Game of Thrones has several spin-offs, but one recent addition has brought the franchise to the stage for the first time. After a slight delay, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new play Game of Thrones: The Mad King has officially begun its run, giving a glimpse of Westeros in a different era. This story is the most closely connected to the events of Game of Thrones, set just a single generation before the original HBO series. Most significantly, it features the infamous Tourney at Harrenhal, a pivotal moment in Westeros history that neither the flagship HBO series nor George R. R. Martin‘s books explore at length.

‘The Mad King’ Answers a Question That ‘Game of Thrones’ Never Confirmed

In bringing the Tourney at Harrenhal to life, The Mad King reportedly resolves a long-standing mystery that neither the HBO series nor the books ever confirmed. The Knight of the Laughing Tree, who defended the honor of Howland Reed and became a focus of the Mad King Aerys II’s paranoia, is an important part of the event, but their identity is never uncovered. Leaning into a popular fan theory, the play apparently establishes that this knight is Lyanna Stark (played by Harmony Rose-Bremner), which adds even more significance to her story as revealed in Game of Thrones.

As the story goes, the Knight of the Laughing Tree was short, had a booming voice, and carried a shield bearing a weirwood tree, joining the lists late to challenge the knights whose squires bullied Howland Reed. Even King Aerys II didn’t know who the knight was, much to his frustration, but he failed to unmask the knight. With only clues such as their appearance, a shield referencing the Old Gods, and the fact that the Stark siblings were the only witnesses to what happened to Howland, fans have proposed several theories about the knight’s identity over the years, with the possibilities ranging from Howland himself to Ashara Dayne to even Ned Stark himself.

While each theory could fit, the most popular by far is that Lyanna is the Knight of the Laughing Tree, and that is what the play depicts. In this version of the story, Lyanna’s brothers don’t know what she is doing, leaving few, if any, who could confirm her role during the years of Game of Thrones. However, one person does discover the truth. In The Mad King, Lyanna confesses the truth to Rhaegar (Noah Ritter), who helps conceal her involvement. The fact that the Knight of the Laughing Tree’s identity is a secret shared between Lyanna and Rhaegar makes it instrumental to their relationship and the events that significantly shape the lead-up to Game of Thrones: the war and the birth of Jon Snow (Kit Harington).

Is ‘The Mad King’ Officially ‘Game of Thrones’ Canon?

While it may be exciting for the truth behind this mysterious event to finally be uncovered, it’s also important to remember that The Mad King isn’t officially regarded as canon. While Lyanna largely fits as the person behind the Knight of the Laughing Tree, and many fans will be thrilled that the play supports their theory, it isn’t a full confirmation. The story is an adaptation, which means things could drastically change from Martin’s vision. The full title, Game of Thrones: The Mad King, even connects the play to the HBO series more than A Song of Ice and Fire. Although Lyanna is the Knight of the Laughing Tree in the play, Martin could reveal a different version in his upcoming novels, if and when they are published.

However, the play’s resolution to this long-held mystery isn’t just coming out of nowhere; Martin himself was involved in the production, meaning he could easily have shared privileged information with The Mad King‘s creative team. While he is known for being vocally critical of changes to his stories, Martin previously praised the play, saying, “Duncan [Macmillan]’s masterful script honours the world completely,” which lends credence to the likelihood that the story follows Martin’s intended plan — if not to the letter, at least in the major plot points. Confirming the fan theory that Lyanna is the Knight of the Laughing Tree, however, adds an exciting layer to Game of Thrones‘ latest spin-off.

Bold and the Beautiful delivers a new plan being cooked up to take the Forrester versus Spencer war to new heights, there’s a chance for Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) to prove her loyalty to Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) and his whole family.

If Dylan blabs about Electra Forester (Laneya Grace)’s new youth line, that would be so huge. We’re going to talk about how Dylan might change Katie Logan’s (Heather Tom) mind about her and erase her suspicions.

Bold and the Beautiful: Forrester Creations Declining

Once Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) are back to LA, that’s when things are going to start really shifting. So, Brooke and Ridge were stunned to find out they lost a long-term client in Monaco. Plus, he told Brooke and Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) both that their sales numbers aren’t great.

And the client who dumped them flat out said the issue was Logan. So, Ridge will be primed to hear this pitch from R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti). And he is going to tell Steffy and Brooke that Electra should be the new face of Forrester Creations youth line with Zende and R.J. as the designers. So, it’s youth all around.

Forester is already desperate for a new line. They really need the sales. And of course, they are all enraged at Katie and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) and Hope Logan (Annika Noelle). So, this is a win-win with a side of revenge that they’re going to enjoy.

And since Dylan is still working at Forrester. But is head over heels in love with Will Spencer, she is in the perfect position to hear about this new development that could affect House of Logan. And I fully expect that Dylan would give Will a heads up, even though it would make the Forresters real mad.

Electra Gets a Taste of Her Own Medicine on B&B

Consider this. Electra said Will lied and betrayed her by not giving her the heads up that Hope was at Logan and Katie was launching a jewelry line. And we know that Electra would have told the Forresters if Will had told her because she always picks loyalty to others over loyalty to Will.

So, using Electra’s sideways logic, Dylan should definitely tell Will. Otherwise, it would be a betrayal, right? I’m guessing the Forresters may want to blindside Hope and Katie and Bill with this new youth line. And Ridge and Steffy might plot to try and time the launch to do maximum damage to Logan. But if Dylan tells Will, that’s a game changer.

We just saw Electra modeling R.J.’s latest dress that she was the inspiration for and he pitched the youth line concept to Electra and of course she was excited and then R.J. gave Ridge a heads up that he’s got this big idea and so he and Brooke and Steffy are all eager to hear it.

I expect Zende will be totally on board because he’s been feeling a drift since Hope left and crushed his hope for the future. So Zende will be thrilled because he hates that his designs are on the shelf collecting dust and Eric Forester will love the idea of Electra getting a line and also getting some revenge on Logan.

The Bold and Beautiful: Dylan’s Loyalty Dilemma and Firing Risk

So, I expect to see R.J. make a formal pitch to Ridge and Steffy when they get back from Monte Carlo. And from there I expect word travels fast around Forresters Creations that Electra’s got this new line. So, Dylan’s obviously going to find out. And I think from there she’ll run spill to Will and maybe even also Katie.

I’ve got to say it is understandable why Dylan would rat out Electra’s line to the Spencers because Electra just lashed out at Dylan and slapped her across the face. Yeah, she broke the girl code by going after Will. But Electra was one hundred percent wrong to lay hands on her, especially at work.

Dylan might see this as the perfect opportunity to get on Katie’s good side because Dylan kept telling Katie how much she respects the Spencers. But she was real hard on Dylan. And Katie even talked up Electra as being so poised and basically said she was better than Dylan.

But let’s be real, I don’t know what Katie’s thinking because Electra treated Will like garbage. Electra was never loyal to him. Never had faith in Will. She dumped him many times, never had his back. Plus, Electra said he lied and betrayed her for keeping Logan company information private from her who works for the competition.

Perfect Opportunity for Dylan on B&B

So, I think this would actually be a great move for Dylan. If she basically betrays the Forresters and gives the info to Will, Katie, and Bill, then Dylan may think she’ll win Katie over and impress Will’s family. However, I don’t think Katie will change her tune. Not at first. She may actually judge Dylan for blabbing Forrester business.

However, Bill Spencer, he will be thrilled about it because giving them the heads up means Katie and Hope can strategize because they know this new youth line launch is coming and then House of Logan won’t be blindsided. And you know, Ridge and Steffy are probably going to plot a blindside for revenge.

Of course, Electra will be furious at Dylan for telling the Logan/Spencer people about her new line. And of course, R.J. They will, and I’m sure he’ll push for Ridge and Steffy to fire Dylan, and I think they will, as they should, because her betraying them to Logan is definitely a fireable offense.

However, Electra won’t be fired. But she should at least be chewed out for slapping another Forrester employee, especially since Dylan works for Electra. She is Dylan’s manager. So, that’s something that Dylan could actually sue the Forresters over because getting assaulted by your boss Electra and then getting fired, that sounds actionable.

Dylan already assumes she’s on borrowed time at Forrester and will be fired anyway now that Electra knows Dylan made out with Will and that Dylan’s in love with him. Plus, she and Will make love soon. And when Electra finds out they’re moving forward, I expect more aggression.

Bold and the Beautiful: Dylan Goes to Logan

For one, the Forresters firing Dylan seems inevitable. And from there, I could see Bill offering her a job even if Katie is still hating on Dylan. I think she would be much happier at Logan than she is at Forrester, especially because everybody there is so anti-Will and Dylan is totally loyal to him. And you never know, she might be a great asset to House of Logan since Dylan is an artist. So, she might be a really good resource for a new youth line over at Logan.

Hope has her line with Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone). But it’s not quite a youth line because Hope is in her mid-thirties and the characters should be only twenty-four. But they’ve aged Hope up. They’ve done a couple of SORAS on Bold and the Beautiful.

So, a younger character would be better to do the youth line at House of Logan. And they could even hustle one out and do the same thing they did with Eric’s couture line and beat them to the punch. And that would set the stage for Ridge and Steffy to lose their minds.

Bold and the Beautiful: Brooke on the Warpath

Brooke’s already angry right now that Katie’s launching a fragrance for House of Logan. So, I think Brooke is going to come back to LA even angrier and more on the Katie revenge bandwagon. And if Dylan blows up their sneaky plans, that would be another blindside.

Her giving the Katie the heads up about Electra’s new line. That could be the first step towards Dylan winning Katie over and making her realize she’s not trying to social climb or gold dig. Dylan’s a hard worker and she pays her own way and she truly wants to be with Will. So, we’ll see how it goes. But I’m sure that Ridge and Steffy are going to greenlight a youth line with Electra as the face of it.

And from there, Dylan could get a little revenge on Electra for that face slap. And then Dylan may slap back at her by spilling this new business plan to Will and Kaie. This could be a turning point for Dylan that could bring her closer to Will and all the Spencers.

There is something almost impossibly fitting about the journey of Coyote vs. Acme. A movie centered around Wile E. Coyote, a character defined by getting flattened, blown up, dropped off cliffs and somehow coming back for another try, was itself nearly erased from existence before finding a way back.

Thankfully, it did.

Coyote vs. Acme isn’t just the curiosity many expected after years of headlines surrounding its shelving. It’s a genuinely funny, surprisingly heartfelt celebration of the Looney Tunes that understands exactly why these characters have survived for generations.

Directed by Dave Green, the film takes one of the simplest running jokes in animation history and asks a question that suddenly seems completely reasonable: After decades of defective rockets, exploding bird seed, malfunctioning traps and other catastrophically unreliable products, why hasn’t Wile E. Coyote sued ACME?

That’s exactly what he does.

Wile E. teams with struggling attorney Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, to take ACME Corporation to court over the company’s long history of products that have repeatedly exploded in his face. Standing on the other side is ACME’s powerful attorney Buddy Crane, played with exactly the kind of exaggerated confidence you’d expect from John Cena.

It’s a ridiculous premise, but the movie commits to it.

Rather than simply using the Looney Tunes characters as decoration around another live action story, Coyote vs. Acmemanages to bring their world into ours without stripping away what makes it special. Cartoon logic still applies. Explosions happen. Characters survive things no living creature possibly could. Elaborate contraptions go spectacularly wrong.

Most importantly, it actually feels like Looney Tunes.

That has been one of the biggest challenges for previous attempts to bring these characters into live action. Here, the filmmakers aren’t embarrassed by the absurdity. They embrace it.

Forte proves to be an ideal human counterpart for Wile E. Coyote. His comedic style has always worked best when playing characters who are slightly desperate, slightly defeated and somehow still convinced things might eventually work out. Pairing him with perhaps the most relentlessly unsuccessful character in animation history turns out to be a perfect match.

Cena is having even more fun. His ability to completely commit to absurd comedy has become one of his greatest strengths as an actor, and Coyote vs. Acme gives him plenty of opportunities to lean into it.

But Wile E. remains the star.

For a character who barely needs words, the movie finds an impressive amount of emotion underneath the slapstick. His endless pursuit of the Road Runner has always been funny because he refuses to quit. Here, that stubbornness becomes something unexpectedly meaningful.

The movie even manages to find a little heart inside all the falling anvils and exploding rockets.

That doesn’t mean everything lands perfectly. Some of the human material isn’t as entertaining as the animated chaos surrounding it, and there are stretches where the courtroom story slows down the manic Looney Tunes energy. Not every joke hits, either.

But the misses rarely linger because another gag is usually seconds away.

Early critical reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s easy to understand why. The Hollywood Reporter called the movie a “hilarious delight,” while praising it as one of the best combinations of live action and animation. Variety highlighted the movie’s ability to pack Road Runner style destruction, references and Looney Tunes Easter eggs into its courtroom comedy. Deadline went even further, comparing the film favorably to Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Those are lofty comparisons, and Coyote vs. Acme doesn’t quite reach the all time greatness of Roger Rabbit. But the fact that the comparison doesn’t feel completely ridiculous says plenty about how well this movie works.

John Cena, Coyote vs Acme [credit: Warner Bros. Pictures]

There’s also an unavoidable layer of irony surrounding the entire story.

Warner Bros. Discovery originally planned to shelve the completed film, turning it into one of Hollywood’s most controversial examples of finished projects being abandoned for financial reasons. After enormous backlash from filmmakers, actors and fans, the movie eventually escaped that fate and found a new home with Ketchup Entertainment.

That history makes the movie’s story about a powerless individual taking on an enormous corporation almost comically appropriate.

You couldn’t write a better marketing campaign.

More importantly, audiences now get the opportunity to decide whether the movie deserved to survive.

It did.

Coyote vs. Acme isn’t revolutionary, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s funny, charming, energetic and clearly made by people who genuinely love these characters. Instead of attempting to reinvent the Looney Tunes for modern audiences, it remembers that great characters don’t always need reinventing.

Sometimes you just need to give Wile E. Coyote another rocket, point him toward the Road Runner and get out of the way.

After everything Coyote vs. Acme went through just to reach a theater screen, perhaps there was never a more appropriate movie to prove that getting knocked down doesn’t mean you’re finished.

Deciding what to pair with jeans can send you into a panic, but not when you have Meghan Markle as inspiration. Her knit top style pops up in Montecito boutiques every August, and although it looks expensive, we found a similar design on sale for only $20. Run!

In an Instagram story, Markle impressed Us with her green thumb, but our eyes were primarily focused on her outfit. She stood by a wagon of flowers wearing cropped jeans, simple loafers and a lightweight turtleneck top — a dreamy combo for chilly temps. The look is incredibly easy to copy on a budget, and all it takes is this luxe-looking wardrobe staple.

Get the Anrabess Lightweight Long-Sleeve Top for $20 (was $38) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Anrabess Lightweight Long-Sleeve Top channels Anine Bing energy without the markup. The fabric is quality and exceptionally lightweight — thin enough for a warm afternoon in the garden, but substantial enough to layer under a blazer when temperatures dip.

Like Markle’s knit, this top comes in a rich, saturated navy color that reads expensive from across the room. The chic style is polished without trying, and is equally ready for school pickups and Beverly Hills lunches. It honestly should cost a lot more than the price tag, but we’re not complaining!

One happy reviewer wrote, “The soft knit feels great against the skin, and the lightweight design makes it perfect for layering without feeling bulky . . . These sweaters are timeless staples that work effortlessly with jeans for a relaxed look, or with trousers for a polished office outfit.”

Wear this lookalike piece with a skirt and sneakers during the transitional season, then swap in dark denim and boots when the leaves start changing color. It’s a classy capsule piece that earns its spot in your rotation — indefinitely.

Get the Anrabess Lightweight Long-Sleeve Top for $20 (was $38) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

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

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Related: Reese Witherspoon‘s Dreamy White Blouse Look Instantly Elevates Denim

Sure, jeans pair well with basic tops, but on days when you’re looking for something a bit more elevated, Reese Witherspoon‘s outfit is the perfect source of inspiration. Her classy blouse style begs to be worn with denim, and we found a near-identical, expensive-looking design on Amazon, on sale for only $13! Witherspoon recently took to […]

Paris Jackson slowly built a bond with her mother, Debbie Rowe, in the years after her father Michael Jackson’s death.

The King of Pop married Rowe in November 1996, before they welcomed son Prince and daughter Paris. After the pair’s divorce in 1999, Rowe signed over her parental rights.

Michael died in June 2009 at age 50, naming mother Katherine Jackson as the guardian of his three children. (Michael was also the father of son Bigi, whom he welcomed via surrogate.)

While Rowe initially publicly planned to fight for custody, she reached an agreement with the Jackson family without legal contest. Katherine served as Prince, Paris and Bigi’s guardian with Rowe retaining visitation rights to see her two children.

Related: Inside Michael Jackson’s Kids’ Lives 15 Years After His Death

It’s been 15 years since Michael Jackson’s shocking death at age 50 on June 25, 2009. Although the years that followed were hard on the singer’s three children, a source exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly that Jackson would be proud of where his kids are today. “Some people could let nepotism […]

“The sole consideration between the parties was the best interests of the children,” Rowe’s attorney Eric George said in a statement at the time.

Keep scrolling for more on Paris’ relationship with Rowe:

Paris Jackson Was 15 When She First Met Debbie Rowe

Paris was raised primarily by her father and was around 10 when she first started asking questions about the identity of her mother.

“I remember, you know, kind of asking about it when I was probably around, like, 10 or 11 and the answers I got were, you know, sufficient to me,” Paris said on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in August 2026. “Just like, ‘Oh, what’s her name?’ I got told her name and I’m like, ‘All right, cool,’ like, [I] moved on.”

Paris didn’t meet Rowe until years later.

“We connected when I was about 15 and then really started getting closer towards the end of my teen years and things like that,” Paris recalled on the podcast. “I remember coming downstairs and she was in the living room with my grandma. I came in and I was just like, ‘Hey, mom.’ And she was like, ‘Hi.’ I sat down, we talked for a second, and then we went out for the day and just hung out.”

The musician continued, “She’s a [Sagittarius], so she’s got the fire, and I’m an Aries, so I got the fire. We’re very similar.”

Paris Jackson Says the Bond Has ‘Gotten More Refined’

Speaking with podcast host Alex Cooper in August 2026, Paris credited a shift in her own mindset for helping the mother-daughter relationship grow.

“I think what’s really cool about my process, in general, is learning how expectations kind of f*** us up,” she noted at the time. “If I walk into a relationship with expectations, probably going to end up being, maybe, disappointed or frustrated or irritated or a resentment will be born or something.”

She added, “When I walk into something and I don’t have expectations, it creates this really cool space for something organic to just blossom. I’d say it’s gotten more refined [over the years].”

Paris Jackson Supported Debbie Rowe During Her Breast Cancer Battle

Rowe — a former nurse who met Michael while working in his dermatologist’s office — was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2016. While Rowe and Paris had a distance relationship at the time, Rowe’s diagnosis brought them closer.

“They have stayed in touch but just haven’t been as close,” a source told Us at the time, noting Paris, then 18, reached out with a text saying, “I love you.”

By October 2016, Paris shared a hospital-room photo with her mom on Instagram, writing, “I’m a fighter because she’s a fighter. Love you, mom.”

Rowe completed chemotherapy in January 2017, which Paris celebrated on Instagram.

“My badass mom, kickin butt [and[ takin’ names. ain’t she f***in fabulous????” Paris captioned an image Rowe holding a “Chemo Done” sign

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Paris Jackson Shares Rare Reunion Photos With Debbie Rowe

Paris also shared rare photos from another low-key reunion with Rowe in February 2026. In one snap, Paris sported in a patterned jacket and a teal-and-tan baseball cap layered with necklaces, while Rowe smiled in a cream-colored long-sleeve shirt. Another portrait captured Rowe in a plaid flannel, beaming beside her daughter inside a house.

Paris captioned the image “lately” with a red heart emoji.

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. 

Young and the Restless brings in newcomer Marie Kirkland (Jade Harlow) and she going anywhere after this ratty motel overdose, even though it looked like she was done. And then, as expected, she turned up in rehab with Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) after he saved her life. And I suspect we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Marie. This might be the beginning of her and Nick’s story together.

Young and the Restless: Nick & Marie Bond

So, Marie showed up to check on Nick when he was having that It’s a Wonderful Life style nightmare with all the family blaming and shaming him. But then Marie stuck around to get high with Nick and he and Marie shared pills and then they shared their bodies.

First though, they did talk quite a bit about addiction and pressure and the joy of being high. And then Nick started kissing Marie and then they wound up sleeping together. And then on his way out, Nick realized, “Oh, Marie wasn’t just sleeping it off. She had overdosed.”

So, Nick did some CPR and shook her and brought her back. But Marie was actually upset that he saved her. She told Nick she wished he had just let her die. But he wouldn’t do that and he called an ambulance and they came and took Marie away.

And then Nick called Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) crying and said, “Come get me.” Because he finally hit rock bottom and she took Nick back to rehab after all that. So it turns out he did tell Sharon some of what happened with Marie.

That conversation though was offscreen, but it didn’t sound like Nick told Sharon they slept together, just that Marie was an addict next door that he saved.

Nick Reconnects with Marie on Y&R

So, this week we’re going to see Nick back in rehab. He’s in a group session and he’s sharing with the group that he met a woman. And Nick’s telling the group they got high together and then she coded. And that’s when Marie shows up at the meeting. She walks in behind Nick and says, “Yeah, it sounds like you saved her life.”

And then Marie joins the group and she’s going to sit down and start sharing her own experiences with the group, which is a good sign. And then after the meeting, she and Nick are reconnecting and making small talk. And there’s clearly a vibe there.

Honestly, we knew this wasn’t the end of Marie because Jade Harlow is a soap vet. She’s been on several soaps over the years including Passions. Where she played Jessica Bennett. And I mention Passions because it has an interesting Y&R tie-in.

The actor who played her dad, Sam Bennett, on Passions was James Hyde who of course played villainous Jeremy Stark a few years back on the Young and the Restless. Jade Harlow has also been on Days.

She’s been on The Bay and in a bunch of movies. So for Y&R to cast a soap vet, we knew that she was going to be staying at least for a while that this wasn’t going to be a two to three episode cameo.

Young and the Restless: Marie Sticking Around

So, I suspect that Marie is going to be hanging around for a while and hanging out with Nick. Even though Jade is not on contract, she is on recurring status. And that means she could be around quite a bit for this storyline with Nick. And as I suspected, Marie is in rehab with Nick.

Even though realistically, you’d think he would be in some fancy, really expensive rehab and Marie would probably be in a more middle class affordable program, but that’s not what they’re doing.

So, since Nick already slept with Marie, that’s a red flag that they are going to be love interest. Nick and Marie were both at a very low point and then Nick watched her OD, then he saved her. So, Marie appeals to that part of Nick, the guy who loves to play white knight and ride to the rescue.  More importantly, I think it’d be easier for Nick to be with someone like Marie as a fellow addict.

She really gets Nick and Marie understands the shame of addiction. Plus, she was there when Nick hit his rock bottom point and he was there for Marie at what you got to hope was her rock bottom as well. So, for those reasons, Nick and Marie might be a really good match.

Marie’s Impact on Nick and Family Conflict on Y&R

But for other reasons, she’s probably the last person that Nick should be with because two addicts together may keep dragging each other down. But that doesn’t mean Young and the Restless isn’t going there with him and Marie.

Also, I think Nick being with Sharon as a couple is out of reach for now. Over and above the fact that Josh Griffith had literal years to reunite Sharon and Nick. And they hinted it, they teased it, there was a kiss here and there.

But they never delivered a reunion with him and Sharon. But also, I think Nick at this point feels like he’s not worthy of Sharon. Meanwhile, he may see Marie as more on his level. And obviously Jade Harlow is hot even when they’ve got her dressed ratty and sweaty and showing signs of addiction.

This week at rehab, Marie’s a little more cleaned up already. But I think once she’s back on the right track and is free of the pills, she’s going to clean up and look absolutely gorgeous.

So, we may see Nick and Marie bonding in rehab. And then I could see this turning to a real romance that continues after they get out of rehab. And of course, Marie is married, but she and her husband are estranged.

And she just cheated on him with Nick. So, sounds like Marie’s marriage is broken beyond repair at this point anyway. And Nick is certainly single. So, there’s room for romance between Marie and Nick.

Young and Restless: Victor Back to Meddling

But I bet the Newmans probably aren’t going to like Marie because she’s another addict. And basically, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) might hate Marie for the same reasons that Nick’s probably going to like her for.

And then I think we’re likely to see typical Newman behavior. You know, with Victor loving to meddle in his kids’ love lives, and he does it destructively. I could see him trying to get rid of Marie to keep her away from Nick.

I’m sure Victor and others in the family may be afraid of Nick relapsing if he is dating an addict and around somebody else with the same struggle. So, even though it could be coming from a place of concern for his son, I could totally see Victor trying to pay Marie off or threaten her to force her to leave town and stay far away from Nick.

But if Marie lands Nick as a boyfriend, why would she take anything from Victor to leave him? Nick is a sexy hunk with a hero complex and you know, gorgeous. But I could see Marie refusing if Victor tries to pressure her and then her telling Nick what his dad tried to do.

Nick & Marie are a Good Match on Y&R

Because I suspect Marie and Nick might be the type to be totally honest with each other in rehab and as friends and as potential romantic partners. Since Marie has seen Nick at his worst and vice versa, honesty may be easier between them.

However, I expect Nikki might be sympathetic to Marie because Nikki understands addiction, but I still don’t think she would want the woman around Nick and Victor might be cutthroat as usual.

But there’s a chance Marie and Nick might actually help each other stay clean because they can lean on each other for support. Marie and Nick can go to meetings together, keep each other in check.

And this week, Sharon tries to explain to the Newmans how drugs change your brain chemistry. She told them that Nick is literally not the same person that he was. And when Sharon said that, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) started freaking out and she didn’t want to hear it and told Sharon to stop.

But Victoria and Victor and others trying to ignore the truth and the science of it isn’t going to help. But Nikki gets it. Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) gets it. But for the others, not so much. I could see Marie being a source of friction between Nick and Victor.

Already, Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) is ready to pull back from the family. And Nick might do the same after rehab if he’s gotten in deep with Marie and they try to get her out of Nick’s life.

Tomato red may have started as the color of the summer, but fashion girls clearly aren’t ready to pack it away just yet. The bold, juicy hue continues to pop up everywhere, from breezy vacation outfits to roomy crochet totes to sporty sneakers. If you’re looking for a simple way to refresh your wardrobe before fall, then you’ve got to try this trend ASAP.

Luckily, you don’t have to splurge to get the style. Amazon is packed with chic tomato red finds that make the trend wearable (and super affordable). You can go for statement clothing pieces that are the full look, or opt for small accessories that introduce the color to your existing wardrobe. Whatever you’re after, you’ll be pleased to know that prices start at $6, making it easy to try one of fashion’s hottest color trends now.

17 Chic Tomato Red Pieces Fashion Girls Are Buying

1. Our Favorite: If you’re easing into the tomato red trend, start with these bestselling gingham boxer shorts. They on-sale pick racked up over 5,900 five-star ratings, and look just as cute with a white tank as they do with an oversized button-down shirt.

2. Easy Upgrade: Accessories are one of the simplest ways to embrace the tomato red trend, and these retro sunglasses make it seem effortless. The polarized frames ring up at $17, and come in several other neutral colors, too.

3. One-and-Done: Looking put together is easy when your outfit is already done for you. This contrast two-piece set includes a relaxed tee and wide-leg pants with pockets, and it’s on sale for $28.

4. Everyday Carry: Whether you’re headed to the farmers’ market or spending the day by the water, this roomy crochet tote has you covered. The slouchy silhouette feels effortless, while the bold hue does all the talking.

5. ‘It’ Girl Bag: Jw Pei knows how to make an expensive-looking handbag without the designer price tag. This sleek shoulder bag is guaranteed to make even the simplest outfit feel elevated.

Related: These ’90s-Inspired Sandals on Amazon Will Be Your New Obsession

The best thing about ’90s fashion? It never tried too hard. Simple silhouettes, minimalist details and shoes that somehow looked cool with absolutely everything are having a major comeback, and Amazon is quietly full of styles that capture the same effortless energy. We’re eyeing shoe picks like glossy jelly sandals, woven mesh mules and sleek […]

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6. Desk-to-Dinner: A polished top like this will take you from the office to dinner without missing a beat. The mock-neck silhouette and belted waist create an elevated look that’s surprisingly easy to style.

7. Playful Pick: Classic stripes never go out of style, especially when they come with a fun surprise. This relaxed tee features a dramatic bow-back detail that’s so adorable.

8. Retro Revival: Some trends are worth bringing back, and these jelly flats are one of them. This airy mesh pair delivers the playful look fashion girls love without sacrificing comfort.

9. Finishing Touch: Sometimes an outfit just needs one standout accessory. This scarf necklace layers colorful fabric with beachy charms for a coastal statement.

10. Beachy Beads: Beaded necklaces are back in a big way, and this starfish charm version couldn’t be cuter. It rings up at $6, making it an easy way to try the trend.

11. Seaside Set: Whether you’re headed to the beach or brunch, you’ll want to wear this striped knit set that looks far more expensive than it is. The asymmetrical neckline adds an elevated touch that sets it apart from other matching sets.

12. Power Pairing: Looking put together has never been easier. This tailored vest-and-shorts set looks equally chic with sandals, sneakers or kitten heels.

13. Flowy Favorite: Wide-leg outfit sets always look effortlessly elegant, and this one is no exception. The tie-front top creates a flattering appearance, while the breezy pants add the right amount of drama.

14. Euro Summer: This easy maxi dress looks like it belongs on a Mediterranean getaway. The breezy silhouette, square neckline and contrast trim create an effortlessly elevated look.

15. Sporty Spice: Colorful sneakers are replacing plain white pairs, and these Adidas kicks prove why. The retro-inspired silhouette adds tons of personality while being easy to wear every day.

16. Investment Bag: Woven leather totes never go out of style, and Madewell’s version is one you’ll carry for years. The roomy silhouette makes it just as practical for workdays as it is for weekend getaways.

17. Picnic Perfect: Gingham is having a major fashion moment, and this breezy midi skirt is the prettiest style yet. The flowy A-line silhouette pairs just as well with a white tank as it does a lightweight sweater.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

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Following the overwhelming success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, audiences are eagerly awaiting the next movie in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, Avengers: Doomsday. As the name implies, the film will pit Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against one of the Marvel Universe’s most powerful villains, the sinister Doctor Doom, played, somehow, by Robert Downey Jr. Fans have been waiting for Doom to make his MCU debut for years now, so the movie, scheduled to premiere worldwide on December 18, is probably the year’s hottest ticket.

Before it premieres, though, it’s vital for us to know who Doctor Doom is and, more importantly, just how powerful he is. The Latverian evil genius is commonly regarded as one of Marvel’s mightiest beings, and in this case, it’s actually true. Doom is a powerhouse on multiple levels, enduring as one of the company’s best and strongest foes, often surpassing other villains like Thanos and the mutant En Sabah Nur, AKA Apocalypse. Indeed, his strength is not in question here; instead, we seek to answer the question of just how powerful Doom is. Alas, as it often happens with comic book lore, the answer is not as easy as it seems.

Who Is Doctor Doom?

Image via Marvel Comics

Victor von Doom is most commonly depicted as the ruler of the fictional Eastern European nation of Latveria, born to a Latverian healer and a Romani witch. He is closely associated with the Fantastic Four, debuting during the Silver Age of Comics in April 1962 in The Fantastic Four #5. Doom is best known for his trademark metallic mask and suit of armor, which grants him increased durability and weaponry. His face stays hidden behind a mask because of a college accident that left him disfigured. Depending on the continuity, the scars are either significant enough to warrant concealment or minor scratches that affected his ego more than his skin.

Doom has played a major role in many stories starring Marvel’s First Family and is often considered Mister Fantastic’s archenemy. However, he is also an enemy of the Marvel Universe as a whole, acting as the central antagonist of multiple company-wide crossover stories, most notably 2015’s Time Runs Out and Secret Wars, rumored to be the main inspiration for the MCU’s upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars, and last year’s One World Under Doom, in which he becomes Sorcerer Supreme.

What Are Doctor Doom’s Powers?

Doctor Doom is such a fascinating character because his power lies at the intersection of three major pillars: science, magic, and influence. The first two often take center stage, to the point where Doom might be best described as the embodiment of science-fantasy. In regards to science, Doom is almost peerless. His intellect rivals Mister Fantastic’s, making him among the top five smartest characters in the entire Marvel Universe. Doom often builds time-bending machines and gadgets, not to mention his trademark Doombots, showcasing his mastery of multiple sciences, from engineering to robotics, biomechanics, neuroscience, and even alien technologies.

As for magic, Doom possesses inherent abilities from his mother, but he also spent years learning the mystic arts, including training under Morgan Le Fay. He knows countless ancient spells and is also a master of the dark arts, can astral project and create portals to demonic realms, including Hell itself. Famously, he freed his mother’s soul from Mephisto’s hold in hell, albeit with some help. Doom’s spells are also particularly strong because he powers them using his suit’s nuclear reactor, unlike other sorcerers who use their actual physical energy and are thus subjected to decay.

The third pillar of Doom’s strengths is also the most underappreciated one: his influence. As the ruler of Latveria, Doom has diplomatic immunity, explaining why he’s often able to operate without restriction on Latverian soil and why his numerous crimes are often tolerated on foregin countries. Latveria itself is one of the world’s foremost technological powers despite its relatively small size, meaning it’s perfectly capable of responding with significant strength should anything happen to Doom on foreign soil. He is also a master manipulator, having successfully tricked numerous characters into doing his bidding, from the Scarlet Witch to Loki himself.

How Powerful Is Doctor Doom?

Image via Marvel Comics

Doctor Doom is willpower incarnate; he’s utterly convinced of his might, and to be honest, he has the deeds to back him up. His aforementioned suit of armor has multiple tricks, most notably the ability to siphon multiple types of energy through its systems. Doom has stolen powers from the likes of the Scarlet Witch, the Silver Surfer, and even The Beyonder himself. The armor also grants him so much durability that he has survived a direct attack from a Celestial without being, you know, instantly evaporated from existence. Doom is strong enough to overpower The Hulk during a one-on-one, and he infamously ripped Thanos’ spine during the Secret Wars conflict.

In the magic department, Doom is powerful enough to become the Sorcerer Supreme in Strange’s absence. He can also bring people back from the dead, and he also stole all of Dormammu’s power. Because this is the comic book medium we’re talking about, we simply have to talk about reality-shaping powers; Doom has those. During Secret Wars, the villain ascends into literal godhood, adopting the admittedly badass title of God Emperor Doom and creating Battleworld, ruling over it for eight years. As God Emperor Doom, he was near-omnipotent, capable of rewriting reality itself and bending entire cosmic entities to his will.

Last but certainly not least, Doom is a master tactician, planning decades in advance and preparing contingency plans for everything; if Batman is playing checkers, Doom is playing chess. His backup plans have backup plans, and even when he fails, he always falls on his feet, ready to regroup. Oh, and the citizens of Latveria actually like him, despite him being a near-despot, because the man knows how to rule his country and keep the peace. As you can see, Doctor Doom really is as powerful as you think—more, perhaps. The Avengers certainly have their work cut out for them.

Neil Patrick Harris went to great lengths to protect what he held dear, yet still faced the music from nosy people.

The actor revealed how he managed to keep his sizzling romance with David Burtka under the radar in an era where media attention fixated on homosexual relationships was awfully toxic.

Neil Patrick Harris and his husband dated for a decade before they tied the knot in 2014, four years after welcoming fraternal twins Harper Grace and Gideon Scott via a surrogate in 2010.

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Harris explained on the latest episode of the “Great Company” podcast that he was already in a relationship with Burtka when he auditioned for “How I Met Your Mother.”

He added that everyone on the show knew what was happening with them romantically, but he harbored a fear that he might be the next subject of the ruthless tabloid at the time.

“That was at a time when there were bloggers on the internet that you would go to read the salacious, ‘Try to guess who this actor is that’s gay and in the closet’ comment. There was a fear that I would be, like, the next target on that,” the movie star explained.

In the middle of all that fear, he recalled attending red carpets alongside Burtka and how they would strategically avoid posing for pictures together to throw off the scent of a possible romance or chemistry.

He stressed that while they could avoid discussing their private lives and justify it by focusing solely on their careers, the dynamic made Burtka feel diminished, especially as he was forced to remain in the background while Harris shone.

The Actor Was Eventually Forced To Come Out

Harris continued to the podcast host Jamie Laing that his worst fears eventually came to pass and he found himself in the eye of the hurricane about rumors surrounding his sexuality. He recalled someone asking a publicist about his sexuality, and the publicist did not give an answer the media wanted to hear.

“That turned into, ‘That’s weird for him to say because we know that he’s gay, and why is he doing that?’ Then it became, ‘I’m gonna have to say something,’” Harris continued. He noted that his instinct was to swing into action and get ahead of the story as he did not want to be blackmailed.

Harris then worked with his agent and publicist to craft a captivating coming-out story in 2006, and he nursed a concern for the stigma that would trail his confession because it was the trend to come out after gay people at the time.

Fortunately for the actor, he was able to scale through, as many people were also coming out at the time, and his story did not exactly surprise many people.

Neil Patrick Harris And David Burtka’s Twins May Be Following Them Into Show Business

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In June, the couple linked up with E! News at the Tony Awards to rave about finally attaining the cool parent status with their kids. The couple’s 15-year-old twins reportedly approved of their parenting style, and the couple has reciprocated the entertainment with their impeccable sense of humor.

Burtka shared that their verdict did not come only from within; he also sought confirmation from external sources, which came back green. Friends of the twins revealed to Burtka, after some light investigation, that the kids genuinely like having them as parents and consider them “cool dads.”

On the flipside, Burtka and Harris have realized that raising increasingly independent high schoolers has also required them to adjust their roles. Burtka explained that their children are reaching the age when they want more freedom and may not always want their parents hovering nearby. 

As Harper and Gideon get older, Harris believes they could eventually gravitate toward entertainment, although he would rather they avoid repeating his experience of becoming a professional actor at a young age. Instead, Harris hoped they would attend college, study their interests, and then decide whether performing is right for them.

Inside Their Beautiful Love Story

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In 2004, sparks flew as soon as Harris and Burtka set eyes on each other on that street corner, and they ended up going to the movies for their first date. As noted by The Blast, Harris came out as gay in 2006 in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, where he admitted to being content with his sexuality and living his life to the fullest.

The actor publicly confirmed his relationship in 2007 on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” although he kept Burtka’s identity under wraps. A few months after that talk show appearance, they made their red carpet debut at the Emmy Awards that same year.

Three years later, the couple announced they were going to be parents via surrogacy. On their ninth anniversary, the couple shared images of their love with the whole world to see, reiterating and reassuring their love for each other.

Burtka celebrated Harris’ 50th birthday in the same manner, praising him as the best partner who has made their connection a beautiful and genuine one over the years. 

Neil Patrick Harris’ Age Gap Crush On Nick Jonas Landed Him In Hot Water

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In 2022, The Blast reported that a 2015 interview Harris gave on “The Wendy Williams Show” resurfaced, in which he admitted he had a huge crush on Nick Jonas.

Years later, Harris’ truth came back to haunt him as he got slammed for not considering the wide age gap between himself and Jonas before revealing that so publicly.

In a clip from the segment, Harris admitted to Ellen that discussing such feelings might be a bit controversial given their age gap. But he justified it with an excuse that Jonas’ good looks were enough to pique his interest.

Although Harris was married to Burtka at the time, he shared that his partner had no reservations about his decision to speak his truth. At the time of the interview, Nick was 23 years old while Harris was  49.