Entertainment
Andy Cohen Says No To ‘Dancing With The Stars’
Andy Cohen has a firm answer for anyone hoping to see him compete on “Dancing With the Stars.”
The 58-year-old’s reasoning goes back years, as he has made peace with staying off the dance floor for good.
Andy Cohen has built an empire around “The Real Housewives” franchise for two decades. That success has made him one of the most recognizable names in reality television.
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Cohen revealed his views in an interview about his career and Bravo’s future. Much of the conversation centered on where the network plans to find its next batch of cast members on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” He pointed to cities like Nashville and Chicago as places already explored multiple times.
He also addressed the recent casting of Tracy Tutor, who is joining “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Cohen said the move had been “a very long time coming” for the Los Angeles real estate star. Tutor had spent years appearing on “Watch What Happens Live” promoting her own show.
Cohen also touched on Rosie O’Donnell’s possible return to talk show television. He spoke about her with clear enthusiasm, hinting she could be a good fit for Bravo down the line. The Bravo executive also remains closely involved with the franchise, making his position different from that of the celebrities who enter reality competitions.
He shared with Variety that his work requires him to guide conversations, reunions, and casting rather than learn choreography or survive elimination rounds. That distinction helps explain why he can embrace reality television while refusing to become its contestant.
Cohen’s Answer To Fans Seeing Him In The Ballroom
Dancing wasn’t the only reality format Cohen addressed during the conversation. He was also asked directly about “The Traitors,” a show he’s hosted reunions for in the past. His answer made clear he has no plans to ever compete on it either.
As shown in a shared excerpt from the interview, producers have never actually approached him about joining that cast. Even if they did, he said hosting the reunion afterward would be nearly impossible to pull off. He added that he’d likely become an early target, especially given his own history producing competition shows.
The conversation then turned to “Dancing With the Stars,” which he confirmed he was once asked to join years ago. I can’t dance on TV. No one wants to see that,” Cohen explained. He said people posted clips of him dancing at Dead shows and made fun of him on TikTok. Cohen summed up his position, saying, “Let me dance in peace.”
John Stamos Shares Andy Cohen’s Views About ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Cohen isn’t alone in turning down “Dancing With the Stars” over the years. Actor John Stamos has faced the same request from producers for years. His reasoning, though, comes from a very different place.
The Blast reported that Stamos revealed he’s asked to join “every single season,” but always declines. He said the show’s appeal comes from watching contestants struggle and risk injury. “What makes that show good is people suffering and looking like fools,” he explained on a recent podcast.
Stamos even told producers directly to stop asking him altogether. He said he has no interest in the physical toll the competition often takes on its cast. Like Cohen, he’s made his stance on the show clear for years now.
Other Stars Who Have Drawn Their Own Ballroom Boundaries
Cohen and Stamos are far from the only names who’ve turned down the ballroom. Several other celebrities have made their refusals just as public in recent years. Their reasons range from live-TV nerves to simply avoiding reality television.
Tish Cyrus admitted on the “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast that the live format leaves her too nervous to compete, even though daughter Brandi thinks she’d be great. US Magazine shared that her ex-husband, Billy Ray Cyrus, actually did the show in season four, placing fifth with pro partner Karina Smirnoff.
In 2025, Kevin Jonas also turned it down despite being asked nearly every season; he said he has no plans to join. Caitlyn Jenner reportedly declined too, with cohost Alfonso Ribeiro, who showed no interest too, calling her an actor rather than a dancer.
Kylie Kelce has been just as blunt, telling the “Conversations With Cam” podcast she doesn’t want “anything reality,” “DWTS” included. Each name adds to a growing list of stars who’d rather watch from home than join in.
Inside Andy Cohen’s Interesting Love Life
Away from casting talk and reality show offers, Cohen’s love life has drawn attention lately. He’s currently dating Sobieski, whom he met at a July 4th party last year. He claimed it was love at first sight.
Sobieski is 16 years younger than Cohen and has never watched a single episode of “The Real Housewives.” Cohen joked his algorithm is now “feeding him Housewives-related things,” slowly pulling him into the Bravo universe anyway. “He loves my kids and me, and that’s what’s important,” Cohen said.
After over a year since they met, he soft-launched their relationship by posting a picture of them on his Instagram page. He said the Bravo franchise has no clue about his relationship, and he would love to keep it that way. He also revealed that he took his time before introducing Sobieski to his children, as shared by The Blast.
Andy Cohen seems perfectly happy to let someone else compete on “Dancing With The Stars.”
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The film industry and fans alike received a massive punch to the gut with the news of Tim Curry‘s passing at the age of 80. Curry has such a massive and outstanding filmography, picking a favorite performance of his is comparable to going to a restaurant that exclusively serves all your favorite foods (weird business model) and asking what you want to eat. While his breakout performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show is his most iconic role and one that many rush to when speaking to his greatness (and for good reason), he had no shortage of fantastic performances to boast of, including Darkness in Legend, and Pennywise in the IT miniseries.
The real ones will also remember him for playing scene-stealing characters like Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys, Maestro Forte in Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, the voice of Lemony Snicket in the video game A Series of Unfortunate Events—there’s literally too many to mention, and we’re dealing with a maximum word count here! The most important thing to remember is that while people bemoan Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Curry’s turn as Mr. Hector has always been and will always be the reason we watch it every year.
However, while speaking with authority on his greatest film performance is an arduous task—Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers!—the one that always comes to mind is his funniest and possibly most physically demanding role: Wadsworth in Clue. Not only is this one of Curry’s most acclaimed roles and a great comedic performance; it’s also one of his few widely-recognized roles where he isn’t a villain or an antagonistic obstacle, regardless of what one of the alternate endings would have you believe. Miss Scarlett (Lesley Ann Warren) did it and everyone knows it.
“I Buttle, Sir.”
Clue follows a group of strangers who…am I kidding, you know what the movie is about. Based on the popular board game by Hasbro, the whodunnit features a flawless ensemble cast, which includes Christopher Lloyd, Madeline Kahn, Colleen Camp, Michael McKean, Eileen Brennan, and Martin Mull as the famous suspects trying to figure out who killed Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving). While everyone seems like they were born to play their respective characters, Mr. Curry shines brightest as Wadsworth.
Not only does he have the most to do of any character, dialogue-wise, with multiple scenes that revolve around him just divulging information (more on that later); his comedic timing and delivery is what makes the character memorable. It helps that he has a sharp and clever script to work with (penned by the film’s director, Jonathan Lynn), but Curry plays his role with total sincerity, almost as if he doesn’t know he’s being funny, or just doesn’t care, which fits with the film’s His Girl Friday-esque dialogue and sense of humor. Even his facial expressions are hilarious: one especially noteworthy moment comes from the look on his face after clarifying, “I think she meant he threatened, in public, to kill her.“
Tim Curry Steals the Show
While this article could easily devolve into a rundown of every funny Tim Curry moment in the film, à la “The Chris Farley Show”—hey, remember that part when he says, “So your work has not changed”—possibly the greatest showcase of Curry’s skills as an actor comes in the film’s the third act. Specifically, during his famous 15-minute-long speech, as he identifies the killer by describing all the events of the entire film. In theory, this climax should grind the film to a complete halt. But instead, it’s an energetic set piece and fits perfectly with the tone of the rest of the movie, all thanks to Curry’s incredible, lively performance. It’s even more impressive when you realize he had to learn three different versions to go along with each of the film’s possible endings. In an interview with Empire in 2023, Curry recalled, “It was exhausting…. Actually, when we finished that sequence, I had to go to the company nurse. My blood pressure was through the roof!”
Tim Curry will go down in film history as one of the most prolific and beloved actors of all time. He continuously gave memorable performances and elevated projects by simply being on the screen. He’s the reason why people still remember Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3, and it’s not because they’re video game fans. You could say any performance of his is his best, and still be right. He’s one of the best performers to ever grace the silver screen and brought prestige to the term “character actor.” If you want to watch one of his all-time great performances, but don’t possess a hard copy, like you should, Clue is currently streaming for free on YouTube.
- Release Date
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December 13, 1985
- Runtime
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94 minutes
- Director
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Jonathan Lynn
- Writers
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Jonathan Lynn
- Producers
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Debra Hill
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Eileen Brennan
Mrs. Peacock
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More than two decades ago, what would become one of television’s most celebrated sci-fi sagas was brought to life as a reimagining of a beloved 1970s classic. The project faced several setbacks before reaching television, but when it finally premiered, it proved to be far more than a simple revival, earning a highly positive reception from critics and viewers. That was not very surprising, seeing as it distinguished itself from typical space operas by featuring no alien civilizations. Instead, the series centered its story on a war between humanity and a race of sentient machines created by humans themselves.
That series was Battlestar Galactica, Ronald D. Moore and David Eick‘s acclaimed reimagining of the 1978 ABC series. While the original leaned more heavily into lighthearted space adventure, the reboot transformed the premise into a darker, post-apocalyptic drama that reshaped audiences’ expectations of sci-fi television. The military saga’s enduring popularity is noticeable once again as it has resurfaced on streaming and digital charts. In the U.S., Battlestar Galactica ranks among the most-watched titles on the Apple TV Store‘s TV chart while also currently surging through Universal+ in France.
‘Battlestar Galactica’ Returns to Blu-ray With a Special Collection
Developed by Moore with Eick serving as an executive producer, Battlestar Galactica began with a 2-episode miniseries that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel on December 8 and 9, 2003. The miniseries’ success led to the regular series, which premiered on October 18, 2004, and ran for four seasons before concluding on March 20, 2009. The franchise also expanded with the standalone television movies Razor and The Plan, as well as the prequel series Caprica.
While Battlestar Galactica continues trending on streaming, the series has also officially returned to Blu-ray. A new 21-disc collection was released in the U.S. on August 11, 2026, bringing together the complete series and the original 2003 miniseries. The collection is unfortunately not a new 4K restoration; rather, it is presented in 1080p high definition with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English, French, and Spanish subtitles, and the original 1.78:1 aspect ratio.
Boasting a 95% critics score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Battlestar Galactica follows the survivors of a devastating Cylon attack that wipes out most of humanity and destroys the Twelve Colonies. Led by Commander William Adama and President Laura Roslin, the survivors flee aboard a ragtag civilian fleet with the “Battlestar Galactica” as its command ship, in search of the mythical Thirteenth Colony: Earth.
Battlestar Galactica is available on the Apple TV Store. Stick with Collider for more streaming news.
- Release Date
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2004 – 2009-00-00
- Directors
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Wayne Rose, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Jeff Woolnough, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Jonas Pate, Allan Kroeker, Anthony Hemingway, Jean de Segonzac, Marita Grabiak, James Head, Paul A. Edwards, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Brad Turner, Ronald D. Moore, Bill Eagles
- Writers
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Carla Robinson, Michael Taylor, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Jane Espenson, Mark Verheiden, Michael Angeli, Anne Cofell Saunders, Jeff Vlaming, Michael Rymer, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin, Seamus Kevin Fahey
Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, is declaring a legal victory after a judge awarded Blake Lively only a fraction of the nearly $8 million she requested in attorneys’ fees and costs. While Freedman expressed support for the California law used to grant Lively the award, he argued that it was applied in a way lawmakers never intended. The attorney also took a pointed shot at Lively, accusing the actress of attempting to use the legal system for her “own personal gain.”
Freedman addressed the ruling in a statement to TMZ, describing California Civil Code Section 47.1 as “not a perfect law, but it is an important one designed to protect real survivors, who deserve to see this law tested and perfected in the court of law.”
The law allows a prevailing defendant in certain defamation cases involving reports of sexual assault, harassment or discrimination to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Although Freedman said he fundamentally supports the law’s intended purpose, he questioned how it was used in the dispute involving Lively and Baldoni.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the law was applied in ways it was never intended for, my clients intentionally left Section 47.1 to be ruled on without any appellate rights to appeal as part of the settlement agreement, to prevent either party from overturning the law,” Freedman said.
His statement indicates that Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties will not appeal the ruling involving Section 47.1.
Blake Lively Awarded More Than $407K
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman awarded Lively $363,245.40 in attorneys’ fees and an additional $44,206.35 in costs, bringing the total to $407,451.75. The award was substantially less than the amount requested by the “It Ends With Us” actress.
Lively said she incurred $7,495,526.87 in attorneys’ fees while defending herself against Baldoni’s lawsuit, along with $539,514.01 in costs and expenses. Her combined request totaled more than $8 million.
According to the Associated Press, the judge determined that Lively could recover reasonable costs associated with successfully defending herself against Baldoni’s defamation claim. However, the court rejected the majority of her request after finding that the number of hours submitted for reimbursement was unreasonable.
The ruling also reportedly excluded work that was not directly connected to defending the defamation claim, including time spent on media relations.
Bryan Freedman Calls The Reduced Award A ‘Significant Victory’
Freedman argued that the dramatic reduction vindicated Baldoni and the other parties ordered to pay the award. According to the attorney, the ruling speaks for itself because the judge rejected approximately 95% of the amount Lively sought.
Freedman said the decision showed that the court considered her demand for more than $8 million “outrageous and unreasonable.” He then issued a sharp message directed at the actress. “The ruling is a significant victory for my clients and sends a clear message that, no matter how powerful you may be, the courtroom is not a place to take advantage of the law for your own personal gain,” Freedman said.
However, the court still recognized Lively as the prevailing party for the purpose of recovering reasonable fees under Section 47.1.
Blake Lively’s Lawyers Call The Award ‘Historic’
Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb, presented a very different interpretation of the decision. “Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties lost their meritless retaliatory $400 million lawsuit, which two different courts held was designed to stifle public criticism and silence Blake Lively and others,” they told TMZ.
“This first-ever award of fees and costs under this California law is historic, and demonstrates that there are real consequences of bringing retaliatory lawsuits,” they added. “As we have said from day one, Blake Lively’s case was never about money, it was about accountability.”
The attorneys also connected Lively’s case to recent developments involving Rebel Wilson and Amanda Ghost. “She lifted the curtain for other victims, and set the precedent for others to come forward and expose similar conduct. This result demonstrates that the legal system is not as easily manipulated as social media, and still functions as a force for accountability,” they said.
Lively’s attorneys focused on the fact that she received any award under the law, while Baldoni’s team emphasized how substantially the court reduced her requested amount.
Justin Baldoni’s $400M Lawsuit Was Dismissed
The fee dispute followed the dismissal of Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane and The New York Times. Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s defamation claims in June 2025. The court determined that Lively’s allegations were included in a civil rights complaint and were protected from liability.
Baldoni had accused The New York Times of selectively using text messages and emails to portray him negatively while reporting on Lively’s allegations. The judge found that the newspaper’s reporting closely followed the contents of Lively’s complaint.
“The Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened. The Times had no obvious motive to favor Lively’s version of events,” the ruling stated.
Baldoni also accused Reynolds of falsely calling him a “sexual predator.” However, the court found that the remark was consistent with the allegations Lively had made and that Reynolds had no reason to believe they were false.
Blake Lively Previously Called The Dismissal A ‘Total Victory’
After Baldoni’s lawsuit was dismissed, Lively’s attorneys celebrated the outcome as a vindication for everyone named in the case. “Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times,” Hudson and Gottlieb said, calling the $400 million lawsuit “a sham.”
The New York Times also welcomed the dismissal, expressing how “grateful” they are to the court for seeing the lawsuit against The New York Times “for what it was: a meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting.”
They added, “We will continue to stand up in court for our journalism and for our journalists when their work comes under attack.”
Dancing With the Stars has attracted some of the biggest names in show business and beyond — but some celebrities wouldn’t consider stepping foot into the ballroom.
In a November 2025 interview for InStyle alongside his brother Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas admitted to being a fan of the reality series — but added that he has no plans to join its cast, despite repeat inquiries.
During a September 2025 episode of the “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast, Brandi Cyrus revealed that mom Tish Cyrus is “terrified” of lacing up her dancing shoes due to the live nature of the ABC show.
“I think she’d be so good on Dancing [With the Stars]. And she’s like, ‘It’s live. I can’t.’ But I feel like you could,” Brandi said, while Tish added, “I could never. Not live.”
While Tish isn’t racing to compete on the show, former husband Billy Ray Cyrus tried his hand on the dance floor during season 4 in 2007. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and pro dancer Karina Smirnoff ultimately placed in fifth. (Tish filed for divorce from Billy Ray in 2022 after nearly 30 years of marriage.)
Scroll down to see more celebrities who wouldn’t go on Dancing With the Stars:
Andy Cohen
The Bravo personality claimed to Variety in August 2026 that he once turned down an offer for DWTS “many, many, many years ago.”
“I can’t dance on TV. No one wants to see that,” he said. “I used to be the greatest freeform dancer, and I feel like every time I go to Dead shows, people film me dancing, and then I get made fun of on TikTok. Let me dance in peace.”
Kylie Kelce
Kylie Kelce. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Kylie Kelce has no interest in competing on DWTS — no matter how badly fans might want her to.
“I don’t want to do anything reality [and] I don’t want to do Dancing With the Stars either,” Kelce said on the “Conversations With Cam” podcast in March 2026. “I say that with my whole chest.”
According to Kylie, her husband, Jason Kelce, would be “great” on a future DWTS season.
“By that, I mean terrible,” she quipped. “He can’t dance. … I would love to see that.”
Kevin Jonas
Kevin Jonas DWTS Gary Gershoff/Getty Images
In an interview alongside his brother Nick Jonas for InStyle on Tuesday, November 18, Kevin Jonas admitted that he’s been asked to join the reality series several times — but he always says no.
“They’ve asked you pretty much every season for the last 20 years I think,” Nick said.
Kevin answered, “For a long time, yeah. I have said no. It’s just not for me. But thank you so much. I’m a huge fan.”
The pop star added that he watches the show and enjoys it.
“I will say, we watch the show,” he continued. “It’s very fun. I feel like it’s really back. Dancing With the Stars is fully back.”
Tish Cyrus
Tish Cyrus Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
Tish shared on a September 2025 episode of her and Brandi’s “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast that she “could never” do Dancing With the Stars.
Caitlyn Jenner
When asked if Jenner or former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe might be appearing on the show, cohost Alfonso Ribeiro claimed to E! News that Jenner was “not going to do” Dancing With the Stars. (Bristowe, meanwhile, took home the mirrorball trophy with partner Artem Chigvintsev on season 29 in 2020.)
Tiffani Thiessen
The former Saved by the Bell star shared that she has turned down Dancing With the Stars more than once through the years. “I’ve been asked a few times,” she told The Huffington Post in 2017, “but my response to that is that I am an actor, not a dancer.”
Bobby Flay
The Food Network star told Zagat in 2013 that he declined the show, explaining he didn’t want to “be known as that guy on Dancing With the Stars.” E! News reported that Flay quipped his wife “would divorce me if I did it,” referring to ex-wife Stephanie March, whom he split from in 2015.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The Freaky Friday star told E! News in 2011 that she would “never in a million years” appear on Dancing With the Stars — but then shared that she had one condition if she were to compete.
“I’ll tell you how I would do Dancing With the Stars,” she said at the time. “If they gave me a million dollars to give to charity…I would only do it if there was a big charity component. ”
Paula Deen
When asked by Extra in 2010 if she would ever consider Dancing With the Stars, Deen replied, “No! Fat girls don’t look good sweating.”
Gayle King
King told Us in 2010 that she had been asked to appear on Dancing With the Stars three times, but turned down each offer.
“I think it’s good to keep my public humiliation to a minimum,” she explained. “I would never want to embarrass my children ever…or myself! I can’t dance.”
There are multiple kinds of science fiction, just like there are a whole host of different works of horror and different kinds of fantasy. Breaking things down into sub-genres can get exhausting, admittedly, but when it’s a significant sub-genre like hard sci-fi, it feels more reasonable. You might well have some people calling out hard science fiction as the genre at its most sci-fi-y.
That being said, there are some great works of science fiction that don’t count as hard sci-fi, including Dune, which has a little too much by way of mystical elements (not quite outright fantasy, but it gets near there at times) to be “hard” science fiction. Hard science fiction is probably best defined as sci-fi that puts a particular emphasis on the science side of things, and the following works of hard sci-fi are especially influential. Plenty of them are classics generally speaking as well, but they’re being included here mostly because they had some kind of role in shaping this branch of science fiction as it’s currently understood. This also means there’s an emphasis below on older hard sci-fi novels, as it’s harder to know for sure whether more recent ones will prove influential and/or game-changing until enough time’s passed.
8
‘Ringworld’ (1970)
Whether it’s the best of Larry Niven’s novels might be up for debate, but what’s harder to argue is the notion that Ringworld isn’t his most influential for science fiction overall. And including something by Niven if you’re talking hard sci-fi is obligatory, since the science is generally paid attention to quite heavily in all his books (like Lucifer’s Hammer, which sets it apart from other post-apocalyptic epics like The Stand and Swan Song, which lean more into fantasy).
Ringworld is more interesting for its science and world-building than it is narratively. The titular Ringworld is really cool, and then most of the characters and plot beats (including, unfortunately, some of what those characters get up to on the titular constructed world) prove a bit middling. Still, what a world and idea, and that’s enough if you’re considering influence. Post-1970 works of science fiction that take place in deep space and have constructed planet-sized objects all probably owe something to the original Ringworld.
7
‘The Forever War’ (1974)
The Forever War is the first part of a series, but is easily the best of that series, and it takes rather seriously the idea of a war fought against an alien species at first in the not-too-distant future, and then eventually in the genuinely distant future. The war goes on for what feels like forever and all, with the protagonist experiencing it across all that time because of time dilation.
Things here are a bit more outlandish than some of the most grounded works of hard sci-fi, yet there is still a lot by way of actual science (or actual scientific ideas) that play a big part in the narrative. The Forever War is compelling and certainly admirable for how ambitious it is, condensing a story that goes on for more than 1000 years into 200-something pages.
6
‘The Andromeda Strain’ (1969)
Since it came so early within Michael Crichton’s writing career, and it’s also a bit more hard sci-fi than some of his later books, it feels right to mention The Andromeda Strain for present purposes. The premise here involves the outbreak of a disease that has extraterrestrial origins, taking the whole thing very seriously and maybe even downplaying the science fiction stuff, once you get past the extraterrestrial aspect.
It’s about a very deadly disease and all, which is the sort of thing that feels scarily believable or grounded, by sci-fi standards. The Andromeda Strain is realistic, but thankfully without feeling too dry (the same can’t really be said about the movie adaptation, but at least Jurassic Park was great, as an eventual Michael Crichton adaptation that felt like a genuine winner).
5
‘Neuromancer’ (1984)
The least hard of the hard sci-fi novels here is probably Neuromancer, but not enough that it can be called soft science fiction. It’s hard enough, even if the sci-fi genre it mostly easily fits into is cyberpunk. If there’s a bit by way of crossover, though (or if it’s permissible), then here’s Neuromancer. It also wasn’t the very first sci-fi novel to be dystopian, by any means, but is one of the most important.
It’s also a little like Ringworld in that it’s hard to feel super excited by the narrative here, with it being more about the world and the technology explored (here, it’s artificial intelligence and the idea of cyberspace). Neuromancer comments on a whole bunch of things socially and politically, too, but with enough that feels grounded and believable to make it, again, “hard” enough.
This one’s easy to include, largely because it was written by scientist Carl Sagan (whose best-known work probably remains the documentary series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which he narrated and co-wrote), but still, Contact is science fiction. There is fiction here, unlike much of the other writing Sagan did, or was involved with, as you can probably guess from the title.
The novel’s easy to recommend for anyone who dug relatively “peaceful” alien contact movies like Arrival (which was based on a novella) or Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Making contact with extraterrestrial life is what this one’s largely about, tackling the premise in a way that feels grounded and probably close to how it might go down in real life, should legitimate contact ever happen… and assuming it’s not a violent or conquering sort of alien race contacted. Anyway, the novel’s easy to recommend for anyone who dug relatively “peaceful” alien contact movies like Arrival (which was based on a novella) or Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Or Contact (1997), come to think of it, if you happened to get to the movie adaptation before Sagan’s novel.
3
‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ (1968)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was the inspiration for Blade Runner, or you can probably call Blade Runner an adaptation of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, even with that title change and other deviations. The basic premise of a bounty hunter tracking down rogue replicants is here in both versions, though Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? doesn’t take place as far into the future as Blade Runner, and the setting is San Francisco instead of Los Angeles.
Influencing Blade Runner plays a role in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? feeling as influential as it does, since that film is recognized as being similarly significant to cyberpunk as Neuromancer. And novel and film here feel like decently hard science fiction, being gritty and down-to-earth and all.
2
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
And another instance of novel and film being important, but here, with 2001: A Space Odyssey, it’s fairer to bring up the movie. This is because 2001: A Space Odyssey, as a film, came out a little before 2001: A Space Odyssey, the novel, with both being developed at the same time. This naturally sets it apart from the majority of movies that are based on books, and it’s also a bit different from a movie getting a novelization.
The story here is very grand in scale, and has to be, considering evolution is the main thing explored in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and you can only really recognize such changes over huge spans of time. It’s got a focus on science, like most of the other books here, and tries to envision different stages of the future in as realistic a manner as possible, for speculative/predictive fiction.
1
‘Brave New World’ (1932)
Once more, here’s a science fiction novel with a plot that’s a bit hard to remember and/or describe. Brave New World is about the world. It’s essential dystopian fiction about a world that’s run by people who try to insist it’s a utopia, but it becomes very apparent in time that’s really not the case. And you’re asked to spend time in that increasingly uneasy world. That’s kind of the novel.
It’s similar to Nineteen Eighty-Four, but that one doesn’t tend to get considered hard science fiction, whereas Brave New World does… and it feels close to the original work of hard science fiction, or at least the first great work of hard sci-fi. Nineteen Eighty-Four is more about the social side of things, while Brave New World explores scientific advancements – and how they’ve been detrimental – within the society it depicts.
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You don’t need a Chicago zip code to know about the Gold Coast style. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a haven for the city’s most affluent, located right on the coast of Lake Michigan. This luxurious neighborhood is filled with designer boutiques, multimillion-dollar mansions and of course, rich moms with old money style.
Walking around the neighborhood, I noticed similar shoes on everyone’s feet, including cutesy Mary Janes, sleek loafers, and the iconic Adidas sneakers loved by Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston and more. Whether you choose a pair for errands, work, brunches or anything in between, these 13 luxe shoes make you look like a wealthy Chicago socialite.
13 Gold Coast Rich Mom Shoes
1. Totally Timeless: The search ends for the most expensive-looking Mary Jane flats. I mistook them for real leather.
2. Boutique Find: Give sporty sneakers a boutique-like twist with these ribbon-lace kicks. They go with everything, so prepare to wear them 24/7.
3. Easy On: Instead of slides, opt for these pointed-toe mules that slip on just as easily (and actually elevate your aesthetic).
4. Laced Up: Beige, lace, ribbons! These dreamy sneakers lean more sophisticated than athletic, so you can wear them for Fridays at the office.
5. Luxe Leopard: Make a statement in these sassy leopard-print loafers that take a tee and jeans to ultra-polished heights.
I spent ten days in Europe, and when I tell you that locals wore rich-looking sneakers everywhere, I really mean everywhere. What struck me most wasn’t the sheer volume — after all, the style is incredibly comfortable — but rather that the coolest gals wore the same four sneaker trends on repeat. Sure, the trends […]
6. Celeb Magnet: If you grab one pair of Adidas, let it be the classic Samba sneakers that have over 23,000 five-star ratings.
7. Designer Find: Consider this your sign to snag these quiet-luxury penny loafers on major sale. The shiny ‘C’ logo is the whole point.
8. Square-Toe Stunner: Mary Janes can look dated but not these modern wonders. They’re designed with matte leather and a chic square toe.
9. Slinging It Back: Combine a slingback silhouette, mini block heel and metallic finish, and you get these incredibly rich pumps. They’re 38% off, so run!
10. Two-Toned: Ever since Angelina Jolie wore two-tone flats, I’ve been eyeing this fall-coded knit version.
11. Burgundy Babe: Whether you call them ‘backless loafers’ or ‘pointed-toe mules’ is up to you; either way, these shiny burgundy shoes serve such classy vibes.
12. Cool Mom: Look like a Chicago cool mom in these sleek, low-profile sneakers that should cost hundreds but are only $27.
13. Everyday Staple: Swap sneakers for this suede flats style and feel instantly more put together. I love the soft fabric and gold hardware for fall.
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.
In the first installment of this two-part interview with The Blast, Mumbi Maina reflected on how “Sense8” and “The Matrix Resurrections” changed the trajectory of her life.
In this follow-up, Mumbi reveals the Marvel character she would love to play someday and explains why the role feels particularly close to home. She also turns her attention to African cinema, sharing what excites her about its next chapter.
When Mumbi Maina thinks about her ultimate dream role, one Marvel icon immediately rises above the rest. “Storm is the first role that comes to mind. 100%,” Mumbi told The Blast, adding a little cheekily, “She’s also half Kenyan, so it would be quite fitting, no?”
The attraction, however, goes well beyond their shared national heritage or Storm’s superhuman abilities. The actress describes herself as a versatile performer who gravitates toward strong, complicated characters that allow her to explore different sides of human psychology.
Storm, also known as Ororo Munroe, is one of the X-Men’s most powerful mutants, with the ability to manipulate weather and atmospheric forces.
The Character Has Deep Roots In Africa
There is plenty beneath the surface of the superhero Mumbi would love to play one day. According to Marvel, Storm was born in Harlem to Kenyan princess N’Dare and American photographer David Munroe before her family relocated to Cairo.
After losing her parents as a child, Ororo Munroe eventually journeyed toward her ancestral homeland in Africa. Her sprawling comic history has since seen her become an X-Men leader, a mentor, and even Queen of Wakanda through her marriage to T’Challa.
“Storm is such an iconic character, and there’s so much depth to her beyond her abilities,” Mumbi said of the part made most famous by Halle Berry. She told us she would relish the chance to dig into the superhero’s different dimensions, including “her strength, her vulnerability, her power and her humanity.”
For now, though, the role has entered a new chapter with Maya Boyd, whom Marvel announced as its next Storm at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Boyd is expected to debut as Ororo in the studio’s upcoming “X-Men” movie, currently slated for 2028.
Inside Mumbi Maina’s Rise Through African Film And Television
Long before Hollywood came calling, Mumbi had already been steadily building a résumé across African film and television. She entered the industry in 2009 as Riziki in “Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten,” a film centered on HIV/AIDS awareness.
Her profile grew further when she joined the drama series “Mali,” a role that put her in front of a much wider television audience.
From there, her credits expanded across genres and markets. She appeared in major productions, including the 2020 Netflix thriller “40 Sticks.” Mumbi also took on the role of Thabisa in the Nigerian film “La Femme Anjola.”
That breadth of experience has given Mumbi a front-row view of how African film has evolved across different territories. In our conversation, she described the industry as being in a period of reinvention and said she sees opportunity in the disruption.
Mumbi Wants African Filmmakers To Put African Audiences First
Speaking to The Blast, Mumbi said shifts in the streaming landscape have forced African film to “hit something of a reset button.”
She views this moment as difficult, but potentially freeing. “It’s challenging, but I also see it as a wonderful opportunity for a clean slate,” she said.
For Mumbi, that means figuring out “what actually works” for the region instead of trying to fit African storytelling into Western molds. “We get to redefine what draws in our audiences and determine what success looks like on our own terms,” she explained.
Part of that reset, she believes, must involve greater confidence in telling distinctly African stories. “We still need to evolve in writing stories that are fully ‘us,’” Mumbi said, stressing that the goal does not always have to be reaching a global audience. “I think we sometimes underestimate the value of telling stories for our own audiences first.”
Mumbi Maina Calls For Better Actor Welfare And Stronger Marketing
Mumbi also believes that executives need a stronger appreciation of what actors contribute beyond visibility or social-media numbers. “An actor brings craft, interpretation, audience connection and an enormous amount of creative value to a production,” she said.
Mumbi argued that artists’ wellbeing deserves equal attention, particularly “how we work, how we process, and how our welfare is considered and protected.”
Marketing remains another concern. “We have incredible stories and incredible talent,” she said, “but audiences need to know that the work exists and be given a reason to engage with it.” Still, Mumbi is enthusiastic about what could come next. “I think we have an opportunity to become much more intentional about what African cinema looks like, what it sounds like, who it is for, and ultimately what success means to us.”
Leah Remini Is Officially Joining RHOBH for Season 16!
Leah Remini is officially joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The actress has signed on to join season 16 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, according to TMZ, marking one of Bravo’s biggest celebrity additions to the franchise yet. Leah Remini is already one of the most recognizable names to enter the Housewives universe. She became a household name playing Carrie Heffernan on the hit sitcom The King of Queens and has since built a career known for both comedy and her willingness to speak candidly about her personal experiences.
That outspoken personality could make her a natural fit for RHOBH, where cast members are rarely shy about confronting one another when tensions rise.
The move also comes as Leah enters a new chapter professionally. She recently signed with William Morris Endeavor, signaling that several new projects may be in the works as she makes her jump to Bravo. Remini won’t be the only familiar face joining the Beverly Hills cast.
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star Tracy Tutor, 51, also confirmed that she is joining season 16, announcing the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Aug. 19. “The secret’s officially out,” Tracy wrote before sharing her excitement about stepping into the franchise.
“I’m joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I could not be more excited for this next chapter,” she wrote. “Beverly Hills is home. I’ve raised my girls here, built my career here, and now apparently I’ve decided to let you all even further into my life.”
Tutor acknowledged that she has some nerves about the transition, but she also made it clear she’s ready to embrace whatever comes with being a Housewife.
“Excited? Very. Nervous? A little. Likely to get into some trouble? Absolutely. So what’s left to say but, Let’s f—— go.”
With both Remini and Tutor joining the lineup, season 16 is already shaping up to bring fresh personalities, established star power and potentially plenty of new drama to Beverly Hills. Season 16 is already in production, with several cast members — though not Leah or Tracy — attending Bozoma Saint John’s Aug. 21 wedding to Keely Watson in Ghana. Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, Jennifer Tilly and Sutton Stracke were among the guests.
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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.
Entertainment
Brittany Snow, Dave Grohl, and More Celebs Show MOTHER Some Love at the Brand’s Beverly Hills Opening
Call your mother because Brittany Snow, Dave Grohl, Jasmine Tookes, Ava Phillippe, Alexandra Shipp, and more stars headed to Beverly Hills, California, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, for the opening of MOTHER’s flagship.
The celebs proved that mother knows best, arriving in looks from the fashion brand for a chic cocktail party hosted by founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding.
DJ Mei Kwok spun tunes as attendees sipped pink cocktails, caught up in the conversation pit, snacked on caviar from a cart, snapped pics by an analog phone installation, and, of course, shopped.
The latest Dazzler capsule was on display, featuring denim, ready-to-wear, outerwear, knits, and accessories, along with limited-edition products and seasonal exclusives available only at the Beverly Hills store.
Another picture-perfect moment came courtesy of the vintage photo booth, where recorded messages from Alicia Silverstone, Sarah Silverman, and Chloe Fineman greeted partygoers.
And consider MOTHER’s house rules officially suspended for the evening.
A vintage white El Camino parked outside the store kept the after-hours fun going, delivering late-night pizza from Mulberry Street Pizzeria right next door.
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Roomies! Keith Powers has the timeline talking after sharing a personal milestone that has us raising our glasses — just not the boozy kind! The actor recently gave fans a peek at a major change he’s made. And judging by his post, Keith is clearly feeling good about where he is today.
RELATED: Go Get Her? Fans Encourage Jacob Latimore To Spin The Block On Serayah Amid Her Split From Joey Bada$$ (VIDEO)
Keith Powers Hits 600 Days Alcohol-Free
Keith Powers revealed that he has officially reached 600 days without alcohol. In a photo shared on social media, the actor stands shirtless beneath a clear blue sky, pointing the camera toward himself while giving a serious, locked-in look. Looking fresh from a run, Keith is visibly sweaty and rocks black headphones and a black cap while biting his bottom lip. Over the photo, he added several exclamation-point emojis alongside the message, “DAY 600 of No ALCOHOL” and “(I’m done forever, counting for fun now)”, paired with a beer glass and error-sign emoji. And honestly? We love that for him!
Fans Got Jokes While Celebrating Keith’s Big Win!
Fans quickly ran to TSR’s Instagram comment section and ran it up with reactions to Keith Powers’ milestone. Some said they were genuinely happy for him. While others opened up about their own sobriety journeys and shared words of encouragement. Of course, others had a different take, joking that “Jesus turned water into wine,” so they’re good with the alcohol.
One Instagram user @dr.chappelle206 said, “I hope more ppl try this the way our generation drinks. We all need a liver panel ran 😩🥴”
This Instagram user @ntunga.abantu commented, “600 seconds for me 🥳”
And, Instagram user @x0.vay wrote, “maybe he had an addiction, in any event congrats to him for staying Sober 👏🏽”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @iamscorpio420 shared, “This accomplishment in this crazy world needs to be celebrated 🔥🔥”
While Instagram user @charmstacie claimed, “I can’t get pass 60 minutes 😩”
Finally, Instagram user @dougie_dagoat said, “Jesus turned water into wine, I don’t know why this is a flex. 😩”
Stepping Into His Forever Sober Era?
Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers are officially headed down the aisle, and Keith’s recent sobriety milestone has us wondering if the lifestyle change helped shape this new chapter. The couple announced their engagement last year in a joint social media post, with Keith keeping it short and sweet: “Engaged to the love of my life,” alongside a first look at Ryan’s stunning ring. The two originally dated from 2017 to 2022 before seemingly finding their way back to each other, and now they’re taking that love to the next level.
With Keith recently revealing that he’s reached 600 days without alcohol andsaying, “I’m done forever,” some may be wondering if the lifestyle change helped set the tone for this fresh start with Ryan. And now, folks may also be wondering if he plans to carry that alcohol-free lifestyle into married life. Either way, we love a full-circle love story and a beautiful new chapter!
RELATED: Congrats! Keith Powers & Ryan Destiny Announce Engagement In Sweet Joint Post (PHOTOS)
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