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Longtime SNL staple and breakout cast member Dana Carvey is speaking out in defense of Shane Gillis after the comedian’s controversial monologue divided fans a few weeks back.

On October 10, Gillis stepped in as the guest host of Saturday Night Live, where he promptly outraged some fans after joking about women’s clothing apparel at the gym.

I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dress like wh*res now?” Gillis said during his monologue. “You’ve seen the shorts? They’re those neon, like, artificial bait-colored [shorts], and the wrinkles go around the cheeks and all combine at the butthole. And don’t look! You’re not allowed to look.”

Gillis’s comments led to severe backlash for the popular comedian, with many describing his joke as offensive, sexist and misogynstic in nature.

“Women wearing short shorts at the gym does not make them wh*res. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists,” Dan Levy of Schitt’s Creek fasme shared in an Instagram Reel. “I’m speechless that something like that can exist on live national television. And to be perfectly honest, more men need to be standing up in opposition to it because it’s complacency that has created the environment in which women are sexually assaulted and it’s a ‘conversation’ as opposed to a ‘crime.’”

Speaking about the controversy on his Fly on the Wall podcast with David Spade, Carvey defended Gillis’s monologue, calling his comments “a joke” rather than a serious statement.

“I just didn’t understand the kerfuffle only because, to me, I just saw it as what we call — I’ll just say it — a joke,” Carvey said.

“Like, when you say jokes, you’re not literally saying women are whores. You are literally joking. Isn’t that kind of the idea? No? Did I just get canceled?” the comedian joked.

Carvey’s cohost and fellow SNL alum David Spade inserted his own take on Gillis’s jokes, saying, “Listen, it got some laughs. I think he knows that one’s going to be a button-pusher, but he doesn’t care.”

“If something kills, it gets a pass,” Spade said of overall humor employed on SNL. “If something totally bombs, then they get in a lot of trouble.”

Some animals have well-known group names. Wolves live in packs, fish swim in schools and cows gather in herds. But when several owls come together, the English language gives them a much more distinguished title.

With their enormous eyes, solemn expressions and mysterious nighttime habits, owls have fascinated people for centuries. They’ve appeared in mythology, literature and folklore, often representing wisdom or secret knowledge. Their collective name fits that reputation perfectly, even if the birds themselves aren’t especially sociable.

So, what do you call a group of owls, and where did the unusual name come from? Here’s everything you need to know.

Related: 101 Bird Puns That Will Make You Quack Up

What Is a Group of Owls Called?

A group of owls is called a parliament. The term is the best-known collective noun for these birds, although several less familiar alternatives exist.

The name brings to mind a gathering of serious-looking owls discussing important matters. It’s an amusing image, especially considering their reputation for wisdom.

Unlike a pack of wolves or a herd of elephants, however, a parliament of owls isn’t something people frequently encounter in nature. Most owl species spend much of their lives alone or with a mate.

Related: The 5 Best Bird Watching Spots in the U.S. for Retirees

Why Is a Group of Owls Called a Parliament? Ural Owls

Krzysztof Baranowski / Getty Images

According to Merriam-Webster, the word “parliament” refers to a legislative assembly. Applied to owls, the term creates an amusing picture of serious-looking birds gathered to deliberate, much like lawmakers. It’s a fitting comparison for animals that have long symbolized wisdom.

While the exact origin of “a parliament of owls” isn’t certain, literature helped make the expression familiar.

One influential example appears in The Silver Chair, the 1953 novel by C.S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia series. The story features a gathering of talking owls who meet to discuss important matters. Lewis helped popularize the phrase, although it appeared in print decades before his novel.

The expression may also have a connection to The Parliament of Fowls, a 14th-century poem by Geoffrey Chaucer featuring an assembly of birds. However, there’s no definitive evidence that Chaucer originated the owl-specific term.

The name also suits the owl’s longstanding association with wisdom. In ancient Greek mythology, the owl was associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom.

Are There Other Names for a Group of Owls?

Parliament is the most recognizable term, but several alternatives appear in collections of animal group names:

• A stare of owls: A reference to their large eyes and intense gaze.
• A wisdom of owls: A nod to their traditional association with intelligence.
• A bazaar of owls: An unusual expression found in some collective-noun lists.
• A study of owls: Another imaginative name reflecting their serious appearance.

These alternatives are much less established than “parliament” and are generally considered playful expressions rather than scientific terminology. Wildlife researchers typically use practical descriptions such as a pair, family group or communal roost.

Related: Which Bird Mirrors Your Soul, Based on Birth Month

Do Owls Actually Live in Groups? Eurasian Pygmy Owl

Krzysztof Baranowski / Getty Images

Despite their impressive collective name, most owls are solitary birds. Many species maintain territories, hunt independently and come together primarily for breeding.

However, there are exceptions.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, long-eared owls sometimes gather in communal roosts outside the breeding season. These groups can contain as many as 100 birds.

Such gatherings are particularly associated with winter, when multiple owls may rest in sheltered locations during daylight hours. Long-eared owls also occasionally nest in loose colonies, although they generally hunt independently.

Other owl species may be seen together as breeding pairs or family groups while young birds still depend on their parents.

What Is a Baby Owl Called? Tawny Owl Owlet

Andyworks / Getty Images

A baby owl is called an owlet.

Owlets typically hatch covered in soft down and depend on their parents for food and protection. Their development varies by species, but young owls generally remain near their nests before becoming independent.

Some leave the nest before they can fly well. These youngsters may climb or hop along nearby branches while their parents continue feeding them.

Finding a young owl outside its nest doesn’t necessarily mean it has been abandoned. Its parents may still be caring for it nearby.

7 Fascinating Facts About Owls

Owls have remarkable adaptations that help explain why they’ve inspired so much curiosity.

1. Owls Can Turn Their Heads Up to 270 Degrees

Owls can’t rotate their heads completely around, despite the popular myth. However, they can turn their heads approximately 270 degrees in either direction.

This flexibility compensates for their relatively fixed eyes, allowing them to scan their surroundings without moving their bodies.

2. An Owl’s Eyes Don’t Move Like Human Eyes

Unlike humans, owls have elongated, tube-shaped eyes that remain largely fixed in their sockets. They must turn their heads to look in different directions. Their specialized eyes are particularly useful for locating prey in low-light conditions.

3. Many Owls Can Fly Almost Silently

As the National Audubon Society explains, specialized wing feathers help reduce turbulence and dampen flight sounds. This allows many owl species to approach prey without being easily detected. It may also help them hear faint sounds while hunting.

4. Not All Owls Are Nocturnal

Although owls are famous for hunting at night, some species are active during daylight hours. Snowy owls and short-eared owls, for example, may hunt during the day. Activity patterns depend partly on habitat, season and prey availability.

5. Some Owls Have Unevenly Positioned Ears

Many owl species have asymmetrically positioned ear openings that help them pinpoint sounds. Their facial feathers also help direct sound toward their ears. And those prominent feather tufts on great horned owls? They’re not ears.

6. Owls Regurgitate Pellets

Owls often swallow small prey whole, including bones and fur they cannot digest.

These materials are compressed into pellets and later regurgitated. Scientists examine owl pellets to learn about the birds’ diets and local food webs.

7. Owls Live on Every Continent Except Antarctica

Owls inhabit forests, deserts, grasslands and Arctic tundra. Different species have adapted to different environments and food sources, helping explain their widespread distribution.

What Is the Difference Between a Parliament and a Flock of Owls?

Both expressions can describe multiple owls, but they serve different purposes.

A flock is a general term for a group of birds. A parliament is the distinctive collective noun traditionally associated with owls.

Neither term implies that the birds have a formal social hierarchy or live together permanently.

Why the Name Parliament of Owls Has Endured

Of all the imaginative collective nouns in English, “a parliament of owls” is especially memorable because it matches the way people perceive these birds. Their large eyes and solemn expressions make them look like thoughtful observers, while their quiet movements add to their mysterious reputation.

Although actual gatherings of owls are relatively uncommon, their unusual collective name has earned a lasting place in the English language.

Related: What Do You Call a Group of Otters?

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.

The Kennedy family has endured decades of heartbreaking losses, political scandals and unexpected deaths. Now, news of Kyle Kennedy’s death at 42 has brought renewed attention to the infamous “Kennedy curse,” a phrase associated with the American political dynasty for generations.

Kyle, the granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, died at her home in Westwood, Massachusetts, on September 21, 2026. Her cause of death remains pending, and the circumstances are under investigation.

Kyle was the daughter of Michael Kennedy, who died in a skiing accident in 1997. She also experienced a devastating personal loss when her infant daughter, Josephine, died days after birth. In 2020, Kyle suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed. Despite the challenges, she became an advocate for people with disabilities and testified about discrimination in health care.

Her death has once again drawn attention to the family’s long history of tragedy.

What Is the Kennedy Curse?

The expression refers to a series of deaths and misfortunes that have affected members of the prominent family. According to The Guardian’s historical account, the losses began decades ago and continued across multiple generations.

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the eldest son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, died in 1944 during a military aviation mission in World War II. His sister Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish died in a plane crash in 1948.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Five years later, his brother Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Further tragedies followed. Robert’s son David died in 1984, while another son, Michael, died in a skiing accident in 1997. In 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette died in a plane crash.

Why the Family’s History Still Resonates

The phrase gained particular attention after Ted Kennedy’s 1969 Chappaquiddick incident, in which Mary Jo Kopechne died after a car driven by the senator plunged into the water.

As HISTORY explains, the incident damaged his presidential ambitions.

Although the tragedies are real, there is no established evidence of a supernatural curse. For many, the expression remains a shorthand for the extraordinary succession of losses endured by one of America’s most recognizable families.

If watching Hallmark Christmas movies puts you in the mood to get crafty, Michaels has a new holiday partnership that could make your season a little more festive.

The arts and crafts retailer is teaming up with Hallmark for a series of free holiday crafting events at stores across the U.S. and Canada, along with exclusive Christmas merchandise inspired by the network’s new holiday movie, Holiday Unplugged.

Beginning Nov. 1, shoppers can participate in hands-on holiday activities, including making Christmas cards, ornaments and other festive creations. And, according to a Michaels representative who spoke with Parade, nearly all the workshops are free, with one requiring participants to purchase a skein of yarn.

Hallmark’s new Christmas movie, Holiday Unplugged, starring Nikki DeLoach and Juan Pablo Di Pace, premieres Nov. 7 on Hallmark Channel and inspired the network’s holiday crafting partnership with Michaels.

Hallmark/Michaels

It’s all inspired by Holiday Unplugged, a Hallmark original holiday movie that premieres on Nov. 7 on Hallmark Channel and the next day on Hallmark+. This marks Michaels’ first time partnering with Hallmark on a holiday film. And, since the film focuses on stepping away from screens and reconnecting through hands-on experiences and holiday traditions, it’s a natural fit.

Michaels also conducted research with market research firm Morning Consult and found that 80% of parents surveyed are seeking hands-on, screen-free holiday activities. To help families find ways to connect this season, the craft retailer will hold Hallmark-inspired classes throughout November and December at all Michaels stores across the U.S. and Canada, according to a company representative. The classes are free, with the exception of the Dec. 6 Hand-Knit Yarn Muff workshop, which requires participants to purchase one skein of yarn.

Michaels’ 2026 Hallmark Holiday Craft Events: Dates and Activities

The lineup of Hallmark-inspired classes at Michaels this season includes:

• Nov. 1 | Hand-Stitched Card (1–3 p.m.): Use yarn and foam to create a textured, embroidered holiday greeting card.
• Nov. 8 | Holiday Ornament (1–3 p.m.): Make an ornament with foam and pom-poms or design a personalized holiday decoration.
• Nov. 14 | Kids Club: Air-Dry Clay Figurines (10 a.m.–noon): Sculpt a custom holiday figurine from air-dry clay.
• Nov. 15 | Cookie Cutter Clay Ornaments (1–3 p.m.): Create clay ornaments using cookie cutters, paint and foliage for added texture.
• Dec. 6 | Hand-Knit Yarn Muff (1–3 p.m.): Learn to hand-knit a project and get ideas for handmade gifts.
• Dec. 12 | Kids Club: Painted Wood Ornaments (10 a.m.–noon): Personalize wooden ornaments with paint.
• Dec. 13 | Holiday Junk Journal (1–3 p.m.): Create a holiday keepsake to document and personalize seasonal memories.
• Dec. 19 | Kids Club: Cookie Decorating (10 a.m.–noon): Decorate cookies with festive designs using provided supplies.

These and more Michaels holiday crafting classes can be registered for at Michaels.com/classes. Additional on-demand Hallmark-inspired classes will be available at the same link, including a calligraphy class and other holiday projects.

Michaels is also hosting a special Hallmark Holiday Workshop on Nov. 7, featuring two projects designed by Hallmark. Unlike the other holiday craft events, this workshop will take place at just two Michaels locations: New York City and Lenexa, Kansas, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet Hallmark artists.

Michaels’ exclusive Hallmark holiday merchandise includes festive mugs and home decor, available in stores and online as part of the retailers’ Christmas collaboration.

Michaels/Hallmark

In addition to the holiday crafting events, Michaels is rolling out an exclusive collection of Hallmark Christmas merchandise in stores and online. The festive assortment includes holiday-themed mugs, journals and other seasonal finds designed to bring a little extra Christmas cheer to your home. The collection will be available at Michaels stores and Michaels.com during the holiday season.

“Hallmark has an incredible ability to capture the traditions, togetherness and sense of magic people associate with the holidays,” said Heather Bennett, president and chief customer officer at Michaels. “At Michaels, we believe creativity has the power to make those moments even more personal — whether it’s making a handmade gift, decorating for the season or starting a new tradition. This partnership brings two brands together around something we know our customers value: creating meaningful moments with the people they love.”

John Goodman has turned his life around recently concerning his health by dropping 200 pounds, which has received praise. The actor admits that shedding the weight does have a drawback.

The Roseanne actor has never been shy about admitting that he’s had issues with alcohol and drinking during some of the highs of his career. In an interview with The New Yorker, Goodman looks back at what led him to lose weight, its connection to his drinking, and how he feels now.

Goodman was 55 years old when he got sober in 2007, and he reveals, “There’s a saying in the rooms: I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. The thing about instant gratification is you don’t really care what’s going to happen right after it—which always led to bigger hangovers or me getting the shakes, and having to drink to get rid of the shakes, and that vicious cycle.”

“I was in a position, when I quit, where I had to be hospitalized one way or the other. I just was tired of it, and I wanted to stop. I was delaying my maturation by drinking, and I had a lot of catching up to do, just realizing how selfish it made me. I was overlooking real life. And it was great to see there was a life where I didn’t have to use anything to enjoy it.”

The Big Lebowski star adds that he has had a history of dropping and gaining weight before he quit drinking. He would lose sixty pounds in one summer and gain it back just as quickly, and the cycle would start again. His weight gain and loss were always in the double digits.

“I took steps so I wouldn’t have to do that anymore. I was almost four hundred pounds. I was eating alcoholically after I stopped drinking,” he said.

Variety / Getty Images

To help with maintaining a healthier body weight, Goodman has an operation done on his stomach. He doesn’t reveal which procedure he had, but admits that losing layers of fat caused a small health concern.

“I had an operation on my stomach. But I also turned anemic and lost a layer of fat under my skin, and I’m cold all the time,” explained Goodman.

In 2016, Goodman told ABC News that he also went on a weight loss journey because he got “tired of looking at myself.” He explained not wanting to look at himself when shaving in the mirror, and admitted it’s a “dangerous” thing.

The actor now has his favorite workout methods to stay in shape at 74 years old, which include walking his dog and doing some “boxing.” He admits that he didn’t start boxing to cause damage, but to simply get good cardio hitting the mitts and learn along the way.

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

The holidays are almost here, and Hotel Lobby Candle is already setting the mood for the coziest time of year.

Founded to recreate the signature scents of five-star luxury hotels, the luxury home fragrance brand is introducing two new scents inspired by snowy landscapes and cozy nights indoors, giving shoppers a new way to bring the feeling of a seasonal escape home.

Hotel Lobby’s Alpine Holiday collection launches October 22, featuring two new fragrances, Fresh Snow and Après Ski, alongside the return of Holiday, a longtime seasonal favorite.

This year, the brand is introducing two brand-new scents, Fresh Snow and Après Ski, alongside the return of Holiday.

Hotel Lobby Candle

Fresh Snow is designed to capture the stillness of a mountain morning just after a snowfall. The new scent combines notes of powdered snow, velvet magnolia, jasmine sambac, white suede, and warm musk for a fragrance inspired by a quiet winter landscape.

“Wake up to fresh powder outside your window, wherever your window happens to be,” the website description states.

For something a little warmer, Après Ski takes its inspiration from coming inside after a day on the slopes, kicking off your boots, and settling in for the night. The fragrance blends mountain air with cozy cashmeran, tonka bean, vanilla bourbon, and glowing embers, evoking an evening spent unwinding by a crackling fire after hours in the cold.

The collection also brings back Holiday, the brand’s established seasonal favorite. The festive fragrance layers evergreen, fresh pine, balsam fir, and blue spruce for a classic Christmas-tree-inspired scent.

“There’s something really magical about checking into a beautiful hotel that’s completely decked out for the holidays,” founder Lindsay Silberman tells Parade. “With the Alpine Collection, we wanted to bottle that feeling—even if your holiday getaway is the guest room where your mother-in-law keeps her exercise bike. You light a candle, and suddenly you feel like you’ve checked into somewhere a little more fabulous.”

The three candles will be available to shop on Hotel Lobby Candle’s website and will retail for $58.

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

Whether you’re an indecisive person or typically get dressed while you’re still half asleep, you know that it’s not always easy piecing together a cohesive outfit in the morning. It can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming, leaving you with hardly any time for the rest of your morning routine. If you tend to experience decision fatigue, you may want to invest in a matching set. You can throw it on without hesitation for an ensemble that looks effortlessly put-together. If you’re looking for a set that prioritizes both comfort and style, you’re going to want a chic lounge set. 

Walmart carries a ton of budget-friendly options, and this Uvn 2-Piece Matching Hoodie and Sweatpants Lounge Set at Walmart is one of our favorite finds. There’s no better time than right now to snag it, because it’s currently on sale for nearly 50% off for a limited time with a flash deal. Normally retailing for $47, this set is now marked down to $24, which means that you’re getting each piece for just $12! This lounge set is available in 10 colors, including black, blue, navy blue, brown, burgundy, caramel, gray, green, pink, and red. Sizes range from small to 3XL, and shoppers noted that it fits true to size. 

Uvn 2-Piece Matching Hoodie and Sweatpants Lounge Set, $24 (was $47) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Comfortable enough to wear while lounging around at home yet cute enough to wear out and about, this matching lounge set captures the essence of stylish comfort. Made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, the fabric is soft to the touch. The spandex and ribbed knitting give this set some stretch, allowing you to move with ease instead of feeling stiff or restricted. Thanks to the polyester and spandex blend, this set is easy to care for. Whenever it needs a refresh, just toss it into the washing machine and hang it up to dry afterward. 

Ideal for fall outings and lounging sessions, this set provides ample coverage to keep you warm. However, it’s breathable and lightweight enough to keep you from overheating. You can wear it alone on mild fall days, and layer it with other pieces when the temperatures start to drop in the winter. 

Uvn 2-Piece Matching Hoodie and Sweatpants Lounge Set, $24 (was $47) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The hoodie has a baggy silhouette and an oversized fit, offering plenty of room to move without the fabric clinging to your skin. Featuring drop shoulders and a relaxed drape, it has a laid-back vibe. The sweatshirt’s roomy hood can easily be popped up whenever you need additional warmth. For convenience, the hoodie has a spacious kangaroo pocket where you can store your on-the-go essentials or tuck in your hands to keep them toasty. 

Completing the set, the matching pants have a flowy wide-leg silhouette to give your legs some breathing room. The waistband is equipped with an adjustable drawstring so you can tailor the tightness to your preference. The sides of the pants boast additional cargo pockets, giving you various storage options. 

Uvn 2-Piece Matching Hoodie and Sweatpants Lounge Set, $24 (was $47) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

While the ribbed-knit fabric gives this set some stretch, it also elevates the appearance by adding some texture and dimension. Whether you throw it on to run errands, stroll around town, or laze on your couch, this matching set ensures that you look effortlessly put-together while delivering all-day comfort. You can also have some fun with it and style the top and bottom separately with other pieces in your closet. 

Walmart shoppers absolutely adored everything about this set, including the quality, comfort, and style. “This outfit is so comfortable and so cute,” one reviewer raved. A second customer commented that it’s “beautiful and looks great.” A third person described the fabric as “so soft.” 

Shop More Matching Lounge Sets 

• Patpat 2-Piece Henley Long-Sleeve Ribbed-Knit Lounge Set, $25 (was $42) at Walmart
• Redess 2-Piece Crewneck Long-Sleeve Lounge Set, $20 (was $35) at Walmart
• Sunbs 2-Piece Hoodie and Sweatpants Lounge Set, From $30 (was $60) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s Cozy $20 Sleep Cardigan Comes in 15 Holiday-Ready Prints, Solid Colors, and Classic Plaids

If you want something comfortable, chic, and easy to throw on for nearly any casual outing, don’t hesitate to snag the Uvn 2-Piece Matching Hoodie and Sweatpants Lounge Set at Walmart while it’s still on sale for just $24! 

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

We have all experienced that sudden, subtle shift in temperature during an otherwise pleasant conversation. You are sharing a story about your week, offering a personal insight or simply recounting a movie you watched last night, when someone interjects to correct you or share an “enlightening” view on the subject. They do not raise their voice, and they certainly do not use outwardly aggressive language. Yet, in a split second, you feel deflated, invalidated and suddenly defensive.

If this psychological phenomenon feels all too familiar, you are likely dealing with a covert know-it-all—and they are likely using one specific, innocent-sounding word to undercut your authority.

While overt arrogant “smarty-pants” personalities are easy to spot from a mile away with their bluster and chest-puffing, covert know-it-alls operate far more stealthily. They wrap their need for conversational dominance in the polite guise of “helpful correction” or “setting the record straight.” However, the emotional toll on the receiving end is remarkably consistent: a quiet erosion of your confidence and a lingering sense that your contributions to the conversation simply do not matter.

Mental health professionals emphasize that language is rarely neutral when power dynamics are at play. The words people choose—even the briefest conversational transitions—reveal deep-seated motivations regarding control, self-esteem and social status. Understanding the hidden mechanics behind these linguistic habits is the first step toward reclaiming your agency in conversations that feel subtly hijacked.

Related: Psychologists Warn Against Using This Common 4-Word Phrase To Shut Down Disagreements

The One Word Covert Know-It-Alls Use To Shift Power

According to psychologists, the most common weapon in a covert know-it-all’s conversational arsenal is the word “actually.”

On its surface, “actually” appears completely benign. It functions as an adverb meant to clarify facts or correct a harmless misunderstanding. But when weaponized by someone with a persistent need to be the authority in the room, it becomes an instrument of subtle condescension.

“Individuals who regularly begin statements with phrases such as, ‘Actually, that’s not true,’ or ‘Actually, here’s what really happened,’ tend to position themselves as the authority on a subject, often implying that others are mistaken,” Dr. Sarah Jane Khalid—a UK-based counseling psychologist, coach and meditation teacher—explained in a past Parade article about phrases know-it-alls use often. “This manner of speaking goes beyond simply sharing opinions; it can come across as both dismissive and irritating, as it suggests the speaker is correcting others rather than engaging in a balanced exchange of views.”

Related: Psychologists Warn: These 9 Phrases Can Make You Sound Arrogant

When a person drops an “actually” into dialogue, it immediately signals a conversational shift from collaborative exchange to a debate. It sets up an unspoken hierarchy: you were wrong or incomplete, and they are here to provide the definitive truth.

Psychologists note that this habit often stems from an internal vulnerability rather than genuine intellectual superiority.

“It’s a real phenomenon among people who lack a certain amount of self-awareness to recognize their shortcomings,” Dr. Khalid stated regarding know-it-all behaviors.

For these individuals, admitting that someone else holds accurate information or a valid perspective feels like a loss. Using “actually” allows them to regain the upper hand almost automatically, reframing the moment so that they remain the most knowledgeable person in the room.

Related: 11 Habits That Make You ‘Instantly Unlikable’ in Group Settings, According to Etiquette Experts

How To Shut Down a Covert Know-It-All Without Escalating

Recognizing the subtle sting of “actually” is half the battle; knowing how to respond gracefully without sparking an unnecessary argument is the other. Because covert know-it-alls thrive on subtle power plays, engaging in a direct battle of facts often plays right into their hands, prolonging the tension.

Psychological experts recommend several strategic ways to redirect the conversation while protecting your boundaries:

1. Compliment their knowledge, then change course: You can neutralize their need for validation by briefly acknowledging their input before redirecting the focus. Dr. Khalid suggested a response such as, “You’re always so informed about this subject matter! But I’m curious, what do you think about…?” This quells their competitive drive while steering the dialogue back to a balanced ground.
2. Turn the tables with light banter: A gentle, humorous remark can illuminate their behavior without triggering intense defensiveness. If they use “actually” to correct a tiny detail, a playful phrase like, “Whoa, are you secretly writing an encyclopedia on this?” can defuse the moment and prompt them to reflect on their constant correcting.
3. Establish a “correction-free zone”: In social settings where relaxed connection is the goal, setting a clear, warm boundary can work wonders. Dr. Khalid notes that letting people know a gathering is a relaxed space free from debates or constant corrections creates a comfortable environment for everyone involved.
4. Redirect with curiosity: Channel their impulse toward something constructive. Saying, “It seems like you’ve read a lot about this—what’s the most interesting thing you learned?” shifts their stance from condescending corrector to informative contributor.

By recognizing “actually” for what it often is—a tool for subtle dominance—you can stop taking the bait, maintain your composure and keep your conversations grounded in mutual respect.

Adapted from Parade’s “7 Phrases You’ll Often Hear From a ‘Know-It-All,’ According to a Psychologist” by Ashley Broadwater.

Up Next:

Related: Psychologist Says People Who Handle ‘Difficult People’ Well Usually Do These 5 Things

Source:

• Dr. Sarah Jane Khalid is a counseling psychologist, coach and meditation teacher based in the UK. She is listed on Doctify, a healthcare review platform.

In a day and age when comedians seem to be under a microscope (ahem, Shane Gillis), jokes never seem to have a limit, no matter the topic—including one’s own suicide attempt.

The fiery funnyman known as Carrot Top, who has been a fixture on the Las Vegas Strip for decades and a Luxor mainstay since 2005, captured headlines from seemingly every news outlet when he tried to take his own life inside his Las Vegas home on Sept. 18.

Now back onstage again to a sold-out crowd, the Vegas Strip staple was back to slinging jokes and pulling shock props from his signature red chest.

But before the show really got rolling, Carrot Top addressed the crowd the only way he knows how: with humor and honesty, even putting an elephant with red hair on the screen behind him as a not-so-subtle nod to addressing the elephant in the room.

His first moments back were met with shocked laughter from the crowd as he poked fun at his own suicide attempt and the difficulty of figuring out what was appropriate to joke about before proceeding to pull out a decidedly “not appropriate” prop as a joke within a joke.

That item was a noose, followed by another noose around a rubber chicken, which the crowd seemed to relish with roars before Carrot Top admitted he didn’t know what to talk about during his first show back, even joking that “people in Nebraska have no idea what I’ve done.”

His usual routine then kicked off as the music cued and Carrot Top declared, “We’re gonna talk about having a show in Las Vegas!”—seemingly signaling that the past is the past and he’s ready to continue his decades-long run as one of Vegas’s premier acts.

Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, wait, it’s… UNDERDOG!

According to ABC7, everyone’s favorite canine superhero is officially returning to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 42 years.

Based on the hit TV series of the same name, the original version of Underdog’s float appeared in every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1964 to 1984, quickly becoming a longtime fan-favorite for parade attendees across the country.

The new version of the float will offer an updated version of Underdog, standing at 28.8 feet tall.

Premiering on NBC on October 3 , 1964 before transitioning to CBS until 1967, Underdog followed the titular superhero who defended his recurring love interest, Sweet Polly Purebred, from dastardly villains like Simon Bar Sinister and Riff Raff.

Among the early Saturday morning cartoons of its era, the show became known for its trademark theme song, with many fans quoting the lyrics in the initial online announcement from ABC7.

“I still remember that from 60 years ago,” one nostalgic fan shared on Facebook. “But I don’t remember where I left my keys.”

“Not bird nor plane or even a frog, just little old me, Underdog,” another user quoted.

“I was one of the Underdog handlers on his last flight in the ’80s!” added a third fan. “Great to know he’s back!”

The upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to take place on Thanksgiving, November 26, beginning at 8:30 AM. The parade will feature 24 main floats alongside numerous other characters and designs.

For the 2026 Thanksgiving Day Parade, fans can look forward to seeing an even mix of classic returning floats and new floats, including Tom Turkey, Santa’s Sleigh, Harry Potter, Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes and Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice-themed Mickey Mouse, among many, many others.

There’s something incredibly comforting about a steaming bowl of ramen, especially when the temperatures start dropping. Rich, flavorful broth, perfectly chewy noodles, and all those delicious toppings make it one of those meals that always hits the spot. The only problem? Unless you live near an authentic ramen restaurant, getting a good bowl isn’t always easy.

Sure, there’s instant ramen. And while those inexpensive dried noodles have gotten plenty of us through college, late nights and more than a few questionable dinner decisions, the beloved sodium-laden packets aren’t quite the same as slurping up a restaurant-quality bowl.

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But what if you could have the real deal waiting in your freezer? That’s the idea behind Crafty Ramen, a popular Canadian ramen brand founded by Michelin-trained chef Jared Ferrall and his wife, Miki. After building a following north of the border, the company is bringing its restaurant-inspired frozen ramen to thousands of grocery stores across the United States.

And just like that, the frozen food aisle is looking a whole lot more interesting.

From a Tiny Canadian Noodle Shop to U.S. Grocery Stores

Crafty Ramen

Crafty Ramen’s story begins in 2010, when Jared and Miki met in Vancouver, where Miki had moved from Japan to study English. The couple eventually moved to Japan together, where they both attended the Yamato School of Ramen in 2012. They also traveled throughout the country, learning from ramen masters and immersing themselves in the techniques and traditions behind Japan’s beloved noodle dish.

Armed with that knowledge—and a few recipes from Miki’s family—they returned to Canada and opened Crafty Ramen, a tiny 24-seat noodle shop in Guelph, Ontario, on Valentine’s Day in 2017.

According to the company’s origin story, the couple expected a relatively quiet opening. Instead, they found a line of hungry customers stretching around the corner. Not exactly a bad problem to have on your first day in business.

The restaurant developed a loyal following, but when the pandemic arrived in 2020, the couple began looking for ways to bring their ramen experience into customers’ homes. They started with meal kits featuring the same ingredients used in their restaurant, eventually developing a frozen version that could go straight from the freezer to the dinner table without sacrificing the flavors and textures that made their ramen popular in the first place.

Fast-forward to 2026, and Crafty Ramen is making its biggest move yet. The company announced plans to expand into more than 4,200 U.S. retail locations this fall, including major chains such as Target, Kroger, Sprouts and Albertsons.

According to its website, Crafty Ramen has already sold more than 1.5 million bowls of frozen ramen.

Not bad for a little noodle shop that started with just 24 seats.

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What Makes Crafty Ramen Different From Instant Ramen?

Crafty Ramen

Let’s start with the obvious: This isn’t your typical 99-cent package of dried noodles with a small silver seasoning packet tucked inside.

Crafty Ramen uses scratch-made noodles, flavorful broth, proteins and vegetables to create the kind of complete ramen bowl you’d expect in a restaurant. The company even uses noodle-making machines imported from Japan to produce its noodles.

And unlike popular instant varieties, there’s no powdered broth to mix, no separate toppings to prepare, and no water to add. Everything comes frozen together. Just heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, and dinner is served in about six to eight minutes.

Of course, traditional ramen is practically an art form in Japan, but that doesn’t mean the couple is afraid to get creative. As the company puts it, “The only rules of ramen are to constantly bend the rules.”

And judging by some of the flavors they’ve developed, they’re taking that philosophy pretty seriously.

The company’s U.S. lineup includes five varieties:

• Spicy Pork Miso: A rich, spicy miso ramen featuring pork chashu, corn, green onions, and chili crunch.
• Chicken Shoyu: A chicken-based take on the classic soy sauce-inspired ramen.
• Spicy Chicken Tantanmen: A spicy, Japanese-inspired variation of a noodle dish with roots in Chinese dan dan noodles.
• Shiitake Pork Shoyu: A savory mix of pork, mushrooms and shoyu.
• Brisket Birria: A creative mashup that brings Mexican-inspired birria flavors into a bowl of Japanese ramen.

That last one might raise a few eyebrows among ramen traditionalists, but given the brand’s philosophy, it’s probably exactly what Jared and Miki had in mind.

And while these frozen bowls cost considerably more than a packet of instant noodles, they’re designed as a complete meal rather than a quick noodle fix. Think of it as the difference between grabbing a snack and treating yourself to dinner.

Where to Find Crafty Ramen in the U.S.

Crafty Ramen began appearing in U.S. grocery stores earlier this fall, with Sprouts and Schnucks among the first retailers to carry the brand. The brand is also expanding to Target, Kroger, Albertsons and other regional grocery chains, though availability will vary by location.

At Target, four varieties have been listed for $7.99 each: Spicy Pork Miso, Chicken Shoyu, Spicy Chicken Tantanmen and Brisket Birria. You can also visit Crafty Ramen’s website to find a retailer near you.

With colder weather on the way, a restaurant-inspired bowl of ramen ready in minutes is a pretty good reason to make a little extra room in the freezer.

And since this whole thing started with two people who loved ramen enough to go to school for it, it’s pretty satisfying to know all the rest of us just have to heat it up.

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When most people think about eating for heart health, the advice tends to circle back to the same handful of foods: leafy greens, olive oil, nuts and, almost always, salmon. There’s good reason for that reputation. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that have been shown to lower inflammation, support healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the overall risk of heart disease. It’s also an easy protein to dress up for a weeknight dinner with a quick bake or sear, which is part of why it’s become the go-to fish for anyone trying to eat more heart-consciously.

But salmon isn’t the only fish worth stocking in your kitchen, and it isn’t always the most practical one either. It can be pricier than other proteins, and fresh fillets don’t keep for long once you bring them home, which means a forgotten fillet in the back of the fridge is a common kitchen casualty.

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Cardiologists say there are several other fish that offer many of the same cardiovascular perks, several of which are shelf-stable, inexpensive and sitting in the canned goods aisle right now, ready whenever you need them. One of them, in particular, has built a reputation as a nutritional powerhouse, even though it rarely gets the spotlight salmon does.

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The Canned Catch Cardiologists Say Belongs Next to Your Salmon

That overlooked option is sardines. Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, Cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer, VitalSolution, previously told Parade that sardines belong on the short list of fish that offer many of the same heart-health benefits as salmon. “Other fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include sardines, trout, mackerel and herring,” Dr. Serwer said.

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Like salmon, sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, the fats widely credited with lowering triglycerides and reducing inflammation throughout the body. They’re also typically sold packed in oil or water, which means there’s no prep required, no risk of the fish going bad before you get around to cooking it, and no need to plan a specific night around using them up. A tin can sit in the pantry for months and still be a legitimate heart-healthy option on a night when cooking feels like too much.

Why Vitamin D-Rich Fish Like Sardines Matter for Your Heart

Sardines’ benefits don’t stop at omega-3s. Dr. Serwer also pointed to vitamin D, a nutrient found in sardines as well as salmon, trout, mackerel and herring, as another reason these fish deserve a regular spot in a heart-healthy diet. He said vitamin D “can lower triglyceride levels” and has “also been shown to reduce the risk of arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms.” Since many people don’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone, especially during colder months, working it in through food is one more reason sardines earn a place on the list.

Related: We Asked 3 Dietitians What They Eat When They’re Hungry Before Bed, and They All Said the Same Thing

That combination of omega-3s and vitamin D is part of why cardiologists tend to recommend fatty fish as a category rather than singling out just one option. Dr. Serwer noted that salmon is best prepared baked, broiled or grilled rather than fried, since frying adds excess calories and saturated fat—guidance that applies just as well to sardines and their canned-fish counterparts. Sardines can be eaten straight from the tin, mashed onto toast with a squeeze of lemon, or tossed into a pasta or salad for an easy protein boost.

For anyone looking to eat more heart-consciously without a bigger grocery bill or more time at the stove, a tin of sardines may be one of the simplest upgrades to make.

Adapted from Parade’s Cardiologists Say This Fatty Food Is Actually Great for Heart Health by Emily Laurence Sardinha.

Up Next:

Sources:

• Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, Cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer, VitalSolution

Prince Harry plans to keep his mother’s memory alive for as long as possible, but it wasn’t always easy for him to reflect on her death.

During a recent interview with GQ, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, sat down with host Zach Baron to chat about what it’s been like moving back to the U.K. after living in the United States for six years. Within that conversation, he opened up about the daily struggle of grieving his mother, the late Princess Diana.

Diana tragically died on August 31, 1997, at just 36 years old, following a car crash in Paris. Her sudden death sent shockwaves around the world, sparking an outpouring of sympathy as millions mourned the loss of The People’s Princess.

The Duke of Sussex arriving at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards, presented by ATCO, held at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, south London. The awards celebrate individuals, organizations and communities who embody the resilience, service and unconquered spirit at the heart of the international Invictus Movement. Picture date: Thursday September 17, 2026. (Photo by Ben Whitley/PA Images via Getty Images)

He was only 12 years old when his mother passed, while his older brother Prince William was 15. When GQ asked how Prince Harry has been able to process the loss of his mother over the years, he described his current grieving journey as getting “better and harder.”

“Therapy was the thing that really changed it for me,” Prince Harry told GQ. “Because it gave me permission to grieve and acknowledge the fact that, yeah, losing your mom really sucks. You’re allowed to cry about it.”

Harry confirmed that he hadn’t cried in about 20 years, “despite trying hard. But again, I think the harder you try to cry, the harder it becomes to actually pull that off. Crying eventually feels great. It really does. The suppression of grief, the suppression of feelings, is a really interesting thing, but when I tried therapy, it didn’t take me that long to realize, ‘Wow, I’ve been numb to this.'”

MAJORCA, SPAIN – AUGUST 10: Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Harry on holiday in Majorca, Spain on August 10, 1987. (Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images)

“So when I talk about, yes, it’s become better and harder; it’s become better for so many different reasons because now I can be really emotionally connected to my friends, family, and specifically my children,” he added. “But at the same time, with the state of the world, I’m more sensitive to things that back then I was probably more numb to. So, I look at it in a very interesting way.”

Prince Harry, 42, has been married to former actress Meghan Markle, 45, since May 2018, when the couple tied the knot in a fairy-tale royal wedding at Windsor Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex share two children: Prince Archie Harrison, 7, and Princess Lilibet Diana, 5. Their daughter’s name holds special significance, honoring both Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet.

He admitted there are times when he wishes he could go back to his old self and block out certain things, but he acknowledges that there’s beauty in vulnerability and having a balance between the two.

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Prince Harry has been learning how to process and manage his grief for years, citing tools and advice therapists have offered him to explore different aspects of his emotions.

While everyone’s experience with grief is unique, he knows that it’s something everyone will have to deal with at least once in their life. He admitted that when he speaks candidly about topics like this, it is also to help others who might be having a hard time.

To learn more, watch Prince Harry’s full GQ interview below.

Sunday Rose Kidman Urban is opening up about having famous parents.

In a recent interview with Vogue Germany, the 18-year-old model shared what it’s like to be the daughter of incredibly talented parents, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.

“I’m very aware that I’m given opportunities that not everyone can have, and I’m truly grateful to be able to take advantage of them,” she said.

“So when I’m at work, I make sure to always give my best, never come to work with a negative attitude, no matter how tired or jet-lagged I may be, and treat everyone with respect,” Sunday Rose continued.

The outlet asked the teenager if she ever avoids telling people about her Academy Award-winning mother and Grammy Award-winning father.

“Not really. I mean, I haven’t intentionally told anyone, but not that many people live in our area, so I think most people just knew when I started school,” she replied.

“Funnily enough, I think school is what keeps me grounded the most when I’m modeling. When I started, I wasn’t sure how to cope with the contrast between those two worlds,” Sunday Rose added. “But now I’ve found a way to enjoy modeling, traveling and experiencing all these amazing things with these amazing people, and then coming back here and enjoying the comforting feeling of routine and going to school.”

She made her runway debut in October 2024 for Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2025 Paris Fashion Week show. Sunday Rose admitted that Kidman wouldn’t let her model until she was 16. She reflected on her first show.

“I remember arriving there and thinking I knew so much about modeling, but in reality, I knew nothing at all,” she said. “There’s so much work behind a show, so many people, so much organization — it’s truly insane. And it’s very inspiring to see it all!”

Bruno Mars has made Billboard chart history. After briefly losing the top spot to Drake and Don Toliver’s “Solar Eclipse,” his hit “I Just Might” has returned to No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking its record-breaking 32nd week at the top.

The song’s latest achievement, on the chart dated October 24, makes it the longest-running No. 1 in the ranking’s history, which dates back to October 1958. “I Just Might,” released through Atlantic Records, surpasses Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” which spent 31 weeks at No. 1 in 2025. 

For the tracking week of October 9-15, “I Just Might” earned 5.3 million official streams, reached an airplay audience of 51.9 million and sold 1,000 copies in the United States, according to Luminate.

Recent years have seen several songs enjoy historic runs on Billboard’s charts. In 2026, Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” set a new benchmark on the Hot 100, while Bad Bunny’s “DTMF” broke a record on Hot Latin Songs. 

“I Just Might” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated January 24, becoming Mars’ fifth song to top the ranking. His previous leaders were “That’s What I Like” in 2017, “Finesse” with Cardi B in 2018, “Please Me” with Cardi B in 2019 and “Leave the Door Open” in 2021 with Anderson. Paak as part of their duo, Silk Sonic.

Since landing at No. 1, “I Just Might” has been overtaken by just two songs, both featuring Drake. His song “Janice STFU” held the top spot for seven weeks between May and June, while “Solar Eclipse,” his collaboration with Don Toliver, briefly claimed No. 1 in October.

The song’s success has also carried over to other Billboard charts. “I Just Might” became Mars’ 10th No. 1 on the Hot 100 and topped both the Pop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay charts. It also reached No. 2 on Adult R&B Airplay.

The track served as the lead single from Mars’ fourth solo studio album, The Romantic. He is now promoting the album’s third single, “Dance With Me,” which debuted this week at No. 27 on Rhythmic Airplay, No. 28 on Adult R&B Airplay and No. 36 on Pop Airplay.

With “I Just Might” now holding the record, here are the longest-running No. 1 hits in the history of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: 

Weeks at No. 1 | Song | Artist | Years at No. 1

• 32, “I Just Might,” Bruno Mars, 2026
• 31, “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar & SZA, 2024-25
• 22, “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar, 2024-25
• 21, “Kill Bill,” SZA, 2022-23
• 20, “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, 2019
• 18, “One Dance,” Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla, 2016
• 18, “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow, 2021-22
• 16, “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell, 2013
• 16, “Mutt,” Leon Thomas, 2025

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Christina Applegate revealed on Oct. 20 that doctors now say she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, more than five years after she first announced she had the disease.

In an extraordinary coincidence, Selma Blair revealed her own role in Applegate’s original MS diagnosis in an episode of The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show released the very same day.

The interview with Blair was recorded before the recent arrest involving the actress, something Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg noted in a message added to the beginning of the episode. But during the wide-ranging conversation, Blair opened up about her longtime friendship with Applegate and recalled recognizing symptoms that led her to urge the Dead to Me star to get an MRI.

Blair, who was diagnosed with MS in 2018, said she and Applegate had worked together on the 2002 comedy The Sweetest Thing and later became closer when their children attended the same preschool. According to Blair, Applegate was at her house one day when she complained about significant discomfort and neuropathy in her feet.

“I don’t mean to put my stuff on you, but you should get an MRI,” Blair recalled telling her. “Like, this sounds neurological. You could have MS.”

Applegate initially wasn’t convinced.

“She was like, ‘Oh, no, honey, I don’t have this stuff,'” Blair recalled. “And I was like, ‘I don’t know, just get an MRI.’ And she did. And, you know, so that was the beginning of her journey with that.”

McCarthy Wahlberg responded, “Thank God you said something.”

The comments took on an entirely new significance when they were released Oct. 20, the same day Applegate announced on her Messy podcast that doctors recently told her she does not have MS after all.

Applegate, who publicly revealed her MS diagnosis in 2021, told co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also has MS, that she initially experienced numbness in her toes that spread through her legs, followed by pain. She underwent extensive testing, including brain and spinal MRIs and a spinal tap, before being diagnosed with MS.

Related: Jenny McCarthy Reveals Bizarre Moment at Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes’ Wedding: ‘Like Rosemary’s Baby’

She said her scans showed numerous brain lesions, and for years she underwent infusions to treat the disease. But Applegate said newer testing ultimately led her neurologist to a startling conclusion.

“She came into my room and she said, ‘Congratulations, you don’t have MS. Congratulations,'” Applegate recalled.

For Applegate, however, the news has not meant that the debilitating symptoms she has experienced for years have disappeared.

“I haven’t gotten better, Jamie,” she said. “If anything, I’ve gotten worse in some ways. And so I’m back at square one that I don’t know what’s going on with me.”

In part 2 of the podcast, Applegate and Sigler spoke with Cedars-Sinai neurologist and MS specialist Dr. Marwa Kaisey about how an MS misdiagnosis can happen. Kaisey explained that there is no single definitive test for MS and that several other conditions can cause similar symptoms or abnormalities on brain imaging.

Kaisey also discussed research in which she examined patients arriving at MS clinics with previous diagnoses and found that nearly one in five did not actually have MS. Newer diagnostic tools can help doctors distinguish lesions associated with MS from white-matter abnormalities caused by other conditions.

Applegate said she and her doctors are now essentially “starting from scratch” as they investigate what is causing her symptoms.

Blair, meanwhile, spoke in her separate interview about how differently MS can present from person to person and said she was grateful Applegate had sought answers when she first noticed something was wrong.

“I’m glad that she had an opportunity to at least figure out what she can with her doctor,” Blair said.

Neither woman could have known when Blair’s interview was recorded how dramatically Applegate’s medical story was about to change. But the two episodes arriving on the same day offer a remarkable bookend to a journey that began, in part, with one friend telling another that something didn’t seem right.

Related: Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy ‘Always’ There For Late NKOTB Fan’s Daughter (Exclusive)

To say 2026 has been the year of Amber Glenn would be an understatement. Back in February, the figure skater made history when she was picked to represent the U.S. at the Winter Olympics. And she didn’t come home empty-handed, winning a gold medal in her first trip to the games.

Almost six months later, Glenn unlaced her skates and slipped into a character shoe. She had been selected to be part of the Season 35 cast of Dancing with the Stars. When asked about her DWTS origin story, she tells Parade that her two most prominent moments in the spotlight actually intersected at one point this year.

“I got hints of it when I was in Milan,” she says. “Which unfortunately I wasn’t able to fully experience firsthand. Because there were some people from Dancing with the Stars in Milan, but I was still competing. Whereas some of the other people in skating were done already and got to hang out and do some fun stuff.”

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When Glenn returned stateside, now an Olympic medalist, she says she had heard rumblings of a DWTS opportunity, but nothing official. When the call officially came, the timing (ironically) lit a fire under the “ice queen.”

“I actually didn’t find out until the end of July, and I had to be there mid-August,” she says. “So it’s like, ‘Oh, by the way, in less than three weeks, we’re actually gonna uproot your life, and you’re gonna go to LA. I had just started really training for this upcoming [skating] season, and had gotten everything together because I was like, ‘Oh, I haven’t heard back. I don’t think I’m gonna be on this season. That’s okay. It is a dream of mine, but it’s okay. It’s fine, everything’s fine. And then I finally got the email — immediate yes. I was so pumped.”

Seeing Glenn and her partner Pasha Pashkov so far on Season 35, it’s shocking to see she had less than a month to get her affairs in order. Through five weeks of competition, the two have consistently been lighting up the leaderboards, even finishing at the top in Weeks 2 and 3. Glenn has earned consistent praise from the judges, especially when she brought a different energy during last week’s Samba to “Mi Gente” (which earned their highest scores so far).

As Glenn mentioned in her first intro package this season, she has big skates to fill. Across 35 seasons of DWTS, we’ve seen some of the best skaters in the sport’s history not only hit the dance floor, but dominate. Three seasons have outright been won by figure skaters (Kristi Yamaguchi in Season 6, Meryl Davis in Season 18 and Adam Rippon in Season 26). And others like Evan Lysacek, Johnny Weir and Tonya Harding have made deep runs in the competition. Of course, it’s only logical, given the sense of rhythm, balance and overall athleticism needed to pull off some high-flying maneuvers. Still, given how well they have done in the past, and the general discourse about competitors like Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr. and Julia Stiles having a (literal) step up with their dance experience, it begs the question: Do figure skaters have an inherent advantage in Dancing with the Stars?

“I feel like there, of course, are some things,” Glenn admits. “I’ve had to learn choreography; I’ve heard ‘5, 6, 7, 8’ before in my life. Have I ever actually done it? No.”

Related: Julia Stiles to Honor Late Co-Star Heath Ledger in Heartwrenching ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Dedication Night

“In skating, I’m alone out there,” she continues. “And I can kind of just feel and move whenever because it’s on me. Versus when you’re in dance, or you’re in pairs, you have to be synced up with someone. You can’t just do things when you want to do things. So I’ve kind of gone my whole life being like, ‘Okay, here’s the choreography. Make it your own.’ Because it’s mine. I’m the one doing it. It’s on my body, and I’m the one performing. And usually that’s when it’s best, especially in skating, is when you kind of let things flow between each other. There aren’t really usually harsh, like, ‘Hit this exact thing,’ and when there are, it’s very natural.

“So now it’s like, ‘Okay, well, you can’t just do whatever. It has to be like this exact count on this exact moment, or else things can go seriously wrong. So that part of it is definitely new. And one of my struggles in skating growing up was learning choreography. I would always take something and do the opposite by accident.”

As we saw in Glenn and Pashkov’s Week 1 package, there’s also the fact that, while she does have the athleticism to ballroom dance, she also has the muscle memory of the free and graceful movements her body can make on the ice. Which can sometimes directly contradict the tight frames she needs to hold to get a good score from the judges.

Amber Glenn (L) and Pasha Pashkov (R) on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Disney/Eric McCandless

“A lot of people come into Dancing with the Stars with this blank slate, being like, ‘Okay, I’m here to learn,'” Glenn says. “For me, there are some things like, ‘You need to do this.’ But it’s like, ‘No, no, no, no, no. For 20 years, I’ve been doing it like this.’ ‘Okay, well, you can’t be doing that on this dance. It’s a habit.

“There’s so many things that we have to do, like a certain way we step, a certain way we shift our weight, and I’m like, ‘That is like a crime in figure skating!’ And it’s like, well, yes, you have to. This is how it’s done. It’s like, ‘But it’s wrong!’ No, in this context, it’s right. So there are certain bad habits you have to completely defuse in order to get to a blank slate in order to do it right. So, of course, there are advantages, but there are also disadvantages.”

Related: Val Chmerkovskiy Breaks Silence on ‘DWTS’ Suspension

As Pashkov revealed in the premiere, this is the first time in his eight seasons with the show that he’s partnered with an athlete. And he has some thoughts about how much that gives him a leg up in the competition.

“Well, I think that the advantages that we’re just talking about, I see them less directly from skating. I see them in general as being an athlete,” the former finalist says. “Core strength, balance, stamina, all of those things. And most of all, it’s the athlete mentality, and in this case, we’re talking about Olympic mentality. It’s knowing what pressure is, knowing how to perform under pressure, knowing how to lock in when it counts. It doesn’t only count during the live show for that one minute. It’s also during the rehearsals, like, ‘Okay, this is rehearsal time. And we gotta lock in; this is our time to improve.’ So I think those are the biggest advantages.

“And then, like Amber said, some things from skating might be helpful, some might be harmful. So we’re trying to figure out what it is that we can use. Some things we can translate into boring techniques; some things cannot. And we have to break habits.”

That said, just because figure skating and ballroom dancing are two different beasts doesn’t mean there isn’t some crossover. Over the past five weeks, Pashkov has been able to bring some feats of flexibility into their routines, showcasing how not everything needs to be left on ice.

“That’s been fun,” he says. “We put a little bit in our Foxtrot, we put a little bit in our Tango. I asked at the top of the season for Amber to show me all the things she can do in skating that can possibly translate from ice onto a dance floor and from skates onto high heels. And I was like, ‘Okay, so this is possible, this is not possible.’ And the things that are possible, we’re trying to include here and there. Because this is Amber’s comfort zone, so it would be only fair if at least for four eight-counts in each routine, we have a bit of a skating taste.”

Tonight’s Dedication Night episode should be one to remember for Glenn and Pashkov. She’s choosing to dedicate her Contemporary dance to her sister, Brooke, outright telling Parade, “I wouldn’t be here without my sister.” And Brooke’s impact will be felt in the ballroom in more ways than one, as she’ll be involved in some choreography alongside the duo. Between the heartfelt story and the advantages (and occasional disadvantages) that come from Glenn’s background, it would be a shock if she and Pashkov did not skate through to next week.

Related: Amber Glenn Drops Huge ‘DWTS’ Surprise — And Reveals Who’s Joining Her on the Dance Floor (Exclusive)

Ina Garten built a career around making home cooking approachable, but the Barefoot Contessa admits she had plenty to learn when she first entered the food business.

During a recent appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast, Garten reflected on purchasing the Barefoot Contessa specialty food store in Westhampton, New York, when she was just 30 years old. Despite having no experience running a food business, she left her job working on nuclear energy policy in Washington, D.C., to pursue something completely different.

“If you’re cooking, you’re testing things,” Garten told host Mel Robbins. “But instead of ending up with, like, gibberellic acid, you end up with roast chicken. So which would you rather have?”

However, Garten quickly discovered that cooking for friends and operating a commercial kitchen required different skills.

She didn’t know how to operate the cash register, slice smoked salmon or turn a recipe for 12 brownies into one that could produce 1,000.

After her first week, she told her husband, Jeffrey Garten, “This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Her first day as owner also raised concerns about the store’s financial future.

With just $87 in the register, Jeffrey told her, “I don’t think you’re gonna make it here.”

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Things changed the following day, a busy Friday before Memorial Day weekend, when customers purchased everything in the store. Garten and the previous owner spent the night preparing chocolate cake and chicken salad to restock the shelves.

But one of her most important business lessons came from the dishes customers weren’t buying.

Garten initially believed shoppers in the Hamptons wanted sophisticated meals, so she prepared dishes such as veal with morels. She also displayed roast chickens on an elaborate white platter surrounded by fresh herbs.

The chickens weren’t selling.

When Garten moved the same chickens into small red-and-white checkered baskets, they sold in just 10 minutes.

“People have elegant taste, but they don’t want fancy food at home,” she explained.

Garten said the experience “totally informed all of my cookbooks.”

She eventually developed a cookbook philosophy focused on reliable recipes, attractive photography and ingredients that home cooks could easily find at grocery stores.

Her preference for simple dishes also came through when Robbins asked her to name her favorite recipe.

Garten chose a French apple tart made with a thin, buttery crust, sliced apples, butter and sugar.

“It’s a very simple recipe,” she said. “I just think it’s just gorgeous.”

The conversation comes as Garten releases her latest cookbook, Simply Ina, on October 20.

The book features 85 recipes designed to help home cooks prepare meals with less time and effort while maintaining flavor.

Recipes include Mashed Potato & Leek Soup, Bourbon Baked Beans, Provencal Chicken with Olives & Capers, and Cherry Berry Crumble.

The collection also includes make-ahead lunches, appetizers and dinner recipes, along with Garten’s tips for simplifying the cooking process.

Emma Slater is standing by her boyfriend, Alan Bersten, after he received some backlash for stepping in for Val Chmerkovskiy on Dancing With the Stars.

Bersten, 32, will temporarily partner with Jenna Dewan during the ABC competition’s Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20, after Chmerkovskiy, 40, was suspended for one week following a controversial social media comment about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. 

But not everyone was convinced Bersten was the right choice.

Former DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko questioned the decision, suggesting that a troupe dancer could have been selected instead and criticizing Bersten’s technique and artistry. 

Slater, 37, had a different take.

After a fan questioned why Bersten was returning to the ballroom after being eliminated earlier this season with celebrity partner Giada De Laurentiis, Slater responded in the comments of a TikTok video.

“Yeah that’s what happens, we all step in for each other,” she wrote in the comments.

Bersten and De Laurentiis were eliminated during Week 2 of Season 35. Despite their early exit, Bersten has remained involved in the show, making him available to step in when Chmerkovskiy was sidelined.

The temporary switch comes after Chmerkovskiy sparked controversy with a since-deleted social media comment referencing Will Smith’s infamous 2022 Oscars slap. He remarked after Inaba criticized a lift during a samba performed by his wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr.

Chmerkovskiy later apologized for his poor judgment and said he did not intend to threaten Inaba. Producers subsequently announced his one-week suspension. 

Bersten is set to dance a Viennese waltz with Dewan during Tuesday’s episode, which will feature performances dedicated to people who have made an impact on the contestants’ lives.

With the partner switch drawing attention both inside and outside the ballroom, Slater’s message makes one thing clear: she believes the pros are there to support one another when the show throws them a curveball.

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There’s something undeniably irresistible about a love story wrapped in fog, family curses and crumbling stone walls. If you’ve ever stayed up past midnight flipping through a novel where the main character isn’t sure if their brooding host wants to kiss them or conceal a terrible secret in the attic, you’ve fallen under the spell of Gothic romance.

From Victorian literary classics to the latest dark academia sensations taking over BookTok, Gothic romance remains one of fiction’s most enduring and intoxicating subgenres. But what exactly defines this category? Why are readers so captivated by it, and where should you start?

Here’s everything you need to know about Gothic romance, the book genre where swoon-worthy passion meets spine-tingling suspense.

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What Is Gothic Romance?

At its core, Gothic romance is a genre that fuses the emotional vulnerability and passion of romance with the dark atmosphere, eerie tension and psychological suspense of horror or thriller fiction.

Unlike standard contemporary or historical romances, where the primary conflict often stems from emotional miscommunications or social obstacles, a Gothic romance places love directly inside a pressure cooker of dread. The threat might be a supernatural haunt, a sinister family history or the unsettling realization that the hero holds the key to locked doors—both literal and metaphorical.

As Penguin Random House notes in their guide to Gothic literature, stories in this tradition rely heavily on mood and setting: “Untimely deaths, doomed romance, and villainous acts of moral turpitude are common…Environment is just as important as the characters themselves.”

In short: If a book makes you feel equal parts butterflies and goosebumps, you’re in Gothic romance territory.

Related: What Is Dark Academia? The Moody Book Genre Explained

Key Tropes of the Genre

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While Gothic romance has evolved over the centuries, certain classic ingredients give these stories their signature flair:

• The Living, Breathing Estate: Whether it’s Manderley, Thornfield Hall or High Place, the house in a Gothic novel is often a character unto itself. Expect decaying grandeur, endless drafty hallways, locked rooms and isolated grounds wrapped in mist or storm clouds.
• The Brooding, Secretive Love Interest: Enter the classic Byronic hero. He’s often intense, enigmatic, rebellious and troubled by a painful or morally ambiguous past.
• Psychological Ambiguity: Is the heroine going mad, or is someone actively trying to unravel her sanity? Gothic romance thrives on high psychological tension, leaving both character and reader guessing about what’s real and what’s imagined.
• Secrets and Ancestral Curses: Hidden wills, mysterious first wives, forgotten lineages or literal blood curses often lurk behind the family crest.
• Isolation: The protagonist is frequently cut off from outside help—whether by geography, social standing or sudden bad weather—forcing them to rely entirely on their own wits.

Related: What Is Dark Romance? Why the Controversial Book Genre Is So Popular

The Modern Revival: Why We Can’t Look Away

While the Gothic tradition took shape in the 18th century with writers such as Horace Walpole and Ann Radcliffe and evolved through figures including Mary Shelley and the Brontë sisters, the genre is experiencing a massive contemporary renaissance. Modern authors are taking traditional tropes and twisting them with fresh diversity, dark academia aesthetics and supernatural fantasy elements.

Publishers have leaned heavily into this resurgence. In their roundup of dark fiction, Simon & Schuster highlights how modern readers love taking “a walk on the morally gray side,” seeking out stories where love connections feel deliciously unpredictable and atmospheric thrillers keep you guessing until the final page.

As Penguin Random House points out when reflecting on seminal works like Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, readers keep returning to the genre because of its “raw emotion, psychological depth, and dark intensity”—capturing a unique space where passion can turn “intense, obsessive, and unsettling.”

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5 Essential Gothic Romance Books To Read Next

Ready to plunge into a world of haunting secrets and high-stakes passion? Here are five iconic Gothic reads across the centuries to add to your TBR (to be read) shelf:

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: Orphaned governess Jane Eyre arrives at Thornfield Hall and falls for her cynical employer, Edward Rochester—only to discover the mansion conceals a devastating secret.
2. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: A young bride marries a wealthy widower and moves to his sprawling seaside estate, Manderley, where the shadow of his late first wife looms over every room.
3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Set in 1950s Mexico, glamorous socialite Noemí travels to an isolated mansion to check on her newlywed cousin, only to encounter an eerie family trapped in decay and ancient control.
4. A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid: This story follows architecture student Effy Sayre as she travels to a crumbling estate on the coast to redesign an author’s house, finding rival scholars, deadly lore and hidden desires.
5. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace: A Gothic fantasy where an orphaned heiress who can see spirits forms a dangerous, romantic alliance with Death himself to solve a murder at her guardian’s estate.

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This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.