As the 90 Day Fiancé franchise prepares its shows for the 2025 TV schedule, one cast member is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Here's what we know about Loren Allen's wedding and where it stands after being discovered by Starcasm.

Loren Allen Was Married Soon After Filming 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days With Faith

Loren spoiled ahead of 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days that his relationship with Faith Tulod didn't work out, which made the fact she accepted his engagement proposal in a recent episode all the more shocking. Faith ultimately called off the engagement not long after, after his goofy behavior made her realize he wasn't serious about her. This was later confirmed, as a resurfaced podcast from before Loren left for the Philippines confirmed he planned on messing with Faith the entire time.

While Loren wasn't serious about Faith, it does appear he was very serious about marriage. Documents surfaced showing he married someone listed on documents as "Carlos" two weeks after returning from the Phillippines on December 7, 2023. A photo of the married couple and their marriage document was shared on Starcasm's Instagram page.

The Divorce For Said Marriage Was Recently Finalized

I'm not sure if this counts as a 90 Day star getting married and splitting or not, seeing as this marriage happened after Loren returned home and with someone who has not been featured on 90 Day Fiancé thus far. In any case, the marriage was officially ended in December of 2024, but depending on when the tell-all was filmed, it might be mentioned there. That's assuming Loren was invited to the tell-all, as cast members who share information about the show before it's revealed are often barred from participating.

This was the case for 90 Day Fiancé's Statler, who tried to come to the tell-all anyway but was prevented. I would say some of Loren's spoilers and actions were far more egregious than anything she did, so if I had to guess, I would say he won't be at the Before The 90 Days Season 7 tell-all.

At the same time, it's hard to admit any storyline this season has been as compelling as the one between Faith and Loren. There will be some 90-Day Fiancé fans disappointed if these two aren't talked about during the tell-all, so we'll just have to see what the production team decided to do.

90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days continues on TLC on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET. With this season winding down, now would be a great time to revisit past episodes with a Max subscription and prepare for what could be a fiery tell-all special.

SNL paraded through our 2024 TV schedule with incredible hosts, fun musical acts, and some viral sketches (and continues into our 2025 TV schedule). The show has brought undeniable success to its cast members while boosting both hosts' and musical acts’ careers. Still, some of the BTS stories are surprising, especially concerning Michaels. Jeff Daniels’ Audible Original ‘Alive and Well Enough Continues,’ showcases a moment of the head honcho getting what he wants.

The memoirist and actor revealed that during his second time hosting, they needed someone to play Jay Leno to play opposite Dana Carvey’s Johnny Carson. Ultimately, the job was assigned to Daniels by Michaels, even though he couldn’t do an impersonation at the time. The A Man in Full actor jumped right into practice, after having received a tape of Leno interviewing his first guest, Valleri Bertinelli.

As much as the two-time Emmy Award winner tried to find the then-Tonight Show host’s voice, he had a lot of difficulty. The Newsroom alum noted how peculiar it was for him to mimic Leno’s voice, saying it was a "key unknown to those who studied music theory." Fortunately for Daniels, the VHS tape of Leno and Bertinelli’s response to what she'd gifted to her husband – a Lamborghini – proved incredibly useful to his impersonation of the comedian.

The way the talk show host pronounced the luxury car name was the path he needed. Daniels’ episode does also include his impression, and the funnyman delivered his promise to Michaels. Personally, I’m not surprised that the Arachnophobia actor pulled it off. After all, he was the one to simultaneously impress and scare Jim Carrey during their read through for Dumb and Dumber and agree to the project for a ridiculous salary. Daniels is that talented.

It’s certainly not the first time the show’s creator made bold moves for SNL. One of the most recent instances comes from Nate Bargatze’s episode and the Washington sketch almost got axed by Michaels; thankfully it was a success in dress rehearsal and became one of the favorite sketches from the comedian’s night. Another moment comes from Heidi Gardner and the one requirement behind Travis Kelce hosting SNL.

Although some of these instances may seem wild or overwhelming, I think they're examples of why the sketch show has survived for so long. The one constant is that Michaels has been and is still running the show, and can tell if a host or cast member can rise to the occasion. As for Daniels and his on-the-fly Leno impression, it’ll live in infamy all thanks to Lorne Michaels’ deft decision-making.

Hopefully, for the Godless actor, a return to Studio 8H is in the cards after his '90s appearances and he can up his hosting count to three. Watch SNL on Saturday nights at 11:30 PM on NBC or stream it with a Peacock subscription the following day.

Aside from being one of the most iconic athletes of all time, Sir Charles is also a proud family man. Someone who usually speaks fondly of is his daughter, Christiana, who he shares with his wife of over 30 years, Maureen. Christiana is also the mother of two children, Henry and Charlie (her grandfather’s namesake), whom she shares with husband Ilya Hoffman. The 61-year-old media personality is quite close with his two grandchildren, who call him “Big Pop,” and he explained that he and his grandson have established a cute routine:

The former Philadelphia 76er explained on The Mark Jackson Show that these outings usually start with his daughter FaceTiming him and then putting Henry on the phone. During those conversations, Henry will eventually ask his grandfather to hurry home from work so that they can hang out. If that’s not a great reason for the sports legend to make his way back home as quickly as possible on a daily basis, then I don’t know what is. During his recent interview (which is on YouTube), the media pundit spoke more about being a grandparent:

It’s interesting to think that earlier this year, it was looking like Charles Barkley was going to have even more free time to spend with his grandchildren and the rest of his family. Around May of this past year, it appeared that TNT’s Inside the NBA would be canceled due to the network’s agreement with the eponymous sports deal seemingly not being renewed. Weeks later, Barkley announced his intention to retire from broadcasting in 2025, whether a deal was struck or not. However, he eventually walked back the retirement talk in August, as he opted to stay with the network and save jobs in the process.

That situation improved in November, when TNT Sports struck a deal to license out Inside to ESPN. It was a historic agreement that’ll begin with the 2025-2026 NBA season and span 11 years. The Round Mound of Rebound was initially critical of his employers for not getting a deal done, but he eventually gave them kudos (in his own signature way). The ex-Phoenix Sun even joked during a recent episode of the sports talk show that it was time to start “kissing ass” again.

Given his work situation, it seems that Charles Barkley is going to have to balance his professional and personal lives for the foreseeable future. I’d imagine, however, that Barkley is still going to carve out time for his loving grandkids. After all, I’m not quite sure Henry is going to let Big Pop miss their after-school hangouts.

According to ratings and audience numbers from TVLine, NBC’s corner of the nine-show Dick Wolf TV universe continues to dominate among the network’s scripted series. SVU ranks fourth behind the three shows of One Chicago, with an average audience size of 5.6 million viewers across seven days and a rating in the 18-49 age demographic of 0.65. Law & Order is a bit lower in the outlet’s numbers, coming in seventh with an average audience of 4.83 million and rating of 0.45.

Obviously we don’t have any recent numbers for Organized Crime, since it has yet to return following the spring finale that brought its NBC run full circle, and streaming ratings aren’t calculated the same way as network television. The totals for the other two shows do indicate that while SVU is tied as the #2 rated drama on broadcast TV, Mariska Hargitay’s series is down 18% in audience size from Season 25. As for Law & Order, Season 24’s audience is down 26% from the spring season.

Does this mean that Law & Order and SVU’s numbers have been negatively affected by NBC giving up on three-hour Law & Order Thursdays? Of course not, as there are plenty of variables to be considered. In fact, both Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. – which respectively rank as the network’s #1 and #3 most-watched fall shows – also dipped in their audience totals from the 2023-2024 season to the 2024-2025 season so far.

Would ratings have gotten a boost if the fall season had delivered a crossover between SVU and OC to reunite Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni on screen, as many fans have hoped? Probably for at least that week, but we just can’t say with any certainty what could be different if Organized Crime had returned to primetime instead of being reserved for Peacock in 2025.

For what it’s worth, Found – a.k.a. OC’s replacement on Thursdays – is down 13% in audience size with 3.9 million on average from its previous slot on Tuesday nights, and down more than 20% from the numbers averaged by OC. If anything, Found may be suffering more as the replacement for Organized Crime than either SVU or Law & Order.

Still, I find the numbers interesting, and will definitely keep an eye on them in the new year once Law & Order: Organized Crime finally debuts Season 5… assuming that happens before the end of SVU Season 26 and L&O Season 24, anyway. In the meantime, you can revisit earlier episodes of all three shows streaming on Peacock, and look forward to the NBC returns on Thursday, January 16 in their usual time slots.

Relationship Woes On The Task Force

None of the shows in CBS’ FBI universe are about relationships, but Most Wanted has dedicated screentime to each of the characters’ personal lives in Season 6 so far. Remy’s relationship with Abby seemed to be going as wonderfully as anything ever does on Most Wanted, and news that her work would keep her in New York longer than usual raised the possibility of cohabitation for as long as she was in town.

Abby turned down Remy’s offer, however, offering some somewhat thin but certainly valid excuses for not wanting to turn their long distance relationship into living together just because she caught a case in NYC. They didn’t break up at the end of the fall finale, but Remy wasn’t exactly jumping for joy after she declined to stay with him. (You can stream the fall finale now with a Paramount+ subscription.)

And while that’s certainly a bummer for Dylan McDermott’s character, it really pales in comparison to poor Hana going from looking forward to a night watching the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular with her wholesome boyfriend to learning about his drug habit and storming out of his apartment.

Showrunner David Hudgins’ comments about Michael Raymond-James’ role on the show suggest that Hana walking out wasn’t the end of his time on the show, though, so it remains to see what 2025 has in store for them. Maybe Hana needed to lean on somebody just like Barnes did when she leaned on Hana earlier this season! And speaking of Barnes...

I’m Ready For More Barnes

I’ve always been a fan of Barnes and Roxy Sternberg’s portrayal of the agent, and I'm lucky enough that Sternberg is one of the last two original series regulars still on board Most Wanted. The character actually missed the early episodes of Season 6, but the showrunner had previewed her arc when he spoke with CinemaBlend ahead of the premiere in the fall. At the time, David Hudgins said:

We’ve already seen the early stages of Barnes dealing with her divorce from Charlotte and her kids living hundreds of miles away, and the last Barnes-centric episode showed that while she was in the very early stages of processing her new situation, she was making progress. What we haven’t seen yet is Barnes “going to do something about it and get out there.”

The showrunner’s comments back in October don’t mean that fans should 100% count on a love connection for the character so soon after her split from Charlotte, but they do at least indicate that we could be getting another juicy Barnes episode once FBI: Most Wanted returns in the new year. Even though the show needs to continue Remy and Hana’s relationship storylines and there are still big questions about Nina, I’m optimistic about time being reserved for Roxy Sternberg’s character to get the spotlight again.

For now, fans just have to wait for FBI: Most Wanted (as well as FBI and FBI: International) to return to CBS. The winter premieres for all three shows are scheduled for Monday, January 27 in their usual time slots. With some weeks of hiatus left to go at this point, you can always revisit earlier episodes of the most recent seasons on Paramount+. I might go back to the first big Barnes episode of Season 6, in hopes of what could follow sooner rather than later in 2025!

So let’s take a look at what I thought matched the combination of being the most heartbreaking and unexpected TV deaths of 2024, while accepting the dread of knowing that the cycle of televised trauma will start up anew when the 2025 premiere schedule gets underway. So join me in pouring one out for all of our fallen TV brethren, as well as for the many talented artists who were also lost along the way.

It should probably go without saying, but SPOILERS BELOW for a variety of different series that aired across 2024. So tread lightly if there are some major shows that you haven’t gotten around to just yet.

Victor Aguilar (The Penguin)

For a TV show focusing on someone that every single viewer knew was a major villain going in, The Penguin somehow bewitched me into thinking Rhenzy Feliz's Victor would continue thriving with confidence under Oz's wing for years to come. Instead, Victor's fate was sealed the moment Oz laid eyes on him, no matter how charming or empathetic he proved himself to be. At least he didn't have to be around to watch Colin Farrell's criminal go hard on his Oedipal urges.

Isabelle Carriere (The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon)

An extension of one of TV’s deadliest franchises. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon gave longtime fans a stellar reunion in Season 2 between Norman Reedus’ titular survivor and Melissa McBride’s Carol. But along the way, the show killed off its best character in Clémence Poésy’s Isabelle, and in the episode right after her and Daryl’s big kiss. It was an angering shock, and Season 3 will need to deliver something amazing to truly make up for it.

Asher Wolke (The Good Doctor)

Noah Galvin’s Dr. Asher Wolke arrived at St. Bonaventure in The Good Doctor’s fourth season and worked his way up to becoming a resident under Shaun’s wing by the ABC drama’s final season. Tragically, after Asher stopped a pair of men from vandalizing a synagogue — during which he openly declared himself gay and Jewish — the young doc was murdered on the street when one of the antisemitic vandals clubbed him in the head with an iron bar.

Colby Mayfield (Yellowstone)

Yes, Yellowstone featured multiple jaw-dropping deaths in the long-delayed final six episodes of its fifth season, from killing off John Dutton sans Kevin Costner to having Beth finally take out Jamie. But it was the lowest-profile death that actually hurt the worst, with the western drama taking out one of the bunkhouse’s best by having a wild horse lethally clomp Denim Richards’ ranchhand Colby. Hopefully Teeter can find a way to get over that heartbreak down in Texas.

Gambit (X-Men ‘97)

One of TV’s most celebrated revivals, X-Men ‘97 took little time in taking viewers right back to the animated fan-fave’s roots, but with a modern storytelling touch that heightened the character dynamics and upped the ante for danger. Case in point: the fifth episode rocked many viewers’ cores when the charismatic, crop top-wearing Gambit impulsively chose to sacrifice himself to take out the newly upgraded Master Mold. Sure, Rogue was sad, but I dare say everyone at home was even more taken aback.

Rhaenys (House Of The Dragon)

Okay, so those who are more intimately familiar with George R.R. Martin’s source material were no doubt awaiting the death of Eve Best’s Rhaeynys Targaryen, but not even such foreknowledge made her demise at Rook’s Rest easier to witness or live with after the fact. The Queen Who Never Was became the first to die in the Dance of the Dragons — at least the first human — crashing into the rocky walls in a fiery explosion.

Doug Williams (Days Of Our Lives)

Something of a unique (but equally heartbreaking) outlier of a 2024 TV death, Days of Our Lives honored veteran character Doug Williams with a final episode in July 2024, roughly six months after soap actor Bill Hayes passed away at 98. (He starred off and on from 1970-2024.) Making the episode all the more emotional is the fact that the actor’s real-life wife Susan Seaforth Hayes portrayed Doug’s wife Julie, and so his final episode featured the widowed actress once again mourning her hubby’s death by paying fictional respects.

Hughie Campbell Sr. (The Boys)

The Boys’ comic Hughie owes his whole look to Simon Pegg, and while the actor’s live-action impact on the Prime Video series has been limited, Eric Kripke & Co. thankfully(?) gave his Hughie Sr. a Season 4 death that was truly gut-wrenching both literally and metaphorically. Post-coma and with V in his veins, the seemingly healthful chap was suddenly unable to maintain his place in time or space, and unmenacingly blazed a gory train of panicked mayhem through a hospital before the eyes of his son and rekindled love.

The Hargreeves Siblings (The Umbrella Academy)

If The Umbrella Academy can be described with any one word, “unpredictable” would likely work best, as no one could have foreseen the comic adaptation’s mega-mutant culmination of “The Jennifer Incident.” Or the threat of existence’s destruction due to Ben’s marigold mixing with Jennifer’s durango. Or that the entire group of characters at the end of Season 4 would have to sacrifice themselves to save seemingly everyone else who met doomed fates throughout the series. I guess that’s just the (Gerard) way it goes when Five’s the one in charge of anything.

Emma Morley (One Day)

Sure, any shock surrounding One Day’s tragic 13th episode comes with the caveat of “never having read David Nicholls’ novel or the Nicholls-scripted 2011 movie.” But for those whom that applies, it applies so fucking hard. The highs of watching Ambika Mod’s Emma and Leo Woodall’s Dexter finally dovetailing into a relationship soon cascaded into all-too-real middle ground and then abject tragedy when Emma is knocked off of her bicycle and dies. Even for those already aware of Emma’s fate, I can imagine twelve episodes of build-up helped keep it soul-crushing, if not surprising.

Mrs. Hart / Sharon (Agatha All Along)

Despite killing its titular witch off in the second-to-last installment, Agatha All Along’s most shocking death, if perhaps not the most emotional, belonged to Debra Jo Rupp’s mind-warped Sharon — Mrs. Hart during WandaVision’s hex — who rather unceremoniously drowned in the second episode right as the coven figured out how to get past the first trial of the Witches Road. (And after she suffered a traumatic flashback hallucination.) Despite an abundance of theories proposing how she could return, and despite Agatha herself returning in a ghostly form, Sharon apparently had no such luck.

George Cooper (Young Sheldon)

Technically, George Cooper’s death was set in stone on The Big Bang Theory before Young Sheldon even existed, but only through the prequel series were viewers able to emotionally invest in the character’s life and legacy. So that by the time Lance Barber’s patriarch actually did bite the metaphorical bullet, which went down in the series’ penultimate episode, it truly did warrant a full in-episode funeral to provide him a worthwhile farewell.

Chloe Yasuda (Grey’s Anatomy)

Grey’s Anatomy should have multiple eponymous awards for heartbreaking and shocking deaths, with Mike’s sister Chloe arguably the show’s most jarring in the past year. Julia Rose’s character appeared in just three episodes, but after the emotional triple scoop of cancer, surgery, and recovery, it seemed like she was off to enjoy recurring character status. But no, it was more suffering for one and all after Mika fell asleep at the wheel and caused a crash that eventually led to Chloe succumbing to her injuries in ICU, and the reverberations were intense, y’all.

Clark And Lois (Superman & Lois)

By being The CW’s final post-Arrowverse DC drama, Superman & Lois was arguably already aimed at some kind of forever-ending as opposed to a happily ever after. Yet it was still both an emotional and surprising journey into the near and distant future with Clark and Lois after taking Lex Luthor down. Happy weddings and pregnancies gave way to Lois’ cancer returning and her death, then Clark’s own death due to heart failure. But wait! A happily-ever-after conclusion is indeed reached when Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch’s characters reconnect once more in the afterlife. I’m wiping smudges off my glasses, not tears.

Grace Garvey (Bad Sisters)

Perhaps Bad Sisters was giving Anne-Marie Duff’s Grace some legitimate in-universe grace with her left-field Season 2 death, given all of the skeletons that escaped her closet across Season 1. But given the darkly comedic tone of creator and co-star Sharon Horgan’s series during that stretch, the idea of forever breaking up the five-sister bond seemed wildly unlikely, if not impossible. And yet that car crash and funeral went down in the first three episodes. Hug your siblings if you got ‘em.

Larry Dalrymple (The Simpsons)

The Simpsons has been on the air long enough for some to think it’s no longer capable of producing fresh ideas, but the show’s creative team took a wild swing early in Season 35 by killing off a longtime background character that viewers may not have even known had a name: Larry Dalrymple, the jacket-wearing barfly. Fans were both surprised and outraged by the canonical death, which sparks a bonkers funeral-jumping caper for Homer & Co.

With the Christmas Day movie release, individual reviews and critics alike have been positive and hyping Chalamet in his off-kilter performance. The rising star, in my opinion, is destined for more biopics and his personal pick is an apt one. As the Ladybird alum worked through the last leg of his Bob Dylan movie press, he stopped in at SiriusXM. Via their Instagram, the hosts and Chalamet talk about other public figures he’d like to play and the American-French actor revealed a surprising sports figure host. He said of a dream biopic he’d like to do:

Ernie Johnson isn’t anyone I would’ve aligned with the Dune actor, but now that it’s out there, I think it would be a great pairing. And, I don’t know if it is a coincidence he shared Johnson as his pick, with Inside the NBA announcing its ending (especially after that Emmy speech), but the timing is serendipitous all the same. The Wonka star does know how to make some moments for himself while promoting a movie. The most recent highlight was with his A Complete Unknown costar, Elle Fanning when they recreated the ‘holding space’ meme while being interviewed by Tracy E. Gilchrist.

The Call Me By Your Name alum then mused about the realities of being chosen by the longstanding sports analyst. He was hopeful and mused of being on the short list of actors to play him:

Johnson would be a great candidate to have or be included in a historical biopic project of some sort. He’s been in the professional sports world since 1977 and spans a few leagues–basketball, baseball, and golf, to name a few. I believe that the Interstellar alum could get the sports broadcaster’s persona down, especially after learning his initial impersonation of Bob Dylan had the cast and crew of A Complete Unknown second-guessing themselves.

And if that isn’t enough of a sell, we’ll get a chance to see Chalamet in a 2025 movie schedule sports flick called, Marty Supreme. At the time of this posting, not too much is cemented other than it’s a comedy and may be reflective of ping pong star Marty Reisman. Either way, this may be the road in for Chalamet to play Ernie Johnson, and I’m looking forward to this upcoming Josh Safdie-directed film.

For now, the Bones and All alum’s work as Bob Dylan is more than enough. Although, as a fan of both Chalamet and Inside the NBA, I hope his announcement of wanting to play Johnson comes true.

A Complete Unknown is playing in theaters now.

Watch 2025 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop: Preview

Pop open the bubbly and wave goodbye to 2024! New York’s annual Times Square celebration is famous for its vibrant spectacle, featuring A-list performers, fireworks, and that iconic ball drop, with millions of revelers elatedly watching as its descent ushers in a brand new year. Join the party with our guide below, explaining how to watch the 2025 New Year’s Eve ball drop online free – alongside some highly-anticipated TV coverage – from anywhere in the world with a VPN.

Bringing viewers all the action from the heart of Times Square, a live web feed will convey all the excitement as huge crowds gather in New York City’s neon-lit epicentre. Once again, Jonathan Bennett and Jeremy Hassell will host, overseeing a giddy night of incredible entertainment – including music from the Jonas Brothers, girl group TLC, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor – as spectators share their hopes and dreams for the year ahead.

Finally, New York mayor Eric Adams (and some very special guests) will inaugurate the highly-anticipated ball drop as the big moment arrives, showering the crowd with tons of colorful confetti as we collectively ring in the New Year.

And you don’t have to catch a plane, or even board a Greyhound bus, to be a part of it. It’s incredibly easy to access a live feed of the event, and stream a variety of high-profile TV specials too, no matter where you’re currently located. So, keep reading as we explain how to watch the 2025 New Year’s Eve ball drop online and 100% free from anywhere now.

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Where to watch 2025 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop online for free in the US

There’s no shortage of ways to watch the 2025 New Year’s Eve ball drop in the US. The free live stream will be available without commercials through TimesSquareNYC and TimesSquareBall from 6pm ET / 3pm PT.

Meanwhile, multiple TV networks will be broadcasting their own high-profile specials, featuring a mix of exclusive, in-studio performances from A-list acts, while also reporting on events in Times Square and the much-lauded ball drop. Below we’ve listed the most popular along with how to watch them when they air on December 31 2024:

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest. Co-hosted by Seacrest and Rita Ora, the special will air on ABC from 8pm ET / 5pm PT, and feature performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Lenny Kravitz, and Teddy Swims. You can stream ABC live with a Fubo (currently $49.99 after 7-day free trial) or Sling TV Blue plan, or you could watch the programme on-demand the next day with Hulu.

New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash. Keith Urban and Rachel Smith will host on CBS, presenting music from hugely popular acts like Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, and Post Malone from 8pm ET / 5pm PT. You’ll want to grab a FuboTV plan, or alternatively, a Paramount Plus with Showtime membership ($12.99 per month after free trial), to stream CBS live online.

New Year’s Eve Live. Co-presented by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN, they’ll broadcast live from Times Square, with the New Year’s Eve special kicking off from 8pm ET / 5pm PT on December 31 and featuring performances from 50 Cent, Sting, Meghan Trainor and more. A Sling TV plan (Orange or Blue) will provide a live CNN stream, from $20 for your first month (and from $40 thereafter). Alternatively, watch the special on the Max streaming service, from $9.99 a month if you get the ad-supported plan.

Feliz! The Spanish-language show is hosted by Raúl de Molina and will air from 10pm ET / 7pm PT on the Universo challenge. Special guest spots haven’t yet been confirmed, but you can expect some of the hottest Latin music stars to take to the stage. Viewers will need a Fubo subscription (available from $49.99 after the week-long free trial) to watch Universo content on the night.

Overseas and want to access your US-only services as normal? We explain below how a VPN can help.

How to watch 2025 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop online from anywhere

If you're a US citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch the 2025 New Year’s Eve ball drop online just as you would at home.

While services like Sling TV and Paramount Plus block access from IP addresses outside of the US, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN that can change your IP address to make it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.

For example, US citizens overseas can subscribe to a VPN, join a US-based server and access their subscription from anywhere in the world, just like they would back home.

Step-by-step of using a VPN to unblock:

1. Choose your ideal VPN and install – our go-to recommendation for unblocking is NordVPN.

2. Connect to a server – for US streaming services, you'll want to connect to a server based in the US

3. Go to the stream you wish to access - for the 2025 New Year's Eve ball drop, head to a platform like Sling TV or Fubo.

Mork & Mindy started out as a single episode for Happy Days, in which Williams’ Mork comes down from the planet Ork and is introduced to Fonzie, Ralph, Potsie, Chachi, and Richie, who initially saw the flying saucer. It was Williams’ performance in the episode “My Favorite Orkan” that convinced producers to make a spin-off surrounding Mork. Winkler told Scrubs alums Zach Braff and Donald Faison on their podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends that no one wanted to play Mork, and they were on quite the time crunch:

At the time of his audition, Williams was still gradually breaking out in the industry, with a few small roles in film and television. He was a regular performer on the sketch comedy program Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in 1977 but still was not too known. That is, until his audition for Happy Days. While he started out shy, Winkler recalls what happened in that audition room and how the mood changed:

Anyone aware of Robin Williams knows how unsurprising that is, but considering he was able to flip a switch and go from a shy human to someone completely different, it’s a testament to how talented he was. Whether or not a Mork spinoff would have happened if anyone else had landed the role is unknown, but since Williams blew everyone away, they knew they had a hit on their hands and weren’t willing to let it slide, and that turned into the '70s and '80s sci-fi show.

Mork & Mindy is one of the many famous sitcoms that never made it to 100 episodes, as it capped out at 91 episodes during its original run, with an additional four during syndication. To this day, though, it remains a favorite among fans and is one of the funniest sci-fi TV shows of all time even despite the spinoff not being like the original series or fellow spinoff Laverne & Shirley, and Williams certainly had a lot to do with it.

Those wishing to see just what Mork & Mindy is all about or wanting to watch it again to see how much of a genius Williams truly is can watch the series for free on Pluto TV. All four seasons are streaming on the ad-supported streamer, and knowing that it’s free makes it even better.

Few TV finales spark debate like Dexter: New Blood’s seemingly deadly finale, a shocking conclusion where the beloved antihero, played by Michael C. Hall, met his end at the hands of his own son, Harrison. Now, as Showtime’s titular serial killer universe expands with the prequel series Dexter: Original Sin and a sequel series Resurrection set to hit the 2025 TV schedule next summer, creator Clyde Phillips is reflecting on the controversial choices that shaped Dexter Morgan’s fate — and why fans haven’t seen the last of him.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Phillips explained the reasoning behind his bold decision to kill Mr. Morgan in New Blood, describing it as an effort to honor the integrity of the character and bring a definitive end to his story. As he tells it:

The finale, aptly titled “Sins of the Father,” saw Dexter urge Harrison to kill him to break the violent cycle that defined their lives. For Phillips, this was both an artistic and practical choice. He noted that anything short of a conclusive finale would have felt dishonest following the original series’ divisive 2013 ending, in which the beloved antihero faked his death and became a lumberjack. But, as the creator points out, everyone hated it.

However, the character’s death wasn’t the end of the story. Enter Original Sin, a prequel series that delves into the origins of Dexter’s murderous instincts and the moral code instilled in him by his adoptive father, Harry Morgan (played by Christian Slater). The series follows a young Mr. Morgan, portrayed by Patrick Gibson, as he navigates his dark urges and begins his journey to becoming the calculating killer fans know.

Phillips revealed that the twist in Original Sin’s opening minutes sets up even bigger surprises for Resurrection. Dexter, it turns out, survived his apparent death in New Blood, thanks in part because the actor behind the serial killer picked up his phone and made a call. He explains:

Clyde Phillips has kept the Dexter universe alive and thriving, and for us die-hard fans, that’s nothing short of a gift. If you’re wondering how to watch the prequel series Original Sin, it’s already streaming on Paramount+ as of December 13, 2024. New episodes drop every Friday, with a Sunday night premiere at 10 p.m. on Showtime for those who prefer the old-school viewing experience.

As for what’s next, the sequel series Resurrection is gearing up for a 2025 debut, picking up with the forensic specialist with a dark side’s miraculous recovery from his gunshot wound and diving back into the dark and twisted tale we can’t get enough of.

With the Dexter creative team weaving an ambitious narrative across dual timelines, expectations are sky-high for both newcomers and seasoned fans. In the meantime, why not rewatch the original Dexter series? It’s still one of the best shows on Showtime, and with Dexter’s story evolving, it’s the perfect way to make peace with that polarizing first finale — and get hyped for what’s coming next.

The actress certainly had more to celebrate than her One Chicago character often does to prepare for 2025! Take a look at her announcement on Instagram below, and be sure to click through to see both photos:

Kudos to Marina Squerciati and those around her for successfully hiding her pregnancy, because there was absolutely no sign during the end of Chicago P.D. Season 11 or start of Season 12, other than that – as noted in her caption – she missed the first two episodes of the fall season. NBC's hit show had found a great way to explain the character's absence, and Squerciati missing a couple installments had me assuming that it was due to One Chicago budget cutbacks! Who knew?

The pregnancy announcement not only showed off Squerciati's baby bump, complete with #BikiniLife, #MiamiVibes, and #motherofdragons, but also her daughter's take. Perhaps that last dragon-related hashtag is a sign of what her daughter represented in her artwork – the challenges Squerciati faced as a working mom successfully keeping some very big news private from the public!

This was the second time during the run of Chicago P.D. that Squerciati has kept a baby bump off camera, as she was pregnant during the seventh season back in 2017. She stepped away from the show for her maternity leave, which P.D. explained by Burgess needing a furlough to take care of her sister. Due to timing in 2024, the actress evidently didn't need to take a break from filming part of the way into a season. We can just all be glad that she was able to take time with her family instead of rushing back to work for the first two episodes of Season 12.

And her One Chicago friends wasted no time in celebrating the news after she made the announcement on Instagram. Within an hour, former P.D. star Tracy Spiridakos had posted three hearts in Squerciati's comment section, with executive producer Brian Luce commenting "Priceless!" LaRoyce Hawkins, who has worked alongside Squerciati from the very beginning of P.D. as Kevin Atwater, wrote:

Messages of congratulations are also pouring in from fans, along with wishes for a Happy New Year. All in all, Squerciati's post was very sweet to see during the winter break of her longtime show, and not just because Burgess could be going through the wringer again in the upcoming One Chicago crossover in late January.

I have to echo all the other One Chicago fans (as well as her P.D. pals) in congratulating Marina Squerciati on the new arrival, and hopefully the new year only brings good things for her and her family.

That’s right, my anime lovers. It’s time for me to talk about the best anime of the year. The 2024 TV premiere schedule has been filled to the brim with new releases, and truthfully, the 2025 TV premieres aren't that far behind, with some significant shows returning. But, among all of those fun television series, anime is one of my favorite genres.

And, there were plenty of great anime that came out in 2024 – and some others that you should most certainly skip. Here are four great anime that I would recommend and two others that you should just skip altogether.

Watch: Solo Leveling

Who else is just shaking their legs in anticipation of Solo Leveling Season 2 in January 2025? Because I certainly am.

Solo Leveling is based on the web novel of the same name and follows the story of a monster hunter who is picked by a mysterious program called the System to level up his strength by taking down monster after monster. In doing so, he tries to find the source of the monsters and what led him to discover these powers.

I know that there are so many people out there who say that the main character, Sung Jinwoo, is overpowered, but you know what? I don’t care because I love this type of story. I love a story of an underdog training his absolute butt off to try and get as strong as possible, because he had a second chance at life, and he’s not going to let it go to waste. How can you not enjoy something like that?

The series is also a great one to get into if you’ve already watched some great dark anime or you’re a fan of video game adaptations, because there are a lot of good callbacks to playing video games in it. There’s really something for everyone, and I would recommend checking it out to anyone who wants some good voice acting to get into.

Watch: Dandadan

This anime…is wacky as heck. But it’s a fun time.

Dandadan, which you can stream on Netflix, follows the story of two high school students who make a bet with each other to determine if ghosts or aliens are real—only for one of them to be abducted by aliens and the other to be possessed by a ghost. Eventually, they come back together to use their newfound powers to fight against enemies, both spiritual and extraterrestrial.

This series is a must-watch for body horror fans and fans of The X-Files for many reasons. It is just so weird and crazy, but in a good way, where you scratch your head at what you just witnessed on your TV screen, but you’re still snickering and enjoying the show regardless.

Truthfully, I don’t think an anime has thrown me off course this much since I watched the intense first season of Chainsaw Man in 2022, and it takes a lot for me to get confused so quickly. I promise, though, it was worth it, and you’ll be entertained for hours. A second season has already been confirmed.

Watch: Delicious In Dungeon

If you love playing Dungeons & Dragons as well as being a foodie like myself, then you’ll probably end up loving Delicious in Dungeon. The anime is adapted from the manga of the same name and follows the story of a group of adventurers who must survive a fantasy world after failing to defeat a dragon. In order to do so, they eat the monsters that they kill along the way.

I love this series so much. I’ll be honest and say that most of my favorite anime tend to travel more towards darker ones, such as Attack on Titan or Jutjutsu Kaisen, where my heart will literally be ripped out of my chest by the end of each episode.

But this show is just so…homey. Granted, they are still fighting monsters along the way, and there’s action aplenty, but I think it’s a mix of the gorgeous animation and how they somehow make this food from monsters so appetizing. I have walked away from this series hungry more often than not.

Watch: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

For those who love the best fantasy TV shows out there, this one’s for you. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is based on the manga of the same name and follows the story of an elven mage named Frieren (the titular character) who sets out on an adventure to find a place where souls rest to reunite with one of her former comrades.

I don’t want to spoil much about this series because I really think it’s worth the time to discover it. The animation is beautiful, and the world-building is expertly crafted, but what makes this series so much better is that it offers deep, emotional themes that literally anyone can relate to.

Whether it's love, life, friendship, or death – there is something here that will hit you hard and fast and have you re-examining the way you think about the world around you. And, obviously, who doesn’t love a little bit of magic?

Skip: Uzumaki

I almost don’t even need to explain why you should skip this, but because I must, here you go.

Uzumaki came out on Max and is a horror anime based on the manga of the same name. The series follows the lives of the people of Kurouzu-cho, a town that is haunted by a curse, and how the two main characters we follow slowly become victims of it as well.

This series had so much promise. As someone who loves the best horror movies, something like this normally sounds right up my alley. But this anime is so hard to watch. They tried to go with a different kind of art style so it matches up with the style of the manga, but it just looks bad, and it makes the quality drop significantly.

It’s a shame, because Uzumaki is one of the best horror manga out there. It needs the proper adaptation that it deserves.

Skip: Ninja Kamui

Another example of something that could have been fantastic but ended up falling flat is Ninja Kamui, which tells the story of a former ninja assassin who wishes to live a normal life now. When his past catches up with him and causes his family to get killed, he decides to follow the path of revenge and take on a new identity.

Unlike the other entries on this list, Ninja Kamui is an original anime series, so it’s not based on manga – and you can tell as the series goes on. It starts excellently, but as the episodes roll, the story slowly begins to fall apart, and it really gets overtaken by action sequences rather than thrilling storytelling.

There are so many great anime out there that you could check out if you haven’t, but these are just some of my favorites from 2024 – and now, maybe you’ll find a new series to check out, too.

There have been accusations lodged back and forth between Nikki Garcia and her former DWTS partner — who began dating in 2019 when they were paired together on Season 25 the ABC dance competition — since his arrest. Garcia began looking for a divorce lawyer immediately, though Artem Chigvintsev has insisted he was not violent with his wife. In reflecting on the year, Garcia said on The Nikki & Brie Show podcast she’s realized how strong she is, and one big lesson she learned was:

Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev share one child, 4-year-old Matteo, so as hard as this breakup has been on Garcia, it’s not surprising that a lot of her focus is on her son. She spoke about the energy she’s put into trying to fix people, saying she’s learned you can show love and support “especially in relationships that you have,” but you’re not here to fix. Garcia issued some strong advice for anyone who might hear themselves in her words, saying:

That’s definitely some strong energy to take into 2025.

Nikki Garcia’s divorce from Artem Chigvintsev was finalized in November. A district attorney declined to file criminal charges against the professional dancer following his arrest, and both parties have since dropped their restraining orders against each other. Hopefully that means all involved are set to move into the new year in a healthy way.

The SNL episode featuring Colfer aired toward the end of Season 36 back in 2011, with Ed Helms hosting and Paul Simon as musical guest. (You can stream it now with a Peacock subscription.) While the then-Glee star didn't actually have any lines, highlights of his sketch include Kenan Thompson singing, Bill Hader playing Lindsey Buckingham, and then the real Lindsey Buckingham coming on stage as Lindsey Buckingham. Looking back at the experience when speaking with Vulture, Colfer said:

Rarely was Glee a hotter commodity than 2011, with Chris Colfer winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor as well as earning an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor. Still, being on one of television's most talked-about shows packed with memorable musical covers didn't mean that Colfer was fully prepared to work with legends like Simon and Buckingham.

An added complication? Paul Simon and Lindsey Buckingham are such music icons that Chris Colfer of course already knew certain details about their lives, including Simon's marriage to the late Carrie Fisher and Buckingham's infamously tumultuous relationship with Stevie Nicks. The Glee actor had to keep reminding himself what not to bring up to either of the industry legends, as he shared:

Given that Chris Colfer didn't actually have any lines in the sketch, Paul Simon might have honestly thought he was a seat filler if he wasn't a Glee viewer, but Colfer not getting to speak was actually part of the punchline of the entire sketch. Take a look:

Alas, just like Bill Hader's version of Lindsey Buckingham, Chris Colfer just didn't get a chance to speak on Diondre Cole's (Kenan Thompson) show. Honestly, I have to shout out Thompson for his work in the sketch, considering how much singing he did in front of Paul Simon, Lindsey Buckingham, and a Glee star! The longtime SNL star is known for many things, but a music career is not one of them.

It remains to be seen if Chris Colfer will ever get another shot on Saturday Night Live. After more than 100 episodes of Glee from 2009-2015, he hasn't tackled another series regular role. He did appear in two episodes of Hot in Cleveland, Absolutely Famous: The Movie, and voiced a character in four episodes of Netflix's Ridley Jones. If you want to revisit his Glee days for the highs and lows of Kurt Hummel's journey, all six seasons are available streaming on Hulu now.

Azrael Abyss

If you were around in the late-nighties, you know just how big goth culture got. It was a seriously popular subset of pop culture (though the goths would hate being described as such). As SNL is a reflection of the times, it's no surprise that "Goth Talk" with its host Azrael Abyss, plays by Chris Kattan) became a great recurring sketch.

Judy Grimes

Kristen Wiig is one of the legendary players to ever come out of Saturday Night Live and she came up with some amazing characters. You might forget that one of those characters, Judy Grimes was, ostensibly, the Weekend Update travel expert. She was really more famous for her extreme nervousness when on the air which resulted in hilarious run-on sentences and her catchphrase, "Just kidding."

Fernando

Billy Crystal was a key part of SNL in the mid-eighties as a frequent host and briefly as a cast member. That all led to some great characters, like Fernando. Sure, he's not as forgotten as some others on this list, but still, he looks Mahvalous!

Nadeen

Over her five seasons on Saturday Night Live, Cheri Oteri came up with some amazing characters. While we all remember The Cheerleaders with her and Will Ferrell, not everyone will remember Nadeen. You never knew where Nadeen was going to pop up, it could be in a hospital, or maybe at a department store, but it was always going to be a struggle to deal with her.

Nathan Thurm

Martin Short really worked overtime on some of his characters, such as Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick, that we all still love today. One character that isn't as remembered these days is Nathan Thurm, the sweaty, chain-smoking entertainment lawyer who wasn't as smart as he thought he was.

Tounces The Driving Cat

Everyone once in a while, SNL strays into the surreal and the absurd, and there is no greater example than Tounces The Driving Cat. It was such a weird sketch, that featured a cat who could drive a car. Usually over a cliff.

Mango

Chris Kattan's most famous character has to be his half of the Butabi Brothers alongside Will Ferrell. But one of his funniest recurring characters was Mango, the exotic dancer who had the ability to draw anyone into his orbit with just a few wild dance moves.

Richard Laymer

Did you know that the "makin' copies" guy had a name? Rob Schneider's most famous character isn't as remembered if you weren't watching the show in the '90s. Richard Laymer was his name and he was the most annoying co-worker anyone could ever imagine. He was hilarious at the time, but the joke has worn pretty thin over the years.

Tommy Flanagan

Tommy Flanagan is a forgotten... no... a slightly famous... wait, no, he's the most famous character ever created! Yeah, that's the ticket! He was also known as The Pathological Liar and was played by Marlon Bran...no...Robert de...no, Jon Lovitz! In all seriousness, it was a fantastic character but like a lot of Lovitz's characters, he seems completely forgotten about today.

The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party

Of all of Cecily Strong's amazing characters during her amazing 11-year run on the show, The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party is perhaps her best, but it's also one she just didn't do enough. Early in her career at SNL The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party would show up regularly on Weekend Update, but it got more and more sporadic. Which is too bad, Seth, because the ocean, Seth.

Willie And Frankie

If you take two comedy legends like Christopher Guest and Billy Crystal together, the odds are you're going to get some funny stuff happening. Though they were only on the show for one season together, they did come up with a couple of amazing recurring characters in Willie and Frankie. They were co-workers in various different ways who would commiserate together over really painful stuff that could happen on the job and have hilarious conversations about them.

Grumpy Old Man

Dana Carvey spent seven seasons on SNL and he's returned many times over the years as a host and a guest star. Over that time, he's developed some of the most beloved characters in the show's history, like Garth Algar and The Church Lady, to name a couple. One of his funniest characters though was the Grumpy Old Man who would make appearances on Weekend Update to complain about every new and talk about how hard he had it growing up in comparison.

The Continental

Christopher Walken has never been a cast member, but he has hosted many, many times and one character that you can often count on showing up when he does is The Continental. The sketches are shot in a POV style and the character is a creepy, aggressive Don Juan-type who is offensive and hilarious... and hopeless most of the time.

Collette Reardon

Collette Reardon, played by Cheri Oteri, was one big mess. It's an understatement to say she was over-prescribed on pills. She took them all and could somehow keep it together as she explained by why she took each one. It's about all she could, as she obviously couldn't dress herself or apply makeup.

Father Guido Sarducci

Comedian Don Novello was never a full cast member on SNL, but his recurring character, Father Guide Sarducci, was a regular guest on Weekend Update for a few years in the '70s and '80s. It's a character that Novello played for years after as well, appearing on shows well into this century, including on The Colbert Report.

Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer

There was no way we could put together a list like this without including the late, great Phil Hartman. Of course, he had many beloved characters over his years on Saturday Night Live, but one of the weirdest and funnies was the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer who was surprisingly good at his job despite his obvious limitations.

Debbie Downer

Rachel Dratch had a successful run on SNL in the early '00s and she's continued to pop up here and there on the show, like during the 2020 election when she did an impression of candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar. During her time as a regular cast member, she came up with the hilarious Debbie Downer who could have something sad about just everything, including Disney World.

Jebidiah Atkinson

Jebidiah Atkinson is truly a character that should have been more popular. Played by Taran Killam, Atkinson was a newspaper editor from the 19th Century who had something negative to say about everything in his appearances

Opera Man

Adam Sandler is one of the most famous former SNL cast members and over his years on the show, he played some memorable characters. One of his less-remembered ones was Opera Man, who sang through his appearances, usually on Weekend Update in classic Adam Sandler fashion.

The end of the 2024 TV schedule means that the time is right to look back on some of the most notable small screen ratings and audience sizes from the past several months. While Grey's Anatomy has been secure on ABC's Thursday nights going back to 2006, the network moved it to the 10 p.m. ET time slot for the first time since Season 2 as Doctor Odyssey joined to fill the Station 19 vacancy. There's a long wait until Grey's returns in the 2025 TV schedule, and worth looking at the ratings to see if change is warranted in the new year.

ABC's Thursday lineup in fall of the 2024-2025 TV schedule started with 9-1-1 Season 8 at 8 p.m. ET, continued with Doctor Odyssey in Grey's Anatomy's former slot at 9 p.m. ET, and then the long-running medical drama closed out the night in Station 19's previous slot at 10 p.m. ET. According to TVLine, the average audience for Grey's in Season 21 so far across seven days is just 4 million, with a rating of 0.52.

That marks a drop of 17% since Season 20 aired at 9 p.m. on Thursdays in the spring, which is a big dip. That said, it is worth noting that Season 21 has remained steady with the numbers from Station 19's final season. It also makes Grey's Anatomy the ABC show on Thursday nights with the smallest average audience, although the 0.52 rating comes between 9-1-1 (at 0.65) and Doctor Odyssey (at 0.46). (All three shows are available streaming with a Hulu subscription now.)

While comparing those three series, though, Joshua Jackson's new project has improved on the audience size from Grey's Anatomy's previous season in the 9 p.m. slot. by 3%. As for 9-1-1, the audience has remained steady for Season 8 from how the show's first season on ABC performed earlier in the year following its migration over from Fox, and it is tied for #2 among highest-rated broadcast network dramas. According to the figures from TVLine, Grey's is the only one of ABC's scripted shows to dip in the ratings and audience from the 2023-2024 TV season to the 2024-2025 TV season so far.

If this all seems like a lot of math, just know that Grey's Anatomy has dropped in ratings and audience size since moving from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on Thursdays and is currently the least-viewed of the ABC shows on the night. That's of course not the end of the world, and that late slot could still allow for some extra steamy scenes as Season 21 continues. Plus, there are other variables to consider, including that the medical drama is no longer paired with another show set in the same universe since the end of Station 19.

At the time of writing, ABC hasn't changed the order of the primetime lineup of 9-1-1, then Doctor Odyssey, then Grey's Anatomy on Thursdays in 2025, so the ratings may not matter much until closer to the end of Season 21. Unfortunately for fans, the network isn't bringing the shows back any time too soon. All three return with their winter premieres on Thursday, March 6. In the meantime, you can always revisit earlier episodes via Hulu.

Tracker became an immediate hit for CBS when it premiered early in the 2024 TV schedule, with Justin Hartley quickly proving himself as a leading man after the end of his time as one of the Pearsons of This Is Us. There was no saying whether the drama would be able to sustain its stellar ratings into its second season, though, especially when the network changed the time slot in which it airs. Now, ahead of the 2025 TV schedule picking up, the numbers are in to show that some of CBS' biggest shows dipped in the ratings... but Tracker wasn't one of them.

Justin Hartley's drama ranks as broadcast television's most-watched scripted series and #1 rated drama again, according to TVLine, citing the total size of the audience after seven days of viewing (Live+7) and the rating in the 18-49 age demographic. Tracker's Live+7 average audience for Season 2 so far is 11.4 million viewers, with a rating of 0.82. Now, even if you can't make heads or tails of those numbers, it's worth noting that Tracker's audience grew by 6% from Season 1 after changing Sunday time slots to air at 8 p.m. ET ahead of The Equalizer instead of after. The Equalizer dropped by 18% with the time slot swap.

No sophomore slump for Justin Hartley! While it might not seem surprising that a show that was a smash hit in Season 1 continues to be a smash hit in Season 2, several others of CBS' heavy hitters experienced ratings drops in the fall portion of the 2024-2025 TV schedule. NCIS is down 21% from last season despite being a network mainstay for more than two decades now, while FBI: Most Wanted and Max Thieriot's Fire Country are both 12% down. (All of these shows and more are available streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.)

As for freshman shows within existing franchises, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage has a smaller audience than Young Sheldon by 14%, while NCIS: Origins has a lower retention out of NCIS than NCIS: Hawai'i did prior to its cancellation, although only by 1%. Carrie Preston's Elsbeth is the only other returning scripted show noted by TVLine to have increased from the previous season, with a growth of 4%. And when it comes to the TV show that brought Kathy Bates to TV, Matlock is crushing all other CBS competition with the exception of Tracker.

All in all, the switch from 9 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET on Sundays hasn't hurt Tracker throughout its second season, and the show is keeping that slot once it returns with the winter premiere in the new year. A change is coming to CBS Sundays, though, with Morris Chestnut's Watson – a medical drama with a Sherlock Holmes-esque slant – airing between Tracker and The Equalizer after its premiere on January 26. I wouldn't be surprised if Watson is a breakout hit of the winter premiere season like Tracker was, although perhaps not quite reaching the same ratings highs as when Hartley was fresh off of the fan-favorite This Is Us.

Tracker fans can certainly celebrate that not only is the show continuing to crush in the ratings, but it also avoided any audience size dips that afflicted some other CBS shows in the fall. Justin Hartley's series will be back in primetime with the winter premiere on Sunday, February 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. In the meantime, you can always revisit earlier episodes streaming via Paramount+.

The Big Bang Theory truly went out with a bang when Mark Hamill was among the many celebs to cameos in the later seasons of CBS' hit comedy. Forever remembered for his iconic role as Luke Skywalker, you better believe that the episode where he officiated Sheldon and Amy’s wedding was jam-packed with a bunch of Star Wars film puns. I can’t believe that the American actor became such a fan of the comedy show after his cameo, but he shared his story about the “very clever” Star Wars burn that stuck with him checking out.

The Season 10 finale of The Big Bang Theory already did a crazy thing when Sheldon proposed to Amy. For the Season 11 finale, Shamy got married with none other than Mark Hamill as the officiant to repay Howard for finding his dog. The Empire Strikes Back actor got on board for the Season 11 finale without having read the script after having a good talk with the showrunners and writers. If you can believe it, Jessica Radloff’s tell-all book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series (via SlashFilm) revealed Hamill became a huge fan of the long-running show with a “very clever” Star Wars burn that stuck with him:

That truly was a major burn considering The Phantom Menace faced criticism for its childlike tone with incorporating Jar Jar Binks. But surely you can’t deny that the introduction of Darth Maul was a cool addition to the Star Wars lore. One of the best things about The Big Bang Theory was the way it incorporated Star Wars puns into the series, which tracked with what pop culture nerds the Caltech scientists are.

This is all the more reason why it was a must for the Emmy-winning sitcom to have Star Wars rule many episodes. For example, there was an episode when the nerdy bunch all went to see The Force Awakens together except for Sheldon, who chose to celebrate Amy’s birthday that night. There was also the time when James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher guest-starred (and they actually met for the first time on the set of The Big Bang Theory).

Another unbelievable fact about Mark Hamill’s involvement in The Big Bang Theory is that the Batman voice actor didn’t watch too much of the sitcom until months after his guest-starring cameo. He said he only saw about 30-40 episodes before being the lucky A-lister to officiate Shamy’s wedding and attempt to answer wedding guests’ Star Wars questions before Stuart butted in. However, Hamill admitted he wished he could have seen all twelve seasons before his big episode in order to chat with the cast and crew of the Star Wars-centric episodes:

It may have been too late for Mark Hamill to officially acquaint himself with all the available seasons of The Big Bang Theory before appearing in an episode, but better late than never. Fortunately, The Last Jedi actor can now truly say he got to be one of the legendary guest stars to converse with Howard, Sheldon, and the other signature characters before its unforgettable series finale.

It’s really cool that Mark Hamill is such a Big Bang Theory fan long after his cameo appearance. Even if it was just for one episode, he’ll always have his experience of officiating Sheldon and Amy’s wedding as well as the clever Phantom Menace burn to stick with him always.

You can watch Mark Hamill’s Big Bang Theory episode, called “The Bow Tie Asymmetry,” and many others on your Max subscription. Feel free to take a look at our 2025 TV schedule so you already prep your TV watchlist.

Hatcher portrayed one of the aforementioned housewives, Susan Mayer, for all eight seasons. Like much of the Desperate Housewives cast, she’s remained pretty busy since the finale, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t think about Wisteria Lane from time to time. In 2018, she admitted she wanted a Desperate Housewives revival, but while speaking with Swooon recently, it seems like her mindset has changed, and I can’t say I blame her:

Throughout much of the series’ run, Susan was with James Denton’s Mike Delfino, whom she married and had a son with. Mike was killed in a drive-by shooting in Season 8 after he pushed Susan out of the way, courtesy of a loan shark. It was a heartbreaking scene, and even though twelve years have passed, it's hard to imagine how her story would continue. It wouldn’t make sense to have with someone else since, as Hatcher said, Mike was the love of her life.

It's hard to picture where she would be now. It does sound like Desperate Housewives still means a lot to Teri Hatcher, but when you really think about it, there’s no reason to have Susan involved because it’s quite possible that she has closed Wisteria Lane’s chapter in her life. However, if there is ever a Desperate Housewives reboot, it’s also possible that a non-series regular role could make sense.

Desperate Housewives was a massive hit when it aired and topped ratings for a year from 2007 to 2008, but thanks to streaming, the series has found a new audience years later. The series is streaming with a Hulu subscription and is also available with a Prime subscription, which has probably only heightened fans' appetites for a reboot. If one were to happen, there are several different directions that it could go. A prequel, sequel, or completely fresh series are all options.

Depending on what type of reboot it would be, Hatcher may not even be needed but that doesn’t mean that fans can’t still hope, regardless of her thoughts. She seems pretty adamant about it, though, so fans shouldn’t count on seeing Susan returning to Wisteria Lane in the near future, whether or not there's another Desperate Housewives show.

I am what some might call a Seinfeld obsessive. More than just thinking of it as the greatest sitcom of all time, I have watched every episode and the funniest moments enough times that they practically play in syndication in my brain. I've deeply mined all sorts of behind-the-scenes featurettes and stories, and I ace every trivia quiz I come across. I like to think that I know everything there is to know about the show – but that just means that I'm especially tickled to make new discoveries like the one I found during my most recent rewatch.

Like many other Seinfeld fans, I was blissed-out this fall when it was announced that the NBC comedy series had been remastered and was getting a 4K UHD release (in the original aspect ratio no less), and I was immediately curious what kind of details I would find watching the series in pristine quality when my purchased copy arrived earlier this month. What I ended up discovering at the end of Season 5's "The Bris" can admittedly be seen in any prior release of the show, but my brain is still blown nonetheless.

To quickly recap the episode: a couple who are friends with Jerry and Elaine ask them to be the godfather and godmother of their new baby, and that requires the two friends to help plan the child's circumcision (a Jewish tradition known as a bris). Naturally, everything goes terribly wrong, and the nutjob moyle that Elaine hires (played to comedic perfection by guest star Charles Levin) ends up slicing the tip of Jerry's index finger.

Like all episodes in early seasons, "The Bris" ends with Jerry doing a standup bit (specifically one about people all around the world willing to do super disgusting jobs), but during my most recent rewatch, I picked up on a super minor detail that I absolutely love: Jerry's bandaged finger.

To be honest, one of the reasons why particularly love this discovery is because of how it relates to the way I've always felt about the intros and outros in Seinfeld. Even though I know the Jerry character in the series is a comedian, I've always perceived a barrier between the standup and the sitcom – which can at least partially be attributed to the fact that the jokes only rarely have any correlation with the stories. Seeing the character's bandaged finger at the end of "The Bris" effectively breaks that barrier, and I love it for doing so.

If you want to see this wonderful detail for yourself, you can stream the episode in question (along with the entire show) using your Netflix subscription – but if you're a Seinfeld fanatic like myself, allow me to personally recommend picking up the recently released 4K UHD box set. The filmmakers developing the release did a tremendous job remastering the show, and watching it in such great quality gives it a wonderful, fresh feel.

Natalie Mordovtseva survived her showdown with Jasmine Pineda, but the conflict remains over involving her drama with Josh Weinstein. As we look ahead to the 2025 TV schedule, 90 Day: The Last Resort will finally address what might be the most chaotic confrontation of the season. Natalie will ask Josh about those texts with Sophie Sierra, and it might just be a defining moment in their storyline.

I voiced my opinion in the past that Josh and Natalie are beyond help for couples therapy, but we won't technically know that for sure until this upcoming conversation plays out. If these two can make it through what they're about to discuss without parting ways, there just might be hope for this 90 Day Fiancé couple yet.

Josh Will Return To The Resort After Stepping Away For Personal Reasons

Josh was granted permission to leave the resort temporarily so that he could be there to help out for his son's recovery following a devastating car accident. Natalie understood that he had to step away to care for his son, but when she learned from the rest of the ladies that Josh had been texting Sophie, it led to a chaotic moment where she demanded he invite her to his home in Las Vegas.

As we saw in the latest episode of 90 Day: Last Resort, Josh did a lot more than invite Sophie to Las Vegas. He also spoke quite negatively about his relationship with Natalie, which we reported on when the controversial texts leaked online ahead of the episode. Had she known the full context of what was said at the time of their bar exchange, I imagine it would've been much worse for him.

Will Natalie Forgive Josh For His Texts To Sophie?

I think Josh is going to vocally and visibly regret he returned to 90 Day: The Last Resort, or at least regret that he wasn't given a heads up about Natalie waiting to take him to task over those texts. I don't see their relationship surviving whatever argument is on the horizon, especially when it was so rocky just before he left.

All of that said, I thought Natalie and Josh were done as a couple back when they were on 90 Day: The Single Life Season 4. I would argue the fact that they didn't really seem like they were a couple heading into this show would argue that they shouldn't have been invited in the first place. What I'm getting at is that I think the odds were always better than not that these two would not be making it to the recommitment ceremony and were just enjoying some free time at a resort courtesy of TLC.

We'll see where things end up as 90 Day: The Last Resort continues with new episodes on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. I'm ready to see this latest confrontation between Josh and Natalie, and if they do decide to continue therapy, I wonder what's next for these two.

While NBC hasn't yet released footage of the crossover event, a new video on social media with a ticking clock and appearances from One Chicago cast members is already hyping what's to come in late January when they all join forces. As you'd expect, the comment section of the Instagram post is full of fans who are excited for the Fire/P.D./Med adventure, but there are also some stragglers from the Law & Order world. First, check out the video below:

Whether you have one particular favorite One Chicago show or rank them all equally, I'd say that it's nice to see stars from all three series represented. As another perk – seeing S. Epatha Merkerson looking so well (if a bit cryptic) is a relief after Chicago Med's bloody finale cliffhanger for Goodwin!

Of course, One Chicago is canonically tied to the Law & Order world due to a Chicago P.D. Season 1 and SVU Season 16 two-parter back in 2014, so perhaps it's not surprising that fans of the franchise also hit up the comment section of the One Chicago post to ask for a similar multi-parter in the world of Law & Order, SVU, and Organized Crime. Take a look:

• pathenaxayasane: "Hope one day you can bring back the Law & Order x One Chicago crossover events"
• tiffstagram7: "Aaaaaand yet we’ve been waiting over 600 days for Elliot Stabler to be in the same damn room with Olivia Benson…"
• chriska.marshmelon: "HAHAHAHHAHAHA you messing with the EO fandom trying to really wind us up. Ya’ll need to stop playing. Give us law and order svu and oc crossovers 💀"
• officiallynicol: "If yall don’t bring back Olivia to see Voight imma be mad. He gets so giddy when she visits. 😂"

The three current Law & Order shows only got one three-parter before Organized Crime was pulled from NBC and moved to streaming for fans with a Peacock subscription, and it truly has been a longtime since former on-screen partners Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) have interacted. I haven't done the math myself, but if there's one thing that long-suffering fans of Benson/Stabler can be trusted on, it's keeping track of how long they've been denied seeing the characters together!

Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) had some Law & Order comments to add to the One Chicago celebration as well:

• Primetime_TB: "Do a crossover with Chicago PD and Organized Crime! I can't believe we've never had a Hank and Stabler meeting"
• DitchTheVan: "Man we need a #OneWolf crossover before it’s all said and done. SVUs, FBIs, Chicagos. The entire Wolf galaxy"

I have to agree that it would be fun to see what Hank Voight and Elliot Stabler make of each other, and it's wild to imagine a crossover that would actually include all nine shows. The FBIs on CBS share the same universe as the NBC shows thanks to Chicago P.D.'s Detective Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) crossing over back in early 2020, so it's theoretically not impossible! Recent events on FBI: Most Wanted have already had me hoping for Law & Order to continue a story. As a fan of the Law & Order shows myself, I'd like some crossover action in 2025.

That said, I'm happy to just celebrate the upcoming three-show crossover coming to One Chicago. Fire, P.D., and Med are already connected closely enough that characters frequently drop by shows other than their own, and it's never hard to believe that a disaster could strike big enough to require the services of all three. The event is also switching up the usual Wednesday night lineup on NBC on January 29, with Fire at 8 p.m. ET, Med at 9 p.m. ET, and P.D. at 10 p.m. ET.

For now, though, fans can look forward to the One Chicago winter premieres when they arrive on Wednesday, January 8 and air in their usual time slots. Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU are due back on NBC on Thursday, January 16, while a premiere date for Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 on Peacock is still TBD. As for the FBIs, the original series, FBI: International, and FBI: Most Wanted return to CBS on Monday, January 27.

Joey Graziadei may still be trying to process the events of the last 12 months, during which he found love on reality TV and then Tarzan-danced his way to a Mirrorball Trophy with Jenna Johnson. His fiancée Kelsey Anderson has been by his side the whole time cheering him on, but according to a source for OK! magazine, they haven’t gotten too far into wedding planning just yet. The insider divulges:

After we saw distance play a role in ending the marriage of The Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, it’s good to know that Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson have at least taken that step. It also means he’s no longer couch-surfing with Anderson and her roommates, which is a very, very good thing.

The Bachelor Season 28 stars previously revealed that they’d had conversations in the Fantasy Suites about what steps they wanted to take after the show and how public they wanted their relationship to be. If the sources are correct, ABC is really hoping to be included in those ongoing discussions, which means it’s possible we’ll see them on our screens again soon. The insider said that allegedly:

Either one of those options would be huge for Bachelor Nation. We have seen a handful of couples tie the knot in a televised wedding special — the most recent of which was, of course, Gerry and Theresa’s unhinged affair — and it sounds like The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple may follow in their footsteps.

However, it’s rare to be talking about an actual spinoff. Only a handful of The Bachelor couples have gone on to star in their own shows, most notably Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell in their Freeform series Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After in 2016 (spoiler alert: It was not, in fact, happily ever after.).

JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers have hosted a couple of series together including the reality dating show The Big D, and while they never appeared together on the ABC shows, Chris Lambton and Peyton Wright — runners-up on their respective seasons of The Bachelorette and The Bachelor — got married and starred in the HGTV series Going Yard.

America has fallen in love not only with Joey Graziadei on three different ABC shows (starting with Charity Lawson’s season of The Bachelorette), but also Kelsey Anderson and even her father Mark, who appeared on The Golden Bachelorette and was considered a possible frontrunner to lead The Golden Bachelor Season 2. Now that he appears to be dating One Tree Hill actress Barbara Alyn Woods, I’m convinced this family is made for television.

Hopefully we will see more of Joey and Kelsey in the new year, and be sure to catch Grant Ellis’ season of The Bachelor, which premieres at 8 p.m. ET Monday, January 27, on ABC and streaming the next day with a Hulu subscription.

When Nate Bargatze hosted SNL for the first time in Season 49, it was a pretty big moment for the stand-up. He was gaining popularity, but this episode and exposure solidified him as a marquee entertainer. It was a fantastic episode, thanks in large part to Bargatze heading up one of the year's best and most viral sketches, titled “Washington’s Dream,” which focused on one of our founding fathers’ thoughts on competing systems of measurement. While it was definitely a bright spot of Season 49, apparently Bargatze had to fight, so to speak, to get the sketch approved by a less-than-enthused Lorne Michaels.

The comedian, whose latest Netflix special is now available to stream, appeared on the Good One podcast and opened up about what is widely known as the George Washington sketch, and how it went from the table read to air after being initially written up by Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell. The sketch apparently wasn’t ultra-popular at the table read, and wasn't yet a lock for Bargaze’s episode in the days leading up to the episode. As he put it:

The Nashville native also said while he was at first shy to speak out in defense of sketches where the show creator was concerned, he definitely wanted to express his positive opinion on the sketch. As a Season 49 SNL host, he had a unique system of power to utilize when it came to the show's lineup, and when it was up to him and Lorne Michaels to decide, he decided this was the best moment to speak up.

After first bringing up the fact that his only history with sketch comedy was watching the lone season of Aaron Sorkin's sketch-show-within-a-show drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and then regretting those words, Bargatze said he made the call to speak up for George Washington, and the consensus was that it probably wouldn't have made the show had it not been for that part of their conversation. As he put it:

Michaels may have wanted to take Bargatze’s opinion into account, but still wasn’t confident enough in the piece to put it early on in the show. While its post-monologue placement may seem like a no-brainer now, there was a lot about the sketch that made it difficult to perform. The entire sketch hinged on Bargatze’s delivery and cadence, and he was definitely capable of this as a stand-up comedian, but it also required large efforts from the costuming and art direction crew members, which made things trickier. As he put it:

The sketch ended up being a massive audience favorite at dress rehearsal and made it to the live show. Bargatze clearly advocated for the right sketch, because “Washington’s Dream” became one of the most viewed SNL sketches of Season 49. His comedic timing is perfect, and it partially earned the comic an invitation back to host in Season 50. They even did a second part to the sketch because audiences loved the first installment so much, and Bargatze’s latest hosting stint had some of the best sketches of the season so far.

Thankfully his instincts were so great, because we could’ve all been robbed of great comedy material that will likely live on in SNL history. Not every host would’ve sold “Washington’s Dream,” which made it the perfect sketch to be written specifically for Bargatze. If this story says anything, it’s that SNL is a well oiled machine, and requires all voices working together in order to create television magic week after week. Also it’s the new, changing voices that keep the show fresh and inventive.

You can revisit Nate Bargatze’s hosting stints on SNL by streaming episodes of the iconic show now with a Peacock subscription. Fans of the show can also watch the show live on Saturday nights at 11:30pm on NBC. SNL has some great Season 50 hosts and musical guests lined up for the new year's episodes, so make sure to check it out.

Even if we never got to see that Office crossover with It’s Always Sunny that Steve Carrel proposed all those years ago, the next best thing is heading for the 2025 TV schedule in the form of the Philly gang mashing it up with Abbott Elementary characters. The instantly hype-inducing episode is set to hit ABC in early January, and we thankfully have a far better idea of what kinds of hilarity will ensue now that the network has unveiled the first look trailer.

As someone who ranked Always Sunny quite highly on CinemaBlend’s list of the 100 Best Sitcoms Ever, and who also never misses an episode of Abbott Elementary, I was one of the many fans who went gaga for the initial announcement, even without knowing a single detail. But now we know all kinds of fun facts about the crossover ep, titled “Volunteers,” such as the District being to blame (or thank?) for sending Mac, Dee, Dennis, Charlie and Frank to the grade school, clearly without knowing that these people should be as far away from kids as possible.

Check out the first-look video below, and then join me in championing some of the character pairings seen both in the footage and in the still images ABC released.

I love that there's not a lot of pomp and circumstance behind the fact that some of cable TV's biggest reprobates are heading to broadcast TV for the first time to presumably wreak havoc at Abbott. And for documentary cameras, no less, which means we'll probably get to hear Dennis problematically asking the camera operators how they get footage from the characters' bedrooms.

But let's put some focus on the character interactions that we DO see in the trailer and in ABC's pics. The most hilarious thing to me by far is the idea of Rob McElhenney's Mac giving his sweetest-of-sweet-eyes to Janelle James' Ava. Though she's only seem giving him a deadass stare back as he attempts flirtatious maneuvers, the still seen above proves that she'll smile at least once during their interactions, even if it ends up being from something she said herself. There are vibes there, people!

Next up, I can already imagine how much I will want to see entire runtimes devoted to Danny DeVito's Frank rambling endlessly opposite William Stanford Davis' Mr. Johnson. It seems like their initial interactions will be rather querulous, with Frank calling the school custodian "the sheriff of trash." I kinda feel like Frank and Mr. Johnson both have the same ability to tap into magical realities that both keep them sane and allow their most eccentric behaviors to thrive.

And then we have Charlie, who actually seems like he'll be the most invested in the episode's narrative, despite not getting any killer laugh lines in the trailer. Charlie Day seems to be shown with more Abbott Elementary actors than any of his Always Sunny co-stars, and we can look forward to seeing the actor's dimwitted character Charlie sharing the screen with just about all of the school crew, including Chris Perfetti's Jacob, Sheryl Lee Ralph's Barbara, and Lisa Ann Walter's Melissa.

As seen above, he also looks like he might be confused by the schoolwork that the elementary kids are doing, so we probably shouldn't expect him to impress anyone too much. I mean, unless he's being enrolled in the class itself.

Not a whole lot of memorable screentime is given to Kaitlin Olson's Sweet Dee, though I'm intrigued by her getting up close and uncomfortable with Gregory. Olsonis pulling double duties on ABC, as she also has her trope-bucking procedural dramedy High Potential returning for the back half of Season 1, which amusingly filmed very close to where she's been filming the upcoming Season 17 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

While we also don't see much from Glenn Howerton's Dennis, let's not forget that he's the most monstrous and least kid-friendly of the quintet. And let's also not forget that Howerton spent a few seasons as a teacher himself as the star of the comedy AP Bio.

Even if it won't serve as a proper Christmas present, we can all enjoy the gift of crossover excellence when Abbott Elementary welcomes It's Always Sunny's stars for the episode airing on Wednesday, January 8, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Fans can catch up on all past episodes of both sitcoms with a Hulu subscription.

It’s no secret that Tarlos has been through a lot in these five seasons between multiple comas, kidnappings, near-death experiences, break-ups, make-ups, and much, much more. Season 5 has only made their new marriage a bit more complicated, not only with Carlos obsessed with finding his father’s murderer (which he eventually did in the midseason finale), but also T.K. wanting to adopt his little brother after his step-father Enzo was arrested.

Although Carlos was on the fence about at first, he expressed his desire with T.K. in the fall finale, but of course, it’s not going to be easy, as Raisani told TVLine:

I would have hoped that T.K. and Carlos would finally catch a break, especially in these final episodes, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The “unexpected turbulence” isn’t so surprising, but the fact that it’s a “series-altering moment" has me a little worried. There are plenty of possibilities for how this will go down, and there’s no indication if it will be good or bad. Lone Star fans know that the show is unpredictable, and none of the characters can ever have it easy.

That being said, it should be pointed out that Lone Star was cancelled after Season 5 had wrapped, meaning it’s quite possible that there will be some open endings. Considering whatever happens with Tarlos will change the series, there is no telling how it will end or how it could have continued in Season 6. Whatever happens, it sounds like it won’t be so straightfoward for T.K. and Carlos to adopt Jonah.

Meanwhile, T.K. and Carlos won’t be the only ones with problems heading into the new year. Tommy is continuing with breast cancer treatment, and Judd is still struggling without Grace. Not to mention the asteroid! These are surely going to be some exciting and nerve-wracking final few episodes, and even though it’s still hard to believe that the show is ending, there's still much to look forward to.

All seasons of 9-1-1: Lone Star, including the first nine episodes of Season 5, are streaming with a Hulu subscription. The final season returns on Monday, January 20 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox, with the series finale airing on February 3. Tarlos will be in for quite a ride, and you won’t want to miss it.

Leave it to the holidays to bring us small surprises that feed our media-loving souls. Jason Antoon, who played Ernie Malik, posted to his Instagram an NCIS: Hawai’i gathering at his costar’s home. And even though it’s a small group, it feels like we were just watching the finale yesterday. The caption speaks sweetly of those present (and not) while wishing everyone a good holiday season, check it out for yourself here:

Antoon's caption aimed to celebrate the majority of late December holiday festivities, while also sharing some love for those who weren't in attendance. Unsurprisingly, fans were all over the comment section with only positive things to say, such as those noted below.

• ohana😭😭😭😭 merry christmas to you all! - @blyedccks
• Love it. Still not over what happened. Wishing you all a happy new year x - @tracy.s1981
• I’m not crying you’re crying. Happy holidays, ‘Ohana! 🤙🏽❤️🎄- @nothingbutnette
• Love this. Happy holidays my friend! - @briankdietzen
• So very wonderful to see your beautiful/handsome faces!! 😍😍 So very much miss seeing you on Monday nights. Cheers to your continuing Ohana...and to the family members missing in this photo. 🤗😁💖- @londonadopted

The actress and model also took to her Instagram stories to commemorate the get-together, resharing the sweet group photo, as well as showing off a fitting tropical spread alongside a homey pic that nods to a cultural belief of where they filmed the series. Both of those pics can be seen below.

It’s a present I didn’t know I needed but truly glad to have. Having any of the cast members gathered together casually for a holiday reunion feels right, along with the delicious fruit spread and ties to Hawai'ian cultural norms. It's seemingly helping heal a part of their show getting canceled for me. And Nick Lachey amongst the bunch is a fun bonus, even if he didn't get to enjoy his own multi-season arc before it ended.

The Love is Blind co-host admitted she was blindsided about the cancellation, along with fellow costars. While the show had a designated fan base and gained a bit more traction, it ultimately was a scheduling snag. The Eye Network’s head honcho revealed, that if it had been any other year, Lachey and company would likely still be on air. The fans are still fighting for the series' return, often using #SaveNCISHawaii online but I’m glad this holiday reunion was shared as a small gift to fans.

This get-together photo is wholesome and makes me hopeful for each of their futures. Funnily enough, it also takes me right back to saying goodbye and feeling like no time has passed since. And fans don't need to take any time at all to instantly find episodes with a Paramount+ subscription.

And when I say that the first looks seemingly show Mayim Bialik and Abby doing the Blossom dance instead of Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, I mean that literally. Instead of playing a new character like what Kunal Nayyar did in his Night Court debut, the Call Me Kat vet will play a fictionalized version of herself who may be as obsessed with Melissa Rauch's character as Abby is with Blossom. It may just be a dream come true for Abby that Bialik seems to be teaching her the iconic Blossom dance in the first look below:

Bialik's version of herself may be stalking Abby on Night Court, but that doesn't mean they can't dance their way through a sitcom homage by the time the final credits roll! The episode, called "Mayim Worst Enemy," will include a moment that is straight out of the Blossom opening with a recreation of Bialik's pose with co-star Jenna von Oÿ back in the day:

Something tells me that we won't be getting too many nods to Bialik's Jeopardy hosting gig in her Night Court episode when there's Blossom and Big Bang Theory in her background! I just want to know if Bialik was able to teach Melissa Rauch the dance from memory, or if she needed a refresher too... assuming that we really are getting the Blossom dance. Another photo proves which of Bialik's projects Abby is a diehard fan of:

That's a Blossom hat like what Mayim Bialik regularly wore if ever I saw one! She may not have sported one from start to finish in every episode of the sitcom's five seasons on NBC, but I can easily believe that Abby could have already had that hat in her closet as a Blossom superfan. Another first look at the episode reveals that Bialik will come before Abby after (allegedly?) committing a crime, with John Larroquette's Dan Fielding as her defense:

And if none of these first looks really seem to hint at the plot of Mayim Bialik stalking Abby, this last one below may do the trick! Check out the actress sporting a blonde wig opposite Melissa Rauch:

Tune in to NBC on Tuesday, January 14 at 9 p.m. ET for the winter premiere of Night Court, featuring Mayim Bialik as a stalker version of herself! This won't be the show's first Big Bang Theory reunion, and Melissa Rauch told us that everybody from her old show is welcome on Night Court, but it certainly seems like one that fans of both shows won't want to miss.

Watch Cunk on Life: Synopsis

A hilarious highlight of any festive schedule, Diane Morgan (also lending her voice to this Christmas’ Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl) is back as deathly dry documentarian Philomena Cunk, this time exploring the big question: “what’s the point of it all?” So read on to find out how to watch Cunk on Life online live or on-demand for free on BBC iPlayer and from anywhere with a VPN.

The Cunk character was an instant stand-out when she debuted in Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe a decade ago, and with various specials and series under her belt, it seems the faux-documentarian now delivers her magnum opus in this 70-minute special. Set to attempt to get to the bottom of why we’re all here, the mockumentary, co-written by Brooker, tackles some big concepts, including quantum physics, existentialism and hedonism. It’ll also look at those ground-breaking thinkers throughout history who’ve posed similar questions, such as Dostoyevsky, Van Gogh, Nietzsche and whoever came up with the "Live, Laugh, Love" slogan.

But don’t expect anything too academic here as, through Cunk, Morgan approaches all topics with an air of nonsense. It’s a pitch perfect satire of the self-seriousness delivered by so many science and history documentaries, particularly those put out by the BBC themselves. But the real genius move is the Nathan Fielder-like approach of confronting real people with the deadpan character. Countless academics are tortured by Cunk’s ridiculous responses, and the fun is trying to figure out when they twig.

In an in character interview, Cunk said of the new special: “What does it mean to be human? What is the Human Conditioner? Do they sell it at Superdrug? And would humans watch a TV show about all this stuff if we put it on between Christmas and New Year when everyone is bored out of their tiny minds, and just might watch a show that’s not about celebrities dancing, or how to make the perfect roast potato?” If you read that in Morgan’s classic deadpan delivery, then you already know what you’re in for, and if not but it raised a smile? You’ll be rolling on the floor by the end of the episode.

After a few days of festive fun and frolics, Cunk’s nihilistic brand of humour might be just the ticket to send the more morose of us into the new year, so check out our guide on how to watch Cunk on Life online live or on-demand on BBC iPlayer for free.

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How to watch Cunk on Life online in the UK for free on BBC iPlayer

Cunk on Life airs on Monday, December 30 at 9pm GMT, going out on BBC Two in the UK. It will also be available to stream live or on-demand for free on BBC iPlayer. What better way to spend the already disorientating Crimbo limbo than with Cunk's brand of absurd humour.

BBC iPlayer, the BBC’s online platform, is 100% free to use. Simply go ahead and sign-up for a BBC iPlayer account. All you need is an email address and a UK postcode (e.g. W12 7FA) and a valid TV licence.

Abroad? Use a VPN using the instructions below to access BBC iPlayer like you would at home.

How to watch Cunk on Life online from anywhere

If you're a UK citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch Cunk on Life online just as you would at home.

While services like BBC iPlayer block access from IP addresses outside of the UK, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN that can change your IP address, allowing you to watch UK TV online by making it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.

For example, UK citizens overseas can subscribe to a VPN, join a UK-based server and access their subscription from anywhere in the world, just like they would back home.

Step-by-step of using a VPN to unblock:

1. Choose your ideal VPN and install – our go-to recommendation for unblocking is NordVPN.

2. Connect to a server - for BBC iPlayer, for example, you'll want to connect to a server based in the UK

3. Go to the live stream you wish to access - for Cunk on Life, head to BBC iPlayer

How to watch Cunk on Life online in the US, Canada, Australia, and beyond

As with previous Philomena Cunk outings, Netflix will be the international home of Cunk on Life online. The new mockumentary from Diane Morgan's deadpan diva will arrive globally on the platform on Thursday, January 2.

There are a number of subscription tiers on Netflix, and prices vary from region to region, but we’ve provided some of these below:

US: Standard with Ads: $6.99 / Standard $15.49 / Premium $22.99

CA: Standard with Ads CA$5.99 / Standard CA$16.49 / Premium CA$20.99

AU: Standard with Ads AU$7.99 / Standard AU$18.99 / Premium AU$25.99

For more on Netflix pricing and plans, head to our guide.

A UK citizen currently away from home? Use a VPN to port yourself back home and connect to BBC iPlayer.

Cunk on Life Trailer

Who is in the cast of Cunk on Life?

• Diane Morgan as Philomena Cunk
• Michelle Greenidge as Jacqui Flink
• Charles Aitken as Waylon Jackalope
• Rory Bray as Edwin Hubble
• Atlanta Johnson as Eve
• Eleanor Seeley as Mrs Hubble
• Jerry Wilder as Adam
• Genevieve Gaunt as Binko

If there’s one thing Andy Samberg is known for, it’s his comedic chops and his iconic work with The Lonely Island; we’ve even ranked the best Lonely Island music videos if you’re curious. But even comedy greats like Samberg aren’t immune to moments of self-doubt—especially when it involves another beloved comedy institution and one of the best sitcoms of all time. Recently, the Saturday Night Live alum opened up about his initial reaction to Season 3 of The Office’s “Lazy Scranton” video, a parody featuring Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) rapping about Scranton in true Lonely Island-esque style.

For fans who remember, “Lazy Scranton” was a cold open from the episode “The Merger,” where Michael and Dwight introduce new employees to the Dunder Mifflin branch through a cringey-yet-hilarious parody of The Lonely Island’s “Lazy Sunday.” While the skit has become iconic, Samberg admitted in a recent episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers podcast that he wasn’t sure how to take it at first. Sandberg recounted:

It can be tricky to see your work mirrored by others, especially when it’s done with humor. The uncertainty of wondering whether The Office was mocking The Lonely Island or celebrating their influence is a relatable moment for any artist. If you need a reminder of the brilliance of "Lazy Sunday," check it out, linked below.

Seth Meyers clarified the parody was very much rooted in the type of humor that made Michael Scott such a great character you love to hate or hate to love. The Late Night host added:

Samberg further reflected on how the parody tapped into a larger cultural phenomenon. The musically talented SNL veteran continued:

Akiva Schaffer, another member of The Lonely Island, closed out the discussion with a sentiment of appreciation for how far-reaching their work had become. Schaffer chimed in to note, 'we were very flattered.'

Here's The Office's parody:

In the end, it’s clear “Lazy Scranton” wasn’t just a parody but a celebration of the cultural shift–especially when it came to beloved SNL sketches The Lonely Island had created. For Samberg and his team, realizing their work had reached the point of being spoofed by a beloved series like The Office was both humbling and rewarding.

So, next time you watch the cringe-filled brilliance of “Lazy Scranton,” take a moment to appreciate the layers of humor—and the fact that even comedy legends like Andy Samberg sometimes have to pause and ask, “Wait, am I in on the joke?”

The trio of comedy geniuses continues to push comedy and genre. The Lonely Island's next big project is a movie collaboration with Scream’s Radio Silence. Please sign me up.

Check out our 2025 TV schedule to see what is coming to your small screen in the upcoming new year—the entire series of U.S. The Office is available to stream with a Peacock subscription.

Let's take a look at the latest details on both of those topics, starting with the court rulings in South America.

Charges Finally Filed Against Five People Connected To Payne's Death

It appears as if previous reports about charges being filed were legitimate, as Infobae out of Buenos Aries reported five different defendants were prosecuted and charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death on October 16, 2024. Those charged, as well as their specific details, are noted below:

• Braian Paiz (Waiter) - charged with supplying narcotics for payment, property seized ($500,000) with arrest warrant
• Ezequiel Pereyra (CasaSur worker) - charged with supplying narcotics for payment, property seized ($500,000) with arrest warrant
• Gilda Martín (Hotel Manager) - charged with negligent homicide, property seized ($50,000)
• Esteban Grassi (Hotel Manager) - charged with negligent homicide
• Roger Nores (Payne's Friend) - charged with negligent homicide, property seized ($50,000), prohibited from leaving the country

Additionally, it was stated that the 34th Criminal and Correctional Court ordered preventative detention for both Paiz and Pereyra, and both were summoned to appear in court within 24 hours of the order. At the time of writing, it's unclear whether or not they appeared before the judge accordingly.

Both men could face between 4-15 years in prison if convicted, as they were each accused of supplying Payne with drugs on two separate occasions, respectively. Both of their accusations and charges were made in relation to recorded conversations between Payne and the men. The two previously refused to testify on the matter, citing their right to remain silentm with Paiz claiming he never sold any drugs or accepted any payments from the pop star.

Nores traveled with Payne while in Buenos Aries, and was initially accused by a prosecutor in the case of abandonment of a person followed by death and facilitation of narcotics, but the judge opted to bring the negligent homicide charge against him.

The hotel's general manager and on-site manager the night of Payne's death, Martin and Grassi, were already being investigated early on stemming from the 911 call made from the hotel in which it was stated Payne was being taken back to his third-floor room prior to his fall.

Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy was previously reported as having made plans to return to Argentina to assist authorities with the investigation.

Latest Update For The Last TV Project Liam Payne Filmed

Prior to the events that led to his death, Liam Payne was involved with filming the unscripted competition series Building the Band, which took place over the summer months of 2024. It will serve as the final on-screen project of his successful career, and the studio behind the project are apparently hoping that it will make it to audiences at some point on the 2025 TV schedule.

According to The Sun, the production company backing the series, which also stars Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger and Destiny's Child superstar Kelly Rowland, will be in talks with Payne's family members to get clearance and permission to go forward with the project, with Netflix noted as the optimal home for the series. According to the outlet:

Hopefully all of the legal proceedings will be figured out and handled accordingly ahead of Building the Band's potential debut, so that the content and the hopeful contestants' talents won't be overshadowed by behind-the-scenes happenings.

When Clay Aiken competed on American Idol, he faced the infamous trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, and he told US Weekly that he feels that their honest feedback helped him to become so successful. Aiken said:

It wasn’t just him, either, but Clay Aiken says if you look back at several of the most famous American Idol contestants, you can see the artists being shaped over the course of the season, starting with the very first winner Kelly Clarkson. Aiken continued:

Clay Aiken, who finished Season 2 in second place behind Ruben Studdard, said he doesn’t see that kind of improvement in the current contestants, and Idol could save a lot of time if they skipped over the “45 to 50 seconds where they’re all going to say, ‘You did a lovely job and you’re a great star.'” Aiken thinks the singers would benefit from being challenged a little.

Simon Cowell was largely considered the meanest of the original American Idol judges, but there’s a chance that rudeness was faked for TV. Randy Jackson, meanwhile, agrees with Clay Aiken and has spoken out about singing competition judges being too nice. Even Katy Perry — who was definitely not always nice to the contestants — had said she hoped whoever followed her wouldn’t be afraid to speak their mind and actually have a point of view.

It sounds like when Carrie Underwood officially replaces Katy Perry, she hopes to bring a good blend of the old and the new. The “Before He Cheats” artist said her judging philosophy is to be “honest and constructive but still kind.” We still have a couple of months before we see what that looks like. American Idol Season 23 will premiere at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, March 9, on ABC.

How NCIS Ended Up Not Just Copying Law & Order

In addition to discussing the levels of secrecy that went into bringing back Cote de Pablo’s Ziva David at the end of Season 16, Horowitz recalled the origins of NCIS (not to be confused with the prequel series NCIS: Origins) while talking with de Pablo and Tony DiNozzo actor Michael Weatherly on Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch, the podcast they host together. The executive producer started off by saying:

Remember that at the time NCIS was starting, the original Law & Order had been running for over a decade, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit had been airing for a little under half a decade, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent was two season into its run. There’s a world where NCIS could have just ended up as CBS’ carbon copy of the popular NBC procedural franchise, and maybe it would have still been successful, but co-creator Don Bellisario wasn’t interested in going that route. Horowitz continued:

While there have been plenty of instances where legal representation gets involved with NCIS cases, and several JAG characters did return in NCIS: Los Angeles, the shows in this franchise have done well for themselves focusing exclusively on the agents and those within their close circle. You can see the evidence of that by streaming any of these shows with a Paramount+ subscription.

How NCIS Distanced Itself From JAG

But it wasn’t enough to steer clear from Law & Order territory; the original NCIS also wanted to differentiate itself from the look and feel of JAG, as noted in Mark Horowitz’s previous quote. He want on to explain how this was accomplished through the different shooting and editing styles, as well as the scripts being slightly shorter than average. In his words:

Mark Horowitz then told a specific story of Don Bellisario, who created NCIS with Don McGill, directing the first episode of the series, “Yankee White”, which was called back to in the franchise’s 1,000th episode. Cote de Pablo hadn’t joined the series yet, but Michael Weatherly was there alongside Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Pauley Perrette and David McCallum, with all but Alexander having debuted their NCIS characters in the backdoor pilot from JAG. Horowitz explained:

A lot has changed since NCIS first started airing, with none of the original main cast members still around, and Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee and Brian Dietzen’s Jimmy Palmer being the only Season 1 holdovers. Still, those instincts to tackle this series with a different approach than how backdoor pilot was handled paid off. Sure, backdoor pilot had a healthy run of 10 seasons, which is more than most TV shows get, but it’s safe to say its popularity was far surpassed by what its successor accomplished.

NCIS Season 22 will resume on Monday, January 27 at 9 pm ET on CBS, the same night that NCIS: Origins’ debut season will continue. The NCIS: Sydney Season 2 premiere will follow on Friday, January 31, and the Paramount+-exclusive series NCIS: Tony & Ziva is also expected to arrive on the 2025 TV schedule.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days episode "Before We Say Goodbye." Stream it with a Max subscription and read at your own risk.

Veah Netherton and Sunny Mahdi's romance in Bangladesh was an early pick for my least favorite storyline of 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days Season 7, and the latest episode did little to change that. The couple experienced a big development in their romance, but as someone who's seen similar scenarios play out with other 90 Day Fiancé couples, I'm not optimistic about their odds of overcoming it.

As we continue through the season, which still arguably features the least likable cast of 90 Day participants I've ever witnessed, love is indeed in the air. It's legitimately surprising in this case, because every couple has seemed doomed to fail at some point, and I don't feel too good about Veah and Sunny's latest big move being exclusively worthy of celebration.

Sunny Proposed To Veah, And She Accepted

Not to be outdone by Vanja Grbic's unexpected happy story that may go south, Sunny decided to propose to Veah despite all the issues they've had since she arrived in Bangladesh. All he asked was that she remain by his side because there was a good chance his father would fly off the rails once he heard about the engagement.

Veah agreed to stay by his side, which is obviously a positive outcome. That said, I don't know if these two quite understand the journey they're in for.

This Hasn't Worked Out Well For Past 90 Day Fiancé Cast Members

90 Day Fiancé fans who have watched over the years know all too well about the personal and cultural struggles that Americans have when trying to join a Southeast Asian families. Jen Boucher and Rishi broke up once she realized the deep bonds males have with their family and her expectation to be a part of that. Kimberly Rochelle struggled the same way with Tejaswi "TJ" Goswami, and he had to build a separate apartment for them to have peace.

Then we have Jenny and Sumit Singh, who struggled with his parents for years before finally getting his mother's acceptance. Of all the pairings we've seen on this show, people who link up from the United States to Southeast Asia often seem to have the hardest time in fighting for their relationships, especially when it involves their significant other's family.

The fact that Sunny already knows his father will be upset tells me Veah is headed for the same battle. I genuinely question whether this couple can survive whatever reaction they receive from his family, seeing as they've almost called off the relationship a couple of times already just on this one trip to Bangladesh. I'm hoping for the best because I always innately want happy endings for 90 Day Fiancé cast members, but I'm preparing for the worst.

90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days airs on TLC on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET. As we inch closer to the tell-all, I wonder what couples will be there and what new information they have to share about their relationships with Shaun Robinson.

America first met Katie Thurston when she appeared as a sex-positive contestant on Matt James’ season of ABC’s dating show in 2020, armed with her trusty purple vibrator. She went on to to lead Season 17 of The Bachelorette, and in 2023 she was one of the leads of The CW’s FBoy Island. After the last of those relationships ended, a lot was different about the way she had to approach finding a partner, and in Q&A on her Instagram Stories, she revealed the biggest change, writing:

After appearances on three reality dating shows (not to mention her guest role on Bachelor in Paradise), Katie Thurston had gained hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, and plenty of her fans were invested in her love story. Not only did she have to find someone who was OK with her being a public figure in that way, she had to make sure any prospective partner wasn’t using her for her newfound fame.

That seems like a huge burden, especially with fans who are used to getting such an intimate look at her relationships, so I was surprised by that second part of her answer, where she suggests she’s grateful that her followers have been quick to alert her to any red flags in the guys she’s posted with. I would think it would be such a pain to deal with DMs regarding any and all potential boyfriends, but she admits it was for the best that she was able to have them basically vetted by the general public.

Of course, it seems she learned her lesson from that, too, as she continued:

I guess you can’t have it both ways. Putting a relationship out there for public consumption too soon can put a lot of pressure on it, and if the spark ends up fizzling anyway, it was all for nothing. However, waiting until things are a little more serious before hard-launching a new fella also means she doesn’t have the opportunity for those skeletons to be unearthed in a timely manner.

Thankfully for Katie Thurston, she doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. She’s now engaged to fellow comedian Jeff Arcuri after meeting him earlier in 2024.

After competing for Matt James’ heart on The Bachelor, Thurston got engaged to Blake Moynes during a dramatic Bachelorette finale that included her accusing contestant Greg Grippo of lying and gaslighting. She ultimately called off her engagement and began dating John Hersey, another contestant from her season, before that also ended and she went on FBOY Island.

Maybe reality TV didn’t lead directly to love, but it got her fame, as well as a pretty positive perspective on the upside of a public relationship.

As many Better Call Saul fans are well aware, one thing that made the AMC prequel stand apart from its predecessor was the use of black-and-white flash-forwards that gave audiences a peek into Saul Goodman’s life after splitting ties with Walter White. Gene’s introduction in Better Call Saul’s series premiere was an immediate callback to Breaking Bad, which set up Bob Odenkirk’s character managing an Omaha Cinnabon. But I was shocked to discover Saul was nearly set up in a different part of the mall: Hot Topic.

No, the man born Jimmy McGill wasn’t meant to be showcasing a previously untapped love of metal band T-shirts and Nightmare Before Christmas merch, at least not that we know of. It was just a creative choice that creator Vince Gilligan and the writers landed on when crafting Breaking Bad’s fifth and final season, with a coporate mall gig poking fun at how far away that kind of professional life is from Saul Goodman’s illegal dealings.

Breaking Bad writer and Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould took to BlueSky after stumbling upon an early draft of the second-to-last installment of the widely acclaimed drama, “Granite State,” and shared the page where the original idea for Saul’s follow-up gig was typed out, with the following message:

The scripted scene in question is taking place when Robert Forster's Ed is meeting with Bryan Cranston's Walter White and Odenkirk's shifty lawyer, and here's how Saul originally worded his assumed fate:

• Saul: I mean, a month from now, best case scenario, I'm managing a Hot Topic in Omaha.

For whatever reason, a Hot Topic in Omaha comes across as even more of a desolate situation for Saul than a Cinnabon in the same location. It would be very weird to pass by the semi-goth store and see someone with Gene's demeanor and mustache stocking shelves.

Why Breaking Bad Went From Hot Topic To CInnabon

Obviously the Breaking Bad episode that made it to air had no mention of that particular mall chain, which was replaced by the now-ubiquitous dessert brand Cinnabon. While it would be interesting to hear that the switch came about due to some deep character development ideas, it turns out Hot Topic was avoided for other reasons. As Gould explained in the comments beneath the post:

At which point someone pointed out that Cinnabon sounds funnier than Hot Topic anyway, to which Gould replied:

Never forget that the franchise's generosity included once giving Gene/Saul major props as its "favorite team member." At least, before things went far screwier in later seasons.

Don't get me wrong, I would have absolutely loved to have seen Saul-as-Gene dealing with Hot Topic inventory and customers, though it would have been the flip side of the bright, white aesthetics of Cinnabon's interiors. Plus, we wouldn't have gotten the all-time great cinnamon bun montage, which would be a crime against TV audiences.

But for those who would still like to know what Bob Odenkirk might have looked like as a more extreme Hot Topic manager, here he is in Mr. Show's Norma Jean Monster sketch.

Now to wash that image out of one's brain, both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul can be streamed in full with a Netflix subscription. Both shows go great with a nice, warm, fluffy, cinnamon bun.

The 61-year-old media pundit and former basketball player has never been one to hold back his thoughts on a given topic, and that’s extended to his work at TNT Sports and Turner Broadcasting. More recently, “Sir Charles” appeared on The Dan Patrick Show, where the eponymous host asked him whether his current contract would carry over to ESPN. When responding, the hall of famer shared some honest thoughts:

Such comments may be a little worrisome to those who enjoy Charles Barkley and Shaq’s antics on Inside the NBA. Despite that, the no-nonsense sports personality’s take is surely reasonable. He has a lot of offers before him, and he’d understandably want to choose the one that best benefits him personally. The financial aspect is only one element to consider, though. As Barkley went on to explain in the video posted to X, there’s something more practical that he’d like to receive from all of his potential employers at this point:

After Dan Patrick – a former ESPN employee – opined that the Round Mound of Rebound might be working more than he thinks he will, the former athlete said they weren’t going to work him like a “damn dog.” This is clearly a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t want as far as a workplace is concerned. It shouldn’t be all that surprising to hear such pointed thoughts from the fan-favorite sportscaster, given the other wild things he’s said about Inside the NBA as of late. In all honesty, it seemed that he was going to try to stay in his current employer's good graces, as he recently joked that it was time to start “kissing ass” again following the new deal.

It’s funny to think that earlier this year, it seemed that Charles Barkley was moving away from the TV business. This past June, Barkley announced that he would retire from broadcasting at the end of 2024-2025 NBA season regardless of whether Inside was saved. However, months later, Barkley walked back his retirement talk, after agreeing to a new deal with TNT. The belief has been that Barkley’s future with the show he’s long co-hosted would be assured but, following his latest comments, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Not only that, but it’s also been alleged that Shaquille O’Neal feels uneasy, because he doesn’t have a new deal in place. Whether or not we should truly be concerned about Shaq and Charles Barkley staying on the show with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith is hard to say at this point. Yet, as a fan, I’m definitely hoping that the logistics are figured out sooner rather than later. Also, can someone please get Barkley that schedule he’s asking for?

Our first peek at Lecy Goranson’s Becky and Sean Astin’s Tyler doesn’t exactly exude peaceful and lovey-dovey vibes, though that single moment probably shouldn’t be used to gauge whatever happens in Season 7. As well, executive producer Bruce Rasmussen gave TVLine an optimistic outlook for the couple, even if I’m still not totally sold on Becky’s happiness just yet.

First thing’s first, though, so check out what domestic life will look like for this coupling once Tyler takes the big step of moving into Darlene’s house with Becky.

To be sure, whatever is happening with Tyler and Becky in the image above doesn’t look detrimental to their happiness, even if Astin’s face isn’t particularly parked by enthusiasm. Rather than anything wildly problematic, it looks like Becky just told him she doesn’t like apples after he finished baking an apple pie, or some similar annoyance.

EP Bruce Rasmussen shared this tease, which at face value certainly sounds as positive as can be:

As regular viewers are already aware, The Conners added Sean Astin as then-new love interest Tyler near the end of Season 5, and Lecy Goranson talked to CinemaBlend about how lucky she felt to gain such a genial pro as an on-screen partner. Showrunner Bruce Helford promised bigger things for the couple in Season 6, and Tyler did indeed show up a bit more throughout, though it's arguable whether they've been romatnically tied long enough to justify moving in together. Which leads us to...

Why I'm Still Skeptical About Becky And Tyler In Season 7

To echo the above point, the fact that Tyler has already moved into Darlene and Ben's home makes it seem like they're moving a bit fast. If not for him, then at least for Becky, whose history with romance has been emotionally topsy-turvy enough that she should inherently be more hesitant about such impulses.

That relationship history is another reason for my skepticism, though I'll definitely give the character credit for being in a completely different headspace than she was in her youthful years with her late hubby Mark, who sparked one of the sitcom's most dramatic episodes and arguments. She's still friendly and cordial with Beverly Rose's father Emilio (Rene Rosado), and presumably with her other exes, but those past courtships weren't rooted in true love. That may be different with Tyler, but it's obviously not guaranteed.

I can even find reason to be skeptical just from what Bruce Rasmussen said. If he was talking about a couple that audiences were meant to believe is destined to last, he might have phrased things a bit differently, perhaps describing Tyler as "a good man who she will spend the rest of her life with," instead of saying "hopes to." That might be seen as spoilery on his part, but if the thing it's meant to spoil is "Becky's extended happiness," then why would it be a bad thing?

Perhaps this is all just my own bad luck and pessimism talking. I don't necessarily want to see the series introducing any major issues between them during the six-episode home stretch, and would prefer for the writers to lean more into their happy future. But this is The Conners, after all, where the words "happy" and "future" never share common ground.

In other Conners-related news, fans will be able to see co-star Emma Kenney in primetime before she makes Harris’ final-season debut, as the actress was cast in Reba McEntire’s NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, and will appear in at least one episode as the daughter of McEntire’s character.

For now, we’re still waiting to get a confirmed premiere date for The Conners’ final season, so get comfortable on the afghan-covered couch and stay tuned.

Dick Clark was a huge figure in pop culture as a radio personality, game show host and, of course, American Bandstand. New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is a big part of his legacy, too, allowing people to watch the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square since he first produced the music special in 1972. Everything changed in 2004, when Clark suffered a stroke and was no longer able to host on his own. Ryan Seacrest has been there ever since, as you can see in the Instagram video below:

While it is kind of hard to remember a time when Ryan Seacrest didn’t hold every single hosting job available (that’s only a slight exaggeration), it’s also pretty unbelievable that for two whole decades the American Idol host has been leading us in “Auld Lang Syne.” I’m afraid when I wake up tomorrow, Pat Sajak will have been off of Wheel of Fortune for six years rather than six months.

Speaking of the passage of time not making any sense whatsoever, did someone forget to start the clock on Ryan Seacrest’s aging process? I know Paul Rudd is the quintessential example of never aging, but how many people could you show a montage of like the one above — with a photo from each of the last 20 years — and have them look astoundingly the same? It wouldn’t work for me, that’s for sure. The nerve of this guy to have all these jobs and still find time to drink from the fountain of youth!

I say this all in jest, of course, because you have to respect how much work Ryan Seacrest has put in to get such esteemed positions in the entertainment industry, and it would be hard to deny that he’s one of the best at what he does. That fact has never been more apparent than earlier this year when he was able to win over Wheel of Fortune audiences pretty handily when he started hosting one of America’s favorite game shows.

One thing for viewers to be on the lookout for this year when they gather to watch the end-of-year celebrations is if and how Ryan Seacrest’s mini-New Year's feud with Andy Cohen will continue. This fall, the two hosts agreed to end their rivalry, but you never know when the excitement of the holiday might get the better of them.

If you want to see Ryan Seacrest’s 20th year as the host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, tune in starting at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday, December 31, on ABC.

One of the most successful ways Blue Bloods gained and maintained its massive audience was through the closeness of the Reagan family, and through the episode-capping meals around Frank Reagan’s dinner table. And the way Schirripa puts it, the cast members were indeed familial in the way they welcomed him into the fold upon the Season 6 arrival of his character, the retired detective Anthony Abetemarco.

Speaking with People, Schirripa reflected on the point when he joined the show in a recurring capacity in 2015, saying:

The actor revealed that he was initially signed on to appear in just two Season 6 episodes, but eventually popped up in a whopping 146 installments after producers inquired about his interest in sticking around. Thankfully, he was indeed interested, and the rest is broadcast history.

Of course, things might have gone differently had Steve Schirripa been shunned, or just not felt as welcomed in general by his fellow cast members. But that thankfully wasn’t how it went down, and the Sopranos vet shared that his co-stars’ kindness extended beyond his more limited appearances in early eps, and lasted throughout his entire run. As he put it:

After all of his years on Blue Bloods and in the boy band New Kids on the Block, I’d be surprised to hear about Donnie Wahlberg being rude to anybody, so it definitely tracks that he was a gent to work with. And I definitely agree with Steve Schirripa’s opinion that Bridget Moynihan is underrated, and if there’s anything to celebrate about the crime drama’s endgame, it’s the hope that Moynihan lands another equally celebrated role. (Wahlberg, meanwhile, is currently hosting HLN’s Very Scary People, which airs Sunday nights.)

Though he may not be seen on the small screen with his former Blue Bloods co-stars, he addressed the fact that he’s already reconnected with a couple of them in the months since filming wrapped up. As he put it:

Blue Bloods’ finale quite possibly brought in the biggest viewing audience for any series that ended in 2024, at least when it comes to broadcast networks. (Yellowstone’s series finale nearly doubled the CBS drama’s numbers.) So here’s hoping network execs can figure out a way to bring at least some of these characters back to the small screen in the future, even if a smaller ensemble is required to keep salary costs down.

For now, the entirety of Blue Bloods’ run is available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription, from the early Abetemarco-free years all the way up to the final Regan dinner scene.

Watch Mudtown: Synopsis

Shot back to back in English and Cymraeg, Welsh legal thriller Mudtown, or Ar y Ffin in its native tongue, is set to inject some gripping, darkly comic crime drama into your festive viewing schedule. Read on below as we explain how to watch Mudtown online and for free with BBC iPlayer and stream from anywhere with a VPN.

A joint venture between S4C and UKTV, Mudtown follows Newport magistrate Claire Lewis, played by Gotham star Erin Richards, as she faces turmoil both in and out of the courtroom. Enjoying a successful career, Claire’s loyalties are tested when a friend of her daughter Beca (Lauren Morais, The Red King), is brought up on charges of arson. As the case unravels, it’s soon discovered that local criminal kingpin Saint Pete (Tom Cullen, The Gold), with whom Claire has a lot of history, may be involved, raking up Claire’s past and threatening her future. There’s also the issue of Beca’s new boyfriend Sonny (Lloyd Meredith, Gran Turismo), who also seems to be connected to the increasingly growing web of criminal activity.

The show is written by duo Hannah Daniel, who starred in Welsh drama sensation Keeping Faith and Georgia Lee, who works as a magistrate, so expect genuine authenticity when it comes to both the setting and the portrayal of the legal system as the pair promise an “authentic South Walian spirit.” And Gwenllian Gravelle, Head of Scripted at S4C agrees, calling Mudtown a “fresh take on the procedural crime show genre” saying “The brilliant team at Severn have not only created a drama that reflects the reality of a south Wales community, the human impact of crime is put under the microscope with wit, grit and compassion.”

Of course, Mudtown isn’t the only Wales-set show airing over the festive period – you'll now be able to watch Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on-demand – but, for for an antidote to the boyo caricatures you’ll find there, Ar y Ffin could be just the ticket, so read on below for all you need to watch Ar y Ffin / Mudtown online from anywhere, and stream on BBC iPlayer.

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How to watch Mudtown online in the UK for free

Mudtown / Ar y Ffin will air two different versions in the UK.

Ar y Ffin, shot in the Welsh language, will debut on Sunday, December 29 at 9pm GMT on S4C, with new episodes weekly. You'll also be able to stream live and on catch-up with English subtitles for free via BBC iPlayer.

Mudtown, the English language version is set to arrive in Spring 2025 and will go out on Alibi which can be accessed through Sky. Some Alibi content also streams for free on the U streaming service, but it's currently unconfirmed if Mudtown will land there.

BBC iPlayer, the BBC’s online platform, is 100% free to use. Simply go ahead and sign-up for a BBC iPlayer account. All you need is an email address and a UK postcode (e.g. W12 7FA) and a valid TV licence.

Sky TV packages start from £26 a month. For a more flexible streaming option, though, you can sign up to NOW's Entertainment pass. That costs £9.99 a month, with the option to cancel your membership at any time. You can also pick the £6.99 deal currently, but that will tie you in to a 6-month contract.

Overseas? Use a VPN using the instructions below to access BBC iPlayer like you would at home.

How to watch Mudtown online from anywhere

If you're a UK citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch Mudtown online just as you would at home.

While services like BBC iPlayer block access from IP addresses outside of the UK, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN that can change your IP address, allowing you to watch UK TV online by making it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.

For example, UK citizens overseas can subscribe to a VPN, join a UK-based server and access their subscription from anywhere in the world, just like they would back home.

Step-by-step of using a VPN to unblock:

1. Choose your ideal VPN and install – our go-to recommendation for unblocking is NordVPN.

2. Connect to a server - for BBC iPlayer, for example, you'll want to connect to a server based in the UK

3. Go to the live stream you wish to access - for Mudtown, head to BBC iPlayer

Can I Watch Mudtown in the US?

There's currently no word on whether Ar y Ffin or Mudtown will air in the States, but we'll be sure to update this article with more information as we get it.

A UK citizen trying to access your free stream? Use a VPN to port yourself back home.

Can I watch Mudtown in Canada?

It's the same story in Canada, with Mudtown not having been picked up by any broadcaster in The Great North as yet.

Currently out of the country? Simply download a VPN to connect to BBC iPlayer or your regional streaming service, regardless of where you’re located.

Can I watch Mudtown online in Australia?

Aussies are out of luck too with Mudtown not set to stream anywhere Down Under at present.

Brit abroad? If you’re abroad and want to connect to your usual streaming services, you can purchase a VPN to allow you to watch no matter where in the world you happen to be.

Mudtown trailer

Mudtown release date

The Welsh language version of Mudtown – entitled Ar y Ffin – will premiere on Sunday, December 29 at 9pm GMT in the UK on S4C and BBC iPlayer. The English language version will arrive on Alibi in Spring 2025. International release dates are TBC.

Who is in the cast of Mudtown?

• Erin Richards as Claire Lewis Jones
• Tom Cullen as Saint Pete
• Matthew Gravelle as Alun Lewis Jones
• Kimberley Nixon as Sara Humphries
• Gareth John Bale as Glyn Humphries
• Lauren Morais as Beca Lewis Jones
• Lloyd Meredith as Sonny Higgins

Heidi Gardner is a massive Kansas City Chiefs fan, and when Travis Kelce came to host two seasons ago, it was clear that it was a very big deal for her. Now, she’s revealed that she’d actually been campaigning for him to host for years before it happened. However, to get the tight end on the show, she explained that Lorne Michaels had one requirement.

The comedian has been on SNL for a long time and worked with countless A-list hosts. However, when chatting about Season 50 airing on the 2024 TV schedule and the people she really wanted to lead the show, she explained on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast that her dream host was Travis Kelce:

As Gardner continued, she mentioned that she went to Michaels in 2022 to pitch Kelce, to which the podcast's host, Amanda Hirsch, passionately asked if this was before or after he started dating Taylor Swift. In response, the comedian said that the football player’s talents were “already on their way,” and she knew it, way before that relationship began. That’s why she asked SNL’s boss if he could host.

In response, Lorne Michaels told her:

Well, thank goodness he won the Super Bowl that year! Not only did Gardner’s dream come true, but we also got a great SNL host who isn’t an actor, and he killed it – as you can see if you go back and rewatch his Season 48 episode with a Peacock subscription. Honestly, now I’m hoping he comes back to host again.

After that, the actress dove into detail about the tailgate she threw in her dressing room with her family, friends and Kelce. She couldn’t have spoken higher about him, as she explained that he showed up to her little tailgate with Jason Kelce (who made a cameo in the episode too).

Overall, the experience seemed like a real highlight for Gardner, and when asked if there were any other host requests she had, she responded with:

This hosting gig truthfully came at a perfect time, and Lorne Michaels’ stipulation made sense because Travis Kelce’s star had risen significantly after he played his brother Jason in the 2023 Super Bowl. However, in the time since then, his A-list status has grown exponentially because he’s dating Taylor Swift, his podcast has exploded, AND he won another Super Bowl with the Chiefs.

So, I think it’s time to invite him back. His episode and the cameo he made during Season 49 with Swift show that he’s down to clown. Plus, now he has done some acting too by working on the 2024 FX series Grotesquerie and the upcoming Happy Gilmore 2.

However, as of right now, Kelce isn’t part of SNL’s Season 50 hosts. That can certainly change, though, as there’s a lot of time left in its run on the 2025 TV schedule. And if the Chiefs win another Super Bowl maybe Lorne Michaels will give him a call. I’m sure it would make Heidi Gardner’s and fans’ year.

DeLoach has been busy as of late, with three movies for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and her latest Hallmark Christmas film, Our Holiday Story, on Hallmark’s Christmas lineup. For nearly 10 years now, she’s been a mainstay on the network, and that doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

So, throwing it back to her early days with the channel, DeLoach told Woman’s World how she initially got involved in Hallmark, and it involves Awkward and her grandmother:

DeLoach starred on the MTV teen dramedy for all five seasons, from 2011 to 2016, and it’s not exactly the most family-friendly series. It was a popular one, no doubt, and still remains a favorite among fans, but it's not really one for a grandmother to watch.

It’s not surprising that DeLoach’s grandmother would rather not watch it, but it’s sweet that she still wanted to see her granddaughter's work. So the actress made her wish come true and looked into doing Hallmark movies despite not knowing much about it. And it all happened pretty fast:

Hallmark is certainly different from Awkward, and one would think such a big pivot would be hard. However, it does sound like Nikki DeLoach had some big support, which can certainly work wonders.

Additionally, the movie and the support made her watch even more Hallmark movies and realize just how magical they really are. I can’t say I blame her for making the move:

Even though DeLoach had to film a Christmas movie in a heatwave, having the films always end in a happy way makes it all worth it, on top of the fact that her grandmother got her wish. Plus, her 2022 movie The Gift of Peace broke the mold by focusing on grief and emotions rather than romances, while 2023’s A World Record Christmas was based on a true story and celebrated neurodiversity. So, she's also getting to tell super meaningful stories as well that mean a lot to people.

Hallmark continues to expand its content and storytelling, and with DeLoach at the center of some of those projects, it’s going to be exciting to see what other tales she will be able to tell through Hallmark’s upcoming movies.

Shaq’s unfortunate run-ins with the massive trees are usually caused by some kind of wild accident. However, this time around, it was the big man himself who willingly decided to take a dive. During a recent episode of Inside, the Diesel humorously threatened to jump into the tree. His co-stars – Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley – seemed skeptical as to whether he’d do it. However, the former Los Angeles Laker followed through, and you can see the result in this clip from Instagram:

It may just be me, but it always looks so painful whenever the 7′ 1″ media personality falls. However, he always seems to get back up and, on the whole, fans usually find it funny whenever he has an unfortunate encounter with a tree. That doesn’t seem to be all that different this year. Many flooded the comments section of the IG post to share their funny thoughts on the matter. Check out some of them:

• The hatred between Shaq and the tree is next level 😂😂 - kevinr_ferguson
• If that tree could talk 😂😂😂😂 - joyce_joyawilli
• TNT definitely got a crazy insurance policy on Shaq 😂😂😂😂 - duh_profit
• Shaq vs 🎄 is the new Chuck vs women of San Antonio ☠️ - chipsservant
• That tree needs workman’s comp - lookwutqdid
• Them poor branches 😂😂😂😂 - jerrodc374
• Shaq vs the Christmas tree is like Peter vs that big Chicken man in Family Guy💀💀 - jeyk47_

The four-time NBA champion has been falling or running into Christmas trees for years now. As early as 2014, Shaq has been wiping out on national TV, much to the delight of fans. One of my favorite instances of this happened in 2022, at which point the star was shoved into the tree by Kenny Smith. It was a sight to behold, and the mere thought of it makes me chuckle even now. So, all in all, this has certainly become something of a staple for TNT’s long-running sports show.

Additionally, it would seem that Shaq, Ernie Johnson and the crew are also establishing some other A+ traditions for their show. This year, the Inside the NBA crew had photos taken for the holidays, and they’re absolutely perfect. All four co-hosts posed for a number of snapshots, and it’s the kind of content I love. The pics may be part of a joke, but they solidify just how much of a family unit these guys really are.

What really warms my heart this holiday season is the knowledge that the sports talk show is set to continue after this season. For a while, it seemed as though Inside the NBA would be canceled due to Warner Bros. Discovery losing the broadcast rights to the league in 2025. However, in November, TNT and ESPN forged a partnership that would allow the series to be licensed out to the latter network for the next 11 years. It was welcome news for fans, and even Charles Barkley – who’d been critical of WBD amid the situation – admitted that he must “go back to kissing ass.”

So viewers will hopefully have plenty of other chances to see Shaquille O’Neal get flung into a Christmas tree in the years to come. I applaud the man for his commitment to the running gag and hope he stays safe as he continues to indulge in this hilarious tradition.

No Good Deed creator, Liz Feldman, took to Instagram this week to share a humorous bit that Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow did in front of the iconic Friends couch while fans took pictures. Check it out:

The video starts with Romano strutting on the Warner Bros Studio Tour where the Friends couch and fountain are set up for a photo op. He shared that his hit sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, also shot on the Warner Bros. lot as well as Friends before coming up to those on the tour and letting them know that detail. The appearance led him to take pictures with fans on the couch before Lisa Kudrow strutted in.

Ray Romano is not part of the Friends cast, of course, but Lisa Kudrow was Phoebe Buffay for ten seasons. She continued the bit with her No Good Deed co-star, by yelling at him to “go sit on your own show’s couch” comedically. The appearance had a group of Friends fans freaking out and veering on being in tears.

Some of the lucky tour guests then got the chance to take photos with her on the Friends couch.

At the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, Friends fans can sit on the actual couch from the incredible sitcom in front of the fountain featured in the opening credits. It’s not the only Friends thing on the attraction though, fans can also go to the Central Perk set and enjoy coffee at the studio’s own Central Perk cafe.

It’s a really fun video, especially because both Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow were filming their most famous shows around the same time in the 1990s and 2000s on the Warner Bros. lot, and now they have worked together on No Good Deed, which has proven to be a highlight of Netflix's 2024 schedule.

This new dark comedy follows three families trying to buy the same house. Kudrow and Romano play husband and wife, who are the owners of the home. No Good Deed has earned positive reviews from critics, and it has continued to rank among the most-watched TV shows for those with a Netflix subscription since its release earlier in December.

So, considering all this, how cool is it to see Lisa Kudrow interact with Friends fans on the show’s iconic couch? The hilarious actress is a Friends fan herself, given the series opened the door to so many opportunities for her. Plus, Kudrow has been rewatching the series herself lately. Truly, this video encapsulates the “I’ll be there for you” of it all, and I love to see it.

So yeah, Walter White certainly knows a thing or two about machine guns — even if series creator Vince Gilligan has publicly regretted its inclusion — but not everyone might be aware that Bryan Cranston himself is apparently known to get into a Nerf gun war on occasion. At least whenever he’s invited to, as it went on the set of Modern Family whenever the Emmy-winning actor popped by the ABC sitcom to offer up his directing talents.

When Modern Family vet Nolan Gould appeared on former co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast Dinner’s On Me, the younger actor talked about how he, Ariel Winter and Rico Rodriguez used to be “maniacs” behind the scenes and would get into all kind of shenanigans. Here's how he boasted about getting the superstar actor to join their horseplay:

Host Jesse Tyler Ferguson did indeed remember that experience, and told Gould to share a little more about it, to which the To Do List actor said:

Ferguson then addressed the fact that he'd actually hosted Bryan Cranston himself on the podcast previously, and that he'd talked about the Nerf gun experience at the time. As the Mitchell Pritchett actor put it:

As opposed to Modern Family and Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad didn't exactly have a ton of child actors hanging around the set. There was Walter and Skylar's baby, of course, but not until later, and it's probably not super safe (or fun) to play Nerf wars with an infant.

Cranston directed two episodes of Modern Family, one in Season 3 and one in Season 5, but that wasn’t his only stint behind the camera. He helmed three episodes of Breaking Bad, eps of Sneaky Pete and his Showtime thriller Your Honor, as well as that episode of The Office where a car stunt nearly went awry, with seven installments of Malcolm also under his directorial belt.

Just because he's proficient in directing doesn't mean he'll be quitting his day job anytime soon. To that end, Cranston’s comments about stepping away from acting went viral last year in ways he presumably didn’t intend for, since he came out afterward to clarify that he wasn’t fully retiring from the artform, but that he would be taking some time off when he turns 70 in 2026.

Before that happens, though, fans will get to see the actor return to his TV sitcom roots for Malcolm in the Middle’s officially confirmed revival, which will hopefully land on the 2025 premiere schedule.

In the meantime, fans can always rewatch Breaking Bad in full with a Netflix subscription, while Modern Family is available to stream in its entirety with a Hulu subscription.

News of Greg Gumbel’s death was reported this past Friday, as his wife, Marcy, and their daughter, Michele, released a statement that was shared with CBS Sports. They confirmed that Mr. Gumbel “passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer.” They also conveyed in the message that the late sports journalist “leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten.”

The brother of fellow sports journalist Bryant Gumbel, Greg was much beloved within the sports media landscape – not just by fans but by his peers as well. As mentioned, Magic Johnson paid tribute after learning of the CBS icon’s passing. The former Los Angeles Laker took to X, where he penned a sweet tribute in his former colleague’s honor:

Greg Gumbel’s career began in the early ‘70s, when he landed a job as a sports announcer for a TV station in Chicago. In time, he’d also hold down broadcasting and radio jobs at ESPN, WFAN radio and MSG. Later on, he’d also work as a play-by-play analyst for NBC. However, Gumbel would truly make a name for himself at CBS, where he’d serve as an announcer for NFL games and eventually, an in-studio pundit for the NCAA basketball tournament. During his tenure at the Eye Network, he even became the first African American to conduct play-by-play analysis for a major championship game due to his coverage of Super Bowl XXXV in 2001.

Needless to say, the Louisiana native inspired a lot of people, including former ESPN personality Jemele Hill. She shared her own remembrances of the media trailblazer on X, saying:

Ernie Johnson, who’s known for his emotional addresses, also honored Greg Gumbel. The longtime Inside the NBA host actually worked alongside Gumbel during the NCAA broadcasts for years. With that, Johnson shared these warm sentiments on X:

Putting it simply, the NBA on NBC alum more than made his mark on the industry. He also made a serious impression on those he crossed paths with. Check out some more tributes down below:

• It was 1998. CBS just got the NFL back, & hired a fresh-faced 28 yr old from ESPN to do pregame features. She was nervous. Did she belong? Greg Gumbel was the kind, warm, welcoming voice that instilled in her the belief that she did. You will be missed, Legend. #RIP 🙏 - Bonnie Bernstein
• Greg Gumbel was an iconic voice—fiercely smart, warm, trustworthy. He was also my friend. Greg wasn’t just funny—he was REALLY funny. I will miss him. - Phil Simms
• 51 NFL games with Greg Gumbel. I will miss his stories and his warmth. He welcomes me with open arms and those around him learned so much by watching operate as a broadcaster and a human. Love you Greg and I’ll miss you. 🩶 - Jamie Erdahl
• Rest in Peace to the Legend Greg Gumbel. He honored me with this picture at the Sports Emmys after graciously spending 20 mins giving me advice and encouragement on navigating the broadcast industry. - Robert Griffin III

It’s somewhat odd knowing that Greg Gumbel is no longer with us, and he will be truly missed. What’s comforting, though, is that his legacy will surely stand the test of time. We here at CinemaBlend extend our condolences to the Gumbel family as well as Greg’s friends and other loved ones during this time.

The Silence

In the episode from Season 2 of The Twilight Zone, two men make a bet that one of them can't keep from talking for one year. There is so much that happens in a year that it would be easy to stretch this plot out for a couple of hours and watch what a person must go through without speaking. The twist at the end makes it that much crueler for the silent man, and the payoff after all of it would be intense.

A Most Unusual Camera

The ability to see the future has always been something film audiences respond to and in the Season 2 episode "A Most Unusual Camera" that's exactly what the camera in the title does. It shows the future. It doesn't show far into the future, just a few minutes, really, but there is so much that an unscrupulous couple like the husband-and-wife thieves in the episode could do with those few minutes, including seeing their own demise.

I Shot An Arrow Into The Air

In the episode "I Shot an Arrow into the Air" from Season 1, there is certainly enough to make a full movie. With its M. Night Shyamalan-like twist at the end, it's a surprise it hasn't been attempted, honestly. Most of the more science fiction-like episodes are ripe for longer stories, like this one.

Mr. Dingle, The Strong

Like most Twilight Zone episodes, "Mr. Dingle, The Strong" is a morality play and the human in it fails every time. It's a great story and one that plays out twice in the episode, so turning it into a 2-hour movie, with Mr. Dingle struggling to prove the alien scientist correct, would be a cinch. It's one of the weirdest episodes of The Twilight Zone and one totally worth exploring more.

The Parallel

Parallel universes are all the rage in pop culture these days, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe embracing the concept fully (and maybe to its downfall). Twilight Zone creator Rod Sterling was way ahead of his time with the concept as he explored in this episode from Season 4 about an astronaut who finds himself in one.

The Trade-Ins

"The Trade-Ins" from Season 3 is The Twilight Zone's take on body swapping as an elderly couple is offered a chance to "swap" into younger bodies. In the end, only one can do it, and seeing that narrative play out over an entire movie would be an incredible look into how love can endure with one person living in a completely different way than their partner due to the younger body.

The Little People

There is always someone bigger and stronger than you and in "The Little People" that lesson is learned the hard way. There are a lot of lessons to be learned in the scenario that two space explorers find themselves in in this episode and a full-length movie could explore them all.

The Lonely

The plot of "The Lonely" from Season 1 is such a classic sci-fi story that it is ripe for a full film treatment. A man, alone on an asteroid, and his fembot companion. The episode has long been an inspiration for films since the 1960s and a direct extension makes a lot of sense.

Eye Of The Beholder

Inner beauty is more important than outward looks, as we've all learned over the years and as this classic episode from the show's first season so eloquently portrays. It might be tough to fully flesh out over a full movie, but the effort could very much be worth it. It's a potential mystery wrapped in a moral play worth exploring.

No Time Like The Past

Time machines and time travel have been part of Hollywood plotlines since the dawn of film and "No Time Like The Past" like the past explores a classic version of how it could be impossible to change the past no matter how hard you try. This episode could easily be its own movie following a man desperate to change the past the make the future better.

Of Late I Think Of Cliffordville

"Of Late I Think Of Cliffordville" is the perfect episode to develop into a full movie, especially in today's anti-corporate environment. There are certainly many people who want to see a corporate tycoon and greedy businessman get his comeuppance, as happens in this episode after and ill-thought-out deal with the devil.

To Serve Man

One of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone has been parodied by The Simpsons, Futurama, and many other places in pop culture. There are a lot of ways someone could develop this into a full movie, as so much of the plot has been explored in more depth over the years.

Mr. Denton on Doomsday

In a way, "Mr. Denton On Doomsday" inspired part of the plot of Blazing Saddles about a quick-draw artist in the Old West who is tired of being drawn on by everyone he meets. There is so much to explore with the morality of it all, it seems like it could be turned into a classic Western.

A Hundred Yards Over the Rim

Combining a classic Western with science fiction has been attempted over the years with varying success, but "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" is the perfect story to do it with. A man from the 1840s ends up in the 1960s. It's perfect for a movie.

A Thing About Machines

Rod Serling was always ahead of his time in his thinking. "A Thing About Machines" is an example of this. In the episode, a man goes to battle with all the machines in his life, which in the 1960s were considerably less ominous than the potential of computers in the 2020s and the rise of AI.

People Are Alike All Over

The morality of "People Are Alike All Over" is, sadly, universal, at least here on Earth. While the story takes place on Mars, it could easily play out anywhere in the universe and leave us all questioning why we make the decisions we make with people (or beings), we don't know or understand.

The Old Man in the Cave

"The Old Man in the Cave" is one of the rare times The Twilight Zone really explores a dystopian future (albeit the future is 1974 in the episode that aired 11 years earlier). The future here could easily fit into a modern movie as the innocent survivors are under the thumb of and Wizard of Oz-like leader who is getting his information from a computer that may or may not have the ability to make the correct decisions.

Mr. Garrity And The Graves

The Season 5 episode "Mr. Garrity And The Graves" from The Twilight Zone plays out like the first act of a truly awesome horror movie. Audiences don't actually get to see all the consequences of the dead returning to life and that leaves a ton to explore in a potential movie and one that could be truly great. This is one of the episodes that really should be turned into a movie without hesitation.

Valley Of The Shadow

In "Valley Of The Shadow" a man finds himself in a strange town where the townspeople have a wide breath of crazy technology that does things he could only dream of. Of course, this turns into a nightmare for the man and it also seems like it could easily be the plot of a modern sci-fi horror movie, right?

A World of His Own

The plot line of "A World of His Own" is a twisted romantic horror story that would be amazing to see played out over the course of a couple of hours. The original episode is about an hour, but there is very little build-up or suspense before the twist is revealed and there could be - and should be - so much more to it.

Black Leather Jackets

Aliens disguised as a biker gang sent to prepare for an invasion of Earth could be the premise for an entire TV series, let alone a stand-alone film. That's the basic summary of "Black Leather Jackets" and it's so perfect for either a movie or a series. It's Sons of Anarchy meets The Adventures Of Buckaroo Bonzai.

The Last Flight

In a way, the larger implications of "The Last Flight" have been told in the reverse in the oft-forgotten '80s sci-fi flick The Final Countdown. Instead of an aircraft carrier going back in time to World War II, a World War I pilot moves forward in time to the 1960s. Let's see this on the big screen!

Cavender Is Coming

There aren't a lot of Twilight Episodes you could turn into a comedy, and that makes "Cavender Is Coming" perfect for an attempt. The original episode was one of the many that feature a star early in their career as Carol Burnett plays a clumsy woman who can't seem to find happiness in life or work so an angel is sent to help her.

A Short Drink From A Certain Fountain

A story about an older man who is so desperate to keep his younger wife happy that he resorts to an experimental medical procedure that will make him younger. The only hitch is that he continues to younger and younger and younger. "A Short Drink From A Certain Fountain" is perfect for a horror movie, or even a rom-com.

Escape Clause

The Twilight Zone was never afraid to take on the idea of selling one's soul for some kind of immortality and "Escape Clause" is the most classic example. A man sells his soul for just that and the consequences for him are as you would expect. Still, watching him get there is quite the ride and would be great over a longer movie.

Walking Distance

Many of us find ourselves looking back on our childhood through rose-colored glasses, but would we really want to go back to those times? Nostalgia plays a huge role in pop culture these days, especially for Gen Xers at the moment, but that doesn't me we all want to go relive the 1980s. "Walking Distance" examines all this and it's something we all need to think about.

Perchance to Dream

As it is, the episode called "Perchance to Dream" is seemingly one of those perfect short stories that doesn't need more. A man in a doctor's office is afraid to fall asleep and goes crazy as a result. But how did the man get to this place? What led him to the doctor's office? Why is he so afraid? Let's build this out a little more!

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

"The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" is one of those key episodes of The Twilight Zone that people need to watch as they are getting into the series. In a way, the plot of the show, how much it takes to distrust your neighbors when you are faced with outsiders, was explored in the Tom Hanks classic The 'Burbs, but a more serious look at it would be fascinating.

Two

What if you were one of the last two people on earth? It's a classic question, could you get along with the only other person? We don't really have time to find out in this classic episode of the show, starring Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery, so maybe a movie would also to know better how we would really be with only one companion.

A Quality Of Mercy

They say you don't really understand someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes and that is exactly what "A Quality Of Mercy" sets out to explain. A US Army officer in World War II makes a decision to attack a unit of wounded Japanese soldiers only to find himself thrown back in time as a Japanese officer facing the same decision on the other side. That would make a cool movie!

It's A Good Life

"It's A Good Life" is one of the most famous and beloved episodes of the show. It's about a young boy with special powers who makes everyone in his life miserable as they are forced to do whatever he wants them to do. Stopping him seems impossible, but a full-length movie may afford the time to see how it could be done.

What You Need

Greed and selfishness are always topics that make for great movies and those are what "What You Need" is all about as an insatiable man won't stop trying to get more out of a mysterious salesman. It leads to his own twisted death before he learns his lesson. Maybe a movie could bring the selfish man around.

Though not much is known about The Agency Season 2 at this point – we’re barely halfway through the first season – I’m extremely excited to see what happens as the various stories continue to expand and unfold. And while I am excited to see what happens with Martian, there are three other characters whose stories I really want to see continue.

Come with me as I break it all down. But first, let’s go over everything we know about The Agency Season 2 at this point…

What We Know About The Agency Season 2

Though Showtime has not announced a premiere date for The Agency Season 2 or announced any other concrete details about what’s to come, the early pick up of the second season so soon after the series debut has me very excited for what’s to come. Here’s what’s been said about the return of one of the best Showtime shows.

• The Agency Season 2 was picked up less than a week after the show’s Season 1 premiere
• The series was the most streamed new series in Showtime history with 5.1 million viewers
• The Agency is based on the French espionage thriller series Le Bureau des Legendes

The 3 Characters Whose Stories I Really Want To See Continue

Nothing has been said about whether or not Michael Fassbender’s Martian will be the center of The Agency Season 2, but I highly doubt the show will dump the main character after one season. I mean, Guillaume "Malotru" Debailly (Mathieu Kassovitz), the character on which Martian is based, was the main character throughout the entire Le Bureau des Legendes run in France.

That said, there are three other characters introduced in The Agency Season 1 whose stories I really want to see continue as the show unfolds.

Dr. Samia ‘Sami’ Zahir

There are so many interesting characters with mysterious backgrounds, but few come close to Dr. Samia “Sami” Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), an anthropologist Martian was dating during his six-year undercover operation in Sudan. I keep going back and forth about whether or not she’s more than just an academic who fell in love with Martian, or at least his Paul Lewis identity, or if she’s part of something bigger. And frankly, that makes her story all the more interesting

Halfway through The Agency Season 1, Sami is one of my favorite characters and Turner-Smith’s portrayal of the woman in love with a spy, whom she thinks is a former professor and struggling author, is some of the Tron 3 actress’ best work yet. Though I hope some questions are answered by the time the first season wraps up in January 2025, I would love for the intrigue to continue for many more seasons.

Dr. Rachel Blake

Dr. Rachel Blake (Harriet Sansom Harris), the CIA clinical psychologist assigned to the London bureau early in The Agency Season 1, has become one of my favorite characters. Ever since she was introduced as the psychologist working with Martian to figure out where his head was after being pulled from a six-year operation, Dr. Blake has become a more and more prominent force, all while becoming more elusive and vulnerable.

I love how the dynamic between Dr. Blake and Martian has evolved over the past few episodes since the characters first interacted, and I would love to see this continue in Season 2 and beyond. What started out as a psychologist speaking with a patient has transformed into something more intense and more intriguing. It’s almost as if the two are learning more about themselves through these enlightening conversations, which creates one of the best relationships in the series so far.

Naomi

I feel like Naomi (Katherine Waterston) is one of the most interesting characters on The Agency despite not having all that much time on screen, at least at this point in the game. Introduced as Martian’s handler during his six-year undercover operation, and then later as Daniela “Danny” Ruiz’s (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) point-of-contact during her operation to identify Iranian nuclear engineers, the CIA case officer gives me the feeling she knows more than she’s letting on. And that, well, that makes her all the more interesting and fun to watch.

As the season has gone on, I’ve found myself trying to better understand her character, as well as her past with Martian (she knows more about him than anyone else). And while she’s somewhat of a minor character compared to the heavyweights on the show, Naomi is someone who could be pivotal in a later scenario. I mean, Owen (John Magaro), another CIA handler, went through some crazy stuff when looking for his missing CIA operative.

But Yeah, I Can’t Wait To See How Martian’s Story Unravels

I would be remiss if I ended things without first talking about how excited I am to see how Martian’s story unravels in The Agency Season 2 (and the rest of the first season, for that matter). I had a theory about Martian’s direction after the first two episodes, and while that may not end up happening, his path has been wild, to say the least.

With each passing episode, Martian becomes both a more interesting and less trustworthy character, and I love that. The way Fassbender is bringing to life this broken, confused, and mentally unstable CIA agent is brilliant, and is honestly some of his best work to date. If he continues this path, this could end up being my favorite performance of his. If anything, it feels like we’re just getting started.

If you haven’t already, you can get all caught up on The Agency Season 1, which will go a few weeks into the 2025 TV schedule, by using your Paramount+ with Showtime subscription. And be on the lookout for more information about the show’s second season in the coming weeks and months.

Stream The Agency on Paramount+ with Showtime.

With the exception of his cameo earlier this year in the NCIS episode honoring the late David McCallum, it’s been nearly a decade since Michael Weatherly starred as Tony DiNozzo on the popular CBS show. Fortunately for longtime NCIS fans, there are 13 seasons worth of Tony appearances that they can enjoy and easily stream with a Paramount+ subscription, with one of his best episodes being Season 5’s “Requiem.” However, former NCIS executive producer Shane Brennan revealed that the “Requiem” promo CBS initially cut failed to impress, so much so that it resulted in the TV show’s main team taking over advertising the episode.

Brennan shared this information while talking with Weatherly and Ziva David actress Cote de Pablo on their podcast Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch, with that conversation also including him sharing the backstory behind how he came up with NCIS: Los Angeles and revealing the NCIS episode that made him realize the the show was “going to be safe.” As far as the story behind the advertising of “Requiem” goes, Brennan started off by explaining why the CBS promo was not received well thusly:

Aired as NCIS Season 5’s seventh episode, “Requiem” followed Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs reuniting with Maddie Tyler, the best friend of his late daughter, in a case that leads to her being kidnapped in an attempt to secure $4 million in stolen Iraqi aid money. However, Tony DiNozzo was arguably the episode’s standout character, as “Requiem” actually opened towards the end of the story by showing Michael Weatherly’s character diving into a bay to free Gibbs and Maddie from a submerged car and and then resuscitate them. However, rather than tease that big Tony moment in the “Requiem” promo, the CBS people instead cut together something straightforward, which did not please Shane Brennan. He continued:

While technically true that showing Tony’s heroic act in a promo gives away the episode’s biggest moment, I agree with Shane Brennan that it was the right decision to advertise it. Like he said, you show a snippet of Tony shooting some guys and diving into water to free the trapped Gibbs and Maddie from drowning, and a lot of viewers are going to want to learn the context behind what’s happening. And that’s not just me speculating on what happened back in 2007, because per The Futon Critic, “Requiem” ended up drawing 18.15 million viewers. At that time, it was NCIS’ second largest audience ever and was ultimately the most viewed episode of the season.

Head over to Paramount+ to view “Requiem,” whether it’s for the first time ever or as a rewatch, if you’re so inclined after reading this article. NCIS Season 22 will resume Monday, January 27 on the 2025 TV schedule. Don’t forget that Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo will also return to the NCIS-verse for their streaming-exclusive spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva.