Roomies, the back-and-forth between Kandi Burruss and Tamar Braxton is heating up! Kandi recently sat down for an interview and kept it 100 about how she REALLY feels about Tamar and why their history has been so complicated. She also cleared the air on all of the speculation surrounding their interaction during Essence Fest weekend in July. Buckle up, y’all, because the recaps, the receipts, and the tea are HOT!

RELATED: Tea Time? Kandi Burruss Seemingly Fires Back At Tamar Braxton Amid Rumored Feud As Fans Get Messy (VIDEOS) 

Kandi Burruss Speaks On Longstanding Tension With Tamar Braxton

Okay, so BOOM! Kandi Burruss stood on every word while opening up about her relationship with Tamar Braxton on her ‘Speak On It’ podcast. Kandi said it with her whole chest and admitted she doesn’t rock with Tamar at all! She even called Tamar fake and said she’s never going to put on a fake face for someone who constantly talks “crazy” about her on the internet.“I’m just going to be straight up. I do not like that b***h,” Kandi said. “She is a fake a** b***h to me.” 

Kandi Addresses Viral Interaction With Tamar At Essence Black Women In Music Event

While chatting on her podcast, Kandi also cleared the air about why her interaction with Tamar seemed awkward during the Essence Black Women in Music Awards. Kandi admitted Tamar caught her off guard because she didn’t understand why Tamar joined her and the other women onstage when she wasn’t being honored. She also questioned why Tamar tried to acknowledge her in front of everyone after continuously throwing shade at her. Kandi also shut down claims that she intentionally left Tamar out of her Instagram post. Burruss said she simply shared photos with the women who were being honored that night.

From there, Kandi said their run-ins have only gotten more awkward. A few weeks after the Essence event, she crossed paths with Tamar again at a party. As Tamar walked past her, she claims she mumbled, “b***h.” Kandi said she kept giving Tamar the cold shoulder for the rest of the night so that she wouldn’t be able to say anything about her in new interviews. “She didn’t go around saying nothing this time, because I paid her dust. So she wasn’t able to gaslight me like she was trying to at this party.” 

Kandi went on to admit that she actually tried to squash the beef with Tamar years ago, but now she’s completely over it. The ‘RHOA’ star said she has her own motion going and doesn’t have time for the negative energy. She also added that Tamar only seems to get attention when she’s talking about her and somebody else.

“‘Cause just remember this b***h […] I’m the one that got something going on,” Kandi said. “You the one that sings so beautifully, but yet don’t nobody give a f**k about it, because the only reason you ever get air time lately is when you talking about me or you talking about somebody else.”

Where Does Tamar Stand In All Of This?

Shortly after Essence’s Black Women in Music event, Tamar stopped by ‘The Morning Hustle Show’ and shared her side of the interaction. She said she had no bad intentions when she greeted Kandi onstage and simply wanted to show respect and gratitude. From there, Tamar made it clear that she just wants peace and doesn’t want any beef in her life. “I don’t care.” Tamar added, “I said congratulations, and I went on about my business. I do not regret saying congratulations. I am not that kind of person. I do not want beef in my life. I really do enjoy my peace.” However, she did share that the only person she will always want smoke with is “the devil.” 

RELATED: Back On? Fans Shocked To See Todd Tucker On Kandi Burruss’ Family Vacation, Question Their Relationship Status (VIDEO) 

Marvel Studios once again dominated Hall H at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, unveiling a slate of announcements that included Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider and David Jonsson taking up the mantle of Black Panther for Black Panther 3. What fans might have missed was the fact that Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige confirmed that VisionQuest, which centers on Paul Bettany‘s Vision, is slated for release on October 14. It’s also the final release before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters, meaning that it’s the final chance for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to address one of its long-standing mysteries.

VisionQuest has been billed as the final part of a “trilogy” that encompasses the first MCU television series, WandaVision, and its sequel, Agatha All Along. WandaVision focused on the love story between Vision and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), aka the Scarlet Witch; the downside was that Wanda was using her powers to enslave the town of Westview and resurrect the Vision after his death in Avengers: Infinity War. Eventually, a new version of the Vision was formed, eventually regaining the original’s memories but lacking his emotions, and Wanda would eventually perish at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It’s this death that VisionQuest needs to address, especially considering the story it’s telling with Vision​​​​​​.

‘VisionQuest’ Should Address Vision’s Reaction to Wanda’s Death

Image via Marvel Studios

One of the elements that drew fans to WandaVision, other than its clever concept of placing superheroes in sitcoms, is the idea of Wanda and Vision striving to have a married life. That includes living in a house together and having children in the form of twins Tommy and Billy. Even though Wanda constructed a false world to live in, the memories she shared with the real Vision are still intact. It’s this attempt to rediscover his emotions that fuels VisionQuest, according to Bettany’s comments during a panel at last year’s New York Comic Con.

“What’s different about Vision right now is that Red Vision gave [White] Vision all of his memories, including the memories from within the Hex, but White Vision is having real difficulty sort of connecting to them. So he has the memories, but he doesn’t have the emotion and the feelings. White Vision’s journey during the show is about his attempt to connect to those memories of who he was — but with lasers.”

Those emotional bonds are set to be tested throughout VisionQuest, as Vision is set to encounter his “father,” Ultron (James Spader), and a grown-up version of Tommy (Ruaridh Mollica), who was resurrected by Billy following the events of Agatha All Along. The series should go the full mile and showcase how Vision reacts to Wanda’s death, since his love for her was a major factor in his developing emotions. Since the WandaVision trilogy is no stranger to emotionally devastating viewers, and showrunner Terry Matalas has proven that he can deliver some compelling genre fare thanks to his work on Star Trek: Picard, VisionQuest has a chance to deliver some of the most compelling moments in the MCU if it plays its cards right.

‘VisionQuest’ Could Potentially Address an ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Fan Theory

Prior to the VisionQuest news at Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel, the Scarlet Witch was the focus of discussion for entirely different reasons. At Marvel’s booth on the SDCC con floor, there was a series of costumes from Avengers: Doomsday, including the “Latverian Witches,” who seemingly aid Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr) in his goals. Each of the Latverian Witches had a different colored robe, making fans think that one of them would have a red robe and therefore leading to Wanda Maximoff making her surprise return. It’s not a stretch to imagine that VisionQuest could touch on this in some way; perhaps the end of the series will reunite Wanda and Vision. After all, it’s hardly the first time a character who seemingly died in the MCU came back to life.

VisionQuest is also making its debut at a strange time, as Marvel Television’s slate is winding down with the surprise cancellation of Wonder Man. In many ways, it isn’t just ending an unofficial trilogy of series, but a whole era at Marvel Television, and it needs to address Wanda’s death before the curtain falls.

VisionQuest premieres on Disney+ on October 14, 2026.

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Disney+

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Directors

Christopher J. Byrne, Gandja Monteiro

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Marvel Cinematic Universe

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While Taylor Sheridan is best known for Yellowstone, the political action thriller Lioness is arguably his grittiest work to date. Sheridan may have built his television career chronicling the Dutton family’s sprawling Montana ranch across multiple generations, but Lioness is an entirely different beast. Instead of protecting a family legacy, it follows those who are tasked with saving the nation from potential foreign threats.

Returning to his Sicario roots, Sheridan trades cowboys for covert spies, with Zoe Saldaña taking the reins as the show’s lead and executive producer. From infiltrating a terrorism-funding billionaire family to protecting the border from drug-smuggling cartels, Joe leads highly classified operations so secretive that, officially, they don’t even exist.

What Is ‘Lioness’ About?

Inspired by the real-life CIA Lioness Program, Lioness follows senior CIA case officer Joe McNamara (Saldaña), who recruits and trains female operatives to go deep undercover, infiltrating terrorist organizations by getting close to their families and inner circles. In the Lioness program, there is absolutely no margin for error; because the program operates off the books, there are no standardized guidelines, forcing operatives to improvise in the field. If they are compromised, there is no guarantee the CIA will come to their rescue, as doing so would expose the entire operation. This danger is established in the very first episode, when an asset is exposed because of a tattoo, forcing Joe to authorize a drone strike that kills both the terrorists and her own asset.

For Joe, choosing the right assets is a challenge in itself. In Season 1, Force Recon Marine Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) is handpicked to infiltrate the family of Aaliyah Amrohi (Stephanie Nur), the daughter of an oil tycoon secretly funding terrorist groups. Season 2 follows Captain Josie Carrillo (Genesis Rodriguez), a skilled military helicopter pilot tasked with infiltrating the family of cartel leader Alvaro Carrillo (Marcus DeAnda). In both seasons, the two assets undergo brutal training to prepare for the worst-case scenarios, only to realize they’ll be left with scars far more painful than any bullet wound.

The Mission Always Comes First in ‘Lioness’

One of Lioness‘ central themes is how much someone is willing to sacrifice for their country, which often means putting emotions aside. However, Lioness doesn’t romanticize this strict notion of patriotism, instead revealing its emotional cost. By the middle of Season 1, Cruz finds herself sympathizing with Aaliyah, who is herself a victim of her father, but Aaliyah’s feelings are none of the CIA’s concern. Meanwhile, Season 2 sees Josie’s family ties making her the perfect asset — and potentially the mission’s greatest liability. In Lioness, the moment that personal feelings outweigh the mission, lives are put at risk.

Joe isn’t exempt from this. Unlike Cruz or Josie, she has a husband and two daughters waiting at home. Her work at the CIA takes up most of her personal time, and Joe is well aware of the strain it puts on her home life. Her husband Neal (Dave Annable) occasionally lashes out in frustration over Joe’s insistence on always being at the CIA’s beck and call, while her eldest daughter Kate (Hannah Love Lanier) despises her for never being around. Although Joe convinces herself that it has always been her duty to keep the country safe, being a “hero” isn’t idealized at home. The mission always comes first in Lioness, much to her family’s disappointment.

‘Lioness’ Is Inspired by Global Politics

Image via Paramount+

Lioness wouldn’t be a political thriller without global implications. Both Joe and her CIA superiors agree that eliminating foreign threats has always been the mission of the Lioness program. However, while Joe and CIA leadership prioritize protecting innocent lives, the U.S. government is often more concerned with optics. It’s not surprising that Joe and her colleagues, Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), frequently butt heads with the White House Oversight Committee and the Department of State. The CIA is willing to use every resource available to capture threats, but the White House’s only priority is making sure any CIA activity doesn’t make the administration look bad.

Just because the Lioness program manages to take out a few bad guys doesn’t mean evil suddenly disappears. If anything, it simply shifts the political landscape, creating new threats from America’s rivals, like China or Russia. Joe may have joined to protect the country, but Lioness makes it clear that she and her team are often treated as pawns in advancing government agendas. That’s why Joe is constantly forced to make impossible choices about whom to save and whom to sacrifice, depending on what serves those agendas. As Season 3 approaches, that moral conflict will only intensify, testing Joe’s loyalty to the Lioness program, the CIA, and even the United States.

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Lioness

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Release Date

July 23, 2023

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Paramount+

Directors

John Hillcoat, Anthony Byrne, Paul Cameron, Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan

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  Laysla De Oliveira

  Cruz Manuelos

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In just 1 day, Taylor Sheridan‘s intense war thriller returns to Paramount+ for its long-awaited third season after nearly two years off the air. Filming wrapped in March, and the new season is expected to raise the stakes with even more high-risk missions. Although Season 3 has yet to premiere, there’s already news about the show’s future, with growing speculation over a potential Season 4, even though Paramount+ has yet to renew the hit drama.

Premiering on August 2, 2026, Lioness Season 3 will consist of eight episodes, with a new installment debuting every Sunday through the season finale on September 20. Episodes are expected to run between 40 and 55 minutes. Furthermore, Zoe Saldaña returns as CIA senior case officer Joe McNamara, alongside Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, the senior CIA official overseeing the Lioness program. Morgan Freeman also reprises his role as U.S. Secretary of State Edwin Mullins, while Michael Kelly returns as CIA Deputy Director Byron Westfield.

Now speaking about Lioness’ future, returning stars Laysla De Oliveira and Jill Wagner expressed confidence during a ScreenRant interview that the spy thriller isn’t finished yet. De Oliveira reprises her role as Cruz Manuelos, a member of the Lioness program’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF), while Wagner returns as Bobby, the QRF team leader.

“We’re going to get Lioness Season 4,” Wagner said confidently, agreeing with De Oliveira that fans will be eager for another season once they see what Sheridan has planned for the finale. De Oliveira echoed that sentiment, saying viewers “won’t want” the series to end after Season 3 and revealing that the season concludes with a cliffhanger that leaves the door wide open for another chapter. Keep in mind that Season 3 is expected to be Saldaña’s final outing as Joe after the actress originally signed a three-season agreement to star in and executive produce the series.

What Happened in ‘Lioness’ Season 2?

Season 2 saw the CIA’s war on terror move closer to home as Joe led a dangerous operation involving a Mexican drug cartel. The mission nearly cost her life, leaving her questioning whether to step down from leading the Lioness program. Instead, Lioness Season 3 finds Joe back in command as she leads her team on another high-stakes mission. At the same time, she must confront the growing strain her career has placed on her family while continuing to do whatever it takes to eliminate the threats standing in her way.

Lioness Season 3 premieres on August 2 on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates.

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Release Date

July 23, 2023

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Paramount+

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John Hillcoat, Anthony Byrne, Paul Cameron, Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan

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• 
• 

  Laysla De Oliveira

  Cruz Manuelos

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The 2026 TV calendar has proven fruitful. Between new programs and returning shows, the non-stop binge has been filled with extraordinary content. From networks to premium cable and streamers in between, the boundaries have been pushed to bring viewers to their screens. And when it comes to science fiction, the shows are delivering. We’re here to celebrate the best sci-fi TV of the year so far. If you love science fiction, your appetite has been satisfied.

This year, we’ve seen many returning shows prove they are nowhere near a sophomore slump. There have been first-season spin-offs of long-running hits that have been as good, if not better, than the flagship show. And then there were daring new concepts with all-star casts willing to play in the sandbox of fantastical stories. The ranking reflects the entire season; thus, Silo is not going to be included. We’ll likely put that series in at the end of 2026. It’s already been a great year, so it’s truly splitting hairs in a few of these spots. Which is your favorite so far?

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‘The Beauty’ (Season 1)

Image via FX

Ryan Murphy is always going to be represented on screen. Whether with returning series or new shows, the Murphy vision is alive and well. At the end of 2025, Murphy gave the world a campy hot mess. In 2026, he dropped the camp for a high-concept sci-fi body horror that actually worked, and that may be due to the blueprint he had to work from. The Beauty, based on the graphic novel by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, centers on a sexually transmitted virus that magically transforms ordinary people into physically perfect beings, but carries a terrifying, lethal cost. The lab-engineered miracle drug dubbed “The Beauty” spreads as an STD, granting overnight physical perfection. Created by Byron Forst (Ashton Kutcher), a shadowy tech billionaire, the drug acts as the ultimate shortcut to extreme beauty, youth, and confidence. However, eventually, those affected suffer from extreme internal burning, physical deterioration, and uncontrollable rage, leading to an investigation by FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall).

Though dark in premise, The Beauty is presented in a way that is anything but. It serves as a satirical commentary on modern societal beauty standards, celebrity culture, and extreme interventions in the era of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. It depicts the dark lengths to which people will go to achieve an unattainable ideal of physical perfection. The Beauty is an addictive, campy dark thriller that is provocative and viscerally daring. The show thrives on unapologetic, grotesque gore to hammer home its thesis. A big part of why the show is addictive is the cavalcade of stars who are willing to go ham, including Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Isabella Rossellini, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Jon Jon Briones, Ben Platt, Meghan Trainor, Billy Eichner, and more. If you don’t mind watching your favorites explode before your eyes, The Beauty is high-octane entertainment.

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‘For All Mankind’ (Season 5)

Image via Apple TV

In this era of streaming, lasting five seasons is a feat and a triumph, especially when it lacks high-profile superstars. Fortunately, For All Mankind stands proudly on its own two feet as an underrated gem in the sci-fi realm. Widely praised for its thrilling “what if” premise, grounded character development, and meticulous world-building, the series moves into the 2010s, focusing on the escalating tensions between a massive, bustling Happy Valley colony on Mars and a controlling Earth. Years after the Goldilocks asteroid heist, Earth’s nations demand strict law and order on Mars. This sparks a rebellion in which Miles Dale (Toby Kebbell) blows up the Helios base’s command crew, and the Mars governor, Leonid “Lenya” Polivanov (Costa Ronin), turns against Earth. A tense, localized war breaks out in Happy Valley before a ceasefire is finally called, and Miles is sworn in as the new governor of Mars.

Season 5 continues to do what it does best: storytelling and production. The series continues its trend of stellar visual effects, showcasing a bustling Mars with schools, gift shops, and space elevators while pushing expeditions further out to Titan. Season 5 is a bridge season of sorts as decades of history and emotional weight come to a head. New characters arrive, including children of beloved long-running characters like Alex Baldwin (Sean Kaufman), as others depart. While the series sadly says goodbye to beloved characters, including Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), who has died from cancer, and Kelly Baldwin (Cynthia Wu), who sacrifices herself to get her crew back to Earth after discovering alien life, Season 5 does a great job establishing a new adventure in the 2020s for Season 6.

5

‘Star City’ (Season 1)

Image via Apple TV

Fans of the flagship series may be disappointed that Star City ranks above For All Mankind, but a new, refreshing show that is more than just a companion series deserves a bit more praise. Star City explores an alternate-history space program from the perspective of the Soviet Union. Created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, the space race thriller takes place in the same universe as For All Mankind, where the Soviets were the first to land on the moon, but focuses on the claustrophobic, paranoid, and highly secretive reality behind the Iron Curtain. Instead of focusing purely on triumphant space exploration, Star City examines how human nature, engineering, and personal ambition are stifled by a totalitarian regime.

For the first season, the narrative centers on cosmonauts, engineers like “Chief Designer,” aka Sergei Korolev (Rhys Ifans), and KGB intelligence officers like Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin), who are constantly monitoring one another. It acts as an intense spy thriller where the psychological tension and danger on the ground are just as deadly as the risks taken in space. Season 1 is a slow-burning story that swiftly escalates into a thrilling cinematic tale. Although it exists in the For All Mankind universe, the series is entirely self-contained. You do not need to watch the original show to enjoy this gritty, historical-alternate thriller. It just might make it juicier.

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‘Fallout’ (Season 2)

Image via Prime Video

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Season 1 of Prime Video’s Fallout certainly wet our whistle, but Season 2 was a highly entertaining and bloodier continuation that expands the universe with the iconic New Vegas setting. Based on the iconic video game series, Fallout is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two centuries after a nuclear holocaust destroyed society. The season picks up right where Season 1 left off, following Lucy (Ella Purnell) and The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) on a quest to hunt down her father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan). The season also balances the Vault storylines alongside Maximus’ (Aaron Moten) struggles within the Brotherhood of Steel. All this to set up a potentially epic third season. Filled with campy humor and violent atmosphere, Season 2 proves that with a brilliant blueprint to build a series around, Fallout isn’t solely for gamers; the series stands alone as a brilliant entity that unites old and new fans alike.

Just like Season 1, Fallout continues the effortless blend of cartoonish, post-apocalyptic violence with genuinely emotional character moments and dark, retro-futuristic comedy. Season 2 strengthens and hardens many of our favorite relationships. Lucy began as a gleeful delight, only to emerge as a young woman not only willing to accept the truth but turn on her blood for the betterment of the water. The season did a remarkable job of bringing some fan-favorite elements from the game while introducing series-only weaponry. The primary ensemble was better than ever, with breakout performances coming from Annabel O’Hagan as Steph and Moises Arias as Norm MacLean. Perhaps the best part of the season came from the cameos of Kumail Nanjiani and Macaulay Culkin. Watching the series explore New Vegas to its fullest extent became the best decision of Season 2. ​​​​​​​Season 3 will no doubt do it again.

3

‘The Testaments’ (Season 1)

Image via Hulu

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For six seasons, viewers were taken on a wild ride through Margaret Atwood’s dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale. Gilead was a terrifying world, and yet Atwood had more in store. Based on the 2019 novel, The Testaments became the companion sequel series to The Handmaid’s Tale, extending the story through a new perspective. The coming-of-age drama follows a new generation of young women growing up inside the regime — including June Osborne’s (Elisabeth Moss) biological daughter, Agnes MacKenzie (Chase Infiniti), and a Canadian outsider, Daisy (Lucy Halliday). The story focuses on privileged daughters of Commanders attending an elite “Wife School,” governed by a regime intent on molding them into submissive spouses. Rather than just surviving in a constant state of torment, the younger characters actively deprogram Gilead’s brainwashing and plot to free themselves. Through an exploration of political control of women’s bodies, religious hypocrisy, the power of testimony in preserving truth, and the complex moral choices required to resist systemic injustice, it offers a newfound perspective on recurring themes.

The Testaments is a gripping drama that revitalizes the dystopian world of Gilead by shifting the focus to a new generation. It features suspenseful spy-thriller pacing and a fresh, compelling look at young women slowly unraveling into a new sense of identity. The Testaments may be a part of the overall story but can be enjoyed proudly on its own. One of the best connective tissues is the return of Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia, this time operating outwardly as a high-ranking enforcer but secretly working to subvert the regime. The season also explores flashbacks revealing how she survived the initial revolution and the choices that led to her rise. It may not be her story, but she continues to dominate the screen. Infiniti, who was robbed of an Oscar nomination this year, rightly earned an Emmy nom. Her breathtaking portrayal of Agnes was like watching Moss during her first season of the main show — a star shining brightly. If you miss Moss as June, it’s a good idea to watch. There are a few familiar faces that pop in when you least expect them.

2

‘The Boroughs’ (Season 1)

Image via Netflix

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Pour one out for The Boroughs. Gone too soon. Though Season 1 ended in a manner that allowed it to be a limited series, it was such a brilliantly addictive binge-watch, and we all wanted more of this wild story and star-studded ensemble. Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and executive produced by The Duffer Brothers, the series tells the tale of a lovable group of retirees living in a seemingly idyllic desert retirement community in New Mexico who discover a dark, supernatural conspiracy lurking beneath their perfect surface and must band together to stop a monster from stealing their time. Flipping the “kids on bikes” sci-fi trope in exchange for seniors with a mission, The Boroughs balances a monster mystery with heartfelt explorations of grief and aging led by an all-star ensemble.

Despite earning great acclaim, The Boroughs was one-and-done, which is unfortunate. The show was filled with nostalgia, firing on all cylinders. It’s what made it so fresh. The isolated, secluded, corporate-run retirement community in the New Mexico desert made for an unlikely horror-mystery, especially as authority figures and facility staff often try to dismiss the retirees’ claims of otherworldly monsters as mere dementia. It operates on a comical level while also highlighting what happens to those individuals of a certain age. The story is charming and thrilling but also serves as a poignant memento mori. The Boroughs boasts a cast with undeniable chemistry, including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman. The Boroughs may be gone but never forgotten, which is fitting, as that’s the heart of the story. ​​​​​​​

1

‘Paradise’ (Season 2)

Image via Hulu

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It doesn’t get much better than Paradise. After a solid first season last year, it returned even better for Season 2. Created by Dan Fogelman, the hit series follows a Secret Service agent (Sterling K. Brown) as he investigates the assassination of a former president (James Marsden). The investigation exposes a massive conspiracy: the seemingly idyllic town is an underground bunker housing the elite survivors of a catastrophic, world-ending event. The second season exploded the lore as Collins left the bunker to search for his wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma), who survived the global apocalypse. Meanwhile, the utopian shelter faces social collapse and reveals shocking origins, while time glitches and quantum AI named “Alex” begin to actively bend reality. As the season pivoted from mystery to a science-fiction thriller, Paradise Season 2 showcased what happens when an idyllic haven implodes within due to mistrust and betrayal.

Paradise works better than most sci-fi thrillers because it never gets bigger than its ambition. The intense, emotional twists are earned and warranted. The mystery box unfolds masterfully and in a gripping way. Paradise is a highly bingeable series because the cliffhangers and twists don’t linger too long. You get your answers, whether you like them or not, when they need to be revealed. Paradise features some of the best acting of the year, especially from Julianne Nicholson and Shailene Woodley. Both actresses bring raw emotion that will have you bawling by the end. The sprawling world-building got bigger in Season 2, only for it to come crashing down by its solid finale. Season 3 has us all eager because it’s truly a new frontier.

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Paradise

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Release Date

January 26, 2025

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Hulu

Showrunner

Dan Fogelman

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Directors

Gandja Monteiro

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Michael B. Jordan is joining in on the joke after social media users likened his go-to red-carpet stance to a waiter preparing to take an order.

It’s not the first time the actor’s poses have become a talking point online, either, with his resurfaced Calvin Klein campaign also fueling plenty of online commentary a few months ago.

Michael B. Jordan proved he can laugh at himself after fans roasted one of his most recognizable red-carpet habits. Bustle shared an Instagram carousel highlighting years of photos showing the Oscar winner standing with his hands folded in front of him, alongside a viral post comparing the stance to a restaurant server asking, “Y’all ready to order yet?”

Rather than ignore the teasing, Jordan jumped into the comments with laughing and facepalm emojis, embracing the internet’s latest observation. The Bustle admin added to the fun by joking that Jordan could “take my order anytime.”

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The lighthearted exchange follows just months after The Blast reported on another instance when Jordan’s poses became part of a heated online conversation. A resurfaced Calvin Klein campaign he ran in 2023 ignited a wave of reactions as fans praised the actor’s physique and confident modeling. A handful of critics were less impressed, though, with one dismissing the images as “not cute.”

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Jordan wasn’t the only one enjoying the viral joke. Plenty of fans and fellow celebrities also joined in on the fun in Bustle’s comment section, with many arguing the actor was being unfairly singled out for a pose almost anyone would fall back on during a red-carpet event.

Kevin Hart came to his peer’s defense by joking that the “Hardest thing in the world is finding something to do with your hands on the carpet.” Actress DeWanda Wise playfully added, “Let actors be introverts, ok?!”

Fans, meanwhile, had no intention of letting the restaurant comparison die. One commenter imagined Jordan greeting guests with, “What can I start YALL off with today?” Another extended the bit by asking, “How does everything taste so far? What great customer service.”

Michael B Jordan Kept It Casual At ‘Spider-Man’ Premiere

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The Bustle post that roasted Jordan’s signature pose depicted his appearance at the recent “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” premiere. While social media continued to fixate on his folded-hands stance, the rest of his outfit quietly made a statement of its own.

The “Sinners” star arrived in a vintage-inspired Spider-Man graphic T-shirt tucked into wide-leg black trousers, paired with understated accessories.

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The relaxed look stood out precisely because it didn’t try too hard. While many superhero premieres have become showcases for custom designer outfits inspired by the films themselves, Jordan looked more like a stylish fan showing support than someone trying to steal the spotlight.

His appearance also fueled the inevitable Marvel speculation. Having played Erik Killmonger in “Black Panther” and Johnny Storm in 2015’s “Fantastic Four,” Jordan’s presence at any Marvel-related event is enough to get fans wondering whether another comic book return could be around the corner.

Jordan Picked Zendaya Over Himself In Their Fashion Faceoff

Remember when Michael B Jordan wore that mottled texture Berluti Suit to the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty? Well Zendaya wore that mottled texture Berluti suit to the Harper’s Bazaar Icons party last night et THE RUE JUMPED OUT. pic.twitter.com/Hm5DoGtYhh

— GoodGalReRe (@_reneebu) September 7, 2019

Years earlier, the actor unexpectedly found himself at the center of a red-carpet fashion faceoff after Zendaya stepped out in the same gray Berluti suit he had worn to the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

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The matching looks quickly took over social media, with fans arguing over who wore the tailored ensemble better. Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Law Roach, even joined the conversation by posting both outfits and asking followers to choose between the two stars.

Jordan, however, had no interest in turning it into a competition. When The Shade Room shared the side-by-side comparison, he cast his vote in Zendaya’s favor, writing, “@zendaya hands down no contest.” The gracious response earned praise from fans, many of whom applauded the actor for taking himself out of the equation.

The debate has resurfaced several times over the years, including on Reddit, where many users credited Zendaya’s tailoring and styling for giving her the edge.

Michael B. Jordan Backs Marvel’s New Black Panther

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The red carpet also allowed the actor to weigh in on one of Marvel’s biggest recent announcements.

Asked about David Jonsson being cast as the lead in “Black Panther 3” following the reveal at San Diego Comic-Con, Jordan made it clear he was fully behind the decision. The actor, who played Erik Killmonger in 2018’s “Black Panther” before returning for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in 2022, didn’t hesitate when Entertainment Tonight sought his reaction.

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“Oh, I love it. It’s amazing! I can’t wait, can’t wait!” Jordan said, as The Blast previously reported.

Russell Latino, the lawyer for Bart Edmiston Jr., says the “enhanced” Sea Tow dispatch audio that has gone viral is “doctored,” while Ben Crump reportedly reacts to Warren Hudson‘s dad, Ben Hudson, planning to sue amid the Nolan Wells investigation.

RELATED: Bart Edmiston Jr. Reportedly Sends Cease-And-Desist To Kymbra Li For Alleged “False” Statements Amid Nolan Wells Investigation

Lawyer For Bart Edmiston Jr. Says “Enhanced” Sea Tow Dispatch Audio Is “Doctored”

According to TMZ, Russell Latino recently appeared on ‘News Nation’ with Chris Cuomo, where he was asked about the “enhanced” Sea Tow audio, which has been making its rounds on social media.

“We don’t see any legitimacy in a doctored transcript or a doctored audio that comes with a transcript, which is a nice sort of psychological game that people play with gargled audio. I’ll tell you this, my client’s role was to help drain audio off of a boat that reported it being in distress. There were 20-plus people separated between those two boats. All of them saw what he did. All of them saw what did and didn’t happen. There were two credible witnesses — at least — that saw Nolan Wells on Horn Island an hour and a half after those two boats left, and my client cooperated with the authorities from the very beginning,” Latino stated.

Per the lawyer, Bart Edmiston gave over evidence and answered “every” question from the authorities. Furthermore, Latino noted that, “People are just fabricating things wildly. And the consequence of that is you got people who are in legitimate fear for their lives.”

RELATED: California Man Arrested For Allegedly Sending Death Threats To Judge Ashlee Cole Amid Nolan Wells Death Investigation

Warren Hudon’s Dad Says He Plans To Sue Ben Crump Amid Nolan Wells Investigation

Amid Bart Edmiston Jr.’s lawyer speaking with Chris Cuomo, Warren Hudson’s dad, Bart Hudson, spoke with The New York Post. In an exclusive published on Thursday, July 30, Bart stated, “…Truth is not Ben Crump’s concern. He’s exploiting the situation and raising money. I think this is financially exploiting this entire tragedy and making it a much bigger tragedy at the expense of my family and our community and the Wells family.”

Per Bart, he and other families plan to sue Ben Crump for defamation and slander.

“In my opinion, Ben Crump has slandered and falsely accused my son and his friends of murder, and he’s pursued what’s an obvious false narrative. I think he can expect lawsuits not just from my family but from a number of other families who, in my opinion, he’s defamed,” he said.

Additionally, Bart Hudson called Reverend Al Sharpton’s advocacy in the case a quest for “political favor.”

“My family, the Wells-Wonsley family, and the families of all these other kids are being used by people like Al Sharpton and Ben Crump and news outlets as political pawns to win some kind of political favor for the midterms,” he said.

Furthermore, Bart confirmed that he and other families received spoliation notices on behalf of Crump. As The Shade Room previously reported, the notices were sent out on the day of Nolan Wells’ funeral. Additionally, they signaled upcoming litigation and asked that evidence be preserved during the case.

“I was very disappointed that they turned the funeral into a political rally. How would our children ever be able to attend that when they put out a $100,000 bounty alleging that my son and his friends had murdered their best friend? My son is 19. He’s trying to grieve the death of his friend. Meanwhile, he’s getting death threats, and he’s called a racist and a murderer, and the truth couldn’t be further from that,” Bart added.

Ben Crump Reacts To Warren Hudson’s Dad, Bart Hudson, As Jesse Jackson Speaks Out

According to the report, Ben Crump responded to Bart Hudson’s comments and apparent pending lawsuit by calling it a “distraction.”

“It’s a distraction, we’re not distracted by it at all. It’s about getting to the truth, that’s what we want, and that’s what we’re focused on. We haven’t done anything other than ask questions to get to the truth,” he reportedly told the outlet.

RELATED: Attorney Ben Crump Says Nolan Wells’ Family Has Hired Audio Experts To Review Viral Sea Tow Call (VIDEO)

Book-to-screen adaptations can be challenging. On one hand, you want to bring as much of the original text to life as possible. On another, a television series or feature film is simply not the same narrative medium, and thus things will have to be changed and adjusted to tell the story as best as possible. It may surprise you to learn that many Western features began as novels or short stories, and that same practice has been true of television programs as well.

Whether we’re talking about neo-Westerns that are essentially mystery novels or crime dramas, or classic, old-fashioned Western yarn that speaks to the issues of the wild frontier, there are plenty of great Western shows out there that build upon the foundation first set on the page. While there are more Western novels than you can probably count, there are a handful of popular (and lesser-known) horse operas out there that are pulled directly from them. So, if you’re looking for some riveting page-to-screen excitement, look no further than these Western television shows inspired by books.

‘Centennial’ (1978–1979)

Image via NBC

Centennial is a 12-part miniseries that is about exactly what it sounds like. Released a few years after America’s 200th birthday, the television adaptation of James A. Michener’s Centennial novel has been considered a cult classic. As one of the most expensive miniseries productions at the time, the NBC drama ran for over a month on the network, chronicling the founding and expansion of the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado. This is a Western series that would’ve thrived in the streaming era.

With a robust cast and impressive visuals, Centennial is largely faithful to its source material, though it departs from the novel on occasion. The main difference is that while the novel uses contemporary magazine writer Lewis Vernor as a framing device, the miniseries sticks to a strict chronological ordering of events. Although the miniseries is 26 hours long, plenty was cut from the book for the sake of time.

‘Joe Pickett’ (2022–2024)

Image via Paramount+

Although a neo-Western, Joe Pickett is about as old-fashioned as a contemporary take on the West can get. Based on the popular (and ongoing) novels by author C. J. Box, the series follows the adventures of the titular Wyoming-based game warden (Michael Dorman) as he wrestles with keeping his family afloat and stumbling upon every new mystery that makes his way into his backyard. Sometimes quite literally.

A two-season Western series perfect for a quick binge, Joe Pickett tackles a novel or two each season. The first season, in particular, is quite true to Box’s debut Pickett adventure, Open Season, though the series does depart from the source material in certain ways (namely in its depiction of Nate Romanowski). Still, fans of Box’s novels (and newcomers alike) will enjoy this refreshing take on the neo-Western that couldn’t be more different than something like Yellowstone.

‘Justified’ (2010–2015)

Image via FX

While there is some debate regarding whether Justified can actually be considered a neo-Western, the Kentucky-based crime drama certainly carries with it the spirit of the Old West. As U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) finds himself back in his home state, he makes waves across the urban frontier as each new threat makes itself known — almost always connecting in some way to Walton Goggins‘ outlaw Boyd Crowder.

Justified was based directly on the Elmore Leonard short story/novella “Fire in the Hole,” though the Raylan Givens character appeared in two of the author’s crime novels before that. Aside from the pilot, which is almost a 1:1 adaptation of “Fire in the Hole,” Justified grew into its own. The best episodes of the show have nothing to do with Leonard’s literary work, though the show’s success would directly inspire his final novel, Raylan.

‘The Sacketts’ (1979)

Image via NBC

When you consider author Louis L’Amour’s best Western novels, it’s likely you’ll end up revisiting The Daybreakers or some other installment in The Sackett Family series. If that sounds like you, then there’s no better time to return to The Sacketts miniseries. Told in two parts by NBC, the miniseries was essentially a made-for-TV movie, but we’ll give it a pass here on account that it feels more like a TV production.

The miniseries combines both The Daybreakers (the first released installment of the Sackett books) and the next novel Sackett, following brothers Orrin (Tom Selleck) and Tyrel (Jeff Osterhage) as they head off to New Mexico to start anew. In conjunction with that second novel, it also chronicles the story of their older brother, Tell (Sam Elliott), a mountain man who ventures his way all across the west. Eventually, the trio all end up together, which is perhaps the biggest change from the books (though certainly a welcome one).

‘Dark Winds’ (2022–Present)

Image via AMC

There’s something about neo-Western mystery/crime novels that are just ripe for television adaptations. That was the case with Dark Winds, which is inspired (though quite loosely) by the Leaphorn and Chee series by Tony Hillerman. Hillerman’s daughter, Anne Hillerman, has taken to continuing the novels in recent years, which run parallel to the AMC series. However, the show couldn’t be more different — and for the most part, it actually works.

Yes, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Sgt. Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) still work alongside each other, with Sgt. Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) by their side, but each season is almost more of a remix of the books than a proper adaptation. Some seasons pull from two novels at once, mixing the plots and character arcs together, while others pull from a single installment. Fans of the Hillerman books will likely still enjoy this underrated neo-Western drama, but expect some serious departures from the novels.

‘Little House on the Prairie’ (1974–1983)

Image via NBC

Speaking of television programs that are considerably different than the source material, Little House on the Prairie only departed further from the Little House novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder the longer it aired on NBC. What began with a television pilot film that was quite an accurate adaptation of the novel of the same name quickly turned into a family-friendly adventure that stuck to its moralistic guns and ran out of material to adapt. While elements of the books still find their way into the later seasons, Little House is very much its own thing.

That said, the original Little House television series remains one of the most beloved long-running dramas of the 20th century. Michael Landon‘s Charles Ingalls defined the role for generations, and nobody played young Laura quite like Melissa Gilbert. While the novels have been adapted more faithfully on other occasions, the nine-season Little House is the perfect cozy drama. If you want to revisit the series before catching Netflix’s latest reboot, give these Little House episodes a go — they’re a bit more faithful to the text.

‘The Virginian’ (1962–1971)

Image via NBC

Though not the first adaptation of the famed novel, The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains, by Owen Wister, The Virginian television series is the most well-known by far. Another incredibly loose adaptation, the NBC program featured James Drury in the title role opposite Doug McClure‘s Trampas and Lee J. Cobb‘s Judge Garth. Each episode chronicled its own new adventure, largely leaving the novel behind in favor of becoming another high-riding Western drama.

Perhaps the biggest change from Wister’s novel was turning Trampas from his villainous ways and making him essentially the Virginian’s sidekick. Still, although the screen versions of these characters were little like what folks read in the book, The Virginian is still considered one of the best classic TV Westerns ever made. The episodic nature was quite common for horse operas in its day, and Drury and McClure headline the series with that flawless cowboy charm. For a more proper adaptation of Wister’s masterwork, we’d recommend one of the many feature film adaptations instead.

‘The Son’ (2017–2019)

Image via AMC

For a book-to-screen adaptation that stays true to the novel, look no further than The Son. Unlike Dark Winds, this AMC drama was in part developed by author Philipp Meyer himself, alongside Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy. The trio reworked Meyer’s novel into a two-season Western epic that follows Texan cattleman Eli McCullough in both the past (played by Jacob Lofland) and his early 20th century present (played by Pierce Brosnan). This Western series will hook you from start to finish.

The Son may depart in some ways from the novel-of-the-same-name, but it does so only with the blessing of the author. Meditating on themes of legacy, loss, and the high price of violence, this series puts Yellowstone to open shame. It chronicles the settling of the west, the foundation of modern cattle ranch operations, and the great pains it took to preserve them.

‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

As arguably the most popular neo-Western drama outside the Yellowstone Universe, Longmire is so beloved that fans still celebrate the show (and the novels that inspired it) annually by gathering in Buffalo, Wyoming, for Longmire Days. Based on the Walt Longmire Mysteries series by author Craig Johnson, the A&E-turned-Netflix drama follows Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) as he fights to preserve the peace of the fictional Absaroka County and the neighboring Cheyenne Reservation. That said, it’s quite different from the books.

While some episodes are based on specific novels — “Unfinished Business” is The Cold Dish, while “Unquiet Mind” feels like a direct riff on Hell is Empty — the show honored certain elements of the larger Absaroka world while blatantly ignoring others. But don’t let that turn you off to this highly intelligent neo-Western drama. Johnson not only blessed the show, but continues to promote its return as he churns out new novels each year. It’s a Western series that will satisfy your inner cowboy.

‘Lonesome Dove’ (1989)

Image via CBS

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As if there was any doubt? Not only is Lonesome Dove the miniseries a powerful television epic that deserves high marks for its brilliant performances and sweeping visuals, but Lonesome Dove the novel by Larry McMurtry is often considered the Western novel. Following former Texas Rangers Augustus “Gus” McCrae (Robert Duvall) and Woodrow F. Call (Tommy Lee Jones) as they lead their Hat Creek Outfit from the Lone Star State all the way to Montana, it’s an exceptional undertaking that has been cited as the best Western ever made.

Lonesome Dove is essential Western TV viewing, not to mention reading if we’re talking about the book. This CBS adaptation succeeds where so many book-to-screen operations fail by essentially using the novel as a roadmap. Every major bit is accounted for, and while it would have been impossible for this four-part miniseries to tackle every scene, it does its darnedest to bring the pages to life.

Y’all! Joseline Hernandez’s daughter Bonnie Bella is showing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to standing out. The young star recently had social media doing a double-take after showcasing a skill that left fans impressed and applauding her dedication.

RELATED: Beef Over? Zeus CEO Lemuel Plummer & Joseline Hernandez Sit Down To Address Viral Allegations Made During Their Online Feud (VIDEO)

Bonnie Bella Shows Off Her Mandarin Skills

In a video circulating online, Joseline Hernandez is seen sitting alongside Bonnie Bella during what appears to be a family dinner. Wearing a white long-sleeved top, wavy hair, and a natural makeup look, Joseline smiles beside her daughter, who rocks glasses, necklaces, a polka-dot shirt, and a cozy cardigan. The clip captures Bonnie Bella singing in Mandarin Chinese, showcasing her language skills after reportedly taking Mandarin lessons for 3 years. The nine-year-old has apparently been learning Mandarin while also speaking English and Spanish, and we are here for it.

Roomies Show Love To Joseline & Bonnie Bella

Folks wasted no time running to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section and showing Bonnie Bella some love. While many praised the young star for exploring another culture and learning a new language, others pointed out that Joseline Hernandez clearly doesn’t play when it comes to pouring into her daughter. And, of course, a few commenters joked that with skills like these, Bonnie is definitely the type of kid who’s bringing home straight A’s.

One Instagram user @richauntytv said, “I love when we allow our children to learn other cultures!!! It creates a well rounded human being 🔥🔥🔥🔥”

This Instagram user @destinconrad wrote, “me”

And, Instagram user @stylesbynailahalnisa claimed, “That baby look like she go to school and get all good grades 😍”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @shadesofmahagoni added, “This baby speaks Chinese, Spanish and English??? Wow, that’s amazing!”

While Instagram user @dramaqueenb__ commented, “Her and Mimi don’t play about raising they girls 👏 ..”

Lastly, Instagram user @mzinfamousquani said, “I immediately thought of Mulan … this is actually impressive though 👏”

Bonnie Bella Keeps Proving She’s That Girl

Bonnie Bella Jordan is proving once again that she’s got the personality and confidence to match her talents. Before going viral for her Mandarin skills, the young star already had fans calling her one of the coolest kids on the internet after sharing an adorable moment with her mom.

Joseline and Bonnie Bella joined TikTok’s viral “Best Friend” trend, with Bonnie taking the lead while her mom held the camera. As the audio played, Bonnie made it clear that nothing could come between her and her “best friend” — her mom. Joseline nodded along and reacted to her daughter’s words, showing off their close mother-daughter bond. While fans loved the sweet moment, some also pointed out Bonnie’s resemblance to Mimi Faust’s daughter, Eva Giselle Jordan, with a few commenters admitting they initially thought the two were the same child.

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