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The right lighting can make your outdoor space feel warm and inviting, whether you’re hosting an alfresco dinner, gathering with friends, or enjoying a cozy fall evening on the patio. String lights are an easy way to create that welcoming atmosphere without a major outdoor makeover. 

With their vintage-inspired bulbs and soft glow, the Volivo Solar Outdoor String Lights are a great pick. Right now, the Volivo lights are on sale for 39% off at Walmart, bringing the price of the 50-foot strand down from $36 to just $22. You can also choose a 100-foot version if you’re decorating a larger patio or want to stretch the lights across a wider area.

Volivo Solar Outdoor String Lights, $22 (were $36) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The 50-foot strand features 12 S14 Edison-style bulbs, plus one spare bulb, so you’ve got a replacement on hand if needed. Unlike harsh, bright white lighting, the bulbs give off a 2700K warm-white glow that creates a softer, more relaxed atmosphere. Their classic shape adds a touch of vintage-inspired charm, making them a lovely fit for outdoor dining tables, pergolas, fences, or seating areas.

You can also adjust the atmosphere with multiple lighting effects. The lights offer eight modes to curate the perfect vibe, including twinkling, fading, and slow flashing. They’re compatible with most dimmers, according to the product listing, giving you another way to tailor the brightness to your gathering or evening routine.

Since these string lights run on solar power, you won’t need to plug them into an outdoor electrical outlet for everyday use. The included 2200mAh solar panel absorbs sunlight during the day and stores energy for nighttime lighting. Its built-in light sensor automatically turns the lights on when it gets dark and switches them off during daylight, so you don’t have to operate them manually. For best results, place the panel somewhere sunny and free from obstructions, and use the on/off switch on the back when you want to control the lights yourself.

Related: Skip Fall Raking With Walmart’s ‘Sturdy’ Push Lawn Sweeper That Collects Leaves, Now 46% Off

They’re designed for outdoor conditions, too. The bulbs are made from shatterproof plastic, reducing the risk of breakage if they’re bumped or knocked around. The IP44 waterproof rating means the lights are protected against splashing water, making them suitable for typical outdoor use in rain and damp conditions. They’re also described as weather-resistant for exposure to sun, wind, and snow, although it’s still wise to follow the manufacturer’s guidance for severe weather and long-term outdoor installation.

One shopper highlighted the “warm, cozy glow that works great for patios or backyard seating areas,” noting that the “weatherproofing holds up through rain and wind.” They added, “The different light modes are a nice touch, and the auto‑on feature works reliably at dusk.” Another called the lights a “great value,” writing, “They are bright enough to see everything but not overwhelming and offer a relaxing ambience.” 

Shop More Outdoor Lighting Deals

• ExcMark Outdoor Solar Pathway Lights, $30 (were $55) at Walmart
• LED Decoration Solar Globe String Lights, $17 (were $25) at Walmart
• Daybetter Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Security Lights, $26 (were $39) at Walmart

If you’re looking for outdoor lighting that combines a classic Edison-bulb look with the convenience of solar power, the Volivo Solar Outdoor String Lights are worth considering. With Walmart’s current 39% discount, you can get the 50-foot strand for just $22.

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Good news for fans of the Little River Band who want to do a little “Reminiscing” live (get it?). According to a recent announcement, the iconic yacht rock group is joining forces with Southern Rock legends the Marshall Tucker Band for a short run of dates in 2027.

Dubbed the “Rivers and Highways Tour 2027,” the brief jaunt will include stops in Detroit, MI on Feb. 2, Rockford, IL on Feb. 4, and Gary, IN on Feb. 5. Tickets are on sale now.

“Little River Band and The Marshall Tucker Band have been part of the same musical family for a long time, and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and sharing the stage with those guys,” said Doug Gray, founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band, in a statement.

“There’s something special about taking these songs to the people who’ve grown up with them, while also introducing them to a whole new generation,” he added. “We’re going to have a great time, and I know these shows are going to be something special.”

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Fans on Instagram were definitely enthusiastic about the upcoming shows.

“I’m super excited for u & ur gang Doug…u have definitely lived & are still living an amazing wonderful life,” one fan wrote, with another adding, “What a show this would be.”

Indeed, Little River Band’s 50th anniversary tour last year was a huge hit with fans and critics alike.

In a February 2025 concert review for Splash Magazines Worldwide, Suzanne Magnuson said the band sounded “absolutely great.” 

“I do not know who is producing sound for this tour, but it was perfectly clear all the way to the upper balcony, where we were sitting,” Magnuson continued. “You could hear every note from every instrument and each vocalist. It was all exceptionally clear and plenty loud, but not painful or overwhelming…Little River Band has a LOT of moving parts and multiple instrument changes and it was flawless.”

The Little River Band will also be playing dates in 2027 without the Marshall Tucker Band. For more info, visit the band’s official website.

Related: In 1977, Little River Band Wrote a Song in 30 Minutes. They Almost Gave Up on It, Then It Became Their Biggest Hit

Details about a fan encroaching on Taylor Swift at a Chiefs game and filming her are becoming clearer. Per an eyewitness, the fan was repeatedly told to leave before Swift intervened.

Swift was seen in the VIP Suite on Sunday, watching her husband, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. While the Grammy Award-winning singer is used to fans and being filmed, a TikTok video showed her asking a fan to turn around and watch the action on the field instead of recording her.

Podcast host Ashlie Molstad claimed to the Daily Mail that she and a friend saw it all unfold as she was in the row underneath Swift. She recalls watching the game when “all of a sudden, she was right in our space,” and she assumed the fan had come from a nearby section.

“We were in the fifth seat in, so she had crossed over four people,” Molstad alleged. “Next thing I knew, she was right next to me shouting Taylor’s name.”

Molstad confirmed that the men who confronted the fan were, in fact, in Swift’s security, and they quickly stepped in to address the fan. She recalled them telling the fan, “These are not your seats. You need to leave.” The video also showed the fan appearing to wear a form of traditional clothing, with Molstad also detailing that the fan had said she came “a long way” and dressed in Oktoberfest garb.

Swift’s security guards were not concerned with the fans’ need to take a photo of the pop star and urged her to leave once again. Refusing to listen to security’s request, the fan “held up her phone to sneak a quick picture, and he put his hand up to block the camera.”

It was in that moment that the interaction had taken Swift’s attention away from the game. Molstad doesn’t recall exactly what was said by the singer, but she did hear her saying something along the lines of her watching the game. During the entire interaction, Swift “didn’t seem on edge” and wasn’t rude to the fan. What occurred wasn’t a “massive” confrontation.

“The frustrating part was her assuming she had the right to rush into our row and get right in Taylor’s face, which was distracting while we were trying to watch the game,” said Molstad.

The podcast host did provide more details about what Swift goes through at games. She admits it was a distraction to sit so close to the singer, as fans were yelling, holding up signs, and stopping in the aisles to get her attention instead of watching the field. The video encounter also wasn’t the only fan interaction that Swift dealt with.

According to Molstad, another patron was, at one point, pressed against the glass of the VIP Suite “flipping Swift off.” Molstad and her friend decided to alert police offers stationed outside the suite and had him removed.

Related: ‘Princess Diaries’ Star Erik Von Detten Reportedly Sued for Elder Abuse and Fraud

Few travel frustrations compare to sitting halfway down a crowded aircraft cabin, catching the scent of warm food drifting from the front galley, only to watch the flight attendant reach your row and announce that every fresh sandwich and hot meal has completely sold out. For economy passengers on mid-length flights, being left with only potato chips or salty pretzels has practically become an air travel rite of passage.

Now, United Airlines is taking steps to eliminate that onboard disappointment for tens of thousands of travelers every day.

The carrier officially expanded its United Economy meal preorder program to significantly shorter routes across North America and the Caribbean. By expanding meal preorders to flights as short as 900 miles (down from 1,190 miles), United is bringing hot food options to an additional 420 daily flights. That expansion gives up to 65,000 more flyers each day the ability to lock in their favorite meal before ever arriving at the airport.

Related: United Airlines Wants to Deliver Your Airport Snack Straight to the Gate

United Airlines

“We want our customers to have more of what they value when they fly—more choice, more convenience and a better experience onboard,” said David Kinzelman, Chief Customer Officer at United. “Expanding Economy meal preorder to millions more customers is one way we’re delivering on that, alongside the investments that make it easier to stay connected with fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members, enjoy great entertainment and get more out of their time onboard.”

The expanded cutoff brings fresh food reservations to popular mid-distance hub connections that previously fell just below the food-service line, including routes connecting Chicago O’Hare International Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Denver International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, and Houston to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Related: United Just Opened Bookings for Its ‘Most Premium’ Plane Ever

Travelers can browse and order fresh Bistro on Board selections through the United mobile app or on the airline’s website starting five days prior to departure, right up until 24 hours before takeoff. The rotating monthly menu features substantial comfort meals that go well beyond ordinary snack baskets, including a pork mojo burrito, a Chicago patty melt crafted in partnership with chef Jeff Mauro, a hot honey chicken and waffle sandwich, and a cinnamon apple breakfast waffle.

The initiative pairs alongside broader passenger upgrades rolling out across United’s fleet, including gate-to-gate Starlink Wi-Fi, larger overhead bins, and an upcoming November 1 refresh of its signature Tapas, Takeoff, and Recline snackboxes.

For travelers looking to bypass hectic airport food court lines during tight connections, reserving a hot meal directly through the app ensures lunch or breakfast is delivered straight to your tray table without the guesswork.

Related: United Just Changed Longtime Status Rules—and Loyal Flyers Have Thoughts

Getting a good night’s sleep starts with the right pillow. You want something supportive and breathable that helps you wake up refreshed—and not as if you slept on a bed full of rocks. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank in order to get a comfy pillow. In fact, Aldi is selling an affordable option right now that feels like it came straight out of a luxury hotel.

Aldi’s Kirkton House Plush Hug Pillow helps you get a five-star hotel night’s sleep for under $10. This plush, supportive pillow gives you a comfy surface to rest your head, with plenty of coziness to help you fall asleep soundly every night. It has a soft polyfill filling that gives it a plush, hotel-like feel.

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Kirkton House Plush Hug Pillow, $9.99 at Aldi

Aldi

The breathable material of this bed pillow keeps you from feeling too hot or stuffy in the middle of the night. Plus, it has a removable, washable cover to keep things hygienic. (It also comes with a bonus cover for when one is in the wash.)

At just $9.99 apiece, you could snag a few of these comfortable bed pillows and turn your bed into a cloud. These Kirkton House Plush Hug Pillows hit Aldi stores last week and are only available while supplies last. Check your store’s availability on Aldi’s website before you go, in case it’s sold out.

Related: Aldi’s Nostalgic Ceramic Holiday Village House Collection Could Pass for Lenox

Other Aldi Finds to Explore

If you’re interested in other Aldi Finds, be sure to check out these four-piece blackout curtain sets that give you a luxury night hotel’s sleep for under $15, these sophisticated chrome cordless lamps that add the coziest glow to any space, this sherpa throw blanket that’s perfect for creating a soft and layered look on your bed this fall or these pretty six-piece velvet sheet sets that are made for curling up during cozy season. You can shop Aldi Finds in the center aisle.

Related: Aldi’s Stand Mixer Is Giving Major KitchenAid Vibes for Less

There are some authors we are immediately seated for, and Daggermouth proved that H.M. Wolfe is one of them. Off the back of the success of the first book in The Heart duology, it’s not surprising that Simon & Schuster is interested in more.

Wolfe has landed a seven-figure, two-book deal for another duology. This one is also romantasy, but with more of a Gothic backdrop rather than the dystopian setting that Daggermouth brought to us. The downside? We have to wait until fall 2028 for the first book, but there is still The Heart Book 2 to come!

Wolfe soared to the No. 1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list with the release of Daggermouth. Now it’s time to get ready for These Crimson Delights, a dark Gothic romance duology.

With a Victorian London backdrop, fans of Penny Dreadful and anything Jack the Ripper-related will be drawn in. The opera setting also brings The Phantom of the Opera vibes, bringing a world of vampires, monsters, and hunters to life.

Jacqueline “Jack” Moreau is an opera performer, but she hides a dark secret about herself. She’s a vampire, albeit a good one. She rids the world of the demons and monsters out there, but to others, she’s viewed as a threat. The more she delves into the world of darkness, the more those who would hunt her find her, and she attracts the attention of a vampire slayer who only goes by the name of Death.

Suddenly, the hunter becomes the hunted, but These Crimson Delights sets the stage for a romance of epic proportions. Throw in the world of Scotland Yard and the gorgeous, yet sinister, setting of Victorian London, Wolfe promises a twisted and delicious twist on a Van Helsing/Dracula tale.

When announcing the deal, Wolfe shared, “Working with Sarah McCabe at Scarlett Press and Jason Pinter at Simon Maverick on These Crimson Delights feels like a true dream, especially after the success of Daggermouth and the incredible partnership we’ve built together. Their passion for my work and trust in my voice have given me the freedom to push further and take creative risks. I’m deeply grateful to continue this journey with such thoughtful and dedicated partners.”

Angie Ojeda Hazen, founder of Lunar Literary Agency, shared, “With These Crimson Delights, [Wolfe] takes everything readers respond to in her work, the emotional intensity, morally complicated characters, fearless romance, and immersive world-building, and pushes it into an ambitious Gothic landscape that feels entirely her own.”

Simon & Schuster holds North American rights to These Crimson Delights, and Bramble UK holds the UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding North America. Wolfe holds all key subsidiary rights, including translation, graphic audio, film and television, and merchandise rights.

Now, we just have to wait until fall 2028. The sequel to Daggermouth, titled Python, is expected in 2027.

On a book review site called Goodreads, a profile matching Luigi Mangione’s name and photo gave a 4-star review to the published manifesto of Ted Kaczynski — the Unabomber. The same profile showed him reading two books about back pain in 2022. One was called Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry. That was a year before his back surgery. Two years before he disappeared. Almost three years before a cashier at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania recognized his eyebrows.

In October 2024, someone posted on social media, tagging his account: “Nobody has heard from you in months, and apparently your family is looking for you.” He didn’t respond. Friends said he’d been in Hawaii. Some said the pain had gotten worse. Nobody knew where he’d gone or why he’d stopped answering.

Weeks later, on December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel as he walked to his company’s annual investor conference. The shooter walked into Central Park and disappeared. For five days, the NYPD circulated a photo of a young man with distinctive dark eyebrows, and the whole country watched.

On December 9, a cashier at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., looked up from the register and recognized those eyebrows. She called 911. When police arrived, Luigi Mangione was sitting at a back table eating a hash brown. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” was playing. He gave a fake name. Then he hesitated. Then he said: “Luigi Mangione.” He was 26 years old, had taken a Greyhound bus from Philadelphia, and he’d just run out of road.

Related: The BTK Killer Went Silent for 13 Years Before He Was Caught; He Came Out of Retirement in 2004 to Ask Police If a Floppy Disk Could Be Traced

The Man Nobody Recognized

The Luigi Mangione his teachers knew wasn’t the person being walked out of that McDonald’s in handcuffs. He grew up in Towson, Md., in one of Baltimore’s most established families. His grandfather Nicholas Mangione built a real estate empire that included country clubs, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities across the state. Luigi volunteered at one of those nursing homes in high school.

At the Gilman School — an elite all-boys private school in Baltimore — he graduated as valedictorian in 2016. “That’s not the boy I know,” one of his teachers said after his arrest. At UPenn, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in 2020. He moved to San Francisco to write software. Then his back started failing him.

His spine was compressing in a way that made everyday movement agonizing. In mid-2023, he had surgery. He started posting X-rays of his back on social media — images showing metal hardware in his spine. A former roommate said sometimes Mangione couldn’t move. He read books about the back pain industry.

He gave the Unabomber’s manifesto 4 stars on Goodreads.

When police searched his belongings at the McDonald’s, they found a note he’d written by hand. He took responsibility for the killing and called healthcare executives “parasites” who “simply had it coming.” He wrote that he’d acted out of years of pain and frustration with the insurance system. New York’s chief of detectives said he’d been carrying materials expressing “ill will toward corporate America.” He’d been living off the grid for months. His cousin, Maryland state delegate Nino Mangione, said the family was “shocked and devastated.”

On August 14, 2026, Luigi Mangione walked into Manhattan federal court — shackled at the feet — and pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking resulting in death. He didn’t cut a deal. He told the court he’d followed Brian Thompson to the investor conference and shot and killed him outside the hotel. “I knew what I was doing was illegal,” he said. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Federal sentencing is scheduled for December 2026. He’s pleaded not guilty to state murder charges, which are still pending.

His family’s nursing homes are still open in Baltimore.

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All aboard! Nestlé Toll House is taking fans on a magical adventure to the North Pole. Okay, maybe not literally, but they’re giving us the next best thing: new treats inspired by The Polar Express.

We know it’s only October, but winter will be here before you know it. And for some people, the holidays aren’t just a recurring date on the calendar, but a state of mind. For these year-round celebrators, the Christmas music playlist is on heavy rotation, festivities have no real start or end date (aside from what’s on their advent calendars) and Nestlé Toll House’s new Polar Express cookie dough will be a welcome early arrival.

So before you go planning your first holiday movie night or cookie swap, here’s everything you need to know about the new limited-edition Toll House drops.

Nestlé Toll House Gets a New Polar Express-Inspired Cookie Dough, Morsels

The new holiday baking lineup arrives 22 years after The Polar Express debuted. Some may find that a little stale, but the numbers say otherwise: the animated musical remains one of the season’s most popular and most-watched films. Its status as a Christmastime classic is what inspired the new Nestlé Toll House release.

Related: Nestlé Toll House Just Reimagined Its Classic Cookie Dough in 3 ‘Bold’ New Ways

“Holiday baking taps into the nostalgia of the season and brings back the cherished traditions and special moments we remember from growing up,” Melanie Knoke, Sr. Marketing Manager at Nestlé Toll House, shared in a statement. “At Nestlé Toll House, we wanted to evoke those memories by capturing the enchanting spirit of The Polar Express and create a new way to enjoy holiday movie nights with freshly baked cookies alongside friends and family.”

According to an email shared with Parade, the collection includes more than just a limited-edition cookie dough; it also includes festive morsels.

• Nestlé Toll House The Polar Express Cookie Dough (14-ounce package, MSRP $4.99): Try Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough with Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow Flavored Morsels and festive holiday sprinkles. Each cookie bakes up with a crispy edge and soft, chewy center, for the iconic homemade taste fans know and love—dancing chefs not included.  
• Nestlé Toll House The Polar Express Morsels (9-ounce bag, MSRP $5.79): Make any holiday treat feel more special with rich hot cocoa and marshmallow-flavored morsels. Enjoy straight from the bag, mix into cookies, brownies or a favorite recipe, or use to top festive treats and snacks. 

Nestlé Toll House

Nestlé Toll House said its new Polar Express-themed treats are available at retailers nationwide now (prices may vary), and some eager shoppers have already spotted the cookie dough on shelves. But just like the train, the new items won’t be waiting around forever. Once the season is over, they’ll be wiped from shelves and that silver bell will stop jingling—at least until next year, if we’re lucky.

Next: Pepperidge Farm Toasts to the Holidays With New Cocktail-Inspired Milano

If you’ve been missing one of Subway’s most memorable sandwiches from the 2010s, you’re in luck. The sandwich chain is bringing back a fan favorite that hasn’t been on the menu in 12 years, and it’s not the only nostalgic treat making a comeback.

Subway’s Fritos Chicken Enchilada Sub is returning to participating restaurants nationwide starting Oct. 27, along with the Caramel Apple Cookie, which hasn’t been available since 2021. And, to celebrate National Sandwich Day a little earlier than usual, Subway is also offering a special BOGO footlong deal for a limited time.

National Sandwich Day is normally observed on Nov. 3, but Subway is getting the celebration started a week early. “We weren’t going to let National Sandwich Day become an afterthought,” said Jeff Klein, chief marketing officer at Subway. “Especially with the Fritos Chicken Enchilada Sub making a comeback that our fans and franchisees have been asking for.”

For those who don’t remember the original, the Fritos Chicken Enchilada Sub combines rotisserie-style chicken marinated in enchilada sauce with crunchy Fritos corn chips and smoky Baja Chipotle sauce. It’s finished with Monterey Cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and red onions.

The Caramel Apple Cookie is also making its long-awaited return after five years away from Subway’s menu. The sweet treat combines apple pieces, caramel chips and salted caramel crunch, all topped with a drizzle of caramel icing.

How to Get Subway’s BOGO Footlong Deal

The footlong BOGO promotion runs from Oct. 27 through Nov. 8, and will be automatically added to current and new Sub Club loyalty program members’ wallets in the Subway app, so be sure to join the Sub Club to take advantage of the offer. The offer is redeemable only at participating Subway restaurants and applies only to app and online orders. The deal also excludes Fresh Fit, 5 Meat Italian, and Big Hot Pastrami sandwiches.

In 1976, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers debut album featured the hits “American Girl” and “Breakdown,” but hidden amid the breakout hits was the track “Fooled Again (I Don’t Like it)”.

Written by Petty, the song features a haunting guitar riff and angry lyrics about deception, with Petty’s drawling voice giving the song a signature ‘70s swagger.

“Looks like I’ve been fooled again,” he sings. “Looks like I’m the fool again/I don’t like it.”

Fifty years later, “Fooled Again” has been re-released as part of the Origins 1971-1978 box set in a special 50th Anniversary Edition.

“Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)” is the seventh track off of ‘Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,’ the band’s 1976 self-titled debut via Shelter Records,” a post on the band’s official Facebook notes, adding that 50 years later, the new version features “a never-heard-before extended outro” and is mixed and re-mastered from the original multi-track tapes by producer Ryan Ulyate.

In addition, a new music video for the classic song, directed by Alan Bibby includes rare footage from the Heartbreakers performing the song on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test in the late 1970s.

You can see it below:

Petty, who died in October 2017, once revealed that songs like “Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)” were written as a way for him to release his emotions.

“I had an explosive side,” he told Rolling Stone. “It wasn’t that easy to set me off. But when it happened, I lost it in a big way. I’ve learned to control that. But I had a tough childhood and took a lot of abuse. That rage was in me, and when it got away from me, I didn’t know how to control it. But I could vent it in this music.”

He singled out “Fooled Again” while speaking with Georgia Straight in the late 1970s.

“When I write, I can’t say something I don’t really feel,” the Heartbreakers frontman said. “I really have to feel it and the riff or the lyric or the phrasing has to fit. It all has to fit together and it has to be simple so it is direct and retains its conviction.”

“I can sing a song like ‘Fooled Again’ with conviction because I know what that lyric is about and why I wrote it,” Petty explained. “It will never lose its edge for me because I know how I felt when I wrote that lyric and when I sing it I still feel it. I just couldn’t do it any other way. That would be dishonest to me, and one thing rock and roll has always had going for it is its honesty. That’s what rock and roll is—honesty. And I have to tell the truth.”

Decades after its original release, “Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)” remains one of Petty and the Heartbreakers’ most memorable early album tracks, a classic that is finally getting the attention it deserves decades later.

Related: 1979 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Song Opened With a Mysterious Voice That Wasn’t Supposed to Be Heard

Matthew Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing marrying Monica Geller on Friends gave viewers one of the sitcom’s most memorable romantic moments. However, for Perry’s family the wedding episode from Season 7 had a deeply painful reality which the audience could not see on television.

Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, has opened up about the actor’s struggles during the period when he filmed the wedding storyline. She stated that Perry had just left rehab since his problems with alcohol and drugs had worsened between Seasons 5 and 7.

In an interview with People Magazine, Bowick said that everyone in the family knew how serious his disorder was, which gave rise to the feeling of not knowing what was going to happen.

“We all knew how serious his disorder was, so there was this sense of, ‘Who knows what’s going to happen?’” Bowick told the outlet.

FRIENDS — “The One With Ross’ Tan” — Episode 3 — Aired 10/9/2003 — Pictured: (l-r) Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller-Bing, David Schwimmer as Dr. Ross Geller

NBCU Photo Bank

She also remembered that the fictional wedding showed what her brother had wanted for himself outside of Hollywood. “When we saw that wedding, we all knew that he had wanted that in life; he wanted a partner and he wanted children,” she said.

The way Chandler ends happily while Perry has to go through personal difficulties provides an alternative view of a scene which Friends fans have greatly valued over the years; even though Chandler ended up in a lasting relationship with Monica, portrayed by Courteney Cox, Perry kept on having to struggle with his recovery.

Matthew Perry’s Sister Opens Up in New Netflix Documentary

Bowick’s reflections are included in The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part documentary on Netflix which looks at the late actor’s life, his career and the difficulties he experienced when he was away from the spotlight.

The series was directed by Mary Robertson, who has won an Emmy, and includes statements from Perry’s sister, her lifelong friends and fellow creative collaborators. Moreover, it makes use of photographs and videos from the Perry family’s private archive which have never been released before.

The documentary will premiere on October 27, 2026, which is one day prior to the third anniversary of Perry’s death.

Remembering the ‘Friends’ Star

Perry attained household fame by playing the character of Chandler throughout all ten seasons of Friends, a show that lasted from 1994 to 2004; his excellent sense of comedy and use of sarcastic one-liners meant that Chandler became a favorite with fans, even though the actor was struggling with addiction for a large part of his life.

Perry passed away on 28 October, 2023, at the age of 54; his open talks on addiction and recovery had also made him an advocate for those experiencing similar difficulties.

The documentary is intended to present a more comprehensive view of the man who created the popular sitcom character, combining the recollections of people who knew him apart from his fame on television.

Related: 1966 Love Ballad by Beach Boys Named ‘Best Pop Song of All Time’ Became an Anthem for Heartbreak

Related: Sylvester Stallone Reveals How His Rivalry With Arnold Schwarzenegger Really Began

Related: ‘Boston Blue’ Showrunners Reveal What It Would Take to Bring Back Tom Selleck

Related: ‘Lanterns’ Season 1 Ending Explained: Who Killed Hal Jordan? Who Is the Other Manhunter?

Many fans might still be mourning the end of the popular CBS comedy Young Sheldon, but one person whpo isn’t necessarily broken up about the sitcom’s ending is the series star, Iain Armitage.

According to US Weekly, a new book centered around the series, Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy, features several interviews with many of the show’s cast and crew.

In reflecting on his tenure on the hit CBS sitcom, lead star Armitage admitted he was the cast member “most happy about the show ending,” as he didn’t want to keep on playing the character of Sheldon Cooper into his twenties.

In the book, Armitage revealed that he wasn’t “going home and crying all day” like some of his cast members when they found out the show was ending. While he admitted that the emotions he felt were “heavy and annoying and weird,” he nevertheless didn’t want to “stay in that heaviness forever.”

“Plus, I wanted to be in Virginia. I wanted to be traveling, and I’m happy to do whatever movie comes up,” Armitage said. “And my mom has always imbued me with a very healthy sense of ephemerality, and the fact that nothing good can last and everything changes, and that’s a good thing.”

“I would hate to be on a show playing 23-year-old Sheldon,” the actor continued. “That would suck. I wouldn’t want to do that.”

Elsewhere in the book, several of Armitage’s cast members shared the same sentiment, mentioning that the young actor seemed ready to leave the series after an impressive seven seasons on CBS.

“And Iain was ready, too … to move on to something else, artistically, and maybe personally … with things that boiled up a little bit toward the end of the season,” said Lance Barber, the actor played Sheldon’s dad, George Sr. “I think a lot of people felt there were certain elements of the show that they were ready to move on from.”

John Maloof was looking for old photos of Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood for a small book he was co-writing when he bought a box at a local auction in 2007 for $400, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The box came from a repossessed storage locker, per WTTW News.

The box held about 30,000 negatives, WTTW News said, and Maloof, then a 26-year-old real estate agent, did not know what he had. “I didn’t have any level of expertise to know what I was looking at,” he said. He put the negatives in a closet, and about six months later, after he started taking photographs himself, he recognized the talent in them, according to WNYC.

The photographer was Vivian Maier, who was born in New York City in 1926 and worked as a nanny for about half a century, per Smithsonian. She never exhibited her work while she was alive, the Sun-Times reported. Maier died in April 2009, and when Maloof searched her name, the only result was an obituary from a few days earlier, WTTW News said.

Maloof later bought the boxes other buyers had taken from the same auction, per WTTW News. He told the Sun-Times he now owns about 120,000 of the roughly 140,000 known Maier negatives. A 2011 Smithsonian article put his holdings at 100,000 or more.

Some of her pictures spread online after Maloof posted them on Flickr, and they went viral in October 2009, according to WBEZ. Maloof estimated that only about 500 have been exhibited or published. “We cherry-picked her best work,” he said.

Maloof also co-directed the documentary “Finding Vivian Maier” with Charlie Siskel. It was nominated for best documentary feature at the 2015 Academy Awards, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, though “CitizenFour” won the Oscar. The film follows Maier’s story through unseen photographs and films and interviews with people who knew her, according to the film’s website.

A selection of 140 images and videos from the Maloof Collection went on view in “Vivian Maier: Anthology” at the Charles Nègre Museum of Photography in Nice, France. The show ran from Oct. 19, 2024, to March 16, 2025, and was curated by Anne Morin, according to the museum.

Maloof also owns items that belonged to Maier. Heritage Auctions held an online sale of them that closed on Oct. 7, 2025, with 33 lots of prints and 17 lots of hats, dresses, costume jewelry and newspaper clippings, each starting at $100. Proceeds went to the Soi Dog Foundation, an animal welfare group Maloof supports, the Sun-Times reported.

Aside from Maier’s negatives and personal effects, there were also other unusual finds that ended up selling at auctions. One example is Atari’s buried games that were dug out of a New Mexico landfill in 2014, which later sold for more than $100,000 per cartridge on eBay.

To everyone in Wichita, Kan., Dennis Rader was exactly the kind of neighbor you’d want on your block. He was the president of the congregation at Christ Lutheran Church. He was a Cub Scout leader. He was the compliance officer who’d show up at your door if your grass got too long or your dog got loose. He’d lived in the same Park City house his whole adult life. He had a wife and two kids. He went to Sunday services. For 17 years, he also killed people, and nobody had any idea.

He’d murdered four members of the Otero family on January 15, 1974 — Joseph Sr., 38; Julie, 33; and two of their children, Josephine, 11, and Joey, 9 — cut the phone line, walked in, and didn’t leave until all four were dead. Then he went and got a job.

From 1974 to 1988, Rader worked for ADT Security Services in Wichita installing home alarm systems. His co-workers called him Blue Book Man because he’d memorized the entire company policy manual. He was meticulous. The whole city was terrified of a serial killer on the loose called BTK, “Bind, Torture, Kill,” and ADT’s business had never been better. People who’d never thought about home security were suddenly calling for installations.

At one point, a co-worker asked Rader directly whether she should get an alarm system to protect herself from BTK. He told her not to bother. He said BTK usually cuts the phone lines before entering a house. It disables the alarm. She was asking the killer how to protect herself from the killer, and he talked her out of even trying.

He killed six more people between 1974 and 1991. He sent taunting letters to police and newspapers the whole time — poems, drawings, crime scene photos. He loved the attention. He needed it. Then in 1991, he stopped. No more murders. No more letters. For 13 years Wichita slowly exhaled. Most investigators assumed BTK was dead or locked up somewhere for something else. He wasn’t. He was at Sunday services. He was writing citations for unleashed dogs.

Related: Richard Ramirez Terrorized All of California for 14 Months and Was Never Caught by Police; His Neighbors Recognized Him From a Newspaper Photo and Took Care of It Themselves

In January 2004, the Wichita Eagle ran a 30th anniversary story about the BTK murders. The article suggested the killer had probably died or wound up in prison for something else. Rader read it and decided to correct the record. For a man who’d successfully stayed hidden for 13 years, the decision to come back for attention was the only mistake he ever made. He started sending packages to police and local media practically every month — cereal boxes, padded envelopes, letters, drawings. He was enjoying himself.

Then he got confident. He sent a message asking police whether he could communicate via floppy disk without being traced. “Can I communicate with Floppy and not be traced to a computer?” he wrote. “Be honest.” Police placed a coded ad in the Wichita Eagle: “Rex, it will be OK.” On February 16, 2005, Rader sent a purple 1.44-megabyte Memorex floppy disk to local TV station KSAS-TV and waited to see what happened next.

“How Come You Lied to Me?”

Officer Randy Stone of the Wichita Police Department examined the disk. He found metadata in a deleted Microsoft Word document that Rader hadn’t realized was still there. The document had been created by a user named “Dennis.” It was linked to “Christ Lutheran Church.” Rader’s home computer had been broken, so he’d brought his murder correspondence to his own church and typed it up there. A quick internet search turned up “Dennis Rader” listed as president of the congregation. Police confirmed the connection with security footage of a black Jeep Cherokee. DNA matched evidence from multiple crime scenes. On February 25, 2005, Rader was driving home from his job as a compliance officer for lunch when police surrounded his car and arrested him.

Dennis L. Rader, who admitted to being the BTK serial killer, entering El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas on August 19, 2005.

AFP / Getty Images

During interrogation, he was furious. “How come you lied to me?” he asked investigators. He’d expected honesty from the people he’d been taunting for 30 years. He pled guilty on June 27, 2005, and gave a graphic account of all 10 murders in open court. He was sentenced to 10 consecutive life terms — a minimum of 175 years without parole. He’s been at El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas ever since.

In August 2023, investigators from Osage County, Okla., dug up Rader’s former property in Park City, Kansas, and found pantyhose and other items of interest. Sheriff Eddie Virden said Rader is now the prime suspect in the 1976 disappearance of 16-year-old cheerleader Cynthia Dawn Kinney from Pawhuska, Okla. Rader’s been uncooperative.

His daughter Kerri Rawson — who visited him in prison in June and July 2023 to try to get him to talk — flew to Oklahoma to help investigators herself. She’s the subject of a Netflix documentary, My Father the BTK Killer. When she visited him, he didn’t recognize her at first. “He’s lost like seven inches, and he’s in a wheelchair,” she told NewsNation. “He’s pretty much rotting to his core.” He spent 30 years outsmarting everyone. A floppy disk ended it.

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Cracker Barrel is getting into the holiday spirit with a pair of new menu items that put a festive twist on two of the restaurant chain’s fan favorites.

The homestyle restaurant’s 2026 holiday menu has arrived, bringing new Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes and a Country Fried Turkey Sandwich to locations nationwide. And, if you’ve been waiting all year for the return of Cracker Barrel‘s seasonal comfort foods, there are plenty of familiar favorites making a comeback, too.

Cracker Barrel is launching its “Get Your Season’s Worth” campaign, an initiative designed to help guests get more meaningful moments spent around the table with their loved ones out of the coming 2026 holiday season.

“Some of the best holiday memories happen when you’re not planning on making them,” said Sarah Moore, chief marketing officer at Cracker Barrel. “That’s what ‘Get Your Season’s Worth’ is all about. We’re bringing the food, traditions and country hospitality that make those moments special to the table all season long.”

Cracker Barrel’s new Country Fried Turkey Sandwich features a crispy turkey tenderloin topped with gravy and served with cranberry relish for a festive twist.

Cracker Barrel

First up are Cracker Barrel’s two all-new menu items for the holidays. Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes channel the flavors of the chain’s Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, served as buttermilk pancakes swirled with cinnamon filling and topped with cream cheese icing. The breakfast comes as a meal, served with two eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage.

Next up is the Country Fried Turkey Sandwich, a new take on Cracker Barrel’s fan-favorite Country Fried Turkey. The sandwich features a crispy turkey tenderloin smothered in gravy, served on a toasted bun with cranberry relish for a sweet and savory holiday twist.

Returning favorites in this year’s holiday lineup include the Country Fried Turkey entree, Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Breakfast, Cinnamon Swirl Latte, and DIY Hot Chocolate. And, Cracker Barrel is still providing Thanksgiving heat-and-serve meals to allow guests to skip the stress of cooking and enjoy a holiday meal with all the fixings with their family this season.

Cracker Barrel’s Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Meals Are Back for 2026

There’s the Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Turkey Family Dinner, priced around $119.99, which includes an oven-roasted turkey breast, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish and sweet rolls, and serves four to six people. Then, there’s the Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Turkey Feast, which costs around $189.99 and feeds eight to ten people. This version includes everything in the smaller meal in amounts that serve eight to ten guests, plus pumpkin and pecan pies for dessert.

Cracker Barrel’s Thanksgiving Heat & Serve meals are back for 2026, featuring turkey, classic holiday sides and all the fixings for a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.

Cracker Barrel

And, if Cracker Barrel desserts are all you’re after for your holiday dinner, holiday pies start at around $14.99 and come in flavors like pumpkin, pecan, chocolate pecan, cinnamon roll, and more.

Pre-orders for heat-and-serve Cracker Barrel meals can be done through the Cracker Barrel app or at CrackerBarrel.com, with pickup available from Nov. 21 through Nov. 29.

For travelers staring at an ambitious global bucket list, the dream of circumnavigating the globe often collides with eye-popping luxury price tags that routinely soar past $70,000 or even $100,000 per person.

But extended world travel does not have to drain an entire retirement nest egg. Known across the industry for offering some of the best per-night values on the high seas, MSC Cruises has officially opened bookings for its 2029 World Cruise—an extraordinary 119-night voyage visiting 45 destinations across 21 countries that costs surprisingly close to everyday living expenses back home.

Setting sail in early January 2029 aboard the newly updated MSC Magnifica, introductory interior cabin fares on MSC’s full world journeys typically start in the neighborhood of $20,699 per person based on double occupancy. When you break that down across nearly four full months at sea, it works out to roughly $170 per person, per day. For less than the cost of a standard weekend hotel stay in most major American cities, guests receive complete ocean transit across five continents, all onboard meals and lodging, entertainment, and a massive list of built-in extras.

Prefer a window or private outdoor space? Ocean view cabins start at $22,849 per person, while balcony staterooms begin at $28,719 for the 119-night voyage.

Related: The Golden Rules of Stress-Free Cruising, According to a Lifelong Traveler

Every full-itinerary ticket automatically bundles 15 guided shore excursions led by local experts in premier ports, a complimentary Dine & Drink beverage package covering house wines, draft beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, and an automatic 30% discount on shipboard laundry service.

Departing from four Mediterranean gateway ports—Civitavecchia (Rome) on January 4, 2029, followed by Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona—the sailing charts a course across the Atlantic, down South America, and into the South Pacific before embarking on a rare, complete circumnavigation of Australia. Guests will explore wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island, the red-sand coast of Broome, tropical Darwin, and the renowned vineyards near Adelaide, alongside extended cultural stops across Lombok, Java, and northern Bali in Indonesia.

Related: This 115-Day World Cruise Visits 49 Destinations—Including a First-of-Its-Kind Shore Excursion

To make the trip feel unhurried, the itinerary builds in nine multi-day overnight port calls in major bucket-list hubs, including Rio de Janeiro, Ushuaia, Sydney, Fremantle (Perth), and Singapore.

Cruisers seeking elevated luxury can also book into the ship’s brand-new MSC Yacht Club, the line’s private “ship-within-a-ship” retreat featuring 24-hour butler service, exclusive gourmet dining, and a dedicated sun deck. Furthermore, classic-tier MSC Voyagers Club members lock in an automatic 5% booking discount, while travelers who secure their cabin before November 19, 2026, receive triple loyalty points credited prior to departure.

Related: MSC’s Next Mega-Ship Is Adding a 1980s ‘Dirty Soda’ Bar and a Futuristic Lounge

Singer Jade Thirlwall has shared her reaction to Kylie Jenner walking the runway at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show to her debut solo single “Angel of My Dreams.”

The former Little Mix star shared a clip of her TikTok page riding the London Underground while playing her 2024 single.

Related: Tate McRae Turns Heads in Red Lingerie While Debuting New Song at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Looking around the tube, she joked: “Nobody on this tube knows that my debut single was playing while Kylie Jenner wore the fantasy bra at the VS fashion show.”

Jade captioned the clip: “@kyliejenner love u.”

She was a member of Little Mix – alongside Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock – from 2011 until the band went on hiatus in 2022.

Jade released her debut solo single, Angel of My Dreams, in 2024, which peaked at number seven in the UK Singles Charts.

She released her debut album, That’s Showbiz, Baby!, last year and went on to win Best Pop Act at the 2025 BRIT Awards.

Kylie hit the runway at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show on Sunday, October 18, wearing the coveted $50,000,000 Fantasy Bra.

It marked the first time the bra had been seen on the runway since 2018, and the first time a non-angel working with the lingerie brand had worn it.

The bra includes a $22,000,000 yellow diamond centrepiece and 4,410 natural diamonds.

Models such as Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, and more have previously donned the Fantasy Bra.

She completed the look with a simple miniskirt, Perspex heels, and towering white angel wings.

Explaining why Jenner was chosen for the honour of wearing the Fantasy Bra at the Los Angeles event, Adam Selman, EVP, Chief Creative Officer at Victoria’s Secret & Co., told Vogue, put it down to the cosmetics mogul being a “cultural powerhouse.”

“Kylie really extends beyond fashion, beyond culture, beyond TV, beyond one singular thing,” he explained.

“That’s the exact same thing that we do. Like, the show is so big; it’s true entertainment, and I think that she is a great catalyst for that. She’s really created her own culture, which – how many people can say that?”

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As temperatures drop, shoppers may be looking to swap their summer bedding for something a little warmer. A lightweight quilt is a great way to add an extra layer of comfort for chilly nights without the bulk of a heavy comforter. If you’re looking to score some new bedding for less, Walmart has a budget-friendly find on sale right now.

Right now, Walmart is selling the Ameha 3-Piece Quilt Set in full/queen size for just $19, down from $21. The reversible quilt features an embossed chevron pattern and scalloped edges along the bedspread and matching pillow shams. Made from ultrasoft, breathable microfiber, it’s designed for year-round use. At under $20, it’s an affordable way to update your own bedding, spruce up a guest room, or keep an extra quilt on hand for cooler nights.

Ameha 3-Piece Quilt Set, $19 (was $21) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The Ameha quilt set is available in twin, full/queen, king, and California king sizes, and right now every option is priced under $29. The twin set includes a 66-by-86-inch bedspread and one 20-by-26-inch standard pillow sham. The full/queen set comes with a 90-by-96-inch bedspread and two standard pillow shams, while the king set includes a 106-by-96-inch bedspread and two longer king pillow shams. Shoppers can also choose from 15 colors, including rust, beige, navy blue, and peach.

The quilt is designed to be durable and uses ultrasonic quilting technology that prevents unraveling over time. It’s also machine washable, so you can just throw it in the wash when it’s time to clean. This set is Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified, meaning the materials have been tested for harmful substances. 

Walmart shoppers praise the quilt’s year-round appeal, with one reviewer calling it a great choice for “both winter and summer.” Another shopper loved the look and feel, writing, “The color is vibrant and exactly as pictured, and the material is incredibly soft and comfortable.” 

Shop More Deals

• Dakimoe Sleep Cardigan, From $20 (was $29) at Walmart
• Costway 4-Tier Stackable Storage Bins, $55 (was $99) at Walmart
• Idealsoul 9-Drawer Wave Fluted Dresser, $180 (was $346) at Walmart

Related: Botanical Bedding Is a Hot Trend, and Walmart’s ‘Beautiful’ Tulip Comforter Set Nails the Look for $36

At just $19, the Ameha 3-Piece Quilt Set at Walmart is an affordable way to update your bedroom as fall sets in. Whether you’re changing up your own bedding, preparing a guest room, or keeping a spare quilt on hand, it’s a simple way to give your bed a new look without spending a lot. 

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Even before John Carpenter had become one of Hollywood’s most influential horror film directors, a science fiction film had a decisive effect on his life.

While speaking in an interview with The Associated Press about his career as a filmmaker, Carpenter revealed that he was only eight years old when he went to the theater and saw Forbidden Planet in 1956. The experience of watching that film on the big screen led him to decide that he wanted to make movies professionally.

When thinking about the moment which inspired his career in filmmaking, Carpenter said, “In 1956 I was eight years old and I went to see a film named Forbidden Planet, which had a tremendous impact on me and as a result I decided that I wanted to be a director. Look at me now. Here I am.”

John Carpenter reveals which movie inspired him to become a filmmaker.#JohnCarpenter #Halloween #MichaelMyers pic.twitter.com/5LkiUR3WzH

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 21, 2026

The experience turned out to be far more than just a memorable visit to the cinema; Forbidden Planet, which was directed by Fred M. Wilcox, took the audience to a futuristic world and included an electronic score composed by Bebe and Louis Barron.

The film’s strange sound and its imaginative narrative made a deep impression on the young Carpenter and thus influenced his aspirations as a film maker.

Years later, the Halloween helmer was able to look back on a career which had developed from that childhood dream. When reflecting on his journey he stated, “I’m extremely pleased and I’m truly satisfied. It’s really wonderful. I’ve been able to live out my dream, man.”

John Carpenter’s Lasting Influence on Horror Movies

Carpenter went on to direct some of the most well-known genre films in Hollywood such as Halloween (1978), The Fog (1980), Escape From New York (1981), The Thing (1982) and Big Trouble in Little China (1986).

Halloween turned out to be a pivotal moment in his career and played a key role in the creation of the modern slasher movie. Meanwhile, The Thing became a landmark in the realm of science-fiction horror because of its intense atmosphere and the use of practical creature effects.

In addition to directing, Carpenter developed his own particular musical style by composing the memorable electronic scores for many of his films; the minimalist theme he created for Halloween is especially easy to identify and shows the same interest in sound and atmosphere which first attracted him as a child.

For Carpenter, there has been true satisfaction in being able to turn his passion into a career that he has pursued for the rest of his life; his memory also gives a view of the way a single experience of going to the cinema can have an impact on a person’s future by inspiring a creative career that goes on long after the original film has gone out of cinemas.

Related: Ethan Hawke Calls Out Hollywood’s ‘Greedy’ Power Players: ‘Their Lives Are Worthless’

Related: ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel Will Honor Patrick Swayze, But Won’t Bring Him Back

Related: 1984 Movie, Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a Cyborg, Named One of the Greatest Sci-Fi Movies of All Time

Related: Michael Douglas Reveals the ‘Hardest’ Conversation He Ever Had With Dad Kirk Douglas

Dancing with the Stars delivered an emotional Dedication Night on Oct. 20, and one of the most special dances of the evening brought a beloved 1990s television show to the forefront for the second time in a week.

In one of the most emotional moments of the night, Tatyana Ali honored her late Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star James Avery with a stunning Viennese waltz with her partner Jan Ravnik.

Avery played wealthy businessman Phillip Banks, and Ali was his daughter, Ashley, on the TV sitcom, which aired from 1990 to 1996 on NBC. The Fresh Prince also co-starred Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, and more.

“He was very much a father figure for all of us,” Ali said of Avery in her DWTS intro package. “He taught me that what you do can be more than just a job — it can be how you contribute, how you share, as an artist and as a performer. …I loved him a lot, so I knew that if I made it to Dedication Night that it had to be to him. I miss him.”

For the dance, DWTS host Ribeiro joined Ali onstage, saying he felt blessed to join his TV sister to pay tribute to Avery, who died in 2013 at age 68.

“My heart is full because how lucky are we to get to have this experience together again,” Ali said. “I think [Avery] would be really proud.”

The dance received high praise from judges Bruno Tonioli,  Carrie Ann Inaba, and Derek Hough, but Fresh Prince had been on everyone’s minds for days before.

Days earlier, DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy had referenced the show in a threatening TikTok comment aimed at Inaba after she criticized his wife Jenna Johnson’s choreography on Super Bowl Night. “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” Chmerkovskiy wrote, referencing Smith’s famous 2022 Oscars altercation with comedian Chris Rock.

Chmerkovskiy apologized and was suspended from DWTS for this week, but on social media, some fans felt it was unfortunate that his post took away from Ali’s poignant Fresh Prince theme for her dance.

Ali posted a TikTok video ahead of her Dedication Night dance, and became emotional as she spoke about her close relationship with Avery, who was a father figure to all of the Fresh Prince cast.

She also “hearted” a comment that read: “This is why I’m so mad Val used James legacy, your legacy, your work to threaten Carrie Ann. I love the show and I’m so happy I grew up with James Avery on my screen.”

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Other fans felt that Chmerkovskiy’s post tainted Ali’s loving tribute to her Fresh Prince days.

“Can we acknowledge the tough position Val put Alfonso and Tatyana in,” one fan wrote on X. “Alfonso has to stand next to him as he gets critiques from the woman, CAI, he threatened using a show he was on. Tatyana is doing a tribute to her TV dad from said show.”

Another wrote that Chmerkovskiy’s post put Ali’s dance “in a weird place which is not fair.” “The show was a big part of her life and the fact that Val might f— that up is terrible,” the DWTS fan added.

“Leave it to Val to taint the most wholesome episode of the season,” another X user agreed.

The Fresh Prince drama didn’t affect this week’s Dancing With the Stars eliminations. At the end of Dedication Night, it was announced that all of the celebrities are “safe” this week, but that two couples will go home on next week’s Halloween-themed Night.

Related: Jenna Johnson ‘Had a Good Cry’ After Carrie Ann Inaba’s Harsh ‘DWTS’ Critique