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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kelly’s Show Was Canceled

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

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

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

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

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

‘The Tick’ Chooses Character and Coffee Over Chaos

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

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

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

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

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The Tick

Release Date

2001 – 2002-00-00

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Network

FOX

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Directors

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

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HBO has often been home to some of the most iconic television series in history, whether it’s the compelling craft of The Wire or the shock-and-awe of Game of Thrones. In recent years, HBO’s seen its throne challenged by streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, but it now has a new series that’s become the talk of the town and a bona fide streaminghit. That series is the medical drama The Pitt, which just wrapped up its sophomore season on HBO Max. Though it’s a fairly new show, The Pitt has proven to be a massive draw that could last for multiple seasons, especially with new info about its ratings.

The official Nielsen ratings for The Pitt reveal that Season 2 clocks in at a whopping 15 billion minutes of watch time, and 1.133 million minutes watched in the week before its season finale. The only other show that’s come close to those numbers is The Boys, which pulled 889 million minutes in the same week. But while The Boys is wrapping up its run this year, The Pitt was renewed for a third season, and if it keeps up its momentum, it’ll continue to deliver a show that wows critics and audiences alike.

‘The Pitt’ Takes a Realistic Look At The Hardships of the Medical Field

Image via HBO

The Pitt centers on the staff of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, better known as “The Pitt”, which is guided by senior physician Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle). Robby and the rest of the Pitt’s staff deal with incoming patients, alongside their own personal issues and trauma. The genesis of The Pitt began when Wyle started receiving messages from medical professionals on social media thanking him for his role in ER, which inspired them to pursue medicine. Wyle showed these messages to ER producer/showrunner John Wells, who later revealed in an interview that he had heard similar stories from other physicians and wanted to explore those issues in a new show.

“There are significant new problems within the healthcare system, particularly within urban medicine, that have reared their heads. A number of physicians we worked with before, who are still practicing medicine, started to tell us these stories, and it was like, well, I guess there is a reason to go back and to think about these issues in the healthcare world, particularly in emergency medicine and urban medicine.”

The Pitt doesn’t hold back from showcasing the toll that the medical field can take on practitioners and patients alike. Robby is struggling throughout his shift in Season 1, as it marks the four-year anniversary of losing his mentor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another Season 1 episode addresses the shortage of nurses,a very real problem in the medical field. That same episode also has Robby dealing with a patient who purposefully got herself admitted so that she can find help for her son, who is having his own mental health issues. By addressing real-life medical issues and their effects, The Pitt is the rare medical drama that feels truly compelling.

Other Streaming Shows Should Take Notes from ‘The Pitt’

What makes The Pitt such a gripping watch is that it’s told in real time, with each episode corresponding to an hour of the staff’s shift. Each season consists of 15 episodes, a far cry from the usual 8-10 episodesmost streaming shows are allotted nowadays. This means that The Pitt doesn’t overstay its welcome, but that it also has time to actually develop a story rather than cramming everything into a limited amount of time. While shows like Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord and Invincible have made the 8-10 episode count work, more series could take a lead from The Pitt‘s book and produce longer seasons.

The Pitt also stands apart from its streaming competition due to its production, which has resulted in a season for each year. Again, this is a practice that’s become rare, as most streaming shows have taken years in between seasons. By defying the rules of current streaming shows, The Pitt has become HBO’s newest crown jewel, and its impressive viewership records prove audiences want more shows like it. If The Pitt keeps up its current record, fans will see more of Dr. Robby and his fellow medical practitioners.

Seasons 1 and 2 of The Pitt are available to stream on HBO Max.

Young and the Restless two week spoilers for May 11th through the 22nd reveal Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) playing dirtier than ever while Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) is suspicious when somebody tries to BS him.

Young and the Restless Spoilers Monday, May 11th: Phyllis Fed Up with Victor

On Monday, May 11th, Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) is really sick and tired of Victor blaming his bad behavior on a troubled childhood. Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc) warns Phyllis that an expert confirmed the fake AI generated emails are actually legit. And Michael also tells Phyllis that her having possession of Newman Enterprises is a clear problem. Plus, Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) and Phyllis had access to the AI. So, she suggests that Michael try to get a recording of Victor confessing to faking the evidence, but Michael thinks Victor won’t fall for it.

Phyllis also brings up Victoria Newman‘s (Amelia Heinle) crime of giving DA Christine Blair Romalotti (Lauralee Bell) fake evidence, but Michael says Phyllis committed a crime by stealing Newman. She freaks out, says never say that again, and claims Michael’s not doing a good job as her lawyer.

Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman) suggests Phyllis cut a deal, but Michael says even if Victor agreed, Christine could still decide on her own to prosecute. So, of course, Phyllis rushes over to confront Christine, saying she’ll prove that Victor paid Christine off. And she threatens to have Spectre Charles publish a story about her being a dirty DA. And Christine threatens to sue Phyllis for defamation.

Y&R Spoilers: Chelsea Fears the Worst

Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan) worries that this whole Vegas thing tempted Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) to go back to his dark, dodgy life as a pro gambler. And Chelsea also prods him about Rizza Thomas (Tina Casciani) and says they sound intimate whenever he speaks to her. But Adam insists he only wants Chelsea and their life in Genoa City.

Christine shows up to the Newman ranch and Chelsea and Adam listen. So, we’re going to see Victor telling new DA Christine that Phyllis and Cane have to go down. Christine says the judge may take into account her rocky past with Phyllis and says this AI thing is an emerging area of law, so it’s not a slam dunk. Christine leaves and Chelsea asks if they faked the email evidence.

Victor says an expert authenticated it, but Chelsea can tell he’s evading her question and she worries that faking evidence could blow up in their faces. But of course, Victor disagrees. Chelsea worries about Billy, but Adam wants him to go down, too. And Victor tells Chelsea not to defend Billy. And Chelsea insists she is team Newman.

Young and The Restless Spoilers: Sienna Jealous & Nick Relapses

Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) and Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) tell Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) and Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) that Matt Clark (Sean Dominic) is alive. He’s in town. And he sucker punched Noah. Technically, that was in self-defense. He had no idea who he was. Plus, Matt’s claiming he has amnesia.

Noah thinks Matt was actually being truthful about that. And Sienna says, “You know, I did bash him in the head hard with a rock several times.” Nick is twitchy and pacing, which has Noah and Sharon worried. And when Noah says Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) was with him when he ran into Matt, we’ve got Sienna questioning Noah, and she seems jealous of Audra.

Nick goes over to see Victor and tells him and Adam and Chelsea that Matt is in Genoa City and has no memories. And Nick wants Victor to use all his resources to help find Matt. And then Adam and Nick go searching for Matt themselves, but Nick is angry and erratic, and Adam is worried. Nick insists he’s just hungry. But when Adam goes to get him a snack, Nick pops a pill, and it looks like it is his last one.

Tuesday, May 12th on Y&R: Nikki Shocks Jack

Tuesday, May 12th, we’ve got Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) telling Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) something shocking. And Nikki may be sharing that Nick has gotten addicted to opioids after his surgery. She may ask Jack to help him. He was hooked on opioids also after a surgery. So, he’ll be concerned about Nick and obviously empathetic.

Meanwhile, Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) takes a big step forward with Cane. Y&R spoilers for May say they get a lot closer. So, him donating bone marrow to Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) is a game changer for these two exes. Also, at Crimson Lights this week, Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) and Matt walk by each other and exchange flirty smiles, which is quite disturbing.

Hopefully they don’t start chatting. He and Phyllis were also chatty, which is also disturbing. Billy runs into Patty, who tries to convince him that she’s changed and that Jack was with her willingly, that they’re meant to be together. Just her whole batch of crazy that she always does.

Wednesday, May 13th on Y&R: Manhunt for Matt Kicks Off

Wednesday, May 13th. Victor is personally leading the hunt for Matt. I’m sure that’s Victor directing his security people while sitting in the chair he’s generally in. Devon Winters (Bryton James) is concerned about Lily’s choices. He’s obviously afraid she’s going to go back to Cane. Adam questions Nick about his recovery and sobriety. Adam thinks Nick could still be using and he gets confrontational with Adam who asks Nick if he is using again. I bet he’s going to lie.

Thursday, May 14th on Young and Restless

Thursday, May 14th, Victor dishes out tough love to Nick. I mean, bottom line, they need to send him to rehab. Plus, Jack flips things around on Patty. She wants Jack, and he wants to ruin Victor once and for all. So, will Patty sell out Victor to get the man she loves? Maybe. Phyllis lays a trap, and I’m sure it’s for Victor. And Michael asked Phyllis if she is going to give up Newman to avoid criminal charges. But Phyllis says she has a better idea. And I’m sure it’s something devious on Young and the Restless.

Friday, May 15th – Young and the Restless Spoilers: Claire & Holden Get Close

Friday, May 15th, Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) and Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin) are together up in New York City. Holden and Claire spend some time with his mom, Stephanie, who seems to really like her. And later, Holden and Claire have a sweet and intense moment holding each other.

Lily stuns Cane, and I’m wondering if she’s going to kiss him. And Nick makes a deal that lands him in danger. So, this week, he’s meeting with a drug dealer in the park, and Nick buys a baggie of pills. I’m sure it’s more fentanyl. So, I’m wondering if Adam sees this deal go down and tattles on Nick to the family. If he does, he should tattle.

Young and the Restless Spoilers for the Week of May 18th-22nd

All right, the week of May 18th through the 22nd is going to be big because the last day of May sweeps is Wednesday, May 20th. Look for some big Matt Clark action. Big stuff with Phyllis versus Victor as well as Nick’s ongoing downward spiral. So, he is in trouble more and more by the day. I wonder if Nikki is going to see the light and realize, okay, I got to get Nick into rehab right now. But we know he’s not going to go anywhere until the Matt situation is resolved. But Roger Howarth is still taping over there, so it’s not going to be resolved in May sweeps.

By the way, Chelsea’s not done with her suspicions about Adam and Riza. Lily and Cane keep getting closer. Phyllis may get the upper hand, or at least level the playing field. Jack makes progress with Patty and Matt’s memories are going to come flooding back along with his anger at the Newmans and Sienna. We should see Malcolm again soon, right before or right after the transplant, maybe both. Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) and Billy are looking forward to the future, but he is still at risk of arrest.

Also, big casting news. Starting on June 25th and spanning five episodes, we’re going to get a recast Jill Abbott with Lauren Koslow from Days of Our Lives stepping into the role. So, the actress who’s always played her, you know, in my entire watch history, Jess Walton, she lives in Oregon and she had some scheduling conflicts and this was in-person stuff, not like on the video screen, so she couldn’t appear as Jill.

If you watch Days of Our Lives, Lauren Koslow plays Kate Roberts, but Y&R was actually her first TV role. That was back in the mid 80s. Lauren is very close to Billy Flynn, who now plays Cane. Their characters on Days have a sort of mother-son relationship on that soap. Ironically, Tamara Braun and Lucas Adams, who play lovers Sienna and Noah, actually did play mother and son on Days of Our Lives. Kind of ick.

Days of Our Lives two week spoilers for May 11th through the 22nd thrill with Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) panicking as her world implodes and also Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) considers whether to murder someone.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Monday, May 11th: Chad Defends Leo

All right. So, on Monday, May 11th, we’re going to pick up from Friday’s episode with Leo Stark (Greg Rikkart) and Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) both where they should not be down in the tunnels. She told Leo she was getting more wine for the reception, but he doesn’t buy it. Accurate since she’s lying. And they are right there, very close to Lexie Carver’s (Nikki Crawford) room.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wilhem Rolf (Richard Wharton) is lurking around in the tunnels as well. The mad scientist goes into the medical room and is appalled when he sees that Lexie is not in her bed. So, it looks like she managed to evade Rolf and Cat and Leo and she may actually be headed right upstairs into the DiMera mansion.

Later, Cat gets questioned by EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel). And I wonder if it’s about why Cat was in the tunnels or another matter. And Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) finds himself having to defend Leo. This week, Chad’s up at the hospital with Leo, who may be scrounging around for a story about diabolical DiMera science and Lexie’s resurrection. The DiMeras won’t like it, but Chad may defend Leo, insisting it’s newsworthy, and Chad has let them run anti-DiMera stories before on the Salem Spectator.

DOOL Spoilers: Lexie Crashes the Will Reading

Lexie crashes into the room as Abe Carver (James Reynolds), Chad, Tony, EJ, Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson), Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), and Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) are all toasting Stefano. So, Lexie just strolls in from the secret tunnel and everybody’s stunned, even Theo because Lexie wasn’t showing signs of more alertness and they were starting to worry and they definitely didn’t expect her to wake up today.

Meanwhile, Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) keeps on haunting Kristen, which is the least she deserves for trying to get the troubled teen to murder Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and then killed Sophia in cold blood. Tony blindsides Gabi when he offers her the CEO spot at DiMera. Tony seems like he’s worried about anybody linked closely to EJ having the CEO job.

So, Tony clearly wants Johnny out. However, Tony already did Gabi dirty on a CEO deal. So why should she believe anything that he says? Also this week, Kristen confronts Rolf in the DiMera gardens. And I wonder if she’s going to grill him about keeping the Lexie secret with EJ. You know, Kristen and Rolf have a long-standing arrangement, but he may be more loyal to EJ now that Stefano anointed him by giving EJ the Phoenix ring.

Days Spoilers for Tuesday, May 12th: Holy Lashes Out at Tate

Tuesday, May 12th, Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) gets something done for Gabi. Is he back from Alamainia with hard proof that his psycho surrogate mom Vivian Almain (Louise Sorel) forged Stefan DiMera’s (Brandon Barash) name on the divorce docs? Gosh, I hope so.

Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) and Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) comfort each other. Obviously, news is spreading about Sophia’s suicide, and Sarah may feel bad about it along with Brady. If you remember, Sarah pressed Sophia to tell the truth about the pregnancy. And of course, Brady’s son, Tate Black (Leo Howard), is taking this hard.

Speaking of, Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) is taking things out on Tate. She’s lashing out. And I wonder if it’s because he says something kind about Sophia. You know, the whole not speaking ill of the dead thing. Also, Arianna Horton (Vico Escorcia) opens up as Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop) listens, and Ari may be sharing her guilt over what she said to Sophia in person and online before she supposedly killed herself.

Liam and Ari are also going to have their first kiss soon. Belle Black (Martha Madison) needs advice from her mom, Marlena Evans(Dirdre Hall). And I wonder if Belle, as the district attorney, is seeking Marlena’s professional opinion on the Sophia case and cyber bullying somebody into suicide.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers for Wednesday, May 13th: Paulina Terrified of Losing Abe

Wednesday, May 13th, Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) goes to see Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson), his son-in-law. Stephanie Johnson‘s (Abigail Klein) dad may worry that Alex turning up with a baby means that Stephanie is going to get hurt.

Alex is still very committed to Stephanie, though, but obviously he’s never going to turn his back on his daughter Kelsey. And I think honestly, if anybody messes up the marriage, it’s going to be Stephanie herself.

EJ irritates Gwen. He gets one over on her. I wonder if EJ tries to cheat her on the Versix’s return on her investment. This week, Lexie is up at University Hospital in a proper room, and I assume she’s getting checked out by non-Rolf medical professionals. Her soulmate, Abe, is at her bedside, and Paulina looks stunned as she eavesdrops.

Later, Marlena comforts Paulina who’s reeling and I’m sure feeling certain she’s going to lose Abe. Will Paulina confess she knew about Lexie before she woke up? Because for that matter, Marlena also knew. Paulina has a tense talk with Theo and Abe at University Hospital as well this week.

Days Spoilers for Thursday, May 14th: Amy Rages at Holly

Thursday, May 14th, Johnny and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) comfort each other. Her biopsy should happen this week, and Sarah already said she thinks it’s cancerous. Holly and Tate are with Amy Choi (Shi Ne Neilson) in a face off at the Kiriakis mansion. Holly’s annoyed when Amy rages at her and says that she doesn’t believe a word that comes out of Holly’s mouth.  And I wonder if Tate will defend Holly because if Tate doesn’t, then Holly will probably go off on Tate again.

Elsewhere, Gabi won’t leave Ari alone about Liam. Gabi really doesn’t want Liam around her daughter, but Philip warned her that if Gabi pushes, it’s only going to make Ari more attracted to the Salem bad boy. Looks like it’s happening. Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) moves Shawn Brady (Brandon Beemer) in after his hospital release and sparks start flying right away on Days of our Lives.

Friday, May 15th on DOOL: Chad and Kristen Get Serious

Then on Friday, May 15th, Kristen and Chad talk about life and death matters. I hope Sophia keeps haunting her. Certainly, the memory of Abby Deveraux (Marci Miller) still haunts Chad, but since he didn’t kill her, it’s more benevolent than what Kristen is experiencing with Sophia’s ghost. EJ is fixated and he wants to find out more about his and Cat’s past in Italy.

So, it looks like EJ is going to hustle over to see Marlena soon for her to poke around in his cranium. Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) listens as Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) vents and I’m guessing it’s about Leo. Plus, Gwen is uncompromising with Xander. He and Gwen may be teetering on the edge of being done because this week Kristen goes to great lengths to get Xander up to her room at the Salem Inn. Looks like Kristen is still avoiding the DiMera mansion and Xander wants to know why Kristen is so desperate to get him alone.

Well, she wants Xander to kill somebody and I’m assuming it’s EJ. May spoilers promise that Kristen and Xander do the deed and it’s wild. I don’t think they ever did before. Not that I remember. Maybe I’m not remembering fully. Drop in the comments if you do remember something different.

Week of May 18th-22nd on Days of Our Lives

May 18th through the 22nd, we’re going to have big stuff at least through Wednesday because May sweeps ends then on May 20th. Expect non-stop shock waves till at least then, maybe all week long. Gwen and Xander, uh, their little arrangement as friends with cheeky benefits may be over.

Kristen, I don’t think, is going to be able to convince Xander to kill anybody because his hired gun days are over. However, he might lie to Kristen and double cross her just for fun. Holly may need to lawyer up because Amy may pressure Jada and Belle to prosecute Holly, waiting to see if they find Sophia’s body. Good thing is Holly’s living at the Kiriakis mansion and Justin lives there, so there’s a lawyer in residence.

Rachel will be stunned to find out her friend Sophia is dead. Cat and Chad continue to have awkward run-ins and EJ wants Cat more by the day. Stephanie may take a step back from her marriage at the worst possible time. Does the chess set Stefano left Marlena hold a clue about something important? Will somebody else look it over since Marlena refused to keep it? And EJ and Tony may spar over who should be CEO because Johnny is a DiMera by blood and Gabi is Stefan’s widow. If it’s a fight though, it’s going to come down to board votes.

Prince Harry’s upcoming return to the UK has reportedly triggered fresh tension within the Royal Family, with insiders claiming senior royals are unhappy over requests tied to Meghan Markle ahead of the visit.

The Duke of Sussex is expected to return to the country in July for the Invictus Games and WellChild Awards. Still, reports suggest he has sought assurances that Meghan will be treated respectfully if she attends, amongst other requests.

The alleged demands have reportedly frustrated several members of the monarchy, while ongoing security concerns continue to shape Prince Harry’s relationship with the UK and the royal family.

Harry’s reported plans for his UK visit are said to have caused frustration among senior members of the Royal Family, with insiders claiming tensions are rising over a “string of demands” connected to Meghan Markle ahead of the trip.

The 41-year-old duke is expected to return to Britain in July for events linked to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, as well as the annual WellChild Awards.

While it remains unclear whether Meghan, 44, will accompany him, sources claim Harry has been trying to ensure any potential visit is handled on terms that would make his wife feel welcomed and protected.

According to Sky News Australia, Harry has sought assurances from relatives that Meghan would be treated respectfully if she attends, following what he allegedly sees as difficult experiences during previous visits.

One insider claimed the prince wants to avoid situations where Meghan feels unfairly criticized or placed under intense scrutiny before any interactions even occur.

“The last thing he wants is Meghan walking into a situation where she feels judged, and he says all he’s asking is that she’s treated with basic respect and not cast as the bad guy before anything’s even happened,” the source noted.

Senior Royals Frustrated Over Prince Harry’s Demands Ahead Of UK Return

The alleged requests have not gone down well with some members of the monarchy, leaving them “outraged.”

Sources claim that several senior royals view the move as unreasonable, particularly because the discussions are once again centered around Meghan and how she will be “treated with kid gloves.”

They further noted that the situation has especially irritated the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Queen Camilla, while King Charles is reportedly taking a more measured approach in hopes of avoiding further family conflict.

One source suggested the monarch is “clearly desperate for peace,” but risks creating resentment “if it starts looking like he’s treating Harry like a prodigal son.”

Meghan has not returned to the UK since attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022. Before that, she and Harry visited the country during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations alongside their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Prince Harry Vowed Not To Bring His Kids To The UK Until His Security Is Restored

Security remains one of Harry’s biggest concerns regarding travel to the UK, especially with his young family.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, he has lost access to automatic taxpayer-funded police protection, something he has continued to challenge through legal channels.

In previous interviews, Harry has openly said he does not currently feel it is safe to bring Meghan and their children to the UK without stronger security arrangements in place.

He has also argued that decisions surrounding his protection remain heavily influenced by the royal institution and government authorities.

The Duke’s Security Fears Worsened After An Incident Involving His Disgraced Uncle

Reports suggest those fears have intensified following a recent incident involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor near the Sandringham Estate.

According to claims, a masked man allegedly approached Andrew while he was out walking his dogs before being arrested.

Sources say the incident deeply “horrified” Harry, reinforcing his belief that royal security risks remain serious.

“If someone can get that close to Andrew near a royal estate, then nobody is truly protected anymore,” the source told Rob Shuter’s “Naughty But Nice” Substack.

Prince Harry Insists He Will Always Be A ‘Working Royal’ Family Despite Stepping Back From Royal Duties

Harry’s alleged demands came shortly after he pushed back against suggestions that he is no longer a “working royal” during a recent interview conducted while visiting Ukraine last month.

Speaking to ITV during the April 24 trip, the Duke of Sussex was asked whether he accepted the description often used to define his role since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020.

Harry made it clear he does not see himself that way, insisting he still considers himself part of the Royal Family and believes he is continuing the work he was “born to do.”

“No. I will always be part of the royal family,” Harry said during the interview, per People Magazine.

The 41-year-old explained that he remains committed to humanitarian efforts and public service projects, adding that he values the opportunity to travel, support causes close to him, and bring attention to issues that can quickly disappear from headlines when global events shift elsewhere.

Harry also said he enjoys meeting people through these trips and feels his work still serves a meaningful purpose, despite no longer holding a senior working royal role within the monarchy.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have nothing to worry about, not on Mother’s Day.

The singer honored his wife on the special day, basically puncturing reports that his marriage with the actress was under a strain and potentially heading for the rocks.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel earlier fanned speculations of trouble in the marriage when he was arrested for driving under the influence after running a stop sign in Sag Harbor in 2024.

On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Timberlake uploaded a touching Mother’s Day post to celebrate Jessica and her wonderful exploits in their family. Despite recent reports that they were struggling, the singer described Jessica and his mother as “the greatest” women he knows.

In the first frame, he uploaded a picture of them posing with their two sons, Silas and Phineas, from behind. He also added another selfie of himself and Biel, alongside a throwback image of himself and his mother, Lynn Bomar Harless.

Timberlake’s mom popped up in the comments, acknowledging the praises from her son, “Awww! That makes me smile! Being your Mother and Si and Phin’s Grammy Lynn are the greatest joys in my life! I love you all with my whole heart and soul, and I am so blessed to have you all in my life!”

Other fans and commenters praised Harless and Biel for sticking by the pop star and helping him become an artist admired by everyone.

The Couple’s Marriage Reportedly Changed Following The Singer’s Health Issues

Biel and Timberlake’s nearly 15-year union has not been all smooth sailing, with the couple experiencing several controversies, including the Janet Jackson drama, allegations from Britney Spears’ memoir, and his 2024 DUI arrest.

However, the singer’s latest Lyme disease diagnosis has served as a saving grace in the dark times because his wife has started approaching their relationship with compassion and tons of patience. As noted by The Blast, a close source to the couple noted that the diagnosis gave Biel a deeper understanding of many of the struggles they have faced behind closed doors.

“A lot of their issues had to do with communication, and a lot of it was due to things out of his control. When Jessica learned more about it, it completely changed how she viewed his actions. Jessica became more understanding,” the source stated.

The father of two revealed that he was diagnosed with the disease in July 2025, shortly after he ended his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour.” He described his experience during the tour as fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and draining. 

The musician added that dealing with Lyme disease in the middle of it all also made it one of the most grueling periods of his life. Despite his vulnerability, Timberlake affirmed that his post is not meant to elicit sympathy from anyone but to raise awareness of the disease.

He encouraged people living around those battling Lyme disease to always approach them with kindness because it can be “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.

The singer noted that it was not an easy decision to go public with his diagnosis, but it was necessary to help bring awareness to an issue people may misunderstand if word got out.

Jessica Biel Felt Uncomfortable About The Release Of Her Husband’s DUI Clip

The video of his encounter with the cops at Sag Harbor in 2024 surfaced on the internet on March 20, 2026, as shared by The Blast. While the release gave deeper context into the arrest, for Biel, it came at such a terrible time that it left her feeling unhappy.

An insider shared that Biel reiterated that her husband had a reason for fighting to keep the video away from public glare, and releasing it posed a stressful situation for her, which she would love to get over.

Biel reportedly got frustrated about the arrest and drama, giving the singer a timeline to turn his life around, or else their marriage may take the fall.

According to a source, the negative attention on Timberlake during that period did not come with the best feeling, coupled with the tour schedule, Biel just felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

The closed source continued that the video did not portray Timberlake in a good light as it showed him undergoing a field sobriety test, getting arrested, and eventually getting booked at the police station.

Inside Justin Timberlake’s Arrest

Footage from Timberlake’s arrest for DUI revealed the singer’s reaction to being informed that he would have to stay in jail overnight. Throughout the video, Timberlake kept asking officers why he was being detained, while it appears he was misinformed about what was going on around him.

As stated by The Blast, the arresting officer also seemed to be oblivious to Timberlake’s celebrity status. The officer said even though the singer mentioned that he was on tour around the world, he still did not know who the Grammy-winning singer was.

Police booked Timberlake, and during the process, he attempted to joke about his race, although he later explained to officers that he did not intend to cause trouble with his actions. The DUI video was originally sealed when the parties concerned reached a deal, and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office even refused to make it public despite requests under the public records law.

The released video shed light on the situation that led to Timberlake’s arrest in the Hamptons, including the events that led up to the arrest. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said at the time the case was not treated differently and that he understood the need to maintain consistency in upholding the integrity of the justice system.

Congratulations to Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel!