On this episode of ‘Stepping Into The Shade Room,’ Akon sits down to discuss his legendary career, his headline-making polyamorous lifestyle, why T-Pain would win against him in a Verzuz, and much more! From revealing his real name to breaking down why polygamy works for him, Akon gets super candid during his conversation with host Thembi.

Akon Speaks On Polygamy & Faithfulness V. Commitment

During the conversation, Akon shared his thoughts on faithfulness versus commitment, and the ability of men to do either.  Ultimately, he explained that he believes men can be faithful to the woman, or women, they love. But he finds that men are not wired to be committed.

“How many men do you know will fight for that one because of the mistake that they made with someone that didn’t matter to them? That’s faithfulness, that’s creating that energy to fight for it,” he said. “We’re going to be with multiple women, that’s who we are… otherwise, it wouldn’t be a coincidence that every single woman on this planet, if they have a problem with their spouse, it’s over another woman. Think about it! Every woman that has a problem with they man, it’s over another chick.”

He Gets Real About Gender Roles

Before the conversation concluded, the pair touched on gender roles. Akon shared that here in America, he believes the women “want to be men.” Then, in Africa, the women there live “the most amazing life” and only have a hard time when it comes to pregnancy.

“I think when it comes to women, there’s a certain level of respect that should be given to a man. The same way that a man should have a certain level of respect that he should give to a woman,” Akon explained.

Scroll above to watch the episode in full.

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Social media users are convinced that Gio Ramos and Iggy Azalea may be throwing subtle shots at each other online. Both shared cryptic posts that quickly went viral.

Related: Y’all Good? Social Media Reacts As Gio Calls Out Playboi Carti In Series Of Now-Deleted Posts (PHOTOS)

Gio Ramos Reacts After Iggy Azalea Tweets “Lol…”

On Thursday, April 16, Gio Ramos and Iggy Azalea posted near-identical cryptic messages on X. Gio wrote “LOL,” while Iggy posted “Lol….” Users quickly circulated screenshots of the posts side-by-side.

A user quote-tweeted the posts, which led Gio to respond directly, writing, “man idk why that yt lady laughing wtf 😂😂”

The situation escalated when another commenter added, “Don’t be weird you with a deadbeat mind you,” appearing to reference Playboi Carti, who shares a son with Iggy Azalea.

Gio fired back, saying, “how I’m weird cuz idk why she laughing 🤣 y’all be so d**** out. idk that lady!!”

Although Iggy Azalea did not mention Gio directly, she later posted a series of tweets that many users read as commentary on the viral moment. She wrote, “Not 3 letters with 0 context having y’all spiral 😭😭😂”

She followed with, “Note to self: don’t make vague posts anymore,” and later added, “main character syndrome is real.”

Social Media Reacts

Social media users quickly debated whether the interaction was intentional shade or simply a coincidence.

Instagram user @igotthejems_ wrote, “😭😭😭😭😭😭 I mean what if she was laughing at something else”

Another Instagram user @sammydavisthe4th wrote, “Iggy definitely is throwing shade she does this all the time then acts innocent I’ve see her do it twice past 6 months without looking for it”

While Instagram user @myakierra wrote, “She didn’t deny that she’s with a deadbeat tho”

Instagram user @diestwice wrote, “Carti got gio acting corny now 🫠 booooo”

Another Instagram user @astroworld.jay wrote, “Lord people can’t even laugh no more 💀”

While Instagram user @pr1ncesslaughalot wrote, “Iggy been saying this is how Carti acts but nobody beleived her”

Instagram user @niy.hendric wrote, “I missed when Gio was just fine and quiet”

Another Instagram user @poochbaby_ wrote, “Even if she was laughing at her any female that lays up with a deadbeat is a deadbeat with him idc I said what I said argue wit God”

While Instagram user @_prayingforloyalty wrote, “Not y’all investigating a ‘Lol…’ like it’s the Da Vinci Code 😭”

Fans Believe Iggy Azalea’s Tweet Is Tied To Gio Ramos And Playboi Carti’s Recent Online Drama

The situation comes just days after Gio Ramos posted now-deleted Instagram Stories calling out Playboi Carti.

She later addressed the situation during a livestream with streamer Neon, saying, “I crash out one time and everybody just going to take that to the heart, ain’t it?”

Playboi Carti and Iggy Azalea share a son together. In past interviews, Iggy spoke about allegedly raising her child on her own.

While Iggy Azalea’s post was not directed at anyone specifically, the timing has led social media users to speculate that it may have been shade.

Related: Iggy Azalea Shocks Social Media After Revealing The Last Time She & Her Son Allegedly “Heard From” Playboi Carti (WATCH)

Taylor Frankie Paul recently scored a tremendous legal victory when the Salt Lake City District Attorney’s Office declined to press charges against her due to a previous altercation with ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

Although “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star can breathe a sigh of relief regarding potential jail time, more details and evidence about the altercation continue to be revealed — and this time it’s courtesy of disturbing text messages. 

Text Messages Reveal Dakota Mortensen Asked Taylor Frankie Paul For Sex After Domestic Violence Incident Left Her Bloodied

In text messages obtained by TMZ on Thursday, April 16, Mortensen asked Paul if she wanted to have sex with him after the two were involved in a physical altercation, a request which she firmly declined.

“You don’t wanna f-ck?,” Mortensen texted Paul on February 22. She responded with a clown emoji and replied “F-ck? My nose won’t stop sushing blood. The f-ck is wrong with you.”

Mortensen then responded to her rejection saying that she previously mentioned sex in a prior phone call. However, she corrected his recollection of events, “I said talk the f-ck.” 

Mortensen replied with a series of angry texts, culminating with him writing to Paul, “GOODBYE. F-ck your abuse,” to which she replied “F-ck YOURS.” Mortensen then added, “See ya in court.”

Paul Was Recently Granted A Temporary Restraining Order Against Mortensen

On April 8, Paul was granted a temporary restraining order against her ex, Mortensen, alleging that he was physically abusive toward her, which is the same claim he made when filing the same protective order against her that was also granted by a judge.

According to the court documents, Mortensen is not allowed within 100 yards of Paul until their next court hearing later this month.

The documents also reveal that Mortensen cannot email, text, call, or otherwise communicate with Paul. During the upcoming court hearing, the court will determine if a permanent restraining order should be put in effect against either of them.

The MomTok Founder Previously Spoke Out After The Salt Lake City DA Declined To Press Charges Against Her

Per Us Weekly, on Tuesday, April 14, Paul took to her Instagram Stories to respond to the news that local Salt Lake City prosecutors decided not to press charges against her in a pair of incidents involving Mortensen.

“Cried when I got the call. THANK YOU to those that have stood with me,” she wrote in a post that featured a floral arrangement and a card.

As of now, Paul is the only “Mormon Wives” cast member to publicly comment on her avoiding charges. Additionally, neither Hulu nor ABC/Disney has offered any commentary either.

Prosecutors Explained Reasoning Why The ‘Mormon Wives’ Star Wasn’t Charged

The office of Salt Lake City district attorney Sim Gill released a statement confirming that no charges against Paul would be filed, citing a lack of evidence and the statute of limitations as the reasons.

“After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,” the statement read, per Deadline.

“The complainant in these cases reported several incidents – some of which occurred more than three years ago,” the statement read. “Any incidents of misdemeanor offenses which are alleged to have occurred more than two years ago are barred by the statute of limitations. Incidents which are alleged to have occurred within the statute of limitations have also been reviewed.”

The statement continued, “Several incidents that were submitted do not rise to the level of criminal offenses. The remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges where the State must be able to prove such allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Such incidents lack specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration.”

‘Mormon Wives’ Could Resume Production Following Paul’s Legal Victory

According to TMZ, after weeks of paused filming for season five, the cast of the hit Hulu reality series is reportedly ready to get back to work.

After multiple cast members initially appeared to distance themselves from Paul as her drama took center stage, things have apparently settled between them, and they are all ready to resume filming, including Paul.

Hulu has yet to confirm or deny that season five has resumed production.

When it comes to the fantasy genre, The Lord of the Rings reigns supreme. In both the cinematic and literary worlds, the saga about the Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and his quest to destroy the One Ring is widely considered the pinnacle of fantasy storytelling, thanks to its memorable characters, jaw-droppingly immersive world-building, and a story that has not only introduced but also perfected many of the tropes commonly associated with the genre. Very few fantasy movies surpass The Lord of the Rings, at least when it comes to sheer scope, ambition, and execution.

Another key aspect behind the trilogy’s success is how epic they are. Middle-earth is vast and expansive, full of wonder and danger in equal measure. The books and the movies make this story truly feel larger-than-life, creating a captivating world that often threatens to overwhelm because of its sheer scope. “Epic” even feels like an understatement to describe these exemplary movies, all three of which have truly become the standard for modern blockbuster cinema. Yet, there are at least three movies that feel more epic than The Lord of the Rings. Perhaps they feel grander in their storytelling, perhaps they offer more enveloping and cinematic executions, or maybe they just feel far more grandiose. Whatever the case, the three movies on this list feel more epic than Peter Jackson‘s undeniably stellar trilogy. To keep things fair, we’ll only include movies with elements of adventure and action, as well as similar thematic concerns to The Lord of the Rings.

‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962)

Image via Columbia Pictures

No director has ever mastered the epic genre quite as well as David Lean. From The Bridge on the River Kwai to Doctor Zhivago, the iconic director helmed some of cinema’s all-time greatest epics. His magnum opus is undeniably Lawrence of Arabia, starring Peter O’Toole in the role that made him a legend. Set during World War I, the film sees British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence (O’Toole) traveling to seek Prince Faisal (Alec Guinness) and act as a liaison between the Arabs and the British in their fight against the Turks. Soon, Lawrence goes rogue and, aided by the native Sharif Ali (Omar Sharif), sets out on a desert journey to strike at the Turks when they least expect it.

Lawrence of Arabia is now considered a cinematic institution, and for good reason. This ambitious picture revolutionized filmmaking, pioneering editing techniques that marked a true before-and-after in the craft. In the acting department, O’Toole delivers one of the best performances ever captured on film, a larger-than-life and nearly overwhelming depiction of ambition and an identity in conflict with itself that further elevates this tale. Visually, Lean beautifully captures the vastness of the desert, turning the sands of the Arabian Peninsula into a hypnotizing, nearly otherworldly landscape that threatens to consume us. Thematically, Lawrence of Arabia is all about how legends are born. Watching Lawrence’s legacy being born before our eyes gives the film a timeless, haunting nature that makes the whole thing seem far more grandiose. The Lord of the Rings makes Middle-earth seem epic, but Lawrence of Arabia makes something far more impressive: it makes our world seem fantastical and almost mythical.

‘Ran’ (1985)

Many would say Akira Kurosawa is the greatest filmmaker in film history, and the claim would not be an overstatement. The legendary director left behind a rich cinematic legacy, including outright masterpieces like Seven Samurai, Ikiru, and Yojimbo. However, perhaps his greatest epic is his last, 1985’s Ran, an adaptation of Shakespeare‘s King Lear. Tatsuya Nakadai stars as Hidetora Ichimonji, a seventy-year-old warlord in the Sengoku period who decides to abdicate his throne and divide his territory between his three sons. However, his youngest refuses to pledge loyalty to his eldest, leading to an extended conflict that will destroy everyone.

The Bard’s stories are always an excellent source material for updating, and Kurosawa does it expertly in Ran. Translating the action to feudal Japan allows him to explore themes of honor, legacy, and the burden of power, resulting in a deeply psychological and insightful interpretation of a well-known story. Kurosawa complements this approach with some of the largest and most riveting battles ever depicted on the silver screen. Ran‘s depiction of warfare is majestic and unforgiving, yet also sumptuous and strikingly beautiful. The use of vibrant color and vast, natural landscapes makes the whole thing a sensory feast, demanding every bit of the audience’s attention but rewarding them with one of the most exhilarating tragedies in the medium. In pretty much every way that counts, Ran is the perfect representation of what a cinematic epic should be. Thematically poignant and visually glorious, the film is spectacle in its purest form, a film of such magnitude that one can’t help but feel humbled at witnessing it.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Mad Max: Fury Road is the greatest action movie of the 21st century, and it’s not even particularly close. Balancing genres, themes, and approaches, George Miller‘s ambitious saga is basically one long car chase throughout the desert. Tom Hardy takes over the role of Max Rockatansky from Mel Gibson in this story set in a dystopian world where the Earth has been transformed into a wasteland and society has descended into chaos, reduced to their primal instincts. The loner Max soon finds himself allying with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a warrior and rebel aiding the five wives of a despot escape to a haven known as the Green Place.

To put it simply, Mad Max: Fury Road is the ultimate representation of epic cinematic action, the perfect encapsulation of everything that makes the genre thrive on the big screen. Exhilarating to a fault, explosive (literally), and offering arguably the greatest action sequences in the medium’s history, the film represents an exciting breakthrough in genre filmmaking. Yet, it never sacrifices the story’s emotional or thematic core for mere spectacle. Even with all its impressive set pieces, it still offers plenty of food for thought, full of clever commentary about totalitarianism, rebellion, and especially feminism. Charlize Theron’s Furiosa is undoubtedly the best female action hero since Linda Hamilton‘s Sarah Connor, becoming the embodiment of the film’s themes. Mad Max: Fury Road is unrelenting, a non-stop and adrenaline-pumping saga covered in sweat and oil. Witnessing it on the big screen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the greatest testament to the power of the theater experience.

Newly released texts between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen show her shutting down his request for sex after their alleged altercation.

An unsealed police report from the Draper City Police Department showed photos submitted for evidence from both Paul, 31, and Mortensen, 33, regarding their recent domestic disputes. Along with photos of Paul and Mortensen’s injuries from two separate incidents, text messages exchanged between the former couple were submitted.

On February 22, Mortensen seemed to ask Paul how her therapy session went, but hours later, Paul replied claiming her “nose is broken” and “gushing blood.”

Mortensen replied: “You don’t want to f***?” In the screenshot, Paul questioned Mortensen’s reaction, adding, “Fk? My nose won ’t stop [gushing] blood. The fk is wrong with you?”

Related: Mormon Wives’ Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen‘s Relationship Timeline

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen‘s complicated romance was thrust into the spotlight on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — and their relationship status remains unclear. Before the show premiered on Hulu in September 2024, Taylor and Dakota started dating following her divorce from husband Tate Paul in the wake of a high-profile “soft […]

As the argument escalated, Mortensen appeared to reply, “Goodbye. F*** your abuse.”

“F**k YOURS,” Paul wrote, to which Mortensen fired back, “See ya in court.”

News broke in March that an alleged domestic violence incident between the pair caused filming to be paused on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was later pulled by ABC after footage from a prior domestic incident between her and Mortensen was resurfaced.

Mortensen and Paul have since filed temporary restraining orders against each other. Mortensen was granted temporary full custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever, with Paul receiving supervised visits for at least six hours per week until their protective hearing on April 30, when a judge will reevaluate the arrangement.

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Related: How Long Were Mormon Wives‘ Taylor and Dakota Together Between Breakups?

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul’s relationship timeline with Dakota Mortensen isn’t easy to pin down after numerous breakups — but how long were they actually together in between their public splits? Taylor and Dakota started dating before the show premiered on Hulu in September 2024. Dakota was Taylor’s first public […]

Us Weekly confirmed on Tuesday, April 14, that Paul would not be charged as a result of the alleged dispute between her and Mortensen.

“After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,” District Attorney Sim Gill’s office said in a statement obtained by Us on at the time.

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The reality star — who also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul — later broke her silence on the decision.

“Cried when I got the call 🙏 THANK YOU to those that have stood with me,” she captioned a blurry photo of a vase filled with flowers and a card shared via her Instagram Story.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

Young and the Restless spoilers for next week divulge Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) trotting into danger when Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) lures all the people that he wants to ruin to Las Vegas. Looks like he’s going to do all the dirty work right there in Sin City.

We have got the latest Y&R spoilers for the week of April 20th, including Christine Blair (Lauralee Bell) surprising Danny Romalotti (Michael Graziadei) and Nate Hastings connecting with Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox). But before we get into all that, please hit subscribe if you are not following us yet.

Sharon And Noah Head To Vegas on Young and the Restless

All right, first let’s talk about what is going down in Las Vegas. Because it looks like Sharon and Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) are about to walk right into Matt Clark’s diabolical trap. At the end of this week, Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan) called Sharon to tell her that Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) has gone missing and the whole, you know, OD death thing and Matt took Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) to see him.

And Sharon freaks, of course, and Chelsea promised to keep Sharon posted. Then Matt showed back up after attacking and locking Adam in with Nick. And then Matt was doing this creepy flirty thing with Chelsea by the end of the week. She just went off on him and accused Matt of liking to break people. And he tells her Nick and Adam were sticking their noses where they do not belong.

Chelsea’s Suspicious on Y&R

Chelsea suspects that Nick and Adam are still in the building just because, you know, Matt wasn’t gone that long and he’s easily come back to taunt her. And so Chelsea’s demanding that Matt tell her where he is holding Nick and Adam. Chelsea’s begging for Matt to tell her that Nick is not dead. But Matt insists that Nick is indeed dead as a door. And Matt gets even creepier. And he tells Chelsea that her begging him is hot. Then Matt leaves Chelsea to basically wait and worry.

Meanwhile, Adam wakes up after he got clocked with the fire extinguisher and he checks Nick’s pulse and he wakes his brother up, gets him untied. So, Adam wants to know if Nick is hooked on drugs. But, of course, like an addict, he denies it and he claims that Matt is lying and just saying things about him that aren’t true. So, you know, Adam just kind of drops it. Because I think he clearly knows that Nick is lying. And he tells Adam that Matt drugged him once and that was instead of killing him. And Adam tells Nick that Chelsea is also there in Vegas. Nick is actually glad to hear that Sharon didn’t also come to Vegas.

Adam spots a landline phone in the room, which is pretty sloppy of Matt, unless he did it on purpose and is listening in on the calls or something. Which I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s kind of a chess master. So, Adam calls Chelsea and Nick’s hiding his drugs. Then Chelsea shows up and unlocks the door and gets them out. And once they’re back upstairs in the hotel suite, Nick runs to the bathroom. Got to do his drugs. And Adam tells Chelsea he thinks that Nick’s an addict. And he comes back out and tells Adam and Chelsea they need to find Matt before he goes to Genoa City. But he doesn’t need to go. He’s luring people.

Matt Pretends To Be Nick on Young and the Restless

So, Matt’s got Nick’s phone that he took from him and he sends a text to Sharon and he’s pretending to be Nick. And tells her he captured Matt and that Sharon should come to Vegas so she can be there when he takes Matt down. So Sharon updates Noah and she said that Chelsea told her Nick disappeared and then Sharon sees the text from Matt acting like Nick. And then she texts back thinking it’s her ex and Sharon says that they’re on their way. So, Matt texts back that he can’t wait to see Sharon and in next week Young and the Restless spoilers we’ve got Matt finally getting his filthy hands on Sharon.

So, we’re going to have Sharon and Noah showing up in Vegas next week. They’re in some outlying area near what seems to be some abandoned building, and it looks like Matt lured them away from the strip where there’s lots of people and into some place a little more remote, a little more dangerous.

So, I wonder if Sharon at some point called Chelsea and she tells her Nick and Adam are safe and that Sharon isn’t texting with Nick, that it’s Matt who has his phone. So, as Sharon and Noah are checking out the abandoned property, Sharon is worried and she asked if Noah thinks they should go inside or not. Now, he is a hothead like Nick, so I’m going to guess he wants to go in.

Nate Runs Into Stephanie on Y&R

Also, next week on Y&R, spoilers have an interesting encounter. Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) runs into Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic), and Stephanie is asking Nate how he knows Olivia Winters. So, Stephanie clearly doesn’t know who she’s talking to when she first sees him. And when Nate says Olivia is his mother, Stephanie is thrilled and says, “Nate, Nate Hastings. Oh my goodness.” And if you don’t remember, his mom Olivia along with Drucilla Winters did matchmaking and got Stephanie and Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) to start dating. If not for Nate’s mom, Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) would never have been born. So I think Nate’s going to be stunned by all that.

Christine Has A Surprise For Danny

Elsewhere in Genoa City, next week’s spoilers have Christine telling Danny that she has a little surprise of her own, but it’s actually a big surprise. Not so little. So, I wonder what it is. Christine loves surprising him, and I wonder if she’s going to join Danny on his trip to Barcelona. You know, maybe she’ll have the Mariah stuff wrapped up by then.

Summer’s Conglomerate Going Down on Young and the Restless

Meanwhile, at the end of this week at Phyllis Summers‘ (Michelle Stafford) stolen company, Summer Newman‘s conglomerate, Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc) is making a big romantic gesture. He has filled Lauren Fenmore‘s (Tracey E. Bregman) office with flowers and candles, and Michael gives Lauren a watch with no hands to remind her their love is timeless, unless it’s digital.

How do you tell time on a watch with no hands? Anyway, so Michael tells Lauren working with Phyllis is crazy or it’s brave, but Michael won’t stop Lauren from pursuing her dreams. But her dream of setting the world on fire with Phyllis looks like it’s going to go up in flames next week.

Young and the Restless: Victor’s Plan Launches?

So, the latest Young and the Restless spoilers have Lauren asking Michael what’s wrong. He says there’s no good way to say it. Summer’s Conglomerate is going down. And if you remember, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) said he was going to use Chancellor to take down Phyllis and get back what she stole. So it sounds like Victor might be kicking his plan into high gear just in time for May sweeps, which kicks off Thursday of next week.

So, I wonder if Michael found out from Victor what’s going on. Because he did promise Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) he’d try and talk to Victor and get more info about what went down with Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and the yacht. Because Victor is still denying he drugged Jack and that’s important information that Diane needs.

Jack And Nikki’s Plan on Y&R

Also, at the end of this week, we saw Jack and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) discussing their broken marriages, and they were talking about how they should make Victor and Diane jealous to get them where their spouses want to try and actually fix things. Now, I don’t think this is a good idea.

But it looks like Jack and Nikki may be the ones to fake some sort of romance or reconciliation to try and scare Victor and Diane straight. But I think that would be a huge mistake. Because it would likely further alienate Victor from Nikki and Diane from Jack. And I think it would absolutely backfire on Nikki and Jack if they go there.

So, Young and the Restless is going to be keeping us on the edges of our seat this coming week. Because May sweeps is kicking off. Be sure to check out our complete weekly spoilers video for the week of April 20th through the 24th, our weekly predictions, and so much more.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 27 seconds ago

These days, Star Trek: The Next Generation is considered the gold standard of the franchise. When fans complain about NuTrek shows like Discovery or Starfleet Academy, they are usually griping that these new series are nothing like the adventures of Captain Picard and crew. However, what many modern fans don’t realize is that, in its early days, TNG was one of the worst shows in the entire franchise. That’s mostly because Season 1 was a train wreck, one filled with stiff characters and stiffer stories that ranged from inexplicably horny to unspeakably racist.

Season 2 was a general improvement, though the show was still very rough around the edges. Unfortunately, it ended with “Shades of Grey,” a finale so bad that most fans consider it the worst episode of the entire franchise. Fortunately, that episode saved Star Trek: The Next Generation, albeit accidentally. That’s because this episode was so bad that it made everyone involved say the same thing that Bruce Wayne said after watching his parents get gunned down: “never again!”

You’ll Want To Burn Your Eyes After Watching

“Shades of Gray” is a real war crime of an episode, so I’ll spare you the trouble of watching it with a quick summary. Basically, Paramount forced everyone to create an ultra-low-budget bottle episode, so the writers developed a skeletal plot about Riker getting a fast-acting virus that will shut his brain down in hours. Dr. Pulaski develops a device to help stimulate his brain with memories of his various adventures from the last two years. In reality, the memory stimulation plot was just an excuse to create Star Trek’s first and only clip show episode, with Riker watching the worst set of nonsense video snippets this side of TikTok.

Pretty much everyone involved with “Shades of Gray” hated it. This included then-showrunner Maurice Hurley, who (as recorded in Captains’ Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages) later dubbed this episode a “Piece of sh*t.” He lamented that “It was supposed to be a bottle show. Terrible, just terrible, and a way to save some money.” However, the show wasn’t going to be Hurley’s problem anymore because, as he bluntly stated, “I was on the way out the door.”

Two Beams, One Cup

In an interview with The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine, “Shades of Gray” director Rob Bowman essentially disowned his work. He said that this was “basically a money-saving episode. All we shot was three days of framework, and they just stuck in flashbacks. That’s all it was.” To hear Bowman tell it, this was an episode in name only, with Paramount just throwing in a bunch of disjointed clips and calling it a day. This is part of why legendary TNG writer dubbed it an “embarrassment” in one of his famous AOL chats, deeming it (along with “Up the Long Ladder”) as the worst episode of the series.

However, one man feels that Star Trek: The Next Generation owes a debt of gratitude to “Shades of Gray.” That man was veteran producer Peter Lauritson, who spoke about the matter on the DVD special features for TNG Season 2.  “It was just… we learned from that. I think, probably, the worst we ever did,” he said. “It was like ‘Never again.’ ‘Shades’… I don’t even want to remember it.”

The Worst Of Both Worlds

In retrospect, Lauritson was correct, and everyone involved with Star Trek: The Next Generation never made an episode even nearly as bad. Over on IMDB, it is the lowest-rated episode of all time, but the overall quality of episodes steadily increased after this. Granted, credit for this mostly goes to Michael Piller, who revamped the entire writing team when he became showrunner in Season 3. But some credit must also go to “Shades of Gray,” an episode so bad and so universally hated that it taught the writers and producers exactly what not to do with this ambitious sci-fi spinoff.

While Season 2 was generally an improvement over Season 1, Star Trek: The Next Generation was still an extraordinarily rough sci-fi spinoff. “Shades of Gray” taught the writers and producers a major lesson through the greatest teacher of all: failure. Had this crappy clip show not been the worst episode of Trek ever made, TNG might not have become the most foundational bit of genre television of the 20th century. In this way, it’s fair to say that the worst episode of Star Trek’s most beloved show helped save the most influential series in sci-fi history!

Shocking new details are emerging surrounding a chaotic domestic dispute involving reality star Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, including a disturbing 911 call and graphic images that paint a troubling picture. The incident, which allegedly unfolded at Paul’s home, stems from a February altercation between the former couple, who dated on and off between 2022 and 2024. While both Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen accused each other of domestic violence, authorities confirmed Tuesday that no charges will be filed.

Bloody Photos And 911 Call From Taylor Frankie Paul Incident Reveal Chaotic Scene

Images submitted to the Draper City Police Department show Mortensen with a bloodied nose, while both he and Paul appear to have visible bruising.

Audio from a February 22 911 call, obtained by TMZ, captures a tense exchange between the two, with a child crying in the background. Mortensen, who shares 2-year-old son Ever with Paul, can be heard expressing concern for the child, telling dispatchers his son is “freaking out” and had been “kind of hurt” and “wasn’t doing so well.”

At one point, he says, “I told you,” while Paul speaks in the background, though her words are largely unclear aside from a repeated plea of “please.”

The dispatcher attempts to assess the situation, asking if the child is crying and whether he is sick. “Is that him crying in the background?” the dispatcher asks.

Mortensen confirms before adding, “Yeah, I think he’s sick because that’s what he just did was throw up.”

“Do you want me to have somebody come just check him out?” the dispatcher asks.

“No, he’s okay,” Mortensen replies, though the child can still be heard crying.

“I might just take him in, so I just didn’t know how to do that,” he adds before the call ends.

Second 911 Call Raises Alarming Allegations

The situation escalated the following day when another 911 call was placed by a man identified as Cru Ethan, who alleged an ongoing pattern of abuse involving his friend, believed to be Mortensen.

According to the call, the man claimed his friend had visible scratches and described alleged property damage, including a broken car mirror, a damaged screen, and a drink being thrown.

He also alleged there was evidence of repeated incidents, including photos and videos, and claimed Mortensen was “mentally drained” while expressing concern for the children in the home.

Conflicting Accounts From Both Taylor Frankie Paul And Dakota Mortensen

Police reports detail drastically different versions of what allegedly took place.

Mortensen previously claimed Paul attacked him in the early hours of February 22, alleging she grabbed his throat, face, and neck before shoving him into a window. He also said he attempted to call the police but was convinced to hang up. Paul, however, told officers she had asked Mortensen to leave her home and denied that any physical violence occurred that day.

The following day brought more conflicting claims, with Mortensen alleging Paul “became angry again, mounted him, grabbed his throat, and screamed in his face.” He also claimed she threw objects, damaged property, and continued to assault him outside near his car.

According to the police report, “Dakota shoved her off, causing her to hit her head on the center console screen. Upon leaving again, Dakota received a text from Taylor stating she was gushing blood from her nose and it would not stop.”

Paul, meanwhile, alleged Mortensen became aggressive during a separate incident in the car, claiming he slammed her head against the dashboard and grabbed her by the neck and back.

Police Decline To File Charges

Despite the disturbing allegations and visible injuries, authorities ultimately determined there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges.

According to the report, officials cited “insufficient corroborating evidence” and noted that “Dakota to the primary aggressor of the second incident on the 23rd, and there is limited information for the 22nd.”

In a separate interaction captured in police audio, Paul insisted that Mortensen’s claims were “not accurate” before hearing the full details.

Custody Battle Heats Up As Restraining Orders Fly Between Taylor Frankie Paul And Dakota Mortensen

The fallout has since spilled into the courts. Mortensen filed for a restraining order in March, temporarily impacting custody arrangements for their son. Paul was later granted her own protective order on April 8, preventing Mortensen from contacting her or coming within 100 yards.

A judge has since allowed Paul up to eight hours of supervised visitation per week, with the arrangement set to be revisited at a hearing on April 30.

Amid the ongoing drama, ABC pulled Paul’s planned season of “The Bachelorette” before it aired following news of the latest allegations. Plus, production on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has also reportedly been paused.

Days of Our Lives teases Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) could be entering another dark season in their lives soon. Johnny doesn’t know it, but he has been marked for death. Meanwhile, Chanel is pregnant and there’s another health crisis looming that doesn’t look like it has anything to do with the pregnancy.

I’m just wondering if these two storylines are going to be what sends Johnny and Chanel off of Days of Our Lives once and for all, possibly in body bags.

Kristen Plots To Murder Johnny

So, right now we know that Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is plotting with Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) to destroy EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and their plan is absolutely diabolical. Kristen said they are going to murder Johnny. That’s right. Kristen wants Sophia to kill her nephew Johnny to get back at her brother EJ. And that’s because Kristen blames EJ for Rachel shooting him.

Because EJ stashed her grandma Rachel Blake away. And in Kristen’s twisted mind, Rachel’s locked up in Bayview because of EJ. She has no self-awareness of the terrible influence that she is on her daughter. She’s to blame, I think, for all of this. But Kristen thinks because she lost her daughter Rachel, who’s stuck back in Bayview now, that EJ needs to lose his son Johnny.

Days of Our Lives: Sophia and Kristen a Dream Team?

But Kristen wants to leave EJ heartbroken forever. And Kristen is counting on how much Sophia hates Johnny because of the whole adoption mess. So for that reason, Sophia is the perfect partner in crime for crazy Kristen. Lucky for her, unhinged Sophia agreed with the caveat that she also takes down Holly Jonas because Sophia won’t ever stop hating her. And she insisted Kristen provide extra resources for the revenge on Holly plan.

And I knew that Kristen hated EJ, but I mean, wow, right? Having Sophia, who is the biological mother of Johnny’s adopted son, kill him to get vengeance is so freaking twisted. That’s a new low, even for Kristen, who has drugged and raped a priest. I mean, that’s on the list of very, very bad things that Kristen has done in her life. The attack on Eric was terrible.

And I’m sure that if EJ knew about this plot that Kristen is cooking up, he would much rather Kristen come after him and leave Johnny alone. Now EJ knows Kristen hates him, but I don’t think it’s on his bingo card that she would kill his only son. But Kristen’s decided the sins of the father rest on the son and thinks Johnny should pay the price for EJ’s actions. And Sophia may have it in her mind that if Johnny’s dead, somehow Trey might be taken away from Chanel. Or Sophia might plan to snatch Trey and run after killing Johnny because that girl’s crazy. And Sophia is a very willing participant in Kristen’s awful plan.

How Will Sophia Try to Kill Johnny?

So, I’m curious as to the method of their madness and how Sophia and Kristen are going to try and kill Johnny. So Kristen and Sophia may set up Johnny’s death to look like a horrific, say, car accident. Maybe Sophia cuts Johnny’s brake line so he runs off the road and crashes. Or Kristen may get an undetectable poison from Dr. Rolf that Sophia can slip into Johnny’s drink at the pub.

Sophia might decide to get really hands-on and vicious and, you know, violently stab Johnny when he’s home alone or out on the streets of Salem one night, act like it’s a mugging, you know. Or because Rachel was sent back to Bayview for accidentally shooting EJ, maybe Kristen will have Sophia shoot Johnny. Kristen may want to leave some sort of clue for EJ that Johnny’s death is his fault.

And of course, Kristen wants Sophia to do the deed, not because Kristen’s not capable, but I think this is about her having an airtight alibi for the time of Johnny’s death. She may even make sure that she is with EJ when the murder happens. That way he’ll think, “Oh, Kristen was with me.” But EJ’s not dumb.

Chanel’s Health Crisis

So now, let’s talk about Chanel. Johnny and Chanel are already worried because Sophia’s out of Bayview and she’s at her mom Amy Choi’s house, so she’s local. Johnny and Chanel know they have to be on high alert. We’ve been hearing rumors for a while also that there may be another murder mystery in Salem. Now, that could be Johnny’s death or his attempted murder. And then Chanel is looking like there’s a major health crisis brewing.

She was already at risk of cancer before she turned up pregnant, but then Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) assured Chanel everything was fine. And then this week, when Johnny and Chanel were getting intimate, Johnny felt a lump on one of Chanel’s breasts. And at first, she was kind of annoyed and frustrated because Johnny worries a lot about her in this pregnancy. Chanel just wants Johnny to enjoy the pregnancy with her and be excited. And he insists he is, but he also knows Chanel’s got serious health issues that cannot be ignored.

Days of Our Lives: Pregnancy Problems?

And once she feels the lump Johnny felt, she’s going to worry. I mean, already we know that Chanel is at high risk for cancer. And she told Johnny that she’ll talk to her OB about the breast lump. And of course, breast tissue does change during pregnancy, and your breasts actually get really lumpy, especially when you start the milk making.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. And Chanel and Johnny, of course, both hope the lump is nothing to freak out about. But if there is something worrisome about it, Chanel being pregnant can make treating an illness very tricky. I think Sarah would be able to get a biopsy and they might even be able to do a lumpectomy. But anything else like radiation or chemotherapy cannot be done while a woman is pregnant.

And Johnny might freak out and want Chanel to terminate the pregnancy so that she can get cancer treatment if the lump is a serious health risk. Remember, Johnny was kind of already thinking about how high risk it was when she first turned up pregnant. So, that’s going to come right back up in his mind. But even if Johnny begged her to do that, I don’t think Chanel would. I think if she has cancer that she would just proceed with the pregnancy to full term, which would allow it to spread to the point that it would probably be life-threatening.

Are Johnny and Chanel Being Written Out?

Now, I just want to say I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom about Johnny and Chanel, but there is good reason to think things could take a really dark turn for them. Because when Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens, who play Johnny and Chanel, came back to Days of Our Lives in January after their Christmas break, both of them found out they had been fired from their roles as Johnny and Chanel.

And another couple of actors were also axed, that was Ashley Puzemis and Leo Howard who play Holly and Tate. They were also let go. And at the time of their firing, Days was shooting 9 to 10 months ahead, and they may have had them film some more scenes after they came back in January. So, we could see them sticking around till late October, November, possibly even till the holidays, but they are going.

So, are the writers setting up a double death for Johnny and Chanel? Will Sophia kill Johnny and then Chanel dies of breast cancer? I mean, it’s heartbreaking to think about it because they have the adopted son, they have the baby on the way. Or Sophia could try and kill Johnny and he winds up, you know, injured and in a long-term coma and that’s how he exits while Chanel’s cancer kills her.

However, I will say EJ would probably freeze them both if he could. I mean, it’s awful to contemplate, but after today’s this last I guess it was Thursday’s episode of Days with Johnny finding Chanel’s breast lump and then Kristen ordering Sophia to kill Johnny, things could get very dangerous very soon.