Related: Sofia Vergara Ditched Her Old Sneakers for This $88 Amazon Pair
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Netflix viewers have made it clear they’re curious about Unfamiliar, even if they’re not entirely sure how they feel about it. Recently, the six-part German spy drama has emerged as one of the largest contemporary successes on Netflix, surpassing 25.7 million hours viewed to reach the top of their global charts, according to FlixPatrol.
However, while there has been considerable growth in views, there has also been some criticism of the series; Rotten Tomatoes reports an audience score of 67%. It appears that the show is yet another example of Netflix experiencing immense success solely on the basis of its high number of views, while dividing viewers on whether it truly justifies its existence. Yet, regardless of these opposing opinions, the number of people who continue to binge-watch the show continues to rise.
Unfamiliar centers on Simon and Meret Schäfer (Felix Kramer, Susanne Wolff), a married couple living a tightly controlled life in Berlin. On the surface, they run a restaurant and raise their teenage daughter, Nina (Maja Bons). Behind the scenes, they operate a discreet safe house — a leftover obligation from their former lives as intelligence agents who, for all legal purposes, no longer exist.
That balance collapses when a wounded stranger arrives at their door, dragging a long-buried operation from 16 years earlier back into the present. What follows isn’t just a game of cat-and-mouse with assassins and rival agencies, but a slow unspooling of the lies Simon and Meret have told their family — and each other — to survive. The series consistently frames espionage as something corrosive rather than glamorous. Every secret has a shelf life. Every compromise eventually leaks into the home.
Much of the online discussion around the show comes down to recognition. Retired spies pulled back into danger. A disastrous past mission resurfaced at the worst possible moment. A family unknowingly built on a foundation of false identities. None of this is new territory for the genre. Instead of constantly reinventing, Paul Coates, the creator of Unfamiliar, chooses to embrace genre conventions while reimagining them with older, more fragile, and more fatigued characters than one would expect to see in most spy-thrillers. The characters here may not be performing at an athletic peak. The aftereffects of injury and healing will affect them for a significantly longer period. Fights feel like a harder hit than a spectacular visual performance. This decision is what ultimately grounds the series. But it also explains why some find it lacking in drama and excitement. For those who pursue something “new” in entertainment, Unfamiliar often feels like a remix, not a new creation, but for fans who seek character-focused tension, nostalgia will be part of its enjoyment.
One reason Unfamiliar hooked so many viewers early is its restraint; the opening episode gives just enough information to establish stakes without spelling everything out. Revelations are seeded quietly, trusting the audience to connect the dots instead of spelling them out through exposition. That slow-burn approach continues throughout the season. The show prefers accumulating pressure to detonating twists, and while that patience won’t work for everyone, it helps explain why so many viewers finished the series even if they weren’t fully convinced. The tension doesn’t come from surprise alone, but from inevitability — the sense that these characters can only outrun their past for so long.
Netflix has become particularly good at turning spy thrillers into global conversation starters, and Unfamiliar fits neatly into that ecosystem. Its short episode count makes it easy to binge, its serious tone appeals to viewers burned out on lighter fare, and its Berlin setting adds a layer of historical espionage weight without leaning too heavily on spectacle. Authenticity is also significant: German Intelligence worked with the series to give the procedures shown a sense of realism, making it stand out among many films and television shows about this political and military issue. Therefore, by and large, those who have watched the show are likely to continue watching it for its performances and atmosphere.
This mix of competence, credibility, and accessibility helps build an audience for the series on a platform like this, where many viewers seek information based on their interests rather than popularity. Unfamiliar isn’t trying to redefine the spy genre, and that’s ultimately what makes it divisive. For some, it’s too careful, too recognizable, too restrained. For others, that same restraint feels refreshing — a reminder that tension doesn’t always need escalation to work. What’s undeniable is that audiences showed up in force. Whether viewers loved it, liked it, or simply wanted to see how it ended, Unfamiliar became a conversation piece through sheer momentum.
February 5, 2026
Netflix
Paul Coates, Kim Zimmermann, Alexander Seibt
Whoopi Goldberg is setting the record straight. During a recent episode of “The View,” the EGOT winner directly addressed her name being mentioned in the latest batch of Epstein files, making it clear that everything is not always what it seems.
Goldberg shut down allegations that she had a personal relationship with the late sex trafficker, as she provided a detailed explanation of why her name was included.
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“Now, in the name of transparency, can you put up… my name is in the files,” the actress began during the “Hot Topics” section of the show, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Goldberg then explained that the reason her name is mentioned in emails between Jeffrey Epstein and an individual whose name has been redacted, was due to an attempt to find a private plane for her to travel to Julian Lennon’s charity event, the White Feather Foundation.
In the email, Epstein was asked if he wanted to offer his private plane, to which he responded, “No thanks,” co-host Sunny Hostin pointed out. Joy Behar then asked, “So, in other words, anyone can be on this list?”
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Behar’s question prompted Goldberg to clarify that just because she was mentioned in the files does not mean she had a relationship with Epstein.
“This is my point because, when I tell you people are trying to turn me into…I wasn’t his girlfriend. I wasn’t his friend. I was not only too old, but it was at a time where this is just not…. You used to have to have facts before you said stuff,” Goldberg stated.
“I’m speaking about me because I’m getting dragged,” she revealed, regarding the online reaction she’s recently received.
“People actually believe that I was with him. It’s like, honey, come on,” Goldberg added. “Every man I’ve ever been with you’ve known about ‘em because either the ‘Enquirer’ wrote about it, people wrote about this stuff. And, no, I didn’t get on the plane.”
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On the February 6, episode of “The View,” Goldberg did not hold back in holding women to task for not being proactive enough regarding Epstein’s crimes, per Entertainment Weekly.
“Not only did they protect each other, but we were complicit in all of this. We are complicit,” she said, prompting Behar to ask, “How?”
“I’m going to tell you how,” Goldberg began. “Women didn’t say, ‘Hey, don’t do that. Don’t stand up for that.’ Women did not stand up for other women. Women saw what was going on and didn’t say, ‘Stop this.’ They didn’t come out and say this was going on.”
Behar, still not understanding the correlation, asked, “What do you mean ‘we?’”
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“I mean women. Listen, for years, men had the ability, men thought that it was okay to treat women this way,” Goldberg explained. “We see it on television all the time. And until we stand up, until women stand up and say, never again, not anymore.”
“Everybody has to take some responsibility for this, because unless you recognize what it meant, what they did to these girls, you’re not going to care,” she continued. “It’s important that you recognize what’s going on here.”
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The list of notable names included in the latest release of the Epstein files include Donald Trump, Elon Musk, former President Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Marilyn Monroe, Rihanna, Elvis, and billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Gates spoke out about his previous relationship with Epstein after the latest information was released.
In an exclusive interview with 9 News Australia, Gates addressed the claims in Epstein’s email that the billionaire contracted sexually transmitted diseases due to sexual encounters with women who were trafficked on Epstein’s infamous island.
“Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent,” Gates told the outlet. “The email is false. I don’t know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?”
Gates went on to express his “regret” for his relationship with Epstein, calling himself “foolish.”
“Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize that I did that,” Gates said in the interview that was released on Wednesday, February 4.
“The focus was always, he knew a lot of very rich people, and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health. In retrospect, that was a dead end. I was foolish to spend time with him. I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him.”
Gates also stressed that he never went to Epstein’s island and never had any contact with any women there.
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“I never went to the island, I never met any women,” he told the outlet. “And so, the more that comes out, the more clear it’ll be that, although the time was a mistake, it had nothing to do with that kind of behavior.”

In a statement obtained by the New York Times, Casey Wasserman clarified his ties to Epstein and expressed regret for past email correspondence with Maxwell.
“I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,” Wasserman’s statement began. “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.”
“As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them,” he added.
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The nature of the emails between Wasserman and Maxwell were flirty in nature, per the outlet, where in one email he wrote to her, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?”

Per The Hill, attorney general Pam Bondi said on Saturday, February 14, that all of the Epstein files have now been released and no more will be forthcoming.
Her response sparked intense backlash from critics who believe that there are definitely more files and that the DOJ is covering up the involvement of others and sullying the reputation of those with no ties to him but were mentioned in the files anyway.
Miley Cyrus is set to deliver the best of both worlds this March as she joins Alex Cooper to commemorate the 20th anniversary of “Hannah Montana.”
After teasing a 20th anniversary special for the last few months, Miley Cyrus, in partnership with Disney Plus, will be featured in an extra special sit-down that’s said to include never-before-seen archival footage and potential performances of some of Hannah’s biggest hits.
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Cyrus and Disney collaborated on a teaser for the upcoming special, effectively putting to rest rumors about Cyrus’s plans for the show’s massive milestone.
“Going back to where it all began,” the caption read. “The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premieres March 24 on Disney+.”
According to Deadline, the “Hannah Montana” special will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and will feature an exclusive interview with Alex Cooper, host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
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The special will reportedly feature “moments, music, and memories that defined an era.”
Viewers will also see “never-before-seen archival footage,” while other iconic moments from the show, including some of the series’ most memorable sets, will be brought back to life.
The celebration doesn’t end with a sit-down, as reports also indicate Cyrus is expected to take the stage for some performances of Hannah’s most iconic hits.
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“Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am. What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection,” Cyrus said. “The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”
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The “Hannah Montana” special comes months after Cyrus revealed she planned to honor the show’s epic milestone.
According to The Blast, Cyrus recently dropped a series of throwback images from the “Hannah Montana” set, fueling speculation that a major announcement was imminent.
“Going through the archives… so many memories,” Cyrus captioned the post. “XoMC,” she added.
Cyrus’s return to Disney to reflect on her time as the everyday girl-turned-beloved pop star only seems fitting for the 33-year-old. In December 2025, Cyrus shot down the idea of someone else stepping into the role after so many years.
“I don’t know if there is a new Hannah,” the actress said. “This is the only Hannah.”
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“For me, I love looking back at the growth for both of us because it’s very rare that someone grows up with their fanbase,” she added. “When I was 15 years old, I’d look out and see 15-year-olds and now I’m a grown woman, I look out and see other grown people. So what I want to do is honor the longevity of the relationship that we built.”

Cyrus led the series from its 2006 debut through 2011, during which she starred in 100 episodes, a feature film, and released five studio albums.
Cyrus also headlined the “Best of Both Worlds Tour,” performing songs from the singer’s first two albums, and grossed over $70 million over 71 shows.
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The internet erupted following Cyrus’ announcement, with fans expressing pure shock over the character’s return.
“ITS HAPPENING EVERYONE STAY CALM,” someone wrote, while another shared, “I’m sobbing.”
“Great day for someone who has Hannah Montana in their top 3 on Spotify wrapped every year (me),” another shared, while someone else wrote, “HANNAH MONTANA FOREVER.”
“I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN,” a user posted, prompting another to add, “OMG. HOLD MY WIG.”
The 20th-anniversary special should be a monumental moment in Cyrus’s career, given that she lauded the character in a personal letter to her in 2021.
“You were a rocket that flew me to the moon and never brought me back down. … You and I have been through it all, my friend,” she wrote. “I am indebted not only to you Hannah but to any and everyone who believed in me from the beginning. You have my loyalty and deepest appreciation until the end.”
With her upcoming album “Luck,” Hilary Duff is peeling back the curtain on some of her most personal chapters and explaining why now feels like the right time to confront those emotions publicly.
The “How I Met Your Father” alum has dropped songs with lyrics that appear to allude to broken relationships, sparking rumors about the real-life inspiration behind the music.
Duff has also found herself at the center of fresh controversy with Disney creators following Ashley Tisdale’s “toxic mom groups” drama.
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In a new cover story, the “Lizzie McGuire” star confirmed that several tracks in her album address long-standing family tensions. She explained that the decision to speak about it came from a desire to be authentic at this stage of her career.
“That’s my family. Those are the people that affect you the most, take up the most space naturally as a human who’s born into something,” Duff told Glamour. “Just because you’re born into a family doesn’t mean that it always stays together. You can only control your side and your street.”
The 38-year-old appeared to address the track, “The Optimist,” where she sang, “I wish I could sleep on planes, and that my father would really love me,” explaining that her relationship with her parents is not rosy.
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“I’ve had a very complicated life, and my parents had a very complicated thing,” she admitted. “I know it’s not rare, and I think it goes back to the theme of, ‘Why share now?’ I guess I just felt ready.”
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Duff’s recent admission comes after weeks of speculation that her new album touches on a family rift.
Fans weighed in on the track “We Don’t Talk,” which she performed at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, as a reference to her fractured relationship with sister Haylie.
As The Blast reported, Duff delivered emotional lyrics that seemed to capture the unraveling of a sibling bond, which read, “Don’t know when it happened / Not even sure what it was about /’Cause we come from the same home, same blood.”
Elsewhere in the song, she belts: “And if it’s ’cause you’re jealous / God knows I would sell it all, then break you off the bigger half,” a line fans interpreted as addressing a long-standing rivalry.
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Amid Hilary’s strained relationship with Haylie, her alleged involvement in a “toxic mom group” appears to be adding fuel to the feud, especially as Haylie seems to be siding against her.
The drama followed after Ashley Tisdale published an article in The Cut, narrating her experience in a mom group, which fans suspected Hilary, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor were part of.
Soon after, The Blast reported that Haylie’s child was spotted spending time with Tisdale’s daughter, a moment Haylie shared on Instagram and Tisdale later reposted.
Before the playdate, Haylie had already shown support by liking Tisdale’s essay on Instagram.
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Aside from addressing family tensions through her music, the “Cheaper by the Dozen” actress is also confronting chapters from her dating life.
Her track “Mature” offers an intimate look back at her rumored relationship with Joel Madden, which began when she was 16 and he was 25.
Duff revealed that the song was her way of reflecting on that period. “I was looking back on this relationship and thinking about whether this guy had a habit of dating younger women or whether I was special,” Duff explained, per The Blast.
She described the process of writing the song as healing, allowing her to be vulnerable and explore conversations that often go unspoken.

While Duff portrays her feelings about her relationships in her music, her recent opinion about “Hannah Montana” had the show’s creator, Michael Poryes, firing back at her.
Per The Blast, Duff suggested that the “The Lizzy McGuire” popstar storyline may have inspired Disney’s idea for Miley Cyrus’s dual-identity series.
“Hannah Montana, she’s a normal girl, but she’s a singer at night,” Duff explained. “I think Disney knew they were tapping into something when this worked so well. I’m sure it was some source of inspiration.”
However, Poryes pushed back, insisting the show was entirely his own concept and that he had barely seen Duff’s series.
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Scorsese joins an all-star cast led by Pedro Pascal that also featuring Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White.
Published
TMZ.com
Brandi Glanville says she learned a really hard lesson about not maintaining her breast implants … because she says a boob job she got two decades ago is behind her infamous facial parasite.
We got Brandi outside her doctor’s office in Beverly Hills and she told our photog her breast implants ruptured, leaked silicone inside her body and clogged her lymph nodes … leading to a nasty infection that deformed her face.
Brandi says conventional wisdom calls for breast implants to be swapped out every 10 years … but she kept hers in for 20 years and paid the price.
The reason Brandi didn’t swap out the silicone … “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
As a result, Brandi spent years trying to figure out what the hell caused her face parasite … cycling through dozens of doctors before a sonogram unlocked the answer.
Brandi says monograms are great, but there can be a side effect … and she has some advice for anyone considering a boob job.
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It comes as no surprise that Martha Stewart was in attendance at the Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. But something that did leave us a bit stunned? Her comfortable airport outfit, which included a pair of slip-on sneakers that we want as our new travel shoes. Stewart’s exact pick is available on Amazon, and the breathable option is something you’ll want in your rotation, whether you’re walking onto an airplane, gearing up for a road trip or simply commuting to work.
Stewart consciously chose the Skechers Slip-Ins Go Walk Flex-Relish Sneakers to go with her travel aesthetic. In an Instagram post caption, the lifestyle queen noted that the shoes matched her Louis Vuitton coat, proving that celebrities are pros at incorporating high and low pieces into their wardrobes.
Get the Skechers Slip-Ins Go Walk Flex-Relish Sneakers for $64 (originally $81) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
The magic of the Skechers slip-ins is that the laceless design lets you slide your feet in without bending down. That especially comes in handy at the airport when you’re going through security. These sneakers feature the brand’s Air-Cooled Memory Foam insoles, as well as Ultra Go cushioning and Flex Pillars for support. What also makes them top-tier travel shoes is that they’re safe to throw in the washing machine, so there’s no need to stress if you accidentally kick a dirty suitcase wheel or if they get dirty throughout the day.
Stewart wore the Olive colorway, an attractive earth tone that feels a bit more special than basic black. However, neutral lovers will be thrilled to find that the same pair of sneakers comes in black, off-white, navy, gray and more. We’re also big fans of the hot pink, red and purple shades for a stylish pop.
Between the slip-on design and serious comfort factor, it’s no wonder that Amazon shoppers are raving about these Sketchers sneakers.
“These are the best sneakers (shoes) ever. I wear mine every waking minute,” one happy buyer said. “After some foot problems a few years back, I am more comfortable with these sneakers than barefoot, so I wear an inside pair around the house. They are lightweight and fit perfectly.”
“I’ve tried countless walking shoes, but the Skechers Women’s Hands Free Slip-ins Go Walk Flex-relish Wide truly stands out!” a verified purchaser wrote. :These shoes are incredibly comfortable with their memory foam insole that feels like walking on clouds, and the slip-on design makes getting them on and off a breeze.”
Whether you need a pair of travel shoes like Stewart or prefer an easy everyday option, the price (and comfort!) is right when it comes to these Sketchers. Grab ’em while they’re still in stock!
Get the Skechers Slip-Ins Go Walk Flex-Relish Sneakers for $64 (originally $81) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more slip-on shoes here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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Creator Dan Fogelman teased that season 2 will bring “a little bit more sci-fi” to the hit Hulu series.
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The casting comes just days after news that the show would be headlined by “Suits LA” star Stephen Amell, who will play an adult Hobie Buchannon.
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The legendary actor, who got his start in productions of Shakespeare’s plays, thinks something doesn’t add up about Chloe Zhao’s spin on the Bard’s origins.
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The “Twilight” star also reveals people confused him for his character early in his career.
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