Las Vegas is about to hit the gas on the excitement, with F1 race weekend bringing high-speed thrills, big-name musical acts, and nonstop entertainment to the Strip. 

Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix is turning race weekend into a full-scale entertainment experience with a star-studded lineup taking over the T-Mobile Stage at T-Mobile Zone at Sphere. Acts set to perform between November 19-21 include Natasha Bedingfield, Ja Rule, Sean Paul, DISCLOSURE and Two Friends, Gorgon City, and Backstreet Boys. 

With performances, fan activations, and premium views of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, the T-Mobile Zone at Sphere will give fans plenty to experience between the on-track action. 

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On Sunday, Nov. 21, Backstreet Boys will perform for the F1 Afterparty, the Official Post-Race Show of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Performing in Vegas, specifically at Sphere, is nothing new to the guys, as their residency hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped yet.

During a media press conference on Thursday night, AJ McLean talked about performing at Sphere and gave a sneak peek of the F1 Afterparty.

“If you haven’t seen the show, this is one of the best show’s we’ve ever done. This is one of the most state-of-the-art venues in the world,” McLean said. “We’re gonna take you guys down memory lane with our biggest album ‘Millennium’ and you’re gonna see some incredible visuals, all the choreography, all the hits, so come on out.”

Also Performing During F1 In Las Vegas

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In addition to Backstreet Boys, there are other high-energy acts set to entertain race fans during F1 in Vegas. 

The T-Mobile Zone at Sphere will offer multiple live performances during race weekend, including Natasha Bedingfield, Gorgon City, Ja Rule, DJ Mandy, Collect 200, Sean Paul, DISCLOSURE and Two Friends, and others. 

“T-Mobile Zone at Sphere has become one of the most dynamic fan experiences of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, bringing together the adrenaline of Formula 1 with world-class live entertainment against the backdrop of one of Las Vegas’ most iconic venues,” Austin Brown, Vice President of Marketing for Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. said, according to a press release sent to The Blast. “From the on-track action to the live performances and fan experiences, it offers a uniquely Las Vegas celebration that fans can’t experience anywhere else.” 

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During a press conference with media at Grand Prix Plaza on Thursday evening, four members of the Backstreet Boys took questions from the media about their F1 afterparty plans. (Kevin Richardson’s flight was delayed, so he unfortunately couldn’t attend as planned.)

Brian Littrell and Nick Carter talked a little about what this afterparty means to them, calling it “an honor.”

“We have a big fan base worldwide. This gives us an opportunity for all those fans who might not have seen the show to come in, watch the races and come on over to the afterparty,” Carter said.

When the topic switched to manifesting a Super Bowl halftime show, the guys shared who they would want to perform with.

Joking around, Littrell said he would “probably bring the F1 staff” on stage. Carter added he would want a big car on stage. But seriously, they shared “there are a lot of bands and groups from our era, people who I think still represent the integrity of what we do when it comes to a show,” but didn’t name anyone they would invite to join them.

When asked if there will be any surprises at the afterparty, they said, “we have to see” and that they are just “planning it right now.”

“It’s so fast, so furious,” Carter said with a laugh.

AJ McLean And Howie Dorough Also Shared Some Thoughts

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When asked who he would invite to perform at the Backstreet Boys’ Super Bowl show if one were to happen, McLean immediately jumped into a well thought out answer.

“I have this idea we would get Christina Aguilera, and I think the irony is to have Blink 182,” he said. “Because back in the day, we were battling it out on ‘TRL,’ they made fun of us in ‘All the Small Things’ video, predominately us, it wasn’t just us, it was us, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees. But I’ve become friends with those guys, Travis Barker is actually my neighbor, they’re the nicest guys and are all fans of our music. I think it would be kind of legendary to have Travis Barker up there ripping it up playing ‘Backstreet’s Back’ and all of us singing ‘All the Small Things.’”

He added that he “didn’t want to keep putting it out there, but I’m gonna keep manifesting that we do get picked.”

When asked if there’s anything special planned for the afterparty, Dorough said, “We’re gonna be singing. We’re gonna be there, having a good time. We’ll have a great show for everybody.”

Backstreet Boys Recently Announced Three New Year’s Weekend Dates At Sphere

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Due to fan demand, Backstreet Boys recently announced three New Year’s Weekend dates for their successful Into the Millennium residency at Sphere. The shows will take place on December 31, 2026, and January 1 and 2, 2027. 

The popular boy band’s residency launched in July 2025 as the first-ever pop act to headline Sphere. They’ve performed nearly 50 sold-out shows thus far. 

Billboard shared, “The group arguably put on their best performance yet at The Sphere,” and “they didn’t miss a note or a beat.” USA Today said, “this was more than a mere concert, it was a thrill ride.” The Hollywood Reporter declared, “Into the Millenium’s a game-changer for Sphere,” and the “Backstreet Boys pushed the limits of Las Vegas’ Sphere with mind-boggling residency launch.” 

Disney+ has spent the last few years taking beloved properties and bringing them up to date for a new audience thanks to the magic of streaming. One of their biggest prospective properties had been quietly in the works for some time but, unfortunately for those who hoped to see some mighty morphin’ again in the near future, it looks like things have reached the end of the road.

Disney+ had been developing a new series based on Power Rangers, the long-running Hasbro property, with some familiar talent from one of the streamer’s biggest shows behind it but unfortunately, it seems they’re no longer going forward with things, as per a report by Deadline last night. The project had been in development at the streamer for roughly a year and a half, with Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz attached to write and executive produce. 20th Television was set to produce the series, but it will now not progress beyond the development stage.

The report states that there were no issues with the quality of the creative direction of the project, but rather the economics of the project seemed to be prohibitive, because a high-end live-action superhero series like Power Rangers would require a substantial budget, while Disney and 20th Television don’t own the underlying intellectual property. The Power Rangers franchise remains owned by Hasbro, making the financial equation considerably less attractive for Disney+.

What’s Next for ‘Power Rangers’?

The cancellation marks another setback for Hasbro’s attempts to bring Power Rangers back to television in a major live-action capacity. Netflix previously worked on its own plans for the franchise several years ago, but those ultimately failed to materialize as well.

The Disney+ decision is also notable because the streamer has recently become more willing to develop projects based on outside properties rather than exclusively mining Disney-owned franchises. Projects based on Ella Enchanted and Casper, for example, have recently entered development at the company.

Steinberg and Shotz, meanwhile, aren’t going anywhere. The pair are currently finishing work on Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 for 20th Television ahead of its November 20 premiere on Disney+. They also have additional projects in development through their overall deal with the studio.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

March 24, 2017

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Runtime

124 minutes

Writers

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John Gatins, Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney, Haim Saban

Producers

Brent O’Connor, Roberto Orci, Wyck Godfrey, Allison Shearmur, Marty Bowen, Brian Casentini

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Franchise(s)

Power Rangers

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Like every good network TV show, ABC’s High Potential has two main characters in a will-they-won’t-they dynamic. Kaitlin Olson‘s Morgan and her partner in the LAPD, Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), have had an indescribable tension between them since the beginning. At first, the always by-the-book Karadec was resistant to Morgan joining the fold, especially when it meant her breaking protocol. But as the two continued to solve cases together, and Morgan showed just how invaluable she is to the team, the two have grown stronger and now work together like a well-oiled machine.

But while Karadac and Morgan have now learned how to lean on each other, whether that’s at work or not, the series is potentially changing up their dynamic once more. In new interviews ahead of season 3, which is set to premiere in January 2027, it seems their chemistry will finally be addressed.

‘High Potential’ Will Finally Address the Morgan-Karadec Dynamic

While High Potential has moved away from the fall programming and pushed to January 2027, the teasers from the cast are leaving viewers more excited than ever. Among them is Olson talking about the potential sparks between Morgan and Karadec. When asked about the new season at the Disney Advertising Upfront in May 2026, Olson kept it vague. “Oh, I wish I could tell you everything,” she said, per Good Housekeeping. “There’s always the will they or won’t they with Karadec.”

In an interview with TV Insider, Olson said that she hasn’t been “playing into” a flirtation with Sunjata onscreen, but that it’s more of their characters naturally interacting with one another. “I’m fully just being Morgan, who likes to bust his balls and treat him like a little brother who’s annoying,” she told the outlet. “But I love Daniel’s Karadec and how he’s interacting with this woman. He doesn’t know how to come at it. Is she flirting with him? Does she hate him? Does she love him?” She then gave a hint at where their dynamic is going in the new season. “But we’re going to sort of slow burn that,” she says. “You’ll get an answer.”

‘High Potential’ Has Been Setting Up Their Romance

Hints that something more than a friendship could spark between Karadec and Morgan aren’t exactly a surprise given how their love lives ended in the Season 2 finale. While Morgan became romantically involved with Captain Nick Wagner (Steve Howey) in Season 2, even sharing a steamy elevator kiss, the last scene of the finale saw him bleeding out after being attacked by someone who was said to have information regarding Roman, Morgan’s ex. And while his injury gave the series the perfect cliffhanger ending, Deadline confirmed that the Shameless star will not be returning as a series regular and may only appear to wrap up the storyline. Therefore, while Wagner’s injury will certainly play a part in Season 3, it seems his connection with Morgan is no longer going to be a big part of the show.

As for Karadec, Season 2 saw him reconcile with his ex-fiancée, Lucia (Susan Kelechi Watson). But while their relationship was seemingly going strong, with them even starting to plan a future together, the finale revealed that she had helped her con-artist ex-boyfriend Charles gain access to the hotel where a murder occurred. In the end, the team reveals that Charles ultimately killed the victim, and Lucia is declared an accomplice. Karadec is understandably devastated by the news and arrests her himself, effectively ending their relationship. After that, Karadec goes to confide in Morgan for feeling foolish for letting himself fall for her, and Morgan’s the perfect shoulder for him to cry on.

With all that said, while there’s still plenty of time until the third season of High Potential airs on ABC, it seems the series will be finally leaning into the romantic sparks between Karadec and Morgan. And while it might only continue to be an excruciatingly slow burn, their characters are getting along more than ever, are emotionally vulnerable after the events in the finale, and are officially single. It’s a TV romance waiting to happen.

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Release Date

September 17, 2024

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Showrunner

Todd Harthan, Rob Thomas, Lilla Zuckerman, Nora Zuckerman

Directors

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James Roday Rodriguez, Viet Nguyen, Alethea Jones, Nancy Hower

Writers

Drew Goddard, Marc Halsey, Todd Harthan

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Shannon Elizabeth is one of the many Hollywood actors who have turned to the OF platform in recent years, with her joining in April. Now, several months later, the “Scary Movie” and “American Pie” actress is opening up about her income from the platform and her reasoning for launching her account.

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Elizabeth spoke to Variety in August 2026, opening up about the success she’s experienced on the OF platform after finding difficulty in Hollywood. First, regarding her online presence and ownership of her image, the “American Pie” alum opened up about being one of the first actresses to have a website.

She stated, “I think I was one of the first actors to have one.” Elizabeth went on to say that, at the time, the only people in entertainment with websites were adult stars. The 52-year-old continued, “So, everyone thought, ‘Why are you putting a website up?’ But we thought that was the next step in the evolution of things.”

Regarding her income, she shared, “I crossed $1 million in nine days. It was really surprising, and I was honored that my fans came out and supported me. I had no idea what to expect, and the response has been really amazing. I’m chatting with people all the time, and it’s been a lot of fun.”

The ‘Scary Movie’ Alum Had Been Living Off Her Savings Before Joining OF

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Elizabeth continued her Variety interview by discussing OF as a platform, noting that it’s not only for adult content. In fact, it was something completely different when it launched in 2016. She observed, “There are a bunch of actors that have recently gotten on, and we’re starting to pull it back to what it was meant to be.”

She added, “It doesn’t have to be only for adult entertainment. It can be whatever you want it to be.” Regarding why she joined, Elizabeth says she needed a new start following a divorce. She said, “I was going through a divorce here in South Africa and was chatting to my manager Joe about what’s next and how to restart things in my life.”

She went on, ” I had really neglected a lot of things, and he brought it up as an option. I wasn’t sure and didn’t know much about it, and we looked into it, and I thought, ‘Yeah, why not?’”

Elizabeth then opened up about her finances, saying, “For the last ten years I’ve been living off of my savings for the most part because I haven’t been as focused on work. To be able to get myself back to the point where I’m not struggling and am able to choose projects because I like them and not because I need the money — it’s definitely giving me more freedom to do that.”

The Actress Pours Part Of Her Income Into Animal Rights Causes

Elizabeth co-founded Animal Avengers, a dog and cat rescue organization, in Los Angeles in 2021. Since then, she’s expanded her work after witnessing atrocities committed against larger animals in South Africa.

Now, she uses part of her OF income for the cause. She said, “So much of what I do goes back to the animals. There are a lot of expenses that go into it, and I don’t charge a salary for myself or charge travel I do for charity work to the charity. I’ll pay for that myself.”

The Animal Avengers founder added, “It allows me to cover admin expenses so that all of the charity’s money goes to animals in the field.”

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The Actress Launched Her Account In April

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Elizabeth’s OF profile officially went live on the platform on April 16. Ahead of it, she spoke to PEOPLE, revealing that she wanted more say in her narrative after spending decades in Hollywood and giving up control.

She told the outlet, “I’ve spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career. This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans.”

Elizabeth added, “I’m choosing OnlyFans because it allows me to connect directly with my audience, create on my own terms, and just be free. I really do think this is the future.”

Shannon Has A New Movie Releasing

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Elizabeth is continuing her acting career despite being open about the difficulties she’s faced in recent years securing roles due to her relocation to South Africa. However, despite this, she has a new horror movie, “First Witch,” releasing on October 8.

Before this, she appeared in 2024’s “Plan B.”

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Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian have built a blended family that could easily feel complicated, especially with children from previous relationships and a young son they share together. 

Instead, the couple appears focused on creating a rhythm that gives everyone space while still keeping the family connected. 

For Barker, that balance comes down to something surprisingly simple: letting the kids be themselves while making sure there is always time for everyone to come together.

With seven children between them, Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian have plenty of moving parts to navigate. 

Barker shares son Landon and daughter Alabama with ex-wife Shanna Moakler, and remains close to stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya. 

On the other hand, Kardashian shares Mason, Penelope, and Reign with ex Scott Disick, while the couple welcomed their son, Rocky Thirteen, in November 2023.

Rather than forcing everyone into the same routine every day, Barker said the family allowed different combinations of the children to spend time together. “Everyone kind of does their own thing,” he told PEOPLE, adding, “We try to have a lot of normalcy.”

There is, however, one tradition that remains non-negotiable. “Every Sunday we have family dinner—there’s never a Sunday where we don’t have family dinner,” Barker revealed. 

That weekly gathering gives the sprawling family a dependable point of connection even as individual schedules change.

Barker Says His Bond With His Kids Keeps Growing

For Travis Barker, the success of the blended family is also reflected in how his relationships with the children have evolved over time. 

He explained that the passage of years has not diminished his connection with them; instead, it has made those bonds even stronger.

“Different pieces of the family are together at different times,” Barker shared, noting that the regular family dinner helps maintain that sense of togetherness. He also stated, “I love being present. I also love leading by example.”

His perspective extends beyond his biological children. Barker revealed that his love for Atiana remained just as strong as when she was younger. “It doesn’t matter how old they are. I love Ati the same way at 27 as I did when she was 2,” he said.

The drummer felt similarly about Landon, noting that his relationship with his son remained constant from childhood into adulthood. “Every year honestly just gets better. It’s awesome,” Barker noted.

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Travis Barker Reveals The Marriage Rule That Keeps Him And Kourtney Kardashian Strong

The family dynamic Barker recently described may look complicated from the outside, but the musician says there is something even more fundamental in helping to keep his home life steady. 

Behind the blended family, shared children and busy schedules, Barker and Kardashian have developed their own approach to protecting their marriage.

In a recent PEOPLE interview, the 50-year-old explained that he and his wife “try not to ever fall asleep mad at each other,” making a point of resolving even minor misunderstandings before going to bed. 

Barker gave the example of something as ordinary as one of them missing a lunch plan because a text was overlooked, saying they would try to talk through the issue rather than allow it to create distance. 

He also stressed the importance of accountability and apologizing when necessary. “Even if it’s just as simple as, like, ‘Oh babe, I take accountability. I’m sorry. I didn’t see your text right away,’” Barker explained. 

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Kourtney Kardashian Reveals The Terrifying Surgery Before Rocky’s Birth

The beautiful relationship Travis Barker recently described comes with a history of difficult moments that the couple has rarely discussed in such detail. 

In Barker’s new Hulu documentary, “Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear,” the reality TV star and the drummer opened up about the frightening medical emergency they faced while she was pregnant with their son Rocky. 

According to PEOPLE, Kardashian revealed that doctors discovered fluid was building around the unborn baby’s lungs, creating a situation that required urgent fetal surgery while Barker was away touring in Europe. 

The procedure involved doctors inserting a needle through her abdomen to drain the fluid, an experience she described as “terrifying.” 

Barker immediately rushed to be with his wife and canceled shows so he could support her. The situation was particularly emotional because it came after the couple had already experienced a miscarriage in 2021, losing a baby girl they planned to name Tulip. 

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After multiple unsuccessful IVF attempts, Kardashian eventually became pregnant with Rocky naturally after deciding to step away from the treatments. 

Travis Barker’s Documentary Reveals His Most Personal Struggles

The family revelations surrounding Rocky are only one part of what l Barker chose to revisit in “Louder Than Fear,” a documentary that traces nearly a decade of his life and the experiences that changed him. 

The film revisited his 2008 plane crash, which left 65% of his body burned and resulted in multiple surgeries, as well as the survivor’s guilt he experienced after four people died in the accident. 

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Barker also discussed his struggle with opioid addiction, revealing that his fear of flying had contributed to him taking as many as 30 pills a day at one point. 

It also explored Barker’s gradual emotional healing, his return to flying and the role his family played in helping him confront the trauma that had followed him for years. 

Jurassic Park meets The Twilight Zone in the newest big box office arrival this weekend, as Anne Hathaway delivers her fourth theatrical release of 2026. She is starring opposite Ewan McGregor in The End of Oak Street, formerly known as Flowervale Street, a twisting sci-fi thriller featuring dinosaurs. Sure to prove popular, but unlikely to upset the status quo and rival the likes of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Christopher Nolan‘s epic The Odyssey, The End of Oak Street is an enticing option this weekend. But what about all those other enticing options that you need not leave your house for? With that in mind, here’s a list of three shows you should binge-watch on Netflix.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

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‘My Brilliant Career’ (2026)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

If you have a Netflix subscription, then you’re probably a fan of Bridgerton. The streamer’s flagship romance has proven hugely popular over the years, and this weekend marks the arrival of its perfect replacement. The show in question is My Brilliant Career, which follows headstrong farm girl Sybylla Melvyn (Philippa Northeast) who dreams of fighting societal expectations and earning her own freedom.

Based on Australian writer Miles Franklin‘s book of the same name, and first adapted in 1979 as a feature film starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill, My Brilliant Career ​​​​​​has been given the 21st-century streaming treatment with all the gorgeous visual bells and whistles that a fan of period romance could want. Critics are already impressed, with Collider’s Carly Lane writing, “Clocking in at a smooth six episodes, My Brilliant Career could never be defined as overstaying its welcome.”

2

‘Tires’ (2024–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 58% | IMDb: 7.6/10

If you’re looking for some easy laughs this weekend after a hard-working week, then you can’t go wrong with Shane Gillis’ self-aware persona. In Tires, Gillis plays an alternate version of himself, who spends his days making the life of Will (Steve Gerben) increasingly difficult. This is after Will inherits his father’s auto repair chain and is tasked with turning it around.

It isn’t intent on reinventing the wheel; Tires just simply wants to make you laugh, and Gillis is a master of just that. After two seasons that saw the likes of Gillis, Gerben, and co. refine their product, a third season has finally landed on Netflix this week and is getting the best reviews of the bunch so far. Chris O’Connor, Kilah Fox, Stavros Halkias, Peter Reeves, Andrew Schulz, Tommy Pope, and more also feature in a series that even added Thomas Haden Church in Season 2.

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‘I Am Not Okay With This’ (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Instead of catching something new on Netflix this weekend, how about uncovering one of the streamer’s best undiscovered gems? Based on Charles Forsman‘s graphic novel of the same name, I Am Not Okay with This follows grieving teenager Syd (Sophia Lillis), who fights the anxieties of high school, a hidden love for her best friend Dina (Sofia Bryant), and the sudden discovery of telekinetic powers.

A fresh, indulgent series that was originally picked up for a second season but eventually dropped due to the pandemic, I Am Not Okay With This will have you gripped to the edge of your seat throughout. Every cloud has a silver lining and, although it deserved more time, its mere seven episodes make for an easy binge-watch this weekend.

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Release Date

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2020 – 2019

Network

Netflix

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Meredith Marks is sharing the difficulties of filming a reality show as her costar Mary Cosby grappled with the death of her son Robert Cosby Jr.

Appearing on Nova’s “Jase, Lauren and Clint” on Thursday, August 13, Meredith, 54, was asked how she and her costars managed to keep the cameras rolling on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City “when people are dealing with awful, raw emotion.”

In February, Robert Jr. died at age 23 following a suspected overdose in his parents’ Utah home. RHOSLC’s season 7, which premieres in September, is set to feature Mary, 53, navigating her grief.

During Thursday’s radio show appearance, Meredith praised Mary for how she chose to deal with her loss.

Related: What to Know About ‘RHOSLC’ Season 7 After the Death of Mary Cosby’s Son

The ladies of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will return for season 7. Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, Mary Cosby, Heather Gay, Whitney Rose, Bronwyn Newport, Angie Katsanevas and “friend” Britani Bateman wrapped season 6 in 2025, which aired that fall. While the ladies were scheduled to resume filming in February 2026, the Bravo […]

“Mary, you’ll see, her strength is so inspirational. She handled the whole situation so beautifully and I think it will be really incredible to watch,” Meredith said. “I think it will be very tough for her. I think that … the show I think gave her another focus during a very difficult time.”

Meredith added that dealing with personal challenges publicly — and having issues resurface after the fact — is a major drawback to their jobs.

“That’s the downside to reality TV. You relive things later,” she admitted.

Real Housewives of Miami’s Alexia Nepola, who appeared alongside Meredith on the radio show, added “that makes it worse.”

“So that thing will happen, we all see it play out. Some blogger will do it, you know, post it on their social media and then the whole world tunes in,” Alexia, 59, explained. “And you know, not everybody is going to see it the same. And I think that’s what makes it so hard for us. Not only that we relive the moment months later but then after it comes out on social media, then everybody weighs in and gives their opinion, and I think that’s really hard. I think that you really have to have that thick skin.”

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Related: RHOSLC’s Heather and Meredith React to Mary’s Sad Moment With Robert Jr.

Koury Angelo/Bravo The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Heather Gay and Meredith Marks are rallying around their costar Mary Cosby. The Bravolebrities praised Mary, 52, and her son, Robert Jr., 21, for their emotional discussion about his mental health and substance abuse issues on the Wednesday, November 27, episode of RHOSLC. “It was completely […]

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Mary confirmed the death of her son via a statement to Us on February 25.

“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” Mary shared in a statement at the time. “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

Robert Jr.’s addiction battle was featured on several seasons of RHOSLC, with viewers often applauding Mary for speaking candidly about her son’s struggles.

The Smile franchise is heading back to 1995 for its next nightmare. After two movies brought the terrifying entity to the big screen, a new prequel comic is exploring another chapter in the curse’s history, this time against the unlikely backdrop of professional football. IDW Publishing’s Any Given Smile is a five-issue series from writer Stephanie Williams, artist Pablo Collar, colorist Triona Farrell, and letterer Ariana Maher. Any Given Smile #1 arrives on September 23, but Collider had the opportunity to read the first issue early and, without spoiling what awaits readers, it’s safe to say the franchise’s signature grin hasn’t gotten any less disturbing on the page.

Any Given Smile begins in St. Augustine, Florida, as the American Arena League prepares for the biggest championship game in its 20-year history. The Sharks have suddenly turned to backup quarterback Maximillian Dupree, putting him under immense pressure from his teammates and fans. Dupree also has debts to the city’s gambling underworld hanging over him as he prepares for the biggest game of his career. At the same time, a string of deaths begins rocking St. Augustine. A sports journalist starts investigating their possible connection to the approaching championship, while increasingly disturbing visions make it difficult for anyone involved to trust what they’re seeing.

‘Any Given Smile’ Understands What Makes the ‘Smile’ Franchise So Unsettling

That’s about as much as we can say about the story without spoiling where Williams takes the first issue, but what we can say is that Any Given Smile understands what makes this franchise so unsettling. The movies frequently weaponize the audience’s anticipation, creating situations where you know something horrible could be lurking around the corner without knowing exactly when it will appear. Williams and Collar successfully translate that anxiety to this new medium, including several moments where just turning the page delivers a jump scare of sorts.

The 1995 football setting also gives Any Given Smile an identity distinct from either movie. Sports radio, gambling, championship fever, and Dupree’s sudden opportunity create an unusual environment for Smile, but that’s working in its favor so far to help the curse feel recognizable without just being a retelling of one of the previous movies. It also provides an intriguing glimpse into how long this nightmare has been making the rounds before Rose Cotter ever encountered it. Smile and Smile 2 have only revealed pieces of the entity’s history, and Any Given Smile demonstrates how easily the franchise can explore victims from completely different periods and walks of life.

Any Given Smile #1 goes on sale September 23. Stay tuned at Collider for more.

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Release Date

September 23, 2022

Runtime

115 minutes

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Director

Parker Finn

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Writers

Parker Finn

Producers

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Isaac Klausner, Marty Bowen, Robert Salerno, Wyck Godfrey

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Ryan Murphy has billed “American Horror Story” Season 13 as a “greatest hits” chapter, with returning stars set to reprise multiple characters from across the anthology’s history.

The reveal comes after Ariana Grande exited the season due to a scheduling conflict with her ongoing “Eternal Sunshine Tour.”

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Ryan Murphy is turning “American Horror Story” Season 13 into a full-blown reunion, with several franchise favorites returning in multiple iconic roles.

Jessica Lange is back as a season regular more than a decade after stepping away from the anthology, reprising all four of her former characters, including Constance Langdon and Fiona Goode. Evan Peters will take on five past roles, while Sarah Paulson is set to revisit six.

Angela Bassett returns as Marie Laveau, Emma Roberts as Madison Montgomery, Jamie Brewer as Adelaide “Addie” Langdon, Mena Suvari as the Black Dahlia, and John Carroll Lynch as Twisty the Clown.

Season 13 Also Makes Room For New Faces

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The season will not rely entirely on familiar faces, however. Paul Anthony Kelly joins in a mysterious new role that Murphy called the “linchpin” of the story. Joey Pollari also plays a key new character named Ben.

John Waters, Alex Consani and Avantika Vandanapu are among the other additions. “AHS: 13” premieres September 24 on FX and Hulu.

Ryan Murphy Wanted An ‘AHS’ Greatest Hits Season

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Murphy says the number 13 pushed him toward something bigger than a standard new chapter of “American Horror Story.”

Speaking to Vogue, the producer said he wanted the season to feel like a “greatest hits” edition, with the franchise’s strongest villains and classic characters colliding inside a fresh story.

Murphy said he even studied fan polls and made his own list of the show’s top 10 characters, admitting, “I’m always lurking online.”

But he stressed that the new season is not simply a Coven revival. Instead, he and Brad Falchuk built a 13-episode story designed to bring some of the anthology’s “baddies” together for a larger threat.

Murphy has compared the concept to the “Avengers” of “American Horror Story,” with familiar characters joining forces against what he called an “ultimate evil.”

He would not reveal exactly what they are facing, though he offered one ominous clue. After noting that the franchise has already tackled the Antichrist, Murphy teased: “Let’s go above his pay grade for this.”

Tour Clash Knocks Ariana Grande Out Of ‘AHS’

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One big name will be missing when “American Horror Story” returns. As reported previously by The Blast, Ariana Grande has dropped out of Season 13 after production changes created a clash with her ongoing “Eternal Sunshine Tour.” She had been announced for the cast last October but reportedly exited before filming any scenes.

The appearance would have reunited Grande with Murphy more than a decade after she played Chanel #2 on his Fox horror-comedy “Scream Queens.”

Details surrounding her planned character were never revealed. Grande had previously suggested the part would be small, saying that she expected to have a “very tiny thing” to do. “I’ll be grateful to be a part of it because I love everyone involved,” she said at the time.

Grande’s touring schedule has already undergone several adjustments. Shows in New York and Boston were moved earlier this summer after she cited production issues and said safety was the priority. For now, her return to Murphy’s horror universe will have to wait.

Ryan Murphy Clears The Air On Ariana Grande’s ‘AHS’ Exit

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According to Murphy, Grande’s “American Horror Story” departure was far less dramatic behind the scenes than it may have looked from the outside.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the producer said Grande had expressed doubts from the beginning because she expected to tour. When the time came to shoot her episode, he called her, and she admitted she did not know how she could make both commitments work.

Murphy said he simply offered to move the idea to another season. “I said, ‘OK, if you can’t, we can push to another season.’ She said, ‘Great,’” he recalled. He also pushed back on any suggestion of friction, calling the exit “really, truly a scheduling conflict.”

Murphy said he remains eager to work with Grande again and described the abandoned role as “a very big swing” that could still resurface depending on her availability. “I love her, and I support her,” he added.

Rock and roll peaked in the 1990s. Dropped in the middle of the boring hairbands of the 1980s and the slow death caused by the internet in the 2000s, the subgenre continued to dominate during the days of Bill Clinton and Michael Jordan. At the end of the 20th century, rock music was filled with raw energy, the bland commercialization of it stripped away. The decade began with years of the grunge takeover reigning the scene, before Brit rock and bands forged in tragedy carried the torch. From ballads to high energy chaos and everything in between, these 10 songs represent the 1990s better than any other.

“Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains (1990)

A year before everyone and their mother knew what grunge was, there stood Alice in Chains, who hit it big with their debut album, Facelift. The second single, “Man in the Box,” was the album’s best song, and three decades plus later, remains the greatest song of the band’s career. It kicks you in the teeth from the very first second, as Layne Staley‘s unmistakable voice croons over Jerry Cantrell‘s guitar riff. Although the lyrics are meant to be about censorship, there is a sad double meaning lurking under the surface. The band’s initial run would be cut short due to Staley’s battle with drug addiction. To listen to “Man in the Box” now is to hear a plea from a man begging to be saved.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991)

1991 was one of rock’s best years ever. In the same 12-month span, classic albums were released by the likes of Metallica, Soundgarden, Guns N’ Roses, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, none of them could match what the then little known Nirvana accomplished with their second album, Nevermind. The first single changed the course of music. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was an anthem for Generation X, waking them up from the boredom playing on the radio. Although Kurt Cobain‘s lyrics were not always easy to understand, the message was clear: a new type of music was here, and its energy wouldn’t be denied. With a mixture of punk and pop, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” started a revolution.

“Creep” by Radiohead (1992)

In a few short years, Radiohead would evolve from traditional rock music to an experimental sound that seemed to come from the unknown future. They started off, however, with a song which continues to define them as their biggest hit with the masses, whether they like it or not. In September 1992, months ahead of the 1993 release of their debut album, Pablo Honey, the world was introduced to Radiohead with “Creep.” It’s a song that sneaks up on you, with a soft singing Thom Yorke tapping into romantic hopelessness before Jonny Greenwood‘s guitar kicks in and flips the switch in the chorus. The sad lyrics, which we’ve all felt at some point, reach out and beg you to sing along.

“Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana (1993)

How do you top one of the most successful albums of all time? That’s the question Nirvana had to answer in 1993, with their follow-up to Nevermind, In Utero. The answer is that they couldn’t, so the band went back to the basics on album number three and removed the post-production gloss. The first single, “Heart Shaped Box,” showed that Kurt Cobain and company were more than a one-year wonder. The versus-chorus-verse approach they’d perfected continued here, as nonsensical lyrics about cancer and orchids give way to Cobain’s screams about a new complaint. It’s off-kilter, uncomfortable genius from a voice which would be forever silenced just months later.

“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden (1994)

In 1994, after the death of Kurt Cobain, the grunge fad quickly went with it. The style refused to go quietly though, hanging on with Soundgarden‘s most commercial album, Superunknown. With it came their most iconic song, the third single, “Black Hole Sun.” The chart-topper blended the lines between hard rock, grunge, and pop acceptance without going soft. The entire band flows together seamlessly, but like always, it’s Chris Cornell‘s voice that pulls the listener into a hypnotic trance. His lyrics and their meanings are ambiguous. How Cornell could twist his vocal cords, singing like an angel one minute and screaming from the depths near the end, is still jaw-dropping to hear all these years later.

“Wonderwall” by Oasis (1995)

After the death of grunge, rock and roll went retro with a new Brit rock invasion, led by Oasis. In 1995, brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher took over radio airwaves with “Wonderwall,” the fourth single on their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? The siblings have later said they hated the song. Everyone else didn’t. It’s pure Beatles pop rock catchiness, with the edge of a guitar and the sadness of a cello meeting Liam’s emotionally exposed lyrics. It’s the song that saved rock for a time and had everyone singing along, even if we had no idea what’s a wonderwall anyway.

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins (1996)

The Smashing Pumpkins were there for the grunge invasion, yet survived by finding a way to escape the restraints of such a label. The Chicago band’s third album, the double-sided Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, is their magnum opus. With one big hit after another, the best is the second single, “1979,” released in January 1996. The song captures the melancholy of the album title, giving up the hard rock sound for something more dream-like as Billy Corgan reminisces about a time gone by from his youth. He can’t get this time back, but the listener can. Thirty years later, the song is our version of what Corgan dreamed of.

“Everlong” by Foo Fighters (1997)

Foo Fighters were born out of immense tragedy. After Kurt Cobain’s death in April 1994, it was an uncertain time for Nirvana’s drummer, Dave Grohl. He turned to music, forming his own band, Foo Fighters. After a successful self-titled debut, where Grohl played all the instruments himself, Foo Fighters became a full-fledged group. However, with drummer William Goldsmith leaving, Grohl returned to the drums on album number two, The Colour and the Shape. The best song, “Everlong,” is one about falling in love. With lyrics about the harmony of a relationship and Grohl’s pop punk flavor, it’s no wonder this is David Letterman‘s all-time favorite song and the one he requested the band to play multiple times on his show.

“Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz (1998)

Lenny Kravitz had already been around for a decade in 1998, but this was the year he reached his peak of popularity with his fifth album, 5. Its fourth single, “Fly Away,” became a staple of Top 40 radio and MTV. A year later, the song won the Grammy for Best Male Rock Performance. It was a deserved honor for a tune that made the most out of funk rock basics, creating an earworm everyone was humming along to. Kravitz’s grungy guitar riffs and his lyrics about breaking flee and flying away from everything holding him back combined to create an all-timer. Who would want to get away from this one?

“Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)

In the early 1990s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were one of the biggest rock bands out there, propelled to the top with 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The mid-90s were rough, with changes that included guitarist John Frusciante leaving. In 1999, they made their huge comeback with the best album of their career, Californication. It’s rock and roll perfection, led by the first single, “Scar Tissue.” The song gets away from the high energy funk of the past, instead slowing it down with a mellow three-and-a-half minutes of bliss. Frusciante’s beautiful guitar leads the way into Anthony Kiedis’ melodic lyrics about the loneliness of healing and the scar tissue left behind.