The fantasy genre was on its deathbed by 1999. Indeed, things were outright dire by the decade’s second half, with hardly any movies taking off outside of the animated realm. Sure, there were still masterpieces by Princess Mononoke, but overall, the likes of Hercules couldn’t live up to the greatest gems produced throughout the early days of the Disney Renaissance. Then 2001 came along, and everything changed.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say 2001 was one of the greatest years for fantasy in the new millennium, if not the best. At least three certified masterpieces came out throughout those precious twelve months, two of which revitalized the dying genre and revolutionized cinema as a whole. Today, twenty-five years later, the best fantasy movies of 2001 are more revered than ever before. They have aged like fine wine, not only for their importance to the medium, but for their stellar quality as motion pictures.

‘Monsters, Inc.’

Image via Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar Animation Studios began the new millennium with a lovely adventure about friendship and self-discovery that proved they could do much more than just Toy Story. Monsters, Inc. is set in a world where children’s screams power a huge, monster-populated city. James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) and his sidekick, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), are the top-performing duo at Monsters, Incorporated, the monster world’s largest scare factory. Things change when the two-year-old human girl Boo (Mary Gibbs) accidentally finds her way to the monster world, throwing Sully and Mike’s lives into disarray.

Like most other great Pixar movies, Monsters, Inc. thrives through a combination of a creative narrative, a powerful emotional core, stunning animation, and a memorable screenplay full of quotable lines and now-iconic gags. Sully and Mike are among Pixar’s most emblematic characters and one of cinema’s best depictions of friendship. However, it’s Sully’s bond with Boo that becomes the strongest aspect of this delightful monster comedy. For a movie aimed at children, Monsters, Inc. deals with some very profound issues, including corporate greed, prejudice, and the healing power of laughter as a force for good. A now-famous and very bittersweet ending is the cherry on top of this monstrously crafted cake.

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Harry Potter was arguably the defining franchise of the 2000s. Progressing and maturing along with the decade, the tale of the Boy Who Lived is responsible for an entire generation’s love for the fantasy genre. The first entry, 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, introduces us to eleven-year old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), an orphan living with his abusive uncles. One day, he learns he’s actually a wizard and can attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets and becomes friends with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). While attending classes and facing new and daunting tasks, Harry learns of his backstory and his role in bringing down the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.

The Harry Potter movies produced one of cinema’s most enduring fantasy worlds — never before had so many wanted to receive a letter via owl. The highlight of the series is undoubtedly the third entry, 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, but there’s such an enchanting value to the first entry. Out of them all, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the one that feels most inviting and wholesome. It has to do with it being the introductory chapter to this story, but it’s also thanks to the distinct childlike approach that director Chris Columbus takes to the story. Hogwarts feels like a place straight out of the wildest child fantasies, full of whimsy and danger, but always warm and irresistible. The saga would become something darker and more mature as it progressed, but the first movie remains a timeless triumph that marked an entire generation.

‘Shrek’

The worlds of fantasy and animation forever changed in 2001, thanks to the release of Shrek. Based on the 1990 children’s book Shrek! by William Steig, the film stars Mike Myers as the titular character, a cantankerous ogre whose swamp is suddenly flooded by a myriad of fairy tale characters banned by the despotic Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Joined by a talking Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad: he’ll travel to a distant tower and rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) so she can marry Farquaad, in exchange for his swamp.

Shrek subverted the classic fantasy notions and fairy tale tropes through a modern and edgy humor, including anachronistic references, pop culture jokes, and an overall 21st-century approach to what would otherwise be a classic romance adventure. Myers, Diaz, Murphy, and Lithgow are incredible in their voice roles, with Murphy even earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2002 ceremony (one of the coolest things BAFTA has ever done, by the way). In terms of narrative, Shrek is simply amazing, full of hilarious and witty jokes, double-entendres, and subversions of classic fairy tale characters and settings. The film truly felt like a breath of fresh air in 2001, and its success led to a wildly successful franchise that endures to this day — the long-awaited fifth movie will debut in 2027. Moreover, Shrek won the inaugural Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

‘Spirited Away’

Image via Studio Ghibli

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Studio Ghibli has been producing masterpieces since the ’80s, but it reached a whole new peak in the 2000s, largely thanks to Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki‘s timeless fantasy masterpiece tells the story of Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi/Daveigh Chase), a young girl whose parents are transformed into pigs after they inadvertently enter the spirit world and overindulge in food. To save them, Chihiro secures employment in the bathhouse of the witch Yubaba (Mari Natsuki/Suzanne Pleshette), where she will lose her name and will need to rediscover herself.

A mystical coming-of-age journey that stands as arguably Studio Ghibli’s crowning jewel, Spirited Away is a masterpiece that has only gotten better with age. The film’s messages about strength, self-discovery, consumerism, and the road to maturity blend beautifully with the story’s larger exploration of Japanese culture, mysticism, and spirituality. As with most other Miyazaki movies, there’s also a considerable dose of environmentalist themes here. The result is a true work of art that keeps resonating with audiences. Spirited Away brought Japanese cinema to a new international level of acclaim and established Ghibli as a singular force in animation. Released in the U.S. in 2002, the film won the second-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature, ensuring its legacy as a titan of the medium.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’

Image via New Line Cinema

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No franchise in the 2000s had a better commercial or critical reception than Sir Peter Jackson‘s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Based on the seminal novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, the trilogy adapted the three most important and influential fantasy books of the 20th century into three equally revolutionary movies. The first entry, 2001’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, tells the story of young hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who inherits from his uncle a mysterious ring with a strange power. Learning it is the dreaded One Ring, Frodo and a group of companions, calling themselves the Fellowship of the Ring, begin a journey to destroy the One Ring in the fired of Mount Doom.

You simply can’t overstate just how massive Fellowship of the Ring was. The film created one of the most immersive and mystical fantasy worlds in cinema, throwing audiences into the middle of an intense and dangerous tale of good versus evil. At its core, the film is about how heroes can come from the most unlikely places and how small deeds can have the power to shake entire destinies. Yet, it also includes some spectacular sequences, from Arwen’s (Liv Tyler) rescue of Frodo to the magic duel between Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) and Saruman (Sir Christopher Lee), to the confrontation against the demonic balrog. The film is stunning to look at, with visual effects that have aged beautifully and an atmosphere that makes everything seem ancient and outside of time itself. The Fellowship of the Ring is arguably the best fantasy movie ever made, launching one of cinema’s most revered trilogies and changing the landscape of cinema forever.

For decades, Brooke Shields has been one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, from controversial fashion campaigns to iconic film and television roles. But behind the glamorous image, Shields says there was another side of herself the industry rarely allowed audiences to fully see. Now, as she steps back into comedy with her new mystery series “You’re Killing Me” and continues speaking openly about aging and reinvention, Brooke Shields is reflecting on the pressure she faced growing up in the spotlight and why it took decades for Hollywood to embrace her comedic side.

Brooke Shields is reflecting on the pressures she faced growing up in Hollywood, admitting the industry largely viewed her as a “sex symbol” instead of embracing her comedic side. Speaking with AARP’s Movies for Grownups about her memorable guest appearance on “Friends,” Shields said she would have loved to lean into comedy much earlier in her career.

“Believe me, I would’ve done it a couple of decades before,” she said of her over-the-top role as Joey’s obsessed stalker on the hit sitcom. “But that wasn’t what people wanted of me. They wanted me to be this, I don’t know, sex symbol … and that was fine.”

Shields Says Comedy Was Always Her Happy Place

Although Shields became famous for her provocative Calvin Klein ads as a teenager, she revealed that comedy had always been where she felt most comfortable creatively. The actress said she spent years doing sketch comedy under legendary entertainer Bob Hope during dozens of USO tours entertaining troops overseas. “Doing sketch comedy,” Shields said. “I was always happiest.”

Now at 60, Shields is once again stepping into a comedy-forward role with her new Acorn TV series You’re Killing Me. In the limited mystery-comedy series, Shields plays an “aging out” mystery novelist who teams up with a younger true-crime podcaster to solve a murder. “It’s a funny mystery series,” she explained. “And there’s a lot of physical comedy in it for me.”

Brooke Shields Is Embracing Aging Differently

Shields also opened up about aging and how her perspective on beauty has evolved over the years. While chatting with the outlet, the actress joked about trading trendy denim for vintage Levi’s. “I’ve gone back to the OGs,” she said. “Can’t do any of these new, fancy ones.”

Shields added that while she’s no longer the same size she was as a teenager, she no longer sees that as something to chase. “I’m not the same size as I was at 17, but … that’s not the goal,” she explained.

The actress recently expanded on those themes in her book, “Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman,” where she discusses aging, menopause, and the pressure women face to stay youthful.

Shields Says Menopause Conversations Were Long Overdue

According to Shields, conversations surrounding menopause were ignored for far too long, even within the medical community. “Doctors weren’t even educated about it,” she said. “They never learned about it.”

Since releasing her book, Shields said she has been overwhelmed by women thanking her for speaking openly about topics many previously felt uncomfortable discussing publicly. “People say to me, ‘Oh my God, thank you for having these discussions,’” she shared. “It’s in the zeitgeist now.”

Brooke Shields Says Family Life Looks Different These Days

Away from Hollywood, Brooke Shields says life at home with husband Chris Henchy has settled into a much quieter rhythm. The actress revealed that when they’re off the clock, Henchy usually handles dinner while she enjoys relaxing hobbies like needlepoint. But when daughters Rowan Henchy, 22, and Grier Henchy, 20, are home, the atmosphere quickly shifts back into family mode with backgammon games and long conversations.

Shields also admitted that becoming an empty nester ended up being easier than she initially feared. “The empty nest syndrome was not as painful as I thought it was going to be,” she shared, before joking, “I only had two years of it.”

While Rowan is currently back home, Grier is away at college, though Shields said her youngest daughter initially acted nervous about leaving. “When [Grier] went to college, she said, ‘I’m going to want to come back…. I don’t want to leave you,’” Shields recalled with a laugh. “Within two weeks, I could barely get her on the phone.”

As Shields approaches her 61st birthday later this month, the actress says she’s embracing this stage of life with humor and a willingness to laugh at herself along the way.

Everyone has heard of Goblin, and most K-drama fans have seen The King: Eternal Monarch. But romantasy—romance wrapped in magic, fate, and impossible worlds—is far more popular than the usual hits. There are many hidden gems and brilliant series in this particular K-drama landscape that are also worth watching. If you’re a fan who wants to swoon while also discovering new content, you’re in the right place.

Some of the best romantasy dramas out there feature gender-bending princes, cursed immortals, mermaids, demon-possessed scholars, and dream-prophesying prosecutors, elevating the supernatural elements and heartfelt romances they find themselves in. Whether you’re a long-time sageuk lover or a modern fantasy fan, these must-watch K-dramas for romantasy fans will remind you why this genre is so easily addictive.

‘The King’s Affection’ (2021)

Image via KBS2

The King’s Affection is a gender-bending sageuk and though it’s not technically a fantasy, its premise has a “what if” that feels entirely magical, hypothesizing the fate of different-gendered twins and fantastical kings. Park Eun-bin delivers a career-defining performance, balancing royal authority with fragility. Her romance with Rowoon‘s character is tender, if not angsty, and somewhat complex due to a hidden identity element. The King’s Affection won the International Emmy Award and is widely praised for its emotional depth; it was based on the manhwa Yeonmo, which introduces the plot as a hypothesis that a secret king existed between two well-known kings who ruled one after the other throughout history.

The King’s Affection begins with Crown Prince Lee Hwi of Joseon dying in a tragic accident; his twin sister, Dam-yi (Park), who was exiled after being sentenced to death as a child, returns and is persuaded by their grandmother to secretly take Lee Hwi’s place. Dam-yi agrees, and for years she leads a double life, studying, ruling, and concealing her true identity from everyone, including her father, the king. While portraying the crown prince, she falls for her royal tutor, Jung Ji-woon (Rowoon), a bright and kind-hearted man, but he seems to see something hidden in this version of Lee Hwi. Their forbidden romance grows as Lee Hwi fights to protect her secret, navigate murderous court politics, and eventually claim the throne. Not fully fantastic, but still a romance to fantasize about.

‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’ (2016–2017)

Image via SBS TV

The Legend of the Blue Sea is a romantic fantasy series, but many fans also find it to be a great comedy. The film features a talented cast, including Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho, and is set in a stunning fantasy world. It’s pure, joyful, and romantic; Jun’s portrayal of the mermaid is both hilarious and heartbreaking, and Lee’s performance is particularly charming. The show has a dual timeline that alternates between Joseon and present day, which adds emotional depth to the main romance; there is also a lot of underwater cinematography, which is absolutely stunning and adds to the fantasy narrative’s magical quality.

The Legend of the Blue Sea follows Shim Cheong (Jun), a mermaid caught in a fisherman’s net, who is rescued by Heo Joon-jae (Lee), a charming con artist who initially intends to steal from her. Cheong has magical abilities, a childlike innocence, and a tragic relationship with Joon-jae’s Joseon-era doppelgänger. As she adjusts to life on land, the two gradually discover their shared history and fight to end a centuries-old curse. The show also features Shin Hye-sun (Mr. Queen) and Lee Ji-hoon (Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung).

‘Lovers of the Red Sky’ (2021)

Image via SBS TV

Lovers of the Red Sky is a stunning and underappreciated sageuk with a strong fantasy theme. The visuals and cinematography are stunning, resembling traditional Korean ink paintings, and the romance is truly epic, depicting two wounded people bound by fate, magic, and a love that defies the curses placed upon them. Kim You-jung delivers a stunning performance, while Ahn Hyo-seop embraces both his masculine and gentle sides. The show’s pacing keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Lovers of the Red Sky was inspired by Jung Eun-gwol‘s novel of the same name, which features the only female painter of the Korean Royal Academy mentioned in historical records.

Lovers of the Red Sky is set in a fictional equivalent of the Joseon kingdom called Dan and follows a female painter named Chun-gi (Kim You-jung), who was born blind and regained her sight after a shaman performed a rain-summoning ritual. Chun-gi’s world collides with that of Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop), a blind astrologer who lost his sight during the same rain ceremony and is now possessed by a demon; when they both realize their fates have been sealed by an ancient ritual intended to imprison a powerful evil god since childhood, they begin collaborating to break a mysterious curse, and their intense, star-crossed romance unfolds against a backdrop of court intrigue and magical mythology. Lovers of the Red Sky is a beautifully crafted romantic fantasy, with each frame serving as a painting.

‘Live Up to Your Name’ (2017)

Image via tvN

Live Up to Your Name (also known as Deserving of Your Name) is a fantasy sageuk that combines medical drama, comedy, and slow-burn romance. Kim Nam-gil delivers a charismatic and hilarious performance, while Kim Ah-joong portrays a strong yet vulnerable modern doctor. The show’s treatment of time travel is clever, and it’s a true hidden gem because it’s one of the few in which someone from the past travels to the present rather than vice versa. Most time travel shows feature modern characters traveling back in time; however, this Korean drama defies this convention, showing us a fish-out-of-water scenario with a man who is propelled forward through time.

Live Up to Your Name follows Heo Im (Kim Nam-gil), a talented but underappreciated acupuncturist in 17th-century Joseon. After a near-death experience, he is transported to modern-day Seoul and meets Choi Yeon-kyung (Kim Ah-joong), a driven and skeptical cardiothoracic surgeon who believes only in Western medicine. Their worlds collide—needles vs. scalpels, tradition vs. science—but as they collaborate to save lives, a deep respect and romance develop. As they keep slipping between past and present, they’re increasingly entangled in a time-travel conspiracy; a K-drama without a thrill-seeking element, particularly one that transports us back and forth through time, is nearly impossible to find. Don’t look for it, but check out Live Up to Your Name instead.

‘My Love from the Star’ (2013–2014)

Image via SBS TV

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My Love from the Star is the romantic fantasy that started the modern K-drama wave within the romantasy genre and overall. Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun‘s chemistry is electric, and the show is a perfect blend of comedy, suspense, and captivating romance. Many shows continue to follow this formula, and while the K-drama landscape has evolved away from some more obvious tropes, some still feature the elements that made K-drama such a popular genre. If you’re unfamiliar with the tropes we’re referring to, My Love from the Star is the ideal show to watch and learn about them.

My Love from the Star follows Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), an alien who arrived on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. He is attractive, brilliant, and wealthy, but he is also desperate to return home. In his final months on Earth, he moves next door to Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun), a vain, loud, and wildly popular actress who isn’t in good standing within the entertainment industry. When a murder conspiracy threatens Song-yi’s life, her and Min-joon’s bickering neighbors’ routine becomes a life-or-death romance, and Min-joon realizes his purpose for being on Earth after so long. A fun fact is that the writers came up with Min-joon’s backstory after researching real-life accounts from the Joseon Dynasty, in which some people reported seeing UFOs all over the Korean Peninsula.

‘While You Were Sleeping’ (2017)

Image via SBS TV

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While You Were Sleeping is a tightly plotted fantasy romance with a memorable hook. The first episode is a masterclass in story setup, and the show rarely loses momentum after that, making it one of the best Korean series that doesn’t experience a midway slump (though this is subjective and depends on what viewers enjoy, since K-dramas have multiple appealing qualities). While You Were Sleeping also features a sweet romance between Bae Suzy and Lee Jong-suk, as well as heartwarming friendships with the third lead, Jung Hae-in. The narrative maintains a consistent and clever set of dream logic rules throughout the series, and it’s never confusing or hard to follow—meaning you can enjoy the romantic fantasy without ever losing focus. It’s, essentially, a well-made show with lots of redeeming qualities.

While You Were Sleeping follows Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy), a journalist with a unique ability to dream about the future and being able to prevent tragic events. Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk) is a rookie prosecutor who also begins experiencing similar prophetic dreams after meeting Hong-joo, and the duo becomes a trio when a local police officer, Woo-tak (Jung Hae-in), gains the same ability after a crash that involves all three of them. They band together to try to change fate by saving lives, apprehending criminals, and gradually falling in love. Many fans regard While You Were Sleeping as the ultimate romantic fantasy series, owing primarily to Suzy’s undeniable charm and star power.

‘Hotel del Luna’ (2019)

Hotel del Luna was written by the Hong sisters, two well-known screenwriters in the Korean drama world. The Hong sisters are responsible for some of the most well-known and successful romance series of all time, including Alchemy of Souls, Hotel del Luna, Master’s Sun, and My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. In Hotel del Luna, IU delivers a career-defining performance as the icy but vulnerable manager of the magical hotel. The show is visually stunning, with each costume a work of art, and the episodic ghost stories are deeply moving. The romance between IU and Yeo Jin-goo is a slow burn that pays off beautifully, culminating in a devastating but perfect conclusion. IU wears over 100 different outfits throughout the series, with many of them being custom-made or existing vintage pieces.

Hotel del Luna follows Jang Man-wol (IU), the cursed, glamorous, and temperamental owner of the eponymous hotel. Hotel del Luna is a mystical resting place for ghosts who aren’t ready to go to the afterlife. Man-wol, who has been confined to the hotel for over a thousand years as punishment for a terrible sin, longs for freedom but is unable to leave, so she welcomes souls and assists them in leaving when their time comes, knowing that her own may never come. When Goo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo), a perfectionist hotelier who accidentally becomes the hotel’s human manager, appears, he joins forces with Man-wol to help ghosts resolve their unfinished business and uncover her buried past—all while falling in love. The ending may break your heart, but Hotel del Luna is one of the most beautiful romantic K-dramas ever made, and it’s worth watching.

‘Alchemy of Souls’ (2022–2023)

Image via tvN

Alchemy of Souls is an epic fantasy romance that has quickly gained a cult following, and for a good reason. The worldbuilding is rich but not overwhelming, the magic system is cleverly devised and refreshing, and the slow-burn romance is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Alchemy of Souls has 30 episodes full of twists, and the chemistry between the leads, Lee Jae-wook and Jung So-min (and Go Youn-jung), is off the charts. Interestingly, the production team constructed massive practical sets to represent the kingdom of Daeho, which cost around 5 billion Korean won (approximately $3.4 million).

Alchemy of Souls takes place in the fictional kingdom of Daeho, where powerful mages practice a forbidden spell known as “alchemy of souls,” which allows one person to transfer their soul into another’s body. Nak-su (Go Youn-jung), a legendary assassin, performs the alchemy of souls, getting her soul trapped within the frail body of Mu-deok (Jung So-min), a blind servant. She becomes the secret master of Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook), a nobleman’s son with hidden magical abilities but no practical skills. They navigate palace politics, magical duels, and a plot to destroy the realm while falling for each other. This show is romantasy at its finest, and you’ll be captivated by its intricate world, beautiful costumes, and endearing leads.

Bethenny Frankel is going hard to let the world know she’s found love!

The “Real Housewives of New York City” alum has gone all out with her new beau on social media, keeping fans talking. This comes almost two years after she split from her former partner and fiancé, Paul Bernon, after a six-year-long romance.

Love has found its way into Bethenny Frankel’s life one too many times. She was first briefly married to Peter Sussman from 1996 to 1997 and then to Jason Hoppy for six years from 2010. In between these prominent partners, the reality TV star has been in several other relationships.

Frankel has fed the eyes of her followers with a cute photo declaring her relationship status online with a sweet dose of PDA. The media personality shared a picture of herself and her new boyfriend, Shane L. Campbell, in roller skates at a rink, locking lips.

The photo featured the pair, all lovey-dovey, with Campbell’s arms wrapped around the former TV star’s waist while she held his face as they kissed. The lovers were dressed in casual outfits with alternate color schemes. Frankel donned a pair of blue jean pants with a white tank top, while Campbell looked comfy in white shorts and a blue button-up shirt.

The former “RHONY” star teased about going official with her new lover in the caption, writing, “If a launch [airplane emoji] is hard, this is a diamond… [diamond emoji].” The post officially proves the rumors to be true after the pair raised eyebrows last month.

Frankel spilling the tea with this move has got fans gushing with over 100,000 reactions and almost 3,000 comments. Many expressed their happiness for the former reality TV star, sending congratulatory messages. “Love this for you, beautiful,” a commenter wrote. “Wishing you two all the very best in life and love,” another added, while another penned “Congratulations on finding the joy!! Excellent.”

Other commenters flooded in with several heart emojis. At the same time, some fans expressed that they were glad the mom of one was giving love another chance, especially after her last failed relationship, which almost ended at the altar. 

“Amazing! Everyone deserves to find love again. We may get it wrong the first time, and it’s scary to open back up, but when it comes from nowhere, maybe even God sent, you can’t ignore it, and you have to enjoy the happiness it brings,” a user penned.

The ‘RHONY’ Alum Previously Advised Fans Not To Settle

Frankel revealed that she was in a relationship with Campbell when they stepped out together at the 2026 Global Champions Arabians Tour in Miami Beach last month. The lovers were seen sharing a warm embrace among the crowd. 

Two days later, the mom of one hopped on Instagram, gushing about her new man and urging her fans to “not settle for men who don’t take the time to make a plan.” At the time, she had not spoken publicly about her new boyfriend, but shared details that she had met the mystery man she was seeing a while ago and had recently reconnected.

The media personality detailed that they went to a bar with friends before going out exclusively on a “five-hour date.” E! News  reported that Frankel described the several dates she went on with Campel as “very planned out and very intentional and very chivalrous.”  

She shared more details about how romantic her new partner is, then advised her followers not to settle for the bare minimum. “A man has to have a plan, move the ball forward, and show you exactly how they feel about you,” she said.

Inside The Bravo Star’s Romantic Experiences

The reality television star is in a good position to offer advice on relationships, as she has treaded in the waters of love several times over the years.

Her first marriage to entertainment industry executive Sussman was for less than a year, although the former couple had known each other for five years. Frankel later described the union as a mistake made too young, citing a lack of passion. 

She stayed away from love for years till 2010 when she tied the knot with Hoppy. The pair welcomed a daughter, Bryn, before separating two years later. Their split turned into a long and bitter legal fight involving custody battles, financial disputes, and harassment allegations before the divorce was finally settled in 2021, as reported by The Blast.

Before her divorce was finalized, she began dating banker Dennis Shields, and they became engaged in April 2018. The former lovers had a rocky relationship that went on and off for years until they ended their engagement. Sadly, Shields passed away months after ending their engagement.

Frankel’s heartstrings were tuned once again in late 2018 by real estate developer Paul Bernon, whom she met on a dating app. They split briefly in 2020, got back together, got engaged, and officially called it quits in 2024.

Bethenny Frankel Butt Heads With Her Lawyer Over Her Divorce

Frankel was involved in a $2 million lawsuit in which she claimed her former legal representative, Jamie Schreck, failed to properly draft documents related to her trust, which backfired during her divorce from Hoppy.

The legal brawl began in 2017 after the Bravo alum accused Schreck of malpractice. She hired him in 2011 to help her purchase a 3-bedroom property in New York for $4.95 million, which she claims she bought out of pocket.

She further alleged that Schreck did not consult her when drafting the trust, which ultimately gave her ex-husband a 50% interest in the home. The Blast reported that the attorney fired back, maintaining that he had no hand in any wrongdoing concerning the trust.

He claimed that any problems that arose from the trust agreement weren’t his fault but the actions of third parties, including Hoppy. He also claimed that he offered to settle the dispute for $25,000, but Frankel refused to settle and has failed to provide dates for her deposition since 2022.

Tamron Hall is getting real about her difficult decision to leave “The Today Show” and NBC after the network replaced her with Megyn Kelly. During a candid interview, the talk show host revealed why she left Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center in her rearview mirror, despite being offered a multimillion-dollar contract to stay with the team in a different capacity.

Speaking with Scott Evans during his famous “House Guest” series, Hall, who began co-hosting “The Today Show” in 2014, told the content creator that she learned she was being axed from the mainstage show just moments before she was set to go live.

According to Hall, 55, she received a text message from her then-agent with details of the offer. Hall said she didn’t have much time to process what was happening, but knew she had to check in with her mother for advice. “That’s the first person I text. I text my mom, and I said, ‘It’s done,’” Hall said before revealing she texted her agent back and said, “I’ll pass.”

Hall shared that she was being offered $2 million a year to take on a lesser role with the network. Her co-hosting slot was being given to Megyn Kelly.

Tamron Hall Says ‘All Money’s Not Good Money’

When Hall revealed that she had turned down a multimillion-dollar contract with NBC, the audience at Evans’ live event let out audible gasps. However, Hall made it clear that she didn’t feel she was missing out on anything.

“All money’s not good money. It’s not,” she said.

Hall went on to say that she felt even more encouraged to walk away from the show after receiving a message from her mom.

“She said to me, ‘I am so proud of you because do you know how many times we’ve had to get off the sidewalk for someone else to walk?” Hall revealed.

Hall explained that her decision to leave was also about showing other professionals who look like her that they are worth more than they may believe.

“And that day is why I turned it down,” she said. “I’m not trying to sound like I’m a sacrifice or anything … and I understood that that did not define me.”

Sources Said Tamron Hall Was ‘Furious’ About Losing Her Slot To Kelly

At the time, a source spoke with PEOPLE about Hall’s surprising exit from the long-running daytime series, and claimed Hall was allegedly “furious” and “hurt” that she was being replaced by Kelly, adding that the esteemed journalist saw the move as a “demotion.”

The insider went on to say that Hall refused to “settle for sitting on the sidelines” during the company shakeup. “She basically said thank you, but no thank you,” they added.

Kelly’s “TODAY” show slot began airing in September 2017; however, 12 months later, it was pulled from the air after the host received intense backlash for making comments many deemed inappropriate.

While speaking about higher education institutions’ attempts at stopping their students from wearing costumes some may find offensive, Kelly offered her perspective.

“But what is racist? Because truly, you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface at Halloween or a black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween. Back when I was a kid, that was okay as long as you were dressing up as like a character,” she said.

Kelly’s NBC colleagues, including Al Roker, slammed her a day later, saying she owed people a “bigger apology” for demeaning a race. “… And that’s what the big problem is. … No good comes from it. It’s just not right,” he said.

Craig Melvin said something similar, calling Kelly’s comments “stupid” and “indefensible.”

Kelly’s Show Was Canceled

Few genres are as tailor-made for parody than the superhero genre. Sure, we love it. It’s pure, escapist spectacle that can stir a passionate debate over the most minute of details. But let’s be honest: the concept of adults, fighting crime in tights and capes, is inherently ridiculous. Yet “tailor-made” can’t be mistaken for lazy: it’s the difference between clever superhero parodies that work, like Mystery Men or The Boys, and those that don’t, à la Superhero Movie. And well before The Boys, 25 years ago, Fox took a shot at the burgeoning genre with The Tick… and it is perfection.

‘The Tick’ Brings Together Four Eccentric Heroes In a Fight Against Injustice in “The City”

The Tick premiered in 2001, a live-action adaptation of Ben Edlund‘s comic book, following a successful animated series that also ran on Fox from 1994-1996. It centers around a dim-witted and oblivious 7-foot, 400-pound, practically invulnerable superhero called the Tick (Patrick Warburton), clad in a blue suit with perpetually-moving antennae. He protects a small-town bus station, performing such heroic acts as confronting a coffee vending machine that takes a passenger’s change (“Java devil, you are now my bitch”). He’s fooled – easily – into believing he bought a bus ticket to “The City” in order to fight crime there.

It’s there that he meets Arthur (David Burke), a meek man who leaves his job as an accountant (fired by Christopher Lloyd, no less) to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a superhero, moth suit and all. The Tick worms his way into Arthur’s life, and the pair become a highly unconventional, but complementary, crime-fighting duo: Arthur serves as the Tick’s voice of reason, and the Tick as the muscle, the mouth, and Arthur’s cheerleader.

They are aided by Captain Liberty (Liz Vassey), a sarcastic, super-powered heroine, a hybrid of Wonder Woman and Captain America (with a hint of Power Girl) who works for the CIA; and by Batmanuel (Nestor Carbonell), a Latino Batman-type who, like the hero he’s patterned after, has no special powers, but lacks the bravery and moral code of the Dark Knight. He does have the Manuel Mobile, a gold Buick convertible, so that’s something. Together, they fight injustice and engage in spectacular battles against supervillains like Apocalypse Cow and the Gru-like Destroyo (Kurt Fuller). More accurately, they talk about it over coffee at the local diner, along with the mundane aspects of life.

‘The Tick’ Chooses Character and Coffee Over Chaos

That choice to focus more on the characters and their banal interactions as opposed to the action of superhero fare is purposeful. It’s fashioned as a “Seinfeld with superheroes,” a fitting description, especially given that Seinfeld writer Larry Charles is one of the executive producers, and it works brilliantly. Captain Liberty goes to the dry cleaner to pick up her suit, only it’s lost. Batmanuel has multiple parking infractions. Arthur doesn’t know if a former high-school crush, played by Missi Pyle, wants to go out with him only because of the suit or not. The Tick gives a rambling, nonsensical eulogy at the funeral of The Immortal (Sam McMurray), who died during a tryst with Captain Liberty.

In essence, the superhero is secondary to the character, and the pitch-perfect casting is essential to its success. Warburton, for one, has the big build of the character, but also a cadence that gives the character’s long, absurd speeches that go nowhere a deft comic touch that he excels at. Burke is a perfect straight-man. Vassey nails the indignation of a powerful woman in a field dominated by men. Carbonell does a balancing act between being lecherous and disarmingly charming, with a knowing glint in his eye that acknowledges he’s utterly harmless.

The parody in The Tick tackles not only well-worn superhero tropes (the Tick’s confusion about the Champion and his alter-ego, a transformation done with a pair of glasses, pokes fun at the Clark Kent/Superman trope), but tropes in the genre that wouldn’t be established until much later, i.e. Arthur choosing to be a superhero with no prior training foreshadows the Arrowverse, which became populated with people who become seasoned crime-fighters overnight. And in one of its best episodes, “The Tick vs. Justice,” the parody looks outside the superhero genre to The Silence of the Lambs, a hilarious setup where Destroyo, in a cell almost identical to Lecter’s, plays the same type of psychological game, but instead of unnerving Captain Liberty, she goes on to lay out all her psychological needs, causing Destroyo to rue ever having started.

Unfortunately, The Tick was cancelled after only nine episodes, with only eight of those aired, which is less a critique of the series and more a damnation of Fox, who mishandled it. Prime did release an adaptation of its own in 2016, but that version takes a significantly different approach, a darker serialized dramedy that is more in line with the nature of the comics, but lacks the character personalities that fueled the 2001 iteration. But for a parody that is as straightforward and as funny as they come, 2001’s The Tick is the way to go. As the Tick says: “Life is your chance! Grab it! Squeeze the milk of life into your dirty glass and drink it warm.” Inspiring.

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The Tick

Release Date

2001 – 2002-00-00

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Network

FOX

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Directors

Bo Welch, Barry Sonnenfeld, Boris Damast, Craig Zisk, Danny Leiner, Dean Parisot, Mel Damski

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