President Donald Trump called for organizers of Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair concerts to “cancel” upcoming concerts due to artists dropping out.

“I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists,’ and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President,” Trump, 79, wrote via TruthSocial on Saturday, May 30.

Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC and Morris Day and the Time have all pulled out of scheduled shows at the 16-day festival in Washington D.C. celebrating America’s 250th birthday over organizer Freedom 250’s connections to the Trump administration.

Freedom 250 describes its events as “nonpartisan,” though its website mentions the White House and the Department of War among its “founding government members.” Freedom 250 also publicly counts multiple corporations with ties to Trump — including Palantir, UFC and Oracle — as sponsors.

“I would like to talk to you and clear the air. I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,” McBride, 59, announced via Instagram on Thursday, May 28.

Michaels, 63, alleged that he’d received threats over his involvement in Freedom 250 before deciding to cancel his show.

“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,” Michaels said in a statement via his website. “Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable. Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”

In the wake of multiple artist cancellations, Trump compared the Freedom 250 controversy to his troubled attempt to renovate and rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

A judge ruled on Friday, May 29, that Trump’s name should be removed from the Kennedy Center’s marquee, in addition to temporarily blocking a planned two-year closure for renovations. (The president later threatened to “transfer this failing Institution back” to the “Radical Left Democrats” to force them to take ownership of renovation costs and planning.)

“We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” Trump suggested. “Cancel it, just like I canceled my involvement with the failing and unsafe to be in Kennedy Center … The Kennedy Center is broken, unsafe, and $busted, and has been for many years!”

Prior to Trump’s statement, Freedom 250 spokesperson Julia Friedland addressed whether the festivities were truly nonpartisan during an appearance on DC News Now’s Sunrise on the Hill on Friday, May 29.

“I don’t think there’s anything partisan about America being around for 250 years … We have a history, obviously, but we have a president that wants to celebrate 250 years of America,” she insisted. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing. And that’s how it was sold to performers. We’ll have military bands, military ensembles as well. We will have representatives from every state and territory in the United States to come and represent their culture, what makes their state and territory unique.”

“So it sold the same way to everyone that we’re celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” she added. “We’ll have military bands, orchestras, talented performers. We will be announcing more in the coming weeks and days, and we will have something for everyone there.”

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Related: Musicians Drop Out of President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair

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The Great American State Fair appears to have some drama surrounding its lineup of performers. Hours after event organizers announced the initial lineup of special guests, speakers and performers for the 16-day national exposition, some booked musicians said they wanted no part in the event set to take place in Washington D.C. between June 25 […]

Asked whether artists were told about the White House’s involvement when they signed on, Friedland said, “I can’t speak to negotiations that were made for performers. But what I can say is we’re selling it the same way to every single person in this country. This is a celebration of America, 250 years, glorious years. It’s inherently nonpolitical.”

Not every concert booked for the Freedom 250 concerts has been cancelled, as headliners Vanilla Ice and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli have both promoted their involvement via social media amid the backlash.

“Happy birthday America 250 years. It’s gonna be an epic party,” Vanilla Ice, 58, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, May 28. “This is to bring us all together. I’m tired of all the news channels dividing this country. We are all one.”

Hockey fans around the world are mourning the loss of Claude Lemieux, the four-time Stanley Cup champion who died on May 28, 2026, at age 60.

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to Us Weekly that the NHL legend died by suicide at a family-owned furniture business in Florida — just three days after he was seen carrying the torch before a Montreal Canadiens playoff game.

Lemieux’s death has sent shockwaves through the hockey community, with tributes pouring in from former teammates and family members. Keep scrolling for everything to know:

Claude Lemieux’s Cause of Death

According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Lemieux was found dead inside the Andros Home showroom on the 200 block of North Congress Avenue in Lake Park, Florida, at 3:23 a.m. ET on May 28, 2026.

“The business was secured for evidence preservation/investigation by VCD Homicide,” the spokesperson told Us. “The victim is believed to be Claude Lemieux.”

Per the medical examiner, Lemieux died by suicide and was found “in the rear warehouse by his son.” His family reportedly became concerned when he didn’t return home, prompting one of his three adult sons to check on him. It has not been disclosed which son made the discovery. Lemieux — who hailed from Buckingham, Quebec — spent the final years of his life living in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Claude Lemieux’s Family Breaks Their Silence

Lemieux is survived by his second wife, Deborah — whom he married in the Bahamas in the mid-1990s — along with his four children: sons Michael and Christopher from his first marriage and son Brendan and daughter Claudia with Deborah.

Brendan was the first family member to publicly speak out. The athlete shared a recent photo with his father and his son, Luc, on Instagram.

“I love you dad!” Brendan wrote. “My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you.”

Claudia, who works as author Colleen Hoover’s assistant, broke her silence later that same day.

“No words to express the level of devastation we feel,” Claudia wrote via her Instagram Story. “I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl.”

Inside Claude Lemieux’s Iconic NHL Career

Lemieux played 21 seasons in the NHL from 1983 to 2009, suiting up for the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks. Known as both a fierce competitor and a clutch postseason performer, he won four Stanley Cup championships during his career.

In 1,215 regular season games, Lemieux tallied 379 goals and 407 assists, along with 1,777 penalty minutes. According to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Lemieux’s teams reached the playoffs for 15 straight seasons. His 234 postseason games rank sixth in league history, and his 80 career playoff goals rank ninth all time.

After retiring as a player, Lemieux transitioned into a successful career as a sports agent, representing top NHL talent including the Detroit Red Wings’ Moritz Seider, the Devils’ Timo Meier, the Boston Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm and Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen.

Claude Lemieux’s Final Public Appearance

Just three days before his death, Lemieux made an emotional return to Montreal’s Bell Centre on May 25, 2026, where he served as the torchbearer before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.

Claude Lemieux’s Family Plans to Donate His Brain for CTE Research

On Saturday, May 30, Lemieux’s family released a statement confirming that they plan to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center for research into “the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury.”

The Lemieuxs noted that their donation is “a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers.” (Per Mayo Clinic, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a neurodegenerative brain disease that is linked to repeated head injuries. While the condition is “rare and not well understood,” research has strongly linked CTE to athletes and combat veterans.)

“Claude dedicated his post-play career to helping the next generation,” his family said in a statement. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations, and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”

The family also briefly touched on speculation about the “circumstances of Claude’s death.”

“Suicide is complex, and the family asks media and the public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who lost him,” they asked.

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Details about a public memorial will be announced “at a later date,” according to the Lemieux family.

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

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

We turn on television comedies to laugh. And in this day and age, we search for things that we can get the best bang for our buck. While comedies will likely keep you laughing from start to finish, which shows actually have the most laughs per minute? While maybe not scientifically speaking, the 10 shows on this list have a high volume of jokes within their given runtime.

The comedies listed below are some of the greatest series thanks to their brilliant writing and top-tier acting. It’s through this dynamic combo that those jokes land and leave us wanting more. There’s a reason these shows with high joke counts also happen to be among the most rewatchable in television history. From workplace sitcoms to tear-inducing mockumentaries, these comedies will always be funny, no matter how many times you hear the jokes.

10

‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019)

Image via CBS

One of the most popular series to ever air on CBS is The Big Bang Theory. Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the series follows four socially awkward, genius scientists — Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) — and their free-spirited neighbor, Penny (Kaley Cuoco). Blending traditional sitcom comedy with geek culture, The Big Bang Theory delights by showing how these brilliant minds navigate romance, career ambitions, and everyday social situations. Utilizing the desire to keep the live studio audience howling, The Big Bang Theory‘s rapid-fire jokes set against the contrast of character types lead to the hilarity of the fish-out-of-water dynamic.

Though the show may be a bit cringeworthy in the early seasons due to the kinds of jokes the writers went for, it never deterred the devoted fan base from tuning in. Running for 12 seasons and launching three spin-off shows, The Big Bang Theory‘s comedy experiment resulted in profound success. The Big Bang Theory may have been niche, but to the fans who got it, they never stopped laughing. In the age of the beauty-and-geek genre, The Big Bang Theory played on those tropes, and the audience related to the situations. At the end of the day, the appeal was how geek and nerd culture would be infused into the comedy.

9

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

Image via NBC

The epitome of ’90s comedy was Friends. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, Friends followed six close-knit twenty-somethings — Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), her roommate Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), Monica’s brother Ross (David Schwimmer), his friend Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), his roommate Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc), and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow). Across 10 beloved seasons, Friends chronicled their lives as they navigated love, professional careers, and growing up. Each episode featured a litany of hilarious jokes, humorous situations, and quotable lines that proved Friends simply dominated in the comedy department.

Friends used accessibility to capture relatable work woes, dating anxieties, and ordinary moments of adulting into rapid-fire laughs. With six very distinct characters, they each had their own humorous vocabulary that worked individually, as well as as a unit. Friends flourished with high-octane one-liners and situations, many of which led to iconic catchphrases. If someone were to mention words such as “pivot” or “unagi,” Friends will pop into your mind. Say “we were on a break,” and once again, it’s Friends. These bits became permanent fixtures in the comedy hall of fame. Not many comedies can be quoted at such a frequency as Friends. That’s a mark of successful humor.

8

‘Angie Tribeca’ (2016–2018)

Image via TBS

If you’ve reached this entry and are perplexed as to why you never heard of this show, it’s understandable. Angie Tribeca was a TBS show, so there’s that. But once you watch, you’ll be sorely disappointed that you missed a perfectly hilarious comedy. Created by Steve and Nancy Carell (yes, you read that right), Angie Tribeca follows Rashida Jones in the titular role. A lone-wolf veteran of the LAPD’s RHCU, or Really Heinous Crimes Unit, Angie, her partner J. Geills (Hayes MacArthur), and her squad investigate ridiculous, highly specific crimes, ranging from the murder of a ventriloquist to a string of baker suicides. Avoiding realistic police work in favor of pure, unadulterated silliness, Angie Tribeca paired its high-energy pacing with whip-smart writing and deadpan delivery.

Angie Tribeca was a parody police procedural in the same vein as The Naked Gun. In that capacity, everything was meant to be a joke. From names to observational humor, Angie Tribeca was a non-stop laugh riot. The high density of jokes was intentional as the writers jam-packed the script with wit through sight gags, puns, and absurdity. The thing about this style of comedy is that there are jokes that will not reach everyone on time, so when they land, it might be because you’re on a 10-second joke delay. That’s just a notch into the brilliance of the writing. A sincerely underrated comedy, Angie Tribeca deserves to be in the same conversation as the other single-cam greats of the time.

7

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Image via FOX

During the golden age of single-camera workplace comedies, one of the top-tier entries came from Dan Goor and Michael Schur. That show was Brooklyn Nine-Nine. A star vehicle for Saturday Night Live alumni Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows the eccentric, lovable, and diverse group of detectives working in the fictional 99th Precinct in Brooklyn. The show centers around the dynamic between Detective Jake Peralta (Samberg), a brilliant but immature and carefree hotshot, and Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher), a stern, no-nonsense commanding officer on a mission to whip the precinct into shape. Featuring a large ensemble of eccentric characters, Brooklyn Nine-Nine brilliantly subverted sitcom and police tropes, balancing fast-paced humor with genuinely heartwarming ensemble chemistry.

With many cop programs going the dark and gritty route, Brooklyn Nine-Nine flipped that around for a colorful and ridiculous romp. The cops spend as much time solving crimes as they do playing office pranks and simply being immature. That’s the draw and allure of the sitcom. As one of the wordiest comedies around, Brooklyn Nine-Nine relied heavily on witty banter and endless humor to keep the comedy alive. Brooklyn Nine-Nine never punched down. The workplace setting saw the co-workers largely as equals, showing respect and support despite their ribbing. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which ran for eight seasons, was unique in that it gave its characters room to grow, avoiding the trap of being stuck in an archetype box. Through that, the humor evolved, keeping the comedy fresh.

6

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

The world of sitcoms changed when multi-camera shows gave way to single-camera series. In exchange for laugh tracks and a live studio audience came dry humor that relied on the audience to decide when they wanted to laugh. Perhaps the most beloved and iconic example of this was The Office. Based on the British version created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the Greg Daniels-adapted series followed the daily lives of the employees at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’s Scranton branch. Across nine dynamic seasons, The Office captures the hilarious workplace dynamics, awkward romances, and cringe-worthy encounters led by their highly inappropriate but well-meaning boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Boasting one of the greatest large ensembles, The Office masterfully balanced absurdity and laugh-out-loud humor with heartfelt moments and genuine relationships. The Office took the mundane and made it hilarious.

What the series did excruciatingly well was take the smallest moments and turn them into the biggest events. In turn, it led to comedy unlike anything you’d seen before. The mockumentary style gave way to cringe humor through its filming style. Through the interview-style format, the characters had the freedom to narrate the action and allow their true feelings to emerge. Whether it’s nervously checking in to see if anyone else is in on the absurdity or simply fueling the fire of the awkwardness, The Office‘s unique style allowed for laughs beyond the actual situation. Between recurring bits, including Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Dwight Schrute’s (Rainn Wilson) endless prank war, the bumbling antics of Kevin Malone (Brian Baumgartner), or just how ridiculous office romances can get, The Office was never afraid to go to extremes, even when it was intended to make you uncomfortable. The cinéma vérité format became a television game-changer that we’re forever grateful for.

5

‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2006, 2013–2019)

Image via Fox

Fish-out-of-water stories are often perfect entries into hilarity. They’re made even better when it’s paired with a schadenfreude appeal. The Bluths were a family that was created for you to laugh at their misfortunes. That’s what made Arrested Development so great. Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, the satirical sitcom follows the formerly wealthy, wildly dysfunctional Bluth clan. When the family patriarch, George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), is sent to prison for white-collar fraud, it’s up to his level-headed son Michael (Jason Bateman) to take over the family’s faltering real estate business while keeping his incredibly self-absorbed family in line and out of trouble. Relying heavily on complex, interconnected storylines, recurring bits and gags, and absolutely insane situations, Arrested Development balanced documentary-style visual gags with multi-layered humor to capture the flaws that only we could laugh at.

During its initial FOX run, Arrested Development was a product of its time, but when it made the move to Netflix, the series had more freedom to explore and play. It even experimented with an entire season in which you could binge the episodes in any order, in which everything is connected, but how you consumed it led to a different delivery of humor. It was through those risks that Arrested Development stood out as a titan of comedy. What Arrested Development flourished with was its characters and the brilliant acting company that portrayed them. Save for Bateman’s Michael, who served as the story’s straight man, nearly every word that the characters uttered was unintentionally hilarious. From the quote machine that was Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) to the clueless GOB (Will Arnett), the physical humor out of Buster (Tony Hale) to the cringeness of Tobias Fünke (David Cross), Arrested Development shone through character work. As one of the greatest shows for callbacks, Arrested Development set the tone for the century. You simply cannot stop smiling while watching this show.

4

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Image via NBC

The combined forces of Greg Daniels and Michael Schur gave the world one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Parks and Recreation. The hit series follows the eccentric and perfectly optimistic Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), who serves as the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Leading a quirky team of less-than-enthusiastic coworkers, Parks and Recreation crafted a brilliant world filled with colorful characters who favor warmth over cringe. Layered with running gags and distinct dynamics, Parks and Recreation was, and still is, a breath of fresh air in the world of comedy.

A great sitcom rewards its viewers. Parks and Recreation did that and then some. The sharply written sitcom literally allows its fans to “treat yo self.” Between Andy Dwyer’s (Chris Pratt) recurring Burt Macklin and the infamous Lil Sebastian, Parks and Recreation rewards its viewers with continuity that gets funnier over time. As far as characters are concerned, each individual has their own quirks, so when they find themselves next to someone different, a specific dynamic is formed. And each dynamic is uniquely funny. Leslie and Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) couldn’t be more opposite, but as a duo, they bring out some of the best comedic moments. Then, pair Ron with April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza), and their eerily too similar dry wit becomes equally hilarious. A wonderfully endearing workplace comedy, Parks and Recreation sparks joy as it leaves you laughing.

3

‘New Girl’ (2011–2018)

Image via Fox

This one might surprise you, but if the unscientific survey from The Atlantic is accurate, New Girl is packed with quite a few jokes per minute. Perhaps a more wholesome and real-world accurate comedy, New Girl’s humor resonates in a manner that reflects reality. Brought to life by Elizabeth Meriweather, New Girl follows Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel), a quirky, bubbly teacher who moves into a Los Angeles loft with three single guys after her bad breakup. Sharing a home with cynical bartender Nick Miller (Jake Johnson), over-the-top marketing professional Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and highly competitive athlete-turned-cop Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris), Jess and the boys form an unlikely bond as they navigate careers, dating, and adulthood side-by-side. Through a wonderful blend of absurd physical comedy, emotional vulnerability, and fast-paced humor, New Girl captures a core cast of characters that teach us to embrace eccentricities.

New Girl is a celebration of a found family. This helps to elevate the humor of the series. They may not be blood-related, but they certainly can rip and rib on one another for a laugh. After you’ve cried your eyes out from laughter, once the tear ducts have been replenished, you’ll weep at just how genuine they are, pulling at your heartstrings in the process. The roommates in Loft 4D are completely unhinged in their own special way, but together, they complete a perfectly quirky puzzle. The contrasting personalities often led to hilarious friction. Through that friction, brazen hijinks helped the show run for seven triumphant seasons. New Girl is proof that modern-day non-mockumentary style shows can flourish without a laugh track.

2

‘Cunk on Earth’ (2022)

©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

And now for something a little bit different. When it comes to history, it’s not necessarily meant to be funny, but with Philomena Cunk at the helm, you’ll be left laughing until the episode ends. Created by Charlie Brooker and starring Diane Morgan, the brilliant Cunk on Earth is a satirical mockumentary that uses its five episodes to parody historical documentaries. Hosted by the delightfully clueless and deliciously deadpan journalist Cunk, Cunk on Earth traces the entire history of human civilization while interviewing real-life experts who must be prepared to answer a litany of absurd, wildly uninformed questions. With non-stop sight gags, literal interpretations, rapid-fire gimmicks, and one-liners that will leave you breathless, Cunk on Earth asks the questions you were too afraid to.

Though mockumentary-style sitcoms have filled the airwaves, this one spins the perspective and makes the documentarian the butt of the joke. Cunk on Earth makes you ponder which is more significant, the Renaissance or Beyoncé. You’re forced to wonder if Jesus Christ was the first victim of cancel culture. And Cunk will beg for an answer on whether or not King Arthur came a lot. Cunk on Earth gets you cackling as the experts are rendered baffled. Mirroring a BBC documentary — sweeping, lush landscapes, drone shots, and all — Cunk on Earth features razor-sharp writing with a standout performance that has left fans eager for more.

1

’30 Rock’ (2006–2013)

Image via NBC Universal

Leave it to one of the greatest writers of Saturday Night Live to deliver the most jokes per minute of any comedy. 30 Rock proves that a satirical surrealist sitcom is what audiences desperately crave. Created and starring Tina Fey, the hit seven-season favorite follows the chaotic behind-the-scenes production of a fictional sketch comedy series. Inspired by her time at SNL, Liz Lemon must handle the eccentric lineup of writers, actors, and executives while managing her own messy personal life. With rapid-fire humor, physical gags, and meta pop culture references, 30 Rock‘s dialogue, physical humor, and visual gags have made it a relentlessly absurd satire with nonstop laughs.

Between Liz’s self-deprecating tone set against the brazen egos of our counterparts, 30 Rock‘s comedy aims to get its viewers cracking up at literally everything. And if you’re not laughing out loud, you’re likely smirking, groaning, or rolling your eyes in delight. As one of the strongest written comedies of the 21st century, 30 Rock‘s eclectic mix of callbacks, absurd cutaways, and classic comedy set it apart from anything else that was on the air. Though it may be a tad uncouth by today’s standards, it’s due to the sheer brilliance the writers took with risky humor and on-the-nose observations. Many shows have attempted to replicate 30 Rock‘s immense success, but none have ever come close.

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30 Rock

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Release Date

2006 – 2013-00-00

Showrunner

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Robert Carlock

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We love white and pink, too, but let’s be real: they lean basic. If you want a summery pop of color that’s equally luxe yet much more unique, Jennifer Lopez has the solution. Her sunny yellow dress style screams ‘rich mom,’ and we found the expensive look for just $40 on Amazon!

Instead of fussing with structured waistlines and stiff fabrics, Lopez showed up in Las Vegas wearing a loose maxi dress in a fresh, fun, summer-friendly color. While J.Lo’s $9,190 Chloé design is definitely an investment, it’s possible to recreate the classy, comfy look without spending thousands, thanks to this budget-friendly lookalike.

Get the Wenrine Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Wenrine Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress has the same sunny energy and drapey, boho-inspired silhouette that Lopez went with for her Meet & Greet. It even has adjustable spaghetti straps to tweak the fit, and features a flattering square neckline and pleated detailing for an elevated touch. Plus, there are real, functional pockets.

Related: Gwyneth Paltrow Wore This Crisp Shirtdress Style in Italy — The Look

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Packing for a vacation is hard, but Gwyneth Paltrow makes it incredibly easy. In fact, her latest sundress style is so crisp and breezy, it works for travel, errands and in-office days alike. With a white base, airy fabric and just enough structure, it’s a Paltrow-approved style that needs to be part of your new […]

This vibrant sundress is also lightweight, breathable and wrinkle-resistant, which means you can pack it in a carry-on and toss it on without ironing. It’s a dress that works for beach club lunches, rooftop dinners and long walks through European piazzas, if that’s your thing.

Although this chic dress recently dropped on Amazon, it’s already amassing a fanbase. One happy shopper wrote, “I would give this dress a 10/5 if I could, it’s that good! It’s cute, flowy, flattering, and so feminine . . . This dress is perfect for an upscale summer dinner or a night walking along the beach. I can’t wait to wear it on my cruise because it feels like the ideal vacation dress!”

Another five-star reviewer shared, “The fabric is lightweight and flowy, the fit is super comfortable and the dress’s shape is flattering for so many body types.”

Toss on a stack of gold bangles and some woven flat sandals for daytime, then swap in strappy heels and a clutch when the sun goes down. This breezy piece reads high-end without requiring a single luxury label, and we can thank J.Lo for the inspiration.

Get the Wenrine Spaghetti-Strap Maxi Dress for $40 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other summer dresses and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

The 2020s have been an interesting period when it comes to animated shows. Following the second golden age of the 2010s, this decade has seen a shift nearly exclusively to streaming services over network television, resulting in fewer seasons to fit with binge-watching. That said, streaming companies have been putting a fair bit of money into their production, and some have even picked up shows that began life from independent creators on the internet.

The last five years have seen the release of a fair few high-quality shows, in particular. Praises have been given for their stellar writing and, of course, the animation, which tends to be as varied as the creativity behind each show.

10

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

Image via HBO Max

The interstellar cargo ship Demeter 227 crash-lands on the alien planet Vesta. The surviving crew members are scattered from one another and must make their way towards the wrecked ship while looking for one another. However, the planet’s wildlife proves to be as complex and deadly as it is varied and beautiful.

Scavengers Reign more than succeeds in transporting the audience to an alien planet thanks to its gorgeous animation, which makes you feel like you’re watching a nature documentary at times due to the intricate details and lush colors that bring the environment to life. It’s also an effective survival mystery, especially when the characters are separated and doing what they can to stay alive. Sadly, the show wasn’t picked up after it hopped from HBO to Netflix, but what we did get is still a solid example of 2020s animation.

9

‘Inside Job’ (2021–2022)

Image via Netflix

While the rest of the world goes about their lives in ignorance, a collection of shadow organizations that represent every major conspiracy secretly controls everything. One group is Cognito, Inc., based in Washington DC, whose job is to cover up conspiracies and manipulate global events to suit the shadow government’s plans. Their primary team is led by Dr. Reagan Ridley (Lizzy Caplan), the brilliant but socially awkward daughter of Cognito’s co-founder, Randall (Christian Slater), who is partnered with good-looking yes man Brett Hand (Clark Duke) to lead her dysfunctional teammates.

Inside Job combines the comedy found in an office sitcom with every single conspiracy theory you can think of. The result is one of the funniest shows to come from Netflix, with lots of fast-paced jokes, plenty of social commentary, and characters with strong personalities and dynamics. Sadly, it fell victim to Netflix’s habit of canceling shows early, meaning that it ended with more than a few cliffhangers.

8

‘Long Story Short’ (2025–Present)

Image via Netflix

Meet the Schwoopers, a middle-class family made up of Elliot Cooper (Paul Reiser), his wife Naomi Schwartz (Lisa Edelstein), and their kids Avi (Ben Feldman), Shira (Abbi Jacobson), and Yoshi (Max Greenfield). Like any family, their lives go through numerous periods of ups and downs, especially as the kids grow older, become more independent, and start families of their own. To the viewer, their story is told out of chronological order, allowing them to see how some events have a habit of returning years later.

Long Story Short comes from the mind of BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, and contains much of the same clever wordplay and relatability that made that show so beloved. It’s easy to relate to the Schwoopers because, at some point in our lives, we’ve been in one of their shoes, whether it’s standing up for ourselves or trying to navigate awkward life situations. It also helps that the characters in Long Story Short are really well constructed, with realistic flaws and strengths, and dialogue that sounds exactly like what you’d expect a dysfunctional family to say.

7

‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022–Present)

Image via Netflix

Set in the same dystopian universe as the video game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners became one of the biggest animated hits of the decade almost overnight. The acclaimed animated cyberpunk series follows David Martinez, a gifted but struggling teenager living in Night City, whose life spirals after a personal tragedy pushes him into the violent world of mercenaries known as edgerunners. Alongside the netrunner Lucy, David becomes consumed by cybernetic enhancements and survival in a city that destroys almost everyone who dares to dream big.

Edgerunners‘ hyper-stylized animation immediately made it stand out among Netflix’s catalog. It’s chaotic, explosive, and downright disturbing at times. The spectacle never overpowers the underlying tragic story, however, which is surprisingly emotionally devastating as the main characters’ arcs and relationships are fully fleshed out.

6

‘X-Men ’97’ (2024–Present)

Image via Disney+

One year after Professor Charles Xavier’s (Ross Marquand) near-assassination, his X-Men struggle to keep his dream of a world where humans and mutants co-exist peacefully alive. They face obstacles from the UN, which has sanctioned the X-Men, and an increase in anti-mutant groups. Most shocking of all, the X-Men learn that Xavier’s will specifies that everything he owned, including the X-Men and his school, now belongs to his old friend Magneto (Matthew Waterson).

X-Men ’97 is a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, one of the best superhero shows ever made, and it proves itself a worthy successor. It keeps the original’s mix of superhero action and effective melodrama while also updating the visuals to match the fact that its audience has grown up. This allows the show to get even darker and bloodier in places than the original series while not smothering its identity.

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‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

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The Kingdom of Tal’Dorei is beset by a new threat that has wiped out numerous experienced adventuring parties. Thus, the realm turns to Vox Machina, consisting of the half-giant Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham), human Percival de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe), half-elves Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien), and Keyleth (Marisha Ray), and gnomes Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson) and Scanlan Shorthalt (Sam Riegel). Though at first glance they seem like a dysfunctional band of assholes and screw-ups, they are given the chance to rise to the occasion as greater threats emerge.

The Legend of Vox Machina takes all the laughs and epic moments found in Critical Role‘s famous live-plays of Dungeons & Dragons and brings them to life with a beautiful mix of 2D and 3D animation. Vox Machina keeps all the major beats from the campaign while changing things here and there, either to get rid of copyrighted material or streamline it for a television series. The result is a fun, epic fantasy show that doesn’t shy away from blood and guts, while also containing complex characters and some of the best dragon designs in fantasy TV.

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‘The Mighty Nein’ (2025–Present)

Image via Prime Video

East of Tal’Dorei, on the continent of Wildemount, a war is brewing between the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty following the theft of a Kryn artifact called the Luxon Beacon. Beauregard Lionett (Marisha Ray) of the Cobalt Soul does some investigating and learns that the theft of the beacon is tied to Trent Ikithon (Mark Strong), the Empire’s archmage. She runs into six other individuals: Fjord (Travis Willingham), a sailor with mysterious powers; Caleb (Liam O’Brien), a former pupil of Trent’s now on the run; Nott the Brave (Sam Riegel), a goblin thief; Jester (Laura Bailey), a mischievous cleric to an unknown god; Mollymauk Tealeaf (Taliesin Jaffe), a flamboyant fortune-teller with an unknown past; and Yasha (Ashley Johnson), a deadly barbarian known as the Orphan Maker.

The Mighty Nein has longer episodes than The Legend of Vox Machina, which goes a long way in improving the storytelling and character work. Scenes can have more time to breathe between the action set pieces, which results in deeper character moments. The show is also much darker than its sister series, with more emphasis on complex politics than high fantasy adventures, and plenty of gruesome deaths and horrific experiments that lead to a good dose of body horror.

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‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)

Image via Netflix

Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and her younger sister Powder (Mia Sinclair Jenness and Ella Purnell) lost their parents when the undercity of Zaun tried to rebel against the oppressive metropolis of Piltover, and were taken in by Vander (JB Blanc), one of the leaders of the resistance. Years later, they steal a magic crystal from an up-and-coming inventor named Jayce (Faustino Duran and Kevin Alejandro), which starts a chain reaction that sees Vi arrested and Powder falling in with Silco (Jason Spisak), Vander’s former partner, turned a ruthless crime baron. Meanwhile, Jayce teams up with the equally brilliant but physically frail Viktor (Edan Hayhurst and Harry Lloyd), and the two work towards the creation of new technology that harnesses arcane power.

Arcane‘s first season received near-universal acclaim, and while the second season was more divisive, it wasn’t enough to take from the show’s highest highs. Even people who have never heard of League of Legends found themselves enamored by the rich worldbuilding and complex character writing, with highlights being seen in the falling out between Vi and Powder (now called Jinx), Jayce’s attempts to keep to his original vision as he is pulled into the ugly world of politics, and Silco’s dilemma between Zaun independence and his growing fatherly love for Jinx. The animation is also stellar, lending itself to intense emotional moments between characters and stylistic action sequences.

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‘The Amazing Digital Circus’ (2023–Present)

Image via Glitch Productions

While exploring an abandoned building, a woman puts on a video-game helmet and finds her consciousness transported into a jester’s body in the Amazing Digital Circus, a virtual world run by an AI named Caine (Alex Rochon). He gives her the name Pomni (Lizzie Freeman) since she has forgotten her original, and introduces her to other humans stuck in the circus: a friendly ragdoll named Ragatha (Amanda Hufford); a depressed ribbon with comedy and tragedy masks named Gangle (Marissa Lenti); a person made up of interchangeable parts named Zooble (Ashley Nichols); a cynical cartoon rabbit named Jax (Michael Kovach); and an eccentric and forgetful chess piece named Kinger (Sean Chiplock). To prevent themselves from abstracting into glitch-like monsters like previous players, the humans go along with numerous adventures created by Caine, while also hoping to find a way out.

The Amazing Digital Circus began as a pilot posted on YouTube, but quickly gained traction thanks to its high quality, and Netflix picked up the show for streaming. Despite its bright colors and silly aesthetic, the show is a dark, existential character study inspired by I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, with plenty of deep moments that strip the characters down to the marrow of their being. It’s still got plenty of humor in between these moments, thankfully, which helps maintain a sense of levity.

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‘Invincible’ (2021–Present)

Image via Prime Video

Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) is a young man living in a world dominated by superheroes and monsters, who has just inherited superpowers from his father, Nolan (J. K. Simmons), who is a powerful alien called a Viltrumite. Mark dubs himself Invincible and becomes a crime fighter himself, though he quickly discovers that it’s a lot more dangerous than his dad makes it seem. Speaking of Nolan, he becomes the subject of investigation by Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins), director of the Global Defense Agency, after he was found to be the only survivor of a massacre of the Earth’s best heroes, the Guardians of the Globe.

Invincible is both an homage and a satire to superhero tropes that explores how terrifying a world full of heroes, villains, and monsters would be. It goes all out during its action sequences, displaying immense levels of brutality with mass destruction and gore, which really hammers home the sheer power on display. Character-wise, lots of time is given to showing the stress of this lifestyle, especially as the stakes escalate, which leads to phenomenal vocal performances from Yeun, Simmons, and Sandra Oh as Mark’s human mother, Debbie.

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Invincible

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Release Date

March 26, 2021

Network

Amazon Prime Video

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Late NHL star Claude Lemieux’s family confirmed that they will donate his brain for research into the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

“Claude was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate. To the hockey world, he was one of the game’s most unforgettable competitors: a four-time Stanley Cup champion, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and one of the great playoff performers of all time,” his family said in a statement on Saturday, May 30. “To his family, he was more than a hero: he was loyal, loving, funny, protective, and generous. He was stubborn, and he was completely devoted to the people he loved. He was adored by his family in turn.”

Their statement continued, “Claude was a passionate man. He brought that passion to the rink, to his work, to his friendships, and most of all to his family. He was fierce on the ice because he cared so deeply about winning, about his teammates, and about never giving less than everything he had. Away from the game, he was tender, loyal and full of life. He made us laugh, he showed up for us, and he loved his children and grandchildren with his whole heart.”

Claude’s death was confirmed to Us Weekly by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday, May 28. Lemieux died by suicide at age 60 and his body was found by one of his sons at a Florida warehouse.

His death stunned the sports world as Lemieux appeared as a torchbearer at the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal on Monday, May 25.

As part of Saturday’s statement, the Lemieux family announced that they would donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center for research into “the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury.”

(Per Mayo Clinic, CTE is a brain disease that is linked to repeated head injuries, which can cause “the death of nerve cells in the brain.” The clinic notes that CTE is “rare and not well understood” but it is frequently associated with athletes or combat veterans.)

“Claude dedicated his post-play career to helping the next generation,” his family said on Saturday. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations, and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”

The Lemieuxs said they consider their donation to the Boston University CTE Center to be “a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers.” Their statement also addressed speculation about the “circumstances of Claude’s death.”

“Suicide is complex, and the family asks media and the public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who lost him,” they asked.

The family confirmed that details about a memorial service will be released “at a later date.”

Related: Was Claude Lemieux Related to Mario Lemieux? Breaking Down His Family Tree

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The NHL world was rocked by the sudden death of hockey legend Claude Lemieux by apparent suicide at age 60. “The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the greatest big-game Players in hockey history,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement on Thursday, […]

Saturday’s statement was released first by Brendan Lemieux, who was previously the first member of the family to break their silence about Claude’s death. (Claude and his wife, Deborah, shared four children: sons Christopher, Michael and Brendan as well as daughter Claudia.)

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“I love you dad!” Brendan, 30, wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you ♥️.”

His sister, Claudia, shared her own emotional memorial post that same day, writing via Instagram, “No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl 💔”

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

In the second half of 2026, Dwayne Johnson is cooking up a storm in theaters, with a pair of big family-friendly blockbusters on their way. First, on July 10, 2026, the long-awaited live-action Moana remake sets sail, with Johnson starring as Maui alongside Catherine Laga’aia as the titular daughter of Motunui’s chief. Marking the directorial debut of Thomas Kail, who is a Tony winner for his work on Hamilton, this musical is not to be missed, especially considering the inclusion of music from Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Opetaia Foa’i.

Johnson will then follow that with an exciting Christmas treat, as Jumanji 3 premieres on December 25, after previously being scheduled for December 11. Johnson will re-team with Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black for his sequel to 2019’s Jumanji: The Next Level, which also stars Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Marin Hinkle, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris, and Rhys Darby. To help get you in the mood for Johnson’s next big-budget projects, one of his lesser-spotted action flicks is about to be available to stream for free.

The film in question is Empire State, a straight-to-DVD release that debuted in 2013 and starred Johnson as a veteran NYPD officer who is tasked with investigating a huge heist. In fact, the movie is based on the true story of a 1982 armored car company robbery in New York City, which is colloquially known as the “Sentry Armored Car Courier Company theft.” The film, directed by Dito Montiel (Fighting), starred Johnson alongside an eye-catching cast, which included Liam Hemsworth, Emma Roberts, Nikki Reed, Chris Diamantopoulos, James Ransone, Shenae Grimes, and Jerry Ferrara. If an easy-viewing action flick is what you want, then you’re in luck, as Empire State will be available to stream for free on Plex starting June 1, 2026.

‘Empire State’ Failed to Make an Impact Upon Release

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Although it received a small theatrical run consisting of an international release in three countries and under $200,000 in total ticket sales, it was always hoped that Empire State would earn back its reported $11 million production budget via DVD and VOD sales. Sadly, the film only made roughly $4 million, rendering it a flop both commercially and critically, with reviewers scoring the film terribly upon release.

Empire State will be available to stream on Plex starting June 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

September 3, 2013

Runtime

94 minutes

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Director

Dito Montiel

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Writers

Adam Mazer

Producers

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George Furla, Randall Emmett, Sandy Kyrkostas

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Styles come and go, but a sleek black bag isn’t going anywhere. Just ask Nicole Kidman, who proved that the right black crossbody goes beyond trends, and makes any outfit appear expensive. Her exact bag is in the five-figure price range, but we found the look for just $23 — and it’s selling out.

Kidman arrived at a pre-Met Gala dinner looking like she stepped out of a Parisian fashion magazine. Her all-black getup was classy, but the real scene-stealer was her Chanel 2.55 purse. This $23 black crossbody bag similarly has quilted fabric, a gold chain, rectangular silhouette and structured top flap, however, it might be even more versatile than Kidman’s.

Get the Sg Sugu Quilted Crossbody Bag for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

What’s clever about this Amazon lookalike is the chain itself. Wear it long, and you’ve got Kidman’s crossbody vibe. But if you loop it shorter, this pick suddenly turns into a chic shoulder bag that sits at the hip. No matter how you carry it, the gold-tone chain and hardware accents give the bag that glinting, luxe quality you’d expect from an expensive designer.

Related: Katie Holmes‘ Crocodile Leather Tote Bag Is Perfect for Long Commutes

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Work bags have a reputation for being boring, but Katie Holmes proved that the right one can totally steal the show — even when you’re rocking purple jeans. The star’s crocodile leather tote look is equally ideal for boardrooms, airplanes and brunches, and we found the expensive style on sale for just $33. In early […]

Made with buttery-smooth vegan leather, this mini purse can resist scratches and tears with ease. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to wipe clean. One fan shared, “I’ve had this purse for two years now and it’s in the same amazing quality [as when] I first bought it.”

Another shopper said that the bag “has the feel and aesthetic of a Chanel bag” and that the strap “gives it an elevated feel while adding a little sparkle to a plain dress.” They even shared that they “couldn’t be more obsessed, and want it in more colors!”

The interior is just as noteworthy, featuring a spacious main compartment with organization for cards, as well as a clasp to keep everything secure.

Kidman’s Met Gala appearance was a reminder that the richest moms aren’t chasing trends, but rather collecting capsule pieces that never go out of fashion. This quilted bag style has been a wardrobe anchor for decades, and with Kidman’s stamp of approval, it’ll be just as chic for decades to come.

Get the Sg Sugu Quilted Crossbody Bag for $23 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other crossbody bags and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!