Entertainment
John Wayne Said This Scene Is the Best Performance of His Entire Career
It’s safe to say that the Western genre would not have developed into one of the most popular categories of film if it weren’t for the extraordinary career of John Wayne. While it was not the first Western ever made, the 1939 classic Stagecoach fulfilled everything cinephiles could want from the genre, and kicked off a notoriously illustrious partnership between Wayne and director John Ford. Although Wayne’s work with Ford was arguably the highlight of both of their filmographies, Wayne worked with many great filmmakers, and began to make darker and more reflective films in the last decade of his career. In addition to finally earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor that he had long been denied, Wayne’s performance in True Grit contains what he believes is the best acting of his career.
‘True Grit’ Has One of John Wayne’s Greatest Performances
True Grit is based on the novel of the same name by Charles Portis, which also inspired a 2010 remake by Joel and Ethan Coen that starred Jeff Bridges. Wayne stars as the aging U.S. Major Marshall Rooster Cogburn, whose cantankerous behavior and constant drinking have caused many of his peers to think that he is past his prime. However, a violent insurrection forces Cogburn to jump back into the line of fire. In Yell County, Arkansas, the farmer Frank Ross (John Pickard) is murdered by the outlaw Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), whom he had once employed as a hired hand. Although the Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell) is determined to hunt Chaney down and bring him to justice under the law, Ross’ young daughter Mattie (Kim Darby) decides to hire Cogburn to help track down her father’s killer.
While he had starred in countless Westerns by the time of the film’s release, Wayne was uniquely cast in True Grit as an aging protagonist who was past his prime. Cogburn did not have the excitable energy of Sheriff John T. Chance in Rio Bravo, nor did he have the incisive rage of Major Ethan Edwards in The Searchers. Rather, Cogburn is a character who is no longer respected and uses his new mission to help Mattie as a means of solidifying his reputation. In many ways, this felt like a self-reflective performance on Wayne’s part. While the 1960s saw the emergence of new Western stars like Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef, Wayne proved in True Grit that he hadn’t lost a step with the genre that had paved the way for his career.
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Although the film strays radically from the original source material, True Grit’s depiction of Cogburn made use of Wayne’s inherent strengths as an actor. It’s often unspoken how comedically adept Wayne was, as he starred in many romantic comedies throughout his career. While True Grit is first and foremost a drama, Wayne was able to add a touch of humor to the adventure throughout the film, specifically in his interaction with La Boeuf. Cogburn’s cantankerous, somewhat nontraditional approach to following the law ends up rubbing the stuffy and proper Texas ranger the wrong way. It was also a great depiction of Wayne as a reluctant hero. Although he initially views his mission to avenge Mattie’s parents as merely one that is financially beneficial, Cogburn begins to believe in the merits of his assignment, and forms an attachment with his young employer.
John Wayne Showed His Range in This ‘True Grit’ Scene
Although the film certainly allowed him to chew the scenery, Wayne showed his range as a dramatic actor during a moving monologue in True Grit. When Cogburn and Mattie are waiting for the film’s villains to discover them, the aging U.S. Marshall reveals that he had once been married, and that his wife had left him at an unaccepted moment. Although he reflects on the sadness of not being able to have a family, Cogburn insists that he’d rather lose his wife than sacrifice his independence. It’s a rare moment of intimacy from a character who is uneasy about expressing his emotions. While director Henry Hathaway deserves credit for setting up the scene, it’s Wayne’s subtle performance that makes True Grit one of his greatest films ever.
While he had appeared in no shortage of memorable Western shootouts, Wayne cited the True Grit monologue scene as the greatest moment of acting in his entire career. He called the part of Cogburn his “first decent part in twenty years,” as it gave him his “first chance to play a character role instead of John Wayne.” By leaning away from his inherent idiosyncrasies and investing in the character’s backstory, Wayne felt that Hathaway had made True Grit into “a fantasy, and yet he kept it an honest Western.” Wayne revealed that Cogburn was “not like what I’ve done before,” and that the opportunity to show his range excited him.
‘True Grit’ Shows a Softer Side to John Wayne
Wayne’s True Grit monologue showed us a softer side of the actor we so rarely got to see during his legendary career. You get the sense as Cogburn opens up about his ex-wife that there is a heartbreaking wistfulness for the past, even if it’s a life that no longer suits him. This is particularly poignant when Mattie asks about his son. After telling her that his wife took him with her after the divorce, Cogburn looks down with a pause, shaking his head for a few seconds before stating matter-of-factly, “He never liked me anyway.” Wayne relies on a quiet understatedness here, a stark contrast to the swaggering, assertive cowboy persona that made him a Western icon.
To see Wayne portray a man in a state of vulnerability towards the end of his career only adds to the scene’s power. Cogburn is opening up, showing a side to Mattie she doesn’t normally get to see from the U.S. Marshall. It feels like a triumphant victory lap for Wayne, who is giving us one of the most intimate performances of his entire career, something that was often sorely lacking from his more traditional films.
‘True Grit’ Was the Summation of Wayne’s Career
Although it ended up inspiring the sequel Rooster Cogburn, True Grit was one of the last films of Wayne’s career. In that sense, it’s hard to not see Cogburn’s touching speech as a moment of reflection on Wayne’s part. Cogburn is reminiscing about what he missed out on as the result of his career, and Wayne was once again playing a Western gunslinger who is forced to show his heroism. This connection between the two makes the film even more powerful. Just as Cogburn decides to aid Mattie and prove himself worthy of wearing a badge, Wayne reaches unexpected emotional depths and delivers one of the most stirring performances of his career.
Although the Academy Awards frequently disregard great Westerns, Wayne’s performance in True Grit earned him his first and only Best Actor Oscar. Some actors earn major awards towards the end of their careers as “career prizes” for their entire body of work, but in the case of True Grit, Wayne won his award on merit alone.
Wayne Had a Shaky History at the Oscars
One of the reasons that the acclaim for True Grit was so satisfying was that Wayne’s work had consistently been overlooked by the Academy Award before he finally earned the Best Actor trophy. The Oscars have not historically been kind to “genre” movies, as the only western that had won Best Picture prior to the release of True Grit was Cimarron, which was released way back in 1931; the Oscars would show more willingness to accept the genre in subsequent years, as Unforgiven, Dances With Wolves, and No Country For Old Men also earned the Best Picture award. Nonetheless, True Grit wasn’t nominated in any other major categories, signifying once again that awards voters were rather close-minded. Wayne’s victory may have been the exception to the rule, rather than the initiation of a new trend.
Even though True Grit is a film that is cited as a western classic, many of Wayne’s best performances were overlooked by the Oscars. Wayne is best known for his collaborations with John Ford, who is the most decorated filmmaker in history thanks to his four victories in the Best Director category. Wayne appeared in Best Picture nominees directed by Ford, such as The Long Voyage Home, The Quiet Man, and Stagecoach, but did not get recognized for any of his performances. Prior to True Grit, he had been nominated for Best Actor in the war drama The Sands of Iowa Jima and received a Best Picture nomination for the historical epic The Alamo, which he both directed and produced. However, it is unfortunate to see that Wayne did not get any recognition for The Searchers, a classic cited by critics’ groups like the AFI and Sight & Sound as being one of the greatest films ever made. Wayne’s performance as a ruthless Marshall with a serious sense of bloodlust predated many iconic anti-hero characters, such as Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) in Taxi Driver, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt and Edward Norton) in Fight Club, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in American Psycho, and Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) in Joker.
Ironically, the remake of True Grit fared much better at the Academy Awards, as it earned ten nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for the Coen Brothers (both of which it ended up losing to The King’s Speech). Among the nominees for the film was Jeff Bridges, who took on the role of Rooster Cogburn that Wayne had crafted in such a delicate way. Bridges did not win the award, but this is not entirely surprising, as he had won the previous year for his performance as an alcoholic country singer in the acclaimed music drama Crazy Heart. That being said, there is a legitimate argument to be made that Bridges should have earned the prize two years in a row; he managed to bring a lot of depth to his portrayal, as it did not feel like he was simply trying to do an impression of what Wayne had already done before.
True Grit
- Release Date
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June 11, 1969
- Runtime
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128 minutes
- Director
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Henry Hathaway
- Writers
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Charles Portis, Marguerite Roberts
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Sen. Tillis To Kristi Noem
ICE Killings Are Like Dog You Killed
Published
Fireworks on Capitol Hill … Sen. Thom Tillis ripped into DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a congressional hearing … comparing American citizens killed by immigration agents to a dog she killed.
Check out the video … the Republican Senator from North Carolina says Noem has shown terrible leadership and decision-making as Trump‘s DHS Secretary.
AP
Tillis says the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by ICE and Border Patrol remind him of a passage from Noem’s book … where she recalls killing a dog she brought on a hunting trip.
Noem said the 14-month-old dog, Cricket, was misbehaving … so she led the dog to a gravel pit and shot her.
X/@DHSgov
Sen. Tillis told her straight up … “Those are bad decisions made in the heat of the moment. Not unlike what happened up in Minneapolis. We’re an exceptional nation, and one of the reasons we’re exceptional is we expect exceptional leadership. And you’ve demonstrated anything but that.”
Entertainment
HBO Max Officially Combining With This Divisive Streamer Could Change 2 Things for Subscribers
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If the Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery merger clears the final regulatory hurdles, this could mean significant changes for HBO Max subscribers in how they access the service. According to Paramount president David Ellison, integrating HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single direct-to-consumer service will give both companies access to the scale they need in an increasingly consolidated streaming marketplace.
For viewers, the real story isn’t the corporate maneuvering — it’s what happens when the apps on their home screen start to change. A unified service has the potential to reshape the everyday user experience while also raising bigger questions about whether HBO’s carefully protected brand identity can truly remain untouched inside a much larger ecosystem.
Your App and Library Could Get Bigger and More Bundled
The first and most tangible change would likely show up in the interface itself. Ellison has repeatedly emphasized plans to bring the two platforms together, but executives have been notably light on specifics about whether that means a full technical merger or a hub-style experience where brands live side by side.
Either way, the direction is clear: the combined service is being positioned as a scale play. Paramount leadership has pointed to the sheer volume of content across both companies — spanning blockbuster franchises, prestige dramas, network television, and sports — as the primary competitive advantage. For subscribers, that likely translates into a broader content library accessible through a more unified experience.
Consumer-wise, the shift could mean one bill, one app, and a new price structure. That kind of consolidation has become the default playbook across the streaming industry, where mergers and bundle experiments typically lead to recalibrated tiers and packaging. While no pricing changes have been announced, history suggests that price hikes, bundle tiers, and ad-plan shifts are typically what follow when platforms bulk up this aggressively.
There are also quieter but meaningful implications for how the service actually feels to use. A merged platform often brings algorithmic tweaks, navigation changes, and different content-surfacing priorities. Paramount executives have already highlighted the technical upside they expect from combining the services, which suggests the recommendation engine and overall UI could evolve alongside the expanded catalog.
Importantly, none of this appears imminent. The deal itself still faces regulatory review in the U.S. and Europe, and Paramount has indicated the broader transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026. Details about the streaming integration are likely to come closer to 2027, meaning subscribers shouldn’t expect their apps to suddenly transform overnight.
HBO’s Independence Is Being Promised — Not Guaranteed
If the first potential change is about how subscribers use the service, the second is more philosophical: What happens to HBO’s identity once it’s folded into a much larger streaming machine? Ellison has been emphatic on this point. He has repeatedly said that HBO will continue to “operate with independence” and that the premium brand should be allowed to keep doing what it does best. He has also publicly praised HBO and HBO Max content chief Casey Bloys, as well as the network’s recent creative momentum, as HBO’s reputation has always rested on a very specific programming strategy. Subscribers are paying for a curated sense of prestige, careful development cycles, and a quality bar that historically sits above the broader streaming field.
It is uncertain if creative insulation in practice would equate to structural independence on the page. Viewers will monitor theatrical windows for signs of tightening budgets, changes in release strategies, and any potential need to support a larger algorithm-driven ecosystem. Any change, no matter how small, to theatrical window timeframes or episode roll-out timing could be viewed over time as a philosophical change.
For the time being, Paramount has communicated to calm any anxieties. Paramount executives have positioned the newly merged company as a distribution extension, not as a creative transformation; this is evident in that the leadership of HBO will remain intact following the merger. That said, in the streaming era, brand identity is as much influenced by platforms as by assurances from Company Senior Leadership.
Podcaster Claudia Oshry isn’t impressed with one of the newest cast members of The Real Housewives of New York City.
“I have some, like, tea. I don’t know if tea is the right word for this,” Oshry, 31, shared via TikTok on Monday, March 2. “Of course I know my girl Erika Hammond — great casting. And then I saw the name Hailey Glassman. I could not put my finger on why her name sounded so familiar to me, so I went over to her Instagram.”
Bravo recently confirmed Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy, Jessel Taank and “friend of the cast” Carole Radziwill would be joining Glassman, 39, Hammond, 34 and Daisy Toye for season 16.
After looking at her DM messages, Oshry claimed that Glassman has been “a troll of mine, like, a deep internet troll since 2017.”
The Housewives are heading back to the Big Apple for The Real Housewives of New York City season 16. Bravo announced the new season’s cast in March 2026, including three returning full-time cast members and three new faces, plus the long-awaited return of a former RHONY Housewife. “We’ll be there in a New York minute🍎 […]
“Omg your voice is so annoying,” the first alleged message Oshry claims to have received from Glassman read. “Like Janice from Friends.”
The harsh alleged messages only continued when Glassman commented on the podcast host’s weight.
“Skinny minnie, now. Looks great but you gotta own you’re on wegovy,” Glassman allegedly wrote. “You’re an influencer and you really should be honest on your platform about it. When you need any skin tightening since you def lost enough to need it, I’ll set you up with a great plastic surgeon in NYC.”
Later on in her TikTok, Oshry started to question if Bravo’s newest star may actually be a fan of hers after all.
“But I think she’s also a huge fan because she also has ‘mazel tov’ when I announced I was pregnant,” she shared. “My biggest hater and my biggest supporter.”
Oshry then shared a purported message from Glassman when she allegedly wished her a Happy Mother’s Day.
“I don’t know what barrel Bravo was scraping the bottom of when they cast this person,” Oshry shared, “but it’s giving Monica from Salt Lake City.”
Monica Garcia appeared on season 4 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and was accused of being part of a troll Instagram account called Reality Von Tease.
After seeing Oshry’s video on Instagram, Garcia, 42, commented, “Hey now! What did I ever do to you?? 😂.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Bravo for comment.
According to Instagram, Glassman — who was previously linked to Jon Gosselin — is a public relations professional based out of New York City and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
Bravo previously confirmed that season 16 begins filming this week, with past seasons available to stream anytime on Peacock.
New details have emerged in the wake of Katherine Hartley Short’s tragic death, which has officially been ruled a suicide.
Katherine, the only daughter of actor Martin Short, was cremated on Friday, February 27, after she died at her California home on Monday, February 23, according to her death certificate. She was 42.
The certificate listed her occupation as a social work therapist, noting that she obtained her master’s degree. (Katherine also had a part-time job at the Amae Health clinic.) She worked in the mental health field for 10 years and never married.
Katherine was found dead inside of her Hollywood Hills residence after Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters rushed to the scene.
Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, reportedly had a service dog to help her navigate“mental illness” prior to her untimely death at age 42. Katherine reportedly shared a photo and bio for her dog Joni, named after singer Joni Mitchell, on her since-deleted professional website, according to Page Six. “Joni is my incredible service dog, […]
Law enforcement sources previously told TMZ that she was discovered “behind a locked door and with a note nearby.” Katherine was located by a friend who did a welfare check after she hadn’t been heard from for a day.
The friend who called 911 said they were at Katherine’s home in the Hollywood Hills but unable to enter a bedroom at the residence, as heard in dispatch audio obtained by the outlet.
The LAPD confirmed to Us Weekly that officers responded to a radio call of a possible suicide attempt on Monday, February 23, at 6:43 p.m. The LAPD said responding officers found a deceased female upon arrival..
Martin, 75, adopted Katherine with his late wife, Nancy Dolman. The couple also shared adopted sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36. Martin and Dolman tied the knot in 1989 and remained married until her death. (Nancy died at 58 in August 2010 after battling ovarian cancer.)
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time,” the actor’s rep told Us in a statement. “Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
One of Katherine’s neighbors exclusively told Us that she gave “no indication of struggle” before her death. “Katherine was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” the neighbor fondly recalled.
More than a decade before her death, Katherine filed to change her name to “Katherine Elizabeth Hartley” due to the nature of her career in October 2012. “My father is a public figure. I am a psychiatric social worker,” Katherine explained in court documents obtained by Us.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Entertainment
“Scrubs” creator told Donald Faison he 'totally blew' his audition: 'He's the best at keeping it real'
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“I may have actually said, ‘You s— the bed,'” Bill Lawrence clarified.
Bravo gave one of its biggest updates on “The Real Housewives of New York City” on March 2 by announcing that Carole Radziwill was set to return to the show. Only a short time later, they confirmed the full cast, including returners Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy, and Jessel Taank. Now, one day later, the former “RHONY” star has broken her silence on her Bravo return.
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Carole Radziwill Says Bravo Fans Manifested Her ‘RHONY’ Return
Bravo announced Radziwill’s return on its official social media channels. They posted a collage of four photos of the former “RHONY” from over the years, captioning the post, “In the marathon of life, loyalty is everything. And because of Bravo fans’ loyalty, Carole Radziwill is returning to #RHONY as a friend-of for Season 16!!!” So far, the post has received over 41,000 “likes” on Instagram.
Following the news of her return to “The Real Housewives of New York City,” Radziwill took to the comments section. She said on March 3, “Well, Bravo fans, you have truly manifested this. I hope to live up to your expectations! I’m happy to join this amazing group of women to have some fun and make great TV. Stay tuned. And as always, thank you for your loyalty and support.
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Bravo Also Announced The Rest Of The Season 16 Cast
While fans were still reeling from the news of Radziwill, the Bravo social media channels revealed the full cast for season 16 of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” The network said in the caption, “We’ll be there in a New York minute. Meet the official cast of #RHONY Season 16! Start spreading the news…cameras begin rolling THIS WEEK.”
In addition to De Silva, Lichy, and Taank, newbies Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond, and Daisy Toye will be full-time housewives on the show.
Regarding the newbies, Glassman is a PR professional who previously dated Jon Gosselin from “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” Hammon is a former wrestler and the founder of Rumble Boxing. Finally, Toye is a well-known makeup artist who has worked with the likes of Martha Stewart.
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Fans Are Mixed About Radziwill’s Return
Make no mistake, the Bravo community at large is excited to see Radziwill return to “The Real Housewives of New York City.” In fact, some fans admitted that she is their favorite “RHONY” star. However, a significant portion of the fandom isn’t too sure. This is mainly because, according to The Independent, she is mentioned in the Epstein Files. This is not as much about a connection to Jeffrey Epstein himself, but rather to Ghislaine Maxwell.
One person noted her being cast as a friend of the show, saying, “Friend of Ghislaine Maxwell.” Someone else said, “The same Carole Radziwill that was besties with Ghislaine Maxwell.” Another Instagram user said, “A friend of Ghislaine Maxwell? Who asked for her to return?”
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A different “RHONY” fan commented, “Oh, we’re letting Carole Epstein on the show? Good thing I wasn’t gonna watch anyway.” In support, someone else wrote, “WE’VE PRAYED FOR DAYS LIKE THIS.” Finally, someone else joked, “May this decision be the spark that leads to true global peace.”
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The Former ‘RHONY’ Star Previously Discussed Her Connection To Maxwell
It has been known that Maxwell photographed the cover for Radziwill’s 2004 memoir, “What Remains.” Recently, in September 2025, the former “RHONY” star responded to a fan on X who asked why this had been the case instead of using a different photographer.
Radziwill stated, “I knew her socially, she had a real camera (it was 2004, no one carried cameras). Anyway, I’d had a pro photo shoot, but the pics were bad. I asked her if she’d take the picture & she said sure. In hindsight, was it odd she had a camera? I guess, but who knew?! Subscribe to my Substack!”
It should be noted that Radziwill is reportedly found in other sections of the Epstein Files, including her information being found in his address book.
Bethenny Frankel Defended Her Former Co-Star
Radziwill appeared on four seasons of “The Real Housewives of New York City” alongside Bethenny Frankel. Amid the resurfacing of the connection to Maxwell, Frankel defended her former co-star despite past issues. Per US Weekly, she said, “What I do know is that Carole has been friendly with many notable women.”
She went on, “I do know that Carole has taken many opportunities to swipe at me, dig at me, speak negatively about me in a post-[RHONY] world, meaning when the show is going, it’s fair game. But, in a post-show world, she has certainly gone for it, and I’m not going to do the same.”
She added, “It’s not my business.”
Meghan Markle was reportedly the subject of a conversation between two senior royals during King Charles III’s 2023 coronation.
Siblings Prince Edward and Princess Anne were said to have discussed not allowing the mother of two to get too comfortable, with Anne allegedly labeling her as “jealous.”
Recent reports now suggest that Meghan Markle may return to the U.K. for the Invictus Games, a move experts warn could lead to a cold reception if it occurs.
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What The Royal Siblings Said About Meghan Markle
Despite not attending King Charles 2023 coronation, Meghan Markle’s name was still on the lips of some senior Royals.
As reported by the Daily Express, lip-readers working with Channel 5 allegedly interpreted an exchange between Prince Edward and Princess Anne, which hinted at their less-than-favourable view of the Duchess of Sussex and her marriage to Prince Harry.
According to one lip reader, Edward told Anne that the family “mustn’t let her get too comfy,” to which the princess responded with “Meghan is very jealous and a scaremonger.”
Anne’s comment seemingly prompted a laugh from her and the Prince, before she went on to tell him about how she had resisted the charms of Meghan.
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“I’ve made sure that she knows that I’m idiot-proof,” she said. Edward then retorted with, “We shall continue to ignore, but it’s the most effective way for removing the unwanted.”
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Experts React To The Royal Siblings’ Comments About The Duchess Of Sussex
Reflecting on the alleged remarks, Royal Family commentator Dickie Arbiter leaned in to Anne’s scathing analysis of Meghan.
“Meghan has always been jealous, jealous of other members of the family,” he said. “So I can understand how the family reacts to Meghan. There’s no love lost between them, and nor will there be.”
Meanwhile, TV presenter Cristo Foufas expressed his surprise that such a scandalous conversation was allegedly taking place at King Charles III’s coronation.
“I’m absolutely blown away that during this coronation, they’re having these sorts of conversations within earshot of each other. It’s unbelievable,” Foufas said.
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Former EastEnders actress Nina Wadia echoed the sentiments expressed by Cristo Foufas, adding that the alleged exchange had opened her eyes to what she believes is a lack of love for Meghan among senior royals.
“I’m just a bit speechless because of how blatant it is and how it is spoken about in that way,” the actress noted.
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Meghan Markle Could Possibly Return To The U.K. For The Invictus Games
Meghan has yet to return to the U.K. since skipping the coronation, a decision reports have linked to security concerns raised by her and Prince Harry.
There is now speculation that she could return alongside him for the next Invictus Games in the U.K., and, according to an expert, she would likely receive the necessary security arrangements.
“If Meghan were to travel to the U.K. under the current RAVEC protocol — which requires 30 days’ notice to assess threat levels — I am confident that both Harry and Meghan would receive armed security for an Invictus appearance,” Kinsey Schofield said, per Fox News.
According to the expert, that alone may not be enough to satisfy Meghan, who would likely expect a warmer or more favourable reception.
“Meghan will want many assurances, especially about how she is treated and how she can bring her own individuality with her,” she added. “Security is one of the biggest issues. I see encouraging signs that the heated moments of the past have cooled. I also believe Harry has asked King Charles to open the Invictus Games.”
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The Duke And Duchess’s ‘Credibility Has Been Bruised’
If Meghan chooses to accompany Prince Harry to the Invictus Games, the reception she receives could mirror the sentiment allegedly expressed by Edward and Anne at the coronation.
“I don’t think we would see the working royals even acknowledge their presence,” Kinsey shared. “The Sussexes’ credibility has been bruised over the last few years, and the royals want to keep their distance…”
Kinsey added, “She felt rejected by Harry’s family and country and wants to focus on her U.S. aspirations.”
Meghan Markle’s Return Would Be Seen As ‘Divisive,’ Expert Claims
It is reportedly believed that many Britons may continue to hold similar views about Meghan regardless of how much time has passed since she and Harry stepped back as senior royals and relocated to the U.S.
“It’s a risky move,” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich said of Meghan’s potential return. “She will be viewed as divisive at best.”
However, Fordwich also noted that the Duchess of Sussex is intelligent enough to know that she won’t be returning to a friendly environment.
The expert said, “She is smart and knows she will be entering a frightfully hostile environment…. The royals are also beyond wary.”
When you think of Little House on the Prairie, your mind probably goes to the opening sequence where the Ingalls girls run down the grassy hill chasing their dog, Jack. It’s the kind of cozy, all-American nostalgia Netflix is betting on, too, since its upcoming adaptation has already been renewed for Season 2 ahead of its Season 1 premiere on July 9. But well before that new version arrives, it’s worth remembering that not every episode of Little House on the Prairie is particularly uplifting.
Some feature harsh and unthinkable moments that can make the blood boil and the heart sink. One such episode comes from the series’ sixth season, a two-parter titled “May We Make Them Proud.” Longtime fans might recognize this one immediately, but for the uninitiated, prepare for the show’s most horrific deaths — and it’s not even close.
“May We Make Them Proud” Offers the Most Horrific Deaths in the Series
What starts as a heartwarming episode about raising money for the local blind school — run by Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and her husband Adam Kendall (Linwood Boomer, yes, the guy who made Malcolm in the Middle) — complete with some fun and lighthearted character moments, quickly turns into the evening from hell. After a full day of raising money and enjoying the company of those around Walnut Grove, Mary, Adam, Hester-Sue (Ketty Lester), and Alice Garvey (Hersha Parady) spend some time relaxing at the dinner table. But unbeknownst to them, earlier that day, Matthew Labyorteaux‘s Albert Ingalls and another local boy had been sneakily smoking a pipe in the basement, and it soon caught fire. It wasn’t long before the blind school began to burn down, and while that’s a tragedy on its own, it’s much worse when Mary realizes she left her baby.
Hoping to save Mary and the baby, Alice Garvey sends Mary outside and heads back in for the child, only to get distracted by saving another. As heroic as her actions were, this resulted in Alice being trapped in an upper room with no escape, as she and the baby were burned alive. Mary, Adam, Hester-Sue, and the children can do nothing but hear her scream. This is one moment where Mary and Adam are likely thankful to be unable to see, though we, the audience, are exposed to some of Alice’s final moments as she tries helplessly to break through the window. The whole thing is incredibly hard to watch and is arguably one of the more gruesome deaths on the show, leaving the outcome up to the imagination. You wouldn’t find this in the real Ingalls story.
This 1 Hour of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Is the Perfect, Cozy Winter Watch
It doesn’t get more cozy than this Midwestern holiday hour.
Because of the tragedy, Mary is left grief-stricken and for weeks says nothing but sits quietly humming a lullaby to herself. This hits especially hard when we recall that this is now the second baby boy that Mary and Adam have lost. The first was lost via miscarriage in the Season 5 episode, “The Sound of Children,” so this baby’s death is a particular blow to the Kendall family. Though Mary Ingalls didn’t get married or have children in real life, Little House aimed to give her a happier ending, though “May We Make Them Proud, Part 1” rips much of that away from her. For quite some time, Mary can’t even acknowledge that she lost a child, that is, until Albert gifts her a music box that plays the same lullaby, snapping her out of it and revealing that Albert believes himself responsible for the fire.
Despite the Tragedy, This ‘Little House’ Episode Ends With Hope
The first hour of “May We Make Them Proud” is depressing. Aside from Mary’s resulting condition, Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Olsen) takes his grief out on his son, Andy (Patrick Labyorteaux), and actively blames God for the disaster. It seems as if this horror will forever mark the lives of the Kendall and Garvey families. But, thankfully, the two-parter doesn’t end on such a sour note. Thanks to the efforts of Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon), Jonathan and Albert can come to terms with what happened. In fact, the former even exclaims to the latter that the fire was nobody’s fault. Having been forgiven, Albert returns home to his father, just like the prodigal son.
This two-parter touches on the hardships of frontier living and thrives when waxing philosophical about the nature of why bad things happen. Jonathan’s struggle with his faith and ultimately finding it again (which feels akin to episodes like “The Lord Is My Shepherd”) is a powerful motivator for the man in his final batch of episodes. It wouldn’t be long before Jonathan and Andy were written out of the show completely, moving to Sleepy Eye to find new work and start over. Merlin Olsen would go on to lead his own series, Father Murphy, with the help of Michael Landon, though it would only last two seasons. In any case, “May We Make Them Proud” remains a powerful two hours of Little House on the Prairie, forcing our characters to reconcile such tragedy with the true adage that life does indeed go on, even when it’s hard.
I am a big believer in second chances, and Khloé Kardashian is getting one from me. Last month, I gave my honest review of Khloud Protein Popcorn, focusing on her Olive Oil and Sea Salt flavor. While I wasn’t a fan of the chalky texture and overwhelming whey coating, I was quickly notified by the Internet that I dove in by trying the worst flavor first, and that I’d be better off trying White Cheddar, as the cheese helps diminish the chalky protein powder taste. With only six bucks to lose, I quickly headed back to Sprouts to pick up a bag to create another review.
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Khloé Kardashian’s Khloud Protein Popcorn Review: Take Two
Last month, I tried the Olive Oil and Sea Salt flavor of Khloé Kardashian’s Protein Popcorn collection. The texture was good, but I was immediately put off by the unpleasant taste of whey protein powder. If you’ve ever used unflavored whey powder in order to bake bread, it’s exactly the same taste.
Fortunately, I can see why the White Cheddar flavor is held in much higher esteem. It doesn’t completely eliminate the whey taste, but the cheese does mask it. The texture holds up, and the tanginess of the cheese gives you a pleasant cheddar taste without being “funky” or overwhelming, like some flavors can be.
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Inside The Bag: Gluten-Free But Not Vegan
Compared to other popcorn products on the market, Khloud Protein Popcorn definitely has its fair share of protein. Some brands, like SkinnyPop, only have about 2 grams of protein per serving, while Khloé’s popcorn brand boasts 7 grams. Both have approximately 150 calories per serving, although it’s worth noting that the serving size can vary from brand to brand, so it’s something to watch out for.
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In terms of fat, it seems comparable to other brands on the market. Like many other popcorn varieties, it is Non-GMO and gluten-free, although some special popcorn flavors might include wheat, so it’s important to check the label. Khloud Protein Popcorn is seed-oil free, which you don’t always get with popcorn, but it contains milk due to the milk protein isolate coating, so it is unsuitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies.
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What Other Flavors Are Available?
As one of our writers, Jacquez, was quick to inform me, Khloe is quickly growing her brand. In addition to Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn and Cinnamon Roll, a new Dill Pickle flavor was released in February 2026.
The comments on the Instagram post teasing the launch were overwhelmingly positive. “Ohhh never have I wanted to try something so bad,” one fan commented. “Can’t wait to try!!!” another follower exclaimed. “The way I just gasped!! I didn’t see this coming but it makes so much sense!! Manifesting my Monthlies Kettle Corn purple PR box soon!!” a third fan chimed in with a popcorn emoji. Other fans begged her to bring the popcorn to stores in the U.K. and Canada.
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Why Khloé Kardashian Started Khloud Protein Popcorn
In April 2025, when she first launched her protein-forward popcorn, the reality star talked to PEOPLE about why she decided to create her own snack line.
“I’m at this stage in my [health] journey for the past few years that I’ve been really trying to up my protein intake. I’m all about muscle definition and being strong and healthy, not just skinny,” she shared. “Protein wise, I’m not someone that is going to sit down and have steak and eggs all day long, and I need to consume protein.”
“I was going to fitness stores to get protein, grab and go. And they don’t taste very well, in my opinion, and they’re filled with so much filler and artificial stuff,” she continued. “And I really just wanted something, selfishly, that tasted great, that didn’t have a ton of ingredients in it, that I could [fulfill] my protein intake [with].”
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Khloé Has Big Dreams For Her Popcorn Brand
Fortunately for Khloud Protein Popcorn fans, it doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
“I’m disappointed in so much of the food industry these days, and for me, it’s very overwhelming to sometimes pack lunches for my kids or even know what I want, and this is just the very start of what I hope Khloud will be,” she explained.
“What I really pray comes of [Khloud] is a trusting relationship. It’s not just for kids, but for my kids. I’ve given them a lot of foods,” she continued. “This is just the very start of what I hope Khloud will be. And I do want this to be a brand that people feel safe with and trust, and I want to really live up to that.”
Khloud Protein Popcorn is currently available for purchase at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Sprouts, and other major retailers.
General Hospital could see Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) doing double daddy duty soon. There’s a chance Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) may find out she is pregnant soon. If so, there might be a huge paternity twist coming for Curtis that could change everything forever.
General Hospital: Curtis Ashford Faces Double Daddy Drama
If Jordan Ashford pulls a wicked DNA stunt, that’s something you would usually suspect from Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr).
Curtis Ashford is expecting a baby with Portia Robinson even though they’re getting a divorce. She confirmed it with the DNA test. There’s no reason for her to have lied.
Curtis Ashford is moving on with Jordan Ashford, and Portia Robinson has moved on with Isaiah Gannon. But things may get a whole lot more complicated for Curtis very soon.
Jordan Ashford’s Possible Pregnancy Shakes Up Port Charles
It looks like Jordan Ashford takes a pregnancy test this week. That means there’s clearly a chance she’s pregnant. That would be really interesting because Jordan is worried about the threat of Portia’s pregnancy.
Despite Curtis hoping that Portia’s baby was his, Jordan Ashford hoped it was Isaiah’s kid. Jordan was worried she would lose Curtis to Portia. She thought they would bond over having another baby together.
But if Jordan Ashford is also pregnant, that’s her big chance to have the same thing going with Curtis. It might convince Jordan that she can compete with Portia and keep Curtis to herself permanently.
At this point, let’s be real, Portia doesn’t even want Curtis. But Jordan Ashford is being paranoid. Portia is all about Isaiah. Still, Jordan wants a guarantee that a reunion between Curtis and Portia won’t happen.
GH Twist: Is Curtis Really Jordan’s Baby Daddy?
Jordan Ashford may think having a baby with Curtis Ashford would be her ticket to their happily ever after. But that’s only if it is Curtis’s baby. If Jordan is pregnant, there is a chance Curtis is not the father.
It was New Year’s Eve when Jordan Ashford and Curtis Ashford finally made love. If Jordan is two months pregnant or less—like eight weeks, give or take—then dollars to donuts, it is her baby with Curtis.
However, if Jordan Ashford is more than two months pregnant, then that is not Curtis’s baby. That would be one heck of a twist. Imagine Jordan turning up pregnant and then lying that it was Curtis’s baby just to hold onto him.
Is Brick the Secret Father? GH Paternity Speculation
As far as Curtis Ashford knows, Jordan Ashford wasn’t seeing anybody before they got together. However, she did date Isaiah before he started getting with Portia. Jordan and Isaiah’s relationship ended in late April of 2025.
There’s no way Jordan Ashford got pregnant by Isaiah Gannon. I don’t think he would have turned around and dipped in that pond again. He didn’t like her much after they split.
But if you remember, there has been another man in Jordan Ashford’s life. Someone we’ve seen pretty recently. That’s Brick (Stephen A. Smith).
We never saw Jordan getting sexy time with Brick, but we have seen him trying to get some sexy time with her.
I would be super surprised if they did flashback sex scenes with Stephen A. Smith and Tanisha Harper. Maybe we get Brick buttoning up his pants while she’s laying in bed. I don’t see the ESPN commentator doing a full-on soap sex scene.
General Hospital Flashbacks: Jordan Ashford’s Past Affairs
But maybe he’s a huge fan of General Hospital. S*x scenes are a soap staple. So, never say never.
We might find out after the fact that Jordan Ashford and Brick did do the deed. If Jordan turns up with a positive pregnancy test, we have to ask whether the baby is Curtis’s or not.
The thing is, Curtis Ashford has no reason to think about asking for a DNA test. Jordan Ashford won’t know from a positive little pee-on-it pregnancy test how far along she is. You have to get an ultrasound to find that out.
GH History: Jordan and TJ Ashford’s Paternity Scandal
Do you remember Jordan’s last pregnancy? It was way back in the day when she was pregnant carrying TJ Ashford (Tajh Bellow).
She was married to Curtis’s brother Tommy Ashford. Tommy hasn’t been seen on General Hospital before; he’s just an off-screen character. Then, Jordan Ashford had an affair with her husband’s best friend, Shawn Butler.
Instead of telling the truth, Jordan lied to everybody. TJ grew up thinking he was Tommy Ashford’s child, even though Shawn had been a presence in his life the whole time.
Tommy had been dead for years. Jordan Ashford never came clean. Curtis Ashford found out and then promised Jordan he would keep it a secret. But TJ overheard and learned the truth, and it blew up her life.
Portia Robinson & Jordan: GH’s Queens of Hidden Truths
What’s ironic is Jordan Ashford berated Portia Robinson over and over for lying and letting Taggert think that Trina was his daughter when she was Curtis Ashford’s daughter—also from an affair, by the way.
Jordan and Portia have basically identical lies in common. Except, I actually think Jordan’s lie is worse because Tommy was dead. It wasn’t like both dad candidates were around. Despite that, Jordan Ashford thinks she has the moral high ground over Portia.
Honestly, I think it’d be wild if Brick is the dad. However, I think Jordan Ashford would pull the exact same stunt. I think she would lie and let Curtis Ashford believe he is the father of her baby because Jordan doesn’t want to lose him again at all costs.
Curtis Ashford’s Trust Issues: More Drama Ahead on GH
Jordan didn’t think she’d ever get another chance with Curtis after their 2021 divorce. But now, Portia Robinson and Curtis Ashford are done. Jordan is getting her second chance with Curtis.
What’s ironic is Jordan has lied just as much as Portia. But Curtis seems to have forgotten that Jordan did all the same stuff Portia did and is just as big a liar as his other ex-wife. This week, we hopefully will find out the result of Jordan’s pregnancy test.
Paternity Bombshells Loom: Will Jordan Tell the Truth?
It definitely looks like she was the one with the test in her hand. I’m assuming she’s pregnant. Otherwise, why would GH have her even take a pregnancy test?
If that test is positive, then I wonder if Jordan Ashford is going to run right over to General Hospital to get an ultrasound to see how far along she is.
If we see any urgency or panic about it, or if she doesn’t tell Curtis Ashford right away, I think that’s a red flag that Jordan may be worried about who the daddy of her kid is. Jordan’s going to want it to be Curtis’s baby.
But Jordan did have some dates with Brick. He was totally smitten, being a smooth operator like he was. General Hospital has some wiggle room where they could make Jordan Ashford pregnant with another man’s child.
They could always fabricate a flashback of her getting drunk one night and having a one-night stand with some other guy. Kind of like how Michael Corinthos had that one night with Sasha and she got pregnant with Daisy.
Portia Robinson Could Expose Jordan’s Latest General Hospital Secret
I personally think it would be awesome if Brick was Jordan’s baby daddy. If so, I feel 100% like she’d lie and try to pass the kid off as Curtis Ashford’s child. That is a dangerous game since Portia Robinson works at the hospital, where Jordan Ashford would be getting all her prenatal care.
Portia Robinson would be poised to find out the secret. That way, Portia could be positioned to knock Jordan off her high horse. Also, in case you weren’t listening closely, Portia recently told Isaiah Gannon that Jordan Ashford and Curtis Ashford won’t last.
Portia said it will be impossible for Jordan to live up to Curtis’s high standards when it comes to honesty. That could have been a little nugget of foreshadowing.
So, wait to see if Jordan Ashford is pregnant, how far along she is, and if she’s going to pull another big paternity switcheroo just like she did with TJ.
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