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Saturday, February 14, 2026

'The Simpsons' hits historic 800th episode. Here's how to watch.

February 14, 2026
'The Simpsons' hits historic 800th episode. Here's how to watch.

"The Simpsons"is delivering a historic doubleheader of episodes this week, including the long-running animated series's 800th episode.

"The Simpsons," which began its four-decade TV run in 1989, is currently in Season 37. The 800th episode, entitled "Irrational Treasure," airs on Fox on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. That episode is followed by the season finale "Homer? A Cracker Bro?" at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.

In the milestone 800th episode, the family enters their pet, Santa's Little Helper, into a dog show, but during this process, they are led on an adventure straight out of "National Treasure." Guest stars include "Abbott Elementary" star and creatorQuinta Brunsonand The Roots drummerAhmir "Questlove" Thompson.

In the second episode of the night, Homer and Milhouse's father team up on a business venture that becomes successful but creates problems. R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe will play himself as a special guest voice in the Season 37 finale.

Here's what to know about the double helping of "The Simpsons."

<p style="The Simpsons," which has provided satirical reflections on society for four decades, celebrates its 800th episode, entitled "Irrational Treasure," which airs Sunday, Feb. 15. Here's some images from that and other episodes.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A dog show in Philadelphia leads to a historical conspiracy adventure for Marge, Homer and the family dog in the Questlove plays a tour guide and The Roots make an appearance in the Questlove and The Roots make an appearance in the Marge takes Santa's Little Helper to the National Dog Show in Philadelphia in the Homer strikes up an unlikely friendship with Kirk Van Houten and they create a successful business venture together in the The business venture started by Homer and Milhouse's father to market a Bart runs against Mayor Quimby's son for student council president in the Bart becomes Professor Frink's lab assistant in the The Simpsons encounter death on vacation at a high-end resort in the The Simpsons are trapped on a flight with the most unruly passengers in America in the

'The Simpsons' hits 800 episodes. See some scenes from the series

"The Simpsons," which has provided satirical reflections on society for four decades, celebrates its 800th episode, entitled "Irrational Treasure," which airs Sunday, Feb. 15. Here's some images from that and other episodes.

10 movies to stream right now:From 'Predator: Badlands' to 'Eternity'

When does the 800th episode of 'The Simpsons' come out?

The 800th episode of "The Simpsons" will air on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox. The second episode will air immediately after at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.

In

Where to watch 'The Simpsons'?

"The Simpsons" is available to watch on local Fox channels carried by cable, satellite and fiber-delivered TV plans. You can also get local Fox channels via streaming services such asDirecTV Stream,Fubo,Sling TV,YouTube TV, andFox One.

The streaming service Hulu has all the current season's episodes of "The Simpsons" available on demand. Disney+ has the first 36 seasons of the TV series available on demand.

Local Fox channels can also be viewed using an over-the-air antenna, as most TVs have a built-in digital tuner.

The series, created by Matt Groening, first aired on TV in April 1987 as animated shorts on "The Tracey Ullman Show." Fox, which launched "The Simpsons" as a standalone series in December 1989,renewed it for four more seasons, extending the show to its 40th season.

"The Simpsons" is already the longest-running scripted primetime series in TV history. Asecond "Simpsons" feature filmis also in the works and scheduled for release in July 2027.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider&@mikegsnider.bsky.social&@mikesnider& msnider@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'The Simpsons' 800th episode airs this week. Here's how to watch.

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Jason Alexander wasn't the only choice for iconic 'Seinfeld' role; actor reveals surprising alternatives

February 14, 2026
Jason Alexander wasn't the only choice for iconic 'Seinfeld' role; actor reveals surprising alternatives

Jerry Seinfeld'sbest friend on the hit sitcom "Seinfeld" almost looked different.

During a recent episode of his podcast, "Really? no, Really?," Jason Alexander and his co-host, Peter Tilden, sat down with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, the author of the 2016 book "Seinfeldia," which delved into the history of the hit sitcom and included behind-the-scenes secrets.

During their conversation, Alexander and Armstrong discussed how he got the role of George Costanza and later shared which other famous actors were considered to play the character.

"I know some of the people," Alexander said. "So, I know about Chris Rock. I know about Danny DeVito. I know about Paul Schaefer. And I know about, um, Rosie O'Donnell."

A three-way split of Chris Rock, Jason Alexander and Rosie O'Donnell

'Seinfeld' Trio Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-dreyfus And Larry David Reunite In Rare New Photo

Armstrong added that, during her research, she heard that Steve Buscemi was also in contention for the role.

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Seinfeld created the hit sitcom alongside Larry David, who went on to create and star in "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The show resonated with audiences and quickly became known as "the show about nothing" because it often focused on the humor in mundane everyday occurrences.

"He … also loves to perform. He loves it. I think one of the reasons that he was, so I don't know that he was frustrated. That's the wrong word. But Larry wanted to be in the [show]," Alexander said about David. "You know the 'Curb' arc where he plays George. He wanted to play George. I mean, he was a good George."

The show ran on NBC for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998 andwon 10 Emmy Awards,including outstanding comedy series, supporting actor and supporting actress.

The cast of Seinfeld posing with their Emmys

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In an interview with People in May 2023, Julia Louis-Dreyfus recalled the different emotions she felt when the show came to an end.

"There wasa real grief periodwhen the show ended that was real and felt," she said. "Because we all loved each other so much."

Dreyfus has gone on to have a successful career after her time on "Seinfeld," including starring roles in "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Veep," a project that earned her numerous Emmy Awards, Golden Globe and SAG Awards.

Although she has found success outside the hit sitcom, her portrayal of Elaine remains what she is best known for.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerry Seinfeld in a screenshot from a 1996 episode of

"I think it's incredibly cool that it continues to have life,"she said of the show. "I'm not surprised because it's funny, and it stands the test of time."

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Original article source:Jason Alexander wasn't the only choice for iconic 'Seinfeld' role; actor reveals surprising alternatives

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Did Jackie Kennedy Really Hate Daryl Hannah?

February 14, 2026
Did Jackie Kennedy Really Hate Daryl Hannah?

No matter how the relationship betweenJohn F. Kennedy Jr.and his girlfriendDaryl Hannahcame to an end, at least one person was left mooning over the actress, who split with Kennedy just before he began seeingCarolyn Bessette. "I fell in love with her," says Dree Hemingway, who plays Hannah in the new FX seriesLove Story. "I love her so much."

It isn't hard to see why. While the series leaves it to viewers to decide what made the spark between theSplashstar and the political scion fizzle—was it his mother's apparent disapproval, the hectic life and schedule of a movie star, Kennedy's trouble trusting people, or just the end of the affair?—Hemingway made it her business to portray her character as willing to fight for the romance. "You have to live in the moment, when they're still together," she says. "I think theirs was an on-and-off relationship, and when you get to the end of having been together for a long time, it either works or it doesn't. Sometimes you can really love a person and it just doesn't work out. I wanted to be sensitive to the fact that this is her real life and have respect for people who have relationships that end."

Dree Hemingway Daryl Hannah Love Story

It's most apparent that Hannah is hoping to save the relationship in the series' third episode when, after they'd seemingly split, she returns to New York City to be with Kennedy afterthe death of his mother. "I wanted to play her as somebody who's really in love with this person," Hemingway says. "And we rush to the people who we love to be there for them in their hardest moments."

Despite the fact that the two had decided to end things—and the tragic death of Hannah's dog seemed to symbolize the end of whatever was left between them—Hemingway saw the moment as one where Hannah was willing to put aside the couple's differences. "There was a sense that, even after the situations that had occurred, she was asking, 'Can you let me in now? Do you need me?'" It also could have served as a kind of restart for the couple, making clear for them what was truly important. Hemingway says, "My inner dialogue was like, this could be the beginning of the next steps of our lives—until it's not."

Dree Hemingway Daryl Hannah Love Story

The reunion also came on the heels of whatLove Storydepicts as a less-than-warm reception for Hannah from Kennedy's mother,Jackie Kennedy Onassis. In one scene, Hannah joins Kennedy and his family for dinner at his mother's home, only to find that Jackie is unwilling to come to the table. For Hemingway, Hannah's willingness to go to Jackie's apartment, to dress to impress the former First Lady, to put aside her own stardom to try to win over her boyfriend's mother, speaks volumes. "I think she's really trying," Hemingway says. "She's like,OK, that's not working, let me try another way. She works so hard to be accepted, and I'm sure there's a reason that Jackie didn't like her. It hit hard when we were filming that."

(Of course,Love Storyis a dramatization of these characters' lives. Hannah's mother once toldPeople, "The stories I've heard are just unbelievable. Daryl told me [Onassis] has been very warm and affectionate.")

John F. Kennedy Jr.

Even the mere act of a person trying to make nice with a boyfriend's parents gets at the heart of one ofLove Story's themes: these characters, who were all rich and powerful and many of whom would become legendary, were all just people. "We can forget that everybody's a real person," Hemingway says. "John was born into these circumstances, so maybe he was expected to have an easier time, and Daryl was an actress who was dating American royalty. But what people forgot, and what I think they still forget, is that behind closed doors, everybody has feelings and they have things going on that are so normal."

Hemingway plays Hannah as someone who's trying her best to make a difficult situation work. "Daryl so badly wants to be accepted into this family because she loves John so much," she says. "I think she wants to have this connection, and she's so badly wanting to settle down and be more to this person, but there's a conflict there. He's met somebody who he has these sparks with."

Above all, Hemingway says, "I think her heart is what I want people to take away. I really felt that while I was studying Daryl, and it's what made me fall for her."

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Assassination by frog? Scientists ponder a 'very surprising' report.

February 14, 2026
Assassination by frog? Scientists ponder a 'very surprising' report.

A joint report alleging that a poison dart frog toxin has beenlinked to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnyrippled quickly around the globe among scientists.

USA TODAY

The allegations raised fresh questions about the circumstances of Navalny's 2024 death and about the origin of a highly unusual toxin.

Poison dart frog species have long fascinated researchers and the public, partly because of their diminutive size and striking color patterns and also because of the myths surrounding the deadly toxins found on their bodies.

But the toxin reportedly identified in this case – epibatidine – isn't known to have been used to kill anyone, Kyle Summers, an emeritus biology professor at East Carolina University, told USA TODAY.

Thereport released Saturday by the United Kingdom,Germany, France, Sweden and The Netherlands stated the governments were "confident" Navalny was poisoned, based on the traces of epibatidine found in his body. Navalny, an attorney,had been imprisoned in Siberia when he died. The report noted the toxin is only found naturally in poison dart frogs in South America, not Russia. The governments didn't release toxicology reports and the Russian government denied the allegation.

Epibatidine intrigued researchers for decades and was once highly sought after as a potential analgesic many times more powerful than morphine. It may be possible a chemical laboratory thousands of miles from a tropical rain forest could have artificially reproduced the toxin, but many questions remain, Summers said.

A pair of Yellow and Black poison dart frogs at Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. A Poison dart frog (Ameerega bilinguis) sits on a leaf in the Ecuadorean Yasuni National Park, Orellana province, Ecuador, on November 11, 2012. A Poison dart frog (Ameerega bilinguis) sits on a leaf in the Ecuadorean Yasuni National Park, Orellana province, Ecuador, on November 11, 2012. A Splendid poison dart frog (Dendrobates sylvaticus) is pictured at the Jambatu Center for Research and Conservation of Amphibians in Quito, Ecuador. A Golden poison dart frog is displayed in the Adventure Aquarium's new Kaleidoscope Cove exhibit in Camden, NJ on Friday, June 27, 2025. A blue poison dart frog is one of the four varieties of dart frogs found at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Daily diets of poison dart frogs in the wild cause deadly toxins

How did we learn about toxins in poison dart frogs?

John Daly, a biological chemist at the National Institutes of Health, pioneered the study of the dart frog toxins species during decades of research, tracing the origin of the poisons to the frogs' diets, according to Joe Schwarcz, director ofthe McGill University Office for Science and Society. He traced the origin of the poisons to the frogs' diets.

Enzymes in the frogs' bodies turn the alkaloids in ants, small beetles, millipedes and mites into toxins, Schwarcz wrote in an article first published in the Montreal Gazette. Daly identified epibatidine in a poison frog in Ecuador calledEpidedobates tricolor.

At first, researchers had high hopes for the poison. Although it's extremely toxic, they found it had a painkilling effect 200 times more potent than morphine and might not be linked to addiction.

The idea that epibatidine could be "a potentially useful pharmacological tool as a painkiller really stimulated a lot of interest and motivation," Summers said. "Ultimately it could be incredibly profitable if they could make it work as a painkiller."

Scientists were able to decode the toxin and chemically reproduce it, but they found the difference between a beneficial dose and a deadly dose was too narrow to be viable.

Could the epibatidine reportedly found in Navalny's body be manmade?

Although some Indigenous tribes in the rainforests were known to use batrachotoxin from dart frogs for hunting, scientist haven't found any evidence that epibatidine was ever used for that purpose.

Summers noted the statement from the governments does not make clear Navalny's cause of death, but it's remarkable if they were able to identify the epibatidine in samples from his body.

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It would be "very surprising" if anyone tried to use the product as an experimental chemical to poison someone, Summers said.

The statement from the UK and other governments said they informed the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of their findings that could indicate violation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. It also stated the findings raise concerns that Russia had not destroyed all of its chemical weapons.

A person lays flowers at the grave of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny while marking the first anniversary of his death at a cemetery in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 16, 2025.

What to know about poison dart frogs

Found in tropical rain forests in South America, the frogs face risks from habitat destruction and the exotic pet trade. More than 175 species have been identified. Dart frogs in captivity aren't generally toxic because they aren't fed the same diet as frogs in the wild, the researchers found.

Colorful patterns on the frog warn predators of danger, said Summers. They advertise the toxins so that predators know to avoid them, he added. The frogs have evolved to be resistant to the toxins.

The bright colors are sometimes mimicked by non-poisonous frogs to convince predators they're deadly and by other poisonous frogs to join forces in warning predators away, said Summers, one of a number of scientists who have studied coloration among dart frogs for years.

Color also is used in mate choice and competition, Yusan Yang, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida, told USA TODAY.

A Blue Poison dart frog stalks fruit flies on the mossy floor of a terrarium at Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. Scientists have identified more than 175 species of this tiny frog.

Females usually prefer males that have the same color as their own as well as brighter colors. And males are more aggressive when the opponent is the same color, and brighter.

Many of the poison frog species are different from other frogs, who abandon their eggs to hatch on their own, Summers said. He and Yang described how the adults cooperate to transport their tadpoles to small pools.

"The tadpoles will wriggle on to the male's back and the male will go to a small pool," Summers said. "Over a period of months they will go back and visit the pool."

Females lay eggs for the tadpoles to eat and survive, the scientists said. That kind of monogamous pairing is "very unusual for frogs," Summers said.

The behaviors for mating are likely acquired when tadpoles remember the mom's color when she is feeding them, Yang said, and when they grow up they show bias toward the color that they remember.

Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, wildlife and the environment. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Assassination by frog? Scientists ponder a Navalny report.

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US military reports a series of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria

February 14, 2026
US military reports a series of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military on Saturday reported a series of strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for the December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement that American aircraft had conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets between Feb. 3 and Thursday, hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure.

At least 50 members of IS have been killed or captured, while more than 100 IS targets have been struck since the United States began its strikes after the Dec. 13 ambush, according to Central Command. That attack killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, the civilian interpreter.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Defense Ministry said Thursday that government forcestook control of a basein the east of the country that was run for years by U.S. troops as part of the fight against IS. The Al-Tanf base played a major role after IS declared a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.

The U.S. military on Friday completedthe transfer of thousands of IS detaineesfrom Syria to Iraq, where they are expectedto stand trial. The prisoners were sent to Iraq at therequest of Baghdad, in a move welcomed by the U.S.-led coalition that had for years fought against IS.

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British airline bans two 'disruptive' passengers for life after midair brawl

February 14, 2026
British airline bans two 'disruptive' passengers for life after midair brawl

British airline Jet2 announced that it banned two travelers for life after they started brawling on flight bound for Manchester, England, on Thursday, resulting in its diversion.

NBC Universal A commercial jet flies during a pink and purple sunset. (Jon Hobley / MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The flight was traveling from Antalya, Turkey, when the midair fight broke out, according to the airline.

The cause of the brawl was not immediately clear Saturday.

The flight was diverted to Brussels, Belgium's capital city, as a result of the disruption, the airline said.

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Jet2, a budget-friendly airline behind last year's viral "Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday" jingle, called the behavior of the two passengers "appalling."

"They were both offloaded by police in Brussels and the flight continued to Manchester," the airline said in the statement. "We can confirm that the two disruptive passengers will be banned from flying with us for life, and we will also vigorously pursue them to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this diversion."

Videos depicting the altercation could be seen circulating online. In one video, two men start exchanging blows before additional passengers get involved. Many could be heard urging the men to stop.

"As a family friendly airline, we take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour, and we are very sorry that other customers and our colleagues onboard had to experience this too," the airline said.

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BYU expels star WR Parker Kingston following arrest on rape charges

February 14, 2026
BYU expels star WR Parker Kingston following arrest on rape charges

Editor's note:This story has been updated to include aBYUstatement to the USA TODAY Network.

Brigham Young Universityhas expelled Parker Kingston, the university has confirmed to the USA TODAY Network.

The university said in a statement that Kingston, whois facing a first-degree felony rape charge, is no longer part of the football program.

"As of Friday, Parker Kingston is no longer a student at Brigham Young University and is no longer a member of the BYU football team," BYU said in a statement to the USA TODAY Network. "University administration and athletic administration, including BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake, were only made aware of the investigation and allegations after Kingston's arrest this past Wednesday, Feb. 11."

Kingston, 21, was charged on Wednesday, Feb. 11. According toThe Salt Lake Tribune, he made his first appearance, remotely, in Washington County Fifth District Court on Friday, Feb. 13, from the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane, Utah.

He was held in Washington County jail without bail following his arrest. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Judge John Walton agreed to terms with Washington County chief deputy attorney Ryan Shaum and Kingston's defense attorney Cara Tangaro for Kingston to be released on $100,000 bond with $10,000 cash immediately paid to the court.

The charge against Kingston stems from an incident Feb. 23, 2025, in St. George, Utah ― over 250 miles south ofBYU's campus in Provo, Utah. The alleged victim was 20 at the time of the incident, and made her sexual assault report to officers at St. George Regional Hospital.

Kingston, a redshirt junior last season, earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after catching 67 passes for 928 yards with five touchdowns, along with 25 carries for 125 yards with three touchdowns.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, four other stipulations were set in Kingston's release:

Among the requirements Walton set for Kingston's release were:

  • GPS ankle monitor for at least the next 60 days

  • No contact with alleged victim, her family or case witnesses

  • Kingston must delete all social media applications from his phone

  • Kingston is not allowed in Washington County except for future in-person court appearances

Kingston is due for a virtual hearing on Feb. 25, and the preliminary in-person hearing is scheduled for April 13, in the Fifth District Court in St. George.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd enEspañol RAINN.org/es.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Parker Kingston expelled from BYU following rape charges

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Fudd and Strong lead No. 1 UConn to 71-56 victory over Marquette for 43rd straight win

February 14, 2026
Fudd and Strong lead No. 1 UConn to 71-56 victory over Marquette for 43rd straight win

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Azzi Fudd scored 25 points, Sarah Strong had 19 of her 22 in the second half andNo. 1UConn remained unbeaten with a 71-56 victory over Marquette on Saturday.

UConn (27-0, 16-0 Big East) has won 43 straight games and hasn't lost since an80-76 decisionat Tennessee over a year ago. The Huskies also have won 63 straight Big East games, counting regular-season and tournament matchups.

Marquette (16-10, 10-7) did manage to end one UConn streak.

UConn had won 21 straight games by at least 25 points before Saturday, which represented the longest such streak for any Division I program over at least the last 25 seasons. The last team to lose to UConn by fewer than 25 points was No. 7 Michigan, which fell72-69to the Huskies on Nov. 21 at Uncasville, Connecticut.

The Huskies built a 36-24 halftime lead thanks to Fudd, who scored 17 points and shot 5 of 8 on 3-point attempts in the first two periods.

Strong, who entered Saturday shooting 60% from the floor, went 1 of 9 and scored just three points in the first half. But she shot 6 of 7 during a 15-point third quarter. UConn coach Geno Auriemma said after the game that Strong was feeling "a little bit under the weather."

UConn guard KK Arnold had 10 points and a career-high nine assists in her return home. Arnold was a three-time Associated Press Wisconsin state player of the year while starring at nearby Germantown High School.

Lee Volker scored 15 points, Skylar Forbes 14 and Jaidynn Mason 11 for Marquette, which has lost three straight games for the first time since December 2022.

After Marquette took an early 5-0 lead on a pair of Mason baskets, UConn scored eight straight points and never trailed again. A three-point play from Forbes tied the game at 20-all with 5:12 left in the second quarter, but UConn scored 11 consecutive points to pull ahead for good.

Up next

UConn is at Villanova on Wednesday.

Marquette has a long layoff before visiting Villanova on Feb. 22.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP women's college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

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NBA slam dunk, 3-point contest: Live updates from All-Star Saturday, as Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Kon Knueppel take the court

February 14, 2026
NBA slam dunk, 3-point contest: Live updates from All-Star Saturday, as Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Kon Knueppel take the court

NBA All-Star 2026 kicks off on Saturday with Media Day at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by a trio of events, including the 3-point contest, shooting stars event and the slam dunk contest, starting at 5 p.m. ET.

Yahoo Sports

First up is the 3-point contest, which marks the first time Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard takes the court in an official capacity this season ashe continues to rehab an Achilles injury. He's seeking his third 3-point contest title after back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024.

In addition to Lillard, the other participants are: Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Bobby Portis Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks) and Norman Powell (Miami Heat).

Mitchell currently leads the league with 185 3-pointers made this year, while rookie Knueppel ranks second with 183.

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Then comes the shooting stars contest, where four teams consisting of two current NBA players and one NBA legend compete in two rounds, scoring points while rotating through different shooting locations around the court.

Last is the slam dunk contest, where the four participants will compete in a two-round showdown with judges scoring each jump. In the first round, all four participants will attempt two dunks, with two advancing to the final round. In the second round, each finalist will attempt two dunks, and the highest-scoring of the two will win it all.

The four participants for this year's slam dunk contest are: Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic) and Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat). Notably, this year's rotation won't include Mac McClung, who won his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest victory last year and is currently on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls.

How to watch 2026 slam dunk contest, 3-point contest

Start time:5 p.m. ET (3-point contest, followed by shooting stars, slam dunk)Location:Intuit Dome | Inglewood, Calif.TV channel:NBC, Peacock

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest updates from the NBA's slam dunk contest and 3-point contests on All-Star Saturday:

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'Survivor' returns for milestone 50th season with all-star cast including 'White Lotus' creator

February 14, 2026
'Survivor' returns for milestone 50th season with all-star cast including 'White Lotus' creator

"Survivor" is coming backfor its 50th season with an all-star cast.

The upcoming milestone season will feature contestants from previous seasons going back to the show's first season, which aired almost 26 years ago, primarily focusing on seasons 45 through 49.

Returning to the show this season are fan favorite former contestants Mike White, who went on to create the successful HBO Max drama "The White Lotus." as well as Aubry Bracco, who appeared in seasons 34 and 38.

"It's different when you're Cirie or Colby or Aubry and a proven iconic 'Survivor' player," host Jeff Probst toldThe Hollywood Reporter. "But bringing somebody back for the second time is saying, 'We see you as something special.' So when it came to New Era players, we definitely spent a lot of time asking ourselves, 'what's the justification for this person? Why do they fit?' In the same way that we did with the older era players."

Jeff Probst at the First Look: 'Survivor 50' and Award Presentation in Atlanta, Georgia in February 2026.

'Survivor' Contestant Matt Blankinship Confirms Romance With Fellow Contestant: 'I'm The Real Winner'

The show has brought former contestants back to compete a second, and sometimes a third time, many times in the past, including in season eight for the all-star season, season 20, which was dubbed "Heroes vs. Villains" and most recently in season 40 for the Winners at War season, which only included past winners.

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Although this isn't a new concept, Probst promises it will feel different.

"There were players we considered and talked to, and they're great. They're upset because they think they didn't make 'the cut,'" he said. "Really, it wasn't that. It was, how many spots do we have and what does each person bring to the spot? What we really wanted was an array. This isn't 'Heroes vs Villains,' it's not 'Game Changers' or 'Fans vs Favorites.' It's a little bit of everything."

In addition to bringing back 24 contestants fromprevious seasons, this season also involved the fans in a new way, leaving certain elements in the hands of the viewers through a voting system.

Survivor contestants pushing a wheel as part of a challenge in October 2025.

'Survivor 43' Winner Mikeabler Donates $1M Prize To Veterans: 'There Are People Who Need The Money More'

This twist allowed fans to vote on 11 key categoriesthroughout the game, including the colors of the tribes, how many twists and challenges there will be and others, and those who voted will not know the results of the votes until the show airs.

"But given that we're just into this we don't know the impact," he added. "I know the results from the fans and it illustrates what kind of game they ultimately want. I was curious, because I met a lot of people who said, 'No idols, no twists, no advantages.' I was like, okay, maybe that is what people really want. I'm excited by it. I think the fans are going to have a big impact this season."

The host said the fan vote brought a level of "uncertainty" to the game, and hoped that a contestant would use that to their advantage, saying if he was in the game, "I would start spreading rumors."

Probst has been with the franchise for all of its 50 seasons, and recently toldEntertainment Weeklyhe doesn't have a contract, saying, "I don't have any deal. We just do it."

Jeff Probst filming an episode of

"I'm telling you right now, there's no thought in my mind at all about leaving," he told the outlet. "I love where the show is. I love our crew. I love the type of people that are applying. It's up in every category of ethnic diversity. Every category is up, and everybody's saying it's because 'I see myself reflected and represented on the show, so now I want tobeon the show.'  That makes me excited, along with watching young people come up and say, 'I want to play this f---ing game!' That's really exciting."

While he has no plans of stepping down, Probst says he "100 percent know[s] this show will go on without me" because of its format.

White, who first competed on season 37 of the show in 2018, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter in February about his decision to come back to the show, saying he was "stoked to be here."

Mike White on season 37 of

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"'Survivor 50' is such a cultural milestone for anyone who has ever loved 'Survivor,' played 'Survivor' or made 'Survivor,'" he said. "So I feel very honored to have gotten the Golden Ticket, the exclusive invitation. If it happened any other time in the last five years I don't think I would have been able to do it. But it just happened to land in a good, sweet spot for me. So it felt like maybe this is just what the doctor ordered."

Aside from giving him a positive experience to look back on, White admitted that his experience on the show inspired him when it came to creating "The White Lotus."

"The White Lotus" follows a new set of characters who are staying in a luxury hotel in a different location each season, with every season exploring a different theme. He told NPR in December 2022 that "'Survivor' is not that dissimilar" to the show.

"A lot of times just people kind of kvetching about who's tending the fire or they're hangry because they haven't had anything to eat. But then the music is making it feel like this is going to end up bad for somebody," he said. "And then you have these transitions of sharks in the water. And I was like, we do that in 'White Lotus.'... I have to cop to being influenced by 'Survivor' and these shows where you have a device that makes it feel like it's a built-in cliffhanger."

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Mike White at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles in January 2026.

Aside from the inspiration he draws from his time on the reality show, he also casts many of his "Survivor" castmates to appear on the hitHBO Max show.

"Survivor 50" is set to premiere on CBS on Feb. 25.

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Original article source:'Survivor' returns for milestone 50th season with all-star cast including 'White Lotus' creator

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Ego Nwodim draws gasps from “Jimmy Kimmel Live” audience after admitting she's never seen this classic film

February 14, 2026
Ego Nwodim draws gasps from

Disney/Randy Holmes

Entertainment Weekly Ego Nwodim and Jimmy Kimmel on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Feb. 10 Disney/Randy Holmes

Ego Nwodimis the first to admit that she's no cinephile.

TheSaturday Night Livealum is currently gearing up to host Sunday night'sFilm Indie Spirit Awards— but just because she's hosting the movie-centric ceremony, doesn't mean she's an expert. The live audience ofJimmy Kimmel Livelearned as much on Tuesday evening, when Nwodim confessed that she still hasn't seen a number of classic and long-heralded titles. It's so bad that oneSNLhost called her out within minutes of them meeting.

"Josh Brolinsized me up within an instant and said, 'You look like you've never seen any movies before,'" Nwodim told Kimmel during the Feb. 10 interview. "To this day, I've lost sleep over it because I'm like, 'What about me says I haven't seen movies?'"

When Kimmel asked if Brolin's assumption was correct, Nwodim admitted, "Josh was right."

Josh Brolin as Mark and Ego Nwodim as Lisa on 'Saturday Night Live' Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

For his part, Brolin took the backstage exchange so seriously that he sent the comedian a curated list of "53 movies that everyone needs to have watched." But to date, Nwodim has still only seen one title on the list — Steven Spielberg's 1975 classic thriller,Jaws.

"Was there one on the list that people would get actually angry at you because you haven't seen?" Kimmel asked

After a thoughtful moment, Nwodim admitted, "I'm mad about this myself: I haven't seen[The] Godfather."

Nwodim's response was swiftly met with a wave of gasps and audible distress from Kimmel's live audience — including one attendee who shouted, "What?!"

Raising her hands in defense, Nwodim said, "Oh, come on! I thought this was a safe space. Everyone backstage said this would be a safe space."

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While the audience didn't take too kindly to her ignorance of the Corleone family, Kimmel admitted that he was jealous of Nwodim.

Ego Nwodim in November 2025 in New York City Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

"I would love to be able to seeThe GodfatherandThe Godfather 2— and skip the next one — for the first time again," he joked.

After clarifying that she does intend to check out the venerated Francis Ford Coppola-directed titles, Nwodim attempted to appeal to the audience, noting, "I've seenScarface, does that count?"

This time, even Kimmel shut her down, answering with a firm, "No."

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While Nwodim still has many classics to catch up with — she cited12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, and Federico Fellini's highly influential8½among the titles she has yet to see — theSNLalum noted that she has already watched a huge chunk of themovies that are up for awardson Sunday night.

"I watched the films, [and] I'm super excited," Nwodim said of the impending event, whose contenders includeIf I Had Legs I'd Kick You, One of Them Days,andTrain Dreams.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards stream on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. ET on YouTube. Watch Nwodim defend her cinematic knowledge above.

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