Before her two-episode stint in The Big Bang Theory‘s newest spinoff, Mayim Bialik recalled reading comments hoping her character wouldn’t appear on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

“I’ve had a very, very positive relationship of being accepted into the larger Big Bang Theory community. The funniest thing was when it was announced that Stuart was coming back and that some of The Big Bang Theory characters might make an appearance,” Bialik, 50, recalled in an exclusive interview with Us. “I would text Melissa [Rauch] because sometimes I would read the comment sections and it was like, ‘Please God, let it not be Amy.’ Or other ones would be like, ‘Please God, let it not be … .’”

Bialik, who portrayed Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on the hit sitcom Big Bang Theory, didn’t take it to heart.

“Everyone had their preference of who they didn’t want to see on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and so I just got a good laugh out of that,” she shared. “Like you cannot please all of the audience any of the time. Hopefully, people who were happy to see at least these characters come back — hopefully they were pleased with this season.”

Related: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Fans welcomed the cast of The Big Bang Theory into their living rooms for 12 seasons before saying goodbye to the sitcom — and we’re still keeping up with them today. Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper), Kaley Cuoco (Penny Teller), Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter), Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz), Kunal Nayyar (Raj Koothrappali), Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) and Melissa […]

The Big Bang Theory aired from 2007 to 2019 and starred Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Bialik and Rauch, 46, as a group of friends made up of scientists and their significant others. During its run, the CBS comedy won 10 Emmy Awards and spawned prequel shows Young Sheldon and Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.

Since joining the show as Amy in 2010, Bialik reprised the role in Young Sheldon and now in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which follows Stuart (Kevin Sussman) as he is faced with the daunting task of “restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon,” according to the official synopsis.

“There had obviously been a lot of buzz around the show and the Chuck Lorre world is notoriously private, which I think you know makes it all the more fun when I found out what was happening. There had been whispers [about me returning],” the actress recalled about the process of joining the show. “These were things that were floating in the ether but everyone was pretty tight-lipped about it.”

Bialik was more than happy just as a fan of the show.

“I was mostly just excited for them,” she noted. “The fact that I got asked to be part of it was really, really special. Honestly I would have been happy to do anything to be involved and to be supportive. The fact that I got to create these different versions of Amy in this multiverse was kind of a bonus.”

She added: “It’s nice not to be asked to have to recreate the job you had when you were 35. So it’s also nice that there is some flexibility in the identity that we got to create.”

Earlier in the season, Bialik played a version of Amy who existed in Stuart’s subconscious as a therapist manifested in one of the many universes he explored. The Thursday, September 17, episode of the HBO Max show brought Bialik back as another version who is married to The Flash.

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“I don’t know if there’s a larger storytelling plan but it was a lot of fun,” she recalled. “Stuart lends itself to the ability to have all of this sweetness sprinkled in throughout the season.”

Looking ahead, Bialik, who also hosts the “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown” podcast didn’t rule out more guest spots, adding, “I love working on my podcast and continuing to raise my children. But this is a universe that I’m very very happy to be part of. I’d be up for anything.”

New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe air Thursdays on HBO Max.

A dispute has erupted between Chelsea Handler and comedian Salma Hindy over the latter’s alleged firing as an opener on Handler’s tour. Hindy claimed she was let go after expressing support for Palestine, while Handler has denied the allegation and offered a different account of what happened.

The two comedians have shared contrasting versions of what happened, with Hindy saying Handler accused her of libel.

Canadian-Egyptian comedian Salma Hindy shared the demise of her relationship with Chelsea Handler in an Instagram post on September 16. She shared her story after Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following his pro-Palestine remarks onstage.

According to Hindy, she was hired as an opener for Handler’s tour in 2022, and she had a “very warm, loving, sisterly relationship” with the comedian. Sometime in 2023, Hindy said she asked Handler if they could discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman posted “disgustingly racist dehumanizing posts toward Palestinians.”

Hindy claims Handler did not respond to her messages, and she was removed from three tour dates the day after. She still worked with Handler in December 2023, and while discussing the conflict during dinner, Handler allegedly “insisted on defending the Israeli government.”

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The comedian also shared a post on Instagram supporting Palestine and claims Handler canceled two of her shows, and her manager later told her that Handler wanted her gone “because of the Palestine thing.”

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Handler responded to Hindy’s post and disputed her account of what happened. “You quit opening for me, and I have emails from your agents. Your agent is full of it. I would never fire someone for disagreeing with me politically on this issue,” she wrote, per Deadline.

On Instagram Stories, Handler posted screenshots of communications with Hindy. In one message, dated January 2024, Hindy said she won’t be able to perform, writing, “something has now come up and I won’t be able to do the remaining four shows anymore.”

In another screenshot, dated October 2023, Handler reached out to Hindy and asked if she could open for her on nine dates.

A 2022 email also showed Handler agreeing to reimburse Hindy for rescheduled flights. “I have plenty more but I’ll leave it here,” Handler wrote on the post, tagging Hindy.

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Hindy took to Instagram Stories and addressed the screenshots Handler posted. She noted that the reimbursement email Handler shared was dated 2022, when she was referring to an incident in 2024. While she confirmed that she was reimbursed for a return flight, her other plane tickets and hotel stays were not paid.

Hindy said she decided to drop from the remaining dates because her manager believed she was being “pushed out” because of her pro-Palestine stance. “These were not direct written statements from Chelsea, but they were the contest in which I withdrew,” she clarified, per TMZ.

Now, Hindy claims Handler told her she contacted her lawyers due to her “libelous” statements.

Critics Called Out Chelsea Handler’s Inconsistency

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Handler is known for being vocal, but critics say she has been inconsistent in her views. In 2018, Handler criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X, writing that his government would “effectively turn Gaza and the Left Bank into starvation camps or mental asylums.”

After the October 7, 2023, attacks, however, Handler appeared in a video with Israeli activist and actress Noa Tishby and spoke about the “misinformation” about the Jewish state. In the video, Handler said she and Tishby are “pro-Palestinian and anti-Hamas, and it’s okay to question Israel’s policies and still be pro-Israel.”

Handler maintains that she advocates for the human rights of Palestinians while also supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

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Chelsea Handler Supports Mark Ruffalo

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Mark Ruffalo, who has a long history of advocating for Palestinian human rights, is facing controversy in Hollywood over Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The actor called out Paramount CEO David Ellison and his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, over their support for the Israeli military efforts in Gaza. Ruffalo has been accused of using “antisemitic tropes” as a result, per The Blast.

In an episode of the “I’ve Had It” podcast in March, Handler expressed support for the pro-Palestine actor, saying, “I don’t think Mark Ruffalo is antisemitic. I think he’s standing up for something he believes in, and I admire that. I support him,” she said.

Julia Stiles might have just found the perfect way to tell off Andy Cohen with her appearance on “Dancing With The Stars.” 

The “Save the Last Dance” actress sparked plenty of conversation, with fans questioning whether she had an advantage after showing off her dance moves in the movie, making her ballroom debut especially interesting. 

While some have shown support and are eager to see what she brings to the dance floor, others have made it clear that she does not have a leg up. Now, Stiles is adding another layer to what is promising to be a memorable 35th season.

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While being interviewed for her intro package during Tuesday’s premiere, Stiles admitted that she stopped taking dance classes when people expected her moves to be perfect.

Her professional partner, Ezra Sosa, then asked what had motivated her to return to the dance floor after so many years, and she named Andy Cohen.

This was in response to the TV Host’s comments about the actress made a year ago in an interview with Kerry Washington, who appeared alongside Stiles in “Save the Last Dance.”

“Can we all just agree that Julia Stiles is not the greatest dancer on the planet?” Cohen said at the time, while Washington was, however, quick to defend her co-star. 

Referencing the insulting comment, Stiles announced, per Entertainment Weekly, “We’re going to win the Mirrorball, sit on Andy’s couch and be like, ‘Hey,’” sharing a high five with Sosa.  

The “10 Things I Hate About You” star is well on her way to keeping her word.  At the premiere, she delivered a stellar performance to “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, earning a high score of 18 out of 30 and placing her high on the leaderboard. 

“Andy Cohen, you can eat it,” judge Derek Hough declared after their dance ended. “That was beautiful, graceful. You are absolutely beaming. I love to see it.” 

Juilliard Showed Support For Julia Stiles Before Her ‘DWTS’ Premiere 

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Despite Cohen’s comments, the Hollywood star seems to be receiving support from unexpected places, notably the Juilliard School. 

The world-renowned performing arts school was where her character in “Save the Last Dance” had practised so hard to get accepted. However, that wasn’t Stiles’ reality.

“Checks registrar* No, Julia Stiles did not, in fact, attend Juilliard. But we love her anyway,” the school captioned an Instagram post addressing the truth

“Good luck on DWTS, Julia… we’re cheering you on!” they concluded, as reported by The Blast. 

Andy Cohen Shares His Thoughts On Competing On ‘DWTS’

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The irony doesn’t go unnoticed, as Cohen himself had said he could never go on “Dancing With The Stars” 

Late last month, The Blast reported that although the TV host had received an invitation to join the celebrity cast, he had declined. 

“I can’t dance on TV. No one wants to see that,” he explained as his reasoning. He shared how people had posted videos of him dancing at Dead shows and made fun of him on TikTok. “Let me dance in peace,” Cohen concluded.

Julia Stiles Set The Record Straight On Her Dance Experience Before DWTS 

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While the dance academy seemed to rally around Stiles, her announcement as a cast member on “Dancing with the Stars” drew some criticism.

Fans questioned if her previous dance background gave her an advantage over other contestants. 

The 45-year-old, however, set the record straight in a TikTok video she made with Sosa. She clarified that she did not actually attend Juilliard School, even though her character did in the classic.

She also revealed that she had no professional experience before doing the movie and hasn’t danced since then, which was almost three decades ago. She also used a stunt double for many of the complicated dance sequences, per The Blast.

No DWTS Contestant Will Have An Advantage, Show Judge Warns 

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Stiles was not the only cast member to raise eyebrows for prior dance experience. Others included “Step Up” actress Jenna Dewan, former “Bachelor” star Tyler Cameron, and “Glee” alum Harry Shum Jr.

Amid the debate, show judge Bruno Tonioli set the record straight. According to The Blast, he clarified that no contestant would have an advantage, since ballroom dancing was a whole different ballgame from whatever they were used to, and they would be learning it from scratch. 

“What happens is your expectations are higher, so obviously they know that,” the 70-year-old judge said. “They’re gonna be afraid, but the expectations are higher. We will be very honest. Nobody’s gonna get a free ride. I’m telling you that.”   

Ken is celebrating 65 years, and Mattel has found a rock star to help mark the occasion. Lenny Kravitz has been named the toy company’s second-ever Kenbassador, giving the Grammy-winning musician a new role in the world of Barbie. The unexpected partnership puts Kravitz in the spotlight as Mattel celebrates more than six decades of Barbie’s male companion.

On September 17, Mattel and Lenny Kravitz revealed the rock star’s new role as the second-ever Kenbassador.

In a short video posted on social media, the singer tosses bootleg denim jeans, a cowl-neck tank top, a belt, boots, a necklace and sunglasses on a staircase before revealing the Lenny Kravitz Ken doll. The camera zooms out, showing Kravitz standing over his doll, with both dressed in matching outfits and accessories.

A week before the announcement, Kravitz teased the collaboration by posting a photo of his doll’s tattooed arm while holding out a setlist.

“Barbie is an institution, and as a kid growing up, I could not have imagined this. To be chosen by Mattel as a Kenbassador, only the second one in history, is an honor and absolutely surreal,” said Kravitz in a statement, per Rolling Stone.

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Mattel Honors The Singer’s Music And Style

The release of Kravitz’s doll coincides with Ken’s 65th anniversary.

Ken, full name Kenneth Sean Carson, was first introduced in 1961, two years after the Barbie doll’s launch. Like Barbie, Ken was created by Ruth Handler in response to requests for Barbie to have a romantic companion, according to TIME.

In a statement, Mattel’s Head of Barbie, Nathan Baynard, said the partnership with Kravitz celebrates the artist’s authenticity. “From his genre-defying music to his fearless approach to personal style, Lenny uses his platform to champion individuality while empowering others to do the same,” Baynard noted.

Lenny Kravitz Explains Creative Choices Behind His Doll’s Style

Kravitz finds it “so cool” to have his own doll, saying it never crossed his mind to have one made. He commended Mattel for the attention to detail and was impressed at how they replicated the tattoo of his mom’s portrait on his arm.

As for his doll’s fashion choice, the singer said it made sense to dress it in clothes he’s been wearing for his Blue Electric Light Tour, which kicked off in June 2024 and is currently on its third leg. “We got it down to all the details of the boots and the jeans and the belt with the holes and the rivets and the tops that I’ve been wearing,” he told PEOPLE.

The pair of sunglasses was modeled after the same vintage ones he’s had from the 1960s, and the necklace was created in the likeness of the one he wears, which once belonged to his mother, actress Roxie Roker.

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LeBron James Was The First Kenbassador

Basketball legend LeBron James was named the first Kenbassador in 2025.

“Barbie is teaming up with the LeBron James Family Foundation to release the first Ken® doll of a professional athlete, LeBron James, to recognize his positive impact on culture, style, and community,” the press release read.

For every LeBron James Kenbassador doll sold at Target, Mattel donated a copy of the athlete’s book, “I Am More Than” to the Save the Children organization.

Kravitz’s collaboration with Mattel will reportedly benefit the singer’s non-profit organization, the Let Love Rule Foundation, which focuses on providing medical care, disaster relief, and food assistance. The Barbie Signature Kenbassadors Lenny Kravitz Ken Doll retails for $70.

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Lenny Kravitz’s Tour Is Wrapping Up

After two years on the road, Kravitz’s tour is coming to a close, with a final performance at Central Park’s Great Lawn on September 26.

“I’ve been touring for two and a half years now on this album,” Kravitz said, referring to his 12th studio album, “Blue Electric Light,” released in May 2024. “We’re coming to a close. [The doll] marks this time and this tour, which has been really incredible for me. I think it’s the best tour of my career,” the singer said.

Fans are calling La La Anthony the ultimate “girl’s girl” after she gave them a lil’ peek into her bond with her son Kiyan Anthony’s girlfriend, Angel Bradley. La La came through with a cute video showing just how close she and Angel have gotten, and fans are loving every bit of their sweet connection!

RELATED: Bae Goals! Kiyan Athony & Angel Bradley Serve Boo’d Up Energy With Cozy Date Night (PHOTO + VIDEO)

La La Anthony & Kiyan Anthony’s Girlfriend Are Givin’ Besties In NEW Clip

Recently, La La Anthony dropped a sweet video with Kiyan Anthony’s girlfriend, Angel Bradley, before they popped out for New York Fashion Week. The duo hopped on a viral TikTok trend, with La La writing, “How it feels when my son’s girlfriend is now my bestie.” And whew, they both came through with the looks! La La rocked a black-and-silver dress, while Angel served in a black cutout number. Additionally, La La captioned the cute clip. “My lil mini me @AngelBradley love you.” 

Social Media Can’t Get Enough Of La La & Angel’s Bond

Once The Shade Room Teens dropped the clip, fans wasted no time showing the ladies some love in the comment section. Heart-eye and fire emojis quickly took over, with plenty of folks calling La La a true “girl’s girl” and others saying she’s giving the ultimate boy mom energy!

Instagram user @callmebrincess_ wrote, ‘I love this for them 😍” 

Instagram user @tori_santana wrote, “La La is such a girls girl.” 

While Instagram user @__brebabyy wrote, “It gives she always wanted a gurllllaa lmao.” 

Then Instagram user @thinkhotpink_ wrote, “😍😍😍 La La always gave mother of boy never a boy mom we love that.” 

Another Instagram user @_lovebtw_ wrote, “Angel been a baddddieeee.” 

Instagram user @tamiaaaa_.x wrote, “😍😍😍😍 love them.” 

Then another Instagram user @aniiya.lensay wrote, “This is how you boy Mom!.” 

Finally, Instagram user @leniciac_x3 wrote, “both gorgeous 😍😍😍😍” 

Young Love! Kiyan & Angel Stay Serving Bae Goals

Kiyan Anthony and Angel Bradley have been locked in for a minute. The couple first popped out together back in July 2025, and they’ve been serving bae goals on social media ever since. Just a month later, Kiyan and Angel gave fans a lil’ peek at their date night vibes while coordinating in all-black fits. Angel filmed a cute moment from what looked like the passenger seat as Kiyan appeared to cruise behind the wheel and she sweetly caressed his face. Peep the adorable clip below.

RELATED: Kiyan Anthony Responds To Backlash Over Age Gap With Girlfriend Angel Bradley (WATCH)