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Prince Harry Faced A Five-Word Ultimatum From The Late Queen

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Mr Thomas Kingston

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly faced intense pressure from Queen Elizabeth II before stepping back from royal duties, leaving little room for compromise.

A new book reveals Harry was forced to choose complete withdrawal from the royal family after his hopes for a “half-in, half-out” arrangement were dashed.

Meanwhile, tensions with Montecito neighbors have grown over the years, with some locals questioning Prince Harry and Meghan’s engagement in the community.

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Prince Harry Faced A Five-Word Ultimatum From Queen Elizabeth Before Leaving The Royal Family: ‘Either All In Or All Out’

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Mr Thomas Kingston
MEGA

Harry reportedly struggled with the decision to step back from royal duties, feeling pressured by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who left him little room to negotiate.

According to royal historian Hugo Vickers in his new book “Queen Elizabeth II,” Harry had hoped for a “half-in, half-out” arrangement that would allow him to remain partially involved with the royal family while supporting himself financially.

When he returned to the U.K. in early 2020 to discuss options, Harry was met with a firm ultimatum: it was either full participation or complete withdrawal.

With no middle ground offered, he chose to step back and return to Canada. Three months later, he and Meghan officially announced their exit as working royals, eventually relocating full-time to California and leaving behind Frogmore Cottage, a residence gifted by the queen.

“He wanted a half-in, half-out arrangement, whereby he would be self-financing but could still work for the Royal Family,” Vickers stated in his book, per Page Six. “In the new year of 2020, the three private secretaries, Sir Edward Young, Sir Clive Alderton, and Simon Case, went into summit mode on the Sandringham Estate and drafted their proposal.”

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“Prince Harry went to Sandringham for the meeting and was told it was either all in or all out. He returned to Canada — reluctantly out,” Vickers added.

The Sussexes Final Trip To London Before The Queen’s Passing

Meghan markle and Prince Harry with The Queen at the Royal Family watch the RAF100 flypast
James Whatling / MEGA

Harry and Meghan made a trip to London in June 2022 to bring their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to see their great-grandmother, fulfilling her wish for all great-grandchildren to spend meaningful time with her at Balmoral.

According to the author, Robert Hardman, the queen was “thrilled” to see the young Sussexes during their visit for her Platinum Jubilee.

“The Queen would finally get to meet Lilibet and was thrilled, say friends, as the 1-year-old crawled around her feet,” Hardman states in his book, “Elizabeth II,” per People Magazine.

The duke also wrote about this special moment in his memoir, “Spare,” recalling how happy the queen was to see his and Meghan’s kids.

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“I also couldn’t stop picturing [the children] with Granny. The final visit. Archie making deep, chivalrous bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch’s shins,” Harry recalled. “Sweetest children, Granny said, sounding bemused. She’d expected them to be a bit more…American, I think? Meaning, in her mind, more rambunctious.

Despite this visit, the Sussexes remain largely estranged from certain family members, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, with their last public appearance at Windsor marking the queen’s funeral in September 2022.

Author Calls Stress On Queen Elizabeth II ‘Unforgivable’ After Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Oprah Interview

Trooping the Colour in The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Year, at Buckingham Palace, London, UK, on the 2nd June 2022. 02 Jun 2022 Pictured: Queen, Queen Elizabeth.
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Vickers described the stress Harry and Meghan placed on the queen during her final years as “unforgivable.”

Following their move to California, the couple gave a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they aired grievances about the royal family, viewed by nearly 50 million people globally.

According to Vickers, following the interview, the queen refused to take Harry’s calls without another person present, often asking her lady-in-waiting to remain nearby. “I think the queen was obviously feeling rather cautious whenever he got in touch,” Vickers said.

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In his book, Vickers also noted the queen once remarked that Harry, previously a “very useful” working royal, had become “a kind of childminder,” reflecting his focus on raising his children at the family’s Montecito estate.

“You cannot be Captain General of the Royal Marines… and lie barefoot under a tree in California,” he added.

The Sussexes Are Reportedly Treading Carefully In Hollywood To Avoid Royal Fallout

Royal Family
MEGA

Despite their previous criticisms of the royal family, Harry and Meghan are reportedly careful to avoid conflict while pursuing their Hollywood projects.

“Meghan and Harry are cautious about everything they do and say in order to uphold the standards of the monarchy,” a source told US Weekly.

“They do the best they can not to upset the royals. Everyone who goes into business with them knows there are confines, but it hurts the creativity of the project,” the source continued. “They are adamant about having creative control and final edit, and what they can’t say limits things.”

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However, public relations expert David E. Johnson noted that the couple’s repeated critiques of the royal family have left the public uncertain about their loyalty, suggesting they now need to distance themselves from that association.

Montecito Neighbors Reportedly Growing Wary Of Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Wheelchair Tennis at the Invictus Games
James Whatling / MEGA

Meanwhile, Page Six reported that Harry and Meghan’s neighbors in Montecito, California, have grown wary of the couple.

According to sources, the tension with neighbors has been building over several years. “It’s not hate. It’s just a growing awareness that they’re takers with zero self-awareness. Everyone’s exhausted by them,” one source said.

Yet, a source close to the Sussexes insisted the couple maintains “a great relationship with their neighbors and love their community.”

In December 2024, neighbor Richard Mineards criticized Meghan in the German documentary “Harry: The Lost Prince,” saying she was not “an asset” to the area. “I personally don’t think that Meghan is an asset to our community … She doesn’t really go out or get involved with the community,” he said.

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“Harry has to a certain extent, because he’s quite jolly … but Meghan doesn’t seem to get seen anywhere … And you don’t see him either.”

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7 Prime Video Shows Where Every Episode Is a Masterpiece

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge smiling in a red dress outdoors in Fleabag.

Nothing beats a little downtime with Prime Video. Whether it’s a heart-pounding drama, a crime-fighting action, or an upbeat comedy, the platform’s shows know how to avoid sticking to familiar tropes.

Even when the stories feel recognizable, they keep viewers hooked by subverting expectations and reshaping well-worn plotlines into something sharper and more engaging. Without further ado, here are the Prime Video shows where every episode stands out.

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‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

Phoebe Waller-Bridge smiling in a red dress outdoors in Fleabag.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge smiling in a red dress outdoors in Fleabag.
Image via Prime Video

Over the years, audiences have seen multiple versions of the frazzled English woman trope. One woman who fully embraces that label is the titular character of Fleabag. For lack of a better word, Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) is a walking disaster: she runs a failing guinea pig café, clashes constantly with her uptight sister Claire (Sian Clifford), and gets deep into complicated relationships drenched with dishonesty and guilt. Each episode feels like a time bomb waiting for another one of her inevitable screw-ups.

And yet, as insufferable and self-sabotaging as she can be, the series leaves just enough room for change. Fleabag often breaks the fourth wall, turning to the audience as if performing, when in reality she is deflecting from grief and accountability — particularly over her best friend’s death. Her encounters, including her relationship with the “Hot Priest” (Andrew Scott), force her to confront that facade. Each episode presents her missteps, but also marks small, uneven steps toward maturity.

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‘The Boys’ (2019–Present)

Homelander holds his hand up to quiet a crowd, looking behind him in irritation.
Homelander holds his hand up to quiet a crowd, looking behind him in irritation.
Image via Prime Video

The Boys pushes the limits of the age-old conundrum: “What’s the worst that could happen?” — and answers it with, essentially, everything. Set in a world where superheroes are corporate assets managed by Vought International, each episode makes it clear that nobody is truly safe. Characters like Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) are constantly pushed to their breaking points, often forced into impossible choices that compromise their own beliefs.

And then there’s the moral ambiguity running through it all. Switching alliances is the norm, and the show rarely hesitates to drop brutal twists without warning. Homelander (Antony Starr) embodies that unpredictability: he may handpick someone to join the Seven, only to kill them moments later if they fall out of line. Power in The Boys is unstable, loyalty is conditional, and survival depends less on heroism than on knowing when to bend, or break, the rules.

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‘Jury Duty’ (2023–Present)

Ronald Gladden sitting with other potential jurors in a waiting room in Jury Duty
Ronald Gladden sitting with other potential jurors in a waiting room in Jury Duty
Image via Freevee

With a premise built on fabricated scenarios unfolding in real time, Jury Duty is surprisingly far from a typical prank show. An unsuspecting participant, Ronald Gladden, is placed inside what he believes is a real trial, while everyone around him — from fellow jurors to the judge — is an actor, including James Marsden playing an exaggerated version of himself. In Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, the concept expands by leaving the courtroom, following a temp worker at a chaotic outdoor retreat, where the open setting raises the stakes and leaves more room for things to go off-script.

Audiences aren’t prepared for what’s going to happen next in each episode. And yet, despite its prank-based setup, Jury Duty has no interest in humiliating its subject. Instead, it relies on the participant’s genuine reactions, showing how they navigate confusion, pressure, and social dynamics amongst a kooky group of individuals. The show deliberately casts individuals with empathy and patience, allowing their choices to reveal an underlying kindness. Rather than exposing flaws, it ends up becoming a show about human decency.

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‘Invincible’ (2012–Present)

Invincible is the ultimate feel-good superhero show — until it’s not. In the beginning, viewers are introduced to the suburban-ish life of Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), who grows up wanting to be his dad, the formidable superhero Omni-Man (J. K. Simmons). Living between high school and superhero training, Mark struggles to balance normal teenage life with the pressure of inheriting his father’s legacy as Earth’s strongest protector.

Throughout the series, viewers watch Mark come into full bloom with his powers, from awkward first flights to brutal, high-stakes battles. Childish, Kick Ass-like naivety aside, he does have what it takes to fight alongside heroes like the Guardians of the Globe. But even the biggest superheroes have their own secrets. Once Omni-Man’s true mission is unraveled, the series shifts sharply — forcing Mark to confront betrayal, mass destruction, and the reality of Viltrumite power. Invincible becomes a brutally honest coming-of-age story about a young hero navigating loyalty, violence, and an identity crisis, marked by some of the most devastating fight sequences in modern animation.





















































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Collider Exclusive · Star Wars Quiz
Which Force User
Are You?

Light Side · Dark Side · Or Somewhere Between

The Force is not a binary. It is a spectrum — from the serene halls of the Jedi Temple to the shadowed corridors of Sith space. Ten questions will reveal where you truly fall. The Force has always known. Now you will too.

🔵Jedi Master

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🟡Padawan

🔴Sith Lord

Inquisitor

Grey Jedi

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01

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What is the Force to you?
Your relationship with the Force defines everything else.




02

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When you feel strong emotions — anger, grief, love — what do you do?
The Jedi suppress. The Sith feed. Others choose differently.




03

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The Jedi Council gives you an order you disagree with. You:
How you handle authority reveals your alignment.




04

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You are offered forbidden knowledge that could give you enormous power. The cost is crossing a moral line. You:
The dark side’s pull is never more than a choice away.




05

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Your approach to training and learning is:
A student’s habits become a master’s character.




06

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In a duel, your lightsaber fighting style reflects:
Combat is the purest expression of a Force user’s philosophy.




07

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A defeated enemy lies at your feet, powerless. You:
Mercy — or its absence — is the truest test of alignment.




08

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The Jedi Code forbids attachment. Your honest view on love and bonds:
The source of the greatest falls in the galaxy.




09

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Why do you use the Force at all? What’s the point?
Purpose is the difference between a knight and a weapon.




10

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At the final moment — light side or dark side pulling at you — what wins?
In the end, every Force user faces this moment. What does yours look like?




Your Alignment Has Been Determined
Your Place in the Force
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The scores below reveal how the Force sees you. Your highest number is your true alignment. Read on to understand what that means — and what it will cost you.

🔵
Jedi Master

🟡
Padawan

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🔴
Sith Lord


Inquisitor


Grey Jedi

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Disciplined, compassionate, and deeply attuned to the living Force, you have walked the path long enough to understand its demands — and accept them. You lead not through authority alone, but through example. You have felt the pull of the dark side and chosen otherwise, every time. That is not certainty. That is courage.

You are earnest, powerful, and brimming with potential — and you know it, which is both your greatest asset and your most dangerous flaw. You act before you think, trust your gut over your training, and sometimes confuse impatience for bravery. The Masters see something in you, though. The question isn’t whether you have what it takes — it’s whether you’ll be patient enough to find out.

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You are not simply dangerous — you are certain, and that is worse. You have decided what the galaxy needs, and you have decided you are the one to deliver it. Your power is genuine and formidable, earned through sacrifice that would have broken lesser beings. But examine your victories carefully. Every Sith believed their cause was righteous. The dark side’s cruelest trick is that it agrees with you.

You were forged in fire and reshaped by those who found you at your lowest. You serve, because service gave you structure when you had none. Your allegiance is not to an ideology — it is to survival and to the master who gave you purpose. But there is something buried beneath the conditioning. The Jedi you hunt? You recognize them. Because you remember what it felt like before the choice was taken from you.

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You have looked at the Jedi Code and the Sith Code and found both of them incomplete. You walk the line not out of indecision but out of conviction — you genuinely believe both extremes miss something essential. The Jedi don’t fully trust you. The Sith think you’re wasting your potential. They’re both partially right. But so are you.

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‘Reacher’ (2022–Present)

Jack Reacher crouches by a gravestone in a suit, scanning the area during a tense scene at a funeral in Reacher
Jack Reacher crouches by a gravestone in a suit, scanning the area during a tense scene at a funeral in Reacher
Image via Prime Video

Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) is the ultimate all-American hero, and every episode of Reacher leans into that idea. In a world shaped by crime, corruption, and uncertainty, the series presents a figure who moves from town to town, uncovering conspiracies and confronting those in power. A former military police investigator, Reacher combines sharp deductive skills with brute strength, making it clear from the start that he’s not someone to be underestimated — though the twists along the way prove he’s not invincible either.

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With his smarts, skills, and physical dominance, Reacher has every reason to be arrogant. Instead, the show grounds him in a strict moral code shaped by his past and his sense of justice. He steps in to protect strangers, exposes systemic wrongdoing, and refuses to look the other way, even when it puts him at risk. That sense of purpose becomes the show’s core, as Reacher navigates violence and deception while holding on to a belief that doing the right thing still matters.

‘Good Omens’ (2019–Present)

Good Omens's Michael Sheen and David Tennant staring forward in shock.
Good Omens’s Michael Sheen and David Tennant staring forward in shock.
Image via Prime Video

It’s considered taboo to discuss religion at the dinner table — so Good Omens turns it into the entire premise. Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, the series reimagines heaven, hell, and everything in between with grounded, witty detail. It’s not every day the Antichrist, Adam Young (Sam Taylor Buck), is accidentally misplaced and grows up as a regular kid in rural England, unaware of the role he is meant to play in the end of the world.

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The show’s momentum comes from one major complication: the impending Apocalypse. Angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (David Tennant) are supposed to serve their respective sides, but neither is willing to give up the comforts of Earth. With centuries of cheeky partnership behind the Almighty’s back, the two attempt to delay or prevent Armageddon altogether. But first, they’ll have to overcome the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

‘Bosch’ (2014–2021)

Titus Welliver in Bosch: Legacy Season 3
Titus Welliver in Bosch: Legacy Season 3
Image via Prime Video

Where there’s a murder, there’s Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver). Not every great cop story centers on a “good” cop, and that’s exactly where Bosch stands out. As an LAPD homicide detective, Bosch works long, methodical cases that stretch across episodes, often tied to larger conspiracies involving police politics, corruption, and the justice system. Unlike procedural shows that wrap things up neatly, Bosch makes audiences sit in the process — and sometimes, the outcome doesn’t match the effort he puts in.

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Which is to say, it’s not that Bosch is a bad detective of his caliber — far from it. He’s relentless, skilled, and deeply committed to solving cases, especially those others overlook. But as a person, he’s far more complicated. His fixation on justice often blurs into obsession, making it hard to tell whether he’s driven by principle or by the only sense of purpose he knows. His traumatic past, including his childhood and time in the military, continues to surface, with each episode peeling further into his psyche and how it shapes his work.


0316177_poster_w780.jpg
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Bosch


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Release Date

2015 – 2021-00-00

Network
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Prime Video

Showrunner

Eric Ellis Overmyer

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Directors

Alex Zakrzewski, Ernest R. Dickerson, Patrick Cady, Aaron Lipstadt, Adam Davidson, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Kevin Dowling, Neema Barnette, Tim Hunter, Zetna Fuentes, Christine Moore, Jim McKay, Laura Belsey, Matt Earl Beesley, Phil Abraham, Roxann Dawson, Sarah Pia Anderson, Stephen Gyllenhaal, Tara Nicole Weyr, Thomas Carter, Hagar Ben-Asher

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A ‘Bridgerton’ Star’s New Survival Thriller Is a Must-Watch on Netflix This Weekend

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01240622_poster_w780.jpg

Although a selection of new movies will debut in theaters this weekend, it’s likely to be much of the same when it comes to the top of the box office charts. For the second week running, it is expected that the Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi flick Project Hail Mary will take second place, and the long-awaited video game adaptation The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will top the charts. However, with many millions having already indulged in the space exploration of both these movies, that leaves room in the calendar to fill with more films. To help you decide what to watch from the comfort of your own home, here’s a look at three movies you should stream this weekend on Netflix.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

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1

‘Scream’ (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.4/10

The recent theatrical arrival of the seventh movie in the Scream franchise left a lot to be desired. Falling to poor reviews from most, the film is one of the least memorable in an often thrilling slasher series. However, the poor performance of the seventh installment has left many yearning for the days of old when the story felt fresh and intelligent. With that in mind, you’ll want to watch 1996’s Scream this weekend.

Directed by Wes Craven in a satirization of the very genre he helped popularize, Scream follows the local teenagers of a quiet Californian town as they are terrorized by a masked killer known as Ghostface. By using their expert knowledge of horror movies, the teens work together to try to outwit and unmask the killer. Exciting, hilarious, and genuinely scary, Scream is at the top of its class for a reason.











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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars
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Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

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🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix

You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.

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The Wasteland

Mad Max

The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.

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Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner

You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.

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Arrakis

Dune

Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.

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A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars

The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.
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2

‘Thrash’ (2026)

An exciting new arrival to the Netflix catalog this weekend comes starring Bridgerton‘s Phoebe Dynevor as you’ve never seen her before. In the survival thriller Thrash, Dynevor’s Lisa Fields and the rest of her coastal South Carolina community are ravaged by a Category 5 hurricane. However, it is what lurks beneath the rising waters that poses the biggest threat to their lives.

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For those who love Steven Spielberg‘s iconic Jaws, Jason Statham‘s surprise hit blockbuster The Meg, or Jai Courtney‘s recent, underrated flick Dangerous Animals, this next installment in the sharksploitation genre is perfect for you. Thrilling, bloody, and thoroughly entertaining, expect a chaotic viewing experience that will keep you up at night, pumped with adrenaline.

3

‘Madagascar’ (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.9/10

For a much more family-friendly experience with animals this weekend, you’ll want to watch Madagascar on Netflix, one of the best in April’s batch of arrivals. From the genius minds of those at DreamWorks, Madagascar follows the animals of a New York Zoo, led by an overconfident lion named Alex (Ben Stiller), as they find themselves in the depths of the titular island, struggling to find their place.

Bursting with talented performers from the aforementioned Stiller to Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer​​​​, and more, Madagascar is the perfect way to entertain the whole family this weekend. So successful it spawned a lucrative franchise, this laugh-a-minute adventure has something for everyone, whether it’s vibrant animation for the youngest in the room to quietly adult-friendly comedy for the oldest.

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01240622_poster_w780.jpg

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Release Date

May 15, 2005

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Runtime

86 minutes

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‘For All Mankind’s Joel Kinnaman Readies Fans for Disappointment After That Emotional Goodbye

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Governor Polivanov toasting with Ed Baldwin in his office.

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for For All Mankind Season 5, Episode 3.

Summary

  • Collider talks to Joel Kinnaman about Ed Baldwin’s final episode and how the actor felt playing out the character’s death in Season 5 of For All Mankind.
  • Kinnaman talked about how emotional he was filming the finale, and discussed reuniting his former co-stars, filming the Korean War flashbacks, and how many hours he spent in the makeup chair for his prosthetics.
  • Kinnaman also praises the show for sticking to its original plan and reveals if there’s ever a possibility of seeing him again in the final season of the series.

As For All Mankind progresses, the one question on everyone’s mind is: just how old can the show make Joel Kinnaman this season? Since the beginning, Kinnaman’s Ed Baldwin has been a major protagonist for the alternate history series, even as the cast expanded, and the series spotlighted a larger ensemble. Many characters have come and gone in humanity’s journey to the Moon and beyond, but Ed’s always been around, usually ending up at the center of every season’s conflict. Now, however, For All Mankind has finally reached the end of Ed’s journey.

In Episode 3, “Home,” Ed’s health has taken a sharp decline after helping Lee Jung-Gil (C.S. Lee) escape Happy Valley to avoid being sent back to North Korea for a crime he didn’t commit. At the beginning of the season, Dima (Goran Ivanovski) reveals Ed’s cancer diagnosis and advises him not to pilot any aircraft — but, without other options to save Lee, Ed pilots the hopper and gets Lee to safety, only to end up unconscious by the time that Peacekeeper Celia Boyd (Mireille Enos) arrives to arrest him. “Home” follows Ed’s final days as he reconnects with his grandson, Alex (Sean Kaufman), after their argument in “The Hard Six.” Kinnaman’s final episode is also packed to the brim with emotion as Ed lies on his deathbed, flashing back to a younger version of the character fighting in the Korean War, bringing back Michael Dorman and Shantel VanSanten for his final scene, and delivering a heartfelt goodbye for the Baldwin family via a drink at Ilya’s (Dimiter Marinov) bar.

Before Kinnaman’s final episode aired, Collider spoke with the actor about his emotional journey on the Apple TV series. “As his values somewhat evolved, it actually put [Ed] on a collision course with the establishment, so he started getting more and more like ‘fuck you’ to the man,” he says happily, throwing up two middle fingers for emphasis. Season 5 also offered the actor a brief reunion with his The Killing co-star Mireille Enos, and Kinnaman reveals which hilarious Easter egg ended up on the cutting room floor. In terms of answering the question that’s most prominently on fans’ minds after “Home,” he also discusses whether or not he would ever return in some form or another by the sixth and final season.

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Joel Kinnaman Reflects on ‘For All Mankind’s Farewell to Ed Baldwin

“They were able to create this grand vision, but still be so close to the characters and have such respect for these characters.”

Governor Polivanov toasting with Ed Baldwin in his office.
Governor Polivanov toasting with Ed Baldwin in his office.
Image via Apple TV

COLLIDER: I just rewatched Episode 3, your last episode, last night. It was such a fantastic piece, and I want to congratulate you on doing such a great job in the show.

JOEL KINNAMAN: Thank you so much. This has been the most emotional experience of my career, like confusingly emotional for me. When we were shooting this last episode, I was a total mess. I was crying every day. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what was going on inside of me, because as actors, we do this all the time. We create these little short-term families where we fall in love, and then we say goodbye. Sometimes you’ve been doing it for several years, and it’s a little bit harder to say goodbye, but nothing came even close to this. I’ve been trying to unpack, like, why did I get so emotional about this?

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There’s this sort of existential aspect of playing a character in all these different ages and spending months contemplating what life will be like in these different ages, and putting my own mortality at the forefront of it. Also, playing 82, that’s the same age that my dad is, and then having the scene on his deathbed and saying goodbye to my child and grandchild, it just puts the inevitability of life right in front of your eyes.

But then I also think that there’s something else, too, and it’s just the story. I love getting to be part of telling this story. I really love getting to tell this story. There’s an ethos behind this show of this optimism that it’s carrying, and I just felt so honored to be part of it. It just resonated so much with me. They were able to create this grand vision, but still be so close to the characters and have such respect for these characters. It just really, really meant a lot to me.

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‘For All Mankind’ Season 5 Finale Will Leave Fans Screaming — or Silent [Exclusive]

The creators talk “bloodthirsty” character deaths, the upcoming and final season, and what fans can expect from the spin-off.

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And then they just wrecked me with the flashback scenes with Michael Dorman and Shantel [VanSanten]. Seeing Michael… because me and him playing Gordo, we played best friends on the show, but then we became really close friends. I love Michael. Michael’s an amazing guy. He’s got the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. He’s got this big, bleeding heart that just gets him in a lot of trouble. Just seeing him standing there with the wry smile, laughing, I just started crying again. It was like a cry fest. The whole thing was just a fucking cry fest.

I was crying, too, to be fair. It was an emotionally shared experience.

KINNAMAN: It’s very rare to get to play and to see a character so detailed over the course of a whole life, because it’s just such a unique concept in that way. Usually, that aging process happens in the epilogue scene at the end of a movie, but you don’t really attach yourself to all the different ages. I’m sure for people who are watching the show, too, they get to go on that journey, as well.

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For me, it’s like I’m going to watch this show as a fan now, and I’ve never had that. None of the shows that I’ve been in that have carried on without me, I’ve actually never watched an episode past the point of my own death. I just haven’t really been interested. But this one is different. I asked them not to send me any scripts past Episode 3, and I didn’t want any links to the episodes. I’m just watching this show as a fan.

So I know more than you do at this point!

KINNAMAN: Yeah, I haven’t seen Episode 3.

Oh my god! Well, it’s going to wreck you.

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Joel Kinnaman Discusses How Ed’s Character Has Changed on ‘For All Mankind’

“It’s basically me entertaining myself, but then that becomes character traits that they pick up on, and it’s been really fun.”

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for-all-mankind-joel-kinnaman-season-2
Image via Apple TV+

Ed’s character, I love him, and I hate him. Sometimes he’s so aggravating, I just want to be like, “You are such an old man!” But it’s really interesting to see how you’ve played him throughout each decade in every season. What are some key traits that you wanted to hold on to even as Ed aged with each season passing by?

KINNAMAN: Ed’s sense of humor has evolved. He became funnier and funnier the crankier he got. Also, Ed’s moral center over the course of his life put him more and more against the establishment. In the beginning, he was sort of a rebel, but within the establishment. Then, as his values somewhat evolved, it actually put him on a collision course with the establishment, so he started getting more and more like “fuck you” to the man.

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I did love it in the first episode when he puts his little ankle monitor right over just to set the alarm off. That was such an old man move, and then to just walk away.

KINNAMAN: [Laughs] I love that, too. My sense of humor, when I fall in love with a character, and especially with this kind of character, like Ed, where I feel like there are so many possibilities, I find myself messing around and teasing my co-stars, a little bit in character, a little bit just me, and so my sense of humor starts to seep into it.

Then the collaboration with the writers on the show has been really, really beautiful, so they’ve been really quick at picking up my little quirks and improvisations, and then incorporating them into the character. I haven’t been, like, coming to them and saying, “Hey, I think Ed should be more and more like this.” Things happen, and improvisations that make me have a good time on set. It’s basically me entertaining myself, but then that becomes character traits that they pick up on, and it’s been really fun.

Joel Kinnaman and Cynthy Wu in For All Mankind


‘For All Mankind’ Creators Reveal Why Apple TV’s Sleeper Hit Series Is Ending with Season 6 [Exclusive]

The creators say the show was never meant to run forever.

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Joel Kinnaman Discusses His Brief Reunion With ‘The Killing’s Mireille Enos

“She’s literally one of the best in the world.”

Mireille Enos in For All Mankind
Mireille Enos in For All Mankind
Image via Apple TV
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One thing that I really love this season is that they brought in Mireille Enos. First of all, I love The Killing. That’s one of my favorite shows of all time, and I love that you guys were both in Hanna. What was it like working with her again and having a little bit of a reunion?

KINNAMAN: We just have that one moment, but I’m sort of unconscious. But I did mutter out, I don’t know if it was caught on camera, but I was like, in Ed’s voice, “What’s up, Linden?” I had to get it out there. For us, Matt [Wolpert] and Ben [Nedivi] were like, “We’re thinking of going to Mireille. Do you think there’s any chance that she would do it?” I was like, “Well, we are shooting in LA, so that’s a big plus.” So, I was just so thrilled for the show’s sake that we got her.

Her character goes on a wild journey. You’re going to enjoy it.

KINNAMAN: I can already feel it. She’s so good. She’s literally one of the best in the world. She’s one of the best actors in the world.

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Joel Kinnaman Reveals Why ‘For All Mankind’ Decided To Kill Ed So Early in Season 5

“People didn’t even believe it was a sci-fi show after Season 1.”

Joel Kinnaman with Sean Kaufman in For All Mankind
Joel Kinnaman with Sean Kaufman in For All Mankind
Image via Apple TV

How early on did you know that Ed was going to die in this season? Have you known for seasons, or was it like this season they were like, “Hey, by the way, only three episodes for you?”

KINNAMAN: When I met Matt, Ben, and Ron [Moore] in 2018, they sort of laid out the five-season vision for the show, and it’s remarkable how much of that actually is intact in the actual show. It was so frustrating when I was promoting and talking about the show after Season 1, and even after Season 2. I’m like, “It’s not just Mad Men at NASA.” People didn’t even believe it was a sci-fi show after Season 1. That’s how grounded and patient this show is. It wasn’t until Season 3 that you really feel like, “Okay, this is sci-fi.” For me, it was always a five-season vision. I knew with this show we would never try to, like, “Oh, and then they found some youth elixir on Helios, on Titan 5, so now Ed’s 60 again!” It’s not that show.

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Then they brought me into the conversation that they were having in the room about how they didn’t want to start a new season without Ed, so that’s why they didn’t want Ed to die in the finale. They wanted to surprise the audience, but then also give it a little more runway to pass the baton. Because even though it’s always been an ensemble show, Ed has a sort of central part of the show, and of course, that will leave a bit of a vacuum and an empty space that you want to fill. I think they wanted to fill it in the same season. So, I thought it was a really cool way to do it, and I was so happy with the three episodes that I got to play.

Joel Kinnaman Talks Passing the Baton to His Onscreen Grandson Sean Kaufman on ‘For All Mankind’

“He put his own stink on the character and on what he was doing…”

I think Ed’s presence is very much felt in the rest of the season. I know you haven’t seen the episodes, but his legacy lives on in his daughter and his grandson. They kind of adopt Ed’s cavalier, cowboy-esque approach to life.

KINNAMAN: Awesome! I can’t wait to see it. I can’t wait.

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What was it like working with Sean Kaufman and having him play this older version of Ed’s grandson and having him be an adult now instead of working with a child?

KINNAMAN: I love the kid. He just came in with the perfect attitude, in my opinion. He came in and created enough space for himself to his own thing. He put his own stink on the character and on what he was doing, but he was also really warm and respectful, and I just thought he was really talented and very present. He was really there.

Now, I saw the first two episodes he was in, and I thought, “Oh, this kid is fucking excellent!” He’s really a great young actor. But I really liked him as a person, so that makes it extra fun to see when someone is really delivering. He’s going to be able to carry it. It’s always an ensemble show, so it’s great in that way. It’s not about one person carrying it all the way. It’s spread across many characters, but he’s going to be great.

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‘For All Mankind’s Korean War Flashback Has Been Four Years in the Making, Kinnaman Reveals

“The Korea episode has been a theme for about four years between me and the writers.”

Joel Kinnaman as Ed Baldwin in the hall of a spaceship in For All Mankind Season 4
Joel Kinnaman as Ed Baldwin in the hall of a spaceship in For All Mankind Season 4
Image via Apple TV+

In this episode, you also have flashback scenes to when Ed was when he was in Korea. How was it playing out those scenes, knowing it was a dream sequence and also a flashback?

KINNAMAN: The Korea episode has been a theme for about four years between me and the writers. They started teasing this Korea episode, this flashback episode. It was always going to be where there was this standalone flashback episode, and they tried to get it in Season 3, they tried to get it in Season 4, and it was in and then out, and then in and out. Ultimately, it just became this darling that they kept having to kill, so it was always a little bit of a bummer. Especially when we got more and more into prosthetics, I was like, “Let’s get the Korea episode where I don’t have to put makeup on!” [Laughs]

But I was so happy when they found the spot for it to tell that story. Of course, we get a hint of Ed, and there are things that he wasn’t quite honest with himself about, and the guilt and shame that he felt. Of course, that continues on.

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‘For All Mankind’ Has Perfected the Aging Process for Ed Baldwin

“The fourth season, I was in the chair for between five and six hours.”

Edi Gathegi and Joel Kinnaman in For All Mankind
Edi Gathegi and Joel Kinnaman in For All Mankind
Image via Apple TV

You just mentioned the prosthetics. I want to know how much longer the process has taken over every season because the prosthetics are fantastic in this, to the point where I forget that you’re not an 80-year-old man sometimes. But I can imagine that process is a lot because it’s all the way down to your neck. How long are you spending in a chair?

KINNAMAN: Well, it’s funny, the fifth season I felt like we finally really stuck the landing with it. Interestingly enough, it was half of the time of the fourth season. The fourth season, I was in the chair for between five and six hours. I had a call time at, like, 1:00 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. call time, and then I would shoot a 12 to 13-hour day on top of it, and then an hour to take it off. It was hectic. And then, it’s constant adjustments, so you have someone poking you in the face for 17 hours a day. It was really difficult, mentally, to deal with.

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I can see why those Korea episodes are something that you look forward to.

KINNAMAN: Well, Season 5 was a lot easier. I found it easier to portray 80 than 70. It was easier to really lean into the aging. Because you can see a lot of 70-year-old guys who are kind of fluid, and they still have their full mobility. If you just look at their actual body movement, you can’t tell if they’re 40 or 70. But at the same time, when you’re aging 10 years on a show, there’s always an expectation of being older than the previous season. It was a harder calculation to do for 70 than 80, for some reason.

For All Mankind Season 5


‘For All Mankind’ Season 5 Review: Apple TV’s Best Sci-Fi Series Makes Another Colossal Change

Hi, Bob!

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Also, in the final season, it became this whole character in a way that maybe I didn’t quite achieve in Season 4. In the fifth season, I stayed in it, and I was creating this inner and outer temple where Ed was still sharp, even though sometimes he stumbled, but he’s still sharp. He had a very fast inner tempo, but then a much slower outer exterior, physical tempo. I stayed in that slower physical tempo for the entirety when I was on set. I was moving pretty slow. Also, thinking of someone that’s been on a space base for such a long time, I think the vocal cords will dry out a lot quicker, so I shifted more focus on the voice, and all of it. It felt like a different character in the fifth season compared to the fourth season.

I think what you kept is the inhuman level of Parmesan that he eats with his spaghetti, which is impressive even to me as a cheese lover.

KINNAMAN: Ed loves cheese.

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Joel Kinnaman Reveals Whether or Not He’ll Be Back for ‘For All Mankind’ Season 6

“…I think that’s why the integrity of the show would forbid those kinds of leaps.”

Joel Kinnaman and Cynthy Wu in For All Mankind
Joel Kinnaman and Cynthy Wu in For All Mankind
Image via Apple TV

Wrapping things up, is there any possibility or talks about you potentially returning for Season 6 in some sort of way? My coworkers and I have a joke that you’re going to come back as a robot with Ed’s consciousness implanted into it, so you don’t have to be an old man anymore, but any potential for that? Is the door left open, or are you out?

KINNAMAN: No. I think that’s the integrity of this show, that it doesn’t do those kinds of leaps, even though I’ve been on them. I’m like, “Where are the fucking aliens, guys? Come on!” I keep showing them videos. I was like, “They’re fucking here!” And they’re just so methodical and patient, and I think that’s why the integrity of the show would forbid those kinds of leaps. It makes the goodbye mean more, too, when it actually is a goodbye.

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Release Date

November 1, 2019

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Network

Apple TV

Directors
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Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Andrew Stanton, Meera Menon, Dan Liu, Allen Coulter, Craig Zisk, Dennie Gordon, John Dahl, Lukas Ettlin, Wendey Stanzler, Seth Gordon, Sylvain White, Michael Morris, Maja Vrvilo, Sarah Boyd

Writers

Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Nichole Beattie, Joe Menosky

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“American Horror Story” season 13 officially reunites the “Coven”: Sarah Paulson's Cordelia returns in new look

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“And yes we have rebuilt the entire Robichaux Academy.”

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K. Michelle Claims She Was “In Love” With R. Kelly, Fans React

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

Once upon a time, K. Michelle was head over heels about R. Kelly. She confirmed that herself in a newly released interview with ‘The Jason Lee Show.’ The singer was candid about her history with Kelly, whose currently in prison for multiple sex-related crimes, including trafficking and child pornography. And while she wanted him bad, Michelle admitted that she was not the woman he desired.

RELATED: K. Michelle Gets Real About Why It Took Her Husband 10 Years To Marry Her (VIDEO)

K. Michelle Says R. Kelly Didn’t Return Her Love

As mentioned, the singer spilled about her past with R. Kelly during a chat with Jason Lee, who runs Hollywood Unlocked. Michelle is the first guest of the show’s fourth season, which premiered on BET on Wednesday (April 8). She deep-dived into her history and present, including joining the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast. When Jason Lee asked her whether she and R. Kelly had ever been intimate, she didn’t hesitate to confirm, saying, “Oh yeah, absolutely. I loved him.” K. Michelle also said, “I loved Robert Kelly. I loved him,” confirming she was IN love. Additionally, Michelle denied past reports claiming R. Kelly physically abused her.

“No, Rob didn’t hit me. I didn’t go through an abusive Rob…My truth with Robert Slyvester Kelly. Robert Kelly always saw me as nothing, I might have loved him, but he didn’t see me as, nothing more than motivation for writing. I wasn’t the woman he wanted, even though I wanted him.”

Touching briefly on his sex-related crimes, K. Michelle said “mothers and people should be held accountable.” Sparkle is Kelly’s former protégé and aunt to one of his alleged victims, Reshona Landfair. Michelle says she should “absolutely” go to prison.

“Robert is absolutely wrong in the things, but those people around him never corrected him. That’s not an excuse, Jason, because I’m a woman advocate.”

As far as Drea Kelly goes, K. also clarified that’s “absolutely not” a victim. “Drea Kelly, if you wanted snow, he had a whole team come bring you snow,” she said. K. Michelle also denied that she’s sent Robert any letters during his imprisonment, despite his team reaching out.

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Singer Becomes Emotional While Explaining How She Felt Learning Of His Arrest

In addition to her intimate history with R. Kelly, Michelle also opened up about his arrest and how he’d once saved her. She told Jason Lee she was in a studio booth when she saw a TV screen announcing the arrest of her “mentor.” As she explained, she appeared to get emotional with watery eyes.

“I don’t think people understand. That man taught me about writing, and this and that,” she said, wiping away tears. “To hear what happened to those women and families, I hurt so bad for those women and I just hurt for all parties involved.”

She said that R. Kelly saved her from an abusive relationship, putting a stop to what was happening. Then, she had to watch him accused of doing the same, while knowing that wasn’t her experience of him. She said, “I wasn’t there,” adding that she “didn’t see that.” Looking back now, she feels her whole industry career has been a “f*ck over” and “not about music,” but more so the knowledge that people know she’d speak out. That in itself has “stifled” her career, Michelle said.

Social Media Weighs In On Singer’s Interview Comments

Over 4,500 Instagram users weighed in on K. Michelle’s comments about Kelly. Their thoughts appeared in the comment section of ‘The Jason Lee Show’ (@jasonleeshow). While some folks sympathized with what she shared, others had more spicy takes. For example, some commented called out the singer for saying Drea Kelly was not a victim.  Here’s a recap of the energy under the post.

@chiquita_lasett commented, “The one thing about K, she’s going to tell the truth.” 

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“K. Michelle, I definitely agree that the whole ecosystem should be held accountable; label executives, staff, patents & etc. And as far as Sparkle & Drea Kelly, they are both VICTIMS and ACCOMPLICES, they can be both things at the same time,” @mrjerometrammel added.

“I say this all the time everyone should’ve been held accountable, including him! Their parents need to be in jail too for trafficking, their children,” @therealdeemanni said.

Meanwhile, @7.1.hicks wrote, “But why is K admitting how much she loved R.Kelly now that she’s married? 🙄🤔 The disrespect 🤷🏽‍♀️” 

@tiffanywysinger added, “The grave! Would’ve taken it to the dirt. Ain’t no way. Smh.”

@ricadinerotv wrote, “R. Kelly didn’t want a woman. He wanted a child. Be clear.” 

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“Baby one thing about my girl K is she gonna keep it 💯,” @jess_to_create added.

“So it’s okay for her to say that Drea Kelly isn’t a victim but when someone didn’t believe her story it was the biggest deal. Damn shame,” @mariaaa_oxo commented.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Pops OFF As Boosie Doubles Down, Saying R. Kelly Would “Smoke” Michael Jackson In A Verzuz (VIDEO)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Afrika Bambaataa, hip-hop pioneer, dies at 67: Report

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Where is Samuel Bateman now? What's become of the polygamist sect leader in “The False Prophet”

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A new Netflix true crime doc goes inside the takedown of the self-proclaimed prophet.

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R-Rated Netflix Comedy Proves Raunchy Humor Is Alive And Well

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R-Rated Netflix Comedy Proves Raunchy Humor Is Alive And Well

By Robert Scucci
| Published

Though I’m well past the age of regularly seeking out a raunchy coming-of-age comedy, I still like to know what’s out there. As a musician, I want to know what the kids are getting into because it’s the easiest way to follow trends and keep your finger on the pulse (grunge and shoegaze is back, baby!). As a movie fan, and also a parent, I want that same awareness because with so many media touch points these days, you need to know when to restrict content and when to provide guidance. Luckily, my kids are years off from high school, so I don’t have to worry about them watching 2024’s Incoming any time soon.

Why would I be worried about my kids watching Incoming, you ask? Remember the raunchy teen comedies we had in the early aughts? Some guy bangs a pie, another guy puts a rat in his mouth. It’s crude, but knows when to censor itself. As a 13-year-old, I thought that was the be-all, end-all of lowbrow comedy, but just like beer, whacko tobacco, and how much shame we’re willing to collectively process on a daily basis, the potency perpetually increases as time marches forward. Incoming is peak R-rated fodder and kind of a disgrace when you compare it to the raunchy comedies of yesteryear. But that’s also what makes it so fun.

Incoming 2024

Long story short, when my kids are old enough to watch R-rated movies on their own, I’m not going to read them the riot act if Incoming is one of them. But if they scroll through my recently watched list on Netflix, I’ll probably be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future.

Typical High School Party Plot Dialed To 11

Incoming centers on a group of high school freshmen, and it benefits from splitting them up during their first official house party. Benj (Mason Thames), Eddie (Ramon Reed), Connor (Raphael Alejandro), and Koosh (Bardia Seiri) all get their moments to shine, but their motivations are wildly different, which sends them on very different adventures.

Incoming 2024

Benj is in love with his older sister’s friend Bailey (Isabella Ferreira) and wants to make a move. Eddie and Connor are the wet blankets who just want to hang out like the good old days. Koosh’s older brother, Kayvon (Kayvan Shai), is throwing the rager, and Koosh wants to prove he’s more than just the rich kid with the cool older brother.

It’s time to party, and this is where Incoming starts to heat up. I had my reservations early on because it felt like it was building toward the usual teen movie beats of substance abuse and running from the cops. Like an updated version of Can’t Hardly Wait. Once the group gets split up, though, that’s when things click.

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Incoming 2024

When Koosh is told by Kayvon that he can only let one friend in, Benj jumps at the opportunity to get closer to Bailey. Benj sticking around gives us a look at the chaos of the party itself.

Koosh, whose parents are absurdly rich, has a hidden surveillance room where he spies on every guest. He uses it to figure out who to flirt with despite having zero game. He sets his sights on Gabrielle (Victoria Moroles) and tries to seduce her in his parents’ spa. Meanwhile, Benj takes a more sincere approach, though he’s still too afraid to be himself in that kind of setting, so he plays it cool.

The B Plot Outplots The A Plot

Incoming 2024

If everything above sounds like enough to keep you watching Incoming, you haven’t even gotten to the best part. The movie’s real MVP is the B story involving Eddie and Connor.

Bored because they didn’t get into the party, they steal Eddie’s mom’s boyfriend’s Tesla and go for a joyride. They swing by the party to check things out, and that’s when Katrina (Loren Gray), the most popular girl in school, mistakes their car for her Uber. She’s well past the point of being reasonably trashed.

Incoming 2024

After demolishing an ungodly amount of Taco Bell, she creates her own version of Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes all over the back seat (read: explosive diarrhea). What follows is one of the most traumatic experiences of their young lives. Do they ditch her at a fire station covered in her own filth, or do they step up and do the honorable thing by hosing her off in hazmat suits?

Back at the party, recurring bits with their chemistry teacher Mr. Studebaker (Bobby Cannavale) keeps things interesting. Going through a messy divorce and trying to reconnect with his youth, he drinks everyone under the table and becomes the legend of the night, one questionable decision at a time.

So Much Fun, But You Have To Be Primed For It

Incoming 2024

I’m 37 years old. I don’t seek out movies like Incoming because I’m not in high school or college. Watching it through that lens, it’s nothing special because I grew up on Freddy Got Fingered and Road Trip. That said, I’m genuinely glad movies like Incoming and 2018’s The Package are still being made. Sneaking movies like this when you’re a teenager is a rite of passage.

Have I ever been to a party or road trip like the ones in these movies? Not even close. But that’s the point. These films are harmless wish fulfillment for kids who love gross-out humor and watching a bunch of losers get in way over their heads trying to get laid. It’s good, dumb fun.

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Incoming 2024

I’m not going to shout from the rooftops that everyone needs to see this because I’m not the target audience. But I will recommend it to anyone convinced the raunchy teen comedy is dead. If you need proof, you can stream Incoming on Netflix.


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Mark Hamill Reflects On Lucasfilm Leadership Change

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Dave Filoni at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Disney+'s 'The Mandalorian'

Actor Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” franchise, has never been shy about voicing his opinion. Recently, both Lucasfilm and Disney experienced a leadership shakeup. In January 2026, Kathleen Kennedy stepped down as President of Lucasfilm and was replaced by both Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. In March, Josh D’Amaro officially succeeded Bob Iger as Disney CEO. Many fans have been wondering how these changes might affect the franchise going forward, but Hamill doesn’t seem too concerned about its future.

Mark Hamill Shares His Thoughts On Dave Filoni

Dave Filoni at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Disney+'s 'The Mandalorian'
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While promoting his new role with The Lego Group, the 74-year-old actor praised Dave Filoni, who worked directly with George Lucas on the animated series “The Clone Wars,” while speaking to USA Today.

Hamill said that Filoni understands the franchise “so well” and “can’t think of better hands” to take over the galaxy far, far away. He also praised the “great stuff” Filoni has worked on, including “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” both of which featured a young Luke Skywalker.

“George was a mentor to Dave, so he knows George’s sensibility,” Hamill added.

Mark Hamill Celebrates 50 Years Of ‘Star Wars’

Mark Hamill and George Lucas at Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony
OConnor/ AFF-USA.com / MEGA

March 22, 2026, marked the 50th anniversary of the day that filming on the first movie began. Disney will be celebrating the milestone by putting “A New Hope” back in theaters in February 2027.  

“It doesn’t feel like 50 years, and it makes you feel old,” Hamill said, revealing that he had recently been reminiscing about the path with a 1976 date book filled with notes about the film’s production.

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He recalled how it was “bringing back such memories,” adding, “time flies when you’re having fun!”

Mark Hamill Reveals Which Of His Children Are Interested In ‘Star Wars’

Mark Hamill at 2025 CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards Arrivals
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Hamill revealed that each of his children has a different reaction to the franchise. He revealed that his oldest son, Nathan, who was born during the production of “The Empire Strikes Back,” visited him on the set of “Return of the Jedi,” which marked the final installment in the original trilogy.

“He was totally into it,” Hamill recalled. “He could sit in Yoda’s house because he was little. He was perfectly proportioned. He sat on the Emperor’s throne. He was in the creature shop, and they were letting him play with things.”

“When I did ‘The Muppet Show,’ same thing,” he continued. “I thought, ‘What a wonderful experience for him.’ … I was almost envious of him being able to have all these experiences.”

Not All Of His Children Are Interested In ‘Star Wars’

Mark Hamill at TIFF 2024 - ‘The Wild Robot’ Premiere
Photo credit: JPA/AFF-USA.com / MEGA

1983 was the year “Return of the Jedi” was released in theaters. It was also the year his son Griffin was born. However, he was less interested in the franchise than his older brother was.

“My second son, Griffin, is more analytical and serious, and he says: ‘You know, Star Wars movies just aren’t for me. They’re too commercial for my liking,’” Hamill said.

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However, he went on to say, “My daughter likes them. Kids are all different!”

Mark Hamill Was Fascinated By Tie-In Merchandising

Mark Hamill at the Child's Play Premiere World Premiere
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While working with LEGO to promote an upcoming line of SMART Play LEGO sets, Hamill revealed that he’s always loved toys, calling them “therapeutic.” One of the first things he bought with his “Star Wars” paycheck was all the toys he wanted as a kid that he couldn’t afford, like the game Lie Detector.

He also revealed that, out of the whole cast, he was the “most enamored” by all the “Star Wars” action figures and tie-in merchandise that the franchise has since become known for, such as games and comic books.

“I bought every comic, maybe 16 copies, (and) gave them out to friends,” he recalled. “I was thrilled about that. I loved the toy aspect of it. Harrison was sort of, ‘Eh, whatever.’ He didn’t really care. Carrie thought it was kind of fun. But I was the real enthusiast.”

He also loved running across boxes of cereal with “Star Wars” characters’ faces on them when he went grocery shopping. “To me, this was a peak achievement,” he said, adding, “Forget about the Oscars. I’m on a box of Kellogg’s Corn Pops!”

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Lambrini Girls drop out of Coachella, postpone tour after singer fractures neck, suffers 'acute brain injury'

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The punk duo, consisting of Phoebe Lunny and Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez, were slated to make their Coachella debut on Saturday.

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