Katie Holmes has a talent for making simple wardrobe staples look far more expensive than they actually are. The actress consistently gravitates toward elevated basics that strike the perfect balance between comfortable and polished, and her latest outfit featured a chic knit top we’d happily wear all summer long.

On June 5, the actress stepped out in New York City wearing a cream short-sleeve knit top tucked into black-wash jeans, accessorizing with a croc-embossed belt, a structured white bucket bag and sleek black pumps. The outfit felt equal parts effortless and sophisticated, but it was the elevated knit top that immediately caught our eye.

Get the Anrabess Short Sleeve Sweater Top for just $23 (Was $27) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, June 11, 2026, but are subject to change.

Want to recreate the vibe without the celebrity price tag? We found the Anrabess Short Sleeve Sweater Top on Amazon for just $23, and it delivers a remarkably similar look. With its soft knit fabrication, classic crew neckline and easy silhouette, it’s the kind of piece that works with everything already hanging in your closet.

Related: Get Shailene Woodley’s Loose, Slimming White Jeans Look for $32

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Shailene Woodley just made a strong case for swapping skinny jeans for a looser silhouette this summer. While many shoppers assume baggy white denim adds bulk, the actress proved the opposite: when styled correctly, relaxed white jeans can actually create a longer, leaner-looking frame. On June 3 in New York City, Woodley stepped out wearing […]

Like Holmes’ version, the top feels elevated without trying too hard. The sweater-knit texture gives it a dressier feel than a basic T-shirt, while the short sleeves make it practical for warm-weather wear. The cream colorway captures the same rich-looking aesthetic, but it’s also available in pink, khaki and several other shades. Sizes range from XS to XXL.

Versatility is another reason we’re eyeing this find. Wear it tucked into dark jeans and loafers for a Katie-inspired weekend look, pair it with tailored trousers for the office or style it with a flowy midi skirt for summer dinners. It’s one of those rare basics that can easily shift between casual and dressier occasions.

Shoppers have been equally impressed. The top has earned hundreds of five-star ratings, with one reviewer calling it “easy to style” and saying it “looks great on its own or layered under a blazer or cardigan.” Another wrote that the quality “looks and feels” like a “high-end, expensive piece.”

If you’re looking for a versatile summer staple that channels Holmes’ effortless style, this $23 knit top is an easy place to start. It’s a simple way to bring her elevated jeans-and-knit formula into your own wardrobe.

Looking for a different take on Holmes’ knit-top trend? Keep scrolling!

Shop more cream short-sleeve knit tops that we love:

Not your style? Explore more short-sleeve knit tops here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Nina Dobrev Just Paired Rich-Looking Loafers With a Mini Skirt

Nina Dobrev has a knack for making classic basics feel fresh, and her latest outfit is proof. The actress stepped out in a coordinated denim look that felt equal parts polished and effortless, but it was her choice of footwear that really caught our attention. Instead of sneakers or sandals, Dobrev reached for rich-looking loafers […]

YouTuber Jesse Ridgway and his wife Ashley ignited a controversy by revealing their decision to terminate her pregnancy.

They announced in a June 2026 Instagram post that Ashley underwent an abortion because their unborn child received a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. (Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21.)

“This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21,” Jesse wrote via his Instagram Stories on June 3, 2026. “The choice was not made lightly. We really appreciate all of the personal stories that you guys shared with us, especially the unconditional support we receive from fans with no matter what we decided.”

A huge outcry followed, with the Ridgways allegedly receiving death threats and other abuse via social media. The backlash grew so intense that Jesse revealed that he and Ashley started sleeping with a gun near their bed for safety.

Keep scrolling for a full timeline of the Ridgways’ relationship and their controversial decision to have an abortion:

Jesse Ridgway and Ashley Started Dating in 2019

In October 2019, Jesse Ridgway — who is known as McJuggerNuggets on social media — went public with his new girlfriend, Ashley May, after four days of dating.

“[She’s] the girl of my dreams,” Jesse beamed in a vlog at the time. “Guys, I wanted to do a separate sitdown video to address the elephant in the room, which is: we’re dating! It’s official!”

The two originally met on Tinder.

Jesse Ridgway Proposed to Ashley in October 2024

The couple revealed in an October 2024 vlog that Jesse popped the question after dating Ashley for five years.

“Ashley and I are getting married … which is actually pretty wild to say,” Jesse admitted. “Five years of dating guys … I kinda manifested everything. I called her the ‘girl of my dreams,’ and it was this cool, romantic video.”

Ashley revealed, “[He] even said a week into dating, pretty much, that we were going to get married and we were gonna have kids. A week into dating!”

Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Got Married in October 2025

Jesse tied the knot with Ashley on October 06, 2025, in a sunset beach ceremony in Ocean City, New Jersey.

“We’re officially married,” Jesse announced in a subsequent vlog, with Ashley excitedly interjecting. “Holy crap!”

Jesse admitted that the newlyweds opted for a “run and gun” wedding where only a few loved ones knew ahead of time.

“This was super private,” he told viewers. “My whole life is public.”

Ashley added, “We just wanted something intimate.”

The Ridgways Confirmed They Were Expecting a Baby in March 2026

Ashley and Jesse shared via Instagram in March 2026 that they were expecting their first child. They couple posted a carousel of images of a sonogram, along with the caption, “BABY RIDGWAY – COMING FALL 2026.”

Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Shared Their Unborn Child’s Down’s Syndrome Diagnosis in a Vlog

In April 2026, Ashley and Jesse released a video where they learned on camera that their child had received a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis.

“We were so excited to celebrate the gender reveal in a Psycho video with you guys, but in true ‘art imitates life’ — fashion…there had to be a dark twist,” Jesse wrote via Instagram in April. “The same genetic testing that told us our baby would be a boy revealed to us that he had a 95 percent chance to be born with Down Syndrome.”

He went on, “Syndrome carries a very HIGH risk of miscarriage and usually comes with heart defects, structural abnormalities, developmental issues, shorter lifespan, etc.”

“As excited as we are to become parents, this was a gut-punch … We want the best for our first kid … and even putting Ashley at risk … so many questions and concerns,” he continued.

At the time, Jesse said that he believed that the “down syndrome percentage is a fluke and our baby boy will be born with zero health problems.”

“We will be getting an amniocentesis in around a month to give us a definitive answer on the baby’s health, until then we’ll just be keeping the faith that everything will work out OK,” he confirmed. “Thanks for being with us on this ride. Whatever happens, happens.”

The Ridgways Announced Their Decision to Terminate Ashley’s Pregnancy

A June 2026 post confirming that Ashley underwent an abortion was flooded with abusive comments and threats, including some accusing the Ridgways of “murder.”

“I know some of you may be very disappointed to hear this news. We are devastated,” Jesse acknowledged in the June 3, 2026, Instagram post. “This has been extremely traumatic for both of us, especially Ashley.”

He shared that “everything went smoothly” with Ashley’s abortion procedure, though they both felt “drained.”

“When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic. If they’re a little slow intellectually, then we’ll make it work,” Jesse wrote. “I signed on to be a parent, come what may. I just didn’t fully understand what Down syndrome entailed.”

Jesse and Ashley’s views on carrying the child to term changed when they learned about the health complications that can come with Down’s syndrome.

“I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family,” the influencer wrote in his statement. “We spoke with doctors, friends, family and genetic counselors and learned that up to 90 percent of women terminate their pregnancy after learning the baby has Trisomy 21. … You never think you’d be in this type of situation until it happens to you and then things change.”

Jesse continued, “As for us, we made a difficult decision that we believe in the long-run will be beneficial for our family. Thankfully, we had a choice. It will take a little time to move on, but we are excited to try again in the future and hopefully have a better outcome.”

Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Took Safety Precautions Amid Death Threats

Appearing on TMZ Live on June 5, 2026, Jesse and Ashley confirmed that they were taking death threats seriously.

“With the death threats and everything, it has been shocking,” Jesse said. “Close people to us are very judgmental. Religious-based [people] saying we’re going to burn in hell. ‘We deserve to die.’”

He went on, “We had a [security] gate installed. I have a gun next to my nightstand because it’s been getting so ridiculous and [threats] have been coming to emails, DMs, you name it. We’ve seen the darkest side of humanity through this process.”

Despite the backlash, Ashley insisted that she did not regret her decision to have an abortion.

Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Addressed Numerous Conspiracy Theories

Jesse engaged directly with detractors throughout the controversy, even attempting to debunk conspiracy theories that sprung up on social media.

“Ya’all can’t even keep your stories straight, it’s crazy,” he wrote on June 7. “Was she 6-months pregnant or 3-months pregnant? 18 weeks or 21 weeks? Was it a definitive Down Syndrome diagnosis or just suspected? All the info has already been provided by us, but everyone just picks, chooses or makes s*** up to fit their own narrative.”

“As we creep further into the brainrot era of social media, people will forget how to even properly think for themselves. The conspiracy rabbit holes deepen as people start to question if it was all real or fake…?” he added. “Zooming in on ultrasound pics and my wife’s belly? Internet detectives putting in overtime only to discover their own tail. And we’re the ones with a problem… 🙄”

Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Revealed How Their Families Reacted to Abortion

In a June 8 Facebook video, Jesse and Ashley shared footage the night after her termination procedure.

“Was this your parents? That’s really sweet,” Ashley told her husband in the video. “It says, ‘Life is tough but so are you. This bracelet stands for the waves of life you’ve been through. … You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to ride them.’”

Related: Celebrities Share Their Abortion Stories: Lily Allen and More

Plenty of celebrities — both those with and without children — have opened up about having abortions over the years. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, tons of stars took to social media to express their outrage over the decision. Cheryl Burke revealed that she had one when she […]

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However, the couple revealed that Ashley’s parents were “nowhere to be found” in the wake of the controversy.

“Some [in her family] even going as far as joining in on the bandwagon hate PUBLICLY, kicking her while she’s down at her lowest point,” Jesse claimed. “She has received text messages from her family accusing me of abuse and that I’m brainwashing her…issuing ultimatums that she needs to LEAVE ME IMMEDIATELY. Audacious s*** that will have your head-spinning because of the delusion and lack of consideration.”

Jesse Ridgway Said the Hate He and Ashley Received Was Unprecedented

Jesse released a new statement to People on June 10 where he tried to offer more insight on why he and Ashley chose to abort her pregnancy.

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“We were confronting the scenario of having the baby, and playing out every possible scenario about what it would look like and how we would make it work, what happens if they have these health problems, and need these surgeries,” Jesse insisted. “It was so real to us. I wish people could empathize with us, and know this wasn’t some black and white decision.”

The YouTuber admitted he and Ashley were totally unprepared for the avalanche of social media abuse they’d received.

“I’​​ve been making content for 20 years, so we’ve seen hate before. But not to this degree,” Jesse said. “Every second is a new death threat towards me and my wife. The amount of private support we’ve received is also overwhelming.”

Latto is in full mommy mode and loving every single minute of it. Ever since welcoming her baby girl, Big Mama has been sharing sweet moments on social media, and her latest post has fans obsessed with her journey as a first-time mom.

RELATED: Big Mama Bad! Latto Has The Timeline Going Crazy Over Her Post-Baby Snapback (PHOTOS) 

Latto Shares Another Glimpse Of Motherhood & Fans Can’t Get Enough

Recently, Latto dropped a video on her Instagram Stories telling fans she already sees similarities between her and her baby girl. The clip doesn’t show her daughter, but fans hear her snoring in the background while she gets some good sleep. Latto recorded the adorable sounds around 2:20am as lil’ mama snoozes. The rapper even joked with fans, saying her daughter is really her twin, suggesting that they both snore while catching some much needed z’s. Peep the video below.

Social Media Is Living For Latto’s Mommy Era

Once The Shade Room reposted the sweet footage of Big Mama’s daughter, the comment section lit up with heart eyes and a few laughing emojis. Some folks said they just know Latto’s daughter’s cuteness is on another level, while others joked that babies snore like they work full-time shifts.

Instagram user @mrs_so_fine wrote, “Love witnessing women become mamas for the 1st time ❤️ Best feeling in the world.” 

Instagram user @hollywoodnayy wrote, “I just know she looks like a doll 😍😍 Latto so pretty.” 

While Instagram user @badgalstarferious wrote, “Babies be snoring like they worked a full shift 😂” 

Then Instagram user @harmonimom06 wrote, “The baby snoring like her mama y’all chill 😂” 

Another Instagram user @niaababyyy5 wrote, “I know she loving every bit of it 😂😂 I know people tired of me posting my baby but hey I’m a first time mom I love his little self 😂😂”

Instagram user @seaux_louisiana wrote, “That’s the baby snoring 😂😂 like she’s already been working a 9-5😂😂” 

While another Instagram user @gemsforthev wrote, “I know that baby looks like a doll.” 

Finally, Instagram user @destahkneej wrote, “Baby sleeping good.” 

Big Mama & Lil’ Mama Previously Took Over The Timeline With Sweet Photos

This isn’t the first time Latto shared an adorable moment with her baby girl. In May, just hours after her ‘Big Mama’ dropped, she took over timelines after posting the cutest photos with her lil’ mama. The images show her cuddling with her mini-me while posing in a backyard next to a pink carriage. Other photos show Latto pushing her daughter in the carriage, while a few more give a closer look at her outfit and Louboutin heels.

RELATED: Mother Of 21 Savage’s Two Sons Seemingly Shows Love To Latto After She Shares First Photo Of Her Baby Girl 

General Hospital sees Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) cooking up this plot to take down Willow Tait (Katelyn MacMullen). But it might actually blow up in her own face and her husband Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) might dump her and turn to Willow when all the dust settles. This is going to get messy very soon.

And with Brook Lynn scheming with Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) to make Willow look like the mystery other driver in Jordan Ashford’s (Tanisha Harper) crash, I don’t think this is going to go well for her.

General Hospital: Brook Lynn’s Guilt and the Hit-and-Run Plot

At this point, it seems apparent that Brook Lynn is indeed the other driver in the crash. At one point there was some deniability about it since Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) was also on the road that night and so was Danny Morgan (Asher Jared Antonyzyn) who was driving Charlotte Cassadine’s (Bluesy Burke) car which of course ended up crashed. And then when Isaiah told Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) that he scraped his SUV in the garage and needed his paint fixed, that kind of increased the doubt about Isaiah’s innocence. Like maybe he lied and faked it so that he could get his car repaired.

And you know, Lucas could mention that he mentioned it, you know, plus him refusing to allow DA Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor) to take a paint sample from his car made him look shady. However, I will say letting the cops search your car or house or stuff or do things without a warrant or probable cause is never a good idea for anybody. But Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) assumed that was another sign of guilt. And also the DA is best friends with Jordan, which is double the reason for Isaiah to shut that stuff down.

GH Spoilers: BLQ’s Big Secret

So, now we’ve got Brook Lynn taking advantage of this situation because she knows she was drinking with Lucy before she got in the car. Just one glass, but still. And I don’t think Brook Lynn knowingly left the scene of that accident.

So, at the time, she wasn’t really guilty of anything and she did want to come clean. But Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) said no. And that’s bad enough that Brook Lynn didn’t push back and go immediately to the PCPD and just say, “Hey, FYI.” She likely wouldn’t have been in any trouble, especially if she told the truth and said Jordan veered into her lane and almost killed her.

General Hospital: Jordan at Fault

Because that’s the truth of it. Curtis and Jordan were 100% at fault. And now Isaiah may never be a surgeon again. Because Brook Lynn didn’t tell the truth. And now she’s behaving like a true Quartermaine with this despicable plot to blame what she did on Willow. Not that I feel sorry for Nina’s daughter. Let’s be real. Willow’s awful. She deserved to be in prison for shooting Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison). And Willow deserves prison for keeping Drew drugged and trying to drug Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). But Willow should go down for crimes she did, not fake ones she didn’t do, at least in my mind.

And Brook Lynn knows she’s doing a bad thing. But she’s so desperate to keep Willow away from Chase that it feels like she’s broken her moral compass and she’s behaving like her granny Tracy. And in fact, this scheme she’s cooking up is really close to a plot that Brook Lynn’s grandma pulled off in the past.

General Hospital: History Repeats With a Familiar Scheme

Do you guys remember? And it was for a very similar reason. I mean, if Brook Lynn told Tracy what she was planning, she would probably applaud Brook Lynn and Tracy would likely help. So, if you remember, this was like six years ago when Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) was boozing. She and Ned Quartermaine (Wally Kurth) had a one night stand where they were both drunk and he suspected Olivia had been involved with Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers). So, Tracy was angry. Because Alexis was going to confess the one night stand to Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCicero) and Tracy knew it would ruin Olivia and Ned’s marriage.

So, Tracy found Alexis drinking at the Metro Court bar and offered to drive her home. And then when Alexis passed out in the car, Tracy put her over in the driver’s seat and then she lied to Detective Chase and said that she had brought Alexis home and was trying to sober her up. But then Tracy said that she took off driving drunk.

So, Alexis was arrested. But the charges ended up dropped when the truth came out. and Tracy went on the run for a while trying to avoid consequences. So, looks like Brook Lynn may have been inspired by her granny Tracy’s antics. Because she’s now doing something very similar.

General Hospital: Chase’s Discovery and Marriage on the Line

As for Willow and Chase, the actress who plays Willow said that right now her character isn’t romantically interested in Chase. But it might change. And what might change it is Brook Lynn setting Willow up. So, this Friday, Chase makes a high-profile arrest. And we had been wondering if it might be Willow or Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) who was arrested.

But since Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) arrested Sidwell and then Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) took him but let him escape, it’s probably not Sidwell. He’s on the run right now and I doubt he’s going to be found that fast. The best option would be if it was Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) who’s in cuffs by the end of the week. But we’ll see.

And because of the phrase high-profile, that sounds like somebody who’s a big deal being arrested. Somebody important. Now, admittedly, when Lucy and Brook Lynn talked, they discussed finding out if Willow had an alibi for that night. So, during the day of Jordan’s crash, Willow was actually over at the Quartermaine Mansion.

That was when she showed up to help Brook Lynn and Chase get approval to be baby Phoebe’s foster parents. So, she was doing them a favor. And then later that day, if Willow was home alone or was just catatonic with Drew, she might not have an alibi. and Lucy said that they won’t have evidence against Willow. But she and Brook Lynn could leak the allegation to ruin Willow’s reputation.

General Hospital: ChaLynn Marriage Explodes

So, while it sounds kind of like Chase won’t be arresting Willow, clearly trouble is coming. Because eventually Chase is going to find out that Brook Lynn tried to frame Willow for being a hit-and-run driver. And even worse is actually Brook Lynn who drove away from the accident. And of course, as I said, she didn’t do anything wrong. Jordan’s 100% at blame. But, you know, keeping it secret, that’s the big problem.

Plus, Lucy knows that Brook Lynn was drinking that evening. And if she’s questioned, Lucy would probably tell the truth on General Hospital. When Chase finds out his wife set up Willow, I think her marriage is going to explode. Because Chase is so grateful to Willow for her help fostering and adopting baby Phoebe. And of course, Chase is totally blinded about Willow. He’s got no idea she’s a she-villain. Because he just hasn’t seen evidence that she’s bad.

General Hospital: Chase Turns on BLQ?

But if Chase sees undeniable evidence that Brook Lynn did this bad thing trying to frame Willow, I don’t know if Chase would forgive his wife. Even if Brook Lynn says she was worried about Chase cheating with Willow, that’s not going to help her. Because Chase is actually ticked off that Tracy accused him of being unfaithful. I’m trying to think back and I don’t think Chase has ever actually cheated on somebody. I’m trying to remember.

He and Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattsson) fake cheated back in the day and they did that to push Michael Corinthos (then Chad Duell) and Willow together to help with Michael’s custody case. But Chase didn’t really sleep with Sasha and he is a very law and order kind of guy.

So, Brook Lynn trying to tarnish Willow this way, especially using an incident where Brook Lynn was involved and you know, you could say that she was partly to blame for lying. Woo! You know, Chase going to be ticked off about it and he might walk away and take baby Phoebe with him. Because in custody court, a good cop versus a jealous wife who tried to set up an innocent woman. That could be an open and shut case. So, we’ll see how it goes. But I feel like Brook Lynn is about to blow her own marriage completely apart. Simply because in the end, she’s a Quartermaine.

Roommates, Moneybagg Yo has the internet asking, “Who’s this for?” after he shared a SPICY subliminal message on social media. Bagg didn’t name drop or tag anyone, but that hasn’t stopped internet detectives from working overtime to figure out exactly who he was talking about.

RELATED: Ari Fletcher Checks Trolls For Bringing Up Her Marriage Plans With Moneybagg Yo After Flexing Her Ring Collection (VIDEO) 

Moneybagg Yo Drops A Message & The Internet Starts Connecting Dots

Recently, Moneybagg Yo made it clear that he had time for anybody seemingly speaking on his name. The rapper dropped a cryptic post on TikTok that quickly had fans wondering who the message was aimed at. Bagg didn’t tag anyone or call anyone directly, but he made it clear he wasn’t here for the negativity when he wrote, “B***h keep my name out yo mouth h** u dont know me ion f*** wit nobody but who the world know im wit y’all a** just be on here talking bsn stay focus and go find something safe to do.” 

Social Media Weighs In On Bagg’s Cryptic Post

It’s unclear what led Moneybagg Yo to share the message, but once The Shade Room reposted it, Roommates flooded the comment section with reactions. Plenty of fans wanted to know who he was clapping back at, especially since he usually stays low-key and out of the mix online.

Instagram user @shaaaayy._ wrote, “Who pissed him off because he don’t even talk fr 😂😂😂😂” 

Instagram user @thedollkandi wrote, “Damn & he don’t even talk much. 😂😂😂” 

While Instagram user @waitisthather wrote, “What does BSN mean?? Bachelor of science—nursing?” 

Then Instagram user @gbecandi wrote, “YALL GOT HIM AND JAY Z FED TF UP.” 

Another Instagram user @thereal_jayrose wrote, “I just wanna know who was talking s**t 😂” 

Instagram user @imkayharlow wrote, “But they do all this and still be cheating 😩” 

While another Instagram user @ lovealways_nikki wrote, “He definitely had time today! 👏🏽” 

Then another Instagram user @_msclassi wrote, “He just looked at his wrist he got time today 😂” 

Finally, Instagram user @nnaikohll wrote, “He been working out everyday…leave him alone while he on his journey 😂😂” 

Ari Fletcher Previously Clocked A Troll For Throwing Shade At Her & Bagg’s Marriage Plans

Moneybagg Yo isn’t the only clocking the negativity. Ari Fletcher came with that same energy recently after a social media user threw shade at her icy ring collection. Ari posted a video showing off her massive blinged-out rings, which prompted an X user to jump in and respond with, “How you got a wedding ring collection with no wedding plans in sight?  Moneybagg really be playing in Ari face.” But Ari didn’t let the comment slide. She quickly clapped back writing, “B**** how you gone see my wedding plans? Playing in my face? Lol. Ring collection look like your family future on my finger h**.” 

RELATED: Still Going Strong?! Ari Fletcher Gives Peek Into Nightcap Vibes With Moneybagg Yo Following Rumors About Her & Lil Baby (VIDEO) 

Mike Flanagan has distinguished himself as one of the great modern horror creatives, and he’s not limited to just one medium. Although Flanagan got his start making low-budget horror films, he later struck up a deal with Netflix and has made some of the best miniseries on the streamer. Flanagan has consistently proven himself an expert at adapting Stephen King, as he has both shown reverence for the source material and been willing to put his own spin on the stories. However, Flanagan’s best series to date was based on a legendary work by Edgar Allan Poe and still managed to earn King’s seal of approval.

‘Fall of the House of Usher’ Is an Inventive Edgar Allan Poe Adaptation

Although it’s technically an adaptation of the 1839 short story of the same name, The Fall of the House of Usher is an homage to many of Poe’s best works, taking a modernist look at societal evil. As is frequently the case with Flanagan’s writing, The Fall of the House of Usher is told in a non-linear way, including flashbacks that help flesh out the history of a complex family legacy. The series introduces Roderick (Zach Gilford) and Madeline Usher (Willa Fitzgerald) as siblings whose ambitions lead them to found the powerful company Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, which is riddled with corruption and has a detrimental impact on public health.

In the present, an older Roderick (Bruce Greenwood) and Madeline (Mary McDonnell) reflect upon their mistakes as a curse seemingly comes for their family; Roderick finds that each of his children has been doomed to horrific fates as a result of his misdeeds. Although Fall of the House of Usher is a lot pulpier than some of the more grounded works of horror from Flanagan earlier in his collaborations with Netflix, the series has a lot to say about the legacy of Poe’s writing and why it continues to resonate today. King had nothing but praise for the show, and said, “there’s a case to be made for Mike Flanagan being the Quentin Tarantino of horror.”

Poe has notoriously been a difficult author to adapt because much of the power in his writing comes from the language, as his stories tend to be fairly light on plot. Although the original short story on which the series was based contributed the narrative structure and themes, The Fall of the House of Usher goes deeper into detailing all the Usher children and uses each of them to represent a different aspect of their family’s sins. The death sequences are shockingly violent, but they are not used simply to appease an audience’s desire to see rich people suffer; the series examines how those with power and privilege are given opportunities to make amends, and how their refusal only leads to a cycle of continued suffering. Flanagan has often had a much better sense of humor than he is given credit for, and The Fall of the House of Usher sees him engaging in dark comedy in a way that makes it feel completely distinct from his previous work.

The Fall of the House of Usher succeeds as an adaptation because the show isn’t based on just one Poe story. The name of Roderick’s company is lifted from the short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” and characters are lifted from “The Murders in Rue Morgue,” “The Gold-Bug,” “Tamerlane,” and “The Premature Burial”; additionally, there are thematic connections to the terrifying repetition in “The Raven” and the double-edged sword of revenge in “The Tell-Tale Heart.” “The Fall of the House of Usher” is often cited as Poe’s definitive work because it embodied his ideas about generational horror and the inevitability of consequences, allowing Flanagan to fuel his epic tale of familial plight.

‘Fall of the House of Usher’ Is a Sharp, Modern Work of Horror

The Fall of the House of Usher felt particularly timely because the depiction of the Ushers bears a striking resemblance to that of the Sackler family, whose empire is largely credited with exacerbating the world’s opioid crisis. To insert Poe’s work into a modern context is the smartest thing that the show could have done, because it turns a theoretical window into the past into an embodiment of what corruption looks like today. What’s most brilliant about Flanagan’s approach is that he notes how little has changed about power dynamics since Poe originally wrote “The Fall of the House of Usher,” as class stagnation is just as big an issue in contemporary America.

The Fall of the House of Usher is a true masterpiece of horror because the show is executed in the right format. A single film wouldn’t be able to include all the details needed to expand the world that Flanagan created, but the story also needed a definitive resolution. Even if Flanagan has spent much of his career iterating on and drawing from works by established franchises and authors, The Fall of the House of Usher is an example of how adaptation is its own art form that requires a singular vision to execute.

A new legal situation involving Big Tigger is drawing attention after police records surfaced tied to a domestic incident and an ongoing investigation involving his wife, Alicia Brown. According to the documents, authorities opened a probe following an alleged incident in May that led to reported injuries and medical treatment. The records identify Big Tigger, whose real name is Darian Morgan, as the suspect in the case, as the investigation remains ongoing.

RELATED: Francesca Amiker Shuts Down Affair Allegations From Big Tigger’s Estranged Wife In New Statement (UPDATE)

Big Tigger Identified As Suspect In Police Documents

According to police documents obtained by TMZ, Big Tigger, whose real name is Darian Morgan, has been identified as the suspect in an alleged assault tied to a May incident that led authorities to open a domestic dispute investigation involving Brown. The records state Brown sought medical attention for injuries before anyone contacted law enforcement, and authorities later transported her to a hospital. Officials describe her injuries as not life-threatening, while the circumstances leading to them remain unclear. Authorities have not confirmed whether they made any arrests or filed any charges at this time. As of now, there has been no public response from Big Tigger regarding the allegations.

Social Media Erupts With Mixed Reactions

One Instagram user, @lilmissworldtour added, “I mean do we really trust a grownup calling himself big tigger ?“

This Instagram user @breakthrough_35 said, “Her missing daughter’s father tried to warn him… smh.“

And, Instagram user @ennerestella claimed, “I’ll mop the ocean before I cry and record a video to put on Instagram“

Then, Instagram user @tharealkeez shared, “idk, he look like he did it 😩”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @oweboi_bigshow wrote, “Who else would be a suspect lol“

Finally, Instagram user @luckystaybizzy commented, “Everyone taking sides like they were there. 😂”

Alicia Brown Shares Cryptic Instagram Story Post

Alicia Brown doesn’t appear to be staying silent amid the ongoing conversation. In an Instagram Story posted Wednesday night, she reshared a clip of a woman sitting alone on an empty road, turning to look toward a sunset as Mariah Carey’s ‘Obsessed’ played over the visuals. While the post doesn’t directly name anyone or confirm a target, the timing and song choice have led some social media users to speculate about its meaning and possible subtext.

RELATED: Source Speaks After Big Tigger’s Wife Alicia Brown Accuses Him Of Abuse & Cheating On Her With Francesca Amiker (EXCLUSIVE DETAILS)

Young and the Restless delivers Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) being forced into polite society. And it’s all because of Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). He has ordered Matt to get close to Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn). And asks Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) this week to not warn Cane about Matt’s past, which kind of seems nuts because so many people in town know all about him.

So, we’re going to talk about Victor’s plan for Matt and where that leads, including a job and possibly some romance because Y&R is clearly full steam ahead on this rapist redemption story with no end in sight.

Young and the Restless: Victor’s Antics

And just before we get deeper into this, I want to remind you the Victor has no problem with rapists. It’s sickening for this reason alone that he asks Phyllis to cover for Matt, who again a known rapist. Because Victor brought in Marco Aselli years ago, put that stranger in Phyllis’s bed who was essentially raping her daily for months. That’s a big source of her angst with Victor.

And at the same time, he had kidnapped Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and dumped him with Kelly Andrews, who had sexually assaulted Jack over and over and over until she was brutally murdered. So, this also was the second time that Victor hired Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) to kidnap and sexually assault Jack. And Victor also did that to Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), if you recall, because Victor was the one who hired Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan) to drug Billy and rape him.

Plus, Chelsea planted drugs on Billy to get him arrested, then turned up pregnant. So, honestly, Victor inviting Matt to live on the ranch down the road from Sharon Newman (Sharon Case), a woman he raped once and tried to rape a second time, it all makes sense, you know. Because Victor is a rapist apologist.

Y&R: Matt Clark’s Redemption and Victor’s Master Plan

That aside, it’s clear that Matt is sticking around. And this version of him who’s remorseful is being very well played by Roger Howarth, who I do really like. He has done bad man redeemed on both One Life to Live and on General Hospital very well and he’s doing it well here.

The big question is what’s next for Matt? The only thing so far that Victor demanded is that he get close to Cane Ashby, get into his inner circle and spy on him. And that’s of course to help Victor destroy Cane. And I’m guessing with Lily appointing him as Chancellor CEO that Victor’s just going to double down. He’ll be furious that he handed Lily that company and then she’s giving it to Cane to control somebody that he hates.

So now we’ve got Matt ordered to get close to Cane and Phyllis supposedly keeping quiet. So will Cane actually get to know Matt? I mean it seems like Sharon or Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) or somebody would spill the beans. But if they don’t then I guess Cane might actually let Matt get close to him. And in fact, there’s a chance that Cane could wind up hiring Matt to work at Chancellor. I also expect that Cane’s going to hire Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) or Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) may ask Cane to hire Holden. But at least, you know, he’s not a creepy rapist.

Young and the Restless: Phyllis Brings Matt to Arabesque?

Also this week, in a bizarre move of rewarding bad behavior, Victor decided to give Arabesque to Phyllis. And of course, that was Cane’s company, aka the company Cane started under his fake Aristotle Dumas persona. Since Phyllis already likes Matt, I could see her hiring him to work there at Arabesque. And in fact, Victor might actually suggest that Phyllis hire Matt. Or Victor might order Phyllis to hire Matt because then Cane might be even more intrigued by Matt and want to get to know the man who’s helping Phyllis run his former company.

And I’m also interested to see if Cane is ticked that Phyllis wound up with Arabesque because I am sure that that is what Victor intended it to do to tick off Cane by giving the company that Victor stole from Cane, handing it to Phyllis, the woman who helped Victor steal Arabesque from Cane. So, we’ll see. But since Phyllis seems to want to protect and cuddle Matt, you know, I could see her hiring him.

Y&R: Matt’s Future Employment and Love Life

One place I don’t see offering Matt a job is with Sienna or Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) at their new Genoa City Shadow Room. I imagine that they’ll also make it clear that Matt is persona non grata at their new club. Also, I don’t see Sharon Newman offering Matt a job at Crimson Lights as a barista since Sharon wants to avoid him totally.

There’s always a chance, of course, that Victor could offer Matt a job at Newman so that maybe Cane could be tricked into thinking that he might get some Newman info out of Matt. That could make Matt perhaps more alluring to Cane as a new friend. However, I tend to think that Arabesque is where Matt is going to wind up getting a job.

Young and the Restless: Matt’s Romantic Options Limited

As for his love life, I think pretty quickly we can figure out who would never date Matt. First of all, there’s his wife, Sienna Bacall, who actually needs a divorce from Matt. But then again, maybe she doesn’t need a divorce because Mitch Bacall doesn’t really exist and that’s the man she married. She didn’t marry Matt Clark. Also, Sharon wouldn’t date Matt if he was the last man on Earth and sleeping with him would save the human race. I think Sharon would let the human race die out first.

Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) also wouldn’t touch him because he’s a sex pervert that she blames for her brother Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) getting hooked on fentanyl. Now, I will say this, Matt is really only half responsible for that because if Nick and Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) had handed Matt to the cops, then Nick would never have gotten in the car crash that broke his leg.

And Nick checked himself out of the hospital against medical advice and was gobbling up opioids like Tic Tacs. So, he was addicted before Matt ever gave him that first fentanyl pill. I think that he just complicated Nick’s new addiction. So, I only halfway blame Matt for that. But I know the Newmans fully blame him.

Young and the Restless: Matt’s Responsible for Nick’s Addiction

So, other than him being a creep, you know, starting the whole set of dominoes that tipped resulting in Nick’s addiction, I think it’s kind of on Nick and his DNA because there’s addiction in the family. However, there are two ladies in Genoa City that I am certain would be happy to date Matt Clark. One of them is Patty Williams. First, let’s be clear, she’s also a rapist, so I don’t think she’s going to hold a few instances of sexual assault against Matt.

And second of all, Patty doesn’t stand a chance with Jack. We still don’t know if she’s the one who took Diane Jenkins because that storyline hasn’t resolved on Y&R even though they’ve got Jack and Diane together happy over on Beyond the Gates this week, which seems random. Something is clearly broken at CBS daytime for them not to have stories aligned. It’s a big whoopsie. But Patty did seem to like Matt and she’ll never ever win Jack back. So yeah, Patty might chase Matt.

Young and the Restless: Phyllis Goes after Matt

And then there’s another rapist in Genoa City who would totally date Matt. And of course that is Phyllis. If you recall, she drugged and sexually assaulted Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) back in the day, then lied and said he got her pregnant. That’s Daniel Romalotti’s (Michael Graziadei) origin story. But he has another biological father.

And we already know Phyllis has a soft spot for Matt even though she betrayed him. Plus, Phyllis wants to protect Matt from Patty. So, if Phyllis sees Patty sniffing around Matt, then yeah, I think Phyllis would totally date him, if for no other reason than to keep Patty away. And in fact, Matt might wind up dating both Patty and Phyllis in some twisted three-way rapist love triangle. I think it’s totally ick. But it feels like that’s where we’re heading.

The Pitt was a certified home run for HBO Max the second it premiered on the service, becoming one of both the production company and the streaming platform’s biggest hits of all time. Season 2 pulled in even more viewers than the Emmy-sweeping first outing, and for good reason, especially since it introduced even more new characters to the Pittsburgh emergency room that are destined to become new fan-favorites. From the professional-yet-complicated Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi) to new med student Joy Kwon (Irene Choi), the Noah Wyle show’s ambitions to have a rotating roster of medical professionals seems like a foolproof plan, even if it makes saying goodbye to characters like Dr. Heather Collins (Tracy Ifeachor) and Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) that much harder.

Though one facet of The Pitt that has developed the quickest cult following is the night shift team led by Dr. Jack Abbot (Shawn Hatosy) — so much so that many fans have been clamoring for an entire spin-off series following the night team, though that dream has repeatedly been debunked. Even the night team got a new face in the form of Dr. Cyrus “Crus Control” Henderson (played by Shrinking star Luke Tennie), and it sounds like we haven’t heard the last of The Pitt‘s newest superstar. I had the opportunity to speak with Tennie during his promotion of Apple TV’s Shrinking at the Newport Beach TV Fest, and when asked if we could see him again in the now-in-development Season 3, he shared the open invitation he received from star and co-creator Noah Wyle:

“Noah Wyle told me in the hair and makeup trailer last time, he said, ‘Hey, if there’s a night shift, Crus is on the night shift, and we always see [the] night shift.’ And I said, ‘Okay, good to know!’”

Luke Tennie Describes Crus’ Approach to Doctoring as “Medical Hip-Hop” in ‘The Pitt’

Crus as a character is one of the most interesting additions to The Pitt‘s roster in Season 2, partially because of the character’s attitude towards X-rays and MRI, which he views as being unnecessary when he can diagnose with an ultrasound machine. An unorthodox way to look at it, to be sure, but also one that ends up coming in handy for Dr. Robby’s (Wyle) team after most of their computerized equipment is taken offline. When asked about his character’s unique approach to diagnosing without modern equipment, Tennie likened it to a new genre of sorts for the medical world:

“It was kind of pitched to me as ‘This guy is sort of on the cutting edge.’ It felt kinda like medical hip-hop. Like when hip-hop started after the blackout in New York, people got all this DJ equipment and stuff, and it was kinda this thing where people learned to DJ on the fly. It was this sort of new, flowy, ‘I’m gonna take this track and then I’m gonna get an MC.’ Nobody really knew what was going on.

I think Crus is kind of on the cutting edge of [a] new hip-hop style of diagnosing issues with ultrasound versus using an MRI or X-rays. That stuff is expensive, and it’s hard to move around. A fricking ultrasound cart, you can move that thing around. It’s super easy to maneuver throughout the hospital. It’s perfect for emergency medicine. So I think that kind of angle fits with the character description of Crus being someone who’s so calm and cool and collected.”

The first two seasons of The Pitt are streaming now on HBO Max. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on Season 3.

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Release Date

January 9, 2025

Network

Max

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Showrunner

R. Scott Gemmill

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Directors

Amanda Marsalis

Writers

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Joe Sachs, Cynthia Adarkwa

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  Noah Wyle

  Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch

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  Tracy Ifeachor

  Dr. Heather Collins

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