<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert Cosby Jr., who is the son of &#8220;The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City&#8221; star Mary Cosby, has died at the age of 23.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">TMZ broke the </span><a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/02/25/robert-cosby-jr-dead/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on Wednesday that Cosby Jr. died on Monday, but did not immediately reveal his cause of death. His parents, Mary and Robert Cosby Sr., told the outlet in a statement: &#8220;Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The outlet noted that police responded to a possible overdose, but so far, that information is unconfirmed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cosby Jr. was seen on the popular reality show and discussed his substance abuse issues there, per </span><a href="https://deadline.com/2026/02/robert-cosby-jr-dead-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-mary-cosby-son-1236736063/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deadline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In a Season 5 episode, the reality star said he used Xanax, Adderall, acid, “Molly,” and cocaine. He also confessed to his mother that he had thoughts of suicide and self-harm in the past.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’re the only reason I didn’t kill myself,” he told his mom in one episode. His mother replied, “You have to know I love you more than anything, more than anything in this world. I think I love you more than dad — don’t ever tell [him] I said that. But you’re my friend, you’re my son, you’re my gift. God gave you to me. You’re the only thing that ever made me happy. Before I had you, I was never happy. You came, and you were so real. You [were] everything I hoped [for] in a person.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cosby Jr.’s wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce in November 2025 following accusations of domestic violence and a restraining order. These all stemmed multiple domestic incidents, including one at Smokoff’s parents&#8217; house, leading to more than a dozen charges being filed against Cosby Jr., several of which he pleaded guilty to. The divorce was finalized earlier this year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;Real Housewives&#8221; executive producer Andy Cohen responded to Cosby Jr.&#8217;s death on Threads, writing, “Devastatingly sad news out of SLC. This is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr.”</span></p>


Mary Cosby

‘Real Housewives’ Star Mary Cosby’s Son Dies At 23

Celebrities

Death

Entertainment

Real Housewives

Reality TV

Television

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli suggested that the characters in the HBO crime drama would “probably” be supporters of Donald Trump if the show were made today.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The show is about the American dream, especially through the eyes of immigrants,” the actor </span><a href="https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/features/the-sopranos-michael-imperioli-steve-schirripa-b2919914.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> during an interview with The Independent this month. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think that would be one of the big themes if it was made today: the current climate in the US and what they’re doing to immigrants,” he went on. “The fact is that these characters are all immigrants, but I think a lot of them would probably be Trump supporters, oddly enough. So how do they reconcile those things? When Italians came over – and people forget this, or they don’t want to see it – a lot of them were undocumented,” the actor went on.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Imperioli is best known for his starring role as Christopher Moltisanti in the iconic series, which many consider to be one of the greatest television shows ever made. “The Sopranos” ran for six seasons from 1999 to 2007, telling the story of mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) trying to balance family life with his violent career path.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Imperioli was nominated for Emmy Awards four times, winning once for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This isn’t the first time Trump has been mentioned in conjunction with “The Sopranos.” In 2019, series creator David Chase said Gandolfini wouldn’t be a Trump fan. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He would think the guy was full of [expletive],” he </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/arts/television/david-chase-sopranos-interview.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">told</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The New York Times at the time. “Whether he thought he was a good president or not — I don’t know that Tony thought much about that question at all, with anybody who was in office. But I know Tony would have thought Trump was penny-ante, in terms of his lying and presentation.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The television exec also noted that A.J. Soprano, played by Robert Iler, would have been part of the first Trump administration. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;He might be the new chief of staff,&#8221; he told the outlet. &#8220;He&#8217;d be buddy-buddy with Stephen Miller, I know that.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Imperioli’s comments are in direct opposition to what he was saying in 2020 when the actor posted several memes about “Sopranos” characters being Biden supporters.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m taking ownership of the confusion between myself and the character and trying to control that narrative instead of letting it get away from me…. Taking these memes and the politics and just trying to say, ‘the Sopranos are woke now, and they’re campaigning for Biden,’” the actor </span><a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/the-sopranos-joe-biden-christopher-michael-imperioli?srsltid=AfmBOooVUboLiGUhFtZeTajPeo1-VOxX27KwzuPmnUhWXEkr2bGRYZZa"><span style="font-weight: 400;">told</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Vanity Fair at the time. </span></p>


Michael Imperioli

‘Sopranos’ Star Reveals How Tony And The Crew Would Vote Today

Michael Imperioli Says 'Sopranos' Characters Would 'Probably' Be Trump Supporters

Donald Trump

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actor Eric Dane, best known for his role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” has died at the age of 53, just one year after announcing his ALS diagnosis.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The star’s family confirmed his passing with a </span><a href="https://people.com/eric-dane-dead-greys-anatomy-star-was-53-11717334"><span style="font-weight: 400;">statement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> shared with People. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,&#8221; it said. &#8220;He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dane, who was born in San Francisco, started acting on a whim and loved it. He got his start with guest roles on popular shows including “Saved by the Bell,” “The Wonder Years,” “Roseanne,” “Married With Children,” and “Silk Stalkings” before becoming a household name playing Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy,” on &#8220;Grey&#8217;s Anatomy&#8221; beginning in 2006. He also had a major role in “Euphoria.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The actor was married to actress Rebecca Gayheart since 2004 and the pair had two children together. Gayheart had previously filed for divorce in 2018, but called it off in 2025, saying she and Dane were still “best of friends,” as The Daily Wire previously </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/euphoria-greys-anatomy-actor-diagnosed-with-als"><span style="font-weight: 400;">reported</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control. Over time, individuals with ALS may lose the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe independently.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ALS has no cure, and people who receive this diagnosis usually only live three to five years after symptoms start.</span></p>


Eric Dane

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Actor Dies At 53

Grey's Anatomy

U.S.

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The big media controversy of the day comes courtesy of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and late-night television host Stephen Colbert.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talarico insisted that CBS spiked his interview with Stephen Colbert, claiming, “</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see. His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">”</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.</p>
<p>His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert.</p>
<p>Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas. <a href="https://t.co/BCev5jZbKc">pic.twitter.com/BCev5jZbKc</a></p>
<p>— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamestalarico/status/2023659473466687994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Credit: @jamestalarico/X.com</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talarico is the probable Senate nominee for the Democrats in Texas and has been highly touted by a wide variety of people across the political spectrum, including Joe Rogan, on whose show he appeared.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the reason CBS spiked the interview is because they&#8217;re afraid of the so-called Equal Time Rule. The FCC says that in a Senate primary, if you provide time to one candidate, you also have to provide equal time to the other candidates. CBS then said they didn’t want to provide equal time to Talarico’s rivals, including Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett or some other fringe candidate. Colbert then went on the air and ripped into CBS.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At this point, Colbert is hoping that he is fired so he can be treated as a victim — a victim of the Trump administration and their evil acolytes like Larry and David Ellison. Since that is his goal, he is actively attempting to militate for his own dismissal.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-2370-dave-chappelle-has-lost-it"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-974957 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp" alt="DailyWire+" width="1024" height="171" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-300x50.webp 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-768x128.webp 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1536x256.webp 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-2048x341.webp 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That is what he is doing right now. So, after the interview, he went on the air and said:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">You might have heard of this thing called the Equal Time rule. Okay. It&#8217;s an old FCC rule that applies only to radio on broadcast television, not cable or streaming, that says if a show has a candidate on during an election, they have to have all that candidate&#8217;s opponents on as well. It’s the FCC&#8217;s most time honored rule right after no nipples at the Super Bowl. There&#8217;s long been an exception for this rule, an exception for news interviews and talk show interviews with politicians.</span></i></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that&#8217;s crucial. How else were voters supposed to know back in 92 that Bill Clinton sucked at saxophone? But on January 21 of this year, a letter was released by FCC chairman and smug bowling pin Brendan Carr. In this letter, Carr said he was thinking about dropping the exception for talk shows because he said some of them were motivated by partisan purposes. Well, sir, you&#8217;re chairman of the FCC, so FCC you. </span></i></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brendan Carr is correct. Colbert is </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">obviously</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> motivated by partisan purposes. When was the last time he had a major Republican guest? Can you name one? When has he invited a major Republican guest on his show and treated that person with the same sort of kid gloves with which he treats Democrats?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is basically an ad for one Democrat or another. It is MS NOW with some bad jokes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CBS responded:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">THE LATE SHOW was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Rep. James Talarico. The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled. THE LATE SHOW decided to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options.</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, Colbert and his team tried to retell the lie that the FCC had overtly banned CBS from airing the interview with Talarico. That was not true. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then, he tried to retell the lie that CBS banned the interview because they were afraid of Talarico. And if Colbert hosted Talarico, then presumably he would also have to host a Republican candidate in the Texas Senate race, like Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That is not what the equal time rule says. In the middle of the primary season, Colbert would have had to host another Democrat, Representative Jasmine Crockett. And the producers of “The Late Show” decided not to promote the interview on the air because then they would have to do the same for other </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Democrats</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For what it&#8217;s worth, Talarico is basically a straight Pete Buttigieg. That is his entire schtick, down to the Pastor Pete routine.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you can remember back that far, one of the most irritating facets of the “Pete Buttigieg for President” campaign — and what irritated me most — is when he would suddenly turn into the world&#8217;s worst Sunday School teacher and cite the Bible to say completely non-Biblical things. He would try to explain that the Bible has nothing to say about issues ranging from same-sex marriage to abortion, and that it&#8217;s just a social justice document drafted by the Democratic National Committee.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, Talarico is doing the same exact thing. He&#8217;s claiming that you&#8217;re a bad Christian if you believe that same-sex marriage is non-Biblical.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the record, same-sex marriage</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> non-Biblical. There are many books of the Bible that reference this, not least of which is Leviticus.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Trying to do the Pastor Pete routine, Talarico declared:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jesus gave us two commandments: Love God and love neighbor. And there was no exception to that second commandment. Love thy neighbor, regardless of race or gender or sexual orientation or immigration status or religious affiliation. And it&#8217;s why I have fought so hard for the separation of church and state in the state capital in Texas.</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Democrats try to reframe their own religiosity on the basis of “Jesus was a post- religious figure who was in favor of secular humanism” — I may not be a New Testament expert, but it seems to me that Jesus was, in his human form, a Jew growing up under Biblical law, and that Jesus as the creator of Christianity, proceeded to suggest that people ought to follow the precepts of Christianity rather exclusively.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I think that’s a non-controversial take on the Bible.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&#8217;s amazing how far Democrats have moved in my lifetime. Democrats used to do this routine where they would say, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, the Bible says that abortion is bad, Christianity says abortion is bad. There is a long-standing, several thousand years old doctrine that abortion is not approved, that same-sex marriage is not approved, and that homosexual activity is a sin. These are long-standing religious traditions, but we have separation of church and state. In terms of public policy, I don&#8217;t believe in making public policy on the basis of Biblical law, because this is not a theocracy.</span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That used to be the Democratic stance, which I think is weak when it comes to trying to make peace with Christians, but at least it is arguable. The new Democratic standards are that the Bible is somehow a document that greenlights same-sex marriage and encourages abortion, and if you truly were a Christian, you would be in favor of all these things.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talarico says, “Love thy neighbor means love thy neighbor, regardless of immigration status or sexual orientation.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bible says you are supposed to love thy neighbor as thyself, but you are </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">not supposed to love his sin</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You&#8217;re not supposed to place a stumbling block in front of the blind. There’s the Biblical injunction, which is commonly presumed to mean that you are not supposed to allow your neighbor to go without redress. If he’s sinning, you&#8217;re supposed to warn him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, back to CBS: What’s happening at CBS right now is an attempt to scuttle the ownership change at CBS and also target Bari Weiss at CBS News.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&#8217;s all about virtue signaling for the Democrats. It has nothing to do with reality.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Democratic lawmakers, for their part, are suggesting they&#8217;re now going to investigate CBS. Representative Darren Soto of Florida wrote, “FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s reign on unlawful censorship continues. This time he’s blocking Democratic candidates. @EnergyCommerce Dems will be investigating this outrage. A reckoning is coming.”</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s reign on unlawful censorship continues. This time he’s blocking Democratic candidates.<a href="https://twitter.com/EnergyCommerce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EnergyCommerce</a> Dems will be investigating this outrage. A reckoning is coming… <a href="https://t.co/56MmbYdfIR">https://t.co/56MmbYdfIR</a></p>
<p>— Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDarrenSoto/status/2023767918023262264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Credit: @RepDarrenSoto/X.com</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All of this shows you what Democrats are going to do with Congress if they happen to win in 2026, which is to shut everything down.</span></p>


The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Talarico, Colbert Cry Censorship As CBS Sets The Record Straight

Ben Shapiro

Bible

Brendan Carr

Democrats

Opinion

Republicans

Stephen Colbert

Texas

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert is furious that CBS decided not to air an interview he did with Texas representative James Talarico (D) due to “equal time” laws, which require broadcast networks and radio stations to give equal time to all candidates in an election.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Colbert’s show is canceled and will air its last episode in May. But in the meantime, he’s not going quietly as he defied the network’s request that he not bring up the Talarico interview situation. The host threw a hissy fit during his Monday night episode.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;Then I was told, in some uncertain terms, that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on,&#8221; Colbert said during his show Monday night. &#8220;And because my network clearly doesn&#8217;t want us to talk about this, let&#8217;s talk about this.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “Late Show” host explained the “equal time” rule, which has been in place since the 1930s, and explained why he believed the exceptions made in the 90s should continue forever.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s long been an exception for this rule, an exception for news interviews and talk show interviews with politicians,” Colbert said. “That’s crucial. How else were voters supposed to know back in ’92 that Bill Clinton sucked at saxophone?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“[FCC chair Brendan Carr] hasn’t done away with [the exceptions] yet, but my network is unilaterally enforcing it as if he had,” the host admitted.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Addressing Carr, he said, “FCC you … because I think you are motivated by partisan purposes yourself, sir. Hey, you smelt it ’cause you dealt it. You are Dutch-ovening America’s airwaves.”</span></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Why CBS Didn&#039;t Broadcast Stephen Colbert&#039;s Interview With James Talarico" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oh7DPSP65JA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Let’s just call this what it is. Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV, because all Trump does is watch TV. He’s like a toddler with too much screen time. He gets cranky and then drops a load in his diapers. So it’s no surprise that two of the people most affected by this threat are me and my friend Jimmy Kimmel,” Colbert whined.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Colbert also told the audience that he was posting the interview on his YouTube channel and instructed them to find it there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ7Pz_59A"><span style="font-weight: 400;">interview</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Talarico said he believed he was being censored because he had a good chance of winning.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;I think Donald Trump is worried that we&#8217;re about to flip Texas,&#8221; the Texas rep said. &#8220;This is the party that ran against cancel culture. And this is the most dangerous kind of cancel culture, the kind that comes from the top.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CBS announced last summer that “The Late Show,” which began in 1993, would conclude this year and not be replaced.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,” the network said in a statement at the time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One report stated that the program was losing $40 million annually.</span></p>


Stephen Colbert Throws Hissy Fit Over CBS Enforcing Equal Time Rule, Nixing Dem Candidate Interview

Politics

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The DailyWire+ series “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-pendragon-cycle?utm_campaign=pendragon&amp;utm_content=20260212_desktop_aa&amp;utm_medium=website">The Pendragon Cycle</a>” received high praise from “Pulp Fiction” screenwriter Roger Avary, who said he was “completely blown away.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“These days, you almost don’t know… where to find television. And that’s because you can find it anywhere,” the 60-year-old Academy Award winner told Joe Rogan during a podcast appearance. He added that big studios are no longer dominating the industry and that smaller, independent studios are making superior content. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The mainstay producers of it, the studios … they’re no longer reliable in producing quality television. And so suddenly we see stuff rising out of places that are completely unexpected … this was produced by The Daily Wire of all places.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And this is good?” Rogan inquired about the series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is better!” Avary replied, “I have a very high watermark for Arthurian mythology. Like to me, [the 1981 drama] ‘Excalibur’ is the high watermark. And this really went there …”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The producer and screenwriter admitted he had a “chip on his shoulder” when he started watching “Pendragon” and expected not to like it. But he was impressed not just with the quality, but with how it didn’t come from a major studio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They did it on a microbudget, effectively. They made something that… kind of reinvents the mythology and they do it like proper television, where you kind of love the characters, and they weave an entire reality and universe that is just fantastic. And it’s done for very, very little…” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avary added, “They’re spending billions making these ‘Lord of the Rings’ things, and nobody cares, they’re just awful to watch. In the meantime, these guys, without anyone paying attention, cranked this out. I’ve only seen four episodes of it, but I am completely blown away by it!”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is, to me, as good as classic television,” he added.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Oscar-winning screenwriter <a href="https://twitter.com/AVARY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AVARY</a> gives massive praise to &#8216;The Pendragon Cycle&#8217; on <a href="https://twitter.com/joerogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joerogan</a>:</p>
<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re spending billions making these &#8216;Lord of the Rings&#8217; things&#8230;and they&#8217;re just awful to watch&#8230;In the meantime, these guys&#8230;cranked this out&#8230;I am like completely blown away… <a href="https://t.co/guviJGswqe">pic.twitter.com/guviJGswqe</a></p>
<p>— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/2021662679962730581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2026</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin” is an epic fantasy series based on Stephen R. Lawhead’s award-winning novels.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-pendragon-cycle?utm_campaign=pendragon&amp;utm_content=20260212_desktop_aa&amp;utm_medium=website"><strong>WATCH THE PENDRAGON CYCLE ON DAILYWIRE+</strong></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The saga unfolds in the aftermath of Roman-occupied Britain, where the seeds of Christianity are beginning to take root in the wake of overwhelming spiritual and physical darkness. Barbarian invaders threaten to lay claim to the Island of the Mighty, and only those with faith in the true God will prevail. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Against this perilous backdrop, Merlin emerges not as the wizard we remember from typical Arthurian retellings that lean on medieval imagery and rote chivalry, but as a complex prophetic figure caught in a world of spiritual warfare, political chaos, and the dawn of Western civilization.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The series was filmed across Hungary, Italy, and the Danube River valley. Multiple production diaries provided fans a glimpse of the endless challenges and the grand scope of the production, including the costumes, the stunning locations, and the epic battle scenes that take place during the series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watch the 7-part series “The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin” now — <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-pendragon-cycle?utm_campaign=pendragon&amp;utm_content=20260212_desktop_aa&amp;utm_medium=website">only on DailyWire+</a>. New episodes every Thursday.</span></p>


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‘Pulp Fiction’ Writer Says ‘The Pendragon Cycle’ Left Him ‘Completely Blown Away’

'Pulp Fiction' Writer Says 'The Pendragon Cycle' Left Him 'Completely Blown Away'

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actress Katie Holmes, who starred alongside James Van Der Beek on the popular teen drama “Dawson’s Creek” in the late 1990s, shared a moving tribute to her longtime friend following his death from cancer at the age of 48.</span></p>
<p>Holmes posted a handwritten letter dedicated to Van Der Beek on Instagram that began, <span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;James, thank you. To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other&#8217;s hearts are safe in their expression.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth,&#8221; she continued, before describing Van Der Beek as possessing &#8220;compassion, bravery, selflessness, and strength.&#8221;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;An appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a Hero,&#8221; Holmes went on. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his impact on it.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Holmes wrote in the Instagram post caption that Van Der Beek’s death was &#8220;a lot to process,&#8221; and that her tribute was written with a &#8220;heavy heart.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children,&#8221; she added in the caption, referencing Van Der Beek’s widow and kids.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Van Der Beek was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023 and had been candid about sharing his experiences after publicly revealing his diagnosis the following year. Last September, he had to cancel an appearance at a scheduled “Dawson’s Creek” reunion event due to his ongoing illness.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The actor sent a pre-recorded video message to the event to share with fans. &#8220;I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight,&#8221; he </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/james-van-der-beek-sends-video-message-to-dawsons-creek-reunion-after-illness-knocks-him-out"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in the clip. &#8220;From the cast to the crew to everybody who&#8217;s doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you – you are the best fans in the world.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. </span></p>


Katie Holmes James Van Der Beek

Katie Holmes Shares Heartfelt Tribute To ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Co-Star James Van Der Beek

Katie Holmes Shares Heartfelt Tribute To 'Dawson's Creek' Co-Star James Van Der Beek

Hollywood

James Van Der Beek

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in the 1990s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died at the age of 48.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">His wife, Kimberly, announced the news on Instagram Wednesday. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the mother of six shared.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” the post said. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The actor was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023 and has been candid about sharing his experiences since publicly revealing his diagnosis the following year. Last September, he had to cancel an appearance at a scheduled “Dawson’s Creek” reunion event due to his ongoing illness.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Van Der Beek was born in Connecticut in 1977. As a child, he had dreams of becoming a professional athlete, but changed focus after an injury. He scored his career-making role on “Dawson’s Creek” in 1998 alongside up-and-comers Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The actor had several other television roles, including a fictionalized version of himself on the cult classic sitcom “Don&#8217;t Trust the B&#8212;- in Apartment 23” (2012–2013), and an FBI agent in “CSI: Cyber.” He also had recurring guest roles on “How I Met Your Mother” and “Pose.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Van Der Beek’s film credits include “Varsity Blues” (1998), “Texas Rangers” (2001), “The Rules of Attraction” (2002), “Formosa Betrayed” (2009), “Labor Day” (2013), and “Bad Hair” (2020).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Last year, Van Der Beek reflected on what his cancer battle had taught him, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dawsons-creek-star-reflects-on-cancer-battle-i-am-worthy-of-gods-love">reported</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I could define myself as a loving, capable, strong, supportive husband, father, provider, steward of the land that we’re so lucky to live on,” he told Instagram followers at the time. “And for a long time, that felt like a really good definition of the question, ‘Who am I? What am I?&#8217;”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“And then this year, I had to look my own mortality in the eye,” Van Der Beek continued. “I had to come nose to nose with death. And all of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband who is helpful to my wife.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“So often we define ourselves by our roles in life or by what we do, but what if those things change? Who are we when it’s just us, alone, with nothing external to anchor us to a particular identity? And I meditated and the answer came through,” Van Der Beek went on. “I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you.”</span></p>
<p>Van Der Beek is survived by his wife of 15 years and their six children.</p>


‘Dawson’s Creek’ Star James Van Der Beek Dies At 48

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Disney is preparing to fundamentally reshape the streaming landscape. After taking full ownership of Hulu in 2023, the company is now moving to shut the platform down and fold its entire library into Disney+ as part of a “one app experience.” That migration could occur imminently, and the scale of change is staggering.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Disney launched Disney+ in 2019, the streaming marketplace was already crowded. Amazon Prime Video debuted in 2006, Netflix in 2007, and Hulu in 2008. With few external restrictions on content — no oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and no advertisers, at that time, to hold content in check. As a result, these platforms broke boundaries that even premium cable channels like HBO and Cinemax would not have dared. offering more vulgarity, more graphic violence, more sex and nudity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Disney+ promised to be different. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the beginning, Disney positioned its platform as a safe haven for families; a platform parents could trust implicitly. That promise worked. More than 10 million subscribers signed up within the first 24 hours, many of them parents desperate to escape the exhausting and never-ending task of shielding young eyes from suggestive poster art and racy titles like “Zac and Miri Make a Porno” or “Nymphomaniac” while they searched menus for the handful of child-appropriate titles that might be available. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Market research confirmed this distinction. One industry analysis <a href="https://morningconsult.com/articles/disney-plus-streaming-market-brand-data">called</a> Disney+ “the category’s most intentionally chosen service.” Morning Consult found Disney+ scored +45 for “entertaining the kids,” while competitors posted negative scores across the board. “Disney+ is not interchangeable here,” the analysis concluded. “In household decision-making, this is Disney+’s moat.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Disney executives publicly reinforced this family-first positioning. Months before launch, entertainment reporter Eric Vespe recalled asking a Disney representative whether R-rated content would appear on Disney+. The answer: Disney+ would remain PG-13 or softer, while more mature material would live on Hulu. Disney invested heavily in Hulu so adult-oriented material could remain off the Disney+ platform.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That intentional separation is now being completely dismantled. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the summer of 2025, executives signaled plans to shut down Hulu and migrate its entire library into Disney+.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Concerned Women for America (CWA) </span><a href="https://concernedwomen.org/2026-cwa-netflix-research/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">looked at</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the numbers and discovered that while Disney+ currently hosts fewer than 20 R-rated films, after the merger, that number will exceed 400 — a more than 2,200% increase. Mature-rated television series will escalate from 45 to nearly 400 — a more than 800% increase. Families who subscribed specifically for child-friendly programming will suddenly find their child’s favorite streaming platform flooded with volumes of adult material.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parents have already seen glimpses of what this future looks like. Last year, families reported surprise and frustration when mature-themed series promotions appeared on Disney+ home screens, prompting uncomfortable questions from young children. Many parents believed Disney+ was designed to prevent exactly this scenario.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This shift represents more than a technical update. <em>It represents a fundamental brand reversal.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Disney was once synonymous with wholesome family entertainment. Parents built household media habits around that identity. Children were given access to Disney+ because families trusted the brand.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That trust is now being put at risk.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even more concerning is the creative direction Disney leadership appears eager to embrace. One of the most striking examples is the company’s reported interest in hiring producer Ryan Murphy as soon as his development deal with Netflix ends; Murphy’s career has largely focused on dark, adult-themed dramas. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Murphy’s previous projects have centered on crime, horror, and provocative themes that were never intended for children. Yet Disney executives appear willing to fold this creative approach into a corporate ecosystem historically built around family audiences.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Walt Disney famously said, “Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.” That philosophy guided decades of storytelling built around imagination, optimism, and moral clarity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s leadership seems increasingly disconnected from that legacy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And while Disney may point to parental controls as a solution, technology cannot solve a branding problem. The issue is not whether filters exist. The issue is whether adult content belongs on the same platform that parents deliberately chose for preschoolers and elementary-age children.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mixing Mickey Mouse with mature television may make business sense on a spreadsheet. But it erodes the trust that made Disney+ successful in the first place.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The question now is simple: Will Disney honor the promise that built its streaming success — or abandon the families who made it possible?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The future of Disney+ may depend on how loudly parents answer that question.</span></p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p><em>Melissa Henson is the Senior Policy Advisor for Media and Culture for <a href="http://www.concernedwomen.org/">Concerned Women for America</a>, the nation’s public policy women’s organization, dedicated to promoting biblical values and constitutional principles in public policy. On X: @CWforA</em></p>
<p><em>The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.</em></p>


Rear View Of Two Boys Watching Movie Together, Lena, United States

Disney+ Is About To Be Flooded With Adult Content, And Parents Are Right To Be Alarmed

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chris Harrison announced a new traditional dating show after delighting fans for years as the host of &#8220;The Bachelor.&#8221; </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Wednesday, Harrison posted on Instagram that casting is open for a new, as-yet-unnamed series, which advertises “dating for traditional marriage.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Chris Harrison is back,” the announcement says, adding that “a prominent streaming service is casting single men and women (21+) who want a traditional, marriage-minded partnership built on commitment and shared values.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The post adds that casting agents are “looking for singles who believe in clear roles, long-term commitment, and building a life together – and who are dating with real intention.” </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The comments section was flooded with both excitement and some hate from leftists.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Best in the business!” one popular reply said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’ve missed you,” another person wrote.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Is this real!!? If so I am sooo ready!!” echoed a third.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m sorry this is giving MAGA,” one detractor pointed out. One of the people responding to her comment said, “That’s what I love about it! So refreshing to see core values returning!”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harrison responded to The Daily Wire’s request for comment, saying of the project, “I will be coming back to TV to do what means the most to me: helping people find love. I want to do a show that is actually about finding that true love. I think that’s been lost, and I think we all want it back. Will there be drama along the way? Absolutely, but in the end it will always be about love.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The response to our casting announcement has been incredible,” the longtime reality show host continued. “People are talking, discussing, debating love and relationships; that’s what great reality TV is about. As for what the show is all about… I’ll turn to one of my favorite lines here: you’ll find out, after the break.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harrison parted ways with “The Bachelor” after 19 years of hosting the series following controversy stemming from his defense of a contestant accused of racism. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The longtime host was attacked for defending Season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell after she received backlash for attending an Antebellum-themed party before being cast for the show.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The picture was from 2018 at an Old South Antebellum party. That’s not a good look,” former contestant Rachel Lindsay told Harrison during an interview with “Extra” in February 2021.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Is it [not] a good look in 2018, or is it not a good look in 2021?” Harrison replied.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said that the audience should “have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion” for Kirkconnell attending a party in 2018 when social etiquette was very different. These comments led to extreme backlash and eventually to Harrison resigning as the show’s host and issuing a formal apology.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2023, Harrison said leaving the show ultimately had a positive impact on his life.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I still look at this as a blessing in my life. It was hard at first, obviously, it wasn’t immediate where I felt great about everything because what I went through was tumultuous. I don’t wish it on anybody,” Harrison said during a </span><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chris-harrison-said-hes-grateful-to-have-left-the-bachelor-had-to-remove-myself-from-toxic-situation"><span style="font-weight: 400;">podcast interview</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2023.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But, with that said, I knew I had to remove myself from what became a very toxic situation, and I did, and that was a very difficult situation,” he added. “I’m proud of that decision. I’m proud that I handled it the way I did and I still look at it as a blessing because it changed my life on so many levels.”</span></p>


Chris Harrison

Former ‘Bachelor’ Host Returns To TV For ‘Traditional Marriage’ Dating Show

'Bachelor' Host Chris Harrison Will Return To TV For 'Traditional Marriage' Dating Show

The Bachelor

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actor John Lithgow is confused about how “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling could believe in biological reality.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 80-year-old celebrity said as much while speaking at Rotterdam Film Festival over the weekend while discussing some of the backlash he’s gotten for playing the role of Dumbledore in the TV reboot of Rowling’s best-selling series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I take the subject extremely seriously,” Lithgow said of the trans debate. “[Rowling] has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty. I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve never met her, she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this,” he said of the haters who totally wrote off Rowling and all her work. “But in ‘Potter’ canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. She’s written this mediation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lithgow described accepting the role as a “hard decision.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that,” the actor went on. “I’m the oldest person in this entire room, just turned 80. And yet I signed a contract – I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years! I absolutely have to keep at it. I felt: ‘Wow! That means I will live to be 88.’ I have that in writing.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The topic was front and center as Lithgow was at the film festival promoting his latest project, “Jimpa,” which follows the main character Hannah (Olivia Colman) and her “nonbinary teenager” Frances as they reconnect with Hannah’s gay father, Jim (Lithgow).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The role of Frances is played by director Sophie Hyde’s real-life daughter, Aud Mason-Hyde, who also identifies as “trans and non-binary,” per </span><a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/global/john-lithgow-dumbledore-harry-potter-jk-rowlings-jimpa-1236648292/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variety</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p>Rowling has been one of the few celebrities brave enough to take a stand against the radical trans agenda, even in the face of massive backlash, boycotts, and vitriol from her peers.</p>
<p>Leftist fans have been furious with the British author since she started speaking out on the topic of biological sex being real in 2020. Most members of the original “Harry Potter” movie cast have denounced her and sided with the trans activists.</p>
<p>Most recently, Rowling and actress Emma Watson got into a public feud, which culminated in Rowling <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/shes-ignorant-of-how-ignorant-she-is-j-k-rowling-slams-emma-watson-over-transgender-views?author=Amanda+Harding&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=%E2%80%98She%E2%80%99s+Ignorant+Of+How+Ignorant+She+Is%E2%80%99%3A+J.K.+Rowling+Slams+Emma+Watson+Over+Transgender+Views" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> Watson “has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is.”</p>


John Lithgow

John Lithgow Describes JK Rowling’s Belief In Biological Reality As ‘Inexplicable’

Harry Potter

JK Rowling

Transgender

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