Love Island fans convinced Megan Barton-Hanson is set to return after cryptic post

A few minutes into his new Amazon Original comedy special “Dark Pale,” hitting the streamer July 25, Jim Gaffigan delves into some topical issues — then speculates on how people might respond. Most people associate the veteran comic with his self-deprecating bits about his laziness, living with five children and his many ruminations on Hot Pockets. So, following jokes about COVID and plane crashes, Gaffigan stops for a second and notes, “This is usually the point when people ask, ‘When’s he gonna do the food jokes?’” As he goes further, discussing funeral decorum, he stops and asks the crowd, “Was that too dark? It’s gonna get worse.” On the contrary, Gaffigan is only getting better. Since his television debut in the mid-’90s on “Caroline’s Comedy Hour,” the comedian has constantly adapted to a changing world while maintaining his incisive wit and affability. “Dark Pale” marks the comedian’s 10th comedy special, and while he finds big laughs in some somber topics, he can also mine humor from something as wholesome as a hot air balloon ride with his daughters. His agent, Nick Nuciforo, partner and head of comedy touring at UTA, has repped Gaffigan since 2005, and praises his wide appeal. “His brand of humor is both clean and hip, and I have seen him excel in both alternative rooms and rural settings,” says Nuciforo. “The ability to succeed with any audience is a superpower that opens up unlimited opportunities.”

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter “Sound of Freedom,” this summer’s unlikely box office hit, has crossed the $100 million mark in North America after three weeks of release. It’s an impressive milestone for the low-budget, faith-based movie, especially in the height of summer blockbuster season. It also marks the first indie release in post-pandemic times to surpass $100 million at the domestic box office. Last year’s Oscar-winning arthouse smash “Everything Everywhere All at Once” topped $100 million globally, but that included $63 million at the international box office. “Sound of Freedom” isn’t playing overseas. “Sound of Freedom” stands as the 16th-highest grossing North American release of the year. At this rate, the movie looks to keep climbing that list and soon supplant the No. 14 and 15 spots, which currently belong to “Scream VI” with $108 million and “The Flash” with $107 million.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International An intimacy practice degree overseen by prestigious intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien was canceled days before a planned workshop, Variety has confirmed. Mountview’s Intimacy Practice Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program launched earlier this year as the world’s first university-accredited master’s course in intimacy coordination. Intimacy choreography, which makes sets safer and more regulated for performers, has been an important focus for the film and TV industry in the wake of the #MeToo movement. O’Brien’s work on shows such as “Normal People” and “I May Destroy You” has made her one of the leading directors working in the field.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic Dig deep enough through the eBay auction site, and you can still find Beanie Babies listed for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Nobody’s buying them at that price, but it’s a reminder that there was a moment in the not-so-distant past when the cheaply made stuffed animals fetched outrageous sums. The phenomenon, while it lasted, was fueled largely by the illusion of scarcity, as collectors chased what they believed to be limited numbers of the highly coveted critters. Were they really so rare? “The Beanie Bubble” doesn’t have any particularly interesting insights into the craze, focusing instead on their inventor, disgraced self-made toy mogul Ty Warner, portrayed by Zach Galifianakis in one of the discomfort comedian’s most skin-crawling performances to date. Tonally, the movie walks a tricky line between easy-target satire and female-empowering corporate case study, falling into the overcrowded junk-culture nostalgia-porn category so recently represented by “Tetris,” “Air,” “BlackBerry” and “Flamin’ Hot.”

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Cari Ross, who joined the Gersh talent agency last year to head its communications department, died Wednesday, according to the agency, which cited a heart condition as the cause. She was 59. Ross spent the past year serving as senior VP of communications for the Gersh talent agency. Before Gersh, Ross ran her own PR firm, Balance Public Releations, for 11 years. She previously served as an executive at ID, and made her name over many years the PR firm Baker Winokur Ryder PR. Ross was skilled in orchestrating FYC campaigns for Oscars, Emmys and other major entertainment awards. “I am deeply saddened to learn and inform you of the passing of our friend and colleague Cari Ross,” Siebert wrote in a memo to Gersh staff. “On behalf of Gersh, we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Her dedication, passion and commitment to her work and her contributions to our team at Gersh will always be remembered.”

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. More than 40,000 people have purchased tickets to see “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” on the same day, according to AMC Theatres — a double feature dubbed the “Barbenheimer.” If you’re one of the movie lovers planning a back-to-back screening this weekend, then you’re well aware that no detail is insignificant when constructing an optimal viewing experience. Only the perfect curation of snacks and beverages and outfit choices will help you endure (enjoy!) the five hour-plus viewing experience (“Oppenheimer” runs at three hours; “Barbie” clocks in just under two).

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor “Oppenheimer” composer Ludwig Göransson guesstimates there’s “about two and a half hours of music in the film,” which he recorded over the course of five days. The film marks his second collaboration with Christopher Nolan, after the pair first teamed up on 2020’s “Tenet.” Göransson describes the “Oppenheimer” score as “dynamic.” “Sometimes, it’s just the use of a singular instrument, and other times we bring in a whole ensemble. It fluctuates,” he says. Nolan’s most ambitious film, about the race to create a nuclear bomb during World War II, in turn became Göransson’s most ambitious score — it was different from anything he had done before.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor TelevisaUnivision is speaking a different language in TV’s weakened upfront market. Where most media companies and media buyers expect the overall volume of ad commitments to decline owing to a tough economy and a Hollywood work stoppage, the Spanish broadcaster is anticipating gains and even rate hikes. “We expect to fare better than the market on pricing” said TelevisaUnivsion CEO Wade Davis during a call with investors Thursday, a reference to measures known as CPMs, or the cost of reaching 1,000 viewers. In many cases, according to media buyers and other executives, advertisers have called for “rollbacks” of as much as 5%,’ with sports the only category notching true positive gains.

Sophia Scorziello editor Live Nation’s concert streaming platform Veeps has set its first-ever global film premiere with rock documentary “What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?” The doc’s exclusive PVOD release on Veeps follows its March 2023 theatrical release, which was helmed by Abramorama. The exclusive Veeps screenings will take place on August 20 at 12 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET. Veeps is offering two tiers of tickets, the first going for $12.99 which gives access to the screening, and the second for $24.99, which includes screening access along with a CD copy of the documentary’s soundtrack. Both tickets provide audiences with a 3-day rewatch window. In addition, each of the two PVOD screenings will host a live Q&A with filmmaker John Scheinfeld and Blood, Swear and Tear’s band member Bobby Colomby.

Addie Morfoot Contributor The Better Angels Society, the Library of Congress, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation have selected six finalists for the fifth annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. Notably, veteran filmmaker Sam Pollard received two of the six noms.  The award, established in 2019, recognizes late-stage documentaries that use original research and a compelling narrative to tell stories that bring American history to life through archival materials. The six projects that were selected are: Barak Goodman’s “Buckley,” Nicole London’s “The Disappearance of Miss. Scott,” Sam Pollard’s “The Harvest,” Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn’s “Drop Dead City – New York on the Brink in 1975,” Sam Pollard and Ben Shapiro’s “Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes,” and Jason Cohn’s “Modernism Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story.”

just learned that , and already we're getting news that Ari is seeing somebody new—her Wicked costar Ethan Slater. Grande's love life comes at ya fast. According to , sources confirm that Grande has recently started dating Slater, best known for playing Spongebob Squarepants in the Broadway musical. “Ariana and Dalton separated in January.

There have been a lot of celebrity on-screen kisses over the years, but there’s always a story behind those filmed smooches.

A new report has emerged claiming that Ariana Grande is dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater!

Greta Gerwig is opening up about her experience with Barbie and beyond.

Shakira is facing a second probe into her taxes after a Spanish judge agreed to allow state prosecutors to investigate two potential cases of tax fraud involving the Colombian singer stemming from 2018.The court shared they had no information on the monetary sum being investigated in this case. The international pop star is currently awaiting trial for failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million Euros ($15 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.

Mady Gosselin made a rare statement about the reason for her estrangement from brother Collin Gosselin after he discussed their family dynamic in a new docuseries.

Jennifer Pedranti is new to The Real Housewives of Orange County this season, but she’s already on the rocks with costar Tamra Judge.

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Ryan Thomas has been awarded the 'best dad' award by his fans after he jokingly shared a way they could save money on a dream holiday. The actor, who rose to fame when he joined Coronation Street aged 16, took to Instagram with a sweet yet funny video of himself with his two youngest children.

Since arriving in the Love Island villa for the second time last week, it’s safe to say Kady McDermott has changed a lot since she first made her debut on the show all the way back in 2016. During her first appearance on the show’s second series, Kady was a fresh faced twenty year old just starting out in the world and hoping to find love - something which she initially did with fellow contestant Scott Thomas, although the romance only lasted for a year outside the villa.

We can’t get enough of this season of Love Island’s dramatic twist, which sees former contestant Kady McDermott returning to the villa for a second chance at finding love. The 27 year old first appeared on the second season of Love Island in 2016 where she coupled up with Scott Thomas, with the pair keeping their relationship going for a year after the show before calling it quits.

Seven years after last appearing in the Love island villa, Kady McDermott once again dusted off her bikinis as she returned to the ITV2 dating show this week as a surprise bombshell. The 27-year-old star first rose to fame on the second series of the show back in 2016, where she quickly found love with fellow contestant Scott Thomas.

Love Island's Kady McDermott has already made a dig at her ex Scott Thomas, just moments after arriving in the villa.The 27-year-old rose to fame back in 2016 when she appeared on the second series of the show. She was famously coupled up with Scott Thomas and despite not winning the show the pair came third and carried on their romance on the outside. Kady and Scott moved in together and they even spoke about marriage.

Just when you thought things in the Love Island villa couldn’t get any more dramatic, the surprising return of former Love Island alumni Kady McDermott looks destined to drum up trouble in the coming days as she sets her sights firmly on finding love for a second time. As regular viewers will know, Kady first shot to fame on the show back in 2016, when she famously coupled up with her villa beau Scott Thomas after experiencing a whirlwind of emotions while in the villa.

All eyes have been on former Love Island star Scott Thomas since it was revealed last night that his ex-girlfriend Kady McDermott would be re-entering the villa this week after seven years off-screen. Whilst Manchester lad Scott, 34 - who met his bombshell former flame during his 2016 appearance on the show, when he was 27 and she was 20 - is yet to respond to the news that send fans of the ITV2 dating show wild last night, he has been seen out in public.The social media hunk was spotted returning from a gym session in Cheshire wearing a skin-tight Nike long-sleeved shirt and black shorts, holding his phone in his hand and with a glum expression.

Love Island producers sent viewers into a frenzy last night after it was revealed that former firecracker Kady McDermott - who appeared on the second instalment of the dating series back in 2016 - would be re-entering the villa seven years later. And while many fans flocked to Twitter to express their amusement at the former bombshell making an on-screen appearance once again, some viewers have been eagerly awaiting ex-boyfriend Scott Thomas' response to the drama.The pair met on the show - when social media boss Scott was 27 and brunette bombshell Kady was only 20 - but unfortunately, their romance was short-lived, after their on-again-off-again relationship came to an end just two years later.

Last night, OG Love Island fans were left completely shook when it was revealed that Kady McDermott will be heading back into the villa for a second time. To recap, the 27 year old first appeared on the iconic dating show seven years ago following her stint in series two.Those who watched the show will remember the reality star coming third place with her then boyfriend, Scott Thomas - the brother of soap stars Adam and Ryan Thomas. However, after revealing she’s “a lot more emotionally mature” and “allowed to be pickier” this time around, fans are excited to see one of the original Islanders back on their screens, and are interested to see how things have changed almost 10 years on.

It’s official, Love Island favourite Kady McDermott is heading back into the villa to look for romance, seven years after first appearing on the show back in 2016.The 27 year old star, who first shot to fame on season 2 of the show, was revealed to be returning to the villa at the end of Thursday night’s episode, with a teaser revealing the stunning brunette had barely changed a bit! Easily one of the most famous stars to have come out of the show, Kady previously finished third in her series alongside ex partner Scott Thomas, but clearly has every intention of taking home the Love Island crown with her second time in the Mallorcan villa. Since appearing on the show, Kady has enjoyed a series of high profile romances, including with TOWIE star Myles Barnett, and even managed to enjoy a brief fling with Matty Cash.

This week on Love Island , bombshell Leah Taylor was reduced to tears after Sammy Root branded her as a 'test' in his relationship with Jess Harding, sparking conversations online about the role of the bombshell in the Love Island villa. The battle between the OG Islanders and the bombshells happens every season, with iconic bombshells such as Megan Barton-Hanson and Molly-Mae Hague sent in to shake things up and try to make coupled-up Islander’s heads turn.

Kelsey Parker has cosied up to former Love Island winners Cara De La Hoyde and Nathan Massey as she brands them her “faves” in an adorable Instagram story. Kelsey, 33, who is the widow of The Wanted star Tom Parker, was hosting a charity football match in honour of her late husband and recruited a series of celebs to take part.The charity football match, which was hosted by Bromley FC, raised funds for brain tumour charity Ahead Of The Game. Nathan Massey, who won Love Island in 2016 alongside his now-wife Cara, was among the celebs who turned out to offer their support to Kelsey.

TOWIE's Pete Wicks and The Pussycat Dolls' Melody Thornton have all appeared on Celebs Go Dating and graced the halls of the iconic dating agency (with varied success) and now it's the turn of six new celebs. . .

Love Island’s Paige Thorne, who appeared on last summer's series of the hit ITV show, has taken a swipe at her ex-boyfriend Adam Collard after he called their relationship a “game plan”. Adam, who is the only person so far to step foot in the villa as an islander on two separate occasions, seemingly found a connection with paramedic Paige, 25.

Kady McDermott is set to make a Love Island comeback, returning to the show after seven years since her initial appearance, according to reports. During her previous stint on the reality dating series in 2016, Kady, along with her then-boyfriend Scott Thomas, 34, came in third position. And with Kady's, 27, rumoured return a surprise for fans it appears her social media is littered with hints about a potential villa comeback.

Kady McDermott, 27, is set to make a comeback to Love Island, returning to the show after seven years since her initial appearance, according to reports. During her previous stint on the reality dating series in 2016, Kady, along with her then-boyfriend Scott Thomas, 34, secured third runners up position, while the ultimate victory went to now-happily married couple Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde, who took home the £50,000 prize.

Love Island bosses are continuing to shake things up in the villa and fans are thrilled by all the drama so far, despite the show only being in its second week. A sneak peek of tonight’s episode revealed a new bombshell entering the villa, and fans are saying he is the spitting image of another memorable Islander. Meet Scott Van Der Sluis, a 22-year-old footballer hailing from Connah's Quay in North Wales, who fans are already comparing to former Love Island star Jacques O'Neill, Paige Thorne's ex-boyfriend.

With plenty of parties, festivals and other glitzy events, summer is the perfect time to add a little shimmer to skin. While, for some, that means adding a subtle shimmer using a facial highlighter, for others - like former Love Islander Paige Thorne - that means coating skin from top to bottom is a golden glowing shimmer.