We’ve got your Big Brother veto meeting results and renom. Drew Campbell contemplated an epic blindside to put another icon on the block – not Rick Devens, the icon who volunteered to go up. But like with so many plans in the Big Brother 28 house, the question was did Drew have the nerve to do it?

Big Brother 28: Drew’s Got it Down

Drew explained why he’s sticking with Devens, Angela Murray, and Dee Valladares. We saw Drew say in the Diary Room on Sunday, that he’s sticking with the icons because they’re cutthroat and called himself their “baby”.

Meanwhile, Melody Morris and some of the others in Big Brother 28 cannot separate game play from real life. Devens and Dee are good at compartmentalizing. Angela’s just a bundle of emotions.

We saw after Mallory’s eviction, Drew promised Melody “I’m never putting you up”. But I think if Drew feels like he’s got to do it, he will. And Drew contemplated a huge blindside with renoms.

On the castle comp on Sunday’s episode, I wondered if the females were offered the option to wear pants instead of those cumbersome skirts. They looked hot and made maneuvering harder.

Big Brother: Survivor Similarities

I also want to mention the chatter saying the castle stacking comp was rigged for Dee. I’ve seen people passing around a photo of Dee doing what looks like a near-identical stacking comp from Survivor 45. Here’s the photo.

First, the pic may look similar, but it was quite a different comp. Those were stable pieces, not wobbly. Second, Dee came in next to last. She didn’t win. Not even close. Third, that Survivor comp was a puzzle, the stacking part was incidental.

You had to figure out how to combine different height pieces to get them all to same overall height then stack a ring on top of them. Last, stacking comps are common on both Survivor and Big Brother.

BB24, BB25 and BB26 had similar wobbly stacking comps. And almost every season we get tiny veto stacking as well. It’s not unprecedented and was anyone’s game. But for those that think things are rigged, I’m sure this isn’t persuasive…

Big Brother: Alum’s Return Requests

Also, remember David Alexander? He was on BB21 but never made it into the house. He was relegated to Camp Comeback and evicted from there. Yet he was cast on BB22 all-stars. I think Janelle Pierzina might’ve been taking a hit at him.

She was asked at the Big Brother 1000th episode if she’d ever return and what it would take to get her back. Janelle said a shorter filming schedule and if it’s all stars, make sure the people coming back are actually all-star worthy.

Janelle said – “Not just someone that was there a day or 2 on their original season.” Some people have called that season small stars. One more note, Devens said to Drew, Angela, Barrett Pfeiffer, and Dee on the feeds that Yash Patel was wrong to be so exuberant after his POV win.

Angela said Yash made an “ugly mean face”. All I know is Devens danced his butt off on Survivor 50 when he won the Mr Beast idol. Like very exuberantly. On the flip, he didn’t do it in front of anyone.

But Drew defended Yash on this and said he “celebrates like a douche bag” when he wins. I say celebrate your wins. Enjoy your flowers.

Devens Steps Up & Drops a Shocker on BB28

Let’s talk renoms. Rick Devens initially volunteered, then tried to walk it back and pushed for Melody. Then Devens wanted guarantees on vote safety. Dee and Devens agreed if he goes up and is evicted because Barrett flips on them, none of them will vote for Barrett in the end.

Drew warned Dee he might renom her when she confronted him about why he’s not nominating Melody. Drew said he’s thinking of putting Dee up and she said NO – you better think again. Yet Dee just put Drew on the block…

And Dee was pushing for Drew’s eviction when Haley nominated him in week 4. So, Drew said if he doesn’t put Dee up, he expects her to return the favor. And she told Drew, “of course, it wouldn’t cross my mind to put you up”. Yet she already did.

So, the live feeds went down before 11:30 am Big Brother time on Monday and when they came back up, Yash had taken himself off the block and Drew named Devens renom putting him alongside Taylor Brown and Lala Verrett heading into Thursday’s blockbuster and first Jury eviction.

Devens feels confident he’ll win the BB Blockbuster but Lala’s a comp beast. And Taylor’s two decades younger than Devens and athletic. We’ll see – it’s all about the type of comp.

If it’s a word scramble or visual or memory comp, it’s anyone’s game. If it’s the ropes, I foresee Taylor and Lala smoking Devens.

Big Brother 28: Bets for the Block on Thursday

And if he’s on the block Thursday night, there’s a chance Barrett may flip on him. That’s top of Devens’ anxiety list right now. Drew keeps reassuring him that Barrett won’t do it. When Devens talked to Barrett about it, he directly reassured Devens he wouldn’t flip.

But it’s a resume-building move for final 2 talking points if Barrett’s the one who flips and gets Devens out – the first icon to go. There’s 9 people left, 6 votes this week, 4 to evict and the possibility of a tie-breaker.

If Taylor or Lala come off the block, they’ll vote to evict Devens. Melody will too. So will Yash. That’s 3. If Barrett flips, that’s 4 to evict Devens. Think about how that restructures the house.

That leaves Angela, Dee and Drew on one side. Then Taylor, Lala, Yash, Melody and Barrett. That’s 3 versus 5 and could literally change the whole landscape of Big Brother 28.

But it’s all down to Barrett. He broke ranks last week and wouldn’t vote to evict Mallory. And the fact Barrett did it knowing Mallory still didn’t have the votes to stay is a statement.

Big Brother: The Fallout from the Blockbuster

If the house splits like that, Drew may run to the bigger side of the house. Unfortunately, as long as Dee’s still in the house, Yash winning HOH is a bad idea since he can’t nominate Angela or Dee.

But Yash can throw the comp to someone else who takes out Dee. Once she’s gone, Yash is free. Her bribe is fulfilled once he wins HOH and doesn’t nominate the icons. Or if Dee, who bribed him, is evicted.

This week’s Blockbuster is the most crucial in BB28. If Devens wins it, Lala or Taylor goes home, and the house will be split 4-4 unless Barrett drifts back to the vet side, then it’s 5-3 in the icons favor.

Former Bachelor Colton Underwood is closing his chapter on living in Los Angeles.

“Thank you Los Angeles. This second round of living in you was so much better. I met my husband, made incredible friends and welcomed our baby boy. Our family is leaving with so much love & we are ready for the next chapter 🫶🏼,” Underwood, 34, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 31. “It’s time for daddy to get his farm 🐓.”

Underwood also shared a series of photos with husband Jordan C. Brown and their 23-month-old son, Bishop, as the family loaded up a moving truck. “Thank you Los Angeles,” Underwood wrote over an image.

After Underwood appeared on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise in 2018, he became the Bachelor in 2019. Underwood publicly came out as gay in 2021 and began dating Brown later that year. The couple tied the knot in 2023 and welcomed Bishop via surrogate one year later.

Related: Colton Underwood Embraces Fatherhood in Cute Video With Newborn Son

MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images Colton Underwood is fully embracing fatherhood. “Our sweet Bishop,” Underwood, 32, captioned an Instagram video posted on Tuesday, October 1. In the short clip — set to “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles — the former Bachelor star could be seen feeding his newborn son with a bottle. Underwood […]

“The honeymoon phase evolves and changes,” Underwood exclusively told Us in 2025, adding that having their son has only added to their “honeymoon phase.”

“Watching Jordan be a dad right now is, like, the coolest, sexiest, fun thing ever,” Underwood gushed. “I can’t get enough of it. Seeing him in an all-new light, you know, getting to work with him as a team and raising our child is incredible.”

Underwood shared he has learned things about himself while navigating parenthood.

“I never really could have understood the connection that, you know, fathers and sons could have … until he was born, until I held him, until I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with him and had to give him a bottle,” Underwood said. “It’s an honor to be his dad.”

The next year, Underwood took to Instagram to share a photo of himself and Brown smiling for a selfie with Bishop. Over the image, Underwood included a screenshot of an Instagram comment that read, “I feel bad for that kid.”

Underwood replied to the user in the next slide, writing, “Genuinely curious what you meant by this. Because if you ‘feel bad’ for Bishop, I’d love to understand why. He’s loved, supported, celebrated, happy and surrounded by people who show up for him every single day.”

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Underwood continued, “What a child actually needs protection from isn’t a loving family. It’s ‘adults’ who use vague, loaded comments to express disapproval they don’t have the courage to say out loud. Words like yours, ambiguous enough to deny, pointed enough to wound, are exactly how kids learn that who they are is something to be ashamed of. That’s the thing worth feeling bad about.”

The Traitors alum noted that he and his family are “great” before thanking the user for the “reminder that this work still matters.”

“Comments like this are something I write about a lot in [his memoir] Dear Bishop,” Underwood wrote in the caption. “Some days they don’t affect me. Other days, they ruin my day. Most days, they remind me why sharing my life this publicly is worth it … because somewhere there’s a kid, or a man, who might find comfort or something familiar in my story. That’s what keeps me living openly.”

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for multiple TV shows.They don’t call HBO “the great entertainment alternative” for nothing. Since its first original narrative series in 1997, Oz, HBO has dedicated its team and resources to producing some of the most prestigious television of the modern era. In numbers alone, the network has received more than 1,500 Primetime Emmy nominations and won over 220 awards. In 2025 alone, HBO and HBO Max took home a combined 30 awards at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.

But whether it’s HBO or another streamer, every television series bears the burden of delivering an impressionable final episode. Just like the pilot, the finale is a make-or-break moment that can determine whether a series becomes a fleeting hit or leaves behind a legacy that audiences talk about for years. From heartfelt surprises to agonizing realizations about the state of the world, here are the HBO show endings that are genuine masterpieces.

‘Hacks’ (2021–2026)

Image via HBO Max

Just as Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) find common ground in Hacks, the series finale mercilessly pulls the rug out from under viewers. From the shocking revelation that Deborah is terminally ill and plans to end her life, to a farewell trip to Paris where Deborah rents out the Louvre, and Ava’s tearful confession — “Please don’t leave me” — after a night of clubbing, it’s devastating to think this might be it for the troubled duo.

Only, it isn’t. In a full-circle moment, minutes before their farewell, the two women cope with their pain by doing what they know best: swapping jokes, albeit morbid ones about Deborah’s cancer. It’s an almost Eureka-esque moment when Deborah realizes she isn’t finished creating, connecting directly to the pilot, where she first discovers how electrifying it feels to create comedy with Ava. There’s no grand speech to change Deborah’s mind, just a small reminder that she still wants to live. And it’s all thanks to Ava, who brings that excitement back into her life.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Image via HBO

Chernobyl begins by pointing out the cause of the 1989 nuclear disaster: human error. But as the story digs deeper, that explanation falls apart. The real horror lies in the Soviet system itself, which had known for years that the RBMK reactor was fundamentally unsafe and chose to keep those flaws hidden. One person’s so-called mistake is exposed as the consequence of a much larger failure—one built on negligence and a government determined to protect its image.

By the finale, the cover-up becomes impossible for Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) to ignore. In a dramatic trial that encapsulates what Chernobyl is all about, the scientist is called to court to give his account of what happened and is expected to repeat the official story and place the blame entirely on the plant workers. Instead, he uses his testimony to expose the truth about the reactor. The decision destroys his career and isolates him, but Legasov leaves behind recordings intended to protect the real victims of the disaster.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

Image via HBO

Few television endings have inspired as much debate as The Sopranos finale, but its infamous cut to black was always more deliberate than frustrating. The series follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a mob boss whose violent career clashes with the ordinary family life he desperately wants to protect. By the final episode, Tony has helped end the war with New York, but an impending indictment and the possibility of an informant leave him with nowhere to hide.

That makes the final dinner at Holsten’s so unsettling. Tony sits with his family, repeatedly watching the door as strangers enter, while Journey‘s bittersweet “Don’t Stop Believin’” plays in the background. Then Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) arrives, Tony looks up, and everything suddenly disappears into darkness. The finale never shows what happens, forcing viewers to experience Tony’s uncertainty rather than simply observe his death. It’s definitely a blasphemous ending, but it will have fans thinking about it for decades to come.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

Succession has always been ruthless, but audiences could still hope that someone would eventually get what they wanted. Instead, the finale cruelly gives none of the Roys their dream. Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) death forces the three Roy children to fight without their father’s final say, leaving them to prove whether they can actually run Waystar Royco. Their rivalry, insecurity, and desperate need for validation only drive them closer to losing everything.

The twist is that Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen), the outsider the Roys underestimated, becomes CEO. Tom’s victory is hardly triumphant, but that makes it work. The Roys lose because they cannot surrender their pride, while Tom survives by playing the long game. Kendall’s final image, staring blankly over the Hudson River, completes the tragedy. After spending his life chasing his father’s approval, he loses the company and the identity built around winning it. Succession ends by proving that none of the Roys, not even the golden boy, were ever prepared to inherit Logan’s throne.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Image via HBO

The final episode of Band of Brothers offers something most war stories rarely show: what happens after the fighting is over. Easy Company has survived Normandy, Bastogne, and the capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, yet victory does not immediately mean freedom. Soldiers remain stranded in Europe because they lack the points needed to return home. With Japan still fighting, they have no idea when their own war will truly end.

That uncertainty exposes another side of war, as boredom, alcohol, weapons, and pent-up aggression create new dangers for troops. Rather than ending with a triumphant battlefield victory, the finale seeps into the psychological aftermath of war. Older soldiers can envision lives beyond the Army, while younger ones who crave the thrill of combat struggle to adjust to peace. When Japan finally surrenders, Easy Company can celebrate, but the relief carries a bittersweet weight: these men are leaving behind the only life they have known for years.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Image via HBO

Few shows grasp the cruelty of the justice system and its nuances like The Night Of. After one rowdy night at a party, college student Naz Khan (Riz Ahmed) wakes beside a murdered woman and finds himself accused of her killing. With the evidence stacked against him, Naz’s Pakistani-American identity makes an already impossible situation even harder to escape. What follows is a turbulent story of how Naz lacks the power to prove his innocence.

The point of The Night Of isn’t to find out who the actual murderer is, but rather to explore how a false conviction brings out the worst out of Naz. And while Naz finally gets the freedom he deserves through a narrow jury decision, the finale makes it clear that no amount of freedom can undo the horrors he has unfairly experienced. Prison has stripped the anxious young man audiences met in the opening episode, leaving behind a cynical, hollow man trapped in a new prison of his own making.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

Image via HBO

Nobody likes talking about death, but Six Feet Under features a whole lot of it. Unsurprisingly, the drama follows the dysfunctional Fisher family as they run an independent funeral home following the death of its patriarch. Yet, after arranging countless funerals, preparing coffins, and burying strangers, nothing could prepare them for the grief that would make the series finale one of television’s finest.

In the aftermath of Nate’s (Peter Krause) death, the Fishers try to move forward with their lives, with Claire (Lauren Ambrose) leaving for New York. There is no neat resolution or guarantee that they’ll live happily ever after, only the promise of whatever comes next. What makes the finale so memorable, however, is its decision to show the deaths of every major character. Rather than ending when their stories reach their happiest peaks, the finale jumps through decades of their futures, reaching the end of their mortality. That’s ultimately the show’s point: death is simply a fact of life that happens every day.

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Six Feet Under

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Release Date

2001 – 2005-00-00

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HBO

Directors

Daniel Attias, Jeremy Podeswa, Kathy Bates, Michael Cuesta, Rodrigo García, Daniel Minahan, Michael Engler, Miguel Arteta, Nicole Holofcener, Adam Davidson, Alan Caso, Alan Taylor, Allen Coulter, Jim McBride, John Patterson, Joshua Marston, Karen Moncrieff, Lisa Cholodenko, Mary Harron, Matt Shakman, Peter Care, Peter Webber

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Writers

Craig Wright, Kate Robin, Alan Ball, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Christian Taylor, Craig Wright, Joey Soloway, Rick Cleveland, Scott Buck

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Brian Austin Green is changing his tune about one part of getting older.

The actor recently admitted that his sex drive is declining, despite previously insisting intimacy has only improved with age. Green, 53, opened up about the change while answering a listener’s question on the “I Do, Part 2” podcast.

Brian Austin Green also talked about his Hollywood romances and his relationship with Sharna Burgess. The couple welcomed a child in 2022. The actor is a father to six children whom he shares with different women.

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Green recently talked about his bedroom affairs during a podcast show on August 29. A listener asked whether men notice their sex drive decreasing as they get older. Green answered, “Sure, absolutely, of course,” before explaining that testosterone naturally declines with age. 

The actor acknowledged that some men can use supplements to try moving in the opposite direction. However, he made clear that his own answer remained unchanged. Green said his sex drive “absolutely” lowers with age and added, “There’s no way to avoid that.”

His cohost on iHeartRadio‘s “I Do, Part 2” podcast was Bob Guiney. Guiney mentioned how priorities can change as people get older. He noted that younger men may spend much more time thinking about sex. He shared that as responsibilities increase, other parts of life can take up more attention.

Green Previously Made A Different Claim About Intimacy

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Green’s latest admission is especially notable because he previously described intimacy as improving with age. During a July episode of the same podcast, he was asked whether sex had become better with age or whether he missed his twenties. His response was emphatic, as he said sex had “absolutely gotten better” for him. 

At the time, the Beverly Hills alum explained that he was less focused on his own insecurities. Instead, he said he cared more about how his partner felt and whether he was doing things she genuinely enjoyed. He also said he avoided doing things she disliked, making communication central to his approach. 

The 53-year-old actor also described a major shift in how he viewed intimacy. When he was younger, he said sex felt more like an action or a sport. With age, he said it became another way for him and his fiancée, Burgess, to feel connected. He also said having children means they cannot do it as often as they would like.

Why Brian Austin Green Got A Vasectomy

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Green underwent a vasectomy eight weeks after the birth of his son Zane with Burgess. Green explained the decision, saying, “Zane was born, and I was like, ‘I think it’s time to close the shop.’”

Burgess described Zane as a “birth control baby” because the pregnancy was completely unplanned. She explained that she had been using birth control when she became pregnant.

The American actor also said that all of his children were unplanned and that he has absolutely no regrets about having them. Green’s vasectomy also gave Burgess a sense of relief. She said the decision meant they could enjoy their sex life without constantly worrying about whether they were pregnant. Burgess added that if they eventually decide to have another child, they would consider IVF instead.

Green and Burgess had been dating for three years before getting engaged, and they welcomed Zane in June 2022. Before Zane, Green had three sons with Megan Fox and a son, Kassius Lijah, with Vanessa Marcil. He has also described co-parenting with Fox as amicable, saying they want their children to grow up in the healthiest environment possible, as shared by The Blast.

Green’s Romantic History With Black Women

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In the 1990s, the actor had a private romance with actress Tichina Arnold, who he said made it clear that nobody could know about them. Green said keeping the relationship secret triggered insecurities.

He explained that he was deeply involved in hip-hop culture and that was why he dated mostly Black women during that period. He also said the word “race” makes him uncomfortable and that he prefers thinking about differences through the idea of culture.

Green revealed that Arnold eventually became more comfortable with people knowing about their relationship. He said something in him had already changed because of how the relationship began. He later viewed the romance differently, but his admiration for Arnold remained. 

His romantic history before Burgess included several recognizable Hollywood names. The Blast shared that Green dated Tori Spelling from 1990 to 1991, later became involved with Tiffani Thiessen, and then dated Vanessa Marcil from 1999 to 2003. He and Marcil welcomed Kassius in 2002.

Green later began dating Megan Fox in 2004, and they became engaged in 2006 before marrying in 2010. They welcomed three sons together but separated in 2015 before reconciling and eventually confirming their divorce in 2020. By the end of that year, Green and Burgess were linked after being spotted together in Hawaii, beginning the relationship that eventually led to Zane and their engagement.

How Brian Austin Green Supports His Gay Son 

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In 2023, Green spoke about supporting his eldest son, Kassius, after he came out as gay. He said he initially had conversations with Kassius because he wanted to understand what seemed different to him, eventually realizing, “It’s just your choice of partner. It doesn’t affect me at all.” 

Green also became protective of his son against homophobia, bullying, and unwanted opinions. “It does not affect you. Why do you care so much?” he questioned, arguing that people should not force their feelings and opinions onto something that does not concern them. He added that people should stop trying to “bully” their feelings and opinions into something that “literally does not affect you at all.”

The actor said the experience made him want to learn more about his son’s life. “I think a lot of people are afraid of the unknown, whereas I’m not. To me, it’s intriguing. And I want to learn about it.” In the “NSYNC” podcast with Lance Bass, he praised Green’s approach, saying Kassius was lucky to have a family that accepted him.

Brian Austin Green may be less enthusiastic about his bedroom prowess, but his views on intimacy are more focused on connection.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean kept most of their nearly six-decade marriage away from the public eye, but one of the most personal pieces of their love story was hiding in plain sight in her music. Following Parton’s death at age 80 on August 25 after a “brief battle with cancer,” fans have been revisiting the country music legend’s enormous catalog and discovering the stories behind some of her most unexpected recordings. Among them is Parton’s surprising cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”

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Parton first transformed the rock classic into a bluegrass and gospel-inspired track for her 2002 album, “Halos & Horns,” before revisiting it more than two decades later for 2023’s “Rockstar.”

However, her fascination with the song wasn’t simply about experimenting with genres. “Stairway to Heaven” was one of Dean’s favorite songs, and Parton once revealed it had effectively become “our song” during their marriage.

‘Stairway To Heaven’ Was Dolly Parton And Carl Dean’s Song

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Parton may have been one of country music’s biggest stars, but her famously private husband had musical tastes that stretched well beyond his wife’s genre. Dean was a huge rock fan and particularly loved Led Zeppelin.

“My husband has such an odd taste in music, and he loves Led Zeppelin,” Parton once explained. “He’s been a ‘Led Head’ from day one and also loves bluegrass and big-band music. ‘Stairway to Heaven’ was always Carl’s favorite.”

Over the course of their marriage, however, his favorite Led Zeppelin song became meaningful to Parton, too. “It was kind of like ‘our song’ because at romantic times or sweet times, we’d just be riding around in the car and if that would come on, Lord, he’d just knock us out of the car turning it up full blast,” she recalled. That history gave Parton’s eventual decision to record the song a far more personal meaning.

She wasn’t simply a country singer attempting one of rock music’s most famous songs. She was putting her own stamp on a piece of music that had been part of her relationship with Dean for years.

Dolly Parton Completely Reinvented The Led Zeppelin Classic

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When Parton finally tackled “Stairway to Heaven” in 2002, she didn’t attempt to imitate Robert Plant. Instead, she brought Led Zeppelin into her world.

Parton’s version appeared on “Halos & Horns,” the third installment of the bluegrass trilogy that marked a return to her Appalachian musical roots around the turn of the century. Her “Stairway” featured acoustic and bluegrass instrumentation, along with a gospel choir and some lyrical additions.

Speaking to CNN around the album’s release, Parton acknowledged that she knew she was taking on something many rock fans considered almost untouchable. “I took the song very serious,” she said, explaining that “Stairway to Heaven” was simply one of the songs she had “always just loved.”

She flavored the track with bluegrass elements, much as she had previously done with Collective Soul’s “Shine,” a recording that earned her a Grammy. The result was unmistakably Dolly. But there was one person whose opinion mattered perhaps more than anyone else’s.

Carl Dean Wasn’t Convinced Dolly Should Mess With ‘Stairway’

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Ironically, the man who helped inspire Parton to record “Stairway to Heaven” was also worried she shouldn’t touch it. Dean’s love of Led Zeppelin meant he took the original very seriously. “My husband is a huge fan of Led Zeppelin and thinks ‘Stairway To Heaven’ is one of the classic songs of all time,” Parton recalled in a 2023 interview with Classic Rock. “So he was kind of concerned about me doing it.”

According to Parton, Dean warned her that she could face criticism because fans “don’t want other people messing around with that song.” She did it anyway.

Years later, Parton shared an even funnier version of his reaction, recalling Dean joking about whether her interpretation was “Stairway to Heaven” or “Stairwell to Hell.” For all of Parton’s accolades and millions of fans, impressing Carl apparently wasn’t quite so easy.

Robert Plant And Jimmy Page Gave Dolly Their Approval

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Dean wasn’t the only Led Zeppelin fan Parton had to worry about. Her interpretation included changes and ad-libs, meaning she needed approval connected to the original composition.

That meant putting her version in front of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. “I was scared to death to send it to Robert Plant and Jimmy Page,” Parton admitted. Fortunately, she had little reason to worry. “They sent word back that it was fine and they loved it,” she revealed.

Parton said Plant was particularly pleased with her decision to incorporate a choir because he had always viewed “Stairway to Heaven” as a spiritual song. The approval meant a lot to Parton, who admitted that if Plant and Page liked what she had done with their classic, that was what mattered most to her. Still, Carl’s opinion hadn’t completely been settled.

Dolly Parton Got Another Chance To Impress Carl 20 Years Later

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More than two decades after her first attempt, Parton returned to “Stairway to Heaven.” This time, things were different. Following her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton created the sprawling 2023 album “Rockstar,” filling it with collaborations and interpretations of some of rock music’s most recognizable songs.

Carl was a major inspiration for the project. “He’s a big rock and roller,” Parton told The Associated Press, per The Guardian, while discussing the album. Several of his favorites ultimately made the record, including Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and “Stairway to Heaven.”

Rather than repeating the bluegrass arrangement she had recorded in 2002, Parton wanted her second attempt to remain much closer to Led Zeppelin’s original. And there was a particularly sweet reason why. “I wanted people to know that I could sing it in its original form,” Parton explained. “And I wanted, more than anything, for Carl to know that I could do that too.”

More than 20 years after questioning whether she should mess with one of his favorite songs, Dean finally gave his verdict. “Y’know, that’s pretty good,” Parton recalled him telling her. Coming from her Led Zeppelin-loving husband, she knew that was high praise. “That’s really something coming from him,” she admitted.

Dean died on March 3, 2025, at age 82, ending a marriage that had lasted nearly 59 years. Parton described him afterward as the love of her life. Parton died the following year on August 25 at age 80.

“Bachelor” alum Colton Underwood said he’s trading the busy streets of Los Angeles for a country fantasy. On Instagram, the reality star and father of one told followers about the latest change in his life.

Colton Underwood has had quite an eventful year, spending the first quarter of 2026 in the spotlight as part of “The Traitors” season 4 cast. Months later, Underwood opened up on a podcast about the struggles he faced growing up in the closet.

Underwood, 34, rushed to his Instagram to share the news that he and his husband, Jordan, have moved from Los Angeles. “This second round of living in you was so much better,” Underwood captioned a carousel of photos showing him and his family posing around a moving truck.

Elsewhere in the caption, Underwood reflected on major life changes that happened in LA, such as getting married and welcoming his son, Bishop. “Our family is leaving with so much love & we are ready for the next chapter,” he added. “It’s time for daddy to get his farm.”

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Colton Underwood Opens Up About ‘Honeymoon Phase’ With Husband Jordan C. Brown

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Underwood rose to fame after appearing on season 19 of “The Bachelor” in 2019. He later came out as gay in 2021, and then married his husband in 2023.

In 2025, Underwood spoke with Us Weekly about their marriage and said that even though they’d been together for two years, their time together still hadn’t gotten old.

“The honeymoon phase evolves and changes,” he said before talking about how much pleasure he gets from watching Brown parent their child.

“Watching Jordan be a dad right now is, like, the coolest, sexiest, fun thing ever,” he said. “I can’t get enough of it. Seeing him in an all-new light, you know, getting to work with him as a team and raising our child is incredible.”

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Earlier this year, Underwood made a candid post online and opened up about how a troll’s negative comment about his son affected him.

In his post, Underwood replied to a user who said he “feels bad” for the reality star’s son, and said, “Genuinely curious what you meant by this. Because if you ‘feel bad’ for Bishop, I’d love to understand why.”

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Underwood continued, “He’s loved, supported, celebrated, happy, and surrounded by people who show up for him every single day.”

Colton Underwood Came Out As Gay

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According to a previous report from The Blast, Underwood shocked the world when he came out as gay during a sit-down interview with Robin Roberts.

“I’ve ran from myself for a long time. I’ve hated myself for a long time,” he shared. “And I’m gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it. And the next step in all of this was sort of letting people know.”

Before coming out, Underwood said he used to experiment with married men to hide who he was. “I was careful on how I did everything,” he said, adding that he chose straight, married men “because they had more to lose than I did.”

Underwood Feuded With An Actor On Competition Show

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Earlier this year, Underwood opened up more about his personal life while promoting his appearance on “The Traitors.” During an interview, he discussed his feud with actor Michael Rapaport, who made a comment on the show many viewed as “homophobic.”

Despite the statement, Underwood said he wasn’t holding any grudges. “I would be the first person to say I’m definitely not perfect, and I definitely made a lot of mistakes. But at this point in my life, it was five or six years ago when I first started the coming-out process, and I’m in just such a different phase of life with my family and professionally,” he said.

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While some parents struggle to come to terms with their children leaving home to attend college, former First Lady Michelle Obama was thriving. During an episode of her podcast, the “Becoming” author confessed that she was fine with her daughters leaving for school and eventually moving out as adults. Her husband, meanwhile, reacted differently. But according to Michelle, Barack Obama‘s reaction made sense, adding that he may have missed some crucial moments because he was busy running the country.

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On a recent episode of “IMO” with Jon Stewart, Michelle responded to his question about how she dealt with sending her daughters off to school. “I don’t miss ’em,” she said. “I don’t. I love them. I’m going to see them tonight for dinner.”

Michelle and Barack share two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Malia attended Harvard University, while her younger sister attended the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California.

Barack Obama Was Emotional When His Daughters Left For College

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Although Michelle was fine with the change, former President of the United States Barack Obama shed a few tears when he sent his daughters off to school.

But according to Michelle, Barack’s reaction was understandable and one she thinks some fathers can relate to because of their busy schedules.

“I think fathers can be that way because you weren’t there from 6:00 to 9:00 at night, you missed a lot of it,” she said. “I mean, I’ve had so much quality time with my children. So much; I know them inside and out.”

“They were probably 7 and 3 at the time, and Barack was traveling, so I was at home trying to get the girls to bed,” she added. “They were great kids, but this was one night that they were just being rambunctious.”

Michelle Obama Is Living Her Best Life

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As Michelle continued, she said she’s loved having adult children, adding that it’s allowed her to accomplish goals and explore new passions.

“I’m good, look at all this meaning I have,” she said, referring to her podcast, which she co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson. “I have a wonderful pattern. I love my schedule; I have a great schedule, and it’s all mine.”

Raising Daughters In The Public Eye Was Hard For Michelle Obama

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This isn’t the first time Michelle has spoken about her relationship with her daughters. According to The Blast, she previously described how challenging it was to help them live a private life as the children of public figures.

“That was a lot of work,” she said before noting that things only got harder as they got older. “They had to drive, and they had to go to prom, and they were on teams, and they traveled to other schools, and they had to do college searches, and they went to parties, and they had drinks, and they tried out smoking, and they did all the things,” she said.

The fact that people didn’t know about their teenage adventures is another story, Michelle said, noting that keeping their business private took “a lot of intentionality.”

“When your kids are under the security of the Secret Service, you almost have to work twice as hard to make their life normal,” she said. “Imagine setting up the first play date or the first time the kids get invited to a play date. The process of having my children at your house meant that an advanced team had to come and question and search your house and ask if you had drugs and guns.”

Barack Previously Joked About His Daughters’ Relationship With Secret Service

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Barack has also spoken in the past about his daughters and how raising them in the White House was more difficult than he imagined.

“First of all, them as teenagers having Secret Service guys follow them when they were going out on dates, I think probably has shut down their interest in public service,” he joked. “They still have PTSD from guys talking into their wrist microphones and glasses as they’re trying to go to a music concert.”

When Argentina’s Lionel Messi walked off the pitch after a devastating 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in July, many assumed it was for the last time in international play. Now, it’s official.

Messi, 39, announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, August 31, sharing a letter via Instagram that he wrote two days after the World Cup ended.

“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team,” he wrote in the letter.

Messi continued, “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

Messi retires as one of only three players ever to appear in three World Cup title matches, leading Argentina to the win in 2022 and another runner-up appearance in 2014. He also has the most goals in World Cup history with 18.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi wrote. “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

Messi then thanked fans and family for their support over the years.

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years,” he said. “I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).”

Messi continued, “Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.”

Related: Lionel Messi Addresses Bathing Lamine Yamal 19 Years Before World Cup Final

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has seen the viral chatter surrounding his history with Spanish athlete Lamine Yamal nearly two decades before the pair are scheduled to meet in the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup final. “Honestly, looking at that photo is crazy,” Messi, 39, said in Spanish during a Fanatics Fest press conference on Friday, […]

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“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of,” he concluded. “It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!”

In a post-script, Messi revealed he wrote the letter on July 21.

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“Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before,” he explained.

Lionel’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at age 68.

“All I ever did was play football, and now I have a fair few doubts as to whether I’ll carry on doing it for much longer,” Messi wrote in a separate letter to his dad, which he shared via Instagram on August 12. “You were by my side from the start, we were so close to the end (of his career). Why didn’t you hang on just that little bit longer so we could finish it together?”

Ari Fletcher has the fans cuttin’ up after she denied being bullied into redoing her veneers. The influencer shared a video about wanting her teeth redone just days after showing them off, and fans are roasting her for the mind change.

RELATED: Not A Knockout! Ari Fletcher Leaves Fans With Questions After Sharing Photo Of Injured Hand & Teasing Extreme Fight

Ari Fletcher Denies Being Bullied

Fletcher denied being bullied into wanting her teeth redone. The denial comes mere days after she claimed on social media that her new choppers were “perfect”. A video obtained by Live Bitez featured Fletcher saying she may get her teeth redone to look more “natural” after previously claiming they were “opulent.”

TSR shared the video on Instagram on Sunday, August 30, and the media influencer said that she wanted them redone, despite loving her new teeth.

“I think they’re beautiful,” she claimed. “But I think I like my last teeth better, because this has like a pearl coat over it.”

Fletcher later denied she was bullied into wanting her teeth redone.

“One thing a b*tch on god’s green earth ain’t never did was bully Ariana b*tch get yo life together,” she wrote.

Fans React To Fletcher’s Denial

Fans reacted to Fletcher’s claim in TSR’s comment section. Despite her denial, Roomies far and wide proclaimed that the 31-year-old was fibbin’.

User @bankrollcourt__ replied, “She lyin they fasho did 😂😂😂😂😂.”

User @xx.leeleeee didn’t believe Fletcher’s denial either. “They did tho 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 cause she wouldn’t be getting them done again!”

@theyanaverseee joked, “She always so damn hostile like damn laugh a lil tf 😂.”

User @thelaurnb added, “She didn’t even need to announce she was getting them redone she know them comments hurt😂.”

Fletcher Shared Video After Getting Veneers From Dental Office

Fletcher shared footage online after getting her teeth redone, saying they were “perfect.” Furthermore, the clip was shared by Baller Alert on Monday, August 24, on Instagram.

The video includes a close-up of Fletcher’s pearly whites. In addition, she referred to her new teeth as the “opulent teeth.”

Additionally, she gushed about how good her teeth looked.

“They are so perfect,” she said. “They’re thinner, they’re whiter…. The opulent teeth…that’s the sh*t we’re doing, Okay?”

RELATED: You Got Jokes? Ari Fletcher’s “Congratulations Snitch” Cake For Friend Has Folks Saying, “Wait, What?” (VIDEO)

Days of Our Lives 2-Week Spoilers for Aug 31-Sept 11, 2026 deliver drama with EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) crashing into plans other people made with no care for the fact that he is unwanted and uninvited. Plus, we’ll see Maggie Horton (Suzanne Rogers) back on the scene and a recast is going to debut.

We have Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) pushing back, Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) breaking ranks, and Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) hitting a wall with his anger issues. So, let’s dive right in.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Gwen Turns EJ Down

Monday, August 31st on Days, we’ve got Gwen shooting down an offer from EJ. So, he may be trying to tempt Gwen into walking away and not buying the hospital. I’m not sure though what EJ can promise or offer her. I don’t think money will work. Maybe he’s got something better to offer Gwen. We’ll see. But it doesn’t look like it because she says no. Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) confesses to Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering).

And this may be Cat telling Rafe and or Andrew that she accidentally, except it wasn’t really an accident, told EJ that she’s ISA. Maybe Cat felt safe because he was unconscious. But Cat’s already in danger working for EJ. And if he remembers that she told him she’s a spy, who knows what EJ might do. Also, this week, Cat’s telling EJ them being in that Italian clinic together was not a coincidence. So, I wonder if Cat will confess that Clyde Weston (James Read) put them both in there trying to prod EJ’s memories to find out if he has any idea she’s ISA.

DOOL Spoilers: Philip Shocks Gabi

Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) makes a proposal and shocks Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez). So, Philip may give Gabi a fake ring and a fake proposal since she has gotten to be his fake fiancée to attend the high stakes poker game.

Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) helps Xander, and I wonder if Marlena is going to assist Xander working through all the anger he’s in right now, losing the mansion, losing Titan, Sarah and Victoria, moving in with Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote).

It’s a whole lot. Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) reaches out to Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez), and this may be him circling back to, you know, for Leo to ask him out now that he and Gus (Michael Ocampo) are done.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Good News for Chanel & Johnny

Tuesday, September 1st on Days of Our Lives, Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) get good news. This could be about her cancer scan or little Olivia Alexandra DiMera. Looks like Chanel and Johnny get to take their daughter home this week. Paulina Price (Jackee Harry) has a heart-to-heart with Marlena. I’m sure it’s about Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford)’s death and the complex aftermath for Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Paulina.

Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) is with Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) when they run into a college classmate, Mason Whitfield (Brandon Butler), new guy on the scene. that he may be Aaron’s neat freak roommate. So, Holly and Julie are in the square. Mason introduces himself, but when she says her name, Holly Jonas, things get weird. Mason won’t shake her hand and he’s glaring.

Days Spoilers: Suzanne Roger’s Returns

So, we also have Julie touching base with Maggie. Actress Suzanne Rogers is back as Maggie. And she had been off for a while because Suzanne Rogers was going through a real life cancer battle and she’s now cancer free. Maggie went to visit her other daughter. That was the storyline excuse. So Julie and Maggie have a lot of catching up to do. Lani Price connects with Abe and reminds him they’ll always be family.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Philip Blasts Joy

Then Wednesday, September 2nd on Days of Our Lives, Philip confronts Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins). And this week, she’s having this weird daydream at the hospital about Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) marrying her and carrying Joy over the threshold.

Hopefully, Philip isn’t going to stress her out before surgery. Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) and Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) get a special opportunity and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) shows Xander her hidden talent. Sarah’s telling Victoria to twirl for Xander and show off her dress. He is super excited to attend the daddy-daughter dance with her.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Kristen Contacts Rachel

Then Thursday, September 3rd on Days of Our Lives, Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) manages to send her daughter Rachel a surprise gift. So, I wonder if Kristen somehow sends a dress for Rachel to wear to the dance or maybe some earrings or a necklace. It was heartbreaking to see Rachel telling Brady that the therapist at Bay View helped her see that her mom Kristen’s a source of chaos in her life that she’s better without. It’s also time for the daddy daughter dance in Salem.

Brady is spinning Rachel around. Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) and Charlotte DiMera (Pippa Blaylock) are dancing. Xander and Victoria are there and it all looks really sweet. A mysterious memory creeps up on Marlena. She had that sleeping beauty pillow memory about pricking her finger. She remembered it after poking herself with a needle doing embroidery. So this next memory may be another painful blast from her Stefano past.

DOOL Spoilers: A Spy in Salem

EJ surprises Belle Black (Martha Madison) and Chad. Looks like he either hops on the private jet with them or he follows them separately to Italy because EJ is totally crashing Chad and Belle’s trip.

Friday, September 4th on Days of Our Lives, we’ve got EJ, Belle and Chad being spied on by somebody. So, this is a scene from the summer promo and there’s somebody spying from a hidden camera while EJ, Chad, and Belle are poking around in a room. So, looks like this might be a DiMera minion who was tasked with overseeing the chess set clues. Chanel questions Johnny’s loyalty. This may be about Chanel not liking that Johnny’s keeping secrets for EJ, which is not surprising. Someone may spill something to Chanel. Maybe Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews). We’ll see.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Tate Supports Holly

Chanel doesn’t like that Johnny lied about Lexie. And there’s a lot more to this. Holly’s leaning on Tate Donovan Black (Leo Howard) and she may vent about EJ planning the pills or about that guy Mason who seems to have something big against Holly when they met in the square. Something from her past may have Mason holding a grudge. Maybe it’s tied back to Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd). She’s the gift who just keeps giving.

EJ’s henchwoman, Rita, only sort of follows his orders. So EJ had Rita trying to find out about the Kiriakis mansion buyer. And EJ told Rita take care of George O’Halloran (Michael Rose), the head of DiMera Pharmaceuticals. So maybe Rita will dose George with a dose of CRS and ship him off like she did Devlin St. John instead of taking him out.

Days Spoilers: Leo Reconnects with Javi

The week of September 7th through 11th on Days of Our Lives, we could see Leo taking Javi out on a date because they are on the road to reconciliation soon. And after rejecting EJ’s deal, Gwen is likely pushing forward with the hospital purchase. The daddy daughter dance may be what brings Xander and Sarah together if she sees him in a new light at the event. So, we know that they are creeping slowly towards reconciliation. EJ’s in Italy with Chad and Belle. They don’t want him there, but all of a sudden, EJ’s interested in the chess set mystery.

Plus, he may want to visit the clinic where he and Cat spent time trying to recover some memories and ask for more info. Actress Sydney Malakeh makes her day debut this week. So, we could see EJ reconnecting with his daughter in Italy and bringing Sydney back to Salem with him if Sydney Malakeh is the recast version of EJ’s daughter. Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) is probably going to accept Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford)’s job offer to be the Metro Court editor, and Kate may use her new position to take shots at EJ. Holly has to face her new nemesis, Mason, in class, and he may make Holly’s life hard.

DOOL Spoilers: Gabi & Philip on a Mission

Knowing that Ashley Puzemis and Leo Howard are out as Holly and Tate in the next few months, you know, that could be part of why they brought Mason in to drive Holly out of Salem. Philip and Gabi try and win big in Monte Carlo to save the Kiriakis mansion and also Titan. So, we’ll see if Philip’s big gamble pays off. And we may soon learn the identity of the buyer of the Kiriakis mansion. I suspect it might be Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney)’s fiancé. We’ve never seen Dante Vitali.