation‘s later seasons inject lasting character growth into its episodic formula. As a standalone that grafts permanent ripple effects onto Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Season 5’s “The Inner Light” deserves the glowing superlatives fans, critics, the Hugo Awards, and Stewart himself have sent its way since 1992. Often regarded as the already sophisticated series’ pinnacle achievement, “The Inner Light” is an arresting and resonant example of everything sci-fi’s genre trappings can offer, swapping out epic scale for a character study that’s as psychologically contemplative as it is philosophically driven.

What Is “The Inner Light” About?

When the Enterprise investigates an unidentified space probe, the device targets Picard with a mysterious energy bolt. Struck comatose, he wakes upon the planet of Kataan, where every stranger recognizes him as Kamin, a local iron weaver. Kamin’s wife, Eline (Margot Rose), assures Picard that his memories of French vineyards and starship corridors are delirious inventions caused by a week-long fever. As years pass without answers, Picard makes the most of his unwelcome circumstances. He falls in love with Eline, grows old with her while raising their children, and practices the flute in his leisure time.

However, Kataan’s scientists determine that a nearby exploding star will annihilate the planet within their lifetimes. Since Kataan dwells outside the Federation’s borders, they lack access to the cutting-edge resources that might reverse its inevitable demise. During this civilization’s final moments, Picard learns the last four decades were an interactive mental simulation induced by the probe’s beam. Kataan’s long-dead citizens didn’t want to be forgotten, and their floating time capsule chose Picard as the best person to safeguard their legacy. Its purpose fulfilled, the program returns Picard to the Enterprise bridge, his body never left. The 40 years Picard experienced have been just 25 minutes for his concerned crew.

“The Inner Light” Is a Balanced Character Study for ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Captain Picard

“The Inner Light” rises above its classic “what if?” structure thanks to its laser-focused purpose and restrained execution. Written by Morgan Gendel and directed by Peter Lauritson, the two share a kind of harmonious understanding over which emotional beats to imply and which need lingering with. The episode’s broad concepts about our fleeting mortality and the value of cherishing humble joys are straightforward enough not to court sentimentality and are conveyed through an earnest accessibility that stands the test of time. What could be an overt laundry list of ideas instead gracefully flows through legacy, identity, second chances, environmental decay, what determines a well-lived life, and the resolved wisdom required to carve out that existence while facing imminent destruction.

And who’s a better thematic avatar than The Next Generation‘s leading man? This experience alters the series’ space-faring captain in subtler, if no less self-reflective, ways than Picard’s traumatic assimilation by the Borg in Seasons 3 and 4. Reminiscent of how “Family,” screenwriter Ronald D. Moore‘s coda to that drastic mini-arc, doesn’t neatly erase Picard’s terror, fury, and guilt — nor the stubborn effort it takes to break through his dignified exterior — “The Inner Light” both reinforces the character’s substance and offers fresh insight by exploring what he could have become in an alternate setting.

Even though he acclimates to Kamin’s name, Jean-Luc Picard retains Jean-Luc Picard’s core qualities: stalwart, altruistic, cultured, an insatiably curious scientist, and a natural mentor. He yearns to keep exploring the stars he can’t reach, but by walking a mile and then some in someone else’s shoes, Picard flourishes. He discovers equally valuable pursuits that couldn’t take root without a less distracting and regimented environment. Instead of leading by diplomatic example, he serves others by contributing to a community of his peers. Once his wife, children, and grandchildren become his greatest happiness, the Enterprise‘s biggest “get these kids off my lawn” guy even finds fulfillment through the one lifestyle he’d assumed he didn’t crave. At the risk of sounding trite, Picard nurtures his inner light.

Patrick Stewart’s Devastating Performance Cements “The Inner Light” as a Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Image via Paramount Pictures

During a Reddit Ask Me Anything from 2015, Stewart called “The Inner Light” his favorite episode because of the script’s uniquely rewarding shake-up and a fitting familial tie:

“It was a beautiful script, which for me was almost entirely located away from the Enterprise — and it’s crew! And because I was given the chance to perform what Picard would have been like if his life experience had been different. But another important reason is that I had a son in that episode who was played by my son, Daniel Stewart.”

The Shakespearean-trained Stewart has always been in a league of his own. Yet without Trek‘s regular bells, whistles, and occasionally stilted dialogue, but with the majestic vitality that makes this franchise enduring, Stewart’s favorite episode platforms some of his best work in a role spanning 38 years. The episode’s emotional versatility is an actor’s paradise; charting that transformation within 45 minutes and a handful of vignettes is a Mount Everest-tall challenge. Stewart’s delicate and internalized approach creates a tour de force performance. Picard’s opening hostility and resentment fade into subdued depression, then into contented belonging. By episode’s end, he’s both happy to be back home on the Enterprise and terribly far from home.

The tender, wrenching final scene in Picard’s quarters best exemplifies this dissonance. Drawn into himself and gathering his forgotten bearings, he half-clutches, half-cradles his flute — the one tangible relic of the confinement that became his world — like it’s a precious lifeline. Stewart’s diminished physicality transforms Picard’s silent mourning and the responsibility of keeping an extinct society’s memory alive into a physical weight. His tragic burden doesn’t vanish once he expertly plays a familiar refrain, but setting his eulogy to music says more than a lengthy monologue. The moment almost feels invasive, like audiences shouldn’t be privy to an intimately somber moment.

That flute almost didn’t make the final cut, according to Gendel’s 2016 retrospective with Star Trek‘s official website. Then and now, the closing scene’s impact speaks for itself. Later episodes feature Picard playing the instrument, while Star Trek: Picard‘s opening melody includes a flute. Even if such continuity hadn’t been incorporated, Stewart’s astute instincts and poignant dedication illustrate how this experience’s ramifications will echo throughout the rest of Picard’s natural life. It’s a stirring and exquisitely vulnerable performance cradled by a genre jewel.

Star Trek: The Next Generation is available to stream on Paramount+.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation

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1987 – 1994-00-00

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Showrunner

Gene Roddenberry

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Directors

Cliff Bole, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Rob Bowman, Robert Scheerer, Jonathan Frakes, Robert Wiemer, Gabrielle Beaumont, Alexander Singer, David Carson, Paul Lynch, Corey Allen, Patrick Stewart, Chip Chalmers, Joseph L. Scanlan, James L. Conway, Robert Lederman, Tom Benko, Timothy Bond, Robert Legato, Adam Nimoy, Robert Becker, David Livingston, LeVar Burton

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Alicia Keys isn’t holding back when it comes to the music industry’s long-standing power structure.

The 17-time Grammy winner is calling out what she describes as a “good old boys’ network,” urging greater access and opportunity for women, while pushing artists to think beyond the spotlight and take ownership of their work.

As she gears up to appear as a guest mentor on “American Idol” and perform during the upcoming season finale, Keys is making it clear that success in today’s industry isn’t just about talent, but about control.

Keys is speaking candidly about the barriers women still face behind the scenes in music. In a recent interview with The Times, the “Girl on Fire” singer described the industry as a “good old boys network,” noting that while female artists may be highly visible, opportunities remain limited for women working as producers and engineers.

“The music world becomes a good old boy network, and all the incredible women working as engineers and producers are not given an open door,” Keys said. “Women make up 2% of the entire business. I’m a producer, and here we are, doing a bunch of work, killing it, so it’s shocking that the number is so small.”

Rather than just voicing frustration, Keys said the focus now is on creating more opportunities to help shift the imbalance.

Keys Advocates For Artists To Own Their Work

Keys is also encouraging artists to think beyond the creative process and focus on ownership.

While many of her songs have been embraced as feminist anthems, the singer also explained that the messaging was often not deliberate but rather a reflection of her personal journey.

“I didn’t aim to come up with feminist message songs, and most of them were written because I wasn’t feeling that strong, so I had to give myself a pep talk to keep going, but it is a thread through my work,” she said.

For Keys, that same mindset extends into the business side of music, with artists needing to advocate for themselves and take control of their work in order to truly thrive.

Alicia Keys Shares Hard Truths About The Business Side

Keys is keeping her advice for emerging artists firmly rooted in the business realities of the industry.

When asked what up-and-coming talent should focus on, the “No One” singer emphasized the importance of ownership, urging artists to do everything in their power to retain control over their creations and long-term careers.

She noted that navigating the business side can be especially challenging, with many artists left to figure things out on their own.

“No one tells you these things,” Keys said. “You deal with all these executives and lawyers who love to take their percentages and overcharge you, but they never say, ‘How can we ensure you’re here to stay?’”

Keys Set To Join ‘American Idol’ Finale

Euphoria has been building up to Cassie and Nate’s chaotic wedding — but did they actually get married?

The Sunday, April 26, episode of the hit HBO series showed Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate’s (Jacob Elordi) big day. While the guests were curious about the event, Nate was busy throwing up and Cassie was nearly pushed to the brink with pressure and stress.

Despite delivering their vows without a hitch, things took a turn when a man Nate owed money to approached him during dinner. Some people overheard that Nate was very in debut, which Cassie was learning about for the first time. They managed to mend their issues — after Cassie “accidentally” injured Nate in the eye with a cork from a champagne bottle — but they arrived home to the same man, Naz, waiting to threaten Nate.

Nate didn’t just receive a warning this time. He got beat up before his pinky was cut off — as Cassie had to watch. This was a disastrous start to the rest of their lives, which made sense considering the origin of their love story.

Related: Everything the ‘Euphoria’ Cast Has Said About the Show’s Onscreen Nudity

Euphoria has become known for its graphic sex scenes — and the stars haven’t held back about stripping down on camera. “Every scene is like, ‘He sleeps with this person. He does this with this person naked,’” Jacob Elordi said about playing Nate Jacobs during a March 2022 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “On […]

Before the wedding episode, Cassie’s story line received backlash due to her OnlyFans arc. Creator Sam Levinson, meanwhile, hit back at the ongoing criticism.

“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor,” Levinson explained to The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published earlier this month. “But what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it.”

He continued: “What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion. The gag is to jump out, to break the wall.”

Related: ‘Euphoria‘ Cast: See the HBO Show‘s Stars Then and Now

Euphoria fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the series first debuted. Based on the Israeli series of the same name, Euphoria follows troubled high school student Rue (Zendaya) as she struggled to remain sober after rehab. The series also explores topics including mental illness, toxic relationships, sexuality and more. After […]

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Levinson also weighed in on how the series had to adapt for season 3.

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“We have a motto of: Evolve or die,” he told THR. “We wanted to make sure we were changing things up.”

He added: “We’re seeing them out in the world, in the wider world, and allowing the actors to communicate emotionally through the performance as opposed to in the past, when we did it moreso through camera. We wanted to see them fending for themselves.”

Euphoria airs on HBO Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

After Hallmark star Janel Parrish and estranged husband Chris Long separated, fans have wondered whether she sparked a romance with former Dancing With the Stars pro Sasha Farber.

“She’s still got it @janelparrish 🔥,” Farber wrote via Instagram on April 9, 2026, sharing footage of the pair dancing together on a sidewalk.

Parrish replied, “Thanks for dancing with me as I laughed in your ear very loudly.”

Parrish competed on Dancing With the Stars season 19 with Val Chmerkovskiy in 2014, finishing in third place. Farber, for his part, appeared in the troupe that year.

Related: Actress Janel Parrish Dances With Sasha Farber After Chris Long Split

Actress Janel Parrish is dancing up a storm with Sasha Farber after her split from husband Chris Long. In a clip posted via Farber’s Instagram on Thursday, April 9, the Pretty Little Liars alum, 37, appeared with the Dancing With the Stars pro, 41, as they danced in a parking lot. “She’s still got it @janelparrish […]

Neither Parrish nor Farber addressed their relationship status after their 2026 dance video, which was shared hours before the actress confirmed she was getting divorced.

“Thank you all for the incredibly kind and supportive messages, they’ve truly meant the world,” Parrish wrote via her Instagram Stories on April 10, 2026. “After 10 beautiful years together, including seven years of marriage, Chris and I made the difficult decision to end our marriage.”

She concluded, “There is still so much love and respect between us, and I’m deeply grateful for everything we built together. This chapter of my life, and Chris, will always mean so much to me. Thank you all again for the messages of love and support.”

Farber, for his part, was previously married to DWTS pro Emma Slater from 2018 to 2023.

Keep scrolling for more on Parrish’s rumored connection with Farber:

Sasha Farber Seemingly Soft-Launched Janel Parrish

Sasha Farber appeared to share a pic of Janel Parrish playing piano on April 16, 2026.

“It’s the small things in life,” he wrote via Instagram.

In the pic, Parrish played the keys while glancing at Farber’s pet dog, Ruby. The pro dancer, for his part, was spotted watching from across the room.

Sasha Farber Feels ‘Lucky’

“I’m a very lucky man!!!” Farber wrote via Instagram on April 17, 2026, alongside a selfie.

Parrish “liked” the post.

Related: ‘DWTS’ Alum Sasha Farber Addresses Rumors He’s Dating Julianne Hough

Sasha Farber is done dancing around all the rumors surrounding his dating life. After fans speculated that the former Dancing With the Stars pro could be dating Kaitlyn Bristowe, Julianne Hough or Francia Raisa, Farber, 41, decided to set the record straight. “First of all, it’s so funny. I’ve known Kaitlyn for so many years,” […]

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Sasha Farber’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Peers Question His Relationship Status

After Sasha Farber seemingly snapped the pic of Janel Parrish playing piano in April 2026, he received a flurry of questions about the image’s subject.

“So happy for you bro ❤️,” Gleb Savchenko commented, while Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi joked she was “texting [Farber] right away” for answers.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy added, “Not that little 😂😂😂. Is this a hard launch??”

Sasha Farber Opened Up About Dating 4 Months Earlier

Nearly four months before sparking romance rumors with Janel Parrish, Sasha Farber opened up about the perils of dating.

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“I hate dating. But it takes like a sec, you got to meet the person. There’s a lot that goes into when you want to find someone special,” Farber said on the “Casual Chaos” podcast in January 2026, noting that DWTS has a history of showmances turning into real love stories. “[On the show], you’re just thrown in. ‘Let’s go. Hi, nice to meet you. OK, we are going to rub hips. We are going to dip. We are going to do this. I want to get in your face here. You have to really look at me.’”

Sasha Farber and Janel Parrish Pack on the PDA

The pair were photographed together at the Studio City Farmer’s Markets in Los Angeles on April 26, 2026, with Farber seen wrapping his arm around the actress as they strolled stalls.

Additional snaps also showed the pair, both sporting sunglasses, chatting as they held hands.

The Big Bang Theory‘s highly anticipated spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has officially been picked up — but what is there to know about the show so far?

Warner Bros. Television announced in 2023 that executive producer Chuck Lorre would be creating a new comedy series based on The Big Bang Theory universe. No split or casting details were announced at the time — and the studio has preferred to keep it that way.

The Big Bang Theory, which aired from 2007 to 2019, starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as a group of friends made up of scientists and their significant others.

During its run, the CBS comedy won 10 Emmy Awards and spawned the prequel series, Young Sheldon. Parsons, who served as the executive producer and narrator for the Sheldon-centered prequel, previously discussed the decision to end The Big Bang Theory after more than a decade.

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Related: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Fans welcomed the cast of The Big Bang Theory into their living rooms for 12 seasons before saying goodbye to the sitcom — and we’re still keeping up with them today. Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper), Kaley Cuoco (Penny Teller), Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter), Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz), Kunal Nayyar (Raj Koothrappali), Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) and Melissa […]

“It’s both as complex and as simple as just feeling innately that it was time,” he told Entertainment Weekly in 2019. “It speaks to a lot of things, none of them bad. There is no negative reason to stop doing Big Bang. It felt like we have been able to do this for so many years now, it doesn’t feel like there is anything left on the table. Not that we couldn’t keep doing it, but it feels like we’ve chewed all the meat off this bone.”

Many of the show’s stars have supported the idea of a reunion since The Big Bang Theory came to an end.

“It does still feel like yesterday that we wrapped. I think everyone is kind of trying out their new paths and seeing what their next project is, and I’m excited to see how everyone flourishes,” Cuoco shared with E! News in 2021. “I think in a few years or whenever anyone’s open to it, I definitely will be down for that. It was a life-changing experience for all of us, and it’d be great to do that for the fans, too, because we had such an amazing fan base that stuck with us for so long.”

Meanwhile, Bialik showed her support for CBS‘ decision to end the series when it did.

“The way that I described the show ending was there are a lot of factors that the public doesn’t get to know about, about what goes into the decisions behind why a show doesn’t continue,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in 2021. “I think, as someone who was grateful to work alongside Jim and eager to see the rest of what all of our lives held for us, I think there was a general feeling like it was time for us to move into something different.”

Bialik praised the legacy that The Big Bang Theory left behind.

Related: Most Memorable TV Spinoffs Over the Years

Just the beginning! From The Vampire Diaries to The Bachelor, many TV shows have found a continuation for their stories in the form of a spinoff show. For a hit show like Beverly Hills, 90210, the next chapter was a reboot that followed the original characters — but had a special twist. The original show […]

“I would like our show to be remembered as a show that really demonstrated how the other half lives or how most of us live, which is kind of on the outside in some way. I think everyone has a little bit of [an] outsider in them,” she continued. “And I know that Big Bang Theory is often credited with kind of making nerd chic a thing. But for those of us who kind of have those kinds of friends and revolve in those kinds of circles, I guess it just kind of is what it always has been for us. It’s just the way to think and live and play in many cases.”

Keep scrolling for everything to know about The Big Bang Theory sequel:

When Does ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff Premiere?

The show was in development, which means it was waiting for Warner Bros. Television to green light it into a series after seeing the pilot. The spinoff will air on Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, HBO Max, after it was officially picked up in July 2025.

“I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone,” Lorre said in a statement. “Something the characters on The Big Bang Theory would have loved, hated, and argued about.”

Who Stars in the Spinoff Series?

Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus and Kevin Sussman have been tapped to headline the show. They will all reprise their roles from the original series with Posehn returning as a geologist at Caltech who was interested in dating Amy. Sussman, meanwhile, played Stuart a.k.a the owner of a comic book store that Sheldon and his friends often visited on the show. Stuart went on to find love with Denise (Lapkus) and the couple remained together once The Big Bang Theory came to an end.

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Related: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Cast’s Dating Histories Through the Years


The Big Bang Theory, which ran for 12 seasons, followed the daily adventures of a group of scientists and their significant others until the show’s conclusion in May 2019. The show, which premiered in September 2007, starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch. While filming the […]

What Is the Show About?

Lorre, who created The Big Bang Theory, is attached as an executive producer on the project alongside Bill Prady, who also worked on the OG show.

According to the synopsis, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe “follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”

Are There More Shows in ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Universe?

The spinoff is the fourth installment in The Big Bang Theory franchise. In addition to the original, CBS picked up a prequel about Sheldon titled Young Sheldon, which ran for seven seasons. Young Sheldon spawned its own sequel — Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage — about Sheldon’s older brother, Georgie (Montana Jordan), and his wife, Mandy (Emily Osment).

Those rascally Minions are invading theaters once more this summer. However, that’s not the only place you’ll be finding the ubiquitous yellow hench-creatures; they’re also coming to a store near you. Collider is proud to present an exclusive first look at the Minions & Monsters merchandise that’s headed your way from Moose Toys this spring.

Parents beware: the signature item in the line is the Fart Blaster Pro ($29.99 USD), which is exactly what it sounds like. It blasts “fog rings” up to six feet with both sound and stink. Odors include “Yum Yum Bubble Gum,” “Garbage Gusher,” and “Nacho Nasty,” and refill packs ($9.99 for a four-pack) are available. For those with more delicate constitutions, the Mini Fart Blaster ($9.99) features pocket-sized sound effects, but no odor. Other offerings include Cast and Crew minifigures ($3.99) of all your favorite Minions; they’re blind-packed in individual boxes, so you’ll want to hunt them all down, including two chase figures that glow in the dark.

To go with the movie’s film-making theme, Moose Toys is also introducing miniature Sound Stage playsets ($9.99); they include minifigures and props, and can connect with each other and the larger Studio Lot ($24.99) to form a whole studio complex. And don’t forget the “Monsters” half of the title, either: in the new Quest for Monsters set ($24.99), you can complete a secret ritual and reveal a hidden monster. Finally, stretchy/goopy/squishy versions of James the Minion and Cthulhu-like monster Goomi will be available in the Goo Jit Zu line ($13.99 each). All this and more will hit store shelves this spring.

What Do We Know About ‘Minions & Monsters’?

Taking place before both Minions and Minions: The Rise of Gru, Minions & Monsters features the titular creatures (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) attempting to make a monster movie in the early days of Hollywood. It features the voices of Trey Parker, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, Allison Janney, Bobby Moynihan, Phil LaMarr, Christoph Waltz, and Jeff Bridges. Coffin, the helmer of the first three Despicable Me movies and the first Minions, will direct, and also co-wrote the script with Brian Lynch (Puss in Boots).

The Despicable Me/Minions franchise has grossed over $12 billion dollars since launching with Despicable Me in 2010. It centers around the mad scientist Gru (Steve Carell), who gradually becomes a family man and a reluctant hero over the course of the series: the Minions spin-offs center around the Minions, a race of Twinkie-shaped creatures that are instinctively driven to serve villainy, with Gru as their latest master.

Minions & Monsters will hit theaters on July 1. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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July 1, 2026

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Brian Lynch

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Elizabeth Hurley and boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus enjoyed quality time together at Stagecoach, much to the delight of her son, Damian Hurley.

The Bedazzled actress, 60, took to Instagram on Saturday, April 25, to share a PDA-filled carousel of photos that included a snap of her and Cyrus, 64, kissing for a selfie. The carousel drew support from Damian, 24, who wrote, “Aww love you both ❤️,” in the comments section.

Elizabeth, who took her romance with the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer public in April 2025, captioned the loved-up post, “Yeeehaaaaaw. Loved my first trip to Stagecoach watching @billyraycyrus @noahcyrus and @braisonccyrus perform their new single “On Our Way Along” 💗💗💗.”

It wasn’t the first time that Damian shared public praise for his mom and Cyrus’ adoration of one another. In May 2025, Cyrus posted an Instagram photo of himself kissing his lady, which drew a similar reaction from Elizabeth’s model son. “Awwww ❤️,” Damian had written at the time.

Damian isn’t the only celebrity who showed love to the couple over the weekend. Brooke Warne, the daughter of Elizabeth’s ex-boyfriend, the late Australian cricketer Shane Warne, also commented on Elizabeth’s carousel, “Amazing 👏👏👏.”

The kind words from Brooke, 28, drew a response from Elizabeth — “love you” — before Brooke declared “love you more!! I’m coming one year with you guys please!!” and tagged Damian in the response.

Celebrity friend of Elizabeth’s Trinny Woodall also commented “Gorgeous” on the carousel, while Cyrus himself hit “like” on the post.

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Damian, whom Elizabeth shared with her late ex Steve Bing, maintains a loving relationship with his mom, frequently singing her praises via his own Instagram account. One month ago, he shared a tribute to her that included two photos: one that showed a topless Elizabeth hugging a young Damien in a pool, and another that showed the pair standing back to back with an older Damian. “Happy mamas’ day to my best friend since ‘02,” he captioned the March 16 post, which drew “I love you so much” in the comments section from Elizabeth.

Related: Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus Enjoy PDA-Filled Blended Family Outing

Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus are spending some quality time with their kids — together. “What a treat- a perfect way to celebrate the Summer Solstice with @mileycyrus Reborn from Something Beautiful,” Hurley, 60, shared via Instagram on Sunday, June 22, along with a slew of photos and videos showing her and her new […]

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The following month, Damian shared another carousel in celebration of Easter, which included a photo of Cyrus standing beside him as he bottle fed a lamb. “Love da DMan!!” commented Cyrus, who appeared to have hosted the mom-son duo at his Tennessee farm for the holiday.

Cyrus and Elizabeth debuted their romance on April, 20, 2025, one year prior, via a joint Instagram post that captured the couple cuddling up against a wooden fence. While the hard launch shocked many fans, Damian showed his support from as early as then, commenting with both a heart and a celebration emoji at the time.

The way movies have been made has evolved since the dawn of the picture. From silent films to talkies. Black and white to Technicolor. From 2-D animation to computer-animated. As technology advances and new opportunities emerge, cinema has gotten even better. A main reason: computer-generated imagery. Using visual effects to enhance the viewing experience, movies truly bring audiences to a place beyond their wildest imaginations.

CGI is not for amateurs. And yet, even some of the greatest professionals have their off projects. There have been countless big-budget, box office blockbusters that one might have thought would have visuals, but watching them on the big screen, well, they were botched. From distorted faces to the fakest-looking sea creatures meant to scare, these 10 otherwise promising movies were ruined by terrible CGI.

1

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ (2023)

Image via Marvel Studios

Listen, we have great reverence for the behemoth that is the MCU, but with dozens of films and series under its belt, some projects have fallen by the wayside. Meaning the visual effects helped the movie bomb. One of the biggest recipients of terrible CGI was the third Ant-Man movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Best known as the film that helped introduce us to that pesky multiverse, the film follows Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) as they explore the Quantum Realm with their family, encountering strange new creatures and battling the time-traveling villain, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). Officially launching Phase Five, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania gave us the nightmare that was Corey Stoll as the oversized head known as M.O.D.O.K. And yet, that was only one of the many weak CGI effects.

After critics dumped on the film for its terrible CGI, so did anonymous VFX technicians. Having spoken to Vulture, some artists admitted that certain “shortcuts” were taken, including budget constraints due to diverted funds to other projects. This, in turn, led to poor working conditions for the artists, resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome. Nevertheless, despite the behind-the-scenes drama, the multiverse was awoken and ended up being less than impactful. The previous two films had whimsy and charm with Rudd in the lead, but the plot’s serious tone lost that charm. And yet, when M.OD.O.K. popped up, it was nothing short of a barrel of laughs. It was simply too silly and goofy. To be fair, as a ‘90s Marvel kid who had an action figure, there was an expectation of a CGI conglomerate. Instead, Stoll’s face was stretched like he was Zordon in the ‘90s iteration of the Power Rangers. One might think that by the 31st MCU entry, the CGI would be top-notch, but Phase Five had its litany of woes. And it all started here.

2

‘Cats’ (2019)

Image via Universal Pictures

Every theater kid’s heart sings out when a beloved musical is announced to have a big-screen adaptation. We dreamcast the film, imagine what it might look like, and wait patiently on the message boards for any rumors that swirl. Upon learning that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats would get a silver screen adaptation, there was some fear and hesitation. Never has a community been more right when they stepped inside the cinema to watch Cats. The infamous film lifted the Broadway show in shocking fashion. Gone was a cast of actors donning catsuits and detailed face paint. Instead, it was a CGI nightmare that managed to tarnish any semblance of positivity tied to the film. And yes, that includes the top-tier ensemble of stars who agreed to this mess.

Directed by Tom Hooper, who notoriously made questionable choices when directing the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, Cats turned a book of poetry into a who’s who of felines attempting to get to the Heavy Side Layer. A well-meaning attempt to honor a classic resulted in a disaster. Before we get to the kitties, the first massive mistake came in the set pieces and rules of the world. The proportions were not only inconsistent but incorrect. Simply look at the production number of “Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat,” in which the railroad tracks were massive compared to the dancing cats. What’s unfortunate is, you might have given this a pass had you not been distracted by the human-feline fusion.

As much as Hooper tried to defend his choices so as not to lose “facial performances,” they were not well received. The uncanny valley effect is what nightmares are made of. The horrific anthropomorphization of people-cats sparked a wild pre-release frenzy that left many wondering what the actual film would look like. With so much visual promise, the result was downright creepy, especially when you realized the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellen were subject to this treatment. The campy nature of the stage production had always been a theatrical joke, but it looked like a work of fine art comparatively! It hurts to know that there was a point in time when Steven Spielberg was going to make an animated version of the musical. Can we return to that timeline? There is, however, one solution to satisfy our needs. Perhaps we would all be satisfied if the rumored “butthole cut” would be shared with the world. Release it, you cowards! If Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber did purchase a puppy as a result of this bomb, we understand why.

3

‘Die Another Day’ (2002)

Image via MGM Distribution Co.

The history of James Bond films has such a wide array of results. Some were brilliant while others were hokey. But what they all had in common was an adoration of the central character. In the early days of the franchise, the practical effects were a product of their time. But when you move into the 21st century, and technical advancements are available, there should be no excuses for poor CGI. And yet Die Another Day, the first film of the new millennium, relied heavily on unconvincing, cartoonish digital effects that felt outdated compared to the brilliant films it was up against. In the 2002 entry, James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is on a mission to identify a mole within British intelligence after he is betrayed, tortured, and released from a North Korean prison, eventually exposing a scheme involving a space weapon. Though Madonna did provide the title track, the film’s imagery is what it’s remembered for.

It’s quite common that green screens are heavily used in film, and one would think for a film of this magnitude, it would be flawless. It was anything but. From a poorly rendered CGI Bond surfing an ice wave to the subpar visuals for the invisible car, Die Another Day felt like a bad cartoon or a bootleg video game. With such dismal effects, any semblance of serious moments was overshadowed by the bad visuals. There was a time when the tones of James Bond films matched their hokiness. Not here. Between Daniel Craig‘s new casting and the CGI disaster, many fans felt that Die Another Day was going to kill the franchise. Instead, it pushed the new era into a much more positive direction. It’s just unfortunate that this is now the end of Brosnan’s reign.

4

‘Jaws 3-D’ (1983)

Image Via Universal Pictures

After Steven Spielberg made us terrified of the ocean with Jaws, it was the second sequel that made us chuckle that we ever had that fear. At a time when 3-D films were all the rage, director Joe Alves opted to give his audience 3-D glasses to create the illusion that elements penetrated the screen. Unfortunately, it turned the horror film into a farce. Jaws 3-D follows as a 35-foot great white shark infiltrates a Florida SeaWorld marine park, terrorizing employees and visitors in a new “Undersea Kingdom”. Mike Brody (Dennis Quaid), son of Chief Brody, tries to save the park guests while a second, larger shark emerges as the true threat. Between the locale and the filming style, Jaws 3-D tarnished the franchise’s legacy.

To the film’s credit, viewers of the first film had to suspend disbelief to realize that the animatronic known as Bruce was actually a deadly, man-eating shark. But then, through a cheaper compositing process that created a “superimposed” look, the shark appeared as a flat, disconnected image that was anything but terrifying. Pair this with a campy script and over-the-top acting, and there was no saving this Spielberg-less flop. Audiences couldn’t wait to toss out their plastic glasses after that infamous, slow-motion glass-breaking finale. There’s never been a worse shark movie made until, well, the next one.

5

‘Sharknado’ (2013)

Image via Syfy Films

This entry could be the entire franchise, but after the first film, Sharknado owned its visual disasters. But on that very first pass, oh, we were in for a monstrous treat. Kicking off the campiest horror franchise of all time comes the made-for-TV sci-fi comedy horror disaster from director Anthony C. Ferrante. The film tells the story of a massive storm that floods Los Angeles and floods the city with man-eating sharks, including tornadoes. Surfer and bar owner Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) battles flying sharks with chainsaws to rescue his estranged wife and daughter. An absurd so-bad-it ’s-good satire, nothing could get past the ridiculous CGI.

Even with cameos galore, the low-budget execution spawned cheap knockoffs and similarly inspired films that matched its visual effects. Logic was not part of the film’s objective, as a shark could harshly land on a car with nothing but a quiet thud. The sharks did not match the actors’ lighting or motion. While we can give credit to the actors who are used to acting whenever they are not quite there, there was no excuse for what happened in post. The static editing and daft writing just made Sharknado an actual disaster.

6

‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

Image via New Line Cinema

Many fans of the original film had a strong desire for Jim Carrey to reprise his role in a Mask sequel, but after seeing Son of the Mask, they made the right call. In the horrendous sequel, aspiring cartoonist Tim Avery’s (Jamie Kennedy) dog finds Loki’s magical mask. After Tim wears it and conceives a child, the baby is born with chaotic, reality-bending powers, prompting Loki (Alan Cumming) to try and retrieve his mask. A hokey premise at its core, Son of the Mask relied on poor ‘00s CGI that replaced the charm and wit of the original. The result was a cartoonish, disturbing, and cringeworthy aesthetic.

The original film was notorious for wacky imagery that matched the spirit of the story. That was present here, but when the animated mask was relegated to an infant and a dog, the result was destined to look like a disastrous cartoon. Watching the baby’s head inflate, and the dog’s eyes bulge out, it was more of a horror nightmare than a family-friendly comedy. Son of the Mask was by no means meant to be a serious film, but the execution was everything that can go wrong with a poorly executed sequel.

7

‘Star Wars: Episode 1—The Phantom Menace’ (1999)

Image via LucasFilm

The hype surrounding a new set of Star Wars films was astronomically high. A new generation of fans was about to experience what it would be like seeing George Lucas’ mesmerizing vision on the big screen for the first time. And then Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) arrived, and some fans sought a do-over. No shade to the iconic creature, but what were they thinking?! In Star Wars: Episode 1— The Phantom Menace, the first chapter of the Skywalker Saga, Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) protect Queen Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo, aiming to resolve a trade blockade. They discover a young, Force-sensitive boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) on Tatooine, while battling the unexpected return of the Sith. Jump-starting a new era of the Star Wars franchise, The Phantom Menace utilized the full range of its digital technology for a less gritty, more sterile aesthetic that seemed like it was in a galaxy far, far away from its own.

There was a major disconnect between the performance and the practicality of its characters’ acting in its world. Forced to work against CGI characters and green screens, many of its stars seemed to have trouble bringing anything but wooden performances. The first three films were beloved for Lucas’ use of practical effects, miniatures, and puppets to create a brilliant product. The new film opted for a CGI-heavy universe that felt fake and, at times, cartoonish. Toss in Jar Jar Binks, and that argument was further exacerbated. We still fondly care about this film and the two that followed. We just wish it were as magical as the first trilogy.

8

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

If you’re a millennial, you likely have a great reverence for the media empire that is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. From the brilliant cartoon to the ‘90s trilogy of films, they hold quite a special place in our hearts. When a reboot film came out in 2007, it felt like the logical reboot version. And then a new iteration came again in 2014, and those creatures were utterly terrifying and nothing like the heroes we once knew. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the reboot follows four mutated turtle brothers—Leonardo (Johnny Knoxville), Raphael (Alan Ritchson), Donatello (Jeremy Howard), and Michelangelo (Noel Fisher)—who emerge from the New York City sewers to save their city. Aided by reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox), they battle the evil Shredder (Tohoru Masamune) and his Foot Clan to stop a plot to release a deadly virus. With all the elements in place to make the film good, the visuals and graphics ruined its long-lasting legacy.

The allure of the original characters was that they looked like cartoon characters. Here, they were becoming something inhuman yet trying to be human. These iconic turtles had features including broad, human-like lips and noses that were simply unsettling. Then, add in the fact that they were so massive and detached from their roots as stealthy, agile ninjas, which made the film far from its source material. Then, moving over to Master Splinter (Tony Shalhoub), you get a gross and ridiculous rat. Overengaged and ultimately soulless, this iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles failed to capture the spirit of the characters we once loved.

9

‘The Lawnmower Man’ (1992)

Image via New Line Cinema

When a product is inspired loosely by your own work, but the execution is so abysmal, you sue to make sure there is no attachment. That’s what Stephen King did after The Lawnmower Man was released. As he said in court documents, it “bore no meaningful resemblance” to his story. Directed by Brett Leonard, the 1992 film tells the story of scientist Dr. Angelo (Pierce Brosnan), who uses virtual reality and drugs to turn a mentally disabled gardener, Jobe (Jeff Fahey), into a genius, only for Jobe to develop dangerous psychic powers and become obsessed with becoming a digital being. A victim of its own making, The Lawnmower Man was meant to represent virtual reality but ended up as a corny visual that overshadowed the plot.

To call The Lawnmower Man groundbreaking is flat-out wrong. But that’s how the film was marketed. With such high expectations, the cyberspace scenes were meant to be awe-inspiring, but they came across as clunky and poorly managed. The Lawnmower Man, which didn’t mean to look like a ‘90s video game, made Tron look like a complete masterpiece. At least that film was intended to be a video game! A film that didn’t look good then and still doesn’t age well, The Lawnmower Man is a film that deserved to be lost to time. Instead, it’s remembered for all the wrong reasons.

10

‘The Mummy Returns’ (2001)

Image via Universal Pictures

We could make this entry solely for The Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson), but the team did learn from their mistakes during The Mummy Returns. The problem is, when that film is a prequel, you can actually find the time to fix the mistakes! In the sequel to the hit action-adventure film, Rick and Evelyn O’Connell (Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz) face the resurrected Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) and a newly awakened Scorpion King. The couple must save their kidnapped son, Alex (Freddie Boath), who has triggered a race to the pyramid of Ahm Shere and control of Anbus’ army. A worthy follow-up, The Mummy Returns was destroyed the second the janky video game iteration of The Rock’s character stumbled on the screen.

All these years removed, Fraser has asked the world to be ‘kind” for the awful CGI. Though there’s always a reason, much of the blame for the wrestler’s characterization fell to time constraints and technological limitations, which resulted in a model of the actor that lacked texture and realism. As good a film as The Mummy Returns was, there’s simply no forgiving the disaster of The Scorpion King. At the end of the day, the overambitious effects fell short of the emerging CGI standards of the era. Luckily, there was enough time to fix the terrible characterization in the prequel, The Scorpion King, since the actor was actually present and able to perform the role.