Among the things that make Peanuts instantly recognizable, one of the most important details is something readers almost never see: an adult. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, and the rest of the gang exist in a world where grown-ups are mostly offstage, talked about but never allowed to step into the frame. It’s hard to imagine Peanuts any other way now, but Charles Schulz didn’t start there.

Early in the strip’s run, Schulz experimented with bringing adults into Charlie Brown’s world. He eventually decided they didn’t belong, and the decision became one of the most unusual — and important — rules of Peanuts. Years later, the cartoonist admitted that showing adults was something he “never should have done.” For Schulz, though, the failed experiment was part of figuring out what Peanuts needed to become.

Charles Schulz Tried Putting Adults in ‘Peanuts’

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When Peanuts debuted in 1950, it was still finding its identity. Charlie Brown wasn’t yet the perpetually defeated kid audiences would come to know, Snoopy still behaved much more like an ordinary dog, and Schulz was testing different characters, settings, and jokes to see what worked, and adults were among those experiments.

In May 1954, a series of strips following Lucy at a golf tournament included the first unmistakable signs that grown-ups could exist inside the world of Peanuts. Adult legs appear in two strips, while another shows indistinct adult figures in the distance. Later that year, a strip shows a dry-goods clerk’s hands. The adults weren’t exactly taking over the comic, but Schulz was testing the boundaries of how much of the grown-up world his readers needed to see.

The Charles M. Schulz Museum has specifically highlighted the May 23, 1954, strip in which an adult appears as one of Schulz’s experiments. The cartoonist later looked back on the decision with unusual bluntness, calling the appearance “something I never should have done.” But Schulz also acknowledged the value of trying it in the first place, saying, “It was an experiment.”

Why Adults Didn’t Belong in Charlie Brown’s World

Image via CBS

By 1975, Schulz had a much clearer explanation for why adults stayed out of Peanuts. He joked that the daily strip was so small that grown-ups wouldn’t have enough room to stand, but that wasn’t really the reason. Schulz believed adults would intrude on a world that worked precisely because it belonged to children. His young characters could argue about philosophy, worry about rejection, obsess over baseball and contemplate life’s disappointments without an adult stepping in to explain how the world actually worked. Their problems could be funny and profound at the same time, because Peanuts never needed to pull the camera back and remind readers that these were just children.

Schulz eventually abandoned even the idea of regularly hearing adults. Early strips occasionally used unseen adult voices, but he found the device awkward and eventually replaced it with a more effective solution, having adults exist entirely off the page. Miss Othmar could be discussed without ever being seen, parents could be mentioned without entering the story, and the children could go about their lives while the grown-ups remained an invisible presence just outside the panel.

‘Peanuts’ Was Better Without the Grown-Ups

Image via CBS

Schulz later offered an even more practical reason for keeping adults out. In 1997, he explained that an adult’s presence would pull Peanuts back into reality, something the strip had worked hard to escape. Snoopy could hike, camp, write novels, imagine himself as the World War I Flying Ace, and carry on elaborate adventures, Woodstock could behave like a tiny human despite being a bird, and the children could spend their days engaging with ideas far beyond what their ages might suggest. None of it needed to be realistic, but an adult could ruin that illusion with a single walk into the panel.

The few later appearances of grown-ups tend to come with an asterisk. A 1964 strip features a drawing of a doctor created by Linus, meaning the adult exists through a child’s artwork rather than Schulz’s usual depiction. Adults also appear in historical photographs and artwork used for special occasions, including images of Dwight D. Eisenhower and World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle.

The rule became so firmly established that when Peanuts moved into animation, grown-ups were still largely kept out of sight. When an adult needed to speak, audiences generally heard the famously muffled trombone-like “wah-wah” instead of understandable dialogue. The effect preserved the same separation between the children’s world and the adult one that Schulz had established in the comics.

Schulz also kept experimenting with adults outside Peanuts. Sometime in the mid-1950s, he developed Hagemeyer, a workplace comedy strip centered entirely on grown-up characters. The concept was proposed to United Feature Syndicate and was drawn using blank Peanuts frame templates. All seven surviving strips eventually became part of a Schulz Museum exhibition devoted to his experiments with adult humor​​​​​​, so Schulz explored the idea and found that his most famous creation was stronger without them. Ultimately, his “mistake” helped define what Peanuts was.

Airport style usually comes down to one question: Should I be comfortable or look put together? But in 2026, Nicole Kidman is proving we no longer have to choose between the two. Her relaxed travel denim style delivers the ease we want from leggings with a considerably chicer finish, and it has Us rethinking what to wear on our next flight.

On September 9, 2026, the Practical Magic 2 star was spotted touching down at Sydney Airport wearing high-waisted, wide-leg jeans that have oversized patch pockets and a lived-in blue wash. She paired them with a light blue lace-trimmed top, a baseball cap, oversized sunglasses and a roomy black tote for an effortlessly cool take on travel dressing. While we couldn’t track down Kidman’s exact jeans, we found a $37 similar style that captures their relaxed, retro feel for less.

Get the Sidefeel Wide-Leg High-Waisted Jeans for $37 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Sidefeel Wide-Leg High-Waisted Jeans feature the same roomy shape and statement pockets that caught our attention on Kidman. Made with a cotton-blend material, the jeans have a touch of stretch that give them much-needed flexibility for sitting through a flight. Plus, the slightly cropped hem makes them easy to pair with sneakers, loafers or ballet flats.

Related: Copy Jennifer Aniston’s Rich-Looking Fall Crossbody Style for $26

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Jennifer Aniston may have just found the easiest way to make a fall outfit look more expensive. The actress recently reached for a chocolate-brown crossbody, making a strong case for swapping lighter summer accessories for the rich, coffee-colored shade. Naturally, we found a similar style on Amazon for just $26. On September 2, Aniston stepped […]

Shoppers confirm that the jeans are actually comfortable enough for your travel rotation. One reviewer who wore them for days while traveling through Europe said they “actually feel like pajamas” and “kept their shape perfectly.” The shopper claims the jeans even stayed wrinkle-free after being shoved into an overstuffed suitcase, making the case for packing denim instead of another pair of leggings.

Another shopper said they hug curves “in a flattering way” said, “These are my third pair of Sidefeel pants. I get compliments every time I wear them, and I find them crazy comfortable.”

The jeans come in sizes 0 to 18, and are available in several washes and colors, including lighter blues and a chocolate brown option that feels made for fall.

For $37, these retro-style airport jeans check nearly every box on our travel-wardrobe wishlist. They’re roomy, stretchy and easy to style beyond the airport, so there’s no need to change before heading to lunch or sightseeing after landing. Just add a breezy top, oversized tote and sunglasses to give them the Kidman treatment.

Get the Sidefeel Wide Leg High-Waisted Jeans for $37 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Sidefeel here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

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Y’all! Shereé Whitfield is making one thing clear: she knows exactly how to command attention when she steps in front of the camera. The reality star recently had the timeline doing a double take after serving a look that brought plenty of confidence, curves, and attitude.

RELATED: Come Thru, Then! Shereé Whitfield Is Turnin’ Heads After Droppin’ THESE Pics On Social Media

Shereé Whitfield Turns Heads In Sheer Black Look

This week, Shereé Whitfield shared photos of herself on social media posing on a dark wooden staircase in an all-white, rounded space. She rocked skin-tight, sheer black leggings with a black V-neck bralette-style top and black high heels featuring bedazzled details. Her dark, highlighted curly hair completed the look as she switched up her poses throughout the photos, including one seated pose across the stairs. In true Shereé fashion, the photos gave major “you can look, but don’t touch” energy.

The Shereé Discourse Is Getting Spicy

When it comes to Shereé, y’all really ain’t playing games in TSR’s Instagram comment section. Some think Shereé looks good with a “T,” while others were convinced this was somebody else entirely. But let’s be clear, Shereé has always been that girl, and some people think the hate toward her is getting a little too heavy. And with the accompanying caption, “Spring / Summer may have ended but SHE still delivers the Heat!” Shereé definitely knew exactly what she was serving.

One Instagram user @kandi added, “🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”

This Instagram user @donna_sowblessed said, “Damn, I was just about to eat another piece of cake. Let me go to bed lol”

And, Instagram user @bri.zekole claimed, “She really looks good 🔥! If you say she doesn’t, YOU’RE a hater !! lol”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @1sakimo shared, “Idk who her doctor is but boyyyyy is she looking amazing.”

While Instagram user @chriscashdc commented, “Who gonna be the grandma’s?”

Finally, Instagram user @kravekiya wrote, “😍😍😍 Sheree always had it no shade”

The Grown-Woman Baddies Are Outside!

Shereé might be getting all the attention for serving body-ody-ody, but she’s definitely not the only grown woman serving up baddie energy! In recent photos, Tiffany Haddish stepped into her Western-baddie era on Friday, rocking a dark cowboy hat, open denim jacket, red bandana, and a whole lot of confidence. And with her “Daddy said shoot” caption, she made it clear she wasn’t coming to play.

RELATED: Oop! Sierra Gates Blasts Her Ex-Boyfriend For Being In Her Business While Boo’ed Up With Shereé Whitfield

Ed Sheeran performed with a new backing band during his Saturday, September 19, concert after his previous team left the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore’s controversial departure.

“There are certain songs that just don’t work on the loop pedal,” Sheeran, 35, said during his Philadelphia concert, per social media footage shared by Billboard. “So, when my friends dropped off this show, I was thinking, ‘How am I going to keep the show the same? And ‘How am I going to get musicians to stand on stage with me in a week where no one wants to stand on stage with me?’”

Sheeran famously plays his concerts live without an accompanying band, using only a loop pedal to mix each track. For the Loop Tour, the singer-songwriter enlisted Irish band Beoga to assist on his tracks “Galway Girl” and “Nancy Mulligan.”

Beoga voluntarily left the tour earlier this week in solidarity with opening act Mackelmore, 43, who Sheeran’s touring company dismissed over comments about the Israeli-Palestine conflict. (The “Thrift Shop” rapper chanted “Free Palestine” during his sets at Sheeran’s two New Jersey concerts earlier in September.)

Related: Ed Sheeran Says He’s ‘So Sorry’ at Philly Show After Macklemore Controversy

Ed Sheeran returned to his Loop Tour after opening act Macklemore was dropped from the lineup for making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage. “Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran, 35, told fans during the Saturday, September 19, concert at the Lincoln Financial […]

“I rung up a friend of mine, she’s a superb human and I toured with her all of last year [on my Mathematics Tour] and the one the year before that,” Sheeran said on Saturday, introducing violinist Alicia Enstrom. “I said to her, ‘Would you stand on stage with me?” And she said, yes. I asked her if she knew some musician friends and she said yes, and they’ve had three days to learn these songs.”

He continued, “I just want to say before they come onstage, they said yes to being onstage with the knowledge that the world thought I was a certain type of person. They said yes with the knowledge that the world may hate them too for standing on stage with me, and I am so grateful for them being here tonight and standing on stage with me in front of you guys.”

Sheeran, who previously denied personally asking Macklemore to leave the tour after mounting pressure from stadium owners hosting Loop Tour shows this fall, issued a statement at the start of Saturday’s concert.

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Related: Ed Sheeran Makes Huge Change to ‘Loop Tour’ Amid Macklemore Controversy

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour looked very different from what fans may have expected when the singer-songwriter took to the stage in Philadelphia. On Saturday, September 19, multiple fan accounts revealed the staging for that night’s gig at Lincoln Financial Field would not include a B-stage. Sheeran, 35, has traditionally performed fan requests on this secondary […]

“I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised,” he began in footage reshared to his social media pages. “I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal. This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”

According to Sheeran, he’s never wanted to “disappoint fans” but hasn’t thought of himself as an activist.

“This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet,” the Grammy winner continued. “[My music] has always been a safe space for everyone. That matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am. That is why I’m here tonight — on my own — continuing my own tour.”

Kate Beckinsale sparked concern with a pair of cryptic social media posts weeks after speaking candidly about living with post-traumatic stress disorder. The 53-year-old actress shared messages about giving up and saying goodbye, although she did not explain who they were directed toward or what had prompted them. The posts do not confirm Beckinsale’s intentions or current condition.

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Beckinsale first posted a photograph of a street and a rainbow on her Instagram Stories. “congratulations you won i give up,” she wrote over the image.

The “Underworld” actress subsequently shared a separate Instagram post containing only the word “bye.” Comments were turned off on that post, leaving followers unable to respond publicly. The post has since been deleted.

The Actress Recently Opened Up About PTSD

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The concerning posts arrived weeks after Beckinsale shared a now-deleted Instagram video about the realities of living with post-traumatic stress disorder. She explained that people who “have seen or experienced levels of horror, terror, violence” cannot simply leave their trauma behind, even when they appear to be functioning normally.

Beckinsale described people living with PTSD as “heroes” and emphasized that their pain is often invisible to those around them. “A lot of those people become incredibly good at masking it,” she said in the clip. “And it’s sad because they become so good that they get no grace whatsoever.”

She explained that someone may continue working, caring for family members, and participating in everyday life while privately struggling with severe symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms can include frightening thoughts, sleep problems, nightmares, and emotional numbness. Effective treatments are available, including psychotherapy and medication.

Kate Beckinsale Described The ‘Invisible’ Impact Of Trauma

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Beckinsale said people with PTSD may barely sleep because their dreams are “full of nightmares.” “Anything- smells, sounds, thoughts, feelings- can trigger them into a place that is actually like hell,” she shared.

She argued that the invisible nature of trauma should encourage people to treat others with more compassion. “It really is true that when you haven’t walked a mile in someone’s shoes. However fancy you think the shoes are, you have absolutely no idea what they might be carrying, masking, dealing with day and night,” Beckinsale stated.

The actress concluded by describing people with PTSD as “the loneliest people” who “continue to try and put one foot in front of the other.”

The National Center for PTSD similarly notes that PTSD can develop following exposure to a traumatic or life-threatening event and that professional treatment can help people recover.

The ‘Underworld’ Star Has Experienced Multiple Family Losses

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Beckinsale’s comments about trauma came after several devastating losses within her family. Her mother, actress Judy Loe, died on July 15, 2025, at age 78 following a battle with cancer. Beckinsale revealed that her mother died in her arms after a period of significant suffering.

Loe had a long career in British television, appearing in projects including “Casualty,” “The Chief,” “Inspector Morse” and Netflix’s “Fool Me Once.”

Beckinsale’s stepfather, director Roy Battersby, died in January 2024 at age 87. Following his death, Beckinsale shared a tribute video showing Battersby recalling how he celebrated Victory in Europe Day in 1945. “I have no words yet . Thank you @katebeckinsale_slovakia2 for making this beautiful thing,” she captioned the tribute. “I fought for you with everything I had. Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost.”

Beckinsale also lost her biological father, actor Richard Beckinsale, when she was 5 years old. He died from a heart attack in 1979 at age 31.

She Previously Sparked Concern During Her Stepfather’s Illness

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In January 2024, Beckinsale left the Golden Globe Awards and went directly to the hospital while still wearing her gown. She later shared photographs showing herself sitting beside a hospital bed with members of her family. At the time, she did not publicly identify the patient.

Days later, Beckinsale posted a black square on Instagram, prompting speculation about Battersby’s condition. His death was subsequently confirmed.

Before he died, Beckinsale asked followers to keep him in their thoughts as his health deteriorated. “We need a miracle,” she wrote. “This week has taken an even scarier turn involving the health of my beloved stepdad, Roy, and we need every tiny scrap of love and magic in the hope he pulls through.”

She added that if people “would be kind enough to send healing energy his way, I’d be so grateful.”

“I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try every single thing and then would wonder for the rest of my life if that would have helped,” Beckinsale wrote.

Kate Beckinsale Has Also Faced Body-Shaming

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While navigating grief and trauma, Beckinsale has repeatedly faced critical comments about her weight. The actress previously explained that her physical changes were connected to grief, stress, and health problems.

In August, she removed her Instagram posts after sharing examples of the negative messages she had received about her appearance.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available 24 hours a day.

Euphoria fans aren’t the only ones with thoughts about Sydney Sweeney‘s full-frontal nudity on the show — her cast and crew has weighed in on Cassie’s risqué story line as well.

Season 3, which concluded in June 2026, threw viewers for a loop when most of Cassie’s arc revolved around her joining OnlyFans to support her and husband Nate (Jacob Elordi) after he bit off more than he could chew with a loan shark on a failed construction venture. Fellow OnlyFans creators also took issue with how their work was being portrayed on screen.

Creator Sam Levinson, however, defended his vision of exploring the “long-term consequences” of online sex work.

“What happens when you know, as a young person, you’re on Instagram … and you’re told that you’re the product, you’re the brand, and now you’re 18 years old, and you’re going, well, ‘How do I make money?’” he said on an episode of Real Time With Bill Maher at the time. “And I just thought chasing that desire, that kind of fast cash, was an interesting thing to kind of explore.”

Related: Sydney Sweeney’s Candid Quotes About Filming Nude Scenes for ‘Euphoria’

Sydney Sweeney has been candid about what goes into stripping down for nude scenes in Euphoria and other projects. After Euphoria premiered in 2019, Sweeney, who plays Cassie, opened up about the downsides of being naked on screen. “I don’t think as many people took me seriously in Euphoria because I took my shirt off,” […]

He added: “You know, we take a fairly critical look at it. It hollows out the individual. You know, you’re constantly just depending on the likes and external validation.”

Sweeney, meanwhile, was asked about the decision to have Cassie strip down on multiple occasions, to which she told Vanity Fair in June 2026, “She has a need to be validated by other people. She doesn’t know how to love herself unless someone else loves her. So I understand how Sam got her to where she was in season 3. I think she was more excited by the idea of these people loving her and knowing who she is and feeling like her world isn’t small.”

She continued: “He actually, as we were finishing up season 2, started hinting at different ideas that he was putting together for season 3. And it was very similar to season 1 and season 2, he would call me, usually a few weeks after we wrapped, and he pitched me the entire idea. So I knew years before we started filming season 2 that I would be married to Nate, we’d be living in a suburban neighborhood and Cassie would be crazier than ever.”

Keep scrolling to see what the Euphoria cast and crew said about Sweeney’s story line on Euphoria:

Sharon Stone

Stone playfully poked fun at Sweeney’s story line, telling Variety in September 2026, “In Euphoria, I tried to get Sydney Sweeney’s character to stop being a cam girl and to come and work for me on the series I was producing called L.A. Nights.”

Stone pointed out that Cassie’s decision changed as the show went on due to her dire money situation with husband Nate.

“And she agreed to stop being a cam girl — which she didn’t do,” Stone added before quipping, “As you can see from Sydney’s new lingerie line [Syrn], it didn’t take.”

Related: Celebrities Who Opened Up About Doing Full-Frontal Nudity

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Theo James, Dakota Johnson and more actors have opened up about their nude scenes — and broke down the experience of going full frontal. James raised eyebrows with his performance as Cameron during season 2 of The White Lotus, particularly in a memorable scene where Harper (Aubrey Plaza) accidentally snuck a peek at Cameron (James) […]

Homer Gere

Gere credited his onscreen sex scene with Sweeney for helping him with future work on The Shards, telling The New York Post in July 2026, “It was really fun to shoot with Sydney. And it was wild. It’s a funny scene.”

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Sam Levinson

“When I first wrote it … I thought, ‘Well, maybe, we shoot all of this, and we don’t have any nudity,’” Levinson said during a June episode of The New York Times’ “Popcast” podcast. “I was talking to her about, maybe, there’s ways to shoot around certain [things] — and she looked at me, and she’s like, ‘Are you kidding? I’m playing an OnlyFans model.’”

Levinson clarified he “always” has a discussion with actors about “what works best for the character.”

“I think she’s a totally fearless actor. She’s also just wonderfully professional, and shows up just game every day,” he continued. “I adore working with her, because there’s such a flexibility in terms of the performance.”

Former “Big Brother” U.K. contestant George Gilbert has drawn criticism online after showing support for Ed Sheeran amid the ongoing controversy involving Macklemore.

Gilbert is best known for being removed from the reality show over unacceptable language and behavior.

The “Shape Of You” singer’s planned return to touring has also drawn scrutiny, with reports highlighting tickets still available ahead of his Philadelphia show.

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Former “Big Brother” U.K. contestant George Gilbert has added fresh fuel to the controversy surrounding pop star Ed Sheeran.

Over the past week, the “Perfect” singer has been caught in a social media storm after Macklemore was dropped from his Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks during his opening set.

Gilbert took to social media on Friday, Sept. 18, to publicly declare his support for Sheeran.

Sharing a photo of them together on X, he wrote, “God forbid a musician only wants to be known for his music. Put some respect on the name of the greatest British artist this century. Ed Sheeran, you’re a legend.”

Critics Point To Ed Sheeran’s Ukraine Support After Gilbert’s Defense

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The post immediately drew criticism, with several social media users pointing to Sheeran’s past support for Ukraine and questioning his reluctance to “pick a side” this time.

“He didn’t seem to mind getting political for Ukraine,” an X user wrote under Gilbert’s post.

Another alleged, “If he only wanted to be known for his music, he shouldn’t have folded like a wet paper bag when a billionaire Zionist told him to remove an artist from his tour.”

“Too little too late!!” one user wrote. “Guy has destroyed his legacy.”

“Ed is so (rightfully) f-cked, literally no one wants to publicly support him except losers like this guy and pink,” a Reddit user commented.

George Gilbert’s ‘Big Brother’ Exit Followed Repeated Warnings

Gilbert is best remembered by reality TV fans for his abrupt removal from the “Big Brother” house last year over the “repeated use of unacceptable language and behavior.”

According to the BBC, he had previously been reprimanded and warned, including after he was seen mocking a fellow housemate.

Further incidents ultimately led to his expulsion from the show.

“Following repeated use of unacceptable language and behavior, George has been removed from the Big Brother House with immediate effect and will no longer participate in the program,” a representative for the show said at the time.

Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia Ticket Listings Draw Scrutiny Amid Tour Fallout

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Meanwhile, Sheeran’s tour has faced fresh scrutiny following Macklemore’s departure and the exits of other performers who stood in solidarity with the rapper.

The “Photograph” singer was scheduled to resume touring at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sept. 19. Ahead of the show, the Daily Mail reported that hundreds of tickets remained available on the resale market.

Just hours before showtime, StubHub listings showed tickets for the main seating levels priced between $51 and $234.

Tickets for the main pit directly opposite the stage were also listed for $229 to $298.

Meanwhile, ticket prices for Macklemore’s upcoming performance at Red Rocks in October reportedly climbed amid renewed interest and support following his removal from Sheeran’s tour.

“The get-in price [or the price for the cheapest available ticket] for that show is up 45% in the past 3 days, from $108 to $157,” Keith Pagello, founder of price-tracking company TicketData, told CNBC.

“That’s a surge we can say with confidence would not have happened absent this week’s events.”

Ed Sheeran And Macklemore Pledge Millions For Gaza Aid

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Amid the back-and-forth, both artists have committed to supporting humanitarian causes in Gaza.

Macklemore announced he was donating $1 million of his net earnings from the tour to six humanitarian aid organizations in the region. Children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel matched his pledge.

Meanwhile, Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft announced that Sheeran had privately committed to donating $2 million toward aid in the region and had asked him to match it.

Residents in Gaza have welcomed the support and renewed attention, while aid officials have urged donors to keep their contributions coming.

“But what’s really most important is that people who have been so generous keep funding over a sustained time,” UNICEF official Toby Fricker said, per Reuters.

“That’s why we really call for sustained support, not one-off peaks, but sustained.”

Tom Cruise is shedding more light on how he pulled off his dramatic transformation into Digger Rockwell for his upcoming film “Digger.”

The 64-year-old actor revealed that the makeup process initially took six hours, but he pushed the team to complete it in under an hour.

Cruise also recently acknowledged his reputation for being intense on set and expecting a lot from those he works with.

Tom Cruise is well known for performing his own death-defying stunts and pushing the boundaries of his performances. For his upcoming film “Digger,” however, he faced a different kind of endurance challenge.

In the dark comedy, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon. Achieving the character’s look required prosthetics and a fat suit, with the initial makeup process taking six hours.

But he wasn’t content to sit still for a quarter of the day, so he challenged his makeup crew to cut that time to under an hour.

“The first time we did the makeup, it took six hours, OK?” Cruise said during his Friday appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast.

“I gotta sleep at least six [hours]. They keep saying I need more… but OK, that’s 12,” he continued. “Now, we have 12-hour days filming. So now that’s six hours on, two hours off with the makeup.”

Tom Cruise Brings In A Stopwatch To Speed Up His Makeover

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The “Top Gun” star explained that the lengthy process wouldn’t work with his schedule, prompting him to find a way to make it “more efficient.”

With filming typically taking 12 hours and at least six hours set aside for sleep, he questioned how he could spend another six hours in the makeup chair.

He challenged the team to do it in under an hour.

“I had a guy there with a stopwatch, and I’m like, ‘OK, you see that time, six hours? By the time we’re done, we’re going to get it under an hour,’” Cruise said, per Variety.

He added, “They were like, ‘No, I’m not doing that, it will never happen.’ I’m like, ‘OK, first of all, if you say no, you can’t do it; you will never get there. So can we agree that we’ll maybe make it a little less?’ So with each piece that was going on, it was timed, and then we’d drill and practice.”

Tom Cruise Turns To Cooling Machines During ‘Digger’ Filming

The crew eventually completed the process within his desired time frame. The “Mission: Impossible” star said he loves studying a system and finding ways to improve it.

However, performing in the fat suit and prosthetics still posed a challenge, forcing him to improvise once again.

“I’m sweating because I’m wearing these prosthetics. And the scenes, they’re long takes and the rhythm of it — you really have to know what you’re doing,” Cruise said. “But I’m sweating underneath, so I came up with all these different things, like cooling machines.”

The film, which premieres October 2, also stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, and Sandra Hüller. Alejandro González Iñárritu directs.

Tom Cruise Makes His Expectations Clear: ‘I Expect A Lot’

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In a recent interview with GQ, Cruise acknowledged his reputation for being intense on set, adding that he demands a lot from the people he works with.

“When I’m working with people, I’m not afraid to, as I’m acting, to look foolish, to do it. It’s like: That’s not what this is about. It’s finding our tone, finding these tools together and having an experience,” he explained.

He continued, “And look, I work hard, and people that work with me, they know. I expect a lot, and I’m upfront about it. It’s like: ‘The rumors are true. And do you want this?’ I’m like, ‘Trust me, the rumors are true. I’ll be here before you. What experience do you want?’”

Tom Cruise Calls Setting The Tone On Set His ‘Responsibility’

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After acknowledging that he expects everyone around him to be at the top of their game, the “Jack Reacher” actor noted that his love for cinema drives him to create the right environment on set.

He explained that he sees it as his “responsibility,” especially when he plays the lead, as he usually does.

“Even when I was a kid, they were like, ‘Oh, come on, Tom. You’re so intense.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know what to say. I am intense,’” he said.

Cruise added, “I got a very good sense of humor about it, but it was like: When I’m interested in something, I want to learn it. I want to understand it. And you want to blast through the confusion and build up that ability.”

“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson has opened up about a scrapped plan for the hit Prime Video series. The actor suggested Donald Trump‘s return to the White House helped shelve an old, proposed iteration of the project.

Meanwhile, Season 5 is taking the action hero in a different direction, with a sinister missing-person case at the center of his next adventure.

Alan Ritchson says one of his favorite Jack Reacher stories nearly made it to television before the adaptation plans were dropped.

The “Reacher” star made the revelation while responding to a fan on Threads who wanted to see Lee Child’s “Die Trying” adapted for the Prime Video series. The 1998 novel, which is the second book in the franchise, pits Reacher against a white supremacist militia.

Ritchson revealed that the idea had progressed further than fans might have realized. “My favorite book,” the actor wrote, before adding, “Fun fact: I had it approved until someone got re-elected.”

Ritchson did not name Donald Trump in the post or explain who decided to abandon the adaptation. However, his reference to someone being “re-elected” appeared to point to Trump’s return to the White House following the 2024 presidential election. Bottom of Form

‘Reacher’ Season 5 Will Take On A Sinister New Mystery

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While “Die Trying” may be off the table, “Reacher” isn’t exactly steering away from dark material for its next outing.

Season 5 will send Jack Reacher to Mother’s Rest, a small town surrounded by miles of wheat fields. His curiosity about the unusual name quickly gives way to a more urgent mystery when he meets private investigator Michelle Chang, whose partner has disappeared.

According to Amazon, the pair’s search eventually exposes a “dangerous and deadly criminal conspiracy.” Lee Child’s “Make Me,” however, hints at just how unsettling that investigation could become.

‘Reacher’ Has Already Modernized Lee Child’s Source Material

“Reacher” has already shown that an older Lee Child novel doesn’t have to reach television with its original political backdrop intact.

Season 4 took on “Gone Tomorrow,” Child’s 2009 novel, but made significant changes to its politically sensitive plot. The original story was steeped in the post-9/11 era, with terrorism and the war in Afghanistan playing heavily into the mystery.

The Prime Video adaptation reworked those elements for a modern setting. Some characters were changed or replaced, and the conspiracy at the story’s heart was updated rather than recreating the book’s geopolitical backdrop exactly as written.

How Much Say Does Alan Ritchson Have Over ‘Reacher’ Stories?

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Ritchson’s claim that he once had “Die Trying” approved also raises questions about how much influence the actor has over “Reacher’s” source material.

As it turns out, choosing the next book is a group effort. Ritchson explained ahead of Season 3 that several people involved with the show weigh in on which of Lee Child’s novels should get the TV treatment.

“We definitely talk about what book to do,” he told Forbes, pointing to longtime producer Don Granger as one of the voices involved. Granger optioned for the rights and began working with Child early in the franchise’s development.

Alan Ritchson Previously Unloaded On Trump Over Epstein Files

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Ritchson’s apparent swipe at Trump wouldn’t be the first time the “Reacher” star has publicly gone after the president.

During a July appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, the actor launched into an expletive-filled rant about the handling of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ritchson questioned why more information had not been released and argued that anyone implicated should be held accountable. He demanded greater transparency surrounding the files before telling the president, “Go to jail!”

Pete Davidson is settling into life as a new dad with a fresh outlook on what matters most. He revealed how welcoming his daughter has reshaped everything from his personal choices to his approach to work.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks earlier this month, Davidson also reflected on how he would eventually explain his father’s death to his daughter.

Pete Davidson is embracing fatherhood and admits his baby daughter has completely changed the way he approaches his life and career.

The “Saturday Night Live” alum opened up about being a dad during a candid conversation with Charlamagne tha God for Interview Magazine. Davidson said welcoming his little girl put his priorities into perspective.

“I behave differently now. Every decision is different,” the comedian explained. He admitted he had wondered what kind of father he would become, including whether he could “keep my sh-t together.”

Those doubts have given way to a simple determination to get things right. “I look at her, and I’m like, ‘Alright, I don’t want to f-ck this up,’” Davidson said, calling his daughter a “blessing.”

Davidson Hadn’t Figured Out How To Explain 9/11 To Scottie

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In a recent interview with the New York Post, Davidson admitted he had not yet worked out how he would eventually explain his father’s death to Scottie.

The comedian’s father, Scott, was a New York City firefighter who died in the terrorist attacks. Davidson named his daughter, whom he welcomed with his former partner, Elsie Hewitt, in his father’s honor.

“Luckily, I have some time,” he told the outlet.

“Honestly, this year is way harder than it’s been in a really long time because I have Scottie, and now I’m the age that my dad was when he died,” he said. “So, I’m just kind of like, ‘Holy sh–t.’”

Pete Davidson Named His Daughter After His Late Father

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Davidson welcomed his daughter, Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, with model Hewitt in December 2025.

According to the actor, they agreed on the name Scottie because it connects to his father.

“It was really cool that Elsie also wanted to name her Scottie,” he said. “My dad’s name was Scott, but his nickname was Scotty.”

When they first saw their daughter, the name felt even more fitting.

“We both looked at her and were like, ‘She looks like a Scottie,’” Davidson recalled, adding, “It’s nice to keep that name alive.”

Fatherhood Fulfills Davidson’s Childhood Dream

Becoming a father also fulfilled a childhood dream Davidson had held. After losing his own father, the actor said he already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“When I was young, and my dad passed, I remember my mom used to be like, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ And I used to be like, ‘A dad,’” he said during an interview with “The Breakfast Club” years ago.

Since welcoming his daughter, he has enjoyed seeing that dream come true.

“Dad life is f–king awesome,” he told PEOPLE in March. “It is exhausting and rewarding and cute.”

Davidson Honors His Father By Supporting 9/11 First Responders

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Meanwhile, Davidson has continued to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary in his own way.

He and his longtime friend Jon Stewart were scheduled to host “NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Comedy Benefit” at Madison Square Garden on September 10.

Proceeds from the event were earmarked for organizations supporting first responders who risked their lives during the attacks and their families.

Ahead of the event, he shared what attendees could expect.

“Benefits are tricky, and 9/11 is such a sad thing. So to be able to check that at the door and have a good time for a great cause is one of my favorite things,” Davidson told the Post.

“This is fun for us because all the firefighters, first responders, police, and EMTs come, and we’re fans of them,” he added.