There are loads of classic Western TV shows that have remained favorites for fans of the genre to this day, but no old-school series is cooler than Wanted Dead or Alive. Long before Taylor Sheridan helped turn the modern Western into one of television’s biggest genres again with shows like Yellowstone, Steve McQueen was already playing the kind of morally complicated, effortlessly cool cowboy audiences still gravitate toward today.

Yeah, Bonanza is great, and people definitely love Gunsmoke, but how do you get better than 94 episodes of McQueen taking in outlaws, helping out his fellow man, and just being a total badass? This series dropped the typical sentimental feel that so many Western shows come with, abandoned the idea of goodhearted, never-to-do-wrong cowboys, and gave us Josh Randall, a cold-hearted bounty hunter. This series does have its nice moments here and there, but by and large, Wanted Dead or Alive is a killer show with just about the coolest cowboy that the Western genre would know for quite some time.

If you’re tired of the same old hokey Western shows that have been around for decades now, then maybe it’s time you shook up your viewing habits and found a different program that isn’t always so nice. Maybe it’s time you fired up Wanted Dead or Alive! This series ran from 1958-1961 for only three seasons, but during that time period, it managed to chalk up 94 episodes (a time when seasons for every TV show were much larger). The show starred Steve McQueen in his first big role, made him the king of cool, and is the vehicle that he used to break into eventually becoming a movie star.

More than six decades later, Josh Randall’s hard-edged antihero still feels surprisingly modern, especially in an era where television Westerns have once again embraced complicated cowboys who don’t fit neatly into ideas of good and bad. If movies like Bullitt and The Great Escape are your jam, but you’ve never seen Wanted Dead or Alive, then it’s time to rethink your life as a McQueen fan and get going with the biggest body of work in his career — this show rocks!

‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ Is the Coolest Classic Western TV Show

Image via CBS

Steve McQueen leads Wanted Dead or Alive as Josh Randall, a veteran and bounty hunter who hunts both those who are truly “wanted dead or alive.” Yeah, shocker, but that’s what makes him so cool! That and the quiet, unsuspecting way he carries himself. Randall might be young, but he’s already seen enough stuff to be a bit of a grizzled drifter. Everywhere he goes, Randall remains a man of few words. He outlaws in without much thought — a job is a job. He’ll have words with folks occasionally, will sometimes start making friendships, and in episodes like “Journey for Josh,” he’ll even come close to having a relationship. If a natural parting of ways doesn’t distance Randall from others, then something tragic will come along and send him back on his lonesome. Wanted Dead or Alive isn’t the most action-packed Western TV show ever, but it is the coolest, and that entirely leans on McQueen’s performance.

That being said, Randall also intervenes with people’s personal conflicts, tries to help random down-and-out folks that he comes across, and does what he can to improve the lives of people around him in general. His often conflicting nature jumping between his easygoing, helpful personality and his emotionally distant, tough guy moments, makes him one of the most interesting protagonists in any Western TV show at the time. Not only that, the variety of missions that he takes on gives Wanted a lot more variety than most other programs that were airing in the late 50s and early 60s.

Most of the time, this show does make good on the promise that its title lays out. Viewers can typically expect episodes to follow Josh Randall as he’s looking for outlaws and gunslingers who are wanted dead or alive, with Randall either handcuffing these guys and taking them in or pumping them full of lead with his “Mare’s Leg,” his short-barrel Winchester rifle. He’s a seasoned cowboy who doesn’t like it when people get too close to him, but he also has a soft side. Randall doesn’t always go where the action is; there are actually moments where he just wants to be a helping hand. You can find some episodes following Randall as he goes to help dysfunctional families settle their problems, helps someone kick their alcoholism and find a better life, and even takes on an eight-cent assignment from a young boy — to bring in Santa Claus. Now that’s a tall order. Yes, Dead or Alive is the perfect show for folks looking to break out of the trappings of other Western shows from this period, but you still have to get a little sweet sometimes.

We Have ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ to Thank for Giving Us Steve McQueen

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Wanted Dead or Alive came at a time when Western TV shows were all the rage. Everywhere you looked, you were sure to run into a Wagon Train or a Cheyenne, maybe even catch some Rawhide! That being said, no flooded marketplace could have ever kept Steve McQueen from breaking out into being one of the biggest movie stars of his time. McQueen’s performance as Josh Randall immediately caught the attention of the world around him, making the series a total hit. His antihero demeanor proved to make this show’s lead character popular, but it was a performance style that McQueen would continue to carry and eventually perfect in the coming years. While Wanted Dead or Alive was a huge deal for McQueen’s career, by no means was it the biggest moment in his stacked filmography.

Once the actor saw super-massive acclaim after appearing in The Magnificent Seven, it seemed as though his time in TV land was officially up. McQueen would return for another season after filming his first major movie, with the show even making changes to Josh Randall’s costume that made him look more like his Magnificent character. Once the third season finished airing, McQueen already had several movies lined up, including The Honeymoon Machine and Hell Is for Heroes. Once The Great Escape premiered, it was game over for small-screen producers. McQueen was a movie star.

Loads of Western TV shows have a hold on modern audiences still, but too many of those classics from the ’50s and ’60s feel the same. If you find yourself in this predicament, then Wanted Dead or Alive will be your ticket out. Even though it’ll often feel like a hard-as-nails bounty hunter procedural, dig through enough episodes, and you’ll find that Randall’s not as morally ambiguous as he originally seems. Still, McQueen will forever be unmatched, living on as the king of cool for the rest of movie history, and leaving his mark on the Western genre with Wanted Dead or Alive — the coolest classic Western TV show ever.

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Wanted: Dead or Alive

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Release Date

1958 – 1961-00-00

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Directors

Thomas Carr, George Blair, Harry Harris, Richard Donner, R.G. Springsteen, Arthur Hilton, Don McDougall, Frank McDonald

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Writers

Don Brinkley, Fred Freiberger, Samuel A. Peeples, Charles Beaumont, Frank D. Gilroy, Tom Gries, Robert Leslie Bellem

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  Steve McQueen

  Josh Randall

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  Kenneth Tobey

  Vince Slater

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  Richard Arlen

  Damon Ring, Sr.

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Meghan Markle quit acting ahead of her 2018 royal wedding to Prince Harry and before the pair relocated to the United States. Now that the couple are preparing to return to England, is an acting comeback in Meghan’s future?

After securing a handful of TV and film roles, Meghan notably starred as paralegal-turned-attorney Rachel Zane for seven seasons of USA Network’s Suits from 2011 to 2017. She left ahead of the final season before she married Harry the following year.

“I don’t see it as giving anything up. I just see it as a change. It’s a new chapter,” Meghan told the BBC in November 2017 about her decision to walk away from Hollywood. “Also, keep in mind, I’ve been working on [Suits] for seven years. We were very, very fortunate to have that sort of longevity on a series.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ultimately stepped down from their official duties as senior working royals in 2020 in favor of a private life with their two children, relocating from England to California. News broke six years later in August 2026 that Harry and Meghan would return to the U.K. in time for kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to start school that fall semester.

Related: Meghan Markle Signs With Talent Agency WME: Will She Return to Acting?

Next chapter! Meghan Markle is making professional moves following her and Prince Harry‘s step back from the royal spotlight. “We are honored to announce that WME now represents Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex in all areas,” read a tweet shared via the talent agency’s account on Thursday, April 27, alongside a photo of the 41-year-old […]

Amid Harry and Meghan’s move, Us learned that the former actress was in early talks to star in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentleman. Meghan also had a bit part in Close Personal Friends, which was filmed in 2025.

Keep scrolling to read Meghan’s candid comments about walking away from acting — and whether she would consider returning to Hollywood:

Ready for a Change

While speaking with the BBC in November 2017, Meghan felt ready to leave Suits behind.

“I’ve ticked this box, and I feel very proud of the work I’ve done there, and now it’s time to work with [Harry] as a team,” she told the outlet. “I think what’s been really exciting as we talk about the transition out of my career and into my role is the causes that are really important to me that I can focus even more energy on.”

She’s ‘Done’

Meghan claimed to Variety in 2022 that she didn’t see herself acting again.

“I’m done,” she said. “I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.”

Years later, Meghan launched her short-lived “Archetypes” and “Confessions of a Female Founder” podcasts. She also appeared as herself on Netflix’s With Love, Meghan, which ran for two seasons and highlighted the duchess’ love of DIY projects, cooking and gardening.

Would Meghan Markle Let Her Kids Follow in Her Acting Footsteps?

The As Ever founder supported the idea when speaking with Variety in 2022.

“I would say, ‘Great!’ When you become a parent, you genuinely want your kids to find the things that bring them complete joy,” Meghan said. “They’re our kids, obviously, and they’re part of a legacy and a tradition and a family that will have other expectations. I want them to be able to carve out their own path. If it’s the entertainment industry, great, and also, good luck. There are so many people that will talk about what opened the door for my children, but it still takes talent and a lot of grit. We’re creating multidimensional, interesting, kind, creative people. That’s who our kids are.”

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Speaking on Camera as Herself Felt Different

Two years after Harry and Meghan’s royal step-down, they sat down with director Liz Garbus for an eponymous Netflix docuseries.

“It’s nice to be able to trust someone with our story — a seasoned director whose work I’ve long admired — even if it means it may not be the way we would have told it,” Meghan told Variety in 2022. “That’s not why we’re telling it. We’re trusting our story to someone else, and that means it will go through their lens.”

She added at the time, “For me, having worked on Suits, it’s so amazing to be around so much creative energy and to see how people work together and share their own points of view. That’s been really fun.”

Rose McGowan issued a firm warning about future child actors in light of Hayden Panettiere’s sudden and tragic death at 36.

“Rest in Power,” McGowan, 52, wrote in an Instagram upload on Friday, August 21. “Don’t put kids in show business. None of this is normal. May her spirit be free of those who orchestrated.”

McGowan and Panettiere had both worked as child actors before maintaining theirHollywood stardom as adults. Panettiere died on August 19 at the age of 36 — just the latest young Hollywood actress who died after navigating a notoriously troubling industry.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the late star’s father, Skip Panettiere, told Us in a statement shared via a rep, announcing his daughter’s death. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Related: Hayden Panettiere’s ‘Nashville’ Costars and More Pay Tribute After Her Death

Hollywood is mourning the tragic loss of Hayden Panettiere at age 36. The Heroes and Nashville alum’s representative confirmed to Us on Sunday, August 16, that the actress had died. Details surrounding Panettiere’s death were not immediately available. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Panettiere’s father, […]

In addition to her father, Hayden is survived by her estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, and her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom the Nashville alum shared with ex Wladimir Klitschko. (Hayden’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at the age of 28 after an undiagnosed heart condition.)

Hayden’s death subsequently sparked a conversation about childhood stardom among the likes of actors McGowan, Anna Paquin and Melissa Gilbert.

Related: Alexa PenaVega Reflects on Child Stardom After Hayden Panettiere’s Death

Alexa PenaVega is reflecting on childhood fame after Hayden Panettiere’s death. “Hayden, Michelle [Trachtenberg], Daveigh [Chase] … my heart is heavy today,” PenaVega, 37, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 17. “These aren’t just names from my childhood. They’re girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard. We […]

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“It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specially pre-sexualized female ‘child stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,” Paquin, 44, wrote via Instagram on Friday. “We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be. It’s a strange, small club we belong to and you are worthy of support no matter how our industry made us feel.”

The She’s All That actress added, “I believe you, and I will stand by your side. You aren’t alone. Let’s have each other’s backs. It might make public discourse less terrifying.”

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Gilbert, 62, reshared Paquin’s statement on her page, thanking the X-Men star for speaking out, writing, “Someone has to say something. Someone has to change this. Someone has to help.”

Gilbert, who rose to fame on the original Little House on the Prairie, further noted in a Substack essay that Panettiere’s death, along with the losses of fellow child stars Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase earlier this year, personally affected her.

“We are all members of the same tribe [of] Female Former Child Performers, and when one of us dies, it runs through all of us like an electrical current,” Gilbert noted in her essay. “When three of us die so close together, something is very, very wrong.”

Hayden Panettiere‘s estranged mother is speaking out about how the late actress allegedly treated the physical and emotional pain she was in prior to her shocking death.

“She was in pain,” Lesley Vogel told The New York Times in an article published on Sunday, August 23, recalling time she says she spent with Panettiere in Los Angeles one year ago. “She was afraid. She couldn’t physically function properly.”

Vogel claimed she took Panettiere to various doctors and tried massage and acupuncture treatments in an effort to treat the “pins in needles” feeling she had in her lower extremities, which made it difficult to work. The cause of Panettiere’s symptoms was unclear. The actress, however, wondered if it was connected to injuries she faced on various film sets as a child.

Fitness expert Marnie Alton began working with Panettiere in 2024 and told the outlet that the actress was working hard, both physically and mentally.

“She was a badass,” Alton told the outlet. “She was really smart. She kept fighting for her body because she felt like, ‘If I can get my strength back, I can get myself back.’”

News broke earlier this month that Panettiere died at age 36 in South Carolina. She is survived by Vogel, dad Skip Panettiere and her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she welcomed with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

While Hayden’s cause of death has not been confirmed, an autopsy has shown “no signs of trauma” that contributed to her passing. A local police report claimed that Hayden’s on-again, off-again ex Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were present at the scene where she died.

“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Hickerson’s attorney Sloan Ellis told Us in a statement on Thursday, August 20. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

One day later, Hickerson claimed to TMZ that he and his brother tried to save Hayden’s life.

“When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious,” he alleged on Friday, August 21. “I immediately called 911, and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point, we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.”

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Vogel, however, refuted the claims and told the Daily Mail on Saturday that she believes Brian is “culpable” for her daughter’s death.

Vogel further shed light on her daughter’s dynamic with Hickerson in The New York Times interview on Sunday, alleging that he had once pawned “some of” Hayden’s belongings, including a vintage guitar, prior to her death. Vogel also claimed that Hayden was “shocked” to find her possessions in Hickerson’s storage unit.

A second person, who spoke to The New York Times anonymously, confirmed that Hickerson had sold a handful of Hayden’s belongings. Us previously reached out to Hickerson for comment regarding claims he pawned her property.

Olivia Culpo is taking a moment to reflect on her body’s changes amid her second pregnancy.

“Growing bigger by the day and more proud of my body than ever,” Culpo, 34, wrote via her Instagram Story on Sunday, August 23. “I’m in awe of its ability to carry and grow these little humans so close together! So incredibly grateful.”

Alongside the message, Culpo snapped a mirror selfie featuring the model in a two-piece brown set with a plunging neckline. Culpo gave a soft smile for the camera as she placed a hand on her growing stomach.

Culpo and her husband, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, welcomed their first child, daughter Colette, in 2025. After giving birth, Culpo reflected on how motherhood had changed her sense of style.

Related: Olivia Culpo Cradles Baby Bump Amid Pregnancy With Baby No. 2

Olivia Culpo celebrated her 34th birthday with her growing family by her side. “This birthday!!!” Culpo wrote via Instagram Stories on Friday, May 8, sharing a maternity photo. In the snapshot, the model wore a bump-hugging floral sundress with cap sleeves. Culpo and her husband, Christian McCaffrey, announced earlier on Friday that they are expecting […]

“When you’re a mom, you really do have to find ways to streamline your life,” Culpo exclusively told Us in December 2025. “You don’t have enough time to go through piles and piles of clothes, and you don’t want to — you want to spend time with your baby.”

She continued, “I find myself reaching for the same things — having more uniforms, if you will. It’s been a really great way to just simplify getting dressed. As a new mom, I definitely like to take the guesswork out of what to wear.”

Culpo announced in May that she and McCaffrey are expecting their second baby. In the Instagram reveal, Culpo gave McCaffrey a kiss as Colette sat in her lap beside a sonogram photo.

“Best birthday gift,” Culpo captioned the upload. “Baby #2 coming soon.”

While updating fans on her pregnancy in July, Culpo revealed that this time “feels different” yet somewhat similar to when she was expecting her daughter.

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“I think I’m having a boy, [and] I think it’s going to look exactly like my brother, Gus [Culpo],” she speculated in the video. “I’ve actually been so emotional lately. Christian’s leaving for the season, [which] is so sad. Everything feels overwhelming.”

Olivia went on to explain that she plans to have a C-section again, explaining that a vaginal birth after cesarean “wasn’t an option.” (Doctors typically recommend waiting at least 18 to 24 months before attempting a VBAC after a C-section due to risk of uterine rupture.)

“I scheduled it on a day Christian has a slightly easier [day], basically it’s not an off-day for him,” Olivia said. “He’ll be able to come just for the birth and then, aside from that, he’ll have to go back. So, it’s going to be different than my first birth. I will be without my husband. I’m grateful for my village and large security detail team.”

Kim Zolciak‘s son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr. made headlines after he was arrested on felony charges of aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual assault.

The alleged incident occurred at Lifetime Fitness on April 23. The minor female victim, who Us has chosen not to identify, reported an aggravated sexual battery and aggravated sodomy and was taken to the hospital. The alleged victim underwent a test and the results found no evidence of male DNA in her mouth or vagina, according to a police report obtained by Us.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star shares KJ with estranged husband Kroy Biermann. The pair, who tied the knot in 2011, welcomed son Kash and twins Kaia and Kane in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Biermann also adopted Zolciak’s two eldest daughters, Ariana and Brielle, from a previous relationship. The exes filed for divorce in 2023.

Scroll down for more details on what we know about the arrest:

When Was KJ Biermann Jr. Arrested?

KJ was arrested in Alpharetta, Georgia, on August 17, according to court records obtained by Us. A judge did not set bond, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 8. He is currently being held at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center.

What Has Kim Zolciak Said About KJ Biermann Jr.’s Arrest?

Zolciak spoke out about the arrest in a statement to Us on Friday, August 21.

“The allegations being made against my son are nothing short of reckless and deeply troubling. He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged,” Zolciak said. “My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed. Additionally, an examination was conducted, and no DNA belonging to my son was found.”

She continued, “False accusations can have devastating consequences not only for the person being accused, but also for genuine survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Every legitimate allegation deserves to be taken seriously and investigated based on the facts and evidence. At the same time, no one should be publicly condemned based solely on an accusation.”

Zolciak added, “We remain confident that the facts and evidence will establish the truth, and we ask that people allow the proper process to take its course rather than spreading unproven allegations.”

What Has KJ Biermann Jr.’s Attorney Said About the Arrest?

Jason Sheffield, the attorney representing KJ, defended his client in a statement to Us. “First and foremost, this is not the kind of information that should be for public dissemination. These are juveniles,” KJ’s attorney told Us in a statement on Friday, August 21. “Secondly, my client is 100 percent innocent and tried to present evidence to the arresting officer, including a passed polygraph by a notable and respected sex offender polygrapher.”

Sheffield continued, “Additionally, the officer’s report notes the GBI [Georgia Bureau of Investigation] found no male DNA on or inside the areas the alleged victim claimed she was assaulted. Had the officer sat down with me, I feel certain she would’ve never made an arrest.”

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Sheffield alleged that “these false allegations are a desperate cry for attention and are motivated by my client’s past rejection of the alleged victim’s unwanted advances.”

“The fact that he’s been arrested and is being held without bond is a tragedy. He is not only presumed innocent but is, in fact, innocent,” Sheffield told Us. “I will work tirelessly to demonstrate to the District Attorney’s office the mean-spirited nature of these false allegations and to bring a close to this matter as quickly as possible. I’m asking the public not to presume the truth of these allegations and to give the families on both sides their space and privacy.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, is marking what would have been her late husband’s 48th birthday.

“Happy birthday, baby,” Vanessa, 44, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 23, along with a throwback picture of the former couple. “I love you so much.”

In the throwback photo, Vanessa could be seen sitting on her late husband’s lap as the pair lounged outside in an outdoor chair. Kobe wore a blue t-shirt with black pants and flip flops, while Vanessa was barely visible under her husband’s once-towering 6’6’’ frame.

She added her late husband’s birthdate alongside a red heart and praying hands emojis in the short-but-sweet caption.

Related: Vanessa Bryant Addresses Viral Rumors She’s Pregnant and Getting Remarried

Vanessa Bryant is addressing viral speculation that she’s currently pregnant and plans to walk down the wedding aisle. “Can you guys decide already…..am I pregnant for the 100th time or am I getting remarried???,” Bryant, 43, posted via her Instagram Story on Sunday, May 3.  Bryant was responding to a viral post on X that […]

Several Hollywood celebrities and A-list sports stars showed their love and support in the comments section, including Kris Jenner, Candace Parker, Kimora Lee Simmons, David Beckham and Gabrielle Union.

The famous Los Angeles Laker tragically died in a helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people on January 26, 2020. (Vanessa and Kobe, who married in April 2001, also shared Natalia, Bianka and Capri.)

The basketball star was 41.

Vanessa has found ways to continue to honor her late husband and daughter while simultaneously — and frequently — shutting down pregnancy and dating rumors as fans continue to speculate she has moved on since the crash. (The family renamed and expanded the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation to include “Mambacita,” an ode to Gianna. The nonprofit organization aims to create a positive and empowering environment via sports for underserved youth and female athletes.)

“Can you guys decide alread…. Am I pregnant for the 100th time or am I getting remaried???” Vanessa shared via her Instagram Story on May 3, denouncing another round of online rumors — this time claiming she was planning to remarry after inheriting 5 percent of her husband’s wealth.

In June 2025, she once again denounced rumors she was pregnant, sharing a selfie featuring the mom giving the camera the bird.

Related: Vanessa Bryant Seemingly Addresses Pregnancy Rumors With Rihanna Meme

Vanessa Bryant has seemingly shut down online speculation regarding an unfounded pregnancy. Vanessa, 43, took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, June 1, to share a captioned meme of Rihanna bobbing about in water with a snorkel mask atop her forehead, carrying a drink and flipping her middle finger. The caption read, “Me protecting my […]

“Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer,” she captioned the photo at the time.

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Back in May, Vanessa shared a touching tribute to her late daughter on what would have been the little girl’s 20th birthday.

“Happy birthday to my sweet baby angel, Gianna,” she wrote on May 1 via Instagram. “Words can’t express how much I love and miss you mamacita. Mommy loves you so much!”

Followers flocked to the comments section to share their support for Vanessa on her daughter’s heavenly birthday, including LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, La La Anthony and Gianna’s older sister Natalia.

Miniseries get to do something a regular ongoing show usually can’t. They pack it all for you so nicely and tightly right according to your attention span. You get one complete story, from start to finish, without worrying about renewal or stretching things out for another season. That constraint ends up being a huge advantage.

A few of these shows are based on real events, which raises the stakes in a different way, since the writers don’t get to invent a happy ending just because the audience wants one. Let’s have a look at the six miniseries that earned their short runtime instead of wasting it.

6

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Image via HBO

Naz (Riz Ahmed) plays a college kid who has one bad night, ends up charged with murder, and in the end, the prison he got stuck in has changed him into someone almost unrecognizable. Now the viewers do not know whether or not he actually committed the crime. HBO takes its time with every procedural detail, autopsy reports, jury selection, evidence chains, and none of it feels like padding.

John Stone (John Turturro), the defense lawyer, deals with a genuinely brutal case of eczema on his feet that he can’t stop scratching through the whole show, a small detail that makes him feel more human than most TV lawyers ever get to be. James Gandolfini was originally supposed to play that role before he passed away, which delayed the whole production for years.

5

‘When They See Us’ (2019)

Image via Netflix

Ava DuVernay tells the real story of five teenage boys coerced into false confessions for a crime they didn’t commit, the Central Park Five case, and she doesn’t rush a single interrogation scene, letting the pressure and manipulation play out in real time until it’s almost unbearable to watch. Korey Wise (Jharrel Jerome) gets played at every age, from teenager to grown man, by the same actor, who won an Emmy doing it.

All five men were eventually exonerated by actual DNA evidence and a confession from the real attacker, over a decade after they’d already served time. The show doesn’t let anyone off easy either, including a real newspaper ad calling for their execution that gets dramatized almost exactly as it was printed.

4

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Image via HBO

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks spent something like 125 million dollars making this, an enormous number for television at the time, and every dollar shows up on screen in the battle sequences, especially the freezing siege at Bastogne. Major Richard Winters (Damian Lewis) leads Easy Company through some of the worst fighting of World War II.

Each episode opens with real interviews from actual surviving veterans of Easy Company, though their names get withheld until the very last episode so you don’t accidentally find out who makes it home early. That choice alone tells you how seriously this show treated the real men behind the story.

3

‘Unbelievable’ (2019)

Image via Netflix

Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever) plays a teenage rape survivor who reports her assault, gets disbelieved by police, and ends up charged with lying about it, based on an actual Pulitzer-winning news investigation. Years later, detectives Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) catch the actual serial rapist and the truth finally comes out.

This one show is so hard to sit through because of the acting, the storyline and every single thing involved. The disbelief looks so ordinary, without any dramatic villain cop twirling a mustache, just tired, careless people failing a teenage girl one small decision at a time. The real Marie Adler eventually got an apology and a settlement, years after the show’s timeline ends, which barely feels like enough after everything that happens first.

2

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Image via HBO

Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) is a real scientist who helped contain the 1986 nuclear disaster and later exposed the Soviet lies covering it up before taking his own life. Craig Mazin built full-scale replica sets for this show and got the technical details of a nuclear meltdown accurate enough that actual nuclear engineers have praised how careful it is.

This became the highest-rated show on IMDb for a while after release, and it genuinely sparked a wave of tourism to the real Chernobyl site, for better or worse. The sound design alone, that low radiation hum sitting under almost every scene, does as much work building dread as anything in the actual script.

1

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) is an orphaned chess prodigy fighting addiction while climbing to the top of a game that barely had any room for women at the time, and real grandmasters Garry Kasparov and Bruce Pandolfini designed every single chess match in the show to be accurate down to the actual moves.

This became one of the most-watched limited series Netflix had ever released, and it caused a real, measurable spike in chess set sales and new sign-ups on chess apps worldwide, an actual board game boom caused by a TV show. Taylor-Joy learned real chess notation for the role, and it shows in how convincingly she moves through a game most actors would just be pretending to understand.

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The Queen’s Gambit

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Release Date

2020 – 2020-00-00

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Showrunner

Scott Frank

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Directors

Scott Frank

Writers

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Scott Frank

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At the beginning of every season, we like to take inventory of the clothes we wear often and the ones collecting dust. While most people focus on everyday styles, you’d be remiss to sleep on your work wardrobe. After all, these are the pieces you wear to boardroom meetings, client lunches and beyond. If your go-tos are looking a little outdated, let Us introduce you to button-up blouses, a style that’s so versatile, they might work as hard as you do.

Button-up blouses are the functional, feminine version of a button-down shirt. They feature soft details, flattering silhouettes and pretty accents that are appropriate for the office and post-9-to-5 drinks. There are plenty of options online, but some of our favorites are from Quince, Gap, Amazon and Abercrombie & Fitch, starting as low as $17.

17 Stylish Button-Up Blouses for Work and Beyond

1. Our Favorite: Your classic button-up shirt just got a major upgrade! Designed with a corset-style waist and peplum hem, this striped blouse flatters your body the moment you slip it on.

2. Designer-Looking: The ruffle cuffs, stand collar and loose silhouette make this summer-to-fall top look like something designer. It only has four front buttons, however, we like that the design makes it easier to tuck the hem into trousers and jeans.

3. Rich Mom: We can see everyone from rich moms to CEOs wearing this buttoned blouse. The rich brown color, elbow-length sleeves and gold-hue buttons feel so classy, you’ll wear it to work, fancy functions and charity events.

4. Soft Statement: Babydoll dresses were everywhere this summer, and this quarter-sleeve top lets you take the style into fall. The semi-long sleeves and soft fabric are ideal for the transitional season, and we just adore the little ruffle trim.

5. Expensive-Looking: Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you that a satin blouse gives off high-end vibes. The combination of the shiny finish and collared neckline gives boss babe energy. The best part is you can dress it up with pencil skirts and down with jeans!

Related: Wear-Everywhere Jean Skirts Are the Cool Denim Trend You‘ll See All Fall

It’s not quite fall as yet, but our sights can’t stop gravitating toward autumnal styles . . . and apparently, cool fashion girls aren’t resisting either. The latest trend we’re seeing on NYC streets? Long jean skirts. They’re already everywhere with ‘It’ girls and A-listers like Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lopez all stunning […]

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6. Low-Key Genius: If you look too fast, you’ll miss the buttons hiding on this puff-sleeve blouse. In fact, the buttons are actually hidden under the fabric paneling, which provides a secure fit with a seamless appearance.

7. Slimming Staple: Feel polished and confident when you throw on this tie-front shirt from Grace Karin. The A-line silhouette comes from the fabric belt that cinches at the waist before flowing over the tummy.

8. Anything But Basic: A traditional button-up shirt can feel a bit stiff, so finding a fashion-forward option like this is like scoring gold. The boxy shape still feels feminine due to the oversized puff sleeves, and the coffee hue is very trendy for fall.

9. Instant Upgrade: It’s okay to be obsessed with a work staple, especially when it looks as good as this sleek shirt. The oversized top has interesting flared sleeves, side slits and a high-low hem that takes things up a few notches.

10. Boho Babe: Free People pieces may not be considered workwear attire, but this button-up top easily transitions from work to play. The functional button-loop front lets you make it as conservative or flirty as you’d like.

11. CEO Vibes: Walk into a room like you run the place while wearing this Nordstrom shirt. It’s business up top and party on the bottom, thanks to the wrap design that naturally slims the waist.

12. Sale Alert: Madewell is a favorite among Us Weekly editors and celebrities, so we’re thrilled this button-up shirt is 60% off right now. What makes this poplin top stand out is the drawstring hem, which cinches at your smallest point for an hourglass look.

13. Everyday Ease: Casual Fridays call for something a little more playful, like this pintuck blouse from Abercrombie. The lacey scalloped trim and puff sleeves are cute on their own, but the plaid print is set to be huge for fall. You can thank the patternmaxxing trend for that!

14. Polished Pick: Okay, so this Abercrombie find is technically a vest, but it’s 2026, and we’re all about wearing vests as tops now! In addition to the buttoned front, this pick has a V-neckline and a sleek peplum hem that feels professional yet flattering.

15. Quite the Charmer: Quince is one of our favorite retailers for workwear, and we’re scooping up this versatile short-sleeve blouse ASAP. Not only does it have all the makings of a work-appropriate top, but the Peter Pan collar, ruffle hems and vertical stitching give it tons of personality, too.

16. Year-Round Staple: An Oxford shirt is a classic that belongs in every closet, and this organic cotton find is one to consider. We really like the oversized fit and ultra-soft feel, which lets you wear it as a swim cover-up on beach days and as a work top on Monday.

17. Top Seller: Curious what other people are eyeing? Then check out this poplin shirt from Gap, which is currently on sale now. Unlike the others on our list, this one has a more fitted silhouette that pairs well with baggy culottes or barrel pants.

Related: Flattering Wrap Shirts Are the Latest, Upscale-Looking Office Trend

We love a loose blouse like the next gal, but we’ve actually started to notice cool ‘It’ girls reaching for a single top style that’s a little more elevated, chic and flattering: the wrap shirt. Similar to a wrap dress, the top style also has a relaxed appearance that simultaneously hugs the body in a […]

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

It’s not your imagination – poncho tops are making a comeback in a very big way. The poncho tops you might remember from the early 2000s were embellished and a bit bulky, but today’s version is more sleek and minimalist. These poncho tops are more sheer for a layered moment, with a lightweight design and stylish fit that give them a chic, cool girl vibe.

They’re also surprisingly versatile. Sheer, lightweight poncho tops make for an easy and stylish swimsuit cover-up, but they also look very put-together and elegant when layered over a tank with fitted jeans and a pair of heels. Meanwhile, knit options feel cozy enough to throw on over your outfit on a chilly day. Shop our favorites below, which start at just $14.

15 Expensive-Looking and Surprisingly Versatile Poncho Picks

1. Our Favorite: For chillier days, this asymmetrical poncho top is going to act as a go-to layer. It’s super soft and stretchy, and the slightly heavier knit material will keep you cozy but not overly warm.

2. Runner-Up: This sheer knit poncho top is so on-trend, with an asymmetrical design and loose fit. It’s both stylish and breathable, so it’s perfect for hot, end-of-summer days.

3. Under $15: Slightly shimmery and totally sheer, this knit poncho top is fun and stylish. The fabric gives off just a little bit of a sparkly shine that makes it feel more fun and elegant at the same time.

4. Beach Day Ready: This crochet poncho top makes for the perfect unexpected swimsuit cover-up. It shows off your bathing suit underneath and is lightweight enough to even be comfortable under the sun.

5. Cozy Knit: With its cape-like fit and cable knit design, this sweater poncho definitely feels like a throwback (in a good way). It’s perfect for staying cozy on chilly fall days. Bonus: it’s on sale right now, so don’t miss out.

Related: ’70s Summer Fashion Is So Back, and These Boho-Chic Pieces Are Proof

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6. Light and Airy: While this cotton poncho top was made with nursing mothers in mind, it’s cute and stylish enough to be worn by anyone. We love that this one runs longer than others for less of a cropped look.

7. For A Night Out: With a sheer look, cropped fit and glittery embellishments, this beaded poncho looks more dressed up than casual. It’s also elegant enough to be paired over a dress as a nice layer for a night out.

8. Western Vibe: You can really throw it back to the early 2000s with this fringe poncho, which has a little bit of a Western vibe and a cozy, sweater-like feel. It’s still breathable and works so well with jeans.

9. Cool and Collected: This semi-sheer poncho top looks so pretty layered over a cami or tank top, with an asymmetrical design and loose fit. It’s the definition of cool mom style and looks chic without even trying.

10. Comfy Fit: If you want more of a traditional shirt feel but still love the look of a poncho, try this off-the-shoulder top. It has actual sleeves that are so billowy it makes the whole top look like a poncho – just a little more functional.

11. Crochet and Cute: This crochet poncho will quickly become a fall wardrobe staple. It has pretty scalloped edges and a knit design that makes it work for chilly days.

12. Pop Star Sparkle: Covered in glittering sequins, this sheer poncho top is sparkly and fun. It’s giving mermaid vibes but also looks like something Hilary Duff would have worn in the early 2000s… and we mean that in the best way possible.

13. Rich Mom Look: The open knit style and relaxed fit of this knit poncho is so effortlessly chic, especially when paired with straight-leg jeans. Wear it over a tank or tee and you’ve got the perfect outfit for fall.

14. Super Soft: This white poncho top is so soft and lightweight that you’ll want to wear it every day. It’s also an easy basic you can do much with – and the off-white color makes it even more versatile.

15. Floral Moment: The oversized flower graphic on this knit poncho makes it feel so much fun and even gives it a little bit of a ‘70s vibe. We also love this funky lime green color that is so cute for the end of the summer.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

Related: 17 Blouses for Women Over 50 to Make Transitional Dressing Effortless

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