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Montana Man Accused Of Killing 8 Relatives During Sunday Dinner

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A man killed eight of his relatives, including four children, as they gathered for Sunday dinner at a home in Billings, Montana. The father of two of the kids and a family spokesperson confirmed the info to The Associated Press. Police appear to believe the Montana man responsible was named Alan Smith.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Teen Couple Arrested After Allegedly Killing 5 Of Girlfriend’s Family Members In Shooting Spree In Illinois

Details About The Family Killings In Montana

Police said they responded to the home on Sunday (August 23) evening and heard gunshots coming from out back. Then, the house was completely engulfed in flames, allegedly by the shooter. Investigators confirmed Tuesday (August 25) that there had been eight victims, including four children.

Additionally, one person had suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound. Brad Ireland, whose former wife and two children were among the dead, identified the shooter as Alan Smith. He was 44. Smith had recently been told to move out of the home, Ireland said.

Who Were The Victims?

The victims represented four generations of the blended family. Their victims ranged from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a 7-year-old girl, according to Jennifer Mercer. Mercer is a neighbor and family friend who set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and other expenses. She was reportedly authorized to release these details.

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Neighbor Recalls What He Heard Of The Incident

David Hiller, a neighbor who lives three doors down from the home, heard what he thought were fireworks just after 6 p.m. on Sunday. He didn’t think much of the noise until another neighbor called to warn him about a shooting on the cul-de-sac. Hiller then rushed outside to find police in tactical gear sheltering behind vehicles. Some officers had long guns, while plumes of black smoke rose from the home.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Minnesota Man Fatally Stabs Wife & 7-Year-Old Daughter At Daycare After Allegedly Killing Another Relative

Associated Press writers Matthew Brown, Michael Biesecker, Gene Johnson and Mikella Schuettler contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

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Her Life And Career In Photos

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton’s journey from a one-room cabin in the Tennessee mountains to international superstardom became one of the most remarkable stories in entertainment history. Before her death at age 80, Parton spent more than six decades building a career that reached far beyond country music. She became an acclaimed songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist while maintaining the humor and authenticity that made millions of fans feel connected to her. From her childhood performances and arrival in Nashville to Dollywood, Hollywood and her final projects, these photos capture the defining chapters of Parton’s extraordinary life.

Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and grew up in nearby Locust Ridge. She was one of 12 children raised by Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens Parton in a one-room cabin.

Money was scarce, but music remained a constant presence inside the family’s home. Parton began singing in her grandfather’s church as a child and wrote her first song, “Little Tiny Tasseltop,” at approximately 6 years old.

Her rural upbringing would later inspire some of her most personal songs, including “Coat of Many Colors.”

The Future Star Began Performing As A Child

Parton received her first real guitar when she was 8 and quickly began pursuing opportunities beyond her hometown.

By age 10, she was appearing on local television and radio programs in Knoxville. She performed at the Grand Ole Opry when she was 13, where she reportedly met country music legend Johnny Cash.

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Even at that young age, Parton had already decided that music would become more than a childhood hobby. After graduating from high school, she immediately left home to pursue her dreams in Nashville.

Dolly Parton Arrived In Nashville With Big Dreams

Dolly Parton
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Parton moved to Nashville in 1964, arriving in the center of the country music industry on the day after her high school graduation.

Her first major success came as a songwriter, with other performers recording material she had written. Parton released her debut studio album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” in 1967, introducing audiences to the voice and storytelling that would eventually make her a global star.

That same year, Porter Wagoner invited her to join his syndicated television series, “The Porter Wagoner Show.” Their partnership gave Parton national exposure and produced numerous successful duets.

Her Partnership With Porter Wagoner Changed Her Career

Parton and Wagoner became one of country music’s most recognizable performing teams throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Their professional relationship helped Parton establish herself with country audiences, but she eventually wanted greater control over her solo career. Her decision to leave the show created tension between them and inspired one of her most enduring songs.

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Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You” as a farewell to Wagoner and their creative partnership. The song topped the country charts after its 1974 release and again after Parton rerecorded it in 1982.

‘Jolene’ Turned Dolly Parton Into A Music Icon

Dolly Parton
News Licensing / MEGA

Parton’s solo career soared during the 1970s as she released several songs that would become country standards.

“Jolene,” inspired partly by a bank teller who appeared interested in Parton’s husband, became one of the most recognizable songs of her career. Other hits included “Joshua,” “Here You Come Again,” “Two Doors Down” and “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”

Parton’s lyrics frequently explored love, poverty, heartbreak and the experiences of working-class women. Her distinctive voice and visual style helped her reach audiences far beyond Nashville.

Dolly Parton Built A Private Life With Carl Dean

Parton met Carl Dean outside a Nashville laundromat on the day she arrived in the city.

The couple married in 1966 and remained together until Dean’s death in March 2025. Although his wife became one of the world’s most recognizable performers, Dean preferred a quiet life and rarely accompanied her to public events.

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Parton often joked that spending time apart helped their marriage last, but she consistently described Dean as her greatest supporter. Their relationship lasted nearly 60 years and inspired several of her songs.

The Country Singer Conquered Hollywood

Dolly Parton on set of 9 to 5
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Parton expanded her career into acting with the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She also wrote and recorded the movie’s title song, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned an Academy Award nomination.

Parton later appeared in movies including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Straight Talk.” She also earned multiple Golden Globe nominations for her work onscreen.

Whitney Houston Gave ‘I Will Always Love You’ A New Life

Parton’s songwriting reached another generation when Whitney Houston recorded “I Will Always Love You” for the 1992 movie “The Bodyguard.”

Houston’s powerful rendition became a worldwide phenomenon and one of the best-selling singles in music history. Parton remained proud that a song born from the end of her partnership with Wagoner had taken on an entirely new meaning.

The success also affirmed Parton’s decision to maintain control of her publishing rights. She frequently described songwriting as her greatest gift and the legacy she most wanted to leave behind.

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Dollywood Brought Her Success Home To Tennessee

Dolly Parton
News Licensing / MEGA

Parton joined the owners of the former Silver Dollar City Tennessee in 1986 to create Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

The theme park combined attractions and entertainment with the culture and traditions of the Great Smoky Mountains. It eventually grew into one of Tennessee’s most popular tourist destinations while providing thousands of jobs in the region where Parton was raised.

Parton remained closely connected to Dollywood and frequently appeared at the park for openings and celebrations. Its growth allowed her to invest her success back into the community that shaped her.

Dolly Parton Used Her Fame To Help Children

Dolly Parton
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Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to honor her father, who was unable to read or write.

The program began by mailing free books to young children in her home county and later expanded across the United States and several other countries. Hundreds of millions of books have since been distributed to children from birth until they begin school.

Parton also supported scholarships, disaster recovery, medical research and numerous charitable causes. In 2020, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help fund COVID-19 research.

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The Singer Continued Reinventing Herself

Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus
Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Parton remained creatively active well into her 70s, collaborating with performers from multiple generations and genres.

She maintained a particularly close relationship with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, appearing with her on “Hannah Montana” and joining her for several memorable performances. Parton also worked with artists including Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter as her songs continued reaching younger listeners.

After initially hesitating to accept her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Parton embraced the honor and released the rock album “Rockstar” in 2023. The ambitious project featured an extensive lineup of prominent musicians.

Dolly Parton Faced The Deaths Of Her Husband And Brother

The final years of Parton’s life brought devastating personal losses.

Her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at age 82 after their nearly six-decade marriage. Parton subsequently honored him with “If You Hadn’t Been There,” describing their relationship as a love story that would never truly end.

In July 2026, she also mourned the death of her older brother, Coy “Denver” Parton. The two losses came as the singer was managing ongoing health challenges and reducing some of her public commitments.

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Health Issues Forced Her To Step Away From The Stage

Dolly Parton
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Parton postponed her planned Las Vegas residency in 2025 after doctors advised her to undergo several procedures.

The shows were rescheduled for September 2026 but eventually canceled as her recovery continued. Parton disclosed that she had experienced recurring kidney stones and problems involving her immune and digestive systems.

She also missed a Dollywood appearance shortly before her death after becoming dehydrated and being advised not to travel. Despite those setbacks, Parton repeatedly assured fans that she was responding to treatment and remained committed to her work.

Dolly Parton Was Still Planning Her Future

Dolly Parton at Dollywood
Curtis Hilbun / AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Only days before her death, Parton revealed that she had not stopped dreaming about what she wanted to create. “Even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!” she told PEOPLE Magazine. “I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

Her remaining plans reportedly included a Nashville museum and hotel, an autobiographical Broadway musical and possible collaborations with companies developing avatar performances.

Rather than looking back on a completed career, Parton continued approaching her life as if another creative chapter was about to begin.

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The Country Music Legend Dies At 80

Dolly Parton Passes Away at 80
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Parton’s family announced her death on August 25, 2026. She was 80 years old.

An official cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Her death followed a career spanning more than six decades and encompassing music, film, television, business and philanthropy.

From “Jolene” and “9 to 5” to Dollywood and the Imagination Library, Parton created a legacy that extended far beyond the stage. Although she did not live to complete every remaining dream, she built much of her life’s work to continue inspiring others after she was gone.

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College Baseball Player Shot by Police

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Glen Pysher, a New Jersey college baseball player, has died after being shot by police when he mistakenly tried to enter the wrong home. He was 23.

Pysher, known by his friends as Bubba, was out at a bar in Upper Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, celebrating a friend’s birthday, on Saturday, August 22. The group then decided to move the party to a friend’s house. Pysher was shot and killed when he accidentally arrived at the wrong house and tried to get inside.

Pysher was set to play baseball at Saint Elizabeth University in Florham Park, New Jersey, in the spring. He transferred from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

“He ended up at the wrong house after having a few drinks,” Glen’s mom, Erin Pysher, told ABC6. “He didn’t know that, so he was knocking on the door, saying, ‘Hey, let me in.’ Thinking it was his friend’s house, but it wasn’t.”

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The couple inside became frightened and called 911. Local police responded to what they believed could be an attempted break-in and an “encounter ensued.” Glen was fatally struck, according to a statement from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, shared via Facebook. An investigation is underway.

“12:32, he was on the phone with his friends. By 12:35, I believe he’s already shot,” Erin said. “So, within a few minutes, the cop pulled up and shot him. He was unarmed. He had a cell phone and a book bag.”

She remembered him as a “lovable goofball” who didn’t have a “care in the world.”

“He will walk in the back door and say his favorite thing, ‘Hey mom, your favorite kid is home,’” Erin recalled. “He was just happy-go-lucky.”

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A GoFundMe was set up to help the Pysher family at such a difficult time. As of Tuesday, August 25, more than $24,000 has been raised.

“Everyone who knew him will remember his love for baseball and the joy he found in catching balls, something that brought so much pride to his father, mother, three sisters, and the entire Pysher family,” the GoFundMe description reads. “Bubba meant so much to so many, and his loss has deeply shaken all who loved him.”

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The description continued, “100 percent of every contribution will go to the Pysher family immediately. The Pysher family has always been the kind of people who would do anything for anyone, and now they need that same love in return. Please consider donating, sharing this fundraiser, and keeping Bubba and the entire Pysher family in your prayers.”

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10 Books That Are a Masterclass in Prose

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The book cover for The Secret History by Donna Tartt

We all love a good plot, but some novels reel us in purely with their words. The greatest prose stylists understand rhythm, imagery, metaphor, dialogue, and perspective so completely that practically every paragraph seems to hum with energy.

Of course, there’s no single definition of beautiful prose. Some masterpieces use simple writing, while others get dense, lyrical, or even experimental. Taken together, the books on this list remind us that language itself can be an art form.

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10

‘The Secret History’ (1992)

The book cover for The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The book cover for The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Image via Vintage Books

“Beauty is terror.” Donna Tartt‘s phenomenal debut novel centers on Richard Papen after he joins an exclusive circle of classics students at a prestigious Vermont college. However, what begins as intellectual fascination and the pursuit of knowledge eventually curdles into obsession, selfishness, betrayal, and even murder. Although the plot bears some dark thriller/mystery hallmarks, Tartt takes a decidedly literary approach in telling it. For instance, she packs the pages with countless allusions to Greek mythology and classic literature.

The sentence construction is elegant and frequently beautiful. This amount of stylistic confidence is striking for a first novel. Tartt also excels at atmosphere, immersing us in descriptions of icy New England winters and crackling fireplaces in isolated old university buildings. Finally, there’s real psychological insight in the prose, with all the major characters drawn in shades of gray.

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9

‘The Sound and the Fury’ (1929)

The Sound and the Fury book cover Image via Vintage Classics

“I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire.” This is one of William Faulkner‘s defining novels. The Sound and the Fury charts the decline of the once-prominent Compson family through four distinct narrative voices, each possessing its own unique rhythms, vocabulary, and perception of reality. Faulkner’s prose changes dramatically between sections, reflecting the mind of each narrator. Indeed, the book is highly experimental and pushed serious boundaries back in the late 1920s.

For example, much of it is stream-of-consciousness, the narrators are often unreliable, and the chronology is fractured, while the mood and aesthetic are Southern Gothic to the core. Sentences often flow according to memory and emotion rather than storytelling conventions or, indeed, logic. All this is in service to the sweeping themes, touching on everything from nihilism and faith to morality and the weight of the past.

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8

‘The Brothers Karamazov’ (1880)

The Brothers Karamazov0

“The mystery of human existence lies not in staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” Plenty of Dostoyevsky novels could have made this list, though The Brothers Karamazov is one of the best-written of them. It follows the deeply dysfunctional Karamazov family after the murder of the cruel and manipulative Fyodor Pavlovich. His three sons, Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha, embody profoundly different worldviews. Through them, Dostoyevsky explores a ton of big, challenging ideas: faith, goodness, free will, justice, suffering, and the nature of evil.

Psychological intensity and moral depth are at a premium here. Part of what makes Dostoyevsky’s prose here great is that it captures the complexity of human thought without simplifying it. Characters frequently wrestle with contradictory emotions and philosophical uncertainty, creating conversations that feel startlingly alive more than a century after they were written.

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7

‘The Corrections’ (2001)

The Corrections book cover Image via Simon & Schuster Audio

“Families carry entire histories inside ordinary conversations.” This was the book that put Jonathan Franzen on the map, with many hailing it as a new Great American Novel. The Corrections is a portrait of the Lambert family in the late 20th century, shifting back and forth in time but focusing on aging parents Alfred and Enid’s struggle to reunite their three adult children for one final Christmas together. Along the way, each family member confronts personal disappointments, professional failures, romantic complications, and long-buried resentments.

The Corrections is a brilliant ensemble character study, one packed with subtle humor and sharp observations. In particular, it shows off Franzen’s extraordinary ability to reveal character through seemingly ordinary details. In his hands, everyday conversations and seemingly throwaway internal reflections can say a lot. Finally, on the style front, his sentences are engaging and accessible without ever sacrificing nuance.

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6

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (1959)

The Haunting of Hill House book cover Image via Penguin Classics

“Whatever walked there, walked alone.” The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest horror novels of all time, hugely influencing so much writing that followed. In it, the unstable young Eleanor Vance joins a small group investigating the supposedly haunted Hill House. As increasingly disturbing events unfold, author Shirley Jackson gradually blurs the line between supernatural haunting and psychological deterioration.

The writing is dark and creepy but also beautiful and economical, holding the reader’s attention the whole way through. The paragraphs carry a subtle but palpable unease, so that the book feels scary even when nothing overtly spooky is actually happening. This restraint proves more effective than explicit horror could ever be. Not to mention, the descriptions make Hill House itself feel like a character, a conscious malevolent entity analyzing its prey and probing at their weaknesses.

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5

‘In Search of Lost Time’ (1913–1927)

In Search of Lost Time book cover Image via

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” This is really a seven-volume series, frequently ranked among the greatest in all literature. The plot (such as it is) is concerned with the narrator’s memories as a child in late 19th-century France, and then his adulthood in the 1900s. That said, it’s more about emotion and perception than narrative, far more interested in the inner workings of the protagonist’s mind than the literal events of his life.

We get a front-row seat to the character’s feelings about everything from art and adolescence to jealousy, love, high society, and, of course, the passage of time. Through it all, Proust’s prose is almost musical, consisting of long, flowing, ornate sentences that often build toward some kind of emotional or intellectual revelation. It adds up to a powerful statement on the power of memory and creativity.

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4

‘Moby-Dick’ (1851)

Moby-Dick book0

“Call me Ishmael.” Moby-Dick is striking right from the get-go, hitting us with its legendary opening line and expanding from there. Plot-wise, it’s told from the perspective of the character Ishmael aboard the whaling ship Pequod under the command of the obsessive Captain Ahab, who relentlessly pursues the white whale that took his leg. His quest becomes a vehicle through which Herman Melville comments on ambition, fate, revenge, and humanity’s relationship with nature.

Themes aside, the writing itself is incredibly ambitious, melding various tones and styles. For instance, the book oscillates between Shakespearean grandeur, biblical cadences, philosophical meditation, scientific observation, and thrilling adventure. Even passages devoted to whaling techniques and whale anatomy become unexpectedly beautiful because of the richness of Melville’s language and the force of his imagination. Talk about a classic.

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3

‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ (1967)

One Hundred Years of Solitude book cover Image via  Harper Perennial Modern Classics

“Many years later, as he faced the firing squad…” A cornerstone of magical realism, One Hundred Years of Solitude chronicles multiple generations of the Buendía family in the isolated town of Macondo, where love, war, memory, mysticism, and history intertwine across decades. Miraculous events unfold alongside ordinary domestic life with complete naturalness. Here, the fantastical and the mundane exist side by side.

Here, Gabriel García Márquez’s writing style is lyrical yet clear, defined by rich imagery, memorable metaphors, flowing rhythms, and luminous descriptions. His language gives Macondo the feeling of a place suspended somewhere between fact and myth. Some paragraphs are amazingly intricate. Take the opening one, for instance, which pivots between three different time periods in a single sentence. Overall, the book’s style was hugely influential, with countless writers around the world channeling it in their own stories.

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2

‘Blood Meridian’ (1985)

Book cover of Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy Image via Random House

“Whatever exists without my knowledge exists without my consent.” Frequently cited as Cormac McCarthy‘s masterwork, Blood Meridian is a brutal, bloody, biblical Western/horror/drama hybrid set on the American frontier. There, our protagonist (known only as the Kid) joins the notorious Glanton gang, a group of scalp hunters wandering across the American Southwest and northern Mexico during the mid-nineteenth century. Their journey becomes an uncompromising meditation on violence, destiny, morality, and human nature’s darker impulses.

McCarthy’s prose is remarkable for its capacity to find beauty within desolate landscapes and horrifying events. Vast deserts, towering mountains, violent storms, and moments of unimaginable cruelty are all described with the same poetic intensity. The sentences are grand and stark, hypnotic and breathtaking, making the Wild West feel timeless and terrifying.

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1

‘Ulysses’ (1922)

Ulysses by James Joyce book cover Image via Penguin Modern Classics

“History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.” Written by the iconic James Joyce, Ulysses is one of the landmark modernist novels, representing so much of what made that movement interesting. Set over the course of a single day in Dublin, the novel follows Leopold Bloom, Stephen Dedalus, and numerous other characters as their lives intersect in ways both ordinary and profound. In the process, Joyce transforms everyday routines into epic experiences through constant stylistic experimentation.

At the time, Ulysses innovated in all sorts of ways, breaking open new possibilities of what the novel could accomplish as a medium. It uses stream-of-consciousness and interior monologues, incorporates foreign languages, frequently deploys onomatopoeia, and even invents new words, its style shifting constantly across its 18 episodes. All this is intended to mirror the chaos and depth of the human mind.











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Collider Exclusive · Universe Personality Quiz
Which Iconic Universe Do You Belong in the Most?
Star Wars · Lord of the Rings · Harry Potter · Game of Thrones · Star Trek
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Five legendary universes. Five completely different visions of what the world could be — or already was. One of them is the world your instincts, your values, and your particular way of existing were built for. Eight questions will tell you which one.

🚀Star Wars

💍Lord of the Rings

🧙Harry Potter

👑Game of Thrones

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🖖Star Trek

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01

What gives your life its deepest sense of meaning?
Every universe is built around a different answer to this question.





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02

Which kind of world do you most want to inhabit?
The environment shapes who you become. Choose carefully.





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03

How do you prefer your conflicts resolved?
The shape of a world’s conflicts tells you everything about its soul.





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04

Who do you want beside you when things get difficult?
Your ideal companions reveal the world you were made for.





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05

What is your relationship with power?
How you seek, wield, or resist power is the map of who you are.





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06

How does your universe treat good and evil?
A world’s moral architecture tells you more about it than any map.





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07

What role would you naturally fall into?
Every universe has archetypes. Which one fits you without trying?





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08

What do you ultimately believe about the future?
The answer to this is the clearest window into which universe already lives inside you.





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Your Universe Has Been Chosen
You Belong In…

Your answers point to the iconic universe your values, your instincts, and your particular way of seeing the world were built for. This is where you would find your people — and your purpose.

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A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

You believe in the cause — in the idea that freedom is worth fighting for even when the odds are impossible and the empire is vast.

  • You are drawn to the moral clarity of a universe where hope itself is a form of resistance.
  • You’d find your people in the Rebellion — a ragtag coalition of true believers held together by conviction more than resources.
  • Star Wars is fundamentally a story about ordinary people choosing to matter in an extraordinary conflict — and that is exactly your kind of story.
  • The Force may or may not be with you. But the will to use it for something larger than yourself certainly is.

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Middle-earth

Lord of the Rings

You understand, in the deepest part of yourself, that the journey matters as much as the destination — and that the world’s beauty is worth protecting even at great cost.

  • Middle-earth is a world of ancient wonder, deep friendship, and a darkness that only retreats when enough small acts of courage accumulate.
  • You would thrive here because you value the fellowship more than the glory — the road more than the arrival.
  • Tolkien’s universe rewards patience, loyalty, and the willingness to carry something heavy across a very long distance.
  • Those are not burdens to you. They are simply how you move through the world.

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The Wizarding World

Harry Potter

You believe that love, loyalty, and doing what’s right are not naive sentiments — they are the most powerful forces in any world, magical or otherwise.

  • The Wizarding World is a place of wonder hidden in plain sight, where learning is transformative and the bonds you form at school follow you into every battle.
  • You would flourish here because you take both the magic and the friendships seriously — and you understand that one without the other is incomplete.
  • Harry Potter’s universe ultimately rewards those who choose to stand for something even when standing is terrifying.
  • That choice — made quietly, without guarantee — is something you understand completely.

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Westeros · The Known World

Game of Thrones

You see the world clearly — its power structures, its hypocrisies, its brutal arithmetic — and you are not paralysed by that clarity. You use it.

  • Westeros is a world that rewards intelligence, adaptability, and the willingness to understand that every alliance is also a negotiation.
  • You would survive here — possibly thrive here — because you don’t confuse the world as it is with the world as you’d like it to be.
  • Game of Thrones is a story about what happens when the idealists and the realists collide. You are sharp enough to know which one lasts longer.
  • Winter always comes. You are already prepared.

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The United Federation of Planets

Star Trek

You believe the future is worth building — that curiosity, cooperation, and the expansion of understanding are not just ideals but the most practical path forward for any civilisation.

  • Star Trek is a universe where the questions matter as much as the answers, and where encountering something utterly alien is cause for wonder rather than fear.
  • You would belong here because you are fundamentally optimistic about what intelligence and decency can achieve — while being honest about how hard that achievement is.
  • The Federation is the universe’s most ambitious thought experiment: what if we actually got better?
  • You don’t just hope that’s possible. You think it’s the only thing worth working toward.
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Jenna Johnson Addresses ‘DWTS’ Fielding Dancers

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Jenna Johnson at the 2025 American Music Awards

Jenna Johnson knows the only language on “Dancing with the Stars” is dance!

The reality star trashed the argument that professional dancers on the show often have an unfair advantage ahead of those who do not have the experience.

Jenna Johnson made her debut on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2014, joining the show in Season 18 as a troupe dancer. She later became a professional partner in Season 23 in 2016, appearing alongside actor Jake T. Austin.

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Jenna Johnson at the 2025 American Music Awards
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

The media personality got candid about the circulating notion that people with dance experience find it easier on “DWTS.” Following her trajectory of partnering with several contestants from dramatically different backgrounds, the ballroom pro testified that the ballroom always presents a unique challenge that trained dancers can never anticipate.

Johnson has enjoyed taps on the dance floor with celebrities in Hollywood, athletes accustomed to intense physical demands, and some performers with prior knowledge of how the dance floor works. 

Johnson explained that one major challenge is performing live in front of millions of viewers while a studio audience watches from just feet away. Once the cameras are rolling, there are no second chances, and she says it is impossible to know how someone will react in that moment.

Contestants also have less than a week to learn ballroom techniques while tackling characters, themes, and judging expectations. Because of those demands, Johnson believes every celebrity essentially starts a new experience when entering the ballroom. In her words to Us Weekly,

“I understand when people are like, ‘Oh, you know, dance experience, whatever.’ Who cares! This is the first time they’re ever doing Dancing with the Stars. That is very different.”

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The Choreographer Admits She Gets A Kick Out Of Fans’ Nosiness Into The Show

While the official cast is expected to be unveiled live on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, September 2, the judges list is already finalized with names like Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli expected to be in their seats.

Although the dancer has kept mum on giving away any secrets about potential contestants, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Conner Leavitt, Sarah Jane Nader, Tyler Cameron and Jenna Dewan are expected to compete. 

Media personalities like Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” personality Guillermo Rodriguez are also billed to appear for the upcoming season. Johnson confessed to one guilty pleasure of hers, which is enjoying watching the fans attempt to unravel the celebrity line-up themselves.

In her words: “The fact that people care enough about our show to drop everything and zoom in on visors and parking lot pictures and try to be detectives is just so exciting.” Johnson is making the most of her downtime with husband Val Chmerkovskiy and their 3-year-old son ahead of the ballroom becoming hectic again.

Inside The Long-Running ‘DWTS’ Controversy Over Trained Contestants

The ABC show has been plagued with unfair advantage over the years, especially with the entry of trained dancers into the show. A decade ago, a contributor on Huffington Post explored the topic, noting that there are others on the flipside of the opinion who believe the criticism overlooked how different ballroom dancing is from other forms of dancing.

The controversy reached a peak in Season 22 when UFC fighter Paige VanZant danced her way to the finals alongside Ginger Zee and Nyle DiMarco. VanZant had admitted to studying dance for 13 years before finally becoming a high school cheerleader, and viewers thought it gave her a serious edge.

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Previous dance experience may help on “DWTS,” but ballroom requires different techniques and partnering skills. Contestants also bring other advantages, from athletic stamina and acting skills to musicality and strong fan bases.

The debate has been inconsistent, with trained performers like Zendaya receiving support while inexperienced stars are sometimes criticized for weaker dancing. Ultimately, experience can help, but it does not guarantee the Mirrorball Trophy.

The Mother-Of-One Thinks A Jason Kelce ‘DWTS’ Pairing Could Earn Her The Trophy

Jason Kelce at Disney 2025 Upfront - New York
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Johnson spilled some tea to Parade on Tuesday, August 25, about her dream partner, revealing her willingness to guide Jason Kelce, a former NFL player, to give his best in the ballroom.

As shared by Parade, although the former Philadelphia Eagles star has not declared her interest in busting some moves on the dance floor, Johnson is optimistic about getting him in the future.

Johnson stated that she has never been paired with a professional footballer; however, she believes NFL players tend to thrive in the ballroom thanks to their stamina, built from years of intense preparation, hard work, and performance under pressure.

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She also expanded her dream list to work with another Olympian after an impressive showing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, noting that their focus and discipline would mean well for the “DWTS” dance floor.

Country star and “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan is another celebrity Johnson would happily partner with. When the possibility was raised, she enthusiastically suggested that competing alongside Bryan would make for an exciting pairing.

Jenna Johnson’s Emotional Moment Sparked Concerns About The Demands Of ‘DWTS’

Jenna Johnson at the 20th Anniversary Of L'Oreal Paris Women Of Worth: RED CARPET
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Earlier in the year, a clip from the dancer sparked concerns after she shared an emotional glimpse of herself struggling during a live tour for “DWTS.”

As shared by The Blast, the professional dancer appeared exhausted and tearful in a TikTok video as she documented what she described as a mid-meltdown conversation with her manager.

Johnson explained that she has been sick and dealing with body aches amid other things when she made the video, as she heaped compliments on her manager for getting ahead of the situation.

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While the dancer did not directly blame the tour for her condition, some fans argued that the show must reconsider the demands of the tour after seeing how exhausted the dancers appeared.

Other commenters suggested that the live tour’s timing must be shortened to give performers more time to recover and prepare. Another set of fans also pointed to a recurring pattern of dancers becoming sick, injured, or severely fatigued towards the end of the tour. 

Wishing Jenna Johnson a blast on the new season when it kicks off!

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Dollywood Reveals Dolly Parton’s Final Wish For The Park

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Dollywood 2018 Grand Opening

Dollywood is honoring Dolly Parton by ensuring that the beloved destination she helped create continues bringing joy to families following her death at age 80. The Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park released an emotional statement mourning the country music legend while revealing that it will remain open in accordance with her wishes. Rather than observe her passing with silence, Dollywood plans to celebrate Parton through the laughter, music, and shared experiences that became central to her vision for the park.

Dollywood 2018 Grand Opening
Curtis Hilbun / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

In a statement released on Tuesday, August 25, the Dollywood family remembered Parton for the compassion, creativity and generosity she displayed throughout her life. “With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit,” the statement read.

The park explained that Parton wanted Dollywood to remain a place where families and friends could come together, even after her death. Her wish was for visitors to honor her memory through music, laughter and the pursuit of their own dreams rather than through silence.

That request reflected the philosophy Parton brought to Dollywood throughout her decades of involvement with the destination. The park was not intended to serve solely as a monument to her career, but as a celebration of the people, traditions and culture of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dollywood President Reflects On Helping Dolly Parton Fulfill Her Dreams

Dolly Parton at Dollywood Park Parade
Curtis Hilbun/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton also reflected on the privilege of helping Parton transform her ideas into a lasting destination. “The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” Naughton said. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds.”

He added, “She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”

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The statement emphasized that Dollywood will continue carrying Parton’s vision forward, even as the employees and leadership team mourn the loss of the woman who served as the heart of the destination.

Parton became involved with the existing Tennessee park in 1986, when it was renamed Dollywood. Over the following four decades, the attraction grew into a major theme park and resort destination while remaining deeply connected to its Appalachian roots.

The park also became an important source of employment and tourism for Parton’s native East Tennessee.

Dollywood Will Remain Open Following The Singer’s Death

Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood
Curtis Hilbun/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Dollywood confirmed that the park will be open Wednesday, August 26, just one day after Parton’s death. According to the statement, remaining open was what the legendary singer wanted. The decision embodies one of Parton’s most familiar beliefs: “the show must go on.”

Park officials explained that continuing to welcome guests would honor her remarkable work ethic and preserve the sense of joy, hope and togetherness she wanted Dollywood to represent. The park plans to carry her message forward through the music, attractions, hospitality and family memories created inside its gates.

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Dolly Parton Recently Missed A Major Appearance At The Park

Dolly Parton
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Parton’s death came shortly after health problems prevented her from attending the opening of Dollywood’s newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition. As The Blast previously reported, Parton had been expected to travel from Nashville to Pigeon Forge for the August event. However, her doctors advised her not to make the trip after she experienced dizziness and dehydration.

Parton appeared virtually instead, addressing guests through a prerecorded video and making it clear that she did not want the attraction’s opening delayed because of her absence. The ride represented the largest single attraction investment in Dollywood’s history and was inspired by Parton’s love of the Smoky Mountains.

Although she could not attend in person, Parton remained involved with the park and continued working on several projects during the final weeks of her life. Her health had also led her to cancel her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency after initially postponing the performances in 2025.

Fans Can Honor Dolly Parton Through Her Imagination Library

Dolly Parton at Dollywood Park Parade
Curtis Hilbun / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

Dollywood concluded its statement by directing those wishing to honor Parton toward one of the causes closest to her heart. The park encouraged fans to consider donating to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy program she launched in 1995.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, the organization provides free books to children from birth to age 5. What began as a program serving children in Parton’s home county eventually expanded internationally, distributing millions of books to young readers.

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Court Photo Surfaces As Judge Denies Bond In Case

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Sidney Starr Photo In Court Judge Denies Bond Update Child Sexual Assault Charges Case

Sidney Starr continues to face charges of aggravated child molestation, sexual battery against a child under 16 and sodomy. Tuesday (August 25), The Shade Room was present for Starr’s bond hearing. The judge denied the request. As the details continue to unfold, a new photo TSR captured of Starr inside the courtroom is also sparking reactions.

RELATED: New Details Emerge About Sidney Starr’s Alleged Sexual Assault Of Underage Boy At Hotel (UPDATE)

UPDATE: Bond Denied In Sidney Starr’s Case

As previously reported, Sidney Starr, real name Sidney Favors, is accused of being sexually involved with a 13-year-old, allegedly assaulting him inside a Georgia hotel. On Tuesday, the minor’s mother said the child is undergoing extensive therapy to heal from the encounter. Her statement was read in the courtroom as Starr sought bond in the case.

“At this age, when he should feel safe, innocent, and protected, he is now forced to cope with trauma that no child should ever have to endure,” the mother said, according to WSB-TV.

Prosecutors also alleged Tuesday that Sidney Starr approached the 13-year-old in the hotel lobby and complimented him. Then later, per Starr’s admitted statement, the child entered the elevator with her and went to her hotel room. In the room, Sidney and the minor allegedly engaged in sexual contact, including sodomy, molestation and sexual battery.

In court on Tuesday, Sidney Starr’s attorney argued that she has only one prior traffic citation. However, prosecutors pointed out her lack of connections in the Atlanta area, citing concerns about possible intimation due to her reality TV star status. Sidney has appeared on shows like ‘Love & Hip Hop’ and Zeus’ ‘Baddies.’ Ultimately, the judge denied the bond. “At this time, this defendant remains in a no bond status,” the judge reportedly said.

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Photo Of Sidney In The Courtroom Riles Up The Roommates

As said, TSR was present as the judge declined to grant Sidney Starr’s bond. The hearing was the latest look at Starr since Hapeville police officers arrested her at the Embassy Suites earlier this month. In the side shot, the reality TV star was rocking a cornrow braided high ponytail. She appeared in a navy blue jail uniform without any makeup on, revealing a few dark-spot blemishes. Her natural look sparked a wave of critiques in The Shade Room’s comment section. See such comments by clicking the post below. 

The Shade Room Speaks To Sidney’s Family Followed Court Session

As the case against Sidney Starr develops, TSR Investigates’ Justin Carter spoke to her friends, manager and family. Check out their comments in the video at the top of this page. 

RELATED: Shamar McCoy Arrest Draws Reactions After Fans Recognize Him, Released On Bond In Battery Case (PHOTOS)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Will Celine Dion Appear On ‘Dancing With The Stars’?

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Celebs at the DVF Awards

Fans are curious about Celine Dion’s next move and wondering what the next step for the “My Heart Will Go On” singer would be. 

The Canadian singer, who has been dubbed the “Queen of Power Ballads,” has taken a career step back following her diagnosis of Stiff-Person Syndrome.

However, she has been planning a return to live performance in September, and now there are questions about whether she would be joining the new season of “Dancing with the Stars.” 

Amid speculation on who might make an appearance on Season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars,” current judge Derek Hough took to Instagram with a hilarious take. 

The pro dancer shared an AI-generated video of himself and the “Because You Loved Me” singer, where they appeared to be posing for a cast photo. The post teased that she would be a partner for the upcoming season. 

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“When Céline calls, you answer,” the caption teased; however, he further clarified it was just a joke, adding, “Just waiting for the call.”

Hough had previously shared that Dion has always been his dream guest for “Dancing with the Stars,” when an encounter with her left him convinced she would be the perfect dance partner, E! News reported.

While Dion is yet to be confirmed for the upcoming season, others expected to join the cast include Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez. 

Julia Stiles Is Potentially Returning To The Dance Floor For “Dancing With The Stars” 

Celebs at the DVF Awards
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While some appearances have been confirmed for the new season of the popular celebrity dance show, others remain speculation.

More than two decades after her iconic role as Sara Johnson on “Save the Last Dance,” actress Julia Stiles might be coming back to the dance floor. 

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She is best known for her role as Kat Stratford in the 1999 rom-com, “10 Things I Hate About You.” However, her appearance as Johnson, a classically trained ballet dancer who finds a new rhythm through hip hop, captured hearts around the world. 

The competitive dance show has yet to confirm or deny whether Stiles would be joining the cast. However, sources who are part of the production have shared the actress would be stepping onto the dance floor, per The Blast.

Celine Dion’s Comeback Might Be Bigger Than Expected 

Celine Dion singing in Hyde Park
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As followers continue to wonder if Dion would appear on “Dancing with the Stars,” the singer continues her intense preparations for her major comeback. 

Following her hiatus four years ago, the “I’m Alive” singer is practicing for her upcoming residency in Paris, set to begin on September 12. 

The singer shared that despite her rare diagnosis, which only affects 1 to 2 people in a million, she still considered herself lucky because of her fans. “It’s been so long, I would like to offer them something to show how I’ve missed them,” she gushed. 

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As shared by The Blast, Dion credits her fans for letting her come to terms with her diagnosis despite quietly dealing with it for 17 years. “They bought my records. They gave me that luxury. So the least I can do is tell them that I’m alive.”

Celine Dion Broke ‘Birthday Messages’ Streak To Announce Her Return 

CeIine Dion in Manhattan
MEGA

The music icon had specially celebrated her 58th birthday with fans earlier in March, taking to social media to share what she referred to as the best gift of her life. 

Per The Blast, Dion revealed that although she had recorded multiple birthday messages, this was the first one she ever made personally. She reassured fans she was in good health and that she has started singing and dancing again. 

The singer then announced the gift of her return to the stage in Paris. “This year, I’m getting the best gift of my life. I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September this year,” the upload revealed.

Celine Dion Shared Her Reasons For Keeping Diagnosis A Secret 

Celine Dion gives an emotional live performance in Miami hours after her mother passed away
MEGA

Fans may recall that Dion first shared the news of her rare diagnosis in 2022. However, it wasn’t until two years later that she opened up about keeping it hidden for almost two decades.

The international superstar opened up about how difficult keeping the secret had been for her, sharing that she had initially overlooked her symptoms, as it coincided with her husband Renè Angèlil’s battle with cancer. It eventually led to his death in 2016. 

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As reported by The Blast, despite her struggles, the singer felt she needed to remain strong while raising her children and continuing her career.

She reflected on feeling like her body was “leaving” her while she tried to be a hero to her children. 

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Dolly Parton’s Rep Shares New Details About Her Cause of Death

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Dolly Parton

On Tuesday, August 25, country legend Dolly Parton passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old. She had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center a few days ago with kidney and autoimmune issues.

Dolly Parton
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On August 25, a few hours after the news of her passing made headlines, her rep told PEOPLE magazine that she passed away following a “brief battle with cancer.”

“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” the statement said. “Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.”

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact,” the statement continued, adding, “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

The type of cancer was not disclosed.

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She Was Admitted To Vanderbilt University Medical Center Before Her Death

Dolly Parton
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On August 23, she had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with kidney and autoimmune issues, as per TMZ. One of her nephews, Bryan Seaver, recorded a video that was posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday.

Parton, whose husband Carl Dean passed away in March 2025, had been open about her own funeral plans. In a 2014 interview published by Entertainment Weekly, she said that she assumed “I Will Always Love You” would be played when she died. 

She had written the song as a farewell to Porter Wagoner, and had heard the song at Whitney Houston’s funeral in 2012. “I’m sure they’ll be playing ‘I Will Always Love You’ when I die, just like they did with Whitney Houston,” Parton said at the time. “When they picked her coffin up and started in on that song, I started to cry, and I thought, ‘Oh my Lord.’ That’s when it hit me that she was really gone.”

She Wants Another Song To Be Played At Her Funeral

Dolly Parton
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Although she expects that song to be played at her funeral, she hoped “If We Never Meet Again” would be the one people heard because of its significance to her and her family.

“But there’s a song called ‘If We Never Meet Again,’ ” Parton said. “It’s an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore.”

Her father, Lee Parton, had loved the song, and the family sang it together at his funeral following his death in November 2000. “That was my daddy’s favorite,” Parton said. “We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”

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Dolly Parton Shared A Health Update Days Before Her Passing

Dolly Parton at the microphone
Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

On August 21, only four days before she died, PEOPLE magazine revealed that Dolly Parton was gearing up to debut her SongTeller Hotel in Nashville in September 2026, among other projects.

Although she admitted that she had been through some “hard times” with her health, she was focusing on keeping busy. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said in the interview, which was published last Friday.

“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she continued. “But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”

She revealed that she and her team had been in the “early stages of development” of “avatar performances,” but she didn’t reveal how much progress they had made.

Inside Plans For Dolly Parton’s Museum

Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood
Curtis Hilbun/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

She had recently announced plans for her Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville. According to the museum’s website, it’s the “largest exhibit celebrating her life anywhere in the world.”

“I am so proud of this. We found this location early one morning. I knew I wanted to do something special in Nashville, and until I saw this building, nothing ever hit me as the right thing to do,” she told the publication.

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“I saw a copy of my book Songteller in the lobby of what once was this office building. After touring it and seeing the location, I knew this was it. I wanted to join all my Nashville friends downtown, but I didn’t just want it to be another bar,” she continued. “So we found a way to bring in my museum on the third floor and make it really special.”

She was also working on a new line of dog treats in Purina and planned to launch Cup of Ambition Coffee, which was expected to be available online starting in September.  

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7 Sitcoms More Universally Loved Than ‘Friends’

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Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander in "The Subway" in Seinfeld.

David Crane and Marta Kauffman’s Friends was not just a hit ’90s sitcom about a group of friends living in New York City; it quickly became a cultural touchstone and a global pop culture phenomenon. Its decade-long run cemented Friends as an icon of comedy television, setting new trends and standards for the genre. While some of its jokes, characterization, and settings might seem outdated in the modern context, the massive influence and fan following of Friends are undeniable.

However, there are several contemporary and later sitcoms that have earned broader acclaim for their sharp writing, timeless humor, and universal appeal across generations. From popular and long-running classics to more recent pop culture landmarks, each of the following sitcoms promises as much comedy, drama, heartfelt moments of friendship, and valuable life lessons as Friends did, and sometimes even more. So, without further ado, here’s our selection of sitcoms that are more universally loved than Friends.

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1

‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)

Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander in "The Subway" in Seinfeld.
Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander in “The Subway” in Seinfeld.
Image via NBC

Famously called “a show about nothing,” Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld’s legendary NBC sitcom is, in fact, a biting comedy about everything in everyday life. Featuring Jerry Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself, Seinfeld satirizes contemporary American life through the perspectives of its central characters: Jerry; his ex-girlfriend, Elaine Benes; his childhood friend, George Costanza; and his neighbor, Cosmo Kramer. Played respectively by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards, the characters often find their neurotic personalities and bizarre social outlooks clashing with reality.

Seinfeld redefined sitcom conventions of the time, thriving on the most awkward human behavior that no one expects and yet is extremely relatable. The sharp meta-humor and the unabashedly selfish, morally ambiguous characters can often surpass the comforting eccentricity of Friends. Even if some of its jokes and character arcs do not hold up to the modern lens, Seinfeld is a true landmark of comedy television that stands out with its clever writing and iconic performances.

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2

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Michael (Steve Carell) in his office, smiling, in The Office.
Michael (Steve Carell) in his office, smiling, in The Office.
Image via NBC

Adapted from the British original by Greg Daniels, The Office became a defining workplace sitcom of the 21st century. Set in the Scranton regional office of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, the series follows eccentric manager Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, who “somehow manages” being a manager to a quirky ensemble of employees. Other key characters are played by Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B. J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, and more.

The Office popularized mockumentary storytelling in modern-day television and is easily one of the most-loved workplace comedies ever, with its raw filming style and meme-worthy one-liners still finding new fans today. The sitcom balances absurdity with heart, grounding cringe comedy with honest emotions, making even the most dislikable characters relatable. From a cult comedy icon, The Office has since evolved into a massive cultural hit, spawning international remakes and becoming unforgettable for its meta humor and intimate character arcs.

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3

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

The entire family posing in front of the Christmas tree in Modern Family.
The entire family posing in front of the Christmas tree in Modern Family.
Image via ABC

Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan’s multi-Emmy-winning sitcom Modern Family explores the lives of three interconnected family units in suburban Los Angeles, all related through the patriarch, Jay Pritchett. Narrated in mockumentary style, with direct-to-camera interviews and candid shots with the characters, it follows the chaos and humor of early 21st-century family dynamics. The show stars Ed O’Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, and more.

Modern Family might not have the same international footprint as Friends, but it became a widely loved comedy of the 2010s and a pop culture hit of its time. The show earned its reputation for its refreshing humor, stemming from its reflection of contemporary social and cultural landscapes and blending satire with heartfelt storytelling. Its unique structure and decade-long run cemented Modern Family as one of television’s most successful family comedies of the 21st century that still resonates today.











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Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits
Which Hogwarts House Are You?
Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw
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Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it’s your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

🦁Gryffindor

🐍Slytherin

🦡Hufflepuff

🦅Ravenclaw

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01

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What quality do you value most in yourself?
Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.




02

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A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do?
How you protect others says everything about who you are.




03

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What does success look like to you?
What you’re working toward defines who you’re becoming.




04

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What is your greatest fear?
Fear is the most honest thing about a person.




05

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The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do?
Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice.




06

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What kind of friend are you?
Who you are to the people you love is who you really are.




07

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You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see?
The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart.




08

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The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: “You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?”
This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens.




The Sorting Hat Speaks
Your House Has Been Chosen
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After careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for.


Gryffindor Tower · Scarlet & Gold

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🦁 Gryffindor

You have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you’re terrified — especially then.

  • Gryffindors don’t act because they’re fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for.
  • You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away.
  • You charge toward what’s right even when the odds are terrible.
  • Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts’s greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you.


Slytherin Dungeon · Emerald & Silver

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🐍 Slytherin

You are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there.

  • Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others.
  • You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game.
  • You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely.
  • The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too.


Hufflepuff Basement · Yellow & Black

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🦡 Hufflepuff

You are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it.

  • Hufflepuff is not the “safe” house or the “leftover” house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity.
  • You show up. You work hard. You don’t need glory or recognition — you do what’s right because it’s right.
  • Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested.
  • Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world’s finest. And now you join them.


Ravenclaw Tower · Blue & Bronze

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🦅 Ravenclaw

Your mind is your greatest gift, and you’ve always known it.

  • Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people.
  • Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it’s about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don’t know something yet.
  • You see the world with unusual clarity and depth.
  • Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you.

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4

‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019)

Cast of The Big Bang Theory eat a meal, with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) in his spot.
Cast of The Big Bang Theory eat a meal, with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) in his spot.
Image via CBS

Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady’s The Big Bang Theory is one of the biggest reasons why geek culture became mainstream and the hottest new trend in the 2010s. Centered on physicists and roommates Leonard and Sheldon, their neighbor Penny, and friends Howard and Rajesh, the sitcom chronicles their social awkwardness and nerdy quirks against real-world challenges. The main ensemble cast features Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg, and their characters have since grown into true pop culture icons.

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Often labeled as Friends for geeks and a spiritual successor to the NBC hit, The Big Bang Theory is adored for its sharp performances with humor rooted in character eccentricities, evolving into a mature comedy about friendship and growth. With consistently impressive viewership, The Big Bang Theory became a landmark of television comedy, spawning multiple spin-offs and reviving interest in science-driven humor. Like Friends, and sometimes even more, The Big Bang Theory’s success lies in the universal appeal of its comedic tales about unlikely friendships.

5

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–Present)

Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds and Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds and Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Image via FX

One of the longest-running comedy shows on television, created by and starring Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia flips the sitcom formula and is a class apart in the genre. Also starring Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito, the sitcom follows a group of narcissistic misfits running a struggling Irish pub in South Philadelphia. The show embraces the chaos and moral ambiguity of their dysfunctional relationships and outrageous antics.

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A record-breaking cult comedy that has run for over two decades, the popularity and legacy of It’s Always Sunny is undeniable and arguably greater than that of Friends. An antithesis to the NBC sitcom, It’s Always Sunny thrives on a darker, more cynical take on friendship, satirizing social conventions through flawed characters. By turning transactional relationships into comedy gold, the show carved out a unique space in modern sitcom history and has become a meme-worthy pop culture giant.

6

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Amy Poehler in Parks and Rec
Amy Poehler in Parks and Rec
Image via NBC

In their follow-up to The Office, Greg Daniels and Michael Schur created Parks and Recreation, aka Parks and Rec, which also became a cult-hit workplace mockumentary sitcom. Starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, an endlessly optimistic bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana, the series follows her relentless endeavors to navigate government red tape, political ambitions, and personal challenges alongside her colleagues. The ensemble cast also features Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, and Retta in key roles.

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Initially niche in popularity, Parks and Rec quickly grew into a cultural phenomenon, noted for its sharp writing, wholesome optimism, and celebration of found family, which still resonates deeply with fans. By the end of its run, Parks and Recreation became a universally acclaimed sitcom that defined its era, anchoring itself as one of NBC’s greatest sitcoms of all time. While Parks and Recreation never garnered the same international recognition as Friends, it is loved as much as the ’90s classic, if not more.

7

‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)

Santa's Little Helper, Bart Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Maggie Simpson, Marge Simpson, Homer Simpson in The Simpsons
Santa’s Little Helper, Bart Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Maggie Simpson, Marge Simpson, Homer Simpson in The Simpsons
Image via FOX

If there is any comedy on American television that can rival the success, popularity, and universal fan-following of Friends, it is none other than the country’s favorite TV family, The Simpsons of Springfield. Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons revolves around family members Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, among the other colorful characters of the town, satirizing American life through topical humor and cultural commentary. Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer voice the main characters, amid a rotating ensemble cast.

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The longest-running sitcom and longest-running animated series on American television, The Simpsons stands as a cornerstone of television. Still airing new episodes, The Simpsons functions as a cultural time capsule and often a disturbingly prescient mirror to society. In particular, the earlier seasons from the ’90s are considered to be some of the best episodes of The Simpsons, capturing the cultural zeitgeist with witty dialogue and clever gags, foreshadowing many of the cultural and political trends of today.


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Release Date
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December 17, 1989

Network

FOX

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Directors

Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller

Writers
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J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O’Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David Mandel

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  • instar42194870.jpg

    Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)

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    Julie Kavner

    Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)

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The X-Men Are Officially Taking Over Disney+ Ahead of ‘Doomsday’ Return

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Only four months remain until Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters, and fans have begun doing their homework. Recently, Marvel Studios released a list of “must-watch” TV shows and films to watch before the December superhero film, as it has released numerous titles during Phases 4-6. With Earth’s Mightiest Heroes teaming up once more, one of these required-viewing titles has appeared on the streaming charts.

Avengers: Doomsday is the upcoming superhero film where characters throughout Marvel’s cinematic history make a return to the big screen as they face their foe, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. This feature has over 20 confirmed cast members across different Marvel projects and during D23, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have expressed interest in returning to the MCU and offered to help “rounding out the cast”. With only a few months until this film enters theaters, this over 2-decade superhero classic is making its rounds on the streaming charts.

Over the weekend, the 2000 superhero film X-Men entered Disney+’s Top 10 Movies worldwide, landing at #9 between Avatar: The Fire and Ash and Hoppers. Starring Jackman as Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Halle Berry as Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, and James Marsden as Cyclops, the film follows the X-Men, a team of mutants (people born with superhuman abilities), as they face Magneto, who believes a war between humans and mutants is inevitable amid the government’s push for have mutants reveal their identities and abilities. Since its release, X-Men has found massive success, grossing over $296 million worldwide and launching a long-running series of films. Because the X-Men films are set in a different continuity from the MCU, Marvel Studios has announced it will make a reboot, scheduled for release in 2028.

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Collider Exclusive · Universe Personality Quiz
Which Iconic Universe Do You Belong in the Most?
Star Wars · Lord of the Rings · Harry Potter · Game of Thrones · Star Trek

Five legendary universes. Five completely different visions of what the world could be — or already was. One of them is the world your instincts, your values, and your particular way of existing were built for. Eight questions will tell you which one.

🚀Star Wars

💍Lord of the Rings

🧙Harry Potter

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👑Game of Thrones

🖖Star Trek

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01

What gives your life its deepest sense of meaning?
Every universe is built around a different answer to this question.





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02

Which kind of world do you most want to inhabit?
The environment shapes who you become. Choose carefully.





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03

How do you prefer your conflicts resolved?
The shape of a world’s conflicts tells you everything about its soul.





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04

Who do you want beside you when things get difficult?
Your ideal companions reveal the world you were made for.





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05

What is your relationship with power?
How you seek, wield, or resist power is the map of who you are.





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06

How does your universe treat good and evil?
A world’s moral architecture tells you more about it than any map.





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07

What role would you naturally fall into?
Every universe has archetypes. Which one fits you without trying?





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08

What do you ultimately believe about the future?
The answer to this is the clearest window into which universe already lives inside you.





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Your Universe Has Been Chosen
You Belong In…

Your answers point to the iconic universe your values, your instincts, and your particular way of seeing the world were built for. This is where you would find your people — and your purpose.

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A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

You believe in the cause — in the idea that freedom is worth fighting for even when the odds are impossible and the empire is vast.

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  • You are drawn to the moral clarity of a universe where hope itself is a form of resistance.
  • You’d find your people in the Rebellion — a ragtag coalition of true believers held together by conviction more than resources.
  • Star Wars is fundamentally a story about ordinary people choosing to matter in an extraordinary conflict — and that is exactly your kind of story.
  • The Force may or may not be with you. But the will to use it for something larger than yourself certainly is.


Middle-earth

Lord of the Rings

You understand, in the deepest part of yourself, that the journey matters as much as the destination — and that the world’s beauty is worth protecting even at great cost.

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  • Middle-earth is a world of ancient wonder, deep friendship, and a darkness that only retreats when enough small acts of courage accumulate.
  • You would thrive here because you value the fellowship more than the glory — the road more than the arrival.
  • Tolkien’s universe rewards patience, loyalty, and the willingness to carry something heavy across a very long distance.
  • Those are not burdens to you. They are simply how you move through the world.


The Wizarding World

Harry Potter

You believe that love, loyalty, and doing what’s right are not naive sentiments — they are the most powerful forces in any world, magical or otherwise.

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  • The Wizarding World is a place of wonder hidden in plain sight, where learning is transformative and the bonds you form at school follow you into every battle.
  • You would flourish here because you take both the magic and the friendships seriously — and you understand that one without the other is incomplete.
  • Harry Potter’s universe ultimately rewards those who choose to stand for something even when standing is terrifying.
  • That choice — made quietly, without guarantee — is something you understand completely.


Westeros · The Known World

Game of Thrones

You see the world clearly — its power structures, its hypocrisies, its brutal arithmetic — and you are not paralysed by that clarity. You use it.

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  • Westeros is a world that rewards intelligence, adaptability, and the willingness to understand that every alliance is also a negotiation.
  • You would survive here — possibly thrive here — because you don’t confuse the world as it is with the world as you’d like it to be.
  • Game of Thrones is a story about what happens when the idealists and the realists collide. You are sharp enough to know which one lasts longer.
  • Winter always comes. You are already prepared.


The United Federation of Planets

Star Trek

You believe the future is worth building — that curiosity, cooperation, and the expansion of understanding are not just ideals but the most practical path forward for any civilisation.

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  • Star Trek is a universe where the questions matter as much as the answers, and where encountering something utterly alien is cause for wonder rather than fear.
  • You would belong here because you are fundamentally optimistic about what intelligence and decency can achieve — while being honest about how hard that achievement is.
  • The Federation is the universe’s most ambitious thought experiment: what if we actually got better?
  • You don’t just hope that’s possible. You think it’s the only thing worth working toward.

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Before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, Marvel Recommends Watching These 15 Films and TV Shows

2000s X-Men is one of many films that Marvel has recommended watching before Avengers: Doomsday, due to the return of McKellen, Marsden, and Stewart, as well as Alan Cummings Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijns Mystique, and Kelsey Grammer‘s Beast. According to Disney’s watchlist, the other Marvel projects that fans need to watch before Avengers: Doomsday include X2, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Loki, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Brave New World, Deadpool & Wolverine, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While it is a long list, it does exclude other Marvel titles that have come out over the years, like the Thor movies, the other Disney+ exclusives like What If…?, and the other films in the X-Men lineup, like X-Men: The Last Stand.

X-Men is available to stream on Disney+. Avengers: Doomsday enters theaters on December 18, 2026. Follow Collider for more updates.


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Release Date

July 13, 2000

Runtime

104 minutes

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Director

Bryan Singer

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Producers

Avi Arad, Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Richard Donner

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