The longest-running late-night talk show quietly found a winning formula, and it’s rooted in an unexpected place. Rather than using sports as a punchline, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon made them a part of the show’s strategy. And with sports viewership surging, especially among the youngest and most coveted audiences, it’s created a powerful engine for ratings and cultural reach.

It’s a twofold strategy, where NBC and The Tonight Show approach the same opportunity from opposite ends. On the network side, NBC leverages its sports dominance as a lead-in for The Tonight Show, scheduling special episodes to funnel its biggest audiences into its late-night block. At the same time, Fallon has begun leaning heavily into using athletes, teams, and the culture surrounding sports as raw material for bits and sketches that tap fandoms for comedy – and it’s producing ratings results that are impossible to ignore.

‘The Tonight Show’ Focuses on Entertainment and Scores Big With Sports

Image via NBC

In his tenure as host of The Tonight Show, Fallon has radically shifted its focus, moving away from politics and honing in on pop culture, spending less time on sit-down interviews in favor of high-energy games, sketches, and musical segments that highlight the guests. It’s resulted in a lighter version of a late-night talk show, one that doesn’t rely on must-see interviews or controversial monologues for relevance. Instead, it appeals to a broader audience and taps the internet zeitgeist with snackable, Saturday Night Live-style bits.

No matter what type of program is scheduled after a big sporting event, it’s almost guaranteed to get a ratings boost. But because it’s such an accessible form of entertainment, The Tonight Show gets an astronomically bigger boost than any other late-night show on the air, and that’s why NBC began experimenting with special episodes after Sunday Night Football back in 2019. Last year, NBC started tapping SNF again, but as the show had already been pushing harder on sports independently, it began to take on a life of its own.

As NBC Dominates Sports, ‘The Tonight Show’ Dominates With Sports Fans

Image via NBC

The 2025-26 television season was a big one for NBC Sports, with a slate of events including both the first NBA games since 2002 and the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. For The Tonight Show​​, the post-SNF episodes once again drove season-high eyeballs; the Opening Ceremony attracted the most viewers in 14 months, and the NBA Western Conference Finals paired with the stars of Off Campus earned the fourth-highest linear ratings of the season. Meanwhile, on the internet, sports guests and coverage were driving up 900 million views.

The Tonight Show, which recently became the most-followed TV show on TikTok, has 100 million fans across its social platforms. It boasts the largest and most-engaged fanbase of any late-night program by far, and the viral cutdowns of skits and extended on-air interviews have kept the show culturally relevant during its worst ratings droughts. It’s also where the integration of more fan-first sports content is clearly visible, and the outrageously high likes, views, and shares prove on a more visceral level just how well it’s working for the show.

After a Superb Summer, Jimmy Fallon Kicks Off Fall in a Big Way

Image via NBC

In June, after the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years, The Tonight Show devoted an entire episode to a team takeover and earned the highest ratings without a lead-in all year. A month later, a week of World Cup programming combined with an appearance by the cast of The Odyssey earned the show the coveted top ratings slot with adults aged 18 to 49. But the viral World Cup moments didn’t just rule the airwaves; they also racked up nine-figure view counts in a long-tail wave across the web.

Coming off a strong summer, The Tonight Show hit its highest ratings since the Olympics last week after the first game of the NFL season. It wasn’t enough to overtake its biggest rival, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but despite the episode airing after midnight, it tripled its 18 to 49 audience numbers from the night before and doubled what Kimmel pulled in. What’s more interesting, though, is that despite the NFL season opener being down a whopping 11% from last year and delivering the lowest overall viewership since 2022, it earned the best audience of viewers 18 to 49 since 2021 – an audience that not only showed up for the season opener, but stuck around for Fallon.

At this point, it’s safe to say that using sports as a creative and programmatic strategy for The Tonight Show has been a worthwhile investment. Four more Sunday Night Football takeovers are scheduled for the NFL season, and we’re only weeks away from the MLB postseason and the start of new seasons for the NBA and NHL. Now that Fallon has earned the trust and respect of the most sought-after demo and the most ravenous fanbases, it’ll be interesting to see what new highs he takes the oldest late-night show to next.

Another night of touring is about to get tedious for Ed Sheeran!

As the musician is gearing up to perform in Philadelphia, some pro-Palestine groups in the state have also been canvassing to get the numbers high enough to boycott his performance.

Ed Sheeran was thrown in the middle of a controversy days ago after one of his opening acts, rapper Macklemore, got kicked off for picking Palestine’s side during a concert at MetLife Stadium.

3

The songwriter is still dealing with the fallout from Macklemore’s exit from his tour, as some Palestine-leaning groups have said they plan to key into the ongoing protest. Macklemore’s removal from the rest of the tour struck a nerve, and Sheeran’s apolitical stance may have driven the nail in even further.

The Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z have begun beckoning on supporters to gather outside Lincoln Financial Field on September 19. They have shared flyers promoting the protests, which are designed to target billionaires and pro-zionists.

The group has declared that billionaires, Zionists, and those it describes as warmongers are not welcome in Philadelphia. As TMZ reported, Sheeran insisted the decision to send Macklemore off the show was not his call.

The Grammy winner clarified that the tour promoters made the call because several venues were displeased with Macklemore’s actions. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company owns one of the performing stadiums, also confirmed his opposition to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium.

Opening Act Aaron Rowe Headed For The Door Following The End Of Macklemore’s Chapter

Right after Macklemore was removed from the tour lineup, his colleague Rowe also withdrew from the remaining show to stand in solidarity with the “Can’t Hold Us” rapper. As The Blast noted, Rowe described the decision as very difficult because of his personal relationship with Sheeran.

He recognized the “Shape of You” singer’s impact on his career, but continuing to perform on the tour with him would directly violate his personal principles. He referenced his background as an Irish man and how his people experienced genocide, starvation, and military occupation just like Gaza.

He believed that his performance would be hypocritical in the face of the belief that Israel has not been criticized enough. Rowe continued that his self-respect would only remain intact by stepping away from all remaining dates.

Advertisement

The Macklemore Fallout Also Included Lukas Graham And Finneas

Macklemore earlier revealed that Kraft played politics by onboarding other billionaires and venue owners to join him in booting Macklemore from the lineup, or else attach a condition that Sheeran would be barred from performing at the locations. 

The Blast noted that after this revelation and the protests, Graham and Finneas also followed Rowe’s lead and announced their departure from the tour.

In his exit speech, Finneas reiterated that artists must not be gagged when they find their voice against oppressive systems. He declared his support for Palestine and its people, who have experienced inhumane treatment over the years from state and non-state actors.

As for Graham, he began by restating his gratitude to Sheeran for their time together, but emphasized that he grew up in a community that encouraged people to speak up, and that is what he has done. “Having more money didn’t make your opinion worth more than anyone else’s,” the “7 Years” singer stated.

The ‘Give Me Love’ Singer’s Band Affirmed Their Support For Macklemore

3

After more than a decade of musical collaboration on projects and live performances during tours, Beoga, an Irish band, ended their collaboration with the singer on the “Loop Tour.” 

In an Instagram announcement, the group acknowledged the opportunity to perform alongside the singer for years, but said it was time to exit because the tour’s politics no longer align with their beliefs.

Advertisement

Beoga referenced their role as founding members of the Irish Artists For Palestine movement and commitment to securing justice as another driving force behind their decision.

As for Sheeran, he explained that he was not a fan of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and he has been communicating with venues to find an amicable way to resolve their issues with Macklemore.

He stressed that Macklemore’s contract was with the show’s promoters and that the decision to exclude him from the rest of the tour was solely their judgment. 

Ed Sheeran’s Private $2M Humanitarian Pledge Comes To Light Amid Macklemore Fallout

3

The award-winning songwriter’s story has shone a new spotlight on a private effort from Sheeran to get Kraft to be a part of a private humanitarian effort.

While Macklemore’s charge to Kraft stole the headlines, the stadium owner said Sheeran had already approached him with a proposal to invest in a multi-million-dollar humanitarian scheme.

Advertisement

Kraft said Sheeran had privately pledged $2 million to relief efforts in Palestine and asked him to join by matching the amount. Sheeran had previously said he had decided to keep his good deeds private, but much work often happens behind the scenes.

Kraft added that Sheeran had targeted other venue owners in his initiative, hoping that it would encourage co-operation and further humanitarian assistance. The businessman said he had joined several initiatives aimed at fostering interaction between Palestinians and Israelis through economic opportunities. 

Remy Ma and Millyz are once again catching social media’s attention. A recent post has fans taking a closer look at the pair’s dynamic. The two sparked plenty of chatter after Millyz shared a clip featuring Remy. In the footage, the pair appeared especially cozy on camera, quickly getting fans talking.

RELATED: Claressa Shields Says Remy Ma May End Up “Right Back In Prison” Amid Sharing Her Thoughts On Papoose’s ‘Jezebel’ Track (VIDEOS)

Remy Ma And Millyz Turn Up The Heat In New Clip

In the clip posted to Millyz’s Instagram, Remy is seen rocking a white cropped tank top, beige denim jeans with a hint of her thong showing, a watch, layered gold chains, large hoop earrings, and beachy waves. Millyz stands behind her in a blue cap, black hoodie, black pants, a white shirt underneath, chains, and earrings. As the video continues, Millyz grips Remy while she dances in front of him. Then, the two appear to get more intimate as she grinds on him and he raps in her ear. Toward the end, Remy flashes the camera a peace sign before squatting down toward his thigh as the clip cuts. Millyz captioned the post, “Say yea.”

The Comments Are Going UP

Fans wasted no time running to Millyz’s Instagram comment section with reactions to the clip, and the comments quickly started piling up. Some joked that Dr. Umar might be upset. While others speculated Remy could be trying to make Papoose jealous. And, a few fans simply declaring that the two are looking “in love.”

Instagram user @remyma herself commented, “😂on dead dawgs 🍼☕️”

One Instagram user @cuban_bella wrote, “That hair tell us the whole story 😂”

And, Instagram user @qdamonster said, “This how chicks be when they try make the nigga dat don’t want them jealous 😂😂😂…”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @colesworlld_ added, “This ain’t just promo nomo 😭😭😭”

While Instagram user @topshmoneywallstreet shared, “Man in love… cuz he bright pink… 😂😂😂”

Finally, Instagram user @dixiefluff claimed, “Dr Umar bout to be pissed🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”

Claressa Shields Tells Remy Ma She’s Had Enough

The drama between Remy Ma, Claressa Shields, and Papoose continues to make waves, with Shields recently taking to Instagram Live to address her ongoing issues with Remy. Shields, who has been linked to Papoose since 2024, told Remy to “leave me alone” while also referencing the rapper’s past six-year prison time and warning that the fallout from diss tracks and online exchanges could potentially lead to serious consequences. Shields made it clear she doesn’t see herself as the person Remy should be focused on, adding, “I am not the problem that you want, bro.”

RELATED: Check The Facts? Remy Ma Fires Back At Angela Yee Over Papoose Divorce Drama (VIDEO)

Rosie O’Donnell is reopening an old professional chapter in her latest career move! 

The comedian made a name for herself hosting her Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” which ran from 1996-2002 and earned her the nickname “Queen of Nice.” 

Since then, O’Donnell has continued to showcase her versatility, taking on projects from Broadway to daytime television, and most recently, late-night TV.

She hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for four nights, running from August 17 to 20, marking her major comeback to network late-night television. Now, her latest move is highlighting her impressive range. 

5

According to Entertainment Weekly, for almost two weeks next month, O’Donnell will play the narrator in “The Rocky Horror Show” on Broadway. 

She will be stepping in for Tony nominee Rachel Dratch, who has been with the cast since the play kicked off in March. Dratch is taking a hiatus and is set to step back in on October 20,  while O’Donnell will fill her role starting October 6. 

The television star was clearly thrilled by the news, taking to social media to share the update with fans, with a caption that read, “Could not be more thrilled #broadway is the place show biz lives up to its dream – can’t wait to be there !!!” 

Rosie O’Donnell Not Returning For ‘The View’ 30th Season

5

Her Broadway excitement comes amid a different development concerning O’Donnell’s former TV home. 

Despite the comedian previously hinting that she was open to reprising her role for the monumental 30th season of her former program “The View,” there has yet to be an update on her reappearance. 

However, “The View” alum Sherri Shepherd, who served as a permanent co-host from 2007 to 2014, has been confirmed as a featured guest. She will be at the Hot-Topics table along with current panelists Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, according to The Blast.

Rosie O’Donnell Set The Record Straight On Late Night Speculations About Jimmy Kimmel 

5

Despite not being recast to “The View”, the Queen of Nice has remained true to her original roots: daytime TV. She dispelled allegations that she was being groomed to take over the late-night show after her hosting run was announced. 

The Blast reported that O’Donnell made it clear it was a short-term commitment, saying she was traveling to Ireland as soon as she finished hosting, where her son was set to resume the 8th grade. 

“I’m not interested in doing late–night– she clarified, “daytime, however, would be interesting.”  

Kathy Griffin Was Hurt By Rosie O’Donnell’s Hosting 

5

While fans had different reactions to O’Donnell’s hosting gig, fellow comedian Kathy Griffin also had a very unexpected reaction for a totally different reason. 

The Blast reported that Griffin said on social media that she was hurt O’Donnell hadn’t reached out to invite her on the late-night program while filling in for Kimmel while he was on vacation. 

The YouTube video was titled “If Rosie would have called, I would have jumped.” The 65-year-old admitted that she knew how embarrassing it was, but she said she needed to share. “My feelings are really hurt that I was not invited to go on Rosie’s week of ‘The Jimmy Kimmel Show.’”

She admitted that O’Donnell probably had no say in who came on, and eventually encouraged her subscribers to watch it.

Rosie O’Donnell Let Fans In On What Her Daytime TV Show Would Look Like 

5

Despite the disappointment surrounding her late-night guest hosting stint, O’Donnell gave a glimpse into what her potential daytime TV show could look like. 

“It would look a lot like my old show, to tell you the truth. I think America wants nostalgia. I think what they don’t want is celebrity culture. I think celebrity culture is dead in America,” she shared, per The Blast. 

O’Donnell intends to prioritize positive human-interest features, live theatrical performances, and lighthearted interactive games to offer viewers a sense of relief.

University of North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick is setting the record straight on his girlfriend Jordon Hudson’s role with the team.

Belichick, 74, spoke to the Wall Street Journal about where the story came from that he reportedly asked Hudson, 25, to be copied on all of his work emails.

“When I took the job here, it was December, and at that time I was doing five TV shows, the radio show, I had a book coming out,” Belichick said in a story published Wednesday, September 16. “I had a lot of other things going on when I took the job.”

He continued, “I sent an email when I got here and I said, Can you please forward any requests to Jordon about my personal appearances so that I can work and coordinate them outside the university? Didn’t have anything to do with the university. Well, that was leaked as released as ‘Jordon’s involved in every single thing that I do and she’s copied on every email.’ That’s just a flat-out lie.”

Related: UNC Football Players React to Bill Belichick’s Girlfriend Jordon Hudson

University of North Carolina football players gave their honest opinions about their head coach Bill Belichick’s high-profile relationship with his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. Members of the Tar Heels team were asked about Belichick, 73, and Hudson, 23 — who made their romance official in October 2024 — at ACC Media Days on Thursday, July 24.  […]

This isn’t the first time Belichick has spoken about the issue. The legendary head coach took over the UNC job after the 2024 season ended, and speculation about Hudson’s role with the program began shortly after. In a May 2025 interview on SportsCenter, Belichick insisted his relationship was “really off to the side.”

“It’s a personal relationship and she doesn’t have anything to do with UNC football,” he said.

Belichick’s answer also came after journalist Pablo Torre reported Hudson had been banned from UNC’s football facilities — a fact that the university disputed in a statement to Us at the time.

“While Jordon Hudson is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics, she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities,” the statement read. “Jordon will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick’s personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University.”

Advertisement

Related: Emails Reveal Why Bill Belichick’s GF Jordon Hudson Was at CBS Interview

Leaked emails sent from Bill Belichick reportedly detail how the former NFL coach aimed to manage the fallout from his infamous CBS interview — including his explanation for why his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson was there. “Jordon and I have both a personal & professional relationship,” Belichick, 73, reportedly wrote in an email to Beth […]

Days after his SportsCenter interview, Belichick went on “The Pivot” podcast, where he said that Hudson helps him focus on football while she takes care of “the other opportunities that come along.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“It would be personal opportunities, [like] a speaking thing, appearance on this or talk about this or somebody happens to want an autograph, that type of thing,” he explained. “So, she kind of helped organize that for me.”

He added that the team also didn’t have a sports information director dedicated to the team at the time, making it even more important for Hudson to help him filter requests.

“That was taken as ‘Jordon’s running the sports information department,’” he said. “She’s not doing it. I mean, there was nobody to help me sort them out, so I was asking her to do that.”

Star Kit Harington probably knew that he’d be questioned about his decision to join the cast of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, and he got an opportunity to break out his defense in a recent interview. Nearly every notable cast member of the upcoming show has been called out by critics of Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, whose transphobic views have sullied her reputation in recent years and soured many die-hard fans of the series. Rowling remains closely involved with the show, HBO boss Casey Bloys confirmed in a separate interview. Meanwhile, Harington explained why he decided to join the franchise despite the blowback his decision would definitely bring.

Harington, best-known for playing Jon Snow in HBO’s flagship fantasy series Game of Thrones, will appear as the narcissistic grifter Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of the Harry Potter show, which will focus on the second novel in Rowling’s series. Lockhart was originally played by Kenneth Branagh in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Nicholas Hoult was initially cast as the character in the HBO reboot before Harington replaced him. In an appearance on the Today show, Harington said that his lifelong obsession with the Harry Potter books and movies outweighs all else. In his own words:

“I was a fan when I was a kid, and then I rediscovered it as an adult, listening to it every night. I listen to it every single night, and it helps me go to sleep, and I know other people do that as well, so they’re really important books to me… When I knew this was happening as a series, I thought it was the best idea. I love the films, but with this, they can really explore the books at their fullest, and for a book nerd like me, that was a really great idea.”

Kit Harington Stars in Another Major Literary Adaptation This Month

Spearheaded by Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the Harry Potter series will premiere this Christmas on HBO. It is being treated as the television event of the year and a huge subscription-generator for HBO in its current franchise-forward era. However, Bloys admitted that there is no way that the production will be able to meet its original plan of releasing a new season every year, although fans won’t have to wait two years between seasons either. Harington, meanwhile, was attached to a Game of Thrones spin-off revolving around Jon Snow. This month, he stars in a new A Tale of Two Cities adaptation airing on MGM+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2026 – 2026

Advertisement

Showrunner

Francisca Gardiner

Directors

Advertisement

Mark Mylod

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Britani Bateman is opening up about her surprising new friendship with costar Mary Cosby.

“I just have always loved her, and I feel like she’s finally not only tolerating me, but she’s starting to love me back,” Britani, 55, exclusively told Us at Warner Bros. Television Group’s 78th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees Celebration on Sunday, September 13.

Britani shared that their bond had a lot to do with Mary, 53, losing her son, Robert Cosby Jr., in February at age 23.

“I feel like when we are faced with some of the most challenging things in our lives, we really have to reevaluate what’s important and what’s not,” Britani said, while spilling that not every friendship survived season 7.

“Some [friendships] get welded back together, and some of them just icily split more apart. We’ll just have to stay tuned to see which ones those are,” she teased.

Britani got off to a rough start with Mary when she joined RHOSLC for season 5 and made the ultimate rookie mistake by calling high fashion a “costume” while discussing Bronwyn Newport’s $15,000 heart-shaped Saint Laurent coat — and the ever stylish Mary took it personally. Britani kept digging herself into a hole with Mary, using words like “hoarder” and “poor” while trying to connect with her.

Her friendship with Mary isn’t the only one she’s cherishing this season.

“I have really enjoyed the mercurial nature of Bronwyn in my relationship,” Britani told Us. “We come together and then we split apart. I would say that’s the case with all of the women. But I really enjoyed my journey with Bronwyn this season.”

Britani has learned a lot from her castmates over two seasons on the Bravo franchise.

Related: What to Know About ‘RHOSLC’ Season 7 After the Death of Mary Cosby’s Son

The ladies of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will return for season 7. Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, Mary Cosby, Heather Gay, Whitney Rose, Bronwyn Newport, Angie Katsanevas and “friend” Britani Bateman wrapped season 6 in 2025, which aired that fall. While the ladies were scheduled to resume filming in February 2026, the Bravo […]

“I wish that someone had told me how fiery these women can be and not to take it so personally,” she shared, referring to the moment she was caught filming her costars during a tense argument in a sprinter van.

“I don’t believe even to this day that was about me. I feel like that was not a ‘what about me’ moment. That was like, ‘What about some pent-up latent aggression toward other castmates,’ like Monica [Garcia],” Britani explained. “So I wish someone had warned me about that. Like, some things are gonna not be about you, so you don’t need to cry your eyes out about it. Brush it off and move on.”

Season 7 also welcomed back Lisa Barlow, Heather Gay, Angie Katsanevas, Meredith Marks and Whitney Rose. While the dynamics of the group have changed, they all came together to support Mary after her son’s death.

Robert Jr. died in February following a battle with addiction.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Mary thanked her costars for showing up for her during her darkest days.

“Well, first of all, they all came over. The doorbell rang, Bronwyn brought her mom. Doorbell rings, and Lisa sent food, sent baskets, sent gifts. Just constantly sending me stuff, constantly showing up, constantly coming over, sitting down, talking to me,” she said during the first episode of the new season, which aired on Wednesday, September 16. “In some ways I felt like I ended up encouraging them. I found strength in them coming to see me, talking to me, keeping me going.”

RHOSLC airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

Ciara Miller is enjoying a brand-new spotlight on “Dancing With the Stars,” and the reality star says the experience is giving her a chance to live out a dream she has carried for years.

The “Summer House” star has traded her usual reality-TV world for the ballroom, taking on the challenge alongside pro partner Brandon Armstrong.

Ciara Miller is best known for her longtime run on Bravo’s “Summer House,” while also appearing on “The Traitors” and building a career as a model and television personality. Now, she is stepping into a very different kind of spotlight as she competes for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

Ciara Miller’s “Dancing With the Stars” journey is already bringing some unexpected changes, and the reality star is taking them in stride. After making her ballroom debut, Miller revealed that all the dancing has even changed one part of her body. “My b-tt has gotten a little bigger,” she excitedly said.

The “Summer House” star joked that she thinks her measurements have changed and said she had “gained at least an inch” on her b-tt since starting the show. She added that she had always wanted to be “thick,” calling the change “living out her dream-Slowly but surely.”

Miller also had plenty to celebrate beyond that surprise. She earned 15 out of 30 points for her foxtrot with Brandon Armstrong and received an emotional response from judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who was moved to tears.

The Ballroom Became A Much Bigger Moment Than Just A Dance

For Ciara Miller, stepping onto the “DWTS” stage carried far more meaning than simply competing for scores. Ahead of her debut, she opened up about a difficult year and explained how much the people closest to her helped her reach that moment.

According to US Magazine, Miller said there were “days and nights with my friends, behind closed doors, that were hard -really hard- to get through.” She dedicated the dance to her “village,” describing it as a chance to close one chapter and begin something new.

That emotion appeared to reach Carrie Ann Inaba as well, with the judge’s response leaving Miller stunned and grateful. Miller said it meant the world that Inaba understood what she wanted to portray, turning her first performance into a deeply personal milestone.

Advertisement

Ciara Miller‘s First Dance Became A Statement Of Its Own

@abcnews Ciara Miller, known for her role on “Summer House,” says her experience so far on “Dancing with the Stars” has been very “healing.” #dwts #summerhouse ♬ original sound – ABC News

After everything Miller has been through in the public eye, stepping onto the ballroom floor gave her a different way to express what she could not always put into words.

In a clip shared on TikTok, when a reporter for ABC News asked what it felt like to process so much through dance publicly, Miller described the experience as “healing” and said it felt very nice to finally have that outlet.

Miller also explained that she wanted her first performance to make a statement, and now that she has gotten that initial dance out of the way, she feels ready to move forward and have some fun with the competition.

With more performances ahead and plenty already planned, she said she is looking forward to everything that is in store. The moment was also deeply personal because Miller dedicated the dance to the people who have supported her throughout the year.

She thanked her friends, including Mila, Lindsay, Tanisha and Jessica, along with her mom, Wayne, Derek and everyone in the audience who came to cheer her on, adding that she had a flood of texts to answer and would not have been on that stage without their support.

Advertisement

Miller’s ‘DWTS’ Performance Left Carrie Ann Inaba In Tears

Ciara Miller’s first “Dancing With the Stars” performance did more than earn points on the leaderboard. Her foxtrot to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” moved judge Carrie Ann Inaba to tears, with the emotional reaction revealing just how much the performance communicated without Miller having to say a word.

EOnline reported that Inaba told Miller that she could see and feel the pain behind the dance, describing that as one of the beautiful things about dancing because it gives people a place to express what they are carrying. She also praised Miller as a “stunning dancer,” pointing out how much she grew from the beginning of the routine to the end.

For Miller, that reaction made the night even more meaningful after everything that had gone into reaching that stage. Inaba urged her to keep believing in herself and continue the journey, while Miller later described the performance as the beginning of a new chapter and said she wanted to have fun moving forward.

Ciara Miller Was Ready To Give ‘DWTS’ Everything She’s Got

Ciara Miller is not treating her “Dancing With the Stars” debut like a casual detour. The reality star has been putting in work ahead of the competition, focusing on flexibility, stretching, and Pilates as she prepares for the physical demands of the ballroom.

In an earlier interview, Miller explained that stretching had become a major part of her preparation and joked that she did not want to be “carried out on a stretcher when practice starts.” The Blast reported that she was also working toward doing the splits while mentally preparing herself for the intensity of the competition.

That preparation fits perfectly with Miller’s competitive streak. She has admitted that she wants to have fun with the experience but is also determined to give herself a real shot, making the ballroom another place where Miller can push herself and see just how far she can go.

Advertisement

No television series can fully replicate the Outlander phenomenon. That might sound like hyperbole, but Starz’s adaptation of author Diana Gabaldon‘s historical fantasy romance series is a pristine example of the magic that happens when the right project and people assemble at the right cultural time. Outlander‘s spirit, however (passionate star-crossed lovers, period drama intrigue, breathtaking Scottish landscapes), lives on through Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Last summer, Season 1 of the prequel series introduced how the respective parents of Outlander‘s time-traveling lovers, Claire Beauchamp Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), met one another, and how both couples’ destined paths collide in the harsh yet beautiful Highlands of the 18th century. Here are all the essential developments and revelations to remember before Season 2 premieres this month.

Ellen Mackenzie and Brian Fraser Are Star-Crossed Lovers in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’

It’s 1714, and Red Jacob MacKenzie (Peter Mullan), the laird of Castle Leoch, dies without naming a successor. His decision leaves Clan MacKenzie vulnerable to attack from outsiders, while his two eldest sons, the restrained and calculating Colum (Séamus McLean Ross), and the impulsively violent Dougal (Sam Retford), compete for leadership. Their older sister, Ellen (Harriet Slater), suggests that Colum rule during peacetime while Dougal assumes control during war, and the brothers eventually agree. Otherwise, the two men ignore Ellen’s other insightful suggestions. They’re loyal to their sister, but the men resent Ellen for receiving the affection their father denied them.

During a Clan MacKenzie gathering, Ellen accidentally meets her future husband, Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy). The MacKenzies and the Frasers are enemies, but Brian’s father, Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), ordered his son and Brian’s cousin, Murtagh (Rory Alexander), to sneak into the gathering as spies. Ellen and Brian are instantly drawn to each other but don’t exchange names until later, when they secretly meet on a bridge. The two vow to find a way to be together, no matter the consequences.

Ellen’s brief disappearance from the gathering triggers a catastrophic chain reaction that ends in Colum arranging Ellen’s engagement to her eager suitor, Malcom Grant (Brian McCardie), as a peace offering between their families. Furious at Colum’s betrayal, let alone how he and Dougal scoff at her iron-clad will, Ellen pretends to agree to the marriage in public while privately visiting Brian. Murtagh, who nurses his unrequited love for Ellen, notices them canoodling during the Beltane festivities. Heartbroken, he kisses his own future lover, Ellen’s sister Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin), only to stop as soon as he says Ellen’s name instead of hers. Meanwhile, Ellen and Brian passionately consummate their handfasting marriage.

‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ Changes Everything We Knew About Claire’s Parents

As for Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine), the two fall in love sight unseen in 1917. As Henry fights on World War I’s horrifying frontlines, Julia works in London’s Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department. She’s captivated by one of Henry’s letters; the two strike up a correspondence, and they marry at the first opportunity.

Years later, during a vacation in Scotland, a car accident (the same one Claire believes took her parents’ lives) hurtles Julia and Henry through the standing stones back to 1714. They’re separated, however, with Julia being sold to Lord Lovat as a servant and the Grants forcibly making Henry their new bladier. He valiantly searches for his wife for months, up until he believes Arch Bug’s (Terence Rae) lie that Julia died in childbirth. Henry’s grief and wartime PTSD cause him to hallucinate sleeping with Julia, when he’s actually in the arms of Seema (Lauren McQueen), a local sex worker.

Julia and Brian become tentative friends after Brian protects Julia from his father’s sadistic violence. Brian’s mother, Davina Porter (Sara Vickers), deduces Julia’s pregnancy and warns her that if she doesn’t have an abortion, Lovat will kill the newborn. Julia refuses; after exhausting every other option, she accepts Lovat’s sexual advances, hoping to convince him that he’s the father. Lovat, hungry for power, decides a seer’s reading of his unborn child means “his” son becomes Scotland’s future king. Once Davina realizes how much her traumatizing assault and pregnancy at Lovat’s hands resemble Julia’s situation — as well as the unconditional love both women have for their sons — she stops viewing Julia as a threat to her or Brian’s livelihood.

‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ Season 1 Ends on Two Cliffhangers

Image via Starz

Both Frasers try to prevent Lovat from marrying Julia, since a Scottish king must be of legitimate birth. Yet the slippery laird has a reverend backdate the marriage registry and conduct the ceremony. Seeking to disrupt the upcoming MacKenzie and Grant alliance, he also plants rumors that Ellen slept with another man. The Grants demand an invasive test to prove whether Ellen remains a virgin. Brian and Julia charge over to Castle Leoch to help her, the latter armed with a medicinal way to fool Ellen’s tormentors. Henry and Julia finally reunite, but can’t escape without the compassionate Ned Gowan’s (Conor MacNeill) help. On Ellen’s wedding day, the Beauchamps and their baby William run away to the stones. Arch Bug is right behind them, however, having been pointed toward Craigh na Dun by Seema. Henry presses Julia’s hand against the stone, and the family’s fate is unknown.

Before Ellen’s wedding, Dougal reveals Ellen and Brian’s relationship to Colum; Dougal had spotted the pair together during an earlier meeting of the Jacobite rebellion. Between her brothers, the Grants, and assassins tracking Brian, Ellen briefly agrees to spurn her love for his safety. She immediately changes her mind when she learns Colum hired the Gallowglass assassins. With Jocasta and Murtagh’s blessing, the lovebirds flee — but not before Malcolm witnesses them together, and forces Brian to kill him in self-defense. To keep the MacKenzie-Grant alliance intact, Dougal marries Malcolm’s sister, Maura (Bobby Rainsbury). Brian and Ellen barely have a moment to themselves before the Jacobites’ fiery crosses call all of Scotland to arms.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2 premieres September 18 on Starz.

Star Trek icon James T. Kirk has a somewhat undeserved reputation as a ladies’ man. Across Star Trek: The Original Series and six feature films starring the show’s original cast, he did find time amidst interplanetary crises for romance. Now, he’s back in action and finding love among the stars once more, and possibly for the last time, in Star Trek: The Last Starship.

Published by IDW Comics, The Last Starship is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with art by Adrian Bonilla and Hernan Gonzalez. It serves as a prequel of sorts to the far-future era of Star Trek: Discovery‘s last three seasons, plus Starfleet Academy. A disaster known as The Burn has rendered warp drives inoperable all over the galaxy, and the only man who can save the fracturing United Federation of Planets is one of its greatest heroes: James T. Kirk, who’s been mysteriously revived. Assembling a crew and captaining a new ship, he’s on a mission to keep the galaxy from tearing itself apart.

In the latest and penultimate issue of the series, #11, Kirk is confronted with the end of his mission as his ship hurtles towards certain doom. However, he’s got one ally to share the moment with: the Borg Queen. This isn’t the malevolent entity seen in Star Trek: First Contact, but a kinder, gentler kind of Borg: human cyberneticist Agnes Jurati (played by Alison Pill on-screen), who was last seen being assimilated into the collective on Star Trek: Picard‘s season finale. She’s the one who revived Kirk, and in what may be their last moments, they each find a little human tenderness. But will this be the last ride for Kirk? You’ll have to find out when The Last Starship concludes with issue #12, on store shelves on October 21.

Has Captain Kirk Met the Borg Before?

The Borg were first discovered by Starfleet in the 24th century, 100 years after Kirk’s tenure as Enterprise captain and his apparent death in the Nexus time ribbon, as seen in Star Trek: Generations. However, in the so-called “Shatnerverse” novels, which were penned by William Shatner with Garfield and Judith Reeves-Stevens, Kirk’s body was recovered by the Romulans and given to the Borg, who used their technology to resurrect him as a weapon to be turned against the Federation; this soon puts him on a collision course with his eventual successor as Enterprise captain, Jean-Luc Picard. These novels are generally not considered in continuity with the greater Star Trek universe.

Star Trek: The Last Starship #11 is on shelves now. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

November 18, 1994

Runtime

118 minutes

Advertisement

Director

David Carson

Advertisement

Producers

Rick Berman, Peter Lauritson

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement