Entertainment
RHORI’s Rulla ‘Did Not’ Expect Marriage to Be a Story Line
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli “certainly did not” think that her marriage to Brian Pontarelli would be a story line on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.
Rulla made her debut during the new Bravo show’s second episode, which aired on Sunday, April 2, and discussions about her drama with Jo-Ellen Tiberi were immediately on the table.
“Jo-Ellen and I have definitely had ups and downs,” Rulla said in a confessional. “She is a rep in the beauty business. My husband, Brian, and I know a lot of people in the industry. She comes across as friendly, bubbly, but that’s not always the truth.”

During a lunch with Liz McGraw and Kelsey Swanson, Rulla claimed Jo-Ellen was talking about her, and Liz explained during her confessional that there are rumors “all around Rhode Island” that Brian has “a mistress.”
What apparently happened was Liz heard of “photos online” that showed Brian with another woman. Liz put Rulla in touch with Jo-Ellen, who “happened to see them.”
“At first, I thought that Jo-Ellen was trying to be supportive and help me because that’s what it sounded like,” Rulla claimed in her confessional. “Until I learned that she had shared the pictures with the whole group and was running her mouth around town about it.”
Rulla claimed that Brian was seeing this alleged other woman in summer 2024, but it had come to an end. Liz alluded to something still going on involving Brian.
“It’s pretty out there that Brian is still doing his thing with this woman,” Liz claimed in her confessional. “If Rulla chooses to not acknowledge what’s really going on and live in that land of delusion. I’m sorry, Elizabeth is allergic to bulls***.”
Elsewhere in the episode, Jo-Ellen explained her side of the story, claiming she’s getting the “brunt of the blame” from Rulla after Brian’s affair. “I shared a picture that the mistress posted on the internet,” Jo-Ellen said, alleging that Rulla and Brian tried to get her fired after the fact — but it seems a further discussion on that point will be coming later in the season.
Both Jo-Ellen and Rulla discussed how this drama impacts the rest of the season during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly.
“What happened to Rulla is really unfortunate. It’s not a secret, I’m not a fan of Rulla’s husband. I don’t think he’s a great person, and I think she is,” Jo-Ellen told Us. “I think she’s a really smart, brilliant, beautiful woman who doesn’t deserve some of the things that he put her through.”
Rulla, meanwhile, does not think Jo-Ellen is really on her side.
“I know that if you ask anyone in Rhode Island, those people who actually know maybe Jo-Ellen in her past and her practices and her character, I think they would agree that she’s not the most credible, not the most authentic source,” Rulla claimed. “When she just continued to kind of push harder and bring more to the group and bring more to the state and the city that she lives in, I just thought to myself, ‘What is her objective here?’”
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island premiere on Bravo on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET and stream via Peacock the next day.
Entertainment
New Sci-Fi Masterpiece Overtakes Tom Cruise’s Franchise-Ending Action Thriller
Now in its sixth week of release in theaters worldwide, Project Hail Mary passed two massive box-office milestones. The movie held its ground this weekend, trailing The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the week’s big new release, Michael. It added another $12 million to its domestic haul and passed the $300 million mark. The movie probably has the legs to hit the $350 million milestone by the end of its run. This is a terrific result for Amazon MGM Studios, which delayed the movie’s Prime Video release and put it back into select IMAX theaters for a one-week run. This is in contrast to its release strategy for Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, which landed on Prime Video only three weeks after debuting in theaters.
Red One failed to recoup its reported $250 million budget theatrically. Amazon’s other sci-fi release of 2026, the Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson-led Mercy, also fell short of its reported $60 million budget. Both movies, however, proved to be quite successful on streaming. Produced on a budget of more than $200 million, Project Hail Mary will likely deliver huge numbers on Prime Video as well, but its box-office performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. It has greatly benefited from enthusiastic audience support, an event-movie status, and excellent reviews. It now stands at a “Certified Fresh” 94% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 96% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.
Here’s How Much ‘Project Hail Mary’ Has Grossed at the Box Office
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, Project Hail Mary is based on a bestseller by Andy Weir, who also wrote the novel that inspired The Martian. With this weekend’s performance, Project Hail Mary has shrunk the gap between itself and Ridley Scott‘s film. With more than $300 million domestically and $600 million worldwide, the film has also overtaken the $598 million lifetime global haul of the sci-fi-adjacent Tom Cruise-led tentpole Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the eighth Mission: Impossible movie was released to mostly positive reviews in 2025, but even with nearly $600 million at the worldwide box office, it was considered an underperformer because of a massive $400 million reported budget. It was marketed as the long-running action franchise’s last installment, and for once, it seems like they weren’t bluffing. Both Cruise and McQuarrie have found new projects, and the fate of the Mission: Impossible franchise remains undecided. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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March 15, 2026
- Runtime
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157 minutes
- Director
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Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
- Writers
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Drew Goddard, Andy Weir
- Producers
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Aditya Sood, Amy Pascal, Andy Weir, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Rachel O’Connor, Ryan Gosling
Entertainment
Michael Jackson Movie Is Officially One of the Biggest Music Biopics of All Time
After an infamously uneven run over the last couple of years, Lionsgate is ready to rebound. This weekend, the studio released its controversial Michael Jackson biopic, which exceeded already-bullish projections to deliver a record-breaking debut at the box office. Later this year, Lionsgate will also release The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the second prequel in the dystopian action franchise. Michael delivered the studio’s biggest debut since The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which was released three years ago. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael survived a highly dramatic production that reportedly saw a major creative overhaul to the third act and conflicts between the filmmakers and Jackson’s estate. The film’s release has also attracted renewed attention to the longstanding abuse allegations against the King of Pop. The movie has been criticized for omitting this aspect of Jackson’s life entirely.
However, it has clearly struck a chord with fans. Michael delivered the biggest-ever box-office debut for a biopic, overtaking not only Bohemian Rhapsody but also Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer. Starring Jaafar Jackson as his iconic pop star uncle, the movie holds a 38% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 97% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s consensus reads, “While Jaafar Jackson’s smooth moves bring the King of Pop to uncanny life, this musical biopic mostly plays like a ‘greatest hits’ album that could’ve benefited from including liner notes to give actual insight into the icon.”
Here’s How Much ‘Michael’ Grossed at the Box Office This Weekend
Produced on a massive reported budget of $200 million, Michael grossed just under $100 million domestically and more than $215 million worldwide in its opening weekend. A path to the $1 billion mark lies ahead, and, given near-unanimous audience praise, it seems highly achievable. Were the movie to hit this milestone, it would have overtaken both Bohemian Rhapsody and Oppenheimer to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time. Also starring Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Nia Long, the movie could also spawn a sequel that tackles the second half of Jackson’s life and career. A significant portion of footage that was edited out of the first film could reportedly be used in a second installment. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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April 24, 2026
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Writers
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John Logan
- Producers
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Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Entertainment
Megan Thee Stallion and NBA Star Klay Thompson Split
Megan Thee Stallion and her NBA star boyfriend, Klay Thompson, have broken up amid accusations of infidelity.
“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” Megan, 31, tells Us Weekly in a Saturday, April 25, statement. “Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward.”
She continued, “I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”
Several hours earlier, Megan appeared to publicly claim that Klay, 36, had been unfaithful during their relationship.
“Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house … got ‘cold feet,’” Megan wrote via her Instagram Stories earlier on Saturday without mentioning Klay by name. “Holding you down through all your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season.”
She added, “Now you don’t know if you can be ‘monogamous???’ Bitch, I need a real break after this one. Bye y’all.”
Klay has not publicly addressed his relationship status or the cheating accusations. Us Weekly has reached out to the athlete’s rep for comment.

Megan and Klay were first romantically linked in July 2025, making their red carpet debut later that month at her Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala. (Megan started the nonprofit in 2022 to support women, children, seniors and underserved communities in Houston, Texas.)
“Well, it feels incredible because Megan is such a special person and she inspires so many around the world. I’ve seen it firsthand,” Klay exclusively told Us on the red carpet. “This is just another incredible feat of hers to be able to give back, create [a] foundation and raise a ton of money for those in need. I’m honored to be here by her side.”
The gala was held in honor of Megan’s late parents, whom Klay told Us that he “would have loved to meet.”
“I know both of them would be so proud of their only daughter because of what — not only what she’s been able to accomplish, what she’s also going to continue to do,” Klay said at the time. “She has never been put in a box, or allowed herself to be in a box, and she just continues to inspire so many people around the world. And, on top of that, raise a ton of money this evening and just do so much for so many in need.”
Megan previously dated Pardison Fontaine and Torrey Craig, respectively.
Entertainment
Lisa Kudrow Says ‘Friends’ Feels Off Without Perry
Lisa Kudrow is looking back on “Friends” with a different perspective following the death of her co-star Matthew Perry.
Reflecting on the sitcom that made her a global star, the actress said the show now feels more meaningful than ever. She also revealed how revisiting the sitcom has become difficult in the wake of Perry’s death, as it reminds her she’ll never again experience Perry’s presence and talent off-screen.

More than two decades after “Friends” first aired, the sitcom remains a cultural staple, still pulling in new generations of fans.
Kudrow was at the center of that success, starring alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Perry.
Now, Kudrow says her view of the show has shifted, especially after revisiting it following Perry’s death.
“After Matthew died, I watched the show again,” she told The Times. “Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better. But for the first time, I truly appreciated just how great it was. I felt I did OK, but Jennifer and Courteney? Amazing. David and Matt? They had me laughing so hard. And then Matthew, he was just beyond us all.”
Kudrow Says Matthew Perry’s Death Made ‘Friends’ Hard To Rewatch

While their characters often clashed on “Friends,” Kudrow and Perry shared a much closer bond off-screen.
The actress later honored that friendship by writing the foreword to her co-star’s 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” where she admitted she hadn’t fully grasped the depth of his struggles with addiction.
Now, that realization has made revisiting “Friends” more emotional than ever.
“Because there was a genius at work,” Kudrow said of Perry’s performance as Chandler. “And whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again.”
Lisa Kudrow Once Gave Herself A Deadline To Make It In Hollywood

After “Friends” wrapped in May 2004, the cast branched out in different directions, with varying levels of success.
For Kudrow, the transition led to a steady run in comedy, with roles in films like “Happy Endings,” “Hotel for Dogs,” “Easy A,” and “Neighbors.” She also moved behind the scenes, producing projects including “Web Therapy” and the TLC/NBC series “Who Do You Think You Are?”
However, Kudrow says her career wasn’t always something she took for granted. Early on, she gave herself a limited window to make acting work, with a backup plan already in mind.
“I said to myself, ‘You’re young… Have fun and try it.’ But always in the knowledge that life gets harder. You take on family and responsibilities,” she told The Times.
The Actress Hesitates On AI Bringing Back ‘Friends’
As AI continues to make inroads in Hollywood, Kudrow isn’t convinced it should be used to revive “Friends.”
When asked whether she’d sign off on a deal allowing her likeness to be used in AI-generated episodes of the hit sitcom, Kudrow made it clear the choice wouldn’t be hers alone.
“Well, it wouldn’t be my decision,” she said. “All the cast would have to agree. Bright, Kauffman, Crane [the show’s creators and producers] would have to agree too.”
Even then, she suggested the idea may not get far. Kudrow noted that not everyone involved would necessarily be interested, regardless of how lucrative the offer might be.
Lisa Kudrow Reflected On Being Married Before ‘Friends’ success

Away from Hollywood, Kudrow built a stable personal life long before “Friends” turned her into a household name. She has been married for decades to French-born advertising executive Michel Stern, per PEOPLE.
That timing, she says, helped her sidestep the level of public scrutiny that followed co-stars like Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox at the height of the show’s fame.
Reflecting on it now, Kudrow acknowledged the role that decision played, while also stressing the importance of keeping her career separate from her home life.
“For sure, and all because I married early and outside the business,” she said. “No one was interested. There was no story. And very early on, I was pretty clear: actors on a big show are well paid and really looked after. But you cannot take that attitude home with you. At home, it’s family, life, kids.”
Entertainment
Mormon Wives Star Jessi Draper Talks Dating After Divorce
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jessi Draper is giving her fans a “life update,” speaking candidly about her healing journey and experience dating after divorce.
“I know that you guys see a lot of headlines and videos and photos about my life, and something that I have learned from being on reality TV is that everyone has an opinion,” Jessi, 33, said in a “get ready with me” video shared via Instagram on Saturday, April 25. “But healing after divorce is so interesting because everyone’s process is different.”
Jessi and her estranged husband Jordan Ngatikaura — who share kids Jager, 5, and Jovi, 3 — called it quits after making their reality TV debut on the hit Hulu show in September 2024. Their marriage issues were documented on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, including Jessi’s emotional affair with Marciano Brunette.
Following the news of their split, Jessi broke her silence on their divorce during a March episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, claiming she experienced “emotional abuse” from Jordan.
On Friday, April 24, Jordan clapped back, telling a fan that his “wife’s acting like a complete psycho [and] manic person.”
“So for me, I did a lot of mourning in my relationship,” Jessi continued on Saturday. “I don’t know if anyone can relate to that. I know a lot of people don’t understand that I’m dating and hanging out and just having fun and when you’re in a relationship where you don’t feel valued and you don’t feel like you were treated well, it feels so nice to just talk to people who make you feel valued and treat you well.”
She added, “And I think one of the biggest comments I see is, ‘Go heal and focus on your children.’ And what I want to say to that is: two things can be true. I have my kids 50 percent of the time now, so I am focusing on healing and spending time with them but when I don’t have them I’m also focusing on myself and reprioritizing being happy, honestly. And it’s been really fun to just be happy and to be giddy and to just let loose and kind of see that men don’t have to be what I have experienced for so long.”
Jessi went on to say that while she does believe that “being alone,” going to therapy and “journaling” are all “ a big part of healing,” she also believes that “another part of healing is dating.”
“Because I am definitely jaded when it comes to relationships now and I am really scared,” she explained. “So it’s been kind of nice just to, like, be happy again and experience other things. I do plan on being single for a long time and just hanging out with different people and having fun and finding connections while also focusing on myself.”
Jessi — who admitted she hasn’t been “single since I was 19 or 20 years old” — also addressed comments she has made about her previous relationship, saying that she doesn’t want to “talk badly” about her failed marriage.
“I already said my piece on that,” she added, claiming that she lived in “fight or flight” mode for years. “But there is an element of, like, when you do get divorced you kind of unwind what you’ve been through.”
The reality TV star acknowledged that there are “going to be plenty of judgments” about the decisions she makes moving forward, but despite the online hate and criticism she is “so happy just to be in this new phase in life.”
“Divorce is so freaking scary and so hard and so heartbreaking,” she continued. “I am so excited to film again and show that process for me.”
Filming on season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was briefly paused after star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex Dakota Mortensen were engaged in an alleged domestic dispute. After local authorities decided not to pursue charges against Taylor, production on the season resumed and producers welcomed Taylor to return.
The former Bachelorette is said to be focused on her mental health after her split and legal issues with Dakota, and will reportedly “not be involved” in the show moving forward.
Entertainment
Megan Thee Stallion Breakup Sparks Online Storm
Megan Thee Stallion’s whirlwind romance with Klay Thompson has come to an abrupt and messy end, leaving fans stunned by how quickly things unraveled.
What started as a highly publicized, affectionate relationship filled with gifts, trips, and red carpet moments has now turned into a breakup fueled by serious accusations.
With Megan speaking out directly and hinting at deeper issues, the split is already sparking intense reactions online as fans try to piece together what really went wrong.

Megan Thee Stallion didn’t hold back when confirming the breakup, making it clear that her decision was rooted in values she refuses to compromise.
In a statement to PEOPLE on April 25, the rapper shared, “I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay.”
Megan then shared a hint about the possible cause of the breakup, revealing, “Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward.”
In her final words, the Grammy Award winner shared that she would be stepping away and focusing on herself.
According to her, “I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”
Fans Erupt With Mixed Reactions Amid Megan’s Announcement
In no time, Megan Thee Stallion’s statement spread across social media, sparking a wave of reactions from fans.
On X, some users showed the 31-year-old some support, noting that it was Thompson’s loss.
“Trust and fidelity are the bare minimum, no matter who the man is. Seeing her stand on her values so publicly is incredibly empowering,” one person wrote.
Another commented, “She settled for less and the less still cheated on her and made her do wifey duties with no ring. This Arab boy fumbled a hottie damn.”
A third fan also noted, “The fact she led with values instead of vibes is the real story. Most people stay silent or spiral. She set a standard and moved, that’s grown woman behavior.”
On the other hand, some users revealed that Megan deserved what she got, considering her complicated history with Tory Lanez.
“What goes around comes around. Karma is what again?” a fan wrote over a screenshot of a tweet Lanez made about God fighting his enemies.
Another fan also shared the same screenshot and added, “god is working for Tory Lanez,” alongside a laughing emoji.
Megan Thee Stallion Sparks Cheating Claims In Emotional Post

Before the official confirmation, Megan Thee Stallion had already set social media on fire with a raw and emotional Instagram Stories post that appeared to call out her partner.
Although she didn’t mention the NBA star by name, the context made the situation clear.
“Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house… got ‘cold feet,’” she wrote.
Megan also claimed she held Thompson down during all “your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment towards me during your basketball season.”
According to her, she did all these only for Thompson to reveal he wasn’t sure he could be “monogamous.” “B*tch I need a REAL break after this one .. bye yall,” she continued.
As expected, the post wasted no time going viral and fans had a lot to say.
Fans React To Megan’s Instagram Outburst

On X, many users revealed it was disappointing to see Thompson choosing infidelity, considering how much effort Megan Thee Stallion put into the relationship.
One fan wrote, “Klay Thompson really fumbled on this one, I really don’t know the basis of this whole issue but he supposed to learn from then curry and do better next time. No offense.”
Another user commented, “Klay really had Meghan Thee Stallion holding him down through the whole season just to fumble her like that. Some dudes don’t deserve a real one.”
A third fan added, “Megan said she’d done playing games and walked. Queens don’t stay for mood swings and side pieces. Klay just lost the best thing he ever deserved.”
Megan Thee Stallion And Klay Thompson’s Romance Once Seemed Strong

The breakup has shocked many because the relationship once appeared solid and full of excitement. Megan and Thompson had shared several moments that painted a picture of happiness and stability, especially after going public.
In February, Thompson surprised Megan with a powder-blue Bentley for her birthday, and the two celebrated with a tropical getaway.
She later reflected on the trip, writing, “Aw man I was not ready for this birthday trip to be over. A time was definitely had. THANK YOU BABY.”
In late March, she posted a mirror selfie of her and her Thompson together, with the latter standing behind her and holding her waist, further fueling fan excitement about their bond.
Their relationship had first sparked headlines last summer before becoming official at her Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York City.
At the time, Megan openly praised him, calling him the “nicest person I’ve ever met in my life,” which made the sudden breakup even more surprising.
Entertainment
Johnny Knoxville Was All For The ‘Fear Factor’ Gossip
“Fear Factor: House of Fear” host Johnny Knoxville is opening up about one of his favorite parts of filming the reality competition show: keeping up with behind-the-scenes gossip about contestants. He recalled reading daily updates during production, turning it into a morning routine while having breakfast.
Season 1 aired its final episode in March, and Knoxville will be returning for a second season after the show was renewed, giving him more gossip fodder with a new set of players.

At the Deadline Contenders TV panel on April 25, “Fear Factor: House of Fear” host Johnny Knoxville and Executive Producer Michael Heyerman discussed the series, a reboot of the dare game show that originally aired from 2001 to 2006 and was hosted by Joe Rogan.
Unlike the original “Fear Factor,” the reboot requires contestants to live together in a creepy house where they can strategize and form alliances, adding an extra layer of drama to the already stressful challenges they face.
As Knoxville revealed, he gained a new hobby while filming the 10-episode series. “One of my favorite things is the first thing in the morning when we were shooting was they would send out the gossip report — the ‘hot gos report’ of all the things that are happening in the house. And my wife and I sat over breakfast every morning loving it,” he said during the panel, per Deadline.
The Host Was Invested In The Relationships
The original “Fear Factor” was a self-contained competition where a new set of three men and three women competed against each other in each episode. The reboot added a social-strategy element and had a player eliminated each episode until one was crowned the winner at the end of the season. This allowed Knoxville to get to know the players better and form bonds with them.
“I’ve never had a host be so invested in the hot sheet that comes out the morning of,” Heyerman said of Knoxville’s keen interest in the players. “I was really invested in it. Who’s trying to form a friendship, who’s backstabbing someone, is that a real romance or a showmance, did they kiss or barely kiss? I love it,” explained Knoxville.
Knoxville formed a kinship with some contestants, admitting that he became emotional when some were eliminated. “I turned into that person, but you can’t help it. You form relationships with these people.”
Johnny Knoxville Dishes On His Fear
Knoxville doesn’t seem like someone who scares easily, especially given his history of facing dangerous and often frightening situations throughout “Jackass,” where he regularly pushed himself through stunts that would intimidate most people. However, he revealed one thing about the show that scared him.
In the first season, the challengers were made to face their biggest fears, including getting shocked, being buried alive, and being stuck with dangerous animals and critters, among other things. “Snakes, fine. Spiders, fine. I don’t care about heights. But the communal bathrooms in the house, it gives me anxiety. I don’t want to live with 14 people and have to share a bathroom. I’ll go out in the woods before I’ll do that. That gives me fear,” Knoxville shared.
The Stunt Performer Felt Like A ‘Perverted Life Coach’

In an episode of the podcast “Books That Changed My Life” released in January, Knoxville spoke about his experience on “Fear Factor: House of Fear,” saying that his initial thought upon taking the project was to make the contestants’ experiences “worse” for them. However, as they started filming, his perspective changed, and he ended up encouraging the players to conquer their fears.
Knoxville said he told them not to quit, and to “at least try it.” “I became like a really perverted life coach,” he said, as he alternated between scaring them in one moment and motivating them in the next. The actor said he ended up liking the contestants and had more fun hosting than he expected.
Johnny Knoxville Returns For ‘Fear Factor’ Season 2
A two-part follow-up special titled “Fear Factor: 48 Hours of Fear” will premiere on May 14, where six contestants endure challenges for 48 hours without sleep. Fox also announced that “Fear Factor: House of Fear” has been renewed for a second season.
As reported by Variety, the first episode of Season 1 drew in 16.5 million viewers from various platforms. “Johnny Knoxville’s fearless, unpredictable energy makes him the perfect ringmaster,” Fox Television Network President Michael Thorn said. According to him, the team behind the show is now “plotting new ways to raise the shock-and-awe quotient for Season Two.”
“Fear Factor: House of Fear” Season 1 is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Entertainment
How A Cannes Maître D’ Inspired ‘White Lotus’ Season 4
Filming for Season 4 of the Emmy-winning show “The White Lotus” is well underway in France, and producer David Bernad is sharing some tidbits about the upcoming season without revealing the plot. As he recently revealed, he and showrunner Mike White had an encounter with Cannes waitstaff that convinced them France was the perfect backdrop for the black comedy anthology series’ fourth season.
At the Cannes International Series Festival, “The White Lotus” producer David Bernad dished on how France was chosen as the location for the show’s upcoming season. Showrunner Mike White initially had a list of countries in mind, but an encounter several years ago convinced him that France was the most fitting environment for the idea he had brewing.
As Bernad noted, the interaction happened in 2021 in Cannes while they were attending the Canneseries Festival, per Variety. “We went to dinner and we had a really specific experience with a waiter and a maître d’, and it was the stereotype,” the producer said, without adding further details about what happened, only saying that it was “a funny moment.”
“And I think that it suddenly unlocked what the show is and the dynamics of the show,” he continued. At that point, he and White eliminated all the other locations they were considering and decided then and there that they were shooting Season 4 in France.
David Bernad And Mike White Share The Focus Of Season 4

Before choosing France, White already had a general idea of what Season 4 would be about, with Bernad saying it would focus on “the arts and what it is to be an artist.” Careful not to reveal anything further, the producer said the series will show “how fame can be corrosive and can dictate your choices in life,” adding that Season 4 is the “funniest season” yet.
In an interview with W Magazine in February, White, who writes and directs the series, confirmed that Season 4 will be about fame. “Who has the world’s attention, who is the plus-one, and how that can organize a relationship. Some people are satisfied with the love of just an intimate partner, and some people need the love of strangers and a bigger kind of attention,” he explained.
How ‘Survivor’ Helped Mike White’s Storytelling For ‘The White Lotus’
White was a castaway on “Survivor” twice, the second time on Season 50, which is currently airing. The director took time off before starting work on “The White Lotus” Season 4 to join the reality series’ milestone season that includes past players. According to White, one of the reasons he loves the show is seeing how the players react to and handle situations.
“It’s like a king’s court of intrigue and showing people under stress in these high stakes situations and how they act… it’s getting some insight into the human mind and motivations, it’s really valuable as a storyteller,” White told The Hollywood Reporter.
White revealed that he developed the characters and concept of “The White Lotus” Season 4 while he was on “Survivor 50,” adding that one of his early thoughts was which character to kill in the new season.
Helena Bonham Carter Leaves ‘The White Lotus’
In January, Helena Bonham Carter was announced as part of “The White Lotus” Season 4 cast. Filming began on April 15 on the French Riviera, but more than a week later, it was reported that the English actress would no longer be part of the series.
As The Blast previously reported, Carter’s character did not translate on set, and some rewrites will be done. “The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will be recast in the coming weeks,” the statement read. The news was met with disappointment from fans who were looking forward to seeing Carter in the highly anticipated season.
What Do We Know About ‘The White Lotus’ Season 4?
“The White Lotus” Season 4 is already in production, with filming taking place across the French Riviera, including Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco, and Paris. The story is set during the Cannes Film Festival, unfolding at luxury hotels such as the Airelles Château de la Messardière and Hôtel Martinez.
Season 4’s ensemble cast includes Heather Graham, Vincent Cassell, Kumail Nanjiani, Max Greenfield, Sandra Bernhard, Steve Coogan, Marissa Long, Frida Gustavsson, Rosie Perez, Ben Schnetzer, Chris Messina, AJ Michalka, Steve Coogan, and Alexander Ludwig.
An official date has not been announced, but “The White Lotus” Season 4 is expected to premiere sometime in 2027.
Entertainment
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Unleashes Brutal New Trailer at CCXP Mexico
The war in Westeros was always going to get uglier before it got quieter, and House of the Dragon looks more than ready to lean into that. Season 2 ended with the Targaryen civil war on the edge of something far more catastrophic, so the big question heading into Season 3 was never whether the fighting would escalate. It was how much destruction HBO was willing to throw on screen once the real bloodshed began. At CCXP Mexico, fans got their answer. The new trailer for Season 3 makes it very clear that the Dance of the Dragons is now in full, vicious motion.
Presented by Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Fabien Frankel, the new trailer promises what the cast described as a “bigger, bolder, bloodier, more brutal, more dangerous” season, and the footage absolutely seems to back that up. The trailer puts a heavy spotlight on two major conflicts, including the Battle of the Gullet and a large-scale field battle, while scattering glimpses of chaos from across the season. One of the standout additions is James Norton as Ormund Hightower, delivering a fiery speech about Rhaenyra’s illegitimacy. Elsewhere, Tom Glynn-Carney’s battered Aegon vows revenge against Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond, who now appears to be settled as King and is even seen occupying the Iron Throne himself.
What Can We Expect From ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3?
Showrunner Ryan Condal, who appeared via video link at the event, teased that there would be a lot more of what the fans have been demanding — dragons.
“I’m very sad to not be joining you all there, but I’m back here in the U.K., putting the finishing touches on post-production in season three. This is a huge season. It’s the biggest we’ve made by any margin and by a wide measure. It is dark. It’s funny. It’s action-packed. It’s emotional. And, of course, it has lots and lots of dragons. This season demanded the very best of everybody that collaborated to make it together, and I can’t wait for the world to experience it.”
Smith also teased that, unlike the more dialogue-heavy episodes of Season 2, this outing would contain “a lot of battles.” He added: “This season, we’re trying to make it bigger, bolder, bloodier, more brutal, more dangerous — just get back to the nuts and bolts of what we are as a show.”
House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres in June.
- Release Date
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August 21, 2022
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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George R.R. Martin
- Directors
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Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel
- Writers
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Gabe Fonseca
-
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Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole
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