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REVIEW: After one big yawn in the castle, the most disastrous mission ever was followed by the least productive Round Table. What’s going on?
21:05, 22 Oct 2026Updated 21:19, 22 Oct 2026
James Acaster knew he’d get a roasting in the turret – and he did
A disastrous Mission – in which the Traitors failed to bank any money at all – was tonight followed by a terrible Round Table, in which the Faithful simply clammed up. The producers must have been tearing their hair out.
It all started to go wrong when James Acaster decided he simply wasn’t going to do anything asked of him in the Mission, because he was “too scared”. And outraged Maya Jama and King Kenny could do nothing about it – because he did’t even raise his blindfold to look them in the eye.
Freaked out by his refusal, the pair of them crept about a bit but never looked close to building their shield, and – spooked by the creaking floorboards – in the end just aborted the mission entirely.
What is staggering is they didn’t even bother to sabotage the shields that had been built, leaving three of the Faithful fully protected from murder that night. So marks for effort to all three – zero.
Emboldened after winning the shields, some of the Faithful realised that the Traitors were on the ropes. “They’ve been absolutely rubbish,” James Blunt said, as Michael Sheen agreed: “They’ve got scared.”
They were absolutely right. But as though their inertia was catching, the Faithful then decided they’d respond by giving up speaking at the Round Table. Theories? Nah, they decided, collectively. Miranda Hart had one, but then withdrew it.
Jerry was asked for her thoughts directly, but having banged on repeatedly about James Blunt since the start, refused to say his name. And that’s after she’d earlier made the astonishing claim that he must be a Traitor because: “His face is redder than a fox’s ass at gooseberry time.” Well, if you say so Jerry.
In the end it was the former model who got her marching orders, not because the others really thought she was a Traitor, but because Michael suggested the next best thing was to get rid of any unhelpful Faithful.
Hang on though, hadn’t they noticed that Jerry and Sharon Rooney were the last ones in to breakfast that morning? Which means – as EVERY self-respecting fan of the show knows – that they must have been the other two Faithful in contention for murder, along with Ross Kemp. Duh. Never even mentioned.
When night fell, James Acaster was fully braced for the backlash he knew he deserved in the turret, saying: “I know I’m going to get a dressing down, I’m aware of that.”
Sure enough Maya and Kenny were fuming that he’d hung them out to dry. “I was scared,” he argued, deflecting their anger by insisting he was getting better at being a Traitor, not worse.
“When I killed Ross Kemp in plain sight, I loved it,” he declared. “And I have enjoyed today more.” Maya said she was proud of him but loyalty-wise, he must be skating on thin ice.
Now Romesh Ranganathan is convinced he’s about to be bumped off and if it’s not him it will be Miranda or Sebastian Croft. (The other two will walk in last to breakfast, you mark my words.)
James picked Romesh saying that his popularity and authority with the other Faithful would make his exit a huge blow. Calling him the “deputy head” of the round table, James said: “Morale-wise, everybody loves having Rom around.”
His words were kind but was this his way of trying to get rid of the fellow comedian, who is said to have made his life tricky in the castle? As Romesh headed to bed, he was muttering: “I’m going to die tonight.” And he could be right.
But whoever goes might find they’ve have a lucky escape if tonight’s effort was anything to go by. If this was a school report it would contain just three words: Must. Try. Harder.
Ross Kemp has feared being killed in plain sight since the very first day – but when it finally happened, he didn’t have a clue
Gotcha! Ross Kemp finally succumbs to the yawn murder
Ross Kemp has admitted that “fear of failure” was what drove his intense paranoia in the Celebrity Traitors castle, which proved highly entertaining for viewers.
The actor and presenter was killed by the Traitors in plain sight last night, after he was the first to yawn in the library, breathing in a deadly perfume sprayed by King Kenny under orders.
But having been fearful of being bumped off in public since the very first day – after Bella Ramsey put a hat on his head and Leigh-Anne Pinnock touched his arm – when it actually happened he was none the wiser. Speaking just after he left the castle Ross, 62, said: “I lived every day thinking I was going to get killed, and now it’s actually happened.
“The fear of failure on this is not comparable to anything. Whether you’re an actor, or in a hostile environment where you could get killed, you don’t let people down. Yes, no one’s going to get killed here, but the wish of not wanting to let yourself down or the people around you, was quite the drive.
“I was under a considerable amount of pressure by my children to do this, and you can’t really say no to it. It’s so popular. I think it’s the cleverest show on British television.”
Ross bowed out on TV with some sinister words for those who had killed him. “Well played Traitors,” he said. “But you’re always going to bee Traitors. And I know where you live…”
Stressing that he had “enjoyed it immensely”, Ross explained: “The whole environment just makes you paranoid. If you’re a fan of the show, you know that murder in plain sight happens. So when someone puts a hat on you, or touches your arm, however innocently it might be, I don’t think I’m wrong in suspecting it.”
Tipping “very clever” Maya as a potential winner, along with fellow Traitor James Acaster, Ross insisted: “I don’t feel that bad that I’ve gone when I’ve gone.”
And having put his absolute all into the Missions, in which money is raised for the prize fund, he’s hoping that he’ll now be missed. “I think it’s just in my nature to take on a physical challenge and want to succeed at it. I hope the next three or four Missions involve really heavy lifting across water, hopefully with some poo involved. I’ll watch it with great glee,” he laughed.
Jerry Hall said that being banished because she was “an icon” had come as a surprise, with Miranda Hart wrongly suspecting that the producers and host Claudia Winkleman wouldn’t have been able to resist putting Jerry and Richard E Grant into the turret together.
But Jerry – who recognised that she’d “made mistakes” in her exit speech – said she hadn’t laughed so much in years. Insisting she’d given it her all, she said: “Oh, it’s so much harder than the catwalk – it’s a very competitive world, and there’s some ruthless people, I should have been better prepared. Apparently the reason I got voted off was because I was an icon, which didn’t sound like it was a very factual reason. I think they saw me as a threat.”
But the 70-year-old said she’d even enjoyed her banishment, declaring: “It was kind of fun, and they were all so sweet. It was a lovely ending.”
The model, originally from Texas but now living in London, has no idea who the real Traitors are. “I’ve suspected James Blunt for quite a while, and Joanne, and even Leigh-Anne, and Miranda too. And Romesh, so there you go.”
Nevertheless, she was proud of what they’d achieved. “We caught two Traitors and we’d made quite a bit of prize money, I thought we were on a roll.”
KATIE PRICE has been left furious after she was snubbed by the Pride of Britain Awards as she admitted she “didn’t get an invite.”
The former glamour model’s kids, Princess, 19, and Junior Andre, attended the Awards on Monday and were seen posing up on the red carpet.
Katie has revealed she wasn’t invited to the Pride of Britain Awards despite her kids making the cutCredit: GettyPrincess and Junior Andre attended the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday nightCredit: Getty
But, Katie didn’t quite make the cut.
While discussing their booming careers on her podcast, The Katie Price Show, she confessed they were invited to the prestigious event – but she wasn’t.
HOLLYWOOD legend Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93 after a six-decade career.
Tom is best known for his roles in Top Gun, Alien, and Picket Fences.
Legendary actor Tom Skerritt has died at 93Credit: AlamyTom is best known for playing Tom Cruise’s instructor, Viper, in the 1986 film Top GunCredit: Alamy
The veteran actor died on Wednesday from natural causes, his family confirmed to TMZ.
“We are heartbroken by his loss,” Tom’s family told the outlet.
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The Detroit native’s acting credits span six decades, starting with his breakout role in the 1970 war series, M*A*S*H.
He later played Captain Dallas in the 1979 sci-fi Alien, before landing the part of Tom Cruise’s instructor, Viper, in the 1986 film Top Gun.
Tom is also remembered as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, which earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993.
Some of his other notable credits include A River Runs Through It (1992), Steel Magnolias (1989), and a six-episode stint on Cheers (1987-1988).
Tom’s final on-screen role was playing Cliff in the 2025 contemporary Western drama Broke, with Dennis Quad and Wyatt Russell.
Tom also had prominent roles in Aliens and Picket FencesCredit: GettySome of his other notable credits include A River Runs Through It (1992), Steel Magnolias (1989), and a six-episode stint on Cheers (1987-1988)Credit: Reuters
Years before his Hollywood fame took off, Tom served in the U.S. Air Force.
He later became an advocate for veterans as co-founder of The Red Badge Project.
Tom maintained close friendships with many of the people he met in the industry over the years.
He shared photos from a reunion with Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges in one of his final Instagram posts in April.
The TV star shared his support for Jeff, who is opening an art gallery in Santa Barbara, as the pair hugged and linked arms.
“Got to see my talented friend Jeff Bridges’ photography while in Santa Barbara. Truly inspiring work, and even better catching up with the best people,” Tom wrote in his caption.
Tom also posted a heartfelt tribute last September to his “dear friend” Robert Redford following the actor’s passing.
“We grew up in this industry together – his art and friendship over these many years has profoundly changed my life. The world simply won’t be the same without him,” his post read.
The duo worked together as co-stars of the Korean War drama, War Hunt in 1962, and when Robert directed Tom in A River Runs Through It.
EastEnders fans are pretty sure they know the real reason Jack Branning isn’t on speaking terms with brother Max at New Year, after a shocking twist concerning his daughter Amy
20:02, 22 Oct 2026Updated 20:03, 22 Oct 2026
EastEnders fans are pretty sure they know the real reason Jack Branning isn’t on speaking terms with brother Max at New Year(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
No one seems to fight more than the Branning brothers, but EastEnders have set Jack and Max Branning up for a major clash by New Year’s Day.
The flashforward that aired at the start of the year showed that Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) no longer talks to his brother Max (Jake Wood) and fans think they know why after a shocking twist in tonight’s episode. Over the past few weeks, Jack’s daughter Amy (Ellie Dadd) has been groomed by Craig Ingram (Matthew James-Bailey).
Craig has been pushing Amy for money and she was determined to empty her trust fund, which held £100,000 in it. Needing the signature of one of the trustees, she turned to Uncle Max.
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Max, who has money troubles of his own, seemed keen to help Amy – for a cut. Though he didn’t know why Amy wanted the money, he later saw her getting into Craig’s car. Max clearly sensed something was up and rushed to tell Jack… only to change his mind.
The slimy businessman chose not to say anything about his niece getting into the car of an older man because he still wanted money. He told Amy that he would help her get the money, but it had to be a secret.
Fans are now sure this is the reason Jack hates Max at New Year – if something happens to Amy and Jack finds out what Max did, he will blame his brother, who could have said something and didn’t.
One fan said: “So Jack and Max aren’t on speaking terms on NYD because he’s gonna help Amy get the money to run off with Craig, isn’t he?”
Another said: “I could also see max and jack not being on speaking terms due to the fact max uses her trust fund money. Either or is possible.”
A third slammed Max for his actions saying they weren’t surprised no one seemed to like Max on New Year’s Day: “It’s never about anyone else it’s always me me me with that guy then he makes himself look good by helping Jack break into Craig’s flat . No wonder everyone is gunning for him at New Years .”
On 1 January 2027, it isn’t just Jack who seems to hate Max. Peter Beale (Thomas Law) also isn’t speaking to his father-in-law and refuses to attend his wedding.
Likewise, Max is arrested for soliciting a murder and claims he’s being set up, implying someone else hates him enough to want him in prison. Finally, a mystery gunman takes Max’s children Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) hostage and forces him to pick one to save.
Christmas has come early for me because two of my favourite artists, Aitch and Tom Grennan, have teamed up for a telly collab.
I can exclusively reveal that the good pals secretly recorded scenes together for next year’s series of The Voice.
We can exclusively reveal that the good pals Tom Grennan, above, and new judge Aitch have secretly recorded scenes together for next year’s series of The VoiceCredit: GettyAitch invited his long-time pal Tom Grennan to guest judge on The Voice, with the pair’s friendship making the collaboration a no-brainer, according to our sourceCredit: Getty
New judge Aitch, who has been shooting the 2027 show in Salford in recent weeks, invited Tom down to ITV studios to film the Battle stages of the popular competition.
And Tom’s guest role went down so well with producers, they are now eyeing him up as a full-time coach in the future.
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My source said: “They have been friends for years, so it was a no-brainer for Aitch to give Tom a call and invite him to be a guest judge.
“While he has never appeared on reality TV, Tom has worked his way up from the bottom, so knows how contestants are feeling.
“Sometimes, guests are quite wooden, but Tom really impressed bosses with his time on the show. They are now talking about him possibly becoming a regular coach.”
In 2023, Aitch revealed on Instagram that he had recorded a “banger” with Tom, although the song is yet to be released.
Earlier this month, fans watched as will.i.am brought Cheryl out of her self-imposed retirement to help him pick his final threeCredit: ITVMeanwhile, in pre-recorded scenes which aired last weekend, fellow coach Kelly Rowland drafted in Delta GoodremCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
But, back in February, Aitch gave fans a taste of the track, called Home, after streaming it live on social media.
A source added: “Tom and Aitch actually have a couple of songs together.
“But they are still working out when best to release one.”
Tom was due to return last night with the release of his comeback single, Wrapped In Gold, from his upcoming fifth album, which is due out next year.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that one of their collaborations ends up on there.
Sydney Sweeney has thrilled fans with her latest lingerie offeringCredit: Instagram/sydney_sweeneyShe wore a barely-there lingerie set with some lace stockingsCredit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney
The actress is gearing up for the holiday season with several fresh pieces from her lingerie brand, SYRN, and she has modeled them all in her new campaign video.
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As well as the nod to Jack Skellington, Sydney also wore a Cindy Lou Who inspired look, an all-white lingerie set, and a deep wine-hued set.
Commenting on Sydney’s latest offering, one person said: “She’s literally becoming the modern day Marilyn Monroe in real time.”
Sydney also channelled Cindy Lou WhoCredit: Instagram/sydney_sweeneyAnother shot from the video saw her in a wine-colored lingerie setCredit: Instagram/sydney_sweeneyLooking festive, Sydney also rocked all whiteCredit: Instagram/sydney_sweeneyThe actress even gave fans a cheeky glimpse of her buttCredit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney
“I love her,” declared a second.
“She is perfect from head to toes,” penned a third.
“Oh my god! What a woman,” said a fourth.
“I’m female & i loved it. WOW. flaunt that sexy body babe,” added a fifth.
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While a sixth wrote: “Is the most amazing Christmas ad I’ve seen, Syd and her references were awesome.”
Though a seventh critiqued: “The rest are so cute! But I think the Cindy Lou is in poor taste…”
The Euphoria star sparked controversy once again last month when she posed completely naked in an ad for the sports betting app, Novig.
Photos showed Sydney wearing no clothes and concealing her breasts and private parts with various sports equipment.
The pics ignited massive discourse online, especially from female athletes, who accused Sydney of sexualizing women’s sports.
However, Sydney was unbothered by the backlash and is focused on leveling up in her career, a source told The U.S. Sun exclusively.
“Sydney’s goal is to become a billionaire mogul and ‘boss lady’ as soon as possible.
“She wants to do things entirely on her own terms, confident that her unique talent and beauty give her an edge, and she doesn’t care if people dislike her,” the insider said.
“Sydney is on the fast track to becoming an icon and an elite businesswoman, like Madonna, who she sees as the benchmark for combining sex appeal with massive entrepreneurial success.”
She had an intimate bash attended by her loved ones – but Kendall was missingCredit: Instagram/kimkardashianKendall was also missing earlier this week when she snubbed sister Kylie’s VS Fashion Show debutCredit: Getty
“Kendall must be fighting with Kylie and everyone, first she skips the VS show and now this,” noted one person in the comments.
“I think she just didn’t wanna do the pap walk,” said a second.
“With a family of this size it has to be someone’s birthday every month…can’t make every event every time I assume,” added a third.
This isn’t the first glimmer of a feud between the famous family that we’ve had in recent days.
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Kylie strutted down the runway at the annual VS show on Sunday night wearing a $50 million bra, and Kendall was nowhere to be seen.
Kylie is the first non-Angel to wear the coveted Fantasy Bra, which she paired with a white thong, a sheer miniskirt, and massive white angel wings.
But her sister Kendall, who had walked in the show in the past, didn’t participate this year.
Kendall wasn’t even in the audience supporting her baby sister, alongside their mother, Kris Jenner, and Kylie’s boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet.
The supermodel also didn’t shout out Kylie’s monumental moment on social media, despite their sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian doing so on their Instagram pages.
“There is no way Kendall is not seething at Kylie being in the show,” one person suspected in a popular Kardashian family Reddit forum at the time.
But Kendall did acknowledge her younger sister’s fashion show stint.
She reposted of Kylie strutting her stuff down the runway, writing: “My perfect baby sister.”
A statement was then shared with Page Six.
“Kendall thought Kylie absolutely killed it,” a source told the outlet.
“Even though Kylie has some runway experience, she still asked Kendall for a few tips ahead of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.”
LUCY Mecklenburgh was left “fuming” after being forced to travel home barefoot when she lost her shoe between the train and platform.
The TOWIE alum, 35, took to her Instagram Stories to moan about the mishap following a night with fiance Ryan Thomas.
Lucy Mecklenburgh was left fuming after losing her shoe between the train and the platformCredit: Instagram/lucymeck1The TOWIE alum was left with just one black loafer following the mishapCredit: Instagram/lucymeck1
The mum of two was seen covering her mouth with her hand in shock as she stood in the vestibule wearing only one item of black loafer footwear.
Lucy looked glam in an oversized leather jacket and jeans, but her right foot was exposed as Ryan could be heard shouting: “Oh my god,” in the background.
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In his social media caption he wrote: “Lucy lost her shoe getting on the train”.
She then added in her re-post: “Fuming I love these shoes”.
The mum of two saw the funny side of the situationCredit: Instagram/lucymeck1It came following the Lucy and fiance Ryan Thomas’ cosy date day in LondonCredit: Instagram/lucymeck1The pair share two children togetherCredit: GettyThe couple recently listed their Cheshire home for saleCredit: Getty
Former Coronation Street star Ryan then shared a video showing Lucy laughing as she saw the funny side of her situation.
She sat perched on a train seat and giggled away as he filmed her reaction.
The blunder came after the couple spent a cosy date day in the capital.
They had a plush dinner at the Covent Garden Hotel complete with fizz and two courses.
The Celebrity Traitors is back on BBC One tonight with a murder in plain sight taking place – but a Traitor, namely Love Island’s Maya Jama, could be in the frame too, it has been claimed.
Maya Jama has a ‘tell’ at the round table says a body language expert
Alexander Skarsgård and Olivia Colman play bizarro newlyweds in a naughty parable about lust, jealousy and moral hypocrisy. The characters are thin but the ideas aren’t.
The Pride of Britain Awards 2026 air on ITV1 and ITVX tonight, Thursday, October 22, from 8pm until 10.05pm. Carol Vorderman returns as host for the 27th year running alongside co-host Ashley Banjo.
13:06, 22 Oct 2026Updated 13:07, 22 Oct 2026
Stars sparkle of the Pride on Britain red carpet
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnerhsip with P&O Cruises, returns to screens tonight to celebrate the nation’s most extraordinary, selfless unsung heroes.
While the glittering ceremony took place took place at London’s Grosvenor House earlier this week, viewers across the country will finally get the chance to experience every emotional standing ovation, surprise, and tear-jerking triumph from their living rooms this evening.
Established by late Mirror editor Peter Willis, the awards have become a cherished fixture in the national calendar, honouring everyday people who show astonishing bravery, tireless dedication, and boundless compassion. Key honours handed out tonight include the This Morning Local Hero Award, the Emergency Services Award, Child and Teenager of Courage, and the P&O Cruises Inspiration Award.
How to watch The Pride of Britain Awards on TV
The Pride of Britain Awards 2026 air tonight – Thursday, October 22 on ITV1 and ITVX from 8pm until 10.05pm.
This year’s ceremony from London’s Grosvenor House Hotel sees a star-studded line up including Jack Grealish, Davina McCall, PM Andy Burnham, and Alan Carr celebrating the nation’s unsung heroes.
Hosted by Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo, expect plenty of emotion and surprises along with inspirational stories of bravery, achievement and selflessness. Plus, stepping off their 25th Anniversary Tour for a special performance are boyband Blue.
Who is hosting The Pride of Britain Awards?
Telly legend Carol Vorderman, 65, has returned to front the ceremony for her 27th consecutive year, once again joined by co-host Ashley Banjo.
“Pride of Britain is needed now more than ever,” she told the Mirror. “We’re incredibly divided as a nation. And there are plenty of reasons to be miserable: the cost of living crisis, global uncertainty. But through it all, one thing unites us – and that is hope. And the goodness of people.”
One Direction fans have accused Louis Tomlinson’s sister of ‘rolling her eyes’ at his girlfriend Zara McDermott on the red carpet.
While Zara and Daisy have always claimed to be close pals, eagle-eyed 1D devotees are convinced they shared an awkward moment as they chatted to an interviewer on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards.
Fans claimed Daisy Tomlinson appeared to roll her eyes at Zara McDermottCredit: pop dropThe unofficial sisters-in-law are extremely close – but did Louis’ fans spot secret tension?Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Chatting to red carpet outlet Pop Drop, Zara was discussing her upcoming 30th birthday when she admitted: “I’m not really, like, a party person, and I feel like when it’s your birthday, I don’t know if anyone else gets this, but I always feel…”
As the Love Island and Strictly star appeared to be struggling to find the right word, Daisy then jumped in to finish her sentence, adding: “Pressure.”
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Zara then continued: “Pressure to talk to everyone”, before Daisy then turned her head and appeared to briefly roll her eyes upwards.
The split-second moment has now been eagerly debated online, especially by some who don’t appear to be fans of Zara’s.
One viewer said: “Daisy looked like she doesn’t like Zara and when Zara was talking Daisy looked p***ed off.
“I couldn’t care less if shes dating Louis she can have him but Daisy sure was giving ‘here we go again vibe’. I find it hard to listen to.”
Another wrote: “Look, Daisy is rolling her eyes at Zara’s comment.”
A third believed it happened because Daisy felt interrupted, adding: “Zara keeps talking over Daisy! Annoying!”
Zara and Louis have been dating since March last yearCredit: InstagramZara sported a thigh-split black dress to the red carpet event this weekCredit: Getty
And a fourth said: “I think Zara was just trying to yap and she contradicted herself about bday plans and Daisy just couldn’t hide her facial expressions bc I have that problem too.”
Others didn’t buy it, however, and felt that some were reading too much into the exchange.
“Idk, I don’t think she wasn’t tryna be shady,” one said.
Another defended the accusations that Zara talked over Daisy, weighing in: “If you saw the whole interview she let Daisy talk for the first half of it, then Daisy let her talk about her birthday.”
Despite the hotly debated moment, the girls walked the red carpet arm in arm and gushed about spending Christmas together.
“We’re going to have a big family Christmas this year”, said Zara.
“It’s rare that you get everyone in the same room, so it’ll be nice.”
After confirming she’s looking forward to spending it with her other half and his clan, Zara said: “I’ve had to try to figure out how to split my time between my family and Louis’ this year, it’s so difficult!”
A spokesman for the girls told The Sun: “Daisy and Zara have a lovely relationship and Daisy was delighted to attend the Pride of Britain Awards alongside her.”
One of Hollywood’s legendary music recording studios is for sale as its owner prepares to end his half-century run immortalizing many of the biggest acts.
The list of household names who have recorded at Conway Recording Studios spans generations and genres. Burt Bacharach, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Daft Punk, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar are just a few of the artists who have recorded there.
While many studios have struggled, the unique space has attracted big names for decades.
Digital production tools and home studios have eliminated much of the need for traditional recording space, allowing artists to produce professional-quality music almost anywhere, real estate data provider CoStar said.
The digital revolution rocked the analog world of art, media and communication on a scale the industrial revolution did to agrarian and handicraft economies more than a century ago. The advent of Pro Tools recording software in the 1990s and the rise of music streaming services in the early aughts irrevocably changed the business.
Yet industry veterans say surviving facilities with expansive live rooms, vintage gear and decades of recording history may be becoming more valuable as they become harder to replicate. U.S. recorded-music revenue rose 7% to $6 billion in the first half of 2026, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America. Streaming, physical formats and licensing all posted gains.
Conway Recording Studios is a jungly hideaway on bustling Melrose Avenue created by a transplant from chilly Buffalo, N.Y., who arrived in the 1970s with a vision to create an L.A.-style oasis in the middle of the city where he could pursue his craft as a sound engineer.
“I moved to California to be outside in the warm,” Buddy Brundo said. “I like sunlight.”
He defied recording studio conventions by bringing in natural light through large, soundproof windows instead of working in chambers sealed on all sides.
“You kind of feel like you’re in Hawaii or somewhere else,” at Conway studios, said entertainment real estate broker Nicole Mihalka of CBRE. “That’s what’s kept Conway so busy over the years.”
Among the musicians who came to work there lately was Korean pop group BTS, the subject of a Netflix documentary released in March that followed the young men as they recorded their comeback album “Arirang” after completing their military service.
Brundo appears in the film.
1
2
1.“You kind of feel like you’re in Hawaii or somewhere else,” a real estate broker said of the studios. “That’s what’s kept Conway so busy over the years.”2.Conway’s clients have included Justin Timberlake, Kendrick Lamar, U2 and Counting Crows.(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Taylor Swift is a regular and once created a run on company merchandise by wearing a Conway Recording Studios sweatshirt in public.
People have asked Brundo for years when he might sell the studio he has operated since 1976, said Mihalka, who has the listing.
“Ten years ago I wouldn’t even think about this,” Brundo said. Now, “I’m 83, and how long can I keep this up? It’s best to walk away while I still can.”
He works out three times a week and appears fit, jumping up to play air guitar to Mötley Crüe’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” while showing off the powerful sound system in Studio B. The band recorded the hit 1987 album of the same name at Conway Studios, where members arrived by motorcycle.
Brundo is asking $15 million for the property that spans more than an acre on the edge of Melrose Hill, a niche neighborhood at Melrose and Western avenues known for its trendy restaurants.
It includes three studios, offices, tons of recording equipment, including two grand pianos, lounges, and a kitchen that pointedly lacks a stove.
“Every studio I worked with had a stove, and the kitchen was a mess,” Brundo said.
“Ten years ago I wouldn’t even think about this,” Conway’s Buddy Brundo said. Now, “I’m 83, and how long can I keep this up? It’s best to walk away while I still can.”
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Not that he hasn’t gone out of his way to accommodate his clients. Years ago he shrank his own office to enlarge a lounge for a singer-songwriter who needed space to camp out.
“Courtney Love wanted to book a bunch of time,” but also wanted a place to unwind outside the studio. “We lived here for two months with the kids and the clothes.”
One of his studio innovations was an air-conditioning and filtration system that whooshes out smoke and neutralizes it with charcoal filters and blue lights that kill bacteria, because the official smoking policy is “whatever they want,” he said. On a recent afternoon, a strong scent of cannabis came from Studio A.
To create his rambling California oasis in the middle of a busy neighborhood, Brundo acquired house after house on the south side of his lot over the years so he could keep expanding. He bought and tore down 10 of them.
“Each house was a battle,” he said, particularly one where the owners had an issue with guitarist and outdoorsman Ted Nugent, who accidentally shot an arrow into their yard.
While the property could be used for other purposes, Buddy Brundo hopes to find a buyer who will keep the music going.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Brundo had set up a Styrofoam deer and a bear on the back of his property to entertain archer Nugent. The musician missed a shot and his arrow passed through the fence and came close to striking a neighbor in her backyard as her husband stood nearby.
“He was really pissed off,” Brundo said of his neighbor. It took Brundo another year to buy the neighbors’ house “because the price went up,” he said.
Today, the foliage a full-time groundskeeper tends has grown tall and thick. Sleek cats roam the grounds.
The parking lot is large for the studio’s size, and its 59 striped spaces have accommodated about $2 million worth of fancy cars at a time, Brundo estimated. It’s also big enough for basketball games, and Brundo recently painted a full court on the asphalt so singer The Weeknd could play ball during downtime.
While the property could be turned to other uses such as stores and housing, Brundo hopes to sell it to someone who will keep the music going even as times change.
The recent backlash against AI-generated music has prompted “a reversion back to the real” with bands using more instruments and needing more space to record, Mihalka said. “There are fewer studios now where you can actually do this.”
KATIE Price has revealed her eldest son Harvey has moved out to a temporary residential home after he wrecked her kitchen.
The 24-year-old, who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, a complex condition that causesobesityand learning difficulties, has re-located – and is “loving” his new surroundings.
Katie Price has revealed eldest son Harvey, 24, has moved to a temporary residential care homeCredit: Paul EdwardsHarvey suffers from Prada-Willi Syndrome and complex needsCredit: PA
Now his proud parent Katie, 48, who has always sent her eldest to residential care home in order to let him learn vital skills and his own independence, has given an update.
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On her podcast with sister Sophie she admitted: “This week I am chilling now.
“So Harvey has gone to a residential temporary place now, because after three kitchen cabinets and just everything I’m just like, honestly, he is ruining my house.
Katue, 48, said Harvey had been ‘ruining my house’ after breaking three cabinetsCredit: Paul EdwardsHe will soon move into a permanent facilityCredit: Paul Edwards
“I’ve said he’s got to go into this place, the place we have been waiting a year and a half for.
“So he’s gone somewhere else up the road, he’s loving it, he’s got his own little flat until his place is ready”.
Katie added: “He FaceTimed me this morning while he was in the swimming pool, showing me the bubbles, when he saw trains.
“I set it all up for him, done his food shop for the week and he’s got the carers there so he can get into the routine for when he moves to Little Hampton.
“So fingers crossed he likes it”.
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The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards honoured the nation’s unsung heroes, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the winners were honoured by a number of famous faces
John Anderson, a country western star known for his traditional tunes and twangy voice, has died.
A representative for Anderson confirmed to The Times that the storied singer-songwriter died in his sleep at his home in Smithville, Tenn., on Wednesday. He was 71.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend,” a statement from Anderson’s family read. “To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives. To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special. We are completely heartbroken. His music will live on, but for us, his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave his family and the memories we will carry with us forever. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.”
Born in Apopka, Fla., on Dec. 13, 1954, Anderson got his first guitar when he was 7 years old and played in garage bands as a teen. When he finished high school, Anderson packed his bags for Music City. He gigged at Nashville nightclubs until he landed his first record contract with the support of music publisher Al Gallico; he signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1976.
Over his storied career, Anderson earned 20 top 10 country hits, including five No. 1s. Through the 1980s and ’90s, Anderson was a leader in the explosion of neotraditional country tunes, and honky-tonks were filled with couples two-stepping to hits including “Swingin’,” “Seminole Wind,” “Straight Tequila Night,” “Wild and Blue” and “Black Sheep.”
In 1993, Anderson received the Academy of Country Music career achievement award. Introducing the award, Reba McEntire said Anderson was an early new traditionalist who “combined a sweet and pure country sound with great energy and emotion.” Billy Dean gave remarks, too, saying, “Back in the early ’80s, John’s sound and material struck the exact right chord with country record buyers and inspired a whole bunch of up-and-coming artists just like myself.”
In 2014, Anderson was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2024, Anderson he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside Toby Keith and James Burton.
“This is an institution that preserves greatness,” Anderson said of the honor. “That I get the chance to be amongst this kind of greatness, words can’t explain.”
COUNTRY music legend John Anderson has died at the age of 71.
The iconic voice behind Swingin and Straight Tequila Night was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024 with his heartbroken family paying a touching tribute.
Country music legend John Anderson has died at the age of 71Credit: GettyJohn was the iconic voice behind Swingin and Straight Tequila NightCredit: Getty
John, a native of Apopka, Florida, passed away on Wednesday.
His cause of death is yet to be announced.
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An emotional statement from John’s family read: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend.
“To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives.
“To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special.
“We are completely heartbroken.
“His music will live on, but for us, his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave his family and the memories we will carry with us forever.
“Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.”
Most read in Entertainment
John with his wife of 43 years Jamie Anderson at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2026Credit: GettyJohn with Tim McGraw just four days agoCredit: Getty
He boasted a trio of hugely popular number one hits on the country charts for Wild and Blue, Black Sheep and his signature song Swingin.
John’s last public appearance saw him appear alongside his fellow inductees at the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony in Nashville on October 18.
They were inducting the 2026 stars Tim McGraw, Paul Overstreet and the Stanley Brothers.
John said his own induction into the elusive club was one of his best achievements.
He told Rolling Stone at the time: “One of the main gratifications is I got to live to see it.
“Several of my friends were inducted posthumously.”
John leaves behind his wife of 43 years Jamie Anderson and their two daughters Brionna and Alexa.
Omar has come under fire this week with Big Brother fans after they previously hit out at uncomfortable scenes
22:04, 21 Oct 2026Updated 22:08, 21 Oct 2026
Big Brother issued a warning to Omar (Image: ITV)
A Big Brother housemate has been issued a warning after fans slammed their recent behaviour.
Omar has come under fire with fans lately regarding his negative comments and behaviour towards Rhianna. The two have been growing closer since the start of the show, also admitting their love for one another.
Big Brother previously issued a statement in response to recent calls from a number of fans who called for Omar to be removed from the house. It came after this week saw the two hitting rocky ground with Rihanna describing them like a ‘divorced couple’.
The pair seemed to break off their relationship but at one point Omar went over to her, lowered his head and told her to stop talking about him before leaving the room.
It comes after previous comments from Omar about him not teaching his co-star “how to respect a man”. But amidst the backlash, Big Brother issued Omar with a warning in tonight’s episode (October 21).
Being called to the Diary Room, Big Brother told Omar: “At times it feels you are dismissive about your housemates’ experiences.” They later added that Omar’s language used “on more than one occasion could cause offence to housemates or the fellow public.”
However, Omar hit out at the warning, adding: “I fully understand… I’ve never dismissed housemates feelings in all honesty.” He later said that he didn’t dismiss feelings but rather tell them the truth.
He replied: “Let’s be honest here we’re not talking about housemates, we’re talking about me and Rhianna.” He then continued to say he had done “nothing but look out for her and care for her” before going on to say: “Like I said, I’ve acknowledged my housemates feelings.”
Big Brother replied: “You must always be mindful of the impact your language and behaviour can have on others.”
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Later, speaking to Rhianna, Omar said: “Have I ever controlled you in any way, or limited you in any way?” Rhianna said: “I am my own person, no-one can control me. I don’t feel controlled by you.”
Viewers at home expressed their frustrations as one person wrote on X: “Big Brother please boot Omar out, he’s not even giving a f*** about Rhianna’s feelings.”
Another fumed: “This is deeply uncomfortable to watch. Rhianna needs to get far away from Omar as soon as this show’s over.” A third added: “Omar tryna save himself lol, he’s finished.”
It comes after Women’s Aid issued a statement on Instagram, alleging the reality star of displaying controlling behaviour in the house. They wrote: “We’re seeing coercive and controlling behaviours being given a platform in popular media like Big Brother. We’ve been contacted by many viewers who have expressed concern. Not only does Big Brother risk minimising survivors’ experiences, it also risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment.
“Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe. The women in these programmes are real people and need real support. We continue to urge television companies such as ITV to engage with experts like Women’s Aid to understand the nature of abuse and how they can do better to protect contestants.”
However, Big Brother released a statement confirming all housemates “receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectations for appropriate behaviour and language”.
Big Brother continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
SITTING atop a bat-encrusted throne in front of me and 44,000 other screaming fans at Birmingham’s Villa Park last summer, Ozzy Osbourne took his final bow.
Just 17 days later, the music world was plunged into mourning as wife Sharon announced news of the Black Sabbath legend’s death at the age of 76.
Ozzy Osbourne took his final bow at Birmingham’s Villa Park last summerCredit: SuppliedRocker Ozzy Osbourne with beloved wife SharonCredit: Getty
Speaking to me for her only newspaper interview, Sharon reveals Brummie Ozzy — who she was with for 45 years — knew the epic performance might kill him.
“We never told anyone how sick Ozzy was,” Sharon says. “The doctors told him if he performed, he might die.
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“Ozzy asked how long he had left and they said it was months.
“He said, ‘I’ve had the most amazing life. What is a few more months going to do, with me in pain and being miserable?
And they have poured all their energy into creating a feature-length film of last year’s Back To The Beginning concert, which is out in cinemas next Wednesday.
Bizarre’s Ellie Henman with SharonCredit: SuppliedSharon with Sabbath rocker Tony Iommi at the Back To The Beginning London premiereCredit: Carsten Windhorst & Gerard Hynes
“I am still learning to live with the grief, and that grief will be with me until the day I die,” Sharon says.
“I had counselling in the beginning. And when we watched the movie last week in LA, Aimee had to leave — it was too emotional for her.
“Jack stepped up and helped me with the business and Kelly is dealing with it in her own way.
“I told them we were lucky to have him, and it’s a blessing their dad was so beloved.”
“We kept his phone number on and do you know how many of his friends still text him?” she says, with a sad smile.
“Why should you wipe everything out because they have gone?
“I talk to Ozzy, too. I speak to him about everything that is going on.
“I ask, ‘What would you do? Tell me what to do’. We do whatever we can to take comfort. People I don’t even know have been so gracious — they come up to me to offer their condolences.
“The other day I was pushing my trolley around M&S and a lady approached to pay her respects. It really is touching that people thought of him so highly.
“The thing about Ozzy is that you didn’t even have to like his music, because people just loved the character.
“He was larger than life, a real softie and funny as f***. I mean, the f****** fights we had . . . but it always ended in love. “He’d come out with one line which would be so funny, I’d crack and go, ‘Oh, f*** it’. Life is too short.”
Ozzy knew his epic final performance might kill himCredit: GettyOzzy and Sharon with kids Kelly and Jack in 2015Credit: Getty
Ozzy’s death saw an outpouring of grief all over the world, and Birmingham came to a standstill on the day of his funeral.
“I am blessed to have my husband’s friends. They are incredible and they have all been there for us,” Sharon says.
“We got so many messages, and we are still receiving letters, cards and flowers from fans all over the world.
“We had the honour of spending some time with him on a few occasions and he was just a normal bloke.
“The King loves to laugh . . . he’s really naughty, and Ozzy loved that.”
Ozzy’s farewell concert on July 5, 2025, saw the great and the good of heavy metal travel to Birmingham to perform, including Sabbath bandmates Bill Ward and Geezer Butler as well as Tony Iommi — who supported Sharon at the film’s launch in London on Tuesday.
It is two-and-a-half hours of unbridled rock ’n’ roll joy, with acts including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Slayer performing Sabbath’s biggest hits.
Sharon admits Ozzy was worried about being able to go the distance at the concert, which ran for more than ten hours.
“I was petrified because I didn’t know whether he could get through it,” Sharon explains.
“He was just praying his lungs would work and that he could sing because, along with everything else wrong with him, Ozzy had emphysema.
“He could be great for two days and then on the third day he’d wake up and couldn’t breathe. But it was mind over matter. He wanted to play with Sabbath one last time. He wanted to see his mates and the fans.”
Music legend Ozzy back in 1989Credit: GettyOzzy on stage during his final concertCredit: Getty
Emotions aside, Sharon admits there was non-stop fun backstage.
She told how Hollywood actor Jason Mamoa called and asked for tickets to the show, only to be told on the day he had to compere the entire event.
“I said, ‘Just go and talk to the crowd and introduce the bands’,” Sharon recalls.
“He said, ‘I can’t do that’. So I said: ‘F**k off, you’re an actor!’.”
The concert, which raised more than £8million for local charities, has gone down in music history as the greatest gathering of heavy metal artists of all time.
And Sharon hopes Ozzy’s legacy will continue to inspire the next generation.
“People don’t understand how poor Ozzy was [as a child],” she says. “He was born in the Forties and a can of condensed soup and a white bread loaf fed him and his five siblings.
“They all slept on one bed. They didn’t have blankets — they wore coats.
“There was no bathroom, just an outside toilet in a shed.
“He worked so hard to change his life and achieve what he did.
“He was a true working-class hero, and his music will live on forever.”
GREEDY ROCKERS TRIED TO CASH IN ON CONCERT
LAST year Sharon told how one rock band – a household name – tried to profit from Ozzy’s Back To The Beginning fundraiser.
I gasped when she told me who the gutless group was.
Sharon asked me not to run the name of the band, who have a string of No1 albums, because it would make their name mud – and rightly so.
Sharon told me: “It was a charity event but everyone’s expenses were paid for.
“We asked this band for theirs and they came back with a sum over £800,000. I said, ‘F*** off’.
“I explained Metallica were bringing their whole stage set, everything, and their expenses were nowhere near that.
“For this band, it was about money. But this was not a concert to make a profit – it was for charity.
“They were taking the p***.”
If the band’s fans knew, they would be horrified. I hope one day she tells the world who it was.
Trust me, you’d be stunned.
GOT TIME FOR GLASTO, SAM?
Sam Fender is set for a huge 2027Credit: Getty
SAM FENDER has announced his biggest ever tour, a new album and dropped a big hint that he could headline Glastonbury in 2027.
The Seventeen Going Under singer will hit the road for the first time in 18 months next summer, with stadium shows across the UK and Ireland.
He will play Newcastle’s St. James’ Park on June 3 and 5, followed by Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on June 10.
Then there will be two nights at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 18 and 20, Dublin’s Marlay Park on July 1, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on July 8 and Manchester’s Etihad Stadium on July 15 and 17.
The Proper Massive Stadium Tour will see Sam, right, perform to over 600,000 fans, and tickets go on sale at 9.30am next Friday, October 30.
Sam’s fourth album – a follow-up to 2025’s People Watching – could well be out by then, too, as fans who pre-order it will get access to tickets on Wednesday.
It’s hard not to see the clear gap in Sam’s schedule over Glastonbury weekend though – June 23 to 27.
I’ve heard some exciting whispers about next summer’s event and with Sam on board, it’d be a belter.
RYLAN: STRICTLY IS IN MY DNA
Rylan Clark missed out on a role in Strictly’s presenting line-upCredit: Getty
RYLAN CLARK says he’s thrilled his pal Emma Willis landed the Strictly job after he missed out on a role in the BBC show’s presenting line-up.
In an exclusive chat to celebrate Rylan teaming up with M&M’s to give away free Vue cinema tickets for Halloween, he said: “I love Emma to bits and I’m so over the moon for her. I think her, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are doing a fantastic job.
“Being part of the show for four years hosting It Takes Two, it will always be a part of my DNA.
“I still love watching the show and long may they keep dancing.”
Rylan, inset, who has been going on secret missions for M&M’s by giving cinema-goers jumpscares before handing them free tickets, added: “I hid in a photobooth, a sofa and a ticket machine to give people spooks.
“There was one group that had quite an OTT reaction.
“They were very scared, even when it was revealed it was me, but maybe the teeth scared them off.”
TOM GRENNAN launches his bid to return to the charts tomorrow with new single, Wrapped In Gold.
Tom Grennan has launched his bid to return to the chartsCredit: Getty
The emotional track will feature on his upcoming fifth album. But before that, Tom will take to the stage at London’s O2 Arena to perform at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball.
I previously told how John Legend, Jamie Miller and Becky Hill and will be part of the December line-up, with Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey also in talks to sing.
MUNYA CHAWAWA appears to be angling to become the first influencer to be cast as James Bond.
The funnyman looked dapper as ever as he enjoyed his new role as Oatly’s first-ever Diplomat of Taste.
Munya Chawawa in his new role as Oatly’s first-ever Diplomat of TasteCredit: Supplied
He was driven through London in a three-car motorcade to celebrate the opening of The Oatly Embassy in West London.
On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can enjoy free oat-based drinks and a tour of the Museum of Modern Oats.
Munya said: “If there are two things people say about me, it’s that I love oats and I’m great at diplomacy.”
NEW YORK — “860,” the title of Billy Crystal’s tremendously moving new Broadway show at the Imperial Theatre, refers to the address of his house in the Pacific Palisades that was destroyed in last year’s fire.
Crystal re-creates the events of Jan. 7, 2025, as the wildfire that began in the Santa Monica Mountains started making its way down toward his home at 860 Chautauqua Blvd. Video clips of the escalating emergency are shown as a cardigan-clad Crystal, standing in a facsimile of his home office (the conjuring work of scenic designer Scott Pask), re-creates the horror of having to decide what to take with him as the evacuation orders come in.
The photos, awards and other memorabilia aren’t just souvenirs of his storied career. They are pieces of the life he built with his wife, Janice, and their two daughters as well as a record of the friendships that made Hollywood feel like a welcoming community for a wide-eyed Long Island kid.
“860,” impeccably directed by Scott Ellis, occurs in a series of flashbacks. Crystal brings us back to what it was like as he and his wife made their way across a jam-packed Sunset Boulevard in separate cars to the safety of their daughter’s house as smoke and flying embers turned their small-town paradise overlooking the Pacific Ocean into an apocalyptic war zone.
A baseball superfan, Crystal gives us the play-by-play as though he were calling a World Series game that had taken an unimaginable turn. Hana S. Kim and Kylee Loera’s video design turns us into eyewitnesses of that terrible day.
I was in Los Angeles when the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out, but I was far enough away not to feel the immediacy of the threat. Crystal had me in full fight-or-flight mode, as if I were in the car behind him going 5 mph along the only route out of danger.
Billy Crystal in “860” at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway.
(Avery Brunkus)
Making a show about a recent public trauma isn’t easy to pull off, but Crystal has managed it as perhaps only he could. “860” is a meditation on loss, but it’s also a theatrical memoir of his multifarious career as a comic, actor, filmmaker and celebrated Oscar host. He returns to his days on “Soap,” the controversial nighttime parody of a daytime soap opera created by Susan Harris that featured Crystal in the role of Jodie Dallas, one of TV’s first openly gay characters.
Crystal was living in an apartment in then-smog-filled Hancock Park with his wife and daughters when he was filming the show’s third season. The couple wanted to move to an area that had better air quality for their children, and someone asked if he knew about the Pacific Palisades.
“It was a small town, good schools, beautiful afternoon breezes from the nearby ocean, one main street with some shops, a deli named Mort’s that had lean corned beef and a lot of people who didn’t put mayonnaise on pastrami,” Crystal recounts.
The house they came to see wasn’t for them, but a for-sale sign at 860 Chautauqua caught their eye. The real estate agent told them that the owners “were very motivated to sell because they were very motivated not to be together anymore.”
It was December 1979 when, with a 30-year mortgage in hand, they moved into the house. Two women who grew up at 860 (“Imagine the twins from ‘The Shining’ — but they’re 55”) paid a welcome call to say how pleased they were that their former home was back in the hands of show people.
The original owners were vaudevillians who had a mind-reading act and were passionately into the occult. They socialized with the comic luminaries of their day, including humorist Will Rogers, who would regularly stop by on his horse. Behind a secret wall, Crystal found a hidden room with a cork board that had clippings that suggested maybe it wasn’t such an accident that the house became his.
Crystal, the emcee of all emcees (as his performance at this year’s Hollywood Bowl Opening Night once again proved), tells the story of his home with buoyant humor and charm, turning loss into living memory. To set up the meaning of what was destroyed, he takes us back to his roots, starting with his graduation in 1970 from NYU, where he took a film production class with a young Martin Scorsese, who would critique his work in a manner that Crystal, the Al Hirschfeld of celebrity impersonators, hilariously captures.
Crystal’s comic timing was honed in the clubs doing stand-up. Jack Rollins, the producing titan who managed Mike Nichols, Elaine May and Woody Allen, imparted some wisdom after watching Crystal’s act. Crystal thought he killed it that night, but Rollins told him that he failed to “leave a tip,” meaning reveal something about himself in his jokes.
Opening for Blood, Sweat & Tears in Scranton, Pa., a huge opportunity, Crystal faced a hostile audience. But he won the crowd over and thought maybe he could really make this stand-up comedy thing work. But then he was sent back out onstage after lead singer David Clayton-Thomas decided he didn’t want to perform and had to win the jeering music fans over again — and then a third time. While driving home on the New Jersey Turnpike to his wife and baby that night, he felt his future in front of him, having found not only his calling but also his voice.
Crystal’s luckiest break may have been in not being drafted during the Vietnam War, but a close second was being invited to do his Howard Cosell-Muhammad Ali routine at a televised gala for the boxing legend. Crystal not only crushed it but he made a lifelong friend in Ali, who was already his personal hero.
Bonds forged in comedy, like the one he had with Robin Williams, deepened into a lasting brotherhood. Norman Lear cast Crystal as Rob Reiner’s best friend on “All in the Family,” and life imitated art. Their successful collaborations — crystallized in the fake orgasm scene at Katz’s Delicatessen in “When Harry Met Sally” — were an outgrowth of their telepathic comic rapport.
In reviewing his famous life, Crystal reanimates parts of our own. And it’s this shared history that helps us understand what he lost when his house went up in flames. The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.
But just when you think things can’t get any worse, something completely unthinkable happens. For Crystal, this occurred at the end of 2025, his annus horribilis, when Reiner and wife Michelle were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood home.
Some things are too painful for words, and Crystal knows that sense cannot be made from senselessness. But he’s already told us so much about this unique friendship that nothing more needs to be said.
Crystal doesn’t wallow in grief or self-pity. He bears the weight of his losses with his wit and generous spirit to help us carry the weight of our own. (When he walked into a store to buy a new wardrobe after the fire, he reports, the salesclerk looked at him and said, “Let me guess … Ozempic?”)
No one gets out of this world without becoming a master of the art of losing, to invoke the poet Elizabeth Bishop. But laughter can sustain us through our losses, and Crystal thinks it’s no accident that one of the few things that was salvaged from the ashes of his home was a stone from his garden with the word “laughter” engraved on it.
I found Crystal’s previous solo show “700 Sundays” to be a touch mawkish, so I wasn’t expecting to be so powerfully moved by “860.” But this is just a brilliantly conceived and executed piece, and I hope it yields Crystal another Tony Award.
But even more, I hope the production finds its way home to where it belongs, Los Angeles. We could really use the fortifying laughter.
The thrilling ITV drama starring Richard Armitage returned for another episode, leaving fans asking the same question
22:56, 21 Oct 2026Updated 23:03, 21 Oct 2026
Richard Armitage fronts ITV’s new crime drama, Winter (Image: ITV)
The new ITV series has left viewers hooked.
ITV’s latest crime drama offering, Winter, aired another chilling episode on Wednesday (October 21), marking the fourth of the six-part series. Actor Richard Armitage portrays unconventional forensic pathologist Dr Ethan Winter, alongside Annabel Scholey as DI Lauren Bell and Jamie Kenna as DS Ellis Daldry, as they uncover and solve complex crimes.
Each episode presents its own gripping, standalone crime narrative, while a personal storyline for Winter threads throughout the entire series.
The latest instalment followed the discovery of human remains, which sparked a chilling investigation for Winter, Bell and Daldry. Winter suspects the body parts have been in the water for around 36 hours and notes the victim has been dismembered.
He also believes the male victim went to the gym frequently based on the development of his arms, but one part has signs of arthritis signalling that the remains belong to two different people.
Previous episodes have followed a brutal double murder that sparked a twisting investigation and the discovery of a faceless body at a Bristol demolition site. Meanwhile, Winter is constantly tasked with uncovering the truth behind Simone’s death after her dead body was found frozen during the first episode.
In the next episode, airing on ITV on Wednesday 28 October, viewers will see Winter race to save a stab victim after a cinema date turns to horror. The final episode airs on November 4 and follows a woodland car crash that hides a darker crime.
Following a string of gripping crime plots, Winter viewers have been left wondering if there will be a second series of the ITV drama after falling in “love” with the debut season.
Turning to X, one viewer wrote: “I loved Winter, better than The Party, can’t wait for the next series.” A second added: “It’s different, and I like that, all wrapped up in an hour too”, while a third asked: “We getting S2?”
“Nothing confirmed for season 2”, noting one fan as another added: “Great show, would love to see another series.”
Praising the ITV show, one person confessed: “Binged watched this in one day. Great series”, with another commenting: “Great series hope there will be series 2.”
Winter continues next Wednesday at 9pm on ITV and ITVX, with the whole series available now on ITVX
