Some of the best television shows are the ones that take their time to truly simmer. In today’s streaming era, however, not every series gets the chance to move beyond the dreaded one-season curse. In reality, many shows need time to build momentum, refine their characters, and grow a loyal fanbase before reaching their full potential.

A first season isn’t always perfect, but later seasons often give a show the chance to find the tone that truly works. When that happens, a good series can transform into something audiences remember for years rather than a fleeting one-hit wonder. Without further ado, here are some must-watch TV shows that get better after Season 1.

10

‘Industry’ (2020–Present)

Image via HBO

Industry first began as a more civil, yet equally high-pressure, version of The Wolf of Wall Street. Introducing the graduate interns at investment banking firm Pierpoint & Co., the show follows the group as they adjust to the grueling life on the trading desk. With public humiliations, questionable mentorship, and a fake university degree, Season 1 is already brimming with tension.

From Season 2 onward, the chaos only escalates. There’s no such thing as a moral compass when millions are on the line, let alone when trying to impress ruthless bosses. Pierpoint employees begin backstabbing one another, stealing clients, and even helping orchestrate a company buyout just to climb the ladder. Each move eventually strips them of their humanity.

9

‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)

Image via NBC

For a show about nothing, Seinfeld relies on absurdity and chemistry to keep the plot (or lack thereof) going. Unfortunately, Season 1 has neither of the two. The ensemble has yet to truly mesh with each other, and their banter comes off as stifled. They’re not the expressive characters that audiences would recognize in later seasons.

The later seasons fully embrace the zaniness of Seinfeld. Despite its original premise, the show — now buoyed by stronger ensemble chemistry — finally becomes about a lot of somethings. Whether it’s Kramer (Michael Richards) briefly seeming like a possible serial killer, Jerry’s (Jerry Seinfeld) poor dating track record, or George’s (Jason Alexander) now-famous Festivus celebrations, the series goes full-on eccentric. By the end, nine seasons of side characters and running gags come full circle in the season finale.

8

‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015–2020)

Image via Netflix

Schitt’s Creek wastes no time kicking the Rose family out of their luxurious mansion and into the middle-of-nowhere Schitt’s Creek. Accustomed to opulence and the finer things in life, it’s not surprising that the Roses detest their new small town surroundings. Their ignorant attitudes in Season 1 make it difficult to empathize with them, especially when they constantly undermine the locals.

The riches-to-rags comedy begins to see the seeds of character nuances in Season 2, turning them into interesting works-in-progress. Businessman Johnny (Eugene Levy) becomes blindly optimistic about turning the motel into a respectable establishment, while David (Dan Levy) is surprisingly self-aware about sexuality. For all her ditziness, Alexis (Annie Murphy) becomes serious about her education, while Moira (Catherine O’Hara) brings all the running gags (or Moira-isms).

7

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–2023)

Image via Lucasfilm

Set five years after Return of the Jedi, its succeeding series, The Mandalorian, follows lone bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal). Season 1 raises the stakes when Djarin breaks the guild code during an assignment. Instead of following orders, he protects Grogu (David Acrod) instead. Season 1 does have action, but it’s rather slow-paced and less aggressive, which is logical, since Djarin is just learning how to rebel.

With Djarin and Grogu’s emotional connection stronger in Season 2, the momentum grows as well. Djarin now has a solid reason to protect Grogu, and he’s not afraid to go to great lengths to save him, even if it means challenging his own kind. Season 2 also introduces fan-favorite characters like Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan, paying respect to the broader Star Wars lore.

6

‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)

Image via Fox

Nothing attracts the Devil more than the City of Angels. Lucifer follows Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who decides to leave Hell out of boredom and find a new purpose in Los Angeles. That said, otherworld figures on Earth tend to be self-absorbed, believing that nothing else is more important than themselves. Lucifer is no exception, which makes his initial character one-dimensional and boring to watch.

The following seasons of Lucifer explore the broader mythological lore of his world, showing the true reasons why Lucifer didn’t leave his realm on an impulsive whim. Nothing leans into the Bible more than the arrival of the world’s first murderer, Cain (Tom Welling), to the “original sinner,” Eve (Inbar Lavi). By this point, Lucifer’s feelings for his detective partner become more obvious, making her a new target for his enemies.

5

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Image via FOX

There’s buddy cop, and then there’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. But before the squad entertained the masses, the crew seemed like a mismatched group of individuals unlikely to mesh together. There was teamwork in Season 1, but not much camaraderie. Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) clash constantly, Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher) is strict and stoic, and Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) still harbors a creepy, one-sided crush on Detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz).

The later seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine then embrace the quirk of each character. Peralta and Boyle have always been naturally funny, while for ones like Holt and Diaz, the humor comes from pushing their strict personalities into exaggerated, yet comical extremes. Despite the hilarity of it all, the show doesn’t tone down the crime-related setting. Whether it’s petty small crimes or drug busts that get these officers framed, it’s the perfect combination of comedy and cop procedural.

4

‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)

Image via HBO

Sex and the City is one of the earliest modern shows about womanhood. But as a product of its time, Season 1 focuses more on the dating scene and the sexual escapades that follow, which are exaggerated to match the New York scene. Because of that, the first season’s heavy emphasis on dating and sex in the big city might not resonate with most women.

The following seasons of Sex and the City begin to reveal the vulnerabilities of the four beloved women. Beneath the designer bags and shoes, they are women with dreams and aspirations, ranging from career ambitions to motherhood. While romance remains a central theme, the series gradually shows that love isn’t everything. In the end, these women learn, often the hard way, that the most important thing is prioritizing themselves.

3

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Image via NBC

Documenting the quirky employees of Scranton’s branch of the paper company Dunder Mifflin, The Office is one of the earliest sitcoms to apply the mockumentary format. Regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is the bumbling, clueless head of authority, but Season 1 had a darker and more comfortable tone that made it hard to like the then-obnoxious Scott.

Fortunately, Scott goes through a slight character recalibration by Season 2. Audiences learn that his incompetence isn’t simply because he’s a bad manager, but because he’s genuinely naive and insecure. Scott is still annoying, but instead of being an offensive character who copies the abrasive humor of the original UK version, he becomes a funnily desperate person whom audiences want to root for.

2

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Image via NBC

Fans of The Office might notice there are resemblances between Carell’s show and Parks and Recreation. With the two being mockumentary shows, Parks and Recreation almost falls into the same formula. Main character Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is initially portrayed as a socially awkward and incompetent bureaucrat, which again makes it hard to feel for the character.

Season 2 then shows that public servants and the lackluster municipal government are worth laughing about. It all comes from the characters. Apart from Knope turning into a deeply optimistic figure, her fellow employees are given life as well. From Ron Swanson’s (Nick Offerman) deadpan yet insightful philosophy to April’s (Aubrey Plaza) endearing sarcasm, Parks and Recreation makes local politics worth watching.

1

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Image via Lewis Jacobs / © AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection

There’s a new drug dealer in Albuquerque, and his name is Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Acclaimed crime drama series Breaking Bad starts strong with White’s cancer diagnosis, immediately setting up the motivation for his newfound meth venture. However, there is a lot of world and character building that needs to be done, which is what Season 1 is all about.

The real drama only escalates by Season 2. Finally setting up shop, the second season then pushes White and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) into immoral decision-making, all in the name of business. Their choices ultimately impact their partnership, which risks their operations. It doesn’t help that they’ve got competition, specifically from the bloodthirsty drug kingpin Tuco Salamanca (Raymond Cruz).

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Release Date

2008 – 2013-00-00

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Network

AMC

Showrunner

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Vince Gilligan

Directors

Vince Gilligan, Michelle Maclaren

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Writers

Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, Vince Gilligan, George Mastras, Moira Walley-Beckett, Sam Catlin, Thomas Schnauz

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With the Oscars — hosted by Conan O’Brien — taking over this weekend, it’s a fitting time to remember that television has always found surprising ways to challenge the entertainment industry. Since its technological dawn, viewers have enjoyed a variety of game-changing programs and genres. From I Love Lucy’s historical run to Cheyenne’s revolutionary debut, the format has evolved since its inception. Among the history makers is Rod Sterling’s The Twilight Zone. Each week, the show featured a new and inventive storyline brought to life by an impressive ensemble of names. At the time, viewers hadn’t seen anything like it, and it continues to inspire media to this very day.

Over the course of its five-season run, the show produced 156 episodes. Some of TV’s most iconic characters and storylines came from those episodes, as did Emmy Awards, Golden Globes… and, technically, an Oscar! The Season 5 episode “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” boasts the prestigious award. However, it wasn’t because the episode was so outstanding it changed the rules of nomination. It had a life before becoming part of Twilight Zone and joined the series’ legacy thanks to the most Hollywood reason possible.

‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’ was a Prestigious Short Film Before ‘The Twilight Zone’

Based on the 1890 short story of the same name, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was originally a 1961 French short film and a particularly eerie one at that. Set in 1862 America, it follows Peyton Farquhar (Roger Jacquet), a civilian set to be hanged from Owl Creek Bridge by Union soldiers. Instead of dying, his noose breaks, and he escapes by swimming up the river. He faces rapids and a number of other natural trials before returning home to his wife, Abby (Anne Cornaly). It appears to be a happy reunion, but as he and Abby are about to embrace, Peyton returns to the hanging noose. His escape was nothing more than an illusion brought on by the drop, a cruel trick just before his death.

According to Oscars.org, it was nominated for Best Short Subject (Live Action) at the 36th Annual Academy Awards, alongside The Concert, Home-Made Car, Six-Sided Triangle, and That’s Me. But An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge took home the prestigious award. Normally, this would be a triumphant way to end a picture’s run, but the short had a whole new life awaiting it in The Twilight Zone.

CBS Bought ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’ to Reduce the Cost of ‘The Twilight Zone’

According to Yahoo Entertainment, CBS, the network that produced Serling’s seminal series, was looking to reduce the cost of production. The show was in its fifth and final season and needed to fill its episode order. Yahoo quotes the book The Twilight Zone Companion, where series producer William Froug explained he suggested licensing the short. Despite it being a French film, Froug said: “It was almost entirely silent… There were maybe a half-dozen lines in it, and there was one brief ballad — in English, of all things,” which would have made it an easy adjustment.

Still, CBS had its doubts. They were skeptical about airing an award-winning French film on television. But, in true Hollywood fashion, Froug was able to convince executives with monetary incentives. “…we bought all the TV rights for $10,000,” Froug explained. “With that one airing, we immediately took care of the whole year’s overage. It brought us out at the end of the year under budget.” With the budget for the season coming in smaller than anticipated, it’s safe to say CBS was happy. Six weeks after the installment aired, it was awarded its Academy Award, technically making it the first episode of a TV show to do so. But beyond financial and award success, the episode is actually a creative high for The Twilight Zone.

‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’ Fits Right In with ‘The Twilight Zone’ Style

Image via CBS

From the first shot, the film feels like it was actually made for The Twilight Zone, despite initially having no connection to Sterling’s CBS hit. The unsettling nature of the picture is present throughout. The deadly situation Peyton is in is apparent, and his miraculous escape feels like something fantastical before building to the twist, which is a very common structure for the show. The movie also has an unsettling sound design. There is little dialogue besides a few English words and a haunting song that plays in the background. Even during Peyton’s visions, unsettling sound effects help build the tension of his impending doom. Had the film’s history not been so successful, it could have easily slipped into the season without notice, thanks to the brilliant filmmaking built into it.

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Rod Sterling typically broke the fourth wall during his episode introductions, but he recorded a special opening for the episode. The sequence sees Serling drop his typical ominous act to talk about the unique presentation and the film’s artistic accomplishments. But his closing speech really solidified the film’s place in the ever-frightening realm of the show.

The Twilight Zone was certainly ahead of its time. The Rod Serling-created series changed TV forever and created some of the most iconic stories in the medium’s history. But one of its very best episodes had nothing to do with the series initially. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was a remarkable short film that not only helped The Twilight Zone finish strong but also technically won the series an Oscar. An exciting tale filled with intrigue and unsettling craftsmanship, this story seems as though it always belonged in the realm of The Twilight Zone.

Queen Camilla had expressed her sentiments on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s marriage, according to a royal biographer.

The royal had reportedly confided in a pal about the dynamics between her stepson and his new wife right after their marriage in 2018, after the former actress allegedly acted unruly to Prince William during a clash.

Prince Harry has been in the news since last year, especially regarding some of the stealth moves he has been making alongside his family in England to introduce some normalcy in their troubled relationship.

Queen Camilla Allegedly Felt Prince Harry Had No Mind Of His Own Around Meghan Markle

The royal, according to a new explosive book authored by Tom Bower, had claimed to her friend that Harry was basically at the mercy of the “As Ever” founder. Camilla’s remark probably came as a result of the tense relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.

The author continued that things took an ugly turn after the newlyweds returned from their Mediterranean honeymoon getaway. The return was reportedly marked by a confrontation between Harry and William, which turned out with Markle verbally attacking her brother-in-law during the heated conversation.

Meghan basically told William to get his finger out of her face, leading Camilla to allege that the former actress had brainwashed the Invictus Games founder. As reported by Page Six, Kate Middleton also shared the same sentiment, believing that Harry had lost control around Meghan.

The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Slammed The Author’s Bizarre Claims

Meghan and Harry have reacted to Bower’s latest biography, describing it as a deranged conspiracy and melodrama filled with untrue claims. The couple declared that claims that Meghan was a divisive agent and a threat to the Prince and Princess of Wales crossed the line from criticism into fixation.

The BBC shared that in the statement on Saturday, March 14, Harry and Meghan noted that the author had made a career out of constructing very elaborate theories about people he neither knows nor has met. They referred to his previous admissions that the monarchy depended on “obliterating the Sussexes” from society. Bower wrote that Kate and William were thrown off by Meghan’s belief that Harry may never become king, and she regretted the possibility of never becoming queen after the wedding.

As for Harry and his concerns, Bower claimed that he is concerned that William may remove all their titles and even banish him from Britain. The ‘Netflix’ stars are pictured boldly on the cover of Bower’s new book, titled “Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family.”

Sarah Ferguson’s Book Reportedly Gave Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Anxiety

The couple is also losing sleep over the possibility that Sarah Ferguson could land a significant mouth-watering deal that would prompt her to reveal nasty secrets about them and the rest of the royal family. Sarah has found herself in the pool of former Prince Andrew’s current controversy, and the tell-all memoir could come in handy.

As shared by The Blast, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield predicted that Sarah taking on that project may mean that a different perspective may be provided on the whole drama that went down with the Sussexes. “Since Harry and Meghan moved to the US, they’ve monetised their own version of events through Spotify, Netflix, and Prince Harry’s book deal, and the Royal Family’s refusal to engage with them has allowed those versions to go largely unchallenged,” Schofield declared.

It also does not help that one of Sarah and Andrew’s daughters, Princess Eugenie, kept close ties with Harry during their tension with the royal family, and even stayed at their former home in the UK, Frogmore Cottage, during COVID-19. This means that some exclusive information may have fallen into Sarah’s lap during one or more of her conversations with her daughter.

Sarah Ferguson’s Daughter Has Issues Of Her Own Amid Changes In The Royal Family

Princess Eugenie has found herself questioning her position within some royal circles after her father’s title was removed due to his association with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her friendship with Meghan and Harry remains, but she has found herself hesitating on other joint ventures with them because she does not want to risk her position with the royal family.

Princess Eugenie is reportedly very concerned with protecting her children while currently weighing her options for the future. While she has enjoyed support from William and Kate, an insider claimed that the backing is limited because the future queen and king also have issues of their own to deal with because of Andrew and the Epstein drama. 

She has reportedly been leaning on Harry a lot as she finally relates to his situation in 2020, when he left the royal life behind. If anything, Eugenie reportedly now believes that there is life outside the institution and that is the assurance she really needs at this moment.

Meghan Markle Reportedly Missing In Prince Harry’s Special Gift To King Charles

Last September, The Blast noted that the Duke of Sussex had a reunion with his father at Clarence House in London for a private tea. The meeting, which marked their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024, reportedly exposed Meghan’s current standing with the royal family as well.

The Netflix star reportedly presented a framed family portrait to his father on the significant occasion, which did not feature Meghan at all. A spokesperson for the royal family stated that while they would have preferred for details of the meeting to remain private, the images did not contain the Duke and Duchess.

The spokesperson added that the reunion was not as distinctly formal as widely rumored, and the speculations are merely a ploy to sabotage any reconciliation between the father and son. As for the “As Ever” founder, her return to the country remains in question because the last time she came around was for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022.

How will the rest of the public react to Queen Camilla’s allegedly bold claims?

Taylor Frankie Paul and her #MomTok besties are back at the center of the drama, as season four of the massively popular reality series “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has just dropped. However, Paul recently shared that this season was definitely not one she enjoyed.

In a social media post, the star of the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” shared that the drama-filled season was “extremely hard” and that it’s not just entertainment for fans to consume.

Taylor Frankie Paul Says New ‘Mormon Wives’ Season Was ‘Extremely Hard’

Taking to Instagram, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul shared insight into the difficulties of filming the show’s fourth season, which was released on Hulu on March 12.

“I for the first time sat down and watched this season and it was extremely hard to do,” Paul began in the caption of the post. “These aren’t just story lines, these are our actual lives we are sharing. I’ll speak for myself on this, I’m not sharing to appease or switch ‘story lines’ for anyone’s entertainment.” 

“A big reason I continue on is to potentially help someone,” she continued. “I know this because I’ve personally watched and listened to people’s experience and it helped me. Takes courage to share such vulnerable topics with an audience. My heart goes out to those around me that share and everyone else that continue to do so the hugs will always outweigh the hate for me.”

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The Reality Star Previously Shared Her Struggle With Her Mental Health Last Month

On February 23, Paul shared on Instagram that she has been recently “struggling” with her mental health.

She posted a series of photos documenting her recent struggles with mental health, including a cluttered home, screenshots of texts of her checking in on friends, and a main image of her smiling through tears.

Paul coupled the photo dump with a lengthy caption detailing her struggles with mental health, despite how things may appear on the surface.

“I guess an upside of struggling mentally is you start to sense and see the signs of others feeling the same,” Paul’s caption began. “We’re out here just checking in on each other when we can, and when we don’t respond, it’s not taken personally because we get it.”

“Just be mindful that sometimes that person checking in is the one needing help… and that one took me time to learn,” the reality star continued. “I sometimes ask myself what’s the point of all this sharing this sh—t and I tell myself it may be as simple as making someone feel less alone and if it helps just a few people than it’s worth it.”

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‘Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ Reportedly Set For Los Angeles Spin-Off

According to TMZ, sources close to the potential spinoff series revealed that a pilot episode has already been filmed and is currently being shopped to streaming services, including Hulu, in hopes of being greenlit for a full season.

Sources also told the outlet that they are eyeing a March start date to film additional episodes, but that timeline rests on whether they are picked up by a streamer.

The show’s pilot is based in Orange County, California, but if it gets picked up, it would likely expand to Los Angeles as well.

As of now, the cast of the spinoff has not been revealed, but production sources told TMZ that “a few familiar faces” would be part of the ensemble.

’Mormon Wives’ Cast Now Have Behind-The-Scenes Control

Per Deadline, due to the show’s overwhelming success and the cast’s high-profile opportunities outside it, the cast of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has all been given executive producer titles, with the exception of Demi Engemann, who has been relatively estranged from the cast.

Fans will have to wait and see whether the new behind-the-scenes control will amp up the show’s drama or produce a more toned-down version.

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A fifth season of the show has already been ordered and will likely begin filming within the next few months.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Announcement As ‘The Bachelorette’ Was Met With Mixed Reaction

On March 22, Taylor Frankie Paul will make her debut on the 22nd season of the long-running ABC reality dating series and will make history as the first non-‘Bachelor’ alumna to lead the franchise.

Many fans of the show and critics of her past indiscretions were not happy about her joining the show, including “The View” co-host Joy Behar, who questioned whether she is “Bachelorette” material.

“She has three kids and two baby daddies,” Behar said shortly after Paul’s casting announcement. “Will these bachelors line up to be baby daddy number three?”

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Sarah Michelle Gellar is taking this decision on the chin and getting praises for it.

The TV personality has shared the unpleasant news of Hulu deciding to take “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” off the list of their upcoming projects after giving it the green light about a year ago.

Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in the entire seven seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” appearing in all 144 episodes as the title character, which aired from 1997 to 2003.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Shared The Disappointing News On Instagram

The actress hopped online to share the cancellation of the reboot on Instagram on Saturday, informing her fans that she wanted them to hear about the development first-hand. She explained to her fans that she had been excited to get back into Buffy’s fashion and embody that character once more, but Hulu decided not to move forward with the reboot.

Gellar extended her gratitude to the director and creative force behind the reboot, Chloé Zhao, for her efforts, which have secured the director a place in her heart forever. She assured Zhao that cancellation of the reboot does not have any effect whatsoever on their relationship and concluded the video, stating, “And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”

The Actress Earned Cool Points For Her Composure And Professionalism

Gellar’s brief update garnered thousands of comments from fans who have looked forward to the show’s reemergence. From internet users to Gellar’s industry colleagues, the actress was praised for taking the news in good faith, while they expressed disappointment that the show was not coming on their screens anytime soon.

“Class act! Always. Buffy & Sarah Forever,” this commenter wrote, while another Instagram user concluded that it was probably not meant to be, followed by several teary emoji from more commenters. “BEEP!!!! We ARE beeping you!!! Devastated. The world needs Buffy now more than ever xxx,” this fan declared, seemingly mimicking a line from the series.

Another Instagram user added, “This is heartbreaking news. We love you and thank you for fighting to bring us something magical. Our slayer will live to fight again; she’s saved the world a lot.” More fans in the comments asked if another streaming service could pick up the show, describing it as a missed opportunity for Hulu, Fox, and Disney.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Gave An Encouraging Update On The Series Last Year

Last year, the media personality was beyond excited to let fans of the series know what was up with how the reboot was moving. The Blast stated that Gellar was initially hesitant to take on her titular character role of Buffy Summers, but she seemed pretty excited about the return.

The actress had asked for more patience and understanding from the fans because the show was not something that would happen within a short time. According to her, it was a pinch-me moment for her to walk into the room and see the dream team, including Zhao, Gail Berman, and the Zuckermans, working on the project alongside her.

The star could not stop fangirling over Zhao and her initiative to partner with her on the show while asking for her advice and opinions the whole time. In her words, “She’ll call me, and she’ll say, ‘Well, I have to defer to you,’ and I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ Those aren’t words I ever thought I would hear.”

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The 48-Year-Old Used A Line From ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ For A Special Tribute

Last February, Gellar took the time to celebrate her memories with Michelle Trachtenberg, who was her co-star on the hit series. As noted by The Blast, the TV star uploaded a collage of pictures of herself and the late actress over the years on the set of the TV series.

Gellar accompanied the pictures with a touching line from the finale of the show’s fifth season in the caption, declaring, “Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.”

Trachtenberg famously portrayed the character of Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Gellar’s character on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” She was a main cast member on the show’s final three seasons (5-7), making an appearance in 66 episodes between 2000 and 2003.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Has A Mission To Keep Michelle Trachtenberg’s Name In People’s Hearts

On the first anniversary of the “Gossip Girl” star’s death in February, Gellar seized the moment to make a very poignant statement about her plans for Trachtenberg one year after her exit to the great beyond. She acknowledged how fast time flies and how it was nearly impossible to believe that her friend had passed on a year ago.

She revealed that from their first day on set, they have built a solid friendship that has lasted over three decades. Gellar noted that they first worked together on “All My Children” and watched each other climb to fame. She raved about her bond with his kids and how she never skipped a birthday, even though she had somewhere “cooler” to be.

The actress added that her late friend always brought joy to every room she entered, and even if she did not spend a long time on earth, she will make it her duty to ensure everyone remembers her golden name.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” fans are undoubtedly gutted.

Nicole Kidman knows who will be on her arm at the 2026 Met Gala.

“I think it’s the third time I’ve cochaired,” Kidman, 58, said of fashion’s biggest night on the Wednesday, March 11, episode of the “Las Culturistas” podcast. “To do it now, I’m so, so happy — and my daughter Sunday will be coming.”

Kidman shares daughters Sunday, 17, and Faith, 15, with ex-husband Keith Urban, in addition to two older children with ex-husband Tom Cruise.

The Babygirl actress and Urban, 58, separated in September 2025 after two decades of marriage. Us Weekly confirmed in January that Kidman and the country singer had finalized their divorce.

“I’m always going to be moving toward what’s good. What I’m grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward,” Kidman told Variety earlier this month, addressing her breakup for the first time. “That’s that. Everything else I don’t discuss out of respect. I’m staying in a place of, ‘We are a family,’ and that’s what we’ll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.”

Kidman, who previously cohosted the Met Gala in 2003 and 2005, often attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art benefit in New York City with Urban by her side. She last attended the May 2025 gala solo, however, in a sculptural Balenciaga gown.

For the upcoming Met Gala, Kidman will cochair the event alongside Beyoncé, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour with the “Costume Art” theme.

“It will be transformative for our department, but I also think it’s going to be transformative to fashion more generally — the fact that an art museum like The Met is actually giving a central location to fashion,” museum curator Andrew Bolton told Vogue in November 2025 of the dress code. “[The gala addresses] the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection, adding that is what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body.”

While Kidman is a Met Gala pro, she’s excited about sharing the experience with her daughter. (The annual fashion fundraiser adopted a strict over-18 policy for all guests in 2018, though Sunday will still be 17 this year. She doesn’t turn 18 until July 7 — two months after the gala.)

“[Sunday] loves fashion. She actually just walked the Dior show,” the actress gushed on Wednesday’s podcast about the teenager’s budding modeling career. “I have nothing to do with it. It’s her own whole world and her relationship [with designer] Jonathan Anderson. It’s incredible.”

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Related: Nicole Kidman Breaks Silence on Divorce From Keith Urban

Nicole Kidman has broken her silence six months after filing for divorce from her estranged husband, Keith Urban. “I’m always going to be moving toward what’s good. What I’m grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward,” Kidman, 58, told Variety in an interview published on Wednesday, March 11. “That’s […]

Sunday made her runway debut during Miu Miu’s 2025 spring/summer presentation, later booking more gigs on the catwalk and in print ad campaigns for other brands.

“Growing up, I went to my mom’s photo shoots a lot and got to observe, which definitely led to my interest in exploring the modeling world,” the teen told Nylon in August 2025. “Honestly, the first show I had no idea what was happening. I really didn’t know what to expect at all, but the whole team at Miu Miu was so kind and excited to show the collection. Something I do is meditate because — especially before the runway — you definitely don’t want to be in your head too much while you’re walking.”

Pop star Britney Spears might have been pretty influential to the success of “How I Met Your Mother,” at least according to one of the series’ co-creators. The “Toxic” singer played Abby, the sweet but slightly scatterbrained receptionist in the CBS sitcom. She appeared in two episodes during season 3: episode 13, titled “Ten Sessions,” and episode 19, “Everything Must Go.”

Inside Britney Spears’ ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Appearance

In season 3, Abby works as the receptionist at Stella Zinman’s dermatology clinic. Stella is played by “Scrubs” alum Sarah Chalke. Although Abby develops an unrequited crush on Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) while he is visiting the clinic to get a tattoo removed, Ted remains focused on Stella.

After being ignored by Ted, Abby has a one-night stand with Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris). When Barney fails to call her back, she decides to “sabotage” him by warning other women about his behavior.

However, in her second appearance, she and Barney pretend to be in a serious relationship and even wear matching sweaters to try to make Ted jealous.

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Britney Was Originally Planned To Play Stella

According to the show’s co-creators, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, they had originally considered Britney for the role of Stella; however, Britney preferred the role of Abby. According to Screen Rant, the cast and crew were impressed with her comic timing and her improvisation skills.

In addition to a cameo on “Will & Grace,” Britney is best known for appearing in the film “Crossroads.” She was even a top contender for the role of Allie in “The Notebook” and tested opposite Ryan Gosling in 2002. Her audition tape was released in 2023, with Hollywood casting director Matthew Barry praising her “phenomenal” acting ability.

“It was a tough decision,” Barry said. “Britney blew us all away. Our jaws were on the floor. I was blown away. Absolutely blown away. She brought her A-game that day.”

Britney Spears’ Cameo Appearance Helped Give The Show A New Audience

Britney Spears’ appearance on How I Met Your Mother boosted the show’s viewership, attracting a wider audience and helping it get renewed, effectively rescuing it from cancellation. Co-creator Carter Bays stated that her role was crucial in putting the show “on the map” and… pic.twitter.com/Lh3DqOfUif

— ScenesThatSlap (@scenesthatslap) December 4, 2025

In 2022, Bays told Metro.co.uk that “How I Met Your Mother” was “doing okay” before Britney Spears’ two episodes. He revealed that the “Oops!… I Did It Again” singer “brought a ton of new eyes” to the show.

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“I’m very thankful that happened to be an episode I was really proud of, and that had a lot of funny stuff in it,” he said. “It was a big turning point in the show, our audience grew sizably that day.”

Neil Patrick Harris Reveals ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Was Under Constant Threat Of Cancellation  

In an upcoming two-part episode of the How We Made Your Mother podcast, obtained by PEOPLE magazine, Neil Patrick Harris revealed that the show was under constant threat of cancellation, prompting everyone to bring their A-game.

“We never felt secure,” Harris recalled on the podcast, which is hosted by co-star Josh Radnor and co-creator Craig Thomas. “We thought we might get canceled all the time. That hunger kept everyone sharp — writers, actors, everyone. We weren’t coasting.”  

However, Harris admitted that he always felt “insecure” in his role and never felt like he “nailed” his scenes. Despite this, he thinks “that insecurity absolutely played into the bravado” that made his character a success.

“I’ve always felt Barney was kind of broken,” he said. “He wore armor. The suit was armor. He hid sincerity and vulnerability behind bravado because that’s how he survived.”  

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‘How I Met Your Mother’ Stars Move Over To ‘Shrinking’

In addition to Josh Radnor and Neil Patrick Harris, the show also starred Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders. Although Segel and Smulders shared very little one-on-one time on the show, Smulders was actually selected to play the role of Sofi, the potential love interest for Jason Segel’s Jimmy, on the hit Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.”

“I’m such a fan of this show. I think that it’s so brilliant,” Smulders told PEOPLE magazine of her role on the show. She went on to praise her costars and said that she was “stunned by everybody, by the greatness and by the greatness in front of you.”

“You’re like, ‘Whoa. Everybody here is so cool, so talented,’” she said. “It was pretty easy.”

The Marvel actress also praised the “very, very funny” show for its “amazing” ability to educate audiences about grief, as much of the show revolves around the way Jimmy and his friends and family move on after the loss of his wife, Tia.

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“They get to sneak in ways to handle trauma loss that feel like a lighter way to reach an audience than other ways of doing it,” she explained. “They are able to blend comedy and tragedy together in a way that’s watchable and also educational.”

Tony Dungy confirmed that he won’t be returning to NBC’s “Football Night in America” next season.

“I have been informed by NBC that I won’t be back with FNIA this fall and it has given me time to reflect and also to look ahead,” said the former NFL analyst in a Thursday, March 13, post via X. “It’s disappointing news but I want to thank my NBC family for making the last 17 years so special.”

Dungy, 70, has served nearly two decades in the role, first joining the program in 2009 after retiring as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and just a few seasons after leading the Colts to a Super Bowl XLI championship.

“I’ll have lasting memories of my time there, especially with Rodney Harrison who has become a tremendous friend,” he added in his statement. “God has always directed me in these moments and while I’m not sure what the next step will be for me — whether it will be in football, in broadcasting, or getting more involved in church and community outreach — I know God has plans for my life and I can’t wait see [sic] them unfold. And I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in the Bible-Romans 8:28. ‘God works all things for His good for those who love the Lord.’”

Related: Aaron Rodgers Was Sobbing When Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Stepped Down

There was a somber mood around the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, January 13, when head coach Mike Tomlin told his team he was stepping down. Even the stoic Aaron Rodgers broke down in tears, according to The Athletic. Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo spoke with players, coaches and staff members around the team about that […]

The Pro Football Hall of Famer became the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl with that 2006 championship. He began his head coaching career in 1996 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and stayed there for six seasons. He later joined the Colts, where he coached until his retirement in 2008. The following year, he joined NBC’s broadcasting team.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach in 2016.

Prior to coaching, he played three seasons in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XIII with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978.

According to a February 25 report from The Athletic, NBC is planning to “revamp” its NFL pregame show for this upcoming season, which led to Dungy’s firing. The changes reportedly include taking the show fully on the road, rather than splitting coverage with an in-studio crew.

Dungy was at the center of attention during Super Bowl week this past February, declining to reveal how he voted for the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which notably will not include Bill Belichick after he did not receive enough votes.

While voters are not required to disclose their votes, Dungy’s hesitance to do so led to speculation that he did not vote for his former rival, Belichick.

“I’m not going to disclose that,” Dungy said during the Super Bowl pregame show. “When you come on the committee, you take an oath that you’re not going to discuss any of the debates, anything that happened there. I’m not going to put any of my teammates under the bus who they voted for, who I voted for.”