The actress bringing Capcom’s Chun-Li to life in the upcoming Street Fighter movie reboot has opened up about the extreme lengths she went to ensure accuracy in her performance.

Callina Liang revealed that she subjected herself to an intense workout regimen and grew her thighs by 6½ centimeters to play the iconic character.

Fans shared mixed reactions to the trailer, which was released in April, with many praising the movie for its realism.

Actress Callina Liang has given a peek into the grueling workout regimen she endured to ensure she accurately delivered her role as Chun-Li in the upcoming Street Fighter movie.

Dubbed the “First Lady of Fighting Games,” the character is world-renowned for her lightning-fast kicks, powerful physique, and thick, muscular thighs.

First introduced in 1991’s Street Fighter II, Chun-Li quickly became famous as one of the world’s first prominent female playable characters in a fighting game.

Her distinctive silhouette, defined by hyper-developed leg muscles built for her signature “Hyakuretsukyaku” (Lightning Kick), has been a central element of her character design over the years.

Callina Liang Grows Her Thighs By 6½ Centimeters

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For Liang, embodying Chun-Li meant she had to consume a protein-heavy diet and undertake a rigorous physical transformation by adding 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) of muscle to her thighs during pre-production training.

The change was so extreme and intense that she almost fell ill.

“Chun-Li is all kicks. So we did a bunch of Taekwondo training, Muay Thai, and Wushu (Kung Fu). I did two hours of that a day and strengthened my legs a lot and changed my diet drastically,” Liang said in an August interview with Empire Magazine.

She continued, “When I was bulking, I ate 12 eggs a day. Every two hours I had to have a meal, and I was on the verge of throwing up. But it worked. By the end of the shoot, my thighs had grown six-and-a-half centimeters each.”

Street Fighter Star Studies Chun-Li’s Every Move

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What’s more? The 26-year-old Canadian actress took her research a little deeper by downloading every single Street Fighter game onto her PlayStation 5.

In doing so, she was able to record and mimic all of her character’s moves in slow motion to ensure her fight scenes came out as accurately as possible.

“I downloaded every single version of Street Fighter onto a PS5, and I recorded all of Chun-Li’s moves during fights on my phone in slow-mo, so I could play them back and study them,” she said.

David Dastmalchian Goes Deep For M. Bison Role

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The upcoming live-action film also features several top Hollywood actors and wrestlers like Andrew Koji (Ryu), Noah Centineo (Ken Masters), Jason Momoa (Blanka), Roman Reigns (Akuma), Cody Rhodes (Guile), and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Balrog), to name a few.

The plot sees the estranged Koji and Centineo’s characters thrown back into combat when Chun-Li, played by Liang, “recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury.”

However, there’s a deadly conspiracy in play that “forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!”

Actor David Dastmalchian, who plays the series’ villain, M. Bison, also went to great lengths to research his character and deliver the role well.

“I don’t want to be just another one of these bad guys, cut from the typical cloth,” he said in an interview with IGN’s Tom Jorgensen at San Diego Comic-Con. “How do you have all of these people willing to go into battle for you, die for you?”

“We dug in and studied really insane dictators over time, thinking about everyone from Saddam all the way back to fascist Italy in World War II, and looking at not just movie characters but real, historical characters,” he added.

Fans React To Street Fighter Reboot Trailer

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The film, which would be distributed by Paramount Pictures as part of a three-year deal with Legendary, is slated for a release on October 16, 2026.

Back in April, when its trailer was released, fans took to social media to share their mixed reactions.

“It’s ridiculous. Like, wildly ridiculous. Goofy, over the top, completely unserious… and I’m obsessed,” an X user wrote, while another added, “The costume design is 10/10. Thank god they didn’t go ‘gritty tactical’ and kept the colors.”

Someone else said, “I spent an insane amount of time playing Street Fighter 2 as a kid. Love this. Looks way better than the original.”

On a certain level, it almost feels beside the point to review Onslaught, Adam Wingard‘s new blood-soaked throwback action thriller. Whatever your reaction is to the premise — military veteran Celeste (Adria Arjona) must defend her daughter and neighbors from an ultra-violent attack by a group of mysterious super soldiers, who descend upon her isolated desert trailer park with murder on their minds — is probably an accurate reflection of how much you’ll enjoy the actual movie, which fills its tight 92-minute runtime with likable heroes, bloody violence, and ever-rising stakes.

But Onslaught is more than a mindless shoot-em-up (though, for the record, many, many, many people are shot, as well as stabbed, sliced, barbecued and chainsawed over the course of the film, in increasingly gruesome ways). Onslaught finds action-horror auteur Wingard (You’re Next, Godzilla vs. Kong) in peak form, delivering a feature that is simultaneously a critique of our modern military industrial complex and a campy showcase for Dan Stevens to sport a bald cap and crawl around, licking Rebecca Hall‘s stilettos.

In short, Onslaught is fun, and serves as thoroughly effective counter-programming to the dour action films that seem to have taken over our cinemas in recent years. Wearing its love for ’80s popcorn flicks on its sleeve (Jean Claude Van Damme‘s Universal Soldier, another tale of super soldiers gone rogue, is an obvious influence) and injecting periodic shots of Tarantino-esque exploitaitive sleaze into its proceedings, Onslaught will be an utter pleasure for anyone who has a soft spot for Escape from New York or other classics about an imperfect hero who has to make a near-impossible last stand against the enemy. The fact that it’ll also leave you thinking about the military’s relationship to traumatized veterans and the American public is just the icing on the bloody cake.

What Is ‘Onslaught’ About?

Celeste (Arjona) is an action hero cut from the classic ’80s cloth: she’s a veteran who, despite her achievements on the battlefield, has been struggling with her return to civilian life. Even though she’s still a crack shot years later, that doesn’t help her deal with a daily existence that involves managing the wacky residents of the Windy Oasis trailer park, or dealing with her ex, Griffin (Jacob Scipio), who unexpectedly leaves her to care for their young daughter, Daisy, (Blake Kennedy) over the weekend.

But it will help her deal with three unexpected visitors to Windy Oasis — a trio of super soldiers, engineered by German mad scientist Dr. Hans Kammler (Stevens, having the absolute time of his life hamming it up as a Nazi Dr. Frankenstein). Kammler, the film eventually reveals, is a “third generation Paperclip” — meaning, an employee of Operation Paperclip, a real-life government program that secretly brought German scientists to the U.S. after World War II to utilize the Nazi’s technological innovations. But Kammler’s newest invention is thoroughly biological: he’s engineered a group of veterans into mindless “perfect soldiers” who will obey any command, and become unstoppable killing machines until they achieve their goal. After an experiment proves that they’re a little more unstoppable than anyone expected, the ghoulish soldiers hit the road, setting out for Windy Oasis and slaughtering anyone who crosses their path along the way.

En route, we also meet Drew Starkey‘s Cyrus, a sleazy government “cleaner” who absolutely steals every scene he’s in, as well as Hall’s Frau Kammler, who makes the most of her brief screen time as the doctor’s coolly evil wife. But the real action is at Windy Oasis, where Celeste’s neighbors, including the wise, fellow vet Josiah (Reginald VelJohnson) and goofy boozehound cop Kovacks (Eric Wareheim), help her and Daisy try to survive the titular onslaught.

‘Onslaught’ Is More Than Just a Throwback

Movies that try to evoke the pleasures of ’80s blockbusters have become a category unto themselves in recent years, and Onslaught absolutely represents the peak of this micro-genre. Appearances from ’80s action legends VelJohnson (Die Hard) and Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens) fully telegraph the film’s allegiances to an earlier era of Hollywood, as does Arjona’s performance as a lovable, beer-guzzling fuck-up. Celeste is Snake Plissken by way of Beatrix Kiddo, but despite her hoard of guns and regular target practice, she thankfully could not be farther from the strong, silent types littering our post-John Wick action film landscape. Whether she’s chatting with Josiah about their mutual PTSD, ragging on her ex’s overly formal parenting technique, or landing kill shots with only one functioning eye, she’s thoroughly, messily human.

But even though it delights in over-the-top thrills and gore (a repeated cut-away to one especially gnarly kill seems equally designed to delight fans and disgust anyone prone to finger-wagging about violence in film), Onslaught also serves as a no-punches-pulled political critique of the American military. This begins almost immediately, with the film’s opening credits, which roll across a fevered mash-up of real-life clips from 70+ years of media coverage about U.S. wars. When we’re first introduced to the super soliders, they’re restrained in contraptions that evoke the tortures committed by U.S. military personnel in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo; eventually, it is revealed that the soldiers were created because regular human service people had too many qualms about turning their military might on American civilians.

Onslaught is a loose sequel to Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barrett‘s 2014 film The Guest, another action-horror hybrid that smuggled a critique of the U.S. military into a gory tale that also involved Dan Stevens acting like a lunatic. But Onslaught makes it even more explicit; midway through the film, Josiah wonders about why the government “just can’t stop fucking with us vets.” The super soldiers, who kill without a word or a thought, chillingly stand in for a military that seems to compulsively get involved in wars that most Americans neither support nor understand, and grows increasingly comfortable with turning its power against its own citizens.

The film has so much fun playing with conspiracy and invests so much emotionally in its military critique that when the real reason for the siege is finally revealed, it feels underwhelming; similarly, Onslaught ends a bit abruptly, with a resolution that seems to be more focused on setting up a sequel than making sense of the big topics raised in previous 90 minutes.

But those feel like relatively small qualms for a film that so thoroughly delivers on the promise of its premise. Wingard, like so many great directors of his generation, has spent the past decade locked in the IP realm, so it’s an absolute joy to see him and frequent collaborator Barrett working together on an original idea that is obviously a passion project. The movie works because every single person involved is clearly having such a great damn time, and their joy is infectious. Onslaught is definitely the most fun you’ll have this fall watching chainsaw fights that contain subtext about the military’s failures at home and abroad…but it also just might be the most fun you’ll have at the movies this fall, period.

D4vd‘s legal team has withdrawn from his case as he reportedly taps a public defender for his criminal defense.

RELATED: Prosecutors Reveal Alleged Texts Showing D4vd & Celeste Rivas Hernandez Discussed Pregnancy & Abortion Before Her Death (UPDATE)

D4vd’s Legal Team Withdraws From His Case As He Reportedly Taps Public Defender

According to the New York Post, D4vd appeared in court on Monday, August 31. During the proceedings, attorney Blair Berk informed the court that D4vd was seeking representation from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. This, reportedly, because he ran out of money to continue defending his criminal charges with the private legal team, which also included attorney Marilyn Bednarski and attorney Regina Peter.

During the proceeding, Berk reportedly requested permission for her and Bednarski to withdraw from the case. After the request was approved, the legal team reportedly turned over its findings to the public defender.

Ultimately, a status conference was reportedly set for October 19.

“This morning the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appoint the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel. We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges. We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him,” the legal team reportedly asserted, per the New York Post.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office also released a statement, per NBC News.

“We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving. At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defense,” the statement reads.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users reacted to D4vd’s team reportedly withdrawing from his case and a public defender stepping in via TSR’s comment section.

Before D4vd’s Legal Team Withdrew From His Case, He Made Headlines Amid A Hacked Apple Music Account

According to NBC News, in September 2025, authorities discovered the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in the trunk of D4vd’s impounded Tesla. In April of this year, he was arrested and subsequently charged with first-degree murder, child sexual abuse, and unlawful mutilation.

Most recently, last month, D4vd made headlines when a fake song was streamed via his Apple Music account, and the tune appeared to reference the late Hernandez.

RELATED: Fake Song Appears On D4vd’s Hacked Apple Account & Mentions Celeste Rivas Hernandez Before Its Removal

The Young and the Restless 2-Week Spoilers for Aug 31-Sept 11, 2026 excite with Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) flinching when she thinks she’s been caught doing something naughty. Plus, Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) is sneaking around and hiding something huge.

We have Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) lashing out, Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope)’s pregnancy crisis, and Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) heading into surgery. We’ve got lots to unpack. Let’s get right to it.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Victor & Nikki Clash

So, on Monday, August 31st episode of The Young and the Restless, we’ve got Victor telling Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) about Marie. Of course, she’s the woman Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) saved from her overdose who’s in rehab with him. Victor thinks Marie Kirkland (Jade Harlow) may be a bad influence. Nikki wants Victor to stay out of it and reiterates her wanting Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) to be Nick’s sponsor.

And of course, that angers Victor, who reminds Nikki that Jack relapsed, but Nikki reminds Victor that he only did that for her. And then Victoria shows up, and she and her parents discuss Nick’s recovery and him not letting Victoria visit him yet. Nikki takes off, and then Victoria and Victor talk business. Victoria brings up Vibrante and her plan to crush Jabot, and Victor tells Victoria to be sure that she tells Nikki she’s the one going after Jabot, not him.

Phyllis goes to see Nick at rehab. He’s not happy to see her. She says she’s worried about him, but Nick thinks she’s there about Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Phyllis admits yes, she thinks the Newmans have disappeared Matt. And then Marie shows up, and she thanks Nick for helping her. And Phyllis starts asking about Marie, who tells her that Nick saved her life. Phyllis is happy that Nick has a friend in rehab. And Phyllis says she wants to protect Matt the way Nick is protecting Marie. And Nick goes off on Phyllis about her messy, messy love life.

Y&R Spoilers: Nick Rages at Phyllis

And Nick accuses Phyllis of plotting with Matt against the Newmans. And Nick wants answers about this, but Phyllis just calls him paranoid. Nick tells her that Matt could turn dark like he was before, and that Phyllis could be in danger. In fact, Nick thinks Matt could put them all in grave danger.

Meanwhile, Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) is happy to see that Matt has come to visit her, and Patty says she knew Matt couldn’t stay away. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) brings Nate a gift. It’s some really good shoes that he can wear in the operating room because Stephanie thinks that Nate is going to be a surgeon again soon. Stephanie and Nate head over to Chancellor Park Cafe just to get his mind off things. They run into Devon Hamilton (Bryton James), who is excited, hoping that Nate gets a good surgery outcome.

And Stephanie tells Nate she’ll drive him to the hospital for his surgery. Devon notices a vibe. And like the jerk he has been lately, he brings up their age gap basically by mentioning Nate’s mom is friends with Stephanie. And then Nate and Stephanie leave him and go off for a walk.

Young and Restless Spoilers: Audra Spars with Kyle & Victoria

Audra gets a text alerting her to Victoria relaunching Vibrante, and she’s annoyed. Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) taunts Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) about it, and she says she got an email from Newman Legal about buying her patents. Kyle says Victoria will run Vibrante better than she could, and Victoria shows up, and Audra calls her a naughty girl. Victoria panics, but Kyle says she’s talking about Vibrante.

Audra says Victoria will fail, and she storms off. Victoria and Kyle are both thinking about their steamy office sex, and they wonder if Audra will fight Victoria for those patents. She says she told Victor she’s going to destroy Jabot. And Kyle says good luck with that.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Phyllis’ Shocking Move

Tuesday, September 1st on The Young and the Restless, we’ve got Phyllis needing advice and turning to someone unexpected. Plus, Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson)’s lack of focus on his and Sally’s future has her worried. Chancellor seems to be Billy’s top priority, but then things take a turn for Sally. She doubles over in pain. Billy asks, “What’s happening?” Sally doesn’t know, but she thinks something is wrong.

These symptoms are a lot like the abdominal pains that Sally had with the preeclampsia and then the placental abruption that required an emergency C-section, and then, of course, that was how her baby Ava died in childbirth. So Sally may be scared that her worst nightmare is coming true.

We also have Patty and Matt’s visit carrying over from Monday’s episode. He did not tell Phyllis ahead of time that he was going off to see Patty. That’s why Phyllis is in such a panic because she can’t find him. We’ll see if Matt’s looking for dirt on Victor.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Billy Stuns Lily & Cane

Wednesday, September 2nd on The Young and the Restless. Michael Baldwin (Christian Leblanc) and Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman) are not happy with Phyllis’s latest move. This may be about her being with Matt. Phyllis has hired him at Arabesque, and she’s moved Matt in with her at the suite at the GCAC. I’m sure Michael and Lauren think this is a recipe for disaster. Billy shocks Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) and Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn).

And I wonder if Billy is going to delay the Chancellor takeover because of Sally’s scary pregnancy complications. If he does, it’s just a pause because, you know, Billy is not going to give up on Chancellor. But maybe he’s going to do the right thing for now and focus on Sally. This week, Lily has a tense conversation with Cane and Billy at her place. And I’m sure it’s about Chancellor. Audra shares a secret with Sally. She already knows that Audra was pregnant with Noah Newman (Lucas Adams)’s baby and miscarried, but there may be more to this story. Unless, of course, Audra decided to confess about the guy she and Holden accidentally killed in LA, but I don’t think she’s coming clean about that.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Michael & Lauren Horrified

Thursday, September 3rd on The Young and the Restless. Phyllis is keeping a secret from Matt. So my guess is whatever reason that he went to see Patty, and whatever Matt found out from her, Phyllis is also sitting on Nick’s past and present collide. Looks like Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) is going to meet Marie because this week Sharon visits Nick again at rehab and Sharon is looking concerned.

So, she may finally get to meet Marie who she has already heard about from Nick, and Sharon may not like this connection Nick has with her. Daniel Romalotti (Michael Graziadei) and Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) clear the air about some things, likely about Daniel’s relationship with Tessa Porter (Cait Fairbanks). This week, the two of them are chatting at Chancellor Park Cafe.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Nick in a Tough Spot

Friday, September 4th episode of The Young and the Restless has Nick caught in a compromising situation. So maybe he and Marie are busted doing something at rehab. They ought not be. Something unexpected happens on Jack and Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters)’s romantic Tahiti getaway. I hope Victor hasn’t interfered somehow.

Diane was already upset about the accommodations, and I wouldn’t put it past him to mess with them because he can’t stop. Nate gets support from family and friends as he prepares to go into surgery. I hope the surgery works out in his favor. One thing’s for sure, Stephanie is going to be by Nate’s side every step of the way. And I think they heat up soon.

Young and the Restless Spoilers: Moment of Truth for Nate

So then the week of September 7th through 11th, we’ll find out if the surgery works out for Nate and if he’ll be able to operate again. I expect him to celebrate with Stephanie. I also suspect we may see Nick and Marie getting a lot closer, but I think Victor’s going to try and keep them apart because he thinks Marie is a bad influence. We’ll see if Matt got the goods on Victor from Patty.

We’ll also find out how Sharon’s going to handle Nick having this serious connection to Marie and the two of them going through this struggle together because I think Sharon had some hopes about her and Nick reconciling. Nikki is probably going to try and force Victor to get on board with Jack being Nick’s sponsor once he’s back. Victoria and Kyle’s fake rivalry heats up, and so does their affair.

They’re not stopping anytime soon. Michael Mueller said it’s all about lust right now, but they may catch feelings eventually. Phyllis’s relationship with Matt continues to alienate the people in her life. And we’re going to hear more about Devon’s plans for the college honoring Neil Winters and how that’s progressing. And we’ll find out more about Billy and Chancellor and what’s going on with Sally and her pregnancy complications.

Dolly Parton left behind decades of unforgettable music, but the country legend’s quick wit and unmistakable sense of humor were nearly as famous as her songs. Parton died at age 80 on August 25 after a “brief battle with cancer,” bringing an end to an extraordinary career that transformed the Tennessee native into one of the most beloved entertainers in the world.

While songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You” helped make Parton a music icon, fans also fell in love with the woman behind them. Parton had an uncanny ability to poke fun at herself before anyone else got the chance, frequently joking about everything from her famously over-the-top appearance and plastic surgery to aging, Hollywood, and her country upbringing.

In the wake of her death, some of Parton’s funniest quotes and most memorable moments offer another way to remember the entertainer who rarely seemed to take herself too seriously.

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Parton spent decades fielding questions and commentary about her towering blonde hair, glamorous outfits, makeup, and famous figure. Instead of becoming defensive about the attention, she often turned it into material. Her sense of humor extended all the way to her wigs. “It’s human hair,” Parton once joked. “But not this human’s.”

Plus, according to a story that has circulated about Parton’s time on the Disney Channel series, “Hannah Montana” executives were reportedly so excited to have the country legend appear that they told her she could ask for whatever she wanted. Parton’s alleged response was perfectly on brand: “All I need is a toilet and somewhere to hang my wig.”

The singer also never pretended her glamorous appearance was effortless. In fact, she built an entire public persona around acknowledging exactly how much work went into becoming “Dolly.” And she could laugh at the image because she was the person controlling it.

She Even Had A Joke Ready About Burning Her Bra

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Parton’s humor also came through whenever people tried to fit her neatly into a particular cultural or political box. Although she became an unlikely feminist icon over the course of her career, Parton’s ultra-feminine image did not necessarily resemble what some people associated with the women’s liberation movement during its earlier years.

Parton once joked that if she had burned her bra, it “would have burned for four days.”

Behind the joke, however, was a woman who built her own career, controlled her songwriting, made major business decisions, and refused to believe femininity and independence were mutually exclusive. “I suppose I am a feminist if I believe that women should be able to do anything they want to,” Parton told Time in 2020.

Dolly Parton Never Lost Her Country-Girl Sense Of Humor

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Becoming an international superstar apparently didn’t erase the East Tennessee girl underneath all those rhinestones. Looking back on her life during one of her many PEOPLE cover interviews, Parton offered a vivid reminder that fame hadn’t completely changed her. “I like to pee off the porch every now and then!” she declared.

Parton also acknowledged that her extravagant aesthetic came from humble beginnings, describing it as “just a poor country girl’s idea of glamour.”

She Had The Perfect Response To Her Hollywood Career

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Parton’s transition from music superstar to movie star gave her plenty of additional opportunities to show off her comedic timing. Her film career took off with 1980’s “9 to 5,” where she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.

Two years later, she took on the role of brothel owner Mona Stangley opposite Burt Reynolds in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Parton apparently knew exactly which role suited her best. “I make a better whore than a secretary,” she told PEOPLE in 1982.

Her acting career continued with films including “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Straight Talk,” proving the songwriter’s charisma translated far beyond a concert stage.

Even Her Health Updates Came With A Punchline

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Parton’s ability to find humor during difficult moments continued well into the final years of her life. When she announced in September 2025 that health challenges were forcing her to postpone her planned Las Vegas residency, she still managed to make fans laugh.

“As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” Parton explained. Then came the punchline. “As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”

Parton ultimately canceled the residency in May 2026 as she continued receiving treatment.

Dolly Parton Had A Hilarious Way Of Talking About Getting Older

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Aging was another subject Parton refused to approach too solemnly. As her 80th birthday approached, the singer spoke to PEOPLE about reaching the milestone and made it clear she wasn’t particularly interested in slowing down simply because of the number attached to her age.

“People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what?” Parton said. “Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started.”

She later summed up her attitude even more succinctly. “I ain’t got time to get old!”

She Wanted To Keep Laughing And Working Until The Very End

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Parton’s humor was never merely about delivering funny lines. It was closely tied to how she approached life. She could joke about her body, her wigs, plastic surgery, Hollywood, and growing older because she appeared comfortable being exactly who she was. Parton understood the exaggerated image she had created, and she often seemed to enjoy the joke more than anyone else.

Even retirement wasn’t something she envisioned in the traditional sense. Over the years, Parton repeatedly said she wanted to keep creating for as long as she could, at times joking about dying while performing.

The rhinestones, wigs, and jokes made people smile, but underneath them was a songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman who spent more than six decades building one of entertainment’s most remarkable careers.

Was Dolly Parton married, and does she have children?

• Dolly Parton married Carl Dean. They were together for nearly 59 years. Dean, a private asphalt contractor, passed away in March 2025 at age 82. The couple never had children, and Dolly often said she considers her music, business ventures, and global philanthropic projects, like her Imagination Library literacy program, her legacy.

What is Dolly Parton’s net worth?

• At the time of her passing, Dolly Parton’s net worth was estimated to be around $450 million to $650 million. A major portion of her wealth comes from her 50% ownership stake in the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, along with her vast songwriting catalog, which includes iconic hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.”

How many songs did Dolly Parton write?

• Dolly Parton was one of music’s most prolific songwriters, having written over 3,000 songs across her multi-decade career. Some of her most famous self-penned tracks include “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You” (which became a global megahit after Whitney Houston covered it).

What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?

• The Imagination Library is Dolly Parton’s flagship international literacy initiative, launched in 1995 to honor her father’s inability to read or write. The non-profit program gifts free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, regardless of their family’s income, and has distributed over 200 million books worldwide.

When did Dolly Parton pass away?

• Country music legend Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her rep told PEOPLE magazine that she passed away following a brief battle with cancer.

Jennifer Aniston and Jim Curtis appear to be growing really comfortable with bringing their romance to the public eye after celebrating their first anniversary earlier this year. The couple is preparing to make another high-profile appearance together as Aniston supports Curtis during an upcoming event in New York City.

Their relationship has continued to flourish, with those close to the actress suggesting she has found a level of security and ease that was missing from some of her previous romances.

However, despite seeing a long-term future with Curtis, Aniston is said to have made one thing clear, which is that another marriage is not part of her plans.

Aniston may be serious about her future with Curtis, but walking down the aisle again is apparently not something she is considering. After previous marriages to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux, the actress is said to have firmly ruled out marrying for a third time.

“They’re still very, very happy. But they have no intention of ever getting married, Jen swears she will never get married again,” an insider said. Her stance, however, does not appear to reflect uncertainty about Curtis or the direction of their relationship.

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In fact, Aniston is said to be “head over heels” for Curtis and views him as someone she wants in her life permanently. The couple marked their one-year dating anniversary in May, with plans at the time to celebrate their milestone with a romantic trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, following the completion of filming for season five of “The Morning Show.”

She Feels Completely Secure In Her Relationship With Curtis

One quality that appears to distinguish Aniston’s relationship with Curtis is the confidence she feels about his commitment to her. Unlike some of her past experiences, the actress is said to have no uncertainty about how her boyfriend feels or where their romance stands.

“And most of all, she never ever questions where she stands with him, he has zero hesitation about letting her know that he is crazy about her and is totally devoted,” a source said.

That security has also removed some of the pressure Aniston is said to have experienced previously. She does not feel she needs to impress Curtis or constantly work to maintain his attention, nor is she concerned about competing with other famous women for his affection. The dynamic has allowed their relationship to develop without the insecurities that complicated some of her past romances.

Aniston Feels A Sense Of Peace She Never Had In Past Relationships

Unlike Aniston’s famous former partners, Curtis’ career is separate from Hollywood, and he is said to have little to no interest in using his relationship with the actress to pursue fame.

“It is all about her and how she feels and what she needs,” an insider explained. “He never talks about his career or tries to network with her contacts, he has no interest in being an actor or being famous.”

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For Aniston, that difference has apparently created a sense of relief. “She has said with him she can exhale, she can let herself go and breathe because there is no pressure,” the source added. Curtis has also comfortably become part of her circle of celebrity friends, with those around Aniston said to find him easygoing and likable.

His work as a life coach appears to complement that personality. An insider described Curtis as someone who encourages others to focus on the present and appreciate the positive aspects of their lives, calling him “a human peace sign.”

Aniston And Curtis Met Through Mutual Friends

Aniston and Curtis’ relationship developed gradually after they discovered they shared mutual friends. Curtis previously explained that there was no elaborate story behind their introduction and that their connection began simply through conversation.

“We were just introduced by friends. That’s it. We found out that we had mutual friends and we started to just chat,” Curtis said during an appearance on the “Today Show.”

Their romance did not develop overnight. Curtis explained that they spent considerable time talking before their friendship evolved into something deeper. “It took a long time, we chatted for a long time, and we became close,” he said.

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Aniston Struggles To Slow Down From Her Busy Work Life

Despite her success, Aniston has admitted that stepping away from work does not come naturally to her. After several demanding years in Hollywood, the actress said she is making a conscious effort to create more time for herself and enjoy life outside her career.

“I’m a bit of a workaholic, so I’m forcing myself to try to take some time to travel and not work,” Aniston told People. She acknowledged that finding a healthier balance is important, adding, “It’s so critical, I know, but I’m not good at it.”

Aniston is now trying to ease her workload and become better at disconnecting. Her ideal break is a completely open calendar with no obligations or duties. She describes her perfect day off as a day that “looks like a blank schedule, there’s not one thing on it.”

The Bold and the Beautiful 2-Week Spoilers for Aug 31-Sept 11, 2026 stun with Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) seething at Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) because she is so upset about their secret. Plus, Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace)’s tirade against Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) is once again unhinged, and it’s a whole new one.

Also, we have RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) doing shady stuff. We have got Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) reaching an agreement with Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda) blaming herself. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s get to it.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Taylor & Brooke Agree

Monday, August 31st on The Bold and the Beautiful, Taylor comes to an agreement with Brooke. So, they’re reaching an understanding of sorts. They may agree to put any animosity behind them now because they’re both in happy relationships with Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye). Brooke wanted Taylor to find her destiny, but of course, Ridge doesn’t like this. Li thinks it’s her fault that Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) went to Monaco and caused problems for Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Steffy.

But we all know it’s not Li’s fault because Sheila violated Li’s trust by peeking at the laptop after she booked Finn’s ticket. So, if Li tells Finn that she blames herself, I’m certain her son will not allow Li to do that. This week, we’re going to see Electra and Dylan bickering up at the office.

And Electra is on another tirade, saying there’s no justification for what Dylan did. And she tells Electra, “It’s not like I drove you and Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) apart. You broke up with him. You moved out.” But Electra claps back, and you didn’t waste a second moving in, did you? She’s not moved in. She’s moved in on Will but hasn’t moved into the house.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Daphne Becomes Suspicious

Tuesday, September 1st on The Bold and the Beautiful. Carter and Steffy are making Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) suspicious. So this week, Carter says to Steffy, “Tell me you didn’t tell your husband about our night.” And this week in the Forrester Creations office, Carter is reassuring and cuddling Daphne while he and Steffy make uncomfortable eye contact behind her back. So, Steffy looks just unhappy to be in the room with Carter and Daphne.

Also this week, spoilers say Steffy and Carter do all they can to keep Daphne in the dark. And Finn gets a harsh dose of reality. We know Steffy is ready to crack, and Finn’s telling Steffy this week that secrets destroy marriages. And she tells Finn, “We’ve both done things we regret, and somehow we have to find a way to move past it.” The thing is, he’s come clean about his mistakes. Steffy is still hiding that she kissed Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) and now that she slept with Carter.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Dylan Tries to Please Katie

Wednesday, September 2nd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Dylan tries to smooth things over with Katie Logan (Heather Tom). Dylan should have nothing to smooth over. She’s done nothing wrong. Katie’s making assumptions and accusations that are baseless. And I do hope she stops trashing Dylan soon. This week at the Logan office, Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) and Katie are talking. She looks worried, but Bill, for his part, is smiling. They’re talking about Will and Dylan. And Katie tells Bill, “If there’s any hope, I need to meet the mother who raised Dylan.” So, this is how Bill finds out about Katie’s ultimatum. And this was her demand that Dylan bring her mom to LA to meet her.

Also, just a big writing error. Nobody knew that Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) was Dylan’s cousin except for Electra who Dylan came clean to. Katie certainly did not have this information, and yet she was throwing it in Dylan’s face. This is a major continuity error. This week, Darcy Dylan (Kelly Sullivan) arrives in LA and surprises her daughter Dylan at the Bikini Bar. She excitedly runs into her mom’s arms and they’re hugging.

B&B Spoilers: Deacon Meets Darcy

Also, Dylan introduces Darcy to her boss Deacon up at the Bikini Bar, and he is kissing Darcy’s hand. So, Deacon’s getting flirty. Everybody looks happy. And then Darcy and Dylan sit down, and they do some catching up, and Dylan is telling her mom, Darcy, okay, there are some things that you really need to know.

So, it looks like she’s going to give her mom the rundown on Will and Electra’s breakup and Dylan’s feelings for Will and, of course, the way Electra and Katie are treating her. I also wonder if Dylan and Darcy are going to talk about what Remy did to Electra and how Dylan is being judged unfairly for her actions.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Katie Makes Up Her Mind

Then, The Bold and the Beautiful on Thursday, September 3rd has Katie reaching a decision about Dylan. I’m guessing it’s Katie decides she needs to run her off, but she’s got no authority to make any decisions about Dylan. Also, this week, Will gets a visit from Bill and Katie over at his beach house, and the family looks all smiles. We’ll see if it stays that way.

Will asks his dad, Bill, for advice this week. Katie’s psychotic hatred of Dylan and her false accusations may have Will wondering if there is some reason he should worry about Dylan, but we may see Bill telling Will, “You know what? Trust your instincts.” And of course, Bill may tell Will, “Don’t let Katie dictate your love life.” Bill is not a fan of Electra, even though Katie is for reasons I can’t fathom.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Darcy Blasts Katie

Friday, September 4th on The Bold and the Beautiful. Darcy puts Katie on blast, so things could get ugly. And this week we have Katie, Melissa, and Darcy all up at the Bikini Bar. Katie’s looking judgy. Dylan’s looking anxious. And Darcy is facing off with Will’s mom. There’s also a pile of girls gathered watching, so this might get loud and messy. I think Darcy is going to rage at Katie for berating Dylan and accusing her of all kinds of things that aren’t true.

And if Katie tries to use Dylan’s first name, Melissa, like she always does, like an ugly curse word, I could honestly see Darcy smacking the attitude off of Katie’s face. I would love to see that. Brooke could give Darcy some tips on how best to slap Katie because she’s really good at it and has done it several times.

B&B Spoilers: RJ Takes Ownership of His Actions

RJ is owning up to his actions by the end of the week. And he may be going a little power-hungry at Forrester Creations, getting a little bossy and, you know, having ownership rights that he doesn’t really have about this new youth line because this week Electra and RJ are sitting down with Brooke, Eric Forrester (John McCook), and Ridge. And it looks like they’re going over the new line, and Zende Forrester (Delon de Metz) is not even in the room.

So, has RJ cut him out of the decision-making? Maybe. Brooke may be a little upset at the idea that Electra is essentially replacing Hope Logan (Annika Noelle), but Brooke’s got to suck it up, Buttercup, because Ridge wants to use this new youth line to get revenge on both Hope and Katie.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Steffy Cracks & Dylan’s Past Revealed

Then, the week of September 7th through the 11th, we’re going to see if Will and Dylan finally get Katie’s blessing or if Darcy showing up makes things worse with Katie and not better. We’ll also learn more about Dylan’s past now that her mom, Darcy, is in town. And I suspect we’re going to see Steffy cracking and confessing her dirty secret to Finn soon.

And if Steffy blabs, then both Steffy and Finn’s marriage, plus Daphne and Carter’s marriage, are both going to be on the line. We’ll also see if RJ is stepping all over Zende to make a name for himself with Electra’s new line. And I think that Eric and Ridge would absolutely let him do it. RJ and Electra get closer. They may head out on an official date soon because we know RJ really wants to be with Electra. Look for more of Dylan and Will getting closer despite Katie’s objections. And we’ll see Darcy getting to meet Will.

I think she’s going to like him, and I think she’s going to dissuade him from listening to anything Katie has to say about her daughter. We may see Remy pop back up while Darcy’s in town. Also look for Sheila to slowly worm her way closer to Deacon now that she knows Taylor turned down Deacon’s marriage proposal. Li may distance herself from Sheila because of the Monaco stunt, and we may see Hope reaching out to Brooke with an olive branch.

Martin Short has a much different approach to his mental health despite the darkness he has had to endure.

The comedian, often hailed as one of the funniest people on the planet, has lived an ironic life characterized by multiple deaths in his family from when he was young. Recently, he lost his daughter, Katherine Short. 

However, the “Father of the Bride” star has never subscribed to therapy, and he shares why that has worked for him.

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In a new interview, Short opened up about how he has managed to navigate losing multiple loved ones through the years. “I’ve never been in therapy,” said the actor. “Never. Never.” 

The Canadian native was 12 when he lost his brother David in a car accident, and that was the start of a string of deaths, with his parents following shortly after.

“When my brother and parents died, and I was now in this big house with the housekeeper at 19 and 20, it was Hamilton, Ontario, 1970. So it wasn’t about therapy; it was about no one. I didn’t know anyone,” he recalled.

Short noted he was all alone and kept busy by biking, painting, and writing. However, he also had the presence of his older siblings, which helped him keep going.

Nevertheless, Short insisted he wasn’t completely against therapy if the right situation presents itself, saying to IndieWire:

So, believe me, if I was suddenly depressed or in despair but didn’t know why, then I’d run to a therapist. But I’ve never been that way. I’m sad now, but you know what? I should be sad now. It’s OK to be sad.”

The Actor Leaned On Loved Ones Amid Intense Grief

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While the “Three Amigos” star hasn’t sought professional help, he doesn’t claim he has weathered the storms of life by himself.

He credits his close community of industry friends who were featured in his Netflix documentary, “Marty, Life is Short.”

“When loss and grief suddenly or subtly encompass your life. It’s your friends and family that help you through and remind you of the journey,” Short emotionally shared.

The 76-year-old also gave special credit to his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star, Meryl Streep, whom he has been romantically linked with.

“All those things, absolutely,” Short acknowledged, adding that “work is always good for grief because if you take it seriously and it still matters to you, then it’s the ultimate distraction.”

How Meryl Streep Helped Martin Short Amid Daughter’s Passing

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 Short’s confession comes after close sources dished on how he was leaning on Streep amid dealing with the loss of his daughter. Katherine, a social worker, took her own life in her Los Angeles home in February 2026 at age 42.

“It’s like each one of them is exactly what the other person needs at this stage in life. It all feels incredibly effortless between them,” the insider said, per The Blast.

The source further noted that while Short and Streep have remained largely private about the truth of their relationship, “there’s no doubt they are in love.”

Martin Short’s Desperate Attempt To Save Daughter Revealed

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It is no doubt heartwarming that Short has the support of his co-star and friend, especially given the trauma of his daughter’s death earlier this year.

A report about the incident where Katherine was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound confirmed that the actor tried to reach his daughter before it was too late.

According to The Blast, the stand-up comic was deeply concerned about Katherine’s well-being after not hearing from her for more than a day. A frantic Short asked a friend to check on his daughter, who later found her unresponsive alongside a note on her door.

A Tragic Parallel Between Mother And Daughter

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The painful situation of Katherine’s loss was a double blow for Short, who lost her mother and his wife, Nancy Dolman, to ovarian cancer in 2010.

Reflecting on both losses, the actor looked back on his wife’s final days and how her final message to him was “Martin, let me go.”

As reported by The Blast, Short couldn’t help but draw similarities in how his daughter Katherine was seemingly asking to be released in her own way.

“I don’t see any difference between mental illness as a disease and cancer as a disease. In some cases, both are terminal. And in some cases, both are survivable,” he explained.

A new lawsuit filed by Aaliyah‘s uncle and former manager claims that his own son is partly responsible for the fatal plane crash that took the singer’s life. Aaliyah died on August 25, 2001, at the age of 22 after her plane crashed in the Bahamas.

RELATED: Bruh! Dame Dash Reacts To Jay-Z’s Recent Concert With Wild Clip That Has Fans Side-Eyeing (VIDEO)

Lawsuit Claims Cousin Partly To Blame For Fatal Plane Crash

According to lawsuit documents obtained by TMZ, Barry Hankerson claims that his son, Jomo Hankerson, was hired to coordinate travel for the singer’s music video shoot in the Bahamas. Barry says that his son is partly to blame for the fatal plane crash because he failed to make proper travel plans.

After the music shoot was finished, Aaliyah booked a private plane back to Florida after Jomo allegedly failed to make travel plans. The plane crashed after leaving the Marsh Harbor Airport, and everyone on board died.

Per the outlet, the documents state that Jomo “failed in his responsibility,” and that the plane crash “may have been avoided had [Jomo] followed through on his compensated task of travel coordination.”

In addition, Aaliyah’s uncle said that his relationship with his son was never the same following the fatal plane crash.

Jomo Claims Dad Owes Him Money

Jomo responded by stating that his dad is in breach of contract over a music rights settlement. He claims that his father owes him 12 percent of the music publishing copyright profits from Aaliyah’s music. In addition, Jomo says that Barry owes him money for the music publishing copyrights of DMX, Timbaland, and Toni Braxton. Furthermore, he accused his father’s record label, Blackground Records, of hiding profits and wants $1.2 million in damages. TMZ reports that the case remains ongoing.

Barry Hankerson Introduced His Niece To R-Kelly

Hankerson reportedly introduced his niece to ‘Bump N’ Grind’ singer R-Kelly, according to VIBE. The music executive was managing Kelly, and he went on to write and produce her 1994 debut album, ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.’

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Not only that, but then-27-year-old Kelly secretly married an underage Aaliyah after obtaining the 15-year-old a fake ID, per WTTW.

In 2021, Kelly was convicted of sex trafficking minors in New York, according to the Department of Justice. He was sentenced to 30 years. In addition, Kelly was found guilty on child sex charges in Chicago and sentenced to 20 years, per PBS. He is serving the sentences concurrently.

RELATED: Aaliyah’s Uncle Barry Hankerson Is Reviving His Old Record Label As ‘Blackground Records 2.0’ (Exclusive)

What Do You Think Roomies?

If there’s one thing fantasy fans can’t get enough of, it’s dragons. There’s just something so alluring about giant flying lizards that can breathe fire. Dragons have been a long-standing part of folklore and mythology across many cultures around the world, which is why they’ve transcended into fantasy literature, television, and movies.

In fact, several fantasy TV shows have featured dragons. Some might have them show up only once in a while, whereas others have dragons as a regular part of their programming. Sure, any TV show can put a dragon in it — that doesn’t automatically make it good. These shows, on the other hand, are very good indeed. These are the best fantasy TV shows that feature dragons, and that are masterpieces.

‘Adventure Time’ (2010–2018)

The Cartoon Network series Adventure Time is full of tons of fantasy elements, but it’s more whimsical than epic. The Land of Ooo is a weird and wonderful place full of magic and monsters, but the real magic comes in the form of the numerous friends the heroes make. The dragons in this show are a little bit weird-looking and unorthodox when it comes to dragons. They’re mostly serpentine, and less reptilian.

For example, there’s Whipple the Happy Dragon (Josh Fadem), a green sea serpent creature who is frequently targeted by pirates. Then there’s the blanket dragon, which is a pink, fluffy dragon with literal blankets for wings. While they’re a far cry from the scaly fire-breathers that fans have come to expect, the creativity and imagination behind these dragons is enough to keep things interesting. The show, of course, is pretty funny, and is the best happy-go-lucky show to watch when you’re feeling down.

‘The Dragon Prince’ (2018–2024)

With a name like The Dragon Prince, you’d better believe there are dragons in it. The story of this 3D animated series is that the continent of Xadia has been split in half after humans discover how to use dark magic. The humans are confined to the West whilst the elves are confined to the East. The border consists of a river of molten lava watched over by the King of the Dragons himself. But this all changes when the king is slain, and his only egg goes missing.

Dragons are kind of a crucial part of this show. Most of them are friendly, though some are hostile. They have a special relationship with the elves and a general disdain for humans, which is understandable considering humanity killed the King of the Dragons. The dragons have unique variations too, and don’t just breathe fire. Some are lightning-based and others are more akin to cosmic beasts. This show is not just adventurous, but it was clearly made with love. It also happens to be a great show to binge.

‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)

Merlin is based on Arthurian legend, and is an origin story for the eponymous wizard. Most legends portray Merlin as a grouchy old wizard with a stereotypical appearance: blue robes adorned with silver stars and moons, matching pointy hat, spectacles, long grey beard, the works. This show portrays the wizard as a much younger character, who is just beginning to learn his powers.

The show is a low fantasy at heart, meaning much of it intersects with the real world. However, it does feature many creatures from European folklore, including dragons. Though the dragons don’t appear right away, they’re still a prominent fixture of the show, even if the CGI is a bit outdated. Merlin might be a bit underrated, but it definitely deserves more attention based on how good it is.

‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

The Legend of Vox Machina is based on a custom campaign in the popular tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons. In the world of D&D, dragons definitely exist — it’s literally in the name — so it’s natural to assume that they will in this animated series, as well. In this universe, dragons are mythical, god-like figures, with a pantheon of five responsible for conquering much of the world. This is known as the Chroma Conclave.

Each dragon in the Conclave has a distinct attribute. There’s your standard fire-breather, but others are more attuned to ice, lightning, or poison. These dragons make up a significant portion of the show’s lore and of its current canon, and even appear in the flesh from time to time. Beyond the dragons, this show has received nothing but excellent reviews. It’s a fantasy-lover’s dream, containing anything a fan could ever want from the genre.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

In the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the dragons are long thought to be extinct. They make an appearance in flashback or historical sequences for the most part, but other than that, it’s assumed they are all dead. However, by the end of the third season, they appear alive and in the flesh, to help the heroes in their crusade against tyranny.

The dragons in this show are based on East Asian interpretations of the creatures. This means they don’t have long, bat-like wings. Instead, they are snake-like and fly without the use of wings, though they still breathe fire. While the dragons in this show are seldom glimpsed, with the episodes they appear in being few and far between, they’re still fun to watch, much like the rest of the show. It’s well-established at this point that this series is an absolute masterpiece.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)

General rule of thumb: when a fantasy TV show has the word “dragon” in the title, it’s generally safe to assume that there will be dragons in there somewhere. Such is the case with House of the Dragon, a prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set 300 years prior to the events of the main sequence, this show follows the Targaryen family in their rise to power, forming a dynasty that would last for centuries.

The sigil of the house is, fittingly, a dragon, mirroring how they use actual dragons to conquer Westeros. See, the Targaryens are known for riding their pet dragons and using them as weapons of war, so there’s lots of dragon action in this show. As for the show itself, it is full of political intrigue, familial drama, epic battles, romance, and sharp dialogue — everything that made the original series great.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Game of Thrones is the fantasy TV series that started it all. HBO’s original epic fantasy series, based on the novels by George R. R. Martin, follows the lives of nine royal families as they feud over the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. While they’re doing this, a supernatural threat from centuries ago is slowly gathering strength in the North, preparing to bring about an end to all of humanity.

The dragons in this show aren’t as numerous as the ones in House of the Dragon, but they are still a prominent part of the series. All three dragons are the pets of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who names them Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. These dragons allow her to wage war against her enemies, and become a defining feature of her character. They are sort of a novelty considering dragons were previously believed to be extinct. While many people loathed the final season of this show, one cannot deny that the rest of it is pretty near perfect.