Parade

It's hard to believe that the calendar is already turning to August! It seems just yesterday that we were soaking up the sun, celebrating America's 250th birthday on the Fourth of July, and, of course, taking in plenty of great TV in the process. Luckily, we have another month of summer fun before school's back in session. And we're here to school you on what you need to watch this month, from the return of Ted Lasso and Reacher to Ryan Murphy's latest horror series and the end of Outer Banks.

Here are the top 9 shows I'm most excited for in August 2026 across broadcast TV, Netflix, Prime Video and more.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

The 9 Biggest TV Premieres in August 2026Ted Lasso Season 4 (Apple TV): Aug. 5 The cast of 'Ted Lasso' Season 4

Courtesy of Apple

In 2023, we “Believe”d Ted Lasso was over. The Emmy-winning soccer comedy had seemingly taken its last shot, with Ted (Jason Sudeikis) leaving AFC Richmond behind to go back home to his family. But, after much rumor and speculation, Apple TV announced in 2025 that this wouldn’t be the last we’d see of the pitch. The new season will pull on a thread from the Season 3 finale, with Keeley (Juno Temple) proposing an AFC Richmond Women’s Team to Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham). And so, soon enough, Ted finds himself traveling back across the pond, with a new group of faces to inspire with his unique coaching skills. While not everyone is returning from Season 4, Ted Lasso’s return will feature a fair amount of familiar faces, including Temple, Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Brett Goldstein and Brendan Hunt. Hopefully, this new life for AFC Richmond will be more surprising and delicious than biscuits with the boss!

Related: ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Release Date Finally Announced — And the First Trailer Says a Lot

The Challenge Season 42 (Paramount+): Aug. 5 'The Challenge' host T.J. Lavin

Jonne Roriz/Paramount+

For over 25 years, The Challenge has been synonymous with MTV, serving as not only the longest-running reality show for the network, but one of the most tenured unscripted series ever. But, for its 42nd season, it’s going to have to “earn its stripes” by going streaming-only, a first for the flagship show. Luckily, Challenge fans will be greeted with plenty of familiar in the unfamiliar environment, as the cast of 24 will be rounded out with faces of the franchise like Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio, CT Tamburello, Cara Maria Sorbello, and Tori Deal; “new threat” standouts like Sydney Segal, Will Gagnon, and Adrienne Naylor; and some rookies to boot. Not to mention Season 42 will see the return of the “cutthroat” format, one of the biggest requests fans have had since it debuted back in 2010. So strap on your Bananas backpacks and get ready for what’s sure to be another wild ride!

Related: ‘The Challenge’ Season 42: Cast, Premiere Date, Trailer, How to Watch and More

Sterling Point (Prime Video): Aug. 5 Ella Rubin as Annie Jacobson (L) and Amélie Hoeferle as Ramona (R) in 'Sterling Point'

Sabrina Lantos / Prime Video

If you’re looking for something more mysterious than Every Year After, may I offer you another new Prime Video YA show? Sterling Point, a coming-of-age drama, focuses on 17-year-old Annie (Ella Rubin), whose big-city living with her twin brother and adoptive father is thrown for a loop when she’s told she inherited her grandfather’s mysterious island. Soon, she’s trading in the buildings of New York City for the trees in Canada, as she finds new friends, budding romances and untold family secrets.

The Shards (FX): Aug. 5 Homer Gere as Robert Mallory (L) and Kaia Gerber as Susan Reynolds (R) in 'The Shards'

Courtesy of FX

Ryan Murphy’s work spans a litany of genres, from the soapy medical drama Nip/Tuck to the blockbuster musical Glee to the procedural 9-1-1 franchise. But, nowadays, the uber-showrunner is truly in his horror era. Of course, there’s the long-running American Horror Story, but as of late, he’s also lent his name to shows like Monster, Grotesquerie, and The Beauty, the latter of which aired earlier this year. And now he looks to make a killing with FX's The Shards alongside celebrated author Bret Easton Ellis, who wrote the original book for American Psycho. Based on Ellis’s fictional memoir of the same name, the new series takes us back to L.A. in 1981, where he and his friends have their lives shaken up by new student Robert Mallory, who happens to arrive around the time a serial killer known as “The Trawler” is terrorizing the city. If you’re looking to beat the heat in the dog days of summer, it sounds like The Shards can give you plenty of chills.

Related: Ryan Murphy’s Massive Net Worth in 2026 Proves He’s an American Success Story

Anna Pigeon (USA Network): Aug. 7 Tracy Spiridakos as Anna in 'Anna Pigeon'

Courtesy of USA Network

In 2024, Comcast separated several NBCUniversal channels into its own entity, including USA Network. Gone are the days of Suits, White Collar, and Mr. Robot, with very little original content left. So the former “characters welcome” network is eagerly welcoming in one big character, the titular lead of new series Anna Pigeon. Led by former Chicago P.D. fan favorite Tracy Spiridakos, the drama focuses on a city slicker who, after undergoing a devastating loss, heads into the wilderness to start her life over as a park ranger. And, while she’s trying to outrun the demons she left behind, she finds new ones in the woods, as she works to solve crimes in national parks. It’s a perfect way to spend time in the great outdoors without ever needing to leave your air conditioning!

Related: Tracy Spiridakos Shares Sneak Peek at 'Awesome New Role' Following 'Chicago P.D.' Departure

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th (Bravo): Aug. 9 The cast of 'The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th'

Tommy Garcia/Bravo

It is absolutely staggering to think that the Real Housewives franchise is turning 20 this year. It feels like the Bravo keystone has been around forever, creating pockets of friends and frenemies around the globe whose exploits have had us eagerly tuning in for years. We’ve had 187 women show up on a Housewives series so far, making stars out of NeNe Leakes, Bethenny Frankel, Lisa Vanderpump and more.

To celebrate the milestone occasion, Bravo is reviving its all-star show The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Starting Aug. 9, a selection of standouts, including Teresa Giudice, Luann de Lesseps, and Lisa Barlow, will hit the road, commemorating two decades by stopping through a variety of Housewives locations. While that will obviously invite plenty of cameos from famous faces, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest, as Leakes will be making a guest appearance, her first time on Bravo since leaving RHOA in 2020.

Reacher Season 4 (Prime Video): Aug. 12 Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher on 'Reacher'

Courtesy of Amazon

A lot has happened in the world of Reacher in the past year. Since we last checked in with America’s favorite former Army officer and current drifter, lead Alan Ritchson got involved in a real-life action sequence, as he was chased down and got in a fight with his neighbor who was averse to his motorcycle riding. Then, the first-ever Reacher spinoff was announced, focused on Maria Sten’s Frances Neagley. But regardless of everything that’s been happening off-screen, we’re in for plenty of the same great action and intrigue that’s expected of the Prime Video series. This time around, we’re going to Gone Tomorrow, Lee Child’s thirteenth novel in his hit series, as Reacher investigates the mysterious suicide of a woman on the subway. Of course, there’s much more that lies underneath the surface, as he — and us by proxy — will get dragged into finding out how high up this truly goes. And, despite the mystery at the heart of the season, we luckily won’t be left with any question as to whether we’ll be getting more Reacher in our future, as the show has already been renewed for a fifth season.

Lanterns (HBO): Aug. 16 (L-R) Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in 'Lanterns'

John P. Johnson/HBO

Since James Gunn has taken over the DC Universe, he’s primarily focused on the Man of Steel. But he’ll be trading that in for a powerful green ring in the new HBO series Lanterns. The new series will focus on two iterations of the Green Lantern, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), as they investigate a murder in Nebraska that the former believes may be extraterrestrial in nature. To say it’s an unconventional superhero story would be an understatement. So it’s no surprise that Lanterns is co-created by Damon Lindelof who, alongside Lost and The Leftovers, revolutionized comic books on TV with his adaptation of Watchmen. With a style reminiscent of True Detective and Slow Horses, Lanterns goes to show that a superhero series, much like hard-light construction, can take on many different forms.

Outer Banks Season 5 (Netflix): Aug. 20 (L to R) Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron, Chase Stokes as John B, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Madison Bailey as Kiara in 'Outer Banks'

Courtesy of Netflix

Back in April 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we got some welcome escapism, getting transported to the beaches of North Carolina. Outer Banks served as an instant hit for Netflix, with fans immediately falling in love with the adventures of the “Pogues,” with mysteries and romance abounding. So it makes sense why those fans were shocked and devastated when it was announced in November 2024 that the series would be coming to an end with the upcoming fifth season. The Pogues were left just as emotionally reeling on their end, as Season 4 closed with the shocking death of JJ (Rudy Pankow) and hitting rock bottom. But when the going gets tough, these teenagers get going. The final batch of episodes will see John B. (Chase Stokes), Sarah (Madelyn Cline) and the gang seek some revenge against Groff (J. Anthony Crane) and hope to take back the Blue Crown artifact. Regardless of what happens — and who survives — it’s safe to say that we’ve gotten to enjoy our own form of TV treasure for the past seven years.

Related: Is Your Favorite Show Coming Back or Canceled? See Our Fall TV 2026–2027 Guide

Raleigh-based buffet chain Golden Corral is taking aim at late-summer family budgets, dropping the price of its weekend kids’ buffet to $2.50 starting July 31.

The discount runs through Aug. 30 and applies to breakfast, lunch, and dinner every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Parents or seniors who buy a full-price buffet can purchase one $2.50 meal and drink for a child aged 4 to 12. Toddlers 3 and under continue to eat without charge.

Unlike earlier promotions tied to the chain's mobile app, this temporary discount applies automatically at the register for all walk-in diners.

"Delivering great value has always been at the heart of what we do, and now we're making this offer available to every family who visits Golden Corral, not just Rewards members," Lance Trenary, president and chief executive officer of Golden Corral Corporation, said in a statement. "By opening this deal to all guests, even more families can enjoy a delicious, affordable meal together."

View this post on Instagram

The timing targets a high spend window for household budgets. Between school supply lists, updated fall wardrobes, and extracurricular fees, late summer can strain consumer wallets. Restaurants have responded to these pressures by rolling out price promotions to counter higher spends.

Alongside the temporary price drop, the company is highlighting their low-calorie and balanced choices on its 150-item buffet line. Through a partnership with the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell initiative, some dishes now feature a green carrot marker on the buffet line.

To qualify for the new sticker, combinations must meet baseline nutritional benchmarks set by public health groups. Listed pairings include baked fish or barbecue chicken served with water, fresh fruit, a yeast roll, and raw or steamed vegetables like broccoli and baby carrots.

The August deal serves as the summer centerpiece for Golden Corral’s broader "America’s $2.50 Value Deals" initiative running through late 2026. Once September arrives, future rotating monthly discounts will revert back to requiring registration through the brand's digital loyalty program. Golden Corral opened its first location in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1973. The franchise currently operates approximately 350 buffet and grill restaurants across 40 states.

Mention The Beach Boys today, and most people think of sunshine, surfboards, and classic '60s hits. But that wasn't always their main identity.

Back in 1974, an unexpected compilation album quietly reshuffled their legacy. It effectively turned the band from cutting-edge rockers into America's favorite throwback band overnight.

By the early '70s, the Beach Boys were at a crossroads. After ending the '60s with the masterpieces Pet Sounds and SMiLE, the group struggled to stay relevant in an era dominated by hard rock and folk music.

However, the group experienced the ultimate revival in the summer of 1974 when Capitol Records released Endless Summer. The greatest-hits package surprisingly catapulted them right back to No. 1, riding the wave of nostalgia sparked by the 1973 hit film American Graffiti, which had reignited America’s love for all things retro.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Endless Summer was a Capitol Records compilation package, per Goldmine. The tunes chosen spanned the early part of the 1960s, the pinnacle of the band's surf rock era.

However, it also signaled a shift in how the band was perceived. Almost overnight, audiences stopped looking to them for new music and began celebrating them strictly as a '60s throwback.

Beach Boys member Mike Love recalled that fans responded positively to the compilation, calling it "stunning" in a post about the LP on the Beach Boys' official website. He said, "The response to Endless Summer was stunning. Four months after hitting the stores, it reached number one and remained on the Billboard album chart for a remarkable 155 weeks; more than three million copies were sold in the United States."

He added, "Rolling Stone, which hadn’t taken us seriously in years, named us ‘Band Of The Year’ in 1974. Later, we sold out five nights at Chicago Stadium and added a sixth night. We sold out four nights at Madison Square Garden, while packing 62,000 into Schaefer Stadium in Massachusetts. It was, at the time, the largest crowd to ever attend a concert in New England."

Love concluded, "I just remember it was all positive. When something turns out to that level of success, I’ve got no complaints whatsoever.”

Wilson also shared his thoughts about the album's success on the band's website. He said, "Endless Summer was named after a famous surf movie, and it had all our early hits on it. The album started selling like crazy, and that made Capitol put out a second set of hits called Spirit Of America."

A 2023 post on the late Brian Wilson's official Facebook page noted that the LP sold over 3 million albums and reached No. 1 in October 1974. It included some of their most popular songs from 1962 through 1965, including "I Get Around," "Surfin' Safari," "All Summer Long," "Help Me, Rhonda," and "In My Room," among other classic hits.

Fans remain divided over the LP and its impact on the Beach Boys' career. In a Reddit post from 2025, they shared their opinions.

"By the 1970s, Sunflower, the band was with Warner Reprise. There was a big effort to sell the album on the back of their newly rediscovered attention. There were a few SNL appearances and a TV special. And it worked; they had their best-selling album and best-selling singles since 1966," summarized one fan.

A second wrote, "Because the rest of their albums around then were not exactly setting the charts alight, and frankly people wanted 'the hits.'" A third fan agreed, "It had been about 10 years since their heyday of top 40 success, and nostalgia kicked in for the former teens and younger folk who were now parents themselves."

Aside from 1964’s live album Beach Boys Concert, Endless Summer remarkably stands as the only other No. 1 album the group ever had on the U.S. charts. The band continued to release new material in the years after, including 15 Big Ones (1976), The Beach Boys Love You (1977), and their 2012 reunion record That's Why God Made the Radio.

It may have shifted their focus to the past, but Endless Summer accomplished something extraordinary. It solidified The Beach Boys as America’s ultimate feel-good band, ensuring their classic sound would live on for generations.

Related: 1966 Overlooked Beach Boys Hit Now Considered One of the Best Rock Songs of the ’70s

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

The summer season is not yet over, which means you still have time to replace those sandals that have become a staple in your wardrobe and seen better days. If you're like us, then you're also been on the hunt for footwear that’s dependable, comfy, and super stylish. 

Thankfully, Macy’s sales section is offering amazing summer shoe styles in spades, like these Cole Han Flynn Thong Sandals, which are 40% off. The sandals initially cost $120, but have been placed in the clearance section for just $72. The footwear is being sold in three colors: black, gold, and white. The shoe is available in sizes ranging from 5 to 10, including half sizes, with customers saying that they're true to size. 

Cole Haan Flynn Thong Sandals, $72 (was $120) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

The slip-on design features a flat heel, almond toe, and cushioned insole with a molded footbed that offers arch support if you plan to wear them for long periods of time. Each hue has gold-toned hardware decorated in the middle of the strap, which will add a touch of elegance to any outfit. The beauty of this shoe is that even with this embellishment, they can assimilate as a casual or elevated style. 

Cole Haan Flynn Thong Sandals, $72 (was $120) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

Therefore, you can sport these sandals in casual, professional, and upscale settings. Pair them with dresses, jean shorts, skirts, and virtually any bottoms that have become your go-to this summer. With the color options being so classic, the shoe also offers versatility that's perfect for upcoming trips. Plus, according to shoppers, there's no break-in time needed, so you can wear them right out of the box.

Customers further described the sandals as "terrific," "very comfortable," and “great” for everyday use. The footwear is made of a leather upper which reviewers say is "very soft,"  finished off with a polyurethane lining and a rubber outsole. Just note that the outsole provides minimal traction, so we wouldn't recommend wearing them on walks with intense terrain. 

Swapping out old sandals for new ones doesn’t have to cost you a pretty penny. These gorgeous Cole Haan sandals will easily last you a few summers, and considering the unbeatable sale price, they’re worth the investment. Add the footwear to your Macy’s cart while it’s 40%!

Related: Pandora's Delicate Gold-Plated Stone Earrings Radiate Quiet Luxury, Now 50% Off at Macy's

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.

Nicola Peltz’s parents, Nelson and Claudia, are facing a second lawsuit over their dog Houdini’s alleged history of aggressive behavior

Joy Ransom filed a lawsuit against the billionaire couple on July 10, per court documents obtained byPEOPLE. She was working in the Peltz residence preparing holiday gifts when it happened. Nelson is a billionaire investor and Claudia is a former fashion model, their daughter Nicola Peltz is an actress post known for playing Tessa Yeager in the film Transformers: Age of Extinction.

She claims that she was attacked by the couple’s rescue dog, Houdini, on Dec. 23, 2025. Nicola, who is married to Brooklyn Beckham, was present when the incident happened, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that the Peltz family was aware their dog, Houdini, had a history of being “prone to attack people” before the alleged incident, and “never had K-9 training or behavior training.”

Nelson Peltz and Claudia Peltz attend the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Humanitarian Award Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York, U.S., on Monday, March 28, 2011. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ransom’s lawsuit explained that she “incurred medical expenses” after the attack, and that Houdini was not “under any form of restraint or control” in the home despite his owners’ knowledge of his alleged aggressive behavior.

Per the court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Ransom is suing the couple for over $50,000 in damages, and is demanding a jury trial. The filing claims she suffered “bodily injury and resulting physical and mental pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, loss of earnings and impairment of earning capacity and/or permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and further incurred hospital bills, medical bills, and/or other bills as a result of said injuries.”

This is not the first time Claudia and Nelson Peltz have been involved in legal issues due to their dog. In December 2024, a former employee in Palm Beach Country sued the couple after Houdini was “lunging and attempting to attack” her, causing her to fall and become hurt.

The lawsuit also claims the couple “failed to report Houdini’s dangerous propensities to the appropriate animal control authority and failed to obtain a certificate of registration for Houdini.”

The Peltz family have not made any public statement in response to the lawsuit.

A controversial former Teen Mom reality TV star is moving into politics. Farrah Abraham just announced a bid to run for city council.

Earlier this week, Abraham posted on Facebook, “It’s official! Officially on the ballot for Austin City Council District 5! Raising our voices for South Austin local businesses, safety, and community advocacy. Tell a neighbor, Farrah Abraham is running for Austin City Council - District 9! Ready to represent South Austin residents, champion local shops, and advocate for every neighborhood.”

While the reality TV celeb, influencer, and adult content entrepreneur may not seem like a typical political candidate, this isn’t the first time Abraham has considered running for office. Last January, she announced a bid to become the mayor of Austin. 

Television personality Farrah Abraham attends REGARD Magazine's Summer Issue release party presented by BURN180. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

But her campaign ended before it began when TMZ pointed out that the current mayor, Kirk Watson, was elected to a four-year term in 2024. This meant that Farrha would have to wait two years to run in 2028. 

At the time, she shared that she would pivot her political efforts and run for district city council. Now it looks like she’s making good on her promise and is actually on the ballot, and has even changed her Instagram bio to read “Austin Dist 5 ‘26| Future Mayor ‘28.”

What do fans think about the ‘Teen Mom’ alum jumping into politics?

Despite Abraham’s serious political convictions, it doesn’t look like her fanbase is taking the reality/adult star seriously. WhenInTouch shared an Instagram post about Farrah’s bid, critics were quick with the quips. 

“I cannot stop laughing at this!” wrote one commenter. 

Others added, “Immediately, no” and “Delulu.” One took a jab at her extremely successful adult entertainment industry career, posting, “Debbie, does politics?”

Things didn’t look much better earlier this year when Abraham initially announced her plans to run for office. Outspoken critics mocked the celeb, writing comments such as, “Diva we have no idea what’s going on here. Just watched this twice and I can’t tell if you’re asking us to vote for state assembly or congress or school board?”

The former Teen Mom-turned-entrepreneur isn’t exactly shy about speaking her mind, and Abraham quickly clapped back on the post, replying with, “If your not District 5 your comments are null & void thank you.” 

Of course, Abraham wouldn’t be the first reality TV star to successfully transition into politics. The HillsvillainSpencer Pratt came close to winning his bid for mayor of L.A. and parlayed the race into what could become a long political career. And then there’s the President. Even though he had already found success in the business world, Donald Trump grabbed the public’s attention as the star of The Apprentice.

Every marriage has its challenges, but for Princess Diana and Prince Charles, their first major fight came just days after saying "I do."

After a royal wedding watched by 750 million people worldwide, the newlyweds set off on a 12-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the royal yacht Britannia. But the distance between them was already apparent. In a letter written from the yacht, Charles described spending much of the trip apart from his new wife: "Diana dashes about chatting up all the sailors and the cooks in the galley etc. while I remain hermit-like on the veranda deck," he wrote, despite insisting, "Marriage is very jolly."

Tensions escalated when Diana noticed Charles wearing a pair of personalized cufflinks - a gift from his former girlfriend, Camilla Parker Bowles. "Cufflinks arrive on his wrists, two 'C's entwined like the Chanel 'C's. Got it in one; knew exactly. 'Camilla gave you those, didn't she?'" Diana later recalled to biographer Andrew Morton. "He said, 'Yes, so what's wrong? They're a present from a friend.' And, boy, did we have a row."

According to PEOPLE, citing Diana's recorded conversations with biographer Andrew Morton and royal biographer Catherine Mayer, the cufflinks were part of a set Camilla had given Charles, and Diana was well aware of it. The moment wasn't an isolated one. Before the wedding, Diana had discovered a "goodbye" bracelet Charles intended to give Camilla, and during the honeymoon, two photos of Camilla reportedly fell out of his diary.

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

As the trip continued, Diana grew increasingly consumed by thoughts of the woman still connected to her new husband. "At night, I dreamt of Camilla the whole time," she told Morton.

Charles and Diana went on to separate in 1992 and finalized their divorce in 1996. Both later acknowledged relationships outside their marriage, including Charles's rekindled romance with Camilla, whom he married in 2005, years after Diana's death in 1997.

Looking back, that argument has become one of the earliest signs that the royal marriage so many hoped would be a fairytale was facing serious cracks from the very beginning. Proof that sometimes the earliest warning signs can arrive before the honeymoon is even over.

In the late 1960s, trendy teenage girls wore mod miniskirts, geometric prints and white vinyl go-go boots. And then there was Cissy Davis.

The Family Affair character played by Kathy Garver had a more wholesome, conservative style that reflected the show’s family-friendly image. But it was also a style that Garver had once hoped to update.

In a July 2026 post to Facebook, Garver, now 80, revealed that she often had ideas for Cissy that “never made it to the screen.” The actress, who played the eldest Davis sibling on the 1960s CBSsitcom for five seasons, recalled that when filming the show she “wanted Cissy to be a little more modern, independent, and relatable to the teenage girls watching at home.”

“I shared ideas for updating her style and giving her a bit more edge—but the producers had a different vision for the character,” Garver wrote.

The actress previously told  Woman's World, “I was always wanting Cissy to be cooler… I wanted miniskirts and discos. But the producers said, ‘You can save that for your off-screen life.' They had a definite mission for how they wanted the show to be.”

In her new post, Garver noted that she now understands why producers stood their ground at the time.

“Looking back, I completely understand why they made those decisions,” Garver shared. “Cissy's warmth, kindness, and wholesome spirit became part of what made Family Affair so special, and I'm incredibly grateful to have played a character who continues to touch the hearts of viewers nearly 60 years later.”

RELATED: ‘Family Affair’ Almost Moved to ABC Before ‘The Brady Bunch’ Took Over

On Family Affair, Garver’s Cissy was neatly dressed in conservative dresses, skirts, collared shirts and sweaters, but she was a style icon in her own right. Her iconic side ponytail with a bow became a fan favorite and popular hair trend.

 When Garver auditioned for the Family Affair pilot, she wore a wig because producers were originally looking to cast a blonde.

“I went to Max Factor and they gave me this long blonde wig and this little dress that looked like Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz,” she told The Los Angeles Beat in an interview. “So I did a screen test and talked with the director. [The director liked it] but said. “I really love you for this, but never wear that dress again and never wear that wig!’”

Garver played Cissy Davis from 1966 to 1971 alongside co-stars Brian Keith (Bill Davis) Anissa Jones (Buffy), Johnny Whitaker (Jody), and Sebastian Cabot (Mr. Giles French). The series followed a bachelor businessman (Keith) raising his orphaned nieces and nephew in New York City.

Sixty years later, Garver is proving that Family Affair is still in style. The star is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the beloved series with special events, swag drops, book signings, and series watch parties.

More information can be found at Family Affair 60th Anniversary.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

In just the past 15 years along, I have been to more than 70 countries and nearly every state in this one, which is my job, yes, but also means I am the person my friends text when they want somewhere to go.

I love playing travel advisor to my friends and family. And, after doing it for years, I've found that so many women my age aren't just looking for huge trip ideas, they're also looking for quick weekends away, and four-day excursions that don't consume their busy schedules. In fact, according to a study in the Independent, women aged 25 to 49 are responsible for over half the bookings for long-weekend getaways.

Which honestly, is where I shine. As a frequent long-weekend traveler (thanks to a full-time job and a very busy kid), I look for places with a direct flight or a drive I would take willingly, and one hotel I actually love rather than four I merely tolerate. After recommending dozens of similar trips, I've found five destinations that check every mark both myself and my friends love: luxury hotels, low-impact activities, lots of restaurants, and plenty of downtime for rest and rejuvenation.

Related: 115 Best Destinations for a Quick Weekend Getaway

Charleston, South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina, USA homes along The Battery.

I lived in Charleston for a year and I've been coming back since 2009, long enough to watch a city known for cobblestones and moss-laden oaks turn into somewhere people visit just for the food alone. Downtown, book Hotel Emeline for the courtyard, a walled green pocket where King Street's noise doesn't reach. There, order at the Foxhole, a two-seat window bar built like a Venetian wine window: press the brass button, a bartender opens the hatch, and you drink your negroni standing in the courtyard.

Although it's just forty minutes south, you'd think you stepped into New England with the Sanctuaryat Kiawah. One of my favorite resorts in South Carolina, The Sanctuary lives up to it's name, with sweeping views of the Atlantic, dune grass, gold clubs, large wide porches, and private beach access steps away. Plus, with restaurants, a spa, and shopping, it feels like it's own destination that's still close enough to Charleston for dinner reservations.

Eat lunch at Hannibal's Kitchen, a Gullah restaurant The New York Times named to its national top 50, where the crab and shrimp rice steams for 10 minutes. Vern's, one of the city's newest and shiniest restaurants, earned a Michelin star and is worth every bit of the reservation wait time. For barbecue, pick one: Rodney Scott's for whole hog or Lewis for melt-in-your-mouth brisket. Go in spring or fall, when you still get the long, lingering light but without the sticky humidity that engulfs the city during peak summertime.

Related: The 5 Best River Cruises to Take in Your 40s

Healdsburg, California

I've spent a lot of time in Napa. Then last year I ran the Napa to Sonoma half, and 13 miles on foot through the rolling vineyards and farmland opened my eyes to little pockets of Northern California I never thought of. Healdsburg is the one of the city's that surprised me the most. It's a town of about 11,000 with three appellations at its edges, the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley, and give-or-take 40 tasting rooms around their shaded square. You can taste all afternoon and walk (or stumble) back to your room without the need for an expensive coach or Uber.

It's a true one-stop shop, with everything worth doing sitting on or near the square. For a bite that the local's rave about, stop into Valette, run by a chef who grew up a town over in the building where his grandfather ran the bakery, and order the day boat scallops en croûte or a squid-ink pastry dome cut open tableside.

Appellation Healdsburg opened recently, with Travel + Leisure naming it the best resort in the continental U.S., and between the Charlie Palmer restaurant, the rooftop bar, and the spa, it's where I like to stay when I visit. On the roof, drink what Palmer drinks: the CP Negroni, half Campari, half Aperol. Book the spa for the afternoon, not the hour, because the pool and steam room are not to be rushed. If you'd rather wake up looking at vines, the renowned Montage is just eight minutes out, and dinner on its terrace comes with breathtaking views of Mount St. Helena that you can't miss at Sunset.

My biggest pro tip? Don't overschedule your time here. Two tasting rooms in a day is plenty, and the Saturday farmers market covers lunch if you grab a bench on the square. If you're looking for a vibe that feels distinctly local, come in spring. Harvest runs late August into October and it's the prettiest time of year, but rooms book out months ahead.

Related: These U.S. Destinations Feel Like Europe

Santa Fe, New Mexico View this post on Instagram

Santa Fe blew my mind, and not just in one way. The culture, the food, and then the outdoors on top of it captivated me the entire time I was there. The city sits at seven thousand feet, which makes might make you tired earlier than you expect, so drink water and don't book anything before nine.

Bishop's Lodge, an Auberge property on a historic ranch outside town, has horses and a spa built into the hills, while Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi puts you a block off the main Plaza with a fireplace in every room. The better value is a casita on the Historic Eastside with adobe walls, a private courtyard, and a kiva fireplace, which is exactly what you're picturing when you think of Sante Fe, and usually costs less than the hotels.

For dinner with history as rich as the view, stop into Geronimo on Canyon Road, in an adobe that's been around since the 1750s, order the Tellicherry-rubbed elk tenderloin, which has been on the menu so long that people fly into town just for it. Paloma is where the kids go, thanks to a mezcal list that runs deep and a chicken mole that'll change your life. But you haven't been to Santa Fe until you've eaten enchiladas under fluorescent lighting at La Choza, where you say "Christmas" when they ask red or green, and don't be a hero about the heat. Bishop's Lodge sells spa day passes even to non-guests, and the correct time spent there is a massage, the outdoor soaking tubs, then an hour of looking at mountains. Spend another one on Canyon Road, stopping into each gallery, and get sunset drinks at the bell tower bar at La Fonda.

Related: The Fall Getaway That's Perfect for Your Personality Type

Mackinac Island, Michigan

I've been to Mackinac twice and I'm already dreaming about the next trip. There's something so quaint and nostalgic about it that I can't quite put into words—maybe it's the total absence of cars and the horse-drawn carriages. They've been banned since 1898, so nobody parks, your luggage arrives by carriage, and you walk or bike for three days straight.

The Inn at Stonecliffe and Hotel Iroquois are where I'd stay, and they're opposite trips. Stonecliffe is a $40 million rebuild of a 1904 estate on a wooded bluff, a twenty-minute carriage ride from the docks, so far past where the day-trippers reach, with pools and a wellness center right on property. Also right next door is the Woods Restaurant, which is decked out like a Medevial dining room, and was once the playground for the rich families at Stonecliff, with a bowling alley, bar, and dart boards. For a stay closer to town, go to Hotel Iroquois, which has forty-five waterfront rooms, and has been run by two families since 1904. The Carriage House downstairs is one of the best restaurants on the island, famous for whitefish broiled on the same pans the family's grandfather found in the '50s. Then walk down to the Pink Pony, the harborfront bar where crews have been celebrating the finish of the Chicago-to-Mackinac race since 1948. Get the Rum Runner on the patio, which is their own recipe of rums and fruit juice, served frozen (don't forget the floater).

For breathtaking views of the lake, walk thirty minutes uphill to Arch Rock, a limestone span over open Lake Huron. For the best sunset views, head to Windermere Point at the west end of Main Street. And while you're on Main Street, get fudge! Murdicks has been around for decades, and makes some of the best on the island (their peanut butter is what dreams are made of). More than a million people visit a year, most in a five-month window, so July and August belong to the day-trippers. September and early October are when I recommend people go, just know most of the island closes by the end of the month.

Chicago, Illinois Chicago Cityscape from Chicago River Waterfront at Dusk. Small boats and tourist ferries cruising on the Chicago River towards the Michigan Lake. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

I live here, and I recommend Chicago to every single person I meet, city person or not, because this town has something for everyone. Three nights works, since everything is fifteen minutes from everything else, whether that's a museum, a lakefront walk, and a serious dinner all fit into one day. Book timed entry at the Art Institute for the morning and don't try to see all of it at once, because two wings is plenty. The Field Museum is the other one worth the rest of the day, especially if you have kids to shop for. For something a bit more unusual, stop into the Museum of Ice Cream (right inside the Chicago Tribune building) which hands out free ice cream samples in every room and a giant sprinkle pool. You'd also be remiss not to take an architecture boat tour, with Chicago's First Lady offering the best boats and the best tour guides. For laid-back beach vibes, stop by the beaches in Edgewater or Evanston. If you're looking to be seen, visit North Avenue Beach for incredible views of the skyline at your back.

The Pendry is in the old Carbide & Carbon Building, the green-and-gold Art Deco tower you'll notice from the river, and the lobby alone offers plenty of photo moments for the grid. My favorite hotel is the Langham, right on the river, because the service is the best in the city—it's held five stars for over a decade. Plus, the spa was Chicago's first to get five stars, and the architecture boat tour leaves from practically the front door. If you'd rather not spend on the room, rent a greystone in Lincoln Park or Old Town. Both are idyllic neighborhoods with ample access to the park, restaurants, Second City, shopping, and more. You can pick up a Divvy e-bike from anywhere, and ride through both neighborhoods at your leisure.

The food, though, is where my city shines. Bar Tutto is my number one pick, with Top Chef alum Joe Flamm a true champion of modern Italian. You won't find massive plates of pasta here, just normal portions made with fresh, handmade ingredients, like the farro spaghetti or the tortellini in brodo. We love Pizzeria Portofino for the views as you're right on the riverwalk with a spritz and a margherita watching the boats go by. Summer House is our favorite brunch, and you have to try the ahi tuna and watermelon tostadas (and grab a giant cookie from the counter on your way out).

Sushi-san is a local fave, and the tuna crispy rice is what everyone orders. Aba has the prettiest rooftop in the city, and the food is just as good (don't forget the short rib hummus). Boka's had a Michelin star for years without any of the typical pretension. And if you're celebrating a milestone, book Smyth: three Michelin stars, and World's 50 Best just named it the best restaurant in North America. And trust us on this: one dinner should be a steakhouse, because nobody does them like Chicago, so try Maple & Ash for a trendy vibe or RMP Steak for the real deal. Just don't come in January or February.

Austin, Texas View this post on Instagram

I went to Austin 10 years ago and I still think about it almost every day. What I keep hearing is that the parts I loved are intact and the top end is what's changed, with a wave of restaurants east of the highway that have nothing to do with the food-truck era, and hotels that have gotten even better. I love The Four Seasons because of it's location, right on Lady Bird Lake with a pool deck overlooking the city. Austin Proper is the design pick, downtown a few blocks from the lake, with interiors by Kelly Wearstler, the designer behind the whole Proper chain. The lobby staircase, wrapped in sixty vintage rugs, gives you a glimpse into the whimsey of what rest of the hotel is decorated like.

Eat at La Piscina, the Mexican spot on the Proper's pool deck, where a ceviche and a frozen margarita overlooking downtown set the immediate Austin vibe. Then go east to Bufalina for handmade pasta and the best natural wine list in the city, or Patrizi's, a Cherrywood institution for handmade pasta, where you order the Great Leopold or the family-recipe red sauce that's been passed down for generations. Don't overthink breakfast tacos, either. Find a trailer, order migas, and eat them standing up. or a real spa day, the Four Seasons takes outside bookings, and afterward you can take a lounge chair by the water and order a bourbon lemonade.

Lake Austin Spa Resort is outside of town, out in the Hill Country, and they'll bring you in by water taxi. While out in Hill Country, don't miss the wineries—starting with Lost Draw in Johnson City, where the guided tastings are some of the best wine education in the state, and ending with Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall for a Texas Tempranillo on the deck before heading back to the city.

For fun, engage your inner 20-something and rent a paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake in the morning before the heat lands and drunkies come out. See live music at night without researching it first, because whoever's playing at whichever small club you walk into will be good—that was true a decade ago and I'd bet money it still is. Skip July and August because the heat is HOT.

Related: Inside the Detroit Michelin-Key Hotel That Brings the City’s Best Boutique to Your Door

George Jones reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the final time in 1983 with "I Always Get Lucky with You."Merle Haggard wrote the song. Jones recorded it without knowing Haggard had written it. His producer, Billy Sherrill, deliberately kept that information from him because Jones and Haggard weren't on speaking terms. Jones found out after the recording was already done. By then they'd already made up. It was the last No. 1 of one of the most remarkable comebacks in country music history.

Haggard had written "I Always Get Lucky with You" with Freddy Powers, Gary Church and Tex Whitson for his 1981 album Big City but never released it as a single. Whitson, who was also Haggard's manager, pitched the song to Billy Sherrill. Sherrill knew the two men were estranged. He said nothing about who wrote it. They'd hit No. 1 together with "Yesterday's Wine"just nine months earlier — a song about two old friends who reunite in a bar after years apart, which turned out to be more prophetic than anyone knew. Jones' ongoing battle with alcohol had strained things since. Haggard later wrote in Rolling Stone: "I felt like his big brother, even if I was younger. I'd get mad at him over the years because of his self-damage, but everything I said to him was out of love."

The secret Sherrill kept ended up fixing a friendship.

The chart symmetry of that week is extraordinary. On July 23 1983, Haggard and Willie Nelson hit No. 1 with "Pancho and Lefty." One week later, Jones knocked them off with a song Haggard wrote. Both songs spent exactly one week at No. 1. Haggard's own composition displaced Haggard's own chart position. And Willie Nelson, whose song Jones and Haggard had taken to No. 1 together nine months earlier, was now on the chart position Jones displaced. A more perfectly closed loop is hard to imagine in the history of country music.

Related: Willie Nelson, 93, Is Fighting Data Centers to Protect His Rural Texas Hometown: 40 Years and He's Not Done Yet

Jones was at the tail end of one of the most remarkable comebacks the genre had ever seen. His last solo No. 1 before it was "The Door" in 1974. By 1977, his highest-charting single was "Bartender's Blues" at No. 6. The drinking had become the story. Nashville had moved on. Then in 1980, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" changed everything. Jones had refused to record it at first, calling it too morbid. Sherrill recorded it in fragments, sometimes just a few lines at a time, until a complete performance existed. Jones wept when he finally heard it back. It swept the CMA Awards. In November 2025, it was voted the greatest song ever played on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Three more solo No. 1s followed in the early 1980s. "I Always Get Lucky with You" was the last.

The Final No. 1 That Nobody Planned

Jones performed the song live for years with one small change. He sang "I've always been lucky with you" instead of "I always get lucky with you." The reason was Nancy. He met her in 1981 and married her in 1983, the same year the song hit No. 1. The song Haggard wrote about general romantic luck became Jones' personal tribute to his marriage.

In 2006, Haggard re-recorded "I Always Get Lucky with You" with Jones as part of their album "Kickin' Out the Footlights...Again." The man who wrote it and the man who took it to No. 1 finally sang it together, 24 years later.

Merle Haggard wrote "I Always Get Lucky with You" and never released it as a single. His estranged friend recorded it without knowing he'd written it. It knocked Haggard off No. 1. They made up. Jones changed the lyrics for his new wife. When he died, Nancy had "He Stopped Loving Her Today" carved on his tombstone. The song that started the comeback. On the stone that marked the end.

He was lucky. He always had been.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Curved furniture and scalloped details can make any piece look more decorative, and Walmart has a charming storage option that combines both trends in a single design. The Yocwo 70-Inch Tall Arched Bookcase is on sale for just $180, down from $330. It comes in natural and walnut finishes, although the darker version is currently on backorder.

At nearly 6 feet tall, this bookcase takes advantage of vertical space while staying just under 12 inches deep, so it won’t jut too far into the room. It has four open shelves, a lower cabinet with two doors, and a small gold handle. The 85-pound unit also comes with an anti-tip system for securing it to the wall.

Yocwo 70-Inch Tall Arched Bookcase, $180 (was $330) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The rounded frame and scalloped doors give the bookcase a mix of mid-century modern, ’70s-inspired, and Scandinavian style. The natural shade is more Scandinavian, especially if you add pale ceramics or woven baskets, while the walnut color has more of a moody vintage-library look. 

One shopper called the bookcase “beautiful and heavy duty,” while another said it “looks pricier than it is.” A third buyer described it as “so pretty,” and several people said it was easy to assemble. Some buyers have even purchased two matching ones to place side by side, which creates the appearance of a larger built-in storage wall without the custom price.

Related: Martha Stewart’s Stackable Storage Bins Make Any Space Look ‘So Cute and Tidy’

The mix of open shelving and closed storage makes this gorgeous piece much more useful than a bookcase that leaves everything on display. You can keep your favorite books and decor on top, then tuck away chargers, controllers, games, or extra office supplies below. It also means you won’t need to fill every level with matching baskets just to make the room look more put-together.

Shop More Deals

• Casacomoda 6-Tier LED Tree Bookshelf, From $27 (was $55) at Walmart
• Hiphuta 4-Tier Arched Bookcase, From $190 (was $247) at Walmart
• Casacinida 5-Tier Freestanding Bookshelf, $40 (was $74) at Walmart

The arched top and scalloped cabinet doors give this bookcase the charm of a vintage furniture find, and at 45% off, it offers a much more decorative look than many other similar bookcases in the same price range. Be sure to grab the Yocwo 70-Inch Tall Arched Bookcase while it’s still available at Walmart for less than $200.

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.

Seth Meyers couldn't believe what he was hearing after Donald Trump appeared to distance himself from one of his signature campaign promises by asking, "What's affordability?"

During Thursday's A Closer Look, the Late Night host seized on the remark, delivering one of his sharpest takedowns yet as he mocked the president for seemingly forgetting the very word he spent months campaigning on.

Meyers built much of the segment around Trump's comments at a recent rally, where the president suggested the media unfairly focused on "affordability" shortly after he took office before asking, "What's affordability? What's that all about?"

The comedian fired back that affordability is "the noun form of affordable," comparing the moment to Trump forgetting what a wall is after years of chanting "Build the wall."

"What do you mean, 'What's affordability?' You're the one who said it. You said we were going to make America affordable again," Meyers said. "Affordability is the noun form of the adjective affordable. You f—king dropout."

The Late Night host then compared Trump's apparent confusion to someone campaigning for years on "Build that wall" only to later admit they didn't know what a wall was.

"This is like if after chanting 'Build that wall' for four years, he admitted he didn't know what a wall was," Meyers joked before launching into an exaggerated Trump impression: "Build that wall so I can finally lay eyes on one."

Meyers expanded the bit into a broader critique of Trump's economic promises, revisiting the president's campaign pledge to lower gas prices below $2 a gallon and arguing that Americans are still struggling with high grocery costs more than a year into his term.

"He promised $2 a gallon of gas, and now it's more than double that," Meyers joked. "Gas is so expensive that the last time my uncle made me pull his finger, he sent me a... bill afterwards."

Trump has also insisted rising prices are not his fault because he "just got there," a defense Meyers quickly dismissed.

"You're the president! Of course, they're asking you why prices are so high," the comedian said.

If you've often found yourself lost in reverie along your stressful commute to a prosaic repeat of your routine, checking off some tedious and tireless to-do list — dreaming of swapping it all for sun-swathed afternoons and leisurely dinners — there's a place for you in the world — and it's certainly not in the U.S.

Spain has just been named the No. 1 country in the world for quality of life for expats, according to the latest Expat Insider survey from InterNations, and it's easy to see why. The country earned top marks for healthcare, leisure opportunities, and overall lifestyle, with many expats saying they moved there simply for a better way of life.

Spain offers something few countries can match: remarkable diversity packed into one destination. In the north, travelers can explore the lush green regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country, where craggy cliffs, rugged Atlantic beaches, and world-renowned culinary traditions create a completely different atmosphere from the Mediterranean coast. Wine lovers flock to nearby La Rioja, while hikers head to the Pyrenees in Navarre and Aragon.

The east coast is home to the sun-soaked Mediterranean regions of Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia, where bustling cities like Barcelona and Valencia blend historic architecture with modern beaches, fresh seafood, and vibrant nightlife. Offshore, the Balearic Islands — including Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera — offer turquoise waters and picturesque villages that continue to attract visitors from around the world.

In the south, the region of Andalusia is famous for flamenco, Moorish architecture, and iconic cities such as Seville, Granada, Málaga, and Córdoba. One of Andalusia's most underrated draws, however, is Cádiz, widely considered Western Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city, with a history stretching back more than 3,000 years to its founding by the Phoenicians. Today, the province has become one of Spain's premier surf destinations, with beach towns like Tarifa, El Palmar de Vejer, and Caños de Meca drawing surfers and beach lovers year-round for their consistent Atlantic waves, laid-back lifestyle, and golden stretches of coastline. T

Beyond the mainland lie the Canary Islands, an autonomous Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa that enjoys warm temperatures throughout the year, making it one of Europe's most popular winter sun destinations.

Western Spain offers a slower pace of life in regions such as Extremadura and Castilla y León, where medieval towns, Roman ruins, vineyards, and expansive natural parks showcase another side of the country that many international visitors never experience. Inland regions, including Castilla-La Mancha and the Community of Madrid, combine rich history with excellent transportation links, making it easy to explore every corner of the country.

Related: 5 Best Hidden Beaches in Spain to Outsmart the Crowds of Málaga and Barcelona

It's no wonder Spain has drawn record numbers of visitors in recent years. The country welcomed 96.8 million international tourists in 2025, the highest total ever recorded, and officials expect that figure to climb to 100 million visitors in 2026, reflecting continued global demand for Spain's coastlines, cuisine, and culture. Tourism now contributes more than 12% of the country's GDP.

Whether you're looking for year-round sunshine along the Mediterranean, Michelin-starred dining in the Basque Country, surfing on the Atlantic coast, skiing in the Pyrenees, or hiking volcanic landscapes in the Canary Islands, Spain offers an extraordinary range of experiences within a single country.

But the breathtaking diversity of experiences isn't only why travelers flock to the country — or why so many choose to stay.

One of Spain's biggest draws is its healthcare system. The country ranked first in healthcare in the InterNations survey, while expats also praised the affordability and availability of medical care. Combined with a relatively lower cost of living than many parts of Western Europe, Spain has become increasingly attractive to retirees, digital nomads, and remote workers looking to stretch their budgets without sacrificing quality of life.

In the overall Expat Insider 2026 rankings, the country placed sixth out of 31 destinations, buoyed by a sixth-place finish for Ease of Settling In and eighth for Personal Finance, with expats saying they generally feel welcome and that their disposable income is enough to live comfortably.

Spain also ranked seventh for Travel & Transit, thanks to its affordable public transportation, walkable cities, and easy access to domestic and international travel.

The country's biggest weakness was Working Abroad, where it ranked 26th, with many respondents citing a challenging job market despite praising Spain's work-life balance and shorter-than-average workweek. Even so, 82% of expats said they were happy with life in Spain, compared with a global average of 70%, and 41% said they plan to stay there for good.

For many Americans considering a move abroad, it's that combination of excellent healthcare, diverse landscapes, welcoming lifestyle, and everyday quality of life that continues to make Spain one of Europe's most desirable places to call home.

SPOILER ALERT! This article contains events from the Big Brother 28 live feeds that have yet to be aired on the television episodes. Please don't read ahead if you prefer not to know competition winners and nominees ahead of time.

It was another dramatic week on Big Brother 28, as the Toolshed set their sights on continuing to clean out the remnants of the Roman Empire. Kamu Kirk made an effort to pin Jason De Puy to the mat, even hijacking a house tea party in an attempt to expose the drag queen. And, while Jason did sashay away, he did not do so quietly, banging tea kettles and calling out the majority on the way out. Will the Toolshed continue to use the rest of the house like their tools? Or could a shake-up be on the way?

Here's everything you need to know about this week on Big Brother 28, including Head of Household and veto winners, nominees, and who is likely to go.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

Who is Head of Household on Big Brother 28 this week?Haley Thogmartin Haley Thogmartin on 'Big Brother 28'

Evan Mulling/CBS

Another week, another Toolshed HoH! This time, it's Haley sitting in power, and she's eager to go after people she says have been badmouthing her behind her back. Not only that, she's also looking to take a shot inside the Toolshed, having her ally Drew Campbell hit the block after everyone has clocked him playing both sides.

Who was nominated this week on Big Brother 28?

Check back on Friday to see who has been nominated for eviction this week.

Related: ‘Big Brother 28’ Cast Includes Famous Relatives, Reality Stars and More Unexpected Connections

Who won the Veto this week on Big Brother 28?

Check back on Saturday to find out who won the Power of Veto this week.

Was the Veto used this week on Big Brother 28?

Check back on Monday to find out whether the Veto was used this week.

Related: ‘Big Brother 28’ Cast Name Their Favorite Players — and One Has a Shocking Connection Outside of the House (Exclusive)

Who will be evicted this week on Big Brother 28?

Check back on Tuesday or Wednesday to find out who will be voted out this week.

Who won the "BB Time Capsule" vote this week on Big Brother 28?

Check back Friday to find out who won the "BB Time Capsule" vote this week, and if they received a power or a punishment.

Related: 'Big Brother 28's Rome Seymour Reveals the Actual Moment He Fell in Love with Lyric (Exclusive)

Seven years after releasing its fifth studio album in 2019, Revel in Flesh, the German death metal band, has returned with a major career update.

The veteran band, composed of its revamped lineup with Ralf Hauber on vocals, Jonny Pettersson on bass, Simon Abele on guitar and Erik Barthold on drums, has teased fans with the news of a brand new album.

Titled Flesh For The Kult Of Death, the band’s sixth album is scheduled for its official launch on Sept. 18 via War Anthem Records.

As a preview of the upcoming record, Revel in Flesh also unveiled the first single, the self-titled track, accompanied by an official lyric video.

Fans couldn’t help but celebrate the band’s long-awaited return to new music and were excited to hear the rest of the album.

View this post on Instagram

“Ralf, my brother, the track is killer as usual,” one wrote.

“Looking forward to the album,” a fan commented on their YouTube update.

“Yesssssss, Revel in Flesh is back!” a commenter said.

The same sentiment was shared by another fan, who remarked, “More brutal and much better than their last albums!”

“Awesome song! I’m excited for the new album!” a supporter echoed.

The band sees this milestone as the beginning of a new phase in its career, especially after the seven year gap between studio albums.

With the new album on the horizon, the band returns to its signature sound, emphasizing heavy guitar riffs and a dark, ominous atmosphere that defined its early years as a band.

Moreover, the album also revisits elements heard on their previous releases,  particularly Manifested Darkness (2013) and Death Kult Legions (2014).

Apart from the first single, fans may expect more high-energy music from Revel in Flesh as the Flesh For The Kult Of Death track list includes “Bodybag Inferno,” “The Graverobber,” “Tombstalker,” “Death Kult Maniacs” and “The Last Farewell.”

Since forming in late 2011, Revel in Flesh has released a string of albums featuring a high-energy and old-school death metal-inspired sound.

When asked about the band’s musical evolution throughout the years since its debut, Ralf Hauber spoke about creating music in the band’s own style while continuing to draw inspiration from classic death metal bands the members admired.

“It’s about doing your OWN thing! I know that our early releases had a sort of ‘tribute’ character, but nowadays - actually since Death Kult Legions, you could say that the band is finding its own category and formula of death,” the vocalist shared as cited by Metal Temple. “It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s simply about the delivery of good songs with a recognition level and strong emotions! Furthermore, we stick to our way of presentation, arts, etc., instead of jumping on this ‘Hooded, wannabe BM, occult, bullshit, wannabe something better than you’ train!”

With nearly 15 years of history, the metal band has released five studio albums and is now preparing to unveil its sixth. Its discography includes the 2012 debut Deathevokation, followed by Manifested Darkness, Death Kult Legions, Emissary of All Plagues and its most recent studio album, The Hour of the Avenger.

Related: 1979 Rock Song, Never a No. 1 Hit, Ranked Among Greatest ‘Classic Rock Songs' of All Time

John Denver built his career on heartfelt, self-written classics that defined the 1970s country-rock sound.

Most fans naturally assume he penned his entire catalog. But one of his biggest hits was actually handed to him by somebody else after a road trip turned into a life-changing musical moment.

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in June of 1975, where it remained for one week. However, its popularity led to a chart run that lasted 19 weeks.

The song was penned by John Martin Sommers, a guitarist and fiddle player in Denver’s band, in December 1973. The song is a celebration of simple living, joy, and the comforts of home.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Sommers actually came up with the track while driving from Aspen to Los Angeles. To make the timing even more unbelievable, he ended up writing it right on Denver’s birthday. This coincidence practically guaranteed the song was meant for him, according to American Songwriter.

It was in Aspen that he and Denver found a kinship. Per Songfacts, they met at a gig for Sommers' band, Liberty. Impressed by their sound, Denver recorded their song "River of Love" on his Farewell Andromeda album, sparking a relationship that eventually brought Sommers into his backing band.

Sommers soon contributed "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" to Denver's LP Back Home Again. The song fell in line with Denver's love of America, a quiet life, and the early '70s love of folk-rock.

The tune soon became an anthem for music lovers looking for a breather from life’s stressors. It offered a fun, down-home reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things.

Originally recorded in the studio, Denver's live version eventually became a Billboard chart-topper. It transformed from a country clapper to a tune that energized music lovers with its two-step beat.

The song was so popular it inspired a television special starring the entertainer, aptly titled Thank God I'm a Country Boy. According to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the variety show featured guests including Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, and Glen Campbell and aired in 1977.

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" also became a staple of the Baltimore Orioles baseball games during the seventh inning stretch. In 1975, Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger suggested adding "Country Boy" to the playlist at Memorial Stadium. Management was looking to add modern music to the games, and the upbeat track turned out to be an instant hit with the crowd.

The song's popularity with baseball fans grew after former Orioles players Doug DeCinces, Tim Nordbrook, and Tony Muser pretended to perform the song during the seventh-inning stretch. The song became such a fixture at Baltimore baseball games that Denver actually performed it live on top of the Orioles dugout during the 1983 World Series.

From '70s airwaves to baseball stadiums to modern playlists today, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" has taken on a life of its own. Denver’s infectious recording gave the song its immortality, keeping his name forever tied to what just might be the greatest song he never wrote.

Related: John Denver's Most Misleading Song and The Hidden Story Behind It

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Joanna Gaines has become a household name, not just for her signature farmhouse style but for her uncanny ability to capture the heart of classic design with a modern twist. Her knack for blending timeless details with approachable comfort has inspired countless home TV makeovers, turning ordinary spaces into cozy, magazine-worthy retreats. 

Now, her collaboration with Loloi brings home decor fans another must-have accent: the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Jett Throw Pillow. At just $25 on Wayfair, this lumbar pillow is proof that a single well-chosen piece can transform an ordinary room into something truly inviting.

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Jett Throw Pillow, From $25 (was $39) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

The Jett Throw Pillow is so appealing because of its seamless blend of vintage flair and contemporary polish. It's available as a pillow cover alone, or with your choice of polyester or down fill, and five colors from ivory to beige to navy to rust. 

The lumbar pillow measures a versatile 13 by 21 inches, offering ideal lower back support for everything from a favorite reading chair to the corner of a freshly made bed. The understated, neutral hues of beige, ivory, and gray play well with a variety of palettes, but it is the "beautiful fringe detail" that has shoppers swooning. The fringe adds both texture and a touch of old-world charm, evoking images of carefully curated antique shops and cozy, storied homes. And if you're looking for a contrasting pop of color, you can also grab a set in navy blue or rust.

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Jett Throw Pillow, From $25 (was $39) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

Fans have been quick to praise the pillow's "gorgeous" look and tactile appeal, noting how it instantly lends that curated, designer touch to a space. "I love this lumbar pillow so much that I have purchased four more in the ivory color," one shopper stated. "Great way to change decor and brighten your room. The quality and thickness of the material is great. The fringe gives a stylish look."

Its zip closure makes it a breeze to remove for easy spot-cleaning or when you want to rotate in a new look for the season.

The shape of this pillow is ideal for adding dimension to your space; try it in front of larger square pillows on a sofa, or use it to break up a sea of neutrals on your bed. The pillow's lightweight feel and easy movability mean you can refresh your living room, guest room, or even a sunny window seat in seconds. 

Related: Joanna Gaines' Heirloom-Style Rug Features 'Beautiful Colors' That Brighten Up Any Room, Now 52% Off

This $25 Joanna Gaines throw pillow is more than just a decorative extra. It is a small yet impactful way to introduce a layer of softness and style, channeling the vintage-meets-modern mood that defines Joanna Gaines' enduring aesthetic. At $25, it is accessible luxury, an everyday upgrade that feels anything but ordinary.

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.

There's always something new to discover at Trader Joe's, and this week's lineup is especially tempting for anyone with a sweet tooth. Leading the list are the new PB&J Filled Crepes, but they're far from the only dessert-worthy find. All Mixed Up Ice Cream and several other sweet arrivals are also worth making room for in your cart this weekend.

Trader Joe's fan account @traderjoeslist, run by Natasha Fischer, highlighted the newest products in a July 29 Instagram post.

Trader Joe's PB&J Filled Crepes Put a New Twist on a Classic Snack

If PB&Js have been part of your lunchbox since childhood, Trader Joe's has found a way to make the nostalgic combination feel fresh again. Its new PB&J Filled Crepes pair delicate French-style crepes with savory peanut butter spread and sweet strawberry filling for a portable snack that's ready to enjoy straight from the package.

Priced at $3.99 for a 6.78-ounce package, the kosher crepes are individually wrapped, making them easy to toss into a lunch bag, keep at your desk, or pack for a road trip. They don't require refrigeration and can even be warmed in the microwave for six to eight seconds if you prefer them slightly warm.

Trader Joe's says the balance of salty peanut butter and fruity strawberry filling creates a surprisingly delicious twist on traditional French crepes, making these an easy addition to any snack rotation.

Trader Joe's New All Mixed Up Ice Cream Is Packed With Sweet Surprises

For shoppers who believe the best ice cream is loaded with mix-ins, Trader Joe's All Mixed Up Ice Cream delivers exactly that.

Each $3.79 pint starts with creamy vanilla ice cream swirled with peanut butter before being packed with chocolate sandwich cookie pieces, candy-coated pretzels, mini chocolate peanut butter cups, and rainbow sprinkles. The result is a dessert that combines creamy, crunchy, salty, and sweet flavors in nearly every bite.

Trader Joe's suggests enjoying it straight from the pint or turning it into an over-the-top sundae with sliced bananas, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. If you can never decide between cookies, candy, and ice cream, this freezer find offers a little bit of everything.

Related: Trader Joe's Just Turned a Hot Fudge Sundae Into a New Snack

More New Trader Joe's Sweet Finds Worth Adding to Your Cart

Dark Chocolate Bark With Pistachios, Dried Jalapeños & Sea Salt

Chocolate lovers looking for something a little different may want to grab this sweet-and-savory bark, which combines rich dark chocolate with crunchy pistachios, dried jalapeños, and sea salt for a mix of heat, sweetness, and texture. $5.99/8 Oz

Lemon Ricotta Pancake Mix

Weekend breakfasts get a seasonal upgrade with this lemon ricotta pancake mix, offering bright citrus flavor and fluffy pancakes that pair perfectly with fresh berries, maple syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar. $3.99/14.25 Oz

Sardines Shaped Milk Chocolate With Sea Salt

Don't let the playful packaging fool you. These sardine-shaped milk chocolates are sprinkled with sea salt for a sweet-and-salty treat that's just as fun to gift as it is to enjoy yourself. $3.29/3.87 Oz

Raspberry Filled Donuts Are Already Winning Fans

One of Trader Joe's most talked-about new sweet treats is its Raspberry Filled Donuts, a limited-time freezer find inspired by European-style pastries. Reddit shoppers have praised the balance of tart raspberry filling and soft dough, with several saying they're already planning to buy another box before they disappear. $3.99/6 Oz

Other New Trader Joe's Finds to Keep on Your Radar

Sweets may be stealing the spotlight this week, but they're far from the only new additions arriving at Trader Joe's. The latest lineup also features Chicken Burgers, Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches, Paneer Indian Style Cheese, Middle Eastern Style Kebabs, and Everything But the Bartender Paloma, giving shoppers plenty of new products to explore beyond the dessert aisle.

Walt Disney World is expanding its resort overhaul plans, officially adding extensive new refurbishment projects at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The updates—which impact both Kidani Village and Jambo House—include a multi-phase lobby transformation starting in August 2026, alongside an ongoing, multi-year room reimagining that stretches into early 2027.

As reported by Disney Tourist Blog, the newest update focuses on the lobby and surrounding common areas at Kidani Village. Beginning August 17, 2026, the section will undergo phased closures running through early November.

The closure schedule at Kidani Village includes several key dates for upcoming guests:

• August 17 – October 9, 2026: The main lobby and primary entrance will close. Guest check-in will temporarily relocate to the Palace Library.
• August 17 – August 28, 2026: Johari Treasures gift shop will be closed.
• September 28 – October 9, 2026: The north side lobby corridor will close, making the second-floor north elevators and outdoor terrace observation deck unavailable.
• October 26 – November 6, 2026: The south side lobby corridor will close, temporarily shutting down Community Hall, the Safari So Good Arcade, lobby restrooms, the laundry room, the Palace Library, and the outdoor terrace observation deck.

Related: 15 Free Things You Can Do at Walt Disney World Without Entering the Parks

What the Closures Mean for Your Stay

Theme park journalist Tom Bricker of Disney Tourist Blognoted that while Disney frequently updates hotel lobbies to replace traditional check-in desks with mobileCast Member pods, the length and scope of the Kidani project—including shutting down primary entrances and corridors—suggests deeper work or potential infrastructure maintenance.

"It does seem notable that both the main lobby and the primary entrance will be closed… This suggests to me that it's a bigger project than what we've seen elsewhere, and potentially caused by an invisible infrastructure issue," he explained.

Bricker cautioned that scheduled finish dates can shift, though the target completion date of November 6 strategically lands right before the heavy Veterans Day holiday travel rush.

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge B-Roll (0:30)

These common-area updates come on top of the resort's major "hard goods" room refurbishments—the first total gut-and-rebuild for the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas since the Animal Kingdom Villas opened between 2007 and 2009. The room updates wrap up at Kidani Village before transitioning to Jambo House, where work is slated to run through January 2027.

According to Disney Tourist Blog’s assessment, the new room designs represent a major upgrade in functionality and aesthetics.

The redone accommodations feature modern additions like Inova pull-down beds, laminate flooring, USB/outlet charging hubs, and The Lion King artwork, while preserving the rich, authentic African textures that give the resort its signature feel.

"The team tasked with redesigns has hit its stride in stylish yet practical accommodations that are both well-themed and comfortable, befitting both Disney and their price points," said Bricker.

For travelers deciding between the two sections during the construction window, Bricker recommends booking Jambo House over Kidani Village through mid-November to avoid lobby-level noise and entrance disruptions. However, guests looking for brand-new, fully updated rooms may still prefer Kidani Village if main lobby amenities aren't a high priority for their stay.

Related: Disney Vacation Club Unveils Its Biggest Summer Perks for Members

With seven Grammy Awards and nine BRIT Awards under his belt, British drummer Will Champion has certainly earned icon status.

Today, Champion celebrates his 48th birthday. Born on July 31, 1978, in Southampton, England, he has been Coldplay's drummer since the band began in 1997. He was the final piece of the band, joining frontman Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, and bassist Guy Berryman as the fourth member of the now-legendary band.

Champion met his future bandmates while studying at University College London. While he already played other instruments since a teenager, he "didn't really look at a drum kit" and agreed to "give it a go".

While Champion has been a part of Coldplay's core line-up since the start, he was briefly fired by Martin following some disagreements. Martin immediately regretted letting Champion go, and he almost immediately rejoined the band. This incident inspired the hit song "Trouble," released in 2001 on the debut studio album Parachutes. The song was hugely successful, reaching No. 1 on the U.K.'s Official Rock & Metal Chart.

Also featured on the album Parachutes is "Yellow," which is arguably one of the band's most famous songs. Despite never reaching No. 1 on the charts, the song became one of the most streamed songs in Spotify's history and, Parachute landed the band its first-ever Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Since the first win in 2002, Champion has gone on to earn six more Grammy Awards for his work with Coldplay, along with nine BRIT Awards, with the band holding the record for the most BRIT wins in categories like British Group and British Album of the Year for a band.

Despite the incredible successes, Champion and his bandmates remained extremely humble through it all.

"Just before we go on stage, we have a little moment,” the drummer told the Daily Echo in 2015. "We all get together and remind each other of why and how we are in the position we are and that it’s not an opportunity to be wasted. Every day we wake up knowing how lucky we are, but it drives us to work harder."

Related: '70s Rocker and Member of No. 1 Rock Band Turns 68