Ryan Seacrest has found himself the subject of online health speculation after sharing a few casual photos on Monday. While most of the pictures show him mid-workout and looking active, one in particular—snapped outside on a deck with his hands in his pockets—has fans raising eyebrows. The Internet’s verdict? Seacrest looks “too thin.”
The post has triggered a wave of concern and commentary, with people tossing around words like “frail,” “gaunt,” and even wondering aloud if he might be taking a weight loss drug.
The gossip mill kicked into full gear with some calling his appearance “alarming,” despite the fact that he looks strong and energetic in other pictures from the same batch.
Seacrest, who’ll be 51 in December, reportedly hasn’t made any dramatic lifestyle changes outside of a new fitness routine. A source close to him told media outlets that he’s perfectly healthy, but that his updated workouts have had a “visible change” on his body. That might explain the sudden shift fans are noticing—though it doesn’t seem to have calmed the noise online.
Of course, this isn’t the first time the public has overanalyzed a celebrity’s body, and it certainly won’t be the last.
But in this case, it seems the reaction may be a bit overblown. Seacrest has long been known for his tireless work ethic, packed schedule, and overall commitment to wellness. If he’s just leveling up his fitness game, maybe the Internet should take a deep breath and chill.
Country music star Keith Urban pulled the plug on a radio interview in Australia after things got a little too personal.
Urban was chatting via Zoom with an Aussie morning show when one of the hosts decided to stir the pot with a spicy question about his wife, Nicole Kidman. Specifically, they asked how he felt watching her get sensual with Zac Efron in her new Netflix rom-com A Family Affair.
The question? “What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife, with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron, having these beautiful love scenes on TV?”
Cue the sound of a mic dropping… followed by dead silence. Seconds later, the interview feed was cut. Whether it was Keith himself or someone on his team hitting the off switch, one thing was clear: that convo was over.
To be fair, it was a clunky question (three “beautifuls” is at least two too many), but the abrupt shutdown left the radio hosts stunned. One even joked afterward, “Does Keith Urban hate us now?”
Urban and Kidman have been married for nearly two decades—19 years and counting—which is practically a Hollywood miracle. So maybe he just wasn’t in the mood to publicly unpack his thoughts on his wife’s on-screen chemistry with Zac Efron. Fair enough.
Still, the moment went viral fast, with fans split between defending Keith’s right to keep things private and calling the shutdown a bit dramatic. Either way, one thing’s for sure: when you’re interviewing a celebrity, maybe don’t ask about their spouse’s love life with someone younger.
Looking to celebrate the Fourth of July with something a little more chill than fireworks and cookouts? Fire up the popcorn and your favorite streaming service—because patriotic movie marathons are in season. Whether you’re in the mood for action, history, or a little old-fashioned Americana, ThePioneerWoman.com has you covered with a list of festive flicks perfect for the holiday.
Here are 30 standouts to help set the red, white, and blue mood:
“Jaws” (1975) – Nothing says “Fourth of July” quite like a beach town being terrorized by a great white shark. Classic.
“Top Gun” (1986) – Jet-fueled action, volleyball, and Tom Cruise in aviators. Instant USA vibes.
“The American President” (1995) – Presidential romance meets political idealism.
“Rocky” (1976) – An underdog story that’s all heart and Philadelphia grit.
“The Sandlot” (1993) – Summertime nostalgia and baseball—need we say more?
“An American Tail“ (1986) – A sweet animated tale of immigration and the American dream.
“Live Free or Die Hard“ (2007) – Cyber-terrorism vs. Bruce Willis. USA wins, obviously.
“National Treasure” (2004) – History class meets heist movie with Nicolas Cage doing peak Nicolas Cage things.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011) – A literal superhero wrapped in a flag. Perfect.
“Apollo 13” (1995) – Real-life NASA drama that reminds you of American ingenuity.
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) – Jimmy Stewart delivers peak civic virtue.
“Air Force One” (1997) – “Get off my plane.” – Harrison Ford, American icon.
“Forrest Gump” (1994) – A Forrest-through-the-decades view of modern U.S. history.
“Hamilton” (2020) – If you haven’t watched it yet, now’s the perfect time.
“1776” (1972) – Founding Fathers sing their way through independence.
“The Six Triple Eight” (2022) – Tells the powerful true story of the only all-Black, all-female battalion in WWII.
“Captain America: Brave New World” (2025) – Sam Wilson takes up the shield in this latest Marvel chapter.
“Purple Hearts” (2022) – A military romance that dives into the complexities of love and service.
“Argo” (2012) – Tense and heroic, Ben Affleck’s film spotlights a daring hostage rescue.
“First Daughter” (2004) – Life in college gets tricky when you’re also the president’s kid.
“Johnny Tremain” (1957) – A Disney classic that revisits Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
“U-571” (2000) – A gripping WWII submarine thriller.
“Mr. 3000“ (2004) – Baseball and redemption mix in this sports comedy.
“Gettysburg“ (1993) – An epic Civil War retelling that leans heavily into historical drama.
“Lone Survivor” (2013) – A harrowing Navy SEAL mission based on real events.
“Night at the Museum” (2006) – History comes alive (literally) in the most fun way possible.
“The Post” (2017) – A newsroom drama steeped in First Amendment battles.
“The Right Stuff” (1983) – A high-flying story of NASA’s earliest pioneers.
“We Are Marshall” (2006) – A college town rebuilds after tragedy, grounded in grit and unity.
“The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters” (1982) – A nostalgic TV special about one family’s chaotic holiday.
But seriously, where is “Independence Day” on this list? Alien invasions, exploding monuments, Will Smith punching an extraterrestrial? We demand justice.
Whether you’re into historical dramas, family fun, or full-blown fireworks on screen, there’s something on this list to suit every kind of patriot. So if you’re staying in this weekend, grab some snacks, crank up the A/C, and let the stars and stripes fly on screen.
You absolutely need a July 4th playlist that hits all the right notes—whether you’re BBQing, setting off sparklers, or just soaking in the freedom vibes. Here’s a lineup of patriotic, nostalgic, and just plain fun songs to keep the red, white, and blue energy flowing:
“The Star-Spangled Banner” – Whitney Houston You have to start with the national anthem. Whitney’s version? Absolute chills.
“My Shot” – Cast of Hamilton Because what’s more American than the musical that turned founding fathers into hip-hop legends?
“Firework” – Katy Perry Fireworks, empowerment, singalongs—it checks every Independence Day box.
“Living in America” – James Brown Loud, funky, and proud. Just like your uncle with the fireworks permit.
“R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” – John Mellencamp A foot-stomping tribute to American rock ‘n’ roll roots.
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel It’s chaotic. It’s historical. It’s strangely perfect for a holiday built on revolution.
“Born on the Bayou” – Creedence Clearwater Revival Add some swampy southern grit to your summer playlist.
“America the Beautiful” – Ray Charles It doesn’t get more soulful than Ray’s version. Pure, goosebump-inducing gold.
“Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen Freedom in four and a half minutes. Roll the windows down and blast it.
“America” – Simon & Garfunkel A more reflective, folky moment in case you want to feel all the feelings.
“American Pie” – Don McLean Long, classic, and ideal for singing along with a beer in one hand and a sparkler in the other.
“American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers A sunshine-soaked anthem for every girl-next-door (and her convertible).
“Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé Yeehaw meets Yoncé. Even more perfect if you’re celebrating with BBQ and bourbon.
“Surfin’ U.S.A.” – The Beach Boys Summer, surfboards, and a whole lotta California dreamin’.
“Kids in America” – Kim Wilde A new wave classic that’s retro, upbeat, and a little rebellious—just like the holiday itself.
The 1990s gave us some iconic TV shows and movies—but let’s be real, not all of them have stood the test of time. According to Buzzfeed readers, a few beloved classics haven’t exactly aged like fine wine. Whether it’s problematic jokes, outdated storylines, or just plain cringe, here are some throwback titles people say hit differently in 2025.
1. Seinfeld This sitcom was legendary for its “show about nothing” premise, but not every gag flies today. One reader called out the episode where Jerry is possibly assaulted by his dentist while under anesthesia—a scenario that was treated as a punchline.
2. Doogie Howser, M.D. Remember when we were all charmed by the idea of a teenage doctor? Yeah, turns out the early episodes feature some incredibly questionable adult behavior toward said teenage doctor. One viewer pointed out that the first two episodes involve adult women either seducing or trying to get pregnant by him. Uh, yikes.
3. Will & Grace Despite being groundbreaking at the time for featuring gay lead characters, the humor hasn’t aged well for everyone. One reader said they felt their queerness was reduced to a punchline, with storylines reinforcing that being gay meant being either “silly” or “sad and alone.”
4. Friends Still one of the most-streamed shows today, but the list of issues is long: a parade of fat jokes, casual homophobia, Ross dating a student and trying to kiss his cousin, plus the infamous episode where the gang dumps a friend for getting sober. Chandler’s dad being played as a punchline for her gender expression didn’t help either.
5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Even this feel-good favorite isn’t immune. One person tore into Uncle Phil, saying he was portrayed as pro-Black while simultaneously ashamed of his humble roots. They also criticized how he blamed Will for just about everything and tried to control his daughters’ choices—like forbidding Hilary to pose for Playboy.
6. Mrs. Doubtfire Robin Williams is unforgettable in the role, but modern viewers have flagged the film for transphobic undertones and the unhealthy dynamic of making kids lie to their mom about their dad’s double life in disguise.
Moral of the story? Nostalgia is fun—but sometimes it’s worth rewatching your faves with fresh eyes.
What’s your technique at a barbecue? Do you grab some food and then go back if you want more? Or do you just go once and pile as much as possible on your plate?
A poll by bread brand Baker Street found 28% of us are “pilers,” where your whole plate is covered and there’s a mound of food on it. Plate pilers were voted the most common type of person seen at barbecues.
It’s one of 10 BBQ Personalities Who Seem to Show Up at Every Cookout.
1. The person who piles up way too much food on their plate
2. The person who gets their food delivered to them without getting up
3. The drinker who keeps asking if anyone else needs another beer
4. The person who will definitely drop food on the ground at some point (Dogs love that person.)
5. The person (usually a guy) who offers unsolicited grilling advice
6. The person (usually a woman) who shows up but doesn’t eat anything
7. The meat-eater who’s about to try a vegan option and wants everyone to care
8. The person who won’t eat with their hands
9. The person who wants to take over the music and be DJ
10. The person who shows up with their own chair
The poll also came up with four steps you can take to be seen as the “perfect” guest at your Fourth of July barbecue:
Bring something.
Offer to help the host.
Before you eat, ask if you can get food for someone else.
It’s camping season. At least I think it is. Actually, I have no idea. I’m more of a hotel guy. I’ve seen way too much death in the great outdoors. At least in the movies.
Plus, sleeping bags are death traps. Don’t believe me? Then I respectfully enter these five examples into evidence.
“Friday the 13th Part 7: The New Blood” (1988)
Jason Voorhees had already survived a vicious onslaught from Corey Feldman (something we, as a society, have yet to achieve) and returned from the dead to continue mowing through teenagers with an assortment of gardening tools.
But surprisingly, for a franchise rooted in summer camp lore, they waited an awfully long time to have Jason just wrap someone up in their sleeping bag and bash them to death against a tree. They wouldn’t wait that long again…
“Jason X” (2001)
Just three films later we got the obligatory “in space” installment in the “Friday the 13th” franchise. Reviled by many, I would argue it’s the best one since the original more than 20 years prior. All pretense is out the window as we dive intentionally into self-parody. And it’s fun.
Jason, cryogenically frozen for more than 400 years, awakens on a spaceship in the year 2455. (Don’t ask, just go with it.) Obviously, he’s still got murder on his mind, and despite all their gadgetry and scientific know-how, crew members begin dropping just as easily as their dimwitted camp counselor ancestors.
In the movie’s best scene, they try to confuse Jason by luring him onto a holodeck and setting it to “Crystal Lake, Nineteen-Hundred-Eighty.” Jason finds himself in a virtual reality simulation of his old stomping grounds, where two nubile young girls try to tempt him with alcohol, marijuana, and – GASP! – the dreaded premarital sex.
They pop their tops and hop into their sleeping bags, only to have Jason bash them to death against each other. And then a tree. Ain’t space grand?
“Rats: Night of Terror” (1984)
There is simply nothing like Italian Horror from the ’70s and ’80s… especially when the writer-director team of Bruno Mattei, Claudio Fragasso, and Rosella Drudi were involved.
This one’s pretty simple: A biker gang roaming the post-apocalyptic world think they’ve found an old ghost town to hunker down for the night. And then… rats. Followed by a night of terror.
One of the biker chicks makes the mistake of getting into a sleeping bag with a bad zipper, and she’s stuck in their while a rat burrows into her… well, I’ll let you use your imagination.
Minutes later, when her cohorts find her corpse, they watch in, yes, terror as her mouth opens and the rat emerges. A simple trick achieved by the actress wearing a rat “puppet” on her tongue.
FYI, Fragasso and Drudi, married until her death earlier this year, are responsible for one of the greatest “bad” movies of all time, 1990’s “Troll 2.”
“Night of the Demon” (1980)
This is a Bigfoot movie, but it’s no “Harry and the Hendersons.” This sasquatch impregnates a human woman, disembowels a guy and swings his intestines overhead like a lasso, and, in the film’s most outrageous scene, rips a man’s dick off while he’s peeing in the bushes.
He also happens upon a young man sleeping peacefully out in the great wide open. Does he show mercy? Hell no. He picks him up, sleeping bag and all, twirls him around several times and lets him fly. He ends up impaled on a tree branch, hanging upside down while the blood flows up his neck and all over his face.
“Prophecy” (1979)
Decades before “South Park” brought us ManBearPig, director John Frankenheimer served up this eco horror trashterpiece featuring a gigantic mutant bear. Twisted out of proportion by a New England paper mill’s toxic waste, this thing runs amok and starts killing.
As sleeping bag deaths go, this one isn’t the most graphic, but it’s shocking in its sheer brutality. As the bear-thing attacks his campsite, a young kid jumps up, still in his sleeping bag, and tries to hop away. But the bear-thing swats him so hard, he goes flying into a nearby boulder.
This poor boy hits that thing harder than Wyle E. Coyote ever smashed into a rock wall with a tunnel painted on it; such is the force of the impact that his sleeping bag explodes in a snowstorm of feathery down. Truly absurd, yet incredibly effective.
And so, in closing, you can keep your great outdoors; your bugs, your snakes, your sasquatches, and your immortal hockey-masked serial killers.
I’ll be at the hotel, where the only horror that awaits me is my bill after I drink a six-ounce bottle of water from the mini fridge.
If your productivity this week has dipped below “bare minimum,” you’re in excellent (and lazy) company. A recent poll found that 45% of American workers admit they’re not really getting anything done between now and the Fourth of July. And frankly, the other 55% might just be lying to look good.
That’s right: nearly half of us are mentally out of office, spiritually beachside, and physically still showing up to Zoom meetings with the camera off.
And we’re not just talking about a slow day or two. Half the country thinks the entire week of July 4th should be a national no-work zone.
49% say companies should just close up shop and let everyone live their best summer life. Millennials and Gen Z are especially here for it: 61% are in favor of making it official.
Meanwhile, only 32% of older workers agree. Which tracks. These are the same people who think taking a sick day for appendicitis is “pushing it.”
But here’s the twist: a mid-year summer break might actually help companies.
35% of workers believe they’d be more productive the rest of the year if they knew they had a week off in July. 28% said they’d work harder, and 22% would be more likely to recommend their company to others. So yes, Cheryl in HR… time off is a retention strategy.
If you are getting more than just Friday off, congratulations, you’re living the dream. Only 34% of workers will get two or more days off this week, and just 10% are getting the full five-day break. The rest of us are pretending to care while googling “patriotic jello shot recipes.”
So go ahead and phone it in this week. Just make sure your boss is phoning it in too.
If you’ve ever dreamed of watching the General Lee fly through the air like it did every week on “The Dukes of Hazzard”, you’re in luck—because it just happened. For real.
On Saturday, a stunt driver launched a replica of the iconic orange Dodge Charger 150 feet through the air in downtown Somerset, Kentucky, recreating a classic TV moment with a very real risk of disaster. The car soared over the city’s fountain square as part of the Somernites Cruise, a massive classic car show now in its 25th year.
And yes, the landing was exactly what you’d expect from a car that just flew a third of a football field.
The General Lee slammed into the ground, bounced a few times, shed its back bumper and a door, and nearly clipped a cameraman. Because nothing screams authentic like a flying car barely missing a guy with a camcorder.
The daredevil behind the wheel was Raymond Kohn, a stuntman known for his work with the Northeast Ohio Dukes. He’s done these kinds of jumps before, all in tribute to the TV show’s over-the-top stunts—and, let’s be honest, physics-defying nonsense.
About 35,000 people showed up to watch the jump, turning Somerset into a scene straight out of Hazzard County. Making things even more nostalgic, actors John Schneider and Byron Cherry, a.k.a. Bo and Coy Duke, were also on hand, signing autographs and snapping photos with fans.
The event quickly went viral, with clips of the jump making the rounds online, and it’s easy to see why. Between the flying muscle car, the roaring crowd, and the brush with bodily harm, it’s pure internet gold—and a throwback for anyone who grew up watching the Duke boys outwit Boss Hogg.
