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1974 Made-for-TV Horror Movie Haunted a Generation and Became a Cult Classic
The 1974 made-for-TV movie Bad Ronald has an impossible-to-shake premise made of 100% nightmares. If you've ever felt like you're being watched from inside the house, this unfathomably disturbing, low-budget film is probably one of the reasons why. The unforgettable movie Bad Ronald not only scared the pants off viewers in the 1970s, but it's become a surprisingly lasting cult classic that gets rewatched today.
Horror fans are apparently nowhere near done being freaked out by Bad Ronald. The TV movie is listed on numerous pop culture roundups of horror movies and thrillers today. Here are just few current lists that include the TV horror film:
- It made the The Best Made-For-TV Horror Movies Of All Time list at Giant Freakin Robot.
- Check out the Scariest ABC Movies of the Week From Bad Ronald to Crowhaven Farm on Collider.
- Of course, it landed on this one Movies in Which Creepy People Hide in a House Without Anyone Knowing So They Can Watch, also on Collider.
- And it's No. 2 on The Top 50 1970s Made for TV Horror/Thriller Movies on IMDB.
For anyone who hasn't seen the film, or was wise enough to block out the terrifying tale (spoilers ahead), the movie follows the socially awkward, teenager Ronald Wilby (Scott Jacoby), who is often ridiculed and bullied by his classmates. In a unkind confrontation with his mean girl neighbor Carol Matthews (Angela Hoffman), Ronald overreacts and shoves Carol to the ground, where she strikes her head and dies.
After the accident, Ronald's mom Elaine Wilby (Kim Hunter) panics, and the two of them decide to hide Ronnie inside their house by walling up one of the bathrooms and creating a creepy hidey hole where Ronald can live—complete with a secret escape door through the kitchen pantry so he can come and go—until they figured out what to do next.
Photo by Walt Disney Television Photo Archives on Getty Images
Photo by Walt Disney Television Photo Archives on Getty Images
The plan falls apart when Ronald's mother dies suddenly, their house is sold, and a new family moves in. Yes, and Ronald is still living inside there, and this new family doesn't know it!
Ronald, quickly declining into madness, watches the family through peepholes and sneaks out to steal their food and other items. Of course, he is eventually discovered and everything comes crashing down for Ronald and the family.
Nowadays we know poor Ronald Wilby was having a severe mental health crisis, but back in the '70s we weren't that emotionally intelligent, and we simply made terror and nightmares from the story—terror and nightmares that have never gone away.
Bad Ronald is based on the Jack Vance novel with the same title. The made-for-TV movie, directed by Buzz Kulik, first aired on October 23, 1974, on ABC. Along with Jacoby, Hunter, and Hoffman, the movie also starred Dabney Coleman (9 to 5, On Golden Pond), Pippa Scott, and John Larch.
The film is one of the earliest "killer living in the walls" thrillers, predating and possibly even inspiring some aspects of films like Hider in the House (1989), The People Under the Stairs (1991), and one could even argue, the Oscar-winning South Korean film Parasite (2020).
Decades later, the Bad Ronald movie is still lurking around in its eerie, strangely celebrated hidey hole of 1970s made-for-TV cinema. It has a 6.6/10 rating on IMDB, and 67% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Bad Ronald is currently available for streaming via Prime Video, where subscription and other fees may apply.
Watch the Bad Ronald trailer:
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♬ original sound - horror girl85Check out this clip from the TV movie Bad Ronald:
Millennial Celebrity Icon's Memoir Named a 'Worst Book of All time' According to Goodreads
Miley Cyrus may be a Grammy-award winner and Golden Globe nominee, but Goodreads users don't share the same sentiments for her 2009 autobiograhpy/memoir, Miles to Go. Outranked only by the Twilight series and Twilight fanfiction, Fifty Shades of Grey, the singer's book is listed as one of the "Worst Books of All Time" according to users and reviewers.
Readers who have read the memoir (ghostwritten at least in part by writer Hilary Liftin) have not held back when it comes to their sentiments on the memoir by Cyrus. Reviewers have said:
"If you can't write good material on your own, don't try and publish a book. Go practice, write rubbish first drafts, hone your skills. But don't make it look like you wrote a memoir, and then it turns out another woman wrote most of it."
"I regret ever picking up a copy and I would not waste my money."
"This book isn't necessarily bad, but it just isn't all that good. A sixteen year old writing a biography? To me, this could only result in failure."
Despite readers having some harsh words for Miles to Go, the book was an instant number one New York Times bestseller upon release in 2009. Miles to Go sold more than 2 million copies, and over 1,000 copies the first day of its release. At the time of publication, it's believed that Cyrus was one of the top 25 youngest people to publish a bestselling memoir among the likes of Justin Bieber, Malala, and Gabby Douglas.
Miles to Go discusses how Cyrus catapulted to fame with the Disney show Hannah Montana and how that experience shaped her as a young person in Hollywood. It also discusses her relationship with her parents, her thoughts on fame, her love life and relationships, want she wants for the future, and her perspective on faith, spirituality and more. The book also includes stories, poems, songs, photos and quotations from the Bible selected by Cyrus.
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While Miley Cyrus has not published another memoir since Miles to Go, she has gone on to win three Grammy awards, and has released several number one albums. Cyrus is also the eighth-highest-certified female digital singles artist by the RIAA.
Miles to Go may not have the recognition anyone releasing a book might hope for, but it's safe to say the memoir has had little impact on Cyrus' career. Maybe her next memoir will be better received, only time will tell.
1969 Classic Film, With an Iconic Folk Rock Track, Ranked Among the Best Rock Movies of All Time
It's been over five decades since Dustin Hoffman andJon Voightstarred in Midnight Cowboy. The film still holds its ranking as one of the best rock movies ever made, and cemented itself with Oscar wins and a Grammy-winning soundtrack.
UltimateClassicRock compiled a list of the best rock films of all time, with Midnight Cowboy tagged as the best release of 1969. The movie itself has a long list of accolades and achievements that make its title even more fitting. Directed by John Schlesinger, the film is based on James Leo Herlihy's 1965 novel of the same name.
Voight played the leading role of Joe Buck, a young Texan who quits his job as a dishwasher to move to New York to become a male prostitute. While initially unsuccessful, he soon meets an ailing con man named Rico "Ratso" Rizzo (Hoffman). The two lonely and lost men soon spark an unlikely friendship. Midnight Cowboy was a success, considering its budget was $3.2 million, and it made $44. 8 million at the box office upon its release.
Critics tagged the film "a slick, brutal" rendition of the original novel, with Voight and Hoffman called a "marvelous pair" with their performances. Many fans may recall one of the film's most iconic and unplanned lines when Hoffman is almost hit by a real yellow taxi and shouts, "I'm walkin' here!"
Midnight Cowboy received an X-rating due to its use of sexual themes and even assault. When it won Best Picture at the 42nd Academy Awards, it became the first and only X-rated film to win in the category. The movie also won Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Voight winning Most Promising Newcomer - Male at the Golden Globes.
Related: 1988 Rock Classic, Popularized by a Hit Film, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Rock Songsof All Time’
Besides the film itself, Midnight Cowboy also gained recognition for its soundtrack. Its main title theme was Fred Neil's track "Everybody's Talking," which was sung by Harry Nilsson. Neil first recorded the track in 1966 for his second album, and it wasn't released until two years later. The track didn't gain much traction on the charts until Nilsson's version that same year.
Nilsson was looking for his next big hit when he was introduced to "Everybody's Talking" and released it on his Aerial Ballet album. When approached for Midnight Cowboy, Nilsson wrote the track "I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City," but the director preferred the 1968 track.
His version of "Everybody's Talking" landed at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary charts. It led to Nilsson winning a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Male. John Barry, who composed the score, won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Theme.
'90s Pop Icon’s Massive Net Worth Revealed in Sunday Times Rich List
It’s official: Victoria Beckham is officially rich. The former Spice Girl turned fashion designer and her soccer star-turned-sports mogul husband, David Beckham, were ranked second on the just-released 2026 Sunday Times Rich List, behind Formula One executive Bernie Ecclestone and his family. This year’s ranking officially pushes David Beckham into history as Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, but it’s Posh Spice, aka Victoria Beckham, whose ranking is turning heads.
Keep reading to find out Victoria and David Beckham’s staggering net worth and how they made all that cash.
Victoria Beckham and David Beckham’s Net Worth in 2026The annual Sunday Times Rich List is out, revealing Victoria Beckham and David Beckham’s combined estimated fortune of $1.58 billion. The Beckhams reportedly nearly doubled their estimated fortune from last year’s list, catapulting them nearly to the top behind the Formula One executive.
David Beckham’s soccer career and Victoria Beckham’s career as a pop star laid the foundation, but it’s the pair’s second acts that have sent their fortunes soaring. The couple’s billionaire status is now largely due to business investments and brand expansion.
How Victoria Beckham and David Beckham Made Their Fortune View this post on InstagramSo how did the Beckhams make all that money? David Beckham segued his career as one of the world’s most recognized soccer stars into team ownership. Beckham’s ownership stake in MLS franchise Inter Miami CF surged after signing soccer sensation Lionel Messi. David Beckham also signed a major licensing and branding partnership with Authentic Brands Group, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars, the same group that helped NBA star Shaquille O’Neal take ownership stakes in companies like Reebok, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in income.
The couple’s massive fortune has also been helped by Victoria Beckham’s luxury fashion and beauty business, which has evolved from a struggling high-fashion label into a globally recognized brand with revenues topping $100 million.
View this post on InstagramThe couple’s endorsements, media projects, production ventures, expansive real estate holdings in London, Miami, and the English countryside, plus their investments in Miami property development, are also key drivers in their blossoming empire.
Rather than relying on the fortunes earned during their careers as celebrities, both David Beckham and Victoria Beckham have transitioned from celebrity fame into long-term business powerhouses in the sports, fashion, and media industries.
While “Posh and Becks” first made headlines 25 years ago for their over-the-top fashion moments and iconic status as pop culture icons, the Beckhams have outlasted the traditional celebrity cycle, evolving into cross-generational powerhouses whose success comes from business savvy rather than a reliance on nostalgia and fan culture.
Another Cherie DeVaux? Brittany Russell Is Poised to Make History as the First Female Trainer To Win the Preakness Stakes
Horse trainer Cherie DeVaux made history at the 152nd Kentucky Derby as the first female trainer ever to win the iconic race. And now it looks like another woman may take the top spot in the Preakness Stakes.
The second leg of the Triple Crown is set to go off on Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park. While the Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is sitting this one out, there’s another news-maker in sight.
This is the 151st Preakness, and in well over a century of racing, not one female trainer has taken a horse to victory. But that could all change. Even though DeVaux won the Kentucky Derby, trainer Brittany Russell could triumph at the Preakness.
Who Is Brittany Russell?Let’s start with, who is Russell’s horse? The talented trainer is the pro behind Taj Mahal. Despite odds that pointed to Iron Honor as an early favorite, Taj Mahala, along with Incredibolt, and Chip Honcho, are also top picks.
Now back to Brittany. The former amateur racer competed between 2006 and 2017, and racked up two wins, per her bio from America’s Best Racing. Russell branched out in 2018, starting her own stable. Later that year, she won with Oh My at Laurel Park. And yes, that’s where the Preakness will be held in 2026 (the race's traditional track, Pimlico, is currently under renovation).
View this post on InstagramIn 2020, Russell came into her own, winning 46 races and breaking the million-dollar mark in earnings. Her career skyrocketed from there, culminating in her Preakness debut.
Russell shared her thoughts on the possibility of a first-time win with NBC News prior to the race, “It would sort of feel probably a little fairy-tale-like.” She continued, “Jena opened the door just a couple years ago with Arcangelo, and Cherie got it done in the Kentucky Derby. The fact that I feel like I have a live one in the Preakness here, look, there’s some pressure and I certainly hope we can do it, but it would mean an awful lot.”
Of course, the Jena she’s referring to is Jena Antonucci, who in 2023 became the first female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes.
Who Are Brittany Russell's Husband and Children?Work-life balance has a distinct meaning for this trainer. Married to jockey Sheldon Russell, Brittany is also the mother of two young children: Six-year-old daughter Edy and four-year-old son Rye.
This year, the Preakness is a true family affair. Russell’s husband, Sheldon, won't just watch the race; he’ll ride in it. That’s right, he’s jockeying his wife’s horse, Taj Mahal!
Iconic and Hilarious 1950s Sitcom Pairing Ranked 'Best TV Friendship' 75 Years Later
From 1951 to 1957, I Love Lucy graced the small screens in homes via CBS. Starring Lucille Ball, Ball's then-husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley, I Love Lucy follows the antics of Lucy Ricardo (Ball) and all of the schemes and shenanigans she gets herself into. Oftentimes right by her side on the show is her landlord, best friend, and partner-in-crime, Ethel Mertz (Vance). The pair were such a staple that just their first names are now synonymous with that of best friends, and they were even ranked number one for "Best TV Friendships."
I Love Lucy centers Lucy, a housewife who deeply wants to break into show business and become a star. The situations Lucy finds herself in are usually tied back to this goal, and the character's naiveté and knack for finding trouble wherever she goes looking. The character of Ethel Mertz is a former vaudeville performer who frequently finds herself as Lucy's right hand gal in her various schemes. Entertainment Weeklycalled her one of TV's "greatest sidekicks."
Lucy and Ethel are the perfect ying and yang to each other. Where Lucy is almost blindly driven, Ethel is more grounded. To Lucy's drama, Ethel is practical and unassuming. And like a true best friend, even when Lucy is wrong, Ethel will always bail her out and have her back.
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For four of its six seasons, I Love Lucy was the most-watched show on TV and some even consider it to be the great show of all time. The show was a first of its time and paved the way for so many after it, and is well-deserving of the way it continues to be a favorite for TV watchers.
Lucy and Ethel are the kind of friends who are timeless. Despite every zany and whacky situation Lucy puts Ethel into, they always make up and always go right back to laughing with each other. It's no surprise with a friendship like that, they'd be the top one to watch and want to emulate in your own life.
Related: On This Day in 1957, ‘I Love Lucy’ Ended—Why TV’s No. 1 Show Didn’t Have a Big Finale
Best-Selling Author’s Classic Novel, Inspired by a True Story, Ranked Among ‘Most Read Books’ on Goodreads
More than a decade after its release, The Nightingale continues to captivate readers across the country.
The bestselling historical novel by Kristin Hannah was recently included among the most-read books on Goodreads, reinforcing the book's lasting popularity with readers and book clubs alike.
Originally published in 2015, The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters living in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Though fictionalized, the novel was inspired in part by real women of the French Resistance, particularly Andrée de Jongh, who helped Allied soldiers escape occupied Europe during the war.
The novel explores survival, sacrifice and the often-overlooked role women played during wartime. Hannah blended emotional family drama with historical detail, creating a story that resonated deeply with readers around the world.
View this post on InstagramPart of the book's enduring appeal comes from the way it presents World War II through a more intimate and personal lens, focusing not on battlefield combat but on the emotional and moral choices ordinary civilians were forced to make.
"As I researched, I found myself consumed by a single, haunting question, as relevant today as it was seventy years ago: When would I, as a wife and mother, risk my life — and more importantly, my child's life — to save a stranger? That question is the very heart of The Nightingale," Hannah said in an interview.
The success of The Nightingale helped solidify Hannah as one of the most commercially successful authors in historical fiction, alongside later hits like The Women and The Four Winds.
"The Nightingale is the most difficult book I've ever written," Hannah told Goodreads in 2015. "The challenge was balancing the scope with the individual. Making it a story that a. you hadn't read before, and b. touched you as a human being and made you see something that you've read about a lot of times in a new way."
The book marked Hannah's first foray into the genre, and quickly became a book club and social media darling, largely by word of mouth.
Now, the story is heading to the big screen.
A long-awaited film adaptation of The Nightingale is currently in development and will star sisters Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning, who are set to play the novel's central siblings. The casting immediately generated excitement among fans of the book, especially because the real-life sisters will portray one of modern historical fiction's most emotional sibling relationships.
As anticipation for the adaptation continues to build, The Nightingale has remained remarkably popular with readers years after publication.
"With The Nightingale, to see what the novel has meant to people—especially people who have lived through this or have family members who have lived through it and have told me what the novel means to them—that’s been a pretty special experience," Hannah told Writer's Digest in 2017.
Its inclusion among Goodreads' most-read books proves the novel has evolved beyond bestseller status into something rarer: a modern historical fiction classic that continues finding new audiences generation after generation.
Is ‘SNL’ New Tonight (May 16, 2026)? Host, Musical Guest Details
It might seem like Season 51 of Saturday Night Live was just getting started, but the sad truth is...it's already almost over. From the very first episode, hosted by Bad Bunny, to last week's installment (led by Matt Damon), the whole season has honestly been pretty great, with plenty of standout moments from cast members like Jane Wickline and Marcello Hernandez.
Unfortunately, there's just one new episode left to go in SNL Season 51. But is it airing tonight?
Here's everything you need to know before you tune in!
Is there a new episode of 'SNL' tonight?Yes! Tonight, May 16, SNL's Season Finale episode will be led by former cast member Will Ferrell, who'll be hosting for the sixth time, and Paul McCartney, making his fifth appearance as musical guest.
In a preview for tonight's episode, Ferrell, Hernandez and McCartney all agree that the former Beatle will be the evening's main attraction.
Who is hosting next week and who is the musical guest?There will be no new episode of SNL until next season starts.
What time does 'SNL' air?SNL airs at 11:30 p.m. EST / 8:30 p.m. PST.
Related: Every 'SNL' Host of Season 51 So Far
Where can I watch 'SNL'?New episodes of SNL air live on NBC and Peacock on Saturdays (they're available to stream later).
Beloved New York Times Bestselling Novel Took 'Almost Ten Years To Write' According to Author
For five months after graduating with a double-major in English and Religious Studies from Kenyon College, author and YouTuber John Greenworked as a student chaplin at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That experience, combined with losing a young friend named Esther to cancer, shaped what would eventually become one of the best-selling books of all time: The Fault in our Stars.
On working on the book Green said, "I tried to write that book for almost 10 years. Ever since I worked as a chaplain, I would go back, I was trying to work on what I called the Children's Hospital Story, although in all of its previous incarnations, it starred this 22-year-old hospital chaplain, who was, like, surprisingly handsome and, like, hooking up with doctors. It was very embarrassing. I hope that — it was just terrible. But you know, I would go back to that story and go back to it and go back to it. Then in 2010 a good friend of mine died of cancer, a young friend, and I went back to the story, and I went back to it angry and needing to work."
In 2011, Green worked on the novel while serving as the artist in residence in Amsterdam with the Dutch Foundation for Literature. He also shaped what would become the final manuscript in collaboration with his long-time editor Julie Strauss-Gabel.
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For over six months prior to the novel being published, pre-orders for The Fault in Our Stars contributed to the book being a number one seller on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The book debuted at number on on the New York Times bestseller list in 2012, where it would remain for 43 weeks. The novel spent over two years in the top ten list for bestsellers.
The Fault in Our Stars is a heartbreaking but hopeful story following 16-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster who is facing a diagnosis of terminal thyroid cancer. Her parents force her to attend a support group where she meets 17-year-old Augustus Waters, an ex-basketball player and amputee who survived osteosarcoma. The pair are immediately drawn to each other, and Hazel's worldview completely shifts as she discovers what it means to be alive, living, and in love.
The Fault in our Stars has been called "damn near genius" and "a smartly crafted intellectual explosion of a romance." A film adaptation starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort was released in 2014 to critical and box office acclaim and success.
Good things take time, and evidenced by the success and response from fans for The Fault in our Stars, the decade it took Green to get to the final chapter was well worth it.
I Tried 14 Frozen Chicken Tenders and Ranked Them Worst to Best
Frozen chicken tenders usually aren’t my thing. If I’m craving tenders, I typically just end up going to Raising Cane’s or Chick-fil-A. Most frozen ones I’ve had before were dry, weirdly chewy or had that overly processed texture that’s hard to ignore.
But with fast-food prices getting kind of ridiculous lately, I wanted to see if there were any frozen options actually worth keeping around in my freezer for nights when I wanted something easy without making another drive-thru run.
I decided to hold a taste test to find the best frozen chicken tenders, so I picked up 14 different frozen chicken tenders and strips from stores like Target, Walmart, Aldi, Albertsons and Sprouts, including a few gluten-free options. The quality gap between brands was way bigger than I expected. A couple were crispy, juicy and genuinely satisfying, while a few others barely made it through the taste test.
After eating way too many chicken tenders over the course of this taste test, I realized pretty quickly that frozen tenders vary a lot more than I originally thought. The best ones had crispy breading and juicy chicken that actually tasted like real meat. The worst ones were salty, spongey and hard to finish after a few bites.
A handful of brands surprised me enough that I’d actually buy them again—and a few others won't be making it back into my cart anytime soon. See what topped my list as the best frozen chicken tenders—after all, the answer surprised even me.
Related: I Tried 6 Grocery Store Rotisserie Chickens and the Winner Totally Shocked Me
How I Chose the Chicken TendersCourtesy Fred Hernandez
I wanted this taste test to include a mix of major national brands, store brands and gluten-free options that people could realistically find at regular grocery stores. Most of the chicken tenders and strips came from Target, Walmart, Aldi, Albertsons and Sprouts because those are stores a lot of shoppers already frequent.
I also tried to include a range of price points. Some bags cost almost as much as a fast-food meal, while others were much more budget-friendly.
You’ll notice this ranking includes both “tenders” and “strips.” A lot of brands use those names interchangeably, so if it looked and ate like a chicken tender, it made the list.
I also included a few gluten-free options because frozen gluten-free chicken can be especially inconsistent when it comes to breading and texture. I noticed that crispiness was definitely a factor that was harder to pull off without traditional breading.
Related: The Italian Way To Make Chicken Thighs 10x Better
I cooked every chicken tender in the air fryer because that’s how I’d realistically make frozen tenders at home most of the time. For brands that included air fryer instructions, I followed the package directions. A few didn’t, so I made my best judgment based on similar products.
I also tasted every tender plain first with no dipping sauce so the breading, seasoning and chicken texture could stand on their own. If a chicken tender needed a condiment to save it, that definitely affected the ranking.
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14 Frozen Chicken Tenders, Ranked Worst to BestHere's my ranking of the 14 frozen chicken tenders I taste-tested.
14. Sprouts Gluten Free Chicken TendersCourtesy Fred Hernandez
These started out promising in the air fryer, but the texture ended up holding them back for me. The breading was fairly thin and crisp, but the chicken itself had that dense, formed texture that felt closer to a nugget than an actual chicken strip. The salt level also started to stand out after a few bites. I could see these working better dipped in sauce, but on their own, they were harder to keep going back to for more.
13. Tyson High-Protein Chicken Breast StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
These felt more like a meal-prep protein option than a chicken tender I’d actually crave. The breading was pretty minimal, and the chicken had a chewy texture that became harder to get through after a few bites.
There was also an "off" flavor I couldn’t stop noticing while eating them, especially compared to the higher-ranked tenders on this list. If you care more about macros than texture, these might work for you, but they didn’t really satisfy the chicken tender craving for me.
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
Bettergoods had a decent crunch coming out of the air fryer, but the flavor didn’t stand out much on its own. I was expecting a bit more from this more premium Walmart offering. The chicken texture also felt a little too uniform compared to the higher-ranked tenders on this list. These weren’t horrible by any means, but they definitely tasted better with dipping sauce than plain.
Related: 40+ Easy Dinner Recipes That Start With Shredded Chicken
11. Applegate Organic Chicken StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
I wanted to like these more than I did, especially considering the cleaner ingredients and higher price tag. The breading was softer than I expected in the air fryer, and the chicken had a texture and flavor that felt a little off and dense after a few bites. These weren’t terrible, but they also weren’t memorable enough for me to reach for again.
10. Tyson Crispy Chicken Breast StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
Tyson’s crispy strips had thick, lumpy breading that got pretty crunchy in the air fryer, but the chicken itself was denser and chewier than I wanted from a chicken tender. The flavor was also surprisingly mild, especially considering how heavily breaded they looked. These weren’t bad, but after trying them next to stronger brands, they ended up feeling pretty forgettable.
9. Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
Just Bare has a huge fanbase online, and after trying them, I understood why. The chicken tasted less processed than a lot of the other brands, and the lighter breading let the texture of the chicken stand out more.
That said, I personally wanted a little more crunch and seasoning from a chicken tender. These were still solid, but a few other brands ended up being more satisfying for me straight out of the air fryer.
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
These ended up being one of the better gluten-free options from the entire taste test. The breading actually crisped up pretty well in the air fryer, and the chicken had a more natural texture than a few of the lower-ranked gluten-free tenders. I still wanted a little more seasoning overall, but these felt much closer to a regular frozen chicken tender than I expected going in.
Related: I Tried 10 Frozen Chicken Pot Pies and Ranked Them Worst to Best
7. Realgood Foods Co. Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
These definitely tasted more like a healthier frozen chicken strip than a comfort-food chicken tender. The lighter breading let the chicken texture stand out more. A few strips were juicy, while others turned a little chewy and dry due to the size differences. They were OK, but I didn't keep reaching back for more during the taste test.
6. Kirkwood Crispy Chicken StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
Kirkwood ended up being one of the better surprises from the entire taste test, especially for the price. (Thank you, Aldi.) The breading got really crispy in the air fryer and had a noticeable peppery seasoning that kept them from tasting bland. The chicken stayed fairly juicy too, although the seasoning was slightly saltier than I usually prefer.
These felt much closer to the kind of frozen chicken strips I’d actually keep stocked for an easy dinner or snack.
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
Perdue’s crispy strips felt like a better version of the classic frozen chicken strips I grew up eating. The breading got really crunchy in the air fryer, and the chicken stayed noticeably juicier than Tyson’s during the side-by-side tasting.
I also liked that the strips varied in size and shape instead of looking overly uniform. They were slightly saltier than I normally prefer, but overall these made it really easy to keep reaching for more.
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
Target's Good & Gather option ended up being way better than I expected from a store-brand frozen chicken strip. The breading crisped up nicely in the air fryer, and the chicken had a chunkier, meatier texture that felt closer to actual chicken breast than a few of the denser tenders lower on this list. These also had a good salt balance, which made them really easy to keep snacking on.
Related: 11 Popular Fast-Food Chicken Sandwiches, Ranked Worst to Best
3. Foster Farms Crispy StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
Foster Farms had one of the crispier breading options of the entire taste test. The strips were crunchy, and the chicken tasted juicier than a lot of the other brands I tried back to back. These also felt closer to fast-food chicken strips than typical frozen tenders, which made them really easy to keep eating.
2. Great Value Fully Cooked Crispy Chicken StripsCourtesy Fred Hernandez
I wasn’t expecting Walmart’s Great Value chicken strips to rank this high, but they ended up being one of the better bags from the entire taste test. The breading had good crunch and seasoning with visible herbs throughout, and the chicken stayed juicy in the air fryer without tasting overly processed.
A lot of online reviews and Reddit users also praise the crispiness and texture, with several people comparing Walmart’s frozen chicken to fast-food tenders.
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
Caulipower ended up being the biggest surprise of the entire taste test. The tenders crisped up really well in the air fryer, the chicken stayed juicy, and the cauliflower-based breading tasted lighter and less greasy than many of the other brands. A lot of gluten-free frozen chicken struggles texture-wise, but these actually held up surprisingly well and tasted closer to restaurant tenders than I expected.
Final TakeawaysAfter trying 14 different frozen chicken tenders, I can confidently say they’re not all created equal. I found a few I’d actually keep stocked in my freezer, and a few I probably wouldn’t buy again. Hopefully this ranking helps you avoid wasting money on the wrong bag the next time you're craving some chicken tenders.
Up Next:
Related: 40 Fun Chicken Breast Recipes to Make Dinner a Lot Less Boring
A.D. Complains About 'Perfect Match' Season 4 Spoiler Hypocrisy
Season 3 of Perfect Match had a weird start. A Love Is Blindreunion showed a clip of Ollie Sutherland proposing to A.D. It was confusing since they met on Perfect Match Season 3, which hadn't been released yet.
Season 4 of the dating show has started, and A.D. Sutherland reacted to it on her podcast. But she claimed the reactions to her situation were different from those of this new cast.
Warning: dating spoilers for Yamen and Bri!
Yamen and Bri's 'Perfect Match' SpoilersA.D. talked to Sandy Gallagher on What's the Reality? "Also, we need to all keep the same energy about who is ruining the show and who's giving spoilers because everybody was so mad that Ollie and I were out publicly before the show came out," she said.
Related: ‘Love Is Blind’: Chelsea and Kwame’s Marriage ‘Is Coming to an End’
"They were like, 'We're not [going to] watch it! We already know,'" the host said. "And I'm sorry there's two people on the show. Two people on the show that are in open relationships right now."
She named Yamen Sanders as one because he was on Love Island: All Stars and started dating Whitney Adebayo. They are currently still together as Perfect Match streams. A.D. also noted that Whitney's ex, Lochan Nowacki dated Bri Balram publicly before Perfect Match's release.
A.D. said she can't talk negatively about them because she was already engaged and pregnant when her season came out. But Sandy did have something to say. "They shouldn't be allowed to do all these shows after so quickly," The Ultimatum alum said.
The question remains: which couple will win the free trip at the end of the season? But whether Yamen and Bri are dating someone from this cast is another story.
Related: ‘Perfect Match’: Ally Reveals What ‘Annoyed’ Her About Dating Jimmy in Season 4
1985 Dystopian Novel Ranked a 'Best Banned or Challenged Book' on Goodreads
Dystopian, haunting, and filled with political commentary, Margaret Atwood's 1985 work of speculative fiction, The Handmaid's Tale, has be subject to controversy and commentary since its publication 41 years ago. So much so that Goodreads listed it among the "Best Banned or Challenged" books.
From 1990 to 2000, The Handmaid's Tale was in the top 40 of the "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books" according to the American Library Association. However as early as 2019 the book was still in the top ten of the most frequently banned or censored stories given the violence, sexuality, and "vulgar nature" of the novel. In the United States, The Handmaid's Tale has been banned in libraries in schools in Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Virginia, Missouri, and Utah. In the Spring of 2026, the state of Utah completely banned the book from all public schools citing "objective sensitive material" as a reason.
Despite the frequency at which the work is challenged and the mature themes, The Handmaid's Tale remains consistently a part of AP Literature courses across the country. Atwood was subjected to censored education of her own in the 1950s, but has stated that this combined with the banning of her own work has never altered or impacted what she chooses to focus on in her writing.
In part as commentary on the banning of The Handmaid's Tale and other works, in 2022 Atwood and Penguin Random House worked together on an "un-burnable" copy of the book as a demonstration against book banning. Penguin Random House said, “Printed and bound using fireproof materials, this edition of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was made to be completely un-burnable. It is designed to protect this vital story and stand as a powerful symbol against censorship.” The piece sold for $130,000 at auction.
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The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian story following Offred, a woman who is attempting to survive in the Republic of Gilead, a fictitious theocratic regime that overthrew the U.S. government. In Gilead, women are ranked as one of the lowest classes and cannot own property, read, or write. Offred and other fertile women like her are considered valuable due to environmental crises and plummeting birth rates, and are subsequently enslaved as "Handmaids" and assigned to high-ranking, powerful men to bear children.
Many critics consider The Handmaid's Tale to be Atwood's best piece of work, and the novel that truly cemented her as one of the greats of the 20th century. The novel was nominated for a Booker, a Nebula Award, and won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for fiction. In 2017, the novel was adapted for TV on Hulu, and the series went on to be critically acclaimed.
While The Handmaid's Tale is not a book one reads expecting something light and easy, its important themes and commentary have made it a staple, despite the frequent attempts to make it the opposite.
Related: 7 Books To Read After When You Need Something More Like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale'
1975 Timeless Classic, Written in 20 Minutes, Became a Soft Rock Anthem
In 1975, Peter Frampton wrote one of the most recognizable soft rock songs of the decade in just 20 minutes.
"Show Me the Way" would eventually become a defining anthem of 1970s rock radio, but its path to success was far from straightforward.
Frampton later recalled that the song first came together while he was staying in the Bahamas at a beach cottage owned by Steve Marriott of Humble Pie.
At the time, Frampton was hoping for a productive songwriting retreat, but frequent visits from Alvin Lee of Ten Years After initially got in the way.
Then inspiration suddenly struck.
"The day after Alvin left, I picked up my acoustic guitar, and within about 20 minutes I came up with the opening chord sequence to Show Me The Way, and a verse and a chorus of lyrics,” Frampton later told Classic Rock.
Remarkably, the same day would produce another future classic. Frampton said he later sat beneath a palm tree at sunset and wrote "Baby, I Love Your Way" as well. But one of the song's most iconic elements, the famous talk box guitar effect, didn’t emerge until later, after Frampton returned to England to continue recording.
"Bob [Heil] gave me [a talk box] as a Christmas present, probably in 1973," Frampton told Guitars Exchange. "I took it and locked myself in a rehearsal room for probably a week and I came out talking with it."
The song was recorded at Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire using Ronnie Lane's mobile studio, partially because Frampton admired the huge, open production sound Led Zeppelin achieved on their own recordings. Ironically, the original studio version of "Show Me the Way" initially failed when released as a single.
"A year before Frampton Comes Alive! we had released the studio version of 'Show Me The Way 'as a single… and it totally tanked. Nothing," Frampton later admitted.
Everything changed in 1976 when the live version appeared on Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the biggest-selling live albums in rock history. The energetic live performance transformed the song into a massive hit and permanently linked Frampton with the talk box sound that became his signature.
Nearly 50 years later, "Show Me the Way" remains one of classic rock's defining soft rock anthems, a song born from a rare burst of inspiration on a quiet island afternoon.
Related: 1971 Soft Rock Classic, Banned by Some Radio Stations, Became a No. 1 Hit
John Travolta Debuted Another New Beret on the Cannes Red Carpet After Crying Onstage and We Love It
John Travolta's new look is getting a lot of attention, and the movie legend just debuted another new beret on the red carpet in Cannes.
The legendary actor, 72, a movie icon with roles ranging from Pulp Fiction and Saturday Night Fever to Grease and Look Who’s Talking under his belt, has caused quite a stir at the Cannes Film Festival. He's there as the director of Propeller One-Way Night Coach, his new film that features Ella Bleu Travolta, his stunning 26-year-old daughter with his late wife, Kelly Preston. While Ella tackles the role of a flight attendant in the film, she's been working the red carpet throughout the iconic film festival with her dad.
After hitting the red carpet at the Karma premiere in a white beret, Travolta showed us he has another piece of fancy headgear where that came from. The actor hit the photocall at Palais des Festivals for Propeller One-Way Night Coach on Saturday in a black beret. We're hoping he brought an entire collection of hats with him to France. Or as we're hoping he calls them, chapeaux!
Photo by Mike Marsland on Getty Images
Travolta was Moved to Tears OnstageTravolta was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or, the festival's most coveted honor.
"I can’t believe this. This is the last thing I expected," he told the crowd, as seen in a video shared by Variety.
John Travolta cries as he accepts his surprise Palme d’Or at #Cannes: “This is beyond the Oscar”https://t.co/K2FMG42GC1 pic.twitter.com/bFdbEkj0Np
— Variety (@Variety) May 15, 2026While thanking Cannes director Thierry Fremaux, Travolta described the moment as "humbling" and shared, "This is beyond the Oscar," USA Today reported. "When I met with you in November, I had no expectation that my film would be accepted. And when Thierry said it was not only accepted but it was making history because it would be the first film ever accepted that early, I cried like a baby because I just couldn’t believe it. Because in my opinion, you are the most discerning person in the movie industry. I was just happy to be here! I never expected this."
Related: Quote of the Day: John Travolta on Grief and Healing
What is John Travolta’s New Film About?“Young airplane enthusiast Jeff (newcomer Clark Shotwell) and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way cross-country odyssey to Hollywood, which transforms a simple flight into the trip of a lifetime,” reads an official synopsis for the movie. “Between airline meals, charming flight attendants (played by Ella Bleu Travolta and Olga Hoffmann), unexpected stopovers, larger-than-life passengers, and a thrilling glimpse at first class, the journey unfolds in moments both magical and unexpected, charting the course for the boy’s future.”
Check out Ella Bleu in the trailer for her father's film below, which will premiere on Apple TV on May 29.
Related: John Travolta Debuts New Look Alongside His Stunning Daughter, Ella Bleu, on the Red Carpet
Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe Weigh In on Potential Return to 'Outlander' After Final Book Release
There are series finales and series finales and by that, I mean that some series finales come and go and then there are those like Lost and The Sopranos that continue to engender conversations as viewers try to decipher what really happened.
The Outlander finale appears to be in that vein as longtime fans of the series try to conclude whether when Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) open their eyes and gasp for breath in the last second on screen, they are alive on earth or somewhere else, like heaven.
For showrunner/executive producer Matthew B. Roberts, he explained to the industry audience attending the Outlander FYC event at the Linwood Dunn Theatre in Hollywood the night the finale aired on STARZ that he wanted to leave the ending “open to interpretation.”
The Battle of Kings Mountain ends with the Patriots emerging victoriously and Jamie very much alive. He has knocked Major Patrick Ferguson (Charles Aitken) off his horse, and while Ferguson is sitting on the ground, Jamie asks him, “Do you surrender?” Ferguson yells, “I will never surrender,” and pulls a hidden pistol out and shoots Jamie in the heart. He is promptly killed by Buck (Diarmaid Murtagh), Ian (John Bell) and one of the Beardsley twins (Paul Gorman), who are justified in their overkill.
Then Claire, who was making her way down the hill to the medical tents to tend the wounded, clutches at her heart, realizing something has happened to Jamie, and she makes her way back to him, where he’s lying dying on the ground. He tells her, “I’m sorry,” and she begs him not to leave. But he dies…or does he?
Claire refuses to leave him, despite Roger (Richard Rankin) telling her they need to take him home, there are things that need to be done, but Claire refused saying, “He’s home.” She lie with him for hours and she appeared to die, too.
There’s a montage of their life together and we even go back to the ghost at the beginning of the series, where it all began, and now we see it’s Jamie, who caused the Forget-Me-Nots to bloom that attracted Claire to the stones in the first place.
Then, just as the screen fades to black, Jamie and Claire open their eyes and gasp in a breath of air, and you can see that Claire’s hair has turned completely white, which means she’s fully come into her powers as the La Dame Blanche, aka the White Witch.
So, what does it mean?
“I wanted the whole show, the whole series, to mean something,” Roberts added, expanding on the idea of leaving the finale open to interpretation. “It was important that the finale was a part of that. I didn't want to do a very special episode and make it something different. I wanted it to fit, but also over the years, I’ve learned there's fan interaction. They get something out of it when they watch it. It felt like a different kind of show. They want things that they can watch over and over. They felt something when they were watching and we felt something when we were making it, so at the end of the day, you wanted it to mean something to someone.
Related: Outlander Author Diana Gabaldon Reveals the Finale Ending She Fought For (Exclusive)
“Over the years, I've heard the comments that you should have done this and you should have done that, and that's great because they're interacting, and so now [with the finale] you get to participate. You get to make your own ending. What does it mean to you? If you want the sad ending, it’s sad; if you want the happy ending, it’s happy. Do they live on forever? Maybe they do. Did they die? Maybe they do. Are they in heaven? I don’t know. You tell me. That’s what the ending is to me.”
For Balfe, the key is that they are always together, she said, “We've always said that their love is metaphysical. It's beyond anything we can imagine it and I think you know in the world of mysticism and energy and what lives in what kind of context, I think it's nice that they exist everywhere.”
Heughan passed on the question.
Of course, the final book in the Outlander series has yet to be released. Bestselling author Diana Gabaldon, who created the world where Jamie and Claire exist, is currently working on it. So the question was broached, “Would you return to the Outlander world when the book is finally released?”
Initially, Heughan joked, "I can't go through this again.“ But then added on the more serious side, "Never say never." And Balfe, echoed that, saying, “Our eyes opened, so never say never.”
All eight seasons of Outlander are currently streaming exclusively on STARZ.
Next, Outlander Spinoff Blood of My Blood Debuts Emotional First Look at Season 2
Bestselling Novel’s New Adaptation Is the Perfect TV Show to Binge in One Weekend
Weekends are the perfect time to binge-watch a brand new show that everyone is talking about. Right now, Off Campus is the series taking over TV screens around the world.
Season 1 of the Prime Video show debuted on Wednesday, May 13. Just days later, the series is ranked No. 1 worldwide among TV shows on the streaming platform and is certified fresh by Rotten Tomatoes with a 95 percent rating as of Saturday, May 16.
With eight episodes in its first season, viewers can easily binge them all over a weekend—and even have time left over for a rewatch.
Off Campus follows Briar University hockey player Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) and music major Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) as they make a deal. She agrees to tutor him if he pretends to be her boyfriend to catch the attention of her crush, Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston). Garrett’s hockey teammates/roommates, John Logan (Antonio Cipriano), Dean Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn) and John Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks), as well as Hannah’s roommate/bestie, Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla), round out the stellar cast.
The first season of the collegiate soap is based on Elle Kennedy’s 2015 bestselling book The Deal. The Off Campus novels feature the love stories of not only Garrett and Hannah but also Logan and Grace Ivers in 2015’s The Mistake, Dean and Allie in 2016’s The Score and Tucker and Sabrina James in 2016’s The Goal. The fifth book in the series, 2021’s The Legacy, follows each of the four main couples in interconnected novellas.
Prior to Off Campus’ debut, Kennedy spoke exclusively to Parade about the adaptation of her beloved book.
“Oh my gosh, [the cast’s] chemistry is incredible,” she teased in the March interview. “The couples, of course, have amazing chemistry, but I was so happy to see the way Hannah and Allie’s close friendship from the book resonates on the screen. Ella and Mika really captured how much these two girls love each other. Same for the boys! The actors brought the tight-knit hockey bromance to life.”
Liane Hentscher/Prime
As for the changes made while bringing the story from the page to the screen, Kennedy emphasized that the elements readers loved in The Deal would translate to the show.
“Adapting a book for television always involves some creative changes, and that process was led by the team at Amazon,” she explained. “From what I’ve seen, the core dynamics of The Deal that fans love so much are still there.”
Prime Video has already renewed Off Campus for season 2, with the streamer announcing the news in February. Two months later, India Fowler was officially cast as Logan’s love interest, Grace, for the second season.
Cameli, 28, and Bright, 19, confirmed during their Friday, May 15, Today show appearance that season 2 will begin filming later this month.
“We’ll be there in a few days,” Cameli revealed, while Bright added, “I’ve got two [scripts] in my inbox that I have yet to read because of this press tour, but [I will] when I fly home.”
Season 1 of Off Campus is now streaming on Prime Video.
Fresca Turns Its Popular Citrus Soda Into 4 Boozy New Drinks
Fresca is ready to play hard ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and score big with fans all summer long.
Introduced earlier this week as a "crisp" new adult beverage, Fresca Hard is "light yet satisfying" without sacrificing flavor. Think it sounds familiar? Well, this isn't the popular citrus-flavored soft drink's first foray into the alcohol aisle. It previously launched the ready-to-drink cocktail line, Fresca Mixed Vodka Spritz, and now it's expanding with a malt-based beverage in four new "bold" and "delicious" flavors.
"Fresca Hard's launch reflects our continued commitment to delivering amazing tasting beverages while pushing further into the Alcohol Ready-To-Drink category," Lou Grill, president of Red Tree Beverages (a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, which produces the Fresca brand), shared in a statement, teasing, "Regardless of the score, Fresca Hard is meant for those who love the post-game celebration."
Fresca Hard Debuts in 4 Fruity FlavorsAccording to Grill, the new flavored malt beverage brings a "new, exciting option with bold, delicious flavors" to the beverage aisle this summer.
Related: Topo Chico Hard Unveils New Look, Stronger Recipe Ahead of National Margarita Day
The flavored malt beverage is said to feature the "classic citrus taste of Fresca" with 4.6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), delivering a "refreshingly full-flavored drink" that contains only 99 calories, 2.1 grams of carbs and zero sugar per 12-ounce can.
It is debuting in Grapefruit Citrus, Pineapple Citrus, Peach Citrus and Watermelon Citrus flavors.
Fresca Hard debuts in four flavors: Grapefruit Citrus, Pineapple Citrus, Peach Citrus and Watermelon Citrus.Red Tree Beverages
Fresca Hard is expected to be available in the coming weeks, if not already, in 12-pack varieties of 12-ounce cans at stores nationwide, including local beer and liquor retailers and Total Wine (prices may vary).
Next:New High Noon Release Takes on a Popular Country Club Cocktail
Walmart’s $41 10-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart Is 'Perfect' for Papers, Tools, and Crafting Supplies
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If you’ve been looking for an easy way to make clutter disappear without taking over your whole room this spring cleaning season, Walmart has Costway’s 10-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart on sale starting at $41 (was $69). It comes in 12 color options, including rainbow, hot pink, macaron, clear, white, purple, yellow, and more.
The cart is designed to be compact while still offering plenty of storage. It measures 15 inches long by 13 inches wide and 34 inches high, with a wide top surface for easy access to your most-used items. The metal frame provides stability, and the drawers are removable. Plus, the four wheels make it easy to roll from room to room, and two are lockable to keep the cart from rolling away.
Costway 10-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart, From $41 (was $69) at Walmart Shop at WalmartTeachers use it to separate markers, worksheets, and classroom extras. Crafters appreciate being able to organize supplies by category, such as sewing tools in one drawer, beads in another, and paint supplies in their own section. It also works well as a small tool organizer or a rolling beauty setup if you’re trying to keep makeup, hair styling items, or skincare in one place.
Shoppers have said it’s “very cute and functional” and “perfect to keep paper, stickers, and all supplies organized.” One reviewer wrote, “This is great for all my craft needs. Everything is organized and in one place,” noting, “It was very easy to assemble.”
Related: Walmart Has a 'Lightweight' Portable Grill for $39 Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
You can tuck it next to a desk as an “everything drawer” station, roll it into a closet when company comes over, or use the colorful versions to brighten up a craft corner. It’s also a super clean way to store trays, tools, and backups without mixing everything together.
Costway’s 10-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart is a super practical purchase if you’re looking to get organized this spring cleaning season, and at $41 for a majority of the colorways, now is a great time to grab it. Be sure to snag yours now at Walmart before the price goes back up. Happy organizing!
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HGTV Star Addresses Mistake That Led to Sudden Exit From Show
HGTV star Alison Victoria was fired as the co-host of Battle on the Beach—and she's explaining what happened.
“I said that 'Battle on the Beach' was canceled," she told the Daily Mail. "Now, that word should not have been used. I should have said it was ‘not renewed.’ That’s the language that I should have used."
Indeed, Victoria had made some comments about the show on her Pap Smear podcast in July 2025.
"I did a show called Battle on the Beach. I love that show. It was so fun and funny. And then all of a sudden, I watched the episode, I’m like, ‘Well, where’d all that [great content] go?’ I get it, it’s a lot of content to try to put into 42 minutes, but where is it? Where’s the great editing?” she said on the July 1 episode.
"You’ll lose a show that way. I truly believe that," she continued. "And 'Battle on the Beach' did not get picked back up, which is sad because it was like adult spring break. I believe it was all editing. You have it, use it. Be funny, use the funny, go with us on that journey because it’s most likely going to resonate with the viewer."
Victoria said that she didn't have any hard feelings after she was let go.
“I didn’t feel mad, I didn’t feel sad. I just was like, ‘OK,'" she told the Daily Mail.
Victoria is still associated with HGTV and is waiting to see if her series Sin City Rehab gets renewed. As for Battle on the Beach, the show, which was recently renewed, will feature Ty Pennington, Sarah Baeumler, and Mika Kleinschmidt as hosts/mentors on its upcoming season. It will air beginning on June 1.
7 Psychological Benefits of Doing Puzzles, According to a Psychologist
Puzzles—they're often thought of as something for little kids and older adults. Brain games can keep a little kid occupied so their caretakers can shower with the door closed, and they can keep an older adult's mind sharp. But one neuropsychologist stresses that people of all ages can reap the psychological benefits of doing puzzles.
"Puzzles are one of those things that are quietly doing a lot more for you than you realize," Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Psy.D., a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, tells Parade. "Your memory, focus and problem-solving are all getting a workout at the same time without it feeling like work."
Dr. Hafeez shares that research suggests that keeping the brain active can slow cognitive decline as you get older.
"The best part about it is that it doesn't feel like a chore," she explains. "It's just something you enjoy doing."
Zooming out, she loves the enjoyment factor of hobbies, more generally.
"Hobbies give your brain something to look forward to, which matters more than people [think]," Dr. Hafeez says. "They pull you out of your own head when stress or worry starts to pile up. There's also a quiet sense of accomplishment that comes from getting better at something you enjoy."
And you can certainly get a sense of accomplishment from completing a jigsaw puzzle or a daily crossword. If they're not currently a go-to hobby, you may be interested in making them one after reading Dr. Hafeez's insights. Scroll on to learn more about the psychological benefits of doing puzzles.
Related: 9 Habits To Help You Stay Youthful in Your 70s, According to a Psychologist
What Are Some Key Types of 'Mental Health Puzzles'?There are tons of puzzles that can benefit your mental health, and the best one for you is the one you enjoy the most. But Dr. Hafeez loves five types of puzzles for people who need a mental health reset.
- Crossword puzzles. Dr. Hafeez says these word-based puzzles require you to fill a grid using clues, so they're great for vocabulary, memory and building general knowledge (Next up: Trivia Night glory).
- Sudoku. For the uninitiated, Sudoku is a logic puzzle. There's a grid, and you'll fill it in using numbers 1 to 9. Good news for some: "No math is needed—it's all about pattern recognition and focus," Dr. Hafeez says.
- Memory card games. Memory-card games are childhood classics, and sports teams often use them to let fans watching the game in person compete for prizes during breaks in the action. But people of any age can enjoy them at home. "You'll flip cards to find matching pairs while remembering where everything is," Dr. Hafeez explains. "This game directly trains short-term memory and concentration."
- Word search. Scan a grid full of letters to pinpoint hidden words running across, diagonally, backward and more. It's a fun riff on hide-and-seek. "Word searches are low-stress but great for attention and visual focus," Dr. Hafeez says.
- Logic grid puzzles. Dr. Hafeez says that, to do these puzzles, you'll use clues to figure out how different elements connect. "They require methodical thinking and are excellent for reasoning skills," she explains.
Related: The 16 Best ‘Analog Hobbies’ to Pick Up in 2026
Are There Mental Benefits to Doing Puzzles?Dr. Hafeez says there are real mental benefits to doing puzzles, sharing, "They push your brain to think critically, recognize patterns and stay focused. all of which strengthen cognitive function over time."
When you regularly engage with a mental activity, Dr. Hafeez says you're less likely to experience a rapid cognitive decline. You're also more likely to have a better memory and improved mood.
"There's also something to be said for the satisfaction of finishing one, which gives you a small but genuine confidence boost," she notes.
That said, puzzles aren't a magic cure, and Dr. Hafeez believes it's worth understanding their limits.
"The brain is good at getting efficient, meaning the more you do the same type of puzzle, the less of a workout it actually becomes," she concedes. "If you're doing the same crossword difficulty every day for years, you're probably more in autopilot than you think. Switching up the type and difficulty level matters a lot if you actually want to keep challenging yourself."
What Type of Person Is Good at Doing Puzzles?Lots of people can be "good" at doing puzzles. But honestly? Curiosity might matter more than anything else," Dr. Hafeez notes. "People who actually enjoy not knowing the answer yet are the ones who stick with it. It's not really about being smart. It's about being someone who finds the process satisfying rather than annoying."
That being said, she adds that specific types of people often have a natural leg up when solving puzzles.
"Patient people tend to do well with puzzles simply because they're okay with things taking time," she explains. "Logical thinkers have a natural edge too, since a lot of it comes down to eliminating what doesn't work until something does."
Related: Psychologist Says if You Instantly Forget Why You Walked Into a Room, You Likely Have These 7 Traits
Do People With ADHD Like Jigsaws?They certainly can. "It's actually more common than you'd think—a lot of people with ADHD genuinely enjoy jigsaw puzzles, even if it seems like the kind of quiet, slow activity that wouldn't suit them," says Dr. Hafeez, who regularly sees people with ADHD in her practice.
Some reasons why people with ADHD may love puzzles include:
- Puzzles let their hyperfocus kick in. Dr. Hafeez shares that people with ADHD have brains that are "wired for hyperfocus when something is visually stimulating enough, and jigsaws can trigger exactly that." She credits the constant visual searching and sorting that keeps the brain busy enough to remain dialed in.
- They're hands-on. When people with ADHD use their hands, Dr. Hafeez notes, they often perform the task better. Jigsaws provide that opportunity because you have to physically sort, flip and place pieces.
- Puzzles provide quick, visible progress. People with ADHD can struggle with delayed gratification, but puzzles can provide a quick reward—and added motivation. "Every piece placed is instant, visible proof that you're getting somewhere," she notes.
That said, some people with ADHD may not like jigsaw puzzles. For some, Dr. Hafeez says the middle stretch of the puzzle is "brutal."
"Once the easy edges are done and you're staring at 400 similar-looking pieces, the novelty wears off fast," she notes. "That's usually where ADHD impatience takes over, and the puzzle gets abandoned on the dining room table for two weeks."
7 Psychological Benefits of Doing Puzzles, According to a Psychologist1. You might reduce stressDaily living gives us plenty of reasons for stress—especially these days. Puzzles provide a reprieve.
"Puzzles pull your focus into one simple task, giving your brain a break from everything else," Dr. Hafeez says. "That kind of quiet concentration actually lowers cortisol levels. It's almost meditative without having to sit still and 'do nothing.'"
2. You could notice an improvement in memoryForget me not? You may have an easier time remembering names, faces and why the heck you walked into a room if you give puzzles the old college try.
"Puzzles constantly ask your brain to recall shapes, words, patterns and positions," Dr. Hafeez explains. "That repetition strengthens the neural connections involved in memory. Over time, that translates to better recall in everyday life, too."
Related: How To Play ‘Crossplay,’ the New NYT Word Game
3. You'll enjoy a mood boostDopamine, delivered—without looking at your TikTok or Instagram follower count.
"Every time you place a piece or solve a clue, your brain releases a small hit of dopamine," Dr. Hafeez says. "That feeling of progress, however small, genuinely lifts your mood. It adds up more than people realize."
4. You'll practice patienceIt's unlikely you'll complete a 300-page crossword puzzle in one morning or a 1,000-piece puzzle in a sitting. There's a psychological benefit to doing things that don't reward rushing.
"With puzzles, you have to slow down, whether you like it or not," Dr. Hafeez explains. "That teaches your brain to sit with frustration without immediately giving up. It's a surprisingly transferable skill for real life."
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5. You'll sharpen your focusA sharper focus is perhaps the best-known benefit of doing puzzles.
"Puzzles require sustained attention, which is something most people are genuinely losing in the age of scrolling," Dr. Hafeez explains. "Practicing that kind of deep focus regularly actually strengthens your attention span. Your brain gets better at the things you make it do consistently."
For instance, focus can help you improve impulse control, offer mental clarity and hone in on the people and things that matter most, giving you some massive psychological gains.
6. You'll increase self-confidenceEach time you put together a puzzle piece or find a word in a word search, you'll learn that you can do hard things. And when you complete the puzzle? "Finishing something hard gives you proof that you can work through a challenge," Dr. Hafeez notes. "That sounds simple, but it genuinely builds a sense of competence over time. Small wins matter more to your self-esteem than people give them credit for."
Related: People With ‘Quiet Confidence’ Often Use These 17 Phrases, According to Psychologists
7. Encourages mindfulnessYes, it's a buzzword, but mindfulness matters when it comes to your psychological health, and puzzles are a gateway to it.
"When you're deep in a puzzle, you're not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow," Dr. Hafeez says. "You're just fully in the moment, trying to figure out where that one piece goes. That present-moment focus is basically mindfulness without calling it that."
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Related: 8 Psychological Benefits of Knitting and Crocheting, According to a Psychologist
Sources:- Cognitive Health and Older Adults. National Institute on Aging.
- Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Psy.D., a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind