Latest news with #TheWishboneKitchenCookbook
Los Angeles Times
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Why cozy content is king for stressed-out young adults
Meredith Hayden, a New York-based social media influencer and cookbook author, didn't start out wanting to create comforting content. But that's exactly what resonated with audiences. She went viral a few years ago by posting about her 'day in the life' as a private chef in the Hamptons. Now she has a large following on YouTube for her Wishbone Kitchen brand and her 'Dinner With Friends' video series, where she shows herself setting up relaxing dinner parties, making French-style hot chocolate and re-creating a cozy coffee shop at home. You might see her online wearing pajamas or in bed with her dog while talking to the camera. She doesn't edit out the parts where she messes up the recipe, saying her fans appreciate the flubs. Hayden, who recently completed a tour for 'The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook,' said she isn't necessarily going for a vibe, at least not intentionally, despite the clear Ina Garten influence. 'This is really just how I live my life,' Hayden, 29, said by phone. 'I am glad it comes across as comforting, because I'm definitely someone who gravitates more towards 'comfort content' myself.' 'I'm not planning on watching 'Severance,'' she added, saying she gravitates toward more wholesome, grounded content, such as home makeover shows of the non-competitive variety. That personal preference aligns with a broader trend among young adult viewers, according to recent data from United Talent Agency, the Beverly Hills representation firm. The company's data and insights group, UTA IQ, compiled stats suggesting that many younger consumers are leaning toward material that soothes the nerves and acts as a warm blanket, rather than ratcheting up the anxiety. 'Comfort content' is like popping a Lorazepam (though not in the excessive dose Parker Posey's character takes in 'The White Lotus') or CBD gummy at the end of the day. The trend is playing out across TV, streaming, literature and social media, said UTA IQ executive Abby Bailey. She sees it in the rise of #CleanTok videos (totaling 49 billion views last year), in which people do mundane household chores, as well as robust streaming viewership of nostalgic low-intensity sitcoms including 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and the successful February debut of a new CBS soap opera, 'Beyond the Gates.' 'Somber themes, intellectual depth, cultural satires — those have always defined prestige entertainment, and it's left many to discount the value and the viewership of this more lighthearted, comforting programming,' Bailey told The Times. 'But as audiences are prioritizing their well-being and taking brain-breaks from the weight of the world, the definition of what's capital 'I' important in entertainment is shifting.' The changing attitudes are particularly noticeable in the young adult entertainment space, which several years ago was dominated by postapocalyptic teen dramas such as 'The Hunger Games' and the 'Divergent' series. More than half (58%) of U.S. adults ages 18 to 30 say TV shows and movies depicting young adults have become too dark and heavy, according to UTA IQ's April poll of more than 1,000 people. More than 70% said they want to see lighter and more joyful TV shows with young people. That's not to say that the upcoming season of the dark and sexually explicit 'Euphoria' won't be successful or that the next 'Hunger Games' film won't work at the box office. That type of content still has its place, even as tastes evolve. But studios and streamers appear to be noticing the audience's shifting habits. Examples are popping up in the young adult space on streaming services, including Tubi's 2024 sports romance movie 'Sidelined: The QB & Me,' which is getting a sequel. The Netflix teen drama 'My Life With the Walter Boys' was recently renewed for a third season, ahead of its Season 2 premiere. There are plenty of other opportunities now for young people to take mental breaks on the couch, from the rise of 'cozy gaming' to the crossover appeal of 'healing fiction,' a genre of whimsical books from Japan and Korea that have taken off elsewhere. Olympic diver Tom Daley, who went viral when he was photographed knitting between his events in Tokyo, created a competition show called 'Game of Wool' that will debut on Channel 4 in the U.K. Some millennial parents have turned to gentler, less overstimulating TV shows from decades ago — think 'Arthur' and 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' — to co-view with their young children. Comfort content is certainly nothing new. The term brings to mind the idyllic autumnal walkways of Stars Hollow, the fictional small town from 'Gilmore Girls,' as well as just about anything on the Hallmark Channel, which has enough of a following to justify its own $8-a-month subscription streaming service. But there may be a reason the category is finding renewed purchase in trying times. Bailey hears that theme from consumers who just aren't in the mood for any more nail-biters. 'Time and time again, I get people saying, 'I just can't bring myself to watch anything serious,'' Bailey said. ''Like, all I want to do is watch Bravo.'' As expected, Warner Bros. Discovery will split into two companies, separating its streaming and studios businesses from the struggling television networks business, the New York-based media giant said Monday. The Streaming & Studios company will consist of the film and TV studios as well as HBO and HBO Max. The Global Networks company (which is taking on much of the debt) will have CNN, Discovery and other channels. The divorce is aimed to be completed by mid-2026. Afterward, Warner Bros. Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav will be CEO of the streaming and studios group, while Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels will run the networks. The firm previously foreshadowed this move by restructuring its operations along similar lines. Warner Bros. Discovery thus joins Comcast's NBCUniversal, which is sweeping basic cable networks, including MSNBC and USA, into a new separate entity called Versant. It's widely speculated that Paramount Global — if and when the Skydance deal happens — will also eventually unload declining legacy networks. The breakups reflect an ongoing reality — linear television is in big trouble. The struggles of the cable bundle have continued to weigh on studio finances, with customers moving rapidly to on-demand services. Indeed, if anyone thought the entertainment business' bloodletting was over after last year's series of layoffs, Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. Discovery disabused them of that notion in recent days. Disney slashed several hundred employees on June 2. An actual number was not disclosed, but the cuts are significant, coming after Bob Iger embarked on a plan to reduce staff by 8,000 two years ago following his return as chief executive. The latest layoffs hit film and television marketing teams, television publicity, casting and development as well as corporate financial operations. The cuts happen to land as the company is celebrating huge box office results from 'Lilo & Stitch.' The new downsizing comes amid Disney's efforts to pare down its production pipeline after binge-spending during the streaming wars. The reduction corresponds to Disney's efforts to focus on quality over quantity while also cutting costs. A couple days after Disney's layoffs, Warner Bros. Discovery cut staff from its cable television channels business. Those Warner Bros. Discovery reductions were smaller in scale (eliminating fewer than 100 roles), but the message to the industry couldn't be clearer. Comcast's NBCUniversal has also undergone layoffs. The question is: What comes next? Many expect the cast-off Warner and NBCUniversal networks to merge at some point, with Paramount channels perhaps joining them one day. Listen: Turnstile's new album 'Never Enough' is out. Also, The Beths have a new tune. Sabrina Carpenter's latest has already been declared the 'song of the summer.'
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bill Belichick's tell-all book becomes a bestseller after much-discussed age-gap relationship drama grabs headlines
Bill Belichick's new book explodes in popularity following headline-making relationship controversy (Credit: Getty Images) Bill Belichick is writing a brand-new chapter of his life—quite literally. After parting ways with the New England Patriots , the legendary coach took on an unexpected role by joining the North Carolina Tar Heels, a program that struggled to a 6–7 finish last season. But even more intriguing than his latest coaching gig is his foray into the world of literature. Bill Belichick's off-field drama becomes the reason behind his book's surprising best seller status Bill Belichick's memoir, The Art of Winning : Lessons from a Life in Football, released on May 6, immediately stirred attention across sports and literary circles. Despite a sweeping media tour—including an interview that gained viral momentum due to his girlfriend Jordon Hudson—the book debuted at No. 5 on the New York Times Best Sellers list in the Advice, How-to & Miscellaneous category. It landed behind crowd favorites like The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook and Glennon Doyle's We Can Do Hard Things. Still, for a first-time author whose fame has mostly come from grit and gridiron, the reception is significant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo Inside the 280-page memoir, Belichick offers fans a reflective look at his football journey, spanning over 49 years. 'My life in football over the last 49+ years involved a lot of winning, losing, and more than anything: learning,' Belichick wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. He touches on formative influences, from his early days with his father at the U.S. Naval Academy to his storied run with the Patriots. Notably, the book is filled with tributes to names that shaped his career—Lawrence Taylor, Bill Parcells, and of course, Tom Brady. In fact, Brady—his on-field partner in building a dynasty—pens a blurb that captures the essence of the book: 'Coach Belichick brought out the best in me. His book will do the same for you.' That endorsement alone might be enough to draw NFL fans and leadership enthusiasts alike. What makes The Art of Winning stand out isn't just the stories—it's the honesty. Belichick opens up about leadership, discipline, and sustained success, blending locker room tales with deep personal acknowledgments. Among them is a nod to Hudson, whom he refers to as his 'idea mill and creative muse,' showing a softer side of the coach not often seen under the headset. As for what lies ahead, Belichick's next season with UNC kicks off in September against TCU. Whether he can turn the Tar Heels into contenders remains uncertain. Whether his book maintains its place on the bestseller charts is also a question only time can answer. Also Read: Legendary NFL player follows Tom Brady's way, steps into ownership role with minority stake in Cleveland Browns Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
