Celebrate the last weekend of May by traveling around the world in style or even going to the moon.

Impossible? Not if you are subscribed to Netflix or Apple TV. Those streamers just dropped new seasons and shows that will allow you to travel thousands of miles without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Watch With Us highly recommends streaming the latest season of The Four Seasons, Netflix’s hit dramedy starring Tina Fey, Colman Domingo and some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

In need of something more adventurous? Swing to Prime Video’s new Spider-Man series, Spider-Noir, with Nicolas Cage as the titular, fedora-wearing hero, or launch yourself toward Star City to see what it would be like if Russians had landed on the moon first.

It wouldn’t be a Watch With Us binge-watch list without a murder mystery series, and Netflix delivers yet another hit in the genre with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 2.

‘The Four Seasons’ Season 2 — Netflix

When Steve Carell leaves a TV show, they usually go downhill in his absence. Just look at the later seasons of The Office or the last few seasons of The Morning Show if you don’t believe me. But season 2 of The Four Seasons not only bucks that trend, it also upends it as the hit Netflix series is even better without Carell’s sad-sack character, Nick.

In case you missed the season 1 finale, Nick died, and as season 2 opens, his six friends — including his ex-wife, Anne (Kerry Kenney-Silver), and very pregnant girlfriend, Ginny (Erika Henningsen) — are still dealing with processing their grief. Jack (Will Forte), Nick’s best friend, is taking it the hardest, and it’s causing a rift in his once-solid marriage to Kate (Fey).

Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani) are having problems, too — they debate the merits of adopting a child and how it could change their lives. The Four Seasons sets all this drama amid gorgeous locations like Tuscany and Puerto Rico, so it serves as both easy escapism and a surprisingly resonant look at life in middle age.

‘Spider-Noir’ Season 1 — Prime Video

Sony’s Spider-Man spinoffs are more misses than hits, but the studio finally hit a home run with Spider-Noir, a better-than-expected series starring Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a superhero who is not Spider-Man. He’s known as “The Spider,” but he has powers similar to the wallcrawler we all know and love.

Set during the Great Depression, The Spider was once New York City’s resident hero until he failed to save the woman he loved, Ruby, from a tragic death. Depressed, he spends his days acting as a low-rent private investigator when he’s not drowning his sorrows with some bootlegged alcohol. When his current case leads him to cross paths with the gangster Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), Ben uncovers a vast conspiracy that only The Spider can tackle. But does Ben still have what it takes to save the day?

You betcha. Shot in luminous black and white, Spider-Noir is also available to watch in digitized color — take my advice and stick with the black and white. Color or no color, the show is hella fun, with an involving narrative, a great cast of kooky supporting characters and Cage at his wild, unhinged best. Peter Parker, who?

‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ Season 2 — Netflix

One of 2024’s pleasant surprises was A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, a charming, low-stakes murder mystery series that saw Wednesday’s Emma Myers play Pip, a British teen who tries to clear her friend Sal’s (Rahul Pattni) name after he’s falsely accused of his girlfriend’s murder. She succeeded, but another mystery causes her to once again play sleuth while sorting out her feelings for her boyfriend, Ravi (Zain Iqbal).

When Connor’s (Jude Morgan-Collie) brother Jamie (Eden H. Davies) goes missing, he knows of only one person who can help him — Pip. But even she’s perplexed as to why anyone would kidnap Jamie. Her only clue is that Jamie is a key witness in an ongoing criminal case involving Max (Henry Ashton), who is accused of assaulting several women. Is Max involved in Jamie’s disappearance? And even if he is, how can Pip prove it before time runs out for Jamie?

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‘Star City’ Season 1 — Apple TV

Is there any streamer that’s killing it more than Apple TV? The streamer may not have a lot of content, but what it does have is simply superb. From Severance to Widow’s Bay, Apple TV is streaming some of the best shows right now, and it’ll likely add one more feather to its streaming cap with Star City.

Related: 30 Best Shows to Watch on Apple TV (May 2026): ‘Widow’s Bay’ and More

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Apple TV’s win-to-loss ratio for its original series is among the highest among all streamers. With Emmy-winning shows like Severance, The Morning Show and Silo under its belt, Apple TV delivers more winners than losers, and that streak looks to continue in May. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email […]

A spinoff of the long-running sci-fi series For All Mankind, Star City explores a tantalizing “what if?” scenario — what if the Soviets were the first to put a man on the moon? Rhys Ifans stars as the Chief Designer of the Cosmonaut program, who not only has to find a way to actually launch a human into outer space without killing them, but also does it under the oppressive eye of Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin), the head of the KGB at Star City, who oversees everyone and demands total allegiance to Mother Russia.

Colman Domingo’s heartfelt tribute to Chadwick Boseman has rekindled memories of the late actor among fans who still feel the weight of his loss.

Domingo recently opened up about the sacred bond he shared with Boseman, recalling how the “Black Panther” star believed in him and publicly affirmed his talent long before his ongoing career resurgence.

After spending years as a respected but under-the-radar performer, the “Euphoria” actor says he is now in an “incredible harvest period,” with his name continuing to rise across major circles in Hollywood.

Domingo recently reflected on the powerful words Boseman shared with him before they starred together in the 2020 film adaptation of August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-nominated actor recalled reconnecting with Boseman at a Hollywood party after the late actor had already become a global star through “Black Panther,” which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

Domingo said they had previously done a few play readings together, so they knew each other, though not very closely. When he saw Boseman at the event, he walked over to congratulate him on his success.

Domingo told Boseman that he was proud of everything he had achieved and that it was beautiful to watch his rise. However, Boseman immediately turned the attention back to him.

According to the “Euphoria” star, Boseman pointed him out and told the room that people needed to know his name, calling him “the truth” and urging others to keep their eyes on him.

Domingo’s Tribute Stirs Chadwick Boseman Grief

On social media, fans have been moved by Domingo’s comments about Boseman, with many saying the tribute brought back the grief they still feel over the late actor’s death.

Writing on X, one fan admitted the moment caught them off guard late at night, writing, “It’s. 1 am and now I’m crying.”

Another user was reminded of the pair’s shared screen history, commenting, “I forgot they was in Ma Rainey together.”

Someone else shared that Boseman’s memory still hits hard years later, adding, “I still start crying if I sit and think about Chadwick too much.”

Colman Domingo Believes His Co-Star Is Helping From Above

Elsewhere in the interview, Domingo recalled learning about Boseman’s death while he was grilling burgers, after receiving a text from playwright Robert O’Hara.

Boseman died in 2020 from colon cancer at the age of 43, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape many of the artists who worked with and admired him.

For Domingo, the loss was deeply personal. He explained that Boseman occupied a rare space in Hollywood as someone who understood his background, his experience, and the specific pressures that come with being a Black man navigating the industry.

He added that he believes Boseman is still lifting actors like him and Michael B. Jordan “from the other side,” describing the late star as a “beautiful angel” in his life.

The Actor Once Thought He’d Never Be A Leading Man

Domingo also opened up about the years he spent doing respected work without receiving the kind of leading roles he hoped for.

After more than three decades in the industry, the actor admitted he once began to believe that being a leading man might not be part of his story.

He said he had experienced many moments where his work was respected and recognized, but the spotlight still seemed to go elsewhere. Over time, he began to make peace with the idea that he might always be the performer standing beside the lead rather than the one at the center.

Domingo explained that he imagined himself continuing to support stars such as David Oyelowo, Viola Davis, and even Boseman himself, in ensemble roles.

However, that has changed dramatically in recent years, as he received back-to-back Best Actor Oscar nominations for “Rustin” in 2024 and “Sing Sing” in 2025.

Colman Domingo Says He Is In His ‘Harvest Period’

At 56, Domingo now appears to be in one of the busiest and most visible chapters of his career.

The actor has been attached to major projects including “Euphoria,” the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” the second season of Netflix’s comedy “The Four Seasons,” and Steven Spielberg’s upcoming thriller “Disclosure Day.”

When asked whether he wished success had come earlier, Domingo joked that his finances probably would have preferred that. Still, he said he would not change the way things unfolded.

Domingo explained that, after years of planting seeds as an artist, he now feels he is entering the third act of his career with a sense of reward and perspective.

For him, the current wave of recognition feels like an “incredible harvest period” after decades of steady work in Hollywood.

Believe it or not, you don’t need to spend rich to dress like it. Meghan Markle proved that a simple striped shirt makes anyone look like an Aussie socialite, and we found her crisp summer style on sale for just $23.

Spotted at Bondi Beach, the Duchess of Sussex wore a crisp blue-and-white striped shirt that was knotted at the waist. She paired it with simple cream trousers and sneakers for an outfit that whispered: “I summer in three different time zones.” Her old-money look is shockingly easy to recreate; we’re doing so with this chic Amazon twin.

Get the Siliteelon Dressy Striped Shirt for $23 (was $26) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Siliteelon Dressy Striped Shirt is eerily similar to Markle’s, with the same stripe print, front buttons, proper collar and rollable long sleeves. It balances laid-back and tailored, which is hard to do: if it’s too stiff, you lose the breezy vibe, but too oversized, you’re drowning in dad’s old shirt. This one hits the sweet spot.

Related: I Have a Rectangular Body Shape — These Dresses Make Me Look Hourglass

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An athletic body type is great for workouts, but for me, that’s where it ends. Dress shopping means trying to balance my shoulders, cinch my waist and emphasize my natural curves, all without squeezing. I searched high and low to find 17 chic dress styles that flatter rectangular shapes like mine. The secret? Well, there […]

Better yet, this lightweight shirt is made with 100% cotton material that breathes, drapes naturally and ages beautifully. It’s also office-appropriate, so you could easily wear it with tailored trousers and loafers. But the real magic happens when you channel your inner Aussie cool girl and style it like Markle with comfy pants, white sneakers and oversized sunnies.

“You can wear this with jeans, skirts or pants — business casual or laid-back,” One five-star shopper wrote. They added, “I live in Austin, so I am thankful that this is lightweight and feels freeing. Just enough coverage for the cold air conditioner at work, but not too much for the hot summer weather . . . I’ve already gotten compliments!”

Another happy reviewer wrote, “Whether I wear it with old jeans or as part of my business attire at work, I get compliments every time. It is bold and just makes me feel beautiful.”

Markle’s shirt style reads sun-drenched and vacation-coded, yet incredibly polished at the same time. Add the neutral pants and you’ve essentially built a summer Hamptons uniform for under $30, no helicopter required. Snag this summer staple below!

Get the Siliteelon Dressy Striped Shirt for $23 (was $26) 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 tops and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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Trends come and go, but Christie Brinkley reached for the timeless silhouette that outlasts them all. While hosting the Billy Joel: And So It Goes event, Brinkley donned bootcut jeans with a band T-shirt, a buttery leather jacket and edgy sandals. The best part? Her outfit formula flatters anyone. No matter how old you are, how […]

After 19 seasons, Criminal Minds has found opportunities to kill off beloved characters over the years.

Criminal Minds, which premiered in 2005, follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit. The crime drama explores different fictional cases and shows how behavioral analysis helps the team locate their unknown subjects.

The original Criminal Minds series was revived by Paramount+ after its initial conclusion in 2020. Criminal Minds: Evolution brought back most of the cast with Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster reprising their characters Other key characters — such as Matthew Gray Gubler’s Reid — have made cameos.

After pulling off numerous surprise character deaths in the revival, showrunner Erica Messer addressed what is still to come.

Related: ‘Criminal Minds’ Cast: Then and Now

Criminal Minds is back with a revival on Paramount+ — but fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the procedural first debuted. In 2005, viewers were introduced to a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit. The crime drama, which was created by […]

“I don’t think we can ever be prepared anytime anything has ever happened with a beloved character,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2026 before hinting at giving the audience a break.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, praised Criminal Minds for how they navigated character deaths.

“We love being there. This is such a dream job. It is just such a wonderful place to show up and go to work every day. Nobody wants it to be over and nobody wants to leave,” he told Us in May 2025. “So hopefully we get to do the show for a long time.”

He continued: “Hopefully nobody gets sacrificed for the sake of good television and we find some other people that we can build enough merit. Will ended up serving that purpose this year. But I think it just brings something else to the show that fans can enjoy and suffer through with us.”

Keep scrolling to relive the show’s most devastating deaths:

Haley

Everyone remembers where they were when George Foyet a.k.a The Reaper murdered Hotchner’s (Thomas Gibson) wife while the BAU were forced to listen on the phone.

Maeve

Reid’s romance with Maeve (Beth Riesgraf) was cut short when her stalker killed her in season 8.

Gideon

It had been years since Mandy Patinkin left the show as Gideon but Criminal Minds still found a way to reveal he was murdered off screen in season 10 by a serial killer from one of his past cases.

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Strauss

Despite her ups and downs with the BAU, Strauss (Jayne Atkinson) had won Us over when she was poisoned by an unsub known as The Replicator in season 8.

Will

Josh Stewart had a recurring role as Will on Criminal Minds since 2007. Stewart raised eyebrows in 2024 when he revealed that he would not be reprising his role in future seasons of the show. His character died in a 2025 episode when Will collapsed after experiencing a headache.

Roxy

During a May 2026 episode, Luke (Rodriguez) was mourning a personal loss while helping the BAU solve a case. It wasn’t until the end of the two-episode premiere that viewers found out his dog, Roxy, had to be put down.

Chloe Bailey is clocking the tea and clearing the air after womb watchers started speculating that she was pregnant. Clips from her recent livestream are making the rounds on social media, and fans are standing ten toes in to support her as she addresses body shaming and criticism.

RELATED: Clapback Season! Chloe Bailey Checks Social Media User For Trying To Shut Down Her Baddie Energy (PHOTO)

Chloe Bailey Speaks Out Amid Pregnancy Speculation

LiveBitez shared clips from one of Chloe Bailey’s recent livestreams, where she clapped back at trolls for calling her “aunty arms.” She posed in a hotel room, looking gorgeous in a black cinching dress. She told viewers that they need to look at her now because she’s getting snatched. “Look at the muscle,” she said. “Do you see that muscle. These ain’t aunty arms no more! These are whoop yo butt arms!” while flexing her triceps.

Chloe also addressed the pregnancy rumors floating around online. She shut it down real quick, saying her body is tea and “doesn’t give pregnancy.” She told fans she’s been locked in on her fitness since the top of the year, because staying snatched is the ultimate goal.

Fans Defend Chloe As She Clocks The Shade

Fans immediately flooded LiveBitez’s comment section with reactions to Chloe’s statements. Plenty of folks told her to ignore the haters because she’s always been body goals.

Instagram user @chrissylashown wrote, “I hate that a young beautiful girl like that is even worried about her body bc of the internet.” 

Instagram user @jaydeefour44 wrote, “Chloe exactly who she think she is 😍😍. Just my kind of goofy and fine.” 

While Instagram user @qutietv.com_ wrote, “Girl forget these people. You look goodt.” 

Then Instagram user @__oshu_n wrote, “I’m so confused Chloe u are bawdy goals.” 

Another Instagram user @xoxo_withlove__ wrote, “Girl you look good. I promise you if she walks pass me I won’t be looking at her arms!!! Okay!!” 

Instagram user @ja_sheen1 wrote, “She’s a gorgeous woman stop this , if you saw her even casual walk past you on the mall or the grocery store you would think wow she’s a attractive woman even if you’re not attracted to women or she may not be your type stop this 🤣🤦🏾‍♂️” 

While another instagram user @bxpinkdecember wrote, “She’s perfect 😍” 

Lastly, Instagram user @queenofbk wrote, “Girl you eat us all up 😂😍😍😍” 

Chloe Tells Trolls To “Find Somebody Else To Play With!”

Chloe Bailey never backs down from a clap back. Last year, she quickly checked trolls who criticized her appearance and said she gained weight. She said that even if she did put on a few pounds, they shouldn’t worry about it. From there, she told fans she felt like they were just trying to get a reaction from her, but she wasn’t falling for the bait. “Yeah, they trying to rage bait me, because I know my body TEA!” Chloe added, “And I don’t even say that often, but the stress got my waist snatched.” 

RELATED: And, What About It? Chloe Bailey Claps Back At Troll Who Commented On Her Weight During Livestream (WATCH) 

If you’re a Spice Girl, chances are you’ve got some OMG-worthy stories.

Mel B certainly didn’t disappoint when she completed her 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me interview in the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

She dished about the time Nelson Mandela tried to set her up; why she still has trouble singing “Let Love Lead the Way”; and her strangest fan request. (Hint: It involves a surprising tattoo!)

The entertainer is currently a judge on America’s Got Talent, which will return on NBC on June 2nd at 8 pm. ET. “If I had to go on America’s Got Talent, my most random talent would be being able to read your mind!” the singer exclusively told Us.

We believe her!

Below, more shocking and sweet stories from Mel B:

Related: Mel B Says Fellow Spice Girls Will ‘Of Course’ Be Invited To Her Wedding

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If you wanna be Mel B’s husband, you gotta get with her friends. The 48-year-old Spice Girls musician exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League on Tuesday, January 9, that her fellow girl group members — Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie C and Geri Halliwell — will be in attendance at […]

1. My favorite Spice Girl memory is meeting Nelson Mandela and him trying to get me a date with one of his cousins.

2. My strangest fan request has been to sign someone’s boob for them to get it tattooed. I didn’t want to do it, but I gave in!

3. The Spice Girls song that is the hardest for me to do is “Let Love Lead the Way” because it’s all about Geri leaving two years after we made it and it still makes me sad.

4. If I had to go on America’s Got Talent, my most random talent would be being able to read your mind!

5. I am lucky to be married to a great cook, so I rarely cook. But when I do, I make a spicy fish soup that I love.

6. I’d love to have been a Navy SEAL. I’m obsessed. I did the show Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test, and I enjoyed every second.

7. My first kiss was too long ago to remember.

8. If I could be reincarnated, I’d want to come back as an invisible superpower person so I could spy on anyone and see anything. I’m very nosy!

9. I never throw anything away. I have all my Spice Girl outfits, including the lime-green Mister Byrite top I wore on the “Wannabe” video 30 years ago.

10. Apart from my music, I hope my legacy is my book Brutally Honest and the work I’ve done with and for other survivors.

11. I’m definitely a night owl. I love to potter around when everyone else is in bed.

12. I love playing the card game “Pairs” with my kids. Phoenix and Angel will tolerate a few games, but Madison is supercompetitive like me, so she loves it.

13. My favorite comfort meal is roast chicken, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, sprouts, roast potatoes and the full works.

14. The most famous person in my phone book? Maybe all the girls: Emma, Mel C, Geri and Vic Beckham!

15. I think all domestic abuse charities do incredible work, which is why I’m an advocate for them speaking in Parliament and in places like the World Economic Forum.

16. At school, I was called Pineapple Head because I used to wear my hair up on top of my head — and then obviously I became Scary!

17. I keep my awards all over my house. I love being surrounded by them!

18. Before performing, I meditate. Always.

19. My most embarrassing moment was when I turned on the Christmas lights in Leeds and I ran out on stage, skidded and fell off. But I did get up laughing.

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Melanie Brown escaped to the countryside for a quieter pace after years in the spotlight. “When I bought the farm originally [in 2024], it was just a little barn that had no running water or electricity,” Brown, 49, exclusively shared in the latest Us Weekly cover story. Brown (known as Mel B) — who’s sprawling […]

20. Anything by Fleetwood Mac brings back the best memories because my dad, who died in 2017, used to listen to them.

21. I love, love, love Yellowstone. Beth Dutton is my hero. In my dreams, I’m like her!

22. I don’t ever order fast food. I don’t like to eat anything processed.

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23. My first job was at Pizza Hut. I was fired every week for messing up orders and then rehired every week because the customers liked me.

24. I live on a farm, so I decompress by feeding my animals.

25. Three items I can’t leave the house without are my little comfort dog, Cookie, my giant water bottle and my Revive Menopause collagen, which I swear by.

Season 15 of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” concluded recently on Bravo. Now, following the three-part reunion, there have been multiple reports about the show’s future. Among the most prevalent claims was that Dorit Kemsley was being pushed out. Now, the “RHOBH” star is opening up about whether or not she wants to return.

Kemsley interviewed with E! News in May 2026 to promote her upcoming memoir, “Unburdened.” During the chat, she was asked about her future with “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and if she would return if the network extended an offer for season 16. They also asked if she knows when it will be time to step away from the show.

She said, “Yes.” After that, she became more hesitant, saying, “The answer is yes, I believe, and yes.” Kemsley then began discussing the “hard lessons” she’s learned over the past couple of years, noting that anything can change.

The “RHOBH” star continued, “I’m very open right now. I’m having some really wonderful conversations.” Kemsley then went on to note that she’s “in a creative space” and that her focus is currently on her new book.

She stated, “I’m enjoying this moment so much, it’s really where my focus is.”

Dorit Says She Could Leave ‘Housewives’

The Bravo star continued her line of discussion, revealing how much she has evolved over the years. According to her, “I feel like I am entering into a new chapter of peace, acceptance, happiness, adventure.”

From there, Kemsley stated that with all she’s learned, she’ll know “whether it’s the right thing to do- move forward and continue, or step back.”

Regarding her time on “RHOBH,” Kemsley joined the show during its seventh season in 2016. Since then, she’s become a staple on the show, with her ongoing divorce from Paul PK Kemsley being among the biggest storylines of the past couple of seasons.

Fans Think Dorit May Be Fired From ‘Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’

Depending on who you ask, Kemsley was either the best part of season 15 of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” or she made it unwatchable. Because of the wide spectrum of opinions about her performance, viewers are divided, with many believing she may have already been fired from the show following the reports.

One person said, “She got the ‘thank you for your services’ pink slip.” Another “RHOBH” fan wrote, “Please, Bravo, put her on pause or just get rid of her.”

However, in support of Kemsley, a different social media user stated, “Disgusting, she’s on pause. @bravoandy ruins every show. They can’t handle Dorit not falling in Kyle’s line, and it’s just obvious.”

Someone else defended her, writing, “People are so mean, I look at these comments, and I think, how do I see it so differently than all of you. No empathy for a woman going through a struggle with divorce from a husband, she married for Love, unlike some of the others with two young children, and the only empathy from Rachael, Boz, and the ever-endearing Jennifer.”

Then, another person assumed she had been fired from the show, saying, “This means her a-s got fired. That book isn’t selling sh-t.”

Lastly, an Instagram user discussed the overall future of “RHOBH”. They commented, “Even if Bravo pushed Dorit out bad move! Are they going to keep Sutton over her, really? Get rid of Kyle, her story is over and boring. And she is always full of crap. Keep Kathy full-time. How about taking a poll on who the fans like, and see where that goes?”

Dorit Recently Opened Up About Her ‘RHOBH’ Costars

Kemsley ended season 15 of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” on a sour note with multiple of her costars. This includes Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne. In a May 2026 Entertainment Tonight interview, she opened up about how she could have handled her friendships differently and whether she believes they could move forward.

Regarding them repairing things, she responded, “I think so. I like to think so.” However, she added, “I need them to want it as much as I do.” She also spoke about the reunion with the interviewer, noting that many perceived her as stubborn.

Kemsley explained, “I think I was in such a dark place, and I was hurt and frustrated and aggressive, and you know, it was hard to watch back because it’s not who I am.”

When asked how she would approach the ladies differently if she could, she surmised, “I would be a lot more open and not so closed off.”

Dorit’s Book Is Days Away From Release

Kemsley’s book, “Unburdened: A Memoir,” will be released by Podium Entertainment on June 2. Kemsley has been promoting the new memoir with several in-depth interviews, but she’s also going on a three-date tour.

The tour begins May 31 with an appearance at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles. After that, she had stops in New Jersey on June 3 and New York City on the following day. Kemsley shared the first look at the book’s cover on an “RHOBH” episode from season 15.

When someone says they love Christian Bale, they’re usually talking about one of just a handful of films. American Psycho is front-of-mind for a lot of people, being the film that turned him into a cult icon. The Dark Knight is another, with his performance as Batman still considered the gold standard for many. Then there’s The Fighter, The Machinist, and recent standout Ford v Ferrari… the list goes on. But Bale’s finest work isn’t any one of these. Truth be told, it came long before any of those movies even existed. When Bale was just 13 years old, he delivered one of the most emotionally staggering performances of the 1980s — not to mention his career — in Empire of the Sun. Nearly four decades later, it stands as some of the clearest proof that Bale has always operated on another level — even as a kid.

‘Empire of the Sun’ Blends Spielberg’s Childhood Wonder With the Brutality of War

Steven Spielberg’s underseen World War II epic was released in 1987, just a couple of years after his most mature film to date: The Color Purple. To be hit with a pair of such heavy dramas straight off a run of crowd-pleasers including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was a bit of a shock. After all, this is a war drama centered almost entirely on a child’s psychological unraveling. It’s a far cry from the fun Spielberg moviegoers thought they knew. Though it was largely critically respected, Empire of the Sun underperformed commercially and has remained somewhat overlooked within Spielberg’s — and Bale’s — filmography ever since.

The film follows Jamie “Jim” Graham, a privileged British schoolboy living in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation of China in World War II. After being separated from his parents during the chaos following Pearl Harbor, Jim is forced to survive on his own before eventually ending up in a Japanese internment camp. As distant as it sounds from all his sci-fi films or his action-adventure romps, it’s a premise that sounds almost tailor-made for Spielberg: a child’s perspective on the spectacle of war.

He weaponizes that childhood innocence in fascinating ways, too: Jim sees fighter planes as these awe-inspiring things before he understands they’re instruments of death. He looks up to soldiers before recognizing the cruelty they unleash. That naivety gives the film a haunting quality few other Spielberg movies possess. The result is something unusually bleak for Spielberg in the 1980s. It also gives the film surprising similarities to a couple of great international war movies that also explore childhood trauma: Ivan’s Childhood and Come and See. Like those films, Empire of the Sun becomes less about combat and more about watching war fundamentally distort a child’s understanding of the world. Spielberg approaches it through a more polished Hollywood lens, of course, but the emotional devastation underneath isn’t all that different.

Christian Bale’s Performance Is One of the Best Child Performances Ever Put on Screen

Spielberg is movie magic personified, but not even that would be enough to pull this film off without a great actor in the leading role. What makes Empire of the Sun work at all is Bale. Without him, the movie collapses under the weight of its massive scale and delicate tone. Luckily, he carries the part with astonishing confidence — especially for his age. The crew reportedly auditioned more than 4,000 child actors before casting Bale, but it’s impossible to imagine anyone else as Jim.

Today, Empire of the Sun feels long overdue for reappraisal. It may have been a box office flop, and it might not have the immediate cultural footprint of Spielberg’s biggest hits, but it still contains some of his most impressive direction and one of the strongest performances Bale has ever given. He avoids the exaggerated sentimentality that often drags down child performances in prestige dramas. He doesn’t behave like a movie version of a traumatized kid. He actually feels real, and it’s devastating precisely because Spielberg refuses to soften the psychological damage war has inflicted on his lead. That’s an incredibly difficult thing for a child performer to pull off, especially in a film this emotionally demanding. For all the acclaim he’s earned as an adult, it’s remarkable that this tour de force still hasn’t received its due.

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Release Date

December 25, 1987

Writers

Tom Stoppard, J.G. Ballard, Menno Meyjes

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Julie McKnight and Brian McKnight Jr. are keeping Nikolas “Niko” McKnight’s memory close as they mark one year since his passing. As The Shade Room previously reported, Niko passed away on May 30, 2025 after a two-year battle with cancer.

RELATED: Unbreakable Bond! Julie McKnight Pens Heartfelt Message To Son Brian McKnight Jr. After Niko’s Passing 

Brian McKnight Jr. Shares Emotional Message One Year After Niko’s Passing

Recently, Brian Jr. took to Instagram to honor Niko on the one-year anniversary of his passing. He posted sweet throwback flicks of them together from childhood through their teenage years. In a lengthy caption, Brian Jr. shared that not a day goes by without him thinking about his baby brother.

“Can’t believe it’s been a year […] Or that my eyes still water after a billion tears. At no time are you not thought of / Your smile never disappears / Sometimes I despise the angels who get to see you so clear.” He added, “I’m forever in half sincerely.  I love you my baby brother.”

Along with his carousel post, Brian Jr. also shared two photos of himself and Niko posing with their mother Julie and added the caption, “Three the hard way. Forever. ♾️” 

Julie McKnight Shares Sweet Throwback Memories Of Nikolas

Julie McKnight also showed love to Niko on the anniversary of his passing. Fans who keep up with her on Instagram know she often shares throwback memories of him. This time, she posted a sweet clip of him out at a restaurant vibing to music with the hashtag #NikoForever. She also dropped an adorable baby photo of him.

The Roomies Show Love To Niko On His Death Anniversary

After The Shade Room reshared Brian Jr.’s tribute to his brother, the Roomies also showed love in the comment section. Plenty of fans said they couldn’t believe it’s already been a year since his passing, while others continued sending Julie and Brian Jr. condolences.

Instagram user @rere_belike wrote, “Losing a sibling is rough. I hope Niko is resting peacefully 🙏🏽🕊💙” 

Instagram user @richlifeshawtydred wrote, “I hate to see kids passed away. That is so sad. My prayers and heart goes out to the McKnight family.😢” 

While Instagram user @althea_lola wrote, “It’s Been A Year Already?! Time Is Moving Fast.” 

Then Instagram user @richlifeshawtydred wrote, “Rest in peace, Young King you will be truly missed😢😢” 

Another Instagram user @t.saintbridges wrote, “@brianmcknightjr sending love and light to you and your beautiful mom beautiful tribute to your baby brother ❤️” 

Instagram user @loosmile_ wrote, “🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️” 

While another Instagram user @godblessedmewith_3 wrote, “Continue to rest in eternal peace Niko ♾️🕊🙏🏽🤍💫” 

Finally, Instagram user @kimmy_lmc wrote, “May his memory be a blessing 🙏🕊️❤️‍🩹” 

RELATED: Brian McKnight Jr. Says His Dad Refused To Tell Niko McKnight He Loved Him Before He Passed Away From Cancer (WATCH)