Plenty of Stephen King stories are ubiquitous, and not just if you’re a reader, and find yourself strolling past a good many horror sections at any number of book stores, but also if you watch a lot of movies and/or TV. So many books of the author’s have been popular, and then some of them have reached further popularity thanks to TV productions or movies (or, as was the case with IT, both, since that one had a miniseries adaptation and then a two-part movie adaptation much later).

And there are Stephen King stories that are more popular in their adapted form than their written one, because you might still be able to find people you can surprise by telling them Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption were based on works written by King. Still, with him being so prolific, there are a few books he’s written that only the truly die-hard Stephen King fans will probably know about, including the ones below. And hey, if you’ve heard of them all, and read each and every one, then congrats: you’re probably a big fan and stuff. Join the club.

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‘Elevation’ (2018)

Image via Charles Scribner’s Sons

There have been good Stephen King books written in the 21st century for sure, and a few are even quite popular and worthy of being compared to his classics (like 11/22/63 for sure, and probably Revival and Under the Dome, too). Then you’ve also got Elevation, which is a bit too odd and slight to really leave much of a mark, and it’s most interesting if you approach it as something of a spiritual sequel to Thinner.

Now, Thinner is lesser King, by his early standards, so is probably on the less-known side of things as far as his 1980s books go. But it’s still had more of an impact than Elevation, with weight loss being played for horror in Thinner, and then a man losing mass somehow (to the point where he begins to reckon with the idea that he might eventually float away) being played for… it’s hard to tell. Played for emotion? Played for tears? Elevation is quite sappy and almost silly, but any die-hard (well, semi-die-hard) fans who’ve not read it yet might still get a little out of it.

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‘Danse Macabre’ (1981)

Image via Hodder & Stoughton

In Danse Macabre, Stephen King spends a lot of time writing about horror books that other people have written. Some are classics that inspired him, while others were written by his contemporaries, and were relatively recent at the time Danse Macabre was published. King also spends parts of the book talking about horror on television, and cinematic horror, exploring – and commenting on – the genre in a few other ways, too.

Yes, it’s a non-fiction book, and so it’s one that’s lacking genuine horror elements (supernatural or otherwise), instead being concerned with talking about horror. It’s one of the least scary Stephen King books, for that reason, though it’s not quite as strong a work of non-fiction as his more personal On Writing, which is justifiably a little more well-known – and held in higher regard critically – than Danse Macabre. But if you like the way King writes non-fiction, and you’re particularly interested in reading his quite conversational run-through of the horror genre and some of its history, it can make for a fairly fun read.

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‘Rage’ (1977)

Image via Signet Books/Stephen King

It’s easy to put Rage here on the basis that it’s been pulled from publication, so you have to look outside traditional bookstores if you really want to read it, and if you need a physical copy, it’s going to have to be a second-hand one, basically. Rage is about a young boy who brings a gun to school, using it to shoot one of his teachers before holding some of his classmates at gunpoint, which kicks off a tense hostage situation.

King wrote it early on in his writing career, and it was one of his Richard Bachman books (as was the previously-mentioned Thinner), but he’s soured on it more recently, and doesn’t feel it’s responsible to continue selling it with the rise in school incidents comparable to the one in Rage, in the years since Rage first came out. All that’s why Rage is easy to put here. It’s simply not as accessible as King’s other books, and there’s an extra level of dedication required on the part of a reader to get one’s hands on it.

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‘Black House’ (2001)

Image via Hodder Paperbacks

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There’s a world of horror books out there not written by Stephen King, and Black House is almost one of them. Okay, he co-wrote it, so there is King to be found here, but it’s definitely got some differences from his usual style, thanks to Peter Straub being a tremendously interesting co-author, as was also the case with The Talisman. Black House, published nearly two decades later, continues the story that kicked off in that epic-length novel.

Black House is a little more abstract, though, with things being a bit less recognizably Stephen King, compared to The Talisman, until you get to the parts of Black House that go all-in with The Dark Tower references. That’s where Black House starts to feel surprisingly important for Stephen King’s whole multiverse, a little like how Insomnia also is, despite not being an official entry in The Dark Tower series. Still, there are some barriers to overcome if you want to get into Black House, including the need to have read (and remember) The Talisman, an appreciation (or at least tolerance) for Peter Straub’s style, and some knowledge of The Dark Tower, so you know the significance of the bits of Black House that cross over.

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‘Rose Madder’ (1995)

Image via Viking

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The subject matter of Rose Madder is certainly heavy-going, since it’s about a woman going on the run from her abusive husband. While she is the central character, her husband does remain in the story fairly often as he chases her, which does a lot in keeping things tense, and like they are continually moving somewhere, but Stephen King does not hold back at all when it comes to making this man truly evil… occasionally even cartoonishly so.

And then Rose Madder dips into fantasy and mild supernatural horror in its final act, all in ways that are messy, but still fairly interesting. It’s more the intensity of the fairly realistic horror before the truly fantastical stuff that makes Rose Madder a bit of a hard sell. It’s also not had any movie or TV adaptation to date, and it’s not one you hear a ton of people talking about or really loving (for what it’s worth, it’s not nearly mishandled enough to rank anywhere near the bottom if you’re talking about King’s worst books to date).

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‘The Eyes of the Dragon’ (1984)

Image via Viking Press

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It’s a possibly bold claim, but The Eyes of the Dragon is a genuinely strong fantasy novel, and one of King’s better attempts at writing something firmly within that genre. And he has tackled fantasy fairly often, blending it with Western and sci-fi conventions in The Dark Tower, most noticeably, though The Eyes of the Dragon has him doing what might still be called dark fantasy, but not as dark as usual.

The thing’s probably suitable for young adult audiences, or kids who’ve read and enjoyed/appreciated something on the level of His Dark Materials. The Eyes of the Dragon continues to feel a bit underappreciated, though, or maybe just overshadowed by various other iconic Stephen King novels from the 1980s. If a big fan of the author’s hasn’t read it, telling them it’s one of the more significant Stephen King stories featuring Randall Flagg will probably pique their interest, seeing as he’s a prominent villain here just as he is in The Stand and throughout a decent chunk of The Dark Tower series, too.

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‘Cycle of the Werewolf’ (1983)

Image via Land of Enchantment

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Cycle of the Werewolf has a bit of a gimmick, but it’s a cool one. The book’s probably more of a novella than a novel, which could also be said about Elevation, though this is a good deal more compelling. It has one chapter per month, spanning a year, and some of the chapters feel like short stories about a town dealing with possible werewolf attacks, but there is still enough by way of continuity to eventually tie things together.

It’s an easy read, because there aren’t many pages all up, and then there are a high number of illustrations spread out across quite a few of those pages, done by Bernie Wrightson. They add a lot to the simple but engaging story, and Cycle of the Werewolf does indeed do the werewolf sub-genre justice… perhaps not to the same extent that Stephen King did vampires justice in ‘Salem’s Lot, or anything, but he did werewolves here better than he did zombies in Cell, for whatever that might be worth.

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‘Faithful’ (2004)

Image via Orion

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Imagine someone writing about Stephen King almost constantly, and then bragging about having read all his novels, novellas, and short stories, only to have one white whale out there that remains unconquered. It’s called Faithful. It is a bridge too far for this die-hard Stephen King you were just told to imagine. Imagine further that this person cannot bring themselves to read Faithful, even if some others might argue you have to read Faithful if you want to “truly” complete King’s body of work.

But this imagined person would find that too arduous. Assume this person does not care for baseball, and found that one Stephen King baseball-related story (more of a non-fiction essay) in Nightmares and Dreamscapes, called “Head Down,” exceptionally hard to get through. This hypothetical person cannot subject themselves to a book that’s just Stephen King talking about the 2004 Boston Red Sox season. This feels like the most niche thing ever. And also, it was co-written with novelist Stewart O’Nan, so technically, you can be a completionist while just sticking to the books that only King wrote (you’d be missing out on The Talisman and Black House then, of course, but still).

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Birthdate

September 21, 1947

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Stephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father’s family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support.(Biographical information from Goodreads)

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For nearly two decades, the words Dragon Ball and “live action” have carried a bit of baggage. Ever since Dragonball Evolution hit theaters in 2009, fans have largely pretended it never happened, and honestly, who could blame them? The film was panned by critics, rejected by longtime fans, and even Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama later expressed disappointment with the adaptation. Years later, screenwriter Ben Ramsey publicly apologized, admitting he wasn’t approaching the project as a fan but simply as another writing assignment.

The good news? Hollywood looks a lot different than it did in 2009.

When Disney completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, it also inherited Fox’s live action Dragon Ball film rights. While Shueisha, Toei Animation, and Bird Studio continue to oversee the franchise itself, Disney controls the live action movie rights that Fox originally secured more than two decades ago. As of today, no new live action Dragon Ballfilm has been officially announced, but the possibility is always there.

If Disney ever decides to revisit the franchise, it would be walking into a completely different landscape. Anime adaptations have come a long way over the past several years. Projects like One Piece have shown that audiences will embrace live action anime when the people behind it genuinely respect the source material. Studios have also become much more willing to work alongside original creators instead of trying to reinvent beloved franchises for mainstream audiences.

Technology has also caught up. In 2009, convincing audiences that people could fly through the sky while launching planet-shattering energy blasts was a much taller task. Today, visual effects have reached the point where a live action Kamehameha or Super Saiyan transformation could look spectacular in the hands of the right filmmakers. Disney certainly has access to the talent and resources needed to make that happen.

It may also already have the right director within its own family of studios. Destin Daniel Cretton, who is currently directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day for Marvel Studios, has been open about his love for Dragon Ball Z. During the development of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Cretton cited the anime as one of his inspirations for the film’s martial arts action, and fans even spotted a playful Kamehameha homage in the movie. More importantly, Cretton has shown that he can balance heartfelt character moments with fast-paced, visually stunning action. If Disney ever moves forward with another live action Dragon Ball, he’d certainly deserve to be part of the conversation.

Of course, none of that matters if the story misses the heart of what made Dragon Ball special in the first place. Fans aren’t asking for a grounded reboot or a complete reimagining of Goku’s journey. They want colorful characters, incredible martial arts, outrageous power levels, and the sense of adventure that has made the franchise one of the biggest in the world for more than 40 years. 

Perhaps the biggest obstacle isn’t visual effects or casting. It’s trust. Dragonball Evolution burned so much goodwill that many fans would immediately be skeptical of another live action attempt. Disney would have one chance to prove that the franchise deserves another shot, and it would need to earn that trust from day one by staying true to the spirit of Akira Toriyama’s legendary series.

Then again, maybe that’s exactly why now is the right time.

Dragonball Evolution proved that simply owning the rights isn’t enough. But with today’s filmmaking technology, a greater appreciation for anime, and directors like Destin Daniel Cretton who genuinely understand the material, Disney has a real opportunity to do something fans never thought possible: make a live action Dragon Ball movie people actually want to watch.

Home shopping is getting wild on QVC after wig designer Toni Brattin experienced an unforgettable blooper on live TV.

“This texture and wave pattern,” Brattin said on Tuesday, August 4, when describing her salon select wig. “Again, it looks like you went and got a b*** job — blowout — at your salon, and it looks beautiful.”

While the designer tried her best not to burst out laughing after realizing her incorrect words, host Terri Conn swept in like a total pro.

“All right, here’s what’s happening today. We’re having a huge beauty sale,” Conn, 51, said while keeping a straight face. “Everything ships to you for free, but that goes away at the end of the day. I will remind you that this is a one time only price where the price goes up at the end of the show.”

Related: QVC Host Rick Domeier Announces His Retirement Plans After 30 Years

QVC host Rick Domeier is ready to begin a new chapter away from the shopping network. “At the end of the year, I’ll be going down a very different road — a road I’ve never been on before. It’s called retirement road,” Domeier, 65, exclusively shared with Us on Wednesday, July 29. “I heard it’s […]

The moment quickly grabbed the attention of the internet, with Jimmy Fallon poking fun at the moment during his monologue.

“During a recent QVC segment on wigs, one of the hosts had a bit of a slip-up,” Fallon, 51, shared on the Wednesday, August 5, episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon before playing the clip. “By the way, the wigs are totally sold out. Note to all the married men out there: The wig is only available on your birthday.”

The QVC family appeared to have a great sense of humor over the live TV moment while sharing their own unique takes on social media.

“Talk about EASY PAYS…” fashion designer Lawrence Zarian commented. Fellow designer Mally Roncal added, “And I love that you’re wearing my dress! 👗 🥹🥹🥹🥹 SO. FREAKING. GOOD!!!”

Even celebrities chimed in on the viral moment, with former Queer Eye star Karamo Brown writing, “I’m buying one just because 😂😂😂.”

For those curious about Brattin’s wig, the item is still available in 11 colors. The wig “features a fresh, sophisticated style with layers of softly curled hair at the front and sides and a collar-length back,” according to QVC’s website.

This isn’t the first time QVC has gone viral for a hilarious live TV moment. In March, fashion designer Kim Gravel couldn’t believe a testimony from a viewer.

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Related: QVC’s Most Memorable Hosts: Where Are They Now?

Some QVC shoppers can’t help but make a connection with some of the network’s products — and hosts. Over the years, viewers have developed close bonds with longtime program hosts who have a gift of selling everything from fashion and beauty products to food and electronics. Every so often, some of the program hosts decide […]

“I wanted to tell you that I got that blouse with the tassels, and I used to wear the tassels on my pasties,” the caller said. “Do you know what pasties are? Well, I had tassels on my pasties.”

Gravel, 55 — who is celebrating her 10-year anniversary at QVC this month — called the caller her “emotional support diva.”

“That’s the fun of live TV,” she later exclusively told Us. “You never know what a caller is going to say. Moments like that are exactly why I love taking calls during shows. It reminds me that we’re all just women having a good time talking about clothes — and apparently tassels!”

Marvel fans have had no shortage of content to enjoy so far this year, especially on the small screen, where the MCU has delivered several hit TV shows. After new seasons of Wonder Man and Daredevil: Born Again dazzled fans around the world, Marvel shifted gears to animation for its latest release, X-Men ‘97. There is only one episode remaining in the second season of X-Men ‘97, but there is no cause to be concerned about the future of the show. Not only has X-Men ‘97 already been picked up for Season 3, but the show has also been officially renewed for Season 4. Marvel Studios Head of TV and Streaming Brad Winderbaum has expressed a strong desire for the show to be around for years, too, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see future seasons of the show beyond 2028.

One of the stars from the first two seasons of X-Men ‘97 is Gui Agustini, who voices Roberto Da Costa, aka Sunspot. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt recently caught up with Agustini for a quick chat after an event for X-Men ‘97 Season 2, and when asked if there was any particular comic story he wanted to see adapted into the show going forward, he told Collider: “So, I think I would love to have Cannonball come in and be part of this world somehow, and show a little bit of the bromance that they have in the comics with the New Mutants.”

He continued, also revealing another Season 1 character he would like to see back in the future: “Also, one of my favorite scenes is with Sunspot and Deathbird. In the first season, she makes an appearance, and I’m hoping she can come back, and maybe we can have a little something like in the comics and create a little drama between the three of us with Jubilee.”

Is Marvel Working on an ‘X-Men’ Movie?

Marvel Studios is actively developing an X-Men reboot movie featuring an entirely new cast, which is likely going to be released after Avengers: Secret Wars. It’s been confirmed that Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is directing the film with a script from Lee Sung Jin (Beef) and Joanna Calo (The Bear), but plot specifics are being kept under wraps at this time. However, the first casting announcements for Marvel’s X-Men reboot movie have begun to roll in, as it was reported that Samara Weaving had joined the cast as Emma Frost, with Sadie Sink playing Jean Grey, and Kit Connor cast as Scott Summers. Future casting, plot, and release details are expected to be announced as the project reaches a more advanced stage of development.

Check out the first two seasons of X-Men ‘97 on Disney+ and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the show.

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Release Date

March 20, 2024

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Disney+

Directors

Jake Castorena, Emi Yonemura, Chase Conley

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Writers

Charlie Feldman, Anthony Sellitti, Beau DeMayo, JB Ballard

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Sophie Rain may be one of the internet’s biggest stars, but even she knows what it feels like to be the odd one out.

The OF sensation had fans laughing after sharing a viral TikTok showing herself third-wheeling Piper Rockelle and Gavin Magnus during a vacation.

Now, Rain is opening up to The Blast about what was really happening behind the hilarious clip and how she felt watching the reunited couple enjoy their romantic getaway.

Sophie Rain recently gave fans a glimpse into her vacation with Piper Rockelle and Gavin Magnus after posting a TikTok captioned, “POV: third wheeling a couple while on vacation.”

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The viral clip showed Rockelle and Magnus strolling ahead together while Rain trailed behind, playfully acting frustrated as the pair became wrapped up in one another during their romantic moments.

Although the video was clearly tongue-in-cheek, Rain admitted there was some truth behind the joke.

“Third-wheeling Piper and Gavin on vacation was honestly so funny because they were constantly having their cute little couple moments, and I was just standing there wondering whether I should join the conversation or slowly walk away,” Rain exclusively told The Blast.

The internet star said she loved spending time with both creators, but joked that her role on the trip quickly evolved into something unexpected.

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“I love spending time with Piper and Gavin, but there were definitely moments when they were completely wrapped up in each other and I felt like the unofficial photographer, bag holder and emotional-support third wheel,” she added.

Fans Flood Sophie Rain’s Video With Dating Advice

Rain’s playful TikTok quickly resonated with viewers, who flooded the comments section with reactions as the video gained traction across the platform.

Some couldn’t get enough of Rockelle and Magnus’ rekindled romance.

“I love Piper and Gavin,” one fan wrote.

Others sympathized with Rain’s situation.

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“Don’t worry Sophie, you’ll eventually find someone,” another commenter encouraged.

Meanwhile, several viewers shifted their attention away from the couple altogether, becoming curious about the mystery person filming the video.

“Who’s behind the camera?” one user asked, while others jokingly suggested Rain should start dating whoever was recording the clip.

The lighthearted responses only added to the video’s viral momentum, with many fans saying Rain perfectly captured the universal experience of being the “third wheel” among a couple.

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Piper Rockelle And Gavin Magnus Have Rekindled Their Romance

Rain’s TikTok arrives as fans continue celebrating Rockelle and Magnus’ renewed relationship.

The pair originally dated in 2019 after meeting through Magnus’ music video for “Crushin’,” becoming one of social media’s most recognizable young creator couples before eventually going their separate ways.

Years later, the duo surprised fans by reconnecting, with Magnus recently confirming they were officially back together.

Since rekindling their romance, Rockelle and Magnus have frequently shared affectionate moments across social media, documenting vacations, outings, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into their relationship.

That chemistry was on full display in Rain’s TikTok, where the pair appeared completely focused on each other while she jokingly documented her experience trailing behind them.

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Piper Rockelle Recently Opened Up About Joining OF

Rain’s viral post also comes shortly after Rockelle made headlines for discussing one of the biggest decisions of her career.

As The Blast previously reported, Rockelle revealed during an appearance on Holly Madison’s podcast that launching an OF account wasn’t something she decided lightly.

The influencer explained she initially resisted joining the platform because she still hoped to pursue mainstream acting opportunities and worried the move could affect her future career.

However, after carefully weighing her options, Rockelle ultimately decided to create an account, describing it as a business decision that dramatically changed her financial future.

She also acknowledged that the platform immediately proved successful, despite the emotional struggle she experienced before making the leap.

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Sophie Rain Continues To Dominate The Creator Economy

While Rain may have jokingly played the role of vacation third wheel, she remains one of the internet’s biggest success stories.

The social media personality has repeatedly made headlines for her staggering OF earnings, previously revealing that she has earned tens of millions of dollars through the subscription platform.

Despite the eye-popping figures, Rain has consistently described herself as deeply rooted in her Christian faith and has often spoken about staying true to her values while navigating online fame.

She has also said the financial success has transformed her family’s life, allowing her to provide opportunities she never imagined growing up.

With millions of followers across social media, Rain continues balancing humor, viral content, and business savvy, a combination that has turned her into one of the creator economy’s biggest breakout stars.

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Brittany Cartwright is ironing out the rumors tied to her knowledge of Jax Taylor‘s budding romance.

The Bravo star moved to set the record straight, revealing how she came to terms with her reality involving her former publicist and estranged husband. It is no longer a wavering question whether the news that shook the internet, leaving fans surprised, had already been having effects underground before the uproar.

Brittany Cartwright delves deep into the details while Jax Taylor gushes about how happy he is with his newfound love.

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Cartwright recently revealed how she found out about her ex’s relationship with Lori Krebs, with receipts! The media personality shared that she got a text message from her former publicist hours before the news was officially published.

In case you don’t know, Taylor and Krebs’ romance became a topic of conversation last month after media outlets shared cozy photos of the pair in a pool in Mexico.

In an interview with PEOPLE, the entertainer read the text message she received from the LoriK PR founder on July 13 at 9:30 a.m. In the text, Krebs stated that she wanted Cartwright to hear the news directly from her first before it made waves.

As per the text, Krebs also admitted that she understands the mother of one would feel “betrayed” by the “incredibly shocking and painful news.” She also detailed how much she “cared” for her former boss and her son, Cruz, adding, “None of that care or support was ever insincere.”

Further in the text, the former publicist noted that her relationship with Taylor did not begin when whispers first arose, seemingly referring to 2024. Cartwright shakily read the words stating that Krebs and the model had begun their romance a few months ago. “I just feel you deserve to hear this directly from me,” Krebs ended the text.

The ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Alum Maintains Publicist’s Actions Were Unprofessional

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A source previously told US Weekly that there are errors in the narrative that Krebs and Cartwright are close and maintained strong personal and professional ties.

“The narrative that they were still ‘like family’ when this all happened isn’t accurate,” the source claimed. “Brittany and Lori haven’t been close in a very long time. Their relationship had changed significantly. They saw each other only a couple of times in the past year, never spoke outside of work, and Lori’s role had been reduced primarily to coordinating media interviews.”

The Bravolebrity detailed the extent of their relationship in a recent chat with Andy Cohen on “Watch What Happens Live.” She explained that they were really close; she treated Krebs like family and was still her employer. In her words:

“She was still my publicist. She was still getting a retainer from me. She was still making 10% of things for me. She was still my friend — family, basically. I had just invited her to a 4th of July cookout at my house.” 

Responding to the claims that the pair had not been friends for over a year, Cartwright stated that those were all lies, amid revealing that Krebs was with her the last time she came on “WWHL” in April.

The Mother-Of-One Feels Deeply Betrayed

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Cartwright told Cohen that she couldn’t care less about her ex’s love life, but what hurt the most was what Krebs did. She reiterated that she viewed her former publicist not merely as an employee but as a family member.

Krebs reportedly worked for the mom of one for a decade and already knew “every in and out” of her life. Cartwright shared that the LoriK PR founder was her shoulder to cry on whenever she was being abused in her relationship with Taylor.

“The Valley” star cited an incident when the abuse in her relationship with her ex had taken a turn, revealing that Krebs came to her house to offer support and comfort her while she “cried on her shoulders.” It should be noted that Taylor’s attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, has denied Cartwright’s claims of abuse.

Jax Taylor Admits He’s ‘In Love’ With Lori Krebs

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Taylor has publicly confessed his feelings for his ex’s former publicist. He previously confirmed his relationship status, saying he was “taken,” but did not shed more light on it at the time. 

Media outlets caught up with him, during which he told an inquiring paparazzo outside a Los Angeles gym on Wednesday, “I love Krebs to death. You can’t help who you fall in love with.” He went on to say that everyone deserves happiness, and he is currently “in the happiest place he’s ever been.”

Page Six shared that the father of one stated that he’s “in love with her,” adding that the feelings were mutual. He also shared that his mental health has been amazing since he got together with Krebs, seemingly implying that their relationship is a safe haven for him.

Brittany Cartwright Reveals ‘Embarrassing’ Thing She Did In A Relationship

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During “The Valley” season 3 reunion, the reality TV star made shocking claims about her ex-boyfriend, Brandon Hanson. Cartwright dated Hanson for about two months in 2025, during which she claims she gave him about $10,000. “Oh my God, I don’t even want to say. It’s so embarrassing,” she admitted before dropping the bombshell.  

The revelation left her other castmates, including the host Cohen, in utter shock and disbelief. Reality Tea shared that Cartwright has previously admitted to helping Hanson out financially when she was recovering from her mommy makeover surgery.

She said that he asked if she could give him some money, as he took time off work to care for her. “I cannot believe I did this, but he asked if I could give him some money. I was like, ‘You know what? You’re gonna come and take care of me, so I don’t care to give you some money,’” Cartwright previously disclosed.

Hanson later explained that the money the TV personality gave him helped cover his rent for the month and provide food for his children.

Are there more shocking truths Brittany Cartwright is yet to uncover about Jax Taylor’s relationship?

Squid Game may have become Netflix’s biggest global phenomenon, but the most anticipated spin-off to spawn from it has reportedly reached the end of the road. Ever since Cate Blanchett made her surprise appearance in the series finale, speculation has swirled that David Fincher was preparing an American spin-off that would continue the deadly games on the other side of the world. Now, it appears those plans have officially been abandoned.

According to The Playlist, Netflix is no longer moving forward with Fincher’s long-developing English-language Squid Game spin-off, which had been operating under the working title Heckler.

Sources close to Fincher told the outlet that Netflix’s priorities for the franchise have shifted following years of development.

Originally it was planned as an English language expansion of Squid Game, although it was to be filmed in the United Kingdom rather than the US. Dennis Kelly, creator of Utopia, had been attached to write the series after previously working with Fincher on an ultimately abandoned HBO adaptation of Utopia.

However, it lost all momentum thanks to a combination of factors: multiple executive changes at Netflix, Fincher moving on to other projects like The Adventures of Cliff Booth, and Netflix’s desire to develop country-specific Squid Game projects tailored to individual international markets rather than building the franchise around a single American spin-off.

All the original sepculation and hype for the project came as a result of Cate Blanchett‘s surprise cameo in the finale of Squid Game, where she popped up in the final scene as an American recruiter in Los Angeles but, while many of those viewers watching thought this was the sign of Fincher’s spin-off coming to fruition, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk consistently denied any connection between the two projects.

According to The Playlist, there is also no indication Blanchett was ever attached to Heckler, despite previously saying she would be “wildly open” to returning to the franchise.

​​​​​​​What Is ‘Squid Game’ About?

​​​​​​​

Squid Game follows hundreds of desperate, debt-ridden contestants who accept an invitation to compete in a series of children’s games for the chance to win an enormous cash prize, but the catch is that if they lose, they’re executed. Simple, right? As the contestants go deeper into the game, they start to question their own humanity as they battle to survive. The series became Netflix’s biggest original series after its 2021 debut, spawning two further seasons and the reality competition spin-off Squid Game: The Challenge.

Squid Game is streaming now on Netflix.

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Release Date

2021 – 2025

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Network

Netflix

Showrunner

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Hwang Dong-hyuk

Directors

Hwang Dong-hyuk

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Hwang Dong-hyuk

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  Wi Ha-jun

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  Detective Hwang Jun-ho

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A USPS employee named Lakaysha Lockhart is making headlines after an alleged scheme involving a lottery ticket, a missing package, and a life-changing payout landed her in legal trouble. Authorities say what started as a simple mailing between family members turned into an investigation that uncovered an alleged theft from inside the postal system.

RELATED: Wayment! Former USPS Worker Sentenced After Flexing Luxury Life And Checks From Stolen Mail (VIDEO)

USPS Worker Accused Of Stealing Winning Lottery Ticket

According to investigators, 28-year-old Lakaysha Lockhart, a United States Postal Service employee assigned to a post office in Oakland Park, is accused of taking a winning lottery ticket that was sent through the mail and using it to claim the prize for herself.

The case reportedly began after a Tampa-area woman won $2,600 from a Florida Lottery Pick 4 ticket. Instead of keeping the winnings, the woman reportedly decided to gift the ticket to a relative in South Florida and mailed the unclaimed prize through USPS. However, more than a week had passed without the ticket arriving, and the recipient never received the unexpected gift.

Missing Mail Mystery Leads To Criminal Charges

The woman contacted the authorities, prompting detectives to investigate what happened to the missing ticket. Officials say they later discovered the winning ticket had been redeemed. The ticket was reportedly cashed at a Florida Lottery field office in Miami Lakes. The prize was reportedly claimed just five days after the original drawing.

Also, investigators allege that Lockhart obtained the ticket through her position at the post office. Moreover, she also reportedly used specialized equipment available through her workplace to help access and claim the prize. Authorities say she presented the ticket herself and collected the $2,600 payout.

Accused Employee Faces Multiple Charges In Case

Lockhart is now facing multiple charges, including grand theft, several counts of petty theft, possession of stolen mail, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Court records show she has since posted bond and been released as the case proceeds.

Additionally, postal inspectors are reminding the public to report suspected fraud or theft involving the mail system. Officials say protecting the integrity of the postal service is a priority. They emphasize that quickly addressing reports of missing, stolen, or suspicious mail activity is key.

RELATED: USPS Postal Workers Reportedly Stole Thousands Of Credit Cards From The Mail As Part Of A $750,000 Identity Theft Ring

Days of Our Lives sees that Paulina Price (Jackee Harry) just asked Lani Price (Sal Stowers) if she could help investigate Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) and her suspicious solo trip to South Africa.

So, it could be Lani who finds out that Lexie has been lying to Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews) and that she never even left town.

Paulina Suspicious on Days of our Lives

All right, let’s dive in. This week, Mayor Paulina ran into Lani slinging scones for her sister Chanel Dupree’s (Raven Bowens) bakery, Sweet Bits. And Mama P has already been questioning Lexie’s sudden trip to South Africa. Because the facts just don’t add up to Paulina.

Ever since Lexie was resurrected and came back into Abe’s life, we have seen that Lexie has been, I’d say, aggressive, protective, possessive, and territorial when it comes to Abe. And now all of a sudden, Lexie decided to just ditch him and go visit her mom in Johannesburg.

So, it’s natural that she’d want to see her mom, Celeste Perrault (Beverly Todd), after being presumed dead for fifteen years. But it makes no sense for Lexie to take that trip without Theo and Abe.

Paulina Enlists Lani’s Help on DOOL

So, Paulina is wondering why Lexie would suddenly decide to run off out of Salem, especially when Abe’s birthday is right around the corner. Why would Lexie, who had been resurrected only four short months ago, take a solo one-way trip halfway across the world?

None of this adds up for Paulina, but Lani reminded her mom and said, “I thought you were staying out of Abe’s business now that he’s back with Lexie.” And Paulina gave a ridiculous excuse. She said as mayor, she’s concerned about her constituency. I don’t think Lexie was around to vote for her, but okay.

And Paulina is certain that something is amiss with Lexie traveling so far away on her own. And bottom line, Abe and Theo, neither one like it. So, Lexie was insistent with them and since Lani’s a former cop and her husband Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) is an FBI special agent, surely Lani could help dig into what is going on with Lexie.

Lani’s Investigation Begins on Days

Then later when Lani ran into her brother Theo, she saw that he was also really concerned about Lexie just up and taking off on this trip all alone. Seeing Theo’s concern about his mom’s sudden departure and then Paulina’s concern, it was gradually pulling Lani in.

And she was also surprised when Theo mentioned he didn’t know when Lexie would be back. And Theo said Lexie only bought a one-way ticket. But instead of going to South Africa, as viewers know, Lexie and her sister Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) decided to take advantage of EJ DiMera’s (Dan Feuerriegel) plan to nab Kristen and send her to one of the family’s remote islands.

But EJ and Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) found in the shipping container instead of Kristen, it was Lexie just chilling on the bean bag. So, Rita and EJ might not have even found out about this swap if not for Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) letting Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) run off with the family jet. So, they had to go to the container to check on Kristen.

Days of our Lives: EJ Supports Lexie

And when Lexie told EJ she just wants to go to the island and die in peace and not put Abe and their son Theo through that, EJ thought about it and was like, “No, you’re not going to the island.” He didn’t want Lexie dying alone. So, EJ insisted that she come home with him. And he promised he would care for Lexie and would be there the whole time so she wouldn’t have to die alone.

But EJ also warned Lexie that he thinks she’s making a mistake. EJ thinks Lexie should tell Abe and Theo what is happening and you know just go ahead and reveal that she fibbed about going to South Africa. EJ knows Abe and his nephew Theo will be crushed if Lexie dies without them by her side and without them getting a chance to say one final goodbye to her.

But Lexie asked EJ to keep his lips shut and just send the letters to Abe and Theo that she’s writing to keep the ruse going. And Lexie also begged EJ to please reconsider sending Kristen away forever away from her daughter Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote), but he’s not going to. So, even though EJ’s torn about hiding his sister Lexie from Abe and Theo, I think he’ll keep on doing what Lexie wants and keep her hidden in the basement, at least for now.

Red Flags and Discovery on DOOL

But Paulina has Lani out on the prowl. And Paulina told Lani that even though Abe thought the trip was a bit weird because she never booked a return flight, he’s still not asking the right questions. So Paulina was also wondering if maybe Lexie’s had some change of heart about Abe. And that that’s why Lexie decided to abruptly leave the way she did on Days of our Lives.

And nothing could be further from the truth. That may be just wishful thinking on Paulina’s part. But Lani told her mom she can’t make any promises, but she will warm up her old detective skills and see what she can do. So, Lani may go question Eli and see if she can get any answers. And of course, Lani knows her brother Theo is worried about this sudden decision to fly off to South Africa.

And Theo also said he and Abe wanted to fly with Lexie, but she just shut that down immediately. So, there’s a lot of red flags. And of course, the main one she’s been hiding is the fact that she’s dying again and that Dr. Wilhelm Rolf’s (Richard Wharton) miracle serum isn’t quite so miraculous after all.

Days of our Lives: Abe & Theo in the Dark

Theo and Abe have no idea that Lexie could go any day now. And a very worried Theo told Lani that his mom contacted him, but when she made the call, the service was sketchy. And Theo said it was a don’t call me, I’ll call you situation. So, I wonder if Lani reaches out or, you know, has Abe reach out to talk to Celeste about Lexie’s visit because if she’s not there, that’s a huge red flag. And maybe Eli can check flight logs to see if Lexie got on a plane leaving Salem in the first place.

And they can just ping the cell phone tower. If they can triangulate the signal from Lexie’s call to Theo, then they may realize, oh, she’s lying. She’s right here in Salem. And I also wonder if Lani will question EJ. She may go over to the mansion since, of course, he’s the one who brought Lexie back from the dead and is her brother. So Lani may be able to tell that EJ is lying and twitchy because of her former career as a Salem PD detective. So if Lani’s asking questions and EJ’s looking all around with not good answers, you know, that may keep Lani poking.

Lexie Takes a Turn for the Worst on Days

We know Lexie winds up in the hospital again. There’s a scene in the summer promo. Lexie on her deathbed. Abe yelling at EJ to leave. So, Abe may be furious that EJ was hiding dying Lexie at the mansion. So far, you know, she has had Theo and Abe completely in the dark, and they’re going to be so devastated.

And Lexie knows it, but I don’t think she’s thinking through how devastated they’d be that she went off to die alone without them. But EJ may have a change of heart and just take Lexie to the hospital himself. Maybe the next time she falls into one of her unconscious spells that she has. If Lani finds Lexie at the mansion, of course, everybody will assume the worst of EJ.

And by the way, a lot of fans, maybe you, are angry that they bring Lexie back just to kill her off again so soon. But the writers may have something else in mind. Lexie may experience some sort of divine intervention or Dr. Rolf shows up with a Hail Mary cure, but I don’t think that’s going to happen because we know the actress is gone.

And so it sounds like either Lexie passes away or maybe EJ puts her back in a cryogenic pod after she seems to pass away so they can try again later to bring her back, which seems cruel. But first, Lani or somebody else has to find Lexie or EJ has a crisis of conscience and brings her to the hospital. We’ll see how it goes, but grab your tissues. It’s going to be an emotional roller coaster.

Young and the Restless puts Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) at odds again. And I suspect things are going to get a lot worse before they get any better between the mustache and his namesake son. We’re going to talk about what may happen now that Victor found out what Adam did.

Young and the Restless: Billy’s Actions Hurt Sally

Now, let’s talk about why Victor and Adam might be at each other’s throats again like they haven’t been in several years. Victor finding out about Adam’s deal with Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) could be what sparks a big old Newman battle all over again.

This week, Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) did what he always does and let his ego control his actions. He ran his mouth to Victor about Adam’s Newman Media deal he made with Sally. And of course, Billy did that because he wanted to hurt Adam and he wanted to make him look bad in his dad’s eyes.

And of course, Billy also wanted to infuriate Victor. But as usual, Billy didn’t stop to consider what it would do to anybody else. He never thinks about collateral damage. And Sally is understandably furious and told Billy, “Find a way to fix what he broke.”

But the thing is, Sally is actually asking the impossible. Billy cannot take back what he said to Victor, and there’s no way that Billy is going to be able to convince Victor to not go after Sally if that’s what he decides he wants to do.

Adam a Newman Outsider Once Again on Y&R

Meanwhile, also thanks to Billy, we now have Adam finding himself on the outs again when it comes to Victor. And that’s what Billy wanted. So, Victor’s upset with Adam for not telling him the truth right from the start. And Victor’s even more angry because he had to hear it from Billy Boy. Of course, Adam just wanted Victor to be happy that he made the deal and he got Newman Media back and it’s back in the family’s hands. But, of course, Victor wasn’t going to just be happy and smile and take that at face value.

Adam also has been very intent on protecting Sally because he and Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan) don’t want to stress Sally out because she is pregnant and she’s at high risk. But of course, Victor does not care and he will destroy anyone he takes aim at, even if it’s a pregnant woman. So, on top of that, it’s a pregnant woman who has done nothing to him. But Victor won’t care.

Young and the Restless: Adam and Chelsea’s Breaking Point

So, Adam took off before he and Victor could finish hashing it out about what Billy told him. And then Adam and Chelsea even skipped Victor and Nikki Newman’s (Melody Thomas Scott) vow renewal ceremony. That was a big deal. And Victor and Nikki are going to be heading off to Italy soon.

But once they are back home, Adam thinks his dad’s going to try and make him pay for keeping the truth from him. But honestly, Adam has been so good for so long. But as we know, Victor loves to kick him like a puppy who tinkled on the rug. So, as far as he’s concerned, Adam solved the Sally problem.

And as we know, she didn’t cause that problem. Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) stole Newman Media and Billy forced Newman Media onto Sally and wrapped it up in the other business. And Adam went about recovering the family business in a reasonable way. But of course, Victor’s mad.

And I don’t think Adam will care if Victor wants to go after Billy. That’s fine. But if Victor goes after Sally, that’s where I think this war is going to start. And I fully expect Chelsea to be on board with it. Right now, she doesn’t want Adam focusing on revenge on Billy. She wants him to let it go, focus on their business and their life together.

Victor, though, is another story. Chelsea doesn’t like working for Victor. She doesn’t really like living on the ranch. And she also doesn’t want to hurt Sally. So, this time, Adam has a solid co-conspirator. So, if Victor decides to go to war with Adam, it’ll get messy.

Adam & Chelsea Break Away from Newman on Y&R

And here’s some of what we may see soon. First, I suspect Adam and Chelsea might break away from Newman. Maybe they try and take Newman Media away from Victor. Or maybe they just abandon it. They could even sabotage it and start their own company, build it up from scratch on Young and the Restless.

But Sally doesn’t want Adam going after Billy. And he may agree when they talk at the end of this week. But then when Adam hears from Chelsea that Billy said she should leave Adam, I think that’ll be the end of any truce between them and they’re not going to be civil.

Chelsea and Sally though may go behind Adam and Billy’s backs. They may conspire to keep Adam and Billy from destroying each other. And Chelsea and Sally might even agree that Adam and Billy going after Victor is better than the two of them going after each other. So that’s one thing we might see happen.

Young and Restless: Adam’s Potential Weapons Against Victor

Another is if Victor tries to destroy them, you know, Sally, Adam, Chelsea, then Adam may threaten to out Victor for what he did to Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) years ago. And on more than one occasion, Adam had conspired with Jack against his dad. One time in the past, I remember they sent Victor to prison.

And if they did it this time, it’d be one hundred percent legit. And I’m sure Adam could find evidence of the money trail where Victor paid Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) to do things. There might be a text chain or video evidence of Victor at the Psych Hospital meeting with Patty and Dr. Laurence Markham (Jere Burns).

Basically, something DA Christine Blair Romalotti (Lauralee Bell) couldn’t ignore that implicates Victor in Patty’s crimes on Jack and Diane. There’s got to be something out there linking Victor to Patty. And if he goes looking, I think Adam might be the one to find it.

Young and the Restless: Adam and Kyle Team Up?

Another scenario we might see is Adam teaming up with Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), who still wants revenge on Victor, and he wants it bad. Victor has gone too far. He messed with Kyle’s family and he almost killed both of his parents. So, we all saw, if you’re a longtime watcher, Adam has played really dirty with Victor many times in the past.

And it might be fun to see Adam biting the hand that feeds him again because he’s had enough of Victor. And at one point, Adam even conspired with Ian Ward (Ray Wise) against Victor. Do you guys remember that? So, right now, the mustache put Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) in charge of Newman Enterprises.

And then he promised Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) a job there as soon as he’s fully recovered from his drug addiction, but Victor’s throwing Adam scraps as usual. So, Kyle might work with Adam to mess with Victor. And honestly, I would love to see that like a next generation team up.

Chelsea in Adam’s Corner on Y&R

The next thing to consider is that Chelsea alone is a formidable weapon. Years ago, remember, she was faking paralysis to frame Adam for Rey Rosales’ (Jordie Vilasuso) attempted murder. She is ruthless when she is ticked off. And if Victor comes hard after Adam, I think Victor might be blindsided.

Chelsea might come at Victor really hard out of nowhere. She is diabolical and knows how to cause problems. Just because Chelsea’s been chill the last few years doesn’t mean she can’t crank that engine up again and start scheming at a moment’s notice. In the end, Adam and Chelsea want to work together. They want to live together. They want to raise their son, Connor Newman (Judah Mackey).

And they don’t want the poisonous drama that comes with Victor constantly attacking people unprovoked because he can’t let anything go. He has zero chill. He’s always got to be involved in a vendetta. Chelsea doesn’t want a war. But if Victor’s going to drag her and Adam back into it, they might be ready to play dirty, burn bridges, and the two of them might remind Victor exactly who he is messing with. Because Adam and Chelsea both can be really diabolical.

So, we’ll see what happens. But Adam’s tired of not getting anywhere with Victor, and he’s tired of the scraps, and Adam’s not going to let Victor hurt Sally. And Chelsea’s in agreement about that. So, I think things are going to get really, really messy for Adam and his dad, Victor, very soon. We’ll see.