Trigger Warning: This article features discussions of sensitive subjects.Perhaps one reason we turn to television is its vast capacity and freedom to tell stories. Whether short-term miniseries or long-running shows, the small screen has hosted some of the riskiest and most daring moments. Some have served as teaching tools while others nearly set the world on fire. Whether for better or worse, it’s the latter that has made a lasting impact on the media and pop culture.

The episodes below are considered some of the most controversial of all time. They were so controversial that they sparked a national conversation and drew backlash in the process. From taboo topics to groundbreaking moments, these episodes reshaped the types of stories that would be told and how they’d be handled. For the most part, these moments came from long-running serialized shows where the event was centralized to the episode. Some of these episodes were so scandalous, they have been pulled from ever airing again. So, if you didn’t watch in real time, good luck uncovering them!

‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)

Season 8, Episodes 4 & 5 “Edith’s 50th Birthday”

Image via CBS

There are very few sitcoms more infamous for their boundary-pushing than All in the Family. Created by Norman Lear, the series followed the Bunker family living in Queens. Through sharp satire and intense debates, All in the Family thrived on the clash of values between the “Greatest Generation” and the Baby Boomer counterculture. Before its nine-season run, network television tended to avoid taboo subjects and gritty real-world conflict. That all changed here. There were many memorable moments that shocked viewers, but the episode that garnered the most controversy was Season 8’s “Edith’s 50th Birthday.” In the episode, a man named Lambert (David Dukes), while posing as a police detective, attempts to rape Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) on her 50th birthday. Her family is unaware of the events unfolding as they prepare for a surprise party next door. Broken up into two parts, the episode also depicts Edith struggling to deal with the aftermath as her family both comforts her and brings her assailant to justice.

All in the Family went to uncharted territory here. The 1977 episode was monumental as it was the first time an attempted rape was portrayed on an American sitcom. It shocked audiences as they watched a beloved, wholesome character fall into a terrifying and realistic violent assault. By tackling such a raw, terrifying subject, the show polarized viewers who turned to it for laughs. Lear believed that he chose the gentle and sheltered Edith to be the victim to showcase how sexual assault can happen to anyone. It was an unsettling feeling for audiences who viewed her as virtually untouchable. Though there were many fans outraged by the dark episode, it was used as a teaching tool by crisis centers to convey the female perspective of assault and survival. Since All in the Family, the theme has been a consistent feature on television, all thanks to Lear’s groundbreaking episode.

‘Ellen’ (1994–1998)

Season 4, Episodes 22 & 23 “The Puppy Episode”

Image via ABC

Today, Ellen DeGeneres is known as one of the pioneers for LGBTQ+ individuals in media, but her coming out was not as easy as it is today. The former talk show host used her ’90s sitcom, Ellen, as a means to come out. Unfortunately, it was not met with immediate praise or warm welcomes. Ellen followed the neurotic and quirky adventures of Ellen Morgan (DeGeneres), a single 30-something woman living in Los Angeles. The series focused on her daily struggles with her career at a local bookshop, complicated dating scenarios, and the close-knit but odd circle of friends—her neurotic yet loving best friend Paige Clark (Joely Fisher), her snarky, cynical coworker Joe Farrell (David Anthony Higgins), her naive and hyperactive friend Audrey Penney (Clea Lewis), and her self-absorbed, aspiring actor friend Spencer Kovak (Jeremy Piven). What started as a wholesome slice-of-life comedy changed during the milestone Season 4 episode, “The Puppy Episode.”

The episode follows Ellen as she goes to dinner with her former boyfriend Richard (Steven Eckholdt), who is in town with his producer, Susan (Laura Dern). Ellen and Susan immediately hit it off, allowing Susan to suggest that, like her, Ellen might be gay. Initially denying it, a panicked Ellen tries to sleep with Richard to prove to herself that she isn’t. When the plan fails, she seeks guidance from a therapist (Oprah Winfrey). She ultimately comes to terms with her sexuality, which leads to the iconic moment at the airport where an accidental mix-up with the intercom causes her to publicly come out, declaring, “I’m gay.” Meant to mirror her real-life coming out, the star negotiated with ABC for her character to come out, leading to speculation about DeGeneres herself. There were subtle hints scattered throughout the episodes leading up to “The Puppy Episode,” but the controversy arose before it even aired.

Many organizations, including the American Family Association, pressured the network to drop the storyline while urging sponsors to pull their ads. It worked as Chrysler and Wendy’s cut ties, as ABC placed a parental advisory warning at the beginning of the broadcast. Amid a flurry of backlash, condemnation, and support, DeGeneres used the moment to speak out, appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show with then-girlfriend Anne Heche on the date of the sitcom episode. The episode liberated queer storytelling but ultimately hurt the series, which ended the following year. The series’ formerly comedic tone gave way to more serious themes and topics, with subsequent storylines centered almost entirely on gay issues, which were more taboo than than they are today. “The Puppy Episode” was a crucial moment for LGTBQ+ visibility despite its initial backlash. The Fall television season following the end of Ellen gave way to Will & Grace.

‘Family Guy’ (1999–Present)

Season 8, Episode 21 “Partial Terms of Endearment”

Image via FOX

Adult animated sitcoms were notorious for pushing the boundary. Family Guy was one of the leaders in that respect. Created by Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy satirized American culture through the lives of the eccentric and dysfunctional Griffin family in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island. Driven by rapid-fire, irreverent humor and cutaway gags, Family Guy turned the traditional nuclear family dynamic upside down through dark humor, pop culture parodies, and controversial topics. One episode that sparked a conversation that the show went too far was the Season 8 episode, “Partial Terms of Endearment.” The plot follows Lois Griffin (Alex Borstein), who agrees to act as a surrogate mother for an infertile college friend, Naomi (Julia Sweeney). Tragically, the biological parents are killed in a car accident days after conception, leaving Lois with the difficult choice of whether to keep the baby or terminate the pregnancy. The episode was provocative, but not everyone found it handled with care.

Rather than a straightforward drama like the classic sitcom “Special Episode,” it applied the signature irreverent humor to the tragedy. In one moment, after Peter (MacFarlane) believes Lois should terminate the pregnancy, he tries to force Lois to miscarry by dressing like Wile E. Coyote and utilizing ACME-style traps in the desert to try and harm her, all through slapstick animation. Both the pro-life and pro-choice arguments are presented, featuring intense protests and highly polarizing debates between the show’s characters. The episode concludes with Peter breaking the fourth wall, saying, “We had the abortion,” as the final punchline. Fox deemed the subject matter too sensitive for network television, ultimately resulting in the episode being banned from airing on U.S. television. That said, it was viewed by fewer than a million homes during its original airing in the UK and did make it onto the DVD.

‘I Love Lucy’ (1951–1957)

Season 2, Episode 10 “Lucy Is Enceinte”

Image via CBS

Sitcom characters getting pregnant nowadays serve as a major and important plot point. They tend to be seen as a positive. There are cases in which the actor becomes pregnant, which wouldn’t work for the character, forcing the show to creatively hide the real-life miracle. But in the early days of television, pregnancies were a taboo topic for storytelling. In fact, network censors believed that depicting and explicitly discussing pregnancy was highly suggestive and obscene. So, what would happen to I Love Lucy when it was learned that it’s star, Lucille Ball, was with child? She changed the way things were done. I Love Lucy was a classic sitcom that followed a zany, ambitious housewife obsessed with breaking into show business. She was often seen concocting hilarious, sometimes doomed, schemes to perform at her husband Ricky’s (Desi Arnaz) nightclub, dragging her best friend and neighbor, Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance), into the mix. In the Season 2 episode, “Lucy Is Enceinte,” Lucy discovers she is pregnant and tries to find the perfect, dramatic way to tell Ricky, but her efforts are constantly thwarted. She ultimately makes the grand reveal through song at the Tropicana. Marking the official launch of the “Little Ricky” storyline, Ball’s pregnancy was written into the show with much protest.

Because pregnancy directly implied a couple engaged in intimacy, the strict policing of sex references on screen caused the network to try to have Ball sit behind chairs and tables to hide her growing belly. The word “pregnant” was even dodged, making the character question why she was experiencing weight gain and low energy. But with Ball and Arnaz standing their ground that a married woman having a baby was a natural, beautiful thing, pushing the storyline through led to concessions being made. The title had to use the French word for pregnancy. Producer Jess Oppenheimer had to employ an interfaith panel of clergy to review each script line by line to ensure it remained wholesome. In the end, the storyline proved an unprecedented success, with a record-breaking 44 million viewers tuning in for the birth episode. Without one of TV’s favorite couple standing up for change, the entire landscape of television could have been altered.

‘Maude’ (1972–1978)

Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10 “Maude’s Dilemma”

Image via CBS

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Of course, if you’re a spin-off of All in the Family, it’s expected that at some point, you’ll tackle a shocking storyline. In 1972, Maude followed through. The sitcom stars Bea Arthur as Maude Findlay, an outspoken, fiercely independent, and unapologetically liberal middle-aged woman living in suburban New York with her fourth husband, Walter (Bill Macy). Created by Norman Lear, the series blended domestic situations with then-taboo social issues, frequently clashing with conservative neighbors and family members. Throughout its six-season run, Maude tackled everything from women’s and gay rights to mental health and addiction, but the episode that met the most backlash was the episode that explored abortion. In “Maude’s Dilemma,” the 47-year-old Maude discovers she is pregnant and ultimately chooses to terminate the pregnancy. It was a stark contrast from other shows that tackled similar situations, instead of using perceived “cop-outs” of miscarriages or false pregnancies.

Timing was everything because the story arrived merely two months before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Would that have changed public perception? It’s hard to say. At that moment, the controversial premise led to nearly 40 CBS affiliate networks refusing to air the premiere or subsequent reruns of the episodes. It drew the backlash of the United States Catholic Conference and sparked an estimated 7,000 to 17,000 protest letters sent directly to CBS. The episode divided households. The initial script found Maude’s neighbor Vivian (Rue McClanahan) pregnant, leading to a conversation about contraceptives, but he thought the funnier concept would be the wrong woman being pregnant. But having already used a miscarriage on All in the Family, he decided Maude would realistically have had an abortion despite her moral turmoil regarding the subject. The direct unapologetic stance on the issue of bodily autonomy paved the way for shows to tackle it in the future in a post-Roe v. Wade world.

‘Murphy Brown’ (1988–2018)

Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato”

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The ‘80s was filled with wholesome family sitcoms. There were some shows that broke the traditional mode, but with a mindset of how sitcom stories should be told, why deviation from the format would be deemed controversial. Perhaps even not responsible. Even in a post-The Mary Tyler Moore world, it was rare to see a workplace comedy led by a strong, independent woman. And yet, Murphy Brown cracked the code. The Diane English-created series follows the professional and personal misadventures of Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen), a highly respected, sharp-tongued, and recovering alcoholic investigative journalist for the fictional news magazine show FYI. Best known for its perfect blend of workplace comedy with sharp social commentary and real-world politics, the series found itself in the crossfire when Vice President Dan Quayle publicly criticized the titular character for choosing to raise a child as a single mother. In the run-up to the 1992 election, Quayle used the show as a punching bag, arguing that a highly paid, professional woman bearing a child alone was “mocking the importance of fathers.”

As a direct rebuttal of the family values debate, the Season 5 premiere, “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato,” the episode follows the aftermath of Quayle’s controversial real-world speech attacking Murphy Brown for undermining family values. In turn, the FYI newsroom retaliate by producing a special episode of the show. Instead of backing down, they use the broadcast to highlight and celebrate the wide diversity of modern American families. The title was a direct reference to a real-life incident where Quayle notoriously corrected an elementary school student’s correct spelling of the word “potato,” erroneously insisting it be spelled with an “e.” To get back at Quayle, the punchline becomes Murphy dumping a massive truckload of potatoes onto the Vice President’s lawn. The episode created an unprecedented blend of reality and television fiction, drawing an estimated 70 million viewers.

‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975–Present)

Season 18, Episode 2 “Tim Robbins/Sinéad O’Connor”

Image via NBC

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Nowadays, the Pope has become a punching bag for political discourse. Once upon a time, simply ripping up a photo of the Pope was cause for controversy. The incident in question occurred on Saturday Night Live, but not during a sketch; it was during a performance by musical guest, Sinéad O’Connor. The long-running sketch show has notoriously pushed the boundaries as even some guest hosts have been banned over the years, but during the 1992 episode hosted by Tim Robbins, his appearance was swiftly overshadowed during O’Connor’s unapproved on-air protest, where she sang an a cappella version of Bob Marley‘s “War,” held up a photo of Pope John Paul II, ripped it into pieces, and told the audience to “fight the real enemy”.

Much of the Irish singer’s reasoning behind her actions was to protest the alleged systemic cover-up of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church prior to the scandal becoming public knowledge. In turn, the action was widely misunderstood and sparked immediate global outrage. The deceit came because, during dress rehearsals, she tore up a photo of a refugee child instead. Because the stunt was entirely unscripted, she blindsided Lorne Michaels and the producers. Michaels immediately ordered the crew not to light the “Applause” signs, resulting in dead silence in the studio before cutting to a commercial. NBC was hit with a massive fine by the FCC. O’Connor was swiftly banned from the program, cementing herself in SNL history. The following week, host Joe Pesci used his monologue to fiercely criticize her and declared he would have “smacked” her. O’Connor revealed in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings. She had no regrets about the controversial performance. “I feel that having a No. 1 record derailed my career, and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track,” she wrote.

‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)

Season 9, Episode 20 “The Puerto Rican Day”

Though it was a show about nothing, they sure knew how to make something out of nothing! The iconic sitcom Seinfeld followed the mundane, everyday misadventures of a neurotic stand-up comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, and his three eccentric friends in New York City, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards). The quartet were notorious for their bad deeds, but one of the worst moments came during the Season 9 episode, “The Puerto Rican Day.” The episode chronicles Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer as they get stuck in massive traffic returning from a Mets game during the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. While they each deal with their own isolated, comedic misadventures, the controversy stemmed from Kramer using a sparkler to light a cigar but accidentally setting a nearby Puerto Rican flag on fire. To extinguish the flames, he stomps on the flag. It only got worse. Later in the episode, an angry mob of parade-goers damages Jerry’s car, and Kramer says, “It’s like this every day in Puerto Rico.”

The episode sparked backlash, even before broadcast due to the title, with community leaders perceiving there would be offensive material. The depiction provoked widespread protests outside NBC’s Rockefeller Center in New York City. The National Puerto Rican Coalition strongly condemned the episode, stating that the flag was being used as a disrespectful stage prop. During the Season 9 DVD extra features, two of the episode’s writers, Steve Koren and David Mandel, shared that despite the title, the episode essentially has nothing to do with Puerto Ricans, and that they could have moved the setting to any of the many annual parades without significantly changing the story or dialogue. Even despite the pushback, NBC officially apologized for the episode and pulled “The Puerto Rican Day” from syndication, making it largely unavailable to air on television for several years. That all changed. Sony Pictures Television eventually re-added the episode to the syndication package in 2002, and it is now available to stream on platforms like Netflix. Perhaps the most striking fact, the episode was the show’s second-highest-rated episode of all time, with 38.8 million viewers, only behind the series finale.

‘South Park’ (1997–Present)

Season 14, Episode 5 “200”

Image via Comedy Central

We all knew that South Park would do something brazen for its milestone 200th episode. No one anticipated just how far Trey Parker and Matt Stone would go. The adult animated series follows the surreal, often chaotic misadventures of four foul-mouthed schoolboys—Stan Marsh (Parker), Kyle Broflovski (Stone), Eric Cartman (Parker), and Kenny McCormick (Stone)—living in a small Colorado mountain town. Known for its distinct paper cutout animation style, the series is notorious for its scathing that pokes at a wide variety of mature, real-world topics and pop culture commentary. In the Season 14 episode simply titled “200,” Tom Cruise and a mob of over 200 angry celebrities, including Kanye West, Mel Gibson, and Paris Hilton, file a class-action lawsuit against South Park for past ridicule. Cruise offers to drop the suit if the town delivers the prophet Muhammad, whose image is considered off-limits to mockery, to help the celebrities avoid further public ridicule. And just like that. Muhammad is depicted, causing immediate backlash from the Muslim community. Though the Islamic prophet is often concealed inside a U-Haul truck or in a bear costume, just having Muhammad as part of the plot was considered insensitive and strictly prohibited by many Muslims.

Following the broadcast, the creators received death threats, including from Revolution Muslim, stating that they would face the same fate as Dutch filmmaker, Theo van Gogh, who was murdered for creating content critical of Islam. Because of the escalating threats, Comedy Central heavily censored the subsequent follow-up episode, “201,” including aggressively bleeping out all dialogue that mentioned Muhammad’s name and completely removing the characters’ overarching moral speech, resulting in a disruptively censored final product that angered both fans and free-speech advocates. Many individuals in the media took to their platforms to call out the threats, going as far as to call the threats chilling. With corporate fears of further security concerns, both episodes were banned from syndication, completely left off digital and DVD releases, and excluded from streaming platforms. Ultimately, the author of the post, Zachary Chesser, was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

‘Tiny Toon Adventures’ (1990–1992)

Season 2, Episode 3 “Elephant Issues”

Image via Warner Bros. Animation

It might come as a great shock that a beloved kids’ animated classic would wind up on this list, but Tiny Toon Adventures made one grave mistake in 1991. The legacy series followed a new generation of young cartoon characters attending Acme Looniversity in Acme Acres. Mentored by the likes of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, the kids learn the art of slapstick comedy and cartoon antics. Within each episode, multiple vignettes are played, and it was one known as “One Beer” that had the nation in a tizzy. In the segment in the larger episode “Elephant Issues,” Buster, Plucky, and Hamton get heavily intoxicated from a single bottle of alcohol. As a result, they grow stubble, develop bloodshot eyes, slur their speech, and undergo outfit changes to resemble “drunken bums.” Then, they steal a police car, and subsequently, recklessly drive off a cliff. To put a true button on an uncomfortable moment, the trio “die” as they float up to heaven as angels.

The episode was initially designed to be a comically dark, cautionary PSA against drinking. Instead, it was a complete misfire. The episode was swiftly pulled from syndication to avoid further backlash and potentially send the wrong message to young viewers. The ban was eventually lifted as the episode aired on networks like The Hub and Hulu, as well as appearing on the DVD release of the complete series. The dark and surreal segment didn’t deter the series or its legacy as a reboot returned in 2023 with Tiny Toon Looniversity. Even in the college version, the series didn’t go that dark.

Over a week ago, MGM+ delivered one of the most exceptionally brutal finales in recent history, and fans are still recovering. Having returned for its fourth season earlier this April, From kicked off with a disturbing premiere that saw the tragic loss of a major character and the introduction of one of the show’s worst villains yet. Fast-forward ten episodes later, and things could not have gotten any bleaker for the characters, who were left facing an even worse fate.

From is currently the No. 1 sci-fi horror title on television, and its fourth season officially wrapped on June 28, 2026. Given that shocking finale cliffhanger, fans are already desperate for the next chapter. Fortunately, their prayers have been answered: a highly encouraging update about the show’s future has dropped, courtesy of its cast. It is worth noting that on April 15, 2026, just days before the Season 4 premiere, MGM+ officially renewed the hit series for a fifth and final season.

According to actor Ricky He, who plays Kenny Liu, production on From Season 5 is already officially underway. He took to Instagram to share two photos with the caption, “We’re starting to shoot season 5 btw,” playfully adding “anghkookies,” an amusing reference to the word “anghkooey,” which holds massive significance in the show’s lore. Further confirming the news, co-star Hannah Cheramy (Julie Matthews) posted an Instagram Story featuring several fan-favorite cast members gathered around a table, each studying their individual screens, likely reviewing scripts. Production goes on in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and filming is expected to wrap on November 28. Season 5 has yet to have a premiere date.

‘From’ Season 5 Is Officially in the Works

Created by John Griffin, the 96% Rotten Tomatoes series is set in a sinister, small American town that traps anyone unfortunate enough to enter. Over the past four seasons, the residents have struggled to survive while being hunted by terrifying, nocturnal creatures that emerge from the surrounding forest at night and slumber during the day. The townspeople desperately search for secrets hidden within the town and beyond in hopes of finding a way out, and as hinted in the From Season 4 finale, their latest attempt failed. In addition to He and Cheramy, From features a stellar ensemble cast led by Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, and Chloe Van Landschoot.

From Season 5 is coming soon. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates about the new season, and check out He’s filming post below.

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Release Date

February 20, 2022

Network

Epix, MGM+

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Directors

Jack Bender, Brad Turner, Alexandra La Roche, Bruce McDonald, Jeff Renfroe

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Writers

Vivian Lee, Kristen Layden, Brigitte Hales, Jeff Pinkner, John Griffin

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They might not be part of the same royal family, but Queen Letizia and Kate Middleton do have a few things in common — especially when it comes to footwear. The two women appear to be fans of navy wedges, an easy, elevated shoe choice that somehow never looks dated, and is far more versatile than you’d think.

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Related: Kate Middleton Retired Basic Flats for a Chic Slingback Ballet Shoe

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Kate Middleton is rarely spotted in anything other than heels, but she swapped pumps for something even classier than regular ballet flats. Middleton’s two-toned slingback flats give timeless a trendy edge, so it’s no wonder the style is taking over the internet. The Princess of Wales visited Italy wearing a simple yet elegant ensemble that […]

For her appearance, Queen Letizia kept things simple yet polished in dark pants and a white button-down shirt, using her navy wedges to pull the look together and add a special, seasonal touch. However, the same style could easily be worn with floral maxis, cropped jeans or Bermuda shorts, giving the shoes a fresh, fun and modern twist for 2026.

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This July, Netflix is doing what some have previously considered impossible by rebooting Little House on the Prairie. Hoping to keep more in-step with the original novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the streaming series will likely feel like a departure for many longtime fans of the original Michael Landon-led series. But for those still unsure about Netflix’s upcoming reimagining, there’s no better time to jump back into the original NBC program.

Little House is best known for its generally upbeat, Midwestern-style of storytelling that, in many respects, was ahead of its time. The mixture of traditional family values and old-time religion with pure Americana is nostalgic for many, and every rewatch is a genuine delight. So, before Netflix’s new take on Wilder’s famed tale, return to Walnut Grove with these memorable Little House on the Prairie episodes.

10

“Country Girls”

Season 1, Episode 2

Image via NBC

In only the second episode of the series, Little House establishes one of its most important on-screen dynamics. “Country Girls” introduces Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) to their longtime Minnesota nemesis Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim), who uses the titular term to deflate the newcomers. Of course, as the Ingalls girls deal with Nellie, Caroline (Karen Grassle) struggles to hold her tongue around the girl’s mother, Katherine MacGregor‘s never-changing Harriett Oleson.

“Country Girls” is classic Little House in every sense. As the Ingalls wrestle with taking the high road, the Olesons push every button imaginable, infuriating us as much as they do the Ingalls mother and daughter. Of course, in all of this, Charles (Landon) and Nels (Richard Bull) are stuck firmly in the middle.

9

“A Harvest of Friends”

Season 1, Episode 1

Image via NBC

The first hour-length episode of Little House, “A Harvest of Friends” brings the Ingalls family to the banks of Plum Creek just outside Walnut Grove. It’s here that the regular cast of characters is introduced. Mr. and Mrs. Oleson, Reverend Alden (Dabs Greer), “Doc” Baker (Kevin Hagen), and Lars Hanson (Karl Swenson) all welcome the Ingalls to their neck of the prairie, as Charles overworks himself around town.

“A Harvest of Friends” is largely Charles-centric (and was directed by Landon too), establishing his honest, hard-working, and morally-upright character from the very beginning. The episode is an effective glimpse into the warm, cozy feelings that would be invoked by the series long-term, and is a perfect watch for those hoping to recapture the nostalgia.

8

“The Collection”

Season 3, Episode 1

Image via NBC 

You may have forgotten that Johnny Cash guest starred on Little House back in the day, which means there’s no better time to rewatch “The Collection.” Cash has an interesting (and strange) filmography, but this is undoubtedly one of his best roles. Playing ex-con-turned-faux-preacher Caleb Hodgekiss, Cash befriends young Mary and weasels his way into the hearts of all in Walnut Grove after Rev. Alden is unable to fulfill his ministerial duties. Of course, the truth eventually comes out.

In addition to Cash, June Carter Cash appears as Mrs. Hodgekiss, with both offering their musical talents. While Little House wasn’t a show that ever needed to rely on guest stars to bring in an audience, “The Collection” presents viewers with a well-known entertainer by playing to his strengths and organically including him in the story. Sure, it just feels like “Johnny Cash has come to Walnut Grove,” but there’s nothing wrong with that.

7

“The Richest Man in Walnut Grove”

Season 2, Episode 1

Image via NBC

Laura and Nellie were always fighting on Little House, but never was their rivalry more mean-spirited and violent than in “The Richest Man in Walnut Grove.” The Season 2 premiere pits the two against each other once again when Nellie makes fun of Charles for smelling like manure after he’s forced to take another job to make end’s meet. The result? Laura finally socks Nellie right in the nose.

This Little House episode balances Laura’s insecurities with Charles’ determination, culminating in the former’s final speech to her rival. “Hardworking folks only smell bad to folks who have nothing to do but stick their noses in the air,” Laura tells Nellie. “Well, whenever you stick your nose in the air with me, Nellie, it’s gonna get punched.” That’s our girl.

6

“School Mom”

Season 1, Episode 9

Image via NBC

Few Little House episodes center so diligently on Caroline, but one of the best came early on during the show’s first season. “School Mom” puts Mrs. Ingalls in the teaching seat after Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart) is injured and school would otherwise be canceled. With the town unwilling to keep their children home for some time, Caroline steps up, only to find that one student in particular needs special attention.

As Caroline attempts to teach Abel McKay (Dirk Blocker), her efforts are challenged when Mrs. Oleson humiliates the boy. Of course, an Ingalls doesn’t give up so easily. “School Mom” also doubles as a Bonanza reunion of sorts (not unlike another Little House episode which copied the plot from a Bonanza episode), as Dirk Blocker was the son of Dan Blocker, Michael Landon’s former castmate on the hit Western program.

5

“The Legacy”

Season 8, Episode 14

Image via NBC

One of the more creative episodes of Little House on the Prairie, “The Legacy” lives up to its name by exploring how Charles Ingalls would be remembered a century after the fact. No, the episode doesn’t address the true Ingalls family history, but rather begins in the 1980s with a young couple who purchase an antique folding-leaf table that boasts the initials “CI” on the side of it. Looking back to the 1880s, the episode explores Charles’ journey in carpentry.

“The Legacy” is a great episode. It’s meditation on what it means to make a name for yourself is quite profound, and it’s one of only two episodes (the other being Season 9’s “Once Upon a Time”) that include a “present day” sequence. Of the two of them, “The Legacy” most stands out as Charles wrestles with his life and the type of man he wants to be remembered as.

4

“The Wisdom of Solomon”

Season 3, Episode 18

Image via NBC

One of the more well-known episodes of Little House, “The Wisdom of Solomon” follows the young Solomon Henry (Todd Bridges), a blind boy from the South who arrives in Walnut Grove after running away from home. While there, his existence challenges the racist views of people like Mrs. Oleson who can’t help but see color. Unable to see it himself, Solomon treats everyone with kindness and respect, encouraging others to do the same.

“The Wisdom of Solomon” has some heart-wrenching moments that may just bring you to tears, but also offers real levity in the way of one of Charles’ best jokes (you’ll just have to hear it for yourself). The episode also introduces Don Pedro Colley as Dr. Tann (spelled Tane here for some reason), a character fans will be familiar with from Wilder’s original books. Sadly, he only shows up once here on the NBC program, but he played a bigger role in the 2005 miniseries adaptation.

3

“I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away”

Season 4, Episodes 21-22

Image via NBC

Speaking of episodes that will bring you to tears, the two-part “I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away” has often been considered the very best of Little House on the Prairie. Those familiar with the Season 4 finale will remember that this is the episode where Mary’s historical fate is sealed as she begins to go blind. Few episodes centered on Mary (most favored Laura), but this memorable two-parter offered Melissa Sue Anderson truly exceptional material to work with.

As the Ingalls wrestle with the right thing to do for their daughter, Mary begins the next part in her Little House journey. It’s a wonderful tale that reminds the Ingalls (and the viewer) that God’s plans are often not our own. Although this moment would change Mary’s life forever, it never stopped her from being a part of the show, sticking with the series (albeit, in a deceased role at times) through its eighth season.

2

“The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Season 1, Episodes 13-14

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Another gut-wrenching episode of Little House, the two-part “The Lord Is My Shepherd” puts the Ingalls family through the wringer as it explores a lesser-known event in their real-life history not disclosed in Wilder’s novels. As the Ingalls family welcomes a new baby boy, tragedy strikes when he suddenly gets sick and dies. Laura, who had been jealous of her little brother, is distraught by the experience, and runs away into the mountains to make a deal with God.

As Charles and Isaiah Edwards (Victor French) go in search of “Half Pint,” Laura meets a stranger named Jonathan (Ernest Borgnine), who eventually encourages her to signal for her father. The whole two-part episode is a grand portrayal of grief, loss, and faith as the Ingalls family wrestles with their toughest challenge yet. In the end, although not everything turns out as they hope, the family is able to unite once more and brave another day.

1

“Little House on the Prairie”

Pilot Film

Image via NBC

Before “A Harvest of Friends” ever aired on NBC, Little House began as a made-for-TV pilot film that covered many of the events disclosed in both the Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie novels. Setting the stage for their eventual settling in Walnut Grove, the 96-minute pilot film takes the Ingalls family from Wisconsin to Kansas (though it’s all really California) to make a new life for themselves out West. Of course, that comes with plenty of challenges.

Directed by Michael Landon and penned by Blanche Hanalis, who developed the series, the pilot film is essential viewing for anyone hoping to brave the Midwestern frontier. Although not every piece of the series itself would fall into place, the film establishes the Ingalls family as a hard-working, persistent unit who will stick together through thick and thin. It also introduces Mr. Edwards, who would be a major part of the show’s early years and a consistent guest throughout it’s entire nine-season run.

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Little House on the Prairie

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Release Date

1974 – 1983

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Directors

Victor French, William F. Claxton, Leo Penn, Alf Kjellin, Joseph Pevney, Lewis Allen, Maury Dexter, Michael Ray Rhodes

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Taylor Frankie Paul agreed to take a sobriety test in an attempt to resolve her ongoing custody dispute with ex-husband Tate Paul.

Court documents obtained by Us Weekly on July 2 outline a plan for Taylor, 32, to resume “unsupervised parent time” with her and Tate’s two children after Tate recently sought to restructure their custody agreement. (Taylor and Tate share daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6. The reality star also shares son Ever, 2, with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.)

On Tuesday, June 30, Tate filed a request for a temporary restraining order in a Utah court to change the terms of his and Taylor’s divorce and custody agreement. He submitted text messages and calls as evidence that Taylor recently checked into a rehab center without telling him. (Us reported on July 1 that Taylor voluntarily entered a rehab facility for a short stay and has since left.)

Tate’s request was denied by the court on Wednesday, July 1, because more information was needed. (Tate resubmitted an amended request the following day.)

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The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul made rare comments about her relationship with ex-husband Tate Paul after their divorce. Taylor and Tate got married in 2016 and expanded their family twice before being involved in a “soft swinging” sex scandal. The controversy involved Taylor and Tate hooking up with couples — […]

“As Tate himself recognizes, many of his supporting allegations are based upon inadmissible hearsay, without any corroborating evidence,” court documents from July 1 read. “Many of the concerns, like the children not doing well in school and expressing sadness will require ongoing attention not remedied with an emergency order changing custody.”

The filing continued, “The court acknowledges that what he is allegedly hearing can create anxiety, but contrary to the claim that the children are in immediate danger, Taylor proffers that Tate left the children with her from June 11 through the 17, 2026, while he went to Iceland. The court cannot find an immediate and irreparable harm as contemplated by Rule 65A, and the motion is denied.”

These new court rulings from a Utah judge addressed Tate’s assertion that “recent events” caused the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to look into the welfare of his and Taylor’s children.

“Not only is this hearsay, the court needs some idea as to when and what happened and what steps DCFS has taken,” the filing read. “The only allegations are that ‘DCFS communications made the emergency nature of the risk clear.’ This is a conclusion. The court needs facts as to what supports the conclusion that there is an emergency.”

Tate’s affidavit claimed that he “learned” from a family member that Taylor recently had a voluntary stay in rehab.

“Tate asks the court to consider the pattern of behavior over several years, arguing that the pattern is about to explode,” a Utah judge responded. “He is very concerned about Taylor’s admission to the Alpine Recovery Lodge, and Taylor’s allegedly lying about the reason for the stay.”

His affidavit also indicated that the production teams working with Taylor have “had it” with her. (Mormon Wives producer Jeff Jensen said in May that he was “very hopeful” that she’d resume filming on the show soon following a break in season 5 production.)

“There are many reasons for a production team to become frustrated with the talent. Foundation and details are lacking,” the judge wrote.

The court acknowledged that Taylor “made two offers” in an attempt to resolve Tate’s concerns over “Taylor’s admission to the Alpine Recovery Lodge, and [her] allegedly lying about the reason for the stay.”

Taylor agreed to share her treatment records with the DCFS and offered to take a drug test. (Taylor initially asked for Tate to take a drug test as well but the judge found no cause to “order Tate to take a drug test.”)

The court accepted Taylor’s proposal, provided that the DCFS “wishes to review her treatment records” and that she submit to a “15 panel hair or nail test” as well as a “Peth test for alcohol.”

“If it is negative, Tate shall reimburse her. … She must take her prescriptions with her and have a doctor verify that the levels in her system are consistent with her prescribed dosage,” the ruling read.

The results of Taylor’s sobriety tests will be subject to “a strict protective order.”

“Until such time as the results have been issued, Taylor’s parent time shall be supervised. It is in both parties’ best interests that this supervision be professional so that there is an independent third party observing the interactions between mother and child,” a judge ruled.

However, the judge added, “If there is a positive test for any unprescribed drugs or alcohol or a determination that the levels in Taylor’s system are in excess of any prescribed drugs, Taylor’s parent time shall continue to be supervised … If the results are negative, Taylor will be restored to her unsupervised parent time.”

Us has reached out to Taylor’s representatives for comment.

Following the court’s initial denial of Tate’s request for a restraining order, Taylor wrote via her Instagram Story on Friday, July 3, that she’d spent the day “crying and fighting for my 2 older children.”

“[The kids] had returned yesterday after being withheld and they were expressing how excited they were to spend this year with me doing fireworks,” she wrote “Their dad even told me we could EXTEND it to Monday so I relayed them the exciting news just for him to take it back? It was lies to them and my gut was wrenching to witness them cry, confused and asking why…”

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Taylor subsequently defended her decision to attend rehab, insisting that she wanted to “clear up any rumors.”

“I knew that I was in a spot to take a step back and be like, ‘OK, we need to reset,’” Paul said. “But facilities are not for just substance. … There are a list of reasons why people go into that. Number one priority was just a reset for my mental health, and to get away, decompress, whether it’s one day, whether it’s seven, whether it’s 30. I willingly did that.”

The Mormon Wives star clapped back at those who “judged” her for seeking treatment, saying, “It kind of bums me out that [it was] kind of weaponized against me, actually doing the right thing of noticing I needed extra help, and whatever that may be.”

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“I ended up finding a really good antidepressant that has been working for me,” she continued. “I will share the meds eventually, however, I like to trial and error before I talk about them because it takes a while to set in, and I would hate to be recommending something that I don’t even like myself.”

Her legal battle with Tate comes amid her ongoing conflict with ex-boyfriend Mortensen. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5 production was suspended in March when Utah’s Draper City Police Department investigated domestic violence allegations involving both Taylor and Morstenson. Prosecutors chose not to pursue criminal charges. (ABC also pulled Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette from its schedule at the time.)

Both filed restraining orders against each other, with a judge giving Mortensen temporary custody of Ever in March. A judge later lifted Taylor’s supervised visitation with Ever, though she and Mortensen were ordered to stay away 100 feet from each other for a period of three years. (Taylor and Mortensen are scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday, July 8.)

Steven “Steve” McBee Sr. made his first appearance on The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys after being MIA for all of season 3 and prior to serving his jail sentence.

During the Monday, July 6, episode of the Bravo series, Steve’s third son, Cole McBee, prepared to propose to longtime girlfriend Kacie Adkison. When the big moment came, Steve, 53, surprised fans when he was seen in the room with his entire family to witness the surprise proposal, which took place in November 2025 — one month before Steve reported to prison.

Fans spotted Steve in the crowd among his other sons, Steven McBee Jr., Jesse McBee and Brayden McBee, as well as his ex-wife, Kristi McBee, who all watched the magical moment from a room that overlooked a romantic gazebo.

At one point, viewers saw Steve holding his granddaughter Summer, whom Jesse shares with Alli McBee.

After the proposal — and Kacie’s enthusiastic“yes” — the happy couple reunited with their loved ones, at which point Steve was seen cheering the engaged couple alongside friends and family.

He was then spotted coming over to see his other granddaughter Blair, whom Cole, 26, and Kacie welcomed in December 2024, and enjoying the moment.

“Having all of our family and friends here, especially my dad is the best thing ever,” Cole told the cameras after he popped the question. “Life will really be changing a lot when my dad goes away and I just wanted to propose while he was still here and can enjoy this with everybody.”

Steve’s cameo was a rare sighting for fans, who last saw the McBee Farm & Cattle ranch founder during season 2 when he attended Jesse and Alli’s wedding. (The couple tied the knot in October 2024 and the episode aired in September 2025.)

Steve was previously a main character on McBee Dynasty during season 1, but after a major deal with his car washes fell through, he temporarily left the ranch.

“We’re on our own. Dad’s leaving. All he said is, he has no idea when he’s going to be back,” Steven told his brothers during the March 2024 episode. “He said he’s not in the right mental state to be running this farm.”

Steve continued to live his life off camera during most of season 2 as eldest son Steven, 33, took over as CEO of the family business. Behind the scenes, Steve was facing legal drama as he and the farm were under investigation.

In November 2024, Steve pleaded guilty to a multimillion-dollar fraud scam using federal crop insurance. The rancher was charged with one count of federal crop insurance fraud after allegedly receiving insurance benefits based on false totals from the family’s corn and soybean crops in 2018. Steve was also accused of fraud in 2019 and 2020.

Steve was sentenced in October 2025 to two years in prison with an additional two years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $4,022,124 in restitution and to self-surrender on December 1, 2025, to begin his prison term.

While Steve didn’t appear on the season 3 premiere of the McBee Dynasty in June, fans did learn his fate as Steve’s children attended his sentencing and spoke about it on camera.

During the premiere, fans learned that in addition to the $4 million in restitution he owed, Steve was ordered to pay $3 million in fines, which the family was not expecting.

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“It’s the worst feeling I’ve ever felt. I don’t know where the $7 million is going to come from,” Cole told the cameras.

Steven also commented on the bombshell, saying, “It’s the damn monetary amount that I’m very concerned [about]. December 1? That gives us what, six weeks [with him].”

The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET.

Steven “Steve” McBee Sr. was thrust into the limelight during season 1 of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys — but soon his legal woes were making headlines.

Fans met Steve and his four sons, Steven McBee Jr., Jesse McBee, Cole McBee and Brayden McBee, during the first season of the reality show in 2024 as they took viewers inside their lives running McBee Farm & Cattle in Missouri. Once the cameras stopped rolling, tragedy struck the family after Steve pleaded guilty in November 2024 for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scam using federal crop insurance.

During season 2 of the Bravo series, Steven took over the farm and slowly let his brothers in on their big secret: their father was under FBI investigation. In October 2025, Steve was sentenced to two years in prison.

When the cameras picked up for season 3, it was the day before Steve’s sentencing — and two months ahead of the date he surrendered to prison. Steve appeared on camera during a July 2026 episode, which filmed one month before he began his jail sentence in December 2025.

Scroll down for everything we know about Steve’s legal issues:

When Did Fans Last See Steve on ‘The McBee Dynasty’?

During the season 1 finale, which aired in March 2024, CFO Galyna Saltkovska told Steve that she failed to secure a deal with investors to expand their carwash business. The pair’s romantic relationship also reached a breaking point that led Steve to drink too much at their annual post-harvest farming celebration.

When the episode came to an end, Steven informed his brothers, “We’re on our own. Dad’s leaving. All he said is, he has no idea when he’s going to be back. He said he’s not in the right mental state to be running this farm.”

Steve was noticeably absent the majority of the Bravo series’ second season, which premiered in June 2025. He made his first appearance of the season during an August 2025 episode when he met his sons in Nashville. Steve was also present for the season finale, which documented son Jesse’s wedding.

During the season 3 premiere, which aired in June 2026, Steve’s sentencing in his fraud case was a major story line. While he didn’t appear on camera, his sons all reacted to his two-year sentencing, which was handed down in October 2025. He was, however, part of Cole and Kacie Adkison’s engagement celebration that was featured during a July 2026 episode.

When Was He Charged — And What Did He Allegedly Do?

In November 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Missouri announced in a press release that Steve was charged with one count of federal crop insurance fraud. Steve was accused of making a false report to insurance provider Rain and Hill in 2018, where he underreported his “corn crop by approximately 674,812 bushels” and “his total 2018 soybean crop by approximately 155,833 bushels,” per the DOJ.

Steve allegedly received more than $2.6 million in federal crop insurance benefits plus an additional $552,000 in federal crop insurance premium subsidies after providing the false numbers.

The DOJ further claimed that Steve committed fraud in 2019 and 2020. He allegedly misrepresented that his soybean crops were “the first crop in certain fields” in 2019, when he was also using the same space to grow wheat. When he allegedly decided to double crop, the DOJ argued he was “not entitled” to the insurance claim he filed.

In 2020, Steve allegedly planted corn after the last planting date that year and then gave NAU Country Insurance “false plant dates” to fraudulently obtain a new insurance policy.

Related: McBee Dynasty’s Jesse Found Out About His Dad’s FBI Investigation on Camera

The McBee Dynasty brothers vowed to show “the good, the bad, the ugly” on their reality show — including their unfiltered reactions to dad Steve McBee’s FBI investigation. “It’s really, really tough because that is constantly at the forefront of your mind, no matter what you’re doing,” eldest son Steven McBee Jr. exclusively told Us […]

Did He Plead Guilty?

Steve pleaded guilty in November 2024, confessing that his farm sold “more than 1.2 million bushels of corn and nearly 416,000 bushels of soybeans” to another party in 2018, according to the press release.

According to the press release, Steve signed a plea deal where he agreed to pay restitution that will be determined by the court. The government allegedly lost more than $4 million and Steve was estimated to owe more than $3.1 million in restitution.

When Was He Sentenced?

Steve waived his right to a grand jury when he signed his plea deal in November 2024 and was facing up to 30 years in a federal prison without parole.

His sentencing was originally slated for March 2025 but was rescheduled to June and later September of that year. News broke in September 2025 that Steve’s sentencing had been delayed for a fourth time and was set for October 16, 2025.

A judge sentenced Steve to 24 months in prison with an additional two years of supervised release, according to court documents obtained by Us. Steve was ordered to pay $4,022,124 in restitution. He had to self-surrender on December 1, 2025, to begin his prison term.

During the season 3 premiere of McBee Dynasty, which aired in June 2026, Steve’s sentencing was highlighted. Fans learned that in addition to the $4 million in restitution, he was ordered to pay $3 million in fines.

How Did ‘The McBee Dynasty’ Explain His Season 2 Absence?

During the season 2 premiere in June 2025, which filmed in late summer 2024, the cast talked about Steve, but he wasn’t on the show. “He just up and skipped town,” employee Tessa told the cameras of her boss during the episode.

Later in the season, the boys said Steve was traveling with his new girlfriend, Masha, internationally.

How Did Steve’s Family Learn About the FBI Investigation?

Galyna let it slip during season 2, episode 3, that Steve was under investigation by the FBI. At the time, his eldest son, Steven, confirmed that only he, Galyna, and Steve’s ex-wife, Kristi McBee, knew about the investigation. “My dad is under FBI investigation, and you are the only one, and my mom that even knows this is going on. So, this has to stay between us,” Steven told Galyna during the episode, which aired in July 2025.

Steven then told the cameras, “This FBI investigation is wearing on my dad. He didn’t want anything with his involvement affect[ing] any of us boys. My brothers don’t even know about it.”

Steven’s now-ex girlfriend Calah Jackson revealed during season 2, episode 6, that he confided in her about Steve’s legal troubles.

Steven’s younger brothers eventually learned about the scandal while taping season 2. “It was a shell shock just seeing the weight that Steven had been [dealing with],” Jesse exclusively told Us Weekly in July 2025. “It made a lot of things make a lot more sense, just the way that Steven was stressed out and we were trying to figure out why we thought we knew all of his stresses, and obviously he was holding that in and bearing that weight on his shoulders.”

Related: McBee Dynasty’s Steven McBee Pleads Guilty to Multimillion-Dollar Scam

PEACOCK The McBee Dynasty star Steven “Steve” McBee has pleaded guilty to a multimillion-dollar fraud scam using federal crop insurance. According to a November 5 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Missouri, McBee, 52, was charged with one count of federal crop insurance fraud. The McBee Farming Operations owner allegedly received […]

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What Have Steve’s Sons Said About His Trial?

Since Steve pleaded guilty to the insurance scam, the family has welcomed two new members. Cole and his girlfriend, Kacie, welcomed their first baby, daughter Blair, in December 2024. Jesse and his wife, Alli McBee, welcomed their daughter, Summer, in April 2025.

While the family was worried about Steve’s fate, Jesse and Steven exclusively told Us in July 2025 that they were focusing on the little moments.

“We’ve leaned into family. We take it day by day,” Steven said. “The situation is still ongoing. We’re hoping to have it wrapped up and have some finality to it before the end of the year. That’s the goal, just so we can move on and say, ‘OK, we’ve got this figured out. We can start life again now.’”

He added, “The hard part about it is it’s so unknown. We don’t know what it’s going to look like, so we’re preparing. We’re eating dinner together as a family with my dad, including my mom driving up to the farm three to four nights a week, enjoying the time with the grand babies. Just really cherishing time as a family because we don’t know what it’s going to look like afterwards.”

Was Steve Featured During Season 3?

Season 3 of the Bravo series premiered in June 2026, picking up 24 hours before Steve’s sentencing. While Steve wasn’t shown during the episode, his sentencing hearing and the fate of the family with him behind bars was a major topic.

“It’s the worst feeling I’ve ever felt. I don’t know where the $7 million is going to come from,” Cole said after learning his dad owed $4 million in restitution and $3 million in fines.

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Steven was equally worried, telling his siblings, “It’s the damn monetary amount that I’m very concerned [about]. December 1? That gives us what, six weeks [with him].”

Steve’s sons decided to sell their facility to help pay the debt and make sure banks didn’t start calling to collect on their loans.

One month after he was sentenced, Steve reunited with his family on camera for son Cole’s engagement celebration. The episode taped in November 2025 and aired in July 2026, showing Steve with his sons, ex-wife Kristi and their granddaughters raising a glass to Cole and Kacie’s relationship milestone.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 3 minutes ago

Over the weekend, Obsession crossed the $400 million mark at the global box office. It’s notable because the film written and directed by Curry Barker cost $750,000 to make, making it one of the most profitable films in history, but also because that means it has officially surpassed Supergirl ($100 million), Thunderbolts ($382 million), and by the end of the month, is projected to beat Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million). The days of Marvel turning B-tier and even D-tier characters into nearly a billion dollar movies are long over and the younger audiences are flocking back to horror in the pursuit of something new and different. 

Obsession Is Young And Hip, Superheroes Are Old And Broken

Obsession dared to tell a different type of story. Sort of. Monkey’s Paw morality stories are a dime a dozen but by leaning into toxic relationships and turning Bear (Michael Johnston) into a horrible person, Barker found the right twist on a classic. It helps that Inde Naverrette as Nikki gave the role her all with one of the year’s best performances. Compare young and hungry up-and-coming stars both behind and in front of the camera to the routine, predictable, superhero movies of the last two years and there’s no wonder younger audiences have made their choice. 

Thunderbolts dared to do something different within the Marvel formula by focusing on the damaged psychological states of its villainous heroes. It’s Marvel’s best movie in years but it was damaged by years of disappointing films and an entire phase of films that feel like they have no reason to exist. At the end of the day, it’s still a superhero movie. 

DC’s latest in the reborn universe under James Gunn is disappointing. Supergirl had the potential to be something different and daring. Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King is the best arc for the character and Milly Alcock is an inspired choice for Superman’s cousin, yet the end result is a very brown movie that lacks the wonder and amazement of Gunn’s own Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Marvel And DC Have To Go Back To The Drawing Board

There’s a lot of lessons Hollywood should learn from the success of Obsession, and none of them will stick. Marvel has Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday hitting theaters this year, both of which will be massive hits. The problem is what comes after them. Marvel is going to reset after Secret Wars, but will anyone still care by then? 

James Gunn’s decision to make Clayface, written by the modern King of Horror Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins, two people far removed from the superhero sphere of influence, is a huge gamble that can pay off big for Warner Bros. It’s closer to Obsession than it is to Superman, and maybe can bridge the gap between the horror-seeking younger audience and the older-skewing superhero audience. 

No matter how the major studios decide to move forward, Obsession is a sign that the world has changed. The superhero formula isn’t working as well as it used to when Captain Marvel and Aquaman both broke a billion. The younger audience is demanding something different, something new, and until Disney and Warner Bros figure out what that is, get used to very expensive VFX-filled superhero throwdowns to lose out to the likes of Sirenhead.