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The Perfect ‘Gilmore Girls’ Replacement Is This Cozy 15-Year-Old Small-Town Drama on Prime Video

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Rachel Bilson pouting on a bed in Hart of Dixie 

If Gilmore Girls is your go-to comfort show, for all its quirky townsfolk and light-hearted romances, then one of CW’s most underrated shows, Hart of Dixie, is for you. It has all the hallmarks of a feel-good, small-town drama, and may even take it further than Gilmore Girls with its oddball locals and bizarre town festivities.

At the time, the show also marked the return of The OC‘s Rachel Bilson to the screen, as she leads the story alongside a host of talented cast members. Hart of Dixie aired its fourth and final season in 2015, but it is still worthwhile cozying up to for your next small-town escapism.

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What Is ‘Hart of Dixie’ About?

Rachel Bilson pouting on a bed in Hart of Dixie 
Rachel Bilson pouting on a bed in Hart of Dixie
Image via The CW

Bilson plays Zoe Hart, a doctor who learns that her dad isn’t actually blood-related and that her late biological father had left his medical practice for her in the small fictional town of Bluebell, Alabama. She moves from the Big Apple to take over his side of the private practice and meets a range of eccentric and endearing characters, including her dad’s confrontational former business partner Brick Leeland (Tim Matheson), his Rachel McAdams of a daughter Lemon (Jaime King), and Zoe’s soon-to-be best friend, roommate, and mayor of the town, Lavon (Cress Williams). Of course, it would be remiss not to mention the variety of love interests, like Lemon’s swoonworthy fiancé George (Scott Porter) or Zoe’s prickly neighbor Wade (Wilson Bethel).

One of the most underrated things that makes a small-town drama so likable is the dearth of themed festivals that go on. There are the standard Christmas, Halloween, and Founder’s Day activities, but in Bluebell, we also get unique versions of classic holidays. Instead of Thanksgiving, Hart of Dixie introduces Planksgiving, a pirate-themed debacle where family, friends, and love are the real treasure. Or the annual Miss Cinnamon Cider Pageant, another iteration of the small-town Harvest Queen tradition. These episodes build on the playful appeal of the idyllic setting while providing us with ample laughs and cozy moments.

Like many small-town dramas, you do have to suspend your disbelief while watching Hart of Dixie. The town of Bluebell has all the charm of Stars Hollow, but it is slightly more insulated from some of the painful social and cultural context of America’s South. We’re more aware of this small bubble since the Southern accents are pronounced, but it also emphasizes the show’s goal of being a comforting oasis in the maelstrom of modern life. It has no qualms about being unrealistic in its pursuit of whimsy, but that doesn’t make it any less sincere.

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‘Hart of Dixie’s Characters and Romance Make It Worth Watching

Initially, Hart of Dixie can be accused of being overly saccharine or fantastical, but as the episodes progress, the show develops an underlying emotional nuance and maturity that grounds and complements the absurdity of it all. Bilson is at the heart of this, as she performs her role with quick wit and increasing vulnerability that makes Zoe easy to root for throughout the four seasons. She also shares riveting on-screen chemistry with all her co-stars, including the rare friendship between a man and woman that doesn’t cross any boundaries and remains as dependable as ever. (Lavon himself is a riot as the town’s mayor and ex-NFL player.) Zoe is also at the center of an obligatory small-town love triangle, one that stretches will-they-won’t-they to the limit in the most deliciously dramatic way, while still being nuanced with ideas of compatibility and timing.

Lorelai and Rory in the carriage in Gilmore Girls


Lauren Graham’s Idea for a ‘Gilmore Girls’ Revival Absolutely Works, But It Has To Address This Major Storyline

We’re going to need an answer to that cliffhanger, Lauren.

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Outside of Zoe’s amicable relationships is her rival, Lemon, who undergoes one of the best redemption arcs in the show. She begins as a stereotypical mean girl who is territorial about her town, but grows into a more multifaceted character. Without spoiling anything, Lemon’s arc is foreshadowed beautifully, and she learns to be part of the community in a meaningful way. Much of her appeal comes down to King’s performance, as she never loses sight of Lemon’s inherent ferocity and ambition but allows her to evolve into something more interesting, almost reminiscent of Emily (Kelly Bishop) in Gilmore Girls.

Hart of Dixie has all the ingredients that make a cozy small-town drama successful, so it’s a shame that it has been lost to time. Between the oddity that is Bluebell and the fun mishaps that manifest between the characters, this show is the perfect way to distract yourself from the daily humdrum that is life.


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Hart of Dixie
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Release Date

2011 – 2015-00-00

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Network

The CW

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Directors

Tim Matheson

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Meet the hunks hoping to harvest a happily ever after on “Farmer Wants a Wife” season 4 (exclusive)

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The plows and hoes will have to wait — the search for love has begun.

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Brandi Glanville Defends Jill Zarin Amid Halftime Comments Fallout

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Brandi Glanville at Andy's Legends Ball Red Carpet at BravoCon

Brandi Glanville is standing by Jill Zarin‘s side after the latter faced consequences for slamming Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.

The drama began after the Puerto Rican rapper headlined this year’s halftime show in Spanish, leaving many upset over the lack of English songs. “The Real Housewives of New York City” alum was among those who criticized his performance.

Following her scathing review of Bad Bunny’s show, Jill Zarin was removed from an upcoming reunion show. Brandi Glanville recently reacted to her pal’s termination, stressing that people shouldn’t be punished for having different opinions.

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Brandi Glanville Slams Jill Zarin’s Firing Over Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show

Brandi Glanville at Andy's Legends Ball Red Carpet at BravoCon
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Glanville shared her thoughts on Zarin’s removal from the upcoming E! show “The Golden Life” in a recent X post. She started off by declaring her love for Bad Bunny, claiming she wanted to become “his Mrs. Robinson.”

Glanville added that she enjoyed his halftime performance, declaring that the show “rocked,” but it wasn’t a good enough reason to punish her friend, Zarin. The TV personality noted that Zarin was entitled to her own opinion, which she did not agree with; however, “opinions aren’t wrong, they’re subjective.”

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“I want to watch Jill on TV explain herself & hopefully learn something. Or we can just keep watching ‘yes people’ afraid to share,” Glanville concluded. Her words divided fans in the comments, with some agreeing with Glanville while others argued that Zarin’s words were offensive.

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The Former Bravolebrity’s Stance Sparked Mixed Reactions

Jill on the red carpet
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In the supportive corner, one fan agreed with Glanville that Zarin had simply shared her opinion on Bad Bunny’s performance. “She didn’t say anything offensive. You’all act like she ate babies….oh wait…you people think that’s ok. Grow up,” the X user argued.

“Brandi, you’re my girl. Completely feel the same way,” another supporter chimed in. A third agreed with Zarin’s stance, claiming they also disliked Bad Bunny’s halftime show because it was in Spanish. On the other hand, critics slammed both Glanville and Zarin, stressing that there was no room for racism.

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“Nah, there’s lines and Jill’s tirade crossed them,” an X user stressed. “It went beyond opinion when she stated ‘there were no white people,’” another displeased fan pointed out. A third echoed similar sentiments, noting that “Freedom of speech isn’t freedom from consequences.”

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How The Reality TV Star Reacted To Her Exit

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Glanville’s reaction to Zarin’s termination follows the latter’s comments about her exit. While speaking to In Touch, Zarin argued that she wasn’t given a chance to clear her name. “I took it down right away. People make mistakes. I’m human,” she said about the since-deleted controversial post.

A source told the outlet that there were many rooting for Zarin’s return to the show, claiming, “Everyone on the Internet is up in arms because they love Jill and were finally getting her back.” The source also slammed E! for removing Zarin from the show, declaring:

“Jill will be back — this won’t keep her down. People love her. That will never change.”

The Production Company Behind ‘The Golden Life’ Confirmed The Entertainer’s Exit

Jill Zarin, RHONY
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Zarin’s reaction to her exit from the upcoming reunion show follows the confirmation of her removal from the E! program. The Blast covered the story, reporting that the production company in charge of the reunion show announced the news in a statement.

Although Blink49 Studios did not highlight which part of Zarin’s comments had triggered her removal from the upcoming show, they stressed that it played a key part in her exit. “We remain committed to delivering the series in line with our company standards and values,” the production company added.

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As stated, Zarin had a major problem with Bad Bunny’s Spanish performance, complaining in a since-deleted Instagram post that she could not understand a word of it. She also labeled it “the worst halftime show ever” and found it inappropriate that the rapper kept grabbing his crotch during his performance.

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New Nancy Guthrie Note, Sender Demands 1 Bitcoin for Info On Kidnapping Suspect

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New Note Demands 1 Bitcoin to Rat Out Suspect

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Why Chris Hemsworth felt 'a lot more self-conscious' acting with MCU costar Mark Ruffalo in “Crime 101”

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“That kind of lent itself to what my character was supposed to be feeling in that moment, so it really helped,” Hemsworth says.

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Snowboarder Jiayu Liu Crashes During Olympics Halfpipe Run, on Video

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Snowboarder Jiayu Liu Crashes Out, Exits on Stretcher

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Olympian’s Ex-Girlfriend Responds To On-Air Cheating Confession

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Ex-GF Responds to Live Confession
… ‘It’s Hard to Forgive’

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Matthew McConaughey’s Valentine’s Day Plans Include No Pants And A Horse

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Fuzzy's Party Pants Margarita

Matthew McConaughey and Camila McConaughey are skipping the candlelit dinners and prix-fixe menus this Valentine’s Day, and instead, they’re going full Texas. The couple marked the holiday by quite literally riding bareback, a moment captured in a cheeky new photo tied to their tequila brand, Pantalones Organic Tequila. The image is officially dubbed the “Official Tequila of Riding Bareback,” a title that fits perfectly within the brand’s ongoing Official Tequila Of campaign, which thrives on humor and not taking life too seriously.

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Matthew McConaughey’s Party Pants Margaritas Take Over Valentine’s Day

Fuzzy's Party Pants Margarita
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

For fans looking to channel that same energy without hopping on a horse, Pantalones is also rolling out a Valentine’s Day-friendly option nationwide at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.

The brand has partnered with the casual chain to offer the Party Pants Marg, a two-flavor margarita flight served in a duo-legged “pants” cup. Each “leg” holds a different flavor, letting guests mix and match mango, strawberry, or lime.

Designed for sharing and priced at $14.50, the colorful drink is very much on-brand. Fun, customizable, and made to be enjoyed without overthinking it.

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Matthew McConaughey’s Fun-First Tequila Is Racking Up Awards

Matthew McConaughey and Camila McConaughey ride horses bareback
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That fun-first philosophy has been central to Pantalones since day one. Back in 2025, Matthew McConaughey spoke openly about why the brand intentionally steers away from the traditional, heritage-heavy approach common in the spirits world. “A lot of brands out there lean into heritage or mystique,” Matthew told Variety at the time. “We leaned into having fun. We’re organic and award-winning, but we’re also lighthearted and have an irreverent energy that invites people in.”

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Despite the playful branding, the quality speaks for itself. In under two years, Pantalones has built an impressive awards résumé, including a major win at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where its Añejo tequila earned Double Gold, outperforming several long-established brands with significantly higher price tags.

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Camila Alves McConaughey Says Major Win Proves Pantalones Was Built To Compete

Matthew McConaughey and Camila McConaughey with drinks
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Camila Alves McConaughey said the recognition validated the mission she and Matthew set from the start.

“We’re incredibly proud of this win!” Camila shared. “From the beginning, Matthew and I set out to create an organic tequila that didn’t just taste great. It had to stand tall next to the best of the best. We believe great quality should be accessible, and this award is a nod to that mission.”

And Camila’s involvement goes far beyond being a co-founder in name. While Matthew brings the big-picture ideas and unmistakable branding flair, Camila is deeply embedded in the business itself, working hands-on with logistics, supply chain management, and day-to-day operations to keep the brand running smoothly.

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“Fortunately, this isn’t my first time starting a business,” she said last year. “But it’s the first time for Matthew, and we’ve gone face forward in this together. I thrive working on accounts, logistics, the numbers, and the behind-the-scenes business side of things.”

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A Milestone Moment On The High Seas

Matthew Mcconaughey and Camila at Star Princess Naming Ceremony
John Shearer for Princess Cruises

Beyond tequila wins and cheeky campaigns, one of Matthew and Camila McConaughey’s biggest accomplishments last year came on the open ocean. In November, the couple stepped into an iconic role as godparents of Star Princess, the newest and most innovative ship from Princess Cruises.

The McConaugheys officially christened the vessel, carrying on a centuries-old maritime tradition, with a very on-brand twist. Instead of breaking a bottle of champagne across the ship’s bow, Matthew and Camila used a bottle of their own Pantalones Organic Tequila to bless the ship.

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Arrive at Court for Mediation

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Arrive at Court for Mediation

Blake Lively has just walked into a New York City courtroom to face off with Justin Baldoni. The “It Ends With Us” costars have been in a legal war over alleged harassment. Story developing …

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Rob Gronkowski’s Girlfriend Is Campaigning For His ‘DWTS’ Debut

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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Celebrates the Launch of the 2022 Issue and Debut of Pay With Change at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Hollywood

Former professional football player Rob Gronkowski is drawing attention once again, not for football, but for a possible stint on reality TV. His longtime girlfriend, model and host Camille Kostek, enthusiastically expressed wanting to see her partner move on the dance floor.

Gronkowski retired from playing football a few years ago and now works as a sports analyst, but he is open to the idea of competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.

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Camille Kostek Wants Someone To ‘Pair Up’ With Rob Gronkowski

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Celebrates the Launch of the 2022 Issue and Debut of Pay With Change at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Hollywood
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On February 10, Page Six caught up with Kostek, who has been with Gronkowski for more than 10 years, at a Super Bowl party where she was asked whether she wanted him to participate on “Dancing with the Stars.”

“I think that would be awesome for me; for him to have a little more rhythm, and a little bit more training,” she answered.

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Kostek said that she tries with Gronkowski, but having a professional dancer teach him would be amazing. “I think when we go out, it’ll be a lot more fun to dance together, and for him to do the lifts? Oh! Someone pair up with him,” the 33-year-old host said.

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Athletes And Former ‘DWTS’ Contestants Weighed In

Rob Gronkowski at Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy Party 2020
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Dancing with the Stars” has welcomed stars from various fields, including many athletes, and Page Six caught up with some of them to get their opinions on Gronkowski joining the show.

Rugby player Ilona Maher, who was the runner-up on season 33, said the former tight end would be “great” at it, adding, “I mean, I don’t know how well he moves his hips, but I think he would kill it. I’ll give him any tips.” Maher said that professional dancer Emma Slater would be a good partner for Gronkowski.

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Another athlete, former professional basketball player Dwight Howard, jokingly said he’s not sure if Gronkowski has the rhythm, but he didn’t discount his skills altogether. “He did good at football, I think he’ll do pretty good at dancing,” he stated. Howard also competed in season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars,” and he finished in 6th place.

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Rob Gronkowski Has Dance Moves

The public knows that Gronkowski has dance moves, although he could use a bit of training. As previously reported by The Blast, the former football player lit up the stage in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve 2025 by showing off his dance skills.

Gronkowski hosted the “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” broadcast alongside “Dancing with the Stars” host Julianne Hough, and they danced onstage to Tate McRae’s “Sports Car.”

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In the middle of the performance, however, the overenthusiastic Gronkowski lost his balance and slipped. Fortunately, he caught himself before faceplanting and did a goofy pose while on the floor. Hough posted the incident on TikTok, assuring fans that Gronkowski was fine, writing, he “tackled the stage” but was okay.

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The Athlete Said ‘DWTS’ Is ‘On The Plate’

Rob Gronkowski during Texans vs Buccaneers
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In an appearance on “TODAY” in January, Gronkowski said that since the dancing mishap, Hough has repeatedly asked him when he was joining the reality dance competition.

“‘Dancing with the Stars’ has always been on the plate, there’s no doubt about that,” he answered. What’s hindering him from competing, however, is scheduling during the football season. “When I feel like the time is right… Then I would do it,” he assured the hosts.

That wasn’t the first time Gronkowski showed interest in the dance show. In 2018, he attended Shaquille O’Neal’s Miami Music Week, where he showed off his moves and had a dance battle with O’Neal.

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According to Page Six, Gronkowski told guests at the party that he wanted to win “Dancing with the Stars” and boasted that he was the “best dancer in the NFL.”

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9 Killed, 25 Injured in Shooting at Canadian School and Home

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Canada Mass Shooting
9 People Killed in 2 Locations
Gunman Dead from ‘Self-Inflicted Injury’

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