Young and the Restless spoilers for the week of June 29th reveal things really heating up, we’re going to talk about Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) being kidnapped and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) absolutely terrified as his wife loses her sight and heads into high-risk surgery.

We’ve got the latest Y&R spoilers for the week of June 29th through July 3rd, including big things for Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters), also for Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) and several others.

Young and the Restless: Victor’s Terror and Nikki’s Crisis

First, let’s talk about why exactly Victor is so terrified. As we end the week on Friday’s episode, July Sweeps is already hitting hard. Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) is at the hospital with Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle), Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin), and Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) all gathered around her. Victor is there, too. Nikki’s eyesight is failing, and she’s honestly just scared to even open her eyes. But her husband’s there, hard hit, and Victor goes out in the hall to cry. He’s terrified for Nikki and feeling guilty as heck, of course.

So, Victor begins scrambling to get the top surgeon there as soon as possible. Seeing Nikki like this is tearing him in half, especially after how he’s treated her for the past many months. Nikki feels bad the kids are sitting at her bedside, but they all refuse to leave. And she finally tells them she’s glad they’re there. And Victoria and Claire admit that Victor knows what’s going on with her and is doing all he can to help, which surprises her.

Y&R Spoilers: Victor on a Mission & Nikki Worries about Nick

Claire and Victoria try to stop Victor from leaving the hospital, but he says he doesn’t want to stress Nikki out by being there and he needs to make sure that the surgeon gets there as soon as possible. But in the end, Victor promises Claire and Victoria that he will be back once he makes the arrangements to get the surgeon there to do her surgery as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Nikki’s worried that the stress of all this will affect Nick’s addiction recovery, and Victor calls Stephanie, who is with Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) and Lily Winters (Christel Khalil). So, on Friday, Nate’s telling Lily about Nikki’s health crisis, and Nate says the mass on Nikki’s optic nerve will be tricky to remove. And then Stephanie gets a call from the surgeon saying that they can be there that same day.

And then Victor shows up and he’s thrilled to hear the doctor can come and tells Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) that he will send his private jet to get the surgeon. Victor also calls Victoria to let her know the surgeon is flying in. And after Victor leaves, Lily, Nate, and Stephanie mention that Nikki and Victor are a true love story and they always reunite.

Young and the Restless: Race Against Time – Nikki’s Vision Fades

So, it turns out the surgeon may be too late because back at the hospital, Victoria tells Nikki, Nick and Claire that Victor has the surgeon flying in. But then, right as he walks in, Nikki cries out, “It’s too late. Her vision is gone. She’s blind.” And then next week, the doctor’s there and does the surgery on Nikki on Young and the Restless.

Plus we’ll have Victoria giving Victor the update that Nikki is finally out of surgery. And when Nick asks how it went, Victoria says it’s too soon to tell. So, we may see Nikki struggling with lost eyesight for a little while because it’s soapy and it’s sweeps, but I’m sure they won’t leave her permanently blind.

Young and Restless: Jack’s Dangerous Rescue Plan

Okay, now let’s flip over to Jack and Diane’s storyline with big stuff for both of them. At the end of this week, Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) and Jack are talking at Crimson Lights about breaking into Dr. Markham’s (Jere Burns) house where they are sure he’s keeping Diane. And Jack refuses adamantly to let Kyle do the break-in and says it has to be him who does it because Jack does not want Kyle at risk even though he really wants to be there for Diane.

So, the two men debate whether they can deal with Patty head-on and intimidate her, but Jack doesn’t think that’ll work. So, he wants Kyle to lure Markham out of the house so he can get in. And remember, Patty already warned Markham that Jack is going to be a problem. So, Kyle calls Markham and he leaves a voicemail and he tells him he saw his mom Diane through the window of his house and says Markham better call him back or Kyle is going to call the cops on him. So, Jack and Kyle figure that if Markham does call back, that’s confirmation that he really does have Diane.

Diane Plays Markham on Y&R

Meanwhile, back at Markham’s house, we have Diane accusing Markham of lying about Jack moving Patty in. And Markham keeps gaslighting, saying Jack has moved on. Meanwhile, Diane realizes Patty and Markham are working together against her. But Diane also wonders why Jack is playing along with Patty. So, Diane keeps playing Markham, and she fakes this big tearful breakdown, saying she was always Jack’s second choice. And then Diane again starts begging Markham to give her sleeping pills. Diane is sobbing and freaking out.

Young and the Restless: Patty’s Counter-Move and Jack’s Disappearance

And Markham steps out, listens to the voicemail from Kyle, and then Markham calls him back and denies having Diane. He says she’s in an institution, but won’t tell Kyle where. And Kyle says that he knows Markham’s lying and is going to show up with the cops. So he asks to meet Kyle in town, and he tells Markham, “Come to Crimson Lights.” So, the doctor tells Diane he’s going to go pick up her sedatives. And he goes.

Jack and Kyle are feeling pretty cocky about their plan. But once again, Patty is a step ahead of them because she was listening in and now she’s mad that they’re going behind her back and lying to get to Diane. So, we’ll find out next week if Markham shows up to actually meet Kyle. And he may not. But it looks like Patty or Markham are going to kidnap Jack because next week Kyle is asking Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) if she has heard from Jack today and Traci hasn’t heard from Jack and asks if something has happened. And if you remember, neither Traci nor Kyle are staying at the mansion because of Patty.

So Kyle tells Traci that Jack might be in real trouble. And I agree. I could see Patty stashing Jack somewhere like the Abbott Cabin or some other remote location and honestly drugging him. Patty is an unhinged lunatic with a twisted fixation on Jack. And of course, Victor brought her back to Genoa City, which is awful.

Young and Restless: Diane’s Seduction Strategy

So, next week, we have Diane continuing to play with Dr. Markham, and she asks him if there’s a psychological term for when a patient develops an attachment to their therapist. And he tells Diane it’s quite common. Now, that may be true, but twisted Markham says it’s a positive part of the process, and that is definitely not true. And it has me further convinced that guy is not a shrink at all and is some psych ward pal of Patty’s and the real Markham is either dead or locked in a padded room somewhere.

But Diane is unbothered and she leans into Markham acting like she likes the idea of her, you know, crushing on him. So, Diane gets really, really flirty next week and tells Markham that she’s really looking forward to their next session. And man, I just hope that he gives Diane those sleeping pills and she turns around and drugs Markham, ties him up, tortures answers out of him, and then escapes.

I think it’d be a nice twist if Diane was the one to actually rescue Jack than the other way around. Y&R is kicking it up big as July sweeps rolls on. Be sure you check out our complete weekly spoilers tomorrow, our prediction edition, our two-minute spoilers, and lots more coming soon.

Rather than sticking to traditional sci-fi, the best modern Star Trek series has since established itself as one that doesn’t limit its creativity and instead explores a range of completely unexpected genres. Set in the decade before Star Trek: The Original Series, the sci-fi experiment follows Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of Enterprise in the 23rd century. It premiered on Paramount+ on May 5, 2022, with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and soon became the most-watched original Star Trek series on the streamer over its first 90 days.

From creators Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, and Jenny Lumet, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is almost at its end after nearly five years of providing viewers with the ultimate franchise entertainment. The adventure drama is expected to conclude with Season 5, which has a shorter six-episode order with no exact premiere date — though it is expected to drop sometime in 2027. In the meantime, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds returns with Season 4 this summer and will comprise ten episodes like its predecessors.

When Does ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 4 Premiere?

The new season arrives in only four weeks, on July 23, 2026, globally on Paramount+, marking another highlight of the Star Trek franchise’s 60th anniversary year. New episodes will air every Thursday through the season finale on September 24, 2026. In anticipation, the service released an official trailer a few days ago, depicting an explosive chapter to come, which you can watch in the player above.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 will see the return of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s full crew, including Anson Mount as the confident Captain Christopher Pike; Rebecca Romijn as Pike’s second-in-command, Number One; and Ethan Peck as the legendary half-Vulcan, half-human Spock. Jess Bush, Christina Chong, and Celia Rose Gooding will also return, while recurring guest stars include Carol Kane as the eccentric Commander Pelia, who was first seen in the Season 2 premiere, “The Broken Circle,” and Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk, who first appeared in the Season 1 finale, “A Quality of Mercy.”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 arrives next month. Stay tuned at Collider for more!

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Release Date

2022 – 2027-00-00

Network

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Paramount+

Showrunner

Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman

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Directors

Dan Liu, Amanda Row, Maja Vrvilo, Akiva Goldsman, Dermott Downs, Eduardo Sánchez, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jonathan Frakes, Jordan Canning, Leslie Hope, Valerie Weiss, Sydney Freeland, Christopher J. Byrne, Rachel Leiterman

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Writers

Onitra Johnson

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Roomies, Remy Ma has social media doing a double take after a lighthearted moment with her daughter Reminisce Mackenzie turned into a full-on nail debate that had fans chiming in fast. The rapper and her mini-me hopped on a livestream together, but it was their playful back-and-forth that quickly stole the spotlight and got everyone weighing in.

RELATED: Chile! Claressa Shields Speaks On Papoose’s Whereabouts & Some Folks Are Dragging Remy Ma Into It (VIDEO)

Remy Ma & Reminisce Go Viral Over Nail Debate On Livestream

In clips obtained by LiveBitez, Remy Ma and Reminisce Mackenzie are seen sitting side by side as they interact with fans in real time. Reminisce asks viewers to comment “yes or no” on whether her nails are too long, while Remy doubles down, joking that her daughter’s nails are too long as she holds up her hands to show off her French tips. In another moment, Remy calls her daughter back into frame after noticing the chat buzzing about the nails, telling viewers they wanted to get a closer look while adding that her daughter’s natural nails are already long underneath and encouraging her growth.

Remy Ma And Daughter Go Toe-To-Toe Over Nail Length

The playful exchange continues in another clip where Remy compares her own nails to her daughter’s, asking her to place their pinky nails side by side so fans can see the difference. As she reads comments from the chat, Remy even co-signs some of the viewers saying her daughter’s nails are too long, agreeing with the sentiment while keeping the tone light and funny throughout the live session.

Fans Are Already Splitting And Picking Sides

Folks quickly ran to LiveBitez’s Instagram comment section after the clip surfaced, sharing mixed reactions to Remy Ma and her daughter’s nail debate. Some users are siding with Remy, saying baby girl’s nails are indeed too long. Others defended Reminisce, saying she gets a pass because she’s a sweetheart, while a few insisted that at the end of the day, Remy has the final say since she’s the mommy.

One Instagram user @itsaudrena_ added, “Its press ons 😂😂 but they are too long“

This Instagram user @djndahouse_ commented, “Lying used to be considered a cuss word when I was growing up🤷🏽‍♀️”

And, Instagram user @dareal_miranda1210 shared, “They’re too long for her age, but that’s her child. So her decision. 🤷🏾‍♀️”

Meanwhile Instagram user @bawg98 wrote, “Reminisce can get a pass because she’s not sassy or rude for her age and she’s my internet niece lol 🤪 😍😍😍😍”

While Instagram user @itsya_daddy5 joked, “She to grown 😂😂😂”

Then Instagram user @nijiavaughn added, “That little girl is so adorable.“

Finally, Instagram user @toyeast said, “Rem and her mini 😍”

RELATED: Recent Flicks Of Claressa Shields Have Internet Users Saying She’s “Copying” Remy Ma’s Aesthetic (PHOTOS)

When you watch a movie, the most important part about it is believing the actors. You could have a brilliant script and stunning cinematography, but if you don’t believe the people on screen, chances are something’s off. Now, when two characters are meant to be two characters in love, it is a must that the actors have chemistry. Nothing can kill a film, especially those in the romance genre, like actors with zero chemistry. While there could be 100 people in a room, and if 99 of them don’t believe in the characters, that one person likely has no taste or wasn’t paying attention.

The ten on-screen couples are prime examples of bad chemistry. Focusing on films where the two characters engage in a romantic entanglement, these examples nearly killed the film for good. Some just couldn’t tackle the material, others couldn’t put aside their ego to give their scene partner space, and then there are those whose off-screen woes made it to the big screen. Some of these actors could be on here multiple times; we’re keeping it to one entry per actor. We love love, but not when it turns out like these pairs.

10

Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes

‘Maid in Manhattan’ (2002)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Because of the one-film rule made for this list, we couldn’t put two Jennifer Lopez projects here. Sorry, Brett Goldstein. Rather, you’re welcome? While Netflix’s latest romcom, Office Romance, nearly stole this spot, there is no J.Lo romcom in which she had worse on-screen chemistry than in Maid in Manhattan. Lopez and Ralph Fiennes are great at what they do, respectively— Lopez in music and Fiennes in dramas— but as a romantic pair? Not so much. Based on a story by John Hughes under the pseudonym Edmond Dantés, the Wayne Wang-directed film follows Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a hardworking single mother and hotel maid in New York City. Her life changes when a handsome senatorial candidate, Christopher Marshall (Fiennes), mistakes her for a wealthy socialite after she is caught trying on a guest’s designer coat. A charade in class, Maid in Manhattan is a story about two people who are meant to form a genuine relationship, but everything on screen was all a facade.

There must be something about British men that Lopez has difficulty acting across from. The premise of the film stems from two individuals coming together from two different worlds. And Maid in Manhattan went full throttle on the premise. It was a mismatch of acting styles. Lopez was intended to play a woman of a considerably lower social class, yet the superstar pop star still shone through. As Marisa, she’s meant to present a pristine polish, but it was still J.Lo. Then, Fiennes, who is classically trained, brought that aura to the screen. While he’s notorious for playing romantic leads, such as in The English Patient, romcoms are a different beast. Another major hiccup in the filming was the off-camera drama. At the time of filming, Lopez was in the process of divorcing her former dancer, Cris Judd, while also having a secret romance with Ben Affleck. Acting is all about playing a part, but from those two to opposite Fiennes? It was never going to work. That said, Maid in Manhattan is a delightful guilty pleasure movie.

9

William Baldwin and Sharon Stone

‘Silver’ (1993)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The 1993 film Silver might be notorious for everything but the film itself. Based on Ira Levin‘s novel of the same name, Silver is an erotic thriller about a book editor, Carly Norris (Sharon Stone), who moves into a high-tech Manhattan apartment building only to discover it has a dark history of suspicious tenant deaths. She soon becomes entangled in a dangerous web of voyeurism and romance involving her mysterious neighbors: Zeke Hawkins (William Baldwin), a shy, handsome video game designer who is secretly the building’s owner and a hidden voyeur; and Jack Landsford (Tom Berenger), a burned-out, cynical crime novelist. Meant to be Stone’s highly anticipated follow-up to Basic Instinct, the film, amid significant rewrites, battled with the ratings board and a toxic off-screen dynamic, suffered greatly in its on-screen chemistry.

Erotic thrillers were truly all the rage in the ’90s. Once Basic Instinct flourished, every studio wanted the next best thing. Levin’s source material was there for it to happen, but the production of Silver was anything but clean. The MPAA originally gave the film an NC-17 rating, which forced the filmmakers to make extensive reshoots. The original killer was changed from Zeke to Jack because, if Zeke were the killer, it would have led to an immoral revelation from Carly, which did not screen well. But the most egregious part of production was the allegations that producer Robert Evans pressured Stone into having sex with Baldwin, arguing it would improve his acting and “save the movie.” Baldwin has refuted this, claiming Stone came on to him and he rejected her advances. Nevertheless, the two actors quickly developed mutual animosity, which affected their performance. The result was a painfully uncomfortable result that lacked any sexual intrigue. The tension was forced by two underdeveloped characters trying to find any semblance of connection. If there is anything going for the film, it lost every category it was nominated in at the Razzies. Something had to be worse: Indecent Proposal, another erotic drama.

8

Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey

‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ (2003)

Image via Paramount Pictures

What’s funny is that nearly twenty years later, Matthew McConaughey recalled “easy chemistry” with Kate Hudson, having bonded on the set of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Unfortunately, what he may have perceived as chemistry was far from what he saw on screen. Seen as one of the go-to romantic leads of the early aughts, McConaughey shared the screen with everyone, including Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker, but his least convincing scene partner was the daughter of Goldie Hawn. The guilty pleasure chick flick based o Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long’s picture book, advice columnist Andie Anderson (Hudson) is tasked with writing a first-hand article about the classic mistakes women make that drive men away. In order to enact the experiment, she needs to find a guy, date him, and get him to dump her in exactly 10 days. Meanwhile, her target, Benjamin Barry, is an ambitious advertising executive who bets his boss, Phillip Warren (Robert Klein), that he can make any woman fall in love with him within 10 days to win a highly coveted diamond account. Chaos ensues through two opposing objectives, only for the pair to realize they had feelings for one another all along. The epitome of a classic romcom, Hudson did extraordinarily well in driving McConaughey away, so that when the contrived conclusion arrived, it became laughable.

Don’t get me wrong, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is a delight. It’s a comfort watch when you need something mindless and nostalgic. With so much of their chemistry built on push-and-pull secret agendas and comical friction, the immediate, seamless romance was forced. They may have had an on-screen spark because of their natural charisma, but it didn’t mean it translated into the romance department. Both actors leaned into extremes for their characters to be triumphant. In the real world, chaotic and exaggerated behaviors would be massive red flags that would raise major concern. In a way, their easy, breezy demeanor to their agendas played out more as competitive siblings than swooning young lovers. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days triumphs as a comedy, but falters as a genuine romance. Hudson and McConaughey forgot to make us believe in Andie and Ben.

7

Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore

‘Fever Pitch’ (2005)

Image via 20th Century Fox

The pipeline from Saturday Night Live fan-favorite to Hollywood star is every cast member’s dream. There are some individuals who make that transition seamless— Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell. Then there are those like Jimmy Fallon, who was never going to make it as an actor, proving through Weekend Update that he was always better suited for hosting. So, in regard to 2005’s Fever Pitch, the blame is not going to be on Drew Barrymore, who we know is a wonderful romantic lead. This one all falls on the shoulders of the future Tonight Show host. Now, to preface, I’m not knocking on Fever Pitch as a New York Yankees fan— Fallon’s love for the Boston Red Sox was greater than that of Barrymore’s character. Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, Fever Pitch follows Ben Wrightman (Fallon), an obsessive Red Sox fan, whose life revolves around baseball. In the winter, he is the perfect, attentive boyfriend, but once spring training arrives, he’s all consumed by the Red Sox. Lindsey Meeks (Barrymore), a dedicated executive, is up for a career promotion and tries to understand Ben’s sports rituals. He refuses to miss a game to accommodate her professional and personal schedule. Friction and fracture emerge, but they eventually learn what it means to be “present” and how a die-hard superfan can make mutual sacrifices for their other love.

Originally based on the Nick Hornby book, which swapped out baseball for soccer, the love letter to sports. The film is best remembered for being filmed at Fenway Park in 2004, when the team broke their 86-year World Series drought. But as far as the product itself, Fallon really forgot he had a human scene partner. Perhaps taking too much inspiration from his Boston-loving SNL character, Fallon’s big-screen transition was weak. Especially compared to the famous child star who had made a name for herself in the romance genre. Fallon played affably well, but his goofy demeanor didn’t match what Barrymore was providing. The Farrelly Brothers had a history of dumb comedies, but this was a far stretch from Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and Shallow Hal. Fever Pitch was not a film for a silly guy to play opposite a steadfast romantic lead. Fever Pitch was mismanaged from all directions.

6

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (and Taylor Lautner)

The ‘Twilight’ Saga (2008-2012)

Image via Summit Entertainment

This one is going to be divisive. If you’re on a team that debates a team, you most certainly will take offense to this entry. For those who were not completely taken by the book-to-film adaptations, you likely could see through the poor performances. The chemistry in The Twilight Saga may be weak, but the box office numbers greatly disagree. Based on Stephanie Meyer‘s beloved novels, the film series chronicles teenager Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), who moves to Forks, Washington, and falls in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a 108-year-old vampire. Their forbidden romance draws Bella into a supernatural world of vampires and werewolves, one of whom she finds comfort in, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). The frenzy of Team Edward vs. Team Jacob got pop culture flustered because the vampire and werewolf were deemed peak fantasy boyfriend material. But the material the actors were forced to perform proved that clunky dialogue and dry execution from its leads is simply awkward.

The Twilight Saga was built upon the moody tone. It was an emo’s guide to love and loss. But for an on-screen performance, it was completely restrictive. There was an intentional awkwardness in Stewart’s performance meant to reflect teenage emotions, but when it’s paired with the stoic nature of Pattinson’s Edward, they both come across as stiff and emotionless. How are we supposed to champion these two as a couple without a genuine semblance of human passion? OK, yes, one as technically a vampire, but even so. There is a fire coming out of Lautner as the werewolf, but when he’s up against Stewart, it’s as if he hits a brick wall, cowering like a puppy in order to reach her level. Unfortunately, this was all by design. They played what was on the page. Edward was a sullen, tragic individual. Bella was detached and guarded. Lautner was the best of the three, but he was meant to be the third wheel. Remember when Pattinson and Stewart were romantically linked? At least they found the chemistry we all continue to look for.

5

Katie Holmes and Christian Bale

‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The resurgence of Batman through the vision of Christopher Nolan was not necessarily known for its romance. In fact, if there was one fatal flaw from the trilogy, it’s what audiences saw in Batman Begins between Christian Bale‘s Bruce Wayne and Katie Holmes‘ Rachel Dawes. In the trilogy’s first film, Bruce Wayne begins his transition into the notorious masked vigilante as he overcomes the trauma of his parents’ murder. Training in martial arts with the League of Shadows, Wayne returns as Batman to save a corrupt Gotham City from destruction. While the bad guys try to thwart his plans, his childhood friend and love interest stalls all character development. So much so that when she was recast for The Dark Knight, audiences noticed a genuine acting upgrade in Maggie Gyllenhaal. Now, to note, Holmes was not replaced because of her performance. It was strictly business on her end. But with another actress spending any time in the part, it was evident that something was amiss between her and Bale.

The script tried to prioritize a more platonic dynamic between Wayne and the assistant district attorney, but it caused a rigid character dynamic that felt forced. Rachel was meant to anchor Wayne’s moral compass, so as much as anyone tried to push for something romantic, it read as professional and friendly. What also didn’t help was Nolan’s narrative priorities, which were not romance. Viewing them more as a structural necessity, Dawes was original to the story, but given Batman’s history of romantic interests, fans were waiting for the shoe to drop. Oh, and we cannot forgive Bale as he wasn’t innocent either. He brought such an intense performance, it was a far cry from Holme’s more reserved and grounded acting choices. Bale’s brooding ultimately became the winning formula by the end of the trilogy; it was not entirely understood in Batman Begins.

4

Jason Momoa and Amber Heard

‘Aquaman’ (2018)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Casting Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, was certainly a choice. No longer did the DCEU want a blonde-haired, blue-eyed all-American boy like the ones previously portrayed by Justin Hartley and Alan Ritchson. Instead, they opted for a darker, brooding iteration for Zack Snyder‘s Justice League. By the time the solo film arrived, the cinematic universe had made its choice, and Momoa was their guy. Now, the story needed to revolve around him, which meant the ensemble had to work for Momoa more than the character. And yet, Amber Heard as Mera just simply could not connect. Perhaps the fantasy element as a fantasy warrior was too hard to play. Aquaman follows the half-human, half-Atlantean who must journey to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis to stop his power-hungry half-brother, King Orm (Patrick Wilson), from uniting the seven oceanic kingdoms to wage war on the surface world. Perhaps Arthur was already too ingratiated with the people, but beneath the surface, Heard and Momoa were in two different films.

There was always going to be a tonal difference between Momoa’s Aquaman and every other character under the sea. There was a brightness to the Atlanteans that Momoa completely lacked. And yet, rather than making Mera a weak princess, Heard brought a more stoic, regal warrior to match the boisterous, rough-around-the-edges Momoa. Still, their styles contrasted far too much, making their romance forced. There was immense drama surrounding Heard and her involvement in the sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Many of her scenes were cut, with some believing it was due to the negative press surrounding the defamation trial controversy she had with Johnny Depp. But the studio stood strong on the allegations of a lack of chemistry. It was said that there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work in order to manufacture their romantic connection. Even still, it wasn’t right. It was an easy excuse to blame Heard rather than the actor in the titular role. But that’s where the blame may actually have fallen.

3

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ (2015)

Image via Universal Pictures

There have been countless books that fans have anxiously awaited the film adaptation. The hype surrounding the erotic romantic drama Fifty Shades of Grey was astronomical, but for a story that required perfect chemistry, it was anything but. Based on E.L. James‘ novel, the Sam Taylor-Johnson-directed film follows Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), an inexperienced college student, whose life changes drastically after she interviews enigmatic billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). What begins as a simple journalistic meeting quickly devolves into a passionate but unconventional romance as Ana discovers Christian’s secret BDSM lifestyle. The favorite book of housewives who pretended they never read it, the film had everything going for it, except a lead who couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag.

The thing with book adaptations is you can easily interpret a character, so tasking an actor to lift a character from the page to screen will likely be different than how you envisioned it. Dornan took an intentionally cold approach to portray Christian. Though some felt it was too empty, veering into the creepy, it was a logical direction he could go. Then there was Johnson. Anastasia Steele is meant to be naive, but Johnson took that to mean unresponsive. In turn, you had two walls of drying paint attempting to find a sexual dynamic that would get the audience feeling naughty about watching. There was no passion. It was not anywhere near close to how James envisioned her work.

Though both actors had their naysayers, it was Johnson who received the brunt of the pushback. Some tried to give credence to her work, blaming the script’s specificity, but if you saw Madame Web, that theory was out the window. Dornan and Johnson returned for both sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, because, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And by that, the audience was making it worthwhile at the box office. And by filming back-to-back, there was no off-ramp to reverse course. Fifty Shades of Grey was an important film for pop culture because we all needed the parodies to laugh at to make ourselves better for even watching it in the first place.

2

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie

‘The Tourist’ (2010)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

In the early aughts, there were no two bigger stars in Hollywood than Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Combining the two powerhouses should have resulted in a cinematic masterpiece. Instead, they delivered The Tourist. The romantic thriller co-written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, a remake of the 2005 French film Anthony Zimmer, tells the story of Elise (Jolie), the girlfriend of an elusive international fugitive, who uses an unassuming American math teacher, Frank Tupelo (Depp), as a decoy on a train to Venice. This accidental romance soon entangles them with both the police and a ruthless mobster, who mistakenly believe Frank is Alexander Pearce, the fugitive in question. The Tourist watches a vacation turn into a life-or-death chase as the pair evade authorities and criminals across the canals of Venice. What should have worked, based on star power, became a flop because the duo simply could not get on the same page, both as characters and as actors.

The premise of The Tourist was already a difficult one for any actor to play. Because Elise used Frank as a decoy to evade the predators, Jolie deliberately kept Elise secret, leaving both Frank and the audience at arm’s length. Add in the script’s lack of emotional depth, as the director preferred the stunning Venice backdrop over an actual romantic connection. Then, with Jolie playing up the ultra-glamorous femme fatale against the clueless and coy character Depp brought, there was no way for them to be at the same level. There was an innate disconnect. Of course, for a story about deceit and a twist that was even more deceptive, it just came off as unbelievable given the lead-up. As good as they were before The Tourist, there was no hope for them to bring any chemistry to the screen. But to make matters worse, the duo reportedly showed some behind-the-scenes indifference. Some sources claimed that Jolie had difficulty working with her co-star. With so much going against them, the crime caper became a sad example that not every great movie star can act well with one another.

1

Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen

‘Star Wars: Episode II— Attack of the Clones’ (2002)

Image via Lucasfilm

Nearly two decades after the original Star Wars was released, George Lucas returned to the well and gave fans what they always wished for: a prequel trilogy. Taking the established narrative of the Skywalker Saga and providing new light into how we got to Star Wars: Episode IV— A New Hope was every fan’s dream. Finally, the origin story of Darth Vader! The first film introduced Anakin Skywalker as an adorable, hopeful kid through Jake Lloyd’s strong performance. But when Anakin needed to grow up for Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones, his replacement, Hayden Christensen, made us instantly hate the character nearly as much as we despised Jar Jar Binks. Why did we loathe Christensen’s take on the great villain? He could not compare to the divine Natalie Portman.

The second part of the space opera follows Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Padawan Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) as they protect Senator Padmé Amidala (Portman) from assassination. While investigating the threat, Obi-Wan discovers a clone army, as Anakin falls in love with Padmé, ultimately triggering the devastating Clone Wars. Perhaps the most important love story in Star Wars history, it was one of the most mismatched actor pairings, making some of us wish she could have found someone better. A major reason why fans turned on Christensen’s performance is that he was the new kid in town. We already had a film to get to know and love Portman. Christensen had great difficulty navigating the highly stylized script, unnatural dialogue, and the experimental directorial approach that isolated the pair. Yes, they filmed some of their crucial romantic scenes against green screens.

In retrospect, having the events of Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith to enlighten where the character was heading may give him some freedom for his initial choices. But even emo Anni was painful to get through. Prior to the second film, the only love story in the galaxy we watched was the ultimately forbidden burgeoning romance between Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)—who we learned were siblings. Anakin and Padmé’s to be specific. We needed this to be our redemption. Christensen portrayed Anakin as far too socially isolated and deeply repressed. Padmé, though reserved, had some warmth inside, but against her scene partner, you had to wonder what she even saw in him. Star Wars‘ first six films were never known as emotionally rich. Perhaps if there was some nuance to play, we wouldn’t have knocked the chemistry-less duo.

For decades, Batman: Knightfall has stood as one of the most influential storylines in the Dark Knight’s history. Now, DC and Warner Bros. Animation are finally bringing the legendary comic arc to life with a multi-part animated film series, and longtime fans have every reason to be excited.

Originally published between 1993 and 1994, Batman: Knightfall redefined Batman by pushing Bruce Wayne to his absolute limits. Rather than relying on brute strength alone, Bane orchestrates a calculated campaign to wear Batman down, releasing the inmates of Arkham Asylum and forcing the Caped Crusader into an endless battle before delivering one of the most iconic moments in comic book history—breaking Batman’s back.

While that shocking image has been referenced in films, television, and games over the years, the complete Knightfallsaga has never received a faithful screen adaptation. That is finally changing.

According to Collider, the upcoming animated project has the opportunity to become the definitive adaptation of one of DC’s greatest comic stories. The publication praised Warner Bros. Animation’s recent success with comic-faithful adaptations and suggested that the multi-part format is exactly what Knightfall needs to properly tell its sprawling story.

Batman Nightfall [credit: Warner Bros. Animation]

Unlike a single feature film, the multi-part approach allows the adaptation to cover the full scope of the original event. Beyond Bane’s victory over Batman, the story follows Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) as Gotham’s new Batman, whose increasingly violent methods tarnish the symbol Bruce Wayne spent years building. Eventually, Bruce returns to reclaim the mantle, leading to one of the most compelling redemption arcs in Batman history.

The animated adaptation is being directed by Jeff Wamester from a screenplay by Jeremy Adams. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the project is envisioned as a multi-part animated event rather than a standalone movie, giving the creative team room to faithfully adapt the massive comic storyline.

The first trailer, released this week, showcases the brutal confrontation between Batman and Bane while teasing the emotional journey ahead. Fans also received a first look at several iconic moments pulled directly from the comics, suggesting the filmmakers are embracing the source material rather than reinventing it.

Warner Bros. Animation has earned praise over the years for adaptations such as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and many fans hope Knightfall will join that list as another faithful translation of a beloved comic classic. Given the scale of the original story and the creative team’s commitment to preserving its biggest moments, this could become one of DC’s most ambitious animated projects to date.

If the finished film delivers on what fans have seen so far, Batman: Knightfall may not simply adapt one of Batman’s greatest stories—it could become the definitive animated Batman epic for a new generation.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 23 seconds ago

At the Annecy Animation Film Festival, one thing has become abundantly clear: this is the year of the bat. We already knew Warner Bros. was going to show footage of Batman: Knightfall, their multi-part, R-rated adaptation of Batman’s most famous ‘90s comic story. The studio then announced Dynamic Duo, a theatrical film focused on two of Batman’s sidekicks and animated like Into the Spider-Verse. What else could a fan of the Caped Crusader want? More TV series, of course!

Recently, WB announced that we would be getting not one but two new cartoons set in the world of the Dark Knight. The first is Absolute Batman, which adapts the best-selling comic from rockstar comics writer Scott Snyder. The buzzworthy comic is a complete Batman reboot, and its cartoon announcement drew huge cheers at the film festival. Arguably, though, it was WB’s other big announcement that sent fans into a frenzy. The studio confirmed we will be getting Joker: Laugh Riot, an anime where the Joker becomes obsessed with finding the villain who killed Batman.

The Joke’s On Us

Joker: Laugh Riot is already set to make history as DC’s first anime project. Why the heck are we getting a supervillain anime? This is likely due to the influence of Jason DeMarco: the Toonami guru is senior VP of action and anime development at Warner Bros. Animation, who produced the surprisingly fun anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. That movie was animated by Yasuhiro Aoki, who will be the showrunner for Joker: Laugh Riot. Based on the show’s description, it sounds like we’ll be exploring a side of the Clown Prince of Crime rarely seen in comics, shows, or film.

The official logline for Joker: Laugh Riot reads as follows: “When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.” Reading between the lines, it seems like Joker will actually become a Batman-style vigilante in his relentless quest to find the man who killed his oldest enemy.

Not Exactly A Kid’s Show

While the premise of Joker: Laugh Riot is relatively unique, it has been explored before by other writers. One of the most notable examples is the Batman: The Animated Series episode “The Man Who Killed Batman,” where Batman is seemingly killed by a small-time gangster. Upon hearing the news, Joker laments that “crime has no punchline” anymore and even holds a funeral for the Caped Crusader where he tries to murder Batman’s killer. Of course, it’s later revealed that Batman faked his own death, but this episode is a powerful example of how Joker’s life would lose most of its meaning if Batman were to die.

Additionally, a four-issue storyline in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight featured Joker seemingly killing Batman. When this happened, he actually went sane, got a job, and even fell in love as he became a relatively normal guy. As soon as he realized Batman was still alive, though, he became his old self. Of course, both this storyline and the aforementioned cartoon were relatively short tales. It sounds like Joker: Laugh Riot will offer a more prolonged look at the titular clown’s codependent relationship with Batman. Plus, it’s a given that Joker will have some fun battles with familiar foes like Penguin, Two-Face, and maybe even Harley Quinn in his quest to find Batman’s killer.

Other than the announcement about its plot and that it’s in production, there are no other details about Joker: Laugh Riot. No release date has been set, and we don’t yet know if it will stream exclusively on HBO Max or if it will be released on Toonami. Whenever and wherever it releases, though, this anime is sure to be a hit with Batman fans who are looking for something new. Plus, it might just tide over fans of the Clown Prince of Crime before he makes his inevitable debut in the DCU in a movie we can only hope is better than Supergirl.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 19 seconds ago

One of the reasons that it’s hard to make a modern superhero film is that you have to please two very different audiences. The first is made up of hardcore comics fans who will be scrutinizing the movie to see how well the writer and director knew their comic book lore. The second audience is made up of general moviegoers who have never so much as cracked an issue and just want to be entertained for a couple of hours. Recently, Supergirl tried its hand at pleasing both groups at once.

The results were somewhat mixed. Judging by its relatively modest opening weekend and equally modest Rotten Tomatoes score, Supergirl didn’t really have mass appeal with general audiences. However, it really resonated with comics fans who are impressed at just how many references and homages are stuffed into this short film. Fortunately, you don’t need laser eyes to uncover them; just keep reading to discover the coolest and downright weirdest Easter eggs you missed in Supergirl!

Everyone Thinks Jor-El Is A Weirdo

One of the major canon changes in last year’s Superman was the revelation that Superman’s parents sent him to Earth to be a conqueror. When this news breaks out, it instantly tanks the Man of Steel’s reputation. Considering that the message from his parents was translated by Lex Luthor, many fans believed that it was a lie and that Superman’s parents were essentially good people. This was despite everyone from Mr. Terrific to James Gunn confirming that the message was authentic.

In a flashback, however, Supergirl revealed that Jor-El really did want his son to go conquer the Earth. Interestingly, though, the movie also emphasizes how Jor-El is seen as a bit of a weirdo by those who know his plan. Specifically, we see Supergirl’s mother disdainfully refer to Jor-El’s plan to turn his “sweet little boy” into a “conqueror of worlds.” It’s a brief moment, but one that verifies Jor-El’s sinister nature while clarifying that not all Kryptonians share his barbaric mentality.

Supergirl, The Pop Culture Fiend

In Supergirl, the title character is celebrating her 23rd birthday. We learn that she spends a lot of her time partying off-planet, and it’s not made explicitly clear how much time she’s actually spent on Earth. However, based on her dialogue and clothing, we have one answer: she’s been on the planet long enough to absorb the pop culture! One example of this is when she orders a band to keep playing during a barfight because “it’s like the Titanic.” This means she’s familiar with Earth’s most famously doomed ship, most likely from watching James Cameron’s Titanic.

Additionally, she calls one of the many ugly aliens in the film “Squidward,” confirming that she’s a fan of (or at least, aware of) SpongeBob SquarePants. Speaking of fandoms, Supergirl spends most of the movie wearing a Blondie shirt, signifying her love of the musician. She’s probably also a fan of Jimmy Eat World, as a slowed-down version of their iconic song “In the Middle” plays during the climactic final fight scene. If Supergirl does like that band, it’s probably her cousin’s influence; previously, James Gunn added the song to Clark Kent’s official playlist on Spotify.

Homages To Star-Lord

While James Gunn directed last year’s Superman, Supergirl was helmed by Craig Gillespie. Watching the film, though, it’s clear that Gillespie cribbed more than a bit from Gunn’s previous work on Guardians of the Galaxy. You can see that in many surface-level aspects, including the snarky characters, exotic aliens, and colorful worlds on display. Beyond that, though, there are some more specific homages. For example, Supergirl spends much of the movie listening to music on her orange headphones. This is very similar to Star-Lord, who uses orange headphones to listen to his beloved cassette music from Earth.

Additionally, Supergirl tries to reassure her kid sidekick at one point by saying, “I have a plan…kind of.” This may be a stretch, but it’s hard to hear this and not think about Star-Lord in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. When Rocket questions whether Star-Lord actually has a plan, the Earthman responds, “I have part of a plan.” When pressed to answer what percentage of a plan he has, Star-Lord responds, “12 percent.” Fortunately, Supergirl has something else in common with this Marvel hero: even when her plans are half-baked, they usually work. 

Secretly Introducing A Notorious Villain

My favorite Supergirl Easter egg occurred near the end of the film, when our titular hero is talking to Superman. He doesn’t yet know the specifics of her most recent adventure, but he knows that it started out as a birthday celebration that went sideways. In an attempt to commiserate with her, Superman tells his cousin how his own birthdays have been tricky, but doesn’t really go into any details.

Now, this could mean all sorts of things. As a longtime comic nerd, though, I believe it’s a reference to Mongul, a powerful alien villain that Superman has tangled with before. In the iconic comic story “For the Man Who Has Everything” (written by Watchmen creator Alan Moore), the villain breaks into the Fortress of Solitude and attacks Superman with a plant called “The Black Mercy,” which puts him into a coma of pleasant dreams. Fortunately, he is ultimately freed by Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman, all of whom came by to wish him a happy birthday. If this Supergirl quote was referencing Mongul, here’s hoping we see him and Superman throw down in a future movie!

For many fans, starring in one of Nickelodeon‘s biggest shows would seem like a guaranteed path to lifelong financial security. But according to Josh Peck, the reality was far different. The former child star recently opened up about his earnings from “Drake & Josh,” revealing that despite starring in the hit sitcom for four seasons, he walked away with far less money than many people assume.

During an appearance on the June 25 episode of the “Financial Tea with Mrs. Dow Jones” podcast, Peck reflected on his early days at Nickelodeon and how his salary evolved throughout his television career. “We started out making $3,000 an episode on ‘The Amanda Show,’” Peck explained. By the time “Drake & Josh” concluded in 2007, he said his average salary had increased to roughly $15,000 per episode.

According to Peck, the series produced around 60 episodes in total, resulting in approximately $900,000 in earnings over four years. While that number may sound impressive on paper, the actor said the amount he actually took home was significantly lower.

Peck explained that after accounting for taxes, agents, and managers, his earnings were drastically reduced. “We probably, between agent, manager and taxes, we cleared half of that,” he said. The actor estimated that he effectively earned about $125,000 annually during the show’s run.

Peck acknowledged that many people would still consider that a substantial income, but he said fans often assume child stars earn enough money to never work again. “The only reason I say it is because people always assume that it’s so much more and why would you ever have to work again?” he explained.

Peck compared the income to that of many successful professionals, noting that while it was a good living, it wasn’t the kind of money that could sustain someone indefinitely.

Fame Left Josh Peck With Financial Anxiety

Beyond the paycheck itself, Peck revealed that growing up with financial uncertainty had a lasting impact on him. “If you have it ingrained in you that you never want to be broke again, you will run like your pants are on fire for as long as you can,” he said.

The actor admitted that a deep fear of financial instability fueled many of his career decisions long after “Drake & Josh” ended. “And I saw that in myself forever, just a deep financial insecurity that drove everything I did.”

Following his Nickelodeon years, Peck continued building a successful career through acting, hosting, podcasting, social media, and film projects.

‘Drake & Josh’ Became One Of Nickelodeon’s Biggest Hits

Created by Dan Schneider, “Drake & Josh” premiered in 2004 as a spin-off of “The Amanda Show.” The sitcom followed unlikely stepbrothers Drake Parker, played by Drake Bell, and Josh Nichols, played by Peck, as they navigated life under one roof.

The cast also featured Miranda Cosgrove, Nancy Sullivan, and Jonathan Goldstein, while recurring appearances from fan-favorite characters helped turn the show into a staple of 2000s children’s television.

The series quickly became one of Nickelodeon’s most successful programs, attracting millions of viewers and helping launch the careers of several young stars.

The Nickelodeon Series Has Faced Renewed Scrutiny In Recent Years

Peck’s comments arrive as interest in Nickelodeon’s early-2000s programming remains high following the release of the 2024 documentary series “Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.” The series featured emotional revelations from Peck’s former co-star Bell, who publicly identified himself as the unnamed minor victim in the criminal case involving former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck.

Bell detailed the abuse he suffered as a teenager and later spoke about the overwhelming support he received after sharing his story. “I was sleeping on the couch where I would usually sleep. I woke up to him, I opened my eyes, I woke up and he was sexually assaulting me. I froze and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react, and I have no idea how to get out of this situation,” Bell said.

Bell was 15 at the time and said he felt trapped by the situation. He explained that the abuse became a secret because he feared people would start asking questions if he suddenly stopped visiting Brian.

Brian was arrested in 2003 and later pleaded no contest to charges related to the sexual abuse of a child. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and required to register as a sex offender.

Josh Peck Publicly Supported Drake Bell After ‘Quiet On Set’

In the wake of the series, Peck addressed criticism that he had not immediately spoken out publicly, revealing that he had privately reached out to his former co-star while also expressing support for other survivors who shared their stories.

“I finished the ‘Quiet on Set’ documentary and took a few days to process it,” Peck wrote in a statement shared on Instagram at the time. “I reached out to Drake privately, but want to give my support for the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories of emotional and physical abuse on Nickelodeon sets with the world.”

Peck, who is not related to Brian Peck, went on to call for greater protections for child actors working in the entertainment industry. “Children should be protected,” he continued. “Reliving this publicly is incredibly difficult, but I hope it can bring healing for the victims and their families as well as necessary change to our industry.”

Now, Peck’s candid comments about money offer another glimpse into the realities behind one of Nickelodeon’s most successful shows.

“The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” star Kelsey Swanson is clapping back at a fan who claimed she used to sell her body for money. In a sneak peek clip of Part 2 of the “RHORI” reunion, Swanson, 31, tells host Andy Cohen that the claims are flat-out false. Elsewhere in the special clip, Swanson speaks a bit more about her past relationship with one of Rhode Island’s wealthiest residents, stating that she didn’t believe he was the one spreading the lies.

“I’ve never sold any of my holes for money,” Swanson told Cohen in a special clip of the upcoming reunion, shared by Us Weekly. “Let’s just get that straight.”

Swanson’s statement was in response to a fan who said the reality star used to “charge $29,000 for dinner and dessert” dates.

Swanson told Cohen and her co-stars that she was being harassed by someone who edited photos to make it appear as though she was an escort.

She went on to say that the unnamed person was stealing her photos and creating fake pages in her name, adding that she had “no idea” who it was.

“All of a sudden it stopped,” she said. “I know it was some, I think, actual escort in Boston, who was hanging around the same crew of people that I was hanging out with.”

Swanson Opens Up About Her Previous Relationship With One Of Rhode Island’s Wealthiest Residents

Cohen asked Swanson whether she believed her ex-boyfriend (who wasn’t shown in the series but was mentioned) could be behind the rumors, to which she replied, “I don’t think so.”

Regardless, Swanson said she didn’t care who was behind it because the rumors were false. “I’ve never been an escort and I would never be an escort,” she said.

In a previous interview with Us Weekly, Swanson got candid about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who, during the time of filming season 1, was in Florida with his other girlfriend.

“My relationship is very unorthodox. This man dates multiple people,” she said in April 2026. “For the first half of the year, my boyfriend is in Miami. When he’s in Miami, he’s with somebody else.”

Swanson Has Moved On From Her Ex And Is Now In A Relationship With New Partner, Bill L’Europa

Part of Swanson’s season 1 storyline was about her navigating life without her ex-boyfriend’s resources. And while they’re no longer together, she made it clear that even when they were, she never identified as a “sugar baby.”

“Nothing close to it,” she said. “The only man I ever dated with money [is] my boyfriend.”

Season 1 also showed Swanson moving on with her new boyfriend, Bill L’Europa. “I’m only in one relationship now,” Swanson said. “You’ll see as the season progresses where that goes, but I am in a relationship. [I have a] boyfriend, I will label it that, but not married, and no kids.”

Swanson Got Into It With Her ‘RHORI’ Co-Star, Rosie DiMare

In Part 1 of the “RHORI” reunion, Swanson bumped heads with her nemesis, Rosie DiMare. Earlier in the season, the pair feuded over relationship rumors and alleged lies about money.

According to a previous report from The Blast, the pair’s beef reached the point of no return when Swanson appeared at DiMare’s home with a bullhorn and poked fun at her new renovations.

I couldn’t even wrap my head around this was happening,” DiMare said about the incident. “And she’s like, ‘What? It was funny.’”

For those who missed the episode, DiMare physically pushed Swanson out of her home after her comments, creating an even bigger divide amongst the group.

Swanson shared her thoughts on the matter, too, saying she was only joking with DiMare about her home renovations.

“Take a joke,” she said. “It’s not that serious.”

Swanson went on to say that she only joked about her co-star’s home because she thought they were in a much “better place” than before.

She said, “I’m gonna bust her balls a little and make light of the situation.”

DiMare wasn’t on the same page as Swanson, though, stating, “You just wanna make fun of me, and now you’re coming to my house, and you’re gonna do it again? Seriously, it’s f-cked up.”

Part 2 of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” airs on Bravo on Sunday at 9 PM ET.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has no shortage of memorable moments, but one of its biggest surprises barely belongs to Mario at all. Fox McCloud’s appearance, voiced by Glen Powell, immediately stole scenes with the kind of confidence and charisma that reminded audiences why Nintendo’s ace pilot was once one of the company’s biggest stars. Two months later, Nintendo followed that up with its first new Star Fox game in years, and the critical response has been overwhelmingly positive. Either moment would have been encouraging on its own. Together, they suggest Nintendo may finally have the momentum to turn Star Fox into one of its biggest franchises.

For years, Star Fox has occupied an awkward place within Nintendo’s lineup. Fox and his crew have remained recognizable thanks to Super Smash Bros., but the series itself has struggled to reach the same heights as Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, or even Kirby. Nintendo has spent years experimenting with different ideas, often changing the formula instead of building on the arcade-style action that made the series popular in the first place. Now, Nintendo has something it hasn’t had with Star Fox in a very long time: people are excited about it again. If the company wants another franchise capable of standing alongside its biggest names, it may not have to invent one. It just has to finally commit to the one it already has with a spin-off.

Fox McCloud Has Never Been the Problem

Image via Nintendo

It’s easy to forget just how important Fox McCloud once was to Nintendo. During the Nintendo 64 and GameCube eras, Star Fox was one of the company’s flagship franchises, and Fox himself stood alongside Mario, Link, Samus, and Donkey Kong as one of Nintendo’s defining heroes. The series delivered cinematic space battles years before most console games could even attempt them, while memorable characters like Falco, Peppy, and Slippy gave the Star Fox team a personality that separated them from other action games. The problem was never Fox McCloud, it was Nintendo’s inability to decide what Star Fox should be. Rather than refining the formula that players already loved, later games introduced motion controls, experimental mechanics, and entirely new gameplay styles that often overshadowed the fast-paced aerial combat people actually came for. The franchise slowly lost its identity, and each new release felt like another attempt to reinvent something that didn’t need reinventing.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie reminded audiences of something Nintendo seemed to forget: Fox is an incredibly likable character. Instead of treating him like a nostalgic cameo, the movie presents him as someone who immediately commands attention. Powell brings an effortless confidence to the role without making Fox feel arrogant, creating the kind of charismatic action hero audiences naturally want to spend more time with. For plenty of younger fans, Fox McCloud wasn’t a Nintendo legend, he was simply one of the coolest new characters in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That’s an incredibly valuable position for Nintendo to be in.

Nintendo Finally Has Proof That Star Fox Still Works

Image via Nintendo

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Movie excitement only goes so far if the games don’t deliver. Fortunately for Nintendo, the newest Star Fox has done exactly that. Released June 25, the latest entry has already earned some of the strongest reviews the franchise has seen in years. More importantly, much of that praise centers on the same idea: Nintendo stopped trying to turn Star Fox into something it isn’t. The series has always thrived on tightly designed missions, replayability, cinematic dogfights, and the thrill of weaving an Arwing through impossible odds. It doesn’t need sprawling open worlds or dozens of RPG systems to justify its existence. Sometimes, players simply want an action game that understands its strengths and executes them exceptionally well.

That’s important because Nintendo doesn’t really have another franchise like Star Fox. Mario owns platformers, Zelda delivers a fantasy adventure, Animal Crossing offers cozy life simulation, while Splatoon has become Nintendo’s multiplayer powerhouse. Star Fox occupies a lane that none of those series do: science-fiction action built around memorable characters and exhilarating space combat. The newest game proves there’s still plenty of room for that kind of experience. Rather than feeling like a nostalgic throwback, Star Fox suddenly feels relevant again.

Nintendo Can’t Afford To Waste This Opportunity

Image via Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo

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Successful franchises aren’t built from one great game or one memorable movie appearance. They’re built by recognizing when audiences are ready for more. For the first time in years, Nintendo has momentum coming from multiple directions at once. Movie audiences walked away wanting to see more of Fox McCloud, critics are praising the newest game, and Powell has become closely associated with the character after a standout performance. Instead of trying to manufacture excitement through marketing, Nintendo suddenly has something much harder to earn: genuine interest. That creates opportunities well beyond another sequel. Star Fox has the kind of universe that naturally lends itself to movies, animated series, merchandise, theme park attractions, comics, and future crossover appearances. Nintendo has made it clear that it wants to build an entertainment ecosystem around its biggest properties, and Star Fox feels uniquely positioned to become part of that future.

Perhaps the biggest reason is that it fills a gap in Nintendo’s portfolio. While the company’s other flagship franchises each dominate their own genres, none of them scratch the same science-fiction itch that Star Fox does. Fox McCloud and his team have always offered something different, and that difference is exactly what makes the series valuable. Nintendo has spent years searching for the next franchise that can stand alongside Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Splatoon, but they may not need to search anymore. Between The Super Mario Galaxy Movie reminding audiences why Fox McCloud is such a compelling hero and Star Fox‘s latest game proving the series still has plenty of life left, Nintendo has already done the hard part. Now it just has to keep going.