Summer House’s Amanda Batula has shared a public apology after confirming her romance with West Wilson.

“Hi guys, l’ll keep this short and sweet,” Amanda, 34, shared via Instagram Stories on Friday, April 10. “I’ve obviously been MIA, but I wanted to come back on and say that I’m truly sorry to everyone I’ve disappointed and hurt, especially those I know personally who I’ve reached out to individually.”

Amanda wrote the message alongside a photo of one of the two dogs she shares with estranged husband Kyle Cooke.

“For the sake of my mental health, I’m going to try to start living life with some sense of normalcy,” she added. “If you see me out or posting online, please know that this still weighs very heavily on me. I’m not ignoring what’s happened or what’s unfolded.”

Amanda concluded, “I’ll be at the reunion and will be addressing any and all questions honestly and directly there.”

Amanda’s social media return comes more than one week after she and West, 31, posted a joint Instagram statement confirming that their relationship had evolved to being more than friends.

“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” they shared on March 31. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

Amanda and West shared that they developed feelings for each other after all the “highs and lows” they’ve experienced.

“Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care,” they wrote. “We wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling.”

The statement concluded, “We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless. We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”

Amanda was previously married to Kyle for four years, announcing their separation in January. West, for his part, dated Amanda’s best friend and fellow Summer House star Ciara Miller in 2023. The aftermath of their relationship has been showcased on Summer House.

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Ahead of Friday’s statement, Amanda was spotted out in New York City with Kyle. Photos obtained by Page Six on April 3 showed the duo hugging as they reunited while walking their dogs.

While Ciara has yet to release an official statement about the situation, Kyle has spoken out.

“I’m good. I appreciate people checking in. I’m actually really worried about Amanda, if I’m being honest,” he told Adam Glyn in a TikTok video uploaded on April 1. “I talked to her last night, and I understand people have all sorts of opinions, and I’m not justifying any behavior, but, like, from what I’m seeing, she’s getting cyberbullied.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 4 seconds ago

Since it began in 2019, The Boys (which adapts the demented Garth Ennis comic of the same name) has done an excellent job of skewering franchises like the MCU and the DCU. Long before the term “superhero fatigue” entered the public lexicon, this show revealed the problems inherent in movies and shows focusing on tights and flights. In short, the show’s thesis is that obsessing over superheroes is infantile, revealing a desire to let someone powerful control us rather than take responsibility for our own messy lives.

Of course, “messy” is how many fans described Season 4 of the show, one which focused more on horrific spectacle than subversive comedy. Fortunately, the fifth and final season kicked off with a bang, effectively resetting its creative focus even as it breathes new life into characters that have grown old and stale.

Not every joke hits its mark, of course, and not every character change is for the best. Plus, if you hated the show’s increasingly political bent, you’ll despise how Season 5 goes all in on political allegory. But if you have loved The Boys since the beginning, you’ll enjoy this final season premiere that returns to form and easily sticks its superhero landing.

The Inevitable Time Jump

Season 5 of The Boys rejuvenates the show through the oldest television trick in the book: the inevitable time jump. Taking place one year after Season 4, the premiere finds our titular heroes in some very dire straits.

Hughie, Frenchie, and Mother’s Milk have been captured and placed in an internment camp overseen by murderous supes. Miko has been deported, while Starlight carries on a one-woman rebellion against Homelander’s hegemony. Butcher has largely lain low, but he comes out of hiding and gets the gang back together when he learns that his buddies in the internment camp are about to be executed.

For the most part, this time skip works very well: it showcases how Butcher has disappeared even deeper into the all-consuming rage that drives him while illustrating how Starlight has increasingly become like Butcher, one moral compromise at a time.

That compromise and Hughie’s interment trauma (including regularly seeing camp friends beaten and blown apart) threatens to put a wedge between the two young lovebirds. Plus, the jump makes it easier to accept that Homelander has become even more deranged, ready to imprison or outright kill anyone who so much as makes fun of him on social media.

Arguably, the most surprising effect of the time jump is that the mute and murderous Miko has learned how to talk. This becomes an unexpected source of humor, as she does a hilariously weird job of expressing her thoughts and basically has no filter (“listening to you talk makes me want to kill myself”). The change adds some much-needed levity to certain scenes, but it undeniably changes her character for the worse. Instead of being a silent assassin with the soul of a poet, she’s now a TikTok-obsessed girly-girl, albeit one with a healing factor that even Deadpool would envy.

Getting The Band Back Together

While The Boys has always skewered the conventions of superhero media, the show is often at its best when it leans into tried and true tropes. The Season 5 premiere episode “Fifteen Inches of Sheer Dynamite” effectively blends together two beloved storytelling tropes: a prison break and a “getting the band back together” story.

They blend together very well, as Butcher getting his old team back together helps restore their old dynamic while illustrating how much each character has changed. Meanwhile, the jailbreak provides a great climax filled with unexpected moments, including the tragic redemption of the show’s earliest villain.

If this sounds a little too by the numbers, don’t worry: the second Season 5 episode, “Teenage Kix,” takes the story in some very unexpected directions while cranking The Boys’ gross-out humor up to 11. This episode reveals a Catwoman-like character that has her own litterbox and a rocky superhero who has turned into a man-mountain thanks to nonstop wanking.

On a more sober note, this episode also features the return of Soldier Boy. His presence threatens Homelander’s delicate psychological state while ramping up the existential threats facing our favorite antiheroes.

Are The Boys Truly Back In Town?

It’s an open secret that Season 4 of The Boys was a low point of the series. If you’re someone who was disappointed by that season, you are likely curious as to whether or not Season 5 has fully turned the ship around. The honest answer? It’s really too soon to tell.

The first two episodes are quite solid and easily on par with the best that the fourth season had to offer. However, with six episodes left to go, there is still time for the show to (as Butcher might say) make a bollocks of things. 

As a fan of The Boys from its days as an ultraviolent comic book, though, I’m cautiously optimistic for this fifth and final season. The actors are clearly bringing their A game: Antony Starr has never been more quietly menacing as Homelander, and Karl Urban has never been so loudly dangerous as Butcher.

These first two episodes are just foreplay for the final showdown between these two, with some strong hints that Butcher may ultimately prove more dangerous than any of the evil superheroes he puts down. Will Season 5 ultimately end The Boys on a high note or just devolve into the raunchiest train wreck in all of streaming?

Either way, true believers, I’ve bought the ticket, and I’m more than ready to take the ride.

Days of Our Lives brought Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) doing the slow-burn romance thing for quite a while now. She even used that exact phrase while talking to her mom, Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers). But things are about to heat up to sizzling for Sarah and Brady and their exes are going to hate it.

It’s Belinda from Soap Dirt and Days spoilers hint that Sarah and Brady make love soon. And then there’s going to be some major fallout we expect. Before we dive in though, please hit subscribe if you’re not following.

Sarah and Brady Taking Things Slowly

All right. For many months now, Sarah and Brady have been easing into a sweet relationship. They’ve been taking things very, very slowly. Sarah, though, hasn’t been divorced from Xander Kiriakis Cook (Paul Telfer) for very long, so that makes sense. Meanwhile, Brady has been dealing with one kid crisis after another for both Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) and Tate Black (Jamie Martin Mann). Plus, Sarah keeps super busy as a doctor and a single mom. She’s co-parenting little Victoria with her ex-husband, Xander. And we just had Victoria with that whole pneumonia ordeal where she was in the hospital.

Plus, honestly, Brady’s been very wary of starting anything serious with Sarah because of how Rachel targeted past girlfriends that he dated. And there’s also the fact that Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) insisted that she be allowed to move in with Rachel and Brady for a while.

Days of Our Lives: Rachel Gives Her Approval

So, it’s been complicated for them, but now the path has cleared. First of all, Rachel gave Brady her blessing to date Sarah. Not that that’s really a kid’s place, but you know, Rachel really does like the lady doc and Sarah forgave Rachel for the whole allergy stunt with the pistachio ice cream.

And while Brady and Sarah have shared passionate kisses, the two have yet to go to bed together. Looks like that all is about to change very soon. Especially since Xander was just prodding Sarah about not being intimate with Brady while Sarah knows full well that Xander has been playing hide the salami with sneaky Brit Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien).

Sarah and Brady Take Things To The Next Level

Days of Our Lives spoilers suggest that Sarah and Brady are about to take their relationship to the next level. And even though Xander is shagging Gwen and Kristen’s busy plotting revenge against EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel), once those two find out that Sarah and Brady are now intimate, honestly, they may start behaving badly.

We know that Xander and Sarah are always going to love each other. They are soulmates. But Xander’s anger issues and his lies push Sarah to divorce hunky Xander. Now, I do think Sarah’s annoyance about Xander saying he knows she’s still basically hot for him is going to be part of why she beds Brady soon.

And then, of course, there’s Kristen. She thought she was going to pull a fast one on Brady when she basically blackmailed him into letting her move into his new place. Kristen convinced Brady that them living together as a family would help with Rachel’s day in court.

And while Brady made it totally clear, separate bedrooms, no funny business, and strictly short-term, Kristen had other ideas. Remember, she told Gwen once she moved into Brady’s place, he was not going to be able to get her to move out.

Days of Our Lives: Marlena Takes Charge

And initially, Kristen accepted the terms because she wanted to be close to Rachel and of course close enough to try and creep closer to Brady again. But when Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) told the judge that Rachel needed more time in Bayview Psychiatric Hospital, you know, that sent Kristen into an absolute fury and then she surprised Brady when she packed and left. Not that he wanted her to stay, but she did surprise him.

Kristen Wants Revenge

So now Kristen is in a vengeful mood. She wants to see EJ pay. She wants Marlena to pay and she’s also fine with her co-schemer Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) targeting Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) as part of their little plot.

As for Xander, he’s actually working hard to control his temper now that Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) and Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) got Maggie’s permission to move into his family home where he’s not allowed to live. And when Xander finds out Brady is probably going to be spending nights at the Kiriakis mansion in Sarah’s bed, I honestly think Xander is going to struggle to keep his temper.

Both he and Kristen consider Sarah and Brady the loves of their lives. And Sarah might agree, but Brady definitely does not. So, we could see Kristen and Xander engaging in some form of retaliation on their exes. I wouldn’t put it past Kristen and Xander or the two of them together to scheme to break up Brady and Sarah. And even though that’s hypocritical of Xander because he’s involved with Gwen, I could see him doing it.

The difference is Sarah and Brady do actually care for each other. Meanwhile, Gwen and Xander are just having fun and they’re blowing off steam. Although all of us know that Gwen would love to be Xander’s girlfriend and not just a friend he’s using for a bit of cheeky fun as Gwen calls it.

Will Xander And Kristen Retaliate?

And now since Xander is trying to be a better man for himself and his daughter Victoria, you know, he may not be a hothead and may not go directly at getting revenge on Brady for being intimate with his ex. And of course Sarah is a grown woman and she and Xander are officially divorced.

So technically, you know, he should butt out, but I could see him prodding Kristen and letting her know that Brady and Xander are sleeping together in case she doesn’t already. That way, Xander could leave Kristen to do damage because of her jealous streak. No way is she going to stand by while Sarah and Brady get even more serious about each other.

Days of Our Lives: Xander Juggles

And the other thing is that Xander’s pretty busy right now. He’s trying to save Titan and get Maggie off his case about how he’s doing it. And of the two of them, I think Kristen is way more unhinged and obsessive about Brady than Xander is about Sarah. I mean, Kristen’s been that way for years.

Xander, by comparison, had a healthy and mutually loving relationship with Sarah, but if you recall, Kristen wore a Nicole mask to trick Brady into bed. And that’s how Rachel was conceived. I mean, Kristen is so desperate to have Brady. She was okay with wearing another woman’s face to make it happen. And that is creepy.

Days of Our Lives: Kristen Tricks Brady?

So, I wouldn’t put it past Kristen to wear a Sarah mask to trick Brady again. But she also has a lot on her plate because she is in revenge mode. And Kristen wants to get Rachel out of Bayview and back home. So, I will say there’s a chance Brady and Sarah won’t face any retaliation. You know, I do think Xander may hold his temper in check, but Kristen, she’s the one to worry about. And if there is major fallout for Sarah and Brady, I think Kristen’s the source.

Our leaker told us that Sarah gets a marriage proposal from Brady, but it’s more about getting full custody of Rachel than real matrimony. And the leaker told us a while back that Sarah’s going to reject the proposal and she’s going to have second thoughts about Xander.

They are rumored to have a long road ahead before Sarah officially is back with Xander, which we’ve heard happens in late fall, early winter. But for now, Sarah is moving on with Brady and their relationship turns physical soon. And I guess we’ll see how Kristen and Xander react when they find out and whether these two can behave like adults.

Whew, Roomies! Remy Ma is stepping all the way outside and not holding back! The New York rapper has entered the chat with a brand-new freestyle, and let’s just say—she’s got time today. Amid ongoing tension with her estranged husband, Papoose, Remy is making it crystal clear where she stands when it comes to her pen game.

RELATED: Awww! Clips Of Remy Ma & Reminisce MacKenzie’s Cute Mommy-Daughter Time Have The Internet Gushing (VIDEOS)

Remy Ma Seemingly Calls Out Papoose In Freestyle

On Friday, Remy Ma dropped a new freestyle, ‘W.Y.F.L,’ and she came in swinging. In the track, she delivers sharp bars aimed at critics and unnamed opps, but fans quickly connected the dots to Pap. “The nerve of n***as claiming they wrote those hits/When they whole career they ain’t never ghost wrote s**t,” she spits, before doubling down with, “Not for me or anybody else/You always act like you helped a n*gga, go help yourself!”

Whew! While it’s unclear what exactly prompted the post at this moment, Remy Ma clearly isn’t in the mood today. Without naming him, sis wasted no time addressing the ghostwriting allegations and making it clear she wants her craft respected.

Fans Go IN On TSR Over Remy’s Song

Fans wasted no time flooding The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section—and whew, they went all the way IN. Some Roomies hyped Remy Ma up, saying she’s got BARS for days, while others joked they know Papoose didn’t lend his pen to this one. And of course, a few folks were already looking ahead, saying you already know Claressa Shields is not about to let this slide.

One Instagram user @blissfulmindz commented, “Nah this 🔥🔥🔥 I think she got her ☝️”

This Instagram user @paristheefoodie shared, “This about to be a long weekend once Claressa wake up 👇🏾”

And, Instagram user @theebosslex added, “Pap finna fly downstairs to write Clarissa diss😭”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @therealbeebombshell said, “Talking out your neck when i know how your 🥷 neck work 😂🔥🔥🔥🔥 a BAR!!!!!“

While Instagram user @dillyd12 wrote, “NGL SHE CLEARED THIS 🔥”

Finally, Instagram user @_chvnel5 joked, “‘You wanna be a baddie but you ain’t bad enough’ 😂😂😂”

Recap Of Papoose’s Previous Ghostwriting Claims 

Last year, Papoose hopped on Instagram Live and boldly claimed he wrote “90 percent” of Remy Ma’s rhymes since they’ve been together—yeah, you read that right.

“I wrote 90 percent of the rhymes that came out of her mouth,” he alleged, “I never asked for a penny. I never asked for credit. She’s my wife.”

That statement had fans side-eyeing heavy at the time, and now it looks like Remy’s latest freestyle is her way of addressing those claims head-on and setting the record straight about her pen.

The freestyle drops right in the middle of Remy Ma and Papoose’s ongoing public divorce and drama that’s been unfolding over the past few years. After more than a decade together—and welcoming their daughter in 2018—the two called it quits in 2024 amid swirling cheating rumors. Things only got messier once Pap filed for divorce in 2025. Since then, the former couple hasn’t held back, trading jabs across social media as their fallout continues to play out in real time. As of December 2025, their split was not yet finalized.

RELATED: Woke Up Like This! Remy Ma’s No-Makeup Post Has Fans Double-Tapping (PHOTOS)

Offset dropped his first official statement after leaving a Florida hospital where he received treatment for a gunshot wound on Monday, April 6. The rapper took to social media to update fans on his recovery and tease what’s next for him. From the looks of it, he’s definitely back in that mode!

RELATED: Offset Reportedly Moves To Resolve $100K Debt After Detroit Casino Hits Him With Fraud Lawsuit

Offset Gives Health Update & Teases His Next Move

Just a few days after a shooting at Florida’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Offset came through with a health update on Instagram. On Friday, April 10, the former Migos member shared a handwritten post thanking everyone who showed him love and reached out to check on him. From there, he made it clear that he’s ready to get back to business, focusing on his family and recovery.

“Thank you to everyone who’s checked in on me and showed me love! I’m good …. but I’m planning to be better! I’m focused on my family, my recovery, and getting back to the music … realizing life is made of quiet wins and loud losses…” 

While some fans expressed relief to see him in good spirits, others still questioned his intentions as he ended his message with, “Life’s a gamble and I’m still playing to win.” 

Social Media Weighs In On Offset’s Recovery Update

Reactions to Offset’s message kept rolling in over in The Shade Room’s comment section. Some folks said his statement gives very much “he’ll do it again,” while others said he definitely could’ve chosen better words.

Instagram user @scrilla_ wrote, “He play too much.. he the casino.” 

Instagram user @itsquooo wrote, “He the monopoly 😭😭” 

While Instagram user @goddessmysticty wrote, “Spoken like a true gambler 😂😂😂😂😂 with an addiction 🥴” 

Then Instagram user @mzkaylinnn wrote, “He the dice.” 

Another Instagram user @nigeriamusic wrote, “So he’s automatically saying he’ll keep playing gambling? 🤷🏿‍♀️” 

While another Instagram user @speakingoftori wrote, “Basically he finna go back to the casino just a more secured one 😂”

Instagram user @kingricot wrote, “🥷 gambling was the last thing you needed to say right now 😂” 

Then another Instagram user @alexander_206 wrote, “Bro’s so addicted to gambling, he had to sneak in that line 😂” 

Finally, Instagram user @iinfluencedyou wrote, “As long as he put money away for his kids future, fk it just let him enjoy his life.” 

Offset Reacts After Lil Tjay Calls Him Out For Rumors Surrounding The Casino Shooting

Offset’s statement is the first time he spoke directly about his status after the shooting at a Florida casino. However, he did drop a brief message on social media right after the incident. Details around the shooting are still unclear. At the time, authorities took Lil Tjay into custody after he was reportedly involved in a fight right before gunshots rang out. Tjay faced charges including “disorderly conduct” and “operating a vehicle without a valid license.” His booking record didn’t mention the shooting or include any gun-related charges.

A clip from NBC 6 South Florida’s Instagram shows Tjay speaking with reporters while walking out of jail. He doubled down on his claim that he didn’t take part in any fights and called out Offset for spreading false claims that he shot at him. “The last thing I seen was Offset looking at me like this, ‘Yo, that n***a shot me. That n***a shot me […] N***a is a rat,” Tjay told reporters. Offset appeared to peep Tjay’s comments and ended up jumping on Instagram with a message that read, “U aint buss nun.”

RELATED: Whew! Offset Responds To Lil Tjay’s STRONG Words As Authorities Report That Associate Of Bronx Rapper Shot Him 

It’s no secret that FBI‘s latest spin-off, CIA, will more closely tie into the main series. Both are based out of New York, and the premiere episode saw none other than Jubal Valentine (Jeremy Sisto) introduce Nick Gehlfuss‘s by-the-books agent Bill Goodman into the joint operation between the two titular agencies. CBS has also worked to promote the two series as two sides of the same coin, united in their purpose to save people and stop threats before they get out of hand, but differing in their methods. For weeks now, they’ve been gearing up for their first big two-way crossover and, this coming Monday, April 13, it’s finally about to happen.

Collider is excited to share an exclusive sneak peek from CIA‘s upcoming seventh episode, “Elimination Game,” which will see Bill and his loose cannon CIA partner, Colin (Tom Ellis), on security duty at a high-profile international soccer game. However, everything quickly goes off the rails after a bomb threat, sending the pair on the trail of two missing players who are being hunted down. While they try to find the stars before it’s too late, the case continues to evolve and grow more complicated, necessitating some reinforcements from two agents with many years of experience under their belts — Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille (Alana De La Garza) and Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym). From the promos, it appears Isobel will provide her expertise in the office, gathering all the intel needed, while Maggie joins the mismatched duo on the ground.

Our footage picks up in the immediate aftermath of Colin’s latest risky stunt, or, as he calls it, a “hunch,” the exact kind of reckless behavior that has made him so effective, yet so confounding to work with for Bill. This time, though, he’s not the only one there to push back on him. Maggie chews him out, knowing that his actions could’ve backfired and gotten Bill killed, but before he can get any more lecturing, an old friend pays a visit. An officer from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service recognizes that “where there’s chaos, there’s Colin,” and swings by to greet his old buddy and meet his new, much less fun partner. The two have a history dating back to their mutual friendship with Colin’s old partner, and it makes things a bit awkward for Bill, who’s still learning the ropes and not quite gelling perfectly with the CIA case officer.

‘CIA’ and ‘FBI’ Are in It Together for the Long Haul

“Elimination Game” is just one part of the CIA and FBI crossover. Back in March, Necar Zadegan, who plays the Deputy Chief of New York’s CIA office, Nikki Reynard, made her debut on the mothership series, helping Isobel when a case of smuggled goods turns out to be an international threat that requires her insight. With the spin-off series already confirmed for Season 2, it’s likely just the beginning for a long and fruitful partnership for the two shows that will give new life to the franchise on CBS. Their efforts together are designed to make the FBI world feel even bigger and thrust agents from both sides into new situations and offer new perspectives.

In an interview with TV Insider previewing the CIA side of this first link-up, Peregrym teased what Maggie’s mindset is seeing Bill and Colin’s partnership for the first time. She definitely sees where Bill’s struggles are coming from, not just from the difficulties of operating in a completely different world, but also from the trust issues he’s saddled with while on his real mission to root out the mole within the agency.

“I just see the dynamic between them and I’m like, ‘Ooh, this is a tough place to be when you can’t really trust your partner. Bill’s on our side. He’s FBI. We understand the rules, we get it. I can see what’s happening with Colin. And I’m like, ‘Oh, this guy’s off the rails a bit.’ And so I feel sorry for Bill, but I’m also like, ‘You just need to find a way to figure this out. You’ve got to find a way to work together, and it’s not going to be forever that you’re in this situation.’ But I feel bad for him. I’m just trying to support him in his situation, essentially.”

CIA Episode 7 premieres on CBS next week on April 13. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.

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Release Date

February 23, 2026

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Showrunner

Mike Weiss, Warren Leight, David Hudgins

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  Nick Gehlfuss

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  Bill Goodman

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  Michael Michele

  Joe Abanpour

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For the longest time, HBO has been the home for groundbreaking, hard-hitting, extraordinary dramas. With more freedom to explore darker stories and fewer limitations than network TV, HBO has served daring content, making it a destination for hits. When it comes to exceptional dramas, The Sopranos was synonymous with prestige TV, becoming the face of HBO and the poster child for the Golden Age of television. But what if there were other shows that were a bit better than The Sopranos?

For six seasons, The Sopranos enthralled audiences, but during its run and more than a decade after its debut, there were three shows that deserve as much, if not more, praise than the David Chase crime drama. One was a Western historical drama that aired concurrently, another was a mind-blowing supernatural tale, and the third was a twisted family drama. Though there certainly may be those who vehemently disagree, there is a reason why these three HBO shows top The Sopranos.

‘Deadwood’ (2004-2006)

Image via HBO

Perhaps the most mindblowing entry on this list comes from the three-season masterpiece, Deadwood. Created by David Milch, Deadwood brought audiences back to 1870s Dakota Territory for a trip through history in the wild frontier, charting the town before and after its annexation by the Dakota Territory. The series uses historical truths and figures as well as fictional elements to document life in a swiftly shifting America. The initial narrative explores the camp’s struggle with lawlessness through the power struggle between ruthless saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) and former lawman-turned-lawman once again, Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant). As new threats arrive, old rivals turn to new allies with the central goal of protecting Deadwood and its inhabitants. Deadwood is an exploration of greed, corruption, and the transition from anarchy to civilization, offering an authentic look at the stories we thought we knew through exceptional writing, standout performances, and a passion for celebrating history without sanitization. Yes, there was violence and vulgar language, but it was necessary for the world. By keeping the action stationary while individuals came and went, Deadwood established a strong atmosphere that became increasingly immersive over time, a realistic setting that may be the most honest depiction of the West.

Every actor in the cast helped to elevate the authenticity. McShane crafted a brilliant and refreshing Western character through Swearengen; there simply has never been a character quite like him. While The Sopranos focused more on the psychology of antiheroes, Deadwood focused on a deeper thematic exploration of civilization that carried across consistent arcs of quality. Deadwood made you empathize with some of the most morally grey individuals because it was an act of survival. On The Sopranos, murder was like a sport, so death had a significantly different impact on storytelling. Deadwood jumpstarted the Western boom of the 21st century. Sadly, due to high production costs, its continued journey was cut short. Had it fulfilled a completely realized run, the argument that it was better than The Sopranos would have been even stronger. Though a numerical count shouldn’t be an official determination of greatness, winning 8 Emmy Awards for its 36-episode run sure helps the case. While we did get a movie to tie a pretty bow on a historic season, Deadwood remains at the top of the heap as a show we lost too soon.

‘Succession’ (2018-2023)

By taking themes from King Lear and mixing them with the drama surrounding the Murdoch family, you get the revolutionary satirical black comedy-drama Succession. The Jesse Armstrong-created series centers on the Roy family, the owners of the global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, and their fight for control of the company amid uncertainty about the health of their patriarch, Logan Roy (Brian Cox). The power struggle centers on the Roy siblings—Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Connor (Alan Ruck), to an extent—as they seek to assume control, unafraid to topple anyone in their way. A deliciously juicy story of power, wealth, and deep dysfunction, Succession’s success was due to the top-notch cast, who brought fully realized, morally ambiguous characters to life, alliances shifting from conversation to conversation. With razor-sharp, often profane writing performed by a high-caliber ensemble, Succession is all-killer, no filler; moral ambiguity is the name of the game. There is not a single individual who isn’t flawed, and yet they’re so self-involved that they can’t see it.

Often, we view character growth as an individual learning something to become better. The evolution of some of these individuals went in the opposite direction until it was too late, and they lost it all. Even those on the periphery, like Tom Wambsgas (Matthew Macfadyen), Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Camreon), Frank Vernon (Peter Friedman), and Hugo Baker (Fisher Stevens) weren’t marked safe from drinking the Roy dastardly Kool-aid from time to time. The Sopranos may, or may not, have saved its most important whack for last via a controversial blackout. Succession shocked viewers and characters alike by placing it smack dab at the front of the final season. That’s how you properly blindside an audience. At its core, Succession never strayed from its mission; it set out to be a scathing social critique of wealth inequality, corporate greed, and the ability to wield power; rarely would a storyline fall flat. There was exquisite agony through high-stakes drama paired with brief moments of levity that allowed you a smirk and a chuckle at the situation. Perhaps some credit should be given to The Sopranos, because Succession took the groundwork its predecessor laid and became the North Star every drama that follows will look toward. At the end of the day, a fantastic series needs exceptional writing and remarkable performances; in that sense, Succession ran laps around The Sopranos.

‘The Leftovers’ (2014-2017)

Image via HBO

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The heaviest exploration of loss, grief, and trauma came in the sensational supernatural drama The Leftovers. Based on Tom Perrotta‘s 2011 novel, it was one of the most emotionally heavy dramas of the 21st century, set three years after the “Sudden Departure,” a global catastrophe that left 2% of the population missing. Focusing on an array of affected people, including police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) and his family, as well as grieving widow Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), The Leftovers tests the lines of spirituality, science, and the loss of faith as each person grapples with their new world differently. Through the lens of the psychological and emotional aftermath, The Leftovers paints a bleak picture of what such an event could bring if it were to happen to us. Intensely emotional and profoundly resonating, The Leftovers pushed a character-driven masterpiece to the forefront without ever being bogged down by the science-fiction elements surrounding it.

The Leftovers became an examination of humanity rather than a direct focus on the mystery itself. It started its journey in the small New York town, yet it was unafraid to shift locales to further the story and expand the lore and mythology. For some series, a change of location signifies desperation; for The Leftovers, it only made the story even stronger. This drama broke traditional television conventions smartly, allowing the narrative to evolve over time and crafting an engaging philosophical post-apocalyptic atmosphere. The Leftovers never made it easy for anyone — not for its characters or its viewers. With most high-concept series, should they introduce an element like the Sudden Departure, you wait with bated breath for answers; not here. The Leftovers was a character-driven masterpiece that let you see deep into the deeply flawed, broken people who remained. In some sense, it might be unfair to compare it to The Sopranos, as these shows are not cut from the same cloth. But viewing it as a complete television package, The Leftovers has the edge. The risk was well worth the reward.

When it comes to Momma Dee, age is definitely just a number! Lil Scrappy‘s mother gagged her fanbase, a.k.a the kingdom, with a surprise appearance on the ‘Boys 4 Life Tour,’ which is the 2026 installment of ‘The Millennium Tour.’ In the circulating video, she shared the stage with her son’s ex-girlfriend, Diamond.

RELATED: Fans Demand Answers After Bow Wow Shares Cryptic Message About Replacing Performers Ahead Of ‘Boys 4 Life’ Tour

Momma Dee Steps On Stage In Two-Piece Black ‘Fit

Atlanta had State Farm Arena rocking on Thursday night (April 9) after ‘The Millennium Tour’ made its stop. The guest list was extensive, but on Friday, social media users were giving Momma Dee her 10s for HER surprise appearance! She shared a close-up look at her stage presence. The 62-year-old was up there rocking her hips, singing every lyric, vibing with Crime Mob’s Diamond, and glowing in her risqué crop-top look. In her caption, she thanked the 2000s group for bringing her out and reminded the girls that she remains a Queen!

“The Queen still got it bebby‼️ Shoutout to @crimemobmafia @diamondatl for bringing the Queen out to Rock with yall Yassss‼️❤️ #BoysForLifeTour”

Fans Are Clapping It Up For “The  Queen”

From the outfit to her energy, Momma Dee’s supporters flooded her Instagram comment section with compliments after she shared footage from her time on stage.

@bigsexyofficial wrote, “And you look GOOOOOOOOOOOD😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍.”

“🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @tharealmommadee Yeeeessss 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜,” @msjuicymrs said.

“Scrappy never stops his mama from popping her shiniezz 😂,” @shaystst commented.

@trell_74 added, “I feel if you can get up there and still do your thang at any age do it. You only have one life and until you get to her age you don’t understand. She is amazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌🙌.”

“🔥🔥🔥 And we loved seeing you out there,” @everybodyhatesneely commented.

“I don’t care what anybody say Mama D looks amazing😍😍😍,” @mrs.jdove585.king wrote.

“Soooooooooooooooo grateful well deserved hail to the Queen momma Dee 62 and still looking better than half of these young girls out here and I say that with emphasis on it👑🙏🙏🙏😇😇😇🔥🔥🔥🔥✋️💪💪💪 and in that order,” @gwendolyn.p.hooker added.

“Momma Dee is the mom who cool with all the exs no matter what 😂,” @farreverusfamily commented, while @lrainewill added, “One thing for certain and two things for sure, Momma Dee gonna stay in Scrappys exes lives. 😂😂😂 Attached for life. 😂😂😂.” 

Meanwhile, @mrskpatt said, “Momma D is a mess but she is fine as wine baby! 🔥🔥🔥”

@i_am_batya_ added, “Momma Dee don’t give a damn she is gonna be outside 🤦🏾‍♀️.” 

“Ok new hips !!!!! We see you,” @livelovelockey commented, referencing Momma Dee’s hip replacement surgery last year.

Who Else Took The Stage In Atlanta? 

And The Queen wasn’t at the show without her Prince, Lil Scrappy! He shared moments from the show on his Instagram Stories. Videos show him and Yung Joc performing their 2000s classics for the turnt up crowd. Additionally, Scrappy and Diamond appeared on the stage at the same time during ‘Knuck If You Buck.’

For context, ‘The Millennium Tour,’ has evolved into an annual concert series that highlights hip hop and R&B from the 2000s. As mentioned, its 2026 installment is 25th-anniversary reunion for B2K and co-headliner Bow Wow. Their surprise guests have been nothing short of a nostalgic throwback for fans nationwide. In Atlanta on Thursday, B2K, Bow, Amerie, B5, Waka Flocka, Franchize Boyz and even Pretty Ricky performed. And it didn’t stop there! According to a YouTube video upload, some other guests included Tamar Braxton, Keith Sweat, Trey Songz and Bobby V.

RELATED: Lil Mama Crashes Bow Wow’s Brooklyn Show As They Hilariously Address Look-Alike Rumors (VIDEO)