Parade

Red Rising fans have waited patiently for the seventh and final installment of the series, titled Red God, and there was some hope recently that the wait would be over. However, author Pierce Brown has come out of what he refers to as his cave to dispel some rumors.

While rumors circulated that Red One was almost complete and would be released in summer 2026, Brown had to make sure that his readers were aware that they were not true. This isn’t even a case of getting the wrong season or wrong year. Instead, he wanted to make it clear that he has no idea when his book could come out.

Pierce Brown Shares the Disappointing Update About ‘Red God’

It’s clear from an interview with Maude Garrett that Brown is frustrated with the rumors that are circulating. Because of that frustration, he needed to share the disappointing update. Red God is nowhere near completion, and he hasn’t even told his publisher that it could be coming soon. Once he gives his own deadline, it’s pretty set in stone, and he doesn’t want to put that pressure on himself just yet.

This is an epic 225,000 word novel that’s to come, and it needs to complete the series. However, Brown notes that it’s not the pressure of the ending that he’s struggling with. The novel just isn’t speaking to him like others have, and he needs to find the soul of it before he can really commit to finalizing everything.

Wrapping up the storylines is also important, which Brown does note, but it’s also the fact that this is the end. He knew that this would be a seven-book series with Darrow, and once it comes to an end, his time with Darrow comes to an end. This is a character he has known longer than most of his friends, and it’s fair to say that it’s not easy for him.

Where the ‘Red God’ Rumors Started

During the interview, Brown went into why so many people have speculated that the Red Rising series novel will be out in the summer. It came from an older interview, where he hoped that it would be ready by summer 2026.

He does understand the fear of the novel never being released. Game of Thrones and Outlander fans have all expressed their own fears of not getting the final installments of the epic series. However, Brown notes that he is working hard, and he only came out of his cave to update fans rather than leaving everyone wondering and hoping.

He does have around 1,000 pages written already, so it's not like he isn't doing the work. The end will arrive when it arrives, and it’s definitely not going to be this summer.

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

Temperatures are on the rise, which means your wardrobe is about to undergo a major makeover. While you might have your go-to shorts and tees ready for steamy days, a polished dress can help you stylishly beat the heat on occasions that call for something just a little more pulled together.

The key is to make sure that your outfit is working for you and not actually making you feel warmer. That was the inspiration behind the Columbia PFG Freezer III Dress, which is basically the hot weather dress of your dreams. While the style normally retails for $60 at Columbia, it's currently on sale in four colors for just $28.

PFG Freezer III Dress, $28 (was $60) at Columbia

Courtesy of Columbia

Shop at Columbia

There are many dresses out there designed to keep you cool, but this one stands apart. It features the brand's Omni-Freeze and Omni-Wick technologies, which work quickly to pull moisture from the body so you feel cool and fresh even when the mercury soars. Whether you're walking the dog on a steamy summer morning or running errands in the afternoon sun, you'll feel the difference instantly.

Another key highlight is Columbia's Omni-Shade broad-spectrum UPF protection. This specially designed blend of yarns and fibers comes together to shield your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, so you'll have an added layer of protection whenever you're outside. It's not a replacement for sunscreen, but adds an excellent additional barrier. That’s especially important during peak sun hours throughout spring and summer.

Related: Amazon's 'Magical' $10 Firefly Lights Turn Your Flower Beds Into Fairytale Gardens

While this dress is incredibly functional, it's also super cute and relaxed. It's available in sizes extra small to 3X, and you have your choice of a solid navy or three bold prints (including navy floral, camouflaged pink leaves, and lavender and turquoise swirls). The flattering flowing silhouette is cut in a classic A-line that gracefully skims your figure, keeping you comfortable while you're on the move.

The blend of polyester and elastane jersey fabrics feels soft and cool, offering just the right amount of stretch for your everyday routine. It's easy to maintain, too. Just toss it in the washing machine using a gentle cycle with cold water, then tumble dry on low heat. 

With over 1,700 five-star reviews, the dress has earned high praise for its clever construction and style. One shopper described it as "luxurious," adding that it "really keeps you cool on the hottest days." Another customer noted that it's "very comfortable and flattering." Hundreds of shoppers were thrilled with its versatility, too, sharing that they've worn it everywhere from errand runs to hiking.

Shop More Deals

• Konos Featherweight Sneakers, $70 (was $100) at Columbia
• Daniela Falls T-Shirt, $18 (was $50) at Columbia
• Insulated Water Bottle, $18 (was $30) at Columbia

Whether you love spending time outside or just want something you can grab in a pinch when the weather is intolerably hot, the Columbia PFG Freezer III Dress makes an excellent choice that lives up to its name. Pick it up while it's on sale in your preferred size and color!

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.

If you’ve just finished watching The Madison, there’s a good chance you’re still thinking about it. The show doesn’t really leave you with loud moments; it stays with you quietly. And naturally, the first question people are asking is: Is there going to be Season 2?

The answer is yes. The Madison has not been canceled, and Season 2 is already happening. In fact, the makers didn’t wait to see how Season 1 performed before moving forward. They had enough confidence in the story to continue it early on, which says a lot about how they see this series in the long run.

What makes this even more interesting is that Season 2 of the Paramount+ series has reportedly already been filmed. That’s not very common, especially for a show that isn’t built around action or big cliffhangers. But here, the focus has always been on people, their emotions, their silence, and the way they deal with loss.

L-R: Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Rebecca Spence as Liliana Weeks in episode 4, season 1 of the Paramount+ series The Madison. (Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

At the center of everything is Stacy (Michelle Pfeiffer). Her journey doesn’t feel dramatic in a typical way, but it feels real. She’s not trying to “move on” in a rushed sense. Instead, she’s figuring things out slowly, and that’s what makes the show connect. It doesn’t push emotions at you; it lets them sit. So no, the story isn’t ending with Season 1. If anything, it feels like it’s just getting started. So, what can viewers expect from Season? Let's find out.

When Can You Expect 'The Madison' Season 2?

Before talking about what can we expect from the second edition, here comes the harder part: when will Season 2 actually release? That’s something that hasn’t been clearly announced yet. There’s no official date as of now, which can be a bit frustrating. But looking at how things usually work, it’s likely that the next season could arrive sometime next year. A late 2026 release or even early 2027 seems possible, though nothing is confirmed.

The wait, however, doesn’t seem to be because of delays or problems. Since the second season is already filmed, it’s more about timing.

The first season The Madison ended on a massive cliffhanger for the daughters of Stacy. She left her husband's memorial service and didn't return. Abigail and Paige tried calling her, but it turns out that she left her phone inside the bathroom of her room. Russell, who helped Stacy in leaving the memorial service, went on to find her. Unfortunately, he couldn't reach her either.

As a result, Abigail contacted the law-enforcement authorities and filed a missing person's report. But if anyone thought that the first season would end on this cliffhanger for viewers as well, you are absolutely wrong. We finally got to know that Stacy is alive and has reached Montana, right next to her husband's grave. Now, she is gearing up for the next chapter of her life, which will be totally different from everything she has experienced so far.

Season 2 might take her story on a different direction. She has now reached the place she wanted to stay and is closer to her husband. The next part of her story might be all about living the way Preston always wanted her to. It might be challenging at first, but she can surely survive in that region, like we saw in the first installment. Moreover, the second season might primarily focus on Abigail.

We already know she is going through a rough period, and when we felt that her story might get a beautiful ending with Van, everything crumbled and she suffered another heartbreak. With Stacy already in Montana and Abigail having no idea about it, destiny might just take her back for a second chance. She might get in touch with Van again, and start something beautiful. On the other hand, Paige and Russell's story will also move forward and they might think about starting a family.

L-R: Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh, Elle Chapman as Paige McIntosh, Beau Garrett as Abigail Reese, Alaina Pollack as Macy Reese, and Amiah Miller as Brigitte Reese in episode 1, season 1 of the Paramount+ series The Madison. (Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

It would be interesting to see when Paramount+ decides to drop Season 2 of The Madison. A show like this doesn't need to release the second installment so early because it needs space to breathe.

Another reason could be how carefully these shows are planned overall. The creators tend to space things out instead of rushing content one after another. That way, each season gets its own attention. For now, all viewers can really do is wait. But at least there’s some comfort in knowing that the next part of the story already exists. It’s not a question of “if” anymore; it’s just a matter of “when.”

And honestly, with a show like this, a little patience might actually make the return feel even more worth it.

All episodes for The Madison are available to stream on Paramount+.

Related: 'The Madison' Review: Michelle Pfeiffer Leads Taylor Sheridan's Quietly Devastating Story About Love, Loss, and Healing

Benjamin Ayres' wifeErin Ayres isn't very public. All of her social media accounts are private, and she doesn't hit red carpets with her Hallmark star husband often (though they did run a marathon together, which, honestly, is a lot cooler anyway). It turns out, the marketing guru and entrepreneur doesn't have to post much anyway, because Benjamin loves gushing about her on his own feed, whether it's with simple sweet selfies, thanking her for helping manage a move or sharing cute throwbacks.

Benjamin and Erin Ayres have been together for more than a quarter of a decade, and she's been integral in the launch of his passion project, Romance University, a clothing line that benefits women's and children's charities.

Benjamin, who stars in the Hallmark's upcoming When Calls the Heart prequel series Hope Valley: 1874 as a rancher and bachelor alongside Bethany Joy Lenz, calls Erin Wonder Woman. Get to know her and it's easy to see why the moniker fits so well!

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

Is Benjamin Ayres from Hallmark married?

Yes! Benjamin and Erin Ayres have been married for almost 15 years as of 2026.

Benjamin Ayres and Erin Ayres in February 2016

Photo by George Pimentel on Getty Images

Who is Benjamin Ayres' wife?

Ayres is married to Erin Ayres (nee Borgfjörð).

Benjamin and Erin tied the knot on July 12, 2012, which he marked with a sweet anniversary post on Instagram in 2020. In the photo, he and Erin stand in front of a stunning landscape of mountains and greenery, holding hands with their daughters, Isadora and Evie. He captioned the snap, "Got married 12 years ago today!"

View this post on Instagram

While he hasn't disclosed too many details about his wife through the years, we do know some cute rituals they share.

Their favorite shows to binge watch have been HBO'sWhite Lotus, Succession and Netflix'sThe Crown (signifying their great taste!), and they're into carbs, because, well, life without them would be really miserable.

“I love baking bread and the process of it. I love waking up early and getting the bread ready, and when the house smells like bread. Then, my family wakes up and they have fresh bread," he said in a March 2023 interview. "That is one of my favorite rituals.”

They also love pizza (who doesn't?!), and their favorite type of tomato pie is pretty unique.

“I can eat pizza all the time,” Benjamin said. “We have a really nice pizza place at our place that makes pizza with sourdough bread, and the girls love it, it’s a family favorite.”

She and Benjamin are also big fans of tennis, and she enjoys boxing.

View this post on Instagram

Related: The Best TV Doctors of All Time

How did Benjamin Ayres meet his wife?

While how they met isn't public knowledge, we do know when they had their first date!

Benjamin posted a photo with Erin (whose hair was then much shorter and blonder!) on Instagram on Jan. 26, 2018, writing, "18 years ago today @erin.ayres and I went on our first date. Disco dancing. This photo is from that night."

View this post on Instagram

Related: Who Is Jamie Lee Curtis’ Husband? All About Her Marriage to Christopher Guest

What does Erin Ayres do for a living?

Erin is super smart and has had a pretty awesome, accomplished and winding career path as a result. (Seriously, her LinkedIn will make you feel tired and lazy just reading it.)

She has a bachelor's degree in environmental geography from Simon Fraser University and her master's in business administration (MBA) from Queen's University, where she was on the Dean's list. In case that wasn't enough, she also studied broadcast journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is a certified hatha yoga instructor. (Do you feel like an underachiever yet?)

One of her first jobs was as a community liaison and development specialist for the Environmental Youth Alliance, where she worked in rural Mexico to translate for scientists, implement and teach environmental education in elementary and high schools and aided in the development of an improved groundwater system for a community of 30,000 indigenous people.

Next, she developed, produced and was a cast member of The Eternal Wellness Show and hosted Namaste, which combined her broadcast and yoga knowledge in a pretty perfect way.

From there, she transitioned to marketing, then co-founded BrandPointz, a cashback app.

In 2019, she co-founded the charitable clothing company Romance University with Benjamin and started her own protein pancake mix company, Easy Peasy Pancakes.

"I completed my MBA, spent 15 years in media and tech, and launched several start-ups on my path to where I am today," she told Venture Park. "My family and our health have always come first and having a busy career and two young children meant that I needed meals that were nutritious and quick to prepare. I wasn’t satisfied with store-bought baking mixes, so I started blending my own pancake mix from scratch and keeping it in a bottle in the pantry. I reduced the sugar and salt and added plant-based protein to make it a complete meal. At breakfast all I had to do was add water to the bottle, shake, and pour right into the pan to cook. I had hot pancakes, packed with protein, on the table in minutes. Once my friends started begging me to prep extra bottles for them, I knew that I was on to something exceptional."

In April 2023, she began another marketing job (on top of everything else she was already doing!) for Euroshield Rubber Roofing.

In case that all wasn't enough, she also looks like Jennifer Aniston. Life isn't fair.

Related: Danica McKellar’s 2026 Net Worth Shows How the Wonder Years Star Built a Multi-Million Dollar Empire

How many children does Benjamin Ayres have? Benjamin Ayres and Erin Ayres in September 2014

Photo by George Pimentel on Getty Images

Erin and Benjamin Ayres have two daughters, Isadora and Evie. Being a good father to his girls, Benjamin told Digital Journal, is what motivates him more than anything else in the world.

View this post on Instagram

“Success is raising children that are kind and thoughtful, and that’s what we try our best to do: to raise good children," he said. "That would be a huge success to us.”

View this post on Instagram Where does Benjamin Ayres live now?

Benjamin and Erin Ayres and their family reside in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Related: 'Malcolm in the Middle' Revival Trailer Is Here—But One Original Star Won't Be

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis are celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary.

Heming Willis, 49, took to Instagram to share a photo from the couple's romantic 2009 wedding in Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos, which features the legendary actor holding her in his arms on the beach. Smiling as they look into each other's eyes, the couple looks so in love as they celebrate the start of their marriage.

"I was made to love him. 17 years 💍🤍 📷 @frankiestills," Heming Willis captioned the throwback photo, adding a ring emoji and a white heart.

View this post on Instagram

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

How Did They Celebrate Bruce's Birthday?

Earlier this week, Bruce Willis, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2022 at the age of 67, turned 71. In addition to sharing a sweet, smiling photo of her husband, Heming Willis used the opportunity to share an important message about the creation of a new charity, The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund. According to the organization's website, its mission will be "to confront frontotemporal dementia by raising awareness, funding promising research, and supporting caregivers."

In the caption of the post, Heming Willis elaborated on why she decided to establish the organization.

"Today we celebrate Bruce’s birthday. 💙 This journey with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has opened my eyes to the realities so many families face. It’s what inspired me to create The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund to raise awareness of FTD, support research, and stand beside the caregivers who carry so much every day," she wrote.

View this post on Instagram

Heming Willis continued by requesting that those who wish to honor Bruce and his journey could consider supporting the organization, another organization, or simply checking in on a caregiver, which is "a small act of kindness that can mean so much."

How Many Children Does Bruce Willis Have?

Bruce Willis has two children, Evelyn and Mabel, with his wife Emma Heming Willis. He also has three older daughters, Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout, with ex-wife Demi Moore. Last year, Heming Willis opened up about the blended family's love for each other during an appearance on Oprah's podcast.

View this post on Instagram

Related: Bruce Willis' Wife Wishes Him a Happy Birthday With Sweet Photo Amid His Ailing Health

Chris Colfer is known for his work on Glee, but since leaving the series, he’s moved onto writing novels. While his novels have been for children, he’s switching gears and working on his first adult novel, and it’s going to be perfect for Heated Rivalry fans.

What’s even more exciting for the Glee star is that his children’s books have been picked up by Warner Bros. Pictures, meaning an adaptation of his first novel series will hopefully be on the way. He has 20 novels in The Land Stories series, with the first one titled The Wishing Spell published in 2012.

Chris Colfer Is Working on a New ‘Very Smutty’ Book

While speaking with Out, Colfer shared that he worries his new novel will get him canceled. However, with the recent success of Heated Rivalry, which most people know as a TV series but is based on the smutty novel of the same name by Rachel Reid, he hopefully has more confidence in it. Yes, Colfer does love Heated Rivalry, especially how amazing the actors look on the series.

The Glee star shared that his new adult novel is going to be “very smutty, very creepy, very gay.” He hasn’t shared the titled of the novel just yet, but it will be released in summer 2027.

The novel is based on his own experiences, bringing something spooky that really happened to him. He is using sex as a metaphor, which is something that he hopes the readers will understand.

The timing of the announcement comes as we reach the 11th anniversary of Glee premiering on broadcast TV. Ahead of the premiere, Colfer was told not to come out as gay as it would ruin his career, but after a positive encounter with a young fan, he knew that he had to be a beacon of positivity for the community.

Chris Colfter Has a Series of Children’s Fiction Books

For those who would like to get a taste of his writing style, Colfer does have 20 books in his The Land Series books, which are written for children. Six of those books are in the main series, and the rest are prequel books in the universe.

His first book came out in 2012, and it focuses on twins who navigate the world after the death of their father. They end up working their way through fairy tales, bringing a sense of magic and make believe to a story about grief.

Colfer will be an executive producer on the adaptations, with Phil Johnson currently attached to write. While the books have been optioned, there isn’t a release date just yet.

If there's one thing Paramount+'s new show The Madisonhas shown us, it's that Taylor Sheridan is one of the best writers working in the world of television. Whether it's something brutal like Mayor of Kingstownor something tender like The Madison, Sheridan has the talent of taking viewers on a journey filled with excitement and raw emotion.

The first three episodes of The Madison were not just brilliant, but also heart-wrenching. It was the beginning of something beautiful and deeply human, unfolding with quiet intensity. Stacy (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Preston Clyburn (Kurt Russell) are the perfect couple who have everything: money, love, and brilliant children. However, they are a dysfunctional family. One of their kids, Abigail (Beau Garrett), is going through a rough patch in her married life, while Paige (Elle Chapman) doesn't care about what is happening around her. She cares about herself and behaves like a spoiled kid. 

Everything turns upside down when the family's patriarch, Preston, dies in a plane crash while visiting his brother, Paul, in the mountains of Montana. Stacy and her family visit Montana, trying to find out what actually happened. In the process, what we witness is a wife's quietly devastating unraveling as she grapples with the loss of a man who loved her beyond measure. Preston always wanted his wife, Stacy, to come to Montana and live a life miles away from the chaos of New York. For some reason, she couldn't, but once she made her way to the cabin where Preston lived with his brother and went through his diary, she realized what she had missed. 

L-R Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Kurt Russell as Preston Clyburn in the Paramount+ series The Madison. (Photo Credit: Chris Saunders/Paramount+)

Chris Saunders/Paramount+

Now, Stacy doesn't want to miss a chance to honor her husband's legacy and decides to hold a funeral for him in Montana. But that's not the only thing going on because her children have never lived a nomadic life. They don't know how to make coffee without a coffee machine or eat whatever is available. On one hand, Stacy is trying to keep a check on her emotions while doing everything for Preston.

On the other hand, she is letting her family know about the loss and how devastating it is for her. With Stacy adamant on living in Montana for the rest of her life, her children are left stunned and conflicted, their resistance quickly turning into tension as they struggle to accept a life they never chose. Will they live with her, or something terrible is going to happen between the family members? Let's take a look at how The Madison Season 1 ended.

'The Madison' Season 1 Ending Explained: What Happened to Stacy? Is She Alive?

The second half of the Paramount+ series begins on a heart-shattering note. Officer Van Davies retrieves the black box from the airplane, the very flight where Preston was last seen. Van makes it clear to Abby and Paige that they shouldn’t listen to the recording, while urging Stacy to hear it. Abby and Paige refuse to go out of the room, saying that they are strong enough to hear the recordings. However, when Van hits the play button, the entire room goes into silence. In his last moments, Preston took Stacy's name, which made her and their children emotional wrecks.

The recording made Stacy understand how deeply he cared for her and loved her. After listening to the recording, she makes it clear that she needs to do something for her husband, and Montana is the right place to do it. But that's not the only thing she needs to do; she needs to bring the family together. After returning from that heartbreaking trip to the Sheriff's Office, Stacy reads Preston's journal, where he had written how to catch a fish. She reads it and takes hold of the fishing equipment to go fishing. 

L-R: Alaina Pollack as Macy Reese and Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn in episode 4, season 1 of the Paramount+ series The Madison. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

But she is not alone. She takes Macy with her, and after several tries, they both finally catch a fish. This is one of the heartwarming moments of the series, where the oldest member of the family gels with the youngest member by doing something they have no idea about. That's what life is all about. Sometimes, a devastating moment can bring you closer to your loved ones, and that's what this scene represents. The dinner scene afterwards feels like a fresh breath of air. The family members are sitting together, eating dinner, and having some really heartwarming moments.

However, it was time to talk about the real issue: the funeral. The next morning, the funeral takes place, and no one has anything to say, which actually makes Stacy really upset. Preston is buried at the spot he loved the most, along with his brother Paul. After the funeral, the entire community holds a feast for the Clyburn Family, a tradition followed in the region. The entire scenario makes Stacy realize it is time to go HOME, and they pack their bags and return to New York. But it seems Stacy is not able to move forward, and starts seeing a therapist to talk about her emotions. Her sequences with the therapist, Phil (played by Will Arnett), add a lot of depth to the narrative.

L-R: Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Rebecca Spence as Liliana Weeks in episode 4, season 1 of the Paramount+ series The Madison. (Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

From Stacy's initial outbursts to talking patiently about her troubles, her visits to a therapist are where grief finally finds a voice she can no longer suppress. Stacy tells him that Preston's friends want to hold a memorial service for him, and she needs to be there to speak about him. Stacy doesn't want to be there, but Phil makes her understand that she needs to go so that she can close this chapter. The entire Clyburn Family is at the memorial service, but Stacy still hasn't come out of her room. Beau meets her mother and asks her to come down.

While responding, Stacy asks Beau to tell Phil, who is present at the service, to come up to her room. The therapist talks to Stacy, who tells him that she doesn't want to be here and wants to feel some fresh air because she feels really claustrophobic.

Phil understood what she meant and told her to do what she felt like because she deserved it. Stacy comes down and tells Paige's husband, Russell, that she needs to go out. Russell helps her by creating a distraction and letting her go. Hours later, the family realizes that Stacy is nowhere to be seen. Russell goes out to find her, but he can't find her. Beau tries reaching her on the phone, but unfortunately, she left her mobile phone in the bathroom. The family realized they needed to find a missing persons report, and Beau did that.

L-R: Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh in episode 6, season 1, of the Paramount+ series The Madison. (Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh in episode 6, season 1, of the Paramount+ series The Madison. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

In the final moments of the last episode, we return to Montana, and Cade comes across a body near Preston's burial spot. What made the moment worse was that there was a gun present right next to the body. As Cade moved closer to the body, the person got up panicking, and it was none other than Stacy. Stacy is well and alive, and in Montana. She has made it clear that she belongs there now and needs to honor his husband's legacy. 

In that moment, the series blurs the line between grief and rebirth, showing how loss can reshape a person in ways no one sees coming. What began as a tragedy ultimately becomes a quiet declaration of identity; Stacy isn’t just holding on to Preston’s memory, she’s choosing to rebuild her life on her own terms, right where it all fell apart.

By doing so, the show leans into its most powerful theme: that healing is rarely graceful, and often deeply isolating. Montana, once a place tied to death, slowly transforms into a space of reckoning and fragile renewal. Stacy’s choice may feel unsettling to those around her, but it carries an undeniable sense of purpose. It’s not about escaping the past, but confronting it head-on, even if it means standing alone.

And in that solitude, she finds a strange kind of strength; one that suggests her story is far from over. The Madison has already been renewed for Season 2, and the next season might focus more on family dynamics and how Stacy's life has changed after reaching Montana. Moreover, it would also focus on Abby and Paige trying to find their mother's whereabouts.

All episodes of The Madisonare available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+. 

Related: 'The Madison' Review: Michelle Pfeiffer Leads Taylor Sheridan's Quietly Devastating Story About Love, Loss, and Healing

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

Books have the power to make you think, cry or laugh, depending on their content. As much as we love to immerse ourselves in a good sad book, everyone craves a palate refresher every once in a while. And that's exactly when we seek out funny books. Librarians have a great grasp on new and classic books that can make you chuckle, so Parade reached out to a few of them to learn more about the "hidden gem" books that may just be the funniest things you'll read all year.

From funny books for adults to hilarious children's picture books that will make you laugh out loud alongside your kids, the librarians we polled shared a wide array of options for all ages. The one thing they all have in common? Each of these entertaining reads requires a healthy dose of humor and the ability not to take life so seriously.

Before diving in, be forewarned that you might just find yourself in stitches while turning the pages and soaking up a plethora of belly laughs. If you're up for the challenge and are ready to channel your inner comedian, make sure to add these 10 amusing and humorous titles to your reading list.

Related: 21 Books Like ‘Fourth Wing,’ According to Librarians

10 Funny Books To Read That Are 'Hidden Gems,' Librarians Say1. 'Don't Get Caught' by Kurt Dinan

Amazon

Adam Vorobok, a librarian at Cincinnati Public Library, couldn't stop laughing while reading this funny book by Kurt Dinan.

"It's a hilarious YA novel about a prank-pulling student club that gets set up for a crime they didn't commit," he shares. "What makes this funnier for me is that one of my high school teachers wrote this book (and behaved like the main character)."

In the book, Max and four other students get invited to the prank-pulling Chaos Club. While standing on a water tower that's been newly defaced, the five students get "caught" by campus security, but they didn't actually commit the crime. Max isn't willing to take this sitting down, so he devises a plan to get payback.

Related: 45 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time, According to Librarians

2. 'Cute Toot' by Breanna McDaniel and illustrated by Olivia de Castro

Amazon

"Who doesn't love a fart joke?! Two sisters stuck in the house turn a stinky accident into a hilarious adventure," Lauren Mobley, a school library media specialist, says of the book Cute Toot.

Much like Mobley, you'll find yourself giggling as you flip through the pages of this children's picture book with your little ones.

The book description calls it "an explosive ode to the bonds of sisterhood" and "the time-honored tradition of hide and seek." In the book, sisters play a game of hide and seek in the attic when the younger sister suddenly farts and alerts her sibling to her hiding spot. This kicks off the "most phenomenal fart fest this attic has ever seen."

3. 'Redshirts' by John Scalzi

Amazon

Vorobok says fans of Star Trek will devour this comedic novel.

"In Star Trek, there is a trope that if you wear a red shirt, you'll get killed before the episode ends," he explains. "What if all the red shirts realize this and rebel? It's a laugh-out-loud story for the background characters to outshine the main characters."

In the book, Ensign Andrew Dahl is assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid and is prepared to serve on Away Missions with the starship's senior officers. Andrew soon learns that Away Missions come along with a deadly encounter with alien forces and discovers that at least one low-ranking crew member is always killed.

"Then Andrew stumbles on information that transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is… and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives," the book description reads.

Related: 29 ‘Must-Read’ Magical Realism Books, According to Librarians

4. 'Butt or Face?' by Kari Lavelle

Barnes & Noble

Elementary librarian AndreaChildes says this nonfiction picture book will "instantly hook readers with its silly guessing game format."

"Kids will love trying to figure out whether they are looking at an animal's butt or their face," she states. "They will crack up when they learn the truth. The best part is [that] while kids are enjoying a good laugh, they are also learning new facts about the animals they encounter throughout the book."

5. ‘The Illuminatus! Trilogy: The Eye in the Pyramid, The Golden Apple, Leviathan' by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea

Amazon

"Written during the counter-culture days, this trippy novel satirizes conspiracy theories as a way for you to question your own reality tunnel. No book has made me laugh harder than this one," Vorobok says.

Per the book description, this trilogy addresses "all the coverups of our time," ranging from "who really shot the Kennedys to why there's a pyramid on a one-dollar bill."

6. 'Bathe the Cat' by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by David Roberts

Amazon

Mobley says her daughter is "addicted to this book."

"The ridiculously silly mayhem that ensues when a family tries to prepare for a visit from grandma left us both in stitches," she says. 

In the rhyming picture book, a family checks several household chores off their to-do list together. Meanwhile, the family's cat is determined to avoid bath time and gets into plenty of trouble along the way.

"Bouncy rhyme carries the story headlong into the growing hilarity, until finally Dad restores some kind of order—but will the cat avoid getting his whiskers wet?" the book description reads.

Related: 11 Best Audiobooks on Spotify, According to Librarians

7. 'The Afterlife of Mal Caldera' by Nadi Reed Perez

Amazon

"Who knew being a ghost would be so darn funny? Wonderful characters make this dark story shine with humor and poignancy," Vorobok says.

Readers meet Mal Caldera, a former rock star who has passed away. As she meets other ghosts in the afterlife, Mal craves a connection with her younger sister, Cris, who has to pick up the pieces Mal left behind. Along the way, Mal meets a medium named Ren who agrees to help her pass on a message to Cris.

"Mal knows it’s wrong to hold on so tightly to her old life. Bad things happen to ghosts who interfere with the living, and Mal can't help wondering if she’s hurting the people she loves by hanging around, haunting their lives. But Mal has always been selfish, and letting go might just be the hardest thing she's ever had to do," the book description reads.

8. 'Norman Didn't Do It: (Yes, He Did)' by Ryan T. Higgins

Amazon

Childes appreciates how this funny book "turns big feelings like jealousy into a silly, over-the-top situation."

"Kids cannot help but laugh at Norman the porcupine's dramatic reactions, especially when he insists he 'didn't do it' while clearly causing the problem," she shares. "The expressive illustrations, short texts and relatable humor make a perfect read-aloud book that gets a lot of giggles while still giving a gentle message about friendship and making things right."

9. 'Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales: Unsettling Salad' by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

Amazon

Childes says this book "perfectly mixes spooky vibes and silly humor that all kids love."

"The story takes something ordinary, like eating vegetables, and turns it into a ridiculous, creepy mystery where even broccoli might bite back, creating a lot of laughs," the librarian states. "It has a playful tone, relatable characters who hate veggies and suspenseful but not scary moments that make it an entertaining read that keeps kids laughing and the pages turning."

The book is full of creepy stories that the narrator, Jasper the Rabbit, tells as "cautionary tales," per the book description.

10. 'The Third Policeman' by Flann O'Brien

Amazon

"Any book that convinces you that you might be part-bicycle is worth a read in my opinion. And that's not even the most absurd thing about this book," Vorobok states. 

Described as a thriller and comic satire, the book tells the tale of a village police force, an "unrequited love affair between a man and his bicycle" and a "chilling fable of unending guilt," per the description, which compares the book to Alice in Wonderland.

Up Next:

Related: 50 Books Every Woman Over 50 Should Have on Her Bookshelf, According to Librarians

Sources:

• Adam Vorobok is a librarian at Cincinnati Public Library.
• Lauren Mobley is a school library media specialist.
• Andrea Childes is an elementary librarian.

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

I don't know about you, but the second the weather even hints at warming up, I'm already mentally in summer mode—iced drink in hand, feet in the water, pretending my backyard is a whole vibe. So when I spotted this new must-have at Target, I immediately stopped scrolling. It's not just cute—it's giving full-on vintage Americana, like something straight out of a nostalgic summer daydream.

The Minnidip Minni Tufted Pool – Denim Patchwork is part of the playful, design-forward lineup from Minnidip, and it's easily one of the most unique backyard finds of the season. Priced at just $29.99, this pool stands out thanks to its denim-inspired patchwork design, which blends classic textures like gingham, stripes and bandana prints in shades of blue. The result feels both retro and fresh—like a nod to old-school Americana with a modern twist.

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

Minnidip Minni Tufted Pool, Denim Patchwork, $29.99 at Target

Target

Shop It!

Beyond its looks, it's also thoughtfully designed for real-life use. Measuring four feet wide and one foot tall, it's a great size for younger kids to splash around comfortably. It even features an inflatable bottom for extra cushioning, which makes a big difference during longer play sessions. And because it's made from BPA-free, phthalate-free vinyl, it checks the box for safer materials, too.

One of the biggest appeals of inflatable pools like this is just how easy they make it to have fun in the sun. There's no complicated setup or long-term commitment—just inflate it, fill it up, and you've got an instant cool-down spot right in your backyard.

Related: Target Just Dropped Cozy Sweatshirts Inspired by a Cult-Favorite Romantasy Book Series

They're especially ideal for smaller spaces, renters or anyone who wants a low-maintenance way to enjoy warm weather without investing in a permanent pool.

What really makes this one special, though, is the design. Founded by Chicago-based entrepreneur Emily Vaca, Minnidip has built a reputation for turning everyday summer essentials into statement pieces, and this pool is no exception. It's playful, a little nostalgic and stylish enough that you won't mind it being the centerpiece of your outdoor setup.

If you're looking for a fun, affordable way to upgrade your backyard this season, this Target find might just be the easiest yes of the summer.

Related: Target's New 'Flattering' Gingham A-Line Dress Has Shoppers in Love

Olivia D'Abo rose to stardom in the '80s and '90s as Karen on The Wonder Years, but she looks absolutely incredible in a rare social media appearance in 2026.

D'Abo, 57, scored her breakthrough role as Karen Arnold, the rebellious older sister of Kevin Arnold, played by Fred Savage, on the beloved ABC series. Known for ditching school and adopting a hippie lifestyle during the '60s-set show, Karen is the ultimate free spirit and a guiding light for young Kevin.

After departing the series, D'Abo scored roles on The Single Guy and The Legend of Tarzan, and took on a few movie roles, like the cult-favorite kids' soccer flick The Big Green. Also a singer-songwriter, the British beauty has a highly successful career as a voice-over actress to this day. She's also earned acclaim for her role on The Bay.

In a rare social media appearance, D'Abo leaned on her '90s prominence to partake in the popular '90s throwback meme, adding together a variety of pictures of herself and her castmates from the period. But one look at her in the present, and it's safe to say the blonde beauty hasn't changed very much at all. Now that's aging like a fine wine!

"The 90s were my 60s…#momwhatwereyoulikeinthe90s#90s#gogodolls#thewonderyears#fashion," D'Abo captioned the post.

View this post on Instagram

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

D'Abo was extremely stunning last year when she hit the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys, after receiving a nod for Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series for her role in The Bay.

Photo by Taylor Hill on Getty Images

Does D'Abo Stay in Touch With Her Wonder Years Castmates?

Yes! Last year, Access Hollywood caught up with D'Abo and Alley Mills, who played her beloved mother on The Wonder Years.

“When we met for the audition, she had no bra…” Alley recalled D'Abo, whose character was always free-wheeling.

D'Abo added, “I was in character!”

Mills continued, “She had this silk top on with no back, and it was flapping, and I literally, I started blushing, and they said, ‘I think we’re done, I think we got it."

Check out this fun photo of the cast together:

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez on Getty Images

Related: ‘Wonder Years’ Star Danica McKellar Makes Shocking Admission About What Her Placenta Tasted Like

It’s been a chaotic week for Bachelor Nation.

ABC canceled Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette on Thursday, March 19, just three days before it was set to premiere. The move came after a 2023 video resurfaced showing the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star in a physical altercation with her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

It marked the first time in franchise history that an entire season has been shelved, and fans are now wondering what comes next.

Sophie Rain already has an answer.

On Friday, March 20, the 23-year-old OnlyFans star took to X (formerly Twitter) to pitch herself as a replacement. “Heard you needed a new bachelorette for this upcoming season,” she wrote, tagging @BacheloretteABC.

@BacheloretteABC heard you needed a new bachelorette for this upcoming season 🫣

— Sophie Rain (@sophieraiin) March 20, 2026

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

The post racked up thousands of views within hours, and the comment section wasted no time weighing in. 

"Please @BacheloretteABC pick her!! It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime show!!" one person wrote. 

"Have never watched a single episode of the Bachelorette but would DVR the entire season if ABC signs Sophie Rain. Full Stop! She's a sweetheart," chimed in another. 

"You would be high ratings for them id bet,” someone else pointed out.

For those unfamiliar, Rain is one of the most talked-about creators on the internet. The Tampa native is reportedly among the top earners on OnlyFans and has built a massive following across platforms, with millions of followers on Instagram alone. She co-founded the Bop House creator collective and has made headlines for her philanthropy, including donating $121,000 to Feeding America in October 2025.

🌹 SIGN UP for our The Bachelor newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Bachelor Nation news, exclusive interviews, episode recaps & more 🌹

Meanwhile, the fallout from Paul's cancellation continues to snowball. Mortensen — who shares a 2-year-old son with Paul — filed for a protective order the same day the season was pulled, and Draper City police have confirmed a domestic assault investigation is ongoing, with allegations made in both directions, according to NBC News. 

View this post on Instagram

Production on Season 5 of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has also been paused, Cinnabon has terminated its sponsorship, and TMZ reports the network could be staring at millions in losses. An American Idol rerun is set to air in its place this Sunday, according to Deadline.

As of now, ABC hasn’t announced whether Paul’s season will ever air, whether a new lead will be chosen, or what the future of the franchise looks like. Rain isn’t the only name fans have floated, either. Bachelor Nation alum Jill Chin took to TikTok to campaign for Olympic rugby star and Dancing with the Stars fan favorite Ilona Maher, declaring "an Ilona Maher season would have SLAYED." 

Whether ABC would ever seriously consider Rain is another question entirely. But right now, nothing feels off the table.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Related: Read Next

Sometimes, we joke about how the way to our hearts is through our stomachs. And there's some truth to the tongue-in-cheek line about foodies, especially at breakfast time. Our hearts benefit from a healthy start (and diet in general).

"It is important to start the day well with a heart-healthy breakfast for many reasons," states Dr.Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "First, it resets the body's metabolism and prepares it for a day of burning calories. A hearty breakfast provides the nutrition and energy for an active day. It also helps with avoiding excessive hunger later in the day, lessening the chance of overeating."

So that explains why a 2019 study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development & Disease pointed to data suggesting that eating breakfast is linked to better heart health. Of course, people may skip breakfast because they're in a time crunch. Should they decide to start a habit of eating first thing, it's tempting (and understandable) to reach for convenient foods that don't require any preparation. Unfortunately, cardiologists say these foods can clog your arteries and cause other heart problems.

"Ultra-processed foods are engineered to have combinations of sugar, salt and fat that do not exist in nature, maximizing palatability and overriding your natural satiety cues, causing you to over-consume," warns Dr. Mary Greene, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and a labfinder.com contributor.

It's really easy to over-consume a ubiquitous breakfast food, and you may have done just that since childhood. Unfortunately, three cardiologists and a cardiology dietitian agree that one popular breakfast food could be clogging your arteries.

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

This Popular Breakfast Food Could Be Clogging Your Arteries, Cardiologists Warn

Cardiologists warn that sugary breakfast cereals can clog your arteries without you realizing it. Unfortunately, many of us were introduced to these breakfast foods as children and never quite pivoted to a heart-friendlier meal. A cardiologist empathizes.

"We all remember those 'tasty' sugary cereals growing up," says Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, the chair of Internal Medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. "It was thought that a little sweet on top of processed grains would help us achieve more servings of the original USDA food pyramid."

Grace Cary/Getty Images

That wound up not being the case, which brings us to modern-day reality.  

"It turns out, however, these sugary breakfast cereals are very high in simple carbohydrates and sugary additives that raise our blood sugars and promote insulin resistance," Dr. Sathyamoorthy continues. "This, in turn, is one of the leading causes of atherosclerosis, which is the medical term for 'clogged arteries.'"

Wait, aren't insulin resistance and sugar related to diabetes risk, not heart health risk? It turns out that habitual blood sugar spikes can play a role in both issues.

"Not only do [blood sugar spikes in the bloodstream] directly increase chronic inflammation in the body, but over time can lead to impaired glucose tolerance and even diabetes," Dr. Chen shares. "Diabetes itself can then further damage blood vessels, which can then lead to clogging of the heart arteries."

Ugh. Does that mean you can never, ever eat a sugary cereal?

"Occasional consumption or a single bowl won’t instantly clog an artery, but regularly eating high sugar, low fiber breakfasts shifts your biology toward stiffer, more plaque-prone blood vessels," explains Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com.

The American Heart Association advises that:

• Women limit added sugar intake to 100 calories (6 teaspoons or 25 grams) daily
• Men limit added sugar intake to 150 calories (9 teaspoons or 36 grams) daily

Related: These 4 Heart Disease Symptoms Are Often Dismissed as ‘Aging’ or ‘Stress’

Exactly What Happens to the Arteries When You Eat Sugary Cereals

Diabetes and clogged arteries can develop without symptoms. However, that doesn't mean nothing is going on in the body, or that consistently eating sugary cereals isn't playing a role. Dr. Greene offered a peek inside the body "on" sugary cereals.

"When consuming a sugary cereal, the first thing that occurs is a sudden spike in blood sugar, especially if it contains high fructose," she explains.

Dr. Greene shares that the liver goes into action, telling Parade, "The liver immediately processes fructose and converts it into fat in the form of dense LDL particles, triglycerides and VLDL particles that transport the lipids through the bloodstream."

She says that elevated blood sugar levels can also cause:

• Endothelial (the lining of the blood vessels) dysfunction
• Oxidative stress
• Inflammation of the blood vessels

Dr. Greene warns that all of the above create an environment that puts you at a higher risk for blockages in the arteries and blood clots. She also says that sugary cereals increase your odds of high blood pressure and obesity, neither of which boosts cardiovascular health. Importantly, though, research suggests that high-sugar diets can lead to heart disease deaths even if someone is not overweight or obese.

Related: This Daily Habit Is Secretly Damaging Your Arteries, Cardiologists Warn

3 Heart-Healthy Breakfast Foods

If you're realizing that you need to cut back on sugary breakfast cereals to keep your arteries healthy and clear, know that there are many healthy, low-to-no-prep options available to you.

Dig into these heart-friendly breakfast ideas from Routhenstein:

1. Steel-cut oats with berries, walnuts and cinnamon. She loves this mix of LDL-lowering soluble fiber (which also slows blood sugar spikes), anti-inflammatory benefits of berries, the protein and heart-healthy fats in walnuts. She says this dish will help "keep you full, supporting both steady energy and vascular health."
2. Greek yogurt parfait with chia seeds, berries and unsweetened cereal or nuts. Routhenstein shares this heart-healthy breakfast that combines protein, fiber and healthy fats. It'll help you start your day with stabilized blood sugar while supporting long-term cholesterol and triglycerides (if you regularly include it in your rotation).
3. Vegetable omelet with whole-grain toast and avocado. Protein, fiber and unsaturated fat team up to help you remain satisfied and support post-meal blood vessel health, she explains.

OK, so are they as easy to "make" as pouring cereal in a bowl? No...but they're pretty close, and your heart will love them.

"When we prioritize 'easy, which is a selling point for processed foods, we miss out on the joy of nutrient-dense foods that not only taste great but are so much more beneficial for health and wellness," Dr. Sathyamoorthy says. "Prioritize 'excellent' over 'easy.'"

Up Next:

Related: It’s Possible To Reverse Heart Failure—Here’s What That Means, According to Cardiologists

Sources:

• Skipping Breakfast and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death: A Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies in Primary Prevention Settings. Journal of Cardiovascular Development & Disease
• Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
• Dr. Mary Greene, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and a labfinder.com contributor
• Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, the chair of Internal Medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. 
• Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com
• Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Internal Medicine.
• Added Sugars. American Heart Association.

In 1975, Hall & Oates released a song that would help define their signature sound.

Their single, "Sara Smile" became one of the duo's earliest major successes, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and establishing them as rising stars in the soft rock and blue-eyed soul scene. And now, it has been ranked among the best soft rock songs of all time by Ultimate Classic Rock.

Written by Daryl Hall and John Oates, the song was featured on their album Daryl Hall & John Oates. Its smooth groove, soulful vocals and laid-back arrangement helped set it apart from many of the era’s more upbeat pop hits.

"Sara Smile" has long been associated with themes of love and emotional distance, giving it the feel of a quiet breakup anthem. The song's gentle tone and introspective lyrics resonated with listeners, helping it endure as one of the duo’s most beloved tracks.

The inspiration behind the song also adds a personal touch. Daryl Hall wrote "Sara Smile" about his then-girlfriend, Sara Allen, who would go on to become a longtime collaborator and influence on the duo's work.

"It was a song that came completely out of my heart," said Hall in a 2018 interview. "I've said this many times – it was a postcard. It's short and sweet and to the point,” said Hall.

Allen not only served as the inspiration for the song, but present during the its creation.

"She was there, in the house. I was just writing the song. I don't think there was a first time that I played it for her. She listened to the evolution of the song," said Hall.

The success of "Sara Smile" marked a turning point for Hall & Oates, paving the way for a string of hits in the late 1970s and 1980s that would make them one of the most successful duos in music history. However, neither Hall nor Oates could have predicted its success.

"The unique thing about "Sara Smile" was that it was never considered by either us, or the record company, to be a hit record. It was just an album track to us," said Oates in a 2020 interview.

"And then we were on tour in Europe and a DJ in Ohio at an R&B station began to play "Sara Smile," just purely as an album track. And, as they used to say in the old days, the phones lit up. There was an amazing response. 'Who's that?' "Who's singing?' 'Where'd you get that song?' And the report made it's way back to RCA Records. That was our new label at the time. And they said, 'Hey, well, let's give it a shot.' And they released it as a single and you know the rest."

More than 50 years later, "Sara Smile" continues to be recognized among the best soft rock songs of all time, a timeless track that captures the quiet complexity of love and loss.

Related: 1972 Career-Defining Classic Was a No. 1 Hit Song 54 Years Ago Today

Alexander Skarsgård knows how to shock us on the red carpet.

The Swedish actor, 49, who scored his breakthrough role on HBO's True Blood, blew fans away with his role on Big Little Lies opposite Nicole Kidman. Since then, roles on series like Succession and Murderbot have earned him praise. The son of actor Stellan Skarsgård, Alexander has risen to become a respected talent in his own right.

While hitting the red carpet premiere for his new film, Pillion, in which he plays a biker who starts a BDSM relationship with the film's lead, played by Harry Potter star Harry Melling, Skarsgård went untraditional in a purple rhinestone-encrusted top that showed off his toned biceps. In a sea of typical suits, we love it when a star shocks us with an unorthodox look!

Photo by Tristar Media on Getty Images

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

Check out the trailer for Pillion below:

What Did Nicole Kidman Say About Working With Skarsgård on Big Little Lies?

Nicole Kidman blew our socks off alongside Skarsgård in HBO's Big Little Lies, and the screen legend opened up during a recent interview on the “Las Culturistas” podcast about working with the actor, who played her abusive husband on the series. But it turns out that what caused the most problems for Kidman was the Swedish actor's bad breath.

“I cannot stand bad breath,” Kidman said. “This is a deal-breaker for me. You could be the most gorgeous, gorgeous guy, and if you came at me with bad breath, I’m like, no. If I say, ‘Breath on me,’ and I have to recoil, yikes, I’m out. You could not offer me enough money.”

Kidman eventually had to tell Skarsgård to ditch the falafel before their love scenes.

“When Alexander Skarsgård ate a falafel sandwich before we did the scenes in ‘Big Little Lies,’ I’m like, ‘No, no, no, Alex. I’m meant to be into you and kissing you — put away the falafel now,'” she continued. “I’m sure he did not eat a falafel ever again. I said, ‘No more falafel. Not before you kiss, not before you make love.'”

Check out her hilarious full interview below:

Related: 'Big Little Lies' Author Liane Moriarty Announces New Sequel Book—With a Twist

Hours after news emerged that Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon had died at the age of 54, Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Instagram to share a touching tribute.

Gellar and Brendon co-starred on Buffy the Vampire Slayer for seven seasons, which ran from 1997 to 2003. Gellar and Brendon, along with co-star Alyson Hannigan, were the only cast members who are credited with appearing in all, or nearly all, 144 episodes of the series.

Related: This 1999 TV Episode Silenced Its Characters, Earning a Writing Emmy Nomination

On March 21, Gellar shared a sweet photo showing her with Brendon on her Instagram page. In the caption, she began by quoting some lines of Brendon's from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

She wrote, "They'll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn't chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know."

View this post on Instagram

Gellar's caption continued, "I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody's watching me."

The lines were from Season 7, Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The episode was titled "Potential," and Brendon's character of Xander said them to Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg).

In that episode, Dawn had been upset about the fact she wasn't a Potential, and Xander opened up about being the one in the group who had no powers.

Many Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans consider that speech to be a key moment in the series, and it seems especially poignant for Gellar to share it now.

In the caption of her Instagram post, she added, "I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky."

Over the years after the series ended, Brendon struggled off-screen. As the Hollywood Reporter noted, Brendon navigated difficult mental health issues and legal troubles. More recently, he shared with fans he had experienced a heart attack and learned he had a congenital heart defect.

Brendon had some acting roles after Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but he never achieved the ongoing level of fame that Gellar, Hannigan, or co-star David Boreanaz did.

Gellar shared the same post on her Facebook page, and hundreds of fans commented on both social media posts.

"Buffy spent her life fighting vampires. Nickky spent his battling demons. Now the battle is over and he can finally rest. Thank you for sharing your talent with us," one fan wrote on Gellar's Facebook post.

Another added, "His character always made the episodes better even just his little remarks like when Billy said that Angel looked a little older, and Xander said you're not wrong."

Someone else wrote, "No quote could have touched our hearts more...And no quote could have spoken so much now. The body, mind, and spirit have lost their heart."

If you're a regular Costco shopper, you already know the bakery has some of the sweetest finds around. But the freezer section can hold its own, too, and right now, a new dessert is getting attention.

Monteur Strawberry Waffle Cakes from Japan (16 cakes for $13.99) are starting to show up in stores, and shoppers are already getting excited. The thaw-and-serve dessert is described as "soft and fluffy," with a tender waffle shell filled with strawberry cream, offering something a little different from the usual freezer aisle options.

Check them out in this March 19 Instagram from @costcohotfinds:

View this post on Instagram

Monteur describes its cream waffles as "a fluffy, soft waffle rich in egg flavor," filled with custard cream and milky whipped cream. The dessert is meant to have a mellow flavor that appeals to a wide range of palates, from kids to adults.

In addition to strawberry, the company also offers flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and Hokkaido milk, though Costco appears to be carrying the strawberry variety for now.

Related: A Savory New Find in Costco’s Bakery Is Perfect for Easy Meals

Fans in the comments didn't take long to weigh in. Viewer @costcoshines wrote, "Now that's a waffle," while @u_apoorva added, "These are so good."

One shopper also shared, "The vanilla one was incredible, can't wait to find this," while another compared them to a "Japanese-style Twinkie" for their soft texture and cream-filled center.

How to Prepare Costco's Strawberry Waffle Cakes

The cakes are designed to be thawed before serving, with the brand recommending about 4 to 5 hours in the refrigerator. They should not be refrozen or left out at room temperature.

Whether you're planning a simple night at home, an Easter brunch, or even a Mother's Day spread, this freezer find feels closer to something you'd pick up from a bakery case than to the typical freezer-aisle dessert.

With shoppers already getting excited, this Costco find likely won't stay under the radar for long.

If you’ve ever wandered through the World Showcase at Epcot and felt like you were in a high-end Italian boutique rather than a theme park, you aren't alone. But lately, one specific shop has been blowing up on social media for a reason that has nothing to do with Mickey ears.

Eagle-eyed fans have discovered what they’re calling the "Disney Birkin" (or the "Dirkin," if you will) tucked away in the Italy Pavilion. In the Il Bel Cristallo boutique, travelers are finding chic, structured leather handbags that bear a striking resemblance to the world-famous Hermès Birkin—only without the five-figure price tag or the years-long waiting list.

Related: Disney's Most Popular Resort Has a Whole New Look for 2026

The Viral "Birkin" Find

The bags first started making waves on TikTok and Facebook groups like WDW Magazine, where fans noticed the similar silhouette, the flap-top design and the fact that they often come styled with a colorful "twilly" (a small silk scarf) wrapped around the handle.

While they aren't officially branded by Disney or Hermès, they are high-quality Italian leather. As Stephanie Faye Martin, a travel planner and member of the WDW Magazine group, shared:

“Got a Disney Birkin today! Haha they apparently never have them in stock but got there early today and they had a whole stash!” When asked about the details, fellow group members clarified that while they are sold by Disney, they aren't "Disney themed" or branded with characters. They’re just classic, elegant leather goods that look like they stepped right off a runway in Milan.

The Price (and the Perks)

The best part? You don’t need a $20,000 budget to snag one. While a real Birkin can cost as much as a small car, these lookalikes—and their smaller "Kelly" style counterparts—are significantly more accessible. According to group member Amanda Christine, who recently scored one:

“The Kelly was $129 and this one [the Birkin style] I think is $135—you also can use your pass holder discount on them!” That’s right: your Annual Passholder or DVC discount applies to what might be the chicest souvenir in the entire park.

Related: Why the Swan Reserve is Currently the Smartest Stay at Disney

Wait, Is There a Real Birkin at Disney Too? View this post on Instagram

While the Italy Pavilion is the home of the affordable $135 "dupe," some fans have reported seeing the real deal nearby. Rumors have swirled that the France Pavilion at Epcot occasionally stocks authentic, pre-owned luxury bags through high-end third-party vendors. Group member Perry Hunter noted, “Unless it has been sold since last weekend, there is a real Birkin for sale in the France pavilion,” with other members reporting it was priced around $20,000.

And over in Disneyland, the luxury hunt gets even more serious. At the D-Lander Shop in Downtown Disney and Elias & Co. in California Adventure, the "Designer Vault" has become a viral sensation. Through a partnership with the vintage experts at What Goes Around Comes Around, fans have spotted everything from Louis Vuitton and Gucci to a gold Hermès Birkin 35 sitting right in the display case for $19,000. As one fan, jenessamargaret, joked on Instagram, “Imagine going to Disneyland and leaving with a Birkin 😂 I love it.”

Whether you’re looking for that $20k investment piece or the $135 Italian leather version to match your favorite floral dress, it’s clear that the Disney Parks are becoming the ultimate destination for the fashion-forward traveler. Just be warned: whether they’re "Dirkins" or the real deal, these bags are selling out almost as fast as they can stock them!

Related: This Iconic Disneyland Resort Restaurant Just Got a Massive Glow-Up—And Reservations Are Vanishing

There isn’t a single bad season of Sex and the City, so ranking its six installments is an exercise in splitting hairs. Are you a fan of Miranda and Steve’s relationship? Then you might take a strong liking to Season 6A, which sees them get back together. Are you still mad at Carrie for cheating on Aidan with Big? Then you may love to hate Season 3. 

Regardless, each season of the show — which redefined what it meant to be single, female and fabulous in New York City — is near perfect. So grab a Cosmo and keep scrolling for TV Squad’s official ranking of SATC seasons.

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

‘Sex and the City’ Seasons Ranked to the BestSeason 5 (2002)

Sarah Jessica Parker was pregnant with her first child when Season 5 was shot, so the season is just eight episodes long (compared with the typical 18). Those eight episodes are great — Carrie’s horrified look when Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) breastfeeds Brady in Episode 1 (“Anchors Away”) is classic Bradshaw — but there’s less story to chew on overall, making Season 5 an easy pick for the bottom slot. If we had to find real fault with the season, it would be that it’s a little bit of a bummer: Miranda’s stuck at home (or going to Weight Watchers), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is depressed about turning 36 (which is young!), and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) takes Richard (James Remar) back after he cheats on her. Sure, Carrie publishes her first book, but she’s often stressed about it along the way. The season feels more like a setup for Season 6A than its own meaty chapter. It introduces Jack Berger (Ron Livingston) and Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler), and restores Samantha and Miranda back to their factory settings, so to speak, with Sam finally ending things with Richard and Miranda learning how to be a mother and a sexual being at the same time. 

Related: 10 Best 'Sex and the City' Episodes

Season 1 (1998)

The first season of SATC does a stellar job of introducing the fabulous four (plus Mr. “Abso-f--king-lutely” Big, played by Chris Noth), but it lands towards the bottom of the list because its fourth-wall breaks are tonally off and distracting. Still, don’t sleep on Season 1. Carrie showing up uninvited to church to meet Big’s mom tells you everything you need to know about their relationship. 

Season 2 (1999)

Ah, yes, the season that gave us “James and his teeny-tiny penis.” And Susan Sharon. And a guest appearance by Jon Bon Jovi. By Season 2, everything about the show has gelled. The tone is more consistent, the storytelling is more character-driven, and the core four’s friendship feels even deeper than it did at the outset. Plus, Miranda meets Steve (David Eigenberg), kicking off one of the show’s great love stories, and Carrie finds out that Big is engaged to Natasha (Bridget Moynahan). The finale (“Ex and the City”) is a standout episode of both the season and the series. “Najinski” is quite the hilarious burn, and the last line is epic: "Maybe I didn't break in Big,” Carrie says in voiceover. “Maybe the problem was he couldn't break me. Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with." 

Season 6A (2003)

A lot happens in the first part of the show’s final season: Miranda dates her neighbor, Dr. Robert Leeds (Blair Underwood) and realizes she is still in love with Steve, Charlotte marries Harry and, of course, Berger breaks up with Carrie on a Post-It note. It's a jam-packed season full of wit, irreverence and Berger’s bad personality. But let’s face it: a season needs the central Aidan/Big storyline to crack the top three. 

Related: Sarah Jessica Parker's Net Worth in 2025

Season 3 (2000)

The third season welcomes a floppy-haired Aidan (John Corbett) and his turquoise jewelry. Viewers instantly fall in love with his big heart, easygoing attitude and attentiveness to Carrie, and many are stunned when she starts cheating on him with Big. It's a storyline that went down as one of the most memorable in TV history. The season also introduces Trey (Kyle MacLachlan), whom Charlotte marries after drunkenly learning on the night before their wedding that he is impotent. 

Season 4 (2001–2002)

Carrie and Aidan get engaged only to break up again when Carrie realizes that Aidan doesn’t trust her and never will — and, honestly? Who could blame him? Plus, Miranda finds out she’s pregnant with Steve’s baby, Charlotte deals with her troubled marriage to Trey and their conflicting feelings about IVF and adoption, and Samantha meets Richard. That’s a lot of plot! And there’s more! Samantha has a lesbian relationship, Carrie visits Aidan’s country home (before the split), and Big moves to Napa (“If you’re tired, you take a nap-a, you don’t move to Napa”).

Season 6B (2004)

A controversial pick? Perhaps, given how much time Carrie spends with Aleksandr Petrovsky (played by Mikhail Baryshnikov, but not a fan-favorite character) and in Paris (not New York), and how neatly the main characters' storylines end. But you know what? Life is too short to root against your TV friends. Big telling Carrie that she's "the one," Miranda caring for Steve's mom, Samantha surviving breast cancer and asking Smith (Jason Lewis) to stay faithful to her and Charlotte and Harry confirming their adoption? These are perfect endings to a perfect show.

Next: Best 'Sex and the City' Quotes

Fifty-five years ago, The Brady Bunch aired one of its most famous episodes with “Your Sister’s Shadow.” The episode, which aired Nov. 19, 1971, on ABC, featured middle daughter Jan (Eve Plumb) struggling with being overshadowed by her popular older sister, Marcia (Maureen McCormick).

In a famous scene from the episode, Jan goes off on her sister and hides all of her academic awards and blue ribbons. “Marcia always makes such a big deal out of everything,” she later complains to her parents (played by Robert Reed and Florence Henderson). “Every time Marcia turns around, they hand her a blue ribbon or something. … All I hear all day long at school is how great Marcia is at this or how wonderful Marcia did that. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!”

“I'm tired of being in Marcia's shadow all the time,” she added.

The 'Marcia' line wasn’t a big deal in 1971

In a  2023 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Plumb, now 67, noted that when TheBrady Bunch episode originally aired in the 1970s, the show wasn’t considered “relevant” and was seen as “filler" on ABc's schedule. She also pointed out that her iconic “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” line didn’t become popular until the 1990s—and it wasn’t due to The Brady Bunch parody movie that came out in 1995.

“That line actually wasn't famous when we did the show, or after the show,” Plumb shared. “It wasn't famous until it was a parody sketch on Saturday Night Live. It was only because it was in Saturday Night Live that it got popular. … It was Melanie Hutsell portraying Jan.”

Hutsell was an SNL cast member from 1991 to 1994, and she parodied Jan Brady in multiple sketches and Weekend Update segments during that time, including one in which she complained about big sister Marcia. Hutsell also played Jan in The Real Live Brady Bunch theater show.

“My favorite sketch that I did on Saturday Night Live was definitely ‘The Brady Bunch v. The Partridge Family: Battle of the Band’ because it was a childhood dream slash confusion that I had,” Hutsell said in a 2015 interview with Out. “I was really little when The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family were on, and I think they were on back-to-back on Friday nights, and in my mind I was like, ‘I wonder if they live on the same street?’”

Hutsell also recalled meeting Plumb in person when she was in The Brady Bunch show in Chicago. "I was like, "Oh my God…. I am so nervous. I am going to be dressed up as Jan Brady in front of Eve Plumb,” she shared.

'Brady' star said Jan Brady had the most ‘depth’

During The Brady Bunch’s five-season run, Plumb’s Jan was featured in multiple episodes about being a middle child, starting with Season 1’s “Lost Locket, Found Locket," in which housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis), also a middle child, played secret admirer. In other episodes, Jan donned a black wig to set herself apart from Marcia and later cut off her whole clan as she insisted she wanted to be an only child.

During an episode of  The Real Brady Bros. podcast, Brady Bunch star Barry Williams (Greg Brady on the show) said he thought Jan was the most interesting of all of the Brady characters.

“I think Jan had the most interesting storylines, because Jan had more depth,” he said. “She was more troubled. She was a middle child in a classic kind of sense. … And she always seemed to have a lot of angst, which I think gave her some depth in the show. “

“Marcia was kind of like the ultimate California beach girl, you know, cute and nice and popular. And Cindy [Susan Olsen], you know, she was kind of … eavesdropping, a tattletale, you know, not very bright through most seasons, character-wise. So Jan, I think, had really interesting kind of waters to navigate," The Brady Bunch star added.

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

After nearly eight weeks behind closed doors, Oga's Cantina swung back open at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland on March 13, and guests who stepped inside found something quietly significant had changed.

The First Order is gone.

References to Kylo Ren's regime, the Resistance, and the now-shuttered Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel have all been stripped from the cantina's signage and from DJ R-3X's rotating dialogue. Two bulletin board notices near the entrance were replaced entirely. One that previously advertised work aboard a Chandrilan starship captained by someone from the Halcyon (the Galactic Starcruiser's fictional vessel) has been swapped out for a new posting about quick credits and surplus goods, written in language that fits the era of the Galactic Civil War. A second notice once pointed job-seekers toward the First Order. That one now reads like a help-wanted ad from a scrappier, more anonymous corner of the galaxy: 'Now Hiring, Cantina Manager. Inquire at bar. No questions, including why the last one quit.'

Related: Every Upcoming 'Star Wars' Game, Ranked by How Likely It Is to Actually Release

The changes are the first visible preview of a much larger transformation coming to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge on April 29, when Disneyland officially expands the land's timeline beyond the sequel era. Starting that day, Darth Vader will patrol Batuu alongside Imperial Stormtroopers. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo will appear throughout the outpost. John Williams' original Star Wars scores, 'The Imperial March,' the Force theme, the main title, will play across the land for the first time. For Oga's Cantina specifically, Disney has rewritten the backstory: the bar is now set earlier in Oga Garra's career, before she became the crime boss guests once knew her as.

The half of Galaxy's Edge anchored by Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will remain in the sequel era for now, keeping Rey and her Resistance camp intact. Disney has positioned the two sections of Batuu as representing different moments in the Star Wars timeline; a storytelling workaround that lets the park serve fans of every era without erasing anything completely.

Still, the removal of the Galactic Starcruiser references were interesting in that they removed a notable failure. The $6,000-per-cabin resort closed in 2023 after less than two years of operation, and its traces inside Galaxy's Edge had persisted ever since. Seeing those last remnants scrubbed and replaced by a joke about a cantina manager who 'quit' have ensured the 'the last remnants of the Old Starcruiser have been swept away' as Grand Moff Tarkin might say.

The cantina is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are no longer required. Walk-up is the only option. If you are planning a Disneyland trip before April 29, you can already experience the early stages of a galaxy that has been rewritten to an earlier cinematic era.

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