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Entertainment

Brad Pitt’s Brand At Risk After Angelina Jolie Cuts All Ties With Kids

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Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie

Years after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt‘s split, a new development involving their daughter Vivienne has renewed attention on the family’s ongoing estrangement.

As the former couple’s youngest children reach adulthood, legal experts say one of the last remaining ties between the exes has effectively come to an end.

The latest milestone comes amid growing scrutiny over several of the couple’s children distancing themselves from Brad Pitt’s surname and what that could mean for the actor’s public image.

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie
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With twins Knox and Vivienne recently turning 18, all six of the former spouses’ children are now legal adults, effectively bringing any remaining custody-related matters between Pitt and Jolie to a close.

According to family law professionals, the milestone removes one of the last legal connections that continued to bind Jolie and Pitt following their highly publicized split.

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Jolie and Pitt, once considered one of Hollywood’s most influential couples, share six children together: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.

Family attorney Holly Davis told Fox News Digital that the development represents a significant turning point, noting that custody issues are no longer subject to court oversight now that the youngest children have reached adulthood.

“For those that followed the Pitt/Jolie divorce since 2016, it should be no surprise that Angelina Jolie is finally able to achieve what she attempted to get in the 2016 divorce — a complete cutting of ties between the children and Brad Pitt,” Davis noted.

Expert Says Angelina Jolie Has Finally Reached A Long-Sought Turning Point

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie
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Davis suggested that the outcome aligns with what Jolie has been pursuing since initiating divorce proceedings in 2016, allowing her greater freedom in matters that previously were subject to legal restrictions related to the children.

“Because she was unable to achieve this result in the parties’ divorce, she had to wait until the youngest children were 18 to be able to do the things that the court would not allow her to do,” Davis explained.

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At the same time, Davis acknowledged that the reasons behind the apparent estrangement between Pitt and several of his children remain unclear to anyone outside the family.

“Whether or not she influenced them in hating their father based on the legitimate problems in her romantic relationship with Brad, or whether they all suffered similar difficult moments as a family which leads to their decision to no longer see him, will be anyone’s guess,” the family attorney said.

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt and her mom Angelina Jolie at the 77th Annual Tony Awards
Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

The latest development comes as Vivienne seeks to formally remove “Pitt” from her surname.

According to reports, the 18-year-old has filed paperwork requesting a legal name change from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, citing “personal” reasons.

A court hearing regarding Vivienne’s name change request has been scheduled for November 2, according to public court records.

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Following news of the filing, a source close to Pitt commented on the development, telling USA Today that the actor’s previous efforts to maintain a relationship with his children during the lengthy custody dispute with Jolie.

“It is important to contextualize that Brad was awarded 50/50 custody of the children in 2021 following lengthy testimonies from witnesses, experts, therapists and other people who had been with the kids and around them,” the source pointed out amid growing scrutiny over the reason the actor’s kids are publicly disassociating with him.

However, that ruling was later set aside after a California appeals court disqualified the judge who presided over the case.

Angelina Jolie and her kids at The Eternals UK Gala Screening
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Vivienne’s request follows a pattern seen among several of her siblings. Long before formally seeking to remove “Pitt” from her surname, she had already begun using a shortened version of her name professionally.

In 2024, she was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” while working on the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” where she served as a producer’s assistant alongside her mother, who was one of the show’s producers.

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Before Vivienne, her older sister, Shiloh, made the move to cut ties with Pitt by filing to change her last name on the day she turned 18.

Very recently, two other Jolie-Pitt kids, Maddox and Zahara, also decided to make their name change legal, opting to drop the Pitt from their last name.

This now leaves Knox and Pax, who have reportedly both been using just Jolie as their last name professionally, but have yet to make a legal request to make it official.

Experts Divided On Impact Of Family Rift On Brad Pitt’s Image

Brad Pitt waves at cameras during 'Wolves' premiere
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The ongoing family developments have also prompted debate about whether the situation could affect Pitt’s public image.

Some experts believe the impact on his Hollywood career will be minimal. Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell told Fox News Digital that Pitt’s reputation as an actor remains firmly established and that his family struggles have been publicly known for years.

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In his view, “Most of the public would chalk it up to an unfortunate problem with the relationship with his kids, but as far as his brand, it’s still strong and would survive any type of criticism in this area.”

Others see the repeated decisions by several of Pitt’s children to distance themselves from his surname as more significant.

Crisis communications expert Kaivan Shroff argued that while Pitt’s professional accomplishments remain unquestioned, the discussion increasingly extends beyond his career.

“[Pitt’s] talent remains unquestioned. But when multiple adult children publicly choose to stop using your surname, the conversation inevitably shifts from career to character,” Shroff said. “Whether fair or unfair, that’s the kind of narrative no amount of good publicity can easily overcome.”

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All 8 David Fincher Thrillers, Ranked

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Jodie Foster as Meg and Kristen Stewart as Sarah looking scared in Panic Room

Many different directors have utilized their talents to become iconic within the history of the thriller genre, from icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood like Alfred Hitchcock to modern titans of the genre like Christopher Nolan. However, arguably the greatest singular filmmaker when it comes to influence and overwhelming quality within the thriller genre is David Fincher. While not every film that Fincher has directed qualifies, each of his thrillers has been one of the defining experiences of their respective era.

From beloved cult classics to some of the most important and widely celebrated films of all time, Fincher’s thrillers have added to his overarching legacy and stature as one of the all-time great thriller filmmakers. Everyone is going to have their perspective and opinion as to which of Fincher’s thrillers are the greatest, with this list reflecting the energy and legacies surrounding the movies in this specific moment in time.

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8

‘Panic Room’ (2002)

Jodie Foster as Meg and Kristen Stewart as Sarah looking scared in Panic Room
Jodie Foster as Meg and Kristen Stewart as Sarah in Panic Room
Image via Columbia Pictures

One of the inherent sadnesses of a ranking like this is that one film, no matter how great it may be, has to be last place. The slot goes to Panic Room not due to its lack of quality, but because nearly every other Fincher thriller is so high quality. The film sees Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) trapped in their New York panic room, forced into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse against three intruders during a brutal home invasion. However, tensions have noticeably risen since the main object of interest that the intruders want is inside the panic room.

While many of Fincher’s other thrillers proved to be groundbreaking in their qualities and became massively celebrated classics of their era, Panic Room is simply a tightly-knit, well-executed thriller. It’s certainly good when compared to the array of other thrillers from the 2000s, but when compared to the masterful thriller filmmaking from Fincher’s previous and eventual work, it just doesn’t live up to the stature and level of quality.

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7

‘The Game’ (1997)

Michael Douglas sits in a chair and looks contemplative in The Game.
Michael Douglas sits in a chair and looks contemplative in The Game.
Image via PolyGram Films

Released two years after one of Fincher’s greatest achievements, there were a lot of expectations and excitement placed upon The Game that later Fincher releases simply didn’t have. Audiences of the era simply didn’t respond well to the more abstract and overly twist-reliant energy of the film, with many considering it to be a massive disappointment. However, time has been kind to The Game, with many coming to appreciate its strengths and the classic elements of Fincher’s style.

The film follows San Francisco banker Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas), who on his birthday receives a strange present from his brother in the form of an abstract game. With constantly changing rules and danger inherent to its very premise, it doesn’t take long before Van Orton’s life is completely consumed by the intricacies of the game. His sense of reality begins to crumble, as he cannot tell where the game ends and reality begins. Similarly to Panic Room, The Game would easily be more celebrated if it were in the context of another filmmaker’s thriller outings, yet compared to Fincher’s other thrillers, especially of the ’90s, it’s easy to see it as a little underwhelming.

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6

‘The Killer’ (2023)

Michael Fassbender in The Killer Image via Netflix

The most recent release in Fincher’s filmography, The Killer is unlike any other thriller in his filmography, acting as a sort of satirical reflection on his entire career and one of the most singular yet strangely endearing films he’s ever made. The film sees Michael Fassbender as a cold, calculating assassin who, after a job gone wrong, ends up on a quest of murder across the globe as he cuts off all loose ends with his former company that employed him. While not as appreciated as his other films, The Killer is still one of the best thrillers of the 2020s and an important step forward for Fincher as a filmmaker.

Part of the genius of the film is that, while it could be incredibly easy to treat the central assassin character as a suave, endlessly effective killer, much like the protagonists of other Fincher thrillers, the reality is in fact the complete opposite. It’s instead the facade that the character convinces himself that he is, while he ends up fumbling and messing up at every opportunity, creating an almost satirical reflection on the glorification of this archetype of character. It’s one of Fincher’s most self-reflective films, all the while doing an effective job of paying tribute and following upon the strengths of the graphic novel that it’s adapting.

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5

‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ (2011)

Rooney Mara looking up in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

From a strictly conceptual point of view, the existence of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo within Fincher’s filmography was seen with hesitance and questioning from fans instead of raw excitement. This resistance largely came from the fact that another adaptation of the same novel already existed, directed by Swedish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev just 2 years prior. It wasn’t like the previous film wasn’t well-received, with particular, universal praise for Noomi Rapace‘s work as the enigmatic Lisbeth Salander.

However, all hesitation was quickly squashed when the film was actually released. Fincher’s filmmaking style fit the world and characters of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo like a glove, and the performances by Daniel Craig and an Oscar-nominated Rooney Mara lived up to the stature and quality of the previous film. Nowadays, Fincher’s version is largely seen as an impactful companion to the other adaptation, having a lot of signature strengths that helped introduce this novel to more audiences worldwide.

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4

‘Fight Club’ (1999)

Brad Pitt in Fight Club Image via 20th Century Studios

Originally released with a great deal of controversy and mixed reception from audiences and critics of the era, Fight Club has amassed an overwhelming legacy in the time following its release, becoming one of the most celebrated cult classics of all time. With exceptional performances and a sense of renegade satire pocking at the danger of consumerism and toxic masculinity, the film can be considered Fincher’s magnum opus and one of the greatest of all time.

The fact that Fight Club isn’t at the very top of the list isn’t an indictment of its overwhelming qualities and craft, but that in the time since its reevaluation, even more of Fincher’s movies have aged gracefully and amassed their timeless qualities to audiences of the modern age. Still, few movies have proven to be so masterfully crafted or worth revisiting, with each rewatch adding layers and providing additional depth and symbolic messaging to the overall experience.

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3

‘Zodiac’ (2007)

Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) look intently ahead in Zodiac.
Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) look intently ahead in Zodiac.
Image via Paramount Pictures

While many of Fincher’s most acclaimed thrillers are largely based around original or, at the very least, non-fiction stories, the powerful true-crime elements of Zodiac make it all the more impactful. The film follows the perspective of the editors of the San Francisco Chronicle, as they find themselves obsessed with the murders of the Zodiac Killer and, over the course of a decade, attempt to uncover the culprit. However, as time goes by and public interest in the killings grows, it becomes an unexpected race against time to prevent what could be another murder.

The film was already massively praised when it was first released, yet the mixture of top-notch performances and powerful pacing for maximum tension surrounding its mysteries has made it among the most celebrated in Fincher’s entire filmography. It’s a film that cuts to the heart of exactly why Fincher is such a dynamic and celebrated visionary, delving into elements of humanity and obsession as they grapple with finding the truth even when seemingly all leads have been exhausted.

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2

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Rosamund Pike as Amy looks up from a lying position in Gone Girl.
Rosamund Pike as Amy looks up from a lying position in Gone Girl.
Image via 20th Century Studios

One of the most pivotal elements of any great thriller, not just the ones directed by Fincher, is a powerful central performance that can take hold of the narrative and elevate the themes and symbolism to make a truly exceptional thriller experience. While many of Fincher’s thrillers feature incredible actors doing top-notch work, arguably the best performance in any of his thrillers comes from Gone Girl. Rosamund Pike’s Amy Dunne is not just one of the great characters of the era, but also one of the best thriller performances of the 21st century.

Her cunning, calculated work, combined with Fincher’s exceptional direction and the layered themes of the original novel, makes Gone Girl one of the best thrillers of the 2010s and a must-watch in Fincher’s entire filmography. The passion and excitement around the film have only amplified in the time since its release, as this gripping psychological thriller has a quality and level of craft leaps and bounds above other thrillers of the era.

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1

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Brad Pitt looking intently while sitting at his desk in Se7en.
Brad Pitt looking intently while sitting at his desk in Se7en.
Image via New Line Cinema

Fincher’s legacy as a mastermind of the thriller genre has largely stemmed from the brilliance of his first thriller, Se7en. This cultural landmark of ’90s cinema has been continuously lauded and praised not just as one of the greatest thrillers of the decade, but one of the very best that the thriller genre has to offer. It’s about as perfectly crafted as a police procedural can get, with powerful symbolic weight amplifying a captivating mystery and one of the most iconic endings in film history. This story of two homicide detectives hunting down a serial killer whose crimes are based around the seven deadly sins has achieved a life and legacy of its own outside of Fincher’s status and legacy himself.

It’s a masterfully concocted thriller that finds the perfect balance between emotion, mystery, and tension that acts to many as the apex of what thriller filmmaking should strive to be. Even if Fincher didn’t direct any other thrillers after this point, his legacy as one of the great architects of the genre would already be cemented thanks to Se7en. It’s difficult to imagine any other thriller in Fincher’s present or future coming close to the sustained legacy and overwhelming quality that this masterpiece delivers from beginning to end.

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Massive Recall Has The Internet Asking “What’s Left?”

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

Whew, Roommates! Social media is popping OFF, asking, “What’s left?” after officials recalled 1.6 million eggs due to possible Salmonella contamination. Folks are flooding the internet with jokes, questions, and concerns while hoping that water doesn’t become the next item to disappear from their grocery lists.

RELATED: Wait, WHAT?! Adult Novelty Chocolate Reportedly Recalled Due To “Life-Threatening” Levels Of Viagra Ingredients 

Before You Crack That Egg, Here’s What You Need To Know

According to CBS News, Midwest Poultry Services is recalling eggs after the company discovered a possible Salmonella contamination concern. The recall includes white-shell and cage-free eggs from the company’s Texas farms. The company distributed the recalled eggs to customers across six states between June 6 and July 3, according to the FDA’s recall notice.

The affected eggs carry sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through Aug. 17 and hit stores under several brand names, including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, County Morning, and Sunups. The FDA said smaller retailers also sold the eggs, but no other Midwest Poultry Services products appear in the recall. As of July 22, Midwest Poultry Services said it had not received reports of any illnesses linked to the eggs, per USA Today.

So, How Did Officials Find The Possible Salmonella Contamination?

Midwest Poultry Services says its team uncovered the issue during routine environmental testing and a root cause investigation at its two Texas farms. The company immediately stopped shipping fresh eggs from those locations while it works through the recall. Officials also urge customers to avoid eating affected eggs and instead return them to the store for a full refund.

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What Are Symptoms Of Salmonella?

According to the CDC, Salmonella symptoms usually show up anywhere from six hours to six days after the bacteria are consumed. Most people experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps before recovering within four to seven days. However, children under 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness and may need medical treatment or hospitalization.

Social Media Wonders What’s Safe Amid Massive Egg Recall

After The Shade Room dropped the news about the recall, the Roomies wasted no time taking over the comment section. Plenty of folks joked that the only thing left to eat is air, while others said they hope water wasn’t the next thing. The reactions poured in as eggs joined the growing list of grocery staples following the recent recall of shredded iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora outbreak.

Instagram user @lenoraclarice wrote, At this point, all we can eat is AIR, and that might be on recall soon 😩😒” 

Instagram user @shidrika wrote,Well I just ate some I’ll update yall HOPEFULLY 😂😂😂😂” 

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While Instagram user @simonecheri wrote,but nothing about these bills / rent being contaminated?”

Then, Instagram user @stocktradertee wrote, They trying take us out by all angles the water next.” 

Another Instagram user, @thefunnymomma, wrote, So ice cubes and air is all that we can eat. Got it.” 

Instagram user @diamond____banks wrote,don’t piss me off after I just ate 3 scrambled eggs with cheese.” 

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Then another Instagram user @m.donnnn wrote,Like bro what is yall trying to do to us 😭😂😂😂😂😂😂🤔” 

While another Instagram user @tashaa.vee wrote, Pretty soon we gonna be biting each other 😂” 

Finally, Instagram user @colormenyy wrote,Every time I breathe something getting recalled 🙄” 

RELATED: Say WHAT?! FDA Cheese Recall To Highest Danger Level Following Reported Listeria Discovery (VIDEO) 

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Juelz Santana Names North West In Debate On Daughter’s Dress

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

Juelz Santana is catching heat for involving 13-year-old North West in his latest internet clapback. The Dipset rapper went in on several Instagram users over the dress that his and Kimbella Vanderhee‘s daughter wore for her 14th birthday celebration. However, in that process, he name-dropped Northie. Now the internet is debating whether that was an appropriate response. Meanwhile, the rapper has seemingly shut down his comment section amid backlash.

RELATED: Too Much? Social Media Shares Mixed Reactions As North West Shows Off More Apparent Hand Piercings (PHOTO)

Juelz Santana & Kimbella Vanderhee Share B-Day Photos Of Daughter

On Wednesday (July 22), the rapper shared an Instagram post featuring his baby girl with Kimbella. The first photo in his IG dump showed his daughter standing in front of a water fountain, one arm at her side and the other hand touching her face. The 14-year-old wore a blush-pink dress that was more than a few inches above her knees, with cloth draping down the middle past her knees. Moreover, the dress appeared to show some cleavage. Her hair was styled straight and down to her midsection. Other photos showed the 14-year-old posing with friends, her mom Kimbella and even Young Thug!

“14 Wow 🎉🥳🎈Happy Bday To My Baby Girl… Daddy Loves U More then U Will Ever Know…. u Got Everything U Need to Be Great.. Never follow Always Lead.. an If Anyone Or Thing… Jus Call Me I’ll the Problems That U Can’t..N to all u young girls 💕😘❤️‍🔥🦅,” Juelz Santana wrote.

Kimbella also shared a birthday recap post highlighting her and Juelz’s daughter. Her video showed more moments, from a birthday cake to a sleepover.

“Happy 14th birthday to my baby girl @bella712216 💕 I hope you’re enjoying your day as we celebrate you!! I love you so much and so proud of the young lady you’re becoming!! Keep making mommy proud! 💜🥰😘🎁🎊🥳🎈1️⃣4️⃣😍💕”

Rapper Mentions North West While Addressing Daughter’s Outfit

Less than 24 hours after sharing the birthday post, Juelz Santana turned off its comment section. However, it appears he pulled that move after clapping back at critics of his 14-year-old’s outfit. In screenshots gathered by Press Play Media Company and Live Bitez, the rapper dragged Kim Kardashian and Ye’s daughter, North West, into his clapback. IG user @ariesgoddess86 commented on his post, “Why is she dressed like an adult?” To that remark, Juelz Santana reportedly wrote:

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“Y’all want her to dress like North West no disrespect I jus wanna know.” In a second response to that user, Santana added, “Didn’t God want Alll Man and Women Not To Sin…n y’all talking about a dress.”

North West, who is 13 as of June, has been previously criticized for her streetwear-meets-emo style. At times, the internet has also discussed her jewelry preferences, including her hand piercings. However, folks under Juelz Santana’s birthday tribute didn’t let the apparent Northie shade slide.

@mrs_pt_harrold, for example, wrote: “North West could have paid for your daughter party and all her friends some new birthday fits.” The rapper responded, “Y so they could look NV. Much love I’ll raise mine u raise yours.” 

Meanwhile, @beeeeeyond typed, “That’s a baby with lashes,” and to that Santana replied, “Maybe u can teach her how to be a big back like u.”

Juelz Santana Offers $10,000 Reward For His Stolen Watch

His daughter isn’t the only thing Juelz Santana has recently popped off over. Also, this week, he addressed his stolen watch. And it’s not only ole’ watch, but a Rolex Sky-Dweller, which can reportedly cost over $15,000. According to Complex, the Dipset rapper offered a $10,000 cash reward for the return of his property or information about it, promising to keep the identity of any sources anonymous. In his Instagram Stories, Santana revealed that the watch went missing around July 4 and suggested that he already knows who took it, but wants to be certain.

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“My last post about my watch, I’m 90% sure who did it but I want 2 B 100,” he wrote. “Any with info on who stole my Rolex Sky Dwaler… it happened last July 4th. I just been 🤫… I cash for any1 with info n no1 will know u told me,” Santana wrote.

He added: “To whoever stole my watch jus know the window is getting smaller…Everything done in the dark will come to the light.”

RELATED: Georgia Judge Sets Anthony Edwards’ Monthly Child Support Amount For Daughter With Ayesha Howard

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7 Forgotten ’80s Sitcoms That Have Aged Like Milk

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Al (Ed O’Neill) and Peggy (Katey Sagal) laughing together in Married With Children.

Nothing beats watching a sitcom after a long day — but some ’80s sitcoms just wouldn’t sit well with today’s audiences. The art of making people laugh is as timeless as the genre itself, and sitcoms are especially appealing because of their ensemble casts and episodic stories, making them easy to enjoy without committing to a serialized plot. While iconic hits like Seinfeld and modern favorites like Abbott Elementary often dominate the conversation, plenty of underrated sitcoms are just as capable of delivering laughs.

That said, some of these forgotten gems would likely spark controversy if they premiered in today’s more socially aware climate, where audiences have higher expectations for how sitcoms handle sensitive topics. Whether due to poorly written scripts, unconvincing ensemble chemistry, or intentionally provocative themes, here are the ’80s forgotten sitcoms that have aged like milk.

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‘Married… with Children’ (1987–1997)

Al (Ed O’Neill) and Peggy (Katey Sagal) laughing together in Married With Children.
Al (Ed O’Neill) and Peggy (Katey Sagal) laughing together in Married With Children.
Image via FOX

Married… with Children follows Al Bundy (Ed O’Neill), a former high school football star who now works as an underpaid shoe salesman. Despite his downfall, Al can’t help but dream of his glory days. Back at home, Al lives under the same roof as his spendthrift wife, dim-witted daughter, and awkward son. When they’re not bickering over dwindling paychecks, they’re probably fighting with their neighbors. But that’s not stopping Al from trying to get him and his family out of suburban purgatory.

Considering the Bundys are a problematic family by design, Married… with Children intentionally utilizes provocative humor that ranges from sexism to fat-shaming. Many episodes revolve around offensive gags, from Al buying Peggy (Katey Sagal) a new bra so men will stare at her breasts, turning sexual harassment into a joke, to his repeated insults toward overweight women shopping at the shoe store. The series also introduces NO MA’AM — the National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood — where members celebrate resisting women and complain about how women supposedly ruin men’s lives.

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‘Charles in Charge’ (1984–1990)

Scott Baio as Charles stands in front of shelves and looks serious in Charles in Charge.
Scott Baio as Charles stands in front of shelves and looks serious in Charles in Charge.
Image via CBS

There’s a new nanny in New Brunswick — and he’s a dude. Charles in Charge follows 19-year-old college student Charles (Scott Baio). Choosing an unconventional side gig, he ends up working as the live-in housekeeper and babysitter for the Pembroke family. In exchange, he gets sweet perks like his own room and board. Little does he realize that taking care of the family’s three children is much harder than any homework he brings from his classes.

Relying on outdated humor, Charles in Charge frequently makes casual microaggressions by objectifying women. One of its creepiest storylines has Charles supervising a slumber party full of teenage girls, with the jokes framing him as “lucky” to be surrounded by them. The show is even more unsettling in hindsight after co-star Nicole Eggert accused Baio of sexual misconduct in 2018, alleging he made advances toward her when she was 14. Co-star Alexander Polinsky also accused Baio of verbal abuse and physical assault.

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‘It’s Your Move’ (1984–1985)

A man and woman pose with a young teen in It's Your Move.
A man and woman pose with a young teen in It’s Your Move.
Image via NBC

It’s Your Move follows Matthew Burton (Jason Bateman), a charming teenage con artist whose endless scams keep everyone fooled. However, he meets his match when Norman Lamb (David Garrison), a former teen con artist turned teacher, moves into the neighborhood. When Norman starts dating Matthew’s widowed mother and becomes one of his teachers, the two constantly try to outsmart each other with their never-ending hijinks. Recognizing every trick in Matthew’s playbook, Norman becomes his greatest rival.

With Matthew being a kid himself, It’s Your Move risks giving the wrong idea to impressionable young viewers of the same age. Throughout the show, he’s an expert liar and schemer, pulling off elaborate cons, tricking adults into believing his lies, and gaslighting people to get out of trouble — including repeatedly trying to break up his mom’s relationship with Norman. The problem is that these behaviors are played for laughs, making it seem like being manipulative or mean is funny instead of showing the real consequences.

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‘Small Wonder’ (1985–1989)

Three small children in 'Small Wonder'
Three small children in ‘Small Wonder’
Image via Metroland Video Productions

Sci-fi meets sitcom in Small Wonder. Out of the blue, robotics engineer Ted Lawson (Dick Christie) secretly brings home V.I.C.I. (or Vicki), a childlike android he created to help disabled children. Pretending she’s their newly adopted daughter, the Lawson family must hide Vicki’s (Tiffany Brissette) true identity while she learns how to act human. Their biggest challenge doesn’t come from the government. Instead, it’s their nosy neighbors, the Brindles, who threaten to expose Ted’s greatest experiment and the family’s biggest secret.

Robots have always been a touchy subject in sci-fi, so turning a little girl into a sentient android was bound to raise some eyebrows. Back in the ’80s, though, the idea felt more kitschy than unsettling, since conversations about AI, robots, and autonomy were practically nonexistent outside of fiction. Looking back, however, the premise is harder to ignore. Vicki is expected to obey her parents without question, and if she doesn’t, she can simply be dismantled. Even as she displays increasingly human behavior, she’s treated more like property than a person, stripping her of any real autonomy.











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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Personality Quiz
Which Sci-Fi Hero Are You Most Like?
Paul Atreides · Captain Kirk · Princess Leia · Ellen Ripley · Max Rockatansky
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Five iconic heroes. Five completely different ways of facing an impossible universe. One of them shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of refusing to back down. Eight questions will tell you which one.

🏜️Paul Atreides

🖖Capt. Kirk

Princess Leia

🔦Ellen Ripley

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🔥Max Rockatansky

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01

How do you lead when the stakes couldn’t be higher?
The way you lead under pressure is the most honest thing about you.





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02

What is your greatest strength in a crisis?
The quality that keeps you alive when everything else fails.





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03

What is the thing you’d sacrifice everything else for?
Your deepest motivation is your truest compass.





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04

How do you relate to the people around you?
Who you are to others under pressure is who you really are.





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05

You’re facing a threat that no one else believes is real. What do you do?
How you respond when you’re the only one who sees it defines everything.





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06

What has your heroism cost you personally?
Every hero pays. The question is what — and whether they’d pay it again.





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07

How do you feel about the rules of the world you’re in?
Every hero has a relationship with the system. What’s yours?





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08

When everything is on the line, what keeps you going?
The answer is the most honest thing about you.





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Your Hero Has Been Identified
Your Sci-Fi Hero Is…

Your answers point to the iconic sci-fi hero who shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of facing the impossible.

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Arrakis · Dune

Paul Atreides

You carry a weight most people would crumble under — the knowledge of what you’re capable of, and the burden of what you might have to become.

  • You see further ahead than others and you plan accordingly, even when the vision frightens you.
  • You are driven by loyalty to your people and a sense of destiny you didn’t ask for but can’t escape.
  • Paul Atreides is not simply a hero — he is someone who understands the cost of power and chooses to bear it anyway.
  • That gravity, that willingness to carry what others won’t, is exactly you.

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USS Enterprise · Star Trek

Captain Kirk

You lead with instinct, warmth, and an absolute refusal to accept a no-win scenario — because you’ve always believed there’s a third option nobody else has thought of yet.

  • You take the mission seriously without ever taking yourself too seriously.
  • Your crew would follow you anywhere, not because you demand it, but because you’ve earned it.
  • Kirk’s genius isn’t tactical — it’s human. He reads people, bends rules with purpose, and wills outcomes into existence through sheer conviction.
  • That combination of warmth, audacity, and relentless optimism is unmistakably yours.

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The Rebellion · Star Wars

Princess Leia

You are the kind of person who holds the line when everyone else is losing faith — not because you’re fearless, but because giving up simply isn’t something you’re capable of.

  • You lead through conviction. Your voice carries because your belief is unshakeable.
  • You gave up everything ordinary the moment you chose the cause, and you’ve never looked back.
  • Leia is not a supporting character in her own story — she is the moral centre of the entire rebellion.
  • That same fierce, principled, unbreakable core is what defines you.

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The Nostromo · Alien

Ellen Ripley

You are not reckless, not grandiose, and not particularly interested in being anyone’s hero — you just refuse to stop when it matters.

  • You see threats clearly, you document the truth even when no one listens, and when the time comes you handle it yourself.
  • Ripley’s heroism is earned, not performed. She doesn’t have a speech — she has a flamethrower and a plan.
  • You share her composure under the worst possible pressure, and her refusal to pretend the monster isn’t there.
  • When it counts, you don’t flinch. That’s everything.

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The Wasteland · Mad Max

Max Rockatansky

You have been through fire that would break most people — and what came out the other side is something the world underestimates at its peril.

  • You don’t ask for help, don’t need validation, and don’t wait for anyone to tell you the rules no longer apply.
  • Your loyalty, when it finally arrives, is absolute — but it’s earned in silence and tested in action, not in words.
  • Max is not a nihilist. He is someone who lost everything and found, against his will, that he still has something worth protecting.
  • That bruised, stubborn, ultimately human core is exactly yours.
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‘Mama’s Family’ (1983–1990)

The cast of Mama's Family all smile except for Mama, as they look at the camera with a plain pink background.
The cast of Mama’s Family all smile except for Mama, as they look at the camera with a plain pink background.
Image via NBC
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Mama’s Family follows sharp-tongued widow Thelma “Mama” Harper (Vicki Lawrence) as her quiet household is turned upside down when her recently divorced son Vinton (Ken Berry) moves in with his teenage children. Things get even more chaotic after Vinton marries their bubbly neighbor Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), adding another personality to the already crowded home. Spun off from The Carol Burnett Show, the sitcom follows the Harper family’s constant arguments, quirky personalities, and everyday misadventures.

Much of Mama’s Family’s chemistry comes from the family’s nonstop bickering. While sarcastic remarks are common in many sitcom families, the show often pushes them into full-blown screaming matches that cross the line. Whether it’s Mama constantly berating her children or the family turning on Mama, verbal abuse is often played for laughs. On top of that, when Vinton tries to express his feelings instead of yelling, his vulnerability is treated as something “wrong” or too feminine, reinforcing outdated stereotypes about masculinity.

‘She’s the Sheriff’ (1987–1989)

Hildy (Suzanne Somers) stands with her arms crossed next to her deputy in She's the Sheriff.
Hildy (Suzanne Somers) stands with her arms crossed next to her deputy in She’s the Sheriff.
Image via Lorimar Telepictures
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It takes a woman to do a man’s job properly. She’s the Sheriff follows Hildy Granger (Suzanne Somers), a widowed mother of two who unexpectedly becomes sheriff of fictional Lakes Country, Nevada, after her husband’s sudden death. With no law enforcement experience, Hildy must balance raising her children while learning the ropes of her new job and handling the town’s daily problems. Making matters harder is Deputy Max Rubin (George Wyner), who believes he deserved the position instead.

She’s the Sheriff had the chance to be a progressive sitcom in the ’80s, but instead it played into the same ditzy stereotype Somers was known for in Three’s Company. Rather than portraying Hildy as an empowered working woman, the show often depicts her as more focused on her personal life than her duties as sheriff. It also doesn’t help that her male colleagues frequently dismiss her responsibilities as a mother, treating them as interference with the job.

‘Dear John’ (1988–1992)

The cast of 'Dear John'
The cast of ‘Dear John’
Image via NBC
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Dear John follows John Lacey (Judd Hirsch), a Manhattan prep school teacher whose life falls apart after his wife leaves him for his best friend. Instead of a proper goodbye, his 10-year-marriage ends when he receives a “Dear John” letter. After losing his home and custody of his son, John starts over in Queens and joins the One-to-One Club, a support group for divorced and widowed singles. Together with his new unlikely friends, he gets through post-separation life one day at a time.

Where there’s divorce, there’s usually the question of who’s to blame. Dear John often frames women as the reason marriages fall apart, largely through John’s bitter perspective of his ex-wife. That one-dimensional view also extends to characters like Louise (Jane Carr), who is frequently portrayed as sex-obsessed for laughs. At a time when conversations about women’s sexual liberation were only beginning to gain traction, the show missed an opportunity to treat the topic with more nuance instead of turning it into a recurring joke.


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Dear John

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Release Date

1988 – 1992-00-00

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Directors

John Rich, Stan Daniels, James Burrows, Art Wolff

Writers
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Howard Meyers, Marco Pennette, Rod Parker, Jeremy Stevens, Mark Reisman


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  • Cast Placeholder Image
  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Isabella Hofmann

    Kate McCarron

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Mathew Knowles Reveals Destiny’s Child Is Dropping New Music

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Can You Keep Up? Mathew Knowles Reveals Destiny's Child Is Dropping New Music & We Can't Even (VIDEO)

Roomies, it looks like Mathew Knowles and Destiny’s Child might have just sparked some major nostalgia, and if you’ve been waiting on a reason to dust off your early 2000s playlists, this might be it. While fans have spent years wondering if one of music’s most iconic trios would ever reunite in some capacity, new details suggest something special has quietly been in the works behind the scenes.

RELATED: Yikes! Beyoncé & Jay-Z’s House Damaged After Driver Crashes Gates, Officials Explain What Happened

Mathew Knowles Says The Girls Are Back

According to Mathew Knowles, the wait may finally be coming to an end. He revealed to TMZ that Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams are all on board for a major release tied to a milestone celebration—one that longtime Destiny’s Child fans won’t want to miss. Don’t lose your breath, Roomies, but Destiny’s Child is reportedly making a musical comeback—sort of. According to TMZ, Mathew Knowles shared that the legendary girl group has 10 to 15 remixes already prepared for the group’s upcoming 30th anniversary celebration. The collection is said to include both urban and dance mixes, though it’s still unclear whether the songs will be released as a full album or through another format.

The Destiny’s Child Vault May Finally Open

But that’s not all. Mathew also revealed that the anniversary plans go beyond just remixed tracks. He says the group is sitting on a vault of never-before-seen video footage and unreleased audio that fans have never experienced, with plans to finally share those hidden gems as part of the celebration. While the new music and archival content give fans plenty to look forward to, Mathew shut down hopes of a full-fledged reunion tour, saying the trio has no plans to hit the road together.

The upcoming release would mark Destiny’s Child’s first new music in more than two decades, following the release of their final studio album, ‘Destiny Fulfilled,’ in November 2004. Even without a tour, the news is already fueling excitement online as fans prepare to celebrate three decades of one of the best-selling girl groups in music history.

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Roomies, Beyoncé Just Keeps Giving

Roomies, one thing about Beyoncé—she’s been giving fans everything lately! From surprise appearances to behind-the-scenes moments, Queen Bey keeps finding new ways to have the internet talking. During Jay-Z’s highly anticipated ‘Jay-Z 30’ celebration at Yankee Stadium, fans were first treated to footage of Beyoncé helping Hov trade in his wicks for his signature Caesar cut before he hit the stage. Bey later stepped out in a sparkling pinstripe look to join her husband for a performance of ‘Can’t Knock The Hustle,’ sending the stadium into a frenzy and proving once again that every time she pops out, it’s a moment.

RELATED: Crazy In Love! Jay-Z Brings Out Beyoncé At His First Yankee Stadium Show & Fans Are Losing It (VIDEO)

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Jon Bon Jovi Abruptly Stops His MSG Concert Early

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Jon Bon Jovi was forced to cut his latest gig short at Madison Square Garden due to health reasons.

Bon Jovi, 64, suddenly pulled the plug on the eighth show of his Forever Tour on Thursday, July 23, wrapping up the gig in New York City after 90 minutes.

After performing the 1986 hit “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bon Jovi addressed the audience, informing them he was unable to continue.

“Don’t throw away your ticket stubs, I’m going to figure something out,” Bon Jovi told the crowd. “Just hang onto it, I’m going to figure out how to reschedule.”

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Before leaving the stage, the musician added, “I’m gonna have to cool it for a night. I feel great, I’ll see you again soon, bye bye.”

A rep for Bon Jovi told Us on Thursday night that the singer was forced to finish up early due to a sinus infection.

“The Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square Garden ended after 90 mins tonight,” the statement read.  “Jon Bon Jovi spoke from stage and told fans he has been battling a sinus infection which led to the show’s early ending. As part of the Bon Jovi residency at Madison Square Garden, Jon has said numerous times that it has been a joy to return to live shows for the band. Updated information will be available shortly.”

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Jon Bon Jovi.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Bon Jovi’s next performance at MSG is slated for Sunday, July 26, before the Forever Tour heads to Edinburgh in August.

The tour marks the singer’s return to touring after a vocal cord injury. He previously opened up about the health issue that had impacted his music career, reflecting on the injury and subsequent recovery journey.

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When Bon Jovi appeared on Today in October 2025, Savannah Guthrie, 54, said to him, “There was a moment when it was, ‘If I can’t sing the way I want to sing, I’m not going to do it anymore.’”

“That’s right,” he responded. “I don’t do it for the applause. I’m not that applause junkie. I do it for the joy and I do it for the art. The rest of it is great because I’m good at it. But if you couldn’t do it from a place of joy, what’s the motivation?”

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In 2022, Bon Jovi underwent surgery to fix an atrophying vocal cord. The rocker explained that his stronger vocal cord was “pushing the weak one around,” and it was “dying.” Bon Jovi ultimately found a surgeon who placed an implant on the outside of his vocal cords.

When asked if the injury occurred because he was “hitting all those high notes all those years,” Bon Jovi replied, “You know, it’s 40 years of hard work. I don’t really know.”

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Travelers Say They Lost Thousands

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Black Travelers Say They Lost Thousands Booking Black Travel Movement Luxury Trip With Reggie Cummings

Black Travel Movement founder Reggie Cummings is under fire, accused of scamming travelers out of thousands of dollars. This, after allegedly canceling a private jet trip to the Caribbean. From a looming $1.6 fraud judgment to Cummings alleging he was scammed. What really happened?

The Shade Room’s Justin Carter is looking into things and pulling receipts on ‘TSR Investigates.

Travelers Say They Lost Thousands Booking Black Travel Movement Luxury Trip

According to Carter, Kayla Poplar was set to take a vacation to the Caribbean with her fiancé three months ago. However, the organized trip was allegedly abruptly canceled. This, after allegedly paying $9,700 to take flight.

Per Carter, the cancellation arrived after Cummings allegedly began sending messages to the group, asking to postpone the trip.

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“When asked why… he said that… he had double-booked with his China trip — he had another trip around that same time — and he had double-booked,” fellow traveler Joanelle Baptiste explained to Carter while noting her confusion.

Per Carter, Baptiste had previously gone on two vacations with Cummings. So initially, she wasn’t worried. However, “come May 13th,” she reportedly received a call from him in which he canceled the trip and alleged he had been scammed.

More On The Luxury Trip & Where Things Went Wrong

According to Baptiste, Cummings now alleged that he had been scammed by the private jet broker. In response, Baptiste questioned how a single alleged mishap with the broker could have halted the entire trip and its excursions.

“I was livid. I was pissed,” Baptiste explained to Carter, recalling her immediate reaction.

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Scroll above to watch as fellow traveler Tammy Johnson details her experience booking travel with Reggie Cummings. Additionally, Carter details how Cummings allegedly promised his travelers refunds. But he only made good on multiple apology messages. Furthermore, Carter delves into Cummings’ previously being ordered to pay $1.6 million for a failed yacht excursion — a detail his current bookers seemingly missed. Lastly, Carter shares the statement he received from Reggie Cummings. Additionally, Carter shares what consumers should do if they run into a vacation scam.

RELATED: The $2 Billion Foot Content Industry & The Women Cashing In | TSR Investigates

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Nicole Kidman Italy Trip Sparks Mystery Romance Buzz Up

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2026 MET Gala Costume Ball-Outside Arrivals

Nicole Kidman appears to be embracing a new chapter months after her high-profile split from Keith Urban

After speaking publicly about looking ahead following the end of their 19-year marriage, the Oscar-winning actress has now been spotted enjoying a relaxed getaway with a mystery companion in Italy. 

The low-key outing has sparked fresh interest in her personal life as sources close to the actress insist she is finally finding happiness after an emotional year.

2026 MET Gala Costume Ball-Outside Arrivals
RCF / MEGA

Months after saying she was focused on moving forward, Kidman appeared to be doing exactly that during a recent trip to Portofino.

The actress was photographed at the Belmond Splendido hotel alongside private equity businessman Michael Reinstein, where the pair enjoyed drinks beneath the poolside umbrellas while chatting and laughing together. 

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In one of the images obtained by the Daily Mail, Reinstein playfully lifted the brim of Kidman’s oversized sun hat as the two shared a lighthearted moment.

The pair later strolled through the luxury property together, with Reinstein walking just behind the actress as they made their way across the hotel grounds. 

While his name may not be widely recognized outside financial circles, the businessman appeared completely at ease in Kidman’s company throughout the afternoon.

Friends Say Kidman Is Embracing A Happier Chapter

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Those close to the actress believe the Italian getaway reflects someone who is finally allowing herself to enjoy life again.

According to a source who spoke with the outlet, Nicole Kidman poured everything she had into trying to save her marriage and never expected it to end. 

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The insider said the actress deserves to find happiness after such a difficult period, describing her as someone who has remained remarkably grounded despite decades in the spotlight.

“After everything she went through with Keith, she deserves to find happiness. She never thought her marriage wouldn’t work out and she tried as best as she could to keep her family intact,” the source said.

The insider added that Kidman continues to cherish her privacy and has leaned heavily on her daughters, describing them as her “best friends” while noting that she seems genuinely content with where life has taken her.

Nicole Kidman’s Family Continues To Navigate Life After The Split

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Even as Kidman appears to be settling into a new routine, sources say her family remains at the center of her priorities.

Another insider claimed Urban has acknowledged that the “Babygirl” actress has handled their post-divorce dynamic well, despite the emotional challenges their daughters continue to face. 

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According to the source, the children have naturally gravitated toward their mother as they process the changes in their family life.

“Keith has said that Nicole has been great during all of this,” the insider shared. The source noted that the transition has been especially painful for Urban because “the girls are young, they’re hurt, and they have to choose sides in their minds. So, they have chosen Mom.”

While the insider acknowledged that “Keith is not a perfect man — nobody is,” they stressed that his relationship with his daughters remains deeply important to him and that he continues to love them despite the family’s ongoing adjustment.

Urban Is Said To Be Hoping For A Fresh Start With Kidman

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Although Nicole Kidman appears to be looking toward the future, reports suggest Keith Urban is still trying to make peace with the past. 

According to a June report from National Enquirer, the country star would “love the chance to clear the air” with his ex-wife and rebuild a more cordial relationship after what insiders described as months of minimal contact following their divorce. 

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A source shared that Urban believed improving communication with Kidman could also help repair his strained relationship with their daughters, insisting he knew Kidman held “a lot of influence” and was “desperate to repair things” within the family. 

While Kidman had reportedly remained “a brick wall” to his reconciliation efforts, the insider alleged Urban was hopeful she might soften as she appeared to be in a happier place personally. 

Keith Urban Extended An Olive Branch To Nicole Kidman

60th Academy Of Country Music Awards In Frisco, USA
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Urban’s reported desire to mend fences didn’t emerge out of nowhere. Days earlier, the country star had already offered a rare public gesture that hinted he was trying to keep things cordial with his ex-wife.

The country star surprised fans by publicly acknowledging his ex-wife’s 59th birthday, marking the first time he had reached out to her in such a visible way since their divorce was finalized earlier this year. 

Urban shared a simple Instagram Stories post that read, “Happy birthday Nicole Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!,”using her full middle name in a gesture many interpreted as both personal and heartfelt. 

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Kidman did not publicly respond; instead, she celebrated the occasion by posting a serene photo from a mountaintop while thanking fans for their well wishes.

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Scariest Ghost Movie Of All Time Now Streaming Free

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Scariest Ghost Movie Of All Time Now Streaming Free

By Brian Myers
| Published

For a horror fan, the genre can seem to be over-saturated with a combination of slasher films, bloody gore fests, and tales of demonic possession. Good old fashioned ghost stories are a far underutilized storyline, but the ones that have been created will often deliver levels of chills that exceed anything that features a hockey masked killer or a zombie horde. One of the greatest ghost story movies ever produced was a Canadian entry from 1980 titled The Changeling, a terrifying feature film that is now reaching a new fan base on Tubi.

The Haunted Mansion Setup

The Changeling

The Changeling is the tragic story of a man who suffers the loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident, and how he moves out of the area to find himself again. But when composer John Russell (George C. Scott) moves into the long-abandoned Seattle mansion, he is immediately made aware that someone (or something) is present alongside him in his new home.

At first, it seems as though he might be going mad from grief. But it becomes apparent that Russell is quite lucid, and could very well be haunted by the spirits of one of his recently deceased family members. As he digs into the home’s history, he discovers that it has been the site of several tragic figures that met their ends while only children.

Digging For Answers

The Changeling sees Russell conduct a seance to communicate with the spirit in his home and discovers that he is being haunted by the ghost of a nine-year-old boy named Joseph Carmichael. Joseph reveals to Russell that he was murdered by his father and replaced by an orphan in what was a scheme to keep the large financial estate of the Carmichael family intact. Russell is directed to property once owned by the Carmichael’s with the instruction to excavate the site of an old well, where the boy’s remains could be found.

Standing in the way of Joseph’s eternal peace is the orphan who replaced him, a powerful United States Senator who bears the name of the dead kid.

Haunted On Multiple Levels

The Changeling is a slow build, its creepy elements slowly giving way to sinister acts committed at the hands of the ghostly Joseph. George C. Scott gives the film his best work between Patton and The Exorcist III, playing Russell as a character that is believably grief-stricken and equally haunted by the paranormal events that unfold around him. Scott takes the movie in directions otherwise not possible, giving a ghost story a sense of realism that works to make the terror all that more believable.

Allegedly Based On True Events

It might seem like it was concocted from the imagination of a Hollywood screenwriter, but The Changeling was, in fact, based on true events. The script was the work of American playwright Russell Hunter, who used his chilling experiences as a guest in a Colorado hotel as the basis for the film. According to Hunter, he was living in a rented room at the Henry Treat Rogers mansion in Denver and began experiencing paranormal phenomena.

While investigating mysterious noises, Hunter stumbled across a journal from the 19th century that he maintained was written by a disabled boy who was shut away from the world by his cruel parents. Like in The Changeling, a seance was held to communicate with the boy’s spirit, leading Hunter to dig until he found the skeletal remains and christening medal belonging to the child.

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Whether true or just a figment of the writer’s imagination, the events translated well into Hunter’s screenplay and were brought to life by Peter Medak’s wonderful direction. Canadian composer Rick Wilkins gave the production one of the most chilling cinematic scores, adding layers of both suspense and horror to an already unsettling film.

You can stream The Changeling for free with Tubi.


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Sexy, R-Rated Horror Comedy Is The Best Sequel Of The Decade

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Sexy, R-Rated Horror Comedy Is The Best Sequel Of The Decade

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated

When it comes to horror movies, sequels are often hit-or-miss. Sometimes, you get an ambitious sequel like Friday the 13th Part 2 that adds to franchise lore in a big way. Most of the time, though, you get movies that are weak sauce compared to the original. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge is a fun, accidentally gay romp, but it’s nowhere near as scary as the first film. American Psycho 2 is forgettable tripe compared to the original classic. Oh, and The Exorcist II: The Heretic is so bad that I’d rather be tormented by an actual demon than watch another minute.

Because of this, I was very pleasantly surprised by Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. It’s the sequel to a movie that seemed like it would be impossible to follow up on, and it changes lore right away by giving our only child main character a sister. An impossible concept? Major changes to existing characters? On paper, this is the recipe for a pure disaster. Amazingly, though, Ready or Not 2 ended up being the best horror sequel of the last decade, and you can discover what the hype is about by streaming it for yourself on Hulu.

How About A Nice Game Of Death?

The plot of the original Ready or Not was that Grace MacCaullay (Samara Weaving) had married into a family that forced her to pick a random game to play on her wedding day. She drew “Hide-and-Seek,” but there was a twist: she had to hide while the rest of the family grabbed weapons and tried to kill her. She managed to survive, and her new family died as a result of a demonic pact. 

In Ready or Not 2, we find out that this was just one of several families who had made the same demonic pact and are constantly vying for control. Now, Grace and her estranged sister are forced to play a fatal game of Hide-and-Seek yet again, this time against various families who are fighting for nothing less than control of the entire world. As for Grace, she doesn’t want global domination. She wants exactly what she fought so hard to do in the first film: to survive!

Twisted Sister

So, what makes Ready or Not 2 such a great sequel? For one thing, it adds Kathryn Newton to the mix as Grace’s sister. Normally, I’m not a big fan of such retcons, but this change to the lore gives Weaving someone to bounce off of during her bloody fight for survival. It helps that Newton is a hilarious horror veteran, having previously starred in spooky films like Abigail, Freaky, and (my personal favorite) Lisa Frankenstein. She perfectly understands the assignment, and she leans into both the over-the-top gore and over-the-top comedy while demonstrating some serious chemistry with Weaving.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come also expands the wild lore of the first movie, opening the door to more colorful new characters. This includes horror icons like David Cronenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar, the latter of whom turns in what is easily her best performance since Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Additionally, Elijah Wood absolutely kills it in a role where he’s basically the devil’s lawyer. All of the new performers are excellent, and this film does the best job of adding new lore to a franchise since Friday the 13: Part 2 transformed Jason Voorhees from a one-off jumpscare to the scariest villain of the ‘80s.

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Buckets Of Blood

If you’re more into horror for the gore than the lore, don’t worry: Ready or Not 2 has you covered. Or, more accurately, it has its characters covered in buckets of blood. This sequel boasts several new environments (the original was mostly contained to a large house), which leads to some very ambitious kills. “Bloody” doesn’t really do this film justice; at one point, we see a fountain of gore in a nasty visual gag that feels straight out of Army of Darkness. Of course, I won’t blame you if you’re more focused on the blood that has been splattered all over Newton’s tastefully tight tanktop.

At the risk of sounding too much like a fanboy, Ready or Not 2 is the best horror sequel of the last decade because it does everything the original film did, but better. The premise is the same, but every chase, every fight, and every kill is bigger than what we got in Ready or Not. The humor is still hilarious, but everything is that much funnier when Weaving has Newton to riff off of. Best of all, the new lore makes this franchise seem epic in scope, all while changing how we watch the first film for the better.

Without getting into any spoilers, Ready or Not 2 gives a very satisfying ending that (much like the original movie) doesn’t make any effort to set up a sequel. It’s an awesome, self-contained story, one which you can enjoy even if you didn’t watch the earlier film. Like all great horror movies, it’s also under two hours, and it wastes no time getting down to business. Whether alone or with friends, this is the perfect sequel to put on when you’re looking for a bloody good time. Let’s hope your remote isn’t playing Hide-and-Seek, because you can stream Ready or Not 2: Here I Come on Hulu today!


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