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Harry Chapin‘s “Cats in the Cradle” may have been his only No. 1 hit, but the emotional folk-rock ballad has left a lasting impact that is simply immeasurable.

The storytelling masterpiece was released as a single from Chapin’s Verities & Balderdash album in 1974, and more than 50 years later, the song is still considered by many to be one of the most heartbreaking tracks ever recorded.

Written about a tragic relationship between a father and son, “Cats in the Cradle” tells the story of a man who is too busy to spend time with his son, and later finds the roles to be reversed when he grows older and his son has no time for his aging father.

It’s been voted as one of the “Saddest Songs of all Time”, according to a 2013 poll conducted by Rolling Stone, which placed the Chapin track in the No. 4 spot, behind other deep cuts like R.E.M.‘s “Everybody Hurts,” Nine Inch Nails‘ “Hurt” and Eric Clapton‘s “Tears in Heaven.”

A fan-voted list from Ranker also includes “Cats in the Cradle,” where it placed as the No. 2 saddest song readers had ever heard.

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But even the song’s sad story and gloomy tone didn’t stop the track from becoming a major commercial hit. “Cats in the Cradle” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in December 1974, becoming Chapin’s only song to ever reach the No. 1 spot.

In 2011, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is now considered to be the defining track of Chapin’s career. “Cats in the Cradle” has continued to resonate with listeners for more than decades, and still serves as an enduring staple of the folk-rock genre.

Related: 1965 Folk-Rock Song By Bob Dylan, Never a Billboard No. 1 Hit, Is Ranked One of the ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’

At just 15, Lynne Randell kicked off her recording career with “I’ll Come Running Over.” Her version of the song, originally by Lulu, hit No. 11 in Melbourne in 1965, setting the young singer on the fast track to becoming one of Australia’s biggest pop stars.

Born in Liverpool in 1949, Randell moved to Australia with her family when she was 5. By 14, she was working as an apprentice hairdresser when an unexpected moment at the salon gave her a shot at pursuing music.

That moment came during a photoshoot for the mod band The Flies. When the band’s lead singer, Ronnie Burns, picked up his guitar, Randell was nudged to sing along.

The manager, Garry Spry, was blown away by her voice and offered her a gig at his discothèque, Pinocchios. Not long after, she teamed up with publicist Carol West as her manager.

Randell continued performing and eventually recorded a demo that Melbourne radio DJ Stan Rofe played on his show. She left school and signed with EMI, leading to the release of her first single, “I’ll Come Running Over,” in February 1965.

The Lulu cover climbed to No. 11 in Melbourne, giving Randell her first chart hit. She soon appeared on Australian television shows including Bandstand, Saturday Date and Sing Sing Sing. 

By 1967, Randell was looking beyond Australia. After signing with Epic Records in the U.S., she traveled to America for the first time.

Looking back on the opportunity, she wrote, “For me, coming to America was like having a dream come true.” She added that she believed singers everywhere dreamed of coming to America to make records.

At just 17, Randell was already reflecting on how far she had come. “I guess I’m just about one of the luckiest girls in the whole world,” she wrote in a 1967 16 Magazine feature, pointing to her hit record in Australia and her new American recording contract.

Randell went on to become one of Australia’s most popular female performers of the mid-1960s, scoring additional hits including “Heart,” “Goin’ Out of My Head” and “Ciao Baby.” She later toured the United States with The Monkees and appeared on the same bill as Jimi Hendrix and Ike & Tina Turner.

Related: 1966 Hit Song, Written by Neil Diamond, Turned a TV Band Into Pop Stars

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When it comes to fall decorating, some of us are ready to bring out the pumpkins the second August starts winding down. Others would rather ease into the fall season with a few smaller swaps, and that’s where Martha Stewart shines. Her home collection has long leaned into the parts of the house where decor and everyday life overlap, from cooking and baking to hosting and setting the table, making the kitchen a particularly natural place to start adding a little autumn personality.

The Martha Stewart Autumn Harvest Pumpkins Kitchen Towel 3-Pack Set gives you a way to work seasonal accents into the room. The best part? It’s currently just $12 instead of its usual $14 at Walmart. You can hang them from the oven handle, keep one by the sink, or rotate them around the kitchen as needed.

Courtesy of Walmart

Dubbed by shoppers as “perfect for fall,” this three-piece set includes two printed kitchen towels and one solid terry cloth towel, giving you a mix of pretty accents and more practical pieces to keep within reach. Across the printed pair, an airy, watercolor-style harvest scene features pumpkins in different shapes and sizes among trailing vines, acorns, and autumn leaves. Plump orange and golden gourds sit alongside larger muted-green pumpkins, while wispy stems and scattered foliage fill in the spaces around them. 

The solid terry cloth towel brings some texture to the set and gives you a more substantial option for everyday kitchen jobs. Meanwhile, the two printed towels are dual-purpose, lint-free towels, so they can handle drying dishes and glassware while still looking nice hanging from an oven handle or cabinet bar. All three are made from 100% cotton, giving them the absorbency you want for drying hands, wiping counters, cleaning up small spills, or dealing with whatever ends up on the kitchen counter while you’re cooking. Each towel also has a hanging loop, making it easy to keep one within reach on a hook or peg instead of digging through a drawer when you need it.

Cleanup is simple, too, since all three towels are machine washable and can be tumble dried on low. That makes the set particularly handy during the stretch of fall when the kitchen tends to see more action from baking, weeknight cooking, and holiday prep. They’re also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning the textiles have been tested for harmful substances. 

• Martha Stewart Amber Floral Kitchen Towel Set 2-Pack, $20 at Walmart
• Martha Stewart Woodland Harvest Jacquard Leaves Kitchen Towel 2-Pack Set, $12 at Walmart
• Martha Stewart Modern Waffle Kitchen Towel Set 6-Pack, from $23 at Walmart

Because the artwork focuses on pumpkins, leaves, and harvest details rather than anything specifically Halloween-themed, this set can easily make the transition from the first hints of fall through Thanksgiving. There are also leaf-print towels for $12 and a mushroom-print set for $13, so you can choose the seasonal motif that best fits your kitchen.

Fall enthusiasts gushed over these “adorable” and “absolutely gorgeous” dish towels, praising not only their “beautiful” design but also how “super absorbent” they are. One Walmart shopper wrote, “These look and feel high quality and really bring the feeling of fall into your home.” 

Another customer added that the “durable” material keeps the “vibrant” print looking fresh, saying it “doesn’t fade in the wash.”

Related: Martha Stewart’s ‘Beautiful’ Watercolor Floral Dish Towel Set Brings an ‘Elegant Touch’ to Any Kitchen

Fall decorating doesn’t have to mean rearranging the entire kitchen. Shop the Martha Stewart Autumn Harvest Pumpkins Kitchen Towel 3-Pack Set for $12 at Walmart and add a seasonal piece that earns its spot by the sink!

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Food recalls, unfortunately, aren’t just for humans but can also include your fur babies and four-legged members of the family. Dog owners are being urged to check their pantries after two canned dog foods were voluntarily recalled due to potential metal contamination.

Fromm Family Foods of Mequon, Wisconsin, announced the recall on Aug. 21, affecting 3,852 cases of Fromm Turkey Pâté Wet Dog Food and 1,973 cases of Fromm Diner Classics Milo’s Meatloaf Pâté Wet Dog Food. The recalled products were distributed at neighborhood pet stores and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

The Fromm Turkey Pâté Wet Dog Food comes in 12.2-ounce cans and has UPC 072705118700. The affected lot code is EP2A3306 551006, with a Best By date of 032029. The Fromm Diner Classics Milo’s Meatloaf Pâté Wet Dog Food comes in 12.5-ounce cans and has UPC 072705132324. The affected lot code is EP2A3306 551029, also with a Best By date of 032029.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, metal contamination can pose serious risks to dogs if the affected food is consumed. Depending on the size and shape of the metal, it can cause injuries to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, while larger amounts may cause gastrointestinal upset or a partial or complete intestinal blockage.

Photo by Iuliia Zavalishina on Getty Images

Dogs that have consumed the recalled food and develop symptoms including choking, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy or stomach discomfort should be evaluated by a veterinarian. There have been no reports of illness or injury associated with the recalled products to date.

Fromm Family Foods said the recall was initiated after the company received complaints about metal contamination. The company said it has identified the error and put corrective measures in place in addition to its existing food-safety processes. Dog owners who have either of the recalled products should stop feeding it to their pets and return it to the retailer. No other Fromm products are affected by this recall.

Consumers with questions can contact Fromm Family Foods at 1-800-325-6331, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, or email info@frommfamily.com.

Legendary bronzed actor George Hamilton may be best known for his acting skills and glowing tan, but he actually has a son who looks just like him!

Hamilton, 87, who is best known for playing Count Dracula in Love at First Bite and the Corleone family lawyer BJ Harrison in The Godfather Part III. A staple of the Hollywood scene who is still as dapper as ever, the actor recently posed alongside his lookalike son, George. While he doesn’t have the illuminated glow of his father, Dr. George Hamilton sports the same face and smile as his famous dad.

“A night in Manhattan 🎩 🥂,” Dr. George Hamilton captioned the photo alongside his dad.

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Earlier this month, the younger Hamilton took to Instagram to share a sweet message in honor of his father’s 87th birthday. Sharing a series of throwback photos with his dad, ranging from hilarious shots from childhood to his college graduation, he spoke of his father lovingly.

“Happy 87th Birthday to my dad; the King of Cool, the smoothest of operators, and the man who has kept us laughing and tanning, for 87 years. Love you, Dad. Here’s to many more. 🥂❤️,” he wrote.

In a new interview with Page Six, Hamilton revealed that about five or six years ago he woke up from surgery and had no idea who he was. While the doctors told him the condition would last a few days, it ended up lasting a few years.

“I had to read my own biography to learn who I was,” Hamilton shared. “And I had to think, ‘Do I like this person?’ I read it through several times and looked at things from my past and I wasn’t sure if I had done them.”

When he shared what the experience made him realize, he said that kindness to others is paramount.

“Other things have come and gone, but kindness and good manners and optimism and belief in something more important than our egos is something people probably don’t think I think about, but it’s most important to me at this age,” he said. “You realize those are the things that are the vauable things in life once you have lived it. You don’t want to learn it too late.”

Related: Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick’s Tattooed Son Travis Bacon Turns Heads on the Red Carpet

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Summer isn’t over just yet, which means there’s still time to squeeze in a few more beach days, weekend getaways, and outdoor adventures. And if you’re going to be on your feet, a comfortable pair of sandals can make those last few weeks of summer even better. 

Right now, shoppers can grab the Teva Tirra Sandals at Amazon for as low as $60, down from $100. That’s a 40% discount on a popular podiatrist-approved pair that shoppers said is comfortable enough for long walks and all-day wear. One reviewer called them their “favorite sandals for long walks,” while another described them as “very comfortable” for all-day wear. 

Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re looking for sandals that can keep up with your summer plans, these are a solid pick. They have quick-drying straps and a convenient hook-and-loop closure, making them easy to adjust and wear on the go. 

They’re also designed with a durable outsole that provides traction on the trails, making them a practical choice for outdoor adventures. A contoured EVA footbed with built-in arch support and cushioning adds an extra layer of comfort, whether you’re walking around town or spending the day outside.

Even the experts approve of Teva’s supportive design. Many reviewers commented that their podiatrists had either recommended or put their stamp of approval on this particular pair. One shopper wrote: “I asked my podiatrist before purchasing these Teva sandals. She gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, saying she really likes Teva footwear.”

They are versatile enough to wear just about anywhere. You can take them on your next hike or vacation, pair them with shorts for a casual summer look, or slip them on for everyday errands when you want something comfortable and easy to wear.

The sandals come in seven colors, including black, blue, gray, and multicolor options. Prices vary by color, but you can currently snag any pair for under $78.

Amazon shoppers are fans of the sandals, especially when it comes to comfort and support. One shopper said they’re “super comfortable” in hot weather, adding that they’re breathable and have a great fit. Another said, “They have good arch support, and I can go in the water with them if needed!” A third shopper rated them as the “best all around sandals” in their wardrobe.

• Arach&Cloz 100% Cotton Lace Cardigan, $13 (was $30) at Amazon
• Xburmo End Table, From $20 (was $23) at Amazon
• Zeagoo High-Waisted Knit Midi Skirt, From $17 (was $24) at Amazon

Related: Skechers’ ‘Adorable’ Rhinestone Sandals Are a Genius Hack for Packing Fewer Shoes on Vacation  

For as low as  $60, the Teva Tirra Sandals are worth considering if you have a few more summer adventures on your calendar. Now is a great time to grab a pair in your preferred size and color while it’ s still in stock and on sale!

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One Hundred Years of Solitude is capping its Netflix run the same way it’s spent nearly six decades on shelves: at the top of the list. Netflix’s adaptation of the 1967 novel wraps up for good on August 26, when a standalone, nearly two-hour Grand Finale episode closes out the story of the Buendía family and the fictional town of Macondo, following seven episodes that dropped earlier this month.

The novel comes from Gabriel García Márquez, the Colombian author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Cien años de soledad, as it’s titled in Spanish, sold out almost immediately after its 1967 release and went on to sell more than 50 million copies in over 25 languages. It’s since been placed on numerous “greatest novels” lists, and currently ranks as the 5th greatest book of all time, based on points tallied across dozens of curated best-of lists worldwide.

For years, García Márquez resisted letting anyone adapt his novel for the screen, reportedly wary of losing its sprawling, multi-generational structure. Netflix moved forward only with the support of his family, filming the entire series in Colombia. Directors Laura Mora and Carlos Moreno split duties on the 16-episode adaptation, which stars Claudio Cataño, Marco González, and Marleyda Soto. Mora told Deadline the back half of the story required a bigger swing: “Each episode of this second part is like a film,” she said.

García Márquez, who died in 2014, once told The New York Times that readers frequently wrote to him convinced his fictional characters were based on their own relatives, saying things like “So and so is just like my aunt.”

With the finale now days away, fans are getting one more look at Macondo before the Buendía family’s hundred-year cycle finally closes for good, more than a half-century after the book first landed on shelves.

Michael Wright, who died Aug. 19 at 70, is best known to many fans as Eddie King from The Five Heartbeats and for his role in Sugar Hill.

But his filmography could have looked very different.

Before Ice-T played undercover cop Scotty in the 1991 crime drama New Jack City, the role was reportedly written specifically for Wright.

The late Barry Michael Cooper, who wrote the film, later revealed the surprising casting story while discussing the movie’s 25th anniversary.

According to Cooper, Wright was offered the role but turned it down.

“Michael Wright, he was the original ‘Scotty,'” Cooper said, according to Ambrosia For Heads. “They gave it to Michael Wright. Mike said, ‘I can’t do that.'”

Wright eventually had a change of heart about the decision.

“Years later he said, ‘Barry, that was the worst mistake of my life, man,'” Cooper recalled.

The part went to Ice-T, 68, who was still primarily known as a rapper when he made his acting debut in New Jack City.

Cooper said he initially wasn’t sure what Ice-T would bring to the role, but the performer impressed him on set.

“He did a very, very good job,” Cooper said, later describing Ice-T as a fearless actor.

Ice-T’s Scotty became one of the film’s memorable characters as he went undercover to infiltrate Nino Brown’s drug organization, played by Wesley Snipes.

Released in March 1991, New Jack City became a defining crime movie of its era and helped establish Ice-T as a serious actor.

And Wright’s connection to the film didn’t end with turning down Scotty.

A few years later, he reunited with Cooper and Snipes for Sugar Hill, with Wright playing Raynathan, the hot-headed older brother to Snipes’ Roemello. The 1994 film was written by Cooper, who had specifically written Wright’s role for him.

In a later interview, Wright spoke fondly of Sugar Hill, explaining that Cooper had written the character specifically for him. He even recalled convincing Snipes to make the movie after approaching him about the project in New York.

So while Wright never got to play Scotty in New Jack City, he eventually became part of another Cooper-written Harlem crime drama and worked alongside the actor who ultimately took the role he had passed on.

RELATED: Neil Young and Willie Nelson Announce 2 Special Concerts Before Farm Aid

In 1971, one of the most celebrated albums of the decade produced another hit when a wistful ballad about distance made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100.

Carole King’s “So Far Away,” from her landmark album Tapestry, entered the chart on Aug. 22, 1971, 55 years ago today.

King may be the unmistakable voice at the center of the song, but another singer-songwriter legend can be heard on the recording: James Taylor plays acoustic guitar, alongside King on piano, Russ Kunkel on drums, Charles Larkey on bass and Curtis Amy on flute.

And when “So Far Away” was released as a single in 1971, one contemporary review had a particularly prescient prediction for the song: “instant gold.”

“So Far Away” originally appeared on Tapestry, which was released in February 1971 and transformed King from an enormously successful behind-the-scenes songwriter into one of the era’s defining singer-songwriters.

The song was subsequently released as the B-side of “Smackwater Jack,” although “So Far Away” became a hit in its own right.

In its 1971 review, Cash Box praised the song as a “magnificent ballad,” singling out King’s melodic phrasing, piano playing and producer Lou Adler’s work before predicting that the track “should turn into instant gold.”

That assessment wasn’t far off.

Related: 1971 Smash Ranked One of the ‘Best Albums’ of All Time Still Holds a No. 1 Record 55 Years Later

“So Far Away” eventually climbed to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Decades later, the recording was certified gold by the RIAA.

At its heart, “So Far Away” is a song about longing for someone who isn’t there. But the physical distance separating two people is only part of the story. The lyrics gradually turn toward something less tangible: the emotional distance that can grow between people even when geography isn’t the only thing keeping them apart.

King’s restrained performance allows that loneliness to do most of the work.

Taylor’s presence on the recording is particularly fitting given his role in King’s emergence as a performer of her own material.

King had already spent years writing hits with her former husband and songwriting partner Gerry Goffin before Tapestry. Her compositions had been recorded by artists ranging from The Shirelles and Little Eva to The Monkees and Aretha Franklin.

But Taylor encouraged King to step into the spotlight herself.

When Rolling Stone ranked Tapestry No. 25 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, the publication recalled King’s explanation that Taylor made performing her own material “look so easy,” inspiring her to approach Tapestry in the same spirit.

Related: Beloved ’70s Singer, With 6 Grammys and a No. 1 Hit, Turns 78

King was candid about what she believed separated her from powerhouse vocalists of the era. Rather than trying to compete with singers such as Franklin or Barbra Streisand on sheer vocal ability, she focused on conveying the emotion of a song through an honest interpretation.

That approach is particularly apparent on “So Far Away,” where Taylor’s acoustic guitar blends with King’s piano rather than demanding attention of its own.

Taylor wasn’t King’s only famous friend to contribute to Tapestry. He and Joni Mitchell also provided backing vocals on King’s new version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” a song King and Goffin had written for The Shirelles more than a decade earlier.

More than half a century later, “So Far Away” remains one of the most acclaimed songs in King’s catalog.

In 2017, Paste ranked it No. 4 on its list of King’s 12 greatest songs, behind only “It Might as Well Rain Until September,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

The publication described “So Far Away” as both a song about life on the road and a go-to song for long-distance relationships, while highlighting the interplay between King’s keyboard and Taylor’s guitar.

Related: Only Song in History to Reach the Top 3 in 3 Different Decades — By 3 Different Artists

The ballad has also taken on meaning in the lives of other musicians.

“So Far Away” was one of Amy Winehouse’s favorite songs, and friends and family performed it at the late singer’s funeral in 2011.

Rod Stewart later put his own stamp on the song for the 1995 tribute album Tapestry Revisited: A Tribute to Carole King. His version reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and was subsequently included on his 1996 collection If We Fall in Love Tonight.

The original has also endured on screen, appearing in Sofia Coppola’s 1999 film The Virgin Suicides.

“So Far Away” was only one piece of an album packed with songs that became inseparable from King’s legacy.

Tapestry also included “It’s Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and King’s own versions of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

The album became a cultural phenomenon and helped establish the blueprint for the confessional singer-songwriter boom of the 1970s. Decades later, Rolling Stone placed it at No. 25 among its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

For all of Tapestry’s enormous legacy, “So Far Away” remains one of its quieter pleasures: King at the piano, Taylor on guitar and a deceptively simple meditation on how difficult it can be to remain close to the people we love.

Fifty-five years after “So Far Away” first appeared on the Hot 100, Cash Box’s “instant gold” prediction looks remarkably good in hindsight.

Related: James Taylor, 77, Brings Son Henry Onstage for Emotional Opry Debut

Kacey Musgraves‘ highly-anticipated Middle of Nowhere Tour is officially underway. Opening night went off without a hitch on Friday night (Aug. 21), which also happened to be the star’s 38th birthday.

She kept her attire pretty low-key. There were no outfit changes or glittery dresses, just Musgraves in a cowgirl hat, white tank and a pair of fitted jeans — though she did dress those up with some rhinestones and a large, shimmering belt buckle.

In addition to fan-favorites from previous albums — “Space Cowboy,” “Follow Your Arrow,” “High Horse” — Musgraves stayed true to the tour name, delivering several songs from her 2026 Middle of Nowhere album.

Fan videos from the kickoff show include a good look at an elaborate set design, as well as a circular stage that spins, allowing her face-to-face time with every fan in the arena as she sings. There’s also, ahem, this:

@kaceymusgraves Is a visionary. Disco balls can never be taken too literally. #kaceymusgraves #middleofnowhere #chicago #countrymusic

• “Everybody Wants to Be a Cowboy”
• “Dry Spell”
• “Justified”
• “High Horse”
• “Merry Go ‘Round”
• “Butterflies”
• “Abilene”
• “Back on the Wagon”
• “I Believe in Ghosts”
• “Uncertain, TX”
• “Horses and Divorces”
• “(Hey Baby) Que Paso”
• “Golden Hour”
• “Loneliest Girl”
• “Rhinestoned”
• “Mexican Honey”
• “Middle of Nowhere”
• “Slow Burn”
• “Space Cowboy”
• “Follow Your Arrow”
• “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

An ode to Musgraves’ home state of Texas closed the show (she’s from the small town of Golden). As she sang one of her favorite covers, George Strait‘s No. 1 hit from 1987, “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” red, white and blue stars bobbed up and down above her, and a Texas flag hung behind her. Mr. Strait is known as the King of Country, especially in the Lone Star State, so the cover was an appropriate nod.

@kaceymusgraves is a texas girl through and through! #middleofnowhere #kaceymusgraves #countrymusic #chicago #texas

The Grammy winner’s tour was initially scheduled to start one night earlier, but that date was canceled without an explanation from Musgraves’ team. Her next Middle of Nowhere Tour date is Aug. 24 in Toronto, Ont.

The Sixth Sense was a psychological thriller released in 1999, directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film, which was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, starred Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. It was the second-highest-grossing film of the year, only behind Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

In 2024, during the 25th anniversary of the film, Osment spoke about the creation of the movie with NPR. “One of the best things my dad said to me when I was, you know, rehearsing for the audition was saying, this is a movie about communication, not a movie about ghosts,” he said. “And that’s where I think the real horror and emotion comes from, is there’s no greater fear than not being able to communicate with the people you love.”

Related: Lori Petty Revealed Actors Would Faint All the Time When Filming This Legendary 1992 Movie

Osment also spoke about the atmosphere when shooting, explaining that it helped make his acting feel more authentic. “It was a great kind of haunted house environment shooting,” he said. “There were these repeated scenes where we draped the set in tarps and then pump in cold air so that you could see our breath. This was not a time when people were using CGI for that effect. It was really a freezing temperature. And so something like that, with great material and having, you know, spent a lot of time rehearsing it, it really – a lot of these decisions really came naturally.”

During his interview, he also spoke about the most famous line in the film: I see dead people. “I’m still shocked at how many times I see the line out there,” he said. “This was a while ago. I remember Tiger Woods rolling down the window of a Buick van in a commercial and saying the line while I was watching golf on TV. That was a surprise. I remember seeing Yasiel Puig say it on the big screen at Dodger Stadium for some player movie quiz that they did in between innings. I mean, the fact that it’s on – I believe it’s on the AFI list of quotes right behind Peter Finch’s I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore, that’s – it’s a big honor to be attached to something like that.”

Related: 1962 ‘The Twilight Zone’ Episode Was Ranked as Having the Best Plot Twist in the Entire Series

Collider recently ranked The Sixth Sense as one of the thriller movies with the best plot twists ever. Some other movies included on the list were The Prestige, Gone Girl, The Handmaiden, The Game, Fight Club, and The Invisible Guest.

Actor Michael Wright, who is best known for his roles in The Five Heartbeats, Sugar Hill, V, and Oz, has died at the age of 70 on Aug. 19 in Los Angeles.

“It is with profound sadness and an unimaginable heaviness in my heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Michael Wright,” his wife, Susan Wright, shared on Instagram (per Variety).

TMZ further reported that he died after suffering “heart failure coupled with complications of a rare degenerative neurological disease called Marchiafava-Bignami.”

Throughout his career, he appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows. One of his most famous roles was in The Five Heartbeats, which was a 1991 movie directed by Robert Townsend and was about a fictional Motown group. In the movie, Wright played the lead vocalist, Eddie King Jr., who deals with alcohol and drug addiction that ultimately forces him to leave the band.

“Michael was a husband, a father (Manon Wright, Byron Barr, Brittney Briggs, Brianna Barr, Sir Barr, a grandfather (Yoko), loved one, a friend, and an extraordinary artist whose work touched generations,” Susan’s statement continued. “Many knew and loved him through ‘The Five Heartbeats,’ ‘The Wanderers,’ ‘V,’ ‘The Principal,’ ‘Streamers,’ and the many other characters he brought to life throughout his remarkable career. His talent, presence, and contributions to film and television will live on, but to those of us who loved him personally, he was so much more than the roles the world knew him for.

 “Our family is grieving an enormous and deeply personal loss. We understand how much Michael meant to so many people, and we are grateful for the love, prayers, memories, and condolences already being shared. … In the coming days, when we are ready, we will share additional information regarding Michael’s life, legacy, and how we intend to honor and celebrate him.

“Michael, your work will live forever, but your love will live even longer in the hearts of those who knew you best. Rest peacefully, my love. You will be missed beyond words.”

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Comfort is a non-negotiable factor when it comes to footwear. It’s an added bonus if you can find a style that happens to be fashionable, too. In a pair of Dr. Scholl’s Reverie Boots, you’ll feel the difference with every step — and you’ll love the way these versatile shoes blend right into your existing wardrobe.

That’s the beauty of clean, no-frills boots like these. With their streamlined silhouette and neutral colors, they’re effortlessly stylish. On top of that, these Dr. Scholl’s booties also happen to be an awesome deal at Nordstrom Rack right now. Normally between $90 and $100, they’re on sale for just $60 right now. That means you can save up to 40% on trendy fall-ready footwear from a comfort-first shoe brand. Shoppers can choose from black, walnut brown, and honey brown hues.

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

With their low-profile design, these boots will instantly elevate your fall and winter wardrobe. They feature cushioned foam insoles for a soft, cloud-like feel and arch support for stability. They also have subtle stacked block heels that are practical for daily wear at about an inch high. Whether you’re running errands or headed to the office, you can feel comfortable wearing them no matter what your day brings. 

The almond toe adds to the boots’ classic look, while a side zip closure allows for easy wear and removal. Finished with a small metallic-tinged charm, the zipper adds an interesting focal point to the shoe. Delicate perforation enhances the smooth microfiber uppers, lending these timeless boots a chic edge. 

Available in whole and half sizes ranging from 6 to 11, the boots earned high praise from reviewers for both the way they feel and their aesthetic appeal. “I worked a whole 12-hour shift standing on my feet most of the time, and these shoes didn’t hurt my feet at all, which I was so impressed by!” one reviewer shared. “They have a great design and are very comfortable.”

Another shopper agreed, stating that they’re “really cute” and perfect to “wear all year.”

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Simultaneously polished and casual, a pair of Dr. Scholl’s Reverie Boots can dress up your most laid-back looks without feeling overdone. At up to 40% off, they’re an excellent value for a shoe style you might find yourself wearing all the time! Pick them up now while your preferred size and color are still in stock at Nordstrom Rack.

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If your idea of travel hell is sitting in a crowded boarding area for two hours nursing a $19 airport sandwich, the latest viral travel craze might sound like a dream come true.

Dubbed “airport theory” on TikTok and Instagram, the challenge dares flyers to treat airport arrival like an extreme sport by walking through the terminal doors just 15 to 20 minutes before boarding begins—or before departure gates close—in an attempt to breeze directly onto the jet bridge with zero wasted downtime.

While a handful of content creators have posted triumphant clips of sprinting straight from the security line onto the plane, the reality for most travelers attempting the stunt has been far less glamorous. Between frantic dashes to the gate, begging fellow passengers to cut in line, and staring down dreaded “flight closed” monitors, the trend has caused chaos across major hubs.

The stunt quickly caught the attention of the Transportation Security Administration, which took to social media to issue a dry, candid reality check. In a post addressing the phenomenon, the agency quipped that it is a “0/10 recommend trying the ‘airport theory,’” warning travelers that “you’re more than likely missing your flight, if you arrive 15-20 minutes before it departs.”

Related: TSA Toiletry Hack Frequent Flyers Swear By

0/10 recommend testing the “airport theory” but it’s going to be extra awkward if you try it on Sunday and you forgot to spring forward…

While testing your luck might occasionally work at a quiet regional airport on a Tuesday morning with TSA PreCheck and no checked bags, trying the challenge at major hubs like Atlanta, Denver, or Los Angeles is practically an invitation to get stranded.

As travel journalist Brittany Anas points out, a single terminal concourse at an airport like Denver International stretches nearly a mile and a half long on its own. When you factor in baggage drop queues, tram rides between satellite terminals, and random bag screenings, 15 minutes evaporates before you even clear the magnetometer.

“There are a lot of great tips to come from social media, however, ‘airport theory,’ is one hack you can happily skip over,” says Katy Nastro, travel expert at the Going travel app, told Anas. “This concept is born from most people’s desire to spend as little time in the airport as possible before their flight departs. And look, we get it. Airports these days can be crowded and feel like they can cost you an arm and a leg each time you step inside one.”

Nastro emphasizes that standard arrival recommendations exist for a reason: “Even despite airport arrival times being suggested figures, they aim to give travelers ample time to get a bag checked (if needed), navigate through security and then find their gates. Some airports require a healthy 15-to-20-minute walk or tram ride just to get to the correct terminal area.”

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The biggest danger of playing beat-the-clock at the terminal isn’t just the embarrassment of sprinting in socks through security—it’s the financial fallout.

While many airlines have informal “flat-tire” policies that allow gate agents to accommodate passengers who run late due to unexpected road emergencies, deliberately cutting your arrival to the wire won’t earn much sympathy if you get bumped. If the next flight out is fully booked, or if you are flying a route that only operates once a day, missing boarding means losing an entire vacation day or purchasing an expensive last-minute ticket out of pocket.

“If you’re looking to make a connecting flight on the other hand, you’re complicating the matter even further and may face an outright cancellation of your entire itinerary when you are counted as a ‘no-show,'” Nastro warns. “This could be a very costly mistake as you then may be faced with paying for a new, same-day ticket altogether, which is likely not cheap.”

The general industry rule of thumb remains sticking to arriving two hours before domestic departures and three hours ahead for international trips. If you want to shave down your wait time safely, investing in tools like mobile boarding passes and expedited security programs will get you to the gate faster—without risking your entire vacation for an algorithm thrill.

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Drummer Debbi Peterson has enjoyed an extremely successful career as a founding member of one of the most influential female pop rock bands of the 1980s — The Bangles. Today, Aug. 22, 2026, she celebrates her 65th birthday.

Born Aug. 22, 1961, in Los Angeles, Peterson grew up in the San Fernando Valley and began drumming at a young age. According to The Bangles website, she only had one formal drum lesson and picked up the craft easily through mirroring other drummers. Founded in 1981 by Peterson and her singer-slash-guitarist sister Vicki alongside vocalist and guitarist Susanna Hoffs and early bass player Annette Zilinska, the band went through various name changes before settling on its iconic moniker.

“We record an EP as the Bangs. All the artwork is virtually done. But on the eve of that record going to print in 1982, Miles [Copeland III, music executive and The Bangles’ original manager] is notified that a boy band on the East Coast called the Bangs is insisting that we change our name … or pay,” explained Hoffs in an interview, per Grunge. “So, we have 48 hours to come up with a new name. That’s how we became the Bangles.”

Prior to this, the band was called The Colours.

The Bangles’ breakthrough came in 1986 following the release of “Manic Monday,” written by Prince under a pseudonym — Christopher.

“Prince really liked our first album. He liked the song ‘Hero Takes a Fall’, which is a great compliment, because we liked his music. He contacted us, and said, ‘I’ve got a couple of songs for you. I’d like to know if you’re interested,’ and of course we were,” explained Peterson of the collab, per Smooth Radio.

“[‘Manic Monday] was a Banglefication of a Prince arrangement,” she continued. “He had a demo, that was very specifically him. It was a good song, but we didn’t record it like ‘This is our first hit single! Oh my God! I can feel it in my veins!’ We just did the song, and the album, and then sat back and thought about it.”

The track, featured on the band’s second album Different Light, soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also featured on the album is “Walk Like an Egyptian,” which was The Bangles’ first-ever U.S. No. 1.

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“Sweet Pea” was a soft rock song by Tommy Roe that was released in 1966. It went all the way to No. 1 in Canada and New Zealand. In America, it rose to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also ranked as No. 44 on Billboard’s top songs of the year.

In an interview with Gary James, Roe said, “’Sweet Pea’ was a song I wrote to change my style to be different from all the British Invasion bands that were pushing the American acts off of the charts. It was a matter of survival. I believe that I managed to continue having hits during this period simply because I could write my own material.”

Roe expounded on that thought during an interview with Rebeat Mag. “I consciously made a decision to start writing what I called at the time ‘soft rock,’ which turned out to be what the DJs would call ‘bubblegum music.’ So I wrote ‘Sweet Pea’ when I was in the Army, and when I got out, I went to LA and recorded it with that soft-rock sound. I think that’s how I was able to continue having hits in the ’60s, because I had to maneuver my sound so it wasn’t like everyone else’s. The bubblegum thing was fresh and new and fit right in with everything because no one else was doing it at the time. After a while, they started calling me the ‘King of Bubblegum.’”

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He went on to explain how he didn’t love being called “the King of Bubblegum” at the time. However, his opinion has changed over the years. “Today, I walk on stage and sing ‘Sweet Pea’ and see a smile on the faces of the audience, and I think, ‘What’s wrong with that?’” he said. “I mean, they’re having a good time, and they love this little song I wrote, so call it whatever you want to call it. If it makes people happy, that’s what it’s all about. That’s part of entertaining.”

Roe was also known for his hit songs “Dizzy” and “Sheila,” which both hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1986, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Roe is currently 84 years old.

65 years ago, Patsy Cline recorded her iconic hit song “Crazy.”

Written by Willie Nelson in 1958, the song, recorded by the wAug. 21, 1965, quickly struck a chord, reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s country charts and No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard even named it one of the best country songs of all time, ranking it at No. 2 — only behind Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” However, the song almost never came to be.

When Cline walked into the studio to record “Crazy,” she was still on crutches from a near-fatal car accident that happened two months earlier. Her broken ribs hadn’t fully healed yet, and she struggled to hit the high notes, American Songwriter wrote. In fact, Cline tried singing like Nelson when she first got to the studio.

“It almost didn’t happen because Patsy, who recorded it in a Nashville studio, tried singing like me,” Nelson wrote in his book Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs. “Big mistake. No one should ever try to follow my style of phrasing. Not that I don’t like my style. I do. I believe it’s natural, at least for me. But it’s offbeat. I tend to kick way back behind the beat or hurry up ahead of the beat.”

Nelson recalled that Waylon Jennings once said, “Willie wouldn’t know where the beat is if it bit him in the butt.”

But a short time later, Cline returned to the studio, recorded “Crazy” in her own style, and it was released in Oct. 1961. Although Cline passed away only two years after the song was released, “Crazy” is what helped launch Nelson into his still-thriving career.

“Crazy is as crazy does, and this particular ‘Crazy’ convinced me, at a time when I wasn’t a hundred percent sure of my writing talent, that I’d be crazy to stop writing,” Nelson said. “Craziness can be a pretty good strategy for survival.”

There are a lot of different factors that go into making a good song, including the tune, the instruments used, the vocal tone, and the lyrics, to name a few. The last part plays a huge role, with lyrics essentially a form of poetry for the songwriter, and there are some songs out there with lyrics too beautiful to forget.

That seems to be the case with the beloved 1984 song “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, an acclaimed singer-songwriter with plenty of hit songs. But this one creation might be the best-written song ever created, at least according to some music experts.

The well-known track, released on Cohen’s Various Positions album, has grown to huge heights over the decades since its release, with hundreds of covers performed by various artists. While the entire song is an accomplishment of music, the lyrics especially stand out.

According to Forbes, Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is one of a few songs that feature the “Greatest Rock Song Lyrics of All Time.”

The publication declared the song the “best written song ever,” spotlighting the final lines that read, “Well, maybe there’s a God above/ As for me all I’ve ever learned from love/ Is how to shoot somebody who outdrew you/ And it’s not a cry that you hear at night/ It’s not somebody who’s seen the light/ It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah.”

“You literally could pick any line from this song and there would be no argument,” said Forbes, adding, “Strictly from a writing standpoint, there is no more literate, poetic, beautiful or haunting song from start to finish than Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah.'”

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While this is only one publication’s declaration of the song’s lyrical accomplishment, “Hallelujah” has been hailed as a true classic by many over the years.

In a feature showcasing the song’s backstory, Rolling Stone called it Cohen’s “oft-covered masterpiece.” The publication highlighted the complicated and layered message in the lyrics as it said, “Critics may have fixated on the gloom and doom of [Cohen’s] lyrics, but this is his offering of hope and perseverance in the face of a cruel world. Holy or broken, there is still hallelujah.” Rolling Stone also ranked the song at No. 74 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Along with the thought-provoking, layered lyrics, other standout parts of the track are the melody and Cohen’s singing. After over 40 years, music fans still see “Hallelujah” as an unforgettable classic.

Related: 1971 Rock Song, Written by a Young Joni Mitchell, Among ‘Greatest Rock Song Lyrics of All Time’

“Mambo No. 5” was a 1950 song that was released by Pérez Prado. The recording was preserved in the National Recording Registry after being selected by the Library of Congress in 2026.

The song was famously sampled by Lou Bega and turned into the hit song of the same name, which was released in 1999. The version released by Bega hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Unfortunately, the song resulted in a copyright trial between Prado’s estate and Bega’s producers, which lasted for years. The court ended up ruling that the copyright for the music belonged to Prado, but Bega’s lyrics made it an original work, so both Prado and Bega should be credited.

When asked how he came up with the lyrics to his hit song, Bega told Thrive Time Show, “I was sitting in the English garden. It was garden is a fabulous park in Munich, Germany. Well, summertime, all these students and girls passed by on their bicycles. It was just a beautiful scenery.” He continued, “So I started thinking about my own past and names and faces that I met and then started sending them in. So I would say it started in the English park and was a garden underneath a tree. I’m just hanging out, watching the girls pass by. Yeah.”

He also spoke about how he created a melody to go along with the lyrics. “We started crafting, we started sampling it at, at the beginning we, we bought all these old old classic records from Paris,” he said. “So we started hearing it, and we started understanding that this is a sound that the new generation totally misses out on. Right. And I found out that these songs were basically instrumentals all the time. So when I have to the words and the melody, we started recording and, uh, we started putting in a few modern touches so that people would understand that it’s a modern version of a song.”

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Prado, who was known as the King of the Mambo, recorded several other hits throughout his career. They include “Patricia,” “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White,” and “Mambo Jambo.”

Prado died in 1989 at the age of 72. He was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

Before A Different World became one of television’s most beloved college sitcoms, it was conceived as a surprisingly different show.

And Meg Ryan was nearly at the center of it.

The NBC sitcom, which debuted in 1987 as a spinoff of The Cosby Show, eventually became known for characters including Whitley Gilbert, Dwayne Wayne and Freddie Brooks and for its storylines about life at the fictional historically Black Hillman College.

But the show’s original concept looked considerably different.

When A Different World was first being developed, the series was not initially built around Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet.

The original idea focused more heavily on a white student attending a historically Black college. Ryan, 64, was originally cast as Maggie Lauten, a character who would experience life at Hillman as one of the school’s white students.

Ryan ultimately left the project as she pursued a film career, and Marisa Tomei took over the role of Maggie. The character was subsequently shifted into a supporting role as Denise’s roommate.

That casting change was just one piece of a much larger evolution for the sitcom.

The show’s creators ultimately decided to make Denise, the daughter of Cliff and Clair Huxtable from The Cosby Show, the central character. The result was a series that followed Denise as she adjusted to college life at Hillman.

Even that version of the show didn’t last.

After its first season, Bonet, 58, left A Different World because of her real-life pregnancy. NBC announced in 1988 that Denise would leave Hillman and return to The Cosby Show.

The departure gave the show’s producers an opportunity to rethink the series once again.

Debbie Allen came aboard for the second season and helped overhaul the sitcom, bringing a stronger focus on the HBCU setting and the experiences of its students. The series gradually shifted away from Denise and toward an ensemble led by characters including Dwayne Wayne played by Kadeem Hardison, and Whitley Gilbert, played by Jasmine Guy.

The change was significant. A 1989 Washington Post profile quoted Allen, 76, describing the job as more than a simple makeover, saying the series needed “real internal restructuring.”

The revamped show also became more willing to tackle subjects involving race, class and other social and political issues that were rarely explored on sitcoms at the time. The Television Academy notes that the series became the first American sitcom to immerse viewers in student life at a historically Black college and earned a reputation for addressing issues that other television shows often avoided.

By the time A Different World ended in 1993, it had evolved far beyond its original concept.

What began as a Cosby Show spinoff centered around Denise and her roommates became an ensemble series about students at Hillman. And the alternate version of the sitcom is fascinating to consider.

Had Ryan stayed with the project, Tomei, 61, would not have become Maggie, and the show may have looked very different from the one viewers ultimately came to know.

Instead, Ryan left to pursue her burgeoning film career, Tomei stepped into the role, Bonet eventually departed, and Allen helped reshape the series.

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