Parade

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

Fall fashion is officially here, and Mary Jane shoes are shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest trends. The nostalgic style has come a long way from the schoolgirl-inspired shoes of the past, with modern versions ranging from flats and pumps, to platforms and even sneakers. For anyone who wants to look polished without giving up comfort, they’re a versatile choice for fall and beyond.

Right now, the Dream Pairs Square Toe Mary Jane Ballet Flats at Amazon are $27, down from $30. They have a soft, skin-friendly interior that feels comfortable against bare feet, along with a cushioned foam insole that helps soften each step. Shoppers say the flats are both “stylish” and “very comfortable.” 

Dream Pairs Square Toe Mary Jane Ballet Flats, $27 (were $30) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

These flats borrow from two classics — the Mary Jane and the ballet flat — for a style that’s easy to wear every day. The square toe gives them a clean, retro-inspired look, while the low heel and flat silhouette keep them comfortable and casual enough for everyday wear. An adjustable buckle strap lets you dial in the fit to your liking. 

They’re also easy to work into your existing wardrobe. Pair them with jeans and a sweater for a casual fall look, or wear them with trousers or a dress when you want a more retro-elegant outfit. And yes, you can absolutely wear Mary Janes with socks. Ankle or crew socks give the flats a cute, preppy feel and make the look especially fitting for fall. The shoes come in five colors: black, brown, burgundy, red and a cute leopard print.

Shoppers have highlighted the shoes’ style. One reviewer called them “super cute,” while another called them “absolutely gorgeous” and noted that they looked so much like real leather despite costing considerably less. 

Shop More Deals

• Trary Mary Jane Flats, $18 (were $39) at Amazon
• Skechers Go Walk 5 Sneakers, From $49 (were $75) at Amazon
• Merrell Terran 4 Post Sandals, from $40 (were $100) at Amazon

Related: Amazon’s Teacher-Approved $17 Pointed-Toe Flats Feel ‘Like Clouds’ For Your Feet

At $27, the Dream Pairs Square Toe Mary Jane Ballet Flats offer an affordable way to try one of fall’s biggest footwear trends. Head to Amazon and scoop up a pair in your favorite color while it’s still in stock and on sale!

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.

Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” became one of the most recognizable songs in country music after its release in 1980. 

The song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, earned Nelson a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

But one of the most interesting parts of the song’s history happened before Nelson ever recorded it. According to American Songwriter, he wrote most of the lyrics in less than 10 minutes while flying on an airplane, using an airsickness bag to put his ideas on paper.

Willie Nelson at the Aragon Ballroom In Chicago, Illinois, Oct. 28, 1978.

Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images

The song was created for Honeysuckle Rose, the 1980 romantic western in which Nelson played an aging country singer whose life was centered on touring and his family.

The unusual story behind “On the Road Again” has remained part of the song’s history for decades. In 2015, Nelson confirmed the story when he answered a reader’s question for Uncut Magazine.

“Yeah,” Nelson wrote when asked if he really wrote the song on a barf bag.

The song began when Nelson was traveling by plane with Jerry Schatzberg, the director of Honeysuckle Rose, and Sydney Pollack, the film’s executive producer.

They were searching for songs that could be used in the movie. Nelson recalled that they asked him if he had an idea for a song.

“I don’t know, what do you want the song to say?” Nelson recalled asking.

Pollack suggested a simple idea.

“Can it be something about being on the road?”

That was enough to get Nelson started.

“It just started to click in my head,” Nelson recalled.

Nelson said he finished the lyrics in less than 10 minutes. He did not have the melody ready at that point. When the others asked about the melody, Nelson said he did not know yet.

He eventually created the melody about a week later, when he was preparing to record the song.

“On the Road Again” was recorded during the production of Honeysuckle Rose. The recording process used live performances at different venues in Texas, giving the final track a live-show feel.

The song was recorded several times, with about a dozen takes made at different venues and in front of different audiences. The version selected for the single and soundtrack came from a two-day engagement at the Soap Creek Saloon in Austin, Texas.

The song was released as part of the Honeysuckle Rose album in 1980. It became Nelson’s ninth overall Country & Western No. 1 hit and his sixth No. 1 as a solo recording artist.

It also crossed over to the pop charts. “On the Road Again” reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

The song’s legacy has continued long after its 1980 release.

In 2025, Billboard placed “On the Road Again” at No. 3 on its list of “The 100 Best Country Songs of All Time.” The ranking described the song as a simple and lasting statement about the joys of touring, including making music with friends, visiting new places and seeing things for the first time.

Billboard noted that the song may not have the same emotional weight as some of Nelson’s other famous recordings, such as “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Always on My Mind.” Still, it called “On the Road Again” his most recognizable and timeless anthem.

The song has also received recognition from other parts of the music industry. In 2004, it was ranked No. 471 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2011, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“On the Road Again” has appeared in movies and television shows, including Forrest Gump, Shrek, South Park, King of the Hill, Family Guy, Shameless, Nomadland and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

The song has also appeared in music video games, including Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band.

The story of how it was written adds another unusual chapter to the song’s history.

Related: 1978 Classic Rock Song, Rehearsed in Rockford Basement, Is Still a Major Hit 48 Years Later

While Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso was originally billed as a workplace comedy following English football team, AFC Richmond, the series became known for its fascinating character dynamics. One of the most popular amongst fans and critics alike was the complex bond between Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein).

Jamie and Roy were positioned as rivals in the show’s first season, as the former’s arrogant attitude clashed with the latter’s old-school mentality. At the same time, Jamie and Keeley were in a failing romantic relationship and, once the inevitable break-up occurred, Keeley found herself drawn to Roy.

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

After leaving AFC Richmond for a bit, Jamie underwent an intense period of growth, largely due to bonding with Roy off the field. During this time, Jamie and Keeley remained close, and the three slowly became one of the series’ most interesting dynamics. It was one that fans latched onto, seeing the romantic potential between the three, and one that even the creators of the series seemed to embrace.

A TV Love Triangle That Almost Broke the Mold

Love triangles have long been a mainstay in television, but almost none of them have been brave enough to take the leap to explore how the same-sex characters in these relationships would work. Before the season three finale, the relationship between these three never felt like it was motivated by jealousy but instead by mutual respect, accountability, and, of course, a rippling romantic and sexual tension. 

At the center of this relationship was Jamie’s odyssey of unlearning the toxic masculinity his abusive father placed upon him, an arc which also felt like the series slowly uncovering his queerness as well. His rivalry with Roy was nothing less than heated, and in season three it was revealed that he had a poster of both Keeley and Roy hanging on his bedroom wall. Just as it felt like the series was finally going to make this throuple a reality, player Jan Maas (David Elsendoorn) points out that if ten percent of the population is gay, statistically, there should be members of the club who identify as such. Everyone’s heads swivel to Jamie, who touches his heart and says that he’s flattered his clubmates would assume he’s queer. 

This reaction never felt like the writers poking fun at Jamie’s meticulously styled hair and love for fashion. Instead, it felt like they were slowly showcasing what the show’s queer fanbase had believed for years; that Jamie, in healing from his abusive childhood with the help of Keeley and Roy, was also allowed to come to terms with his sexuality. This came in the middle of the series’ continued commitment to the relationship between him and Roy, paired with the constant infatuation the two men had for Keeley. These nods in season three felt like a natural progression towards polyamory, and as the show wound down, it became impossible to see a future for these characters where they weren’t together.

Juno Temple as Keeley and Brett Goldstein as Roy in ‘Ted Lasso’

Courtesy of Apple

Related: When Does the Rest of ‘Ted Lasso’ Come Out? Season 4 Release Schedule, Episode Count and More

Just when it felt like Ted Lasso would deliver their promises of a true love triangle where all corners of the relationship touch, somehow, it all crumbled in the Season 3 finale. After getting into an uncharacteristic physical fight, Jamie and Roy asked Keeley to choose one of them, to which she obviously refused. Broken beyond repair, their respective and conjoined storylines lost all momentum, crumbling under the weight of a writers’ room that would rather tear these characters apart then see them finally together. Not only was it unlike these characters, it was unlike a series where realism was often abandoned for heartwarming moments.

There was no resolution for Jamie, Keeley and Roy as characters, nor the relationship they had together. The same can be said for the new unexpected season of Ted Lasso. Instead of letting the show rest as it should, it’s been brought back from the dead, and while this could have been a great way to make up for what the series did to their most engaging relationship, it seems like the writers are still at odds with what should be the natural progression for these characters. In the show’s fourth season, Roy is still a grump, Keeley is still as bubbly as ever, and Jamie has surprisingly left AFC Richmond.

Ted Lasso failed to capitalize on its previous romantic momentum of a throuple, and continues to destroy the two characters left at the center of it. In season four, the relationship between Keeley and Roy is no longer engaging, and has instead turned into a frustrating relationship that should never have crumbled in the first place. The two feel like husks of the fascinating characters they once were, both of them now existing as tropes of themselves who are lacking any depth, and any character arc. While the series is still fun to watch at times, it feels like Keeley and Roy as characters can’t recover from the annihilation of their relationship with Jamie. 

Instead of keeping in line with the moving brand of the show, Ted Lasso doomed three of the show’s most engaging characters by separating them. The idea of this throuple wasn’t simply born from fan speculation, but text woven into the foundation of this series. When they were on screen together, Jamie, Keeley and Roy exposed each other’s flaws, and pushed each other to be better. Now that the core of this relationship has left the premises, the two remaining members resemble two ships that have long been abandoned at sea. 

Related: The Grumpy Golden Boy! All About 'Ted Lasso' Star Brett Goldstein

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

Perhaps the best thing about fall is the influx of comforting sweet treats. After a long summer filled with bright, citrusy flavors, we finally get to welcome warm, nutty notes, chocolate decadence and a world of equally festive flavors. 

This week, Sam’s Club is pulling out all the stops with multiple new arrivals hitting its bakery shelves. Our favorite pick of the bunch? Member’s Mark Turtle Cookie Bars, a massive, indulgent fall treat perfect for sharing with friends. Serving 16 squares for just $7.63, it’s a must-try worth snatching up while it’s still around.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

Member’s Mark Turtle Cookie Bars, $7.63 at Sam’s Club @samsclubfavorites

😍 You NEED to try these Member’s Mark Turtle Cookie Bars at Sam’s Club! They come 16-count, drizzled with caramel and chocolate and topped with crunchy pecan pieces. 🍫 Every bite is that perfect turtle candy flavor combo in cookie bar form…YUM! 🥰 ($7.63) #samsclub #samsclubfinds #turtlecookie

♬ original sound – Sam’s Club Favorites Shop It!

Spotted by @samsclubfavorites before promptly sharing the news online, Member’s Mark Turtle Cookie Bars are a new bakery offering that’s prepared fresh in-club daily and perfect for the whole family. Weighing a whopping 25 ounces, the dessert features a thick blondie base filled with milk chocolate chips and topped with caramel, chocolate drizzle, chocolate curls and pecan pieces. 

Pre-sliced into 16 pieces, the bars come in a resealable plastic container designed to sit patiently on the counter as you snack throughout the week or travel securely from the store to the office. And with a satisfying crunch and rich, buttery flavor hidden in every bite, no matter where you set them down, you’ll never want to let them out of your sight.

Related: Costco’s Sweet and Creamy Fall Dessert Is Finally Back and Shoppers Are Hooked: ‘This Is the Best Thing Ever’

“Every bite is that perfect turtle candy flavor combo in cookie bar form,” @samsclubfavorites captioned their post.

One viewer responded, “Those turtle bars are dangerously good. I can never just have one,” while another struggled with temptation, saying, “sounds like I need a Sam’s Club membership.”

Whether you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth nightly or something you can share with friends and family, these delicious-looking turtle cookie bars are a solid investment. And at just $8 a pop, you can easily snag multiple if you’re in charge of snacks for a holiday party, grabbing an extra for a friend or simply stocking up for you and the family. 

Don’t miss your chance to try them out, as they very well may be a seasonal arrival that doesn’t stick around for long. While you’re there, also keep an eye out for the Member’s Mark 20-Count Fall Assorted Donut Tray for yet another solid fall dessert option.

Related: Over 10,000 Cases of This Popular Plant-Based Food Have Been Recalled for a Dangerous Reason—Here’s What to Know

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

There are still a few good weeks of warm weather left this year, but retailers are already making room for the next season by marking down outdoor furniture. That makes now a particularly good time to shop if your patio could use more seating, a place to set drinks and snacks, or a complete setup for hosting outside. 

Case in point: Walmart currently has the Asofer 8-Piece Patio Furniture Set marked down to just $173 from the usual $600 price. And if you like the look but want a different finish, other versions that typically cost around $700 are also on sale for as little as $190, which is a whopping 73% discount. Even better, shoppers say the set “will stand up to the test of wind and rain,” with one reviewer noting that theirs has “been through two storms and it’s still intact.” So you can take advantage of the end-of-season pricing now and rest assured that your set will make it through more than a single summer.

Asofer 8-Piece Patio Furniture Set, From $173 (was $600) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

For an outdoor setup that can accommodate a crowd without locking you into one arrangement, this eight-piece patio conversation set gives you plenty of seating to work with. The lowest-priced version includes four rocking chairs, two two-person loveseats, and two coffee tables, so you can create one large conversation area or divide the pieces into smaller seating zones around a porch, patio, pool deck, or backyard. The streamlined black frames and matching sling-style seating also give the substantial set a relatively airy profile, while wood-look armrest accents add some warmth to the otherwise modern design.

The powder-coated metal frames of the loveseats can support up to 660 pounds each, and the individual chairs up to 330 pounds each. The chairs have curved armrests and supportive woven backs, and all four feature curved bases that allow them to rock gently. The two loveseats provide room to stretch out or seat multiple guests, bringing the set’s total seating capacity to eight people. 

Asofer 8-Piece Patio Furniture Set, From $173 (was $600) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This set also gives you two coordinating coffee tables, which makes it easier to give everyone a nearby spot for drinks, snacks, books, or serving dishes instead of crowding everything onto a single surface. Each table can support up to 130 pounds and is topped with tempered glass for a smooth, easy-to-use surface. Assembly is required, but the necessary tools, hardware, and instructions are included.

Shop More Deals

• Costway 8-Piece Patio Furniture Set, from $325 (was $519) at Walmart
• Lofka 5-Piece Outdoor Patio Furniture Set, from $179 (was $510) at Walmart
• Costway 8-Piece Steel Outdoor Patio Dining Set, from $290 (was $529) at Walmart

Since every piece is separate, you can rearrange the set depending on what you’re doing; group everything together when entertaining, position the rockers around one table for conversation, or pair a loveseat and table together in another corner of the patio. 

One shopper praised this “sturdy” and “durable” set, adding that it “looks expensive” and “beautiful” once put together. Other customers were similarly pleased with their purchases, describing it as “gorgeous outdoor furniture” that’s “very strong and lightweight,” “easy to assemble,” and “very comfortable to sit on.” With that combination of durability, style, and comfort, it’s easy to see why one shopper called it the “perfect” patio set

Related: Walmart’s 5-Piece Patio Set Comes Complete With a Sectional and Table for $145

Don’t wait until next spring to get your outdoor setup sorted. Shop the Asofer 8-Piece Patio Furniture Set at Walmart while it’s on sale for up to 73% off!

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.

By 1976, the masses were already in love with the British glam rock band Queen and were used to expecting the unexpected from them. Lyrically, musically, and performance-wise, Queen was a completely unique and intoxicating experience. Fans were already dazzled by hits like 1974’s “Killer Queen” and, of course, “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 1975, so when Freddie Mercury penned the powerful gospel-inspired track “Somebody to Love,” people were once again blown away.

Though it only peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to Songfacts, the tune, written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, was among his favorite songs he had ever written.

According to the outlet, Peter Hince, the head of Queen’s road crew, recalled to Mojo magazine, “among the road crew there were songs you liked and songs you didn’t like,” adding that “Somebody to Love” was “always one of Queen’s best. The studio version was very polished, but on-stage, there was so much more guts to it.”

Hince also reportedly noted, according to the outlet, in an interview with Greatest Hits Radio that Mercury favored “Somebody to Love” over “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which is arguably one of Queen’s most signature commercial tracks. “He felt that as a pure piece of songwriting it was better,” Hince claimed.

Related: 1970 Rock Pioneer, Ex Queen Bassist Who Played with Freddie Mercury Dies at 76

Who Is “Somebody to Love” Really About?

While the lyrics, both inspiring and heartbreaking, tell the tale of a man crying out to a higher power to reward his good nature with a person to love, the song itself was inspired by the one and only Aretha Franklin. Mercury was a huge admirer of the singer; in fact, according to Smooth Radio, guitarist Brian May commented that Mercury wanted to be her.

“I think it had a different kind of technical approach because there was this sort of Gospel way of singing, which I think was different to us,” the outlet claims Mercury himself once said. “Sort of going to Aretha Franklin, sort of made them go a bit mad. I just wanted to write something in that kind of thing,” he continued. “I was sort of incensed by the Gospel approach that she had on her albums, the earlier albums. Although it might sound the same kind of approach on the harmonies, it is very different in the studio, because it’s like a different kind of… a different range.”

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

Many actually believed that Queen’s provocative and somewhat controversial track “Fat Bottomed Girls” was about Franklin, but May actually wrote the song highlighting his and Mercury’s… preferences.

“I wrote it with Fred in mind, as you do especially if you’ve got a great singer who likes fat-bottomed girls… or boys,” May told Mojo magazine, according to Songfacts. “On the face of it, it’s a heterosexual song because it’s called ‘Fat Bottomed Girls,’ but I was totally aware of Freddie’s proclivities and the fact he was going to sing it. Plus, some of the inspiration for the song came from stuff that I saw in Freddie’s life as well as my own. So it’s actually not so much of a heterosexual song as you might think (laughs). It’s a sort of pansexual song. There are so many ways you can take it.”

Sadly, Mercury never met Franklin, but candidly noted how jealous he was that friend and fellow performer George Michael dueted with her.

“I’d love Aretha to sing Somebody To Love, actually… But as for me trying to sing with her? Well, she hasn’t approached me yet,” Mercury once said, according to The Daily Express. “I’m mad that George Michael did a duet with her!”her. I could have done it better!”

With Robert Redford’s birthday in August and his death in September, the screen legend’s timeless filmography is back in the spotlight. But there’s one film in particular that really stands out, as it connected two very different kinds of stars.  

The Electric Horseman, director Sydney Pollack’s 1979 western dramedy, marked Redford’s return to acting after a three-year absence from leading roles following All the President’s Men. It also became a certain music superstar’s motion-picture debut, and in the process, helped deliver that musician his fifth No. 1 hit.

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 🎬

Making his big-screen debut as Wendell Hickson, Willie Nelson played a veteran rodeo rider and supportive sidekick to Redford’s Sonny Steele. In doing so, the country icon and outlaw movement pioneer launched a parallel acting career that would eventually span dozens of films and television appearances.

The story of how one of country music’s most recognizable faces made it to the big screen could be a movie in itself. Nelson found himself sitting next to Redford on a plane, with the chance encounter leading to a conversation about the movie Redford was working on.

In his 2015 memoir, It’s a Long Story: My Life, Nelson got into the nitty-gritty of his and Redford’s chat. He shared that it all began with Redford asking, “Ever thought about doing a movie, Willie?”

After Nelson responded, “Sure, but let me ask you this, Bob: Is acting anything like having a conversation?” Redford told him, “You’re a natural, Willie. As a singer and musician, you’re naturally relaxed. As an actor, I think that same quality would come through.” Their chat ended with Nelson inspired enough to contact Pollack and ask for a part.

“The reading was easy. The part was easy. I played myself,” he shared. “In fact, in every movie to follow, I played myself. Or as that great sidekick cowboy Slim Pickens would soon say, ‘No one plays Willie Nelson better than Willie Nelson.’”

In the film, Sonny, a former rodeo champ who now makes a living as an illuminated cowboy mascot for a cereal company in Las Vegas, learns that his spokes-horse, Rising Star, is being mistreated by corporate bigwigs. Disillusioned, Sonny steals the racehorse and rides off into the desert, leaving Wendell to answer for his friend’s actions to a persistent television reporter named Hallie, played by Jane Fonda, looking for a story.  

According to the American Film Institute, Wendell’s role was originally just three lines. But Pollack expanded it into a supporting role after seeing how comfortable Nelson was in front of the camera, improvising much of his dialogue and stealing scenes with his Southern charm.

The film became a box-office smash after its December 1979 premiere. It was even nominated for an Oscar the following year for Best Sound. Though not a mainstream hit, the film’s soundtrack saw similar success over in the country world, thanks, of course, to Nelson’s contributions.

The Electric Horseman (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) reached No. 3 on the Top Country Albums chart, but its standout hit, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys,” went even higher.

Written by Sharon Vaughn, the song was first recorded by Waylon Jennings in 1976 for the album Wanted! The Outlaws. The song didn’t become a massive hit, though, until Nelson sang it for The Electric Horseman.

Released as a single in 1980, the bittersweet country ballad reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart in March 1980, becoming Nelson’s fifth chart-topper, behind “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Good Hearted Woman,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” and “On the Road Again.” The latter also earned Nelson an Oscar nomination for its role in Honeysuckle Rose.

Nelson followed up The Electric Horseman with roles in the aforementioned Honeysuckle Rose, Barbarosa, Songwriter, Red Headed Stranger, and so many more. And, yes, Nelson’s legacy on the screen is entirely his own, but part of that second career traces back to Redford, who saw something in the country star before Hollywood did.

Related: 1985 Pop-Rock Hit, Which Closes a Kilmer Cult Classic, Became One of the Greatest ’80s Movie Songs

Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy classic Blazing Saddles, starring Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little, has been ranked the second-best comedy movie of all time, placing the Western parody among the most highly regarded comedies in film history.

The ranking puts Blazing Saddles at No. 2 on Collider’s list of the 75 Best Comedy Movies of All Time. The film is praised for its bold comedy, Western parody and sharp treatment of racism.

Released by Warner Bros. on Feb. 7, 1974, Blazing Saddles was directed by Mel Brooks, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg and Alan Uger. The movie stars Cleavon Little as Sheriff Bart and Gene Wilder as Jim, the Waco Kid.

Gene Wilder gets into an altercation with Cleavon Little in a scene from the film ‘Blazing Saddles’, 1974.

Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images

Collider describes the film as both a parody and satire of Western movies. Its story centers on a corrupt politician who appoints a Black man as sheriff of a small town, expecting his appointment to cause trouble and drive the residents away.

Instead, Bart becomes a popular leader and joins forces with Jim, a drunken gunslinger, to protect the town.

The movie follows Bart after he is named sheriff of Rock Ridge. The appointment is part of a plan by Hedley Lamarr, a corrupt territorial attorney general, who wants the town’s residents gone because a new railroad route could make the land highly valuable.

Bart initially faces hostility from the townspeople because of his race. He uses his intelligence and humor to win them over, while Jim becomes his ally in the fight against Lamarr and his men.

Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Blazing Saddles with an 89% Tomatometer score based on 75 reviews. Its audience score stands at 90%, based on more than 100,000 ratings.

The movie’s story combines Western action with broad comedy. Bart and Jim face a series of unusual challenges as Lamarr continues trying to remove the people of Rock Ridge.

The movie also includes deliberate anachronisms and breaks the usual rules of a Western. One of its most famous sequences eventually turns into a huge fight that moves beyond the fictional town and onto a movie set, into a studio commissary and even outside the Warner Bros. lot.

The supporting cast includes Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamarr, Slim Pickens as Taggart, Madeline Kahn as Lili Von Shtupp, David Huddleston as Olson Johnson and Alex Karras as Mongo.

Mel Brooks also appears in several roles, including Governor William J. Le Petomane.

The Waco Kid role also had an unusual casting history. John Wayne was offered the part but turned it down because he felt the movie was too “blue” for his family-friendly image. Gig Young was later cast but had to leave after collapsing during his first scene. Wilder was then brought in to replace him.

Blazing Saddles also received three Academy Award nominations and became a major box-office success. It grossed $119.6 million against a reported $2.6 million budget.

The film later received another major honor when it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2006 after being recognized as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.

The American Film Institute has also placed Blazing Saddles on its 100 Years…100 Laughs list, further establishing its place among the most important comedy films in American cinema.

Roger Ebert also recognized the movie’s deliberately excessive style in his review, describing it as a comedy Western packed with jokes and unexpected turns. He noted that its structure was messy but that the movie largely succeeded as an audience-focused comedy.

Its mix of Western parody, outrageous comedy and commentary on racial prejudice has helped keep Blazing Saddles part of conversations about the most influential comedy films ever made.

Related: 2022 Amazon Prime TV Series Ranked ‘Greatest Show’ With Less Than 20 Episodes

While the idea of not talking about politics or religion at the dinner table might sound old-fashioned these days, there is one subject that many people still feel is too taboo to bring up, even if it shouldn’t: money.

Being transparent about money is important for a variety of reasons—from getting paid what you deserve at work to discussing finances honestly with a partner—but it’s a topic that many people continue to shy away from. Financial expert Erin Lowry thinks this should change.

Lowry is the author of the Broke Millennial series of books, which are full of practical money advice and include books focused on investing, talking about money and just generally “getting your financial life together.” From books to a workbook, to general financial advice, she offers Millennials (and anyone who needs it) suggestions to enhance their financial literacy.

So, in case you need some help in the personal wealth department, Parade spoke to the writer and speaker about what she believes is the top money skill that Millennials are missing and why it can have such a great effect on your financial security. She also shares some other money tips, including the “one switch all people, regardless of their generation,” should make right now. 

Related: Want To Be More Financially Savvy This Year? Here Are 100 of the Best Budget Tips for 2026

The Millennial Money Trap: What Is the #1 Missing Financial Skill?

Lowry says that the number one financial skill that Millennials, specifically, are missing is the ability “to have hard conversations about money.”

“Yes, the foundations of creating a debt repayment plan, knowing your cash flow, saving and investing for retirement are all important,” she tells Parade. “But you can’t stick to any of those strategies without advocating for yourself (and your money) and setting financial boundaries.” 

One way to set boundaries is saying “no” to some of the many things that are asked of us or that we feel expected to do. 

“Life, at all stages, is full of invitations, events and requests to spend money,” she states, noting everything from weddings to kids’ birthday parties and summer camp to group trips. 

“You should absolutely say yes to lots of invites, asks and major milestones for loved ones,” she advises. “But you probably can’t attend them all. It’s important to figure out how you can show up for others and invest in building and sustaining your community without it putting you into or keeping you in debt.”

Other tough conversations about money include talking to your parents about if you’ll need to support them in their later years.

“Many Millennials are on the verge of, or already in, the sandwich generation,” Lowry explains. “The financial toll of caring for aging parents and young children often leaves people without a safety net of their own or pausing retirement contributions in the name of short-term financial need. Knowing early about the possibility of financially caring for parents could change how someone sets up their finances for success early instead of having to scramble years later.”

And then there are those sometimes difficult financial talks with a partner.

“Another hard, but important, conversation includes asking your romantic partner about their finances, especially before moving in together, engagement or marriage,” she shares.

Related: 17 Habits Sucking Cash Out of Your Wallet Each Month (Most People Ignore #9)

2 More Vital Wealth-Building Skills Every Millennial Needs to Master

Getty Images

Aside from having the sort of conversations that can affect your financial well-being in both the short and long term, Lowry also shares a couple of other money skills that Millennials should adopt, and they have to do with putting automatic contributions into place in two key areas.

1. Automatic contributions to your retirement plan

Lowry says that it’s “important to get into the habit” of contributing to a retirement plan “even if you can only contribute 1 percent because you’re focused on other major financial goals or demands.” One way to do this is by automating that 1 percent contribution and increasing the amount little by little.

“Push up your contribution rate by 1 percent every three months until you slowly work towards 10 or 15 percent,” she says.

As an extra tip, she notes: “Just make sure that money in a retirement account is actually invested and not just sitting in a cash settlement or money market fund!”

2. Automatic contributions to your savings account

In addition to automating your retirement plan, Lowry also suggests automating savings. 

“Another foundational goal is to prioritize saving and set up your paycheck to automatically deposit a percentage into your savings account instead of saving ‘leftovers’ at the end of the month,” she suggests. 

And this leads us to… 

The Cost of Cash Hoarding: How Idle Money Loses You Money

If you haven’t heard it yet, here is pretty much every financial expert’s plea: Take advantage of a high-yield savings account (HYSA).

“If there’s just one switch all people, regardless of their generation, make by reading this article, it’s to use a high-yield savings account,” Lowry pleads. 

To emphasize her point, she explains: “If I told you that you could earn $145 more per year on your savings by switching banks and doing nothing else, then moving your money would be a no-brainer. Having $5,000 in savings at .01% APY would earn you $5 in interest. That same amount in a high-yield savings account at 3% APY would net you $150.” 

If you have more money saved, the difference is even more stark. “Now, what if you have a $50,000 emergency savings fund? That’s $1,500 a year versus $250 in interest,” she points out.

Lowry also shares a pro tip for choosing a high-yield savings account.

“Be sure the HYSA you pick is at a financial institution with FDIC insurance (or NCUA if it’s a credit union),” she says. “FDIC insurance covers your deposits up to $250,000, per ownership category, per bank. That means if the bank fails, your money, up to $250,000 per ownership category, will be refunded by the FDIC. An online-only bank is a perfectly safe option as long as it has FDIC coverage. There are FinTech companies that advertise having a HYSA, but don’t have the same protections in the case of a failure.” 

Related: A Financial Strategist Is Begging People Over 50 To Stop Making This Money Mistake

Overcoming Investment Anxiety: Shifting From a ‘Saving’ to a ‘Wealth-Building’ Mindset

Saving is great, obviously—and especially if you are using an HYSA, as we just discussed—but investing money can really lead to increased financial security in the long-term. 

Lowry understands that investing makes some people nervous, especially Millennials who entered adulthood during The Great Recession. And while she notes that no one has to invest, it’s important to be informed about how it can affect your financial goals. 

Here’s her example:

“You want $1 million by the time you turn 50. You’re currently 25 with $5,000 in savings. If you invest $1,000 a month ($12,000 a year) for 25 years and receive an average 8 percent return over that quarter of a century, then you’ll have $911,513.66 by 50. Change nothing and you’ll have $1.4 million by 55 because that’s how rapidly compound interest can work for you. 

But what if you just saved the money? You start with $5,000 at 25 with the goal to reach $1 million by 50. You put $1,000 a month into savings. In 25 years, even with a 3% APY on your savings account, you’re only at $447,980.06. What if your savings account only offers 1% APY for those 25 years? That drops you down to $345,330.55 by 50. 

You’d need to save roughly $2,300 per month and receive at least 3% APY on your savings account the entire time to hit $1 million by 50. That’s saving $27,600 a year, which is $15,600 a year more than you’d need to invest to achieve the same goal.”

Want to try out your own figures? A calculator at Investor.gov lets people play around with the numbers themselves.

As for anyone who feels anxious about the idea of tackling their finances overall, Lowry’s tip goes back to the idea of hard conversations and boundaries.

“It’s easy to let other people and societal expectations drive your spending behaviors,” she notes. “Can you make adjustments to spend, save and invest in ways that feel good to you instead of leaving you depleted or anxious? This probably will require some hard, boundary-setting conversations with loved ones.”

And if you’re someone who has “deeply rooted money anxiety,” there is such a thing as financial therapy. This would be, for example, for “people who engage in consistent self-sabotage, like digging out of debt only to overspend and end up back in the red,” she explains. “Or those who present as extremely money savvy, but struggle to accept that they’re financially secure and won’t even allow for modest lifestyle upgrades. This scarcity mentality can still be financially and emotionally damaging.”

Related: What Financial Experts Want You to Know About the Viral ‘Moneymaxxing’ Trend Taking Over Social Media

The Expert’s Guide To Jump-Starting Your Financial Journey

If you don’t feel you’re on top of your finances and are looking for somewhere to start, Lowry shares her suggestion for taking the first step. It involves first looking over all aspects of your finances and then making a couple of moves that could pay off—literally—in the long run

Face your numbers

“The first step is to face your numbers,” Lowry states. “This will take time and might be emotionally challenging, but there’s no way to get your financial life together without looking at the complete picture. You need to know exactly how much debt you have, the minimum monthly payments, interest rates and total balance owed. You should understand your cash flow. How much you’re earning each month, especially your take-home pay, and how much is going out towards monthly bills, like housing, transportation, utilities, food, debt payments, insurance, child/pet care, entertainment, subscriptions, annual fees, etc.”

Looking at the evidence physically rather than just online can help.

“It’s a good practice to print out six months’ worth of bank statements and credit card bills to comb through charges and to get this information instead of just guessing,” she suggests.

Open a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA)

Remember that high-yield savings account talk from before? Now’s the time to open one, if you don’t have one already.

“Once you have a holistic view of your finances, you should evaluate your financial products,” Lowry shares. “Get your savings into a high-yield savings account.”

Check on your checking account

In addition to the HYSA, Lowry says that it’s important to pay attention to the type of checking account you have.

“Make sure your checking account is truly fee-free (no hoops to jump through, like a minimum account balance) and no risk of high overdraft fees,” she states.

It’s easy to feel like it’s too late or too hard to make a money change that could positively affect your future—if you’ve ever seen those infographics about starting a retirement account at age 25 versus age 40, you know what I mean—but it isn’t actually too late, according to Lowry.

“I hate to say it, but we Millennials aren’t that young anymore. We need to take our financial lives seriously and establish a strong foundation for our future,” she says. “But we are still young enough that consistent money actions, even small ones, like contributions to a 401(k) or IRA, will add up. Just make sure that money in a retirement account is actually invested and not just sitting in a cash settlement or money market fund!”

Up Next:

Related: 7 Phrases To Avoid When Emailing a Millennial, According to an Etiquette Expert

Source:

• Erin Lowry is a financial expert, speaker and author of the Broke Millennial series of books, which are full of practical money advice and include books focused on investing, talking about money and just generally “getting your financial life together.”

George Harrison’s post-Beatles career produced a standout track, “Out of the Blue,” a 1970 rock instrumental that became a notable classic of his solo career.

More than five decades after its release, the song continues to resonate with rock music.

In a list by Collider, the publication unveiled a rundown of the 10 best songs by Harrison, with “Out of the Blue” securing the top spot.

A separate list featured Collider’s 10 Greatest Classic Rock Instrumentals of All Time, with the former Beatle’s 1970 track ranked at No. 1, surpassing Santana’s “Samba Pa Ti” and Black Sabbath’s “Laguna Sunrise,” which ranked second and third, respectively.

The publication described the track as having a funky rhythm with an extremely enticing sound that will make a person want to keep listening.

Guitarist and singer George Harrison performing during a live concert.

Fox Photos/Getty Images

“‘Out of the Blue’ is one of rock’s greatest epics and the genre’s finest instrumental,” the outlet added.

While it has remained as iconic as it is today, the instrumental track was created by Harrison and a group of guest musicians, including Eric Clapton, Carl Radle, Gary Wright, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Price, Bobby Keys and Jim Gordon, during an improvised studio jam built around a simple one-chord blues riff.

The original, unedited studio performance ran for 20 minutes and was recorded at the iconic Studio Three at EMI Studios, Abbey Road.

It was later trimmed down to 11 minutes before appearing on Harrison’s critically acclaimed triple-album box set, All Things Must Pass, where it served as the opening track on the third disc, titled Apple Jam, along with the songs “It’s Johnny’s Birthday” and “Plug Me In.”

In an interview, he mentioned that “Out of the Blue” wasn’t intended to be part of All Things Must Pass but that he felt a musical spark and energy in the recording, especially in Clapton’s music style.

“For the jams, I didn’t want to just throw ’em in the cupboard, and yet at the same time it wasn’t part of the record; that’s why I put it on a separate label to go in the package as a kind of bonus,” he explained as cited by Beatles Bible. “We used to do that ourselves, you know, the Fabs, back in the early days. So you’d have a break, somebody’d go to the toilet, they have a cigarette, and next minute you’d break into a jam session, and the engineer taped it on a two-track. When we were mixing the album and getting toward the end of it, I listened to that stuff, and I thought, ‘It’s got some fire in it,’ particularly Eric. He plays some hot stuff on there!”

Although “Out of the Blue” never entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it had a record-setting distinction as part of All Things Must Pass, which became rock music’s first triple studio album.

The triple LP also spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Related: 1972 Hit by Seals and Crofts Became One of the ‘Greatest Soft Rock Songs’ of All Time

Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg addressed whether he’s interested in returning as his character, Howard Wolowitz.

During an appearance on the August 31 episode of The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, Helberg was asked if he’d want to return to play Howard, whom he portrayed throughout the CBS show’s 12-season run, which ended in 2019. According to the actor, he simply couldn’t envision himself putting on Howard’s turtleneck dickeys again for a future Big Bang Theory project.

“It’s hard for me to imagine ever playing the character again. It really is. Like, I just don’t know. I feel like I’ve changed a lot and everything has shifted in some way. So, it’s hard for me to imagine even what that would be,” said Helberg.

He then said he’s not opposed to having a filmed cast reunion, similar to the 30th anniversary special that the surviving stars of Everybody Loves Raymond did in 2025.

“Having a reunion, like, sitting down with everybody, I could see that being intriguing. Like, I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know when or how. But I’m sure, like, there would be a natural point where maybe everybody would be like, ‘This would be interesting.’ But I also feel like it has to, like, time has to go by,” said Helberg during the interview.

He then noted that several popular sitcoms got reboots around the time The Big Bang Theory, which was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, came to an end.

“It’s just funny because we finished the show and then it became really like in vogue to have reunions and reboots, like the day we finished,” said Helberg. “So, it’s like, well, we’re not going to reboot the show we just finished, and we’re not going to sit down on our set. They haven’t even taken it down yet.”

Entertainment Weekly reported that some Big Bang Theory stars, like Kunal Nayyar, Brian Thomas Smith, Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik, have portrayed “alternate universe versions of TBBT’s characters” for the 2026 HBO Max spinoff series, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. However, Helberg’s Howard has not yet shown up in the show.

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

The best seasonal serveware often walks a fine line between novelty and utility, and Lenox’s reputation for timeless, well-crafted serveware takes center stage now that it’s pumpkin time. Their adorably timeless pieces serve as decorative accents and functional staples for fall and Halloween celebrations.

This year, Macy’s has a product from the brand on sale that offers both. The Lenox Porcelain Halloween Figural Pumpkin Candy Bowl, featuring a classic Jack-o’-lantern design, blends festive charm with everyday usability. The adorably “vibrant” bowl is now discounted at Macy’s for just $42 with code BUYMORE, so it’s the perfect time to poach a pumpkin for your decor collection.

Lenox Porcelain Halloween Figural Pumpkin Candy Bowl, From $42 (was $65) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

The bowl is made from 100% porcelain, giving it a substantial, durable feel that sets it apart from many plastic or disposable alternatives. Shoppers raved about its whimsical design and practical size. 

One shopper called it a “beautifully made and vibrant pumpkin” that’s the “perfect size for a Halloween candy bowl.” “The bowl is bright and cheerful,” another shopper stated. They added that it has “many uses,” such as “a treat bowl, popcorn bowl, or filled with flowers.”

Measuring approximately 9.25 inches across and 4.75 inches high, and boasting a generous 112-ounce capacity, the pumpkin is part of a broader Lenox Halloween collection. This lets you coordinate your holiday table setting, whether you’re filling it with fun-size chocolates for trick-or-treaters or using it as a dinner centerpiece. 

It is large enough to hold a generous supply of Halloween candy, popcorn, or side dishes for a dinner party. Its dishwasher- and microwave-safe features add convenience, making it suitable for frequent use during the fall season.

Shop More Deals

• Lenox The Great Pumpkin Snoopy Figural Treat Dish, $34 (was $53) at Macy’s
• Lenox Assorted Haunted Halloween Mugs Set, $50 (was $78) at Macy’s
• Lenox The Great Pumpkin Assorted Accent Plates Set, $56 (was $88) at Macy’s

Related: Amazon’s Solar Pumpkin Light 2-Pack Is ‘Cute as A Button’ for Spooky Season, Now Just $17

The $42 Lenox pumpkin bowl offers a reusable and visually appealing deal for those looking to add a touch of seasonal spirit to their home without sacrificing practicality. Grab yours and get pumpkin season brewing!

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.

Congratulations are in order for Joe Budden.

The rapper and podcast host proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Shadée Monique, on August 30, 2026, just one day before his 46th birthday.

Along with popping the question, Budden also revealed that the couple is expecting their first child together and that it will be a baby girl.

Related: ‘RHOA’ Fans Barely Recognize Kenya Moore as New Look Sparks Plastic Surgery Rumors

“They said yes,” Budden simply captioned an Instagram carousel of photos of the elegant proposal and stunning engagement ring.

View this post on Instagram

In another longer post to reflect on turning another year older, the “Pump It Up” artist shared more about his proposal and his excitement for the future.

“I proposed to the love of [my] life, the woman that’s been by my side for seven years. I’m honored to have you for eternity. Now it’s not just word salad,” he wrote. “You’ve been my support and anchor. You keep me balanced and safe. You’re with me when I’m feeling myself and when I’m not.”

He continued, “Her daughter cried in my chest when I did it, your evolution won’t only impact you… & speaking of daughters, I’M HAVING A DAUGHTER.”

Monique also reflected on the proposal, writing, “Two beautiful announcements made for one unforgettable, joy-filled night. The amount of love I felt surrounding the both of us is something I can’t even put into words. My heart is so full.”

Budden is already a dad to sons Trey, 25, and Lexington, 8. Budden shares his younger son with ex-fiancée Cyn Santana. The couple called off their engagement in 2019. Monique also has children from previous relationships.

“I love you more than words could ever explain. The only way I know how to describe it is if I had to go through every painful moment of my life all over again, I would, if it meant I still got to have you in the end,” Monique added. “Here’s to love, our baby girl, and FOREVER!!!”

Lesley Ann Warren is remembering her final public appearances with her late Clue co-star Tim Curry.

Curry died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Aug. 25. He was 80.

Warren, who played Miss Scarlet opposite Curry’s Wadsworth in the 1985 murder mystery, reunited with him for several 40th-anniversary screenings this spring.

Despite the decades that had passed, seeing Curry again felt “as if no time had passed,” Warren told People in an August 31 interview.

Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 that left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair. Warren said the effects had become increasingly visible during their final appearances.

At a June screening in San Francisco—the last time she saw Curry—he was “struggling so very much.”

Only one month earlier, however, Curry had been “in his absolute glory” at a screening in Anaheim, Calif., said Warren.

His physical limitations remained, but she says she could still see the personality, wit and presence she remembered from making Clue.

Tim Curry and Lesley Anne Warren in 1994 (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

Those reunions also gave Warren a renewed appreciation for Curry’s performance.

As Wadsworth, Curry races through the mansion while reenacting the night’s murders, delivering enormous monologues at breakneck speed. He also performed multiple solutions to the mystery for the movie’s three alternate endings.

Warren said the cast never saw him hesitate or complain.

To her, it was like “watching this magician pull this brilliance out of his hat every time.”

Curry later revealed that filming the endings had taken a greater toll than his co-stars realized. After completing the climactic material, he was sent to the hospital and treated for high blood pressure.

The comedy initially struggled at the box office after its 1985 release, but found a devoted audience through television and home video.

Its alternate endings, quotable dialogue and Curry’s whirlwind performance eventually transformed Clue into a cult classic.

Eagle-eyed fans of Paris Hilton have noticed something about her style in recent years. It seems the 45-year-old heiress seldom makes an appearance in public without wearing fingerless gloves or long sleeves that cover the tops of her hands.

In fact, the former reality star was even wearing bedazzled white fingerless gloves during her proposal to now-husband Carter Reum in 2021.

So, why does Hilton wear fingerless gloves everywhere she goes?

Fans first noticed Hilton’s affinity for fingerless gloves while watching her Netflix series, Cooking With Paris. At the time, Hilton revealed she wore her “chef gloves” to prevent injuries while in the kitchen.

“I’m going to get another piece of cheese ’cause I’m scared I’m going to start grinding my fingers off,” Hilton said in the YouTube video. “That’s why I wear my chef gloves. They’re usually for sliving but now that it’s 2020, you’re still going to see sliving, but sliving it in a different way.”

View this post on Instagram

However, seeing as Hilton has practically worn gloves or long sleeves to every red carpet (including the 2023 Met Gala) and DJ gig over the past five years, there is another reason for the sartorial choice. In fact, many point to her obsession with anti-aging and skincare as the real reason for the gloves.

“I feel really proud that I’m all natural,” Hilton shared in 2024. “I’ve stayed out of the sun. I’ve never done any Botox, injectables, no surgery, nothing.”

She continued, “My mom told me when I was 8 years old, ‘Paris, stay out of the sun,’ and then she taught me this amazing 10-step skincare routine. So I’ve literally been doing that since [I was] 8. I’ve also built a spa in my house called the Sliving Spa, and it has the most epic LED lights, Hydrafacial machines, a hyperbaric chamber, cryotherapy—it’s basically, like, a real spa.”

Let’s just add gloves to her skincare regimen.

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

With fall gatherings and holiday hosting around the corner, a little extra warm light goes a long way to make a living room or guest room feel cozier heading into the new season. And if you’re looking for an easy way to add both cozy lighting and extra storage, Walmart has a multitasking find worth considering.

The Foukus 63-Inch Round Shade Floor Lamp with Shelves combines a floor lamp with three tiers of storage space, giving you a stylish spot to brighten your space and display your favorite books and other collectibles. It’s an easy, practical addition when you’re getting your home ready for guests — or just want to make better use of your space. Right now, it’s on sale for just $39 at Walmart, marked down from $70. 

Foukus 63-Inch Round Shade Floor Lamp With Shelves, $39 (was $70) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Standing 63 inches tall with a slim build, this floor lamp brings plenty of light to smaller bedrooms, apartments and dorms. It’s built on a metal frame with sturdy engineered wood, and features three spacious circular shelves with room for books, plants, framed photos or seasonal décor. Each shelf supports up to 50 pounds. For anyone who wants lighting and storage in one piece, that combination is hard to beat. 

The lamp offers three color temperatures — 3,000K, 4,500K and 6,500K — so you can adjust the lighting to suit the moment. Choose a warmer glow when you’re winding down for the evening or switch to a brighter setting when you’re reading, working or spending time with guests. 

Walmart shoppers are impressed with the lamp, too. “Fantastic. I love the different light settings,” one reviewer wrote. Other shoppers described it as “beautiful” and “really great quality!” While a third appreciated that the floor lamp was “easy to install” and required “no tools.” 

Shop More Deals

• The Pioneer Woman Colette 3-Piece Stoneware Nesting Bowl Set, $25 at Walmart
• Ablanczoom Loafers, From $14 (were $27) at Walmart
• Vancasso Malacasa 6-Piece Pasta Bowl Set, $34 (was $66) at Walmart

Related: Shoppers Love How This $29 Handmade Pressed Flower Lamp ‘Enhances’ Spaces With ‘Delicate’ Cottagecore Charm

At just $39, Walmart’s Foukus 63-Inch Round Shade Floor Lamp With Shelves brings together several useful features in one stylish piece. If you’ve been eyeing it, now’s the time to grab it while it’s still in stock and on sale.

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.

Around this time in 1973, Grand Funk Railroad was climbing the Billboard Hot 100 with its hard rock anthem “We’re an American Band.” By the end of September, the song would finally deliver the band their very first No. 1.

On Sept. 29, 1973, “We’re an American Band” dethroned Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” and eventually became a jukebox staple as well as one of the defining road jams of 1970s rock. And to make things even sweeter, the song reached the peak on the same day Mark Farner turned 25.

Written by Don Brewer, “We’re an American Band” came at a pivotal moment for Grand Funk Railroad. The band’s hard-rock power trio—vocalist and drummer Brewer, guitarist Farner, and bassist Mel Schacher—had recently been joined by keyboardist Craig Frost, and the expanded lineup was grasping at straws to come up with something more commercial. 

At the time, the band was also bogged down in legal battles following its split with former manager Terry Knight and trying to adapt to an FM radio landscape that was increasingly shifting toward a more singles-driven format.

View this post on Instagram

Despite the success of the band’s sixth record, The Phoenix Album, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, they knew their next record needed to be a hit or, as Brewer put it in an interview with Songfacts, “the career was going to go down the toilet.”

So, Brewer got back to the band’s roots, drawing from their experiences on their previous Phoenix tour to help write their next song. He said the thought, “We’re coming to your town, we’ll help you party it down,” kept coming to mind.

“That’s really what we were doing–we were coming into town, and we were the party,” he said. “And the next thought I had was, ‘We’re an American band.’ It wasn’t to wave the flag or anything; it was just simply what we were.”

Brewer took that sentiment and ran with it. According to the songwriter, the tune’s wildest details were all true. The band really did stay up all night playing poker with blues legend Freddie King, and the “four young chiquitas” in Omaha and “Sweet Sweet Connie” of Little Rock were also drawn from real people and groupies on the road.

“From the time when I brought the song in, and we worked up an arrangement to it, and we got it recorded, the song just had a life of its own after that,” Brewer said. “Nobody can just sit down and say, ‘I’m going to write a song like this, and it’s going to be a major hit.’ They either have it, or they don’t, and that one just had it.”

The song definitely had it. But Brewer and the others definitely had help. Enter: Todd Rundgren. An accomplished musician who produced albums for Badfinger and The New York Dolls before working with the trio, he produced the album and single, helping shift the band from its FM/album-rock roots toward a more commercial sound.

“Working with Todd was very relaxed,” Brewer said. “He did the engineering himself as well as production. … He had a way of turning knobs that would make everything sound huge, even in the headphones.”

The album, recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami in June 1973, became Grand Funk Railroad‘s highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, reaching No. 2.

“The time was right,” Brewer said. “We’d really come off of about a year of publicity in Rolling Stone and other music mags with publicity flying over our lawsuits with Terry Knight. … This came and really took it over the top.”

Named one of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, “We’re an American Band” remains an enduring rock anthem and is widely found on both vintage and modern digital jukeboxes. It’s even crossed genres, generations, and legends, with everyone from Poison, Rob Zombie, and Garth Brooks to Phish, Kid Rock, and Rascal Flatts recording versions of the song.

In the end, Grand Funk Railroad set out to record a hit that would get played on the radio, take them into a new era, and do so while sounding like Grand Funk Railroad. In that mission, they succeeded beyond their wildest expectations. The jukebox favorite has outlived the era that inspired it, and it all happened on a birthday. Now that’s an American tale.

Related: 2000s Rock Supergroup With King Crimson Legends Announces Tour Ahead of First Album in a Decade

Fifty-two years ago today, country icon George Jones topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with his beloved hit “The Grand Tour.”

Released in May 1974 as the lead single and title track from his fifth studio album, “The Grand Tour” became a massive hit. Upon its release, the track climbed up the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at No. 1 on August 31 for one week. In total, the single charted for 17 consecutive weeks on the tally, dominating the country genre.

“The Possum’s” Chart Accomplishments

“The Grand Tour” marked Jones’ sixth No. 1 single and fifth solo chart-topper of his career. The single followed beloved classics such as “White Lightning,” “Tender Years,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “Walk Through This World with Me” and “We’re Gonna Hold On.”

Jones, famously nicknamed “The Possum” due to country disc jockeys thinking his facial features on an early album cover resembled a possum, earned 13 No. 1 hits throughout his six-decade career. His legacy lives on today as an absolute cornerstone of the country music genre.

Tammy Wynette and George Jones Perform on stage with the Jones Boys in circa 1972.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Creating “The Grand Tour”

Written by Norro Wilson, Carmol Taylor and George Richey, “The Grand Tour” tells the heartbreaking story of a man guiding the listener through the home he used to share with his wife before she left him. The narrator serves as a real estate agent of sorts, walking potential buyers through an open house while being confronted by painful memories at every turn.

Paired with a lush string arrangement produced by Billy Sherrill, the song’s emotional weight comes to life. Jones later reflected on his time working with Sherrill, noting how it took the producer a while to adjust to his hardcore traditional country sound:

“I finally had a talk with him. I said, ‘Billy, I’m country, I’m traditional, I know you’re wanting to cross over with me like you have with Tammy, Charlie Rich and those people, but I’m hardcore and I can’t help it. That’s what I feel, and I can’t do a good job for the label, you or anybody else if I don’t feel it myself.’ I had no problem after that, we’d go in and he got me a good sound.”

Over five decades after topping the Hot Country Songs chart, “The Grand Tour” remains a monumental country music staple. On Spotify alone, the track has accumulated over 40 million streams—attesting to its ability to reach new generations in the digital era.

Related: 1975 Country Rock Song, Written in America’s Oldest City, Is Still a Powerful Hit 51 Years Later

Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea‘s relationship, unlike that of other Islanders, has been kept close to their chests. With the reunion airing tonight, fans are wondering: Is the controversial couple of Season 8 still together?

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

Are Melanie and Sincere from Love Island still together? LOVE ISLAND USA — Episode 835 — Pictured: (l-r) Melanie Moreno, Sincere Nicholas Rhea — (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock)

In a recent interview with Vulture, Melanie shared, “We’re not exclusive; we’re not boyfriend-girlfriend,” adding that she wasn’t “in a rush to get that title.” Explaining that she knows how Sincere feels about her and “I think I just want to take it day by day.”

What Happened Between Melanie and Sincere on ‘Love Island USA’? LOVE ISLAND USA — Episode 830 — Pictured: (l-r) Melanie Moreno, Sincere Nicholas Rhea — (Photo by: Peacock)

The Islanders were a Day 1 pairing that found their way coupled up during the season’s first coupling. But despite their instant connection, the road to the finale was a very bumpy one due to Sincere’s wandering eye.

The first obstacle that came their way was the bombshell, Sol Dean. While Sincere remained adamant that he was with Melanie, he often was caught exploring with Sol, kissing and flirting, until she left the Villa.

The next struggle occurred during Casa Amor, when the pattern continued as Sincere explored his connection with Amora Robinson, going so far as to tell her that she “would have been the one” had she entered the game earlier, but that he was with Melanie now.

Following an explosive movie night reveal, as Melanie learned how Sincere moved when she was not around, the couple had a rocky end of the season but decided to remain together, as Melanie remained adamant that she felt that her feelings for Sincere were real and legitimate.

The couple made it into the finale, where America voted them in third place. Since then, the couple has appeared to remain together despite not being exclusive, while navigating life after the villa.

Love Island USA Season 8 is streaming now exclusively on Peacock, with the Season 8 reunion premiering August 31, 2026, at 9 PM ET.

Related: How to Watch ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Reunion

One of TV’s most beloved families just had a mini cast reunion!

Modern Family stars Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ed O’Neill got together over the weekend at SUSHISAMBA Los Angeles. In an Instagram carousel shared by Vergara, the America’s Got Talent judge included multiple shots of the quad posing together. She also had separate shots with Bowen, 56, and her TV husband O’Neill, 80, while seated at a dining table.

“With my American family!!! ❤️❤️,” Vergara, 54, captioned the post. “I cant believe its been 6 yrs since the Modern Family finale!!!😫😫 I miss u guys!!!”

View this post on Instagram

Bowen also shared similar photos as part of a joint post with Ferguson, 50. However, the two TV siblings’ upload also included a cute and candid shot of the pair laughing while posing alongside Vergara.

“I love these people,” the collab post was captioned.

Although Modern Family concluded its 11-season run in 2020, the cast has continued to remain a close-knit family offscreen. Fans have often noticed that Ty Burrell has missed out on quite a few of the larger cast reunions over the years—and fortunately, he has a valid reason for doing so.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

“We’ve had a couple of gatherings, but I wasn’t able to make it to a couple of them,” Burrell, 59, told People in 2025. “I live in Utah now, so the logistics have gotten a little bit trickier. But everybody has stayed in touch, and I’m incredibly grateful to know all those people.”

Fellow series alum Eric Stonestreet has echoed a similar sentiment regarding the cast’s enduring bond. Recalling his earliest days working with the Modern Family cast, he told People in a separate interview that he remembered thinking at the time: “I have a whole lot of new people that I’m going to grow old with and know for the rest of my life.'”