The sci-fi genre space in the modern age has its fair share of epic stories that, without question, have the ability to truly and utterly captivate its audience. For instance, 3 Body Problem, based on novels by Liu Cixin, is a mind-bending Netflix series which jumps straight to mind, as do several offerings from Apple TV, like Silo and Severance. However, there was a generation that laid the foundations for the stories we now enjoy on-screen. In the ’70s and ’80s, some huge stories were being told within the big science fiction franchises of the time, with Star Trek and Star Wars top of the list. Before mind-bending foes like the San-Ti ever threatened Earth, both franchises made it abundantly clear that the universe was both an uncharted, intimidating and strange place, with levels of danger which are sometimes unfathomable.

There is, however, one franchise that often gets brushed aside in the conversation and that should not be the case. This franchise’s contribution to the genre has been immense. The 1994 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, Stargate, launched the franchise, with Roland Emmerich directing in a film that featured the likes of Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Alexis Cruz, Mili Avital, and Viveca Lindfors. The central theme of the story saw humanity traversing the vastness of space in search of new alien allies and weapons of defense. Very quickly, within two years to be precise, a sequel series, the iconic Stargate SG-1 from Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, would launch and go on to enjoy a 10-season run while also attracting an incredibly loyal fan base along the way.

Last December, a reboot of the long-dormant science fiction franchise was announced to be in development at Prime Video and that sounded exciting to many. Several key staff members from the series’ earlier incarnations came on board, but somewhat surprisingly, earlier this year, that reboot was canceled, with its being allegedly heavily targeted by Stargate‘s existing fanbase, the reason. Such a development is sure to have broken the hearts of those who hold the franchise to heart, but there is some good news, according to sources. The discovery of the lost city of Atlantis at the end of SG-1 Season 7 would be the premise for the franchise spin-off sequel, Stargate: Atlantis. For those interested in investigating Atlantis, the home of the advanced alien race known as the Ancients, you will be pleased to know that the sequel series has been listed among the free TV streaming options on YouTube.

The Canceled Amazon Reboot Series Wasn’t Exactly a Reboot

It has been three months since Prime Video decided to cancel the Stargate reboot series, but efforts from fans and several franchise stars are actively trying to save it. A dedicated campaign labelled “Save Stargate with Martin Gero!” has been running for months, in the hopes of reversing a decision some believe was a huge mistake. Richard Dean Anderson, who played Jack O’Neill in all ten seasons of SG-1, was one of the franchise stars with knowledge of the reboot, and recently offered insight on what audiences would have enjoyed on screen. Speaking at the Stargate SG-1 reunion panel at Rose City Comic Con, Anderson shared his insight, saying the Amazon series wasn’t actually a traditional reboot:

“I’ve stayed out of touch with many things in my life, but the politics going on over the reboot, they’re calling it – first of all, it technically didn’t seem like a reboot more than it was using Michael Shanks’ character, Daniel, well again, as the conduit that would take us from our show, from our universe to the next generation of it.”

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Release Date

2004 – 2009-00-00

Directors

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Martin Wood, Andy Mikita, William Waring, Peter DeLuise, Brad Turner, Mario Philip Azzopardi, Robert C. Cooper, Brenton Spencer, David Winning, Ken Girotti, David Warry-Smith, Holly Dale, James Head, Jule Gilfillan, Neill Fearnley, Paul Ziller, Martin Gero

Writers

Alan McCullough, Damian Kindler, Ken Cuperus, Joe Flanigan, Alan Brennert, Jill E. Blotevogel, Melissa R. Byer, Scott Nimerfro, Sean Carley, Treena Hancock, Alex Levine, Holly Henderson

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Rosie O’Donnell has weighed in on the ongoing controversy involving Pink and rapper Macklemore.

The TV host criticized the “Just Give Me A Reason” singer over her response to Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks during his opening set on Ed Sheeran’s tour. O’Donnell said she was “absolutely shocked” and questioned why a call to end genocide would be offensive.

O’Donnell also reignited her feud with Donald Trump, mocking him and suggesting he resign during her brief hosting stint on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Rosie O’Donnell has weighed in on the tense situation involving singer Pink and rapper Macklemore.

The 64-year-old comedian took to Instagram to share a lengthy video promoting a protest in Ireland against Donald Trump’s visit and weighing in on the controversy surrounding the two artists.

She discussed how events in the United States affect the rest of the world before commenting on the war in Gaza, saying, “Those are our bombs that Israel is dropping.”

Turning her attention to Pink and Macklemore, she said she was “shocked” and would love to hear the “So What” singer “speak about the apparent change of heart” she had experienced.

Rosie O’Donnell Questions What Pink Finds Offensive

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The TV personality went on to describe Macklemore as a “brave and bold” social activist and rapper. She added that Ed Sheeran knew what he was getting into when he invited him to open on his tour.

“I don’t understand why someone saying we should not have genocide in the world anywhere is offensive to anyone,” O’Donnell said.

Elsewhere in the video, she urged protesters to gather in the city center to demonstrate against her longtime rival Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland.

She later shared clips from the protest on her Instagram Story, where a woman could be heard saying they “reject his politics of smash and grab.”

O’Donnell also shared posts from others opposing his visit, including one showing several people holding a banner that read, “No Welcome For Trump.”

Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Set Draws Criticism

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Macklemore faced criticism after wearing a keffiyeh, chanting “Free Palestine,” and performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall” during his opening set at Ed Sheeran’s concert earlier this month.

An advocacy group then shared a post accusing him of promoting “anti-Israel propaganda” and calling for him to be dropped from Sheeran’s tour.

Pink, who is Jewish, reposted it and shared follow-up memes.

However, the move drew intense scrutiny, with fans accusing her of prejudice and calling for a boycott of anything associated with her.

Pink Says Macklemore’s Statement Prompted Her Repost

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As reported by The Blast, Pink recently broke her silence in a lengthy Instagram statement, saying a repost was not a statement and that people were putting words in her mouth.

She added that she used to like the “Thrift Shop” rapper. However, she took issue with a performance years earlier in which he wore a hooked nose, black beard, and bowl cut. He described the look as a “random costume” at the time.

Although she forgave him, Pink disputed that description and suggested the incident shaped how she received his later comments. She also said his onstage statement prompted her repost, rather than his “Free Palestine” chant.

Rosie O’Donnell Calls For Trump To Resign During Kimmel Stint

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O’Donnell has been locked in a years-long feud with Trump and said she would leave the United States after he won the 2024 election.

The president embarked on a two-day weekend visit to Ireland for a series of engagements.

He met with Irish President Catherine Connolly, an outspoken critic of his, and was scheduled to travel to County Clare to visit his Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg and attend the Irish Open, according to Sky News.

Just last month, O’Donnell mocked Trump while filling in for Jimmy Kimmel and called for him to resign, among other pointed remarks.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle then issued a statement calling her “a nasty woman and a total slob whose brain has been completely destroyed by Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

A family tragedy took place when a man fatally shot his sister before he died by suicide in an apparent murder-suicide outside of a New Jersey home.

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a press release that Daniel Lopez shot his sister, Janet Camacho, and left her to die on the front steps of a home in Pennsauken, New Jersey, on the morning of Wednesday, September 16. After he killed his sister, he took his own life.

Police reported to the home after they received reports of shots being fired and that a man who was armed with a handgun around 9 a.m.

Upon their arrival, police found Camacho, 59, on the stoop after she sustained gunshot wounds. She was rushed to Cooper University Hospital for treatment, where she was ultimately declared dead.

Authorities established a perimeter around the home and escorted neighbors out of their residences to safety, according to WPVI.

Police deployed a robotic dog, who entered the home and located Lopez, 60, inside. Lopez was found dead about 90 minutes after police were initially called.

While officials confirmed that the incident was being investigated as a murder-suicide, they have not revealed if there was a motive in the killings.

WPVI obtained surveillance footage, which reportedly showed Camacho being shot. The footage then captured a man, who was believed to be Lopez, pacing outside of the home.

The tragedy has left the neighborhood in shock, and neighbor Michelle Jimenez told the outlet that Lopez had been a close family friend.

“We used to invite him a lot for family parties. He would always be our guest. He was really close to our family. He was always nice. He would bake stuff for me and my siblings,” Jimenez said. “It was just shocking to me. I didn’t believe it.”

Neighbor Ozzie Marrero said that violent acts were “so rare” in the area and that they don’t “happen here.”

“It’s unfortunate, and I’m sorry that the families have to deal with this,” Jabril Smitherman added.

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The investigation into the case remains ongoing as police work to determine if there was a motive and what exactly happened that led to the murder-suicide.

Police have asked that anyone with information regarding the case contact Pennsauken police or the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

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

Millie Bobby Brown is pulling back the curtain on her experience as a first-time mom.

“This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,” Brown and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, wrote via Instagram in August 2025. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3. Love, Millie and Jake Bongiovi.

The couple, who married in May 2024, have not publicly revealed their daughter’s name. 

In September 2026, People reported that Brown and Bongiovi expanded their family by adopting a second baby.

Related: Why Millie Bobby Brown Wants to ‘Protect’ Baby Daughter From the Spotlight

Millie Bobby Brown is already fiercely protective of her newborn daughter. “For me, it’s really important to protect her and her story until she’s old enough to potentially one day share it herself,” Brown, 21, told British Vogue in a cover story published Wednesday, November 5. “It’s not my place to purposefully put her in […]

Keep scrolling for the Stranger Things actress’ candid comments about motherhood:

The Adoption Process

Brown revealed on a June 2026 episode of the “Not Gonna Lie” podcast that the waiting period was the most difficult part of the entire adoption experience.

“Every journey is different. Waiting for the call is the hardest part,” Brown said. “I just would always encourage you to understand that every journey is different. Don’t compare yourself to others, don’t compare yourself to statistics, don’t compare yourself to other families, but your baby is out there, and you’ll find each other.”

Millie Bobby Brown Recalls ‘Magical Phone Call’ Solidifying Adoption

During her July 2026 appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast, Brown recounted the “magical phone call” she received to inform her that the couple’s adoption plan was approved.

“Getting the call, I mean, I will never forget it. It was the most surreal feeling and yet we both knew in that moment, like that was … that we had found each other,” she gushed. “Like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is our girl, 100 percent, no doubt.’”

The actress continued, “The process is long and rightfully so; it’s a great process and, you know, in fact, it’s very thorough. I would say that’s probably the longest part, is just getting through all of that.”

Brown further revealed that she didn’t record the call, which made it an even more “special” moment.

“I think there’s something so special about it because my whole life’s recorded. My husband and I will never forget those words, where we were, what we were doing, the feeling,” she said. “I think in so many ways, that is why that shouldn’t be recorded. It’s, like, almost like you had to be there. … We were talking to someone, another adoptive mother, and it’s like, there are two ways to have a baby, one through your stomach and one through your heart, and my girl was through my heart.”

Millie Bobby Brown Claps Back at Mom-Shamers

Brown has not minced words about the criticism she has fielded since becoming a mother.

“I was like, ‘This is vicious, you are vicious,’ and I don’t have time for angry women that just need to bring you down, especially when it comes to motherhood,” Brown told
“Not Gonna Lie” host Kylie Kelce in June 2026. “I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s like, I can always deal with the, ‘Oh, my God, you showed your nipples? What a bitch!’ Whatever; I don’t care about that, but when you’re like, ‘You didn’t put a hat on your baby?’ I’m like, ‘Try putting a hat on my baby. I dare you [to] put a beanie on her.’”

She continued, “Stay in your own lane, put a hat on your baby and put a sock in your mouth. Sorry, the English is coming out of me, but it’s so true. Like, shut up.”

Brown further acknowledged that she receives judgment both online and in person.

 “I’ve dealt with this mostly online, but when I do experience it in person, a lot of people will be like, ‘That’s a really big piece. Are you going to let her eat that?’” she said. “I know what my baby can eat. I will draw the line where necessary.”

Millie Bobby Brown Defends Jake Bongiovi

Brown addressed viral photos that sparked criticism of Bongiovi for supposedly not helping her carry bags or a stroller during her 2026 appearance on Kelce’s podcast.

“Hi, I’m Millie Bobbie Brown and I’m not gonna lie, when did women become incapable of holding their own bags, car seats and stuff?” Brown said in a teaser for the episode. “This stems from me holding all of my suitcases and bags and my kid and people are like, ‘Your husband doesn’t hold a single thing.’ Because I’m three miles ahead. I have been planning this all night.”

She added: “We’re all about empowering girls and, ‘You got it’ and ‘You don’t need a man.’ But then when I’m like, ‘Ok, I can carry my own things,’ people are like, ‘Where’s your husband?’ I can also do it on my own. Nobody knows my husband. My husband is the most polite, sweet, will-do-anything-for-me, but he also knows I’m capable.”

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Millie Bobby Brown Celebrates Jake Bongiovi’s First Father’s Day

Brown gave her husband a sweet shout-out on his first Father’s Day in June 2026, sharing a snap of Bongiovi cradling their baby girl via her Instagram Stories.

“Happy Father’s Day!!!” she wrote at the time. “I knew from the moment we met, you were going to be the best dad. We love you too much, Dada.”

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. 

Sunny Hostin says Hollywood’s resistance to Black and Brown stories helped drive her decision to partner with an artificial intelligence studio. During a recent episode of “The View,” the 57-year-old television personality explained that she had spent six years trying to bring her romance trilogy to television and film.

Hostin claimed that traditional entertainment companies repeatedly passed on her stories, prompting her to explore an unconventional path involving AI. However, her announcement quickly sparked criticism from commentators who questioned both her allegations of industry discrimination and her willingness to use AI in the creative process.

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Hostin discussed her new partnership with London-based studio Fountain 0 while addressing the growing influence of AI in entertainment. “One of the reasons I partnered with this company, is because I’ve written a trilogy, and for six years I’ve tried to get my films, or my stories, made into a series and films,” she said, per Daily Mail. “And the gatekeeping in Hollywood around Black and Brown creative content is insane.”

Hostin argued that the partnership could give her greater control over how her stories and characters are presented on screen.

The three novels in her “Summer Beach” series are “Summer on the Bluffs,” “Summer on Sag Harbor” and “Summer on Highland Beach.” The books center on affluent Black communities and explore romance, family, friendship and generational legacies. Hostin has playfully described the series as a love story with “a little bit of smut on the side.”

She also declared, “I do write smut!” while discussing the first novel during a previous episode of “The View.”

Her AI Partner Made History At The Tribeca Festival

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Hostin highlighted Fountain 0’s role in making “Dreams of Violets,” a 75-minute feature that uses AI-generated visuals and performers. “It’s the first time that was done,” Hostin said while discussing the film’s acceptance at a major festival.

“Dreams of Violets” premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival. The project was promoted as the first fully AI-generated, live-action feature accepted into the main program of a major film festival. The film, created by Iranian brothers Ash and Pooya Koosha, dramatizes the experiences of Iranians facing execution and draws on accounts of the government’s violent crackdown on protesters.

According to Variety, Fountain 0 reportedly produced the movie for approximately $2,000. The filmmakers used artificial intelligence for its visuals, voices and other production elements. The technology allowed them to create a feature without a traditional cast, physical set or camera crew, although those same methods have fueled concerns about AI replacing entertainment workers.

Sunny Hostin Previously Discussed Resistance From Publishing Executives

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Hostin has made similar allegations about the publishing industry. During a 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she recalled encountering skepticism when she initially pitched a romance series centered on Black women.

“The first two meetings I had were unsuccessful because the people in the room didn’t get it. They just didn’t get it,” the daytime television host said.

She remembered one executive asking, “Well, what’s the market for this? And I was like, ‘Black women.’ She was like, ‘Really? You think so?’” she said. “Executives didn’t even think there was an audience for it. It was surprising and a bit disappointing.”

Hostin eventually found support from Gallery Books editor Carrie Feron, whom she credited with understanding her vision and intended readership. “She not only saw the characters, she saw me and the audience. She saw three books,” Hostin said.

The first book was released in 2021, followed by its sequels in 2023 and 2024.

An Earlier Television Adaptation Was Reportedly In Development

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Although Hostin said she spent six years attempting to have the books adapted, Entertainment Weekly reported in 2024 that Amazon Prime Video was developing a television version of “Summer on the Bluffs.” The publication reported that Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer was attached as an executive producer and could potentially star in the project.

No completed series has been released, and the current status of that earlier adaptation remains unclear. Hostin’s Fountain 0 agreement may represent a new route for the property, but neither she nor the studio has announced a finished movie or television series based on the trilogy.

The Author Licensed Her Stories And Likeness To Fountain 0

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Hostin signed the licensing agreement with Fountain 0 in August. The arrangement reportedly covers her intellectual property as well as the use of her image in AI-assisted productions. “To be able to bring my novels to life in movie and TV form, and actually have my image inserted in the productions, so that audiences can relate to me through my stories beyond my role as an author, is incredibly exciting to me,” she told Variety.

She added, “This entire generational innovation in filmmaking from Fountain 0 gives me confidence that AI can give me a way to both more fully develop, and more fully immerse myself in, [intellectual property] I have developed.”

Hostin also operates Roots & Wings Productions, the production company she launched in 2021. Her deal with Fountain 0 signals that she is continuing to pursue screen adaptations despite the setbacks she described. It also places her directly in the contentious debate over whether AI offers new opportunities to underrepresented creators or threatens the human artists who traditionally bring those projects to life.

Hawkins, Indiana isn’t exactly a place you’d want to take a vacation, is it? If you lived there, you’d probably be looking at selling up after the fifth or sixth supernatural incursion and disaster, right? Demogorgons, secret laboratories, alternate dimensions, giant monsters, and yet barely a flea market or local town fair to keep yourselves going. And yet, none of it has been enough to convince anyone to pack a suitcase and find somewhere considerably less cursed to call home.

The Stranger Things universe officially returns to Netflix today, September 17, with the second season of Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 now available to stream. The animated spin-off heads back to the winter of 1985 for another adventure featuring younger versions of Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max.

The gang is back at it, and so are the strange creatures lurking about their seemingly quaint town. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, mysterious “ghostly” apparitions and a swarm of hate sprites are wreaking havoc around Hawkins. The HIC must uncover the truth behind these paranormal events before a new gate to the Upside Down is ripped open. Upcoming episodes will see the gang return to familiar places, like Hawkins Middle School and the Palace Arcade.

Who Stars in ‘Tales from ’85’?

Tales From ’85 features a new voice cast. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven, Luca Diaz plays Mike, Benjamin Plessala voices Will, Braxton Quinney plays Dustin, Elisha “EJ” Williams voices Lucas, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (In Your Dreams) plays Max, Odessa A’zion (Hellraiser) as Nikki Baxter and Jeremy Jordan (Supergirl) as Steve Harrington. The cast also includes Janeane Garofalo, Lou Diamond Phillips, Brett Gipson, Alysia Reiner, and Robert Englund, while it comes from showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs), with original Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer serving as executive producers alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.

Netflix revealed when announcing the renewal that Season 1 debuted at No. 7 in its global Top 10 and ranked among the streamer’s 15 biggest animated series debuts. Netflix also reported that the five seasons of the original Stranger Things had accumulated 1.5 billion views by that point

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2 streams exclusively on Netflix.

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Release Date

April 23, 2026

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Netflix

Showrunner

Eric Robles

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Directors

Phil Allora, JJ Conway, Ben Choi

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Writers

ChatGPT, Dan Milano, Ray Utarnachitt, Jennifer Muro, Chad Quandt, Chris Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Jen Bardekoff, Joshua Pruett

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  Brooklyn Davey Norstedt

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Benny Blanco is less than a week away from his one-year wedding anniversary with Selena Gomez. Ahead of the occasion, the “Eastside” singer is opening up about his desire to become a father, saying he’s not afraid of the challenge. This comes after the record producer previously said becoming a father was next on the list.

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The 38-year-old record producer appeared on a September 2026 episode of Jenna Bush Hager‘s “Open Book” podcast to promote his new book, “F-uck Failure.” On the show, Blanco said he wants to become a father in the future and revealed why he’s “not afraid” of this potential major life change.

According to him, “Some of the negative things from my childhood are what helped me really get where I want to be and gave me the courage and bravery to do something different. He then said, “I’m not afraid. I mean, I of course want to be the best parent, the best partner. I’m excited when that day finally comes.”

From there, the musician admitted that he’s fully aware that his fatherhood journey won’t be perfect. He said, “I’m convinced that when that finally does happen, I am going to make mistakes, and that’s okay.”

Benny Said Failure Will Make His Child ‘Special’

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As the podcast appearance continued, Blanco shared his thoughts about someday becoming a father after his marriage to Gomez. Specifically, he discussed his views on failure and how it shapes people. He stated, “Failure in real life, that’s what’s going to make my kid, that’s what’s going to screw ‘em up a little, but that’s what’s going to make them special.”

Blanco continued, “I do think it’s important, because we all have those blemishes on our report card, but that’s what makes it look so good when you did have that blemish, and then you’re like, now I have an ‘A.’”  

Notably, Blanco’s comments come just days after he appeared on “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle,” where he also discussed fatherhood, saying he was “pressing” the idea of having children in his marriage to Gomez. He added, “I’m full-court press over here.”

The ‘Eastside’ Singer Has Spoken About Fatherhood On Multiple Occasions

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Blanco appeared on “The Howard Stern Show” in May 2024. During the conversation, he shared that becoming a father was one of his next goals.

He said, “It’s always a topic of conversation to me every day. That’s my next goal, to check the box. I have a ton of god-kids; I’ve got a ton of nephews. I love being around kids.” In that same interview, he talked about marriage, saying they were taking things “one day at a time.”

Blanco then said, “I just know that when I look at her, I just say, ‘I don’t know a world where it could be better than this.’ That’s what I always say to her.”

Later, in June 2025, the record producer spoke to InStyle, telling the outlet, “I love kids; I love being an uncle.” He continued, “I want to be a dad, though, God willing. I’m just dreaming and praying every day.”

Selena Gomez Has Been Open About Wanting Kids

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Like Blanco, Gomez has shared her desire to have children on multiple occasions, most recently during a March 2026 episode of the “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast. During a discussion about how many kids to have, the “Only Murders in the Building” star said, “I want four, but that’s out there.”

She continued, “Whatever happens, happens. If we’re only able to have one, none. I hope… we don’t know.” Before that, in March 2025, Gomez also discussed motherhood. According to her, “I don’t know what will happen, obviously, but I love children. I have an 11-year-old sister that I absolutely adore.”

She then said, “I love making [children] laugh; they’re just so sweet. So absolutely, when that day comes, I’m so excited for it.” Notably, according to ABC News, in September 2024, Gomez revealed that she’s unable to carry her own children due to medical complications. However, she’s open to other methods like adoption or surrogacy.

His New Book Was Recently Released

Simon & Schuster published Blanco’s new book, “F-ck Failure,” on September 15. The book includes personal experiences and offers advice on creativity, ambition, rejection, and learning from one’s mistakes.

Per the book’s description, “You want success? You gotta fail better. I fail constantly—small everyday failures and massive failures that last for years. I’ve learned a few tricks along the way, and all of them have to do with turning f*cking up into an art form.”

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Coi Leray and Benzino have definitely had their ups and downs, but through it all, Coi has made it clear that she still has plenty of love for her dad. During a recent interview, the rapper kept it real about working to rebuild their relationship and opened up about seeing Benzino step into grandpa mode now that she’s a mom to her baby girl, Miyoco.

RELATED: Grandpa’s Baby! Coi Leray Melts Hearts After Sharing Sweet Moment Between Benzino & Baby Miyoco (PHOTO) 

Coi Leray Gets Real About Rebuilding Her Bond With Benzino

The rapper didn’t hold back during her exclusive sit-down with Jason Lee. Coi Leray kept it real about motherhood, co-parenting with Trippie Redd, and reconnecting with her dad, Benzino. Coi explained that she created some distance between them early in her career because she already knew her dad had some history in the industry. Although she feels some of that baggage has followed her throughout her own journey, Coi refuses to let it define her.

“I also feel like whatever my dad was doing and whatever bridges he was burning, I never wanted that to affect me, and still to this day I think it has affected me,” she said.

Instead, she has focused on staying true to herself, carving out her own lane and keeping any baggage that comes with her dad from weighing her down.

“So, I just try to push through and be me and let everybody get to know me so I don’t have to be attached to any baggage,” Leray explained.

It’s All Love? Coi Spills On Forgiving Her Dad

When it comes to forgiving her dad, Coi explained that she’s leaving the past right where it belongs — in the past.

“I forgive my dad because, bruh, like I’m the breadwinner now in the family. I’m the one that’s holding it down, so I get it,” she said.

The ‘No More Parties’ hitmaker also admitted that she doesn’t understand why Benzino gets such a bad rap, especially because she sees him as a hardworking Black man who put his all into making it out of the trenches. Coi said she has a lot of admiration for her dad, too. And yes, she knows he stays showing off his abs on Instagram, but she loves seeing him pour into himself and stay consistent in the gym.

“My thing is people talk so bad about him, they’re like, ‘Oh, his neck, this, that and the third’ […] but what I see is a man that went through sooo much like, my dad is from the trenches,” she said.

Baby Miyoco Has Paw Paw Wrapped Around Her Finger

Fans have already seen a lil’ peek at Coi and Benzino’s growing bond as she continues to share sweet moments between him and her daughter, Miyoco. Back in July, Coi dropped an adorable photo on her Instagram Story showing Benzino fully in his grandpa bag while spending some quality time with baby Miyoco. Miyoco looked like she was living for every second of her quality time with her paw paw. Baby girl flashed a huge smile in the flick while holding up a ball in what appeared to be her play area.

RELATED: Coi Leray Reveals Where She Stands With Trippie Redd Following His Apparent Callout Over Not Seeing Their Daughter Miyoco (VIDEO) 

Fantasy as a genre is defined by the presence of magical and mystical elements. It can be as mundane as a version of our reality where one in every ten humans has the power to control one of the four elements, to as expansive as a secondary world populated by brave heroes, dark wizards, and ferocious monsters. Thus, it’s been a very common genre for literature, where authors are not limited by the constraints of reality and budgets like in television and film, and can let their imaginations run wild.

With how busy our lives can get these days, it can be hard to find the time to indulge in a little reading. Fortunately, there are a fair few fantasy books that, thanks to their digestible pros and gripping content, make the pages fly by over a couple of days.

‘After Hamelin’ (2000)

Image via Annick Press

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is one of the most famous European folk tales, but have you ever wondered what happened after the Piper lured away the town’s children? Bill Richardson explores this question through After Hamelin, which follows Penelope, the deaf child left behind in most versions of the story. With the aid of the village’s wise man, Penelope follows the piper into a magical world, where she discovers that there is much more to him than his hypnotic pipe than initially assumed.

The book is written for a younger audience, which makes it a pretty quick and easy read. That doesn’t mean it pulls any punches, however: there are plenty of dark and emotional moments that have permanent consequences for the characters. All of this is used to explore interesting themes of responsibility, the burden of one generation being passed to the next, and the power of imagination.

‘Dragon Princess’ (2014)

Image via DAW Books

One of the most classic and well-known tropes in fantasy is a hero rescuing a princess from a ferocious dragon. Author S. Andrew Swann decided to play around with it in his novel Dragon Princess, the first in a trilogy, that follows a thief named Frank who is hired by the royal wizard to play the part of the hero. Unfortunately, this was all part of an elaborate plan by the wizard and dragon to seize power, but Frank disrupts the wizard as he casts a spell, resulting in a magical mishap that sees Frank alone in the woods in the princess’ body.

This is the kind of book written by someone who has a true love of fantasy stories, and thus knows how to tweak and play with the classic tropes in just the right way. A lot of time and care is put into exploring how a world where magic rarely works as intended operates, and many of the twists are hilarious in how off the beaten path they are. Meanwhile, it also knows when to be serious, best seen through the book’s exploration of Frank’s body dysmorphia.

‘Phantastes’ (1858)

Image via Dover Publications

Many people like to call J. R. R. Tolkien the father of modern fantasy, but that title arguably belongs to George MacDonald. His works inspired authors such as Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll, the latter of whom he helped further by encouraging him to publish Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The book that best showcases MacDonald’s influence on the genre is Phantastes: A Faerie Romance, about a young man who finds his way into the land of the faeries and attempts to find his ideal personification of beauty.

Modern audiences might have a bit of a hard time adjusting to MacDonald’s style, but once acclimated, the book is nothing short of magical. Events and structure are based more around emotion than a classic three-act plot, with plenty of allegories and characters who embody certain aspects of the human psyche. This gives the book the atmosphere of moving through a lucid dream, especially as it changes alongside the protagonist’s ideals.

‘Tooth and Claw’ (2003)

Image via Orb Books

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you mixed dragons with a Victorian romance novel? The result is Tooth and Claw, which details the lives of a family of dragons shortly after the death of their patriarch. While his eldest son, Penn, is wracked with guilt after listening to his father’s final confession, another son, Avan, risks his reputation by trying to regain his stolen inheritance. Meanwhile, his younger daughters are separated from each other and forced to find their footings in a world that primarily sees them as future wives.

Tooth and Claw has all the witty banter, family crises, and navigation of rigid social classes that one would expect from a Victorian romance, but the fact that everyone is a dragon also allows for fantastic worldbuilding opportunities. It is customary for dragons to eat the deceased, for example, and scale color is used to mark a female’s position in society; gold scales for maidens, pink for expected brides, and red for mothers. It’s also got plenty of grim moments as well, such as serf dragons who have their wings constantly bound, tyrannical nobles being permitted to cull sickly hatchlings among their people, and if a female dragon’s scales turn pink, she is expected to marry the dragon who caused it regardless of their reputation.

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2015)

Image via Random House Worlds

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If you’ve ever wanted to try getting into George R. R. Martin‘s A Song of Ice and Fire series, but are put off either by its bleakness and or incomplete nature, consider checking out A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This omnibus combines three novellas—The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight—that are set 100 years before A Game of Thrones. They follow the adventures of the wandering hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his squire, Egg, as they are forced to deal with arrogant lords, dark conspiracies, and too many life or death situations.

Martin has always succeeded in creating characters who draw you in and keep you turning the pages, and Dunk is one of his strongest. He’s an honest protagonist who might not be the smartest person around, but he always tries to do what is right, even if it costs him dearly. His point of view also provides a more ground-level look at Westeros and how the commoners and lesser lords try to live their lives while the high lords play the game, all of which is brought to life through beautiful illustrations by Gary Gianni.

‘The Last Unicorn’ (1968)

Image via Ace Books

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Peter S. Beagle has had a very prolific career as a writer, from best-selling novels to the screenplay of Ralph Bakshi‘s The Lord of the Rings film and “Sarek,” an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. His best work, however, is his 1968 novel, The Last Unicorn, for which he also wrote the screenplay to its 1982 film adaptation. It follows a unicorn who ventures off into the world to find others of her kind, encountering unlikely allies and fearsome enemies along the way.

The beauty of The Last Unicorn is how casual and unapologetic it is about the fact that it is a fantasy book. Tropes such as evil uncles usurping their niece’s throne are baked into the bones of the world, and it’s not afraid of letting things be weird, like through butterflies that sing in riddles, and the existence of real-world mythologies like Robin Hood. Yet, amidst all of this, the story is also one of tremendous melancholy, as the unicorn’s immortal nature and the changes she must make to rescue her kind touch on themes of regret, the price of immortality, and the power of memory.

‘The Hobbit’ (1937)

Image via HarperCollins

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While grading papers one day, a bord Professor Tolkien wrote: “In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.” From this one line, he crafted the story of Bilbo Baggins, a respectable hobbit who is whisked away by the wizard Gandalf to join an expedition to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim it from the dragon Smaug. While originally intended as a one-off story for his kids, Tolkien eventually brought it into the greater legendarium he was writing, and would eventually write a sequel called The Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit has never been out of print since its publication, and has continued to delight and inspire readers and creatives alike. This is thanks to how well structured it is: the story is broken into easily digestible episodes that play out like an epic quest, born from Tolkien’s love of Germanic mythology and the epic poem Beowulf. Those familiar with The Lord of the Rings might find Middle-earth a tad more whimsical than expected, but it still has plenty of epic battles and hard-hitting themes about greed, corruption, and finding one’s courage in the darkest of times.

Ari Fletcher is making it clear she’s not here for the commentary when it comes to her role as a mother. The influencer recently found herself responding to a conversation about her son, Yosohn, and his relationship with his father, rapper G Herbo. And let’s just say…Ari had a few things to get off her chest.

RELATED: Okay! Internet Users Are Sharing Their Thoughts After Ari Fletcher Flexed Her New Whip! (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

Ari Fletcher Claps Back At Comments About Yosohn

This week, Ari hopped into the comments section of an Instagram post captured by Live Bitez after seeing folks weigh in on her and Herbo’s co-parenting situation. One user claimed, “I see him more with Herb than I do with Ari,” while another pushed back, writing, “No you don’t stop the cap.”

Ari then responded directly, making it clear she felt the comments had crossed a line. She wrote:

“Ho* no tf you don’t he get him for entertainment purposes don’t ever come at me as a mf parent ho I DO THIS MOM SHIT GET YALL LOW LIFE A** MISERABLE A** OUTTA HERE ALWAYS WORRYING ABOUT WTF I GOT GOING ON.”

Social Media Has Entered The Chat

Meanwhile, folks quickly ran to Live Bitez’s Instagram comment section and ran it up with reactions to Ari’s remarks. While some felt Herb caught a stray in the exchange, others suggested it’s possible Ari’s words were taken out of context and that there may be more to the situation than what made its way online.

One Instagram user @mellow.angel.u9r said, “Dang Herb really took that stray 😂”

This Instagram user @dremurro wrote, “Unprovoked disrespect fueled by a stranger. Yikes!”

And, Instagram user @thaats.drea commented, “Ari literally always has her son like I’m confused”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @queeen_reyes claimed, “That could mean he’s with her for school drs appts and daily things while he goes with his dad for vacations birthdays and holidays aka entertainment !? Dang ya so quick to run with a narrative 😭😅”

While Instagram user @plzstopbeingmessy shared, “Yoshon stays weeks at time at Herb house. And he has also taken him on family vacations. And visits him in ATL. Both of them love their son…”

Finally, Instagram user @toeshagreen added, “The internet be real bullies it’s sad”

Ari Fletcher Has Words For Her Parenting Critics

And if Ari’s latest clapback feels familiar, that’s because sis has been here before! Following the chatter surrounding her parenting, Ari took to X with a series of posts making one thing clear: watch your mouths when it comes to her son, Yosohn. The influencer addressed speculation about whether Yosohn lives with her, pushing back on folks who felt entitled to question her role as a mother. Ari also responded to criticism over not posting Yosohn’s first day of school, reminding social media that she doesn’t have to share every moment of her son’s life online just to prove she’s present.

RELATED: Ari Fletcher Shows Off Massive New Ring & Some Internet Users Can’t Stop Mentioning G Herbo & Taina Williams (VIDEOS)