Some people confront things head-on, while others run away from them altogether, but Sam Asghari is accepting his interesting fate!

The model has moved on from his relationship with Britney Spears, but the shadows of the past still haunt his present, with his hands tied and a loud acceptance that they are forever attached at the hip.

Sam Asghari and Britney Spears were involved in a seven-year relationship that began after meeting on a music video set in 2016, until their divorce in 2024 after a 14-month marriage.

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The media personality admitted that when it comes to expecting the public interest in his relationship with the pop star to fade or escaping the tag “Mr. Britney Spears,” even though they parted ways years ago, it is “never going to happen.”

He noted that he has reached a point in his life where sitting down to discuss the years spent with her no longer has the emotional impact it once did.  One of the highlights of Asghari and Spears’ marriage is him being by her side while she battled to be let go from her 13-year conservatorship.

The duo had gotten married in 2022, in a star-studded ceremony attended by Madonna and Drew Barrymore. Asghari has since moved on with girlfriend Brooke Irvine and has lived together in Los Angeles for two years now as he continued to explore his acting career.

On the career side, Page Six shared that the model previously appeared on the NBC hit show “The Traitors” and the public will get to see him play Victor in “The Gentleman Thief,” due to be released on July 31.

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Asghari walked away from his marriage to the pop star amicably without spousal support, a decision he proudly stands by. In his latest conversation with the publication, the dancer reiterated that the past stays in the past and reflection has become a pleasant reminder of what could have been.

In his words, “You can’t change the past. The things that happened happened. And like I said, I would never complain about one thing that changed my life for the better or for the worse.” The actor also broke his silence on Spears’ latest controversy, from her DUI arrest to rehab visit, opting to say nothing and rather focus on the ongoing situation in Iran.

He revealed that his focus has stayed on that situation in his home country, and all his projects have gone towards that. Asghari also registered that he does not immerse himself in clickbait and entertainment news because he does not exactly believe everything he sees.

Sam Asghari Previously Spoke About The Plus Side Of Marriage To Britney Spears

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The singer’s blinding star power rubbed off on Asghari during and even after their union, a privilege he is not shy to admit. As stated by The Blast, the model stated in an interview that being in such a public relationship provided him with a platform to build his career and make vital connections towards making a life for himself.

From moving to America at 12 years old from Iran and watching John Travolta films to help him learn English, Asghari has now found himself working alongside big names in the industry, including John Cena, Jean Smart, and Don Cheadle.

Although Spears had once referred to her marriage to Asghari as a distraction to help her deal with the pain of being away from her children and the conservatorship, the model saw their union from a different angle.

Asghari explained that his time with the pop singer remained as real as ever to him, although the timing was short. He referenced the lengthy timeline of their romance, which spanned for nearly a decade, and how he was in love with her the entire time.

The 32-Year-Old Addressed Britney Spears’ Conservatorship In Recent Interview

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Back in March, the actor hopped on Piers Morgan’s show “Piers Morgan Uncensored” for a lengthy discussion about his life and career. When he was asked to share his thoughts on Spears’ DUI arrest, Asghari declared that the actress has had a tough life in the past and experienced oppression by several people in her life.

Referencing the situation of women being oppressed in Iran, Asghari established that it broke him to witness Spears’ struggles during their short-lived marriage. He had earlier shared his experience watching Spears fight her way through the program and finally breaking free after 13 years.

In the 2023 interview, the model revealed that he found it terrible that people in her life at the time had told her story like it was theirs, silenced her voice, and used her as a money-making machine while limiting her freedom.

Sam Asghari And Britney Spears’ Relationship Was Fiction Brought To Life

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One year after he played her love interest in Spears’ music video shoot for “Slumber Party” in 2016, the duo came out as lovers. Their relationship involved attendance at high society events and displaying affection in front of the ever-flashing cameras.

In 2022, they exchanged vows at their home in Thousand Oaks in the presence of friends and family, but unfortunately parted ways over a year later, citing irreconcilable differences. 

Asghari and Spears were seemingly married during a period the singer described as one of the hardest in her life, when she was being cut off from her two kids, James and Preston. In 2023, the boys moved to Hawaii to live with her ex, Kevin Federline, with a reunion happening a year later in 2024.

Spears and Federline were married for two years between 2004 and 2006 after meeting in a Hollywood club where Federline was a backup dancer.

Will Britney Spears react to Sam Asghari’s stance?

Tom Cruise has reportedly set his sights on wooing A-list star Charlize Theron to be his new woman after his romance with Ana de Armas ended last year and left him crushed.

The actor has been looking to work with her for some time now, and his close circle reportedly encouraged him to text her after she called for him to join the “Fast & Furious” franchise.

Tom Cruise is understood to have a checklist that his next woman must fulfill, with previous reports claiming that he has enlisted an A-list pal to help find his next partner.

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Tom Cruise is seemingly ready to begin a new chapter in his love life and would be keeping it within the film industry.

According to industry insiders, the “Top Gun: Maverick” star has set his sights on a high-profile romance with Charlize Theron, with reports claiming she’s been eyed for an undisclosed role in “The Edge of Tomorrow 2.”

“Charlize has been on Tom’s radar for a long time, and he’s incredibly impressed by her,” a source told Globe Magazine. “The timing is right for him and Charlize to get together and do something big and interesting.”

Cruise and Theron have been acting for decades but have yet to share the screen, with their 2008 lineup in “The Tourist” eventually going to Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

“Putting them in a film together, be it ‘Edge of Tomorrow 2’ or something else, makes a ton of sense. In fact, it’s long overdue,” the insider continued. “She has that same ‘no guts, no glory’ risk-taking attitude that made Tom an international superstar in the first place, and like Tom, she sees moviemaking not as just a job but a calling.”

However, for the action star, their partnership on screen is said to be “more than just business.”

The Actor Noticed When Charlize Theron Made A Warm Gesture Toward Him

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Cruise has been with a slew of Hollywood actresses, including Mimi Roger, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, and has been linked with stars like Cher and Penelope Cruz. Most recently, he was in a whirlwind romance with Ana De Armas, but has long been a silent admirer of Theron.

Several years ago, Theron called for him to join the “Fast and Furious” franchise, but her wish never materialized. However, reports suggest he took notice of that, and she remained in his soft spot with the warm gesture.

“He would love to work with her, and of course, it didn’t go unnoticed when she publicly called for him to join the Fast and Furious franchise alongside her a couple of years ago,” a source said, per reports.

“People in Tom’s world have been telling him to reach out to her ever since, and he’s now saying he’s going to do it,” they added.

Tom Cruise Has Some Preferences For His Next Woman

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The “Mission: Impossible” star is said to have a checklist of requirements for his next lady. However, it doesn’t appear that Theron meets a few of them.

A source previously told a news outlet that he’s looking for an English “Mrs. Right,” especially if she came recommended by his pal, ex-football star David Beckham.

The insider went further to add that he was “ready to be set up” at the time, and would ideally love to get with a “woman that is part of the British High Society.”

“The ideal candidate must come from good stock [and] be in her late 20s or early 30s,” a source told the news outlet, adding that “ties to the royals” are also important, as the actor is determined to keep building on his friendship with Prince William and Princess Kate.

Not only is Theron a South African-American actress and producer, but it’s also not known that she has any ties to the British monarchy, save for when she was seen chatting with Prince Harry in 2011, per People Magazine.

The Actor Is Said To Be His Own Greatest Enemy When It Comes To Love

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Earlier this year, reports emerged suggesting the “Jack Reacher” actor was “lonely,” especially after his romance with De Armas came crashing down last October after nearly a year.

Apparently, the actor is said to be his own greatest enemy when it comes to love, due to his strict work ethic, which makes it hard for him to stay put in one place for a long time.

“Tom’s work will always come first, regardless of who he’s dating,” a source told Star Magazine about the actor’s chaotic love life.

“That’s been a major issue over the years. He puts on a brave face, but he’s clearly lonely right now,” the insider added.

Tom Cruise’s ‘Hyper-Intense’ Ways Have Made Dating Him Hard, Source Says

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Cruise is said to be intense when he’s in love, which sometimes comes off as overwhelming. He reportedly blew more than $11,000 to impress De Armas on a trip to the U.K., complete with helicopter rides and luxury gifts.

“He’s so hyper-intense with the women he’s dating,” the insider explained, per Star. “The way he jumps into everything can be a turn-off.”

“Tom’s the master of grand gestures; he loves to whisk women away in his private jet and treat them like princesses,” the source noted, likening his behavior to “high-end love bombing.”

Orville Peck has revealed the devastating circumstances that led him to abruptly halt his “Bronco Tour” in 2023. The country singer, whose real name is Daniel Pitout, said he was struggling with addiction and alcoholism before attempting suicide during what he described as “one of the worst places” of his life.

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The 38-year-old musician said the harrowing experience forced him to confront what was happening in his life. “I was a bad addict, a coping alcoholic,” Peck told Rolling Stone. “And I had this spiral moment, where I went back to my hotel and tried to take my life … It was a big turning point for me, with a lot of realizations to come. It was something that needed to happen.”

The difficult period reportedly also included the end of a relationship and a stint in rehab. Peck has now turned those experiences into his fourth studio album, “Mule,” which is scheduled to arrive on September 18.

The country star announced the project on Instagram, describing it as an intensely personal and chronological retelling of the year in which his life unraveled. “’Mule’ – my fourth studio album arrives 9/18/2026,” he wrote. “This record is a chronological account of the year I lost my way. You can pre-save it tonight at midnight EST, and listen to the first single, ‘Too Little, Too Late’ on all platforms.”

The Country Singer Initially Resisted Rehab

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Peck also spoke candidly about his initial reluctance to accept treatment, admitting that he did not believe he belonged in rehab. “I didn’t want to be there. I thought it was a waste of time, that I’m unique and didn’t have a problem,” he said.

The singer attempted to cope with the experience through humor and songwriting. “So I was like, I’m going to write the funniest song about this experience, because at the time I was just like, ‘F-ck this. I want to leave,’” Peck recalled. That period ultimately inspired “Rehab Blues,” one of the songs created from his experience.

Orville Peck Previously Cited His Mental And Physical Health

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When Peck postponed the remaining dates on his “Bronco Tour” in 2023, he did not disclose the full extent of what he had been facing. As The Blast reported at the time, the masked country singer instead told fans that his mental and physical health had made it impossible for him to continue performing at his best.

“I am completely heartbroken as I share this news, but I have made the incredibly difficult decision to postpone all of my upcoming shows effective immediately,” Peck wrote. “This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I’ve come to realize that my current mental and physical health won’t allow me to bring you my best.”

He emphasized how much he valued his audience and the opportunity to perform. “My fans mean the absolute world to me and I am so incredibly thankful to every single person who has bought a ticket to come and see us play, I do not take it for granted,” he continued. “Being on stage is my favorite thing in the world.”

Peck explained that stepping away was necessary if he wanted to return healthier and continue making music. “But I have to take this time to replenish my mind and body so that I can come back stronger and healthier than before, to do what I love for many years to come,” he added. “I truly hope you can understand.”

‘Mule’ Will Not Gloss Over His Difficult Year

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Peck said honesty became essential while translating the painful chapter of his life into music. “What I was really trying to capture in terms of the concept, there was no way to gloss over or sugarcoat it,” he told Rolling Stone.

“Mule” follows his third album, “Stampede,” which was released in August 2024. Peck later made his Broadway debut in “Cabaret” during the summer of 2025, telling People at the time that he was “having the best time of my life.”

His upcoming album appears to offer a far more vulnerable account of the struggles that preceded those professional highs.

Orville Peck Is Returning To The Road

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Peck will release “Mule” on September 18, the same day he is scheduled to headline the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and launch his “Man Turned Mule Tour.”

“Just Announced! Country crooner Orville Peck to headline the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, September 18th,” read a joint Instagram announcement from Peck and the venue. “Fresh off his Broadway debut in ‘Cabaret’ and musical collaborations with the likes of Willie Nelson, Elton John, Kylie Minogue & Beck – you won’t want to miss this very special performance in the city Orville calls home. Tickets info and more in bio.”

Peck later shared his excitement while announcing the tour’s opening dates. “Yeeeeehaw. I’m so excited to announce the first leg of the Man Turned Mule Tour,” he wrote. “Sign up for early access now at orvillepeck.com/tour.”

Presale opens next Tuesday, July 28, at 10 am, and general on sale next Friday, July 31, at 10 am.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, mental health concerns, emotional distress, or substance use, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Rom-coms have always been the best viewing experiences when they make love feel messy, hilarious, hopeful, and personal, which is why so many of the top romantic comedies come from fantastic books. A great adaptation is one that goes far beyond simply copying its source material; it artfully captures the emotional pull, charm, and character voice that made readers fall in love in the first place.

Films like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which brings to life a beloved YA romance with fake-dating charm, gushing sweetness, and the awkward thrill of first love, and the cult classic Confessions of a Shopaholic, which delivers a bright story featuring romance, ambition, denial, and self-discovery, are just two fantastic movies that prove how compelling source material can become an entertaining and long-lasting romantic comedy. Compiled on this list are such rom-com gems that showcase just how well-beloved book stories can be reimagined for the big screen.

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‘Love, Simon’ (2018)

Image via 20th Century Studios

This 2018 film is a strong modern rom-com that feels special because it uses all the familiar tropes of a traditional movie in the genre, yet it still feels meaningful and long overdue. Based on Becky Albertalli‘s novel, Love, Simon follows the high school student, Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), as he keeps his sexuality private while secretly emailing another closeted classmate that he is beginning to fall for.

With its romantic and incredibly sweet hook, Love, Simon masterfully blends identity, first love, friendship, fear, and the desire to be known. It’s an emotionally deep teen love story with a queer protagonist, showcasing important representation while delivering a universally heartwarming coming-of-age good time. Love, Simon is a true defining book-to-screen romance that is a fantastically brilliant bout of sincerity and rom-com goodness, making it the ideal pick for this list of great films.

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‘The Kissing Booth’ (2018)

Image via Netflix

The Kissing Booth may be an incredibly cringy movie based on a Wattpad novel, but it’s the guilty pleasure watch that has been hailed as one of the most entertaining rom-coms ever created. The teen drama film centers on the fun-loving high school junior Elle Evans (Joey King), who finds herself falling in love with her best friend Lee Flynn’s (Joel Courtney) older, playboy brother Noah (Jacob Elordi).

Despite its low review on Rotten Tomatoes, The Kissing Booth has earned itself a massive and devoted fan base that truly adores it. For anyone who loves teeny rom-coms, the movie is the perfect 90-minute watch that makes for a surprisingly fun viewing experience. The film is a true bingeworthy book-to-screen adaptation that wields steamy chemistry and angsty drama. The Kissing Booth is no doubt overdramatic, an often genuinely cheesy watch, but it stands as a brilliant teen hit that proves book-adapted Netflix rom-coms can stand among some of the best of the genre.

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‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ (2009)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

This film, based on Sophie Kinsella’s book series, delivers fashion-heavy humor, bright rom-com energy, and a heroine whose personal life is as chaotic as her credit card bills. Confessions of a Shopaholic focuses on the shopping-obsessed journalist Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), who gets a job interview at her dream fashion magazine, but sadly, a drunken mistake leads her to become a financial columnist at a business magazine instead.

Confessions of a Shopaholic may not be as highly rated as some of the greatest rom-coms on this list, but its bubbliness is quite cherished by many, especially those drawn in by the film’s comedic spark. It’s a pretty fast-paced movie, making slapstick moments, Parisian clothes montages, and gags feel quite snappy. Confessions of a Shopaholic is the perfect escapist treat that is highly rewatchable for its silly moments and victorious ending, cementing it as an easy feel-good rom-com based on a book.

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‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (2001)

Image via Miramax Films

Bridget Jones’s Diary is a book-based rom-com film that has definitely shaped the genre for the better. Adapted from Helen Fielding‘s novel, the movie centers around the thirty-something, single PR consultant, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), as she navigates her ever-increasingly messy life, while juggling family pressure, work, embarrassing mistakes, and romantic confusion between two very different men.

Bridget Jones’s Diary is genuinely a fantastic film with comedy that works incredibly well because its protagonist is never presented as a perfect heroine. The film, at the time of its release, truly rejuvenated the rom-com genre, as it treated audiences to a rather fun-filled viewing experience. Today, Bridget Jones’s Diary is frequently hailed as the ultimate comfort film, a watch that is no doubt a great example of a fantastic romantic comedy based on a book.

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‘Love, Rosie’ (2014)

Image via Lionsgate

This woefully underrated film definitely deserves its flowers for being one of the best guilty pleasure watches to ever exist. Based on Cecelia Ahern‘s Where Rainbows End, Love, Rosie follows childhood best friends Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins) and Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin), whose growing feelings for each other are constantly being interrupted by relationships, distance, minor and major mistakes, as well as life itself.

Despite the frustration it might cause viewers, Love, Rosie has an addictively adorable plot that has earned it a pretty devoted cult following. The romantic comedy is often praised for its raw view of life and love, appreciated for its depiction of just how messy life can get. Love, Rosie is well-loved for its underrated authenticity, an overlooked gem that stands among some of the most entertaining book-based films.

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‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)

Image via Warner Bros.

Crazy Rich Asians is a beloved movie that stands out as one of the best modern rom-coms of the decade. The film, based on Kevin Kwan‘s bestselling novel, centers on economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), who accompanies her boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to Singapore for a friend’s wedding. There, she learns that Nick is part of one of the wealthiest families living on the island.

Crazy Rich Asians was a true hit upon its release. The movie dazzled, earning a solid rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, as critics and fans alike sing its praises for its charming romance, lavish visuals, and memorable ensemble cast. From stunning performances to the movie’s brisk pacing, Crazy Rich Asians feels somehow both classic and fresh, an enticingly rewatchable adapted film that’s so entertaining it became one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies in years.

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‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ (2018)

This fantastic movie is a memorable teen masterpiece that definitely earned its status as a true Netflix phenomenon. Based on Jenny Han‘s novel, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before focuses on teen Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), whose little sister sends out her private love letters to her former crushes, forcing her to confront old and new feelings.

Audiences completely adore To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for its charm and iconic performances. It’s an incredible, swoon-worthy, heartwarming coming-of-age story with undeniable chemistry, which made it an instant fan favorite. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is genuinely iconic, an emotional yet hilariously funny film that has instant rewatch value, marking it a hugely beloved Netflix book-based YA romance.

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‘Think Like a Man’ (2012)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Adapted from Steve Harvey’s bestselling advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the film Think Like a Man is a slightly more unique book-based romcom than the other traditional watches on this list. The movie follows several couples whose relationships are affected when the women, tired of struggling on their journey of love, begin using Harvey’s dating advice to better understand the men in their lives.

Think Like a Man is honestly one of the most defining rom-coms to make it out of the 2010s. The movie is lauded for its charismatic cast, sharp humor, and relatable look at modern relationships. Think Like a Man is incredibly clever as it transforms dating advice into an entertaining battle of the sexes that keeps audiences entertained from beginning to end. This makes it a true number one book-inspired romcom that’s just as heartfelt, funny, and unforgettable as any original screenplay.

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Think Like a Man

Release Date

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April 20, 2012

Runtime

122 minutes

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Director

Tim Story

Writers

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David A. Newman, Keith Merryman

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Larry the Cable Guy is recovering at home after a sudden case of appendicitis sent him to the hospital for two days. The 63-year-old comedian, whose real name is Daniel Lawrence Whitney, became ill in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Thursday night. His medical emergency reportedly forced him to postpone taping episodes of his forthcoming CBS syndicated series, “American Mayhem.” Larry the Cable Guy was discharged on Saturday and is said to be in good spirits as he continues recovering at home.

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Larry the Cable Guy was hospitalized after doctors diagnosed him with appendicitis. His representative subsequently confirmed the medical scare in a statement to the Daily Mail. “I can confirm that Larry was hospitalized with appendicitis. He was discharged today and is recovering well. He’s in good spirits and feeling much better,” the representative said.

No additional details about his treatment were included, and it was not stated whether the comedian required surgery. Following his release from the hospital, he returned to his 180-acre farm outside Lincoln, where he lives with his wife, Cara, and their two children, 19-year-old Wyatt and 18-year-old Reagan.

His Health Scare Delays ‘American Mayhem’

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The unexpected hospitalization interrupted production on Whitney’s newest television project. He reportedly had to postpone recording episodes of “American Mayhem,” although no information was provided about when taping will resume. The comedy clip series is scheduled to premiere this fall through CBS syndication.

Whitney was announced as the host of the 52-episode weekly program in May. While the format has been compared to “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “American Mayhem” will take a more extreme approach to user-generated content. Rather than focusing primarily on family-friendly clips involving pets, children, and everyday accidents, the new show will spotlight wild and “out of control” videos.

The series marks another television venture for the comedian, who built his public persona around Southern humor and his signature “Git-R-Done!” catchphrase.

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When Whitney is not performing, recording his radio show, or working on television projects, he keeps busy on his Nebraska property. The comedian breeds horses, cares for cattle, and helps his son with bull riding and other rodeo activities. He is also an avid golfer.

Whitney spent several weeks touring his stand-up act earlier this year. His shows included stops in Florida and Atlantic City before the run concluded in Erie, Pennsylvania, on May 17. He also hosts “Larry the Cable Guy and The Fun Bunch” on SiriusXM channel 97.

His representative’s positive update suggests that Whitney is already improving, but no revised production schedule for “American Mayhem” has been announced.

Larry The Cable Guy Challenges ‘Woke’ America

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Before his hospitalization, Larry the Cable Guy made it clear that he had no plans to soften his comedy because of America’s politically divided climate. “We live in the United States of America – somebody doesn’t want to like your act then don’t go see that person’s act. It’s as simple as that,” the comedian told Us Weekly.

Much like choosing one soda over another, Larry the Cable Guy argued that audiences can simply avoid entertainers whose material they dislike. With an established fan base behind him, Whitney said he feels comfortable continuing to perform the jokes he finds funny.

“I don’t worry about it,” he explained. “I already got a pretty good, built-in following and I got some awesome fans. You know, if I think it’s funny I’m going to do it and we’ll see where it goes.”

He Credits Shane Gillis With Surviving Cancellation

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Larry the Cable Guy also pointed to Shane Gillis as an example of a comedian whose career grew after he faced backlash. “If you let it bother you, yeah it’s going to be tough,” he said. “But I think Shane Gillis pretty much proved to everybody that you can get canceled and if you wanna double down on that that’s what people want you to do because they’re sick of it to.”

He added, “Shane Gillis got even more popular after he got fired from ‘Saturday Night Live’ for being ‘too woke’ from stuff he did 10 years ago, you know? And now look at him.”

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day just around the corner, Spider-Man fans and casual audiences alike are beyond excited to see what could happen in the new entry in Tom Holland‘s iconic franchise. With how large a departure it is taking from the previous three movies, there’s a lot of potential for what could come to pass in the fourth film.

It’s already clear, thanks to the trailers, that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is taking big steps forward in the series by finally bringing Scorpion (Michael Mando) into the fold — after being teased a whopping nine years ago at the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming — and having Peter Parker team up with Punisher (Jon Bernthal). However, there are many other things that people are hoping to see in the 2026 sure-to-be-smash-hit before it releases in a few days.

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Plenty of Villain Appearances

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

It’s already pretty well-known that there’s going to be a montage at the top of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, recapping the last four years of the young hero’s life since the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home. This is going to be where characters like Boomerang and Tarantula — seen in the first two trailers — make their short appearances.

If director Destin Daniel Cretton is going to be covering such a large amount of time since the last installment, this is the perfect chance to reference more niche and classic Spidey villains from his long-running mythology. Villains that will most likely never get the main spotlight should find their 15 seconds of fame here, like Beetle, Cardiac, heck, even the infamous Big Wheel. This would make Spider-Man: Brand New Day kick off with an incredibly strong and jaw-dropping start.

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Great Spider-Man/Punisher Moments

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

Tom Holland has gone on record, in an interview with the Empire State Building (as wild as it sounds), describing Spider-Man and Punisher’s relationship in the new flick, saying, “It changed a lot. It evolved a lot as we were shooting, because Jon and I would improvise. It started as this relationship of two people who kind of hate each other, I guess, and as we started improvising, it became this kind of big brother/little brother rivalry. It might be my favorite dynamic I’ve ever seen with Spider-Man.”

With this in mind, audiences have got to see plenty of great Spider-Man and Punisher moments. To only have The Punisher in a very small portion of the film, with Holland teasing a relationship of this caliber, would be a massive disservice. With how different the two of them are, there’s potential for a phenomenal dynamic here, and it could add a lot to Peter Parker’s character arc in the movie. Don’t let us down, guys!

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More Than One Hulk Fight

Image via Sony Pictures / Marvel Studios

With it finally revealed — after being speculated and rumored for quite some time — that Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) is going to have an antagonistic role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and that the two heroes will be fighting, everyone wants to make sure we see enough of exactly that. What would be a true shame is giving Hulk and Spider-Man an amazing battle and not truly utilizing the opportunity.

Realistically, if Hulk is going to take on Spider-Man, he’s going to absolutely whoop his behind first. The Wall-Crawler is a hero who adapts and is super smart, so it would make sense that Peter would lose his first fight with the not-so-jolly green giant and come back for a second one a lot more ready. This also allows the crew behind the movie to craft another phenomenal action sequence for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Web-Slinger.

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Consequences With Ned Leeds and MJ

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

Yes, there are some clear consequences for Peter Parker when it comes to Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) and Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya) in that he’s lost them after erasing himself from their memories. However, there should really be some more to allow the conflict of him coming into contact with them again to really sell and have even more of an impact.

There’s an absurd amount of dramatic potential in the chance that the fact they no longer remember Peter, but remember that they were friends of Spider-Man and potentially knew who he was, and that’s messing with their heads. The idea of the young man seeing how much what he did actually screwed with them — borderline taking away some of their own agency in their lives, if one thinks about it — could add so much guilt to his journey of seeing them again.

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Daredevil

Image via Jojo Whilden /©Disney+/Marvel Studios /Courtesy Everett Collection

One of the fans’ favorite pairings in Marvel Comics is, without a doubt, Spider-Man and Daredevil. With the MCU Daredevil (Charlie Cox) now in prison, and there being a prison fight scene featuring The Hand of all villains — a predominantly Daredevil-related villain group — there’s a chance that he’s somehow in the film, and boy, are people hyped at the idea of it.

Folks all over the internet are hoping to see Cox make a cameo in the prison as his iconic role, and the chances of it happening are genuinely higher than some would think. The idea of seeing Spider-Man and Daredevil team up is an incredible opportunity to make fans extremely excited and rewarded, with it still making sense within the context of the movie.

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Lots of Web Swinging

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

Something that fans have noted over the years of Holland’s trilogy is that there are not as many big web-swinging sequences as in Sam Raimi and Marc Webb‘s franchises. That fans praised the heavens that they finally got a final swing sequence in Spider-Man: Far From Home is proof in the pudding.

There seems to be some cool web swinging in the tank chase sequence in the trailers, but it would be such a treat for Holland to finally get some real, large, spectacle swing sequences like back in the Raimi days. A final swing specifically would be having fans cheering in theaters all over the world, reminiscent of Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s final swing.

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Peter’s Tinkering

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Peter Parker may have had some technical help from Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) back in the day, but he’s all on his own now, meaning he has to use his brains to tinker and make his own gadgets and suits. Back in the Stan Lee era of The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) comic book, the Wall-Crawler was consistently making gadgets on his own to thwart his villains.

Lee had a plethora of fun making Pete a run-and-gun hero, and it would be so much fun to see Peter all on his own making shoddy gadgets to get through his many adventures across the years and to face current foes like the Hulk. Now that he’s on his own, seeing him hodgepodge gadgets together would be so great to see. Fans love a resourceful Spider-Man!

8

Jean Grey

Image via Marvel Studios

There have been rumors for quite a while that Sadie Sink is playing the villain of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it’s Jean Grey. With the villain clearly being able to control minds and get into people’s heads, it only makes sense that Jean Grey could be the antagonist. This redhead is one of the strongest telepaths in the Marvel Comics universe and could most certainly cause some trouble for Pete.

This isn’t to say she’d be a full-on villain, because she’ll likely have good reasoning for what she’s doing and will be redeemed if she’s going to be set up for this universe’s X-Men. Getting to see the Wall-Crawler interact with other young heroes (or someone hero-adjacent in this case) would be so satisfying to see, given the fact he’s yet to meet others like Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), despite being a young hero himself.

9

Peter in College

Image via Sony Pictures / Marvel Studios

One of the most fun times in Spidey’s early Marvel Comics career was seeing him in college, meeting new people, and balancing college life with being Spider-Man. Now that Peter is out of high school in the MCU, seeing his college life would be some great worldbuilding for the character. It seems he’s going to be attending college based on reports, his clothing choices in the film, and the fact he’s approaching Bruce Banner in a college class.

It’d be very intriguing to see if Peter has connected with new people in college and how he’s handling relationships in this new environment. He’s most certainly avoiding them, but that wouldn’t stop people from potentially wanting to connect with him. It could also give Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment the chance to introduce characters that could definitely exist in college, like Doctor Curt Connors (The Lizard) and Doctor Miles Warren (The Jackal).

10

An Expanded Cast

Images via Sony Pictures Releasing

With this being a completely new era for Spider-Man, they have a chance to bring in a new cast to fill the missing roles of his old supporting cast, like Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), Happy Hogan, Betty Brant (Angourie Rice), Flash Thompson (Tony Revolori) — the entire school cast, pretty much. While keeping a smaller cast of characters will certainly be better for this movie, given the fact that it’s more down-to-Earth, there’s still room to include new players.

It doesn’t even have to be the likes of Gwen Stacy or Harry Osborn — in fact, it might be better that they stray away from those characters, given their inclusion in previous franchises — but they could bring in characters like Felicia Hardy. Even niche characters (for casual moviegoers, that is) like Carlie Cooper, Jean DeWolff, and Randy Robertson could be great options. There are so many to choose from!

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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Release Date

July 31, 2026

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Runtime

145 Minutes

Director

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Destin Daniel Cretton

Writers

Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee

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