The streamer continues to prioritize sci-fi, adding a slew of titles in September, including two classics that rank among the best films ever made.

Alien introduced the world to Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley and made the actress both a worldwide star and an icon of the genre.

That film’s massively successful sequel, Aliens, established James Cameron as an A-list director, introduced the phrase “Game over, man!” to the cultural lexicon and gave Weaver a meaty role as an angrier, more intimidating Ripley.

Need more recommendations? Then check out the Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now, the Best Rom-Com Movies on Netflix Right Now and the Must-Watch Movies on Netflix Right Now.

After Rachel Bilson (a.k.a. Summer Roberts) and Melinda Clarke (a.k.a. Julie Cooper-Nichol) launched their rewatch podcast, “Welcome to the OC, Bitches,” back in 2021, interest in another round of Newpsie drama increased.

For the podcast, which concluded in 2024, the pair rewatched old episodes of the show and shared their memories of filming, with guest appearances from fellow cast members, including Tate Donovan and Peter Gallagher.

“Watching it, I’m just so impressed with how good everybody is,” Bilson told Nylon in April 2021 of revisiting the series. “I feel like it worked because of the natural chemistry and people’s talents, and it’s fun to see that.”

The O.C. followed Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teen who moved in with the wealthy Cohen family after he got caught trying to steal a car. The Cohens’ son, Seth (Adam Brody), introduced him to comic books and Death Cab for Cutie, while their next-door neighbor Marissa (Mischa Barton) introduced him to Ferris wheel makeouts and shoplifting.

Clarke played one of the most infamous characters on the show — Marissa’s mom, Julie, whose many nefarious deeds included sleeping with her daughter’s 18-year-old ex-boyfriend.

“Julie really is one of the original Housewives,” the Gotham alum told Bustle in April 2021. “She’s a villain but you never play a villain as a villain. You believe your character’s truth — and her truth was maintaining this beautiful façade.”

In the years since the 2007 series finale, the cast has kept busy with other projects, but that hasn’t stopped people constantly former cast members if the time could be right for a return to the Bait Shop.

While The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz has said he has no plans to revive the series, fans are still making the same wish every Chrismukkah. As Julie put it in season 2: “Surf, sex and scandal. It’s a recipe for a cultural phenomenon, don’t you think?”

Keep scrolling to read everything The O.C. cast has said about the idea of a reboot:

Speaking to Australia’s KIIS 1065 on Friday, September 4, McKenzie, 47, admitted he would be open to a reboot of the series.

“I don’t know that there has ever been serious talks, but I’d be up for it,” he said. “Yeah, I think so, under the right circumstances. It was a great show. We had a great time. I learned a lot. I was so young, we were all young.”

McKenzie shot to fame on the teen series, which premiered in 2003 and ran for four seasons until 2007. He starred alongside Mischa Barton, Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson.

Mischa Barton Admits to 'Tricky' Ben McKenzie Romance on 'The O.C.' Set

Meanwhile Barton, who portrayed McKenzie’s love interest Marissa Cooper, teased that there could one day be a return on the horizon during an interview with RTL last month. (Marissa was killed off at the end of season three.)

“There might be a reunion coming up; we’ll see,” she cryptically told the outlet. After being pressed for more details, she said again, “We’ll see.”

Bilson has also expressed potential interest in reviving her character Summer Roberts.

“I would always be up for it. But it’s also this thing that people still watch and are still discovering,” the actress, 45, told Variety in June 2024. “So do you just leave that special moment as it is?”

She added, “You weigh both sides because obviously it would be fun and I love everybody and it would be awesome to go back and we need to somehow bring Marissa back to life and do the whole thing if we do it. But also leaving it for what it was and how special it kind of was, is also a positive.”

Brody, who played Seth Cohen, has been less enthusiastic about bringing back the beloved characters — suggesting it may not work as well decades after the show’s peak popularity.

“I kind of don’t think it can be done because I feel like, socially, I think we’re in a different place. And I think we’re in a more conscious place,” Brody, 46, explained on the “Welcome to The O.C., Bitches!” podcast in October 2021.

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He continued, “I feel like The O.C., while it claims to be in a similar sense of Gossip Girl, while it would sort of say it’s a critique [of affluence], it’s not. It’s a celebration. It’s a celebration of affluence, in my opinion.”

Brody argued that the world is such a different place than it was in the 2000s that it would likely be hard for audiences to stomach some elements as easily as they once did.

“But I guess my point is like, for me, in a post-Donald Trump America, to go, ‘Let’s go to Orange County,’ I feel like you have to have a real reckoning politically and socially,” he continued. “And is that what people want to see with this show? I don’t know. And is there a way to do both? I mean, there is I suppose, but in my eyes, I’d probably want to torch it more than, like, the fans would want. So, I don’t know who would be happy.”

Speaking to E! News on Friday, September 4, Shannon, 62, was asked what she thought about Alexis, 49, going under the knife. (Alexis and Shannon had beef after Shannon’s ex, John Janssen began dating Alexis following the former couple’s split.)

“Good for her!” Shannon told the outlet, adding, “I hope the marriage stays intact because she might get sued!”

The remark was in reference to her own legal troubles with John, 63, in the past, when he sued her in an attempt to recover $75,000 he said he gave her as a loan for cosmetic procedures.

Alexis Bellino Slams Shannon Beador’s Claim $60,000 Will Pay for Wedding

In her interview with E!, Shannon also said she no longer has beef with the couple after their love triangle, insisting, “I’ve moved on.” Shannon added, “I don’t care.”

Shannon and John broke up in January 2023 after four years of dating. He moved on with Alexis, who was previously married to Jim Bellino, in early 2024.

Amid Alexis’ whirlwind romance with John, she returned to RHOC and often butted heads with Shannon in season 18 in 2024. Alexis confirmed in December 2024 that she was not asked to return to the show for the following season.

In March 2024, John filed a lawsuit against Shannon, suing her for breach of oral contract and promissory fraud, claiming that she failed to repay him $75,000,  per court documents obtained by People.

According to the outlet, he claimed that his ex asked him for the money in 2022 and he gave her $40,000 via wire transfer in January the same year. John also allegedly paid her an additional $35,000 in May 2023, given by personal check. John claimed via the court docs that Shannon has failed to return the money despite agreeing to pay him back with interest.

RHOC's Shannon Beador Is Confused About John Janssen, Alexis Bellino Dating

“Ms. Beador’s defense that Mr. Janssen paid her the $75,000 as a ‘gift’ is completely meritless, which their emails and text messages will show,” Edson K. McClellan, Rutan & Tucker LLP, told Us at the time. “Mr. Janssen is saddened that Ms. Beador’s unwillingness to repay the loans made it necessary to file this lawsuit.”

Beador also spoke out via a statement to Us at the time: “I am shocked and disappointed that John has a filed a lawsuit. My attorney has been in constant communication with his counsel. I agreed to pay John what he wanted because I knew that attorneys fees would surpass the amount sought, but more importantly to eliminate the negative emotional components that come with a lawsuit. It is important that I continue to focus on the positive aspects of my life and move forward. John declined the offer because he refused to sign a mutual non-disparagement agreement. I was hoping that if I met his baseless demand we could at least use this as an opportunity to bring complete closure to this chapter in my life.”

The pair settled the lawsuit in November 2024.

Lefty has been in the line of fire from some online critics after she made her Opry debut on Tuesday, September 1. The following day, the Opry shared footage via its Instagram account of Lefty performing her hit “Boston” with two young St. Jude patients.

The video received some negative comments, including accusations that Lefty is a “nepo baby.” (Lefty’s dad is Eric Lefkofsky, the co-founder of Groupon and a CEO of a biotech company.)

Others threw shade at the singer for using Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” in the hit song while some people expressed their opinion that Lefty didn’t deserve the honor of performing at the Nashville institution.

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Commenting on the video, Ballerini, 32, clapped back at Lefty’s haters.

“Opry member chiming in!!” Ballerini wrote. “Yes, the Opry is about honoring the legacies and the people that have inspired both me and her. But, from different backgrounds and hometowns and generations, we can find ways to say and sing things that resonate with people that fill the seats…and that is always the goal right?”

The “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer continued, “This backstage moment is beautiful. And y’all in the comments continue to not honor the people the actual Opry house opens its arms to. It’s about celebration of all kinds of country music…new, old, traditional, current, however you wanna say it. It’s all important, and it should all be able to be shared in our safest and most sacred stage in country music.”

Ballerini further urged, “Celebrate music like the Opry does. ❤️”

In an additional comment, Ballerini continued to emphasize her point of view and stress that the performance was for a good cause.

“DOUBLING DOWN that this is a video of her singing to St Jude’s patients,” she added. “Yall go get some sleep.”

In an interview with Vanity Fair published on August 21, Lefty addressed the “nepo baby” criticism leveled at her because of her father and his billionaire status.

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“Obviously there’s going to be this conversation around it, which I totally understand,” Lefty told the publication. “Me and my dad have spoken about this a lot since I even started music. He was like, ‘The truth will set you free.’”

Lefty noted that a benefit of her privileged upbringing was time to work on her craft without pressure to find a way to pay the bills.

“I had the ability to really explore, and I didn’t have a stopwatch. I felt like I had this cushion,” she said.

“Hindsight is 20/20. I’m actually glad that I did not target the icons because they had a power,” Lala, 57, exclusively tells Us following her eviction from the Big Brother house on Thursday, September 3. “So with that power, they could have taken themselves off the block by the time I was Head of Household, and that would have been horrible.”

Lala was referring to Rick Devens’ game-changing Diamond Power of Veto that he won from the BB Time Capsule in the second week of the game. The two-time Survivor player, 42, kept the prize a secret between him and Survivor winner Dee Valladares.

During Yash Patel’s HoH reign, the finance analyst, 24, put Dee, 29, on the block alongside Big Brother alum Angela Murray. Yash thought everything was smooth sailing to get an icon out, however, Devens had other plans. Devens used the Diamond Power of Veto on Dee and chose to nominate Yash’s pal Kamu Kirk instead.

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“It would have been like Yash’s head of household, and it would have just been hijacked,” she recalls. “So what I did when I did it was what needed to be done.”

When Lala became HoH the week before Yash, she took a shot at Chuk Anyanwu and Haley Thogmartin who were aligned with the icons during the early stages of the game.

“Breaking up a power couple in the house was very important, and I think that that changed the trajectory of the game for my side,” she explains.

Chuk, 27, went home during Lala’s HoH and Haley, 29, was eliminated from the game during the medieval-themed twist following Big Brother’s 1000th episode.

Neither Angela, Dee or Devens have been up for elimination so far in this game. While Dee was saved by Devens, both he and Angela were able to win a BB Blockbuster and earn safety. If neither one of them had won, there was a very good chance they would have been evicted.

Devens was the target during the eviction that ultimately led to Lala becoming the first member of the jury. Lala was on the block next to her close ally and friend Taylor Brown.

“Taylor and I were like freaking water and and and oil at one point, but we love each other in a sense that like we can argue and we can disagree, but we always loved one another,” Lala tells of her and Taylor’s dynamic. “Her take on the game and how she played the game was completely different than my take on the game and how I played the game, and we kind of brought it together to work, and it worked for us for many a week because we were on that block, baby, and but we got off that block, baby.”

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Lala also gushed that Taylor, 27, is “an intelligent young woman” who she enjoyed getting to know.

“I really enjoyed her, and I enjoyed the fact that you know I was her shoulder to cry on. She was my shoulder to cry on, and then we were in battle together,” she says. “It was good. I really love that child. I really do.”

Lala is now the first member of the jury and she will help decide who will be the winner of Big Brother 28. While her time was cut short, she made plenty of long-lasting memories.

“I think my favorite memory in the house would have to be when we had a dance class with Jason in the beginning,” she reflects. “Oh my gosh! We had so much fun, honey. We had a whole choreography done for us, and we all learned the choreography. All the girls, and we were supposed to have a show, and we never got a chance to have this show. But those times with Jason and Rome were really magical for me.”

Big Brother airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

The Friday, September 4, episode of the Apple TV series picked up with a flashback where Daniel (Zukerman) was revived from cryogenic sleep in Silo 1 as a specialist named Troy. He couldn’t remember his past and was brought back to lead the execution of the Silo 17 rebels who exited their Silo.

Troy struggled with flashes of his old life, which viewers saw throughout season 3. Before Victor (Matt Craven) died by suicide in the present timeline, he requested that Troy be revived and he left him a message that confirmed he was searching for someone named Helen.

“I thought I knew what was happening. I got on this call with [creator] Graham [Yost] when the show came up and when I came up with an idea for Daniel,” Zukerman, 42, exclusively told Us. “And he told me the story, and it was beautiful, but he left Troy out.”

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Zukerman was “already sold” before they even got to Troy.

“I just like this team, and I love this show so much. But then it was only a week before starting that we got sent all the scripts, and I was reading, and I was fascinated,” he recalled. “And then I got to episode 10, and I was genuinely shook.”

Zukerman continued: “I remember exactly where I was. I texted Graham, and then I just had to go for a walk. I didn’t see it coming at all. And I was hit by a profound sort of … I think I was simultaneously hit by Daniel’s experience and the tragedy of that and also by the gift I knew I was given as an actor.”

Silo is set in a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels. The sci-fi series is shrouded in secrecy as viewers tune in to see how the past and the present will come together before the show’s fourth season.

“Season 3 keeps recontextualizing what you thought was happening,” Zukerman teased. “That ramps up even more. I’d say don’t take anything for granted [ahead of the last season].”

With the introduction of Troy, Zukerman is poised to take center stage in the show’s final season as this version of Daniel comes to terms with the manipulation that he went through — all while trying to find his wife, Helen (Jessica Henwick).

“I’ll say that I loved the setup that we know who Daniel was, we know what he’s really about, but he has been weaponized by this organization,” he explained. “And for that iteration of him to be put up against Rebecca [Ferguson]’s strength and intelligence [as main character Juliette], that was such an exciting opportunity. That was very exciting to me.”

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Zukerman expressed excitement at where the show goes from here — especially after connecting so closely to both characters.

“As soon as I read Troy, I felt like I wanted there to be no difference. I did connect to him immediately,” he told Us. “I saw why they wanted me, and I really thought I was just going to try to put all of myself in him. I was just going to try to put myself in his shoes as much as possible, which is, I think, probably the more I do this, the best way to approach a character anyway.”

Zukerman was grateful for the opportunity to grow as an actor, adding, “But this I felt really invited me to do that, knowing that what we were then going to do is actually take his entire history and his life away from him. I think because of that context, it gave me permission to just really just throw myself into it completely.”

He continued: “The way he’s goofy, the way he’s a bit of a dog and the way that he thinks he’s funnier than he is and smarter than he is. There are so many parts of him that I connected with that I just thought I really wanted to see what would happen if I just really loved as much as I love and was as dorky as I am dorky.”

Silo is currently streaming on Apple TV.

The same south-facing windows that make a room feel bigger and brighter can also spend hours feeding heat into the house, leaving the AC to undo it later. After a record-hot July and another jump in cooling costs, that tradeoff is getting harder to ignore.

The answer is not to turn a sunny home into a cave. For most homeowners, the smarter move is figuring out which two or three windows are doing the most damage and treating those first.

Natural Light Is Getting More Expensive to Keep

Natural light still ranks near the top of what American buyers want. A 2026 Redfin survey found 44 percent of U.S. residents would choose a smaller home with more sunlight over a larger one with less, and 57 percent called sunlight either “non-negotiable” or “very important” when considering a new home.

That preference is colliding with hotter summers. The National Centers for Environmental Information reported July 2026 as the warmest month ever recorded for the contiguous U.S., averaging 76.9°F.

For homeowners doing the math on cooling costs, the number worth memorizing comes from the Department of Energy, which estimates that heat gain and heat loss through windows account for 25 percent to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy use. During a heat wave, that share shows up in real dollars.

“I have buyers who walk into a home that checks every box online and walk right out after making it past the entryway because of low light,” said Cassia Bourne, a Redfin principal agent in Denver. “I use those moments to tell my sellers that light sells a home — it makes it feel larger, cleaner and more inviting.”

Bourne’s point matters for resale value. Any fix that permanently dims a bright room may fight the exact feature that drives offers.

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Window Heat Gain Is Pushing Electric Bills Higher

Three forces are converging on the same pane of glass.

Cooling is materially more expensive than it used to be. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association projected the average U.S. household would spend about $792 on electricity during summer 2026, up 10.5 percent from 2025 and nearly 40 percent from 2020.

“Electricity prices continue to rise, and hotter summers mean households need to use more electricity simply to stay safe,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director, National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “The result is that Americans are paying substantially more to cool their homes than they were just a few years ago.”

Buyer taste hasn’t budged. Bourne’s Denver clients keep walking out of dim listings, and Redfin’s survey suggests that reaction is widespread. A seller who blacks out every window to lower the AC load risks losing thousands at closing.

The performance data on window coverings gives DIYers real options, each with a clear tradeoff. Consumer Reports, citing DOE guidance, notes that smart use of window coverings can cut unwanted heat gain by up to 77 percent. Medium-colored drapes with white plastic backings reduce heat gain by about 33 percent. Highly reflective blinds do around 45 percent when fully closed. Exterior awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 77 percent on west-facing windows, per DOE, though they aren’t practical for renters.

Drapes are the cheap workhorse, blinds are the flexible middle, and awnings are the heavy hitter if you own the house and don’t mind changing the curb appeal.

Homeowners Are Getting More Strategic About Which Windows to Treat

Expect the next 12 to 24 months to reshape how households think about their windows, less as a binary between “open” and “blackout,” and more as a room-by-room energy decision. Three scenarios look most likely.

Static-cling and low-e films go mainstream as the renter-friendly middle option. In a 2025 Washington Post article, Seattle-area window-film estimator Bret Seeger framed the choice bluntly. “It’s always a trade-off,” he said. Films that block more solar heat generally reduce more visible light too. Seeger estimated that a relatively transparent low-e film letting in about 70 percent of visible light could lower summertime room temperature by roughly 3 to 4°F in a typical Seattle-area home without AC, though results vary by window, climate and film. Reader action. If you rent or don’t want to alter your glass permanently, price out static-cling film this spring for west- and south-facing panes only. Skip north-facing windows entirely, they aren’t your problem.

Seasonal treatment becomes the norm, not the exception. Blackout curtains hung with tension rods can go up in June and come down in September, and film can be peeled off. More households will treat window coverings like storm windows, a summer layer that comes and goes. Reader action. Before the next heat wave, identify the two or three rooms that overheat first in the afternoon. Those are the only ones worth treating. Leave the rest bright.

Spectrally selective coatings set the ceiling on what’s possible. Some advanced low-e films filter out 40 percent to 70 percent of the heat normally transmitted through insulated glass while still allowing visible light through, per the DOE. Cheap static-cling films won’t necessarily match that. Reader action. If you own your home and plan to stay five-plus years, get a quote for professionally installed spectrally selective film on your worst offenders and weigh it against your last three summer electric bills.

The bottom line for a weekend improver is simple. Don’t try to fix every window. Fix the two or three that are costing you the most, and let the rest keep doing the job you bought them for.

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THREE SIGNALS TO WATCH

1. NEADA’s next summer electricity cost projection, which will show whether the 10.5 percent year-over-year jump repeats in 2027.
2. NCEI’s monthly national climate reports through summer 2027. Another July above 76.9°F would confirm the trend, not the anomaly.
3. The next Redfin sunlight survey. If the 44 percent who’d trade square footage for sun holds or rises despite higher bills, expect film and shade demand to accelerate.

“Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately,” a Sony spokesperson told Us in a statement on Friday, September 4.

The decision comes three days after Thornton, 61, was suspended from the show due to undisclosed allegations made against him.

“We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton. He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation,” Sony Pictures Television said in a statement to multiple outlets on Tuesday, September 1.

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Two days later, TMZ reported that Thornton was involved in an alleged incident on a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles in May. According to the outlet, a passenger saw and took photos of Thornton engaging in what appeared to be a chat room for pedophiles while using a laptop on the flight. Images obtained by TMZ showed that the messages mentioned, “Couple of cute boys and a hot little girl” as well as an “All-you-can-eat Boyfett.

The passenger alerted a flight attendant and provided the photos to the crew. The captain allegedly contacted authorities, who met Thornton at the gate after the plane landed at LAX.

Thornton was reportedly questioned by the authorities before he was allowed to leave. He has not been arrested or charged in connection with the incident.

Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, released a statement to Page Six, claiming that the game show announcer had clicked on the website by mistake.

“My client has become active in suicide-prevention advocacy since losing a close family member to suicide two years ago, and he has spent time visiting chat rooms offering support to individuals suffering from suicidal ideation,” the statement read. “One of the sites my client has visited is 988lifeline.org, and its chat forum chat.988lifeline.org. … Through an acquaintance in the suicide prevention space, my client was misdirected to a forum with a similar URL … which my client understood to be a forum offering suicide prevention support similar to 988lifeline.org and chat.988lifeline.org.”

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Hart claimed Thornton was initially unaware that the site he was accessing provided mental health support to individuals with pedophilic thoughts. Thornton allegedly left the page after realizing its content.

“When my client understood what the website was about, he left the page and has not visited since,” Hart claimed in her statement. “The website … itself is not unlawful, there is no unlawful child pornography or other pedophilic content, and my client has never viewed, downloaded or consumed any child pornography, whether on that commercial flight in May or at any other time.”

However, TMZ noted that the timestamps in the photos indicate Thornton had been in the chat room for at least 57 minutes.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Record-breaking summer heat is making it harder than ever to sleep well, especially for renters who can’t control their building’s insulation or install permanent cooling upgrades. Meanwhile, a wellness trend called sleepmaxxing promises better rest through optimized habits and environments.

You don’t need an expensive setup to practice good sleep hygiene. Many of the most effective strategies for creating a comfortable sleep environment cost little or nothing. What follows breaks down what the science says and what you can actually do about it tonight.

What Is Sleepmaxxing?

Sleepmaxxing is the practice of layering habits, products and environmental changes to maximize sleep quality. It has gone viral on social media, with people trying everything from magnesium supplements to mouth taping and blackout curtains.

Stanford sleep specialist Clete Kushida told National Geographic that interest has surged as people connect sleep to overall health and use wearable trackers to monitor their rest. “People are sleepmaxxing because they want to find ways of maximizing their mental and physical health, or they are having sleep difficulties and are looking for an easy solution to fix it,” Kushida said.

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What Is the Perfect Temperature for Sleep?

Most experts recommend keeping your bedroom between 65 and 68°F, according to the Sleep Foundation. Individual preferences vary, but cooler air helps your body complete a natural process: shedding heat through the skin as you drift off.

A 2022 analysis published in One Earth reinforces the point. Researcher Kelton Minor and his team tracked more than 47,000 participants across 68 countries and found that elevated nighttime temperatures delayed sleep onset and reduced total sleep duration.

Why Do Hot Bedrooms Make It Harder to Sleep?

Heat disrupts sleep in measurable ways. A 2023 study monitoring older adults at home found that rest was most restorative between 68°F and 77°F. Above that threshold, sleep efficiency declined by 5 percent to 10 percent.

Minor’s team saw consistent results on a global scale. After analyzing over 7 million sleep records, they found that above-average nighttime heat reliably cut into sleep duration across climates and income levels. “What we found is that warmer than normal nights erode human sleep. And this is a global phenomenon,” Minor said on the Flash Forward podcast. On the hottest nights in the study, those above 85°F, people lost roughly 15 minutes of sleep.

Are Overnight Temperatures Getting Worse?

Yes. July 2026 set the record for the hottest month in the contiguous U.S. Average overnight lows reached 64.2°F, landing 3.7°F above the historical norm, per the National Centers for Environmental Information.

The trend is expected to continue. The EPA projects that nights staying above 70°F will grow more frequent in the years ahead. Less overnight cooling means buildings hold heat longer, which makes a cool bedroom harder to achieve without intervention.

Does Air Conditioning Solve the Problem?

It helps, but cost is a real barrier for renters. Running AC overnight adds up fast, and in hot-climate markets that expense can be difficult to sustain all summer.

The impact of that gap is well documented. A 2017 study led by Nick Obradovich surveyed roughly 765,000 U.S. adults and found that warm nights correlated with worse sleep. The effect hit people earning under $50,000 more than three times as hard as higher-income groups. The researchers pointed to nighttime AC costs as one likely explanation.

Climate Central vice president for science Kristina Dahl told Scientific American, “We know that people in wealthier countries are losing less sleep when it’s hot, and that’s likely due to having means to cool your home.”

Why Hot Nights Are More Dangerous Than Hot Days During a Heat Wave

How Do You Cool Down a Room Without AC?

Start by blocking heat before it enters. Static-cling solar film is renter-friendly, removable and relatively cheap. Applied to sun-facing windows, it reduces the solar heat that builds up during the afternoon so you need less AC later.

Other low-cost strategies include drawing your curtains or blinds before the sun reaches your windows, running fans to circulate air and create a wind-chill effect, and opening windows after dark when outdoor temps drop below indoor levels.

What Are the Cheapest Ways to Keep a Cool Bedroom at Night?

Focus on your sleep surface. A cooling mattress pad or bed-cooling system targets where your body actually contacts heat. Breathable or moisture-wicking sheets can also make a noticeable difference for just the cost of a new set.

Pair that with daytime prevention like window film, closed blinds and fans. You can build a cool bedroom without relying on air conditioning alone. The most effective sleepmaxxing strategy isn’t always the most expensive. Sometimes it’s about stopping the heat before it starts.

“As I talk to you, he is just hours out of surgery. I heard that it was a success. Everything’s OK,” Mandel, 70, told E! News in an interview published on Friday, September 4. “I haven’t called him yet. I don’t know that, this close to surgery, if this is the first thing you need to see.”

Although details surrounding Cowell’s surgery remain limited, AGT host Terry Crews previously announced on the NBC series that one of his colleagues would be temporarily stepping away from the show for a procedure.

“He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed,” Crews, 58, shared on an August episode. “It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off. Simon, we are sending you our very best wishes for speedy recovery, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the judges’ desk very soon.”

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In 2020, Cowell had a scary accident at his Malibu home in which he broke his back in several places after falling from an e-bike. It’s unclear if the surgery is related to that incident.

Last week, Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson temporarily filled in for Cowell, 66.

On Tuesday, September 8, former AGT judge Heidi Klum will return to critique several unique acts.

“[Heidi’s] coming back to take the seat!” Mandel confirmed. “I’m hoping that Simon makes his way back and has a speedy, quick recovery. That’s what I’m looking forward to. … I can’t wait to see him and visit him and give him my best wishes.”

Until then, viewers at home will continue to enjoy a variety of performances from talented acts hoping to secure a spot in the finals and the chance of winning a $1 million cash prize.

The Best ‘America’s Got Talent’ Golden Buzzer Moments From Season 21

This coming Tuesday, Mandel, Klum, Mel B and Sofía Vergara will judge several acts in the quarterfinals, including Dancing With The Stars singer Travis Garland, impersonator Cameron Logsdon, magic duo Young & Strange and singer Lara D.

“It’s going to be a very tough choice for America because there are way more than one or two acts worthy of the $1 million and the final choice,” Mandel shared. “I’ve never seen this close a race.”

Cast your votes when America’s Got Talent airs on NBC Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream new episodes the next day on Peacock.

The network confirmed on Friday, September 4, that James Wolk will play Seth Norton in season 23, which returns October 15.

According to the official character description, Seth is “a handsome, arrogant surgeon-turned-businessman whose focus on the bottom line never wavers.” The newcomer “owns Olympic Regent Health, a luxury care medical center where patients pay out of pocket for elevated care,” the synopsis read.

The medical drama faced plenty of cast shake-ups just one season prior. After the shocking death of Monica (Natalie Morales) early in the season, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) chose to take a sabbatical. It was subsequently reported that Scorsone’s break would last until the end of 2025 in an attempt to cut costs.

Which 'Grey's Anatomy' Stars Are — And Aren't — Returning After Cast Exits?

The show was already reducing the minimum guarantees for its veteran cast members to 14 out of the show’s 18 episodes per season. While some of Grey’s Anatomy‘s consistent stars were missing for four episodes, Scorsone’s absence doubled.

Showrunner Meg Marinis previously hinted that not every character would be safe.

“But even in the last two seasons with what you saw this year, we had to reduce the cast a little bit [because of industry-wide budget cuts], and everybody has very passionate feelings about their favorite characters,” Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter in May 2025. “But if we can get the writers upset then we know we’re doing it right. It’s not as satisfying a story if people aren’t upset when someone leaves. It’s supposed to make people upset and sad, so I’m sure there’ll be some arguments. But I’ve been persuaded before to change my mind on things.”

Grey’s Anatomy’s Biggest Exits Over the Years

News subsequently broke in March that Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver would be leaving the show in a shocking exit. Creator Shonda Rhimes later hinted how the season approached Teddy (Raver) and Owen’s (McKidd) departure.

“Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy’s love story evolve and deepen — two characters who always seem to find their way back to each other. It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves,” she teased in a statement. “Kevin and Kim bring extraordinary talent, nuance and heart to their roles as Owen and Teddy. Their contributions leave an indelible mark on Grey’s Anatomy, both in front of and behind the camera. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them both and to see them shine.”

She concluded, “While we will all miss seeing them in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial each day, I am excited to witness where Kim’s and Kevin’s journeys will take them in the future.”

Grey’s Anatomy returns to ABC Thursday, October 15, at 10 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Paramount+.

The medical drama has faced plenty of cast shake-ups this season alone. After the shocking death of Monica (Natalie Morales) early in the season, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) chose to take a sabbatical. It was subsequently reported that Scorsone’s break would last until the end of 2025 as the result of a cost-saving measure.

The show is already reducing the minimum guarantees for its veteran cast members to 14 out of the show’s 18 episodes per season. While some of Grey’s Anatomy‘s consistent stars will be missing for four episodes, Scorsone’s absence was doubled.

Showrunner Meg Marinis previously hinted that not every character would be safe this season.

Grey’s Anatomy’s Biggest Exits Over the Years

“But even in the last two seasons with what you saw this year, we had to reduce the cast a little bit [because of industry-wide budget cuts], and everybody has very passionate feelings about their favorite characters,” Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter in May 2025. “But if we can get the writers upset then we know we’re doing it right. It’s not as satisfying a story if people aren’t upset when someone leaves. It’s supposed to make people upset and sad, so I’m sure there’ll be some arguments. But I’ve been persuaded before to change my mind on things.”

News broke in March 2026 that Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver would be leaving the show in a shocking exit. Creator Shonda Rhimes later hinted how the season will wrap up for Teddy (Raver) and Owen (McKidd).

“Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy’s love story evolve and deepen — two characters who always seem to find their way back to each other. It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves,” she teased in a statement. “Kevin and Kim bring extraordinary talent, nuance and heart to their roles as Owen and Teddy. Their contributions leave an indelible mark on Grey’s Anatomy, both in front of and behind the camera. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them both and to see them shine.”

She concluded: “While we will all miss seeing them in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial each day, I am excited to witness where Kim’s and Kevin’s journeys will take them in the future.”

Keep scrolling to see which Grey’s Anatomy stars are — and aren’t — returning for season 23:

Ellen Pompeo

The actress is expected to return at least in voiceover form but possibly on screen as well in a limited capacity.

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson is one of the only remaining OG cast members left on the show and for now is expected to return.

Kevin McKidd

“Grey’s Anatomy has been a huge chapter of my life, creatively and personally, and I’m deeply grateful for everything the show has given me over the years,” Kevin McKidd said in a statement in March 2026. “Playing Dr. Owen Hunt and directing on the show have both shaped me enormously, and I’ve had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of people throughout that time. I’m particularly thankful to Shonda Rhimes for creating Owen, and for the encouragement she gave me as I stepped into directing.”

He continued: “As that chapter comes to a close, I’m looking forward to what’s ahead — building new work, telling new stories and taking everything I’ve learned into the next phase of my career.”

Kim Raver

In addition to Kevin McKidd, Kim Raver is also leaving the show after playing Teddy since 2006.

“Playing Dr. Teddy Altman will always hold a dear and special place in my heart. Sixteen years ago, I had the incredible privilege of stepping into this role thanks to the vision of Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers,” she wrote in her own statement. “Since that day, it has been a true gift to bring the iconic words of Shonda and our brilliant team of writers to life. … To the fans — your unwavering devotion and support are the reason this show remains such a force. Thank you for making this set my place of magic and my home.”

James Pickens Jr.

For now, James Pickens Jr. is also on the list to reprise his role after Richard experienced a health scare.

Caterina Scorsone

Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) chose to take a sabbatical early in the season while grieving the death of Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales). It was subsequently reported that Scorsone’s break will last until the end of 2025. Outlets noted that the decision to cut back on Scorsone’s appearances came amid a cost-saving measure.

Scorsone is still expected to return.

Camilla Luddington

With Jo just giving birth to twins, Camilla Luddington likely isn’t going anywhere.

Every Star Who's Left 'Grey's Anatomy': Where Are They Now?

Jason George

There has been no news about Jason George a.k.a Warren departing the show and he confirmed to Us he would be coming back.

Chris Carmack

Viewers have previously been worried about Chris Carmack exiting the show but no news of that yet.

Anthony Hill

Winston just found love on the show, so the hope is that Anthony Hill will come back for more episodes.

Alexis Floyd

Season 23 will likely continue to explore Simone’s story on screen.

Harry Shum Jr.

Season 22 hinted at Kwan’s future in the hospital being unclear when he committed a crime during a surgery.

Adelaide Kane

Adelaide Kane is likely coming back as Jules in season 23.

Niko Terho

There has been no news about Niko Terho’s future on Grey’s Anatomy.

“I’m finally winding down on our way back to Los Angeles after the [Good Morning America] announcement. I got to sit down for about five minutes and just, kind of, settle on what was happening,” Shum, 44, began in an Instagram video shared Friday, September 4, after news broke of his DWTS casting. “It gave me nostalgia for this time period that I felt something similar, and that was my time on Glee.”

Shum rose to fame playing dancer Mike Chang on Fox’s Glee from 2009 to 2015. (The actor has since appeared in the Step Up franchise, Shadowhunters, Crazy Rich Asians, Voicemails for Isabelle and Grey’s Anatomy.)

“It really felt like this excitement for music, particularly dance because usually dance is always in the background and gets treated as such,” Shum explained. “This one is in the foreground and the actual star is the dance.”

Harry Shum Jr. Reveals Why He's 'Nervous' for 'DWTS' Despite Experience

As Shum prepares for the DWTS premiere later this month, he’s particularly enthused to watch his fellow contestants’ various “relationship[s] to dance” unfold as the hit ballroom competition progresses. (Fellow competitor Jenna Dewan is a trained classical dancer, while Tyler Cameron took collegiate ballet classes and Jackson Olson performs with the musical Savannah Bananas baseball team.)

“Whether some have experience or not, I’m really excited to see how the journeys connect with what dance can do in their lives,” Shum noted. “I truly believe that this is going to be such a beautiful experience for me, but [also] for everyone watching and everyone on the show.”

Shum further noted that he found “everything happened so fast” during his Glee tenure, which is something he wants to do differently this time around.

“I wasn’t able to absorb and process everything that was happening as massive as it was,” he said. “I’m going to … be present and fully soak in what is happening, breathe it all in and find the joy of hard work, filming at the same time on Grey’s as I’m doing this.”

Jenna Dewan and More ‘DWTS’ Contestants With Prior Dance Experience

Shum currently plays surgical resident Kwan on the long-running medical drama. His character was recently fired from Grey Sloan Memorial. It’s not known where his arc will go forward.

“I have early days, finish filming [and] go straight to rehearsals and then rinse and repeat, but I’m not complaining,” he quipped of balancing DWTS practices and live shows with Grey’s commitments. “This is a dream come true to be able to do this. I never thought I would do something like this, so this is really cool.”

Shum, who is set to tango across the dance floor with pro Jenna Johnson, recently told Us what made him “nervous” about returning to his stage roots.

Why Fans Think Harry Shum Jr. Could Officially Be Leaving 'Grey's Anatomy'

“I’ve done one partner dance on [Glee], and that nearly killed me — with Heather Morris,” he exclusively told Us on Wednesday, September 2, of his former costar, who previously appeared on DWTS season 24. “[With Jenna, in] our last rehearsal, dancing for 60 seconds, I’m dying. Also, that was like 17 years ago that I last did [that].”

For Shum, learning ballroom and Latin dances has stretched his body into a “whole different configuration.”

“Telling the story is just stuff that I’m really excited about, but the stuff I’m nervous about is really the technique of it all,” he gushed, noting how Johnson, 32, has started giving him specific corrections on his ballroom skills. “I mean, I hear it from her. Even having my shoulder up too far, she just pushes it back. It feels like you’re getting poked everywhere.”

Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.

ABC confirmed on Wednesday, September 2, that Shum Jr., 44, is competing on the upcoming season of DWTS with pro partner Jenna Johnson. The reveal made some viewers question what that would mean for his character on season 23 of Grey’s Anatomy, which is filming at the same time.

“I’m going to … be present and fully soak in what is happening, breathe it all in and find the joy of hard work, filming at the same time on Grey’s as I’m doing this,” Shum Jr said in a TikTok video. “I have early days, finish filming [and] go straight to rehearsals and then rinse and repeat.”

The Rookie‘s Jenna Dewan, who is paired with Val Chmerkovskiy on DWTS, also confirmed that she will be able to film both shows at once. Questions initially arose about Shum Jr.’s role on the medical drama after his character was fired in season 22.

Which 'Grey's Anatomy' Stars Are — And Aren't — Returning After Cast Exits?

“Who got fired?” Shum Jr. quipped to E! News in May, referring to Kwan being let go for secretly giving a patient an experimental treatment that was denied by the FDA.

Shum Jr. noted at the time that he didn’t know what to expect for season 23.

“I wish I knew. I am just as much in the dark as audiences,” he said. “But to me, it’s the hope of, ‘Do audiences want to see him go or do they want to see him go back to the hospital?’”

While the fans do matter, Shum Jr. clarified that what happens next is “not fully up to the audience,” adding, “It’s up to the writers and Disney. But also, I think it’s good to see the doctors make mistakes, but also with good intentions.”

He concluded: “It wasn’t just because he was a bumbling mess. He was very motivated in making sure that someone got to be able to choose life over death.”

In behind-the-scenes photos from the set, Shum Jr. was spotted alongside his costars, so Kwan is likely to return in some capacity — although he could simply return to wrap up his story line.

As for his journey in the ballroom, Shum Jr. spoke to Us on Wednesday about whether his past dance experience will give him an advantage. (Shum Jr. appeared on Glee from 2009 to 2015, has performed as a backup dancer for artists including Beyoncé and was featured in the Step Up movie franchise.)

“I was lip-synching while dancing [when I was on Glee], so that’s a little different. I’ve done one partner dance on the show, and that nearly killed me — with Heather Morris,” he shared on Wednesday. “Even [in] our last rehearsal, dancing for 60 seconds, I’m dying. Also, that was, like, 17 years ago that I last did [that].”

Shum Jr. said he’s been able to “stretch” his body into a “whole different configuration” while practicing for DWTS.

“So I think the elements — I think it’s performance, that’s what’s fun. Telling the story is just stuff that I’m really excited about, but the stuff I’m nervous about is really the technique of it all,” he added, explaining that ballroom styles are “absolutely” different from what he’s done in the past.

Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.

Maybe that’s why Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+ and Apple TV decided to release some of their biggest late summer/early fall releases this Labor Day weekend.

The Watch With Us crew are big nerds, which is why we’re over the Forest Moon of Endor with the streaming release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

We also love a good thriller, and HBO Max is now streaming one with Fuze, starring Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and a ticking time bomb in the heart of London.

We also recommend streaming the Scary Movie reboot with Anna Faris and the Apple TV spy thriller Mayday starring Ryan Reynolds.

4 Must-Watch New Shows to Stream This Labor Day Weekend: ‘Chad Powers’ and More

‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ (2026) — Disney+

The knives were out last May when Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu debuted in theaters and pleased almost no one. Critics complained it seemed like a shortened season of The Mandalorian (they’re not wrong!), while fans thought the story lacked the epic scope that’s typical of Star Wars films. But the film plays better on streaming, and it’s an enjoyable side quest that isn’t as offensively bad as, say, The Rise of Skywalker.

New Republic Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) needs to bring in notorious crime lord Janu Coin (Jonny Coyne), but she doesn’t know where he is. That’s why she tasks Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his pint-sized partner, Grogu (Grogu), to find him. But the duo first has to do a favor that involves tracking down another elusive criminal, Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White). Jabba’s surviving son has a bad rep, so even if they find him, they might not survive long enough to gain crucial intel concerning Coine’s whereabouts.

‘Fuze’ (2026) — HBO Max

When an unexploded World War II bomb is found in the heart of London, the police call in Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his crew to defuse it. Nearby, Giorgos Karalis (Theo James) and a team of robbers drill their way into a bank, looking for valuable jewels to steal. These incidents appear to be isolated, but they’re both happening at the same time for a reason and soon all of London is embroiled in a daring criminal escapade that threatens to go off the rails — and might kill lots of innocents.

3 Great New Prime Video Movies to Watch This Labor Day Weekend

Fuze is a deceptively tricky crime thriller that starts simple and ends up needing a flashback to fill in the blanks of its complex story. It all makes sense, though, and credit director David Mackenzie for making sure you know who the important players are and why they’re teaming up or backstabbing each other. At a brisk 96 minutes, the film is the perfect length to generate maximum tension without any unnecessary padding.

‘Scary Movie’ (2026) — Paramount+

26 years after they survive a brutal massacre that left most of their friends dead, Cindy (Anna Faris), Brenda (Regina Hall), Shorty (Marlon Wayans) and Ray (Shawn Wayans) find themselves once again menaced by Ghostface. Now middle-aged and with teens of their own, the “core four” must reunite to protect their loved ones from a killer who knows them all too well.

Whether or not Scary Movie is a good film is beside the point – they’re all kinda bad, with over-the-top acting, a script littered with holes and some lazy sight gags. But the Scary Movies that are entertaining, like the original and the third installment, work because they have enough jokes to make the other flaws seem irrelevant. This reboot barely passes that test, with a still-game Faris and Hall willing to do anything for a laugh. Yes, it’s stupid, but 2026’s Scary Movie is also funny when it needs to be, and that’s enough.

‘Mayday’ (2026) — Apple TV+

It’s 1987, which means the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union is still on. That’s why U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy Kelly (Ryan Reynolds) is so on edge after his top-secret spy plane is shot down over the Soviet Union. He survives the crash, but he might not live long enough in a country that’s hostile to anything American. Fortunately for Troy, he’s found by Nikolai (Kenneth Branagh), a reclusive outdoorsman who loves American culture, especially Top Gun. Nikolai likes his foreign friend enough to help him leave the country in one piece, but their journey to sanctuary is complicated by a determined Red Army who wants to capture Troy, dead or alive.

New on Netflix, Prime Video and More in September 2026 — Full List of Movies and Shows

Reynolds hasn’t made a lot of memorable movies lately, but Mayday is a surprisingly entertaining film that’s a welcome love letter to all those buddy cop action films of the 1980s. Like Red Heat and Spies Like Us, Mayday throws together two unlikely actors, in this case Reynolds and Branagh, and lets them cook. Branagh in particular is a hoot; the normally serious British actor clearly relishes using a thick Russian accent to play a lovable Ruskie whose KGB background is useful when avoiding Soviet authorities. Mayday is so engaging to watch that you wish you could see it in a proper movie theater with others around you.

Farber, 42, shared a photo via Instagram on Thursday, September 4, of him pulling up to the Television City Studios lot in Los Angeles, where DWTS is filmed. In follow-up posts, Farber spent time with Witney Carson on set while other pros and celebrities were seen in the background.

The DWTS alum was one of several pros who did not return for the newest installment of the hit ABC show. Farber was subsequently asked why he wasn’t included in the comments section of an Instagram post.

“Genuinely at this point you’re all over social and they’re leveraging you …. is this your choice? Are you wanting to be behind the scenes and move into like a hosting entertainment tonight Derek hough thing?” read the fan message, to which Farber replied, “Not my choice.”

Breaking Down the 'DWTS' Pros Who Won't Return for Season 35: Gleb, More

Farber has been a pro on and off since season 17 in 2013. He previously spoke out after fans questioned his absence from season 34, saying in a September 2025 video, “It is a beautiful day today. Guys, the Dancing With the Stars cast announcement was today. Wow, so many good names. Who are you going to vote for? I mean, I know who I’m going to vote for. I know who you’re not going to vote for — that’s me. But that’s OK.”

He continued: “Thank you all so much for all your incredible messages. I read them all, I see it all, I adore you. I definitely don’t deserve you because you guys are amazing. I love you. Thank you so much.”

Farber showed his support for his fellow DWTS pros at the time.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Cast: Meet the Celebs and Their Pros

“This is going to be quite the season … who’s gonna win? Anyone could win,” he concluded. “This is going to be great and I can’t wait to cheer. Love you all.”

Gleb Savchenko, meanwhile, also spoke out after he was noticeably absent from the cast reveal on Wednesday, September 2.

“Guys, I promise… I’m good 😂❤️,” Savchenko, 42, wrote via Instagram. “Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter — and wishing everyone an amazing season 🪩.”

He concluded: “No sad messages. We’re moving forward 😉. Guys, we can stop telling me you’re sorry. I’m good.”

Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.

The HBO Max spinoff follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, who “is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon,” according to the official synopsis.

Stuart “is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”

Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus and John Ross Bowie were tapped to headline the show. They will all reprise their roles from the original series, with Posehn returning as a geologist at Caltech. Sussman’s Stuart owned a comic book store and found love with Denise (Lapkus).

Meet 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe' Cast — Including 'Big Bang' Alums

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the fourth project in the Big Bang Theory universe. CBS’ hit sitcom aired from 2007 to 2019 and starred Jim Parsons, Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as a group of scientists and their significant others.

CBS later launched the Young Sheldon prequel, which focused on Sheldon’s life (Iain Armitage) as a child prodigy growing up in Texas. Viewers met Sheldon’s brother, Georgie (Montana Jordan), which paved the way for his love story with Mandy (Emily Osment) to inspire another spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

Keep scrolling to see who is — and isn’t — on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:

Kevin Sussman

After appearing on The Big Bang Theory, Sussman is back as the lead of his own spinoff.

Johnny Galecki

Galecki a.k.a Leonard hasn’t appeared — yet.

Jim Parsons

Parsons, who hasn’t been on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, previously expressed his preference not to play Sheldon Cooper again.

Kaley Cuoco

Cuoco has been booked and busy since playing Penny but has appeared on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Simon Helberg

Helberg, who played Howard, isn’t in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe so far.

Which 'The Big Bang Theory' Stars Have — and Haven't — Made Spinoff Cameos?

Kunal Nayyar

Nayyar, who is best known for playing Raj Koothrappali, returned in the series premiere of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Christine Baranski

Baranski returned but played herself instead in the spinoff.

Brian Thomas Smith

Smith was also featured in the second episode of the new show.

Riki Lindhome

Lindhome made an appearance during season 1.

Mayim Bialik

Bialik returned in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Melissa Rauch

Rauch appeared on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in season 1.

Season 5 of Fire Country is introducing some changes — including a surprise pregnancy.

In the Thursday, September 3 official season 5 trailer of the hit CBS show, Jake (Jordan Calloway) prepares for the possibility of fatherhood. He previously got married in the season 4 finale after experiencing a slew of major ups and downs in his personal life.

The first look also offered a glimpse at several new characters. It was previously announced that Olivia Thirlby will be joining season 5 as a new firefighter, CJ. The new addition is described as “a quick-witted, fiercely independent, blue-collar, decorated urban firefighter who bolted her station house and city for mysterious reasons.”

“After six months on the road, trying to outrun whatever happened, and herself, fate strands her in Edgewater where she crosses paths with Bode,” a character description continued. “Despite having no experience fighting woodland fires, Bode believes CJ has something to offer Station 42. And despite the serious culture shock, this fish out of water comes to believe rural Edgewater has something to offer her.”

Which 'Fire Country' Stars Are — And Aren't — Returning for Season 5?

Before Thirlby, 39, Fire Country maintained its original cast lineup for three seasons and until Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila parted ways with the show. New series regulars were not added to the show until now, with Thirlby joining OG cast members Max Thieriot, Kevin Alejandro, Calloway, Jules Latimer and Diane Farr.

Fire Country, which premiered in 2022, follows inmate Bode (Thieriot) as he attempts to shorten his prison sentence by volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. By the third season, Bode is out of prison and determined to prove himself at Cal Fire.

The hit series previously went through a shakeup when news broke in April 2025 that budget cuts led to Burke and Arcila being written off. Showrunner Tia Napolitano defended the decision at the time.

“It’s a fire show. Anyone can go at any time,” she told Us in October 2025. “But in terms of losing people, we’re also adding some really fun guest cast. It’s a revolving door of people from Sharon’s past and new faces that are exciting to bring conflict and secrets and twists and turns.”

Napolitano has since exited the show and won’t be returning for season 5. Instead, Eric Guggenheim has taken over as the new showrunner for the show.

What Are the Biggest 'Fire Country' Changes? From Exits to Reduced Episodes

“We’ve done so many episodes and I have so much respect for Tia. What she’s done with the show to get us to this point [is so important]. Eric is new to me, and new to a lot of us and he has his own ideas and he’s very collaborative,” Thieriot told Us in May. “Having new voices is fun, right? Because you get new ideas, new thoughts and new perspectives. It allows us to also stand back and hear different perspectives on things.”

Thieriot promised “new possibilities” for the show.

“Eric really brings in a lot of experience with all of his previous work and the shows that he’s been involved with. At the same time, he knows what the show is and respects what’s been built,” he continued. “He’s not trying to totally change what this series is. He’s just bringing in a fresh take and fresh look and fresh perspective. It’s helping explore new avenues for the characters.”

Fire Country returns to CBS Friday, October 9, at 9 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Paramount+.

You don’t even have to bother deciding which films to watch — that’s What to Watch’s job.

We’ve selected three great new Prime Video movies to stream over the long Labor Day weekend.

From a Charlize Theron action film and a ‘70s horror classic featuring John Travolta before he came down with a Saturday night fever, these films will make you grateful you don’t have to work on Monday.

‘Cape Fear’ (1991)

It’s safe to say that Max Cady (Robert De Niro) can nurse a grudge or two. He has a good reason, though – he was jailed for years due to his defense lawyer, Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), hiding key evidence that could have acquitted him. That doesn’t mean Max is innocent – he’s a rapist and murderer, and now that he’s out of jail, he has only one goal: to make Sam and his family suffer as much as he did while he was locked away for all those years.

10 Greatest Thrillers of the 1990s, Ranked

Cape Fear was recently remade into a bizarrely campy, 10-episode Apple TV miniseries starring Javier Bardem as Cady, but the ‘91 version remains the gold standard. (The 1962 original starring Robert Mitchum as Max is OK but dated. It’s also streaming on Prime Video.) Director Martin Scorsese flexes every cinematic muscle he has in bringing this pulpy revenge story to life, with split-diopter shots, stylistic color choices and a bombastic score from original composer Bernard Herrmann. The result is a thriller that’s both scary and fun; like a rollercoaster ride, it keeps moving and doesn’t give you much time to breathe. The cast is excellent, with the standouts being Jessica Lange as Sam’s unhappy wife and a young Juliette Lewis as her precocious teenage daughter.

Cape Fear is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

Being an avid modern moviegoer means a lot of things, and one of them is watching action films where Charlize Theron kicks ass and looks great doing it. Mad Max: Fury Road is her best film in this very specific genre, but Atomic Blonde is not too far behind. The Odyssey actress stars as MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton, who travels to Cold War-era Berlin to recover a stolen list of undercover agents operating in Europe. She teams up with local spy David Percival (James McAvoy) to track down the KGB agents who took it, but can she trust David – or anyone – in a dangerous game of secrets, lies and espionage?

Look beyond Atomic Blonde’s neon-colored surface, and you’ll find there’s not much there. But when a movie looks this good, why would you want to? The film’s spy story isn’t as deep as a John Le Carré plot, but rather an excuse to stage some pretty epic fight scenes. It also gives Theron just enough of a character to make you care if she hooks up with undercover French agent Delphine (Sofia Boutella) and somehow survives by the end of the film. It’s not a great action film, but Atomic Blonde is good enough and proves once again that Theron is one of the few real stars Hollywood has left.

Atomic Blonde is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Carrie’ (1976)

The beginning of September usually means it’s time to go back to school, and no one dreads that prospect more than Carrie White (Sissy Spacek). She’s a shy teen who is picked on by the other girls, but when the school hunk, Tommy Ross (William Katt), asks her to prom, she thinks she’s finally been accepted. Carrie quickly discovers it’s all a sham — she’s the target of another cruel prank that emphasizes just how different she is from all the other students. But what her tormentors don’t know is that they’re right — Carrie is different, and when she gets mad, no one is safe from her wrath.

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No film better captures the horrors of high school than Carrie does — and that’s before anyone actually dies! Director Brian De Palma is clearly sympathetic to his heroine’s plight, and he shoots Spacek as if she’s some angel stuck in Hell. In a way, she is — school bullies are the worst, especially when they’re played with such dumb glee by then-nobodies John Travolta and Nancy Allen. As the titular heroine, Spacek gives one of the best performances ever in the horror genre. She’s matched only by Piper Laurie as Carrie’s mother, who thinks her daughter is an evil that only she can destroy. But like most teens, Carrie isn’t evil — she’s just misunderstood, and that makes her even more dangerous.

Carrie is streaming on Prime Video.