Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng unveiled the latest version of the Iron robot earlier this month.
JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images
Chinese Tesla rival Xpeng said it plans to start mass production of its robot, called Iron, next year.
The EV startup’s CEO said Xpeng built Iron to be so “human-like” that people are comfortable hugging it.
Tesla is also set to begin production of its Optimus robot in 2026.
A Chinese Tesla rival is betting on huggability to take on Elon Musk’s Optimus robot.
EV startup Xpeng unveiled the latest version of its humanoid robot, called Iron, earlier this month, and CEO He Xiaopeng said the company wanted its bipedal bots to be “highly human-like.”
In an earnings call on Monday, he told analysts that Xpeng had found adding fake muscles and “bionic skin” to Iron made people more comfortable touching and even hugging the robot.
“This is very exciting because traditional robots really were not that attractive and appealing for human beings to give them a hug,” said Xiaopeng.
Xiaopeng said Xpeng aimed to make Iron “highly human-like.”
JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images
Unlike many rival humanoid robots, Iron has a distinctly human-like physique, with Xpeng showcasing male and female variants. Users will be able to customize the robot with different body types, the company said.
In one demo at the unveiling, Xpeng employees even cut into the robot’s flexible “skin” to demonstrate that there was no one inside.
Speaking to analysts on Monday, Xiaopeng said Xpeng aims to sell 1 million Iron robots a year by 2030, with mass production set to begin by the end of 2026.
The auto executive, who predicted that the market for humanoid robots would ultimately be larger than the car market, added that he expects humanoid robots to be initially used in retail and as tour guides. Xpeng plans to put Iron to work in its stores next year, he said.
The production ramp-up is the latest sign that Tesla’s biggest robotics rival could come from China.
Musk’s automaker is preparing to begin mass production of its own humanoid robot, Optimus, by the end of 2026. Musk has predicted Optimus could be the biggest product ever, and Tesla’s AI chief told employees that 2026 will be the “hardest year” of their lives.
Founded in 2014, Xpeng has been one of the most successful startups to battle Tesla for a piece of China’s red-hot EV market.
Xpeng executives said on Monday the EV startup will launch seven new vehicles next year, including three robotaxi models, and the company also plans to begin mass production of its $280,000 flying car in 2026.
At TLTF Summit, lawyers discussed the future of the industry.
TLTF Summit
AI is making its mark on law firms and corporate legal teams.
Clients expect measurable savings, and firms are spending real money to deliver them.
At TLTF Summit, Big Law leaders and legal-tech builders explored the future of the industry.
This past week, law firm leaders and legal-tech builders gathered at a schmoozy, invite-only retreat in Austin to discuss the future of the legal profession.
The key debate was not simply whether lawyers should use AI, but how to buy it, and who pays.
Run by the investment firm The Legal Tech Fund, TLTF Summit is a three-day event and the industry’s spin on the Sun Valley Conference. This year, panels considered staffing models, non-lawyer ownership, “innovation theater,” and unsanctioned tool use, or “shadow IT.”
I attended the summit and spoke with lawyers and legal ethicists about how tech is shaping the industry.
TLTF Summit took place at a luxury resort and spa in Austin.
TLTF Summit
Law firms are notorious tech laggards.
Their structure, one lawyer and legal ethicist said onstage, fights investment for the future. Unlike corporations, she said, most law firms are partnerships that distribute profits each year instead of retaining earnings. That leaves little cash for technology bets that may take years to pay off.
The billable-hour model also blunts incentives.
Software that reduces hours can cut revenue unless the firm moves to fixed fees or share-of-savings deals. Add strict confidentiality rules, client security audits, and a procurement process that’s fragmented across a firm’s practices, and the path to buying new tools is slow by design.
When generative AI first hit law firms, many clients were also wary.
An employment lawyer said that certain clients would tell her firm not to use the technology on their matters.
But soon, those same clients were demanding adoption, the lawyer added. They asked what tools the firm used, how lawyers were trained, and where the savings showed up.
As one retired firm chair put it: In two years, “thou shalt not” became “thou must.”
That shift has created real urgency, lawyers said.
“Law firms are horrible at treading water,” the employment lawyer said onstage. “They either swim forward or they sink.”
Lawyers considered how efficiency gains might warp the traditional law firm pyramid.
TLTF Summit
At the summit, panelists and attendees said firms were now snapping up software licenses, standing up task forces, and coaching partners on AI talking points for clients.
The question of who foots the bill for all this drew a particularly spicy debate. Some lawyers argued for passing costs through to clients. Others said firms should eat that spend.
Another option that kept popping up was outside capital.
In most states, nonlawyers can’t own law firms. But a workaround designed to help lawyers raise hard cash has recently been making headlines: the MSO, or managed services organization.
Under this dual-entity model, firms keep their partnership structure, and investors own a separate second entity that acts as a vendor to the law firm — essentially the back office — taking care of all non-legal tasks.
Private equity has been actively scouting potential targets. One immigration-lawyer attendee said he’s already fielded two inbound private-equity feelers this year.
Run by The Legal Tech Fund, TLTF Summit draws a crowd of Big Law decision-makers, consultants, tech executives, and aspiring legal-tech founders.
TLTF Summit
However they fund it, the new tech paradigm is remaking the law firm pyramid.
One firm chair said onstage that his office had stopped hiring junior lawyers, largely replacing them with AI.
Another predicted a “law firm diamond” with a slim layer of partners and juniors and a bulge of experienced midlevels doing most of the work. A separate panel floated a rectangular model — one associate per partner.
These discussions kept circling back to one question, however: Where will those midlevel lawyers come from if hiring at the entry level slows down?
At least one executive at a major law firm said its associate class was growing, not shrinking, as it responds to increased client demand.
Eventually, the debate narrowed to a simpler question about the work itself.
In a roundtable discussion, a law school professor asked the room: “What will remain uniquely human in the practice of law?”
Responses came fast. “Happy hour.” “Juries.” “Judgement.” “Nothing.”
Kevin was the new kid when we met in 10th grade. I was busy dancing; he was busy joining the football team. Eventually, our circles overlapped, and we started dating.
By 11th grade, however, I dumped him. He wanted to do football camps all summer instead of hanging out with me. But by senior year, we got back together, and the rest is history. We’ve been together for over 15 years and have been married since 2018.
Kevin played college football in Tennessee, and I attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. Being apart during that time was nice — we each had our own space to focus. After college, I had a hard time deciding whether to stay in D.C. or move to Tennessee to be with him. I knew being committed to Kevin would also mean being committed to his football career.
We created a home in Tennessee, where Kevin started his career
Some people in the NFL compare being married to a player to being a military spouse. I don’t think that’s quite right (my grandpa was a military man, and I know we don’t have the same safety concerns), but there are many similarities. I knew I couldn’t get a traditional job, since we’d have to move suddenly if Kevin were traded.
Clarke Byard and her husband Kevin rent a house in Chicago to have the family together during the NFL season.
Courtesy of Clarke Byard
Kevin is now playing his 10th NFL season, and our family life is shaped by his career. We have three kids: Eliana, 6; Kevin IV, 4; and Amari, 2. Kevin is a hands-on dad. He even delivered our second at home when I gave birth much faster than expected. We weren’t planning to name the baby Kevin, but after that, we had to.
Although we were raised in Georgia, Tennessee is our home now. It’s where Kevin attended school and began his professional career. We own a house there, and have a wonderful community that includes a lot of former professional athletes.
We pay full-time tuition to keep our private school spots
When Kevin signed with the Chicago Bears last year, I thought I would stay in Tennessee during the season. I even hired a nanny to help with the kids. But we missed him too much, and he missed us.
Now, we rent a home in Chicago during the NFL season. We pay full-time tuition for Eliana and Kevin at a school in Tennessee. It’s hard to get into, and we don’t want to lose their spots. Eliana is also enrolled at a private school in Chicago when we’re here.
Clarke Byard’s kids are enrolled in private schools in two states.
Courtesy of Clarke Byard
I know this setup will get more difficult as the kids get older. It’s already tricky because they miss their friends and extracurriculars in Tennessee. But our friends there are great, and they come to visit us in Chicago.
The NFL wives support and mentor each other
Other wives helped me learn how to navigate being a partner and mother during NFL season. By now, I feel like I know how to handle it. I’ve learned to go along with the chaotic part of our lives, rather than fight against it. I focus on the good things it brings.
I try to pay that guidance forward by mentoring other wives. The kids and I attend every home game. They love running around with the kids of other Bears’ players. Recently, a young wife — who is expecting twins — asked me how I do it. I was like, “Girl, I got you.”
Clarke Byard supports other NFL wives.
Courtesy of Clarke Byard
I help run our foundation, but mostly I’m OK being home during this phase of my life. I see a lot of the younger wives and girlfriends trying to wear so many hats. I don’t feel pressure to do more things that could take away from time with my kids.
I’m working on outsourcing more
Being on a schedule helps us make the most of Kevin’s limited free time. I recently got one of those digital calendars, and it will send Kevin a notification an hour before the kids’ activities. He tries to make an appearance, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
On weekdays, he gets home at about 6 p.m., and the kids are in bed at 7:30, so we need to make the time count. If he has a Friday off, we’ll have a movie night or go to the pumpkin patch — anything to create those memories.
I’m trying to be better at outsourcing. I just recently hired a babysitter. I’m thinking about an au pair, but I grew up as an only child, and I’m not sure I’m up for having someone else living in the house.
Ultimately, my heart is content when I’m home with my kids, having those experiences while they’re young that I can’t get back.
The RIAA gives diamond certifications to songs that have gone platinum 10 times.
Over 170 songs have been certified diamond, and 39 artists have multiple songs on the list.
Drake has the most with 15, followed by Post Malone with nine. Rihanna has the most among women.
The official diamond award was unveiled by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1999.
In the years since, it has been bestowed sparingly: if a song has sold at least 10 million equivalent units by combining sales and streaming numbers, and if an artist or label requests certification.
Justin Bieber’s “Baby” was only the second song in history to be certified diamond on May 9, 2013.
Bieber received a second diamond certification in 2018 as a featured artist on “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
His third award was bestowed in 2021 for his smash hit “Sorry.” He earned his fourth in 2023 for “Stay,” a duet with The Kid LAROI.
Eminem
Eminem/YouTube
Eminem’s “Not Afraid” was the third song in history to be certified diamond on June 10, 2014.
“Lose Yourself” and “Love the Way You Lie” both received the award in 2018.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga/YouTube
Lady Gaga received two diamond certifications in 2015 for “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face.”
She added a third to her collection in 2023 with “Just Dance.”
Imagine Dragons
“Thunder” was released in 2017.
Imagine Dragons/YouTube
Imagine Dragons has four diamond-certified songs, the most of any band in history.
“Radioactive” earned the band’s first diamond award on July 6, 2015. It was followed by “Demons” and “Believer” in 2021, and finally “Thunder” in 2022.
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars/YouTube
Bruno Mars has seven diamond-certified songs: “Uptown Funk,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade,” “That’s What I Like,” “When I Was Your Man,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” and “The Lazy Song.”
Katy Perry
Katy Perry/YouTube
Katy Perry earned her first diamond certification for “Roar” on June 22, 2017.
She received two more in 2018 for “Firework” and “Dark Horse.” Her fourth award was bestowed in 2023 for “California Gurls” featuring Snoop Dogg.
Perry added two more in 2024 for “E.T.” and “Teenage Dream,” bringing her grand total to six. She has the second-most diamond songs among women, trailing Rihanna by one.
Perry’s “Teenage Dream” is also the first and only album in history to feature four diamond-certified songs on its tracklist.
Pharrell
“Happy” was released as a single on November 21, 2013.
Pharrell Williams/YouTube
Pharrell earned a diamond certification in 2018 as a featured artist on Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” which he also cowrote and produced.
His hit single “Happy” received the award in 2020.
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line/YouTube
Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” was certified diamond on October 10, 2018.
The country duo received a second award in 2020 as a featured artist on Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be.”
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran/YouTube
Ed Sheeran received three diamond certifications in 2019 for “Shape of You,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Perfect.”
The Weeknd
The Weeknd/YouTube
With seven diamond-certified songs to his name, The Weeknd is tied with Bruno Mars and Rihanna for the third-most in history.
The Canadian singer earned his first diamond certification for “The Hills” on June 28, 2019. He received three more in 2022 for “Blinding Lights,” “Starboy,” and “Can’t Feel My Face.”
His fifth certification came in February 2023 for “Earned It,” the lead single from the “Fifty Shades of Grey” film soundtrack.
Finally, “Save Your Tears” and “Die For You” were both certified diamond on June 20, 2024.
The rapper received a second diamond certification in 2020 as a featured artist on Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” and a third in 2021 as a featured artist on Future’s “Life Is Good.”
He added two more in 2022 for solo hits, “Hotline Bling” and “One Dance.” In 2024, he received three diamond certifications as a featured artist on Chris Brown’s “No Guidance,” Rihanna’s “Work,” and Lil Wayne’s “Love Me.”
In 2025, Drake added seven more diamond songs to his collection: “Best I Ever Had,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” “Nonstop,” “Passionfruit,” “Headlines,” “The Motto,” and “Nice for What.”
He holds the all-time record with 15 diamond-certified songs.
Post Malone
Post Malone/YouTube
Post Malone boasts the second-most diamond-certified songs, trailing Drake’s record. He earned his first in 2019 for “Congratulations.”
He received two more awards in 2020 (for “Rockstar” and “Sunflower”) and an additional two in 2022 (for “White Iverson” and “Psycho” featuring Ty Dolla $ign).
He added three more to his collection in 2023 with “Better Now,” “I Fall Apart,” and “Circles.”
Finally, in 2024, Malone’s hit single “Wow.” became his milestone ninth diamond-certified song.
Cardi B
Cardi B/YouTube
In 2021, Cardi B became the first female rapper in history to have a diamond-certified single with “Bodak Yellow.”
Later that year, she received a second award as a featured artist on Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” and a third for her single “I Like It.”
Maroon 5
Maroon 5/YouTube
Maroon 5 earned two diamond certifications in 2021 for “Moves Like Jagger” and “Girls Like You.”
The band’s third award was bestowed in 2022 for “Sugar.”
The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers/YouTube
The Chainsmokers’ hit collaboration with Halsey, “Closer,” was certified diamond on September 17, 2018.
The EDM duo received two more awards in 2022 for “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya and “Something Just Like This” featuring Coldplay.
Twenty One Pilots
Fueled By Ramen/YouTube
Twenty One Pilots received their first diamond award in 2021 for “Stressed Out.”
The following year, they received a second for “Heathens,” the lead single from the soundtrack of the DC Comics film “Suicide Squad.”
The band’s single “Ride” became their third diamond song in 2025.
Swae Lee
Post Malone/YouTube
Swae Lee earned a diamond certification in 2020 for “Sunflower,” a collaboration with Post Malone for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
He received a second award in 2022 as a featured artist on French Montana’s “Unforgettable.”
Lee added a third award to his collection in 2025 as one half of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd, when their hit single “Black Beatles” was certified diamond.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1983.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” were both certified diamond on August 29, 2022, nearly 40 years after their release.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Macklemore/YouTube
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis earned their first diamond certification in 2015 for “Thrift Shop” featuring Wanz.
Seven years later, the duo earned a second for “Can’t Hold Us” featuring Ray Dalton.
Halsey
Halsey/YouTube
Halsey received her first diamond certification in 2018 as a featured artist on “Closer” by The Chainsmokers.
Rihanna earned her first diamond certification in 2018 as a featured artist on Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie.”
She received her second in 2023 for “We Found Love,” her smash collaboration with Calvin Harris, and her third in 2024 for “Diamonds.”
On May 31, 2024, Rihanna collected four more diamond plaques for “Needed Me,” “Work,” “Umbrella,” and “Stay,” setting a record for the most among female artists. She now has seven diamond singles, tied for third place among all artists.
Kanye West
Kanye West/YouTube
Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, received his first diamond certification that same year for “Stronger.”
His second award was bestowed in 2023 for “Ni**as in Paris,” a single from his joint album with Jay-Z, “Watch the Throne.”
The rapper received two more awards in 2024 for “Bang Bang,” the hit collaboration with Jessie J and Ariana Grande, and “Starships.”
Pitbull
Pitbull in “Timber.”
Pitbull/YouTube
Pitbull received his first diamond certification in 2022 for his hit collaboration with Kesha, “Timber.”
He earned a second award in 2024 for “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z in “Empire State of Mind.”
Jay-Z/YouTube
Jay-Z’s hit collaboration with Kanye West, “Ni**as in Paris,” became his first diamond song in 2023.
The Brooklyn rapper received his second diamond award in 2024 for “Empire State of Mind,” his famous duet with Alicia Keys.
Luke Combs
Luke Combs in “When It Rains It Pours.”
Luke Combs/YouTube
Luke Combs has four diamond songs to his name, the most of any country singer: “Beautiful Crazy,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “Hurricane,” and “She Got the Best of Me.”
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys in “No One.”
Alicia Keys/YouTube
Alicia Keys received two diamond certifications in 2024 for “Empire State of Mind” and “No One.”
Travis Scott
Travis Scott in “Goosebumps.”
Travis Scott/YouTube
Travis Scott received his first diamond certification in 2020 for “Sicko Mode.” His second award was bestowed in 2024 for “Goosebumps,” a hit single from his sophomore album.
The following year, Eilish received her second award for “Lovely,” a collaboration with Khalid released for the “13 Reasons Why” soundtrack.
J. Cole
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
J. Cole received two diamond certifications in 2024 for “Middle Child” and “No Role Modelz.”
Beyoncé
Beyoncé in “Single Ladies.”
Beyoncé/YouTube
Beyoncé received two diamond certifications in 2024 for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” and “Halo,” both singles from her 2008 album “I Am… Sasha Fierce.”
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande in “7 Rings.”
Ariana Grande/YouTube
Ariana Grande’s hit collaboration with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, “Bang Bang,” became her first diamond song in 2024.
Lil Wayne received his first diamond certification in 2022 for “Lollipop.”
He earned a second award in 2024 for “Love Me” featuring Drake and Future. The following year, he earned two more as a featured artist on Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now” and Drake’s “The Motto.”
Future
Future in “Love Me.”
Lil Wayne/YouTube
Future’s hit collaboration with Drake, “Life Is Good,” was certified diamond in 2021.
He received a second diamond certification in 2024 as a featured artist on Lil Wayne’s “Love Me,” also featuring Drake.
Kane Brown
Kane Brown in “What Ifs.”
Kane Brown/YouTube
Kane Brown’s “Heaven” was certified diamond on December 7, 2023.
The country singer received a second award in 2025 for “What Ifs,” a duet with Lauren Alaina.
Brown received a second award in 2025 for “Look at Me Now,” featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes.
The Black Eyed Peas
Fergie in “Boom Boom Pow.”
Black Eyed Peas/YouTube
The Black Eyed Peas earned their first diamond certification in 2018 for “I Gotta Feeling,” which became just the 18th song in history to receive the award.
Seven years later, the group earned a second for “Boom Boom Pow.”
Panic! At the Disco
“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” was released in 2006.
Fueled By Ramen/YouTube
Panic! At the Disco’s two biggest hits, “High Hopes” and “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” were both certified diamond on October 2, 2025.
Bryson Tiller
Bryson Tiller performs in 2016.
Scott Dudelson/FilmMagic
Bryson Tiller collected his first two diamond awards on October 2, 2025, for “Exchange” and “Don’t.”
Train
Pat Monahan of Train performs in 2008.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Train’s first diamond award was bestowed for “Hey, Soul Sister” in 2021.
“Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” became the band’s second diamond song in 2025.
Netflix has had many successful originals this year, but a few weren’t total home runs for critics.
Netflix
This year, Netflix dropped a new slate of comedies, dramas, docuseries, and animated shows.
“Long Story Short” and “Death by Lightning” are among the streamer’s most praised hits.
However, critics agreed that shows like “Miss Governor” and “With Love, Meghan” failed to impress.
Netflix debuted dozens of new original series in 2025.
The streaming platform — which has more than 300 million subscribers — creates, produces, and exclusively distributes a wide range of TV shows, from sitcoms and docuseries to compelling dramas.
The animated series “Long Story Short” earned perfect scores across the board.
Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Summary: Three Jewish siblings, Avi (Ben Feldman), Shira (Abbi Jacobson), and Yoshi (Max Greenfield), navigate adulthood as they look back on their upbringing.
The show, made by “BoJack Horseman” creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, was hailed as inventive and remarkably heartfelt.
“‘Long Story Short’ is a bitingly funny and thoughtful animated comedy that further proves the brilliance of creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg,” Allyson Johnson wrote for InBetweenDrafts.
Critics said “Forever” captured the magic of Judy Blume’s novel.
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Summary: Two childhood friends, Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.), reunite as teenagers and experience the highs and lows of first love.
Critics agreed that “Forever” was a thoughtful adaptation of Judy Blume’s beloved novel.
“Watching this show, with strong performances, a solid soundtrack and romantic undertones, feels like curling up under a warm blanket on a rainy day,” Amber Dowling wrote in a review for The Globe and Mail.
“Devil May Cry” was praised for its wild, bombastic flair.
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Summary: Based on the video-game franchise of the same name, this animated series follows demon hunter Dante (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch) as he seeks vengeance for his family.
The high-octane series, which was created in the style of Netflix’s “Castlevania” adaptation, was praised both by fans of the original video-game series and newcomers.
“Having zero knowledge of ‘Devil May Cry,’ I had a great time with Netflix’s new anime of the video game franchise without feeling like I was missing out on key information,” Lyra Hale wrote for Fangirlish.
“Death by Lightning” was anchored by phenomenal acting.
Larry Horricks/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Summary: This historical drama traces the lives of President James Garfield (Michael Shannon) and Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), the man who shot him.
The series, which was helmed by “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, was praised as their next big hit.
“Perhaps fittingly for a show about a bunch of forgotten names, ‘Death by Lightning’ is a delightful showcase for undersung character actors,” Inkoo Kang wrote for The New Yorker.
“House of Guinness” was applauded as a thrilling saga.
Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Summary: In 1860s Ireland, the four grown children of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness — played by Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, and Fionn O’Shea — jockey for wealth and control after their father suddenly dies, leaving the famed brewery in their hands.
Filled with intrigue and riveting power plays, critics said “House of Guinness” was easy to recommend.
“‘House of Guinness’ is full of intense confrontations and unexpected complications — and anyone who enjoyed ‘Peaky Blinders’, or ‘Succession’, or ‘The Gilded Age’, should find ‘House of Guinness’ very satisfying to watch,” David Bianculli said in a review for NPR.
The likable dramedy “Boots” was filled with heart.
“Boots” is based on a memoir.
Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Summary: In the early 1990s, Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer) comes to terms with his sexuality after he and his best friend, Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), are recruited for the Marine Corps.
Based on the memoir “The Pink Marine” by Greg Cope White, “Boots” had a personal touch that wowed reviewers.
“‘Boots’ doesn’t just entertain — it opens a door. It reminds [us] that sometimes the loudest battles happen in silence. That surviving the system doesn’t mean it didn’t leave marks,” Denise Zubizarreta wrote for Latina Media Co. “It asks what happens when obedience and identity collide — and who do we become when the marching stops?”
The gritty crime thriller “Dept. Q” kept critics coming back for more.
Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Summary: In this British crime thriller, detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) returns to work after a tragic shooting.
Critics said that “Dept. Q” set itself apart from other crime thrillers thanks to its unique tone and masterclass acting.
“The vibes are creepy and gritty, the characters are gruff and direct, the puzzle is properly intriguing, and the English are frequently mocked,” Wenlei Ma wrote in her review for The Nightly.
“Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” has been described as a video-game adaptation that packs a punch.
“Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” is based on a video-game series.
Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Summary: Based on Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell video-game series, this animated show follows legendary spy Sam Fisher (Liev Schreiber) as he helps field operative Zinnia McKenna (Kirby) unravel a vast conspiracy.
Critics said that fans of the original “Splinter Cell” franchise would appreciate nods to its source material.
“Starring sardonic, neck-snapping super spy Sam Fisher, the show puts a fresh spin on the games’ formula while retaining the appeal of the beloved stealth-action franchise,” Matt Cabral wrote in a review for Common Sense Media.
The dark drama “Untamed” had gorgeous backdrops.
Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Summary: Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a federal agent for the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch, takes on a harrowing murder case in Yosemite.
Although a few critics said that “Untamed” lacked substance at times, they said it had style in spades.
“If you’re willing to turn your brain off and go along for the ride, ‘Untamed’ is likely to serve as a welcome distraction,” Tyler Doupe wrote for Dread Central.
Critics called “Running Point” a bingeable, if slightly shallow, comedy.
Kate Hudson in “Running Point.”
Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%
Summary: When a scandal forces her eldest brother into early retirement, Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) steps up as the new manager for the Los Angeles Waves, one of the biggest teams in the NBA.
The humor was hit-or-miss with critics, but it was hard for them to resist the charm of Hudson as the show’s star.
“‘Running Point’ is far from perfect, but it still has Hudson and she’s sinking three pointers every time,” Randy Myers wrote in a review for San Jose Mercury News.
Though not perfect, “The Four Seasons” was buoyed by the star power of its cast.
Tina Fey and Will Forte in “The Four Seasons.”
Jon Pack/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
Summary: Three sets of married couples navigate the shifting relationships in their friend group as one of them abruptly divorces their spouse.
The plot may have meandered at times, but critics said that the show’s acting performances — from stars like Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, and Steve Carell — kept them glued to their seats.
“No matter the plot, Tina Fey knows how to bring in heavy hitters, which could be the saving grace for all of these friends and the show itself,” Megan Lachinski wrote for Next Best Picture.
The voice actors of “Haunted Hotel” helped the show stand out.
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%
Summary: Katherine (Eliza Coupe) raises her two kids — Esther (Natalie Palamides) and Ben (Skyler Gisondo) — in a haunted hotel, with the help of her recently deceased brother (Forte).
Critics said that, despite treading familiar territory, “Haunted Hotel” was somewhat elevated by its steady stream of jokes and stand-out acting performances
“You get stand-up comedians that really get to show their stuff. And Will Forte, I think, really does a great job in this series,” Walter Chaw said in NPR’s “Pop Culture Happy Hour.” “But I can’t overcome this feeling of familiarity.”
“Leanne” benefited from its titular star.
Kristen Johnston and Leanne Morgan in “Leanne.”
Patrick McElhenney/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
Summary: Leanne (Leanne Morgan) picks up the pieces of her life after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman.
Critics said the sitcom worked best when it let Morgan, a popular stand-up comedian, take the spotlight.
“Like Reba McEntire’s venture, ‘Leanne’ relies heavily on its star and the one-liners she’s good at dishing out,” Bruce R. Miller wrote for the Sioux City Journal.
Critics were ultimately let down by the gambling drama “Bet.”
Miku Martineau in “Bet.”
Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Summary: Adapted from a Japanese manga, this story follows Yumeko (Miku Martineau) as she transfers to St. Dominic’s, an elite boarding school where the social order is dictated by the school’s underground gambling ring.
“Bet” takes enough big swings to keep viewers engaged, but critics said it ultimately didn’t live up to its potential.
“This teen psychological thriller could say some interesting things about class, wealth, and power, but it doesn’t quite get there,” Danae Stahlnecker wrote in a review for Common Sense Media.
“WWE Unreal” ran out of mileage early on.
WWE/Courtesy of Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Summary: This docuseries takes viewers behind the scenes of professional wrestling in the WWE, with appearances from John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and more.
Though some reviewers found “WWE Unreal” to be an accessible entry into the world of wrestling, others felt like its material was a little thin.
“While the series offers plenty of technical, surface-level insights, there aren’t any revelations in ‘WWE: Unreal’ that can’t be found in the average wrestler’s backstage vlog,” Lauren Coates wrote for Nerdspin.
“Bad Thoughts” was simply too outrageous for critics.
Tom Segura in “Bad Thoughts.”
Shaun Nix/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%
Summary: Stand-up comedian Tom Segura brings outlandish ideas from the stage to the screen in this series of vignettes and sketches inspired by his comedy.
“Bad Thoughts” completely divided critics, with many turned off by Segura’s puerile sense of humor.
“‘Bad Thoughts’ isn’t just a bad show—it’s a patience test,” Abhishek Srivastava wrote in a review for The Times of India. “It’s crude, juvenile, and completely unhinged.”
Tyler Perry’s “Miss Governor” was dismissed as superficial.
Terri J. Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson in “Miss Governor.”
Charles “Chip” Bergmann/Netfli
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
Summary: Mississippi politician Antoinette Dunkerson (Terri J. Vaughn) adjusts to life in the public eye after she becomes the state’s first Black lieutenant governor.
The series, which was originally titled “She’s the People,” pulled in some negative reviews for its approach to politics.
“Despite some interesting elements and the steadying presence of Vaughn, the sillier elements of Tyler Perry’s [show] overwhelm what could have been a funny story about messy families and racial politics,” Joel Keller wrote for Decider.
“Ransom Canyon” proved too hokey for most critics.
Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly in “Ransom Canyon.”
ANNA KOORIS/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%
Summary: In this Western romance, Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) falls for longtime family friend Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) while he still reels from a heartbreaking loss.
Critics couldn’t help but draw comparisons between “Ransom Canyon” and better melodramas.
“‘Ransom Canyon’ has almost as much ‘Friday Night Lights‘ in its DNA as ‘Yellowstone,'” Chris Vognar wrote in his review for the Boston Globe. “But where those shows were light on their feet, this one is merely lightweight. In the parlance of the region, it’s all hat, no cattle.”
“Billionaires’ Bunker” was a resounding flop.
Tamara Arranz/NETFLIX
Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%
Summary: As a nuclear war looms, a group of billionaires seeks shelter in a bunker, where close quarters stoke the flames of resentment between the two rich families.
Despite an interesting premise, the Spanish-language show was written off as completely forgettable.
“‘Billionaires’ Bunker’ is marketed as a survival dystopia, but it ends up playing as a glossy soap opera with a bargain-bin apocalypse,” Juan Pablo Russo wrote for EscribiendoCine.
Lifestyle reality show “With Love, Meghan” fell flat for many critics.
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%
Summary: Former royal Meghan Markle shares her favorite recipes and lifestyle tips while welcoming famous guests into her California home.
Despite already premiering two seasons (and having a holiday special slated for December), “With Love, Meghan” hasn’t been a hit with most critics, who found the show to feel shallow and unrelatable.
“‘With Love, Meghan’ is a dusting of flower sprinkles that can’t hide the blandness of the cookie—a polite but distant dispatch from a rented kitchen down the road in lieu of truly welcoming us into her life,” critic Judy Berman wrote for Time.
The author said her twins have been nearly inseparable since birth, so she is encouraging their individuality as they age.
Courtesy of Neelma Faraz
I’ve heard about the special bond that twins share, and I was excited to witness it with my sons.
I realized they have shared nearly every experience, often making choices based on togetherness.
Now I’m encouraging my sons to embrace individuality as they grow older.
I was always fascinated by twins when I was younger, even though I didn’t grow up around any. So when I had twin boys — especially in a family where no one, not even in the extended circle, had ever had twins — it felt like something magical was happening.
I had heard about the special bonds that twins share, and I was excited to witness that up close. I thought it would be like watching a fascinating story unfold.
My sons are 13 now, but they have been mostly inseparable since birth. When they were babies, they hit milestones within days of each other. Through the years, they’ve shared rhythms, reactions, and inside jokes that didn’t need explaining. They understood one another in a way that didn’t always require words.
They’ve enjoyed the same toys, the same games, and sometimes they even share the same expressions. I remember once, when they were around 5, they were sitting at a small table eating dinner, dressed in matching T-shirts, moving almost in sync. My cousin walked in, paused, and said, “It looks like he’s eating in front of a mirror.” And she was right. Their resemblance went beyond their looks; there was something deeply intertwined about the way they existed in the world.
Their bond is something I have cherished and been amazed by, and I still am. But they’re growing up, and I know they need to honor their individuality as well.
We unintentionally encouraged their sameness
In many ways, my husband and I made it easier for our boys to stay as one unit for a long time. When they were younger, I admit I leaned into the twin aesthetic, opting for matching outfits, the same shoes, the same everything. Part of it was practical. No decisions. No comparisons. I didn’t have to decide who looked better in what. It was adorable, and it symbolized the bond I loved watching grow between them.
The same thing happened with activities. If one joined swimming, the other joined, too. If one tried taekwondo, so did the other. It made logistics easier, and the boys seemed happiest together, so we never questioned it.
But then, as they grew, small moments began making me pause.
The author realized that dressing her twins alike wasn’t helping them be individuals.
Courtesy of Neelma Faraz
Closeness began to shape their choices
A few years ago, one of them fell ill on the day of a birthday party they had both been invited to. The other one had been looking forward to the celebration all week — talking about it, planning his outfit, picking the gift. But the moment he realized his brother couldn’t go, he simply said, “Then I won’t go either.” No hesitation. No discussion.
Later, when their teachers asked students to start thinking about possible subject interests for their board years, I saw the same pattern repeat. Instead of exploring what each of them genuinely liked, their first instinct was to check what the other had chosen.
Their choices weren’t just about preference — they were about togetherness.
That’s when it clicked for me: Their bond was beautiful, but it was also shaping their identities. Maybe a little too much.
We’ve been gently making space
I didn’t want to break their bond. I didn’t want to push them apart. I wanted to make room within it so they could grow without losing each other. So we began with small shifts.
When I liked a clothing style, I began buying it in two different colors instead of identical outfits. I let them choose who got what. They never argued; one picked one color, the other picked the other. No competition, no issues. Just a quiet, natural separation of preferences.
We also talked — casually, not forcefully — about how liking different things or choosing different subjects wasn’t the same as leaving someone behind. That individuality wouldn’t weaken their connection, but it could enrich their own experiences.
And when sports trials came around at school, we encouraged them to try what they were drawn to, not just what they could do together. One made the football team. The other was selected for basketball.
It made our routines harder: two practice schedules, two drop-offs, and keeping track of two sets of gear. But supporting individuality isn’t something only children learn. Parents have to learn it, too.
They can have it all
Their bond is something rare. I’m grateful for it every day. I don’t want to undo it, and I don’t think I could even if I tried.
I just hope they grow up knowing that you can love someone deeply and still be your own person. You don’t have to mirror someone to stay close to them, and it’s important to step out of a fixed comfort zone.
One day, their worlds will naturally expand with new schools, new friends, and new experiences. And when that happens, I want them to move forward knowing they will never have to choose between being together and being individuals. They can have both.