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By Jennifer Asencio
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Daily Wire+ has been streaming the show The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin, and I have been an enthusiastic fan as I’ve reviewed it for GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT. Going into the show, one concern I had about a conservative take on a masculine fantasy was the role of the women in the story. Characters like the Lady of the Lake, Igraine, and Morgan Le Faye have classically been portrayed as passive set pieces with little role in the larger story. Morgan’s power is often deferred to her son, Mordred, and Igraine is a victim of circumstance, passed from one husband to another.
My fears that The Pendragon Cycle would follow this classical approach to female characters were unfounded. The show takes a very different approach to the women of Arthurian legend, and the result is a group that can conquer even the bossiest of girl-bosses.
The four main female characters in The Pendragon Cycle are Charis and Morgain, Atlantean sisters operating at cross-purposes; Ygerna, daughter of the experienced warlord Gorlas; and Ganieda, Merlin’s wife. All four of them begin as princesses and wind up as queens, and all four of them exhibit their own strength and bravery. None of these women sits idly by, allowing the men around them to control events.

Charis begins as a bull leaper, which was a real sport in ancient Minoa that required physical prowess and acrobatic precision. Right away, Charis is introduced as an athlete willing to risk her life to protect her team.
This is no damsel in distress who needs a man to rescue her; if anything, she needs a very powerful man just to equal her. That powerful man is Taliesin, who gives her the nickname by which we know her in Arthurian legend: The Lady of the Lake. And yes, she is the one who had the infamous sword Excalibur made, a symbol of her power that overwhelms every man she’s tried to give it to.

As Charis, Rose Reid is always dressed in white robes that resemble the Greek garb of her homeland, Atlantis. It is modest enough to be family-friendly but just revealing enough to remind us how muscular she is. Low-cut bodices flaunt her femininity while flowing garments swirl around her. The ensemble punctuates her dignified frame and regal presence.

Merlin’s famous nemesis is his aunt Morgain, Charis’s jealous sister, played by Emree Franklin. Not only was she tired of living in the shadow of her heroic sister, but she also fell in love with Taliesin, only to find herself rejected.
Morgain is so sinister that the court magician at Ynis Avallach refuses to train her in the arts of magic, and so driven that she is responsible for the shocking ending of episode 2. As queen of the Isle of Fear, she rules over Lot’s house with a charm and sensuality that extends outside the walls of her castle. Being the archvillain of the piece, she must be Merlin’s mirror, and her intelligence and political sense make her a formidable foe.
Being more forward than Charis, Morgain’s dresses are cut lower and a little more revealing. Her poison green and black garments cling to her, taunting us with her sexuality but denying us that final peek. She is beautiful, which is dangerous, but she’s smart enough to know how to use her beauty, which is deadly.

Ganieda has been a mysterious vision only Merlin can see through most of the series, but in the latest episode, she is very real when she bursts out of the bush on horseback in pursuit of a wild boar. She bears an armored chest plate and a leather tunic of the silver-and-black colors of her father’s stronghold of Goddeu. She also carries a spear: she is as much a warrior spirit as she is a huntress.
Brett Cooper’s portrayal of her teases and nudges at a youthful Merlin, like he’s a loose tooth, finally winning his heart. When danger strikes, she is the first to grab a weapon and isn’t afraid to die fighting.
As a married woman, Ganieda’s wardrobe is a little less militaristic, but it walks right out of a medieval tapestry. She is the classic medieval lady, while simultaneously being the only woman strong enough to be Merlin’s wife.

The demure future mother of Arthur is played by Flo Thompstone, and she is not letting the world around her collapse. Clad in a wine-colored early Briton wardrobe, Ygerna is the daughter of Gorlas, a powerful figure in the Britons’ world and thus the subject of manipulations by other power-hungry lords.
Ygerna sees what they’re up to and is willing to speak up to Gorlas in favor of the Pendragon brothers, despite Gorlas not getting along with Uther. Ygerna has met Uther, and the seeds of their future romance have already begun to sprout, leading this young lady to a huge destiny.

All these characters are forces to be reckoned with in their own right. They don’t need to be rescued, and in fact do some of the rescuing themselves. They all take matters into their own hands, despite the world they live in being mainly concerned with the machinations of men. They are not the traditional princesses of fairy tales or Arthurian legend. They are not victims, even when they are.
In today’s world, the media often portrays women as the only smart people in the room. They’re hypercompetent, often bossing around the men around them. It is as though the men can’t function without them, but the women don’t need them because they can do everything themselves, from programming the big computer to bashing around mooks twice their size.
This is intended to combat the idea that women have historically been portrayed as weak and helpless. That’s not entirely true, however. Classics like Charade (1963), His Girl Friday (1941), and North by Northwest (1959) feature strong female characters who are anything but helpless. More recent offerings like Heathers and Mean Girls are all about female power. Yet there have been enough damsel-in-distress female leads in movies and on television that the response to the trend has been to make women, as DH Lawrence writes, “just like the men, only better, because they were women.”

The women of The Pendragon Cycle don’t have to be “better” than anyone. They know their own strengths and weaknesses and those of the men around them. With the exception of Morgain, they are the companions and supports for the men in their lives; Morgain exhibits strategy and calculation worthy of any male villain. They don’t outright reject men, but they don’t let them get away with acting the fool, either.
The Pendragon Cycle strikes a balance between damsels in distress and girl-bosses by portraying women who can be powerful while still embracing their femininity. Their strength comes as much from being wives and mothers as from their abilities to survive the masculine world around them, but they are never just “trad wives.” They don’t have to be nude or sensationalist to get our attention, but they can still have the agency they deserve. Many women could learn from their example.
The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is streaming on Daily Wire+. The final episode will be released next Thursday. Catch up on this great show, and enjoy this sexy quartet of brilliant female role models.
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The “Raiders of the Lost Ark” filmmaker said that he wants to avoid tropes in his upcoming Western project.
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Jennifer Lopez just reminded Us why she’s one of the best-dressed women on the planet, and she did it while catching a flight. Lopez was spotted at the airport looking impossibly polished, wearing a chic green skirt paired with a crisp white button-up. No sweats, no leggings and definitely no jeans. A similar style is only $34 on Amazon, and it’s the easiest way to appear put-together from the airport to the Airbnb.
Some people might default to denim for an elevated travel outfit, but Lopez proved that a midi skirt look can be just as stylish and much more comfortable. Her shirt made her ensemble feel chic and timeless, but the green skirt stole the show, adding a pop of color that screamed ‘spring’ without trying too hard. Leave it to J.Lo to make the tarmac look like a runway.
Get the Allegra K High-Waist Midi Skirt for $34 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
This high-waist skirt is eerily similar to Lopez’s, featuring a cargo-style silhouette, an A-line shape and pleated detailing. It even has a built-in belt. The corduroy-like fabric adds a textured, elevated feel that plain cotton just can’t match.
Aesthetics aside, the waistband is also part of the draw. This skirt features an elasticized back, meaning it’s structured and slimming from the front while being secretly stretchy. For travel, this is everything. You can sit in a cramped economy seat for hours and actually breathe. The flexible construction moves with you.
For a long flight or hours spent in an office chair, stiff denim or a tight waistband can be annoying and uncomfortable. This skirt is a better alternative to jeans, and makes sense for both spring travel and day-to-day life. Best of all, this piece is universally flattering, sitting at the narrowest part of your waist and skimming over everything else. Talk about a box-checker!
Pair this wear-everywhere piece with a button-up like Lopez did, and you’ve got a chic travel look. Throw on a blazer and heels once you land, and you’re ready for dinner, while a fitted tee and sneakers make it ideal for sightseeing. One skirt, three completely different outfits. Shoppers rave about the elegant look, durability and belt for a sleek touch. They also love the rich color options. The green hue feels fresh for spring without losing its year-round versatility.
Lopez’s airport moment felt like a masterclass in less-is-more dressing. It’s proof that looking great while traveling doesn’t require a stylist or a designer budget — just a nice green skirt and the confidence to skip the jeans.
Get the Allegra K High-Waist Midi Skirt for $34 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Not what you’re looking for? Shop other skirts on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!
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We love cardigan sweaters, but they teeter from cute and oversized to frumpy and shapeless fast. If you want the comfort of a cardigan with the polish of a blazer, these 17 expensive-looking picks bring the best of both worlds. Lightweight and luxe, you’ll wear these tailored-looking cardigans for spring, summer and beyond.
Whether you’re looking for an office-ready sweater or a throw-on-and-go layer, these sweaters are ready for anything. They have a loose yet curve-skimming fit, ensuring you look put together and polished without even trying. People will think you spent hundreds, but these spring finds secretly start at just $6. Nope, that’s not a typo!
1. Our Favorite: Everything about this button-front sweater looks expensive, including the wool-blend fabric and sleek, sophisticated fit.
2. Yacht Wife: You’ll channel Nantucket energy in this striped number. It has a subtle crop that doesn’t show too much, especially when you style it with high-rise pants.
3. CEO Vibes: Something between a blazer and a cardigan, this one-of-a-kind piece has an elegant notched collar and single-button closure.
4. Buttery-Soft: Comfort connoisseurs rave about this long cardigan that feels much more expensive than it is. Ribbed detailing adds a flattering edge.
5. Quiet Luxury: If you love the season but not the colors, this neutral round-neck sweater is calling. It radiates spring without the bright hues.
6. Pretty Peplum: Peplum-style cardigans are a life hack. Not only does this wonder shape without squeezing, but it also gives your outfit a professional flair.
7. Elegant Embroidery: Score 48% off this floral soutache sweater that transitions seamlessly from the office to happy hour.
8. Total Classic: Bold yet refined, this knit cardigan gives off an old money aesthetic, even if you wear it with jeans. Pair this pick with a skirt for a compliment-worthy getup.
9. Crowd-Favorite: You can’t go wrong with a bestseller, and this V-neck sweater earns its status. Shoppers love the wavy hems and stretchy feel.
10. Coastal Queen: Look like an Outer Banks socialite in this delicate tie-front cardigan that begs to be layered. It carries you through spring and summer alike.
11. Celeb-Loved: Martha Stewart can’t stop wearing this pastel yellow color, and neither can we. The perforated hems add a ton of character.
12. Boutique Babe: If you’re willing to splurge, this floral Free People cardigan is worth every dollar. The cashmere fabric is ideal for chilly mornings and breezy evenings.
13. Short-Sleeve Stunner: This short-sleeve sweater has a relaxed fit that hangs in all the right places, so don’t be surprised if you rock it 24/7.
14. Three in One: Imagine a cardigan, jacket and button-up shirt in one. This casual-dressy find is a easy everyday staple.
15. Country Club: Leave it to Quince to create the classiest stitched cardigan that features a color-block design, functional pockets and breathable cotton material.
16. Colors Galore: Whatever your go-to shade is, this drapey cardigan is available in it. We adore the loose long sleeves and waist-snatching buttons.
17. Just $17: This wavy ribbed sweater costs less than a Sweetgreen bowl, and it makes you appear instantly rich. Added to cart!
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“I was a single guy on tour, in a band, and I met a lot of girls, and I apologize if I hurt her… if I hurt anybody,” the Skid Row rocker said.
Teddi Mellencamp and Dolores Catania are weighing in on speculation surrounding Dorit Kemsley’s finances following her divorce from PK Kemsley.
Speaking on the Friday, March 13, episode of “Two Ts in a Pod With Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge,” the Real Housewives stars shared their opinion as they reacted to rumors that Dorit’s home could potentially be foreclosed over spiraling debt.
“It says, ‘Dorit Kemsley Faces Foreclosure of $6.5 Million Mansion Over $842K Debt Mountain After Fans Call Out Her Shopping Addiction.’ This is on Radar,” Mellencamp, 44, said.
While Mellencamp did not elaborate on whether the report was true, she said Dorit had a right to be “concerned” if this issue was looming over her head.
For her part, Catania, 55, warned that following a divorce, issues can come back to haunt women who don’t keep across their finances during the marriage.
“She’s been very clear: ‘I don’t know my finances, I don’t know my bills. He handled it all.’ And you’re really taking a really big risk when you don’t know your finances in a marriage,” Catania said.

Dorit Kemsley. (Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank)
Catania went on to ponder how Dorit was spending her money in the wake of her split from PK.
“So she’s been on [Real Housewives] long enough. You know what I thought about when I saw this? She’s not a dumb girl. She speaks several languages,” Catania said.
Emphasizing that she was on Dorit’s “side” on the issue, Catania added, “But I thought to myself, what have you been doing with your money all this time? Have you been spending it?”
Dorit and PK — who share son Jagger, 11, and daughter Phoenix, 9 — revealed that they were going their separate ways in May 2024.
“We as a couple have been subject to a lot of speculation about our marriage. We have had our struggles over the last few years and continue to work through them as two people who love each other and share two amazing children together,” they said in a joint statement at the time.
“To safeguard our deep friendship and maintain a harmonious environment for our children, we have made the mutual and difficult decision to take some time apart and reevaluate our relationship while we prioritize our children,” the exes continued. “We appreciate your love and support while we continue to do the work necessary throughout this journey. With love, Dorit and PK.”
Dorit filed for divorce from PK in April 2025, nearly one year after they announced their separation, per court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Elle Fanning found herself creating an OnlyFans account for a very specific reason.
In an interview with People published on Friday, March 13, Fanning, 27, revealed she took to the NSFW website to prepare for her latest role on AppleTV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
“There were a lot of things [I did to prepare],” Fanning explained to the outlet. “Obviously, I am an Instagram user and a TikTok user. I got to look at that.”
She continued, “Also, we had to dive into OnlyFans a little bit. We did create an account for the writer’s room, and for me, so I could check out how the website is.”
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a new TV series based on Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling 2024 novel of the same name.
The project follows Margo (Fanning) as she faces financial difficulties after dropping out of college to raise a new baby. While trying to make her writing dreams come true, Margo must lean on her mom and former Hooter’s waitress Shaynne Millet (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her father Jinx Millet (Nick Offerman) for support.
While celebrating the show’s premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in Texas on Thursday, March 12, showrunner Eva Anderson provided some more context as to how OnlyFans was useful for the project.
“There was a lot of looking at OnlyFans with the writers, but we all gave consent to each other before we did it,” she explained via People. “We were very responsible and we just tried to get as much information as we could before we started.”
Fanning isn’t the only Hollywood actress who has used OnlyFans for some inspiration.
In August 2020, Bella Thorne said she joined the platform for research on a movie she was making with Sean Baker.
“It’s a feature we are researching as I’m living it currently,” Thorne, 28, explained to the Los Angeles Times. “What are the ins and outs? What does a platform like this do to its users? What’s the connective material between your life and your life inside the world of OnlyFans? … How can it change your life for the worse and the better? How far are you willing to go, and how far do you WANT to go? You can be me, or this talented girl from Montana, and OnlyFans could change your life — if you want it to, of course.”
Margo’s Got Money Troubles premieres on AppleTV Wednesday, April 15.
Kristy Scott got candid about making a personal change following her divorce filing, sharing that she recently underwent a breast augmentation.
The influencer, 30, confirmed speculation that she got a boob job after her glamorous appearance at the 2026 Grammy Awards, for which she wowed in a custom rich brown colored gown by Nicole + Felicia featuring a plunging neckline.
“OK, the majority of my audience is women,” the content creator — who goes by Kristy Sarah online — shared in a TikTok clip on Thursday, March 12. “So if you just happen to be a man, please keep scrolling.”
“After y’all saw my GlamBOT video, I got a lot of questions about the girls,” Kristy said about her look at the star-studded event that was held on February 1. “Yes, I did just get them done.”
The social media star revealed that she also opted for a supplementary aesthetic option, known as an “internal bra” while going under the knife.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it’s a technique rather than a procedure.
“The internal bra refers to using some form of implantable scaffolding to support your own breast tissue at the same time as another procedure, such as a breast lift, augmentation or reduction,” one expert explained in an article published in April 2025.

Kristy Scott at the 2026 Grammy Awards. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The surgeon further clarified, “This implantable scaffolding is generally an absorbable material that your own tissue uses during the course of healing to strengthen the scar tissue and add support with the intention of giving a longer-term result.”
Kristy shared that it’s been two months since her surgery, revealing she has another four months to go until she sees the results when they settle.
It’s certainly been a transformative era for Kristy, who has also alluded to keeping the home that she and estranged husband Desmond Scott built from scratch post-split. “Same address,” she captioned an Instagram post on January 14.
She filed divorce paperwork to end her marriage on December 30, 2025, per documents obtained by Us Weekly. She cited infidelity as the reason for their split. (The exes share two kids together, 7-year-old son Vance and 6-year-old son Westin.)
Desmond, 32, apologized to “Kristy, our family, and everyone who has been impacted by the public attention surrounding this situation” while breaking his silence via Instagram Stories in January.
“Kristy and I faced challenges and made sincere efforts to work through them,” he explained. Desmond acknowledged that he made “choices that I am not proud of” while they tried to work through their separation as a couple. “I took responsibility for those actions,” he added. “I shared this with her directly and personally, and ultimately we decided to divorce.”
Sebastian Bach is breaking his silence after Christina Applegate revealed she ditched Brad Pitt for the rocker at 1989 VMAs.
“[I] was very surprised when that all hit,” Bach, 57, said of Applegate’s confession in an interview with Billboard published on Friday, March 13. “I was a single guy on tour, in a band, and I met a lot of girls and I apologize if I hurt her … If I hurt anybody.”
Bach added that during that time of his life, he was just beginning his journey as a bona fide rockstar.
“When you’re young you get thrown into the whirlwind of rock ‘n’ roll, meeting a lot of people and you better hold on tight,” he continued. “It’s like being on a roller coaster … It was a long time ago. If I hurt anybody, I apologize for it.”
Applegate, 54, and Bach’s connection made headlines following the release of her memoir, You With the Sad Eyes, earlier this month. In the book, the Married With Children actress revealed she was once entangled in a love triangle with Pitt and Bach. While Applegate brought Pitt, who hadn’t made a name for himself in Hollywood at the time, as her date to the VMAs, where she was presenting, she quickly became entranced by Bach, who was there with his band Skid Row.
“I had spent all night staring at Bach, who was then a long-haired hunk fronting the band Skid Row,” she wrote. “I hate to put it like this, but Brad back then was still making his way as an actor, and he wasn’t yet THE Brad Pitt, the man of so many people’s dreams.”
While Applegate came with Pitt, she ended up leaving the show with Bach.
“I felt so powerful and sure of myself for once that when the awards show was over, I left with Sebastian Bach,” she continued. “Brad was left to sullenly drive my mom and [friend] Lori [Allison] home. Apparently, at a gas station on the way, Brad almost got into a fight with a bunch of gang members, and, not surprisingly, was subsequently very mad at me.”
Applegate added that she and Pitt “didn’t talk for many years” after the incident, and she never really got to have a romance with Bach.
“Eventually, we agreed that I’d been a kid,” she wrote of Pitt, noting that “he’d deserved much better” and “it was time to forgive the child who dumped him for the lead singer of Skid Row.”
Madison Pettis shaded her ex-boyfriend, Michael Porter Jr., while discussing their breakup.
Pettis, 27, appeared on an episode of the “In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele” podcast earlier this month. During her chat with Thiele, Pettis shared that she is a big fan of basketball which led him to ask if she would consider dating an NBA player.
“Um, yeah,” she said before explaining her history with Porter Jr. “I mean, my ex is now in the NBA. When we dated, he was in high school and college.”
Pettis also gave some insight into the alleged reason for their split.
“I broke up with him before he was in the league because he was a psychopath,” she claimed. “I do think a lot of athletes are not great partners, but I wouldn’t, like, rule it out because I do love what they do. I would have respect for them and love to talk to them about their passion.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Porter Jr. for comment.
Pettis and Porter Jr., 27, dated from 2016 to 2017. Pettis is best known for getting her start as a child actress on Disney Channel. She most recently appeared in the rom-coms He’s All That and The Wrong Paris.
One year after their split, Porter Jr. was drafted by the Denver Nuggets. The forward won his first championship with the Nuggets in 2023. Two years later, Porter Jr. was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
Porter Jr. has made headlines in recent years for his controversial dating comments. Last year, Porter Jr. shared that he would have the women he dated listen to polarizing podcaster Andrew Tate to see their reaction to his viewpoints. (Tate is best known for promoting masculinity and slamming feminism.)
“So, I’m not saying I’m a misogynist or anything, but I’ll throw on some Andrew Tate and see how they react,” Porter Jr. said during a 2025 episode of the “One Night with Steiny” podcast. “I’ll bring up, like, conversations and play devil’s advocate just to see how this girl, like, thinks about certain things.”
Porter Jr. also shared that he prefers to date women who have not been with another NBA star.
“I feel like if you dated like publicly, like a player, it would be hard just because of … it would be tough dating someone’s old girl and they just always have that over you,” he said on a September 2025 episode of his “Curious Mike” podcast. “It could be like an ego thing or like I don’t know … I’m open to change, I’m not stuck in my ways.”
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Bergeron hosted the reality TV competition from its debut in 2005 to 2019.
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