Summer House‘s Dara Levitan is single but maybe not ready to mingle after her split from costar KJ Dillard.

“Do you want to know what’s setting me off? Well, I’m single,” Dara, 33, shared on the Thursday, June 18, episode of her “Five More Minutes” podcast via Bravo and Cocktails. “That’s all we’re going to say about it because I can’t do tears this morning, and there’s no way I’m talking about it without crying.”

KJ, 28, and Dara’s romance began in summer 2025 while filming season 10 of the Bravo reality show. The pair met through mutual friend and castmate West Wilson.

Before the pair confirmed their breakup in their own words, costar Jesse Solomon accidentally spilled the beans on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen earlier this month.

Related: Who Is — And Isn’t — Returning to ‘Summer House’ Season 11?

Fans are on their toes waiting to see who will — and won’t — return for Summer House season 11. Season 10 was filled with drama as Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula navigated their relationship woes. After deciding to call it quits after four years of marriage, Amanda quickly moved on with costar West Wilson […]

“They broke up, yeah,” Jesse, 33, said on the June 9 episode after being asked why KJ and Dara unfollowed each other on social media. “Last I heard, they were broken up. Sorry if that’s not public.”

In her latest podcast episode with cohost Carly Rivlin, Dara discussed dating alongside guest and skincare expert ⁠⁠Sean Garrette.

While Dara acknowledged that she has “no idea what I’m doing when it comes to men and love,” the Bravo star sounded off on dating apps and trends in time for summer.

When asked about hooking up with or without makeup on, Dara joked that it’s been a minute since she’s had to choose.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had any kind of casual hookup so let’s circle back in 90 days and see where we’re at to see if I’m talking to a man,” she said.

Dara added, “I love them against my will, but I don’t like them.”

Summer House viewers had a front-row seat to Dara and KJ’s love story, which included a few ups and downs.

While appearing on the June 2 episode of the “More Life With Carl Radke” podcast, KJ revealed that he and Dara took a brief break after Summer House season 10 wrapped filming while he was experiencing mental health struggles. (KJ was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder late last year after being hospitalized for self-harm.)

He explained that Dara “broke up” with him “because she had to.”

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“Dara, I think, was gonna hang on … but that wouldn’t have been good for either of us,” KJ said. “I needed the time, because after the hospital, I went to recovery … and that’s when we broke up. Looking back, if me and Dara were dating when I was in recovery, it would have been a mess. I would have been focused on saving the relationship rather than focusing on my health. Recovery changed my life.”

Summer House is streaming now on Peacock.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Jessica Simpson is once again at the mercy of Mother Nature.

The singer’s concert in Ohio was abruptly called off this week, marking her second weather-related cancellation in less than a month. Fans were left scrambling for refunds yet again.

Jessica Simpson has been riding high on her music comeback, but the road has not been entirely smooth. A string of canceled shows now threatens to overshadow her hard-earned momentum.

Simpson’s scheduled performance at the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio, has been canceled, according to a notice she shared on her Instagram Story. The venue cited dangerous weather conditions as the reason for the last-minute call.

“Unfortunately, due to the impeding inclement weather, the Jessica Simpson concert scheduled for Monday, June 22, has been canceled,” the notice read. Ticketholders were told refunds would be processed within 48 hours.

Simpson shared the update herself, writing alongside the cancellation notice, “I’m so sad, and I will miss y’all! I look forward to seeing y’all soon!!” She also tagged the venue directly in her post.

A Reno Show Was Axed Just Weeks Earlier

The Ohio cancellation came less than a month after a similar disruption out west. The Express Tribune reported that Simpson’s scheduled performance at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno was called off on May 30.

No detailed public explanation was widely confirmed at the time, though such last-minute cancellations are often tied to logistical challenges or scheduling conflicts. Fans quickly took to social media expressing disappointment over the cancellation.

Several ticketholders voiced frustration over travel arrangements made ahead of the show, while others expressed understanding and support for the singer. The Reno stop had been part of a limited run of dates.

Concert Cancellations Are Nothing New For Jessica Simpson

Weather and health setbacks derailing Simpson’s shows are not a recent phenomenon. Back in 2004, TODAY reported that the singer canceled a performance in Manchester, New Hampshire, while battling a kidney infection during her “In This Skin” tour.

At the time, a spokeswoman for Columbia Records confirmed Simpson was under a doctor’s care after also canceling a show in Providence, Rhode Island, just days earlier. “I can’t wait until the doctor says it’s OK for me to get back out there,” Simpson said in a statement.

More than two decades later, the singer continues to face the same unpredictable hurdles that come with a packed touring schedule, proving that career interruptions are simply part of the territory for any working performer.

The Singer Recently Reflected On What ‘Home’ Truly Means To Her

Despite the setbacks, Simpson has remained candid about how much performing means to her. The Blast reported that the singer opened up about her creative journey in an emotional message to fans earlier this month.

Simpson described how she has come to view home as “a feeling, not a place,” a sentiment that shaped her latest EP, “Nashville Canyon, Pt. 2.” She specifically referenced the track “Fade” as a turning point in her healing process.

The singer recalled writing that track nearly three years ago, during a period when she felt the course of her life had changed forever. Looking back, she said she has chosen to move through life with strength, courage, confidence, and compassion.

Jessica Simpson Thanks Fans For Believing In Her Comeback

Simpson also used the moment to express deep gratitude toward the fans who have stuck by her throughout her 15-year break from music. “Each and every single one of you that bless my heart by comin’ to MY HOME on the stage have become a major part of my journey through the pain and the joy,” she wrote on Instagram.

The singer added that their unwavering support has given her a renewed sense of purpose, especially after years of staying out of the spotlight. She admitted that stepping back on stage initially felt unfamiliar after spending so long away from touring.

Simpson’s comeback has been built almost entirely on that same fan loyalty, with sold-out stops and emotional moments defining much of her return. Even with recent cancellations testing that bond, she has continued to show appreciation publicly at every opportunity.

With two shows scrapped due to the weather in a matter of weeks, can Jessica Simpson’s comeback tour still find its way back home to the stage?

Taylor Swift’s appearance at the 2026 NBA Finals sparked backlash from some basketball fans — but New York Knicks player Jose Alvarado is all about Swiftie mania.

Alvarado, 28, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, June 18, that it was “amazing” having Swift, 36, sitting courtside during Game 4 of the Knicks’ championship series on June 10 against the San Antonio Spurs.

“That’s a surreal superstar, and I was happy she was cheering us on,” the point guard said while promoting his partnership with Bacardi Rum during the post-parade celebration at Tonita’s Caribbean Social Club in Brooklyn. “And [she] seemed like she was having a good time, and we won, so even better.”

Alvarado teased, “She got to come more often,” since Swift, a longtime New York resident, seemingly brought the team good luck after the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit and defeated the Spurs 107-106.

While Alvarado is cool with Swift coming to games, he joked that her tying the knot with Travis Kelce, a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, could cause tension.

“The house [is] gonna be divided, one side gonna be a loser, and then one side gonna be a winner,” he teased.

Kelce, 36, proposed to Swift in August 2025, and while the couple are preparing to get married this summer, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was not by Swift’s side when she attended the Knicks game earlier this month.

Related: Taylor Swift Jokes She Was Screaming for ‘100 Percent’ of Knicks Game

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Taylor Swift has no regrets about losing her voice at the New York Knicks game. “I got home and was like, ‘You gotta stop screaming, you’re screaming too much, you’re screaming instead of talking, you’re too excited,’” Swift, 36, joked during her speech at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York City […]

Swift, however, wasn’t alone at the game. She was spotted in floor seats with longtime friends Alana Haim, Este Haim and Mariska Hargitay.

The foursome turned heads throughout the game in part because they were wearing custom T-shirts showing team support while honoring different celebrities.

Swift, for example, was wearing a “Stevie Knicks” shirt, paying homage to Fleetwood Mac icon Stevie Nicks. (Harigitay, 62, wore the same tee.)

The Haim sisters, meanwhile, donned Knickelback and Knickole Kidman shirts, which were in honor of the band Nickelback and actress Nicole Kidman.

Following the Knicks epic Game 4 win, Swift found herself at the center of controversy when some fans, celebrities and sports analysts threw shade at her by claiming she pulled focus from the team.

Related: Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Issues Message to Swifties About Monica McNutt Drama

New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson is issuing a message to anyone still criticizing Taylor Swift’s appearance at the 2026 NBA Finals. “I just want to say something to the Swifties: She’s a really good one,” Brunson, 29, said in a postgame interview on Saturday, June 13, after winning the NBA championship. “Cut her some […]

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“I’ll tell you the one that bothered me was Taylor Swift. Come on,” actor Hank Azaria confessed on the June 11 broadcast of The Dan Le Batard Show. “I know she’s the hugest thing in the world, but we had to sit with her all through the NFL and now she’s at the Garden. Come on.”

Shannon Hart, who is married to Knicks player Josh Hart, exclusively told Us that Swift was clearly a fan, noting how invested she was in the team all night long.

“Just seeing how into the game she was, that was really cool,” Shannon, 31, said on June 12. “Jumping up and down, hugging each other.”

While the Haim sisters are from Los Angeles, Alana, 34, told Vogue on June 11 that she is also a fan of the Knicks. However, it was Swift who came up with the idea of making shirts to support the NYC team.

“I got a text from Taylor that was really the text that you want to get as an amateur screen printer. She said, ‘I want to wear this shirt to the game, can you make it for me?’” Alana recalled. “And I was like, ‘I thought you would never ask, this is my dream.’ Whenever I start out a session with a friend, I go, ‘Let’s talk about fonts, let’s talk about sizing,’ and [Swift] came up with Stevie Knicks.”

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The Knicks later won the NBA championship in Game 5, marking their first title since 1973.

“[It’s] something that you can’t really put into words,” Alvarado told Us after the historic win. “I’m a kid from the city, and I got to able to witness something that we haven’t done in 53 years, and it just brings so much joy, and everybody together.”

The athlete added, “Me experiencing [the victory] is the best feeling in the world, just to be a part of something that I can see people getting together and showing so much love and appreciation.”

By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated 8 seconds ago

The new Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailers have really emphasized how the titular hero has grown up. As he deals with a mutating body, a bevy of new villains, and even a showdown with the Incredible Hulk, one thing’s for sure: Peter Parker’s not a kid anymore. The same can be said for Tom Holland, the man behind the mask. He was only 19 when he swung into the MCU in Captain America: Civil War. Now, the actor is 30, and life has seriously changed him. Some of the changes are good, like an engagement with his Spider-Man costar Zendaya; others are bad, like his hairline trying to creep up.

This has been on my mind ever since I watched Tom Holland’s appearance on Spain’s El Hormiguero talk show. Intellectually, I know that Tom Holland is a grown man, someone closer to middle age than to his teenage years. But when the actor spoke about the topic of AI, he seemed as naive as any child. The actor said, “I feel protected” because artificial intelligence doesn’t understand emotional expression or “the difference between being happy and being sad.” While Holland spoke about the importance of creativity and passion when it comes to making movies, he also ignored a fundamental reality: as a masked action star, he might be the most replaceable actor of them all! 

Spider-Man Vs. Ultron

When he appeared on El Hormiguero, Tom Holland was very blunt about AI, something that he pointed out “doesn’t have a soul.” When it comes to generative AI, the Spider-Man actor said that, “Creativity is safe from AI because creativity has to do with the human experience.” Continuing, he said that creativity is “about emotions, it’s about understanding one another.”

The Marvel icon then waxed philosophic about the limitations of this new technology. “AI can sift through data, but it can’t understand people’s emotions. It doesn’t understand the difference between being happy and being sad.” Comparing his work to another medium entirely, Holland finished his thoughts: “The way artists paint, it’s not about what they’re copying, it’s about expressing themselves. So I feel protected.”

To be clear, I fully agree with Holland that AI is soulless and that the creative things made with it will never have the same spark as human creation. Furthermore, I agree with his stance that creativity is about sharing and enjoying what humans have to say. However, the problem is that the Spider-Man: Brand New Day star is focusing entirely on what he and other like-minded people would or would not buy, i.e., that they wouldn’t buy an AI-made product. However, Holland would be better off focusing less on what he’s not buying and more on what Hollywood is selling.

Copy And Paste Actors

Hollywood is fascinated by AI for the same reason that countless CEOs are fascinated with it: they think they’ll make more money by having to hire fewer people. This means fewer artists, effects gurus, and editors. It also means fewer actors; like, one of the big things that SAG actors went on strike for was protecting themselves from being replaced by AI. Tom Holland, bless his soul, thinks that he is safe from being replaced by this technology, but that’s just not true. If you have any doubt about that, just check out the growing legion of Spider-Man videos fans have made via AI. 

Spider-Man is particularly easy to recreate with AI because half of his movies are just action scenes involving a hero with a mask. It’s not hard to portray Holland and others unmasked, either; again, a quick perusal of existing AI fan videos proves that. Granted, all of these fan videos are nowhere close to the quality of even the worst Marvel movie. So, Holland is right that AI-generated stuff will never be as good as human-made stuff. Where he is wrong, though, is that he doesn’t think every big studio will try to use AI whenever possible, including with actors if they can get away with it, because they’re gambling nobody will notice.

Pull The Plug, Spidey

Given a choice, most moviegoers would avoid AI-assisted films. This is why some directors are calling for an AI rating system which would (much like Steam does for PC gamers) create some much-needed transparency. This would allow someone to ask themselves the big question: “do I want to pay full price for a movie they cut corners on?” Without such a rating system, though, it’s the Wild West out there. Hollywood can and will sell you discount slop at full price, with CEOs laughing all the way to the bank while the rest of us gripe about how movies have gotten so bad without knowing exactly how.  

So, Tom Holland (you are reading this, right?), it’s not enough to sit back and assume the importance of creativity and the human spirit will keep you safe from AI. If this issue really means that much to you, it would be better if you spoke out directly about the matter to fans, directors, studio heads, and so on. Of course, Marvel has already been busted using AI before, and former employees have spoken out about its usage behind-the-scenes. If the Spider-Man actor were to strongly speak out against this technology, he might just lose his cushy acting gig in the MCU. That leaves us with a depressing reminder: when one of the biggest superhero stars in the world can’t say anything more strident for fear of reprisal, it’s obvious that nobody is truly safe from AI.

Finding a summer dress that’s comfortable, flattering and easy to wear is harder than it should be. Too often, breezy dresses look shapeless, while fitted styles cling in all the wrong places. That’s why shoppers can’t stop talking about one flowy Amazon maxi that reviewers say hides the “mom pooch” and earns “many compliments.”

The dress in question is the Popvil Spaghetti Strap Flowy A-Line Maxi Dress, a colorful summer style that’s racking up more than 100 five-star ratings. Available in several vibrant prints, including a standout rainbow stripe pattern, it delivers the easy, throw-on-and-go appeal shoppers look for this time of year. Even better, it’s available for $50 on Amazon.

Get the Popvil Spaghetti Strap Flowy A-Line Maxi Dress for $55 (originally $63) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The flattering silhouette is what keeps earning praise. The A-line shape skims rather than clings, while the adjustable spaghetti straps and lightweight fabric make it an easy pick for hot summer days. One shopper called it “perfect for a cruise in the Caribbean,” noting the length “is right at my ankle” and works with both flats and wedges.

Related: Bye, Leggings! This Bestselling Skort Was Made for Hot Summer Walks

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As much as we cherish our leggings, the summer months mean making some smart wardrobe swaps — and that’s where this athleisure skort comes in. Designed with moisture-wicking material, making it a practical option for exercise and activities, shoppers can’t get enough of how good it feels. Sure, technically it’s a sports skort, but it’s […]

The fabric has also become a favorite among reviewers. “This dress is absolutely gorgeous! It is breezy and lightweight. It is extremely soft on the skin, and the colors are perfect for spring and summer,” another customer shared.

Practical details help seal the deal. The maxi dress features side pockets that are actually deep enough to use, making it an easy choice for vacation dinners, backyard barbecues, farmers market trips and everyday errands. Pair it with flat sandals during the day or dress it up with wedges and gold jewelry at night.

Reviewers continue to rave about the fit, comfort and versatility. “Can not say enough about this dress. It hugs you perfectly and looks fantastic. The pockets are [of] perfect depth and hold almost everything,” one buyer wrote.

For $50, it’s an easy way to add a flattering, compliment-worthy maxi dress to your summer wardrobe.

Get the Popvil Spaghetti Strap Flowy A-Line Maxi Dress for $55 (originally $63) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Popvil here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Holly Madison confirmed that she still is not in touch with her former Girls Next Door costar Kendra Wilkinson.

“Kendra and I don’t speak, but I’m not opposed to speaking,” Madison, 46, shared on the Thursday, June 18, episode of E!’s “Hot Goss” YouTube show. “We had a falling out, but it was after the show. It was stuff that had to do with our spinoffs and working with the same producer.”

Madison believes the unnamed producer “tried to pit us against each other and got in our heads, so that’s a shame.”

Another upsetting moment came when Wilkinson, 41, claimed that she was never friends with Madison.

“At the time, she was really caught up in the tabloid cycle. If her thing to get in the tabloids that week was a rift with someone, then she was going to say it,” Madison claimed. “If somebody wrote a clickbait headline, she was going to retweet it and I’m sitting here like, ‘Wait, I just sent your son a Christmas gift.’”

Nearly 16 years after Girls Next Door concluded, Madison has a new perspective on why Wilkinson may have acted the way she acted.

“I think she was just really caught up and we were never as close obviously as

me and Bridget [Marquardt],” Madison claimed. “We don’t have much in common, but we shared a lot of experiences and had a lot of good times together, so I never thought of her as not a friend.”

Madison, Wilkinson and Marquardt, 52, starred on the hit reality TV series The Girls Next Door, which focused on their lives in the infamous Playboy mansion while all dating Hugh Hefner at the same time.

The reality show’s success led to Madison and Wilkinson getting their own spinoff shows, Holly’s World and Kendra, respectively.

Wilkinson has since stepped away from reality TV to focus on her career as a real estate agent. As for Madison, she remains a cohost of the “Girls Next Level” podcast with Marquardt.

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“Bridget and I have always been super close. We’re still super close. We do a rewatch podcast together,” Madison told “Hot Goss” hosts Eyal Booker and Lonnie Marts IIV. “We’ve never even had a fight or anything in our 25 years of friendship.”

In a previous interview, Madison confessed that she hadn’t really thought about clearing the air with Wilkinson “until recently.”

“I don’t know if she would reach out because she really seems to be happy not having anything to do with anything from the past,” she explained. “I think that’s great. But I would not continue to hold a grudge at this point.”

Alix Earle and Benson Boone sparked romance rumors after being spotted out to dinner in Los Angeles — and leaving together in his car.

The twosome were photographed on Thursday, June 18, leaving celebrity hotspot Craig’s after seemingly enjoying a meal together.

Earle, 25, was all smiles in a picture published by Extra, wearing oversized jeans and a black sheer lacy tank top. The influencer’s hair was down with light wavy curls and her skin was sunkissed.

The “Beautiful Things” singer, 23, wore a similarly casual ensemble for the date, rocking black jeans, black boots and a black shirt that showed off a little bit of his chest around the neckline. Boone topped off his look with tinted sunglasses and carried a distressed leather jacket.

As the pair left the restaurant, Boone was seen opening Earle’s passenger side door before walking around and getting into the driver’s seat, according to a video posted by TMZ.

When asked, “Are you two dating?” Boone told the outlet, “Uh, no.” The musician then clarified that he and Earle were “just hanging out.”

While Boone denied that he and Earle are a couple, it’s not the first time the duo have spent time together this month, causing some fans to speculate that their relationship isn’t strictly platonic.

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Related: Alix Earle ‘Wants to Date a Rockstar So Bad,‘ Is Over Football Players

Alix Earle is ready for a rockstar romance — and done with football players — after a transformative weekend at Coachella. “Why is he amazing? He’s perfect,” Earle, 25, said in her 2026 Coachella recap video posted on Thursday, April 16, after seeing Sombr perform live in the desert on Saturday, April 11, ahead of […]

Their L.A. outing comes just days after Earle was featured in Boone’s Tuesday, June 16, TikTok video teasing his upcoming music video for “The Time of My Life,” which comes out on June 26.

In the video, Boone and Earle both wore medieval costumes as they lip-synced to the lyrics of the Grammy nominee’s unreleased track.

“The queen fr,” Boone captioned the cheeky clip, tagging Earle.

Boone wore leather pants, a leather vest, white shirt and leather gloves in the video as he held a giant sword in his lap, using it as a microphone. Earle, for her part, donned a flowy shirt, white blouse and corset that showed off her toned stomach.

The pair previously hinted at their playful relationship via TikTok on June 10 when Boone recreated a post made by Earle earlier in the month.

In the video, Boone wore a black lace minidress — like the one Earle wore in her own upload — while sitting on a leather couch. He proceeded to get up and twirl around on a balcony, skipping as he sang along to his upcoming song, “The Time of My Life.”

“This song is going to wreck me,” he wrote over the clip, tagging Earle in the caption.

Boone’s wardrobe and dancing in the video was a nod to Earle’s previous clip in which she wore a lace dress and frolicked on a yacht while lip-synching to the same song. “Release it now plz,” she captioned her video.

Related: Alix Earle Isn’t Worried About Tom Brady Seeing Other People: Source

Alix Earle and Tom Brady are continuing to keep things casual. “Alix and Tom have never been serious and their relationship has always been casual and ‘I’ll see you when I see you’ vibe,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. The insider notes that Earle, 25, went to Zero Bond with “several friends” and “mainly […]

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Earle and Boone’s flirtatious banter and dinner date comes after recent splits for both of them.

The “Slow It Down” singer broke up with Maggie Thurmon in September 2025 after dating for nearly two years.

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Us Weekly confirmed in December 2025 that Earle had split from NFL player Braxton Berrios after their two-year romance.

She was later linked to Tom Brady after the pair were spotted getting cozy at a party over New Year’s in St. Barts.

A source exclusively told Us in February that Earle and Brady, 48, were “hooking up,” but noted that “neither wants anything serious,” so “it’s casual.”

Move over, Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver). The Bosch universe welcomes a new LAPD detective in its official spinoff, Ballard. This time, it’s Renée Ballard (Maggie Q) of the Cold Case Unit. The spin-off isn’t the first time Ballard has made her mark in the Bosch universe, but it’s certainly the first time a female protagonist is leading the investigation. Harry might’ve had his problems and lawsuits in the original Bosch series, but Ballard clearly has her own challenges — most of which come from being looked down on as a woman in the LAPD. It doesn’t help that her division has the least stellar reputation compared to the elite Homicide Department. There might be a case to solve in the spin-off, but Ballard is a story about proving others wrong when the odds are stacked against you.

What Is ‘Ballard’ About?

Once a stellar detective in the LAPD, Ballard is booted from the Homicide Division to the basement depths of the newly formed Cold Case Unit. Being put in charge of a department sounds like the promotion of a lifetime, but for Ballard, it’s a humiliation ritual. With little to no funding, outdated resources, and barely enough personnel to keep a division running, Ballard and her team of volunteers must make do with what they have as they trace back evidence with little to no leads. Unbeknownst to them, their tenacity shows a surprising result: a serial killer may still be on the loose.

Although the Cold Case Unit is constantly mocked, it holds one of the most important cases in the LAPD: the unsolved murder of a councilman’s sister. It is this particular case that becomes the division’s starting point and prompts Ballard to recruit former cop Samira Parker (Courtney Taylor) to the team. Parker has long suspected that a group of LAPD officers may be involved in illegal corruption, including some of the very people who have berated Ballard. With two separate cases that may be connected and practically no clear leads beyond evidence that was initially dismissed or overlooked, Ballard and her team find themselves chasing answers wherever they can. In Ballard, it’s all eyes on the details.

‘Ballard’ Is a Unique Standalone Story Despite Being a ‘Bosch’ Spin-Off

The good news is that newcomers don’t need extensive knowledge of the Bosch franchise to follow Ballard. Although Harry makes a few appearances to help Ballard out, the spin-off stands on its own. Ballard features a fully developed murder mystery and conspiracy that has never appeared in previous Bosch installments. More importantly, the biggest difference between Bosch and Ballard lies in their protagonists. While both are willing to get creative to solve their cases, Harry has the freedom to go completely rogue. Unfortunately for Ballard, being a female detective means having her entire move scrutinized, forcing her to stay as close to the rule book as possible.

For context, Harry and Ballard first crossed paths in the series finale of the franchise’s other spinoff, Bosch: Legacy, Episode 10, “Big Dawn.” The two initially don’t get along, as their first encounter isn’t exactly on the best of terms. Ballard needed files on an old cold case that Bosch had once worked on. Although he initially withheld a few details from her, he eventually recognized her genuine desire to seek justice for a forgotten victim. As a result, the two developed a professional working relationship that continues in Ballard.

‘Ballard’ Addresses the Harfmul Effects of Toxic Masculinity in Police Work

Image via Prime Video

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Ballard deals with an uncomfortable reality that women have to face in the workforce: toxic masculinity. In the line of police work, gender-based discrimination is even more pronounced. In the beginning, when asked about her demotion to Cold Cases, Ballard casually skirts off the accusations, saying it has something to do with her male colleagues not liking her vocalness. While that is partly true, the real reason has to do with her being a victim of assault. The sickening part is that the majority of her superiors don’t take her complaint seriously — a disheartening experience that any victim of assault knows too painfully well, no matter the workplace.

While Ballard’s assault is an unavoidable theme in the series, the detective refuses to let her trauma consume her. She does the work necessary to pursue justice not only for victims of her cold cases, but for herself. In the aftermath of the Season 1 finale’s shocking cliffhanger, it looks like the unfair treatment Ballard has endured so far is just the tip of the iceberg. The detective might have plucked out a few bad seeds in the department, but there is still an entire system going against her. As Ballard gears up for Season 2, scheduled to premiere in July 2026, the new season is expected to bring even more heat to the Cold Case Unit.

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Ballard

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Release Date

July 9, 2025

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Network

Prime Video

Directors

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Jet Wilkinson

Writers

Michael Connelly, Brandi Nicole, Galeesa Murph, John Coveny, Julissa Castillo, Kendall Sherwood, Liz Hsiao Lan Alper, Michael Alaimo, Ralph Gifford, Thania St. John

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• 
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  Courtney Taylor

  Samira Parker

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General Hospital has things going downhill fast for Willow Tait Cain (Katelyn MacMullen). And it looks like she’s about to be busted possibly for more than one of the dirty deeds that she’s done. Maybe even a dirty deed that she didn’t do. And when it all comes out, she may lose absolutely everything.

We’re going to talk about how everything is piling up on Drew Cain’s (Cameron Mathison) devious little wife, and time is almost up. We’re going to talk about what Willow is about to lose and how bad it will get.

General Hospital: Willow’s Crimes Coming to Light

All right. So, everything is converging right now with Drew about to recover with Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) plotting against her with the whole Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) issue and several other things. We’re about to see Willow with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide because she’s getting hit from all sides.

First and foremost, of course, is that she shot Drew not once but twice. But at least that one little thing can’t come back to bite Willow. Since Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) got her acquitted, even though she tried to blow the closing argument in Willow’s case, it worked. So Drew’s shooting will be something she won’t answer for because of double jeopardy. But as for Willow drugging and holding Drew hostage in their home, that is definitely something Willow could face criminal charges for. Her days of controlling Drew are almost over. And with Sidwell on the run, that means Willow is nearly out of the paralytic that’s keeping Drew in check.

Felicia Floors Willow on GH

And then another complication is when Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner) told Willow that she’s setting up a way for Drew to communicate. Now, Willow had to act appreciative, but she’s horrified secretly by what Felicia told her because Willow knows Drew will expose her the second that he can communicate. He would love to tell everybody all the horrible things that Willow’s been doing to him. Now granted, I think Drew deserves everything he got because he is toxic and he gaslighted and controlled Willow until she basically turns psycho on him. So, I don’t know who’s actually going to feel sorry for Drew even if he told them what happened.

General Hospital: What Willow Stands to Lose

But the first thing that Willow’s going to lose obviously will be her husband, which honestly not such a big loss. and she may lose her seat in Congress if Drew demands it back. Willow can blackmail Drew into keeping quiet about what she did, but I think she can’t blackmail him into total compliance. So, I don’t think Willow is going to be able to keep his seat because there’s more coming. But that’s assuming that Jack Brennan can get to his secret box with the evidence in it because thanks to Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) injecting him accidentally, he is recovering from locked in also because she didn’t follow up with additional injections.

So with Drew about to communicate, this is going to be a race for Willow to shut Drew down. But even if Jack helps Willow stop Drew, we could see Brennan himself press charges on Willow for what she did. Nina’s injection was accidental, but Willow was fully planning to keep drugging Brennan.

Plus, he knows Willow shot Drew and may want her behind bars just because she is a hazard. So, we could see Willow lose her husband, which is good, lose her seat in Congress, which she loves, and possibly lose her freedom if Jack files charges or Drew won’t cooperate. But I kind of doubt either guy will do that. Still losing her hubby and political power is survivable, but there is more coming Willow’s way.

General Hospital: Brook Lynn and Lucy’s Frame Job

Both Brook Lynn and Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) are gunning for Willow. And it’s Brook Lynn who’s the most dangerous of the two, which is why she may be able to totally blindside Willow who’s more worried about Tracy. But they are both on fire about Willow. And they agree she’s way too close to Chase (Josh Swickard) and is trying to steal him from Brook Lynn. And it certainly looks that way.

Now, actress Katelyn MacMullen, who plays Willow, said in a recent interview that her character genuinely wants to help Chase and Brook Lynn adopt Phoebe and that Willow wasn’t trying to get her hooks into Chase. But the actress also said just because it didn’t start off romantic doesn’t mean Willow’s feelings won’t change. And right now, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) is scheming with Brook Lynn, who’s actively plotting against Willow and determined to ruin her. And Brook Lynn’s playing nice to Willow’s face because it’s best to keep your enemies close.

BLQ Playing Nice & Plotting on GH

But also, Brook Lynn doesn’t want Willow to suspect she’s behind what’s about to happen because Brook Lynn got an assist from Sonny’s tech guy to frame Willow for being the other driver in the accident that Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) caused. Brook Lynn wants it leaked that Willow just drove away and left Jordan and Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) for dead.

It’s not enough for an arrest, though. But as Lucy pointed out, leaking it online that Willow was the second driver will not only ruin her reputation in the public eye and mess up her congressional career, but it should also make Chase see Willow differently. Heartless, you know, cuz Brook Lynn wants Chase to see Willow as the villain that she is.

And it looks like the plan may initially work because in the new General Hospital summer preview, it said Curtis’s court problems are worsened by Brook Lynn’s marriage issues. That’s because Curtis wants to accuse Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) of being the second driver to justify Curtis’s violent attack on him. So, with Willow outed, Curtis can’t play that card.

General Hospital: Potential Loss of Everything

So, it looks like initially Brook Lynn might successfully frame Willow and then of course the fake news is going to come out thanks to Brook Lynn and then the court of public opinion is probably going to hang Willow out to dry and that’s another reason she could lose her seat in Congress. And honestly, DA Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor) may consider filing criminal charges because she already hates Willow and is certain that she shot Drew and got away with attempted murder. So, if Justine can find a way to make the charges work, I bet that she would try to prosecute her. And that could cost Willow both her reputation and possibly her freedom.

But in the end, it’s going to blow up in Brook Lynn’s face, according to General Hospital summer spoilers. At a minimum, Willow may lose Drew and her job. But on the flip, she might actually wind up with Chase as long as she can keep her other dirty deeds under wraps. Once Brook Lynn’s frame job comes out, I also suspect Willow may lose her kids. Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) is gonna jump right on that. And of course, Willow rationalizes all of this, saying she’s done it for her kids.

General Hospital: Willow Wants Drew Gone

And I think losing Drew, honestly, would be a welcome relief. She already told Chase she wants to cut him loose. Losing her freedom would be awful, but Willow could handle it if she got to keep seeing her kids, even if they had to visit her from behind bars. Losing her job in Congress, that’s also acceptable, even if Drew wound up getting the seat back. The one thing that Willow can’t handle is if Michael is able to yank away custody of her kids completely.

And of course, we know that’s his goal. He thinks Willow is bad for the kids. And so, Michael wants them out of her life for good. And in the end, I think Willow could get away with all of this, though. You know, we’ll see. But it feels like there’s a potential for complete chaos achieved. So, Drew may have to shut his mouth so he doesn’t go down for campaign fraud and Brook Lynn’s frame job is going to be exposed. So unfortunately while this she villain deserves to lose everything, she may actually only lose a little.

House of the Dragon Season 3 promises to be bigger than ever as it builds on Season 2’s contentious ending. As Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) seek to claim the throne, the second season escalates the war, going from political divisions to full-on dragon battles, showing the ruthless lengths they will go to. Named heir by her father, Rhaenyra searches for allies who will honor their oaths, while Aegon relies on Westeros’ patriarchal society. But war is inevitable, and when dragons fight, no one is safe.

‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Begins With Tragedy

Following the news of her second son’s death in Season 1, Rhaenyra takes her dragon to find Lucerys’ (Elliot Grihault) remains, though there isn’t much for her to grieve over. Meanwhile, Jacaerys (Harry Collett) hears the news about his brother while recruiting allies. He returns home to mourn and confirms that both House Stark and House Arryn will support Rhaenyra. In King’s Landing, the Greens face a different type of chaos. Hiding her affair with Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Alicent (Olivia Cooke) tries to temper Aegon’s instincts, hoping for peace. But with a blockade threatening King’s Landing, the men are ready for war, particularly Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Aegon, though Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) urges patience. Yet the biggest danger to the Greens is Aegon’s inability to grasp political nuance, evident when he listens to his citizens’ complaints and rejects Otto’s advice.

Daemon (Matt Smith), determined to take action, seeks help from Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), who has arrived on Dragonstone as a stowaway. In exchange for her freedom, she helps Daemon plot revenge. Sneaking into King’s Landing, Daemon recruits a member of the City Watch and a castle ratcatcher to go through the tunnels and kill Aemond, but he isn’t home. Instead, the two men kill Aegon’s young son, Jaehaerys, and torment Helaena (Phia Saban) in the process. In the aftermath, Otto uses the tragedy to their advantage, blaming Rhaenyra and turning the public against her with a public procession. Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) helps Aegon track down the culprits. Aegon kills the Goldcloak responsible, but, after being unable to trace the other, he orders all the city’s ratcatchers hanged. When Otto confronts Aegon about this, Aegon removes his grandfather as Hand of the King, replacing him with Criston. Elsewhere, Rhaenyra discovers Daemon’s role in the tragedy, and they argue. As the old wound of Viserys (Paddy Considine) choosing Rhaenyra over him resurfaces, Daemon flies away on his dragon.

The War Grows Too Bloody to Stop

Image via HBO

Criston hopes to follow Daemon’s lead in seeking revenge, sending the Kingsguard knight Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor) to kill Rhaenyra while impersonating his twin, Erryk (Elliott Tittensor), who previously swore loyalty to the Blacks. However, Mysaria, whom Rhaenyra has begrudgingly allowed to leave, sees Arryk arrive and grows suspicious, then returns to Dragonstone. Arryk makes it to Rhaenyra uncontested, but before he can kill her, Erryk intervenes. The brothers fight until Erryk kills Arryk, but Arryk immediately takes his own life in grief. The only benefit of the confrontation is Rhaenyra’s newfound trust in Mysaria, who becomes an ally.

On Rhaenys’ (Eve Best) advice, Rhaenyra seeks to make peace with Alicent before the body count gets higher. She sneaks into King’s Landing disguised as a septa, but Alicent believes the violence has gone too far. While Rhaenyra doesn’t negotiate peace, she uncovers the truth behind her father’s last words. While Viserys’ mutterings about Aegon previously convinced Alicent he wanted his son as heir, Rhaenyra recognizes the reference to Aegon’s Prophecy. Reassured by her father’s faith, Rhaenyra shares the truth of the prophecy with Jacaerys.

Daemon Claims Harrenhal and the Riverlands

Daemon’s control of Harrenhal is crucial, as the always-feuding Brackens and Blackwoods have the first battle, making the Riverlands the conflict’s center. Harrenhal’s castellan, Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), surrenders to Daemon instantly, but the haunted castle torments him, driving him mad with visions of young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock), Viserys, and more. Somehow, these connect to the weirwood tree and the witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), adding to their mystery.

While in Harrenhal, Daemon oversteps his authority, naming himself as king rather than Rhaenyra’s consort. He struggles to build an army since the Riverlands’ leader, Lord Tully, is dying and unable to help. Instead, he makes a deal with Willem Blackwood (Jack Parry-Jones), offering to punish the Brackens in exchange for support. This proves a challenge, so Daemon suggests the Blackwoods use more brutal methods, alienating the River Lords. This misstep leads Daemon back to the Tullys and their new lord, Oscar (Archie Barnes), who fearlessly acknowledges Daemon’s failures. He agrees to keep his family’s oath to Rhaenyra if Daemon dispenses justice to Willem Blackwood. With little choice, Daemon carries out Willem’s death sentence, finally winning over the River Lords.

Rhaenyra Loses Another Ally

Image via HBO

The Dance of the Dragons begins in earnest when Criston takes his army through the Crownlands, attacking the castles of Rhaenyra’s supporters on the way to Rook’s Rest, following a strategy that Aegon is unaware of. After Aemond embarrasses him at a council meeting, Aegon decides to fly Sunfyre into the battle. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra learns of the plan and sends Rhaenys on Meleys. Though the battle has begun, the dragons’ arrival makes it even bloodier. While Meleys and Sunfyre clash, Aemond hides and waits with Vhagar, but he enters the fight, attacking his brother rather than his enemy. Aegon and Sunfyre crash, and Vhagar finishes the fight as Rhaenys dies with her dragon. The fight decimates the soldiers, but Criston escapes to find Aegon, who barely survived his fall.

Following the battle, Rhaenyra feels like she’s losing control, while Jace is determined to take action. Realizing that the Stark men will need the Freys’ crossing to get to the Riverlands, he negotiates, offering Harrenhal in exchange for the Northmen’s passage and their loyalty. Though Rhaenyra doesn’t approve of his leaving, she appreciates his accomplishment in gaining her an army. Meanwhile, Corlys (Steve Toussaint) struggles with the loss of his wife, while Rhaenyra sends Baela (Bethany Antonia) to ask him to be her Hand. She talks him into the new role, though she refuses to become his heir. However, Corlys’ family trouble isn’t over. Throughout the season, Corlys gets to know his secret bastard son, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim). Corlys makes Alyn his first mate, but Alyn wants nothing to do with his father. In contrast, Alyn’s brother, Addam (Clinton Liberty), feels Corlys owes them more recognition.

The Greens’ Problems in King’s Landing Only Get Worse

Image via HBO

After Aemond turns on Aegon, the Greens have plenty of problems, but one challenge grows throughout King’s Landing. As seen through Hugh’s (Kieran Bew) story, the smallfolk are starving due to the blockade preventing supplies from getting to the city. Worse, they are trapped inside to stop the discontent from spreading. Rhaenyra seeds rumors about the Greens and sends food to the people, inciting riots in her name. Alicent and Helaena get caught in the chaos while visiting the Sept, forcing them to see the unrest right outside their door.

Inside the castle, Aemond becomes regent due to Aegon’s injuries and demands total authority. He sends Criston to Harrenhal with too small a host and kicks Alicent off the council. He also hopes to make Otto Hand, but gets no response. Yet Aegon isn’t dead. Though Aegon claims he doesn’t remember the battle, Aemond continues to threaten his brother. However, Larys remains Aegon’s loyal ally, as they bond over their disabilities. Larys encourages Aegon to rely on his mind and pushes him to recover more quickly from his injuries.

On Aemond’s orders, Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) recruits the Triarchy of the Free Cities for the Greens’ naval force, agreeing to give them the much-disputed Stepstones for their help. Before securing their allegiance, he must impress Admiral Lohar (Abigail Thorn) in a mud wrestling match. Simultaneously, Criston marches to Harrenhal, but on the way, Alicent’s brother, Gwayne (Freddie Fox), confronts him about his relationship with Alicent. Criston’s confession reveals his despair after the devastation at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, painting a bleak picture.

Rhaenyra Finds New Dragonriders

Image via HBO

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To beat Vhagar, Jace proposes finding riders for their unclaimed dragons. After referring to her family tree, Rhaenyra asks her Kingsguard knight, Ser Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan), to claim Seasmoke, but he dies in the attempt. Mysaria encourages a hopeless Rhaenyra, and they kiss, hinting at a deeper relationship. Meanwhile, Seasmoke chooses Addam of Hull as his rider, despite him having no known Targaryen lineage. Addam swears to serve Rhaenyra, who begins looking for Targaryen bastards to claim the remaining dragons. This plan angers Jace, whose legitimacy is tied to his dragon, but Baela encourages Jace to prove himself by fighting for his mother.

In King’s Landing, Rhaenyra’s message attracts many reluctant participants, including Ulf (Tom Bennett). Hugh also goes, as his mother was a Targaryen. When the group arrives, Rhaenyra has them face Vermithor, but he rejects the first bastard to approach him. It’s a bloodbath, as most participants die, but when Hugh protects a young girl from the dragon, Vermithor bonds with him. During the chaos, Ulf escapes, only to encounter Silverwing, who chooses him, giving Rhaenyra two more dragonriders. Ulf takes a joyride over King’s Landing, and Aemond pursues him on Vhagar, only to flee when he sees Rhaenyra’s new advantage.

Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) isn’t a dragonrider, but she plays an important role by taking Rhaenyra’s younger sons to the Vale to ensure Jeyne Arryn’s (Amanda Collin) allegiance. With two small dragons and several unhatched eggs, Rhaena must convince Jeyne that they have met her condition of a dragon’s protection, but Jeyne isn’t pleased. Rhaena learns this is because a wild dragon roams the Vale, and rather than accompanying the baby Targaryens to safety in Pentos, Rhaena searches for the beast, eventually finding it at the end of the season.

War Looms in ‘House of the Dragon’s Season 2 Finale

House of the Dragon‘s Season 2 finale leaves everyone in a precarious place. When Aemond destroys a city in anger, Larys advises Aegon to flee before becoming Aemond’s next target. Aegon would rather take back control, but he cannot win without Vhagar, so he takes Larys’ advice, planning to return for the crown. Meanwhile, Aemond demands that Helaena fight for their side on her dragon, Dreamfyre, to give them an advantage over Rhaenyra’s numbers. She refuses, revealing that through her ability to dream the future, she knows Aegon will be king and Aemond will die, angering her brother even more.

Helaena isn’t the only one to see the future, as Alys takes Daemon to the godswood, where he sees flashes of the future, including Brenden Rivers (Joshua Ben-Tovim), the White Walkers, dead dragons, himself drowning, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) hatching dragons, and Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne. This changes Daemon’s course of action. When Rhaenyra hears that Daemon may betray her, she flies to Harrenhal to find Daemon and his army kneeling before her. Finally accepting Viserys’ choice of Rhaenyra, Daemon prepares to go to battle for her claim to the Iron Throne.

Season 2’s last moments do the most to set up the next installment. Alicent’s growing doubts and guilt help her realize her desire to escape war, so she offers to give Rhaenyra King’s Landing as soon as Aemond leaves. Once Alicent agrees to sacrifice Aegon, Rhaenyra agrees to her plan, but the war is already in motion. The Greens’ Oldtown forces, accompanied by Daeron Targaryen’s dragon, Tessarion, and their Lannister host, head to the Riverlands. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra’s Northmen cross the Freys’ land, and somewhere, Otto is being held captive. The Triarchy sets sail, as does Corlys’ fleet, leaving both land and sea primed for war in Season 3.

House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max, with Season 3 premiering on June 21.

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Release Date

August 21, 2022

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Network

HBO

Showrunner

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George R.R. Martin

Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

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Writers

Gabe Fonseca

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  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole

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