tv – Topical Fruit

The Best Sitcom Neighbors of All Time

Every sitcom needs a good neighbor. Sometimes they are lovable. Sometimes they are annoying.

Sometimes they exist purely to pop in uninvited and wreck everyone’s day. And every once in a while, they get so popular they basically hijack the entire show.

MSN.com just released a list of the 26 best sitcom neighbors ever, and their Top 15 is basically a love letter to the scene-stealers who lived next door. These characters weren’t just background noise — they delivered punchlines, stole scenes, and sometimes became the show.

Here’s who made the top of the list:

Ned Flanders (The Simpsons)
Homer’s relentlessly cheerful and overly wholesome neighbor since 1989. Started as a one-joke character and evolved into one of the show’s most developed (and beloved) personalities.
Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld)
The human hurricane who never knocked, never worked, and somehow always thrived. His entrances alone are sitcom royalty.
George Jefferson (All in the Family)
A strong enough neighbor to get his own spinoff. And then become a legend.
Ed Norton (The Honeymooners)
Classic buddy-neighbor energy with Ralph Kramden. A true OG of the genre.
Fred and Ethel Mertz (I Love Lucy)
The grumpy but lovable landlords who were always part of Lucy’s schemes (whether they wanted to be or not).
Gladys Kravitz (Bewitched)
Possibly the original “nosy neighbor.” If you’ve ever side-eyed your window because of something weird next door, you’re channeling Gladys.
Steve Urkel (Family Matters)
Supposed to be a one-episode guest. Became the entire show. Did he do that? Yes. Yes, he did.
Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
The ultimate meddling mom-next-door. Equal parts loving and overbearing.
Wilson Wilson Jr. (Home Improvement)
Wise, mysterious, and the only neighbor to drop life advice without ever fully revealing his face.
Newman (Seinfeld)
“Hello, Jerry.” Postal worker. Nemesis. Icon.
Kimmy Gibbler (Full House)
Loud, weird, and somehow always in the kitchen. She was every kid’s nightmare and every sitcom’s dream.
Mr. Feeney (Boy Meets World)
Neighbor, teacher, mentor, life coach — and always within earshot of a heartfelt moment.
Barney Rubble (The Flintstones)
Fred Flintstone’s best buddy and next-door caveman. Loyal, goofy, and still quotable.
Rhoda Morgenstern (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
Brought sass, heart, and her own spinoff to the neighbor game.
Roger (What’s Happening!!)
Brought charm and cool-kid energy to the building, and a lot of laughs with it.

From the wacky to the wise, these sitcom neighbors made their mark — and in a lot of cases, they’re the ones we remember most.

Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” Finally Cracks the Billboard Hot 100, After 50 Years

“Landslide” is one of those songs that feels too big, too iconic, and too emotionally baked into pop culture to still have firsts left.

And yet, nearly 50 years after Fleetwood Mac released it, the song has just debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to the series finale of “Stranger Things”.

Nearly five decades after its release, Fleetwood Mac’s iconic 1975 song “Landslide” has debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 for the very first time, landing at an impressive #41.

“Landslide” has long been one of Fleetwood Mac’s most beloved songs, the kind of track that feels permanently woven into pop culture. It is regularly cited as a fan favorite, shows up on countless best-of lists, and has been covered by artists across genres. Still, despite all that love, the original studio version had never actually cracked Billboard’s main singles chart.

That makes this moment especially wild. A song that has sold more than two million units and is certified two-times platinum by the RIAA is only now officially a Hot 100 hit. It turns out cultural impact and chart history do not always line up neatly.

This is not “Landslide’s” first brush with the charts, though. A live version of the song reached #51 back in 1998, thanks to Fleetwood Mac’s massively successful live reunion album “The Dance”. That release introduced the song to a whole new generation at the time, much like “Stranger Things” has done now.

The latest surge proves, once again, just how powerful TV soundtracks can be.

“Stranger Things” has a solid track record of reviving older songs and pushing them into the streaming era spotlight, and “Landslide” is the newest beneficiary. Viewers heard it during a major emotional moment, immediately searched for it, streamed it, and sent it climbing straight onto the charts.

For Fleetwood Mac fans, this chart debut feels long overdue. For everyone else, it is a reminder that great songs do not expire. Sometimes they just wait patiently for their moment, even if that moment comes almost 50 years later.

These Are the Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time

Trying to rank the best cartoon characters of all time is basically asking for chaos.

Everyone has their favorites, everyone has nostalgia blinders on, and everyone is convinced their childhood cartoons were objectively better. MovieWeb.com leaned into that chaos anyway and released a ranked list of the Top 20 cartoon characters ever, and honestly, it is pretty solid, even if it is guaranteed to start arguments.

At the very top of the list is Mickey Mouse, the original cartoon superstar and the face of an entire entertainment empire. Mickey has been around for nearly a century and somehow remains instantly recognizable to kids, parents, and grandparents alike. Right behind him is Bugs Bunny, the wisecracking Looney Tunes icon who turned sarcasm into an art form long before it was cool.

Landing at number three is the entire Simpsons family, which feels like a bit of a cheat but also completely justified. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have been cultural fixtures for decades, shaping comedy, satire, and animated TV in a way few characters ever have.

SpongeBob SquarePants takes the fourth spot, representing a newer generation of cartoon dominance. He is endlessly quotable, wildly expressive, and somehow appeals to kids and exhausted adults at the same time. Fred Flintstone comes in at number five, reminding everyone that cartoons were doing prime-time TV long before streaming existed.

Classic chaos lands at number six with Tom and Jerry, while Ash Ketchum and Pikachu from “Pokémon” grab the seventh spot. Scooby-Doo checks in at number eight, proving that cowardly mystery-solving dogs never go out of style.

Rounding out the top ten are Snoopy and Charlie Brown at nine, followed by Optimus Prime at ten. One brings quiet, existential humor, and the other brings robots, explosions, and inspirational speeches.

The middle of the list features the “South Park” kids at eleven, the “Rugrats” gang at twelve, and Wile E. Coyote with the Road Runner at thirteen. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig follow at fourteen and fifteen, representing the golden age of animation absurdity.

Tweety and Sylvester come in at sixteen, Garfield at seventeen, Casper the Friendly Ghost at eighteen, and Popeye the Sailor Man at nineteen. Closing out the list at number twenty are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who have somehow remained cool through multiple generations, reboots, and pizza-related catchphrases.

No list like this will ever make everyone happy, but that is kind of the point. Whether you grew up with Saturday morning cartoons, after-school reruns, or streaming marathons, these characters helped define pop culture. The full list goes to 35, and if your favorite didn’t make it, congratulations, you have just found your next argument.

The Ultimate “Stranger Things” Playlist to Get You Ready for the Final Season

If you’ve been counting down the days until “Stranger Things” returns, you’re definitely not alone.

With the final season dropping, fans everywhere are rewatching old episodes, brushing up on the Upside Down lore, and of course, putting together the perfect “Stranger Things” playlist. After all, the show’s music has basically become its own character. Think Kate Bush blasting while Max runs for her life, or Eddie shredding Metallica in one of the most metal moments in TV history.

If you’re hosting a watch party or just want to feel like you’re biking through Hawkins with the crew, here are the essential songs you’ll want on repeat. These tracks have all appeared in the series over the years, and they nail that nostalgic, eerie, synthy, monster-fighting vibe fans love.

Let’s begin with the biggest one. Yes, that one.

Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” is practically synonymous with the series at this point. Then there’s Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, forever tied to Eddie Munson’s heroic guitar solo. Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” captures the show’s emotional punch, and Bon Jovi’s “Runaway” fits the rebellious energy of Season 2.

The list only gets more fun from there. The Cars’ “Moving in Stereo”, The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, and Toto’s “Africa” bring back some of the most memorable early-season moments. No explanation needed. If you know, you know.

Here’s a list of must-have tracks featured on the series so far:

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)”, Kate Bush
“Master of Puppets”, Metallica
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”, Journey
“Runaway”, Bon Jovi
“Never Ending Story”, Limahl
“Rock You Like a Hurricane”, Scorpions
“Moving in Stereo”, The Cars
“Should I Stay or Should I Go”, The Clash
“Every Breath You Take”, The Police
“Tarzan Boy”, Baltimora
“Psycho Killer”, Talking Heads
“Africa”, Toto
“Islands in the Stream”, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
“Just Another Day”, Oingo Boingo
“Hazy Shade of Winter”, The Bangles
“Time After Time”, Cyndi Lauper
“Pass the Dutchie”, Musical Youth
“Sunglasses at Night”, Corey Hart
“Whip It”, DEVO
“Girls on Film”, Duran Duran

If you’re still hungry for more Hawkins nostalgia, there are over 160 additional songs here, and Spotify even has an official playlist ready to go.

So crank up the volume, grab your Eggos, and get ready. This soundtrack will have you feeling like you’re right there in the Upside Down.

“Stranger Things”: Gearing Up for “One Last Ride” in L.A.

Getting ready for the “Stranger Things” One Last Ride event in L.A. this weekend. Had to get this baby all shined up. 🧇🔦🚲📺

@thetopicalfruit
Can’t wait for Sunday’s Stranger Things One Last Ride fan event in Los Angeles! 🚲 Here’s a close-up of my Mike Wheeler replica bike from Schwinn. See you there! @Stranger Things @CicLAvia #strangerthings #schwinn #losangeles #netflix
♬ 80s, Synthwave, Retro Pop(1151104) – Gloveity

Update:

@thetopicalfruit
My day at the “Stranger Things” One Last Ride event. I loved seeing all the fans’ costumes. Less than 24 hours until the Season 5 premiere! 🚲🙃 @CicLAvia @Stranger Things #upsidedown #strangerthings #netflix #losangeles #ciclavia
♬ 80s Retro Synth Pop – MetamixMusic

Drake Bell and Josh Peck Just Shared a Drink… In a Very Gross Way

Nickelodeon nostalgia is alive and well, but Drake Bell and Josh Peck might’ve taken it a sip too far.

Josh just dropped a new Instagram video that starts off innocently enough: he’s sipping a drink through a straw. Enter Drake, who casually leans in with his own straw—then pops it between Josh’s lips and starts drinking the same beverage, straight from Josh’s mouth.

Yep, you read that right. It’s a mix between a friendship flex and a scene from a weird rom-com no one asked for.

Some fans are cracking up, others are gagging, and everyone’s talking about it.

Still, it’s not all shock value. The video has fans buzzing about whether it’s teasing something bigger—like an official Drake & Josh reunion. The two have had a complicated friendship since their Nickelodeon days, drifting apart for years before publicly reconciling. Seeing them back together, sharing a moment that’s both gross and goofy, feels like classic Drake & Josh energy.

So, could this viral video be the start of a reboot announcement? Maybe. Or maybe they’re just having fun and testing how much their fans can handle. Either way, they’ve proven that some duos never lose their chaotic chemistry.

This clip is pure nostalgia with a splash of “wait, did that just happen?”—and the internet can’t stop sipping it up.

Tom Bergeron Is Coming Home to “Dancing with the Stars” for Its 20th Anniversary

Five years after getting the ballroom boot, Tom Bergeron is making a comeback on Dancing with the Stars—and fans couldn’t be happier.

The longtime host will return next Tuesday to help the show celebrate its 20th anniversary, stepping back onto the dance floor as a guest judge alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.

Bergeron, who hosted DWTS for 15 years and 28 seasons, told reporters he’s looking forward to the reunion. “I’m anticipating that it’s going to be a wonderfully emotional, nostalgic night,” he said. “It’s so much fun to watch my friends do the work. I don’t have to throw to commercials. I don’t have to worry about the timing.”

For longtime viewers, Bergeron’s return feels like a full-circle moment. He was the face of Dancing with the Stars from its debut in 2005 until 2020, when he and co-host Erin Andrews were unexpectedly let go.

The move shocked fans and sparked plenty of debate online about whether the show could thrive without its beloved emcee.

While the series has continued to evolve—with new hosts, new formats, and a streaming move to Disney+—Bergeron’s easy charm and quick wit have remained unmatched in the eyes of many fans. His return to the judging table, even temporarily, is being seen as both a nostalgic nod to the past and a savvy way to mark two decades of sparkly chaos, celebrity missteps, and viral samba fails.

The show’s 20th anniversary special promises a night filled with familiar faces, emotional performances, and plenty of reminiscing.

And for Bergeron, it sounds like the perfect gig: he gets to enjoy the party without worrying about keeping the show on schedule.

The special airs next Tuesday, so grab your sequins and your score paddles—it’s time to welcome Tom Bergeron back to the ballroom.

“Stranger Things” Confirms What We Feared: Eddie Munson Is Gone for Good

The dream is dead, “Stranger Things” fans – literally.

Creator Matt Duffer has officially crushed the long-running theory that Eddie Munson might somehow make a comeback in the show’s fifth and final season.

In an interview, Duffer confirmed what most of us probably knew deep down but refused to accept: Eddie’s gone for good. “I love that Joe Quinn is toying with people,” Duffer said. “But no, he’s dead. Joe is so busy anyway. He’s shot like five movies since! When’s he got time to come and shoot ‘Stranger Things‘?”

Duffer added,”No, sadly, RIP. He’s fully under that ground.”

It’s a rough blow for fans who fell in love with Eddie’s chaotic energy and heavy metal heart. His heroic Season 4 sendoff shredding Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” in the Upside Down before sacrificing himself, was one of the show’s most unforgettable moments. But ever since, the fandom has been buzzing with conspiracy theories and wishful thinking.

Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie, didn’t exactly help. In mid-2024, he told fans there was a “high chance” of his character returning, fueling months of speculation that maybe, just maybe, the lovable metalhead wasn’t gone forever. Was he messing with us? Or was Duffer playing defense to keep a secret twist under wraps? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Fans have been flooding social media with heartbreak and memes, mourning Eddie all over again. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “They could’ve at least given us ghost Eddie. Justice for Hawkins’ most misunderstood rock god!”

The countdown is now on for the show’s final chapter. The first four episodes of “Stranger Things” Season 5 will drop November 26th on Netflix.

Long live the Hellfire Club.

The Creators of “Stranger Things” Studied TV’s Best Finales to Craft the Perfect Ending

When it comes to ending a beloved show, the Duffer Brothers aren’t winging it.

The creators of “Stranger Things” have been studying the art of the TV finale, looking to some of the most acclaimed series for inspiration: “Six Feet Under”, “Friday Night Lights”, and “The Sopranos”.

Ross Duffer told “Variety“ that they spent time analyzing what made those endings work so well. “The best ones were very true to themselves,” he said. “The shows that are trying to be super clever, I think that’s where it can go wrong really quickly.”

His brother Matt added that they’ve actually had the end in mind for a long time.

“We knew roughly what the end scene was for years,” he said. “There were elements of it that were discussed for weeks, but the core idea of the ending, we had for a really long time. Anyway, we’re really happy with the way it ended. It’s nerve-racking to put it out. I’m sure people will have opinions!”

While we won’t know exactly what elements from those classic finales inspired them until the show’s fifth and final season drops on Netflix this New Year’s Eve, the Duffers did reveal one detail: the final episode will be titled “The Rightside Up” and run about two hours long.

If you’re curious what makes those other finales so memorable, here’s a quick refresher.

“Six Feet Under” gave us a haunting, emotional montage showing how each main character eventually dies. “Friday Night Lights” went a more hopeful route, flashing forward to show where everyone ended up. And then there’s “The Sopranos”, which cut to black mid-scene, leaving viewers to debate Tony Soprano’s fate for nearly two decades.

With “Stranger Things” . . . a show that’s balanced supernatural horror with heartfelt storytelling since day one . . . the bar is sky-high. But if the Duffers’ research pays off, Hawkins might just get an ending as iconic as the Upside Down itself.

The Best Dog Performances in Movies and TV

If you think your dog deserves an Oscar for “Best Couch Hog,” wait until you see this list.

Den of Geek has rounded up the all-time greatest canine performances in film and television, and the results prove that Hollywood’s biggest stars don’t always walk on two legs.

At the top of the list? The legendary Lassie, or rather the six heroic Collies who shared the role across decades: Pal, Lassie Junior, Spook, Baby, Mire, and Hey Hey. These pups defined loyalty, bravery, and perfectly timed barking, making “Lassie” the ultimate good dog story.

Coming in at #2 is Indy, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from “Good Boy”, the new horror movie told entirely from a dog’s perspective. The film has been getting attention for its eerie premise and standout canine acting, so this ranking gives Indy some well-earned treats.

Third place goes to Terry, the little Cairn Terrier who stole hearts as Toto in “The Wizard of Oz”. Over 80 years later, Toto’s “We’re not in Kansas anymore” moment still lives rent-free in our collective memory.

Here’s the full Top 10 lineup of Hollywood’s best four-legged performers:

Pal, Lassie Junior, Spook, Baby, Mire, and Hey Hey (“Lassie”)
Indy (“Good Boy”)
Terry as Toto (“The Wizard of Oz”)
Spike (“Old Yeller”)
Buddy (“Air Bud”)
Messi as Snoop (“Anatomy of a Fall”)
Uggie (“The Artist”)
Higgins and Benjean (“Benji”)
Chris (“Beethoven”)
All 22 Labradors who shared the role of Marley (“Marley & Me”)

What makes this list extra fun is the reminder that dogs have been stealing scenes since long before CGI or TikTok filters. From heroic Collies and loyal Terriers to chaos-loving Labs, these stars remind us why dogs will always be Hollywood’s best co-stars.