Entertainment
Kids Today Don’t Understand How A Horror Author Transformed Fiction Forever, And It’s Going To Cost Them
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

There’s a war brewing on the internet, and chances are, you’re unaware of it, but fan fiction authors are readying for battle. The latest generation wants to monetize their fan fiction, encouraged by the success of E.L. James with 50 Shades of Grey (originally Twilight fan fiction), Anna Todd’s After series (originally Harry Styles fan fiction), Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones (originally Harry Potter fan fiction), and Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One (not fan fiction, but able to reference every fan property under the Sun).
The older generation of fan fiction writers is trying to warn them that this is a bad idea, and the best example they can cite is Anne Rice’s legal crusade that nearly ended fan fiction, a period so fraught that it changed how fan fiction was written forever. Now the kids are stepping onto legal landmines despite the clear red flags on every fan fiction website.
Anne Rice’s War On Fan Fiction

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire kicked off a frenzy among fan fiction writers of the 90s following the success of the Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt film, with her brilliant characterizations of Louis and Lestat, who, of course, were often paired up in fan fiction stories. The standard disclaimer before any fan fiction story, that it’s a “non-profit, amateur effort not intended for sale,” wasn’t enough to stave off Anne’s lawyers, who fiercely defended her intellectual property. Webmasters would warn users not to write anything based on Anne Rice’s characters, or the fan fiction author could, and likely would, get sued. What makes it worse for fan fiction authors is that Rice had every right to defend her work this way.
Copyright law can be incredibly tricky and requires copyright holders to actively defend against every infringement, or the courts will treat it as abandoned. Anne Rice took it a little further due to her attachment to her own characters, as she couldn’t imagine anyone else ever writing about Louis, Lestat, Armand, Akasha, etc., and took it personally when fans developed their own stories. The other problem is that if she ended up writing a story that matched a fan fiction, she could be sued for plagiarizing her own characters.
Fan Fiction Exists In A Grey Area

Fan fiction has always existed in a grey area, legally speaking, ever since the Romans filed the names off the Greek pantheon. Dante’s Inferno, the only part of the Divine Comedy that anyone ever reads, is now considered one of the earliest self-insert fan fictions of what else, the Bible. That explains the entire chapter about his local Italian politicians being burned in caskets for all eternity. The biggest defense fan fiction authors have had is that they aren’t profiting off the creations of others. Even fan fiction authors whose works have been widely published and adapted into Hollywood hits have done enough work to turn the fan fiction into a wholly original piece of fiction.
Anne Rice mellowed as she got older and stopped defending her work so vigorously, but other authors, including George R.R. Martin and J.K. Rowling, have occasionally had to sue fan fiction creators. What’s happened now is that 20 years after Rice’s crusade started to fade, new fan fiction authors have begun a push to allow monetization of their works on popular fan fiction platforms, including AO3 (Archive Of Our Own), one of the largest and oldest fan fiction communities. The argument is that they’re telling their own story, so what if the parts are borrowed from someone else? It’s largely their creative work. That argument terrifies the older, more experienced authors, who know that if one person starts monetizing, the entire fan fiction community could come crashing down overnight.
The Push For Monetization

Around the time of the Covid lockdowns fan fiction authors started printing their works and creating physical, bound collections of their stories that some ended up trying to sell. Those quickly resulted in lawsuits for every single cent of profit and penalties for copyright violations, and if an author who sold a collection wasn’t sued, they got lucky and kept quiet.
The current controversy in the fan fiction community will eventually settle down, and hopefully, everyone will realize why the “no monetization” rule is in place before someone has to be made an example of. Fan fiction is a major part of what keeps fandoms alive during lulls and can bring in new fans of the original work. When left on their own, fan fiction authors are among the largest fans of an author and will happily act as guides and cheerleaders for newbies to a fandom. They’ve fought the battles, they’ve been in the trenches, they’ve seen con artists and hacks enter their communities, and they don’t like it. If the new generation doesn’t change course quickly, we may never get another masterpiece like 50 Shades of Grey, and copyright attorneys will be able to start looking at blueprints for their new vacation home.
Entertainment
The Sci-Fi Series That Twice Failed To Finish Its Story Deserves A Third Chance
By Matthew Flynn
| Published

In an era where everything’s being rebooted, there’s one cult sci-fi series that stands out as deserving another shot. V: The Series, a short-lived eighties show, has a strong enough concept that it could be a hit if it ever gets the chance to tell its full story. Or, rather, another chance.
V was rebooted once in the early 2000s, but that show never got to finish telling its full tale. Isn’t it about time audiences got to see how V is supposed to end?
The Original V

V: The Series centers around an alien invasion of Earth by a flesh-eating reptilian species, the Visitors. Debuting on NBC on October 26, 1984, and airing until March 22, 1985, the series continued the story from its two preceding mini-series, V and V: The Final Battle.

At the heart of V: The Series is a struggle between the human Resistance and the Visitors’ full-scale invasion of Earth. These characters are brought to life by popular actors like Marc Singer and Faye Grant, who portray Resistance leaders Mike Donovan and Juliet Parrish.
On the alien side, Jane Badler stands out as the evil leader of the visitors, Diana. V: The Series also features Robert Englund, famously known for his role as Freddy Krueger, as Willie, a sympathetic Visitor

However, despite a promising concept and a talented cast, V: The Series faced a turbulent journey. The challenges were manifold, primarily due to limited resources, a sharp contrast to the mini-series it was continuing. The audience reception, in particular, proved to be a significant stumbling block.

Unfortunately, V: The Series failed to find an audience, falling short of the viewership needed to justify its continuation. The consequence was a premature cancellation before filming the final episode could even commence. This left the series unresolved, with no closure or conclusion to tie up the threads of an otherwise intriguing narrative.
V Gets Rebooted

V: The Series was brought back by ABC on November 3, 2009, and ran for 22 episodes across two seasons until March 15, 2011. The storyline again revolves around an advanced alien species known as the Visitors, who present themselves as peaceful beings but have a more menacing purpose.

The human characters changed during the second iteration of V: The Series. In it, the central character is FBI agent Erica Evans, portrayed by Elizabeth Mitchell. Other prominent members of the cast included Morena Baccarin, Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch, Logan Huffman, and Laura Vandervoort.

Despite an intriguing premise, V: The Series couldn’t hold the interest of a larger audience and was canceled after two seasons. Adding to the disappointment, it was once again concluded without a proper finale.

The first episode of V: The Series scored high ratings, setting a season high for debut. Sadly, the interest waned as the series progressed, leading to its ultimate cancellation. Despite its failure to secure a large viewer base, the show was nominated for a range of awards, including the Creative Arts Emmy Awards and the Saturn Awards. Unfortunately, despite the series’s fanbase campaigning to save it, it was neither revived nor concluded by another network.
In retrospect, V: The Series stands out as an ambitious project that faced an unfortunate end twice. The interest shown in the overarching plot of V: The Series is evident in the success of the two miniseries that spawned the original show and the ratings of the premiere of the reboot. Given another shot with the right creative forces behind it, maybe a new remake of V could finally get the ending it deserves.
Entertainment
‘RHOP’ Star Wendy Osefo Gets Vulnerable About Her Arrest
“Real Housewives of Potomac” star Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie Osefo, were arrested in October 2025 on charges of insurance fraud. Now, several months later, Bravo has aired part one of the “RHOP” season 10 reunion, featuring comments from the Osefos following their release from jail. Since then, the reality star has briefly addressed the situation, but this is her first time reflecting on spending a night behind bars and how they explained their absence to their kids.
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Wendy Osefo Makes Rare Comments About Being Arrested
Part one of the “Real Housewives of Potomac” reunion for season 10 aired on February 15. The episode began with footage of the Osefos from October 2025 following their arrest. In the clip, she began, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead to us being taken away in handcuffs. It’s so crazy, and it feels like a bad dream.”
From there, her husband began to share his experience with the sticky legal situation. He said, “I remember in the holding cell, and I saw you talking to your sister.” Osefo then paused his line of conversation as he clearly became emotional, leading the “RHOP” star to say, “Baby.”
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He continued, “And then you heard Kamrynn, in the background.” For context, elsewhere in the episode, Osefo explained that she asked her sister and mother to pick up their three young children after they were arrested. She went on to explain how it broke her heart that her daughter was “so innocent” and confused by the ordeal.
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The ‘RHOP’ Star Discussed How The Arrest Changed The Dynamic With Their Kids
This section of the “RHOP” season 10 reunion continued with the Osefos becoming even more vulnerable. She said about her daughter, “She had no idea what was going on. She was just so happy to hear my voice. She was like, ‘Mommy,’ and then I said, ‘You’re gonna spend the night with Auntie’ she was just like, ‘Okay, Mommy, I’ll see you tomorrow.’”
The mother of three continued, “And I didn’t know if I was going to see her tomorrow. I was so scared. I was just worried about the kids. I’m so scared for them.” Later in the episode, while with the rest of the cast, Osefo went into more detail. She stated that her husband woke her up from a nap, stating that the police were at their home. Notably, the kids were not present.
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Osefo also shared in another clip from the reunion what hurt her the most regarding her kids, stating that her son, Karter, “saw everything” on his phone. When asked if her son had seen the mugshots, she responded, “What hurt me the most was that he saw it, and he didn’t tell my mom and my sister. So he went to sleep with it.”
After that, she revealed that she has since begun updating her children about their case so they aren’t left in the dark.
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Fans Were Mixed On The Emotional Moments

After Bravo posted the emotional clip of the scene featuring the Osefos, many “Real Housewives of Potomac” fans weighed in. Some felt sorry for the Osefos, while others were only saddened by being caught. One person wrote, “Translation: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would ever get caught.” Someone else said, “They are going to jail because why are you talking about this on this show!! They are the feds.”
A different “RHOP” fan stated, “This was all avoidable and unnecessary. Both had good careers plus tv money! What was the reason?” Another person chimmed in, “Something about this is sooooo beyond off, like are they acting or just not taking this seriously?”
Finally, a TikTok user said, “They committed a crime and never in their wildest dreams did they imagine they would go to jail???”
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Wendy Osefo First Addressed The Situation At BravoCon 2025
To the surprise of many, Osefo attended BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas in November. Not only did she attend, but she also took part in the “Real Housewives of Potomac” panel at the convention. In addressing her arrest and charges, she said, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out to my family during this time. I read your messages. I can’t respond to everyone, but the love and support mean the world to me.”
She continued, “It’s an unfortunate situation. Right now, I can’t say too much, but I will say that when the time is right, I will share my story with everyone, and for now, they’re just allegations, and we will continue to push forward.” She also addressed her co-star, Ashley Darby, who made light of the arrest after learning of it.
The Osefos Have A Court Date In April

According to PEOPLE, the Osefos were arrested on October 10 for multiple charges related to insurance fraud, stemming from a home robbery they reported in April 2024. She faces 16 charges in total, while he faces 18. They have been accused of staging a robbery and then reporting items stolen that they either previously returned to the store or had in their possession.
Per the report, the couple also had “approximately 40 credit and/or debit cards, some of which are believed to be in company names.” Some of the most widely discussed of their aliases were Pam Oliver and Eddie Hennessey. Their trial is scheduled for April 2026.
Entertainment
Prince William And Kate Middleton’s Charity Suffers Epstein Fallout
A charity connected to the royal couple recently accepted a resignation from one of its trustees after she was linked to Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes when he was alive.
Notably, the charity supports the hospital where Middleton received her cancer treatment in 2024.
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German Countess Steps Down From Trustee Position At Prince William & Kate Middleton’s Charity

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity recently lost one of its trustees, German countess Nicole Junkermann, following new discoveries made in the Epstein case.
According to The Telegraph, the countess is said to have exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein, in which she reportedly called him fond names, such as “baby” and “Mr. Wonderful.” In one, she also fondly calls him her “heart.”
While Junkermann’s involvement came as a shock to the public, the German countess has expressed remorse over her ties to the convicted felon. She reportedly “deeply regrets” her conversations with him and noted that he deceived her.
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The report also stated that Junkermann has been “absolutely horrified to come to understand the true nature and the suffering he inflicted on women and girls through his abuse of trust, power, and manipulation.”
One of Junkermann’s representatives made it clear that her decision to step back from the charity is to ensure that the new discoveries do not distract from the organization’s mission.
On the other hand, a rep for the charity released a statement, saying, “In view of the ongoing media interest and her wish to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Nicole Junkermann has offered her resignation as trustee, which has been accepted.”
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Notably, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been patrons of the charity for over a year, and Prince William has been president of the Royal Marsden for about 19 years now.
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Prince William Distanced Himself From Prince Andrew Amid Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

Before Junkermann’s ties with Epstein became public, the royal family was already knee-deep in the looming scandal thanks to ex-Prince Andrew’s close relationship with Epstein.
As a result, Prince William has put a long rope between himself and his uncle, who has since been stripped of his royal titles and benefits due to his involvement with Epstein.
According to The Blast, royal expert Hilary Fordwich noted that Prince William is “modernizing the monarchy” by making it clear that the royal family stands with the victims. As such, the Prince will not defend his uncle in any way.
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King Charles Was Also Disturbed By Andrew’s Ties To Epstein

Prince William was not the only member of the royal family who found Andrew’s ties to Epstein disturbing. King Charles recently reacted to the discoveries, expressing “profound concern” about them.
A spokesperson for the king released a statement, saying, “The king has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” per The Blast.
The monarch also made it known that the royal family’s “thoughts and sympathies” are with the victims of abuse.
Prince William Reportedly Went To Extra Lengths To Protect The Monarchy

Before King Charles’ statements, reports surfaced suggesting that Prince William had hired a PR strategist to manage the unfolding scandal that seemed to threaten the monarchy’s peace amid the Epstein revelations.
As reported by The Blast, Prince William hired Liza Ravenscroft, a PR expert with a background in crisis management.
A source noted that Ravenscroft was likely brought on board to help manage the “royal challenges.”
The new PR expert will reportedly shield William and Middleton from further media scrutiny, enabling them to focus on their royal duties and family life.
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Prince William Reportedly Wants Andrew ‘As Far Away As Possible’ From The Royal Family

Meanwhile, in addition to protecting the royal family’s image, Prince William has reportedly been advocating for a greater distance between Andrew and the family.
Prince William, in particular, is the strongest proponent of distancing Andrew from the royal family. He wants his wayward uncle as far away as possible,” Royal expert Hilary Fordwich said, according to The Blast.
Fordwich also noted that the Prince of Wales doesn’t want his reign “overshadowed” by the scandals and, as such, wouldn’t want to keep Andrew around, as he would likely be a liability.
William reportedly wants “distance in every sense” and has sided with public sentiment on the matter.
Entertainment
Beyond the Gates Weekly Spoilers Feb 16-20: Hayley’s Secrets Exposed & Anita Humiliated in Public Scandal
Beyond the Gates weekly spoilers for spoilers for Feb 16-20, 2026 talk about Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings) getting busted and Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) being publicly outed in a way she does not appreciate at all.
Beyond the Gates Spoilers: Encore Episode – Joey & Vanessa in Puerto Rico
On Monday, February 16th, we do not have a new episode of Beyond the Gates. Since they’re a newer soap, I guess they’re taking advantage of every single holiday they can justify not running a new episode because they don’t have a backlog like other shows do. So, we have a rerun because it’s President’s Day.
This is a repeat of the episode where Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) and Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) went to Puerto Rico and Vanessa finally spent the night in Joey’s arms all night, in addition to sex around the casino. She actually took her wedding ring off at Joey’s request, if you remember. Also, this is the same episode where Joey spirited Vanessa out of town so Marcel Malone (Darryl W. Handy) could oversee Dr. Doug McBride’s (Jason Graham) death.
First, they got Doug drunk at the casino. They had Joey tell his guy to stack the odds in Doug’s favor so that he would keep gambling and winning because he thinks he’s on a hot streak. Then Marcel took his winnings and made sure that Doug died in a way that looked like a DUI fatality. Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne (Arielle Prepetit) was hit hard on this episode because she realized she lost her wedding rings. It turns out she took them off in the bathroom of Orphe Jeans, and June (Jasmine Burke) finds them and returns them.
This is also the same episode where Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) proposed to Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob) at her apartment after she had prior proposed to Derek at the hospital. He pulled out the ring, dropped it, stood up, and then panicked and sat down when Ashley came back in because he was still lying to her about his paralysis at this point.
Beyond the Gates Valentine’s Day Spoilers: Romantic Dates and Backfiring Plans
Tuesday, February 17th, we have a brand new episode. It’s Season 2, Episode 32, and this is Valentine’s Day on Beyond the Gates. We have lots of action for all your favorite couples in the DMV. People are celebrating in lots of different ways. We’ll say that Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) teams up with somebody unexpected to deal with a common enemy. This could be about the cancer, about Hayley, or that annoying reporter goading Dani about her age.
Anita is singing a romantic song for Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis). Remember, Anita wants to make the most of every holiday and every moment because she’s trying to be pragmatic about the fact that she may not come out the other side of this cancer battle. Hayley gets what she wants at last. Is it a vacation home? All of Bill Hamilton’s (Timon Kyle Durrett) attention? The chance to poison Bill again? Him being distracted from Dani? Probably a lot of those.
Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) has a special gift for Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning), but it doesn’t work out quite like he wants. In fact, it totally backfires on Martin. Joey lets Vanessa take the wheel. Looks like Joey says that Vanessa can be in total control of their Valentine’s Day date. I wonder if she’s going to show up with moving boxes. Vanessa is determined to move in with Joey, and at some point, I think she’s going to drag him down the aisle as long as she doesn’t find out Joey killed Doug.
Hayley Lawson’s Manipulation Unravels and Joey Investigates the Stolen Ring on BTG
Wednesday, February 18th is Season 2, Episode 33 of Beyond the Gates, and we’ve got Tomas “Tom” Navarro (Alex Alegria) asking some questions that upset Hayley. If you recall, Bill Hamilton chewed out Carolyn Navarro and Tomas because he was very upset that Hayley was doing work that’s usually done by a courier. But he’s off the mark about this because Tomas and Carolyn know that the folder was on the desk and the courier was already scheduled.
There was no reason for Hayley to take Lynette Wise (Domini Madison) file and decide to hand-deliver the documents. Hayley knows that’s not the practice at the office; she’s been a paralegal there long enough to know couriers handle this stuff. But Hayley may turn around and whine to Bill, saying that Tomas was grilling her while she’s not feeling well. Hayley is such a manipulative little monster.
Bill calls Joey looking for a favor. He tells Joey, “This is not for the Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) family. This is for me.” I suspect that Bill wants Joey to find this supposed mugger who viciously attacked Hayley and stole her engagement ring. I can’t wait to see if Joey figures it out and outs Hayley. Plus, Dani digs in and she wants to find out if Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix) is really over Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) and how Nicole feels about the two other men in her bed: Dr. Kyle Rollins (Greg Vaughn) and Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Robert Christopher Riley).

Undercover Missions and Anita’s Health Crisis at the Club
Thursday, February 19th is Season 2, Episode 34. Police Chief Elon Hawthorne (Malachi Malik) wants Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) to understand just how rough it is to go undercover. Jacob is griping at his dad, Elon, that he’s not asking to be praised, and then Elon asks, “So, what do you want?” Jacob fumes and says he wants some damned respect. This week, Jacob tells Naomi he’s got to move out and she may not hear from him for a while. This is all part of Jacob’s undercover work into the Impaler and the red market plasma ring targeting homeless people.
Hayley is surprised by Naomi. Maybe she’s being nice to her stepmother after the assault. Meanwhile, Lynette has a couple of confrontations. I wonder if Bill is going to chew Lynette a new one because he is on to her. Bill knows Lynette is a con woman and thinks she’s taking advantage of Hayley, which is ironic.
Anita is at the club with Vernon and awful Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) is there being nasty. Leslie ruins their lunch, and then Anita collapses. Anita Dupree almost falls over Leslie’s table, and that sets tongues wagging in Fairmont Crest.
Rumors Spread and a Dangerous Ultimatum for Hayley and Lynette on Beyond the Gates
Friday, February 20th is Season 2, Episode 35. Picking up with the Leslie incident at the club, Anastasia (Timeca M. Seretti) is running her mouth and spreading rumors. So, Anita is going to have to get out in front of it and may announce that yes, she has cancer.
Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) doesn’t want Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil) to give up her fellowship. Chelsea is worried about fallout if her future wife gives up this dream. In case you didn’t notice, Grayson Perez (Jordie Vilasuso) mom has Parkinson’s, and that is the area of research for Madison’s fellowship. We may get some storyline overlap there.
Nicole and Samantha Richardson (Najah Jackson) have a dilemma, and Vanessa has a suggestion. Finally, Joey is there to watch Hayley and Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) squirming in front of Bill. Randy tells Lynette this week that if he goes down, he’s going to take Lynette and Hayley down with him.
Entertainment
Sam Jackson’s R-Rated Reboot Of The Sexiest ‘70s Series Is Now Free To Stream
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Samuel L. Jackson was already a Hollywood legend when he was cast in the MCU, and his screen time as Nick Fury helped him gain even more fans around the world. Those movies also cemented Jackson as an actor most likely to appear in major blockbusters. Because of this, it’s easy for fans to overlook the smaller roles he had over the years, especially the ones that he played before he donned the iconic leather jacket and eyepatch.
However, long before he rocked that eyepatch, Samuel L. Jackson wore an Armani suit and revived a franchise that was almost too sexy for the ‘70s. In 2000, he starred in Shaft, a movie adaptation of the iconic blaxploitation series starring legendary performer Richard Roundtree. If you’re ready to see Jackson play a private dick who’s a sex machine with all the chicks, you’re in luck: Shaft is streaming for free on Tubi, and this grounded action thriller is perfect for those looking for an alternative to modern superhero slop.
The Ultimate Private Eye

The premise of Shaft is that the titular character is a police officer struggling to bring to justice a criminal who managed to escape years ago. When it looks like the justice system will fail to convict this man, Shaft resigns, becoming a detective who no longer has to play by the rules. That gives him the freedom to hunt the criminal by any means necessary, but thanks to the other man’s wealth and influence, he may very well put Shaft in the ground long before this disgruntled directive can put his target behind bars.
For a movie that most modern movie lovers have never even heard of, Shaft is stacked with big names, including Vanessa Williams (best known for Ugly Betty) as a detective eager to help Shaft out with his decidedly off-the-books investigation. The sneering villain of the film is played by Christian Bale (best known for The Dark Knight), who does a pitch-perfect job as the guy you love to hate. Other supporting characters in the film are played by Toni Collette, Jeffrey Wright, and Busta Rhymes, with original Shaft actor Richard Roundtree making a truly crowd-pleasing cameo.

The biggest star of Shaft, though, is Samuel L. Jackson, whose swagger and style help him portray one of the sexiest characters to ever grace the small screen. The original Shaft TV show was pure ‘70s bliss, and its titular character soon became famous as the ultimate embodiment of masculinity. It seemed impossible at the time that anybody could successfully fill the shoes of Richard Roundtree, and the fact that Jackson does so with such confidence and panache is a testament to his capabilities as the most intense leading man in Hollywood.
An Early Aughts Hit At The Box Office

Shaft proved to be a reliable hit once it landed in theaters, earning $107.2 million against a budget of only $46 million. While the film is hardly the biggest blockbuster Samuel L. Jackson ever headlined, its success helped establish his reputation as one of the most bankable stars in all of Hollywood. It took nearly two decades, but in 2019, this first film got a sequel featuring Jessie T. Usher as the son of Jackson’s Shaft; unfortunately, this movie proved to be a critical and commercial bomb.
When Shaft came out at the turn of the century, it impressed reviewers wanting a throwback to the meat-and-potatoes storytelling of the ‘70s. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a rating of 67 percent, with critics praising the film for its clever and consistently entertaining update of the ultimate blaxploitation TV show ever made. They particularly commended Samuel L. Jackson for his cool and charismatic performance in his most stylish movie since Pulp Fiction.
Growing up, I was a bit too young to be a fan of the Shaft TV show, and I knew the character only by his outsized reputation. Initially, I worried that this might hurt my ability to enjoy Shaft as a movie because the character had attained a kind of mythic reputation in my head. How, I wondered, could any modern performance live up to the legendary detective I had built up in my mind?
The Coolest Cat In Hollywood

Fortunately, my worries proved needless: not only did Samuel L. Jackson bring this character to perfect life, but the film as a whole was remarkably accessible to newcomers thanks to its straightforward plot and amazing performances. You don’t exactly have to be steeped in Shaft lore to understand that Christian Bale’s character is a scuzzball and Jackson’s titular detective is here to put the other man in his place. Other than that, all you have to do is sit back and soak in the rich world created by director John Singleton, the same man who helmed both Boyz n the Hood and 2 Fast 2 Furious.
When you’re ready for a spicy slice of nostalgia, you can stream Shaft for free on Tubi. Outside of Pulp Fiction, this is arguably the best showcase of Samuel L. Jackson’s talents before he decided to assemble the Avengers in the most successful cinematic universe ever created. If nothing else, Shaft is a fascinating reminder to movie lovers that long before Jackson fought Loki onscreen, he tangled with the scariest cinematic foe of them all: Batman!

Entertainment
I Have a Short Torso — These 17 Amazon Tops Truly Elongate
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Having a short torso means I have zero margin for error when it comes to my shirts and blouses. If a hem hits too low or fabric bunches at my waist, my proportions instantly look off and my legs somehow shrink in the process. Over time, I’ve learned which stylish tops flatter my body to create a longer, more balanced shape.
I stick to these 17 torso-lengthening styles that actually work with my proportions, instead of against them. From comfy V-neck ribbed knits to pleated chiffon blouses, each pick visually lifts the waist and creates a longer line. My favorites are proof that elongating tops don’t have to cost more — these styles start at just $8 on Amazon.
17 Amazon Tops That Truly Elongate My Short Torso
Easy, Everyday Finds
1. Our Favorite: This V-neck ribbed top instantly creates a longer silhouette, so it’s basically a torso cheat code. Bonus: The soft, stretchy knit feels like loungewear but looks totally polished.
2. Everyday Essential: Nothing balances proportions quite like a deep V-neck top that draws the eye downward. Add in the soft, relaxed fit and you’ve got an easy staple to wear on repeat.
3. Polished Pleats: A pleated-front top, like this top-rated pick, instantly looks more elevated than a basic tee. The smocked cuffs and lightweight fabric make it easy and wearable, too.
4. Vertical Detail: This ribbed-knit top subtly draws the eye up and down due to the visual lines throughout. Tuck this shirt into high-rise jeans for a more balanced look.
5. Frame Flatterer: Dressy V-neck tops subtly elongate your frame with a clean, open neckline. The lightweight material here falls beautifully without clinging.
Brunch-Wear Beauties
6. Our Favorite: Nothing balances proportions better than a flirty wrap top with a defined waist. Style it with straight-leg jeans and a sleek clutch for a chic brunch moment.
7. Dreamy Print: Open a few buttons on this floral button-up shirt to create length starting at the neckline. Crafted from 100% cotton, this top feels light and easy all day.
8. Weekend Bloom: The slight V-shape at the neckline gives this floral chiffon top a subtle elongating moment. Plus, the flowy fabric makes it perfect for warm-weather plans.
9. Color Crush: Make a statement with this vibrant floral blouse that’ll give you a longer and leaner appearance. Add in the flowy fabric, and watch it bring movement without adding bulk.
Office-Ready Picks
10. Our Favorite: Delicate front pleats add structure and visually streamline the silhouette of this dressy chiffon blouse. Breezy bell sleeves also keep it soft and romantic.
11. Polished Pink: This pink V-neck top brings personality to workwear while also lengthening proportions up top. We also like the lightweight fabric that layers beautifully under blazers.
12. Pleat Power: Front pleats on this long-sleeve blouse draw the eye downward for a slimming effect. The relaxed drape makes it comfortable enough for all-day wear.
13. Clever Contrasting: The bold vertical trim on this contrast-style blouse provides an instantly elongated look. Plus, the smooth, lightweight fabric also keeps the silhouette sleek and refined.
14. Made to Fit: This waist-defining top has a drawstring waist that lets you control how much definition you want. Cinch it slightly for subtle structure or tighter for a sharper silhouette.
Date Night Winners
15. Our Favorite: Slightly undone at the collar, this silky-like blouse adds vertical length up top. The glossy finish also brings a quiet sophistication.
16. Sheer Perfection: A sheer long-sleeve blouse with a defined vertical front keeps proportions looking long and lean. And the chevron-detail sleeves give it date night energy.
17. Wild Card: The V-cut on this leopard-print top subtly elongates your body. For an easy dinner look, style it with black trousers and strappy heels.
Entertainment
Gabrielle Union Praises Angel Reese For Her Impact On Sports
Angel Reese continues to make waves off the court, and some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are starting to pay attention. In a new interview, Gabrielle Union, star of the 2000s film “Bring It On” and wife of NBA champion Dwyane Wade, had only positive things to say about the LSU alum.
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Gabrielle Union And Angel Reese Are Working Together In This New Movie
Union recently opened up about Reese while promoting her most recent film, “GOAT,” in which the WNBA star plays a minor role. Considering the film, executive-produced by Stephen Curry, is about basketball, it only made sense for the iconic actress to talk about Reese’s role in the shifting climate of women’s sports.
For those unfamiliar, Wade is a minority investor and part-owner of the WNBA team, the Chicago Sky. Consequently, Union and Wade spend a portion of their summers courtside at Wintrust Arena to cheer Reese and the rest of her teammates on.
Even though the Chicago Sky’s most recent season was a struggle, ending with a 10-34 record, but fans still flocked to the arena for a chance to see Reese in person.
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Union Talks About Angel Reese’s Impact On Women’s Sports

“Going to Chicago Sky games, everyone is like ‘Angel Reese, Angel Reese’ and then after the game, you know she stays for a very long time and the line of kids waiting to see her who are just like overwhelmed at the sight of her, it’s boys and girls,” Union said in a clip shared online.
“There are boys that are holding her shoe. Like, I got the Angel Reese shoe. I want you to sign this jersey, and they are looking at her in awe,” she added.
Reese rolled out her first signature shoe with Reebok in the summer of 2025, officially naming them the “AR1s.” In a statement sent to The Blast, Reese said about her design: “… it’s my style, my story, and my stamp on the game.”
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Angel Reese Is Working With These Basketball Greats In A New Film
In addition to Union, Reese is teaming up with Golden State Warriors champion Curry and 4x WNBA MVP A’Ja Wilson in the sports animated feature film “GOAT.”
According to a previous report from The Blast, the film follows a small goat with big dreams who gets the chance of a lifetime to join a professional “roarball” team.
Reese plays the role of Propp, a polar bear roarball athlete, while Wilson plays the role of Kouyate, a savage American alligator.
“GOAT” marks Reese’s second feature film credit, following her spot in the Netflix movie “House of Dynamite.”
During an episode of her podcast, Reese told rapper Common that she wanted to begin taking acting more seriously.
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“I want to get an acting coach,” Reese said. “I was talking to Common — he’s overseas right now shooting season 2 of ‘Silo’ — and he was telling me, ‘You got to hire an acting coach.’”
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How Reese Has Made A Name For Herself Off Court

Movie roles aren’t the only thing Reese has added to her resume recently.
In October 2025, the Chicago Sky standout made her modeling debut on the runway, becoming the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
“I literally could not stop smiling!” Reese sabout the gig. “‘s such a surreal and full-circle moment — just last year I was in the audience manifesting being on that runway, completely inspired and in awe of all the powerful women walking down the runway, and now I get to return as an Angel. This will be an unforgettable night that I’ll forever be grateful for.”
Reese Made A Whopping $9.4 Million In 2025

Reese’s long list of partnerships and side projects clearly keeps the superstar athlete busy and highly profitable.
Another report from The Blast states that Reese secured the ultimate bag in 2025, earning $9.4 million and becoming the highest-paid Black woman in professional basketball.
Of that total, only $0.4 million came from her WNBA salary, backing up a previous statement that quickly blew up online.
“The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think it pays one of my bills,” she said in 2024.
“That check that I do get [from the WNBA] is a bonus,” she added. “Being able to play for what, four to five months, and get $75,000 on top of the other endorsements that I’m doing, I think it’s a plus for me.”
Entertainment
Sheriff Says All Family Members Cleared of Suspicion in Nancy Guthrie Case
Nancy Guthrie Investigation
Family Members Cleared in Case
Published
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has just confirmed all of Nancy Guthrie‘s family have been cleared as possible suspects in her disappearance.
Nanos released a statement Monday, saying, “To be clear … the Guthrie family — to include all sibling and spouses — has been cleared as possible suspects in this case. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.”
He continued … “To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel. The Guthrie family are victims plain and simple.”
This development comes as investigators are analyzing DNA from a glove found near Nancy’s home. The glove appears to match those worn by the alleged assailant shown on surveillance video from the day of Nancy’s abduction.
As we reported … today we received a 4th email from the man claiming to know who kidnapped Nancy. He once again demanded $50,000 in bitcoin up front in return for the information.
As you know, Nancy was last seen on Saturday night, January 31 … she was reported missing the next day after missing church.
Entertainment
California Congressman Eric Swalwell’s Secret Erotic Poetry Uncovered
Rep. Eric Swalwell
Fili-bust-ing With Passion …
Secret Erotica Revealed!!!
Published
Congressman Eric Swalwell was evidently a big fan of erotica in college … and now we’re getting a glimpse of some of what he wrote!
The Daily Mail uncovered a sexually graphic poem penned by the Democrat from California apparently written when he was 19 years old … and it is wild! Titled “Hungover From Burgundy,” the poem describes two lovers who meet at the top of a hotel for “formless and magnificent” sex.
What kind of sex is “formless and magnificent”? Well, in Swalwell’s vivid imagination it includes engorged vessels, a “flurry of limbs and nails” … and a little bit of blood. He’s apparently got a thing for biting!
One passage reads, “While I screamed / She bent her lips to mine till veins imploded and exploded … For bounded mouths cannot speak of parting.”
“In the morning, I awoke beside beauty’s shadow — her form sloppy and her legs pale,” reads another verse. “My scar lost, my lips cracked and dry. And we groaned simultaneously.”
Kinky!
Swalwell is running to replace Gavin Newsom as Governor of California … Swalwell’s campaign spokesperson laughed off the revelation of the florid poetry, telling us, “If you think Eric’s poetry at 19 was bad, you should see his diary when he was 12.” Swalwell is 45 years old, in case you were wondering.
TMZ.com
About 2 weeks ago, we caught up with Swalwell on Capitol Hill in D.C. He told us Republicans like to talk trash about Donald Trump in the gym … but now they may have some gossip on him as well!
Entertainment
Bold and the Beautiful 2-Week Spoilers Feb 16-27: Hope Stunned by Revelation & Ivy’s Behavior Escalates Dangerously
Bold and the Beautiful 2-week spoilers for February 16 -27, 2026 suggest Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) is shocked and Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer) gets even worse, if you can imagine that.
Bold and the Beautiful: The Race to Launch Logan Designs and Liam Spencer’s Big Secret
On Monday, February 16th, we’ve got Eric Forrester (John McCook), Katie Logan (Heather Tom), and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) pushing to make Logan’s debut fashion show happen as soon as possible before the big Eric Forrester’s secret gets out. But guess what? Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) is going to spill the beans later this week, although it won’t matter very much longer after that.
Bill is very concerned with launching Logan in a big way before anybody knows their big secret. And so he’s pushing Eric to complete all his designs for the launch. Not aggressively. I think he’s doing it in a positive way. Like, “Hey, let’s get this done. Let’s hustle it out.”
Bill’s focused on rubbing Ridge Forrester‘s (Thorsten Kaye) face in Logan’s success and in his dad, Eric, being there to work with them. Bill wants to humiliate Ridge because he thinks he did Katie and Eric both dirty by undervaluing them. In agreement with Bill, I think Eric also shares that opinion and he kind of wants to rub Ridge’s face in their success as well.
Eric Forrester’s Health Crisis and Donna Logan’s Growing Fear on B&B
Tuesday, February 17th, we’ve got Eric having an episode where he cannot breathe. It could be the stress of trying to get the work done. Maybe it’s Bill pushing and/or Eric hiding the secret from his family that he’s the lead designer of Logan.
All of that may cause some sort of heart issue in Eric and Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis) is alarmed when Eric starts having these breathing problems. And of course, Donna wants Eric’s to go to the hospital and to get some medical attention.
I am very certain that he is going to give Donna pushback, but by the end of the week, things are much worse and Eric may not have a choice but to take a ride in an ambulance. Unless, of course, he already knows what’s going on. There’s always that chance because Eric does like to keep things to himself that he shouldn’t.
Bold Spoilers: Liam Spencer Betrays Bill Spencer’s Trust as the Logan Designer Secret Explodes
Wednesday, February 18th, Liam goes ahead and ignores what Bill told him and decides to tell Hope that Eric is the one who is the secret designer heading up Logan and working with Katie. We expected the secret would start spilling out and that Liam’s wouldn’t keep it from Hope, but beyond that, it looks like a lot more people are going to find out this week.
Word is about to spread. The big question for me is if Hope is asking Liam what he knows and he doesn’t want to lie to her face, or if there’s something that has him spontaneously making this confession for some reason. Bill was quite adamant about it, but it’s not really fair to ask him to keep it from his wife on Bold and the Beautiful.
Hope is going to be shocked, of course, to hear that Eric is working with her aunt, Katie. Hope knows immediately this is going to be a huge problem and that Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Ridge are going to freak out. So now she’s in this same position with Liam and with Donna where they’re like, “Oh no, we’re sitting on a ticking time bomb.”
But then also on Wednesday, Bill and Katie Logan go ahead and they break the huge news to Ridge and Brooke that Eric is Logan’s lead designer. Obviously, something triggers them to do this. We’ll see what. And of course, Ridge and Brooke are going to lose it and be outraged. It’s going to be super soapy.
I’m excited to see this. This is not the way I was hoping to see this secret come out. I was hoping to see it at the fashion show, but maybe they’re trying to do a low-budget alternative to that. I still hope we get the Logan fashion show, but I don’t know. It feels to me like they’re getting ready to scrap this rivalry and this alternate company, but I hope not.
Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: A Devastating Confrontation: Eric Forrester and Ridge Forrester Clash at the Mansion
On Thursday, February 19th, Eric and Ridge have a huge confrontation that causes devastation for more than one family and could lead to catastrophic outcomes down the road. Over at the Forrester mansion, we’ve got Katie, Bill, Brooke, and Donna listening and watching as Ridge’s and Eric’s throw down.
After Katie and Bill drop the bombshell about Eric designing for them, predictably, Ridge loses it on everybody. Then Eric loses it and he yells at Ridge and says he can still design. Eric is accusing Ridge of trying to take this away from him.
Ridge is going to clap back on Eric and tell him to stop it. It’s enough. Ridge’s insists he already apologized for pushing Eric’s into retirement. But during the showdown with Ridge we’re going to see Eric’s start gasping for air. The breathing problems are back again and not going away. Bill is alarmed and rushes to help as Ridge’s is yelling for someone to call 911.
Eric Forrester Comes Clean While Will Spencer and Electra Forrester Face Relationship Tension on B&B
On Friday, February 20th, Eric comes completely clean to Brooke and Ridge. We’ll see if Eric’s is admitting exactly why he decided that he needed to go design this collection for Logan, or he may be telling Ridge’s and Brooke’s that he suspected that he was having health problems and just wanted to design as long as he could.
I’m expecting Ridge to dump a whole pile of “I told you so’s” on Eric Forrester, with Ridge saying he was right to force Eric to retire in the first place because of his health. But Ridge had no idea Eric was having any residual health issues, and Ridge went about it in all the wrong ways.
If Ridge had discussed it with his dad instead of springing a forced retirement on him, it might have gone over a lot better. Eric might have agreed to scale back or consult. Instead, Ridge aggravated Eric and laid the groundwork for everything we’re seeing happening right now.
Also, Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) and Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) are handling their relationship issues both together and separately. In the Forrester Creations showroom, Will is trying to talk to Electra and get her to drop this ultimatum about Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock). He tells her everything was fine with them and fine with the Dylan situation until Ivy came along and ruined everything.
Ivy Forrester’s Interference and the Return of RJ Forrester on Bold
Electra still hasn’t even heard Will’s side of things. Of course, Ms. Nosy, inappropriate herself, Ivy the bully, is eavesdropping on them because she’s a creeper-peeper stalker at this point. I don’t like the way they’re writing Ivy right now.
Electra asks Will to step into her shoes and imagine that the roles were reversed and whether Will would be comfortable with Electra having a guy living with her. I think that’s a fair point. This week, Will and Dylan are hugging again at the beach house. RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) is back this week and I expect him in scenes with Electra. Ivy might even start pushing Electra towards RJ.

February B&B Sweeps Spoilers: Will Logan Designs Overpower Forrester?
The week of February 23rd through the 27th is the last week of sweeps. It wraps up on Wednesday. Will may consider leaving Forrester and going over to Logan. I think it’ll be hard for him to work around Ivy Forrester. Plus, after her overhearing what Will’s says to Electra Forrester, I bet Ivy’s is going to be even harder on Will and making things more difficult.
Bill and Katie may encourage Will to leave the Forrester drama behind and come work with them. Dylan and Will get closer. We’ll see if he convinces Dylan to stay in his guest house. Or maybe Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) will convince Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) to offer Dylan an apartment.
Everybody’s on high alert about Eric’s health. Ridge stands his ground with Eric and word spreads that Eric is the mystery designer behind Katie’s new company, Logan Designs. Things get worse between Brooke and Katie after this reveal. Donna is terrified for Eric and still stuck in the middle of a tense situation.
Ivy Forrester Actress Confirms Real-Life Pregnancy
Katie may bring in Deke now that things have taken a turn at Logan. Electra is heartbroken and RJ may swoop in while Ivy is pressuring Electra to stand her ground. On a side note, I’ve been wondering for a while if Ashleigh Brewer is pregnant since they’ve had her in drapey stuff and holding stuff along.
I didn’t say anything because people get upset—you’re never supposed to ask if a woman is pregnant—but it is confirmed Ashleigh Brewer is pregnant. She looks about seven to eight months along. She’s got a big old baby belly that they are hiding.
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