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The NBA has confirmed that Carrigan Scott will perform the national anthem for Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs Western Conference matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The announcement was published on the NBA’s official website ahead of Wednesday’s game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

The matchup continues a high-stakes series featuring rising NBA stars like Victor Wembanyama for San Antonio and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Oklahoma City. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. (ET), with the arena opening its doors earlier in the day for fans and events leading up to the game.

Carrigan Scott, an Oklahoma-based singer known for live performances at major sports and community events, will lead the pre-game national anthem. She is a familiar voice for Thunder home games and has performed in multiple playoff settings in past seasons.

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Her selection adds a local touch to the Game 2 atmosphere, as Oklahoma City continues hosting one of the most talked-about series of the 2026 postseason.

Game 2 will feature a full slate of entertainment and in-arena programming before and during the Spurs vs Thunder showdown.

The schedule begins at 10:00 AM when the Thunder Shop opens for fans. The Box Office opens at 3:30 PM, followed by arena doors opening at 5:30 PM for early arrivals.

As fans settle in, pre-game entertainment includes Thunder performers, invocation by Cedric Hardimon of Life.Church, and a color guard presentation by the Lawton Fire Department.

The national anthem will be performed by Scott, followed by the halftime performance from Graham Colton.

The game itself tips off at 7:30 p.m. in local programming buildup, leading into the official 8:30 p.m. (ET) start broadcast on NBC and streaming platform Peacock.

The Spurs vs Thunder series has already delivered intense basketball moments, with both teams battling for control of the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 was a double-overtime thriller that highlighted the talent on both sides.

San Antonio is led by Victor Wembanyama, who delivered a standout performance in the series opener. Oklahoma City responds with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, supported by a deep and fast-paced roster.

With Game 2 underway in Oklahoma City, the stakes are high. Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven NBA playoff series have historically gone on to win the series more than 90% of the time.

The atmosphere inside Paycom Center is expected to be intense, with fans gathering hours before tipoff to witness both the entertainment lineup and the playoff action.

Carrigan Scott is a well-known Oklahoma-based performer recognized for singing the national anthem at sports events, rodeos and community ceremonies.

Her background includes pageant achievements and stage performances in musical theater, giving her a strong foundation in live vocal performance. She is widely associated with patriotic and country-style renditions, especially in sports environments.

Scott continues to be a recurring presence in Oklahoma City sports culture, making her selection for Game 2 a natural fit for the home crowd atmosphere.

Related: NBA Star Steph Curry Turns Heads With Outfit Based on Iconic Film

In the long list of some of Wes Anderson's on-screen hits was a 2001 comedy-drama co-written by him and actor Owen Wilson. The film was a box office success, leading to Golden Globe wins, Oscar nominations, and high praise for a soundtrack that is the epitome of the rock era.

UltimateClassicRock ranked The Royal Tenenbaums on their list of the Best Rock Movies to ever be released. It's tagged as a follow-up to Anderson's other hit work, Rushmore, which also made the list. Alongside Wilson, the film starred an ensemble cast of well-known actors like  Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, and Luke Wilson.

The Royal Tenenbaums focuses on three children who were incredibly gifted and successful at a young age. Their father, Royal Tenenbaum (Hackman), breaks the news that he and their mother are separating and leaves the children during their adolescence. Years later, he returns under the guise of having a terminal illness and works to reconcile with his family and adult children.

The comedy film is said to have been influenced by Louis Malle's 1963 film The Fire Within and Orson Welles's 1942 film The Magnificent Ambersons, as well as writings by J.D. Salinger. It made $74.4 million at the box office against its $21 million budget, and earned a Golden Globe for Hackman for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Anderson and Wilson were also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Related: 1975 Country Crossover, That Inspired a Hollywood Film, Became a No. 1 Road Trip Anthem

'The Royal Tenenbaums' released two soundtracks

Beyond the film's screenplay and acting, it got high recognition from critics for its soundtrack that Anderson called "the most complex, ambitious musical piece I've ever worked on". Along with a score by Mark Mothersbaugh, it includes rock anthems and hits from the 1960s into the 1990s.

The soundtrack had recognizable hits like Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", Van Morrison's "Everyone", John Lennon's "Look at Me", Nick Drake's "Fly", the Mutato Muzika Orchestra version of the Beatles' "Hey Jude", "These Days" by Nico, and two tracks by the Rolling Stones.

The Royal Tenenbaums did run into a few hiccups when using the track "I'm Looking through You" by the Beatles. It was used during the cemetery scene in the film with the song as the backdrop. Due to George Harrison's death, they decided not to pursue licensing for the track, and instead Elliott Smith recorded a cover of "Hey Judy."

Smith was unhappy with the recording and scrapped it, with his version having never been released. Instead, the early movie screening was screened with "Sloop John B" by the Beach Boys, with the official track for theaters and physical release being Morrison's "Everyone."

Jessica Simpson recently came to her own defense, clapping back against rumors that she flew first class while her children sat in coach. So yes, Simpson did indeed fly first class. But according to the pop star, there is a legitimate explanation.

Simpson claims that she didn’t buy the tickets for the flight to Hawaii. Page Sixreported that while going through security at LAX, the celeb mom told the paparazzi, “My mom bought those tickets.” She doubled down on her justification, adding, “It was my mom’s treat for us to go to Hawaii.”

Reportedly, one of the photogs also asked Simpson if her children would have sat with her (in first class) if she had bought the tickets. The mom of three (Maxwell Drew was born in 2012, Ace Knute was born in 2013, and Birdie Mae was born in 2019) answered with a straightforward, “Of course.”

Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey, co-hosts of "Dick Clark's New Years Rockin Eve 2004" at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California (Photo by Ron Wolfson/WireImage) Getty Images What Happened On Jessica Simpson’s Flight to Hawaii?

Last April, Simpson and her kids were spotted on a flight to Hawaii with her ex-husband Nick Lachey, his wife, Love Is Blind co-host Vanessa Lachey, and their three kiddos (Camden, Brooklyn, and Phoenix). Of course, the exes didn’t plan a Simpson-Lachey family vacation. Instead, this was purely coincidental. 

During an appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, Lachey told host Andy Cohen that Simpson sat in first class with her ex-husband Eric Johnson and mom, Tina Ann Simpson. When Cohen asked the former boy-bander if Simpson was traveling with her whole family, Lachey replied, “She uh, her mother and her were together.” He went on to add, “I believe her kids and her, um, I’m not familiar with where they stand at this point, but her husband…But they were all on the plane, but not with us.” 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 10: Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey visit SiriusXM Studios on February 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Marleen Moise/Getty Images)

While Lachey revealed that “everyone was very, very cordial” and “respectful,” things took a turn after news of Simpson flying first class broke. This left the mom on the defensive, trying to explain her actions in a very public way. 

What Do Fans Think of Jessica Simpson’s Explanation?

After Simpson seemingly explained away the first-class flight parenting misstep, fans took to social media to offer their opinions. One defended the celebrity, writing, “Nick needs to mind his own business. Jessica is a Queen,” while another added, “I’m sure other moms have done this.” Another made this comparison, “My parents were well off and sometimes they would put my sister and I in economy while they stayed up front. As kids we didn't mind, and it did teach us to be grateful for luxuries.” 

The 1970s were a decade that bolstered plenty of innovative ideas in a multitude of areas such as politics, technology, music and entertainment—even fashion. Disco music made its fabulous debut, flares and bell-bottoms, as well as wildly colorful prints, took the fashion world by storm. Rife with history that includes the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and feminism, as well as social advances such as Apple computers and the pop culture phenomenon of Star Wars, the decade of the '70s was a wild ride!

Whether you were alive and well in the '70s and you're looking to relive some of the glory days or you simply want a fun game of trivia, you've come to the right place. Among the 75 best 70s trivia questions we have below, some are sure to be puzzles that will stump you, along with some that you'll know right away. Why not make a night of it with some healthy competition and see who wins with the most points for correct answers?

Test your knowledge on topics such as Scooby-Doo, The Brady Bunch, legendary music and bands like Def Leppard and Led Zeppelin, and all things '70s with these fun 1970s trivia questions. Come back and tell us how many you knew in the comments.

Related: 50 Things Only People Who Lived in the 1970s Will Remember

75 Best '70s Trivia Questions and Answers

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1. Question: Launched in 1973, what was the first space station owned and operated by NASA?
   Answer: Skylab.
2. Question: The Sears Tower in Chicago (now known as the Willis Tower) finished construction in 1973. How long did it hold the title of world's tallest building?
   Answer: 25 years!
3. Question: Which popular snack food debuted in the 1970s with the slogan "Betcha can't eat just one"?
   Answer: Lays Potato Chips.
4. Question: When did the Universal Product Code (UPC) system of scanning sold products begin?
   Answer: June 26, 1974, in a supermarket in Ohio.
5. Question: What was the first product that had a scanned bar code?
   Answer: Wrigley's Gum.
6. Question: What popular toy line was introduced by Kenner in 1978?
   Answer:Star Wars action figures.
7. Question: In 1979, Janet Parker, a medical photographer, achieved the distinction of being the last known person to die from which infectious disease?
   Answer: Smallpox.
8. Question: Which member of the British Royal Family was the victim of a failed kidnap attempt on March 20, 1974?
   Answer: Princess Anne.
9. Question: Which two spacecraft landed on Mars in the '70s?
   Answer: Viking 1 and Viking 2.
10. Question: What major sporting event was boycotted by numerous countries in 1976?
    Answer: The Summer Olympics in Montreal.
11. Question: Which figure skating great won a gold medal for her short program at the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck?
    Answer: Dorothy Hamill.
12. Question: What popular toy introduced in the 1970s featured interlocking plastic bricks that sparked creativity in children and adults?
    Answer:LEGO.
13. Question: Who became the first person to run for president in a major party as a woman in 1972?
    Answer: Shirley Chisholm.
14. Question: What was the nickname for the Vietnam War draft lottery?
    Answer: Lottery Ball.
15. Question: What led to the oil crises of the '70s?
    Answer: The Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
16. Question: What significant event occurred in Vietnam in 1975?
    Answer: The Fall of Saigon.
17. Question: Which US President resigned in 1974 following the Watergate scandal?
    Answer: Richard Nixon.
18. Question: Muhammad Ali took on boxing great George Foreman in 1974. In one of the sport's greatest boxing matches, what was this fight called?
    Answer: Rumble in the Jungle.

Related: ’70s-Inspired Manicures Are Trending—Here Are 25 Ways To Get the Look

'70s Music Trivia

1. Question: Which musician famously staged a concert at Madison Square Garden to benefit the mentally ill in 1971?
   Answer:John Lennon.
2. Question: What year did Stevie Nicks join Fleetwood Mac?
   Answer: 1975, the same year Lindsey Buckingham joined.
3. Question: Who was known as the "Queen of Disco" in the 1970s?
   Answer: Donna Summer.
4. Question: What was the first commercially successful disco song, released in 1975?
   Answer: "Love to Love You Baby" by Donna Summer.
5. Question: Finish the lyric: "Do you remember the ____ night of September?"
   Answer: 21st.
6. Question: Which heavy metal rock group had a number 2 hit in the United Kingdom in 1970 with the song "Black Night"?
   Answer: Deep Purple.
7. Question: In which year did the Beatles call it quits?
   Answer: 1970.
8. Question: Which iconic rock band released the song "Stairway to Heaven" in 1971?
   Answer: Led Zeppelin.
9. Question: When did David Bowie debut his persona, Ziggy Stardust?
   Answer: 1972.
10. Question: What is the name of the festival that celebrated peace, love and music in 1969 and inspired similar events in the 1970s?
    Answer: Woodstock.
11. Question: Which band performed the most songs at Woodstock? (Hint: The famous drummer for this band died in 1978).
    Answer: The Who.
12. Question: What was ABBA's most popular song?
    Answer: "Dancing Queen" topped the charts in 1976.
13. Question: When was Heart's iconic rock song "Barracuda" released?
    Answer: 1977.
14. Question: In what year did Elvis Presley die?
    Answer: 1977.
15. Question: Which famous drummer released a solo album called Goodnight Vienna in 1974?
    Answer:Ringo Starr.
16. Question: Which rock band released the famous album Dark Side of the Moon in 1973?
    Answer: Pink Floyd.
17. Question: Which singer had a hit with the song “I Will Survive” in 1978?
    Answer: Gloria Gaynor.
18. Question: Which band sang "Smokin' in the Boys Room"?
    Answer: Brownsville Station.
19. Question: Formed in November of 1977, which band went on to create the popular song "Pour Some Sugar on Me" in 1987?
    Answer: Def Leppard.

Related: 85 Best ’80s Trivia Questions and Answers for Your Next Game Night

'70s TV Trivia

1. Question: Which sitcom about a blended family with six kids premiered in 1969 and ran through 1974?
   Answer:The Brady Bunch.
2. Question: What was the name of the family in AnAmerican Family on PBS?
   Answer: The Loud family.
3. Question: What does Frank-N-Furter's tattoo say in the 1975 cult classic movie Rocky Horror Picture Show?
   Answer: "BOSS."
4. Question: Who directed the original M*A*S*H  film in 1970?
   Answer: Robert Altman.
5. Question: Who played the lead role in the TV show, The Six Million Dollar Man, which premiered in 1974?
   Answer: Lee Majors.
6. Question: Originally on TV from 1970 to 1981, who were Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie?
   Answer: The Goodies.
7. Question: Who were the two old hecklers who sat in the balcony on The Muppet Show?
   Answer: Statler and Waldorf.
8. Question: What TV show featured the Fonz and his famous catchphrase "Ayyyy"?
   Answer: Happy Days.
9. Question: Who impersonated President Gerald Ford on SNL?
   Answer: Chevy Chase.
10. Question: In the 1970 movie Love Story, what are the names of the two main characters who fall in love?
    Answer: Oliver and Jennifer.
11. Question: The movie Jaws premiered in 1975. Where was it filmed?
    Answer: Martha's Vineyard.
12. Question: And where does the movie Jaws take place?
    Answer: Amity Island.
13. Question: Which classic sitcom featuring the character "Archie Bunker" premiered in 1971?
    Answer:All in the Family.
14. Question: What variety show featuring a famous singing duo aired from 1976 to 1977?
    Answer: Captain and Tenille.
15. Question: Who starred as the main child character in the 1973 horror filmThe Exorcist?
    Answer: Linda Blair.
16. Question: Which animated TV show premiered in late 1969 and aired throughout the 1970s, and is considered the most popular and influential of the decade?
    Answer:Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
17. Question: Who directed the influential film Taxi Driver, released in 1976?
    Answer: Martin Scorsese.
18. Question: What 1972 film starring Marlon Brando became one of the highest-grossing movies of the decade?
    Answer:The Godfather.
19. Question: What 1979 film is known for the tagline, "In space, no one can hear you scream"?
    Answer:Alien.

Related: This Iconic 1974 Dress Was Purchased Over 1 Million Times in Its First 2 Years—and It’s Still Popular Today

'70s Pop Culture Trivia

1. Question: Popularized by the film Saturday Night Fever, what dance craze swept the nation in the '70s?
   Answer: The Hustle! (Although "disco" could be an acceptable answer too.)
2. Question: What hairstyle, characterized by short hair on top and long hair in the back, became popular in the '70s?
   Answer: The Shag.
3. Question: Which popular video game was first introduced in arcades in 1978?
   Answer:Space Invaders.
4. Question: Which actor received an Oscar in the 1970s as a co-producer for One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest?
   Answer:Michael Douglas.
5. Question: In what year did Jim Davis publish Garfield?
   Answer: 1978.
6. Question: Who directed the horror film classics ANightmare on Elm Street, The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and the first four Screammovies?
   Answer: Wes Craven.
7. Question: Who designed the Apple computer?
   Answer: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs.
8. Question: In what year was the Apple computer introduced?
   Answer: The Apple I was released in 1976.
9. Question: In what 1978 movie did Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta claim "You're the One That I Want"?
   Answer:Grease.
10. Question: Spurred by a critical essay by Gore Vidal in the New York Review of Books, where did Norman Mailer headbutt Vidal?
    Answer: Backstage on The Dick Cavett Show.
11. Question: Which well-known British rock singer once portrayed Ned Kelly in a 1970 movie of the same name?
    Answer:Mick Jagger.
12. Question: What legendary NYC nightclub, frequented by celebrities like Andy Warhol, Tina Turner and Liza Minelli, became the epicenter of disco culture?
    Answer: Studio 54.
13. Question: Who was the famous author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, published in 1971?
    Answer: Hunter S. Thompson.
14. Question: What color were the official basketballs in the American Basketball Association before its dissolution and merger with the NBA in 1976?
    Answer: Red, white and blue.
15. Question: Beginning June 28, 1970, what was the NYC Gay Pride Parade first known as?
    Answer: The Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade.
16. Question: What handheld electronic game with red LED lights became a huge fad in the late '70s?
    Answer:Merlin.
17. Question: Founded in 1953, which fashion house gained popularity in the '70s with its colorful knitwear and kaleidoscopic patterns?
    Answer: Missoni.
18. Question: What iconic fashion item became a symbol of '70s style and was often worn with platform shoes?
    Answer: Bell-bottoms.
19. Question: Which famous actor lent his voice talents to the narration of Jeff Wayne's 1978 version of War of the Worlds?
    Answer: Richard Burton.

Up Next:

Related: You Know You Grew Up in the '90s If You Can Answer These 50 Super Fly Trivia Questions!

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Memorial Day sales are in full swing, with deep discounts on everything from furniture to shoes and gardening supplies. It's the perfect time to buy big-ticket items like a couch or a mattress, and right now, there's no shortage of deals at Walmart to help you save over the long weekend. One particular bed-in-a-box that's caught our eye is on sale for over 48% off with a limited-time Walmart flash deal, dropping the price to just $150 for a queen-sized mattress.

Normally $288, Yilicy 12-Inch Queen Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is currently discounted by $138 ahead of Memorial Day weekend. It also comes in 10-inch and 14-inch versions in the queen size, on sale for $163 and $196, respectively. The mattress is also available in twin, full, and king sizes with many options currently discounted.

Yilicy 12-Inch Queen Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress, From $150 (was $288) at Walmart

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This hybrid bed-in-a-box combines the best of both worlds: responsive individually wrapped pocket coils for support and breathability with multiple layers of memory foam throughout the mattress for cushioning and pressure relief. The medium-firm feel strikes an excellent balance that's supportive enough to allow for proper spinal alignment while still feeling soft and plush enough to snuggle up in, no matter what position you prefer to sleep in. 

This mattress is also designed with cooling features, including a gel-infused, moisture-wicking sleep surface and a premium knit jacquard cover to help regulate body temperature throughout the night. At 12 inches thick, it should fit most bed frames and can accommodate standard-sized sheets. 

To set up the mattress, simply open the box and unroll it directly on your bed frame. It can take up to 72 hours to fully expand, according to the manufacturer, though several shoppers said their mattress was ready to sleep on the same day it was delivered. "Setting it up was a piece of cake," one reviewer raved.

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Reviewers said this mattress has a "perfect" feel that's "not too firm, yet not too soft." A shopper who purchased this bed-in-a-box for their guest room said it offered such "excellent comfort and quality" that they bought one in a larger size for their own bedroom.

One reviewer who works a physically demanding job as a delivery driver said they're a "tosser and turner" who struggles to get good rest, but found this mattress to be "very comfortable and supportive."

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At just $150, the Yilicy 12-Inch Queen Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is a fantastic bed-in-a-box deal to take advantage of this Memorial Day. Select sizes are already selling out, so now is the time to add this mattress to your Walmart cart while you still can!

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.

Al Roker hilariously trolled John Travolta on Today, amid the iconic actor's newfound love for wearing berets.

On the Wednesday, May 20 episode of the NBC morning show, the meteorologist, 71, started reporting the weather while wearing a beret—just like Travolta, 72, has repeatedly been doing for public appearances.

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In a clip that Todayshared on Instagram, Roker and Travolta were featured in a side-by-side shot, with the former wearing a white beret and the latter donning a black beret.

"Hey, thanks, guys, very nice," the beloved weatherman said, as the Grease star replied, "Oh, Al."

"Oui, oui, monsieur," Roker joked, to which Travolta replied, "Hey, go for it, man."

"I'm getting directed by an award-winning director. I like that," Roker quipped. "What's my motivation, John? What's my motivation?"

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Related: Carson Daly Reveals Surprising Dating Dealbreaker for His Kids: "Am I Gonna Get Canceled For That?"

During his joint appearance with his daughter, Ella Bleu, on Today, Travolta also offered insight into why he has worn several berets since the screening of his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

"I have over 50 years of me at events and happenings, and I can't tell the difference with what I wore or look," he pointed out. "'Oh, that, what year is that? What movie is that?' And I said, 'You know what, I'm making a directorial debut.'"

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Travolta continued, "Directors and berets. Every era, every, for 100 years, has directors wearing berets," he pointed out. "And I said, 'Well, I'm not an actor this time. I'm a director. Show up like a director.'"

Well, you can't argue with that!

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If at first your song is a flop, try recording it again under a different band name. That's not exactly how the saying goes, but it is the lesson Marv Ross of Quarterflash learned back in the '80s.

You probably haven't thought about Quarterflash in a minute, but the band had a huge hit in 1981 with the song "Harden My Heart," which went to #1 on the Billboard Rock Top Tracks chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. That wasn't the first time the song made the rounds, though.

As Ross explained in a 2021 interview with Rediscover the '80s, the song was first recorded as a single in 1980 by Quarterflash's unfortunately named predecessor band, Seafood Mama.

"A friend of mine gave me the title," Ross explained. "I came up with the lyrics very quickly. The title came first and I don’t really remember how the rest came about. I usually write the music and words simultaneously."

"It wasn’t a personal story — just made it up," Ross continued. "The chords are simple but voiced so as to make it sound more complex than it is. The whole song is really the groove which we called a shuffle in those days. Rindy [Ross] came up with the sax line. The whole thing was written in less than a week and recorded in our basement for the Seafood Mama version."

Seafood Mama's new name was inspired by an Australian phrase

While the basement version of "Harden My Heart" wasn't a chart-topper, it did manage to sell 10,000 copies in Portland and Seattle — and according to Ross, was the "key" to getting the band signed to Geffen Records. Around this time, Seafood Mama began considering a name change, as Classic Rock Revisited reported. Their new moniker came from a book of Australian phrases including "Quarterflash," used to describe newcomers to their country as "one-quarter flash and three-parts foolish."

After signing a record deal, the renamed band recorded "Harden My Heart" again, this time in a real studio.

"My guitar solo was changed, for the better, I believe, but that was the only thing really changed. Of course, it was recorded at the Record Plant in L.A. instead of in our basement in Portland, so the sounds of everything were better," Ross explained.

"We thought it sounded like a hit song, but you never know, of course. It was very fun to hear it on the radio — we’d always turn it up when it came on," he added.

Of course, plenty of other people felt the same way about the song, as it turned out. (But would they ever have heard it in the first place if Seafood Mama never became Quarterflash?)

Related: 1980 Soft Rock Ballad Flopped—Then It Became a No. 1 Hit 5 Years Later

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Constantly reapplying sunscreen can be bothersome, but it’s essential when you’re in the sun all day long with your skin exposed. However, clothing pieces with UPF fabric eliminate the need for sunscreen, keeping your skin shielded from those harmful UV rays without needing to lather up. If you’re looking to add one to your summer wardrobe rotation, this G Gradual UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie at Amazon is a fantastic option. Plus, it’s currently on sale for less than $15 ahead of Memorial Day Weekend!

Normally retailing for $19, the white and oatmeal versions of this sun hoodie are now marked down to just $13 for a limited time. It’s available in sizes extra small to 3XL, and reviewers noted that it fits true to size. This hoodie also comes in 24 other styles, including neutrals, pastels, vibrant hues, fun patterns, and gradient designs. Those are all on sale for either $15 or $17, which is still an affordable price for such a handy summer essential. 

G Gradual UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie, From $13 (was $19) at Amazon

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A hoodie is probably not the first thing you think about when it comes to summer attire. While most are designed to shield from the cold, this hoodie will protect you from the sun and keep you cool at the same time. It’s made of UPF 50+ fabric, which blocks out 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Reviewers attested to this, noting that they wore this while they were out in the sun all day long and didn’t get sunburned. 

Even though this hoodie offers ample coverage, the fabric is lightweight and breathable, promoting air circulation to prevent you from feeling stuffy. This hoodie is great at wicking away moisture. It’ll draw sweat away from your skin and dry quickly afterwards. 

Shoppers noted that the fabric is thin enough to keep them cool but isn’t see-through. They mentioned that they were able to wear this hoodie in temperatures up to 100 degrees without feeling uncomfortably hot. 

Delivering all-day comfort, this hoodie has four-way stretch and is “buttery-soft,” according to reviewers. It’ll stretch along with you in every direction so you can move around with ease rather than feeling constricted or confined. Thanks to the 100% polyester material, this hoodie is easy to care for. Whenever it needs a refresh, simply toss it into the washing machine. Customers commented that it washes well and holds up after multiple cycles. 

G Gradual UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie, From $13 (was $19) at Amazon

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This hoodie has a simple yet chic design. Featuring a relaxed silhouette that drapes straight down, it has a sporty feel with a high-low curved hem and deep side slits that add a playful touch. The slits also give you a full range of motion, as there isn’t any fabric that’ll get in your way.

The hood has multiple purposes. You can use it to protect your neck and scalp from the sun, or pop it on whenever the temperatures start to drop. As a bonus, the hoodie is cleverly designed with a slit so you can snake your hair through if you have it up in a ponytail. 

Ideal for any kind of athletic activity, the cuffs are equipped with thumbholes so you can keep the sleeves in place as you move your arms around. Several reviewers said they love wearing this hoodie while hiking, while others said they throw it on to go on walks, jogs, and errand runs. 

Related: Walmart Has a ‘Breathable’ $15 Sundress With ‘Fashionable’ Fluttery Sleeves That Look Like Flower Petals

“A fantastic lightweight option for shielding myself from the intense Texas sun and heat,” one reviewer raved. “I highly recommend it for anyone needing reliable sun protection in hot climates.” Another shopper said that it’s “great for hiking or just staying protected from the sun.” A third customer described this hoodie as “super airy and extremely comfortable.” 

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• Boladeci UPF 50+ Sun Shirt, From $10 (was $20) at Amazon
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Vanessa Trump took to Instagram on Wednesday, May 20, to share a heartbreaking health update, revealing that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I want to share a personal health update," she began. "I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this isn't news anyone expects, I'm working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan. I would like to thank my doctors for performing a procedure earlier this week on me. I am staying focused and hopefully while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me.

"Thank you for your kindness and support it truly means more than I can express. I kindly ask for privacy as I focus on my health and recovery."

Following the post, many shared heartfelt comments, flooding Trump with support and love during this challenging time.

"Praying for your continued strength and a swift recovery. Love you mama," her friend and former sister-in-law, Ivanka Trump, commented.

"Just wanted to send you a big hug and remind you how loved you are. You are a beautiful, kind, fun soul and an amazing mom. I know this journey isn’t easy, but you are so strong and surrounded by so much love and support. Thinking of you and sending healing, strength, and lots of love your way. 💕," one person wrote.

"Oh Vanessa - BIG prayers up for you right now! If anyone can beat this, you’re one of the most positive, strong women I know! And surrounded by love! 🤍," another person posted.

Trump's announcement comes after her boyfriend, golf legend Tiger Woods, finished a rehabilitation program after being charged with driving under the influence due to a car crash near his home in Florida on March 27. Throughout it all, she has remained by his side, supporting him, with a source telling PEOPLE shortly after the crash that the two are "in love" and she is "very supportive of his golf endeavours because, despite his age and injuries, golf dominates Tiger’s life."

Many fans of the 1976 made-for-TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble don't realize that actor John Travolta, then 22, began an off-screen romance with his co-star Diana Hyland, then 40, who portrayed his mom in the movie. However, any public attention that arose around their 18-year age gap was quickly erased when the romantic relationship ended in heartbreaking tragedy.

The popular TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring a young Travolta was a family viewing staple in the mid-70s. The movie was fictional but also inspired by the true stories of two boys, David Vetter and Ted DeVita, who both had medical conditions that required they spend their lives in sterile, germ-free enclosures to survive.

While making The Boy in the Plastic Bubble in spring and summer 1976, Travolta was a rising star, having earned his breakout TV role on the popular series Welcome Back, Kotter, which ran 1975–1979. He also played a small role in the movie Carrie in 1976, but The Boy in the Plastic Bubble was his next big role.

In the TV movie, Travolta's character Tod Lubitch develops a blooming, on-screen teen crush on his neighbor Gina Biggs (Glynnis O'Connor). However off-screen, it was the actress who played his mother, Mickey Lubitch (Hyland), who stole his heart.

Travolta met Hyland on the set of the TV movie and started a whirlwind romance. In 1977, Travolta told People about the couple's immediate, on-set chemistry, "From the moment I met her, I was attracted" he said. "We were like two maniacs talking all the time on the set of Bubble. After a month, it became romantic."

"I had more fun with Diana than I ever had in my life," Travolta continued at the time. "And the odd thing is just before we met, I thought I would never have a successful relationship. She told me that she too had thought the same thing. Then, bam."

While the couple's 18-year age gap stirred up some public fascination, age differences like theirs were less scrutinized in the 1970s, for better or for worse. The couple got media attention for sure, especially as Travolta garnered more attention.

Travolta was teetering on the edge of super-stardom. For context, this relationship took place while Travolta was filming Saturday Night Fever (1977), and Grease wouldn't come out until 1978. Hyland, on the other hand, had a more established career as a television and stage actress, often appearing in prime-time dramas, soap operas, and made-for-TV movies.

Related: John Travolta Debuts New Look Alongside His Stunning Daughter, Ella Bleu, on the Red Carpet

Before she met Travolta, Hyland had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1975, and had chemotherapy and a mastectomy. However, during the same time period that she and Travolta were involved, the cancer spread and her health quickly deteriorated. In the middle of production on Saturday Night Fever, Travolta flew home to Los Angeles to be by Hyland's side when she died on March 27, 1977. He recalled that he "felt the breath go out of her."

Over the decades, Travolta has maintained how deeply affected he was by this romantic relationship and Hyland's death. After she passed away, the actor said he had "never been more in love with anyone in my life."

"I gave her great joy the last months of her life," he also shared. "I always feel she is with me—I mean, her intentions are. Diana always wanted the world for me in every possible way."

Age-gap relationships in Hollywood have always fascinated fans and still do, and the tragic ending to Travolta and Hyland's love story amid Travolta's rise to fame only added to its spectacle and lore. Whether you call it fan obsession or escapism, the rabid public interest in celebrity lives continues to be undeterred today.

Nearly 50 years later, the Travolta and Hyland relationship remains one of the more surprising and emotional chapters in 1970s Hollywood celebrity history—one many may have never even heard before—and it's especially compelling for fans who only knew Travolta as the breakout star he became in time.

Here's a photo of John Travolta and Diana Hyland out on the town in in LA:

Photo by Tom Wargacki on Getty Images

The movie characters Tod Lubitch (John Travolta) and Gina Biggs (Glynnis O'Connor), separated by the plastic of his "bubble," share an on-screen kiss:

Photo by Getty Images on Getty Images

John Travolta in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, 1976:

Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble is available for streaming on YouTube (currently free with ads), Pluto TV, Prime Video, and PLEX, where subscription and other fees may apply.

Related: 1976 Classic Movie About a Rowdy Team of Misfits You Still Quote Is 50 Years Old Today

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In 1976, four outsiders from New York released a loud, fast and stripped-down album that initially made virtually no commercial impact.

Decades later, Ramones by Ramones is now widely recognized as one of the most influential rock records ever made and was ranked the No. 1 punk album of all time by Rolling Stone.

When the band recorded the album in February 1976, they did it on an extremely modest budget of just $6,400. According to drummer Tommy Ramone, the philosophy behind the project was simple: "Eliminate the unnecessary and focus on the substance."

That approach became the foundation of punk rock.

At a time when rock music was increasingly dominated by elaborate productions and lengthy songs, the Ramones delivered something radically different: short, explosive tracks built around speed, repetition and raw energy.

"Our music is an answer to the early Seventies when artsy people with big egos would do vocal harmonies and play long guitar, solos and get called geniuses," Tommy told Rolling Stone in 1976. "That was bullshit. We play rock & roll. We don’t do solos. Our only harmonics are in the overtones from the guitar chords.”

Frontman Joey Ramone brought an unusual pop sensibility to the chaos, opening the album with the now-iconic chant "Hey ho, let's go!" on "Blitzkrieg Bop."

Meanwhile, guitarist Johnny Ramone stripped rock music down to aggressive, tightly controlled rhythm guitar patterns, while bassist Dee Dee Ramone filled the songs with lyrics about drugs, alienation and frustration delivered with dark humor and blunt simplicity.

Despite its innovation, the album was initially a commercial disappointment. It failed to become a major mainstream hit upon release, especially compared to the arena rock and disco dominating charts at the time. But its long-term impact proved immeasurable.

The album became a blueprint for countless punk, alternative and indie bands that followed, influencing artists across multiple generations and helping ignite the global punk movement.

Songs like "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Beat on the Brat" and "Loudmouth" eventually became cornerstones of punk rock culture, even as the band itself remained outsiders during much of its early career.

"Some people say our music all sounds the same," Tommy said, "but new kinds of music sound alike until you're used to them. We had the lyrics to our songs printed on the envelope because we were sick and tired of being called stupid mutants by people who weren't picking up on the words. We've finally found an outlet for our self-destruction."

Johnny Ramone later reflected on the group’s ambitions by saying, "We thought we could be the biggest band in the world."

Commercially, that may not have happened immediately. But culturally, the Ramones arguably became something even bigger.

50 years later, Ramones is no longer remembered as a flop. It's remembered as the album that changed rock music forever.

Related: 1971 Rock Classic, Originally Banned for Provocative Lyrics, Became a One-Hit Wonder

The yellow brick road was a bit bumpy when The Wizard of Oz first came out.

The 1939 classic has gone down in film history as one of the most iconic movies ever made, but its original performance at the box office was not so wonderful.

With a $2 million budget, The Wizard of Oz came was the most expensive movie MGM had ever made when it first came out, with final costs coming in at $2.7 million, according to the New York Times. It would take the movie nearly 20 years to make that money back.

Part of the reason the film lost money at first was due to the extremely low cost of tickets at the time, which weren't more than 25 cents and could go as low as 10 cents for juveniles — and more than half of its viewers were juvenile patrons, per the Los Angeles Times. As a result, the Wizard of Oz is estimated to have lost a whopping $1.14 million when it first released, which was an astronomical amount of money at the time.

But the film's box office performance wasn't representative of its critical acclaim or audience reception. In fact, The Wizard of Oz was nominated for six Oscars in 1940, including Best Picture, and won two awards for Best Original Song ("Somewhere Over the Rainbow") and Best Original Score.

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The Judy Garland-led film was later re-released in 1949 and 1955, by which time Garland was a bona fide star. Her performance as Dorothy Gale, alongside co-stars like Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Ray Bolger, Margaret Hamilton and Frank Morgan — along with the film's revered soundtrack — eventually helped solidify The Wizard of Oz as a cultural phenomenon.

"The film’s all-American theme of solidarity, preservation of home and vanquishing of evil forces resonated with audiences in patriotic postwar 1949 and it recouped its initial losses and turned a profit," said William Stillman, co-author of The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry and Magic of the 1939 MGM Classic, per the LA Times.

The Wizard of Oz has since been ranked among some of the best films of all time, earning a spot at No. 10 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time.

Related: Michael Jackson Reaches Historic Music Milestone 17 Years After His Death, Thanks to Blockbuster Biopic

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Summer is fast approaching, which means it's time to stock up on light, airy pieces that will keep you cool and comfortable in sweltering temperatures. If you're looking for an easy throw-on-and-go outfit you can wear all season long, the Ekouaer Bamboo Matching Set is a top-rated Amazon option that's stylish, soft, and currently on sale for up to 31% off in select colors.  

The popular set, originally $26, is now marked down to just $18 in a gorgeous bright blue hue that's perfect for summer.  You can also shop it in black, green, gray, pink, navy, and a variety of other shades at $20 to $28, and sizes range from extra small to XXL. 

Ekouaer Bamboo Matching Set, $18 (was $26) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Made from 48% polyester, 47% bamboo viscose, and 5% spandex, the cute lounge set is designed to feel lightweight and gentle against the skin. The breathable fabric has moisture-wicking and cooling properties, ensuring you stay comfortable while lounging, running errands, or sleeping. The crewneck T-shirt features a relaxed, slouchy cut with flowy sleeves and dropped shoulders, while the matching shorts have a drawstring waistband that you can tighten or loosen based on your preferred fit. Two side pockets also come in handy for holding cash, keys, or your phone. 

Thanks to its versatile design, the matching set can be either worn together or mixed and matched with other pieces in your closet. You can wear the tee with denim shorts and sandals for a casual everyday look, and pair the shorts with a tank, sneakers, and a baseball cap while heading to the gym or taking a walk. 

Related: Amazon's $17 Weekender Bag Is Great for Summer Travel and Comes in 7 'Pretty' Colors

With over 200 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, this matching set is a favorite summer buy. Multiple reviewers praised the "cute and comfy" design, noting that the "soft" and "flowy" fit is perfect for lounging or quick errands. Others highlighted the "light and breathable" fabric, with one buyer writing that it's "so comfortable" and another adding that it feels "like wrapping yourself in cool air."

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If you were a kid growing up in the '80s and watching lots of TV, your first introduction to Carly Simon's classic song "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" might have been on a popular commercial for the over-the-counter pain medication Medipren. But, naturally, the hit tune wasn't written about getting rid of an actual headache — it was about leaving emotional pain and heartbreak behind.

Released as a single from Simon's 1974 album Hotcakes, "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and has remained a beloved soft rock anthem in the years since.

When the song was recorded, Simon was married to James Taylor and pregnant with their first child, daughter Sally. Because of the pregnancy, Simon couldn't sing the highest notes on the track, so a backup singer named Tasha Thomas recorded those parts for the album version; after Sally was born, Simon re-recorded the high notes for the 7-inch single release.

While Simon and Taylor would famously end up getting divorced, the lyrics of "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" suggest their relationship was in a very good place when Simon wrote the tune:

All those crazy nights when I cried myself to sleep
Now melodrama never makes me weep anymore
'cause I haven't got time for the pain
I haven't got room for the pain
I haven't the need for the pain
Not since I've known you

You showed me how, how to leave myself behind
How to turn down the noise in my mind
Now I haven't got time for the pain
I haven't got room for the pain

The song immediately resonated with listeners, many of whom, no doubt, were looking to move on from their own painful pasts. In a review of the song when it came out, Billboard called "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" a "pretty ballad," praising Simon's vocal performance.

Carly Simon opened up about her marriage to James Taylor in a memoir

In a 2015 interview with People about her then-new memoir, Boys in the Trees, Simon said she still loved Taylor "so much," even though the two hadn't spoken in years.

"I still want to heal him, I still want to make him all right," she said.

"My incredible loyalty to him, in spite of the fact that he has treated me without any regard, has been so painful to me for so long," Simon continued. "But, through the course of writing the book, I really started to understand that I could love and not be loved. And that was the big realization for me, that it doesn't have to be a two-way street."

As Simon revealed, she was in love with Taylor before they ever even met.

"I saw his picture on the cover of TIME magazine when I was walking home with my sister and I said, 'I'm gonna marry that man.' And that really happened," she said. "And I thought, 'How did I know?' Probably every other girl in the world was hoping for the same thing. Why did it happen to me? Was it predestined? Why did it happen that I'm still living in this house which was his?"

In addition to daughter Sally, Simon and Taylor also share a son, Ben.

Related: 1973 No. 1 Soft Rock Hit Became a Timeless Breakup Anthem

While 2020 doesn't seem all that long ago, the amount of incredible movies released over the last six years tells a different story.

Collider recently highlighted some of the best, most beloved films that came out after 2020. According to the May 2026 ranking, "the 10 most universally beloved movie masterpieces of the last 6 years," include hits likeEncanto (2021), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), and Sinners (2025). The publication named 2023's Barbie as the top "most universally beloved movie masterpiece," released in the current decade.

Barbie, directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig, has a rating of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 80 on Metacritic.

Greta Gerwig Discussed Writing 'Barbie' in a 2023 Interview

While Barbie features plenty of silly moments, the film undeniably has an emotional core. In a 2023 interview with Extra TV, Gerwig discussed how she and her husband, filmmaker Noah Baumbach, came up with the plot of the film, based on the Mattel doll created in 1959. Gerwig said that "it was such a head scratcher to figure out" what story they wanted to tell, partly because the toy is somewhat polarizing.

"She was invented in 1959, and she exists until now. And she's gone through so many different iterations," said the Ladybird director in the 2023 interview. "And my mom did not like Barbie. And so, I had all of that in front of mind of like all the the ways in which she's a complicated icon. And I think instead of rejecting all of that, we just sort of ran towards it like all of the complications and all of the things that felt thorny was like, 'Let's start there.'"

She also told the publication that she had always intended the film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, to be unexpectedly tear-inducing.

"I always had this dream that at the end you'd be like, 'Why am I crying? What's going on? How is this possible?' And I just said that I wanted it to be able to sneak up on you," shared Gerwig to Extra TV.

The 1973 crime drama The Mack is back in the spotlight after Rolling Stone ranked its soundtrack at No. 41 on its list of the best movie soundtracks of all time. 

The film’s music, created by Motown artist Willie Hutch, has long been praised for its smooth soul-funk sound and deep influence on hip-hop and rap music.

Directed by Michael Campus and starring Max Julien alongside Richard Pryor, The Mack follows John “Goldie” Mickens, a man who returns to Oakland after serving a five-year prison sentence. As Goldie tries to build power and money through pimping, he clashes with drug dealers, corrupt police officers and the growing political activism of his brother Olinga.

Carol Speed and Max Julien onstage in a scene from the film 'The Mack', 1973.

Photo by American International Pictures/Getty Images

Rolling Stone described the soundtrack as “luxurious” and “silky-smooth,” highlighting Willie Hutch’s use of “wocka-wocka-ing guitars and percolating percussion” to tell stories about “pimps, prostitutes, pusher men and players.” 

The magazine also pointed to the emotional closing song, “Brothers Gonna Work It Out,” as one of the soundtrack’s standout tracks.

The ranking also renewed attention on “I Choose You,” a song from the soundtrack that became widely known years later after being sampled in Int'l Player's Anthem (I Choose You) by UGK and OutKast.

The soundtrack for The Mack was recorded by Willie Hutch during his time as a Motown artist and producer. Though the movie first received mixed reviews when it arrived in theaters in 1973, the music gained lasting respect among musicians and fans.

Over the years, songs from the soundtrack have been sampled by major artists across hip-hop and R&B. Dr. Dre sampled “Brother’s Gonna Work It Out” in “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat” from The Chronic. 

Usher sampled “Mack’s Stroll/The Getaway” in “Superstar” from Confessions. Chance the Rapper and Chief Keef also used Hutch’s music in later releases.

Rolling Stone noted that the soundtrack helped shape the sound of West Coast rap, especially among artists connected to pimp-inspired storytelling and smooth funk production. The publication specifically mentioned the influence on rappers like Too $hort, Snoop Dogg and Suga Free.

One of the most surprising parts of The Mack’s history is how its original script was created. According to director Michael Campus, the screenplay was first written on prison toilet paper by San Quentin inmate Bobby Poole.

The production itself also faced major tension while filming in Oakland, California, in 1972. Campus worked with real-life Oakland pimp and drug dealer Frank Ward, who inspired Max Julien’s character Goldie. Ward reportedly helped provide locations, protection, and background actors for the film.

During production, members of the Black Panther Party reportedly protested filming by throwing bottles and trash cans from rooftops. Later, filmmakers reached agreements with Huey Newton and Bobby Seale to provide extras for the movie.

Partway through filming, Frank Ward was shot and killed while inside his Rolls-Royce. The cast and crew later moved production to safer locations.

Despite controversy around the blaxploitation label, many critics and fans now consider The Mack one of the strongest films in the genre.

While Rotten Tomatoes lists a 60% critic score, the movie holds an 84% audience score from more than 5,000 ratings.The movie’s influence has continued for decades through film references, hip-hop samples and the lasting popularity of Willie Hutch’s soundtrack.

More than 50 years after its release, The Mack is now receiving renewed recognition as one of cinema’s most influential music-driven films.

Related: 1978 Hit Film, With '60s Rock Legend Who Nearly Quit, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Music Films’ of All Time

We’ve officially made it to cookout season, friends, and if you haven’t already gotten your backyard setup ready, Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to knock the dust off your grill and fire it up. Juicy brats, perfectly cooked burgers and all the fixin’s sound like the perfect start to summer if you ask me.

Of course, actually taking on the task of hosting a cookout can be a bit stressful if you’re short on time (and these days, it seems like we have less of it than ever). I'm always looking for food hacks to make my life easier, and while we report on Aldi Finds frequently, there's one freezer item at this grocery store that has especially stood out: their smash burgers—aka Aldi’s Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers.

And I'm not the only one taking notice. Fans on Reddit have recently shared their enthusiasm for these burgers returning to stores. "My wife loves these, we are so happy they are back," one person commented. "I love chucking these in the air fryer for easy dinner," another user wrote.

Intrigued? Read on for my honest review of these Aldi burgers, including if they're a good value, how to make them at home, and tips for cooking them for a crowd ahead of the holiday weekend.

Related: We Asked 4 Chefs What They Never Leave Aldi Without—and We’re Taking Notes

Courtesy of Kenn C. Bivins

What Makes Aldi's Smash Burger Special?

I’ll try to answer this without writing an entire sonnet, but truly, the Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers at Aldi might be one of my favorite freezer finds of all time. The burgers are preportioned and separated by wax paper in the package, making it easy to cook just one for yourself or throw them all on the grill to feed a crowd. 

The burgers are also made with nothing but all-natural ground beef, so you can customize them to your liking, whether you’re going for something classic with melty cheese and bacon or trying something new like a caprese-style burger or one topped with pineapple pico de gallo.

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Is Aldi's Smash Burger a Good Value for the Money?

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

Is Beyoncé the greatest living entertainer of our time? The answer to that is a resounding yes. Although the price has jumped a bit from $7.99 a year ago to its current price of $9.99 per box, it’s hard to overstate how much of a steal this is. 

Each box contains eight hefty ¼-pound all-natural beef burgers with no additives, fillers or extra ingredients. That works out to about $1.25 per patty, which beats the cost of buying ground meat and making your own burgers by a mile. On average, a pound of ground beef today costs about $6.90, and if we’re following the same math of four ounces per patty, you could only make about four smash burgers (not to mention the extra cost of buying toppings). 

So, yes, Aldi’s Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers are a certifiable steal, and at that price, you might want to grab two boxes.

Related: My Chef-Husband Just Taught Me How to Make the Best Burger, and My Summer Grilling Is Forever Changed

How To Cook Aldi's Cattlemen's Ranch Smashed Burgers

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

The beauty of this ready-to-go freezer find from Aldi is that you can cook your burger in a variety of ways, making it perfect to keep in your freezer for any occasion. According to the box, thawing these burgers isn’t recommended, as it can affect the burger's overall texture, so you'll want to cook from frozen. Prep is as simple as choosing your cooking method, gathering your toppings and letting the heat do the rest.

You can fire up the grill and toss the burgers on straight from the freezer, cook yours diner-style on a griddle or in a frying pan, or set them under the broiler until they're cooked to your liking. Personally, I chose to make mine in a cast-iron skillet set to medium. I seasoned my burger with salt and pepper, and then cooked each side for about six minutes. 

After cooking was complete, I placed the burger on a toasted brioche bun and topped it with caramelized onions, sliced Campari tomatoes, pickles, fresh serrano peppers, homemade kimchi and Bitchin’ Sauce x Yellowbird’s new habanero flavor to really round out the heat. It was transcendent. From start to finish, it took about 20 minutes total to have dinner on the table.

Related: The Michigan Way to Make a Burger 10x Better

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

Aldi's Cattlemen's Ranch Smashed Burgers Review: My Honest Thoughts

If you couldn’t already tell, I absolutely loved these burgers. Not only are they an incredible value for the money, but they take virtually no time to whip up. No mixing meat by hand or smashing your own burgers—simply take them out of the freezer and throw them on the grill. That’s it!

Beyond how easy they are to make, what impressed me most was the actual quality of the burgers. Unlike typical frozen burger patties, Aldi’s Cattlemen’s Ranch Smashed Burgers are beefy in a way that actually tastes fresh. 

They were so good, in fact, that I admittedly ate a burger every day for three days straight after trying them for the first time. That being said, smash burger purists might say that these burgers are a bit thicker than the paper-thin Midwest staple, complete with the traditional lacy meat skirt, but I say tomato, tomahto. We’ll settle for this diamond of a freezer find from Aldi any day. It’s the kind of staple that we’ll keep stocked in our freezer year-round.

Related: I Tried the Viral Pinterest Burgers and They’re So Good They Don’t Even Need Toppings

4 Tips for Making Aldi Smash Burgers

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

For a better smash burger, try these tips.

1. Use a burger press

Although you could definitely make these without one, a burger press helps to ensure your patty gets more direct contact with your cooking surface, resulting in a beautifully crisp golden exterior. It’s the secret to getting that texture that smash burgers are known for.

It also prevents the burger from cupping in the middle, which can create a pocket of steam that can make your burger softer. 

2. Keep seasonings simple

When it comes to seasoning, you can pretty much flavor these patties however you want, but a simple salt and pepper blend allows the beefy flavor of the meat to really shine. Let your toppings drive the flavor bus instead.

That being said, we recommend seasoning these pretty liberally because the only ingredient is beef with no additional flavorings.

3. Experiment with toppings

Speaking of toppings, we say, "Do it up." Sure, the standard toppings would work great here, but why not swap lettuce for kimchi or layer on caramelized onions and gruyère cheese for a riff on French onion soup?

You could stick to ketchup and mustard, or go for something with a little more pizzazz, like smoked tomato mayo. The flavor journey is totally up to you. 

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

4. Double (or triple) it up

Because these patties are so thin, you can stack them to your heart's content. Why settle for just one patty when you can make your own triple stack piled high on a toasted bun? The key is to make sure to evenly distribute the toppings between layers so you get some of everything in each bite.

Up Next:

Related: I Tried Shake Shack's Bold New BBQ Menu and It's the Perfect Ode to Summer

When it comes to pizza, my tastes fall across a pretty wide spectrum. As much as I crave a hot and ready slice from my local pizzeria, I still have a soft spot in my heart for almost anything of the frozen variety. And seeing as I stop by my local Trader Joe's on a weekly basis, every visit turns into a game of which frozen pie I'll be trying next.

This week's pizza dinner? A newcomer to the freezer aisle: Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza. Priced at just $7.99, I had high hopes the moment I tossed it into my cart. For starters, I happened to grab the last one available, which told me it was already a hit with shoppers. And second, it promised a crispy-edged crust with a fluffy bite I just knew I wouldn't be able to resist.

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Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, $7.99 at Trader Joe's

Nathan Hutsenpiller

Sporting a classic rectangular shape and a deep, crispy-edged crust, Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza does a great job of paying homage to traditional Detroit-style pizza. Inspired by the pies that helped convert thin-crust fans back in 1946, it comes in a rectangular, oven-friendly pan, topped with a bright, garlicky tomato sauce, Parmesan, Romano and mozzarella cheeses and a generous amount of uncured pepperoni.

Easy Dinner Done Right

Nathan Hutsenpiller

What really sets this pie apart from others like it is that the tray it's served in is sprinkled with cheese before the pizza's assembled. While it might sound wasteful, this crucial step creates a golden, crispy underside that pairs beautifully with the pizza's pillowy interior crust. This truly minor upgrade boasts incredible results, and it's details like this that make this pizza feel like an elevated easy dinner staple.

I also really appreciate how easy the pizza is to prepare. All you have to do is remove the plastic wrap before baking, and roughly 22 minutes at 425°F is enough to get it piping hot, with a perfectly crispy crust and melty cheese. The included oven-safe tray also seemed to lock in heat beautifully, helping create a deeply caramelized, cheesy bottom layer with a crispy texture I didn't want to end.

Related: I Tried This $5 Trader Joe’s Limited-Time Snack, and Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About It

Final Thoughts

Nathan Hutsenpiller

As a fan of frozen pizzas, I'm aware that my bar may not be as high as others'. But when it comes to Trader Joe's Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, I really feel like I've discovered a new easy-dinner gem. And while I was lucky enough to grab the last box, its bold mix of traditional pizza flavors and a crispy yet pillowy crust made it a new favorite, one I'll definitely be stocking up on during my next visit.

Keep an eye out for this delicious Detroit-style pizza during your next TJ's run, but before you go, check out this list of 24 best Trader Joe's freezer finds for more easy meal inspiration.

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Dexys Midnight Runners has announced a new album titled LOVE, which marks the group’s first release under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since 1985’s Don’t Stand Me Down.

Frontman Kevin Rowland describes the album as a deeply personal collection of songs exploring “love in all its forms,” including family, ageing, memory, romance and reconciliation. The album drops on September 4, you can pre-order the album here.

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Produced by David Holmes alongside Peter Schweir, the record also reunites Rowland with longtime collaborators Sean Read, Mike Timothy, Jim Paterson and Brian Irving.

The album’s lead single, “My Life In England Pt. 1,” revisits Rowland’s childhood growing up in a second-generation Irish family in north-west London.

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“We were in England dreaming of America,” Rowland said in a statement. “It was Elvis, it was Sonny Liston, Cassius Clay, clothes, all of it was America.”

He also reflected on memories of hearing Irish rebel songs in social clubs as a child, recalling how his mother warned him that one song “wasn’t allowed in England.”

Dexys Midnight Runners became one of the defining bands of the early 1980s thanks to hits like “Geno,” “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)” and especially “Come On Eileen,” which reached No. 1 in both the UK and the United States.

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The song later won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards and became Britain’s best-selling single of 1982.

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The renewed attention arrives decades after Dexys Midnight Runners scored one of the defining hits of the early MTV era with “Come On Eileen.” The song topped the U.S. charts in 1983 and later became one of the most recognizable one-hit wonders of the decade. In his book "99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders," author Brent Mann described the track as an “unforgettable tune” that blended “lazy, dreamy fiddle” with “foot-stomping pop overdrive.”

Mann also noted that the song’s blue-collar visual style helped turn the band into MTV favorites during the spring of 1983, with frontman Rowland’s overalls-and-bandana look becoming instantly recognizable to a generation of viewers.

Although the group continued releasing music in later years under the shortened name Dexys, the return to Dexys Midnight Runners carries extra significance for longtime fans. The band has not toured under that name since 2003.

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'LOVE' Track List

“My Life In England Pt. 1”
“You’ve Got The Love”
“Once A Man, Twice A Child”
“You’re Alright”
“I Want To Be Holding You Next Christmas”
“I’ll Always Love You”
“Strange Feelin’”
“It’s Over Now”
“Old Love”
“My Life In England Pt. 2”

Alongside the album announcement, the group revealed an extensive UK, Ireland and European tour, including two nights at London’s Hackney Empire after adding an extra show due to fan demand.

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2026 Tour Dates

In-Store Appearances
Sept. 4 — Assai — Glasgow
Sept. 5 — Jumbo — Leeds
Sept. 6 — Rough Trade — Nottingham
Sept. 7 — HMV — Birmingham
Sept. 8 — Rough Trade — Bristol
Sept. 9 — Resident — Brighton
Sept. 10 — Rough Trade East — London

Tour Dates
Oct. 4 — Gota Lejon — Stockholm
Oct. 6 — Pustervik — Gothenburg
Oct. 7 — Slagthuset Teater — Malmo
Oct. 10 — Passionskirche — Berlin
Oct. 11 — Elysee Montmartre — Paris
Oct. 20 — Royal Concert Hall — Glasgow
Oct. 21 — City Hall — Newcastle
Oct. 23 — The Halls, University of Wolverhampton — Wolverhampton
Oct. 25 — Opera House — Manchester
Oct. 27 — Hackney Empire — London
Oct. 28 — Hackney Empire — London
Oct. 30 — Corn Exchange — Cambridge
Nov. 1 — Dome — Brighton
Nov. 4 — Olympia — Dublin
Nov. 5 — Ulster Hall — Belfast
Nov. 6 — Black Box Theatre — Galway
Nov. 8 — Beacon — Bristol

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Question: Is prog-rock still alive and rocking in 2026? Y-E-S. The pioneers of progressive rock are still going strong, with their fifth albuminthree years dropping in a matter of days now. 

Aurora, YES’ 24th studio record, is set for release on June 12, with guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, and bassist Billy Sherwood, who all had retro stints with YES, as well as frontman Jon Davison and drummer Jay Schellen, all contributing. 

“Making this record was joyful, a chance to play, explore, and give everything to the music,” Howe said, per the band’s official website. “It’s always been about collaboration, somebody can write a song, but until everybody puts their contribution in it isn’t really a YES song. We’re not trying to echo the past; we’re carrying the spirit of YES forward and turning it into something new.”

After releasing their same-name lead single last month, the Grammy-winning band treated fans to another morsel, dropping their second single, “Turnaround Station,” today.

“YES are extremely proud to launch the new single ‘Turnaround Situation’ from their forthcoming album 'Aurora,' accompanied by a visualizer animated by Matt Hutchings, who also made the video for ‘Aurora,’” the band, who gave us "Roundabout" in 1971 and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" in 1983, shared on Instagram. 

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In a press release announcing the track, Davison said, “‘Turnaround Situation’ came from realizing that every time I ignored my conscience, life seemed to fall apart in one way or another. I’ve taken the wrong road before. Most people have. There’s always a temporary thrill in it, but eventually it catches up with you.”

He added, “Ultimately, the song is meant to capture that feeling of finally being at peace with yourself, when, by choosing the high road, you stop fighting what you know deep down is right.

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