By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 second ago

My absolute favorite kind of movie is the anthology. When you have a collection of short films all rolled into one, it provides the ultimate ROI for the audience. Don’t like one of the stories? You can just thug it out with the short runtime or skip ahead to the next tale. Either way is infinitely preferable to slogging through a two-hour film that started boring you to tears in the first scene. The anthology is much rarer in television, however, because networks and streamers have learned just how attached fans get to the same characters and stories, causing them to run these shows into the ground.

Heroes, Stranger Things, Star Trek: Discovery…what do all of these shows have in common? They were designed to be anthologies that would change things up each season, but their early success meant we were stuck with the same cast for years as the show got worse. Fortunately, true anthology lovers are just a click away from getting their fix. Right now, Tales From the Crypt is streaming for free on Tubi, just waiting to delight all you ghouls and boys. It’s not just the perfect anthology show; it is, in fact, the greatest horror series ever made!

Meet The Cryptkeeper

Tales From the Crypt fully embraces its anthology format, with every single episode focusing on different characters and different terrifying tales. What ties all of them together is our host, the Cryptkeeper. He’s a snarky, hilariously mean corpse of a character brought to life by a small army of puppeteers. The show originated on HBO, and its creators embraced the fact that it didn’t have to abide by any of the restrictive standards of network television. As such, episodes were filled to the brim with vulgar language, nudity, sex, and more buckets of blood than you can shake a bodybag at.

Younger horror fans should know that it’s almost impossible to overstate the popularity of Tales From the Crypt and its ghoulish host. Despite all the blood, breasts, and beasts, the show was wildly popular with kids, including my own underage self. Accordingly, it got two spinoffs aimed directly at children: Tales From the Cryptkeeper (a Saturday Morning children’s cartoon) and Secrets of the Cryptkeeper’s Haunted House (a weird gameshow). If that seems odd, this was during the same time that Kenner marketed toys based on Terminator 2 and Aliens directly to kids. What can I say? The ‘90s were weird, man!

Friends In Low Places

One compelling reason to check out Tales From the Crypt is that it had plenty of awesome guest stars, all of whom were happy to do an episode without being tied down to a long contract. Guests included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Pitt, Michael J. Fox, Tom Hanks, and so many more. In most cases, these actors are performing against type, making what happens to them onscreen that much more shocking. Trust me: if you only know actors like Robert Picardo and Wil Wheaton from Star Trek, you’ll never look at them the same way after watching Tales From the Crypt.

For me, though, the single best thing about Tales From the Crypt is the show’s wicked sense of humor. With his relentless puns, wild expressions, and unhinged laughter, the Cryptkeeper sets the tone for a show that has black comedy running through its veins at all times. This adds serious entertainment value and also helps position the show as a light (but filling) bite for horror fans. Not in the mood for elevated horror and don’t have the time for a two-hour psychological thriller? You can always count on Tales From the Crypt to deliver a perfect slice of scary entertainment in under 30 minutes.

There’s not much more to say, especially without spoiling these awesome episodes. Ready to see if this early HBO success story lives up to the hype? Maybe you want to laugh and scream in equal measure, or just write down some weird new puns with which to torment your children? Whatever your reason, the best horror series ever made is just a click away. Tales From the Crypt is currently streaming for free on Tubi, which is arguably the best platform for any boils and ghouls who love a good scare!

TALES FROM THE CRYPT REVIEW SCORE

Below Deck Mediterranean‘s Captain Sandy Yawn filed a report after she found out that Luke Brumer soiled Nathan Gallagher‘s sheets with his bodily fluids.

During the Monday, July 20, episode of the Bravo show, Captain Sandy sat Luke down to discuss his indiscretion, saying, “I now have to write a report. This is a serious offense.”

Sandy elaborated in a confessional. “What Luke did, it’s potentially a fireable offense,” she noted. “It’s unprecedented.”

While the captain planned to “give it some thought,” she warned the deckhand that it would still be documented.

Related: Every Star Fired From ‘Below Deck’ Through the Years

Below Deck and its spinoff series may be reality TV shows, but there can be real-life consequences for the crew’s actions both on and off the ship. Over the years, stars including Hannah Ferrier, Peter Hunziker and Shane Coopersmith have been fired from their respective charters for a variety of reasons. Below Deck Mediterranean’s Hannah […]

“I’ll make my decision on how to handle this after this charter,” she added. “But in the meantime — because of the severity of the situation — I need to write this report.”

She continued: “It’s official. That’s something other captains will see and I hope Luke takes away from this that he should have consideration for your bunkmate. There’s protocols.”

Luke, for his part, was “devastated” by the turn of events.

“My career means so much to me. I’m so scared that this could be the end of it for me,” he told the cameras. “And for something like this.”

Later in the episode, Luke pulled Captain Sandy aside to express his concerns about Nathan still being furious with him. Luke thought it would make more sense for him to leave, which Sandy didn’t seem surprised by. (Viewers previously saw her checking to see if there were other available deckhands in the area.)

Season 11 featured a franchise first when Luke hooked up with Genevieve Lillie in his shared cabin with Nathan. They moved down to Nathan’s bed and Luke finished in the bosun’s sheets, which he didn’t tell Nathan. To make matters worse, Luke didn’t replace Nathan’s sheets and continued to let Nathan sleep in a soiled bed.

Related: ‘Below Deck‘ Franchise Stars That Dramatically Left Throughout the Years

Not always the perfect fit. Over the years, the Below Deck franchise has shocked viewers with dramatic exits, including firings and resignations. Mathew Shea set a record for Below Deck Mediterranean when he made several departures during season 6. The chef initially left the boat when he suffered a knee injury that required medical attention. […]

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“I actually get pissed off the more I think about it. It is so disrespectful,” Nathan said in a July episode about the scandal. “I’m not laughing. Do you want me to go to Captain Sandy and tell her about it?”

Nathan called Luke’s behavior “disrespectful.”

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“It’s the fact that Luke hasn’t said anything about this in three days,” Nathan explained.. “He had the opportunity to tell me — and the fact that he hasn’t told me and has gone around the boat and everyone else is talking about it. That’s what’s pissing me off.”

He continued: “It’s f***ing rude because you disrespected me. Now, if you keep up with your job, it’s not gonna end, bro. If you piss me off, the slightest amount, you’ll be [heading out] with your bags packed.”

Below Deck Med airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

Matt Damon has a new celebrity twin!

The renowned actor, who rose to fame as one of Hollywood’s most beloved heartthrobs, got mistaken for another popular entertainer at the FIFA World Cup final game.

Matt Damon is currently enjoying the attention from his latest movie, “The Odyssey.” He recently revealed he did an extreme thing for the project, plus the one thing he will never do again.

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The entertainer attended the FIFA World Cup final game on July 19 with his longtime wife, Luciana Barroso. The couple was spotted among the fans during the match between Spain and Argentina, with Barroso representing her home country Argentina in a light blue-and- white ensemble.

By her side, Damon rocked a similar color palette, opting for a darker shade of blue. The lovebirds matched their casual ensembles with sunglasses, standing side by side when the cameras panned over to them, as seen in a clip shared on X.

The commentator spots Damon in the crowd but hilariously mistook him for another popular actor. “Brad Pitt is also among the fans here…Oh, it’s Matt Damon. That’s Matt Damon,” the sports commentator said. The fan who shared the clip reacted to the mistaken identity, writing:

“Matt Damon preparing for his next role as Brad Pitt.”

The Incident Sparks Hilarious Reactions From Fans

More fans found the commentator’s mistake hilarious, while others saw it as a huge compliment. An X user claimed it wasn’t a bad mistake to make, noting, “I’d be down to be confused with Brad Pitt, huge ego boost!”

Another echoed similar sentiments, claiming Damon was having “a hell of a weekend” from the success of his latest movie to attending the World Cup and getting mistaken for Pitt. “Getting mistaken for Brad Pitt really completes the hat trick,” a fan added.

Someone revealed the sports commentator wasn’t the only one who got confused about Damon’s identity. “Estonian commentators also said Brad Pitt at first, thought it was hilarious but apparently it wasn’t just them then!” the X user shared.

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Matt Damon Once Claimed He Was Trying To Become Like Brad Pitt

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The sentiments continued, with a fan arguing that Damon getting mistaken for Pitt “on a World Cup broadcast is absurdly on brand” for the actor. Damon and Pitt have starred in multiple movies together, with their most famous work being the “Ocean’s” trilogy.

Besides working together on movies, the pair appear to have a close bond, so much so that Damon could crack jokes about their relationship. In 2013, TODAY reported that the entertainer had caused a stir for suggesting Pitt was envious of him.

Damon clarified his words in an interview with the outlet, noting he meant that Pitt was envious of his life in New York City. He explained that his frequent co-star was jealous of how he could spend time with his kids in the Big Apple without being hounded by the paparazzi, unlike Pitt. He added:

“What else would it be? I spend my life trying to be like Brad Pitt.”

‘The Odyssey’ Star’s Point Of View On The Impacts Of Fame

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The 2013 interview wasn’t the only time Damon had addressed the impacts of fame. On July 19, a fan shared his comments from an interview on X, where the actor reflected on the impacts of fame on one’s reality.

He claimed “the most bizarre” experience after becoming famous was that the world stayed the same while reality as he knew it became different. “Your subjective reality is altered forever because everybody treats you differently,” Damon shared.

According to the entertainer, the change in reality wasn’t something anyone could prepare for but “just something that you have to kind of deal with.” He noted that everyone has different ways of dealing with the change, and he was grateful to have a good support system.

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Matt Damon Reveals The Extreme Thing He Did For ‘The Odyssey’

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Days before the mistaken identity at the FIFA World Cup final game, The Blast shared that the award-winning actor had opened up about the strict lifestyle he had to adopt while preparing for the Christopher Nolan movie.

To portray Odysseus, the entertainer had to lose weight and drop down to 167 pounds. He claimed his transformation did not come about “in an unhealthy way,” explaining that he had to give up gluten, change his diet, and become intentional about everything he consumed.

The efforts paid off, but the Hollywood heartthrob declared that he would never put himself in the opposite scenario. “I think if I had done the opposite and put weight on, that would have been dangerous,” he said, noting he would never gain weight for a movie again.

What will Matt Damon do next?

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Rebel Wilson is killing two birds with one stone with her latest collaboration.

The “Pitch Perfect” actress is the Chief Wellness Ambassador for the weight management brand Noom and starred in a new ad for their latest campaign.

The best part: Rebel Wilson’s co-star is none other than someone who inspired her to embark on a wellness journey and transform not just her body but her whole life.

Wilson starred in a new weight management campaign that saw her sharing the screen with her oldest daughter, Royce. The little girl appeared at the end of the ad for a mother-and-daughter moment in the kitchen, which touched the actress’s heart in more ways than one. In her words:

“Acting alongside my oldest daughter, Royce, in the new Noom campaign was a dream come true, and she is perfect for this because she is really my ‘why’ when it comes to being healthy.”

Wilson confessed to PEOPLE that she initially embarked on a weight loss journey not to change her appearance but to become healthy for children. She explained that she wanted to “have a child and do IVF successfully,” which meant getting her body into its overall best shape possible.

Wilson kept gushing about her ad with Royce, declaring that it “meant the absolute world” to share the screen with her daughter for the first time. She also shared pictures of the little girl in between takes, capturing her coloring and reading.

The Noom’s “Lose for Keeps” ad shared on YouTube showed the TV personality being a mom in the kitchen. She was cooking and preparing snacks for her kids while sharing the benefits of GLP-1s. She described them as “a mute button for food noise,” but they weren’t a permanent solution.

According to Wilson, weight management was needed to maintain the effects of GLP-1s after stopping the meds and credited Noom for helping her. Royce runs into the frame at the end, with the proud mom picking her daughter up and playfully using her to exercise before sharing a hug.

Rebel Wilson’s GLP-1 Journey Started After She Lost Weight

In an interview with OK Magazine, Wilson stressed that her collaboration with Noom shouldn’t be mistaken for a GLP-1 weight loss confession. She explained that she lost weight without the meds and only started using them to maintain her goal weight.

GLP-1s weren’t meant to help the entertainer shed more pounds but to help her fight the urges. “Those intruding thoughts and feelings to grab the chocolate bar instead of a protein bar were constant, and the GLP-1s help me to manage that,” she said.

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According to the Hollywood star, the food noise grew stronger whenever she was stressed and wasn’t sleeping well. GLP-1s were good at muting the urges, but the noise came back whenever she was off the meds. Then she found Noom, which allegedly helped her make healthier choices.

More About The MTV Movie Award Honoree’s Children

Wilson reflected on her motherhood journey in a 2023 interview with TODAY, revealing that she was nearly 40 when she decided to freeze her eggs. At 42, she was ready to welcome a child but chose surrogacy for many reasons.

The Australian actress explained that she could carry the baby, but it would have been a challenging process due to her age and battle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She eventually welcomed her first child with her then-fiancée Ramona Agruma in November 2022.

Hollywood Life reported that the couple welcomed their second daughter in May 2026. The child, Rose Estelle Wilson, was born after what her mothers described as a long fertility journey. The baby came to fruition after IVF treatments and a number of challenges that made the process a high-risk pregnancy.

Rebel Wilson’s Weight Management Ad Follows Her Legal Drama

Wilson’s sweet mother-and-daughter ad follows the drama surrounding her directorial debut, “The Deb.” The Blast covered the story in May, reporting that the actress had clashed with a producer over allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Australian star got slammed with a defamation lawsuit and moved to have it dismissed, but her request was rejected. She suffered a second blow in May when a court of appeals upheld the decision to reject her dismissal demands under California’s free speech protections.

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The ruling meant Wilson would have to face the allegations against her in court and prove that her comments were true and not knowingly false or malicious. She had accused producer Amanda Ghost of having inappropriate contact with a young actress named Charlotte MacInnes.

Most science fiction franchises tend to try to reinvent themselves over the years, with mixed results. Some, like Star Wars, return with new installments that often spark divisive discourse. Others, like Blade Runner or Tron, have extremely lengthy gaps between sequels. One sci-fi franchise not only reinvented itself in the early 2010s but also delivered a truly epic scale that very few blockbusters have matched. This honor goes to the Planet of the Apes reboot series, which is available to stream on Hulu.

Starting with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the new films focus on the birth of the titular Planet of the Apes, especially how the apes evolve into the dominant species on the planet. It’s not the first time someone has tried to reboot the series; Tim Burton launched his own version of Planet of the Apes in 2001, and James Cameron was even approached to revive the series on film before he eventually made Titanic. The new Planet of the Apes succeeds because it takes the time to show how its world is constantly evolving, offering a sense of growth that other sci-fi franchises lack. It also doesn’t hurt that one of Hollywood’s best directors helped take the series to a new level.

The ‘Planet of the Apes’ Reboot Revamps a Major Element of the Original Series

In the original Planet of the Apes, humanity has devolved into a mute class of workers while the apes lord over them. This led to arguably one of the greatest twists in science fiction history, in which George Taylor (Charlton Heston) discovers that the “planet” he’s landed on is actually Earth, ravaged by nuclear war. Rise of the Planet of the Apes shifts from a nuclear threat to a viral one, as scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) creates a drug called ALZ-112 to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

While ALZ-112 increases the intelligence of the chimpanzee Caesar (Andy Serkis), it proves to be deadly to humans, triggering a global pandemic. Director Rupert Wyatt also said that future films would explore the conflict between man and ape:

“We’ve incorporated elements from Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, in terms of how the apes begin to revolt, but this is primarily a prequel to the 1968 film… Caesar is a revolutionary figure who will be talked about by his fellow apes for centuries… This is just the first step in the evolution of the apes, and there’s a lot more stories to tell after this. I imagine the next film will be about the all-out war between the apes and humans.”

True to Wyatt’s words, the next two films, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, focused on how humanity and apes came to battle. It also brought a new director into the fold, as Matt Reeves stepped up to helm both sequels. Reeves brought a truly epic scale to the Planet of the Apes reboot, showcasing just how much the world changed in the wake of humanity’s decimation. Rain-soaked forests, snow-covered terrain, and a massive military fortress are given plenty of sweeping shots, with cinematographer Michael Seresin taking time to close in on both human and apes’ facial expressions — letting their eyes say much more than words could. Reeves’ vision led to critical and commercial success for both Apes sequels, and paved the way for his work on The Batman.

Thanks to Andy Serkis, the New ‘Planet of the Apes’ Blends Pathos with Blockbuster Thrills

There’s one person who helped make the Planet of the Apes reboot a bona fide success, and it’s Andy Serkis. Serkis delivers a career-best performance as Caesar, thanks to a blend of motion capture and a truly magnetic performance. Every time Caesar is on-screen, the camera gravitates toward him, showcasing his transformation from a mere ape to a leader to a messianic figure. Even in death, Caesar continues to cast a large shadow as Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes shows how apes have taken up his words, for good and ill. It’s also led the Planet of the Apes reboot to continue topping the streaming charts, showing that the new films have just as strong a hold on modern audiences as the original Planet of the Apes did on its audience.

The Planet of the Apes reboot proves that not every reboot of a popular franchise needs to rely on nostalgia or simply rehash the original story. It also showcases that there’s still room for sweeping epics in the sci-fi landscape, especially as Dune: Part Three gears up to hit theaters.

90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way alum Armando Niedermeier-Rubio and husband Kenny Niedermeier certainly have another reason to celebrate following their long-awaited reunion amid daughter Hannah’s hospitalization.

“My heart is so full to let you guys know that Hannah has been released from the hospital,” Armando revealed in a video shared via Instagram on Monday, July 20. “Which is the best news we could have right now.”

Kenny added the pair are “over the moon” now that the trio can finally go home together, adding that Hannah, 13, is “happy to be leaving the hospital.”

“Ever since Armando got here, oh my god, she has gotten better and better and [grown] leaps and bounds,” he explained. “The doctors were so happy with her progress.”

Related: 90 Day’s Armando Breaks Down in Tears Over Daughter’s Health Battle

90 Day Fiancé’s Armando Niedermeier-Rubio broke down in tears as he discussed his daughter Hannah’s mysterious medical issue. “I don’t want to lose her,” Armando, 37, said while fighting back tears via an Instagram vlog on Thursday, July 16. “Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, guys. Thank you all that supported [us] … […]

Hannah airlifted to a local Arizona hospital from her home in Mexico after she experienced a loss of strength in half of her body and facial drooping. Doctors determined that Hannah had a blood bleed in her brain.

According to Kenny, doctors told the couple that they believed Hannah would recover best “in a home setting.”

“She’s gonna be under a lot of supervision over the next month where she has to stay in the Phoenix area,” he explained. “So she has to do a lot of scans, she’s on anti-seizure medication among other things to keep this in check and make sure nothing is going wrong. But right now, they have everything under control.”

While the couple are thrilled to be welcoming their daughter home, questions regarding Hannah’s health continue as doctors have been unable to provide an explanation for the teen’s condition.

“Unfortunately there’s not a diagnosis. And that is a little unsettling. Just not knowing what the future can hold [or] not knowing what it is and if it could happen again. It’s scary,” Armando reflected. “But we take what we can, and Hannah is better. She’s getting better every day.’

The pair added Hannah has been struggling with her vision, even reporting instances of blindness. However, doctors told the pair that Hannah’s vision could improve as the blood — and the pressure it puts on the brain — dissipates.

According to the proud fathers, Hannah is also experiencing some drooping and “minor weakness.” After she recovers, the 13-year-old will have to attend rehab in order to rebuild the strength she has lost in her facial muscles.

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Related: 90 Day Fiance’s Kenny Niedermeier Supports Hannah Amid Hospitalization

90 Day Fiancé star Armando Niedermeier-Rubio is receiving support from his husband, Kenny Niedermeier, amid his daughter Hannah’s hospitalization. “Hannah told me to tell you all, thank you for all the love she is receiving from all of you,” Kenny, 63, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, July 16, with a photo of Hannah in bed […]

“We are obviously praying and for you guys to continue those prayers for her to continue healing to be 100 percent herself again and just be healthier than she was before,” Armando added.

Armando and Kenny met during season 2 of 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way which aired in 2019. The couple tied the knot in 2021. Armando previously welcomed his daughter with his late wife and Kenny is her stepfather. Kenny, for his part, four grown children — Bricen and triplets Madison, Cassidy and Taylor — from a previous relationship.

Before Armando and Hannah’s reunion, Armando, who lives in Mexico, was denied entrance at the United States border due to visa issues. After working with an immigration attorney, Armando — whose mother is a legal U.S. resident — received a visa and traveled to the U.S. on July 17, where he reunited with Hannah at her bedside.

Jim Parsons has opened up about the “miserable” experience of playing Sheldon Cooper on CBS’s megahit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.“

The actor revealed that the role came at a personal cost, taking a negative toll on his mental health. He even admitted that, if given the chance again, he wouldn’t do it.

Parsons, who later stepped back into Sheldon Cooper’s shoes in Young Sheldon, previously shared that the prequel gave him a “second closure” he didn’t know he needed.

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Jim Parsons played the quirky Sheldon Cooper on “The Big Bang Theory” for 12 seasons, earning four Emmy Awards and becoming one of television’s highest-paid actors at the peak of the show’s success.

However, it appears not everything was well behind the scenes, as Parsons has now revealed that he felt “miserable” and depressed during his time on the sitcom.

In a recent interview on All Out with Jon Dean, the 53-year-old actor reflected on his decade-long run, revealing that his success on the show was accompanied by severe personal exhaustion.

“I look back now and realize that there were many ways, at some of the best moments of my life, I was miserable,” he said. “I was not happy. I was stressed.”

“I felt that there were so many plates I was supposed to be keeping in the air and that the success and the good things of life that were happening were only due to this overworking… discipline and whatever,” he added. “Maybe to a degree that was true. I don’t know. I can’t say because that’s how I was.”

Why Parsons Walked Away From A $50 Million Payday

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At its peak, The Big Bang Theory averaged more than 18 million viewers per episode before its 279th and final episode attracted 23.44 million viewers, cementing its place as a broadcast television powerhouse, according to Deadline.

Parsons and his co-stars reportedly earned millions per episode during the final seasons, but the demanding filming schedule took its toll.

His decision to leave the series in 2018, despite a reported $50 million offer to continue, ultimately led to the show’s conclusion the following year, as the creators felt the ensemble couldn’t continue without its central character.

At the time, rumors swirled about why Parsons chose to walk away, but his latest comments appear to shed new light on that decision.

Jim Parsons Says He’d Never Do It Again

Parsons went on to describe just how difficult the experience had been, admitting that, given the choice, he wouldn’t sign up for it again regardless of the fame and success it brought.

“I wouldn’t do that again and for any amount of money … it was stressful and miserable at times. I made myself miserable,” he stated bluntly.

Host Jon Dean then asked whether it came down to his work ethic, but Parsons explained that was only part of the story.

“It translated in part into a work ethic, but it was really just obsessive behavior basically,” he admitted. “Yes, I was disciplined. Yes, I had a good work ethic, but a lot of it was because it was kind of OCD in nature.”

“I had a list of things basically in my head that I had to get done in order to be comfortable and know that I could do my job right, which I don’t think was true,” Parsons explained.

He added that the result was missing “tons of life.”

Parsons Says His Relationship With Fame Has Changed

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Elsewhere in the interview, Dean asked whether there was a way for young actors to strike a healthier balance, but Parsons admitted he doesn’t have the answer.

“In the same way, I can’t go back. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if I hadn’t had that time of life, and that somewhat self-tortured nature was part of it,” he said.

Still, Parsons acknowledged that the series brought positives, including worldwide fame, although he believes his relationship with it has evolved over time.

“It’s evolving, and it gets better all the time. What I feel is better, what I feel is healthier. It’s not something that I think probably anybody, but I was certainly not equipped to, looking back,” Parsons shared.

‘Young Sheldon’ Gave Jim Parsons The Closure He Needed

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Parsons also explained that fame is “a very odd psychological thing” and admitted it still feels strange to him.

“This is not a complaint. This is just me having the grace to myself to admit it and look at it cleanly, or as clearly as I can,” he said.

“It is a weird feeling to know people know you when you walk into a room, but you don’t know them,” he added.

Back in 2024, Parsons reflected on how reprising Sheldon in “Young Sheldon” gave him “a second closure with that character in such a different format,” according to PEOPLE.

He added that there was “something very intimate” about the prequel’s single-camera format, something The Big Bang Theory couldn’t offer with its traditional multicamera sitcom style.

“Even the lighting’s different,” he added of the prequel.

By Robert Scucci
| Updated 14 seconds ago

Films set almost entirely at shady, run down motels are a dime a dozen, and once you’ve seen about a dozen of them, you’re pretty much set for life. I keep looking for them, however, because every so often I stumble upon hidden gems like Identity (2003), Looking Glass (2018), or Strange Darling (2023). I’m now adding 2007’s Vacancy to the list because, despite some clear logistical issues I have with the film, it remains a fun, tight survival thriller about a broken-down couple who just need to make it through the night after checking into the worst possible place to rest before getting back on the road.

If you’re hypercritical about continuity or the use of plot armor that allows a story to move toward its logical conclusion, there will most certainly be moments where you roll your eyes at Vacancy. But I say to heck with it, because it’s acted well, shot well, has a unique enough premise to keep you interested, and delivers enough close calls to make you forget about most of the logical shortcomings you’ll run into.

Couple Breaks Down In Both A Literal And Figurative Sense

When we’re first introduced to Amy (Kate Beckinsale) and David Fox (Luke Wilson), Vacancy makes it very clear that their marriage is on the rocks. They’re on the way back from a family gathering, and Amy doesn’t mince words when she talks about how unhappy she is with how everything went, mostly due to David’s attitude (author’s note: she’s not a joy to be around either). David is preoccupied with using a map he doesn’t know how to read while navigating the backroads because the interstate is jammed up due to a car wreck.

Familiar setup aside, we’re brought to our central conflict when the car breaks down (after seeing a mechanic, no less), forcing David and Amy to stay at a motel run by Mason (Frank Whaley), a man who looks like he only experiences two emotions: menacing rage, and sometimes not. Their introduction to him involves hearing what sounds like somebody being brutally murdered in the back office, only for Mason to casually explain that he likes listening to snuff films when he gets lonely.

Figuring they’re only going to be laying low until they can get their car into an auto shop the next day, they vow to sleep with their clothes on, with David even suggesting they keep their shoes on so they don’t contract any diseases from the bedding. While flipping through a stack of unlabeled VHS tapes provided in the room as a form of entertainment, or something, David and Amy are horrified to learn that the screaming they heard probably came from the kind of videos they’re now watching: footage of people being murdered in the exact room they’re staying in.

From this point forward, Vacancy goes into straight-up survival mode as Amy and David learn what Mason is really up to, which is made worse by the fact that he’s clearly not working alone. Masked men are also on the premises, surveying the other, allegedly vacant rooms. Knowing this may be their last night alive if they don’t act fast, Amy and David have to set aside their differences, hatch an escape plan, and outsmart the violent men waiting on the other side of the door.

Some Of This Makes Zero Sense, But It’s Fine

When you see the lengths Mason and his goons take to terrorize Amy and David, certain things about Vacancy stop making sense. For one thing, Mason has a key to every room, so what’s stopping him from entering theirs whenever he feels like it? It’s even suggested that he already did before things got crazy (but I won’t reveal any spoilers here). What’s more, this is a cheap motel that likely doesn’t have bulletproof glass, so it makes little sense that Mason wouldn’t simply drive his truck through the front of the building if he truly wanted to murder his new guests before they escaped and contacted the authorities.

On one hand, I fully understand why a repeat offender who’s likely been operating as a serial killer for years doesn’t want to damage his base of operations or draw attention to himself. But the night depicted in Vacancy is different because his would-be victims aren’t sticking to the script. At some point, the idea of doing whatever it takes to keep his operation intact, structural damage included, should have at least crossed his mind, but it never really does.

At the end of the day, though, this minor nitpick doesn’t really matter because the acting is on point across the board. Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale are believable as David and Amy because they look genuinely terrified, and they grow through that terror together, realizing they need to join forces despite their initial animosity toward one another. David steps up, and Amy is either receptive to his plans or offers constructive input that benefits both of them when they run out of options.

Frank Whaley as Mason is the real deal maker if you’re on the fence about giving Vacancy a chance. He’s got this Norman Bates energy, sans mommy issues, and he’s generally just creepy all around. But he’s creepy in that “Ned Flanders has finally snapped” kind of way that makes for an entertaining watch because you don’t know if he’s simply an eccentric loner. He’s clearly a bad guy from the moment you meet him, but he’s also set in his ways and seems generally nonthreatening until there’s a compelling reason to believe he’s about to cause some serious problems.

Vacancy, currently streaming for free on Tubi, is in many ways a by-the-numbers creepy motel thriller, but it stands on its own thanks to its small but reliable cast, setting, and tight runtime that keeps it from wearing out its welcome. If I had to call it anything, I’d call it reliable, and if you’re simply looking for a passive watch that burns through the usual tropes you’re familiar with, you’ll feel right at home here.

By Robert Scucci
| Updated 31 seconds ago

I’m thoroughly convinced that film critics in the ’90s simply didn’t know how to have fun, because why else would National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1 (there is no sequel) only have a 21 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes? I know I’m extremely immature for my age and entertainment choices, but Loaded Weapon 1 is such a fun movie because it so reliably and effortlessly parodies every single buddy cop movie of its time. Throw in an incredibly talented cast willing to play everything straight while navigating the most ridiculous conspiracy involving smuggling copious amounts of drugs through a Wilderness Girl troop, and you’re going to have a great time.

If you watch a lot of these movies that fall into the Naked Gun, Fatal Instinct, and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka wheelhouse, you’ll notice they all have one thing in common: they only care about shtick. That’s all to say you definitely have to be in a silly, non-critical mood to enjoy movies like Loaded Weapon 1. If you’re looking for something thought-provoking and mind-bending, you won’t find it here. If you are, however, looking for as many jokes per minute as humanly possible in the form of puns, sight gags, miscommunications, and sometimes all of the above happening at the same time, then there’s still hope for you.

A Grand Wilderness Girl Conspiracy

In Loaded Weapon 1, every obvious murder is ruled a suicide until more evidence falls into place. This is what happens to Billie York (Whoopi Goldberg), a woman who was shot several times by Mr. Jigsaw (Tim Curry dressed as a Wilderness Girl), who’s searching for a microfilm containing a recipe that can turn cocaine into cookies. Mr. Jigsaw works with the evil General Curtis Mortars (William Shatner wearing a fake mustache) and Mike McCracken (Denis Leary), who have the Wilderness Girls, run by Miss Destiny Demeanor (portrayed by Kathy Ireland and Allyce Beasley, depending on the scene), unknowingly trafficking drugs under their watch.

This setup brings Sgt. Wes Luger (Samuel L. Jackson), a by-the-books officer on the verge of retirement who used to be partners with Billie York, together with the trigger-happy Sgt. Jack Colt (Emilio Estevez), who lives in what appears to be a trailer on the beach even though the interior shots of his home are clearly from the inside of a mansion. Going through the usual buddy cop getting-to-know-each-other sequences as they become acclimated to each other’s policing styles, Wes and Jack find themselves caught in the middle of a grand conspiracy involving a hapless and seemingly invincible informant, Rick Becker (Jon Lovitz), a drug trafficking ring masquerading as a Grand Wilderness Girl Troop, and Jack’s lost dog, Claire.

While Wes is hellbent on avenging his partner by following strict police protocol, Jack prefers to play things fast and loose, more often than not shooting first and asking questions later. A budding romance takes the forefront as well when Jack becomes quite smitten with Miss Destiny Demeanor, who’s portrayed by Allyce Beasley when her hair’s up and she’s dressed modestly, and Kathy Ireland when her hair’s down and she’s dressed like a total bombshell.

Do You Like Buddy Cop Movies? Good!

The one glaring issue I can think of with Loaded Weapon 1 is that it does one thing other buddy crime flicks don’t necessarily lean into: it’s making fun of a genre that’s already meant to be kind of funny, so the jokes had better be good. The Die Hard (speaking of which, Bruce Willis makes a brief, uncredited appearance as John McClane) and Lethal Weapon films are already comedy adjacent, with most of their laughs coming from charismatic leads chewing the scenery in an action thriller context. The Rush Hour franchise, which kicked off a few years later, leaned fully into comedy, with audiences expecting exactly what they got.

Loaded Weapon 1 falls into the unique trap of trying to make light of a genre that already knows how to make light of itself. The only way to stay one step ahead is to crank everything to absurd levels. Of course the explosions are over the top, and the fight sequences are choreographed with getting a good laugh in mind. Chalk outlines don’t always line up with body placement, Jack drinks a tall glass filled to the brim with hard liquor with just a splash of chocolate syrup to take the edge off, and Wes’ tragic story about that one fateful day working as a crossing guard absolutely lands. 

As an added bonus, William Shatner, who’s having far too much fun as a literal mustache-twirling villain, turns every interaction into unhinged crime lord comedy gold. At one point, he jams his entire face into a fish tank, resurfaces with a menacing look in his eyes, and has a fish flapping between his lips.

My assessment is that Loaded Weapon 1 works on all fronts. It knows it has the impossible task of making light of a genre that’s already well known for its levity, so it goes disproportionately hard with the shtick as if to remind us that we’re not supposed to be taking any of this seriously. And you’re not supposed to take everything seriously all the time, or you’ll end up missing out on everything cool and dying angry.

As of this writing, you can stream National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1 for free on Tubi. If you need a good laugh, or a reminder that not all crime movies need deeper meaning or layers upon layers of subtext, this should be your next watch.

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S LOADED WEAPON 1 SCORE

When it comes to buddy comedies in TV and film, chances are male duos are the ones to come to mind first. From Bad Boys and Men in Black, to Rush Hour and 21 Jump Street, these are all movies that follow two main characters who rely on each other for everything, even as things begin to spiral downhill. In recent years, however, some female duos have joined the genre, like in The Heat or Peacock’s newly canceled Ponies, but no show has been as revered as Prime Video’s latest comedy series, Ride or Die.

Starring Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, the eight-episode series sees both actresses in a whole new light. While already established as beloved, award-winning actresses in their own way, Ride or Die sees Waddingham and Spencer blossom into bona fide action stars, and helps establish the series as one of Prime Video’s best new shows of the year. Just five days since its release on July 15, 2026, and Ride or Die is already a Prime Video must-watch.

What Is ‘Ride or Die’ About?

Ride or Die follows Debbie Claybourne (Spencer) and Judith Burton (Waddingham), two best friends who have been each other’s confidantes for over two decades. Despite years of book clubs, vacations, and antique shopping they’ve done together, Judith has been hiding a few secrets from Debbie — mainly, her job as a highly skilled assassin, not as a forensic accountant like she had pretended. One night, when one of Judith’s mission backfires at the same event where Debbie and her husband, David (Jamie Parker), are in attendance, Judith’s left with no choice but to come clean, and flee with her across Europe.

Also crucial to the series is the enigmatic man known only as The Director (Bill Nighy), Judith’s employer, who works under a mysterious shadow agency. Throughout the action-packed episodes, Debbie and Judith are pursued by not only Interpol law enforcement, the Albanian mob, but also by a bubbly yet ruthless killer named Ana (Sylvia Hoeks). “Series executive producer Ant-Man‘s Peyton Reed, who also directs the first two episodes, immediately sets the tone with high-octane action that keeps the pace moving,” Meredith Loftus wrote in her review for the show for Collider. “Car chases, kinetic fight scenes, and inventive fight choreography — it’s all there — and Waddingham is who makes many of those thrills work.”

‘Ride or Die’ Is One of Prime Video’s Biggest Wins of 2026

Image via Prime Video

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has scored an impressive 96% percent from critics, overperforming many of the platform’s recent releases, including Off Campus, Elle and Every Year After. From the numbers alone, it’s clear that Ride or Die is a force to be reckoned with for the streaming giant. After all, by standing out in the already crowded streaming landscape, where new releases can disappear in a matter of days, Ride or Die has distinguished itself through overwhelmingly positive reviews, outperforming many of Prime Video’s recent originals and giving viewers all the more reason to add it to their watchlist.

The secret to the show, of course, lies in Spencer and Waddingham’s lived-in and effortless chemistry together onscreen. After all, while Ride or Die delivers globe-trotting action, high-stakes assassin missions, and plenty of comedic set pieces, its greatest strength is their buddy duo. Their believable friendship provides an emotional anchor that keeps the series grounded even as the story escalates into increasingly outrageous situations. Rather than relying solely on action, the series succeeds because it invests in the bond between its two leads, making every dangerous mission feel like a test of a relationship audiences genuinely want to see succeed. “The overall success of Ride or Die lives and ‘dies’ by its two leads (pun intended), and Debbie and Judith’s friendship is ultimately why it sticks the landing,” Loftus wrote in her review. “It’s an exhilarating ride with plenty of action thrills, but it’s primarily about the rare people in your life who will stick with you through thick and thin, have your back when life throws you for a loop, and even jump off a moving train with you while evading assassins.”

With that said, as Ride or Die continues to find its viewers with just a few days since its release, the series is proving that it has the perfect combination of action, humor, and heartfelt character dynamics. By balancing entertaining storylines with a friendship that feels authentic, the show offers something more memorable than a standard spy thriller, or a silly comedy for that matter, and proves that strong character relationships can be just as important, and binge-worthy, as explosive action.

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Release Date

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2026 – 2026-00-00

Network

Prime Video

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Showrunner

Matt Miller

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Directors

Peyton Reed, Lauren Wolkstein, DeMane Davis, Allison Liddi-Brown

Writers

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Tessa Coates

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