“Home Alone” fans, you might want to sit down for this one. Macaulay Culkin just brought back his iconic character, Kevin McCallister, for a brand-new commercial, and it’s got people wondering if we just got a dark update about the McCallister family.
The ad comes just in time for the 35th anniversary of “Home Alone” and was made for Home Instead, a company that offers non-medical, in-home care for seniors. Instead of setting booby traps for the Wet Bandits, Kevin is now setting up a safety plan for his mom.
In the spot, Kevin’s on the phone with one of his siblings and says, “I’m just worried about Mom being by herself, y’know? What if she falls down or gets snowed in? They never did catch that South Bay Shovel Slayer.”
Naturally, the internet immediately latched onto one thing: if Mom is living alone… what happened to Dad? Did Mr. McCallister die? Did they split up?
Later in the ad, Kevin meets Old Man Marley’s granddaughter as she’s shoveling the sidewalk, a sweet callback to the original film. The commercial closes with the tagline: “Home but not alone.”
Fans are calling it both touching and a little heartbreaking, like a grown-up epilogue to the Christmas classic. It’s nostalgic, a little funny, and just sentimental enough to make you call your own mom.
If you’ve ever sipped a smoothie and thought, “Needs more toothpaste,” well, Erewhon has answered your oddly specific dreams.
The ultra-trendy Los Angeles grocery chain known for selling blueberries that cost more than a tank of gas is back in the spotlight with their latest bizarre-but-somehow-still-kind-of-intriguing creation: the Toothpaste Smoothie.
Officially named the Mint Condition Smile Smoothie, it’s available all November at Erewhon cafés and is turning heads for obvious reasons.
No, it doesn’t really have toothpaste in it
Despite the hype, it doesn’t really contain toothpaste (phew). Instead, it’s “inspired” by one – specifically, a flavor from the high-end dental brand Boka called Ela Mint.
What’s actually in it?
What’s in it, besides viral potential? The $11 drink blends together mint, banana, mango, coconut, and blue spirulina. So it tastes less like a dentist’s office and more like a tropical vacation with a polite burst of freshness. According to Boka’s marketing director, the idea “might sound unusual, but that’s what made it so fun to create.” Of course it did.
If you’re a member of Erewhon’s $100-a-year loyalty program, you can even try it for free. Which is either a great perk or an elaborate prank, depending on your taste in smoothies and sense of irony.
Tastes better than it sounds?
Social media reactions range from “Honestly looks kinda good?” to “LA has gone too far.” And maybe that’s the point. Erewhon’s whole brand is built on that tightrope between luxury wellness and low-key chaos. A smoothie that reminds you of brushing your teeth feels perfectly on-brand.
Would you try it? Or would you rather just drink a regular smoothie and, you know, brush your teeth like a normal person?
Either way, LA’s fanciest grocery store continues to prove one thing: in the right zip code, everything can be a lifestyle flex – even your breakfast beverage.
Jimmy Fallon broke the news on The Tonight Show last night: People magazine’s new Sexiest Man Alive is Jonathan Bailey, the dashing Brit best known as Lord Anthony from Netflix’s Bridgerton.
Bailey’s also starring as Fiyero in the Wicked movies and he’s Dr. Henry Loomis in Jurassic World: Rebirth. In short, this man’s IMDb page is on fire — and now, so is his title.
When asked about the honor, Bailey told People, “It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd. It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out.”
He may be blushing, but fans aren’t surprised. Between his period-drama charm, modern leading-man energy, and warm smile, Bailey has been the Internet’s collective crush for a while.
The actor also shared that his first crush was Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid.
Bailey, who is openly gay, is reportedly the first openly gay recipient of People’s Sexiest Man Alive title — a milestone that’s getting plenty of cheers online.
When it comes to romance, his “ideal date night” sounds as grounded and sweet as he is. “I love a walk, I do love dinner, theater, films. It depends what number date. You know, if it’s like date 100, then like Legos… Some of my best dates have been Lego dates.”
So, to recap: charming, self-aware, a fan of Disney princes, and down for a Lego-building night in. Yeah, People nailed this one.
It’s that time of year again. Or rather, it was. Daylight Saving Time just ended, and if you didn’t even notice, you can thank your phone for doing the heavy lifting.
But while the clocks quietly adjusted themselves, the public’s opinion was anything but silent: Americans are officially over it.
A new poll shows that 54% of Americans want to stop changing the clocks altogether. Only 40% still want to keep it, and enthusiasm for the twice-a-year ritual is at an all-time low. In fact, just a few weeks ago, another poll showed support for the current system was down to a measly 12%.
This isn’t just grumbling over losing an hour of sleep in the spring. The debate over Daylight Saving Time has become one of those rare topics with bipartisan agreement in Congress.
Lawmakers on both sides have supported ditching the switch. A few bills, like the “Sunshine Protection Act,” have been floated to make DST permanent, but so far, nothing’s made it through the gridlock.
One big sticking point? If we get rid of the clock change, do we keep the later “summer” hours or go with the earlier “standard” ones? The latest numbers show 56% of Americans would prefer to stick with Daylight Saving Time year-round, while 42% want Standard Time to become permanent.
And no, letting each state pick its own system isn’t the answer. That’s a recipe for chaos. Imagine road-tripping across four time zones without ever leaving the Midwest.
The federal government has the power to settle this, and with Republicans currently in control, they could technically make it happen. In fact, Republican Senator Rick Scott tried to push it forward last month. His proposal had support from both parties and even a presidential nod from Donald Trump. But Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton threw cold water on the plan, warning that permanent DST would mean darker mornings, which he argues would be especially rough on school kids and early-shift workers.
So for now, we’re still stuck with the clock switch. But if public opinion keeps trending this way, don’t be surprised if the next time you “fall back,” it’s for the last time.
Turns out Lex Luthor has a heart . . . and a spare kidney.
Actor Jesse Eisenberg, who played Superman’s arch-nemesis in the Zack Snyder “Justice League” film and Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network”, is donating one of his kidneys this December. Not to a friend or relative, but to someone he’s never even met.
“I’m doing an altruistic donation,” Eisenberg explained, adding that it’s “essentially risk-free and so needed.”
He hopes his example inspires others, saying, “I think people will realize that it’s a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”
For anyone unfamiliar, an altruistic or non-directed living donation means the donor doesn’t know the recipient. Instead, doctors match the donated kidney with someone who’s medically compatible and waiting on the transplant list. Eisenberg’s doing it through the National Kidney Foundation’s family voucher program, which ensures his family would get priority in the future if they ever needed a kidney themselves.
Eisenberg also shared that he’s a regular blood donor, and he’s surprisingly enthusiastic about it.
“I just have so much blood in me, and I feel like I should spill it,” he joked. “I really like doing it, and I don’t know why. I got, like, bitten by the blood donation bug. I love it.”
It’s not every day that you hear about a Hollywood star giving away an organ out of pure generosity. But Eisenberg’s upcoming surgery shines a light on how powerful one act of kindness can be, and how lifesaving living donations are. According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant, and living donors help reduce that number in a major way.
So while Jesse Eisenberg might be known for playing villains on screen, in real life he’s making a move that’s nothing short of heroic.
If your commute is driving to work, you’ve probably seen enough idiocy that makes you wish you could just use public transportation.
But if you do use public transportation, you’ve probably seen enough idiocy that makes you wish you could just drive.
1,000 people who use public transportation were asked to name the most annoying things they encounter on trains, buses, and subways. Here are the Top 10:
1. People who talk loud on their phone. Forcing dozens of people into their business. Dude, just text them.
2. Aggressive people in general. Especially if you feel unsafe.
3. When someone won’t give up their seat for another person who needs it. Sometimes you don’t want to know how terrible the people around you are.
4. Trash on the ground, or on the seats. Spilled liquid is the worst too, especially if you don’t know what it is.
5. Long delays, or your bus gets there late. You’d like to save your excuses for when it’s your fault.
6. Pushing and shoving. No one likes human bumper cars, especially pre-caffeine.
7. No air conditioning, or bad ventilation in the summer. And the smells it brings.
8. Noisy kids. Especially when their own parents aren’t affected by it.
9. Manspreading, or taking up too much space. Or invading your space.
10. People who try to get on while you’re still trying to exit. It’s like the equivalent of people who can’t comprehend the “zipper” merge when on the highway.
November just started and some people are already in full-on Christmas mode. I still have pumpkin rot on my doorstep, can we just give it a minute?
But it seems like holiday decorating has officially broken free from the “after Thanksgiving” rulebook. Stores swap out spooky decor for Santa suits, peppermint everything starts showing up in coffee cups, and Mariah Carey begins her annual reawakening.
But let’s be real: isn’t it a little too soon?
The “Christmas creep” isn’t new, but it sure feels more aggressive every year.
By early November, many stores have already gone full red-and-green, skipping right over Thanksgiving like it’s a footnote between October and December. And if you’ve ever walked into a store on November 1 only to be hit with “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at full volume, you know what we’re talking about.
You’ll see it in store aisles: Valentine’s Day candy on shelves before New Year’s confetti has even settled, or Easter eggs hiding behind St. Patrick’s Day beer mugs. Retailers are on a holiday hamster wheel, constantly jumping ahead to the next big thing. But that means some holidays barely get a moment in the spotlight.
Take Thanksgiving, for instance. It’s a major U.S. holiday, but it often feels like it gets buried under the tinsel avalanche.
Once Halloween wraps, it’s straight into Black Friday ads and Christmas prep, with only a brief turkey intermission.
And while Christmas is supposed to be about love, peace, and family, the way it’s packaged by retailers feels more like a race to buy, decorate, and schedule everything right now. It’s no wonder people start feeling holiday fatigue weeks before the actual holiday arrives.
Social media, of course, plays into this too. Memes about Mariah Carey “defrosting” each November have become an annual tradition, and the cultural joke is now its own kind of marketing machine. Some folks are genuinely excited to start decorating and celebrating early—and that’s fine! But for others, the nonstop holiday hype can get old before December even begins.
But science says early decorators are friendlier (and maybe happier)
Here’s a fun fact: a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that homes decorated for Christmas are perceived as more friendly and welcoming. The sight of garlands and glowing lights actually made people rate homeowners as more sociable.
Even Martha Stewart herself leans into a gradual build. In a past issue of Martha Stewart Living, she mapped out her decorating timeline across the month of December, saving the stockings for the final week. So if you’re pacing yourself, you’re in classy company.
Bottom line? You do you.
If putting up your tree in November makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, go for it. And if you’d rather wait until the leftovers are gone, that’s cool too. Either way, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. As long as you didn’t play Jingle Bells during trick-or-treating, then you’re good.
The final season of “Stranger Things” is already an emotional goodbye for fans, but now, behind-the-scenes drama is casting a shadow over the show’s ending.
Reports claim Millie Bobby Brown accused her co-star David Harbour of bullying and harassment during production.
According to insiders, Millie, who has played Eleven since the show’s debut in 2016, allegedly filed a formal complaint before filming began on the final season. The accusations reportedly sparked an internal investigation at Netflix, though the outcome has not been made public.
A source described the situation as serious, saying there were “pages and pages of accusations,” and that the investigation lasted for months.
It’s important to note that the alleged behavior was not sexual in nature. Instead, the claims reportedly centered on bullying and harassment on set. Because of the tension, Millie was said to have a personal representative with her during the shooting of the finale.
David Harbour, who plays her on-screen father figure Jim Hopper, allegedly went through the internal review process but has not commented publicly. Interestingly, his personal life has also made headlines: his estranged wife, singer Lily Allen, reportedly stood by him throughout the investigation, but the couple is now going through a very public and messy split. Lily has accused him of multiple affairs, including one in 2021 with a woman from the costume department of his movie “We Have a Ghost”.
Whether the alleged behind-the-scenes conflict will affect the final season’s rollout is unknown, but fans are already buzzing online. Many say the idea that the show’s heartwarming father-daughter dynamic might have been strained in real life feels like a gut punch.
The Stranger Things cast and Netflix have yet to release official statements, but for now, the story serves as a reminder that even the most beloved shows can have some very real tension when the cameras stop rolling.
Red cups, endless TV, and fart-filled airplanes. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.
“Binge-Watch” Becomes Word of the Year
Collins Dictionary officially crowned “binge-watch” their Word of the Year, validating everything we did that weekend we “accidentally” watched all 10 episodes of “Making a Murderer.” It was the year TV stopped being a weekly ritual and became a competitive sport, sleep and social life be damned.
Ah yes, the great Starbucks cup scandal of 2015. That was the year some folks got very upset that the holiday cups weren’t Christmassy enough. Just plain red! No snowflakes! No joy! Outrage brewed faster than a Venti Pike, though most just wanted to sip their Peppermint Mochas in peace.
In 2015, environmentalists gave lazy husbands and teenagers their out: raking leaves is bad for nature. Turns out, leaf piles are free mulch and bug condos. So if you skipped yard work that year, you weren’t lazy – you were an eco-warrior. Tell your HOA to take it up with science.
In 2015, a book called “The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory”explained that “Hit me baby one more time” was never about getting smacked – it meant “call me.” The Swedish songwriter thought “hit me” was American teen slang for “call me,” likely thinking of the term “hit me up.”
Terminal “Star Wars” Fan Sees Movie Early
The Force was strong with Daniel Fleetwood, a terminally ill superfan who got to see “The Force Awakens” early thanks to a global campaign and support from the “Star Wars” cast. He passed away shortly after, but not before making the Kessel Run straight to our hearts. He was the first person outside of the production team to see the film.
Science Reveals the Best Grilled Cheese Cheeses
Scientists got serious in 2015 and figured out the perfect cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich. Top picks: gouda, Gruyère, and manchego. Basically, the gooier, the better. Sorry, cheddar – you’ll always be melty in our hearts.
Plane Diverted Due to Flatulence
An incident report went viral after a flight from Australia to Malaysia had to make an emergency landing because it was filled with too many farts. It was a cargo plane with 2,186 sheep, and their gas set off the smoke alarm.
Chris Stapleton Scored His First #1 Album
Chris Stapleton went from “Who’s that bearded guy?” to “King of Country” after his album “Traveller” shot to #1. Suddenly your aunt, your barber, and your Spotify Discover playlist were all obsessed. 10 years later, Billboard.com would name it the top country album of the 21st century.
Katy Perry Tops Highest-Paid Women in Music
Katy Perry made $135 million in 2015 and topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid female musicians. Between the Prismatic World Tour, Super Bowl halftime show, and brand deals, she was on fire. Left Shark may have fumbled the choreo, but Katy’s bank account never missed a beat. Taylor Swift was a distant second at $80 million.
Trevor Noah Misses “The Daily Show” for Surgery
Just weeks into his new gig, Trevor Noah had to miss “The Daily Show” for an emergency appendectomy. Fans freaked. Producers scrambled. His appendix? Evicted. It was the first unexpected hiatus of his hosting era.
Everyone is collectively squinting at their screens right now, because there’s a guy on TikTok who looks EXACTLY like Kevin James . . . and not in the “my friend says I look like Chris Pratt if you tilt your head” kind of way.
This art teacher, named Matt Taylor, could walk into a “King of Queens” reboot tomorrow and no one would blink.
Matt’s first TikTok dropped on the 15th, and since then he’s posted a few more, each one making the mystery even juicier. The voice? Spot-on. The delivery? Uncannily Kevin James-ish. He’s even got an Instagram, but here’s where it gets weird: he only follows one person: Ed Sheeran. Because… why not, right?
Naturally, fans have theories.
Maybe Matt Taylor is just a regular art teacher with an unfortunate (or very fortunate) case of celebrity doppelgänger face. But others think there’s something more Hollywood happening here.
Why? Because Kevin James just so happens to have a new movie coming out in February called “Solo Mio”. And, you guessed it, he plays a guy named Matt. In the movie, his character gets left at the altar in Rome and decides to go on his honeymoon alone, discovering himself and Italy in the process. No mention of teaching art, though, unless painting landscapes counts.
So is TikTok’s Matt Taylor actually Kevin James in disguise, doing a little viral marketing before the movie drops? The timing feels too perfect. But until someone catches both men in the same frame, the debate lives on.
One thing’s for sure: if this is Kevin, he’s pulling off the most wholesome celebrity undercover act. And if it’s not? Well, give that art teacher an agent.
(You can check out all of Matt Taylor’s TikToks here and decide for yourself.)
