Entertainment
The Very Real Fistfight Star Trek Hid On Screen
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

For a franchise that’s all about peaceful exploration, Star Trek has always placed a special emphasis on fighting. From the infamous “Kirk-fu” of The Original Series to the Vulcan martial arts in Discovery, it never takes too long for an away team mission to lead to fisticuffs. Of course, we all know that the fisticuffs in question are just as fake as the special effects that bring these sci-fi series to life.
On one occasion, though, Star Trek ended up hiding a real fistfight in plain sight. In the Deep Space Nine episode “Invasive Procedures,” future Voyager star Tim Russ accidentally really punched Nana Visitor’s stunt double during a fight scene. While everyone else freaked out, she urged Russ to keep going because of how real the fight was going to look onscreen!
A Star Trek Icon Returns

“Invasive Procedures” is a Deep Space Nine episode in which the station has to be mostly evacuated thanks to a plasma storm. The command staff stays on as a skeleton crew, but it doesn’t take long before they are invaded and overpowered by a ragtag group of bad guys. One of the invaders is an unjoined Trill, and her goal is horrifyingly simple: she wants the symbiont inside Dax’s body, but without it, the perky science officer will soon die.
Among the bad guys is a Klingon mercenary played by Tim Russ, who would later famously play the Vulcan Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager. This was actually his second appearance in the franchise, as he had previously appeared as a different kind of mercenary in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Starship Mine.” He would later make a memorable appearance in Star Trek: Generations before joining the lead cast of Voyager.
Deep Space Nine’s Strongest Fighter

Obviously, Russ made a major impact on the Star Trek producers early on, which is why they kept bringing him back for future appearances. In “Invasive Procedures,” however, he made an impact of an entirely different kind: with his fist. During the occupation of Deep Space Nine, Major Kira put up a fight, and she was scripted to scrap with the Klingon played by Russ.
According to Star Trek Monthly (issue 52), the fight went sideways when Tim Russ accidentally landed a punch. At the time, Patricia Tallman (who also played Lyta on Babylon 5) was Nana Visitor’s stunt double, so she was the one engaging in the onscreen fistfight. After Russ landed an actual punch, Tallman said that “everyone on the set freaked out, but I said, ‘No, don’t stop! That was really good – it looked very authentic!”
When Stunts Get Real

The stuntwoman had her way, and “we finished the fight there and then.” To her credit, it was a good call: while “Invasive Procedures” isn’t the best Star Trek episode, it does feature one of the most memorable fights in the entire franchise. That wouldn’t have happened if Patricia Tallman hadn’t been willing to take a punch and keep on filming.
While Tim Russ was horrified at accidentally punching a fellow actor, everything worked out. The onscreen fight looked excellent, and he went on to later have a thriving career as Star Trek’s second most-famous Vulcan. As for his Tuvok character, we can only assume he would declare that Tallman made the right call: after all, making their onscreen battle look as authentic as possible was only logical!

Entertainment
14-Year-Old Mom Faces Charges After DUI Crash Kills 1-Year-Old
A tragic incident has left a 1-year-old boy dead, and authorities are reportedly charging his 14-year-old mother. PEOPLE reports the teen veered off the road while driving under the influence, and the child wasn’t properly secured in the vehicle.
RELATED: Prayers Up! 11-Year-Old Charged After Allegedly Killing 5-Year-Old Brother In Colorado
Police Shares Details On Crash Involving Teen Driver
According to 13NewsNow, a 1-year-old boy died after his 14-year-old mother allegedly drove under the influence. The crash happened around 2 a.m. on March 23 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 in Virginia. Police say the teen drove a silver sedan, veered off the right side of the road, hit a guardrail, then crossed over and struck a lane barrier on the left side.
The 1-year-old boy, reportedly named Ma’Khai, rode in the car at the time and was not properly restrained. PEOPLE notes that Ma’Khai died on Thursday, March 26, from injuries he suffered in the crash. His mother also suffered serious injuries and went to a local hospital. She was also allegedly not wearing a seatbelt.
Teen Driver Reportedly Faces Charges After Fatal Crash Claims Toddler’s Life
As a result of the crash, authorities are reportedly charging the 14-year-old. They say she faces charges for driving under the influence, driving without a license, and a child restraint violation. Officials may press additional charges, but they haven’t released more details while the investigation continues.
Family Of 1-Year-Old Child Speaks Out & Reacts To The Tragic Incident
According to WTKR, Ma’Khai would have turned 2 on April 4. The outlet also spoke with his relatives. His grandmother said losing him has been absolutely devastating. “I’ve been in his life since day one. This is the hardest.” She added that she feels angry about what happened but can’t bring herself to hate his mother, whom she identified as the 14-year-old driver. Ma’Khai’s alleged godfather also weighed in, urging teens to be more responsible and stop trying to grow up so fast. “Be more responsible,” he reportedly said. “Stop trying to outgrow your age and just be your age. There’s nothing wrong with being a teenager. Stop thinking that you’re grown.”
RELATED: Prayers Up! Detroit Mom Faces Charges After 11-Year-Old Shoots Sibling In Parking Lot (VIDEO)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Kim Novak says Sydney Sweeney is 'totally wrong' to play her in biopic, 'sticks out so much above the waist'
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The “Vertigo” actress would “never have approved” of the casting, adding that Sweeney “looks sexy all the time.”
Entertainment
Rutger Hauer’s R-Rated Sci-Fi Is So Wild, They Changed The Name After Release
By Robert Scucci
| Published

If you’re wondering why you can’t find a copy of Rutger Hauer’s 1991 sci-fi action thriller Wedlock, it’s because the HBO-produced title was later changed to Deadlock when it hit VHS. This was a common practice in the VHS era because when a customer walks past a wall of tapes at the video store, all competing for your attention, the snappiest title and cover art are what get picked up. Just like YouTube, where the snappiest title and thumbnail get you to click and consume whatever slop is being served.
Deadlock sounds tough and action-packed. Wedlock sounds like a rom-com. That’s really all there is to it. Since we’re talking about a Rutger Hauer film, it’s clear whoever made the call knew what kind of cinematic gold they had and didn’t want to undersell it on the home video market. Ironically, the device that puts its protagonist’s life in danger is actually called a Wedlock, so enjoy that bit of trivia before firing this one up on Tubi.
Classic Rutger Hauer Fare

Rutger Hauer spent most of the 90s starring in low-budget films that share a similar aesthetic with Deadlock, and they’re all pretty great if you’re into sci-fi B-movies. He plays everything super deadpan, but he also understands how ridiculous some of these movies are and leans into the camp at exactly the right moments. 1992’s Split Second is a sight for sore eyes and has a blast with its shlocky, half-Blade Runner, half-Alien premise.
Deadlock is cut from a similar cloth, but instead of playing a cynical, coffee-swigging cop with an axe to grind, Hauer is a fugitive on the run. A diamond thief and master electrician, his Frank Warren character pulls off the score of a lifetime in the form of $25 million worth of rare diamonds. The problem is his partner Sam (James Remar) and his fiancée Noelle (Joan Chen) double-cross him, and he ends up getting shipped off to an experimental prison known as Camp Holliday.

Lockup at Camp Holliday isn’t done in the traditional sense. Inmates are fitted with explosive collars called Wedlocks. Each collar is linked to another, undisclosed inmate, and if the pair separates by more than a set distance, they detonate and take both heads with them. It’s a simple concept, and a nasty one.
Here’s where things get complicated for Frank. Warden Holliday (Stephen Tobolowsky) wants to know where the diamonds are and will use whatever resources he has to get that information out of him. Meanwhile, Sam and Noelle have tracked Frank down and are closing in for the same reason. Frank eventually learns that the inmate linked to him is Tracy Riggs (Mimi Rogers), who wants nothing to do with him at first, claiming she’s innocent while Frank is very much not.
Separation Means Detonation

As you’d expect from a VHS-era, made-for-TV movie, Frank and Tracy warm up to each other and slowly form a romantic bond. They’re running from Warden Holliday and his goons, the police, and of course Sam and Noelle. Frank and Tracy can’t separate or they’ll detonate. Fortunately, it’s established early on that Frank is an electronics expert, and once he gets his hands on the right tools, he can put that very convenient skill set to use.
Deadlock is a solid, campy action thriller set in a near-future version of its release era that delivers exactly what it promises. There’s corruption, betrayal, danger, and enough chase sequences to keep you locked in and wondering how it’s all going to play out. Rutger Hauer has a strange, hard-to-pin-down charm, and what makes him so effective in movies like this is how seriously he takes everything while still letting moments of levity slip through when they’re needed. You believe him because he stays intensely grounded, even when things get ridiculous.

That energy is what makes films like Deadlock worth watching. It’s cinematic catnip for action fans who don’t want to do a lot of heavy lifting; perfect late-night watch. A thief gets jailed, meets a woman, escapes with her, and the chase is on. That’s all you need to know, and that’s exactly what Deadlock delivers.

As of this writing, Deadlock is streaming for free on Tubi.

Entertainment
18 Years Later, Jason Statham’s 105-Minute Action Thriller Quietly Becomes a Free Streaming Favorite
Jason Statham’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s best ass-kickers has seen him perform in some of the grittiest action movies and franchises. From his impressive early work alongside long-time collaborator Guy Ritchie on the likes of Snatch to appearing in big-budget blockbuster franchises such as Fast and Furious and The Expendables, there are few action IPs the fast fists of Statham haven’t punched his signature style into. Another of his lesser-spotted franchise performances came in the Transporter series, beginning with a hard-hitting first installment in 2002.
After the first installment earned just over $40 million worldwide, that total doubled three years later by Transporter 2, and it was clear the French action thriller franchise still had plenty to give. The third installment, written by Luc Besson and directed by Olivier Megaton, might’ve earned $112 million worldwide against a reported budget of $40 million, but little could save it from a damning response from critics and audiences. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s critics’ score of 40% is barely improved on by its 48% audience rating. The critics’ consensus on the site reads, “This middling installment in the Transporter franchise is a few steps down from its predecessors, featuring generic stunts and a lack of energy.”
Despite this poor performance, Transporter 3 has continued to prove a popular rotation in the watchlists of action fans. Often appearing in the streaming charts, anyone yet to catch this underrated gem in Statham’s busy catalog will be able to do so this April. As of April 1, you’ll be able to watch Transporter 3 on Plex. A synopsis for the movie reads:
“Mob courier Frank Martin’s (Jason Statham) latest assignment pairs him with Valentina (Natalya Rudakova), the cynical daughter of a Ukrainian official. While her father ponders what to do with three boatloads of toxic waste, Frank must guard the problematic woman and prevent her from wandering too far from his vehicle, or risk triggering the explosive shackles they both wear.”
Sex and the Quizzy — The Collider TV Quiz!
And Just Like That… we’re going back to where it all started for Carrie Bradshaw. On Sarah Jessica Parker’s birthday, it’s a Sex and the City check.
‘Transporter 3’ Was Statham’s Last in the Franchise
Although Statham fans may have tuned out, the third Transporter installment wasn’t the last, with a fourth outing titled Transporter Refueled arriving in 2015. Alas, the third installment would be the last for Statham, as a reported dispute over pay and the commitment to future entries saw the action veteran decline the opportunity to reprise his famous role. This left Deadpool and Game of Thrones alum Ed Skrein to pick up the pieces as the lead.
Transporter 3 is joining Plex this April. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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December 5, 2008
- Runtime
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104 Minutes
Entertainment
Nurse Paid $6K For “School,” Then Lost License
Registered Nurse Stephanie Skipper reportedly had her license suspended and nearly lost her home after Tainika Brown, the woman behind shuttered Tosi University, filed a complaint with the nursing board. Skipper reportedly paid $6,000 to take post-op surgery courses at Tosi. But after she allegedly “declined to join Brown’s organization,” Brown allegedly retaliated. Ultimately, the Maryland Board of Nursing suspended Skipper’s license, sending her into financial ruin and foreclosure.
But is there more to the story?
Now, The Shade Room’s Justin Carter is looking into what happened on ‘TSR Investigates.’
More On Registered Nurse Stephanie Skipper’s License Allegedly Being Suspended By Way Of Tainika Brown
According to Carter, the Maryland Board of Nursing revoked Stephanie Skipper’s license based on allegations that she was running an illegal post-op surgery business. However, Skipper says the claims are false and came from forged documents from Tainika Brown. Per Skipper, the incident occurred after she rejected Brown’s recruitment offer. Instead, she was working to roll out her own post-op course when she received a letter from Brown. In it, Brown allegedly told her that her course was unauthorized and if Skipper didn’t hand it over to her for her review, she would report Skipper to the Maryland board.
Per Carter, the board received “disturbing” complaints about Skipper. One claim alleged that Skipper’s practices made her clients prone to the “transmission of infections.” Another claim noted Skipper’s alleged “incompetence” in offering body-altering courses.
More On Tainika Brown, The Woman Behind Tosi University, Alleged Complaint
However, it was ultimately discovered that the complaint, allegedly signed by a fellow doctor, was fraudulent. The doctor later came forward and submitted an affidavit stating that he did not know Stephanie Skipper or her medical work and believed his name was used for “fraudulent purposes.”
Scroll above to watch as Skipper explains how her license was suspended. And how the ordeal left her in financial turmoil, with two houses on the verge of foreclosure. Additionally, Carter recaps the fraudulent claims submitted against Skipper. Ultimately, Skipper shares how she cleared her name. And Carter shares what has happened since to Tainika Brown’s Tosi University, as well as the statement TSR received from her attorney ahead of this episode’s airing.
RELATED: Family Sues “Friend” For $180K Over Home Rebuild Disaster | TSR Investigates
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
Netflix’s Barren, Empty April Schedule Is The Future Of Entertainment
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

It’s no secret that Netflix is the largest streaming platform in the world. Over the last 10 years, it’s been the home to an ever-growing catalog of award-winning original series and movies, and in that sense, not much has changed. What avid Netflix watchers have started to notice has become clear with the platform’s April additions, which feel a lot more sparse than they used to.
There are a lot of older blockbusters coming to the platform and original series coming back for another season, but the emphasis isn’t on any of that: it’s on live events. If you’ve thought that Hollywood is making fewer and fewer shows and films each year, you’re right, and when even Netflix is focusing on boxing, baseball, and reality competitions, you know the world of entertainment has changed.
Netflix Is Getting Great Movies You’ve Already Seen

There are some great movies coming to Netflix this month, including the first five Mission: Impossible movies, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the Oscar-nominated sci-fi film Bugonia, and Denzel Washington’s underrated American Gangster. For shows, the first Stranger Things spin-off, Tales from ‘85, is arriving late in April, Beef Season 2 covers a new feud between Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, and if you like anime, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run is a must-watch. The problem is a lot of the movies are five years old, or significantly older, and the shows, with the one Hawkings Indiana sized exception, tend to be Season 2, or even later.
You’ve likely already seen most of the movies coming to Netflix. What you haven’t seen is Charlize Theron’s latest film, Apex, an action-thriller about humans hunting humans. It doesn’t sound all that exciting, but then again, neither did the log line for The Old Guard, and that turned into a surprisingly fun romp. Don’t worry, though, because Netflix is continuing its push into live entertainment as streaming becomes more and more like cable with every passing day.
Netflix Is Turning Into Cable

On April 11, Tyson Fury takes on Arslanbek Makhmudov in a boxing match between, and this might shock you considering the streamer’s love of Jake Paul, professional boxers. Two more boxing events, Supernova Strikers: Genesis, pitting boxers against influencers, and Supernova: Genesis, a legit boxing card, airs later in April as well. That’s a lot of boxing that’s on top of the weekly streams of WWE Raw, podcasts including Bill Simmons and Pete Davidson, and now, baseball games.
Netflix is slowing down the output of streaming originals and instead spending the time and effort on live broadcasts, whether you want it or not. The future of entertainment is going back to the past of cable television, where live events ruled the ratings. It’s alright if Netflix slows down it’s releases, not only because the shows coming out this month, including Beef Season 2 and Man on Fire with Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II look like fun, but there’s so much already on the platform it’ll take decades to go through it all.
Compounding the lack of streaming originals, particularly sci-fi this month, is that Hollywood has slowed down the number of shows and films getting release dates. On the one hand, it’s good, as for awhile, it was impossible to keep up, but on the other, it means more four-quadrant concepts and, less wild, creative swings at big, bold concepts. Netflix isn’t going anywhere, but what we watch on the platform is starting to change, and before we know it, the streamer will switch to the weekly release model. When that happens, it’ll be official: cable is back.
Entertainment
Taylor Frankie Paul’s Neighbor Heard Screams Before 2023 Arrest
Taylor Frankie Paul’s neighbor called 911 ahead of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s 2023 arrest once she heard “screaming.”
“First, there’s like domestic violence; somebody is screaming, ‘Get off me.’ There is a woman screaming,” Paul’s neighbor told emergency operators in footage obtained by Us Weekly from the Herriman City Police Department in Utah. “The garage door keeps opening and shutting. It sounds like she’s trying to get out.”
The individual further remarked that it seemed “like somebody [was] leaving” the property.
“Somebody’s getting in the truck,” she said. “So, it looks like the lady who was screaming might be leaving right now. … [She] actually didn’t leave. Now, she’s going back in the house.”
Paul and now-ex Dakota Mortensen got into a physical altercation in February 2023, leading to Paul’s domestic violence arrest. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault as part of a plea deal to dismiss additional charges of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief. (Paul shares Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, as well as son Ever, 2, with Mortensen, 33.)
According to Paul’s neighbor, she didn’t hear any weapons or signs of the then-couple drinking alcohol.
“I know they have kids, [but] I don’t know if the kids are there right now, because I think she shares time with her ex-husband,” the woman said, adding that she wasn’t sure whether Taylor sustained any injuries. “I would love to know if they’re OK. I mean, it looks like she’s OK right now. I don’t know if somebody else in there was screaming.”
She continued at the time, “I don’t know what is going on. But anyway, I don’t really want them to know that I’m the one that’s calling the police.”
Footage from Taylor and Mortensen’s fight leaked earlier this month, in which the MomTok creator was seen physically assaulting Mortensen and throwing chairs at him in front of her daughter. Afterward, ABC canceled plans to air Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a spokesperson for Taylor told Us in a March 19 statement. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”
The rep added, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Mortensen, for his part, has publicly denied any accusations regarding his conduct at the time and was granted a temporary protective order against Taylor. Per the court order, Mortensen was also awarded sole custody of son Ever until a court hearing next month.
As for Taylor, she returned to social media on Thursday, March 26.
“Thank you to every check in, call, prayer sent,” she wrote in a since-expired post via her Instagram Stories. “Your unconditional kindness and check in can be someone’s lifeline.”
Us Weekly has reached out to a rep for Taylor for comment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Entertainment
Safaree Confirms His Mother’s Passing In Emotional Tribute
Fans are sending Safaree Samuels love and prayers after he confirmed his mother’s passing. The rapper shared photos of his mom on social media with an emotional message telling fans his life is shattered.
RELATED: From “In Love” To “I’m Done”: The Relationship Tea History Between Erica Mena & Safaree
Safaree Samuels Opens Up About His Mother’s Passing In Emotional Tribute
On Saturday, March 28, Safaree shocked fans when he revealed that his mother had passed. The reality star shared a carousel of photos with him on Instagram, along with a heartbreaking message saying he didn’t know how he was going to move forward without her. As of right now, details about his mother’s passing are unknown.
“🕊️💔🕊️My life is shattered… I’ll never laugh or smile the same again. I cant believe I can’t call you ..my mommy.. my heart my world. your kids love you so much.. as I type this my hands can’t even hold still..this last year we never left your side.. God give me strength becuz I don’t know how I’m going to do this without you. I never knew pain until this… my life will never be the same 💔💔💔,” Safaree wrote.
More About Safaree’s Family
Details about Safaree’s family are scarce, but he reportedly has two sisters, Shamika and Samantha Samuels. Fans know that he also has two kids with Erica Mena, a daughter, Safire Majesty, and a son, Legend Brain. As of now, Erica Mena hasn’t commented on his mom’s passing.
Fans Send Safaree Love After He Honors His Mom Online
After The Shade Room shared the news about Safaree’s mom, fans flooded the comment section. Several folks sent him their deepest condolences, while others admitted that losing a parent is their biggest fear.
Instagram user @ninanevtelen wrote, “one of the biggest heartbreaks is losing a parent!!!”
Instagram user @ssshe_o wrote, “This took my breath away. How devastating! 🙏🏾♥️”
While Instagram user @nuggetsmomxo wrote, “Losing a parent is life shattering…🥹🥹”
Then, Instagram user @channingdoll_ wrote, “A pain no one can understand unless you’ve experienced it. RIP to her 🙏🏾”
Another Instagram user @oohnanaxoxo wrote, “He was def a mamas boy. This gon be tuff for him to process. Praying for his mental health and peace during this difficult time. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽”
Instagram user @porschacoleman wrote, “Wow 😣 Losing a parent is the worst. Lost my dad in 2019 💔 Prayers up to him and his family.”
While another Instagram user, @_riyaa, wrote, “Your heart truly never heals from losing a parent. I would give ANYTHING for one more hug and kiss from my dad 😥”
Then another Instagram user @_nayouuuuu wrote, “Biggest fear 💔”
Finally, Instagram user @dr.deneice wrote, “This is unspeakable pain!! Prayers for him and his family!!”
RELATED: Fall Back! Safaree Seemingly Defends Keyshia Ka’oir & Gucci Mane After Nicki Minaj Puts Them On Blast (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
The Buffy Episode That Secretly Honored The Earliest Cinematic Universe
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is arguably the most seminal series of the ‘90s, influencing literally decades of movies and TV shows. There’s a reason every superhero film is full of “Whedon-esque” dialogue: because everyone writing modern movies grew up watching Buffy crack pop culture-inflused jokes while dusting vamps, one stake at a time. On top of the clever writing, the show succeeded because it turned the horror genre on its head, presenting someone who would normally be the victim in a scary movie (namely, a pretty little blonde) into someone who scared even the most frightening monsters.
Horror fans naturally flocked to Buffy because it featured vampires, werewolves, zombies, and just about every supernatural threat you could imagine. Ironically, though, all this surface-level scariness often kept fans from seeing the spooky forest for the trees. For example, most audiences realize very early on that the episode “Beauty and the Beasts” is an homage to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But few have realized that this episode is also an homage to the earliest cinematic universe: Universal Monsters!
Nowhere To Hyde

“Beauty and the Beasts” is an episode where the Scooby Gang discovers a horrific murder and thinks that the killer could be their pal Oz, who transforms from a laconic rocker to a hungry werewolf at the sight of the full moon. The real culprit is a Sunnydale High student who has been taking a potion to make himself stronger and more virile (Chadmaxxing, as the kids might say). But he ends up turning into a rage monster who beats his girlfriend and kills innocent victims. Buffy is ready to put him down for good, but she doesn’t have to, as the Incredulous Hulk is killed by Angel, who has mysteriously returned to life.
From the very beginning, Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans easily clocked that “Beauty and the Beasts” was referencing The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, in which an upstanding scientist creates a potion to help unleash his dark side. That happens to the young antagonist at the heart of this story, and, as with Dr. Jekyll, the monster he unleashes ultimately gets him killed. What most fans didn’t clock, though, is that this underrated episode also serves as an homage to the cinematic universe that Universal Pictures created when their famous monsters began popping up in each other’s films.
An American Werewolf In Sunnydale

Nearly 80 years before Robert Downey Jr. kicked off the MCU, Universal created the original cinematic universe by combining some of its most famous properties. Audiences had already fallen in love with iconic movies featuring monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolf Man, and in the ‘40s, the studio began making crossover films like Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man. These killer crossovers became major hits for the same reason the Marvel Cinematic Universe did: namely, that audiences enjoyed seeing directors turn the silver screen into a playbox filled with their favorite toys.
What does this have to do with “Beauty and the Beasts?” Well, this Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode has its Mr. Hyde (who appeared in Universal’s Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) squaring off against the transformed Oz, who is the Buffy equivalent of the Wolf Man. He also fights against Angel, who is the Buffy equivalent of Dracula (at least, until the real Dracula shows up in Season 5). Meanwhile, our titular Slayer is a kind of stand-in for Van Helsing, battling both the Wolf Man and Mr. Hyde before the episode is over.

In many ways, Buffy’s homage to the Universal Monsters is quite appropriate: if not for the success of the 1931 Dracula, we wouldn’t have had nearly a century of movies and TV shows based on everyone’s favorite bloodsuckers. Plus, while “Beauty and the Beasts” isn’t the best Season 3 episode, it does channel the best thing about Universal’s old crossover monster movies: namely, seeing a bunch of crazy monsters get into deliciously over-the-top fights. It’s enough to make me wish Buffy had updated her hilariously out-of-date Season 1 tag line: “if the monster mash comes, beep me!”
Entertainment
I’m Personally Buying These 13 Chic Amazon Spring Sale Finds
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I don’t say this lightly, but Amazon’s Big Spring Sale might be one of the best chances to stock up on chic, wearable fashion without overpaying. As someone who shops for a living, I’m extremely picky about the clothes I choose, which is why I look long and hard before deciding what’s actually worth buying. With the sale running now through Tuesday, March 31, I did a deep dive and found a handful of deals I didn’t hesitate to add to my cart.
This time around, I dug through dozens of promotions to pull together 13 shopping writer-approved deals I’d genuinely recommend to a friend. Think polished tops, chic accessories and loungewear picks that actually work for real life. Plus, a few brand-name buys in the sale include Levi’s 501 cropped jeans, Kendra Scott’s pendant necklace and more — all of which feel elevated and wearable. The best part is that these deals start at just $18.
13 Chic Amazon Spring Sale Finds I’m Personally Buying
1. My Favorite: I reach for these Levi’s cropped 501s with sneakers, sandals and low mules all spring long. The dark-wash cotton-blend pants dress up or down, and at 29% off, I feel like grabbing a second pair — was $39, now $27!
2. Pretty Polka Dots: I can picture myself poolside in this strapless one-piece with a sarong and slides. The ruching and tummy-control design will help keep everything smooth, and the polka dots are just chic — was $35, now $24!
3. Fabulous Flats: I plan on wearing these straw Mary Jane flats with cropped jeans and a linen shirt for weekend errands. It has a comfy rounded toe and a black leather buckle strap that dresses them up — was $158, now $126!
4. Sleek Sneakers: New Balance’s Fresh Foam 1080 V14s are one pair I’d lace up for morning walks or a full day of running around town. They’re so comfortable, thanks to a foam insole and a breathable mesh upper, making them ideal for spring — was $165, now $101!
5. Sophisticated Stripes: This striped racerback tank has built-in padding and a high neckline, so I can skip the extra layer underneath. The ribbed cotton feels airy and breathable for spring errand runs — was $39, now $19!
6. Pendant Perfection: This Kendra Scott necklace is 14k gold plated, which gives it a richer look than most initial necklaces at this price. It’s a style I plan on layering with other gold necklaces in my collection — was $65, now $45!
7. Elegant Earrings: When I can’t decide between gold and silver jewelry, these double-knot earrings from Heaven Mayhem eliminate that debate entirely. The mixed metal earrings feature both gold and silver plating that work together beautifully — was $110, now $93!
8. Everyday Staple: I’d throw this cashmere blend V-neck on with jeans for coffee or tuck it into a skirt for date night. The lace hem detail makes it look more expensive, and even subtly alluring — was $30, now $25!
9. Darling Denim: A good denim dress is hard to find, but this Lioness mini find in this dark wash actually looks sharp. The button-up design gives it a polished edge that’s easy to style for concerts, brunches and more — was $90, now $63!
10. Loungewear MVP: Saturday mornings on the couch call for this Hanes Supersoft set and my big cup of coffee. The boxy tee and shorts are so cozy, and at just $18, I might pick up a few colors — was $28, now $18!
11. Timeless Tote: This Lands’ End canvas tote has an open-top design that fits a surprising amount of stuff. It’s an essential for gals who like to carry it all, making it a practical bag I see myself using every day — was $40, now $29!
12. Designer-Looking: The Jw Pei Lucia purse has a structured silhouette and gold details that make it look far pricier than it is. The cream color goes with practically anything — was $99, now $84!
13. Luxe Layer: A good spring jacket will pull all of my outfits together in seconds. This belted trench coat has a double-breasted front, oversized fit and timeless feel that does just that — was $70, now $55!
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