Last week, I started off the Flavor Swap review series with Madison Beer and her Sweet Southern Heat BBQ Cheetos. While I was less than impressed with the results, I had high hopes for the Ruffles potato chips. Potato chips have been used as a vehicle for all sorts of eclectic flavors over the years, and Cool Ranch is one of the most popular Doritos flavors out there. Could combining the two possibly create a flavor variation that was anything but delicious? That’s what I set out to discover.  

Inside The Flavor Swap Series

The Flavor Swap is a 2026 collaboration between PepsiCo Foods and Gen-Z influencers in order to create limited-edition snack mashups. While Madison Beer put Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat BBQ seasoning on Cheetos Crunchy and iShowSpeed put Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream seasoning on Doritos, Dude Perfect’s made a mashup of Doritos Cool Ranch and Ruffles, putting the iconic tangy, herby seasoning of Cool Ranch Doritos on the thick, ridged texture of a Ruffles potato chip.

The chips were first released on the TikTok shop in February 2026 before hitting nationwide grocery store chains like Safeway, Walmart, and Kroger in March 2026. Eager fans have also been scoring them on Amazon, although the price is much higher than you’ll find in an average grocery store.

Dude Perfect Scores Major Points With This Mashup

Instead of breaking down the nutrition facts – they’re basically just potato chips with added seasoning, after all – let’s get straight to the review! The good news is that the Ruffles potato chip texture is spot-on. If you were the kind of kid consuming these chips at backyard barbecues and holiday parties, then you won’t be disappointed. They weren’t greasy. They weren’t flimsy. They had the same kind of structure that you would expect from a Ruffles chip, with textures and ridges that make it great for dipping. To focus on the Flavor Swap aspect of this taste test, I decided not to use any dip for these chips, but the option is there! 

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As for the taste itself, I would have told you that these were Sour Cream and Onion potato chips if I had been blindfolded. The Cool Ranch aspect just tastes right on a Dorito, and I’m not sure if the potato chip was the right vehicle for this flavor. I actually think Cool Ranch Cheetos would have been a better way to go, since there would have been a bit more of that classic Cheeto-powder dust (hopefully).

Madison Beer vs. Dude Perfect: Who Made The Better Chip Mashup?

In my last celebrity food taste test, I was disappointed with Madison Beer’s Sweet Heat BBQ Cheetos because I was expecting a little bit of that classic Cheetos cheese flavor with the addition of a sweet BBQ. Unfortunately, as I stated in my review, there was little to no cheese dust on these. The sweet BBQ flavor came through, but the heat did not. Overall, they were a big pass for me. 

Looking at the two flavor combinations side by side, I’m going to give the win to the Cool Ranch potato chips. If you can only go to the store and grab one snack, then the potato chips will most certainly have more mass appeal while the subtle Cool Ranch tang will have everyone asking, “What flavor IS that?” People who love Cheetos and the delicious, sticky Cheetos dust will be disappointed by the lack of it and may be put off by the sweet BBQ flavor, which, to me, still reads as a little too sweet. 

Who Is Dude Perfect?

If you’ve never heard of Dude Perfect before, you may be about to become a fan! They’re a comedy group that boasts over 60 million subscribers on YouTube. The group consists of Tyler Toner, Coby & Cory Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones. The five best friends were roommates at Texas A&M University.

They’re best known for “Go Big” stunts, such as trick shots, comedic sketches poking fun at gym and driving stereotypes, competitive stunts with a “Wheel Unfortunate” penalty, and hilarious attempts to break bizarre Guinness World Records.

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The good news is that this isn’t the end of the taste test. Next up, we have Doritos, which are usually a crowd-pleasing favorite. I’ve yet to come across a Dorito flavor I didn’t like, so I have high hopes to try this Flavor Swap variety.

Spencer Pratt has become a strong contender in the race to become the mayor of Los Angeles.

According to a new poll released by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs on Friday, April 3, Spencer, 42, has jumped to second place in the survey of preferred candidates.

Incumbent mayor Karen Bass currently holds the most support from potential voters at 25 per cent while the reality TV star is right behind her at 11 per cent support.

Per the poll, city council member Nithya Raman is currently in third position, with 9 per cent support.

Meanwhile, 40 per cent voters are still undecided before the June 2 primary.

Us Weekly has reached out to Spencer for comment.

Spencer announced his political candidacy in January, one year after  he and his wife Heidi Montag lost their family’s home in the Palisades fires that devastated California.

“The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken,” Pratt, 42, said at the “They Let Us Burn” public demonstration on January 7, via the New York Post. “It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”

Pratt continued, “That’s why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission, and we’re gonna expose the system.”

While Pratt has a substantial number of backers according to the new poll, not everyone supports his bid to become mayor.

In February, his sister Stephanie Pratt, 39, urged Los Angeles residents not to vote for him despite applauding his advocacy effort following the deadly 2026 wildfires.

Related: Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag Sue City of L.A. After Wildfires

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Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power (LADWP) following the destruction of their home in the Palisades wildfire. Spencer, 41, and Heidi, 38, were among nearly two dozen plaintiffs – which also included Spencer’s mother Janet Pratt – in the lawsuit […]

“Spencer has done great work for the palisades. But LA does not need another unqualified and inexperienced mayor,” Stephanie wrote via X on February 14.

“A vote for him is a vote for stupidity,” Stephanie continued.

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In follow-up posts, Stephanie explained why she wouldn’t be voting for her brother to become the new L.A. mayor.

“He’s just trying to stay famous and sell his memoir don’t be fooled,” she wrote. “In an ideal world the palisades would have their own mayor and police department. I would love [for] him to be mayor of [the] Palisades but not LA with 4 million people. I’d be impressed if a republican could turn LA democrats tbh.”

She added, “At least hire someone with work experience who wasn’t in a cult. I’m WORRIED about LA. I have no problem with Spencer playing government but our city needs help.”

Summer House’s Amanda Batula has been spotted as she faces backlash from her romance with West Wilson – and it appears her ex Kyle Cooke is supporting her through the drama.

In new photos published by Page Six, Batula, 34, was snapped reuniting with Cooke, 43, on Friday, April 4.

During the outing, the pair chatted on the street while walking their dogs. At one point, Cooke hugged Batula.

Batula and her Summer House costar Wilson, 31, confirmed their romance earlier this week after speculation increasingly swirled about the nature of their relationship.

 “We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” read an Instagram statement on Tuesday, March 31. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

Batula and Wilson continued to address how their relationship changed.

“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” they continued. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”

Both Batula and Wilson have come under fire for the relationship, as Wilson previously dated Batula’s best friend and Summer House costar, Ciara Miller, in 2023.

Cooke broke his silence on his ex’s burgeoning romance with Wilson on Wednesday, April 1.

“I’m good. I appreciate people checking in. I’m actually really worried about Amanda, if I’m being honest,” Cooke told street journalist Adam Glyn in a TikTok video.

Cooke added that he had spoken to Batula, who gave him “a heads-up” about making a statement on her relationship with Wilson.

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“I talked to her last night, and I understand people have all sorts of opinions, and I’m not justifying any behavior, but, like, from what I’m seeing, she’s getting cyberbullied,” he said.

Cooke and Batula announced in January that they had separated after four years of marriage.

“After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple,” the pair said in a joint statement at the time. “We share this with a heavy heart and kindly ask for your grace and support while we focus on our personal growth and healing.”

Of all the major crime procedurals, Criminal Minds is considered one of the darkest, thanks to its focus on serial killers and their often twisted psyches. But that is also the reason why this show has been around for so long, with its 19th season airing this year and its renewal for a 20th season already confirmed. Serial killers can be heinously creative, which means Criminal Minds still has so much inspiration to draw from and ideas to churn out. Really, the series could go on forever. Apart from pushing the bandwidth of morbid creativity, the show has a legacy that survived a rebranding, one that bodes well for its future.

‘Criminal Minds’ Finds Horror Realism In Even the Most Absurd Ideas

Criminal Minds dug into the niche of serial killers and gave it a psychological twist that makes every episode feel new, even if some of the basics are recycled. We’ve seen countless iterations of sexual sadists, yet by analyzing behavior, each episode feels fresh with different M.O.’s that can be traced back to the perpetrator’s childhood. Other times, there are antagonists whom we can’t help but sympathize with, or ones that chill us to our core, like children who turn out to be sociopaths. As social customs and technology evolve, the show’s capacity for creativity does too, leading to a hauntingly never-ending supply of ways to terrify.

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This show even came back from the dead.

However, the true marker of success in Criminal Minds’ approach to episodes is that the show manages to root out horror realism in every idea. Of course, some are as simple as the awful sentiment of children being stolen from their families and tortured for years, or the terror of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But even in the most seemingly outrageous ideas, like an underground social media for serial killers or a Norman Bates-styled hallucination or the psychosis of bugs crawling under one’s skin, the show maintains a grounded semblance of horror, as if these things could really happen. They feed on very real concepts of the dark web and mental health, then push it for entertainment value while never losing sight of why it’s so chilling. The formula works, and as long as Criminal Minds sticks to it, the show can continue to churn out grisly episodes while still provoking the same addictive response.

‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Has Proved the Show’s Ability to Adapt

What really cements Criminal Minds’ longevity is its proven ability to survive and thrive after a rebranding. In 2020, the original show was canceled after Season 15, but only two years later, it returned in full force as Criminal Minds: Evolution. As the subtitle suggests, the show evolved from a crime procedural to something akin to a psychological thriller, where longer overarching storylines are prioritized over episodic ones. However, that doesn’t mean the show has forgotten its roots, as the cases explored during these three seasons are still creepily realistic in the most unexpected ways, even when it dips into bureaucratic conspiracies and schools for budding psychopaths.

Even though the episodic cases aren’t the foundation of the series anymore, it’s actually beneficial for the show. Opting for these longer storylines forces Criminal Minds to be more mindful about the occasional standalone case inserted into the season, while allowing the team to pace their creativity and offer killers that are more twisted than ever. Since the rebranding, we’ve gotten acid chambers, misogynistic zookeepers, and (shudder) spiders, all proving that Criminal Minds still has a deft handle on what makes them stand out in the world of crime.

Over the years, the show has adapted and pivoted to remain relevant, finding unique ways to inject a bit of terror into our lives while exercising its creative muscles. Serial killers will always hold space in the public imagination, and as long as that’s the case, Criminal Minds does too.

Amy Duggar King has seemingly slammed Kendra Duggar for continuing to support her husband Joseph Duggar following his arrest.

While she did not call out Kendra, 27, directly by name, Amy, 39, appeared to take a swipe at her cousin’s wife in a scathing TikTok video posted on Thursday, April 2.

“How in the hell can she not be so unbelievably distraught and mad and disgusted at him,” Amy said, seemingly referencing how Kendra is responding to Joseph, 31, being arrested last month on child molestation charges.

Amy continued, “Oh, just wait, I’ll tell you why, because women in these really toxic systems, like this one, are taught that anger is a sin.”

Related: Amy Duggar Changes Statement of Support for Joseph Duggar’s Wife

Amy Duggar King has taken back her previous support of embattled cousin Joseph Duggar’s wife, Kendra Duggar, following Kendra’s arrest on a child endangerment charge. “I think that was a plot twist that no one saw coming,” Amy, 39, said of Kendra’s arrest during a Saturday, March 21, interview with TMZ. “When I gave that […]

Amy continued to slam the conservative culture that the Duggars were brought up in, claiming it was problematic that they were taught to not express anger.

“Anger is wrong and you cannot express it, you have to just keep it inside. Stay sweet, keep the peace and don’t create waves,” she continued. “Oh, and the biggest one that just drives me crazy is you have to forgive quickly, very, very quickly. Because heaven forbid, you take time to process what in the world has just happened, that your entire foundation of what you’ve built your life on with your children has now been completely disrupted and it’ll never look the same again.

She added, “But you’re not allowed to take time for yourself in this kind of environment, to even think for yourself. At all. So when you are angry, you can’t express it so you have to smile, talk sweetly and remember that your husband loves you no matter what.”

@amyrking

♬ original sound – Amy Duggar King

Amy said that “grace” is encouraged within the Duggar family, which she believes is unhealthy to use for all situations without question.

“My favorite term that they always use is ‘grace.’ ‘We show them grace. We show the men grace because sins happen and grace covers it,’” Amy said. “Grace does offer repentance. Grace is something that is wonderful. Not in this instance. This isn’t grace, this is suppression. And this is how the cycle continues.”

Amy went on to state that she believes that Kendra is unlikely to be “dealing with the trauma,” and instead is more likely to “defend him, she will smile sweetly, she will talk very kindly to him and she will downplay the situation at hand.”

Amy explained that she believed the feeling of anger has a crucial role in situations that warrant it.

“The healthy response to being hurt and to being betrayed and being, like, completely like, broken-hearted is anger. Anger is a part of it all. Not in this culture,” she said. “It fires me up because instead what you’re going to see is the most perfect, sweet little angel of a wife who’s right beside him through thick and thin and who does that remind you of? The fact that she is not angry at all should deeply concern you.”

Us Weekly has reached out to the Duggar family for comment.

Related: Amy Duggar Thanks Fans for Prayers After Joseph and Kendra’s Arrests

Amy Duggar King has thanked fans on behalf of her family following the arrests of her cousin Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar. The 19 Kids and Counting alum, 39, shared a message from the “God Lady Talk” Instagram account on Friday, March 27, which read, “Surround yourself with people who pray for you […]

Joseph was arrested in Arkansas on March 19. He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older after a 14-year-old girl came forward to police accusing Joseph of molesting her when she was 9 during a 2020 vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida.

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Joseph was extradited to Florida earlier this week, where he pleaded not guilty. He was later released on $600,000 bail.

In addition to the molestation case, Joseph and Kendra were both charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment. These charges are unrelated to the molestation allegations.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

Love on the Spectrum sparked several romantic connections — but which couples are still dating and who has broken up?

Netflix’s hit series, which premiered in 2022, follows a group of young people on the autism spectrum as they navigate the dating world.

“The show itself has actually become the template for people to then think, ‘That’s what love can look like in my life, and I can be like that character who doesn’t necessarily fit the typical stereotype,’” cocreator Karina Holden told Tudum in 2025. “The uniqueness of individuals within Love on the Spectrum has allowed people to be confident to pursue their version of relationships and friendships and love.”

Over the years, some cast members such as Abbey Romeo and David Isaacma have formed a long-lasting connection while others called it quits.

Scroll down to find out whether your favorite Love on the Spectrum couple is still together:

Abbey Romeo and David Isaacman

The pair, who played a smaller role in season 4, are still going strong off-screen.

Connor Tomlinson and Georgie Harris

Connor Tomlinson chose to end his relationship with Georgie Harris in season 4 of the hit Netflix series.

“It was my decision to end things. Georgie and I … this season was the longest time we spent with each other,” Connor told Us in March 2026. “The more we did, the more we came to realize we’re just two different people. Good people, yes, but not each other’s people.”

He continued: “What she wanted, I couldn’t give her. What I wanted, she couldn’t give me. We both decided it was for the best.”

Shelley Wolfe and James Jones

The duo’s relationship has only gotten more serious as they look for a home together.

Madison Marilla and Tyler White

After finding love, Madison Marilla and Tyler White got engaged while filming season 4 of Love on the Spectrum.

“We have not even started [wedding planning] yet. We want to wait until the time is right,” Madison exclusively told Us Weekly in March 2026 about enjoying life as a newly engaged couple. “I know we’re going to do a very big wedding. We will have all our family and friends and cast mates there.”

Madison teased plans to wear “a big ball gown with lots of bling and lots of tulle,” while Tyler promised to be sporting his signature cowboy hat. The pair revealed to Us that they are still living “down the road” from each other.

“We’re saving moving in together until we’re married,” Tyler noted, to which Madison replied, “We’re saving all that until marriage.”

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Emma Sue Miller

Season 4 showed Emma Sue Miller briefly formed a connection with a guy, but they have since parted ways as she continues to search for The One.

Logan Pereira

In the fourth season, Logan Pereira developed feelings for a date but they have called it quits since then.

“I have been thinking about dating after that date,” Logan shared with Us. “I’m looking for somebody that has the same interest as me. Maybe somebody that likes model trains and somebody with really nice hair — even if it’s not curvy or straight. Also somebody that has the same connection with me and likes cheesecake and red velvet cake.”

Some movies look like they were made to be judged twice. Mercy had a rougher time making its mark in theaters, but the setup was always solid enough to suggest it could hit differently at home. A near-future thriller about a man racing to prove his innocence inside an AI-driven justice system was always going to get a second look once it landed on streaming. And now that it’s on Prime Video, that second look is turning into a real breakout.

The movie has climbed to No. 1 on Prime Video in the United States, while FlixPatrol’s global snapshot also shows it leading in a number of markets. That has helped turn Mercy into one of the bigger streaming stories of the week, even after a theatrical run that didn’t really catch fire.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film stars Chris Pratt as detective Chris Raven and Rebecca Ferguson as Judge Maddox, the AI authority deciding his fate. The premise is easy to pitch, and it’s even easier to understand why it’s working on streaming: It’s fast, high-concept, and built around a ticking clock. Prime viewers clearly wanted a slick sci-fi thriller, and Mercy is getting the benefit of arriving at exactly the right time.

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Is ‘Mercy’ Worth Watching?

Collider’s review, written by Jeff Ewing, stated that Mercy was a surprisingly inventive evolution of the screenlife subgenre, even if its ambitious ideas occasionally outpaced its logic. The film built on Bekmambetov’s reputation as a pioneer of screen-centric storytelling while cleverly expanding the format through AI-driven crime-scene reconstructions that injected scale, action, and cinematic energy into what could have been a claustrophobic thriller.

“Pratt delivers a sufficiently admirable performance, while Ferguson is stellar as the AI judge. Some of the twists move a little too quickly; even watching on a big screen leads blink-and-you’ll-miss-them details flying by too quickly. There are also a few logical issues with various machinations and character plans, and the world only makes sense in the most superficial of ways. There are successful elements in the script, certainly, but there are also several frustrating moments that simply needed another draft to work the knots out. All that said, it’s a successful foray into sci-fi territory thanks to a willingness to stretch the subgenre’s established rules, making for a fun murder mystery that keeps audiences guessing.”

Mercy is streaming on Prime Video.

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Release Date

January 19, 2026

Runtime

100 minutes

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Director

Timur Bekmambetov

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Writers

Marco van Belle

Producers

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Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, Timur Bekmambetov

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