It’s hard not to be angry about Deli Boys getting cancelled after only two seasons. After all, Hulu’s crime comedy was genuinely one of the funniest shows on TV. But it was also doing something we don’t see enough of in 2026 — putting Pakistani-American characters at the center of the story and letting them get buckwild. Asif Ali’s Mir and Saagar Shaikh’s Raj could get away with being spoiled brats or complete “lafangas” (Urdu for scoundrels), while Poorna Jagannathan’s Lucky Auntie could stab someone with one hand and shoot someone with the other. Nobody needed to be the perfect Brown character carrying the weight of an entire community.

And that’s part of what creator Abdullah Saeed wanted. After news of the cancellation broke, Saeed took to Instagram to thank “every brown and Muslim and Pakistani and immigrant person who saw themselves in my show,” adding that he created these characters for them. But he also had a message for the people who might follow him: “To the next generation of browns, I hope I helped you see that you deserve the airwaves, no matter how hard you have to fight for your rightful place.”

That “rightful place” is what makes Deli Boys’ cancellation so frustrating. Deadline reports that ratings were behind Hulu’s decision, despite the show being a priority for Onyx Collective. And contrary to the easy assumption that the show was never prioritized for marketing, Deli Boys wasn’t simply dumped onto Hulu and forgotten. People worked pretty hard to help this show find an audience, so what happens when all of that still isn’t enough?

‘Deli Boys’ Is Likely a Victim of Streaming’s Viewership Clock

The numbers make it hard to argue that nobody tried to sell the show. According to marketing agency The Third Place, its influencer campaign for the series generated 8.87 million organic views and 881,000 interactions across social platforms. For the show’s first season, an event with Kolkata Chai Co. had 1,500 RSVPs and more than 900 attendees. Another campaign took branded food trucks to six cities, serving 1,800 orders and generating more than 200,000 social impressions. But the gap between those numbers and the show’s actual viewership underscores a bigger issue: getting millions of people to see something about a show isn’t the same as getting them to actually watch it.

Onyx also reportedly made a direct effort to bring more eyeballs to Season 2, alongside plenty of press, including daytime and late-night talk shows. Deadline reports the studio also pushed for a new series regular and supporting cast to attract viewers, with Fred Armisen joining, while Kumail Nanjiani, Andrew Rannells, Lilly Singh, Robin Thede, and Tan France were among the new additions. Clearly, there was an effort here, but it just didn’t translate into enough people watching. That makes Deli Boys a more complicated casualty of streaming than a show nobody bothered to promote.

Between all our favorite shows getting canceled across platforms from Apple TV to Netflix, we already know streaming puts a lot of weight on early performance. Hulu doesn’t explicitly spell out how it decides which shows get renewed or cancelled, but other streamers have been more open about those first few weeks. Netflix has previously said that it looks at viewership after the title’s first seven and 28 days. That doesn’t mean Hulu follows the same formula, but it gives us some idea of how quickly a streaming show can be judged.

That matters for a show like Deli Boys, which didn’t come with a huge built-in fandom or decades of IP behind it. Viewers needed to find it on their own, watch it, then tell their friends, and let that word of mouth spread. The problem is that streaming may not give every show enough time for that slow build to happen. Not every show is also built to become an overnight hit, and culturally specific shows may need more time to find audiences beyond the communities they depict. Whereas movies have an opening weekend with projected numbers, TV always needs time. Streaming has somehow managed to give viewers endless time to watch (or even produce) a show while giving the show itself very little time to prove they will.

When Shows Like ‘Deli Boys’ Disappear, There Isn’t Another One Waiting

This is not a problem unique to Deli Boys, as shows with predominantly white casts get cancelled after one or two seasons all the time. So without Hulu’s internal numbers, it’s unfair to argue that the two-season comedy was axed because it centered Brown people. But what we lose with its cancellation is far more nuanced. South Asian actors are thankfully much more visible on American TV than they once were, and far less likely to be reduced to stereotypes. Utkarsh Ambudkar leads CBS’ Ghosts, Avantika stars in Hulu’s Not Suitable for Work, and Simone Ashley stars in Netflix’s Bridgerton. But Deli Boys is still rare. Its creator was Pakistani-American, its three leads were South Asian, and that representation extended behind the camera. Brown characters weren’t just part of the world — they were the world.

There isn’t another show waiting on Hulu (or anywhere else on American TV) where Pakistani characters get to be this messy, funny, criminal, selfish, loving, and weird. Especially since Deli Boys never sanded down their South Asianness to make the characters easier for audiences to digest. Mir could pray to Allah in a grocery store, asking Him to bring his brother home and promising he’d be good — even tipping 20%, or qawwalis could be sung at a party without anyone pausing to explain them. The culture was never the plot, but it was always part of who these characters were.

Saeed previously said that when first pitching Deli Boys, it was passed over because another Muslim show was already in development. Apparently, that Muslim “slot” was filled, as he told the Trust Me, I Know What I’m Doing podcast, even though the two shows had little else in common. And that’s what makes losing a show like Deli Boys all the more heartbreaking because one cancellation for a show like this can take an entire kind of story with it. Nobody treats one show about white characters as filling the “white slot.” But when representation is scarce, identity itself can become the category.

And Deli Boys isn’t the first critically acclaimed culturally specific comedy cancelled before it had time to grow. Hulu’s This Fool, centered on a working-class Mexican-American family in Los Angeles, was cancelled after two seasons, while Peacock’s Rutherford Falls, a groundbreaking Native American comedy, also got only two. Their cancellations don’t prove culturally specific shows are being targeted. But they do show how quickly a distinct world can disappear when there aren’t 10 other shows like it waiting in the wings. A cancellation can make perfect sense on a spreadsheet and still leave American television poorer for it. Saeed is right that the next generation of Brown creators “deserve the airwaves,” and Deli Boys proved what that could look like. So maybe the next note for studios is simple: opening the door matters, but so does figuring out why audiences still aren’t making it through before it closes.

Deli Boys is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

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Deli Boys

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Release Date

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March 6, 2025

Network

Hulu

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Directors

Oz Rodriguez, Maureen Bharoocha, Fawzia Mirza, Jeremy Konner, Andrew Ahn, Nisha Ganatra, Ahmed Ibrahim, Jenni Konner

Writers

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Abdullah Saeed, Michelle Nader, Mehar Sethi, Ekaterina Vladimirova, Sudi Green

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Over the course of its long, long run, The Simpsons has seen a number of characters say goodbye to Springfield: Maude Flanders, Edna Krabappel, Bleeding Gums Murphy, Herb Powell, and most recently Larry the Barfly. For most, the characters no longer appear on the show because of an actor’s death (characters Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure were key supporting characters up until the death of their “voice,” Phil Hartman) or simply haven’t been brought back (like Danny Devito‘s character, Homer’s half-brother Herb Powell, who hasn’t appeared in years, apart from the Season 36 premiere, that brings him back).

One of the series’ longest-running characters, however, just seemed to slowly slip into the background after having been a main recurring character for the bulk of The Simpsons‘ run, and the last time he welcomed anyone to the Kwik-E-Mart was back in Season 29. We are, of course, talking about Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, and there’s a reason why he no longer appears as a speaking character.

‘The Simpsons’ Apu Became the Lone Representation of South Asians on American TV

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (hereon simply “Apu”) was originally conceived as a nameless convenience store clerk, simply called “CLERK,” and written Matt Reiss; in the margin of the script were the words “definitely not Indian,” looking to avoid such an obvious cliché. But The Simpsons‘ versatile voice actor Hank Azaria, asked by one of the producers if he would try an Indian accent, used a heavy, stereotypical South Asian accent during the table read, and it cracked the room up.

The voice stayed, and the world was introduced to Apu in the classic first-season episode “The Telltale Head.” He became one of the series’ most popular recurring characters, almost always behind the counter of the Kwik-E-Mart, dispensing Squishees and his popular catchphrase, “Thank you, come again.” He was the lead character in a few episodes as well, including “Homer and Apu,” which featured the Emmy-nominated song “Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart?” and was the character that provided the rationale for the appearance of Paul and Linda McCartney in the series-changing episode “Lisa the Vegetarian.”

But the popular public image of Apu was that of the convenience store clerk, purveyor of questionable food, and “Gigantic Asses” magazines, all with that heavy South Asian accent. Although The Simpsons writers and Azaria himself never meant for it to happen, that image became the predominant stereotype of South Asian people throughout America. Utkarsh Ambudkar explains it like this (per Entertainment Weekly):

“We just were underrepresented. We didn’t have any other representation in this country. That creates a problem when the most popular show on television is showing mainstream America what an Indian is.”

“The Problem With Apu” Creates Problems for Fox and ‘The Simpsons’

That depiction of Apu remained unchallenged for years, while the use of the name “Apu” and “Thank you, come again” grew into slurs used against the South Asian community. Then came 2017’s The Problem With Apu, a documentary by comedian Hari Kondabolu, that initiated a public discussion on how the character negatively impacted Indian Americans as a racial stereotype. Whether the documentary simply opened the eyes of the public to it, or if those who always had an issue with Apu were finally just given a voice, was secondary to the fact that the conversation grew to such a point it couldn’t be ignored.

The thing is, instead of recognizing that the winds of change were blowing and maintaining the status quo simply wasn’t going to work, The Simpsons arguably made what is the series’ most mind-numbing, tone-deaf, and cringe-worthy statement in defense of Apu, in a scene from “No Good Read Goes Unpunished” (as summarized by Entertainment Weekly):

The scene begins with Marge reading a bedtime story to Lisa that had been neutered with social justice buzzwords. “What am I supposed to do?” Marge asks when Lisa complains. “It’s hard to say,” says Lisa, breaking the fourth wall and looking directly at the camera. A photo of Apu on the nightstand helped make it very clear they were no longer talking about the fictional bedtime story. “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?” “Some things will be dealt with at a later date,” says Marge, also to the camera. “—If it all,” Lisa concludes.

The response was ripped to shreds across social media, and it was clear that The Simpsons severely underestimated the impact of Kondabolu’s insightful documentary.

‘The Simpsons’ and Hank Azaria Put Apu on Mute

Image via FOX

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The Simpsons’ response may have been tone-deaf and, quite frankly, stupid, but at least one member of the cast went public with his misgivings about the character: the voice of Apu himself, Hank Azaria. On an episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that aired shortly after, Azaria admitted that he would be willing to step aside from the role for no other reason than it being the right thing to do, and suggested that South Asian writers in the writers’ room should help direct the future of Apu.

So, when news came down in 2020 that Azaria and The Simpsons team agreed that he would stop voicing Apu altogether, it didn’t come as a surprise. Since then, Azaria has been very open about his remorse for having helped to “create a pretty marginalizing, dehumanizing stereotype,” citing the story of a Middle Eastern man being called Apu repeatedly while being attacked in his store as particularly eye-opening in showing the extent of the damage The Problem with Apu was addressing.

By then, Apu had already made his last notable speaking appearance in Season 29’s “The Serfsons,” which aired on October 1, 2017. But the question of whether putting Apu on mute is the right thing to do or not is a contentious issue in itself. For some, silencing Apu addresses nothing and removes a prominent character of color from TV that could still be of value in turning around the conversation in conjunction with the South Asian community.

The problem, though, is that it may simply be too late. The announcement in 2020 that white actors would no longer voice people of color on The Simpsons works for a character like Carl Carlsen, now voiced by Alex Désert, because his voice was never a caricature of African-American speech, whereas Apu’s was an exaggeration from the start, and an authentic South Asian voice would be at odds with the history of a character who has been defined in one way for decades. Right or wrong, Apu has effectively been cut from the show entirely, and it would seem that he has been shown the exit door of the Kwik-E-Mart, with the words, “Thank you, don’t come again,” following him out.

The Simpsons is streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.

Hayden Panettiere‘s death is reportedly under investigation amid reports of a 911 audio call mentioning an overdose. The 36-year-old actress died on Sunday, August 16, in Greenville, South Carolina.

RELATED: Wait, WHAT!? 17-Year-Old Faces Murder Charges After Reportedly Using ChatGPT Before Mother’s Brother’s Deaths (VIDEO)

Hayden Panettiere Found Unresponsive

The Greenville Police Department responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive female at an apartment in the Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Sunday.

The paramedics also responded and performed CPR. However, the ‘Hero’ actress was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Greenville Police Department, per NBC News.

“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” reads the statement. “The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.”

Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, also confirmed his daughter’s death with a statement.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” it reads.

Hayden Panettiere’s Death Investigation Found No Foul Play

The Greenville Police Department has not released an official cause of death. However, they noted that they found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances surrounding the actress’s death.

“The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” reads the statement. “An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”

Furthermore, Panettiere’s publicist, Kasey Kitchen, said that the ‘Nashville’ actress’s death was being investigated.

“There’s an investigation ongoing,” Kitchen noted. “We should know more tomorrow.”

Overdose Mentioned In Audio, But No Cause Of Death Released

The Greenville County Coroner has not released an official cause of death. However, an overdose was reportedly mentioned on 911 audio, according to WYFF 4 News.

The words “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” can be heard on the audio,

“Easley Bridge Road. Overdose,” says a voice on the audio. “CPR in progress.”

Panettiere had roles in soap operas like ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘One Life to Live’ as a child actress before nabbing roles in TV shows like ‘Ally McBeal’ and ‘Malcolm in the Middle.’ One of her latest roles was in the film ‘Scream 4,’ according to Page Six.

The actress went to rehab for 8 months in 2020 and was candid about her drug and alcohol addiction during a 2022 interview. The actress revealed that her issues began after she was given “happy pills” when she was just 15 on-set, per PEOPLE.

“My saving grace is that I couldn’t be messy while on set and working,” she recalled, adding that off-set was another story. “But things kept getting out of control. And as I got older, the drugs and alcohol became something I almost couldn’t live without.”

Panettiere leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with her ex, former pro boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

RELATED: OnlyFans Model Courtney Clenney Reportedly Gets Plea Deal After Stabbing Boyfriend Christian Obumseli To Death

Emma Roberts has paid tribute to her “Scream 4” co-star and close friend Hayden Panettiere following the actress’ sudden death at 36. Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16, and pronounced dead at the scene. Her official cause of death has not been disclosed, though authorities said the preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

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As Hollywood continues mourning the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, Roberts shared an intimate throwback photograph from their friendship alongside an emotional message. “Rest in peace, my sweet friend. You are so loved, and you will be forever missed [red heart emoji],” Roberts wrote.

Roberts selected a candid photograph capturing an affectionate moment between the two actresses. In the image, Panettiere sits in a wicker chair while wearing a bright pink dress with a square neckline and statement sleeves. Her hair is pulled back as she beams directly at the camera.

Roberts leans over from beside her and plants a kiss near Panettiere’s temple. The “American Horror Story” actress wears her hair in a sleek ponytail and appears dressed in a dark blue and black outfit.

The Actresses Starred Together In ‘Scream 4’

Roberts and Panettiere joined the “Scream” franchise together in its fourth installment, released in 2011. The film introduced a new group of Woodsboro characters alongside returning franchise stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.

Panettiere played horror movie expert Kirby Reed, while Roberts portrayed Jill Roberts, the cousin of Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. Both characters became central to the latest Ghostface killing spree, placing the young actresses at the center of the movie’s biggest twists and confrontations.

The project arrived during an important period in both of their careers. Panettiere had already found widespread fame through her role as Claire Bennet on “Heroes.” Roberts, meanwhile, was transitioning from younger projects into more mature film and television roles.

Kirby Reed Became A ‘Scream’ Fan Favorite

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Although Emma Roberts did not return to the franchise following “Scream 4,” Hayden Panettiere eventually reprised her role as Kirby Reed. Kirby stood out as a horror-obsessed Woodsboro teenager who could match the franchise’s resident movie experts with her knowledge of genre rules and slasher history.

In “Scream 4,” Kirby was attacked and left bleeding after being betrayed by Charlie Walker, one of the people behind the latest Ghostface murders. The film never explicitly showed her dying, leaving her fate unresolved and prompting years of speculation about whether she had survived.

The franchise quietly answered that question in 2022’s “Scream.” During one scene, a video thumbnail visible on a computer referenced an interview with “Woodsboro survivor Kirby Reed,” confirming that the character had lived through the attack.

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Panettiere then made her official onscreen return in 2023’s “Scream VI,” more than a decade after her original appearance. By that point, Kirby had transformed from a teenage horror fan into an FBI agent investigating Ghostface-related attacks. She traveled to New York City after another series of murders placed the surviving Woodsboro characters in danger.

Hayden Panettiere Remembered Bonding With Her Co-Stars

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Panettiere later reflected on the friendships she developed during production in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” The actress wrote that she “quickly bonded with most of the young people on set,” a group that included Roberts.

Panettiere remembered filming “Scream 4” as an especially joyful period in her career. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much or so hard as I did in those few months,” she wrote.

Hayden Panettiere’s Death Remains Under Investigation

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Panettiere was found unresponsive in Greenville on August 16 after an acquaintance contacted emergency services. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. Authorities said their preliminary investigation had not uncovered signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy also reportedly found no trauma that contributed to Panettiere’s passing.

Her official cause and manner of death remain undetermined.

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It’s been nine years since Ridley Scott’s last sci-fi movie, Alien: Covenant, and Collider is thrilled to celebrate the filmmaker’s return to the genre with The Dog Stars, starring Josh Brolin and Jacob Elordi. We’re proud to announce that we’re partnering with 20th Century Studios and IMAX to offer our readers in Los Angeles the opportunity to see an advanced screening of the film on the biggest screen before it’s officially released in theaters. After the movie, we invite you to stick around for an exclusive prerecorded Q&A conversation with Scott about the film.

If you’re in the L.A. area, or have the means to get there, don’t miss out on this early IMAX screening of The Dog Stars. Join us on Tuesday, August 25th. The screening will take place near LAX and will begin at 7:00 p.m. The prerecorded Q&A, moderated by our own Steve Weintraub, will take place after the movie. Read on for more information on how you can enter for your chance to win free tickets to this advanced screening.

How to Get ‘The Dog Stars’ IMAX Screening and Q&A Tickets

We guarantee this screening will fill up quickly, so don’t wait to claim your tickets! Join us for this advanced opportunity to see Scott’s new sci-fi movie on the biggest screen ahead of the crowds. For your chance to win free tickets to see The Dog Stars in IMAX early, plus our exclusive Q&A conversation with Scott, hit this link to provide us with your email address. This special fan screening and Q&A will go fast, so grab your seats before they’re gone. Be sure to let us know if you’d like to bring a guest with you, and RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot. All confirmed guests will receive an email confirmation. Please note that seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

What Is ‘The Dog Stars’ About?

The world as we know it has ended. Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars is a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice. Based on Peter Heller’s bestselling book, Elordi plays a young pilot named Hig who’s built a homestead alongside a military survivalist, Bangley (Brolin). Here, they secure themselves against a brutal existence, isolated from kill-or-be-killed survivors. When Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he sets out into the unknown in search of the hope of a future he believes still exists. In addition to Brolin and Elordi, The Dog Stars’ acclaimed cast also features Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, and Allison Janney.

Keep an eye out for an email from us. Only confirmed RSVP’s will gain admittance to the screening.

The Dog Stars debuts in theaters and IMAX on August 28. Check with Collider for more special event screenings.

Image via IMAX

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Release Date

August 28, 2026

Runtime

100 Minutes

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New York Yankees fans were shocked when ace pitcher CC Sabathia checked into rehab for alcohol addiction right before the 2015 MLB Postseason began.

Sabathia, 46, opened up to Us exclusively about his journey while in Iowa for Netflix’s exclusive broadcast of the 2026 Field of Dreams game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. He said that while he was putting together a career that eventually landed him in the Hall of Fame, Sabathia wasn’t addressing issues affecting him off the field.

“My dad passed away in December of 2003. My uncle passed away in April of 2004, and then my cousin passed away in June of 2004. I never dealt with those deaths and those three are the closest people to me in my life,” he said.

Sabathia continued, “When my parents split up, my uncle was the one that stepped in and took me everywhere. He was my coach. He took me to every football practice. His son was the one that passed away. So three huge deaths in my life that I never dealt with, never thought about, and had no problem out on the field. It was everything else after that, trying to deal with that. I guess it all kind of worked out, but it made for some tough years in between with the drinking and stuff.”

Related: Oscar De La Hoya on Coping With Alcohol Use, Depression: ‘It’s All Balance’

Launched in 2013, the harris project is a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of co-occurring disorders (COD) — the combination of mental health challenges and substance use issues. Us Weekly has partnered with the harris project to bring you The Missing Issue, a special edition focusing on the stories of celebrities who struggled […]

The result was years of alcohol slowly taking over his off-field life until a road trip to Baltimore at the end of the 2015 season. After a drinking binge in his hotel room that rolled into the next day, he came to the stunning realization that he was about to throw a bullpen session while drunk.

As Sabathia put it, the deaths he had refused to deal with in the early 2000s “fueled” him on the field, masking their effects. He became a known workhorse through his years with the Cleveland Indians and turned into a highly sought-after free agent that eventually landed with the Yankees on the biggest free agent contract for a starting pitcher in MLB history at the time.

But the money almost wasn’t enough to put Sabathia in pinstripes. The Yankees are the most popular baseball team in the world and he still hadn’t reckoned with losing his baseball mentor, his dad.

“That was the reason why it took me so long to end up signing there because my dad had passed away, and if I showed up in New York and failed? He wasn’t gonna be able to be there to tell me that it was okay,” Sabathia said. “So I think I was a little nervous about taking on that challenge.”

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Related: Breaking Down the Biggest MLB Scandals and Controversies Over the Years

The MLB has experienced its fair share of public scandals over the years, some of which involved more than one player — and in some cases, an entire team. After years of speculation, The Athletic published an exposé in November 2019, revealing that the Houston Astros had been stealing signs from opposing teams. This quickly […]

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Sabathia quickly learned that it would, in fact, work out. The Yankees won the World Series in 2009, his first season with the club, and he was named MVP of the American League Championship Series after a pair of dominant starts against the Los Angeles Angels.

He went on to pitch 11 seasons in New York and in September, the franchise will retire his No. 52. When it happens, Sabathia will be thinking of his dad.

“He’s the first person that always comes to my mind when I get these accomplishments because he made me believe that it was going to be true,” he said. “So, when I think about myself going into Monument Park or my number going up there, I think his face should be up there.”

Days of Our Lives new spoilers for the next two weeks starting August 17th stun with Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews) completely enraged by somebody in the family who lied right to his face. Plus, Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) gets a very tempting offer, but it might be from someone he despises.

Also, the two weeks of August 17th through the 28th, there’s Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowels) in labor with things going wrong as she starts to bleed out. Plus, Lexie has her last moments and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) plays a dangerous game as her bestie returns. Let’s start on Monday, August 17th’s episode of Days.

We’re going to pick up from Friday with Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Theo horrified to see Lexie in the room below the DiMera Mansion. And Abe and Theo are going to get Lexie moved ASAP over to Salem University Hospital. While they are there, they are going to get devastating news from Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) about Lexie’s prognosis. Her time is definitely almost up.

This week, we’ve got Abe and Theo creeping quietly into Lexie’s hospital room, and Theo saying, “Hey, mom.” And Lexie looks really bad. Meanwhile, also picking back up from Friday’s cliffhanger, Chanel goes into labor at the apartment. Lonnie, Paulina Price (Jackee Harry), and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) hurry to get Chanel over to the hospital as well.

And they get Ari and baby Aaron to watch little Trey. Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) is urging Gwen to cooperate with Jada up at the SPD cop shop. They need Gwen to testify against EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and may try threats, but Gwen’s more the kind of girl that responds to a carrot, not a stick.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Theo Rages

Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) finds out Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) sacrificed his freedom to save Gwen from Dimitri’s clutches and he’s impressed. Then on Tuesday, August 18th, Theo is laying into his cousin Johnny DiMera who knew Lexie was down in the tunnel room but didn’t tell Theo. So they’re up at the hospital and he’s ranting at Johnny asking, “What other heinous things have you been covering up?” Well, a lot actually. Arsenic, corosil, kidnapping, attempted murder.

JJ goes looking for his sister Gwen this week. And I’m wondering if JJ is going to ask Gwen to help take down EJ. Also this week, we have JJ talking to Theo up at the hospital. And I’m guessing JJ is there to offer comfort to his former bestie. Holly and Tate are playing Cupid for Aaron and Ari. We know Aaron already kissed Ariana. And things may spark soon with a little help from Tate and Holly, especially while Aaron and Ari are on babysitting duty with baby Trey. And of course, Aaron seems to be enjoying some time with his and Sophia’s baby. Foster makes a move on his date with Julie. And Foster kisses a stunned Julie.

Wednesday, August 19th on Days of Our Lives. Still in Alamania. Leo’s pushing back hard, telling Dimitri, “If you really love me, you’ll let me go.” But he’s shaking his head at Leo. In the end, though, Dimitri is going to let him go back to Salem. Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) tries one more time to convince Gabi to bankroll him $5 million for the high stakes poker game in Monte Carlo. Seems insane to think Philip could win $200 million gambling to save Titan. Also, Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) hears about an offer on the mansion. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s EJ, but maybe it’s Gabi. She can’t afford to bail out Titan and pay off the whole loan, but I’m sure that she could afford the mansion.

Kate comforts Philip over at the Kiriakis home and I’m sure that he’s distraught about them losing Victor’s place. Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah’s relationship takes a leap forward. Brady soon tells Sarah, “I love you.” And she says the same with a sweet kiss, but it’s not going to last. Marlena gets pulled into the chessboard mystery against her will.

Days of Our Lives: Gwen is Excited to see Leo

Then on Thursday, August 20th episode of Days of Our Lives, we’ve got Gus saying some things to Javi. I suspect Gus is going to snap over Javi’s concern for Leo. But the bottom line is they’re just not compatible. Theo cannot forgive Johnny. As far as Theo’s concerned, Johnny’s a liar, and Theo thinks that Johnny was going to let Lexie die alone in that Dement. So Theo may never want to see Johnny again. Too bad they’re family.

Gwen is thrilled to see Leo back in Salem. Question is, did Dimitri come along for the ride? Also, Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) is there for Joy when she gets scary news from Kayla, who tells Joy that worst case scenario is she’ll be paralyzed from this spinal stenosis. Alex hugs a devastated Joy and Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) is spying and sees it. And then we’re going to have her turning to Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) for comfort and maybe some advice. But if Stephanie lashes out about Alex hugging Joy, I expect Alex will call out Stephanie for being petty when Joy is facing a horrible fate.

Days of Our Lives: Lexie’s Final Hours and Chanel’s Labor Crisis

Then on Friday, August 21st on Days of Our Lives, we’ve got Jada confronting EJ with questions. So Jada may grill EJ about why Lexie was in his basement. Plus, Jada may have questions about Kristen DiMera’s (Stacy Haiduk) disappearance, things from Gwen’s letter, lots of things. Abe and Theo are really hoping Lexie’s time hasn’t run out, but sadly that is not the case. This week, Theo and Abe are at Lexie’s bedside. Abe’s holding her hand. Lexie has tears in her eyes. Abe’s hand is shaking. Her time’s almost gone.

Also, we should see that summer promo moment in Lexie’s hospital room where EJ comes in to check on his sister, and Abe explodes, yelling at EJ, “Get the hell out of here.” But Lexie may speak up and tell Abe and Theo that EJ was respecting her wishes. Chanel’s labor takes a frightening turn. Paulina, Lani, and Johnny are there this week as Kayla’s checking on Chanel. Then Johnny says she’s bleeding. Kayla tells Lonnie and Paulina they got to clear out and Chanel is terrified and tells Johnny they go on with labor and delivery. And then Kayla tells Chanel that we’re in the home stretch. She’s screaming in horrible pain. Johnny’s there holding her hand. We hear a baby cry at the end of the promo, but Chanel may be in trouble.

Lonnie and Eli sit outside pacing and waiting for an update. Lonnie talks to Eli about the baby they lost because of her child birth complications. Of course, Lonnie had a ruptured placenta years back. I think it was like seven years ago, maybe. It was really bad. So, this is obviously traumatic for Lonnie as she’s worried about her sister Chanel. Hopefully, Johnny will get to see Chanel make a full recovery and the healthy birth of little Quattro despite these complications. We’ll see several families experience the circle of life as Lexie passes away just as Chanel’s baby is born. It’s going to be a bittersweet day in Salem.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: It’s Baby Time

Then the week of August 24th through the 28th, we got Chanel and Johnny’s baby born, but may have got to be in NICU since the kid’s a few weeks early, but just three. So, it’s not a terribly early birth, but there are complications. Abe and Theo lean on each other in their grief. Losing Lexie for a second time is more than devastating. Abe is likely to remain furious with EJ, even if Lexie tries to smooth things over before she dies. I’m interested to see if Theo quits his job at DiMera to get away from EJ and Johnny or if Theo collapsed back at them and kicks out Johnny.

Stephanie and Alex face a rougher road now that Joy’s got this tragic prognosis. If Stephanie’s not sympathetic, I think Alex will be annoyed with her, but this may have Joy rethinking her stance on Stephanie so that Alex isn’t stuck single parenting if Joy is paralyzed or doesn’t survive this. Leo and Javi reunite soon because he realizes it is Leo who’s his soulmate and that he’s still in love with him and not Gus.

Dimitri may not stop chasing Leo, though, and Gwen may need witness protection if she cooperates with the FBI and SPD because EJ will want revenge against his former co-conspirator. So, Gwen may wind up with a tropical island permanent vacation of her own very soon. And of course, Dimitri would think it’s karma. We may see Belle and Chad packing off to Italy soon and we’ll find out if Philip got the money to gamble on the high stakes poker game and how that went or if somebody else is going to bail out Xander, Philip, and Titan.

It’s a new dawn for X-Men. 63 years into the franchise, spanning everything from its first comic book to the latest X-Men ’97, the series is entering a new generation with its upcoming 2028 X-Men film. It will be the first major X-Men movie since the third installment of the original 20th Century Fox series, 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand. Since then, multiple X-Men-adjacent movies have been released, with some, like X-Men: Apocalypse, receiving a lukewarm reception, while others, such as Logan, were widely celebrated.

This time around, the franchise is going back to square one with a fresh cast of actors taking on some of the most iconic X-Men characters, alongside a surprising villain. From an actor best known for a popular Netflix romance series to a Broadway actress making her film debut, here is every X-Men actor announced at D23 2026.

Kit Connor as Scott Summers/Cyclops

Image via Netflix

Scott Summers/Cyclops (Kit Connor) is the no-nonsense leader of the X-Men. Best known for his optic blasts, he’s instantly recognizable by his trademark ruby-quartz glasses. He neither has the strongest physique nor the most powerful abilities on the team, but he’s the go-to guy for strategy. However, his constant need to make plans and ensure that both their missions and the school run smoothly stems from a traumatic past that left him needing a certain degree of control over his life.

Connor got his start in television as a child actor and even had the opportunity to play a teenage Elton John in Rocketman. However, the actor truly had his breakthrough as the level-headed and equally reliable pillar of support for Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) in Heartstopper. On the action front, he’s also dabbled in an ensemble team setting with his fellow comrades in Warfare, giving him an all-around edge that mirrors Summers.

Sadie Sink as Jean Grey/Phoenix

Jean Grey/Phoenix (Sadie Sink) is the more emotional counterpart to the stiff Summers, with her feelings deeply intertwined with her telepathic and telekinetic abilities. In X-Men lore, her powers are often a source of conflict because they’re connected to the cosmic, godlike Phoenix Force, which can emerge when Grey loses control and unleashes enough power to potentially destroy the universe. Yet, despite her tremendous abilities, Grey is the first to ground the team when necessary—always willing to listen, understand, and calm others down.

Sink is no stranger to playing empathetic characters, with her most famous role being Max Mayfield in Stranger Things. Like Max, Grey tends to keep her emotions bottled up, but under pressure, she breaks down those walls to protect her friends. Sink has also delivered intense performances as Ellie in The Whale, portraying her complicated feelings toward her estranged father, and in Taylor Swift‘s “All Too Well: The Short Film,” further showcasing her versatility.

Samara Weaving as Emma Frost/White Queen

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Emma Frost/White Queen (Samara Weaving) is the team’s resident baddie, keeping the X-Men in check with her sharp tongue and even sharper attitude. Historically, Frost wasn’t originally part of the team. Born into a wealthy but abusive family, she left home after discovering her telepathic abilities and later joined the Hellfire Club, where she also developed her signature diamond form. Initially an antagonist, Frost ultimately joined the X-Men and became the team’s brutally honest anti-heroine.

Weaving has appeared in plenty of projects, gaining traction with her sweet-but-deadly role as a murderous nanny in The Babysitter. However, she truly made Grace Le Domas her own in Ready or Not, battling her murderous in-laws through a series of intense action sequences and stunts. Although her appearance as Constance Moore in Babylon is brief, Weaving shows off her ability to deliver a blunt, snappy attitude, which bodes well for her portrayal of Frost’s icy personality.

Inde Navarrette as Anne Marie/Rogue

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Anne Marie/Rogue (Inde Navarrette) has powers that rival Grey’s in intensity. Through skin-to-skin contact, she can absorb memories, personality traits, and physical abilities, making her powers dangerous not only to others but also to herself. Without proper training, everything she absorbs can become overwhelming, which makes intimacy difficult for her. She’s afraid that the closer someone gets, the more likely she is to hurt them, whether she means to or not.

Navarrette made her television debut in 2020 with Season 4 of 13 Reasons Why before landing a starring role as Sarah Cortez in Superman & Lois. Her most recent breakthrough came with the horror film Obsession, where she played Nikki Freeman, a physically and emotionally demanding role that required her to portray both intense violence and the trauma of being possessed against her will. That experience could translate well to Rogue, whose powers often leave her feeling similarly powerless over herself.

Maya Boyd as Ororo Munroe/Storm

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Ororo Munroe/Storm (Maya Boyd) is the authoritative voice of the X-Men. While Summers still struggles with self-doubt as a leader, Storm commands respect naturally, balancing confidence with enough compassion to listen to her team’s concerns. But cross her, and she’ll make her temper known. Much like her weather manipulation, her leadership requires precision and control; she knows when to assert herself and when to let others speak.

Unlike the rest of the announced cast, X-Men will mark Boyd’s transition from Broadway to the screen. It’s a significant challenge, especially with only three theatrical credits, including & Juliet. However, Storm’s commanding voice has long been one of her defining traits, popularized by Alison Sealy-Smith in the original animated series. Coincidentally, Sealy-Smith also has a Shakespearean theater background, making Boyd’s musical theater training and Broadway experience a promising fit for the role.

Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier/Professor X

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Charles Xavier/Professor X (Christopher Abbott) is the all-wise, calm leader of the Xavier Institute, which has long housed and trained mutants to reach their potential while teaching them to use their abilities ethically. As the founder of the X-Men, Charles has always advocated for peace. Despite governments and rebellious mutants constantly clashing over who should dominate the world, Charles believes in human-mutant coexistence, where both sides can understand and benefit from one another.

Abbott might be best known for his role in the coming-of-age Girls, where he played the gentle and earnest Charlie Dattolo. However, he also explored complex emotions in James White, where his character struggles with bottled-up feelings in private, much like Charles. As a leader, Charles carries enormous responsibility, and Abbott’s role as John Yossarian in Catch-22 offers another fitting reference point, portraying an unconventional hero who doesn’t budge his moral compass and refuses to blindly accept authority.

Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury/Mister Sinister

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Nathaniel Milbury/Mister Sinister (Adam Driver) is obsessed with creating the “perfect” mutant. Originally a 19th-century British scientist, Milbury’s research combines evolution with eugenics, leading him down an increasingly disturbing path. He develops a particular interest in the Summers and Grey bloodlines, explaining his fixation on these two mutants. In between being an intelligent and ruthless scientist, Milbury has also genetically modified himself, allowing him to manipulate his own DNA and alter his abilities as he sees fit.

Driver’s casting announcement was easily one of the biggest surprises at D23, but his cold and calculating demeanor makes him a surprisingly fitting choice. After all, Driver is no stranger to playing intimidating characters, having portrayed Kylo Ren in Star Wars, whose mere presence can make audiences uneasy. For Milbury’s intellectual arrogance, however, Marriage Story offers another strong reference point, with Driver’s character often convinced that his perspective is fundamentally correct.

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X-Men

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Release Date

May 5, 2028

Director

Jake Schreier

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Writers

Joanna Calo, Lee Sung Jin, Michael Lesslie

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  Inde Navarrette

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  Rogue / Anna Marie

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  Kit Connor

  Scott Summers / Cyclops

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  Samara Weaving

  Emma Frost

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