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Simon Cowell Under Pressure After Netflix Setback

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Simon Cowell at Americas Got Talent Season 19 - Finale Performances Live Show

Simon Cowell once dominated prime-time television and pop music charts with an almost supernatural instinct for stardom.

However, after the disappointing performance of his latest Netflix venture, industry whispers suggest the mogul may be facing one of the most difficult chapters of his career.

What was billed as a triumphant comeback now looks dangerously uncertain.

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The High Stakes Behind Simon Cowell’s Next Act

When Simon Cowell unveiled his six-part Netflix series centered on forming the next global boyband, expectations were sky-high.

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Rumors initially swirled that the show would be titled “The Midas Touch,” a nod to his reputation for turning hopeful singers into gold-selling superstars.

However, that name never materialized. Instead, the project launched under the more restrained title “Simon Cowell: The Next Act.”

The series documented his quest to build a new generation-defining group in the mold of One Direction.

In classic Cowell fashion, auditions were staged across the UK and Ireland, echoing the formats that once powered “Pop Idol,” “American Idol,” and “The X Factor.”

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He threw himself fully into promotion, even scaling a ladder in dungarees to install a towering London billboard that read: “Simon needs you. Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No time wasters.”

On social media, he declared, “Every generation deserves a megastar boyband, and I don’t think there has been one with the success of One Direction in over 14 years.”

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December 10 Struggles To Match The Hype

Eventually, December 10 was born, named after the show’s release date.

The seven-member group debuted their first single, “Run My Way,” with significant industry backing, including top-tier management and publicity talent.

However, despite the resources, the results were underwhelming.

The single entered the charts at number 72, selling just 6,300 combined units in its first week.

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For a man synonymous with chart-topping success, it was a sobering statistic.

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Industry Insiders Question Simon Cowell’s Relevance

Behind the scenes, the mood appears tense. Industry figures have reportedly labeled the project a “catastrophe” and a “disaster.”

Questions now surround not only the band’s longevity but also Cowell’s standing with Netflix.

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One insider explained to the Daily Mail, “Simon was so hopeful that he could replicate One Direction. That was the premise upon which the Netflix show was built. There were many 1D comparisons used for publicity around the show and the band, but the reality is that his new band are just not there yet – and may never be.”

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They added, “With all that publicity, Simon’s name attached, a major record label and a ­Netflix documentary behind them, expectations were always high. Instead, all it has done is highlight how the music business has changed, and make it seem as though Simon has lost his Midas touch.”

Friends say such criticism would hit hard. “This will be very wounding,” one source admitted. “But you have to wonder why he still feels the need to do this – he’s 66, and the manufactured pop thing just isn’t considered ‘cool.’ Today’s kids just aren’t that easily bought or impressed.”

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Another industry voice was even more blunt, stating, “After all that hype, Simon is just not relevant anymore.”

With a second season reportedly in doubt, speculation grows over whether the streaming platform will continue its partnership with the veteran music producer.

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Cowell’s Glory Days Feel Distant

Simon Cowell at Americas Got Talent Season 19 - Finale Performances Live Show
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To understand the weight of this moment, one must rewind to 2010.

At the height of his influence, Simon Cowell commanded weekend television.

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Nearly 19.4 million viewers tuned in to “The X Factor” final that year. He had already cultivated stars like Westlife, Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, JLS, and Alexandra Burke.

One Direction, assembled by Cowell from solo auditionees including Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and the late Liam Payne, finished third on the show but went on to sell more than 200 million records globally.

The following season delivered Little Mix, cementing his dominance in shaping pop’s biggest acts. He was widely viewed as the architect of modern British pop success.

However, today’s music landscape is different. Viral TikTok stars and independent artists often bypass traditional gatekeepers entirely.

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Hence, the old formula of televised auditions and manufactured groups may no longer resonate the way it once did.

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What Comes Next For Simon Cowell

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Bold and the Beautiful: Will Stands Up to Ivy’s Relentless Bullying & Fights Back

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Bold and the Beautiful: Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) - Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer)

Bold and the Beautiful reveals Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) was already floored when he saw Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) at Il Giardino. When Will shook the truth out of Dylan, she admitted she only lied because Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer) made her. I think Will is about to hit back hard in defense of Dylan.

Let’s talk about how Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) is going to be in for a shock. I think that Will’s going to clap back at her aunt Ivy for her horrible bullying of Dylan.

Ivy Forrester Red Flags and Dylan’s Struggle for Survival Bold and the Beautiful

Things are about to explode. We’re heading into the last two weeks of sweeps, so lots of big action is coming. Ivy was waving red flags left and right this week when she told Will and Electra that they needed to forget about Dylan.

Ivy practically told Electra to stop talking about Dylan. She said they would probably never hear from her again and that would be the best thing. Meanwhile, Will was shocked to find out Dylan is back to living in her car. She got a job at Il Giardino the same day he saw her there.

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To be fair, Dylan was thinking about Ivy’s threat that she better never tell Will or Electra what they talked about. Dylan did try to stick to that; she tried to lie and cover, but Will demanded the truth. Dylan finally cracked and said, “It’s Ivy.”

This week, Will is going to hear firsthand what happened with Ivy from Dylan. Then we’re going to see it come from the other side again because it sounds like Ivy is going to accuse Will of being inappropriate—which is Ivy’s new go-to word.

The Beach House Showdown and Electra’s Shocking Ultimatum on B&B

Will is going to bring Dylan back to the beach house and then text Electra to come over ASAP. It may be that Will wanted to talk to just Electra, but Ivy may tag along, especially if she finds out that Dylan is there. Ivy is going to tell Electra it’s time she learned the truth about Dylan and Will.

Ivy is going to tell Electra what she saw when she was snooping and basically trespassing. We all know Dylan fell into Will’s lap while she was wearing her ballet clothes. It was innocent enough and nothing happened. It looked saucier in the promo than it was in the episode.

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Of course, Ivy doesn’t see anything innocent about it. I’m sure she is going to make Will look really bad to Electra, but probably put most of the heat onto Dylan. Will is going to be stunned when Electra hits him with an ultimatum by the end of the week. I’m guessing Ivy’s going to be as toxic as possible during this interaction.

Critiquing the Writing: Brad Bell’s Impact on Bold and the Beautiful Character History

I really used to like Ivy. This writing for her is out of character and over-the-top. It’s Brad Bell twisting characters around in a moment to accomplish something in the storyline rather than finding a more graceful way to make it happen without violating character history.

Based on what Ivy says, I expect Electra may say that Will has to cut Dylan out of his life 100%. We all know Will genuinely loves Electra, but if she believes Ivy over him, he may look at Electra in a different light. Plus, Will hates that Dylan is back to living in her car.

I don’t think Will is going to handle that very well. Everything Ivy saw was done at Will’s invitation, and he might hit back with his own ultimatum. We know from official Bold and the Beautiful 2026 spoilers that Electra and Will are going to have relationship issues.

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Will Spencer Defends His Integrity Against Ivy’s Accusations

I think Will is probably going to flip out on Ivy because she’s making these accusations that Dylan is behaving inappropriately. This means Ivy is also accusing Will of cheating and wrongdoing. As far as he’s concerned, he and Dylan didn’t do anything wrong.

Will fed some spare food to a jobless girl who probably couldn’t even afford to eat because she’s so broke. He insisted that Dylan help him babysit Hayes Forrester (Bryan Garlick). Will hit the roof when Ivy accuses him of betraying Electra because, in his mind, he was being a nice guy. Will kick Ivy out of his house and make it clear she’s no longer welcome.

There is also a legit concern that Will might have some sort of low-key crush on Dylan even though he is in love with Electra. We saw those weird flashbacks Will was having of Dylan dancing and in her swimsuit. That suggests there may be something more than friendly interest.

Bold and the Beautiful: Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) - Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer) Bold and the Beautiful: Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) - Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer)
Bold and the Beautiful: Will Spencer – Ivy Forrester

The Dumpster Diving Scandal and Teriyaki Chicken Gate on B&B

I wonder if Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) tells Will he found Dylan eating out of the dumpster? If he does, I think that’s going to make Will even more likely to lash out at Ivy and Electra. Remember, Electra made a big deal and said it wasn’t okay for Will to feed Dylan the leftover chicken—that was “teriyaki chicken gate.”

Will may see, after learning she was eating from the dumpster, that if he hadn’t fed Dylan, she might have gone hungry that night. He won’t tolerate that. Will will be horrified to learn that Dylan was eating from the trash because Ivy was sneaking, assuming, and making threats.

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Will may also put his foot down about his own house. He may tell Dylan she’s welcome to stay, but Ivy needs to go and never come back. He may also assume Electra asked Ivy to spy on him, which could cause more issues. He may say Electra doesn’t get to make ultimatums about who lives in his house.

Katie Logan’s Advice on Bold: Is Electra Forrester Who She Seems?

Will may go talk to his mom, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), to get advice. She thought Will being charitable to Dylan was very nice. It’s a little strange she’s staying at Will’s house, but if it’s Dylan living in her car and being unsafe versus safe in Will’s guest room, that’s better in the short term.

Katie may let Will vent and then suggest that maybe Electra is not as nice as they thought she was. Yes, she got a raw deal with the Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) situation and Luna Nozawa (Lisa Yamada), but otherwise, Electra has had a silver spoon in her mouth. She’s been very threatening to Dylan when they’re alone.

Either Electra is really two-faced or the writing is super inconsistent. I don’t think Electra is going to get the outcome from the ultimatum that she’s hoping for. As for Ivy, I’m hoping Will reads her for filth for trespassing, spying, and bullying a homeless person.

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The Reality of Dylan’s Finances and Ivy’s “Generosity”

I saw people on soap social media saying Ivy gave her money. Ivy handed her a little stack of cash and said, “Fill up your car, drive, and keep going.” For reference, it costs about 60 bucks to fill up a sedan at California prices these days.

Ivy offered her a small stack of bills, maybe a couple of hundred bucks. Either way, Dylan is not dumpster diving for fun. She clearly has no money, and Will is not going to let the bullying continue. I hope he reads Ivy the Riot Act.

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James Van Der Beek Remembered As ‘Kind And Pure’ By Ex-Wife

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James Van Der Beek on the red carpet

James Van Der Beek‘s legacy continues to live on, as his ex-wife, Heather McComb, reflects on his kindness and enduring spirit.

McComb and the “Pose” actor married in 2003 before parting ways amicably in 2009. He later found love again with Kimberly, with whom he tied the knot in 2010.

The beloved star passed away on February 11 following a battle with colorectal cancer, a fight that reportedly left his family facing significant financial strain.

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James Van Der Beek’s Ex-Wife Mourns His Passing In Emotional Tribute

Hours after Van Der Beek’s death, McComb took a trip down memory lane, remembering their time together and his nature. She posted on Instagram an old photo of them smiling in each other’s arms. 

In her caption, McComb admitted she was heartbroken, adding that her prayers were especially with his wife and children before recalling the bond she maintained with him long after their marriage ended.

“This is how I will always see James, innocent, kind, and pure of heart,” McComb wrote. “What a journey we shared over the years. I sit here in immense gratitude for the special connection, friendship, and love that James and I shared that has endured through decades.”

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McComb went on to note that she would hold his parting words close to her heart before sharing insights into his personality. She called him a “beautiful soul filled with so much light, love, talent, humor, depth, sensitivity, knowledge, and a deep love of God.”

She added that she would treasure his final words and described him as a “beautiful soul” radiating light, humor, talent, depth, and a deep love of God.

McComb also praised his courage in publicly sharing his health battle, noting that it inspired many, before offering continued prayers for the family he left behind.

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Hollywood Celebrities Honor James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek on the red carpet
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

McComb was far from alone in mourning the actor’s loss as tributes quickly poured in from across Hollywood.

The Blast reported that actress and singer Jamie-Lynn Sigler honored him with a heartfelt message noting his impact in the world.

“We are the luckiest to have been part of his tribe. Fly high, James,” Sigler shared. “ You were everything good in this world.” 

Canadian actress Kathleen Robertson extended her condolences to Kimberly and the Van Der Beek family, while stop-motion animator Kevin Parry lamented that the “world has lost a great man.”

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Inside James Van Der Beek’s Final Moments With Friends 

James Van Der Beek on the red carpet of the 71st Emmy Awards
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Some of Van Der Beek’s closest friends also opened up about their last memories with him.

According to The Blast, WWE Hall of Famer Stacy Keibler revealed they spent their final time together watching sunsets and reminiscing about shared dreams and aspirations. 

She said those quiet moments are now etched in her heart, adding that every sunset and rainbow will remind her of him. Keibler described the late actor as a radiant light in her life and in the lives of countless others.

Mechad Brooks also shared that their final days included prayer, laughter, and meaningful conversations.

He said Van Der Beek faced his fate with remarkable strength, a reminder to embrace life fully and joyfully.

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James Van Der Beek’s Former Employers, Sony Pictures, Receive Backlash

James Van Der Beek at the 2017 iHeart Music Festival Day 1
JPA / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

In the wake of Van Der Beek’s passing, a fundraiser was launched to support his wife and children after mounting medical bills reportedly created financial hardship.

The campaign indicated the family was struggling to maintain their home while covering education expenses for their children.

The deceased actor had previously been candid about the toll of his illness, revealing in November that he sold personal keepsakes from “Dawson’s Creek” to help offset costs.

However, as The Blast reported, after the fundraiser went public, some critics directed their frustration at Sony Pictures, questioning why the studio had not stepped in to assist the actor, given the franchise’s long-term success. 

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One angry critic wrote, “F-ck @Sony for not even offering to help James Van Der Beek during his time of need.”

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Too $hort Says Rappers Should Keep Politics to Themselves

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Too $hort
Hey Rappers, Stay Outta Politix!!!

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Peacock’s 8-Part ‘Big Little Lies’ Successor Is Hooking Viewers Fast

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It has been seven years since the controversial second season of HBO‘s Big Little Lies left audiences slightly underwhelmed. The show was originally marketed as a limited series, but was renewed for a second season following what can only be described as absolute viral success. However, the divisive reaction to the second season didn’t encourage HBO to get the star-studded cast back together for another round immediately, although a new season is said to be in the works. In the meantime, rival networks and streamers began producing shows in a similar vein — these were shows with peril-in-paradise premises, stacked casts, and an almost algorithmic structure. Among the latest in this long line of imitators was a show released towards the end of 2025 on Peacock, and it has now found success on the domestic PVOD charts.

Before this show’s release in November 2025, however, HBO found another blockbuster in The White Lotus, which embraced the anthology model and has since aired two further seasons with a fourth on the way. HBO also developed an alternative to True Detective with Mare of Easttown. Meanwhile, Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty‘s back-catalog was adapted into shows such as Nine Perfect Strangers and Apples Never Fall. One of Big Little Lies‘ leads, Nicole Kidman, attempted to replicate its success with the Netflix series The Perfect Couple, while Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley went on to release the similarly gripping Presumed Innocent.

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‘Big Little Lies’ Replacement Is Having a Resurgence on PVOD

However, the new Peacock series we’re talking about is All Her Fault, headlined by Succession star Sarah Snook. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her central performance in the show, which also features Jake Lacy, Michael Peña, and Dakota Fanning. According to FlixPatrol, All Her Fault was among the most-watched shows on the domestic iTunes chart this week, ahead of Arcane and Family Guy. It also found a spot on the Prime Video leaderboard in several South American territories, and on the SkyShowtime chart in many European regions. All Her Fault holds a “Certified Fresh” 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that reads, “A twisty thriller that underscores the societal pressures placed on working mothers, All Her Fault is an addicting watch thanks largely to Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning’s emotionally grounded performances.” You can watch the show domestically on Peacock.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.


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Release Date

2025 – 2025-00-00

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Sky Atlantic

Directors

Kate Dennis, Minkie Spiro

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Writers

Phoebe Eclair-Powell, Megan Gallagher, James Smythe

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Young and the Restless: Victor & Adam’s Explosive Father-Son Showdown Erupts!

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Young and the Restless: Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) - Adam Newman (Mark Grossman)

Young and the Restless expects things taking a very bad turn for Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and his family. I think he and Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) are going to explode over this new twist that they’ve been dealt.

Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) has snatched their three biggest companies and she bested “The Great Victor Newman.” We’re going to talk about Victor and Adam both going off the rails if they can’t get the family companies back. But first, please click subscribe if you’re not following us.

Victor Gets a Shock on Young and the Restless

This week, Victor finds Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) chloroformed and suspects that Phyllis did it. And of course, she did. Victor was worried when he didn’t hear back from Cane. And then he called Adam to come to the Cane train, too. They were wondering if Phyllis had planned all along to betray Cane.

They also figured out that Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) went over to the ranch to distract them while Phyllis was taking care of Cane. What they don’t know at that point is that Phyllis, at that same moment, is in Victor Newman’s former office taking everything from Cane and giving it to herself and her co-conspirator.

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Phyllis Summers Pulls the Ultimate Heist on Newman Enterprises on Y&R

Phyllis gave Newman Enterprises to herself. She signed Newman Media over to Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) and gave Chancellor to Billy. Then, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) showed up and was ranting at Phyllis and Billy, making threats about their kids, and stormed out.

Victoria called and told Victor what happened to Newman Enterprises and Chancellor. Victor said they’ll get it all back and more. I’m not sure what “and more” there could possibly be. Phyllis had nothing. I guess Victor can try and take Abbottcom or go after Jabot, but without the AI, it’s not going to be easy.

For now, Victor’s empire is wiped out. It’s gone. Victoria talked about using legal avenues, like with law enforcement, but Phyllis already told Billy that she can’t do that because Victor would also go down since he used the AI. I think that’s accurate.

Right now, things look bleak and I think Victor and Adam are both going to explode when they realize how thoroughly they have been bested by Phyllis. Right now, Billy’s waffling since Victoria threatened to turn the kids against him, but I still don’t think he’ll give up Chancellor.

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Sally Spectra and the Future of Newman Media on Young and the Restless

What’s funny about Phyllis signing over Newman Media to Sally is that Sally used to run it with Adam. This move by Phyllis leaves him, Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan). And all of the Newmans jobless.

The easiest company for Victor and Adam to get back, I actually think, will be Newman Media. I think Sally will be shocked and displeased to find out that it’s hers. And I don’t think she’s going to want it.

I could see her going to Adam and offering Newman Media back with a caveat. Sally may say, “Look, I’ll sign it over today. No dollars exchanging hands; for free, as long as Adam doesn’t use it to trash Abbottcom or run any smear pieces about Jabot or any of the Abbotts.”

Adam and Chelsea would probably agree to that because they didn’t want to do that stuff anyway. But Victor might be so inflamed by what Phyllis did that he won’t compromise to get Newman Media back. Victor may think that he can get it back himself without making any sort of deal with Sally.

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Victor Newman’s Broken Promises to Lily Winters on Young and the Restless

Another problem that’s going to leave Victor angry is that he’s going to have to face Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) when she’s back in Genoa City in a few weeks. I do think Adam is right and Victor promised Lily that she can have Chancellor if she played the kidnap game with him on Young and the Restless.

Unless something changes, Billy is still going to have Chancellor when Lily gets back to Genoa City. Christel Khalil is back taping after her maternity leave, so Lily’s only gone a few more weeks. Then Victor is going to have to explain, “Oh yeah, by the way, I screwed you out of Chancellor again.”

Honestly, if Lily expected Victor to keep his word, that’s kind of on her. But maybe Lily got something in writing, which would be interesting, but also would be worthless since Victor doesn’t own Chancellor anymore.

Young and the Restless: Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) - Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) Young and the Restless: Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) - Adam Newman (Mark Grossman)
Young and the Restless: Victor Newman – Adam Newman

Nikki Newman and the Potential End of the Newman Marriage

I’m sure Lily’s return means Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and the rest of the family are going to find out what Victor promised to get her to fake being kidnapped. Victoria already said if Victor promised Chancellor to Lily behind Nikki’s back, it could end their marriage.

Nikki was over at Jack Abbott’s (Peter Bergman) saying she doesn’t know how much she can take if Victor goes further. This is definitely further. Victor may try and say, “Well, it doesn’t matter since Phyllis stole it.” But yeah, it still does matter if he went behind everybody’s back and made the deal, even if it didn’t come to fruition.

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Victor may try and say he was lying to Lily, but that’s not a good look either. I think Nikki may turn around and explode on Victor because all of this, in the end, is entirely his fault. Even what Phyllis is doing now is all Victor’s fault.

Phyllis Summers Claims Revenge for the Marco Annicelli Trauma

Phyllis sitting on Victor’s throne could completely destroy him. His kids are really worried that he’ll have a health crisis over this. But Phyllis getting revenge on Victor has been a long time coming.

What he did to Phyllis with Jack Abbott’s doppelganger, Marco Annicelli (Peter Bergman), was horrific. Having him rape her day after day in her bed while pretending to be her husband—that truly broke Phyllis.

Phyllis has always been Phyllis, but the Marco thing was really bad for her mental health. Victor has been owed major payback on that for years. Seeing Phyllis in his CEO seat is something I think Victor deserves, at least for a while.

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Cane Ashby and the Abbott Family React to the Newman Downfall on Y&R

As for Cane, he may think this is all kind of funny. Once he wakes up from the chloroform, he will find out that Victor was bluffing about Lily and the twins. Phyllis taking everything while Cane was knocked out may just make him laugh because he gets to watch Victor and Adam burn while Phyllis gets the last laugh.

Cane is just a spectator on the sidelines enjoying the show. Finding out that Lily conspired with Victor may push Cane to give up on Lily once and for all. Cane may tell Lily that he’s glad Billy got Chancellor and not her.

You never know, Cane might actually end up running Newman Enterprises with Phyllis. I could see Cane going over and apologizing once he realizes that Phyllis was right and Victor was lying to him. Phyllis would likely take Cane back because she always wants a partner in crime. And she has been hot for Cane for quite some time.

Jack, Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), and Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters) would all have a really good laugh right in Victor’s face about Phyllis beating him. Diane might even send Phyllis some flowers and champagne to congratulate her on being the new Newman CEO. Diane will be thrilled to find out Nikki lost Chancellor because she loathes Nikki right now.

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I’ve seen fan comments on soap social media. And one overriding theme is that they hope Victor is left to suffer for a while without his company. Fans do not want Victor to get it back from Phyllis too fast because everybody’s been irritated with the writing for Victor being so monstrous lately. Fans want to see Victor roast a bit before things get better. And I think that is going to happen.

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Days of our Lives TWIST: Kristen Manipulates Brady into Her Bed Through Deception?

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Days of Our Lives: Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) - Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk)

Days of Our Lives suggests Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) was really taken aback when Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) wormed her way into moving into his new apartment with him and their daughter, Rachel Black (Alice Halsey). But is Kristen going to try one of her old schemes to get Brady into bed while she’s staying in his place?

And we know that Kristen is a clever woman because she already convinced Brady that it’s best for Rachel if they all move in together at his new apartment. I suspect this is another of Kristen’s schemes. And I think it’s about getting rid of Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey).

Kristen DiMera’s Master Plan for a United Front on Days of Our Lives

So, we all saw how badly Brady, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), and Belle Black (Martha Madison) reacted when they heard Kristen signed Rachel out of Bayview for good. Belle warned her that Rachel could wind up in juvie instead of getting the help she needs because of Kristen’s stunt. Belle said this could affect the criminal case.

Kristen is adamant that her daughter is better off at home, living a normal tween life, back in school, and all that. She hopes that the judge is going to see that Rachel has been reformed. Later, Kristen told Brady she thinks the best route for their family is to present a united front, live under the same roof. And that it’ll work out. Then Kristen promised joint custody in return on Days of our Lives.

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After threatening to take her to court, Brady did cave, but he also insisted that Kristen can only stay at his place for a month. He said they have to sit down with Rachel and make it clear just because Kristen’s going to be living there with her and Brady, they are not reuniting romantically.

Now, we all know that Kristen cannot stand the fact that Brady is dating Sarah, the woman who kidnapped Rachel as a toddler. Kristen has zero tolerance for Brady dating anybody but her. I think that is a more accurate statement.

The Battle Over Rachel Black’s Loyalty and Sarah Horton on DOOL

Rachel used to like Sarah until she figured out Brady was interested in her. Then she found out about the kidnapping. Rachel tried to hurt Sarah with the pistachios. Dr. Gregory specifically advised Brady that he cannot allow Rachel to interfere in his romantic and dating life. But now we’re going to have Kristen doing it.

Of course, I’ll admit Rachel wasn’t getting optimal therapy at Bayview, at least not at first, because she got mixed up with Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) and all of her shenanigans. That’s one reason that Kristen and Brady both had second thoughts about Bayview and considered moving Rachel to a different facility. But there wasn’t anything as close as Bayview.

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So Brady left Rachel there. But told Dr. Gregory to keep a closer eye and keep her away from Sophia. That’s one positive of Rachel living with her parents—she is away from Sophia’s influence. But Rachel may wind up back in Bayview after the judge makes a ruling in the shooting case. For the time being, Rachel is going to be with her mom and dad.

Is Kristen Following the DiMera Legacy of Fixation on Days?

Kristen feels like this is a big win because, of course, she cannot get over her fixation on Brady. But the problem is she’s only got four weeks to pull something off. As much as Kristen griped about Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) and the DiMeras and people being wicked and EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) being terrible, let’s be real: Kristen is just as fixated on Brady as Stefano was on Marlena or that EJ was on Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).

I’m worried Kristen already has something diabolical in mind for when she moves in with Brady. If you recall the winter promo, Kristen and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) were toasting to going after what they want. That toast may come soon because this week Gwen gets Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) in her bed and Kristen got Brady to agree to cohabitate with her. Gwen and Kristen may be clinking their glasses this week.

If you remember, Brady initially fell really hard for Kristen. But then all her evil deeds sent him packing. Their original split was back, I think 2013 or 2014, because Brady couldn’t deal with Kristen’s extreme deceptions and her crimes that were tied to a revenge plot against his dad, John Black (Drake Hogestyn), and stepmom, Marlena.

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Days of Our Lives: Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) - Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk)Days of Our Lives: Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) - Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk)
Days of Our Lives: Brady Black – Kristen DiMera

A Dark History: From Stolen Embryos to Identity Theft on Days of Our Lives

The whole family was also horrified when Kristen pretended to be Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) and drugged and sexually assaulted Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan) back when he was a priest. And don’t forget, in 2015, Kristen stole Tate Black (Leo Howard) as an embryo out of Theresa Donovan’s (Emily O’Brien) womb and carried him herself. Kristen couldn’t stand the fact that Theresa was carrying Brady’s baby. Thankfully, Tate was finally returned to Theresa.

Years later, Kristen wore a Nicole Walker lookalike mask to trick Brady into sleeping with her. That’s how Kristen got pregnant with Rachel back in 2020. Kristen had gone and gotten infertility treatments from Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) to make it happen and then used the mask. The bottom line is, Brady wouldn’t have engaged with any of that without the mask. Rachel wouldn’t even be around.

Obviously, from Kristen’s history, she’s not opposed to playing dirty, using deception. And really using any means necessary when it comes to getting Brady back. As Marlena reminded Brady, you give Kristen an inch, she will take a mile. Brady better watch his back, his front, and the lock on his bedroom door.

Will Kristen Use the Sarah Horton Mask to Trick Brady on DOOL?

Don’t forget, we know that Kristen has a Sarah Horton mask already. Kristen wore it when she broke up with Xander and then shoved Sarah into a trunk and kidnapped her off to DiMera Island where she kept her drugged. Brady needs to be on the lookout for any sort of shenanigan.

Kristen could also try drugging Brady to get him into the sack like she did with his brother Eric. The bottom line is Sarah is not safe with Kristen plotting. And Brady really isn’t safe either. He needs to watch out. I wouldn’t put it past Kristen to kidnap Sarah to keep her from Brady.

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Back in December, our leaker told us that Sarah was going to be kidnapped and that Kristen was there as well. When the crypt crew kidnappings happened, we assumed that was what it meant, but it turned out not to include Sarah. We get these leaks 6 to 9 months before we see the episodes on air, so sometimes the timing is off or the events don’t happen in the exact sequence that we get them from the leaker.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: The Future for Brady and Sarah

Even though Kristen’s kidnapping happened separately, we could still see Sarah kidnapped. Brady did what Dr. Gregory advised and made it clear to Kristen they’re not getting back together. Kristen acted all offended and insisted that’s the last thing on her mind, saying she didn’t even want to be with him.

We all know she’s lying. We also know from our leaker that Brady and Sarah do start a relationship and Brady proposes to Sarah. That’s when she decides to take a step back. And from there we’re told that Xander and Sarah do get on the road to reconciliation.

In the meantime, Brady has now been essentially blackmailed into agreeing to let Kristen live with him and Rachel. Marlena already warned him, “Give her an inch, she’ll take a mile.” Kristen’s got a whole bedroom in his new apartment. She may take more than a mile.

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This is a really bad move. He and Sarah are getting closer. And we all know Kristen is going to interfere. Knowing she only has four weeks to do it, obviously, one of the fastest ways for Kristen to get what she wants is to slither her way into Brady’s bed one way or another.

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Legacy’ Star’s Gritty Crime Drama Is Finding New Life on Streaming

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With the likes of James Gunn‘s Superman, Paul Thomas Anderson‘s genius One Battle After Another, and Ryan Coogler’s beloved vampire drama Sinners dominating film discourse, it was easy for plenty of gems to fall under the radar in 2025. Taron Egerton delivered career-best work in the action thriller She Rides Shotgun; 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple director Nia DaCosta‘s Hedda sparkled; Tim Key and Tom Basden‘s The Ballad of Wallis Island brought audiences to tears, and much more.

Another movie released in 2025 deserving of much more attention, despite facing a limited theatrical run that peaked at just 700 locations, is John-Michael Powell’s Violent Ends. The movie stars Into the WoodsBilly Magnussen, who also featured in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch and Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey last year. Elsewhere in a talented ensemble were the likes of James Badge Dale (Iron Man 3), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men), and Bosch: Legacy‘s Kate Burton​​​​​​. Violent Ends debuted on October 31, 2025, and immediately went neglected in favor of the bigger releases at the time, despite being set in the Ozark mountains and seeming like the perfect next watch for Ozark fans.

Thankfully, that seems to be changing, as, a few months on, the movie is finding its fanbase on streaming. At the time of writing, Violent Ends is one of the ten most-streamed titles on AMC+ in the U.S., joining the likes of The Lost World: Jurassic Park, The Mummy, and Peaky Blinders replacement Gangs of London. A synopsis for the movie reads:

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“Set in the Ozark Mountains, Lucas Frost is an honest man brought up in a crime family whose only legacy is violence. As Lucas tries to make a peaceful life of his own with his fiancée, Emma, he is suddenly pulled back into the family business when his cousin, Eli, perpetrates an armed robbery with brutal consequences.”

‘Violent Ends’ Earned a Positive Response From Critics

It might have flown under the radar of audiences, but critics didn’t let Violent Ends pass without offering praise. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the movie earned a solid 67% score, with the consensus on the site reading, “A bleak, trope-laden crime thriller, Violent Ends is elevated by a strong atmosphere and a captivating performance from Billy Magnussen, with brief flashes of directorial promise cutting through its familiar fatalism.”

Violent Ends is one of the most-streamed titles on AMC+. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for all the latest streaming stories.


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Director

John-Michael Powell

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Writers

John-Michael Powell

Producers
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Vincent Sieber


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“The Black Phone” ending explained: What clues are in those ghostly calls?

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Scott Derrickson’s horror hit stars Ethan Hawke as a masked, homicidal killer called the Grabber.

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How Do Predator Poachers Find Pedophiles? Alex Rosen Explains Process

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As the founder of Predator Poachers, Alex Rosen has set out to make the world a safer place for kids both online and offline. Rosen spoke to investigative journalist Kristin Thorne about the group’s initiative during the latest episode of Us Weekly’s Uncovered, revealing how they find pedophiles online.

“So you guys essentially pose as a minor online, and then do you go out and try to find people? Or do you wait till they come to you?” Thorne asked Rosen during the new episode.

Rosen responded by saying that finding pedophiles online is “not hard.” He shared, “I bet you could find probably 100 pedophiles online in a week, and that’s being conservative about it.”

“Finding them is not hard. The hard part is the logistics, selling that you’re a real kid, the tediousness of it,” he continued. “As for just, you know, identifying yourself as an underage kid online, you’re going to find a lot of pedos. Just the follow through is the tricky part.”

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New Jersey Police Make a Dozen Arrests as Part of Operation Bad Santa


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Police in New Jersey claim they have arrested a dozen child predators as part of a multi-agency undercover operation designed to catch people who were allegedly trying to lure children using social media and different online messaging applications. Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said that “Operation Bad Santa” was a success, nabbing the suspects — […]

Predator Poachers is a Houston-based organization that conducts sting operations on adults who connect with minors online with the intention of participating in sexual activities.

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After the Predator Poachers meet predators online, they make plans to meet up in person and ultimately confront the pedophiles. Not only have they caught many pedophiles in the act of trying to meet with minors, but the Predator Poachers have also helped police officers make arrests.

Rosen also opened up to Thorne about his goal for the Predator Poachers. “My hope is that, you know, criminals are put away and the laws actually enforce how it should be,” he told Thorne. “For example, in Texas, online solicitation of a minor, basically them going after a fake decoy account, is up to 20 years in prison.”

He went on to note that he and the Predator Poachers have caught “some people” who were only “sentenced to probation” for trying to meet up with minors.

He then criticized some of the lax sentences that predators have been given. “I got more time for going 100 miles per hour in Virginia. I got 10 days in jail for that,” Rosen said. “I got more time for that than some pedophiles get for having child pornography on their phones, trying to rape a kid.”

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Related: Ex–Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Arrested in Anti–Child Predator Sting

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox has been arrested as part of a major child predator sting in Jacksonville, Florida.  Maddox, 33, was taken into custody on April 28 by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after interacting with an individual claiming to be an underage girl online. In reality, Maddox was speaking with undercover detectives […]

Rosen said he has heard that many “laws need to change,” though he believes that the “number one thing” to do in order to stop pedophiles is to enforce the existing laws.

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He said that “enforcing and penalizing them” will hopefully hold pedophiles accountable and will influence them to stop targeting minors.

“There’s some place in Texas that goes so hard on them, and I appreciate it,” he said, reiterating that other states only give “probation” to adults soliciting sex from minors.

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Thorne also reminded parents that they should be aware of who their kids are communicating with on their phones. “Parents, you also have a role in this. If this is a phone or device that you have paid for for your child, you should be on there looking at what they’re doing,” she said. “Who are they talking to? Go into their messages. Make sure you know the passcode for their devices.”

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If You Have to Watch 1 True Crime Show in February, Stream This 1 Now

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If you’re looking for your next true crime obsession, Watch With Us has the perfect docuseries to watch this February.

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter premiered on Netflix back in 2024 and told the story of Cathy Terkanian, a woman who embarked on a relentless journey to find out what happened to her missing biological daughter.

Produced by Charlize Theron, the documentary went on to receive raves from both critics and audiences for its fascinating real story, sensitive approach and searing commentary.

Read on to see why we agree that Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter will blow you away.

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No matter what kind of true crime fan you are, streaming platforms have something for you right now. Whether it’s serial killers, cult leaders, criminal influencers or a scamming Tinder user, you can find it all on streamers like Netflix, HBO Max and more. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a […]

It’s a Riveting True Crime Narrative

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The two-part story of Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter surrounds Cathy Terkanian, who discovers that, after giving birth as a teenager to a baby that she ultimately placed up for adoption three decades ago, her child has been missing for 21 years. While this premise might seem like the plot of a compelling mystery novel, that’s the true subject matter of this documentary. Cathy’s quest to find her biological daughter, Aundria Bowman, is a passionate and dogged search fueled by what can only be described as a motherly instinct that can’t just be evaporated by distance and time.

Despite never wanting to give her daughter up, Cathy’s mother persuaded her to, and so Cathy lived with the hope that they’d connect years later. That never happened, and instead, Cathy received a letter from the adoption agency in 2010 informing her that Aundria had gone missing in 1989, when she was fourteen. Since this letter, Cathy became committed to her investigation, recruiting her husband, online sleuths and Aundria’s real-life friends to search for the answers. What she finds is unsettling history about the family that adopted Aundria.

‘Into the Fire’ Avoids Exploiting Its Tragic Source Material

Rather than focus primarily on the lurid details of the crime, Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter instead takes pains to emphasize a mother’s search for her missing daughter, and thus centers the narrative on the victims of the crime rather than on the crime itself. The documentary showcases Cathy’s determination in her investigation, her refusal to be beaten down or take no for an answer and how sometimes, intuition is an almost supernatural gift. It’s an all-around fascinating exploration of family, sacrifice and the strength of parental bond.

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Still, the film manages to keep itself from becoming an overly reverential portrait of motherly instinct because the details of the crime are so horrific that they require restraint and a steady hand. And Cathy’s climactic gut instinct that she chalks up to her undying mother-daughter bond instead comes across like the unfortunate knowledge that comes with living in a world where monstrous men feel entitled to do whatever they want. By leaning into Cathy — and Aundria’s — story and highlighting the way they were failed, Into the Fire becomes more than just pulpy voyeurism.

It Emphasizes Systemic Failures Towards Women’s Safety

Aundria Bowman in Into the Fire

Aundria Bowman in Into the Fire
Netflix

If there’s a lasting takeaway from Into the Fire, it’s that stories like Aundria’s have happened too many times. Men have been able to abuse, mistreat and even kill women, while women’s cries for help are ignored. Into the Fire places emphasis on a system that doesn’t value the lives of women. Aundria received far from the better life Cathy had been told she’d receive through adoption. Instead, she was viciously mistreated and abused by her adoptive father, Dennis Bowman, and when she confided in her school, her church and the police, what happened? Nothing.

Aundria likely could have been saved if only one person in authority had given her the decency to listen to her and believe her story. Instead, she was dismissed, and she met her tragic fate because of that. Of course, Into the Fire isn’t the only true crime documentary to comment on the way women’s safety isn’t taken seriously, and when considered together, a devastating and infuriating pattern emerges in which the system is rigged in favor of white men and against everyone else.

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Stream Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter on Netflix.

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