Despite challenges faced by queer media like cancellations and corporations backing away from DEI, 2025 was a great year for queer TV.LGBTQ+ creators are getting more and more creative, and new types of stories are being told in productions like Wayward, Overcompensating, and Boots, and shows like The Traitors, Hacks, and The Last of Us are back with terrific new seasons.These are the Out's staff's picks for the 14 best TV shows of 2025, ranked.14. 'Yellowjackets'Fans still can't get enough of the toxic lesbians and bloody twists of Yellowjackets! The penultimate season aired this year, with the teens getting closer and closer to escaping the wilderness and even more of the adults dying off. The show also got even gayer this season with Shauna's teen storyline and the addition of Hillary Swank as the adult version of Melissa.Streaming on Netflix13. 'Wayward'Mae Martin created and starred in this twisty limited series for Netflix, set in a small Vermont town in 2003. The inciting incident occurs when Alex Dempsey (Martin) and his wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), move to Tall Pines, where Laura spent her teen years in a camp for troubled teens run by the charismatic and enigmatic Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette). The show also follows two teen girls, Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and Abbie (Sydney Topliffe), who are sent to the camp. The teens team up with Alex to uncover the town and the academy's dark secrets.Streaming on Netflix12. 'I Love LA'Rachel Sennott's newest show follows a young, codependent friend group as they try to live out their dreams in Los Angeles. Sennott stars as Maia, a talent manager who takes on her longtime influencer friend Tallulah (Odessa A'zion) as a client and tries to hustle her way to the top. Jordan Firstman and True Whitaker also star as their hilarious, high-maintenance friend group, instantly recognizable to any 20- or 30-something.Streaming on HBO Max11. 'The Hunting Wives'One of the spiciest lesbian shows of 2025 was this Netflix limited series starring Brittany Snow as Sophie O'Neil, who moves from Massachusetts to Texas with her husband. There, she meets Margo Banks (Malin Akerman), the captivating leader of a group of wealthy wives. The show has many of 2025's steamiest sapphic moments and had the whole country wrapped around its perfectly manicured finger.Streaming on Netflix10. 'Adults'There's been a heated debate over whether Adults on Hulu is an accurate depiction of Gen Z today, but its popularity suggests young people are definitely embracing it. The show starring Owen Thiele, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao, Lucy Freyer, and Malik Elassal centers on a group of 20-somethings living together under one roof in New York City and the shenanigans they get into. Their antics are a bit over the top, but one of the most electrifying storylines in the show is a friends-to-lovers moment that gets left on a cliffhanger at the end of the first season. Thankfully, the series just got renewed for season 2.Streaming on Hulu9. 'Mid-Century Modern'This classic-style sitcom starred gay legends Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham as a group of friends who move into a Palm Springs house together after the fourth member of their friend group died. The show was hilarious, heartfelt, and packed a big, gay punch. Sadly, it was canceled after just one season.Streaming on Hulu8. 'The Last of Us'The second season of HBO's The Last of Us adaptation shifted away from the beloved Joel (Pedro Pascal) and toward Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and her new girlfriend Dina (Isabela Merced) as the two of them explore Seattle to find revenge. This show just keeps getting better as it explores life in a post-apocalyptic America.Streaming on HBO Max7. 'Heated Rivalry'Who knew hockey could be so hot and heavy? Heated Rivalry a Canadian gay sports romance from Crave that was released by HBO Max in the U.S. became the seasons hottest show for its portrayal of a clandestine relationship between closeted professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reids Game Changers novels, the show depicts the Canadian and Russian routinely squaring off on the ice before melting in the sheets. In between matches, the players must reckon with the homophobia of the sports world and Putins Russia, which provides added heat to the undeniable chemistry of its leads.Streaming on HBO Max6. 'The Traitors'Audiences can't resist Alan Cumming as the host of this reality competition where he gathers a group of celebs and public figures in a Scottish castle to trick each other, stab each other in the back, and win fabulous prizes. The most recent season featured some of our favorite contestants, including Chrishell Stause, Bob the Drag Queen, Dylan Efron, and Gabby Windey.Streaming on Peacock5. 'Boots'Boots, based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White, had LGBTQ+ audiences at attention this year for its moving (and often funny) portrayal of a closeted teen, Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer), who decides to join the Marines in the early 1990s. In this Netflix series, Heizer is compelling as a young man grappling with his sexuality (and hiding it) as he struggles with the physical and mental rigors of boot camp. But high honors go to the ensemble troop Jack Cameron Kay, Angus O'Brien, Dominic Goodman, Sachin Bhatt, Kieron Moore, Liam Oh, Johnathan Nieves, Rico Paris, Blake Burt, Brandon Tyler Moore, Cedrick Cooper, Nicholas Logan, and particularly Max Parker, who plays a closeted drill sergeant for bringing heart to this (unfortunately) timely show about the obstacles of being queer in the military.Streaming on Netflix4. 'Pee-wee as Himself'Beloved comedian and actor Paul Reubens sadly passed away in 2023, but his legacy lived on this year in the two-part docuseries Pee-wee as Himself. The docuseries, filmed largely over Reubens' final years as he was dealing with the cancer that would take his life. In the documentary, Reubens opens up about his fame, his private life, and his sexuality.Streaming on HBO Max3. 'Pluribus'Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is back with another show, this time about jaded lesbian author Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who is left as one of the last people left on Earth when an alien virus creates a giant hivemind from most of the human population. Carol is a classic lesbian (reluctant) hero who wants to be left alone and complain, but instead has to try to save the world.Streaming on Apple TV+2. 'Overcompensating'Benito Skinner created and starred in this hilarious series based on his own life about a closeted college freshman navigating sex, relationships, and Charli Xcx concerts. Costars Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, Owen Thiele, and Holmes shine, and the series has some of the best pop culture references on TV. Check out this show if you haven't. It's the future of TV comedies.Streaming on Prime Video1. 'Hacks'The best show on television since it started airing, Hacks reached new heights this season, with Ava and Deborah starting season 4 as enemies, having to work together now that they've accomplished their goal of getting Deborah her own late-night show. Hacks is more incisive, hilarious, and out-of-pocket than ever, and Ava and Deborah's relationship is at its messiest in the latest season.Streaming on HBO Max

The United States will face Paraguay, Australia and the winner of a UEFA playoff featuring Trkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

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A singular genius, Gehry redefined architecture with joyful buildings like the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

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Moving from a studio apartment to a two-bedroom earlier this year was both thrilling and overwhelming. On the one hand, all that new space! On the other, all that new space to furnish! Between having to think about things like a desk for the second bedroom (what a luxury) and calculating how much those things would cost, my husband and I lived with blank walls and empty space for a little longer than I expected.But one thing we wanted to act on quickly was a rug for our bedroom.READ MORE...

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Architect Frank Gehry describes his concert hall design at the Colburn School during an unveiling in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)2025-12-05T19:53:08Z LOS ANGELES (AP) Frank Gehry, who designed some of most imaginative buildings ever constructed and achieved a level of worldwide acclaim seldom afforded any architect, has died. He was 96.Gehry died Friday in his home in Santa Monica after a brief respiratory illness, said Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP.Gehrys fascination with modern pop art led to the creation of some of the most striking buildings ever constructed and brought him a measure of worldwide acclaim seldom afforded any architect.Among his many masterpieces are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Berlins DZ Bank Building.He also designed an expansion of Facebooks Northern California headquarters at the insistence of the companys CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.Gehry was awarded every major prize architecture has to offer, including the fields top honor, the Pritzker Prize, for what has been described as refreshingly original and totally American work. Other honors include the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, the Americans for the Arts lifetime achievement award, and his native countrys highest honor, the Companion of the Order of Canada.Years after he stopped designing ordinary looking buildings, word surfaced in 2006 that the pedestrian Santa Monica mall project that had led to his career epiphany might be headed for the wrecking ball. Gehry admirers were aghast, but the man himself was amused. Stay up to date with the news and the best of AP by following our WhatsApp channel. Follow on Theyre going to tear it down now and build the kind of original idea I had, he said with a laugh. Eventually the mall was remodeled, giving it a more contemporary, airy outdoor look. Still, its no Gehry masterpiece.Gehry, meanwhile, continued to work well into his 80s, turning out heralded buildings that remade skylines around the world.The headquarters of the InterActiveCorp, known as the IAC Building, took the shape of a shimmering beehive when it was completed in New York Citys Chelsea district in 2007. The 76-story New York By Gehry building, once one of the worlds tallest residential structures, was a stunning addition to the lower Manhattan skyline when it opened in 2011. That same year, Gehry joined the faculty of his alma mater, the University of Southern California, as a professor of architecture. He also taught at Yale and Columbia University.Not everyone was a fan of Gehrys work. Some naysayers dismissed it as not much more than gigantic, lopsided reincarnations of the little scrap-wood cities he said he spent hours building when he was growing up in the mining town of Timmins, Ontario.Princeton art critic Hal Foster dismissed many of his later efforts as oppressive, arguing they were designed primarily to be tourist attractions. Some denounced the Disney Hall as looking like a collection of cardboard boxes that had been left out in the rain.Still other critics included Dwight D. Eisenhowers family, who objected to Gehrys bold proposal for a memorial to honor the nations 34th president. Although the family said it wanted a simple memorial and not the one Gehry had proposed, with its multiple statues and billowing metal tapestries depicting Eisenhowers life, the architect declined to change his design significantly. If the words of his critics annoyed Gehry, he rarely let on. Indeed, he even sometimes played along. He appeared as himself in a 2005 episode of The Simpsons cartoon show, in which he agreed to design a concert hall that was later converted into a prison.He came up with the idea for the design, which looked a lot like the Disney Hall, after crumpling Marge Simpsons letter to him and throwing it on the ground. After taking a look at it, he declared, Frank Gehry, youve done it again!Some people think I actually do that, he would later tell the AP.Ephraim Owen Goldberg was born in Toronto on Feb. 28, 1929, and moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1947, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. As an adult, he changed his name at the suggestion of his first wife, who told him antisemitism might be holding back his career. Although he had enjoyed drawing and building model cities as a child, Gehry said it wasnt until he was 20 that he pondered the possibility of pursuing a career in architecture, after a college ceramics teacher recognized his talent.It was like the first thing in my life that Id done well in, he said.He went on to earn a degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1954. After serving in the Army, he studied urban planning at Harvard University.His survivors include his wife, Berta; daughter, Brina; sons Alejandro and Samuel; and the buildings he created.Another daughter, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died of cancer in 2008.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded Donald Trump his organizations newly created FIFA Peace Prize at a ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday during the 2026 World Cup Draw.This is your peace prize, Infantino told the president during the presentation. It is also a beautiful medal that you can wear everywhere you want to go. Related Trump threatens to kill 6 Democrats for telling soldiers not to commit war crimes During the ceremony Trump said, We saved millions and millions of lives The fact that we could do that, in India, Pakistan, so many different wars that we were able to end, in some cases, a little bit before they started, just right before they started but we got them done.Its unclear which different wars Trump was taking credit for resolving, though he has previously claimed that he ended eight wars in just 8 months. One of the wars he claimed to have ended was a nonexistent conflict between Cambodia and Armenia, two countries that are 4,150 miles apart. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In May, Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire at their border. Pakistan thanked Trump, but India said the ceasefire agreement resulted from its direct military talks with Pakistan rather than U.S. involvement.The award is meant to reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world [and] championed the unifying power of football on the world stage, FIFA said in a statement.This is your peace prize. It is also a beautiful medal that you can wear everywhere you want to go. pic.twitter.com/fvKsRAYQ4U Acyn (@Acyn) December 5, 2025 One social media user commenting on the award said, This is pathetic. Another wrote, FIFA is so corrupted man, they actually made a peace award for Trump because he got upset about not getting the Nobel peace prize. Yet another wrote, Its like [giving] the child a sweetie to keep him amused, The Independent reported.The U.S. military under Trump has been bombed at least 20 fishermens boats in the Carribean (killing 80 people) under the pretense of them being drug smugglers. The U.S. has provided no proof to back up this claim, making their deaths so-called extrajudicial killings that violate laws and international agreements against war crimes.Trump has been ramping up a possible military conflict with Venezuela under the pretense that the country is smuggling the deadly opioid fentanyl into the United States. However, most fentanyl actually comes into the U.S. through Mexico, the BBC reported.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Below Deck star Fraser Olender, who recently went viral for dating Matt Rogers, announced he is recovering from vape poisoning that led to issues with his heart.After having severe chest pains and difficulty breathing," Olender spent a week in a hospital in London being checked out by specialists, he wrote in a candid Instagram post. To keep it simple - I had vape poisoning, (an E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)) and I have never experienced fear or pain like it, he explained.See on InstagramOlender said that a vape he used caused a coronary artery vasospasm, which means that the arteries supplying blood to his heart clamped down. That spasm reduced blood flow enough to cause an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), better known as a heart attack - not because of a blockage, but because my heart wasnt getting enough oxygen during the spasm, he wrote.The reality TV star ended his post by warning his followers about the dangers of vaping. I could have died for the sake of something so ridiculously stupid, so please do yourselves a favour and give it up too - cold turkey, he said. We do not know enough about these horrific things, but I can tell you one thing; that was NOT cute, not even for the plot.Alongside the post detailing his scary medical emergency, Olender managed to bring some levity to the situation by also posting shirtless photos of himself in the hospital and a cute video clip with Rogers.PRIDE reached out for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Grindr is back with its fifth annual Grindr Unwrapped, and the numbers are staggering. In 2025, users sent over 135 billion chats, proving once again that the app isnt just a hookup tool, its a global stage for gay culture, pop trends, and some very memorable online moments.The report taps into data from Grindrs 15 million-plus monthly users and 32,000 votes, three times more than last year, to showcase what drove the community wild in 2025. From music to fashion to in-app chatter, Grindr Unwrapped paints a picture of a community thats shaping, not just following, trends.The internet moves fast, but the gay internet moves faster, said Tristan Pineiro, Grindrs SVP of Marketing and Communications. UNWRAPPED is our annual receipt check. What starts in our community today becomes mainstream tomorrow.Who Ruled the Grid?Grindr crowned the movers and shakers of queer culture this year:Mother of the Year: Lady GagaMother-in-Training: Sabrina CarpenterDaddy of the Year: Pedro PascalGirl Group of the Year: KATSEYEHottest Man of the Year: Jonathan BaileyBest Bulge (Sponsored by Woodwork): Bad Bunnys Calvin Klein adAlbum of the Year: Lady Gaga, MayhemPorn Star of the Year: Joey MillsGaymer of the Year: Dan and PhilViral Sound Bite of the Year: Nothing beats a Jet2holidayConcerts werent just entertainmentthey were digital sparks. Lady Gagas Monster Ball Tour caused Grindr usage to spike nearly 7% in cities hosting her shows, showing how live events and online flirting now go hand in hand.Global Grindr: Whos Into WhatThe Grindr Unwrapped report revealed some surprising regional trends:Finland: Most likely to send nudesSouth Korea: Leading in open relationshipsSwitzerland: Highest percentage of twinksItaly: Top country for foot enthusiastsRoles and preferences continue to shift. The U.S. and U.K. climbed into the top five for Hung Bottoms, a ranking previously dominated by France. Grindrs Right Now feature showed 10 p.m. as peak hookup time, while Paris remained the most-coveted city for roaming internationally.Chat, Tap, RepeatBeyond cultural highlights, the apps numbers tell their own story:12.8+ billion taps sent globallyHung was the most searched profile tagU.S. boasts the highest percentage of self-proclaimed daddiesMost-featured song: Cardi Bs W.A.P.Top Gaycation city: LondonThese insights show a community thats bold, brash, and unapologetically itself, said Zachary Zane, Grindrs sex and relationship expert. Grindr isnt just an appits a canvas for expression, where real-time fluidity defines culture.Grindr Unwrapped 2025 proves one thing: whether through chats, taps, or profile tags, queer culture continues to set the trends that everyone else is trying to catch up to.Source

As the holidays approach, many focus on giving gifts, decorating, and festive cheer. But for LGBTQ+ youth across the United States, this season can be a reminder of isolation and struggle. Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers, and the mental health crisis among these young people is worsening.A Lifeline in CrisisThis year, the situation became more urgent when the federal government abruptly shut down the national LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention hotline. More than 1.5 million young people who relied on this lifeline lost access to critical support. In response, The Trevor Project launched the Emergency Lifeline Campaign for LGBTQ+ Youth, aiming to strengthen its 24/7 phone, text, and chat crisis services.Donations to The Trevor Project directly fund crisis services and ensure LGBTQ+ youth have access to life-saving support 24/7. Photo: PexelsRight now, LGBTQ+ youth in the United States are facing a perfect storm, said Janson Wu, SVP of Philanthropy at The Trevor Project. At the same time they face a growing mental health crisis, their access to life-saving crisis care faces unprecedented attacks. Our Emergency Lifeline Campaign was created to fill the gap left by the federal government. No matter where you live or what your personal politics are, everyone has a role in helping save the lives of LGBTQ+ youth across the country.Community Response and the Need for SupportThe campaign has already received incredible support. More than 18,000 people have donated, raising over $20 million. Yet, with an estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth seriously considering suicide each year, the need for philanthropy remains critical.The Trevor Project emphasizes that suicide prevention should never be a political issue. Funding for LGBTQ+ youth crisis services has previously received bipartisan support in Congress, yet this years federal cuts threaten the ability to respond to half of the nearly 500,000 requests for help received last year.How You Can Make a DifferenceDonations to The Trevor Project directly fund crisis services and ensure LGBTQ+ youth have access to life-saving support 24/7. Every contribution helps fill the gap left by federal funding cuts and protects vulnerable young people during a time of extraordinary need.This is a moment for action, Wu said. We cannot let these young people down, not on our watch. We must protect our community.As you plan year-end giving, consider supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Your gift can provide hope, guidance, and a lifeline for those who need it most this holiday season.Support The Trevor Projects Emergency Lifeline Campaign for LGBTQ+ Youth here.Source

Top wide receiver Rome Odunze will not play with the Bears this weekend versus the Packers due to a foot injury, the team announced Friday.

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LOS ANGELESIn a shockingly personal attack on the actors arches, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino made comments Friday slamming Paul Dano as the worst actor on Wikifeet. Paul Danos got the weakest soles on Wikifeet, Tarantino said during a podcast appearance, calling Danos feet nasty, gnarled stompers compared to a peer like Austin Butlers gorgeous, five-star tootsies. And to put his feet next to Daniel Day-Lewiss? Come on. I dont know why hes even on there. Hes dragging the entire website down. At press time, celebrities from Ben Stiller to Alec Baldwin were defending Danos feet as beautiful, incredible, and the finest of his generation.The post Quentin Tarantino Slams Paul Dano As Worst Actor On Wikifeet appeared first on The Onion.

Starting in 2026, Malaysia will ban social media accounts for anyone under 16, joining other countries such as Australia in imposing digital age limits. What do you think?Man, pedophiles just cant catch a break.Madison Herczeg, Gorilla GroomerI guess Ill have to start meeting underage kids the old fashioned way.Derek Wilgus, Retired TouristCan Malaysia afford to fall behind in teenage depression?Jimbo Loftin, Salt PackagerThe post Malaysia Bans Social Media For Children Under 16 appeared first on The Onion.

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The Hennepin County Sheriffs Office in Minnesota recently agreed to update its policies to ensure respect of trans inmates gender identities after an LGBTQ+-inclusive legal group filed a complaint over jailers housing a transgender male inmate in a womens unit.The group Gender Justice filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) in 2023 on behalf of a trans man who had transitioned 10 years before he was wrongly detained in a womens detention unit based on the sex assigned to him at birth. Related Trump just told inspectors to stop tracking anti-LGBTQ+ prison rapes Before reclassifying the man as female and moving him from a mens unit, a correctional officer allegedly asked him invasive questions about his genitalia and disregarded his stated preference to be detained with other men, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported.MDHR found the jail officials had committed unlawful discrimination. Subsequently, Gender Justice and the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office entered conciliation, which resulted in the recent settlement. Though the office hasnt necessarily admitted to any wrongdoing, it agreed to update its trans-inclusive policies and agreed to pay the wronged man an undisclosed amount for damages. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The agreed-upon policy changes include housing inmates based on their gender identity; making good faith attempts to identify them with their chosen names, pronouns, and honorifics; and training jail workers on correct inmate classification policies.Trans people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in every setting, including when theyre in custody, Sara Jane Baldwin, senior staff attorney at Gender Justice, said in a Wednesday statement. People, not the government, get to say who they are, Baldwin added. Failing to honor that is discrimination. I hope other Minnesota counties will take notice of this settlement and ensure that their policies and practices follow the law.While the current presidential administration has instructed federal detention facilities to house detainees based on their sex assigned at birth, state, city, and county detention facilities can decide how to classify trans inmates. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Chad Spodick, a real estate agent known for starring in the gay reality series Finding Prince Charming, has passed away at the age of 42, according to a fundraiser on GoFundMe."Our hearts are shattered as we share the devastating news of the loss of our beautiful, kind, and generous son, brother, and friend Chad," the fundraiser, organized by his friend Kate Webowski, states. "His passing was sudden and heartbreaking, and we are still struggling to comprehend a world without his light.""Chad was the type of person who poured himself into others. He lifted up his friends, encouraged everyone around him to grow, to advocate for themselves, and to believe in their own worth," it continues. "His love for animals was unmatchedhe cared deeply for every creature, especially his four beloved dogs and his bird, Cosmo. The world was brighter with Chad in it, and those who were lucky enough to know him felt the warmth of his heart every day.The fundraiser, which is raising money for funeral and memorial costs, his mother's living expenses, and care for Spodick's pets, has raised over $14k at the time of this writing.Spodick was one of 13 contestants of Logo TV's 2016 reality dating show, Finding Prince Charming. The show, hosted by *NSYNC's Lance Bass in the mold of The Bachelor, featured model Robert Seplveda Jr. courting 13 men, giving them a black tie when he chose them to continue on.Spodick lasted until the final five contestants on the groundbreaking gay dating series, and left it of his own accord after week 6.

Netflix is closing out the year with a brand-new game show designed to blow up friendships, strengthen partnerships and spark the kind of chaos only Neil Patrick Harris can perfectly host. Premiering Dec. 17, Whats in the Box? brings eight pairs of contestants together to compete for 13 massive, life-changing prizes, all hidden inside glittering, oversized gold boxes. To win, teams must answer trivia questions, outmaneuver rival players and survive enough surprising twists to reach the seasons ultimate reward: the Super Box, worth more than $250,000.But the real drama of Whats in the Box? isnt just what the contestants win, its what theyre willing to risk.Each episode offers opportunities to steal, sabotage and strategize, pushing contestants to decide whether to play as loyal teammates, clever tacticians or ruthless competitors. Even best friends and married couples will face unexpected pressure, proving that trust is as valuable a currency as knowledge.Below, meet the diverse cast competing to uncover the mystery inside each box and what they hope to take home.Mary-Ashanti and DjennaneMary-Ashanti and Djennane. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: A beauty brand deal for us to cocreate something epic.For hair and makeup artists Mary-Ashanti and Djennane, this show is an extension of a 12-year partnership built on mentorship, artistry and sisterhood. The pair met during cosmetology teacher training and became family shortly afterward. Were not just best friends, they say. Were chosen sisters who build dreams and make money together. Their chemistry and confidence make them one of the seasons most harmonious teams.Keira and CardellKeira and Cardell. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: A rent-free condo. Dream big right?!Vocal coaches from Atlanta, Keira and Cardell have been friends since college, developing a rapport so tight that strangers often mistake them for twins. Some will say we act identical, like twins, they tell Tudum. We have integrated ourselves into each others lives musically, personally, and even spiritually. Their biggest challenge? Keeping their expressive personalities in check. We hope our mics arent on the whole time, they joke.Erin and DanielleErin and Danielle. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: Something travel related, like a dream vacation or a second car since we share one.Identical twins Erin and Danielle share careers, hobbies and yes a single car. We live in a bubble and its just us, Erin says. We even share a car because there is literally no point in having two when we are always side by side. They grew up in a trivia-loving family so they feel pretty confident about their chances this season. We have been competitive since day one. Sports, grades, boys, you name it, they stated. But this time it was such a blast actually being on the same team for once.Laith and DanielleWhat they hope is in the box: A home gym.Newlyweds Laith and Danielle are entering the competition during a life milestone theyre preparing for parenthood. Laith, a former NFL player who briefly played with the Arizona Cardinals, now works as a coach, while Danielle is a hair extension specialist with a celebrity clientele. I wear the pants, but she brings the spice, Laith says. Their goal is to enjoy one unforgettable adventure before expanding their family. As Laith jokes, Can you put a baby seat in a Ferrari?Joey and ScottJoey and Scott. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: We both love travel and food. Anywhere, any place, any time, so all the travel is just amazing.Together for more than 20 years, married couple Joey and Scott embody teamwork. We are best friends, business partners, we do everything together all the time, Joey tells Tudum. Both work in renovation and construction, with Joey focusing on design and Scott as the real estate broker, and the two have collaborated on many projects. Our strength is working together. We are used to working closely together, listening to each other, and working to find solutions. The two live in North Carolina with their dog, Charlotte Dorothy Peppercorn.Macy and JasmineMacy and Jasmine. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: A destination trip of our dreams.Former Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders Macy and Jasmine met as rookies and have remained inseparable ever since even cheering at the Super Bowl together. Their secret weapon is what they call Spinergy, a blend of positivity and relentless drive. Still, Jasmine warns that her expressions may betray her. My face says exactly how I feel, she says. Dont let their smiles fool you these two are fiercely competitive.Luke and LeonaLuke and Leona. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: Tickets to a major sporting event or something that would allow us to take a trip together.Texas mother-son team Leona and Luke share a lifelong bond, strengthened after the loss of Leonas husband. We work very well as a team, having known each other literally our entire lives, Leona says. Luke is a stay-at-home dad to twins, and Leona is a university professor. Both admit theyre extremely competitive but committed to playing fairly and smartly.Binh and AndrewBinh and Andrew. Photo: NetflixWhat they hope is in the box: Something life-changing cash, a dream getaway, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience that makes the gamble worth it.Best friends for more than 22 years, Binh and Andrew met while managing nightclubs in Miami. Despite living on opposite coasts, they still operate with uncanny synchronicity. Weve handled high-pressure situations for decades and communicate without saying a word, Binh says. Andrew adds that trust is their strategy: We may not always agree, but well always defer to the one who feels more strongly.With bold personalities, high emotions and even higher stakes, Whats in the Box? promises a game show where relationships matter just as much as trivia skills. When competition heats up, alliances may shatter but the rewards could change lives.Whats in the Box? premieres Dec. 17 on Netflix. Ready to guess whats inside?Source

Chad Spodick, a contestant on the groundbreaking 2016 gay dating series Finding Prince Charming, has died unexpectedly at age 42. His family confirmed the news through a GoFundMe page created to support funeral expenses and help care for his beloved pets.Spodick, one of 13 men who competed for the heart of Robert Seplveda Jr. on the Logo network series hosted by Lance Bass, was remembered by family and friends as warm, generous and deeply compassionate. The fundraising page described his death as sudden and heartbreaking, noting that the family is still struggling to process the loss.Our hearts are shattered as we share the devastating news of the loss of our beautiful, kind and generous son, brother and friend Chad, family friend Kate Werbowski wrote on the GoFundMe. We are still struggling to comprehend a world without his light.No cause of death has been released, but the family emphasized that the loss was entirely unexpected.Spodick first entered the public eye nearly a decade ago with Finding Prince Charming, one of the earliest attempts at a mainstream, all-gay dating reality series. He appeared on six episodes before leaving the show and later made headlines over claims involving off-camera interactions with the shows lead. Despite the drama that followed the series, Spodick remained a recognizable figure in early LGBTQ+ reality TV history.The GoFundMe page, organized with the support of Spodicks mother, Felice Harwood, highlights the emotional and financial burden now facing the family. His mother is faced not only with unimaginable grief, but with the unexpected financial burden of funeral arrangements and ongoing living expenses, Werbowski wrote. Funds will also help support Spodicks cherished animals including his four dogs and his bird, Cosmo whom he considered family.Beyond his television stint, Spodick was remembered as someone who uplifted those around him. Chad was the type of person who poured himself into others, Werbowski shared. He lifted up his friends, encouraged everyone around him to grow, to advocate for themselves and to believe in their own worth. His love for animals was unmatched The world was brighter with Chad in it.Since news of his passing was shared, tributes have filled the comments section of his final Instagram post, shared on Nov. 21. Friends and fans described him as so kind, pure-hearted and a bright soul gone too soon. His niece also commented on the post, urging people to donate to the fundraiser to support our family.As of this week, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $12,000 in Spodicks memory.For many LGBTQ+ viewers who remember the early days of queer reality dating TV, Spodicks presence on Finding Prince Charming marked a moment in pop culture where gay love stories were just beginning to enter mainstream spaces. His friends and family say his legacy one rooted in kindness, generosity and an enduring love for animals will be remembered far beyond the show that introduced him to the world.Donations to support Spodicks family and pets remain open on the GoFundMe page created in his honor.Source

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Heated Rivalry episode 3 took a detour away from Shane and Ilyas hot and heavy storyline and into the world of Scott and Kips romance. Skip, as they are affectionately known by fans, fell in love in Game Changer, the first book in Rachel Reids gay hockey romance series that the show is based on. Episode 3 may feel like the show got sidetracked to viewers who havent read the books, but Scott and Kips love story is a catalyst for what happens at the end of Heated Rivalry, so its inclusion makes perfect sense.But for fans who are devouring the sexy hockey show and fell in love with Scott and Kip this week, let us guide you through Game Changer, how the show is different from the book, how it connects to Heated Rivalry, and answer the question on every fan's mind: is Scott a bottom?What is Game Changer? (@) Heated Rivalry is based on the second book in Reids gay hockey romance series, but episode 3 goes off on a tangent and manages to fit almost all of the plot of Gamer Changer, the first book in the series, into a single episode. The episode, much like the book, focuses on veteran New York hockey star Scott Hunter (Franois Arnaud), who falls for smoothie barista Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.) after repeatedly coming into his store when he becomes convinced the smoothies are his lucky charm (but really just wants to spend time with the hot server). In both the book and episode 3, Scott and Kip start a secret relationship since Scott is still living his life in the closet, terrified for what coming out would mean for his career and his teammates who he considers to be his family. Kip, an out gay man, is happy to dive back into the closet for Scott for a while, but eventually, lying to his friends and family, and the isolation and loneliness that comes with living this way, starts to eat away at Kip until he breaks things off. This is where episode 3 ends, but the book eventually has a happy ending for these two characters, and its this plot point that becomes a catalyst for what happens later in Ilya and Shanes love story.Who are the actors who play Scott and Kip?Out bisexual actor Franois Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter, is probably best known for his starring role in The Borgias, but he has also been in Schitts Creek, Blindspot, and Yellowjackets. Though the gays might recognize him from Twinless and the music video for Orville Pecks How Far Will We Take It?Robbie G.K., on the other hand, has acted in TV shows like The Next Step, Utopia Falls, and Overcompensating before stepping into the role of Kip Grady.The book was much spicier and the episode was supposed to be too (@) While Scott and Kip are only shown to have sex a few times in the show and the scenes are shorter and less explicit than the ones featured in the first two episodes, in Game Changer, the two main characters are hot and heavy throughout. After their first date, were treated to their first sex scene in both the book and the show, but after that, the book continues to get spicier. The book has sweet moments too like Scotts secret phone call to Kip while hes staying at a hotel for an away game but its their all-night sexcapades, passionate moments, and explorations of each others bodies that fans were hoping to also see.Unfortunately for fans of the show, many of these steamy scenes were apparently left on the cutting room floor. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Arnaud admitted that they filmed more sex scenes than viewers saw, which has fans demanding to see the uncut version of the episode. "There isn't that much sex in our episode," Arnaud said. "We shot a lot more than there is. I don't know, maybe they're saving it for later, but we shot a lot, like two days of sex scenes. We knew we wanted it to be sweet, sometimes clumsy, joyful, and easy, and not for an audience. Just for them to have that moment.But the sex scenes that we did get had fans who havent read the book asking one question: Is Scott a bottom?Is Scott Hunter a bottom? (@) In the show, we not only get Scott and Kip each asking each other, Can I f*ck you? at different points within the episode, but we also see a couple of extremely hot, but extremely short sex scenes. Likely because of gay stereotypes around what type of sexual position a buff, masculine athlete would take, fans were shocked to find out that Scott bottoms for Kip.But this wasnt a surprise to fans of the novel, who know that not only does Scott bottom, but so does Kip because both men in the adorable couple are vers. When they have sex for the first time, Scott asks Kip to top him, and this continues until one night when Kip asks Scott, dont suppose youd wanna switch things up? This leads to one of the hottest sex scenes in the book (its in Chapter 7, you know, just in case) where Scott gives Kip a rim job, is afraid hell hurt Kip, so Kip has to assure him that he likes a little pain with his pleasure, all before Scott tells Kip, Dont come.Its incredibly hot, just like many of the scenes in the book, but toning down the sex scenes isnt the only change the show made for the sake of time.Major changes from page to screen (@) Not only was the book full of sex scenes that didnt make it into the show, but other things were changed too.Their first timeIn the show, Scott and Kip sleep together of the first time after a charity event where they end up going back to Scotts apartment. Kip thinks theyre going to order in but turns away from the impressive view of the New York City skyline to see that Scott has already taken his shirt off. The next morning, Scott admits hes smitten and asks Kip to stay indefinitely. But in the book, they end up sleeping together for the first time after going to a diner for burgers that they end up throwing out because theyre both horny. Scott asks Kip to spend the night, but then Kip goes home and then they continue their relationship and bedroom romps for a while before Kip moves in. Ilya and Shane's roleEpisode 3 also includes short cameos from Ilya and Shane, with Ilya making fun of Scott losing a hockey game, and Shane and Scott getting into a brawl on the ice when Scott insinuates Shane and Ilya are getting it on (they totally are). But in the book, its Ilya who ends up getting decked by Scott for running his mouth, something Ilya will continue to do in every book in the series whenever he pops up.Scott's parentsIn the show, we learn that Scotts parent died in a drunk driving accident when he was 12 years old, but in the book, Scott tells Kip that he grew up poor and was a latchkey kid and only child who was raised by a single mother, and that she died of an undisclosed illness when Scott was 15.Kip's strugglesThe book also spends more time showing how lonely and isolated Kip becomes and how much he struggles with his own identity and sense of self-worth. Kip is 25 in the books, and before moving in with Scott, he is living at home with his parents and working a job he doesnt like while he applies for jobs and tries to decide if he should go to grad school. All of this makes him feel less than his peers and Scott, but this is largely glossed over in the show due to time constraints, as are other plot points, but the show actually manages to pack in almost an entire novels worth of plot into a single episode. MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE HEATED RIVALRY BOOK AHEAD AND POTENTIALLY THE SERIES PROCEED WITH CAUTIONHow does it tie into Shane and Ilyas story? (@) All of the books in the Game Changer series are interconnected standalones, so characters repeatedly pop up in other books Ilya manages to trash-talk characters throughout the series and influence each other. The Game Changer book ends with Scott pulling Kip onto the ice after he wins the Stanley Cup and kissing him in front of everyone. After the surprising moment where he finally throws caution to the wind, he officially comes out at a press conference and then dances openly with Kip and their friends at a gay club including Ilya, who shows up and tells Scott, Is good. What you did. It will be good forothers.In the show, Scott repeatedly clocks the chemistry between Shane and Ilya, and gets into fights with both of them in episode 3, but in the Heated Rivalry book, Scott is only a background character until late in the book when his very public kiss becomes the catalyst for Shane and Ilya finally admitting their feelings for one another. Ilya and Shane are both shocked when they watch Scott and Kip kiss on national television and this act inspires Ilya to finally agree to stay with Shane at his cottage, which eventually leads to them admitting they love each other, coming out to Shanes parents, and devising a plan for how they can be together.

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Openly gay writer-director Bryan Fuller, the visionary behind Pushing Daisies, Hannibal, Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me and American Gods, is stepping behind the camera for his first feature film. His debut, the whimsical horror-fantasy Dust Bunny, opened nationwide Dec. 5 and is already earning critical praise.Starring Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver, Dust Bunny follows a 10-year-old girl who hires the hitman living next door to kill the monster under her bed, the same one she believes ate her parents. The film has already drawn comparisons to Gremlins and Labyrinth, two touchstones of 1980s gateway horror. Fuller says hes flattered. I like to say its as if Guillermo del Toro and Dr. Seuss made a beautiful, darkly comedic baby, he adds.In an interview with Gayety, Fuller discussed the inspirations behind the film, casting its young star, and how queer audiences may connect with the story, even without explicit LGBTQ+ themes.Mads Mikkelsen in Dust Bunny. Photo: Roadside AttractionsDust Bunny is your first feature film directorial debut. What inspired you to step behind the camera for this particular story?Bryan Fuller: This started out as and it was designed to be very much like an Amblin brand of gateway horror children in peril, high concept storylines, the big heart, and at a certain point in the process, it just felt like it would be a great first story. Not only my first feature as a writer, but also direct as my first feature as a director. And what I loved about the opportunity with a story thats relatively simple but has a lot of nuance, is that it really gave me an opportunity to tell a story cinematically in a way that I never could before.Bryan Fuller Photo: Roadside AttractionsThe concept of an assassin killing the monster under a childs bed is both whimsical and terrifying. How did this idea come to life?Bryan Fuller: Okay, you know, theres so many pieces of a film that have to come together. And the most important piece of this film is very likely Sophie Sloan, who imbued the character of Aurora with such charm and vulnerability. We needed a very special actor. So we cast an incredibly wide net with our amazing casting director, Margie Simpkins, who had thousands of submissions for the role. And of those thousands of submissions, she had thousands of auditions, and those auditions got whittled down to hundreds of auditions that got whittled down to 12 auditions, which is what I saw. Thats the gift that you have with the great casting director. And Sophie stood out from the group, immediately. She has all of those tell-tale signs of fantastic child actors that capture our imaginations, whether its Drew Barrymore or Fairuza Balk or Chlo Grace Moritz, she definitely was in that category of charmer, and the only issue was that she had a very thick Scottish brogue. And she came in to audition, we talked to her about the accent and how it was a little difficult to understand her because we already had Mads Mikkelsen cast, who also has a very thick accent. We were worried that if we have both of these actors in the movie, it may be difficult to understand what theyre saying. Sophie took that note and went off to watch TikTok videos for two weeks and came back and auditioned with the perfectly flat American accent, won the role over thousands of other girls and charmed us every day on set. Sophie Sloan, Mads Mikkelsen, and Sigourney Weaver in Dust Bunny. Photo: Roadside AtractionsOne of the things that we were very keen on was providing the best experience for a child coming to make a movie, and that was a responsibility was shared by myself and Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver and our wonderful acting coach, who also played Sophies on screen mother early on in the film.The films already drawn comparisons to Gremlins and labyrinth. How do you feel about those comparisons, and were those films influential to you as a storyteller?Bryan Fuller: Gremlins and Labyrinth were two of my favorite gateway horror movies as a child. Gremlins, Labyrinth, Poltergeist, Goonies, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Anytime that we had children in danger that were forced by their circumstances to step into adulthood earlier than anyone would expect them to, were always stories that I was attracted to as a kid. And so it was wonderful to delve deep into that genre and tell a new version of children in danger being their own heroes and those stories excited me as a kid. Theres so much about the intention of this movie being a callback to those fantastic Amblin movies of the 80s that were beacons for me and my friend group as we went to movie theaters and got lost in somebody elses daydream. So I wanted to create that same sensibility with these movies, because I missed them in the marketplace. We got a little bit of that with Guillermo del Toro and Pans Labyrinth and The Devils Backbone, where we got to see children in circumstances where they would be their own heroes. And I miss those stories. They really do apply to adults and children of all ages, and those kids movies arent just for kids. I enjoy Goonies just as much today as I did as a young person, and I want to provide a similar film going experience for people like me who love gateway horror and also to introduce this genre to a lot of kids, this may be their first quote, unquote, horror movie, and thats an incredible honor.The film has been called a mix of Guillermo del Toro and Dr Seuss. Can you unpack that for us?Bryan Fuller: That is a great comparison. Ill take that comp. It really does all go back to the design of these stories being crafted to feel like an Amblin movie in the 80s. And I think you see those inspirations in Guillermo del Toros work, and you also see the impact of Dr. Seuss on those stories of fantastical, whimsical, yet filled with danger, types of narratives that excite the audience and also invite kids to keep exploring these kinds of stories, because theres so many out there. Even the great horror story authors like Clive Barker and Stephen King all have wonderful childrens stories in their libraries that influence them and that theyve also written and contributed to the genre. So I feel like whenever were getting scared about anything, it takes us to a childlike place as an audience member, whether that is an. Rated R horror movie or a G rated horror movie, theres something about feeling unsafe that reminds us of those primal fears as children that will always have an impact on our place in the audience.David Dastmalchian in Dust Bunny. Photo: Roadside AttractionsWhat was it like working with the icons like Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver in the world you created?Bryan Fuller: It was surreal to say the least, to work with Sigourney Weaver. I had worked with Mads Mikkelsen before, and understood his iconography with audiences, but also had the extra added benefit of just being my friend and a friend that was going to have my back and support me, and a way that an actor who I didnt have the experience and the history with might not have been so free to do so. Sigourney Weaver was a whole new experience for both of us as major fans.This movie blends horror, fantasy and Dark Comedy genres youve always played with on TV. How did that translate to the big screen?Bryan Fuller: Well, theres a big difference between being a showrunner and being a feature director, and I would say the biggest difference is the gift of being present on a feature set that you dont necessarily get on television because after you finish that episode of TV, you have more to do. You have episodes six, seven, eight, nine used to be 20 more episodes that you had to continue filming. I got to be there on set every day, instead of back in my hotel room doing rewrites and getting the next weeks material all in a line because everything was written in advance. We had the script locked, and I just got to enjoy working with these actors and these craftspeople and building a movie that allowed me to be there on stage with these people at every moment and point of the production, and that was really special, and something that I hope to do again. I love television. I love television storytelling. But theres nothing like being present on a movie set with like minded people who are all rowing the same direction as you are,Even though the film has absolutely no gay content whatsoever. How do you as a gay man feel like you infused your own sensibility into this?Bryan Fuller: I would argue that the gay content is implicit in a child trying to make their way in the world, which is a very relatable experience for people of all varieties of the alphabet gang. And theres something unique about queer experiences where we are often isolated and without a structure that makes us feel safe. I feel like this film is going to be very relatable to queer audiences who could remember times in their childhood where they were afraid, maybe not necessarily of the monster to the bed, but maybe the monster down the hall, or the monster at school or the monster at their work, who filled them with a fear that was hard for them to navigate at that point in their life, and so were creating an opportunity for everyone to have fun being scared.Dust Bunny opens nationwide Dec. 5.Source

Major League Baseball began investigating Pete Rose earlier than previously known and suspended its probe at the request of law enforcement, according to newly released documents.