Jill Duggar broke her silence days after brother Joseph Duggar was arrested on child molestation charges.

“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” a Thursday, March 19, post shared on Jill’s family blog read. “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020.”

Jill, 34, wrote that she and husband Derick Dillard are “shocked and heartbroken” over the allegations.

“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” the message continued. “Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”

Jill and Derick, 37, also shared a message of support to Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar.

“We cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything,” they added, concluding the post with several bible verses.

Jill is the first Duggar to speak out after news broke on Wednesday, March 18, that Joseph was arrested by the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020 during a family vacation to Panama City Beach.

“The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,” the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida confirmed in a statement on Wednesday. “As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”

Advertisement

Related: Joseph Duggar Arrested on Child Molestation Charges: What We Know So Far

Former TLC star Joseph Duggar was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020. Wednesday’s arrest marks the second child sex abuse case to hit the famous family following Joseph’s older brother Josh Duggar‘s child pornography conviction. Josh was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison in December […]

Joseph has been charged with one count of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and a second count of lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.

Joseph is the second member of the Duggar family to face sex abuse charges. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s eldest son, Josh Duggar, was sentenced to 151 months in jail after a child pornography conviction in 2021.

Josh was previously investigated in 2006 for molesting five underage girls. It was later confirmed that his sisters, including Jill, who has since spoken out, were some of his victims.

Jill and her husband, Derick, began to distance themselves from the Duggar family in 2020.

The rock music of the 1970s is among the most popular in the genre. After all, the decade included the heydays of folk and psychedelic rock, along with the birth of punk. Icons such as Bob Dylan and Van Morrison released some of their most emotional work, while The Stooges and The Sex Pistols rose to fame for their iconoclasm and dynamism. Even among the most hardcore ’80s and ’90s rock fans, you would be hard-pressed to find a music aficionado who doesn’t appreciate the impact of the 1970s on the genre as a whole.

Given how packed this decade was with enduring hits, is it possible to choose just ten favorites? No matter the metrics with which one regards the era, there will always be a never-ending list of albums less than an inch away from making the “top ten” cut. Still, we’ve endeavored to narrow down a list of the most revolutionary and influential albums of the decade. Read on for the final contenders.

10

‘A Night at the Opera’ (1975) – Queen

Rock band Queen pushed the envelope of what rock and roll could sound like, releasing songs that fused rock with folk, opera, dixieland, and even English folk songs and sea shanties. No album exemplified this better than A Night at the Opera, whose myriad influences and experimental sound made it the most expensive album ever recorded at the time of its release. Any rock fan will testify, however, that the production was worth every penny.

A Night at the Opera contains a number of Queen’s most popular songs, including the sweet “You’re My Best Friend” as well as the bluesy, borderline noise rock diss track “Death on Two Legs.” The album’s most famous song, however, is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which remains one of the best known and most frequently covered songs in classic rock. This ambitious track alone demonstrates why A Night at the Opera cost as much as it did, and why Queen retains its legendary status.

9

‘Let It Be’ (1970) – The Beatles

You’d be hard-pressed to find a fan of The Beatles who doesn’t look upon Let It Be with equal parts fondness and melancholy. Paul McCartney conceived of the album as a way to bring the band back together during a period of artistic and personal tension. However, the work was the band’s final album together, officially released a month after the band announced its breakup.

Over the course of their decade-long career, The Beatles constantly changed their sound, experimenting with mod, pop, progressive, and, finally, psychedelic rock. Let It Be exemplifies the latter, with era-defining hits such as “Across the Universe” and, of course, “Let It Be.” It also poses the painful question of how much further the band could have taken its newfound sound if it had stayed together for just one more album.

8

‘Horses’ (1975) – Patti Smith

Today, Patti Smith is one of the biggest names in both literature and punk rock, inspiring scores of artists who followed her. However, in 1975, she was a starving artist enmeshed in the New York City art and punk rock scenes. Inspired to make music after seeing Jim Morrison of The Doors perform live, she crafted the highly original, poetic album Horses.

Although Horses is well-known today and received critical praise upon its release, it was not initially popular among listeners. However, it cemented Smith’s place in punk rock history, marrying spoken word poetry with garage rock on songs such as “Gloria: In Excelsis Duo” while engaging in vocal experimentation on “Redondo Beach.” Smith would later find mainstream success with the 1978 single “Because the Night,” which she penned with Bruce Springsteen, but Horses remains a hallmark of her musical career.

7

‘Born to Run’ (1975) – Bruce Springsteen

During a decade when rock musicians were fantasizing about rolling plains or describing gritty streets, New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen chose instead to focus on the suburbs and highways of his blue-collar youth. With poetic lyrics rooted in nostalgia and pain, he became a voice for punks and average joes alike. On his third album, Born to Run, he found widespread success for this style, particularly on songs such as “Backstreets” and the album’s titular single, “Born to Run.”

“Born to Run” was Springsteen’s breakout album, attracting critical praise while drawing countless new fans. Listeners especially appreciated Springsteen’s big band approach to rock and roll, in which he included a brass section in his instrumental backing. It remains one of the artist’s most popular albums.

6

‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ (1973) – Pink Floyd

It’s impossible to talk about 1970s rock without talking about Pink Floyd. Furthermore, it’s impossible to talk about Pink Floyd without mentioning The Dark Side of the Moon. The 1973 album was made as a concept album, meant to be listened to from beginning to end, that dealt with the band’s mental health issues and the pressures of fame.

Wildly successful both upon its release and today, The Dark Side of the Moon was ahead of its time. Its use of synthesizer and multitrack recording was especially groundbreaking, creating auditory effects that pushed the boundaries of progressive rock. It remains one of the best-known and best-selling albums of all time, as well as a hallmark of psychedelic rock.

5

‘Déjà Vu’ – Crosby Stills Nash and Young

The folk rock movement that emerged from the 1960s yielded a number of acoustic masters, from the pacifist Joan Baez to the soulful Joni Mitchell. At the same time, the subgenre also inspired passionate protest music from the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Both groups embodied the rebelliousness of the hippie movement, with the latter finding a unique balance between flower child idealism and antiwar rage on their 1970 album Déjà Vu.

David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash were an unstoppable force among the folk movement, and Déjà Vu marks their first album with Neil Young. The album also features the songwriting prowess of Joni Mitchell, who wrote the track “Woodstock,” making the album a showcase for some of the best minds in the genre. The track list also shows off the group’s range, swinging from the gentle, hymn-like “Teach Your Children” to the dynamic, rebellious “Almost Cut My Hair.”

4

‘Abraxas’ – Santana

Santana, fronted by famed guitarist Carlos Santana, first found fame during a legendary Woodstock set. The band followed up its notoriety with a self-titled 1969 album in 1969 that melded searing electric guitar solos with Latin-inspired rhythms and drumbeats. Indeed, Santana’s music was a balm for the often-ignored Latin diaspora in the United States—something that the band leaned into on their second record, Abraxas.

Of course, Abraxas heavily features the electric guitar stylings that made its namesake famous. “Samba Pa Ti,” for instance, is a instrumental love song that requires no lyrics to communicate its soulfulness. But Abraxas also toys with other musical styles, reinterpreting Tito Puente’s iconic cha-cha “Oye Cómo Va” and delving into jazz rhythms on “Incident at Neshabur.” Consistently ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time, Abraxas opened up new possibilities across jazz, Latin, and rock music alike.

3

‘Rumours’ (1977) – Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album Rumours is so widely beloved that it’s a matter of course that it would make it onto a best-of-the-decade list. The album boasts some of the band’s most beloved hits, from the Stevie Nicks-fronted “Dreams” to Lindsey Buckingham’s searing “Go Your Own Way.” Even more than 40 years after the album’s initial release, these songs remain adored and lovingly memorized by fans new and old.

What’s more, the story of Rumours’ inception is about as famous as the album itself. Nicks and Buckingham derived much of their material from their on-again, off-again relationship, which was on the rocks at the time of recording. Furthermore, Nicks embarked on an affair with drummer Mick Fleetwood during the Rumours tour. Meanwhile, Christine McVie and John McVie’s marriage was in tatters. It’s no wonder Rumours still teems with such passion and tension.

2

‘American Beauty’ (1970) – Grateful Dead

The hippie movement hit its peak in the late 1960s, but the Grateful Dead embodied the subculture’s ethos into the 1970s. The band’s 1970 album, ‘American Beauty,’ epitomizes this, with its smooth melding of country, folk, and psychedelic rock. The oeuvre also includes some of the best, most memorable songwriting from Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, whose burst of inspiration yielded two albums in the same year (the first being Vintage Dead, which was released earlier in 1970).

Upon its release, American Beauty spent nineteen weeks on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, and it continued to climb in popularity throughout the decades, eventually reaching double Platinum status in 2001. With songs such as “Friend of the Devil” and “Ripple,” the album embodies the band’s nomadic, peaceful, yet quietly wild (several lyrics reference drinking and hard drugs) lifestyle. Furthermore, the tracks’ sprawling compositions lend themselves to the improvisational “jam band” style that the Dead engaged in live.

1

‘Led Zeppelin IV’ (1971) – Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin’s fourth, untitled studio album—commonly referred to as Led Zeppelin IV—was released in 1971 to immediate success. Although the band was already well-known for its hard rock, blues-infused sound, it was on this album that it began leaning into its now-iconic symbolism, much of which is derived from Norse and Celtic mythology. More importantly, it was on this album that the group truly displayed its musical range.

Today, Led Zeppelin is best known for its blues rock sound, but Led Zeppelin IV proves that the band was capable of much more. Tracks such as “The Battle of Evermore,” for instance, delve into folk rock and medievalism, while “Going to California” is a soft acoustic ballad. These tracks are, of course, offset by heavier, more classic Zeppelin fare such as “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” and the legendary “Stairway to Heaven.”

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 34 seconds ago

Neve Campbell is best known for the Scream franchise, in which she plays perpetual final girl Syndney Prescott-Evans. Although that character has been an extreme success for her, it was hardly her breakout role, as she was already well-known from the popular drama Party of Five and fellow teen movie The Craft. She backed off from her career in 2011 after making Scream 4, only appearing in a few TV movies and show episodes rather than major projects, until she returned to television full time in House of Cards in 2016. Her return to the big screen wasn’t a Scream movie, either: it was Skyscraper, a 2018 action disaster film starring Dwayne Johnson.

Obvious Influences, But Keeps Its Own Identity

If you take all the best parts of Towering Inferno, Die Hard, and The Mummy Returns, and mix them all together, what results is this action vehicle that was really meant for The Rock, but gave Campbell some action-hero cred as well. They play married couple Will and Sarah Sawyer, who met when Will lost his leg in a hostage encounter and Sarah was the military medic who treated him. 10 years later, they are married with two children and a successful security consulting business that has been hired to review a tech-loaded Hong Kong residential skyscraper called The Pearl. Will, Sarah, and their two children head off to fulfill the contract and live in the building in the meantime.

When terrorists try to obtain control of the building’s tech systems to obtain sensitive data about an organized crime syndicate, Will goes to hell and back to rescue them. That includes scaling a burning building, fighting off terrorists, and dodging police who’ve mistaken him for the instigator of the attack. Can Will survive and rescue his family? Will the terrorists get what they came for? Where there ever be enough duct tape in the world?

Action Grounded By Its Characters

The reason I threw The Mummy Returns in with two movies that obviously reference large buildings threatened by fire and criminals is that this movie really is a family film. Campbell and Johnson work well together as a couple in Skyscraper, and are obviously good parents to their kids. When the going gets tough, Sarah is as capable as her husband, if not as strong, and exactly the kind of woman he would believably marry. She’s not a super-woman. The terrorists she manages to subdue with a nice judo throw, she has to disable first. She’s not beating up big guys, but rather using her wits and their own strength against them. Johnson is all fatherly devotion, bringing to mind the classic adventure couple of Rick and Evie O’Connell.

But the movie is more about Will and his struggles to get to his family. The Rock’s performance is complicated by his character’s disability, which the production never lets us forget about by hobbling the actor so he has to hop around on one leg when the character isn’t wearing his artificial one. He is vulnerable, but in a way that doesn’t diminish him as a man. He isn’t submissive or cowardly, especially when it comes to his family. The Rock dissolves into the role, and sometimes you forget you’re watching the famous pro wrestler and not his character.

If there is any problem with this movie, its that Will is sometimes superhuman, doing things that nobody could do, even with two whole legs. Some of his stunts are unbelievable and obviously CGI, but if you roll your eyes and get past these scenes, the action and chemistry between the characters delivers. Navigating through the burning, collapsing building, the danger is mostly from the setting itself rather than the bad guys, giving both Johnson and Campbell a lot of room for heroics that don’t involve violence. The movie leaves the violence to the terrorists.

Campbell’s return to the big screen met with middling ratings, but the movie showcases her versatility and growth as an actress going from young adult sensation to action-mom. It’s a great popcorn flick the whole family can enjoy together without too much to hide the kids’ eyes from. A few people do get shot or blown up, but the carnage is mostly contained and not gory.

Best of all, Skyscraper is currently free on Tubi. Check it out on your next movie night!

The fallout surrounding “The Bachelorette” continues to intensify, and now, a familiar face from Bachelor Nation is weighing in. Former contestant Jillian Anderson is speaking out after ABC made the shocking decision to pull the upcoming season following the release of a resurfaced video involving Taylor Frankie Paul, raising serious questions about the show’s casting process.

Jillian Anderson Calls Out ABC Vetting After ‘Bachelorette’ Scandal

As controversy swirls, Anderson didn’t hold back when sharing her thoughts on how the situation may have slipped through the cracks.

“As a former Bachelor contestant, I can tell you that ABC thoroughly vets every part of your personal history,” she wrote on X. “Given that [Taylor Frankie] Paul already had a public profile, it’s hard to believe they didn’t know exactly who she was going into this season.”

‘The Bachelorette’ Pulled After Shocking Video Of Taylor Frankie Paul Surfaces

The drama escalated on Thursday, March 19, when TMZ published a 2023 video that allegedly shows Paul throwing chairs at her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The clip quickly went viral, prompting ABC to take swift action. “The Bachelorette,” which had been slated to premiere Sunday, March 22, was abruptly pulled from its schedule.

In response to the situation, Disney Entertainment Television released a statement confirming the network’s decision to halt the season.

Advertisement

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Taylor Frankie Paul Breaks Silence

As scrutiny grows, Paul’s team has shared her side of the story through a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” her team said. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”

“There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives,” the team continued. “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”

Investigation And Past Allegations Add Context

The controversy comes amid an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, according to the Draper City Police Department, which confirmed that “allegations have been made in both directions,” and that “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb.] 24 and 25.”

The decision to pull “The Bachelorette” also follows reports that “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” paused production on its fifth season due to “some pretty serious stuff happening regarding [Paul’s] past.”

Advertisement

Paul was previously arrested in 2023 on suspicion of domestic violence after an argument with Mortensen, during which she faced misdemeanor charges, including assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Rep Blasts Ex For ‘Attention-Seeking’ Video Release

Following the release of the video, her spokesperson strongly criticized the timing and context of the footage. “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” the statement read.

“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior,” they added. “Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is, and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show and from their own experiences.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or by visiting thehotline.org. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7 for anyone in need.

Advertisement

Hulu is expanding The Handmaid’s Tale universe with The Testaments spinoff — but will Elisabeth Moss reprise her role as June?

Moss, 43, was asked about the possibility of returning to Gilead during the Thursday, March 19, episode of The View, to which she replied, “I couldn’t tell you if I was! It’s been really cool. [Producing the show] means I didn’t have to say goodbye to the world, which I was very happy about.”

The actress also praised Chase Infiniti, who plays her onscreen daughter.

“Obviously, getting to be part of anything Chase is part of is so exciting and such an honor. It’s cool,” Moss said while calling The Testaments a show “for people who love the show and love Handmaid’s, but it’s also for people who’ve never seen Handmaid’s. No offense taken, it’s just a little bit different.”

Related: Chase Infiniti Says ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Spinoff Has a ‘Beautiful Darkness’

Hulu Hulu’s highly anticipated The Handmaid’s Tale spinoff The Testaments is in the works — but what is there to know about the show so far? Margaret Atwood’s dystopian universe was initially brought to life with The Handmaid’s Tale, which is based on the novel of the same name about a future where low fertility […]

Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale took place in a dystopian future where low fertility rates led women to be assigned to men for bearing children. The series aired from 2017 to 2025.

The Testaments, which premieres April 8, is set three to four years later. Ann Dowd‘s Aunt Lydia serves as the narrator as viewers are thrust back into the dystopian future. Agnes and Daisy pose as “Pearl Girls” to infiltrate Canada in an attempt to smuggle incriminating information about Gilead’s regime, while Aunt Lydia acts as a covert source within Gilead.

In addition to Infiniti, 25, and Dowd, The Testaments stars Eva Foote, Rowan Blanchard, Kira Guloien, Amy Seimetz and Brad Alexander. Birva Pandya, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Mattea Conforti, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Mabel Li and Isolde Ardies make up the rest of the cast.

Creator Bruce Miller previously opened up about how closely the series would follow Atwood’s book The Testaments, hinting that “it’s not going to track precisely” to the novel.

“Margaret writes these absolutely deliciously specific characters,” he told TVLine in 2022. “We had to go away from that in Handmaid’s, and we’re going to have to go away from that in Testaments. Testaments is certainly going to be a sequel to the show.”

More recently, Infiniti, 25, revealed she didn’t meet Moss until she was nearly done filming The Testaments.

“I actually didn’t get to meet Elisabeth Moss really until the end [of filming],” Infiniti told People in January.

Infiniti recalled Moss’ advice to her, adding, “But she kind of immediately after I met her, wrapped me into a big hug and was kind of like, ‘You got this. You got this. OK? You got it.’”

The Testaments premieres on Hulu April 8.

Even top stars appreciate low-maintenance, high-performing beauty routines — just look at Lisa Vanderpump. The Vanderpump Villa, Vanderpump Rules and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star revealed her go-to tool for effortlessly blow-dried curls: Shark’s FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System, which is currently $100 off on Amazon ahead of the Big Spring Sale.

While chatting with Bethany Blair on IPSY’s “Hitting Pan” beauty podcast, Vanderpump shared that the Shark tool is a “lifechanger” for its efficiency and versatility — including adaptable plugs when she travels to England and France.

“Anybody that says they’ve tried it, and they’re not into it? They haven’t tried it properly,” she said. “Because all that holding your hair and trying to blow dry it is impossible. With that thing, you just do it.”

Get the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System for $300 (originally $400) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

In fact, the star even revealed it takes less than 20 minutes to dry her hair with Shark’s FlexStyle system. “You can just dry your hair in 15 minutes,” Vanderpump said. “Things that make my life easier, I’m all about that.”

Still, the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System is far more than just a hair dryer. In addition to drying, the tool features styling attachments for curling, smoothing, and volumizing all hair textures. Plus, the system reduces the amount of heat on your hair, avoiding damaging effects like dryness and breakage.

Related: Kate Middleton’s Hairstylist Praises the Dyson Airwrap Styling System (On Sale!)

Anyone who does Kate Middleton‘s hair has some serious prestige. Enter stylist Richard Ward, who literally can’t move any higher on the expertise ladder. When it comes to frizz-free blowouts, Ward recommends the bestselling Dyson styling system, usually a splurge, but on sale for $170 off right now. The Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler is the ultimate do-it-all tool, […]

It’s not just Vanderpump that’s a fan of Shark’s hairstyling system. The tool has found fans in over 7,000 shoppers on Amazon for its high quality and time-saving features.

“The curling tool is phenomenal,” one customer shared. “It leaves the prettiest, smooth soft curls. I love that the cool setting button is easily accessible. When I set my curls with the cool touch, they last so much longer.”

“What really sets it apart is the targeted and purposeful drying,” she said. “Unlike a traditional blow dryer that creates a full-on wind tunnel, this one allows you to focus on specific sections of your hair without blasting everything else. With regular blow dryers, I always struggled to control my hair — it would fly everywhere and dry with frizz and unwanted waves. The FlexStyle dries powerfully yet calmly, and my hair stays mostly in place instead of whipping around.”

It’s clear that the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System is a top choice for stars and beauty fans alike for a multitude of reasons. With its range of styling attachments, quick-drying time, and safe temperature settings, the tool has become an effective, versatile must-have. Pick up your own for effortless hair you’ll love all year long!

Get the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System for $300 (originally $400) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Bethenny Frankel Said This Viral Mask Made Her Hair Feel ‘Brand New‘

Bethenny Frankel is always testing the latest beauty finds, but every once in a while, a product actually makes her stop and rave. Recently, she revealed that one particular hair treatment left her strands feeling “brand new”: the viral K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, a cult-favorite formula that’s gained a massive following for its […]

Advertisement

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 37 seconds ago

Recently, Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans received devastating news: Hulu killed the upcoming reboot of the popular supernatural series. The fandom reaction to this news has generally been very grim, and many are sharpening their stakes and wondering who to blame. Buffy legend Sarah Michelle Gellar helped aim their ire at one unnamed executive, someone who never cared for the original show and allegedly took great delight in killing the reboot.

However, news of the cancellation made me let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. The blunt truth is that we’ve gotten tons of awful television revivals in recent years, including The X-Files, Charmed, and Star Trek: Picard. Buffy’s own reboot getting canceled means our memories of a nearly perfect television show will remain unstained by what looked to be an awful revival. Plus, the cancellation means fans won’t have to face a very sobering truth: a reboot would be nothing without the involvement of canceled Buffy creator Joss Whedon.

Another One Bites The Dust

A year ago, the future seemed uncharacteristically sunny for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hulu had ordered a pilot for a revival with the name Buffy: New Sunnydale, and it had some serious talent behind it. The script came courtesy of Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, who are best known for writing episodes of Poker Face, one of the greatest female-led series in modern television. The pilot was directed by Best Picture Oscar winner Chloé Zhao. Most importantly, original Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar was returning to reprise her iconic role.

While Hulu ordered some changes to the pilot, everyone involved was generally confident that the show would proceed, resulting in an order for a full season. At the eleventh hour, the streamer canceled the show, and Gellar later blamed an unnamed executive for this decision. The executive seems to be Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich, a man who oversees the Hulu Originals division. Right now, Buffy fans want to drive a stake into his heart. But I can’t help but feel that Erwich just helped all of us dodge a bullet (or maybe it was a crossbow bolt).

Not Getting The Gang Back Together

The first reason I think a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot was doomed to failure is that Sarah Michelle Gellar was the only member of the original cast to return for the pilot. That might have changed if the show had gotten ordered to series, but right now, she was the only connection to the original show. The connection also wasn’t very strong: reportedly, one of the changes Hulu requested for the pilot is giving Sarah Michelle Gellar a beefier role.

As great as Gellar is, the original Buffy succeeded because it was an ensemble show, and any genuine attempt to revive the original series would need to revive most (ideally, all) of the ensemble. Otherwise, you’re just watching a single popular actor going through the motions in a completely different television show. Weirdly enough, I think the best analog for how bad a Buffy reboot would be is the short-lived Frasier revival at Paramount. It brought back Kelsey Grammar, but he was surrounded by new characters, a new setting, a new job, etc. The network learned the hard way that fans want the whole ensemble back, not just the title character.

Personally, I wouldn’t want a Buffy reboot that is comprised almost entirely of new characters. It’s really the worst of both worlds. There would be a bunch of new people that old fans don’t really care about because they want to see more of Xander, Willow, and Giles. Meanwhile, the reboot would dangle Sarah Michelle Gellar in front of us without giving her much in the way of purpose or even screentime.

Hulu Was Right: The Buffy Reboot Was Really, Really Bad

According to the leaked script reviewed by Variety, the Buffy reboot pilot originally only had Sarah Michelle Gellar get a one-line cameo at the very end. After rewrites, she got more screentime, but her role will definitely upset the fandom. You see, Buffy now works for a major insurance company, and she has to return to Sunnydale because of a sudden high number of claims. On one hand, this new job proves that the Slayer was able to move on and finally live a normal life. On the other hand, it’s kind of depressing imagining the woman who repeatedly saved the world ending up as just another cubicle drone.

Most of the pilot focused on the new character Nova, a recently called Slayer who has to fight vampires with the help of her own Scooby Gang. She lives in Sunnydale, and modern residents know about the city’s shady supernatural history. But that knowledge won’t protect anyone because all the vampires Buffy seemingly defeated in the series finale have been reawakened, and they have all come back hungry.

Personally, I think this pilot sounds like a very lame retread of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer concept. Specifically, it sounds like a retread of Season 7, which teased that Dawn would be getting her own Scoobies before dropping that plotline like a hot potato. Speaking of Season 7, this pilot picks up decades later, but it does so in the worst possible way. There seems to be no solid explanation for why the vampires are back, nor is there any explanation for where all the other Slayers are since Buffy awakened them. In this way, the reboot makes all of Buffy’s actions and sacrifices in her own series finale completely meaningless!

Lost Without Joss

We’ve established most of the reasons why the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot would have sucked: a major lack of Buffy, a complete absence of other cast members, and a plot that ruins the earlier show’s lore. However, the reboot was also doomed for a reason that most fans aren’t really ready to admit. Namely, the new show was being made without controversial Buffy creator Joss Whedon. Without his unique voice, the reboot was doomed from the very beginning.

Whedon isn’t involved with the reboot because he got canceled, seemingly for very good reasons. Ray Fisher claimed that Whedon was verbally abusive on the Justice League set, and costar Gal Gadot alleges that Whedon threatened her career so she would comply with his demands. Buffy and Angel star Charisma Carpenter also claimed Whedon was abusive, saying that her pregnancy made her fat and callously asking if she planned on keeping the baby. Her statements were supported by other Buffy actors who agreed that Whedon created a hostile work environment, including David Boreanaz, Amber Benson, James Marsters, and Eliza Dushku.

Hovering over all of this was the bombshell revelation from Joss Whedon’s ex-wife (Kai Cole) that, despite Whedon being such an avowed feminist, he had cheated on her with multiple women, including fans and Hollywood colleagues. He even had at least one affair with an unnamed actor on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Cole’s letter came out amid the #MeToo movement, which went a long way towards canceling Whedon. His cancellation was complete once Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot made their allegations, and even though no charges were ever formally filed, his career had a stake driven right into its heart.

All of this is to say that Joss Whedon was exposed as a hypocrite, and even though it took decades, it was rewarding to see him face justice for his alleged actions. However, nobody can deny that Whedon’s quirky humor and particular style of writing were the secret sauce that transformed Buffy the Vampire Slayer into such a cultural phenomenon. The reboot ultimately found itself in a terrible position: if they brought Whedon back, Hulu would be accused of condoning his alleged abuse. But by refusing to bring him on board, the streamer ended up with a script that fell so far short of the original show they killed the reboot altogether.

Here Lies Buffy Summers

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is dead, and that’s a good thing. Instead of getting another crappy reboot, this franchise will remain an artifact of the late ‘90s and early aughts. We can enjoy streaming old episodes, dusting off our DVDs (remember those cool menu animations?), or even reading the surprisingly great comic books. In this way, Buffy will live as long as fans have nostalgia for its powerful pop culture impact.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and others are hoping to shop this reboot pilot around to other networks or streamers, but I’m hoping this thing stays dusted. Everything we know about the reboot makes it look like it would have been a sloppy, shoddy parody of everything fans loved about the original show. Plus, if there’s anything we’ve learned about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it’s that nothing good happens when something comes back from the dead!

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has sparked fresh speculation surrounding Meghan Markle after quietly making a move that did not go unnoticed.

The streaming boss recently unfollowed the Duchess of Sussex and her lifestyle brand on Instagram, raising questions about the current state of their relationship as behind-the-scenes tensions and conflicting narratives continue to surface.

Ted Sarandos Quietly Unfollows Meghan Markle And Her Brand

The latest buzz began when it emerged that Ted Sarandos had quietly unfollowed Meghan Markle and her lifestyle venture, As Ever, on Instagram.

The decision reportedly happened around the same time Netflix distanced itself from the brand, fueling curiosity about whether the two events were connected.

Sarandos had previously been among the high-profile figures who followed Meghan when she returned to social media in early 2025. He also followed her business account, which initially launched as American Riviera Orchard before rebranding as As Ever.

However, both Meghan and the brand have now disappeared from his following list. Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is also said to have done the same, adding to speculation that something may have shifted internally.

Interestingly, Sarandos’ wife, Nicole Avant, still follows Meghan on Instagram, though she no longer follows the brand.

A Netflix source told the Daily Mail, “Nicole and Meghan are still friends.”

Meghan’s Netflix Relationship Faces Scrutiny

While the unfollowing alone raised eyebrows, it comes amid growing chatter about a possible cooling of relations between Netflix and the Sussexes.

In the past, Sarandos had openly praised Meghan, even referring to her as “the rock star” during a public appearance last year.

That admiration appeared tied to the success of the couple’s 2022 documentary, “Harry & Meghan,” which reportedly drove massive interest, with even small details featured in the show quickly selling out.

However, according to a Daily Mail report, the atmosphere behind the scenes may have shifted significantly.

The outlet reported that Meghan and her brand seemed to have been removed with “Stalinist thoroughness” by Netflix leadership, suggesting a deeper disconnect.

Sources also indicated that Sarandos and Bajaria had made private remarks about the couple that were “not complimentary,” though specifics were not disclosed.

Meghan Markle Brand Exit Raises Questions

Complicating matters further is the fate of Meghan’s lifestyle brand. Netflix had invested in the venture, but it ultimately failed to gain the traction expected, leading to its official end on March 6.

One insider summed up the disappointment, stating, “There was just all this jam. We had thought that there would be more to it.”

Meanwhile, those close to Meghan reportedly felt that Netflix had taken an overly cautious approach to the brand’s rollout, limiting its potential growth.

The disconnect between expectations and execution appears to have played a role in the decision to part ways, though neither side has publicly framed it as a fallout.

Conflicting Claims About Meghan And Netflix Tensions

As speculation intensified, reports surfaced claiming Sarandos had grown frustrated with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

One widely circulated claim suggested he would not engage in a call with Meghan “unless a lawyer was present on the line.”

Netflix quickly pushed back, calling the report “absolutely inaccurate.” Meghan and Harry’s attorney, Michael J. Kump, also strongly denied the claim, describing it as “blatantly false.”

According to Kump, Meghan remains in regular contact with Sarandos, noting that she has “been to his home, sans lawyers,” and continues to communicate with him directly.

At the same time, other insider accounts painted a more strained picture. One source told Variety, “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done’,” suggesting frustration within Netflix’s ranks.

There were also claims that Meghan had been difficult to work with at times, including allegations that she would leave Zoom calls mid-meeting or speak over Prince Harry.

Her legal team dismissed those claims, insisting she stepped away only to care for her children.

Meghan Markle’s Future With Netflix Remains Unclear

Despite the swirling rumors, Netflix executives have maintained that the partnership with Meghan and Harry is still intact.

At the “Next on Netflix” event on March 18, Bela Bajaria addressed the speculation directly, emphasizing that not everything reported should be taken at face value.

As The Blast reported, she reiterated that the relationship between the streaming giant and the Sussexes remains positive.

Bajaria also pointed to ongoing discussions around future projects, including potential film developments involving the couple. Reflecting on the nature of such partnerships, she added, “Deals come and go all the time. There are deals that are deals we don’t renew.”

Her comments suggest that while some collaborations may end, it does not necessarily signal a complete breakdown in relations.

Still, the timing of Sarandos’ social media move, combined with the recent developments surrounding Meghan’s brand and the mixed messaging from insiders, continues to fuel speculation.

For now, the situation remains layered, with public statements insisting everything is fine while subtle signals hint at a more complicated reality behind the scenes.