From classics like Frankenstein to modern masterpieces like Project Hail Mary, there are plenty of books out there that pretty much any die-hard fan of the science fiction genre has read. Throughout the years, however, there have also been plenty of exceptional sci-fi books which have somehow slipped under most bookworms’ radars. But underappreciated though they may be, these absolute gems of speculative fiction storytelling should still be considered essential reading.

Anyone looking for a few great books to add to their “sci-fi titles to read” list ought to check out these gems, both old and new. Hugely imaginative, emotionally and intellectually compelling, and all-around masterclasses in how to write a great sci-fi story, these books may not often receive nearly as much praise as they deserve, but they absolutely should.

‘The Last Man’ (1826)

Image via Oxford’s World Classics

Considering that it was her Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, which she began writing at the tender age of 18, that practically birthed science fiction, Mary Shelley‘s importance to the history of the genre truly can’t be overstated. It’s such a paragon of sci-fi storytelling, however, that it tends to overshadow the rest of Shelley’s bibliography. One of her most underrated works came eight years after Frankenstein: The Last Man, a post-apocalyptic novel following the sole survivor of a global bubonic plague pandemic.

It’s one of the most perfect sci-fi books that nobody remembers, a must-read for anyone who found Frankenstein and Shelley’s writing style even the slightest bit intriguing. It’s a pioneering work of dystopian sci-fi and a surprisingly scathing critique of imperialism, and though critics at the time misunderstood and largely overlooked it, modern readers and scholars have come to appreciate its brilliance.

‘Perdido Street Station’ (2000)

Image via Macmillan

The 20th century saw the publication of the vast majority of history’s greatest sci-fi books, and what a great way to close off the era 2000 was, since it saw the publication of masterpieces like British writer China Miéville‘s Perdido Street Station. The first installment in the New Crobuzon trilogy, this dystopian novel follows an eccentric scientist’s quest to help an alien, which ends up unleashing a city-devouring nightmare.

It’s one of the best soft sci-fi books of all time, its stylish blend of sci-fi and horror elements coming together flawlessly to craft one of the most delightfully bizarre sci-fi books the 2000s ever saw. Though it won several awards (including a prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award), its surrealist “weird fiction” sensibilities and dense prose have kept it as a relatively niche cult classic for 26 years. It’s about time that began to change.

‘Grass’ (1989)

Image via Orion Publishing

The first novel in Sheri S. Tepper‘s Arbai trilogy, Grass is an eco-feminist and climate-fiction extravaganza about the titular planet, a green-covered utopia that’s the only known world in the universe immune to a terminal plague that’s slowly ravaging humanity’s interstellar empire. Considering that the book was a critical success nominated for both the Hugo and Locus Awards in 1990, it’s all the more of a tragedy how it has fallen into relative obscurity.

But lesser-known though it may be, Grass is still a masterfully confrontational and provocative novel that isn’t afraid to be critical of patriarchal power structures, organized religion, and particularly ecological destruction. It’s perfect for those who prefer cli-fi authors who don’t mince their words, as well as for those who enjoy breathtakingly beautiful worldbuilding and deeply layered thematic work.

‘Neverness’ (1988)

Image via Voyager

Arthurian legend has always been a big point of inspiration for many a speculative fiction author, but it’s usually fantasy books that it inspires. David Zindell‘s Neverness, on the other hand, is one of the best sci-fi books inspired by Arthurian tales, particularly Sir Thomas Malory‘s 15th-century Middle English work Le Morte d’Arthur. In this futuristic space epic, a young pilot embarks on a universe-trotting quest to unlock the secrets of human evolution.

Wonderfully ambitious and full of expansive worldbuilding, Neverness is one of those forgotten sci-fi books that have aged beautifully. Zindell’s poetic, almost lyrical prose complements the lush worldbuilding and the grand philosophical scope of the story perfectly. Indeed, all in all, Neverness is one of those epic space operas that deserve to be as highly praised as cornerstones of the genre like Dune and Hyperion.

‘The Gone-Away World’ (2008)

Image via Windmill

The Gone-Away World is one of the most impressive sci-fi debut novels that the 21st century has thus far seen, introducing the world to the now highly-regarded British novelist Nick Harkaway, son of the legendary John le Carré. In this post-apocalyptic satire, two childhood friends must save the world when a huge pipeline carrying a reality-preserving substance catches fire.

There’s something here for everyone. Harkaway, proving that talent flows through his family’s veins, balances romance, mystery, and sci-fi thriller elements like an absolute pro, delivering a reading experience as delectably diverse as it is surprisingly funny. But as humorous as it can be, The Gone-Away World can also be powerfully moving and existential, exploring themes like nuclear paranoia and the end of the world with a sheer philosophical depth the genre doesn’t often see.

‘Engine Summer’ (1979)

Image via Orion Publishing

The 1970s were among the best decades of all time for science fiction literature, and at least as far as this particular genre goes, John Crowley‘s Engine Summer is one of the best books of the ’70s. A rewrite of Crowley’s unpublished first novel, Learning to Live With It, Engine Summer is a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age tale about Rush That Speaks, a young man who leaves his peaceful community to explore what’s left of human civilization.

Crowley perfectly blends beautifully poetic, slow-burning prose with an optimistic view of the world that rejects the grimness that tends to plague most post-apocalyptic stories, making this a must-read for fans of the likes of Star Trek. Those who love post-apocalyptic sci-fi but are tired of despair-filled dystopias should love Engine Summer, a masterfully plotted gem whose quiet and contemplative tone is as refreshing as it is bittersweet.

‘The Carpet Makers’ (1995)

Image via Tor

German author Andreas Eschbach‘s The Carpet Makers, also published as The Hair Carpet Weavers, was originally successful in the German-speaking world alone. It wouldn’t be until its French translation was published in 1998 that it would begin to garner international appeal, and its English translation in 2005 made it far more widely available. Even to this day, however, this tale about a galactic empire where generations of men on low-tech planets spend their lives weaving carpets for the God-Emperor still doesn’t receive the love it deserves.

The hugely inventive premise alone should be enough to make The Carpet Makers a modern classic; but as if that weren’t enough, there’s also the quiet elegance of Eschbach’s prose, the narrative’s thematic depth, and the unique structure that makes the story flow like a multi-vignette literary puzzle. Smart, tragic, and thought-provoking, it’s a brilliant existentialist exploration of humanity’s need for a feeling of purpose.

‘Blindsight’ (2006)

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Canadian author Peter Watts‘ Blindsight, nominated for the Hugo and Locus Awards, is a relatively well-known novel within the community of die-hard hard science fiction fans. Outside of that niche, however, it typically doesn’t receive nearly as much recognition—even though it deserves it. In it, a first-contact mission brings into question whether human consciousness and sentience are actually evolutionary advantages.

The result of such a philosophically fascinating premise is one of the best sci-fi books of the 2000s, one that forces the reader to grapple with their own humanity in ways that few other sci-fi masterpieces ever could. Blindsight is a complete revolution of the first contact subgenre, its hard science elements exquisitely rigorous and its plotting perfectly balanced with the profoundly layered thematic work.

‘The Invincible’ (1964)

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Polish writer Stanisław Lem is best-known for the philosophical sci-fi masterpiece Solaris, but there are other seriously amazing books in his bibliography, the most underappreciated of which is the hard sci-fi gem The Invincible. A true pioneer in introducing elements like microbots and artificial swarm intelligence to science fiction, The Invincible follows the crew of a space cruiser as they land on a desolate planet to investigate the mysterious disappearance of their sister ship.

Nanotech and the other hard sci-fi elements that The Invincible was one of the first-ever novels to deal with may not feel all that novel by modern standards, but the book itself still feels surprisingly fresh and groundbreaking today. For fans of hard sci-fi that’s truly and passionately focused on its scientific elements, this should prove to be an irresistible reading experience, one infused with some of the most fascinating thematic work any sci-fi book from the ’60s ever saw.

‘Hard to Be a God’ (1964)

Image via Seabury Press

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Years after adapting Lem’s Solaris for the big screen, Soviet auteur Andrei Tarkovsky adapted Soviet duo Arkady and Boris Strugatsky‘s Roadside Picnic in Stalker. With the years’ passage, that novella has come to be the one that the writers are best-known for. There’s a certain other incredible masterpiece in their bibliography, however, which deserves to be infinitely more mainstream: Hard to Be a God, where an undercover operative from a futuristic Earth is sent to observe the events of a feudal alien planet without ever interfering.

With this premise as their scaffolding, the Strugatskys potently critique totalitarianism and explore the fragility of human culture in all sorts of thought-provoking ways. The tone is pitch-black to the point of being harrowing at times, as Hard to Be a God explores the psychological toll of the prime directive of non-interference with a level of chilling depth the genre rarely sees. It’s one of the heaviest sci-fi books ever, but essential reading nonetheless.

Igby Rigney opened up about how “confusing” the process of filming The Shards was — especially when the cast was shooting multiple different takes of the same scene.

“[Creator] Ryan [Murphy] was really fun in the way that he directed us where he would have us do multiple takes multiple ways,” Rigney, 23, exclusively told Us ahead of the season 1 finale on Wednesday, September 9.

The actor, who plays Brett, never knew which version would make the final cut.

“We were never clued in on which take he was going to use. And then I’m sure some of those takes got combined to make it extra confusing,” Rigney continued. “But getting to have the narration sometimes was a little challenging on set though.”

He added: “Because everybody around me is having fun, and I’m staring deeply into the middle distance thinking about this big, long paragraph I have, but I’m not saying it out loud.”

The Shards is a TV adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ fictionalized memoir about his high school years. The 2023 release was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all the major players in The Shards are fictional — apart from the narrator.

Executive producer Brad Simpson offered more insight into the creative approach when it came to teasing the show’s biggest mysteries.

“It’s interesting to see what made it and which takes Ryan chose from. Because it was just a way to get different performances out of people,” Simpson noted. “So he would do that and he would tell every director coming in that when he filmed them. He would go, ‘OK, now play the take like you’re hiding something or like you’re the killer.’ It was just to see what they did.”

Simpson considered the concept useful, saying, “It was to get different responses from them. And then that stew was put together in the cutting room, and I think Ryan just used the takes that made sense. It wasn’t even with an objective toward tipping your hat. He really would do a lot of performance takes with the cast.”

The screenwriter praised Murphy for the approach.

“I’ve been on other Ryan shows where he’s just going for something very specific. But he had a lot more fun and leeway on this show where he wanted the actors to play things in different ways — and the show gets more and more bizarre as it goes on.”

Simpson compared the vision to prolific producer David Lynch and his hit campy series Twin Peaks.

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“These characters fall into this world that is, like, so alien to high school. They’re high school students by day and being hunted by a killer by night. But it was a lot of fun. The cast had a lot of fun,” he shared with Us.”Once we were in the groove of those last couple episodes, it just got more and more twisted on set and more and more fun. We were really going toward this crescendo.”

He concluded: “The cast really felt instant nostalgia for the season because it is the first big thing for a lot of them. The first TV series for a lot of them, and they all got along so well. … Ryan used to love sitting around and asking them who they thought the killer was.”

The Shards airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FX.

At any stage, growth bottlenecks are a serious concern for businesses. Whether trying to emerge from the bootstrapping startup phase or attempting to scale a larger enterprise, an executive’s ability to identify and resolve bottlenecks is critical to sustained growth.

While most executives naturally focus on bottlenecks in areas such as marketing, logistics, and project management, Han Butler, president and co-founder of contact center solutions provider ROI CX Solutions, argues that many are overlooking another critical area: customer support. As he explains, failing to make customer support a priority in a business’s early stages can cause lasting harm to its growth strategy.

The Importance of Customer Trust

“Quality customer support is a foundational element to gaining — and keeping — consumer trust,” Butler explains. “Most of the time, when someone is making the effort to reach out to you, it’s because they have a problem or question that they can’t resolve on their own. Your customer support team’s ability to provide an effective solution can be the difference between making them a loyal customer for life, or driving them to a competitor.”

As reported by Customer Experience Dive, almost nine in 10 bank customers feel that the customer experience is equally or more important than the products or services their bank offers. Additionally, 53% of bad customer experiences will cause a customer to cut their spending.

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For many customers, being able to get dependable help from a real person is the biggest driver of trust. One recent survey found this type of human support as the second-leading trust driver for businesses, only trailing consistent products and services.

Without quality customer support to build a foundation of trust, businesses will struggle to retain existing customers. Even worse, negative word of mouth stemming from poor customer support can make it harder to attract new customers.

The Hidden Costs of Unresolved Feedback

The potential of losing existing customers because of poor customer support should be enough for most executives to prioritize that part of the business. But as Butler explains, some of the biggest threats to long-term growth are even harder to spot. “When done right, customer support can be one of your most valuable resources for collecting data,” he notes.

“Support tickets can reveal common pain points with your product or service, telling you what needs to be improved to deliver better outcomes for your customers. But if you don’t have the right systems in place to capture that information, you’re going to lose critical insights into how you can make your offering more appealing.”

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Just how impactful can such feedback be? In 2009, Domino’s Pizza revamped its pizza recipe after collecting significant criticism of its previous pizza recipe. Launched with an advertising campaign that highlighted how the company was listening to customer complaints, the move helped Domino’s double its profits in the quarter after the new recipe was introduced.

In this case, carefully listening to customer feedback led to a complete overhaul of the company’s core product, resulting in significant growth. But without these customer-focused initiatives, Domino’s might never have made the change. When businesses fail to account for customer support, they can similarly miss out on critical pain points that could help them scale profits far more dramatically than if they continued to do things the same way as before.

Scaling Customer Support the Right Way

“When it comes to scaling customer support, it’s essential that you look at the operational metrics that are tied to effective customer support,” Butler says. “How long is your first response time? How often does a customer have their issue resolved during the first contact? Alternatively, do you have a high rate of calls where an agent needs to escalate to a manager? Some of these issues could indicate you don’t have enough headcount to provide effective customer support, but others may be a sign you have underlying training or infrastructure problems.”

Because of this, Butler advises that executives take a closer look at their customer support metrics so they can take a more holistic approach to the issue. Outsourcing customer support to an experienced third-party can be beneficial, especially during scaling initiatives that require more flexibility. But such headcount initiatives need to be paired with the right framework that will enable support reps — whether internal or external — to succeed.

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“Much of the time, customer support issues exist because the business doesn’t have clear structures or knowledge bases in place to support their agents,” he explains. “Developing a comprehensive knowledge base paired with an AI assistant can help representatives quickly find accurate answers. Smarter call routing can get the right calls to the right agents. Clear decision boundaries also ensure that service reps can solve problems in an appropriate, compliant manner or know when to escalate. If you have fragmented systems or poor standard operating procedures, throwing more reps at the problem won’t solve anything.”

By pairing foundational systems with increased headcount, business leaders can effectively tackle both issues.

Transforming Customer Support Into a Strength

As Butler’s insights reveal, failing to prioritize customer support can have lasting repercussions on a business’s growth efforts — even if other potential bottlenecks have been addressed.

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On the other hand, by making support a priority and implementing business-specific strategies to improve it, businesses can strengthen their reputation with customers and lay a foundation for sustainable growth.

Movie theaters just delivered a record-breaking summer.

The 2026 summer movie season officially finished with an estimated $4.76 billion at the domestic box office, setting a new all-time record for the industry and narrowly surpassing the previous mark set in 2013.

According to Rentrak figures reported by Deadline, the previous record stood at approximately $4.756 billion. A strong Labor Day weekend was enough to push 2026 across the finish line and into the top spot.

Matt Damon, The Odyssey [universal pictures]

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A pair of massive blockbusters played a major role in getting there.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day dominated the latter half of the summer, spending six consecutive weekends at No. 1. The Tom Holland-led Marvel film has now earned more than $923 million domestically and over $2.4 billion worldwide.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was another major contributor. The Universal epic has earned approximately $589 million domestically and more than $1.6 billion worldwide.

Universal ultimately finished as the summer’s top studio with approximately $1.23 billion domestically, with The Odyssey accounting for nearly half of that total. Disney finished second with $1.03 billion, while Sony also crossed the $1 billion mark thanks largely to the enormous success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

But the summer wasn’t powered entirely by established franchises.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day [marvel studios]

Movies including Backrooms, Obsession, Michael and Disclosure Day helped demonstrate that audiences were also willing to show up for original films. Horror in particular proved successful with younger moviegoers, while releases across several genres helped bring a wider range of audiences back to theaters.

The numbers represent another major step forward for an industry that has spent years recovering from the effects of the pandemic, production shutdowns and the rise of streaming.

There is an important caveat to the record. The $4.76 billion figure is not adjusted for inflation, and today’s higher ticket prices, including premium IMAX and other large-format screenings, mean fewer actual tickets were sold than during some previous blockbuster summers. The 2026 summer season was also seven days longer than the comparable 2013 period.

Still, in terms of raw domestic box office revenue, summer 2026 now stands alone at the top.

Toy Story 5 [pixar]

And Hollywood isn’t finished yet.

With major releases including Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three still on the calendar, analysts believe the domestic box office could surpass $10 billion for the full year for the first time since 2019.

After years of questions surrounding the future of the theatrical experience, 2026 has delivered a pretty convincing reminder that audiences are still willing to head to the movies when the right films are waiting for them.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez‘s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against D4vd following his arrest for first-degree murder. In addition, her family shared their support of the death penalty on Monday, September 7, which would have been the teenager’s 16th birthday.

RELATED: D4vd’s Mugshot Released As He’s Reportedly Expected To Be Charged With First-Degree Murder In Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family Files A Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against D4vd

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against D4vd, according to TMZ. Not only that, but the family is also suing his manager, Josh Marshall, his security guard, Sheldon Jacques, and his mother, Colleen Burke.

Furthermore, the family has shared their support for the death penalty being activated for the artist upon his conviction, according to KTLA. Hernandez’s dismembered and decomposing remains were found in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla in September 2025. The Shade Room reported that ‘Romantic Homicide’ artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested in April 2026. In addition, he was also charged with sexual abuse of a child under 14.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the rapper’s live-in security guard, Sheldon Jacques, helped D4vd move a then-13-year-old Celeste to and from his Hollywood Hills home. In addition, the complaint mentions Mogul Vision and music manager Josh Marshall. Furthermore, the complaint claims that the people around the artist either knew or should have known about him sexually exploiting the teenager. In addition, it claims they failed to protect her or stop the alleged abuse and subsequent death.

Family Also Calls For Death Penalty

In addition to the lawsuit, the family announced their wishes for the death penalty for the rapper, per KTLA. Celeste’s mother’s name is Mercedes Martinez, and her father’s name is Jesus Rivas.

“If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being, devoid of feelings and emptiness inside, and without conscience, who only caused pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter,” reads the statement.

During an April press conference, District Attorney Hochman claimed that Burke, 21, had a sexual relationship with the teenager. In addition, the DA said that D4vd murdered the teen after she threatened to expose him for having sex with a minor.

Furthermore, Hochman said that Burke “murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags.”

“Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” he said. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car. There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”

Celeste’s Body Was Found In The Trunk Of D4vd’s Tesla

Celeste’s body was found in the trunk of the rapper’s Tesla in a Hollywood tow yard back in September 2025. Furthermore, the teenager’s remains were decomposing and had been mutilated.

The Shade Room Teens reported that Celeste’s body was frozen before being disposed of, in addition to being dismembered. It’s believed the teen was stabbed and bled to death before being dismembered.

TSR reported that Burke now has a public defender after allegedly running out of money while awaiting trial in a Los Angeles jail.

RELATED: Fake Song Appears On D4vd’s Hacked Apple Account & Mentions Celeste Rivas Hernandez Before Its Removal

Spencer Pratt is suddenly celebrating a development involving “Jimmy Kimmel Live!“, and the reason has everything to do with his long-running history with the late-night host.

A new report about the future of the show has sparked plenty of attention, with the latest development giving Pratt another reason to weigh in. His reaction was quick, pointed, and very much in keeping with the complicated history between the two.

For Spencer Pratt, the moment brings an old Hollywood feud back into the spotlight, raising fresh questions about why news surrounding “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has him in such a celebratory mood.

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Spencer Pratt wasted little time celebrating after seeing a report about the future of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Sharing the story on X, Pratt appeared delighted by the possibility of Jimmy Kimmel leaving late-night, writing, “Newsom AND Kimmel gone next year?? Be still, my laughing heart!” before adding, “Things are looking UP fam.”

After he shared the report, some commenters joined in on the celebration, with one simply writing, “Thank God!” while dismissing Kimmel as neither talented nor funny. Others were far less impressed with Pratt’s reaction.

One commenter reminded him that Kimmel had succeeded in late-night television for 24 years, challenging Pratt to name anything he had managed to sustain for even five years. Another joked that Kimmel had “nine lives,” suggesting that even if the show ended, the comedian would somehow find his way back.

The criticism became even more personal from there. One user told Pratt he could join Kimmel in the “unemployment line” and called him a “deadbeat l-ser,” while another argued that celebrating the end of a decades-long Hollywood run was hardly a flex.

A separate commenter simply called for Craig Ferguson to return, showing just how quickly Pratt’s celebration turned into a full-blown debate over Kimmel’s legacy, as seen in the reactions to Pratt’s X post.

A 24-Year Late-Night Run Could Soon Be Coming To An End

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The future of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is suddenly looking very different after a run that has stretched across more than two decades. The show has been a fixture of ABC’s late-night lineup since its debut, making the possibility of its departure a major shake-up for the network.

It was reported that the upcoming season is expected to be the final one, with the show set to wrap in May 2027 after 24 years on the air. The report says Kimmel’s current contract is not being extended, although that does not mean the decision is entirely settled.

For now, the biggest question is what happens next. With Kimmel having spent years building the show into one of late-night’s most recognizable programs, an exit would mark the end of a significant chapter for ABC.

More From The Blast

‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Faces An Uncertain Future Amid Late-Night Shake-Up

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The uncertainty surrounding “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is arriving at an especially turbulent moment for late-night television. According to Page Six, the show’s possible ending comes after CBS ended “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May, while NBC’s late-night landscape has also been shifting.

Kimmel’s situation is also unfolding alongside major changes at Disney. Page Six reported that Disney’s new leadership has been pursuing cost-cutting measures, including early retirement packages for veteran executives, raising questions about whether financial restructuring could play a role in the show’s future.

Still, ABC has pushed back on the certainty of the report, saying any claims about the show’s future are “purely speculative.” With the network denying that a final decision has been made, the fate of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” remains one of late night’s biggest unanswered questions.

Pratt’s Mayoral Bid Gave Kimmel More To Attack

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What began as a clash between a late-night host and a reality star took on a more serious edge when Spencer Pratt entered the Los Angeles mayoral race. His political ambitions gave Jimmy Kimmel’s criticism a much bigger target, turning their personal jabs into part of a wider conversation about Pratt’s bid for office.

The Blast reported that Kimmel used his “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” monologue to question whether Pratt genuinely wanted to run for Los Angeles or was looking for another way to reclaim the spotlight.

Kimmel compared his move from reality television to politics with Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency and branded Pratt “another narcissist looking for attention.”

Pratt’s mayoral bid ultimately came to an end, but the attention surrounding it gave his feud with Kimmel a much larger stage. What had once been a celebrity clash suddenly became part of a political spectacle, adding yet another chapter to their very public back-and-forth.

Spencer Pratt Claimed Hollywood Heavyweights Were In His Corner

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Jimmy Kimmel was far from the only celebrity to weigh in on Spencer Pratt’s political ambitions. While the late-night host questioned whether Pratt was serious about governing Los Angeles, Pratt claimed he had support from some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

The Blast reported that Pratt said Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx privately encouraged his mayoral run, with the reality star claiming they told him they wanted Los Angeles’ streets to be safer. Neither actor publicly endorsed Pratt, but he said he had people who could confirm the private support.

That contrast made his political run even more unpredictable. Pratt had Jimmy Kimmel questioning his motives and other entertainers criticizing his candidacy, yet he also claimed to have support from major Hollywood figures.

With his mayoral bid now part of his complicated Hollywood history, could Spencer Pratt’s ongoing feud with “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” become one of the most memorable celebrity political clashes of the year?

For the first time ever, SCTV is now streaming in the United States. That sketch comedy series introduced the world to Canadian legends like Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and Andrea Martin. However, even before SCTV, some of the talents behind it got their first taste of show business in a legendary 1972 Toronto production of Godspell. Now, the story of that production has been told in the new documentary You Had To Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (in a Canadian Kind of Way), and Collider is proud to present an exclusive sneak peek before it premieres in theaters later this month.

Levy, Short, and Martin all starred in the Toronto production of Godspell, as did SCTV castmate Dave Thomas. Other members of the cast included future Alias star Victor Garber, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Jayne Eastwood, and future Saturday Night Live legend Gilda Radner, who was American but had moved to Toronto. Musician Paul Shaffer, who would later be famed for his work with David Letterman, served as the production’s musical director.

Even after Godspell ended, the Toronto comedy community that had produced it became an extended family, as seen in the preview clip below. Levy and Short grew up close together in the nearby city of Hamilton, Ontario, while many members of the cast dated and even intermarried. Martin married the brother of Short’s wife, and Eastwood dated Levy before marrying David Flaherty, a comedy writer and the brother of SCTV star Joe Flaherty. So while it’s too late to see Godspell in 1972, you can see the next best thing when You Had To Be There premieres in theaters on September 18.

Who Was Involved With ‘You Had To Be There’?

Surviving Godspell performers Short, Levy, Shaffer, Garber, Martin, Eastwood, Valda Aviks, Rudy Webb, and Avril Chown are all interviewed for the documentary, as are notables Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers, Heidi Gardner, Gary Gulman, James Austin Johnson, Janeane Garofalo, and Don Scardino, plus Stephen Schwartz, the Broadway legend who wrote Godspell. The film also includes archival interviews with Radner and the late John Candy. It is directed by documentarian Nick Davis, who also co-wrote the film with Jane Mendelsohn; Judd Apatow serves as an executive producer.

You Had To Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (in a Canadian Kind of Way) will premiere in theaters on September 18. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

September 25, 2026

Runtime

98 minutes

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Director

Nick Davis

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Writers

Jane Mendelsohn, Nick Davis

Producers

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Bonnie Comley, Jan Gura, Josh Church, Kinder Labatt, Nick Davis, Stewart F. Lane, Sue Turley, Tom Powers, Zachary Hausman

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A chat room at the center of Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton’s firing is attempting to clarify its intended use.

Sony Pictures Television confirmed to Us on Friday, September 4, that Thornton, 61, had been fired “effectively immediately” from his longtime position “following a thorough investigation.” Thornton had been a staple on the program for 25 years

The news came after TMZ published photos on Thursday, September 3, showing Thornton browsing what the outlet described as a “chat room for pedophiles” on his laptop during a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles in May.

A fellow passenger reported seeing the contents of Thornton’s screen to a flight attendant, and he was questioned by authorities and later allowed to leave upon disembarking the plane. He has not been arrested or charged in connection with the incident.

Related: Suspended ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Was Seen Browsing Pedophile Chat

The reason for Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton’s suspension has emerged. Thornton, 61, was involved in a troubling incident on a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles in May, according to a TMZ article published on Thursday, September 3. A passenger saw and snapped photos of Thornton engaging in what appeared to be a […]

In a statement on its website, LifeLine, the chat room accessed by Thornton, said, “LifeLine operates a support chat room for people attracted to children and adolescents. We have strict rules against any kind of illicit behavior, including the sharing of criminalized images. Those who violate the rules are swiftly banned and their messages removed as soon as possible.”

“Many commentators ask why a place like LifeLine even exists. It exists because most people attracted to minors are fully capable of behaving responsibly, yet extremely distressed by the stigmatization of their feelings,” the statement continued. “They need a place to talk, ensuring better mental health, leading to more positive outcomes for themselves and their local communities.”

The website noted that it allows users to send and receive “messages that the public may consider ‘offensive’ so long as they do not cross legal boundaries or put anyone at risk of harm,” noting that “via this methodology, we have successfully diverted users from making bad decisions that would have endangered themselves or others.”

“Unfortunately, there is no safe way for minor-attracted people to access professional support in the majority of cases. There is a severe risk of being reported to authorities simply for disclosing one’s feelings,” the statement continued. “Who would seek therapy under the very real threat of being outed and shunned as a ‘pedophile?’ The metaphorical lynching of the celebrity who allegedly visited our chat illustrates this clearly.”

“LifeLine exists precisely because the world is so incredibly hateful and punitive that minor-attracted people have no other means of support,” the statement said.

Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, told Page Six in a statement last Thursday that her client had accessed the website by mistake. However, TMZ reported that Thornton “was in the [chat] room for at least 57 minutes.”

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“My client has become active in suicide-prevention advocacy since losing a close family member to suicide two years ago, and he has spent time visiting chat rooms offering support to individuals suffering from suicidal ideation,” Thornton’s attorney said. “One of the sites my client has visited is 988lifeline.org, and its chat forum chat.988lifeline.org. … Through an acquaintance in the suicide prevention space, my client was misdirected to a forum with a similar URL … which my client understood to be a forum offering suicide prevention support similar to 988lifeline.org and chat.988lifeline.org.”

“When my client understood what the website was about, he left the page and has not visited since,” Hart claimed in her statement. “The website … itself is not unlawful, there is no unlawful child pornography or other pedophilic content, and my client has never viewed, downloaded or consumed any child pornography, whether on that commercial flight in May or at any other time.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

The U.S. Open has been on my bucket list for years, so when I had the chance to go over Labor Day weekend, you can say I felt like I scored a match win. The sunny day was absolutely perfect, filled with honey deuces, tennis matches and tons of eye-catching fashion. Trust me, the players weren’t the only ones stepping out, and I took mental notes of all the chic styles happening on and off the court.

Breezy maxi dresses, loose linen palazzos, woven bags, sneakerina shoes — these are the sleek pieces I caught rich women wearing during the championship. Naturally, it was designer galore, but if you ask me, style can’t be bought. It’s all about how you piece together an outfit to look truly polished, and these fashionable finds deliver the look tenfold. Whether you’re into classic preppy vibes or are all about sophisticated sporty looks, these U.S. Open-inspired pieces will get you there.

17 Late-Summer Pieces Rich Women Wear to the U.S. Open

1. My Favorite: Looking effortlessly put together comes easily when you have this flowy maxi dress on hand. The loose style allows ample airflow when sitting in the stands, while also providing much-needed sun coverage. Not to mention, the print looks so rich.

2. Casually Cute: You don’t have to go all out at the U.S Open; women were also wearing everyday two-piece sets like this sleek option. The beige color and modern design details give it an upscale twist.

3. Sporty Chic: There’s never been a more perfect time to wear your tenniscore outfits. I can count on my fingers how many stylish gals wore athletic dresses to the doubles match (no racket needed).

4. Summer Staple: Even if you don’t end up watching a match this year, these loose palazzo pants are ones you’ll still want in your rotation. They’re breezy, breathable and versatile — wear ’em to the tournament, beach, brunch and beyond.

5. Rich Mom: You might be surprised by how many women wore kitten heels to the U.S. Open, but these thong-heeled sandals deliver the look in the most comfortable fashion. Bonus points if you accent the heel with mini tennis balls (yes, that was a style I legitimately saw).

6. Playful Pattern: Gingham is alive and well, especially in this green tennis-esque color. I love the summery pattern, overlay neckline and bow-tie straps.

7. Celeb-Approved: As it turns out, Kate Middleton isn’t the only one who loves Longchamp tote bags. Sporty rich moms are bringing the iconic prep style to the courts, too. And with such a classy style and durable build, it’s easy to see why.

8. Going Viral: You may have heard that rugby shirts are the ‘new’ thing in fashion, and I can tell you that it’s not just designated for the pitch. This vintage-inspired style is just like the ones spotted at tennis matches, especially when styled with pleated shorts or long skirts.

9. Quite the Charmer: Made with a cool perforated design, gold hardware and a Mary Jane strap, these Steve Madden flats are everything you’d want for the summer-to-fall transition. The shoe style was everywhere at the venue.

10. Shopper-Loved: Coach’s revival is paying off, with so many tennis-watching women wearing this exact shoulder bag style at the stadium. The leather material, ‘C’ logo and flap design give it that expensive look that can’t be beat. Oh, and it comes with a shoulder and crossbody strap!

11. No Brainer: Tennis skirts were huge this summer, so it’s only right that you have one in your closet. This pleated pick feels right at home on the court, especially since it has secret built-in shorts that can stash a tennis ball or your phone.

12. Must-Try: When Naomi Osaka stepped out on the court wearing a full-on metallic ‘fit, my jaw dropped. I took pictures and then went to find a similar skirt to channel her Nike one. This silver skater skirt does it justice and looks flattering with that A-line silhouette.

13. Slimming Staple: Whether you’re watching a match on a sunny day or grabbing brunch alfresco, you’ll want to have this gorgeous, loose dress at the ready. The square neckline, rickrack trim and billowy skirt are chef’s kiss.

14. Trending Style: Everywhere I turned, there was a honey deuce and a Ralph Lauren get-up. These ruffle-hem socks let you in the posh club without spending a fortune. The pair is complete with the legendary polo player logo at the leg.

15. Editor-Approved: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wear a white maxi skirt to the match. This one looks very similar to my go-to, complete with an elastic waistband, tiered skirt and loose fit. Psst, I wasn’t the only gal at the tournament sporting the look.

16. Laid-Back Luxe: Trendy sneakerinas have entered the U.S. Open, and I saw so many ‘It’ girls wearing these exact shoes from Adidas. They combine the brand’s classic sporty look with a feminine ballerina-inspired design.

17. Last But Not Least: I 100% expected to find fashion people wearing striped shirtdresses, and I was not disappointed. This pretty prep style is just like the ones I spotted, from the collared neckline to the long tiered hem. Style it with a woven bag and all-white sneakers, and you’re in peak tennis fashion form.

Doctor Strange has spent more than 60 years venturing into some of the strangest corners of the Marvel Universe, and the Sorcerer Supreme’s next adventure is leaning heavily into the surreal horror that has always made him unique. This time, Stephen Strange is heading somewhere considerably more dangerous than another dimension — straight into the human mind.

It’s been a long time since we saw the good Doctor, and as one of Marvel’s most popular characters, his next move was one we were eagerly anticipating. When Stephen Strange encounters a mysterious patient at his hospital who won’t stop raving about how life is “nothing but the dream of a sleeping god,” the rest of the world is suddenly struck with insomnia. In order to prevent chaos from unfolding as the people around him become more and more desperate for sleep, Doctor Strange must embark into the mind of the madman who seems to have heralded this disaster, taking a psychedelic trip into the Nightmare Realm.

Collider is excited to exclusively reveal new preview pages from Doctor Strange: Endless Nightmare, a brand-new graphic novel written by Kevin J. Anderson (Dune: The Graphic Novel) with artwork from Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín, ahead of its release from Abrams ComicArts’ Marvel Arts line.

Doctor Strange Has an Endless Nightmare

Anderson admitted in a statement that he specifically wanted to use Strange’s ability to access other realms to tell a story inspired by the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft. In doing so, he plans on taking full advantage of a character who feels equally at home between horror, superheroics and fantasy.

“The character of Dr. Strange has access to so many bizarre realms, I wanted to introduce him to a dark and twisted Lovecraft-inspired story. I brought in an important and popular villain in the Dr. Strange universe, as well as another villain who has never appeared since Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created him in 1964’s Dr. Strange #122. It was amazing to play in this universe.”

Endless Nightmare also serves as a long-awaited reunion for Anderson, Allén, and Martín following their work together on Dune: The Graphic Novel. Their adaptation of the science-fiction classic earned praise for its visual approach, with critics describing the artwork as everything from “eye-popping” to “breathtaking.”

Doctor Strange: Endless Nightmare is available now from Abrams ComicArts. Sign up for a free trial of Audible to explore more books and comics.

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Release Date

May 6, 2022

Runtime

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126 minutes

Director

Sam Raimi

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Writers

Michael Waldron

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Producers

Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Scott Derrickson, Victoria Alonso

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