Making an animated show is hard. Not only do you have to go through the usual rigamarole of pitching an idea to a network and assembling the cast and crew, but animation is a costly, time-consuming process that doesn’t allow much room for reshoots and script alterations, since you literally have to re-draw the scene. Thus, it can be very devastating when a show doesn’t do very well on release or is cancelled early.

Fortunately, the internet has made it a lot easier to watch old shows and give them a second chance. Some of these shows are also helped by their small but dedicated fanbases.

‘The Pirates of Dark Water’ (1991–1992)

Image via ABC

Prince Ren (George Newbern) is the heir to the ruined kingdom of Octopon on the oceanic planet of Mer. He sails the seas with an ecomancer named Tula (Jodi Benson), and a pirate named Ioz (Héctor Elizondo), searching for the Thirteen Treasures of Ruel that can restore Octopon to its former glory, and stop the Dark Water, a mysterious liquid that destroys anything it touches. Unfortunately, Ren has to compete with a wicked pirate named Bloth (Brock Peters), who wants to use the treasures to control the Dark Water, and the Dark Dweller (Frank Welker), who created the water in the first place.

It can be surprising to learn that The Pirates of Dark Water was produced by Hanna-Barbera, since it’s quite different from their expected lineup. Though it only had 21 episodes before being cancelled due to high production costs, the show earned praise for its mature storytelling, complex characters, and unique premise. That high production cost also didn’t go to waste, as the show looks very good for an early 1990s cartoon, with fun character designs and detailed water animation.

‘Megas XLR’ (2004–2005)

Image via Cartoon Network

As humanity fights a losing war against the Glorft, they plan to send pilot Kiva Andru (Wendee Lee) back in time with an experimental robot called Megas to save humanity from extinction. A Glorft attack causes Megas to be sent too far back, and in 2004, it is found and modified by slacker Harold Cooplowski (David DeLuise). When Kiva comes back to retrieve Megas, she is distraught to learn that only Coop can pilot it now, so she has to teach him how to use the mech as the Glorft send their own agents back in time to claim it.

Megas XLR ended due to low ratings, but it received high praise thanks to its concept and unique style of humor. It combines the grand action sequences of mech anime with a tongue-in-cheek style of humor utilizing billboard gags and pot-shots at MTV. Really, all you need to know can be summed up in the theme song, the aptly named “Chicks Dig Giant Robots.”

‘Invader Zim’ (2001–2006)

Image via Nickelodeon

The extraterrestrial Irken Empire has made it its mission to conquer the galaxy, and sends agents to infiltrate planets to make them easier to subdue. The Irken leaders, the Almighty Tallest (Wally Wingert and Kevin McDonald), assign their most hated agent, Zim (Richard Steven Horvitz), to the planet Earth to keep him out of their way, and assign him a malfunctioning robot named GIR (Rosearik Rikki Simons). Zim makes headway thanks to the humans of Earth being easily duped, except for a paranoid boy named Dib (Andy Berman), who makes it his mission to expose and defeat Zim.

Invader Zim is one of the most unique shows to come from Nickelodeon, and far more mature and unhinged than their usual lineup. The show pushed the limits of what is considered acceptable in kids’ media, with plenty of gross-out shots and disturbing concepts for episodes. Yet it’s all balanced out by its aggressive sense of humor that can go from 1 to 100 in a minute.

‘Dave the Barbarian’ (2004–2005)

Image via Disney Channel

When King Throktar (Kevin Michael Richardson) and Queen Glimia (Erica Luttrell) of Udragoth leave to battle evil, their teenage daughter, Princess Candy (Erica Luttrell), is left in charge, and their eldest son, Dave (Danny Cooksey), is tasked with protecting it. They are aided by their sorcerer uncle, Ozlo (Kevin Michael Richardson), their aggressive younger sister, Fang (Tress MacNeille), Dave’s talking sword, Lula (Estelle Harris), and Faffy (Frank Welker), the family’s pet dragon. Unfortunately, the group is a lot less competent than they sound, and Dave in particular would rather run from a fight than throw a single punch.

Dave the Barbarian feels like a more modern take on The Flintstones, combining modernity with antiquity to create some hilarious juxtapositions. A typical episode is filled to the brim with fourth wall breaks, absurdist humor like Dave making a homemade megaphone with a squirrel, string, and a megaphone, and the primary antagonist is an evil pig named The Dark Lord Chuckles the Silly Piggy (Paul Rugg). Though it only lasted one season, the show won an Annie Award for Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production, and was nominated for Writing in an Animated Television Production.

‘Shadow Raiders’ (1998–1999)

Image via YTV

Princess Tekla (Donna Yamamoto) is left the only survivor of Planet Tek after it is consumed by the Beast Planet, and flees to the Cluster, a collection of four habitable planets named Rock, Ice, Fire, and Bone, who constantly raid one another for resources. The Beast Planet follows her and begins invading the Cluster, attacking the planets with armies of drones led by three generals: the aggressive Blokk (Scott McNeil), the deceptive Lamprey (Tasha Simms), and the silent Voyd. Tekla meets a miner from Rock named Graveheart (Paul Dobson) and King Cryos (Mark Oliver) of Ice, and together they work to unite the four planets into an army strong enough to repel the Beast Planet before it kills them all.

Shadow Raiders came from the same creators as ReBoot and Beast Wars: Transformers, and though it didn’t last as long, it made a powerful impression in its short lifespan. The show balanced its action and comedic moments with diplomatic talks that emphasized the difficulty of bringing these planets together, with plenty of strong scenes of characters debating with one another while the threat grows ever closer. The Beast Planet and its forces also make for effective antagonists: the generals provide a face and something tangental for the heroes to face, while the Beast Planet itself is a literal cosmic horror that feels like it cannot be defeated, merely avoided.

‘Freakazoid!’ (1995–1997)

Image via Kids’ WB

A computer accident merges Dexter Douglas (David Kaufman) with the 1990s internet, transforming him into a superhero named Freakazoid (Paul Rugg). The transformation proves to be a double-edged sword, as while Freakazoid has access to cartoon logic and enhanced speed and durability, he also loses his mind and attention span, as seen whenever he gets sidetracked by his good friend Sgt. Mike Cosgrove (Ed Asner). Nevertheless, when villains rear their wicked heads and threaten the innocent, Freakazoid will be there to save the day in his own unique and incomprehensible way.

Freakazoid! is one of several animated shows produced by Steven Spielberg during the 1990s, and remains fondly remembered thanks to its comedic writing and impeccable voice acting. The jokes feel like precursors to internet memes with their nonsensical combination of timing, ad-libbed rants, and cutaway gags, which have helped the show feel evergreen even 30 years later. As for the voice acting, Rugg easily steals the show, but Asner is also hilarious in his deadpanned delivery, and other voice actors included talent like Jeff Bennett, Tim Curry, and Ricardo Montelban.

‘The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack’ (2008–2010)

Image via Cartoon Network

Flapjack (Thurop Van Orman) is a young boy raised by a whale named Bubbie (Roz Ryan) who lives among the wacky inhabitants of the floating city of Stormhold Harbor. One day, Bubbie rescues a washed-up pirate named Captain K’nuckles (Brian Doyle-Murray), who tells Flapjack stories about Candied Island, a mysterious place full of candy. Now Flapjack accompanies K’nuckles on numerous adventures to acquire candy or sail to Candied Island, which often leads them into trouble.

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack is one of the best examples of a show that didn’t do well on release, yet still shaped the look and tone of future projects. Many of the people who worked on the show went to work on some of Cartoon Network’s best shows of the 2010s, such as Adventure Time and Over the Garden Wall. As for the show itself, time has been pretty kind to it, as those who watch it tend to fall in love with Flapjack’s adorable optimism, its surrealist humor that seems to always be trying to one-up itself, and its use of high-seas hijinx to explore its unique world and the numerous islands that make it up.

‘Sym-Bionic Titan’ (2010–2011)

Image via Cartoon Network

When the world of Galaluna falls to General Modula (Don Leslie), only three people escape: Princess Ilana (Tara Strong), a warrior named Lance (Kevin Thoms), and a robot named Octus (Brian Posehn). They flee to Earth and disguise themselves as human teenagers, but Modula’s forces pursue them. Fortunately, they can merge together into a being called the Sym-Bionic Titan to defeat their attackers.

Sym-Bionic Titan is another feather in the cap of famed animator Genndy Tartakovsky, known for hit TV shows like Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Primal. It has all the trademarks of his best work, such as using animation to express emotion more than dialogue, stylistic action sequences, and immersive worldbuilding. The characters also stand out thanks to their simple but effective personalities, especially Octus, who grows the most of the main cast through his relationship with popular girl Kimberly (Kari Wahlgren).

‘The Tick’ (1994–1997)

Image via FOX Kids

A crime-ridden city can sleep easily knowing that they are protected by the Tick (Townsend Coleman), a mysterious blue superhero with a boisterous personality and a love for upholding law and justice. He meets an accountant named Arthur (Micky Dolenz and Rob Paulsen), whom the Tick takes on as a moth-themed sidekick. When not trying to pay rent on their apartment, the duo protects the City from all sorts of eccentric criminals.

The Tick was released during a boom of superhero cartoons, but managed to carve out its own identity thanks to how hilarious it is. The show delights in spoofing classic superhero tropes and archetypes, best seen through The Tick’s over-the-top love of justice and crime fighting, which include longwinded monologs and strange catchphrases like “Spoon!” It’s been followed by two live-action series in 2001 and 2016, but they, too, ended prematurely, leaving The Tick with an unfortunate legacy of hilarious parody and tragic ending.

‘Cybersix’ (1999)

Image via TMS Entertainment

The town of Meridiana is watched over by Cybersix (Cathy Weseluck), a leather-clad gynoid and runaway creation of the twisted scientist Dr. Von Reichter (Terry Klassen). By night, she battles against Von Reichter’s other creations and thwarts the schemes of his son, José (Alex Doduk), with the help of an orphaned kid named Julain (Andrew Francis), and her brother, Data 7 (Scott McNeil), reborn in the body of a panther. By day, Cybersix disguses herself as a male teacher named Adrian, and maintains a friendship with her love interest, a biology teacher named Lucas (Michael Dobson).

It is criminal that Cybersix was ignored on release. While some of the darkest aspects of the original comic strip had to be toned down, the show still went to some dark places as it explored the difficulties of Cybersix’s dual life and the dangers of science gone too far. It’s also gorgeously animated by the legendary TMS Entertainment, leading to fluid action sequences and striking cinematic moments, especially when Cybersix’s cape blows in the wind.

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1999 – 1999-00-00

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  Terry Klassen

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The third and final season of “Euphoria” generated intense debate among fans, with much of the conversation centered around Cassie Howard’s shocking OnlyFans storyline and Sydney Sweeney‘s increasingly explicit scenes. Now, creator Sam Levinson is responding to the criticism, explaining why he felt it was important to explore the intersection of online validation, influencer culture, and the growing popularity of platforms like OnlyFans.

After months of criticism from viewers and online commentators, Levinson is standing by the creative decisions that shaped Cassie’s final season arc.

Appearing on “Real Time With Bill Maher,” the “Euphoria” creator explained that he viewed OnlyFans as a major cultural force worth exploring rather than a niche topic. “If you look at OnlyFans, it is making as much money as Hollywood. I mean, essentially, it’s on par,” Levinson said. “It’s not a niche business; it is a massive enterprise.”

Levinson said the storyline was designed to examine how young people may be drawn to online platforms that offer both financial rewards and validation. “And so if you’re young, you’re going … ‘I don’t want to go work in a nine to five at this place or that thing. Well, maybe I can just start taking photos of myself?’” he explained.

Rather than glorifying that path, Levinson said he wanted to explore the emotional consequences that can come from building self-worth around attention from strangers online.

According to Levinson, Cassie’s journey wasn’t just about online sex work. It was also about the influence social media and internet culture have on young people’s sense of identity.

“What happens when you know, as a young person, you’re on Instagram … and you’re told that you’re the product, you’re the brand, and now you’re 18 years old, and you’re going, well, ‘How do I make money?’” he said.

The filmmaker added that he was interested in examining the long-term effects of chasing attention and quick success online. “You know, we take a fairly critical look at it. It hollows out the individual,” he said. “You know, you’re constantly just depending on the likes and external validation.”

Levinson argued that Cassie’s storyline represented what he sees as the “natural evolution” of a culture that encourages people to constantly market themselves online.

Sydney Sweeney Backed The Character’s Evolution

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Sweeney also defended Cassie’s controversial trajectory, saying the character’s actions stem from a deep need for acceptance. “She has a need to be validated by other people,” Sweeney explained. “She doesn’t know how to love herself unless someone else loves her.”

The actress added that Levinson had discussed the broad outlines of Cassie’s season 3 story with her years before filming began, including her marriage to Nate (played by Jacob Elordi) and the increasingly chaotic direction her life would take.

Sam Levinson Previously Praised Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Fearless’ Performance

Levinson’s latest comments aren’t the first time he’s spoken out about the controversial storyline. As The Blast previously reported, the filmmaker revealed that he initially considered filming Cassie’s OnlyFans scenes without nudity, but said Sweeney quickly pushed back on the idea.

“When I first wrote it … I thought, ‘Well, maybe, we shoot all of this, and we don’t have any nudity,’” Levinson recalled. “I was talking to her about, maybe, there’s ways to shoot around certain [things], and she looked at me, and she’s like, ‘Are you kidding? I’m playing an OnlyFans model.’”

Levinson went on to explain that he regularly collaborates with actors when developing scenes and character arcs, but said Sweeney fully embraced the creative challenges that came with Cassie’s final chapter.

Sam Levinson Calls Sydney Sweeney ‘Fearless’ Amid Backlash

The “Euphoria” creator described the actress as “fearless” and praised her willingness to take risks in service of the role.

“I think she’s a totally fearless actor. She’s also just wonderfully professional, and shows up just game every day,” he said. “I adore working with her, because there’s such a flexibility in terms of the performance.”

His remarks echoed Sweeney’s own defense of Cassie’s storyline, with both star and creator maintaining that the character’s actions were rooted in her ongoing search for love, validation, and self-worth.

Jimmy Kimmel is stepping away from late-night television for the next two months, but his replacement is already turning heads. During Thursday night’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the host announced that a rotating lineup of guest hosts will take over while he enjoys a temporary sabbatical. Among the names revealed was longtime comedian and outspoken Donald Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell, whose selection immediately raised eyebrows given her decades-long feud with the president.

While Jimmy Kimmel is stepping away from late-night television for a brief break, viewers won’t have to wait long for a familiar face to take over.

During Thursday night’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the comedian revealed he will be taking a two-month sabbatical and has lined up a roster of celebrity guest hosts to fill in during his absence. “I will be taking the next two months off, this time voluntarily,” Kimmel joked, before unveiling several stars who will helm the show while he’s away.

Among the names announced were Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, Jelly Roll, and Rosie O’Donnell. “And… I asked one of our commander-in-chief’s all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming,” Kimmel quipped, drawing a loud reaction from the audience.

O’Donnell’s Booking Comes After Years Of Public Feuding With Trump

O’Donnell’s upcoming guest-hosting stint is particularly notable given her long-running public feud with President Donald Trump. The comedian made headlines in 2025 after relocating to Ireland with her youngest child following Trump’s election victory. Tensions between the two escalated further in July when Trump publicly suggested he was considering revoking O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship.

“Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. “She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA.”

O’Donnell quickly fired back on social media. “The president of the USA has always hated the fact that I see him for who he is, a criminal con man, sexual-abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself; this is why I moved to Ireland,” she wrote.

Rosie O’Donnell Recently Returned To The U.S.

Despite relocating overseas, O’Donnell has continued making occasional trips back to the United States. Earlier this year, she revealed that she quietly returned home for a visit with family after spending more than a year abroad.

“I recently went home for two weeks and I did not really tell anyone. I just went to see my family,” O’Donnell said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Cuomo Mornings.” “I wanted to see how hard it would be for me to get in and out of the country. I wanted to feel what it felt like. I wanted to hold my children again. And I hadn’t been home in over a year.”

Her appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” marks one of her most high-profile returns to American television since relocating to Ireland.

Jimmy Kimmel And Donald Trump’s Feud Has Escalated For Years

While Rosie O’Donnell’s ongoing battle with President Donald Trump is well documented, Kimmel has also become one of the president’s most outspoken critics in late-night television.

Over the years, Kimmel has regularly used his monologues to mock Trump, frequently taking aim at the president’s policies, public statements, legal troubles, and campaign appearances. The comedian’s sharp criticism has often prompted responses from Trump himself, who has repeatedly attacked Kimmel on social media and labeled him a “loser” and a “third-rate talent.”

Their feud intensified in recent years as Kimmel became increasingly vocal about political issues, with the host often arguing that comedians have a responsibility to speak out when they see something they believe is wrong.

Most recently, Kimmel referenced the brief controversy surrounding his show after comments he made regarding conservative commentator Charlie Kirk sparked backlash and temporarily put him at odds with ABC.

During his announcement about taking time off, Kimmel joked that his upcoming hiatus was voluntary, a lighthearted nod to that controversy.

Taylor Swift needs to “shake it off” and enjoy the moment!

The singer’s pal, Este Haim, recently weighed in on her upcoming union with Travis Kelce and the wedding advice she hoped her longtime friend would keep in mind.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are set to tie the knot on July 3, per reports, with sources claiming the soon-to-be bride is feeling the pressure.

While attending the exclusive premiere of Netflix’s “Voicemails for Isabelle” movie, Haim was asked if she had any advice for people looking to get married soon, like her close pal. As someone who recently tied the knot to tech entrepreneur Jonathan Levin, she had plenty to say.

According to Haim, Swift needed to live in the moment, forget about making things perfect, and just let loose. “Have as much fun as possible. Just enjoy it,” the fellow singer advised, recalling how she had been “so overwhelmed” during her wedding to Levin.

Haim clarified to PEOPLE that she enjoyed her wedding; however, she had one regret she didn’t want other brides experiencing. “I wish that I had also just stopped for a second and took it in. I didn’t get to do that,” she continued, adding:

“Just take it in for a second, and just have the best time. Have so much fun. All those people might not be in the same room ever again.”

The Grammy Award-Winning Singer Is Allegedly Under ‘Pressure’

Haim’s advice for Swift to have fun follows reports of the singer feeling the heat amid her wedding preparations. The Blast covered the story, reporting that a source claimed she was concerned about curating the guest list to her wishes without turning it into “a big showbiz circus.”

“She’s trying not to get bogged down by the guest list and all the details,” the source continued, “but it’s difficult with so much global attention and the pressure for everything to be perfect.” Another worry on the entertainer’s mind was the event’s security.

Given her global stardom, her fiancé’s prominence in the sports scene, and the A-list guests set to grace her wedding, Swift required heavy-duty protection for her big day. Guests were allegedly signing NDAs to keep the wedding preparations a secret, with seasoned professionals in charge of most plans.

The Soon-To-Be Newlyweds May Be Having An ‘Eras-Tour Level’ Wedding

The speculations about Swift’s union with Kelce continued, with sources recently claiming the wedding could be on a world tour level. The Blast shared that insiders claimed the songwriting had enlisted the services of Los Angeles-based celebrity wedding planner Mark Seed for her big day.

One insider praised Seed as a man capable of building “something spectacular out of nothing,” further fueling the rumors of Madison Square Garden being the couple’s wedding venue. If they do choose to tie the knot at the New York City hot spot, experts shed light on what their ceremony could look like.

Darren Olarsch, founder of On The Move Entertainment, a production company based in NoMad, believed the venue’s transformation would likely be “an Eras-tour level production.” He noted it would cost a pretty penny as “what might be a $300,000 wedding somewhere else, inside the Garden would be $3 million.”

The Entertainer’s Wedding May Include Themes From Her Music

New York-based celebrity wedding planner Lauren Zizza also weighed in on Swift and Kelce’s wedding, believing the singer’s music would play a key role in the decorations. Zizza referenced the entertainer’s “romantic, storybook aesthetic,” noting these themes could come alive during the wedding.

“Some design elements would likely include an enchanted garden, soft candlelight, draped ceilings, and fabric with vintage touches,” Zizza theorized. On the other hand, one wedding planner agreed with Olarsch’s theory of the couple transforming Madison Square Garden.

The wedding planner speculated that there could be four distinct spaces on that day: a venue for the wedding ceremony, another venue for the cocktail hour, a space for the dinner dance, and finally another space for the afterparty.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Bonded With Friends Ahead Of Their Big Day

Haim may not need to worry about Swift not fully enjoying her moment, as she and Kelce appear to be in a pre-wedding festivities mood. The Blast reported that the pair were recently spotted bonding with their respective group of friends on Wednesday, June 18.

Swift and her entourage of female buddies were seen hanging out at her Rhode Island mansion. An eyewitness confirmed there was a hub of activity on the property that night, recalling seeing heavy-duty security on the property, including armed guards.

On the other hand, Kelce enjoyed a boys-only night with his older brother, Jason, his longtime pal Ross Travis, and comedian Druski. The group was seen entering the exclusive Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles and leaving around 12:30 AM.

What will Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce remain silent about their wedding plans until the big day?

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 25 seconds ago

Back in 1998, the coolest Star Wars video game quietly dropped on PC. Star Wars: Behind the Magic was less a game and more an interactive encyclopedia, one filled with all kinds of weird secrets about the franchise. It was from this weird little CD-ROM that I first learned about the Rule of Two, something that would become a big deal in the Prequel Trilogy. It was also the first time I learned more details on Darth Vader being a Sith, something that was weirdly absent from most of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Of course, the coolest thing about Behind the Magic was the inclusion of deleted scenes from A New Hope.

If we’re being honest, most of the deleted scenes from that first Star Wars movie are pretty bad, and it’s easy to see why they were cut from the film. However, one deleted scene that most fans have never seen (it most certainly wasn’t on that old CD-ROM!) was an extended version of the Death Star conference scene. It’s actually surprisingly great, with world-building and politics that feel right out of Andor. The scene also paints General Tagge as one of the most intense officers in the entire Empire. Most fascinatingly, though, this scene has Tagge call Darth Vader a “Sith,” a word we wouldn’t hear onscreen for another 22 years! 

Tagge, You’re It

The extended version of this scene from A New Hope only has one angle, and it’s fixed on Tagge the entire time. While that’s a little weird, it also lets us appreciate how much passion the late, great Don Henderson is putting into his performance. Tagge puts forth some rather justified paranoia, saying that Vader has “gone too far” and that this Emperor-sent errand boy will be their “undoing.” He goes on to describe how dangerous the Rebel Alliance is and how the Death Star is more of a vanity project for Tarkin than a useful military asset. The rest of the scene plays out as it did in the original movie. 

Beyond Henderson’s awesome performance, this extended scene is compelling because it provides some Andor-style Imperial worldbuilding. We find out that Motti isn’t the only one who distrusts Vader. We also find out that Vader was sent by the Emperor; the original film makes it seem like he is mostly Tarkin’s attack dog. Speaking of Tarkin, it’s awesome that Tagge calls out the Death Star as being part of “Tarkin’s bid for recognition” rather than “prudent military strategy.” Just like that, we have a fascinating glimpse into Imperial politics, including a high-ranked official saying that his boss is putting his ego ahead of the needs of the Empire. 

When The Sith Hits The Fan

Of course, the main reason this extended scene excites Star Wars fans is that it represents the first time the word “Sith” is spoken onscreen. “Onscreen” is the keyword here: the novelization of A New Hope called Darth Vader a “Dark Lord of the Sith,” and he had the same title in some early Star Wars marketing. He was also referred to by this title or, more simply, by “Evil Sith Lord” on some of the Kenner toys. Despite Dark Horse Comics giving more details about ancient Sith in comics like Tales of the Jedi, we didn’t really get much information before the prequels about Vader’s Sith specifics.

This is likely because George Lucas was hesitant to let Star Wars Expanded Universe writers muck about with certain aspects of his mythology. That’s why the EU was filled with so many Dark Jedi bad guys, like Joruus C’baoth. Lucas didn’t have a problem with people writing about corrupted Jedi, but he had his own plans for how he’d portray the Sith. Those plans played out in the Prequel Trilogy, where the word “Sith” was first officially spoken onscreen in The Phantom Menace. In those prequels, details about the Sith were a well-kept secret, mostly known to Jedi and Sith practitioners such as Palpatine.

Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

Had this extended scene from A New Hope made it to the final film, fans would have spent decades begging to know more about the Sith. Plus, they’d probably want to know how an Imperial commander knows all about one of the most secretive cults in a galaxy far, far away. However, Lucas cut this dialogue out, leaving the Sith to be a secret that he mostly explored onscreen in the prequels and, later, the Clone Wars TV show. Now, it’s left to fans like us to spread the word of a deleted scene that nearly changed everything.

Don’t know how to introduce it to your buddies? I recommend starting out by asking if they’ve heard the tragedy of General Tagge, the wise. Tell them it’s not a story that George Lucas would tell them, and then roll that beautiful bean footage! 

There are plenty of spy thrillers being made today, but there’s really only one that far surpasses the rest. Apple TV’s Slow Horses has already produced five seasons of heart-pumping, thrilling action and shows no signs of slowing down. While the series has finally confirmed the release of its sixth season on September 16, Slow Horses will be switching up its format in one notable way when it returns.

Every Season of ‘Slow Horses’ Has Followed the Same Format So Far

Slow Horses‘ approach to adaptation has been pretty straightforward so far, with each season based on one book in Mick Herron‘s fantastic spy series. While the first novel, also titled Slow Horses, was originally published back in 2010, Apple TV didn’t bring it to the small screen until 2022. The series follows a team of MI5 rejects who find themselves banished to Slough House, led by the irascible, slovenly Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). Well past his own glory years as a spy, Lamb isn’t interested in mentoring these agents or helping them return to a more respected position at MI5. The story officially begins when aspiring agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) is relegated to Slough House after a disastrous training exercise.

As the action surrounding Slough House and its inhabitants plays out, each season of Slow Horses has followed the plot of Herron’s book series, with storylines covering everything from the reemergence of Cold War spies to murderous mercenaries. This has been a winning formula for the spy drama, allowing it to earn devoted fans, critical acclaim, and 14 Emmy nominations (including two wins). But Slow Horses has never been one to rest on its laurels, and it’s been officially confirmed that Season 6 will be switching things up.

‘Slow Horses’ Season 6 Will Adapt Two of Mick Herron’s Novels

Every season of Slow Horses has somehow managed to pack all of the action from one of Herron’s novels into just six episodes, but Season 6 is going to push the envelope even further by adapting two of Herron’s books: Joe Country (2019) and Slough House (2021). Joe Country hints that Diana Taverner’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) position as First Desk isn’t as easy as she expected after she previously vied for the position, while Lamb locates the man responsible for killing one of his agents and tasks the Slow Horses with carrying out revenge. As if that wasn’t enough action, Season 6 will also tackle Taverner leading a scheme that will endanger all of the Slow Horses and put even more of a target on their backs.

Combining two novels into one season might seem like a tall order, but it makes sense to pack in even more plot development now that Slow Horses is well into its run and viewers don’t need as much exposition. This switch-up in adaptation format isn’t the only change happening to Slow Horses in Season 6. Last July, it was announced that creator and longtime showrunner Will Smith would be departing the series after Season 5, with the series being led by Gaby Chiappe for Season 6 and Ben Vanstone for Season 7. New showrunners can be a potential hazard when a show doesn’t have a strong foundation, but hopefully, some new blood will allow a seasoned series like Slow Horses to flourish. Adapting more than one of Herron’s books seems like a surefire way for Slow Horses to embrace even more character development and thrilling plotlines, but this format change should only make fans more hyped for Season 6’s release.

Seasons 1–5 of Slow Horses are available to stream on Apple TV in the U.S. Season 6 will premiere on Wednesday, September 16.

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Slow Horses

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Release Date

April 1, 2022

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Apple TV+

Showrunner

Douglas Urbanski

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Directors

Adam Randall, James Hawes, Jeremy Lovering, Saul Metzstein

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, has found herself at the center of discourse after a recent sighting.

The rarely-seen 17-year-old was spotted running errands in Studio City in what has been described as a “beat-up” Toyota Sedan, leaving many online scratching their heads due to her wealthy background.

Vivienne’s outing comes days after her twin, Knox Jolie-Pitt, dropped his father’s name from his high school diploma amid the actor’s estrangement from his children.

Photos of the camera-shy teenager during her rare outing were first shared by Thought Catalog.

According to the media outlet, Vivienne ran errands around town on June 18, dropping off mail and loading up on supplies at arts and crafts retailer Michaels before hopping back into her modest sedan.

Photos from the relatively normal outing were shared online, which drew attention to the 17-year-old’s “seriously beat-up” car, causing many to question the state of things back home, especially amid her parents, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s drawn-out legal drama.

Vivienne also raised eyebrows for her look, as she embraced a relaxed, streetwear style. She donned a black graphic t-shirt with baggy, wide-leg patchwork trousers for the trip and had her hair in an effortless, naturally tousled style.

See all the photos here.

The 17-Year-Old Has Sparked Debate Online Over Her Vehicle Despite Being A ‘Nepo Baby’

On social media, the images of Vivienne in her sedan have left many commenting and sharing opinions on the state of her car, with several even branding her the infamous “nepo baby” title.

“Rich people cosplaying as the poor is a centuries-long tradition,” one X user said, while another noted, “I love how they spend a lot of money just to look like they do not have any and how much underprivileged they are.”

A third person commented, “Great performance. I have to drive an old diesel Toyota, but she’s just cosplaying poverty. Real rich people still drive cheap Toyota, but they are still well taken care of.”

Other comments even took aim at the roadworthiness of Vivienne’s car, with one individual stating, “Front brake pads are worn asf, look at all that dust from the rotors on the wheels.”

It is worth noting, though, that heavy brake dust is a completely normal byproduct of everyday driving and not a sign of neglected car maintenance.

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Received Support Amid Claims She Was ‘Cosplaying Poverty’

Amid the criticisms, several came to the teenager’s defense, with many praising her mom, Jolie, for raising her kids to be humble and hardworking.

“People are so interesting… They hate spoiled celebrity children and also hate when they aren’t lol,” one X user said, adding, “Angelina raised her kids amazingly from what I hear and see about them. A 17yr old doesn’t need a brand new car regardless of who their parents are.”

Another person commented, “If Vivienne was driving a very expensive car. People would still find a way to complain… y’all need to go outside.”

“She’s an artist. A Porsche would f-ck up her aura. U guys don’t get it,” one individual joked, while another noted, “Toyotas are reliable cars, so this isn’t really shade.”

Angelina Jolie Opened Up About Her Children ‘Encouraging’ Her To Travel The World

Vivienne’s outing came after her mother, Jolie, revealed how she and her twin, Knox, have positively impacted her life.

The Oscar-winning actress made the comments about the teenagers while promoting her new film, “Couture.”

“I think my fighting spirit is finally back,” Jolie said, per Variety, seemingly hinting at her personal struggles after her divorce from Brad Pitt. “I lost it for a bit. I got kind of taken down a little bit, and it’s coming back in large part thanks to my children, who are now older, and encouraging it.”

She continued, “My kids are almost all 18, so now they want to see me traveling the world; they want me to get out and do things. They know me more than anybody, and they still like me, which says a lot. I think they’re very encouraging of me, kind of getting back to aspects of myself that maybe I hadn’t felt as free to do.”

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt And Most Of Her Siblings Have Ditched Brad Pitt’s Last Name In Some Capacity

Unlike Jolie, her ex-husband, Pitt, grows more estranged from their kids as the day goes by.

The actor’s relationship with his children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne, has remained strained since his high-profile divorce from Jolie.

According to reports, Pitt is entirely out of touch with his four adult kids and rarely sees teenagers Vivienne and Knox, despite having court-mandated visits.

Adding to the estrangement, the children have all shed their father’s last name in various ways. Shiloh, 20, became the first to take legal action when she turned 18, setting a precedent that her older siblings, Maddox, 24, and Zahara, 21, have only recently followed in court.

As for Pax, 22, he reportedly goes by his mother’s last name professionally, while Vivienne was notably credited as “Vivienne Jolie” in the playbill for the Broadway musical adaptation of “The Outsiders.”

Knox, who for a long time seemed distant from the name drama, recently joined his siblings when it was confirmed that he omitted “Pitt” from his high school diploma.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 18 seconds ago

So far, this has been a summer filled with some real box office surprises. For one thing, The Mandalorian and Grogu seriously underperformed, despite being the first Star Wars film in six years. Meanwhile, the horror films Obsession and Backrooms made a killing, each of them coming from young filmmakers working with very low budgets. For me, the biggest surprise was also the most disappointing one: Masters of the Universe, despite receiving critical acclaim, struggled to find an audience. Now, there’s not a snowball’s chance in Snake Mountain that it will so much as break even, much less make any actual profit.

Normally, that would mean no follow-up films, which is too bad. The stingers for this movie introduced other fan-favorite He-Man characters like Orko and, most enticingly, She-Ra. However, we may yet see the most powerful man in the universe on the big screen again. That’s because this film was made by Amazon MGM Studios, and their primary goal isn’t theatrical sales; it’s Prime Video subscriptions. Based on a recent statement from domestic distribution guru Kevin Wilson, Masters of the Universe did well enough to warrant a sequel, which, like the first film, will keep people watching Prime Video.

A Box Office Disappointment

Right now, the numbers for Masters of the Universe look pretty bleak. It cost $170 million to make and, as of this writing, has only earned $92.1 million. That means this new He-Man movie isn’t going to make anywhere close to its production budget. Throw in factors like the high cost of marketing, and it’s clear that this movie isn’t going to bring in any real profit. For movie studios that rely entirely on theatrical sales, that would be the end of the story: if a movie bombs, they’re not going to shell out another $170 million just to roll those dice again.

However, Amazon MGM has a different goal. Basically, they want to make as much money as they can in theaters before bringing their original productions to Prime Video, where they serve as the most enticing streaming carrot of them all: exclusive content. How does this translate to Masters of the Universe getting a sequel? According to the studio’s domestic distribution chief Kevin Wilson, the film’s debut “represents a very solid start” that garnered a “passionate, multigenerational audience response…around the world.” He declared, “this opening is exactly the kind of critical first moment that validates our holistic distribution strategy – building awareness and engagement that will carry well beyond the theatrical window.”

He-Man Still Has The Power

What does that mean, exactly? Basically, Amazon MGM does not evaluate its movies on a pass/fail system where box office revenue is everything. They have a “holistic distribution strategy” that involves making as much as possible at the theater and then making the movie a staple of Prime Video. While Masters of the Universe may not have generated any real profit, it did generate tons of good buzz and positive word-of-mouth that will help it make a killing on streaming. This happened with Red One, a box office flop that went on to get 50 million views in its first week, making it the best debut in Prime Video history.

Amazon is hoping that Masters of the Universe will be a similar success story, one that helps it corner the streaming market with a hit sci-fi/fantasy movie. Should that happen, the studio is likely to greenlight a sequel. Considering that the sequel will introduce She-Ra and that Amazon is actively working on a She-Ra television series, it’s a safe bet the show will be a spinoff of the sequel. All of this modern marketing mojo can make your head spin like Triklops, but it adds up to some good news: despite poor box office, Masters of the Universe may still “have the power” to get a sequel!

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 19 seconds ago

Right now, Doctor Who fans are really going through it. It seemed like we were in for a real franchise revival when Russel T. Davies came back as showrunner, and the BBC partnered with Disney. The guy who brought Doctor Who back after 16 years was returning and teaming up with one of the biggest companies in the world. What could possibly go wrong? Well, everything. The episodes were weak, Disney canceled the partnership, and new Doctor Nucti Gatwa left the show. Our only hope was the upcoming Christmas Special, and Davies later confirmed the show was canceled, we weren’t getting a special, and he had never written anything for it. 

That annoyed fans for two reasons. First, the most recent season left us with a ton of unresolved questions; now that the show is canceled, we may never get answers to any of them. Second, Davies previously claimed to have written a script for the Christmas Special, so he was either lying then or he’s lying now. Incredibly, there’s now more fuel for this dramatic fire: there has been a leak allegedly outlining the details of the canceled special. This leak has further divided a fandom that is split between believing that it isn’t real and lamenting that we’ll never see this story onscreen.

The (Final) Day Of The Doctor

The second season of Doctor Who on Disney+ left us with quite a few unresolved plot threads. For example, we had no idea why the Doctor’s granddaughter (someone from literally the very beginning of the franchise) was back and what her story was. We had no idea who the shadowy “boss” character was, even though villains like the Meep had been alluding to this person since 2023. Most importantly, we had no idea why Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor had regenerated to a very familiar face: Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler, the popular Companion who first teamed up with Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor back in 2005.

The plot of this leaked Christmas Special would clear up many of those details. The plot involved the Doctor investigating a frozen human colony that orbits a dying star. Residents start seeing visions of dead loved ones; the colony’s leader doesn’t believe it’s a big problem. However, he interacted with Rose Tyler way back when, so the Doctor’s new face had been chosen to help deal with this specific crisis. The Big Bad turns out to be the star itself, hoping to suck energy out of the Doctor. It had taken on the appearance of Susan, his granddaughter, to try to lure him there.

In Doctor Who fashion, we find out the star isn’t truly evil; it really did want to provide life for the colony, but it had to resort to absorbing energy in order to do so. The Doctor figures out how to give the star all of the energy it needs so that it and the colony will continue to thrive. The star is grateful, revealing that it created the mysterious time hotel and allowing the Doctor to say goodbye to the real Susan. The Doctor speculates that Joy Almondo interfered with the regeneration to help save a fellow star. We get a happy ending, jettisoning past trauma and preparing for new adventures.

A Divided Fandom

The Doctor Who fandom is a bit divided over this leaked Christmas Special outline. The main point of contention is whether it is real or not. This leak originally came from a Discord server dedicated to Doctor Who leaks, and they were right on the money with some of the leaks regarding Russel T. Davies’ latest seasons. It also has some of the quirks that Russel T. Davies is known for, including a line about needing CGI to animate “small cute creatures of some kind” (the man loves weird critters so much he once turned the Doctor into one). The outline also neatly wraps up several different hanging threads.

That’s actually the primary reason that skeptical fans don’t think this is real. Much of the outline reads like a wishlist of things the fandom has been waiting years for the franchise to answer. That could just be a sign that Davies knew he was on the way out and wanted to courteously avoid leaving too many hanging threads for a future showrunner to deal with. But it could also be glorified fanfiction from a fan trying to pass his own theories off as a kind of lost episode. Both theories are valid, though given his recent Instagram post, it doesn’t seem like courtesy is Davies’ highest priority right now!

The Wilderness Years Are Back

Whether the leak is real or not, one thing is for sure: there will be no Doctor Who Christmas Special this year. We won’t see one for many years, as the BBC has put the show out to tender. That means they are looking for someone else willing to produce this overly expensive sci-fi series. That would be difficult under any circumstances, and it’s especially difficult because so few people watched the latest seasons on either Disney+ or the BBC.

For better or for worse, Doctor Who has now entered its second set of “wilderness years.” Things could ultimately work out for the best; last time the show came back from the wilderness, it became a phenomenon that dominated pop culture for two decades. Of course, the first wilderness period lasted for a whopping 16 years. Should the latest wilderness period last that long or even longer, all of us may be a bit more like the main character once Doctor Who returns. That is, we’ll be wearing dramatically different faces and feeling our age like never before!