Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 3.Fans of Game of Thrones have been used to shocking plot twists for a while, and House of the Dragon just delivered the newest one after a long time of speculation by the fans. Season 3, Episode 3 finally introduces a young Daeron Targaryen, played by Charlie Gordon, only to reveal at the end of the episode what some might have already suspected, that this Daeron is an imposter. His capture is Rhaenyra Targaryen’s (Emma D’Arcy) only victory since her arrival in King’s Landing, but when Alicent (Olivia Cooke) fails to recognize her youngest son, it becomes clear that Rhaenyra has been played by the Greens. So, now, new questions arise: where is the real Daeron, and who is playing him?

Daeron’s Absence in ‘House of the Dragon’ and His Casting Have Long Confused Fans

When adapting a book like Fire & Blood, it’s natural to change some aspects of the original story for many reasons, and House of the Dragon has certainly changed quite a bit. Daeron’s absence is one of these changes, as he is only mentioned for the first time at the end of Season 2, and, up until now, we’ve only seen his dragon, Tessarion, but never him. Shortly before this week’s episode, Daeron’s arrival was teased by HBO with footage of Gordon being taken by Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), but that didn’t convince many fans.

Initially, it was believed that Daeron would be played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, whose casting was only confirmed in June, shortly before the third season premiere. Fans felt it was a perfect casting, as Ainsworth is young and will play a similar role as Link in the upcoming The Legend of Zelda adaptation, making him a great choice for Daeron the Daring, a dragonrider. In the premiere, however, Ainsworth briefly appears as Lord Ormund Hightower’s (James Norton) squire and notably has red hair.

Now, the series finally explains what’s up. Ainsworth is indeed playing the real Daeron, whose hair has been dyed red to pass as a Hightower and fool Daemon, Rhaenyra, and the Blacks. Daeron’s absence so far is also justified as part of this plot, to keep him and Tessarion as the Greens’ secret weapon in the Reach on their way to King’s Landing, now that Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has taken Vhagar to Harrenhal. He is young, and nobody knows what he really looks like. It’s the perfect ruse.

Editor’s Note: The below contains spoilers from the novel Fire & Blood, which House of the Dragon is based on.

A “Fake Daeron” Plot Comes Straight From ‘Fire & Blood,’ but With a Different Setting

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In Fire & Blood, Daeron shows up much earlier in the story as the youngest son of King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Alicent Hightower. It is only in his teens that he is sent to squire for Alicent’s cousin, Lord Ormund, and then plays a key role in securing the Reach for the Greens. The Hightower army struggles initially, but the tide turns thanks to Daeron and Tessarion. To honor his young cousin, Ormund titles him “Daeron the Daring,” and they progress until Tumbleton, right at Rhaenyra’s doorstep in King’s Landing.

Parallel to that, with Aegon II’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) having escaped to Dragonstone and Aemond gone to Harrenhal, Daeron suddenly becomes a serious contender to the Iron Throne, despite his young age, and this is part of his plot until after the end of the Dance of Dragons. He is killed in the war, but how he dies is disputed by the diverging accounts in Fire & Blood, and his body is never identified. Because of this, some believe Daeron never actually dies, and some people even try to use it to their advantage.

After the war ends, it’s Aegon III, Rhaenyra and Daemon’s son, who ascends to the Iron Throne. During his reign, many pretenders show up claiming to be Daeron, but they are proven to be impostors by Aegon III and Viserys, his brother and Hand of the King. Because House of the Dragon is slated to end with Season 4, it’s unlikely that there will be time for Fire & Blood‘s “fake Daeron” plot after Aegon III takes the throne to make it to the screen. Still, it’s nice that the series found a way to incorporate it into its story somehow.

‘House of the Dragon’ Uses the Fake Daeron Plot To Smartly Set Up the Battle of Tumbleton

At the end of this week’s episode, Rhaenyra is warned that the Greens have taken Tumbleton by a surviving dragonkeeper who likely tended to Tessarion. Tumbleton’s lords had previously declared for her, so the “fake Daeron” is a smart gambit by Lord Ormund — Rhaenyra can’t allow herself to have been made a fool by admitting she fell for the imposter, but she also can’t target the people she swore to protect. Whatever card she plays, she loses something in this business.

In Fire & Blood, the Battle of Tumbleton simply starts with the Hightower host taking over the town and infiltrating as civilians, with Daeron flying Tessarion. By then, he had already won the Greens some battles and “avenged” his nephew Maelor‘s death (Aegon II’s third child, who hasn’t appeared in the show). Rhaenyra then sends Ser Hugh the Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ser Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) to protect Tumbleton, and the fateful battle begins.

In the series, however, there is more happening. Lord Ormund and Daeron’s ruse now forces Rhaenyra’s hand, but, at the same time, if she sends Hugh and Ulf, she is giving them a dilemma of their own, since she refuses to acknowledge them as Targaryens. Hugh’s wife, Kat (Ellora Torchia), has also fled to Tumbleton after he became a dragonrider, so, for him, there are personal stakes as well. With so much happening, we’re finally bound to see the real Daeron in action.

House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.

Fantasy is a pretty popular genre right now across all forms of media, and how could it not be? After all, it’s a form of escapism, allowing readers to witness stories where the impossible is made possible, and where new, immersive worlds are presented in all of their glory. Since the genre is popular, we have an influx of new fantasy stories, especially in books, which can effectively be made much cheaper than any other form of media.

While a lot of well-written fantasy stories get their much-deserved time in the spotlight, some slip through the cracks and never get the chance to show the world what they’re made of. Other times, they might have once been popular, but have faded away into the background to the point that nobody remembers them anymore. These are the most perfect forgotten fantasy books that will keep you hooked from start to finish, proving they remain worthy of your attention.

‘The Ember Blade’ (2018)

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The Ember Blade is about Aren, an unassuming young man who spends most of his days doing absolutely nothing remarkable. When his father is executed, Aren is thrown into the dark pits of a mine, where he is sentenced to work until he dies. Once he escapes the prison, he discovers that the world as he knew it is just an illusion. Revolution is brewing, and the key to its victory is the mythical Ember Blade.

The book was written as a return to form for the fantasy genre, so it’s pretty trope-heavy and might be considered cliché by some. However, this approach is actually refreshing because it feels like a much more classic and aged story than it actually is. It’s not just a great epic fantasy, but it’s also a fantastic coming-of-age story that many adolescents will identify with.

‘Another Fine Myth’ (1978)

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Another Fine Myth is the first in a collection of 12 novels, which is seen as a cult series by today’s standards. At the time, fantasy literature was becoming huge, and new stories were pretty much a dime a dozen. As such, this book functions as a satire piece, as do the rest of the novels in the series. This unique approach can easily be observed from the titles, which are all some sort of pun based around the word “myth.”

The story of this first book is pretty simple: a magician’s apprentice is out for revenge after his master gets assassinated, teaming up with an unlikely ally on his quest for vengeance. A lot of the book is humorous and comedic, with absurd punchlines and tongue-in-cheek banter found in the dialogue, but that’s why it’s so brilliant. Another Fine Myth was popular when it was released, but has since been swallowed up by the sands of time, to the point where it is rarely talked about anymore.

‘Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror’ (2023)

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Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror is a dark fantasy book that only came out a few years ago, but which has received excellent reviews — at least from those who have actually read it, anyway. The story is set in Jerusalem during the Crusades, following a Teutonic Knight thrust into a world of angels and demons straight from the folklore of the Abrahamic religions.

There are actually some surprisingly deep themes and social commentaries in this book, depicting how brutal the Crusades actually were, making the widespread trauma and anguish manifest in the form of horrifying demons. Though it’s set in our world rather than a high fantasy world, Pilgrim: A Medieval Horror is still an amazing read, especially if you’re a fan of stories like Between Two Fires or A Game of Thrones.

‘Orfeia’ (2020)

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Orfeia might only be a novella, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the same emotional punch that full-length novels have. The story is tragic and touching, and is something a lot of parents will be able to reflect on. Specifically, it’s about a mother who has lost her daughter, and is willing to do anything to get her back, which means travelling through entirely different worlds, many of them dream-like. It isn’t a simple quest, however, as to save her daughter, the mother must sacrifice something precious to her.

For most parents, it would seem an easy decision, but the book definitely pushes things a bit farther to the point where it really does force the reader to grapple with moral dilemmas. Short and sweet, Orfeia is one of the most heartbreaking fantasy stories of the last few years, which is why it’s a shame more people haven’t heard of it.

‘The Iron Dragon’s Daughter’ (1993)

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The Iron Dragon’s Daughter was actually written in response to the rise of fantasy literature at the time. Apparently, author Michael Swanwick was fed up with how many books were coming out that all felt the same, so he made his own story that was the exact opposite of the ongoing trends. In this series, the dragons are not god-like beings, but miserable cynics who enslave humans, contrary to the popular tropes about them.

There’s a lot of other things like that in the book, too. Story-wise, it’s about a human slave contacted by a dragon, who promises revenge and freedom if she listens to his instructions and escapes the factory where she works. Since this book went against established and common fantasy tropes, it’s very unique, indeed, and remains pretty distinct from other works of fantasy to this day. Sadly, not many people know about it.

‘The Golden Door’ (2011)

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The Golden Door is set in the city of Weld, which is completely walled off from the outside world. Every year, flying creatures called Skimmers attack the local populace, but the attacks have been ramping up recently. As such, the warden of Weld organizes expeditions beyond the walls to find the source and eliminate it. None return. Losing both of his brothers in the expeditions, a youth named Rye seeks to exit Weld and find his siblings. The only problem is, the only ways out of Weld are via three doors: one of gold, one of silver, and one of wood.

Australian author Jennifer Rowe, also known by her pen name Emily Rodda, is pretty popular in her home country, but has limited success internationally. This book is rarely talked about in North America, even though it’s an absolutely thrilling ride. Yes, it’s a YA novel, but the world is so deeply mystifying that it’s hard not to get wrapped up in its intricacies. It’s a simple story, but one that works really well, all things considered.

‘Incarceron’ (2007)

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For a time, Incarceron was actually a super popular book. The story is about Finn, a boy who lives in the sprawling mega-prison known as Incarceron. Finn belongs to a rare group of individuals who were born in the prison, meaning he has never seen the outside world. It should be noted that Incarceron isn’t just a huge prison — it genuinely feels like a totally different world that has dissolved into anarchy. The prison itself is alive.

On the other side of the story is Claudia, the daughter of Incarceron’s warden, who begins to telepathically communicate with Finn via a crystalline key she finds. As previously stated, this novel was pretty big for its time, and even had a movie deal secured, with Taylor Lautner selected to play Finn. However, the project never came to be, and the book faded away into obscurity. Very few people talk about it anymore, which is a shame, because this YA novel was truly singular and definitely deserved that movie adaptation.

‘The Anvil of the World’ (2003)

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The Anvil of the World is the first novel in a trilogy, although the others feel like different stories set in the same universe rather than true sequels. This first book is about a smuggler named Smith, who is charged with protecting a noble named Lord Ermenwyr and seeing him safely to a port city. Instead of the traditional chapter format, the book features three distinct parts, all featuring the same characters, albeit different plotlines. However, they all contribute to the overarching narrative of the book.

This book isn’t just a perfectly-written adventure; it’s also genuinely hilarious. The banter between Smith and Ermenwyr and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in make the book so much funnier. It’s not even a comedy at heart; the jokes are just part of the charm. Whether it’s a voyage across the sea, a magical duel between mages, familial feuds, or bandit attacks on a caravan, this book fosters the imagination and tells a brilliant, refreshing story that’s hard to put down.

‘Lord of Snow and Shadows’ (2003)

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Lord of Snow and Shadows is the first installment of the Tears of Artamon series, which actually recently saw its fourth installment just a couple of years ago. The story is about Gavril Andar, who discovers that he is actually heir to the throne of Azhkendir. His father, the king, is a magical demi-human, infused with the blood of the legendary dragon warrior Drakhaoul. However, it isn’t enough to save the king from being assassinated.

Now, Gavril must ascend to the throne, become the new reincarnation of Drakhaoul, which comes with a terrible, terrible price. This bit of epic fantasy has a little bit of everything. It’s also got romance and political intrigue, which helps keep things interesting until the end. The rest of the books in the series are pretty good too, but sometimes, you just can’t beat the original, you know?

‘The King of Elfland’s Daughter’ (1924)

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A lot of people actually don’t know this, but The King of Elfland’s Daughter is the book that most inspired J. R. R. Tolkien to write his revolutionary The Lord of the Rings novels. Tolkien himself listed it among his greatest inspirations, yet few people know that it exists, especially given the fact that it’s over a century old at this point. As such, it’s definitely a good novel to read for Tolkien fans, especially if they want to see where the legendary author got some of his ideas.

The story is about a human king who is informed by the populace that they wish for a magical ruler, so he forgoes tradition and abides by their request. He sends his son to marry the princess of Elfland, which she happily agrees to. However, she finds it hard to adjust to human society, especially since time in Elfland flows more slowly than it does in the human kingdom. The homesick princess returns to Elfland, prompting her broken-hearted husband to return there in search of her. It’s a charming, whimsical tale of love and politics that feels like a classic fairytale.

Jesse Eisenberg has taken on a variety of acclaimed roles throughout his career, from real-life figures (Mark Zuckerberg) to comic book villains (Lex Luthor). The actor and playwright recently reflected on the role that has brought him the most joy and also revealed the sports figure he wants to portray in the future.

Actor and playwright Jesse Eisenberg began his professional acting career in his teenage years. Despite starting in theater, he has expanded his resume to include films, including “The Squid and the Whale,” “Adventureland,” “The Social Network,” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

Recently, Eisenberg shared which role he loved playing the most. He portrayed street magician and master illusionist J. Daniel “Danny” Atlas thrice in the “Now You See Me” franchise, and he’s eager to return to the role, which he described as his “happiest place.”

A fourth installment is currently in the works, although no production timeline or release date has been announced.

Playing The Role Makes The Actor Feel ‘Amazing’

The third “Now You See Me” movie, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” was released in 2025, and Eisenberg is looking forward to filming the fourth movie. Per The Wrap, it’s what he wants to do “more than anything else.”

“I’ve never felt happier than when playing that part,” the actor said, adding that he typically portrays “depressed people” on screen, which, in turn, makes him feel the same. In contrast, playing “arrogant magician” Danny gives him a confidence boost.

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“I walk away everyday thinking, ‘That was amazing.’ It’s the only character where I get to stand up straight and wear a nicer outfit. It’s my happiest place,” Eisenberg said.

The film franchise has seen massive success at the box office. The first film, “Now You See Me,” was released in 2013 and grossed $351 million globally, five times its budget. The sequel, “Now You See Me 2,” hit theaters in 2016 and raked in $334 million, while 2025’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” earned $246 million, which totals $931 million across the three films.

Jesse Eisenberg Wants To Revisit Another Role

Looking back on the other characters he played on screen, Eisenberg said he is open to revisiting his character, Nick, in the 2002 dramedy “Roger Dodger,” his first feature film role.

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The movie centers on advertising executive and lothario Roger Swanson (Campbell Scott), who takes his 16-year-old nephew Nick for a night out in hopes of teaching him about women and seduction. It was written and directed by Dylan Kidd and also features Isabella Rossellini, Elizabeth Berkley, and Jennifer Beals.

Eiesenberg said the movie comes to mind all the time, adding, “Campbell seemed like a real adult, and I still feel like an 18-year-old boy. I really should pitch the director, Dylan Kidd,” he noted.

Why Isn’t The Actor Coming Back As Mark Zuckerberg?

One role Eisenberg doesn’t want to revisit is Mark Zuckerberg. He gained widespread critical acclaim for portraying the Facebook founder in 2010’s “The Social Network,” earning Best Actor nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTA Awards, and SAG Awards.

The movie’s standalone sequel, “The Social Reckoning,” will be released in theaters in October. Writer and director Aaron Sorkin previously revealed that he wanted Eisenberg to reprise his role, but the actor refused, per The Blast. Jeremy Strong has taken on the role for the upcoming movie.

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“I don’t want to be associated with him anymore because I don’t really like the comparison,” Eisenberg explained. While the actor empathized with the Facebook founder when he played him, he changed his tune in the years following and has been critical of Zuckerberg’s actions.

Jesse Eisenberg Shares His Dream Role

Eisenberg is fascinated by basketball icon Gregg Popovich, the former coach and current president of the San Antonio Spurs.

“Here’s this tough coach who cries sometimes and talks about the plight of America, and yet he’s also this terrifying figure who can be so mean to journalists,” the actor said. The dual-natured sports figure intrigued Eisenberg for his complex personality.

There are currently no reports of a Popovich biopic, but even if there were, Eisenberg admitted he likely wouldn’t get the role. “I just think I would be very low on the list to be cast as a basketball coach,” he said.

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Taylor Swift’s lavish wedding to Travis Kelce is facing unexpected criticism after one feature of the star-studded reception divided fans online. 

While guests competed for thousands of dollars’ worth of luxury raffle prizes, some praised the interactive celebration, while others branded the concept “tacky.” 

As more details emerge from the closely guarded event, the unconventional giveaway has become one of the wedding’s most talked-about surprises.

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce made sure their wedding reception was anything but ordinary by transforming the celebration into an interactive experience complete with games and high-end giveaways.

Rather than simply handing out lavish gifts, guests reportedly earned raffle tickets by taking part in activities including skee-ball, miniature golf, and a football ring toss. Those tickets were then entered into drawings for an array of luxury prizes.

Among the standout giveaways were designer handbags, Cartier watches, and even a classic 1970 Chevrolet, making the reception feel as much like an upscale carnival as a celebrity wedding.

One of the night’s biggest winners was Jackie Tranquill, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill, who walked away with what appears to be a black Chanel 25 Small Handbag crafted from grained calfskin with gold-tone hardware. 

According to Chanel’s website, the accessory retails for approximately $6,700.

Swift Celebration Leaves One Guest Thrilled As Critics Push Back

Days after the wedding, Jackie shared a series of Instagram photos documenting her Fourth of July weekend, including a closer look at her new designer handbag.

The carousel also featured images of the elegant full-skirted gown she wore to the wedding, family snapshots, and even a television showing World Cup coverage.

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One of the photos showed Jackie posing with her man. The 30-year-old looked dapper in a green suit, paired with a white shirt, black pants, and a black shoe.

In another picture, Jackie opted for a side pose, while holding her and Drue’s baby boy. Another slide also featured a short clip of the mom of four looking happy while twirling on the street.

“Freedom, Friends & fútbol,” she captioned the post before adding, “Congrats to the newly weds. Happy 250th America & of course, let’s go USA!.” She wrapped up the celebration by writing, “WHAT A WEEKEND, WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!”

Fans Share Mixed Opinions About Jackie’s Win

Most followers flooded the comments with congratulations and compliments about her wedding look. Others celebrated her raffle win.

However, not everyone loved the concept. One commenter criticized the reception’s giveaway element altogether, describing the idea of winning prizes at a wedding as “tacky.”

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“Tacky to win prizes at a wedding?!?! But you look beautiful!” the fan wrote. The comment ignited a flurry of backlash from fans, who took to Taylor Swift’s defense.

“What’s tacky with that? I bet you’re lacking fun in your life. Life is short have some fun and don’t be so judgmental,” a fan shared. Another questioned, “Wanting to share your wealth with friends and family is tacky now? Y’all will call anything tacky.”

Other users simply praised Jackie, noting that she looked beautiful in her dress, especially as she gave birth in May. 

“Girl! You understood the assignment. You are stunning in that dress,” one fan wrote. A second user shared, “Okay so wow…I have seen some gorgeous dresses but this is by my favorite.”

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Taylor Swift Wedding Continues To Reveal New Details Days Later

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Although the wedding itself was an intensely private affair, new details have continued surfacing in the days since the ceremony.

Apparently, Jackie wasn’t the only lucky recipient of one of the night’s luxury prizes. Page Six also reported that Avril Lavigne won a Chanel handbag during the reception.

Guests who didn’t leave with raffle winnings weren’t forgotten. Each attendee reportedly received an embroidered handkerchief featuring a subtle nod to Swift’s 2014 hit “Blank Space.” 

The keepsake proved fitting after several emotional moments throughout the ceremony reportedly left guests reaching for tissues.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Tie The Knot In Star-Studded New York Ceremony

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Swift and Kelce officially became husband and wife after exchanging vows in a lavish ceremony at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, capping off a romance that captivated fans around the world. 

The July 3 celebration brought together around 1,000 guests, including celebrities, athletes, and close family members, while maintaining tight security and strict privacy measures throughout the event. 

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As The Blast reported, comedian Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony, with Swift’s brother, Austin, serving as her man of honor and Kelce’s brother, Jason, standing beside him as best man. 

The Grammy Award winner wore a custom Christian Dior Haute Couture gown designed by Jonathan Anderson, while Kelce also chose Dior for his wedding attire. 

Although official wedding photos have yet to be released, guests described the ceremony as intimate despite its grand scale, with the celebration ending beneath a rainbow following a dramatic summer thunderstorm.

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Much of science fiction takes us into worlds and galaxies beyond our own. While some find darker corners in the darkest reaches of outer space, some rousing efforts are all about adventure. Despite the high budgets that often come with high adventures set in space or the future, these movies have been around since the days of silent cinema. Ever since Georges Méliès sent a group of astronomers on A Trip to the Moon, audiences have been excited by the adventures that sci-fi can take us on.

The 20th century was host to numerous sci-fi adventures. Forbidden Planet, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and so many more brought audiences adventures on spaceships, across time and with bioengineered beasts. The adventure didn’t stop at the turn of the century, though, and we’ve gotten plenty of sci-fi classics in the 21st century. In the last 26 years, we’ve gotten new adventurous editions of some of the all-time best franchises. The adventure hasn’t stopped in the 21st century, and these ten films from the last 25 years are some of the best.

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‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ (2001)

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As the Disney Renaissance came to a close at the end of the ’90s, the studio began to try its hand at lots of different genres, adventure chief among them. Gone were the lavish musical numbers of films like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, replaced by Tarzan swinging to the sounds of Phil Collins and the second half of Mulan that subtly shifted it from a musical to a war epic. In the 21st century, Disney added some sci-fi to this formula with two of their most underrated cult films: the sci-fi pirate adventure Treasure Planet, and the steampunk Atlantis: The Lost Empire. The latter is still one of the best Disney movies of the 21st century and one of the best to combine sci-fi and adventure.

Set in the early 20th century, the film follows cartographer Milo Thatch (Michael J. Fox), who believes he can find the fabled lost city of Atlantis. He’s given the opportunity thanks to an eccentric millionaire and a ragtag team of adventurers who bring him on a journey to the depths of the oceans. The action is high octane, thanks to co-directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, and it features a vastly different style to the studio’s previous efforts thanks to the heavy influence of Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, who also served as a production designer. Top to bottom, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is dynamite sci-fi entertainment.

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‘Tron: Legacy’ (2010)

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The original Tron was a landmark film in terms of visual effects technology, but had a more tepid response from critics and at the box office. Unsurprisingly, it became a major cult success with fans who fell in love with the dayglo circuitry aesthetic of the Grid. That cult following, coupled with the career resurgence of Jeff Bridges in the late aughts, led to the first major legacy sequel of the 21st century, aptly titled Tron: Legacy. It wasn’t exactly a blockbuster success, leaving the franchise dormant until last year’s low-rez Tron: Ares, but it’s still a visually astounding adventure across the digital frontier.

Decades after programmer Kevin Flynn (Bridges), the hero of the original, goes missing, his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) receives a cryptic clue regarding his whereabouts. Sam is almost immediately digitized into the Grid, where he not only finds his father alive, but also his villainous digital doppelgänger Clu, who has designs on escaping his computer prison and spreading like a virus across the real world. Tron: Legacy brings back all the signature elements of the first film, from the light cycles to identity disks, and gives them all a new coat of digital paint. Director Joseph Kosinski excels at making digital effects feel tactile, making Tron: Legacy an incredible debut.

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‘Star Trek’ (2009)

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Despite his uneven track record, there’s no denying that J.J. Abrams can direct some spectacle, which is exactly what he brought, along with many lens flares, to his blockbuster reboot of Star Trek. Resetting the series with an alternate timeline, Abrams brought back the original series crew for a whole new voyage. Hardcore Trekkies may have taken major issues with the film and its liberties, but it helped revitalize a franchise that had been dormant for much of the 2000s after the failure of Star Trek: Nemesis.

In this rebooted timeline, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) is a hotheaded cadet who’s got an antagonistic relationship with Spock (Zachary Quinto). After half of Starfleet is destroyed by the Romulan Nero (Eric Bana), Kirk and Spock must put aside their differences to save Earth from total destruction. There’s plenty of action and adventure in the film, which is pretty perfectly cast top to bottom, with every actor bringing new dimensions to their established characters. The film also makes room for Leonard Nimoy to return to his iconic role in a bit of fan service that actually benefits the movie. Despite a couple of diminishing sequels, this reboot is still stellar fun.

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

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Most superhero movies qualify as science fiction. That definitely applies to every entry in the MCU, which came out strong in 2008 with the original Iron Man and dominated the box office and pop culture for a solid decade. It wouldn’t be until the franchise got into its second phase that it really started to embrace the more cosmic side of Marvel, with James Gunn‘s Guardians of the Galaxy. Still one of the best MCU movies ever made, this intergalactic adventure is chock-full of colorful characters, quick quips and lots of sci-fi settings.

In a far-off section of space, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) does his best impression of Han Solo and Indiana Jones by plundering a planet for an ancient relic. This mystical MacGuffin contains an Infinity Stone, and Quill quickly finds himself in a universe of trouble. In a space prison, Quill gathers a motley crew of misfits including Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel) and Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper). The characters, and Gunn’s off-the-wall writing, are what make this such an indelible sci-fi adventure that proved the MCU was better off embracing the weirder corner of its galaxy.

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‘Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi’ (2017)

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Even though it’s been almost a decade, there’s still a fair amount of (completely online) controversy surrounding The Last Jedi. The film made major, deliberate changes to some of the most beloved Star Wars characters in an effort to release the franchise from the constraints of its past. That unfortunately led to a completely normal and rational online reaction from a very vocal set of fans that completely drowned out any reasonable discussion. Disney also ended up listening to too much of that reaction and towed a far safer line with every other film and streaming series (save for Andor).

There’s no opinion regarding The Last Jedi that won’t offend someone, so here it is: it’s the best Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back. The continuing adventures of Rey (Daisy Ridley) bring us back into the orbit of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who’s become a miserable hermit after years of failing to find balance in the Force. She also discovers a hard truth about her parentage that promised a bold new direction for the franchise before being unceremoniously retconned. There are also a lot of subplots, including a casino planet, Leia (Carrie Fisher) flying through space, and that old devil Snoke (Andy Serkis). It’s a weird and uneven movie sometimes, but it’s also a fantastic adventure that offered new possibilities in a galaxy far, far away.

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‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

Image via A24

Multiverses became a part of the mainstream pop culture lexicon in the 21st century, bringing the concept that comic book and sci-fi fans had been nerding out over in media for decades to a much bigger audience. It largely hit its zeitgeist apex when it was featured in the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, an absurd sci-fi martial arts adventure that had more ideas in single scenes than a lot of Hollywood blockbusters had in their entire runtimes. Giving Michelle Yeoh a proper Hollywood leading role that was at least two decades overdue and featuring shining support from Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once gives you everything you want out of a movie.

Evelyn Wang (Yeoh) is a depressed laundromat proprietor being audited by the IRS, estranged from her husband Waymond (Quan) and with a strained relationship with her daughter, Joy (Stephanie Hsu). When Evelyn learns of the existence of the multiverse where she can inhabit her alternate selves, she also discovers her daughter is a multiverse maniac intent on destroying every last parallel world. The film can go from clever to overbearing to kick-ass and back again from scene to scene. It could all be overwhelming noise and nonsense, but directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert keep the story grounded, and Yeoh gives a full-bodied Oscar-winning performance.

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‘Project Hail Mary’ (2026)

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

One of the best sci-fi adventures of the last 25 years also happens to be the best blockbuster of 2026 so far. Project Hail Mary is based on the hard sci-fi novel by Andy Weir. This newest adventure features a lone human scientist on a one-way mission to save Earth who teams up with an alien lifeform. The balancing act of humor and science jargon is handled expertly by co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who keep the tone as light as it needs to be and the pace moving. Ryan Gosling has more chemistry with a talking rock, making for one of the most unexpectedly beautiful bonds in modern sci-fi.

Ryland Grace (Gosling) is a middle school teacher and molecular biologist recruited to assist in a mission to study small organisms responsible for the dimming of the sun. Through a series of unfortunate events, Grace soon finds himself all alone on a spacecraft light-years from Earth. That’s when there’s a knock at the door, and he meets Rocky, the adorable alien voiced by James Ortiz, who also led the creature’s puppeteers. Grace and Rocky’s relationship makes Project Hail Mary such a fun adventure, but the film’s excitement towards science and the beauty of the universe should make any fan giddy as well. This hit is the kind of crowd-pleasing blockbuster that should be the rule and not the exception that it currently is.

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‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Before Everything Everywhere All at Once explored the multiverse, and before Lord and Miller shot Ryan Gosling into space, there was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. While Sony can’t seem to get their act together when it comes to a live-action expanded universe featuring Spider-Man and his amazing friends, animation has provided a medium for some of the most inventive and visually stunning superhero adventures ever made. Into the Spider-Verse gave the Spider-Spotlight to Miles Morales, an alternate-universe Spider-Man whose origin story here comes with multiversal consequences.

Miles (Shameik Moore) is a gifted but distracted kid from Brooklyn who has great power thrust upon him after he’s bitten by a genetically mutated spider and witnesses his universe’s Peter Parker (Chris Pine) die at the fists of Kingpin (Liev Schreiber). He’s not alone for too long as he quickly meets more Spider-People from across the multiverse, including an old, sadder Peter Parker (Jake Johnson), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and even the hard-boiled Spider-Noir (Nicolas Cage). Into the Spider-Verse is the best Spider-Man movie ever made. It reinvigorated a character and franchise that had been booted and rebooted too many times, with a fresh perspective and a wildly entertaining sci-fi adventure.

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‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The most epic sci-fi adventure of the 2020s and possibly the 21st century so far is Denis Villeneuve‘s two-part (soon to be three) adaptation of Frank Herbert‘s seminal sci-fi novel Dune. Depicting the feudal conflicts that stain the sands of Arrakis red with blood, Villeneuve’s films brought vivid, visually arresting life to Herbert’s sci-fi world. While the first film was a slow introduction to that world and its characters, the sequel kicked things into higher gear with epic sandworm riding and visceral fight sequences. It’s a stimulating and overwhelming adaptation of one of the biggest sci-fi adventures in the history of the genre.

After the destruction of his family’s empire, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) now lives a nomadic existence with the Fremen tribes of Arrakis, some of whom believe him to be their messiah. Plagued by visions of a future of destruction caused by his actions while haunted by the machinations behind his existence, Paul is ultimately led to his role as a messianic leader and is able to exact vengeance upon the Harkonnens, who orchestrated the violent overthrow of his family. Dune: Part Two is a sprawling story told with sprawling visuals and is one of the most immersive sci-fi films of this century.

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‘WALL-E’ (2008)

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar’s robot love story WALL-E might be the studio’s greatest. It was Andrew Stanton‘s follow-up to Finding Nemo as a director, and it represented a quantum leap forward in terms of what could be done in mainstream CGI animation and what could be expected of it. So beloved was WALL-E and its success so overwhelming that it contributed to the Academy Awards expanding their Best Picture category to include more than five films after they infamously snubbed the animated masterpiece.

In the future, Earth is no longer inhabited by humans, who have long since left it behind to live in luxury on massive cruise liners in space. Still on Earth is WALL-E, or Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth-Class, a trash bot built to clean up the mess left by humans, but he’s the only one of his kind left on the planet. That is until the robot EVE lands, and WALL-E finds love, while EVE finds a boot with a plant setting off the more madcap back half of the film. WALL-E is a wonderful romance, a fantastic family film, and even a more pointed satire of our technological reliance than Stanton’s own Toy Story 5. It is also the greatest sci-fi adventure of the last 25 years.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith quietly rewrote the timeline of one of Hollywood’s most talked-about marriages without anyone noticing. 

While the public believed the couple remained committed despite living apart, the longtime spouses had reportedly resumed living together a while ago. 

The newly revealed detail doesn’t just update their relationship status; it changes how fans now view nearly every public appearance and family reunion the pair has made over the past two years.  

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The biggest revelation isn’t that Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are still together, but that they’ve reportedly been living under the same roof again for some time without publicly announcing it.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, an insider revealed the timeline of the recent development, noting, “Jada moved back in with Will two years ago.”

According to the source, the couple’s decision wasn’t driven by headlines or public pressure. “They are happy and love each other and are, as ever, committed to supporting each other,” they told the outlet.

The news marks a significant shift in the public understanding of their marriage. After Jada disclosed in 2023 that she and Will had actually been separated since 2016, many assumed the pair had continued living separate lives despite remaining legally married. 

As recently as early 2025, reports suggested they were still living in separate homes. The latest revelation means that narrative had already changed privately long before anyone realized.  

Jada’s Marriage Timeline Now Looks Very Different

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The newly revealed timeline also casts several recent public appearances in an entirely new light.

When Will and Jada Pinkett Smith attended Christian Louboutin’s Menswear Spring/Summer 2027 presentation during Paris Fashion Week last month, many viewed the outing as another example of two devoted parents supporting their son Jaden. 

Pictures from the event showed the family posing alongside Willow, Trey Smith, and Jada’s mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris. However, the trip reflected something they had consistently prioritized.

That same month, an insider told PEOPLE that the visit centered on “family time,” adding, “Will and Jada love each other and absolutely maintain a steady relationship, but what you are seeing is full support of their kids. They are proud of them.”

The same dynamic reportedly continued over the Fourth of July weekend in Philadelphia. Although severe weather delayed Will’s scheduled performance until 2 a.m., the source said Jada “was there with him as she always is.”  

Will Smith And Jada Fuel Relationship Speculation With Paris Restaurant Outing

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Shortly after their Paris Fashion Week outing, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith set tongues wagging after stepping out for a rare dinner date at Paris hotspot Loulou, where they were joined by son Jaden and close friends before leaving the restaurant arm-in-arm. 

As The Blast reported, the longtime couple appeared relaxed and smiling as they strolled through the French capital, with Jada looping her arm through her husband’s while the two coordinated effortlessly stylish looks. 

The “Bad Boys” actor opted for a patterned collared shirt, tailored trousers, and a white baseball cap, while Jada wore a chic black-and-white layered ensemble with statement eyewear. 

The outing quickly reignited conversation about the pair’s enduring bond, as many pointed to their affectionate display during one of their most high-profile public appearances together in recent months.  

Will’s Fans Divided After Jada Pinkett Smith’s Viral Paris Moment

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Will and Jada’s recent Paris restaurant outing may have reignited discussion about their unconventional relationship, but it was a brief interaction afterward that truly set social media ablaze. 

After the couple enjoyed dinner together in the French capital, Will stopped outside to greet supporters and sign autographs as photographers surrounded him. 

As the 59-year-old chatted with fans, Jada briefly placed a hand on his back before continuing toward their waiting vehicle, a moment some viewers quickly misinterpreted. 

Some viewers insisted the moment reflected tension between the couple, with one X user claiming per The Blast, “Jada Pinkett shoved Will Smith aside while he was signing autographs for fans and walked away like he was a complete stranger.” 

Another added, “She either has some crazy -ss blackmail on him or a voodoo spell because how the f-ck has he not walked away from this woman yet?” 

Others dismissed the criticism, arguing the exchange was being blown out of proportion. 

Jada Never Suggested Divorce Was The Goal

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Although the latest outings come as a surprise, it aligns with what Jada Pinkett has consistently said about her marriage.

While promoting her memoir “Worthy” in 2023, she shocked fans by revealing that she and Will had quietly separated in 2016. At the same time, however, she made it clear the separation was never intended to end their relationship.

“We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us,” she told PEOPLE.

She also explained, “I’m going to be by his side… but also allow him to have to figure this out for himself.”

Even after publicly acknowledging their years-long separation, the actress repeatedly emphasized that neither she nor Will viewed divorce as the destination. 

Instead, they continued redefining what marriage looked like on their own terms, a philosophy both have discussed publicly for years. 

It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen a book series with the level of hype and general popularity that Dungeon Crawler Carl has been experiencing over the last several months. Matt Dinniman‘s LitRPG sci-fi series has been steadily building a big audience for a couple of years now, but the end of 2025 and the first few months of 2026 have seen it reach new heights. There are still new readers joining the ranks of the Dungeon Crawlers every single day, beginning their journey through the eight-book series that has captured so many others.

Excitement reached a high point back in April with the release of the eighth Dungeon Crawler Carl novel, A Parade of Horribles. While some are currently working their way through the series to get to the newest release, a large chunk of the fan base burned through the new book within a couple of days. Of course, once you finish A Parade of Horribles, the first thing on your mind is when you’ll be able to read the next chapter. There’s still no answer to that question at this point, but we do know exactly how many books are left before the series comes to a close.

‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Is Almost Over

Image via Luciano Fleitas/Ace Books

So, just how much is left in Dungeon Crawler Carl? Dinniman has already answered this question publicly, though the answer itself is a little bit complicated. There are going to be nine books in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. At the same time, there are also going to be ten books in the saga. It’s all about how you want to look at it.

Dinniman is currently working on the ninth and final entry in the series, which will bring a close to the story that began in Dungeon Crawler Carl. That said, there will be 10 individual volumes within Dungeon Crawler Carl by the time it’s all over. The author has already announced that he will be splitting this ninth installment into two separate volumes, meaning that there will be two individual releases for the end of the story, likely with Part 1 and Part 2 included in the titles.

There are a number of different reasons for the split into two books, and Dinniman has addressed more than one. The book will likely be more than big enough to warrant separate volumes, and the author has already said he’s using the split and single title as a reason to drop a big cliffhanger at the end of the next installment.

More to the ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Universe?

Dungeon Crawler Carl lends itself to a plethora of spin-off or continuation ideas, given the vast nature of the galaxy in the book, as well as of the endlessly intriguing characters in the series, many of which deserve their own series at some point. Unfortunately, there is no kind of spin-off book in the works right now, and Dinniman has not revealed any major plans to do so — at least in classic book form.

There is a standalone graphic novel on the way that focuses on the origins of fan-favorite character Florin, the bounty hunter-turned-humanoid crocodile in the time before the dungeon opened up on Earth. Co-written by Dinniman and Michael Moreci, and illustrated by Brett Bean, Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile is going to be hitting shelves at some point (following its crowdfunding campaign).

It appears, at least for now, this is the only sort of spin-off/prequel/sequel coming from Dungeon Crawler Carl. However, the franchise is only going to keep popping up in all sorts of spaces in the future. There is a role-playing game and card game coming from Renegade (after a record-breaking crowdfunding campaign), as well as a live-action TV show from Seth MacFarlane in the works at Peacock.

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Trigger Warning: This article features discussions of sensitive subjects.Perhaps one reason we turn to television is its vast capacity and freedom to tell stories. Whether short-term miniseries or long-running shows, the small screen has hosted some of the riskiest and most daring moments. Some have served as teaching tools while others nearly set the world on fire. Whether for better or worse, it’s the latter that has made a lasting impact on the media and pop culture.

The episodes below are considered some of the most controversial of all time. They were so controversial that they sparked a national conversation and drew backlash in the process. From taboo topics to groundbreaking moments, these episodes reshaped the types of stories that would be told and how they’d be handled. For the most part, these moments came from long-running serialized shows where the event was centralized to the episode. Some of these episodes were so scandalous, they have been pulled from ever airing again. So, if you didn’t watch in real time, good luck uncovering them!

‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)

Season 8, Episodes 4 & 5 “Edith’s 50th Birthday”

Image via CBS

There are very few sitcoms more infamous for their boundary-pushing than All in the Family. Created by Norman Lear, the series followed the Bunker family living in Queens. Through sharp satire and intense debates, All in the Family thrived on the clash of values between the “Greatest Generation” and the Baby Boomer counterculture. Before its nine-season run, network television tended to avoid taboo subjects and gritty real-world conflict. That all changed here. There were many memorable moments that shocked viewers, but the episode that garnered the most controversy was Season 8’s “Edith’s 50th Birthday.” In the episode, a man named Lambert (David Dukes), while posing as a police detective, attempts to rape Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) on her 50th birthday. Her family is unaware of the events unfolding as they prepare for a surprise party next door. Broken up into two parts, the episode also depicts Edith struggling to deal with the aftermath as her family both comforts her and brings her assailant to justice.

All in the Family went to uncharted territory here. The 1977 episode was monumental as it was the first time an attempted rape was portrayed on an American sitcom. It shocked audiences as they watched a beloved, wholesome character fall into a terrifying and realistic violent assault. By tackling such a raw, terrifying subject, the show polarized viewers who turned to it for laughs. Lear believed that he chose the gentle and sheltered Edith to be the victim to showcase how sexual assault can happen to anyone. It was an unsettling feeling for audiences who viewed her as virtually untouchable. Though there were many fans outraged by the dark episode, it was used as a teaching tool by crisis centers to convey the female perspective of assault and survival. Since All in the Family, the theme has been a consistent feature on television, all thanks to Lear’s groundbreaking episode.

‘Ellen’ (1994–1998)

Season 4, Episodes 22 & 23 “The Puppy Episode”

Image via ABC

Today, Ellen DeGeneres is known as one of the pioneers for LGBTQ+ individuals in media, but her coming out was not as easy as it is today. The former talk show host used her ’90s sitcom, Ellen, as a means to come out. Unfortunately, it was not met with immediate praise or warm welcomes. Ellen followed the neurotic and quirky adventures of Ellen Morgan (DeGeneres), a single 30-something woman living in Los Angeles. The series focused on her daily struggles with her career at a local bookshop, complicated dating scenarios, and the close-knit but odd circle of friends—her neurotic yet loving best friend Paige Clark (Joely Fisher), her snarky, cynical coworker Joe Farrell (David Anthony Higgins), her naive and hyperactive friend Audrey Penney (Clea Lewis), and her self-absorbed, aspiring actor friend Spencer Kovak (Jeremy Piven). What started as a wholesome slice-of-life comedy changed during the milestone Season 4 episode, “The Puppy Episode.”

The episode follows Ellen as she goes to dinner with her former boyfriend Richard (Steven Eckholdt), who is in town with his producer, Susan (Laura Dern). Ellen and Susan immediately hit it off, allowing Susan to suggest that, like her, Ellen might be gay. Initially denying it, a panicked Ellen tries to sleep with Richard to prove to herself that she isn’t. When the plan fails, she seeks guidance from a therapist (Oprah Winfrey). She ultimately comes to terms with her sexuality, which leads to the iconic moment at the airport where an accidental mix-up with the intercom causes her to publicly come out, declaring, “I’m gay.” Meant to mirror her real-life coming out, the star negotiated with ABC for her character to come out, leading to speculation about DeGeneres herself. There were subtle hints scattered throughout the episodes leading up to “The Puppy Episode,” but the controversy arose before it even aired.

Many organizations, including the American Family Association, pressured the network to drop the storyline while urging sponsors to pull their ads. It worked as Chrysler and Wendy’s cut ties, as ABC placed a parental advisory warning at the beginning of the broadcast. Amid a flurry of backlash, condemnation, and support, DeGeneres used the moment to speak out, appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show with then-girlfriend Anne Heche on the date of the sitcom episode. The episode liberated queer storytelling but ultimately hurt the series, which ended the following year. The series’ formerly comedic tone gave way to more serious themes and topics, with subsequent storylines centered almost entirely on gay issues, which were more taboo than than they are today. “The Puppy Episode” was a crucial moment for LGTBQ+ visibility despite its initial backlash. The Fall television season following the end of Ellen gave way to Will & Grace.

‘Family Guy’ (1999–Present)

Season 8, Episode 21 “Partial Terms of Endearment”

Image via FOX

Adult animated sitcoms were notorious for pushing the boundary. Family Guy was one of the leaders in that respect. Created by Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy satirized American culture through the lives of the eccentric and dysfunctional Griffin family in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island. Driven by rapid-fire, irreverent humor and cutaway gags, Family Guy turned the traditional nuclear family dynamic upside down through dark humor, pop culture parodies, and controversial topics. One episode that sparked a conversation that the show went too far was the Season 8 episode, “Partial Terms of Endearment.” The plot follows Lois Griffin (Alex Borstein), who agrees to act as a surrogate mother for an infertile college friend, Naomi (Julia Sweeney). Tragically, the biological parents are killed in a car accident days after conception, leaving Lois with the difficult choice of whether to keep the baby or terminate the pregnancy. The episode was provocative, but not everyone found it handled with care.

Rather than a straightforward drama like the classic sitcom “Special Episode,” it applied the signature irreverent humor to the tragedy. In one moment, after Peter (MacFarlane) believes Lois should terminate the pregnancy, he tries to force Lois to miscarry by dressing like Wile E. Coyote and utilizing ACME-style traps in the desert to try and harm her, all through slapstick animation. Both the pro-life and pro-choice arguments are presented, featuring intense protests and highly polarizing debates between the show’s characters. The episode concludes with Peter breaking the fourth wall, saying, “We had the abortion,” as the final punchline. Fox deemed the subject matter too sensitive for network television, ultimately resulting in the episode being banned from airing on U.S. television. That said, it was viewed by fewer than a million homes during its original airing in the UK and did make it onto the DVD.

‘I Love Lucy’ (1951–1957)

Season 2, Episode 10 “Lucy Is Enceinte”

Image via CBS

Sitcom characters getting pregnant nowadays serve as a major and important plot point. They tend to be seen as a positive. There are cases in which the actor becomes pregnant, which wouldn’t work for the character, forcing the show to creatively hide the real-life miracle. But in the early days of television, pregnancies were a taboo topic for storytelling. In fact, network censors believed that depicting and explicitly discussing pregnancy was highly suggestive and obscene. So, what would happen to I Love Lucy when it was learned that it’s star, Lucille Ball, was with child? She changed the way things were done. I Love Lucy was a classic sitcom that followed a zany, ambitious housewife obsessed with breaking into show business. She was often seen concocting hilarious, sometimes doomed, schemes to perform at her husband Ricky’s (Desi Arnaz) nightclub, dragging her best friend and neighbor, Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance), into the mix. In the Season 2 episode, “Lucy Is Enceinte,” Lucy discovers she is pregnant and tries to find the perfect, dramatic way to tell Ricky, but her efforts are constantly thwarted. She ultimately makes the grand reveal through song at the Tropicana. Marking the official launch of the “Little Ricky” storyline, Ball’s pregnancy was written into the show with much protest.

Because pregnancy directly implied a couple engaged in intimacy, the strict policing of sex references on screen caused the network to try to have Ball sit behind chairs and tables to hide her growing belly. The word “pregnant” was even dodged, making the character question why she was experiencing weight gain and low energy. But with Ball and Arnaz standing their ground that a married woman having a baby was a natural, beautiful thing, pushing the storyline through led to concessions being made. The title had to use the French word for pregnancy. Producer Jess Oppenheimer had to employ an interfaith panel of clergy to review each script line by line to ensure it remained wholesome. In the end, the storyline proved an unprecedented success, with a record-breaking 44 million viewers tuning in for the birth episode. Without one of TV’s favorite couple standing up for change, the entire landscape of television could have been altered.

‘Maude’ (1972–1978)

Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10 “Maude’s Dilemma”

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Of course, if you’re a spin-off of All in the Family, it’s expected that at some point, you’ll tackle a shocking storyline. In 1972, Maude followed through. The sitcom stars Bea Arthur as Maude Findlay, an outspoken, fiercely independent, and unapologetically liberal middle-aged woman living in suburban New York with her fourth husband, Walter (Bill Macy). Created by Norman Lear, the series blended domestic situations with then-taboo social issues, frequently clashing with conservative neighbors and family members. Throughout its six-season run, Maude tackled everything from women’s and gay rights to mental health and addiction, but the episode that met the most backlash was the episode that explored abortion. In “Maude’s Dilemma,” the 47-year-old Maude discovers she is pregnant and ultimately chooses to terminate the pregnancy. It was a stark contrast from other shows that tackled similar situations, instead of using perceived “cop-outs” of miscarriages or false pregnancies.

Timing was everything because the story arrived merely two months before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Would that have changed public perception? It’s hard to say. At that moment, the controversial premise led to nearly 40 CBS affiliate networks refusing to air the premiere or subsequent reruns of the episodes. It drew the backlash of the United States Catholic Conference and sparked an estimated 7,000 to 17,000 protest letters sent directly to CBS. The episode divided households. The initial script found Maude’s neighbor Vivian (Rue McClanahan) pregnant, leading to a conversation about contraceptives, but he thought the funnier concept would be the wrong woman being pregnant. But having already used a miscarriage on All in the Family, he decided Maude would realistically have had an abortion despite her moral turmoil regarding the subject. The direct unapologetic stance on the issue of bodily autonomy paved the way for shows to tackle it in the future in a post-Roe v. Wade world.

‘Murphy Brown’ (1988–2018)

Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato”

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The ‘80s was filled with wholesome family sitcoms. There were some shows that broke the traditional mode, but with a mindset of how sitcom stories should be told, why deviation from the format would be deemed controversial. Perhaps even not responsible. Even in a post-The Mary Tyler Moore world, it was rare to see a workplace comedy led by a strong, independent woman. And yet, Murphy Brown cracked the code. The Diane English-created series follows the professional and personal misadventures of Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen), a highly respected, sharp-tongued, and recovering alcoholic investigative journalist for the fictional news magazine show FYI. Best known for its perfect blend of workplace comedy with sharp social commentary and real-world politics, the series found itself in the crossfire when Vice President Dan Quayle publicly criticized the titular character for choosing to raise a child as a single mother. In the run-up to the 1992 election, Quayle used the show as a punching bag, arguing that a highly paid, professional woman bearing a child alone was “mocking the importance of fathers.”

As a direct rebuttal of the family values debate, the Season 5 premiere, “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato,” the episode follows the aftermath of Quayle’s controversial real-world speech attacking Murphy Brown for undermining family values. In turn, the FYI newsroom retaliate by producing a special episode of the show. Instead of backing down, they use the broadcast to highlight and celebrate the wide diversity of modern American families. The title was a direct reference to a real-life incident where Quayle notoriously corrected an elementary school student’s correct spelling of the word “potato,” erroneously insisting it be spelled with an “e.” To get back at Quayle, the punchline becomes Murphy dumping a massive truckload of potatoes onto the Vice President’s lawn. The episode created an unprecedented blend of reality and television fiction, drawing an estimated 70 million viewers.

‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975–Present)

Season 18, Episode 2 “Tim Robbins/Sinéad O’Connor”

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Nowadays, the Pope has become a punching bag for political discourse. Once upon a time, simply ripping up a photo of the Pope was cause for controversy. The incident in question occurred on Saturday Night Live, but not during a sketch; it was during a performance by musical guest, Sinéad O’Connor. The long-running sketch show has notoriously pushed the boundaries as even some guest hosts have been banned over the years, but during the 1992 episode hosted by Tim Robbins, his appearance was swiftly overshadowed during O’Connor’s unapproved on-air protest, where she sang an a cappella version of Bob Marley‘s “War,” held up a photo of Pope John Paul II, ripped it into pieces, and told the audience to “fight the real enemy”.

Much of the Irish singer’s reasoning behind her actions was to protest the alleged systemic cover-up of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church prior to the scandal becoming public knowledge. In turn, the action was widely misunderstood and sparked immediate global outrage. The deceit came because, during dress rehearsals, she tore up a photo of a refugee child instead. Because the stunt was entirely unscripted, she blindsided Lorne Michaels and the producers. Michaels immediately ordered the crew not to light the “Applause” signs, resulting in dead silence in the studio before cutting to a commercial. NBC was hit with a massive fine by the FCC. O’Connor was swiftly banned from the program, cementing herself in SNL history. The following week, host Joe Pesci used his monologue to fiercely criticize her and declared he would have “smacked” her. O’Connor revealed in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings. She had no regrets about the controversial performance. “I feel that having a No. 1 record derailed my career, and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track,” she wrote.

‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)

Season 9, Episode 20 “The Puerto Rican Day”

Though it was a show about nothing, they sure knew how to make something out of nothing! The iconic sitcom Seinfeld followed the mundane, everyday misadventures of a neurotic stand-up comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, and his three eccentric friends in New York City, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards). The quartet were notorious for their bad deeds, but one of the worst moments came during the Season 9 episode, “The Puerto Rican Day.” The episode chronicles Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer as they get stuck in massive traffic returning from a Mets game during the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. While they each deal with their own isolated, comedic misadventures, the controversy stemmed from Kramer using a sparkler to light a cigar but accidentally setting a nearby Puerto Rican flag on fire. To extinguish the flames, he stomps on the flag. It only got worse. Later in the episode, an angry mob of parade-goers damages Jerry’s car, and Kramer says, “It’s like this every day in Puerto Rico.”

The episode sparked backlash, even before broadcast due to the title, with community leaders perceiving there would be offensive material. The depiction provoked widespread protests outside NBC’s Rockefeller Center in New York City. The National Puerto Rican Coalition strongly condemned the episode, stating that the flag was being used as a disrespectful stage prop. During the Season 9 DVD extra features, two of the episode’s writers, Steve Koren and David Mandel, shared that despite the title, the episode essentially has nothing to do with Puerto Ricans, and that they could have moved the setting to any of the many annual parades without significantly changing the story or dialogue. Even despite the pushback, NBC officially apologized for the episode and pulled “The Puerto Rican Day” from syndication, making it largely unavailable to air on television for several years. That all changed. Sony Pictures Television eventually re-added the episode to the syndication package in 2002, and it is now available to stream on platforms like Netflix. Perhaps the most striking fact, the episode was the show’s second-highest-rated episode of all time, with 38.8 million viewers, only behind the series finale.

‘South Park’ (1997–Present)

Season 14, Episode 5 “200”

Image via Comedy Central

We all knew that South Park would do something brazen for its milestone 200th episode. No one anticipated just how far Trey Parker and Matt Stone would go. The adult animated series follows the surreal, often chaotic misadventures of four foul-mouthed schoolboys—Stan Marsh (Parker), Kyle Broflovski (Stone), Eric Cartman (Parker), and Kenny McCormick (Stone)—living in a small Colorado mountain town. Known for its distinct paper cutout animation style, the series is notorious for its scathing that pokes at a wide variety of mature, real-world topics and pop culture commentary. In the Season 14 episode simply titled “200,” Tom Cruise and a mob of over 200 angry celebrities, including Kanye West, Mel Gibson, and Paris Hilton, file a class-action lawsuit against South Park for past ridicule. Cruise offers to drop the suit if the town delivers the prophet Muhammad, whose image is considered off-limits to mockery, to help the celebrities avoid further public ridicule. And just like that. Muhammad is depicted, causing immediate backlash from the Muslim community. Though the Islamic prophet is often concealed inside a U-Haul truck or in a bear costume, just having Muhammad as part of the plot was considered insensitive and strictly prohibited by many Muslims.

Following the broadcast, the creators received death threats, including from Revolution Muslim, stating that they would face the same fate as Dutch filmmaker, Theo van Gogh, who was murdered for creating content critical of Islam. Because of the escalating threats, Comedy Central heavily censored the subsequent follow-up episode, “201,” including aggressively bleeping out all dialogue that mentioned Muhammad’s name and completely removing the characters’ overarching moral speech, resulting in a disruptively censored final product that angered both fans and free-speech advocates. Many individuals in the media took to their platforms to call out the threats, going as far as to call the threats chilling. With corporate fears of further security concerns, both episodes were banned from syndication, completely left off digital and DVD releases, and excluded from streaming platforms. Ultimately, the author of the post, Zachary Chesser, was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

‘Tiny Toon Adventures’ (1990–1992)

Season 2, Episode 3 “Elephant Issues”

Image via Warner Bros. Animation

It might come as a great shock that a beloved kids’ animated classic would wind up on this list, but Tiny Toon Adventures made one grave mistake in 1991. The legacy series followed a new generation of young cartoon characters attending Acme Looniversity in Acme Acres. Mentored by the likes of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, the kids learn the art of slapstick comedy and cartoon antics. Within each episode, multiple vignettes are played, and it was one known as “One Beer” that had the nation in a tizzy. In the segment in the larger episode “Elephant Issues,” Buster, Plucky, and Hamton get heavily intoxicated from a single bottle of alcohol. As a result, they grow stubble, develop bloodshot eyes, slur their speech, and undergo outfit changes to resemble “drunken bums.” Then, they steal a police car, and subsequently, recklessly drive off a cliff. To put a true button on an uncomfortable moment, the trio “die” as they float up to heaven as angels.

The episode was initially designed to be a comically dark, cautionary PSA against drinking. Instead, it was a complete misfire. The episode was swiftly pulled from syndication to avoid further backlash and potentially send the wrong message to young viewers. The ban was eventually lifted as the episode aired on networks like The Hub and Hulu, as well as appearing on the DVD release of the complete series. The dark and surreal segment didn’t deter the series or its legacy as a reboot returned in 2023 with Tiny Toon Looniversity. Even in the college version, the series didn’t go that dark.