Entertainment
If You Love ‘Neuromancer,’ You Need To Read This Near-Perfect Masterpiece
We are only a few months away from Apple TV‘s Neuromancer adaptation, premiering on January 22, 2027. In the meantime, many science fiction fans have picked up the original 1984 novel by William Gibson — either for the first time, or for a much-deserved re-read. It’s a great time for fans of the cyberpunk genre, as they are exploring its roots and meeting it in the medium where it began. Looking back on cyberpunk can be enlightening, but the genre has never stopped advancing over the last five decades. Fans of Neuromancer will find many follow-up reads worth their time, but those that want to catch up on the cutting edge of cyberpunk should turn their eyes to Infomocracy by Malka Older.
Some might think it’s a stretch to refer to Infomocracy as “cyberpunk,” but it has many of the hallmarks that are most important to fans. The story is set in a futuristic world with all kinds of well-thought-out new technology, yet it’s very terrestrial, with no long space odysseys or intergalactic warfare. Instead, it explores a world that has embraced information technology so wholeheartedly that the entire globe now participates in “micro-democracy,” with areas as small as a city block voting for their own representatives. Of course, that kind of worldwide power struggle creates space for the cyberpunk staples we all want to see, from espionage and spyware to enhanced superhumans with retractable weapons hidden under their skin.
‘Infomocracy’ is a Hopeful Sci-Fi Story
The biggest difference between Neuromancer and Infomocracy — and perhaps the reason it isn’t often categorized as cyberpunk — is its comparatively hopeful tone. Neuromancer is told from the perspective of Case (Callum Turner), a young man who has suffered tremendously as a direct result of his futuristic setting, and who sees more horrors everywhere he turns. The whole book explores the ways in which each character on Case’s crew has been manipulated and hurt by the insatiable corporate plutocracy they live in, and no matter how hard they work, they can’t flip a switch and win equality for humanity — not even in the sequels.
Infomocracy has a very different tone from Neuromancer, and from many other bleak, noir-flavored cyberpunk stories. The story begins during the third-ever election cycle in this global system of micro-democracy, so the strengths and weaknesses of this relatively new form of government are still being tested. It also has various point-of-view characters, so we aren’t stuck in one headspace the way we are with Case. Infomocracy‘s Mishima is easy to compare to Neuromancer‘s Molly (Briana Middleton) since she is a spy and a fighter with weaponized augmentations, but even her perspective isn’t as dour as anything Gibson wrote.
The real tone shift comes from Ken, an idealistic young campaigner working for an underdog political party called Policy1st. He’s realistic without coming off as naive, initially hoping his work in this election will help him climb the ladder to a better position down the line. Ken is the novel’s ground-level point of view, leading us through the futuristic city streets which are plastered with ads and computer interfaces, and introducing us to the real world that micro-democracy governs. The audience is able to question the faults of this system alongside Ken without feeling out of place or breaking their immersion.
Throughout all this drama, theoretical threats loom in the background, much like the corporations and artificial superintelligences in Gibson’s work. We are constantly reminded that, despite its faults, micro-democracy has successfully maintained global peace since its introduction, and no one wants a return to war of any kind. However, corporations are not above violence in order to achieve their ends, and the centralized tech monopoly Intelligence must also be willing to get its hands dirty to keep the wheels turning. Meanwhile, Older’s background in humanitarian aid and crisis response comes through in some of the book’s most stressful moments, reminding us that sometimes decisiveness is a virtue.
‘Infomocracy’ Builds on ‘Neuromancer’
Neuromancer is credited with popularizing and codifying the cyberpunk genre, and many of the biggest cyberpunk works since then have been inspired by it. Infomocracy and its sequels take that a step further. While the series is clearly inspired by cyberpunk ideas in some ways, Older didn’t bend her story to fit into the genre. It may stick out among cyberpunk recommendations, but that’s exactly the reason it’s worth reading.
Neuromancer itself will likely be changed when it hits Apple TV. Book adaptations never feel 100% faithful, even if that’s what the producers intended, and this will be no different. If the Neuromancer TV show is a re-examination of the book’s original ideas, then newer cyberpunk books like Infomocracy should definitely be in the conversation. Infomocracy is the first book in Older’s Centenal Cycle trilogy, which also includes Null States and State Tectonics. The story is finished, and is available now in print, digital, and audiobook formats.
As for Neuromancer, the TV show premieres on Apple TV on January 22, 2027. The original novel is available in print, digital, and audiobook formats now, along with two sequels — Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive.
- Release Date
-
January 22, 2027
- Network
-
Apple TV+
- Showrunner
-
Graham Roland
Continue Reading
The Harrigans have faced the most violent and explosive threats already. And it’s only been one season. MobLand turned Tom Hardy loose in the criminal underworld during its first season before expanding the family’s problems even further for Season 2, which hasn’t even premiered yet. But following speculation over the show’s future, particularly relating to Hardy, the path forward has just become clear.
Paramount+ has officially renewed MobLand for Season 3, with Hardy, Pierce Brosnan (GoldenEye), and Helen Mirren (1923) all confirmed to return. The surprisingly early renewal arrives more than two weeks before Season 2 premieres on September 18, so that’s a major vote of confidence before audiences have seen what comes next for the Harrigans.
Hardy will return as Harry Da Souza, the one man army who has found himself caught in the middle of the family’s increasingly dangerous problems, while Brosnan and Mirren will also reprise their roles as the demented Conrad and Maeve Harrigan, the patriarch and matriarch at the center of the criminal empire.
In season two, the Harrigans struggle to show a unified front as rising rivals threaten their fractured criminal empire – and Harry, their street-smart and formidable ‘fixer,’ must walk a dangerous tightrope when tensions within the family intensify. As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary, and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy.
Who Stars in ‘MobLand’?
The second season will also bring back Paddy Considine (House of the Dragon), Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Lara Pulver (Sherlock), Anson Boon (Pistol), Mandeep Dhillon (After Life), Jasmine Jobson (Top Boy), Teddie Allen, and Emmett J. Scanlan (Peaky Blinders). Johnny Flynn, Ophelia Lovibond, Janet McTeer, and Toby Jones are also among the ensemble.
MobLand is commissioned by Paramount+ and produced in association with Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios. Hardy also serves as an executive producer alongside Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen), David C. Glasser, Jez Butterworth, Ivan Atkinson, Dean Baker, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, and Keith Cox.
The early renewal means Paramount+ won’t have to leave viewers wondering about the show’s future as Season 2 unfolds. More importantly, with Hardy, Brosnan, and Mirren already locked in to return, whatever happens during the upcoming 10 episodes won’t mark the end of the Harrigans’ bloody fight for power.
MobLand Season 2 premieres September 18 on Paramount+, with Season 3 officially on the way.
- Release Date
-
March 30, 2025
- Network
-
Paramount+
- Directors
-
Daniel Syrkin
-
-
Pierce Brosnan
Conrad Harrigan
New details have emerged about the death of One Day at a Time and Coach alum Shelley Fabares.
Fabares died at age 82 on August 22, with her immediate cause of death listed as acute respiratory disease, reported People on Wednesday, September 2, citing the star’s death certificate.
The death certificate also listed primary pneumonia as a condition that resulted in her death, reported the outlet. The report noted that Fabares was diagnosed with pneumonia in the weeks before her death and later diagnosed with acute respiratory disease in the days before she died, per People.
Fabares’ family previously told People that the actress had died of pneumonia.
Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. In June, legendary music executive Clive Davis also died at age 94 following a hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection. The following month, G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett died at age 37, while Bonnie Tyler died at 75. Emergency!‘s Randolph Mantooth and Police […]
The actress and singer was reportedly cremated on August 28.
“To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” her family said in a statement announcing her death last month. “She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member, and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.”
“For millions, Shelley was a beloved actress whose work became part of the fabric of American television and film,” the statement continued. “From her memorable role as Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show, where she also launched a successful recording career with her number one hit, ‘Johnny Angel,’ to her appearances opposite Elvis Presley in three films, her beloved role on Coach, and her many other television and film performances, she brought talent, intelligence, and warmth to every performance. But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear.”
The statement added, “We will remember Shelley for her kindness, loyalty, wit, courage, and beautiful spirit. We will miss her deeply — not only as a celebrated performer, but as the loving and extraordinary person she was in our everyday lives.”
Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on September 2, 2026. Here are the key takeaways: • Tim Curry‘s cause of death was coronary artery disease, according to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health records obtained by Us. The Rocky Horror Picture Show star’s records also […]
Fabares’ Coach costar, Craig T. Nelson, remembered working alongside the actress in a statement to Entertainment Weekly in August, describing her as “just an extraordinary woman.”
“She was welcoming in the midst of chaos and always someone I could go to for advice and counsel, not only myself but others as well. I’ll remember you with love, Shelley Fabares,” Nelson said.
Fabares is survived by her husband, M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the movies discussed!
Animation isn’t a genre: it’s a medium unto itself, a kind of filmmaking capable of telling unique stories in ways that no other kind of movie can imitate. It’s the perfect realm for filmmakers’ imaginations to run wild, for them to harness the medium’s virtual visual limitlessness to tell whatever narrative they want to tell in whatever way they can think of. Sometimes, though, those narratives can get gloomy — very, very gloomy.
It’s one thing for an animated movie to be dark, but it’s a whole other step up for it to be hopelessly bleak. These are movies that aren’t just dark-toned: they’re harrowing experiences that very rarely have an ending that one could reasonably call “happy” in any sense, if ever. From older classics to more modern cult gems, history’s bleakest animated films prove that animation is most definitely not just for kids.
10
‘The Plague Dogs’ (1982)
Martin Rosen hasn’t made very many films, but he’s nevertheless one of the most underappreciated animation directors of the 20th century. He made two movies based on novels by Richard Adams, the second one being The Plague Dogs. It’s about two dogs escaping from a lab and being chased as possible carriers of the bubonic plague.
Even though the film is considerably less well-known and iconic than Rosen’s other noteworthy animated film, it’s still a fantastic movie, ingeniously directed, beautifully written, and visually striking. That doesn’t mean, however, that The Plague Dogs is an enjoyable film in the traditional sense — quite the opposite, in fact. Shocking, unflinching, and a brutal experience for animal lovers, it’s a loud bark against animal abuse that refuses to go unheard.
9
‘Watership Down’ (1978)
.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2)
Martin Rosen’s better-known adaptation of a Richard Adams novel, Watership Down has for long been considered one of the saddest animated films ever created — and for good reason. Beautifully animated and intellectually stimulating (certainly much more so for adults than for children), it’s a landmark in the history of British animation. As far as the medium goes, it’s one of the best movies of the 1970s.
Watership Down is a violent, carefully paced study of authoritarianism, survival, and politics, but with rabbits. It’s a simple gimmick on paper, but it works like a charm. Nevertheless, it’s a bleak, upsetting, utterly frightening film, even if things do end on a decently happy note. Sometimes, a happy ending isn’t really enough to offset an entire two acts’ worth of nightmarish political horror seen through the eyes of cute bunny rabbits.
8
‘A Scanner Darkly’ (2006)
Richard Linklater loves experimenting with different genres and techniques. With A Scanner Darkly, he jumped into the field of animation for a second time — and the result is stunning. Arguably Keanu Reeves’ most mind-bending movie (yes, The Matrix included), it’s a faithful adaptation of a novel by legendary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick.
The film’s dazzling visual style, created through interpolated rotoscope animation (a far-too-rare technique in the industry nowadays), isn’t just an empty gimmick. Made to look like a comic book or graphic novel, A Scanner Darkly first unsettles the audience’s eyes so it can then riddle their minds with a plot built on top of drug use and political instability. There’s some humor here and there, but the chillingly pitch-black tone is constant, and the movie certainly doesn’t have audiences smiling in joy by the time the credits roll.
7
‘Padak’ (2012)
Criminally underseen, and therefore criminally underrated, Padak is a South Korean film about a mackerel from the ocean trying to escape from a restaurant aquarium tank before he’s eaten. Those who think this looks like a cutesy Finding Nemo rip-off ought to think twice: Padak is one of the most brutal animated movies they’ll ever come across.
Padak is psychological survival horror through and through, with some biting social commentary and a critique of the sadistic treatment of animals that is horrifying enough to put anyone off eating sushi for a few months. It’s not often that animated movies where the characters are cute animals end with the majority of said animals — the protagonist included — being eaten alive. Not exactly the kind of stuff you see in a Disney flick.
6
‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)
Satoshi Kon was one of the greatest anime filmmakers of all time, and his untimely passing was one of the industry’s saddest moments. Nevertheless, the legacy he left behind was four exceptional animated movies, the best of which is arguably the psychological thriller Perfect Blue. Brilliantly surrealistic and stunningly animated, it’s one of the best anime films ever made.
Perfect Blue‘s blending of fantasy and reality is perfect, successfully placing the audience inside the fragmented headscape of the perfection-obsessed protagonist. The result is a disturbing, violent, often confusing film that borders on being horror, throwing increasingly dark and unhinged scenes and character moments at the audience relentlessly.
5
‘Mad God’ (2021)
Phil Tippett is, first and foremost, a visual effects supervisor and producer — one of the field’s biggest and most impactful exponents. During the ’90s, though, he started working on his directing debut, Mad God. It turned out to be a passion project that took around three decades to complete, but the effort was very much worth it. It’s a movie that’s guaranteed to become a cult classic in not too many years.
Mad God is an unhinged ride into the depths of Hell, a film that gleefully keeps pushing the limits of what audiences consider grotesque and disgusting. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart; there’s no doubt about that, but those with the stomach to not just tolerate, but enjoy a movie so bleak, jarring, and surrealistic are sure to have an unforgettable ride with Tippett’s twisted little brain child.
4
‘Where the Dead Go to Die’ (2012)
A film being bleak doesn’t necessarily imply that it’s good. Indeed, the straight-to-video cult classic Where the Dead Go to Die, a clear example of extreme cinema and exploitation horror, isn’t typically praised as a particularly high-quality movie. Nevertheless, any list of the bleakest animated films ever is incomplete without at least a mention of this ultra-mega-hyper-violent movie.
The animation is ugly and off-putting by design; the tastelessly gratuitous violence and darkness are too much to stomach for most viewers, and the senseless story isn’t exactly aided by the cheap use of lazy scares. Nevertheless, those who love über-dark animation simply have to check this one out at some point. Though it’s definitely not good, it’s so bizarre in the things it attempts that, at the very least, it’s absolutely unforgettable.
3
‘Anomalisa’ (2015)
Charlie Kaufman, best known as a screenwriter (perhaps the greatest in the industry today), has also directed a few movies here and there. His second directing effort and his first (and thus far only) animated movie was co-directed with Duke Johnson. It’s Anomalisa, a wild trip of a movie full of Kaufman’s signature blend of existential dread and absurdist surrealism.
With its distinct puppet-based stop-motion animation and one of animation’s greatest screenplays ever, Anomalisa is a profoundly thoughtful study of romance, aging, and human connections, the likes of which only an artist like Kaufman could have delivered. It’s filled to the brim with the same kind of neurotic cynicism and depressing bleakness that characterizes the writer-director’s work, but the bits and pieces of hope and humanism that he sprinkles in boost the experience tremendously.
2
‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
Studio Ghibli filmmakers create art pieces that aren’t afraid to dive into sadder bits of the human condition than the majority of animation, but never has any of them made a film more gut-wrenching than Isao Takahata‘s Grave of the Fireflies. This absolutely soul-shattering World War II drama based on a true story is enough to leave any animation fan crying on the floor for hours.
Led by two of Studio Ghibli’s best characters, the sad animated film does something that the war genre often likes to do: evaluate the nature of war as an innocence destroyer by showing it through the eyes of children. However, few anti-war films with child protagonists are as effective as this one. Stunningly animated, beautifully written and directed, and chilling to its core, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the legendary anime studio’s best outings.
1
‘Waltz With Bashir’ (2008)
Perhaps it’s because it’s a documentary. Perhaps it’s because it’s so richly constructed and made with such emotional rawness. Perhaps it’s because of how terrifyingly timely its themes feel. It’s likely because of all of that and more. The fact of the matter is that Waltz With Bashir, one of 2008’s most essential films, is the bleakest animated movie ever made.
A masterfully paced and structured examination of Israeli occupation, the value of memories, and the surreal nature of wartime violence, Waltz With Bashir is a masterpiece that shows the creative extent to which animation can be taken when placed in the right hands. It’s perhaps the most emotionally flooring experience that animation cinema has to offer, but it’s oh so worth it.
Waltz with Bashir
- Release Date
-
June 12, 2008
- Runtime
-
90 Minutes
- Director
-
Ari Folman
- Writers
-
Ari Folman
Get a rundown of Us‘ top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on September 2, 2026. Here are the key takeaways:
• Tim Curry‘s cause of death was coronary artery disease, according to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health records obtained by Us. The Rocky Horror Picture Show star’s records also listed a history of stroke and kidney cancer as contributing conditions. Curry was cremated on August 31, with his remains sent to the United Kingdom.
• Billy Ray Cyrus publicly backed daughter Miley Cyrus dropping her last name in an Instagram post, writing, “Family means more than ever now.” He compared Miley’s move to mononymous icons like Dolly, Cher, Elvis and Prince, calling it “a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend” ahead of her upcoming album, Bass Persuades.
• A “frantic” 911 call surfaced in the death of adult film star Christian Styles, whose legal name was Zachary Jaghab. A police report exclusively obtained by Us revealed the caller performed CPR under a dispatcher’s guidance after the OnlyFans personality was found “not conscious” and “not breathing” on August 20. A cause of death has not been determined, and an investigation is ongoing.
Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance
Entertainment
What happened to the cast of “Police Academy”? See the misfit recruits more than 40 years later
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/police-academy309-04292026-bff05feaeb66404a98f46c02cc41743e.jpg)
Catch up with your favorite band of ne’er-do-well recruits as EW looks back at the cast of the original 1984 cop comedy.
Paralympian Ezra Frech’s reasons for competing on Dancing With the Stars are personal and powerful.
“This is my purpose. I want to change the way the world sees disability,” Frech, 21, exclusively shared with Us on Wednesday, September 2, after the full cast for season 35 was revealed on Good Morning America. “I literally feel like I was put on this earth for that reason, and I’ve attempted to do it through track and field my whole life, and then now I get the opportunity to hopefully do that through dance.”
Frech — who was born with congenital limb differences, leading to the amputation of his left leg at the age of 3 — previously won two gold medals at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.
When not competing in high jump, long jump and sprinting events, the University of Southern California grad is serving as a motivational speaker and disability advocate.
The Dancing With the Stars ballroom is filling up fast for season 35. While simultaneously confirming the reality competition’s renewal, Hulu shared during the Get Real House event in April that Summer House’s Ciara Miller and Love Island star Maura Higgins would be lacing up their dancing shoes. The following month, Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson […]
“I am leaning in 100 percent,” Frech shared about his journey into the ballroom. “I want to make my community proud, and hopefully, we can do something special this season.”
While it’s too soon for Frech and his DWTS partner, Daniella Karagach, to finalize a team name, the pair are already displaying great chemistry as they prepare to perform their first dance in front of judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
“I feel like we’re pretty compatible,” Frech shared from New York City. “She’s already big sis.”
Karagach, 33, added, “I’m protector energy. I’m bringing that mother protector energy.”
Ezra Frech Andrew Eccles/Disney
While some in the competition like Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr. may have some prior dance experience, Frech admitted his athletic skills are primarily from a track field.
When asked if DWTS is harder than competing in the Paralympics, Frech didn’t hesitate in his answer.
“Definitely Dancing with the Stars. The Paralympics and track and field. I grew up doing this since I was 8 years old,” he explained. “It’s my bread and butter, and now I’m throwing all that to the back burner for a couple months and gonna try to do everything I can to become a ballroom dancer.”
Fortunately, he has a coach who is already impressed.
“You’re getting there,” Karagach said. “It’s only been a week, and you’re really getting there.”
Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.
Taylor Frankie Paul reveals some major spoilers from her cancelled season of The Bachelorette during upcoming Secret Lives of Mormon Wives episodes.
The Thursday, September 3, episode of Hulu’s “Get Real” podcast features an exclusive clip from SLOMW season 5 — where Taylor, 32, breaks down all of the Bachelor Nation drama.
In her discussion with costars Jessi Draper, Mikayla Matthews and Mayci Neeley, Taylor seemingly nods “no” when Jessi asks whether she’d “had sex” during Fantasy Suites. Taylor confirms that a suitor — presumably Doug Mason — did “get down on one knee and propose,” though there was major drama shortly after her engagement.
“[I said,] ‘Yes.’ Yes, I did [get engaged],” she revealed. “Then, I come home. Obviously [me and ex Dakota Mortensen] were texting. ‘When are you going to be home?’ I don’t know how it led to it but he came over.”
Taylor Frankie Paul on “The Bachelorette” Disney/Sami Drasin
“Umm … I think I know how that happened,” Mikayla, 26, quipped.
While Doug’s name is never directly mentioned during the clip, the SLOMW ladies essentially confirm his identity by revealing Taylor’s suitor has the “same initials” as Dakota. Taylor swore she was initially unaware of the many similarities between Doug and Dakota.
“I didn’t start thinking that until people said it around me,” she insisted.
Jessi seemed skeptical, replying, “They have the same initials. They’re both from Idaho. It’s so weird.”
Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette was originally supposed to premiere on ABC in February but was pulled off the lineup three days before its debut. At the time, Taylor and ex Dakota were embroiled in a domestic violence investigation in Utah.
Taylor Frankie Paul is giving her romance with The Bachelorette contestant Doug Mason a second chance. A source exclusively tells Us Weekly that Taylor, 31, and Doug, 28, are “seeing each other” again and are “trying to make it work” after her season of the reality dating show was pulled by ABC. “They were hanging […]
The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office ultimately decided not to press any criminal charges in the case — though Taylor has since been involved in two separate child custody battles with Dakota and her ex-husband, Tate Paul. (Taylor shares Indy May, 8, and Ocean, 6, with Tate while she and Dakota welcomed 2-year-old son Ever True in 2024.)
With the domestic violence case dropped, Taylor signed and promoted a fan petition calling on ABC to air her season of The Bachelorette. The Change.org petition has since gained more than 25,000 signatures of support, as of publication.
“You guys started a petition for the show. I love you all,” she wrote via her Instagram Story in August.
Meanwhile, filming on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was temporarily halted in February though the full cast — sans Taylor — later returned to complete the season. Taylor reportedly shot news scenes for SLOMW’s opening credits but did not take part in any further group segments with the cast.
Taylor Frankie Paul on “The Bachelorette” Disney/Michael Kirchoff
In May, Mormon Wives producer Jeff Jenkins confirmed that Taylor and Dakota will not be able to film scenes together for the foreseeable future, as they both have restraining orders requiring them to stay 100 feet away from each other for a period of three years. However, Jenkins hinted to Variety at the time that Taylor could be back to filming more regularly on SLOMW in the future.
“[Taylor is] just made for this,” Jenkins, 58, said in May. “To share her life on camera, she does it like breathing air. She doesn’t edit herself. She’s really built for this type of lane. So I’m very hopeful that she’ll be back very soon, and I’m hopeful we can do all sorts of other projects with her as well.”
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives viewers will presumably get to hear lots more about the scrapped season of The Bachelorette when season 5 premieres on Hulu Thursday, September 10.
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
The online empire Perez Hilton spent years building is still operating without him, but the man behind the famous gossip brand is reportedly facing a far more personal crisis behind hospital walls.
Nearly a month after a disturbing livestream led to his hospitalization, friends say Hilton’s recovery has become increasingly complicated.
While family members work to manage his affairs and doctors oversee his treatment, those closest to the blogger claim his struggles now involve memory loss, isolation, and growing confusion about the life waiting for him outside.
Even from a hospital bed, Perez Hilton is said to be fixated on the business that made him a household name.
According to a longtime family friend, one of the blogger’s biggest concerns has been the future of his celebrity news website.
Hilton reportedly has little way of knowing what is happening online and, as a result, he has repeatedly questioned friends and family about the site’s performance and public reaction to his hospitalization.
“He asked how the site is doing. He asked how people are talking about him – what they’re saying,” the friend said.
The concern comes at a particularly uncertain time. Sources told the Daily Mail that Hilton had already been looking beyond blogging before the incident, with several reality television opportunities reportedly failing to materialize.
Although the shocking livestream initially drove a spike in traffic to his website, insiders claimed that surge did not last.
Hilton’s Family Takes Charge As Recovery Continues
While public attention has centered on Perez Hilton’s condition, his family has quietly assumed responsibility for nearly every aspect of his life.
Sources say the media personality currently has no access to social media, his mobile phone, or the internet. Communication with the outside world has reportedly been limited to calls made through the hospital’s landline.
During that time, his mother and sister have stepped in to oversee his affairs and coordinate his care.
“He can’t do any work at the moment. His family is handling all of his affairs,” a source explained, adding, “His mother and sister are making sure he is getting the best care. They are hopeful.”
The support system has become particularly important because friends describe Hilton as struggling to be consistent. One longtime family friend revealed that conversations could shift dramatically within minutes.
“One minute he’s thinking about moving forward and making plans for when he’s back at work,” the friend noted. “The next minute he’s talking about walking away altogether.”
Those fluctuations have reportedly reinforced concerns that his recovery journey may be much longer than originally anticipated.
Perez Hilton Reportedly Believes He Has ‘Lost A Decade’
Perhaps the most troubling claims involve Hilton’s memory. According to sources close to the 48-year-old, he appears convinced that it is still 2016 and has difficulty understanding how much time has passed.
Friends told the Daily Mail that he has seemingly “lost a decade,” leading to moments that are both confusing and heartbreaking for those around him.
One example reportedly involves Katy Perry. Hilton has allegedly asked friends to bring the singer to visit him, insisting they remain close friends.
Sources say he believes Perry is still part of his everyday life and reportedly argues that she “would be nowhere without him” because he helped champion her early career.
The requests have reportedly been difficult because, according to insiders, the two have had little contact in recent years.
A source close to Hilton described the situation bluntly, saying, “He is not all there.”
Friends say the confusion extends beyond celebrity relationships. They describe him as rambling, drifting between topics, and occasionally losing track of conversations altogether.
Although moments of clarity still occur, loved ones reportedly fear the cognitive challenges could become one of the most difficult parts of his recovery.
More From The Blast
Hilton’s Family Reveals What Triggered Emergency Move To Miami
As Perez Hilton’s loved ones continue trying to understand the events that led to his hospitalization, family members have shed more light on a turbulent chapter that began months before the August crisis.
Before relocating to Florida this summer, Hilton had been living in Las Vegas with his three children. According to relatives, 2026 became one of the most challenging years of his life after he suffered a near-fatal battle with sepsis that left him hospitalized for 21 days.
The health scare was later followed by additional complications, including a blood clot that required surgery, leaving those close to him concerned about both his physical and emotional well-being.
Following that ordeal, Hilton decided in June to leave Las Vegas and return to his hometown of Miami, where his mother, sister, and extended family could provide support.
His brother-in-law Tom later explained that the move made sense because of the strong family network waiting for him there.
“There is that structure of support there [in Miami] and he did just go through that near-fatal health scare,” Tom said on “The Perez Hilton Podcast With Chris Booker”. He admitted the move was “a little surprising” but noted that Hilton can sometimes be impulsive.
Hilton himself acknowledged the transition wasn’t easy. Before his hospitalization, he spoke publicly about feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious about uprooting his children and starting over in Miami after several years in Las Vegas.
Perez Hilton Granted Structured Path To See His Children
As Hilton’s family works through the long recovery process, another significant development has centered on his relationship with his three children.
After the August crisis, Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira, sought temporary custody of Mario, Mia, and Mayte while their father remained hospitalized and under psychiatric care.
The Blast reported that a Miami judge later approved the request, creating a temporary arrangement to provide stability for the children while Hilton focused on recovery.
The court also established a pathway for Hilton to maintain contact with his children. Under the order, he is eligible for supervised visitation, but only after receiving psychiatric clearance from medical professionals.
Any visits must be supervised by an approved family member or mental health professional. Reports indicated that Hilton agreed to the arrangement.
“Dancing With the Stars” has officially unveiled its complete lineup of celebrity contestants for Season 35. Among those included is Jenna Dewan, whose extensive dance background has already sparked questions about whether she has an unfair advantage over her fellow competitors. Now, the “Step Up” star and her professional dance partner are addressing the criticism.
Jenna Dewan is one of the 16 contestants competing in the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.” The actress began her professional entertainment career as a backup dancer for the stars before transitioning to acting. She landed her breakout role in the 2006 dance film “Step Up,” starring opposite Channing Tatum.
Dewan’s casting was met with online backlash, with many saying that her professional dancing experience gives her an unfair advantage over the other contestants.
The actress acknowledged the online comments in an interview, saying, “I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages,” she told Entertainment Weekly.
She further stated that her dance background is somewhat helpful, but noted that she also has to unlearn a few things. “It’s a new technique, brand new technique,” she said, adding that ballroom dancing isn’t the same as the dancing style that she is used to.
The Actress Was A Backup Dancer For Janet Jackson
Dewan appeared in two Janet Jackson music videos, “Doesn’t Really Matter” and “All For You,” before travelling the world with the iconic singer as one of her backup dancers for the All For You World Tour from 2001 to 2002.
The dancer said it was always her dream to dance for Jackson. “I was a teenager. I was like, ‘That’s all I want.’ When it happened, I just couldn’t even believe it,” she gushed, adding that she and the singer remain “really good friends.” She’s hoping to dance to one of Jackson’s tracks in the ballroom.
Apart from Jackson, Dewan also danced for other artists, including Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott, Mandy Moore, and Toni Braxton.
Val Chmerkovskiy Speaks Out About ‘High Expectations’ Of Jenna Dewan
Val Chmerkovskiy is Dewan’s pro dance partner, and he is aware of the buzz surrounding the former backup dancer and the “high expectations” of her. “We’re going to do our best. There’s no guarantees,” he said.
Chmerkovskiy said the audience is entitled to their own opinion, but they will approach the competition with gratitude and enjoy each other’s company while they train. “No amount of dance experience can give you that. So I think that’s our secret weapon. I think there’s a real human connection here, between the two of us, that we’re excited to share with the world,” he told PEOPLE.
Dewan said that ballroom dancing “feels really foreign” for her despite her background, and she decided to join “DWTS” to challenge herself.
Some Former ‘DWTS’ Contestants Also Had Dance Backgrounds
Dewan isn’t the first competitor on “DWTS” with a dance background. Prior seasons also featured celebrities who were not new to dancing.
In Season 24, Heather Morris, who was a professional backup dancer for Beyoncé before starring as cheerleader Brittany S. Pierce in “Glee,” ended up in 8th place.
Former Broadway dancer and Radio City Rockette Amanda Kloots also competed in Season 30, finishing in fourth place.
Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who had extensive training in dancing and performing arts, competed in Season 10 and took home the Mirrorball Trophy.
Other former contestants who had experience in dancing before joining the show include Charli D’Amelio, Jordan Fisher, JoJo Siwa, Zendaya, Mel B, Lance Bass, and Normani, to name a few.
The Complete Cast Of ‘DWTS’ Season 35
Four competitors were revealed before the official cast announcement: Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson, and Guillermo Rodriguez.
On September 2, the full cast for “Dancing With the Stars” was announced live on “Good Morning America.” Apart from Dewan, other stars include Amber Glenn, Conner Leavitt, Connor Wood, Ezra French, Giada De Laurentiis, Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles, Sarah Jane Nader, Tatyana Ali, and Taylor Hanson.
“DWTS” Season 35 will kick off with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16, with new episodes airing live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Ahead of the European premiere of his new film “Pressure,” Andrew Scott took to social media to answer fan questions in a wide-ranging Ask Me Anything (AMA) session.
The award-winning actor covered topics ranging from complex weather scripts to his favorite comfort treats to how he passes the time between takes.
Scott also opened up about playing an out gay theater actor in the upcoming biopic Elsinore, saying the role pretty much summarized everything in his own life as a gay actor.
Andrew Scott got close to fans on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to take questions about anything they’d love to know before the European premiere of his new film, “Pressure.”
In the D-Day historical drama, Scott plays meteorologist Captain James Stagg, whose accurate weather forecast and advice to General Dwight D. Eisenhower allowed the historic Normandy invasion to succeed rather than face catastrophic failure.
When asked by a fan whether he had to undergo much practice to familiarize himself with the profession’s register, the 49-year-old Irish actor explained that they tried to strike a balance so as not to overwhelm the audience.
“We just learned the actual meteorological jargon, some of which is pretty complex,” he said. “We didn’t want to dumb it down too much, but we also didn’t want to make it too confounding for the audience either. Hopefully we struck the right balance.”
Scott Reveals The Biggest Lesson From Pressure
The Q&A session also saw fans ask questions about his performances in other projects like his rendition of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and even props like the uniform and mustache he was made to use for Pressure.
When one fan asked what his “biggest lesson” both personally and professionally was from the movie, Scott highlighted how important it is for humility to remain an integral part of every leader.
“I’d say that the biggest lesson learned would be that humility and leadership have to work together, and that there’s a difference between power and expertise and that it’s very important,” he explained.
“Even if we are culturally and ideologically different from people, we’ve got to work alongside each other for the greater good,” the actor noted.
Netflix acquired the Ripley series Scott featured in, while Fleabag writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge was lined up to create a follow-up series for Prime Video.
Andrew Scott Teases Emotional Elsinore Script: ‘Bring Some Tissues’
For his upcoming biographical drama film “Elsinore,” the Olivier Award-winning actor teased that the script is so emotional and will likely move the audience to tears.
A fan shared their excitement about seeing it after several teasers and photos were released.
They then asked him how much they were likely to sob when compared to his 2023 film “All of Us Strangers,” in which he played Adam.
“I think you probably are going to be wise to bring some tissues, but it’s also very, very funny. Tears and joy is my favorite combination,” he said.
The Acclaimed Actor Opened Up On What Playing The Role Means To Him
Scott plays the Scottish actor Ian Charleson in the film, alongside costar Olivia Colman, who plays his doctor. It follows Charleson’s life and the challenges he faced for his final performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre while dying of AIDS.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he reflected on what playing the role meant for him, especially when considered against his condition, to which he eventually succumbed a couple of months after the final play.
“When you’re talking about ‘to be or not to be,’ ‘do I live or do I die’ — Ian is not talking about that as an almost. It was an inevitability at that stage, that he was going to die,” Scott said. “The idea that Ian was doing this when he was so sick is still, to my mind, just completely mind-blowing. And his decision to do it was just incredibly courageous.”
Scott Draws Comparisons On Being Gay With Charleson’s Life
Elsewhere in the chat with the news outlet, Scott drew comparisons between his life as an out gay actor and that of Charleson, when it was very unpopular to be.
“This film is so much about everything in my life — I’ve spent my life in the theater,” Scott explained. “And being a gay actor, it’s still so moving to me that I get the opportunity to play a part that Ian and his contemporaries would not have gotten while they were working actors.”
“I wanted people to be able to understand that he was trying to live — it’s not about fetishizing his death,” he added. “He was so full of life and fun, and he did this extraordinary thing.”
Scott first came out publicly as gay in a 2013 interview with The Independent, revealing that people within the film industry had told him to remain quiet about his sexuality.
He then revealed in a chat with British GQ that he was glad he ignored the advice and went public with it.
“I was encouraged, by people in the industry who I really admired and who had my best interests at heart, to keep that (to myself),” he said. “I understand why they gave that advice, but I’m also glad that I eventually ignored it.”
Crypto World45 seconds ago
DWF Labs Expands Global Regulatory Footprint with BVI Virtual Asset Service Provider Approval
Entertainment2 minutes ago
The Uncertain Fate of Tom Hardy’s ‘MobLand’ Has Officially Been Decided
News Videos4 minutes ago
XRP: “LOOKS LIKE WE’RE GONNA GET ANOTHER LEG UP SOON” Popular Analyst Predicts -Report
-
Fashion6 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Maeve – Corporette.com
-
Crypto World7 days agoBitcoin’s 22% rally now needs real demand to outlast Treasury liquidity boost
-
Business7 days agoApple Confirms September 9 Keynote and Reveals Its Full Pre-Order Schedule
-
Crypto World13 hours agoCLARITY Act could advance within weeks, Atkins says
-
Business7 days agoSalesforce Stock Soars 19% as Blowout Earnings and Agentforce AI Growth Silence Software Skeptics
-
Business5 days agoOnto Innovation Stock: AI’s Next Bottleneck Is Yield (NYSE:ONTO)
-
Crypto World6 days agoBitcoin price tests $82K resistance as Brandt stays long
-
Tech5 days agoHugging Face built a $4.5 billion empire on free AI models. Now Nvidia is buying it for $12.9 billion
-
Business6 days agoiPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Could Shift to Saturday as Apple Reportedly Avoids September 11 Anniversary
-
Crypto World7 days agoTruflation calls for Fed rate cut after PCE forecast
-
News Videos4 days agoCharlie Munger on Robinhood: No one should believe that Robinhood’s trades are free
-
Tech7 days agoThe fix for the AI agent that hijacked a company’s DNS: it can propose the change, but it can’t approve it
-
Tech5 days agoPaperCut releases second emergency patch for exploited flaws
-
Crypto World1 day agoElon Musk Says Grok 4.7 Lands in 10 Days and Will Beat Every Model
-
Entertainment6 days ago‘Adults’ Creators Break Down Season 2’s Most Shocking Moments and Tease a Potential Season 3
-
Tech5 days agoTamagotchi Ring Takes the 30-Year Digital Pet and Places it on Your Finger
-
Tech5 days agoAs the influencer economy drives retail sales, Seattle startup raises $22M to play matchmaker
-
Crypto World2 days agoBitcoin slips below $77.5K as macro pressure offsets ETF inflows
-
NewsBeat4 days agoTrump posts AI video of ‘Lake America’ being protected by an army of bequiffed ‘Donald Ducks’
-
Entertainment4 days agoTaylor Swift Reportedly ‘Frustrated’ With Travis Kelce After ‘Short’ Honeymoon
You must be logged in to post a comment Login