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Your October Cheat Sheet

October is here, and while we say goodbye to summer and start dodging pumpkin spice everything, there’s plenty to actually get excited about this month. From big-time sports events to major movie releases (and yes, a few bizarre food trends), here are some of the top things happening in October 2025.

Sports Fans, This Is Your Month

If you’re into sports, October is kind of a buffet. Baseball’s postseason is in full swing, with Game 1 of the World Series scheduled for October 24. Over in the NBA, the new season tips off October 21, and hockey fans get their fix starting October 8 when the NHL drops the puck on its new season.

In short, you can basically glue yourself to a couch and not run out of games to watch.

Big Movies (and Big Stars)

The box office is stacked this month. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is back in action with The Smashing Machine, an MMA biopic landing in theaters this Friday. If you’ve missed Daniel Day-Lewis (who hasn’t?), he returns after a seven-year hiatus in Anemone, also out this Friday.

Tron: Ares hits theaters October 10, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein drops in limited release on the 17th (before heading to Netflix), and Jeremy Allen White stars as The Boss in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, coming October 24.

So basically, whether you’re into robots, monsters, or moody musicians, you’re covered.

TV Shows Are Coming Back to Life Too

Streaming fatigue? October’s got some comfort food TV returning to your screen. Abbott Elementary is back, Saturday Night Live returns for its 51st season this weekend, and Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1: Nashville premiere October 9. Other dates to circle: Elsbeth and Tim Robinson’s new HBO Max show The Chair Company on October 12, NCIS on the 14th, 9-1-1 (OG flavor) on the 16th, Tracker on the 19th, and The Witcher season 4 wraps it all up on October 30.

So yeah, your DVR (or algorithm) is about to get real busy.

Holidays, Both Big and Bizarre

Obviously, Halloween caps the month off on October 31. But along the way, we’ve also got Yom Kippur starting tonight, and a double holiday situation with Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 13.

Some of the lesser-known holidays are a little more… creative. Like International Beer and Pizza Day (October 9), National No Bra Day (also the 13th, which makes for a fun combo), and National Cat Day on the 29th.

Whether you’re watching baseball, binging TV, or contemplating green spaghetti (we see you, Arizona), October 2025 is ready to entertain.

Taylor Swift Becomes First Female Artist to Cross 100 Million Album Sales

Taylor Swift’s reign over the music industry just hit a new level of legendary. Days before her next album The Life of a Showgirl even drops, she has already shattered another record: becoming the first and only female artist to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide. As of yesterday, her career total sits at a jaw-dropping 105 million.

Her biggest hit-maker? That would be 1989, the synth-pop powerhouse from 2014, which alone accounts for 14 million of those sales.

Right behind it is her breakout country-to-pop crossover Fearless (2008), with 11 million. Meanwhile, Red, The Tortured Poets Department, and her self-titled debut album each clock in at 8 million copies sold.

This milestone cements Swift among music’s most elite company. She now ranks sixth on the all-time list of top-selling artists, trailing only the Beatles (183 million), Garth Brooks (162 million), Elvis Presley (146.5 million), the Eagles (120 million), and Led Zeppelin (112.5 million). That means she’s not only the highest-selling woman in history, but she’s closer to the rock giants than most artists could ever dream.

Mariah Carey is the next best-selling female act with 75 million albums moved—an impressive number in its own right, but still a wide margin behind Swift’s total.

What makes this moment even wilder is the timing. Swift hasn’t even dropped her latest project yet, which means her numbers are only going to keep climbing.

If history is any indication, The Life of a Showgirl could stack millions more onto her already record-breaking haul.

It’s worth remembering how rare this kind of sales dominance is in today’s streaming-driven world. Many artists rack up billions of streams but move relatively few physical or digital albums. Swift has managed to dominate in both arenas, pulling off what feels like a nearly impossible feat in 2025.

Bottom line: Taylor Swift isn’t just living the life of a showgirl—she’s living the life of a legend, rewriting the music record books one release at a time.

Gen Z Wants Total Silence While Driving

If your ideal morning commute involves no radio, no podcasts, and no phone calls, congrats – you’re at least young at heart.

A new poll by Ziebart found Zoomers are the generation most likely to crave peace and quiet behind the wheel. 55% of Gen Z adults prefer complete silence when they drive. No podcasts. No playlists. No phone calls. Not even the gentle hum of NPR. Just the sound of rubber meeting road.

The poll looked at how different generations use their time in the car, and it turns out every age group has its own road time rituals.

Gen Z: Total silence

The poll didn’t look at why that’s the case, but here’s a guess. They think the radio is from the 1800s… think music should only be consumed through headphones… and/or they’re 24 and just got their driver’s license at 22. So they need zero distractions to avoid driving into a ditch.

Millennials: Chasing productivity

They’re the most likely to use drive time to plan their day, think about the future, or mentally run through their to-do lists. Basically, their brains are in full Google Calendar mode before they even hit the parking lot. They also listen to more podcasts than any other generation. (Probably ones on how to de-stress.)

Gen X: Still blasting those tunes

If you were born between ’65 and ’80, you’re probably still jamming out to your favorite music. A whopping 89% of Gen X respondents said listening to music is their go-to commute activity. Makes sense from the generation that had to wire a tape deck into their dad’s old Trans Am to listen to their Jane’s Addiction tapes.

Baby Boomers: ???

Boomers weren’t represented in the poll. But you can probably find them lecturing their GPS. Or if anyone from those other generations is riding shotgun, they’ll be reminiscing about when gas was under a dollar.

So whether your commute is a silent think tank, a mobile concert venue, or a motivational seminar on wheels, at least know you’re not alone in your habits. (But seriously, Gen Z. Turn that radio on. It’s free and sooooo throwback ’90s of you.)

Move Over Philly Karen, and Make Room for New York Karen!

Sports fandom has its fair share of “Karens,” but a New York Giants fan might have just set a new bar for bad behavior.

After the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 21, Patrick Mahomes walked over to hand a young Kansas City fan his headband. At least, that was the plan. But video from the moment shows a woman in a Giants shirt reaching over and grabbing it away from him.

The woman and her partner later posted a video bragging that Mahomes had come “right to her” with the gift. The internet quickly pointed out that wasn’t the case, and the footage clearly showed Mahomes aiming for the young fan. Cue instant backlash.

Instead of smoothing things over, her first response video poured gasoline on the fire.

She admitted the headband might have been meant for the child but insisted she didn’t realize it in the moment. Then she doubled down, suggesting that people around her should have spoken up and even arguing that kids today need to be “tougher.” That did not land well.

@michaelmiller_nina

Pat mahomes headband look at the video In a different angle #karen #football #fyp #trending #viral

♬ original sound – michaelmiller_nina

Facing even more outrage, she followed up with a calmer video, saying she wanted to make things right and track down the boy so he could have the headband after all.

@michaelmiller_nina

My apologies to that young boy sorry kid I’ll try to make it right #football #fyp #trending #viral #makeitright @Chiefs

♬ original sound – michaelmiller_nina

Of course, by then, the internet was firmly convinced she was only apologizing because she got caught.

It’s not the first time sports fans have made headlines for outshining their team with bad behavior. Philly has long carried the reputation for aggressive fandom (snowballs at Santa, anyone?), but this New York “Karen” is proving that questionable sportsmanship knows no zip code.

Now the big question is whether Mahomes’ headband will actually find its way to the kid it was meant for, or if this saga will just be remembered as another viral example of fans forgetting the golden rule: don’t steal from children, especially on camera.

Katie Couric Turns American Eagle Spoof Into Life-Saving PSA

Katie Couric is proving once again that she knows how to mix humor with a serious message.

In her latest PSA, the longtime journalist pokes fun at Sydney Sweeney’s viral American Eagle ad campaign, but with a twist designed to get people thinking about their health.

The video starts with Couric in a jean jacket, looking very denim-chic, before the camera zooms out to reveal she’s actually on a hospital gurney in a medical gown. Her line: “Speaking of genes. Did you know that the majority of people who develop colon cancer are not genetically predisposed to the disease? That’s why doctors recommend everyone 45 and older get checked.”

The spoof nods to Sweeney’s splashy American Eagle ad that dominated pop culture this summer. Couric told “People“ magazine the campaign’s ubiquity inspired her to piggyback on the moment. “That ad showed how pop culture and a pair of jeans could really shape the cultural conversation, it was everywhere,” she explained. “It was a moment in time, and we thought, ‘Why don’t we ride that horse a little bit longer and have some fun with it?’”

This isn’t Couric’s first time breaking boundaries around the conversation on colon cancer.

It’s been 25 years since she made headlines by televising her own colonoscopy on national TV, a groundbreaking move at the time that was credited with raising awareness and boosting screening rates. Her advocacy comes from a deeply personal place. In 1998, Couric lost her husband Jay Monahan to colon cancer when he was just 42 years old.

The timing of this new PSA couldn’t be more relevant. Colon cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers, but it’s also one of the most preventable with early screening. By blending a little pop culture parody with public health urgency, Couric manages to keep the message accessible and memorable, especially for the audience now reaching the recommended screening age of 45.

The Diet Advice of the ’80s Was Trash

Back in the 1980s, low-fat was king. Sugar? Artificial sweeteners? Heavily processed everything? No big deal!

It all started in 1980 when the U.S. government dropped its first official dietary guidelines, and suddenly fat became Public Enemy #1. So the food industry responded in the worst way possible: by stripping out fat and cranking up the sugar and chemicals. The result? A decade full of supposedly “healthy” foods that, in hindsight, were kind of a nutritional nightmare.

Let’s take a nostalgic (and slightly horrifying) stroll down memory lane with a few of the foods we thought were good for us.

Fruit Juice

OJ may seem innocent, but one cup of orange juice has as much sugar as five whole oranges. That “100% real juice” label was doing a lot of heavy lifting. If you’re craving the good stuff today, fresh-squeezed (in moderation) is your best bet.

Granola Bars

Marketed as wholesome, they were basically candy bars in disguise. Loaded with sugar, preservatives, and way too much sodium. The crunchy sound made us feel healthy, though.

Lean Cuisine

These frozen meals sounded smart: low-calorie, low-fat, quick dinner. But most were also low in protein and sky-high in sodium. They were so tasty, you could accidentally eat three of them and still feel hungry.

Diet Soda

Ah yes, the magic potion with zero calories and all the bubbly sweetness of regular soda. Turns out, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners can mess with your metabolism and actually lead to weight gain. So… not exactly diet-friendly.

Cereal

Cartoon mascots didn’t just sell us breakfast—they sold us dessert in a bowl. Many popular cereals were packed with sugar, artificial colors, and barely a trace of anything whole grain. But hey, they were “fortified” with vitamins, right?

Sports Drinks

Unless you were running marathons or sweating through a football game, there was no need for all that sugar and salt. Still, the ’80s gave rise to Gatorade, which felt like a healthier choice than soda… and we chugged it accordingly.

Milk

Milk was practically medicine in the ’80s thanks to relentless marketing campaigns. It does have calcium… so seriously, keep drinking milk. Just remember, there’s calories in there. For some, it also brings unplanned bathroom breaks. If you said you were lactose intolerant in the ’80s, you almost expected a punch in the face.

Also on the list of former “health foods”: Margarine, low-fat yogurt, rice cakes, veggie patties, SlimFast shakes, brown bread, soy milk, and sugar-free candy.

Somehow, we thought Tang and SnackWell’s were doing us a favor. It’s a miracle we made it out of that decade with functioning organs. Now excuse me, while I pour myself a bowl of TRIX.

The Average American Screws Up Four Major Decisions in Their Life

People say it’s a good idea to live without regrets… but if someone asked you how many wrong decisions you’ve made in your life, how many would you say?

And this is “major” wrong decisions… so not like “eating Taco Bell last night.” More like “my first marriage and my third child.”

According to new research, the average American estimates they have made four wrong major decisions in their life.  31% say they’ve made more.

71% say they wish they had more guidance when it comes to making large life decisions.  But honestly, mistakes are a normal part of life.

54% say they turn to their friends and family for advice when making major decisions. 

But 40% do their own research, usually online.  28% will seek out “industry professionals”… 26% will read informational books… and 25% will look for “informational videos and TV shows.”

Poll conducted by SWNS / OnePoll on behalf of AtomFinance with a panel of 2,000 Americans

The Stars Came Out for Selena Gomez’s Wedding

Selena Gomez is officially a married woman. The pop star and actress tied the knot with music producer Benny Blanco on Saturday in Santa Barbara, at a spot called Sea Crest Nursery, and the wedding already has fans buzzing online.

The couple didn’t waste time sharing the big moment. Benny posted that he married “a real-life Disney princess,” while Selena dropped photos and videos showing off the celebration.

And yes, the guest list was as A-list as it gets. Taylor Swift was there, naturally, along with Selena’s Only Murders in the Building co-stars Martin Short and Steve Martin, plus Paul Rudd. Zoe Saldana, Ed Sheeran, SZA, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Paris Hilton, Eric Andre, Finneas, and even members of her old Wizards of Waverly Place family joined the festivities.

According to reports, Sheeran and Swift gave heartfelt speeches during the reception, while Short and Martin teamed up to deliver a joint toast at the rehearsal dinner.

One of the sweetest surprises was who walked Selena down the aisle. Instead of her dad Ricardo Gomez, she chose her grandfather, David Cornett. While some outlets hinted that her mom, Mandy Teefey, was upset about the decision, Mandy set the record straight on Instagram. She called it “heartwarming” to watch her dad give Selena away, shutting down any rumors of family drama.

Adding another twist, the couple reportedly hired the same wedding planner that Justin and Hailey Bieber used, a detail fans couldn’t help but point out given Selena’s history with Justin.

Selena and Benny’s love story has been a long time coming. They first met about a decade ago in the music world, but their relationship turned romantic more recently. They got engaged last December, and now they’ve made it official.

 

A Woman Yawned So Hard, It Almost Killed Her

If you needed something new to worry about this week… yawning just made the list. Hayley Black, a 36-year-old mom in the UK, recently shared the terrifying story of how a simple morning yawn nearly ended her life. The incident happened back in 2016.

How a big yawn could paralyze, or even kill you

It all started around 5 a.m., when Hayley woke up to feed her newborn daughter, Amelia. After watching her baby yawn, Hayley instinctively did the same, tossing in a casual stretch for good measure. Then everything went sideways.

“I felt this immediate electric shock sensation go through half my body,” she said. Her arm locked midair, and she started experiencing what she described as seizure-like sensations. She knew right away something was seriously wrong.

Even her husband didn’t believe it

Her husband Ian initially brushed it off, but quickly changed course and called an ambulance. At the hospital, despite Hayley’s obvious pain, scans initially showed nothing. Medical staff assumed she was fine. But the pain kept intensifying, and she became paralyzed on her right side.

How did it paralyze her?

A more in-depth evaluation eventually revealed the horrifying truth: the force of her yawn had caused her C6 and C7 vertebrae to shoot forward into her spinal cord. She was given a 50/50 chance of walking again, or even surviving.

Rushed into surgery

Thankfully, emergency surgery was successful, but recovery was long and brutal. Hayley had to re-learn how to walk and was in a wheelchair for months. She now lives with permanent nerve damage, takes daily medication, and has developed fibromyalgia.

Paranoid it could happen again

Even today, she says any attempt to yawn triggers a wave of fear. “I can’t yawn without panic,” she said. “Every time I take a step [without medication], I get electrical shocks all up my spine and into my head.”

So the next time you feel a yawn coming on, maybe just… sip some water instead.

Bad Bunny Got the Super Bowl Halftime Show After Taylor Swift Allegedly Said No

Bad Bunny is officially headlining the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, but word is he wasn’t the first pick.

According to industry chatter, that honor went to Taylor Swift, who reportedly passed on the gig because, well, she didn’t feel like doing it for free.

The announcement dropped during “Sunday Night Football” last night, confirming that the Puerto Rican superstar will take the stage at Super Bowl 60 on February 8th, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. But behind the scenes, Taylor Swift was allegedly in negotiations to headline before walking away from the deal.

An unnamed music executive told reporters that Taylor wasn’t being “difficult” or asking for special favors, but simply standing her ground.

Quote, “She wasn’t asking for favors, she was asking for respect. Taylor knows her worth. She knows the kind of ratings she brings, the global attention she commands. She wasn’t about to hand that over for free.”

Still, Bad Bunny stepping in isn’t exactly a downgrade. The reggaeton star has dominated charts, sold out tours, and become one of the most-streamed artists on the planet. His performance is expected to bring in a massive international audience and continue the NFL’s recent streak of featuring global superstars.

He wasted no time making it clear what the moment means to him. In a statement, he wrote:

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”

The Halftime Show is considered one of the biggest stages in the world, pulling in more viewers than most award shows and even rivaling the game itself. But what many fans don’t realize is that artists don’t actually get paid for performing. The NFL covers production costs, but the exposure is supposed to be the “payment.” For an artist like Taylor Swift, who already sells out stadiums globally, that exposure may not feel like enough.

So while Swifties may have to wait a little longer for their queen to take over halftime, fans of Bad Bunny now have something huge to look forward to in 2026. One thing’s for sure: the Halftime Show is still one of the most coveted spots in entertainment, even if the paycheck is technically zero.

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