Doubt Is Cast on Reasons Behind 'Late Show' Cancellation

Doubt Is Cast on Reasons Behind 'Late Show' Cancellation

'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' during Thursday's July 17, 2025 show. Credit - Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images Late-night TV has been on the decline for years, as viewers spend more time on streaming services and oftenfavor late-show clipson YouTube or TikTok over nightly appointment viewing. But CBS'sThe Late ShowWith Stephen Colbertwas still leading the race by a mile. Second-quarter Nielsen ratingsshowthat the program helmed by comedian Stephen Colbert had 2.42 million viewers across 41 new episodes, taking some 9% of the audience share and besting other shows in his timeslot. It was also the only show to rake in more viewers than in the previous quarter. And earlier this week, it received aPrimetime Emmy nominationfor outstanding talk series. So when Colbert told his audience at a taping on Thursday that "next year will be our last season," viewers were blindsided. Spectators at the Ed Sullivan Theater booed. "Yeah, I share your feelings," the host responded, explaining that he'd learned of the decision only the night before. More than three decades since it first aired,The Late Showis making its final curtain call in May 2026. Colbert won't be replaced by a new host. "This is all just going away," he said. The cancellation ofThe Late Showcomes just a few days after Colbert ridiculed CBS' parent company Paramount's$16 millionsettlement with President Donald Trump. Trump had sued the entertainment company over the editing of a60 Minutesinterview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Colbert, in hismonologue, called the settlement a "big fat bribe," referencing the pending sale of Paramount to Skydance Media, which requires the approval of the Trump Administration. "As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended. And I don't know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company," Colbert said Monday. Paramount and CBS executives quickly dispelled rumors of any external influence beyond the current state of late night TV: "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." To be sure, even if the axing ofThe Late Showis the most drastic example, the show is not the only victim of the flailing state of American late-night TV. Its timeslot competitor on NBC,The Tonight ShowStarring Jimmy Fallon, had pared down taping days last year from five to four—with reruns aired on Fridays. NBC'sLate Night With Seth Meyersbid its house band goodbye amid budget cuts. In 2023, CBS'sThe Late Late Showalso got axed after its host James Corden left, and a less expensiveAfter Midnightcomedy game show—on which Colbert was executive producer—took over the slot. That show, too, was canceled after host Taylor Tomlinson exited to return to stand-up. The state of late-night TV today is a far cry from the dominance of Johnny Carson beginning in the '60s, or the reign of Jay Leno and David Letterman in the '90s and 2000s. Six years ago, the viewership ofThe Late Showwas at 3.81 million; by the 2023-2024 season, it was at 2.6 million, per theHollywoodReporter. Producing late-night TV is also expensive—its hosts alonerake in millionsin annual salaries—and Internet viewership can't fully make uplost ad revenues. But the cancellation also comes at a time when Trump has become more iron-fisted with press freedom. Hebanned journalistsfrom the Oval Office,pursued legal challengesagainst media organizations that report critically on him, andsought the dismantlingof public broadcasters. It's for this reason that many have cast doubt on the reasons behind the show's cancellation, given that Colbert has imbued the show with more politics since his takeover, sometimes making Trump the butt of hiscriticismandjokes. Friday morning, Trump celebrated the news,writingon Truth Social: "I absolutely love that Colbert' got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!" Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California who was a guest on the Thursday taping,saidon X: "If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, echoed concerns of a clampdown. "CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery," shesaidon X. "America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons." "'Financial reasons'" my ass,"saidactivist Charlotte Clymer on X. "This is political." Others, meanwhile, have expressed their sadness over the loss of a late-night pillar. CNN host Anderson Coopersaidhe was "shocked and truly saddened" by the news of the cancellation. He lauded Colbert for being "at heart, an incredibly decent human being." On Instagram, replying to a video clip ofColbert's announcement, journalist Katie Couric said: "I am so upset about this. I need more information. We love you @stephenathome" Filmmaker Judd Apatow said: "My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless. Excited to see what other brilliance you put into the world." From Jon Batiste, formerLate Showband leader: "The greatest to ever do it." Then fromSnow Whiteactor Rachel Zegler: "I am extremely sad. I adore you, Stephen." And Adam Scott ofSeverancewrote: "Love you Stephen. This is absolute bullsh-t, and I for one am looking forward to the next 10 months of shows." One thing is for sure: the disappearance of theLate Showunder the Trump Administration could not be simply swept under the rug. Bill Carter, who wrote several books on late-night television,postedon X: "The financial side of that business has definitely been under pressure, as CBS release asserts, but if CBS believes it can escape without some serious questions about capitulating to Trump, they are seriously deluded." Contact usatletters@time.com.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Doubt Is Cast on Reasons Behind 'Late Show' Cancellation

Doubt Is Cast on Reasons Behind 'Late Show' Cancellation 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' during Thursday's July 17,...

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Kate Bosworth and Justin Long Quietly Welcomed a Baby Girl

Kate Bosworth and Justin Long Quietly Welcomed a Baby Girl

Kate Bosworth and Justin Long are celebrating a new chapter of their relationship: parenthood. On Thursday,Page Sixreported that the Hollywood pair have welcomed a baby girl. According to a source, the actors had the baby, their first child, via surrogacy. The low-key couple began dating in 2022 and got married a year later in New York City. Before dating Long, theBlue Crushstar was married to director and writer Michael Polish from 2013 to 2021. Meanwhile, theHe's Just Not That Into Youstar previously dated Drew Barrymore. Like most Hollywood couples, Bosworth and Long worked to keep the early days of their relationship as private as possible. After beingphotographed togetherfor the first time in March 2022, they slowly began to share more about their romance in interviews and on social media. In April 2023, Long announcedthe couple's engagementin a funny Instagram post that doubled as a promo for theAcceptedstar'sLife is Shortpodcast. Captioning a red-carpet selfie of the pair, with Bosworth flashing her radiant-cut diamond engagement ring, Long wrote at the time, "She said YES… to being a guest on@lifeisshortpodcast! And to other slightly more life-changing questions ;)"He added, "My favorite person is now also my favorite guest on my favorite podcast! One day the incredibly talented@katebosworthwill be on this podcast and talk about her years of memorable acting performances but on THIS episode we mostly talk about… the events that lead up to her agreeing to spend her life with this very VERY lucky podcast host." A year later, Long took to Instagram once again to share a lengthy tribute post to his now-wife in honor of her 41st birthday. In the loving post, accompanied by a montage of photos and videos from the couple's two years together, the podcast host hinted at wanting children. Joking that one day, their future kids might ask why Long wrote "sappy things" about Bosworth on social media, to which he said he would tell them: "...because there are a lot of poisonous things on the Internet but your mom always inspires me to put good things into the world." He added, "Besides, i know reading those old posts touched her and made her smile. And I've been so blessed to have experienced so many fun, wondrous things in this life - things for which I'll never be able to properly express my gratitude - but of all those joys, touching your Mom and making her smile are my favorites." You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Kate Bosworth and Justin Long Quietly Welcomed a Baby Girl

Kate Bosworth and Justin Long Quietly Welcomed a Baby Girl Kate Bosworth and Justin Long are celebrating a new chapter of their relationship...

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'It’s just how I am': Hatton chunters and curses his way into contention at the British Open

'It's just how I am': Hatton chunters and curses his way into contention at the British Open

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — He curses out loud, he slams his clubs, he castigates himself — and his ball. All sometimes on the same hole. Tyrrell Hatton, a combustible English golfer, can divide opinion with his on-course conduct but few can argue about the quality of his game. And this week at Royal Portrush, he's making another run at a major championship. Hatton shot 2-under 69 in the second round of the British Open on Friday and, on 5-under par, was three strokes off the clubhouse lead held by Brian Harman. It comes just a few weeks after he was tied for the lead on Sunday at the U.S. Open when teeing off on the 71st hole, only fora bad break to derail his challenge. Maybe, then, his seemingly erratic behavior doesn't do him too much harm. "Although from the outside it looks like I'm completely gone," Hatton said, "in my own mind I still know where I'm at." Like at the par-4 14th hole Friday when he missed the green with a lob wedge. He screamed at himself and pointed at the slopes around the green of this grand old layout off the North Atlantic. Like on the par-4 18th hole when he hit a drive down the middle, only to set off down the fairway glaring at his 3-wood. "I'm not going to change," Hatton said. "It's just how I am, how I play." So, he isn't for changing? "I'm 33," Hatton replied, smiling. "I think that ship has sailed, to be honest." Hatton can go too far. In November, he wasfined by the European tour and rebukedby a TV commentator after he cursed loudly after shots and pressed his iron so hard into the ground that it snapped at the World Tour Championship in Dubai. "It's time for change, I'm afraid,"Ewen Murray, a commentator on British broadcaster Sky Sports, said. "That's a terrible influence on the next generation." This doesn't look like it will happen. Hatton's chuntering and general on-course antics can be box-office viewing at times, especially when tournaments are at their most tense and he's in contention. "I've always said, as long as it's not affecting my playing partners," he said. "Sure, there's been times I've probably gone too far and you comment on a putt when they're putting on the same line and then it maybe affects where they're hitting their putt, stuff like that. "I think that's part of what you learn as you get more experience, so I do try and avoid that kind of thing. But yeah, as long as I'm not affecting the other guys, then I'm not going to change." What he hopes will change is the result compared to last month's U.S. Open. In a five-way tie for the lead at Oakmont and in with a shout of his first major title, Hatton hit what he thought was a good drive to the right — only for the ball to settle in knotty rough on a downslope above a greenside bunker. He made bogey and wound up tying for fourth, four back of winner J.J. Spaun. "I know it wasn't the ending of how I'd like it to have played out, but how I dealt with everything there and even out on the golf course with the most pressure, I still feel like I hit some really good golf shots," Hatton said. "I'd love to have another chance to win." ___ AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

'It’s just how I am': Hatton chunters and curses his way into contention at the British Open

'It's just how I am': Hatton chunters and curses his way into contention at the British Open PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — H...

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Caitlin Clark reveals what she’ll do instead of playing in WNBA All-Star Game

Caitlin Clark reveals what she'll do instead of playing in WNBA All-Star Game

Although Caitlin Clark won't play in the2025 WNBA All-Star Gamedue to a groin injury, the Indiana Fever point guard is in good spirits and ready for a fun weekend of women's basketball, festivities and fanfare. "I'm feeling good. Obviously a lot of this cheers me up," Clark told Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" on Friday morning, surrounded by fans in Indianapolis. "There's so many people that put in so much time and effort to make this weekend amazing. And this is really just the start to two really great days." Clark, 23, continued, "I'm just excited to be out here and see everybody. I think the rest of the day will be awesome, tonight and tomorrow as well." While she will be sitting out both the game and three-point contest, Clark said she would "be active on the sidelines," cheering on her teammates and ready to "chirp at the other team." The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, who was selected No. 1 overall by Indiana in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has sparked a new fire for the next generation of young fans. "It's something that never gets old, truly. To see young girls and even young boys wear your jersey, or want a picture, or want an autograph, that's the reason you do it," Clark said. "You were just that young girl, honestly, a short time ago. For myself, it just puts perspective on everything." "Every time I walk out in the arena and people are screaming and cheering, they could care less how many points I score or how many minutes I play. Just puts great perspective on life and also just basketball, so I'm really thankful for that," she added. In an All-Star fan vote, Clark and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier were named captains for Saturday's game, but with Clark out, Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes will take a spot on the Team Clark roster.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Caitlin Clark reveals what she’ll do instead of playing in WNBA All-Star Game

Caitlin Clark reveals what she'll do instead of playing in WNBA All-Star Game Although Caitlin Clark won't play in the2025 WNBA All-...

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Alan Bergman, Oscar-Winning ‘The Way We Were’ Songwriter, Dies at 99

Alan Bergman, Oscar-Winning 'The Way We Were' Songwriter, Dies at 99

Alan Bergman, the Oscar-, Grammy- and Emmy-winning songwriter whose lyric-writing partnership with his wife Marilyn lasted more than six decades and produced such hits as "The Windmills of Your Mind," "The Way We Were" and "In the Heat of the Night," died Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles. He was 99. Marilyn Bergman, who died in January 2022, was the first woman president and chairman of the board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a leading performing-rights society for music-makers. Alan soldiered on even after her death, continuing to put words to music. More from Variety Jackson Browne, Seth MacFarlane, Patti Austin Among Performers Set for 100th Birthday Tribute to Lyricist Alan Bergman Disney's Reorg Revealed: Dana Walden and Alan Bergman Divide Entertainment Assets, International Chief Rebecca Campbell to Exit Marilyn Bergman's Lyrical Legacy Memorialized in Classic Hollywood Songs The Bergmans, who penned hundreds of songs, mostly for movies and TV, bridged the traditional Great American Songbook era of Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin with the more modern pop sensibility of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Their poetic touch, combined with the melodic gifts of so many of their collaborators, elevated the films on which they worked, and made them first-call songwriters for A-list directors like Sydney Pollack, Norman Jewison and Richard Brooks. "Windmills" is a modern classic ("round, like a circle in spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever-spinning reel…"), as is "Way We Were" ("memories light the corners of my mind, misty watercolor memories…"), while the soulful words of "Heat of the Night" astonished singer Ray Charles when he learned the married couple who wrote them was white. The Bergmans' catalog, even apart from their many awards, constitutes a large portion of the truly great movie songs of the last half of the 20th century. Collaborating with such top composers as Michel Legrand, Marvin Hamlisch, John Williams, Johnny Mandel, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, David Shire and James Newton Howard, they built a stellar reputation for clever, insightful wordplay. The Bergmans won three Academy Awards: for "Windmills" in 1968, with French composer Legrand, from "The Thomas Crown Affair"; for the title song of "The Way We Were" in 1973, with Hamlisch; and the song score for Barbra Streisand's "Yentl" in 1983, again with Legrand. They were nominated for 13 more Oscars, five of them with their close friend Legrand (including "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" from 1969's "The Happy Ending," the title song from 1970's "Pieces of Dreams," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" from 1982's "Best Friends," and two songs from "Yentl," "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "The Way He Makes Me Feel"). Two more were with Hamlisch, for songs in 1978's "Same Time, Next Year" and 1980's "Shirley Valentine"; two with Williams, for songs in 1982's "Yes, Giorgio" and 1995's "Sabrina"; and individual songs with Mancini (for 1971's "Sometimes a Great Notion"), Maurice Jarre (for 1972's "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean"), Shire (1979's "The Promise") and Grusin (1982's "Tootsie"). Four of their 11 Grammy nominations were for Song of the Year, and they won for Streisand's recording of "The Way We Were" (also winning for best soundtrack album). Their other Song of the Year nods were for "Nice 'n' Easy," a hit for Frank Sinatra in 1960; "The Summer Knows," a Streisand song from 1971; and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," a 1978 duet by Streisand and Neil Diamond. Their TV themes included "Maude" and "Good Times" (written with Grusin), "Alice" (with Shire) and "Brooklyn Bridge" (with Hamlisch). They won Emmys for the score of the 1975 TV musical "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom" (with Billy Goldenberg), a song for "Sybil" (with Leonard Rosenman); "Ordinary Miracles" for Barbra Streisand's 1995 HBO special and "A Ticket to Dream" for the 1998 AFI "100 Years, 100 Movies" special (both with Hamlisch). "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom" was adapted for Broadway in 1978 as "Ballroom," and earned a Tony nomination as Best Musical. They later collaborated with Cy Coleman on the stage musical "Portraits in Jazz: A Gallery of Songs," which led to another show, "Like Jazz," that played L.A.'s Mark Taper Forum in 2003. Alan Bergman was born Sept. 11, 1925; Marilyn Keith was, coincidentally, born three years later in the same Brooklyn hospital, but they didn't meet until the late 1950s in California when both were collaborating with songwriter Lew Spence. Alan had studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a master's in music at UCLA. Not long after, he said in a 2011 interview, he was mentored by the already well-established lyricist Johnny Mercer ("Jeepers Creepers," "Accentuate the Positive"). Marilyn and Alan were married in February 1958 and were professional collaborators their entire careers. Among their early hits were "Nice 'n' Easy," title track for the Sinatra album, written with Spence; and "Yellow Bird," a calypso number for a 1959 Norman Luboff album. "We had a passion, and a joy, for writing," Alan said in that interview for the Film Music Foundation. "We loved to write. We write every day. When you love what you do, and you do it with someone you love, that helps everything." He explained their collaborative process this way: "One is the creator and the other is the editor. And those roles change in seconds. It's like pitching and catching, back and forth. And when we write four bars or eight bars, I sing them, so singing is a part of the process. It's constant, back-and-forth communication." "In the Heat of the Night," sung by Ray Charles, was their big breakthrough film, working with composer Quincy Jones in 1967; they later collaborated with Jones on songs for "John and Mary" and "The Getaway." Their other films included, with Grusin, "And Justice for All" and "For the Boys"; with Williams, "Fitzwilly" and "Pete 'n' Tillie"; with Johnny Mandel, "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams" and "Harper"; with Mancini, "Gaily, Gaily" and "Back Roads"; with Elmer Bernstein, "From Noon Till Three"; with Jerry Goldsmith, "The Russia House"; with John Barry, "Out of Africa"; and with Howard, "The Prince of Tides." Singers who performed Bergman songs — in addition to Sinatra, Streisand and Charles — included Fred Astaire, Neil Diamond, Tony Bennett, Maureen McGovern, Michael Feinstein, Patti Austin and James Ingram. The Bergmans were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980 and received its Johnny Mercer Award in 1997. They received a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Songwriters in 1995. The National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) gave them a governor's award in 2002, and its trustees' award in 2013. Survivors include a daughter, Julie, and a granddaughter. A previously scheduled 100th-birthday celebration on Sept. 11 at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif. (with such guests as Seth MacFarlane, Michael Feinstein, Dave Grusin and Jackson Browne) will go on as scheduled, becoming a celebration of the Bergmans' work, a family spokesman said. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Alan Bergman, Oscar-Winning ‘The Way We Were’ Songwriter, Dies at 99

Alan Bergman, Oscar-Winning 'The Way We Were' Songwriter, Dies at 99 Alan Bergman, the Oscar-, Grammy- and Emmy-winning songwriter w...

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Henry Cavill Reveals the Sex of His First Baby with Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso in Rare Update on Family Life

Henry Cavill Reveals the Sex of His First Baby with Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso in Rare Update on Family Life

Samir Hussein/WireImage Henry Cavill revealed the sex of his baby with girlfriend Natalie Viscuso The actor shared in a recent interview that he's now a girl dad When asked byBritish GQabout the "most important time" in his life, Cavill said it was "settling into our forever home" with his family Henry Cavillis a girl dad! TheMan of Steelstar, 42, revealed in a recent interview withBritish GQthat the baby he and girlfriendNatalie Viscusowelcomed earlier this yearis a girl while sharing a rare glimpse into their family life. Speaking with the publication about becoming the new ambassador for Longines back in May, Cavill was asked what he considered to be the "most important time" in his life so far. "My daughter being born, and the 5 of us [partner Natalie, daughter, Cavill and their two dogs] settling into our forever home," he replied. Dan Peled/Getty Elsewhere in the interview, Cavill also detailed what he does to disconnect and the importance of time in his life. "I'm a big fan of computer games which can be both a disconnect and a wonderful way to dive into storytelling," he said. "Conversely, I also love to spend time outdoors soaking in the wonders of the world. Where I live has a magic to it that is difficult to describe." The actor said that he feels most grounded while "at home in the U.K." "I've found a very special place that speaks to my soul in so many ways," he explained. Cavill and the television executive, who he has been dating since 2021, were announced to be parents back in January, when PEOPLE confirmed that the pair welcomed their first baby together. At the time, the baby's name, sex and birthdate remained private. TheMinistry of Ungentlemanly Warfarestar confirmed in April 2024 that he and Viscuso were expecting their first child, tellingAccess Hollywoodat the film's New York City premiere that they were "both very excited about it," and he was "sure you'll see much more of that." During his first Father's Day as a dad-to-be that June, Cavill even asked his Instagram followers for somefatherly tipsas he posed for a selfie in front of a nursery. "And don't worry, pillows won't be in the crib when the wee one arrives, just glue and scalpels so he or she can build Warhammer miniatures," he joked. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. It's been nearly three years since Cavill and Viscuso made theirred carpet debutin October 2022, as the couple stepped out at theEnola Holmes 2premiere. They then announced that they'd be adapting theWarhammer 40,000game together two months later, with Cavill writing that it was "a blessing beyond words, [as] without her we might not have found the perfect home at Amazon." The couple recently stepped out together in Italy for theTaormina Film Festivalin Taormina on June 11, about six months after welcoming their little one. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Henry Cavill Reveals the Sex of His First Baby with Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso in Rare Update on Family Life

Henry Cavill Reveals the Sex of His First Baby with Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso in Rare Update on Family Life Samir Hussein/WireImage Henry C...

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Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins won't report to training camp as he focuses on domestic-violence charge

Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins won't report to training camp as he focuses on domestic-violence charge

Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged domestic violence. Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins won't report to training camp Friday with the rest of the team's draft picks. Judkins, who is unsigned, was told by the team tofocus on his legal situationafter being arrested on a domestic-violence charge Saturday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Judkins was arrested Saturday after he allegedlypunched a womanin the chin/lip area, arm and thigh after the pair got off a flight at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The woman reported the alleged assault five days later because she "felt bad due to the recent success and career of the defendant," per the police report. The woman reportedly still had bruising in the areas in which she claimed she was hit by Judkins. While Judkins' contract situation prevents him from reporting to the Browns, the team seemingly is in no rush to get a deal done. Following Judkins' arrest, the team reportedly told him to focus on his legal situation, a sign it's not in a hurry to get a deal done at this time. A number of 2025 second-round draft picksentered Monday unsigned. But with training camps approaching, players started putting pen to paper. San Francisco 49ers rookie Alfred Collins, Chicago Bears lineman Ozzy Trapilo and Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre Harris are among the second-round picks to come to terms with their teams in recent days. All those deals helped set the market, leading to a domino effect from the other second rounders from the 2025 NFL Draft. Judkins may have been involved in that deluge of signings if not for his arrest. Judkins, 21, was taken by the Browns with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was expected to play a major role in the team's offense after former standout Nick Chubb left in the offseason. In his final season with Ohio State, Judkins ran for 1,060 yards and scored 14 rushing touchdowns, making him one of the best running-back prospects in the draft. The arrest complicates Judkins' NFL future, as he could face a suspension from the league before playing in his first NFL game. The NFL will likely wait until more information is released regarding the arrest before doling out a possible punishment to Judkins.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins won't report to training camp as he focuses on domestic-violence charge

Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins won't report to training camp as he focuses on domestic-violence charge Content warning: This article con...

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Harris English, Matt Fitzpatrick in 5-way tie for lead at Open Championship

Harris English, Matt Fitzpatrick in 5-way tie for lead at Open Championship

Harris English and England's Matt Fitzpatrick joined Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen, China's Haotong Li and South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout with 4-under-par 67s to share the first-round lead of the Open Championship on Thursday at Portrush, Northern Ireland. Scores were bunched together up and down the leaderboard as dealing with the elements became part of the challenge at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Golfers battled wind gusts and, for those playing in the middle of the day, rain that was bothersome at times. "Wind is something that obviously makes links golf challenging, but the rain adds a whole new element to it, especially when you're hitting the tee balls," said World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who's one stroke back after shooting 68. English reached 5 under for the solo lead with his seventh birdie of the round before a bogey on No. 14 and pars the rest of the way. "That's why I come over and play the Scottish (Open) is to get used to links golf," English said afterward. "I played really well last week. I didn't have the Sunday that I wanted, but I felt like my game was sharp and I did what I needed to do to get ready for this week." Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana and Englishmen Matthew Jordan and Tyrrell Hatton matched Scheffler with 68s. There are 10 golfers at 2-under 69, including Danish twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Lee Westwood of England, 2023 Open champ Brian Harman, Rickie Fowler and England's Justin Rose. Lucas Glover, aided by an eagle on the second hole, reached 4 under through seven holes before a couple of bogeys on the back nine left him at 2 under as well. Phil Mickelson, the tournament's 2013 champion, stood at 2 under at the round's midway mark before finishing with a 1-under 70. He provided an early thrill by holing a shot from the bunker for a par on the third hole. "I didn't make a ton of long ones, but I made a lot of short ones and a lot of good up-and-downs and lag putting," Mickelson said. "You find that going back on past experience, you don't have to press it. You don't have to force it." Other scores of interest included Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Ireland's Shane Lowry and Spain's Sergio Garcia at 70. "It was a tough enough day, especially either chopping out of the rough or out of the fairway bunkers most of the time," McIlroy said. "So to shoot under par was a good effort." McIlroy is trying to win his second Open in front of his home-country fans, and Lowry was the champion the last time the major was held here in 2019. Fitzpatrick pulled even with the leaders with a chip-in on the par-3 16th hole. His attempt from well below the hole hit the pin and dropped in. "A bit of luck obviously. Sometimes you need that," he said. "Obviously, it just came out a little bit harder than I anticipated and on the perfect line." Earlier, Fitzpatrick posted an eagle on the par-5 second hole. "Felt like I did everything well," Fitzpatrick said. "Just drove it well, approach play was good and chipped and putted well. It was just an all-around good day." Olesen, who turned pro last year and has two prior starts in PGA Tour events, used an eagle on the par-5 12th hole to move into the lead. His second bogey of the round on the final hole cost him the midday solo lead. Li had a bogey-free round with a pair of birdies on each side. "I've been playing quite solid the whole year so far until the last couple weeks, so hopefully keep the momentum and have some good results come in," Li said. Bezuidenhout has been making adjustments with mechanics, and some of those are working out so far this week. "I've been going through some swing changes and stuff," he said. "It's nice to see that paying off." Scheffler notched birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for a strong closing stretch. Two of his five birdies in the round came on par-3s. Chris Gotterup, who was coming off the weekend's victory in the Genesis Scottish Open, shot 72. He went 2 under through 12 holes before three consecutive bogeys on Nos. 13-15. U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay and Australian Jason Day shot 2-over 73. Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa struggled to rounds of 4-over 75, and Bryson DeChambeau shot a 7-over 78 without a birdie. DeChambeau was tied for 144th at day's end. --Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Harris English, Matt Fitzpatrick in 5-way tie for lead at Open Championship

Harris English, Matt Fitzpatrick in 5-way tie for lead at Open Championship Harris English and England's Matt Fitzpatrick joined Denmark...

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Beyoncé Fan Startled by Insect Causes ‘Stampede’ After Atlanta Concert, Leaving 11 Injured

Beyoncé Fan Startled by Insect Causes 'Stampede' After Atlanta Concert, Leaving 11 Injured

TMX Concert-goers leaving Beyoncé's Atlanta show in the early morning hours of July 15 were injured at a MARTA station MARTA officials tell PEOPLE that 11 people were injured, including one with a broken ankle, after a person screamed in reaction to a bug The escalator in the station reportedly malfunctioned, causing passengers to topple over each other, leading to injury Warning: This story includes a photo of one of the injuries sustained by a concert-goer. The picture features blood. Beyoncéconcert-goers had a terrifying end to their evening on the final night of the singer'sCowboy CartertourAtlanta shows. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 15, crowds of people leaving the Mercedes-Benz Stadium took the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to get home. But at the Vine City station, an incident caused mass injuries. "Just after midnight on Tuesday, July 15, 11 people leaving the Beyoncé concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta were injured on an escalator at Vine City Station," Stephany Fisher, sr. director of communications for MARTA, tells PEOPLE. "One person suffered a broken ankle, seven people were transported to the hospital with cuts and scrapes, and one person declined transport. Two people requested medical assistance after reaching their destinations." TMX According to Fisher, MARTA Police who were on the scene reported that "a person began screaming and running, causing a stampede on the escalator that caused it to temporarily speed up and then stop suddenly." Fisher adds that the escalator has since been barricaded, and that both MARTA and the escalator's manufacturer, Schindler, are investigating the situation.MARTA police chief Scott Kreher told11Alivethat the person who reportedly started the stampede was actually a 10-year-old girl who observed a cockroach or "Palmetto bug." TMX "There was someone who started to scream outside of the station. She was startled by a bug outside, outside the large crowd," acting CEO Rhonda Allen told the MARTA board on July 17, 11Alive reported. When asked about this claim, Fisher tells PEOPLE, "MARTA Police on scene said there was a scream, and witnesses said the person who screamed was reacting to an insect. I believe there's also video on TikTok of a woman claiming it was a 10-year-old relative who screamed when she saw a bug." TMX Video footage captured from the alarming event shows the escalator lurching forward, causing people to topple over one another as the crowd screamed. People were then seen being helped off the ground by fellow concert-goers. "It just created a whole entire slide full of people," student Jacobi Edwards toldFox 5. "It just started tumbling — people just tumbling on each other. It was crazy, it was chaotic." The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! 11Alivereported that an inspection certificate posted on the same escalator showed that it is set to expire next month. The escalator's manufacturer, Schindler, released a statement following the incident. "We are aware of the incident that occurred following the conclusion of a nearby concert on an escalator at Vine City Station, stemming from a sudden crowd surge/stampede," the company told 11Alive in a statement. "We extend our sympathies to the passengers who were injured. We take the safety of the riding public seriously and are committed to working closely with MARTA, Vine City Station personnel, and local authorities to fully investigate and determine the cause of the incident. At this time, we have no verified information as to the cause and it would be inappropriate to speculate." PEOPLE has reached out to Schindler for comment on the incident. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Beyoncé Fan Startled by Insect Causes ‘Stampede’ After Atlanta Concert, Leaving 11 Injured

Beyoncé Fan Startled by Insect Causes 'Stampede' After Atlanta Concert, Leaving 11 Injured TMX Concert-goers leaving Beyoncé's A...

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After 50 years, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham create new rumors

After 50 years, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham create new rumors

Almost 50 years later,Stevie NicksandLindsey Buckinghamstill can't quit stirring rumors. Two parts of a tempestuous love affair that helped buoyFleetwood Mac'ssuccess,Nicksand Buckingham whipped fans of the '70s rock band into a tizzy this week when they hinted at a possible reunion. In separate posts on social media, they shared what appeared to be a handwritten exchange. "And if I go forward..."a note,posted July 17 on Nicks' X account,seemingly in her loopy cursive, read. "I'll meet you there," a twin message,posted to Buckingham's page, responded, scrawled out in different handwriting. Stevie Nicks solo tourgets more dates: How to get tickets Together, the notes form a line from "Frozen Love," a song off the pair's 1973 album "Buckingham Nicks," their first and only joint venture before joiningFleetwood Macthe following year. Elsewhere on the internet, Mick Fleetwood, a drummer and founding member of the band, fanned the flames, sharinga video on Instagramof him listening to the track, captioned "Magic then, magic now." USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Nicks and Buckingham for comment. While Fleetwood Mac, as a collective, rose to the top of the charts in the 1970s and enjoys widespread popularity now, it is the fraught personal and musical tie betweenNicksandBuckinghamthat continues to inspire a cult-like interest. Best Fleetwood Mac songsof all time, from 'Dreams' to 'Go Your Own Way' An on-again, off-again coupleat the height of the band's success, their love affair became the stuff of legend, particularly after "Rumors," a 1977 album littered with lyrics about betrayal and infidelity, offered a raw if not cryptic glimpse into their troubles. Tracks like "Silver Springs" and "Go Your Own Way" are memorialized as testaments to a brilliant but troubled musical pairing, whose personal animus bled into their art. In the years since,Nicksand Buckingham have buried the hatchet, but rarely performed together. Now, fans are hoping their social media posts are teasing a reunion. Whether its an album, radio single, memoir or just a joint performance, though, remains, like the best Fleetwood Mac projects, a rumor. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham fan rumors of Fleetwood Mac reunion

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

After 50 years, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham create new rumors

After 50 years, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham create new rumors Almost 50 years later,Stevie NicksandLindsey Buckinghamstill can't...

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