After nine seasons as Rick Grimes, one of the main protagonists of AMC's The Walking Dead, star Andrew Lincoln is slated to leave the show this year. His departure is sure to be an emotional one, since we've followed Rick since the very first moments of the pilot episode. For Lincoln's castmates, saying goodbye has got to be even tougher.

More: Andrew Lincoln Isn't Leaving The Walking Dead as Soon as We Thought

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, current and former Walking Dead cast members penned tributes to Lincoln on the eve of his final season. Each one is a little bit more heartbreaking than the last, and they all have special memories of Lincoln from his costars. Nearly every statement calls out how hardworking and dedicated Lincoln is as an actor and how kind and welcoming he is as a person. 

"I always say he hatched from an egg because he’s such a rare breed," wrote Danai Gurira, who plays Michonne. "It really amazed me when I joined the show in 2012, the lead actor was selfless, eager for all to excel, celebratory, passionate, funny and kind to boot. He also had an endless well of joy."

Sarah Wayne Callies, who plays Lincoln's on-screen wife, Lori, said he taught her and the rest of the cast "how not to be a star. To be the first one to set, the hardest worker, to never complain. To give your best work off-camera for someone else."

Chandler Riggs, who played Rick's son, Carl (who died in season eight), said, "There were times on the show that I felt unmotivated or exhausted, but then I looked to Andy and saw how much work he put into his role and became inspired to push forward."

"I love Andy," said Jon Bernthal, who played Rick's best friend, Shane, in the first two seasons of The Walking Dead. "I can’t think of another actor in my life that has had more of an impact on me, and that is more important to me. He is fiercely dedicated, but also unbelievably available and kind."

Norman Reedus, who joined the show in season one as Daryl Dixon, said, "Andy is the best leading man on television, and a glowing example of what everyone that’s come onto this show has tried to follow, and he’s done that since day one."

More: New Photos From The Walking Dead Arrive Before the Season 9 Premiere

Are you crying yet? These are just brief excerpts of each of these stars' quotes about Lincoln; their full statements are even more heartfelt. EW's The Walking Dead cast tribute to Lincoln also featured quotes from current and former series stars Lennie James, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan (who also leaves the show in season nine), Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Steven Ogg, Khary Payton and others. Seriously, get the tissues ready now. You'll need them.

For such a long time, if a person experienced a sexual assault that didn't involve penetrative rape, it went largely ignored. As a society, we had been conditioned to accept things like nonconsensual touching or sexual advances while people have been drinking as just another part of our culture. Now, thanks to more and more people speaking out about their own experiences — most recently, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford during her powerful testimony against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — others are coming to terms with the fact that at one point in their life, they may have been sexually assaulted as well.

Fortunately, we're starting to move past the "it only counts if it's rape" and "it doesn't count if alcohol was involved" mentalities and starting to accept that sexual violence is far, far more all-encompassing and, unfortunately, pervasive in our culture than most people realized. 

In fact, when Ford testified on Thursday, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one of the leading organizations providing support for people who have experienced sexual assault, saw a 201 percent increase in phone calls according to a tweet from the organization. Not only did the nonstop national coverage of Ford's testimony give people the courage to speak up, but it may have also helped people understand that a horrible incident that they experienced decades ago and still haunts them was — and can still be — traumatic. And no, it's never too late to talk about it.

More: How Accusing Someone of Sexual Assault Affects Your Mental Health

While RAINN does amazing work, there are other groups and resources out there for people who have experienced sexual violence and those who are trying to support them. Here are a few:

Planned Parenthood

Everyone's favorite provider of health care and all things sexual health and education comes through again with a video walking you through how to respond if someone shares that they've experienced sexual assault. It's only a minute long and can help you find the words to be supportive and let them know you believe them.

More: Our Narrow View of Sexual Assault Is Letting People Get Away With It

RAINN

There's a reason RAINN has been inundated with calls lately: They provide extensive information for survivors and their supporters as well as an actual person to talk to when you need it (though wait times might be longer than usual at the moment). 

There's an section of the website called "After Sexual Assault" where you can find information on everything from how to report the crime to law enforcement to how to recover to safety planning. There's also a section with information for people supporting people who have experienced sexual violence, including what to say, how to help and self-care tips for friends and family. And of course, there's the RAINN hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673). 

Safe Horizon

Though technically Safe Horizon is an organization that serves the five boroughs of New York City, they also have a very helpful website that anyone can access. This includes a recovery guide for survivors of sexual assault and information on the crime itself as well as where to find legal assistance and resources. 

Victim Rights Law Center

Again, this is a semi-local organization — providing legal assistance to those in Massachusetts and Oregon — but it also provides general resources anyone can access online to get more information about sexual assault. 

Anti-Violence Project

Though not specific to sexual violence, the Anti-Violence Project offers free bilingual (English/Spanish), 24-hour, 365-day-a-year crisis intervention and support to LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of any type of violence as well as to those who love and support them. The number is 212-714-1141 and their website provides information on how to get counseling, legal support and other types of assistance. 

It's never easy to speak up about sexual violence, but when you're ready to talk about it, it's nice to know there are organizations out there that can help. 

There’s no shortage of science suggesting that exercise is good for your mental as well as your physical health — and yet, for many of us, incorporating exercise into our daily routines remains a struggle. A new study published in the journal Neuropsychologia asks why. Shouldn’t it be easier to take on a habit that is so good for us?

The study’s answer points toward what’s holding us back. According to the researchers, picking physically active behaviors over sedentary ones actually requires more brainpower than picking active behaviors over sedentary ones. Whether it’s evolutionary or cultural, our brains seem to be wired to have an easier time lying on the couch than running on the treadmill — or even out in the park.

This means that it’s crucial to have structures in place that help you keep active, even when your brain is already tired out and would love some couch-lounging. Your brain will reap the benefits if you force it to. You’ll find that moving around even just a little bit will leave you less stressed, in a better mood — and even more energetic.

More: The Urgent Mental Health Crisis You Haven’t Heard About

Here are a few micro-steps to get yourself working out:

Make subtle active changes to your existing routine

A great bet for incorporating change into your routine is attaching it to an already familiar habit. You may currently be in the habit of taking the elevator up to your office, using the closer train entrance or parking lot on your morning commute or standing in front of the mirror as you brush your teeth and floss every night. 

Instead of the elevator, take the stairs; instead of using the nearest entrance or lot, budget a few extra minutes and walk to the farther one; instead of standing still as you floss, walk around your house. Small changes like these are a structured way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine without making any significant changes. Because they are attached to habits you already have, they should be easier to make routine.

More: 11 Fun Activities to Do This Weekend Instead of Going to the Gym

Schedule activity after recurring stressful events

This could be a weekly meeting or work task or a regular phone call with one of your parents — simply pinpoint a moment of peak stress in your week, then commit to some physical activity immediately afterward. Hold yourself accountable by writing a note to yourself in your calendar or an iPhone reminder. 

Depending on where and when this moment of stress happens, that activity could be as quick as running down the office stairs for a walk around the block or as comprehensive as scheduling in gym time or a quick run. Whatever the activity is, sticking to it in those moments of tension will have an outsize effect on your stress by catching it immediately and diffusing tension through movement.

More: Here’s How to Work Through the “Now What” Phase

Work out while you watch TV

This is one of my favorites: You get to indulge the part of your brain that’s telling you to lie down on the couch while actually circumnavigating laziness. There are tons of exercises you can do while sitting or lying down in front of a show — Pilates leg exercises are particularly great because they often don’t require moving your upper body and interrupting your viewing experience. 

And there are plenty of videos with clear instructions to get you started on YouTube — run a quick search and find some moves that work for you. Every time you settle in for an hour of TV, take the first 20 minutes to exercise as well. 

Originally published on Thrive Global.

Hark, Grey’s Anatomy fans! Hope is on the horizon. On Thursday, the NBC drama returned to screens with the two-hour season 15 premiere, and it did not disappoint. But such happiness is typically fleeting on this tearjerking series, so fans naturally tend to be wary. However, in a new podcast interview, Grey’s showrunner Krista Vernoff insists this season will be uncharacteristically upbeat — including a dating life for Meredith. 

Vernoff opened up about the direction the rest of the season will take while speaking to Variety’s executive editor of TV, Debra Birnbaum, on the “Remote Controlled” podcast. And, as she explained, she started steering Grey’s toward a new "joyful" vibe when she came back on board last year.

More: Sara Ramirez Wants to Return to Grey's Anatomy, & We Approve

For starters, Vernoff curtailed plans to kill off Jerrika Hinton’s character, Dr. Stephanie Edwards, in Season 13. Gasp! Yes, the show originally had Stephanie perishing in the hospital fire. 

“The show had become a much darker, more serious drama,” Vernoff told Birnbaum of recent seasons. “Now it’s time to bring the light back in. The government’s gone dark, people need some relief. So, I came in to bring joy and comedy and light.”

Of course, that’s not to say Vernoff’s job is or has all been sunny. There are a few faces noticeably absent from the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital this year. Namely, Arizona Robbins and April Kepner.

And, well, Vernoff admits cutting those characters was a necessary but extremely difficult evil.

“Well, look, I came back season 14. I had been gone since season seven. When I arrived, we had 14 series regulars, and that is an unmanageable number of series regulars to write stories for. Nothing has time to land. It wasn’t manageable. And so I made some complicated and difficult decisions last season,” she explained, noting, “Nothing was easy about that, at any step.”

More: These Grey's Anatomy Fan Favorites Are Officially Done

One way Vernoff will be doing that — pay attention, fans — is with good ol’ fashioned romance.

“This season, it’s even more of a romantic comedy than it was last season… this season we’re coming in fast and fun,” she explained, and the season 15 premiere certainly seemed to corroborate as much. 

Meredith starts fantasizing (unwittingly) in her dreams about everyone from DeLuca to the new “ortho god,” played by hunky Nashville star Chris Carmack. By the end of the episode, she is sitting down with a matchmaker — who happens to be a patient, naturally — to discuss her future dating life.

In one episode this season, reveals Vernoff, Meredith’s entire storyline takes place outside of the hospital as she goes on a first date.

More: Grey's Anatomy Could Be Done After Season 16

The premiere also laid the groundwork for the whole Amelia-Owen-Teddy love triangle. Vernoff hints that there is more to come in the romance department as well, including a totally new romance with the show’s first openly gay male surgeon, Dr. Nico Kim.

“We’re doing a really beautiful coming out, and we’re doing a really beautiful love story that is exciting and fresh and somehow in fifteen seasons we haven’t done,” she said.

 Although Vernoff admits there will be sadness too (“the pain of life and the comedy of life coexist”), she ultimately feels as though fans will find season 15 to be a joyful experience.
“It’s sexy. It’s funny. It’s moving. It’s deep. It’s playful,” she told Birnbaum. “And I’m going to say delightful.”

Serena Williams is stepping outside of the tennis court — and her comfort zone — for a very important cause. In a new video clip, the athlete goes topless to encourage women to practice self-care that could help safeguard them against breast cancer. 

Standing against a dark backdrop, Williams covers her breasts as she sings the 1990 Divinyls song “I Touch Myself.” 

More: Serena Williams Credits Daughter for Calming Her After US Open Loss

Sharing the clip with her nearly 10 million Instagram followers, Williams wrote, “Yes, this put me out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to do it because it’s an issue that affects all women of all colors, all around the world. Early detection is key — it saves so many lives. I just hope this helps to remind women of that.”

The music video, Williams goes on to explain, is part of the I Touch Myself Project for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which kicks off Oct. 1. The song proves especially poignant when you consider its connection to this disease — Divinyl’s frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 53. 

Amphlett’s death led to the launch of the I Touch Myself Project in 2014. 

Williams’ version of the ballad is a nod to the campaign’s original video, which featured 10 iconic Australian singers: Connie Mitchell, Deborah Conway, Kate Cerebrano, Katie Noonan, Little Pattie, Megan Washington, Olivia Newton-John, Sarah Blasko, Sarah McLeod and Suze DeMarchi. 

Through the video, Williams and the campaign hope to remind women of the importance of doing regular breast self-checks. And, if they have any concerns, scheduling an appointment to speak with a doctor. 

More: How Julia Louis-Dreyfus Is Feeling at This Stage of Her Breast Cancer Battle

They also invite others to join the social media campaign by taking a photo of themselves holding their breasts (even over your clothes works!). Participants can then help raise awareness by sharing the photo, along with the hashtag #ITouchMyselfProject. 

To learn more about the initiative and other ways you can help, visit The I Touch Myself Project's website. 

Each year, it starts earlier and earlier. The color pink starts creeping into every piece of marketing material you receive. It fills your social media feeds, your local markets and TV commercials. It's not hard to tell when Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us. Every October, we are bombarded with donation requests by everyone in every form, from yogurt brands to tank tops to cashiers asking if you'd like to add a dollar to your purchase to go to some large-scale breast cancer fund. You're made to feel like by buying these products, you're actually helping to cure cancer. 

But is that really the case?

This month, before shelling out for that $50 tank top with the tiny pink ribbon on the strap, take a minute to familiarize yourself with these organizations. The more you know about where your hard-earned dollars are going, the better you will feel about spending. 

Do your research

There are number of watchdog websites that have been designed to evaluate and grade organizations based on the group’s financial health, accountability and transparency. Charity Navigator and Charity Watch are two sites that do exactly that. Both are easy to use, and it will take all of two minutes for you to learn all you need to know about each organization. 

Some of the more respected organizations may be ones you’ve never heard of, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t doing great work to assist those with breast cancer and to further advancements in the understanding of this disease. 

More: Why as a Survivor, I Hate Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's more than marketing

All of us know about the Susan G. Komen organization, but how much of that is just because they’ve done an amazing job at marketing? Before deciding who gets your money, consider an organization that may not have the pink market cornered. For example, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation received a top rating from charity watchdogs. Their main goal is to provide funding for cancer research across the globe with the intention of making strides in understanding the genetics behind breast cancer as well as treatment, prevention and survivorship. 

While many national organizations are working toward fundraising for research, some work to identify the risks associated with breast cancer and the everyday toxins we're exposed to. The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners provides the public with tips for prevention and what changes you can make in your day-to-day to help reduce your risk for breast (and other) cancers. 

Think local

If donating nationally isn’t your thing, rather than hitting that “Donate $5” when checking out at the grocery store or drugstore, try looking a little closer to home. Most cities across the country will provide you with a number of smaller organizations that were designed to help those in your neighborhood with the tools and support needed when going through an illness.

A quick online search will show organizations that help with everything from support to meal delivery. For example, in Washington, D.C., The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts* was designed to provide those living in D.C. with patient navigation and offers healing classes in yoga, nutrition and stress reduction. 

More: Understanding the Lumps & Bumps in Your Breast

Volunteering is an option

It’s also important to remember, that donating doesn’t have to be monetary. If money is tight, consider volunteering your time. Nonprofit organizations like the American Cancer Society are always looking for people across the country to assist with a number of activities, including driving patients to their treatments, working in their retail shops or simply sharing your experience with cancer with those who have been newly diagnosed. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here, whether we like it or not. This year, why not arm yourself with an understanding of the organizations that are asking you for a donation before you end up with yet another pink ribbon pin that will sit in your desk drawer without you knowing who you’ve actually helped.

*The author is a member of the board of this organization. 

Halloween is almost here, and where better to get some couple costume inspiration than from your favorite Hollywood power couples? These celebs know how to wear a costume, and whether they're sexy or silly, they're definitely memorable. Not only did they pull out all the stops with their looks, they even took the extra step to coordinate with their partner. From Batman and Robin to Beauty and the Beast and even Hillary and Bill Clinton, these celebs know how to get their Halloween on.

Of course, you don't have to pull a Heidi Klum every year to be the life of the Halloween party. Some of these celebs keep their costumes surprisingly simple. The coordination is key, especially when the kids get involved. Family Halloween costumes are a whole other level of adorableness.

More: Easy Pop Culture Themes for Your Halloween Party

Here are some of the best celebrity Halloween couple costumes of the past few years.

Gisele Bündchen & Tom Brady

For Halloween 2017, football superstar Tom Brady and his wife, model Gisele Bündchen, were the perfect millennial snack pairing: avocado and toast.

Josh Duhamel & Fergie

Former couple Fergie and Josh Duhamel went all out for Halloween 2013, when they dressed as Día de Los Muertos skeletons.

Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze Jr.

For Halloween 2017, '90s power couple Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. channeled the '80s classic Pretty in Pink, dressing as the characters played by Molly Ringwald and John Cryer, respectively.

Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson

Never ones to disappoint, Jessica Simpson and hubby Eric Johnson put together some great costumes in 2015 to re-create a memorable moment from National Lampoon's Vacation.

Chrissy Teigen & her daughter, Luna

Chrissy Teigen and her daughter, Luna, remixed the couple costume into something super adorable in 2017, with Teigen dressing up as Carmen Miranda and little Luna dressing up as one of the pieces of fruit that would have gone on Miranda's headdress.

Cindy Crawford & Rande Gerber

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber were queen and king of the disco for Halloween 2017 with their spot-on '70s costumes.

Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan

Jenna Dewan captioned the 2016 family Halloween pic, "Two belles and a beast."

Mark Ballas & BC Jean

Mark Ballas and BC Jean channeled their inner rockers in 2015 as Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.

Kim Kardashian West & Kanye West

In 2012, back when they were dating, Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West dressed up as Catwoman and Batman.

Khloé Kardashian & Tristan Thompson

Khloé Kardashian and her partner, Tristan Thompson, went all out to re-create the instantly recognizable looks of Game of Thrones characters Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo for Halloween 2017.

Julianne Hough & Brooks Laich

Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich made the perfect Felicity Shagwell and Austin Powers back in 2014.

Nick & Vanessa Lachey

Nick and Vanessa Lachey got the whole family involved for their adorable Frozen movie costume in 2016.

Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka

For Halloween 2016, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dressed as Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx and dressed their kids as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom went all out as Bill and Hillary Clinton for Halloween 2016.

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi & Jionni Lavalle

Snooki and her family looked picture-perfect as Star Wars characters for Halloween 2015.

Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel

"When you make your whole family dress up as the characters from the movie you're in..." Justin Timberlake wrote in 2016.

More: Kim Kardashian West Offended Fans With Her Aaliyah Halloween Costume

Beyoncé & Jay-Z

Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy made a picture-perfect group as Barbie and Ken dolls in 2016.

Kim Kardashian & Jonathan Cheban

Longtime besties Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban looked so good as '70s-era Cher and Sonny Bono for Halloween 2017.

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

As a New Yorker by birth and a Nashvillian by choice, I'll be the first to tell you: You need to travel to Tennessee stat to experience all that Music City has to offer — you know, before the prices really start to rival NYC's (*cringe*). But please, don't just see Nashville. Because if you think Tennessee is only good for country music, hot chicken and Nicole Kidman/Reese Witherspoon/Taylor Swift sightings, think again. 

A few short hours' drive west, and you'll find yourself in Memphis, Nashville's cheaper, grittier, funkier, more diverse and arguably more authentic little sister. Here, you'll find plenty to do, see and definitely eat for travelers young and old — plus, breathtaking history and blues, blues and more blues. From BBQ to B.B. King to the King (FYI that's Elvis for any toddlers who might be reading this) to MLK and more, Memphis is filled with icons and legends that will awe at any age.

More: The Mom's Guide to Nashville

What to see

You cannot go to Memphis without venturing to — you guessed it — Graceland, Elvis' home from 1957 until his death in 1977. The mansion itself is epic — not necessarily in size but in ostentatious glamour and the baffling range of over-the-top interior design styles (hi, Jungle Room. You're weird.) Peacocks, jewel tones and furry walls aplenty, folks! The estate is also home to some impressive grounds, Presley's always-decorated grave and exhibits/music/kitsch/impersonators galore. If your kid isn't already a fan of the King, they will be after seeing this place. 

Next, I would argue that the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is the best thing in Memphis, period — and possibly in the entire state of Tennessee (sorry, Dollywood). This impressive museum is housed in the original Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic assassination in 1968. It provides a comprehensive look at the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States — from slavery to the continuing fights for freedom today — that is at times inspiring, at times terrifying and always powerful. And once you've walked through the beautifully curated exhibits, the museum spits you out directly into the actual motel room in which King was shot. It absolutely takes your breath away. 

Yes, some of the exhibits are disturbing and come with a warning regarding younger kids. But I brought my 2-year-old here and don't regret it — and you should too. After all, they're the future of this movement.

More: The Mom's Guide to Seattle

Where to stay

There's essentially only one icon of Memphis hotels, and it's The Peabody. Built in 1925 and reflective of everything glitzy, gold-laden Roaring '20s architecture has to offer (for better or worse), there's no better place in Memphis to sit in the lobby with a boulevardier cocktail and feel fancy AF. But the true guests of honor at this hotel are the famous (or infamous, depending on your affinity for fowl) Peabody Ducks. These five North American mallards have been making their home at the hotel — namely splashing around in the fountain and taking a daily red carpet pilgrimage in front of grinning kids — since 1933. (I mean, the current five are not 80 years old, but you get the idea.) Don't let your little ones miss this.

Where to eat

If you're staying at the Peabody, all you have to do is cross the street for some of the best barbecue in Memphis. Rendezvous doesn't look like much — it's dive-y, down some stairs, kitsch-ily decorated and with zero food frills — but it's delicious and affordable, and its dry rub ribs are unparalleled. And believe it or not, Rendezvous even has a vegetarian BBQ plate that is worth every penny/bite and does not skimp on flavor. 

Loflin Yard is the perfect pick for when you have kids in tow but still want to have a solid Sunday (read: boozy) brunch. This beautiful indoor-outdoor space in the South end of downtown Memphis has mini-porches and patios galore, a waterfall ("Loflin Falls" which is technically part of the Gayoso Bayou), a bar within an old carriage house, ring toss yard games ("I want to throw the doughnuts!" exclaimed my son), a smoker churning out delicious fish and meats, and cocktails aplenty. Win-win-win-win and probably five more wins too. 

If you're into fancier fare (and not afraid of heights), head to The Lookout at Big Cypress Lodge for dinner and unbeatable sweeping views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River. Yes, I'm talking about the restaurant that's perched atop Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid, an epic glass-covered Memphis landmark that also includes the Big Cypress Lodge hotel — plus 600,000 gallons of water, 1,800 fish and more duck-hunting/fly-fishing/camo/whatever than you could ever imagine. Because, you know, the South. 

Where to play

Head to the trendy Memphis neighborhood of Overton Square to get artsy — and messy — at the amazing invention that is The Art Project. With classes galore (from art journaling to floral painting to slime jars to whatever "baby art" is), any kid can find something they love to make right here. There are also "art-free play" hours where kids — and, FYI, adults... or at least they didn't stop me — can go live with paint, glitter, glue, chalk and more. 

And speaking of playtime for kids and adults alike, there's no better way to wrap up a day in Memphis than at Railgarten, an indoor-outdoor combo venue that has it all: a diner and a (tiki!) bar on site, ping-pong, tons of live music, lawn games, fire pits, "beach" volleyball and more. It's exactly the sort of place my son and I could spend every summer Saturday if only it existed where we live... (Are you listening, Nashville? Y'all better catch up, because Memphis is giving you a run for your money.)

SNL returned last night for its 44^th season and, true to form, the series used its sketches to tackle the most topical news of the moment. And during the season premiere, that meant kicking things off with a cold open of surprise guest Matt Damon playing beleaguered Supreme Court hopeful Brett Kavanaugh. 

Given how central Kavanagh’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee has been in the news this past week, it’s not surprising SNL would build skits around it. In the past two years especially, the show hasn’t shied away from political sketches, and it certainly wasted no time diving right back in with season 44. 

More: 5 Things to Know About Saturday Night Live Cast Member Ego Nwodim

The premiere started at the mock judiciary hearing, with Alex Moffat’s Chuck Grassley introducing “hero” Brett Kavanaugh — aka Damon — who’d been “shadowboxing in the men’s restroom for the last 45 minutes.” 

Damon came in hot, blustering, “What?! Let me tell you this. I’m going to start at an 11. I’m going to take it to about a 15 real quick. First of all I showed this speech to almost no one — not my family, not my friends…. This is my speech. There are others like it, but this is mine. I wrote it myself last night while screaming into an empty bag of Doritos.” 

The extended sketch highlighted some of the major moments from the real-life judiciary committee hearing, including Senator Amy Klobuchar (played by SNL alum Rachel Dratch) questioning Kavanaugh about drinking too much. 

More: 13 Funniest Weekend Update Moments in SNL History

Other members of the committee included in the cold open were played by SNL’s Beck Bennett, Aidy Bryant, Mikey Day, Cecily Strong, Rachel Dratch and Kate McKinnon (as Senator Lindsey Graham). 

In general, Damon’s cold open seems to have been a hit with the Twitter crowd. 

Of course, nothing is ever unanimous in the court of public opinion. Some people pointed out controversial remarks Damon made at the onset of the #MeToo movement, as well as his purported friendships with both Harvey Weinstein and Casey Affleck. 

On a related political note, the other most buzzed-about aspect of the premiere proved to be Kanye West’s appearance. First, there was the already infamous bottle performance. 

After performing a few songs, the rapper then went on an anti-media, anti-liberal, pro-Donald Trump rant when the cameras stopped rolling. Naturally, the diatribe was caught on smartphone and shared online. 

In response to the episode (and, specifically, West’s contributions to it), the POTUS issued a tweet claiming the show was little more than a “political ad for the Dems” and that MAGA-hat-wearing West was “leading the charge.” 

SNL's new season continues next Saturday at 10 p.m. on NBC. 

Congrats are in order! Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk tied the knot this weekend at her home in the Hamptons, according to Entertainment Tonight. 

News of Paltrow and Falchuk’s engagement first broke last November, although numerous reports claimed the pair had actually been engaged for more than a year by that time. The wedding watch intensified as an arsenal of celebrity guests arrived at Paltrow and Falchuk’s April engagement party, including Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon. 

More: Gwyneth Paltrow's Engagement Party Was So Fancy & Formal

A source told ET just ahead of the nuptials that the couple had been “planning this wedding all year,” and now we're all waiting for more details of the undoubtedly impeccable ceremony to surface. 

Here’s everything we know about Paltrow and Falchuk’s big day so far.

Paltrow had an unofficial wedding advisor

According to an exclusive report in People, Paltrow leaned heavily on one particular person for wedding day advice: Cameron Diaz. “Cameron was very excited about Gwyneth’s wedding,” revealed People’s source. “Gwyneth has been giving her updates and asking for advice during the planning.” 

As for what makes Diaz such a qualified wedding advisor, the source said, “Cameron pulled off a private wedding even though the media found out about it before. Gwyneth wanted the same privacy.”

Jerry Seinfeld hosted the rehearsal dinner

The wedding festivities kicked off Friday night with an intimate rehearsal dinner. Per People, the fete was held at the Hamptons home of Jerry Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica. The Seinfelds are reportedly longtime neighbors and close friends of Paltrow.

The groom arrived in (laid-back) style

Falchuk and Paltrow are known for being laid-back and fun-loving, and their big day proved no different. A source told RadarOnline of the groom’s arrival on Saturday, “He was driving himself in a Jeep. He had a huge smile on his face. He looked really happy.”

Guests included many Hollywood A-listers

Although initial reports suggested that Paltrow and Falchuk were planning an intimate wedding with around 20 loved ones, the actual day included around 75 guests, according to E! News. 

Among those guests were Hollywood heavy hitters like Paltrow’s Iron Man costar Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff, the Seinfelds and Diaz with her husband, Benji Madden. 

Spielberg is said to have served as the unofficial videographer of the day, walking around filming guests and happenings using a handheld video camera.

Everything turned out perfectly Goop-y

As you might expect from the maven of Goop, Paltrow’s wedding sounds as though it was picture perfect. 

A string quartet serenaded guests as they sipped cocktails. When it came time for the ceremony, guests were ushered toward the front of a house, where the couple said their vows underneath a tent situated below a huge tree in the front yard. They stood under an archway adorned with greenery and surrounded by glowing lanterns, E! News reported. 

More: Gwyneth Paltrow's Kids Look Ridiculously Grown Up in New Photo

At the reception, which was held in a separate tent in the backyard, guests sat at long, dark wooden tables. Tall, elegant votive candles and floral centerpieces consisting of ivory and wine blooms topped the tables. 

The couple wear matching wedding bands

On Sunday, Paltrow made her Mrs. status social media official by posting a captionless Instagram photo of her hand atop Falchuk’s. The photo reveals that they now wear matching wedding bands — delicate, simple and gold. 

Dakota Johnson wants to help women — and if that means giving her personal phone number to a crowd of thousands, so be it.

The 50 Shades of Grey star took the stage at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City on Saturday night, where she encouraged women to come forward with their stories. Or, to be more precise, she extended a safe space in which women could come forward with their stories: her voicemail box. 

More: 12 Great Things About Dakota Johnson That People Don't Know

“I want to help you — women and girls around the world — tell your story,” she told the crowd, then taking her iPhone out of her pocket. “This is my phone number. I want you to call me and tell me your story in a voicemail. Or I want you to send me a message at dakota.johnson@globalcitizen.org and tell me what you’ve gone through as a woman or girl in the world that’s been suffering.” 

She reassured the crowd that language barriers wouldn’t be barriers at all. “If we don’t speak the same language, that’s OK. We have a team for that. We’ll translate it.”

More: Gwyneth Paltrow Says Chris Martin Is Like a Brother to Her

Anticipating there would be those not of like mind who will take advantage of having the number, Johnson also said, “And if you’re going to threaten or hurt me, we have a team for that, too.” 

As for what specifically Johnson plans to do with the stories being shared, she promised the crowd she was going to “compile these stories and get them heard so I can amplify your voice. Together, we can achieve a world where she is equal.” 

If you call 212-653-8806, the number Johnson gave out, you’ll get the same essential message that she shared at the festival, so it would certainly seem the actor intends to act on her words. 

Other highlights of the Global Citizen Festival included musical performances by Shawn Mendes and Cardi B (her first since giving birth!). Shortly after Cardi B’s set, though, chaos broke out when loud noises frightened festival-goers, many of whom believed there was an active shooter in the area and panicked.

More: Dakota Johnson Discusses Her Relationship With Chris Martin

Johnson’s boyfriend, Chris Martin, took the mic to reassure the crowd that the noise was caused by a fence barrier collapsing. 

“What happened is a barrier fell down. Of course it caused people to be frightened, but nobody is trying to hurt anybody,” the Coldplay singer told the crowd. “If you want to come back and you’re not too frightened by Hugh Jackman’s huge muscles and you wanna come back, this is the time. Slowly, gently, kindly to each other.” 

The show continued, with Janet Jackson performing moments later. 

October used to be my favorite month. There was all the excitement of Halloween, obviously, but there was very little that brought me more joy than jumping into that pile of leaves my father had just spent three hours raking in front of our house.

As I got older, I still loved October. The shift from an oppressive summer to a cool fall, crisp mornings where you take a deep breath in and look up at a bright sun. There is nothing better.

Somewhere between leaf-jumping and cool morning walks to work, I became assaulted in October with Breast Cancer Awareness Month (#BCAM if you’re following along on social media) and it’s ruined October for me forever.

More: Organizations Worth Your Time & Money During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I don’t want to sound ungrateful. As someone who was treated for breast cancer in 2011, I truly appreciate every person who donates time and/or money toward breast cancer research and programs designed to assist women (and men) dealing with this disease, but it’s reached a point where it almost feels meaningless.

Somewhere along the way, the pink ribbon shifted from being a symbol of support to a marketing ploy. A friend recently sent me a picture of pepper spray branded for BCAM, and I’ve seen products ranging from sugary snacks to hair dryers promoting “Pinktober,” and every time I see it, I make a mental note never to purchase anything from that company ever again.

More: Understanding the Lumps & Bumps in Your Breast

The pink ribbon, at least the way that I had interpreted it, used to stand for research, for innovation, for finding a cure — for supporting women. Today, it feels like it has jumped the shark and now means “selling this T-shirt, selling this phone case, selling this yogurt that is full of sugar and is not good for you to begin with.”

My opinion may be an unpopular one, but has anyone ever stopped to think that a woman going through treatment might not want to see a display at their local drugstore that consists of a pink hair dryer, pink shampoo bottles and a pink hairbrush as she just watched the first strands of her hair fall out in the shower that morning from chemotherapy?

They don’t want to eat your cereal because it’s in a pink box, buy that hammer because the handle is pink and they most certainly do not want to wear your BCAM pink scarf with skulls on it. They want to feel better. They want you to stop looking at them with pity and they want you to stop using their fight to sell your products.

More: 15 Breast Cancer Products Patients & Survivors Can Actually Use

Statistics say that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and chances are you will know someone who has to battle this disease, so instead of buying pink cookies, why don’t you make that woman some cookies, bring them to her and ask how she’s feeling? Instead of buying products that say they support breast cancer charities, why don’t you donate to that charity directly so you know where your money is going?

The bottom line is that I have no idea what pink products my friends and family may own, but I do know every single person who reached out while I was going through chemo, through radiation, through it all, and that is more impactful than any pink ribbon I see around town.

When Hollywood makes movies featuring female Sailors, they typically have some seemingly impossible combination of strength, intelligence and courage (think GI Jane). Throw in an out-of-the-ordinary backstory — she studied theater, or she plays clarinet — and you have the makings of a perfect military action hero.

America’s Navy is filled with heroines like this, and few have a more interesting story than Ensign Brianne “Brie” Coger, a 10-year Navy Sailor who was one of just 12 females, enlisted Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians in the entire fleet before she was selected to become an officer in 2018.

EODs are part of the Navy’s elite Special Warfare community. This is the territory of Navy SEALs and Air Rescue Swimmers: Exceptional men and women who have the intelligence, physical fitness and drive to rise to the top. It’s work that demands a state of mind marked by extreme courage and capability under fire.

Unconventional background

Coger grew up in Staten Island, New York. She excelled in sports, particularly swimming, and still holds some swimming records at her high school. A talented musician, she also played clarinet with the school orchestra and marching band. Later, at the University of Miami, she studied theater and dreamed of becoming a Hollywood stunt woman.

“After college, I started saving up to get more training to be able to parachute and skydive, to scuba dive, to blow things up and to shoot weapons and drive crazy vehicles,” she said.

Coger spent two challenging years working odd jobs back home in New York, trying to pursue an acting and stunt woman career. When the opportunities fizzled, she looked for a different kind of challenge —and found it in the Navy.

Nothing typical

“What I love about EOD is that there is no typical day,” she said. “Whether we're going out to do some diving and an underwater detonation or going to a remote location in the mountains to do some IED [improvised explosive device] training or just working a chemical or biological problem in a laboratory situation, there’s nothing typical about any of that — and that’s exactly what I needed in my life.”

EODs are the world’s elite bomb squad. They are trained to disarm conventional bombs, mines, IEDs and chemical (even nuclear) weapons. They perform some of the most harrowing, dangerous work on earth to keep others from harm’s way. And that was precisely what appealed to Coger.

“I wanted to be part of a protective force,” she said. “You still get to do all the cool stuff, but an EOD doesn’t go out and cause trouble; they’re there to make the situation better. That really spoke to me.”

Forging ahead

Coger says she’s never felt that her gender was an issue in her Navy career. In fact, she has earned tremendous success in a relatively short time, rising to chief petty officer in just eight years— on average it takes Sailors 13 years to reach that level. After more than a decade as an enlisted Sailor, Coger earned her commission in 2018 after completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. She has since graduated from the exclusive Navy Dive School in Florida and is now in San Diego getting ready to deploy. Her first assignment as a new officer? Leading a division of EOD techs — the same people she worked with as an enlisted Sailor.

“People think that joining the military means giving up things, but I’ve never seen it like that,” she said. “You aren’t losing something — you are gaining opportunities. The biggest thing that has helped me in my career is saying ‘yes,’ embracing whatever’s out there and keeping my eyes and ears open to what’s possible.”

This post is sponsored by America’s. Navy.

In the final weeks of my pregnancy (which stretched five excruciating days past my due date), I spent many nights bathed in the blue glow of my phone as I combed the internet for early signs of labor. Every twinge, every cramp, every slightly “off” feeling could be foreshadowing childbirth, I thought. By that point, my flattened bladder, enormous belly and reflux-ravaged esophagus had already conspired to keep me awake all night, so I found myself going further down internet rabbit holes, eventually plumbing the depths of double-digit-numbered pages of eight-year-old message boards for anecdotes. By familiarizing myself with every woman on the internet’s labor experience, surely I’d learn how to differentiate between Braxton Hicks contractions and the real deal, right? (Here’s where a narrator would cut in to say, “She wouldn’t.”)

For those of you who have found yourself in a similar state of late-night self-diagnosing, we’ve rounded up signs of labor from 10 women. As you might imagine, the early signs of labor are as varied as the moms experiencing them. Some of them are straight out of the movies (I encountered a surprising number of water-breaking stories considering the stat I’d always heard was that it happens to only 10 to 15 percent of women), while others were less textbook. As for me, I remained in denial about my increasingly close-together contractions until I finally puked from the pain, which ultimately tipped me off that I was truly in labor.

So rest your googling fingers for a moment (because pregnancy carpal tunnel syndrome is real, y’all) and take note of these possible labor signs.

More: Everything You Ever Needed to Know About C-Sections

The poop that wasn't

“I thought I had to poop in the middle of the night. False alarm. But then the process started again 20 minutes later, and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, I bet I know what this is!’” — Shanan, Arizona

The pee that wasn't

“I woke up to go pee. After sitting on the toilet for a good 10 minutes — I just kept leaning forward and 'peeing' to empty my bladder — I realized that maybe this was more than peeing. I screamed for my husband to get my phone and googled 'water break.' Being a stupid first-time mom, I thought it was a huge gush of water when it broke. Sure enough, Google said you can have a slow trickle when it breaks, so we grabbed a beach towel and headed to the hospital.” — Lisa, Ohio

Breaking wind & water

“I was 36 weeks and two days pregnant, thinking the baby was a long way off. I tucked into bed expecting another restless night of sleep. Just before 1 a.m., I woke up and felt that normal gut-bloating-with-gas sensation and decided to take a nice fart in bed. Well, this was not a normal fart. This one was juicy. As you may know, bladder control is limited in the almost-childbearing days, so I thought I had just peed a bit. I had no contractions or anything. Then, the waterworks kept coming. I called the midwife and told her what was up. To confirm water breaking, she had me cough and try not to let liquid out. Fail. Water broken.” — Laura, Washington

Back contractions doctors ignored

“Five days before my baby was supposed to arrive, I started getting these insane shots of pain through my back. I was really confused because they weren't your typical front, uterine-area contractions… The doctor on call told me I was not going into labor and that when I had cramping in the front, that meant I was going into labor. I tried going to sleep, but the pain was so bad. I kept having to get up every five minutes to brace myself for the pain, which I found out was actually contractions. I was having back labor despite my son being in the 'proper position.' My dear friend who is a nurse explained this to me over the phone at 3 a.m. They don't teach you that in a lot of the birthing classes, at least they didn't for me. Apparently, if you are having something you think are contractions but in your back, all the same rules apply.” — Jillian, Ohio

The bloody show on the couch

“My contractions started being exactly every four minutes and every eight minutes, alternating. Then I got blood on the couch. That was the moment I was sure that I was in labor and that the baby was coming and there was no turning back. ” — Kat, New York

More: Pregnancy Heartburn: 4 Tips to Stop Feeling the Burn

The falling-out baby?!

“My round ligament pain was so bad that I had to sit down a lot, but I felt like I was sitting on my baby’s head. I felt like she was going to fall out. I taught a spin class and had to keep stopping because I had so much pelvic and ligament pain. I thought I was just really pregnant. My class was pretty sure I was going into labor. I went to the doctor two hours after that for a scheduled checkup. She told me that the baby was super-low and asked how I was sitting at all. I wasn’t effaced or dilated, so we scheduled an induction for [days later]… That night, after I put my son to bed, I was in too much pain to get up. Then my water broke! That’s when the contractions actually began.” — Cathy, Washington

The classic water break

“I got up from a nap, took one step towards the bathroom, and it was like a water balloon had ruptured. Thirty-six hours and lots of drugs later, my baby decided to make her appearance.” — Jeannie, New Jersey

Contractions that fooled a second-time mom

“With my first child, it was pretty clear-cut that I was going into labor because my water broke in the middle of the night — I swear there was an audible ‘pop!’ just like in the movies. With my second child, I figured it would be the same thing. One night, about four weeks before Baby 2's due date, I started getting cramps. I figured it was just Braxton Hicks... I went to bed and slept through the night, occasionally awakened by a contraction but not thinking much of it. In the morning, I dropped Baby 1 off at day care. That's when I noticed that the cramps were getting stronger and seemed to be coming regularly. So I timed it, and they were about four minutes apart…. I didn't think I was actually in labor, but I dutifully called my OB, gave my stats, and the nurse was like, ‘You need to come in right away.’ [When we got to the hospital,] we found out I was 7 centimeters dilated. I apparently had no idea I was in labor even though I was in quite a lot of pain.” — Vicky, Virginia

More: Why I'm Saying Hell No to a Baby Shower

A mucus plug at the movies

“I lost my mucus plug — yeah, gross, I know, sorry — at the start of the music in the opening to Star Wars: The Force Awakens on a Sunday night…. I waited until the next morning to call my midwife, but I genuinely thought my water had broken…. Regular contractions started the following Thursday around 4 p.m…. My husband still wishes that we'd actually gone into something more than prodromal labor at that point because he'd like to say we have a Star Wars baby. ” — Eva, Virginia

Hurling & a hasty hospital trip

“I thought my water had broken but wasn't sure. When I called my midwife, she expressed doubt, thinking maybe it was the mucus plug. It wasn't really until I was throwing up that I knew we needed to get to the hospital. We arrived at 11:30 a.m., and our baby was born at 1 p.m.!” — Katie, California

Hey, nut butter enthusiasts! Hungry? Grab a Snickers.

No, really. 

In January 2019, Snickers is creating three new flavors by swapping out that classic crunch center we've all come to know and love with smooth, creamy nut butters. The three new flavors are almond butter, peanut butter and maple almond butter. 

More: The Best Limited-Edition Halloween Candies of 2018

Don’t worry. These new flavors will still have that irresistibly delicious gooey caramel, but Snickers is ditching the artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

"For nearly a century, fans have made the classic Snickers bar an icon with its satisfying layers of nougat, caramel and signature peanut crunch," said Snickers' brand director Josh Olken in a press release. "We listened to our consumers' desires for new tastes like almond butter and paired it with an innovation on texture."

Bustle tried these new flavors ahead of their release, describing the peanut butter flavor as "kind of like a caramel-y, slightly more upscale Reese's." They also write that the almond butter Snickers bar is "perfect for people who don't want their sweets to be overly-sweet."

But it seems the maple almond butter flavor is the winner. Bustle described the taste as "one of those fancy artisan chocolate bars you splurge on in the gourmet grocery store."

This past summer, in June 2018, Snickers also released three other flavors: espresso, fiery (chili pepper) and salty and sweet. They were marketed as part of Snickers' You're Not You When You're Hungry campaign. If you were irritable, you’d grab the espresso bar, if you were feeling “wimpy,” the fiery bar, and if you were indecisive, salty and sweet.

"Our fans have adventurous tastes and are craving new flavors, and experiences, from Snickers," said Michael Italia, senior brand manager of Snickers, in a press release at the time. 

More: Mac & Cheese Candy Canes Are Here to Prove 2018 Was the Weirdest Year Ever

But let’s get back to Snickers’ nut butter flavors.

At the start of next year, the almond butter, peanut butter and maple almond butter flavors will roll out nationwide at grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores in various sizes.

And now that we're all caught up on what we can expect from these new flavors, maybe Snickers' tagline for them should be: "Feeling fancy? Grab a nut butter bar."

Jennifer Lopez has officially said goodbye to her Las Vegas residency show. After three years of "All I Have" performances at Planet Hollywood, Lopez finished her run at the iconic venue on Saturday with quite a few familiar faces in the crowd — and onstage — including Diddy, LL Cool J and, of course, Lopez's children and her partner Alex Rodriguez as well as his daughters.

More: Alex Rodriguez's Kids Are Jennifer Lopez's Biggest/Littlest Fans

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight after the show, Lopez talked about the impact of doing her residency show, which grossed more than $100 million in ticket sales since 2016 and was seen by over 500,000 fans (including 200-plus celebrities). 

“I thought it was just like another gig that I was going to do and it would be fine," Lopez said. "But, it actually turned out to be something so incredibly special and different and it's funny. It just taught me like when you approach things, you go ‘I’m going to make this the best show Vegas has ever seen.’ And when you're doing that in rehearsal from the beginning, you can actually make that happen.”

Following her final performance, Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood tweeted a special message for Lopez: "As your amazing #ALLiHAVE residency comes to an end, we want to thank you @JLo! You've inspired us, entertained us and brought us more fire than we ever imagined! We love you and can't WAIT to see what's next!"

Lopez also received a special All I Have plaque from Mark Frissora, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, before she headed off to the after party with Rodriguez by her side.

Although Lopez hasn't made any official statements about ending her residency, she has shared multiple photos and videos on her social media since Saturday, including videos and photos with audience members who won her #allihavefinal15 contest to join her onstage during the show.

According to People, Lopez was joined onstage Saturday night by LL Cool J for a surprise duet. Also in the audience were rapper Ja Rule, former pro basketball player Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa, actor Tiffany Haddish, supermodel Ashley Graham and actor Anthony Anderson.

During her usual cover of "I Hope You Dance," which she often dedicated to her twins, Lopez's backup dancers brought her children on the stage for an especially emotional moment.

More: Jennifer Lopez’s Instagram of Alex Rodriguez Shows How in Love They Really Are

In all her years of performing, Lopez has never disappeared from the public eye for long. Although her Las Vegas residency is over, she already has tons of new projects planned. Her new film, Second Act, hits theaters Dec. 14, and she is slated to play Rose Alvarez in the live TV production of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie! on NBC next year. We're excited to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Everyone has a junk drawer overflowing with condiments they've collected from their fast-food drive-thru and to-go orders. Every month (OK, fine, every few months, if that), we’ll start tossing what feels like a lifetime’s worth of soy sauce and ketchup packets. But when it comes to Taco Bell’s hot sauces? We just can't seem to part ways with them.

More: 9-Year-Old Girl Writes Letter to Taco Bell, & Now They May Offer Delivery

And Taco Bell knows this. They’ve know die-hard Bellheads’ obsession with their hot sauces runs deep, and that’s why, earlier this year in May, the fast-food behemoth released sauce packet-flavored tortilla chips.

The chips came in three flavors: Classic, Mild and Fire — and were available in grocery stores and convenience stores — and they were a hit.

"Our sauce packets are one of the brand’s most unique aspects and were the natural choice for both the flavors and packaging of our tortilla chips," said Marisa Thalberg, the Taco Bell Corp. chief brand officer, in a March press release.

Fans loved them so much, Taco Bell is now releasing one more flavor to add to the collection: Diablo, which for those who have shied away from trying the hot sauce, has a kick of hot peppers and a hint of lime. 

In other words, it’s hot.

"Our iconic sauce packets were our original inspiration for how to give fans a new way to access a taste of Taco Bell at retail," Thalberg said in a new press release. "The new Diablo Tortilla Chips build from that inspiration, letting us serve up our hottest chip yet that's completely unique to Taco Bell, from its dark and smoky packaging with saucy wisdoms to the flavor of the chip itself."

If you want to get your hands on these tortilla chips, you'd better come and claim them — quickly. They’re only available for two short months. 

Starting Monday through Oct. 31, you can grab a bag at participating 7-Eleven stores. Then, they’ll roll out to additional grocery and convenience stores through November. 

More: McDonald's Classic Burgers Are Now All-Natural, & We're Pumped About It

"7-Eleven customers are adventurous and always looking for new taste sensations and unusual flavor combinations to try," Jack Stout, 7-Eleven merchandising senior vice president, said in the press release. "If they thought the Taco Bell flavored chips 7-Eleven introduced earlier were something, just wait until the Diablo spice hits the shelves. 

Just like the rest of the flavors, Taco Bell’s Diablo chips are also vegan, kosher and gluten-free, and they’re made with natural vegetable juice.

Grey's Anatomy fans know nothing is ever quite the way it seems on the long-running Shonda Rhimes show, especially now that the series is in its 15th season. During the two-hour season premiere on Thursday, it was revealed that Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver, who stepped back into a series regular position this season) is pregnant. Of course, viewers are already theorizing about who could be the father as well as how likely it is the story Teddy's telling is actually true.

More: Grey's Anatomy's Meredith & DeLuca are "Building Some Romance" in Season 15

As reported by Bustle, the obvious answer to the father question may not be so obvious. Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) traveled to Germany in season 14 to confess his feelings for Teddy, and the two characters slept together before she ultimately decided she didn't want the complications of trying to pursue a relationship with him. 

In the season 15 premiere, Teddy nervously revealed that she is 11 weeks pregnant and told Dr. Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), "This is so not me. I don't cry. Hormones are in control now. And I don't get pregnant by accident, I'm careful. But a man I loved came to Germany, and it was so hard to resist ... and I wasn't careful."

Obviously, fans are leaning into the idea that Owen is definitely the father of Teddy's child. The timing even fits; Bustle notes that one Reddit user calculated that it's been about three months since Teddy and Owen slept together. Since season 15 picked up right after season 14 left off, it's totally likely that Teddy got pregnant while Owen was in Germany last season. 

However, Bustle also notes that another Reddit user is skeptical about the likelihood of Teddy conceiving a child naturally given that she might be in her late 40s or early 50s based on her seniority at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in previous seasons. They posted, "Did Teddy go to some fertility specialist in Europe and do IVF or some kind of implantation?"

More: Sara Ramirez Wants to Return to Grey’s Anatomy, & We Approve

It's a fair point that would undermine Teddy's story about not being careful with a man she loved. If she was planning to get pregnant, could there have been another man in the picture while she was in Germany? Did sleeping with Owen derail her life in more ways than one? Whatever happens, this plot is certain to bring plenty of drama to Grey's Anatomy this season, and we are so ready.

With a title like I Feel Bad, NBC’s new family/workplace comedy might not inspire much confidence. Here’s the thing, though — it’s kind of exactly what moms need right now. If you are a woman who has children, you undoubtedly understand all too well the dreaded mom-guilt paradox. When you’re at work, you feel like a failure for sacrificing time with your family. When you’re at home, you feel like you should be focusing on work. Either way, mothers feel a constant tug in our brains telling us we’re not contributing enough. So, basically, we feel bad. All the time.

Enter I Feel Bad and its breakout star, Sarayu Blue, who is playing a maternal character that will resonate with all of us — but moms especially.

More: Essential Fall TV Premiere Dates You Need to Know About

Blue plays Emet, who seems to live up to the wildly misleading idea that women can “have it all.” She is the head artist for a video game (and can we just say, hell yes to female representation on TV in a stereotypically male field). She has a loving albeit slightly neurotic and insecure husband. They share three beautiful kids, and Emet’s parents even live with them. On paper, life is good.

More: 5 Things to Know About Saturday Night Live Cast Member Ego Nwodim

But, you know, life is life. By definition, it is imperfect and messy and often looks nothing like we thought it would. This is where I Feel Bad draws its strength from.

For starters, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a show that focuses on a female character’s work life and family life. How often does that happen? Rack your brain and see how many examples come to mind. Women are an integral part of the modern workforce, accounting for nearly 47 percent of workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As for mothers, the Department of Labor found that 70 percent of women with children under 18 participate in the labor force. It’s nice to see a show that tries to authentically tackle the struggle of doing well on both fronts.

More: Ellen Pompeo Says Her Grey's Salary Negotiation Moved Other Women to Tears

In I Feel Bad, we see a woman who loves her husband, even when his neediness bugs the hell out of her. We see a woman who loves her kids very deeply but holds back her annoyance when their needs feel overwhelming. She's trying to find ways to push that annoyance aside because she knows that this is her job, to be the best, most attentive mother possible. 

It's important that we see that overwhelmed, annoyed side of her because it's so refreshingly honest. It’s OK to feel overwhelmed by your family. It’s OK to be tempted to trade them in for a few hours for the quiet house next door (which Emet does in the second episode). It’s OK, moms of the world, to feel like you want to help but also like you just want to take a break.

The beauty of I Feel Bad is that, in watching it, moms can feel like they're being let off the hook. They'll identify with the daily circus that is Emet's life and hopefully find some catharsis in seeing the all of the daily average, frustrating and thrilling aspects of modern motherhood represented. I Feel Bad makes us feel a little bit better because it reminds us we’re not alone — and that's huge, especially for a TV show.  

Tune in to I Feel Bad on Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c on NBC.

Fast food has changed quite a bit in recent years. In addition to the usual burgers and fries on the menu, most restaurants now also offer healthier options like wraps, salads, fruit and yogurt. But that doesn't mean everyone is eating well or as well they should. In fact, a new study out of the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that American children are eating more fast food now than ever before.

More: Eating This Food May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

The study polled roughly 800 parents — in 2010, 2013 and 2016 — regarding their children's eating habits, particularly those at the nation’s four largest fast-food chains: McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Subway. According to the results, 91 percent of those surveyed bought at least one meal for their child from a fast-food eatery each week, which is up from 79 percent in 2010. 

What's more, 74 percent of the kids ordered an unhealthy drink and/or side items with their meal.

Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives for the UConn Rudd Center and the lead author of the report said in a statement, "We know that fast food offers parents a convenient, affordable option for feeding their families. But restaurants have a responsibility to make these affordable, convenient foods healthier. Most fast-food meals — even kids' meals — have more fat, sugar and sodium than children need, and eating this kind of unhealthy food can have negative health consequences over time, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health issues."

That said, Harris acknowledged that fast-food restaurants have made great strides in recent years. However, they need to do more to educate parents about the options they have.

"While most fast-food restaurants do have healthier kids' meal drinks and sides available, many do little to make parents aware of the healthier options or to encourage parents to choose the healthier options instead of unhealthy ones," Harris said. "If restaurants are serious about children's health, they will make the healthiest choice the easiest choice for parents and the most appealing choice for children."

More: Meat & Cheese May Actually Make Your Heart Healthier (& We Couldn't Be Happier)

As such, the best thing parents can do is to research each chain's menu and keep an eye out for healthy items and encourage kids to opt for those over the deep-fried offerings.