As Episode 4 of Rivals Season 2 lands on streaming today, fans of the raunchy Disney+ series can’t help but look ahead to where things might be headed for one of the central couples. Especially when the first half of the season has not been particularly kind to Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) or Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean).

The current state of affairs is, of course, entirely because Rupert put the kibosh on their burgeoning romance in Episode 1 by becoming Cameron Cook’s (Nafessa Williams) white knight in her moment of need. While last week’s three-episode premiere gave a glimpse into what a coupled Rupert and Taggie might look like, the joy of their day out with his children was swiftly snatched away, and this week continues to leave the fan-favorite couple at odds. But fear not, we have a scintilla of new intel about the impending hunt ball, which will — hopefully — at long last push Rupert and Taggie into each other’s arms. Perhaps, quite literally, if the details we’ve eked out are anything to go by.

Collider’s Michael Zimmermann caught up with Hassell and Maclean earlier this week while the duo and their co-stars, Williams and David Tennant, were in New York City to support the launch of Season 2. Armed with questions about the iconic hunt ball, which Disney+ has been mercilessly teasing fans with by way of featurettes, news segments, and behind-the-scenes snaps, Zimmermann got two rumors confirmed in swift succession.

Will “Lady in Red” Appear in ‘Rivals’ for a Second Time?

While chatting with Hassell, the star revealed that the hunt ball “had a very special guest singing cameo,” all but confirming The Sun’s exclusive reporting that Chris de Burgh will perform his song, “Lady in Red,” during the episode. While The Sun stated that the song would be performed during a wedding scene, it makes far more sense for de Burgh to perform “Lady in Red” during the hunt ball, considering the song — and the ball itself — are part of a pivotal scene in the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel, which sees Rupert and Taggie’s romance move forward. It also wouldn’t be the first time the pair swayed to the tune, as the song featured in Season 1, Episode 3, too. Hassell did claim that he wasn’t sure if this bit of news had been revealed yet, so perhaps Rivals has another surprise in store if this musical cameo isn’t a perfectly-timed de Burgh appearance. After all, he also teased that “there’s quite a lot of dance numbers that I don’t think you’d expect.”

Maclean opted to be quite tight-lipped about the hunt ball with Zimmermann, revealing only that “there are a lot of animals in the hunt ball.” However, she also revealed that there was “a lot of spinning” for her, which conveniently ties into something she recently mentioned in an interview with British Vogue. During the junket for the series, she told the magazine that she “nearly threw up” while filming a sequence where she had to hold the camera and spin around in a tight dress. The scene seemingly included Hassell, whom she joked called for a bucket for her to puke in. Within that conversation, Hassell also revealed that it was a “really big Taggie moment” with “a lot [of] stuff going on underneath,” which does sound like the hunt ball scene from the book. We also know that Taggie will be clad in a red dress for the hunt ball, furthering the theory that the “Lady in Red” moment will indeed come to fruition.

It may not be a lot, but while Rivals fans endure a RuTag drought, it’s nice to know that the pair may actually end up together by the end of Season 2 — even if the series is going to make audiences wait the better part of a year for those scenes.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on Rivals and be sure to check out Zimmermann’s conversations with the cast.

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Release Date

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October 18, 2024

Network

Disney+

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Directors

Dee Koppang O’Leary, Alexandra Brodski, Elliot Hegarty

Writers

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Clare Naylor, Mimi Hare, Kefi Chadwick, Dare Aiyegbayo, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Marek Horn, Sophie Goodhart

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Jimmy Kimmel is getting his own taste of harsh reactions from critics following his recent criticism of CBS over the cancellation of Stephen Colbert‘s late-night show.

The comedian had called on viewers to boycott CBS in solidarity with his fellow late-night host, but his comments instead sparked a wave of backlash, with many people even calling for his own dismissal.

In the meantime, CBS has denied canceling Stephen Colbert’s show for political reasons, claiming it was linked to financial issues.

Jimmy Kimmel Faced With Renewed Demands For His Dismissal Over CBS Callout

On Wednesday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Kimmel devoted much of his opening monologue to CBS’s decision to cancel the show of his fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert, whose final episode aired on Thursday night.

“I will be watching. I hope that those of you who watch our show will also tune in to CBS for the last time,” Kimmel told his audience, per the New York Post. “Don’t ever watch it again.”

Rather than generating support online, his blunt criticism of CBS led many netizens to blast him instead.

In particular, some of those critics called for his dismissal and expressed how eager they would be to see him let go by ABC.

“Fire this a–hole. You pay him millions for this. He is the next to go,” one individual commented.

“Oh, Jimmy….. can’t wait till he gets cancelled for the same reason Colbert was cancelled. Losing his network $20+ million per year,” another individual said.

CBS Has Refuted Poltical Pressure As The Reason For Cancelling Stephen Colbert

The cancellation of Colbert’s show fueled speculation that the decision may have stemmed from political pressure, particularly due to the host’s outspoken criticism of public figures.

However, that narrative was rejected by CBS, which denied the claims in a statement released when the network first announced that the show would be ending.

“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise in May of 2026,” the July 2025 statement read. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.”

“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount,” the announcement also read.

Jimmy Kimmel Has Come Close To Being Dismissed

Meanwhile, last year, Kimmel came close to being dismissed over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer and supporters of President Donald Trump in an episode of his show.

The host was initially placed on an indefinite suspension, although it lasted only four days amid growing calls from fans demanding his return.

When he eventually returned to the air, Kimmel delivered a lengthy monologue in which he appeared to walk back some of his remarks, though he stopped short of issuing a direct apology.

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, per the New York Post. “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions,” he continued.

The Late Night Show Host Recently Courted Controversy Over A Morbid Joke About Melania Trump

Rather than treating the Kirk incident as a warning to be more careful with his words, Jimmy Kimmel has appeared to grow even bolder in recent months.

In April, he found himself at the center of another controversy that sparked calls for his firing from the First Lady, the president, and online critics.

The TV host had made a dark joke about Melania Trump during an “alternative” White House Correspondents’ Dinner segment on his show.

At the time, Kimmel remarked that she had a “glow like an expectant widow,” a comment that later drew even more scrutiny, as a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton, where the actual White House Correspondents’ Dinner took place.

Melania Trump Called On ABC To Cancel Jimmy Kimmel

On X, Melania shared a scathing post aimed at Kimmel as she slammed his joke, especially as it came shortly before the WHCD shooting.

The first lady labeled Kimmel’s remark as “hateful and violent rhetoric” and said he should not be platformed to spread “hate” in the manner she claims he currently does.

Kimmel also received similar criticism from Trump, but it did not lead to any public reprimand from his employers despite the intensity of the backlash.

In fact, Kimmel hit back at Melania on his show, urging her to talk to her husband first about rejecting “violent” rhetoric.

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch appeared to be in good spirits at his last red carpet event with his wife, Samantha Busch.

Kyle attended the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina, alongside Samantha, 39, in January — four months before his death was announced on Thursday, May 21.

The couple attended the event to throw support behind Kyle’s older brother, Kurt Busch, who was being inducted into the Hall of Fame on the night.

NASCAR announced via a statement that the professional driver died after being hospitalized with what his family described as a “severe illness.” He was 41.

Related: NASCAR Legend Kyle Busch’s Family Guide: Meet His Wife, Their 2 Kids

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch leaves behind his wife, Samantha Busch, their two children and his brother Kurt Busch following his shocking death at age 41. “We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport’s greatest and fiercest drivers,” NASCAR announced […]

“We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport’s greatest and fiercest drivers,” NASCAR said in a statement via X on Thursday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.”

Kyle is survived by Samantha, whom he married on New Year’s Eve in 2010 as well as the couple’s son, Brexton, 11, and daughter, Lennix, 4.

Posting via her Instagram in August 2023, Samantha shared details about how she met Kyle, noting she is often asked about their initial meeting.

“16 years ago (this Indy weekend) the promo model agency I worked for sent me down to Indianapolis to work for Chevy getting people hyped up for the races. I was going into my senior year of college at Purdue at the time, a sorority girl and no big surprise not the sportiest of types. So I can honestly say it was my first time at a race track!” she wrote.

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Samantha explained that she and the other promotional team employees were assigned various tasks for the day in the sweltering heat. When a PR lady asked if she wanted to go for a ride in one of the cars – which had air con – she said yes. She assumed Kyle, who was driving, was also a promo employee.

Related: How NASCAR’s Kyle Busch Spent His Final Days Before Sudden Death: Details

Before Kyle Busch’s unexpected death, the NASCAR driver spent his final days with loved ones and competing in his sport. NASCAR confirmed that Busch died at age 41 on May 21, 2026, after being hospitalized with a “severe illness.” “We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a […]

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“I hopped in the car and the first thing I said when I saw him in his Chevy tee and ice cold car was, ‘Wow you got a way better assignment then I did.’” she wrote. “He looked at me funny assuming I knew who he was and we were off. I did most of the talking, big surprise, and then invited him to hang out with a group of us going out that night to which he declined bc he had to work. Little did I know he had a truck race. So I thought that was the end of that until Mr. Shy had someone ask me for my number.”

Samantha added, “We talked on the phone for 4 months before seeing each other and going on a date and the rest is history! Fast forward another 16 years and here we are with 2 kids! Love ya babe 😍.”

By Robert Scucci
| Published 25 seconds ago

Whenever I fire up a film distributed by Troma Entertainment, it means one of two things: I’m about to be thoroughly amused or thoroughly upset. 1986’s Nightmare Weekend somehow manages to fall into both categories while also making little to no sense. It’s one of those movies where you have to look up the cast and character names afterward just to keep everybody straight, and even then, you’re still left trying to figure out what the hell it was all about.

As a result, my interpretation of this film is going to be mostly vibe-based because I honestly have no clue what’s going on. Every time I think I understand what the filmmakers are trying to accomplish, I somehow end up even more baffled and confused.

Girls, Girls, Girls!

Okay, so here goes. In Nightmare Weekend, there’s a mad scientist named Edward Brake (Wellington Meffert) working on a groundbreaking behavior modification system. I think he wants to test it on his assistant Julie’s (Debbie Laster) dog, but the verdict’s still out on that one. Julie, meanwhile, wants to use the technology, which consists of a supercomputer that somehow turns found objects into silver balls that make people foam at the mouth and die, or something, to conduct torturous experiments on college girls.

Edward’s daughter Jessica (Debra Hunter) has her own high-tech computer named George that she operates alongside a talking puppet, not realizing she’s directly interfering with the experiments and causing all hell to break loose. She also goes roller skating whenever she needs to squeeze in some cardio, and I genuinely can’t think of any other reason for those scenes besides showing off some leg while getting her out of the house.

Bikers, college girls, and just about everybody else hang out at a bar/general store called Stage Stop, where people copulate on top of pinball machines while a chauffeur named Ralph (Scott Proctor), who’s explicitly told not to drink and drive while transporting test subjects to Edward’s house, spends the entire movie sneaking swigs liquor from a flask concealed between slices of bread.

As the film meanders along, Jessica falls in love with Julie’s assistant Ken (Dale Midkiff), but nothing really comes of it after she consults her computer and puppet friend for relationship advice, and then a bunch of people die. At least, I think that’s what happens in Nightmare Weekend, but please don’t quote me on that.

A Beautiful Trainwreck

Like most films distributed by Troma Entertainment, you have to be built for movies like Nightmare Weekend. It’s exploitative, violent, completely nonsensical, and endlessly amusing. People do things, things happen to those people, and most of the time they’re naked. Sometimes they turn into goo. There’s plenty of grinding and writhing to go around, but every 10 minutes or so, you’ll still find yourself asking, “What the hell am I actually watching?”

The 1-star and 10-star reviews I’ve read all seem to agree that Nightmare Weekend offers a truly one-of-a-kind viewing experience, and I’m inclined to agree. Hell, some of the 1-star reviews spend more time talking about how awesome the movie is than criticizing it, but the people writing them are self-aware enough to realize they enjoy something so aggressively inaccessible that they feel obligated to warn everybody else first. If that sounds like your kind of afternoon, you can stream Nightmare Weekend for free on Tubi as of this writing.

Kerry Washington has ‘Scandal’ fans rooting for a real-life version of “Olitz” after her sweet birthday shoutouts for Tony Goldwyn. Years after the show wrapped, the Hollywood stars have continued to tease their obvious chemistry. Recently, Tony celebrated his 66th birthday, and Kerry didn’t miss the opportunity to send well-wishes to the “pretend love of [her] life.” As expected, fans are eating the moment UP, hoping for another round of Olivia Pope and Mr. President on-screen — and, maybe one day, off-screen.

RELATED: Kerry Washington Reveals How She Kept Her Engagement Private Over A Decade Ago

Kerry Washington Posts Shoutouts For Tony Goldwyn On His 66th Birthday

As mentioned, Tony Goldwyn welcomed his 66th chapter of life on Wednesday (May 20) and Kerry Washington celebrated his new era with multiple birthday shoutouts. On Instagram, she shared five throwback photos from what appears to be their time filming ‘Scandal.’ Many of the shots are silly and friendly.

Kerry captioned the post, “To the “Itz” in our beloved “Olitz”, Happy Birthday @tonygoldwyn!!!!! ❤️ P.S. maybe one day we’ll take a normal picture together…😂😜😍” In the comment section, Tony replied, “Who needs normal?? Love you KW!! ❤️❤️❤️”

Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn reposted the same post on their Instagram Stories. He added three red heart emojis to his repost. Then, on Threads, Washington again dropped a shoutout with a slightly different caption and visual. She shared a video of her fake singing behind Tony while he gives her no reactions…at least for most of the clip. A little over halfway through, he breaks character and smiles. Her caption on the Threads post said:

“Thank you for being my friend, and pretend love of my life, @tonygoldwyn ❤️ HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎊”

‘Scandal’ Fans React To Kerry & Her “Work Husband”

By now, roommate, you can imagine that her comment sections on both platforms are in shambles! Fans are loving the birthday energy, while also standing on the opinion that the love is wayyy past pretend or platonic. Despite such speculations, they’ve both said over the years that their chemistry is rooted in friendship and collaboration. Nonetheless, here’s a look at how the fans aren’t buying THAT story and crafting their own narratives, instead.

 

 

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Yes, Kerry & Tony Are Married To Other People In Real Life

While Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn’s chemistry appears undeniable, they each have real-life romances with other people. Washington has been married to former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha since 2013, but they keep their relationship and family life super private. They have two children together, a daughter and a son and Asomugha also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

Meanwhile, Goldwyn has been married to Jane Musky, a production designer, since 1987. They celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on April 18. Tony and Jane have two daughters together. In 2019, he said on the ‘TODAY’ show that Jane is “the most incredible human being” he knows. Adding, “…She is just a very salt of the earth person… I knew when I was 21 when I met her, I better hang on because I’ll never come across this again.” 

RELATED: Aht! Aht! Cheyenne Bryant’s Comment Section Is Split After She Shares Message About “Miserable People” (VIDEO)

In 2017, Netflix debuted quite the unique animated series. For eight seasons, Big Mouth used a constant stream of raunchy sex jokes to tell a coming-of-age story about a group of kids going through puberty. It may have ended in 2025, but if you miss the cartoon’s crude humor, you’re in luck, because it’s back… sort of, as Big Mouth series creators Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett are returning with Mating Season. Trade awkward preteens for talking animals, and you have a very similar show — at least on the surface. Beneath all the expected innuendo and constant humping lies something quite sweet.

‘Mating Season’ Hails From the Creators of ‘Big Mouth’

From the very moment Mating Season begins, you can tell that this is a creation by the Big Mouth masterminds. The theme song, Elvin Bishop‘s “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” plays over a cut of real-life footage of animals knocking boots, similar to Big Mouth‘s opening, which utilized “Changes” by Charles Bradley. Once we meet the characters, the direction is clear: Mating Season is going to be just as dirty. Josh (Zach Woods), a giant brown bear, should be the most intimidating beast in the forest. Instead, he’s weak, his self-esteem destroyed by a relationship where his girlfriend was cheating on him. Josh’s best friend, Ray (Kroll), is the exact opposite, a raccoon who never stops trying to score with anything that moves. In Mating Season, animals don’t stick to their own species. That’s confirmed early on when Ray gets awkwardly stuck to a skunk.

Yet the Netflix series isn’t only interested in its male characters. Fawn (June Diane Raphael) is a deer who falls easily, only to get her heart stomped on by cheaters and those who can’t commit. Her best friend is a fox named Penelope (Sabrina Jalees), in search of same-sex love even though she doesn’t know how to find it. Put this foursome together, and you have a happy little group against a sitcom-like backdrop. In every episode, the gang gets themselves into some sort of trouble before ending the day hashing it out at their favorite bar, fittingly called The Watering Hole.

‘Mating Season’s Crude Humor Isn’t That Shocking Anymore

The main issue with Mating Season is that its type of humor has been done before. Sausage Party even did it on the big screen long before Big Mouth. After the success of both projects, animated characters being foul and bumping uglies isn’t all that shocking anymore. This doesn’t mean Mating Season isn’t fun — if Big Mouth was your type of comedy, you’ll love its sense of humor. There are plenty of sexual situations, but this time, there are even fewer limits. Big Mouth‘s writers still had to hold back a bit, given the show’s younger human characters, but Mating Season, with its cast of wildlife, can get away with just about anything.

One wise move that Mating Season makes, however, is that it still exercises just enough restraint with its comedy. Once you go over the line, there’s no coming back, but every scene becomes one gag or one-liner after another in an effort to top what came before. The series isn’t desperate for viewers’ attention — if you’re here, you know what you’re getting — but what it does do effectively is build its jokes around the types of characters involved. When Fawn takes up with a wolf named Dylan (Timothy Olyphant), for example, she gets frustrated when he starts marking his territory — including her — by peeing on everything.

‘Mating Season’ Is Held Together by Its Characters and A-List Cameos

Image via Netflix

Big Mouth‘s X-rated jokes were the way into the show, but the characters became the reason to stay. Mating Season‘s laughs might not be as big as what came before, but what it does do just as well, and arguably even better at times, are its relationships. Instead of infighting and drama, Josh, Ray, Fawn, and Penelope truly care about each other. Josh and Ray are like brothers with nothing in common, while Fawn and Penelope raise each other up rather than bring each other down. It’s surprisingly wholesome for a series that is otherwise anything but.

Mating Season is also boosted by its cameos, including several big names playing the animals the main foursome interact with for the series’ biggest conflicts. Olyphant’s Dylan is a recurring character as the ex-boyfriend Fawn can’t let go of, while Seinfeld legend Jason Alexander plays Fawn’s father, a buck with a younger girlfriend whom he brings to his ex-wife’s funeral. They’re joined by the likes of David Duchovny, Jack McBrayer, Sarah Silverman, Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer, Mark Duplass, and many others. It’s a big forest out there with a lot of bonkers personalities, whether it be Ray’s wild mom or the unusual animals he and Josh meet at a commune in a situation that quickly devolves.

Mating Season doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and any fan of Big Mouth has seen it all before, but because the new series doesn’t need to rely on shock value, it can get straight to what it wants to do without feeling forced to compete with the past. In other words, Mating Season is its own beast, with four hilarious and easy-to-root-for characters trying to figure it out. (They still haven’t succeeded by the end of Season 1, which means a renewal should definitely happen.) Bring on more getting it on.

Mating Season is now available to stream on Netflix.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly dealing with emotional strain following King Charles’ visit to the US, with insiders claiming the trip resurfaced long-standing tensions within the royal family.

As public attention once again turns toward the Sussexes’ relationship with the monarchy, sources say the couple privately struggled with the optics of the visit and its wider implications.

Meanwhile, palace insiders claim King Charles is quietly hoping to repair the deepening divide between his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, with behind-the-scenes reconciliation efforts underway.

Prince Harry And Meghan Feel Emotional Strain After King Charles’ US Visit Reopened Royal Tensions

Harry and Meghan are said to be experiencing emotional strain following King Charles’ high-profile visit to the United States, with sources telling OK! that the trip has been “deeply triggering” for the couple, as long-standing tensions with the royal family resurface

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and now live in California, have come under renewed public attention after Charles’ four-day state visit with Queen Camilla.

The trip included ceremonial receptions, diplomatic engagements, and meetings with senior US political figures, with images of the monarch appearing relaxed and in high-profile company circulating widely.

According to insiders, the public nature of the visit and the personalities involved have made it particularly difficult for Harry and Meghan to process.

One source claimed the situation has had an unexpected emotional impact on the couple, saying it has “brought up a lot of difficult emotions” and left them unsettled.

While Harry is said to understand that his father’s role “requires him to engage with whoever is in power, regardless of past comments or personal tensions,” the source added that understanding the duty of the monarchy does not necessarily ease the emotional response.

The Sussexes Are Reportedly Feeling ‘Vulnerable’ After The Monarch’s US Visit

The same insider suggested that what has been especially challenging is the lack of public acknowledgment of past criticisms directed at the couple, which they feel has gone unaddressed and continues to fuel a “narrative they feel is unfair” behind the scenes.

Another source described the couple as trying to manage mixed emotions, balancing personal sensitivities with a desire to remain composed.

They claimed Harry is attempting to view the situation through the lens of his father’s responsibilities as monarch, but that the experience has nonetheless reopened old wounds, and “left both him and Meghan feeling vulnerable and under scrutiny again.”

For Meghan in particular, the insider noted that there is frustration over what she perceives as continued negative commentary about the couple, with little visible pushback or defense from official channels.

“She and Harry are essentially suffering a form of PTSD over Charles’ U.S. visit,” a source claimed.

Prince Harry Keeping Silence Over The Matter As Strained Relationship With King Charles Remains Unresolved

Despite the emotional reaction described by sources, Harry is said to be deliberately avoiding public responses, preferring not to escalate tensions further.

However, those close to the situation suggest the developments have placed added strain on both him and Meghan privately.

The King’s visit itself was widely regarded as a diplomatic success, featuring a formal White House reception, a speech to Congress, and several engagements across Washington and New York, including tributes at the 9/11 memorial and meetings with community leaders focused on social development initiatives.

Even so, attention has repeatedly shifted back to Harry’s absence and his continued distance from his father.

The last known meeting between the King and the Duke of Sussex reportedly took place in September during a brief private tea at Clarence House, following a long period without contact.

Since then, attempts to rebuild their relationship have remained slow, with ongoing complications within the wider royal family said to be hindering progress.

King Charles Is Pushing For Prince William And Harry’s Reconciliation Ahead Of The Duke’s UK Return, Source Claims

Meanwhile, Palace insiders say Charles is deeply affected by the ongoing rift between his sons, with those close to him suggesting his personal hope is to see Prince William and Harry reconcile and restore some form of family unity.

While the idea of a breakthrough may seem distant, reports in the Daily Mail suggest efforts toward reconciliation could already be taking shape behind the scenes.

According to the publication, the King is keen for both sons to rebuild their relationship before the situation becomes irreversible, with support from his newly appointed deputy private secretary, Theo Rycroft.

Rycroft, a former diplomat who joined the King’s office in February, has reportedly already made a strong impression within the Palace. He is described by insiders as discreet and highly capable in handling sensitive matters, qualities that have earned him the informal nickname “Mr Nice Guy.”

The King’s New Depute Private Secretary Has Made It His ‘Mission’ To Reunite The Feuding Brothers

Sources claim Rycroft views the ongoing breakdown between the brothers as unnecessary and has privately described the situation as “ridiculous.”

He is also said to have made repairing the relationship between William and Harry his “number one mission” with hopes of encouraging dialogue between them.

According to the report, attention is expected to turn to Harry’s planned return to the UK in July for preparations ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, which could present a rare window for engagement.

Rycroft is believed to be exploring the possibility of arranging a meeting between Harry and King Charles during that visit, with the longer-term goal of gradually opening the door to talks that could eventually include William as well.

Mary Mary singer Erica Campbell recently celebrated 25 years of marriage with her husband, Warryn Campbell, in a stunning vow renewal. To note, Erica’s sister, Tina, also reacted to footage of their ceremony amid her ongoing divorce.

RELATED: Issa Wrap! Glendon Campbell Files For Divorce From Mary Mary Star Tina Campbell After 20+ Years Of Marriage

Mary Mary Singer Erica Campbell Celebrates 25 Years Of Marriage With Husband Warryn In Stunning Vow Renewal

On Monday, May 18, PEOPLE published an exclusive report asserting that the couple renewed their vows on Saturday, May 16. This, reportedly, at the California Worship Center in San Fernando, California, and after the couple initially said “I do” back in 2001. Per the outlet, 600 guests attended the celebration.

“Because why would you not celebrate 25 years of staying together? When you have gone through sickness and health, better and worse, and all the beauty and battles that come with choosing a love like this, what remains after the storms of life is something truly beautiful and unshakable,” Erica told the outlet.

Furthermore, per the outlet, the couple chose the worship center because it is their “spiritual home.” Additionally, Erica’s gown was designed by Nigerian designer Nneka C. Alexander of Brides by Nona.

“We now have 25 years of life and love behind us, along with a huge family that has watched us live it out. I know it sounds corny, but it honestly felt like the first time,” Erica shared. “The fun, the laughter, and what we have built together will definitely outlast us. It’s a legacy.”

Specifically, the outlet notes that the key to the couple’s love has been “the hard stuff [they] do not like to acknowledge: patience, listening, and not keeping score.”

“Take a deep breath daily, keep coming home to each other, and do not sleep separately. Touch and connect as much as possible, and speak from your heart, not your hurt,” Erica shared.

Social Media Users React To Erica & Warryn Campbell’s Stunning Vow Renewal

Social media users reacted to the couple’s stunning vow renewal in TSR’s comment section.

The Mary Mary Singer Celebrated 25 Years Of Marriage Amid Her Sister Tina’s Divorce — Tina Reacts To Her Vow Renewal Footage

As The Shade Room previously reported, in April, it was reported that Glendon Campbell had filed for divorce from Erica Campbell’s sister, Tina. The pair had reportedly married in 2000. However, they allegedly separated in 2024.

Then, about a week later, Erica Campbell took fans on her journey of searching for a wedding dress for her and Warryn’s vow renewal. At the time, users slid into TSR’s comment section, one writing, “I don’t know but I just feel like this was timed terribly…”

To note, Tina Campbell did react to Erica and Warryn’s vow renewal footage, writing, “GO HEAD DUB💍💍💍… WORK E😍🔥😍🔥😍🔥😍”

RELATED: Fans Drop Mixed Reactions After Erica Campbell Shares Clip Preparing For Her 25th Wedding Anniversary Amid Sister Tina’s Divorce (VIDEO)

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 9 seconds ago

After five seasons of ups and downs, The Boys came to an appropriately brutal and bloody series finale. It delivers on certain fan expectations, including the inevitable final showdown between Homelander and Butcher. However, the whole thing feels like the writers are just going through the motions and speeding to a conclusion that feels way too rushed. It’s a paradox, really. Given the not-so-shocking (at least, if you’ve read the comics) third-act twist, it seems like the final season would have benefited from another episode. At the same time, it’s fair to say that another episode, like the episodes before it, would have been mostly wasted setting up the next spinoff.

It’s the final irony for The Boys, which has always been at its best taking the piss out of Marvel and DC’s superhero movies. While showrunner Eric Kripke and his team achieved success by deconstructing these more famous heroes, they eventually ran into the same problem that is plaguing Marvel and ultimately ruined the DCEU. Namely, the need to rush in and create as much spinoff material as possible. In focusing so much on the future, they botched the here and now, giving us a final Boys episode that fails to leap fan expectations in a single bound. Instead, it simply crawls limply across the finish line.

A Bloody Bad Time

The plot of this series finale is largely rote and predictable. After a funeral for Frenchie, it’s revealed that Butcher’s plan B worked. Kimiko can now shoot a blast that removes someone’s superpowers, something she does to a grateful Sage. After that, the team races to the White House to fight Homelander, who is scheduled to address the nation on live television. The bad guys are waiting, though, forcing our heroes to run a gauntlet to reach their final target. The ultimate goal is for Butcher to have one last go at Homelander, and an audience of millions will watch their final confrontation. 

Without spoiling the very end (at least, not yet), that’s the gist of the final episode, and some of it is fun. For example, I found the final fight between Starlight and the Deep very satisfying, thanks largely to its horror movie-like ending. Also, the fight between Butcher and Homelander is engaging, thanks largely to its absolutely bonkers ending. Unfortunately, these fights are held back by an unfortunate reality that has plagued the entire final season of The Boys: a serious lack of onscreen budget. The Season 5 premiere had a very exciting set in the form of Camp Liberty. After that, each episode (including, shockingly, the finale) has looked as cheap as a bottle episode.

Nobody’s Really Having A Blast

Whether it’s bad writing, bad budgeting, or a bit of both, Homelander also seemed weirdly restrained this season. Sure, we see him casually kill civilians, including the president and, in this episode, a stand-in for Elon Musk. But he has seemed weirdly inept in his ability to kill the Boys, and never really matches his powers to his godlike ambitions. This season included marketing where Homelander watched a nuclear apocalypse from space, but that never happens, and everything ends with a grimy fight in a cramped White House set. Nerfing their Big Bad like this is just embarrassing, and it makes the Boys’ victories against Homelander that much less impressive.

The result of all of this is an episode that’s just, well, okay. It’s not the worst episode of The Boys, and it’s hardly the worst series finale ever made. But it fails to deliver on many of its promises (seriously, not a single scene of Homelander going crazy and lasering people en masse?), and this last episode will leave you screaming at your TV. You’ll mostly scream at Homelander: “Why did you not laser off Kimiko’s head as soon as she walked in? Why are you having trouble fighting Butcher’s hentai tentacles? Why do you seem weaker with the V1 than without it?” Don’t worry, though. You’ll keep screaming long after the fight is over. 

Oy! Here Come The Spoilers!

Now, spoilers from here on, mates, so you’ve been warned. After Kimiko successfully de-powers Homelander, Butcher, and Ryan, we see Butcher abuse and ultimately kill Homelander. It’s pretty pathetic to watch, with Homelander begging to do anything to save his life. It doesn’t work, though, and Butcher opens his brain up on live television. Happy ending, right? Wrong. After his dog dies and Ryan refuses to reconcile with him, Butcher returns to his original plan: unleashing a virus that will kill every supe. That includes Starlight, so Hughie predictably shows up to stop his mentor. Butcher fights back and dies after Hughie repeatedly shoots him.

On paper, this is meant to be a very moving scene of The Boys. Butcher is so driven by rage that he can’t even enjoy his victory over Homelander and must move on to the next atrocity. Hughie, meanwhile, is forced to confront the mentor he respects in order to save the woman he loves. Sadly, none of this really feels earned. We haven’t really gotten much of “far beyond redemption” Butcher this season, so his heel turn feels more like a 180 than a natural payoff. We also haven’t gotten much substantial Butcher/Hughie bonding in a long time, effectively robbing this scene of its possible emotional weight.

The Writers Never Saw The Light

In a nutshell, that’s the problem with The Boys’ last couple of seasons: there is no weight to pretty much anything. The show still has the over-the-top fights and gross-out moments the franchise is famous for, but every character has become a Flanderized parody of themselves. Meanwhile, while The Boys achieved success early on as a parody of superhero franchises like the MCU, it eventually succumbed to the need to chase money through endless spinoffs. One of those spinoffs already failed, and the setup for the next one arguably ruined this past season.

Gen V was canceled after two seasons, effectively nullifying the plots and characters that it tried to set up. Some of those characters popped up in The Boys and were given so little to do that it was downright insulting to fans of that plucky spinoff. Meanwhile, Soldier Boy was brought back and dominated most of this last season before being frozen again to set up the upcoming spinoff, Vought Rising. Endless spinoffs? Storylines that never pay off? Screwing over a current project just to set up the next one? Congrats, The Boys, you’re not making fun of Marvel anymore. Instead, you’ve become Marvel in all the worst possible ways.

Ironically, that will be the real lasting failure of this final episode. As an episode unto itself, the series finale is merely average. But as the payoff to five seasons of storytelling, it’s a massive disappointment. Meanwhile, nobody is as disappointed as Gen V fans who watched their favorite show turn into nothing more than a commercial for The Boys, which itself is now just a commercial for Vought Rising. Unfortunately, Eric Kripke doesn’t seem to realize that you can only poison the well so often before people stop drinking. If this is the best ending he can give to his only successful show, then why the hell would anyone watch anything he makes, ever again?

THE BOYS SERIES FINALE SCORE

 All five seasons of The Boys are streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.