By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 21 seconds ago

One of the reasons that fans are so excited about the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is that the original show was unlike anything else they had ever seen on television. It prominently featured a woman in a male-dominated genre (namely, demon slaying), and it did so through a killer combination of quippy comedy and heartpounding melodrama. Fans can’t help but be excited for the reboot because they are collectively asking the same question: “where else can I see something so well-written and innovative?”

As it turns out, you can see it on Netflix: the streamer is now showing Veronica Mars (2004), a noir detective show with a spunky female protagonist just as funny as everyone’s favorite Slayer. It remains one of the most highly-rated shows in television history, one that influenced countless other series while launching the career of Kristen Bell. If you’re ready to discover your new binge-worthy favorite while waiting for the Buffy reboot, then it’s past time you stream Veronica Mars on Netflix.

A Show That You Can’t Stop Watching

The premise of Veronica Mars is that the titular character is the daughter of a detective, and she solves mysteries of her own in the quirky town of Neptune, California. While she solves smaller cases (especially in Season 3), the show is mostly known for season-long mysteries, and part of the charm of watching is putting the clues together at the same time our plucky protagonist is doing so. Even if you don’t enjoy mystery shows all that much, Veronica Mars is perfectly entertaining because its tight scripts are filled with hilariously cynical comedy punctuated by moments of poignant, character-driven reflection.

The cast of Veronica Mars includes some amazing character actors, including Jason Dohring (best known outside this show for Deep Impact) as Veronica’s bad-boy boyfriend. Percy Daggs III (best known outside of this show for The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy) plays Veronica’s best friend and mystery-solving partner, while Enrico Colantoni (best known for Galaxy Quest) plays her father, a professional private investigator. Meanwhile, Francis Capra (best known for A Bronx Tale) plays a biker gang leader with a heart of gold.

The Bell Of The Ball

Everyone involved gives excellent performances, but nobody does it better than Kristen Bell, who instantly transforms Veronica Mars into one of television’s best characters. Veronica’s constantly a study in contradictions: her dainty beauty hides a tough-as-nails personality, just as her cynical humor hides a borderline manic urge to do the right thing. She’s fierce, funny, and fearless, serving as a worthy inheritor to the tough girl crown once worn so capably by Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

When Veronica Mars premiered, it was nothing short of a television sensation: showrunner Rob Thomas gambled that audiences would love a neo noir show from a female point of view, and he was completely right. The first season of the series was hailed as a critically-acclaimed masterpiece, and the show was nominated for prestigious awards, including four Saturn Awards. Following the show’s untimely cancellation after Season 3, sheer fan demand and a successful Kickstarter campaign helped it get a satisfying follow-up film, and a final fourth season would later air on Hulu.

Comedy That Leaves You Grinning

Veronica Mars put a new spin on an old genre, and reviewers longing for something new ate it up with a spoon. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show has a 92 percent rating, with critics praising the show for the whip-smart writing and amazing characterization that make this genre show a spiritual sequel to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They also singled out Kristen Bell, commending her for a career-making performance that showcased a full range of her prodigious talents as both a comedic and dramatic actor.

The critics were certainly right to single out Bell: she gives a singular performance here that helped launch one of the most rewardingly eclectic careers in Hollywood. If not for her success in Veronica Mars, she would likely never have starred as the titular character in the raunchy classic Forgetting Sarah Marshall, nor would she have headlined The Good Place, the tightest-written TV comedy since Community. Of course, it helped that Bell was so great right out of the gate: she was in her early ‘20s when the show started, but that didn’t keep her from acting circles around colleagues much older than her.

The high quality of Veronica Mars’ writing and acting helps elevate material that would otherwise have made far less of a cultural impact. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of neo noir, and the streaming era has taught me to really hate season-long mystery arcs. But this show makes both its noir theming and mysteries compelling through breezy humor and constant characterization, both of which will leave you watching episodes long after you should have gone to bed.

Time To Grab The Remote

Overall, Veronica Mars is sublime, offering rewarding stories that often transcend the medium itself. The mysteries in this show are worthy of great literature (eat your heart out, Raymond Chandler), and the characters are straight out of a high-end Broadway play. Finally, the epic scope of the season-long stories is just as compelling as any film, and mystery lovers should take note that Veronica Mars is head and shoulders better than the latest Knives Out movie.

Are you ready to embrace your inner gumshoe and dive into your new favorite show, or will you think it’s a mystery why everyone loves Veronica Mars? The only way to find out is to head home (wave down a friendly biker if you need a ride!) and stream this show on Netflix. Come for the killer theme song and stay for one of the most innovative new characters of the 21st century.

After Amy Luciani put his personal business on the ‘net, Dwight Howard reportedly filed for divorce. After the news broke, Amy—real name Amber Rose Howard—stepped into The Shade Room to continue calling out her estranged husband. Meanwhile, Royce Reed has seemingly weighed in on the divorce news after also popping off this weekend.

RELATED: Dwight Howard Attends NBA Game As His & Royce Reed’s Son Braylon Weighs In On Amy Luciani’s Allegations (VIDEOS)

Dwight Howard Files For Divorce And Mutual Restraining Order

According to TMZ, Dwight Howard was at the courthouse early Monday (March 9) morning seeking to end his marriage after almost 14 months. He listed their marriage date as January 11, 2025. Additionally, the docs reportedly claim their union is “irretrievably broken” with no hope of reconciliation. He distinctly noted that they share no children and therefore wants exclusive use of his Georgia mega-home and his “separate/non-marital” property. Complex adds that Amy and Dwight Howard are “living in a bona fide state of separation.”

Moreover, per Complex, the couple filed for a mutual restraining order. Both sides are banned from harming each other or the children in their lives. They’re also not supposed to sell any property except concerning “ordinary business,” cancel each other’s insurance or disconnect any home utilities.

This is the second time the couple’s marriage has faced the end, but the first time Dwight filed the paperwork. Last year, The Shade Room exclusively confirmed that Amy Luciani initiated a divorce on July 1, 2025. At the time, she claimed the marriage was irretrievably broken and had no hopes of reconciliation. Mrs. Howard also later clarified that she wasn’t after Dwight’s money or assets. A month after filing, she dismissed the divorce case.

Amy Luciani Brings Up CPS Case In Response To Divorce

As previously reported, Amy Luciani posted emotional videos this past weekend about Dwight Howard’s alleged cocaine use and CPS case. In one clip, she showed a clear bag and silver vial allegedly filled with the drug. Other videos show her speaking to Dwight’s 12-year-old son, David. She appeared to confirm that his father convinced him to lie to Child Protective Services (CPS) in a situation involving one of Dwight’s daughters, Layla. The specifics of the case remain unknown, but in her now-deleted Instagram post, Amy Luciani claimed CPS had been to their home three times in two months because of Dwight.

On Monday, Mrs. Howard stepped into The Shade Room’s comment section to react to a post about Dwight filing for divorce. She continued to reference the CPS case described above and accused her husband of racing to file first.

“Racing me to file first this time is small news when I filed first last year … all good, but still not going to visit my step daughter one single time who was taken & has been with the state since Thursday is more hurtful to me. . Us adults will be ok, but the kids need better. This too shall pass,” Amy wrote.

Is Royce Reed Basking In The Divorce News? 

Royce Reed, the mother of Dwight’s eldest son Braylon, also entered the chat on Monday following the divorce reveal. Reed has been a longtime critic of her ex-boyfriend, calling him out for everything from allegedly ruining her career to abuse. This past weekend, she had social media chatting when she seemed to tease Amy Luciani’s allegations with “I told you so” energy. Even Braylon eventually jumped in, backing his mother and hoping Dwight Howard gets “help.”

On Monday, Royce Reed circled to her IG Story and shared a meme of a man yelling with the words “Throw the damn towel.” She added, “Yikes!” in large white text and a GIF of a woman in sunglasses blasting finger guns.

Later on her IGS, she reshared a July 2025 video of her firing off fireworks. She wrote, “Them: ok Royce, you’re dragging it now… Me: Like a tractor Trailer!” A few hours later, she posted, “Okay, I’m done” on the same platform. An hour after that, she posted, “I’m unblocked y’all.” For context, over the weekend, she seemingly suggested Amy Luciani had her blocked on IG.

Royce Reed Chats With Carlos King About Amy & Dwight Howard (UPDATE)

Most recently, Royce Reed also answered questions on video with Carlos King. She claimed to be close friends with Layla’s mom and said the mom is trying to get her daughter out. Also, Reed accused Dwight of using his wealth and connections to keep moments like police body cam footage from surfacing. Reed also accused Amy Luciani of only blasting Dwight Howard because he “turned on her.” Additionally, she said Amy had no intentions of leaving the marriage until that happened. In the comment section of King’s post, Reed also went off about why she’s speaking out.

“IDGAF what anyone has to say! When kids are involved I’m dragging it to hell! IDC who gets mad! Let it be YOUR CHILD! I got mine OUT but not before he was damaged! I kicked, screamed and hollered and even to this day some of you STILL call me bitter. Well guess what, maybe I am. Why? Bcuz for 18+ years I’ve dealt with his shit and the past 1 she’s advocated for him! Be her friend? After she drug me? Maybe if her apology is a loud as her disrespect! She allowed it to happen! She participated in the abuse. Imma advocate for LAYLA AND DAVID! The kids! Always and idgaf who mad. Not my story to tell? IT IS MY STORY! It’s all of our story! Defending her or him in this situation is clown behavior! Might as well be sharing toothbrushes with them too,” Royce Reed wrote.

RELATED: Whew! Fans Dig Into Kristy And Desmond Scott’s Old Social Media Content For Divorce Clues (WATCH)

Roomies, Ashanti has turned heads with her turnt-up energy during a recent performance.

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More On The Singer’s Turnt-Up Energy & Recent Performance

Over the weekend, Ashanti appeared and performed at the Jazz in the Garden Music Fest 2026 in Miami Gardens. In footage captured by Instagram users @supacindy and @nikkimontana, Ashanti could be seen performing alongside Machel Montana. Furthermore, the pair were performing their hit soca single, ‘The Road,’ and as the vibes hit the crowd, Ashanti turned things up a notch by putting her hips to work and hitting a quick wine.

Peep the clip below.

Ashanti Turns Heads

Social media users reacted to the clip of Ashanti’s performance in TSR’s comment section.

Before The Performance, Ashanti Spoke About Her Prayers For Her Family

Before the singer turned heads with her performance alongside Machel Montano, she gave fans a glimpse into her personal life, sharing her prayers and gratitude for her family.

RELATED: So In Love! Ashanti & Nelly Bring The Romance To The Stage With ‘Body On Me’ Performance (VIDEO)

Meghan Markle’s As Ever Brand Reportedly Failed To Win Over Netflix

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An after-school fight in Georgia resulted in the death of a 12-year-old girl. Now, her mother is speaking out, telling the media that their daughter Jada West was the victim of bullying as a new student at Mason Creek Middle School.

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Viral Video Shows Jada West And A Girl Fighting In A Georgia Neighborhood

According to PEOPLE, the physical fight involving Jada West happened on March 5. She got into an argument on the school bus on the way home, per Fox 5 Atlanta. A 2-minute video circulating on social media shows Jada and another unidentified minor girl exchanging words in a neighborhood. The school bus is visible in the background. For context, Jada is the child wearing a tee, white cardigan, black pants and white sneakers. She’s heard saying, “I don’t know why y’all getting off the bus. If that b*tch put her hands on me, imma beat her f**king a**.” That same clip cuts to footage of West lying in a hospital bed. Then, it shows Jada saying she refuses to fight “over some noise.”

Another girl shouts back at her, and West screams, “I don’t even know you and I don’t know your name.” A few seconds later, the girl and Jada West step to the center of a circle of minors, continuing to cuss and threaten each other. After asking each other, “Do you need that?” the girls start throwing punches. Even after falling to the ground, the girls continued to strike each other until others separated them.

Reports:

“Jada West a 12 year old girl from Mason Creek Middle School in Douglas County, Georgia—tragically passed away after a school dispute escalated into a physical altercation & Fight at a bus stop.”#Fights #Fightvideos #schoolFights pic.twitter.com/tDULGzmlyn

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— Just Lookin 🪙🦩 (@JustLookingMon) March 9, 2026

What Caused Jada West’s Passing? 

Amid the chaos, one of Jada West’s friends ran home to get her mother after it appeared the 12-year-old began losing consciousness. The mom, Rashunda McLendon, told WSB-TV that she got in her car and drove up to the scene of the fight. When she arrived, her daughter was on the ground and “wasn’t breathing,” she said. Jada West was then taken to the hospital.

Her aunt, Dequala McLendon, said Jada began seizing when they arrived at Tanner Medical Center. She was later transferred to the Children’s Hospital Scottish Rite. The 12-year-old reportedly died on Sunday (March 8) after being in a coma. Fox 5 reports that the family is awaiting autopsy results. Meanwhile, WSB-TV has cited her cause of death as cardiac heart failure.

Jada’s Mother Says Daughter Was A Victim Of Bullying

As mentioned, West was reportedly a new student at Mason Creek Middle School. This was her first semester there after transferring in January. She allegedly dealt with bullying from the start, per her family. Her mom, Rashunda McLendon, told Fox 5 Atlanta she feels angry and confused.

“We have to teach our children. I’m angry. What happened to the love? We lost our love, people. Teach your children to love,” the mom said.

Jada West’s family also told the outlet that they’re confused by the other girl’s presence on the school bus. The other girl involved allegedly doesn’t live in the same neighborhood as Jada did or get off at the same stop.

School District Releases Statement, Local Police Confirm Investigation

On Monday (March 9), the Douglas County School System, which oversees Mason Creek Middle Schoo, released a statement. It extended “heartfelt condolences and prayers” to Jada West’s family. Additionally, it said that student and staff safety is “of primary importance to [the] school system.” The district planned to have counselors available for the students and staff on Tuesday (March 10).

“Any situation that results in harm to a child is one we take with the highest level of urgency. This incident did not occur on school property or during school hours, and there is nothing to indicate that this is related to any on-campus activity. Therefore, this matter is under the jurisdiction of the Villa Rica Police Department. To protect the privacy of the student and her family, we are not able to share additional details at this time,” the school district statement said.

Villa Rica is the Georgia city where the after-school fight occurred. Local police is reportedly investigating the incident and reviewing footage along with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. No arrests or charges have been announced.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Georgia High School Teacher Tragically Dies After Harmless Senior Prank Goes Wrong (VIDEO)

Let’s taco ’bout it! Demi Lovato, Benson Boone, Rachel Bilson, Doja Cat, Jason Sudeikis, and more celebs stepped out for Taco Bell’s Live Más Live event at The Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The star-studded bash brought fans, foodies, and A-listers together for a night packed with surprises, laughs, and major menu reveals. 

Vince Staples hosted the festivities, guiding the crowd through an evening of games, performances, and first looks at what the chain restaurant has coming next.

Celebrities got in on the action, with Lil Jon and Ashley Park participating in the Made or Made Up game, where they were challenged to guess whether Taco Bell creations were real or fictional menu items.

Meanwhile, Anderson .Paak conducted a special choir inspired by commentary, turning Taco Bell lovers’ social media posts into a musical moment.

Ariana Madix kept the energy going by hosting the Live Más Live Cam, capturing stars throughout the venue, while Nikki and Brie Bella joined Lovato to present awards to the food destination’s most dedicated devotees.

Of course, the party wouldn’t be complete without plenty of delicious bites. Taco Bell unveiled more than 20 food innovations, including Flamin’ Hot® Nacho Fries, Doritos® Cool Ranch® Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Doritos® Cool Ranch® dipping sauce, Mexican Pizza Empanadas and Mountain Dew Baja Midnight™, among others.

Boone even took the stage to debut the Crème Brûlée Crunchwrap Slider, celebrating the reveal with his signature backflip. 

Still hungry for mire? Fans can catch Live Más Live: A Night at The Palladium streaming on Peacock, and unlock exclusive offers through the Taco Bell Rewards App. 

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 22 seconds ago

After a controversial purchase by Amazon for a cool billion dollars, it’s fair to say the James Bond franchise is as healthy as it has ever been. But nearly four decades ago, the failure of a single film nearly did what villains like Blofeld and Goldfinger had always failed to do: kill 007, once and for all. That movie was Licence to Kill (1989), and after it became the least profitable film in Bond history, producers put the popular film series on hold until they could develop a movie that would leave general audiences both shaken and stirred.

However, Licence to Kill is an excellent Bond film, and this Timothy Dalton classic only seemed overly serious compared to the goofiness of the Roger Moore movies; these days, Dalton’s more serious Bond fits right in with the more grounded and violent world of the Daniel Craig 007 movies. The truth is that Licence to Kill has been in need of a critical reevaluation for almost 40 years, and that reevaluation starts right now. All you have to do is grab your remote (just don’t grab the exploding one!) and stream this misunderstood spy classic on Netflix.

Some Serious Bond-age

The premise of Licence to Kill is that after James Bond’s friend Felix Leiter (a CIA agent and longtime girlfriend) is tortured and his new wife is killed, 007 becomes obsessed with getting revenge on the attackers. This interferes with his job as a secret agent, and when his boss objects, Bond resigns from MI6 to become a rogue agent. Now, without his titular licence to kill or the resources of his government, Bond must engage in a globe-trotting mission of vengeance, one where a single mistake could easily cost him his life. 

The cast of Licence to Kill has some familiar Bond faces in it, including Desmond Llewelyn as Q, 007’s faithful tech guru. Similarly, Robert Brown reprises his familiar role as M, and Caroline Bliss returns to once again play Moneypenny alongside Dalton’s Bond. Most surprisingly, David Hedison returns to play Felix Leiter for the first time in 16 years; he previously played the plucky CIA agent in Live and Let Die.

A Cast Full Of Surprises

There are some other pleasant surprises in the cast (including Benicio del Toro in a minor role), but the real highlight here is Timothy Dalton, who gives his James Bond more of the brooding intensity found in the original books by Ian Fleming. He spends more time cracking heads than cracking jokes, and he takes very clear pleasure in doling out pain to some of the worst people in the planet. In this way, Dalton is a very interesting precursor to Daniel Craig, whose era as Bond was famous for its more grim and gritty portrayal of 007.

License to Kill ended up earning $156.1 million against a budget of $32 million, which may seem like a solid profit on paper. However, after accounting for inflation, this was actually the least successful Bond movie ever made, one that featured strong competition from various box office bangers like Batman, Ghostbusters II, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the latter featuring original 007 actor Sean Connery. Because of this, producers took a break from making new Bond films for a few years before reinvigorating the franchise with GoldenEye (which starred Pierce Brosnan as a more affable secret agent) in 1995.

Shaken, Stirred, And Bleeding

When Licence to Kill came out, reviewers found it as enjoyable as a ride in an Aston Martin. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 79 percent rating, with critics praising Timothy Dalton’s Bond as more intense than any incarnation of the character we had seen before. While noting that his intensity and the film’s much darker tone may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or martini), the critics also praised this Bond film for a variety of chase and fight scenes that reliably keep you on the edge of your seat.

As the critics hinted at, how much you enjoy Licence to Kill will largely depend on what you want out of a James Bond film. Sean Connery originally transformed Bond’s more dour literary character into a lighthearted secret agent who was more interested in cracking dry jokes and bedding beauties than dispensing violence. By contrast, Dalton’s Bond is on a mission of righteous rage, and this permeates the mostly grim tone of an action film as unforgiving as it is unrelenting.

I’m also a big fan of the Ian Fleming Bond novels, and until Casino Royale came along, Licence to Kill was the only film in the franchise to capture the spirit of those books. In Fleming’s novels, 007 is not a flamboyant secret agent; rather, he is a cold and calculating government killer who can get surprisingly emotional when something bad happens to someone he cares about. In this sense, Dalton’s Bond is very book accurate, as he’s willing to forsake his entire career and risk multiple international incidents in order to avenge his friend.

The Darker Side Of 007

Personally, I’ve always found the darker tone of License to Kill part of its charm: it’s unlike any of the 007 films before Daniel Craig began playing Bond, and it’s actually better than most films in the Craig era. Plus, I found Roger Moore far too goofy as Bond, so I appreciated the seriousness of Dalton as a kind of course correction for the franchise. He wasn’t what ‘80s audiences wanted to see on the big screen, but now that Craig made the idea of a very serious Bond popular again, more and more fans of the franchise have rediscovered the joys of Dalton’s stone-cold killer version of 007 in Licence to Kill.

Licence to Kill nearly destroyed one of the most beloved movie franchises of all time, but beneath its bad reputation hides one of the best James Bond movies ever made. To discover what happens when Bond ditches the license but never stops killing, all you have to do is stream this blockbuster spy thriller on Netflix. You might not be all that shaken or stirred, but trust me: you’ll be seriously entertained from beginning to end!

Prime Video and Netflix don’t often let premium shows go free, which is why this move lands like an industry tell: the feel-good travel series that’s spent eight seasons as an easy comfort watch is preparing to widen the funnel beyond the paywall.

As per a new report, this is a strategic partnership between Phil Rosenthal’s Lucky Bastards banner and Banijay Americas/Banijay Rights, explicitly aimed at expanding the brand “across the digital ecosystem.” The plan isn’t just to dump episodes online; it’s to build a hub: a dedicated Phil Rosenthal World presence, plus a slate of short-form content built around the show, with additional exploration into AVOD/FAST distribution. In other words, the show’s future isn’t “leaving streaming,” it’s becoming a multi-platform franchise with YouTube as the center of gravity.

The title is Somebody Feed Phil and it’s designed for shareability, big smiles, low-stress storytelling, and the simple thesis that food is a shortcut to community. But its distribution has still lived inside subscription logic. New episodes will now be made available non-exclusively on the Phil Rosenthal World YouTube channel in 2027, while the last eight seasons willremain available on Netflix. Rosenthal framed the philosophy plainly, saying he loved that Everybody Loves Raymond (the beloved sitcom that Rosenthal himself created) was “free to watch everywhere,” and that YouTube lets the show’s message of “family, friendship, food, travel and laughs” reach the most people. It’s a rare reverse-migration though. Premium TV choosing mass free access? Exactly why this news is bigger than a platform switch.

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Why This YouTube Move Is Bigger Than You May Think

The real value in this deal isn’t just that Somebody Feed Phil will be free — it’s that Rosenthal is turning a Netflix show into a platform-driven franchise. Under the Banijay partnership, YouTube becomes the central hub, which means the series can live in multiple formats at once: full episodes for traditional viewing, plus short-form spinouts designed for discovery, sharing, and algorithmic reach. That’s a meaningful strategic reversal: Netflix usually acquires YouTube-native hits; here, a premium Netflix brand is deliberately expanding outward. And these guys might just become the flagbearer for other similar shows to follow suit.

It also opens the door to AVOD/FAST expansion, free, ad-supported distribution that could keep the show circulating even when subscribers churn, while the existing eight seasons stay on Netflix as the “deep library” for binge completion.

Somebody Feed Phil is available to watch on Netflix, and new episodes will be released on YouTube in 2027. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.