Limelight – Page 24 – Topical Fruit

Willie Nelson Stopped Smoking Pot

Even legends have to make adjustments eventually. Willie Nelson, the country icon who’s been synonymous with marijuana for decades, says he’s finally hung up his smoking gear at age 92.

In a recent interview with Forbes, Willie revealed that his lungs have officially had enough.

“I can’t smoke anymore,” he said. “My lungs have already said, ‘Don’t do that.’ So, I don’t really do anything now except a few edibles.”

So no, he hasn’t totally given up cannabis—just the smoke. Nelson still has his own line of THC-infused products called Willie’s Remedy, including a social tonic you can sip for a cool $90 a bottle. (Yes, even quitting smoking can be on-brand when you’re Willie.)

When asked what still brings him joy after all these years on the road, he didn’t hesitate: “I enjoy seeing people get together and forget about everything except music.” He added, “We don’t care what political affiliation you’re with, what color you are, it doesn’t matter. If you like music, come on.”

It’s a simple, classic Willie message: come together, share the music, leave the nonsense at the door.

And if you’re wondering whether we’ll ever get a movie about his life? Maybe—but don’t hold your breath. Willie’s not quite ready to close the book. “I’ve heard talk about it,” he said. “But I’m not through with it yet.”

As far as smoking pot goes, he had a good run. He first smoked in a roadside bar in Fort Worth, Texas in 1954. That’s a solid 71 years of getting high. Congrats Willie!

Masked Bands Are Having a Moment

Masked bands are having a serious moment right now. Both Ghost and Sleep Token released albums in 2025 that debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200—an impressive feat for any artist, let alone two groups that never show their faces. So, are masked bands suddenly the next big thing? Not exactly. They’ve been around for decades. But it’s safe to say the trend is catching a fresh second wind.

The whole idea of costumed, anonymous musicians isn’t new.

Theatrical rock acts like Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown helped invent the playbook back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. KISS cemented it with their iconic face paint and pyrotechnics. Then came GWAR in the ‘80s, turning shock-rock into a full-blown sci-fi-horror cosplay event. Slipknot and Mushroomhead followed in the ’90s, bringing a more aggressive, nu-metal twist to the concept.

And let’s not forget the weirdly compelling one-man enigma known as Buckethead—a guy who wore a blank white mask and a KFC bucket while shredding guitar solos for Guns N’ Roses in the early 2000s. Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit fame also made a name for himself with bizarre, theatrical stage looks that changed with nearly every tour.

Ghost launched in 2010, fronted by the ever-morphing Papa Emeritus and a band of Nameless Ghouls. What started as an underground metal act quickly ballooned into a Grammy-winning powerhouse. Fast-forward to now, and you’ve got Sleep Token bringing emotional metal ballads, layered vocals, and mysterious lore into the mix—complete with masks and zero interviews.

Enter: Nova Machina.

The buzzy new band going viral on TikTok claims to be sending music and messages from the year 2192. They’re masked, mysterious, and perfectly designed for internet intrigue. Whether they’re prophets from the future or just really good marketers, they’re the latest to ride the masked-wave to digital stardom.

Masked bands aren’t new, but they are very now. In an age where everyone’s oversharing, there’s something oddly refreshing—and kind of thrilling—about a little mystery behind the mic.

@novamachinatransmissions
#NovaMachinaStory #ViktorRavenSpeaks #RockIsRisen #TransmissionFromTheFuture #ResistEchelonVire #TheTruth #TikTokSeries #Storytime #HybridRebellion #MusicIsResistance #UndergroundMusic #AIWarning #FightTheFuture
♬ original sound – Nova Machina

Dolly Parton Says She Eats This One Food Every Day

Despite being a music icon, a fashion legend, and a national treasure, Dolly Parton’s go-to comfort food proves she’s still very much one of us: potatoes.

Yup, the queen of country recently confessed during an appearance on the Today show that she eats potatoes every single day. “I have to have something with potatoes,” she said.

“I mean, I’m just one of those people that I have to either have a baked potato, some mashed potatoes, some french fries, or something to do with potatoes.”

Honestly? Relatable. Carbs are the great equalizer.

The 78-year-old superstar isn’t about complicated or flashy food either. She said she just looks for “good, hearty food”—the kind that sticks to your ribs and makes you feel at home. That philosophy shows up in her cooking too: Dolly’s line of frozen comfort meals is wildly popular, and her Southern-style cookbook is full of down-home classics.

Fans online didn’t need long to chime in with their approval.

Social media lit up with people praising her taste and, in some cases, proudly declaring themselves fellow “potato people.”

In a world of fad diets and celebrity detox teas, Dolly’s loyalty to mashed and fried spuds is refreshingly grounded.

So if your dinner plans tonight include fries, tots, or a buttery heap of mash, you’re in good company. Turns out Dolly Parton is right there with you.

(And if you want to eat like Dolly, you can check out her frozen meals or grab her cookbook that she wrote with her sister, Rachel. Just don’t skip the potatoes.)

10 Celebrities With Unusual Pets

Celebrities love their pets. They also love to get showy with their pets. And that includes adopting WEIRD animals. Here are 10 examples::

1. Kristen Stewart – Wolf-Hybrids

She’s basically living out Twilight in reverse. Props for her passion, but owning part-wolf animals is definitely not for the faint of heart, or faint of neighborly patience. She had to go to court against a guy who didn’t like her choice of pet, but she’s not doing anything illegal.

2. Kirstie Alley – 14 Lemurs

That’s not a pet collection, that’s a small forest exhibit. At least her lemur obsession stemmed from conservation work—not just a quirky impulse.

3. Salma Hayek – Owl

Naming her owl after her husband’s luxury brand group (Kering) is peak glamorous-weird. The mental image of her casually walking around with an owl on her head? Pure gothic fashion goals.

4. Paris Hilton – Kinkajous

They’re super cute, super unpredictable, and very much not meant for your Beverly Hills bedroom. The name “Baby Luv” is so Paris—until Baby Luv bites, and Paris needs a tetanus shot.

5. Leonardo DiCaprio – Tortoise

Of course Leo picked an eco-friendly, slow-living companion. Low-maintenance, long-living, and practically immortal—kind of like Leo’s career.

6. Tyga – Tiger

Illegal tiger ownership feels very on-brand for a rapper trying to flex. The tiger’s name? Not known. The ending? Predictable: animal shelter.

7. Ice-T – Shark Tank

A shark tank in a home studio screams “villain lair.” Sadly, it’s no longer there. But the idea of Ice-T laying down tracks next to circling predators is pretty metal.

8. Tracy Morgan – Giant Octopus

$400K for an octopus named Bwyadette? That is art. Morgan said the octopus helps him write jokes. Now we kind of need to see its Netflix special.

9. Nicolas Cage – Cobras and Beyond

This guy didn’t just own exotic pets—he curated a full-on apocalypse starter pack. The bulletproof glass cobra setup sounds less like a home and more like a Bond villain’s den.

10. Vanilla Ice – Wallaroo

He had a wallaroo. Of course he did. And of course it got too big for his house. That’s the most ‘90s rapper sentence ever.

The 15 Best Shark Movies of All Time

Do you remember the first time you saw “Jaws” as a kid? If you did, probably one of two things happened: You either had an instant fear of the ocean and swimming pools OR you fell in love with sharks (just me?).

Well, either way Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece has been doing it for five decades. “Jaws” turns the Big 5-0 on June 20th. So to celebrate the genre, SlashFilm ranked the 15 Best Shark Movies of All Time:

1. “Jaws” (1975)

2. “The Shallows” (2016)

3. “Open Water” (2003)

4. “The Reef” (2010)

5. “Under Paris” (2024)

6. “Deep Blue Sea” (1999)

7. “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” (2019)

8. “Bait” (2012)

9. “47 Meters Down” (2017)

10. “Jaws 2” (1978)

11. “Sharksploitation” (2024)

12. “Shark Night 3D” (2011)

13. “Tintorera… Tiger Shark” (1977)

14. “The Meg” (2018)

15. “Shark Attack 3: Megalodon” (2002)

(Sorry “Sharknado” and “Santa Jaws” fans.)

Brad Pitt Owes His Career to a Stripper

Brad Pitt owes his career to two people, and their names aren’t Thelma and Louise. It’s actually Charlie Sheen and a stripper.

Brad dropped out of the University of Missouri two credits shy and drove his dented silver Datsun to Hollywood with clichéd dreams of stardom. He had $300 to his name.

He started doing odd jobs to survive, like dressing as a chicken for a fast food joint, and driving strippers to bachelor parties in a limo. And that’s where he got his big break.

He was about two months into the job and already fed up with it. He had given his notice and it was his last night on the job when one of the girls he was driving told him about an acting class that her . . . ahem . . . “friend” Charlie Sheen was attending.

Brad figured, “If it’s good enough for Charlie, it’s good enough for me.” So he signed up.

A woman he met in the class had lined up an audition with a talent agent, and she asked Brad to go with her and be her scene partner. So he went, and they signed HIM . . . but not her.

So Charlie Sheen’s sex addiction may not have helped HIS career . . . but it did wonders for Brad’s.

FYI, Brad did a little sex work during his college years . . . but he didn’t get paid for it.

He was part of a group called the Dancing Bares. In a 2007 interview he explained, “When a girl from one of our sister sororities turned 21, the Bares would put her in a chair and come out butt-naked with pillowcases on their heads and do a choreographed dance for her.”

Was Joey from “Friends” a Copy of Joey from “Blossom”?

Could one of the most iconic sitcom characters of the ‘90s have started out as a copy?

According to Joey Lawrence, the answer is yes. In a recent interview, the Blossom star claimed that Matt LeBlanc’s beloved Friends character, Joey Tribbiani, was directly inspired by his own role as Joey Russo—a similarly dim-witted but charming ladies’ man.

“Joey Russo was so successful that when they were creating Friends, they wanted a 25-year-old version of that,” Lawrence said.

He even alleges that Matt LeBlanc was sent to live tapings of Blossom, where he’d sit in the audience with a yellow legal pad and study Lawrence’s performance—focusing on how he brought a certain innocence to the character. The idea, he claims, was to give Tribbiani the same likability that would let him “get away with his womanizing.”

Perhaps most surprisingly, Lawrence says the Friends creators changed the character’s name to Joey as a direct nod to Blossom’s popularity at the time. NBC’s Blossom wrapped its five-season run just a few months before Friends premiered in 1994.

Neither NBC nor the creators of Friends have commented on the claims. Matt LeBlanc, for his part, has never publicly acknowledged Blossom as a reference point.

The 25 Best TV Dads

With Father’s Day on the horizon, we’re giving TV’s finest fathers their moment. From wholesome to hilarious, stern to completely unhinged, these 25 small-screen dads have earned their place in pop culture history.

Whether they gave heartfelt advice or just grumbled from their recliner, these iconic characters helped define what it meant to be a “TV dad.” Here’s the list, presented alphabetically by first name.

Al Bundy, Married with Children – The shoe salesman with a sharp tongue and even sharper sarcasm.
Andy Taylor, The Andy Griffith Show – The gold standard for calm, wise parenting in Mayberry.
Archie Bunker, All in the Family – Flawed, loud, and unforgettable.
Bob Belcher, Bob’s Burgers – A burger-slinging dad who supports his quirky family unconditionally.
Carl Winslow, Family Matters – Chicago cop, full-time dad, part-time neighbor wrangler.
Dan Conner, Roseanne – A working-class dad with a big heart and better sense than he gets credit for.
Danny Tanner, Full House – The clean freak with three daughters and the most wholesome hugs in the ’90s.
Frank Lambert, Step by Step – Stepfamily chaos? Frank handled it with charm and a mullet.
Fred Sanford, Sanford and Son – Always one faux heart attack away from getting out of an argument.
Herman Munster, The Munsters – Frankenstein’s monster with a heart of gold.
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons – The blueprint for animated dads everywhere: lazy, loud, and lovable.
Howard Cunningham, Happy Days – America’s ideal mid-century dad with an open heart and front porch wisdom.
Jason Seaver, Growing Pains – Psychiatrist by day, sitcom dad by night.
Michael Bluth, Arrested Development – The only semi-functional adult in a sea of dysfunction.
Mike Brady, The Brady Bunch – The original blended-family blueprint.
Peter Griffin, Family Guy – Not the brightest, but always entertaining.
Phil Dunphy, Modern Family – Dad jokes perfected.
Philip Banks, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Uncle Phil to Will, but a father figure to all of us.
Phillip Drummond, Diff’rent Strokes – A millionaire who opened his home and heart.
Red Forman, That ’70s Show – Tough love and a foot poised for your rear.
Steven Keaton, Family Ties – Liberal ex-hippie trying to parent a Republican teen.
Tim Taylor, Home Improvement – Power tool enthusiast, parenting work-in-progress.
Tom Bradford, Eight Is Enough – Managing a household of eight kids with calm dad energy.
Tony Micelli, Who’s the Boss? – Housekeeper, baseball player, and Mr. Mom before it was a thing.
Ward Cleaver, Leave It to Beaver – The OG classic dad, all pipe-smoking patience and timeless advice.

Did we leave your favorite off the list? Or include someone you think shouldn’t be anywhere near it? Sound off in the comments—but remember, even Homer’s trying his best.

Happy Summerween! Here Are the 13 Best Horror Movies to Watch

Summerween is real, and it’s here to stay.

The term originated in the cult-favorite Disney animated series “Gravity Falls”, where it was portrayed as a tongue-in-cheek holiday celebrated in the middle of summer. But what started as a fictional tradition has taken on a life of its own for fans of spooky season who aren’t willing to wait until October to get their horror fix.

Summerween has turned into a full-fledged seasonal aesthetic. From TikTok hashtags to themed parties, it’s now common to see people embracing the creepy vibes during the year’s hottest months. Think pineapples carved like jack-o-lanterns.

If you’re planning a Summerween movie night, there are certain horror flicks that hit just right this time of year. Whether they’re set in summer or simply ooze the kind of dread that lingers long after the campfire’s out, these 13 movies are perfect for the vibe:

“IT” (2017) – A modern classic that feels like summer break gone horribly wrong.
“Wrong Turn” (2003) – For those who fear the backroads.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997) – A ‘90s teen slasher with beachy vibes.
“Midsommar” (2019) – A daylight horror that’s all about summer rituals.
“Jeepers Creepers” (2001) – A road trip movie that devolves into pure terror.
“Jaws” (1975) – The OG summer horror movie. Admit it, you were scared of a shark coming through your pool drain.
“Fear Street Part Two: 1978” (2021) – A throwback to classic slasher camp horror, with axes, secrets, and summer bloodshed.
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974) – Oppressive heat, sweat, and chainsaws.
“Sleepaway Camp” (1983) – Summer camp horror at its campiest.
“Sinners” (2025) – Small town. Big heat. Even bigger secrets.
“The Final Girls” (2015) – A clever, funny, and heartfelt love letter to ‘80s slasher tropes—with a killer summer-camp backdrop.
“The Lost Boys” (1987) – Vampires, boardwalks, and a killer soundtrack. A goth summer dream.
“Friday the 13th” (1980) – Because Summerween wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Camp Crystal Lake.

Pro-tip: Take your movie night outside with a screen and projector. But don’t forget the mosquito repellent, or that’ll be the real horror.

Forgotten Celebrity Couples That Might Surprise You

Not every celebrity pairing lives on in our collective consciousness. Some romances play out quietly, only to vanish from memory as quickly as they began. Whether the relationships were long-term or fleeting, these forgotten Hollywood couples are sure to make you do a double take.

Jessica Biel and Chris Evans (2001–2006)
Before she married Justin Timberlake and he became Captain America, Biel and Evans were a couple for five years. Given their combined star power, it’s surprising how little attention they got.

Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz
This romance began in an appropriately silly way—at the 2003 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, where Diaz handed Timberlake a trophy for “Best Burp.” They dated for nearly four years and even co-starred in Shrek the Third.

Derek Jeter and Vanessa Minnillo (2003–2006)
Before she became Vanessa Lachey, she was MTV host Vanessa Minnillo—and Derek Jeter’s on-again, off-again girlfriend. They kept their relationship relatively low-key, especially compared to some of Jeter’s other famous flings.

Hilary Duff and Joel Madden (2004–2006)
This pairing raised eyebrows at the time due to the age gap—he was 25, she was just 16 when they began dating. The relationship ended before Madden married Nicole Richie.

Katie Holmes and Chris Klein
Holmes and Klein were engaged but called it quits in early 2005. Just months later, Holmes started dating—and very publicly—Tom Cruise.

Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett (2005–2007)
These two were briefly an item after meeting on the set of The Black Dahlia. Both stars were on the rise, but their relationship fizzled after two years.

Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
Life imitated art for this duo. They got together while filming The Break-Up in 2005, then actually broke up in 2006.

Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney
In a whirlwind romance, Zellweger and Chesney tied the knot in 2005—but had the marriage annulled just four months later. Zellweger cited “fraud” as the legal reason, sparking endless speculation.

Zach Braff and Mandy Moore (2004–2006)
Before Moore married Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, she dated Scrubs star Zach Braff for two years.

Josh Groban and January Jones (2003–2006)
This early 2000s couple kept a relatively low profile, but they dated for three years—long enough to make this list of long-forgotten celeb couples.

From burping awards to baseball diamonds, these unexpected couplings remind us just how much Hollywood dating history we’ve already forgotten.