​​When Martha Reeves took the stage at the Women’s Professional Baseball League’s inaugural game in Illinois, little did she know she would join the hall of fame of national anthem fails.

The Motown legend’s rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” gave the Internet major cringe thanks to its screeching pitch, off-key tunes, and utter chaos.

Although Reeves has since addressed the vocal mishap, she isn’t the first celebrity to fumble the tune. With talents like Ingrid Andress and Fergie falling victim to the national anthem curse, the question remains: why does this keep happening?

On Saturday, August 1, Reeves and her band of two other singers delivered an off-key rendition of the anthem to a filled stadium at the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s first game.

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Dressed in a bedazzled navy blue suit, the veteran led the chaotic performance as members of the audience and the players tried hard to stifle their reactions.

Shortly after, the performance went viral on X in a clip that has since garnered over 17 million views. 

“Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for the national anthem at the first Women’s Pro Baseball League tonight,” the accompanying caption read.

The Internet soon went wild with memes and reactions. “I never thought Fergie would get beat out for the worst rendition, but here we are,” one fan quipped.

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Another hilarious comment read, “I admire her ability to pick a key and just ignore it.”

This third user observed, “If singing the national anthem while riding a roller coaster was a thing, this is exactly how it would sound.”

Martha Reeves Blames ‘Windy’ Conditions And Backup Singers

Following the reactions to her appearance, Reeves broke her silence about what went wrong in a statement to TMZ Sports.

“Having just celebrated my 85th birthday, I’ve learned a great deal over more than 60 years of performing live,” she said.

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The elder musician explained that her invitation to sing at the baseball event was an “incredible honor” she wouldn’t have missed for the world. Nevertheless, conditions beyond her control hampered her performance. In her words:

“The field conditions were wet and windy, and without stage monitors I wasn’t able to hear myself as I normally would. While it wasn’t the performance I had hoped for, I’m grateful to have been there in support of these remarkable athletes.”

The blame also seemingly extended to her backup singers, as seen in another piece of footage obtained by TMZ from the rehearsal.

While practicing, Reeves was heard snapping at the singers, “That’s out of tune,” before asking who was singing the same note as her. At one point, the Martha and the Vandellas performer declared, “Backup singers. I don’t think I need them.”

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Just like the performance, it was quite the wreck. 

Ingrid Andress Labeled ‘Francis Scott-Off Key’ After 2024 Flop

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While Reeves might have taken the crown, her anthem fail brings to mind Ingrid Andress’ off-key moment at the MLB’s Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas.

After The Blast‘s former editor-in-chief watched the botched performance and couldn’t help but chat about it with a family member, it was agreed that Andress should be called “Francis Scott Off-Key.”

Many of the players and attendees were visibly struggling to hold back their laughter as Andress sang.

The Country Singer Turned To Rehab After Drunk Performance

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Andress wasted no time addressing the bungled performance in a statement, admitting she was far from sober when she took the stage.

According to The Blast, the four-time Grammy winner took to social media to write, “I’m not gonna bullsh-t y’all, I was drunk last night. I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night.”

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She announced her decision and apologized to her fans and the country at large for her mishap. “I’ll let y’all know how rehab is. I hear it’s super fun,” she concluded.

Fergie Took A Special Risk, But It Flopped

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Another Hall of Fame moment has to be none other than Fergie’s attempt at turning the National Anthem into a jazz rendition.

It was a major fail, but the Black Eyed Peas alum remained proud of herself for trying something different.

“I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem, and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” she said in a statement. “I’m a risk-taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone.”

As reported by The Blast, Fergie also had the backing of her ex-partner Josh Duhamel, who noted she was great at what she does despite not giving her best performance.

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“But the girl’s crazy talented, she really is. And she’s an amazing woman, an amazing human being,” Duhamel declared.

Tori Spelling isn’t ready to talk about her exit from iHeartRadio’s “9021OMG” podcast with cohost Jennie Garth just yet.

“I think you need a little time on that,” Brian Austin Green told his longtime friend and Beverly Hills, 90210 costar, 53, on the Wednesday, August 5 episode of Hump Day Live. “[You need] time to, sort of, gather thoughts.”

Spelling agreed by adding, “You wanna really take the time, really assess, really reflect and then be able to speak your truth in a thoughtful way rather than being reactive in life.”

Last month, Spelling announced in an Instagram Live captured by Entertainment Weekly that she would no longer be part of the “9021OMG” podcast.

Related: Tori Spelling and Brian Austin Green’s Quotes About Each Other

Tori Spelling and Brian Austin Green’s friendship goes way back. The pair, who starred on Beverly Hills, 90210 together from 1990 to 2000, famously portrayed love interests Donna and David, respectively, on the long-running Fox drama, and they dated in real life at the start of the series’ run. Though they have a close friendship […]

When a fan asked on Hump Day Live if the actress would ever go back at a later date, Spelling reiterated she’s not ready to discuss that just yet.

“Please, please please keep watching. Jennie and [producer] Amy [Sugarman] are doing it. They’re bringing on tons of fun hosts, so please keep watching it,” she said. “iHeart. Jennie Garth, Amy Sugarman. Please. We love you.”

Green, 53, added, “You never want to say never. …. As of right now, she’s not doing the podcast. But that’s just today. It could change tomorrow, who knows.”

Spelling and Garth, 54, first launched the rewatch podcast in 2020 with a promise to share behind-the-scenes details and recaps of episodes from the beloved show.

In the July 31 episode of the “9021OMG” podcast, Garth expressed a commitment to continue rewatching the show up until the final episode.

“I’m sad that she’s not finishing this out with us,” Garth shared. “We started this together. I’m sad about that, if I’m honest.”

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Sugarman added, “About two weeks ago, [Tori] made the decision, which I’m sure was a very tough decision for her, but she let us know about two weeks ago that she had decided she wasn’t going to continue with the podcast. This was 100 percent her decision.”

The podcast producer went on to explain that the team “can be really bummed and disappointed” that Spelling is not going to do seasons 9 and 10 while also “wanting her to be happy and to be excited about the things she’s working on and does want to do.”

In addition to her “9021OMG” podcast, Garth also has a separate show called “I Choose Me,” where she encourages listeners to be the stars of their own lives and watch the world around them improve.

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.

Your heartbeat races, your palms start to sweat, and right when you are sitting on the edge of your seat, the episode ends. A good thriller TV series knows how to keep its viewers engaged and coming back for more. From heart-pounding suspense to shocking plot twists, thrillers are some of the most addictive TV shows of any genre.

The past decade has been no exception when it comes to producing some truly memorable and magnificent thrillers. From subgenres that offer everything from comedy to drama, a thriller TV show knows how to get and hold an audience’s attention. These titles are the best of the best and prove that the past 10 years have been more than successful when it comes to creating remarkable thrillers for the small screen.

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‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

A sci-fi thriller set in Germany, Dark is a deep dive into the interconnected drama of four families. When two children go missing in a small town, it sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever. The characters and the viewers at home share in the confusion, and Dark will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Dark excels at creating plot twists and serpentine storylines. It leaves viewers guessing at every turn and becomes a bingeworthy compulsion as you simply have to see what happens next. Time travel, parallel universes, and more intertwine in this highly cerebral mystery.

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‘The ‘Burbs’ (2026–Present)

Image via Peacock

When young married couple Samira (Keke Palmer) and Rob (Jack Whitehall) relocate with their infant son to Rob’s old neighborhood and family home, everything is not quite as it seems in The ‘Burbs. A creepy Victorian house across the street is the source of many rumors and speculations, and it turns out that the “safest town in America” has a few deadly secrets. Murder, mystery, and malarkey are all on the table in this Peacock original series.

The ‘Burbs is absolutely packed with talent. Palmer and Whitehall are both veterans of the small and silver screen, and TV titans Mark Proksch, Julia Duffy, and Paula Pell round out the infinitely talented core cast. The ‘Burbs is an ideal introduction to the thriller genre. It has enough suspense to keep heartbeats aflutter, but it also adds a good dose of joviality to keep the overall tone lighter and steer the series away from being too dark. In a streaming war that competes fast and viciously for viewership, The ‘Burbs has already been renewed for a second season. The ‘Burbs has proven its potential, and its inaugural season has no bad episodes.

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‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ (2026–Present)

Image via Christopher Barr / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

From Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee comes an unhinged mystery like none other. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast blends McGee’s witty writing with a secretive and intriguing premise. The show follows three lifelong friends, Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), who travel back to attend the wake of their mutual friend Greta (Natasha O’Keeffe), whom they haven’t talked to in several years.

When the trio arrives, they start to get suspicious about Greta’s life and death, and a much larger conspiracy soon unfolds. Haunted by a tragic secret in their past, the protagonists are both chasing ghosts and running away from them. At one season long, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is the perfect weekend binge. It is a must-watch for fans of McGee’s and makes for a crazy, comedic, and cryptic experience.

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‘The Beast in Me’ (2025)

Image via Netflix

Reeling with grief after the loss of her son, author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) tries to mentally distract herself by writing a new book. Unable to write her newest novel and given to distraction, she becomes obsessed with her enigmatic neighbor, Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), a man who is suspected of killing his first wife. As Aggie digs herself deeper and deeper into a hole filled with suspicion and manipulation, The Beast in Me leaves no character unexamined and everyone’s morality is called into question.

The Beast in Me is aptly described by Collider‘s Michael Block as “an unrelenting cat-and-mouse game that forces its audience to question everything and everyone.” It toys with themes of privilege, power, and perception. At eight episodes, it makes a perfect capsule thriller, and it never stops delivering on high-stakes twists and growing tension.

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‘The Boroughs’ (2026)

Image via Netflix

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Aging is inevitable. Some fight against it, some accept it, but either way, it happens. The sci-fi thriller The Boroughs features both approaches and is a fascinating exploration of the subject. The Boroughs is a masterclass in tension from the very start. It simultaneously involves an exciting creature feature premise and a human, relational drama about getting older, independence, grief, and mortality.

The story revolves around the residents of a retirement community who witness strange creatures and other unusual circumstances in their picturesque cul-de-sac. The Boroughs is brimming with talent and includes Hollywood icons such as Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Geena Davis. As with all meaningful science fiction premises, The Boroughs uses the setting of sci-fi to examine some of the most profound human conditions. It has a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is perfect from the first episode to the last.

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‘Dark Winds’ (2022–Present)

Image via AMC

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When your series has George R. R. Martin as an executive producer, there is a good chance it’s going to be something epic, and Dark Winds has been exactly that. The western-themed thriller is set in the 1970s and follows Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), two police officers who protect and serve the local Navajo people. In Dark Winds, Joe and Jim must deal with their own personal struggles while trying to ensure the safety of those they are charged with protecting, including solving a murder case and tracking down a professional killer.

Dark Winds has ranked high with critics and fans alike and is enjoying a renaissance of streaming success as all four seasons are currently streaming on Netflix. Being available on the streaming giant has been a great one for the series, and it continues to be a favorite. New audiences are finally able to discover why this AMC series has stood out among the rest, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

4

‘Slow Horses’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

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Gary Oldman is a chameleon. His ability to morph into a character and completely disappear into a role is well known in the industry, and it made him a perfect cast for the Apple TV series Slow Horses. Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, a jaded MI5 agent who is rough around the edges. Thrown together with a motley crew of other MI5 less-than-desirables, the team at Slough House does what they do best and takes an unorthodox approach to espionage.

The exciting plotlines and biting wit of Slow Horses make it an absolute hit. Oldman is irreplaceable as the unpolished veteran who has a rough exterior but ultimately cares about the people he works with. Like an onion slowly peeling back layers, devotees are rewarded for following his character’s journey as he is given more emotional depth and pathos as the series goes on. Slow Horses Season 6 premieres this September, and it will undoubtedly be as stellar as the rest of the show’s tenure.

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‘Paradise’ (2025–Present)

Image via Hulu

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It is difficult to describe Paradise without giving too much away. This gripping drama has so many reveals and twists and turns that it feels like an enigma wrapped in a riddle. The series features Sterling K. Brown and Julianne Nicholson in key roles, and they give phenomenal performances. Brown and Nicholson play consummate career professionals on two flip sides of a situation that are given opportunities for their vulnerability to sneak through.

Nothing in Paradise is as it seems, and audiences are waiting on the edge of their seats to see what happens in the upcoming third and final season. It is rare to find thriller TV shows where it is almost impossible to predict what happens next, but Paradise is refreshingly one of them. Fans of post-apocalyptic, political, and survivalist series should definitely check it out and get caught up to speed before the finale.

2

‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)

Image via Netflix

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Netflix is known for its robust selection of award-winning South Korean TV shows and movies, and one of the best is Squid Game. In this high-stakes thriller, contestants who are under immense financial pressure agree to participate in a contest that involves children’s games. With a multi-million dollar prize and seemingly infantile obstacles, the allure of the games is irresistible. However, contestants soon find out that elimination means exactly that, and they pay for a loss with their lives.

Squid Game is one of Netflix’s most successful TV series ever. It became a worldwide phenomenon and has inspired countless other projects. Although there are some shady characters in the show, most of the contestants are honest, ordinary people simply trying to make their lives a little better. This everyman setting tugs at the heartstrings of viewers and allows Squid Game to have a greater impact than most thriller shows. Every audience member can identify with the struggle of those who participate and imagine what they would do in a contestant’s place. Squid Game has won six Primetime Emmys and continues to be one of the best thriller TV shows of the past decade.

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‘Severance (2022–Present)

In only two seasons, Severance has delivered more twists and turns and psychological mayhem than most TV series do in their entire run. Starring an impeccable cast that includes Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, and Tramell Tillman, Severance is a workplace drama like no other. The core premise is that employees of the secretive Lumon Industries agree to have a procedure done that allows their minds to separate into two personas, one for work and one for personal life.

Severance is brilliantly designed to create an uneasy tension and unsettling feeling that lingers in the back of viewers’ minds. The cinematography and mise en scène are stylized and gorgeous, all the while staying inside an intentionally melancholy and monotonous theme. Most people have to deal with a work/life balance, and Severance tugs at that string like a violinist playing a concerto. Severance has won 10 Primetime Emmys over its two seasons thus far, and only greatness is expected in the future for this perfect TV thriller masterpiece.

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Severance

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Release Date

February 17, 2022

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

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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.

7

‘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.

6

‘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.

5

‘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.

4

‘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).

3

‘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.

2

‘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.

1

‘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!”

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?

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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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Writers

Hwang Dong-hyuk

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• 
• 

  Wi Ha-jun

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  Detective Hwang Jun-ho

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