Entertainment
HBO’s 8-Part Masterpiece Perfected the Slow-Burn Crime Thriller Better Than ‘True Detective’
HBO has been light-years ahead of its competitors in the prestige television landscape. Acclaimed HBO limited series like Band of Brothers and The Pacific proved the network could bring cinematic scope to television. The 2016 legal series The Night Of fulfills these requirements, creating an eight-episode master class in tension. With its thorough examination of the legal process, The Night Of also proved to be a groundbreaking deconstruction of the systematic racial and ethical biases within the American justice system.
‘The Night Of’ Is a Whodunit That Empathizes With the Suspect
The Night Of follows Pakistani-American college student Naz Khan (Riz Ahmed) during a romantic evening he shares with a woman named Andrea Cornish (Sofia Black-D’Elia) after they meet at a party. Naz’s night is filled with bad decisions; he steals his father’s (Payman Maadi) taxi cab in order to attend the party, abuses drugs that cloud his memories, and gets arrested shortly thereafter after failing to comply with traffic laws. Although none of Naz’s activities are depicted as being malicious, the series shows how easily actions can be misinterpreted. Naz wakes up to find that Andrea has been stabbed to death. In retrospect, he realizes that all of his actions on the night that she was killed make him look overly suspicious. It’s the rare murder mystery story that is told exclusively through the perspective of the major suspect.
The brilliance of the inciting incident in The Night Of is that showrunner Steven Zaillian doesn’t treat anything within Naz’s routine as abnormal. This creates more suspense, as the consequences of Naz’s irresponsible behavior are only evident to the audience. The intensity continues to escalate because Naz realizes too late that he has cast doubt upon his own innocence. This gives him a burden of guilt that he carries with him for the rest of the series, as Naz is forced to reflect upon how different things could have been if he had never met Andrea in the first place. As Naz, Ahmed balances these feelings of guilt and regret in one of his greatest performances.
Although there are hints of romance within their brief interactions, Naz knows very little about Andrea before she is killed. This was an important decision, as the impersonal nature of the crime makes it more shocking. Naz doesn’t have the capacity to mourn Andrea’s death because he barely knows her, and does not have any hints as to why she was killed. While Andrea’s shocking death is unquestionably a tragic one, it’s really just an inciting incident that sparks the show’s deconstruction of the legal process. The specificity with which Zallian examines the legal procedures that Naz experiences evokes comparisons to the great courtroom drama films of the 1990s.
‘The Night Of’ Features a Stellar Supporting Cast
While it’s Naz’s perspective that the series focuses on, The Night Of explores all aspects of the legal process through its supporting cast. Naz’s lawyer, John Stone (John Turturro), makes for a fascinating co-lead in the series because of his conflicted feelings about the justice system. While Stone has reason to believe in Naz’s innocence, he continuously reminds him to stop telling “the truth” in order to make their case as convincing as possible. Stone recognizes that Naz’s honesty could lead the jury to make assumptions that would color their opinion of him. Turturro’s magnetic performance captures the world-weary nature of a grizzled, experienced attorney who recognizes that justice and honesty aren’t always the same thing.
Bill Camp is also terrific in a supporting role as Detective Sergeant Dennis Box, the investigator in charge of investigating Andrea’s death. In this role, Camp proves that he’s the type of actor who can give a memorable performance with only a brief amount of screen time. While it would have been easy for the series to depict Box as a remorseless villain with no compassion, his motivations for pursuing Naz never feel personal. Box’s pursuit of Naz is merely a byproduct of a larger infrastructural issue, as the legal system does not allow for a conclusive truth to be drawn. Camp depicts Box as someone who genuinely wants to see justice served. This depiction of law enforcement strengthens the series’ sense of realism. It also serves as an interesting point of comparison with Stone, as the series explores the different practices taken by lawyers and cops.
‘The Night Of’ Exposes Flaws In the Prison System
The Night Of examines the flaws within the prison system by showing how Naz’s personality is changed by his experience. The series brilliantly intertwines scenes of Stone interviewing people related to the case with Naz’s experiences in prison. As Naz attempts to survive abuse at the hands of both his fellow prisoners and the guards, he is forced to become a more violent person. After being treated like a criminal, Naz begins to act like one to survive. At a certain point, he realizes that his innocence will not protect him. It’s a disturbing concept, and the eight-episode run allows The Night Of to show more detail than most prison films would be capable of.
Although The Night Of tackles serious issues like over-policing and racial discrimination, it never loses sight of Naz’s perspective. While the story itself is fictional, Naz’s experiences are representative of larger systemic issues; the story becomes more powerful because the viewer is able to see how these issues affect an empathetic character. While by no means an easy watch, The Night Of is a master class in storytelling that refuses to abide by clichés commonly found in crime dramas. While its dour tone makes it difficult to cite as traditionally entertaining, The Night Of is a worthwhile examination of topics that couldn’t be more relevant.
The Night Of is available to stream on Max in the U.S.
Entertainment
Singer Nivea, 44, Reveals Blood Cancer Diagnosis
Nivea offered an important update on her health after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
“I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, “ the “Don’t Mess With My Man” singer, 44, revealed on the Tuesday, July 22, episode of Cadillac Chronicles. “I am so grateful to God. I am going through treatment.”
During the interview, Nivea confirmed that she started treatment for the blood cancer several months ago.
According to the Mayo Clinic, leukemia is a “cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues” that develops when bone marrow produces an overabundance of white blood cells. Common symptoms include bone and joint pain, frequent infections, unexpected weight loss, recurrent nosebleeds and increased bleeding or bruising, among other warning signs.
Despite her diagnosis, Niveac assured Cadillac Chronicles host Brian Freeman that she was maintaining a positive outlook due to her deep spirituality.
“Everything is going great so far and I expect it to continue,” she said. “Amen. Amen. Amen! I’m very grateful for life. It’s so cliche to say, ‘You don’t know the time nor the hour,’ but it’s true. It just helped me put a lot of things into perspective.”
The musician added, “I live in gratitude religiously. I’m just grateful for everything.”
Nivea told Freeman that she was keeping busy and even pursuing a music technology degree despite her illness.
“I’m doing things I want to do,” she declared. “I’m definitely back into my music. I’m going to school for audio engineering.”

Nivea attends the 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards on March 1, 2003. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
The singer went, “I’ve always wanted to learn how to engineer, how to mix and engineer, in particular. In general, I’m just doing all the things, honey! I’m loving all my children and just being grateful. I’m taking every opportunity that comes my way!”
Nivea is a mom of four — she shares daughter Navy Talia Nash, 21, and twins Christian and London Nash, 20, with producer The-Dream. The former couple were married from 2004 to 2008.
Following her split from The-Dream, 48, Nivea reconciled with ex-boyfriend Lil Wayne and they welcomed a son, Neal Carter, in November 2009. (Lil Wayne, 43, and Nivea broke up in 2010 but later reunited to perform the 2018 duet “Dope New Gospel.”)
Nivea is perhaps best known for her 2003 breakthrough single “Don’t Mess with My Man,” which featured brothers Brian and Brandon Casey from R&B group Jagged Edge. The track received a Best R&B Performance Award nomination at the 2003 Grammys and ultimately reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
She later scored minor hits with “Laundromat” and “Okay” in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Her most recent album, Mirrors, was released in 2019.
Entertainment
Why John Leguizamo needed a bathroom escort on the set of “The Odyssey”
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The actor wore contact lenses while portraying Eumaeus, which impaired his eyesight.
Entertainment
Ed Harris Finally Gets Bigger Dutton Ranch Season 2 Role
Ed Harris isn’t walking away from “Dutton Ranch” after all. Days after the Oscar-nominated actor openly questioned his future on the series and admitted he felt misled about the size of his role, a dramatic behind-the-scenes shake-up appears to have changed everything.
With Season 2 gearing up for production, Harris is reportedly set to play a far more prominent part, marking a major turnaround after his very public frustrations with the show’s debut season.

Ed Harris never hid his disappointment over how the role of Everett McKinney on “Dutton Ranch” was written.
While speaking at the premiere of Apple TV+‘s “The Dink,” the 75-year-old revealed he accepted the role believing Everett would be one of the series’ central figures.
“Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what my character was going to do – and that I was one of the four main characters. And that wasn’t really the case,” he told Variety.
The reality quickly left him questioning whether he should remain with the series at all. According to Harris, he even told his representatives to “get me the f-ck out of here” before approaching producers directly to explain that he felt “underused and inconsequential.”
Those conversations now appear to have paid off. Sources told Deadline Harris has already been picked for Season 2, with filming expected to begin on January 15.
His character is reportedly being given a much larger storyline this time around, and writers have allegedly kept him informed as new scripts continue to come together.
Behind-The-Scenes Changes Reportedly Followed Harris’ Frustration

Harris’ public frustration wasn’t the only thing making headlines. According to reports, the fallout also coincided with significant changes behind the camera as the series prepared for its second season.
Sources claim Season one showrunner Chad Feehan was removed before the show even premiered after concerns that Everett McKinney had been given far less to do than originally intended.
“SEAL Team” creator Benjamin Cavell has since stepped in to lead the series, and insiders allege Harris was consulted during the search for the show’s new creative head.
One Deleted Scene Nearly Sent Ed Harris Walking Away

Long before producers reportedly promised him a bigger role, one missing scene became the breaking point.
Harris recalled filming a sequence in which Everett chatted with Beth Dutton before Rip Wheeler called him onstage to perform.
“So there’s this scene in there… I’m talking to [Beth Dutton] at the bar, and [Rip Wheeler] comes in and says, ‘OK, Everett, come on, it’s your turn,’” he said during the Variety interview.
Viewers, however, never saw Everett sing. “I walk up to the mic, and they cut it. They cut the song out. I’m going, ‘F*ck you, people,’” Harris recalled.
Producers later told him the musical moment felt “too up” for the darker tone of the episode’s ending, but the explanation didn’t ease his frustration.
In fact, Harris admitted he came so close to walking away that he felt the decision alone was “enough reason to say I am voiding my contract.”
Harris Gets Another Vote Of Confidence From Kelly Reilly

With “Dutton Ranch” already undergoing creative changes ahead of Season two, Kelly Reilly has offered the clearest picture yet of how those adjustments will play out on screen.
Earlier this month, the actress revealed that viewers could expect far more from Ed Harris’ character, stressing that the series was never meant to revolve solely around Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler.
“I think Season 2 is going to feel very much more Ed’s show,” Reilly told TV Insider, before adding, “This is not the Beth and Rip show. This is Dutton Ranch, and there’s four lead characters, five.”
She also credited Harris and Annette Bening with elevating the Paramount+ drama, saying, “They made us legit. We could have just been a little soapy spinoff, and we’re not because of them. We’re a drama, we’re a new show, and it’s got some heavyweights in it.”
Reilly And Cole Hauser Always Believed Ed Harris Would Elevate ‘Dutton Ranch’

A few months before Reilly promised that Season two would become “very much more Ed’s show,” she and Cole Hauser had already made it clear they viewed Harris as one of the key ingredients in “Dutton Ranch”’s success.
Ahead of the spinoff’s premiere, the pair told PEOPLE they were “over the moon” to welcome Harris and Bening to the cast, with Reilly explaining they “needed some heavyweights alongside us to tell a new story” and were “deeply flattered” the Oscar nominees agreed to join the series.
Hauser echoed that enthusiasm, calling the opportunity to work with Harris “a dream come true” and praising him as “just as good of a person as he is an actor.”
Reilly later said Harris and Bening “made us legit,” adding that without them, “Dutton Ranch” “could have just been a little soapy spinoff,” but instead became “a drama… with some heavyweights in it.”
Entertainment
Whitney Cummings Claims Trump Jokes Were Axed Before Special
Whitney Cummings has revealed that she had to cut several jokes about Donald Trump before performing at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The comedian also claimed that another was edited out of Netflix’s filmed special of the event.
Cummings shared the details during a recent episode of her podcast, where she discussed the jokes she removed and explained why she decided not to perform them.
Speaking on her podcast, Cummings said concerns about the political climate surrounding the Kennedy Center partly influenced her decision to cut some of her jokes about Trump.
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony was held at the Kennedy Center, where Cummings performed.
According to the comedian, she was surprised to learn that President Donald Trump serves as chair of the Kennedy Center’s board. She also claimed staff members warned her that certain jokes could cost them their jobs.
“We’ll get fired if you say that,” she recalled being told during rehearsals, adding that it was “the worst thing you could hear before [going on] as a comic.”
“Like what a dork,” Cummings said of Trump. “I’m like, if he even watches this, he is such a dork. Um, but I did cut a joke.”
The Trump Jokes Whitney Cummings Decided To Scrap

Among the jokes Cummings removed was a punchline about Trump putting his name on the Kennedy Center.
She joked that Trump had “always hated John F. Kennedy because the Kennedys had Marilyn Monroe before he had a chance to grab her,” referencing Trump’s infamous “Access Hollywood” remarks.
Another joke she had planned was that Trump could not attend the show because he “got caught in sex traffic.” Cummings claimed she performed that joke for the live audience but later realized producers had removed it from the Netflix special.
Reflecting on the experience, Cummings argued that comedians should not have to second-guess whether political jokes are acceptable before taking the stage.
Netflix Says Kennedy Center Controlled Trump Joke Edit

On X, the comedian continued the discussion by posting a cryptic message alongside a clip from her Mark Twain Prize performance.
“Mark Twain Prize for @billmaher now on @NetflixIsAJoke. Netflix didn’t cut any of my jokes. Some were cut. Use your noggin,” Cummings wrote.
Entertainment journalist Matthew Belloni later appeared to clarify who was responsible for removing the “sex traffic” joke from the special.
He wrote, “New: Netflix tells me it wasn’t their call to omit Whitney Cummings’ Trump ‘sex traffic’ joke from Mark Twain Prize show: ‘While it’s our preference not to cut jokes from anyone’s set, The Kennedy Center has the contractual right to do so.’”
Trump’s Kennedy Center Shake-Up Sparked Controversy

Trump’s controversy with the Kennedy Center began after he removed former president Deborah Rutter, replaced former board chair David Rubenstein, and dismissed several board members appointed by former President Joe Biden.
He later appointed a new board that included several allies, including Second Lady Usha Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Fox News host Laura Ingraham, before installing himself as chairman of the center.
The controversy later escalated after Trump announced plans to rename the institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
The White House press secretary said the Kennedy Center board had unanimously approved the proposal, citing “the unbelievable work President Trump has done in saving the building.”
Judge Blocks Trump’s Kennedy Center Name Change

Last month, Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia blocked the proposed name changes and paused renovation plans at the Kennedy Center.
Cooper ruled that the proposal appeared to violate the 1964 federal law establishing the Kennedy Center as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy and as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to the arts.
He further stated that any attempt to rename the institution would require congressional approval, noting that only Congress has the authority to amend the law governing the center.
Following the ruling, Trump’s legal team sought to pause the decision while pursuing an appeal. However, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the lower court’s decision would remain in effect while the appeal proceeds.
Entertainment
Margaret Qualley Spotted Publicly Amid Jack Antonoff Split
Margaret Qualley was spotted publicly for the first time amid her split from estranged husband Jack Antonoff.
The Substance actress, 31, returned to the horror movie genre on Wednesday, July 22, when she filmed scenes for the remake of the cult classic Possession in New Jersey, per People.
Qualley perfectly recaptured the spooky elegance that original Possession star Isabelle Adjani embodied in the 1981 movie, having been photographed on Wednesday wearing a black long-sleeved, button-up shirt, a dark knee-length skirt and leggings as well as ballet slippers as she screamed in terror for the camera.
Smile writer-director Parker Finn is partnering with producer Robert Pattinson to remake filmmaker Andrzej Żuławski’s supernatural thriller about a spy’s wife who experiences unexplainable horrors when she asks for a divorce. (Callum Turner, Paul Dano and Diego Calva are all starring with Qualley in the new version of Possession.)
Qualley got back to work two weeks after reports emerged that she’d quietly separated from Antonoff, 42, after three years of marriage.
Speculation arose about the couple’s marital status when Jack attended longtime friend and collaborator Taylor Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on July 3 with his sister, Rachel Antonoff, rather than Qualley.
On July 9, Us reported via an exclusive source that Qualley and Jack split “recently” but were “having issues for the last few years.”
“Margaret initiated the separation,” a source told Us. “Both of their busy schedules and distance were factors, along with many other things.”

Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The insider added, “They were still trying to work on the marriage a few months ago, but it ultimately wasn’t working. At some point, the rose-colored glasses came off for Margaret, and she felt she needed to take a step back.”
Us learned from the source that Jack also “had expressed to friends” that “it was difficult being married and that there were struggles” in his relationship with Qualley.
“[They] don’t have divorce plans yet,” the insider confirmed.
Qualley’s spokesperson subsequently spoke out on July 10 to shut down persistent theoried that there were “trust issues” in the actress’s marriage.
“The narratives running in the press about Margaret and Jack are categorically untrue,” her rep told Us at the time. “There are no trust issues. There was no infidelity or anything outside of respect and partnership in this relationship. They have deep love and care for one another.”
The rep continued, “There are only two people in this marriage, and the sources who are talking to the press and commenting on their relationship are not people who know them. Please respect their privacy.”
Antonoff and Qualley were first spotted together in August 2021 before eventually tying the knot in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, in August 2023. Their star-studded wedding guest list included Swift, 36, Lana Del Rey, Zoë Kravitz and the bride’s mother, Andie MacDowell.
Prior to her marriage to Jack, Qualley dated comedian Pete Davidson in 2019 and was with Shia LaBeouf the following year. Jack was in a long-term relationship with Girls creator Lena Dunham for more than five years before they split in late 2017.
Entertainment
Kaylee Hottle’s cause of death revealed after “Godzilla vs. Kong” actress died in car accident
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Hottle’s father announced her death after a fatal car accident on July 21.
Entertainment
15 Stupid Comedy Shows That Are Actually Ingenious
There is a very fine line between the moronically mundane and the mindfully magnificent, between the momentary appeal of nonsensical silliness and the enduring legacy of excellence. Some of the most brilliant television series ever released have toed this line with astonishing skill, presenting thought-provoking observations on contemporary society beneath a foolhardy façade of unassuming asininity.
Ranging from vulgar teenage comedies to the awe-inspiring absurdity of adult animation, and even to the underrated impact and influence of some of the boldest family sitcoms the medium has ever seen, each of these 10 series has a depth and a genius to them that many overlook on first viewing. Slapstick silliness and smut may abound in these shows, but audiences shouldn’t think that is all they offer.
15
‘The Office’ (2005–2013)
Based on the UK series of the same name, and even emulating its mockumentary format, The Office excels as an absurd distortion of workplace chaos as it immerses viewers in the Scranton branch of a paper supply company. Under the management of the well-meaning but often offensive and misguided Michael Scott (Steve Carell), the employees balance their time between going about their work and embarking on numerous misadventures that lead to all kinds of calamity.
Its gleeful, energized delight goes hand-in-hand with its frenetic lunacy, but the true masterstroke of The Office—and the quality that distinguishes it from Ricky Gervais’s British predecessor—is its underlying sense of heart. The silliness is grounded in emotional realism, making the characters more than just walking punch-lines or shallow caricatures, but nuanced and deeply relatable spins on stereotypical workplace personalities. Its infectious goofiness works in tandem with its heartfelt warmth to make for the ultimate comfort comedy, one that is still enjoyed and rewatched by the masses well over a decade on from its conclusion.
14
‘Trailer Park Boys’ (2001–2026)
Another hit series that soared with its mockumentary format, Trailer Park Boys is an unrestrained descent into absurdist brilliance anchored by strong and unforgettable characterizations. The comedic Canadian TV series follows the mania and hilarity that ensues when three ex-cons start living together in a trailer park. The trio embark on all manner of mischievous misadventures while struggling to adjust to their new lifestyle.
It leans heavily on inspired depravity, pairing the lowbrow obscenity and criminal instincts of the characters with a sneakily sweet air of loyalty, community, support, and brotherhood. It doesn’t invest in these qualities to the point of becoming soppy or sentimental, but the presence of the three men’s sincere connection allows for their antics to boast a sense of good-natured chaos, even if the results of their labor are typically disastrous.
13
‘Futurama’ (1999–Present)
A series that is perhaps undervalued in the wheelhouse of animated comedy, Futurama was dismissed by many as being a sci-fi knockoff of The Simpsons due to its similar animation style and comedic tastes, and the creative in-put of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. However, its ability to combine lowbrow crassness with advanced scientific concepts, refined philosophical points, and a litany of memorable and beloved characters is testament enough to its genius.
Fry (Billy West) is a pizza delivery boy from 1999 who ends up 1000 years in the future when he accidentally places himself in a cryosleep chamber. Awakening at the dawn of the 31st century, Fry finds work for an interplanetary delivery company and enjoys a series of wacky adventures with his colleagues. The series’ ability to embark on feverishly absurd tangents and include ridiculous gags without sacrificing narrative quality is one of its defining strengths, as is its gradual character arcs and melancholic themes that ground the series in emotional earnestness and prevent the zany humor from feeling hollow.
12
‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ (1969–1974)
There are few in the history of film and television who have perfected the nature of stupid comedy quite like Monty Python. The British troupe is fondly remembered for their work in comedy cinema, with enduring classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life of Brian. However, before those pictures came to be, they first ingratiated themselves to British audiences with their sketch comedy series, Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Through short and snappy skits, Monty Python’s appetite for sheer ridiculousness is even more profound than it is in their movies, with everything from crude innuendo to sight gags, animated chaos, deadpan absurdist satire, and even abrupt outbursts of musical mayhem being used to conjure laughs. Beneath its frenzied chaos, however, the sketch comedy series makes pointed and surprisingly timeless observations on the idiosyncrasies of British life, the nature of class, and the perplexing lunacy of social norms. Its four-season run is a treat of comic purity that features everything from lowbrow smut to intelligent philosophical musings.
11
‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011–Present)
Even more so than many other animated comedy series, Bob’s Burgers leans heavily into the appeal of stupidity as it follows third-generation restaurateur Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin) as he manages his struggling burger shop with help from his uptight wife and their three underachieving children. However, the series never stoops to mean-spirited satire to conjure laughs, actively subverting the “disaster family” sitcom formula as it explores a loving and wholesome blue-collar family dynamic.
Aided by its brilliant conversational nature, a byproduct of the cast recording their lines together and allowing for organic improvisation and overlapping dialogue, Bob’s Burgers finds its comedic heart in the art of witty wordplay and the relatability of fluid family bickering. The absurd brilliance of the animated sight gags only adds to this intriguing and warm-hearted dimension, making Bob’s Burgers one of the most resonant and charming animated sitcoms television has to offer.
10
‘American Vandal’ (2017–2018)
A hysterical and ceaselessly brilliant skewering of the true crime phenomenon that has erupted in recent years, American Vandal is a delightful blending of parody and potty humor. It follows two high school students as they investigate pranks carried out by their peers to determine who was truly behind them. Season 1 sees them looking into a case where 27 faculty cars were vandalized with phallic imagery, while Season 2 revolves around a mystery concerning contaminated cafeteria lemonade in a Catholic school.
Despite the juvenile nature of its premise, American Vandal soars as an all-consuming satirical masterpiece. It conjures surprisingly engrossing central mysteries while offering considered queries on the exploitative state of today’s entertainment and engaging with notions of social media and the modern teenage experience with authenticity and intelligence. In this regard, it uses its license for obscenity and absurdity fantastically, making for a profound and piercing parody that is as confident and assured in making penis jokes as it is illuminating essential issues in modern society.
9
‘Rick and Morty’ (2013–Present)
There is a peculiarity to the intelligence and genius of Rick and Morty. On one hand, anyone obsessively dictating to you that it is smart only proves that it has an appeal to stupid people. On the other hand, there is an inspired brilliance to its comedy that has to be respected. The animated series marries cartoonish absurdity and sci-fi intricacy as it follows the many misadventures of a depressed, eccentric, and alcoholic mad scientist and his naïve and kind-hearted young grandson.
The magnificence of Rick and Morty resides in how seamlessly it juggles its many different comedy styles, tones, and ideas. Many of its most well-known gags are examples of unadulterated lunacy and low-brow humor, and yet there is a philosophical might to the series that has a certain knack for blindsiding viewers amid all the tomfoolery. Its grasp on complex scientific theories and its extensive mockery of pop culture are also factors that serve as a testament to the series’ excellence and perhaps overlooked intelligence.
8
‘Mr. Bean’ (1990–1995)
There is so much about Mr. Bean that feels like it offers a momentary chuckle, only to be instantly forgotten and never thought of again. And yet, despite the fact that the series consists of just 15 episodes across one season, which was released 30 years ago, the offbeat British sitcom remains one of the most well-known titles in comedy television. The series simply follows Rowan Atkinson’s eponymous character in his daily misadventures as his unusual wit and his peculiar perspective of the world always conspire to get him in awkward situations.
There is a certain simplicity to the idea that is timeless, while Atkinson’s mastery of physical humor and visual gags has made the character truly universal. Many would be quick to suggest that Mr. Bean’s childlike naivety and slapstick silliness are what makes it stupid, but these qualities imbue the series with the ability to appeal to absolutely anyone in the world, while also making Bean himself a surprisingly endearing and sympathetic character despite his muteness and absurdity.
7
‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–Present)
In any form of narrative writing, it is seldom advised that one make all their main characters as despicable, unlikable, and irredeemable as is humanly possible. Somehow, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia did exactly this and struck comedy gold, and that is not something that can be accomplished by accident. The irreverent sitcom follows five toxic and completely immoral friends in their efforts to manage a decrepit Irish bar in Philadelphia, with the group being led on many manic and monstrous misadventures in the process.
Profound, nihilistic, and always finding new ways to shock fans with its characters’ depravity, the hit series has thrived with its exceptional comedy performances and writing. Perhaps the greatest testament to its genius, however, has been its longevity, with the series’ consistent excellence highlighting that it doesn’t entertain with mere shock value, but through its unbridled creativity and its ceaseless sense of dare to push the boundaries of what society will deem to be acceptable.
6
‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)
If modern audiences were to revisit the iconic 70s sitcom All in the Family, the chances are they would consider it funny, but ultimately outdated and completely out of taste. After all, the brash and insensitive style that marked the comedy of that era has become archaic. However, what viewers of today perhaps wouldn’t initially understand is how pioneering the series was, with it being the first sitcom to actively address trending social issues in a manner that is both insightful and fun.
It follows the Queens-based Bunker family as they navigate the trials of working-class life with Archie Bunker’s (Carroll O’Connor) prejudiced and narrow-minded views often clashing with the perspectives of his wife and children. All in the Family’s boof-headed veneer often gives way to great discussion points and observations about issues such as discrimination, gentrification, and the impact of the Vietnam War on American society. Its formula of laughs and enlightenment has been adopted by countless sitcoms since, making All in the Family not only a stroke of writing genius, but one of the most influential series of all time as well.
Entertainment
Eva Longoria’s Athletic Dress Is Perfect for the Heat — The $15 Look
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Dressing for triple-digit temperatures is no joke, but Eva Longoria just gave us a hack for staying cool and looking cute at the same time. No matter if you’re going to the gym, out to lunch or a day of shopping, an athletic dress is a smart option for all of it. You see, the style has all the elements that make being comfortable — even in this unforgiving summer weather — actually possible.
Longoria went out to lunch with a friend while out in Spain. The actress dressed smartly for the heat in a black and white athletic dress, slip-on sandals, sunglasses and a designer tote bag — and an up-do hairstyle. She looked effortlessly polished, and luckily, a lookalike wasn’t hard to find, thanks to the Desol Square-Neck Athletic Tennis Dress.
Get the Desol Square-Neck Athletic Tennis Dress for $15 (originally $30) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
On sale for $15 right now, this one-piece looks just like Longoria’s with the black base and white trim. However, it comes in 10 other colors and patterns, including polka dots, so you can take advantage of the limited-time deal. It’s just as easy to wear this dress to play tennis as it is to run errands.
What makes this athletic dress so ideal for summer is that it has an airy sleeveless design, a comfortable four-way stretch and convenient built-in shorts with pockets. So, you don’t have to worry about not being able to move in it or feeling exposed by the short length. This style is flattering, too, because the V-shape waist detail cinches you in before bubbling out just a bit.
Amazon reviewers agree that this athletic dress is a smart choice no matter what activities are on the agenda.
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Entertainment
Tom Holland Is Gearing Up To Play Fred Astaire
Tom Holland has been busy promoting both “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” but he is already looking ahead to his next major project. The actor revealed that he has begun preparing to portray legendary entertainer Fred Astaire, sharing how he plans to tackle the iconic role.
The update comes as the planned biopic continues to face pushback from members of Astaire’s family.

Tom Holland has been making rounds to promote his two most recent films, “The Odyssey” and the fourth installment in the superhero franchise, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” While talking about the latter, the actor also provided an update about his upcoming project, a biopic focusing on the iconic entertainer Fred Astaire.
The untitled biopic was first announced five years ago, and after years in development, it is finally moving forward. According to Holland, he has begun preparing for his role and has spent some time in the dance studio.
“I did my first few rehearsals recently, and it both filled me with excitement and absolute dread because I’ve got so much work to do to try and do Fred proud,” the actor said on “Good Morning America.“
The Actor Wants To Challenge Himself And Refuses To Use A Double
Holland has been dancing since he was 9 years old, and he trained in hip-hop, ballet, and tap. At 12 years old, he was cast in the West End production “Billy Elliot the Musical” and trained in acrobatics and gymnastics to further develop his skills and agility. His years of training provide a solid foundation for portraying Astaire.
The entertainer, who was known for revolutionizing how dance was captured on film, was a perfectionist who insisted on uninterrupted choreography to allow the audience to appreciate his craft.
Holland is up for the challenge and doesn’t want to use a body double for the biopic. “I have a desire to use no doubles, to do all of the dancing, to shoot those dances in one shot, how he would have done it,” the actor explained.
Tom Holland’s Role Was Announced In 2021
The biopic is being produced by Sony Pictures and Pascal Pictures. Paul King, who directed “Paddington” and “Wonka,” has been tapped to helm the movie.
In 2021, “Spider-Man” producer Amy Pascal, who will also produce the Astaire biopic, said she wanted Holland to play the dancer. “There are very few actors working now who are versatile in the way that he is. And he’s the hardest-working person that I know,” Pascal told GQ.
Later that same year, Holland confirmed that he would be playing Astaire.
Fred Astaire Did Not Want Films About Him To Be Made
Astaire began his professional career at 5 years old in 1905 and starred in more than 40 films. He earned many accolades in his decades-long career and is considered the most influential dancer in film history. He received an Honorary Academy Award for his contributions to musical films, and won three Golden Globes and nine Primetime Emmy Awards.
Throughout his life, Astaire repeatedly said that no amount of money would make him sell the rights to his life story. The legendary dancer passed away in 1987 at 88 years old, and according to reports, his last will included a clause that no film about his life should ever be made, as he didn’t want Hollywood to misinterpret his life and career.
While there have been no biopics released about him thus far, he has been the subject of several documentaries.
The Dancer’s Widow Is Against The Biopic
In 2025, Astaire’s widow, Robyn Astaire, sent a legal letter to Pascal and cited the clause in her husband’s will highlighting that his life shouldn’t be depicted on screen. Robyn is determined to respect the dancer’s final wishes and made it clear that Astaire’s estate does not approve of the biopic.
Pascal and Sony Pictures have not publicly responded to Robyn, but according to an insider, the upcoming movie will be based on an autobiography that Sony owns the rights to, as reported by TMZ.
No other cast members have been officially announced for the biopic. Filming is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Entertainment
Jennette McCurdy’s Glad My Mom Died Show Delays Explained
The TV adaption of Jennette McCurdy‘s I’m Glad My Mom Died memoir has faced a multitude of production challenges behind the scenes.
McCurdy got her start as a child star in Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat, She ultimately quit acting to pursue a career in writing and directing.
In 2022, McCurdy released a memoir titled I’m Glad My Mom Died. It quickly became a bestseller for its candid depiction of McCurdy’s childhood, which involved abusive behavior from her since-deceased mother.
The tell-all was picked up to be adapted on Apple starring Jennifer Aniston — but has since been plagued with issues that delayed the show. McCurdy, for her part, referred to the process as “interesting” yet “complicated” during a January 2026 episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
Keep scrolling for an explainer of the delays:
The Key Players

During her childhood, Jennette had a tumultuous relationship with mother Debra McCurdy, who introduced her to several eating disorders and forced her to continue acting.
Following Debra’s death from cancer in 2013, Jennette briefly continued to book roles before stepping away from acting. She pivoted to writing and used her personal essays as inspiration for a one-woman dark comedy show: I’m Glad My Mom Died. This ultimately became the jumping off point for Jennette’s 2022 memoir of the same name, which received a 10-episode TV order from Apple.
“Of course, there are moments where I fantasize that my mom would’ve apologized or that we’d have a turnaround in our relationship, but that’s fantasy,” Jennette told Vogue in August 2022 about reflecting on her complicated relationship with her mother. “That’s a lot of what the book is about to me, not needing to romanticize the dead and validate our own experience with them.”
She continued: “I feel very confidently that if my mom were still alive, I’d still have eating disorders. I’d still be having a lot of mental health struggles. I’m sure she and I would still live in the same place and I would have no chance of being in a relationship or having any friends. I have no doubt my life would still be very controlled by her if she were alive.”
The Gist

According to the show synopsis, the dramedy will center on “the codependent relationship between an 18-year-old actress in a hit kids’ show, and her narcissistic mom who relishes in her identity as a starlet’s mother.”
The first season was written, executive produced and showrun by Jennette and Ari Katcher. Aniston, Sharon Horgan and Merman, LuckyChap, Jerrod Carmichael and Erica Kay also served as executive producers.
Filmmaker Jason Reitman was involved as its director but exited the project. Outlets reported that alleged creative differences with Jennette about the tone of the show caused the issues. Puck News claimed in August 2025 that the series was given a short window by Apple to find a replacement or be put on hold indefinitely.
In July 2026, TMZ reported that Aniston left the series due to scheduling issues.
What Has Been Said

Jennette McCurdy and her mother Debra McCurdy attend the 16th annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women on May 9, 2009. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Before the creative issues, Aniston spoke about joining the show and her connection to Jennette. “We have a lot in common,” Aniston told People in October 2025. “We had very similar moms.”
She continued: “When it came across my desk as an option, an offer to play this character and work with Jennette and Sharon Horgan and LuckyChap, I was pretty much immediately intrigued and flattered and excited. It’s going to be wonderful. It’s going to be pretty great to start shooting it. The fact that she’s the young woman that she is, having lived that life, is nothing short of remarkable.”
Jennette, meanwhile, broke her silence about the production drama three months later.
“There are a lot of politics involved, which is not my forte. It’s really interesting because for writing, you’re really rewarded for being truthful,” she said on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. “I’m show running, creating and executive producing this thing. With producing, you’re rewarded for not being truthful. So it’s a lot of like, ‘OK, how can we tell this person one thing but do another?’”
Jennette called the experience difficult, adding, “I won’t lie, it’s been challenging navigating the politics of it. I feel much more connected to my books. … There’s no games involved. There’s no chess match involved.”
What’s Next

Jennette McCurdy Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
No updates on the show’s future have been made public. Jennette, for her part, elaborated on her vision for the show to Alex Cooper.
“It’s horrifying. I think it’s the only way to do this project is to be doing it with people who relate deeply to the material,” she added in January 2026. “Otherwise, it’s a moot point. If somebody’s just doing it for the wrong reasons, I think it really gets lost in a project like this.”
She concluded: “That can work for a lot of projects but I think for something that comes from this personal of a place, other people have to relate that deeply or it just gets watered down.”
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