Entertainment
‘Abbott Elementary’ Star Turned Down ‘Real Housewives’
“Abbott Elementary” star Lisa Ann Walter recently revealed that she was offered a spot on Bravo’s popular reality show, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills“; however, she turned it down more than once. During a new interview, the esteemed actress said that hanging with some of 90210’s most elite women wasn’t a high priority for her at the moment.
Speaking with Betches, Walter, 62, said she could’ve held a diamond on Bravo’s “RHOBH” many times, but decided to leave the offer on the table.
“You know, they asked me to be on the show five times,” she said. “And I said, I’m not a housewife — I’m not a wife — I don’t have a house [and] I don’t live in Beverly Hills.”
According to Walter, she spoke with producers about the series, and they told her that the women cast on the show don’t have to “fight” with each other.
Even then, the mother of four said she simply wasn’t interested in the long-running program.
“The only thing I’ve got is real,” she said. “No shade to people who love this. I watch 90 Day Finacé, so who am I to judge?”
Other Celebrities Have Turned Down Roles On The ‘Real Housewives’
Walter isn’t the only popular celebrity to turn down Bravo’s offer to appear on their biggest franchise.
According to BuzzFeed, several other A-listers, such as Christina Applegate, said no to the producers’ offer to get her on board.
“I was asked to be a Housewife for Beverly Hills,” she said, revealing they had asked her a decade ago. Years later, Applegate formed a close friendship with one of the show’s producers and admitted that they told her she wouldn’t have been a great fit for the series.
“I said, ‘Chris, now that you know me, would I have been a fun Housewife?’ He’s like, ‘No, it would’ve been the most boring s— I’ve ever seen in my life,’” she said.
Applegate went on to say that she wouldn’t have wanted to participate in the outings that make the show work, such as group dinners or cast trips. “I would’ve been in my sweatpants and I’d be laying in bed. What fun is that? No, none of that. No, no. I would be the worst housewife anyway,” she said.
Lisa Kudrow Called Out Andy Cohen Over This ‘Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Scene
Speaking of “RHOBH,” “Friends” actress Lisa Kudrow recently made headlines after appearing to call out Andy Cohen on his show.
According to The Blast, Kudrow admitted she watched the show, but refused to share her thoughts about the series.
“I saw the ‘Beverly Hills’ [episode], you don’t want me to discuss it. I am telling you right now,” she said.
Kudrow then referenced a scene in which Dorit Kemsley left Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne stranded in a small town during their international cast trip to Tuscany, Italy.
“I am just going to say Black Mercedes, sprinter twins. I caught that, I’m sorry,” Kudrow said.
Cohen, however, didn’t seem interested in speaking too much about the moment, saying flatly, “OK, yeah.”
This ‘RHOBH’ Alum Said She Left The Series After A ‘Line Was Drawn’ In The Sand
Before Kudrow’s comments made their rounds, Garcelle Beauvais, a former “RHOBH” cast member, got candid about her sudden exit from the series in 2025.
“A line was drawn for me that I no longer wanted to cross. I felt like my spirit could no longer do it. (It was) just drama for the sake of drama,” Beauvais said, per The Blast.
She opened up even more about her five seasons on the show in her new Audible original, “Protecting My Peace… At All Costs.”
“I realized something I couldn’t unsee. I didn’t have an ally. Not one. Not a single friend sitting on that stage with me. No one to lock eyes with, no one to lean toward. No one saying, ‘I see you,’” the “Jamie Foxx” show alum wrote in her book. “The same way I walked in is how I walked out. Alone. I didn’t wanna fight anymore. I didn’t wanna be a grown a, woman, a grandmother, going after other women.”
Kathy Hilton Doesn’t Want ‘Housewives’ Viewers To Think This About Her
Another report from The Blast details Kathy Hilton’s thoughts about her role on the series. According to the socialite, she enjoys filming the show because it allows her to be herself.
But according to her, not everything is as it seems. “… you have to realize things are edited,” she said.
Hilton’s comments are about her viral one-liners that often come during the show’s most intense and serious moments, whether that’s an argument with the other women or a charity event.
Hilton explained that the scenes have caused some viewers to think she’s unintelligent, which she severely dislikes.
“When they think that I am cuckoo,” she said. “I don’t consider myself stupid. It’s the way things are cut, and that’s fine. “I get nervous.”
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Laguna Beach alum Stephen Colletti is officially a dad after his wife, Alex Weaver, welcomed their first baby.
The couple announced their son’s arrival via Instagram on Thursday, May 14, revealing his name is “Rhodes August Colletti 🤍.”
Weaver, 32, shared a black-and-white photo of the newborn grasping her finger as she held hands with Colletti, 40.
The sweet moment also served as both Laguna Beach and One Tree Hill virtual reunions, as cast members from both of Colletti’s past shows replied with well wishes in the comments section.
Many stars grew their families in 2026. In March, Riverdale alum Charles Melton, Carly Rae Jepsen and Charlie Puth all became parents for the first time. Hailee Steinfeld also welcomed her first baby, a daughter, with husband Josh Allen before the end of the month. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter […]
“🥰Congrats you two!!!!!! Can’t wait to meet little Rhodes!!!!” Dieter Schmitz, who costarred on MTV’s Laguna Beach with Colletti in the early 2000s, wrote via Instagram.
James Lafferty, who played Nathan Scott on One Tree Hill for three seasons ahead of Colletti joining the show as Chase Adams in 2007, was quick to reply as well.
“That’s one lucky little human. Congratulations you two. Best news ever ❤️❤️❤️,” Lafferty, who is also Colletti’s cocreator and costar on Hulu’s Everyone Is Doing Great, commented.
Baby Rhodes. Courtesy of Alex Weaver/Instagram
Lafferty’s wife, Alexandra Park, who also works on the Hulu comedy, added, “The world is so ready for you, Rhodes August !!! Love you 3 🥹🩵🫶🏼 🫶🏼🌙♥️🩵🌙🫶🏼.”
Robbie Jones, who played Quentin Fields on OTH, sent his own sweet message, writing, “CONGRATULATIONS Daddy Colletti!! Blessings on blessings! ❤️🥂.”
Kate Voegele, who portrayed Colletti’s love interest Mia Catalano on The CW series, added, “So sweet!! Congratulations friends!!”
Any teen drama from Laguna Beach is water under the bridge for Stephen Colletti, Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad. “We’re always rooting for each other, and it’s so great to see everybody go off and do these amazing things,” Colletti, 40, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, March 26, while promoting Roku’s upcoming The Reunion: […]
“What a week! Congrats guys!” Bryan Greenberg, who played Jake Jagielski on the hit drama, responded in the comments section.
Ashley Wahler, who is married to Colletti’s former Laguna Beach costar Jason Wahler, added, “Congratulations! LOVE the middle name ❤️.”
Ashley Rickards, who played Samantha “Sam” Walker on OTH, replied, “Congratulations!! 🎉.”
Colletti also commented on his wife’s post, sharing emojis that describe their current life status. “👶🏻👸🏼😊,” he replied.
James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti’s show, Everyone Is Doing Great, was already a One Tree Hill reunion — but the pair are bringing on more fan-favorites from the beloved teen series for season 2. Bryan Greenberg, who played Jake Jagielski on OTH, and Robbie Jones, who played Quentin Fields, are among the guest stars joining […]
Colletti and Weaver, a NASCAR reporter and host, tied the knot in October 2025 after getting engaged in November 2023.
The couple announced in January that they were expecting their first child. Ahead of Rhodes’ birth, Colletti exclusively told Us Weekly that he was looking to Lafferty, a new dad himself, for tips. (Lafferty, 40, and Park, 37, welcomed their first baby, son River, in December 2025.)
“I have been leaning on him,” Colletti said in May. “I’ve been watching him forge the path of fatherhood, and I’ve been so impressed with what he and [his wife] Alex together have been doing. It’s just so cool to see your best friends go through that journey and to be right behind them and getting excited here for my wife and I.”
Michael Jackson‘s nephew, Taj Jackson, opened up about father Tito Jackson’s self-esteem struggles as a member of the Jackson 5.
Taj, 52, replied to a fan via X who asked why the other members of the Jackson 5 were “not successful” after Michael went solo.
“I’ll answer since this is a very sensitive subject to me,” Taj wrote on Thursday, May 14. “Imagine since you were a teenager being told by everyone that you are worthless without your younger brother and you should thank him for everything you have.”
Taj continued, “That’s exactly what my dad had to deal with his whole life. He told me that personally on multiple occasions. What do you think that does to your self-esteem and life?”
Michael Jackson’s kids Prince and Paris Jackson are remembering their Uncle Tito. “Rest in transition, Uncle Tito ❤️,” Paris, 26, wrote over a photo of Tito and her late father shared via her Instagram Story on Monday, September 16. Prince, 27, meanwhile, shared a recent family photo of the Jackson clan via his Instagram on […]
Tito was a founding member of the Jackson 5 alongside brothers Michael, Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon. Tito’s passion for music inspired the group to get together in 1964 under the management of their father, Joe Jackson.
The Jackson 5 made history as one of the first African American performers to become popular in the mainstream. After signing with Motown Records, they achieved multiple No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 charts including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.” The group became one of the best-selling artists of all-time as they sold 150 million records worldwide. In 1997, the Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Amid their popularity, several members of the Jackson 5 attempted solo careers, but Michael’s effort was the most fruitful, resulting in 13 Grammy Awards.
Jermaine left the group first in 1976. While Michael was releasing solo music while still performing with the band, he decided to leave the Jackson 5 in 1984 after the success of “Thriller.”
Following Michael’s departure, Marlon left shortly after. Tito and Jackie released one final album as a group in 1989. In 2003, Tito went solo and earned three Grammy nominations.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Joe and Katherine Jackson’s famous brood extended way beyond the Jackson 5. While the late Michael Jackson was perhaps the most famous member of the talented family, and his sister Janet a close second, most of their eight siblings worked in music and entertainment since childhood. Joe and Katherine — who […]
After Michael’s death in 2009, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon got back together with the hopes of planning a reunion tour. The tour came to fruition in 2012.
Tito died in September 2024 after suffering a heart attack. Tito’s sons confirmed the death of their father via an Instagram statement.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” the siblings wrote alongside a series of photos of their father over the years. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”
Entertainment
David Letterman blasts CBS in parting words on Stephen Colbert's “Late Show”: 'Good night and good luck, motherf—ers'
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Letterman returned to bid farewell to the late-night talk show he originated in 1993 before handing over the reins to Colbert in 2015.
One year after the success of Fox’s The O.C., MTV took a look at the actual town, launching Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County in 2004.
The reality show focused on the personal lives of then-high schoolers Stephen Colletti, Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, Lo Bosworth and more. Laguna Beach was originally set to be a high school drama but was not allowed to film inside the actual high school, meaning that it was completely shifted to focus on the cast’s home life.
Conrad led the first season as the narrator, as the main storyline focused on a love triangle she found herself in with Cavallari and Colletti. In season 2, Conrad went away to college, with Cavallari taking over as the narrator. When her season ended, a new group was introduced but fell flat without the series’ original cast.
Scroll down for an update on where the cast is today, including who is married:
Whew, Roomies! Angelica Torrez, the mother of Robert Rushing’s son hopped online to call him out over alleged unpaid child support. Torrez dropped a series of messages on social media accusing him of falling behind on payments and even threw a lil’ shade at the content he makes with Toya Johnson.
RELATED: Social Media Is Cuttin’ UP With Reactions Over Robert Rushing’s Response To Toya Johnson Bending Over (WATCH)
Mother Of Robert Rushing’s Son Drops Child Support Claims Online
Recently, Angelica Torrez aired out Robert Rushing in a series messages on Instagram over alleged missed child support payments. In a now-deleted post, Angelica tagged Robert and told him she was still waiting on his payment while he focuses on posting content on social media.
“@therushingsworld @mrrushStill waiting on that child support… but don’t worry, at least there’s content to post while your responsibilities stay pending,” Angelica wrote.
In another post, Angelica dropped a screenshot of a text exchange between her and Robert. The image shows Robert sending her a photo of his tooth as he asks, “Can I pull this out with no problems?” Angelica replied with three eye-roll emojis and said, “I wouldn’t, you don’t know if there’s an infection.” Moments later, she posted another screenshot showing money hitting her Zelle account. She didn’t name Robert directly, but folks online knew she was talking about him as she wrote, “iigh y’all. He’s up to date! I’d like to thank you all for the support.” Angelcia continued, “Sometimes you gotta get out of character to be heard. Logging off, until next time. Remember! Brush and floss.”
As of right now, neither Robert Rushing nor Toya Johnson has responded to Angelica’s claims.
More About Robert Rushing’s Family Life & Children
Fans know Robert Rushing is currently married to Toya Johnson. The couple shares one daughter together, Reign Rushing. Toya also has her eldest daughter Reginae Carter, from her past relationship with Lil Wayne. Robert also reportedly shares a son with Angelica Torrez. Details about Robert and Angelica’s past relationship is unclear.
Social Media Weighs In After Angelica Blasts Robert
After The Shade Room dropped Angelica’s messages, the comment section was lit UP. Some folks said she needed to take her issues to the court instead of posting it online, meanwhile others felt she moved shady with some of her remarks.
Instagram user @juleskenneth wrote, “Run to the courthouse sis instead of social media 😰”
Instagram user @officialwarriorprincess wrote, “Very much uncalled for 🙄”
While Instagram user @shantaai_ wrote, “She really just wanted Toya to see that he texted her. That’s all this was about.”
Then Instagram user @tori.nichelle wrote, “Did we really need to see that text ? 😂”
Another Instagram user @1yeezyy wrote, “mentioning the content him and Toya do for ????? it’s giving jealous lol but ok man.”
Instagram user @_dazia.michelle wrote, “She obviously been waiting for a moment 🤣 your a dentist he can’t ask about his tooth 😩”
Then another Instagram user @t.tesfaye wrote, “I really hate messs…..”
While another Instagram user @lycreciaaa wrote, “Him and Toya be having too much fun for her 🥱”
Finally, Instagram user @im_me_365 wrote, “I mean, he couldn’t be that far behind if it only took one payment! Yall do anything for attention.”
RELATED: Toya Johnson & Robert Rushing Share Throwback Clips From Their Wedding Night & Social Media Is Gushing Over Their Chemistry
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
‘Lincoln Lawyer’ Fans Turn to Nearly 30-Year-Old Legal Thriller 1 Day After Cancellation News
This summer is stacked with great movies. From Tom Holland’s return to the web in Spider-Man: Brand New Day to the fifth installment in the beloved Disney and Pixar franchise Toy Story, there is something for everyone. However, no more is more hotly anticipated — in spite of its divisive trailer — than The Odyssey. Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s classical epic is scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026, earning over 23,000 tickets for IMAX 70mm screenings almost a year ago in an unprecedented early haul.
After first appearing in Nolan’s 2014 effort Interstellar, Matt Damon played a crucial role in the multi-Academy Award-winning Oppenheimer in 2023. Now he is set to lead one of the great director’s movies in his most ambitious project yet. Damon is joined in a stacked Odyssey line-up by the likes of the aforementioned Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Mia Goth, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and Benny Safdie.
Before The Odyssey sails onto our theatrical shores, another Damon-led adaptation, albeit one that was first released almost three decades ago, is a surprise streaming hit. The 1997 adaptation of John Grisham‘s novel The Rainmaker starred the likes of Damon, Mickey Rourke, Danny DeVito, Dean Stockwell, Jon Voight, and more, and was the legendary Francis Ford Coppola‘s last movie of the 21st century. The movie was a hit with critics, returning almost universal positive praise and even earning a Golden Globe nomination. At the time of writing, The Rainmaker is one of the ten most-streamed movies on the free streaming site Tubi in the U.S. The timing feels appropriate, given that one of TV’s best legal thrillers, The Lincoln Lawyer, was just cancelled by Netflix.
‘The Rainmaker’ Disappointed at the Box Office
Despite featuring an eye-catching cast and being based on a popular novel, The Rainmaker ultimately underperformed at the box office. Against a reported budget of $40 million, the movie earned just over $45 million worldwide, which was particularly disappointing, given that another Grisham adaptation, 1993’s The Firm, earned more than $230 million worldwide against a similar budget. Of course, The Firm benefited from a Tom Cruise at the peak of his powers in the lead role, as opposed to a fresh-faced Damon.
The Rainmaker is streaming for free on Tubi. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for all the latest streaming news.
- Release Date
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November 18, 1997
- Runtime
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135 minutes
- Director
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Francis Ford Coppola
Ariel Winter and Luke Benward have called it quits after almost six years together.
People reported on Thursday, May 14, that Winter, 28, and Benward, 31, quietly split in August 2025.
Taking to the comments section of an Instagram post shared by People about the news, Winter confirmed the breakup and added that the pair still have an amicable relationship despite going their separate ways.
“He’s still one of my best friends, a great human being and a great pup coparent,” she wrote. “Just because sometimes people aren’t meant to be doesn’t mean you don’t still appreciate the time spent and retain the friendship you shared … still a big luke fan over here!!!”
From the beginning, fans fell in love with the cast of Modern Family — but they sure have changed over the past 13 years. When the series debuted, many of the cast members were so young that they ultimately grew up on screen. “There’s definitely one season for me when I hit puberty right when […]
Us Weekly has reached out to Winter and Benward’s respective spokespersons for comment.
The Modern Family alum and Benward were first romantically linked in 2019, transitioning their once-platonic bond.
“You start with the attraction, and then you get the connection, and then you’re like, ‘OK, can I be friends with this person? Do I like this person?’” Benward exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2025. “We were already way past that. [Then] COVID hit, and it was just like, let’s dive in headfirst and see how this goes. And it went great.”
At the time, Winter gushed that she was proud her relationship had withstood a pandemic lockdown.
“We know a lot of COVID divorces, COVID babies, [but] not many COVID-strong relationships, but we’re happy to be one,” she quipped. “We’re proud to represent for the COVID-strong relationships.”
Winter and Benward also shared the screen in last year’s Don’t Log Off, telling Us that they were hopeful to have even more collaborations down the line.
“Well, we have obviously what you would expect a relationship to unfold as planned in the next five years,” the former Disney Channel star told Us. “And then, this is the start of the journey for us of producing together, which we’ve really enjoyed. We have this movie, and then we did a short that went really well.”
Young Hollywood royalty! Ariel Winter rose to fame on ABC’s beloved sitcom Modern Family, but her role as Alex Dunphy was hardly her first go-round. By the time the Virginia native landed the role of Phil (Ty Burrell) and Julie Dunphy’s (Julie Bowen) middle child, she had already appeared in shows including ER, Bones, Nip/Tuck […]
He added, “We just worked really well together. We compliment each other well professionally. We have a cooking show that we’re putting together that we’re going to be pitching.”
Benward further shared how he was a fan of Winter’s solo Hollywood endeavors.
“She won’t let me watch Modern Family with her. But sometimes I turn it on just to mess with her,” he quipped, referring to Winter’s role as daughter Alex Dunphy on the long-running sitcom. “I just love [Alex’s dad] Phil Dunphy. He never misses.”
Winter, for her part, clarified that she never banned Benward from watching Modern Family — just without her. Even so, the duo had long shared relationship highlights via social media.
“Happy 26th to the most special man that gives me alllllllll the feels allllllllllll the time. I love you. I am beyond grateful for you,” Winter wrote via Instagram in 2021. “I feel incredibly lucky to spend each day together enjoying the great days and working through the tough days that we can’t go at alone. You’ve been my safe space and guiding light through all of the tough days this past year — thankful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. Obviously you are ridiculously handsome, but how ridiculously caring, smart, funny, empathetic, kind, talented and devoted you are to who and what you love is the most attractive.”
Winter previously dated Levi Meaden for three years before their 2019 breakup.
So you think you’ve seen every Netflix original the streamer has to offer. Well, no, you haven’t. Between the algorithm-driven churn, the relentless release schedule, and the platform’s habit of canceling shows before they find their audience, plenty of underrated Netflix shows end up slipping through the cracks.
In fact, some of the streamer’s best original series are still waiting to be queued up. We’re talking hidden gems that don’t fall apart in the final season and well-lit prestige storytelling you can actually see. Of these forgotten Netflix shows that are perfect from start to finish, each one, regardless of genre or popularity, offers a flawless binge-watching experience from the first episode to the series finale.
‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015–2022)
Based on Bernard Cornwell‘s Saxon Stories novels, The Last Kingdom chronicles the formation of England through the eyes of a Saxon-raised Dane named Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon) navigating loyalty, identity, and an endless series of kingly coronations and the religious upheavals that come with them. A historical action series that goes hard on the action — if you were to play a drinking game tied to the number of battles per episode, we’d worry about your liver after just one season — the show’s also got a cast that never lacks chemistry with Emily Cox, David Dawson, Ian Hart, and Mark Rowley.
It never quite got the prestige television conversation it deserved, possibly because it looked like Game of Thrones bait when it premiered. However, it outlasted the show it was compared to and finished on its own terms with a feature film that did Dreymon’s character justice.
‘The Society’ (2019)
We’ll be upfront here and admit that, despite how fun The Society is, it only lasted one season, which means its story is permanently unresolved. Netflix renewed it, then reversed course during the pandemic, so you’ll be ending on a cliffhanger should you take this one on. That said, you absolutely should watch this series because it happens to be one of the most underrated pieces of young adult science fiction streaming right now. It centers on a group of teenagers from a wealthy New England town who return from a cancelled school trip to find their entire community emptied of every adult and cut off from the outside world, with no explanation and no rescue coming.
With no one to defer to and limited resources, they have to either build a society from scratch or, you know, embrace the chaos. (A bunch of horny, rebellious young adults? We wonder which they’ll choose?) The show has a slew of young Hollywood talent — names like Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Kristine Froseth, and Rachel Keller — and a truly compelling premise that it wrings for every thrill and shocking twist you could hope for.
‘Godless’ (2017)
Scott Frank‘s seven-episode Western limited series is one of the most purely cinematic things ever made for television. Set in 1880s New Mexico, Godless has the scope of a dusty theatrical epic with a fascinating based-on-a-true story plot line to match. The show follows an outlaw named Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell) who flees his former gang and takes refuge in La Belle, a mining town whose population is almost entirely women after a catastrophic accident killed most of its men. His arrival makes the town a target, but the women of La Belle have no intention of becoming victims.
Jeff Daniels, Merritt Weaver, Scoot McNairy, and Michelle Dockery are all at the top of their game here. The finale, in particular, is an extended action sequence that rivals anything the genre has ever produced.
‘GLOW’ (2017–2019)
Set in the world of 1980s women’s wrestling, GLOW is a show about performance, reinvention, failure, and the specific experience of being a woman trying to make something of yourself inside a system that wasn’t built for you. Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin are extraordinary as Ruth and Debbie, former best friends with too much water under the bridge to traverse working together in the ring. And they’re joined by a ragtag group of outcasts (played by some severely underrated talent) managed by Marc Maron‘s Sam, a washed-up producer with an opportunistic streak.
The writing is sharp and filled with jokes, the period detail is impeccable, and the fact that Netflix cancelled it one day before the cast was due to begin filming its fourth and final season is one of the streaming era’s cruelest cancellations. Still, the three seasons of near-perfect television we did get weren’t really diminished by the streaming platform’s lack of vision.
‘Marco Polo’ (2014–2016)
In the early 2010s, everyone was chasing HBO’s Game of Thrones coattails, which is likely why Netflix dropped an absurd amount of resources into this sweeping historical drama chronicling Venetian explorer Marco Polo’s (Lorenzo Richelmy) time at the court of Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong). The result is one of the most visually lavish things the streamer has ever produced — an intricate, morally complex political drama wrapped in gorgeous fight choreography and stunning Central Asian landscapes.
It was expensive, ambitious, and ahead of its time, especially for a Netflix original series, which is probably why it got cancelled. What remains is two seasons of genuinely exceptional television that hold up better now than they ever got credit for.
‘Maniac’ (2018)
Cary Joji Fukunaga directing. Patrick Somerville writing. Jonah Hill and Emma Stone in the lead roles. A limited series that mashes up pharmaceutical dystopia, dream logic, and genre parody, all in one heart-pounding psychological thriller. What more could you want? Maniac is one of the strangest, most formally daring things Netflix has ever greenlit, a show that changes aesthetics from episode to episode while somehow maintaining a coherent narrative throughline.
The episode in which Hill and Stone find themselves inside a bizarre, ’80s-set thriller — complete with a con, a lemur, and a mistaken-identity caper — is a peak example of the show’s ability to be hilarious and heartbreaking within the same 30 minutes. It was too weird to market when it landed nearly a decade ago, which meant most people never found it. Their loss.
‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)
This 2015 sci-fi series is the Wachowskis swinging for the fences on a global scale. The show follows eight strangers across eight cities, all psychically linked and hunted by a shadowy organization while discovering what it means to truly share consciousness with another person. Sense8 is maximalist in every sense: emotional, inclusive, ambitious, and expensive. There’s a Season 1 sequence in which all eight sensates — scattered across the globe — simultaneously experience 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up,” cutting between their separate worlds in a moment of pure collective joy, which kind of serves as a thesis statement for what the show would end up being.
Netflix, not knowing what they had, cancelled it, then reversed course after some online fan outrage, ultimately delivering a feature-length finale that gave the story the ending it deserved. The complete run is a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that’s utterly unlike anything else on the platform. Treat yourself to a watch soon.
‘Bodyguard’ (2018)
Richard Madden plays war-veteran-turned-protection-officer, David Budd, who’s assigned to guard a politician he despises in Jed Mercurio‘s propulsive, tightly wound political thriller. Bodyguard, which also stars Sophie Rundle and Keeley Hawes, unfolds over six episodes of nearly unbearable tension, with a central performance from Madden that should’ve convinced the world he could do more than traipse around Winterfell in thick furs.
The British drama is a masterclass in sustained dread with an extended train sequence in which Budd talks a suicide bomber down from detonating her vest, that doubles as one of the most gripping cold opens in recent television history. Every episode after only raises those life-or-death stakes. Nothing is wasted here, and the finale delivers in a way that feels earned rather than convenient.
‘Sex Education’ (2019–2023)
Sex Education used the trappings of the British teen comedy to do something radical for its time: treat adolescent sexuality, identity, and emotional confusion with intelligence and compassion, without ever becoming preachy about it. Asa Butterfield plays Otis Milburn, a sexually inexperienced teenager whose mother is a renowned sex therapist. Armed with secondhand knowledge and a knack for giving advice he can’t follow himself, he starts an underground sex therapy clinic at his British high school and things spiral magnificently outward from there.
The show introduced a fresh batch of talent from across the pond when it dropped, names that included Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee Lou Wood, and Emma Mackey, with TV vet Gillian Anderson doing brilliantly restrained comedic work as Otis’ mom, Jean. It ran four seasons, said everything it needed to say, and ended with grace. In the landscape of streaming television where shows are either cancelled too soon or run until the goodwill is gone, that kind of clean, complete arc is genuinely rare.
‘Dead to Me’ (2019–2022)
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are two of the most underrated performers of their generation, and Dead to Me is the show that proved it beyond any reasonable doubt. A dark comedy about grief, guilt, and the kind of female friendship that can survive almost anything — including murder — it threads a needle that almost no show manages. Applegate plays a sharp-edged widow named Jen, still raw after her husband’s hit-and-run death, who forms an unlikely friendship with Judy (Cardellini), a warm, eccentric, seemingly guileless woman she meets at a grief support group.
There is, of course, a secret. Several, in fact. And fans learn them, often before the characters do, across three seasons that are devastating, surprising, and laugh-out-loud funny, often all at the same time. With a finale that more than sticks the landing, this is a show worth pouring your weekend into.
Dead to Me
- Release Date
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2019 – 2022-00-00
- Showrunner
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Liz Feldman
- Directors
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Liz Feldman
- Writers
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Liz Feldman
Television has always been a powerful vehicle for social development, sparking difficult yet important conversations and challenging long-held beliefs. That’s not an easy thing for everyone to handle, and this aspect of TV has caused polarized reactions for almost as long as the medium has existed. It’s a tricky situation, but in many cases, the controversies also end up becoming the selling points of the shows in question, bringing them recognition from a wider audience.
Some shows do cause controversy by playing up traumatic situations for shock value, but the majority of these series are truly groundbreaking productions that make crucial points about society. Interestingly enough, many of the most controversial shows over the years (the good ones, at least) have been comedies that used humor as a medium to communicate progressive ideas. Without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of some of the most divisive shows of all time, including both landmark classics and more modern fare.
1
‘13 Reasons Why’ (2017–2020)
Based on Jay Asher’s eponymous 2007 novel, 13 Reasons Why is a teen drama series that stars Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford as Clay Jensen and Hannah Baker, both students at the fictional Liberty High School. Two weeks after Hannah’s death by suicide, Clay finds a box of cassette tapes she left behind detailing the reasons why she chose to kill herself. Developed by Brian Yorkey and executive produced by Selena Gomez, the series also stars Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Justin Prentice, Miles Heizer, Ross Butler, and more in key roles.
13 Reasons Why’s premise alone was a reason for controversy when it first premiered on Netflix in 2017, but it proved to be a popular watch among streaming audiences, becoming Netflix’s second-most-watched series at the time. The show’s first season was praised by critics and audiences for its themes, emotional depth, character development, and performance, but it was also criticized by mental health professionals and some viewers for its graphic depictions of suicide, sexual assault, and bullying. Subsequent seasons received significantly more negative reviews, especially for a brutal depiction of sexual assault at the end of Season 2.
2
‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ (1993–2011)
An adult-animated sitcom, Beavis and Butt-Head was created by Mike Judge, who also voices the titular teenage slackers. The show follows its apathetic, unintelligent, and decidedly lowbrow stars as they find themselves on various misadventures and watch a lot of music videos (their favorites are hard rock and heavy metal). Judge voices most of the characters, but Tracy Grandstaff, Kristofer Brown, and Toby Huss also star.
Beavis and Butt-Head was a massive hit on MTV in the ’90s, with its title characters becoming pop culture icons to Gen X while also drawing conservative criticism for their alleged impact on adolescents. For a while, the show was blamed for practically any sort of violent incident involving children and young adults, but that didn’t stop it from having a successful seven-season run. And though the original series ended in 1997, the show has had two revivals, in 2011 and 2022, and was adapted into two movies, Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) and Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe (2022).
3
‘Murphy Brown’ (1988–1999)
Created by Diane English, Murphy Brown is a sitcom that stars Candice Bergen as the titular character, a famous investigative journalist and news anchor. Set in Washington, D.C., the show follows Murphy’s life as the star reporter of a television news magazine series, where she and her co-workers inevitably end up at each other’s throats. Besides Bergen, the series also stars Faith Ford, Pat Corley, Charles Kimbrough, Robert Pastorelli, Joe Regalbuto, Grant Shaud, and more in lead roles.
Murphy Brown’s original run lasted 10 seasons, airing 247 episodes from 1988 to 1998, and it ruffled a lot of feathers over that decade. Like its protagonist, the show was never scared to address complex issues, no matter how much it infuriated some sections of society. Its most notable controversy erupted during the 1991-1992 season, during which Murphy became pregnant and decided to raise the child as a single mother. As divisive as it was in its day, Murphy Brown is now hailed as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and a 13-episode revival premiered on CBS in 2018.
4
‘Euphoria’ (2019–Present)
Created by Sam Levinson, Euphoria is a psychological teen drama based on the eponymous Israeli miniseries. The show follows a group of high school students as they struggle to navigate drugs, love, and social media. Zendaya leads the ensemble cast as Rue Bennett, a teenage drug addict struggling to get sober and navigate life after rehab. Other main cast members include Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, and Colman Domingo, among others.
Ever since its premiere in June 2019, Euphoria has generated acclaim and criticism alike. The criticisms have been largely about the amount of nudity and sexual content, which some critics find excessive and problematic, considering it’s supposed to be a high school show with teenage characters. Despite the backlash, however, the show enjoys a sizable following and has earned consistent praise for its cinematography and performances. The series has also received several accolades, winning Zendaya two Emmy Awards, a Critics’ Choice Television Award, and a Golden Globe.
5
‘Maude’ (1972–1978)
Created by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, Maude is a TV sitcom that was the first spin-off of All in the Family. Bea Arthur stars as the outspoken, politically liberal title character, who lives in suburban New York with her fourth husband, Walter Findlay (Bill Macy). Besides Arthur and Macy, the show also stars Adrienne Barbeau, Conrad Bain, Rue McClanahan, Esther Rolle, Hermione Baddeley, J. Pat O’Malley, and Marlene Warfield in key roles.
Maude aired six seasons on the CBS network in the 1970s, developing a sizable fan following. Though primarily a topical comedy, the show incorporated a lot of dark humor and drama as well, which attracted controversy. The series became a national talking point in 1972, when it showed Maude deciding to have an abortion in the two-part episode “Maude’s Dilemma,” which aired two months before the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country. And that was just the first season. Later storylines deal with more taboo themes of its time, like suicide, drug abuse, and alcoholism.
6
‘Skins’ (2007–2013)
Euphoria is hardly the first show to explore the sex lives of teenagers. Created by father-son duo Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, Skins is a British teen drama series that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, England, as they navigate dysfunctional families, mental illness, sexuality, gender, substance abuse, bullying, and even death. The show’s ensemble cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Hannah Murray, Joe Dempsie, Dev Patel, Daniel Kaluuya, April Pearson, Kaya Scodelario, and more.
At the time of its original broadcast in the late 2000s, Skins was, depending on your perspective, either the most infamous or most revolutionary show on British television. While its mature themes attracted controversy, it was also praised by critics and fans for its accurate representation of the contemporary youth experience. The show launched a number of careers and has developed into a cult favorite, and though it originally ended in 2010, a special seventh and final season was released in 2013.
7
‘Dear White People’ (2017–2021)
Created by Justin Simien, Dear White People is a comedy-drama series based on Simien’s eponymous 2014 film. A continuation of the film’s story, characters, and themes, the show follows a group of black college students at a fictional Ivy League institution, exploring modern American race relations from a critical progressive perspective. Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, Antoinette Robertson, John Patrick Amedori, Ashley Blaine Featherson, Marque Richardson, Jemar Michael, and Courtney Sauls star as lead characters, with recurring roles played by Giancarlo Esposito, DJ Blickenstaff, Caitlin Carver, Ally Maki, and more.
Dear White People caused quite a stir even before its premiere, with the trailer attracting angry responses from certain social media users who felt the show was racist towards white people. Ironically, the backlash brought the series wider recognition, and it also proved the show’s point in many ways. The series is undeniably provocative and smartly funny — an entertaining work of social commentary that asks hard questions and contemplates difficult answers.
8
‘South Park’ (1997–Present)
Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park is an animated sitcom that revolves around the misadventures of four foul-mouthed boys in and around South Park, Colorado. Parker and Stone also voice the four leads, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, and the series follows their bizarre stories, satirizing practically everything. The show’s voice cast also includes Mary Kay Bergman, Isaac Hayes, Eliza Schneider, Mona Marshall, April Stewart, and Adrien Beard.
Being divisive and infamous is basically what South Park is all about. The show has been controversial ever since its premiere in 1997, and today, over 20 seasons later, it’s still as dark, provocative, and unfiltered as ever. The series regularly draws criticism from both conservative and liberal members of society, which has done nothing to bring down its acclaim in the eyes of critics and fans. The show has also earned numerous accolades, including five Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. An Academy Award-nominated movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, was released in 1999.
- Release Date
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August 13, 1997
- Network
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Comedy Central
- Directors
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Adrien Beard
- Writers
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David A. Goodman, Nancy M. Pimental, Kenny Hotz, Philip Stark, Dave Weasel, Dan Sterling, Susan Hurwitz Arneson, Trisha Nixon, David R. Goodman, Tim Talbott, Pam Brady, Robert Lopez, Dani Michaeli, Kyle McCulloch, Karey Dornetto, Jonathan Kimmel, Jane Bussmann
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I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I’m done wearing clingy clothes the second temperatures creep above 70 degrees. The minute I start feeling bloated, sweaty or overly aware of every seam digging into my body, I reach for loose, breezy dresses — and this flowy style may be the best one I’ve found lately. As a shopping editor, it’s practically my duty to implore you to buy multiple colors, because this look is currently 30% off!
What immediately sold me on this layerable style was the silhouette. It has that easy, oversized drape that skims over the stomach instead of clinging to it, plus roomy sleeves that soften the look around the arms and bra line. Basically, it’s the kind of dress I throw on when I want to feel comfortable first but still look like I put in effort.
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I’ve tried plenty of loose dresses that end up looking shapeless in person, but this one still has enough structure to feel polished. The lightweight fabric moves easily without feeling flimsy, and the relaxed fit makes it ideal for everything from running errands to casual dinners to long travel days when wearing hard pants feels offensive.
Fall is around the corner, which means cozy weekends, crisp air and yes — a little extra indulging. Pumpkin spiced lattes and apple cider donuts are basically the ultimate fall foods but with them comes inevitable bloating. Luckily, this season’s flowy fall dresses make it easy to look slim and stylish. From draped wrap styles […]
Another thing I appreciate? I don’t have to ‘prepare’ my body for it. No shapewear, no sucking in, no adjusting straps every five seconds. The roomy cut naturally disguises bloating and belly fullness, while the looser upper half smooths over bra bulge in a way fitted dresses just don’t.
One shopper said the dress was “lays nicely” and “doesn’t cling,” especially around the midsection. Another reviewer shared that they loved the “comfortable fit” and get “lots of compliments” when they wear it.
At 30% off, this feels like exactly the kind of low-maintenance staple worth adding before peak sticky-weather season hits. If your closet could use one easy dress that feels comfortable the second you put it on, this is it.
Get the Anrabess V-Neck Midi Dress for $28 (originally $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more loose-fitting dresses and breezy spring styles on Amazon, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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