Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul has released another statement following the cancellation of her season of “The Bachelorette,” promising to reveal more of her story soon.
The 31-year-old “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” alum released the update via her spokesperson. This came after a video of an alleged domestic violence incident between her and then-partner Dakota Mortensen was released to TMZ and then blasted all over social media. 
&#8220;Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement said, per <a href="https://people.com/taylor-frankie-paul-speaks-out-bachelorette-cancellation-11928842">People</a>. 
&#8220;There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.&#8221;
A previous statement from Paul’s rep noted that the video “omits context” and insinuated that Mortensen was the abuser, not the victim.
A Disney Entertainment spokesperson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-video-shows-taylor-frankie-paul-brutally-attacking-baby-daddy-bachelorette-axed">announced</a> Thursday that this season of “The Bachelorette,” which Paul was starring in, was put on hold. “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the statement said.
“The Bachelorette” was slated to premiere this Sunday, on March 22. The network is projected to lose millions due to the cancellation, from advertising dollars to viewers to wasted promotion fees and beyond.
The decision was made shortly after TMZ published a video of Paul getting into a physical altercation with Mortensen, the father of her child, Ever. Paul has the majority custody of Ever. She also has two children, daughters Indy and Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen can be heard saying as he films their fight. Paul can be seen throwing chairs at him while her daughter, Indy, now 8, was in the room and crying.
Mortensen says at another point, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
The incident occurred in 2023. Paul pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault at the time, meaning that if she complied with the conditions of the plea, that charge would be dismissed.
The newest season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was also put on hold just days before the cancellation because of &#8220;some pretty serious stuff happening regarding [Paul&#8217;s] past,&#8221; a source told People.

Taylor Frankie Paul

READ IT: ‘Mormon Wives’ Star Taylor Frankie Paul Responds To Baby Daddy Attack Video

Disney

Entertainment

Reality TV

Television

A spokesperson for Taylor Frankie Paul pushed back following the release of a video of her allegedly engaging in domestic abuse with her baby daddy.
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son&#8217;s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences,” the spokesperson told People.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of &#8220;The Bachelorette&#8221; has been canceled by ABC following the release of a video of her allegedly engaging in domestic abuse with her baby daddy and former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, per <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/19/abc-cancels-the-bachelorette-starring-taylor-frankie-paul/">TMZ</a>.
A Disney Entertainment spokesperson told the outlet, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of &#8216;The Bachelorette&#8217; at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
The decision was made shortly after TMZ published a video of Paul getting into a physical altercation with Mortensen, the father of her child, Ever. Paul has the majority custody of Ever. She also has two children, daughters Indy and Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Taylor Frankie Paul repeatedly attacked Dakota Mortensen during the 2023 incident in which she pled guilty to aggravated assault; video shows that one of her children was struck during the fight.
Trigger Warning. <a href="https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn">https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn</a> <a href="https://t.co/avr49EacY3">pic.twitter.com/avr49EacY3</a>
— TMZ (@TMZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/2034673546341797906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen can be heard saying as he films their fight. Paul can be seen throwing chairs at him while her daughter, Indy, now 8, was in the room and crying.
Mortensen says at another point, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
Paul, made famous on the series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” was arrested for alleged domestic violence in 2023 following an argument with Mortensen, per <a href="https://people.com/taylor-frankie-paul-throws-chairs-at-dakota-mortensen-with-child-nearby-in-leaked-video-11930003">People</a>. She pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, meaning that if she complied with the conditions of the plea, that charge would be dismissed. The show was also put on hold after the video surfaced. “The Bachelorette” was slated to premiere on Sunday, March 22.
Besides starring on “Mormon Wives,” she is also one of the creators of #MomTok, a group of Utah moms who create popular dancing TikTok videos.
Paul spoke with People on March 17 as she was still promoting her season of &#8220;The Bachelorette.&#8221;
&#8220;Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,&#8221; she told the outlet. &#8220;Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one&#8230; it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
&#8220;It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,&#8221; Paul continued. &#8220;I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do&#8230; show up even though it’s hard.&#8221;
&nbsp;

WATCH: Video Shows Taylor Frankie Paul Brutally Attacking Baby Daddy — ‘Bachelorette’ Axed

The Bachelor

U.S.

Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar was candid about why the highly anticipated sequel to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” isn’t moving forward, claiming it all came down to one Hulu executive who never liked the original series.
Gellar, 48, made the revelation during an <a href="https://people.com/sarah-michelle-gellar-opens-up-about-marriage-motherhood-what-really-happened-to-buffy-reboot-exclusive-11926726">interview</a> with People published this week, where she reflected on the abrupt end of &#8220;Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale,&#8221; a project that had already shot a pilot. The actress rose to fame for starring in the original supernatural drama series, which began in 1997. She went on to appear in several films and then took a prolonged hiatus from Hollywood to raise her children. 
“I&#8217;ve been asked since the day I left to return to Sunnydale,&#8221; Gellar told the outlet. &#8220;It never occurred to me that it was something I was going to do.&#8221;
That changed, she explained, after meeting Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, whose passion for the character convinced her to sign on.
&#8220;In one meeting, she makes me say yes to something I never saw on my radar,&#8221; Gellar said.
However, Gellar said the project did not move forward because one executive involved openly distanced themselves from the original series.
 “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, was proud to constantly remind us that they had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn&#8217;t for them,&#8221; she said.
People reported that Gellar was at the South by Southwest festival (SXSW) in Austin on March 11 when she learned the project was off the table. “No one saw this coming,&#8221; she added.
Despite the setback, Gellar emphasized that her decision to return was rooted in the show&#8217;s enduring fanbase.
“The fans are why I wanted to do it in the first place,” she said. &#8220;Buffy was about chosen family, and that you may feel like you don&#8217;t belong in the world, but there&#8217;s someone out there that sees you. And for me, it&#8217;s always been about me seeing those fans.” 
The sequel was first announced in February 2025 as a pilot order at Hulu, according to <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/chloe-zhao-reacts-buffy-reboot-killed-hulu-1236689223/">Variety</a>. Zhao, speaking on the red carpet over the weekend, suggested the series could still get picked up by a different distributor.
“Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans,&#8221; Zhao said. &#8220;Things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery.&#8221;
Whether &#8220;New Sunnydale&#8221; finds a new home remains to be seen. For now, Gellar says she&#8217;s moving forward with the same resilience as her iconic character.
&#8220;I’m going to hold my head high and keep going,&#8221; she concluded. &#8220;That’s what Buffy Summers would do.&#8221;

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar Says ‘Buffy’ Sequel Fell Apart Because Of One Hulu Exec

Hollywood

Hulu

Country singer Carrie Underwood said she’s unfazed by the constant booing she’s been getting recently, which may or may not have something to do with her association with President Donald Trump.
The 42-year-old “American Idol” winner dealt with major backlash from followers when she opted to perform “America the Beautiful” at Trump’s inauguration ceremony last January. Now she’s stepped in as a judge on “American Idol” and has already gotten booed on several occasions. Though it’s not completely clear the reason fans are booing her, many have been speculating it’s because of that performance.
Either way, Underwood said she’s not letting it get to her. &#8220;You guys are gonna boo me. You’re gonna boo me,&#8221; the singer told the crowd at one point during a recent episode of the show. &#8220;It’s coming. Bring it on. I love it! Your boos are feeding me.&#8221;
&#8220;Boo me. I don’t care,” she <a href="https://x.com/carrieunderwood/status/2028643682799518184">posted</a> Monday night on X alongside a laughing-crying emoji.
Underwood also stated further proof that the booing went beyond her feedback for contestants. The singer asked fellow judge Luke Bryan, “Why don’t they boo you?” to which he replied, “I don’t know, I’m trying to get booed.”
Her followers on social media assumed it was at least partly due to her association with the current administration.
“For every boo there&#8217;s at least 10000 of us who support you!  You are a great role model for young girls. Never stop being you, never sacrifice your values, and never give in to the mob,” one person <a href="https://x.com/Lpr915/status/2029156052919320905">wrote</a> in reply.
&#8220;So thankful that you’re an example of a strong female role model who shows girls to grandmas that you don’t have to cower to the mob. God bless you for taking those arrows with grace and a smile on your face,&#8221; another fan <a href="https://x.com/SherryB120/status/2028693904179044586?s=20">wrote</a>.
Several commenters speculated that the crowd could be booing Underwood because of her comments as a judge on the show, saying it had nothing to do with her inauguration performance at all. But several people in the comments validated that if anything, it was probably a bit of both.
“I will always like “before he cheats” but you support Tr*mp and so let them boo! You deserve it,” one hater <a href="https://x.com/thejmundo/status/2028661288134427043">wrote</a>.
“MAGA lunatic Carrie Underwood is upset that she is getting booed on American Idol,” singer Ricky Davila <a href="https://x.com/TheRickyDavila/status/2024326797102633393">wrote</a> on X last month. “Well in that case I hope the boos are louder and much more frequent.”
Underwood has remained private about her political leanings. She issued a statement following the immense backlash she faced for singing at the inauguration. 
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said ahead of the event, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/john-rich-calls-on-country-stars-who-support-trump-to-announce-themselves">reported</a>. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

Carrie Underwood

Trump Inaugural Singer Carrie Underwood Keeps Getting Booed, But She Doesn’t Care

American Idol

Donald Trump

singer

Captain Rick Shelford, star of the popular Discovery Channel reality series “Deadliest Catch,” revealed on Monday that his 25-year-old deckhand, Todd Meadows, died in a fishing accident.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Meadows&#8217; death in statement on Tuesday, saying that Meadows fell overboard about 170 miles north of the Dutch Harbor, off Alaska&#8217;s Aleutian Islands.
&#8220;He was recovered unresponsive by the crew approximately ten minutes later,&#8221; the spokesperson said, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/deckhand-deadliest-catch-boat-dies-fishing-alaskan-waters-rcna261372">per</a> NBC News. &#8220;First aid and attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and the crew transported the deceased to Dutch Harbor.&#8221;
“February 25, 2026 was the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea,” Shelford said in a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/captainrick.shelford/posts/898155459760463">post</a>, which included photos of Meadows. “We lost our brother, Todd Meadows. Todd was the newest member of our crew, he quickly became family. His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away. His smile was contagious, and the sound of his laughter coming up the wheelhouse stairs or over the deck hailer is something we will carry with us always.”
“Deadliest Catch” premiered in 2005 and remains a popular series for the network. It follows crab fishermen working in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons, documenting the dangers of the job along the way. 
Alaskan crab fishing is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
“Todd’s love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did. He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him,” the post went on. “Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express. We ask that you lift Todd’s children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him. Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him. Rest easy brother, till we meet again.”
A GoFundMe campaign was set up for Meadows’ family. The description mentioned that the deckhand was fishing at the time of his death. “We are heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Todd Morgan Meadows, a beloved 25-year-old father, son, brother and friend, who left us far too soon while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters,” the GoFundMe page read.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows,&#8221; a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/deckhand-deadliest-catch-boat-dies-fishing-alaskan-waters-rcna261372">statement</a> from Discovery said, per NBC. &#8220;This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time.”

Aleutian Lady

‘Deadliest Catch’ Deckhand Dies On Alaskan Fishing Boat

Alaska

Death

Tragedy struck the world of comedy again this week.
Katherine Short, the 41-year-old daughter of legendary funnyman Martin Short, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/martin-shorts-daughter-katherine-dies-at-42?author=Amanda+Harding&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=6&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Martin+Short%E2%80%99s+Daughter+Katherine+Dies+At+42">passed away</a> on Feb. 23. Her passing came only weeks after comedienne Catherine O’Hara’s death at 71.
Short and O’Hara have been making us laugh for decades without so much as an interruption. O’Hara’s turn as Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek” capped a career that included memorable turns in “Home Alone,” “Beetlejuice” and other comedy classics.
Short’s comedy resume is among the longest and the best in the business.
And both got their start on &#8220;Second City Television&#8221; or “SCTV,” a show that has been perpetually overshadowed by a glossier American sketch comedy series. Yet, decades later, “SCTV’s” legacy is only getting bigger while “Saturday Night Live’s” continues to contract.
<div id="attachment_1051159" style="width: 430px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1051159" class="size-large wp-image-1051159" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-asdfas-420x576.jpg" alt="Second City Entertainment. SCTV. IMDB." width="420" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-asdfas-420x576.jpg 420w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-asdfas-219x300.jpg 219w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-asdfas.jpg 700w" sizes=" (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px" />Second City Entertainment. SCTV. IMDB.</div>
Short and O’Hara cut their comedy teeth as members of “SCTV,” a sketch comedy troupe that delivered laughs from north of the border. The show aired stateside starting in the late 1970s, but it never quite gained the cultural traction “SNL” enjoyed.
The latter gave us superstars like Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy, and Will Ferrell but those comedy titans came from endless cast iterations. For every standout like Dana Carvey or Bill Hader there were dozens whose “SNL” time turned into brief highlight reels.
That wasn’t the case with “SCTV,” which ran from 1976 to 1984. The show’s small, fairly consistent cast featured talent after talent, and their post-show work shined as brightly as the best “SNL” alums.
Maybe even brighter.
<div id="attachment_1051127" style="width: 402px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1051127" class="size-large wp-image-1051127" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-cast-1980s-392x576.jpg" alt="SCTV. IMDB." width="392" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-cast-1980s-392x576.jpg 392w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-cast-1980s-204x300.jpg 204w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/SCTV-cast-1980s.jpg 680w" sizes=" (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px" />SCTV. IMDB.</div>
The show’s cast came from Toronto’s edition of Second City, an improv group made famous for sparking NBC’s “SNL” series in 1975 (along with National Lampoon’s media empire). The Canadian series was built around a fictional TV studio, allowing for recurring comic characters and wacky sketches.
It’s where Short perfected his Ed Grimley character – later seen on “SNL.” (Short graced both sketch comedy institutions, but “SNL” for only a single season (1984-85). Co-star Eugene Levy’s Bobby Bittman character exuded oily ‘70s smarm, while Joe Flaherty’s Count Floyd sent up horror movie hosts to perfection.
Those characters endure, but so do the performers’ post-show resumes.
Last year’s “I Like Me” documentary captured the short, remarkable life of “SCTV” alum John Candy. The husky comic died at 43, but not before leaving us with one indelible turn after another. He swiped scenes in “Home Alone,” “Vacation” and “Splash” while anchoring raucous comedies, including “Uncle Buck,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “Summer Rental.”
<div id="attachment_1051147" style="width: 1016px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1051147" class="size-large wp-image-1051147" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/candy-john-1006x576.jpg" alt="Second City Entertainment. SCTV. IMDB." width="1006" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/candy-john-1006x576.jpg 1006w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/candy-john-300x172.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/candy-john-768x440.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/candy-john.jpg 1221w" sizes=" (max-width: 1006px) 100vw, 1006px" />20th Century Fox. Hughes Entertainment. &#8220;Home Alone&#8221;</div>
Lovable with a pinch of sadness beneath his grin, Candy’s persona enhanced a crush of comedies before his 1994 death. “I Like Me” nailed both his comic gifts and ability to connect with audiences in ways many comedians never could.
O’Hara’s comedy career ended with her most recent role in Apple TV+’s “The Studio,” the latest example of her versatility. And she didn’t need a script to make us howl. Recall her improv chops in four Christopher Guest “mockumentaries” – “For Your Consideration,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind.”
Short’s film career wavered after a series of under-achieving comedies like “Three Amigos,” “Innerspace” and “Clifford,” but he never stopped working. Most recently, he’s anchored Hulu’s comedy series “Only Murders in the Building” alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez.
<div id="attachment_1051167" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1051167" class="size-large wp-image-1051167" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-864x576.jpg" alt="Photo by Courtesy of Hulu. Copyright Hulu.Only Murders in the Building, Nail in the Coffin Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Only-Murders-martin-short.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Photo by Courtesy of Hulu.</div>
One “SCTV” alum’s career stalled, but only due to a deeply personal choice. Rick Moranis, so memorably in films like “Spaceballs,” “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “Ghostbusters,” stepped away from Hollywood following the death of his wife in 1991.
He tried to be both a working actor and single parent, but he realized he couldn’t do both without sacrificing key parts of the latter. So he left the business on his terms. Decades later, his return as Dark Helmut in the “Spaceballs” sequel, due in 2027, is one of the film’s biggest selling points.
Moranis’ on-screen hoser/partner, Dave Thomas, never matched Moranis’ early fame. He still worked steadily over the years, bouncing from sitcom roles to writing gigs on shows like Fox’s “Bones.”
<div id="attachment_1051149" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1051149" class="size-large wp-image-1051149" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/sctv-great-white-north-1024x512.jpg" alt="Second City Entertainment. SCTV. IMDB." width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/sctv-great-white-north-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/sctv-great-white-north-300x150.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/sctv-great-white-north-768x384.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/sctv-great-white-north-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/sctv-great-white-north.jpg 2002w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Second City Entertainment. SCTV. IMDB.</div>
And the pair reunited for 1983’s “Strange Brew,” bringing their Bob and Doug characters to the big screen alongside Max Von Sydow. The film wasn’t a smash, but it swiftly became a cult classic. And deservedly so.
Some “SCTV” alums shined even brighter behind the camera. Yes, Harold Ramis was one of the four core “Ghostbusters,” but he’s better known for directing “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Caddyshack” and “Groundhog Day.”
That, plus a series of strong supporting roles (“Knocked Up,” “As Good As It Gets”) complemented his impressive post-“SCTV” life until his death in 2014.
“SCTV’s” Andrea Martin has enjoyed a blue-collar career following the show’s end, netting endless work, including a silly supporting role in the “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” franchise. She also found voice actor gigs and joined former “SCTV” chum Short on “Only Murders in the Building” since 2022.
<div id="attachment_1051145" style="width: 793px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1051145" class="size-large wp-image-1051145" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/cast-sctv-783x576.jpg" alt="Second City Entertainment. SCTV." width="783" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/cast-sctv-783x576.jpg 783w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/cast-sctv-300x221.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/cast-sctv-768x565.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/cast-sctv.jpg 1169w" sizes=" (max-width: 783px) 100vw, 783px" />Second City Entertainment. SCTV. IMDB.</div>
And while we lost O’Hara this year, her “Schitt’s Creek” husband, the amiable Levy, keeps making us smile. Levy’s exhaustive film and TV career includes key turns in the aforementioned mockumentaries and the “American Pie” franchise.
“SCTV” signed off for good in 1984, while “SNL” recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. That said, the latter keeps burning down its legacy with biased political gags and bland bits. The NBC show may still crank out a future star or two, but “SCTV’s” killer ratio of repertory players who made it big remains unmatched.
* * *
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

SCTV cast II

Before ‘SNL’ Ruled Late Night, This Show Rewrote The Rules

Before 'SNL' Ruled Late Night, This Show Rewrote The Rules

actors

Canada

comedian

Comedy

John Candy

Martin Short

The founder of the popular bathroom product “Squatty Potty” has been arrested and charged with allegedly buying child pornography.
Robert Edwards, 50, was charged with receipt of child pornography and pleaded not guilty in his initial appearance on February 12. 
The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged that Edwards &#8220;knowingly received multiple images of child sexual abuse material&#8221; on multiple occasions between March 2021 and November 2025. An undercover FBI agent alleged that Edwards was a user in a group chat and &#8220;was viewing a collection of child sexual abuse material videos&#8221; in March 2021, per <a href="https://ew.com/squatty-potty-creator-featured-on-shark-tank-arrested-on-child-porn-charge-11914641">Entertainment Weekly</a>.
&#8220;Edwards was suspected of purchasing additional child sexual abuse material via his PayPal account&#8221; in May 2025, the filings state, and noted that officers allegedly discovered &#8220;multiple videos and images&#8221; of child pornography on a cell phone found in his car and on other personal devices in his home.
His detention hearing is scheduled for March 2
Edwards began selling his invention, Squatty Potty, a footstool that helps users with bowel movements, in 2011. He went viral with his invention after appearing alongside his mother on “Shark Tank” in 2014. The entrepreneur received an investment from Lori Greiner.
Barbara Corcoran, meanwhile, told Edwards, “There’s something about you that I’m not believing. I trust your mom … but you’re hopping and weaving a lot. And it&#8217;s making me more nervous as I listen. I’m definitely out.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: ‘Squatty Potty’ creator Robert Edwards, who was on Shark Tank, arrested in Utah for child p*rn.
Edwards is &#8220;partnered&#8221; to a man and is a &#8220;co-parent&#8221; to four children, according to his profile on Southern Utah Cares.
During his appearance on Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran… <a href="https://t.co/gfEfazYmWx">pic.twitter.com/gfEfazYmWx</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2026713571145736679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The bathroom aid became a massive hit. Edwards and his mother returned to “Shark Tank” in 2020 and said they had made $175 million from the product since they first appeared on the show. They sold Squatty Potty to consumer product company Aterian in 2021, the outlet noted.
The company released a statement in the wake of the scandal.
&#8220;Aterian has no affiliation, partnership, or ongoing relationship with Mr. Robert Edwards. Edwards was part of a group, including private equity firms, that sold specific assets to Aterian in a one-time transaction in 2021,&#8221; it said. &#8220;Following the completion of that acquisition, all associations with Edwards and his family ceased. He is not an employee, a partner, or a stakeholder in our company.  Any claims to the contrary are categorically false.&#8221;
&#8220;We are deeply disturbed by the indictment against Edwards. The nature of these allegations is abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our company’s values. While the family was previously referenced on our website in a historical context, we have removed those references. They have no role in our brand’s present or future,&#8221; the statement concluded.

Robert Edwards

Squatty Potty Inventor Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

Child pornography

Crime

Utah

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.
TMZ broke the <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/02/25/robert-cosby-jr-dead/">news</a> 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;
The outlet noted that police responded to a possible overdose, but so far, that information is unconfirmed.
Cosby Jr. was seen on the popular reality show and discussed his substance abuse issues there, per <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/02/robert-cosby-jr-dead-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-mary-cosby-son-1236736063/">Deadline</a>. 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.
“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.”
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. 
&#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.”

Mary Cosby

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

Celebrities

Real Housewives

“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.
“The show is about the American dream, especially through the eyes of immigrants,” the actor <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/features/the-sopranos-michael-imperioli-steve-schirripa-b2919914.html">said</a> during an interview with The Independent this month. 
“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.
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.
Imperioli was nominated for Emmy Awards four times, winning once for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.
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. 
“He would think the guy was full of [expletive],” he <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/arts/television/david-chase-sopranos-interview.html">told</a> 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.”
The television exec also noted that A.J. Soprano, played by Robert Iler, would have been part of the first Trump administration. 
&#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;
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.
“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 <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/the-sopranos-joe-biden-christopher-michael-imperioli?srsltid=AfmBOooVUboLiGUhFtZeTajPeo1-VOxX27KwzuPmnUhWXEkr2bGRYZZa">told</a> Vanity Fair at the time.

Michael Imperioli

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

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

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.
The star’s family confirmed his passing with a <a href="https://people.com/eric-dane-dead-greys-anatomy-star-was-53-11717334">statement</a> 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;
&#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.”
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.”
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 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/euphoria-greys-anatomy-actor-diagnosed-with-als">reported</a>.
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.
ALS has no cure, and people who receive this diagnosis usually only live three to five years after symptoms start.

Eric Dane

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Actor Dies At 53

Grey's Anatomy

The big media controversy of the day comes courtesy of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and late-night television host Stephen Colbert.
Talarico insisted that CBS spiked his interview with Stephen Colbert, claiming, “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.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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. <a href="https://t.co/BCev5jZbKc">pic.twitter.com/BCev5jZbKc</a>
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamestalarico/status/2023659473466687994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @jamestalarico/X.com
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.
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.
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.
<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>
That is what he is doing right now. So, after the interview, he went on the air and said:
<blockquote>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.
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. </blockquote>
Brendan Carr is correct. Colbert is obviously 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?
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.
CBS responded:
<blockquote>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.</blockquote>
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. 
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.
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 Democrats.
For what it&#8217;s worth, Talarico is basically a straight Pete Buttigieg. That is his entire schtick, down to the Pastor Pete routine.
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.
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.
For the record, same-sex marriage is non-Biblical. There are many books of the Bible that reference this, not least of which is Leviticus.
Trying to do the Pastor Pete routine, Talarico declared:
<blockquote>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.</blockquote>
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.
I think that’s a non-controversial take on the Bible.
It&#8217;s amazing how far Democrats have moved in my lifetime. Democrats used to do this routine where they would say, 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.
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.
Talarico says, “Love thy neighbor means love thy neighbor, regardless of immigration status or sexual orientation.”
The Bible says you are supposed to love thy neighbor as thyself, but you are not supposed to love his sin. 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.
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.
It&#8217;s all about virtue signaling for the Democrats. It has nothing to do with reality.
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.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>
— Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDarrenSoto/status/2023767918023262264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @RepDarrenSoto/X.com
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.

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

“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.
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.
&#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;
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.
“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?”
“[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.
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.”
<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>
“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.
Colbert also told the audience that he was posting the interview on his YouTube channel and instructed them to find it there.
During the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ7Pz_59A">interview</a>, Talarico said he believed he was being censored because he had a good chance of winning.
&#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;
CBS announced last summer that “The Late Show,” which began in 1993, would conclude this year and not be replaced.
“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.
One report stated that the program was losing $40 million annually.

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

Politics

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