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Fifty-one years ago today, the classic ABC sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter catapulted then-21-year-old John Travolta to stardom, making him one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars.

Long before his celebrated career, he first captivated the public with his comedic skills and charm as Vinnie Barbarino.

Premiering on Sept. 9, 1975, Welcome Back, Kotter centers on a high school teacher named Gabe Kotter, played by Gabe Kaplan, who is also the show’s creator alongside Alan Sacks.  He returned to his fictional alma mater, James Buchanan High School.

Also a former Sweathog himself, he is assigned to teach a class of unruly and seemingly unteachable remedial students known as the “Sweathogs.”

Instead of following strict rules, he uses his experience, humor and tough love to connect with his students, including Barbarino, Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo), Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) and Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs).

‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ pilot episode withy cast members Gabe Kotter (played by Gabe Kaplan, center), Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta), Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo), Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) and Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington (Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs).

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Despite his amazing portrayal of the role, Travolta almost didn’t audition for the ABC show.

At that time, he had been offered a role in a Broadway show and needed the money right away.

As for the Welcome Back, Kotter team, casting director Lynn Stalmaster really wanted to get Travolta in the lineup, as the team needed a fresh face to portray the character.

John Travolta almost skipped his audition for Welcome Back, Kotter because he had been offered a job in a Broadway show and needed the money right away.

“I was going to take the Broadway job because I needed the money, but Stalmaster got me a small part in a horror flick called The Devil’s Rain, just to tide me over until Kotter auditions started,” the actor told Kaplan, as cited by People.

As luck would have it, the role became Travolta’s career breakthrough, turning the rookie actor into a major teen idol.

The sitcom was so popular that Travolta’s lines became ‘70s pop culture catchphrases, particularly “Up your nose with a rubber hose!” and “Up your gizzard with a rubber lizard.”

After four seasons and a total of 95 episodes airing from 1975 to 1979, Welcome Back, Kotter bid goodbye to viewers. However, Travolta’s career continued to flourish.

Even at the height of the show, the actor was booked and busy with projects. In 1977, he played the role of iconic disco king Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

A year later, he starred in the legendary movie Grease with Olivia Newton-John, which later became the highest-grossing musical film at the time.

Once a 21-year-old rookie actor who found fame in Welcome Back, Kotter, Travolta has since become Hollywood royalty, earning multiple accolades in TV and movies before making his directorial debut with Propeller One-Way Night Coach, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Related: ’70s CBS Sitcom, Ranked Among ‘Best’ TV Shows of All Time, Still Holds Up 48 Years Later

Fifty years ago, folk rocker Roger McGuinn released “Up to Me”—a cover of an unheard Bob Dylan song that became a quintessential heartbreak anthem.

“Up to Me” originally appeared in May 1976 as a track from McGuinn’s fourth solo studio album, Cardiff Rose. Because it was never issued as a commercial single, it never charted on any major mainstream tallies. However, the track’s popularity only grew with time, ultimately becoming critically acclaimed among folk-rock fans through radio airplay.

Despite being penned by Dylan, McGuinn’s version saw the light of day nine years before the original was released. Dylan wrote the track back in 1974 for his fifteenth studio album, Blood on the Tracks, but it was left off the final record.

Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn perform live at The Warfield Theatre in 1980 in San Francisco, California.

Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images

While touring with Dylan during the Rolling Thunder Revue trek, McGuinn was taught the unreleased tune—later deciding to record an electric version of it for his upcoming album. It wasn’t until 1985 that Dylan dropped his own original recording of the song, releasing it on his Biograph box set.

McGuinn’s “Up to Me” puts a powerful electric spin on Dylan’s moody, acoustic version. The track was produced by Mick Ronson—who met McGuinn on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour as part of the live backing band. The pair blended rich instrumentals, utilizing soaring electric guitars and a driving rhythm section to create an emotional climax.

The track explores themes of separation from a romantic relationship, telling the heart-wrenching story of the narrator’s breakup with his long-term partner. The song is widely theorized to be about Dylan’s divorce from his wife, Sara Lownds, as the Blood on the Tracks sessions largely reflect the songwriter’s painful end to his marriage.

Reflected through melancholic lines like “And if we never meet again / Then, baby, remember me / How my lone guitar played sweet for you,” the song has resonated deeply with listeners going through similar heartbreak experiences.

Five decades after its release, McGuinn’s rendition of “Up to Me” remains a favorite among folk-rock fanatics. In the digital era, the song has persevered among new audiences, racking up thousands of streams on Spotify.

Related: 1972 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 23 Minutes, Was Inspired by the Bible

No matter which season tends to be the one you wait all year for, each comes with its fair share of bright spots and opportunities. As the steamy days of summer morph into the crisper days of fall, you might feel like starting a new calendar, refreshing your big-picture goals, reconnecting with your social circle, or updating your cool-weather wardrobe. And fall 2026 comes with a bevy of invitations to reflect on the past and charge ahead. But for four zodiac signs, abundance is on the horizon this autumn 2026.

Key Abundance-Bolstering Highlights of Fall 2026

This fall, two inner planets, Venus, the planet of values and earning, and Mercury, the planet of information, will both go retrograde. Venus moves back from Scorpio to Libra from October 3 to November 13 and Mercury moves back through Scorpio from October 24 to November 13. These slowdown-spurring transits encourage self-reflection and revision around self-worth, power, shared resources, and partnerships, setting the stage for boosting your income. 

Around October 15, the confident sun in Libra will form a harmonious sextile to lucky Jupiter in Leo, setting the stage for a day full of optimism and standing strong in your sense of self. And on November 4, Venus, retrograde in Libra, also connects positively to Jupiter, fueling introspective moves that might lay the groundwork for rewards.

And on November 16, Mars links up with Jupiter in Leo, firing up your ability to go big, take up space, own your voice, and be bold in order to make your most ambitious dreams a reality.   

Which Zodiac Signs Will Attract Fortune This Fall?

Keep reading, and look for your sun, moon, and rising signs.

Cancer

This is your season to be bold in bringing in new sources of income. Go-getter Mars spent quality time in your sign over the summer, boosting your resolve to tackle even your most ambitious goals, but it moves into your second house of income on September 27, hunkering down for an extraordinarily long period of time (thanks to a retrograde later in the year). This fires up your ability to know your worth and bring your skills to the table for well-deserved rewards. You can look forward to November 16, when it pairs up with lucky Jupiter, expanding your potential for earning even more. 

Related: The Ultimate Zodiac Sign Guide: Dates, Elements, Compatibility, Planets & More

Leo

Since July, Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance itself, has been in your sign and first house of self, but this fall, it’ll connect with the sun, your ruler, in your third house of communication on October 15, making for one of the luckiest days of the year for you to shine your light and claim center stage. Vibrant conversations with friends or opportunities to lean into self-expression could drive up the abundance you receive around this time. Mars, the planet of action and energy, will also be in your sign as of September 27, offering you even more get-up-and-go to make your dreams a reality. 

Libra

Fall encompasses your season, kicking off with the equinox and culminating on October 23, so the sun in your sign and first house of self will light up your confidence and sense of purpose. You’re sure to attract fortune merely as a result of feeling more centered in your self-image and path, and on October 15, the sun’s sextile to lucky Jupiter in your eleventh house of friendships could magnetize exciting opportunities through new and existing platonic bonds. Just know that with your ruling planet, beauty-loving Venus, retrograde in your second house of income and first house of self from October 3 to November 13, going inward, slowing down, and revising your aspirations may serve you best.

Aquarius

One-on-one bonds could feel especially stimulating and as though they’re the core source of abundance for you this season, Aquarius, because Mars, the planet of action and energy, will be in your seventh house of partnerships from September 27 on. When it meets up with expansive Jupiter on November 16, collaborations with a dear friend, colleague, or significant other could prove especially fortunate. And throughout Libra season, the sun will illuminate your ninth house of adventure, so picking up new skills, traveling, and working with a mentor (or as one!) can bolster your bottom line, personal growth, confidence, and fulfillment. 

UP NEXT:

Below Deck Mediterranean’s Max Salvador went from yachtie to real-life “Rambo” when a terrifying family emergency sent him racing to Tunisia to save his estranged father.

After receiving a series of alarming messages and calls while aboard the yacht, Max quickly realized his father was in serious trouble. The situation was so unbelievable that he initially wondered whether he was being scammed.

“Of course,” Max said in an interview with the Above Deck podcast. “You always believe it would happen in a movie, but when it happens to you, you’re like it’s not possible, not me.” But once he spoke with his father, there was no denying the situation was real.

“He needs help,” Max recalled.

According to Max, his father had become involved with a woman from Tunisia and was being used to launder money. Max said the woman had manipulated his father into allowing money from abroad to pass through his bank account, ultimately leaving him in a dangerous situation.

Despite their deeply complicated relationship, Max knew he had to help his father.

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“Max as Rambo,” he joked.

Max left the boat and traveled alone, admitting he had no real plan for what would happen once he arrived.

“I was by myself on the plane, and yeah, no, it was just fear, just fear,” he said. “I have no plans.”

His priority was finding someone he could trust on the ground. After arriving in Tunisia, Max hired a local driver who became his guide and, eventually, a close friend.

“I tell him, bro, I’m paying you for a random address that we’re going to find together,” Max recalled.

Eventually, Max made it to his father.

“He didn’t believe I was there,” Max recalled of his father’s reaction when he finally got to him. “He was like, my son, my son, you know, because he’s quite old.”

Max didn’t waste time. He gathered his father and whatever belongings he could take and got him out.

“We just like grabbed him and left,” Max said.

The rescue wasn’t without risk. Max described driving through the desert at high speed in an old vehicle, determined to avoid drawing attention or getting caught up in any further complications. Max sent a video inside the car to Captain Sandy Yawn, which was shown during the latest episode. 

“For me, it was to avoid any communication,” and get his father to safety, Max explained. 

The mission also gave Max a chance to reflect on his relationship with the father he had barely known for years. As he recounted on Below Deck Med, Max and his father had been largely absent from his life after he was 17, but their reunion did not magically erase years of hurt.

“He’s my dad…a dad is here to lead you, support you, giving you wisdom, but I have been more wise than him,” Max shared. 

Still, Max doesn’t regret going.

“I did my work,” he said. “Me, I did it for God and my relationship with God and myself.”

While Captain Sandy had warned Max that his rescue plan was dangerous, Max ultimately followed his instincts and left the yacht to help his father.

And although Max isn’t necessarily ready to call the experience a happy ending, he knows one thing: his father was safe.

“I’m just happy about myself,” Max said, adding that the venture was expensive, but worth it.

“It’s really expensive to be a good person,” he joked.

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If you’ve ever dealt with foot pain or experienced aching arches after a long day on your feet, you know how important it is to wear comfortable shoes. It can be hard to find sneakers that feel good from the moment you put them on, but a supportive pair that doesn’t require a painful break-in period can make the difference between cutting a trip short and happily logging miles on vacation, at a theme park, on the trail, or even running a marathon. Right now, there’s a pair of trail shoes on sale at Merrell that checks every box for comfort, and shoppers are raving about how well they work to prevent foot fatigue in all sorts of situations. 

Normally $140, the Antora 4 Sneakers are available for as low as $84, discounted up to 40% off following the retailer’s massive Labor Day sale. Nine styles are currently on sale, including all-black and all-white versions, a blue-and-yellow style, a white sneaker with light pink soles, and a neutral tan colorway for $84. For $90, you can snag them in a white style with a botanical mirage design at the heel, or go with icy gray or a watercolor design for $104. The bold floral design with bright, retro-style blooms remains at full price. These trail running shoes come in women’s half sizes 5 through 11, though select sizes have already sold out in some styles.

Antora 4 Sneakers, From $84 (were $140) at Merrell

Courtesy of Merrell

Shop at Merrell

From heel to toe, these sneakers have an array of features that’ll work to ensure your feet feel supported with every single step you take. They feature a foam midsole and footbed for lightweight cushioning and rebound, as well as flexible grooves that help the shoe move more naturally with your foot. A rubber outsole provides reliable traction on moderate trails, keeping you stable while navigating uneven terrain, and a protective toe cap helps prevent injuries if you happen to come up against a rock or limb. 

Antora 4 Sneakers, From $84 (were $140) at Merrell

Courtesy of Merrell

Shop at Merrell

“My first wear was for 10 miles,” one Merrell shopper wrote, adding that these sneakers “helped my notorious weak ankles feel stable.” For vacations, these sneakers are a supportive dream. One reviewer noted that they “walked over 20 miles in two days visiting Las Vegas,” and that the shoes felt “so comfortable right out of the box.” Another customer called them “Disney-approved,” noting that they “provided great support” while walking multiple days on a trip to Disney World. 

Shoppers who dealt with foot pain from injuries, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis raved about the shoe’s “flexible” design and how they kept their feet comfortable. A reviewer with plantar fasciitis said they’ve experienced decreased flare-ups after wearing these shoes, while another person shared, “I wore them on a long hike with no pain or foot discomfort.”

Shop More Deals

• Merrell Trail Glove 8 Sneakers, $97 (were $130) at Merrell
• Merrell Pro Morph Sneakers, $120 (were $160) at Merrell
• Merrell Mtl Skyfire 2 Sneakers, $120 (were $200) at Merrell

Related: Skechers’ Charming Cherry Sneakers Have ‘Great Arch Support’ for Long Walks, Now Over 30% Off

Whether you’re hitting the trails, training for a race, or heading out to explore a new city on vacation, the Antora 4 Sneakers will keep you comfortable from the moment you slip them on. Snag a pair while they’re still on sale for up to 40% off at Merrell.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Bob Eubanks is bringing back some serious television nostalgia. The beloved The Newlywed Game host, now 88, recently appeared in a photo with Leeza Gibbons, and fans couldn’t help but notice that he still looks great. It’s been 60 years since The Newlywed Game debuted, but one thing hasn’t changed: Eubanks had a gift for getting newlyweds to reveal the most blushworthy details about their marriages while he remained completely cool and collected. For viewers who remember watching the game show, the fun was often in what contestants couldn’t quite say out loud—and how a simple word like “whoopee” could suddenly become a hilarious TV innuendo.

@gameshowready

Bob Eubanks invites you to our anniversary show — live on Instagram— Tuesday August 17th #bobeubanks #newlywedgame #gameshowready #northhollywood

♬ original sound – @GameShowReady

In a social media post, Leeza Gibbons, the former Entertainment Tonight host and talk show host, shared a photo of herself alongside the ever-charming former The Newlywed Game host Bob Eubanks. Gibbons reflected on Eubanks’ enduring television career, writing:

“Some friendships are built in the spotlight. The best ones last long after the cameras are gone. ❤️🌹

Just had lunch with my dear friend and former colleague, the legendary Bob Eubanks.

DJ. Music producer, talent manager Host of The Newlywed Game….And, of course, the iconic voice of the [@rose_parade] on [@ktla_entertainment].

Bob and Stephanie Edwards handed the Rose Parade baton to [@marksteines] and me, and we’ve always felt the responsibility—and the privilege—of honoring the tradition they left in our hands.

Over the decades, I was blessed to host parades and countless events alongside Bob. There was truly no one like him. Yes, he knew his stuff. He knew broadcasting, music, horses, show business—and he knew how to work a crowd.

But more than anything, Bob knew how to have fun.

And did he ever make me laugh!

He still does.

I am blessed to share some of the journey with you Bob!”

Delighted fans commented, “what a treat,” and “Bob was such a joy the way he asked questions and the expressions he made.”

“Handsome guy, great voice and great personality!” gushed another.

“He looks great,” added another, echoing the sentiments of many.

Related: ‘One Day at a Time’ Sisters Reunite Decades After 1970s Sitcom Stole Our Hearts

The Newlywed Game Debuted 60 Years Ago @keep.on.clipping

The Newlywed Game (Part 4) #thenewlywedgame #whoopee #especiallypickedforyou #fypage #bobeubanks

♬ original sound – Keep On Clipping

The Newlywed Game debuted in 1966, during an era of television when rules and practices around what could be said on air were much stricter. When the blushworthy game show aired in the late 1960s and 1970s, Eubanks relied on charming innuendo to create hilarious moments, not to mention a little friction between the newly married contestants, without ever stating the obvious.

The charm of The Newlywed Game was Eubanks’ gift for making guests feel comfortable—comfortable enough to reveal their personal secrets without ever saying anything inappropriate for television.

Bob Eubanks Always Kept His Cool

Bob Eubanks had a warm, charming presence that made contestants feel right at home. That’s when the fun began.

Unflappable and completely composed, Eubanks guided contestants through questions that would inevitably lead them to say something borderline naughty. The contestants might blush, laugh or squirm, but Eubanks rarely seemed fazed.

Part of the humor of the show came from what Eubanks didn’t say. Relying on words like “whoopee,” he could turn an innocent-sounding word into a playful innuendo for sex.

Why The Newlywed Game Was So Funny

For viewers watching in the 1960s and 1970s, The Newlywed Game offered a glimpse into married life without ever becoming too explicit. The questions could be suggestive, but the answers and reactions did most of the work.

From teens watching after school to parents laughing along while their children did homework in the other room, The Newlywed Game became one of the most memorable game shows of its era without ever giving television censors an obvious reason to call foul.

And that’s part of what makes the show so nostalgic today. Television didn’t have to spell everything out. Sometimes a carefully chosen word, a knowing look and a perfectly timed question were enough.

Bob Eubanks Still Brings Back Television Nostalgia

Leeza Gibbons’ photo with Bob Eubanks is more than a celebrity reunion; it’s a reminder of a time in television when comedy could come from innuendo rather than oversharing.

It’s also a reminder of the unflappable host whose cheeky grin and seemingly innocent questions could make an audience giggle and contestants feel comfortable enough to happily become part of the fun.

Sixty years after The Newlywed Game first premiered, Eubanks remains forever connected to one of television’s most charming eras—and to a show that proved sometimes the funniest things were the things you couldn’t quite say out loud.

Related: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novel About an Aging Punk Rocker Named Best Book Published Since 2010

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In 1950, future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John McFee was born on Sept. 9. Now, the longtime member of The Doobie Brothers is celebrating his 76th birthday after a career that has taken him from some of rock’s most notable recordings to an unexpected second act as a country hitmaker.

McFee joined The Doobie Brothers in early 1979, replacing guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. His first studio album with the group was 1980’s One Step Closer, which was certified platinum. McFee also co-wrote the album’s title track with Keith Knudsen and Carlene Carter and co-wrote the Grammy-nominated instrumental “South Bay Strut.”

His association with the Doobies would ultimately span decades. After the band initially broke up in 1982 and later reunited, McFee returned in 1993. He contributed to the 2000 album Sibling Rivalry, including singing lead on “Angels of Madness,” and remains part of the band’s touring lineup today.

In 2020, McFee was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers.

But The Doobie Brothers tell only part of McFee’s unusually varied story.

Before joining the Doobies, McFee had already assembled an impressive list of credits. He played pedal steel guitar on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey and Saint Dominic’s Preview and worked with artists including Steve Miller, the Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs and Emmylou Harris.

Related: Frontman Records With Classic ’70s Rock Band For First Time in 45 Years

He was also a member of Clover alongside Huey Lewis and played extensively on Elvis Costello’s acclaimed 1977 debut My Aim Is True. McFee handled the album’s lead and pedal steel guitar work, including lead guitar on “Alison.” He later played pedal steel on Huey Lewis and the News’ blockbuster 1983 album Sports.

Following The Doobie Brothers’ 1982 breakup, McFee and fellow Doobie Keith Knudsen headed in a different musical direction, forming the country-rock band Southern Pacific.

The group’s lineup eventually included former Creedence Clearwater Revival bassist Stu Cook, and Southern Pacific became a regular presence on the country charts during the 1980s. Its hits included “Thing About You,” featuring Emmylou Harris, “New Shade of Blue,” “Honey I Dare You” and “Any Way the Wind Blows.”

McFee wasn’t merely the guitarist in the group. He co-wrote “New Shade of Blue” and “Honey I Dare You,” while “Any Way the Wind Blows” and “Reno Bound,” both of which he also co-wrote, appeared in the 1989 Clint Eastwood movie Pink Cadillac. McFee sang lead on both songs in the film.

After Southern Pacific disbanded, McFee eventually came home to The Doobie Brothers, where his arsenal of instruments extends far beyond guitar. The band’s current touring lineup credits him with guitar, pedal steel, Dobro, fiddle, violin, harmonica and vocals.

More than four decades after first joining the group, McFee remains part of The Doobie Brothers’ ongoing story at 76.

Related: Legendary Rocker and His Wife Team Up on New Song for Woodstock Novel

Shawn Johnson is showing off her hard work in a new video on Instagram where she hit an impressive, medal-worthy, stunt.

“There’s something really special about working your booty off to get a piece of yourself back,” she captioned the clip in which she did a split while in a handstand.

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Donning a black sports bra and matching shorts, the text over the video also read, “34. Three kids. Still got it.”

Johnson, who has four Olympic medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has managed to live a balanced life in and out of the spotlight. Soon after her Olympic success, she competed on Dancing with the Stars for Season 8 and won.

She married her husband, former NFL player Andrew East in 2016, and is mom to sons Drew, Jett, and Barrett. Active on Instagram, she regularly shares family updates, funny videos of mom life, and product endorsements, mainly in the wellness space.

Related: Olympian, ‘DWTS’ Champ Shawn Johnson Shows off ‘Jacked’ Arms in Fun Husband-Wife Workout

While Johnson’s video shows off a major athletic feat, especially years after her career as a gymnast, she’s also been candid about her struggles with body image and eating disorders during her time in the spotlight.

“In my generation of gymnastics, I looked very different,” she said last year while speaking on an episode of Real Pod. “I was muscular, and because it’s a subjective sport, I had a lot of judges who didn’t like that.”

“On a bad day, if I walked in the gym and I tried to flip my body and I felt heavy in my mind, it was kind of like: I need to be lighter. How do I get lighter? I eat less,” she added, sharing that she was on medication like Adderall and listened to “unhealthy” doctors. “I had a horrific self-worth. I couldn’t look myself in a mirror. It was really bad for a while. But I woke up one day and said, ‘I don’t want to feel like this anymore.’ And so I took it upon myself to fix myself.”

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The easiest way to upgrade your bathroom without a lot of time, money or effort is to swap out your shower curtain. It really is the simplest change, but it can still make a big impact on the overall look and feel of the space. And because autumn is fast approaching, changing out your current summer-themed shower curtain for something more seasonal is definitely the move. Luckily enough, Target has the most striking option right now. It brings the prettiest harvest hues to your bathroom, making it absolutely perfect for this time of year.

Target’s Threshold Floral Dot Ruffle Harvest Shower Curtain comes in the prettiest golden yellow hue that brings to mind the changing seasons, making it the perfect way to upgrade your bathroom for autumn. The charming all-over floral print brings even more character, and the dainty ruffled edge pulls it all together, oh so beautifully. It is honestly giving some major cottagecore vibes

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Threshold Floral Dot Ruffle Harvest Shower Curtain Gold, $25 at Target

Target

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This autumnal shower curtain measures 72 inches by 72 inches and has buttonholes at the top for you to hang it through shower rings of your choosing. It is also constructed from 100 percent cotton, making it easy to care for and maintain. Just toss it in the wash when it’s time, and let your washing machine take care of the rest. You can also tumble dry it, adding even more convenience.

Related: Aldi’s Portable Charcuterie Board Rivals a Popular Crate & Barrel Style Nearly 3x the Price

Shoppers are already loving this new shower curtain, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars on Target.com, with 100 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend it to others. Fans appreciate it for its luxe look and affordable price point, especially.

“If you’re looking for a stunner,” wrote one happy Target shopper in a five-star review on Target’s website. “This shower curtain looks so high-end! It gives Amber Lewis vibes without the price tag.”

You can find this gorgeous shower curtain on Target.com or in select Target stores. It retails for $25.

Related: Costco’s Sleek Pickleball Bag Is Versatile, Stylish and Roomy

If you’re heading into the fall season determined to make it the coziest one yet, I am so with you. Give me all of the sumptuous throw blankets, cloud-like pillows, steaming mugs of hot chocolate and sweaters that feel like a warm hug. Fall has always been my favorite season for self-care and, for me, that means getting as comfy as possible.

Of course, there’s no better place to start with a cozy overhaul than your bed. It’s the spot for catching zzz’s, lounging on lazy mornings and snuggling up on rainy days to read a good book. It deserves to be the softest sanctuary in your home, and I just spotted a comforter set at Marshalls that feels perfect for creating that kind of vibe.

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Aspen Cotton Flannel Plaid Comforter Set, $69.99–$79.99 at Marshalls

Marshalls

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Aspen’s Cotton Flannel Plaid Comforter Set offers that relaxed, cottage-like look that makes everything feel homey. The green-and-white plaid has a classic checkered pattern, while the soft flannel texture gives it that warm, snuggly quality you want when the weather starts to turn chilly.

What I love is that the set comes with everything you need to give the bed a layered look without having to fuss over it. The full/queen set includes a comforter, two standard shams, a square pillow and a boudoir pillow, while the king set comes with a comforter, two standard shams, a boudoir pillow and a square pillow. Basically, it has all the makings of a bed that looks like it belongs in a cozy country cottage—even if your bedroom is nowhere near one.

Related: This New Spin on the Drip Coffee Maker Is Designed for How You Actually Drink Your Java

Now you might be asking yourself, what the heck is a boudoir pillow? It’s a little rectangular pillow you put at the front of a bed to give it a finished look—even though the name implies it’s much fancier. It’s smaller than a standard pillow and usually more decorative than functional, though it’s also handy for a bit of extra back support when you’re sitting up in bed reading or watching TV.

Marshalls’ bedding aisle is packed with cute finds right now, like a set of ghostly sheets that are perfect for Halloween and some pretty floral bed coverings from Martha Stewart’s collection. You really can’t miss at Marshalls if you’re looking to refresh your linen closet.

Related: Michaels’ Stunning Celestial Wreath Brings Spooky Energy to Your Halloween Porch

Thirty years after the Spice Girls set the world on fire with their debut hit, “Wannabe,” the pop icons have fans in a frenzy over a cryptic social media tease they posted on Wednesday, September 9.

The group shared a brief video, with “Wannabe” playing in the background, which zooms in on the want ads in The Stage. That’s the newspaper that, in 1994, originally published an ad announcing auditions for an all-female music group in the works, which would later become the Spice Girls, featuring Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell-Horner.

The paper is cleverly set on the same stairs that appeared in the 1996 “Wannabe” music video that introduced the group to the world, and teases a big announcement coming on September 10.

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The ad in the video reads, “R U a Spice Girls fan with the ability to sing and dance? R U a superfan, a collector, a music lover? Spice Girls are a widely successful, global, choreographed, singing/dancing all female pop act with a record nine number ones in the UK and over 100 million global sales.”

The ad concludes, “Thursday 10th September at 2 o’clock BST. No sheet music required. But you will need a vinyl or CD player.”

Although the girl group was fairly short-lived, with Halliwell-Horner leaving in 1998 and the group fully disbanding in 2000, the Spice Girls dominated pop radio around the world in the late 90s, with hits including “2 Become 1,” “Stop,” Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Viva Forever.”

Related: ’90s Music Icons Have Fans Convinced They’re Announcing a 2026 Reunion Tour: ‘I Will Sell My Kidney’

Fans immediately flooded the post, with many in a panic over what could be coming. British comedian Luke Hamnett wrote, “Omg! wtf is this! I’m gonna throw up,” and You Had 2 Be There podcaster Nicole Story Dent chimed in, “WHAT DOES IT MEEEAAAANNNN?!?”

The group last reunited for a tour in 2019, but fans have been begging for another. As Parade previously reported, Brown has been campaigning for a 30th anniversary tour and told the Telegraph in May, despite reports that new tour plans had been scrapped, “We are trying to find something we all agree is fitting of the legacy we have created, but that also everyone is comfortable with.”

The Five Stairsteps were going through limited success in the early 1970s before being given a hit thanks to a new producer who landed them high on the Billboard charts.

“O-o-h Child” was released by the American Chicago soul group in April 1970. Made up of Betty and Clarence Burke Sr.‘s six children, the soul track would undoubtedly become one of the biggest hits of their career and a generational anthem of hope and resilience.

At the time, the group was working in Chicago with Curtis Mayfield, dubbed the “Gentle Genius,” but weren’t finding much success. This was largely due to Mayfield’s workload, not able to give the Five Stairsteps enough attention. Instead, the group began working with an in-house producer for Buddah Records, Stan Vincent.

According to Keni, one of the members, they knew Vincent had had success with the track “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” by Lou Christie, but never expected him to give them a chart hit.

“O-o-h Child’,” Keni said, according to New City Music. “Wow. We were performing at the Apollo. We were introduced to Stan Vincent. Here we were this R&B group who had worked with Curtis Mayfield. And here’s this white kid coming up the stairs of the Apollo. We’re like, ‘Cool.’ We were always rockers anyway. Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles. We knew Stan wrote the Lou Christie hit. It was a challenge doing Stan’s songs because they were different for us. At the time, we never knew ‘O-o-h Child’ would be what it became.”

The track was originally released as the B-side to their cover of the Beatles song “Dear Prudence.” To their surprise, “O-o-h Child” broke out in popularity and rose on the Billboard Hot 100 chart to No. 8. It also landed at No.14 on the R&B chart and No. 4 on Cash Box.

“O-o-h Child” became an inspirational track with its lyrics, “Things are gonna get easier,” and Burke believed the track came at the perfect time. It was released two years after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

“The time was right for that song,” Burke said. “‘Things are going to get easier. Right now.’ It made sense. The tunes that make it are the tunes that have a message. When a prayer can be answered because of a message, you have a hit.”

Keni added that the lyrics were on point with what was happening in the world as the Vietnam War was ending and a “social change” was happening. He explains that they “speak to everyday life no matter where you are in your own life,” and his sister’s singing is like a “warm blanket to the soul.”

The track would gain a resurgence in 2014 when it was used in the James Gunn film for Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy. Its hears among a playlist of classic tracks that Chris Pratt‘s character listens to in the film. Gunn played the songs during filming, with Pratt having been moved the most by “O-o-h Child.”

Before the Marvel film, “O-o-h Child” was used in another hit film, Boyz n the Hood, as Laurence Fishburne‘s character is riding in his car with his son. He hears the track through the radio and starts singing along.

Related: 1966 Folk Rock Song, Covered by Nancy Sinatra, Is Still a Beloved Hit 60 Years Later

Nina Dobrev, best known for her role as Elena Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries, is facing backlash online after her promotional post left fans shocked, frustrated and even hurt by her choices. 

The Degrassi alum, who recently turned heads for swapping her signature brunette locks for a blonde ‘do, took to Instagram to promote Muse on the same day it was launched by Meta. 

Muse is described as “the world’s first personal AI agent built for everyone,” with the press release boasting that it “actually does the work for you.”

“Meta built Muse from the ground up to be a safe, secure, private, and widely available personal AI agent,” with the release emphasizing that users stay in control of their Muse and decide how much access it gets to their lives. 

“It can handle tasks, like sending an email or booking travel, and it can take on big audacious goals,” noting that it can open a browser, fill out forms, and negotiate on their behalf.

“Turns out I didn’t need to get my life together. I just needed Jack 🦊 Make your own with @Muse,” Dobrev wrote in the caption. 

In the clip, she reveals that her AI-generated fox helps her plan trips with her friends, “turning chaotic chats into actual decisions and quality time.”

The video showcases how Jack plans the whole trip for Dobrev, taking action on the itinerary and acting like a travel concierge by finding flights and picking hot spots for the squad to check out.

“My muse did all the logistics, booking and research behind the scenes,” she explains.

“Technically, my muse planned it, but I’m taking credit,” she cheekily concludes.

View this post on Instagram

The backlash was swift, with many criticizing the use of AI in everyday life and warning about its growing strain on resources.

“girl… seriously with the AI ??? hard pass” one wrote, as another added, “This hurts. You are literally my favorite actress and this is such a punch in the gut. I cannot believe you would promote AI.”

“Girl the bag is not worth it when it is for AI!!! 😭😭😭” one wrote, as many more chimed in, “wow, what a let down… hope the cheque was worth it” and “Damn, there goes all the personal assistant jobs. 🫠”

“there’s still time to delete this,” another exclaimed, with others pointing out, “this is very very disappointing.”

A few came her to defense, however, as one expressed, “I don’t use ai and i’m not going to but i’m also not expecting celebs to stop working because I don’t like a product.she’s doing a promo, it’s literally her job.If celebrities had to boycott every industry with ethical issues, what would they even be allowed to promote?”

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While Andy Reid is coach on the football field, his wife Tammy Reid holds the title at home. “I’m the head coach of our family,” Tammy said in a 2020 profile on her husband. “Even though he is the patriarch and does all these great things for our family, I kind of run everything when he’s not around. I let him know where he’s needed and what’s going on with the kids.”

She added, “I also try and take care of him.”

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs has been married to Tammy, whom he’s called his “trophy wife,” since 1981. 

“I’ve been…with her for about 40 years now,” Reid said in 2020, via Inquirer. “Every day is a special day. I’m telling ya. I call her my girlfriend for that reason. You never lose interest if you do that, right, you guys out there? Call them your girlfriend and you always do special things for them.”

So, just who is Coach Andy Reid’s wife? Keep reading to find out all about Tammy Reid.

Andy Reid and his wife, Tammy Reid, pose for a portrait with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Who is Tammy Reid?

Tammy is Coach Reid’s wife. She was born in New York and raised in Memphis, Tenn. Tammy moved to Arizona when she started high school, and then went on to study at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

She told The Times Herald that since she’s been married, her “whole philosophy” and “whole motto” in life is: “Live where you’re planted.” Tammy said, “Andrew has transplanted me to eight different states now; I’ve had five kids in five states. You have to be positive and just jump into the community.”

According to the Missouri Quilt Museum, Tammy is a “passionate quilt collector” and “refers to herself as ‘The Head Coach of the Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs!'”

How did Coach Andy Reid meet his wife, Tammy Reid?

The couple met as students at Brigham Young University, where they were both in the same “Fundamentals of Tennis” class. “I thought he was kind of cute. You know, football player. Didn’t know he was a football player for a while, but it soon became clear and I wanted him to ask me out, but he wouldn’t ask me out,” Tammy recalled during a fireside chat for the Church of Jesus Christ in Greater Kansas City. She revealed that she “finally goaded” Andy into asking her out, and they “played racquetball” for their first date.

Related: Everything to Know About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship

When did Coach Andy Reid and Tammy Reid get married?

The NFL coach and his wife tied the knot on Aug. 8, 1981, a year after Andy was baptized by Tammy’s father into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I always told him and my family and everyone that I would not get married outside of our temple,” she said in their 2020 fireside chat.

Tammy has gushed (via Main Line Times & Suburban) that she’s “married to the best guy in the world.”

Related: Who Is Jared Goff’s Wife? Meet Christen Harper

Do Coach Andy Reid and Tammy Reid have kids?

Over the course of their marriage, Tammy and Coach Reid have welcomed five kids—sons Garrett, Britt and Spencer, and daughters Crosby and Drew-Ann. All five of the couple’s children were born in different states. After winning the 2024 Super Bowl, Andy joked about his wife on NFL GameDay, saying, “I joke about her. She had five kids and it completely ruined my body, I’m not sure what happened.”

The couple’s eldest child, Garrett, died of an accidental heroin overdose in 2012 at the age of 29. In a statement following the death of his firstborn, Coach Reid said, via NBC Philadelphia, “On behalf of Tammy and our family, I would like to thank everybody for their tremendous support, love, kind words and prayers during this time of great sadness. Words cannot express our sense of loss.”

“We loved Garrett so much. He was a wonderful son and brother. He made us laugh, he was a pleasure to be around, he always had a smile on his face, and we will miss him dearly. We will never forget him, and we will remember him with love,” the coach continued. “Garrett’s road through life was not always an easy one. He faced tremendous personal challenges with bravery and spirit. As a family, we stood by him and were inspired as he worked to overcome those challenges. Even though he lost the battle that has been ongoing for the last eight years, we will always remember him as a fighter who had a huge, loving heart.”

After winning the Super Bowl in 2020, Coach Reid said, via Inquirer, “You can’t help but think of him,” referring to his late son. Crosby shared that “it was a moment with our family where we all got to cry and really feel my brother looking down on us,” adding, “Garrett’s spirit was there. It was a huge family moment seeing my dad’s dream finally come true.”

Related: Who Is Aaron Rodgers Married To? What We Know About His Mystery Wife, Brittani

Since its first ship launched in 2022, Margaritaville at Sea (MAS) has continued to grow as a cruise line, providing affordable cruising itineraries and iconic island time-vibes. As a journalist who writes about cruising and has sailed with MAS several times, I can also confirm the line serves up some of the most delicious cheeseburgers at sea.

MAS guests are welcomed with Jimmy Buffet music, island decor, and margaritas complete with souvenir blender cups, so it’s no wonder the cruise line just keeps growing, bringing changes in attitudes, changes in latitudes to fans of cruise travel.

Currently, the cruise line operates two ships, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander and the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Now, the cruise line is announcing some new details about its newest ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, a ship that will bring expanded stateroom options and tons more island-themed experiences to guests. Here’s what would-be MAS cruisers need to know about the Beachcomber and its arrival in Galveston, Texas in 2027.

The Beachcomber Is Bringing Margaritaville’s Island State of Mind to Galveston

Beginning in October 2027, the Beachcomber will set sail from Port of Galveston in Galveston, Texas. With four and seven-night cruises featuring the most diverse and far-reaching list of itineraries MAS has ever offered, trips departing from the Lone Star State are available to book now. 

The New Ship Will Sail to Caribbean Favorites—and a New Mexico Port

In addition to Caribbean favorites like Aruba, Key West, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Belize, Progreso, Roatán, Cozumel, Grand Bahama Island and Bimini, MAS will add a new destination addition to the Galveston cruise market in Veracruz, Mexico.

“Texas knows how to have a good time, so bringing Margaritaville at Sea to Galveston feels like a natural fit,” said Christopher Ivy, the chief executive officer of Margaritaville at Sea, in a press release. “With Beachcomber, we’re giving guests an incredible ship and more choices for where their vacation can take them, including places they simply can’t reach on other cruises from Galveston. It’s a chance to see more, go farther and make every getaway a little different, all while experiencing the Margaritaville lifestyle at sea.”

Zac Brown’s Same Boat Is Bringing Live Music to the High Seas

Since Texas is a state that knows its country music, MAS has partnered with country singer Zac Brown to create the first artist-designed live music venue on the water. Created in collaboration with Brown, a three-time Grammy award winner, Same Boat is designed to give guests the atmosphere and energy of a live Zac Brown show at sea.

Set in a space inspired by Brown’s style and musical influences, Same Boat will feature live entertainment from top-tier talent selected from the Texas music market, in addition to elevated cocktails.

More Than 15 New Experiences Are Coming to the Beachcomber

In addition to several popular Caribbean ports, including Aruba, Curaçao and Grand Cayman, a Zac Brown-inspired bar and live performance space, the Beachcomber will offer more than 15 new on-board experiences for MAS guests, in addition to venues that are already beloved by MAS cruisers, such as 5 o’Clock Somewhere, Hemisphere Dancer, Cheeseburger in Paradise, License to Chill, and more.

Here’s What to Know About the New Galveston Sailings

Sailings aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber are available for booking now, with cruises beginning to depart from Galveston, Texas in October 2027. The ship will offer four and seven-day itineraries, hitting destinations like Aruba, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Grand Bahama Island, and Veracruz, Mexico.

In addition to MAS favorites like Cheeseburger in Paradise and License to Chill, the ship will feature Same Boat, a live music venue and cocktail bar designed by Zac Brown. Additionally, more than 15 new-to-the-fleet experiences will soon be announced by the cruise line.

Port of Galveston is near two airports: William P. Hobby (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and offers both parking facilities and ride share drop-off locations. Other cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival also use the port, which sits about 45 minutes away from the open ocean.

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Comfy season has arrived, and that means it’s time to make a few strategic changes to your wardrobe. When temperatures cool down, you’ll want to be prepared with a shirt that’s thick enough to keep you warm but not so heavy that it feels like a winter coat. The answer? A substantial top like the Burnside Fleece Shirt Jacket.

The unisex shacket is an absolute steal at Nordstrom Rack right now, reduced from its usual $54 to only $30 for a limited time. It’s available in four rich neutrals, including black, navy, bone, and steel, and all of them complement your favorite cool-weather basics with ease. Whether you’re stepping into jeans or more tailored pants, this top will round out the look while helping you brave the elements.

Burnside Fleece Shirt Jacket, $30 (was $54) at Nordstrom Rack

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

Shop at Nordstrom Rack

For a savings of 44% off the retail price, you’ll snag a smartly tailored shirt that blends cotton and polyester for a buttery smooth texture. It’s available in sizes small to 2XL, with a clean finish that brings a little polish to conventional fleece. A point collar and front-snap buttons add to its classic appeal, while handy chest pockets complete the look.

The shirt exudes a modern vibe, with a sleek fit that’s not too slim or too loose. It’s sized just right for layering over a light shirt, but you could easily size up if you prefer a more relaxed silhouette. There’s no fussy upkeep required, either — simply toss it in the washing machine, then tumble dry to keep it looking fresh.

One shopper described the piece as “distinguished,” praising its “soft, comfortable” feel and noting that it’s suitable for everything from errand runs to date nights. Another person commented that it “fits and looks great.” 

Shop More Deals

• Z by Zella Freeform Sweatpants, $25 (was $55) at Nordstrom Rack
• Dockers Estes Wax Lace-Up Sneakers, $30 (was $55) at Nordstrom Rack
• TailorByrd Stonewashed Polo Shirt, $30 (was $80) at Nordstrom Rack

Related: Clarks’ Shiny Leather Loafers Are ‘Comfy’ Right Out of the Box, and They’re 33% Off Ahead of Fall

With cooler days ahead, a sharp layer like this makes an excellent addition to your fall wardrobe. It’s the ultimate transitional piece, offering a dressier alternative to a jacket on days when you want to look just a little more pulled together without sacrificing your comfort. Pick up the Burnside Fleece Shirt Jacket while it’s on sale at Nordstrom Rack.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

America entered the 1970s with bloodshed and fear. For a young man of the time, your options were to fight a meaningless war in a country that never did you any wrong, or stay home and watch the social fabric of the nation disintegrate in the fallout of the hope and optimism brought on by the civil rights movement. King and Kennedy were dead, and Marvin Gaye looked at all of this with one important question: “What’s Going On?”

“What’s Going On” is Marvin Gaye’s 1971 attempt to create soul music’s first concept album. It follows a man returning from the Vietnam War, and being overcome by the police brutality, racism, unrest, and general state of the world. It’s an album that is equal parts beautifully smooth and utterly heartbreaking. It uses a gorgeous tonal palette to paint a canvas of the savagery and brutality that was and continues to do evil upon this Earth.

At the time of its release, the record was a massive success, and it continues to be one of the most revered albums ever made. In a consistent turned for music journalism as a whole, the record landed in the top spot on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.

The title track is a contender for one of the greatest album openings ever. The instrumental gives me goosebumps and chokes me up whenever I hear it. It’s like a parent consoling you about the state of the world once you understand it for the first time. I have no clue what was done in the studio to get this record to sound like this, but sonically it one of the most gorgeous things I have ever listened to.

Gaye’s writing is unbelievably good as well. His message is simple, yet layered. It’s immediately understood and felt because it is a struggle everyone is aware of and actively participating in whether they realize it or not. The rest of the record ebbs and flows from this song, meandering in and out of visions of a nation in jeopardy, and the people caught in the crossfire.

“What’s Going On” is a genuine masterpiece. It’s an album that is eternally listenable and eternally relevant, and required listening for any music fan.

Related: 1965 Bob Dylan Classic, Lasting Over 11 Minutes, is Ranked One of the Greatest Songs Ever

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Twenty-five years after Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant split, her son Damian Hurley has maintained a relationship with the actor.

On Wednesday, the model took to Instagram to wish Grant a happy birthday with a photo snapped in August and another throwback photo taken of the two of them when Damian was a little boy.

“Happiest birthday, Uncle Monkey,” he captioned the sweet pic, honoring the actor who turned 66 on Sept. 9.

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Elizabeth commented on the photo as well, wishing “Monkey” a happy birthday.

Fans also commented on the photo, commending the pair’s relationship:

• “DAMIEN [sic], kudos to your mum! I absolutely love the way she brought you up — with so much love, wisdom and an open heart,” they wrote. “No bitterness, just a beautiful ability to love, respect and appreciate the men in her life. What a wonderful legacy she has given you!”
• “What a beautiful thing this picture [is] in many ways,” added another.
• “An incredible love and friendship you have for one another,” said a third.

Related: Hugh Grant's Relationship History, From Elizabeth Hurley to Anna Eberstein

While Damian was born a few years after his mom and Grant split, the three have remained close. Elizabeth shares her son with businessman Steve Bing.

Grant, who is the 24-year-old’s godfather, has stayed in Damian’s life and is supportive during milestones. In 2024, the actor attended the premiere of Damian’s directorial debut, Strictly Confidential.

A few years prior in 2020, Hurley told People just how close she and her ex are, referring to him as “my go-to person” for “advice about work.”

“I speak to him quite a lot,” she said. “I still go to him for advice on scripts, even though he’s very happily married with five children and I’m very happy in my own life, there’s still certain bits we crossover with very well.”

Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant in 1995.

Ron Galella / Getty Images

Grant became a dad in 2011, welcoming his first child, Tabitha, whom he shares with Tinglan Hong. The actor then welcomed his second child, John, with now-wife Anna Eberstein in 2012, and then had another child, Felix, with Hong soon after John’s birth. Eberstein and Grant then welcomed Lulu in 2015 and Blu in 2018.

The two also quietly married in 2018.

As for Hurley, after dating Grant, she welcomed Damian in 2002 and later found out, with a paternity test, that Bing was the father. She married Arun Nayar — who is also a godfather to Damian — in 2007 and separated in 2010. Last year she began dating Billy Ray Cyrus.

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The Paper shares DNA with The Office, but it’s not The Office 2.0. Co-creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman like to describe mockumentary comedy The Paper, which follows the staff of the Toledo Truth-Teller as they try to revitalize the ailing local newspaper, as a new documentary made by the same crew that made The Office. And as the show returns for Season 2 on Peacock Sept. 9, it continues to settle into itself. It’s similar to the classic it’s spun off from, but has its own unique identity. 

The previous mockumentaries Daniels developed, The Office and Parks and Recreation, famously didn’t find their footing until their second seasons. The Paper, as a spinoff produced for streaming that uses a different production model (more on that later), is a different case in many ways, and it had a better idea of what it was when Season 1 debuted in 2025. But that doesn’t mean Season 2 is exactly the same as Season 1. There are adjustments made as the actors and writers gain a deeper understanding of the characters. 

“Every time you have a second season, it is so informed by the fact that the actors have had the experience of Season 1. They get to see what you selected in the editing room out of all the work that they do, and everybody kind of gels and gets on the same page better for Season 2,” Daniels tells Parade. “And so we’re excited about this season, which we think is funnier and tighter than the last.” 

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Why ‘The Paper’ Season 2 Feels Different

Season 2 picks up shortly after the events of the Season 1 finale, when the staff of the Truth Teller won a number of trophies at the Ohio Journalism Awards and editor-in-chief Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) and reporter Mare Pritti (Chelsea Frei) kissed for the first time. As the season starts, Ned is riding high, but he’s quickly snapped back to the reality of trying to run a paper with almost no money, a chaotic staff (himself very much included), and endless conflicts with management. He and Mare start dating while trying to keep their budding relationship secret, and other romances percolate among various staff members. Meanwhile, eccentric managing editor Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore) faces hard truths about herself. And somehow, against all odds, they manage to do some real journalism. 

Related: From Award Chaos to That Shocking Kiss: Everything You Need to Remember Before ‘The Paper’ Season 2

The Cast Found Its Rhythm in Season 2

The actors are more comfortable in Season 2, which makes the chemistry and comedy better. Frei says she had a lot of nerves during the first season about living up to comparisons to The Office (she’s a self-professed super-fan) while making sure The Paper was its own thing. In Season 2, she was more laid back. “Going into the second season, I just feel like there was an ease, and just a general more relaxed vibe on set, which I think usually tends to be good for comedy. People aren’t as fearful of getting fired or anything,” she says. “So I found myself having more fun than I’ve ever had on set before, and just laughing more.” 

Gleeson was still nervous going into Season 2.” But that’s a character thing, I don’t think that’s ever going away,” he jokes. Nevertheless, he had a great experience filming the season. He has primarily acted in films, and while he’s done a few sequels, he’d never done a second season of a TV show before, where “the job is for the relationships to really grow all the time,” as opposed to the tighter character arc of a movie.

“I realized at the end of the season that the most amount of time I’ve spent acting with anybody is probably with Chelsea, which is kind of an amazing thing, and was brilliant at every point,” he said.

Domhnall Gleeson on What Makes Ned So Unique

As an actor, Gleeson has exceptional range — he has been a romantic comedy hero and a Star Wars villain. And as Ned he gets to be totally charming and extremely weird. Best of all is when he’s both in the same scene, like when he gets excited seeing Mare dressed up as an old-timey printer’s assistant. That range is what Gleeson likes about playing such a unique character. “He’s a good dude, but he’s odd, and there’s not lots of [characters like] that,” Gleeson says. “That’s one of my favorite things about going into work. It’s like, how do we make it real, but keep him surprising?” 

Sabrina Impacciatore Reveals Esmeralda’s Vulnerable Side

Making it real is Sabrina Impacciatore’s secret to playing Esmeralda. Ned’s nemesis has an over-the-top personality (with a wardrobe to match) that puts her in near-constant conflict with everyone around her; however, Impacciatore plays her with a wounded vulnerability that keeps her emotionally grounded. 

“To me, she is like in constant war because she feels threatened, and I thought about Tweety Bird,” Impacciatore says. “Tweety Bird does the most horrible things, but from a point of view of surviving. She doesn’t want Sylvester to eat her, and Esmeralda doesn’t want to be eaten. Esmeralda wants to keep living the life that she got, finally.” 

Esmeralda has something very important to her taken away in Season 2 (you’ll have to watch the season to find out what), and when Impacciatore found out during the episode’s table read, she was shocked. “I screamed,” she says. “I was almost crying, and I said, ‘This, no, no, no!’ And Greg said, ‘Put that in your acting,’ and I had to shut up and hold it back.” 

It was hard for her to hold it in, because she has a deep emotional connection to her character, and was feeling what Esmeralda would feel. “I was feeling for her, ‘Oh my God, she’s really losing everything. She’s so scared,” she says. But having this thing snatched away from her forces Esmeralda to finally think about how other people perceive her, and inches her toward personal growth. 

Related: Jenna Fischer Reveals What Really Led to the End of ‘The Office’

How Much Is ‘The Paper’ Like ‘The Office’?

The writers don’t think about The Office in relation to The Paper much when they’re working. “Once you have the demands of just telling a story, and you have these characters, and you’re thinking about what these characters would want, it’s very difficult to then also on top of that be thinking about this stylistic comparison to something,” Koman explains.

They don’t need to be very conscious of it anyway, because the comedy voice and visual aesthetic of The Office is woven into the fabric of The Paper. It’s the same crew making the fictional documentary, and also a lot of the same crew making the actual show. “Occasionally Greg will tell a story or offer some really beautiful wisdom that he learned on The Office,” says Alex Edelman, a writer and actor who plays hapless Truth Teller account/reporter Adam Cooper. “Also, a lot of our directors have experience directing episodes of The Office, and so that is sort of where the DNA of our show kind of comes in.”

How Much of ‘The Paper’ Is Improvised?

The Paper is a carefully written show, but there’s still room for the actors to improvise a little during filming. Group scenes are mostly performed as written, but scenes with one or two actors are fair game for alts, according to Eric Rahill, who plays the Truth Teller’s photographer Travis Bienlien and also serves as a writer on the show. “The real ad-libbing comes in those like one-on-one scenes where you’re just going back and forth, and you can add something that you like, or you feel a scene needs,” he says. 

The Secret Behind Those ‘Office’-Style Camera Looks

Another form of improvisation is the direct-to-camera looks and reactions, which are usually not scripted and come out of the cast’s relationship with the camera operators, who play their own important role in shaping the show. Frei says that she has a special rapport with one camera operator in particular, Phil, who knows when to look to her for a Jim Halpert-style deadpan look. “I can like feel him, like, smiling, and then turn the camera towards me,” she says. “It is such a fun relationship.” At one point, she ad-libbed a line where she addresses him by name, and it made it into the show. 

Why the Cast Wants More Episodes of ‘The Paper’

A lot more material gets cut than makes it into the show, though; and not just ad-libs — entire storylines get cut for time. “We’ll shoot 40 to 50 pages, and put it into a 25-minute episode,” explains Melvin Gregg, who plays Detrick Moore, an ad sales guy who emerges as one of the Truth Teller’s star reporters in Season 2. “So that means 15 pages of stories, left on the cutting room floor.” The cuts are frustrating for the actors, because a lot of funny stuff goes unused and their characters don’t get developed as much as they could be. They would love to do longer seasons like The Office used to do, where there’s room for more characters — and more silly stuff that doesn’t strictly move the plot along. “Give us 15, 20 [episodes],” Gregg pleads. “We could really explore the story a lot more.” 

Greg Daniels Says ‘The Paper’ Season 3 Is Already Taking Shape

It’s not just the actors who are clamoring for longer seasons, either. Daniels says that while The Paper doesn’t have an official order for Season 3 yet, he and Koman recently opened up the writers’ room. “The first couple days, we were just talking about stories that we didn’t do, and there were so many,” he says. “We’re only really showing people the tip of the iceberg of what’s in our heads for these characters, and it would be fun to show them more. You know, there’s models for streaming. They’ve figured out how many is a satisfying season, and that it drops all on a particular day, and it’s just a different genre experience. We talk about [seasons] being more like a book in a series than it is like the old weekly thing. I don’t know. It’s where we are. I would take a lot more.”

“It’s tough sometimes to have to generate all of the cards on the corkboards with story ideas, and then to say, ‘Okay, we’re not using these,’” he adds.

Next, How This Method Actor Inspired Ron Howard’s The Paper

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has earned himself a spot in football history. With his team hitting dynastic standards with multiple Super Bowl appearances and wins, Reid’s legacy is more than secured—and he’s got the net worth to prove it. 

Here’s everything to know about how Andy Reid got his start and how much money he’s earned along the way. 

Related: Bill Belichick’s Net Worth and How Much He’s Raked in From the New England Patriots and UNC

How did Andy Reid start his career?

Andy Reid has lived and breathed football for decades. As a college student, Reid was an offensive tackle at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Calif., with an eye toward transferring to Stanford. After a knee injury waylaid that dream, Reid was recruited by Brigham Young University, where he played as a tackle and guard from 1979 until 1981. His former teammates have noted that while the future coach did not play very often, he had a tactical mind and closely studied the team’s head coach and offensive coordinator.

It likely came as no surprise when Reid began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at BYU in 1982. The following year, Reid was hired by San Francisco State as their offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. This was followed by a similar position with the offensive line for two years at the University of Texas—El Paso. His final collegiate coaching role was with the University of Missouri from 1981 to 1991.

Reid found his first NFL coaching position in 1992, when he was hired as the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers, a position he held until 1996, when he moved to quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach from 1997 to 1998. The following year, Reid took on his first head coach position with the Philadelphia Eagles, a title he would hold for 14 seasons.

What team did Andy Reid coach first?

Andy Reid first made his name as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 until 2012. He is one of 11 first-time NFL head coaches to lead 12 or more seasons with the same team. In his second year with the team, he led them to the greatest turnaround in franchise history, with a second-place finish in the NFC East and a spot in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. As a result, Reid was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club, The Sporting News and Football Digest.

What is Andy Reid’s net worth in 2026?

Andy Reid’s net worth is $50 million in 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This is largely thanks to the five-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2024 to continue as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. This huge payday is not surprising given that under Reid’s leadership, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in the last five years.

How much does Andy Reid get paid a year?

Andy Reid signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2024. This bumped his salary up to $20 million a year from $11.5 million in his previous contract. This new salary made Reid the highest-paid head coach in the NFL (he now shares that No. 1 spot with New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh).

Related: Aaron Rodgers’ Net Worth and How Much He’s Making With the Steelers

Who is the richest coach in the NFL?

With annual salaries of $20 million over five years, Andy Reid and John Harbaugh are tied as the top-paid head coaches in the NFL. They’re also both seemingly the richest head coaches in the NFL, boasting estimated net worths of $50 million each.

One of the most successful former NFL coaches of all time is John Madden, who had a net worth of $200 million at the time of his death in 2021. However, Madden did not earn this fortune from his coaching work alone, as he was a well-known sportscaster and entrepreneur who lent his name and likeness to the hugely successful Madden football video games from EA Sports.

How long has Andy Reid been coaching the Kansas City Chiefs?

Andy Reid has been the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs since 2013. Reid has led the Chiefs to an impressive five Super Bowl appearances, with three wins in 2020, 2023 and 2024. The last two victories made the Chiefs the first team in two decades to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Reid currently holds the record for most regular-season wins among active head coaches in the NFL and fourth overall in NFL history.

After signing a five-year contract to stay on as head coach of the Chiefs in April 2024, it appears Reid has no intention of leaving the franchise anytime soon.

Related: Peyton Manning’s Net Worth and How Much He Made as a Star Quarterback

Did Andy Reid ever coach Brett Favre?

During his time as the quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach of the Green Bay Packers for two seasons from 1997 until 1998, Andy Reid coached Brett Favre. When Reid, the team’s former tight end coach, was announced as the successor to quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci, Favre recalls being less than pleased.

“After I woke up from fainting, I was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,'” Favre said. “All I could think about was, ‘We are going to meet forever because Andy was such a grinder.’ Everyone loved Andy but, man, everyone else was going home and the tight ends are still in meetings,” he explained.

Favre continued, “Then I started thinking, ‘What is Andy going to teach me about how to be a better quarterback? This guy played offensive line at BYU.” However, the future highest-paid head coach in the NFL soon proved himself to the famed quarterback.

“I could not have had a better coach than Andy,” Favre explained. “That guy was tremendous. We didn’t really meet that long, not as long as the tight ends, but it was productive. I really enjoyed and learned a lot from Andy.”

What quarterbacks has Andy Reid coached?

In addition to coaching Brett Favre during his coaching career in the NFL, Andy Reid has coached such quarterbacks as Donovan McNabb, Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley, Mike McMahon, Jeff Garcia, Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick, Vince Young, Nick Foles, Alex Smith and Chase Daniels. At this time, Reid coaches the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is likely to go down as one of the all-time best QBs in NFL history.

Known by some as the “QB Whisperer,” Reid has the reputation of getting the best out of the quarterbacks that he works with.

What kind of car does Andy Reid drive?

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid famously drives a restored 1928 Ford Model A—a car that was originally owned by his father. Reid’s dad reportedly bought the vehicle for $25 following World War II.

Reid has discussed the almost 100-year-old car’s restoration journey. “I brought it up to Green Bay. There were a couple of old guys there who restored these things as a hobby … We took the whole thing apart and we just started from scratch, the whole engine included, and built it back up.”

Is Andy Reid married?

Yes, Andy Reid is married to Tammy Reid. The couple tied the knot in 1981 and have five children together.

Related: Tom Brady’s Net Worth in 2026 From the Patriots, Bucs and His Broadcasting Career