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Ashton Kutcher Is Reuniting with an Old Punk'd Costar on The Ranch

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The Bennett family homestead is about to get a whole lot better! On the heels of Danny Masterson's exit from the The Ranch, Deadline reports that Dax Shepard will be joining the cast when the Netflix series returns for Season 3 later this year.

Shepard's casting puts him and Ashton Kutcher together again, 15 years after they pranked the hell out of people on Punk'd.

More: 9 Things to Know About the Netflix Original Series The Ranch

Per Deadline, though, Shepard won't be replacing Masteron on The Ranch. It remains to be seen how Masterson's character, Rooster, will be written off, but Shepard won't be sliding into that void. Rather, he will play a former soldier by the name of Luke Matthews who comes back to the Bennetts' hometown of Garrison, Colorado, with "some history" regarding Iron River Ranch. He quickly hits it off with Colt (Kutcher) and Beau (Sam Elliott), but apparently drama follows Luke.

Character drama aside, this comes as a refreshing bit of good news for fans.

The series has been in limbo since sexual assault allegations against Masterson resurfaced. His continued presence last season began to draw major criticism and, some might say, distracted an otherwise solid cast and show. Subsequently, as the Los Angeles Police Department and District Attorney's office investigated rape claims from four women, the former That '70s Show star was fired in December 2017.

More: Dax Shepard Says He'd Love It If His Daughters Wanted to Be Actors

Although fans of Punk'd, Shepard or both would undoubtedly be happy to binge-watch Shepard in the series indefinitely, Deadline confirms that the role will be recurring, not regular. It's hard to be unhappy about this, given that Shepard has already signed on as a lead in the Fox comedy Bless This Mess, co-starring Lake Bell.

So, while you won't get to see Shepard every episode of The Ranch moving forward, you'll at least get a substantial fix of Kristen Bell's hilarious husband. And when that's not enough, you can catch him on his other new series.

Win-win? We think so.

More: Ashton Kutcher Agrees That He Shouldn't Make More Than Natalie Portman


Women Working to Cure Cancer Share Tips for Breaking Into Male-Dominated Fields

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Winning Women

Science has the reputation for being a lonely profession, with researchers spending their days hunched over a microscope looking for signs of movement. But according to real-life scientist Dr. Selina Chen-Kiang, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

When she attended a gathering for parents at her daughter’s kindergarten, one of the other parents said to her, “Are you a scientist? You look absolutely normal!” Chen-Kiang tells SheKnows she thinks this is a good sign we’re moving away from the stereotype of what it means to be a scientist — including that they tend to be men. Currently, she is performing groundbreaking work to translate a therapy approved for breast cancer to a treatment for patients with lymphoma.

More: #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke on What's Next for the Movement

Similarly, Dr. Gwen Nichols, chief medical officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, stresses that if a profession is interesting, you should pursue it — especially when it comes to girls and science — and echoes Chen-Kiang’s thought that a career in science is so much more than people think it is.

“The most important thing to say is that it’s a diverse kind of career,” Nichols tells SheKnows. “I’ve had the opportunity to do many things: being a teacher, a caregiver for patients, science and [help formulate] the mission of an organization that does cancer research. It’s such a broad and interesting field to get into. It’s not a lonely career anymore.”

Under Nichols’ leadership, the LLS has funded increasing numbers of female scientists who are conducting groundbreaking research in blood cancers, including transformational immunotherapies and precision medicine.

“The careers in the sciences are incredibly interesting and gratifying, and it’s an exciting career choice,” Nichols says — but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its challenges.

“One is the challenge that early on, girls are told that they’re not good in the sciences or they don’t have good math skills,” Nichols explains. “And I think there’s also the challenges that — at least when I was growing up — that there weren’t a lot of role models that had successful careers and looked the way I thought I wanted to be when I became a scientist. And I think that’s changed.”

Chen-Kiang agrees, saying that women in science need to work “almost twice as hard” as men do to get to the same place and notes that part of this is because for women, the early part of their career development coincides with the time in their lives that they may get pregnant and become mothers. She credits having a “very supportive partner” with some of her success and also notes the importance of mentorship by other women in the sciences.

“It is a very supportive community — we really support each other,” Chen-Kiang says, adding that with increasing numbers of women in leadership positions — like herself — they are able to understand what younger female scientists are going through and help them whenever possible.

One of the ways Nichols assists younger female scientists is through career development awards at LLS, which target different stages of science careers and provide financial support when people need it most — “when you have the tugging of your personal life and scientific life at odds with each other,” she explains.

In fact, Chen-Kiang is one of the scientists who has benefitted from these awards and says it has made a huge difference in her career. “Once one gets over the hump, there’s a different sense of confidence,” she adds. “It gets a little bit easier.” 

More: Members of U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey Team Say Winning Gold Was "Indescribable"

At the end of the day, she hopes that more women decide to pursue careers in science.

“You don’t want to feel that science is very dry or boring. It’s incredibly exciting, it’s teamwork — everyone with their passion can come in to contribute,” Chen-Kiang says. “The hope is what comes — what can be helpful to cancer treatment [and] to curing cancer — and that’s the goal.”

The Mom's Guide to London

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The Mom's Guide to Glasgow

Kids real and imaginary have long loved London (just think of Peter Pan playing in Kensington Gardens and Christopher Robin taking a trip to London Zoo). But in recent years, the sheer volume of family-friendly spaces in London has truly exploded. It seems like everywhere you look, there is a dedicated kids section in a museum or gallery, a brilliant playground in just about every London park, kid-friendly fine dining options (no, it's not an oxymoron) and even stand-up comedy shows for elementary-age children.

Are you planning a stay in the U.K. capitol with kids in tow? Ahead are some of this here Londoner's top picks for family fun in The Big Smoke.

More:  The Mom's Guide to Chicago

Where to stay

Hotel Novotel

There's accommodation for all budgets in London. When traveling with kids, mini frills-free hotels by Nadler provide a great base from which to explore the city (prices are per room rather than per person, and the mini kitchenettes are perfect for family breakfast options), while budget chain Novotel offers excellent promotions on family rooms, including free accommodation for under-16s.

At the luxury end of the market, some London hotels offer a dedicated children's concierge plus kid-friendly afternoon teas to tempt tiny taste buds. For the ultimate indulgence, check out the St. James in Mayfair, The Landmark in Marylebone; or the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington (their children's afternoon tea includes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, because classy).

Where to eat

London eatery

The options for eating out in London are as varied as the city itself. Almost all cafés and restaurants in London would describe themselves as child-friendly, with many offering special menus to suit younger tastes. My own tried-and-true recommendations include Giraffe's extensive "world cuisine" menu, pizzas from the always-friendly Franco Manca and Mexican treats from Wahaca. Look out, too, for various restaurants where kids eat for free: Bodean's BBQ and The Real Greek are particularly wallet-friendly.

Even London's celebrity chefs are keen to corner the kids market. World-renowned restaurateur Mark Hix offers special children's menus, and kids eat free at certain Hix branches. Tom Aikens' Tom's Kitchen in Canary Wharf also has a great selection for little ones; we love their pancakes for Sunday brunch. Under-12s eat for free in Gordon Ramsay's London restaurants; don't miss the special pizza-making master classes and ice cream bars at certain locations.

More: The Mom's Guide to Los Angeles

Where to catch a show

Bach To Baby concerts

Don't believe the lies: Becoming a parent does not preclude you from enjoying such elegant delights as are on offer in London's cultural scene. Rather, you may just find you're frequenting shows at a more bedtime-friendly hour than before.

Classical music fans will love Bach to Baby concerts in baby-friendly venues around the city, and if you're missing your pre-baby trips to the West End, there are plenty of showtunes (jazz hands at the ready) at the weekly Baby Broadway shows.

As your children grow, you can introduce them to even more of London's diverse music scene. There are child-friendly concerts (in the daytime and with short running times) on offer from the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic and the London Musical Arts Orchestra. London's iconic music venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Southbank Centre, and Wigmore Hall also open their doors at family-friendly times, meaning parents can share their love of live music with their little ones.

My son and I have particularly enjoyed concerts from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Their Tots shows offer the perfect introduction to orchestral music. You can even meet the musicians beforehand and learn about their instruments. Pro tip: Book early, and get a place on the stage so you're right up close to the action.

London continues to be one of the best places in the world to see live theater, and that's true whether you're 8 or 88 years old. While tickets for big West End hits such as The Lion KingMatilda and Aladdin tend to come with big West End prices, there are plenty of smaller venues where kids can sample quality live theater with a more reasonable price tag. Check out the Unicorn Theatre, the U.K.'s only purpose-built theater for kids near London Bridge, the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon or the Little Angel Theatre in Islington for a wide variety of theatrical experiences for little ones.

New parents can also get their stand-up comedy fix at London's Bring Your Own Baby gigs, offering mid-morning weekday giggles for tired moms and dads. And once your little ones are beyond baby stage, introduce them to your love of jokes at the Soho Theatre's Comedy Club 4 Kids. At these monthly shows, top stand-up acts take out the X-rated bits from their scripts and perform their material for anyone age 6 and over.

Where to party, BYO Baby-style

Soho Theatre's Comedy Club 4 Kids

And if it's clubbing you're missing now that you're a parent — yep, London has you covered there too. Get your post-baby disco buzz on with top DJs pumping out tunes at Big Fish Little Fish family-friendly raves; Baby Loves Disco, a daytime dance party for kids under 6 and their parents at Zebrano on Carnaby Street; or Monksi Mouse's Baby Disco Dance Hall on London's Southbank, where kids up to age 5 and their parents can boogie the afternoon away to some fabulous beats.

Where to see art

Dulwich Picture Gallery

You might not expect the venerable Dulwich Picture Gallery — the world's oldest public art gallery, full of Baroque masterpieces — to welcome kids. But when we visited, my son was greeted by a most tempting array of paper and colored pencils right at the front door.

In the center of town, the National Gallery hosts weekly Magic Carpet storytelling sessions for kids under 5, while older children can take part in drawing workshops inspired by the collection. South of the river, the ever-popular Tate Modern remains a firm favorite for families. Ticketed exhibitions are free for under-12s, there's a free buggy park, and you can even get hands-on with family-friendly "object cases" to help you explore the galleries. If you're not sure about tackling modern art with your kids (not being able to answer the question, 'But what is it?' can be either exhilarating or terrifying), the Tate's dedicated kids website is a fantastic place to start.

London's nonart museums, many of which are free, also provide excellent spaces for kids to explore. My personal favorites include the London Transport Museum, with a dedicated area for kids under 7; the Science Museum (check out the wonderful hands-on section in the basement for younger kids); and the National Maritime Museum, in the heart of one of London's most beautiful World Heritage Sites, Greenwich.

Where to let off steam

London's best museum for kids

I once asked a father of four which was London's best museum for kids. He answered somewhat flippantly, "any with a garden." Now that I'm a mum myself, I can see the huge benefits of combining sightseeing with pure green space in which to let off steam. The excellent playground in Greenwich Park may well be the reason my family and I return to the Maritime Museum time and again; you can also combine a trip round Kensington Palace with an afternoon running around the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial garden. Or head out of town to Hampton Court Palace and match royal history with imaginative play in the Magic Garden. (Look out for the steam-breathing dragon. Yes, really!)

More:  The Mom's Guide to Glasgow

And speaking of the great outdoors, day trips to Kew Gardens, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park or a city farm such as Mudchute will provide a welcome kid-oriented antidote to the more adult bustle of inner-city London life.

Bottom line: London is an enthralling city for visitors and locals alike — regardless of their age. And when it comes to keeping kids happy, remember Samuel Johnson's famous aphorism: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." And who could possibly tire of all that?

The Moms’ Guide To London

Yes, Period Insomnia Is a Real Thing — Here's How to Deal With It

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Uterus User's Guide

If you menstruate, you probably feel like just about everything that happens to you that could be considered slightly off has something to do with your period. And you wouldn’t be totally wrong.

I am not, in general, good at sleeping when I’m supposed to be sleeping. I’m the most productive in the mid-afternoon and onward, so I’ve been known to be awake at strange hours. Usually, at some point in the month, though, productive nights give way to fogginess, anxiety and terrible insomnia. Part of this, the anxiety and the feeling like I’m walking through Jell-O, is definitely connected to the arrival of my period, but I wasn’t so sure about the insomnia until I asked a few other vagina owners, and here’s what they reported:

Yes! About three days beforehand. Every. Single. Month.”

“The two nights before are always terrible even if I’m exhausted by life otherwise. I also have messed up dreams.”

More: 5 Facts About Vaginas You Need to Know Now

“Right the eff now. Wide awake, getting no sleep, so tired during the day.”

Why does this happen?

It’s always nice to know it’s not just you, but what is going on? As if there weren’t already myriad odd symptoms connected to our periods, why also this?

“On one hand, it’s not surprising that dealing with crampsheadaches and all the other physical unpleasantries that come along with periods can result in sleep problems,” says Chris Brantner, certified sleep science coach at SleepZoo. Brantner points out that it’s, you guessed it, hormones that are primarily responsible for period insomnia as well as all the shifts in moods we experience. “It’s not uncommon to feel depressed around the start of your period. Furthermore, anxiety can spike during menstruation. Unfortunately, anxiety and depression are two of the most common causes of insomnia.”

It’s a lack of progesterone that’s to blame for insomnia before and during your period. Since progesterone has a sedative effect on the body, particularly bodies with vaginas, this decrease in progesterone is totally normal. Basically, before you bleed, you have a lot of it, and when you are bleeding, it drops, and hello, insomnia.

Your period doesn’t just keep you from sleeping, though. There are actually a number of things that can happen to your sleep cycle in the time directly leading up to bleeding. I definitely know my period is on its way when I have one day of really excellent, razor-sharp concentration.

More: The Internet Is Going Crazy Over an Old Story on Period Pain & Heart Attacks

“This is due to a number of not-so-well-studied changes occurring in the brain and body, which include changes in hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, serotonin and dopamine,” says Dr. Cindy M.P. Duke, medical director, founding physician and laboratory director at the Nevada Fertility Institute. “These hormones have all been implicated in brain functioning, sleep cycles and emotional memory.”

And if you have the experience of feeling like you’re wobbling around in cognitive sludge right before bleeding, you’re not alone. “Interestingly, there are women who can describe that 'fog being lifted' during this time of the month, and they know based on this that their period is about to start,” says Duke.

How can you deal with this?

What can you do to alleviate period insomnia? Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, a Chinese medicine practitioner, recommends dealing with nausea and cramps that might keep you up with a hot water bottle and ginger tea.

”In Chinese medicine, stagnation is another reason for insomnia,” says Trattner, “because the chi or energy of the body isn’t circulating properly. Cardio moves blood and chi, making you sleep better before or during your period.” (And while masturbation might not count as cardio, an orgasm can definitely help you in your quest for sleep.)

Bunny Ghatrora, founder of Ellebox, an organic menstrual product delivery service, has had period insomnia with every cycle and drinks turmeric milk before bed.

M, a teacher in her early 30s, has tried melatonin, but says it only works for a night or two at most. “I also made some lavender spray for my pillow and made a lavender frankincense oil I rub on my temples. It helps, but it’s still frustrating,” she adds.

More: Yes, Your Pubic Hair Can Affect Your Health

Brantner suggests practicing good “sleep hygiene” overall, but especially in the days leading up to your period. Try things like avoiding caffeine (which also has an impact on your period) in the afternoons, exercising and creating a bedtime routine — turning off your screens, practicing yoga, making a list, things that de-escalate your anxiety and worry.

By Chanel Dubofsky

Blue Ivy Carter Just Dropped $19K at an Art Auction with Beyoncé & Jay Z

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World's youngest curator of fine art? Could be! Blue Ivy Carter may only be six years old, but she proved at Saturday's second annual Wearable Art Gala in Los Angeles that she has an impeccable (and expensive) eye.

More: Blue Ivy Wore a Dress That Costs More Than My Rent

Sitting with her famous parents, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Blue Ivy first bid $17,000 on an acrylic painting of young Sidney Poitier. When it was countered, she upped her bid to $19,000, at which point Jay-Z jokingly tried to suppress his daughter's impulse buying.

So cute!

Host Star Jones got in on the fun too, telling the crowd, "Her mother and father have been talking about how you gather art and that is a big deal for African Americans. Listen, you know Ms. Tina told me all of this. Why do you think I'm up here talking about it?" Laughing, she alluded to the precocious Blue Ivy, saying, "19 for Miss Blue, yes, and she's like, 'I like that.'"

Ultimately, Blue Ivy didn't walk away with the Sidney Poitier painting. She lost it to a worthy adversary, Tyler Perry, who scored the piece for a cool $20,000. Don't feel bad for Blue, though — she didn't go home empty handed.

She bid on and won an art piece made of deconstructed law and medical books, according to Vanity Fair. The price? A relative bargain at $10,000. Also taking home some auction swag was Bey, who made the winning bid of $17,000 on a set of Lorraine Schwartz panther earrings she'd previously worn to an event (and donated for the auction).

If all this seems extravagant for a young girl, keep in mind it was for a good cause — not to mention a family affair. The gala was organization by Beyonce's mom/Blue Ivy's grandmother, Tina Knowles, to raise money for a non-profit art and performance complex. And both Blue Ivy's mother and other grandmother were honored at the event.

More: Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & Tina Knowles Chill in Style on 3-Gen Date

Jay-Z presented the Everyday People Award to his mother, Gloria Carter, saying, "She raised four kids and she did the best job with me. My mother is a beautiful human being. She's a progressive woman, who was always strong. She's someone who is so strong that she told me, 'You can do anything in life.' I believed it so much that I thought she made it up herself. I didn't realize it was a cliche, but I worked really hard because of her saying, 'I'm very happy and proud of you.'"

Michelle Obama, via a televised message, helped present Beyonce's 2018 Waco Theater Humanitarian Award.

"At a time when so many people are feeling afraid and looking inward, honey you give us the courage to reach out across every divide — race, class, gender, geography," said the former First Lady. "It has been a joy to work with you on issues we care about and witness your outstanding work first hand. Because millions of girls around the world love you and admire you — including my daughters — it means even more that they see you standing up for others. I love you. I am inspired by you. I'm so honored and proud of everything that you have achieved and everything that you have contributed to our country and our world."

A very humble, modest and emotional Beyoncé then took the stage to accept the honor. "I never thought people should receive awards like this because in my opinion, the giving is the reward and that's enough. I try to keep my charitable work quiet because I feel like these things should come from the goodness of your heart and nothing orchestrated as a campaign. And if I'm honored, I keep it quiet because I feel like I could be doing more," said Beyoncé.

More: Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Were Pure Magic at the Wrinkle in Time Premiere

Clearly Blue Ivy has some fierce female role models in her life. And judging by her confidence at the art auction (make those bids, baby girl!), she likely won't have any trouble following in their fabulous footsteps.

Shirtless Ben Affleck Can No Longer Claim His Massive Back Tattoo Is Fake

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Welp, the cat's out of the bag — or should we say the tat? Two years after Ben Affleck claimed his massive back tattoo was simply the magic of movie makeup, the real thing made its official and undeniable debut on a beach in Hawaii.

More: Paparazzi Are Tracking Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner's Every Move

The vivid piece — which takes up nearly all of Affleck's back — depicts a phoenix rising from the ashes. It was spotted because a training session for his new film, Triple Frontier, apparently required Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Oscar Isaac and Garrett Hedlund to de-shirt and dive into the ocean (not that we're complaining, bless).

While a star having a tattoo typically isn't a particularly big deal, Affleck's is garnering plenty of media attention because of he had previously claimed it was fake.

Ben Affleck Tattoo

Ben Affleck Tattoo

Ben Affleck Back Tattoo

Ben Affleck Back Tattoo

More: Ben Affleck Continues Addiction Treatment, Spends Christmas with Ex-Wife & Kids

People said it had reported the ink was legit in 2016 but Affleck countered, telling Extra's Mario Lopez that it was "fake for a movie. I actually do have a number of tattoos but I try to have them in places where you don't have to do a lot of cover-up. They get sort of addictive, tattoos, after a while."

Comically, his ex wasn't quite as coy about the sizeable tat. The same year he denied having it, Affleck's then-estranged wife Jennifer Garner joked to Vanity Fair, "You know what we would say in my hometown about that? 'Bless his heart.'"

More: Jennifer Garner & Josh Duhamel Talk Parenting a Gay Teen On-Screen

At this point, it's unclear whether the colorful tattoo will make a cameo in Triple Frontier. To that end, little is known about the film at this point, other than the director (J.C. Chandor) and several actors attached to the project. But according to IMDb, it's set to release in 2019 and is "an action-adventure story set in the border zone between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil."

Considering the cast we already know about, though, we're inclined to look forward to the film regardless (or maybe in spite) of any further phoenix sightings.

Will & Grace Just Got Picked Up for Season 3, & Season 1 Isn't Over Yet

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It's always impossible to predict how a reboot will fare. They're all the rage right now, sure, but not every nostalgic revival is destined for greatness. Remember when The CW attempted to bring back Melrose Place in 2009, this time starring Ashlee Simpson? No bueno. Happily for fans of Grace Adler and her zany BFFs, though, Will & Grace — the reboot — is thriving. So much so, in fact, that NBC just gave the beloved series the green light through Season 3. ICYMI, there are still two episodes left to air of the first season (back).

More: 9 Things We Love About the Will & Grace Reboot

The network has also extended the show's second season, which is set to premiere in September. Originally, NBC announced a 13-episode second season. However, given the success of the series so far, they opted to add five more episodes for a total of 18. Likewise, the just-announced third season will also have 18 episodes, according to Deadline.

More: Meet the New Cast Members Joining Will & Grace

All told, it's a bit of a fairytale comeback for the series, which first ran from 1998 to 2006. After more than a decade away, Will & Grace teased fans in fall 2016 with a mini-episode centered on the presidential election. When the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, news of an official reboot followed suit.

And not only were fans fortunate enough for the series to have a second coming, but the original cast's inimitable foursome actually returned: Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes.

"As far as I'm concerned, we can't get enough of Will & Grace, and 23 more episodes is music to my ears," said NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt. "We're eternally grateful that Debra, Eric, Sean and Megan feel the same way and wanted to keep this good thing going. I'm overwhelmed by the euphoric response the new show has received from the press and the audience, and my hat is off to the unrivaled writing team of Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, as well as the brilliant directing of Jimmy Burrows, for consistently delivering one of the best shows on television."

More: Am I the Only One Who Doesn't Love Will & Grace?

Greenblatt isn't being hyperbolic about the positive response. The reboot's first season has quickly risen to the top of the ranks, making it NBC's No. 1 comedy series. Thanks to the nearly 10 million viewers who tune in each week, Will & Grace is currently the crown jewel of the network's Must See TV Thursday lineup.

You could say this is one revival that doesn't look to be in danger of flatlining anytime soon.

Barbra Streisand Can't Relate to Other Hollywood Women in One Crucial Way

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Barbra Streisand, patron saint of theater geeks and funny girls everywhere, recently revealed something pretty interesting about her life and career that somewhat alienates her from the current cultural zeitgeist rushing through pop culture — but it doesn't mean she's not a valuable ally. We need fighters like Babs in our corner, so don't start feeling some type of way about her recent revelation; she's here for women no matter what.

More: Barbra Streisand Loved Her Dog So Much, She Cloned Her

During a 2018 PaleyFest interview with Ryan Murphy, Streisand revealed that she has never had a moment in her career, to her knowledge, that would now fall under the #MeToo umbrella. She attributed this dearth of #MeToo moments to her looks, a self-deprecating tactic the Funny Girl actor has frequently leaned on her in her career. Classic Streisand.

"I wasn’t like those pretty girls with those nice little noses," she told Murphy, as later reported by Variety. "Maybe that’s why. I have no idea."

And while Streisand's career has experienced its fair share of turbulence (Variety notes that during this same interview with Murphy, she recalled butting heads with Mike Wallace and Barbara Walters during separate interviews, possibly owing to her strong personality) and she came up in Hollywood when the casting couch reigned supreme, she seems to have slipped under the radar in this one way. It's certainly not a badge of honor, nor was Streisand trying to make it one, but it's hard to deny that it is noteworthy.

More: Barbra Streisand's Making Bold Claims About Sexism at the Oscars

But here's the thing: Even though Streisand has (thankfully) been spared the career-upending tumult of sexual harassment or assault, she's still fighting for gender equality. She is still speaking up. She may be distanced from her female peers in this one crucial area, but that doesn't mean she cannot emotionally connect with the issues that lie at the heart of the matter. As she told Murphy at PaleyFest, "We’re in a strange time now in terms of men and women and the pendulum swinging this way and that way but it’s going to have to come to the center."

Earlier in 2018, Streisand didn't shy away from shining a spotlight on gender inequality and the way Hollywood hasn't given opportunities to or honored women. At the Golden Globes, while presenting for Best Motion Picture in Drama, Streisand used her time to highlight the distressing fact that a woman hadn't been awarded the Golden Globe for Best Directing since she nabbed it in 1984 for Yentl.

Streisand Golden Globes 2018 Gender Equality Tweet

Streisand Golden Globes 2018 Gender Equality Tweet

More: Stage Show Rearranged for Barbra Streisand's Good Side

So sure, Streisand may not be like other women in a multitude of ways, but that doesn't mean she isn't in the trenches with the rest of us fighting the good fight. We need her, and thankfully, she's not going anywhere.


All of Reese Witherspoon's Best Roles, Ranked

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Reese Witherspoon has been part of Hollywood since she was 14 years old. Over the course of nearly three decades, Witherspoon has proven herself to be a talented actress, in demand for many films.

At 41 years old, Witherspoon has already starred in a variety of projects, mainly movies, and shown she's exactly where she belongs. For years, she was known as a romantic comedy star, but she was also able to reinvent herself. She's so much more than Elle Woods or Melanie Carmichael/Smooter.

The Draper James founder been choosing to take on roles with more substance and that women can relate to. She is also fighting for gender equality and ensuring that women have the same opportunities as men, especially when it comes to significant, meaningful roles in television and film. That's one of the reasons she started her own production company, Hello Sunshine.

More: Happy Birthday, Reese Witherspoon! Our Fave Reese Roles

Reese Witherspoon, Stephen Colbert

While promoting her newest role in A Wrinkle in Time, she told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in March, "I just kept reading really crummy scripts and I was like, 'I don't want to do these crummy movies.' And I thought, instead of complaining about it, might as well just make my own movies — so I did." She continued, "I want little girls to grow up and see women in more complex roles in different ways. And not just be the wife and the girlfriend of a superhero. Because women are more than that, and people deserve to see women with all their complexities."

Witherspoon has already had a long career, but she's only just starting to really dig in — and not just for herself but for all women. She's a true innovator and a role model, which is why Witherspoon is so beloved.

In honor of what she's accomplished thus far as an actress, a producer and a woman, we're celebrating Witherspoon by ranking some of her best roles yet. It's hard to select just a few, but in our opinion, the following are top-notch.

14. The Man in the Moon

Reese Witherspoon, Man in the Moon

In 1991, Witherspoon starred in her first movie ever, The Man in the Moon, which also features Sam Waterston, Tess Harper, Gail Strickland, Jason London and Emily Warfield. In this coming-of-age film, Witherspoon plays 14-year-old Dani Trant, who finds herself and falls in love with her sister's 17-year-old boyfriend. Even as a teenager, Witherspoon steals the spotlight.

13. Sing

Reese Witherspoon, Sing

Witherspoon's animated character in Sing, Rosita, counts as one of her best roles. Rosita is first seen as a mother of a lot of piglets and a wife taking care of a husband who is so consumed with himself and his career, he doesn't even notice her. But Rosita decides to do something for herself by trying out for a singing competition. Throughout the movie, Rosita discovers herself again and embraces her sexy side. She shows that she's so much more than just a wife and a mother.

12. Fear

Reese Witherspoon, Mark Whalberg, Fear

Who can forget when Witherspoon starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in 1996's Fear? She plays teenager Nicole, who falls head over heels in love with bad boy David. Even though they have a great time on the roller coaster, their romance quickly goes sour when David becomes twisted and obsessive. Eventually, Nicole sees how sick David is and, with her family, stands up to him. Granted, things end badly and bloody, but Nicole takes her life back by taking down David.

More: Laura Dern & Reese Witherspoon Prove They're as Close as Ever & Not Feuding

11. Four Christmases

Reese Witherspoon, Four Christmases

Four Christmases might not be the best movie or everyone's favorite Christmas flick, but Witherspoon is fantastic in it. What makes it so great is that she's funny and lets her comedic talents shine. Witherspoon plays Kate, a character who stands up to her man (played by Vince Vaughn) when she realizes that maybe she does want to get married and have children, even though she didn't want to for a long time. No matter how he or anyone else feels about it, Kate follows her heart and what's going to make her the happiest.

10. Sweet Home Alabama

Reese Witherspoon, Sweet Home Alabama

"You have a baby... in a bar." This is one of many memorable lines Witherspoon says in Sweet Home Alabama. Some might see the 2002 rom-com as simply that, but her character, Melanie, is a badass woman who left her small Southern hometown to give herself a bigger, more successful life. She pursued a fashion career and made something of herself rather than settling for a life of motherhood and babies. Yes, she ends up finding love and starting a family, but that eventually became part of her dream.

9. Pleasantville

Reese Witherspoon, Pleasantville

In Pleasantville, Witherspoon plays Jennifer, David's (Tobey Maguire) twin sister. Jennifer and David enter the world of Pleasantville, a '50s TV sitcom, where everything and everyone is wholesome. However, things start to change, partly thanks to Jennifer, who has sex with Skip (Paul Walker). As shallow as some might find Jennifer, what's great about her is she embraces her sexuality, and isn't afraid to be forward with men. It's a part of who she is and she isn't ashamed of it at all.

More: 12 Things to Know About Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon's Daughter, Ava Phillippe

8. Election

Reese Witherspoon, Election

MTV's 1999 film Election is noteworthy thanks to Witherspoon. She plays Tracy Flick, a student determined to become student body president at her high school. Tracy is cutthroat and a know-it-all who will do whatever it takes to get what she wants. On more than one occasion, Tracy has even been compared to Hillary Clinton, especially in light of the 2016 presidential election. A lot of what Tracy endures is relatable and speaks to the current political climate.

7. Friends

Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Friends

She only starred in two episode of Friends in 2000, but Witherspoon left her mark as Jill Green, Rachel's youngest sister. Jill attempts to start a new life, just like Rachel, but in the process, she tries to seduce Ross as a way to get under her sister's skin. There's no one better who could've played Jill. Witherspoon is hilarious and embodies everything Rachel was before she moved in with Monica.

6. The Mindy Project

Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project

The final season of The Mindy Project was a gift to fans, especially when Witherspoon showed up as herself in Mindy's illusion. In her brief but impactful cameo, she tells Mindy to find herself and to ignore Hollywood's rom-com expectation that a man will come in and save the day. Witherspoon also pokes fun at some of the characters she portrayed over the years. As her character preaches, "Movies aren't real, Mindy." She also says of Wild, "If you had read it, or watched the movie, you'd know that life isn't about finding a man. It's about finding yourself."

5. Cruel Intentions

Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, Cruel Intentions

Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe were a real-life couple in this film, but there's so much more to Witherspoon's role. As Annette Hargrove, she's silly, smart, strong and different from other women Sebastian Valmont (Phillippe) had ever encountered. That's why he fell head over heels in love with her. Annette also acts as a savior of sorts, helping him change and showing him what life had to offer outside of his rich, womanizing ways.

More: Meryl Streep Is Joining Big Little Lies for Season 2 & We're Not OK

4. Walk the Line

Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Who can ever forget Witherspoon as June Carter? This was the role that earned Witherspoon her first Oscar win. In addition to her acting, it was her singing that showed how amazing of an actress she is. She fully transformed into the woman Johnny Cash fell hard for. If anything, Walk the Line proved Witherspoon can pretty much do anything when it comes to acting.

3. Wild

Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Wild scored Witherspoon her second Oscar nomination. She didn't take home the gold statue (Julianne Moore did, for Still Alice), but the recognition isn't what made this film and her character so special. Adapted from the book by Cheryl Strayed, Witherspoon's character, Cheryl, goes on a life-changing journey to find herself after taking some of the toughest blows in life. This movie empowered women of all ages and made many of them want to rediscover themselves.

2. Big Little Lies

Reese Witherspoon, Big Little Lies

Witherspoon produced Big Little Lies, and the HBO miniseries (which is coming back for a second season) scored major nominations and wins at both the Emmys and Golden Globes. Witherspoon herself earned an Emmy and a Golden Globe nom. Through Madeline Martha McKenzie, Witherspoon shows that a woman is complex, imperfect and can do what she wants, when she wants. She behaves badly and says what comes to her mind. It's refreshing to see a woman act this way in a TV series, to say the least.

1. Legally Blonde

Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde

Finally, there is Legally Blonde. When it was released in 2001, neither Witherspoon nor the movie's creators probably expected it to become such a big hit. It affected young girls in major ways — and still does. As Elle Woods, Witherspoon shows that you can't judge a woman by how she looks. A woman can do what she wants, if she puts her mind to it. Also, a bubbly blonde who is in a sorority and loves the color pink can be successful. Yes, Elle goes to Harvard to win back her boyfriend, Warren, but in the process she finds herself and realizes what she can accomplish — without a man by her side.

More: These Big Little Lies Stars Are Making So Much Money for Season 2

And this is only the beginning of Witherspoon playing amazing women and transforming movies for the better.

Will You Try the New Pickle Juice Slush at Sonic?

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Sonic has us in a real pickle. Do we or don't we?

According to Food & Wine, the popular fast-food chain Sonic will be peddling chartreuse-green pickle juice snow cone slushes in June at various locations nationwide. Yep, you read that right: salty pickle brine swimming around in those nostalgic icy drinks we all know and love. Or, well, loved. RIP, slushes.

Food & Wine's Maria Yagoda dared to try the bold green drink at Sonic's headquarters in Oklahoma City. She lived to tell, people. “It’s surprisingly delicious (and makes a good accompaniment to burgers and/or tots and/or corn dogs.),” Yagoda said. “Sweet and tangy, the bright brine compensates for the over-savoriness you might have been worried about.”

More: We Tried 8 Brands of Butter to Find the Best

Yagoda's "might have been worried about" is our "continue to worry about, lose sleep over and cry to our therapist about." Call us old-fashioned, but pickle juice belongs in pickle jars. Period. We all had the perpetually pickle-scented younger sibling with the revolting habit of drinking the green brine, right? I don't want to relive that in an Icee, people.

But if you were that younger sibling and you can't get enough of the pickle syrup tang, no worries! Sonic wants to keep you and your pickle-craving palate happy. Want pickle syrup on your burger? In your shake? On your fries (as if mayo wasn't insult enough)? You've got it, kid.

More: Homemade Snacks Better Than Any Vending Machine Offering

As if 2018 hasn't been bad enough, Sonic is introducing the divisive flavor as part of its new Snow Cone Slushes lineup, and the other items sound maybe a little tastier: Bahama Mama, Blue Hawaiian and Tiger's Blood (this according to Foodbeast). No word on whether actual moms from Bahama, depressed Hawaiians or real tigers were milked for these flavors. But if pickle juice is allowed, then who knows what else they'll come up with?

It's not just Sonic, either. Pickle brine has apparently become an A-list ingredient of late. Plenty of formerly sane people have drunk the pickle-flavored Kool-Aid and sung its praises. Pickle juice has been recommended recently as a Gatorade replacement for sporting folk, and it's also been turned into soda. And Walmart is now selling pickle-flavored ice pops. What's next, pickle martinis? No, no; don't tell us. We were just kidding! Please, no! Oh, God, no... Guy Fieri, WTF, man!

Let us know if you brave one of these pickle slushes, OK? Just don't breathe on us. Cool.

7 Tips to Help Working Moms Maximize Their ‘Kid Time’

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If you're a working parent, it probably feels like there are never enough hours in the day to feel like you're doing a good job — at work or at home. Life feels like a constant blur of rushed chores, quick goodbyes and general insanity as you try to hold it all together among packing lunches, sitting through meetings and navigating demanding executives and even more demanding toddlers.

Welcome to the club! A recent survey outlined by Daily Mail found that the average mom has just 17 minutes a day to herself. And let’s be real. Even 17 minutes feels generous on some days. And the true bummer is that most moms would gladly sacrifice that alone time for just a few more minutes with those cute kids they spend 8-plus (or, you know, 12-plus if you're working an NYC job and dealing with NYC subway delays) hours per day away from.

So, how can you cope? Here are seven tips to ensure you’re maximizing those few precious minutes — or if you're lucky, hours — you get with your kids each day.

More: 7 Things I Said I'd Never Do as a Parent — That I Now Do

Draw boundaries at work

Some jobs command more after-hours attention than others, and you know your work culture better than we do. But that also means you likely know where you can safely draw lines. Creating boundaries with your boss and colleagues will work wonders to preserve your evening time with your kids. For example, if you tell your coworkers you are not available between 6 and 8 each night, stick with it.

Put the phone down!

Your kids, no matter how young, will know your attention is divided when you’re trying to play with them and check your work email. Put your phone down — no, not just next to you, but out of reach across the room — and give your children your undivided attention. That is true quality time.

Respect your own boundaries

So, you've finally trained your coworkers and boss not to email you asking for things in the evening — but then you violate your own rules and start firing off emails while your kid is eating dinner. You’ve just ruined your whole plan! Your colleagues will see the timestamp and think it’s fair game to start bugging you again.

Make dinnertime an event

Don’t just nibble your way through dinner while watching TV with your kid. That’s not exactly the best quality time. Make it a point to sit down with no digital distractions and eat a well-balanced meal together. Use that time to talk and interact and give your kids your undivided attention.

Play like it’s your job

Get down on the floor and build a fort. Make a mess and don't worry about cleaning it up. Pretend you’re in a magical land and everyone is invisible. Make up names and clomp around like you don’t see each other. Ask your kids silly questions and let their imaginations soar. Reinforce their silly ideas and get into their fantasy with them. In other words, even though you’re tired after a long day’s work and all you want to do is clean up, get the kids ready for bed and have maybe 17 minutes to sit and breathe and scroll Instagram, the best thing you can do is actually abandon your sense of order for a little while. Instead, immerse yourself in your children’s world. You won’t ever regret doing that.

More: 5 Ways to Make Going Back to Work After Parental Leave Easier

Make the bedtime ritual fun

It may seem like a chore — and even painfully laborious — to get through the rigmarole of bath time and bedtime, especially if you're dealing with a kid who kicks and screams, doesn’t want to wash his armpits, doesn’t want to get pajamas on and fights sleep like it’s his sworn enemy. But you can help set the tone by making bedtime activities more fun. Don’t rush to wash; instead, let your kid play in the tub — and play with them. When they’re laughing and playing, it will be easier to sneak that washcloth under the arms, and you’ll both have a better bath time. Then, snuggle up and read a book together. Ask them what they hope to dream about, and send them off to sleep feeling loved, engaged and supported.

More: I Feel Like an Imposter Mom

And remember: Quality over quantity

Maybe you only have one or two hours a day with your kid or maybe even less. Your entire time at home with them may need to be the time when they’re getting ready for day care or school in the morning or getting ready for bed in the evening. The most important thing you can do, regardless of how much time you have or how it’s spent, is to create space in your head and your heart to give them you, and to make whatever time you have together special — even if it’s spent trying to get them to eat vegetables.

Is Prince Harry Signing a Prenup Before Marrying Meghan Markle?

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are clearly deeply in love. Nobody has any doubts about that, least of all them, and that's why Harry has reportedly rejected the idea of signing a pre-nup with his wife-to-be before their wedding this May.

More: The Queen Has Helped Tick One Big To-Do Off the Royal Wedding Checklist

The Daily Mail reports that a prenup was an option on the table for the couple, but that Harry wasn't into that idea — not one bit.

"There was never any question in Harry’s mind that he would sign a prenup," a source told the publication. "He’s determined that his marriage will be a lasting one, so there’s no need for him to sign anything."

More: Everything We Know About Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Wedding Menu

There's also the factor that prenups aren't as big a thing in the UK as they are in the U.S. The Daily Mail asked a British lawyer about this, who said, "At present a prenuptial agreement does not carry the same weight as a Court order and will not 'automatically' be upheld or enforced by an English or Welsh court in the event of a divorce and/or disagreement." That doesn't necessarily mean a prenup is totally invalid if Harry and Markle were to sign one, but it just doesn't carry the same legal weight as it does in the U.S.

More: Prince Harry Has Found His Best Man, & Yes, It's Exactly Who You Think It Is

While Markle had a successful acting career before quitting to focus full-time on becoming a royal, it's estimated she's worth around $5 million, while Harry's net worth likely tops $40 million, including his inheritance from Princess Diana's death and his other assets. Prenups aren't common in the royal family, though; Prince Charles didn't have one before his divorce from Diana, and Prince William didn't sign one before he married Kate Middleton.

17 Things That Will Happen When Queen Elizabeth Dies

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"What happens when the queen dies?" It's a question no one enjoys asking, as we can't imagine a world without Queen Elizabeth II. But, after ruling the United Kingdom since the early 1950s and already in her 90s, we know that the day is coming when, sadly, the queen will pass on and one of her family members will inherit the throne. And if you thought the palace was just going to play it by ear when the time came, think again; there's definitely a well-thought-out plan in place for when Queen Elizabeth II dies.

In the minutes, hours and days following the inevitable death of the queen, incredibly detailed plans that have been in place for years will unwind with clocklike precision, marking the passing of one monarch into the grave and the ascension of another onto the throne. Although the life and death of the queen will be both mourned and celebrated, the country will be welcoming its new king at the same time: Charles (as long as nothing happens to him in the meantime!).

More: Queen Elizabeth II Talks About One of Her Most Life-Changing Days in a New Doc

Here's how the 10 days between the queen's death and her funeral will go down.

1. Prince Charles will become king

Immediately upon the queen's death, Charles will become king and his siblings will kiss his hands.

2. The queen's private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, will contact the prime minister

Using a code phrase, thought to be "London Bridge is down," the news of the queen's death will be conveyed from the Foreign Office's Global Response Center to the 15 other governments across the globe of which the queen is the head of state and the 36 nations of the Commonwealth of which she is still a symbolic figurehead.

3. The world will be notified

An announcement will go out as a newsflash to the British Press Association and the rest of the world's media simultaneously.

At the same moment, a footman dressed in mourning clothes will pin a black-edged death announcement to the gates of Buckingham Palace, in stark contrast to the joyous birth announcements placed similarly when princes and princesses enter the world. The many pages of the official palace website will temporarily shut down, to be replaced with a single page with the same announcement as on the gates. News organizations will begin airing and printing their pre-produced obituaries and memorial montages. In between news announcements, radio stations will air specially prepared playlists of music befitting of the mood.

"If you ever hear 'Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix)' by Sabres of Paradise on daytime Radio 1, turn the TV on," wrote Chris Price, a BBC radio producer, for the Huffington Post in 2011. "Something terrible has just happened."

According to The Telegraph, Radio 4 listeners are expected to hear the solemn words: "This is the BBC from London." This is said to summon a spirit of national emergency.

More: Queen Elizabeth II Says Princess Charlotte Is the Boss of Prince George

4. What happens if the queen dies abroad

If the queen dies abroad, her body will be flown back to London in a BAe 146 jet from the Royal Air Force's No. 32 Squadron, in a specially made coffin kept ready for emergencies.

If she passes at Balmoral, she will lie in rest at Holyroodhouse, guarded by the Royal Company of Archers, then be carried to St. Giles Cathedral for a service of reception. Then, she will be taken by the Royal Train back to London as crowds throw flowers at the cortege from crossings and station platforms along the way. Upon her return to London, her body will be placed in the throne room of Buckingham Palace to lie in state. News crews will begin to assemble in their prearranged sites next to the Canada Gate in Green Park.

5. 10,000 tickets will be printed

The government team will assemble at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to coordinate security, police, transportation and armed forces.

About 10,000 tickets will have to be printed for invited guests for the various ceremonies involved, including the funeral itself and the proclamation of the king.

6. Prince Charles will give a speech

Charles (we assume) will make his first address as king on the evening of the queen's death, which will be broadcast worldwide on television, radio and the internet. It is a speech that has likely been written for years already.

7. Parliament will be recalled

Parliament will be recalled, and both houses will sit within hours of the queen's death. MPs will begin swearing oaths of allegiance to their new head of state. The two thrones at the House of Lords — one for Elizabeth and one for Prince Phillip — will be replaced with a chair and cushion designed with the outline of a crown.

8. All flags, including beach flags, will be placed at half-mast

Condolence books will be placed at all town halls, libraries and museums, featuring loose-leaf pages so any inappropriate messages can be easily removed. Big screens will be erected in provincial cities so the public can follow the events in London, and mayors will cover their public decorations.

9. The day after the queen's death

Charles will be formally proclaimed king (although his coronation will likely not take place for several months, at least). The Accession Council will hold a meeting of the "Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm," and a clerk will read out the formal declaration. Charles' first official duties will be to swear to protect the Church in Scotland. Camilla will, by law, become his queen, regardless of her current courtesy title of "Princess Consort."

10. The ritual proclamation of the king will begin

Trumpeters from the Life Guards will step onto the roof overlooking the Friary Court and give three blasts of their instruments, and the Garter King of Arms will begin the ritual proclamation of the king.

He will then travel to the statue of Charles I in Trafalgar Square to read out the news again. A 41-gun salute will be fired off from Hyde Park. Outside the Royal Courts of Justice, a red cord will hang across the road marking the boundary of the old City of London. The City Marshall will be waiting to admit the Garter King of Arms and his heralds to make more formal announcements of Charles' accession.

More: Meghan Markle & Queen Elizabeth II Take Their Relationship Public

11. Prince Charles will go on a four-day tour of the country

After the proclamation, Charles will leave St. James Palace for a four-day tour of the country. He will attend services of remembrance for his mother and meet with leaders of government, visiting Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff, as well as the public.

12. Receptions will be held

Multiple receptions will be held at the palace to welcome the hundreds of heads of state and diplomats descending upon London. But these are not to be seen as entertainment; rather, there is some serious business to attend to. For example, while the queen is Head of the Commonwealth to 36 nations, that title is not hereditary and will not automatically pass to Charles. Many of these receptions will be lobbying opportunities for this issue.

13. Preparations for the public funeral spaces will begin

The floor of Westminster Hall will be covered in 1,500 meters of carpet, and hundreds of candles will be brought over from the Abbey. Streets will be converted to ceremonial spaces, with bleachers erected in areas like the Horse Guards Parade and Carlton House Terrace. Ten pallbearers will be chosen and will begin practicing carrying the quarter-ton lead-lined coffin.

14. The queen will lie in state for four days

The queen's body will be moved to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state for another four days.

The procession from Buckingham Palace will be a huge military parade — a similar procession, when the Queen Mother died in 2002, stretched for half a mile. The route holds half a million people, and crowd control is based on the plan from the 2012 London Olympics. The queen's corgis could possibly lead the procession (in 1910, mourners of Edward VII were led by his fox terrier). The parade will arrive at the hall precisely on the hour, and Big Ben will begin to ring as the queen's funeral carriage pulls up in front.

Mourners will be allowed to pay their respects for 23 hours a day as the body lies in state. The palace expects half a million people to line up in those four days. (The Queen Mother's death saw more than 200,000 people visit in person.) Four soldiers will stand vigil in 20-minute shifts. Various children and grandchildren of the queen will also stand watch.

15. The funeral will be held nine days after her death

The royal jewels will be removed from a special glass case on the coffin, where they were viewable by the public, to be cleaned. The stock market will be closed and most of the country will be on bank holiday. Big Ben will strike at 9 a.m., and then the hammer will be covered with a leather pad to muffle the ringing.

More: Queen Elizabeth's Daily Menu Is Actually Pretty Amazing

16. The service will be broadcast on TV

The queen's coffin will be moved a few hundred meters from the hall to the Abbey, arriving at precisely 11 a.m. The entire country will go silent. The service will be broadcast on television, with the cameras studiously avoiding the faces of the royals.

17. This is what will happen when the service is over

The queen's coffin will be placed on the same green gun carriage used to carry her father's coffin.

Another procession will walk through to the mall. The queen will then be carried by hearse 23 miles to Windsor Castle. As the cloister gates close, broadcasting will cease. Her body will be placed in the royal vault in the family chapel in a private ceremony, and as her coffin descends, Charles will drop red earth from a silver bowl onto the casket.

And so we shall say good-bye not just to an icon but to an entire age.

A version of this article was originally published in March 2017.

These Big Little Lies Actors Celebrate Their Season 2 Return With Selfies

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News that a second season of Big Little Lies is coming to HBO pretty much made my entire day when it was announced. I read Big Little Lies in its original book form and absolutely loved it, then binge-watched the series with my friends, giddily waiting to see the looks on their faces when the big twist was revealed. The way that story was adapted for the screen was amazing, and even hardcore fans of the book like myself were happy. That's hard to pull off.

More: Meryl Streep Is Joining Big Little Lies for Season 2, & We're Not OK

And the second season might be even more fun because this time, there's no book to follow, which means we have no idea what's coming this time around. The writers have the freedom to take the story wherever they want to and while we know that certain new characters — like Perry's mother, played by Meryl Streep — will add some drama, it will no doubt be interesting to see how things pan out this time around. It's going to be a surprise for everyone, and with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman still at the helm, we can bet that it's going to be great no matter what happens.

While we still have no idea what's coming in terms of the plot, we do know that our favorite characters are going to be back. Filming just started, and Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz are already taking us behind the scenes as they transform back into the Monterey moms who make that show as great as it is.

More: Big Little Lies Almost Didn't Get Made, Because Sexism

Big Little Lies season 2 behind the scenes pics Zoe

Big Little Lies season 2 behind the scenes pics Zoe

Big Little Lies season 2 behind the scenes pics shailen

Big Little Lies season 2 behind the scenes pics shailen

More: Is Big Little Lies Season 2 Actually a Good Idea?

While neither actor is giving anything away, they're both doing a great job of getting us hyped to see Season 2. Now if they could just hurry up and wrap on filming so we can watch it already, that would be great.

Eddie Redmayne & Wife Hannah Bagshawe Welcome 2nd Child

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them star Eddie Redmayne and his wife, Hannah Bagshawe, have welcomed a baby boy. The newborn joins big sister Iris Mary (we're still swooning at her lovely ever-so-British name), 21 months.

The news spread on Twitter after Redmayne and his wife posted a low-key birth announcement in The Sunday Times in the U.K.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne

A fan account for Redmayne also posted a sweet pic of him and Bagshawe on Instagram to announce the baby's arrival.

Redmayne

Redmayne

The caption read, "The Redmaynes have announced the birth of their second child! Congratulations to Eddie and Hannah and welcome to the world, Luke Richard Bagshawe Redmayne!"

Luke Richard Bagshawe Redmayne was born on March 10. A rep for Redmayne confirmed the birth to People as well.

More: Eddie Redmayne Pays the Rent of Struggling Actors in London

Redmayne — who famously played Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything — and wife Bagshawe keep to themselves for the most part, but in February, Redmayne chatted parenthood on Live with Kelly and Ryan. “We’ve just about got to that stage when we’re beginning to get sleep and remember what that word means,” Oscar winner Redmayne quipped about another baby on the way. “Getting prepped to go back into the trenches.”

Redmayne and his wife were adamant about not knowing whether the baby was going to be a boy or a girl. “We don’t know [what we’re having] — we’re not going to find out,” he said in the same interview. “Last time we didn’t know either, and we did that thing where there was basically only one name for each sex that we agreed on.”

More: Tom Hiddleston & Eddie Redmayne Were in a School Play Together

Redmayne also spoke with Ellen DeGeneres on her show back in 2016 about struggling with the lack of sleep that parenthood tends to bring with it. “Before you’re a parent, you hear people talking about [not getting a lot of sleep], then suddenly, you’re the guy who’s floating in a constant jet lagged [sense], with an IV of caffeine,” he laughed. “It’s that amazing thing when it’s 3 o’clock in the morning and you go in and you’re gently furious, and you get a little smile and your heart breaks a bit, and it’s totally worth it.”

Oh, Eddie, you softie. Congrats to the sleep-deprived parents!


Christina Hendricks Still Has a Lot of Big Dreams for Her Career

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If anyone has been working as hard as Christina Hendricks has since Mad Men ended in 2015, we'll need to see the receipts to believe it. She's popped up in the highly aestheticized arthouse thriller Neon Demon, the hard-boiled detective drama Tin Star on Amazon and the lewd and ludicrously funny Bad Santa 2. Hendricks has been the very definition of a workaholic (in the best way possible!), and we only grow more intrigued with every successive project at the directions she's choosing to go in.

Take, for instance, the two roles that will define the beginning of her 2018: Cindy, the matriarch of the family that becomes the titular prey in The Strangers: Prey at Night, and Beth, the put-upon housewife who, through a series of unfortunate events, teams up with her sister and best friend to go on a crime spree so she can pay off a mountain of debt her skeevy husband racked up in Good Girls. If anyone's year is off to an exciting start, it's Hendricks'.

More: How Alicia Vikander Got Lara Croft-Ready Behind the Scenes of Tomb Raider

Speaking of mountains, that's exactly where Hendricks was shortly before she sat down to chat with SheKnows about her work on Prey at Night and Good Girls and tell us what direction she'd like her career to go in next.

Right out of the gate, things started off on a high note when we asked Hendricks how she was doing and she replied, "Good! I just shot a scene up on a mountain in the Rockies in Canada, and now I'm in my warm house." Call it a hunch, but all signs pointed to this chat being a fun one.

More: Lindsey Vonn Reflects on Her Final Olympics & Women Who Inspire Her

First up: Prey at Night. For Hendricks, taking on this role meant taking on a new challenge. "I was a huge fan of the first one [The Strangers]. I absolutely adored it. I thought it was the scariest thing I've seen in my life. For years, I've talked about this movie, and they called me up and said, 'Do you want to be in the second one?' and I said, 'Absolutely.'"

Hendricks makes it sound like bringing Prey at Night to life was a fun challenge to take on. The film begins as a normal family drama would —"When we first start out, it's just really well-written scenes with the family. They're very real moments," she said — but adds tension and horror as Cindy and her family get put through the wringer. That said, filming wasn't always easy, nor did it stick to those dramatic moments.

Hendricks Prey at Night Photo

We asked her which part of filming tested her the most. "Being murdered [...] was absolutely terrifying," she answered almost immediately. "I didn't know how scary it would really be. But as an actress, you have to put yourself in those situations. You have to make it as real as possible, and in order to do so, you have to put yourself in that place. I was truly, absolutely terrified."

More: We Asked Helen Mirren What She Told Jane Fonda Backstage at the Oscars

Her role on Good Girls, on the other hand, is a chance for Hendricks to showcase her tough-guy side. The show features a trio of badass women — played by Hendricks, Mae Whitman and Retta — who have to combat various socioeconomic struggles and the threatening men who make their lives exponentially more difficult. Both themes are eerily prescient, considering filming was completed in 2017, before #MeToo and Time's Up were things. This is a yet another role where Hendricks gets to change the pace. She's a housewife with an edge, engaging in criminal activity for honorable reasons, like Robin Hood or, say, Walter White circa Breaking Bad's first season.

"I'm so proud, and what's happening right now in our culture is important. It's absolutely, utterly important, and if we can be a part of that story and help open up eyes and we can help women be celebrated, it's even better," Hendricks said. "And to work with [Retta and Whitman] and to work with Jenna Bans [the show's creator], it's extraordinary, and they really do feel like a family. We really feel like we're putting something out there that we're excited about and we hope people will be excited about."

Hendricks Good Girls

As for what's next? Well, your guess is as good as ours. One look at Hendricks' résumé and you'll know right away that she's never going to choose the safe, boring or expected option. In fact, it sounds like she's game to tackle any kind of project that tickles her fancy, if and when it comes her way.

"I'm constantly trying different things. It's one thing that always keeps it fresh and fun for me. I mean, I hope that we do Good Girls forever; I just love it," she says. "I'd like to do more theatre. I'd like to do another musical. I'd love to do some sort of beautiful corset drama. I want to do a rom-com. I'd like to do everything."

Truth be told, we wouldn't mind seeing her in anything and everything. Here's hoping that Hendricks can make each and every one of these project dreams happen, because we'll be first in line to buy a ticket or stream it when it comes to fruition.

The Cast of Scandal Documented the Emotional Series Finale

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It's a little hard to believe Scandal has been on the air for seven seasons. The groundbreaking show is now in its final episodes, and the cast and crew are sharing some behind-the-scenes looks at the emotional rehearsals and filming during their last days on set.

More: Shonda Rhimes Launches Website, Continues to Take Over the World

Showrunner Shonda Rhimes posted most of the photos along with some sweet tributes to the show, its history and its growth over those seven seasons.

From rehearsing and shooting the final scenes to throwbacks from the show's earliest days, the sentiments that accompanied these shared moments show Rhimes is clearly emotional as Scandal draws to a close.

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 1

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 1

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 2

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 2

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 3

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 3

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 4

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 4

More: 4 Clues Shonda Rhimes Is Ready to Take Over Primetime With Her Own Network

And after the show actually wrapped, Rhimes shared a touching and emotional tribute to the show and everyone who worked on it.

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 5

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 5

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 6

Shonda Rhimes posts bts shots from Scandals last days 6

"And that’s a wrap on #scandal. A lot of tears. A lot of love. Forever grateful for every second," she wrote. "Could not be prouder. Here is a shot of the Truman Balcony created by our amazing production crew. Thank you to every single person in our #scandalfam who helped bring this show to life."

Rhimes wasn't the only one who was emotional at the end of the show. Stars Kerry Washington and Katie Lowes also posted their own tributes.

Kerry Washington scandal last tweet

Kerry Washington scandal last tweet

Katie Lowes scandal last tweet

Katie Lowes scandal last tweet

More: Shonda Rhimes' Planned Parenthood Award Acceptance Speech Was Perfection

Scandal's series finale is set to air April 19. Don't mind us quietly sobbing at these tweets until then.

50 Easter-Inspired Baby Names Perfect for Your Spring Baby

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When you think of Easter, what comes to mind? Maybe it's fresh spring flowers or light April showers or dyed eggs and egg hunts or a fresh batch of pastel-color clothes for the kids or waking up bright and early to head to church or all or none of the above. But if you're about to bring home a new bundle of baby-shaped joy this month, maybe you're skipping any spring traditions in favor of nesting/panicking/endlessly adding to your list of baby-name potentials. Well, why not consider an Easter-inspired baby name?

If you celebrate Easter and are having a spring baby, the names below could provide a perfect fit. They're light and warm; some have spiritual or religious roots, and some are just plain spring-tastic.

Below, take a look at some of the best Easter-inspired baby names around.

More: 53 Good Ol’ Southern Baby Names

Flower baby names

Raindrops on roses and daisies and tulips... maybe those aren't the song lyrics exactly, but they're definitely some of our favorite things. The spring flowers traditionally arranged around Easter symbolize the beginning of spring and rebirth: What's more pure than that?

What's beautiful about having an Easter flower name is that a lot of them have deeper meanings that go way beyond their floral namesake — from symbols of innocence to meaning "fresh" or "bringer of joy."

More: 42 Unusual Irish Baby Names & the Meanings Behind Them

Spring-inspired baby names

Why not let the spring season inspire your name choice? The following names are definitely unique and are appropriate for any gender, really. From landscape-inspired names to zodiac signs, these names give us serious spring vibes.

  • Ridge
  • Lake
  • Brooks: In English, Brooks means "stream."
  • Hawkins
  • Leif: In Swedish, the meaning of the name Leif is "dearly loved," and in Norse, it means "descendant."
  • River
  • Falcon
  • Storm
  • Aries
  • Taurus
  • Sage: In English, Sage means "wise one."
  • Cedar
  • Finn
  • Forrest
  • Reed: The Scottish meaning of this name is "redhead."

More: Baby Girl Names That Mean "Wild" for a Spitfire in the Making

Spiritual Easter baby names

If you would like to give your baby a spiritual name inspired by the people in the story of Easter, check these names out. They are a little more classic — which means they'll never go out of style.

Easter around the world

If you are looking for an exotic Easter baby name, consider one that means "Easter" in another language. For example, in Spanish, Pascual and Pascuala mean "Easter," while in Italian, it's Pasquale. In French, Pascal is the masculine version and Pascale the feminine.

More: Long, Elegant Baby Names for Your Little Lady or Gentleman

Baby names with Easter-inspired meanings

These gorgeous names are totally reminiscent of Easter.

  • Caldwell: English boy name meaning "from the cold spring"
  • Attwell: English boy name meaning "lives by the spring"
  • Lavernia: French girl name meaning "born in the spring"
  • Tazia: Italian girl name meaning "one who will be reborn"
  • Lulu: Native American girl name meaning “rabbit”

Last but not least: the name Easter! Easter is of English origin and has both pagan and Christian roots, meaning "from the name of the Christian festival, which is based on Eostre, the name of a Germanic spring goddess." And hey, if that's a bit too wacky for a first name, there's always the middle.

Easter baby names

A version of this article was originally published in February 2013.

Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon Announces Her Campaign for Governor of New York

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Updated, March 19, 2018, 11:40 a.m. PT: It's official. Cynthia Nixon just announced her campaign for governor of New York.

Cynthia Nixon announces governor campaign

Cynthia Nixon announces governor campaign

"I love New York. I've never lived anywhere else," Nixon said in her announcement video. "But something has to change. We want our government to work again, on health care, ending mass incarceration, fixing our broken subway. We are sick of politicians who care more about headlines and power than they do about us. It can't just be business as usual anymore."

Nixon will run against incumbent Andrew Cuomo in the primaries for the governor's seat. Voters will decide in September 2018 who the Democratic candidate will be and in November 2018 who they want to see in this position (the winning Dem or the GOP primary victor), so make sure you're registered to vote, New Yorkers. Nixon wants your vote!

Original story, published Aug. 6, 2017: If one character from Sex and the City were to run for public office in New York, who would it be? Miranda Hobbes, played by Cynthia Nixon.

More: 25 Sex and the City Quotes That'll Make You Want to Rewatch the Entire Series

In true Miranda fashion, Nixon is fully considering a 2018 primary run for governor of New York against Governor Andrew Cuomo. According to The Hill, Nixon has expressed her disapproval of Cuomo before, specifically in an op-ed she wrote this year for USA Today that blasts his education policies. Her distaste for his politics has brought her to a full get-up-and-do-something-about-it attitude, and we’re living for it.

Nixon, who just won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for The Little Foxes and who reached peak popularity as crowd favorite Miranda on HBO’s hit show Sex and the City, has been politically active for years. In an interview on The View, Nixon summed up her issues with the six-year governor. “Basically, Gov. Cuomo is shortchanging the children of New York state,” Nixon said. “He is not against public schools, but he doesn’t like to pay for them.”

More: 5 Best Sex and the City Episodes

Nixon has also even gone as far as to say, “These are policies we expect from Betsy DeVos, but from Andrew Cuomo?” Comparing a mostly Democratic politician to one of Donald Trump’s cronies in the White House, especially one who has been criticized for her lack of understanding of the actual job at hand, could strike a chord with voters.

As Cuomo prepares for his third campaign for the governorship, the Democrat’s team seems a bit shaken. In a statement following Nixon’s criticisms, Bill Murlow, Cuomo’s 2018 campaign chairman, looks to pull at strings about his candidate’s work in office thus far. “Governor Cuomo has the strongest progressive record of any elected official in the country — period — and we look forward to building on that record in the third term.”

More: Cynthia Nixon Won't Cop to Being Bisexual

Watch out, Governor Cuomo. Miranda Hobbes rarely loses. Why would Cynthia Nixon?

John Oliver Parodies Mike Pence With Amazing Children's Book About a Gay Bunny

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HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has just released a children's picture book — A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo — that's bound to be a bestseller. What's the plot, you ask? Oh, it's just a sweet children's tale about a little boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny. Under Mike Pence's roof. *Wanders off whistling innocently*

If the name "Marlon Bundo" rings a bell (aside from the obvious nod to the iconic Brando), it might be because VP Mike Pence's wife and daughter — Karen and Charlotte, respectively — just teamed up on a book about the Pence family's pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo (who has his own very popular Instagram account). That book title? Marlon Bundo's A Day in the Life of the Vice President.

Marlon Bundo

Marlon Bundo

John Oliver's version — written by Last Week Tonight writer Jill Twiss, illustrated by E.G. Keller and published by Chronicle Books — is, uh, a very different look at Marlon Bundo's life.

"My name is Marlon, but my family calls me BOTUS. It's short for Bunny of the United States," says Marlon Bundo in the John Oliver-presented version of Marlon Bundo's life with "Grampa" Mike Pence. The new and improved version tells the story of the Pence pet as he falls head-over-bunny-heels in love with another male rabbit — and gets happily married. The Oliver version pulls no punches, clearly targeting VP Pence's history of opposing basic LGBTQ rights.

marlon bundo tweet

marlon bundo tweet

Chronicle Books tweeted, "With its message of tolerance and advocacy, this charming children’s book explores issues of same sex marriage and democracy. Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this book is dedicated to every bunny who has ever felt different."
Oliver announced the book launch on his show — surprising and delighting his studio audience — after a scathing rant about Pence. Oliver quipped that there were "a few small differences" between his book and the Pence family version. For one thing, "our rabbit has a bow tie," said Oliver. And for another, "our story is about Marlon Bundo falling in love with another boy rabbit."
Oliver has long been an outspoken opponent of Pence and his ultraconservative, anti-gay politics.
Oliver Pence

Oliver Pence

One hundred percent of the book's proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project and AIDS United. The Trevor Project attempts to prevent suicide of LGBT youth, and AIDS United works to put an end to AIDS in the United States.

The Pence family's book proceeds, on the other hand, are headed elsewhere: Tracy's Kids, an art therapy organization, and A21, a charity fighting sex trafficking.

Ahem. This is shaping up to be the children's book version of a rap battle.
marlon bundo tweet

marlon bundo tweet

More: Is the Easter Bunny Real? Here's How to Answer

Oliver's parody book is getting fab reviews, with one soul referring to it as "an act of subversive brilliance." We don't expect the Pence family to agree with that assessment. The audio book (available on Audible) features Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory and Jesse Tyler Ferguson of Modern Family — both openly gay actors.

Oliver encouraged viewers and fans to buy the book with his hilarious plea: "You’d be doing a nice thing in a really dickish way — and isn’t that the dream at the end of the day?” 

So, is the parody book subversively brilliant? You be the judge: right here, friends, or on Amazon. Enjoy.

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