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In 1970, a 63-Year-Old Indiana Farmer Launched a Popcorn Brand After Decades of Breeding Corn; His Ad Agency Told Him to Put His Own Name on It
In 1970, Orville Redenbacher was an Indiana farmer and agronomist who had spent decades working with crops and trying to develop a better popcorn kernel. At an age when plenty of people might have been thinking about retirement, he was about to put his unusual last name on a product that would make him one of the most recognizable figures in the grocery aisle.
And putting his own name on the popcorn wasn’t even his idea.
Redenbacher was born on a farm near Brazil, Indiana, in 1907. According to Purdue University, he was growing and selling popcorn as a boy and went on to earn a degree in agronomy from Purdue in 1928.
His career remained firmly rooted in agriculture. Redenbacher worked as a county agricultural agent and later at Princeton Farms, where he helped oversee agricultural production. He also became successful in the fertilizer business, but popcorn remained a particular fascination. Eventually, that fascination turned into a serious pursuit.
In 1951, Redenbacher and business partner Charles “Charlie” Bowman bought the George F. Chester and Son seed corn plant near Valparaiso, Indiana, and operated it as Chester Hybrids. The pair spent years experimenting with popcorn hybrids in pursuit of kernels that would produce better results when popped.
Conagra Brands, which now owns Orville Redenbacher’s, says Redenbacher spent an estimated 40 years crossbreeding some 30,000 popcorn hybrids. By 1965, according to the Orville Redenbacher’s brand history, Redenbacher and Bowman had perfected a hybrid that popped lighter and fluffier while leaving relatively few unpopped kernels behind.
There was just one problem: What were they going to call it?
Redenbacher and Bowman originally called their premium popcorn “RedBow,” combining parts of their two last names. But when they sought professional marketing help, an advertising agency had another suggestion—use Orville’s own name.
According to Purdue’s archives, the agency advised the partners to market the popcorn as Orville Redenbacher’s. It was certainly distinctive, even if Redenbacher himself initially wasn’t convinced that his name sounded like something destined for supermarket shelves.
The advice reportedly wasn’t cheap, either. Historical accounts put the agency’s fee at $13,000 for the branding work. Redenbacher later joked that he had essentially paid $13,000 for someone to give him the same name his mother had given him at birth.
Nevertheless, the idea worked.
Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn launched in 1970, with the actual farmer behind the product eventually becoming just as important to the brand as the popcorn itself. With his glasses, bow tie and distinctive appearance, Redenbacher didn’t look like a polished Madison Avenue creation. That was precisely the point: He really was the agronomist who had spent years developing the product he was selling.
By the mid-1970s, Redenbacher and Bowman had captured roughly one-third of the market for unpopped popcorn, according to Purdue University Press. They sold the popcorn business to Hunt-Wesson Foods in 1976, but Redenbacher remained the face of the brand for years afterward.
His famous promise in television commercials was simple: “You’ll like it better or my name isn’t Orville Redenbacher.”
It was a particularly fitting slogan for a man whose name almost never made it onto the package at all.
Redenbacher died in 1995 at age 88, but more than half a century after the brand’s launch, his name is still sitting in supermarket popcorn aisles across America. According to the company, Orville Redenbacher’s remains the No. 1 U.S. brand in microwave popcorn, kernels and oils.
Billy Crystal Reveals the Only 'SNL' Cast Member He 'Couldn't Look at' Without Breaking Out in Laughter
Billy Crystal worked with many talented comedians during his time on Saturday Night Live, but according to the legendary talent, only one cast member consistently made him break during their various sketches together.
As reported by People magazine, Crystal recently took to the stage at New York City’s PaleyFest, sharing that of all the cast members he worked on SNL, he couldn’t keep a straight face whenever he worked with the celebrated comedian, Christopher Guest.
“I couldn’t look Chris Guest in the face,” Crystal said. I did more sketches with Chris than anybody else. And we had a great group, Marty Short, Chris Guest, Julie Lee Dreyfus, Rich Hall, but Chris and I… he’s so funny.”
In particular, Crystal said that he had a particularly hard time playing sketches with Guest in which they portrayed the pain-loving characters, Willie and Frankie.
“We did these guys; they were masochists. They would hurt themselves, and we’d go, ‘I hate when that happens.’ Chris makes me laugh like crazy,” he continued. “There were so many times I couldn’t even look at him. I would just look the other way when he had lines to do.”
“He was supposed to say, ‘So I went home, and I took off my clothes, and I bathed in a vat of gin, and I rolled back and forth on some push pins,’ and I went, ‘Oh.’ And he goes, ‘Yeah, I hate when I do that,’” Crystal added. “So now we’re on the air, and he goes, ‘So I stripped down to the nude,’ and I went, ‘Oh, you bastard.’ It’s just a funny way of saying I got naked … and I just couldn’t control myself.”
While Crystal had special praise for Guest, he also went out of his way to single out some of his fellow SNL talents, including Martin Short and guest host Robin Williams.
“Marty [Short] is as funny as he gets. I’ve been around amazing people, and we were blessed to be around one of the geniuses that I’ve ever been shoulder to shoulder with, and that was Robin [Williams],” Crystal shared.
In 1949, Charles Lubin named his cheesecake Sara Lee after his 8-year-old daughter; 7 years later, he sold the bakery for $3 million
Before Sara Lee became synonymous with frozen cheesecakes and other baked goods, its story began with Chicago baker Charles Lubin and a personal tribute to his young daughter.
Lubin and his brother-in-law acquired three Chicago bakeries called Community Bake Shops.
In 1949, the baker-turned-entrepreneur ventured out on his own, introducing a cream cheesecake named after his 8-year-old daughter, Sara Lee.
The cheesecake became the first product sold under the Sara Lee name.
The small Chicago bakery attracted customers with its signature cheesecake, featuring a silky, creamy filling atop a golden biscuit crust.
To create a memorable brand, Lubin chose a real person’s name rather than a fictional character. His daughter, Sara Lee, became the inspiration behind what would eventually grow into an iconic dessert brand.
“He wanted every product he made to be as beautiful and perfect as hers,” Sara Lee Head of Marketing and Innovation Jo Matthews said in a press release.
Tyson Foods Inc. Sara Lee brand pie is arranged for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S., on Thursday, May 5, 2016.Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The daughter, Sara Lee, also appeared in some of the company’s advertisements, although the specific dates of those appearances require further verification.
Positive customer reception encouraged Lubin to expand the business. Over time, the Sara Lee brand grew beyond its signature cheesecake to include pies, crumbles, puddings, danishes, cakes, ice creams and semifreddo.
In 1956, Lubin sold Kitchens of Sara Lee to Consolidated Foods Corporation for nearly three million. Despite the sale, he remained president until 1964, when he left following a dispute over financing for a new plant in Deerfield, Illinois.
Opened in 1964, the 500,000-square-foot Deerfield facility was considered thelargest and most automated bakery of its kind at the time. Designed by engineering firm Epstein, the plant incorporated advanced manufacturing, freezing and electronic data-processing systems to streamline production and distribution.
Its automated frozen-food warehouse was particularly remarkable. The facility could reportedly store more than eight million cakes in a freezer space nearly the size of a football field, demonstrating the scale of automation possible in food manufacturing during that era.
While the American Sara Lee business continued to evolve under different owners, Sara Lee Schupf developed interests and pursuits of her own beyond being the namesake of her father’s company.
A former sous chef to renowned cookbook author Abby Mandel, Schupf maintained a lifelong interest in cooking, cookbooks and kitchen equipment.
“I am a cookbook collector, lover of well-designed and practical kitchen utensils, pots and pans, and basically anything to do with food,” Schupf told ckbk when discussing her life after her culinary career.
Beyond her love of food, Schupf has also devoted herself to philanthropy, particularly supporting STEM education and encouraging young women to pursue careers in science and related fields.
PBS Has a New History Special Featuring Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton
PBS is bringing some of the country’s most recognizable political figures together for a new documentary exploring what America’s presidents and first ladies can teach us about leadership, just in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership premieres Tuesday, October 27, at 10 p.m. ET on PBS. The hourlong special will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS app, giving viewers a chance to revisit American history through the perspectives of former presidents, first ladies, historians, and other prominent figures.
Based on the In Pursuit initiative from More Perfect, the documentary combines archival footage, original interviews and documentary storytelling to examine the lessons of presidential leadership, character, and democratic ideals.
View this post on InstagramAmong the contributors are former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who each reflect on a predecessor. Obama examines Abraham Lincoln, Bush considers George Washington, and Clinton looks at Theodore Roosevelt. The lineup also includes former first ladies Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush, who explore the legacies of Jacqueline Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Lady Bird Johnson, respectively.
“Presidents and First Ladies provide an accessible window into American history,” Colleen Shogan, CEO of In Pursuit and former Archivist of the United States, said in a release shared with Parade. “This film brings those lessons to life in a way that is both entertaining and deeply relevant. As we celebrate our 250th anniversary, we hope it sparks a national conversation about what we can learn from the past to write the history of America’s future.”
Other notable contributors include Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who reflects on William Howard Taft, and filmmaker Ken Burns, who considers Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal also weighs in on Ulysses S. Grant and the importance of service over personal ambition.
The special is part of PBS America @ 250, a multiyear programming initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Rather than simply recounting presidential accomplishments, the project aims to explore how lessons from the nation’s past might help inform its future.
The documentary is produced by Emmy Award-winning nonprofit newsroom Retro Report for PBS and directed by Bonnie Bertram. It draws on the broader In Pursuit essay series, which features reflections from public figures and scholars on the leadership lessons of American presidents and first ladies.
In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership premieres Tuesday, October 27, at 10 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app. Check local listings for broadcast details.
‘The Mummy’ Sequel Gets an Official Title—and It Calls Back to the 1999 Classic
Nearly three decades after Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz first brought Rick and Evelyn O’Connell to life, the beloved adventure duo is getting back together, and the next chapter has an official title.
Universal Pictures announced that the upcoming sequel will be called The Mummy: Book of the Dead. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 15, 2027, exactly one year after the title announcement.
While the studio hasn’t revealed specific plot details, the new title offers a familiar connection to the franchise’s roots. In the original 1999 movie, Rick and Evelyn accidentally unleash the ancient Egyptian priest Imhotep after Evelyn reads from the Book of the Dead. The discovery sets off a supernatural adventure filled with ancient curses, danger and plenty of action.
The sequel will reunite Fraser, 57, and Weisz, 56, as Rick and Evelyn, respectively. The pair last appeared together in 2001’s The Mummy Returns. Weisz did not return for 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, with Maria Bello taking over the role of Evelyn.
Other returning cast members include John Hannah, Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O’Connor. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmaking duo known as Radio Silence, are directing the new installment from a screenplay by David Coggeshall.
The upcoming movie is a direct follow-up to the first two films, bypassing the events of the third installment. Production is underway, though Universal has kept the story itself under wraps.
The original The Mummy became a box-office hit after its 1999 release, blending adventure, comedy and horror into a franchise that fans have revisited for years. Now, with Fraser and Weisz back together, the series is returning to the characters and mythology that helped make it a hit.
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'The Pitt' Star Noah Wyle and Wife Sara Share Heartbreaking News About Unexpected Family Loss
The Pitt star Noah Wyle and his wife, Sara Wyle, are mourning the unexpected death of their beloved dog.
The couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post on Monday, October 19, revealing that their dog Lily had died suddenly.
“Our sweet girl left us today,” the couple wrote. “We are devastated. It was unexpected.”
They also shared a tribute to Lily, whom they affectionately called their “beautiful California Brown Bear.”
“There is/was no one like her,” they added, ending their message with a reminder to fellow pet owners: “Hug your fur babies tight.”
View this post on InstagramThe post prompted condolences from friends, family, and fellow actors.
Kaley Cuoco, who has frequently shared her own love of animals, commented, “Nothing worse on earth!”
Wyle’s The Pitt costar Patrick Ball also responded, writing, “Oh no… I’m so sorry Sara.”
His daughter Auden also appeared among those sharing messages of love for Lily.
“Love you forever lily,” Auden wrote in the comments.
The loss comes nearly three years after Sara shared another emotional tribute following the death of one of the family’s dogs. In October 2023, she wrote on Instagram, “Our sweet girl left us today💙she was truly the greatest, sweetest, funniest dog ever and we can’t even fathom a world without her in it.”
Animals have long been an important part of the Wyle family’s life. The couple lives on a ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, where they have cared for several rescue dogs, goats, and chickens.
The actor and his wife have been together for more than a decade. They met in 2010 and married in June 2014 at their California home. They welcomed their daughter, Frances Harper, in June 2015. Noah also shares two older children, Owen and Auden, with his former wife, Tracy Warbin.
Sara, who has appeared in television shows including Californication and Nip/Tuck, has also worked alongside her husband. She appeared in a 2021 episode of Leverage: Redemption, which Noah starred in and directed. More recently, she was cast as emergency room patient Ashley Davis in an April 2 episode of his HBO Max medical drama The Pitt. The episode also featured ER alum Mary McCormack as neurosurgeon Dr. Linda Conley.
Macy’s Reversible 5-Piece Floral Ruffle Comforter Set Turns Your Bedroom Into a Farmhouse Cottage, Now 50% Off
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Whether you need to replace your summer bedding or just want to give your room a refresh, you can’t go wrong with a matching comforter set. It’ll provide you with much-needed warmth on chilly fall and winter nights, while effortlessly elevating the aesthetic of your bedroom. Because your bed is the main focal point, a comforter set will instantly make your room feel more put-together and intentional with its cohesiveness. If you love all things cottagecore, this Madison Park Essentials Adele 5-Piece Reversible Comforter Set at Macy’s is a fabulous, farmhouse-inspired choice.
Right now is the best time to snag this comforter set because it’s currently on sale for a whopping 50% off, bringing the price down to the lowest it’s been at all season! Normally retailing for $110, the full/queen size comforter set is now marked down to just $55 in three gorgeous soft hues, including green, pink, and blue. This set is also available in twin/twin XL and king sizes, which normally retail for $95 and $125, but are now on sale for $48 and $63, respectively.
Madison Park Essentials Adele 5-Piece Reversible Queen Comforter Set, $55 (was $110) at Macy’s Shop at Macy'sThis comforter set comes with everything you need to make your bed look cohesive, including one comforter and two decorative pillows. The full/queen and king sets also include two pillow shams, while the twin/twin XL set comes with one. Accenting your bed while creating visual interest, the two decorative pillows boast different shapes. One is square and the other is rectangular but cinched in the middle to create a bow-like shape.
Everything about this comforter set screams cottagecore. The nature-inspired pattern features delicate flowers with winding branches and wispy leaves, capturing the essence of a dreamy, slow-paced rural lifestyle. Playful and romantic, the edges of the shams, comforter, and one of the decorative pillows are lined with ruffles, giving this set a shabby-chic look.
On your bed, this comforter set will perk up your bedroom and transform it into a quaint, romantic cottage. However, if you ever need a change of pace and want to switch up the vibe, you can simply flip the comforter and pillow shams over. The reverse side features a simple striped pattern, which has a more modern feel.
Madison Park Essentials Adele 5-Piece Reversible Queen Comforter Set, $55 (was $110) at Macy’s Shop at Macy'sJust as cozy as it is chic, this comforter set is made of polyester microfiber that’s soft against the skin. Ensuring that it’s safe and skin-friendly, the fabric has been tested for and is free of over 1,000 harmful substances, earning an Oeko-Tex certification. The comforter is also filled with polyester microfiber, designed to mimic the feel of down feathers. It’s just as plush and fluffy, delivering luxe comfort at an affordable price. Microfiber is also hypoallergenic, making this a great choice for those with sensitive skin and allergies.
Ideal for year-round use, the comforter has medium-weight filling, striking a nice balance. It’ll undoubtedly keep you snug and toasty during the cooler months, but prevent you from overheating and sweating when the temperatures start to rise again.
Thanks to the polyester microfiber material, this comforter set is machine-washable, making it easy to care for. The comforter is subtly stitched throughout the fabric to keep the filling in place instead of clumping up.
Macy’s customers loved everything about this comforter set. “It’s lightweight, good quality, and very pretty,” one reviewer raved. A second shopper described it as “soft and elegant.” A third person commented that it’s “beautiful” and noted that it looks exactly like the image on the website.
Shop More Comforter Sets- Midnight Floral 9-Piece Comforter Set, From $75 (was $250) at Macy’s
- Florence 8-Piece Reversible Comforter Set, $33 (was $100) at Macy’s
- Charlotte 3-Piece Reversible Comforter Set, $22 (was $80) at Macy’s
If you want to transform your bedroom into a cozy cottage retreat, don’t hesitate to snag the Madison Park Essentials Adele 5-Piece Reversible Comforter Set at Macy’s while it’s still on sale for a whopping 50% off!
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Nostalgic Early-2K Rock Band's Set Cut Short After Making Controversial Comments
Gym Class Heroes’ State Fair of Texas performance took an unexpected turn Saturday night.
The abrupt ending happened after frontman Travie McCoy made a comment about President Donald Trump during the Dallas show on October 17. The band had been performing alongside 3OH!3 at the fair.
In a video shared on Instagram, McCoy can be heard changing a lyric in “Billionaire,” his 2010 collaboration with Bruno Mars, to call for Trump’s impeachment. The performance was cut short before “Stereo Hearts,” but McCoy and the crowd carried on with the song together a cappella.
Why Gym Class Heroes’ set ended earlyThe timing led fans to connect the early ending with McCoy’s political remarks. However, the reason for the cutoff has not been confirmed. In a Reddit discussion, one commenter said the fair’s president had emailed them that the act was scheduled to play until 9:15 p.m. but was cut off around 8:50 p.m. “because of cussing.”
Fans shared mixed reactions to the night, with some upset about the interrupted performance and schedule changes.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Common Revolt (@commonrevolt)
“The ‘Free Speech’ conservative crowd is awfully quiet? 🤷🏻♂️,” one person noted on Instagram.
One attendee said, “I WAS THERE, power was cut, we all sang stereo hearts with no mic or instruments, their merch cart was taken away, lights turned on, craziest show I’ve been to.”
READ MORE: Eminem’s Kid Rock Team-Up Has Some Fans Stunned — Now He’s Defending the Controversial Collaboration
“Wouldn’t be surprised if it was in their contract that he can’t say that. Would make him doing it even better,” one pointed out.
Gym Class Heroes’ early-2000s riseGym Class Heroes formed in 1997, when McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley met in high school. The group broke through with its 2005 album The Papercut Chronicles, then scored hits including “Cupid’s Chokehold” and “Stereo Hearts.” Its mix of rock, hip-hop, and pop made the band a fixture of the 2000s alternative scene.
McCoy discussed the group’s return to making music with PEOPLE in October 2025. “It just took awhile to suss out the business end of things. So, we’ve been inactive for a while, but I’ve been making Gym Class music since the last record,” he said to the outlet. “I’ve put out a solo record as well. But Gym Class never really went anywhere.”
Antonio Banderas’ Daughter Stella Looks Stunning in Her Wedding Dress in Photo With Her Famous Dad
Antonio Banderas is beaming in a stunning photo from the wedding of his beautiful daughter, Stella Banderas.
Antonio, 66, known for films ranging from Philadelphia and Evita to Shrek and The Mask of Zorro, is one proud dad as he looks back on his daughter Stella’s big day, which took place one year ago. Stella, whom Antonio shares with ex-wife Melanie Griffith, married Alex Gruszynski in a sweet ceremony. In a touching never-before-seen photo, Antonio kisses his stunning daughter on the head as she wears her wedding gown and veil and gazes off into the distance. It’s a touching father-daughter moment!
“1 Year ago,” Antonio captioned the sweet photo.
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Are Antonio Banderas and His Daughter Stella Banderas Close?Yes! This past summer, Stella and her dad watched the World Cup together… thousands of miles away from each other. In a sweet photo, Stella was pictured in Los Angeles watching the World Cup while her father, a native of Spain, checked out the same match in Málaga.
“My daughter in Los Angeles, me in Málaga… staying connected and enjoying Spain’s match together,” Antonio captioned the photo set.
Stella was pictured with her husband. Wearing a Spain jersey, the brunette beauty smiled with the sprawling field behind her.
View this post on Instagram Is Antonio Banderas Doing True Detective Season 5?Yes! Last week, Deadline announced that Banderas had joined the cast of season five of the HBO anthology drama. But he won’t be tackling the season alone: He’s teaming up with screen icon Nicolas Cage. While details are scarce about the big season, word on the street is that it’s set in Jamaica Bay, New York. Production is set to start in 2027, so we have a little time before taking our seats in front of the TV.
If you’ve missed out on last season, True Detective: Night Country, it features Jodie Foster as she investigates the disappearance of eight men from a research station in the dark depths of Alaska’s polar night.
Check out the haunting trailer for season 4 below:
Sky-High, Cookie-Swirled Frosting Makes Costco’s New Bakery Find a Dessert Showstopper
If you’re a chocolate lover, fall treats can sometimes leave you feeling a little left out. With apple, pumpkin, and pecan desserts filling bakery shelves, there isn’t always much room for rich, decadent indulgences. And while seasonal flavors are delicious, sometimes you just want something that skips the spice entirely.
Fortunately, Costco’s bakery has a new treat that looks downright decadent. Its Cookies and Cream Cupcakes are piled high with generous swirls of cookie buttercream frosting and finished with crumbled chocolate cookies. And with a dozen cupcakes in each package, there’s plenty to share, whether you’re planning a fall gathering or just craving something sweet.
You can get a closer look at these chocolatey beauties, spotted at a Costco in Livonia, Michigan, in this Oct. 19 TikTok shared by @costcobuys:
Costco’s New Cookies + Cream Cupcakes Are a Sweet Break From Pumpkin SeasonThe Kirkland Signature Cookies + Cream Cupcakes (item #2122514) come in a 12-pack for $8.99, about 75 cents per cupcake. Compared to bakery cupcakes, which can easily run $3 to $5 each, that’s a deal that’s hard to pass up. The 36-ounce package gives you plenty of dessert for a gathering without ever turning on the oven.
Related: A Mini Pumpkin Pecan Treat Just Landed at Costco, and It’s Perfect for Fall
But it’s the frosting that really steals the show. Each cupcake is topped with a tall swirl of cookie-filled buttercream and a generous sprinkling of chocolate cookie crumbles. The contrast between the dark cookie pieces and creamy frosting makes these look like something you’d find in a bakery display case.
Cookies and cream cupcakes.They’re a convenient option for birthday parties, office celebrations, or weekend get-togethers. With 12 individually portioned treats, you don’t need serving utensils or complicated dessert prep. Just keep in mind that, according to the label, they contain wheat, egg, milk, and soy, and are made on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame.
For an extra-special presentation, add a chocolate sandwich cookie to each cupcake or serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
These cookies-and-cream cupcakes offer a chocolatey alternative that works just as well for a casual family dinner as it does for a Halloween party. And because they’re not tied to a particular holiday, they’re an easy dessert to bring along whenever something sweet is requested.
Of course, with those towering swirls of frosting and chocolate cookie crumbles, they might disappear before anyone gets around to asking what’s for dessert.
Doris Day’s Son Was Nearly at 10050 Cielo Drive the Night Sharon Tate Was Murdered — His Mother’s Warning Saved His Life
Picture Doris Day. Blonde. Sunny. America’s sweetheart. Now picture Charles Manson. That’s how close this story gets.
Manson walked out of federal prison in California in 1967 and ended up in Los Angeles with a guitar and a plan to become a rock star. He wasn’t delusional about it — serious people listened. Neil Young heard him play and recommended him to his own record label. The Beach Boys‘ Dennis Wilson picked up two of Manson’s followers hitchhiking in Malibu in 1968 and ended up inviting Manson into his life.
He let Manson and his followers live at his house on Sunset Boulevard for months. He called him “the Wizard.” Wilson was so impressed he got the Beach Boys to record one of Manson’s songs — “Cease to Exist” — and put it on their 1969 album 20/20 as “Never Learn Not to Love.” Manson didn’t get a credit.
Through Wilson, Manson got to the introduction that mattered most. Wilson introduced him to Terry Melcher — Doris Day’s only son and one of the most powerful record producers in Los Angeles. Melcher had made The Byrds. He worked with the Beach Boys. He co-wrote their hit “Kokomo.” He was exactly who Manson needed to know.
At the time, Melcher was living at 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon with his girlfriend, actress Candice Bergen. Manson came to the house. He auditioned. For a while, it genuinely seemed like something could happen — Melcher was interested in Manson’s music and even talked about making a documentary about his commune. Then Melcher watched Manson get into a violent confrontation at a party and decided he’d seen enough.
A Mother’s Intuition May Have Saved His LifeMelcher told his mother what had been going on. He told Doris Day about the man he’d been spending time with — “his brandishing of knives, his zombie followers,” as Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love later wrote in his 2016 memoir Good Vibrations — and that Manson had been to the house on Cielo Drive. Doris Day told her son to get out. Melcher moved out in January 1969. Love wrote: “A mother’s intuition, perhaps, and it may have saved his life.”
The house’s owner leased it to Roman Polanski and his wife Sharon Tate. On August 8, 1969 — eight months after Melcher moved out — Manson sent his followers to 10050 Cielo Drive and told them to kill everyone inside.
Tate, who was 26 and eight months pregnant, was murdered along with four others. Manson had visited the house after Melcher moved, asked for him by name, and was told he was gone. Melcher spent the rest of his life wondering whether Manson sent them there for him — or whether he’d already known Melcher wasn’t there and simply didn’t care. He was never sure. Friends said he was deeply paranoid for years after the murders.
Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski’s wedding, 1969.Keystone-France / Getty Images
The house kept collecting history. In 1992, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails rented 10050 Cielo Drive and turned it into a recording studio. He named it “Pig” — after the word Susan Atkins had written in Sharon Tate’s blood on the front door the night of the murders. He recorded most of The Downward Spiral there.
He didn’t fully understand what he was doing until he met Sharon Tate’s sister Patti, who asked him: “Are you exploiting my sister’s death by living in her house?” He moved out in December 1993 and took the front door with him. The house was demolished in 1994.
Susan Denise Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten after receiving the death sentence for their part in the Tate-LaBianca killing at the order of Charles Manson.Leslie Van Houten — 19 years old at the time of the murders, the youngest of Manson’s followers convicted — walked out of a California prison on July 11, 2023, after serving 53 years. Charles Manson died in prison on November 19, 2017. Terry Melcher — Doris Day’s son, the man whose mother may have saved his life without knowing it — died on November 19, 2004. The two men share the same death date. Nobody planned that either.
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Dog Missing for More Than a Month in Yellowstone Is Finally Reunited With Her Family
A family’s Yellowstone National Park vacation took a frightening turn when their beloved dog disappeared, but after more than a month alone in the wilderness, the missing pup has finally been reunited with her owners.
Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix from California, went missing on September 10 after escaping from the family’s cabin while they were out exploring the park. For weeks, sightings of the small white dog offered hope that she was still alive, even as concerns grew about her ability to survive the increasingly harsh conditions and predators, like grizzly bears and wolves, that call the park home.
The search finally came to a happy ending on Wednesday, Oct. 14, when volunteers successfully captured Luna and reunited her with her family, according to the Associated Press.
The circumstances surrounding Luna’s disappearance made the search especially challenging, because her family had left her inside their cabin with a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. They believe a housekeeping staffer accidentally opened the door, allowing the dog to escape. Staff members reportedly chased Luna for more than two hours before her owners returned and discovered she was missing.
Her family searched for her, but was eventually told she had likely died, possibly after an encounter with a coyote. Then, days after the family left Yellowstone, new sightings of Luna renewed hope that she could still be found, so the family contacted Norris Ark Training and Recovery Center, an animal rescue in Montana.
According to Katie Boucher, president of the 501c3 rescue, Luna appeared to be retracing her family’s steps from the day before she disappeared. She was spotted crossing roads, wandering through employee housing, and slipping into lodges and eateries through automatic doors.
“I cannot fathom how I would feel if I had been taking the vacation of a lifetime, and looking for all these memorable experiences in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and lost one of my family members there,” Boucher told AP.
Luna’s first year spent living on the streets before she was adopted may have helped her survive on her own. Still, catching the elusive pup proved difficult, particularly as winter approached and Yellowstone’s landscape became increasingly dangerous.
Rescuers also faced another obstacle: People who spotted Luna sometimes called her name or chased her, causing her to flee, despite volunteers urging visitors to report sightings instead of pursuing her.
The team ultimately turned to a live trap baited with pieces of a T-shirt and pillowcase belonging to Luna’s family. Using familiar scents rather than food helped avoid attracting bears and other wildlife to the trap — and the strategy worked. Boucher and one of Luna’s owners found her inside the trap, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Luna was taken to a veterinarian for an examination after her rescue and although she was underweight, she was alert and in good spirits, Boucher told the AP.
The timing was especially fortunate. Boucher said the week Luna was found would have been her final opportunity to continue searching, as seasonal accommodations were preparing to close and winter weather threatened to make the effort even more difficult.
While Luna’s story had a positive outcome, Norris Ark cautions future guests from bringing four-legged family members.
“Do not bring your pets to Yellowstone Park. It is too dangerous. Accidents happen. People make mistakes. Disasters happen. Your pet could become lost and not be as lucky as Luna,” Norris Ark shared on their Facebook page following Luna’s miraculous recover. “It happens frequently out here. Pets are prohibited almost everywhere in the Park anyway. It’s just too dangerous. Leave them at home.”
Ariana Grande's Dog Coco Dead at 17 as the Singer Shares an Emotional Goodbye
Ariana Grande’s dog Coco was around before the Wicked movies, before the $107.9 million tour, before Ariana’s first album even came out.
On Monday, Oct. 19, Ariana said goodbye to her.
Coco was 17.
“Thank you for your love, and for blessing this planet with your physical presence for over seventeen wonderful years,” the singer, 33, wrote on Instagram.
She called Coco her “sweetest, most amazing and most beautiful” girl and said she was proud of her. She didn’t share how Coco died.
“I will miss you every day and hold you in my heart always,” she wrote. “I love you so, sweet girl.”
View this post on Instagram Coco Was Her First ‘Interview’Coco goes way back. In December 2012, while Ariana was writing her debut album, she posted the first music vlog on her YouTube channel. The guest was Coco.
The 46-second clip is called “Coco breaks it down,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like: Ariana interviewing her dog about her new music.
“My 1st music vlog of many!” Ariana wrote under it. “I plan on interviewing my friends & family about my new music (next time I won’t be interviewing a dog).”
She was 19.
Related: Why Ariana Grande Says ‘Balance Is the Goal’ After 15 Years in the Spotlight
She’s Been Fighting for Rescue Dogs for YearsAriana has been loud about rescue dogs for years.
“I got involved with dog rescues by simply loving animals,” she wrote in 2015. “Dogs are the most harmless, sweetest babes in the world. They show nothing but unconditional love, so they deserve that in return.”
On her Honeymoon Tour, she worked with BarkBox to bring trucks full of adoptable puppies to her venues. She paid the adoption fees herself so fans could take them home.
“All the pups I sponsored got homes!” she wrote.
Fans who couldn’t adopt got a job, too. She asked them to follow their local shelters on social media and share the posts for dogs who were having trouble finding homes.
“I love my dogs and I love my fans as if they were family,” she wrote.
Next: ‘Dance Moms’ Alum Says Goodbye to Brand-New Pet After ‘Unforeseen’ Circumstances
Another ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Pro Is Speaking Out Against Carrie Ann Inaba’s Illegal Lift Call
Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of a Super Bowl Night samba on Dancing With the Stars is being judged by a fellow dancer.
In a post to TikTok on October 18, veteran pro dancer Gleb Savchenko said Inaba’s claim of an illegal lift during Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr.’s performance last week was off base.
“I just watched Jenna and Harry’s samba, and I think it was a really entertaining dance. It was really cool,” Savchenko, 43, told his TikTok followers. “I don’t think it was like an OG, OG samba — it was a bit flat-footed, it was like a hip-hop samba — but I tell you this, if I would be a judge instead of Carrie Ann, I would never, ever, ever call out that lift.”
“Because it wasn’t a lift,” the Russian dancer continued. “It was a trick that has been done by true dancers helping Harry. We’ve seen it many, many times. We’ve seen it thousands of times when people are just lifting a celebrity. … Jenna didn’t lift him, he didn’t lift Jenna … it wasn’t done in the couple, so I think it’s bulls—. It’s probably [because] Carrie Ann just had to say something, because she’s the lift police of Dancing With the Stars. She was just doing her job, creating a good TV moment.”
Savchenko also referenced Johnson’s husband, Val Chmerkovskiy, who was slapped with a suspension from this week’s show after defending his wife on social media via a message aimed at Inaba.
“Yeah, I’d say Team Val on this one,” Savchenko said. “I think there’s some bulls— going on.”
During the Oct. 13 episode of Dancing with the Stars, Inaba called out Johnson for a lift she spotted in her samba, reading the definition from a paper: “A lift is any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner.”
Inaba appeared to be referencing a section of the dance when two male backup dancers lifted Shum.
Savchenko isn’t the only DWTS veteran to weigh in on the drama.
Johnson’s brother-in-law Maksim Chmerkovskiy appeared on The Viall Files podcast and said Inaba called the lift incorrectly.
“A lift is a lift if a partner lifted his partner,” he said. “If you’re going to have [the] troupe run out and throw someone in the air, that’s not a lift. That’s Dancing With the Stars creative direction, and you should complain to the creative director.”
Chmerkovskiy’s wife and fellow DWTS alum Peta Murgatroyd agreed that she was confused by Inaba’s use of the rule.
And in a video posted to Instagram, original Dancing with the Stars pro Louis van Amstel said that he felt Inaba was right to call out the lift, but he admitted that she is not always consistent with the rule. He also noted, “You can also blame the producers for not being clear on the rule when there is more than just a couple on the dance floor.”
Related: Jenna Johnson ‘Had a Good Cry’ After Carrie Ann Inaba’s Harsh ‘DWTS’ Critique
Kelly Ripa Details Travel Nightmare That Resulted In A 'Chain Reaction Of Vomit' Amongst Her 3 Kids
Kelly Ripa’s unsettling tale about a flight she took with her kids might make you search for the closest bathroom.
During Monday’s episode of Live With Kelly and Mark, Ripa recounted an incident that occurred on a past trip when a passenger’s sick child unintentionally created a ripple effect of regurgitation from all of her children on the plane. She told the story to her co-host, who just so happens to be her husband, Mark Consuelos, and asked if he remembered sitting “way in the back of the plane” when it happened.
“Fortunately, I was near the bathroom,” Ripa said. “We had our kids, and I was sat next to a woman with her child. All of our kids were young. Her toddler vomited, which started a chain reaction of vomit. Does that make sense?”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 07: Kelly Ripa attends the 79th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 07, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)The daytime TV vet sarcastically joked about it being a “fun flight” as she described her children, Michael, Lola, and Joaquin, who are all in their twenties now, completely disregarding the barf bag that was provided for them.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the parents have experienced something like this. Consuelos compared the occurrence to something that happened when he was in grade school, when a classmate was sick, and two or three other classmates ended up sick. He remembered seeing the janitor come into the classroom to sprinkle kitty litter on the floor to soak up the vomit.
“There was no kitty litter on the plane,” Ripa playfully added. “It was just a chain reaction of children vomiting. Fortunately, the moms were like, ‘This is not going to ruin our flight. We’re going to get through it.’”
Kelly Ripa & husband Mark Consuelos & children Michael, Lola & Joaquin in Kelly’s arms (Photo by Robin Platzer/FilmMagic)It may not have ruined the vacation, but it’s definitely one flight they’ll never forget. For more funny familial anecdotes, Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication.
Iconic Film Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Was Just Named the Best Horror Movie in Film History
While plenty of horror films are filled with gory moments, some of the best movies in the genre are more subtle in their approach. For instance, Alfred Hitchcock‘s 1960 classic, Psycho, still terrifies viewers, even though much of its horror is left to the imagination.
The publication Collider recently put Psycho, which stars Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, Vera Miles as Lila Crane, and Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, at the number one spot in its ranking of “The 10 Best Horror Movies in Film History.” According to Collider, Psycho has had a definite impact upon the horror genre for the last seven decades.
Other films featured in Collider‘s ranking include 2017’s Get Out, 1980’s The Shining, The Thing from 1982, and 1979’s Alien.
Janet Leigh Shared Why She Believed ‘Psycho’ Has Stayed So BelovedIn a 2000 interview with the BBC, Leigh, who died in 2004 at the age of 77, shared why she believed Psycho has continued to be appreciated. She pointed to Hitchcock’s ability to paint a picture without showing graphic details as the reason the film has remained memorable.
“I think because of Hitchcock’s brilliance and his ability to tell his story so tightly. He gets the audience right going on this path, right to where we can show and then provokes the audience into taking it. They take the leap, they finish the creative process. You can forget a photograph, but you can’t forget what you created here,” said Leigh while pointing to her head.
She then noted that the film’s famous shower scene only hints at the extreme violence being done to her character.
“People swear that they saw the knife go in the body. And they saw blood spurt out. They never, ever did,” said the actress. “What Mr. Hitchcock did was when the knife went back, and with the music, the music was the thrust of the knife, and as the music and the knife went forward, you saw a quick shot of a tongue, or a leg or something. And you saw the knife go in there, but you never did because the next thing you saw was the knife coming back out.”
Taylor Swift Confronts Fan Over Filming Her at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
Taylor Swift has become a Chiefs staple at games ever since dating and later married tight end player Travis Kelce. During a recent game, the pop star was spotted telling a fan to stop recording her and focus on the field.
The “Ophelia” singer may be used to getting bombarded by flashing lights, cameras, and photo ops from fans, but she prefers a lower profile when watching her husband during a game. Her response to a fan taking photos of her caught the interest of social media.
In a TikTok video uploaded by @campthomas, Swift is engrossed in the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Los Angeles Chargers while sitting in the VIP Suite. A woman is seen peering into the suite while one of the singer’s reported security guards catches her attention.
Despite being told to turn back around by security, the woman takes out her phone and points it directly at Swift to take a photo or video. Swift, 36, quickly noticed the fan and began gesturing for her to turn around and focus instead on the game.
The singer’s gestures had the fan quickly scrambling to turn around as security also told her to step away. It appears that the fan left to return to her assigned seat.
Under the original TikTok video, fans came to Swift’s defense and chastised the fan for crossing a boundary. Many commented that getting close to the singer to take photos isn’t appropriate and is simply “rude.”
“I do not understand how people think this is okay even after she told you to stop you continue on until her bodyguard has to tell you to go,” said one commentor.
“People standing under her and staring has to be so annoying,” said another.
One fan also commented, “How do people have zero self-awareness or shame getting in someone’s face taking pictures. It’s so awkward. I’m glad she told the person to knock it off and watch the game.”
Other fans commented that Swift is there to see her husband on the field and deserves some level of privacy despite her fame. Swift’s response to the fan was seen as “rude” by some, but many defended the singer by pointing out that she smiled and said “thank you” to the fan after motioning that she was paying attention to the game.
“We can see she’s smiling in the end, she’s probably just telling her smth like « you paid to see the game you should watch it lol » why would people directly assume she’s mad,” said a fan.
In true Chiefs fashion, Swift was spotted wearing the team’s colors with a high-neck red sweater and matching red lipstick. She was also joined in the VIP Suite by WNBA star Caitlin Clark and musician Este Haim.
One of CNN's Most High-Profile Anchors Is Exiting the Network After 43 Years
Cable News Network, Inc. — otherwise known as CNN — describes Christiane Amanpour as a legend. And you’ve been watching her report on-air for decades.
These days, she serves as the network’s chief international anchor. But on Monday, October 19, the 68-year-old unexpectedly announced that she will sign off from CNN in June of next year.
“After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!” Amanpour said in a statement, per the news channel, adding that she “looks forward to interesting new projects down the line, and will always be rooting for CNN and maintaining its history of independent journalism. Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”
CNN reported on Monday that in January 2027, Amanpour will shift her eponymous nightly interview program on CNN International to once a week until it ends in May. She will continue reporting and traveling the world for CNN through June.
CNN chairman Mark Thompson shared Amanpour’s decision in a memo to colleagues Monday morning, which read: ““Christiane has thought carefully about this decision, and she and I have been discussing it for some months,” Thompson wrote. “Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally.”
Amanpour also shared the following statement Monday, per CNN: “From my very first big exciting assignment covering the First Gulf War, to the horrors of the Bosnian War, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran and all the points in between, it’s the teams and the camaraderie that counted so much, as we together battled to seek the facts, the evidence and the humanity, so that CNN could always broadcast the truth about the world and to the world, without fear nor favor.”
How The Power Station Turned a Heavy, Funk-Infused Bassline Into 1985's Most Explosive Rock Anthem
From the very first thumping second of its opening riff, “Some Like It Hot” demanded your full attention.
The lead single from The Power Station’s self-titled 1985 debut wasn’t just another ’80s rock track; it was a high-voltage collision of funk, heavy metal, and pop. Powered by John Taylor’s iconic, driving bassline, Robert Palmer‘s effortless vocals, Andy Taylor‘s lead guitar, and Tony Thompson‘s drums, the song captured lightning in a bottle and proved that an unexpected side project could deliver one of the decade’s most unforgettable anthems, “Some Like it Hot.”
By 1984, Duran Duran was arguably the biggest band on the planet, but bassist John and guitarist Andy were longing to break out of the band’s new wave mold and indulge their love for heavy funk and hard rock.
According to the website Rock and Roll Globe, the band wanted to create a side project that featured icons such as Mick Jagger, Billy Idol, and Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs. The project was originally conceived as a loose, rotating collective, with plans to bring in a different superstar singer for every track.
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However, the group initially had a different purpose: backing Taylor’s then-girlfriend and rock muse Bebe Buell on a cover of T. Rex’s “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” according to Rhino Records. When Buell and John broke up before going into the studio, the session was canceled, but the trio of Taylor, Taylor, and Thompson remained. Recognizing the raw power of their dynamic, the group kept the momentum going, turning a failed recording attempt into the foundation of a brand-new band.
Palmer was one of the artists brought in to record lead vocals for the project, laying down the track “Communication.” Afterwards, he asked to sing “Get It On (Bang a Gong).”
“Robert came in, and he was amazing,” John recalled in a quote reprinted by the website Robert Palmer, Music & Style. “And it was Bernard who said, ‘You don’t need another singer. This is your singer.’ So we just had to come up with like another seven songs. It’s so easy.”
Together, the Taylors and Palmer wrote “Some Like it Hot.” According to Songfacts, which reprinted a 2012 John Taylor interview from the A.V. Club, the bassist said, “I flew to Nassau in the Bahamas, which was where Robert Palmer lived at the time, and played him the demo that Andy and I had written and said, ‘We’ve got this idea that we’re calling ‘Some Like It Hot.” And he just looked at me and said, ‘And some sweat when the heat is on.’ I was, like, ‘Yes! That’ll do.'”
The Power Station seemed unstoppable, with a trio of songs in the Billboard Hot 100. These included “Some Like It Hot” at No. 6, “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” at No. 9, and “Communication” at No. 34.
As the song exploded on top 40 radio, the band rode the wave all the way to Studio 8H, delivering a fiery live performance on Saturday Night Live in February 1985. But just as momentum hit a fever pitch and a full tour was booked, Palmer abruptly pulled the plug on the live shows.
Choosing to strike while the iron was hot, he shifted his focus back to his solo career—and his smash Riptide LP with its monster hits “Addicted to Love” and “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On.” Per Rhino, the band quickly tapped rock frontman Michael Des Barres to take over vocal duties on the road, marking a wild final chapter for a side project that never released another record.
Related: ’80s Icon Reveals the Spark That Brought His Supergroup to Life
Every Ali Hazelwood Book in Publication Order—From ‘The Love Hypothesis’ to Her Latest Release
Ali Hazelwood knows her way around a good love story, especially when it involves brilliant women, complicated relationships and a healthy dose of romantic tension. Since making her publishing debut with The Love Hypothesis in 2021, the neuroscientist-turned-bestselling novelist has built a devoted readership with romances that mix sharp humor, memorable characters and plenty of chemistry.
And while science and academia helped make Hazelwood famous, she’s hardly limited herself to the laboratory. Her growing bibliography includes a young adult chess romance, supernatural love stories, competitive swimmers and shorter works that are easy to overlook if you’re only browsing bookstore shelves.
So, how many Ali Hazelwood books are there, and what’s the best order to read them? We’ve organized her novels, novellas and collections by publication date, with a look at her newest releases and what’s coming next.
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As of October 2026, Ali Hazelwood has published nine full-length novels, beginning with The Love Hypothesis in September 2021 and continuing through Mate in October 2025.
Her bibliography is considerably larger when you include novellas, anthology contributions and collected editions. Her latest print release is Bound and Unbound, published October 6, 2026, which brings together two previously released paranormal audio novellas.
According to Hazelwood’s official website, her shorter works range from the STEMinist novellas to paranormal stories and holiday romances.
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This chronological list follows the original publication of each work rather than the dates of later paperback editions, special editions or reissues. Collections are included where relevant, with their previously published contents identified.
1. The Love Hypothesis (2021)Penguin Random House
Hazelwood’s breakout debut introduces Olive Smith, a graduate student who accidentally kisses notoriously intimidating professor Adam Carlsen and winds up in a fake relationship with him. The arrangement soon becomes considerably more complicated than either anticipated.
Published September 14, 2021, the novel established Hazelwood’s signature combination of academic settings, romantic comedy and science-minded heroines.
2. Under One Roof (2022)Penguin Random House
The first STEMinist novella follows environmental engineer Mara, who inherits half a house and finds herself sharing it with Liam, an attorney whose outlook couldn’t be more different from hers. Their reluctant living arrangement creates plenty of friction.
3. Stuck with You (2022)Penguin Random House
In this second STEMinist novella, civil engineer Sadie finds herself trapped in an elevator with Erik, a man she has very good reasons to avoid. The forced proximity gives them an unexpected opportunity to revisit their complicated history.
4. Below Zero (2022)Penguin Random House
Arctic scientist Hannah is stranded in a dangerous situation when NASA aerospace engineer Ian comes to her rescue. Their shared history makes the experience even more emotionally charged.
This completes the original STEMinist novella trilogy.
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Penguin Random House
Neuroscientist Bee Königswasser lands an exciting NASA project, only to discover that she’ll be working alongside Levi Ward, a former academic rival. But what begins as an apparently disastrous professional partnership becomes something much more interesting.
6. Loathe to Love You (2023)Penguin Random House
This collection brings together Under One Roof, Stuck with You and Below Zero in one volume, along with bonus material. Published January 3, 2023, it’s worth including in a complete bibliography, although readers who already own the three novellas don’t need to purchase it to get the main stories.
7. Love, Theoretically (2023)Penguin Random House
Theoretical physicist, Elsie Hannaway, supplements her academic income by working as a fake girlfriend. But her carefully separated lives collide when Jack Smith, the brother of one of her clients, turns out to have considerable influence over her professional future.
The novel was published on June 13, 2023.
8. Check & Mate (2023)Penguin Random House
Hazelwood’s first young adult novel trades laboratories for competitive chess.
Mallory Green has stepped away from the game, but an unexpected victory over champion Nolan Sawyer draws her back into a world she’d rather leave behind.
Published November 7, 2023, the book offers a younger audience variation on Hazelwood’s familiar rivals-to-romance dynamic.
9. Bride (2024)Penguin Random House
Hazelwood ventured into paranormal romance with Bride, which follows Misery Lark, a Vampyre who enters a politically motivated marriage with Were Alpha Lowe Moreland.
Published February 6, 2024, the novel introduced a supernatural world that Hazelwood would revisit in Mate.
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Penguin Random House
Biotech researcher Rue Siebert becomes involved with Eli Killgore, whose business interests threaten the company where she works. Their attraction complicates an already delicate professional situation in one of Hazelwood’s more emotionally intense contemporary romances.
The novel was published on June 11, 2024.
11. Two Can Play (2024)Penguin Random House
Originally released as an audiobook in October 2024, this novella follows video game designer Viola Bowen, who must collaborate with her professional rival Jesse Andrews on a major project.
A snowy company retreat forces the pair into close quarters. The story later received print and ebook editions on February 10, 2026, as confirmed by Penguin Random House.
12. Cruel Winter with You (2024)Ali Hazelwood
Part of the Under the Mistletoe collection, this holiday novella follows Jamie and Marc, whose long shared history takes an unexpected romantic turn during a winter storm. It’s a short, seasonal addition to Hazelwood’s contemporary romance catalog.
13. Deep End (2025)Penguin Random House
In this novel, competitive college diver Scarlett Vandermeer tries to recover her confidence after an injury when she becomes involved with champion swimmer Lukas Blomqvist.
Published February 4, 2025, Hazelwood’s sports romance explores ambition, vulnerability and the pressures of elite athletics.
14. Problematic Summer Romance (2025)Penguin Random House
Set against the backdrop of a wedding in Sicily, this contemporary romance follows Maya Killgore and Conor Harkness, whose attraction is complicated by their age difference and longstanding personal connections.
Published May 27, 2025, the novel is a companion to Not in Love, which features Maya’s brother, Eli. Although it can be read independently, readers familiar with the earlier novel will recognize several characters.
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Ali Hazelwood
Hazelwood returned to supernatural romance with this shorter story, published as part of the Scared Sexy collection. Featuring a vampire and a vampire slayer, it offers another paranormal detour outside the world of Bride.
16. FIRST (2025)Ali Hazelwood
Originally associated with the After the End anthology project, FIRST takes Hazelwood into dystopian romance. Its limited-release history makes it one of the less familiar entries in her bibliography, although the author’s official website provides a reading link.
17. Mate (2025)Ali Hazelwood
Published October 7, 2025, Mate returns to the paranormal world introduced in Bride. This time, the story centers on Serena Paris, whose unusual identity makes her a target, and Koen Alexander, the Were Alpha determined to protect her.
Readers will appreciate the connections more if they start with Bride.
18. Bound (2025)The first installment in Hazelwood’s paranormal novella duology introduces a dark-academia setting with supernatural elements and a romance unfolding amid dangerous secrets. The story debuted in audio before receiving a collected print edition.
19. Unbound (2026)Released in audio in July 2026, Unbound continues the story begun in Bound.
The two novellas were subsequently collected in Bound and Unbound, published on October 6, 2026. The collected edition is Hazelwood’s latest print release as of this article’s publication, although it doesn’t introduce a third story.
20. Bound and Unbound (2026)Penguin Random House
Published October 6, 2026, this collected edition brings Bound and Unbound together in print and ebook for the first time.
The publisher describes the book as a paranormal romance novella duology. Readers who already listened to both stories will recognize the material, while newcomers can experience the complete story in one volume.
What is Ali Hazelwood’s newest book?Hazelwood’s most recent print release is Bound and Unbound, published October 6, 2026. It collects two paranormal novellas that were first released in audio. Her most recent original full-length novel is Mate, published in October 2025.
Readers can also look forward to Bad in Bed, an upcoming Audible Original scheduled for October 22, 2026, with a print and ebook edition planned for June 2027.
In an October 6, 2026 author update, Hazelwood confirmed the new collected edition and discussed her next two releases.
What Ali Hazelwood books are coming out next?Two additional titles are on the horizon.
Bad in Bed is scheduled to debut in audio on October 22, 2026. Its print and ebook editions are scheduled for June 1, 2027. The romance follows doctoral student Billie van Buren, whose broken engagement and damaged confidence lead to an unexpected arrangement with medical fellow Maxwell Austin.
The Two-Body Problem is scheduled for February 2, 2027. The novel returns to Olive Smith and Adam Carlsen, the central couple from The Love Hypothesis, as they navigate the next stage of their relationship and careers.
Do you need to read Ali Hazelwood’s books in order?Most of Hazelwood’s novels work well as standalones, so there’s no need to follow publication order unless you particularly enjoy seeing how an author’s style develops. There are, however, a few connected stories worth reading in sequence.
The three STEMinist novellas—Under One Roof, Stuck with You and Below Zero—are best approached in their original order, although each focuses on a different couple. Loathe to Love You collects all three.
Likewise, read Bride before Mate to follow the shared paranormal world, and Not in Love before Problematic Summer Romance for the character connections.
Finally, Bound should precede Unbound, while The Love Hypothesis is essential reading before its forthcoming sequel, The Two-Body Problem.
For newcomers, The Love Hypothesis remains an especially natural place to begin. It introduces the academic-romance style that first made Hazelwood a bestseller, leaving plenty of room to explore her increasingly varied fictional worlds afterward.
This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.