By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 2 seconds ago

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was filled with plenty of scary monsters, but one was infinitely more frightening than any vampire: the Judge, an ancient demon who is reassembled by Spike to wreak absolute havoc in Sunnydale. Thanks to the show’s killer makeup team, the Judge looked even scarier than his centuries-old reputation, and he remains one of the most iconic monsters the series has ever known. That makeup was so good, in fact, that most Buffy fans never realized that the Judge was played by Brian Thompson, the actor who played the show’s forgotten main villain from its very first episode!

In the Buffy series premiere, “Welcome To the Hellmouth,” Thompson played a vampire character named Luke. He is a member of the Order of Aurelius and is over 150 years old by the time he first tangles with the Slayer and her Scooby Gang. He also served as the de facto main villain of this first episode because he served the Master, an ancient vampire who has been trapped beneath Sunnydale thanks to an ancient spell.

The Original Big Bad

Luke featured heavily in the Master’s plans to escape his magical prison: specifically, this younger vampire is designated as the Master’s vessel, and when he feeds on humans, it transfers power back to his demonic boss. Once he and his undead posse take over the Bronze, it originally seems like he will have no trouble feeding on enough of Sunnydale’s young residents to finally free the Master. But Buffy outwits Luke, distracting him by mentioning a non-existent sunrise before she stakes him through the heart, dusting the vamp and temporarily foiling the Master’s escape.

While Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff have brought multiple vampires back from the dead (including Angel and Darla), Luke was never resurrected, but he left a lasting impact on fans. After all, since the Master was trapped, Luke served as the de facto main villain in the first episode of what would become a major television phenomenon. Eventually, however, Luke returned in a different way, when actor Brian Thompson played the Judge in the episodes “Surprise” and “Innocence.”

Here Comes The Judge

Under all that makeup, it can be hard to tell that the Judge is played by the same actor who first menaced Buffy in “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” At the very least, this new character is a major upgrade over the old one. While Luke might have been a superpowered vampire, the Judge was an ancient demon whose body was hacked to pieces ages ago by a vengeful army; however, his body parts remained alive, and in the Season 2 episode “Surprise,” Spike reassembles this ancient monster to impress Drusilla, the vampire girlfriend who first transformed him into a creature of the night.

Additionally, the Judge has a much more memorable death than Brian Thompson’s earlier villain. As a vampire, Luke was killed by a simple stake, but the Judge boasts that he cannot be killed by any weapon forged by man. Reasoning that this was only true of old-timey weapons, Buffy utilizes an exceedingly modern solution and blows the Judge up with a rocket launcher!

Two Icons, One Actor

It’s a crowd-pleasing moment, one that would remain a highlight of the entire series. But both the life and the death of the Judge are that much cooler once you realize that he is played by the first major villain the Slayer ever had to tangle with. In this way, Brian Thompson left his mark on this iconic TV series by playing two of the coolest villains in Buffy the Vampire Slayer history! 

By Matthew Flynn
| Published 20 seconds ago

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.

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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.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 44 seconds ago

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!

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.

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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.

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