By Robert Scucci
| Published 18 seconds ago

One of the common pitfalls post-apocalyptic thrillers run into is trying to do too much at once, because there are a lot of angles to consider. The Mad Max franchise works because there is dense, folklore-driven worldbuilding that we’re made aware of as a smaller group of people navigate the wasteland looking for answers. The 28 Days Later films handle this well too. We’re briefed on what’s happening globally, and then things are handled locally.

2025’s Uncontained, despite the fact that it has a lot going for it, struggles with this balance. The result is a tonally inconsistent film that I wish stuck the landing better, because the potential is clearly there.

Found Family During End Times

Billed as a zombie horror drama, Uncontained tells a much more personal story through the eyes of Dan (portrayed by writer director Morley Nelson). Dan is a drifter who appears to be immune to the zombie virus that has decimated society, and he eventually happens upon a smart house occupied by two children, Jack (Jack Nelson) and Brooke (Brooke Nelson).

Their mother, simply billed as The Woman (Nicole Nelson), works for Homeland Security and is desperately searching for a cure, because Jack carries a latent version of the infection.

Dan, initially just looking for shelter, slowly becomes a surrogate father figure for Jack and Brooke. The Woman is also glad to have him around, mostly because he’s able to clock an intimidating amount of time on the treadmill that doubles as a power source for the house.

Jack handcuffs himself to the bed before going to bed, because he occasionally turns into a bloodthirsty zombie in his sleep and needs to wait out his episodes so he doesn’t harm his family. He also sets elaborate snare traps in the backyard and spends his time studying captured zombies, which initially disgusts Dan, who doesn’t yet realize that he and Jack have more in common than either of them would like to admit.

The B Story

Meanwhile, Uncontained introduces additional conflict in the form of militia leader Brett Carson (Peter O’Meara), who refuses to leave the property because he’s searching for his missing daughter, Melanie (Courtney Blythe Turk). This entire plot line feels largely unnecessary, as it neither helps nor meaningfully disrupts the dynamic inside the house that Dan and the family are occupying.

The limited value these scenes provide comes mostly from comic relief, particularly when Brett talks shop with a police officer who grows more visibly concerned with each passing exchange, as if silently thinking, “dude, you need to go home before you get killed.”

Speaking of comic relief, Uncontained earns genuine points for the dynamic it establishes between Dan, Jack, and Brooke, and The Woman. Dan has a gruff exterior and doesn’t look like the kind of guy who enjoys screwing around. But the moment Brooke offers him her hair clips, he immediately takes her up on it just to be kind. These subtle moments are both funny and disarming, and they say a lot about Dan’s character. The world is effectively ending, and nobody is obligated to be pleasant if they don’t want to be.

Uncontained ultimately leaves a lot on the table, and it’s because it tries to think globally and locally at the same time. Had the film committed to being a bottle story focused on the house and its occupants, I think it would have landed more cleanly. It simply tries to do too much at once, when the initial survival story is already compelling on its own. The moments I enjoyed most came directly from this central dynamic. The idea that an infected child could be the key to a cure while the family battens down the hatches and rides out the proverbial storm is strong enough without a side story pulling attention away from it.

Uncontained is streaming for free on Tubi.

Dave Coulier’s tongue cancer is officially in remission, two months after going public with his diagnosis.

“It’s been a roller-coaster ride for sure,” Coulier, 66, said during a Wednesday, February 4, appearance on Good Morning America. “I’m in remission with both cancers. And what a journey this has been.”

The Full House alum announced in December 2025 that doctors had diagnosed him with HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer that October. The illness was “totally unrelated” to his previous battle with stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of, ‘Whoa, it’s gone.’ And then to get a test that says, ‘Well now you’ve got another kind of cancer,’” said on the Today show in December 2025. “It is a shock to the system.”

Related: What Is Oropharyngeal Tongue Cancer? Breaking Down Dave Coulier’s Diagnosis

Full House alum Dave Coulier has been diagnosed with a new type of cancer months after beating lymphoma. “To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of, ‘Whoa, it’s gone.’ And then to get a test that says, ‘Well now you’ve got another kind of cancer,’” the 66-year-old actor said during a Tuesday, December 2 […]

Coulier announced his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in November 2024. He was cancer free by March 2025, after several rounds of chemotherapy.

“It was a really tough year, chemotherapy was grueling,” Coulier told Today late last year. “A couple of months ago, I had a PET scan, and something flared on the scan. The doctor said, ‘We don’t know what it is, but there’s something at the base of your tongue.’”

Coulier explained that it was a “very painful” experience.

“It’s like if you bit your tongue, but the pain just lasted every single day,” the actor shared during his Today interview.

Oropharyngeal tongue cancer is considered rare, with the American Cancer Society estimating that it only impacts 53,000 people a year. The illness “forms in your oropharynx, the middle section of your throat,” according to an article by the Cleveland Clinic. While it is treatable, it “can come back,” the same article claimed. Coulier’s specific type of tongue cancer impacted the P16 protein, a marker for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that can turn into cancer if untreated.

In December 2025, Coulier revealed that he planned to undergo 35 radiation treatments. The “prognosis is good,” his medical team said at the time.

Related: Dave Coulier’s Cancer Battle in His Own Words: From His Diagnosis to Now

David Livingston/Getty Images Since going public with stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma in November 2024, Dave Coulier has been candid about his illness, treatment and prognosis before his second diagnosis. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the patient’s lymphatic system, with “white blood cells called lymphocytes [that] grow abnormally and can form growths […]

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“It’s a whole different animal than chemo,” he explained. “It doesn’t feel as aggressive, but there are still side effects.”

Coulier has stayed in high spirits during his overall cancer battle. However, the actor has spoken candidly about the toll it’s taken on his mental health.

“It’s emotional. It’s psychologically draining,” Coulier told Today, explaining that it has also impacted his wife, Melissa Bring. “I’m going to get on the other side of this. The silver lining here is that I had cancer, which helped me detect my other cancer. It seems crazy to be making that statement, but it’s true.”

Bring, who has been married to Coulier since 2014, also addressed her husband’s lengthy cancer journey in a January 2025 interview.

“He has some really tough days, and as the chemo has been accumulating it gets a little tougher and more difficult,” she said at the time. “He has such a positive attitude, and you need that in order to really fight it.

Bring recalled, “Every morning, if he’s feeling up for it, we try to put on a song and do a little dance party with the dogs, because when you do feel good, you have to celebrate that too.”

When you have a long-spanning, well-established, illustrious career, creating another iconic character in your later years may not be realistic. But then, Catherine O’Hara defied that. She didn’t just play another significant role; she crafted what is perhaps her most beloved character of all time. When you see an image of Moira Rose, you can hear it. From her distinct made-up dialect with signature cadence to memorable quotes that live rent-free in the pop culture lexicon, O’Hara’s role on Schitt’s Creek was a glorious celebration of comedy.

O’Hara’s passing came as quite a shock to all who loved her. It’s allowed us to reflect on her brilliant career and the impact she made on our lives. When it came to Schitt’s Creek, from start to finish, it was a pitch-perfect comedy, produced in part by O’Hara’s Moira. Throughout her six seasons, these Moira episodes stand out as, well, simply the best.

10

“Motel Review”

Season 3, Episode 8

Image via CBC Television

One thing we know Moira Rose is not is a working woman in menial jobs. Don’t ever expect her to do a job a pedestrian might take on. But sometimes, hard times require hard decisions. In this Season 3 episode, the motel receives a particularly negative review: “I was served by an intimidating woman at the front desk, with an unrecognizable accent, and scary-looking attire.” Well, while the first part could have been about Stevie Budd (Emily Hampshire), the second part is most certainly about Moira. So, what is she doing manning the front desk? With Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) running an errand and Stevie forcing a reluctant Moira to help out with the easy task of simply sitting at the front desk and helping guests, our beloved Moira botches it hardcore.

Moira is of no particular help when a guest seeks to check in, sloughing off that guest’s many requests. When Johnny learns how this review might negatively affect the motel, he forces his wife to make amends with the guest. Moira’s highest points in the episode are watching her muster up enough of a facade to keep the catty side at bay. This is not a position she wants to be put in, but this motel is their only hope. She must right her wrongs. Most employees offer service with a smile. Moira provides service with a smirk. A big part of this episode is seeing Moira and Johnny work through their marital issues in this new confined situation. They need their space! An episode built on relationships and the frustrations that come with them; even our favorite couple had their ups and downs.

9

“RIP Moira Rose”

Season 4, Episode 5

Image via CBC Television

It might be hard to find the humor of this episode, given O’Hara’s passing, but this Season 4 episode epitomized the Moira we grew to love. Rumors circulate that TV’s Moira Rose died. As the news spreads, it brings worry to the citizens of Schitt’s Creek, only for immense joy to come when they learn she’s alive and well. Online, the instant attention brings flattering condolences and complimentary messages, which, of course, she adores. But when a reporter arrives in town for a story, Moira is forced to reconcile her life in Schitt’s Creek.

Moira must decide what’s worse: that there is only one reporter, or that the reporter will see that she lives, in her own words, in “a Podunk motel”. Using a darker tone to discuss mortality, Schitt’s Creek puts death on display through the lens of celebrity. Watching Moira’s downward spiral from joy to sadness is quite genuine and honest. While we all may wish to know how our loved ones may react to our own passing, the reality might end up being a tough pill to swallow. Moira’s descent into her downward spiral is one of the rare moments when the show balances a range of emotions to convey something refreshing.

8

“The Rollout”

Season 4, Episode 11

Image via CBC Television

Generally, no one wants to do jury duty, so the concept of Moira having to sit through jury duty in this community is hilarious in and of itself. Upon learning that she and Jocelyn Schitt (Jennifer Robertson) have to sit through jury duty, she prepares every excuse in the book to get herself out of it. That is, until the case piqued her interest. So, what could this case be about that Moira no longer wants to perjure herself for? Embezzlement. Well, this one hit close to home! Moira has a mission on her mind, and she’s not going to go down easy.

Since this is Schitt’s Creek, Moira is absolutely not going to get what she wants. Moira so desperately wants vicarious revenge on the business manager who robbed the Roses that she overcompensates. Fortunately for the Canadian justice system, she loses her temper, tells the truth, and gets dismissed. This episode was a fun buddy moment for the mothers of the town as they continue to develop their bond as an odd couple. Moira’s engagement with the mundane is part of what makes the latter seasons special. Moira is an example of the extreme actions we wish we could achieve but never dare execute.

7

“Moira’s Nudes”

Season 2, Episode 9

Image via CBC Televsion

The concept of our nudes leaking and circling the World Wide Web is terrifying. Now, when it’s Moira Rose, it’s just a brilliantly funny concept. During Season 2, Moira goes up against Jocelyn for a town council position. Upon learning that her nudes are out, the technologically inept Moira tasks David (Dan Levy) and Stevie to find and delete them. But when they can’t find them, Moira’s true feelings come out. She’s not necessarily upset that her nudes may be circulating; she’s distressed that they’re missing. Why? If they’re missing, the memorial to her youth is lost.

The premise of asking her son to even locate those photos is funny. But to then see them as a highlight of her past is a pretense to her personality and mindset. As Moira comes to realize the impact of these lost photos, she wants to prevent anyone else from enduring this pain. So, she gives young Stevie advice. She famously tells Stevie to take a thousand naked pictures of herself and post them online, so her future self and children can look back fondly. Moira had given out a lot of advice throughout the series, but this one takes the cake.

6

“Finding David”

Season 2, Episode 1

Image via CBC Television

Not everyone took to relocating to Schitt’s Creek well. Case in point, David Rose. In the Season 2 premiere, the Roses are on the hunt to find David. The reason he disappears is that, believing he’d be escaping Schitt’s Creek soon, the sale of the town doesn’t go through. While some genuinely care about David’s whereabouts, Moira is also concerned that he’s supporting himself at her expense. In her mind, that cannot happen. Further, what’s more distressing than her missing son is her missing bag. We’ve seen her in hysterics over her prized possessions before, but this one was peak Moira.

Having a conniption that her brown crocodile bag, which her mother gave her, had been stolen by her missing son, it’s telling what her priorities lie. As much as Johnny attempts to calm her down, alerting her to the many other brown bags she owns, it’s this bag she demands. The hysterics are part of the character because most of us understand the absurdity of her situation and how she’s simply overreacting. But the way she alludes to the bag as if it were one of her children, even though her actual kid is missing, makes it simply hilarious. These early moments are crucial to her eventual character building.

5

“Life Is a Cabaret”

Season 5, Episode 14

Image via CBC Television

There’s something so endearing about our favorite characters putting on a show. Whether it be the kids of Glee or the kids of High School Musical: The Musical the Series, it brings us back to our own high school theater days. Now, imagine that type of scotch tape production in a community theater lens. Schitt’s Creek lets the adults live out their theater fantasies. Schitt’’ Creek opted to put on a production of the John Kander and Fred Ebb classic Cabaret. A very meta selection, the lead-up to the production featured some brilliant moments, including Alexis Rose (Annie Murphy) auditioning with “A Little Bit Alexis.” In the Season 5 finale, it’s opening night, and like any production, nothing can actually go perfectly. With Stevie suddenly going MIA, director Moira Rose is ready and able to step into the role of Sally Bowles.

TV’s Moira Rose had been chomping at the bit to prove she’s a star, but for this production, she kept her expertise lead her to direct. No one was going to steal her thunder. Not even the announcement of David and Patrick Brewer’s (Noah Reid) engagement. But with Stevie missing, in the mother-of-the-year’s opinion, because David spilled his secret, Moira could be the hero without looking like an egomaniac in the lead role. Moira arrives in full costume because the show must go on! But as Stevie finally returns, ready to bring the house down with “Maybe This Time,” there’s a sense of disappointment from Moira.

In perfect Moira fashion, she passes off her costume as silly, awkward cosplay. But as everyone else revels in praise and glory, opening night also becomes closing night for her big film comeback, as she learns it has been shelved. Having divulged that it was the only thing saving her from an emotional spiral, you can’t help but feel for Moira. This episode, which has some funny moments, is Moira at her most vulnerable. O’Hara’s ability to open Moira up to genuine pain and disappointment through the guise of humor is the work of an extraordinary performer. Moira’s depth had been fully achieved.

4

“The Crowening”

Season 5, Episode 1

Image via CBC Television

As Schitt’s Creek delighted devoted fans, the team began sprinkling in running gags that became a gift every time they popped up. For Moira, and her acting career, the best running bit came with her involvement with The Crows Have Eyes film franchise. Highlighting the lengths to which Moira would go to resurrect her career, the first time the fictional horror film appears is in Season 3, when she auditioned for The Crows Have Eyes II. We know she turned it down as she’d have to pay her way to the filming location and live with a local family. Flash forward to the Season 5 premiere, and Moira is back in action as she’s accepted the role of Dr. Clara Mandrake, a respected ornithologist turned human-crow hybrid. Not only is this our favorite mother’s big comeback vehicle, but we also get to see her filming the low-budget project in Bosnia, The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening.

As expected, Moira is Moira. She has numerous script revisions that the young director has no interest in taking on. While he claims it’s “an apocalyptic fantasy about mutant crows,” Moira sees it as “a timely allegory about prejudice.” Bless her heart. As she tries to litter her soap opera experience, it just makes the viewing experience even more bizarre. Watching O’Hara decked out like a bird, playing it up in a nest in front of a green screen, was comedy gold. In a feature with Vulture at the time, O’Hara was revealed to have had “free rein” to create Dr. Mandrake’s look. Learning how much input the actress had with this arc was extraordinary. What made it better was seeing the payoff in Season 6, with the local premiere, which was simply divine. Decked out with a Merlot carpet and the support of the town, it truly was a full-circle moment.

3

“Our Cup Runneth Over”

Season 1, Episode 1

Image via CBC Television

Schitt’s Creek would not be the legendary series it became without a pitch-perfect pilot. A good pilot must set up the series to come and entice us to become invested. Diving straight into the raid of the Rose’s mansion, we saw the high-strung anxiety from the quartet as all of their beloved belongings were ripped from their hands. As we watch the wealth disappear before their eyes, we begin to learn about each character’s quirks and how they react to tragedy. O’Hara brought instant hysteria. First, we see her with designer bags on her person, only for us to see her servants packing up her personal items. And by that, I mean her many wigs. And no, the wigs don’t get along with one another. When the Roses learn that there is one asset remaining, and no, not the kids, the entire series officially begins.

Johnny purchased the town as a joke for David, and now that joke was their saving grace. Schitt’s Creek became their home and our place to join our new favorite revision family. By the time we reach the town, we get to see Moira on full display in her complete disgust, insults flying in only a manner Moira could hurl. Yet it was all part of the comedy, watching his wealthy woman try to get used to her biggest fear—being poor. From watching her maneuver a lightbulb in a drawer to living so close to her kids, Moira is being Moira. Though she jokes about not waking up and about nailing the coffin shut, if only Episode 1 Moira could see herself in Met Gala-inspired regalia in the finale.

2

“Family Dinner”

Season 2, Episode 2

Image via CBC Television

While we eventually saw the Roses develop into a beautiful family unit, it was during the first few seasons that we saw the quartet’s disconnect. Yet, the more that they were forced to spend time together, the closer they eventually became. In the Season 2 episode, Moira chose to cook dinner to prove she could indeed cook. In an attempt to continue a family tradition, Moira planned to prepare her “family’s” enchilada recipe. Enlisting David to be her essentially sous chef, resulting in a chaotic scene that left us all in stitches.

While in the kitchen, mother dearest instructs her son to follow the recipe. Of course, he takes it all far too literally. Now, they may not be elite chefs, but the term “fold in the cheese” held them up as they could not fathom what it meant. As Moira tried to play coy, David grew angry. And as David’s rage rose, Moira began to panic. From literally believing one must fold the tiny shreds of cheddar like a piece of paper to Moira avoiding answering her son’s question, the scene played out exactly how you’d expect two individuals who never once stepped foot in a kitchen to occur. The zinger of the scene, “David, what does burning smell like?” served as a perfect button. This episode showcased Moira’s attempt at domesticity, which we all knew was a doomed venture. And that’s the comedy of Moira in the early seasons.

1

“Wine and Roses”

Season 1, Episode 6

There are quite a few iconic moments that came out of the first season of Schitt’s Creek, but the moment that put the series on the map was the Herb Ertlinger (Richard Waugh) wine commercial. The sixth episode put Moira back on screen only for her to own her flop. Specializing in fruit wine, Herb was eager to have Moira serve as the winery’s spokeswoman. With an ego boosted, Moira is all in, believing this would be her acting comeback. If only it were that easy. What resulted was one of the funniest scenes in the entire series.

The brilliance of the writing was the name of the man and his winery. An already peculiar name, even some of the best in diction might get tongue-tied while attempting to say “Herb Ertlinger.” But Moira, through all her delusional confidence, goes all in with the mispronunciation, causing a domino effect of flubs. The result was sheer hilarity. Now, mind you, the woman was quite tipsy, having sampled the vino at the unpretentious winery. O’Hara’s nuanced subtlety mirrors the brilliance we remember her bringing to the assortment of Christopher Guest films she starred in. Moira was a character we laughed at, but genuinely rooted for in the world of acting. Thanks to this commercial, it was a sweet taste of where the former soap star could go in the future. And as we’ve discussed, shine a spotlight on Moira, and she dazzles.

Nicki Minaj has sparked reactions after sharing why she believes she is not transphobic. Additionally, the rapper shared why she chose to place her support behind Donald Trump.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Is Goin’ OFF After Nicki Minaj Called Herself Trump’s “Number One Fan” & Held His Hand At Account Summit (WATCH)

Nicki Minaj Says She’s Not Transphobic & Explains Trump Alignment

On Tuesday, February 3, a new episode of the ‘Katie Miller Pod’ was released via YouTube and featured Nicki Minaj as a guest. As the conversation opened, Minaj explained that she placed her support behind President Donald Trump after seeing “how he was being treated.”

“I felt that that same — a lot of that bullying and the smear campaigns, and all of that lying — I felt like that had been done to me for so many years. And I was watching it in real time happen to someone else, and I didn’t think he deserved it,” Minaj explained.

As the conversation continued, Minaj seemed to note that Trump expressed to her his respect for her fanbase and the LGBTQ+ community. Around nine minutes into the interview, Minaj shared her own stance, explaining that although she disagrees with pro-trans rhetoric being pushed in schools, she is not transphobic. Furthermore, she stated that she believes “adults” should be able to do what they’d like with their bodies.

See what she said below.

Social Media Is Sharing Reactions

Social media users reacted to Nicki Minaj’s comments about not being transphobic in TSR’s comment section.

Before Nicki Minaj Shared That She’s Not Transphobic, She Sparked Reactions With Recent Donald Trump Alignment

Before Nicki Minaj shared that she’s not transphobic, she raised eyebrows with her apparent political alignment with Donald Trump. As The Shade Room previously reported, in November 2025, Minaj appeared at the United Nations. There, she noted her support of Donald Trump speaking on the alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.

RELATED: Screenshot Appears To Show Tammy Rivera Calling Nicki Minaj A “Bootlicker” As Clip Resurfaces Of Charlie Kirk Saying Rapper Isn’t Good Role Model

Then, earlier this month, Minaj appeared at the Trump Account Summit. Additionally, she said she was the president’s “number one fan” and even held his hand.

RELATED: Birds Of A Feather? Waka Flocka Sparks Reactions With Message For Nicki Minaj Amid Shade Over Trump Support (PHOTO)

The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially here — and Team USA is arriving in Italy with star power, storylines and sky-high expectations. 

As the world’s best athletes descend on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, all eyes are on the Americans: from Ilia Malinin’s can’t-miss moment in men’s figure skating to Mikaela Shiffrin’s long-awaited redemption tour on the slopes, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates chasing gold as newlyweds in their fourth Olympic Games together. 

With pressure mounting and history on the line, these athletes aren’t just competing for medals — they’re skating, skiing and sliding into some of the most defining moments of their careers. 

Us Weekly spoke exclusively to some of Team USA’s biggest stars as they prepare to take center stage when the Milano Cortina Games kick off February 6. 

Redemption Mode

Some of the most powerful Olympic stories are born from heartbreak.

In 2022, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin arrived in Beijing as a heavy favorite, expected to dominate the slopes. Instead, she suffered a stunning series of DNFs (Did Not Finish) and left without a medal. “A lot of people who were tuning into Mikaela Shiffrin for her biggest race were tuning in when I didn’t win a medal,” Shiffrin tells Us. “They were saying, ‘Don’t even come home. You failed us. You didn’t bring home any gold.’” 

The emotional weight of that moment has stayed with her — and reshaped her perspective heading into 2026. “That’s the hardest thing or the most loaded thing, and I’m very aware of it now, emotionally and mentally,” she continues. “The hurdle I’ve been working on with my team and with my psychologist and with my family and everybody around me is: We could go to these Games and we could do everything right, and it could still go wrong.” 

Now, coming off a dominant season that saw her make World Cup history, Shiffrin, 30, is embracing a different mindset. “Going into [the Olympics] as an athlete, you’ve really got to be open-minded,” she explains. “Now that we have all of this in- formation, all of this experience, could we boil it down a little bit and remember that we’re just ski racing here?” 

Redemption is also front and center for the U.S. women’s figure skating team, which heads into Milan Cortina with unfinished business. After leaving Beijing without the gold many believed was within reach, the Americans are skating with something to prove — and the depth to do it. 

Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito and Alysa Liu headline a stacked field, blending technical firepower with hard-earned experience on the world stage. For these skat- ers, 2026 isn’t just another Olympic cycle — it’s a chance to turn lingering frustration into gold. 

“If we do our jobs in Milan, then more than likely some- one is going to be up there,” Glenn has said of the podium.

American Pride

For many athletes, the Olympics represent more than medals — they’re a rare chance to unite a country. 

“It’s one of the greatest honors to be able to go to the Olympics and represent the U.S.,” ice dancer Madison Chock, 33, tells Us. “For us being Americans, we have such pride in our patriotism and really, the American dream.” 

That responsibility isn’t lost on veterans like hockey player Hilary Knight, who will compete in her fifth and final Games. “If you want to call us sports ambassadors or sports envoys, we can have an impact on someone’s life in a small way,” Knight, 36, says. “I do think there’s a greater responsibility when you’re representing your country on the world stage.” 

Honorary coach and NBC correspondent Snoop Dogg agrees. “One thing about the Olympics that I love is that it gives me a chance to be in front of people to represent what Americans look like, what we feel like, how we love, how we appreciate,” he’s said. 

High-Stakes Drama

If any event captures the emotional intensity of the Olympics, it’s figure skating — and few understand that better than Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. 

“You hear the music, you see the rings, there’s this magic to it,” says Lipinski, 43, who won gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics at just 15 years old. “I think that’s why the whole world loves this event. It’s one of these things where you realize that this group of athletes has sacrificed their whole life. They’re building to this one moment in time. It’s four minutes on the ice that could change their entire life.” 

For Lipinski, that emotional cocktail is exactly what makes the sport unforgettable. 

“It’s everything you could want,” she adds. “The pressure, the suspense, the glitz, the glamour.” 

Now working together as NBC Sports analysts, Lipinski and Weir experience those moments from the booth — but the nerves never disappear. 

“Figure skating isn’t known as the most hugs and kisses, warm and fuzzy sport,” Weir, 41, explains. “But we all appreciate how small and niche and special this family is. As the older generation watching the younger generation of skaters, we want the best for them because we know exactly how it feels to be in their shoes.” 

Snowboarder Chloe Kim, 25, has already had a front-row seat to Olympic drama before even strapping in. The reigning halfpipe superstar entered the season sidelined by a torn labrum in her shoulder that left her status uncertain. 

For the athlete, the weeks leading up to the Games became a test of patience and resilience — rehabbing, recalibrating and waiting to see if her body would cooperate in time. Whether she’s at full strength or fighting to find her rhythm, Kim arrives carrying the emotional weight of a comeback that started long before the Opening Ceremony. 

Must-Watch Phenom

The Olympic experience is one unlike any other — with athletes from all over the world converging in one place, each chasing a moment of immortality. Sixteen different sports disciplines will be featured in Milano Cortina, with more than 3,500 athletes representing 93 countries. 

And while the depth of competition is staggering, a select few still rise above the noise and become must-watch storylines. One of them is Team USA’s Ilia Malinin, who will have all eyes on him when the men’s figure skating competition begins. 

“There’s kind of different ways I approach it,” Malinin, 21, tells Us. “I like to embrace it a lot, especially closer to a competition. Feeling that pressure is kind of like, ‘OK, everyone’s looking at me. Now I really need to be at my best. Be on my A-game.’”

But even the sport’s most dominant skater admits the pressure can cut both ways. 

“There’s also days that won’t be the best days,” he continues. “A lot of the time, what I’ll do is say, ‘OK, there’s a lot of pressure on me, let me just block this out and focus on what I really need to do and try not to think about people’s expectations of me.”

Nicknamed the Quad God, Malinin knows fans often see him as untouchable — something he’s eager to challenge on Olympic ice.

“Everyone sees me at competitions and I’m just so focused, I’m really in a different mindset where I’m pretty much as perfect as I can be,” Malinin explains. “But in reality, I’m not perfect. I’ll have bad days, I’ll have good days. It’s really the thing that tells people, ‘Oh, he’s really human like the rest of us.’”

The MVPs You Won’t See on the Podium

Beyond the athletes, the Games will be stacked with scene-stealing personalities, led by Snoop Dogg, who’s returning as an on-air commentator and cultural ambassador — and promising to keep things anything but predictable. 

“You know, one thing about me, I’m unexpected, I’m unorthodox, but I’m always full of fun,” Snoop tells Us, adding that his mission is “making sure that America is represented in a peaceful, beautiful way to the globe.” 

While he’s happy to entertain Olympic viewers, the rapper admits he’s still learning — though there’s one event already at the top of his watch list. “I think the sport I’m looking forward to the most [is] figure skating, because I just really, truly appreciate and love the art and the craft that it takes to become a figure skater,” he says — especially with the music, the fashion and the possibility that “my girl, Martha Stewart, may meet me out there at the front row of the figure skating final.”

He’ll be joined around the Olympic universe by Flavor Flav, official sponsor and “hype-man” for the USA Bobsled and Skeleton team, bringing his trademark energy as an enthusiastic supersupporter in the stands. Also on board: Stanley Tucci, who’s set to lend his signature charm and sophistication to cultural and culinary storytelling from Italy — proving that at these Games, the characters off the field may be just as compelling as the competition itself. 

Vonn Is Back — and So Is the NHL

The 2026 Games mark a couple of noteworthy returns: skier Lindsey Vonn and NHL players participating in the Olympics for the first time since 2014 in Sochi. 

Vonn, 41, who last competed in the Olympics in 2018, announced her return to the sport in November 2024 and earned a spot on the team in December 2025, a miraculous comeback that felt nearly unfathomable after having a partial knee replacement just months before coming out of retirement. 

“But after a successful season that saw her reach the podium in seven of eight races, the legend declared, “I’m not the underdog anymore!” Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, reflected, “This is 24 years after my first Olympics. I’ve won everything I could have ever won. I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone. I’m doing this because I think I can do well, it’s a meaningful place for me, and I think I can make a positive impact.”

Despite tearing her ACL during a World Cup race in Switzerland just days before the start of the Games, Vonn said she still intended on competing.

“I know what my chances in these Olympics were before this crash, and even though my chances aren’t the same now, there is still a chance,” she shared via Instagram. “And as long as I have a chance, I will not lose hope. I will not give up! It’s not over yet!”

Men’s hockey will also be a focal point, as the NHL’s best players will represent their home countries for the first time in over a decade. 

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes will play for Team USA alongside his older brother, Quinn Hughes, which means the entire Hughes family is looking forward to a European vacation. 

“A bunch of my cousins, aunts and uncles are making the trip,” Jack, 24, tells Us. “We’ve got some friends coming over, too. All the people in our lives are so excited to be part of this. It’s such a special event. You never know if we’ll be able to go back.”

Pomp and Circumstance

Of course, no Olympics would be complete without the spectacle. The 2026 Games officially kick off February 6 with a massive Opening Ceremony at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium — a moment athletes say never gets old. 

This year’s will feature performances from global super stars Mariah Carey and Italian icon Andrea Bocelli, setting the stage with equal parts star power and national pride. “I’m just looking forward to soaking it all in,” bobsledder Boone Niederhofer says.

For Chock, the spotlight is a reminder of what it took to get there. “It’s the years, decades of work that you put in,” she says. “But that’s what makes the Olympics special.” 

And when the Games draw to a close, the celebration will come full circle at the Closing Ceremony on February 22 at the historic Arena di Verona, where athletes finally get to exhale, celebrate their accomplishments and pass the Olympic flame forward — a final, emotional send off to two unforgettable weeks in Italy. 

Few people are as good as Stevie Nicks at writing songs that pierce right through your soul. Both in her solo work and with Fleetwood Mac, she has written the best songs about love, heartbreak, and loss. Ever since she was very young, she has known how to capture the rawest feelings in her songs. In fact, she wrote her most heartbreaking song when she was just 25. This track went on to become one of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits, and it’s hard to believe it was written by a person in her 20s.

Stevie Nicks Wrote This Song About a Difficult Time in Her Life

Stevie Nicks is the mastermind behind several hits about heartbreak and love. “Silver Springs” is the perfect example. In it, Nicks expresses raw anger, pain, love, and revenge. But while this song might be more aggressive in its heartbreak, there is another song that will quietly devastate the listener, and might be the best Fleetwood Mac song. That song is “Landslide.”

In 1973, Stevie Nicks was dating bandmate Lindsey Buckingham. The couple had recently released their album, the first and only one the duo put out, and their future was uncertain. Nicks was accompanying her partner on a trip to Aspen, Colorado, to a rehearsal, because Buckingham had joined Don Everly’s band as a touring musician. It was a difficult time for the couple. Their album, “Buckingham Nicks,” hadn’t done so well, and they were questioning what their next step should be. “It was horrifying to Lindsey and I because we had a taste of the big time, we recorded in a big studio, we met famous people, we made what we consider to be a brilliant record and nobody liked it,” Stevie Nicks explained.

Buckingham had joined Don Everly’s band not because he wanted to be a touring musician, but because they were struggling financially. Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks was working odd jobs. “I had been a waitress and a cleaning lady, and I didn’t mind any of this. I was perfectly delighted to work and support us so that Lindsey could produce and work and fix our songs and make our music.” However, after having had their chance with “Buckingham Nicks,” the prospect of going back to what they used to do felt wrong. “I had gotten to a point where it was like, ‘I’m not happy. I am tired. But I don’t know if we can do any better than this. If nobody likes this, then what are we going to do?’”

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“Landslide” Represents Stevie Nicks’ Decision Not to Give Up

“Landslide” is not only a solid track and a moving song; it’s, in a way, the reason why Fleetwood Mac exists. Nicks spent two weeks with Lindsey Buckingham in Aspen while he was rehearsing, and she wrote “Landslide” while they were there. She was reflecting on their future, and the lyrics, while they are now seen as a beautiful metaphor, were very literal at the time.

“I made a decision to continue. “Landslide” was the decision,” Stevie Nicks explained. “‘When you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills’—it’s the only time in my life that I’ve lived in the snow,” she revealed. In Aspen, she was “looking up at those Rocky Mountains and going, ‘Okay, we can do it. I’m sure we can do it.’ In one of my journal entries, it says, ‘I took Lindsey and said, We’re going to the top!’ And that’s what we did. Within a year, Mick Fleetwood called us, and we were in Fleetwood Mac.”

Stevie Nicks was only 25 years old when she wrote this song, which makes it even more impressive. The lyrics, and particularly the chorus, make it seem like it was written by an older person looking back on their life. “Time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I’m gettin’ older, too,” she sings longingly. She might have been young, but she had lived a lot of life in those short 25 years. She had fallen in love with the man who would become her songwriting partner long after the relationship was over. She had tried and failed at music, and was still about to make a huge impact in the music world. She just didn’t know it. The commercial failure of “Buckingham Nicks” was a low blow for both of them, but Stevie Nicks was wise enough to reflect on the ups and downs in life, putting it into words in a way that shows that even then, she was wise beyond her years. And just like that, she turned her uncertainty and fear into one of the greatest songs ever written.

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