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Apple TV’s Best Sci-Fi Completely Rewrites American History in Surprising Ways

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Science fiction is often at its best when it’s a mirror of our own world, and there is no shortage of great books, films, and series that prove it — but what if, instead of a mirror, we could see what could have been? That’s what Apple TV’s best sci-fi series, For All Mankind, is all about.

With Season 5 premiering later this month and a spin-off set to bow in May, For All Mankind has arguably the single best premise in modern sci-fi: what if the space race never ended? The simple answer is that the world would look different, but the series goes beyond, looking at possible ramifications and providing a much-needed optimistic outlook on the potential our own world still has.

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What Is ‘For All Mankind’ About?

It’s June 1969, and everyone is glued to their TV screens watching Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. The USSR has beaten the United States to the moon by a full month, planting its flag on the surface and irrevocably taking the lead in the space race. This simple historical twist turns For All Mankind‘s alternate history upside down, since, in reality, the Soviets never reached the moon, and the space race ended six years after the Apollo 11 mission.

However, For All Mankind rewrites history; with the Soviets in the lead, the pressure is now on the U.S. not just to catch up, but actually to overtake them, since they missed all the important “firsts,” and being the runner-up essentially equals second place in the Cold War. So, the U.S. government begin to consider NASA’s space program a priority, determined to beat the USSR to other milestones in space. In other words, this defeat ultimately has a positive effect, as it drives American scientists and astronauts to go beyond what the Soviets have already achieved.

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The 30 Best Apple TV+ Original Series, Ranked

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Each season of For All Mankind takes place in a different decade, tweaking some important historical milestones and adding others. It’s impossible for the series to skip a few key moments in the space race, such as Neil Armstrong’s moon landing, but they end up being very different from how they historically happened. Other projects, like the Sea Dragon, do see the light of day in the series, serving as a reminder of everything that could have been accomplished, but ultimately wasn’t.

In ‘For All Mankind,’ the Whole World Benefits From Space Exploration

With so much funding and attention being directed to NASA and space exploration, technology is developed not only at a much faster pace, but also in completely different directions in For All Mankind compared to what has happened historically. One mission is quickly followed by another, forcing engineers to get creative and find alternatives that eventually find their way into day-to-day life. In that sense, the series’s alternate world looks closer to what science fiction writers imagined the future would look like decades ago.

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Another major difference is how important and easily widespread green energy has become. Cars are mostly electric in For All Mankind, thanks in no small part to improvements made through space exploration. Mining missions have also made this process much cheaper and easier down on Earth, with access to alternative energy sources becoming a financial and political issue. The space race takes place simultaneously with the consolidation of the nuclear age, and that plays a major role in decisions concerning the whole world, especially those at the bottom of the societal chain.

Progress Isn’t Limited to Space and Technology in ‘For All Mankind’

Astronauts stand on a dusty, barren landscape and look out to the distance in For All Mankind.
Astronauts stand on a dusty, barren landscape and look out to the distance in For All Mankind.
Image via Apple TV+

One of the best parts of every new installment of For All Mankind is the quick reel that plays at the beginning of the premiere, showing what has happened in the world between seasons. It situates the audience in the series’ current time period, but also offers a sense of just how much has changed thanks to everything that happened previously. As one can imagine, reaching the moon first has a profound impact on Soviet politics, renewing their strength and turning them into a much more powerful global player.

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However, U.S. politics arguably change the most. The Soviets know all about their rivals’ civil rights and equality struggles at the dawn of the space age, and take advantage of that by adding more “firsts” to their accomplishments. Again, this forces the U.S. to catch up and reshuffle its departments on pretty much every level to address representation. Women achieve leadership positions that, in our world, hardly ever go beyond speculation, and civil rights quickly become as important an issue in space as they are on Earth.

With For All Mankind‘s space race reaching well beyond its real-life limits, the series also incorporates contemporary aspects of space exploration, like the role of corporate players. Important as it is, NASA is still a government agency, and, just like in the real world, the private sector takes an interest in space, becoming a contender in itself as the race continues. All that makes For All Mankind the best modern work in the alt-history subgenre of sci-fi, as well as inspiring and honest about the possibilities in our own future.

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Lala Baptiste & Jay Cinco Reveal Their Baby’s Gender (VIDEO)

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Lala Baptiste & Jay Cinco Confirm Their Baby’s Gender In Heartwarming Reveal

Some moments are just too cute not to share, and Friday night belonged to Lala Baptiste and Jay Cinco. The couple gave fans a peek into their love-filled lives as they officially revealed the gender of their baby in a video that’s been making rounds across social media.

RELATED: Bundle Of Joy OTW! Jay Cinco And Lala Baptiste Reveal They’re Expecting Their First Child Together (PHOTOS) 

Lala Baptiste And Jay Cinco’s Gender Reveal Moment

The gender reveal clip is giving all the feels! Outside under the evening sky, Lala Baptiste and Jay Cinco were surrounded by friends and family holding up phone flashlights, setting the perfect glow for the big moment. Lala stunned in a salmon-colored dress with fur details. Meanwhile, Jay rocked an off-white sweater with slacks, keeping it cozy yet stylish. Adding to the festive vibes, a man dressed as Santa Claus joined the scene. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for — a woman handed Jay a reddish box, which he passed to Lala. As she carefully unwrapped it, the camera captured their priceless reactions when they spotted a pink ball inside — confirming a baby girl is on the way. Lala’s face immediately lit up with pure joy. And, Jay rushed to hug her as she sat down, both completely over the moon.

The gender reveal fun didn’t stop there. In another video posted to Lala Baptiste’s social media, she shared a clip of her and JayCinco doing the viral cake reveal. The couple sat side by side, champagne glasses in hand, as they sliced into the cake to reveal the color of the dough — pink or blue. The video caption teased, “It’s a…” accompanied by blue, pink, and happy tears emojis. As the video shifted from black-and-white to color, fans got the moment of truth: a bright pink cake confirming they’re expecting a baby girl.

Social Media Goes Wild Over The Moment

Fans immediately flooded the comments on The Shade Room Teens’ Instagram page after the reveal, and the excitement was unreal. Many fans said it only made sense that Lala Baptiste is having a baby girl. While others claimed JayCinco was born to be a “girl dad” and predicted she’ll have him wrapped around her finger.

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One Instagram user @jusstniyy_ said, “I knew it was gone be a girl omggg Congratulationsss💞”

This Instagram user @lifeascarmen.__ commented, “Awww congratulations 😍😍”

And, Instagram user @kaalynndianee added, “Awwww I’m cryingggg so sweet 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @niyyyyah_finstaaaa wrote, “Omggg yesss baby will be beautiful cinco is made to be a girl dad how gentle he is wit all the women in his life

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While Instagram user @thedivineflo shared, “He would make the BEST girl dad

Finally, Instagram user @__msz.brown said, “That baby is gonna have her Dad wrapped around her little finger. Congrats ❤️”

Everything About Lala Baptiste’s Pregnancy Journey

Fans have been buzzing about Lala and Jay Cinco’s baby for months. The couple confirmed the news over the holidays, putting an end to speculation that had been swirling for months. Lala shared a series of festive photos with JayCinco, proudly showing off her growing baby bump while captioning one post, “The best gift.” JayCinco added his own announcement on Instagram Story, teasing, “I’ma popssss… Us never them. New addition to the family,” before also taking to X to thank fans for their patience and support, explaining that the announcement had been delayed because they’d “just been ripping and running since we landed.

RELATED: What’s Tea? Lala Baptiste Sparks Pregnancy Rumors During Greece Getaway With Jay Cinco (VIDEOS)

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Southwest Flight Boarded by Cops with Guns Drawn, Video

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Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessie Buckley, and Christian Bale explain “The Bride”'s ambiguous ending

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Writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal and stars Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale share their perspectives: “Is that a happy ending? I don’t know.”

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Devon Windsor Hot Shots To Kick off Her 32nd Birthday!

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‘Will & Grace’ Star Corey Parker Dead at 60

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Ben Stiller demands White House remove “Tropic Thunder ”clip from White House video: 'War is not a movie'

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“We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine,” Stiller wrote on social media.

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Liza Minnelli makes surprise appearance at GLAAD Awards in chair she claims Oscars refused to let her use

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The “Cabaret” actress previously claimed that the Academy Awards forced her to use a wheelchair after she’d planned to sit in a director’s chair at the 2022 Oscars.

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Kevin Costner and Brooks Nader Get Close While Chatting at Las Vegas Casino

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From ‘Fallout’ to ‘Doctor Who,’ the 10 Greatest Sci-Fi TV Quotes About War

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Nobody truly wins in war, and sci-fi television understands that better than most. The concept of war has long existed since the dawn of time. These days, sci-fi series have used distant planets, futuristic empires, and alien civilizations to explore the same war conflicts that feel deeply human. Stripping away national borders and traditional bureaucracy, pushing war beyond the conventions of Earth gives a new perspective and complexity on how war is conducted.

Whether it’s fighting against the Empire or leveraging on the innocent, these sci-fi stories show that peace is rarely pursued without bloodshed. Characters are often forced to justify horrific choices as “necessary violence,” constantly pushing ethical limits. Reflecting on these moral gray areas of warfare, sci-fi offers some of television’s most powerful commentary on conflict. With that in mind, here are the greatest TV sci-fi quotes about war.

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1

“There’s a reason you separate military and the police. One fights the enemies of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people.”

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Adam and Tigh leaning together
Adam and Tigh leaning together
Image via SYFY

During an intense debate about security and authority in Battlestar Galactica, Admiral William Adama (Edward James Olmos) delivers one of the most chilling takes on war. With New Caprica under Cylon occupation, human survivors are trapped between violent resistance and brutal retaliation. Leaders are desperate to keep people alive, but no one agrees on how much force is acceptable.

Adama’s warning is relevant to real-life tragedies that have been making the news. He argues that once the military starts policing civilians, it stops serving them. Ordinary people are seen as threats despite having no history of endangering the nation. If not careful, it can be a slippery slope into complete authoritarianism.

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2

“No longer certain that one ever does win a war, I am.”

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (2008–2020)

Yoda wields a green lightsaber and scowls in Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 6, Episode 13 Sacrifice.
Master Yoda wields his green lightsaber as he scowls at his adversary in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Season 6, Episode 13 “Sacrifice” (2014).
Image via Cartoon Network

Yoda’s (Tom Kane) spiritual trials on Moraband in Star Wars: The Clone Wars push him to question his role in the conflicts. After forming Sith illusions, temptation, and disturbing visions of the future, Yoda comes back shaken. The truth becomes clear to him. The Jedi have drifted far from their original role as keepers of balance.

By leading armies in the Clone Wars, they’ve slowly turned into soldiers instead of guardians. When Yoda admits that wars can’t truly be “won,” he acknowledges that the Jedi have already lost something essential by taking part in endless bloodshed. Victory comes at the cost of moral integrity. Fortunately for Yoda, he’s got plenty of the latter.

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3

“War never changes. You look out at this Wasteland, looks like chaos. But there’s always somebody behind the wheel.”

‘Fallout’ (2024–Present)

The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) holding a bottle of Buffout in 'Fallout'
The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) holding a bottle of Buffout in ‘Fallout’
Image via Prime Video

The root of war isn’t in rival factions, but in the hands of greedy corporate power. According to Cooper Howard (Walton Goggins), the Wasteland in Fallout isn’t the result of random catastrophes mashed together. The Ghoul points out a hard truth he’s learned over time: every destroyed city, every faction fought, and every “survival of the fittest” mindset exists because someone planned it.

It becomes even more calculated when someone actually profits from war. Vault-Tec executives literally outlived the apocalypse in cryopods, proving it was never the end for everyone. For ordinary people, war means the end of their lives. But for businesses that make weapons for a living, war is just another day in the office.

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4

“Death, destruction, disease, horror… that’s what war is all about, Anan.”

‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ (1966–1969)

William Shatner as Captain Kirk looking confused in 'Star Trek: The Original Series.'
William Shatner as Captain Kirk looking confused in ‘Star Trek: The Original Series.’
Image via NBC

In an unlikely turn of events in Star Trek: The Original Series, Eminiar VII and Vendikar fight a war without firing a single real weapon. It’s a massive risk considering that it’s a war that has lasted 500 years. Instead of drawing their guns, the entire conflict is run by computers. Anan (David Opatoshu) justifies this system by saying that this method is the most “civilized.”

However, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) sees it differently. Just because it’s run by computers, that doesn’t eliminate responsibility. The war might not “feel real” without the explosions and destruction, which means it never has to end. Kirk argues that the horror of war is exactly what pushes people to stop fighting.

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5

“How much blood will spill before everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: Sit down and talk!”

‘Doctor Who’ (2005–Present)

Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor giving a speech in 'The Zygon Inversion' from 'Doctor Who'
Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor giving a speech in ‘The Zygon Inversion’ from ‘Doctor Who’
Image via BBC

The climax of the Zygon crisis in Doctor Who reaches its peak when humans and Zygons are seconds away from wiping each other out. Out of frustration, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) delivers the quote, facing Bonnie (Ingrid Oliver) and Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), calling out how pointless the situation has become. Everybody is ready to press buttons, even though talking was always an option.

After surviving the Time War, he knows firsthand that violence never equals progress. He argues that war only delays the inevitable: dialogue. The more they fight, the more losses they’ll end up with. By forcing both sides to face the truth, he stops the countdown and opens up a chance for peace.

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6

“The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair.”

‘Babylon 5’ (1993–1998)

The cast of Babylon 5
The cast of Babylon 5
Image via PTEN

Whoever said winning a war guarantees satisfaction is lying. Reflecting on G’Kar’s (Andreas Katsulas) transformation during the Shadow War in Babylon 5, victory is no longer about defeating enemies. After witnessing betrayal, genocide, and the apparent death of Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner), G’Kar recognizes something more dangerous than war itself: the loss of hope.

As civilizations are manipulated by the Shadows and forced into moral compromise on all sides, G’Kar argues that survival depends on resisting despair. Pain and revelation may shape the future, but only if people refuse to let darkness consume their souls. For him, true victory means protecting meaning and the last bits of light that could touch the hearts of humankind.

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7

“Power doesn’t panic.”

‘Andor’ (2022–2025)

Diego Luna as Cassian Andor looking behind in 'Andor' Season 1.
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor looking behind in ‘Andor’ Season 1.
Image via Disney+

During the Narkina 5 in Andor, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) argues that the Empire will panic once prisoners realize they are never being released. Kino Loy (Andy Serkis) immediately shuts that idea down. The Empire does not operate on fear or emotion. The system functions because it is built on a rigid structure, routine, and repetition.

The Empire’s power comes from restraint, not spectacle. By quietly enforcing procedure instead of flaunting their weapons, their attacks become brutally efficient. The quote then serves as an underrated method of war. In battle, you cannot intimidate an enemy like the Empire into making mistakes. To defeat it, the system must be dismantled piece by piece until its control finally collapses from within.

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8

“When you’re fighting an existential war, people don’t ask too many questions, they want results.”

‘Halo’ (2022–2024)

Pablo Schreiber in Halo
Pablo Schreiber in Halo
Image via Paramount+

Sometimes people go to extreme lengths in the pursuit of war, even when it means sacrificing innocent lives. In Halo, when Dr. Catherine Halsey (Natasha McElhone) is confronted by John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) over the creation of the Spartan-II program, she defends her intentions. She does not deny kidnapping children or covering it up with deadly flash clones.

Survival becomes an excuse for anything in war, no matter how morally horrific. Halsey believes results matter more than responsibility. Far too often, perpetrators of war justify the cost with the promise of victory. Humanity survives not through belief alone, but by crossing lines others refuse to approach, even when the consequences permanently scar everyone involved.

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9

“Army – I did it to piss him off.”

‘The Last Ship’ (2014–2018)

Eric Dane in a scene from TNT show The Last Ship
Eric Dane in a scene from TNT show The Last Ship
Image via TNT

One of the cheekier, albeit slightly sad realities of war, The Last Ship delivers a character sketch for Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) with this line. When Text (Adam Baldwin) asks why he joined the Navy, Chandler’s answer sounds half-joking, which shows that his Army dad disliked Tom for joining the Army. However, it’s a universal truth shared by most children of military parents.

Of course, Tom’s petty decision instead puts him on one of humanity’s most important missions. Following a global pandemic on Earth, which wiped out nearly 80% of the population, Tom carries a lot more responsibility in the series. With his naval vessel, Tom and his crew must sail into the new unknown.

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10

“War and Peace, War and Peace. Did you know that Woody Allen’s version is better than Tolstoy’s? Because it is funnier and absolute power corrupts, absolutely.”

‘Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars’ (2004)

John standing next to Aeryn while she points a gun in the series Farscape.
John standing next to Aeryn while she points a gun in the series Farscape.
Image via SYFY

At the height of the Scarran-Peacekeeper conflict in Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, John Crichton (Ben Browder) delivers a cheeky, pop-culture-laden commentary on war. Chricton now carries the knowledge to build a planet-destroying wormhole weapon. Although he tries to hide the panic with his Woody Allen and Leo Tolstoy analogy, Chricton worries about the power he’s been handed.

The War and Peace bit sets out an uncomfortable truth about the situation. Peace is chased through the threat of total annihilation. It’s this contradiction that Chrichton just can’t wrap his head around. Ultimately, real peace cannot be achieved if it’s done through domination. Somebody has to stand down and choose restraint.

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Drew Carey Once Ignored Heart Attack Symptoms To Play A Game

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'Price Is Right' Host Drew Carey Reveals His Secret To Weight Loss

Drew Carey is opening up about his 2001 heart attack, sharing how he ignored the warning signs he experienced instead of seeking medical attention. The TV host has since made lifestyle changes to prioritize his health and overall well-being.

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Drew Carey Ignored Symptoms While Jogging

'Price Is Right' Host Drew Carey Reveals His Secret To Weight Loss
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Carey was on the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast hosted by Ted Danson, where he talked about a health scare he had in 2001. At that time, the comedian starred in the sitcom “The Drew Carey Show” and also hosted the improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

As Carey told Danson and fellow guest Marc Vahanian, he was overweight and decided to jog to shed some pounds before going back to taping his show. It was while jogging that he felt numbness in his shoulder, and his heart rate was through the roof as well.

However, he ignored them, not knowing they were symptoms of a heart attack. “I thought if you have a heart attack, you would go, ‘Ugh,’ and fall down like in a cartoon,” he said.

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He slowed down and tried jogging again after a while, only for his heart rate to increase significantly. Then he decided to rest.

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The Host Went To A Restaurant And Played A Game

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Carey contacted his then-girlfriend, sharing what happened. When asked what she could do for him, the comedian said he just wanted to be with her while he played. The two then went to Bob’s Big Boy to get a meal and play the turn-based strategy video game “Civilization.”

“We drive to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank and she held me in her arms, and I had my laptop out and I played ‘Civilization’ on my computer with the WiFi from Starbucks next door,” the host recalled. He even remembered the food he ordered, saying, “I had chili spaghetti and an iced tea. After having a heart attack.”

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Carey promised to consult his doctor the next day, but work got in the way.

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Drew Carey Went Back To Work

While in the writer’s room at work the next day, Carey felt a tightening sensation in his chest. He excused himself and told his producer to call an ambulance, as he had a feeling he was having a heart attack.

The host was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent a coronary angioplasty to improve the blood flow to his heart. A stent was inserted to open an artery that was 95 percent blocked.

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A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked or drastically reduced. Typical causes include the buildup of fat and cholesterol, as well as plaques. Common symptoms are chest pain, cold sweats, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or discomfort that spreads to the arms, shoulders, and back, per the Mayo Clinic.

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Carey’s procedure was successful, and he was discharged from the hospital after a few days.

The Comedian Made Drastic Changes A Few Years Later

Drew Carey at 49th Daytime Emmy Awards - Arrivals
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Although Carey made some changes to his diet and lifestyle after his angioplasty, he revealed to People that he reverted to bad eating habits in his first year hosting “The Price Is Right” in 2007. He binged on junk food, sweets, and soda, and was later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Having already survived a heart attack and having diabetes, his doctor warned him that he wouldn’t have long to live if he didn’t live a healthier life. The health advisory pushed him to do better, and he was able to lose 80 pounds by 2010.

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Carey has since maintained his weight, exercising regularly and avoiding carbs. “It’s a whole kind of change of mindset that you have to have about your whole life… but once you do, it’s so freeing,” he shared.

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