Parade

There’s a reason why doctors and dietitians routinely preach the importance of lowering inflammation. While short-term, acute inflammation is beneficial for the body, high levels of chronic inflammation can negatively impact health in a myriad of different ways. Everything from acne, gastrointestinal issues and fatigue to heart disease, cancer and cognitive decline is connected to inflammation.

“Chronic inflammation occurs when the body continues to send inflammatory signals without an active threat. The processes that would normally protect us during an infection or begin to heal an injury ends up hurting us,” says Sara Riehm, RDN, a registered dietitian with Nourish.

Riehm explains that chronic inflammation is usually triggered by environmental factors and happens more gradually than a quick, one-time event. “Things like chronic stress, poor diet quality, disrupted sleep, smoking, alcohol and having an imbalance in our gut bacteria can all lead to chronic inflammation,” she tells Parade.

Everything we eat or drink can either contribute to or help prevent inflammation. In fact, a whole way of eating, called the anti-inflammatory diet, is centered around this fact. You don’t have to memorize lists of what you can eat and what you need to avoid to follow an anti-inflammatory way of eating. The registered dietitians we talked to say you can tell if a food is anti-inflammatory or not just by looking at it.

Related: How To Reduce Inflammation in the Body, According to Doctors

How Diet Can Play a Role in Lowering Inflammation

“Diet plays an important role in preventing high levels of chronic inflammation,” says Maria Emerick, RDN, a registered dietitian and the founder of Homegrown Nutrition. She explains that eating a healthy, balanced diet helps regulate the immune system and supports a healthy gut microbiome, both of which reduce inflammation. 

If you want to use your diet as a way to prevent or lower chronic inflammation, Emerick recommends eating lots of fiber-rich foods, such as whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. A high-fiber diet is scientifically linked to lowering inflammation and associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

Related: This Is the #1 Sneaky Sign of Chronic Inflammation Most People Miss

Besides fiber, registered dietitian Emily Van Eck, RD, says that foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants also help lower inflammation. All of the plant-based foods that are high in fiber also contain antioxidants—a pretty handy coincidence. As for omega-3 fatty acids, Van Eck says that fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds are good sources of this nutrient. 

Similarly to how some foods can help prevent inflammation, some can actively contribute to it. “Diets high in calories, processed foods and unhealthy fats can disrupt normal fat tissue function and increase the production of inflammatory substances,” Emerick says.

🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊

How To Tell if a Food Is Anti-Inflammatory

In terms of what makes a food qualify as anti-inflammatory, Riehm says that it’s a food or drink that has a high concentration of an antioxidative nutrient. For example, she says that broccoli is considered an anti-inflammatory food because it's high in vitamin C, which is known to be a powerful antioxidant.

Want an easy way to tell if a food is anti-inflammatory just by looking at it? Van Eck and Riehm say to look for a deep, rich color. “Generally speaking, foods that come from plants are going to be considered anti-inflammatory. The polyphenols that help to give plants their colors are bioactive compounds that act as antioxidants in the body. This includes everything from grains to grapes,” Riehm says. If it comes from a plant and has a deep, rich color, it’s highly likely that it’s an anti-inflammatory food.

Van Eck adds to this, saying that fatty fish like salmon, brightly colored berries, turmeric, dark leafy greens, olive oil, nuts, coffee and tea are all anti-inflammatory and are great foods to eat on a weekly basis. 

That said, she adds that diversity is key. “Think of your diet over the course of a couple of weeks or months, not a single day. Because gut health is important for inflammation, having plenty of diverse fiber sources and probiotics can also help,” she explains.

Related: 'I'm a Rheumatologist, and This Is the #1 Habit to Break ASAP if You Have Inflammation'

Tips for Maintaining an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Even though the anti-inflammatory diet isn’t restrictive, it can still be challenging to stick to if you’re used to relying on ultra-processed foods. 

Riehm says that her biggest tip for maintaining an anti-inflammatory way of eating long-term is to integrate as many plant-based foods into your diet as you can. “You could add larger portions of vegetables on the side with your meals. You could add fruit on top of your yogurt in the morning. You could have trail mix as a snack. Not only are you including more of the anti-inflammatory polyphenols in your diet, but you’re adding more fiber to your nutrition routine. Fiber feeds the good bacteria in our gut, which has been shown to facilitate a healthy gut microbiome and reduce overall inflammation in the body as well,” she says.

If you aren’t used to eating many plant-based foods, Emerick says to make small, incremental changes over time instead of trying to overhaul your diet all at once. For example, you could make it a goal to eat one piece of fruit as part of your breakfast each morning. Once you’ve mastered that, you could make it a goal to stop having soda (which causes inflammation) with your lunch each day.

Emerick says that another great way to stick with an anti-inflammatory way of eating long-term is to have fun adding different herbs and spices to flavor up your meals. “Flavor meals with herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, thyme and cinnamon instead of adding extra salt or sugar,” she tells Parade.

Last, van Eck says to remember that diet isn’t the only way to lower chronic inflammation. She says that getting enough sleep and regular exercise lowers chronic inflammation too.

Just like other habits, the more you prioritize diet and lifestyle habits that lower inflammation, the easier it becomes to stick with. You just may discover some vibrant, delicious plant-based foods you didn’t know you liked in the process! 

Up Next:

Related: Doctors Say These Are the 6 Best Morning Habits To Help Prevent Inflammation

Sources

• Sara Riehm, RDN, registered dietitian with Nourish.
• Maria Emerick, RDN, registered dietitian and the founder of Homegrown Nutrition.
• Kabisch, S., Hajir, J., Sukhobaevskaia, V., et al. (2025). Impact of Dietary Fiber on Inflammation in Humans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 26(5):2000.
• Emily Van Eck, RD, registered dietitian.

As of Thursday, July 23, Mercury, the planet of communication, will go direct in the cardinal water sign Cancer.  Whether you found yourself stuck in traffic that usually flows seamlessly, delayed at the airport, dealing with glitching-out tech at work, or managing frustratingly unfinished business that came back to haunt you, Mercury retrograde has a way of feeling like an eternity when it’s rearing its ugly head. As the author of Mercury Magic: How to Thrive During Retrogrades and Tap Into the Power of the Messenger Planet All Year Long, I can attest that it has its silver linings too. Mercury retrograde can slow us down, turn us inward, connect us with people from the past, and offer us opportunities to tie up loose ends. 

Over the course of this particular retrograde, which began on June 29, you may have endured more crossed wires with loved ones, a push to revise plans related to our home lives, a nudge to reflect on our inner lives, and a need to go inward and heal something that will ultimately boost your sense of security, instincts, and intuition. These are all characteristics of Mercury retrograde in Cancer, the water sign ruled by the moon. But now that Mercury goes direct in the sign of the Crab, you can clear the air and move forward once again. Keep reading to see which four zodiac signs will benefit the most and what they can expect from the culmination of this summer’s Mercury retrograde.

Mercury Direct in Cancer, Explained 

Mercury, the planet that oversees communication, technology, and transportation, will move forward in Cancer on July 23, inviting you to move the ball forward on communications and other cerebral work—especially tied to Cancerian themes, like family, your physical home, your sense of security, and your emotions. For example, you might find you can more readily have a productive conversation about an emotional subject with a relative, when previously it felt like you were struggling to get on the same page. Real estate-related matters that were delayed could begin to gain traction. Delays or miscommunications with home fix-it jobs or an upcoming move will smooth out. And you’ll be able to build momentum on projects you’ve been pouring your heart into. 

You’ll have until August 9 to work with Mercury in Cancer, which could lead to seeing the projects you kicked off back on June 1 (when the messenger planet first entered the sign of the Crab) finally coming to fruition.  

RELATED: 4 Zodiac Signs Most Affected By the Barbault Basket, the Biggest Alignment of the Century

Which 4 Zodiac Signs Will Benefit the Most from Mercury Retrograde Ending? 

The signs that will be most impacted by Mercury moving forward in Cancer are the cardinal signs: Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), Libra (cardinal air), Capricorn (cardinal earth). Keep reading, and look for your rising sign as well as your sun and moon signs. 

Aries, Uncross Wires With Your Nearest and Dearest

With this transit activating your fourth house of home life, its Cancerian themes have been even more apparent. You’ve probably struggled with getting aligned with family members over the last three weeks, butting heads because emotions clouded your generally rational, direct approach. And while Mercury’s now direct movement through Cancer will still cause us to communicate in a way that’s more emotionally driven than you may be innately comfortable with, at least you can gain clarity once more, so have that heart-to-heart that you’ve been putting off. You can also gain traction on other domestic initiatives, whether tied to real estate, property, a home redecoration project, or a meal prepping game plan you’ve been wanting to kick off. 

Cancer, You Can Say It With Your Chest 

With Mercury moving back through your sign, you’ve had the chance to meditate on and revise your approach to how you want to show up and be perceived out in the world. As the messenger planet begins to move forward here, you can begin to move from a more internalized, self-reflective space into a more external, vocal one. You’ll be empowered to speak up more about dreams, goals, and aspirations that you’ve been musing about over the last few weeks and to actually kick the tires on next steps to pursuing your ambitions. It could feel as though your heart, spirit, and mind are even more in alignment, which fuels momentum on personal projects close to your heart that you began back in June.

Libra, Move the Ball Forward on Making Your Mark 

Mercury retrograde has affected how you’ve been able to meet big picture goals, move forward on your professional path, earn recognition in a public way, and interact with authority figures. While this has been a productive moment for going inward, reconsidering your ambitions, and recasting how you want to make your mark, you might’ve also encountered delays and crossed wires. Thankfully, now that the messenger planet is moving forward here, you’ll feel better heard, understood, and appreciated as the leader that you are. Until early August, you have an advantageous window to make a bold presentation, throw your hat in the ring for more responsibility on the job, or to take the reins on a sweeping initiative.   

Capricorn, You’ll Feel Even More Connected

With Mercury retrograde in your seventh house of partnership, it’s possible you’ve felt disconnected from a significant other, dear friend, loved one, or even business partner with whom you’re usually in sync. And projects that involve pairing up may have been delayed. Now that Mercury is direct here, you can finally begin to take steps toward getting in sync once more and seeing progress towards your shared aspirations. And if you’ve been attempting to heal an ongoing conflict and getting nowhere, you can look forward to having the wind in your sails in a way that leads to a lasting resolution. 

Robin Williams' son is honoring his father on what would have been the late comedy icon's 75th birthday.

More than a decade after the Good Will Hunting actor died in August 2014, Zak Williams took to Instagram to remember his father's "weirdness" and "extraordinary capacity to love" in a touching Instagram post.

“Happy 75th Dad!” Zak, 43, began his tribute, which was accompanied by a photo of his father on the set of the sitcomMork & Mindy. “Today I’m remembering your weirdness and your extraordinary capacity to love."

"I remember those wrinkles in the corners of your eyes, the kind you get from a lifetime of smiling," Zak continued. "I remember your unending need to see this world free of human and animal suffering."

The Birdcage star's son encouraged people who were looking to celebrate the life of his father with him to "go do something kind for someone," to "make someone laugh" and to "put a little more good into the world." He signed off simply, "Love you forever."

View this post on Instagram

On Aug. 11, 2014, the beloved Aladdin star died by suicide at the age of 63 after struggling with depression and the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Robin was father to son Zak with his first wife, Valerie Velardi, as well as to daughter Zelda, 36, and son Cody, 34, with second wife Marsha Garces.

Zelda has been vocal on social media over the years about protecting her father's legacy from people who have tried to recreate the comedian using AI. In October 2025, the Lisa Frankenstein director took to her Instagram Story to ask people to stop sending her AI videos of her late father.

"Stop believing I wanna see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t," she wrote in part at the time. "If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse, I’ll restrict and move on. But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want."

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

A hot fudge sundae is one of those timeless treats that never disappoints. Now, Trader Joe's is giving shoppers a way to enjoy those classic flavors without the bowl, introducing a brand-new, limited-time snack made for on-the-go.

Priced at $4.29 for an 8-ounce bag, Trader Joe's Hot Fudge Sundae in a Handful! Confectionery Coated Almonds combine dry-roasted California almonds with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge-flavored confectionery coatings, while cherry-coated almonds scattered throughout recreate the classic cherry-on-top experience. The kosher snack is available for a limited time and easy to toss into picnic baskets, road-trip snack bags, or a movie-night spread.

You can see the new snack in this TikTok from Natasha Rochelle (@natashaslist).

@natashaslist

Trader Joe's somehow turned a hot fudge sundae into a snack... 🍒🍫 These new Hot Fudge Sundae In A Handful! almonds are such a fun treat. You get crunchy roasted almonds coated in vanilla ice cream and hot fudge flavors, plus cherry-coated almonds sprinkled throughout the bag as the "cherry on top." I thought they were really yummy and a fun snack when you're craving something sweet without going all in on ice cream. They're new, $4.29, and definitely worth trying if you love nostalgic dessert flavors. #traderjoes #traderjoeshaul #traderjoeslist

♬ original sound - Natasha Rochelle - Natasha Rochelle

Natasha says that although she's not a fan of maraschino cherries, she didn't pick up a strong cherry flavor in the snack. Instead, she says each bite reminded her of that first spoonful of a hot fudge sundae, complete with chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, and crunchy almonds.

Related: Costco’s New Made-in-France Treat Is Perfect With Coffee

According to Trader Joe's, the snack was inspired by the nostalgic flavors of a classic hot fudge sundae. The company says each bag contains more vanilla ice cream and hot fudge-flavored almonds than cherry-coated ones, with the cherry pieces serving as the "cherry on top."

Hot fudge sundaes with nuts and cherries.

Photo by Simoné Stander on Unsplash

The result is a blend of creamy vanilla, rich chocolate, sweet cherry, and crunchy roasted almonds that captures the familiar flavors of an old-fashioned ice cream sundae without the mess or melting.

Beyond eating them straight from the bag, Trader Joe's also suggests using the almonds as a topping for cupcakes, mini sheet cakes, or bowls of vanilla ice cream. Crushed pieces can also add extra crunch and flavor to homemade desserts.

Limited-time Trader Joe's products have a way of disappearing quickly, especially when they put a playful spin on familiar favorites. If you're a fan of the classic combination of vanilla, chocolate sauce, and cherries, this portable take on a hot fudge sundae may be worth picking up before it disappears from shelves.

Anyone who has seen Ted Lasso likely recognizes the emotional power behind its main narrative.

Brilliantly blending emotionally charged subject matter behind its energetic brand of comedy, Ted Lasso has won renown among fans for its optimistic tone and relatable characters.

For this reason, series star Jason Sudeikis continues to see the project as more than a simple comedy show alone, often remarking to fans who said the series saved them that it "It saved me, too" (via The Hollywood Reporter).

“It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t mad at the world for all its foibles and bullies and shadows,” Sudeikis told THR. “It’s not like I’m Daniel Day-Lewis, but it was good to live in that — to have that coursing through your brain and your body all day. It still is.”

As those familiar with the show are sure to know, Ted Lasso follows Sudeikis' unwaveringly upbeat Kansas football coach as he heads to the United Kingdom to coach a Premier soccer team. Despite all odds, he manages to slowly change each of his players' lives on and off the field, all the while contending with his own marital issues and familial problems.

Given its emotional subject matter, rather than taking inspiration from traditional fast-paced American sitcoms, Ted Lasso's producers specifically looked to British TV series as its primary source of inspiration, allowing them to utilize a drier tone that went remarkably well with the show's main narrative.

"We had a lot of pauses, a lot of silent shots of people looking at other people, and that pace inherently changes the tone, and I’m not sure everyone at Apple or Warner Bros. saw the tone that Jason was imagining until it was finally in front of them in the editing room — and I think even then they were sh*tting themselves," said series star Brendan Hunt. "Then, when it finally came out, they were like, ‘Oh, right. No, no, you’re great. We knew. We knew.’"

Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth has announced its 13th studio album, The Allfather Awakens, more than three decades after the band formed in 1992. 

The new record will arrive on Oct. 2, 2026, through Metal Blade Records, with the band also releasing its new single “Gjallarhorn” and an official music video.

The announcement came through Amon Amarth's official social media channels, where the band confirmed the album's release date and invited fans to pre-order the new record in limited vinyl, CD and other formats.

The 10-song album continues the band's long-running interest in Norse mythology and history. Odin, also known as the Allfather, is once again a major source of inspiration. However, the band has made clear that The Allfather Awakens is not a concept album. Instead, it brings together different stories linked to conflict, sacrifice, history and mythology.

Johan Hegg, singer of the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth, performing live on stage in Bologna, at the Bologna Sonic Park 2019 first ever edition, opening for Slipknot.

Photo by Alessandro Bosio/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

“Gjallarhorn” opens the album and marks a return to the band's heavy melodic death metal sound. The song tells the story of Odin's sacrifice at Mímisbrunnr, the Well of Wisdom, where he gave up one of his eyes in exchange for knowledge and foresight.

View this post on Instagram

The new single follows “Upphaf,” an acoustic song released earlier this month. The track offered a quieter side of Amon Amarth and showed a different sound from the band's usual heavy approach.

Amon Amarth was formed in Tumba, Sweden, in 1992. The band is made up of vocalist Johan Hegg, lead guitarist Olavi Mikkonen, bassist Ted Lundström, rhythm guitarist Johan Söderberg, and drummer Jocke Wallgren.

Over the years, the group has become one of the best-known names in Swedish melodic death metal. Its music is often linked to Viking metal because of its lyrics about Norse mythology and Viking history, although the band itself identifies its music as death metal.

The group released its debut album, Once Sent from the Golden Hall, in 1998. Its breakthrough came with 2008's Twilight of the Thunder God, which reached No. 10 on the Swedish album chart and No. 50 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Amon Amarth has since released albums including Surtur Rising, Deceiver of the Gods, Jomsviking, Berserker, and The Great Heathen Army. The new album will become the band's 13th studio release.

For The Allfather Awakens, the band took a different approach to recording. The members worked on the album while they were still touring. Recording sessions took place at producer Jacob Hansen's studio in Denmark during 2025 and early 2026.

Rather than recording the entire album at once, the band focused on finishing each song before moving to the next one.

Guitarist Olavi Mikkonen explained, according to Consequence, the process in a statement, “We worked on one song at a time and made each song as good as possible.”

The band also returned to Marshall amplifiers as part of a move toward a more classic guitar tone. The album artwork was created by longtime collaborator Tom Thiel, who has continued his visual work with Amon Amarth.

Amon Amarth has confirmed that The Allfather Awakens will feature 10 songs. The full tracklist is:

1. “Gjallarhorn”
2. “Eight Legs of Thunder”
3. “Kvasir's Blood”
4. “We Rule the Waves”
5. “Upphaf”
6. “Die With a War Cry”
7. “Raven God”
8. “The Allfather Awakes”
9. “Oden's Hunt”
10. “Ascending Like an Eagle”

“Gjallarhorn” is the latest addition to the album's growing list of previewed songs. It follows “Upphaf” and “We Rule the Waves,” giving fans an early look at the range of music expected on the new record.

The band will also take the new album on the road with a UK and European headline tour in October and November 2026. The shows will feature Swedish bands Orbit Culture and Soilwork as support.

The tour begins Oct. 9 in Manchester, United Kingdom, and includes stops in London, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon. The final listed show is set for Nov. 15 in Lisbon, Portugal.

View this post on Instagram

The new tour will also introduce an updated stage production. Instead of the band's familiar longboat setup, the production will draw inspiration from Odin's Golden Hall.

The album will be offered in several physical and digital formats, including different vinyl and CD editions. Special releases are also expected to include bonus live recordings, signed artwork, liquid-filled vinyl variants and exclusive colored pressings.

After 34 years as a band, Amon Amarth is preparing to enter another chapter with The Allfather Awakens, combining its established melodic death metal style with new sounds and another collection of stories rooted in Norse mythology.

Related: 1972 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 44 Minutes, Remains a Classic 54 Years Later

When Whitney Houston released her powerhouse cover of "I'm Every Woman" for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992, it instantly became one of the defining pop anthems of the decade.

But long before Whitney's soaring vocals brought the track to a whole new generation of fans, the song was already a massive, chart-topping smash for another music icon, the "Queen of Funk."Chaka Khan first released the track 13 years prior, turning the Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson tune into a disco-era staple that defined the late '70s.

The song, known as a women's anthem, per American Songwriter, was written by the legendary songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, who crafted the track specifically with Khan's powerhouse vocals in mind. The empowering track instantly resonated with audiences, propelling Khan’s debut solo release to No. 21 on the Billboard Top 100 and topping the R&B charts.

Simpson told PEOPLE Magazine that she instructed her husband, Ashford, to tap into his feminine side when penning the iconic track. "I told him to dig into his feminine side," she explained.

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

The singer and songwriter continued, "I knew immediately it was a great title, which he got from me playing the chord [on the piano]. It was one of those things that just all came together."

Khan released "I'm Ever Woman" as the debut single off her first solo album, Chaka, in 1978. This song was her first effort after making her mark as the lead singer of the funk band Rufus, who had massive success with the songs “Tell Me Something Good” and “Ain’t Nobody.”

The singer told Jennifer Hudson, “I knew I was creating something because it took me a long, long time to feel some kind of comfort singing something like ‘I’m Every Woman.'"

“I was reading it from an insecure place, and I said, ‘This song’s not saying that you are every woman.’ The song is saying together, collectively, I’m every woman, and it’s all in me,” she added. “It took me a while to get comfortable singing that, and once I got it, I said, ‘Ok, I understand it now.’”

Houston reimagined the song for the soundtrack to the 1992 feature film, The Bodyguard. Her version hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1993.

The entertainer was pregnant with her only daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, while filming the music video for "I'm Every Woman". She was five months pregnant in the clip, directed by Randee St. Nicholas. The video includes cameos from Valerie Simpson, Chaka Khan, TLC, and her mother, Cissy Houston.

Whether you hear Chaka Khan’s disco-era magic or Whitney Houston’s soaring ’90s vocals, "I'm Every Woman" remains a timeless celebration of empowerment. More than four decades after its original release, the track stands as a rare pop-culture crossover, proving that true musical brilliance can belong to two legendary queens at once.

Related: ’90s Breakup Anthem Ruled the Charts—Until A Diva Took Its Crown

Figuring out what to make for dinner every single night is easily one of the most annoying parts of being an adult. When you're tired and don't want to cook, it's easy to look back at your childhood school days and realize how good we actually had it in the lunchroom.

Back then, you didn't have to plan anything or grocery shop. You just stood in line, grabbed a plastic tray and got a warm, reliable meal. Everyone liked to complain about school food when they were kids, but a lot of those old menu items were actually pure comfort food.

😋😋SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter🍳🍔

The funny thing is that you can buy the most expensive nuggets or frozen pizza at the grocery store today, and they still won't taste quite right. Cafeteria food was just its own distinct thing. Because it had to be cooked in massive batches for hundreds of kids at once, it had a specific level of saltiness and a soft, chewy texture that is almost impossible to replicate in a normal home kitchen.

That unique taste is exactly why people spend time looking up old copycat recipes online or trying to track down the commercial food service brands schools used. If you're ready to admit which throwback lunches you would still happily eat for dinner tonight, here are the 12 classic school cafeteria meals adults secretly still crave.

The 'God-Tier' Main Courses

When these mains were on the menu, you knew it was going to be a good day.

1. Salisbury Steak With Brown Gravy

This wasn't gourmet beef, but the combination of that seasoned patty swimming in a pool of salty brown gravy was unmatched. The meat always had a distinctively soft, tender texture that made it the best comfort food on a rainy weekday.

The real star was the gravy itself—a rich, savory brown sauce that was often so thick it formed a skin on top if it sat for too long. When paired with a heavy scoop of smooth instant mashed potatoes, it created a savory flavor combination that put nearly every home-cooked meatloaf to shame.

Related: Why Kudos Bars Disappeared and How to Make Them at Home

2. Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

These were a favorite on the menu, especially by the time you got to high school. They weren't like the thick, crispy chicken sandwiches you get at fast-food joints today. They had a flat shape and a spicy orange breading that actually had a pretty good kick to it.

The best part was how the bun got completely soft and steamy from sitting inside those crinkly, foil-lined paper bags under the kitchen heat lamps. Slapping a packet of mayonnaise on that soft bun right at the lunch table always made it so much better, and it's a huge throwback meal people still crave.

3. Sloppy Joes

Cafeterias across the country served a very specific version of this messy classic that is hard to copy at home. Rather than a chunky, vegetable-heavy meat sauce, school kitchens turned out a finely ground beef mix swimming in a smooth, sweet tomato sauce.

It would slowly soak directly into the white hamburger bun, turning the bottom half completely soft. Throwing a handful of potato chips right onto the meat was a favorite lunchroom hack to add a quick crunch to an otherwise messy sandwich.

4. Macaroni and Cheese

This smooth, velvety pasta dish was a staple comfort food on chilly afternoon menus. Unlike the baked versions made at home, the school kitchen variety relied on a rich, liquid cheddar cheese sauce that coated every single elbow noodle perfectly.

It was often served with a couple of sliced cocktail franks or tiny ham cubes mixed right into the tray compartment for a salty pairing. Regular box brands from the grocery store aisle can never quite match that exact, heavy-duty lunchroom creaminess that adults still crave today.

The Elite Side Items

Nothing complemented school lunch better than these beloved sides.

5. Tater Tots

These golden potato bites are easily the most famous side item in school lunch history. Cafeteria ovens cooked them on giant sheet pans, which meant you always got a mix of super-crunchy outer ones and perfectly soft ones from the middle of the pile.

Cafeteria staff usually scooped out a serving of exactly eight to ten tots right into your tray's side compartment. They were the ultimate finger food, and regular grocery store frozen brands never quite capture that exact cafeteria-style tot.

6. Soft Yeast Dinner Rolls School cafeteria rolls
by u/GPUfollowr77 in 90s

These giant, fluffy bread rolls were easily one of the best parts of any hot lunch tray. Cafeteria staff baked them fresh in the morning, filling the entire hallway with a sweet, yeasty scent long before the first lunch bell rang.

They always came brushed with a heavy, glossy layer of melted butter that made the tops incredibly soft and rich. Pulling one apart to soak up extra gravy from your tray compartment was a standard move, and it remains a classic comfort food adults still miss.

Related: 8 Iconic Mall Food Court Restaurants That Have Closed Forever (and Why)

7. Smiley Fries

These happy, round potato faces were an instant favorite on any elementary school tray. They had a thick, mashed-potato-style filling inside a crispy outer shell, which made them a bit heavier and softer than a standard french fry.

Kids always used their plastic forks to poke through the hollow eyes or fill up the cutout mouth with a blob of ketchup. It's a massive nostalgia food that adults still end up throwing into their grocery carts out of pure habit whenever they spot them in the supermarket freezer aisle.

8. Fruit Cocktail

This sweet side dish was a permanent fixture on the weekly lunch tray. Served ice-cold in a tiny paper dish, it featured a heavy mix of diced pears, peaches, soft grapes and those rubbery little pineapples swimming in a thick, sugary syrup.

The best strategy at the lunch table was hunting through the cup to find the single, neon-red maraschino cherry halves hidden at the bottom. Drinking the leftover fruit juice straight from the cup at the very end was a classic move to finish off a salty lunch tray.

The Unforgettable Drinks and Desserts

We looked forward to these lunchtime add-ons for good reason.

9. French Toast Sticks

The best part of "Breakfast for Lunch" day was getting those thick, cinnamon-sugar-coated sticks that were perfect for dipping. They had a sweet, slightly fried outer crust that somehow stayed crispy instead of instantly soaking up all the syrup, while the inside stayed completely soft and fluffy.

Getting to eat sweet finger food covered in maple syrup right in the middle of the school day always felt like a treat. It remains the ultimate midday sugar rush that adults still try to recreate on the weekend using grocery store frozen boxes, even if they never quite match that classic cafeteria texture.

10. Cardboard Cartons of Chocolate Milk

There was something so satisfying about peeling open a tiny, wax-coated cardboard carton at the end of the lunch line. For some reason, it kept the milk tasting colder, creamier and way sweeter than a regular glass poured from a plastic gallon at home.

Everyone used to rip open that finicky cardboard spout and try to squeeze every last drop out of the corners before the bell rang. It was the best drink for washing down a salty lunch tray, and it completely masked that slight paper flavor from the packaging.

It remains the one childhood drink that adults universally agree tasted way better straight out of a school cafeteria fridge.

Related: 12 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' Spots That Have Closed Forever (and Why)

11. Fruit Ice Cups

These rock-hard blocks of frozen strawberry or blue raspberry juice were a test of patience. You had to use that flimsy wooden spoon to aggressively scrape the frozen surface for 20 minutes just to get a single, slushy bite.

Half the time, the cheap wooden spoon would snap right in half before you even made a dent in the center, forcing you to just scrape it with your teeth or wait for the edges to melt into a sweet syrup.

The intense flavor was totally worth the struggle, even if it stained your tongue a bright neon color for the rest of the school day.

The 'Friday' Special

Let's not forget everyone's favorite lunch.

12. Rectangular Pan Pizza

Friday was the undisputed king of the school week solely because of the rectangular sheet-pan pizza. With its thick, spongy crust, perfectly uniform cubes of pepperoni, and a layer of plastic-like mozzarella cheese that peeled off in one glorious sheet, it remains the holy grail of nostalgic food.

The magic was entirely in the texture, that doughy, focaccia-style base was always slightly crisp on the bottom from the giant metal pan, while the inside stayed soft, pillowy and completely comforting.

The sauce had a distinctly sweet flavor profile made perfectly for kids, and the cheese substitute was made to melt into a rubbery blanket that you could literally strip off with your fingers. Adults everywhere would still gladly buy an entire sheet pan of this pizza for a Friday night movie night.

Final Takeaways

There's a reason we're still obsessed with these specific school cafeteria lunches. Cooking for yourself night after night gets old, and sometimes you just want the simple comfort of a childhood favorite.

Regular grocery store versions might not ever get that batch-cooked cafeteria texture exactly right, but admitting which items you still crave is half the fun.

Next time you're completely stumped on what to make for dinner, maybe skip the complicated recipe and go with a little bit of school lunch nostalgia instead.

Related: 15 Photos of McDonald's in the 1990s That Unlock a Core Memory

For Little Singles stars Krista Sulaica and Jordanna "JJ" James, finding love isn't the hardest part of dating; it's dealing with the assumptions people make before the first date. Since its June 15th launch on TLC, the show continues to follow a group of five little people who experience dating, friendships and everything in between, in Palm Springs, California.

“I was completely blindsided when I was called and asked by producers to join the show. It’s something that has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl,” Krista says in an exclusive interview with Parade.

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

It’s common for little people to face misconceptions when dating, which is why shining a light on their true experience is so important.

“They always assume that we only date other little people,” says Krista, continuing on to say she’s never actually dated a little person. 

JJ, who previously starred on season one of TLC's Little Women: NY, noted how many think they don’t want a serious relationship, but just like anyone else, they do. 

The pair also mentioned that it’s common for individuals to ‘fetishize’ being with a little person. 

“They’ll start talking about very sexual things in relation to our height. ‘Oh you’re the perfect height for this or that,’” says Krista.

Related: TLC Announces New Show ‘Little Singles’ That’s Already Getting Attention

JJ continues, saying, “Or, ‘I’ve never been with a little person before.’ It’s their tone or how they deliver it.” 

“Or they’ll say things like, ‘you’re really pretty for a little person,’” adds Krista. “They think they’re giving us such a great compliment, but it’s actually the opposite.” 

Even after enduring assumptions and uncomfortable fetishization, both women continue to put themselves out there.

JJ mentions that after recently getting out of a serious relationship, she decided to focus on herself and her career for a while. “But now, this year, and after being on the show, I am open to dating and let’s just say it's been wild,” says JJ.

Krista pipes in, mentioning that she prefers meeting people through friends now that she’s older. 

“If my friends like them, I know I’m going to like them.”

Related: ‘Sister Wives’ Season 21: The Clues, Cast Slips, and What Fans Are Expecting

Aside from romance and reality TV, the two have much to look forward to. 

As a dancer and Broadway performer, JJ continues to follow her passion. She’s had an extensive career on stage, even touring with Miley Cyrus in 2014. She raved about Miley, who brought JJ on after seeing her dance. Afterward, Miley recruited more dancers with dwarfism to join her show, highlighting their talent on stage.

“We need diversity on stage and we need all different types of body types,” says JJ. “Yeah I’m short, but I can dance.” 

Krista continues, saying, “I think that's a lot about what the show is about and what our viewers can take away from the show is that, you know, we’re all positive people. We’re just trying to do our best and, you know, we’re living our lives. We’re living it up.” 

Follow Krista and JJ on their journey for love Mondays at 9:00 p.m. ET on TLC. Episodes of Little Singles are also available to stream on Max, Hulu or Discovery+.

Related: 'Little Singles': Krista Confronts Steph for Calling Her the B-Word (Exclusive Clip)

Hotel Pool

Hilton

If you're looking for a quick mental reset, a weekend poolside escape, or a high-end spa day without the steep price tag of an overnight hotel stay, your daycation options are getting a massive upgrade.

Hilton has announced a three-year expansion of its partnership with ResortPass, bringing day-use access for local residents and travelers to its properties across the Americas. The collaboration opens up the gates to some of the brand's most popular resort amenities—including sprawling lazy rivers, private cabanas, Forbes Five-Star spas, and coastal pickleball courts—for just a fraction of the cost of a full room booking.

The move comes as more travelers and locals seek out flexible, wellness-focused escapes right in their own backyards without having to pack a suitcase or check in overnight.

“The success of our ResortPass partnership has encouraged us to expand our offerings and accelerate how we approach wellness across our portfolio,” says Jessica Shea, vice president of wellness, retail, and leisure operations for Hilton's Americas region. “We can now better connect our properties more meaningfully to the communities around them, offering flexible access to world-class wellness experiences.”

Related: Marriott Expands ResortPass Partnership to Add Luxury Day Passes at Thousands of Hotels

High-Energy Pool Parties Meets Ultimate Relaxation

Hilton

As part of the expanded roll-out, Hilton and ResortPass are debuting "Off Hours," a brand-new multi-city event series designed to transform hotel pool decks into vibrant, ticketed community gatherings during afternoon hours.

Featuring top DJs, local vendors, and upgraded food and beverage menus, the social series is officially kicking off across select Florida locations, including Hilton Orlando, Hilton West Palm Beach, Beach House Fort Lauderdale, Hilton Tampa Downtown, and Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort.

For those who prefer a quieter, restorative afternoon over a DJ set, the platform unlocks access to heavy-hitting luxury amenities across the portfolio:

• For Families and Active Travelers: At Hilton Orlando, day passes grant access to an 892-foot lazy river, waterfalls, and an interactive splash pad, along with an adults-only pool and Topgolf Swing Suites. Active travelers can also reserve day passes for pickleball courts at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort or the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country.
• For High-End Wellness Seekers: If you are chasing deep relaxation, day passes unlock world-class sanctuaries like the La Prairie Spa at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills or the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, where guests can use indoor saline lap pools, dry saunas, and steam rooms, or book specialized floating sound bath therapies.
• For Beachfront Escapes: Tropical day access extends into the Caribbean, including properties like Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, where guests can spend the day lounging by lagoon-style pools overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlighting the shift toward day-use hospitality, Michael Wolf, CEO of ResortPass, notes that the collaboration is setting a fresh standard for how people carve out time for themselves:

“ResortPass and Hilton are setting a new standard for how hospitality innovates on well-being beyond the traditional stay. The expansion of this partnership reflects a shared commitment to redefining how people rest and recharge.”

Day passes and event tickets for participating Hilton properties across the US and Caribbean are available to book directly through resortpass.com.

Related: Hilton is Opening a Chic New Curio Collection Hotel in One of Spain's Ultimate Foodie Hotspots

Jason Sudeikis wasn't sure if he was ready to blow the whistle on another season of Ted Lasso, despite the hefty payday.

The Emmy Award-winning actor may have been making $1 million per episode by the time that Season 3 of the hit Apple TV dramedy premiered in 2023, but Sudeikis told The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview that there was a narrative reason he initially turned down a fourth season of the show.

“That wasn’t a negotiation tactic,” Sudeikis told the outlet in an interview published on Tuesday, July 21. “The story was told. Ted went home to be with his son. I wasn’t going to have Ted uproot their life to justify the money truck. It made no sense to me.”

At the end of the third season of Ted Lasso, Sudeikis' titular coach character returned to the U.S. to be with his son after a successful run with AFC Richmond, with the storylines for Hannah Waddingham’s Rebecca Welton, Brett Goldstein’s Roy Kent, Juno Temple’s Keeley Jones, and Brendan Hunt’s Coach Beard also coming to a close.

Ultimately, however, Sudeikis changed his mind about returning for another go as Ted, and Season 4 of Ted Lasso is set to premiere on Aug. 5.

“It is infectious to play a character who sees the best in people and isn’t mad at the world for all its foibles and bullies and shadows,” the Saturday Night Livealum said of his decision to move forward with another season. “It’s not like I’m Daniel Day-Lewis, but it was good to live in that — to have that coursing through your brain and your body all day. It still is.”

The 10-episode fourth season of Ted Lasso will see Sudeikis' character "taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team," according to Apple TV's logline. "Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would."

Ted Lasso Season 4 premieres on Aug. 5 on Apple TV.

Dunkin’ Donuts is giving away free King Kylie drinks on Thursday, July 23!

Earlier this month, the coffee chain unveiled the King Kylie Collection, a trio of limited-time drinks inspired by Kylie Jenner‘s “King Kylie” era. The lineup includes the Candy Pink Lemonade Refresher, Vanilla Pink Cloud Latte, and a Pink Lemon Drop Suncloud Lemonade.

Here’s everything to know about the free drink deal—and how to claim yours before the offer ends.

How to get a free King Kylie drink from Dunkin’

Any customer who buys a qualifying item between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. at a participating Dunkin’ Donuts location can score a free medium King Kylie drink!

The deal is available for one hour only, while supplies last, and is not valid for delivery orders.

If you miss the promotion—don't worry! Dunkin' previously offered this deal on July 14, so there may be another opportunity to score a free King Kylie drink in the future.

RELATED: Chipotle Is Giving Away 80,000 Free Entrées—Here’s How to Claim Yours

More new Dunkin’ drinks

Dunkin’ is keeping the pink vibes going all summer long with the addition of eight new pink-colored drinks, including Suncloud Lemonades and other sparkling sips that blend creamy, bubbly, and citrus-forward flavors.

The chain is also rolled out five new indulgent, dessert-inspired beverages with peanut butter flavors, including the Fluffernutter Cloud Latte, PB&J Cloud Latte, and the Peanut Butter Shakin’ Espresso.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. 🍳🍔

Some songs are instant hits. Others wait years for their moment. That was the case with “Alone Again,” the signature ballad from Dokken.

Released in 1984 on the album Tooth and Nail, “Alone Again” was a guitar-driven power ballad about heartbreak and loneliness that showed a vulnerable side of the hard rock band. But the song took years to see the light of day. Frontman Don Dokken once revealed that he put a tape of the song in a closet almost a decade before its release and forgot about it.

In an interview with Songfacts, the Dokken frontman was asked about the origins of the song.

“Oh God, I wrote that when I was 22,” he shared of “Alone Again.” “I wrote it in '75/'76. I wrote it on a 4-track studio. It ended up on a cassette, and it stayed in a closet for 10 years. We did Tooth And Nail, and all these bands were doing ballads, so the record company said, ‘You need a ballad.’ I said, ‘We don't have one.' So, I was just digging through my cassettes, and I found an old demo of ‘Alone Again.’"

Dokken noted that he and bassist Jeff Pilson reworked the song for the 1984 release.

Dokken once admitted that so much time had passed that he didn’t even remember he had written “Alone Again” when he found it years later.

“This is a thing I wrote when I was very young, very naïve,” he said in an interview with KBAD 94.5 FM, per Blabbermouth.net. “Everybody says, 'Who'd you write about?' 'I don't know.' 'What was the girl's name?' 'I don't know.' I must have been in love — it's a very sad song — but I don't remember who I wrote it about. I don't know. It was just a song that came out, I always say, from here — whatever that higher power is."

Once he found the song, Dokken had to fight tooth and nail with bandmate George Lynch to include it on the album, let alone make a music video for it.

Noting that his original version of "Alone Again” ended up on a cassette and was "just thrown in my closet, and was forgotten,” Dokken told Full in Bloom. “As soon as that came out we went platinum, but it almost didn't make it. George refused to do it, I wanted to do it, and the record company said. ‘You do it or else.’”

“[‘Alone Again’] was the last thing we did to go on Tooth and Nail and that song turned out to be a classic,” Dokken added.

"The band still didn't believe in the song," the rocker continued. "We went on tour for a year, and then the tour was over I said, ‘You guys are really missing the boat here; we should have put out ‘Alone Again’ [as a music video].' And everybody's fighting me on it. …We ended up out of our own pocket, paying some camera crews to come down when we’re playing one of our last shows, which was at the Palladium in Hollywood. And that's why it's all live footage. So we just had a bunch of camera guys come in and shoot the show, edit it together, and we put out ‘Alone Again,' and it took off.”

“Alone Again” reached No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 and became an MTV and mainstream rock radio hit. Four decades later, it remains one of the most beloved Dokken songs of all time and a timeless anthem for fans.

Related: This ‘80s Power Ballad Got a Second Life—But It Almost Didn’t Happen

For years, the internet has been obsessed with the phrase "Uno reverse," and now, "All Black Everything" luxury lifestyle brand Blvck Paris and the Mattel card game UNO® have collaborated on a new product line that will let fans wear it—and so much more.

Launching tomorrow on the Blvck Paris website, this collection features a range of items, from apparel to a brand-new deck of UNO® cards.

The lineup specifically includes:

• Blvck x UNO® Deck Card (Blvck Edition): An all-black UNO® deck of cards featuring monochromatic detailing, unique packaging and a new Black Out gameplay card, the latter of which involves a brand-new UNO® game rule, wherein when played, all players must rush to be the first to hit the card. The last one to do so draws four cards. This new card can also work as a Wild Card, which means that the player can choose the next color of play.
• Reverse Hoodie & Embossed Reverse Hoodie: An all-black oversized fleece hoodie featuring the iconic "Uno reverse" symbol as well as tonal graphics and layered black detailing. The hoodie is available in graphic and embossed monochromatic styles.
• Reverse Tee: Like the Reverse Hoodie, this oversized premium cotton t-shirt features the "Uno reverse" symbol, as well as Blvck Paris' minimalist aesthetic.
• Mini Travel Bag: This vegan leather organizer can be used for daily essentials and features detailing from both Blvck Paris and UNO®.
• Headwear Collection: The lineup's headwear collection includes a baseball cap with tonal detailing from both brands.

Prices for the products range from $25 to $160, with the specific breakdown as follows:

• Blvck x UNO® Deck Card (Blvck Edition): $25
• Reverse Hoodie & Embossed Reverse Hoodie: $160
• Reverse Tee: $80
• Mini Travel Bag: $100
• Headwear Collection: $60

About the collaboration, Blvck Paris founder Julian O’Hayon said in a statement, "The best collaborations bring together two brands with distinct identities to create something unexpected. UNO is one of the world's most recognizable games, and reimagining it through the Blvck universe allowed us to create a collection that feels elevated, collectible and true to both brands. The response to our first collaboration showed us there was a genuine appetite for this partnership, and we're excited to continue building on that momentum."

Paul Anka, who is known for hit songs like “Diana” and “Lonely Boy," was a teen idol in the 1950s. He recently appeared on “The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan,” where he spoke about his sudden rise to fame, comparing it to Justin Bieber, who was discovered on YouTube when he was only 13.

“You know, when Justin hit, it was all over Canada,” the star said. “The paper — they had a picture of me and a picture of him, cause we both live here. So there was a comparison.”

Related: 1961 Classic Rock Song Was This Teen Idol’s Only No. 1 Hit

Anka was only 16 when his career took off. In addition to releasing his own hit songs, he co-wrote several songs with Michael Jackson and created Frank Sinatra’s hit “My Way.” He also wrote the theme song for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

When speaking about his success at such a young age, Anka said, “So when it hit for me, you know, I was a young kid with this dream. I didn’t have any great looks. I didn’t have any height. I was an athlete, but it stopped because then I stopped growing. So, I found something that really turned my life upside down.”

He continued, “When you’re in the middle of all of that action, and I had a good upbringing, I had a great father. I had a great mother, you know, who was an ally of mine who, you know, I lost at 18. And that was the toughest part of my life. But you know they were always around me to keep me as level as one could, keeping that in mind.”

Related: 1985 Rock Hit Became a Powerful Anthem, Despite Being Written for One of the Worst Movies Ever Made

Ankin is now 84. He recently told PEOPLE that he is no longer interested in a relationship at his age, saying, “I’ve done the married thing. I’ll take all the good from it, some of the bad. I love my solitude, and it’s an amazing place to be in, having peace of mind and growing older gracefully.”

Ankin was formerly married to model Anne de Zogheb, Anna Åberg, and Lisa Pemberton. He has six children.

Just days after reports surfaced that The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Angie Katsanevas had separated from her husband of 27 years, another longtime Bravo marriage is reportedly facing serious trouble.

According to a new report, Whitney Rose and her husband, Justin Rose, are now "living separate lives" after more than 16 years of marriage. Multiple sources claimed the couple has quietly grown apart in recent months, with one insider alleging they are only presenting a united front publicly for the sake of their family.

The reported split comes after years of ups and downs that have played out on RHOSLC. Whitney, 39, and Justin, 58, have been open about the strain financial pressures placed on their marriage.

That tension came to a head after Justin lost his executive job in 2022 following his appearance on the Bravo series. More recently, Whitney discussed the couple's struggles as they invested heavily in her business ventures, admitting during Season 6 that the financial stress had created resentment in their relationship.

Unlike many celebrity breakups, sources say there wasn't one dramatic incident that led to the reported separation. Instead, the relationship is said to have gradually deteriorated under the weight of ongoing financial and personal challenges. The couple shares two children, Bobbie and Brooks, and Justin also has three sons from a previous marriage.

Whitney and Justin's love story has long been one of the franchise's most talked-about.

The pair met while working together, eventually leaving their previous marriages to be together before tying the knot in 2009. Their relationship also led to their excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a chapter Whitney has discussed candidly on the show over the years.

Whitney nor Justin has publicly addressed the latest report, and representatives for the couple have not commented.

RELATED: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Daniel Radcliffe Turns 37

When Chelsea Handler posted a nine-slide email sent to her family laying out strict rules for future group vacations, readers and celebrity friends quickly chimed in on the comedian’s public reprimand. The letter, addressed to family members referred to as her "Nuggets," detailed expectations regarding basic manners, staff interaction, house cleanup, and screen time following a group stay at Martha’s Vineyard.

"Our family is dysfunctional, and that is what families are," Handler wrote in the post. "What we need to work on, however, is manners. There was a definite shortfall of manners on this trip, and I left this trip feeling embarrassed and taken advantage of."

The comment section immediately turned into a wider discussion on travel etiquette, boundaries, and host expectations, drawing reactions from fellow comedians, actors, and TV personalities. Actor Sophia Bush cheered the message, expanding the boundary rules beyond the vacation house. "All of this!! And while we’re at it … stack your bins at the airport! TSA doesn’t work for us either. Go CH, go!!" Bush wrote.

View this post on Instagram

Comedian Amy Schumer pinpointed the source of the household friction, commenting, "I smell teens and brothers." Meanwhile, actor Lisa Ann Walter noted the broader applicability of Handler's demands, writing, "This is so necessary and appreciated. By the way- it is useful for every level of vacation, not just the super generous ones you provide."

TV personality and parenting expert 'Supernanny' Jo Frost offered her professional services, writing, "So Chelsea it would seem I will be needed on your next trip! I'm on my way!"

Many followers praised Handler for enforcing standards while keeping family love intact. One commenter noted that having the privilege to be invited on such vacations is beyond their understand, adding that Handler's approach in the letter was valid and got the point across well while maintaining that the love is unconditional.

The email itself established rules that family members must follow if they want to participate in future vacations. Handler demanded mandatory acknowledgment of housekeepers, delivery workers, and staff members out of basic decency. She also mandated that guests pair up to load the dishwasher nightly so host mothers do not spend the vacation cleaning up after everyone.

Rules were set against littering on rental grounds, excessive drinking, and complaining about meals while eating them. To foster connection, Handler instituted a ban on phones and video games during group evening activities like dinners, board games, or movies.

Yungblud is remembering Ozzy Osbourne one year after the heavy metal legend’s death, sharing an emotional tribute to the singer who became both an inspiration and a friend.

The "Zombie" singer, 28, took to Instagram Stories to honor Osbourne, sharing a photo of the two together backstage in his dressing room ahead of the final Black Sabbath performance.

“It’s been a year since you’ve left us and I can honestly say I’ve thought about you every day since,” Yungblud wrote alongside the image.

In another tribute, Yungblud shared a photo of himself holding the cross necklace Osbourne gave him, writing, “I f---in love you man. forever,” alongside a bat emoji, a fitting nod to Osbourne’s legendary image and decades-long connection to heavy metal culture.

Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, at age 76, just weeks after reuniting with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for what was billed as the group’s final concert. The "Back to the Beginning" show in Birmingham, England, marked Osbourne’s last live performance and brought together generations of rock stars to celebrate his extraordinary career.

Known as the "Prince of Darkness," Osbourne first rose to fame as the frontman of Black Sabbath, helping pioneer heavy metal with songs like "Paranoid," "Iron Man" and "War Pigs."

After leaving the band in the late 1970s, he launched a successful solo career that produced hits including "Crazy Train" and cemented his status as one of rock music’s most influential figures.

Beyond music, Osbourne became a pop culture icon through the reality series The Osbournes, which introduced fans to his family life and showed a different side of the famously outrageous performer.

In the years before his death, Osbourne was open about his ongoing health struggles, including his battle with Parkinson’s disease and complications from injuries that affected his ability to perform. Despite those challenges, he continued making music and remained connected to the fans and artists he inspired.

Yungblud was among the younger musicians who developed a close bond with Osbourne. The pair shared a mutual admiration, with Osbourne praising Yungblud’s passion and helping pass along the legacy of rock music to a new generation.

Their friendship reached a memorable moment when Yungblud joined Osbourne and other artists for Black Sabbath’s farewell celebration. The backstage photo Yungblud shared became a reminder of one of Osbourne’s final public appearances and the lasting impact he had on those who followed in his footsteps.

RELATED: A Beloved British Landmark Could Soon Be Renamed After Ozzy Osbourne

“Looks Like We Made It” was a classic ballad released by Barry Manilow in 1976. The following year, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. It was the singer’s third, and last, chart-topping hit on Billboard. The song was also featured in an episode of Friends and in a 2012 Super Bowl commercial for Chevrolet.

Although the song was a huge hit, many listeners misunderstood the meaning behind the lyrics. Will Jennings, who wrote the lyrics, said, “Richard [Kerr] and I have often remarked on the people, millions of them in the world, who misunderstood the lyric of ‘Looks Like We Made It.’ It is a rather sad and ironic lyric about making it apart and not together, and of course, everyone thinks it is a full-on, positive statement. I don't know. Perhaps it is... in a way.”

When speaking with SongFacts about the meaning of the song, Jennings elaborated, "You walk into a party. Someone you used to love and someone who used to love you is there. You are each with someone else. 'Looks like we made it, left each other on the way to another love... looks like we made it, or I thought so until the day, until you were there, everywhere, and all I could taste was love the way we made it'... real life. And if you feel that way, you didn't make it."

Related: 1972 Classic Rock Song, Written the Night Before It Was Recorded, Became a Timeless Anthem

In The Complete Collection And Then Some, Jennings added, "We wrote this one in Richard's flat in London, where he banged away at a huge upright piano he called Old Joanna. He gave me another of those beautiful, over-the-top-don't-spare-the-melodrama melodies, with at least two melodic hooks in the verse and two more in the chorus. All this accomplished with much good wine and Indian food in between writing sessions and much hilarity."

Manilow’s other No. 1 hits were “Mandy” and “I Write the Songs.” Some of his other popular tunes include “Copacabana (At the Copa)," "Can't Smile Without You," and "Weekend in New England."

Manilow is now 83.

Pushing the '90s action star to return for a fourth rendition of Rush Hour, President Donald Trump made it publicly clear he wants to see Jackie Chan on the big screen again.

And it appears that may happen, according to IMDB, which has published a title page for the fourth installment of the series with Chan and co-star Chris Tucker listed on it. While details are being kept under wraps, another franchise revival has become Instagram official — one that spans four decades.

It's being reported Chan will return for the Armour of God franchise — the first of which debuted way back in 1986.

Armour of God: IV Ultimatum is slated for release in 2027, but there's already a sneak peak of the 72 year-old actor preparing for his next big role.

Related: ’90s Star, Who Quietly Helped Launch Some of Disney’s Biggest Stars, Turns 57

Jackie Chan Has No Plans to Slow Down as He Revisits One of His Earliest Roles

Ah, the dreaded R" word. It comes with the territory in show business, whether it's professional sports or Hollywood.

When an athlete or artist gets up there in age, reporters tend to start pestering them about retirement.

Chan revealed to the New York Post this spring that he doesn't plan to call it quits anytime soon, saying at the time, "I always do my own stunts. It's who I am," before adding, "That's not changing until the day I retire, which is never!"

Better yet, even in his 70s, he strives to continue doing his own stunts. Armour of God: IV Ultimatum is a martial arts action movie based on a globe-trotting treasure hunter, so there should be plenty of opportunities to unleash the death-defying stunts that made him a global icon.

Related: ’90s Icon Made a Major Life Change and Never Looked Back: ‘I’m a Terrible Celebrity’

Rush Hour launched Chan's career into a different stratosphere of fame, but he was well known before then in Hong Kong from films that didn't quite catch on in the U.S., such as Drunken Master.

Armour of God was one of his first leading roles that caught a spark, ultimately leading him to star alongside funnyman Chris Tucker, but now he's turning back the clock to where it all started as he reprises his portrayal of Asian Hawk for the franchise's fourth film.

View this post on Instagram

He looks remarkably fit for a man 17 years into his senior citizen discount privileges, and absolutely thrilled to be on a film set again as he's seen grinning ear to ear.

Filming is underway in Kazahkstan with an expected worldwide release in 2027.