Entertainment
‘Lizzie McGuire’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
Hilary Duff’s breakout role on Lizzie McGuire yielded years of success for the actress that continues today, while her costars chose slightly different paths.
The sitcom — starring Duff (Lizzie McGuire), Lalaine (Miranda Sanchez), Adam Lamberg (Gordo), Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire), Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire) and Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire) — aired from 2001 to 2004 and consisted of two seasons and 65 episodes. Duff also played the leading lady in the beloved Lizzie McGuire Movie in 2003 alongside several of her castmates and some new faces.
The show maintained such popularity in the years after its end that Disney+ announced a revival in August 2019. Duff agreed to reprise her role in the sequel series, which was set to follow Lizzie as she tried to figure out life in New York City.
“Lizzie has also grown up, she’s older, she’s wiser, she has a much bigger shoe budget. She has her dream job, the perfect life right now working as an apprentice to a fancy New York decorator,” the Younger star revealed at the D-23 expo at the time. “[She has] the perfect man, who owns a fancy restaurant [and is] getting ready to celebrate her 30th birthday.”
Duff elaborated on her excitement around revisiting the character via her Instagram Stories. “I don’t really have words. It’s crazy. I really missed her,” she said. “I think now is a great time for her to come back in her thirties. She’s everybody’s best friend, and I can’t wait to go on this next chapter with her.”
Todd, Carradine, Thomas and Lamberg later joined the project, while the “So Yesterday” singer teased what fans could expect from the revival.
“Her having a completely different life than Hilary — she doesn’t have kids — I thought it would be a really fun experience to go through it with her,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2019. “I think it’s going to be a really good mix of giving everyone what they want from the show in the past, and also a new fresh show and her at 30, which looks completely different.”
The series hit a roadblock in January 2020 when creator and showrunner Terri Minsky quit. Duff later complained about “limiting the realities of a 30-year-old’s journey under the ceiling of a PG rating” and asked to move the show to Hulu. However, the A Cinderella Story actress announced in July 2020 that she and the streaming platform had “pressed pause” to regroup on their vision.
Duff confirmed in December 2020 that the revival was not moving forward.
“I’ve been so honored to have the character of Lizzie in my life. She has made such a lasting impact on many, including myself. To see the fans’ loyalty and love for her, to this day, means so much to me. I know the efforts and conversations have been everywhere trying to make a reboot work but, sadly and despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen,” she announced via Instagram. “I want any reboot of Lizzie to be honest and authentic to who Lizzie would be today. It’s what the character deserves. We can all take a moment to mourn the amazing woman she would have been and the adventures we would have taken with her. I’m very sad, but I promise everyone tried their best and the stars just didn’t align. Hey now, this is what 2020s made of.”
In August 2022, Duff further opened up about the scrapped project to Women’s Health. “[Lizzie] had to be 30 years old doing 30-year-old things,” the “Coming Clean” singer explained to the magazine. “She didn’t need to be doing bong rips and having one-night stands all the time, but it had to be authentic. I think they got spooked.”
Scroll down to see what the cast of Lizzie McGuire has been up to.
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Kendall Jenner
Haute & Bothered for Vogue France!!!
Published
Kendall Jenner’s booked, busy, and still finding time to break the internet … and if you thought her shoots couldn’t get any hotter, Vogue France says Hold My Croissant!
The supermodel snagged the cover and a full spread to match — and let’s just say the looks are working overtime … ’cause we’re talking seriously risqué snaps that put those supermodel stats to very good use.
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You’ve gotta see these pics — the stylist clearly clocked in early and left late, dressing Kendall in a lineup of daring cut-out numbers, some so microscopic they showed off plenty of underboob.
Cropped fits, unbuttoned shirts, smoldering poses … Kendall was absolutely giving supermodel supremacy and reminding everyone why she’s in a league of her own.
One thing about Kendall — she knows how to werk!
Karlissa Saffold Harvey weighs in as folks think Blueface shaded Chrisean Rock, while speaking on how he and Nevaeh Akira plan to have a “great, healthy pregnancy.”
RELATED: In Bliss! Nevaeh Akira Shares A Few Messages After She & Blueface Reveal They’re Expecting A Baby
Blueface Speaks On How He & Nevaeh Akira Plan To Have A “Great, Healthy Pregnancy”
On the evening of Monday, February 23, Instagram user @livebitez shared footage from what appears to be a recent livestream of Blueface’s. Furthermore, during the session, Blue explained that he’s “focused on one thing.”
“That’s a great, healthy pregnancy, a great, healthy baby,” he said. “My pregnant baby momma, she will not be in the club. She will not be partying, drinking, or smoking — or doing any of that stuff. For nine months. That’s the main goal.”
To note, Nevaeh Akira appeared to be by his side and in agreement with his sentiments.
Peep the clip below.
Karlissa Saffold Harvey Weighs In As Folks Think He Shaded Chrisean Rock
Social media users reacted to Blueface’s words in @livebitez’s comment section. Some appeared to think he was throwing shade at Chrisean Rock, with whom he shares his third child, Chrisean Jr.
Instagram user @shaniseeeeeeee wrote, “He can’t shade someone who he condoned…”
While Instagram user @mama_of_superheroes added, “He so bitter that Chrisean finally snapped out of it and got some sense now lol”
Instagram user @bigh_75 wrote, “You so in love with Chrisean that you can’t keep her name out your mouth 👄 lol 😂”
While Instagram user @everybodycallsmeb added, “He’s trying to get a response from Chrisean ….”
Instagram user @scorpio_arrangements3010 wrote, “You sat there and watched Chrisean do it…”
While Instagram user @kr1styl3 added, “He in love with Chrisean. He wants her attention so bad. Every few days he does something so damn spiteful”
Instagram user @honeyboochile1 wrote, “He was shading chrisean bc he also shaded chrisean and jayden when he said this is gonna be his baddest babymama.Im happy he think that of lil king!!!Is crazy he gotta tear them down just to build her up”
While Instagram user @pinknlovelyisstill_fat_ugly added, “That’s not shade when it’s the truth”
Instagram user @supermom.to.5 wrote, “don’t nothing good come to nobody that speaks bad on this girl that’s all ima say.”
While Instagram user @aisha_freckles added, “Doesn’t sound like he’s shading Rock, in order to have a healthy pregnancy and baby the woman shouldn’t be doing things to put herself at risk.”
Instagram user @lynetteh64 wrote, “The truth can never be a diss tho! 🥴🤷🏽♀️”
Furthermore, Karlissa Saffold Harvey weighed in, writing:
“Johnathan is suffering from not being able to see his son and the different things that have been reported to him daily is overwhelming. Y’all literally send us videos talking about seizures and some more stuff. He was in denial and now he knows nothing and doesn’t have a relationship with the baby. He’s probably the only father who would allow her to leave the baby and not even look for her. These same people who talking all this s**t didn’t even know her and promoted for her to drink and smoke while pregnant because y’all did. I blame her fans and keep him in prayer. 🙏🏾”
More On Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Pregnancy
As The Shade Room previously reported, Blueface and Nevaeh Akira announced their pregnancy during a livestream on Sunday, February 22. Subsequently, that same evening, Karlissa Saffold Harvey reacted by taking to social media to write, “Kids are a blessing if he happy I’m happy [heart hands emoji] congratulations to them both and may God bless the baby.”
On Monday, February 24, Nevaeh Akira took to her social media to express her excitement for her and Blue’s upcoming chapter. As The Shade Room previously reported, Akira wrote about being “overly in love” with Blue and expressed her excitement about her son having a sibling.
In addition to his unborn baby with Akira and son with Chrisean Rock, Blue also shares two children with Jaidyn Alexis. On Monday evening, she broke her silence and addressed how she feels about his new addition.
RELATED: Jaidyn Alexis Breaks Silence & Reacts To Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Pregnancy Announcement (WATCH)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Maia Mitchell has already worked with Hannah Dodd so what are the chances she could join her hit Netflix series Bridgerton?
“Oh my God, why not? I’ll ask Hannah. I’ll text her now,” Mitchell exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting season 2 of Hulu’s The Artful Dodger. “I don’t think my contract would allow me to work with Netflix right now on a show but maybe after we get done with The Artful Dodger.”
Mitchell noted that she currently has her “hands full” playing Lady Belle. She didn’t rule it out though considering the amount of seasons still yet to air.
Based on Julia Quinn’s book series, each season of Bridgerton focuses on a different member of the titular family as they attempt to find love in 19th-century London. The Netflix show is expected to have eight seasons based on the eight novels written by Quinn about each Bridgerton sibling.
As soon as Netflix debuted Bridgerton, fans became invested in the stories still yet to be told. Based on Julia Quinn‘s novels of the same name, the series began with the love story of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page). Season 2 of Bridgerton told the story of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) […]
Dodd, for her part, plays Francesca and is expected to lead either season 5 or 6. Mitchell, meanwhile, just returned to Hulu after a lengthy hiatus between seasons.
“It was a long painstaking wait to hear [about a season 2], so we are very happy to be back,” Mitchell noted to Us. “In terms of jumping back into character, the break was good. It’s always nerve-wracking going back. But it’s so easy with our sets and in our costumes, you just really do melt right into the world. But the break was good because I would have needed that circuit break to find a different tone in her, to do some different prep. Especially with the dialect coaches, I was vocally dropping her a little lower and there was a slightly different physicality. Hopefully we get a season 3, and hopefully the break isn’t as long.”
Mitchell was thrilled at the chance to film a project in her native Australia.
“At the end of 2021, I had written a list of things I was manifesting. It was a job that was shot in Australia, a period drama and it was a woman who was playing a feminist and claiming her power. That is literally The Artful Dodger for me. So it is a dream job,” she gushed. “And to be able to work at home is fantastic. It’s less of a flight to visit family and our crew is so amazing. I’ve now shot a couple projects in Australia in the last few years, since I’ve moved home — and also overseas — and I can say for sure that it’s the best and most elevated work that I’ve been able to do.”
She concluded: “It’s because of the crew and everyone behind the camera and the cast. We have such immense talent here and I’m so excited that the world is becoming privy to it because we’ve known it. We’ve always made such fantastic shows but they have this Aussie tone with a gritty drama. Now we’re expanding that and we’ve got these massive period dramas with crazy budgets. It’s really fun to be a part of that kind of new moment in Aussie film and TV. So I couldn’t be more stoked and I would just work in Australia with Aussie crew for the rest of my career if I could. It’s the best.”
Looking ahead, Mitchell expressed hope she would get to return to film more.
“There’s a lot [more story] to tell,” Mitchell shared. “It’s such a massive show with so many characters and so many plots happening all at once.”
The actress noted that there is “a lot of opportunity” for “way more character development” in the future, adding, “With Belle and Jack, it is seeing what domestic life could look like. I don’t know how they pull that off. I don’t see them ever being settled but seeing what that looks like and seeing them actualize their relationship.”
Bridgerton returns with the second part of season 4 on Thursday, February 26. The Artful Dodger is currently streaming on Hulu.
Jennifer Garner
Flaunts in Brown Leather!!!
Published
Jennifer Garner is flaunting her assets in a new magazine spread for Flaunt … while also getting real about her relationship with her ex-husband, Ben Affleck.
The actress looks absolutely stunning in her brown leather Givenchy dress during a recent photoshoot and interview with a Flaunt reporter, whose cover story about the star was published Monday.
For the shoot, Jennifer wore several other outfits, including Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello — a gray pantsuit and a large brown leather jacket over a white knotted shirt with brown pants.
In the interview, Jennifer talked generally about her long relationship that eventually went sour with Ben — something she doesn’t normally do. The two got married in 2005, but later divorced in 2018.
Now, Jen says she wants to help women who have gone through similar experiences, telling the Flaunt reporter … “Time has passed, and other women are going through really hard seasons in their lives, and I think it’s helpful to know that time will go on and you will get to the other side.”
The actress also says she was “in the middle of something for a really long time, and it didn’t make sense,” but “there was no way to talk about it, and it’s certainly not my place to talk about him or his experience or anything he’s gone through, or my children or their experience.” Ben and Jen share three kids — Violet, 20, Finn, 17, and Samuel, 12.
Jen went on to say she feels “lighter and happier and more myself [than I have] in a really long time, and I think that’s important to know because I really felt like, ‘Oh my gosh, has this family shake up — has it changed me forever?’”
She notes, “When you’re many years into something, you think, ‘I don’t know how it’s gonna pass.’”
Robert Carradine
Actor Was MIA on Current Film, Director Says
Published
The death of Robert Carradine has shocked Hollywood … but TMZ has learned there was a troubling sign on his final film project, according to one of his most recent colleagues.
Connie Lamothe, director of “The Driver” — AKA “Driving into Darkness” — tells TMZ … she’s shocked and devastated about “Bobby’s” death … but she knew there was something wrong when he went MIA from her film prior to the table read this week.
Everything was finally back on track and moving along well after the project got derailed by the pandemic … but then in January, Connie tells us David went radio silent. Producers had no idea where he was or what was going on. They were worried … but a friend who is also in the cast knew of his struggles with mental health. So, they decided to give him some space … and hoped he would return.
As we reported … the “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Lizzie McGuire” icon took his own life after a nearly two-decade-long battle with bipolar disorder.
Robert had been super excited for the project — a crime drama in which he was playing a mob boss, a leading role — Connie says, noting the actor wanted to show he could do more than comedy and westerns.
Recalling their time together during pre-production, Connie says David was delightful and always cheerful when they spoke — including when she joked with him about cutting his hair and shaving off his beard for the role.
Robert was 71.
RIP
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
When The Princess Bride was released in 1987, it quietly rewrote the rules of romantic fantasy. It proved that a love story could be sweeping without being saccharine, ironic without being cynical, and adventurous without losing emotional sincerity. Since then, filmmakers have chased that same 1980s alchemy—the delicate balance of magic, humor, danger, and devotion. And luckily, some have found it.
Many would argue that the best romantic fantasy films released in its wake understand one crucial thing: spectacle alone is not enough. Whether told through animated kingdoms, time-traveling meet-cutes, or sky-bound ships, these stories endure because they treat love as transformative. They remind us that romance, at its best, feels both impossible and inevitable (like destiny, but still chosen). And in a genre built on magic, that sincerity is the most powerful spell of all.
8
‘Tangled’ (2010)
After a magical flower grants her healing powers, baby Princess Rapunzel is stolen from the palace by the vain and manipulative Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy), who locks her away in a hidden tower for 18 years. Now, on the brink of adulthood, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) finally seizes her chance at freedom when charming thief, Flynn Rider (Zachery Levi), stumbles into her tower, and promises to escort her to see the floating lanterns she’s long dreamed of.
Tangled feels like a direct descendant of The Princess Bride in the best way: it gives us swashbuckling adventure, razor-sharp banter, and a romance that builds through shared danger. The lantern sequence alone solidifies itself in the Disney hall of fame as it’s not only visually stunning, but emotionally significant as it showcases a true moment of vulnerability. Throughout the film, Flynn’s bravado softens, Rapunzel finds her courage, and the fairy-tale becomes deeply human. It’s a classic romance polished with modern wit, and a true underrated addition to Disney’s animated collection.
7
‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990)
In a pastel suburban town, an unfinished artificial man named Edward (Johnny Depp) is discovered living alone in a gothic mansion. Taken in by a well-meaning family, Edward struggles to adapt to suburban life, all the while forming a tender connection with their daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder). Unfortunately for him, his scissor-bladed hands and gentle strangeness quickly make him both a fascination and target to others.
Tim Burton’s melancholic masterpiece transforms a simple love story into something hauntingly tragic. Like in The Princess Bride, Edward and Kim’s romance is defined by distance—physical, emotional, and societal. It’s a story about loving someone you can never quite hold. However, where many fantasy romances promise happily-ever-afters, Edward Scissorhands lingers in the longing. Its bittersweet devotion, quiet sacrifice, and gothic atmosphere give it the emotional weight of a modern myth made legendary in the 90s.
6
‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)
When Sophie (Chieko Baishô), a shy young woman working in her family’s hat shop, is cursed by a jealous witch and transformed into an elderly woman, she has no means to tell anyone of her plight. So, seeking a way to break the spell, she finds refuge in the magical, ever-shifting castle of the mysterious wizard Howl (Takuya Kimura). But as war looms and curses intertwine, Sophie and Howl slowly unravel each other’s defenses.
From the brilliant minds at Studio Ghibli and famed director Hayao Miyazaki, this romance is whimsical, strange, and yet still profoundly tender. Sophie learns confidence in a body she doesn’t recognize, while Howl learns bravery in a world he’s been avoiding. Together, their love unfolds through quiet acts of protection rather than grand speeches. In many ways, the magic externalizes their insecurities, making their emotional growth feel even more profound. Howl’s Moving Castle is fantasy at its most poetic.
5
‘Big Fish’ (2003)
As Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) nears the end of his life, his estranged son Will (Billy Crudup) attempts to separate fact from fiction in the fantastical stories his father has told for years—those being tales of witches, giants, mermaids, and impossible adventures. Threaded through every outlandish anecdote, however, is Edward’s unwavering devotion to his wife, Sandra (Jessica Lange), whom he claims to have loved from the very first moment he saw her.
While Big Fish operates as a father-son drama, its most enduring thread is romantic devotion. Edward’s love story unfolds like folklore—exaggerated, stylized, larger than life—yet grounded in something deeply sincere. Whether every detail happened exactly as told almost becomes irrelevant. What matters is that Edward’s love for Sandra feels mythic in its consistency. For many, this movie highlights how romance isn’t just about how love begins, but how it is remembered and retold. And in that sense, it’s one of the grandest love stories of all.
4
‘Enchanted’ (2007)
When animated fairy tale princess Giselle (Amy Adams) is banished by an evil queen into live-action modern-day New York City, she finds herself navigating a world without talking animals or instant happily-ever-afters. Taken in by pragmatic divorce lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey) after an accidental stumble, Giselle’s unwavering optimism begins to disrupt his carefully ordered life—especially when people (and creatures) from her world begin to creep in.
There’s no doubt that Enchanted thrives on its playful collision between sincerity and skepticism. Giselle’s belief in true love initially seems naive, but the film gradually proves that romance can survive even outside storybook rules. The love that develops between Giselle and Robert surely isn’t instant magic—instead, it’s built through partnership and growth. By lovingly poking fun at classic tropes while still embracing them, the film becomes both parody and love letter to the genre.
3
‘Shrek 2’ (2004)
After returning from their honeymoon, Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are invited to return to the Kingdom of Far Far Away to meet her royal parents. The only problem: they don’t know that she’s married to an ogre, nor that she’s fully become one. Throw in a scheming Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), a swoon-worthy (and deeply smarmy) Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), and one unforgettable potion mishap, and you have a sequel that goes bigger in every possible way.
Underneath the meme-worthy one-liners and iconic needle drops lies a romance that feels shockingly grounded. Indeed, Shrek 2 dares to ask whether love should be reshaped to meet the world’s expectations—or whether the world should adjust instead. Fiona choosing Shrek again and again, even when offered conventionally “perfect” versions and alternatives, makes their relationship one of the most affirming in animated history. There’s no doubt that it’s truly one of the best movies (and sequels) to ever be made.
2
‘About Time’ (2013)
When Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) learns from his father that the men in his family have the ability to travel through time, he decides to use his newfound ability to improve his life—starting with finding love. Lucky for him, after a series of awkward first encounters, Tim finally meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), and their relationship unfolds with a mixture of do-overs, missteps, and small triumphs.
Directed by Richard Curtis, About Time transforms a high-concept premise into something incredibly intimate. In this world, time travel isn’t about spectacle, but about presence. Tim slowly realizes that perfection isn’t the goal—appreciation is, leaving the fantasy element to reinforce the film’s central truth: love lives in the ordinary days, messy conversations, and feeling moments you can’t rewind forever. It truly is romance in the most grounded way possible.
1
‘Stardust’ (2007)
In the quiet village of Wall, Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) promises the woman he adores that he will retrieve a fallen star for her birthday. Needing to cross into a magical realm, Tristan soon discovers that the star is not a stone at all, but a woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes). But as dangerous forces close in, a reluctant partnership develops, alongside an unexpected love story.
Based on the famed Neil Gaiman novel, Stardust easily earns the crown in this list as it most faithfully channels the spirit of the grand, unabashed romantic fantasy. Between sword fights, sky pirates, wicked witches, and declarations that make your heart lurch—it never undercuts its own sincerity. Tristan begins the film by chasing the fantasy of love and ends it by choosing real partnership, while Yvaine proves she’s not a mere prize to be won, but a force in her own right. It’s funny, bold, and deliciously ridiculous in the best way. For any Gen Z, this is our Princess Bride.
Stardust
- Release Date
-
August 10, 2007
- Runtime
-
127 minutes
- Director
-
Matthew Vaughn
- Writers
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Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn, Neil Gaiman
Next: 10 Fantasy Movie Flips That Are Actually Misunderstood Masterpieces
On 90 Day Fiance, Lisa faces scrutiny from an Igbo king and makes it worse by laughing at the wrong moment. Ziad El Yahyaoui leaves Emma Perry high and dry in the Moroccan desert. Forrest pulls off a romantic yet sweaty proposal but not everyone shares the joy. And Aunt Spring brings the receipts backing Stig Da Artist into a corner. Buckle up and lets take a closer look in this recap of Season 8, Episode 11 Use Caution When Opening Overhead Bins.
90 Day Fiance: Lisa’s Nervous Laugh Ruins a Royal Moment
On 90 Day Fiance, Lisa is prepping her wig for a big day on 90 Day Fiance. She squeals to the cameras that she’s meeting a real life king! And fears she could lose control of her bladder or worse during her royal moment. Daniel dons his long tassel cap to represent his tribe and she tells him he looks like Santa. Daniel helps her tie her hefty bag headdress again and Lisa holds her breath imagining the palace she’s about to visit.
But there is no palace. Just a regular neighborhood with laundry hanging out to dry. Lisa’s visions of sharply dressed palace guards and high tea and crumpets give way to a different type of royal experience. The “king” dons a carnival plush lion around his neck and a faux fur cap decorated with pooka shells. He’s flanked by some people in tribal body paint. It looks like a community theatre production of The Lion King.
Lisa kneels before the king and he shakes a box of small trinkets to channel his ancestors. He wants to know if she will take care of Daniel. Lisa spits out “yes my king” on 90 Day Fiance. But the king calls her out. And she laughs nervously. This doesn’t go over well with the lion king. He scolds her laughter and Daniel must explain her nervousness. King Don Sylvester Nweke (yes that’s his name) softens and accepts Lisa and her wig into the fold. He even encourages her to laugh and dance.
90 Day Fiance: Emma’s Truth Sends Ziad Running
Emma Perry our other wig master of this season of Before The 90 Days, isn’t faring well in the desert. After she got off the camel, things have gone straight downhill. Grumpy that her birthday party didn’t end in a proposal, she decides to make things worse with her confession. Ziad El Yahyaoui, who doesn’t seem to be the least bit interested in Emma seems relieved when she admits she’s been lying about everything.
Ziad tells Emma she’s just not good. For hiding a previous engagement to a different Moroccan man. Emma doesn’t see the big deal. Thinking that her Kardashian inspired looks and sweet talk would overrule any blatant dishonesty. Emma thinks it’s Ziad who has been unfaithful for chatting up girls online. Ziad leaps up, packs his stuff and calls for a car to get him the heck out of there and away from Emma Perry, who sobs chasing after him yelling about how they had sex.
It seems like it’s over for this 90 Day Fiance couple. Of course, Emma is shocked that he would break up with her and leave her in the desert declaring him an a-hole. Ziad is long gone while Emma whines in the desert winds about the unfairness of it all. She doesn’t think she did anything wrong. In all honesty, Ziad probably was tired like the rest of us of hearing the words babe and cute at the end of every sentence.
TLC Couple Forrest and Sheena Get Engaged
Forrest’s mom Molly and stepfather Dev enjoy local fruits haggled from the market by Sheena. It’s a nice morning in the Philippines. And Forrest and Sheena have big plans to hit the Venice mall on 90 Day Fiance. A taste of Italy in the Philippines complete with water ways and gondolas. Molly and Dev wish them well. And the two lovebirds hit the mall excited. First up is a dress up shop. Forrest is proud to dress as her king. And she chooses a princess dress in red.
The pair have some serious talk while in costume. Sheena admits some of her behavior comes from betrayal. Including a cheating ex. Forrest vows to treat her with respect. And proposes after a gondola ride. She says yes and he is overjoyed. However his mom is sarcastic and livid when they share their happy news. She goes off on Sheena for supporting Forrest. And even goes as far to say that Forrest’s life is over.
Before The 90 Days: Stig Blames It All on Super Fans
Auntie Spring sees right through Stig Da Artist on 90 Day Fiance. Of course, it’s not her first Belize rodeo. And she’s got her niece digging up all the dirt on the charming crooner. He can’t lie that it’s clearly him in a photo planting a kiss on a young lady. And there are some texts that suggest he also told this particular girl that he will love her forever. There may have even been heart emojis involved. Stig lies and denies and suggests it was just another encounter with a super fan.
But Spring’s niece claims she’s tight with the girl in question. And that she’s indeed been hooking up with Stig. She cites specific dates she knows he was with her. Ultimately Aunt Spring gives Stig the chance to come clean to Aviva Duhamel or she will. Aviva sulks and has an uneasy feeling. Stig Da Artist tries to worm out of the accusations by using the super fan excuse. And claims the texts aren’t his. However, Aviva isn’t sold and rules out any physical contact for the night.
90 Day Fiance: Laura Nevenner Seeks Comfort from Home
Laura Nevenner is starry eyed after her sea cruise with Birkan. But she’s not completely blind to the many red flags that surfaced. First off the debt. Secondly the gambling problem and lack of a job. She asks Birkan for some alone time to catch up with family and friends back home. Birkan is fine granting her the time and heads out to the shisha cafe. Laura beams while she rings up her bestie and pickle ball partner Michal.
Michal claims he’s only “wellish” in Laura’s absence. Nevertheless, Laura misses Michal too. But when he asks how things are going in Turkey, she admits there’s some concerns. But also paints Birkan out to be thoughtful and sweet. Of course Michal sees through her BS. He tells her she’s “emotionally compromised” if she can forgive the red flags over a boat ride. He wants to come to Turkey and make sure she’s okay. Laura waffles and says she has to clear it with Birkan first.
90 Day Fiance: Elise Makes a Late Season Appearance
Fresh off showing her a*s on 90 Day: Hunt For Love, Elise Benson rolls up on Before The 90 Days. She’s late to the party, this time bragging about her boobs. She wishes she could flash production but fears getting in trouble. We get some back story on Elise. She visits her parents and admits she envies their relationship. Ultimately her last relationship was full on disaster as he stole her identity and took her for a half a mil. And her investment banker dad bailed her out.
Back in Miami she prepares to travel to Australia to meet her new prospect Josh Lawson. Of course, they met online and Elise Benson is smitten. He’s ripped, a single dad and lives with his parents at 39. She lives in a sparkling condo with her gender confused cat Stella. On a night out with friends Elise defends Josh not having his own place or money. She says she can deal with all that as long as he’s nice. Yet teases that he sent an ominous text that has her freaked out on the eve of her trip down under. Till next time!
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an insanely popular television show for many reasons, including its stellar writing and top-notch performances from some of Hollywood’s best actors. Beyond all this, though, the show is celebrated for being a feminist masterpiece that centers on a powerful young woman fighting against powerful men who try to keep her down. In this way, Buffy succeeds as both an entertaining urban fantasy series and a provocative exploration of sex, power, and gender roles in modern society.
However, many modern critics and fans have been re-evaluating Buffy and have come to a wild conclusion: that this girl-power cornerstone may actually be a shockingly bad portrayal of women. These arguments typically claim that the show is secretly misogynistic despite its surface-level message about fighting the patriarchy. While this has changed how some fans view their favorite show, defenders of Buffy maintain that the more problematic plotlines and portrayals in the series are just a side effect of having flawed and complex characters.
The Fall Of A Feminist Icon
It’s almost impossible to discuss a critical reframing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer without discussing franchise creator Joss Whedon; after this show’s success, he became a major comic book movie director, helming two Avengers movies as well as the lackluster Justice League film. However, his career came to a screeching halt after his ex-wife Kai Cole published a letter alleging that he had cheated on her numerous times, including with unnamed actresses on Buffy. In her brutal missive, she also called Whedon out for the “hypocrisy” of his “preaching feminist ideals” while allegedly lying to his wife for a decade and a half.
Towards the end of that letter, she said that she wants “the people who worship [Whedon] to know he is human, and the organizations giving him awards for his feminist work, to think twice in the future about honoring a man who does not practice what he preaches.” Obviously, Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains Whedon’s greatest work, a work designed to be the greatest feminist show ever made. Now that its creator has seemingly been revealed as a hypocrite (one who also faced allegations of abuse on the set of Justice League), many have been re-evaluating Buffy and how its characters and plotlines may be surprisingly harmful to women.
Critics Claim Buffy Secretly Reinforces A Status Quo
On paper, a big part of Buffy’s charm is that the titular character is a rebel: she is constantly defying Giles, her stodgy watcher, with the same sass that she tosses at various evil demons. Buffy is a troublemaker who clashes with corrupt cops and an evil mayor, and she never really respects authority. This is especially true when she puts the Council of Watchers (basically, her boss’s boss) in their place, reminding them that without the Slayer, their job literally has no meaning.
However, some critics believe that Buffy actually exemplifies a status quo established largely by and for men. After all, as a sexy, thin, heterosexual blonde, the Slayer is an exemplar of what most men consider conventionally attractive. To impressionable young girls watching the show in the ‘90s, Buffy the Vampire Slayer ironically reinforced some of the lopsided beauty standards expected of women, arguably continuing a very problematic tradition perpetuated by the patriarchy this show was designed to skewer.
Does This Show Secretly Hate Powerful Women?
Additionally, beyond her surface-level rebellion, Buffy’s character is presented as the safe and palatable alternative to other women who are presented as dangerously transgressive. For example, Faith is a fellow Slayer who loves sex and partying, and the show inevitably transforms her into a murderous enemy. Willow comes out as both gay and a witch, and when she really delves into her powers, she suddenly becomes a skin-flying Big Bad that can only be talked down from mass murder by a fairly useless man (sorry, Xander fans, you know it to be true).
What these other cases have in common is simple: women begin by embracing a hidden power that men disapprove of. They then act in selfish ways before they are vilified and then humbled: Faith serves prison time and then comes back to follow Buffy’s orders, whereas Willow rejects dark magic and becomes a loyal little Scoobie again. Each of these women is deliberately contrasted with Buffy, who constantly puts her own needs to the side for the sake of others.
Fans typically view this as a noble attribute, the same one that causes the X-Men to fight for a world that hates and fears them. But Buffy arguably spends most of the TV show named after her as a doormat for the Watchers, a group of men who essentially force her to do what they want until she finally stands up to them. In this sense, the majority of the show presents Buffy as a feminine ideal for being subservient to men and preserving their preferred status quo; Faith and Willow must eventually be fought by Buffy, someone whose line of work conveniently has her keep other women from ever getting too powerful.
Long story short? The claim is that Buffy is a show where rebellious women are tamed: Buffy by the Council, Faith by prison, and Willow by Xander. Heck, even vengeance demon Anya is tamed by her obsession with a man, ultimately trading all of her considerable mystical abilities for a life of domestic submission.
The Argument Against Buffy’s Men
One of the things Buffy the Vampire Slayer is very good at is creating villains that fans love to hate. These foes were almost always men, which helps reinforce the feminist theme of the show: the fellows would mouth off and insult the female protagonist before she killed them. This is all part of why the show feels so empowering: what woman watching wouldn’t enjoy having the power to fight off the toxic men who are always making her uncomfortable?
The essential problem with Buffy as a character, though, is that she keeps falling in love with the most messed-up men of all. The vampiric Angel is already a redeemed mass murderer when Buffy begins dating him, and she takes him back even after he temporarily loses his soul and tries to destroy the entire world. The same goes for Spike, a notorious serial killer whom she begins secretly shagging; he goes to get his own soul back after intimately assaulting Buffy, and she proceeds to welcome him back just as she did with Angel.
There’s a rather ugly subtext here that Buffy is uncontrollably attracted to notorious murderers just because they are hot, and she takes them back after these characters commit the worst atrocities against her and her friends. Rather than painting our titular protagonist as a hero, Buffy is presented as a doormat who doesn’t hesitate to take her abusers back. This arguably sends the worst possible message to abused women who are watching the show, hoping to gain the strength to escape the people who are hurting them.
Why They’re All Wrong: It’s Complicated
Those are just a few of the reasons why many modern critics are reevaluating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Heck, we barely touched on Xander, the problematic proto-incel that Joss Whedon wrote to be his class clown self-insert character. However, there is one ironclad defense of the show and its characters that fans continue to embrace: namely, that Buffy is stronger for having flawed and complex characters.
Most of the complex aspects of Buffy herself are arguably part of the character’s evolution. Sure, she falls in love with a couple of hot murderers, but she eventually breaks up with both of them. The Slayer works for a patriarchal group of old farts, but after a few years, she makes it clear that they now have to work for her. Heck, she even bounces back from the worst self-destructive streak in human history to save the entire world from the first evil it had ever known.
If Buffy didn’t start out as such a flawed character, such evolution would have been impossible; plus, it’s worth noting that we shouldn’t hold the Slayer to higher standards than we do popular male characters. Does anyone think Walter White or Don Draper are bad characters because they are selfish and self-destructive? No, we understand that these flaws simply make them human, and that humanity makes the characters all the more compelling.
In this sense, Buffy’s flaws make her show that much more relevant: Buffy the Vampire Slayer may be a silly comedy show from the ‘90s, but it has the epic stakes and realistically damaged characters of modern prestige TV. It’s a wild combo that has helped the Slayer’s show remain a fan-favorite for decades. Now that a Buffy revival is around the corner, we can only hope the new show retains the complex characters and murky morality that made the original series such a groundbreaking pop culture phenomenon.
Reader, they cast her. The White Lotus‘ Aimee Lou Wood is set to star in a new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë‘s classic novel Jane Eyre. Wood will play the title role in the TV miniseries, which is currently being shopped to broadcasters and streamers by production company Working Title. In the novel, which is considered one of the most influential romances ever published, Jane Eyre is a woman with an unhappy past who becomes a governess for the mysterious Mr. Rochester, and gradually falls in love with him.
According to reports, the series will be adapted by Miriam Battye, who recently won a WGA Award for her work on Apple’s mind-bending hit Succession. It’s the latest in a series of high-profile projects for Wood, who earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her role as the naive bride of Walton Goggins in the third season of The White Lotus. Next up, she’s set to star alongside Angelina Jolie in the comedy Anxious People, and with Johnny Flynn in the historical drama The Idiots. She’s also signed to portray Pattie Boyd, the English model and photographer who married George Harrison at the height of Beatlemania in Sam Mendes‘ wildly ambitious The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.
Has ‘Jane Eyre’ Been Adapted for the Screen?
As one of the most famous novels in the history of the English language, Jane Eyre has been adapted for both the big and small screens repeatedly. Notable silver screen adaptations include the 1943 version, with Joan Fontaine, Orson Welles, and a young Elizabeth Taylor; Franco Zeffirelli’s 1996 version, with Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt; and the most recent version, directed by Cary Fukunaga and starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. The BBC has adapted it for television repeatedly, dating back to 1956; the most recent adaptation was broadcast in 2006, with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens in the lead roles. It has also served as the framework for a number of indirect adaptations and inspirations, including Val Lewton‘s 1943 horror classic I Walked With a Zombie and Wide Sargasso Sea, a novel written from the perspective of Mr. Rochester’s first wife, which has been filmed twice.
The new adaptation comes on the heels of Emerald Fennell‘s successful adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the only novel by Charlotte’s sister, Emily Brontë. There’s no word yet whether an adaptation of the works of Anne Brontë is in development to complete the trifecta.
A new TV adaptation of Jane Eyre is in development; no release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
- Release Date
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January 20, 1996
- Runtime
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112 minutes
- Writers
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Franco Zeffirelli
- Producers
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Bob Weinstein, Dyson Lovell, Guy East, Harvey Weinstein
The fallout from Sunday’s BAFTA Film Awards is still unfolding. What should have been a night celebrating cinema instead sparked outrage after a Tourette’s campaigner involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the live ceremony.
Now, the controversy has claimed a high-profile resignation. Award-winning creative Jonte Richardson has stepped down from a BAFTA judging panel, accusing the organization of mishandling the moment and failing to protect members of the Black community.
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BAFTA Judge Resigns After Ceremony Controversy
Jonte Richardson announced he is withdrawing from the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel following the incident at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
During the awards, campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting the N-word while Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting on stage.
Richardson did not hold back in his criticism. Writing on LinkedIn, he said per the Daily Mail, “After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel.”
He described the organization’s response as “utterly unforgivable” and added, “I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.”
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Richardson also referenced BAFTA’s long history of systemic racism and said remaining involved would feel like “condoning its behaviour.”
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BAFTA And BBC Face Questions Over Broadcast Delay
The incident happened during a two-hour delayed broadcast. According to Deadline, Warner Bros executives immediately raised concerns and requested the slur be removed before airing.
BAFTA insiders confirmed conversations took place, though it remains unclear whether those concerns were relayed to the BBC and production company Penny Lane TV in time.
The BBC later issued its own apology, acknowledging that “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.”
The corporation explained the outburst stemmed from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and admitted, “We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
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Sources also claimed producers in the gallery did not hear the word at the time, adding to confusion over how it made it into the final broadcast.
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BAFTA Responds And Apologises To Guests
BAFTA released a formal statement taking responsibility. A spokesperson said, “At the Bafta Film Awards last night, our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened, and apologise to all.”
The organization emphasized that Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, had been introduced to the audience in advance, with attendees warned they might hear involuntary tics.
“Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional,” the statement read.
BAFTA added, “We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation, and we apologise to all.” The organization also thanked Lindo and Jordan for their “incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Speaking later at the Warner Bros afterparty, Lindo revealed that he and Jordan did what they had to do,” though he admitted he wished “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterwards.”
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BAFTA Incident Sparks Debate About Tourette’s Syndrome
Davidson, who was made an MBE in 2019 for his advocacy work, later shared his own statement.
He said he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
He also explained that he chose to leave the auditorium early in the ceremony as he was aware of the distress his tics were causing.
He thanked BAFTA for informing the audience in advance and said he felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for him.
The NHS explains that Tourette syndrome causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, and in rare cases, can include offensive language that cannot be controlled. There is no cure, though treatment can help manage symptoms.
Davidson attended the ceremony to celebrate “I Swear,” a film based on his life, starring Robert Aramayo, which won Best Casting, while Aramayo took home Best Actor and the EE Rising Star award.
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BAFTA Backlash Draws Response From Advocacy Groups
The controversy has triggered strong reactions across social media and advocacy groups.
Charity Tourettes Action said it deeply understood the harm caused by the slur but stressed the importance of education.
The organization stated, “tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character.”
It also described the online backlash as “deeply saddening,” reminding the public that individuals with Tourette’s may say words they “do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards.”
Tourette Scotland echoed that sentiment, saying there was “no meaning” behind the outburst and describing the community as “kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics.”
Meanwhile, Scottish actor Thierry Mabonga, who appears in “I Swear,” defended Davidson in a TikTok video.
“John cannot control what he says. In fact, that’s the whole point of why we’re making this film,” he said, later adding that “someone who has Tourette’s should not apologise for having it.”
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