By Jennifer Asencio
| Updated 1 second ago

Just when we thought the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert meant the end of seeing the comedian’s rhetoric, he’s rising again like Sauron trying to collect the One Ring. But this time, the target of his didactic punditry is nerddom: Colbert is penning a “sequel” to The Lord of the Rings.

One Sequel To Rule Them All

The movie’s working title is The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past and is going into production after the newest entry, The Hunt for Gollum.

Colbert believes he can add to JRR Tolkien’s work with a story that begins 14 years after Frodo leaves for the Grey Wastes. Sam’s daughter goes girl-boss and makes a discovery that leads her “to uncover why the War of the Ring was nearly lost before it began.” That leads to a flashback in which the movie will cover chapters 3-8 of The Fellowship of the Ring, a story that includes exciting prospects like The Barrow Downs.

As if The Hobbit and Rings of Power weren’t damaging enough to Tolkien’s legacy, now we’re getting another shameless cash grab at the expense of the author’s work. Only this time, one of the most divisive and extremely political personalities in Hollywood is writing the script.

Colbert is co-writing the film with his son, Peter McGee, and “franchise veteran” Philippa Boyens. Boyens has long been a part of the Peter Jackson productions; she co-wrote The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Jackson’s King Kong.

Colbert Really Is A Certified Tolkien Obsessive

Colbert has been held out as a Tolkien expert since the announcement on March 24, 2026, and that is actually fair, no matter what one thinks of his extreme political views. He has studied the author’s work extensively, to the point where he can speak both Elvish languages, Quenya and Sindarin.

The biggest question on the minds of fans is whether Colbert will be tempted to infuse the story with his personal politics, or if the writing team will try to add extra material that isn’t needed by Tolkien’s story. The Hobbit didn’t work because it added embellishments, such as the romance between Tauriel and Kili. Rings of Power doesn’t work because, on top of adding modern identity politics to the series, it also doesn’t follow the source material, earning the derision of many Tolkien fans.

Boyens has shown that when she sticks to Middle Earth and not regular Earth, she can deliver on Tolkien’s mastery. However, the inclusion of Colbert raises concerns that this movie will stray beyond Tolkien’s boundaries.

In his other job as a talk show host, Colbert has made it a mission to inject his divisive personal politics into his work. That tendency towards personalizing what he does could either strongly enhance a new Lord of the Rings project or turn it into a stain on Tolkien’s legacy by applying themes to the world of the One Ring that Tolkien never intended. Which Colbert will ultimately write the script: the political loudmouth or the Tolkien scholar?

Whew, Roomies! Claressa Shields is going viral for a mishap that led Angie Stone’s daughter, Diamond Stone, to step in. After Claressa seemed to mistake her mom’s music for Jill Scott’s, Diamond didn’t waste any time clapping back, dropping a video telling Shields to put some respeck on her mom’s name.

RELATED: Claressa Shields Responds To Those Who Believe Papoose Is Only Dating Her For Her Money (WATCH)

Claressa Shields Goes Viral For Confusing Angie Stone With Jill Scott

During a recent livestream, Clareesa Shields started naming female singers she grew up on. She immediately began to sing Angie Stone’s song, ‘No More Rain.’

“Who is that sings… ‘My sunshine has come, and there’s no more rain in this cloud.’ She just passed away — that’s my girl!” Shields said.

From there, Shields grabbed her phone to check if the singer had passed, but instead of saying Angie, she ended up calling her Jill Scott. 

Angie Stone’s daughter, Diamond, isn’t here for Claressa Shields mixing up her mom with Jill Scott 😖 pic.twitter.com/b9gGtE17bc

— Nicole (@Nprezzed) March 26, 2026

Angie Stone’s Daughter Tells Claressa, “Aht! Aht! Don’t Get It Twisted!”

Shields’ comments sparked a mix of reactions online, including one from Angie’s daughter, Diamond, who wasn’t feeling the mix-up. She hopped on TikTok and dropped a video calling out Shields, telling her that if she’s going to like her mom’s music, don’t confuse her with anyone else. “Claressa, if you gon’ like my momma music don’t ever call her Jill Scott again,” Diamond said.

@ladidiamond Somebody let @Claressa Shields ♬ original sound – Ladi Diamond

The Internet Weighs In After Diamond Claps Back At Claressa

Fans flooded Diamond’s comment section with some saying they think Shields made an honest mistake, while others stood ten toes down that Angie Stone will always be one of one.

TikTok user @Ladytee wrote, “Yesss tell her again she needs to put some respect on Angie stone ….PERIOD.” 

TikTok user @Lady wrote, “Period Jill is Jill and Ms Angie was Ms Angie babyyy.” 

While TikTok user @RaqDaDon🖤 wrote, “Not too much on Claressa nie.” 

Then TikTok user @Jeffery Epps wrote, “Not that serious!” 

Another TikTok user @missSTARRbright wrote, “Exactly! Put some respect on Angie Stone!” 

TikTok user @SP-44 wrote, “Claressa knows she wrong for that.” 

While another TikTok user @Deanna Queen wrote, “Wow. How did she get them two mixed up!!!!” 

Then, another TikTok user @✨higher_priorities ✨ wrote, “No disrespect. But she can like your mom’s music and also make honest mistakes. She’s human too.” 

Finally, TikTok user @shy4996 wrote, “Put Some Respect On Ms. Angie Stone Name. Point Blank Period.” 

RELATED: She Got It Bad! Papoose Reacts After Claressa Shields Drops Love Song About Him On Her 31st Birthday (VIDEO) 

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 13 seconds ago

If you’re looking for a new season of The Bachelorette on ABC, you won’t find it. The season was cancelled when a 2023 video of its proposed star, Taylor Frankie Paul, surfaced, in which she was captured committing domestic violence with her young child present. The child was nearly struck when Paul threw three barstools at her estranged then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. ABC scrapped the entire season, reportedly costing between $30 million and $70 million.

The video was uncovered and released by TMZ and caused the show to be cancelled just days before it was due to air its premier episode on March 22, 2026. It was made by Mortenson and was used as evidence in court proceedings in which Paul served 36 months of probation for felony aggravated assault.

Past Is Prologue

Both Mortensen and Paul were central to the storyline of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, another reality show that is owned by Disney, which airs on Hulu (Disney also owns ABC). This show began in 2024, after the tape was recorded. Their relationship has been so tumultuous that there is currently a police investigation into another incident of alleged domestic violence that took place shortly before the 2023 video was released. Other cast members of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have commented on their disturbing behavior in the wake of the video’s release.

Given the nature of their relationship, it is curious why ABC chose to cast Paul as The Bachelorette. It’s not like her relationship with Mortensen and its constant explosiveness have been a big secret, so it’s almost as if, by hiring Paul for the dating competition, they were spitting in Mortensen’s face. There is also the question of how the network didn’t know about the 2023 incident, despite it having gone to court. Apparently, the show runners of The Bachelorette don’t watch their sister station Hulu, or they might have been aware of what kind of person Paul was before they cast her. Her antics have been well-documented by the Disney company, but it seems there is little communication between its various arms.

Disney has taken a lot of hits lately. Lucasfilm shook up its leadership, as did the parent company. There have been numerous lawsuits against the House of Mouse in recent months, including an anti-trust settlement and a discrimination suit. While the loss from The Bachelorette is mostly absorbed by ABC, that still falls under the Disney umbrella and represents yet another failure from the Magic Kingdom. If the company doesn’t course correct, it may find itself dethroned.

Jackie Goldschneider is the latest “RHONJ” alum to speak out following Bravo’s recent announcement regarding the cast for season 15. In a video, Goldschneider appeared to throw shade at Margaret Josephs, who announced her departure from the series after seven seasons earlier this week.

Jackie Goldschneider Appears To Throw Shade At Margaret Josephs After The Latter Announced Her Departure From ‘RHONJ’

According to The Blast, Bravo announced it was beginning production on season 15 of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” after a nearly two-year hiatus. The network also announced the show would return with veteran players Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, and Dolores Catania.

While Bravo shared that the rest of the cast would be revealed in the coming weeks and months, it was clear the remaining cast members, Goldschneider, Josephs, Danielle Cabral, and Rachel Fuda, wouldn’t be making a comeback.

In her video announcing her exit, Goldschneider shared a pointed message that many netizens interpreted as a dig at Josephs, who was vocal about not wanting to film the series with Giudice and her husband, Luis Ruelas.

“And my last season on the show, there was a concerted effort by some people on the cast to ice out other cast members,” Goldschneider said. “And that whole thing ended up backfiring spectacularly. So, the moral of the story, kids, is play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

Marget Josephs Announced Her Exit From ‘RHONJ’ With A Video

Social media users believed Goldschneider was poking fun at Josephs, who, in her departure video, said she’d been in talks with Bravo about a return, but ultimately decided to move in a different direction.

“Hi guys, it’s The Marge, I’m dialing in. I have to tell you something that might come as a little surprise to you, but not for me,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about a lot of different things, and I am moving on from The [Real] Housewives of New Jersey.”

“I think the timing is right. A lot of things have changed in my life. I’ve been blessed to work on a different project. I’m on the set right now,” she said. “I realized I have to spend more time with my family, work on my designing, and just take a break and move on.”

Josephs Allegedly Said She Wouldn’t Return To ‘RHONJ’ With Giudice

According to a previous report from The Blast, Josephs, who joined the cast in season 8 and feuded with some of the show’s boldest personalities, could’ve returned; however, a source said she was adamant about not filming with Giudice.

“Fans long believed it would either be Teresa or Melissa due to all of the tension and issues that arose during season 14 with them refusing to talk to one another, but Bravo ended up bringing them both back,” the insider said.

Regarding Giudice and Gorga’s returns, their reconciliation in November 2025 helped the network finally decide how to move forward.

“It absolutely helps that they made up off-camera and are now getting along as a family unit,” the source said. “Bravo stressed during the last season that something needed to change, and the cast could not go on like this.”

Catania Previously Expressed Her Frustration With Her Co-Stars

Before Bravo announced the show’s returning cast, “RHONJ” was off the air for nearly two years due to internal conflict within the cast.

Catania expressed her frustration with her co-stars in a previous interview, saying, “This group is no longer a family. How did it all come to this? People just don’t know how to stop hating. It just built up, and everybody cuts so deep. It’s so… it’s toxic. I look at this sit-down like a death.”

She went on to compare New Jersey to Bravo’s other iterations, like Salt Lake City and Beverly Hills. “… they fight, but they don’t go for the jugular,” she said. “They’re not hitting below the belt. They agree to disagree and move on.”

Giudice Wishes Gorga A Happy Birthday

In other “Real Housewives of New Jersey” news, The Blast reported on Giudice’s heartfelt happy birthday message to her sister-in-law, Gorga, in March 2026.

“Happy birthday Melissa – aka sister-in-law lol,” Giduice wrote. “We’ve truly been through it all, and somehow always find our way back to each other.”

In her message, Giudice wrote about how appreciative she is that she and Gorga finally buried the hatchet after years of feuding.

“… cheers to a year of growth, happiness, and rebuilding. Love you,” she finished.

For those science fiction aficionados out there who don’t wish to shell out the extra cash to pay for Paramount+ each month, we have good news for you. The Twilight Zone — as in, the original 1959 series created by Rod Serling — is available free-to-stream on Tubi. That means that there’s absolutely no better time to get back into this mind-bending anthology series that’s perfect for those looking to binge through a series of random tales from any point in the program. It genuinely doesn’t matter where you start here, as Serling and company will take you on such a captivating ride into another dimension that you’ll become completely engrossed in The Twilight Zone. Cue the music!

‘The Twilight Zone’ Is One of the Greatest Sci-Fi Triumphs to Air on Television

The beauty of a show like the original incarnation of The Twilight Zone is that each episode is so profoundly enjoyable (yes, even some of the “duds”) that you can pick this anthology series up at any point and find yourself enthralled by whatever strange new world you find yourself in. A mixture of science-fiction, horror, fantasy, drama, and even a Western on select occasions, The Twilight Zone ran for five seasons on CBS between 1959 and 1964 — and yet it still feels remarkably fresh today. Full of episodes that challenge the viewer’s perceptions of reality, preconceived notions about what it means to encounter “the other,” and modern sensibilities of how stories should be told, Rod Serling and his clever team of writers were always able to thrill, surprise, and frighten audiences.

Whether the series was crafting completely original concepts, adapting works by famed science fiction writers like Richard Matheson and Ray Bradbury, or pulling in Oscar-winning short films to air on television, The Twilight Zone always knew how to thrill an audience. Episodes like the famous “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” starring William Shatner, the beloved alien invasion triumph “To Serve Man,” and the iconic “Living Doll” (which is about exactly what you think) have become so influential that they have inspired countless imitators in the nearly 70 years since the series first aired. Even lesser-remembered installments like the time-warping Western “A Hundred Yards Over the Rim,” the hauntingly brilliant “The Hitch-Hiker,” and the seriously underrated “Steel,” which actually inspired the Hugh Jackman movie Real Steel, still prove to be so dramatic and novel that we can’t help but revisit them.

The beauty of The Twilight Zone, of course, is that none of the episodes necessitate viewing any others. As an anthology series, that’s part of the main draw. Because of the standalone nature of each episode, The Twilight Zone is the perfect binge for those hoping for some mind-bending, intelligent entertainment that can be stopped at any time. You won’t be on the edge of your seat wondering what happens to the characters in the next episode because — unless you count some of the sequels made later in different Twilight Zone revivals — none of the plots continue in the original five-season series.

No Revival Has Managed To Recapture the Novelty of the Original ‘Twilight Zone’

While the original Twilight Zone would become a staple in science fiction, horror, and fantasy entertainment, and arguably the “gold standard” for such anthology takes on said genres, it didn’t end there. The show was first revived by CBS for three seasons in 1985, then by UPN for a single season in 2002, and again for a third time by CBS All Access (a precursor to Paramount+) in 2019. On top of that, Twilight Zone: The Movie hit theaters in 1983, right before that first reboot. But despite the clear interest in new wild and wacky tales such as these, it’s the original series that still holds up as the very best of the batch. None of these revival attempts were able to fully recapture the magic and excitement of the original (the lack of Rod Serling was likely a factor), and as such, though the franchise continues, it does so largely by riding off the success of the original.

Even remakes of some of the show’s best episodes or self-appointed sequels fail to return to what made those first 156 episodes so riveting. Yet, we still have that massive collection of Twilight Zone material to pull from, and with the entire original series streaming for free, there’s no excuse not to embark on a Serling-themed marathon. When you’re done, you might even enjoy taking a gander at some of these forgotten anthology shows that deserve another look.

The Twilight Zone is available for streaming on Paramount+ and Tubi.

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Release Date

1959 – 1964

Directors

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John Brahm, Buzz Kulik, Douglas Heyes, Lamont Johnson, Richard L. Bare, James Sheldon, Richard Donner, Don Medford, Montgomery Pittman, Abner Biberman, Alan Crosland, Jr., Alvin Ganzer, Elliot Silverstein, Jack Smight, Joseph M. Newman, Ted Post, William Claxton, Jus Addiss, Mitchell Leisen, Perry Lafferty, Robert Florey, Robert Parrish, Ron Winston, Stuart Rosenberg

Writers

Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Earl Hamner, Jr., George Clayton Johnson, Jerry Sohl, Henry Slesar, Martin Goldsmith, Anthony Wilson, Bernard C. Schoenfeld, Bill Idelson, E. Jack Neuman, Jerome Bixby, Jerry McNeely, John Collier, John Furia, Jr., John Tomerlin, Lucille Fletcher, Ray Bradbury, Reginald Rose, Sam Rolfe, Adele T. Strassfield

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Kylie Kelce is getting candid about her experience with postpartum sex after welcoming four children with husband Jason Kelce.

“I’m gonna tell you right now, for anyone who has experienced sex postpartum … are we doing this? We’re doing this. I’m talking about it,” Kylie said during the Thursday, March 26, episode of her “Not Gonna Lie” podcast.

“For anyone who has experienced sex postpartum specifically — I can only speak to after a vaginal birth,” Kylie continued. “I’ve had varying experiences. Different for every kid. It’s not all fun and games, guys. It’s not all fun and games the first couple of times you catch my drift. We can’t be out here like, ‘That was great!’ What? A human just exited that door.”

Kylie and Jason, who tied the knot in 2018, most recently welcomed daughter Finn in 2025. The pair are also the parents of daughters Wyatt, 6, Ellie, 4, and Bennett, 3.

Before Finn was born, Kylie made headlines when she shared that the couple bring in babysitters while Jason is home with the kids. During a 2024 episode of her podcast, Kylie explained their schedules are unpredictable after Jason’s retirement from the NFL — which received some criticism from fans.

Kylie revealed on Wednesday, March 25, that the commentary “got so aggressively taken out of context” that she was “pissed about it for, like, months.”

“Because there comes a time where you can set the record straight,” she explained on the “Conversations With Cam” podcast. “But then at what point are you just continuously [doing it]? And like, ‘I don’t need to.’ This is the same thing of, like, if I’m going to talk about it, I’ll talk about it. If I’m not, I’m not.”

Kylie continued, “It got so taken out of context because people were like, ‘You won’t let Jason watch your kids.’ And I’m like, ‘What do you mean, let him watch the kids? They’re his kids.’ I’m not letting him do anything. They’re f***ing his.”

Related: Kylie Kelce Shares When Husband Jason Kelce Is Allowed to ‘Move Out’

Kylie Kelce doesn’t want girl dad Jason Kelce to have to witness the hormonal overload that will ensue when her and their daughters “sync up.” During an appearance on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast on Tuesday, April 22, Kylie, 33, told host Amanda Hirsch that she’ll let Jason, 37, “move out” in order […]

Kylie went on to share more insight into her initial comments about hiring a babysitter.

“When I first started the podcast and we addressed this, which is when I said it, Jason was in football season for ESPN,” she said. “He had multiple other things going on where his schedule was, and still is, chaotic, but not nearly as much. There was, like, no structure happening.”

Kylie added, “And there were times where he would be sitting, and he’d be like, ‘Oh, I don’t have anything for the rest of the day.’ And then someone would call him, and he’d be like, ‘Oh, I actually have to take this.’ And then he would end up on a call for, like, 45 minutes to an hour. And like … they’re not calls where you can have little voices in the background.”

In Kylie’s perspective, she had a “sarcastic” tone while making the comments, adding, “It’s always how someone wants to twist it.”

Twice this week, Chrissy Lampkin has wowed her supporters with a jeans look! Earlier, she opted for a business-casual outfit styled with designer accessories. Then, on Wednesday, she showed the girls how else she can style some jeans. And this time, her ‘fit has social media users saying she’s “aging backwards” and dropping compliments about everything from her face card to her fashion sense!

RELATED: Chrissy Lampkin’s Recent ‘Fit Check Has Social Media Users Sharing Mixed Reactions (PHOTOS)

Chrissy Lampkin Brings Her Curves Out To Play

And with those curves comes motion! That’s the energy Chrissy brought to her Instagram Reel, shared on March 25. She captioned the post, “Motion party 🔥,” and added the song ‘Motion Party’ by BossMan Dlow. The clip starts with her walking into what looks like a restaurant, holding up her martini glass to cheers, and later wearing a disco ball helmet with a wine glass in her hand. It looks like the 54-year-old was having a BALL outside and flexed her smile throughout the clips to show it!

But, as we mentioned, her aura, location, and even the different happy juices in her hand weren’t the only things talked about by her supporters. Her outfit also turned heads—dark-wash jeans, a long-sleeve black top, and thigh-high black boots. Her hair was styled in loose curls with a middle part.

Ma’am, Your Fans Want All The Face Card Tips!

Of her 2.1 million followers, over 5,700 slid in her comment section to give the former ‘Love & Hip Hop New York’ star her flowers. Emily B, also known for her time on ‘Love & Hip Hop NY,’ and her fashion sense, commented, “My sister” with heart eyes. Crystal Smith and Pretty Vee also dropped heart-eye emojis.

@iamtherealnikki added, “Your face card will NEVER decline 😍😍😍😍😍.”

“Chrissy give us the secret girl! 🙌,” @anayshafigueroacooper commented.

“Aging backwards😍💅🏾,” @_laidbymeek wrote.

“Chrissy was always that girl 🔥,” @erin__page added.

“She been the prototype for 3 decades 😍,” @itskeyshanicole wrote.

@beautybysimone commented, “😍😍😍😍 so beautiful just aging backwards🔥🔥.” 

What’s Tea With Chrissy’s Relationship Status? 

On March 22, Jim Jones slid into Chrissy Lampkin’s comment section with a subtle compliment. Under the post of her business-casual look, the ’90s rapper wrote, “Thts how you feelin boo.” 

RELATED: Tammy Rivera Doesn’t “Recognize” Herself After Lifestyle Change, But She & Her Man Are “Really Happy” (PICS + VIDEOS)

Many of the Today show anchors haven’t contacted Savannah Guthrie amid her on-air hiatus following her mom Nancy Guthrie’s continued disappearance.

“I don’t know if people realize, none of us have had much correspondence with her over this whole 54-day ordeal,” Carson Daly said during the Thursday, March 26, broadcast. “So as we’re watching this with the world, we’re learning and unpacking so much about our dear friend.”

He added, “It’s hard to process here [on] live TV in the moment.”

Savannah, 54, took a step back from her Today duties last month after Nancy, 84, was reported missing in Arizona. She sat down with Hoda Kotb for an emotional interview, which began airing on Wednesday, March 25, and continued on Thursday morning.

Related: ‘Today’ Hosts Ask for ‘Grace’ While Covering Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

Savannah Guthrie‘s Today show family is continuing to show their support amid the search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. “Hoda [Kotb] is joining us this morning as our Today family continues to navigate uncharted territory, balancing the updates on the search for Savannah’s mom with all the other stories of the day, like we […]

“I said, ‘Do you think [it was] because of me?’” Savannah recalled of a conversation with her brother, Camron, who previously worked in military intelligence. “He said, ‘I’m sorry, sweetie, but yeah, maybe.’ I knew that. I hope not. I mean, we still don’t know. Honestly, we don’t know anything. We don’t know anything.”

According to Savannah, it’s been “too much to bear” thinking that she was responsible for mom’s possible kidnapping.

“[If] it’s because of me, I have to say I’m so sorry, Mommy. I’m so sorry,” the TV journalist tearfully added. “I’m sorry to my sister and my brother and my kids and my nephew and Tommy, my brother-in-law. I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. If it is me, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”

Nearly one month after Nancy was first reported missing, police are still investigating her whereabouts. As for Savannah, she’s been leaning on her faith to get through the tragedy.

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Related: Savannah Guthrie’s ‘Today’ Return Still Unknown Amid Mom’s Disappearance

The timeline for Savannah Guthrie’s return to the Today show is still unknown, contrary to a recent report. “There is no announcement regarding Savannah’s return date,” a Today source told Us Weekly exclusively on Monday, March 23. (Page Six previously reported that Savannah could return to the show next month.) Questions about Savannah, 54, reclaiming […]

“My faith is strong and resolute,” Savannah said on Thursday. “I early on felt — and I heard for one of the very few times in my life — I did hear God speak to me. As I said to myself, ‘I can handle anything, God. I can handle anything, I just can’t handle not knowing. I have to know.’ I heard a voice and it said, ‘You do know where she is — she’s with me.’”

While Savannah and her siblings weren’t sure whether Nancy was “on this earth still” or “in heaven,”  they want to make peace.

“We need to know,” she stated, later adding, “Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. It is unbearable. And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night. Every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable. She needs to come home now.”

Related: Savannah Guthrie Cries in 1st Interview Since Mom Nancy Went Missing

Savannah Guthrie will share more insight into the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, in a new interview more than 50 days after the 84-year-old went missing. During the Wednesday, March 25, episode of the Today show, host Craig Melvin introduced a clip from Savannah’s upcoming sit-down with Hoda Kotb, marking her first interview about […]

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At the end of the pretaped interview, Savannah’s coworkers further offered their support and prayers.

“The grief is just unfathomable, it’s hard to watch,” Craig Melvin told Daly, 52, and Kotb, 61, in the studio. “It seems like she’s found some peace.”

Kotb concurred, believing that Savannah “has found some” peace but still “wants the answers too.”

The third part of Kotb’s interview with Savannah is set to air Friday, March 27.

What looked like a simple red carpet moment has quickly sparked widespread curiosity about Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker.

Fresh off her split from Keith Urban, the actress has found herself at the center of renewed speculation.

As photos, interviews, and insider claims circulate, questions remain of whether the buzz reflects reality or something far more familiar.

Nicole Kidman And Simon Baker Spark Fresh Speculation

All eyes were on Kidman at the premiere of her latest television project, where she appeared effortlessly poised in Chanel couture.

However, it was not just her outfit that caught attention. Standing beside her was co-star Baker, and the two appeared strikingly comfortable, even affectionate, as they posed together.

The moment quickly fueled speculation, especially given the timing.

Kidman’s recent split from Keith Urban has made every public appearance feel more scrutinized, and her visible closeness with Baker only intensified the conversation.

Their on-screen chemistry in “Scarpetta,” where they play a married couple, has further blurred the line between performance and reality in the eyes of fans.

Still, insiders insist the narrative may not be as dramatic as it appears.

Inside Nicole Kidman’s Long Friendship With Simon Baker

According to sources familiar with their history, the dynamic between Kidman and Baker is far from new. In fact, it stretches back decades and is deeply tied to Baker’s former marriage to Rebecca Rigg.

One insider told the Daily Mail, “Simon, Rebecca and Nicole were great friends for decades.” The same source explained how their closeness often became a running joke among those who knew them well.

They said, “Rebecca would always tease him that he liked Nicole better than he liked her. Simon used to flirt outrageously with Nicole. It didn’t seem to bother Rebecca. It became a standing joke.”

Their bond was strengthened early on through shared beginnings in Australia, where Kidman and Rigg first connected while auditioning as teenagers.

Over time, the friendship became so strong that Kidman was named godmother to one of Rigg and Baker’s children, showing how intertwined their lives became.

Even after Baker and Rigg split in 2020, Kidman remained close to both. As one insider put it, “Nicole wasn’t torn when Rebecca and Simon split,” adding that she “stayed friends with both, but was closer to Rebecca. It was a girl thing.”

Kidman And The Stories That Fueled Rumors

Stories from the past have only added fuel to present-day speculation. One particularly memorable moment dates back more than two decades to a Halloween party in the Hollywood Hills.

According to an insider, “Simon and Rebecca turned up at a Halloween party in the Hollywood Hills over 20 years ago with Nicole in tow. Rebecca was dressed as a dominatrix and Simon was holding a pair of handcuffs.”

The scene reportedly drew laughter among friends, especially when Kidman chose not to dress up at all.

The same source continued, “Nicole didn’t bother to dress up. But Rebecca said she had no doubt Simon was turned on by Nicole. Even though she was wearing an outrageously sexy get-up.”

Despite the humor surrounding such moments, some observers occasionally wondered if there was more beneath the surface.

As the insider noted, they “all laughed about it because they were such good friends,” but some wondered at times if “Simon was infatuated with Nicole.”

These stories, once seen as harmless anecdotes, are now being revisited through a different lens as speculation grows.

What Nicole Kidman And Simon Baker Have Said

Kidman herself has addressed the nature of her connection with Baker, particularly while promoting “Scarpetta.”

Speaking to Australia’s The Daily Telegraph, she appeared relaxed about their on-screen intimacy, saying, “I didn’t find it weird. But we’ve kissed on the cheek before. We’ve hugged a lot. We’ve lived in the same house.”

She also pointed to the depth of their shared history, noting how it has shaped their dynamic.

The actress said, “And you know, the woman I grew up with, he was married to for a substantial part of his life… 29 years, so we are just the same person… I think because of our history together, that’s in-built, so we didn’t have to work for that, that just vibrates.”

Insiders, however, suggest that the buzz may not be entirely unwelcome. One source claimed, “Nicole loves that there is talk of a relationship brewing with Simon, because it gets eyes and ears on their show,” while emphasizing that, for now, it remains harmless speculation.

The same source added that their bond is rooted in friendship, explaining that while they care deeply for each other, the relationship is not romantic and primarily serves to promote their project.

Rumors, Timing, And The Bigger Picture

The renewed attention comes at a time when Kidman’s personal life is already under scrutiny.

Her split from Urban after nearly two decades of marriage has left fans curious about what comes next.

Meanwhile, Urban has largely stayed out of the conversation. As one insider noted, “Keith isn’t paying much attention to the Simon rumors,” suggesting that he has other priorities rather than focusing on speculation surrounding his ex.

Kidman, for her part, has remained focused on her family. In a recent interview with Variety, she shared, “What I’m grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward.”

She continued, “That’s that. Everything else I don’t discuss out of respect. I’m staying in a place of, ‘We are a family,’ and that’s what we’ll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.”

As the conversation around Kidman and Baker continues to unfold, it is clear that the line between long-standing friendship and public perception can be surprisingly thin.

Whether the rumors fade or evolve further, the fascination surrounding their connection shows no signs of slowing down.

Early in February, it was officially announced that HBO is developing a Baldur’s Gate television series. At the helm of the adaptation is none other than The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin, who is no stranger to turning beloved video games into popular hits for HBO. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a hugely popular RPG that has enticed many millions of players since its 2023 debut. “After putting nearly 1000 hours into the incredible world of Baldur’s Gate 3, it is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of the Coast created,” Mazin said in a statement about his challenge to create, write, executive produce, and showrun the adaptation.

However, before the Baldur’s Gate series makes its debut sometime in the distant future, there’s the small matter of a third season of The Last of Us to address, with Kaitlyn Dever‘s Abby in the spotlight. Dever is joined in Season 3 by returning faces Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, and Jeffrey Wright, while Clea DuVall, Jason Ritter, and Patrick Wilson mark new additions to the cast, and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. replaces Danny Ramirez as Manny due to scheduling conflicts.

Ahead of The Last of Us Season 3, and with confirmation of Mazin’s involvement in the Baldur’s Gate adaptation, rumors began to swirl that the popular HBO series would be coming to a close after its third installment, despite some hoping it would last much longer. Now, in a recent interview, HBO Max chairman Casey Bloys has seemingly confirmed that this is the plan, responding to a suggestion that Season 3 is the end by saying, “I believe that’s where Craig is thinking. We always leave the door open, but I believe that’s where he is thinking.”

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Casey Bloys Has Indicated When ‘Baldur’s Gate’ Might Begin Production

In the same interview, Bloys indicated that Mazin will not begin his main duties on the Baldur’s Gate adaptation until The Last of Us Season 3 is completed. “Obviously, he’s deep into season 3 of The Last of Us – but Baldur’s Gate was something he brought to us,” Bloys said. “He’s very passionate about it, and he’s thinking about it, and we’ve talked about it, but he’s going to focus on The Last of Us, and then come back to [Baldur’s Gate] when he’s got more time.”

The third season of The Last of Us will premiere on HBO in 2027, with Seasons 1 and 2 streaming now. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

January 15, 2023

Network

HBO

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Showrunner

Craig Mazin

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Directors

Craig Mazin, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb, Ali Abbasi, Mark Mylod, Stephen Williams, Jasmila Žbanić, Liza Johnson, Nina Lopez-Corrado

Writers

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Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin, Halley Wegryn Gross

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